Miami’s own Cris Cab

Cris Cab Interview by Rachel Barrick
Cris Cab, a 17 year old singer/musician from Miami, Florida is on the verge of becoming one of the next big artists in the music world. He is an extremely talented young musician with a positive, “it’s all good” attitude toward life and his music. Cris’ inspiration came to him at a very young age, as music always just came naturally to him. Since he was young, he was always surrounded with music, and it became a natural tendency of his to have music play a major role in his life. Music has always been a passion of his, and performing and producing it is all he has ever wanted to do. Cris’ major influences in music include artists such as Bob Marley and John Mayer, along with more modern, hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Drake. His favorite genre of music is reggae, which can be heard in much of his own original music.

Cris’ music is incredibly meaningful, portraying his immense talents and positive ideals, and is the type of music that can most definitely be enjoyed by everyone. Cris writes and produces his own original music, along with recording a few cover albums in order to draw in listeners and expose them to his music. His musical talents, however, are not limited to singing, playing guitar, and producing. Cris, as he put it, plays a “smorgasbord of instruments” as well. Cris’ ultimate goal as an artist is mainly to expose people to good music, and to show them what has given him his love of music and formed his passion for it. In reaching this goal, he hopes that being a musician and performing his music will be a part of his life forever. Cris begins his East Coast tour on June 7th, 2011; the same day on which his debut album, “Foreword” will be released.

Some of Cris’ songs on this album include “Good Girls” and “No Hatred”. Fans can get his music on iTunes, and can listen to it on blogs, and Facebook. Everyone can check out Cris and his music on his website CrisCab.com, his Facebook page, Cris Cab Music, or on Twitter at Cris Cab Music as well.

Sunfest is Coming-Awesome Line Up!

Our own major music event takes place from April 27 to May 1 on the water in downtown West Palm Beach.  Over the past 10 years Swept Away Tv has covered many artists and an incredible number of great live performances.  This year’s lineup is amazing!  Take a look!

SunFest, Florida’s largest music, art and waterfront festival, announces national acts scheduled to headline at the 29th annual event being held April 27-May 1, along one of the most scenic sections of Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. National acts scheduled to perform include Jason Mraz, Earth, Wind & Fire, MGMT, Sublime with Rome, Cee Lo Green, Jeff Beck, Taking Back Sunday , Gregg Allman, Neon Trees, The Avett Brothers,  O.A.R., Styx,  Mike Posner, Sick Puppies, Never Shout Never,  Prince Royce,  Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Anberlin, The Supervillains, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Brooke Fraser, and Ziggy Marley. More entertainment to be announced as confirmed.

“SunFest has become known for putting together a diverse line-up and this year we have truly delivered,” said Paul Jamieson, executive director of SunFest. “From Pop and Reggae, Classic and Alternative Rock, Jazz and Latin, we have pulled together an exciting lineup.  We have an incredible setting along the waterfront of downtown West Palm Beach. It’s a music experience like no other available to festival goers and music lovers.”

Florida-based reggae group The Supervillains will perform Wednesday evening, April 27 on the Bank of America Stage. In their twelve-year existence, The Supervillains have grown from hometown heroes in St. Cloud, Orlando to one of the most recognizable names in reggae.

Swept Away Tv favorites Ska-punk band Sublime with Rome will perform Wednesday evening, April 27 on the Bank of America Stage. Sublime is known for their rhythm section, funky drumming and bass lines.  In 2010, founding members of Sublime, drummer Bud Gaugh and bass player Eric Wilson announced they would officially take the stage once again with new front man, singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez. After 14 years the new Sublime with Rome reintroduced themselves and Sublime’s music to fans across the country by energizing crowds with old Sublime favorites like “Santeria,” “What I Got,” and “Wrong Way.” The band has moved ahead with new material, including their new song “Panic.” Sublime with Rome is currently working on a debut album slated for release sometime in 2011.

Folk rock band The Avett Brothers will perform Wednesday evening, April 27 on the Tire Kingdom Stage. Noted in 2009 Rolling Stone magazine as artist to watch, The Avett Brothers are known for rowdy, energetic live shows and honest lyrics. Their sound has been described as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, and the raw energy of the Ramones.”  The Avett Brothers have opened for Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer among others. Their latest album I and Love and You was produced by legendary producer and talent scout Rick Rubin.

Swept Away Tv interviewee  Jason Mraz will perform Thursday evening, April 28 on the Bank of America Stage. Mraz is best known for the single “I’m Yours” off of his third studio album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2008. This two time Grammy award winner is known for his clever, observant lyrics and strong engaging pop melodies. He encourages fans to record his live performances which often contain an element of surprise and the showcasing of a new song never heard by the public before.

For the hip hop fans Grammy-award winner Cee Lo Green will perform Thursday evening, April 28 on the Tire Kingdom Stage. Cee Lo Green hails from Atlanta, Georgia and is a singer, songwriter, rapper and producer who has a knack for continually reinventing himself. Cee Lo began his career as part of the renowned and influential hip hop group Goodie Mob prior to breaking out on his own in 2002. Green released two solo albums before becoming part of the superstar duo Gnarles Barkley with alternative music producer Danger Mouse.

Another Swept Away Tv interviewee the band Anberlin will perform Friday evening, April 29 on the Bank of America Stage. Hailing from Orlando, this mainstay in the alternative rock scene is touring in support of their fifth studio album. Their hits include “Impossible,” “Dark Is the Way” and “Light Is a Place.” Led by the soaring vocals of Stephen Christian, the positive-thinking Anberlin also included Joseph Milligan (guitar), Nathan Young (drums), Joey Bruce (guitar), and Deon Rexroat (bass), and presented an alternative pop/rock sound that, while inflected with the earnestness of emo, was closer to the mature stylings of Third Eye Blind.

Another favorite Taking Back Sunday will perform Friday evening, April 29 on the Bank of America Stage.

Taking Back Sunday is one of the leading groups on contemporary punk scene.  The band boasts 3 gold albums, two of which hit the top five including a #2 debut for 2006’s Louder Now.

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies will perform Friday evening April 29 on the Tire Kingdom Stage.

Gregg Allman will perform Friday evening, April 29 on the Tire Kingdom Stage. Gregg Allman is both a founding member of one of the biggest American bands of all time, the Allman Brothers Band, and a critically acclaimed solo talent. In addition to his singing and playing, Allman has written many memorable hits, including the classics “Midnight Rider,” “Dreams” and “Queen of Hearts.” In January 2011 the Southern rocker released his first solo album in 14 years Low Country Blues, marking Allman’s return to the front ranks of American music.

Mike Posner will perform Friday evening, April 29 on the FPL Stage. American singer, songwriter and producer Mike Posner got his music career going when he self-released two mix-tapes and signed a record deal with J Records while still attending college at Duke University. He returned to school to finish his degree before launching his debut album 31 Minutes to Takeoff in August of 2010. The album includes the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 single “Cooler Than Me’’ as well as his second single “Please Don’t Go.”

Ziggy Marley will perform Saturday afternoon, April 30 on the Bank of America Stage. Marley is the oldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley. Ziggy is a five-time Grammy award winner best known for singles such as “Drive,” “True To Myself,” “People Get Ready” and “Tomorrow People.” His next album is tentatively entitled Wild and Free and is slated for release in the summer of 2011. His latest release “A Fire Burns For Freedom” is the second song released in the Wild and Free Series, and comes on the heels of his first release, “Africa Land.” This song supported a historic moment, Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup for the first time.

Never Shout Never will perform Saturday afternoon, April 30 on the Tire Kingdom Stage.

One of 2010’s most buzzed about acts Never Shout Never is fronted by 20 year old Christopher Drew Ingle.

Alternative Rock group Toad the Wet Sprocket will perform Saturday afternoon, April 30 on the FPL Stage. The band is best known for their hit singles “All I Want” and “Walk on the Ocean” off their 1991 certified platinum album Fear.  To this day, their mellow, melodic folk-pop sound makes them one of the most successful bands of the 90’s. In December 2010, the band announced their official reunion as a full-time working band. They are currently writing songs for their first studio album since their 1997 release Coil.

MGMT will perform Saturday evening, April 30 on the Bank of America Stage. MGMT is an American psychedelic-rock band based in Brooklyn, NY. This electric brainy pop group with psychedelic overtones and unusual pop structures is best known for their singles “Kids,” “Time To Pretend” and “Electric Feel.” MGMT was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  Their second album Congratulations was released in 2010.

Styx will perform Saturday evening, April 30 on the Tire Kingdom Stage. The group hails from the south side of Chicago and is one of the most successful “arena rock” groups of all time. They have performed more live since ’99 than all of the previous years of their career combined. Styx has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide and is one of the few bands to have had three top ten songs in three different decades, the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The band is best known for hit songs such as “Come Sail Away,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Babe,” “The Best of Times,” and “Show Me the Way.”

Another interviewee from 2009 The American rock band O.A.R. will perform Sunday afternoon, May 1 on the Bank of America Stage. O.A.R. (originally known as Of a Revolution) is well known for their unique concert performances in which the band often creates variations to songs making it rare to hear an O.A.R. song played the exact same way twice.  In 2008, “Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” the first single off their sixth studio album All Sides, peaked at number 2 on the Top 40 charts and was named one of VH1’s top videos of that year. O.A.R.’s reputation as being one of the top live bands performing today has led to them selling out such venues as New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

And lately of the Buzz Bake Sale 2010, Australian rock trio Sick Puppies will perform Sunday afternoon, May 1 on the FPL Stage.

Neon Trees will perform Sunday evening, May 1 on the FPL Stage. The band first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 after the keyboard/vocalist Tyler Glenn was inspired by the lighted trees on the In-N-Out Burgers signs of the popular west coast burger chain. Like their name, Neon Trees are a combination of slick electric pop, sturdy organic rock and hook-happy new wave whose hard-hitting anthems speak of adolescent angst of love lost and found. Their first single “Animal” off their first studio album Habits climbed to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Grammy-award winner Jeff Beck will perform Sunday evening, May 1 on the Tire Kingdom Stage. Beck helped revolutionize rock music and inspire countless individuals with his unique approach to playing the guitar. He is known as one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music and has recognized Les Paul and John McLaughlin as being major influencers on his sound.

Multi-day tickets are the best way to save on tickets!

Best Deal – March Moneysaver – 5 Day Ticket Promotion for $54 When this deal is gone, it’s gone, buy before 5 p.m. on March 31.  To purchase tickets online:

http://www.sunfest.com/ticketpromotions

2011 FESTIVAL DAYS/HOURS

Wednesday, April 27: 5-10 pm

Thursday, April 28: 5-11 pm

Friday, April 29: 5-11 pm

Saturday, April 30: Noon-11 pm

Sunday, May 1: Noon-9 pm

THE VERIZON WIRELESS FIREWORKS SHOW

The Verizon Wireless Fireworks Show closes the Festival with a bang on Sunday, May 1 at 9 p.m.

Singer / Songwriter V.V. Brown talks touring with Maroon 5, her upcoming album, and why she misses London

Singer / Songwriter V.V. Brown talks touring with Maroon 5, her upcoming album, and why she misses London

By Liz Newman

So things have really been taking off for you lately, and there was a time you were considering just chucking it all and head back to London – what has made you stick with it and adjust to the hurtles?

I think the success of how things were going in Europe gave me the confidence to believe in myself again – so coming to America was a lot different the second time around.  I was a lot older too, so I knew who I was.  Also, this time around I had a different record company who I think was a better fit.  And generally, it just worked out.

This is your biggest tour to date, correct?

Yes, this is the biggest tour I have done in America; I’ve done tours like this in the UK.  But America is definitely different because America is massive.  And it is really hot because we are touring in the summer.  A lot of the places we go to it is 100 degrees – it is definitely, whoa.

How has it been touring with Maroon 5 – were you nervous at all?

No, I’m not nervous – I am quite relaxed, actually. They’ve treated us really well, and they’re lovely guys. I think it is more a small apprehension because we are still a new band here; I am still a new artist, so not everyone knows the songs so we always have our fingers crossed hoping that there will be some sort of connection with the crowd. But we are here to spread the word, get it out there – so I am grateful to just be on this tour.

I know your music has been featured on popular T.V. shows like “The City”  and “Cougar Town” – but is there anything else you have done up to this point that has been a big turning point for you career-wise?

For me, David Letterman was massively big thing; I have always wanted o go on that show.  And I think the Degrassi connection – where the songs played on the show – that has been a massive help to people finding out about the songs, so I am really grateful to Nickelodeon for that.

Now that you are getting more and more recognition, have you had any issues adjusting to limelight?

No, I don’t really go to all the clubs and bars where there this paparazzi…I am a quite private person. I don’t think we are big enough yet to have them swarm us.   Life has obviously changed because I am traveling a lot and sometimes it is a bit weird when people treat you like they know who you are – even though they haven’t even met me. But I take everything with a pinch of salt, it doesn’t feel too drastic because everything I’m doing is very gradual, everything is a stepping stone.

You have also become known as a fashion icon.  Does that show in your music or vice versa?

I think the two are married’ they are very much connected.  Both bounce off each other – the music and fashion both come from the individual so it is all coming from me and my identity.  I think am moving more into a simplistic sense of fashion, I have just bought loads and loads of black clothes and I think the next album I am going to where black all the time; I really like that simplicity. The next album is gong to be a bit more serious, this one is very fun, colorful and very pop – there is quite a youthful nature to it.  The second album is going to reflect where I am at now, I am a much more mature individual know and learned a lot more about life than I did before.

Any pop icons that influence you or you hope to collaborate with?

I love Daevid Allen, he is a fantastic producer and artist and think he’d be a really great collaboration.  I am huge fan of Imogen Heap and I do love Lady Gaga as well.  I think she is fantastic; she is a great songwriter. And Grace Jones – there’s lots of different people out there.

What about Lady Gaga’s outfit risks?

I am not a huge fan of her fashion sense, but I do respect her boldness and I love the fact she is herself completely and I think she is a true artist and she does what she wants.  And she is very hands on with her projects and I think that is a very inspiring things she gives off; you have to respect her for that.

You’ve called yourself a control freak in the past – do you think that helps you maintain calmness on stage?

I am definitely a control freak, it is something that I am dealing with.  I think I just really, really want to make sure everything we do is represented correctly.  But we have really great team of managers, record company, my band is really fun and great too – so you don’t have to worry so much because everyone is so great at what they do and I just have to make sure that I do my bit as well and then the train moves smoothly.  I think the more success we’ve had, the less I’ve felt the need to control everything because it makes me have trust in other people that they can do their job properly.

You’ve been a long way from home for a while now – what’s your favorite part about being on tour?

The traveling part is really fun because you get to see so much of America, but at the same time the traveling is the worst part because you’re not traveling and actually seeing the towns you are waiting around in your tour bus to do your sound checks.  So, on he flip side, it can get a bit boring.  But I love meeting new people and I love playing the songs.  But I am really looking forward to going home; I have been in the states for nearly a year now.  I miss London. I miss my cat, my boyfriend and my family – I need a week of normality like cups of tea. But anytime you get homesick, you always kind of remember to be grateful for where you are and what you are doing because at the end of the day, despite it being difficult, you are doing what you love.

by Alex Rivera

Upon first glance of “School Gyrls”, I thought “Dear God, spare me the agony of yet another wannabe girl group.” My thoughts were semi-correct.

I’m not going to lie, the beats in this song are really, really good. But, the vocals are somewhat of overkill. It doesn’t really sound like singing, but more like whining. Also, the random guy trying to sound like Lil Jon and screaming in the background doesn’t make it any better. Plus, the lyrics aren’t anything special. The entire song is about going to a party and dancing. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Honestly, this group sounds like Ke$ha, but worse (considering that I actually like Ke$ha). They can’t really sing, and the whole “cutesy” schoolgirl image has to go. Stop trying to gain a fan base by dressing like you’re half-naked in provocative outfits and singing like the Cheetah Girls. It’s not going to work.

Part 3 30 Seconds to Mars Press Conference

Part 2 30 Seconds to Mars Student Press Conference

30 Seconds to Mars Student Press Conference

Neon Trees Create a Buzz in the Music Scene

By Alison Sikes NYU

Utah. A state known for its outdoor activities and scenic views, not for flash and bright colors. Alternative band Neon Trees hopes to electrify their home state’s reputation.  Self-described as post-pop punk, Neon Trees’ sound is infectious, entertaining, and dance-worthy.  Lead singer Tyler Glenn accredits bands like Passion Pit and The Big Pink as well as French DJs to their enthralling music. These influences are apparent in their first single “Animal.” The catchy song is a solid debut about comparing the start of a relationship to…well, to an animal. The upcoming video for “Animal” also takes from an interesting source of influence—Batman. As a teenager, Glenn loved superheroes like X-Men and of course, The Dark Knight. The band drew from their love of the Tim-Burton-directed Batman and paid homage to the Joker scene in which he and his cronies wreak havoc in an art gallery. Whether inspired by caped-crusaders or by electronic tastemakers, prepare for Neon Trees’ forthcoming album, Habits, to be filled with seductive vocals and hard-edged tracks about the habits of a relationship. Be sure to give Habits a listen when it is released on March 23!

The Evil of the Merger

by Alexandra Rivera Boca Raton Community High School

Recently, the United States Department of Justice confirmed the merger between two of the largest ticket retailers in the country, TicketMaster and Live Nation. For avid concert-goers like me, this is probably the worst decision ever made in the world of music. Is any good going to come out of it?

The world of government anti-trust issues dates all the way back to the mid-1800s, post-Civil War era, when corporate giants such as John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan broke onto the scene with trusts and mega-corporations in the oil and banking industries. Fast-forward to 2010, and the predecessors for our anti-trust laws and governmental control over some companies sparked the beginning of this awful merger that victimizes fans across the country.

The merger clearly brings the two companies together and is now being called “Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.” to incorporate the titles of the two as well as to “reflect the combination of Live Nation’s concert promotion expertise with Ticketmaster’s world-class ticketing solutions and artist relationships,” according to the DOJ (whatever THAT means). The DOJ also states that “Through this merger, the parties believe that the combined company will have the tools to develop new products, expand access, improve transparency and deliver artists and fans more choice.  This will drive greater attendance at live events and bringing more value to all major constituents in the industry. The combined company also expects to pursue significant growth opportunities in markets around the world.” I rolled my eyes at the end of that statement.

As previously stated, I am an avid concert-goer. I attend at least three shows per year and sometimes the numbers increase, and ticket prices are already expensive to begin with, especially in the economic state that our nation is in. Throw all of the extra “service fees” and “processing charges” on top of a General Admission price and your $15.00 ticket shoots up to about twice of what it’s worth. I usually buy my tickets from Live Nation, and they charge the same fees, but the prices are usually not that bad compared to TicketMaster’s. Thus, TicketMaster merging with Live Nation is going to make the prices of tickets completely skyrocket into the clouds while simultaneously downsizing the amount of people that are going to spend their hard-earned money on tickets. TicketMaster’s so-called “ticketing solutions” are just ways to make people spend more money than they have to.

Also, how is this merger going to increase the attendance at shows? When I go to shows, they’re usually at smaller venues, such as Culture Room (Ft. Lauderdale) or Revolution Live (Ft. Lauderdale), and even then the venues don’t reach their maximum capacities. As a matter of fact, Culture Room receives more shows because they sell their tickets so cheap that it costs Revolution too much money to hold a show there. But, this merger won’t increase attendance, it’ll just decrease it, because no one has the money to go see their favorite artists anymore, and if they do go to shows then they will attend them at smaller venues that sell tickets for more affordable prices. The days of shows at sold-out arenas and theaters are far from over, and the times of shows at underground clubs or bars are ever-present.

Aside from the merger directly affecting fans, it also directly affects bands. From their perspective, the merger means less and less fans at shows since the price of renting venues is  constantly increasing and also because ticket sales are so low. According to Yahoo, artists and bands are not thrilled about this at all:

“Bruce Springsteen, already furious with Ticketmaster for directing fans to a subsidiary selling tickets for above-face value, recently posted a statement on his Web site saying a deal with Live Nation could end up ‘returning us to a near-monopoly situation in music ticketing.’”

Clearly, this merger poses hundreds of problems and it hasn’t made people very happy. America is supposed to be a democracy, which also means that mega-corporations cannot monopolize and break our anti-trust laws just to get more money to line their overstuffed pockets. With that said, although we as fans may not have a lot of power to do something about this, the only thing we can do is continue to support our artists and try not to let the merger get in the way of what we want as an audience—real live entertainment.

From Paris with Love-A Review

By Stephanie Waldrop

John Travolta is back in action in the new movie, “From Paris with Love.”  John plays a shaved head, cocaine sniffing Secret Agent Charlie Wax who has been sent to Paris to stop a terrorist attack… Along for the ride is James Reese, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Reese is a low key spy who was always hoping for a high key job and he gets just that when he’s paired up with Charlie, which begins them into a terrorist conspiracy. Director  Pierre Morel (who also directed Taken) seems like he’s just focusing on Cinematography and violence.

It’s nice to be watching a movie and seeing the beautiful sites of Paris, but you need more to a film. The camera-work used during the fight scenes is just horrific. It really hurts to see a movie with such action have poor shots. It really creates a bad movie. What didn’t lapse was the action. But too much action can be possible. This movie is just over-the-top. Don’t get me wrong, I love a fast-pace movie as the next person, but at the end of this one, I had a headache! Not to forget that half the town gets killed before the movie is half over.

Overall, if you’re a fan of Travolta I say wait till it goes onto DVD. This might be the last thrill ride movie he’ll do. If not, go see Avatar for the 5^th time. I’ll say one thing: If Travolta wasn’t in this movie; it wouldn’t be worth even mentioning. His co-star lacks mostly everything.  From Paris with Love is just another movie that could of been, but wasn’t.

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