St Louis Music Press’s interviewer Angie Knost had the pleasure of holding an email interview with Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies this week. Catch the Sick Puppies performing live this Sunday, May 12 at POINTFEST at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights / St. Louis, Missouri.

Emma Anzai, bassist of Sick Puppies. Photo credit: © Angie Knost. All Rights Reserved.

Angie:  Hi Emma! How is everything going today? What are you up to now?

Emma: ALL IS WELL!! I AM ACTUALLY AT THE AIRPORT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING TOUR TODAY.

Angie:  Can you tell me about the new album?

Emma: YES, IT WILL BE CALLED “CONNECT” & PEOPLE CAN PRE ORDER ON MAY 20 AND IT WILL BE OUT JULY 16TH.
IT’S A GOOD MIX OF THE FIRST TWO ALBUMS AS WELL AS POLAR OPPOSITE.

Angie:  It seems like Sick Puppies are one of the hardest working bands in rock n roll. You have been touring pretty much continuously the last few years, correct?

Emma: THAT’S A NICE COMPLIMENT. USUALLY YES, WE’D BE TOURING NON STOP, HOWEVER WHILE MAKING “CONNECT” WE HAVE STAYED IN LA AND FOCUSED ON THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE. BUT AS OF TODAY WE ARE BACK OUT!

Angie:  What are some essentials that you bring along on the road with you?

Emma: HAND SANITIZER! A MUST. AND PLENTY OF CHOCOLATE AND MOVIES.

Angie:  When you do have time off from touring, what are some non-music things you enjoy doing?

Emma: WATCHING TONS OF MOVIES AND HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. OH, AND SLEEPING

Angie:  Is the music industry still a “man’s world”? Do you find any particular challenges in being a female bass player, or a female in the music industry in general?

Emma: NOT AS MUCH ANYMORE, I’M SEEING MORE GIRLS IN BANDS AND IT’S DEFINITELY NICE TO SEE. IT HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR MORE GIRL MUSICIANS TO BE ENCOURAGED AND HOPEFULLY ACCEPTED TO BE THE REAL DEAL.

Angie:  You have a very unique and distinctive clothing style. Where are some of your favorite places to shop for clothes?

Emma: OH REALLY?! THANKS:)
WELL, I LOVE LOVE LOVE SKINGRAFT AND STEVE MADDEN.

Angie:  You recently tweeted a comment that included the statement that you “love food’. What are some of your favorite foods? Any special delicacies you have discovered while touring the world?

Emma: HAHA:) WELL I LOVE SUSHI AND MEXICAN FOOD. ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
AS FOR DELICACIES ON TOUR?! THAT’S A RARE OCCASION. LOL

Angie:  What would you like to say directly to the fans who will be coming to see you at Pointfest in St. Louis next week?

Emma: IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL, ITS BEEN A WHILE!!
HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SHOW AND HOPE YOU ENJOY THE NEW ALBUM.

Photo credit: Andy Brown

An official release from KWMU :

St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU now offers music lovers the latest and greatest from the St. Louis music scene with Arch City Radio Hour, the station’s newest locally-produced program.  Arch City Radio Hour, hosted by native St. Louisan Nick Garcia, features in-depth interviews and music from a wide array of St. Louis artists.  The program is available on The Gateway | 90.7 KWMU-2, on line at www.stlpublicradio.org and on Soundcloud.com and features a new episode every two weeks. Below is a breakdown of the upcoming schedule:

Saturday, February 16: at 2 p.m.

The current program features interviews and performances from Fred Friction and Jason Hutto and the music of John Henry & The Engine, The Feed, and Steve Ewing.

Monday, February 18 at 9 a.m.

The program will feature an interview and performance with Brothers Lazaroff who will preview their upcoming new album Hope Fear Youth and unveil a new project in the works.

The program will also feature an interview with Songbird St. Louis founder Steve St. Cyr and will include cuts from the December 13 Songbird Café held at UMSL at Grand Center—the new home of St. Louis Public Radio.  Featured artists include Andy Ploof, John Wendland, and Ryan Spearman.

Rebroadcast Schedule: Friday, 1/22 at 5 p.m., Sunday, 1/24 at 8 p.m., Tuesday, 1/26 at 10 p.m., Thursday 1/28 at 1 p.m., Saturday, 2/2 at 2 p.m.

Monday, March 4 at 9 a.m.

The program features an interview with the band Water Liars and includes performances from their new album Wyoming which debuts on March 5.

Rebroadcast Schedule: Friday, 2/8 at 5 p.m., Sunday, 2/10 at 8 p.m., Tuesday, 2/12 at 10 p.m., Thursday 2/14 at 1 p.m., Saturday, 2/16 at 2 p.m.

—————

St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU and Quincy Public Radio | 90.3 WQUB provide the St. Louis and Quincy regions award-winning, in-depth news, insightful discussion, and entertaining programs that focus on the issues and people who shape our communities, our country and our world. Signature programs include: Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, This American Life, Marketplace, Car Talk, St. Louis on the Air, BBC World Service, The Tavis Smiley Show, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! and A Prairie Home Companion.

St. Louis Public Radio, which broadcasts in HD on 90.7, 90.7-2 and 90.7-3, reaches nearly 200,000 people each week in the bi-state area. Quincy Public Radio, which broadcasts in HD on 90.3, reaches nine counties in western Illinois and northeastern Missouri.  St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU and Quincy Public Radio | 90.3 WQUB are member-supported services of the University of Missouri-St. Louis

STOMP, the international percussion sensation, is making its triumphant return to the Fabulous Fox Theatre. for four performances only, January 11-13, 2013. Performance times are Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.

St Louis music press interviewer Angie Knost spoke with Mike Silvia of STOMP via Skype about the upcoming St Louis shows, what it takes to become a STOMP performer, and more….

For more information about STOMP, use this LINK to read the St Louis Music Press previous feature, or visit the STOMP official website: http://www.stomponline.com/index-us.php

Amaury Sauvé sampler

French producer/engineer Amaury Sauvé has released a free 15-song digital sampler featuring highlights from all of the studio’s 2010-2012 releases. The sampler contains tracks from Birds In Row, Comity, As We Draw and The Prestige and can be downloaded via Bandcamp here : http://amaurysauve.bandcamp.com/album/2010-2012-records-compilation

Full tracklist :
1. Birds In Row – You, Me And The Violence
2. The Brutal Deceiver – Ghosts’ Whispers
3. Direwolves – Reach This Hand
4. The Prestige – Hooks & Lips
5. Robot Orchestra – Thirsty Anthem
6. As We Draw – Fingers To Stab
7. The Decline – One Of Them
8. Puzzle – Pièce IV
9. Taste The Void – Monotlith
10. Throw Me Off The Bridge – Heartfelt
11. Wank For Peace – What Will Remain?
12. Comity – II
13. Zapruder – Mt Fuji In Red
14. Nine Eleven – Starkweather
15. Hourvari – II

Artwork : http://tinyurl.com/b2nhlct
Website : http://amaurysauve.tumblr.com/
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/amaurysauve

Nelly at his 7th Annual Black and White Ball. Photo: © 2012 Angie Knost. All Rights Reserved.

Nelly’s 7th Annual Black and White Ball, an invite-only charity event to award full college scholarships for Lindenwood University to two deserving students, was held on December 16, 2012.  In previous years, the ball was held at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis; this year saw a change of venue, as the event was held at the St Louis Science Center.

Scholarship awardees Leticia Goss and Jordan Powell at Nelly's 7th Annual Black and White Ball. Photo credit: © 2012 Angie Knost.

The evening began with red-carpet arrivals, followed by an elegant dinner, with entertainment to follow.  The evening’s entertainment included musical performances by Seviin Li and Taylor Dayne, and a Cirque performance by the Skating Aratas, who executed a daring acrobatic roller skating routine.   Notable guests also included Stephen Jackson of the St. Louis Rams and members of the St Lunatics .

Murphy Lee and Seviin Li at Nelly's 7th Annual Black and White Ball. Photo credit: © 2012 Angie Knost.

Taylor Dayne at Nelly's 7th Annual Black and White Ball. Photo credit: © 2012 Angie Knost.

Steven Jackson of the St Louis Rams at Nelly's 7th Annual Black and White Ball. Photo credit: © 2012 Angie Knost.

City Spud with his mom at Nelly's 7th Annual Black and White Ball. Photo credit: © 2012 Angie Knost.

Here are some highlights from the red carpet (Click on any photo below for an individual view):

The 2012 Black and White Ball was presented by Plaza Motors with additional support from Derrty Entertainment, Alliance Sports, Gentleman Jack, Ciroc, and SYNERGY Productions, LLC.

St Louis Music Press spoke with Scottie Miller about his upcoming CD release show at BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups on December 15, 2012, playing keyboards for Ruthie Foster, solo-touring Australia, and more.  Listen along….

One day before the official release of Wang Chung’s new release entitled “Tazer Up”,  frontman Jack Hues talks to St Louis Music Press and discusses the new CD ( which contains new material and a remix of the iconic 80’s tune “Dance Hall Days”) his 20+ year hiatus from the band, a jazz side-project, and lots more…. Listen in as we talk to him via Skype from his Canterbury, England home.

PROSTHETIC RECORDS LAUNCHES DIGITAL WINTER SAMPLER

Need more metal with your snow this winter?  PROSTHETIC RECORDS has released a 14-track digital sampler exclusively on the label’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/prostheticrecords). Simply “LIKE” the page to be able to download tracks by the likes of SKELETONWITCH, MUTILATION RITES, PRIMITIVE WEAPONS and JUNIUS along with songs from recent and upcoming new releases by HOLY GRAIL, ANCIENT VVISDOM, CASTLE, and more.

If you like what you hear, head to www.indiemerch.com/prostheticrecords and pick up some merch during the Holiday sale. Everything in their webstore (including pre-orders) is currently 10% off.  Just enter code ‘BF2012′ at checkout.

PROSTHETIC WINTER SAMPLER 2012 TRACKLISTING
1. HOLY GRAIL – Dark Passenger (Ride the Void)* out 1/22/13
2. ANCIENT VVISDOM – Deathlike (Deathlike)* out 2/5/13
3. CASTLE – Corpse Candles (Blacklands)
4. ZODIAC – A Bit Of Devil (A Bit Of Devil)
5. SKELETONWITCH – This Horrifying Force (The Desire to Kill) (Forever Abomination)
6. MUTILATION RITES – Fogwarning (Empyrean)
7. AMBASSADOR GUN – Wounded Knee (Golden Eagle)
8. BLACK SEPTEMBER – Rabid Hunger (Into The Darkness Into The Void)
9. HOUR OF PENANCE – Enlightened Submission (Sedition)
10. DEW-SCENTED – Sworn to Obey (Icarus)
11. PRIMITIVE WEAPONS – Quitter’s Anthem (The Shadow Gallery)
12. JUNIUS – All Shall Float (Reports From the Threshold of Death)
13. HEAVEN’S CRY – Compass (Wheels of Impermanence)
14. FELIX MARTIN – The Triangle Tune (Live in Boston)

Get your sampler now:  www.facebook.com/prostheticrecords

Prosthetic Records shared the following information with St Louis Music Press:

“Progressive instrumentalists SCALE THE SUMMIT have teamed up with ERNIE BALL to give away a year’s supply (24 packs) of Ernie Ball Cobalt 7-string packs! Anyone can enter simply by heading to www.scalethesummit.fanbridge.com and entering your e-mail address. The contest will end on Thursday, December 20th, 2012, so get your entry in before it’s too late.

SCALE THE SUMMIT — whose lineup currently consists of Chris Letchford (guitars), Travis Levrier (guitars), Mark Michell (bass) and Pat Skeffington (drums) — have recently been writing material for their upcoming release “The Migration,” due out next year. The new album is the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2011 release “The Collective,” which saw the band embark on several successful headlining runs and support tours alongside the likes of Protest The Hero, Periphery and Cynic.”

You can watch a short video teaser for the upcoming release with this LINK.

For further information on the band, please visit :
www.scalethesummit.com
youtube.com/scalethesummit
facebook.com/scalethesummit

Photo credit: ©Junichi Takahashi. Used by permission.

An official communication from the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, MO shared the following announcement with St Louis Music Press today:

“STOMP, the international percussion sensation, is making its triumphant return to the Fabulous Fox Theatre January 11-13, 2013. From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, STOMP has grown into an international sensation over the past 20 years, having performed in more than 50 countries and in front of more than 24 million people.  And now STOMP returns to St. Louis with new surprises.

Created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, STOMP continues its phenomenal run with four global productions: the ongoing sell-out production at New York’s Orpheum Theatre, a permanent London company, and North American and European tours. Throughout its life, the show has continued to change by creating new material; next year, it will incorporate two new pieces.  It is safe to say you will never again look at supermarket carts or plumbing fixtures the same way…or paint cans, or kitchen sinks or…

STOMP, an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, and sell-out engagements, is the winner of an Olivier Award for Best Choreography (London’s Tony Award), a New York Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience, and a Special Citation from Best Plays.

In addition to the stage shows, STOMP has received an Academy Award nomination, four Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award for their acclaimed HBO special Stomp Out Loud. Noteworthy television appearances include The London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, The Academy Awards (produced by Quincy Jones), Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and a series of award-winning international commercials.

The performers “make a rhythm out of anything we can get our hands on that makes a sound,” says co-founder/director Luke Cresswell.  A unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, STOMP has created its own inimitable, contemporary form of rhythmic expression: both household and industrial objects find new life as musical instruments in the hands of an idiosyncratic band of body percussionists.  It is a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum.

Synchronized stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra, eight Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion.  STOMP uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – dustbins, tea chests, radiator hoses, boots, hub caps – to fill the stage with a compelling and unique act that is often imitated but never duplicated.

Critics and audiences have raved: “STOMP is as crisp and exuberant as if it had opened yesterday,” says The New York Times. The San Francisco Chronicle declares “STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” The Los Angeles Times exclaims: “Electrifying! Triumphs in the infinite variety of the human experience.” “A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking – a joyous invention!” says the Chicago Tribune.

STOMP returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre for four performances only January 11-13, 2013. Performance times are Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. To purchase tickets, visit metrotix.com, call 314-534-1111 or visit the Fox Box Office. Ticket prices start at $23. Prices are subject to change; please refer to fabulousfox.com for current pricing. The Fox Theatre is located in Grand Center at 527 North Grand Boulevard. STOMP is presented by Dance St. Louis as a special offering on the U.S. Bank Broadway Series and sponsored locally by American Airlines.”