Merely because it is a journalist’s prerogative to include such fanciful details about an event like “where,” “what,” “why,” “who” and occasionally for the sophisticates among us, “how,” the coverage from this last weekend’s big giant, amazing 2010 ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo happened to occasionally point out that it all went down at the Renaissance Hollywood. What? That’s us! Actually, that’s “where” but who’s counting? Oh, who… Check out the latest coverage below:
Katy Perry Honored, Dr. Luke is named Songwriter of the Year: And apparently, they liked it. (JustJared)
Jason Mraz, Killers among ASCAP Honorees: Nobody was harmed in the honoring of these killers, but listening to Jason Mraz? Possibly. (Hollywood Reporter)
Patti Smith Receives Lifetime ASCAP Achievement Award: So long and thanks for all the checks, ASCAP! (Crawdaddy)
UPDATE: Musician Mary Scholz Says “Wow”: Scholz puts together a fantastic rundown of all her experiences at last week’s ASCAP events on her blog, plus photos (Mary Scholz’s Blog)
The 2010 ASCAP EXPO is going full-steam ahead, and it’s time to break down tonight’s ASCAP Showcase, featuring live music from top acts in our Lobby Bar. As always, the shows are free and open to all ages.
First up, at 9:30, is Chris Levy (Facebook/Twitter). Hailing from a highly musical Italian family, Chris found his voice as a songwriter and singer after listening to the Eagles for the first time. His style of piano-driven pop-rock is subtle and beautiful, and his music has been featured on the hit TV show, Smallville.
Performing at 10:30 is Doug Deep (myspace). Born on the steps of the Vancouver courthouse, Deep has toured North America and Europe with a bunch of West Coast art rockers and circus freaks. Since 2001, he has supported his musical habits by composing, editing and music all over Hollywood. Lyrically somewhere between Dylan and Bowie, and musically along the lines of Janes Addiction, U2, Zeppelin all the while with tongue firmly in cheek, Deep’s songs seduce the imagination while assaulting sensory perception.
Closing our third day of the ASCAP Showcase, Frentik (myspace/Twitter) performs at 11:30 pm. Frentik is a five-piece modern rock band featuring guitar and synth driven songs with pop savvy, and alt appeal. Despite the in-your-face and empowered lyrics of Frentik front woman, Emily Jaye (EJ), guys and girls alike come out time after time to see the band’s exciting shows throughout the LA club scene.
Last night’s performances from The Quiet, Gabrielle, and Erick Macek were a great way to kick off the 2010 ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo at the hotel. Our showcase of indie music acts in the Lobby Bar continues tonight with SYD, Kiernan McMullen, and Aaron Shanley.
First up at 9:30 pm is SYD (Twitter), a skilled singer-songwriter-musician-producer whose funky style of pop music is both fun and inspiring. Check out the video for his song “Big Town”:
At 10:30 pm, Kiernan McMullan (Facebook/Twitter) follows. After touring all over the country to promote his first album, Perfect People Are Boring, McMullan brings his acoustic, singer-songerwriter style to Hollywood. His songs reach out towards electro and spoken word as well as funk, rock, pop, jazz and roots music.
Finally, Aaron Shanley (Facebook/Twitter) finishes up our second night at 11:30 pm. This young singer-songwriter hails from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and has been featured on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and Phantom FM and performed the Belfast Nashville Songwriter’s Festival 2010 where he was awarded the Katherine Brick Award for Young Songwriter of the Year. He is currently recording his debut album.
Tonight, we kick off our ASCAP Expo Showcase event! Our hotel is already buzzing with the start of the 2010 ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo just a few short days away. People are psyched right now: huge stars like Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, John Mayer, and more are going to be here for the expo, and that creates a palpable excitement… Can you feel it yet? Can you? Of course you can! Our ASCAP Expo Showcase will feature top indie music acts every night, from Wednesday to Saturday, in our Lobby Bar. Even better, all performances are free!
Tonight’s opening acts are killer… Erick Macek (Facebook/Twitter) kicks things off at 9:30 pm. His high-energy performances forge themselves into the minds of listeners with his ambitious guitar-playing and melodic grooves. Inspired by such luminaries as Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson and incorporating a wide array of musical styles ranging from jazz and funk to folk, pop and soul, Macek has been honored “Best Male Vocalist of the Year” at the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards and toured at the Sundance Film Festival, Academy Awards Lounge, and SXSW. Check out this recent music video:
Following Macek at 10:30 pm, Gabrielle brings her bluesy pop to the stage. This Danish/American singer and songwriter is paving her way through the music industry, currently promoting her acoustic CD “Gabrielle Live in the Studio.” Read more about Gabrielle here.
Finally, The Quiet (Facebook/Twitter) finishes off our opening night showcase at 10:30 pm. This high-energy piano pop band is a Los Angeles original, drawing comparisons to Ben Folds, Barenaked Ladies, and Van Morrison, with a growing fan base from its regular shows at local musical hotspots The Troubadour and Hotel Café. The Quiet is currently touring in anticipation of the release of their second full-length album, “Let It Fall,” coming out on April 24, 2010. Check out this video from a recent performance at Hotel Café.
