Brad Hord

At an early age, Brad Hord set aside formal training in piano for his first love…drums and everything percussive. During his high school years he was a member of the band and orchestra and received numerous awards as a percussionist. From then to the present he has performed rock, blues, jazz fusion and progressive music as a drummer, but always from a composers point of view. And always with a sense of melody. This sense of melody always beckoned him back to the piano. On “Signs Of Life”, Brad combines his skills as a percussionist with his gift as a composer to create soundscapes that will energize, elevate and inspire. Piano, synths, drums and world percussion weave a web of new age, world and ethnic fusion that will capture your imagination and steal you away.

Cosmic America / Velvet Friend

"Cosmic America has a healthy irreverence for genre lines. With original lyrics and skillful musicianship, they combine elements of the experimental, country, pop, and rock into a tight performance that is very entertaining and always unpredictable.

Cosmic America was born two years ago from a recording partnership between Brian Threlkeld and Randy Reed. With an album complete, Matt Reno was brought in to help with the live shows. Soon, the song catalog was expanded to include many Velvet Friend songs (a recording partnership between Matt Reno and Randy Reed that boasts 6 complete albums).

With the country and raging rock licks of Zander Wyatt, the Bonham-inspired drum stylings of Wade Hachler, and the occasional help from talented musicians like Paul Agostino, Lyndsay Pruett, and Jerry Roe, Cosmic America suddenly became a highly diversified and versatile band.

Cosmic America can be seen in Nashville anytime throughout the year at any of the city's premiere music venues playing alongside the most talented bands in the world.

Erik Törnqvist & The Big Rivers

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Erika Chambers

Erika Chambers is a modern artist with a nostalgic twist. She has a passion for introducing new ’traditional’ roots music into the classic folk scene. New listeners often assume that Erika’s songs are creative renditions of old folk favorites and are surprised to find that she pens nearly every song she performs. Her music is timeless, and her voice delicately captures that quality in every song. With her unique writing style, unforgettable vocals, and captivating instrumentation, Erika is quickly capturing the attention of the Americana / Bluegrass music scene in Nashville and throughout the country. Although she has been singing since she was in diapers, Erika wasn’t always a fan of Americana music. At the age of 11, she and her family moved from the busy metropolis of Phoenix , Arizona to an unbearably small town outside of Nashville . Her parents hoped for a simpler life in rural Tennessee , but the change was drastic and difficult for Erika and her younger sister, Aly. They didn’t understand the “Southern” way of life and didn’t have much in common with their peers, particularly in the realm of music. Erika had never heard of Patsy Cline or Conway Twitty until she attended high school with the grandchildren of both country legends. After years of being somewhat resentful of what she had always considered “hillbilly music”, Erika’s perception changed during her last year of college. Surrounded by new friends with a different perspective, Erika began listening to roots music with a new appreciation. Soon, she was writing her own songs, inspired by the classic artists she had once paid little attention to. Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and the Carter family became some of her biggest influences, along with more current artists such as Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Alison Krauss, and Gillian Welch. Before long, Erika had something unique to offer, and she was ready to share it. She formed a band and began playing Nashville venues. She and her band are still pleasantly surprised by the incredibly warm reception they receive from their audiences. While Erika can still be seen playing around Nashville with her band, she has big plans for the near future. Her first full-length album is debuting in 08, and her songs are already receiving airplay on broadcast and online radio stations. On “Garageband.com”, the online independent music giant, Erika has won nearly forty awards, including “Track of the Week” and “Best Female Vocals” on numerous occasions. Currently, she’s busy finishing up her album, recording demos, familiarizing herself with the ways of the ‘industry’, writing and co-writing. Of course, her favorite co-writer is still her mom, a talented lyricist, who helped Erika finally find her voice.

Flatt and Alvis

Flatt & Alvis

Stephen Flatt, great-nephew of Country Music's own esteemed Lester Flatt (Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys), began composing Country and Americana music in his early teens. Through the insight and support of his own family and their rich musical heritage, the young songwriter quickly grasped the concept of utilizing tightly knit harmonies and perceptive lyrics to portray his own stories and ideas. During his school years in Tennessee, Flatt was introduced to vocalist and writer Shane Alvis. The two immediately found common ground, both in youthful experience and unrestrained talent; the duo began honing their vocal harmonies into a flawless weave by focusing on Alvis' effortlessly precise southern gospel choir voice. This fiery initial union would eventually lead them onto the world's stage. By the time young Stephen Flatt and Shane Alvis entered college, the two had collectively written an entire catalogue of original music and were regularly performing in front of thousands of captivated and awestruck listeners; the duo promptly collected a vast and dedicated following of friends and fans alike.

The harmony of Flatt & Alvis' music radiates with the soulful presence of America's youth and encompasses a sound and charisma not witnessed in decades. The duo similarly combine the lyrical prowess and soul of artists such as John Melloncamp and Robert Plant, with the skillfully refined harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel and The Louvin Brothers; all of this enveloped within two tall and handsome young men poised as the prodigy of a distinguished era in American Music.

Gates of Dawn

Isabelle Lemauff and Keith Boyce are Gates of Dawn, a multi talented production and performance duo from France now releasing music on the Nashville Noir imprint.

Lady Citizen

Jun Fukunaga aka Lady Citizen began making music in Melbourne, Australia in 2005. Lady Citizen's concept is "machine female soul", "electro shoegaze beats" & "electro based next level Hip hop, Breaks & Jazz". The sound has a lot of music flavor (Rock, Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Techno, Jazz, etc). Jun has been pursuing Lady citizen's unique sound.
In February, 2008, Lady citizen's 1st full album "Next 1 groove" was released on Nashville Noir and Jun started a remix work project "Lady citizen remixes". It has received good reviews from all over the world.

Japanese translation:
Jun Fukunaga aka Lady citizenは2005年、オーストラリアはメルボルンにてその音楽制作を始める。そのスタイルコンセプトは"マシーン•フィーメール•ソウル"と"エレクトロ•シューゲイズビート"であり、エレクトロを基調にしたnext level hip hop, breaks, jazzである。Rock, Hip hop, Funk, Soul, Techno, Jazzなど多様な音楽を再構築し、新たな音楽に変換するそのスタイルで独自の音楽観を追求しつづけている。2008年2月にNashville Noir Records(U.S.A)より、Lady citizen/1stフルアルバム"Next 1 groove"をリリース。またLady citizen Remix名義で新たにRemixプロジェクトが始動、各方面からそのRemix workに注目が集まっている。

Paul Ingrey

Paul Ingrey has been a working musician for over twenty years and has paid his dues with literally thousands of gigs from small clubs to festivals across the UK and Europe.

His career started with an all consuming passion for the instrument which was realized through hours of practice and figuring out parts from records by Thin Lizzy, Rory Gallagher, Rush, Deep Purple etc. After a few years of playing in bands, writing original material and a number of publishing deals later he bagged a gig with a jazz pianist where all of a sudden the world of music theory and sight reading became a necessity. This was the point where he discovered John Coltrane began to realize the breadth of harmonic language. Paul continued to work up to 200 nights per year and there were a number of performances with well known artists, the gigging schedule has remained busy to the present day. In recent years Paul has also been helping younger musicians with tuition not only in guitar but also music technology. He wrote and performed three guitar tuition videos on general release, ran the pilot of Yamaha guitar encounters and wrote a sight reading manual for bass guitarists with Jeff Sayadian.

In the past ten years his music has been shaped by performances of many different genres including world music, reggae, jazz, soul, funk, rock, indie, prog and dance all of which is represented in this instrumental album. Perspectives was written through 2006 and is a look back at some of his experiences in last twenty years. The tracks are related to specific people, places, views, and incidents that have helped shaped him as a musician.

Scarbro & Jonz

The music of Scarbro & Jonz is an eclectic combination of acoutstic rock, country and alternative rock. Before they started writing together, each one had already established themsevles in the music business. Tamara migrated from California to pursue a career as a musician in Music City USA. She has been a musician all her life, starting out on the accordian at the tender age of 4; moving on to clarinet, guitar and bass guitar ( her Dad got her started playing bass in his country band in California). Becoming a professional bass player at the age of 13 got her hooked on the music life. She’s played for many a band including a tour with country artist Jeff Carson. After fulfilling her dreams of being a professional musician, Tamara wanted to do more than be a musician and backup singer and being in Nashville where song writing is king; she embarked on a journey to learn how to write. Working at the largest performing rights organization (PRO’s represent songwriters and copyright holders of music), it wasn’t hard to find a writier to teach her the ropes, which is where Kevin Jones came in.... Kevin was born and raised in Nashville, TN and has always had that Music City vibe about him. He started singing in high school and never looked back. After high school, Kevin put together several cover bands and played locally and at private parties. He’s always had the nack to come up with a good hook line and natural ability to put a song into motion. He wrote his first song after he got his first guitar as a teenager.....Then they met and started writing and the team of Scarbro & Jonz was born. Their styles, talent & creativity as well as their vocals just meshed and Tamara learned how to write songs! Stay tuned!

Space Water

Space Water was born on the star 91 Aquarii located at a distance of 146.77 Light Years from your Solar system. Then moved to The Tristeka Planetary System. 700 years after that came to the planet Sedna. Then spent winter on the planet Quaoar covered with layers of ice. On the 7th day of February in 1986 has fallen to the Earth with a special mission.
Space Water is the side project of well known guitarist Vadik Svetlov.
In May 2008 Space Water released the album "Long Way to Earth".

The Gypsy Hombres

The acoustic violin/guitar based trio, The Gypsy Hombres, blend traditional jazz with European, South American, and classical music to create a sound unlike any other musical group. The Hombres' repertoire embraces a wide variety of composers and styles; from Brahms and Chopin to George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong to international folk songs, all while retaining the gypsy spirit. But besides just adding their own arrangements and personalities to standards, they are also accomplished composers with several original songs featured on their latest album.

Because of its acoustic and aestheticaly refined nature, their style is ideal for background music at private parties and weddings. But the Hombres can also "rock house" with a captivating intensity. Equally at ease with swing, tangos, and waltzes, the Hombres provide plenty of inspiration for dancing, and their free spirit and natural improvisation can win over any audience.

Not just entertaining, their music is ideal for the serious listener, because of their high level of musical ability. In fact, their musicianship is so impressive, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra commissioned their composer in residence, Conni Ellisor, to write a piece incorporating some of the Hombres original songs, melodies and riffs. The result was "Nuage de la Nuit" -- a twenty-seven minute tribute to the legendary, gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, featuring the Gypsy Hombres. The performance was taped by National Public Radio and is scheduled to be broadcast in the near future.

Some of the Hombres previous engagements include the Nashville Jazz on the River Festival, The Franklin Jazz Festival, and The Tennessee Jazz Festival. The Hombres have played the Governor's mansion, the movie set of "The Green Mile" and the Belle Meade Jazz on the Lawn Series, as well as numerous parties, weddings, and club dates. In fact, some of the live shows have included special guest artist including Chet Atkins, Alan Jackson, Tim O'Brien, Mandy Barnett and the great French, gypsy stylist Romane. Other guests include Terry Clark, Muriel Anderson, Beppe Gambetta, Carlo Aonzo, Kathy Chiavola, flamenco guitarist Chuscales, Buddy Spicher Annie Selleck and Miss Ava Day.

usQo

From Toulouse, France Nashville Noir artist Phillipe Boisson (usQo) is breaking genre barriers and rapidly collecting fans from around the world with the group's electronic/trip-hop/ rock fusions. While standing way out from the rest, their music has often been compared to the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead and Zero 7. usQo has definitely fossilized their imprint in the electro/experimental world forever. Playing gigs across Europe and packing out each show, this group is beginning to cause quite a stir throughout the regions of France and beyond.

UsQo is giving the world something to look forward to with their upcoming release "Behind The Eye." Scheduled to drop worldwide digitally in November 2007, "Behind The Eye" is already one of the most anticipated releases of its syle. The 12 track album will be available via download on all retail sites. "Behind the Eye" is absolutely a must have for any music conissieur! Be sure to get yours!

Vadik Svetlov

Vadik Svetlov (Guitarist/Composer/Songwriter) was born in 1986 on the 7th day of February. In Odessa, Ukraine. A bustling maritime city with beautiful architecture. He found his musical addiction in early childhood. At the age of 13 he started to play the guitar and write songs, Vadik realized that Music is the reason and true passion of his life. He played in a number of local bands in various directions and styles, from Punk and Funk Rock to Psychedelic, Progressive and even Electronic. Vadik was losing his head and finding it again, talked to spirits and traveled through the different dimensions of this world. In 2006 he started his solo career. Currently Vadik Svetlov has a new cosmic ambient-electronic project called Space Water (September 2007).

Victory Gin

This four piece original act has identified their own sound with a bleeding mixture of rock and roll bluegrass, americana, soul, and vocal styling just not available on the music scene today.

Jim DeWitt/Songwriter - Is a wild visionary. Sometimes Dark, always mysterious, yet sensible and hooky. Not an easy combination to accomplish.

Jeff Wilson/Songwriter - Our ace in the hole story teller. Great rhythms, “Real feel”, Picnic, knee slappin love. You won’t believe this guy is from Jersey.

Joe Larsen - Accomplished solid groove player. Yeh, that’s right put on the click. He has no fear.
Joe has recently toured with Amphibian, and has also recorded and toured with multiple accomplished artists.

Gary Szymanski - The “bring it together guy”. Gary brings his versatile style to the unit. Playing everything from funk and blues to country licks. If you’re looking for a hook he just may find it.

When you spit out the corporate stew,
rinse your mouth,
and are ready to bite into a new possibility…
Victory Gin is here.