In the summer of 2010 Marcel Luntungan, Hans Sligter and Sjoerd van den Broek performed together for the first time during a session in cafe "De Peuk" in Bussum, The Netherlands. These three men being good singers individually and holding a respectable track record as musicians in various bands and projects was already a known fact, but this spontaneous joint action appears to be a classic example of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. And so a new band arises; The LSB Experience.

A binding factor and an important musical inspiration for the new band is the American so called “West Coast Sound". Several British acts that are known for using rich harmony vocal arrangements also form a common passion. The LSB Experience setlist now includes songs from: Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, The Eagles, Venice, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House, to mention just a few names. Obviously, this cover/tribute repertoire is still expanding as the band is now exploring the possibilities of performing original material as well.

While the original trio formation is more focused on the harmony vocals and acoustic instruments, the LSB Experience also appears with a rhythm section. This 5-piece band, with on drums Peter Deiman and on bass Rob Hendriks, shifts toward the more dynamic, arranged and swinging songs within the repertoire, thus creating an even greater variation in the sound and making the band more versatile.

Thanks to Louie Van Der Stuyft

Regarding from Melodicrock.com: Musicians Will Champlin and Miles Schon recently joined forces in a new band they are calling Miles of Will. The duo's debut EP is out now and available via Facebook.com/milesofwill. Digital Downloads will be made available shortly. Here is a little background info on the pair, as reported in Marin Independent Journal (San Rafael, CA), interview by Paul Liberatore.

"They have mixed emotions about being the sons of rock stars. "We've got a little bit of a push because of that, which is great," said Champlin, whose dad, singer-songwriter Bill Champlin, is a former member of Chicago and a founder of the legendary Marin band the Sons of Champlin. But, as a 28-year-old lead singer and keyboard player, just like his dad, being his father's son can also be a source of considerable insecurity. "It can be pretty overwhelming sometimes," he admitted. "You want to pretend like you're not, and then you think, 'But would people still like me?'"

When Schon, who's 23, first picked up the guitar when he was 13, he knew the comparisons with his father, Journey guitarist Neal Schon, would be unfair but inevitable. "There's no comparison," he said. "My dad is a guitar god, and I'm just a kid who picked up a guitar many years later than he did." The Marin School of the Arts, the magnet campus at Novato High, started its first rock band class for him when he was a student there. "They let us do some classic rock tunes," he recalled. "It was a great experience for me at the time."

It helped him get past the paralyzing fear that he could never be as good as his father. "I had a big mental block about that at first," he recalled. "After I'd been playing about a year, I realized I was a fast learner, but also how hard it is to play guitar. I don't remember who said something that snapped me out of it, but I think it was encouragement from my family to keep playing and learning." Schon met Champlin, who grew up in Los Angeles, through Champlin's management connections. With singer Lara Johnston of Novato, daughter of Doobie Brother Tom Johnston, they opened for Kiss last summer.

After Johnston went her own way, Champlin, who inherited his father's soulful voice, stepped up as lead singer of Miles of Will. Schon says he reminds him of Maroon 5's Adam Levine. "Will has a pop-friendly voice," he said. "It's easy to like." They just finished their first EP and will have it in time for the Voices of Latin Rock concert Jan. 26 at Bimbo's in the city, their first major Bay Area show. Everyone there will know who their fathers are, but the sons are determined to sound like no one but themselves. "The truth is that you can't sound like anybody but yourself anyway," Schon said. "You can do your best impersonation, but that's really just going to make for a better sounding you."

The project "SILENCE" was created in 1996 by guitarist / keyboardist Bruno Levesque. In 1997, Bruno recorded the first SILENCE CD called "The fifth season", an instrumental album only released in CD-R format. In 2000, Bruno recorded an instrumental album called "Trouble in Paradise", under the french Melodic Metal label BRENNUS MUSIC. The good reactions of people encouraged him to carry on with the SILENCE experience, in the company of a singer.

The meeting with the Jerome Cazard's voice took place in early 2001 and 2 albums were released : "Utopia" (MTM Music - 2002), and "Nostalgia" (Vinny Records -2005).

A new chapter opened in 2008 with the arrival of new singer Ben Venet from the belgian band JAYHAWKERS. The first result of this new collaboration was the album "Open Road", released by Kivel Records in 2008.

Early 2012, the duet is proud to announce the release of their brand new albums City (Days) and City (Nights) by Perris Records! This will be the labels first time is releasing two CDs at once by the same artist. Perris Records President Tom Mathers was very excited to hear enough great music from one artist to accomplish this. Recommended for fans of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Bonfire, Nelson.

"Rock of Ages" tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock 'n' roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more.

On french cinema June 13, don't miss that movie directed by Adam Shankman starring Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough (footloose), Catherine Zetta-Jones, Russel Brand, Alec Baldwin…

Tracklist:

01) Rock of Ages - Def Leppard

02) Sister Christian - Night Ranger (Performed by Julianne Hough)

03) Just Like Paradise/Nothin' But A Good Time - David Lee Roth & Poison (Performed by Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin & Mary J. Blige)

04) Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar (Performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones & Bryan Cranston)

05) Juke Box Hero - Foreigner (Performed by Diego Boneta)

06) I Love Rock 'N Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (Performed by Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Diego Boneta & Julianne Hough)

07) Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner (Performed by Diego Boneta & Julianne Hough)

08) Heaven/More Than Words - Warrant & Extreme (Performed by Diego Boneta & Julianne Hough)

09) Wanted Dead Or Alive - Bon Jovi (Performed by Tom Cruise)

10) I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner (Performed by Tom Cruise & Malin Akerman)

11) I Wanna Rock - Twisted Sister (Performed by Diego Boneta)

12) Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard (Performed by Tom Cruise)

13) Harden My Heart/Shadows Of The Night - Quarterflash & Pat Benatar (Performed by Julianne Hough & Mary J. Blige)

14) Here I Go Again - Whitesnake (Performed by Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough, Paul Giamatti, Tom Cruise & Mary J. Blige)

15) Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon (Performed by Alec Baldwin & Russell Brand)

16) Any Way You Want It - Journey (Performed by Mary J. Blige & Paul Giamatti)

17) Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison (Performed by Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough, and Mary J. Blige)

18) Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions (Performed by Julianne Hough & Tom Cruise)

19) We're Not Gonna Take It/We Built This City - Twisted Sister & Jefferson Starship (Performed by Russell Brand & Catherine Zeta-Jones)

20) Don't Stop Believin' - Journey (Performed by Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, & Mary J. Blige)

21) Oh, Sherrie - Steve Perry

22) Paradise City - Guns N’ Roses

"True, the great Soul sounds of Black America have rocked our lives for the past fifty years, but it doesn’t mean that this precious musical heritage shouldn’t be revitalized, that its groove couldn’t be reinvented!"

Malted Milk’s unrivaled soulfulness is more than a sign of their respect for this glorious past. The boundless energy you will find on this album is a mere sample of their ability, a glimpse of their electrifying potential on stage. Blues purists, funk freaks and avid listeners alike will testify to the authenticity of Malted Milk’s musical might.

Inspired compositions, precise arrangements, elegant vocal harmonies, and clever production… who could ask for more? Chances are their artistic honesty will conquer new adepts among those whose ears haven’t yet been polluted by artificial pop sounds. You can bet on it, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke and Howard Tate wouldn’t have remained unmoved by these recordings. But this is not the least of Malted Milk’s achievements, who have managed to impose their soul-drenched repertoire in Europe.

With so many dull imitators and usurpers around, this insistence on originality sanctions the work of creators who insist on making their way, regardless of the commercial consequences of their musical acts. The group’s objective has remained unchanged since its inception in 1998: share its love and convictions, bring fun and pleasure, and honor with taste the soul greats of yesteryear.

As this album amply proves, Malted Milk hasn’t strayed from its goal. And if you still entertain any doubts about the worth of these superlative players, try a simple experiment: let yourself be drawn by the strong pull of their dazzling horns and impeccable tempo… A handful of seconds should be enough; you will end up begging for more. “C’mon, get some! You won’t regret it!”

Joe Farmer – RFI / France INTER

"Black Coffee" is the new CD that unites Top Ten Billboard jazz artist David Diggs with his daughter Rachel, whose Hands of Time from her CD, Center of the Earth, was featured in ABC Family TV's Pretty Little Liars. Rachel and David create an unbeatable team, and one that you will surely not forget!

With her rich, vocal quality and passionate delivery, the music and voice of Rachel Diggs immediately captivates the listener. Calling on her compositional gifts, Rachel creates her songs about life and love, as heard on her CD “Center of the Earth” produced by David Hodges (of Evanescence) and Will Hunt.

Her vocal stylings have been featured on numerous CD’s. Her song, “Hands of Time” was featured on the new ABC TV show “Pretty Little Liars”, and continues to sell world-wide. She was also a finalist for American Idol and made it to the top 40. While she found that TV reality show competitions weren't quite her thing, it was still a fun experience to be a part of. Rachel also won a singer-songwriter contest sponsored by Atlantic Records and Pantene Pro-V, and was flown to New York to open for Jewel in New York’s Central Park.

Rachel also performs live in the Los Angeles area with her own band, the Rachel Diggs Band, and with her father’s jazz band, Jazzwerk.

Under the diverse influences of Joni Mitchell, Radiohead, Eva Cassidy, electronic and country music, Rachel began writing poetry at a young age. Eventually she transformed the poems into songs, and a songwriter was born. Her passion for music and communication is evident in each work of art she creates and delivers.

Inspired by his passion for living, David Diggs’ music is revealing and realistic, unrestrained and upbeat. Under the influence of Michel Legrand, Bob James, Claus Ogerman and Quincy Jones, Diggs polished his arranging and producing talents, which were eventually featured on projects by Pat & Debby Boone, Irene Cara, Richie Furay, The Brothers Johnson, Jonathan Butler, as well as David’s own albums. David’s album "Streetshadows" was a top ten entry on BILLBOARD’S Jazz Album Chart for 26 weeks.

Love and Theft is a bit different from the group that scored a Top 10 hit two years ago with “Runaway.” But the changes that have affected the group—most notably, signing with RCA Records and downsizing to a duo—have actually brought Love and Theft closer to what it originally set out to be: a band that writes, records and performs honest, soulful country music.

While Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson are proud of their successful first effort, they are excited to have teamed with producer Josh Leo (Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) on their RCA effort. "We love performing" says Stephen. "The way we are recording now is the way our influences made records: live with a band. It's a lot more organic."

Eric’s earthy voice is the perfect complement to Stephen’s high-altitude tenor. The guys happily share lead vocals, harmonize like a church choir, and bolster their band with their own guitar work. “Stephen and I have always been on the same page as far as the vision for Love and Theft and what we want it to be,” says Eric. “We feel like we have made the record we’ve always wanted to make.”

The result is a nod to the duo’s varied influences. “She’s Amazing” evokes the brilliant harmonies of the Eagles. The seductive “Amen” channels all the yearning of Roy Orbison. And the rollicking first single “Angel Eyes” brings to mind Elvis Presley’s “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise.”

While Johnny Cash and Orbison are both enormous influences, it might surprise fans to learn who the duo’s favorite artist is. “Hands-down, Elvis,” says Stephen. “My dad was really into him, so I got into him. I was all over Elvis growing up.”

Coincidentally, both Stephen and Eric—who didn’t meet until they were in their early 20s—were raised as pastors’ kids, and their respective fathers fed them a steady diet of gospel, oldies and country.“Our parents didn’t want us listening to secular music that much. But they’d let us listen to Elvis, Roy, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band…,” says Eric. “It was cool to grow up that way, and that’s still my favorite kind of music.”

It isn’t lost on the guys that they’re now recording for the very label that released some of their hero’s biggest hits. “We’re excited to be on RCA, the same label Elvis was on,” Stephen says with a smile.

Perhaps it was some divine intervention that led the friends to this point in their career. Eric and Stephen, after all, will be the first to tell you that their shared spirituality is a cornerstone of Love and Theft. In fact, both used to lead worship at their churches.

“That’s how we got our start playing music. Our faith is a huge part of our lives,” says Eric, pondering the fate of it all. “I feel like it was meant to be this way from the beginning. Our journey over the past four years was preparing us for where we’re at now.”

Which is squarely at the doorstop of a prosperous career in country music. With a young, vibrant sound, a captivating live show, and a passionate fan base, Love and Theft are poised to become the genre’s next great duo.

Pat Green announces the release of "SONGS WE WISH WE’D WRITTEN II", due in stores May 2012. The album marks Green’s first release on his new record label Sugar Hill Records and is the follow-up to his 2001 collaboration with friend Cory Morrow, "SONGS WE WISH WE’D WRITTEN".

Nearly a decade after releasing the first tribute-collaboration with Morrow, Green has sold over 2 million albums, earned three Grammy nominations, released a string of Top 10 hits and created a well-earned reputation for bombastic live shows. Tapped in People magazine as “the Springsteen of the South West,” he has become a cultural force selling out venues from House of Blues in Los Angeles to Nokia Theater in Time Square, down to the Houston Astrodome in Texas.

Known for his infectious enthusiasm for music and life, Green’s energy is contagious and sends a charge through a live audience. That energy has been captured once again on record with his new album "SONGS WE WISH WE’D WRITTEN II".

“We hope our fans enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it”, said Green, who recorded the album with his longtime road band in Texas. “You’ll hear a few songs you already know and may notice others that are unfamiliar; which was by design. I enjoy spreading the word about great talents and great music”.

The album gives Green opportunity to pay tribute to a wide range of writers from Texas troubadours Joe Ely, Lyle Lovett, Walt Wilkins, Will Alan Sexton and Todd Snider, to some of Nashville’s finest including Will Kimbrough and Jon Randall. It gives Green a chance to interpret some of his favorites written by well known artists such as Tom Petty, Shelby Lynne, Ross Childress and Ed Roland. It also shines a light on music from hitmakers Glen Ballard and Liz Rose along with up-and-coming talent Aaron Lee Tasjan.

Green’s diverse musical palate was developed at an early age surrounded by a blended family of nine children. “In a home with that many kids I listened to a little bit of everything from country and 80's music, to the best of Motown and Classical”, said Green. “I’m just a fan of music, period. I’m beyond lucky to do what I do for a living and thankful I get to record songs that I love”.

Delivered with his signature “let the good times roll” attitude and guy-next-door charm, "SONGS WE WISH WE’D WRITTEN II" is a collection of ten songs that fans are sure to enjoy. Green is currently writing new material for his next album and will head into the studio early next year to record.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN

The swedish grammy nominated artist, producer and composer Chris Antblad delivers a smashhit album for all lovers of well produced american rock in the same vein as Journey, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Stan Meissner and Toto to name a few comparisons...

Chris Antblad has worked as a professional songwriter and producer, now going on 17 years. This has been a fruitful venture, with co-operations with many of the greatest writers and producers in the world. His work spans over many different genres, both domestically and internationally. 
Successful co-operations with masters of the trade like Paul Carrack, Joe Lynn Turner, Randy Goodrum, Eric Martin, John Bettis, Brett James, Jennifer Kimball, Gary Baker, Matt Johnson, Walt Aldridge, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Jay Graydon, Michael Jay, Michael Garvin, Andre Pessis as well as production services for Major labels and independents, has lead long standing working relationships, resulting in multi-platinum record sales.

As a writer, Chris has sold over 1M records.

In the last years, Chris has enjoyed success on the domestic market, with a number of hugely popular songs and major singles, as well as gold and platinum selling albums, with a handful of the most successful artists in Sweden ever.

On top of this, Chris has on the side of the writing and producing, enjoyed the artist side of the industry, as a prolific singer in several AOR projects, as well as country and rock. The critically acclaimed Spin Gallery album "Standing Tall", the brain-child of Chris, as well as the Timberville project, that reads as a who's who of the last 30 years of popular music, about to be released by Atenzia records in the spring of 2012. The album holds collaborations with songwriting greats, such as Desmond Child, Andreas Carlsson, Gary Baker, TIm Ryan, Sharon Vaughn, Eric Bazilian, John Bettis, Brett James, as well as legendary musicians like, Brent Mason, Stuart Duncan and Dan Dugmore.

Most recently, Chris has turned his attention to more solo-oriented material, and will on the 1st of Feb, 2012, release his second solo rock-album, titled "A new dawn". This following the popular "Century" album, has already been received very well, and time will tell what the future has in store.

He was also the singer, producer and songwriter in the cult-rated Swedish hi-tech AOR band Spin Gallery.

Kiki Ebsen, an accomplished singer and songwriter, known for backing up such artists as Christopher Cross, Wilson Phillips, Boz Scaggs, Tracy Chapman and many more, introduces her first original CD in five years.

Already with four CD's under her belt, her latest endeavor is an impressive collection of thirteen self-penned tunes inspired by her own real life stories. The CD is beautifully packaged in a full color digipack filled with pictures and lyrics for each song. Taking a candid look at her own relationships, Kiki carries the listener on an emotional journey of honesty, passion, purpose and peace as she negotiates her way through her own darkness and eventually back into the light. This CD is sure to connect with everyone who wishes to dig deeper for the truth in their heart, past the superficial, to find....The Beauty Inside

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN