It was all over the Dutch media: Tim Akkerman, the lead singer of DI-RECT, decided to leave the band to focus on his solo career as a singer- songwriter. A big shock for the other band members; all of a sudden their entire future was at stake. However, Spike, Jamie and Bas decided that they were absolutely not done with their successful band yet and in cooperation with national public broadcaster BNN they will start their search for a new lead singer. A lead singer who is supposed to be a perfect match musically, but who will also need to be prepared to tour around with the band in a stinking tour bus for days. De series will consist out of 9 episodes and will be broadcasted from the 13th of September onwards at BNN on 3.

Sold out festivals, international tours and extraordinary friendships. DI-RECT went through some downs but mostly sky high ups over the past ten years. This made the drama that Tim decided to leave even bigger. Disappointed fans at their last concert: ‘Is this the end of DI-RECT?’. The other three band members soon came to the conclusion that they wanted to keep on rocking and that the only possible thing to do is search for a new lead singer. A heavy job, since a new lead singer will need to be a heavy quality guy. He needs to have a killer voice, to be a rock star on stage and to have a great vibe with the other band members.

BNN’s TV Programme will start with an episode about the past 10 years of DI-RECT. That will be followed by four ‘reality’ episodes in which Spike, Bas and Jamie will go on the road with two candidates a time. These candidates will live the rock & roll life of DI-RECT: being on each others skin 24/7 in a tour bus, do several gigs and go out until early in the morning. The candidates that will loose on the road, will be asked to leave immediately. The winning candidates will get the opportunity to go on to the live shows that will be covered by the last four episodes. These will be presented by Coen Swijnenberg and Sander Lantinga. In the end Jamie, Bas and Spike will decide which candidate will finally get the job of their dreams of being the lead singer of DI-RECT.

For more information, mail to: di-rect@atproductions.com.
http://www.di-rect.com/

Sierra Swan is, for some reason, described by some music magazines as lesbian rock. We’ve got no idea why. It must be because music magazines will say any old thing to fill the column inches. Okay, we do have some idea why - she’s a strong, alternative woman who sings honest songs about her unluckiness in love and her occasional desire to not be attracted to men any more because that would be somewhat easier. But, as everyone knows, it’s not what you do - it’s the way that you do it. And Sierra Swan does her thing in a way that the musical world’s been crying out for. You could almost call her songs piano-led ballads but they’re not noodling self-important numbers that make you hit fast forward. Each song is its own thing - quirky, punchy and spiky. Her lyrics are clear, truthful and focused. She sings about liking men more than is good for her, alcoholism, cutting, living too fast before she’s even hit her twenties. Her lyrics are gutsy, but what stands out is her incredibly strong voice, and her ability to write songs with melodic hooks that won’t let you go. Those tunes, those words… they keep you on the edge. There’s no ego-massaging here, just straight point-blank talent. Singer/songwriter Sierra Swan can easily be compared to the smoldering vocal richness of Linda Perry, Pink, and Fiona Apple. As the daughter of guitarist Billy Swan, Swan and her sister Planet followed their father’s footsteps and learned the trade of performing early on. Sierra played at various coffeehouses as a teenager and landed a residency at Goldfinger’s in Hollywood at 18. In 1997, she and fellow Scotsman Graham Edwards (bass) formed the electronic pop act Dollshead. The duo released Frozen Charlotte in 1998 before being dropped by MCA. Swan’s creative aspirations were still intact; she contributed vocals to Cold’s 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage and Year of the Spider albums and collaborated with the Neptunes’ Chad Hugo before signing a solo deal with Atlantic. While writing and recording material for her debut album, Sierra’s mother took ill and passed away. It wasn’t long before Swan once again found herself without a label. A chance meeting with songwriter Linda Perry got things back on track; throughout 2005 the two wrote and recorded material for Swan’s first proper album, and Ladyland was released on Interscope in spring 2006. The album features guest vocals by Aimee Mann and additional production work by Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Elton John).

Ladyland restored their faith in music. Finally, they had a new album where they’d have to repeat each song 3 or 4 times before moving onto the next one. It was all they could ask for.

With 8 truly amazing songs out of 11, Sierra Swan is a songwriter who knows what she’s doing. And she must be very canny for a musical rock godess because we couldn’t find a free mp3 of hers to download anywhere!

Not to worry, though, because once you’ve listened to her stuff, this is an album you’ll probably want to buy.

http://www.myspace.com/sierraswan

The Mighty Roars (female fronted post-punk-pop three-piece) from UK and Europe are set to release the first single “Elvis Lives (and he drinks sake) from their second album on One Little Indian records on June 1st. David (guitar) and Lara (bass) of the band met in Berlin in the summer of 2006 where David was working as a truck driver. Returning to London they met Martin (guitar) who had recently survived a near fatal house fire. Artrocker magazine loved their first self recorded efforts and released the song ‘Daddy Oh’ on their website to great acclaim. They were invited to open the Nokia Isle of Wight festival. Subsequently, Little Teddy Records of Munich released an EP on vinyl which attracted the interest of One Little Indian Records (London) who signed the band after witnessing only their second gig! The self produced debut album was released in May 2007. The singles ‘Whale!’, ‘Sellotape’ and ‘Daddy Oh’ were all playlisted on XFM, Virgin and BBC 6 Music amongst others and received plays on Radio 1. Their videos were all playlisted on MTV both in the UK and Europe. The band was invited to perform live on XFM and BBC 6 music both in London and in Manchester. Throughout 2007/8 The Mighty Roars toured extensively in Europe playing over 60 gigs and festivals. Highlights include opening for Enter Shikari, playing live on Dutch national TV and MTV, performing live on national German radio and opening for The Skatalites. Sadly the band were unable to tour in the UK due to the sad and untimely passing of Lara’s father. In October 2008 The Mighty Roars reformed to embark on a spiritual quest across America and Europe writing, recording and discovering their fantastic second album: “ZIP” which will be released later this year on One Little Indian records.

The single, ‘Elvis lives (and he drinks sake)’ is a celebration of Japanese culture, in particular the Japanese interpretation of western pop culture and was written after the band made a short tour in Japan in 2007. Check out the fantastic and colourful animation made by vocalist/guitarist Lara Granqvist.

Dates are:

5 May - The Fly Bar, London
1 June - Hoxton Bar, London (single release party - Glasswerk Presents)
5 June - Dry Bar, Manchester
6 June - Bumper, Liverpool
19 June - Proud Galleries, London
27 June - 93 Feet East, London (w/Rosie and the Goldbug & Electricity In Our Homes)
9 July - The Rhythm Factory, London

Levi’s® OnesToWatch® returns to Brighton’s Great Escape Festival this May with a massive party packed full of essential ingredients; an earful of top class acts, a fistful of quality DJ sets and a surprise show thrown in for good measure. Taking over popular venue Audio for the full three days of the festival, Levi’s® will host a series of afternoon BBQs with DJ sets from previous OnestoWatch® acts FrankMusik and Mystery Jets, who’ll be taking to the decks and revealing their record collections and choice of party soundtrack. Special wristbands for these sessions will be available exclusively at The Levi’s® Store in Brighton’s Churchill Square every day from 8th - 16th May. The evenings will be packed to the rafters as a hand picked selection of top-notch musical talent storms the main stage. Thursday will be headlined by the self-proclaimed ‘dirty psychedelic flower punks’, Black Lips, followed on Friday by Scottish lads The Twilight Sad who will be fresh back from a European tour supporting Mogwai. The much-hyped Hockey lead the way on Saturday, a four-piece Portland band who are set to release their debut album ‘Mind Chaos’ in June. Following the live gigs, Audio will play host to three late night bashes, in the shape of the Levi’s® OnesToWatch® After Parties, featuring Black Lips, Metronomy and Heartbreak supplying the party soundtrack.

The Levi’s® OnesToWatch® @ The Great Escape Festival 2009 confirmed line-up:

Thursday 14th May
Levi’s® BBQ & Frank Musik DJ Set* – Above Audio, 5.01pm-7pm
Levi’s® OnesToWatch® Show: Black Lips + Dananananakroyd + Mika Miko + Video Nasties -7.30pm-11pm
Levi’s® OnesToWatch® After Party: Featuring Black Lips DJ set-11pm-3am

Friday 15th May
Levi’s® BBQ and Mystery Jets DJ Set* – Above Audio, 5.01-7pm:
Levi’s® OnesToWatch® Show: The Twilight Sad + Dinosaur Pileup + Chew Lips + To The Bones - 7.30pm-11pm
Levi’s® OnesToWatch® After Party*: Featuring Metronomy DJ set + Special Guests - 11pm-3am:

Saturday 16th May
Levi’s® OnesToWatch® Show - Hockey + The Soft Pack + Fight Like Apes + Rogues
Levi’s® OnesToWatch® After Party*: Featuring Heartbreak DJ set -11pm-3am

Audio, Brighton, 10 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TL
*Open to non Great Escape Ticket Holders

www.levi.co.uk/lotw
www.escapegreat.com

Motorhead have today announced that British Punk/Goth Rock legends The Damned and the original all-female Heavy Metalers Girlschool as special guests on their UK tour taking place this November. Motorhead will return to the UK for their traditional annual tour in the Autumn of 2009. The band led by legendary frontman Lemmy Kilmister featuring Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee are supporting their critically acclaimed 2008 release ‘Motorizer’. 2009 also marks guitarist Phil Campbell’s 25th anniversary with Motorhead. Looking forward to the forthcoming tour, Lemmy Kilmister said: ‘Here we are again boys and girls, come and get your fu**in’ head blown off! - in the best possible taste’ The Damned are notable for being the first punk rock band from England to release a single (”New Rose”), an album (Damned Damned Damned), and to tour the United States. As peers of acts such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash, they took punk’s simplicity and promise as a starting point and ran with it. The end result was a series of inspired, ambitious albums and amazing live shows combining full-on rock energy, a stylish sense of performance, and humorous deadpan cool. Girlschool were one of the first all-female outfits to emerge in the male-dominated world of heavy metal/hard rock, helping to pave the way for similar groups of the future. Since forming in South London in 1977, Girlschool have supported their pals in Motorhead on various tours and collaborated on the 1981 EP ‘The St Valentine’s Day Massacre’ hit number five on the British singles charts (due in part to the irresistibly raucous track, “Please Don’t Touch”). Prepare for what is certain to be one of the loudest Heavy Metal events of 2009.

UK 2009 TOUR DATES:

NOVEMBER 2009
Wednesday 11th Plymouth Pavillion
Thursday 12th Bristol Colston Hall
Friday 13th Newport Centre
Sunday 15th Swindon Oasis
Monday 16th Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Tuesday 17th Newcastle City Hall
Thursday 19th O2 Academy Glasgow
Friday 20th O2 Academy Leeds
Saturday 21st Manchester Apollo
Monday 23rd Cambridge Corn Exchange
Tuesday 24th Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Wednesday 25th Portsmouth Guildhall
Friday 27th Bournemouth Solent Hall
Saturday 28th HMV Apollo Hammersmith
Sunday 29th Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 30th January 2009 and are priced at £25 regional/£30 London and can be booked through www.livenation.co.uk (all tickets subject to a booking fee)

BRITNEY SPEARS has had little contact with her support band since the start of her tour. Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts said she and the group have had little contact with Spears as they support her on her Circus tour of the US and Canada. She said: “Unfortunately there isn’t much time for us to hang out. We pop into our dressing rooms, change into our outfits and then go straight out on stage. “I’ve seen her in passing through the hallway but she kinda keeps to herself and so do we.” Roberts also admitted that Spears has been outshining her special guests in the fashion stakes thanks to some daring choices. She added: “Britney is totally outdoing us on outfits. She has some outrageous costumes and I definitely think between us we’ve taken every rhinestone that’s ever been made. “It’s amazing to be supporting her. She’s out there every night doing her thing and we feel so lucky to be a part of that.”