My FAVORITE part of doing Party Girl Plus One is connecting with all the people I meet on a daily basis.  And I’m not kidding.  Easily accomplished by sitting in my living room with the computer on my lap.

Clear across the Atlantic Ocean is where I met Justin Willis, an English Midlands based songwriter, musician and

Justin Willis

performer whose song “Time To Say Goodbye” off his second studio album “The Butterfly Zoo” (Revolver Records) opens up EP 8 Date 7: The Talented Mr. Somebody.  And a talented Mr. Somebody Justin is.

As 2010 would have it, we met on Twitter and took our appreciation for each other’s art to Myspace and finally to email.  Which says a lot about an artists who is connected to his fans.

Over the course of four months I learned Justin started his musical aspirations as the front man of indie trio Autumn Stone where the band achieved some success with headlining and supports at venues such as J.B’s, The Shed, The Little Civic along with the Varsity to name but a few.

The Butterfly Zoo

Performing radio sessions for BBC WM with Ben Turner and becoming Beacon Radios new band of the month,  the guys parted ways in 2005 to pursue their own individual paths.  Whilst writing and recording for local bands in his purpose built studio at his home, Justin started writing songs which were to later appear on his debut album “Silvermoon” these songs were given to Revolver Records who signed him to their label and in May 2008 they released his first album.

With his first single “Nothing Better“, which you can watch the video here , recorded and produced by Gavin Monaghan (The Editors, The Twangs) released in October 2009 and his second album “The Butterfly Zoo” released in March 2010.

Justin’s love of performing has led him to appear on radio up and down the country becoming a firm favorite on Beacon Radio with Andy Nash and through out the Midlands.  With his amazing band, Justin is now playing venues up and down the Midlands and headlining the Robin 2 in August and soon to be appearing on ITV’s Central news for the Midlands.”

With his melodic indie rock sound based on piano and guitars Justin’s live shows are enjoyed by everyone with a love of powerful, hard hitting songs and also those that love meaningful lyrics and intelligent ballads. Now if I only lived in England!

“Many times I have played a track or album I intend to review, and I need several hearings before I can form a rounded opinion, but this one grabbed me from the outset.  I have not been so moved by an original piece for a very long time and I knew immediately that I was experiencing something very special indeed.  It is a truly beautiful track.”

–Mel Flavell Ryans Gig Guide March 2010

For more information and songs visit: www.justinwillis.co.uk, myspace.com/justinwillismusic or facebook.com/jwillismusic.

PICTURE THIS

David LeDuc

One Sunday afternoon, I was cleaning up my YouTube inbox and I came across the coolest thing ever:  a bunch of artists from around the country had plugged into each other’s sound system and were collaborating on a song from the comfort of their own home.  Each had a video cam recording their performance.  One member edited together what I was watching: The Owl City Cover collaboration on David LeDuc’s YouTube Channel.  Maybe that’s nothing new, but it blew my mind. And it was really good!   You can check out the Owl City YouTube video here.

Nonetheless, this experience lead me to David LeDuc who plays bass in his own band ‘Pictures of Then‘, whose song “Big Sell” is featured in EP 8 Date 7: The Talented Mr. Somebody.

Since the internet is like a feed into a feed into a feed, I contacted David right away.  I wanted to hear more of his own music, which is exactly what I did.   And again I was blown away.  So then of course, my curiosity had me reading up on ‘Pictures of Then,’ which I would like to share with you.

WHO IS ‘PICTURES OF THEN’?

Pictures of Then

An up and coming indie-rock quintet that has commanded a lot of attention since 2009.  The band is comprised of Casey Call – vocals/guitar, Joe Call – drums, Joe Gamble – guitar, Tim Greenwood – keys, Larry Koszewski – bass and of course David LeDuc – bass.  With a new album “Pictures of Then and The Wicked Sea” (2009 LP), extensive touring, and heaps of press, this folk rock band has been described by critics as “an interesting Flaming Lips meets Dr. Dog Vibe”.  Not to mention the band was named a top 11 Emerging Artist by Summerfest (Milwaukee) and a Paste Magazine Emerging Artist.

Why haven’t you heard of them? That’s my question!  Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, their spirited blend of folk/pop/rock continues to make waves on the national scene, earning them performances at major festivals and critical acclaim nationwide. Pictures of Then released their debut “Crushed By Lights” in 2007 and is currently touring the country in support of their latest release “And The Wicked Sea”.

“Their masterful mash-up of folk and rock will no doubt have listeners on board for a voyage.”

~PERFORMER MAGAZINE

BUT DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, HERE’S WHAT CRITIC HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ‘PICTURES OF THEN’

“Indie-rock fans have always found something to like about Pictures of Then…the band’s overall musical approach is

Pictures of Then

neither stubbornly rooted in the past, nor based on some contrived, wash of futuristic sound.” (dfw.com) Hailed as “helping to further shape the new Minneapolis sound,” (perfectporridge.com) “Pictures Of Then is decidedly aware of the musical shoulders upon which it stands and it does so proudly. What sets such acts apart is the proletarian everyman aspects of their music: there’s an earthiness, a connectedness to the soil…” (DryvetymeOnlyne) “Wherever you try to peg them on the musical landscape, their songs are always well-crafted and memorable,” (howwastheshow.com) Pictures of Then “does their thing and they do it well.” (Guest List Magazine)

Gaining clout as an “amazing” (Red Gorilla Music Fest) and “fresh” (Crossroads Music Fest) live act, Pictures of Then takes to the stage with an energy that is undeniable. “Spirited and buzzy…they swung with glam-pop abandon, channeling psychedelic folk-roots through howling indie-rock branches.” (Mid-Point Music Festival) “On stage they are dramatic without being pretentious, having a polished and confident stage presence…seasoned by months of touring.” (howwastheshow.com) This comes as no surprise since the band is continually touring, attracting an ever-growing fan base on the festival circuit and at concert venues and college campuses nationwide.

“On Pictures of Then’s 2007 debut, Crushed by Lights, the Minneapolis quintet seemed to be shining Billy Corgan’s flashlight through a 1966 Pink Floyd prism, projecting a gorgeous psychedelic pop rainbow across a Ziggy Stardust tour poster. The combination of PoT’s respect for the vintage past and desire for a modern future came together seamlessly in a soundtrack that was both vaguely familiar and engagingly fresh.” (Amplifier Magazine) Crushed By Lights secured a foothold on the national scene with featured accolades on MTV and college radio.

“As telegraphed by the gorgeous New World-tinged woodcut illustrations adorning their sophomore album, And The Wicked Sea, PoT spend a little more time perusing their sonic scrapbook of the past this time around while still remaining committed to indie rock’s vibrant here and now.” (Amplifier Magazine) Said to have a “Flaming Lips meets Dr. Dog vibe,” (Comfort Comes) their sophomore effort “rings out loud and proud with a host of songs filled with Midwestern charm at its finest. The record evokes a sound that calls to mind Summerteeth-era Wilco, or possibly what Modest Mouse might have sounded like had Isaac Brock been born in Minneapolis himself.” (DryvetymeOnlyne) “Pictures of Then is an amazing blend of reverent classicism and modern vision, And The Wicked Sea is loaded with glittering pop diamonds that are never showy, always tasteful and completely infectious.” (Amplifier Magazine: Brian Baker)

You can follow Pictures of Then on Twitter @picturesofthen And for more information, visit them at www.picturesofthen.com or  www.myspace.com/picturesofthen.

Management: Shanti Schweizer – management@picturesofthen.com, Club / Venue Booking: booking@picturesofthen.com, College Booking: Jennifer Bair – jennifer@seethemusic.net.

Jake Pavelka

Jen (Jennifer Dawson) parties with some friends at Bar Lubitsch where she meets Bryce Wharton Powell III “Three” (Jake Pavelka). After putting him through his paces, Jen discovers Three has more secrets than she anticipated, starting with a little T.M.I. he knows about her. Written and based on the diary by Jennifer Dawson. PART I

Jen played by Jennifer Dawson
Bryce Wharton Powell III “Three” played by Jake Pavelka
Director of Photography John Orphan
Episode Executive Producer Jennifer Dawson & Lyndon Chubbuck

Featuring music by Justin Willis, Kevin MacLeod & Pictures of Then.

Eat. Drink. Blog. Nutrition, fitness, events,poledancing, nightlife, foodie!

Thanks to my web series, I am finding a world of Party Girls out there. And I’m not talking the train wrecks like Lindsay Lohan or Tara Reid, but the true Party Girls who can have a great time, handle their adult beverages and intelligently contribute to the world around them.  Girls I would gladly party with and share a conversation about life, love and the world about us; girls I would call friends.

As I fly across the globe via the world wide web, I’d like to introduce you to one of my new PG’s – Healthy Party Girl.

Health doesn’t have to be boring.

Melbourne, Australia has a Party Girl of it’s own, whose found a healthy way to get it all done. HealthyPartyGirl.com is a blog with great tips and reads on how to eat, drink, juggle work and a social life; and look good doing it.

Finishing up a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Nutrition and Psychology, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Arts & Sciences with a Marketing/PR focus, not to mention two years of poledancing classes, this PG is smart, independent and exactly the type of girl you want in your crowd.  Find out what to order at restaurants, how to find great COFFEE (love it), tips for online dating, shopping, movie reviews and more.

Click here to read Healthy Party Girl’s blog. You can also follow her on Twitter and Facebook, as well as msn, Tumblr, Livejournal, MySpace and SuicideGirls.

Party on Melbourne!

What I’m learning is: there might be a science to dating, not to mention luck. Plus, a fair share of trial and error.  Obviously.  You watch mine all the time.  With that being said, I found a blog called The Date Experiment.  It’s brilliant.

In a world where social media sites are popping up like Starbucks in the 90’s and online dating is the new little black dress, it’s no wonder the rules have changed and the people are not quite what they seem.  Literally.  The best part about it is: We’re not alone!

Take Jazz Stanton, she’s 24 years old, college educated, independent, smart, funny, and…dun dun dun…SINGLE, but dating.  Her blog www.thedateexperiment.blogspot.com will cover her stories and those of other guest blog-daters willing to share. The Date Experiment covers issues such as Starter Chicks, Balancing Acts, Facebook Follies and Red Flags. And that’s just the start.

Dating can be a complicated guessing game. I’ve been burned, I’ve been liked, I’ve liked back, I’ve been blown off, I’ve…well, let’s not go there, but you get the point.  So has everyone else.  By all means share your dates and join in the world of give and take.  It’s the first step towards what dating is all about anyway, not to mention having fun, meeting new people and falling in love.  Why not make a few friends along the way.

For more about Jazz’s The Date Experiment, click here and don’t forget to follow her on Twitter.

The winners are:
LIVE ACTION COMEDY – TEXT ME
LIVE ACTION DRAMA – JENNY
ANIMATION – THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN
WEBISODE – PARTY GIRL PLUS ONE
AUDIENCE CHOICE – HANDLE WITH CARE

What is the Third Screen Film Festival?

Third Screen Film Festival brings Emerging Filmmakers to Hollywood Gatekeepers.  Now in its fourth year, our venerable online festival brings content creators the opportunity to have their work seen by key Hollywood executives and their peers. The competition invites digital submissions of fifteen minutes or less, and takes place in two semi-final rounds and one final round.  The Semi-final round winners will advance into the Final Round.

There are winners in each of 4 categories this year, as well as an Audience Choice Award.  The categories are Live Action Drama, Live Action Comedy, Animation, and Webisodes.  Films are judged by our panel of Judges and fans using a weighted average that favors the number of votes over the score.

Finalists will be evaluated by our esteemed Judges who will pick a winner in each category, except for the Audience Choice Award that will be chosen by our on-line community.

Our Judges include David Gale (MTV), Navid McIlhargey (New Regency), Paul Alan Smith (ICM), Casey Bloys (HBO),

Jimmy Kimmel

Robert Reisenberg (Full Circle Entertainment), and David Hudson (TNT).

Recent Third Screen winners have gone on to produce films & television series, get paid to produce videos for “Funny or Die”, & “Upright Citizen’s Brigade”, even write for “The Huffington Post”, & The Jimmy Kimmel Show – not to mention securing meetings and development deals with our Third Screen Judges and Community.

For here more information on the Third Screen Film Festival.

Tommy Taretta

Jen agrees to a set-up with Anthony, a friend of her sister’s in town on business. What she didn’t sign up for was the next 8 hours with “Tony Montana” or the closest thing like him.

Based on the diary by Jennifer Dawson, Guest Star Tommy Taretta, Director of Photography John Orphan, edited by Jason Pauley.

Featuring music by The Maheekats, Kevin MacLeod, Evita Freaks & Ambrose.

Jen with Evita Freaks

Music is such an organic process. I’ve tried to force music into an episode and it always backfires. Actually anytime I try to force something, it usually kicks me back to where I started. However, I’ve also been as equally lucky with those magical moments when I hear a song and can see a scene play out in slo-motion.

Those are the best moments and that’s a pretty accurate recount of my experience hearing “Cara de Angelito” (click this title  Cara De Angelito to hear the full song) by Evita Freaks when I was selecting music for EP 7 “The World Is Mine” which features a Miami guy and a Tony Montana impression you don’t want to miss.

Searching for music on myspace, I came across this indie alternative rock band. Track by track, I liked what I was hearing and then I heard “Cara de Angelito” which literally stopped me in my slo-mo tracks. Where did this Latin beat and rhythm come from amidst this rock band whose influences are definitely Chet Atkins though Frank Zappa and everything in between.

Evita & Glenn Plumlee as kids

I contacted Evita Freaks right away and discovered this alternative rock band was actually a family affair made up of Oakland natives Evita on lead vocals and her brother Glenn Plumlee on electric and acoustic guitars. Evita and Glenn share their Latin roots now in downtown Hollywood and have been performing together since they were little tykes including over 185 shows in the bands 6 year existence. Completing the band is Jajuba on bass and Steve on drums and percussion. Evita Freaks have also had the pleasure to work with Todd Nichols of “Toad The Wet Sproket” and world class session drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr.

So I went down to Sonny McLeans in Santa Monica to watch to Evita Freaks perform live and meet the brother and sister act whose music I had become a fan.

And boy am I glad I did. I learned how important family and friends are to the ‘Freaks. I also learned “Cara de Angelito,” which means face of an angel in Spanish, is about Evita’s 11 year old son Tito, who has been diagnosed with autism.

“Our music is inspired by Evita’s kids and kids with multi disablities that we come across,” says Glenn Plumlee, Tito’s uncle who is active in Tito’s treatment including music therapy from Holding Hands, Inc. a pediatric diagnosis and therapy group located in Los Angeles. Tito’s condition has improved immensely utilizing music therapy which is on of the most effective ways to help children with autism learn basic living skills including how to communicate. Many of the larger non profit groups like Autism Speaks use Holding Hands information and data in their own studies.

Holding Hands recorded a CD in which Evita and Glenn recorded a song called “Tito I love U”. The sales of this CD will help keep the music therapy program alive for the special needs children of Los Angeles County. You can purchase a CD at www.holdinghandsinc.com or make a donation to help fund this program.

For more information on the charities that Evita Freaks are involved check out www.traponline.com,   www.holdinghandsinc.com and Tito’s school www.juniorblind.org. For more information on the band Evita Freaks and to hear the rest of the tracks off their album “Franklin and Cherokee volume 2″, click here.

Doesn’t sound unreasonable by any stretch, as long as the execution meets the expectations. Sure Darren Star, Michael Patrick King and Candace Bushnell hit a home run with the fabulous four best friends, but whose to say it can’t happen again?

Take for instance a new underdog web series Party Girl Plus One [www.partygirlplusone.com] created by an unknown actress and writer Jennifer Dawson. The web series follows Jennifer, referred to as “Jen”, a 30 something divorcee whose abandoned her previous dating criteria and will date anyone and everyone until she finds her true Plus One. Chronicling each date in her dating diary, Jen uncovers a journey about life, love and self discovery.

The show takes off from a very simple premise. After a divorce and a stint in the rebound party lane, Jen has to start dating again. A series of strange and awkward outings prompt her to start keeping a diary. Party Girl Plus One is a look at that diary, as each episode is a self contained recount of the engagements. Through narration, each 4 minute episode chronicles the different social, cultural, religious and or economic (to name a few) obstacles Jen faces on her quest for true love, proving no one is exempt from their own dating neurosis including Jen herself.

For a web series, which often face the pressure of keeping the content between 4 to 6 minutes, the tone and comedy of the series is right on par with any HBO or cable comedy. The subject matter of dating, life and love is nothing new and yet in execution, this web series seems to have the raw hook and appeal that Sex and the City had when it first aired. The writing, performances and use of music are seamless and provide an excellent canvas to see this series played out as a half hour show including the dates of an ensemble cast. Not to mention the network style production value for a web series.

And the best part about Party Girl Plus One is that these dates really happened. The material is drawn from Dawson’s own personal dating diary and each episodes is a scripted reenactment of actual dating situations that she experienced (of course names and identities have been changed). Dealing with adult themes for mature audiences in a humorous tone while maintaining relatability to the audience seals the deal.

Sex and the City, do not worry. You’re stories about love, sex and relationships will continue to be told. Trust that Party Girl Plus One can handle the tall order.

Watch Party Girl Plus One at www.partygirlplusone.com or www.youtube.com/partygirlplusone.

I heard The Maheekats off MySpace and there was just something about them that I couldn’t get out of my head. Their music took me back home, to a time when jumping in the car and riding around with my friends during summertime was the only thing on my mind. So combining The Maheekats and Episode 7, dating a guy from Miami, was a no-brainer.

Clarabell

Meet The Maheekats: Casey (Maheeman) Camp on the drums, bass, guitar and keyboard and Clara (Clarabell) on vocals and guitar. They have been together since 1999. Casey writes most of the music while Clarabell writes most of the lyrics and melodies. Their first drummer was Randall Marsh who is now playing with Mudcrutch. They’ve created a home studio where they write, produce, engineer, arrange and record all of their music.

Recorded over a two-year period and across three changes of residence, “God Has A Cadillac Too”, in which the track “Just Passing Through” opens PG+1’s Episode 7, is a self-produced full length CD. It is consistent, strong, spirited, surprising, enlightening and an all-round joy for the soul. Casey played most of the instruments including drums, bass, rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards and vocals. Clarabell played rhythm guitar and sings on the album.

Casey Camp

Another project was “Circle” (available by request only) that featured Brad Buley on drums on most of the tracks. They have recently upgraded their studio and are looking forward to releasing another CD in 2010.

With musicanship that is stellar, vocals that are blissful and melodies and harmonies that transcend the listener, their mission for all of humanity to become more aware of the nature that is within us and that surrounds us.

“Respect nature, respect ourselves and keep it all wild and free.”-The Maheekats

But don’t take my opinion as the end all be all, here’s what Michel Cicero of The Ventura County Reporter had to say about “God Has A Cadillac Too”, “This record makes me think of flying dreams, air conditioning and convertible Porsches. That is to say it transports me someplace cool. Day dreamy and breezy without being vacuous, it leaves space to reflect and breathe, giving the music at times a meditative groove. Torchy, lush vocals and lingering melodies sparkle like the California coast on a perfect day; a landscape the musicians are obviously familiar with. Hailing from Maheeland, a mystical portal to other dimensions located deep in the Ojai Valley, the Maheekats are Casey Camp and Clarabell (an accomplished poet), who started their project in 1999. The don’t seem to play out much, so if you want to hear them you’ll need to download their music. They call it “psychedelic dub.” I call it “good.”

I call it “good” too. To buy tunes off “God Has A Cadillac Too” click here. Or to visit The Maheekats website, go to www.maheekatmusic.com.