Comic Con with Stan Bush!

“Til All Are One (Transformers Theme)” from Stan’s album “In This Life” is featured in the new Activision game “Transformers: War For Cybertron” released in June, 2010.

Purchase the album and check out Stan Bush’s latest music at: www.stanbush.com!

Interview with Fast Break Artist: foreverinmotion

This interview was found on Rain City Ambiance. By: Collen Gilfoy

So, we played 20 questions with humble and independent foreverinmotion from Brooklyn, NY. Read on to hear about passion, love, and the music business. It’s quite refreshing, folks.

RCA: First off, tell us here are Rain City Ambience who you are & what you do?
Brendon: My name is Brendon Thomas. I sing and make music in the band Foreverinmotion.

RCA: 2. What made you choose the name “Foreverinmotion”? Any reason why it’s it all one word?
Brendon: The name came from something I wrote in a journal when I was 17. I was reading a lot of Richard Bach around that age and I was always jotting down ideas about life, time, philosophy. “Foreverinmotion” was coined in regards to how the past and future are illusions, and can only be defined by the present moment as an ever changing constant, which is, in other words, forever in motion. I don’t really know why I started spelling it as one word. It looks more aesthetically pleasing to me I guess.

RCA: What do you like best: Performing live or perfecting in the studio?
B: I love performing live. Nothing will ever compare with the thrill and immediacy of a live performance. That’s really what it’s all about. Making a record in the studio can be a very creative endeavor in itself, but as you highlighted in your question, the pursuit of “perfection”… The use of computers has made it very easy — and tempting — to sacrifice the nuances and human elements that can make a recording so special. I remember reading how Neil Young would get with his band in the studio and record the live rehearsals. If it felt right, he would send his band home and thank them for coming in, and use the rehearsal takes on the album! No edits or overdubs. Just pure feeling. I admired how Neil Young always managed to stay out of his own way.

RCA: Who or what inspires your music?
B: Inspiration can come from anywhere. I love traveling because it puts me in my mind’s observation tower. I listen to a lot of music when I travel too… rock, blues, old country stuff, soul, classical, movie soundtracks, etc. I am inspired by people I meet; unexpected situations and spontaneity; all that life experience. It goes in at a subconscious level and comes out in songs, eventually.

RCA: What has 2010 brought you so far?
B: 2010 has been very good to me so far… New love. New ideas. New record. I am excited for things to come.

RCA: Your new record “Sunrise” is out. What was it like to record this album? How is it different than all the others?
B: Sunrise is a step in a new direction for Foreverinmotion. The focus is really on the lyrics for this one. Musically, I felt like it was important to remain organic, unlike the last record which had a lot of production and experimental elements. This record is centered on folk, blues, and country music, which is kinda where my heart is right now.
RCA: So, why Sunrise?
B: I wrote Sunrise after I moved to New York City in July of last year. I didn’t really know what I wanted to get into next, musically. I just knew where I wanted to be, and that I was feeling inspired. That first month was spent writing songs and performing them on subway platforms in Manhattan for kicks and a little extra cash. I ended up playing a lot down there. I’d run through just a handful of songs and read reactions, make connections, try to gauge what songs or parts were most affecting. What was so great about playing the subways is that no one was biased. Every reaction was honest. And I loved just being that stranger with a guitar. It allowed me to explore new styles, and try new things vocally. I think that is very apparent on the album. All those hours of vocals practice had a big impact.
RCA: Wow. Where did you record it, then?
B: I recorded most of Sunrise through the fall and winter at my apartment in Brooklyn. I also tracked some of it in this old factory in Cambridgeport, Vermont that my father had just moved his stoneworking business into. I really loved making this record. I felt very connected to that creative other-world… the muse. I played the majority of the instruments, save for the gnarly harmonica riffs on “Red Bird” which is owed to my uncle Scott, as well as a few other guest musicians… my brother Skyler, James Downes from The Haunted Continents & Call It Arson, Noah Goldman from The Spring Standards, and a fictitious string ensemble from Brooklyn on the opening track “Pulling Away.”

RCA: Out of all the songs you’ve written, what song STILL stirs up emotion inside of you whenever you play/hear it?
B: Though I rarely ever play it, “You Always Wanted to Fly” from my first record. That one still gets me sometimes.

RCA: Your site says you taught yourself guitar. When did you say “Yes, I want to be a musician!” like it was a possible dream?
B: I was 14. I remember jamming along with Led Zeppelin IV and Green Day “Dookie” and feeling those wild intense goosebumps like the universe was telling me that I was on to something. Needless to say, I stuck with it.

RCA: Alright, we’re almost half way done. Let’s get a bit personal. What’s something you’ve ALWAYS wanted to do but haven’t had the opportunity yet?
B: I want to travel the world, and not just on tour. I want to take my time and really experience it all… backpack across Europe at my leisure. Visit temples in India & Nepal. Go hiking in New Zealand. Explore Alaska and the Galapagos with my father.

RCA: Do you have any weird habits or quirks that set you apart?
B: Yeah, probably… haha. I think I have an indefinable weirdness that shows its face from time to time. I don’t know if I have any super obvious quirks, but I do have the tendency to be a little eccentric, especially when I’m in the studio or doing something creative.

RCA: We are all people and sometimes, things don’t work out. Is there anything you’ve ever regretted?
B: Nah. In hindsight, all mistakes are lessons learned. I’m grateful for them.

RCA: You were once a part of One Eleven Records. The Spill Canvas spent time there as well, is that correct? What happened with that?
B: One Eleven is run by a group of really good people who support and believe in bands that work hard. I did one record with them, and I’m grateful to have had that opportunity. With all the shifts taking place in the music industry, it became clear that I needed to take a different route, in spite of the great work and time One Eleven put in. After the last album ran its cycle, they understood my concerns and allowed me to move on from the label, giving me the freedom to assess my next move as an artist.

RCA: Alright, another knife is the chest… tell us about your love life.
B: She’s beautiful. She gets me. I’m a lucky guy.

RCA: What’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?
B: I never really got into the dating thing. I have no stories like that. I’ve always stayed either tenaciously single, or I’ve invested my time with someone I’m pretty certain about.

RCA: Which bands have you been listening to repeatedly?
B: I’m digging on Mumford and Sons right now. Dude’s a great songwriter.

RCA: Recall a time at a show where you felt SO AWKWARD, you wish the night would just end?
B: There’s one show I can think of, about 5 years ago. I played on the patio of a bar in ghetto Miami at 3am. It was muggy as hell, the PA sounded like mud, the stage was rotting out, and the only person in the audience was some dude too drunk to get out of his seat. After my set, as I was loading out, another guy collapsed next to my van… OD’ed on coke, as the medics later found. Luckily they revived him a few minutes later. I got in the van and blew town like it was on fire. That was a rough night.

RCA: Are you a Mac or PC? (And yes, we may judge you by this answer…)
B: I’m a real boy.

RCA: Why do you play music? Who do you want to influence?
B: Music liberates me. It gives me a strong sense of purpose and puts me in touch with my higher self. I don’t know where it will lead me, but so long as I continue to do it, I know I’ll be happy. Music is a benevolent force and universally understood beyond language and culture… there is so much we can say with it. I want to reach as many people as I possibly can.

RCA: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
B: That’s a tough question to answer after the last one. I’d most likely be on an old ranch somewhere out west, surrounded by mountains and living off the land. I’d be writing books and building things with my hands. This is the complete antithesis of my life now, but is something I actually want to do later on in my days. The only difference being that, in truth, I’d probably still be a musician and build a recording studio in the horse barn.

RCA: Alright, LAST QUESTION! Are you FOREVER in motion… like NON STOP… motion? KIDDING. Any last words? What sets your band apart from EVERY OTHER BAND out there?
B: Yes, I am non stop. We are all forever in motion, from now til always. What sets my band apart from every other band is that I am not a band but just one man with a plan to pluck our heads from the sand and see our world as a sacred learning land… truly, infinitely, grand.

Top Ten Most Expensive Music Videos!!

MTV launched the first music video on August 1, 1981; it was ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ by the Buggles. Back in those days everything was kept simple, all you needed was girls in little bitty bikini with big hair and fast cars. There were no huge costs, then came Michael Jackson’s ‘Thiller’ in 1983. At 14 minutes long it forever changed the course of music video history, it opened up doors to creativity and visual freedom. Today companies pay millions of dollars to properly prepare 3 minute music videos. Below is a list of the top ten most expensive music videos ever:

10. “Girlfriend/ Boyfriend”- BlackStreet (featuring Janet Jackson)

Cost: $1,500,000+

The video is completely animated taking place in a pinball machine.

Janet’s wardrobe: $10,000

Blackstreet’s wardrobe: $25,000

Janet’s travel costs: $50,000

Blackstreet’s travel costs: $200,000

3-D animation costs: $600,000

9. “November Rain”- Guns n’ Roses

Cost: 1,500,00+

An 11 minute video extravaganza that tells the tale of singer Axl Rose and model Stephanie Seymour getting married and life until death.

Renting a symphony orchestra : $25,000

Specially constructed chapel: $150,000

Wedding dress: $8,000

Specially constructed coffin: $8,000

8. “Unpretty”- TLC

Cost: $1,600,000+

Even though the group’s video “Waterfalls” was technologically more ground breaking, “Unpretty” ended up costing more because they argued over every little detail, basically doubling their starting costs.

Floating yoga pods: $60,000

Field of purple flowers: $50,000

Laptop computer animating breast enhancements: $63,000

Flying robot camera: $35,000

Hairstyling: $11,000

Makeup: $25,000

Costumes: $11,000

7. “She’s a Bitch”- Missy Elliot

Cost: $2,000,000+

This is one of those videos that makes no sense on why it actually costs so much, in reality it is just Missy Elliot jumping around an M shaped stage.

• Missy Elliot’s rubber wardrobe: $10,500
• Glow-in-the-dark cape: $3,500
• M-shaped stage: $30,000
• Silver suits for the extras: $12,000
• Total set: $850,000
• Makeup: $6,000
• Special effects for a stormy sky: $20,000

6. “Miami”- Will Smith

Cost: $2,000,000+

Will Smith is no stranger to spending money on his music videos, mostly because they are doubled up as promotion and placement for his films.

Private jet rental: $15,000

Each morph transition: $14,000 (and there were least 40 of these)

Floating Miami set: $500,000

Models: $10,000

Choreography: $200,000

5. “Larger than Life”- Backstreet Boys

Cost: $2,100,000+

In 1996 Backstreet Boys made $66 Million so dropping a few on a few video was no problem. This video showcases them fighting robots in some bizarro cyberworld.

Cryogenic chamber model: $20,000

Flying surfboard scene at beginning: $90,000

3-D animated models: $45,000

Robot costumes for the B-Boys: $56,000

Exterior shot of the space station: $70,000

Dance stage: $80,000

The cost to fly the crew to the set: $150,000

Director’s fee: $150,000 (for just 4 days of shooting)

Total special effects: $600,000

4. “Whats it Gunna Be”- Busta Rhymes (featuring Janet Jackson)

Cost: $2,400,000+

At the time a very hip and trendy video (Busta co-directed) that involved tons of special effects and visuals that are reminiscent to ‘The Abyss’ and “Terminator II”.

Virtual set: $100,000

Each morph: $30,000 (and there were a lot)

Busta’s glass costume: $40,000

Janet and Busta’s explosion: $20,000

3. “Heartbreaker”- Mariah Carey

Cost: $2,500,000+

Along side Mariah is B-list star Jerry O’Connell, this is another video where you can hardly tell where the money goes. Mariah does however get to meet her evil twin and duke it out in the bathroom.

Movie theater rental: $100,000

Mansion rental (in the movie): $40,000

Hairstyling: $13,000

Dog and its trainer: $6,000

Fight coordinator: $7,000

Animation: $80,000

Jerry O’Connell’s cameo fee: $10,000

2. “Victory”- Puff Daddy

Cost: 2,700,000+

This video has everything from exploding airplanes, suicidal leaps from buildings, helicopters, and shootouts!

Building an airplane and blowing it up: $55,000

Pyrotechnic special effects: $100,000

Artificial rain: $10,000

Helicopter rental: $21,000

Stuntman fee: $5,000 per jump from building to building

Security on the set: $10,000

1. “Scream”- Michael Jackson

Cost: $7,000,000+

Michael Jackson is notorious for his ridiculous and outrageous music videos. He spent $800,000 on the making of “Thiller” which made over 1.4 million  in one day. After watching the video “Scream” it is price tag that is almost unthinkable, over $5 million was spent on 11 sets.

Computer-generated spaceship: $65,000

Breaking guitars: $53,000

Morphing artworks: $50,000

Michael’s makeup: $3,000

Janet’s makeup: $8,000 a day

Choreography: $40,000

Giant video screen: $80,000

Lighting: $175,000

Cost per day: $636,000 (about 11 days)

Total cost of 11 sets: $5,000,000

HOTT PICK of the Week: STAN BUSH

Emmy Award winning Fast Break artist Stan Bush has a lot of exciting things going this year. He has been making incredible music over the past few decades that stands the test of time. Currently with numerous placements under his belt Stan is looking forward to the future.

Right now one of the biggest ventures for Stan is that his song “Til All Are One (Transformers Theme)” from the album “In This Life” is featured in the new Activision game “Transformers: The War For Cybertron.” The game will be released on June 22, 2010.

Stan Bush is best known for his hit song “The Touch” which originally aired in “Transformers: The Movie”. Over the years “The Touch” has proven it’s self to the the true anthem for all Transformer fans, reaching to all corners of the world. It is an amazing feat to realize how far this song has truly traveled. It was also featured in Guitar Hero (the video game) in 2009, the movie “Boogie Nights”, Tv’s Chuck (NBC) and American Dad (Fox).

“Til All Are One (Transformers Theme)” and “The Touch” are both available on the Stan Bush “In This Life” album at stanbush.com.

You can find a lot more information about Stan Bush on his website. Also be sure to friend him on Myspace!

Fast Break’s Breakdown Of Services

For anybody that is uncertain of what we actually do here this break down should definitely help.

Fast Break is a placement and promotion company, right now we are based out of Los Angeles, Ca.

We offer may different services to our clients including artist development and A&R support.

Placements opportunities branch from TV to Film and Radio. We are constantly being approached by new projects in all areas of the media.

The following is a list of all major placement outlets available today:

• Film: Independent Film/ Documentaries/ Short Films
• TV: Major Networks (ie: MTV, ABC, VH1, HBO, FOX, WB, CBS etc…)/ Series/ Webisodes/ New Media
• Gaming/ Video Games: ROCKBAND
• Publishing
• Music Supervisors
• Sync and Master Licensing
• Radio: 1500 Stations (Satellite/ College/ Internet/ Main Stream/ Podcasts)
• Record Labels: Both Major (Sony, Universal, Warner Bros.) & Independent
• Managers/ Booking Agents
• Content Providers: Feeding music to public areas including malls, coffee shops, airlines, restaurants, and gyms.

We also are a leader in promotion. We promote all of our clients in various ways. We try to make sure we are hitting the correct target audience and branching out to a larger fan base. The following list demonstrates most of the ways we are currently promoting:

• Physical Press: Magazines/ Press Releases
• New Media Outlets: Webzines/ Blogs/ Online Music Journals/ Forums/ and Digital Press Releases
• Radio Campaigns

Fast Break also helps artists register with one of the performing rights organizations (ASCAP/BMI), and The Library of Congress. Through our service we do offer a free one year copyright to those who qualify.

To be considered a professional musician in today’s industry you will need a well developed EPK (Electronic Press Kit). We host EPK’s for all of our clients, they are easy to use templates which allow artists to upload music, photos, videos and contact info. We do not charge per submission or per upload, you are allowed to freely update and upload music as you choose.

We do not have any automated services, we feel it is much more important to build personal relationships with all of the clients we work with. Your A&R rep is always there to give advice and help you through the process of building awareness for your music. We are all trained professionals and specialize in artist development.

I hope this information is helpful to anyone that has questions. You can find more information about us on our website.

Dr. Dre Honored By ASCAP!

The hip hop Godfather Dr. Dre will be presented with the ASCAP Founders Award during their 23rd annual Rhythm and Soul Music Awards. The ceremony will take place in Los Angeles, Ca on June 25th. The ASCAP Founders Award is presented to an individual whose musical  legacy and inspired and influenced fellow music creators. Dr. Dre is a foundering member of the unforgettable rap group NWA (together with Easy-E and Ice Cube). Dr. Dre is also a Grammy Award winning producer for such hits as BlackStreet’s ‘No Diggity’ , Mary J. Blige’s ‘Family Affair, and 2Pac’s ‘California Love’. Aside from launching the huge careers of Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg Dr. Dre is also a chart topping artist himself; his widely popular song ‘Nuthin but a ‘G’ thang’ first released in 1992 off his solo album ‘The Chronic’. Dr. Dre will be joining the ranks of other Founders honorees such as Stevie Wonders, Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney, Berry Gordy, and Smokey Robinson.

“Dre is one of the most important  voice in modern music, he created a unique recognizable sound that dominated rap in the early 90′s… and continues to inspire artists and producers across all genres with his musical techniques.” – Paul Williams, ASCAP President/Chairman.

Interview with Fast Break Artist: CODE

1. Where did your name (CODE) come from?

Code: I guess it started when I was a kid, I used to tag and it just transformed into my title and stuck.

2. How long have you been writing your own flows?

Code: I started writing in the 7th/8th grade, I actually stopped at one point because my parents found some of my more controversial lyrics and freaked out thinking I was getting into some real trouble. At that point I started free styling and nowadays I do a bit of both.

3.What is the message behind your lyrics?

Code: It always varies. I talk about real life stuff, I do exaggerate but its all part of the art. I guess my message for right now would be trying to get people to understand who I am, how I deal with haters. I try to put a positive spin on being a white rapper, because I don’t want to know as a ‘white rapper’. I make sure to try and sound different.

4. What kind of benefits does living in LA have?

Code: Well I’m from ChiTown (Chicago). LA defiantly makes it easier to make connections and meet people in the industry.  I have less distractions here and more time to focus on my music.

5. Whats your favorite of your own songs?

Code: I would have to say LAMES; it was really fun to make. It all came really easily to me and its a sound I want to expand upon. It also have given me the best response. Its a song of all people regardless if they like rap music or not.

6. Who’s your favorite rapper?

Code: There’s not one. I like Eminem a lot, he’s dope. I also like Lil’ Wayne, Ludacris, Drake, and T.I. I like rappers that rap about something you can relate to.

7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Code: On the charts. For Sure.

8. What are some of your biggest inspirations?

Code: Money, that’s all I can think about right now. Its funny though I guess I am also inspired by the others out there making music. I hear it on the radio, it’s all so catchy and I think to myself… I can do that, and do it better.

9. Who is your celebrity crush?

Code: (laughing) Now there’s a lot. Megan Fox and Jessica Alba before she got pregnant. I’d totally smash Taylor Swift.. Watch out!

10. Where can people find your music?

Code: The easiest place right now would be my Facebook Fan Page.

Click below  to check out Code’s Hottest songs!

www.jomekkabeats.com/mp3/Lames.mp3

www.jomekkabeats.com/mp3/BrandNewSound.mp3

Are you ready for a label?

Like I have stated before Fast Break Music is a great way for artists to reach out to labels. Weather you are a rocker or not everybody knows who Roadrunner Records is. They have some of  most intense metal acts signed today. Their roster includes huge players like KORN, MegaDeth, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Slash, and Meatloaf (just to name a few)! We are currently submitting new acts to them as they continue to look for the best metal around. If you are interested in possibly being signed to Roadrunner, we got your back. As a client just let us know and we will see what we can do. There are certain criteria you must meet in order to be considered.

First of all you are going to need:

• 5 song EP Fully Mixed and Mastered.
• Electronic Press Kit (pdf)
• Full Color One Sheet
• Verified (Nelson Sound Scan/ Sound Xchange) Sales, Downloaded and Physical Copies

Check out Roadrunner online! www.roadrunnerrecords.com

What is a Music Agent?

In the most basic definition of the word an agent is responsible for booking shows for bands. Agents negotiate contracts with promoters and make sure tours run smoothly.  Agents also make sure all the bands needs are meet when they get to the venue, hotel, or practice space. Agents are responsible to make sure there is appropriate time set aside for sound checks and that the bands get paid the correct amount. If you are concerned about having a reliable paycheck or have certain expectations that must be met in order for you to preform, you would discuss all those details with your agent. Agents working for small indie bands may step outside of their job requirement and also promote shows. You have to also expect your agent to take a percentage for all this work, normal rate runs anywhere from 10-20%. If you are interested in working with an agent we here at Fast Break have many connections and could get you in contact with the right people.

Fast Break’s Many Social Networking Sites

Fast Break trys to stay up to date with all of today’s hottest social networking sites. It is important to keep in touch with all of our clients and musicians. If you haven’t already be sure to add us on the following sites (click the icon to be linked):

I found this pretty interesting article on how musicians can take social networking into their own hands, check it out : http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2830064820080329

This video is pretty trippy, its crazy to think how much our society has changed over the past few years. Social networking is part of our daily lives, and is taking the world by storm.