Volume 2, Issue #19

Turning Point Lighthouse

After years of covering others artist’s music, Turning Point Lighthouse realized their destiny. The duo of Bob Nickel (guitars, vocals) and Rocky Kuntz (bass,vocals) began using their classic rock roots and guitar driven sound to create a blend of Christian rock that is equally pleasing to the ear as it is to the soul. About two years ago, the combo began writing spiritual songs and quickly put together enough material for their debut album “Trust God,” which was released in the summer of 2003 to rave local reviews in Florida. Now, even after losing their drummer, TPL is compiling new tracks for their sophomore album which they plan on releasing in the fall. The combo is so excited about their new material, they recruited a percussion machine until a full-time drummer can be found. Nothing is going to prevent this band from getting their spiritual message across.


Five Questions for Turning Point Lighthouse

1) Two years ago, you decided to become strictly a Christian Rock group. Why?
“The Lord touched our hearts and we felt we had found a real purpose. Music is a very powerful way to send a message and we knew we could use it to send a message about God. We felt that we could really reach people that way.”


2) Tell us about your first album “Trust God.”
“We recorded the whole thing in our home studio. All the production was done by us and it really came out really good. It was a bit time consuming, but worth it. It has a classic rock feel, but it’s totally a Christian rock album.”

3) Is is hard to land gigs in the Bible Belt?
“Yeah, it really is. Most places around here don’t want to hear Christian music. Most clubs and bars aren’t interested in hearing that type of music. We’ve played several benefits and charity events. We’ve also played in a number of churches.

4) As most unsigned artists, you’re currently using the internet to spread your music. How important is the web to the band?
“For us, it’s definitely the way to go. In the area we’re in, it’s difficult for us to get our music out there. The net has helped a lot. We feel that if we were in Atlanta or Chicago it would be a lot easier to be heard.”

5) What bands have influenced your sound the most?
“We would have to say Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Boston, The Beatles, Blues Traveler, Third Day and Creed.”

----Joseph Barracato

Aimee Mann

When Aimee Mann first became recognized in the music world, she was sporting a blond mohawk and bellowing out a few unforgettable 80’s ballads such as “Voices Carry” for the band ‘Til Tuesday. Back then glam rock, hair bands and one-hit wonders dominated the charts and radio. Once their 15 minutes were up, it was hard to take any of them seriously anymore. It’s fair to say that Mann has completely bucked that trend and not by just losing the long spikes. Her radiant voice and poetic lyrics have not only kept the singer/songwriter around for three decades, but are now responsible for bringing the musician to the forefront of the folk/rock scene. After recording two solo studio albums, Mann became a household name in 1999 when she recorded "Save Me," an Academy Award-nominated song for the Magnolia Original Soundtrack. She then went on to record two more studio albums, including 2002’s “Lost In Space,” her finest piece of work to date. Her highly-anticipated, fifth studio album “The Forgotten Arm,” which was mostly recorded live, is slated release in March and insiders believe several awards are soon to follow.

Five Facts about Aimee Mann

1) Mann was born in Richmond, Virginia, and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, before dropping out to front her first punk rock band The Young Snakes. The band released the EP “Bark Along with the Young Snakes” in 1982 but broke up later that year. In late 2004, they released a compilation album.

2) In 1983 she co-founded 'Til Tuesday, which achieved minor success in 1985 with its first album, “Voices Carry.” She performed with Rush in 1987 on the single "Time Stand Still", singing backup vocals and appearing in the music video. 'Til Tuesday went on to release two more albums before the New Wave band parted ways in 1990.

3) She began to put herself on the map in 1993 when she released “Whatever,” her first solo effort. The record wasn’t recognized on a national level but it was critically praised and paved the way for her next release, 1995's “I'm With Stupid.”

4) In 1999, Mann became fed up with the ineffective promotional tactics and artistic meddling she was receiving from Geffen Records and created her own label SuperEgo Records.

5) No stranger to movie scores, Mann teamed with her husband Michael Penn to cover The Beatles’ “Two of Us” for the I Am Sam soundtrack in 2001. The song was so beautifully done, it was used on the movie’s original trailer.

----Joseph Barracato

Musicians Rallying To Aid Tsunami Survivors

Several artists have taken the initiative to stage their own benefit shows in an effort to raise money for the victims of the recent tsunami disaster that ripped though Southern Asia. Musicians from around the globe are setting up concerts, actually fund raisers to supply survivors with economic relief. Kicking off the humble list of entertainers is Sting, who plans on playing a Feb. 10 show at the Leeuwin Estate Winery in Perth Australia, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the relief efforts. The former Police frontman, who already has two sold-out shows booked at the venue for Feb. 12 and 13, is currently on tour promoting his new album “Sacred Love.” Queen's Brian May has pledged all the proceeds from the upcoming Jan. 12 performance in London to be donated to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for tsunami and earthquake relief efforts. The DEC has also received a lift from Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, who’ve donated $190,000. The couple are also featured in an MTV-produced television ad soliciting public donations for the cause.


Country music legend Willie Nelson, Patty Griffin, Spoon, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo and a host of others are slated to play at the Austin Texas Music Hall with proceeds going to the American Red Cross, UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders. Clear Channel Entertainment is set to produce “Concert for Tsunami Relief” in Vancouver on Jan. 29 at the GM Place. It will be hosted by Rick Mercer and will feature Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida, Delerium, Sarah McLachlan and several others. The Presidents Of The United States Of America, who’ve been in hiding for most of the past three years, teams with MxPx and Smoosh to perform at the Showbox in Seattle on Jan. 12 with proceeds going to the Tsunami Relief effort of Northwest Medical Teams. Two days later, the venue, in conjunction with local radio stations KNDD and KEXP will host a benefit featuring Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, the Shins' James Mercer and Pedro The Lion's Dave Bazan, with proceeds given to Northwest Medical Teams. Finally, Sheryl Crow, Christina Aquilera and Tim McGraw will all participate in a Jan. 15 benefit for victims of the tsunami that has been organized by the NBC Universal Television Group. Donations for that event will be collected via telephone.


----Joseph Barracato

Q: Why is streaming technology so important?

-- Jaykwa

To understand the value of streaming technology you must first understand the value of the Internet and its effect on music (intellectual property). Indeed, the Internet is a broad and encompassing entity that includes many different aspects of technology and human innovation. Moreover, with regards to Indie artist and their music, the Internet is has become an affordable medium and distribution channel that can make a career. Now that that is clear, let's discuss the 2 main vehicles used to deliver music across the Internet (Downloads and Streaming).

Giving consumers the ability to download your music (for free) can be dangerous (to your intellectual property) and unprofitable (to your pockets). However, many artists believe that having endless digital copies of their songs floating around is great promotion. This is the double edged sword of Downloading.

Streaming technology, on the other hand allows consumers to hear your music (On Demand in many cases) from any Internet enabled computer. Essentially, your song is delivered to your fan in real time as small bytes of data. This makes copying the material more difficult while still providing listening pleasure for your adoring fans.

--- Adam P.

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