Thursday 8 September 2016

THE BREVET Release Music Video For "Embers"



Coming off the success of their recently released EMBERS: Chapter 2 EP this past August, THE BREVET are excited to showcase the new music video for their song “Embers”.

The romantically charged, one-take music video (directed by award-winning indie filmmaker Sarah Wilson Thacker) follows the different life stages of a woman as told through contemporary dance, choreographed and performed by dancer Ashley Wilkerson. The video begins with homage to Hollywood glam era romance and builds into a modern day love story, ending with a real life couple dancing to “Embers” in pure bliss.

"I’ve always been drawn to romances of the past. In our generation today, there are so many distractions and ways to lose focus of the important things,” explains lead singer-songwriter Aric Chase Damm. “This song has stretched us as a band, and we wanted to make a video that would do the same. “

The Brevet have always been passionate about creating visual elements to their music, from their epic live recording/one-take video for “Hold On” which PopMatters noted the band’s “undying energy, a massive and effusive stage presence” to their fan-created video for “Be Your Man.”

In addition, the band is excited to play shows in their native California, including a performance at the Hotel CafĂ© on September 22nd and a rooftop performance at The Fifth on September 30th in Anaheim, CA. The band will also be heading back to the East coast for a night at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall on October 21st and are available for press in NYC on October 20th.

The Brevet is Aric Chase Damm (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Jones (backing vocals, piano), David Aguiar (backing vocals, drums), and Ben Ross (bass, backing vocals). Embers: Chapter 2 is available now on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.



The Return Of MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO - Live Dates Announced



San Francisco, CA – Returning after a six year hiatus since 2010’s Answers Come in Dreams, seminal electronic band MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO (MBM) is gearing up for a handful of U.S. shows, heralding the release of new material. Headlining Chicago’s Cold Waves Festival on Friday, September 23, MBM trek through Dallas (9/30 at Club Dada), Houston (10/1 at Numbers with Clock DVA) and San Francisco (10/21 at DNA Lounge). Those familiar with MBM's mind-blowing live performances are fully aware that the visual component combines a sonic electronic assault with their stunning and often political video mash-ups. With the current race for the Oval Office in full swing, the visual “battles” waged between mastermind Jack Dangers and MBM partner-in-crime Ben Stokes will undoubtedly be uproariously provocative and incredibly timely with video samples culled from news reports and found footage.

Also available only on this tour will be a five track EP of all-new material, for purchase at the merch table. A taster of what’s to come, this EP follows sound sculptor and music innovator Jack Dangers as he continues his trek into experimental territory, merging rhythms, melodies and texture in a way only he can maneuver.

MBM's consistent musical invention has led to all forms of electronic musical experimentation over its 29 year history, from jungle to techno to industrial to dubstep to jazz fusion. These live dates will explore and re-examine MBM’s long string of influential futuristic classics including such groundbreaking tracks as "God O.D.", "Drop", "Helter Skelter", "Radio Babylon", "Edge of No Control" to "It's The Music". The single, "Prime Audio Soup" (from the album Actual Sounds and Voices) was prominently featured in the sci-fi fantasy blockbuster The Matrix and on its platinum-selling soundtrack.

An acknowledged and celebrated innovator in the electronic music scene (his remix of Tower of Power's "What Is Funk?" was nominated for a Grammy in 2006), Jack Dangers continues to stretch sonic boundaries and influence new generations of sound activists. As a premiere remixer, producer and sound designer, he has played a seminal role in defining tomorrows' music today. Past production/remixing projects include: Public Enemy, David Bowie, Orbital, Nine Inch Nails, David Byrne, Bush, Depeche Mode, and Tower of Power.

With a new tour-only EP and these four performance dates to whet the appetite, new music and potentially more live dates are on the horizon in 2017. More info... to come?

TOUR DATES: 9/23 Chicago – Cold Waves Festival 9/30 Dallas - Club Dada 10/1 Houston - Numbers (with Clock DVA) 10/21 San Francisco - DNA Lounge

You Me At Six Premiere New Video



YOU ME AT SIX have today unveiled the video for their new single “Night People”, the title track from their forthcoming album due January 13th 2017 through Infectious Music. Night People, their fifth album, was recorded in Nashville at Black Bird Studios with Grammy award-winning producer Jacquire King (Kings Of Leon, James Bay) and mixed by Andrew Scheps (Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chilli Peppers).

To kick things off the band will play a bunch of underplay shows this autumn. Having gained a reputation as being one of the best live bands in the UK, with sold-out tours that have seen them headline both Wembley Arena and the O2, this is a great opportunity to see them in the most intimate settings they have played in years, a stark contrast to their triumphant secret set on The Pit at this year’s Reading and Leeds festival.

Following the announcement of the tour, the band topped Music Week’s UK Ticket Charts comprising the hottest tickets in the UK, bolstered by the final date at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire selling out in just 3 minutes. With the UK tour now sold out, it’s only a matter of time before the band make their way overseas. Stay tuned...

UK TOUR - OCTOBER: 4th – Bristol, O2 Academy 5th – Folkestone, Leas Cliff Hall 6th – Swansea, Brangwyn Hall 9th – Belfast, The Limelight 10th – Dublin, The Academy 13th – Nottingham, Rock City Main Hall 14th – Oxford, O2 Academy 15th – Cambridge, Corn Exchange 17th – Inverness, Ironworks 18th – Leeds, O2 Academy 19th – Liverpool, Guild of Students 20th – Sheffield, O2 Academy 21st – Middlesbrough, Empire 23rd – Southampton, O2 Guildhall 24th – London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

You Me At Six have had a hugely successful career to date, selling over 600,000 albums globally. The band have had 3 Top 5 albums including a UK Number 1 on their last release: Cavalier Youth. They have also scored thirteen consecutive A-list singles on Radio 1. With anticipation building for their new album, it looks like 2017 is going to be another huge year for the band.

Wednesday 7 September 2016

TENGGER CAVALRY Reveals Mini Tour Documentary + Mongolian Excursion Photo Gallery



Global Music Award-winning Mongolian folk metal group TENGGER CAVALRY recently announced their upcoming North American fall headline tour dates, featuring heavy metal frontrunners INCITE as special guests. The tour will kick off on September 16th in White Hall, MD, coming to a close in Revere, MA on October 15th.

In celebration of next week's tour kick-off, the band has teamed up with Decibel Magazine to share a mini tour documentary created after their last U.S. run. The documentary was directed by Uljmuren, TENGGER CAVALRY's Morin Khuur player, who has an extensive television background in his native China. You can visit Uljmuren's studio online at www.nymbat.com.

In addition to the mini tour documentary, Decibel is also hosting an exclusive series of photos taken by frontman Nature Ganganbaigal during his recent pilgrimage to Mongolia. Nature details each moment captured with personal descriptions. View the tour documentary and Mongolian photo gallery HERE.

Nature states, "TENGGER CAVALRY's musical soul is rooted in nomadic culture. Without nomadic life, nomadic music can't exist, and that's why I decided to go back to Mongolia. Spending time with nomads, horses, sheep and cows offered a realistic experience, putting me deep in touch with those traditional roots. It's important for me to remember what it feels like to ride horses across the boundless grassland, for example, and to translate that experience into our music, making it as authentic as possible. It's not possible to be fully influenced just from studying cultures in books, films or other media. We need to immerse ourselves in the traditions of the homeland."

TENGGER CAVALRY 2016 Fall Headline Dates w/ INCITE: 9/16 - White Hall, MD @ Shadow Woods - no Incite 9/17 - Asheville, NC @ The Rabbit Hole 9/18 - Hattiesburg, MS @ Tavern 9/19 - Austin, TX @ Grizzly Hall 9/20 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 9/21 - Ft. Worth, TX @ Rail Club 9/23 - Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red 9/24 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 9/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go 9/28 - Sacramento, CA @ Starlite 9/29 - Oakland, CA @ Opera House 9/30 - Portland, OR @ Ash Street Saloon 10/1 - Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater 10/2 - Bellingham, WA @ Shakedown 10/3 - Seattle, WA @ Crocodile 10/5 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro 10/6 - Denver, CO @ 3 Kings Tavern 10/7 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room 10/8 - Champaign, IL @ Hi Drive 10/9 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies 10/10 - Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe 10/11 - Detroit, MI @ Smalls 10/12 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck 10/13 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks 10/14 - Montreal, QC @ Katacombes 10/15 - Revere, MA @ Sammy's Patio

TENGGER CAVALRY's most recent release, the Mountain Side EP, can be ordered here. Mountain Side EP features re-orchestrated versions of popular tracks, as well as completely new music accented by acoustic, instrumental and remix versions. The EP also features bonus live tracks and folk recordings. In particular, the re-recording of the band's already popular track "War Horse" still features the traditional Mongolian throat-singing that TENGGER CAVALRY is known for, but has now been completely re-composed and re-recorded to include influences such as Mongolian traditional folk, Native American tribal music, and cinematic film landscapes. TENGGER CAVALRY was recently awarded a Bronze Medal for the EP title track "Mountain Side" as part of the Global Music Awards.

A fully acoustic version of their most recent full-length release, Blood Sacrifice Shaman, is also available now. Download via Bandcamp here. Make sure to also check out the band's official guitar tab book, featuring guitar tabs of band's most popular songs such as "War Horse", "Horseman" and "Hymn of the Earth". Get your copy now via Amazon, or download digitally via iTunes.

UK act, The Hunna celebrate debut album, "100" and announce tour w/ Jimmy Eat World



Come take shade under the leaves of the Hunna Tree. With roots that bury themselves deep in the urgency of rock and a sound that’s dappled with a carefree indie aesthetic, The Hunna want you to take a leaf out of their book, let go of your inhibitions and be young, be free, and be whoever the hell you want to be.

Working with esteemed producers, Tim Larcombe (Halsey, Lana Del Rey) and Duncan Mills, The Hunna arrived with their debut record, "100" on August 26. Available via 300 Entertainment the album had an impressive first week, debuting at #3 on the UK Indie Chart, with an overall UK chart position of #13. Meanwhile in the States, the band debuted at #36 on the Heat Seekers chart. "100" has seen ongoing support at radio, with lead single, "You & Me" sitting at #27 on the US alternative charts, with strong support from buzzy tastemaker, AltNation and heavy rotation in various regions including; including WKQX Chicago, AltNation, WEDG Buffalo, KPNT/St. Louis, WLKK Buffalo, KRBZ Kansas City, KNRK Portland, WBUZ Nashville, KTBZ Houston, KTWN Minneapolos, KXTE Las Vegas, CD102 Columbus, LRZQ Reno, KRXP Colorado Springs, KMYZ Tulsa, WBRUProvidence and MC ALT.

Making their official debut in October of 2015 with their first single, “Bonfire,” the UK four-piece's rise has been nothing short of meteoric who signed to Lyor Cohen's 300 Entertainment- the band were the first UK rock act on the roster. By the time their second single, "We Could Be" was unleashed, The Hunna had sold out 3 nights at London’s Boston Music Rooms and their music was making waves in the iTunes and Spotify charts on a global scale.

With only a handful of songs under their belt, The Hunna quickly amassed a massive fanbase that has generated over 11 million video streams and their infectious sonic bombast has caught the attention of buzzy US tastemakers like Consequence of Sound, NYLON, Billboard and more. The Hunna continued to capture audience's hearts with their enigmatic live show when they arrived in the The States for a tour in June, playing to sold out audiences in major markets like New York City, with additional shows in Chicago, Los Angeles and more.

The Hunna began to take shape when Ryan (Vocals/Guitar), Dan (Lead Guitar) and Jermaine (Bass) met in college. After a couple of line-up changes, Jack arrived on drums and everything fell into place. A sucker for a good chorus, the boys like to work from the outside in when it comes to writing. “There are so many different processes to what we do, but often we’ll start with a chorus, and then we’ll funnel in from there,” the band have noted about their writing and recording process.

The Hunna are set to be the first band on your playlist, the one you listen to when you’re driving around with the top down. Bleeding of a wistful nostalgia and teamed with an unremitting lust for life that is as infectious as it is relentless, The Hunna’s unabashed sound is the soundtrack to your Summer.

Catch the band on the road:
* w/ Jimmy Eat World
** w/ The Struts


​10/09 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre*
10/10 - Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium*
10/11 - Madison, WI @ Barrymore Theatre*
10/13 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall*
10/14 - Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom*
10/15 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts*
10/16 - Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note*
10/18 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre*
10/19 - Colorado Springs, CO @The Black Sheep*
10/22 - Phoenix, AZ @ Fear Farm w/ Good Charlotte*
10/23 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy*
10/24 - San Luis Obispo, CA @ The Fremont Theatre*
10/27 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House*
10/28 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Arlington Theatre*
10/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour*
11/02 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore**
11/03 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre**

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Album Review: HIFI SEAN - 'FT', Released 16 September 2016



HIFI SEAN - 'FT'
Released 16 September 2016

Are you going to the party? Hifi Sean has organized a big one for us with his release 'FT' on 16th of September.

What? You don’t know Hifi Sean? Hmm well, on reflection me neither :o) but I was told Hifi Sean is a songwriter, DJ and producer Sean Dickson. He is most famously known as front man of the Scottish band The Soup Dragons. The chap knows everything that is to know in music and he has invited a bunch of A-listers to his party. I am not talking reality TV celebs... it is more names like BootSy Collins, Yoko Ono and another icon called Alan Vega to name only a few. So this is solid and credible right.

Ok, the guy can throw a party but it will it be any good? I think providing his credentials I am not concerned. There will be funk, dance, club, atmospheric and introspective rhythm, light beats and other electronica harmonies. It will be versatile, varied and highly entertaining, some call it electronic psychedelic soul... and there is some soul alright!

Take Testify for example - the first track, featuring Crystal Waters, where she is asking why she needs your love: the piano is euphoric and loves partnering with other sounds while Chrystal keeps beating the good mood chorus with an apparent joyfulness.

Obviously I cannot not talk about In Love with Life featuring legend Yoko Ono. At the start I thought it sounded like a Bananarama single but very quickly the giggles and small considerations leave way to a more meaningful statement about life. The music is getting more serious and Yoko talks through the track, anchoring in your mind the 'how great is life statement'.

Bootsy Collins follows almost straight away with the funky Atomium that gets your booty moving from left to right. I also noticed my head was moving up and down and my fingers keep taping on the table - it must be a great track then! :o)

Ultratheque and Truck are more club oriented but it does not matter. I would say: come on and get on board, we are heading towards the end of the party where Jean Honeymoon is taking us to a more introspective part of the album. Indeed Monday Moon Sunshine is a nice mid-tempo track, letting her voice nicely guesting you to a reflective mood.

It would not be a party if you were not to meet somebody special and here I have in front of me Mr Alan Vega (Suicide). It is the deepest and most contemplative track, mood wise not always easy to follow but with a clear message for us all: it is time to get A KISS BEFORE I DIE.

Overall: unexpected, varied and contemplative
If Iw as to pick 3 Only: Testify, Akiss Before I Die, Atomium
Live test: do you know a stage big enough for those guys!!!

Review by Pascal Derrien



The track listing and featured artists for FT is as follows:

Testify ft. Crystal Waters
18th ft. Norman Blake
In Love With Life ft. Yoko Ono
Atomium ft. Bootsy Collins
Like Josephine Baker ft. David McAlmont
Lost Without You ft. Paris Grey
Ultratheque ft. Dave Ball
Truck ft. Fred Schneider
Monday Morning Sunshine ft. Jean Honeymoon
You’re Just Another Song ft. Little Annie
Heavy Game ft. Billie Ray Martin
Heartbreak House ft. Maggie K De Monde
A Kiss Before Dying ft. Alan Vega


ORDER THE ALBUM HERE

Monday 5 September 2016

Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics unveil Love Of My Life video as a tribute to Freddie Mercury



September 5th marks what would have been the 70th birthday of the late, great Freddie Mercury. Not only that, but this year, 2016, also marks the 30th anniversary of the Wembley 86 gig that steals the spotlight for the most memorable Wembley show of all time.

“Today marks 70 years of the late, great Freddie Mercury. To celebrate his life we set time aside to deliver a live rendition of possibly one of Freddie's most beautiful composures, "Love Of My Life". This year is also the 30th anniversary of the Queen Live At Wembley gig in 1986 (of which this song is featured) and will be remembered as one of the greatest, if not, the greatest Wembley show of all time. I'm a huge Freddie fan, Queen's music was the key thing that made me want to be a part of a band and having never had a chance to pay homage to the man that inspired not only my self, but generations, now felt like the right time. I hope this lives up to expectation. Here's to Freddie Mercury, long live his legend.”

Watch now Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics perform Love Of My Life



In October Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics tour the UK with InMe.

HIFI SEAN RELEASES HIS ALBUM ‘FT’ ON SEPTEMBER 16 FEAT. GUEST ARTISTS INCLUDING YOKO ONO, DAVID MCALMONT, BOOTSY COLLINS, DAVE BALL AND ALAN VEGA



On September 16 the artist Hifi Sean releases his album ‘FT’. ‘FT’, which Sean describes as ‘electronic, psychedelic soul’, sees him collaborate with an extraordinarily diverse range of artists, spanning some of the most significant underground musical icons of the past 40 years. This stellar collection of artists includes: Yoko Ono, avant garde musician, conceptual artist and one of the most controversial female artists of all time; Bootsy Collins, widely regarded as one of the finest Funk/R’n’B bass players in the world; Dave Ball, co-founder of Soft Cell, notorious UK synth pioneers with the uniquely sleazy electric soul sound; Fred Schneider from the manic, bizarre and highly innovative US new-wave group B-52’s and Alan Vega, vocalist of the essential and groundbreaking New York duo Suicide. A full list of collaborating artists is below.

Hifi Sean is the songwriter, DJ and producer Sean Dickson. He is most famously known as front man of the Scottish band The Soup Dragons, responsible for a series of huge hit singles; ‘I’m Free’, ‘Divine Thing’, and ‘Mother Universe’. Dickson was also the main creative force behind the follow-up project The High Fidelity, a much more artful and intimate project, critically acclaimed for the releases ‘Demonstration’ and ‘The Omnichord Album’ . Those albums included two very rare musical collaborations between Dickson and legendary Radio DJ John Peel and also the late Mickey Finn (one half of 70’s musical giants T-Rex). In some ways, this was the germination of an idea that would provide the conceptual foundation behind ‘FT’.

Sean underwent a total musical reinvention at the turn of the millennium, evolving and transforming his creative energies from a guitar playing band front-man to a DJ. He began playing house, disco and electro in Glasgow’s burgeoning and innovative club scene, before relocating to London in 2006 where he began to become a staple figure at deep house underground and afterhours clubs. As the artist Hifi Sean he is now a highly respected DJ and producer, having held residencies at Fire, Ministry of Sound, Shoreditch House and Savage Disco, as well as playing regular international shows in Europe and the USA.

In creating ‘FT’, Sean has carefully fused elements from his past and present musical lives into something unique and joyous. The album is a journey through psychedelic dance rhythms, and electronic and soulful moods, drawing from elements of Disco, Chicago house, Detroit techno, and London underground party roots. ‘FT’ is at once an homage to the foundations of his musical heart and a determined attempt to forge something new and vital from the sounds that have fuelled his life in music. It is also partly an autobiography in audio of the past 15 years of his life observing dancefloors, and growing as a producer.

The album guides the listener from soulful euphoria to Balearic bliss, new wave punk-house to conceptual cosmic voyage, ending with the crescendo of the full-on orchestral movement ‘A Kiss Before Dying’ with Alan Vega from Suicide. ‘FT’ carefully underlines the gifts of each of its vocalists, a work which is the instinctive pulse of multiple dances floor tempered and crafted by the nuanced heart and head of the songwriters craft. Calling upon his 25 years of music business experience and connections, Sean worked hard to pull together a collection of quite possibly one of the most impressive range of collaborations witnessed on a single release in recent memory. These transatlantic recordings were made possible through collaborations recorded in London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Washington, Glasgow and Toronto.

Sean says of the project: “I think of this album as a curated gallery of all my favourite sounds and loves, and when moulded together, the record paints a unique and personal picture of my life experience.”

The track listing and featured artists for FT is as follows:

Testify ft. Crystal Waters
18th ft. Norman Blake
In Love With Life ft. Yoko Ono
Atomium ft. Bootsy Collins
Like Josephine Baker ft. David McAlmont
Lost Without You ft. Paris Grey
Ultratheque ft. Dave Ball
Truck ft. Fred Schneider
Monday Morning Sunshine ft. Jean Honeymoon
You’re Just Another Song ft. Little Annie
Heavy Game ft. Billie Ray Martin
Heartbreak House ft. Maggie K De Monde
A Kiss Before Dying ft. Alan Vega

Sunday 4 September 2016

Review: Far From History - 'Gallows Hill' (EP), Released 19 August 2016



Far From History - 'Gallows Hill' (EP)
Released 19 August 2016

Far From History are Essex based and this new EP called 'Gallows Hill'. It is self-released and I have to salute the quality of the production throughout the 6 tracks. The bio mentions: huge breakdowns, shattering riffs and hard hitting vocals - well, it is all that!

Positioned as Post Hardcore I am struggling big time with the vocals. Well I suppose I am not getting the specificity of that genre. I struggled big time with Death Metal back in the days so what do you expect. :) Having said that, if you are not victim of the same syndrome you will probably like that band and they are well worth a detour if you are fan of that genre.

There are very strong and varied songs; the Shockwave intro is Slayerish and this influence is present throughout the track. Pedal to the Metal with Swallowing Broken Glass; I really like the part where there is a proper singing by the way. Blueneck and Rupture Farms have inspired intros and you will get your head trashing up and down all along the songs.

As a NYHC fan I am probably more receptive to A Negative, the track that concludes the EP... and again I welcome the light and fresh singing touch, it is more progressive (well it is not Burn either) and accessible I think.

Those guys are really good musicians and we should praise their effort and encourage them. Hope they continue to evolve and attract a larger audience. They really deserve it.

Overall: If you feel like helping a deserving band
If I was to pick one only: A Negative
Live Test: I am pretty sure its powerful and intense



Review by Pascal Derrien

OHANA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND LUAU RAISES OVER $175,000 FOR SAN ONOFRE PARKS FOUNDATION



The first ever Ohana music festival brought more than 22,000 fans to Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, CA over the Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28 weekend for music, cultural exhibits and ocean awareness, drinks, artisan food and more. Both days were packed with events and surprises: Saturday night concluded with an all star jam of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In The Free World” during Eddie Vedder’s set, featuring Vedder, 11-time World Surfing League champion Kelly Slater, Jack Irons, Lily Meola, Band Of Horses, John Doe of X, members of Mudhoney, and various other artists who performed throughout the day. Vedder also joined artists including Elvis Costello, X, Cat Power, and Jack Irons onstage both Saturday and Sunday for once in a lifetime collaborations. Sunday night wrapped up with a breathtaking performance under the stars by songstress Lana Del Rey.

The festival featured over 17 performances on two stages, with headliners Eddie Vedder and Lana Del Rey, plus Elvis Costello, City And Colour, Band Of Horses, X, Cat Power, Mudhoney, Corinne Bailey Rae, White Reaper, Ryan Bingham, Jonny Two Bags, Jack Irons, Wilderado, Lily Meola, The Palms, and special performances by Polynesian dancers.

Live Nation President - Booking, Los Angeles Rich Best says, "We built Ohana around an idea, not a genre of music. To bring together such a wide range of artists – from X to the powerful soul of Corinne Bailey Rae, and of course Eddie Vedder, the great Elvis Costello, and the captivating Lana Del Rey to name just a few – and have it work so seamlessly was exciting to be a part of. I'm already looking forward to next year."

"As a 25-year resident of South Orange County, the opportunity to bring such an incredible event to my home community was one of the best experiences of my career,” says Ohana co-producer John Reese of SGE. “We were able to raise a significant amount of money for the San Onofre Parks Foundation which directly supports the California State Parks system, as well as incorporate several non-profit groups that work tirelessly to save our oceans and beaches."

In all, a combination of proceeds and fundraising from the Ohana festival and the Ohana Luau raised over $175,000 for the San Onofre Parks Foundation, a California non-profit that cooperatively works with the California State Parks to develop, preserve and enhance the recreation and experience of California's unique and beautiful coastal parks. Vedder addressed festivalgoers on Sunday stating, “We're proud of your participation, because we can raise money to protect our beaches against big developers.”

The Ohana Luau -- an intimate kick-off celebration and charity gala the night prior, Friday, August 26 at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel -- served as a night of inspiration and entertainment. Similar to the festival, Eddie Vedder was actively involved at the Luau. He joined comedian and roastmaster Jeff Ross on stage for a cover of The Who’s “Squeeze Box,” did a duet with comedian and director Judd Apatow that paid tribute to the late comic Garry Shandling by using lines from Shandling’s journals as lyrics, and also joined John Doe to perform X’s “The New World.” Additionally, Vedder played a few of his own songs including tracks off of his first solo album, Into The Wild, and shared his personal tie to the cause, with Doheny State Beach being the first place he attempted to surf many years ago. Vedder explained how thrilled he was to return to the beach for Ohana, and see it in the same condition as when he left. Other highlights included Jeff Ross pulling audience members on stage for personal roasts, performances by Dallas Green of City And Colour and Lily Meola, a heartfelt speech by big wave surfer Greg Long on behalf of the San Onofre Parks Foundation (an organization founded by his father Steve Long), and hundreds of one-of-a-kind items that sold at auction.

San Onofre Parks Foundation Founder Steve Long says, “The San Onofre Parks Foundation is overwhelmed by this weekend’s outpouring of love and support for our local State Parks. The Ohana Luau and Music Festival help assure the continuing efforts of the Foundation's mission to provide for education with regard to the protection and preservation of San Onofre State Beach for all future generations. We express our humble gratitude to SGE and Live Nation for bringing the artists and fans together in celebration of San Onofre State Beach, the ‘Coastal Wilderness in the Heart of Southern California.’”

State Parks Superintendent Rich Haydon adds, “This weekend's Ohana Fest produced by Live Nation and Synergy Global Entertainment was a great success! The event benefitted California State Parks and the San Onofre Parks Foundation. The record crowd was well behaved and enjoyed a well produced event.”