Patti Rothberg ~ Double Standards

Patti Rothberg

Born in New York City Rothberg grew up in Scarsdale, NY, playing piano from the age of 3 and writing songs by the age of 15, joining a high school Rod Stewart covers band. She later traveled through Europe and America, busking to support herself.

Patti’s CD debut on EMI America, Between the 1 and the 9, went on to sell over 250,000 copies in the US and another 200,000 in Europe and Japan. The album title is a reference to the subway platform where she used to busk.

Now Patti Rothberg is back with her third CD, Double Standards, which was released on Megaforce Records. It is the culmination of the melodic pop rock associated with “1 & 9”, and the psychedelic explorations and Queen-like harmonies of her second CD Candelabra Cadabra. The combination is doubly delicious. The title track is an exploration of the concept of good vs. evil, wherein “…the devil loves a double standard and heaven isn’t selling cheap…” The album is split down the middle between hard rock and heartfelt acoustic songs. What brings it all together is Patti’s melodic sensibility and unique lyrical perceptions. Had this been the age of vinyl, the harder songs might all go on one side, the softer on the other. Both are unmistakably Patti and equally true to her musical leanings.

Patti’s main website
Patti’s MySpace
Patti’s MTV video for “Inside” (her radio hit that was featured on shows like 120 Minutes)
Patti’s video “Treat Me Like Dirt” that she helped direct
Patti’s side project “Squeaky Wheel”

Last, but not least, if you’d like Patti to paint a portrait of you, your loved one, or even your pet, contact Patti at *prothberg AT earthlink DOT net*.

Blame It On The Alcohol – Jamie Foxx – Performed by JR Aquino

I just returned from awesome homecoming trip of Miami and West Palm Beach, FL to see my family and friends. While driving around in my rental car, I listened to a lot of radio, and despite my better judgement, I fell in love with Jamie Foxx’ “Blame it on the Alcohol”. Although I hate the idea of blaming (or justifying!) a one night stand on alcohol, the groove of this song cannot be denied.

I had the idea of creating parody lyrics, and while googling the original lyrics, I actually found guitar chords for the song. After digging a little deeper, I learned that another guy had an acoustic performance video of Blame it on the Alcohol” on YouTube. This musician is a soulful singer/songwriter named JR Aquino, and he’s from Anchorage, Alaska! I thought that that was pretty cool because while I may never get to Anchorage, I can always get to YouTube, so JR is very smart to leverage the power of the internet. Plus, now I can share him with YOU! Enjoy!

If you want to take a stab at this song yourself, you can also find the lyrics and chords here.

PS – If you’re gonna do anything questionable in life, never blame it on the alcohol, okay? Just own up to it, and move on! 😉

Band Halloween Video: Kina Grannis Cover of Rihanna’s Disturbia

I’m quite happy about today’s Band Halloween post because I get to multitask: A) I get to feature a Halloween-type musical video, and B) I get to share some music marketing tips!

Day 21 of “The 31 Days of Band Halloween” features a video by singer/songwriter Kina Grannis, in which she performs a cover of Rihanna’s latest single “Disturbia”. Kina Grannis has been on my radar since August, and I’ve been waiting for the right time to share, and just in time for “Band Halloween”, she records a verson of Rihanna’s “Disturbia”. In the spirit of full transparency, Kina’s video is not exactly scary, but I will add that there are candles, as well as a “scary” doll featured. But hey, we’re talking band Halloween here, and it’s close enough for me!

Kina Grannis is a Web 2.0 musician, without a doubt, and I’ll tell you why. When I took Ed Dale’s Thirty Day Challenge for internet marketing in August, one of the Challenger teams favorited a video of Kina singing a song she wrote called Gotta Digg while we were learning how to bookmark websites. The song was cute, and she even had her sisters singing backup with her. My first thought was how clever (not to mention viral) it was to write a song about an online bookmarking site. My second thought was that I had to find out more about this singer.

So glad I checked, because Kina’s Digg song barely scratches the surface of what she is about.

Miz Grannis releases a new video each week to YouTube and her blog at KinaGrannis.com. Each video is a song of her own, or a cover, or maybe even a guitar tutorial. At the end of her videos, she talks to her fans, and if she’s received any fan gifts since last week’s video, she’ll give a little “show and tell” at the end, along with personal thank yous. Her idea of combining performing with videoblogging is GENIUS, I must say.

Her dedication to the goal of posting a new video each week has been parlayed into an appearance on the Super Bowl, sold-out shows, and even a record deal. Oh, and I cannot forget the dedication she inspires in her tireless street team. Kina’s street team puts in the time for her, and even created a birthday video for Kina (This page also features other birthday dedication videos from Kina’s fans too).

On one hand, what she has done with her music career is amazing. On the other hand, it’s not impossible, and can be replicated by other musicians willing to put in the dedication.

You can’t buy this kind of fan love. You earn it by showing up regularly and performing.

I dare you. Try it!

Kina Grannis – Disturbia (cover of Rihanna tune)

New Music Artist: Katt Rockell

New music artist Katt Rockell will be performing at New York City’s Tillman’s on September 22nd for their Turntable Unplugged.

New Music Artist Katt Rockell

From Katt’s MySpace page:

With a commanding stage presence and a voice described by a major label A&R representative as the “sweetest tear,” Katt Rockell draws you into her lair and delivers a knock out punch every time. Fans will walk away mesmerized, invigorated, empowered and most importantly – completely satisfied and wanting more.

A stellar vocalist, Katt is preparing to share her musical vision with blazing hot tracks that will make you sing out loud, tap your feet and at times rejoice with tears of joy and victory. Her debut solo project will document a very personal and triumphant journey of rediscovery.

Katt is also recognized as a naturally gifted songwriter with the unique ability to both pen a hit record in a variety of music genres and vocally capture the essence of a song. Katt has collaborated with leading recording artists and numerous multi-platinum producers including Younglord (Beyonce, P. Diddy, Mariah Carey.)

Currently, Katt is recording with the production house Truth & Soul and Peter Lord, as well as other high-profile producers and writers. “I’ve been on an incredible path that has helped shape me as an artist, Katt says, “I really want to make an honest record and share all of the bumps and bruises as well as my growth as a singer and songwriter”.

She continues to write for other artists but is in the studio and concentrating on her own project. Katt says, “I’ve been in the trenches and have learned a lot of valuable lessons. I’ve worked with some of the best talents in the industry and absorbed so much knowledge. It’s my time to shine.”

Katt’s music is timeless and her star is rising fast. So, prepare yourself for a smooth and funky ‘diva soul’ journey because there’s a new Katt in town.

Check out New Music Artist Katt Rockell at her MySpace page.