The Catalyst Publicity Group

The Catalyst Publicity Group is a full-service Public Relations firm that offers a unique blend of consulting in the entertainment industry. Working with emerging and established clientele, we carefully craft and develop exclusive campaigns tailored specifically to the clients needs. We succeed in cultivating creative promotional plans to boost exposure and build momentum. Utilizing our expertise, networking within the field, and passion, we are dedicated to our client's success and surpassing expectations.

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First Time Jitters

Jumping headfirst into a new venture can be both a daunting and seemingly impossible task to many, especially when it’s in the music industry. Whether it’s creating music, performing live or some other aspect of being an artist, the following advice will aid in preventing you from feeling overwhelmed.

Define your goals.

Before you do anything, you must think to yourself what the end game and your overall goals are. Your goal may be to be the next act that headlines Coachella or you might just want to create music and see what happens with no expectations. Your goals should be immediate, upcoming and long term.  After you define these goals, you will need to make sure they align with the goals of your team. If they do not, then you and the person(s) involved need to do some reevaluation so that issues don’t arise in the future. You will need to continue to do this as you progress in your career.

Establish a realistic timeframe.

Once you’ve defined these goals, you must decide what a realistic time frame would be. After you think about this, communicate it to your team and those whom your choices affect. In order for a team to be effective, it’s important for everyone to be on the same page at all times. Do your best to stick to these plans, but do not get discouraged if things take longer. The important thing is that you are moving forward.

Take baby steps.

Each day do just one thing that helps you further your goals. Even if you don’t have the best tools, make the best of it. Even if you don’t have the newest production recording software or brand new instruments, you should not let it get in the way of creating. If you are still creating and practicing, you are improving your skill and moving ahead and that’s what’s significant.  

Surround yourself with people who give you honest feedback.

Sharing your music and ideas is a key component to growing as an artist, but you have to share your music, especially when it’s not finished, with the right people. When someone is overly critical, it’s easy to become discouraged and want to give up, but, at the same time, if someone praises everything you do and create, they’re not exactly helping you. Both of these people are potentially setting you up for disappointment at a later date either when you encounter criticism that you are not used to or when you become discouraged by constant negative feedback and then want to give up. Ideally, you need to find at least one person who is supportive but also gives honest and constructive feedback when you are working on projects.

Hopefully, these tips will provide a solid starting point and help you put your best foot forward in your music career and potentially other areas of your life as well. Just remember that everything is going to be fine, and if you’re not feeling uncomfortable, then you’re not growing.

By Austin Saucier

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Internship Tips from a Catalyst Insider

Hey there! 

My name is Alexa Ehrlich, and I am one of the Spring publicity interns working for The Catalyst Publicity Group. I am here to bring you some advice about how to capitalize on internships and use the experience to help build for your future.

Internships offer the opportunity for college students to take what they learn in the classrooms and directly apply it to a real working business model. No matter what industry you want to get into, internships are a great way to test the waters and find out what works for you.

Give 100% in every task: As an intern, you may be assigned tasks that range from coffee runs to helping with major projects. Make sure to treat every task with the same positive attitude. Saying “yes” to every opportunity allows you to learn more within the company. While you may be interning in a specific department, it is always a good idea to learn from the other roles on the team and within the company. The more you experience, the more knowledge you can carry into your future career endeavors.

Be a team player: Make sure to meet and establish good working relationships with everyone on your team. You want to be easy to work with so that people will remember you for your good attitude and the quality of work you produce. Creating these relationships can lead to more opportunities in the future. Networking is especially crucial in any industry as these relationships will help you long after your internship is over, and don’t forget to maintain them after you complete your internship. You never know when that connection might help you in the future.  

Use your time wisely: You know the saying, “Time is money.” As an intern, it is likely that you are still in school. Finding time to complete both schoolwork and internship work can be a daunting task. Use a planner! Whether it is a physical planner you can write in or the calendar on your phone, it is crucial to keeping you on task! If you’re feeling overwhelmed with projects, talk to your supervisor about prioritizing your workload.

Ask questions: Once you have secured an internship, use it as a time to become more informed about the future career you would like to have. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because it shows your employer that you are genuinely interested in what you are doing and are willing to make the effort to learn. It is better to ask more questions than it is to make a mistake that could’ve been avoided by asking. Your supervisor doesn’t expect you to know everything. Never hesitate to ask.

Play up your strengths: Don’t be afraid to let your supervisor(s) know what you are good at. If you are a great writer and you know they are working on a project that involves a writing component, let them know you’re interested in giving it a shot. The risk of asking for more than what is required shows your employer that you are passionate about what you do. It can open more doors to future opportunities and give you a better chance to make the most of your time with the company. Who knows? It could even lead to a chance at a future job!

Ask for feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback about your job performance. By asking questions, you will learn what your strengths are and what weaknesses you can improve upon. It may be a little nerve-racking to approach your supervisor in this way, but they are there to help you! Asking shows them you are invested in the work that you are contributing to the company. If you don’t ask, you will never be able to work on the areas that need a little improvement.

I hope these tips help you put your best foot forward! Internships are an amazing opportunity to learn more about the industry you want to work in, but also learn more about yourself! Work hard and have fun!

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The Art of Public Relations

What a kick off to 2018! We opened the month with the launch of ODYSSEY, a collection of songs by John Schneider, who led the campaign with a re-make of “Good Ole Boys” by Waylon Jennings to raise awareness for his diabetes foundation. He continued to release one new single every week under the direction of friend and producer Paul Leim and producing partner, Alicia Allain. As we enter into February, John will return to The Moonshine Barn at his Holden, Louisiana studio to unveil the next YEE HAA with Thom Bresh as guest support on February 24th! In addition, we launched Maggie Schneider’s undeniably catchy new EP, Tinted Glasses, featuring the infectious “Chuck Bass,” a single about women’s empowerment. We also helped unveil His Dream of Lions’ EP, Pseudo Star, and RIVALS ’album, Damned Soul, via Smartpunk. If you’ve missed any of these releases, be sure to follow up on our social media pages to keep up with all of our posts!

For this month’s blog, I wanted to delve into the art of public relations. In addition to my time here at Catalyst, I am also a Media professor at Florida Atlantic University and Johnson & Wales. Throughout my classes, I am often tackled with the difficult position to introduce my students to the art of public relations, which can be quite complicated, so I decided to break it down in this month’s blog.

WHAT IS PUBLIC RELATIONS? Believe it or not, we get this question pretty frequently. And guess what? It is okay if you’re a bit stumped on what the term means because we’re here to break it down for you. Funny enough, there is no one definition for public relations as it continues to evolve and change over time. However, I’ve pulled one of my favorites to share:

“An act or device designed to attract public interest; specifically: information with news value issued as a means of gaining public attention or support.”

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN EXACTLY? A publicist is a hired member of your team to represent you to the media and its public. Since public relations is designed to raise awareness of a product, song, album, campaign, etc, it is our job as publicists to take these initiatives and help foster a story. A publicist’s job is to liaise with the press. In other words, a publicist establishes working relationships between you and those in the media.

With Publicity, You Pay for Effort – Never for Results: How you quantify a PR campaign is by how much buzz and feedback you are getting during and post campaign. You pay for the amount of time, effort, and consideration the publicist makes on your behalf. You never know when your publicist’s efforts will show up months, and sometimes even years, after your campaign is complete. Publicity is a marathon, not a sprint.

A PR Campaign Needs to Be Planned Well in Advance: For long-lead press (for example, magazines with national distribution like Rolling Stone), the editors put their publications to bed three full months before they are published. Of course, not every PR campaign focuses on national press, but lead-time is still important, so you definitely need to prepare for every scenario.

Hope this helps clarify the role in which we play in our client’s campaigns!

Best,

Jen

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Welcome To 2018!

Happy Wednesday!

My name is Jen Appel, I am the CEO & Publicity Director of The Catalyst Publicity Group and welcome to our official blog. Whether you are new to Catalyst or have been with us for a while, welcome and thank you for the support.

As we closed out 2017, I spent the better part of the holiday season reflecting on the incredible strides we made, the work ethic, and dedication. We worked with 100+ artists, brands, festivals, and conferences; travelled both near and far to conferences like Independent Music Industry Conference in LA to Launch Music Conference in Lancaster, PA, to traveling on Warped Tour with clients, and more. We watched as returning clients gained huge opportunities, artists released their debut albums, and colleagues excelled with each and every campaign. Not only was 2017 an incredible year, but we also welcomed Jessica Klinner, our newest Publicity Manager, who also handles all of our social media (and kills it by the way!). Altogether it was a year of hope, passion, dedication, and strength.

As we begin 2018, I couldn’t be more excited to tackle another year with this company. 

We’ve got a long list of fun things planned for the year so be sure to come back and visit our blog every first Wednesday of the month, to get a brief overview of what we are working on, new projects on the horizon, and much, much more! If you haven’t already, make sure to follow us on our social media pages as we introduce new segments like Motivation Monday, a new inspirational post we’ll share every week, because let’s be honest who doesn’t need that, #ThrowbackThursday posts highlighting some great projects we’ve worked on over the years, and our impeccable Spotify playlists which are all curated by Stephanie, Lucy, and Jessica (they are pretty amazing, if you haven’t already checked these out, then you are missing OUT!). All in all, we hope that you’ll follow along on our journey through 2018 as we continue to work with new clients, share projects, and give you some insight to our day to day lives.

Here’s to an incredible year and even more memories to come!

Best,

Jen

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Thanksgiving Bangers and Mash

Here at Catalyst, we have a lot to be thankful for this year. From our clients to our team to the many people who help make the whole operation run smoothly, the list could go on and on. But more than anything, we are all thankful for the music that helps us get through every day. So in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, we decided to compile a Spotify playlist filled with songs from our clients, the songs that they are most thankful for and the songs our team is most thankful for! We’ve even all included a little blurb about why the songs mean so much to us. Check it all out below, and let us know what songs you’re most thankful for this Thanksgiving season! 

RIVALS

Bring Me The Horizon - “Avalanche” 30 Seconds To Mars - “This Is War” We’re thankful for both these songs because they were such a huge influence to our writing style on Damned Soul. They’ve played such a large role not only in our personal lives but for our musical careers as well.

HOME ABOVE

Sum 41 - “The Hell Song” 

I (Cameron) chose this song because this is the track that ignited my love for music, and without it I never would have went to a show or ever picked up a guitar.

Foo Fighters - “The Sky Is A Neighborhood”

I'm thankful for this track because in an ever changing world of music, Dave & The Foos continue to prove that rock n roll is still able to be better than ever.  

VICIOUS.

Conditions - “When It Won't Save You”

Bayside - “They Looked Like Strong Hands”

Both of these bands always make it back to me in the hardest of times, forever thankful for them both.

MAGGIE SCHNEIDER

All Time Low - "Good Times"

I chose this track because it reminds me of all of the great memories I've made with my best friends.

Taylor Swift - "New Year's Day"

I chose this track because it is all about being in love and how some of the best moments in a relationship are the simplest. Swift paints this picture beautifully.

CARA LEIGH

Jimmy Eat World - “The World You Love”

This song highlights some of their intricate and emotional songwriting. Their album Futures is nostalgic for me, and I continue to love this track, even 13 years after it's release.

Moneen - “Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do”

I absolutely love Moneen. I find their songwriting and musicianship to be inspiring, and their live shows are so high energy and unforgettable. I picked this track because it gets me pumped, which is a similar feeling I have when there is a holiday like Thanksgiving!

THE WORLD OVER 

Ryan’s Pick: Foxy Shazam - "Evil Thoughts"

That record as a whole always put me in a good mood, even though some of the lyrical themes are kind of dark. I just love their happy-go-lucky approach to music. But that song in particular really makes me think about life. How I've gotten to where I am and what to do next, past present and future.

Tiaday’s Pick: Now Now - “SGL”  

When this song came out this year, I couldn’t get it out of my head and I am so thankful for Now, Now’s music. The composition of their songs are so simple and yet so complete. It resonates with me on a songwriting front, and I’ve referenced a lot of themes in the way that they write when it comes to writing with The World Over’s upcoming full length.

NIGHT ARGENT

Coldplay - “The Scientist”

John Legend - “Made to Love”

“The Scientist” is the song that inspired me to start songwriting. John Legend is one of the most talented performers I’ve ever seen live, and “Made to Love” is a song that I could listen to on repeat.

LAURA BREHM

Ellie Goulding - “Devotion”

I love the way acoustic guitar and Ellie's voice drives this track, but the EDM influence makes it even better. The mix of these styles is my favorite sound and the lyrics mean a lot to me in this one!

Imogen Heap - “Hide and Seek”

A rare song where just the vocals a cappella are enough.  The vocoder she uses is absolutely beautiful, and it will never cease to inspire me.

DRMCTHR 

Alanis Morissette - "Head Over Feet"

We picked this track as Alanis Morissette is one of our favorite musicians from the ‘90s and someone who has inspired us as songwriters. We love how this track is a juxtaposition to some of her other tracks from "Jagged Little Pill," and her vocal delivery makes you believe every word she sings. The National - "I Need My Girl"

We're all very big fans of the National, and "I Need My Girl" is a song that hit us at the perfect time. It's a song that hits us right in our guts and the guitar playing in this song is phenomenal.

THE COMPLEX DIALECT

Earnie’s Pick: Kendrick Lamar - “DNA”

With “DNA” being the first full song on Kendrick's latest album, I really appreciated how it set the tone not only for the rest of the album, but for the year of 2017 for me. The aspect of calling out the nitty gritty both externally and internally is really inspiring.

Lola’s Pick: Lizzo - “Bother Me” “Bother Me” is a two for one type of song. The first half has such a sense of attitude, but then gives way to the vocoder harmonies. It's tender and inquisitive; has a sense of longing.

BUTCH PARNELL

Ryan Adams - “Let It Ride”

Noel Gallagher - “Sunday Morning Call”

I chose these two songs because they are my two favorite songwriters. I learned to write songs by deconstructing Oasis songs, and Ryan Adams was the one that convinced me to pursue a career as a musician.

STEPH 

The Dear Hunter - “Saved”

Millencolin - “Fingers Crossed”

I struggle with depression and a rare/lesser-known version of PTSD called C-PTSD. “Saved” is a song by The Dear Hunter that makes me feel like someone gets it, understands. The verses seem to describe what it’s like to struggle with PTSD, but also provide a positive outlook and a potential for being “saved.” Millencolin’s “Fingers Crossed” is also my feel-good, go-to track whenever I need a major pick-me-up. It’s poppy/lively vibe and positive lyrics can pull you out of any shitty mood. I’m always thankful for these two songs, especially when things get really hard.

LUCY 

Busted - "On What You're On"

Yellowcard - "Awakening"

I have vivid memories of listening to both Busted and Yellowcard when I was younger, and they will always be bands who have not only played an influential role in my life, but have also brought about lifelong friendships. "On What You're On" is from Busted's latest album which is so different than the music they have been known for, but it still has you feeling good and wanting to dance. As for Yellowcard, the band has helped me get through some of the toughest times of my life, and "Awakening" is that song that really makes me feel alive. I could never be more appreciative to these bands for the music they've created.

JEN 

The Starting Line - “Cheek to Cheek”

The Starting Line brings back such amazing memories and “Cheek to Cheek” will always be that favorite go-to jam song for me. If I could just add every TSL song I would!

The Academy Is… - “Down and Out”

I’ll never forget the first time seeing The Academy Is… at Warped Tour and feeling like life couldn’t get any better. Whenever I listen to Almost Here, it takes me back to being in that crowd surrounded by friends without a worry in the world.

JESSICA 

Dawes - “All Your Favorite Bands”

I’ve always respected Dawes as a band and creative entity, but it wasn’t until I heard “All Your Favorite Bands” that something resonated with me. This song just makes me think of the happiest and saddest of times. It’s a farewell in the nicest way and it gets me every time I listen to it.

The Maine - “How Do You Feel?”

The Maine is my all time favorite band (other than The Beatles) so picking a song from them was a no brainer here. “How Do You Feel?” is from their latest album, Lovely Little Lonely, and it’s a song that has stuck with me since I heard the album for the first time. It asks questions that we may not often ask ourselves or those around us and really makes you reflect on the things in your life that are important.

Listen to the full playlist here.

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A Look At So What?! Music Festival’s Ten Year Anniversary

Mayday Parade, photo by Mike Wilson.

Just a few minutes outside of Dallas in Grand Prairie, TX, So What?! Music Festival brings an assortment of music acts that range in genres including rock, metal, folk, dance, pop, and pop-punk. With previous acts like Motion City Soundtrack, Taking Back Sunday, Underoath, A Day To Remember, Pierce The Veil, and Cartel among others, So What?! Music Festival is recognized as one of the biggest booming festivals in Texas.

The festival was conceived by Mike Ziemer and his company Third String Festivals on the belief that fans should have a more intimate ambiance with musicians without having to pay outrageous prices. Known as the “festival made by fans for fans,” last weekend So What?! Music Festival celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Below you can find some of our favorite highlights from the weekend! 

 Mayday Parade, photo by Mike Wilson.

With kickoff shows in Deep Ellum and a two-day outdoor festival at AirHogs Stadium, the festival’s incredible lineup included Every Time I Die, Dance Gavin Dance, Set Your Goals, The Story So Far, Milestones, After The Burial, Backwordz, Capsize, Escape The Fate, Fit For an Autopsy, The Ongoing Concept, Invent Animate, I See Stars, Like Moths To Flames, Sworn In, Backtrack, Knuckle Punk, Power Trip, Turnstile, and He Is We to name a few. 

Fans were riled up and excited to see what they could expect during the festival weekend, from old favorites to being introduced to brand new artists. Tattoo.com said it best, “The beauty of So What?! Music Festival is seeing bands that are breaking out of their scene and into yours.”

The Ongoing Concept, photo by Chris Ramos.

Showcasing 10 year performances, a variety of 10 year anniversary sets included Mayday Parade's A Lesson In Romantics, Envy on The Coast's Lucy Gray, Forever The Sickest Kids' Underdog Alma Mater, Four Year Strong's Rise or Die Trying, Set Your Goals' Mutiny, We The Kings' We The Kings, and a special throwback performance by Never Shout Never. 

"This festival is a year round commitment to our fans to produce an event that's worth them coming from all 50 states and over a dozen countries. This festival is their festival and over the last 10 years...This 10 year is our chance to bring some bands back to life, celebrate some 10 year albums, and continue showcasing bands that have been with us since day one of their careers.” - Mike Ziemer, Third String Festivals

Dance Gavin Dance, photo by Chris Ramos.

Head on over to our Instagram, @CatalystPublicity, throughout the day as we share more coverage from So What?! Music Festival.

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The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week: DozerTX

San Angelo rockers DozerTX formed in 2014 when vocalist/guitarist Kevin Cale (formerly from Handguns) creatively combined vocalist/bassist Miles Mcmillan, guitarist Eli Kypfer and drummer Mark Jimenez into the thriving quartet it is today. It’s evident to say, since their initial performance, DozerTX has always had an electric chemistry with their listeners. In 2015, the band released their debut EP Self Sabotage and following the acclaimed response it received, the group toured extensively throughout Texas. However, it wasn’t until the band performed at So What?! Music Festival last year and collaborated with Austin based band Nominee that DozerTX gained significant traction. They pour their hearts out in their music in hopes that their listeners realize they are not alone. The band’s enthusiasm on and off the stage is exactly what makes them so magnetic and our pick for artist of the week.

DozerTX seek out conversations with their fans. They want to know if things are going good or if they’re going bad; and when it does go bad, the band hopes that fans will turn to their music. To DozerTX it’s the everyday experiences, especially the bad, that build strength. They believe you can always come back from the dark detrimental thoughts that consume you, and it’s okay to seek help when needed. The band’s sophomore EP, Centerpiece, is their most personal album yet and a great album to turn to for insight. Surrounding the difficulties faced with toxic relationships, Centerpiece was not only created to release the remnant burdens the band faced, but also further and relate to their listeners letting them know they are not alone.

"Never be afraid to put your happiness above someone else's, especially if you aren't happy with your life. Don't let someone you love abuse you physically, verbally, or mentally and think it's okay, stand up for yourself." - Miles Mcmillan, DozerTX

Already Heard coins the band with having "an emotional pop-punk sound that is certain to entice fans of The Story So Far and Basement." Between the alternating voices of Kevin and Miles, and the surging performance as a whole, DozerTX definitely know how to stand out and be heard. Fans can now stream the entire EP on Spotify and order the bands’ Bandcamp here.

Keep up with DozerTX: Facebook | Twitter

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The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week:   REBEKAH TODD

Few artists, and people for the matter, are capable of solely creating and pursuing success alone. Not many are able to endure obstacles and hardships by themselves, especially artists as they struggle to find their own voice. Rebekah Todd triumphantly exhibits what it takes, going against all odds, to persevere. It takes real, relentless passion to be able to keep stumbling and jumping over numerous hurdles yet still retain a tunnel vision focus. Todd’s drive perseverance are just a few of the reasons why we have chosen her as our artist of the week! She may still have room to grow as an artist, but the progress Todd has made up to this point shows just how far she has come.

As a young girl, Rebekah danced around her Benson, North Carolina home while her father flooded the house with music from bands like the Righteous Brothers and Pink Floyd. At age eleven, Todd’s father, who was also a musician, gifted her with a black acoustic Washburn guitar and taught her to play. It was during this high exposure to artists and creators that Rebekah connected to the sound of music and truly found an expressional outlet. As she grew into her soulful voice and musical style, the singer-songwriter pulled inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, citing passionate singer/songwriters like Lauryn Hill and Susan Tedeschi as artists that have shaped the music she writes and performs today.

Today, Rebekah Todd is an inspirational blues/soul artist who effortlessly sheds positivity and light to a world full of self doubt and apprehension. Since the release of her debut EP Forget Me Not in 2011, Todd has been actively working on new music and not taking any breaks. In 2014, she released her first full-length and within just 12 short months, Rebekah and her band The Odyssey played over 170 shows and won the 2016 On The Rise series for FloydFest. This year the compiled group is set to play FloydFest once again, except this time it’ll be on the mainstage alongside acts such as St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Shovels and Rope and Turkuaz.

The high spirited musicians’ success doesn’t stop there. Todd recently wrote and created a 10 track album, then implemented a Kickstarter campaign in support of the full-length, now known as Crooked Lines, and in just 45 days, the sophomore album raised over $30,000. The success of Crooked Lines has stimulated fans to realize, anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work.

"An ode to the bare bones of rock n' roll, [with] each of the sub-genres that built the huge umbrella of music is represented throughout [Crooked Lines], from gospel to blues to funk." - Talk Nerdy With Us

Crooked Lines incorporates Rebekah’s inner realization of what she has to offer the world. One can actually feel the passion surging through Rebekah’s bones while her voice roars through the speakers. Expanding on the released album Rebekah states, “I'm very excited about the release of Crooked Lines.  In this album, I really found my voice and began reaching to higher and bigger notes.  It felt really uninhibited.  I can't wait to see how my sound continues to grow for the next album!"

In less than a year, Rebekah Todd single handedly achieved multiple projects that would either take a single artist 2 years fulfill or take most artists a team of at least 10 to accomplish. For someone who books, writes, organizes, promotes and even designs their own web page, Rebekah Todd gracefully embodies the ideal one man show. Rebekah has devoted her life to writing and touring, no matter how taunting it may seem the passion and devotion she manifests through her actions and voice truly inspire others in pursuing their goals. With Crooked Lines out now, fans definitely don’t want to miss out on the soul hitting experience Todd provides. Head to RebekahTodd.com for more information, show dates, and more.

Keep up with Rebekah Todd: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week: LORNA SHORE

Based out of Warren County, New Jersey, Lorna Shore is a punishing deathcore quartet, sonically beating listeners with their instruments. Formed in 2010, the band features the talents of vocalist Tom Barber, guitarists Adam De Micco and Connor Deffley, and drummer Austin Archey. Lorna Shore’s unique signature aesthetic spans death metal, black metal, power metal, and progressive rock for a style that encompasses brutal breakdowns, dazzling technical passages, white-knuckle-ride dynamics, and rich textured moments. Since forming, the unit have released three EP’s (Triumph, Bone Kingdom and Maleficium), with Maleficium reaching #3 on the iTunes Metal Chart. In 2015, Lorna Shore released their anticipated debut full-length, Psalms, and now with their latest release, Flesh Coffin (via Outerloop Records), the band is back with an album that resonates with fans old and new alike. In fact, the album just hit #2 on Billboard’s Current Hard Rock and Top New Artist charts in addition to hitting #5 on the Overall Hard Rock and #67 Top Current Album charts. For these reasons, we’ve chosen Lorna Shore as our Artist of the Week!

Lorna Shore embody the dark and horrid world for what it is and create a sonic palette while infusing a more in depth message, a tactic only few metal artists can actually portray. While so many of us try to suppress the mayhem that mentally arises from within, the dexterous group embraces the true human nature and feelings we get that can cause madness or chaos. Since the premiere of their first single for "Denounce The Light" in November and their music videos for "FVNERAL MOON" and title-track "Flesh Coffin," the band’s sophomore album Flesh Coffin has been receiving great acclaim from both fans and media. 

Trevor Strnaud (The Black Dahlia Murder) is one of many who gave the band high praise, including Flesh Coffin in his 20 Sick New Extreme Metal Releases For A Riotous 2017 feature in Metal Injection. In it he explains, "Lorna Shore easily transcend what is commonly known as deathcore with their blisteringly creative marriage of black and tech metal chops. There's definitely enough here to appease you tech death guys, it's clinical, quick moving, with impressive instrumental shredding. The conceptual narrative scope of the album is noteworthy." Noteworthy indeed, it’s safe to say the groups high spirited music is for every hardcore listener. Whether you’re young or old, tall or short, grey or green, young metalhead or an old school headbanger, if you’re trying to enjoy some good music while having a good time, Lorna Shore is where the electrifying music is at. Flesh Coffin was produced by Lorna Shore, Carson Slovak, and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio (August Burns Red, Everclear, From Ashes to New), mixed by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, and mastered by Zakk Cervini (Beartooth, Good Charlotte, Blink 182).

"There's no doubt that Lorna Shore's sophomore record will go down as one of the best deathcore albums in recent memory." - New Noise Magazine

Aside from being featured on the Metal Alliance Tour with Deicide, Lorna Shore has most notably toured alongside bands such as Chelsea Grin and The Black Dahlia Murder while also playing festivals including the New England Metaland Hardcore Festival, Never Say Never Festival, Skate and Surf Festival, South By So What, and SXSW's New England Metal and Hardcore Festival Stage. Currently on their nationwide tour with Carnifex and Despised Icon, it’s evident to say the 4 man group is setting out to express their sincere verity in hopes to humble their audience, while simultaneously infusing the carefree mindset we all tend to lose sight of while growing up. Lorna Shore's sophomore album Flesh Coffin is out now with Outerloop Records and can be purchased here. Dates for their current tour can be found below:

Upcoming Tour Dates (supporting Carnifex): 2/28 : Hartford, CT - Webster Studio 3/01 : Poughkeepsie, NY - The Loft 3/02 : Burlington, VT - Higher Ground 3/03 : Albany, NY - Trick Shots 3/04 : Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon 3/05 : Buffalo, NY - Waiting Room 3/06 : Erie, PA - Basement Transmissions 3/07 : Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom 3/08 : Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel 3/09 : Columbus, OH - Park Street Saloon 3/10 : Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater 3/11 : Valparaiso, IN - Big Shots 3/12 : Clarksville, TN - The Warehouse    3/14 : Knoxville, TN - The Concourse 3/15 : Louisville, KY - Diamond Bar & Grill 3/16 : Grand Rapids, MI - The Stache 3/17 : Toronto, ON - Lee's Place 3/18 : Ottawa, ON - Barrymore's Music Hall 3/19 : Quebec City, QC- Imperial Bell        3/21 : Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot 3/22 : Chicago, IL - Double Door 3/23 : Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground 3/24 : Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze 3/26 : Saskatoon, SK - O'Brien's Event Center   3/27 : Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room   3/28 : Calgary, AB - Dickens Pub   3/29 : Spokane, WA - The Pin 3/30 : Seattle, WA - Studio Seven 3/31 : Bend, OR - Domino Room 4/01 : Reno, NV - Jub Jub's 4/02 : Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse

Keep up with Lorna Shore:

Outerloop Group | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify

[thecatalystpublicitygroup]

The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week: YOUTH IN REVOLT

Youth in Revolt is a five-piece rock band whose deep individual resumes make them truly greater than the sum of their parts. With sinister riffs, heavy breakdowns, and an array of catchy choruses, Youth In Revolt's sound is nothing to be considered forgettable. Now approaching their highly anticipated stepping stone of a year, former Brightwell members Tanner Allen (vocals) and Arvin Sarathy (drums) joined forces with original members Kenny Torres (vocals, bass), Alex Ramos (guitar), and Chris Coletti (guitar). Following the release of their electrifying cover of Ellie Goulding’s “Something in the Way You Move,” the experimental line up is still coming to terms with their newfound success.

After touring alongside the remarkable acts of Capture the Crown, Ice Nine Kills, and Palisades among others, the band attained notable attention from listeners. Its evident to see, Youth in Revolt strives on widening the parameters on the “rock” sound everyone has grown accustomed to. Subsequently the band gained significant traction as well as a devoted fanbase since debuting their cover of Lorde’s hit single “Royals,” featured on Pop Goes Punk Vol. 6, in addition to touring with Vans Warped Tour in 2015 in support of their latest EP Love is a Liar’s Game. Its evident to see Youth in Revolt is determined to express and share their love for music while simultaneously scaling the ladder to success. With their embodied ambition and passion for soul gripping music, each member portrays the thriving view of what is coming.

Youth in Revolt make it a point to share the wide scope of emotions with their listeners. Although the group genuinely seeks to empower and uplift their fanbase, they do not hesitate to give the blunt authenticity the world has to offer. What differentiates Youth in Revolt from other artists is they do not seek success by complimenting the false egos of their listeners. In fact, they prefer to give their fans a hard pill to swallow and not of sugarcoat the sincere truth.

As a result of their awareness of the molded societal “norms” that inhibits people from living freely, the band exemplifies and pride themselves for being considered outcasts. With their energetic and vivacious performances, Youth in Revolt aspire to let their fans to know we’re all a little broken and it’s okay because it’s what makes us human. Vocalist and bassist Kenny Torres elaborates, “I want to spread love, peace and happiness. I want people to know they’re not alone in this world, no matter how dark it seems. We love every single one of our listeners as individuals.”

Just last week Youth in Revolt released their long awaited full-length debut album, The Broken, via Outerloop Records. In celebration of their debut release, the band partnered with idobi Radio to stream their full length album which fans can listen to here. 

“Constantly treading the line somewhere between hardcore and pop-punk The Broken has certainly been worth the wait. The intoxicating combination of soaring, high-pitch vocals and gritty, aggressive screams with guitar riffs and basslines that just won’t quit runs throughout The Broken.” - Hit The Floor Magazine

The eleven track album successfully incorporates and reassures the questions we silently ask ourselves, whether it is about our emotions, or even our existence; this album lulls the internal battle we endure on a daily basis. Songs like “Noise” discuss the daily struggle of self doubt we’ve accumulated while growing, granting listeners the mindset to keep our heads up and stay motivated to reach our goals. The title track, “The Broken,” explicitly depicts and follows the albums theme in finding the strength to fit in the world on your terms. Frontman, Tanner Allen expands on the release of The Broken, "This record means the world to us. We put so much effort into The Broken to convey the spectrum of emotions that we all feel while finding our place in the world. We're overwhelmed with excitement to finally release this record and we hope that everybody listening loves it as much as we do!"

“The post-hardcore act nail everything from anthems spotlighting tight musicianship (“The Broken”), to softer numbers (“Brisbane,” “Only One”), that accentuate Allen’s range...Youth in Revolt’s time away just allowed them to return stronger than ever.” - Alternative Press

Youth in Revolt strive to convey their reassuring messages through their music and hope listeners realize no matter what you are going through or how you are currently feeling: you are not alone. Youth in Revolt is currently at a pivotal moment in their career, gearing up to kick off their headlining eastern tour with Megosh and From Under the Willow, make sure you don’t miss out on their high spirited quest to the top!

Fans can catch Youth in Revolt currently on tour in support of The Broken with label mates Megosh - tour dates listed below! 

Keep up with Youth in Revolt:  Outerloop Group | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify

[thecatalystpublicitygroup]

The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week: ZOË NUTT

“Zoë Nutt has a voice as haunting and seemingly ancient as the East Tennessee hills she hails from. Her lyricism and delivery are poignant, fresh and promising. Like so many great artists, she knows how to mix the new with the old and create music with broad appeal while never compromising her artistic integrity.” – CRUZ CONTRERAS of The Black Lillies

“Zoë combines a beautiful balance of more traditional sounds with a modern folk twist. You must hear her sounds to truly understand the beauty of her voice.” – TRAVIS WYRICK, producer (Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels)

Raised in Knoxville, and a graduate of the prestigious song writing school at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, folk singer Zoë Nutt is anything but your average musician. Writing with a fiery passion igniting her bones, one can say Zoë is more of a storyteller than songwriter. Expressing her inspiration from the world, the musician manages to make every lyric come to life with the distinct visualization of light heartedness and clarity for the world; a visual we all tend to lose touch with in our lives. Zoë Nutt truly has the gifted talent of what so many musicians lack, genuineness.

With her debut album Like You released in Spring 2016, Zoë is proud and grateful that her hard work and effort is appreciated by the public. Appreciated indeed, anyone who has listened to this album can definitely agree on the tender soul-hitting voice Zoë manifests. Zoë expands, “My style is eclectic and reflects my interest in all types of music. My songs are about life, living and feelings, good and bad, that we all experience. If my music makes you smile, or even cry, that’s how we know we are not alone.”

The eleven track album features songs such as “Nothing I Can Do,” a song that was co-written with Cory Bishop (The New Schematics) and has interestingly become a justifiable inconclusive split amongst listeners in whether it is an intricate lovelorn song or a sanguine love song. Like You also features “Dearest,” the harmonious yet empowering song calling out the so called ‘players’ us women have endured at one point or another. 

Recently, Zoë teamed up with HelloGiggles and the Hearing Loss Association of America to unveil her emotionally-driven song and video for "Like You," sharing her personal experiences with hearing loss. The folk musician has been faced with progressive hearing loss and tinnitus since the young age of eight. The song and video for "Like You," released through HelloGiggles, invites the audience to hear her story of living with this almost life long struggle. The song is a positive message Zoë sent out to her future children, and shares her most innermost thoughts about what it will be like to having children whose voices she will never be able to hear. Zoë shares, “This story tells the most difficult part of my life so far. And it’s a story that could get worse. But even so, I never let it define me. It’s just a bump in the road.” All proceeds from "Like You," which can be downloaded via Noisetrade, will be donated to the Hearing Loss Association of America. 

Zoė Nutt is one of the few artists who truly indulge themselves in their writing. Hoping to inspire others in realizing no one is the battle they are faced with, and with the right mindset one can definitely still triumph and shine, Zoë leaves this message for listeners, "I am going deaf. And I want people to know. We are all dealing with issues in our lives, but we don't have to be defined by our problems. I'd rather define my life by how I'm dealing with my problems. It's a strange feeling to be releasing a music video about losing my ability to hear, but it's the hand I've been dealt and one that I plan to overcome. This music video represents the start of my story and I'm very excited to write the next chapter.”

Head to HelloGiggles today to watch Zoë Nutt's compelling music video for "Like You" and download the track via  Noisetrade to donate to the Hearing Loss Association of America. 

Follow Zoë Nutt online to keep up with new music, show dates, and more!

[haulix]

Inside Music Podcast #101 - Tanner Allen (Youth In Revolt)

On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls Youth In Revolt vocalist Tanner Allen to discuss his band’s upcoming debut album. Tanner has been with Youth In Revolt for under a year, but his impact on the band and their career trajectory is already evident in every piece of media the group has released. Together with James, Tanner walks us through his time with the group, the motivations behind their upcoming album, life on Outerloop Records, and more.

You may already know this, but Inside Music is available on iTunes. Click here to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Keep reading

[heartstatereview]

Heart State Premiere: Civil Youth - “Let It Snow”

We are more than pleased to premiere a new video from indie-rock outfit Civil Youth. The music video is their cover of “Let It Snow” and comes just in time for the holidays!

After touring with bands like Twenty One Pilots and AWOLNATION, the band is gearing up to release their new album, Conversations, on May 19th, 2017.

Check out the new video, as well as a statement from vocalist Michael Kepko below.

Keep reading

[thisislucyoutloud]

Show Review:: Preoccupy My Brain Tour 8/2

Preoccupy My Brain Tour Tuesday, August 2, 2016 Lola’s Room; Portland, OR Written by Kelsey Rzepecki If you find yourself witnessing an excessive amount of hair flipping, spastic jamming, and a uniform of tie-dye and Vans, you’re most likely at a King Shelter show. The foursome commanded the small stage in Portland on Tuesday night with a natural ease and exuberant presence. The Southern California-based group coined the term “salad rock”, best described as a combo of surf/indie/grunge/pop music.

Keep reading

[heartstatereview]

Night Argent Release “Widowmaker” Video

Night Argent have released a new music video for their song “Widowmaker.”

Check it out below.

Keep reading

[thecatalystpublicitygroup]

Happy 4th of July Weekend! Here is what you missed at Catalyst this week! :) 

New Clients Welcomed This Week: Stay tuned for a slew of exciting new client announcements coming next week!!

Latest Premieres: [MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE] Head over to Twist Magazine to catch the EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE of Mayberry's newest music video "Say What You Want From Me"

Vocalist Esteban Rodriguez shares. "With R&B influencing this track, I wanted to write a song for people who still feel so attached and in love with a person their fresh out of a relationship with."

[MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE] The exhilarating new music is here from A Story Told with idobi Radio! Check out "All of You" from the band's debut full-length below!

“It’s about a boy and a girl who love one another, but the girl can’t give him her whole heart. Everyone wants to love and be loved and knowing you aren’t receiving 100% of that person’s efforts takes a mental and physical toll. Deep down they know their love is doomed, but their desire for another causes them to avoid and dodge the inevitable.”

Check out the band on tour this July!!! 7/1/2016 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Black Forge Coffee House 7/2/2016 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Irving Theatre 7/3/2016 – Louisville, KY @ Spinelli’s Downtown 7/15/2016 – Burgettstown, PA @ Vans Warped Tour 7/29/2016 – Charleston, WV @ Live on the Levee

[VIDEO PREMIERE + TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT] If you missed Civil Youth earlier here is your chance to catch them on the road again! The band is thrilled to announce The Evolution Tour! To celebrate the announcement, idobi Radio has the exclusive premiere of their latest video, a fun mashup cover of Paramore's "Emergency" and Biffy Clyro's "Saturday Superhouse" Watch it HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT9XffQ3Y

The Evolution Tour: Aug 9   • Richmond, VA @ Catalyst Aug 10 • Birmingham, AL @ The Nick  Aug 12 • Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live (Green Room)  Aug 13 • San Antonio, TX @ Limelight  Aug 14 • Dallas, TX @ The Prophet Bar  Aug 16 • Albuquerque, NM @ The Compound 2 Aug 21 • Reno, NV @ Studio on 4th Aug 22 • Provo, UT @ City Limits Aug 23 • Denver, CO @ The Moon Room  Aug 24 • Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room  Aug 26 • St. Louis, MO @ Pop’s  Aug 27 • Pittsburg, PA @ The Hard Rock

ICYMI: 

CYHM? Kicked off MISFIT MONDAYS! Every Monday head to idobi Radio to follow Can You Hear Me? as they roadtrip around the country with Vans Warped Tour and spread their important message, and witness an intimate look into the behind the scenes happenings of life on tour.

In their very first video, CHYM? co-founder Ashley Coro talks about her team’s first week on Warped—take a look at what bands they’ve been working with and seeing, and catch a glimpse into where they’ll be spending the next few weeks!

http://idobi.com/video/cyhm-misfit-mondays-warped-week-1/ 

Heirsound caught up with Sound In The Signals to chat about how their songs are built from the ground up mostly based on feeling, how they set out to bring the EP to life visually, and how art plays an important role in life.

Read the full piece here: http://www.soundinthesignals.com/2016/06/heirsound-sound-in-signals-interview.html

Local Wolves chats with The Stolen about their latest EP 'I'm So Dead' at their latest show at Webster Hall. 

http://localwolves.com/stories/on-the-loop-the-stolen/ 

The CMDWN caught up with Sound In The Signals to chat about how they effortlessly fuse rock and R&B, how fans should expect the unexpected on the EP, and how truly being yourself is what makes you cool.

Check out the interview here: http://www.soundinthesignals.com/2016/06/the-cmdwn-sound-in-signals-interview.html

Where can you find our clients on tour?! The Stolen Civil Youth - Weekend Riot Tour & The Evolution Tour Night Argent on Warped Tour (8/6-8/13) Boys Like Girls 10 Year Anniversary Tour The Spill Canvas w/ Acceptance CYHM? on Warped Tour all Summer! Midnight Mob coming to a Festival near you this summer!

Artist Spotlight:

The 4th of July is around the corner, and nobody does fireworks like our boys in Night Argent! Have you seen their video for “Nothing More Beautiful?” Check it out here. The band will be kicking off their city’s fireworks show this weekend and we’re headed their way - keep an eye on our Instagram @CatalystPublicity for some stunning shots!

[thecatalystpublicitygroup]

WEEKLY BLOG!

Help us welcome the alternative-pop band A Story Told and solo pop artist Alexander to the Catalyst PR family! Be on the lookout for both of their upcoming Summer projects.

Latest Premieres

The CMDWN’s unveiled their newest music video for "Empty Room" exclusively on Substream Magazine! James Shotwell writes: "Their music falls somewhere between the worlds of alternative and ambient rock, with subtle hints of RnB thrown in for good measure...'Empty Room' combines all of these elements to create a truly unique track that is highly addictive and incredibly infectious." Please look forward to the release of their debut EP Doubt, out 8/19/16!

Alternative-pop duo Heirsound also released their newest music video for their debut single “Hoods Up” exclusively on Paste Magazine, which described it as “a dreamy, purple-tinged video that compliments the track’s reflective aura.” You can pre-order their debut EP Merge, out 8/5/16, on iTunes.

New Announcements

The Spill Canvas are thrilled to present a West Coast run of their successful REQUESTOUR. More details will be coming out shortly. In the meantime, get your tickets on requestour.com!

Dylan Taylor just announced the official release of his debut EP G.R.A.V.E.S. [out 9/2/16]! The EP features collaborations with notable artists such as The Ready Set, Cameron Byrd (Hollywood Ending), and Matt Beilis. Taylor states, "G.R.A.V.E.S. has been a culmination of sleepless nights and self-discovery of how best to showcase my passion for drumming and electronic music. It has been a very humbling and exciting experience to work with such gifted artists on my debut EP; their voices help give my songs an identity and character that wouldn't be possible without their talents. I want this album to portray the passion and energy I exude in my live show, and I know G.R.A.V.E.S. (Get Righteous And Vibe Every Second) will give listeners the same excitement upon hearing it that I felt when I first started this creative process. Now, I'm ready for the world to finally have a glimpse into the mind of Dylan Taylor." Catch this killer DJ/Drum Performance video here: https://youtu.be/dyF7H_v1Z4c

Midnight Mob will be joining Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Cheap Trick and more at The Legendary Buffalo Chip this summer! Tickets are available now on http://www.buffalochip.com/BANDS

ICYMI

Learn all about Can You Hear Me? in this great one-on-one interview with Highlight Magazine! "...that’s how [Can You Hear Me?] was born. We were like, ‘This is what we’re going to do. We’re going to help kids and get to it before it gets bad and give kids a place to speak up and be heard and not allow any judgement or bullying. We’re going to try and save kids.’" - Ashley Adler Coro, President & Co-Founder, CYHM?

The Texan alternative pop band Mayberry guested on the Gone Fishkin podcast on ibodi Radio this week! Take a listen as frontman Esteban Rodriguez talked about the group’s new single “Wildfire,” their writing process, the perks of DIY, and their time working with members of Boys Like Girls.

Shane Santanna of Night Argent caught up with The LP Collective to discuss the band’s self-titled EP, which was released last April, working with John Feldmann, Warped Tour and their upcoming projects!

Where can you find our clients on tour?! 

The Stolen

Civil Youth Weekend Riot Tour

Night Argent on Warped Tour (8/6-8/13)

Boys Like Girls 10 Year Anniversary Tour

The Spill Canvas w/ Acceptance

Taylor Colson w/ BOB

CYHM? on Warped Tour all Summer!

Midnight Mob coming to a Festival near you this summer!