Prettier Than Matt

This is Prettier than Matt.  They are a kick ass folk/rock duo from Columbia, South Carolina that is taking the region by storm. Their covers of "Sittin On The (Dock of The Bay)" and "Dream A Little Dream", their original songs "Miss You" (which happens to be one of my personal favorites), and "No More Tears", are very classic and soothing.  The main singer, Jessica Skinner, who also doubles on the ukulele, has a Mama Cass-like voice.  There is an old soul in this Erskine College graduate's vocals.  As for Jeff Pitts, he is the front man for the band Deleveled and shares vocals as well as guitarist of Prettier than Matt.  He balances the group out well with his rock feel to Jessica's folk sound.

Currently, "No More Tears" can be heard on youtube, and "Miss You", which the video is being shot for, is available on itunes.  They are currently working on their debut album, which has an expected release date of fourth quarter 2011. Take a second to "like" them at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Prettier-Than-Matt/136888339661970  Check out "Sitting On The (Dock of the Bay)" below:

Contact info:
jeffwpitts@yahoo.com

First Fall

When I look for artists to write about, there are several components I look for. First, there has to be drive. I’m not going to help a musician who doesn’t help themselves. Next, I look for originality. Finally, I absolutely must see and hear talent. These guys have all of that and more. First Fall is a quintet representing Southern California. David Larrea, Joe Esparza, Gerardo Cisneros, Marvin Espinoza, and Adam Coronado are the members of the group that was founded in 2007. Since that time, they have performed at places like the Miami Music Festival in 2009 with RCA artists 2AM Club and Jared Evan and Los Angeles House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard.


One of the interesting things about First Fall is that their genre of music is really an undefined one. They infuse a very healthy blend of rock, alternative, blues and jazz. With an eclectic style, their debut EP, Tunnels, is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Adding a special touch, percussionist extraordinaire Alex Acuña, who is widely known for being a session player for major acts and was member of the 70’s jazz-fusion group Weather Report, was gracious enough to lend his talents as a special contribution to the EP. How awesome is that?!? The EP was mainly recorded at the Tabernacle Sound Lab, with fine tuning by producer Hugo Larrea and mixed by Tim Palmer, whose roster of collaborations include U2, Pearl Jam and Jason Mraz, as well as Grammy award winning mixer Benny Faccone, who has worked with Lou Rawls and Billy Paul, to name a few.

Tunnels is scheduled for a May release and will be available on the bands official site, as well as www.amazon.com, www.rhapsody.com and www.itunes.com. The video for their single “Inside Out,” produced by Antonio Lozano, is posted below; prepare to be blown away!

Check the members of First Fall out at www.firstfall.net and www.facebook.com/firstfall

Contact info:

Gerardo Cisneros

Infinite_shockwave@yahoo.com

Iration

Iration is described as a Rock/Reggae band from Santa Monica, CA that originated in Hawaii.  Joseph Dickens, Adam Taylor, Cayson Peterson, Kai Rediske, Micah Pueschel and Joseph King have been performing together professionally since 2006.

They have had four releases since then.  2006's New Roots EP, 2007's No Time For Rest, 2008's Sample This EP, and their most recent album, TIme Bomb.  THey have been on tour with the likes of Stephen and Ziggy Marley, Yellowman and Shwayze just to name a few.  They are a really talented bunch of guys and deserve the hype that they get.  Check them out on www.facebook.com/iration. Check out the video below for a taste of what these guys got!

Contact info:
michaelharlanllc@gmail.com

Deleveled

This talented group of guys hails from Columbia, SC.  I know, I know, Columbia is not the first place you think of when you hear talented, but these guys could change all that.  When I first heard them, I listened to the song "An I Hate You Song" (which, by the way became my new anthem), and it reminded me of a Green Day song.  Although they list their favorite influences as Bon Jovi and Smashing Pumpkins, which are two amazing groups to be influenced by, the lead singer's vocals are very reminiscent of Billy Joe. 
The band has received honorable mentions since 2003 by local periodical  "Free Times".  In 2003, they received the honor of Best Local CD for the album "Later Than Usual", in 2005, the guys were voted Best Local Band, and 2006 saw them get the honor of Best Best Local CD again for the album "Keep Them Closer".  Their most recent recording, "Rock is For Lovers" is available now.  Deleveled is working on their new album, with an anticipated release date of the end of 2011.  This time around, they have recruited the talents of singer Jessica Skinner to lend her talents on a few tracks.  "Like" them on Facebook, and follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/deleveled.  To hear "An I Hate You Song" and others, visit their website at http://www.deleveled.net/   Check the video of them performing "Billie Jean" live below.

For Bookings, contact:

jeffwpitts@yahoo.com