Norwalk rapper FNX Provides Food to Families in Need (Norwalk Hour, December 26, 2016)

Photo by Erik Trautmann, Heart Connecticut Media

NORWALK — When Norwalk rapper Kenneth Shuler decided to give back this holiday season, he hoped he would be able to help four local families.

As of Christmas Day, he and a team of friends and family have provided two to three weeks of food for 11 Fairfield County families and counting.

“It’s been amazing,” Shuler said. “It’s a testament to the type of legwork the FNX team has put forth. Marc Alan (of Factory Underground) has been a big help, and it’s just been an amazing experience.”

Shuler released his debut hip-hop album under the moniker FNX (pronounced phoenix) on Black Friday. Produced by Norwalk’s Factory Underground, Shuler has been giving away the 17-track album for free, asking instead that fans donate the money they would have spent to a GoFundMe page used to purchase food for hungry families in Fairfield County.

Photo by Alex Von Kleydorff, Heart Connecticut Media

Using statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that say $250 is the cost to feed a family of four for a week, Shuler had hoped to give one week’s worth of food to one family in Norwalk, one in Stamford, one in Bridgeport and one in New Haven, selecting them with the help of local nonprofit agencies.

The fundraiser brought in $1,400. By completing the shopping himself and finding items on sale, Shuler was able to provide even more food than anticipated, feeding two families in Stamford, three in Norwalk, one in Bridgeport and two in New Haven. Shuler said the FNX team will feed an additional two families next week.

“I feel great about what we were able to do,” Shuler said. “When we got to the door of the families and I said, ‘Hi, I’m FNX and I have some food for you,’ they didn’t know what to say. Not too many people expected it. As we started to bring in the food, joy started to come by, and we started to be able to communicate. It was just a blessing. I was blessed to be able to do it.”

The fundraiser is not Shuler’s first time giving back to the community. In June, Shuler hosted the first Hometown Love Initiative event in conjunction with Factory Underground and the Carver Center. The event featured a barbecue, basketball tournament and food drive, drawing alumni and community members for an event so successful they are planning to duplicate it next year.

“We’re really happy to support people in the city of Norwalk, but also across Fairfield County,” Shuler said. “We appreciate the support of everyone who either directly donated or donated to the GoFundMe.”

Shuler’s album is available at fnxmusic.bandcamp.com, and donations can be made at gofundme.com/fnxholidayfooddrive.

Norwalk CT Rapper FNX: Changing The Culture of Hip Hop (Norwalk Hour, December 15, 2016))

Photo by Alex Von Kleydorff, Hearst Connecticut Media

Written by Kaitlyn Krasselt
Reprinted from the Norwalk Hour, December 15, 2016


[NORWALK] Kenneth Shuler’s story isn’t unusual.

He grew up in South Norwalk, a child of a broken home and a family in poverty. Depression, homelessness, domestic violence and abuse in the shelter system are all issues that have shaped his life.

Rather than fall into an endless cycle, he’s breaking the mold and building a career in music, telling a story and giving back to the community that shaped him into the artist he is today.

But the story isn’t about him, he said. It’s about everyone who’s ever dealt with those same issues. 

Photo by Alex Von Kleydorff, Hearst Connecticut Media

“My life story is very similar to a lot of people who battle class and race issues,” Shuler said. “I had a brief stay in the shelter, I grew up around mental illness and domestic violence, I slept on the floor of the pentecostal church in high school. And despite those dynamics, I can tell my story and it’s one that people like me are going through.”

Shuler released his debut hip-hop album under the moniker FNX (pronounced phoenix) on Black Friday. But he isn't selling it. Produced by Norwalk’s Factory Underground, Shuler is giving away the 17-track album for free, asking instead that fans donate the money they would have spent to a GoFundMe page he plans to use to feed hungry families in Fairfield County. [see follow up story in the Norwalk Hour, December 26, 2016 for results of the campaign].

Shuler credits his ability to break out of his family's predetermined path of poverty to Norwalk’s George Washington Carver Center, an organization he says kept him off the streets and in school. After graduating from Brian McMahon High School in 2003, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern Connecticut, and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. 

Photo by Alex Von Kleydorff, Hearst Connecticut Media

In June 2016, Shuler hosted the first Hometown Love Initiative event in conjunction with Factory Underground and the Carver Center. The event featured a barbecue, basketball tournament and food drive, drawing alumni and community members for an event so successful they’re already planning to duplicate it next year. [The event raised 600 non-perishable food items that were donated to Person-to-Person Food Bank of Norwalk.]

“[Carver] gave me a platform to give back to my hometown,” Shuler said.

Marc Alan, director of marketing for Factory Underground, said the Norwalk-based recording studio is always looking for ways to get involved in the community. And, having built a relationship with Shuler since he started recording there five years ago, the Factory became the perfect partner for Shuler’s initiatives.

“We love being involved in things to help people,” Alan said. “And FNX is great. With hip-hop, people expect a negative connotation, and it can be hard to convince people it’s not that, but he keeps bringing positive attention to the culture and we really support that.”

Read the full article in the Norwalk Hour. 

Free Download of "DJ Juelz Presents: FNX Music Volume 1" 

Tom The Suit Forst in the Norwalk Hour: Retired Sales Executive Trades in C-Suite for Center Stage

NORWALK — After two decades in the corporate world, Tom Forst had had enough.

So when his wife told him they’d finally paid off the last of their children’s college tuition, his response, naturally, was, “I’m quitting.”

That was eight years ago. Back when he had a tight haircut and wore a full suit to work every day. Back when the idea of playing music full time was nothing more than a daydream supplied by a memory.

With the blessing of his wife, Forst gave his six months notice — as it turns out, you don’t just “quit” when you’re the regional vice president of sales at Cox Communications — and returned to a life he always knew he’d find again someday.

"I think if I have a message it’s that you should never give up on your dreams,” Forst said. “The dream was always to start again. It never occurred to me that being older would be a problem, and it hasn’t been.”

Forst, now 65, will release his first solo album, “On Fire,” Jan. 14. Produced by Grammy-winning guitarist, producer and songwriter Paul Nelson and recorded at Norwalk’s Factory Underground, the album features musicians from the Johnny Winter Band, Popa Chubby Band, Allman Brothers Band, Saturday Night Live Band and Steven Colbert Band.

Known as “The Suit,” Forst hasn’t given up his corporate identity entirely. Though a little more eccentric, his face framed by shoulder-length gray hair and classic Chuck Taylor’s on his feet, he still dons a suit jacket everywhere he goes. Some are more flamboyant, decorated with elaborate embroidery, and others are classic, well-fitting and subtle.

His 11 track blues-rock album also features the songwriting of Forst’s longtime friend, the late Gary Youell of Norwalk, whose suggestion that Forst cut a song about a world where women have taken over was the inspiration for a single Forst plans to release in January called “Women of the World.”

“He came to me and said, ‘The world is such a mess. What if women took over the world instead of the good old boys?’ And that’s how we came up with this song,” Forst said.

The father of two daughters, he said the song was also informed by their experiences as women of the world, as well as the glass ceilings he saw in the corporate world.

Read More: Tom The Suit Forst in the Norwalk Hour 

NEW VIDEO RELEASE: TOBIN MUELLER MASTERWORKS TRILOGY: MUSIC OF TRANSCENDENCE

     Tobin Mueller has announced his film biopic "Masterworks Trilogy, Music of Transcendence," featuring interviews, and a behind the scenes look at the writing, recording, and mixing of his latest work "Of Two Minds: The Music of Frederic Chopin and Tobin Mueller." Directed by Marc Alan of Factory Underground Records, with editing by Aidan Gerety of Stateside Visuals, the ten minute film work is now available on Mueller's YouTube video channel. 

     The Masterworks Trilogy is a three album set recorded by Mueller over the past three years. The final album in the trilogy, "Of Two Minds," is an exploration of the intersection between jazz and classical piano. On disc one, "Tobin Plays Chopin,"  Tobin performs a selection of intricate musical compositions by Frederic Chopin, including Polonaise in A Major, Op 40, No 1, Mazurka in A Minor, Op 17, No. 4, and others. Disc Two is "Tobin Plays Tobin," nine pieces of solo jazz piano written by Tobin Mueller, inspired by the music of Chopin. Mixed, mastered and engineered by Kenny Cash of Factory Underground, the double album set was released in 2016, and is available for purchase on CD Baby, Amazon, and other online retail sites. 

    The two other albums in the trilogy are "Tobin Mueller: Impressions of Water and Light," featuring original compositions inspired by Impressionist painters of the 19th Century, and "Flow: Music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Tobin Mueller," another two disc set.   

     Interviews in the film detail parallels between Mueller's struggles with A1AD lung disease, and Chopin's struggles with tuberculosis and other lung disease that resulted in the composer's death at 39. As Mueller explains, "This is why I have to get the music out as long as I can continue, why I've had to reduce stress, change all my priorities..."

     The film also outlines Mueller's volunteer work at Ground Zero in New York City, which began the day after 9-11, September 12, 2001. Mueller's work on site including supplying the firemen and welders with food, water and other materials. In the years after 9-11, Mueller developed what he thought was a bad case of asthma, but that later turned out to be A1AD, a condition which involves inflammation and swelling of his joints and lungs. 

     An interview with Kenny Cash reveals Tobin's prolific nature, having worked on at least eight of Tobin's albums over four years of their work together, a number of them multiple disc sets.

http://www.TobinMueller.com
http://www.CDBaby.com/m/cd/tobinplayschopin
http://www.factoryundergroundstudio.com 

FACTORY UNDERGROUND RECORDS PRESENTS NEW TOM THE SUIT FORST VIDEO FOR GOING HOME ON VEVO AND YOU TUBE

     From director Aidan Gerety of Factory Underground and Stateside Visuals comes a new video for Factory Underground recording artist Tom The Suit Forst's song "Going Home." The video, which launched last week is now available on You Tube and Vevo.

    "Going Home" has been described as mix of country and blues, also contains classic elements of Americana. Performed by The Suit on acoustic/electric dobro, with marching drums provided by Big Thursty of the Jason Gisser Band, the song is a relatively somber song compared to the upbeat blues-rock sounds of his new album "On Fire." The video, which contains the lyrics of the song set against images of the American Civil War, is stylized to resemble to vintage footage of the period. It's dark imagery culminates with the image of a Civil War firing squad, which does not spare the viewer from the sad ending.

      Gerety stated that he wanted to capture the feeling of the song, which was for him "a reflection of fate in the face of a dangerous and uncertain future," a fitting narrative for this time in American history, with people so deeply divided over political lines. There is no political message to the idea - we are all in this together which ever side of line you're on. As the song says, "You're Going Home when he says Come."
     With the exception of "Going Home" which was released this past month on iTunes, Spotify, and streaming/retails sites around the world, the full album of "On Fire" has only been available on physical CD. A CD and poster bundle have been selling through the artist's website www.TomTheSuitForst.com and by emailing TheSuitOnFire@gmail.com The decision to offer the physical album first was as much a nod to a more classic time in the record industry as The Suit wanting his work into the hands of his loyal fan base as early as possible. For those desiring to have the album in digital form, fans can look for the rest of the album on iTunes in January.

     What's next for Tom The Suit Forst? "We are looking at an idea for a video of "Women of the World," a song from my album that is about the idea of letting women have a chance to rule the world for a change. I thought about putting that out on Election Day - in hindsight that wouldn't have quite made sense.... but from what I understand January 21 is the day of a Million Women March on Washington DC, so you might see a video for the song then!"
   

www.TomTheSuitForst.com

www.Facebook.com/TomTheSuitForst

www.Twitter.com/TomTheSuitForst

www.FactoryUndergroundRecords.com

FNX RELEASES FULL LENGTH MIX TAPE: "DJ JUELZ PRESENTS: FNX MUSIC VOLUME 1" ON BLACK FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25; ARTIST DEDICATES MUSIC TO HELP FEED UNDER SERVED FAMILIES IN NORWALK CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY.

The decision FNX made to release his debut hip hop mix tape on Black Friday was not without a touch of irony- the Norwalk, CT rapper has decided that he will not be selling his album at all. Instead he will be using his debut album to raise awareness for a very personal cause: feeding hungry families in the community.

Along with his new album, "DJ JUELZ PRESENTS: FNX MUSIC VOL 1," the artist launched a crowd funding campaign on Black Friday to request donations to his cause, in exchange for giving away his music as a free download. The goal of this campaign is simple: to raise as as much money as possible to purchase holiday groceries for struggling families in his community. The artist will work with local charities including the Person to Person Food Bank of Norwalk, CT to select these deserving families.

"I remember times when I was growing up where we didn't always know where our next meal was coming from," he said. "I remember picking up boxes of food from my church and community center- it was always like "Thank God good people are out there for us." 

"It saddens me that things haven't changed that much - one in six children in the state of Connecticut still don't know where their next hot meal is coming from. I've always wanted to give back, and for my music to make a difference in people's lives," said FNX, whose real name is Kenneth Shuler.

Growing up in poverty is one of the hard topics that FNX raps about that has attracted him a loyal fan base, attracted as much to his message as to his music. The artist has also tackled such topics depression, sexual and domestic abuse, and somehow finds a way to give the listener hope. In his new song, "Barely Made it Through," FNX tells his fans that if "I made it through, you can make it too." 

The FNX story is one of hardships, but it's also one of salvation, and the artist is quick to give credit where it's due. The Carver Center, run by the George Washington Carver Foundation of Norwalk, CT is the local community center he credits for keeping him in school, and focused on education. All of this hard work was not without reward- he went on to achieve a Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of Southern Connecticut, and a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of New Hampshire. When he is not rapping, he also teaches a course in financial literacy, yet another layer of the FNX mission. 

It was at the Carver Center where FNX launched his first philanthropic event he titled after one of his songs, "Hometown Love." The event which he co-produced with Factory Underground Records, consisted of a barbecue, basketball tournament and canned food drive. The event raised 600 canned and non-perishable food items which were donated to Person to Person. "Hometown Love" is planned to be an annual spring event for his beloved Norwalk community.

FNX GO FUND ME CAMPAIGN TO FEED HUNGRY FAMILIES:
https://www.gofundme.com/fnxholidayfooddrive

FNX FREE DOWNLOAD OF MIX TAPE: DJ JUELZ PRESENTS: FNX MUSIC VOLUME 1:
http://www.datpiff.com/FnxMusic-Fnx-Music-Vol-1-mixtape.814796.html

GOOSE TO PLAY THE CAPITOL THEATER IN PORT CHESTER NY SAT OCT 1: POST MODERN JAM NIGHT OF GARCIA'S ALL-STARS ALSO FEATURING COUGAR MAGNET AND DEAD GRASS

Fans of Goose have been delighted to learn that their favorite post-modern jam band is to play at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY on Saturday, October 1 on a triple headline bill - sharing the stage with Cougar Magnet, and Dead Grass-- all three bands being billed as Garcia's All Stars. Garcia's is the little sister venue of the much larger Capitol Theater. As such the night represents a graduation for all three of these bands, whose stars are all on the rise.

Goose Top Right

Goose are promoting their recent album "Moon Cabin" which they released in 2015, recorded, mixed and mastered by Factory Underground, with promotion and marketing by Factory Underground Records. The album has so far reached #108 on college radio charts, and is making a play for Mediabase and Non-Commerical, community-based radio stations from coast to coast-- the friendly, easy listening blend of catchy vocal melodies and jam-respectable guitar and organ solos seems to have no bounds in potential.

Garcia's All-Stars ft. Cougar Magnet, Deadgrass, and Goose

Sat, October 1, 2016
Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
The Capitol Theatre
Port Chester, NY

149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573

$15 (ADVANCE) // $20 (DAY OF SHOW)

This event is 18 and over

This event will have a general admission standing room only floor.

Which band are you coming to see? Enter promo code COUGARMAGNET, DEADGRASS or GOOSE in and purchase a Promo Ticket. 

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1314783?_ga=1.260951949.1240666984.1473706396

More About GOOSE:

Goose is a Funk-Folk band originating in Wilton, CT now based in Worcester, MA. Rick Mitarotonda is the guitarist-singer-songwriter whose folky, hummable melodies are supported by pianist/keyboard player Chris (The Doc) Enright, and a deep-pocket rhythm section of Trevor Weeks on Bass and Ben Atkind on drums. Of the four accomplished musicians, Atkind and Enright are graduates of the Berklee College of Music; Mitarotonda will graduate from the school in Spring 2016. Goose is a band whose music is both memorable and danceable; an organic and easy-to-love mix of funk and folk, with touches of reggae, jazz, blues, and rock.

About Deadgrass:

Multi-instrumentalist Matt Turk and Grammy award winner C Lanzbom have joined forces to form Deadgrass celebrating the music of Jerry Garcia. Web music authority All Music Guide, calls Matt Turk "...an artist to be reckoned with." Matt is a seasoned recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, eternal idealist and compassionate peace loving realist. Based out of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, Matt is a veteran performer who has engaged audiences around the world. He has shared the stage with Pete Seeger and opened for Judy Collins, The Doobie Brothers, Fiona Apple, the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart and more. He has performed throughout the USA, Europe, Israel and the Caribbean, appearing at festivals including Clearwater, Gathering of the Vibes, Atlanta's Music Midtown, Jazz at Lincoln Center and venues including The Beacon Theatre and Brooklyn Bowl.

About Cougar Magnet:

Cougar Magnet is an innovative cover band that plays unique takes on a wide variety of vintage music from the eight track, mix tape and CD eras. Cougar Magnet sets are constructed to create a high energy show that will inspire both the hard core live music aficionado as well as the casual music listener. Cougar Magnet was formed in 2008 by two good friends and former professional musicians, Jonathan Ellner and Larry Restieri. Starting as an acoustic duo, Cougar Magnet gradually morphed into what is now an eight-piece band, featuring local talents Brian Cumberland on bass, Dave King on the blues harp, Bryan Dmuchowski on keyboards, Will Holden on sax, Steph Chinn on trumpet, Greg DiMiceli on drums, and recent addition, Melanie Kraut on vocals. Cougar Magnet currently plays live music venues throughout Fairfield and Westchester counties.

FACTORY UNDERGROUND STUDIO TO HOST MARTIN BARRE GUITARIST OF JETHRO TULL - A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND STORIES; LIVE ALBUM AND DVD TO BE RECORDED OCT 17, 2016

FACTORY UNDERGROUND PROUDLY PRESENTS: MARTIN BARRE GUITARIST OF LEGENDARY PROG ROCK BAND JETHRO TULL: A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND STORIES

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2016: ONE NIGHT ONLY

LIVE ALBUM AND DVD TO BE RECORDED FOR AN INTIMATE AUDIENCE FOLLOWED BY AN EXCLUSIVE VIP MEET AND GREET

TICKETS NOW ON SALE: 

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2597799

$40 INCLUDING CD + MEET AND GREET 

Come enjoy an intimate musical performance by one of the true pioneers of progressive rock music, brilliant guitarist Martin Barre of Jethro Tull. This night of music and stories by Martin and Band will be an unforgettable experience. Hosted by the Factory Underground of Norwalk, Ct - where every ticket is a Backstage Pass.  Martin Barre Concert with After-Show Meet & Greet: Meet Martin for photos and autographs! New Martin Barre CD "Back to Steel" Included with the price of a ticket! Premier of Factory Underground Live: Cooking and Live Music Television Show Featuring Martin Barre! Monday October 17, 2016 7pm Doors  8:30pm Show  Factory Underground 16 Isaac Street Norwalk, CT 06850 About Martin Barre: Martin Barre's guitar work includes "Aqualung", "Cross-Eyed Mary", and "Locomotive Breath" from the great English band Jethro Tull. His signature solo on the 1971 "Aqualung" was voted by the readers of Guitar Player magazine as one of the top rock guitar solos of all time, and was rated one of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos by Guitar World magazine. Martin has been cited as a direct influence on Dire Strait's Mark Knopfler, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson. www.MartinBarre.com About Factory Underground: Factory Underground Studio is a state of the art music recording facility with a funky  industrial New York vibe. Located in the heart of the Norwalk, Connecticut's Arts District, the Factory Underground is home to some of music's greatest talents.   www.FactoryUndergroundStudio.com www.FactoryUndergroundRecords.com

ACOUSTIC FOLK POP ROCK GROUP "LINES WEST" TO PERFORM LIVE ON ROBBIE DEROSA'S HOMEGROWN RADIO SHOW ON WESU 88.1 FM WESLEYAN COLLEGE RADIO; TO PROMOTE SHOW AT BUTTONWOOD TREE AUGUST 12

ACOUSTIC FOLK POP ROCK GROUP LINES WEST TO PERFORM LIVE ON ROBBIE DEROSA'S HOMEGROWN RADIO PROGRAM ON WESU 88.1 FM WESLEYAN COLLEGE RADIO AUGUST 11, 5:30PM;  LINES WEST TO PERFORM AT BUTTONWOOD TREE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN MIDDLETOWN CT AUGUST 12 AT 8PM  

Lines West is excited to bring its unique blend of rootsy Americana and acoustic folk-pop to listeners of Wesleyan College's WESU 88.1 FM’s Homegrown show – “the best crop of Connecticut-connected music presented for a global audience.” Lines West will be performing a couple of tunes as well as having a quick chat about their new album, The Ghost For You. They will also discuss their concert at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center in Middletown on August 12. Listeners may tune in on Thursday, August 11 at 5:30 PM at 88.1 FM on terrestrial radio, or stream the sow live here: WESU 88.1 FM

Further information on the concert and advance tickets can be found here. In addition to the Buttonwood performance, Lines West will be opening for platinum selling and Grammy Award-winning country act Diamond Rio at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT, along with a small string of other dates in the area.

The Ghost For You will be released in the fall with PR and Social Media directed by Marc Alan at Factory Underground Records. This album will further their sound, previously described as “Simon and Garfunkel fronting Wilco or The Band,” as well as building upon the unique storytelling style of their Americana roots. Leading up to the release, the band will be getting fans into the spirit of the album by sharing a weekly Connecticut ghost story in the form of a video, the first two of which can be viewed now, here.

Lines West Announce New Album, The Ghost For You, Out This Fall

Rootsy Pop/Rock Band to Put Out Weekly Anthology of Connecticut Ghost Stories Leading Up to Release

First Video Available for Streaming Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJQE4ukpQYA

Norwalk, CT – July 18, 2016 – Connecticut alternative Americana group, Lines West, is today announcing their new album, The Ghost For You. This third release from the band will be available this fall, with more details to follow.

Described as “Simon and Garfunkel fronting Wilco or The Band,” Lines West is fueled by the songwriting tandem of John Radzin and Brian Larney. In celebration of The Ghost For You as well as the deeper storytelling and thematic aspects of their music, the band will be pushing a weekly anthology of local ghost stories, culminating with the album’s release. This week’s video centers on the story of Easton, CT’s White Lady of Union Cemetery.

In addition, Lines West has a string of upcoming tour dates planned including a headlining concert tonight at Café Nine in New Haven, CT and in August an opening slot for platinum-selling and Grammy Award-winning country act, Diamond Rio, at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT.

Upcoming Performances:           

July 19: Cafe Nine in New haven, CT with Silas Low

July 23: Mocha's Maya in Shelburne Falls, MA

August 6: Augur Farm in Northford, CT at Potato and Corn Festival

August 12: Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, CT

August 14: Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT opening for Diamond Rio as a duo

August 27: Way Station in Brooklyn, NY

Check out more on Lines West here:

Official Website: http://www.lineswest.com/

YouTube: http://bit.ly/29V6FZ6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LinesWest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lineswestband

INDIE ALT ROCK BAND EDISUN RELEASE "VAMPIRES AND WOLVES" LYRIC VIDEO; TWILIGHT MOVIE-INSPIRED BALLAD SET TO CINEMATIC VIEWS OF NEW YORK CITY

Edisun Vocalist Discusses Newly Released Vampires and Wolves Lyric Video

"Vampires and Wolves" is the brand new lyric video from alt-rock indie band Edisun. A lush cinematic setting beautifully captures the melancholy feel of the song that Ethan Isaac, the band's vocalist and lyricist, describes as a tragic love song set in New York City. The song is contained on the Edisun "Collision" album that is available on Apple Music, Apple iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and other retail/streaming outlets from Factory Underground Records, with digital distribution by ILS/Caroline/Universal Music Group International. 

The "Vampires and Wolves" title was inspired by the mayhem surrounding the Twilight movie, explains Edisun's vocalist and lyricist Ethan Isaac: "I had been sitting in an airport flying back from the Middle East; I was watching a news story about the actress (Kristen Stewart) from Twilight and the insanity surrounding her at the time... the paparazzi chasing after her. From there it became a love story in my head about two people impossibly trying to escape the limelight, holding on to some shred of privacy away from the constant glare of the camera."

Ethan Isaac of Edisun

About the lyric video, Ethan continues: "We didn't want to be so literal with this lyric video- we just wanted to capture the mood of New York City in October. In the time that I lived there, it was always October that I loved most--the brilliant fall leaves tearing up the sky."  

"The video was the work of an incredible young videographer we have working at the Factory Underground - Nick Swanson. I told him I just wanted to get the mood right, and then I left it up to Nick to bring the lyrics to life- I love song lyrics that are open enough for people to form their own stories in their minds."

For listeners more familiar with the active rock sound of Edisun songs "Medicate" and "Wide Awake," Vampires and Wolves is an interesting if unexpected acoustic departure. The simple arrangement--consisting of acoustic guitar and harmony vocals, snare drum brush strokes keeping the song moving, and touches of slide guitar in the middle bridge. 

Edisun

"Actually we have always had softer songs on our records, songs that didn't get played on rock radio, but still represent the band our true fans know. I never want to be a band that plays the same formulaic song over and over. I don't consider a song like "Vampires and Wolves" taking a big chance for rock band like Edisun. I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, a band that went from Black Dog to Going to California. That had a huge influence on me--the diversity of their incredible sound." 

"Vampires and Wolves" has been released to Edisun's band You Tube channel. Releases to Vevo and Facebook are expected soon. 

FNX SHOWS HOMETOWN LOVE FOR NORWALK: CHARITY FOOD DRIVE AND BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SMASHES DONATION GOAL

600 CANNED FOOD ITEMS DONATED TO PERSON-TO-PERSON
FOOD BANK OF NORWALK

EVENT SPONSORED BY FACTORY UNDERGROUND,
JOEL'S BARBER LOUNGE AND ACTION FITNESS (NEW HAVEN)

The first annual Hometown Love charity canned food drive and basketball tournament was a smashing success, thanks to our sponsor-partners Joe's Barber Lounge of Norwalk, Ct and Team Action Fitness of New Haven, Ct, and last but certainly not least our very own FNX, a rapper whose song "Hometown Love" inspired the event co-produced by Factory Underground Records. The event was held on the grounds of the George Washington Carver Foundation's home center ay 7 Academy Street in Norwalk on June 26, 2016. The goal of the event was to raise 500 canned goods and non-perishable food items to be donated to Person-to-Person Food Bank of Norwalk. The event, which consisted of a basketball tournament and barbecue cookout met the goal with flying colors, with a final tally of 600 cans of food by the day's end. 

"The idea started with the title of my song "Hometown Love," and with the help of my publicist Marc Alan of Factory Underground Records, it all grew from there," said FNX. "We wanted to have an event that would be fun for the community, and bring people together around the cause of helping other people. Person-to-Person is such an important resource for underserved families of our community, it was a joy to be able to help them through this event. It was also one major charity helping another in the community--I have to say that we couldn't have done this without the George Washington Carver Center--they really came to play ball with us."

"I have to give it to Joel's Barber Lounge of Norwalk for their invaluable contributions. They organized the actual tournament, recruited the teams, hired the referees; it was a very professional operation. Seeing all of the players wearing "Hometown Love" basketball shirts in different team-colors was very inspiring, not to mention the incredible skill of the players who turned out from all over Fairfield County," FNX said. 

FNX is a rapper of considerable skill and personal style, but one who is proving worth far beyond the measure of his market share, streaming numbers, and sales on iTunes. The musician isn't waiting for any level of commercial break-through to give back to his community. An alumni of the George Washington Carver Center, who credits the organization with keeping him off the streets as a young man growing up in Norwalk, Ct, the young man who would become known as FNX went on to graduate with honors from Brian McMahon High School (Norwalk), achieving a Bachelors degree of Business from University of Southern Connecticut, and a Masters degree of Business and Organizational Leadership from the University of New Hampshire. An unusual pedigree for a rapper in today's hip hop music scene, but then as "Hometown Love" shows FNX is no ordinary rapper.

"Working with the Carver on this level was in many ways my life coming full circle. I grew up at the Carver, and it helped shape me into the man that I am. So it is very important for me to advocated for the Carver, and be a role model for the children there today. I want them to know what education can do to change their lives. I want them to say to themselves, "If FNX did it, then I can do it too." 

Jim Schaffer of Carver Foundation and FNX 

All photographs by John Shyloski copyright 2016 

For more photos: 

http://www.johnshyloskiphotography.com/hometownlove2016