BACKLASH: New Music Video from The Town Hall Band Featuring Singer Songwriter Brian Larney, From his New Indie Rock Album "America Needs The Town Hall"

 

Backlash: bak·laSH/ noun 1. A strong adverse reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development.

Backlash is the title of the new video now available from Brian Larney of The Town Hall, from his new indie alt-rock album “America Needs The Town Hall.”  The video, whose song is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify retail-streaming sites world, was released today on YouTube. 

The video captures a live performance by Larney and friends at the Factory Underground Studio in Norwalk, CT.  An unique event that was a record release party and video shoot rolled into one synonymous with Larney’s tendency to think far outside of the box. The final edit rendered in black and white, is both moody and stark, while remaining intimate with an adoring audience.

The music video, co-directed by Larney with Marc Alan, filmed by Aidan Gerety and Tom Stewart, edited by Larney himself, features Larney on acoustic guitar and vocal, joined by Adam Strange on keyboards, Joel Kelley on electric guitar, Kenny Cash on bass, and Jeff Hatcher on the drums.

The emotionally charged “Backlash” is a uniquely authored reflection of the songwriter’s own despair over the current state of American media and politics. Larney sings about the hate and anger that we all seem to share these days regardless of which side of the aisle we are on: feelings honed by the constant bombardment of the media, turning to detachment and isolation in almost a benign effort to cope.  Infusing these emotions in a song with a melody that is at times melancholic as uplifting, that somehow leaves us with a bit of hope at the end, is all a part of what makes Brian Larney brilliant and unique as a songwriter.

In some ways, the new video may be Larney’s own artistic Backlash to the first video he released from the album last month called “Flickering.” That song is yet another reference to the constant glare of the media dominating our attention, a theme clearly on the mind of this very relevant and thoughtful artist. 

Though “America Needs The Town Hall” is not an overtly political album, there is no getting around Larney’s own hard left stance on most political issues; though he tends to keep his lyrics poetic and therefore not so specific that the listener can’t paint their own picture:

“I see the look before in your eyes, filled with gloom. The TV is on in the room. A thousand yard stare I just can’t get through, you’re not alone in this cold room, Don’t get tangled or torn up in two, caught up in a backlash…"

Backlash is the second song from the new album released by Larney, who is most well known for his work in the alt-folk group Lines West. The Town Hall is the songwriter’s first solo record since starting Lines West with partner John Radzin. As a solo artist, Larney has been compared to Father John Misty, City and Colour, Hozier, and the Lumineers.

“I have released a couple of albums as Brian Larney, but I wanted this to be a band record, so I had to give it a name.“The Town Hall” spoke to me. The original title of the record was “The Charm Offensive,” but that became “America Needs the Town Hall” based on a political button I saw that said, “America Needs J.F.K.” That was it,” Larney said.

America Needs The Town Hall. Indeed. 

BACKLASH: New Music Video from The Town Hall Band Featuring Singer Songwriter Brian Larney, From his New Indie Rock Album "America Needs The Town Hall"
www.TheTownHallBand.com 

Tom The Suit Forst New Blues Rock Album "On Fire" Now On Apple Music and iTunes

Now available on Apple Music, iTunes, and from all major retail and streaming sites around the world is the new blues rock album "On Fire," from guitarist and singer-songwriter Tom The Suit Forst. The digital album, previously released on CD in Q4 2016 through the artist's web site www.TomTheSuitForst.com, was produced by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Paul Nelson. The album features the song "Going Home" for which a video was produced and released on Vevo and You Tube in December.

The album also features the song "Women of the World" with a new video going to You Tube on January 21, 2017, in commemoration of the Million Women March on Washington DC. The song asks the question of how much better off the world would be if women had a chance to run things. The lyrics were written by the late Gary Youell, a long time friend of The Suit. The video is to be dedicated to Gary, who like Tom Forst, a long time ardent and passionate supporter of women's rights.  

"On Fire" on Apple Music iTunes

"On Fire" on Spotify

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 

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

FNX DEBUT SINGLE "RUBBER BANDS" WORLD WIDE RELEASE MAY 30: NEW ARIST HONORS HIP HOP CULTURE WHILE BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES

FNX "RUBBER BANDS" DEBUT SINGLE 

WORLD WIDE RELEASE 

MAY 30, 2016

NEW ARTIST HONORS HIP HOP CULTURE WHILE BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES

FNX is a rapper and hip hop artist of unique style and origin. At the core of his music is a story of perseverance and positivity; overcoming life obstacles amidst a journey of self-discovery. He was born Kenneth Shuler of Norwalk, Ct--long before would he would turn to music as an outlet for his teen anger and depression. Faced with childhood homelessness, surviving abusive experiences in a shelter with his young mother, the at-risk teen found solace and self-awareness in rhyme. Yet with so much of rap culture based on boasting and bravado, there aren’t many other rappers of such humble beginnings that could boast of a Bachelor Business Degree from the Southern Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree of Science in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. FNX is an artist unlike many of his peers.

Distinguishing himself early as a rapper of technical skill and lyrical intelligence under the adopted stage name Symon Feenixxx, his early work “Young Black Males” garnered the attention of industry veterans. That early persona, adopted from the 1993 film Demolition Man, was reminiscent of rappers Ghostface Killah and Method Man, whose own names were inspired by comic book and movie characters. “I took on the name [alias Simon Phoenix from the movie Demolition Man] because Phoenix was a villain who was ruthless and vulgar – which was my approach when I first got heavily into writing my own music,” said Shuler. Finding the persona limiting however, the maturing artist thus found the need for a new name to define his growing artistry.  With this came “FNX,” pronounced “Phoenix,” which he identifies as a sharp turning point in his life and career.

Yet even with a more focused handle on his music, the artist found himself facing unexpected challenges. When asked to write a song to promote a friend’s health club, which he happily agreed to do, he became very aware of how reliant he was on using curse words in his rhymes, including the obvious use of the “N Word” so often used in hip hop culture. Rising to this challenge, however, he completed the song “Pushing Heavyweight,” which FNX fans can expect to hear on his first full album in Fall 2016.

Now embracing his ability to rap authentically in a style free of profanity, shedding another stereotype of hip hop culture in the process, FNX hope this will allow his music to positively impact on listeners of all ages. This change in style will be heard in his new song “Rubber Bands,” that will be the first single released worldwide by FNX on May 30, 2016, in association with Factory Underground Records.

Yet even as his own personal phoenix rises from the ashes of his poverty stricken beginnings, FNX has his eyes set firmly on goals that go far beyond hip hop music. An advocate for the George Washington Carver Foundation of Norwalk, which he credits with keeping him off the streets and pushing him to graduate from high school with honors, FNX isn’t waiting for musical success to give back to the community.  “For me the music is a vehicle-- it’s the message that is important to get out there,” he says. That message, one hip hop fans may also find surprising, as yet another stereotype of the culture is discarded, is financial literacy.

“There is so much flaunting of money in hip hop imagery,” he say. “Making paper, acquiring wealth and showing it off. This what we are teaching our kids in the so-called underserved, inner city communities. Who is teaching them how to take care of their money, how to stay out of debt, how to stay clear of crime, and not go to jail?  Questions like these have helped fuel an educational course in financial literacy FNX started teaching in 2015, which he hopes to expand at the Carver Center to include working with children and families in the community.

In many ways, working with the Carver Center, one of the largest providers of after school programs in Norwalk--serving up to one thousand children daily--is FNX coming full circle in his life. “Working with these kids is important for me because I am one of them. It’s a chance for me to show them what music and education can do. I want them to say, “If FNX did it, I can do it too.”

Check out more on FNX here:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fnxmusic1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fnx_music

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fnxmusic1

READ MORE ABOUT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER CENTER

CHE-VAL DEBUT ALBUM WATERPROOF SET FOR RELEASE FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016; DIVERSE POP MUSIC ALBUM FROM INDIE MUSIC POWER COUPLE KENNY AND LAURA CASH.

CHE-VAL DEBUT ALBUM WATERPROOF SET FOR RELEASE FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

DIVERSE POP MUSIC ALBUM FROM INDIE MUSIC POWER COUPLE KENNY AND LAURA CASH.

“You’ll be hearing it in your head all day after the first listen” – The FC Beat Magazine

“They have sampled some of the best practices from 80s music and created something that is modern, exciting,and enjoyable” – Mistree Magazine

Norwalk, CT – April 14, 2016 – Described as "Johnny and June Cash meet Matt and Kim," Connecticut’s musical power couple, Che-Val, have announced their debut full length, Waterproof. The album, to be released through Factory Underground Records on April 22, showcases the indie pop group’s varied influences in ten tracks as classic meets modern.

Consisting of husband and wife, Kenny and Laura Cash, Che-Val uses retro styles and brings them into the future with cutting edge production. Laura teaches science by day, but writes and belts out emotive vocal hooks by night. Her background in pop and country is blended with Kenny’s ear for hip-hop, funk, and soul in a collaborative songwriting process. Their vision is then furthered through Kenny’s own engineering and production skills as a multi-instrumentalist Berklee College of Music graduate.

Che-Val blasted into existence with their very first single, “My Beat”, climbing to #52 on the Mediabase “Top 40” Activator chart in 2014, and self-produced video that achieved 26 thousand views. The sound of this 80s dance track is contrasted in the modern pop ballad that is “Waterproof”, which even brings in elements of a live orchestra. 

Collaboration is another key to Che-Val's sound as "The Lead" features a fresh guest spot by Bronx based rapper Rothstein while "Oh Darling" takes influence from 1970s soul, bringing in a live horn section by the Funky Dawgz Brass Band. The band’s dichotomy is further demonstrated by the two cover tracks on this album: “Classic Man" by the Grammy nominated Jidenna and “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. Che-Val brought their personal flare into both covers with a remix of the former and a chilling a cappella take on the latter. The end result is a striking cognitive dissonance in their music that fans have fallen in love with.

Building up their fanbase through the local community, expert use of social media, and a strong focus on the interplay of music and visuals, the band has been steadily on the rise since their inception. With each single release the band has handcrafted their personal sound and looks as evidenced in the Alice In Wonderland inspired video for “Gone Mad”, which premiered exclusively last year in Vents Magazine and resonated throughout the international cosplay community. Waterproof sees all of the band's previous work come together and is sure to cause a serious case of the earworms.

Waterproof Track Listing:
1. Oh Darlin
2. My Beat
3. Waterproof
4. Gone Mad
5. The Lead (feat. Rothstein)
6. Don’t Give up on Me
7. Classic Man (Jidenna remix)
8. Poison (feat. Lighta)
9. Love Still Waiting (feat. Funky Dawgz Brass Band)
10. God Only Knows (Beach Boys cover)

Che-Val

Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

Radio Contact: Brandon Day, Tinderbox Music
BrandonDay@TinderboxMusic.com, (612) 375-1113

Factory Underground Records
Official Site | Facebook | Twitter

WORLD WIDE MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE: EDISUN "PINS AND NEEDLES" FROM THEIR ROCK ALBUM "COLLISION" AVAILABLE ON ITUNES, APPLE MUSIC AND SPOTIFY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
SRG RECORDS (SONO RECORDING GROUP)

Presents

EDISUN - "PINS AND NEEDLES" (Official Video)

WORLD WIDE FEATURE RELEASE 

The latest music video from alternative rockers EDISUN, "Pins and Needles" from their incredible album "Collision," released by Factory Underground in association with Sono Recording Group (SRG Records) on July 31, 2015. This album of nine new songs has been distributed world-wide through ILS Music Group, 3rd party aggregate to Universal Music Canada and Caroline Music US and International. 

Directed by John Shyloski, the video was produced and edited on-location at Factory Underground Studio in Norwalk, Ct. The song "Pins and Needles" was recorded at the Factory Underground, with executive production by Claude Villani, production by Charley Drayton, with mixing and mastering by John Shyloski. "Pins and Needles" was written by Ethan Isaac and Joel P Kelley, and published by Echo The World (ASCAP) copyright 2015.

Edisun, whose career trajectory started with their 2011 self-titled debut album sending tracks "Medicate" and "Wide Awake" to the Top 40 of Mediabase Active Rock radio chart, first rose to national prominence after becoming the first hard rock band to tour front-line military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan performing for American troops in the Second Gulf War. Invited guests of Armed Forces Entertainment and the USO, Edisun were featured on ABC World News Tonight, in the pages of Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal, and several other major newspapers--before they completed demos for their first album. 

While the road to rock stardom is seldom an easy journey, no rock n roll band ever expects their first tour as a band to be in an active war zone, a Blackhwak helicopter for a tour bus, and Kevlar body armor worn in 100 degree desert heat. For Edisun, this is exactly how it happened for them--and according to Edisun vocalist: "an experience that changed all our lives, and part of the reason we are still playing music to this day." Edisun has to date performed for US soldiers in 25 countries, and are active supporters of veterans causes such as Wounded Warriors. 

Follow Edisun online at www.EdisunMusic.com

Edisun "Collision" is available on iTunes worldwide: www.SmartUrl.it/FeelTheCollision

Also look for "Pins and Needles" and other songs from "Collision" on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/1VOCT1SaLYWym4NbgsX46q

www.FactoryUndergroundRecords.com (Record Label and Label Services)

www.FactoryUndergroundStudio.com (Record and Video Production)