FACTORY UNDERGROUND RECORDS

Thursday, June 9, 2016

“HOMETOWN LOVE” FOOD DRIVE ANNOUNCED FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 26

“HOMETOWN LOVE” FOOD DRIVE ANNOUNCED FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 26

COLLABORATIVE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT & BARBECUE TO BENEFIT PERSON-TO-PERSON FOOD BANK OF NORWALK

PRESENTED BY NORWALK ARTIST FNX WITH FACTORY UNDERGROUND STUDIO & GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER FOUNDATION

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS TO INCLUDE JOEL’S BARBER LOUNGE; GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN NOW LIVE TO COVER EVENT PRODUCTION COST

Norwalk recording artist FNX (pronounced Phoenix), in association with Factory Underground Studio and the George Washington Carver Foundation is proud to announce the “Hometown Love” Food Drive. This event will be taking place on Sunday, June 26 from 11am to 6pm at the Carver Community Center (7 Academy St., Norwalk, Ct). In addition to the goal of raising 500 canned food times to be donated to the Person-to-Person Food Bank, there will also be a BBQ cook-out, 5-on-5 basketball tournament, raffle, and music by DJ Connect.

Leading up to the event there is a GoFundMe campaign being run in order to cover the costs associated with the event, including food and drink, t-shirts for tournament participants, and a referee. These donations are being accepted on a rolling basis and any money raised above and beyond actual costs will go directly to Person-to-Person.

Faced with childhood homelessness, surviving abusive experiences in a shelter with his young mother, FNX found solace in music and the nurturing environment of the Carver Center, which is one of the largest providers of after school programs in Norwalk – serving up to one thousand children daily. Now, armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the Southern Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree of Science in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University, things have come full circle for this artist through his work as an official advocate of the center. “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.’”

This event serves not just to give back to the community in a tangible way, through monetary and food donations, but also by offering a day of family fun for anyone who needs a little “hometown love.” Music, food, sports, and more will all come together to celebrate the Norwalk community.

The 5-on-5 basketball tournament has an age requirement of 16 or older. The entry fee is $250 per team, which includes an event shirt for all members with a cash prize awarded to the winning team. In order to sign up, participants must contact Joel of event sponsor Joel’s Barber Lounge prior to June 14. He may be reached by phone at (203) 434-9551 or via email at JoelDaBarber@gmail.com.

The event is open to people of all ages with a suggested food donation of two cans of food with a freshness date to expire no less than one month in the future. Barbecue food items and beverage will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Hometown Love” Food Drive Presented by FNX & Factory Underground

Date: Sunday, June 26, 2016

Time: 11AM to 6PM

Location: Carver Community Center, 7 Academy St., Norwalk, Ct

GoFundMe Campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/hometownlove

Beneficiaries & Sponsors

Person-to-Person: http://p2phelps.org/

Carver Community Center: http://carvercenterct.org/

FNX: http://www.fnxmusic.com/

Factory Underground Records: http://www.factoryundergroundrecords.com/

Factory Underground Studio: http://www.factoryundergroundstudio.com/

Joel’s Barber Lounge: 71 Cedar St., Norwalk, Ct | (203) 434-9551

Monday, May 23, 2016

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

Thursday, April 28, 2016

MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE: CHE-VAL'S "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN" INSPIRED LYRIC VIDEO MASHUP FOR "WATERPROOF"

MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE:
CHE-VAL'S "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN" INSPIRED LYRIC VIDEO MASHUP FOR "WATERPROOF"

MUSIC AND LYRICS SYNC TO THE CLASSIC GENE KELLY DANCE SCENE

Che-Val, fresh off the release of their debut album Waterproof, has now let loose on the world a lyric video for the title track. This video, designed by Aidan Gerety, syncs the sleekly modern ballad to the iconic Gene Kelly dance scene from Singin’ in the Rain.

Building on the pop music power couple’s signature mixture of old school and new school “Waterproof” fuses synth bass with elements of a live orchestra. In the same way this video breathes new life into an undeniable film staple, allowing Gene Kelly’s dance moves to fall together harmoniously with the music and giving new meaning to each. This video also draws inspiration from the cult classic Dark Side of the Rainbow idea, in which the Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon is said sync up with another beloved film, The Wizard of Oz.

Che-Val is a husband and wife indie pop duo made up of Kenny and Laura Cash whose very first single, “My Beat”, climbed all the way to #52 on the Mediabase "Top 40" Activator chart. The couple takes retro styles and brings them into the future with cutting edge production. They are always looking for new ways to combine audio with visuals, as is the case with this video along with the Alice In Wonderland cosplay-inspired video for “Gone Mad”, which premiered exclusively on VentsMagazine last Halloween.

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. As an owner of Factory Underground Studio, multi-instrumentalist, and Berklee College of Music graduate Kenny self-produces and engineers all of their work ensuring all of their creative vision reaches its full potential.

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Che-Val

Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Debut album Waterproof available now on iTunes, Spotify, & other online retailers

www.FactoryUndergroundRecords.com
www.FactoryUndergroundStudio.com

Thursday, April 14, 2016

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

Monday, April 4, 2016

EDISUN BREAKS NEW GROUND ON COLLEGE AND TRIPLE A RADIO WITH NEW ALTERNATIVE SOUNDS ON COLLISION ALBUM

EDISUN THE FIRST BAND TO BE PROMOTED THROUGH FACTORY UNDERGROUND RECORDS COLLABORATION WITH TINDERBOX MUSIC PROMOTIONS

Joel P Kelley - Ethan Isaac - Todd Budich - Mike A Russo

Even before Edisun's lead singer and his bandmates were finished putting final touches on its sophomore album Collision, released by Factory Underground Records in 2015, it was clear to everyone involved that they had a special album on their hands-- as well as an interesting marketing challenge. After nearly five years of touring the world since their 2010 self-titled debut that broke through with the songs "Medicate" and "Wide Awake," the members of the indie alternative rock band had grown far beyond the active-rock tag often assigned to the musicians' music.

Ethan Isaac - Edisun Lead Singer

Clearly there had been tremendous growth in the band-- as songwriters as well as musicians--strongly reflected in the quality of the new album, in each of the songs, and their overall sound. But this was an album that seemed to have little in common with the current crop of bands in the so-called active-rock radio genre, that people associated with their most recognized songs. It struck people as more "alternative" and seemed to suggest the band had gone back to it's roots.

Mike Russo and Joel Kelley on tour

"We always had more in common with bands like the Foo Fighters than bands like Five Finger Death Punch," said Ethan Isaac. "I worked at Smart Studios in Madison with Butch Vig when I was a kid. I always loved that sound-- Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Nirvana, Mother Love Bone, and Soundgarden. Add a little Led Zeppelin, and that's what went into creating the Edisun sound."

"The first record though was actually pretty diverse, more than people remember. Sure you had "Medicate"and "Wide Awake"--but you also had "Silence," "Voices," "Right Beside You," and "While the World's Asleep." So it isn't that far off having songs like "Ocean Waves" and "Vampires and Wolves." I would say if anything-- it was us not chasing other bands, and just being who we are that made this record..." Ethan said of Collision.

Ethan Isaac

But of course, there is still a rock band here, and you need no other reminder than songs like "Pins and Needles," "Kill Me With Your Kiss," "Arcade," and "Secrets."

"When we were deciding on a single to hit radio with, we chose "Pins and Needles," and we went to active-rock (through radio promotion company Radio Contraband.) We knew the track wasn't as heavy as some of the bands in that genre now, but we wanted to let the fans of "Medicate" know that Edisun had a new record out," said Marc Alan, Director of Marketing, Factory Underground Records.

"It was a gamble that paid off-- the track went to the Top 40 of Radio Contraband's "Under the Radar" Active-Rock chart. We'll continue that momentum with "Arcade," which we think will do even better."

Edisun - Pins and Needles (Official Video)

"But one thing we are doing differently marketing this record is a multi-pronged approach--hitting active-rock and college radio together. We recently starting working with a fine company Tinderbox Music promoting Edisun to 250 college and Triple A stations nationally. Early reports are very encouraging, with Collision in rotation on about 50 stations, and more being added every day," according to Alan.

"College radio has a lot more rock on it than people realize--but between the specialty rock shows and alternative rock shows--there is a really broad young audience that couldn't be better suited for the diverse sound on Collision," he added.