Katalyst Entertainment Group

Spindrift, The Kooks & Saul Williams are Breathing Easy…

Katalyst Entertainment — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:56:41 +0000

As we previously reported, HERE, The Dandy Warhols are on a mission to control rampant urbanization by contributing the the Three Rivers Land Trust, a non-profit organization that works to conserve and preserve precious natural land from urban sprawl in Oregon. To realize this mission, they have begun an ambitious benefit project called, “Breathe Easy” – a series of collaborative songs created through their own unique process of layering musical contributions from artists who pass through the doors at their Portland studio, The Odditorium. This series of 12 tracks will be sold digitally at specified Breathe Easy sites and embedded stores, and 100% of profits will go to the Three Rivers Land Conservancy.

Artists involved in this projects so far include Spoon, David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets), Swervedriver, the Raveonettes, The Kooks, Spindrift, J. Mascis, The Bravery, The Black Angels, and Midnight Movies, among others. For more information on the Breathe Easy project, visit their myspace page at the Breathe Easy Myspace Page – in the meantime, check out the latest video of the collaboration between Spindrift, The Kooks and Saul Williams by clicking on the image below!

Breathe Easy Episode 02

Happy Thanksgiving – Enjoy This Tasty Treat from The Warlocks!

Katalyst Entertainment — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:28:04 +0000

After a day of food and gratitude, I thought you might enjoy this tasty little treat for desert – turn up the volume and dig in!

“CALL + RESPONSE” to open in Southern California Nov. 14

Katalyst Entertainment — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:46:24 +0000

The film that has become a grassroots MOVEMENT, “Call + Response” will be screening in the Los Angeles area from Nov. 14th – 20th at Laemmle Theatres in Santa Monica and Pasadena. Visit Laemmle.com for tickets and show times.

“Call + Response” is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals a terrifying secret: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. In 2007, slave traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined. “Call + Response” goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving. First hand accounts from luminaries like Cornel West, Julia Ormond, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Ashley Judd, and Nicholas Kristof provide the backdrop of for this 21st century nightmare. Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek, Rocco Deluca, move this information into inspiration offering this century its first abolitionist songs.

The Von Bondies to Release “Love, Hate and Then There’s You” Feb 3, 2009

Katalyst Entertainment — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:52:28 +0000

THE VON BONDIES TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
‘LOVE, HATE AND THEN THERE’S YOU’
VIA MAJORDOMO RECORDS FEBRUARY 3, 2009

First single, “PALE BRIDE” to be released on 7″ vinyl November 18, 2008

With the February 3, 2009 release of “Love, Hate and Then There’s You,” THE VON BONDIES’ third studio album and their debut for Majordomo Records (a division of Shout! Factory), fans will experience a band that’s come a long way since 2004’s smash album “Pawn Shoppe Heart.” Now in their ninth year together, Stollsteimer and drummer Don Blum, the Von Bondies’ other founding member, have taken their music to new places while holding on to the core values they’ve always embodied.

“Love, Hate and Then There’s You” picks up from the tighter, more nuanced sound of the THE VON BONDIES’ huge 2004 hit single “C’mon C’mon,” which subsequently took on a second life as the theme to Denis Leary’s highly acclaimed FX TV series “Rescue Me.” This is a VON BONDIES album with a renewed sense of purpose, as illustrated by the riff-happy tracks like the first single “Pale Bride” and the anthemic leadoff track “This Is Our Perfect Crime,” and they also captivate the listener on pounders like “I Don’t Wanna” and “Chancer,” and on the album-closing “Modern Saints” with its nearly ethereal intro. In a sense, says Stollsteimer, “it’s a new band. You don’t want to avoid your history but it is a new direction. It wasn’t on purpose. It’s just where we were going.”

Stollsteimer’s newest batch of songs, as well as Blum’s co-writes, were penned over the past few years and recorded sporadically during that period. Producers Butch Walker (Hot Hot Heat, The Donnas, All-American Rejects) and Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) fine-tuned the recordings.

The roots of THE VON BONDIES can be traced back to the late ’90s—at one point Jason had a band called the Baby Killers—but things really began in earnest when Blum teamed up with Stollsteimer in 1999. The name VON BONDIES was born in 2000, and the first album, Lack of Communication, came the following year. Raw and Rare, a collection of live BBC recordings, followed in 2003, then “Pawn Shoppe Heart.”

THE VON BONDIES spent 2008 touring in support of their self-released EP “We Are Kamikazes,” which featured selected tracks from the new album. As the band began incorporating the new tunes—many of them based on life-changing personal experiences Jason had undergone since the last album—into their dynamic live show, audiences readily agreed that they were keepers. “We played ‘Accidents Will Happen,’ which is on the new album, once in New York,” he says. “The curtain was down and it was supposed to go up as we started playing the intro, but it didn’t. When it did go up, it went up at the perfect time, when the big chorus came in. Everyone started dancing even though no one had ever heard the song.”

Here are critical quotes the band garnered while on tour in 2008 while testing out the new material:

“…[Stollsteimer]’s written a clutch of terrifyingly cool songs…”
—Jonny Loftus, DETOUR-MAG.COM (Detroit, MI; January 2008)

“…Stollsteimer still has one of the best voices in indie rock.”
—Chris David, THESENTIMENTALIST.COM, (January 2008)

“…the new songs find The Von Bondies picking up in that more melodic and pop mode.”
—Scott Mervis, PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE (1/14/2008)

“The new songs show impressive diversity. ‘Pale Bride’ for example, leads off with guitars and Kinks-gone-garage sound, while ‘21st Birthday’ might evoke comparisons to British power pop faves like the Kaiser Chiefs. The soaring sound of ‘Wake Me Up’ could be a classic song from The Who, that basic guitar-rock foundation enhanced with an almost orchestral arrangement. And “I Don’t Wanna” merges New Wave guitar pop with contemporary style.”
—Jay Miller, THE PATRIOT LEDGER (Boston, MA; 1/18/2008)

“A new EP, ‘We Are Kamikazes,’ brims with energetic, garage-style rock.”
—Regis Behe, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW (1/11/2008)

“The band’s gender diversity seems to be an advantage, as opposed to the typical gender-specific rock bands popular today. The mix of male and female provided an upbeat dynamic, which seemed to add to the edgy yet perky sound of the group. They have a relatable appeal to both guys and girls, and the stage presence of the band is improved with the different emotions that separate genres bring to the table.”
—Alexandra Coleman, THE LATERN (Ohio State University; 1/14/2008)

“’Pale Bride,’ ‘21st Birthday,’ ‘Wake Me Up’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna’ all suggest the album will offer fans the raw energy and catchy riffs the band’s previous discs possess.”
—Brian Wong, LONDON FREE PRESS (1/11/2008)

“Detroit’s Von Bondies are scrappy, dirty, exuberant, and spirited. They’re everything you could want from a choppy guitar group that’s so obviously channeling Motor City predecessors like the MC5 and the Stooges.”
—Lizz Kannenberg, CHICAGOIST.COM (1/10/2008)

Signed to Majordomo after a successful showcase at Austin’s legendary South by Southwest music convention, THE VON BONDIES began piecing together the new album. “Love, Hate and Then There’s You” marks a natural progression, and Jason is stoked about the new songs, which he says are the best they’ve ever recorded. “The songs are kind of sinister-sounding but there’s this overall lift feeling to them,” he says. “There’s always going to be bad days but hopefully you’re not going to have a cynical person that only remembers the bad. And you need bad days to realize what’s good in life. I try to put that in lyrics.”

Shortly before the album’s release, THE VON BONDIES will return to the road, for which Stollsteimer and Blum will be joined by bassist Leann Banks, also a Michiganite. All are looking forward to bringing the new songs to the stage.

The full track listing for “Love, Hate And Then There’s You” is:

This Is Our Perfect Crime
Shut Your Mouth
Pale Bride
Only To Haunt You
21st Birthday
She’s Dead To Me
Chancer
Blame Game
I Don’t Wanna
Accidents Will Happen
Earthquake
Modern Saints

All songs and lyrics by J. Stollsteimer, except tracks 2, 8, 11 & 12 by D. Blum/J. Stollsteimer.

www.vonbondies.com
www.myspace.com/vonbondies

THE VON BONDIES’ “Love, Hate and Then There’s You” will be released February 3, 2009 on Majordomo Records.

VON BONDIES RELEASE FIRST SINGLE ON NOVEMBER 18, 2008
The first single “Pale Bride” from the upcoming full length album “Love, Hate, and Then There’s You” will be released as a 7″ inch vinyl – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

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For more information on The Von Bondies, contact:
MSO 818-380-0400
Alexandra Greenberg x223, agreenberg@msopr.com
Libby Coffey-Henry x224, lhenry@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider x235, mschneider@msopr.com

Spindrift Record Release Party for “The West” November 11 @ the Roxy in Hollywood

Katalyst Entertainment — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:09:27 +0000

SPINDRIFT RELEASES “THE WEST” on Nov. 11th via Beat The World Records with a special record release party at THE ROXY!!

We are excited to announce Spindrift’s long-awaited record release party for, “THE WEST” on November 11th at the Roxy in Hollywood. This show will kick off a series of west coast appearances, ending with a FREE LIVE MUSIC IN-STORE PERFORMANCE AT AMOEBA MUSIC on November 18 at 7PM.

We hope you can join us!

11/11 – LA @ The Roxy with Sky Parade and Restaurant
11/12 – SF @ Cafe du Nord
11/14 – Tacoma @ Bob’s Java Jive
11/15 – Portland @ The Someday Lounge
11/16 – Seattle @ The Comet
11/18 – Amoeba Music Hollywood @ 7PM

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L.A. Weekly, November 7-13, 2008

Music Pick

Spindrift at the Roxy

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Spindrift are, of course, L.A.’s leading practitioners of exotic soundscapes, conjuring up dreamy spells that alternately evoke spaghetti Westerns, psychedelia, dusty blues and Old World klezmer. The cinematic sweep of the band’s music begs to be put to use in a real movie, and their new CD, The West, is a companion piece to the soundtrack they composed for the recent film The Legend of God’s Gun. New frontiers, both real and imaginary, inspire much of the sounds on The West, where band leader Kipatrick Thomas seeks to re-examine that era in American history, between 1850 and 1930, when “the romanticism of the power of railroads dominated the landscape . . . [and] times were ripe for discovery.” Spindrift’s discoveries on The West include the stomping yet ethereal electric blues of “The Wind,” the Morricone-isms of “Ace Coletrane,” the purple art-rock haze of “Excrete From the Collective Subconscious” and the waltzy sea chantey “Frozen Memories.” Julie Patterson’s somber vocals soften the trippy groove “La Noche Mas Oscura,” while the group borrows lyrics by Howlin’ Wolf and places them in a noir-ish new context to great effect on “Colt’s Crime” (although nothing’s scarier than Chester Burnett’s own nightmarish blues). (Falling James)

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Katalyst’s Rocktober Wrap-up

Katalyst Entertainment — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:19:08 +0000

Happy Halloween!

Friends and Fiends: What an incredible month it’s been…Here’s a wrap-up of our rowdy Rocktober adventures!

We’ve barely recovered from the double-scorpio celebration in honor of Spindrift‘s Kirpatrick Thomas and Julie Patterson’s birthdays on Oct 28 and 29, and it’s already time for another night of fun and mischief. But, before we venture out to the El Rey tonight to see the Black Angels and Roky Erickson on this “Night of the Vampires” it seemed time for a Katalyst update.

We kicked off October with Spindrift’s return to their home base of Los Angeles on October 1st at the Echo, after their 6-week U.S. tour in support of the release of their limited edition Vinyl E.P. “Goin’ Down” (Vacancy Records) along with the DVD release of the feature film, “The Legend of God’s Gun” (Indican Pictures). This was the longest tour yet for the band, who played a series of over 50 consecutive shows with barely any days off along the way. The band will kick off their next string of dates in Hollwood, CA at their record release party on November 11th at the Roxy. They’ll then do a series of west coast shows and return to Los Angeles on November 18th for a live music in-store performance at Amoeba Music!

Spindrift’s November Tour Dates:
11/11 – LA @ The Roxy
11/12 – SF @ Cafe du Nord
11/14 – Tacoma @ Bob’s Java Jive
11/15 – Portland @ The Someday Lounge
11/16 – Seattle @ The Comet
11/18 – Amoeba Music Hollywood @ 7PM

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THE WARLOCKS

Warlocks at Liverpool Academy Aug 20, 2008 - Photo by Sakura

After a busy year with two U.S. tours and two U.K. tours in support of their late 2007 release, “Heavy Deavy Skull Lover” (TeePee Records) THE WARLOCKS have finally settled down and are preparing to go back into the studio in November to record their next record for TeePee Records. Stay tuned for more news and information as we’ll have a few surprises to report in the coming weeks!

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THE VON BONDIES:

Katalyst is proud to announce we are now working with THE VON BONDIES! We look forward to working with John Babbitt, Tsunami Entertainment and Shout Factory/Majordomo Records to release of the band’s next record, “Love, Hate, and Then There’s You” scheduled to hit streets on February 3rd, 2009. Stay tuned for more news, updates and information — in the meantime, here is some information on this long-awaited release from the acclaimed Detroit band:

The Von Bondies

Produced by Rick Parker (BRMC), Peter Katis (Interpol) and Butch Walker (Hot Hot Heat), and written by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jason Stollsteimer, Love, Hate, and Then There’s You is The Von Bondies’ third studio album, and the first since 2004’s critically acclaimed Pawn Shoppe Heart, which became an indie rock essential and featured the hit single “C’mon C’mon.”

“At first we were disappointed cause we thought we were signing to Factory Records, but this label has a lot of fresh ideas, a family vibe, potluck dinners and they statistically employ more Asians” says Don Blum, the band’s drummer of Pan-Asian descent. “We would have signed a lot sooner,” says singer Jason Stollsteimer, “but it took us four years to find a pen.”

A limited-edition 7-inch single featuring the song “Pale Bride” and the non-album b-side “Falling In Love” will be released on November 18th. The band will be on tour in the U.S. in fall 2008 and throughout 2009, and the single will be available at their shows and at indie retail stores leading up to the release of the album.

The Von Bondies formed in Detroit in 2000, helping to fuel the burgeoning local indie music scene. The band’s roaring sound and raw emotion played an essential role in the resurgence of garage rock, going on to find critical mainstream success, and influencing many other artists.

Majordomo Records, a new imprint of Shout! Factory that is also home to The Airborne Toxic Event and Earlimart, offers artists a unique combination of an indie label’s dedication and commitment with a major label’s resources, including distribution via the Sony Music distribution network.

The Von Bondies are:

Jason Stollsteimer (vocals, guitar)
Donny Blum (drums)
Leann Banks (bass)
Christy Hunt (guitar)

Press Contact:
Lauren Gaffney, Majordomo/Shout! Factory, (310) 979-5604, lgaffney@shoutfactory.com

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CALL + RESPONSE:

The response to “Call + Response” has been incredible and absolutely UNPRECEDENTED! Here is an excerpt from Justin’s blog on the success of the campaign so far:

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A FILM WITH NO DISTRIBUTOR, NO ADVERTISING, NO THEATRICAL SUPPORT AND ZERO BUDGET FOR PROMOTION
-Beats films like W and Max Payne on weekend screen averages?
-Is on track to be the 3 Political Documentary of the year?
-Out performs last years Academy Winning Documentary?
-Sells out showings across the country?
-Ranks 1 or 2 in almost every theater we screened in?

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS:

-Scores of young girls in Cambodia who were brought out of the sex slave trade will now have valuable new skills that will lead to sustainable employment.
-Thousands of dollars are raised for global projects fighting human trafficking
-The calls coming into the Human Trafficking 800 number increase 400%
-Thousands of people use the TAKE ACTION platform on www.callandresponse.com calling upon major companies to join the SLAVEFREE movement by investigating their product chains. Two major apparel companies (Gap & Burberry) answer the calls and agree to further inquiry.
-Thousands of people sign up for the TEXT MESSAGING campaign

And all of this happened in ONE WEEK — TELL FRIENDS — THIS IS ON!

Another way to stay connected is to join our CRITICAL MASS text campaign. You get access to free songs from the film, updates, and up-to-the-minute info on the movement. We will be using the collective power of our CRITICAL MASS to make massive instant changes in this issue. Join the CALLS that will get a RESPONSE. TEXT “CALL” TO 90999. I promise you will never be solicited for anything other than justice.

Listen, this is a real story. There’s never been one like it and you are a huge part of it. I hope you can stay connected to the story by visiting the website, www.callandresponse.com, often to see all the new RESPONSES to this issue. We are seeing real change come out of this platform, and it all comes from you. Use it. And watch what happens.

Please continue to spread the word about this little open source film that’s being used to bring justice. We have just begun.

With respect,

Justin Dillon

THE SECOND-ANNUAL CLEAN AIR, CLEAR STARS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Katalyst Entertainment — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:39:41 +0000

We did it again! October 10, 11, and 12, 2008 will be fondly remembered as the most fun you can have in the cold desert air! This time, our annual 3-day marathon of music and mayhem at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown, CA featured performances from artists who travelled all the way to this tiny desert hideaway from places as far away as Europe to lend their support to our environmental efforts for Global Inheritance. The line-up To this year’s CLEAN AIR, CLEAR STARS included Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Black Angels, Dead Meadow, Hopewell, Goldrush, Cuchillo, Silver Rockets, Swoon 23, Restaurant, and many others! A very special “THANK YOU” to our generous sponsors, Vacancy Records, Indie 103.1 FM, Swinghouse, Spaceland, Real Rock ‘n Roll Catering, Tara McPherson, The Yucca Inn and to everyone who came out and helped to make this year’s event a magical experience for all! Without you, none of this would have been possible. Please enjoy these photos below — be sure to visit our Myspace page, add us as your friend and watch for many more photos to be added soon!

Above Photos By Margeaux Bestard C2008!

Photos Courtesy of L.A. Record

CALL + RESPONSE PREMIERE!!

Katalyst Entertainment — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:26:08 +0000

“… so you end up fighting for justice, even though you started playing the guitar…” – Cornel West

After several years in the making, singer/songwriter/filmmaker/activist JUSTIN DILLON finally premiered his long-awaited film, “CALL + RESPONSE” in New York on October 5, and Los Angeles on October 6 to packed theatres at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Academy of Arts & Sciences. This landmark movie which is one-part documentary, one-part ROCKumentary, is a true triumph in independent filmmaking. With no budget to speak of, no studio or corporate backing, and no prior filmmaking experience, Justin managed to create a powerful picture with his own money, some private charitable donations and volunteer contributions alone. Fueld purely by his passion to raise awareness on the problem of human trafficking and the modern-day slave trade, Justin managed to assemble a powerful cast of characters which include actors, musicians, journalists, politicians, educators and world dignitaries to participate in this call to action. The star-studded screenings and after-parties included a diverse range of influential people from Broadway to Hollywood… to the United Nations… all united in their desire to support the cause. After the smashing successes of the bi-coastal premieres, the film made its way to theatres in 8 more markets (10 total so far…) even ranking in the “Top 10 Per-Screen-Average List” beating out films like “W” and “Max Payne” on weekend screen averages… not bad for a little indie film with no distributor! Meanwhile, Justin has been tirelessly making the rounds to press and speaking engagements. Visit the “CALL + RESPONSE” website to see clips of Justin’s appearances on CNN, MSNBC, Dr. Phil and more! This mission is far from over… stay tuned for news, updates and more information on many more future events we have in store for “CALL + RESPONSE.” In the meantime, please view the video below …. then pull out your cel phone and text “RESPOND” to 90999 to contribute $5 to help us end human trafficking!

Breathing Easy with the Dandy Warhols

Katalyst Entertainment — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:16:14 +0000

Right on the heels of the big Los Angeles homecoming show from Spindrift, we were treated to a visit from our friends, The Dandy Warhols, who performed at the Wiltern on October 3rd in support of their new record, “Earth to the Dandy Warhols.” It was a welcome return from our favorite psych-pop scientists who have been locked away in their Portland laboratory, (lovingly referred to as The Odditorium), experimenting with all sorts of new sights and sounds to be released through their very own, newly launched record label, Beat the World Records. In addition to their own record, the band is releasing albums by The Upsidedown and Katalyst’s own SPINDRIFT, whose new LP, “The West“ is scheduled to be released on November 11, 2008. Also due out in November on Beat The World Records will be a the digital release of a very unique collaboration between Spindrift, The Kooks and Saul Williams. The track will be among a series of songs released as part of a project called “Breathe Easy,” a benefit for the Three Rivers Land Trust. The first track from the series was released on October 21 and features J. Mascis and The Black Angels performing with The Dandy Warhols. Other participants include Spoon, David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets), Swervedriver, the Raveonettes, the Kooks, and Midnight Movies, among others. For more information, visit the Breathe Easy Myspace Page and check out this video of the project in making:

Spindrift featured on Tarantino blog

Katalyst Entertainment — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:42:48 +0000

As many of you know by now, Spindrift’s track “Indian Run” can be heard in the new Quentin Tarantino / Larry Bishop film, “Hell Ride” during a climactic scene where Eddie Zero (Dennis Hopper) is being chased by the 666er’s Gang, leading them into a trap… if you haven’t seen it yet, Hell Ride is in theaters now, so go check it out!

Well, we recently learned that Spindrift turned up on the front page of Tarantino.info in a post entitled The Sounds Of Hell Ride where they reveal the news about the upcoming film soundtrack, soon to be released…. with a specific mention of Spindrift.

We’re looking forward to the soundtrack release, as well as the inevitable DVD release, where Spindrift’s music will be featured in the DVD menus!!

We’ve always admired Quentin’s choice of music in film, so it’s truly an honor for Spindrift’s music to be a part of his film/music legacy!

Spindrift is presently on the road on a national U.S. tour to promote the release of their new 180 gram vinyl 12 inch EP, “Goin Down“ out now on Vacancy Records. Visit their Myspace page for the most updated touring info by clicking here:

And be sure to visit Spindrift’s label, Vacancy Records, for related news:

Spindrift US Tour Dates

Goin’ Down Eastcoast Record Release Party - Sept 3 in NYC, at the Glasslands in Williamsburg, Brooklyn!

The Legend Of God’s Gun Screens in Detroit September 13th