Kepa Lehtinen was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1971 and began studying music in childhood, eventually learning to play piano, synthesizers, theremin, and drums. He went on to study Sound Design at Finland’s Aalto University and has since written music for many films, commercials, and TV productions. He routinely works as a composer, sound editor, and sound designer. His work has appeared in award-winning Finnish titles such as Kimmo (TV series), Almost 18 (feature film), and A Stone LeftUnturned (short film). He released his first solo album, Playing Theremin, in 2018. In 2019 he released Helsinki in November. Spring 2020 is coming album “It Is OK To Be Sad And Dark”.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/kepalehtinenartist
https://songwhip.com/artist/kepa-lehtinen
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Contending – The Storm
Everyone has a story, an experience, an encounter that they carry with them, be it joyous or burdening. Contending takes these marks from the past to shape the foundation of their music; their story. A faith-based metalcore band out of Culpeper, Virginia, Contending lashes out with energy, passion, and musical complexity. Contending carries a mission – to bring awareness to the painful reality of PTSD, depression, and suicide, of which many of the band members have struggled with. Contending wishes to take these painful experiences and put them to music, not just as a means of expression, but also to help those who have similar challenges by being a voice in the silence. We don’t know your pain, but we know pain; You’re not alone.
“Awake. For a moment, time is unexpectedly frozen, like the grass during an early fall daybreak; the fog of my memory holds of the darkness of reality. Is this real or is this fake? The beauty of fog is solitude – its gentle embrace is carelessly there for my own sake.”
Contending – Silence of it AllLINKS:
http://www.contendingband.com
https://www.facebook.com/contendingband
https://www.instagram.com/contendingband
https://twitter.com/contendingband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/455zLYJBwQ39r85DiIzH5I -
WANK – Shut You Down
Featuring founding members Bobby Amodeo, Spider, Danny Walker, and the new addition of Higgins X-13 (formerly of The Offspring). WANK plans to release their new album ‘White Knuckle Ride’ later this year.
Guitarist Danny Walker tells Punknews, “We got back together a couple of years ago to jam, started recording some stuff, liked the way it was sounding, started playing some shows, and decided to make a full record. We didn’t plan it to be 20 years (since the release of their Maverick Records debut), but here we are. We’re proud of the new record. We’ve got a lot of punk and rock influence, but this album pops on top of all of that.”
Frontman Bobby Amodeo (who interestingly enough is a cannabis chemist by day) says, “WANK is stoked to be back making music. We’ve spent the last year producing our new album, ‘White Knuckle Ride.’ You’ll hear PRD, reggae skank, melodic hooks, and pop harmonies. WANK is rock-ready, and we look forward to destroying a stage near you very soon. Check us out!”
WANK formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, CA. Mixing pop sensibility, rock chops, and punk energy, WANK (influenced by the Beatles and the Clash, among others) quickly gained momentum and garnered a reputation for themselves with melodic songs and highly entertaining live shows. In 1996, WANK self-released their debut, Get a Grip on Yourself. Their continuing success as a live act brought them to the attention of producer Mike Ness of Social Distortion, who oversaw the recording of “Larry Brown” for a split 7″ on Time Bomb Records (1997.) Ness also produced WANK on their version of “Auld Lang Syne,” their contribution to the comp, Christmas Gone Wrong (1997.)
In late 1997, “Forgiven” was added to rotation at the World Famous KROQ 106.7 in Los Angeles, and WANK was still unsigned. An industry bidding war ensued, and WANK signed a historic record deal with Maverick Records. In 1998, following an expedited major label re-release of Get a Grip on Yourself, WANK took their show on the road, touring with The Specials, Goldfinger, Social Distortion, and Warped Tour ’98. The band parted ways with Maverick Records in 1999 and focused on other projects.
In 2000, Amodeo was diagnosed with cancer, and after years of treatment, he’s back and rocks ready. Walker formed and fronted Handsome Devil and was signed to RCA in 2001. Handsome Devil released three albums – Love and Kisses (2001), Knock Yourself Out (2004), and Fully Automatic (2007), and toured with The Used, Lit, Zebrahead, and Warped. In 2007, Walker and friends (from Lit, Adolescents, and Cadillac Tramps) formed Rockers in the Round – an acoustic showcase series. Walker released two singer-songwriter albums – Mumble & Strum (2011) and Salvation (2012). Spider focused on session work and artist management, and he’s still the hardest hitting drummer around.
WANK reunited in 2016, self-releasing their 5 song EP – On with the Show and, in 2017, added guitarist Higgins X-13, formerly of the Offspring. In 2018, WANK is in the studio finishing a new full-length album for release. Enjoy – WANK is back.
LINKS:
http://www.wankusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/wankusa
https://www.instagram.com/wank_usa
https://twitter.com/wank_usa
https://www.reverbnation.com/wankusa
https://www.youtube.com/c/WANKUSA -
First Aid Kit – Live from The Palace Theater 1/30/2018
With head-banging, strobe lights, and electric guitar solos, First Aid Kit brought a new energy to the Palace Theatre in January.
Sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg just released their fourth album, ‘Ruins.’ The album features songs that fit the texture we’ve come to expect from First Aid Kit — folksy sounds with beautiful harmonies — as well as expanding the group’s palette to include a harder-rocking sound.