Fischer's Flicker Releases Second Album “Fornever and Never”

Chicago, IL - From the first moment of “Black Mariah,” the lead-off track to the sophomore LP from Fischer's Flicker titled “Fornever and Never”, it's clear that bandleader Scott Fischer is up to something interesting. The grandiose piano, the nimble guitars, the pounding drums - it sounds a bit like a throwback to 70's pop excess. Once the vocals come in, Fischer's decidedly modern pop sensibilities pull everything together in an unexpected way.

If “Black Mariah” is an impressive opening statement, the second track, “Dead To Me”, is the unmistakable sound of a band winning you over. The track's syncopated bounce and Fischer's languid drawl show a genuine love for the piano men of yore, simultaneously creating something as familiar as it is fresh.  “Halo of Flies” opens with an eerie, dissonant guitar riff followed by downright pummeling guitars. The Alice Cooper-penned rocker blooms with droning bass, psychedelic guitar effects and Fischer's voice taking on a sneer that is undeniably faithful to the source.

“Mrs. Rogers (& the Land of Make-Believe)” is an unnerving whirling dervish with Middle Eastern roots, “Dancin' Girl” is a smooth R&B jam, complete with a sultry guitar solo, and the title track shows off pianistic prowess before exploding into a Bat Out Of Hell-styled multi-movement epic.

But somehow - despite the completion of such an ambitious album, one showing a depth and range of musicality most artists will never achieve - Fischer still isn't satisfied. “We're actually already halfway complete with the album that will come out next, and we're aiming to have that one released within 12 months,” he said.

Here's what the press have raved about Fischer's Flicker:

“In a day and age of minimalist attitudes, Fischer strives to balance the music with musical theatrics and avant-garde mindset hearkening back to the prog rock giants of the '70s” - AntiMusic.com

“This is quite an entertaining and strong release” - Music Street Journal

“Sounds like a contemporary version of The Band, with a bit of Leon Russell and maybe Wilco thrown in. Scott Fischer has an endearingly Rick Danko styled voice, and a strong sense of melody.” - Musoscribe

“Smart orchestrations, wonderful piano themes & classy melodies.” - Grande Rock

Scott Fischer's brain is like a vast musical amusement park and he wants to take us all on a thrilling ride. Fischer's Flicker is the latest brainchild of Fischer, a Chicago native, and marks the next step in a musical evolution that began over 15 years ago. While Fischer's Flicker’s debut album, “Katmandon't” is more mature sounding than Fischer's previous efforts, it stays true to the core of Fischer's music with big melodies and ambitious composition.  Fischer’s earlier projects include Deja Voo Doo and it’s ambitious release “Carpe P.M.: Honor Comes Only After Humility”.  Notably, Deja Voo Doo performed live at Zappening 2000 (a tribute festival to Frank Zappa).   After several years of writing and performing, Deja Voo Doo evolved into Powderhouse and then into Babaganoo. After a hiatus, during which Fischer honed his skills while touring on the corporate/cover band circuit which included a stint in The Virgin Islands and large profile shows at Summerfest and Vince Lombardi Awards, Fischer returned to his passion for original composition and formed Fischer's Flicker. The band is comprised of Deja Voo Doo alumni including Mario Licciardi and Tim Kubiak on guitar, Turan Yon on bass and Tim Gavin on drums.

Scott explains, “I write about what I’m going through, and I’ve experienced a heck of a lot between 'Katmandon't' and 'Fornever and Never'.  The material, overall, is more challenging and I feel that, while it’s not a concept album, there is a definite journey involved.”

Fischer's Flicker released “Fornever and Never” on August 15, 2015

Listen to 4 tracks streaming from the album here:



To purchase Fischer's Flicker “Fornever and Never”:
iTunes: http://apple.co/1WyGIyV
Apple Music: http://apple.co/1IYdcth
Amazon MP3: http://amzn.to/1HNeGEO
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1Nw2LA9

For more information: http://fischersflicker.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Fischer's Flicker Releases Second Album “Fornever and Never”

Chicago, IL - From the first moment of “Black Mariah,” the lead-off track to the sophomore LP from Fischer's Flicker titled “Fornever and Never”, it's clear that bandleader Scott Fischer is up to something interesting. The grandiose piano, the nimble guitars, the pounding drums - it sounds a bit like a throwback to 70's pop excess. Once the vocals come in, Fischer's decidedly modern pop sensibilities pull everything together in an unexpected way.

If “Black Mariah” is an impressive opening statement, the second track, “Dead To Me”, is the unmistakable sound of a band winning you over. The track's syncopated bounce and Fischer's languid drawl show a genuine love for the piano men of yore, simultaneously creating something as familiar as it is fresh.  “Halo of Flies” opens with an eerie, dissonant guitar riff followed by downright pummeling guitars. The Alice Cooper-penned rocker blooms with droning bass, psychedelic guitar effects and Fischer's voice taking on a sneer that is undeniably faithful to the source.

“Mrs. Rogers (& the Land of Make-Believe)” is an unnerving whirling dervish with Middle Eastern roots, “Dancin' Girl” is a smooth R&B jam, complete with a sultry guitar solo, and the title track shows off pianistic prowess before exploding into a Bat Out Of Hell-styled multi-movement epic.

But somehow - despite the completion of such an ambitious album, one showing a depth and range of musicality most artists will never achieve - Fischer still isn't satisfied. “We're actually already halfway complete with the album that will come out next, and we're aiming to have that one released within 12 months,” he said.

Here's what the press have raved about Fischer's Flicker:

“In a day and age of minimalist attitudes, Fischer strives to balance the music with musical theatrics and avant-garde mindset hearkening back to the prog rock giants of the '70s” - AntiMusic.com

“This is quite an entertaining and strong release” - Music Street Journal

“Sounds like a contemporary version of The Band, with a bit of Leon Russell and maybe Wilco thrown in. Scott Fischer has an endearingly Rick Danko styled voice, and a strong sense of melody.” - Musoscribe

“Smart orchestrations, wonderful piano themes & classy melodies.” - Grande Rock

Scott Fischer's brain is like a vast musical amusement park and he wants to take us all on a thrilling ride. Fischer's Flicker is the latest brainchild of Fischer, a Chicago native, and marks the next step in a musical evolution that began over 15 years ago. While Fischer's Flicker’s debut album, “Katmandon't” is more mature sounding than Fischer's previous efforts, it stays true to the core of Fischer's music with big melodies and ambitious composition.  Fischer’s earlier projects include Deja Voo Doo and it’s ambitious release “Carpe P.M.: Honor Comes Only After Humility”.  Notably, Deja Voo Doo performed live at Zappening 2000 (a tribute festival to Frank Zappa).   After several years of writing and performing, Deja Voo Doo evolved into Powderhouse and then into Babaganoo. After a hiatus, during which Fischer honed his skills while touring on the corporate/cover band circuit which included a stint in The Virgin Islands and large profile shows at Summerfest and Vince Lombardi Awards, Fischer returned to his passion for original composition and formed Fischer's Flicker. The band is comprised of Deja Voo Doo alumni including Mario Licciardi and Tim Kubiak on guitar, Turan Yon on bass and Tim Gavin on drums.

Scott explains, “I write about what I’m going through, and I’ve experienced a heck of a lot between 'Katmandon't' and 'Fornever and Never'.  The material, overall, is more challenging and I feel that, while it’s not a concept album, there is a definite journey involved.”

Fischer's Flicker released “Fornever and Never” on August 15, 2015

Listen to 4 tracks streaming from the album here:




To purchase Fischer's Flicker “Fornever and Never”:
iTunes: http://apple.co/1WyGIyV
Apple Music: http://apple.co/1IYdcth
Amazon MP3: http://amzn.to/1HNeGEO
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1Nw2LA9

For more information: http://fischersflicker.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Lauded Bay Area Songstress Bekah Barnett to Release Her Sophomore Album “RISE” Recorded at Fantasy Studios

Berkeley, CA - Bekah Barnett is an operatically trained singer-songwriter who has been captivating audiences for years with her emotionally engaging songs, poetic lyrics, soaring melodies, and catchy piano riffs. A refreshing blend of Jazz, Folk, Pop, and Spiritual music, Bekah Barnett’s piano-driven tunes and soulful voice have been compared to Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, Natalie Merchant, Adele, and Joni Mitchell. Her sophomore full-length album RISE, available both physically and digitally worldwide with its release on August 21st, 2015, was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California with local producer and master pianist Julie Wolf (Ani DiFranco, Carly Simon, The Indigo Girls, Dar Williams).

Bekah was raised in Santa Cruz, CA, with the nearby ocean a constant companion and source of inspiration. She moved to Oakland to attend Mills College, and it wasn’t long before she was lured into the Music Department, where she studied classical and operatic voice. In the years since Bekah has been making her presence known. Her song What I Know of the Light is featured in the documentary Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption by 108 productions. She was honored to sing her disarmingly sweet original love song, Butter Your Toast, at Oakland City Hall to commemorate the first gay marriages in Oakland following the repeal of Prop 8. Her well-received debut album, Find Shelter Here, was released in 2012.

After years of playing and singing regularly in the Bay Area, Bekah auditioned for America’s Got Talent in February of 2014 at the persistent requests of her 92-year-old grandmother. The long audition process consisted of waiting around for over seven hours to play for 90 seconds, and although the experience was ultimately disappointing, she did get a good song out of it. Fame & Fortune is a gem of a track from RISE that stands out with its driving industrial loop and triumphant and honest lyrics. It is a commentary on the reality TV fame machine, and the carelessly regarded dreams of the countless individuals involved.

Bekah Barnett recorded RISE with producer Julie Wolf. A resident producer at Fantasy Studios, Julie was able to tap musicians for the album who have played with some of Bekah’s idols such as Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, The Indigo Girls, and Anais Mitchell. Todd Sickafoose contributed his melodic and captivating bass lines to the project. Allison Miller, three-time Jazz Ambassador of the US State Department, created the original drum arrangements and loops. Hans Teuber composed and played horn arrangements for several of the songs, Michael Papenburg visited the studio for a day to lend his considerable talents layering acoustic and electric guitar on several tracks, and Lyris Hung arranged and played violin on many of the tunes. RISE was engineered and mixed by the adept Adam Muñoz (Snarky Puppy, Herbie Hancock, Dave Matthews, and Bill Frisell).

Recording at Fantasy Studios with these accomplished musicians was beyond Bekah’s wildest dreams, and it was an incredible experience that encouraged her to grow and develop in major ways. It all started with a grant from the Irene B. Wolt Lifetime Trust that a coworker encouraged Bekah to apply for. When she was awarded some seed money, she began to consider the idea of working with a professional producer. It was thanks to the encouragement and connections of her songwriting mentor Rachel Efron that Bekah was introduced to Julie Wolf. Bekah was familiar with Julie from the years she spent touring with Ani DiFranco, whose music was a huge inspiration. “I remember the first time I met with Julie at Fantasy Studios,” says Bekah. “I was so excited and nervous, but she was amazing. Her presence is so warm and she was so enthusiastic about my music, she put me at ease right away. After that I was over the moon.”

Bekah and Julie spent months in pre-production, fine-tuning each song and recording high quality demos to share with the musicians. The album that resulted from all of this amazing collaboration has greatly exceeded expectations and the results show with this finely crafted collection of wonderful songs. Listening to the first completed mix moved Bekah to tears. She says, “Everything sounded so amazing and it was just so overwhelming to hear it all finished, polished, and balanced. We had done all this work for so many months and it was clear that it had paid off. It was beautiful.”

Bekah has always had a deep connection with music. She writes songs like journal entries, natural byproducts of her life that help her to express her emotions in a way that she finds incredible and deeply healing. “I honestly don’t know where I would be without music in my life. I’m addicted,” she says. “Music is such a unique art form because it can connect people of all different backgrounds from all different walks of life and make it so that they are united in the same moment, in the same room, listening to the same song. It can reframe ideas that are often controversial so that a message that might be difficult to convey in a conversation is effectively communicated through a song.”

RISE will be released on August 21st, 2015. Visit Bekah’s Bandcamp page to pre-order the album at http://urbanminstrel.bandcamp.com/

For more information on shows, new music samples, or to join the mailing list visit Bekah’s website www.urbanminstrel.com.

For Physical Distribution Inquiries please contact Steffen Franz or Ben Lang at Independent Distribution Collective at 415-292-7007 or via e-mail sales@independentdistro.com

For Digital Distribution Inquiries contact Jerome Forney at IDCDigital at 415-292-7007 or via e-mail jerome@independentdistro.com

For Press and Radio Inquiries contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR at 828-350-8158 glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For more information on booking Bekah for live performances please e-mail urbanminstrel.bekah@gmail.com

Prog Rock Video: Flying Colors Will Release Second Nature

Prog Rock Video: Flying Colors Will Release Second Nature