The Charleston Restaurant and Gastrolounge

DJ Phyz Ed

mlee — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:10:12 +0000

It all started when Phyz Ed was 10 breakdancing with his cuzzins that led him into the art of DJing at the young age of 13 and now he’s been rockin’ parties for over 20 years now and still puttin’ it down. Since the Geto Baby record pool days & the college radio days (KSPC The DownLow) & from working at Motown Records it allowed Ed to grow into commercial radio DJing for 100.3 The Beat & V100 (2005-2007). He’s done tv, corporate parties & celebrity events, to jumping on tour alongside with top artists worldwide with the likes of AceyAlone, Sy Smith, Macy Gray, Andy Vargas (Santana), Avila Brothers, Soul Of John Black, KRS-One, Bleu Collar, La Verdad, Shanti & Hollywood Kill and now Doc Allison. He’s been blessed to feed the world good music with soulful mixing. Spun at every major Hollyhood Club, toured across the nation and internationaly around the world at major venues to stadiums and even the Wimbledon Arena. Now currently working with Interscope Records breaking artists and their DJ to be. Located in Downtown L.A. rockin’ rooftops, courtyards, block parties and your mama’s crib. Teaching DJ classes and he has an LiveStream radio show. Been rockin the tables long before the laptop came to rise, He gets more creative and younger every year. While keeping up with todays music he has a wide collection of old classics to todays music where I can cover all aspects to where I never had a dancefloor empty. Now residing in DTLA where the city has a strong music, fashion and art culture where Im allowed to showcase Phyz Ed’s talents even broader. It has opened many doors to other outlets. Some venues Ed has rocked around town are Staples Center, Conga Room, ESPN Zone, FIDM Park, Grand Park, O Hotel, Watermarke Towers, Cana, Casey’s Broadway Bar, Las Perlas, Silo, Loft Seven, The Falls, Down & Out, Crewest Gallery & Vibiana to name a few. He loves DTLA and now that it has taken me in I love sharing it through music. To learn more of my work I do more talking with my hands. Every month I put out a mix CD breaking new independent and major artists.

DJ Mike Fusion

mlee — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:19:32 +0000

Las Vegas/Los Angeles in demand DJ Mike Fusion has been behind the decks in the hottest venues and some of the most exclusive special events in Los Angeles. Fusion turns the clubs & event scene on their heads when he spins, spreading his love for dirty, sexy dance music with nothing more than contagious enthusiasm and a taste for hedonism. He believes that performance is everything with music selection, crowd interaction and being the full puzzle that can make or break a night. From dialogue on the mic, to feeding the crowd shots, he somehow seems to make the people go crazy. Never satisfied he has now set his sights on production and working with artista from all over the country. DJ Mike Fusion currently spins at all the hottest venues and special events all over the country, entertaining celebrities and party-goers alike. These events include everything from summer pool parties at the biggest hotels to Paris Hilton’s private events at her home. He also continues to DJ all over Canada and the United States in cities such as Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Texas, Houston, Vegas, Chicago, Seattle, Iowa, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Mike is a Florida native who grew up in Miami and Ft.lauderdale’s vibrant electronic music scene. By the time he was a teenager, he was already wrecking the decks for special events and nightclubs all over South Florida. Mike also did several guest spots spinning live on Miami/Ft. Lauderdale’s largest dance radio station Power 96 throughout his career in South Florida. After moving out to Los Angeles to further his career, Mike was quickly discovered by a booking agent for the world famous Viper Room, then owned by Johnny Depp. He was right away given a residency as the main Dj at the club where he has played for some of the biggest celebrities and with some of the biggest acts in the world. In California and Las Vegas, Fusion has performed with LMFAO, Bobby Brown, Macy Gray, Nelly, Murphy Lee, Ying Yang twins, The Pussycat Dolls, The Strokes, George Clinton, Digital Underground, The Psychedelic Furs and so many others. While clubs come and go, DJ Mike Fusion is the constant that has adapted to the ever-changing, nightclubs, party scene and styles.

Black Crystal Wolf Kids

mlee — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:10:08 +0000

Inspired by the audience participation of the Flaming Lips, the anything-goes attitude of The Henry Clay People, and the over-the-toppedness of 80s tribute bands like Fast Times, Black Crystal Wolf Kids are the world’s first indie-rock tribute band, paying costumed, sing-along-encouraged homage to the best music of right now (from MGMT to Phoenix to Grouplove) as well as indie’s storied past (Pavement; the Pixies; Cracker; etc).

They’re also something of an all-star band in their own right: frontman Jeff Miller, drummer Gregg Levinson, and guitarist/singer Bernard Levin all did time in the now-defunct band City Museum, while keyboardist/singer Valerie Taylor also plays with Diggem (among others) and bassist Marc Gasway also can be seen onstage with The Sexies and Candypants. “I’d gotten sick of going to see indie-rock shows on the Eastside with great, fun bands, and seeing the audience standing still with their arms crossed,” says Miller, semi-ironically. “The music is great — why not have fun and sing along to it??”

That attitude’s also led to on-stage appearances from members of some of the country’s best actual indie-rock bands, from members of #1 rockers fun. to hitmakers Cage the Elephant to to nationally-acclaimed rockers The Elected, with near-nightly sit ins from among the scene’s indie cognoscenti. “I guess,” Miller says, “sometimes even serious musicians like to have a little fun themselves.”

Koffeehouse with Ana Free, James Cavern, G Sparticus and Brandon Hassur

mlee — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:00:20 +0000

28 year old North Bay Music Award Winner & singer songwriter Brandon Hassur, has been playing up & down the west coast for five solid years dishing out his Motown Roots Rock N Roll songwriting, to all the music hungry souls he can find. Currently Brandon resides in the greater North Bay area where he plays in a band with former ‘Dire Straights’ Guitarist Jack Sonni.

Singer/Songwriter G Sparticus has been playing music for over 13 years with numerous artists/musicans all over the US. It wasnt until 2010 that he started to focus on his own original music. In late 2012, he teamed up with Nucom Entertainment and has pushed out his promotional music video “The Friend Song” in Jan 2013, and about to release his first single ; “Soulmate” by March 2013. His Hip-Hop/Indie/Pop style, soothing voice, and catchy melodies catch the attention of any genre. Be on the lookout this summer when he starts his self-promotional tour across the US.

James Cavern, a native Englishman from the city of London, currently resides in Sacramento, CA. When he first picked up a guitar in 2005, he knew he had found a way to channel his passion of music. Since 2010, James has grown to be an artist that defines his music as soulful and dynamic. His guerrilla tactics of self-promotion has led him to open up for many acts on his own as well as in collaboration. Recently, James has been recognized by many of fans throughout the Sacramento region being named “Outstanding R&B-Soul Artist of the Year” through SN&R’s SAMMIES 2012 Awards and Nominated for Sacramento’s “Musical Artist of the Year” 2012 through RAWards Indie Arts Awards 2012.

Ana Free has been a compulsive songwriter since the age of 11, with over 500 original songs to date. If you read her songbooks, you’ll know her life story. At the age of 8, Ana learnt to play the guitar, her signature instrument, and began sticking ideas and melodies together. Majoring in Economics in the UK, the British pop artist garnered her fair share of media audience. With over 33 million unique video views, combined with over 74,000 YouTube subscribers, Ana releases her debut album “TO.GET.HER” on the back of the last two years of playing gigs around the world. Ana Free has toured 4 continents and played over 60 shows from small venues to large arenas and festivals, always developing the intimate relationship she shares with her fans. Writing and recording, Ana released her first EP project “Radian”, debuted in the US to sold out shows in Miami and Miami. “TO.GET.HER” Ana Free’s debut album is due for release in 2013. Ana Free has achieved over 5 hits in the Top 5 on MTV Portugal, and in 2012 alone her debut album single “Electrical Storm” has enjoyed #1 chart success for 16 weeks and counting.

Koffeehouse with Caitlin Linney, Mike Burke and the Porcelain Pistols

mlee — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 17:41:34 +0000

Born and raised on 10 acres of old farmland, 24-year singer-songwriter, Caitlin Linney, moved to Los Angeles one year ago to record and release her self-titled debut. Caitlin’s release is a cross-over album that pairs pop and country music; one that marries banjo and reverse mandolin with electric guitar. Growing up in North Carolina, Caitlin explored every option possible to further her career in music. Whether it be playing at local venues on weekends or recording in her bedroom, music and performance consumed most of her time. She moved to Boston, MA to attend Emerson College where she created her own major that allowed her to study performance, music and songwriting by taking classes at Berklee College of Music. After graduation she moved west by means of a little red Honda Civic to begin working on her album. This past October Caitlin was opening for country singer, Josh Turner, and released her album on Dec. 4th, 2012 which is now available on iTunes.

Boston native, Mike Burke, has had a musical path unlike most. Learning several instruments as a child, he never performed or really thought about pursuing music as a career. His interest in math and economics took him to New York’s Wall Street where he spent 8 years working, still writing and playing music on the side. Mike has always been involved in working with children and organizations that help children/people in need. In 2008, he started working with Musicians On Call, where he would play for children who were in isolation units in different hospitals around Manhattan. In 2010, he started working with Mid Atlantic Burn Camp where children who are burn survivors can experience a summer camp with other young burn survivors like themselves. in 2011, realizing that his music was actually helping others, he decided to leave Wall Street, move to LA to pursue music full time, and support the organizations as much as he could by donating half his music proceeds to them. In 2013, Mike will be traveling with CHAP International to Liberia, West Africa to help build orphanages and help those who have lost so much. In addition to working with these organizations, Mike has made great strides since moving to LA; releasing his 2nd EP, winning the 2012 Malibu Music Awards, singing the National Anthem at several MLB/NBA games, as well as playing several multi city tours on both the east and west coasts. His music and his lifestyle promote his message of Be Happy & Help Others, hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

The Porcelain Pistols, a rock/acoustic style band based in Southern California, formed in October 2010. Since the release of the EP, the Porcelain Pistols have played at such venues as the House of Blues, The Yost Theater, and The Playground Festival….playing with national acts including Sevendust, The Bravery, Fishbone, and Static Lullaby. For the last year the band has been focusing on their upcoming release Porcelain Pistols, B- Sides. Which is an all acoustic album with flares of pop, country, and latin styles. Ready to show the world the softer side of rock, the Porcelain Pistols prove that they are here to stay with their wide variety of musical talent.

Koffeehouse with Nicole Lexi Davis, Mary Scholz and Jenni Alpert

mlee — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 17:29:37 +0000

With her honest rich songwriting and soothing musical melodies, pop songstress Jenni Alpert‘s haunting, powerful, and sultry voice is grabbing listeners in every corner. Largely influenced by Carole King, Karen Carpenter, Rickie Lee Jones and Aimee Mann, Jenni Alpert is a unique web of eclectic soul pop. Her emotionally driven songs, converging modern day pop influences, have been featured on well known US TV shows like ABC’s Castle (All We Need is Love), CBS’s CSI Miami (Breakin Down), MTV’s The Real World (With One Breath), Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant (All We Need is Love, Damage Done, Simple Mood) to name a few. Currently she is working in the studio with Mikal Blue on a new album scheduled to be released later this year.

Nicole Lexi Davis is an acoustic folk/rock songwriter from Los Angeles, CA. She has toured across the eastern and southern United States from Boston, MA to St. Petersburg, Florida as well as in the southwest and the islands of Hawaii. Her minimalist yet evocative melodies often capture the feel of 70′s songwriter greats like Joni Mitchell and Carole King with subtle alt country undertones. Following in their footsteps, she offers a unique throwback vibe in her acoustic steel string and piano driven songs. Today, Nicole regularly performs at many of LA’s most popular bars and clubs and continues to record and engineer herself and other artists. Her self-produced premier album entitled “Picture Imperfect” was released digitally July 1st, 2012 and is available everywhere MP3′s are sold. Prior to the production of her full-length album, she cut several short EPs, “Terminal Butterfly EP” and “Five Song EP” are still available for download and hard copy purchase. In 2009, she also recorded a live performance album at West Hollywood music venue Genghis Cohen entitled “Live At Genghis.”

Philadelphia born and LA based Singer/Songwriter Mary Scholz has been touring the country for 6 years, promoting 3 EPs released on her indie label Ringlet Records. In 2011 her song “Tennessee” was nominated for a Hollywood Music and Media Award, along with the EP “Water Rising” being nominated for 3 Homey Awards. 2013 brings the production and release of her first full length album, due out this summer. What interests people and draws them is the clear, warm, lyrical style of Mary’s voice. Self-accompanied on guitar and piano, her voice is what she always claims as her main instrument and one she understands and owns with pride. On the stage, Mary communicates as if she’s sitting having coffee with you – connecting with her audience with an ease that has people feeling as if they’ve known her for years and reminds everyone that there is no separation between us. Just two people, sharing stories. And that’s exactly what her songs are. Stories of life, love, loss and hope.

Kiefer Shackelford & Jonah Levine

mlee — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:13:07 +0000

Kiefer Shackelford & Jonah Levine are shining stars at UCLA’s jazz studies program
They’ve studied with the who’s who in jazz i.e., Tamir Hendelman, Charles McPhearson and Kenny Burrell.

Torre’ Brannon Reese

mlee — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:11:52 +0000

It’s party time with this dynamic band as they offer the true sound of New Orleans Mardi Gras Soul and Funk, vintage R & B, Jazz, Pop & Blues Band members have played with Barry White, Michael Jackson, Neville Bros and More!

Lao Tizer Trio

mlee — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:53:40 +0000

Driven by an explosive mix of jazz, rock, classical, jam band influences and Afro Cuban and world rhythms, Downbeat — the first studio album by TIZER, a multi-cultural band led by Boulder, CO native, keyboardist/composer Lao Tizer — throws down a high powered collection of 12 brand-new originals on this scintillating release of fresh instrumental music from one of today’s rising stars of the world-fusion genre. Establishing themselves in the contemporary jazz world over the past few years, Tizer has spurred comparisons of a modern twist to the 70s and early 80s heyday of jazz fusion, when trailblazing ensembles like Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report set the aesthetic standard.

Truly embodying the title and spirit of his 2007 solo album Diversify, Lao assembled a group of veteran world-class musicians to create a dynamic rich with new melodic, harmonic and improvisational possibilities. Co-produced by Lao and guitarist Jeff Kollman, the eclectic set includes five original compositions by Lao and numerous collaborations with his cohorts, including the first single “World In Rhythm,” co-written with Emmy winner and Grammy nominated guitarist Chieli Minucci, best known as founder and leader of Special EFX.

Over the past few years, Tizer—a 2011 nominee for “Jazz Group of the Year”–has taken their multi-faceted world fusion vibe around the globe, galvanizing thousands at events including the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg, the Dubai Jazz Festival, Barbados Jazz Festival, the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival and the Festival International Providencia Jazz in Santiago, Chile. In addition to their usual whirlwind of U.S. dates, their 2012 schedule in support of Downbeat includes the Jarasum International Jazz Festival in South Korea and four shows in Russia. While Lao was a “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee in 2002 and Diversify spent many weeks on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart, TIZER has a multi-genre, multi-national appeal that expands beyond just jazz enthusiasts. Their diverse resume includes performance slots alongside Zappa Plays Zappa, Jethro Tull, Isaac Hayes, Al Jarreau, Spyro Gyra, George Benson, Soulive, Babyface, Bruce Hornsby and Robin Thicke.

Those who haven’t yet experienced Tizer’s intensity, expansive arrangements and exciting soloing in concert got the next best thing with the group’s 2010 debut release TIZER Live, which captured the vibrant interaction of what Lao calls “the ultimate cultural and musical melting pot”; Italian-American New Yorker Minucci, African American violin great Karen Briggs and Cuban born drummer/percussionist Raul Pineda, in addition to Kollman, Steve Nieves (sax/vocals/percussion) and Lao himself, who grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Bassist Rufus Philpot, who joined Tizer after that recording, hails from London. The concert recording at the world renowned Musicians Institute in Hollywood was Tizer’s very first live performance as a group; it included fresh interpretations of seven songs from Lao’s earlier recordings, including Diversify and Golden Soul (2001).

Downbeat marks the first time that Lao has co-produced one of his albums. Loving the big sound of the band and all the intricacies it has in the live setting inspired his simple concept when it came time to write and record the album. “Producing and mixing with Jeff, my goal was to give listeners a taste of the energy Tizer creates in the live setting, so most of the recording was done live in the studio,” he says. “While no solo on disc can capture what happens onstage, we wanted Downbeat to have the same blend and balance via strong, detailed arrangements and studio production. It all starts with a completely live rhythm section—drums, bass, percussion, keys—and that translates to an organic foundation to build from.”

Koffeehouse with Shani, Allison Gray and B Music

mlee — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 01:29:23 +0000

SHANI is a Los Angeles native singer/songwriter and pianist with a grassroots style of doing things. She’s her own breed—a mix of Adele, Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, and Norah Jones –something like an Adorah Barektor. Shani graduated from USC’s Thornton School of Music in jazz piano, songwriting, and composing. She helped pioneer the prestigious Popular Music Program led by Chris Sampson, and received the Popular Music Department Award for excellence in her field upon graduation. In 2009, Shani released her self-recorded and self-produced, album “Warm Rain”, and toured the West Coast with fellow singer/songwriter Amanda Holmes. Shani’s ability to combine relatable, heartfelt lyrics and catchy, unique melodies captivated her audiences and helped turn these listeners into the beginnings of a growing fan base. Currently, Shani continues to perform as a featured artist at the world famous Universal Citywalk in Hollywood, where she released her studio album “Merry Go Round” in December 2012. She has felt truly blessed to share the 5 Towers Citywalk mainstage with artists such as Cee-lo Green, Colbie Callait, and Carly Rae Jepsen, and recently, to perform at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Shani is now working on sharing her new album with the world via live performances and T.V. and Film placements. So far so good; her song “Perfect Sky”, can be heard in the new Indie film “Mordy to the Max”.

Allison Gray’s music has been classified as pop, folk, adult contemporary, soul, singer songwriter, and almost everything in between. But listeners and reviewers agree that her music is both appealing and addicting. If you look around at the crowd during her live shows, you will see fans from all walks of life spanning a 30 year age range. Her soaring melodies, dynamic vocals, and honest lyrics have garnered her an ever growing internet following, and her local fans are the most loyal you will find. Like many artists, Allison came from humble beginnings. She was raised in Seattle by a single mother who encouraged her passion for the arts. Gray began studying piano at age 3 and was classically trained in ballet, opera and jazz. After singing the national anthem for the Oakland A’s she was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. She has also performed at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. Though a career in opera seemed the obvious choice, she often found more fulfillment in her songwriting. After graduating high school, she moved to California to pursue a career in mainstream music. After a string of development deals and independent record deals fell through, Allison teamed up with producer Mark Jordan in 2010 to release her debut EP Off My Mind. Listeners were quick to respond, and praised her for her original style. While drawing from her classical roots, she also took influence from timeless greats such as Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Freddie Mercury and The Beatles. Her voice has been compared to Amy Lee, Tori Amos, Pink, Joss Stone, Natasha Beddingfield and Kelly Clarkson. Gray’s music has been featured on Michael Buckley’s “What the Buck”, Lifetime, MTV, NBC, Kia Motors Advertisements, and the Canadian based reality series The Ave, which follows internet celebrity Gregory Gorqeous. After her success on Youtube, Allison began to expand her fan base on a global level. Her songwriting has earned top honors in the Great American Songwriting Contest, the 100% Music Songwriting Contest, The Malibu Music Awards, The Hollywood Music in Media Awards and Maurice’s Small Town Sound Band Search. She has also been honored by California State Northridge as one of their artists of the year. After 2 consecutive tours promoting Off My Mind, Allison went back into the studio to record her next project. She is currently recording her new album Barricades, which will be released in 2013.

B is one of the hottest new pop sounds of the decade. Formed by sisters Brittany and Breyanne, this groundbreaking music duo is becoming the pulse of an innovative music scene. While writing fresh lyrics and catchy hooks, B has been developing a new flavor for mainstream pop that surprises and attracts audiences of all backgrounds.

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Brittany and Breyanne recorded and traveled nationally and internationally with multiple music groups performing jazz, gospel, classical, and Pop. During Summer 2008, they reunited in Los Angeles as the young stylish pop group known as B and have been writing, recording, and performing together ever since.

B has released four singles, including their recent smash hit and disc jockey favorite, “Plastic,” and are currently recording their much anticipated debut album. These gorgeous sisters are taking ground with intoxicating sounds that are hitting the airwaves. Whether you are new to the pop world or a long-time veteran, B is a talent you don’t want to miss!

The Charleston Restaurant and Gastrolounge

DJ Phyz Ed

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DJ Mike Fusion

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Black Crystal Wolf Kids

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Koffeehouse with Ana Free, James Cavern, G Sparticus and Brandon Hassur

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Koffeehouse with Caitlin Linney, Mike Burke and the Porcelain Pistols

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Koffeehouse with Nicole Lexi Davis, Mary Scholz and Jenni Alpert

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Kiefer Shackelford & Jonah Levine

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Torre’ Brannon Reese

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Lao Tizer Trio

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Koffeehouse with Shani, Allison Gray and B Music

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