“These guys are great!” he’ll say. “Why don’t they play this on the radio instead of all that other crap?”

Of course, I never have a response that will satisfy the injustice that he sees, or hears rather. To him, the underdogs will always be forgotten in the shadows created by the others standing in the limelight.

Maybe he would feel better if I told him about S.E.G.

S.E.G., or Show Entertainment Group, is the two-and-a-half-year-old brain child of Francesco Montagnani.

Montagnani came from Bovolone, Italy to the United States in 2004 leaving behind a family heavily involved in the entertainment industry. Both his mother and father are involved with acting and subsequently music has always been a big presence in his life.

The idea with S.E.G. was to find the best upcoming bands in New York City and help them to bring their music and their name to the next level.

“The idea to see bands that are no one on stage and help them take their name to a different audience than the one they usually have,” is what helped me to develop the concept, said Montagnani.

The group is always looking for bands with great potential that need someone to foster them. It is not uncommon to see booking agents from the group at shows handing out their cards to exceptional acts.

This idea in itself is nothing out of the ordinary. For years companies have popped up to promote local acts.

What makes S.E.G. different from all the rest is that they actually help bands make money and gain exposure, instead of using their talent for only the benefit of the company. S.E.G. has no booking fee and gives a large percentage of show profits back to the bands.

Unlike other companies, S.E.G. has deals with the venues they work with. In the past, S.E.G. has been able to arrange door deals as good as 100% profits going to the band after the first 12 bought tickets.

“For a New York [City] standard situation door deal, it’s excellent,” said Mantagnani.

He went on to explain that, if you asked different bands, they would tell you that they only make money after they’ve sold 15 tickets and then they still only get 50% of sales. Other deals involve pre-sales where the band has to sell their own tickets beforehand, sometimes up to 30 tickets, and then they only see a small percentage of the profits after that.

All of these classic scenarios end up costing the bands money to get the exposure they need. It’s not surprising then that so many talented groups are forced to throw in the towel because they can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket to promote their band that isn’t actually bringing in any money.

Originally starting on a small-scale, S.E.G. now works with seven venues across New York City, including Bowery Electric, Parkside Lounge,Webster Hall,Fontana's and Ella Lounge.

The group also gives bands the opportunity to play at larger events such as the New York City AIDS Walk and the cream of the crop get a chance to perform in the S.E.G. showcase during the CMJ Marathon.

Other unique opportunities include in store performances which S.E.G. currently puts on with the clothing store Esprit and Best Buy. These particular shows offer a chance for bands to play live for customers coming in to the stores, expanding their audience to people who might not make it out to late night showcases.

As S.E.G. continues to grow, Montagnani has goals to continue to expand the business. He hopes that in five years or so they will be working with venues all along the east coast and possibly across the country.

Also, the group is a booking, pubic relations, and management group, but they are not currently managing a band.

Montagnani would love to expand the business in this direction, however they haven’t come across anyone yet that they truly feel they want to take on as a fulltime management client.

Until then, S.E.G. is satisfied with the success that they are having with booking and promotion.

Bands that S.E.G. works with, such as The Shells and The Bamboo Shoots, have been nominated for MTV Music Awards. The Bamboo Shoots have also recently been signed to Epic Records. Another artist, Reni Lane, had a song featured during the opening of the ABC Early Morning Show.

Though, none of these deals were set up directly by S.E.G., they still are a testament to the strong ear of the group and their ability to help give bands and artists a leg up in such a huge city.

Also, residents of New York have come to recognize that S.E.G. Presents always has an ear for good music.

Many people will attend S.E.G. Presents showcases because they know that we put good acts together, says Montagnani. They don’t necessarily know any of the bands but they trust that S.E.G. will have something that is going to be great.

For more information about S.E.G. visit their official website or Myspace Page.

You can also find a list of upcoming shows at www.showentgroup.info and read more about what bands working with S.E.G. have to say about their experiences at www.showentgroup.com.

Wrote by:

Kim Grzybala

There are many audiophiles out there who only value complexity and depth in their music. Never would they be caught listening to anything that a 12-year-old would also enjoy. If you are one of those people I say this as a disclaimer: Sliimy is not an artist for you.

sliimySliimy , pronounced Slim-ee, is a European artist from Saint-Etienne, France whose catchy, lighthearted sounding music has officially made its way over to the US of A.

His debut album, Paint Your Face, initially released by Warner Brothers France, reached the No. 2 spot on French charts and went gold even before coming to the United States.

The album was released again digitally across the Atlantic on American soil on September 15th from Perezcious Music, Perez Hilton’s music label under Warner Brother Records.

Sliimy, whose real name is Yanis Sahraoui, was the first artist signed to Hilton’s label. Hilton found out about Sliimy when a friend sent him Sliimy’s cover of Britney Spears’ “Womanizer.” Impressed with the rendition, Hilton first posted the video to his infamous celebrity gossip blog in December and has continued to rave about the artist ever since.

Paint Your Face, co-written by Sliimy and musical partner Feed, sounds like a combination of Mika and Lily Allen. The songs are full of cheery piano and electronic sounds. Sliimy’s voice is soft and soothing and the overall combination is familiar but unique at the same time.

Music snobs can hate on the “poppy” style all they want, but they can’t deny that this album has all the right elements for success. It’s cross-generational, fun, happy sounding music that makes you tap your toes.

I’m sure that many more of us would rather skip and dance around our houses to this album than sit in a dark corner and contemplate the meaning of life.

Let’s be honest, we need more music like this to raise our spirits.

Death of the CD, Birth of the Music Tee?

SliimyTeeBackSliimyTee

Another unique element of this album is how it’s being sold. Sliimy has chosen to have the album available in the form of a Music Tee. A Music Tee is new concept where a fan can buy a tee-shirt with the album artwork on the front and track listing on the back. The actual music can then be downloaded digitally using a special code on the tee.

As opposed to the classic digital album, this idea puts more of an emphasis on album artwork than simply having a small graphic on your iTunes. Perhaps we will see the Music Tee replace the CD booklet. If that were the case I’m pretty sure I’d end up with a stuffed closet.

Wrote by:

Kim Grzybala

Bamboo Shoots Song: “Hey Girl”

With electronica-funk and dance rock on the rise, the feel good, ultra-fun groove of music has certainly made a comeback. With the likes of artists such as Santigold, Ladyhawk, and the all male duo MGMT, Bamboo Shots’ rise to stardom is inevitable. Their up-beat track “Hey Girl” gives off nothing less than good vibes and is bound to get an entire crowd dancing. From the catchy 80s pop sound to the simplicity of the lyrics, “Hey girl” delivers on taking the listener to a fun-filled “far away place.”

Review by Anna Gianotti

Album Review: Tucker Jameson and the Hot Mugs, “Or Something In Between…”

By:Kimberly Grzybala

All currently students at the Berklee College of Music, it comes as no surprise that this quartet would tickle and delight the ears. “Or Something In Between…” is the second album released by the group, which is a pleasant combination of catchy melodies and lyrics that create an effortless sing-a-long atmosphere. Their sound is both classic and fresh with hints of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

That being said, the band has impressive skills uniquely their own which the album does a wonderful job of highlighting. The first two songs on the album, My Best Friend’s Sister and Friends and Lovers, are both fun, head-bopping, pop-rock ballads that could easily make it onto anyone’s summer soundtrack.

The third song on the album, Bring on the Night, slows down the tempo and transitions to a jazzier feel which is carried on for the rest of the CD. The song also spotlights the lead singer, Tucker Jameson’s, strong voice which sounds a little like Liam Gallagher of Oasis.

Saving the best for last, Tucker Jameson and the Hot Mugs seduce the listener with Cold Winter Night. The track opens up with a smooth guitar similar to John Mayer’s on his album “Continuum” and closes out the album leaving listeners begging for more. This album is definitely one that you will find on constant repeat in the cars of road trippers across the country.

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Draw will take place on August 1st 2009 and winner will be notified by e-mail.

Artist: Drew Torres

Review By Jake Blasini

How do I begin to describe the music of the Drew Torres EP? Is it rock, hip-hip, punk, emo? Perhaps we should start with how Drew Torres sees his own style. In the live UGROOVEonline.com interview with Victoria Fenimore, Drew was asked if he could describe his music for our viewers to which he replied, “No, not really. But if I had to call it anything I’d say it’s kind of a little combination of reggae, hip-hop, ska, punk, R&B, funk, blues, jazz, whatever.” Drew’s EP has hints of all of these styles and, if there is any area of this EP that remains constant, it is Drew’s singing. His self-proclaimed emo sound is evident in his nasally voice. Normally I wouldn’t get down with this style but there are so many musical ideas going on that I simply can’t stay away. Drew also has a way of rapping fast and melodically which makes his style so interesting - along with the types of music he embraces and melds. These are my favorite songs from the 6 song EP:

“This Bottle I Wallow In” is a drinking song; nay, an epic drinking song. It begins with some airy guitar play and then jumps right into a fast, rock riff. Drew starts singing in his very unique style which I can only describe as an angsty Bizzy Bone (of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony). The song heats up around the 2 minute mark and hints of flamenco and metal are blended, adding another chapter to this song.

“P.R.I.C.E” is a song about reaping what you sew. Drew chose to leave out the drums on this one, and I have no problem with it. Drew bounces between fast guitar work and rapping, to a laid back reggae vibe. The great thing about him is neither of these modes are a struggle for him. He moves between both with ease.

“Swimming In The Depths” is about impermanence, vulnerability, and trying to keep your head above the turbulence of this life. The song begins with a lovely reggae groove and all of a sudden Drew kicks it up to a punky, mosh-pit-starting vibe. This vibe is then blended with some Spanish influences and turns into what could be mistaken for the Gypsy Kings. Drew also starts singing in Spanish, yet another element to his music and style.

“When It All Unfolds…” is a song about just letting everything go and accepting what comes. The message is somewhat clique, but it is catchy and the only song on this EP that is chilled out through and through. Still, Drew manages to make things interesting with his vocal stylings – I hear some Pharcyde influences in here – and guitar work.

If there is any problem I have with this EP it is the mix. On songs like “This Bottle I Wallow In” Drew’s voice gets drowned out by the instrumentation. On other songs the guitars have been mixed to high, or not high enough. This is my only quibble, but it could help the overall sound of the EP tremendously. If you have the opportunity to see Drew Torres live, don’t hesitate, because it’s an experience. One that will blindside you and leave you wondering where Drew will be breaking strings and melting faces next.

Band: Apache Stone

Review by Anna Gianotti

With their uncanny resemblance to Pearl Jam, Velvet Revolver and bands alike, Mike Lombardi (lead vocals), Nick Bacon (guitar, vocals), Mark Greenberg (drums), David Leatherwood (bass, vocals) and Hank Woods (guitar, vocals), of Apache Stone, are in the front line of the nineties alternative rock revival. The much anticipated release of their four-track self titled EP was most certainly worth the wait. Each track is clean, refined and surprisingly warm. The Eddie Vedder-like vocals are complimented with rippling guitar riffs and explosive drum sets; you will find yourself strumming along to the beat and lost in their heavy melodramatic tone. The most notable tracks are “Synthetic Self” and “Social Outlaw;” both are heavy, raw and bleed the true essence of rock and roll. Apache Stone’s pristine spin on the grunge rock genre is a necessary breath of fresh air

Band: Puppetbox

Review by Anna Gianotti

The self proclaimed "post-geek-synth-rock" musicians from Brooklyn, known as Puppetbox, are what you would have if Devo and The Killers decided to come together. With an eclectic array of instruments and their overall 80s electro-infused sound, it comes as no surprise that Puppetbox has two successful albums and an EP. Some of their key tracks include "Everything," "Kimberly," and "Kill you Dead." Above all, "Everything" stands out the most; it is filled with Kings of Leon "Charmer" sounding drums, buzzy guitar riffs and an overall psychedelic-electro-rock feel. With the addition of Katie Johnston (vocals, accordion, kazoo), this hilarious foursome is now complete and they are bound to leave you with a lasting impression.