Chart-Topping Canadian Rockers and Hollywood Records Recording Artists First to Sign Up for Exclusive, New Bi-Monthly Music Series Uniting Popular Music and Video Games
February 7, 2006
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: iGames
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Space Is Limited - Only 15 Artist Slots Per Campaign Available
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, February 6, 2006 - iGames, the world's leading game center organization, and GameTunes, a new marketing firm devoted to reaching gamers through music, today announced a new bi-monthly listening party series, which kicks off with rockers Evans Blue, whose debut album The Melody and The Energetic Nature of Volume has just been released on Hollywood Records and whose first single "Cold (But I'm Still Here)" has hit both the Top 20 Rock and Top 30 Alternative charts.
Running from April 7 to May 4, the inaugural month-long promotion, with Evans Blue in the first of only 15 slots available per campaign, will be held at 100 top game centers across North America and will allow gamers to weigh in on the music and participate in contests to receive complimentary copies of the CD, in addition to stickers, postcards and other limited-edition Evans Blue merchandise. At the end of the promotion, all feedback will be collected into special "wrap-books," for presentation to the artists and their management.
Known for initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year for today's best games like Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 2, Counter-Strike: Source, and The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, iGames views its expansion into music with Evans Blue and GameTunes as a natural evolution.
"Video game culture is youth culture - and so is music," said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of iGames. "With our unique network of more than 500 game centers, we offer a direct link to a viral community of young people who are equally passionate about music and interactive entertainment."
"The music industry is always looking for creative new ways to get the music heard," said Bernard Ross, President of GameTunes. With the increasing integration of music and video games, we know that Evans Blue will reach an entirely new set of fans, who might not have had a chance to check them out otherwise."
"Today's artists realize that technology is an essential part of the equation," said Jay Scavo, Executive Director of Marketing, Hollywood Records. "Whether it's building a fan base online, having their music included in the latest and greatest game, or engaging in the innovative outreach that a program like GameTunes offers, artists like Evans Blue understand that technology is the key to unlocking the marketplace."
Evans Blue is Kevin Matisyn - Vocals; Parker Lauzon - Guitar; Vlad Tanaskovic - Guitar; Darryl Brown - Drums; Joe Pitter - Bass. A collection of ten original songs interwoven with an intoxicating interpretation of fellow Canadian Sarah McLachlan's "Possession," their debut album The Melody and The Energetic Nature of Volume tells a twisted tale of love, passion, betrayal, denial, loss, hatred and pain, ultimately ending on a note of hope. Compelling lyrics lead the listener on a journey, resonating with anyone who has experienced these universal emotions. For more information on the band, including free downloads and a complete list of upcoming shows, visit: www.evansblue.com.
For a complete list of iGames game centers hosting the competition as well as details on other upcoming iGames events, including signup information, visit www.igames.org or contact iGames' Programs Dept. at [email protected].
About iGames
iGames, Inc. offers a wide range of services to help independent and franchised game centers. iGames' mission is to promote and develop the growth of the game center industry. Its services unite game centers with the goal of establishing them as the driving force enabling the interactive entertainment industry to become the number one form of entertainment around the world. iGames has established strong relationships with industry leaders to provide a wide variety of products, services and programs to member game centers and gamers including software licensing, hardware discounts, exclusive game premiers, tournaments, and leagues. Today the company counts well over 500 centers and 1.2 million gamers, initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year. To learn more about iGames, go to www.igames.org.
About Evans Blue
Evans Blue is Kevin Matisyn - Vocals; Parker Lauzon - Guitar; Vlad Tanaskovic - Guitar; Darryl Brown - Drums; Joe Pitter - Bass. When they connected online through a musician's message board, none of the members of Evans Blue imagined that he would be meeting his destiny. Each was a skilled player of his respective instrument, but they were living in three different cities that were miles apart. When they came together as a band, though, the five instantaneously became one. The result: A collection of ten original songs interwoven with an intoxicating interpretation of fellow Canadian Sarah McLachlan's "Possession," their debut album The Melody and The Energetic Nature of Volume tells a twisted tale of love, passion, betrayal, denial, loss, hatred and pain, ultimately ending on a note of hope. Compelling lyrics lead the listener on a journey, resonating with anyone who has experienced these universal emotions. With its massive hooks and dark vocals and lyrics, Evans Blue's first single, "Cold (But I'm Still Here)," secured regular airplay for the unsigned band on rock stations like Sirius Satellite Radio's Octane, KUPD Phoenix, KPNT St Louis and syndicated rock program Hard Drive Radio. On the strength of this buzz and their formidable online fan base, Evans Blue signed with Hollywood Records and in the midst of planning their first US tour, watched "Cold (But I'm Still Here)" hit both the Top 20 Rock and Top 30 Alternative charts. For more info on Evans Blue, including free song downloads and complete concert dates, visit: www.evansblue.com.
About GameTunes
GameTunes is the brainchild of music industry vet, Bernard Ross. Founded in 2005, its mission is to reach gamers through listening parties held in game centers and other venues where gamers, as avid music fans, congregate. GameTunes, and its holding company Musica, count all major record labels and music retailers among its clients, including Hollywood Records, Virgin Entertainment Group, Tower Records and Universal Music Group. For more information on GameTunes, visit: www.musicaus.com
Press Contact:
Bill Lessard
iGames
(914) 476-6089
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