HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As 2009 comes to a close, I wanted to wish all of you happy and healthy holiday season. It's been a crazy year for me and Branch Marketing Collective...and 2010 will be even crazier. Below is a recap of music biz and personal projects I've been working on this year and a preview of what is to come. Also, as always, I have included my Top Albums Of The Year so you know the best albums to buy with all those gift cards.

I hope everyone finishes 2009 on a great note, and I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of you in the coming months.

Rock!

Marc


THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN

Option Paralysis release date and more

The Dillinger Escape Plan have announced the release date for their next masterpiece, Option Paralysis. Mark your calendars for March 23, 2010 in the US (March 22 in UK/EU) for the album! A new song will debut in the coming weeks, but for now the band is leaking out track titles piece by piece, with the first two being "Farewell, Mona Lisa" and "Good Neighbor".

DEP have lined up US & Canadian tour dates to end 2009 and they start this Friday in Long Island, then the guys will be doing a special run of small club shows in Europe in Feb 2010. Check the band's MYSPACE for a complete list.

www.myspace.com/dillingerescapeplan
www.optionparalysis.net
www.season-of-mist.com/



InsideOut Music has been delivering the best in innovative progressive rock for 20 years. In the past few months, there have been new releases from REDEMPTION, SHADOW GALLERY and THE TANGENT.

2010 is going to be another great one with the beginning of the year bringing new albums from KING'S X, KAIPA, ASPERA and more. But the biggest splash on from InsideOut came last week with the latest release from...

DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - ADDICTED!

The new album debuted #168 on the Billboard Top 200 last week (as well as #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart). The album features guest vocalist, Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-The Gathering) and it was the highest debut from any of Devin's releases over his 15 year career. You probably know Devin best as the man behind Strapping Young Lad, but you can check him out ON TOUR with his latest incarnation starting Jan 8th with Between The Buried And Me.

http://www.myspace.com/devintownsenddtb
http://www.insideout.de



Superball Music was formed in 2007 and features some of the best alternative and indie rock bands out there. You are probably most familiar with the label because of releases from such epic bands as OCEANSIZE and AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD...

2010 has even more on the horizon, and the first release to lead the charge is

SIX GALLERY - BREAKTHROUGHS IN MODERN ART


Superball Music is pleased to announce their first worldwide signing of an American artist, Columbus Ohio's Six Gallery.

Often compared to contemporaries such as Minus The Bear, Maps and Atlases, and Aereogramme, Six Gallery will be re-releasing their debut album, Breakthroughs In Modern Art on March 23rd. The band is currently on their "Weekend Warrior" tour and will be playing a special show at Spike Hill in Brooklyn, NY on December 12th (so let this serve as an invite to you all)

Six Gallery have also premiered the first track, "Bermuda Triangles" off the band's new album, currently streaming on their Myspace page, and be sure to look out for more information and album details including track list and cover art coming soon! Absolutepunk already showed the band love with an amazing review you can check out here.

Watch the making of Six Gallery's new album, Breakthroughs In Modern Art, here and read yesterday's DoneWaiting.com interview with singer / guitarist Daniel Francis here!

www.myspace.com/sixgallery
www.superballmusic.com




NIGHT IS THE NEW DAY in stores now

With 10 releases under their belt over the past 18 years, Katatonia has remained one of the leaders in melancholic Swedish metal, that takes more from Jeff Buckley than it does At The Gates. Their latest release, Night Is The New Day, has already been heralded worldwide as well as by one of my favorite vocalists of all time, Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth:

"KATATONIA's Night Is The New Day Is Possibly The Greatest 'Heavy' Record I've Heard In The Last 10 Years"

The guys just released a video for "Day And Then The Shade" which you can check out HERE

www.nightisthenewday.com
www.myspace.com/katatonia
www.peaceville.com


FULL METAL TEXAS


With the success of the first ever Full Metal Texas at Emo's Annex earlier this year...we are making the move across the street to Emo's Main Room & Emo's Jr. for 2010. Bands like Skeletonwitch and Kylesa blew away 500 people over six hours in 2009 and next year we'll be feeding the metal appetites of 1500 people on March 18, 2010. We are talking to bands and sponsors now, so please reach out if you are interested in being part of the madness!

www.fullmetaltexas.com




Century Media USA celebrated its most successful year yet, as 2009 marked many huge accomplishments for the label that thrived in an overall down economy. This was spearheaded by such major releases from LACUNA COIL, SUICIDE SILENCE, WINDS OF PLAGUE, DIVINE HERESY, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE and DESPISED ICON, who all debuted in the Billboard Top 200 chart upon release this year. The label also had 17 releases debut on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

Billboard Top 200 Chart Debuts
LACUNA COIL - Shallow Life(#16) * This marked the highest Billboard charting debut in Century Media history
SUICIDE SILENCE - No Time To Bleed (#32)
WINDS OF PLAGUE - The Great Stone War(#73)
GOD FORBID - Earthsblood (#110) - Heatseekers (#2)
IWRESTLEDABEARONCE - It's All Happening (#122)
DIVINE HERESY - Bringer of Plagues (#148)
DESPISED ICON - Day of Mourning (#162)
3 INCHES OF BLOOD - Here Waits Thy Doom (#195)

2010 will bring new albums from DARK TRANQUILITY, DEICIDE, NEVERMORE, TURISAS and more!

The year will start off with an amazing release from the Israeli metal band, ORPHANED LAND. Their new album, The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR, comes out February 9th and you can check out more about them HERE


www.centurymedia.com




Some of you may know, and others may not, but one of my many projects is a t-shirt line called KOSHER KLOTHING. Believe it or not, I actually own the trademark to the work "Kosher" for all clothing and have a line of shirts that have graced the shelves of stores around the country.

If you are looking for the perfect Hanukkah, Christmas or even Kwanzaa gift, head over to www.kosherklothing.com and buy away (and help me make room in my closets!)




You've all been asking when the hell we are opening One Barrel Bar...and the answer is still "hopefully soon". We have some great possible locations in the NYC area and hope that 2010 is when we bring the best in bourbon, beer and rock to the masses. In the meanwhile, check out www.onebarrelbar.com for the latest news and reviews of our favorite libations.



Another reason to look forward to 2010 will be the launch of Science Of Silence Records. A new label releasing limited edition vinyl for the best in post-rock, instrumental and avant-garde metal.

News and webstore coming soon, so be sure to bookmark http://www.scienceofsilence.net





Some of my partners in crime on the music biz side of things are BlueHaze and Dympol. Both companies are bringing new business models to the ever changing biz.

BLUEHAZE IPHONE APPS
The company is not only known for their concert community, but for their iPhone App which they are offering to bands for FREE. Check out more at www.bluehaze.com

DYMPOL - DISCOUNTED MUSIC PURCHASES ONLINE
Dympol (pronounced "dim-ple") stands for Discounting Your Music Purchases On-Line. By working with sponsors that believe in the value of music, dympol is able to offer variable discounts that help you buy more for less while helping recording artists and other creators earn more. Check out more at www.dympol.com


THE BEST OF 2009

Last but not least is my yearly Top Albums (and other things) of 2009. This is the time a lot of you say "Marc listens to some weird s**t", but as always my musical tastes span many genres, so there is usually something here for everyone (unless you like country music).

Enjoy and be sure to go and buy some of these at your local record store!

Top 20 albums of 2009
1. Devin Townsend Project- Addicted! - http://www.myspace.com/devintownsenddtb
2. Prodigy - Invaders Must Die - http://www.myspace.com/theprodigy
3. Katatonia - Night Is The New Day - http://www.myspace.com/katatonia
4. The Dear Hunter - Act III: Life And Death - http://www.myspace.com/thedearhunter
5. Metric - Fantasies - http://www.myspace.com/metric
6. Dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion - http://www.myspace.com/dredg
7. Faunts - Feel. Love. Thinking. Of. - http://www.myspace.com/faunts
8. Muse - The Resistance - http://www.myspace.com/muse
9. Brendan Benson - My Old, Familiar Friend - http://www.myspace.com/brendanbenson
10. Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue - http://www.myspace.com/aliceinchains
11. VNV Nation - Of Faith Power And Glory - http://www.myspace.com/vnvnation
12. Ghost Brigade - Isolation Songs - http://www.myspace.com/ghostbrigade
13. Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions - http://www.myspace.com/biffyclyro
14. My Dying Bride - For Lies I Sire - http://www.myspace.com/officialmydyingbride
15. Doves - Kingdom Of Rust - http://www.myspace.com/dovesmyspace
16. Mastodon - Crack The Skye - http://www.myspace.com/mastodon
17. Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters and Cadlliac Blood - http://www.myspace.com/volbeat
18. Fever Ray - Fever Ray - http://www.myspace.com/feverray
19. DM Stith - Heavy Ghost - http://www.myspace.com/dmstith
20. Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect - http://www.myspace.com/betweentheburiedandme

Top 5 songs of 2009
Prodigy "Omen"
Dredg "Ireland"
Metric "Help I'm Alive"
Volbeat "Hallelujah Goat"
Devin Townsend Project "Hyperdrive!"

Top 15 concerts of 2009
Faith No More @ Download, UK
Nine Inch Nails @ Terminal 5, NYC
Paul McCartney @ Citi Field, NYC
Metallica @ MSG, NYC
Prodigy @ Download UK
Hall & Oates @ Irving Plaza, NYC
King's X @ Terminal 5, NYC
Frank Turner @ DC's, Hoboken
VNV Nation @ Nokia Theater, NYC
Dredg @ Highline Ballroom, NYC
Septic Flesh @ Scion Rock Fest, Atlanta
Skeletonwitch @ Full Metal Texas, Austin
Johann Johannsson @ Le Poison Rouge, NYC
Night Ranger @ BB Kings, NYC
Krallice @ Scion Rock Fest, Atlanta

Top 5 TV shows
Modern Family
The League
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Chuck
How I Met Your Mother

Best of the rest (albums that is)...
A Place To Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
Air - Love 2
Amorphis - Sky Forger
Animals As Leaders - Animals As Leaders
Astra - The Weirding
Baroness - Blue Album
Behemoth - Evangelion
Beirut - March of The Zapotec and Realpeople Holland
Bob Mould - Life And Times
The Bronx - Mariachi El Bronx
Candlemass - Death Magic Doom
Chimaira - The Infection
Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West
Constants - The Foundation, the Machine, the Ascension
Decemberists - The Hazard Of Love
Devin Townsend Project - Ki
Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Lining
Ensiferum - From Afar
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
If These Trees Could Talk - Above The Earth, Below The Sun
Insomnium - Across The Dark
Irepress - Sol Eye Sea I
Isis - Wavering Radiant
Iwrestledabearonce - It's All Happening
Killswitch Engage - Killswitch Engage
Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life
Lamb Of God - Wrath
Maria Taylor - Lady Luck
Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster - III
Mew - No More Stories...
Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind
Morrissey - Years Of Refusal
Naam - Naam
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Part Chimp - Thriller
Patton Oswalt - My Weakness Is Strong
Pearl Jam - Backspacer
Pelican - Ephemeral
Placebo - Battle For The Sun
Poison The Well - The Tropic Rot
Porcupine Tree - The Incident
Redemption - Snowfall On Judgment Day
Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 11:11
Russian Circles - Geneva
Satyricon - Age Of Nero
Scale The Summit - Carving Desert Canyons
Silversun Pickups - Swoon
Skeletonwitch - Breathing The Fire
Soulsavers - Broken
Steven Wilson - Insurgentes
Swallow The Sun - New Moon
Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself
The Gathering - The West Pole
The Mountain Goats - The Life Of The World To Come
Therapy? - Crooked Timber
Wolves In The Throne Room - Black Cascade
Zao - Awake?
Zero 7 - Yeah Ghost

OCEANSIZE "HOME & MINOR" EP IN STORES NOW

OCEANSIZE present a rather unusual collection of their more "settled" numbers. 32 minutes, 6 song that sare and will be exclusive to this EP.



Digital-only in the US, so click HERE to get it.

And if you haven't picked it up already, be sure to get the 3 DVD + 4 CD "Feed To Feed" Boxset that is limited to only 5000 worldwide!

OCTOBER 2009 UPDATE

JOINING THE CENTURY MEDIA FAMILY



I'm excited to announce that I've joined the Century Media family. I'll be overseeing marketing for InsideOut Music (Devin Townsend, King's X) and Superball Music (Oceansize, Trail Of Dead), as well as working with CM on new business ventures.





I'll still be doing all things Branch Marketing including Dillinger Escape Plan, Katatonia, Full Metal Texas and all the other sponsorship and partnership marketing to promote the rock.

Here is the full press release announcing a couple of other big industry folks joining the fold.

Century Media Positions Itself For The Future; Aggressive Growth Over The Next Decade

Century Media has been a brand name that has been synonymous with heavy metal for the past 20 years. The company is announcing new appointments that will position itself for aggressive growth in the next decade by bringing on Don Robertson as President Mike Gitter as VP of A+R and Marc Schapiro as marketing/product manager for the company’s InsideOut Music and Superball imprints.

Oliver Withoft (CEO) states, “The world as we know it will change dramatically within the next two years. We, at Century Media, are looking forward to change. It will set a couple of things right that went way out of line in our industry over the past decade. Embracing these changes with an outstanding team will be even more fun and rewarding. These new appointments also kick off a business development initiative intended to extend the Century Media brand.”

Don Robertson will oversee all aspects of the company’s USA operation as President, bringing twenty years of industry expertise spanning management, label and publishing. He states, “I’m proud and excited to join the extremely talented staff at Century Media in this role. For 20 years they have been at the forefront of the metal community and continue to break new barriers. The record business is in exciting times where you must be innovative, smart and hungry to survive. Century Media is all that and more. This is the company to watch!”

Mike Gitter brings a track record of vision and accomplishment as part of Atlantic and Roadrunner Records, having garnered gold level successes with projects including Bad Religion, Killswitch Engage and MTV Headbanger's Ball compilation. He also signed such genre titans as Megadeth, Dragonforce, Opeth, Glassjaw and Nightwish.

Gitter further describes his enthusiasm, “Not only am I becoming part of Century Media's legacy, but I'm also becoming part of what is guaranteed to be its most exciting chapter yet. It's a rare moment in a label's history where vision and know-how come together -- that's the Century Media of now. This is the company that's going to surprise not merely the metal industry but the music industry at large in the next couple years.”

Marc Schapiro has joined on as marketing/product manager for InsideOut Music and Superball imprints while also working with Century Media as a whole for new business development and marketing. Marc brings the resources of his company, Branch Marketing Collective, which focuses on sponsorship and event marketing.

Schapiro comments: "I couldn't be more excited to be part of the InsideOut Music, Superball Music and the whole Century Media family. They are some of the most forward-thinking labels in this new era of the music business, and have an amazing team in place that I'm psyched to be a part of. Most importantly, I am looking forward to bringing bigger and more innovative opportunities to some of my favorite artists of all time like Devin Townsend, King's X and Oceansize."

Throughout the past 20 years, Century Media has been working with some of the scene's greatest musicians turning many into household names. CM has stood resolutely through the ups and downs of continually changing economic and political markets and shifting tides in consumer tastes. It is proud of its leadership in the hard music scene; a banner for the valuable art form and means of expression. Despite all of the years and breakthroughs the company maintains their organic, family feel and business is still being conducted by fans of the music for fans of the music.


DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN STUDIO UPDATE & EUROPEAN TOUR DATES



The band is continuing to slave away in California with producer Steve Evetts putting together their next masterpiece, Option Paralysis. The guys just issued a Hetfield-inspired studio update which you can check out at the newly launched www.optionparalysis.net. In addition, there are US & Canadian tour dates to end 2009, then the guys will be doing a special run of small club shows in Europe in Feb 2010. Here's the rundown...

2009
12/4 Farmingdale NY @ The Crazy Donkey
12/5 Syracuse NY @ Lost Horizon
12/6 Montreal QC @ Foufounes Electriques
12/7 Toronto ON @ The Mod Club
12/9 Poplar Grove IL @ Chubby Rain House of Tunes
12/10 Grand Rapids MI @ The Intersection
12/11 Covington KY @ The Mad Hatter
12/12 Sauget IL @ Pop's
12/14 Millvale PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre
12/15 Baltimore MD @ Otto Bar
12/16 Richmond VA @ Canal Club Downstairs Lounge
12/17 Allentown PA @ Crocodile Rock
12/18 Clifton Park NY @ Northern Lights
12/19 Cambridge MA @ The Middle East Downstairs

2010
2/1 Vienna, AUT - Chelsea
2/3 Milan, ITA - Circolo Magnolia
2/4 Munchen, GER - 59:1
2/5 Cologne, GER - MTC
2/6 Brussels, BEL - Ancienne Belgique
2/8 Berlin, GER - Magnet Club
2/9 Amsterdam, NET - Paradiso
2/10 Paris, FRA - La Maroquinerie
2/12 London, UK - Barfly

http://www.myspace.com/dillingerescapeplan


KATATONIA - NIGHT IS THE NEW DAY



The three-week countdown has begun for the November 10th (US) release of the new KATATONIA record, Night Is The New Day

NightIsTheNewDay.com contains an exclusive album teaser, interviews with the band, artwork, studio updates, and more. Fans that sign up for the Katatonia mailing list at NightIsTheNewDay.com will also receive a free download of a brand new track off the upcoming release, "Forsaker".

Even Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH has praised the upcoming release: "KATATONIA's [forthcoming album] 'Night Is The New Day' is possibly the greatest 'heavy' record I've heard in the last 10 years."

The band will be filming a video for "Day & Then The Shade" as well as releasing a single for it in late October.

The track list for Night is the New Day is...
01. Forsaker
02. The Longest Year
03. Idle Blood
04. Onward Into Battle
05. Liberation
06. The Promise Of Deceit
07. Nephilim
08. New Night
09. Inheritance
10. Day & Then The Shade
11. Ashen (*Swedish edition CD and vinyl edition bonus track)
12. Departer

Night is the New Day is Katatonia's eighth studio album, and the follow up to their 2006 release, The Great Cold Distance. The artwork for Night is the New Day was done by Travis Smith, whom also produced the art for The Great Cold Distance, as well as numerous other Katatonia albums. Following the completion of the album, Katatonia will head out on a European tour with the likes of Porcupine Tree and Paradise Lost.

http://www.nightisthenewday.com


SAW VI & METALINSIDER.NET PROMOTION

Some of the best partnerships in entertainment come together with music and movies. Branch Marketing Collective helped put together a SAW VI partnership with METALINSIDER.NET for their CMJ Metal Listening Party on October 23rd (the same day as the movie hits theaters).



The latest film in the SAW horror movie series together with a party previewing the best new metal (including the new Slayer record) couldn't be a better fit. Check out more info about the movie, contest and party by clicking HERE.


SCIENCE OF SILENCE RECORDS



Another reason to look forward to 2010 will be the launch of Science Of Silence Records. A new label releasing limited edition vinyl for the best in post-rock, instrumental and avant-garde metal.

News and webstore coming soon, so be sure to bookmark http://www.scienceofsilence.net


AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH...

Make sure to hit me up about any of these other projects, as well as any sponsorship and partnership marketing opportunities.

BLUE HAZE IPHONE APPS
ROYAL FAMILY CLOTHING
A2IM

SAW VI & METALINSIDER.NET

Some of the best partnerships in entertainment come together with music and movies. Branch Marketing Collective helped put together a SAW VI partnership with METALINSIDER.NET for their CMJ Metal Listening Party on October 23rd (the same day as the movie hits theaters).

The latest film in the SAW horror movie series together with a party previewing the best new metal (including the new Slayer record) couldn't be a better fit. Check out more info about the movie, contest and party by clicking HERE.

KATATONIA & THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN UPDATES

KATATONIA LAUNCHES MINI-SITE FOR'NIGHT IS THE NEW DAY'
Track List Revealed for New Album



STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Sweden's Progressive venders of gloom and doom, KATATONIA, have launched a mini-site for their highly anticipated, forthcoming album, Night is the New Day, due out November 10th on Peaceville Records in the US (and Nov 2nd in the UK/EU)

NightIsTheNewDay.com contains an exclusive album teaser, interviews with the band, artwork, studio updates, and more. Fans that sign up for the Katatonia mailing list at NightIsTheNewDay.com will also receive a free download of a brand new track off the upcoming release, "Forsaker" (which you can download HERE)

Even Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH has praised the upcoming release: "KATATONIA's [forthcoming album] 'Night Is The New Day' is possibly the greatest 'heavy' record I've heard in the last 10 years."

The band will be filming a video for "Day & Then The Shade" as well as releasing a single for it in October.

The track list for Night is the New Day is...
01. Forsaker
02. The Longest Year
03. Idle Blood
04. Onward Into Battle
05. Liberation
06. The Promise Of Deceit
07. Nephilim
08. New Night
09. Inheritance
10. Day & Then The Shade
11. Ashen (*Swedish edition CD and vinyl edition bonus track)
12. Departer

Night is the New Day is Katatonia's eighth studio album, and the follow up to their 2006 release, The Great Cold Distance. The artwork for Night is the New Day was done by Travis Smith, whom also produced the art for The Great Cold Distance, as well as numerous other Katatonia albums. Following the completion of the album, Katatonia will head out on a European tour with the likes of Porcupine Tree and Paradise Lost.

www.katatonia.com
www.nightisthenewday.com
www.myspace.com/katatonia
www.peaceville.com


DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - STUDIO UPDATE & DECEMBER TOUR



After spending 2009 touring the world and sharing the stage with bands like Nine Inch Nails, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are currently in the studio with Steve Evetts to record their next album, Option Paralysis. It will be coming out in Spring 2010 on their own Party Smasher Inc label in conjunction with Season Of Mist Records.


The guys also just announced a 2-week run in December with Thursday and Fake Problems...dates are below!

12/04 - Farmingdale NY / The Crazy Donkey
12/05 - Syracuse NY / Lost Horizon
12/06 - Montreal QC / Foufounes Electriques
12/07 - Toronto ON / The Mod Club
12/09 - Poplar Grove IL / Chubby Rain House of Tunes
12/10 - Grand Rapids MI / The Intersection
12/11 - Covington KY / The Mad Hatter
12/12 - Sauget IL / Pop's
12/14 - Millvale PA / Mr. Small's Theatre
12/15 - Baltimore MD / Otto Bar
12/16 - Richmond VA / Canal Club Downstairs Lounge
12/17 - Allentown PA / Crocodile Rock
12/18 - Clifton Park NY / Northern Lights
12/19 - Cambridge MA / The Middle East Downstairs

Also be sure to check out some recent videos clips from the band here:

OPTION PARALYSIS STUDIO UPDATE #2 & #3


OPTION PARALYSIS STUDIO UPDATE #1
ON STAGE WITH NIN AT THEIR FINAL LA SHOW PLAYING "WISH"
ON STAGE WITH NIN AT THEIR FINAL LA SHOW PLAYING "MR. SELF-DESTRUCT"

www.myspace.com/dillingerescapeplan

FALL 2009 UPDATE

2009 is flying by, so that means it's time for another update on the latest and greatest at BRANCH MARKETING COLLECTIVE. Below is info on current projects, upcoming events and partner companies. As always, please hit me up at msschap@gmail.com for more information and make sure to bookmark http://www.branchmc.com


After the success of the first ever FULL METAL TEXAS this past March in Austin, we are coming back bigger and better for 2010. BMC and Yeah! Management will be throwing Full Metal Texas 2010 on Thursday, March 18th for a day party at Emo's. And by Emo's we are talking the mainstage, Emo's Jr and possibly a third stage as well! Check out more information and photos from 2009 here: http://www.fullmetaltexas.com/



After spending 2009 touring the world and sharing the stage with bands like Nine Inch Nails, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN have entered the studio with Steve Evetts to record their next record, Option Paralysis. The record will be coming out in Spring 2010 on their own Party Smasher Inc label in conjunction with Season Of Mist Records. BMC is spearheading the campaign, so please reach out to get involved in one of the most anticipated metal albums of 2010. http://www.myspace.com/dillingerescapeplan



This November (the 10th in the US and the 2nd rest of the world) brings the new record from KATATONIA entitled Night Is The New Day. BMC will be handling online and digital marketing for the release setting up contests, exclusives and more. A continuation of the heaviness, depth & atmosphere of their previous album, ‘Night Is the New Day’ is also a more multi-dimensional effort - waltzing between prog moments, doom, folk & the classic melodic anthems that are the staple of Katatonia’s uncompromising sound, completed by the haunting tones of Jonas Renkse’s vocal journeys of urban & emotional decay. Check out http://www.katatonia.com for more for the latest news and tour information. And look for the launch of the album microsite next week!



BMC is working with BLUEHAZE to bring your bands a great marketing opportunity - FREE IPHONE APPS. BlueHaze has put together a great program where the App is built for free in exchange for sharing of revenue from advertising or sales of the App. It is the best mobile marketing tool to connect your fans to the latest tour dates, album releases, news and more. Hit BMC up for more information and also check out: http://www.bluehaze.com/iphone



One of the best music organizations for the independent music world is A2IM, the American Association Of Independent Music. Whether it is lobbying for the rights of the independent artist, or throwing events at CMJ and MIDEM that gives people the opportunity to reach thousands of execs at once. If you are interested in getting involved as a partner in their events or even becoming an associate member, please contact me and check out http://www.a2im.org



Only in it's second year of existence, ROYAL FAMILY CLOTHING is already being seen on bands such as Coheed And Cambria, A Day To Remember and VersaEmerge. Whether it is their limited-edition band shirts, or their amazing line of clothing, RFC is showing up at music and fashion events everywhere. Please hit me up if you are interested in finding out more about their clothing and events (including a BIG holiday show this December in South Florida). http://www.areyouroyalty.com



BMC was recently featured on MUSICIANCOACHING.COM, a new venture from music industry exec, Rick Goetz. We talked all things marketing, touring and how to reach out to your fans. Check out the interview here: http://tinyurl.com/mbtgoh



For all the brands and agencies out there, BMC is focused on putting together the best partnerships and sponsorships for music tours, events and releases. After attending the Billboard Music & Advertising Conference back in June, we noticed that the world of rock and heavy metal is not being utilized as a source for great long-term partnerships. Our goal in 2010 is to be that source for brands and agencies, so keep BMC in the front of your mind if you are looking to target various demos with some of the most loyal fans around.



SHADOWS FALL - new album, Retribution, out Sept 15th. Just appeared on Jimmy Fallon and touring through 2011. http://www.myspace.com/shadowsfall

VNV NATION - On the more "electronic" side of things is one of the most successful darkwave acts out there. Their live shows rival some of the best rock bands and they'll be returning to the US of A soon. http://www.myspace.com/vnvnation

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Over 85,000 records sold in less than four months. Just headlined Warped Tour and continues to be one of the biggest Christian metal bands around. http://www.myspace.com/tdwp

IN FLAMES - Millions sold worldwide and currently touring the US, then back to Europe to end the year on the Rockstar Taste Of Chaos tour with Killswitch Engage, Every Time I Die and more. http://www.myspace.com/inflames

RUSSIAN CIRCLES - Epic instrumental rock band who will be releasing their third album on October 20th on Suicide Squeeze Records. http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles

THE SWELLERS - New album on Fueled By Ramen out on Sept 29th. On tour all of October in front of thousands supporting Paramore. http://www.myspace.com/theswellers

Also to keep on your radar: RODRIGO Y GABRIELA, TRIVIUM, JULIETTE LEWIS, LITA FORD, CONSTANTS, MUSHROOMHEAD, OCEANSIZE, HALESTORM, SHINEDOWN



Check out these other BMC-related websites:
ONE BARREL BAR - http://www.onebarrelbar.com
KOSHER KLOTHING - http://www.kosherklothing.com
BACONJEW - http://www.baconjew.com
CULT OF SCHAP - http://cultofschap.blogspot.com

KATATONIA "NIGHT IS THE NEW DAY" IN STORES NOV. 10

I'm excited to announce that I'll be working with Peaceville Records on the new release from KATATONIA. Night Is The New Day is the band's eighth studio album and hits stores on November 10th. BMC will be focusing on digital and online marketing for the Swedish masters of melancholy.

If you are not familiar with the band, check out the video "My Twin" from their groundbreaking 2006 album, The Great Cold Distance.



Keep a look-out for the upcoming launch of the NIGHT IS THE NEW DAY mini-site for exclusives & more.

Musician Coaching Interview

I was recently interviewed by Rick Goetz who runs Musician Coaching, where he provides strategic consulting for musicians, songwriters and entertainment executives. He's one of the smartest and more forward thinking music execs out there, so make sure to check out his site.

My interview with him was on how to market your band. I know I'm no Trent Reznor when it comes to advice, but check out the article and pass it around all your band friends out there. Definitely some great topics covered.

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL - DONNINGTON CALLING

I was lucky enough to head over for a second year in a row to the UK for the DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL which this year featured headliners Faith No More, Slipknot and Def Leppard along with 120 bands on 4 stages over 3 days in Donnington. This year the festival was said to have over 75,000 people on hand, and with the perfect weather (believe it or not), the show could not have run better.



It was put on by Live Nation, who that Monday won "Event Of The Year" at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards back in London. The main sponsors were Kerrang Magazine, BBC Radio 1 (who was broadcasting from the venue), Last.fm, HMV (the last remaining chain record store in the UK), Tuborg Beer (official beer and sponsor of "Tent Stage") and Red Bull (sponsor of the 4th stage of developing artists). Saw some major presence from Jagermeister as expected who had a big freestanding bar set up as well as a VIP lounge out in the field.



The sponsors were not in your face like at some festivals, but all 75,000 people there were saying "Tuborg Stage" and "Red Bull Stage" throughout the whole weekend. And with the live streaming on the website, the visibility had to have hit hundreds of thousands of people around the world that couldn't make it to the center of the UK.

The best part of Download, that goes for most festivals outside the US, is the diversity of bands "under one roof". You had the same people that were moshing to Slipknot, also dancing to Prodigy and rocking out to Journey. No pretension, no sub-genres, just a love of music.



The US fans are starting to come around to this when you see a festival like Bonnaroo this year booking heavier bands like Nine Inch Nails, Dillinger Escape Plan, Shadows Fall and High On Fire, alongside Phish, Bruce Springsteen and Snoop Dogg.



Rock and metal fans are definitely some of the most loyal out there, and now that they are making inroads at bigger US festivals (Tool @ All Points West, Coheed And Cambria @ Lollapalooza), I hope the bigger brands will see what they are missing out on.

BILLBOARD MUSIC & ADVERTISING CONFERENCE

On June 4th & 5th, I attended the Billboard Music & Advertising Conference at the W Hotel here in NYC. It was the first of this kind from the events people at Billboard who put on great industry conferences all year long.

Great people in attendance from all over the world - ad agencies, brands, labels, music licensing companies and more. Some of the highlights included a great opening keynote with Steve Stoute (Translation) and a closing day interview with Pharrell Williams (NERD). Some of the more interesting panels came from David Jones (RSCG Worldwide) who showed that the Brits definitely know what they are doing when it comes to using music and brands together. Including this great commercial which was the most successful in the UK last year.



My favorites were definitely hearing about Cornerstone and Converse working together to release the single "My Drive Thru"



And the "Power Of Connecting Bands And Brands" panel with some great speakers from agencies such as Momentum, Frukt and Sandbox.

Overall, definitely a very successful event that landed BMC some great new contacts to help promote the rock to the masses.

BMC'S ESCAPE PLAN

Last month you might have heard the news of Dillinger Escape Plan signing to Season Of Mist Records in association with the band's new label, Party Smasher Inc. Well, DEP have brought me on board to spearhead (product manage) the next record. I've been a big fan for years, and I'm psyched to be working with them and the SOM Records crew. The guys will be scaring the s**t out of all the hippies at Bonnaroo, then heading to Europe for a festival run. Then it's back to the states to hit the studio, tour some more, then put out the new record in early 2010. You'll be hearing more news from me in the coming months, and you can always follow DEP at http://www.myspace.com/dillingerescapeplan or http://www.twitter.com/dillingerescpln

BMC & THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC COMMUNITY

BMC recently started working with an amazing non-profit organization that is made up of the BEST independent music companies in the world. As someone who has spent almost all of his career at independent music labels, getting to work with A2IM is definitely exciting for me. I'm working on getting new sponsors, members and partners for their various events ranging from local chapter happy hours to bigger events like Midem. If you are interested in working with thousands of people in the independent music world, please reach out to me and check out http://www.a2im.org