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| From | Ralph Alfonso <ralph@nettwerk.com> |
| Subject | Bongo Beat at IPO this Sunday (press release) |
| Date | Wed, 27 Jul 2005 17:56:40 -0700 |
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reminder for folks in LA re: my label showcase this Sunday.
Come down & say hi!
Ralph Alfonso
-------------------
Sunday Evening, July 31: The Joint
(Bongobeat Records Night)
8771 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles 310 275-2619
$8
**FREE Bongo Beat CD for the first 25 paid attendees!**
7:15 David Bash In Conversation With Ralph Alfonso & Dave Rave
7:30 World Premiere Film: The Diodes: Live At The Crash n Burn Club 1977
8:00 USA Premiere Film: Ralph: Coffee Jazz and Poetry
8:30 RALPH
9:00 Bedsit Poets
9:30 Linda McLean
10:00 Man Of the Year
10:30 Dave Rave
------------------
press release:
------------------
BONGO BEAT RECORDS
10th Anniversary Showcase
Sunday, July 31, The Joint,
8771 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles,
310.275.2619
---------------------------------------------------
Bongo Beat Records celebrate their 10 year anniversary with a special
night at The Joint, Sunday, July 31, as part of the International Pop
Overthrow Festival. http://www.internationalpopoverthrow.com
Free CDs to first 25 people!
In addition to showcasing new signings, the evening will serve as a
retrospective of the label's history, starting with our roots in the 1977
Toronto punk scene. Label head Ralph Alfonso used to manage the legendary
Crash n Burn Club and The Diodes (Tired of Waking Up Tired) in addition
to writing & photographing for Bomp, New York Rocker, Goldmine and other
publications from that era. He is joined by long-time collaborator and
special guest Dave Rave (ex-Teenage Head) in a special pre-show interview
segment hosted by Pop Overthrow supremo David Bash.
This will be followed by the world premier of "The Diodes Live at the
Crash and Burn Club, Toronto, 1977". This footage has never been shown in
its entirety and this is a one-time only public screening. We have also
come into possession of the Rod Swenson Diodes at Max's Kansas City film
and all this footage will eventually be released on DVD. After another
conversation with Ralph and Dave, there will be the US premiere of
"Ralph, Coffee Jazz and Poetry", The BRAVO TV (Canada) documentary on
Ralph & Dave's early touring & Ralph’s 90s adventures as Canada's beat
crusader in addition to great 50s style animation by director Patrick
Jenkins.
Bongo Beat was originally started by ex-rock writer & major label drop-out
(EMI, Warner, etc) Ralph Alfonso to showcase his RALPH beatnik garage rock
group. He has since curated a deep and rich roster of new and veteran cult
artists. Johnny Dowd, Paul Hyde (ex-Payolas), Katrina & The Waves
(reissue), Kimberley Rew (Soft Boys), Ann Mortifee, Andy Creeggan
(Barenaked Ladies), Meryn Cadell, Kathy Acker, Dave Rave (ex-Teenage
Head), Lauren Agnelli (aka Trixie A. Balm, ex-Washington Squares), Anton
Barbeau with The Bevis Frond are joined by new faces Lola Dutronic, Joe
Mannix, Kobayashi, Linda McLean, Kevin House, Man of the Year, Bedsit
Poets and more to
come.
"There is a strong literary thread that connects what might be
disparate acts at first," says Ralph, "But I'm very picky about words and
what people are saying and quality of the packaging. I grew up where a
cool label took you down many interesting roads. I don't want to keep
putting out the same record. When you're an indie, you don't have the
luxury of time. If you like something, you have to go for it right away -
it may not be around tomorrow. Somebody has to document the alternate
history of things and that's us."
--------------------------------------------------------
Showcasing in order of appearance:
RALPH: First ever LA appearance. Label head Ralph Alfonso dares to connect
Mose Allison with Sky Saxon and Lawrence Ferlinghetti for some drinks
with Gene Vincent and Jack Kerouac. Somebody has to do it. Bring the party
hats.
"Ralph Alfonso's extraordinary combo manage to be heaps of fun as they
take the listener on a rare and worthwhile journey."
Max Bell, London Evening Standard, UK.
http://www.bongobeat.com
BEDSIT POETS: Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe are two ex-pat Brits living
in New York. They have solo careers on other labels, but honestly, it is
this inspired Luna meets Fairport Convention meets Serge & Jane (in
English) shimmering pop concoction that will make their mark. Guitarist
Mac Randall will take you to the altar. Don't say no. First ever LA
appearance.
http://www.amandathorpe.net
LINDA McLEAN: She lives in the Canadian backwoods of North Ontario ("There
is a town...etc"); a rough-hewn Lucinda Williams, wiser Kathleen Edwards,
Norwegian steel-chiseled good looks and an album full of hooks & choruses
not easily forgotten. Her last album was released by Rounder Europe, but
we have her now!!! For the world (insert cackle here)! First ever LA
appearance.
http://www.lindamclean.com
MAN OF THE YEAR: The coolest Brit band of the evening, and they're from
Portland, Oregon. Produced by Tony Lash (Dandy Warhols, Tahiti 80) and
Jeff Saltzman (Steve Malkamus). Over breakfast at The Roxy Diner in
Portland, we signed the deal on a napkin. See them now before a major
label steals them away. We can always sell the napkin on eBay. In the
meantime - guitars guitars, keyboards, drums, singalong choruses, big
harmonies and... more guitars. Texture, baby.
Http://www.manoftheyearmusic.com
DAVE RAVE: Dave went from Teenage Head to the first western signing with
Russia's Melodyia label (one problem, they wouldn't let him take money out
of Russia, so he got paid in cheese). Somewhere in there, he was a studio
guitarist for Daniel Lanois in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. A sort
of Canadian Nick Lowe, Dave is an in-demand co-writer/producer/session guy
(too long a list but Dave is on records by Alex Chilton, Steve Wynn,
Andrew Loog Oldham, etc). Dave is the perfect closer for the night, as
witnessed by our tearing down the Cavern Club Liverpool last year... every
set is a party. Make no mistake, the stage will be full of dancing sweaty
people. It's Sunday night, who's gonna see you? Do you think he'll close
with "Let's Shake"?
Http://www.dave-rave.com
----------------------------------------------------
Ralph Alfonso will be in LA from Thurs, July 28 till Mon, Aug 1.
If you'd like to talk to Ralph or if you'd rather talk to any of the
bands, you can reach us below. Otherwise, Ralph will be spending most of
his time at either Amoeba Records or Book Soup with his wife trying to
drag him out of both.
Ralph Alfonso,
Bongo Beat Vancouver
ralph@bongobeat.com
Kevin Komoda,
Bongo Beat Montreal (press/promo/retail)
komoda@total.net
Bongo Beat, Box 93627, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6E 4L7
ralph@bongobeat.com
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