INDIE NEWS BEAT

August 2, 2005 Edition

* Artists Defy London Bombers By Releasing Video

* Warren Zevon Tribute CD Hits Today

* Detroit Techno Militia Gains Ground In Belgium

* Adventure Music Launches Publishing Division

* The Sky’s the Limit for Ryan Farish’s sophomore release "From the Sky"

* I Surrender Records Announces New Signing: Valencia

* Afrikool Records Allies With BeAudible.com For Digital Distribution

* UNSIGNED Now Accepts Reviews Through Sonicbids

* 904 Who’s Next? Tef XL & East Unit Release Minority Report

Artists Defy London Bombers By Releasing Video

London artists the Frofar Allstars have collaborated on a track and video called "Make it through the rain".

This video was released after a spate of bombings and terror attacks in London, crippling the transport system and claiming innocent lives, with many still unaccounted for.

This collaboration, a joint project of the artists collectively featuring Steve Johnstone, Kieye, Darshna, Dreyce, Haley and Alisha. This track was made about losing people close to us, through tragedy and how we deal with bereavement and grief.

The nature of the music relects the determinism and resilience of Londoners against the this attack.

The track and video had been circulating on the net, generating a lot of attention. A version of this video shows the artists performing individually, spliced together with the current footage from the tragedy.

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Warren Zevon Tribute CD Hits Today

Wampus Multimedia introduces "Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon." Featuring 13 Zevon classics interpreted by emerging artists from the U.S. and England, ‘Hurry Home Early’ focuses on Zevon’s contribution to literate, modern songcraft, and tracks his 35-year journey as acerbic troubadour and cynical romantic.

"Hurry Home Early" traces Zevon’s career from the late 1960s until his untimely death from mesothelioma, an inoperable lung cancer, in 2003. From Phil Cody’s "Splendid Isolation" to Robb Johnson’s "Suzie Lightning," the CD tells the story of an artist torn between hopeful and dark impulses, locked in a struggle between heart and mind. From Tom Flannery’s "Boom Boom Mancini" to Neil Luckett’s "Mutineer," it explores the emotional interior of a composer who has been called the Hunter S. Thompson of audio journalism.

Wampus Multimedia started the Zevon project in 2001, after it released its first tribute CD, ‘If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman,’ and was working on its second, ‘After Hours: a Tribute to the Music of Lou Reed.’ "Warren Zevon was arguably Lou Reed’s west-coast counterpart — the ‘poet of Gower Avenue,’" says Mark Doyon, the CD’s executive producer. "He was a literate songwriter who ventured into pop music…. He understood something basic about human nature. He knew empathy had to be mixed with something cutting, honest, and, preferably, hilarious."

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Detroit Techno Militia Gains Ground In Belgium

Alerts are on the rise due to Belgian DJ/Producer Dimitri Pike’s enlistment to RECON:313, a division of the DETROIT TECHNO MILITIA (DTM). This infantry unit is gaining operatives and sleeper cells throughout the globe. Their mission is to combat the complacent music scene by ambushing through the back doors of various regions, both US and abroad. Although new to DTM, Pike has already advanced the front lines.

DJing since 1997, Dimitri Pike has been marching the counter culture forward ever since. Occupying nine territories throughout Northern France and areas South of Belgium, he has consistently rallied dance floors with the battle cry of Detroit Techno. Some of his most notable sonic assaults took place on the decks at Berlin’s Tresor Club and Electric Avenue’s Fuse-In Detroit after-party, "Endurance".

Pike’s studio work has produced a dance floor demolishing arsenal. Twelve of his tracks created with the Neptune Synthesizer serve as demos for the manufacturer, Spectral Audio, Switzerland. His explosive dance floor weapons include the "Night Works EP" (Mirage Records, France), "Carnival" for DJ Bone’s "Subject:Detroit Mix 03" (Subject Detroit), "Expressions" and the "Expressions Reworks" (Wildtek, France/Nufonix, USA). Additionally, he has reconfigured remixes of Mitch Walcott’s "Mind Storm" (Titan Free Project), and the seminal techno classic:"The Shit" by Sean Deason (Matrix, Detroit). Many international DJs regularly utilize his artillery in their own sonic strike missions.

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Adventure Music Launches Publishing Division

Adventure Music, the independent label that has released CDs from such acclaimed artists as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ricardo Silveira, Moacir Santos, Claudia Villela, Maria Marquez, Jovino Santos Neto, and its cofounder mandlolin legend Mike Marshall, has just launched a publishing division. The initial titles from Adventure Publishing are five Mandolin Method books authored by Marshall. The books are currently only available online at the Elderly Instruments website, and will be available at other retailers in the near future.

One of the world’s most accomplished and versatile acoustic musicians, Mike is able to swing gracefully from jazz to classical to bluegrass to Latin styles. Throughout his career, Mike has performed and recorded with some of the top acoustic string instrumentalists in the world, including jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, fiddle virtuoso Mark O’Connor, five-string banjo phenom Bela Fleck, bassist and MacArthur Fellowship winner Edgar Meyer, and classical violinist Joshua Bell.

His projects for Adventure Music include "Mike Marshall and Choro Famoso," "Serenata" (with Jovino Santos Neto), and, on Adventure Music America, Psychograss’ "Now Hear This." In August, the label will reissue a remastered version of Marshall’s 1996 release, "Brazil Duets," which pairs him with an eclectic array of players, including Bela Fleck, Andy Narell, Michael Manring, and more.

The titles of the five books in the Mandolin Method series are:

The Great Book of Finger Busters

Improvisational Concepts

The Chord Book

Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin by J.S. Bach

Brazilian Choros

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The Sky’s the Limit for Ryan Farish’s sophomore release "From the Sky"

Billboard Charting artist Ryan Farish knows the ’sky is the limit’ when it comes to his sophomore release "From the Sky" which hit retail shelves June 21st, 2005. Already establishing his name as one of the highest downloaded artists on mp3.com, Ryan raked in close to 2 million downloads by the time his debut "Beautiful" hit shelves.

By the end of 2004, "Beautiful" moved on to # 1 on the Music Choice ‘Soundscapes Channel’, broke into the Top 10 Billboard New Age Charts, Echoes.org ‘Top 25 Albums’ monthly chart and "Sunshine in the Rain" was used for Innovative Stone’s documentary on the first granite building block for the new World Trade Center site.

Currently, his music can be heard just about everywhere on a daily basis. The Weather Channel has been a dedicated fan and programmer of Ryan’s music from day one. Currently 6 songs from the new album "From the Sky" are in rotation on The Weather Channel’s ‘Local on the 8’s’ forecast; as well as the themed intro song on "Storm Stories" which airs nightly. We also have dedicated support from the top satellite & digital cable radio stations including Sirius Satellite Radio and DMX Radio and terrestrial radio programs including Echoes and New World Buzz. This translates into literally MILLIONS OF IMPRESSIONS on a daily basis!

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I Surrender Records Announces New Signing: Valencia

"There is something very special about Valencia," says I Surrender owner Rob Hitt. "Honestly, they are my new favorite band‹I’m so lucky." Not many people can actually say that they are releasing the debut record of their favorite band. I Surrender is lucky indeed; with Valencia’s guitar-mangled, multi-layered, melodic rock and amazing energy and musicianship, it’s difficult to argue that there isn’t something special about this band.

Formed less than two years ago by Philadelphia natives Shane Austin Henderson (vocals), George Ciukirescu (bass), Max Soria (drums), JD Perry (guitar), and Brenden Walter (Guitar), the members of Valencia are hardly new to the underground music scene. They’ve all toured extensively in their previous bands, but it wasn’t until the meeting of musical minds that is Valencia, that these musicians felt that they could collectively‹if not earnestly‹move forward to fully explore their creative potential. "Something just clicks when we write music together," says George, "we seem to gel unlike anything else we’ve experienced before playing in other bands."

Sharing the stage with modern day peers like Brand New, The Starting Line, Me Without You, Senses Fail, Mae, The Early November, Days Away, Hidden in Plain View and Owen, Valencia has played everywhere from Los Angeles to New York City. Now, with the backing of I Surrender Records, these up-and-comers are set to release their debut album, This Could Be A Possibility, later this fall. The band will be touring all summer long in support of the album, culminating with an August 12th appearance in Camden, NJ at this year’s Warped Tour.

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Kristine Sa Rebirth - Return Of The Queen

Summer is here! Warm weather, blockbuster movies, trips to the beach and now an even better reason to celebrate: Kristine Sa has returned with her long awaited follow up to "I Never Knew", her new album "reBIRTH". That’s right, the Queen of As-Am Pop is back and here to help you set the summer off right with hot new songs, talented new producers, banging remixes, a brand new website, and of course that warm, beautiful voice.

Following the success of "I Never Knew", "reBIRTH" continues Kristine’s evolution as a singer, songwriter, and experimentalist. The new album is a collection of new songs, remixes and rare/never released songs tracing her music from the beginning of her career to the present. Kristine continues her music journey, conveying her evolving sense of love and life with a new musical and writing style unlike anything from her storied past. Streaming and downloadable music clips are available on her new website which also features hot new pictures, pages of new poetry, an interactive diary, and a brand new line of Kristine Sa merchandise.

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Afrikool Records Allies With BeAudible.com For Digital Distribution

beAudible.com, an Independent Content Provider for Shared Media Licensing, announced today that it has entered into agreements with Afrikool Music Production. The deal calls for beAudible.com to distribute the Afrikool catalogue, starting out with six albums. Afrikool’s artists include Nicole Collins, Kool International Friends, Jim Savitt, Miko Fukunaga, Inko/ Neido Tribe, ‘Sir’ Francis and Alain Nkossi Konda.

Through the Weed Service, Afrikool Records can sell their music from their own website, and also embrace peer-to-peer networks as a safe, efficient and secure distribution channel. "We want music fans to be able to reach our catalog of talented and unique artists through a broad range of services, and we are dedicated to expanding access to our content," said Alain Nkossi Konda, CEO/Founder of A.M.P.

"We are very excited to be working with Weed and beAudible.com, as it is clear that this alliance will help us connect directly with our audiences and create a more vibrant website which is consistent with the vision we and our partners share for Afrikool’s growth well into this 21st Century.

The alliance further beAudible.com’s commitment to an openess to diverse musical horizons. "This is an exciting partnership between Afrikool Records and beAudible.com," said Sigmund Elias Holm, Founder of beAudible.com. "Alain Nkossi Konda and his team have great experience when it comes to discovering rising stars and developing artistic collaborations between various musical expressions. I look forward to distributing some great Afrikool music through the Weed Service."

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UNSIGNED Now Accepts Reviews Through Sonicbids

UNSIGNED Music Magazine ­ The Largest Magazine Dedicated to Indie Music - has made Sonicbids its’ exclusive online partner for delivery of electronic press kits for review by UNSIGNED. The partnership allows members of Sonicbids to submit their material for review directly to UNSIGNED via the members’ electronic press kit (EPK). Non-members are currently being offered a special package price if they join Sonicbids through UNSIGNED. By joining through the following link http://www.sonicbids.com/unsignedmusicmag non-members can join Sonicbids for three months at a reduced price of $9.95 including submission to UNSIGNED.

"This is a great way for artists to immediately submit their material to us and not risk getting it lost in the mail", said Ken Hamlett ­ publisher of UNSIGNED. "It also gives non-members an incentive to join at a reduced rate and have their material submitted to UNSIGNED for review."

UNSIGNED receives hundreds of submissions every month from artists seeking reviews and the new Sonicbids partnership makes submissions and reviews an easier process.

"We’re excited that Sonicbids has the perfect delivery format for artists to submit material, they make it easy for artists to contact players in the industry that will help push their career to the next level," said Ken Hamlett.

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904 Who’s Next? Tef XL & East Unit Release Minority Report

Born on October 22, 197-, Cedric Terrell a.k.a. TEF XL was destined to become famous. He was born into a military family, which found their way to Jacksonville, FL in 1983. It is Jacksonville, FL where he was originally introduced to crime in the project subdivision called Caravan on the south side of the city. At the age of twelve, TEF XL was embedded in hustling drugs, and committing robberies. He first started rapping as a hobby, to entertain his friends while standing on the project corner.

As years past, he began using rap as a channel to give his friends updates on the latest gun battles or crimes committed in the neighborhood. Soon rap became an addiction, which allowed him to express his feelings towards the world. As a seasoned emcee TEF-XL brings a diverse and complex perspective to urban music.

TEF-XL first hit the local music scene in Jacksonville, FL with a conglomerate of emcees known as E.A.S.T U.N.I.T. As a unit they performed multiple shows opening for rap legends such as Notorious B.I.G, Scarface, Outkast, just to name a few.

TEF-XL, also retained a dark side, known as a notorious hustler on the streets. After frequent encounters with law enforcement and near death experiences, TEF-XL made a promise to himself, his daughter and the game, that he would acclaim higher achievements and give documentation to the streets from which he came. To accomplish such a task TEF-XL revamped his outlook on life and pioneered a street hustle to accumulate money to attend college, and then pursue his music career.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © Tag It 2005 - Republished with Permission

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REVIEW: Rich Robinson - Paper [2004 - Keyhole Records]

So you were disappointed by Chris Robinson’s solo albums? They seemed
interesting, but not … complete? Like Chris needed a band that
understood him? Well friends I have the antidote and the cure and the
acorn did not fall far from the tree…

From the first stuttering riffs of Yesterday I Saw You on Rich Robinson’s Paper,
it’s as clear who is the soul of the Black Crowes. As clear as the
difference in the Mick Jagger and Keith Richards solo records.

Don’t misunderstand, I love Chris Robinson’s lyrics, but Rich is a
capable singer, and the music carries this record far. I don’t mean
that as a swipe; Chris was probably trying to move beyond or away from
the Black Crowes sound, where as Rich embraces and expands it a little,
and that familiarity draws you right into this record. Rich has none of
Chris’ yelp or strut in his singing voice, but that’s okay.

What can you expect? Well the first three cuts are walls of
swirling guitars; Yesterday I Saw You, Enemy and Leave It Alone
picking up where the Crowes Lions left off. Know Me
and it’s slide and lower production value harken back earlier days
sounding like a lost late era Zeppelin track, something cut at the same time as Wearing and Tearing and Ozone Baby that came out on Coda. Forgiven Song and it’s
slow funeral speed, pedal steel and fiddles play like Jerry Jeff
Walker’s Lost Gonzo Band doing the Stones Moonlight Mile. Veil and When You Will are
cousins of the Crowes’ Evil Eye and Non Fiction.

But with Places Rich explores an evil feedback drenched
overdriven riff unlike anything ever heard on his other band’s records.
Not Black Sabbath heavy, not CCR swampy, it’s just a plodding and
insistant groove that just drags you under with it. The mood is
lightened by Begin and it’s  pre-Joker Steve Miller sound with nice
keyboards by Crowes mainstay Eddie Hawrsch. Falling Away is a great
slow acoustic ballad over which Rich lays some of his signature blues
bending. The keyboard driven Baby and Oh No allow Rich some open
tuning slide time. Answers with a string quartet in the background
and It’s Over  are rhythym driven tracks, Answers being a bouncing
rhythym and It’s Over following a turnaround waltz !?!.

I say again, Rich is no singer, but his voice is as passable as
anything. I want to use Steve Miller as an example, but he’s even more
deadpan than that. But that’s not the point. This is a GREAT album that
you may have missed.

** And do NOT forget friends, that the Black Crowes are on tour this summer and fall WITH Steve Gorman back on tubs and a clean and sober Marc Ford back in the fold, leaving only bassist Johnny Colt out of the amazing and dynamic Amorica or Bust touring band.

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How ironic that I feature a post linking to an article called "Is Rock Radio Dying" when on the same day I feature a great rock and roll radio progam called Drastic Plastic which broadcasts every Monday night at 10:00 - 11:00 PM on CKUT FM in Montreal (yes, yes the same CKUT I volunteer for. That’s how I heard about it). Doug Ford has a passion for rock and roll that is obvious as soon as you hear the first song selection of his show. Broadcasting since 1987, Drastic Plastic knows no genres or styles but just concentrates on music that rocks, music that you most probably won’t hear anywhere else on the radio dial, certainly not the commercial part of it. An absolutely indispensible hour of pure rock and roll fun, Drastic Plastic is meant to be played loud. Tune in this Monday or catch the archives of the show. Either way you are in for a treat.
Later.

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So asks Trent McMartin over at AntiMusic.Com in his Lowdown column. I should think he might want to clarify that commercial rock radio may in fact be dying due to restrictive formats that seem to play "Whole Lotta Love" and "Honky Tonk Women" ad infinitum but refuse to play the thousands of new indie rock releases released every year that would have most rock and roll fans shooting straight up off their futons and wiggling their ass and shaking their hips with delight. Maybe if some of these commercial DJs would stop playing it so safe and take a risk by programming some great new indie rock stuff mixed in with the "classics" and then maybe people would start listening again. What do they have to lose?
Later.

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Currently in post-production, Punk’s Not Dead is a new independent documentary tracing the punk rock scene from 1975 to today. According to the site: "Punk’s Not Dead takes you into the sweaty underground clubs, backyard parties, recording studios, and yes, shopping malls and stadium shows where punk rock music and culture continue to thrive". Featuring imterviews and live performances by The Addicts, Sum 41, UK Subs, Subhumans, Bad Religion, Rancid, Exploited, NOFX, The Used, Social Distortion, TSOL, Dead Kennedys, MC5, Sham 69, Youth Brigade, Tsunami Bomb, The Business, The Ramones, Green Day, Anti-Flag, GBH, The Damned and more, it is scheduled to be released by the end of summer. Sounds cool to me!
Later.

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THE CHARMS: Pussycat “The Charms ARE the best band in the USA right now” -Bill Kelly, WFMU. The Charms have been called “Garage Glam”.. Burning guitar leads, pyschedelic farfisa organ, hooks. Listen for this cd on Little Steven’s Underground Garage and on Sirius and XM.

THE SNAGGS: Hot Tomato! Pop Rock music fueled by fireworks. Fronted by Holland Zander, daughter of Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander.

THE SKETCHES: the sketches Melodic singer/songwriter rock with beatle-esque harmonies, balancing the grit of Led Zeppelin style classic guitar with the ambience and discipline of Pink Floyd/Radiohead style effects, and a lead singer that files between Freddy Mercury and Bono.

THE HUTCHINSONS: Plastic Fruit & Popcorn Sibling powered heavy pop/rock trio with LOUD drums & guitars, bold songwriting, and brotherly harmonies… “POWERPOP WITH PLENTY OF HEART AND HEAT.”- L.A. Weekly

THE WALKIN TALKIN TOXINS: Apocalypse-Au-Go-Go The Walkin’ Talkin’ Toxins- The stage is littered with inflatable Love-dolls and trampolines, a camouflage backdrop and life-size Tony Montana, the band is ripping through a version of the Velvet Underground classic “Heroin” when gas-masked guitarist Dick

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THE BROKEDOWN "The Dutchman’s Gold" www.thebrokedown.com

Un jeune quatuor de L.A.  formé simplement en 2004 nous sort un 7 titres remarquable par la qualité de ses compositions (qu’elles soient pop ou power pop) par sa musicalité, par l’instrumentation et  la voix très accrocheuse de son leader Ross Flournoy. Le plus souvent pour mettre les gens en haleine ou leur baliser le terrain, on cite telle ou telle influence. Ici le terrain défriché est vaste et couvre 3 décennies de Pop millésimée. Jason Falkner ou Eugene Edwards ne s’y sont pas trompés, citant The Brokedown comme un de leurs groupes préférés du moment. Comme d’habitude quand le dessert est succulent, on en demande encore. Ici les 7 titres paraissent trop courts et on va vite s’impatienter pour un album complet à venir. The Brokedown est déjà un groupe indispensable pour tout amateur de mélodies chatoyantes et guitares carrillonnantes.

A young quartet from L.A. formed in 2004 who have produced 7 tunes that are remarkable in their quality and their style (whether they be pop or power pop), their musicality, their instrumentation and the very catchy vocals of leader Ross Flourny. Most often the style of a band determines their influences and here the band’s influences are vast and cover 3 decades of vintage pop. Jason Faulkner or Eugene Edwards have been cited as some of the groups preferred by the band at the moment. As usual when you have an incredibly delicious dessert, you always want more. These 7 songs go by very quick and it only leaves me impatient for a complete album in the near-future. The Brokedown are already a highly recommended group for fans of sparkling melodies and jangling guitars.

DERBY "This Is The New You" www.derbyrock.com

Premier album auto produit pour ce trio de Portland, OR.  leur musique est à l’image de la très jolie pochette : un fond de beaux nuages blancs, un ciel bleu azur, une colline vallonée et verdoyante. "Jet set" qui démarre l’album m’a fait immédiatement penser aux Pernice Brothers. les Shins s’invitent aussi sur les titres qui suivent. Peu importe les références ou influences, c’est surtout la maitrise instrumentale et vocale qui impressionne. Pour un premier essai, pas de tatonnements, pas de moment faiblard sur l’ensemble des 11 titres proposés. Une Pop apaisante, presque intimiste due essentiellement à la voix suave et charmeuse de Nat Johnson. Derby est assurémment l’un des plus beaux artisans de la Pop indé de 2005.

This is the debut self-produced album from this Portland, OR trio and their music conveys a wonderful mental image: an azur blue sky populated by white clouds, a green and verdant hill. “Jet Set” which kicks off the album makes you immediately think of the Pernice Brothers, the Shins are another band that one thinks of as you listen to the rest of the tracks. More important than these references or influences, it is the quality of the vocals and the playing that leaves the greatest impression. For a debut album there are no fillers weak spots in the 11 tracks. Very appealing Pop with an intimacy due in no small part to the swave and charming voice of Nat Johnson. Derby is one of the better practitioners of indie Pop in 2005.

THE PICTURES "Pieces of Eight"  (Smash Music) www.thepictures.net/

L’Australie est vraiment un des derniers royaumes de la Pop et de la Power Pop. Cette fois ci c’est un trio de Melbourne qui fait des siennes avec un premier album détonnant. Je crois l’avoir déjà écrit dans ses colonnes mais quand la formule trio fonctionne (Hendrix’s Experience, Cream, Jam…) c’est le bonheur assuré. C’est le cas ici avec une diversité de tempos et des compos accrocheuses dès la première écoute. Davey Lane a une voix charismatique et il porte avec sérénité les 12 titres présentés. Un groupe australien qui lorgne du côté de la perfide Albion pour sur mais sans les tics insupportables d’une Brit Pop dépassée. Sans oublier des guitares et encore des guitares. J’ose imaginer The Pictures sur scène : incendiaire pour sur. Indispensable. 

Australia is really one of the last great kingdoms of Pop and Power Pop. This time it is a trio from Melbourne who are the heirs to the throne with their amazing debut album. As I have written in the past when a trio really connects (Hendrix’s Experience, Cream, the Jam…) a good time is guaranteed. That is what you get here with a diversity of tempos and catchy songs that click upon your very first listen. Davey Lane has a charismatic voice that he carries with style on the 12 tracks on the album. An Australian group that longs to be a part of a Brit Pop scene long since past, The Pictures would have been an incendiary addition to the scene with guitars and still more guitars. Indespensible.

By Gérard Girard

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