Cuneiform Artist News: Part III

From Cuneiform Records:

Gayle Ellett (Djam Karet)

Press Release for the music group FERNWOOD

Djam Karet’s Gayle Ellett has a new side-group called FERNWOOD. Their debut release “Almeria” has recently been getting rave reviews in the national and international press. GUITAR PLAYER Magazine (June issue) described their music as “Wonderfully melodic, expertly layered, masterfully interwoven, and luscious yet rootsy”. RECORDING Magazine said “The writing, arranging and performances are of the highest order. This release is something special to our ears. Highly Recomended”. The DUTCH PROGRESSIVE ROCK PAGE said “An enchanting, beautiful and captivating aural pleasure. 9 out of 10 points”.

They have been getting great radio play on NPR Radio, and ECHOES Radio, which has picked them as “Top 25 CD Of The Month” for the past six months, and their DJ John Diliberto is flying to Los Angeles to record FERNWOOD as part of his “Living Room Concert Series”.

Currently, the group is hard at work on a second release due out in early 2009. Their music is available at Wayside, CD Baby, I-Tunes and other outlets. You can read more about the group, and hear their music at http://www.virb.com/Fernwood

Forrest Fang

A new CD side project by Forrest Fang under the project name “Sans Serif” was released on the Hypnos Secret Sounds label in July 2008. The CD is called “Tones for La Monte” and was inspired by the harmonic drones of La Monte Young. The CD will soon be available through Wayside Music.

Fast ‘N’ Bulbous

In May 2008, Fast ‘N’ Bulbous recorded it’s second CD, Waxed Oop, to be released on Cuneiform Records in January of 2009. A strong departure from their first CD, Waxed Oops, ranges from Gary Lucas’ solo National Steel guitar version of “Sure ‘Nuff ‘N’ Yes I Do,” to a full band arrangement of Don van Vliet’s solo sea chantey, “Well.” It also includes the first FnB delving into “Lick My Deacls Off, Baby,” and features a bonus track with guest vocalist Robyn Hitchcock.

Just prior to the recording, they did a tribute concert to Captain Beefheart at New York’s Knitting Factory, curated by Gary Lucas, which featured little-known video clips and recordings, and readings and reminiscences by many special guests, including Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, Suicide’s Alan Vega, Kurt Loder, and David Lynch (via video).

You can watch a podcast of highlights from the show at: http://culturecatch.com/
You can also watch a clip on YouTube, of Gary and Robyn performing “Sure ‘Nuff ‘N’ Yes I Do” at the same event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEWjKfxKRC4

Fast ‘N’ Bulbous will be appearing in the US and Europe in March of 2009.

Visit Fast ‘N’ Bulbous online for YouTube videos and audio from the new recording.

http://www.phillipjohnston.com/fnbfrontpage.htm
http://www.myspace.com/neonmeatedream

Forgas Band Phenomena

As of writing (mid September), the band are about to embark on their first foreign concert ever – in Seoul, South Korea, no less! The Forgas Band are representing France in the 2008 edition of a major festival in Guro, a district of the Korean capital. Previous editions of this free event had over 10,000 in attendance.

This performance is yet another milestone in a very eventful year for the band, who early in the summer recorded their new album “L’Axe du Fou” / “Axis of Madness” for release on Cuneiform Records in January, 2009. In contrast to 2005’s “Soleil 12” which for a large part used old material, this was all composed by drummer/leader Patrick Forgas in the last three years.

This was actually the FBP’s second studio session this year; in February they recorded a cover version of Christian Vander’s “Africa Anteria” (originally on 1971’s Uniweria Zekt album) for “Hur”, the sequel to Alain Juliac’s acclaimed Magma tribute project “Hamtai”, due for release later this year.

We hope to celebrate the release of the new CD with a concert in Paris (details tba). The other confirmed concert date is the Chateau d’Auvers-sur-Oise on April 4, 2009. Obviously the band very much hope to follow up their Korean debut with other performances abroad and will happily consider any offers to perform at venues and festivals worldwide!

Audio and video excerpts – http://www.myspace.com/forgasbandphenomena
More information, press, etc. – http://forgasbp.online.fr/
Management / booking contact –