A Clever Spell

For the third year running the Mean Fiddler is kicking off the New Year with the annual NYD Party with Ministry of Sound.

Continuing with its tradition of booking internationally known acts, the Fiddler is offering the biggest line-up yet for Ministry of Sound.

Headlining the event is Sidney Samson in his only Sydney show on New Year’s Day.

His song Riverside was the dance floor destroyer of the year and with a slew of new releases and remixes since, he is set to steal the show on the day.

Joining him will be international heavyweight Micky Slim, the UK bad-boy bringing with him his unique production style, which made him famous around the world.

Fresh off the Shooting Stars tour and after playing to a full house last time they performed at the Fiddler, the Bag Raiders are set for a much-anticipated return.

Accompanying them will be Ajax, dance legend and the Bang Gang Deejays who have just launched their new Bang Gang 12 Radicool compilation.

Two Fresh, Kid Kenobis latest project with his brother Hugga Thugg, will be playing their party starting tracks for the first time at the Fiddler.

Bass Kleph has toured the globe and is ready to return to the Fiddler after a long notable absence.

He will be joined by Ministry of Sound floor fillers Hook n Sling and Goodwill.

The newly crowned number two Australian DJ, Andy Murphy will be making the trek up from Melbourne after recently mixing a successful CD compilation for One Love.

Nina Las Vegas and Bad Ezzy will be performing as Hoops, the female trio who have pioneered the rise of the female DJ.

The initial release features over 20 acts, with the second release set to announce even more internationals closer to the date.

Chief executive of Carphone Warehouse, Charles Dunstone, believes that he has discovered the best possible solution to control the growing menace of online piracy. Though the method suggested by him seems a little odd, it is nevertheless a unique step in this direction.

Dunstone believes that just like cinema has an age restriction for viewers, the internet too should have an age-based rating system for the users. In a recent interview, he described how TalkTalk broadband network will be putting this rating system to use, and said that the type of connection will depend on the parents’ choice. Parents will decide whether to opt for a U, 14, or an 18 certificate, or an unclassified one for their home broadband connection.

Pornography, gambling and file- sharing sites will be disabled for those connections that have a U or a 14 certificate. The idea is to give parents the power to prevent children from visiting off-limit sites, which can bring the connection at risk of termination. Dunstone feels that logging on to file-sharing sites will thus become difficult, and the practice of content distribution through BitTorrent will receive a setback.

Recently, about a hundred British performers had gathered to find a way to stop the unlawful downloading of music through online file sharing. As an outcome of this discussion, it was felt that the best way to penalize music pirates is to stifle their downloading speeds. For information on your ISP and corresponding broadband speed, try using the broadband check from Broadband Genie to get a snapshot of your current download and upload speeds. It’s a good site to compare broadband deals from the top internet service providers.

The Amadeus Home Music School was founded by well trained, professional music teachers who are committed to creating a better, less expensive way for people to learn how to master the musical instrument of their choice. The reason the school is able to offer better quality musical instruction and therapy at lower cost to the consumer is because of the benefits of being online. The school does not maintain school buildings, which are expensive to operate and can be inconvenient for many to reach. Instead, the school, through the experience and dedication of its founders is able to provide an extensive staff of trained, experienced music teachers. These teachers not only possess outstanding musical talent, but they also have proven that they are also gifted instructors, with the ability to motivate and instruct students of all ages the instrument of their choice. When you sign up for lessons at the Amadeus Home Music School, we put you in contact with one of our teachers who will come to your home to instruct you or your child. No need to worry about the hassle of traveling to a music school or transporting your instrument. At the Amadeus Home Music School, the music teacher comes to you!

If you have a piano, you’ve probably made it the centerpiece of
a particular room. There’s no doubt that pianos are a beautiful
piece of furniture and can be a wonderful addition to your home.
But where should you put it? And how do you care for it? These
are questions you may not have considered until the delivery van
is in the driveway or the first layer of dust has accumulated.
Take some tips from the pros.

One of the first things to consider is that your piano is
probably going to have to stay where you put it for some time.
Unless this is a compact model, moving it from one side of the
room to another is going to be a major undertaking. Even with
wheels, you’re likely to damage flooring.

Get the exact measurements of your piano before it arrives and
take careful stock of your room. Clear the spot you want the
piano, then mark off the space the piano will take up. Is there
comfortable room for someone to be seated on the bench to play?
Making a paper or computer outline of your room and placing your
furniture in the model is a good idea if you have the time and
patience for this kind of undertaking.

If you have central heat, be sure your piano isn’t going to be
blocking a vent. Not only will it knock down on the distribution
of heat, but the direct stream of air isn’t good for the piano.
Be sure there’s a light source for the pianist, but you also
shouldn’t put the piano in direct sunlight.

Remember that little critters may very well take up residence in
a piano, especially one that’s not used often. With that in
mind, it’s probably a good idea to keep a grip on mice and bug
infestations. If you have a piano in storage, be sure the area
is “vermin free.”

Cleaning a piano is not a tremendously difficult chore if you
start with a few simple rules. Never play with dirty hands. It’s
especially important to enforce this rule if you have children
in the house who take lessons or simply can’t resist touching
the piano. Keeping the cover closed is a good start, but kids
tend to be fascinated by the instrument and dirty hands can
cause some serious cleaning issues.

If keys do get sticky, a slightly damp, soft cloth is probably
your best bet. Be sure the cloth isn’t wet enough to drip. Wipe
the top of the keys first, then depress each key to clean the
sides of the keys beside it. Remember that grime on the sides of
the keys can cause the keys to stick. Avoid harsh cleaners and
keep in mind that many household cleaners will leave a sticky
residue. For tough stains, try a bit of lemon or alcohol on your
cleaning cloth.

As for the case, it all depends on the material. It’s best to
follow manufacturer’s suggestions, A general rule of thumb is to
clean a wood case as you would any other wood, but be careful
that you don’t allow any cleaner or water to drip through cracks
and crevices in the case.

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been encouraged to see
the great outpouring of public concern for the victims of
Hurricane Katrina. In times of personal distress and dispair,
it’s comforting to know that there are people who care and are
willing to help in any way they can. One of my own guitar
students who is a veterinarian, recently went over to offer his
expertise where needed. And perhaps you’ve seen some of the
special concerts that have been aired on T.V. this past week.
Musicians and entertainers such as Paul Simon, James Taylor,
Nora Jones, Bill Cosby, Robin Williams and others, coming
together to share their gifts and talents in an effort to raise
money for the people who have been devastated by this terrible
flood. There are many Indie Artists also who have decided to
donate the proceeds from the sale of their songs to the disaster
relief fund. If you would like to join them in this effort or
buy some of their music please follow this link to:
http://cdbaby.com/group/redcross

Thousands of people have lost all their worldly possesions and
are now left with many questions and uncertainties about the
future. As musicians and songwriters, we have a unique
opportunity to use our gifts and talents to bring hope and
healing. Amidst the confusion, there are those who are asking
“Where is God in this?” and “Why did He allow this to happen?”
As they search for answers, trying to deal with the painful
emotions of anger and grief, some will have a tendency to blame
God. But He is the very One they need to turn to.

I remember a personal experience I had several years ago when
everything I thought I “owned” was about to be stripped away
from me. Having no job and no money, I was filled with fear as I
imagined myself wandering the streets homeless, alone, and
hungry. But because I am a Christian, I decided to put my hope
in Jesus who promised never to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews
13:5). It was amazing to watch how He provided for my needs in
such unexpected ways; sometimes through people I didn’t even
know! Though my resources were nil, His were (and are) infinite!

So, if you get the opportunity, I encourage you to encourage
someone else by using your gift of music in the days ahead.
Perhaps you may even be inspired to write a song. If you are a
Christian, then you might find some food for creative thought by
reading the verse of scripture below. If you are not a
Christian, but have felt the impact of Hurricane Katrina, then I
hope you will find some comfort in knowing that there is a God
who is alive, who does care and whose name is Jesus.

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is
enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his
people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” ~ Psalm
29:10-11 ~

Keep a song in your heart!

Dierks Bentley is more than meets the eye, but what does meet the eye is pretty darn hard not to look at. His presence is warm, inviting and you feel like you just sat down with an old friend. Kat and I sat down to talk to the country music star when he was in Toronto promoting his new album, Modern Day Drifter. The lead track off the album,”A lot of Leavin’ Left to do” made us wonder where the song came from. Pretty self explanatory to some, a guy leavin’ a lot of women, but Dierks shared with us that his career is what takes precedence right now and that is where his focus lies. That and with all of his fans around the world, of course.
Dierks has recently sold his house, “Being on the road so much, I am hardly in one place too long, it just made sense to sell”. Another ode to leavin’. So with a house sold, no “nest”, is there space for someone in your life or was there someone? Dierks doesn’t hesitate to give us the low-down dirty shame, “Well, there was someone special in my life and I did ask her to marry me.

What I was hoping for was a three letter answer and instead I got two”, Dierks chuckles, “Actually it was more like four letters and then two, but anyway she said no”. It seems that he manages to roll with the punches, not looking back on his past too much and make a song or two out of it all. Luckily, Kat and I were nice and close to Dierks should he have felt the need to cry on our shoulder. But, no need, he doesn’t miss a beat and we move onto where it all started for Dierks.

Well, the long and short of it is, I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona with a lot of country music around me, my dad loved country music. One day, I heard Hank Williams Jr. singing about, I think he has a song called, “Naked Women and Beer” and I thought that this guy was pretty cool. Kat pipes in, “So that was your inspiration then?” Dierks gives us a hearty southern laugh, “Yeah, but I also was listening to Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks too”. “Oh so were you at the concert when he asked Trisha Yearwood to marry him?”, Kat asks. “Yeah, I was and I thought that was pretty cool and it was kinda nice to see that”, says Dierks. Dierks continues on to tell us that it was many musical artists that influenced him to keep going. That and the fact that many people who heard him sing would say that he had a good voice. So Dierks took that as a good sign, took it with him and his guitar to Nashville when he was 19 yrs old.
Dierks goes onto say, “Nashville is the place to be if you really want to make any head way as a country artist, So that is where I moved to.”

Being so young and on his own, Dierks took just about any job he could get his hands on and played at any gig or venue he could. He even had a job at TNN, but stayed so below the radar that everyone just kind of leaves you alone. “Often times if someone would pass me by in the copy area or something, I would just be (ughh, ahhh) and most people would just leave you alone. Act frustrated and most people just stay away from you”, chuckles Dierks.”So that’s how you would support yourself then,” says Kat.”Pretty much. That would give me my paycheque and I would play and write songs at night”, Dierks lets out a sigh and eases back into the couch.

It is those very early years that has given him the discipline that drives the machine of Dierks Bentley. “I just dug in my heels and kept working!”, Dierks continues on to say, “it’s all about the music”. www.dierks.com for more of that music, tour dates and press.
Well, Dierks Bentley made Kat and I love country music a little bit more. His performance later that evening at CLUB 279 HARD ROCK CAFE, Toronto, made us go out and purchase the album, Now, even if you haven’t caught Dierks Bentley in concert, no doubt you will soon, but in the meantime go out and buy his album- I am sure you will love him, I mean country, a little more!

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Orlena Cain - Entertainment Journalist for Sugarcain Entertainment.com An all female based E:Zine from Toronto, Ontario-Canada