Unique Live Multimedia Experience Combines Music And Film To Explore The Human Condition At HERE Arts Center

New York, NY.- August 31, 2009: An exclusive three night public preview of X: The Human Condition, the hypnotic music and film multimedia experience will take place at HERE, 145 Sixth Ave. (between Spring and Broome St.), NYC, from Wednesday September 9th to Friday, September 11th at 8:30 pm each evening. Admission is $15. This limited engagement three night run will be presented as part of HERE’s Special Autumn Artist Lodge Series.

In development since 1998, X: The Human Condition has been designed to embrace the expanding possibilities of multimedia in entertainment. The live, dynamic concert performance by the music group X: THC, enhanced by emotionally charged film visuals, creates an uplifting and stimulating shock to the senses, that both entertains and provokes thought. This three night performance marks the first time X: The Human Condition will be seen in public.

Musically, X: THC combines the multi-layered hypnotica of smoothly grooving electronic beats, warm emotive alternative indie rock, coldly induced new wave post-modernism, lush, heartfelt, romantic blue-eyed soul & classic songwriting, with an otherworldly experimental soundscape.

X: THC breaks down the walls between musical genres, challenging categorization, while communicating performance through multiple sensory applications, known as "synesthesia".

The live music and film multimedia experience examines the human condition, pulling you in to an alternate reality... Hypnotically delicious, it is a trance-inducing trip inside the human subconscious, combining hypnotic, surreal soundscapes with phantasmagorical, emotionally charged visual storytelling to create a unique and inspiring music and film experience.

X: The Human Condition alchemically fuses together influences of fantasy luminaries such as Tim Burton, Michael Gondry, Antoine St. Exupery, Darren Aronofsky, Guillermo Del Toro, Jean Cocteau, Rod Serling, The Brothers Grimm, and Joseph (John) Merrick, to create an imaginative, terrible beauty, both real and unreal, where the mind can make a hell of heaven, and a heaven of hell... X: The Human Condition

The story of X: The Human Condition reflects the real life experience of writer/composer and vocalist of X: THC, Michael Nova, who battled against Chronic Kidney Disease, Uveitis and Pigmentary Dispersion Syndrome causing the loss of his vision during the making of this film. He has since fully recovered.

This production is being presented through HERE’s Autumn Artist Lodge, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support. Since 1993, the OBIE-winning HERE Arts Center has been a premier arts organization in NYC and a leader in the field of new, hybrid performance work. Under leadership of Founding Artistic Director Kristin Marting and Producing Director Kim Whitener, HERE has served over 12,000 emerging to mid-career artists developing work that does not fit a conventional programming agenda. Work presented at HERE has garnered 14 OBIE awards, an OBIE grant for artistic achievement, three Drama Desk nominations, two Berrilla Kerr Awards, three NY Innovative Theatre Awards, an Edwin Booth Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination. HERE proudly supports artists at all stages in their careers through full productions, artist residency programs, festivals and subsidized performance and rehearsal space. Work at HERE is curated based on the strength and uniqueness of the artist’s vision. HERE’s Artist Residency Program (HARP) provides development, commissions and full production for up to 20 artists over one-to-three years. In 2005, with the support of the FJC, a foundation of donor advised funds, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the City of New York, HERE Arts Center purchased its long-time home as part of a five-year “Secure HERE’s Future” campaign. With full-scale renovations to the space concluding in June 2008, thanks to generous support from the City of New York, HERE is poised to continue and expand its role as a downtown haven for the finest emerging art. Offering a comfortable, eclectic setting for artists and audiences alike, HERE features a new café and two state-of-the-art performance spaces.

For press information about X: The Human Condition and X: THC, please contact Harvey B. at 212-691-8519 or email to: info@x-thc.com. and visit http://www.x-thc.com.

For tickets, please visit http://www.here.org/lodge or call 212-352-3101.

Unique Live Multimedia Experience Combines Music And Film To Explore The Human Condition At HERE Arts Center

New York, NY.- August 31, 2009: An exclusive three night public preview of X: The Human Condition, the hypnotic music and film multimedia experience will take place at HERE, 145 Sixth Ave. (between Spring and Broome St.), NYC, from Wednesday September 9th to Friday, September 11th at 8:30 pm each evening. Admission is $15. This limited engagement three night run will be presented as part of HERE’s Special Autumn Artist Lodge Series.

In development since 1998, X: The Human Condition has been designed to embrace the expanding possibilities of multimedia in entertainment. The live, dynamic concert performance by the music group X: THC, enhanced by emotionally charged film visuals, creates an uplifting and stimulating shock to the senses, that both entertains and provokes thought. This three night performance marks the first time X: The Human Condition will be seen in public.

Musically, X: THC combines the multi-layered hypnotica of smoothly grooving electronic beats, warm emotive alternative indie rock, coldly induced new wave post-modernism, lush, heartfelt, romantic blue-eyed soul & classic songwriting, with an otherworldly experimental soundscape.

X: THC breaks down the walls between musical genres, challenging categorization, while communicating performance through multiple sensory applications, known as "synesthesia".

The live music and film multimedia experience examines the human condition, pulling you in to an alternate reality... Hypnotically delicious, it is a trance-inducing trip inside the human subconscious, combining hypnotic, surreal soundscapes with phantasmagorical, emotionally charged visual storytelling to create a unique and inspiring music and film experience.

X: The Human Condition alchemically fuses together influences of fantasy luminaries such as Tim Burton, Michael Gondry, Antoine St. Exupery, Darren Aronofsky, Guillermo Del Toro, Jean Cocteau, Rod Serling, The Brothers Grimm, and Joseph (John) Merrick, to create an imaginative, terrible beauty, both real and unreal, where the mind can make a hell of heaven, and a heaven of hell... X: The Human Condition

The story of X: The Human Condition reflects the real life experience of writer/composer and vocalist of X: THC, Michael Nova, who battled against Chronic Kidney Disease, Uveitis and Pigmentary Dispersion Syndrome causing the loss of his vision during the making of this film. He has since fully recovered.

This production is being presented through HERE’s Autumn Artist Lodge, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support. Since 1993, the OBIE-winning HERE Arts Center has been a premier arts organization in NYC and a leader in the field of new, hybrid performance work. Under leadership of Founding Artistic Director Kristin Marting and Producing Director Kim Whitener, HERE has served over 12,000 emerging to mid-career artists developing work that does not fit a conventional programming agenda. Work presented at HERE has garnered 14 OBIE awards, an OBIE grant for artistic achievement, three Drama Desk nominations, two Berrilla Kerr Awards, three NY Innovative Theatre Awards, an Edwin Booth Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination. HERE proudly supports artists at all stages in their careers through full productions, artist residency programs, festivals and subsidized performance and rehearsal space. Work at HERE is curated based on the strength and uniqueness of the artist’s vision. HERE’s Artist Residency Program (HARP) provides development, commissions and full production for up to 20 artists over one-to-three years. In 2005, with the support of the FJC, a foundation of donor advised funds, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the City of New York, HERE Arts Center purchased its long-time home as part of a five-year “Secure HERE’s Future” campaign. With full-scale renovations to the space concluding in June 2008, thanks to generous support from the City of New York, HERE is poised to continue and expand its role as a downtown haven for the finest emerging art. Offering a comfortable, eclectic setting for artists and audiences alike, HERE features a new café and two state-of-the-art performance spaces.

For press information about X: The Human Condition and X: THC, please contact Harvey B. at 212-691-8519 or email to: info@x-thc.com. and visit http://www.x-thc.com.

For tickets, please visit http://www.here.org/lodge or call 212-352-3101.

The Human Experience

A Score For Tesla: Music From The Film Megahertz Released As Name Your Price Download

The motion picture 'MHz (Megahertz)' is a new movie about what happens when a self-destructive radio DJ meets Nikola Tesla in the after-life, and the ways they help each other work through the tattered energies of their lives. While the film is just beginning its festival submission process, the film's composer has released his soundtrack of mostly moods and textures as a digital download.

'A Score for Tesla: Music from the film Megahertz' is an atmospheric soundtrack with moments of electronic experimentation from musician Knight Berman Jr, best known for his work as the voice behind eclectic indie-pop project The Marble Tea (http://www.marbletea.com). According to Berman, he was pointed toward specific pieces by Brian Eno for inspiration.

"Delightful. I'd recently finished reading 'Brian Eno: His Music and the Vertical Color of Sound' by Eric Tamm and was itching to try something different (I'm usually writing silly pop songs on the acoustic guitar). Coaxing melodies from tones and noises like a child persuading magic from his chemistry set...it isn't always very pretty, and indeed often quite messy, but it's an incredible mix of fun and frustration."

Berman's use of "untamed frequencies" hopes to match Tesla's struggles with those who could neither understand nor support his visions for a brighter planet.

The film - from Jordan Graye and Anam Cara Productions - deals with the emotional and spiritual dramas of the characters, but also provides insight into the enigmatic inventor's personal and professional life as it aims to set the records straight about Tesla's massive contribution to the modern world.

'A Score for Tesla: Music from the film Megahertz' is available as a 'name your price' download at http://knightberman.bandcamp.com

Free License Use Program "Flup" Aim To Help Reduce Film Production Budget

"Exclusive interview with Didier Kussu"

By Robyn Young for Film Music Magazine

FMM: Who founded Kussu Music Publishing in 1994?

DK: Kussu Music Publishing was founded in 1994 as a publishing arm of Kussu Productions Inc. a music content company with global businesses in music publishing and recorded music, includes artist development, management and music library as specialties.

FMM: What services do you provide?

DK: For Music Users: Since we own or control both the masters and publishing rights from several catalogues, we are in a unique position to provide Pre-cleared music for any project. This makes our company more attractive to clients, because we are fast and our Sync and Master Use Licensing process is simple and easy. We also work closely with agents and partners in many countries including the US, such as Crucial Music, Noma Music among others. These partners license portion of our music catalogue to third party users.

For Music Creators and Copyright Holders/Owners: With our deep relationships, experience and knowledge in music and film industries, we of course offer many avenues of exposure to songwriters, artists, indie labels and publishers for their songs through television shows, motion pictures, soundtracks, multimedia, commercials etc. as well as global administration incl. worldwide registration of songs, making royalty payments to songwriters and composers in respect of the usage of their music, tracking the use of the music they own and ensuring that proper payment is made for all licensed uses, sub-publishing worldwide and other music rights management activities.

FMM: How large is your database of artists?

Actually, we have over thousands artists and songwriters from around the globe, that's including both exclusive and non-exclusive roster. And over hundreds of music producers, publishers and indie labels.

FMM: When was KMLN launched?

DK: Kussu Music Licensing Network was officially launched on May 4, 2009, and we are still adding new music everyday.

FMM: What is FLUP?

DK: FLUP simply means, "Free License Use Program", this program is designed to help reduce film production budget by licensing music from established and indie artists "free of charge".

Listen, dear Robyn, it is just the fact that nearly every sector of the economy has been affected one way or another by recession. But the music and film industry have already been hit so hard by internet piracy over Peer‐to‐Peer (P2P) networks prior the economic slowdown. However, the digital revolution does also present new opportunities for the entertainment industry. With the introduction of new media technologies, greater opportunities for film producers emerge as well as for the distribution etc.

But lets face the reality, the 62nd annual Cannes Film Festival was not what it used to be. The market isn't booming and overall prices for movies have remained low. New research form NPD and Nielsens reveal that 63 percent of Americans have played video games within the past six months, while only 43 percent admitted to having gone to see a movie in the theater. The new strategy of "FLUP", Free License Use Program introduced by Kussu Music Publishing, through Kussu Music Licensing Network's website (KUSSU.NET) is a natural reaction to help both our larger community of affiliated songwriters, labels and publishers as well as the film industry to cut production costs of TV Shows, Series, Movies etc. It is a win‐win situation, songwriters and publishers will receive performance royalties, artists get promoted and the production companies save money and have less headaches.

FMM: How does one qualify for FLUP?

DK: Any project that will help promote the artist through the placement of his or her song. And when it airs the writer and publisher will get their performance royalties. As I've already mentioned, it is a win-win situation, the industry is not in a good shape now. Therefore such concept is needed. To be concrete about how does one qualify for FLUP, it is mostly made for established projects such as Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, CSI, Ugly Betty, WEEDS, Valentine, Sex And The City, Saturday Night Live, Dexter, Brothers and Sisters, Supernatural etc. but also new independent or major projects, shows, films with good concept. It is not about how successful a project is or will be you know, we are very flexible and open and every License under FLUP will be decided on case by case basis. However, we are focusing on project that will help our artists and writers get more exposure and generate future royalties.

FMM: What kind of technology are you using for your work process?

DK: The technology behind KUSSU.NET has been implemented by "YOULICENSE", we are grateful to be working with them, they have an excellent team of experts. The song search engine has been built like "GOOGLE", Music users will be able to search by Genre, Mood, Subject, Language, Instruments, Style, Lyrics, Similar Artist, Vocal Type, Writer, Composer or any other individual Keyword(s) of their choices. Full track preview available for all songs and clients will be able to license and download (wav files), CD quality tracks online.

All tracks are Pre-cleared and ready for use in your project. Beside indie and established artists and genres such as Pop, Hip Hop, Dance, R&B and Rock, Kussu Music Licensing Network offers "Hard To Find Specific Music"; such as Oriental/Middle Eastern music, different types of African, Eastern European music, French Pop, Hip Hop, Russian Pop, Hip Hop, Rock, German Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Electro as well as a variety of Latin music.

FMM: Are there any specific film or TV productions that you would like to quote as "successfully licensed to"?

DK: The songs from our music catalogues are used by different production companies, advertising agencies etc. on a regular basis worldwide including TV productions such as My Boys/Sony Pictures, Ugly Betty/ABC Family, WEEDS/Lionsgate, Dexter/Showtime, Lincoln Heights/ABC Family, Fat Girls/FOX Searchlight, Greek/ABC Family just to name a few.

About Didier Kussu
Didier is a low profile business consultant, entrepreneur and music executive. He is the founder of companies such as United Entertainment & Media Limited (UEM, London), Kussu Productions Inc., Indie Songs Publishing Scandinavia and Indie Songs Publishing UK, African Music Publishing, the world largest African music publisher, Indie Distribution, Latin Music Publishing Group USA and Latin Music Publishing Group Europe, Universoul Vibes, Murder Riddims Records and Murder Riddims Publishing, among others.

For further information, please contact:
Email: flup(at)Kussu.net
http://www.kussu.net

For other licensing inquiries, please send email to:
licensing(at)Kussu.net

For press inquiries, please contact:
Fax: +49 208 6942 240
Email: press(at)Kussu-productions.com

United Entertainment & Media Limited
http://www.uemlimited.com

For more information about Film Music Magazine, please visit:
http://www.filmmusicmag.com

Contact Information:
Global Media Online, Inc.
8605 Sunset Boulevard
Suite 14625
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Jim Flynn Rentals Supports Entire New York Music/TV And Movie Industries

Jim Flynn Rentals has had an enormously busy first half of the year as it continues its tradition of supplying the very best gear to some of the top music recording, landmark institutions, and live performances for television and theatre in New York City and beyond.

We will be taking a closer look at some of these projects over the next few weeks, but it seems that renowned International TV man - Fritz Lang (The MTV VMA's, Grammy's, Miss Universe, Miss USA, President Obama's Inauguration ceremony with Jazz at Lincoln Center) has been as busy as the JFR boys - who he calls upon whenever he has an event - and this month, he's had a lot - including the use of the New York Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium for the "Celebrity Apprentice Finale".

As ever, Jim Flynn Rentals were right there with Fritz with a compact Pro-Tools system with a range of gear including extra support for both Fritz and the All Mobile video truck. Erik Woltersdorf at Jim Flynn Rentals tells us that Fritz has his own-specified Pro Tools rig and built by JFR that is ready to fly anywhere in the world at a moments notice, even into the occasional war zone!

Similarly, our old (and everyone else's) friends - Sesame Street - have been working with Roger Stauss over at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York where they have hosted and recorded such guests as : First Lady Michelle Obama, LL Cool J, Sheryl Crow, Brian Williams, and Canadian singer songwriter Fiest, while Jim Flynn Rentals supplies Roger with his normal full Pro Tools Rig.

Erik says: "I keep it assembled, tech'd, and ready to roll for Sesame Street. These rigs are like the Air Force One of the audio world. When you get to the status of a Fritz Lang or a Roger Stauss you can have a rig fueled, oiled and calibrated and it's ready to roll."

In the world of recording, there are a few "MAJOR" new projects being worked on in the city that never sleeps, but we can't tell you who they are, except to say that the world's most successful female recording artist seems to be starting work on a new album while one of the world's biggest bands are in town to work on a comic-book based Broadway show (!) Of course - all call on Jim Flynn Rentals to get their gear-thing on.

We just can't tell you who or what. Or where. Or anything...!! However, we can tell you that the gear is massive and the hours long and a little strange. JIM IS THE KEEPER OF MANY SECRETS....

Avatar Studios are a frequent customer of Jim Flynn Rentals, and they like to keep their clients private, which we respect, but the sheer amount of mics, cables, converters and speakers being sent over by Jim Flynn Rentals almost weekly, says to us that SOMETHING big is going on there!

Legacy Studios have been host to that lady we spoke of who seems to be getting busier on the recording front with JFR supplying guitars, speakers, keys and mixers for the jam session that seems to be in progress there.

Legacy have also been hosting Lawrence Manchester - recording engineer for just about every decent soundtrack you can think of in the past few years - as he tackles the music for Tuxedo Films "Taking Woodstock" in front of his favorite Jim Flynn supplied JBL's.

The movie is helmed by Ang Lee.

Lastly (for us here) Will.i.am has been having his regular recording dance-party at Legacy with JFR trucking over a Korg Oasys Keyboard, as well as a Moog Little Phatty Keyboard.

Over at Chung King, Jim Flynn Rentals have also been dipping into their VAST itinerary of keyboards of every size, shape and decade, with everything from a Dave Smith PolyEvolver to a Moog analog synth among a lot of other gear being supplied to acts like Kid Cudi, Leslie Ryan, Gorillaz, Estelle and CAT STEVENS!

Yup, seems that Yusef is back, or gone - or whatever..

Wyclef Jean's Platinum Studios always hosts top R+B, rap and reggae artists and this month is no exception. Jim Flynn Rentals have been sending over trucks and crew almost daily for artists such as LL Cool J (mics, guitars, basses) and Maxwell (Pro-Tools)

Upstate based Firehouse Productions - one of the US's premier event staging/production companies have been calling Jim Flynn Rentals for projects as wide as "Robin Hood Foundation fundraiser" at the Javits Convention Center (JFR supplied 360 systems, boards and speakers) and "Survivor Finale" at the Ed Sullivan Theater (mixing boards, mics, speakers)

Also in television this year we had the Survivor Finale with Michael Abbott (Grammy Audio Co-ordinator & independent mixer) using a Jim Flynn Rentals recording rig including the Tascam X-48 for the iso mix and the Yamaha DM-2000 for the band mix along with the Cedars DNS-1000 to round out the package.

Talking of TV, Jim Flynn are always in deep with Good Morning America (this week - Ciara played the early morning show with JFR supplying what seems to be a complete store of gear that included a Tascam X-48 hard disc 48 channel recording workstation as well as a serious array of mics to accommodate the band.

Jimmy Fallon has his particular needs for his audio - always using a JFR supplied JBL 5.1 system with Lawrence Manchester at the helm, to the joy of his television audience who hear the comic's voice coming from all angles! The show sounds huge with his house band "The Roots"!

And, of course, JFR take seriously the "truthiness" of the broadcast business with The Colbert Report bringing in ANOTHER truck load of gear with stuff that includes a Yamaha M7CL-48 Digital Mixer, and MY- 16AT Adat Expansion Cards in preparation for Mr. Colbert's trip to entertain our troops in Iraq.

Then there's "The Daily Show" and more on that next month, where we'll also be taking a closer look at Sir George Martin's Wildheart Group, the aforementioned American Museum of Natural History, Artist (the painting kind!) Christopher Rahn's new exhibition at The Guggenheim, the new soundtrack for Mel Gibson's "Edge of Darkness" and.... just what the heck was an EMPTY case as a rented item for the workstation manufacturer Euphonix doing at Yankee Stadium?

We intend to find out about all of this and much more - stay tuned!

In the meantime, for much more on Jim Flynn Rentals

Please visit: www.jimflynnrentals.com

Safe Home For Cult Film?

I'm looking for a safe home for feature length cult films. I've just finished my second and am at a loss when it comes to finding a home for them. I find it hard to believe that the audience isn't out there. I exist, so there must be others. When I think of Film Festivals, in my mind I picture the last vestige of hope for films that exist outside the norm. I picture programmers looking for films that push the envelope. Films that exist between genre. Films that are daring. Films that weren't made with the distributor template (gore, tits, gore, tits, joke, gore, tits repeat) in mind. Films that make you think. But when I look into what is being programmed the picture in my mind is usually shattered. So I seek out "Underground" or "Cult" film fests and for some strange reason the same films are being programmed. It seems as though "Underground" is now a synonym for "audience friendly horror". "Horror comedy" (the lowest common denominator?) is a big player at the "Underground" fests too. Are realistic scares not good enough? True terror doesn't cut it?

Where do the underground, avant garde, cult, genre bending, mind-fuck, intelligent films find love? And do they need to be pre-approved with someone else's stamp of approval first before anyone else will have the balls to take a chance?

In short: Where have all the gutsy film fests and screening series' gone?