Power of Words California Tour

San Francisco, CA - The music scene in America has forgotten one of the most important factors of creative expression. The words, or lyrics, which have been so important to past generations, have given way to simple "party" lyrics and "sing along" hooks, whose basic message hopes to reach only the least common denominator of today's listening and music buying audience. Gone are the days when people sang to communicate social and political awareness, while the real "truthspeakers" are snuffed out or ignored until they loose the will to create. Music as we know it has always been a sort of "newspaper" which gives the listener insight on current events and the news of our times. Somewhere along these lines the message got lost.



With this, "The Power of Words" concept in mind, Independent Distribution Collective (IDC) an artist friendly CD distribution company, decided to develop a small tour which would not only feature artists with a message, but artists who would make that message the main focal point of their live performances. IDC chose two artists from their vast catalog who put the lyrics at the forefront of their live performances. One artist, Haji Mike, is a Cypriot Poet, MC and Ph.D. who spent many years in England, where he was exposed to both reggae music and spoken word poetry. His tireless efforts to help heal a decades long division in his homeland of Cyprus, and his constant support of the youth culture there makes it easy to see why he was chosen for this tour. The other artist, Karney, is a San Francisco born Singer/Songwriter who has toured all of the US, and performed and written songs alongside countless different and diverse musical icons. Always a socially conscious person, and supporter of many forms of creative art, Karney's biting wit and political lyrics are always present in any of her live shows. This tour will also feature some amazing local acts in each of these cities.



It is important for this tour to reach audiences who are looking for a message in today's music. With that in mind IDC focused on a few markets in Northern California, which have always been home to social change in America. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Chico, California seem perfect places for these shows. With this small tour as a proving ground, IDC hopes to launch dozens of these types of tours across the US over the next few years. This tour will include live musical performances with a full band, acoustic performances, and even a few spoken word poetry and educational presentations. Please help support independent and intelligent music.



For more information or to arrange interviews with these artists please feel free to contact Steffen Franz at IDC, 415 292-7007 or e-mail standout@independentdistro.com





The "Power of Words" Tour, Summer 2006



Independent Distribution Collective, Olive Tree Music, Tangent Records and Positive Sound Massive Recordings present The "Power of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney plus Stand Out Selector and the Poetz4Peace Riddim Section, plus many great guest artists.



Saturday 7/22 "Running a Label in the Digital Age" Multimedia Presentation by Haji Mike Noon-3pm Presented by Pyramind: The Institute For Advanced Digital Audio Training and AMP3 @ Pyramind Sound 880 Folsom Street, San Francisco. For more info or to reserve a ticket call 415 896-9800 or visit www.pyramind.com Free to Pyramind Students, and AMP3 Members otherwise $10 per person Limited Capacity - reserve tickets now.



Saturday 7/22 The Red Victorian and Peace Cafe presents Cypriot poet Haji Mike reading selected works of poetry at The Peace Cafe in the lobby of The Red Vic, 1665 Haight Street at Cole, San Francisco. For more information please call (415) 864-1978 Doors at 7 pm, all ages, Free to everyone... Donations welcome



Tuesday 7/25 JSP and IDC present the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guests Good Luck Joes at Red Devil Lounge 1695 Polk Street at Clay, San Francisco. For more information please call (415) 921-1695 or www.reddevillounge.com Doors @ 8pm $5.00 in advance, $7.00 day of show.



Wednesday 7/26 Good Vibez Entertainment presents the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guests at The Attic, 931 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, California. For more information please call (831) 460-1800 www.theatticsantacruz.com or

www.goodvibezmusic.com Doors @ 8pm $7.00



Thursday 7/27 Conscious Wise Scribe Visions presents the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guest Mama Labeba and special guest DJs at Crux Art Collective, 7 Commerce Ct. ..110, Chico, CA (530) 892-2354 or www.cruxarts.com for more information . Doors @ 8pm Show @ 9pm $7.00



Friday 7/28 IDC and Chameleon Music presents Heavy Hitters Fridays featuring an Acoustic Evening with the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney, plus special guests at Brainwash Cafe 1122 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA. Call 415 255-4866 or visit www.brainwash.com or www.chameleonmusic.com for more info. Show @ 8 pm Free to Everyone!



Haji Mike's new album "The Storyman" and Karney's two recent releases "All Connected" and "Karney" are distributed in the US by Independent Distribution Collective and are available at all fine music retailers and online at CD Baby.com and on i-Tunes.



Check out the following web links for background on these artists:



www.hajimike.com

www.karney.org

www.independentdistro.com



______________________________________



Independent Distribution Collective

1693 Polk Street, Suite 202 SF, CA, 94109, USA

415.292.7007 phone 415.292.5007 fax

www.independentdistro.com



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