Noa Bentor

How did you get started with your music career?

I was born on a kibbutz in Israel, but when I was seven years old we moved to Melbourne Australia. There my ears open and I started to listen to amazing music and sing at every opportunity. When I came back to Israel I studied music in high-school, sang and played guitar in some bands but only when I lived in new-york (where I went to college) I decided I want to write my own songs and I started my path as a singer-songwriter…

I would sit and listen to music for hours, read the lyrics of every song I loved and worked with different musicians who taught me how to say what I want in a song.

In 2005 my debut album "waiting on a shelf" came out – whom I worked on with Assaf Spector and Gil Gilmore.

What are your influences for your music?

My first cd's ever were Paul Simon, Janis Ian, Leonard Cohen…. Of course it was the 80's so I listened to Michael Jackson, Madonna and some good Australian bands like Inxs.

Later on I fell in love with The Beatles, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchel , but as a teenager I listened to Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Radiohead (like everyone else… no?)

Today I have so much music that I love- from Wilco to Johanna Newsom, Beck, the Strokes, Alela Diane and Cat Power.

What plans do you guys have for the future?

My new album "Modern Grace" is coming out this April.

On March we will be performing at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas and then we have some gigs in New-York. After that we'll have a big album release show in Israel and then I'm hoping to tour with my new album.

 
How would you define your music?

The hardest question ever…. Very intimate, mature, soft but edgy….i don't know- very me.

What has been the funniest moment after a show or tour?

I can't think of one incident, but I have a weird craving for a Hamburger after I sing – I just need meat! So my friends know that after each show we are all gonna go to a burger joint and we already mapped out Tel-Aviv for the best burgers.

What song can't you get out of your head?

It obviously changes according to my mood and there are so many songs that follow me for years. For now- will it sound vain if I say one of my songs? It makes sense though- I'm mixing my new album so I only hear them.

Do you feel you are moving on the right way?

I hope. I think so. I feel that I worked on my new album in the right way- taking my time, finding the sound, figuring out what's right for each song, recording at the best places and I hope that the authenticity of the songs will come out.

I just signed with a manager in the states and I'm hoping that the show at South by South West will get things rolling. And the most important thing is that I feel that I'm getting better all the time. That's rewarding. 







Listen more: http://www.youtube.com/NoaBentor

Car Party

How did you guys came up with the band's name?
Most of the time we find the car rides to be more fun than actually reaching our destination and doing whatever we planned on that night being a show or just hanging out. Eventually we moved our hangouts to the car, had no destination and usually involved fast food which was later known as a 'Car Party'. We were brainstorming on names after practice one night and Lane Ferrell(Guitarist) suggested the name 'Car Party'

How did Car Party began?

Taylor Hughes(Drummer) actually found all of us via craigslist, She Met Lane Ferrell late 2009, Michael Natzke(Vocalist) was the last to join before going into studio to record our debut EP Excuses. Later in 2010 Christopher Martin(Bassist) joined.

What would be your favorite song from the band?
We've been writing for the past few months and recently finished a new song that doesn't have a name yet, we played it out once and it's by far one of the best songs we've written as a whole, Everyone will be hearing it soon.

What has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part while, before or after a show?
We've pranked Mike a good bit, calling him at early hours pretending we're random girls form the red roof in that he's had one night stands with, good times.

What plans do you guys have for the future?
We're getting ready to go into studio with Ace Enders to record a single in the next few weeks of January then heading out for a few weekend tours.

What are your hobbies?
Michael is huge into video games and his beard, Lane is a huge movie buff and is always quoting movies, Chris is just outlandish and off the wall and just likes messing with random people and Taylor just kind of puts up with it all.

Are you guys feeling are moving forward as a band?
Definitely, we feel like we're doing all the things we should be at this point.

Check out more: www.carpartyband.com

Level 10

What's the meaning behind the band's name?

To me, the highest level of contentment in life occurs when wisdom and experience meet music and creativity. That is a Level 10 moment.

How did all this get started??

Levy DeAndrade
Piano and Keyboard:

One of the area’s most respected and sought after keyboard players, Levy has earned the admiration and respect of fans and peers alike for his talent and professionalism.  His artistry in blending Latin dance rhythm with soulful jazz styles have given his music an unforgettable trademark sound which has earned recognition by local and national and international jazz music experts.  He has been described by a fan as “one of a kind when it comes to piano jazz explorations, and his unique playing style is all his own.” His playing is a “lovely delight to savor and enjoy!”

Born on March 6, in Parana, Brazil, Levy’s first inspiration came when he was given a tape recorder and guitar for his 7th birthday.  His musical prodigy was realized when, in two months time, he was composing and performing on the instrument for his friends and family.  Within the next two years, he was performing on stages in his hometown for the public.  After being introduced to the piano by his instructors at school, Levy developed a love for the instrument and soon mastered the keys.  
 

After graduating from high school and receiving a scholarship and grant to study music in the US, Levy relocated to the states where he started his music career as a performer in San Francisco’s top jazz venues.

After a successful stint in California, Levy was invited to relocate to New York City to become a ‘first call’ studio musician for The Hit Factory.  There he composed, arranged and shared the stage with many musical greats.  Having enjoyed being in great demand for his recording sessions and live performances, Levy then decided to establish his own recording studio.  There he mastered the mechanics of the music business and engineered and produced albums for both clients and himself.

Levy relocated to Tampa, Florida in 2004.  Having founded a successful recording studio and producing several albums, Levy decided to dedicate his musical expertise to forming a band.  After four years of searching out local talent, he found not only the best players in their fields, but also the right chemistry to create a mature group of musicians dedicated to creating soul inspiring jazz music.


Levy’s group, named Level 10 Band, took the area by storm when after only a year together, they decimated the competition in a local radio station contest.  After winning the title of “Tampa Bay’s Best Smooth Jazz Band” by CBS Radio, the requests began pouring in for appearances and performances.  Since that time, Levy and Level 10 have performed for jazz festivals, city organizations, Carnival Cruise Lines, local jazz clubs, national and international radio stations, and have appeared on  FOX, ABC and CBS TV for interviews and live performances. Both Levy’s original compositions and new arrangements of popular songs have been leaders on the jazz charts on CD Baby, Rhapsody and iTunes.

In celebration of their rapid rise to acclaim as an award-winning, underground jazz band, Level 10 named their first album “Together.”  Released in 2009, the CD features original compositions by Levy as well as inspiring arrangements of popular tunes.  Levy’s music has developed and matured over the years and combined with the talent and determination of his band members, Level 10 has been and will continue to be a dominating force in the world of Jazz music.

What's the message to transmit with your music??

I want the listener to experience the intersection of musical talent with raw emotion. I believe that music is a powerful tool that can touch a person’s deepest spirit.

what’s your method at the time of writing a song??

I am usually inspired by a good groove. When I sit down at the keyboard, my mood at the time ends up as notes on a staff!

Who are your music influences??

Michael Camilo, Chick Corea, Dave weckl, Cesar Camargo, 

What plans do you guys have for the future??

Win a Grammy for best jazz band, be # 1 In Latin Jazz  on Billboard and making a good living doing  music

What has been the greatest day in the band?

Lancaster Jazz Festival in UK

Written by CME Artist, UK
 
My personal highlight of the whole Lancaster Festival though I must declare an interest in funky,
Cuban, Brazilian and American modern jazz played at Grammy nominated level and Level 10 are just that. Their performance at a packed Dalton Rooms on the Sunday evening, one of the last shows of the festival was, for me, as good as it gets.
 
Levy DeAndrade (keys), Rex Freligh (sax), Yovannis Roque (bass) and Sean Fote (drums) are

undisputed masters of their respective instruments and the dexterity and ferocity with which they
play together on Levy’s complex yet highly rhythmic compositions is the key to the response this band received. Not only was the dance floor packed but the band received that most positive of audience feedback: the audience’s approval after songs was so loud that the mics on stage started to pick it up and feed the jubilant roar back into the PA. This is, as far as I know, something new for Lancaster. It happened with Level 10 on Sunday Oct. 10th 2010. May it happen here again and soon!

What has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
While in England for a Jazz Festival, we decided to call for pizza delivery. Only problem was, it was with a US cell phone number. They thought it was a prank, especially when we had no idea where to tell them to deliver the pizza!

If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, ¿Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?

Well, I’d definitely send the percussionist for help – they’re all usually pretty resourceful. I probably wouldn’t eat anyone; musicians don’t taste very good…

Wat are your hobbies?

Music, Soccer, Recording, woodwork, Playing with my kids, life with my wife.

What country you guys would love to play?

Japan, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany,

With what bands you guys would love to share stage??

Dave Weckl, Michael Camilo, Chick Corea

Are you guys OK, with the direction the band is going actually?

Very happy and excited for the future.

Check out more: www.level10band.com