Power of Words California Tour (Update)

For Immediate Release – July 17th, 2006

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, July 17th – July 28th 2006
(Including Radio Interviews)

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.

Tuesday 7/18 Interview with Spliff Skankin’ - Haji Mike and Karney on KPFA, 94.1FM 11pm or streaming on www.kpfa.org

Wednesday 7/19 Interview with Tony Moses – Haji Mike on KPOO, 89.1 FM 1pm – 1:30pm

Saturday 7/22 "Running a Label in the Digital Age" with Haji Mike @ Pyramind Sound 880 Folsom Street, San Francisco. 12 – 3 PM 415 896-9800 or visit www.pyramind.com

Saturday 7/22 Cypriot poet Haji Mike reading selected works of poetry at The Peace @ The Red Vic, 1665 Haight Street at Cole, San Francisco. (415) 864-1978 Doors at 7 pm, all ages

Saturday 7/22 Interview with Brixton Hitman – Haji Mike on KUSF, 90.3 FM 11pm or streaming on www.kusf.org

Sunday 7/23 Lioness Sound presents a very special Haji Mike DJ set at Church @ Il Pirata, 16th Street and Utah, SF with DJs GreenB and Positivi-T 3pm (415) 648-0370 www.lionesssound.com

Monday 7/24 Power of Words Tour Podcast featuring Haji Mike and Karney goes live on Towerpod.com “Positive Sounds” program. www.towerpod.com

Tuesday 7/25 "Power Of Words Tour", featuring Haji Mike and Karney @ Red Devil Lounge 1695 Polk Street at Clay, SF. (415) 921-1695 or www.reddevillounge.com Doors @ 8 PM $7.00.

Wednesday 7/26 "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney at The Attic, 931 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA. (831) 460-1800 www.theatticsantacruz.com or www.goodvibezmusic.com Doors @ 8pm $7.00

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

Friday 7/28 Acoustic Evening with the "Power Of Words Tour" featuring Haji Mike and Karney Brainwash Cafe 1122 Folsom Street, SF, CA. Call 415 255-4866 www.brainwash.com or www.chameleonmusic.com Show @ 8 pm

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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