Shinobi Ninja

NEW MUSIC SEMINAR ANNOUNCES THE ARTIST ON THE VERGE WINTER PROJECT FINALISTS:
SHINOBI NINJA, MIKE DEL RIO & THE DAYLIGHTS
Bands Set to Perform Live at NMS LA Artist on the Verge Party
Tuesday, February 15th at The Roxy, Los Angeles
NMS Reflection Award Grand Prize Winner to be Announced at NMS on Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
Winners to Receive
Over $50,000 in Prizes
February 10th, 2011, New York, NY– New Music Seminar (NMS), the future of music conference coming to Los Angeles February 14th – 16th, announces the NMS Artist on the Verge winter project finalists: Shinobi Ninja, Mike Del Rio and The Daylights.
All three finalists will perform live at the NMS Artist on the Verge Party on Tuesday, February 15th at The Roxy Los Angeles. The Grand Prize Winner will receive the NMS Reflection Award, an award worth over $50,000 in prizes, at NMS on Wednesday, February 16th.
The three NMS Artist on the Verge Project finalists were chosen from more than 800 acts that were evaluated and voted on by the NMS Music Committee. All artists were assessed based on analytics both online and traditional. Factors considered include: music sales (physical and digital), ticket sales, frequency of gigs, touring history, merchandise sales, media (both online and print), social media activity, online buzz and other factors as determined by the NMS Music Committee.
Artists are further evaluated by using an arsenal of analytics from NMS Partners: BigChampagne, Next Big Sound, ReverbNation and OurStage; music industry experts and tastemakers. From this collected data, the NMS Music Committee selects The Artists on the Verge Top 100 and ultimately the Artist on the Verge Finalists.
Shinobi Ninja http://www.shinobininja.com/
Formed in a Hell’s Kitchen NYC recording studio in early 2008, Shinobi Ninja is the offspring of Singers Dave Aaron and Baby Girl, Guitarists Maniac Mike and Adriano Morez, Drummer Terminator Dave, and DJ Axis. Combining the forces of songwriters, studio musicians, producers, engineers, dancers, battle DJs, and a chef, this “Voltron-esque” rock group bound by a party lifestyle and the love of music, creates an original sound with diverse influences of Hip Hop, Punk, Soul, R&B, and Metal. After two years of making a living together and countless nights of debauchery, this group of Hell’s Kitchen transplants decided to combine powers and create a force greater than its parts to form the ultimate urban rock supergroup – Shinobi Ninja. Quickly buzzing in NYC for their mega high-energy live performances, the band plays like they’re headlining New Year’s Eve 2K at MSG, headbanging, stagediving, mosh-pitting, and booty shaking their way through each set. With a great response from the New York community and beyond, Shinobi Ninja is taking over the world, one sweaty rock circus at a time! ??
Mike Del Rio http://www.mikedelrio.com/
Mike Del Rio is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter & producer from New York City. He has recently released his debut EP, The Mad World and receiving critical and viral acclaim for his eclectic take on pop music. From fully producing, writing, and art directing his record to his growing list of national placements and syncs, Del Rio is carving out a niche for his vision as a true independent pop artist. Though branding himself as a “Future Pop” enthusiast, Del Rio hasn’t forgotten the basics of what makes a true artist stand the test of time. He understands foremost that the songs themselves aside from production are at the heart of his vision, carefully crafting a growing list of pop anthems with cross genre and inter-generational appeal. In late 2007, Billboard Magazine hailed Del Rio as one of the Top Unsigned talents in the industry as part of the “Billboard Underground” Series and his song “Feel Good!” has been picked to be the new theme song for VH1’s ‘Jump Start Live’
The Daylights http://thedaylights.com/?
The Daylights are a commanding three-piece emerging from the neon lights of Los Angeles, CA. The close-knit group consists of?brothers Ran (guitars/vocals/keys) and Ricky Jackson (bass/vocals) and drummer Svend Lerche. Known for their giant melodies and?cinematic sound, the band recently released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album, recorded in London with super-producer?Youth (Paul McCartney, U2) and an all-star cast of engineers and mixers. Viral video on YouTube “I Hope This Gets To You” with 950,000 views?- Billboard Heatseekers Chart Top 20?- A Top 5 radio single on Sirius Hits?- Recently wrapped up 40+ city tour with Need To Breath playing 2,000 seaters as a follow-up to US tours?with Katy Perry, OneRepublic, and Civil Twilight?-Songs in a variety of TV shows including Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Greek, etc, in the critically acclaimed film, Rabbit Hole, and Trailer for I Love You Phillip Morris?- Album spent 5 weeks on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, peaking at #14!??
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
Artist on the Verge Party @ The Roxy, 9099 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
8:00 pm: Doors open/cocktail reception
8:45 pm: Nylon Pink (ReverbNation Contest Winner)
9:00 pm: Mike Del Rio
9:30 pm: The Daylights
10:00 pm: Shinobi Ninja
To be considered, artists must have never sold over 10,000 albums for any single album, must not be signed to a major or significant independent label and must have U.S. domicile. The Artist on the Verge Project is a closed process and solicitations are never accepted or considered. The NMS Artist on the Verge Project is NOT an open contest for artists to submit their music to NMS like other contests, which are subjective in nature. NMS does not charge artists to enter or to be selected.
To see the full program and to register to attend the New Music Seminar, please go to www.NewMusicSeminar.com
About the New Music Seminar
From the co-founder and director of the original legendary New Music Seminar comes a conference with a mission; to create a just, sustainable and profitable music business and to help artists break through the growing glut of artists and releases to success. Artists have never had so much power to control their own careers and build their success. This affordable event gives music business executives, technologists, and artists the knowledge, tools and connections to step into the tomorrow’s music business today.
The two-day, three-night conference includes a symphony of five “movements” (focused discussions) over the course of two days, eighteen 18-minute Intensives (presentations) from key industry leaders, 25 mentoring sessions, 3 nights of music showcases, High-Level Industry Summit Meetings as well as the NMS creative workshops focused on Live Performances, Vocal Performances, Producing and Songwriting, with ongoing networking opportunities throughout.
The New Music Seminar is the must-attend conference for the emerging new music industry. The Seminar will address both the artists’ dilemma of breaking out from the ever-growing glut of music releases and the development of a new business model for a sustainable music business.
Sponsors include AriZona Beverages, Mountain Dew, Doritos, The Recording Academy, GigsWiz, Headliner.fm, Hello Music, JakPrints, Bandzoogle, BigChampagne, CD Baby, Eventful, Disc Makers, Eventric, Fame Wizard, Indie Power, JamBase, Limelight, .Music, Next Big Sound, Nimbit, OurStage, ReverbNation, Sennheiser, SESAC, Songsinc, SonicBids, SoundExchange, TAG Strategic, ZMX Music, Aderra, D.I.-Why? and Pump Audio
YOU GOT TO BE THERE… JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
For more NMS information or to interview co-founders Tom Silverman or Dave Lory contact WE + PR – Pam Workman: (646) 351-6700; pam@workmanentertainment.com or Pamela Lipshitz: (917) 859-6852; pamevelip@gmail.com. - www.newmusicseminar.com

This week’s Wheels spotlights an awesome group from Brooklyn, rolls out some new info on what’s been going on with Wheels faves Saint Motel and is rounded out by an interview with Brandon Gibbons, who has created a new interactive online music magazine. I’m off to the Big Apple to rock with MeTalkPretty and Filter, but keep feedin’ my inbox: jesse.beerdietz@hitsmagazine.com.

SPOTLIGHT
Shinobininja (www.shinobininja.com): This eclectic six-piece collective is a fusion of hip, edgy fashion, technological savvy and DIY ambition, with a sound that combines hip-hop, punk, reggae and thrash. The band is all about creating party anthems that get the crowd hyped, and they’ve rocked shows with Mike Posner, Black Sheep and Chiddy Bang. They’ve received some love at college radio, charting at #15 on CMJ’s Top 20 Adds. What is truly impressive is that the band has north of 20k followers on Twitter, accomplished purely on a DIY basis. They’ve even created an iPhone app, Brooklyn to Babylon, which was featured in the Hot New Games section of the App Store. Be sure to give these guys and gal a serious listen—they will def get you movin.’ - Hits Magazine

When we first heard about the New York City-based band Shinobi Ninja, we were a little skeptical…”Shinobi” basically means “Ninja” in Japanese. So the band’s “Ninja Ninja”? Or maybe the name is a reference to Joe Musashi, the Shinobi Ninja of Sega’s classic Shinobi Series? In which case, we’re listening…

And guess what — they sound great! Blending the lilting melodies of reggae with the volume of metal and the rhythm of hip hop, Shinobi Ninja is like an out-of-control house party. These six crazy neon-wearing kids go by old-skool names like Maniac Mike, Baby Girl, and Terminator Dave, and seem to inhabit a cartoon universe where normal rules don’t apply, but maybe video game rules do. They thrive on live interaction with their fans, from stealing beer out of the crowd’s hands at outdoor college shows to inviting people up on stage to show off their beatboxing skills.

Shinobi Ninja
With this combination of animated energy and live swagger (like Gorillaz, only far far more manic) it’s not surprising that Shinobi Ninja recently incorporated their music into a virtual realm to provide fans with a multi-media adrenaline rush.

In a fantastic use of 21st century technology, the band created an iPhone app, Brooklyn to Babylon: Shinobi Ninja Attacks! in February. You select a band member to represent you and battle your way through the streets of New York City like it’s 1997 and you’re on your living room floor with a Nintendo controller. The mission? To conquer ridiculous caricatures of New York’s finest, like fist-pumping bar hoppers and creepy muggers, with instruments that morph into medieval weapons at your convenience. The goal? To ultimately find the mythical Club Babylon where you play the craziest concert of your life. At the end of each level, the player is rewarded with free Shinobi Ninja songs and music videos. The smartphone game can even sense if you are at a live Shinobi Ninja concert with its super high-tech awareness – also known as a GPS – and automatically rewards you with even more free music and promotions. Clever!

Screen Shot of "Brooklyn to Babylon"
Remember the days when music came from a shiny round disc in a jewel case? Well, those were always kind of crappy, but it was kind of nice to be able to touch what you bought, right?

In a weird way, it’s like Shinobi Ninja found a way to put digital music back in our hands — the excitement that used to come from flipping through a CD booklet or slipping a record out of its sleeve is generated in a different way as you barrel through a tangible landscape of songs and kung fu. If you beat the game, the prize is a free copy of their debut album The Video Game EP, out on June 29th.

And just to avoid inevitable confusion, the album name is The Video Game EP, and the iPhone app video game is called Brooklyn to Babylon: Shinobi Ninja Attacks! Phew. These Ninja Ninja guys are the best. - WWW.MTVIGGY.COM

Packing enough studio talent to start a major label and enough rap-rock energy to start a riot, the diverse members of Shinobi Ninja are ready to mosh their way out of the Brooklyn underground and into the mainstream -- provided people still party there.

"We're all children of the '80's and we love metal, grunge and hip hop and we all love to party and have fun." the band says, answering questions like they play music: as an inseparable team. "It's only natural that the music has bombastic drums, tons of guitars, rapping alongside rock and R&B melodies and the DJ slicing the crowd to pieces.

Formed in a Hell's Kitchen recording studio in early 2008, Shinobi Ninja includes singers Dave Aaron and Baby Girl, guitarist Maniac Mike, bassist Adriano Morez, drummer Terminator Dave and DJ Axis. Members have performed with everyone form Diddy to Santigold, but the resulting "Voltron-esque" ensemble sounds more like Sublime and the Beastie Boys swinging a wrecking ball through CBGB.

"Jump To This", a likely contender for lead single on the band's forthcoming EP, mixes a guitar-heavy beat that could be an outtake from "License to Ill" with voals straight out of an early 311 session. Meanwhile, "Stop" goes full-on punk rock, complete with three furious chords and a slow motion breakdown halfway through.

"They're all designed to be bangers, but a song on the crazier side has to be 'Jump To This'", the band says. "The breakdown is the bomb! When we get back to the chorus the crowd goes crazy. Sometimes there's a mosh pit but there's always jumping and hands in the air."

One advantage the band has enjoyed is studio experience. More than half of the members have worked in engineering and production and all have recorded in one form or another.

"By the time [we started recording] we'd all become seasoned veterans of the studio sphere," the band says. "It was just another day in the studio for us. It was really awesome, however, for this team of superheroes to be together in the smae room working on the same music. We all respect each other aas musicians and we feed of each other's energy." - Mergent Music Magazine