Rock Torch

Buy the Rock Torch Volume One book today!

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Rock Torch Volume One book

Rock Torch book cover

buy Rock Torch book on Kindle Purchase in Kindle format for $9.99

Rock Torch book purchase link for Create SpacePurchase on CreateSpace for $31.99

Rock Torch book Amazon purchase link Purchase on Amazon for $31.99


 Purchase on Google Check Out for $24.95 (click Buy Now button to the left)

All profits from the book will be going to the following charities:
  • The Sweet Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to musicians that are facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.
  • Local food banks in great music cities across the U.S.
  • The Robin Hood foundation to help victims of Hurricane Sandy

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About the book

Despite the Internet providing a bajillion new music critics, many music fans still find themselves asking, “who are the great bands and solo artists I should be listening to?” Rocktorch.com founder Randy Abramson reached out to the people who know music best – the artists themselves and asked them what musicians and songwriters move them the most and why.

This book captures their passionate recommendations in over 100 essays that are complimented by beautiful, full-color illustrations.

Contributors to the book include:

  • Mike Doughty
  • Sean Lennon
  • Kate Nash
  • Joe Grushecky
  • Anaïs Mitchell
  • Ritzy Bryan of The Joy Formddable
  • Willie Nile
  • Rachel Flotard
  • Dave Bielanko
  • Mike Nichols from Lucero
  • Chris Smither
  • Hutch Harris of The Thermals
  • and more!!!!

 

Shelby Earl and Jonsi

An example of the beautiful illustrations that accompany each illustration. This one is of Shelby Earl (l) and Jonsi (r)

 

We’re making a book! Profits go to great charities! Contribute today and spread the word!

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We’re raising money to create the ultimate holiday gift: the official Rock Torch Volume 1 book!

You can help by donating to our IndieGoGo page at: http://www.indiegogo.com/rocktorch or just help by spreading the word about the campaign.

All profits from the book will be going to the following charities:

  • The Sweet Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to musicians that are facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.
  • Local food banks in great music cities across the U.S.
  • To help the victims of Hurricane Sandy

We are very excited about this project and appreciate all of your help and support,

Team Rock Torch

Alexa Wilding recommends Nico

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Alexa Wilding and Nico

Alexa Wilding and Nico

Alexa Wilding’s recommendation: “Like most art damaged New York kids, I was exposed to The Velvet Underground and everything Andy Warhol at an early age. I was pretty obsessed with my mom’s well-worn copy of George Plimpton’s Edie, and we would dance around our loft in black tights to Heroin before I even knew what the song was about. While I loved Lou Reed, I really carried a torch for the songs sung by the lady with the weird low voice. So when I was fourteen my mom took me to Film Forum to see the documentary, Nico: Icon and I got to learn everything about her. I was transfixed by the sparse, spooky songs she went on to write with John Cale. Nico, alone and cool at the harmonium, completely changed my idea about what a singer and a song could be. She just did whatever she wanted. The music was pure, chilly, timeless, and it scared the living daylights out of me!”

New to Nico? Alexa suggests you start here: “Nico’s records, Marble Index, Desertshore and End are definitely an acquired taste, but I think they are required listening. While the songs are sad, they are spacious and peaceful, like the sound of a big empty cathedral. Nico’s otherworldly voice soars over instrumentation that is at once futuristic and ancient. Who would have thought that such a stylish icon would go on to become a mystic and write songs that belonged to no place or time? Start with Marble Index and just let yourself go on the trip. I myself have yet to return.”

Alexa Wilding title=About our guest author, Alexa Wilding: Alexa is one of the few artists these days that can back her style with substance. Yes, her career got a huge bump by snagging Ivana Helsinki founder/designer Paola Suhonen to direct her Black Diamond Day video from her self titled debut album (clip below), but music heavy hitters have continued to line up to assist on her upcoming follow up album, Coral Dust. How’s this all-star lineup sound: Tim Foljahn (who worked with Cat Power and Thurston Moore) produces, Television’s Fred Smith mixes and Fred Kevorkian (Regina Spektor) masters. Enough cred for ya? Her style is completely unique, combining a splash of folk and tons of atmospheric wonder. The NY Times calls her “the neo-Stevie Nicks.” We hear that, but labels are sure to to slide off of Alexa. She’s truly unique and her sound will continue to shape-shift. Get hip to everything Alexa at her site http://alexawilding.com/.

Alison Scott recommends Lissie

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Alison Scott and Lissie

Alison Scott and Lissie

Alison Scott’s recommendation: “The first time I heard about Lissie I was slated to open for her at The Triple Rock in Minneapolis. Like you do, I did a bunch of research on her and decided ahead of time that she was legit, the real deal. I’m not going to lie, I’m a hard sell. I’m a snob, I’m picky, and I’m proud of it. Lissie has won the hipsters over, but there are a whole lot more people out there who need to hear her. I’m telling everyone I can about her whenever I get the chance.

Being a trained vocalist myself, her voice got my attention right away. She’s got range. When she sings, I believe her. Her voice is so pure and welcoming and most importantly, it doesn’t sound like anyone else. Then on top of that, the songs are really good. You can listen to her with her guitar, and nothing else. No fluffy nonsense, no glitter or effects to cover up an inferior product.”

New to Lissie? Allison suggests you start here: “The night we played together, Lissie wasn’t feeling very well. If you could’ve seen her perform, you never would’ve known. She and her band put on a fantastic show. I bought her EP, Why You Runnin’ and it remained in my car on repeat for weeks. She then released a full length album Catching a Tiger. It has a few songs from her first EP with lots of new songs and a little bit more of an edge. All of her records rock some amazing background vocals and sound really open and airy. You kind of feel like they were recorded down the street in your local church with a bunch of neighborhood folks banging on glass bottles and pots and pans. Totally authentic, totally great.”

Alison Scott title=About our guest author, Alison Scott: The music biz is a wild, wacky place! The story goes that Alison Scott entered a contest on the Twin City radio station KQRS to open for Bon Jovi. The station announced that Scott had won and alerted listeners and Jon Bon Jovi alike. However, a recount showed that Scott didn’t win, but that didn’t stop Jon Bon Jovi from insisting that she play the show anyway. The road to stardom is never a straight path, but you better believe that Minneapolis based Alison Scott is on it. In less dramatic style, Alison has earned opening gigs for Chris Isaak, Marc Cohn, Boz Scaggs, and Nanci Griffith and has won praise from the likes of the UK music mag, Maverick (“…devilishly appealing, sultry and sexy”) and local papers such as the MN StarTribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press. This woman is all voice and style and effortlessly fuses Dusty Springfield soulful delivery with a Carole Kingish personal writing style. Her latest album is a wonderful collection of covers, appropriately titled Hiding Under the Covers Vo1. 2 and she is set to bless the Minnesota region with a bunch of upcoming tour dates. Be sure to visit the Alison Scott web site for the latest info.

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