Episode 18
View Markets Aired: June 27th 2009
Related Links:
- This Providence
- The Fabulous Miss Wendy
- Tom Zutaut
- Roy G and the Biv
Coming soon.
Episode 17
View Markets Aired: June 20th 2009
Related Links:
- ISA
- Jeremiah James
- Jamie Meyer
- Butterfly Boucher
Coming soon.
Episode 16
View Markets Aired: June 13th 2009
Related Links:
- MUSEXPO
- All Mankind
- Fabienne Holloway
- Les Corpse Mince
Coming soon.
Episode 15
View Markets Aired: June 6th 2009
Related Links:
- The Blue Van
- Dallas Guitar Festival
- Sorgente
- Fabienne Holloway
Coming soon.
Episode 14
View Markets Aired: May 30th 2009
Related Links:
- Tensta
- Samantha Heard
- Andrew Paul Woodworth
- Tigarah
Coming soon.
Episode 13
View Markets Aired: May 23rd 2009
Related Links:
- Yves Klein Blue
- Purple Melon
- Kingston
- Sorgente
Episode 13 commences with host Erik Valdez interviewing Australian quartet Yves Klein Blue, who take their name from the famed artist Yves Klein, whose "Yves Klein Blue" is a blue shade that doesn't fade over time, forever appearing wet and freshly applied... and thus serving as a metaphor for the group's goal of creating music that is timeless and won't fade with age. They just wrapped up three months in scenic North Hollywood, California, working on their debut full-length, Ragged and Ecstatic, with producer Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids). The Brisbane-based group's whimsical wordplay and catchy melodies were evident during a quick acoustic turn on the Beta stage. Next up, Brittany interviews English rockers Purple Melon, who have left behind foggy London for a year in sunny SoCal. They've been working on their debut album with producer Paul Stacey, perhaps best known for his work with Oasis, and gigging all over the Sunset Strip and beyond. Speaking of which, we also get to see the band performing their anthemic number "Please Don't Go" on the Viper Room stage. We're then treated to a live performance from Kiwi up-and-comers Kingston on the Beta stage. The song "Good Good Feeling" has been getting significant international airplay for the young New Zealand quartet; for further information, be sure to check out episode 11. The episode concludes with Erik interviewing half the members of Sorgente, a Bavarian sextet who are all about the groove and play with a funkiness more commonly associated with Motown than their hometown of Munich. They've released four albums in Europe and the latest, Let Me In, is an erotically charged concept piece about excess, destruction and the calm that comes after the storm. They do an acoustic rendition that highlights their gorgeous vocal harmonies.
Episode 12
View Markets Aired: May 16th 2009
Related Links:
- Andrew Paul Woodworth
- Chris Pickering
- SXSW
- Jonathan McHugh
Episode 12 kicks off with co-host Erik Valdez interviewing Andrew Paul Woodworth, a man whom legendary Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones once described as "the best lyricist I have ever worked with." The duo worked together when Jones produced the album for Woodworth's previous project, a post-grunge band named Elephant Ride. However, Woodworth wasn't entirely happy with the band atmosphere and chose to go it alone on the singer/songwriter route. After performing at a showcase in Los Angeles the discerning ears at Germany's Rodeostar Records quickly signed the talented songsmith and released his debut album, Eddy Ate Dynamite. Andrew, who also plays acoustic guitar, is then joined by his five-piece backing band on the studio stage for a rousing rendition of the song "Save Yourself." Next up, Brittany Burton interviews Australian artist Chris Pickering, who has utilized his insightful lyrical sense, magical melodies and natural good looks to help redefine the alt-country genre, both in his homeland and here in America. Though Nashville's Performing Songwriter magazine hailed him as "Keith Partridge in cowboy boots," this is no bubblegum act: In February 2009 Pickering was invited to showcase at the prestigious North American Folk Alliance in Memphis. Chris concludes by offering a compelling solo acoustic performance of "Ruby Ruby," demonstrating his expertise on both guitar and harmonica. Britt then hosts a whirlwind video recap of SXSW 2009, which over 10 days attracted more than 2,000 bands performing on 80 separate stages. The episode concludes with Eric interviewing music industry veterans Jonnie Forster and Jonathan McHugh, the brains behind "Crash Course to Stardom," an intensive seven-day regimen that aims to turn today's wannabes into tomorrow's somebodies. They also bring along their first success: Bettendorf, Iowa high school student Regan, who earned a spot on the bill of the KIIS Los Angeles "Wango Tango" concert and $10,000 after being picked over thousands of other applicants for the song "Beautiful Day," which Regan also performs in the Beta studios.
Episode 11
View Markets Aired: May 9th 2009
Related Links:
- Anarbor
- Kingston
- Matt Hires
Episode 11 kicks off with Brittany Burton interviewing guitarist Mike Kitlas and singer/bassist Slade Echeverria of promising Phoenix act Anarbor. The duo has been friends since kindergarten and settled upon the band's current lineup during middle school. They spent their high school years performing on the road to such an extent that they reckon some members were fortunate to graduate. Shortly before that happy event they signed with Los Angeles indie Hopeless Records, for which they recently released the seven-song Free Your Mind EP. Produced by Mike Green (Good Charlotte, Paramore), the EP includes the song "The Brightest Green," for which Anarbor offers an acoustic rendition on the Beta stage. Erik Valdez then interviews a pair of members from New Zealand's Kingston, who have been making waves in both the southern and northern hemispheres with their melodic pop. Their debut single release, "Good Good Feeling," hit the Top 40 in New Zealand and has picked up significant airplay in North America and Europe, also... not too shabby for an unsigned band. In an effort to rectify that situation the four-piece recently spent a month in Los Angeles, where they released a new single, "I See the World"--which they debut on the Beta studio stage. The episode wraps up with Britt interviewing "barefoot troubadour" Matt Hires, a 22-year-old Florida native who still plays the handmade acoustic guitar that his father made in 1977 and passed on to Matt when the latter was sixteen. Hs star rose when an Atlantic Records exec discovered the music on Matt's MySpace page and subsequently contacted him. Judging by Matt's performance of "Honey Let Me Sing You a Song" in the Beta studios, it was the right call.
Episode 10
View Markets Aired: April 25th 2009
Related Links:
- Robert Knight
- John Chester
- Carolina Liar
- Miranda Lee Richards
Episode 10 starts with Erik V. interviewing famed rock photographer Robert Knight, who over the course of a 40-year-plus career has shot everyone from the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin (he was the sole photographer at their American concert debut) to Elton John, Van Halen and Slash while accumulating an archive of over 200,000 images. The Hawaiian-born son of a preacher, Robert discovered his life's calling after a trip to "Swinging London" in the late '60s; within a year he'd saved up enough money for a camera and persuaded his parents to send him to the San Francisco Art Institute, whereupon he quickly became a familiar presence at Bill Graham's famed Fillmore Auditorium. Erik and Robert are then joined by director John Chester of the film "Rock Prophecies," which is an attempt to update Robert's experience as a 17-year-old shooting Led Zeppelin and explains how rock photographers are, in a way, the gatekeepers to cultural popularity. In an odd bit of synchronicity, the next guest, Carolina Liar frontman Chad Wolf, had worked previously with Australian trio Sick Puppies--one of the acts featured in "Rock Prophecies." After being raised in, you guessed it, South Carolina--the tiny town of Monk's Corner, to be precise--in September 2006 Chad made the bold decision to move to the hallowed hills of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, where he subsequently met some of the best songwriters and producers in the world... who happened to be Swedish. Relocating to Stockholm to record with the famed Max Martin, Carolina Liar is now a six-piece outfit that splits time between Stockholm and Los Angeles and has compiled a sound melding the music of U2 and the E Street Band with wistful, yearning vocals in the vein of Kent, Coldplay and Keane, as exemplified by their performances of the hit "I'm Not Over" and new single "Show Me What I'm Looking For" on the Beta stage. The episode wraps up with Britt Burton interviewing singer/songwriter Miranda Lee Richards, who was the beneficiary of a decidedly eclectic upbringing. The daughter of famed underground comics artists Ted and Teresa Richards, Miranda was taught how to play guitar by Metallica's Kirk Hammett while still in high school and was first discovered by Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre, for whom she sang backing vocals for six months before pursuing her own muse. Songs from her Virgin Records debut, The Herethereafter, were licensed over 40 times for film/TV, allowing Miranda the creative freedom to fully explore music. Her long-awaited follow-up, Light of X, was released by Nettwerk earlier this year and Miranda treats us to a performance of the song "Lifeboat" in the Beta studios.
Episode 9
View Markets Aired: April 18th 2009
Related Links:
- The Answering Machine
- Alexandra Patsavas
- Oren Lavie
- Anya Marina
Episode nine commences with co-host Brittany Burton interviewing Martin Colclaugh and Pat Fogarty of Manchester, England-bred quartet The Answering Machine, who were named by influential UK magazine NME as "Ones to Watch in 2009." After a series of well-received EPs and singles over the past three years the group has just completed their debut full-length, Another City, Another Sorry. They count among their influences the Strokes and Swedish act Shout Out Louds. After the interview the entire band hits the Beta Studios stage for a performance of their song "Obviously Cold." Co-host Erik Valdez then heads high up into the hills of Los Angeles to the home of music supervisor extraordinaire Alex Patsavas, who has become one of America's premier hitmakers through her involvement in ratings-grabbing shows like "The O.C.," "Without a Trace," "Grey's Anatomy," "Gossip Girl" and "Mad Men." She's also selected the music for the films "Twilight," "Happy, Texas," "Dancing at the Blue Iguana" and "Wasted," among others. Growing up in 1980s Chicago Alex, who was initially influenced by the soundtracks to John Hughes movies like "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink," received her own big break in 1995 when she started working for legendary B-movie auteur Roger Corman. Over the next two and a half years she coordinated music for nearly 50 Corman productions before hanging out her own shingle as Chop Shop Music Supervision. She recently started her own label imprint, Chop Shop Records, and has signed four artists. Back in the Beta Studios Britt interviews Israeli artist Oren Lavie, who was an award-winning playwright and theater director before turning to music. He moved to Berlin in 2003 and spent the next three years working on his debut album, The Other Side of the Sea, which was released in Europe in early 2007 (but not in America until earlier this year). Oren's stop-motion video for the song "Her Morning Elegance" received over 6.5 million YouTube hits and the song itself was featured in the NBC special "Inside the Obama White House." Clips from the video are shown while Oren plays the song in the Beta studios. The episode concludes with Britt interviewing Anya Marina, a former San Diego radio DJ turned artist who received her big break when Alex Patsavas chose her song "Miss Halfway" for inclusion in an episode of "Grey's Anatomy." She went on to become one of the first artists signed to Chop Shop Records, for which she recently released the album Slow and Steady Seduction: Phase II, which includes the song she performs in the Beta Studios, "All the Same to Me."
Episode 8
View Markets Aired: April 11th 2009
Related Links:
- Brian Tyler
- Softsilence
- Shirock
- Birds of Tokyo
Episode eight begins with Erik V. visiting the studio of film composer Brian Tyler, who's scored more than 45 films over the last six years (including the "Fast and Furious" franchise, "Constantine," "Panic" and "Eagle Eye," among many others). Brian, who plays guitar, piano, bass, drums and various keyboard instruments and is signed as a songwriter with Sony Music Publishing, received his big break when a film producer approached him about using a song of Brian's for the end credits; Brian begged him for the opportunity to score the entire film and contributed 14 original songs and a full orchestral score... for the princely sum of a single dollar! Brian then demonstrates for Erik some of the things that go into crafting a film score. Back at the Beta studios Erik interviews Oxnard, California trio Softsilence, who despite being together for only about six months have already attracted comparisons to such Alt-rock heavyweights as U2 and Coldplay. Led by singer/songwriter Bryan Dixon, the Softsilence sound is a sleek combination of '80s synth-pop and dreamy piano ballads. One of their first live performances was opening for Hoobastank and last year the group won a highly competitive "Battle of the Bands" in Ventura County. The trio also performs their song "All I Can See" on the Beta stage. Next up, Britt interviews Pap and Chuck, the principal songwriters for Nashville quintet Shirock (pronounced "shy-rock" and also Chuck's last name). The duo met in 1999 and, after discovering they were both the children of missionary parents who had lived overseas, started writing songs shortly thereafter. Drummer Adam Gatchel and bassist Derek Blank signed on in 2005, while guitarist Jason Bynum completed the lineup in late 2006. Earlier this year they released their debut album, Everything Burns, which reflects the band's philosophy that time is valuable and limited--so use it wisely. To further that goal the group formed the non-profit Everything Burns foundation, which encourages fans to help those in need. The full five-piece then takes the Beta stage for a stirring rendition of their song "Still Young." Finally, while their name may evoke images of a guide for Japanese ornithological enthusiasts, Birds of Tokyo is actually the name of a fantastic four-piece from Perth, Australia that's been garnering increasing attention across the globe from both tastemakers and decision-makers alike. They've won a slew of WAMi (Western Australian Music) awards in the past couple years, including Favourite Newcomer in 2007 and Best Rock Act and Most Popular Album in 2008, with their sophomore effort, Universes, coming in at No.5 on the Triple J radio listeners' poll for Best Album of 2008 (trailing only such luminaries as Kings of Leon, the Presets, MGMT and Vampire Weekend). Erik V. interviews two of the members in the Beta studio and they also perform an acoustic version of their tune "Wild Eyed Boy."
Episode 7
View Markets Aired: April 4th 2009
Related Links:
- Meg and Dia
- Infected Mushroom
- Diane Warren
- After Midnight Project
Episode starts with Britt Burton interviewing sisters Meg and Dia Frampton and drummer Nick Price of Meg & Dia, a five-piece from Utah that's grown up on the road as a result of two and a half years touring in support of their debut release, Something Real. That growth is evident on their recently released second album, Here, Here and Here, the title of which comes from a Mozart quote: "There's nothing to composing. You just need to focus on here, here and here," he said in reference to his head, heart and ear. The group received valuable help from producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, All-American Rejects) on their sophomore effort, from which the full band performs the song "Going Away" in the Beta studios. Erik V. then sits down with Amit "Duvdev" Duvedevani and Erez Eisen of Psy-Trance innovators Infected Mushroom. The Israeli-bred, Los Angeles-based duo has been twice ranked among the world's 10 best DJs by UK scene "bible," DJ Magazine, and has been working for nearly two years on an aggressive new album--their first since 2007's critically acclaimed Vicious Delicious--for dance-music visionary Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto label. Billed as a return to the pair's metal roots, guests include singer Jonathan Davis of Korn, who lends his pipes to the track "Smashing the Opponent." Britt then visits with Diane Warren, who is widely considered to be the most prolific and successful songwriter of our time. She has written songs for artists that comprise a "Who's Who" of music over the last three decades, including (but not limited to) Aerosmith, Elton John, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Roy Orbison, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood and Mary J. Blige. In addition, her songs have appeared in nearly 100 major motion pictures, receiving six Academy Award nominations, four Golden Globe nominations and nine GRAMMY nominations. Named ASCAP Songwriter of the Year six times and Billboard Songwriter of the Year four times, Diane also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The episode comes to a close with Erik interviewing Los Angeles rockers After Midnight Project in the Beta studios. The quintet has amassed an enviable fan base through constant touring and two self-released EPs; the latter, The Becoming, caught the attention of A&R execs at Universal/Motown, which wasted no time in signing the group. Their major label debut, Let's Build Something to Break, was produced by Goldfinger frontman John Feldmann and is scheduled for release on August 11, 2009. The group received a major break when their song "Take Me Home" was included in the best-selling video game "Prey"; After Midnight Project then performs an acoustic version of the song on the Beta stage.
Episode 6
View Markets Aired: March 28th 2009
Related Links:
- Jessie James
- Glassnote
- William Joseph
- Serena Ryder
Kicking off 2009, Britt starts with an interview and performance of "Wanted" by the talented singer/songwriter Jessie James, recently signed to Mercury Records. Jessie chronicles her career rise, starting with her first guitar at 9 years old, songwriting at 15 and traveling to Nashville at just 18 to pursue a career in music. Her CD releases summer 2009 alongside a 50-stop, 25-day radio tour. Next Erik sits down with music executive, Daniel Glass, who went from a pre-med student to a college DJ, spinning Disco, quickly landing a position as the Director of New Music for Chrysalis, marketing and promoting the new sounds of Spandau Ballet, Huey Lewis & The News, Billy Idol, etc. His success moved him quickly up the ranks where he soon became Senior Vice President. Two years ago, Daniel launched Glassnote Records which represents several well-known artists, including Secondhand Serenade. Erik moves on to meet William Joseph, composer and piano child prodigy, who started playing piano at age 5. Daniel's grassroots approach to finding fans in local malls paid off when is career broke at a charity event in Arizona, where he was discovered by the legendary producer, David Foster. Episode 6 ends with Britt in the BETA Control Room with Canadian artist Serena Ryder, signed to Atlantic Records, promoting her new album, "is it o.k." Serena, Juno Award Winner for Best New Artist in 2008, describes her heaving touring schedule and what goes into writing her songs, ending with video clips from her track, a "Little Bit of Red."
Episode 5 - NEW FULL SEASON BEGINS MARCH 2009
View Markets Aired: December 13th 2008
Related Links:
- American Music Awards
- Secondhand Serenade
- Christian Audigier
- Amanda Overmyer
- Grace Potter
In this final episode for the 2008 Season, Erik reports from the red carpet with interviews at the American Music Awards. In the second segment, Erik sits down with John Vesely of Secondhand Serenade backstage at the House of Blues on Sunset in Hollywood. John speaks of his career transition from heavy touring to online sales and promotions over the course of 10 years, becoming one of the biggest independent artists worldwide with platinum recordings. Next, Carol Leffler of Christian Audigier takes Erik on a tour of the Audigier art department and warehouse moving a million dollars daily of music inspired clothing across 10-premium brands. Following, we return with Brittany sitting in the BETA Records control room with Amanda Overmyer, American Idol's voice of rock n roll. Amanda reminisces of going from an unknown artist to a household name and fulfilling her dream of performing at the Whisky on the famous Sunset Strip. The amazing Grace Potter concludes this episode with her video performance of "Ah Mary" from the album, This is Somewhere.
The new BETA Records TV season of 52 episodes begins March 2009.
The new BETA Records TV season of 52 episodes begins March 2009.
Episode 4
View Markets Aired: December 6th 2008
Related Links:
- Brutha
- Meiko
- Timmy Curran
In this special "Up-and-Coming Artist" episode, Erik kicks off the show with the group of 5 brothers, called "Brutha" with an interview and live a cappella performance of "I can't hear the music" in the BETA studios. Brutha talks about their roots in music going back 4 generations and their own inspirations listening to the Jackson 5. Brutha is the only R&B group currently signed to Def Jam records. Next up, we join Brittany B in her segment interviewing Meiko and how she went from awkward to awesome discovering her talent in music after arriving in LA and launching her career by performing at the Hotel Café in Hollywood. Meiko continues on with some background creative decisions and clips of her music video, "Boys with Girlfriends." The video "Blue Eyes" from professional surfer, Timmy Curran airs next. Inspired by a surf trip to Brazil, Timmy Curran, then sidelined for 10-days due to bad weather, polished his gift for songwriting and wrote a song "Horses on the Range," used later in a surf documentary by legendary surfboard shaper, Al Merrick.
Episode 3
View Markets Aired: November 29th 2008
Related Links:
- Dave Weiderman - Guitar Center
- Our Lunar Activities
- Napster
- Christian Audigier
- Varsity Fanclub
In Episode 3, BETA Records TV begins with an in-depth interview on site with Dave Weiderman, (General Manager) at the flagship location of Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd, home to some of the greatest vintage and new music gear around the world. Followed by host Brittany B. talking about the newly finished album from the hot new alternative rock band, Our Lunar Activities all the way from Scotland. Next Erik V. sits down with Brad Dewey, CEO of Napster, and discusses its dynamic history, new features, and upcoming plans for the future. In the lifestyle segment, Erik continues with Christian Audigier, the fashion mogul whose rock infused fashion has become a must-have item for hipsters around the world. Brittany ends this episode with a Varsity Fanclub interview and live a cappella performance from the guys, bleeding into their hit video, "Future Love," one of the most requested and listened to songs on My Space.
Episode 2
View Markets Aired: November 22nd 2008
Related Links:
- Live on Sunset
- Pandora
- LMFAO
- Meaghan Smith
Host Brittany Burton gives an update on the BETA TV stage construction by master set builder, Tommy Train. Next Erik V speaks with Gerard at his new LIVE on SUNSET store (the former Tower Records building) on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood and gives insight to his unique on-and-off line shopping experience where music is used as a catalyst for product awareness. Erik continues on with an interview with Tim Westergren, Pandora founder and President, explaining what his music DNA and Music Genome Project are all about with over 550,000 songs analyzed thus far by human ears. LMFAO (Red Foo & Sky Blu) meet in the BETA Records Control Room and discuss how their NU-80s Party Music was inspired and more about the career launch provided by DJ AM. The duos music is exploding over the air waves and a remix of Kanye West's hit "Love Lockdown" is the latest in many hits to come. Back at the BETA TV studios, Brittany sits down with Meaghan Smith from Canada whose skills in animation helped to inspire her music video, "A Little Love."
Episode 1
View Markets Aired: November 15th 2008
Related Links:
- Terra Naomi
- nuTsi
- Crystal Rock
In this premier Episode, BETA gives viewers a sneak peak at the Host selection process and some of the candidates' auditions. Brittany Burton and Erik Valdez are chosen among hundreds and reintroduced as the official hosts live on the new set of BETA TV. Erik V goes on to interview Terra Naomi, an unsigned artist that has had over 3 million plays on YouTube and discusses her journey from unsigned to signed and now back to an unsigned Independent artist. Later in the show, Brittany interviews Crystal Audigier, daughter of Christian Audigier (Ed Hardy), visiting her new Melrose boutique in West Hollywood, Crystal Rock. Finally, Dave Dederer of Nutsie speaks to Erik V about his latest online venture and how he transitioned from Rock Star (Presidents of the United States of America) to Internet music guru.
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Schedule / Markets
The show airs in over 140 U.S. markets. Find out where & when by viewing the schedule.
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