Entertainment Entities Unite to Present Bands and Artists At the Viper Room for City Of Nations

NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Los Angeles, CA, United States, 08/25/2010 -

Entertainment entities Oz City and Symbiotic Nation unite to present Eric Knight, Hopkinson, Ignacio Val and Steve Cooke at the Viper Room in West Hollywood September 8 for international event City Of Nations.

Entertainment organizations Oz City and Symbiotic Nation have joined forces to present the international event City Of Nations featuring four artists whose musical styles embody what’s current in the world of modern music: Eric Knight (USA), Hopkinson (Australia), Ignacio Val (Bolivia) and Steve Cooke (United Kingdom) will perform live on Wednesday September 8 at the world famous Viper Room (8852 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069) in West Hollywood. The show is $7, and members of the public 21 years and older are encouraged to attend.

City Of Nations’ showcases the best international and emerging artists in Los Angeles and brings the global entertainment industry together under one roof. Global partners CrowdWorkz & Persistent Management are proud supporters of this event, as well as the world famous Viper Room.

Eric Knight (ericknightonline.com) has taken the contemporary appropriate “do-it-yourself” attitude to a whole new level. Opening for acts including KISS, Dave Matthews Band, Aerosmith and Kid Rock, Knight has worked tirelessly to introduce his original music to the masses. In December 2008, he walked away with Outstanding Male Solo Artist bragging rights at the Rockies Awards in Hollywood. Dressed to kill in a sharp suit and tie, he offers a decidedly unbridled take on rock that remains tastefully aware of rock and roll’s pioneers but determined to redefine it even as he picks up the torch. Knight is currently working on his third album, Delusions of Grandeur, slated for release later this year.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Hopkinson (hopkinsonmusic.com) spent many years crossing the Pacific Ocean between Australia and America, suitcase in hand, writing and performing his music, before eventually relocating to Los Angeles in 2006. "I came to America not really knowing who I was, but in time I began to find all the missing pieces, says Hopkinson. “Strangers To Ourselves is a story of self discovery that hopefully many people will relate to." Hopkinson's influences are worlds apart. Classically trained from the age of nine, he started a grunge/rock band in high school, eventually finding his voice in the modern pop and rock sound, with much loved bands like U2, Pearl Jam, Live, Travis, Cold Play, Portishead, Train, and Crowded House. His album, Strangers To Ourselves, was co-written and produced with George Merrill, best known for writing Whitney Houston’s hit songs I Wanna Dance With Somebody and How Will I know.

Bolivian export Ignacio Val made his initial mark upon the public’s consciousness when he joined legendary Franco De Vita on tour throughout South America to duet on one of Franco's greatest hits, “Si La Ves.” Since then, Val has played throughout Southern California in key venues including The Whisky a Go Go, The Temple Bar, The Gig, The Rumba Room, B.B King’s, The Joint and The Good Hurt, among others. 2010 has already been an incredible year for the rising star, who has made multiple TV appearances on Univision’s Primera Edicion and Tu Estilo. Performing also with international superstars such as David Bisbal and Alejandra Guzman. Ignacio’s supercharged shows, songs and charisma combine to cultivate a Latin superstar-in-the-making. (myspace.com/ignacioval)

Hollywood Music and Media award winner Steve Cooke (steve-cooke.com) is currently running the Hollywood circuit, bringing down the house at legendary venues. At the beginning of his career Steve moved to London where he formed the band Endever, supported by an all-star band “The Dolphins,” which included members of Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Brand X and later guitar legend Alvin Lee of Ten Years After. He’s also played principle characters in UK hit musicals such as Broadway’s, Hair, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Who’s Tommy. Over the last few years Steve has focused on his own music and songwriting. In 08 Steve rocked Carlos Santana’s after-party in Germany!

About City Of Nations
City Of Nations is an international organization who’s mission is to feature and unite emerging artists from various nations in order to create a global awareness of talent from around the world.

Preparation

I'm in the midst of preparing components for the worldwide release of my first single and first music video, with the official album release to follow. It's an exciting and challenging time. Keep your eyes peeled for the launch date. I will be asking everyone to help me spread the word about this, don't be surprised if you get an email or a call from me in the next month or so asking for your help.

If you want to join the mailing list, please visit:
http://www.reverbnation.com/hopkinson

Oz City Viper Room Series

I don't need to rabbit on too much in this blog entry because
there's an event happening this week that speaks for itself.

It's the Oz City Viper Room Series this Tuesday night, doors at 7.30pm (July 14) with 8 of Australia's best artists and bands rocking the Sunset Strip. Don't ask me where it is, I tried to make it simple by putting the venue in the name!!

I put a lot of time and effort into making these nights happen
and I'd appreciate your support, not just for me, but for Australian music.

It's tough out there, I know it, and I'm giving you an opportunity if you register and sign up now on the secret guest list to get in for free. Numbers are limited and at worst it's $10 for 8 acts and a Coopers hat and the chance to have a case of Coopers delivered to your door.
So what are you waiting for? Register and come on out and drink Australia's finest beer and hear a ton of great music.

Oz City Viper Room Series - Line-up!

downstairs (solo)

8pm
Larissa McKay

9pm
Dwain Phillis

10pm
Brett Collins

upstairs (bands)
8.30pm
Kara Krainger

9.30pm
Waiting For 11:11

10.30pm
Steve Cooke

11:30pm
Hopkinson

12:30pm and between sets
Groove Terminator (DJ)

Oz City Info and Background

Oz City 2009 - Background

Founded by LA-based Australian singer/songwriter Ian Hopkinson, Oz City brings together Australian singer/songwriters and bands in Los Angeles and New York, giving them a platform to perform their original songs to music fans and industry in the LA and NY music scenes.

Featured artists have included Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci, MiG Ayesa (Rock Star: INXS finalist), Tex Perkins and the Beasts of Bourbon, Cameron Daddo, Aya Larkin (Skunkhour), Fiona Kernaghan, Tyrone Noonan (George) and Porcelain.

Since its formation in 2006, Oz City has made a name for itself with Oz City Song Circle, a diverse and changing roster of Australian musicians either based in North America or traveling through the US, who regularly perform their original songs “unplugged” in Hollywood for American audiences and Australian expats.

The Song Circle shows started at LA music venue Genghis Cohen, and were so well attended that the event moved to a larger venue - The Mint - after six months. Held once every two months, the shows are a mix of established and up-and-coming singer/songwriters and bands. Four acts each play their best three original songs for a 75 minute show. The shows are emceed by an LA-based Australian celebrity, or Australian personality traveling through. With its short format and diverse range of acts, the showcase quickly attracted interest from talent scouts and music programmers looking for new talent.

The Oz City Viper Room Series

In 2009, Oz City is taking its core group of regular LA-based musicians, together with invited new acts, to Hollywood’s legendary Viper Room on the Sunset Strip. In addition to a downstairs “unplugged” roster of performing Australian musicians, this year will see invited performers have the chance to plug in their amps and blast out an entire set.

The 2009 series began April 30, with the following acts playing to a packed house of about 200 people: Yves Klein Blue, D Henry Fenton, 11:11, Ry Cuming, Hopkinson, Francesca De Vallence, Bruno Lucia, Brooke Beyen, & Bruce Rowland.

Our next show on July 14 features: Kara Krainger, Waiting for 11:11, Steve Cooke, Groove Terminator, Larissa McKay, Dwain Phillis, & Brett Collins (Iris).

The under-the-radar feel to the Oz City shows already garners plenty of word-of-mouth support, and traction on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, and many other forms of social networking.

With the 2009 Viper Room series, our aim is to elevate the profile and mainstream press coverage of the shows, attracting larger audiences and industry recognition of Oz City, and the Australian music talent – emerging and established – which Oz City brings together.

Contact:
Ian Hopkinson
Oz City
http://www.ozcity.org
http://www.myspace.com/ozcity

Knitting Factory Hollywood July 2, 2009. 8.50pm MAIN STAGE

I had a very humorous bunch of responses to my last blog, thanks all for the laugh, you can read them yourself below.

The Hopkinson band had a rehearsal last night for our gig on the main stage at Hollywood's Knitting Factory, please make an extra effort to support us at this one as it's a KROQ band comp and we need audience votes, that's if you think we're the best band!

Tomorrow night (thursday July 2) 8.50pm sharp we are on stage.
It's only $10 with this email printed off and it's a great line-up of bands.

Knitting Factory
7021 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

June 25, 2009

The day Michael Jackson died of a heart attack, aged 50. I have mixed feelings in regards to my memories of the man. Later in life because of his strange antics/eccentric behaviour, and the allegations against him he became known as 'Wacko Jacko'. However, as an artist he was a true genius, ground breaking on many levels, a mesmorising stage performer, undoubtedly a writer of progressive music - ahead of his time, just a few phrases to describe the work he did. I was a mile away from the hospital on the 405 driving passed when they announced his death on the radio. Classic Los Angeles moment I will never forget. R.I.P MJ.

June 19, 2009

I just got back from San Francisco after a recording a cover song to be released with the album. If I told you the title, I'm sorry but I'd have to strangle you slowly. Oh why would I write that, that's not nice at all. Suffice to say I'm pretty excited to add it to the arsenal of songs I have going out into the world.