The City Life
CD Release Party

Coming off the celebrated release of their new single "White Elephant" which Offbeat Magazine calls "catchy enough to induce insomnia," New Orleans' own indie-rock marvel The City Life is ready to send forth the father album from which that lovely single hath sprung: "Gone Is The World." As a triumphant follow-up to their 2006 debut release "What's That Sound?," their sophomore opus shows a tremendous growth in punch, power, and poignancy. According to local music critic Rory Callais, The City Life has taken the steps towards extending the reach of their prominent local career, and in the process, they have delivered a "dynamic album, incorporating harder-edged alt-rock and lush, mournful ballads." This fierce fivesome will bring in local American roots connoisseurs Les Poissons Rouges to open the festivities at the Gone Is The World CD Release Party on April 4th, 2008.

Starting as a play-for-fun jam trio comprised of singer/guitarist Leo DeJesus, lead guitarist Tommy Delbert and bass guitarist Aaron Souvinette, The City Life has greatly evolved over the years, shedding their former name (Survey Says) and undergoing several shifts of roster before landing on keyboardist/singer Lucy Gossett and drummer Brian Patrick Muller to complete the collective. After circulating local and southern area rock clubs, The City Life set their footprints deep in The Republic stage when they performed at the very first Throwback Night. Since then, they have repeatedly shined at Republic's Friday night phenomenon and even make a few appearances on the upcoming Throwback Night Compilation CD. It only seems fitting that they return to celebrate the release of their latest sonic gem and the beginning of the rest of their careers.

Les Poissons Rouges
Steeped heavily in the history of American roots music, Les Poissons Rouges (pronounced Lay Pwa-son Rooj) take their cue from the genre’s artistic peak of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Influenced by roots innovators such as The Band, The Rolling Stones, and Neil Young, Les Poissons Rouges stay true to the genre while also forging new creative paths in Americana.

The manner in which Les Poissons Rouges came together is the epitome of a silver lining. Fleeing their homes in New Orleans on the heels of Hurricane Katrina, songwriters and childhood friends Adam Campagna and Jon Harris evacuated to a farmhouse near Auburn, Alabama. With little but time on their hands and much to contemplate, the two began writing songs. What was initially a way to keep their minds off the recent misfortune quickly turned into the foundation of a band. With enough material to perform live, Campagna and Harris began gigging around the nearby college town to make extra money. Fans came quickly as did new band mates, bassist Jason Deblanc and drummer Jay Knorr, Auburn natives who also shared a passion for roots and Americana. Four months and countless late night writing sessions later, Les Poissons Rouges headed to Nashville to record their debut EP, entitled NASHVEGAS.

In January 2006, Campagna and Harris returned to New Orleans (along with DeBlanc) with a desire to contribute to and help rebuild the shaken music scene. They teamed up with fellow New Orleanian and drummer Paul Distler and carried their momentum onto the New Orleans music scene. A crazy year for all involved to be sure – but one not without redemption.

Created from nights spent on a front porch discussing their love of The Band’s early albums, playing music in the barn until the sun came up, and personal experiences of love, pain, and happiness, the stories and music of NASHVEGAS capture a sound and feeling that is both unique and familiar. Songs like “Nashvegas” and “Road Where I Was Born” exhibit the Americana tendencies of the songwriters, while “Oh, Alabama” and “Just Another Love Song” rock with a southern swagger. The lyrics exhibit insight into the songwriters and their lives in the turbulent American south. NASHVEGAS marks the entrance of Campagna and Harris into their mid-twenties and their commentary on their experiences thus far.

Blu Jemz
L.A.-based guest DJ, Blu Jemz,  was born to DJ Throwback; his set this Friday will be both right-on-point and a cool, new take on 80s, 90s, and indie. If you call yourself a hipster, you've seen his name on every other party flier for the past two years (in L.A.). And chances are, the last time you were in an A-list club and said "This DJ is awesome. Who is that?", you'd see Blu Jemz in the DJ booth. A transplant whose heart is rooted in N.Y., Blu Jemz shares with us what keeps him sane in Los Angeles.