UMBRELLO MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT GETS $12 MILLION IN EXPANSION FUNDING
INVESTMENT ENDORSES WORLDWIDE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION MODEL
June 23, 2008, New York – Pioneering entrepreneur Steve Nardelli, lead writer and vocalist for the legendry ‘60s band
The Syn, has earmarked $12M of a total investment portfolio of $600M to expand the operations of his New York-based
Umbrello Music Entertainment. With this infusion of capital and two major new contracts to add to their growing client
list, UME is now in a prime situation to solidify a leading market position.
Umbrello Music Entertainment is working with production house Edpic to supply targeted video and music content to Nokia,
the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile telephones, and to Amazon.com, the major online retailer. These agreements
will be further supported by Umbrello’s record label and Umbrello.tv.
Nardelli states that Umbrello will offer a true alternative to mainstream chart music and video.
"Through our global digital portal agreements, we will supply quality broadcast content to a worldwide
audience of millions."
"Steve identifies change before change happens," says UK billionaire Mike Ashley who partnered with Nardelli
to purchase and re-build Donnay, a leading manufacturer of sports racquets. The Donnay brand became a cornerstone
of Sports Direct bringing their company forward into international retail superstardom.
Nardelli has started to invest the bulk of the $600M into property development projects in the UK with an emphasis
on "green and planet friendly" social housing developments through his Evergreen Homes Company.
About Umbrello Music Entertainment
UME is an independent producer and distributor of high-quality content for diverse digital entertainment platforms
worldwide. With production studios in London, Philadelphia and New York, UME’s library of premium short form programmes
is extensive with unending additions. UME offers their clients a competitive advantage with unique, attention-grabbing
content that gives their viewers more choices. As a video partner, UME works with clients to assess their needs and develop effective quality programming for maximum impact to their target markets.
14 Hour Technicolour Dream: The Virtual Band
Another Cutting-Edge Music Project sponsored by Steve Nardelli (The Syn)
March 2, 2008 — As a founding member of the classic British ‘60s psych band The Syn - which has undergone a rebirth as a “prog modernist” band in the new millennium - Steve Nardelli has shown himself to be a true innovator on many different levels. Not only does The Syn have a brand new CD entitled Big Sky in the works for 2008 with a new core lineup consisting of
Nardelli, Francis Dunnery (It Bites; The Robert Plant Band) and Tom Brislin (keyboardist for the Yes: Symphonic Tour; Meatloaf, Debbie Harry, and his own band Spiraling), but Nardelli has another unique Web 2.0 project underway as well: 14 Hour Technicolour Dream: The Virtual Band
This project takes its name both from The Syn’s classic freakbeat song (http://www.psychosync.info/members/thesyn.htm) and from the Yahoo! Group of the same name which has supported The Syn’s revival and has been the band’s official discussion forum since 2005
(http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/14Hour ). Steve Nardelli himself is an active member of this lively group of progressive music fans and musicians.
14HRTD: TVB plans to have its first hitherto unreleased Nardelli-penned song ready for release around the same time that the new Syn CD Big Sky will be released worldwide.
The Future (of The Syn) Will Be Televised
New core lineup announced as Brislin, Dunnery and Nardelli
February 24th, 2008 — As a founder of TheONETV and founding member of the band The
Syn, Steve Nardelli has always shown himself to be a true innovator on many different levels.
With the recording of the new Syn CD (Big Sky) Nardelli takes that spirit of innovation to a new
plateau. The recording process of the album is going to be filmed and televised via IPTV
broadcast and mobile telephones world-wide. Music fans will have an intimate, inside
experience—a concept that is sure to take off so remember where it originated.
Nardelli is the lead singer, songwriter and overall "main man" of The Syn. In the past, The Syn
has included Yes members Chris Squire, Pete Banks and Alan White in its ranks, and currently
boasts a lineup that is every bit as impressive. Nardelli is joined by Francis Dunnery on guitar and
vocals and Tom Brislin on keys and vocals. Dunnery is probably best known for his work in the
legendary band It Bites and for his great solo work. He also played in Robert Plant's band (the
Led Zeppelin connection continues with Umbrello Records featuring John Paul Jones on their up-
coming Julie Felix release). Tom Brislin was the very talented keyboardist for Yes on their
symphonic tour and not only has worked with Meatloaf and Debbie Harry but also has his own
band called Spiraling, which has developed quite a following. The Syn will also be joined on the
new album by a number of very notable guest performers.
The CD release will mark the launch of Nardelli's US operation. His new company—based in
New York—is Umbrello Music Entertainment. UME's main focus will be delivering quality
music via such Web 2.0 portals as IPTV, mobile telephone and multi-digital download.
"Technology is transforming the industry." says Nardelli. "You can either be a part of it or sit
back and watch. Either way, it's going to change the way music is presented from here on out."
In step with his innovative style, Nardelli will lend his vocal and songwriting talents to "14 Hour
Technicolour Dream: The Virtual Band." This side-project will feature the talents of many
individual musicians working together—virtually—from locations throughout the USA.
Participants signed onto the project thus far include Umbrello Records recording artists Kurt
Michaels and Anton Roolaart, the California-based indie band The Tomorrowes, and both indie
recording artist/producer Kevin Still and vocalist/project executive producer Steve Sikes-Nova.
14HRTD:TVB is currently underway with plans to have its first Nardelli-penned song ready for
release around the same time that Big Sky will be released worldwide.
TheProgFiles.com | In Review - ANTON ROOLAART / DREAMER
Imagine if you will. As far fetched as it may seem, dig deep into the resources of your creativity and conjure up the image of a hip school of progressive rock music. Now venture beyond the doors of this lofty institution and surprise yourself with the best teachers on the planet. Jon Anderson is there teaching his class on proper phrasing and creative melody writing. Peter Gabriel & Steve Howe share the instruction on musical dramatics & tasteful blending in compositions. Steve Hackett lectures in the room next door, today he has special guest Joe Satriani enlightening the more advanced students on not sacrificing technique for accessibility. Roger Waters throws the text books out and bestows the gift of absence in music on his impressionable audience. Training the young musicians that sometimes it is the notes that you DON'T play that bring the music to life. Finally, what may seem like an odd course to the outsider, for the graduating student is David Bowie's class on bringing all of the education home in order to craft music that the masses would enjoy.
Now picture the valedictorian, his name is Anton Roolaart. Graduating at the top of his class, he is brought up to the pulpit to give his crowning speech. However, the school administration stripped him of his honors as an example to all the other hopefuls. They simply sent Anton on his way with only one explanation "now that you have learned all that we can teach you, you must go and find your own way"...
...and that's exactly what Roolaart did. He learned from the best, watching every move, every structure and every piece of advice that could be consumed by our prog greats. Then he took those lessons and spent all the time needed to make the music his very own. With patience, blood, sweat and tears the hours turned to days and the days turned to years. What we have now is the music we didn't know we were waiting for. Music with such a creative spark and freshness that you will wonder how you got along without it.
Simply put, Dreamer has made it's way past my "review" pile and comfortably sits on a cycle of frequently listened to discs. I lost the CD once as it made a seemingly harmless trip from my studio to my car. It was only absent for a day, but it was a day of panic. I cant be without this album, I'd buy it again and again if I ever did lose it. Very, VERY few CDs hold the same honor.
Anton's arrangements are both tasteful and technical. Not an easy thing to accomplish. I found myself discovering new things in the music each time I listened. Like digging a new hole in the backyard only to discover treasure. The opening track takes you on a journey you cant help but fall victim to. With the gardenesque piece that transitions the beginning, it's as if I was swept away to be brought inside the foyer where Anton performs the piano interlude. Moments like these are rampant through the whole CD. It's also interesting to note that Roolaart will change the meter not just for progressive reasons, but with INTENTION. Every note is paid attention to, not one passage is wasted. The songs individually are works of art, put together the entire CD is worthy of meaningful appreciation. Roolaart's mind didn't stop with the music, even the CD insert is intriguing in it's layout.
Here's my only complaint... lyrics... Obviously the words are very personal to Roolaart. Although his voice is at times lacking, he has complete control over it. He knows his limitations and his strengths, maintaining an appealing charm to every vocal phrasing. He has put thought and invention into all aspects of this CD, but what happened to some of the lyrics? Did he run out of time, did it not matter, do the lyrics mean that much to him that the thought of changing them was simply never allowed to be considered? Mind you, not all the lyrics are this way. Symbolism and deeper meaning are evident with songs like Near or Far, On the Afterglow & Dreamer. But Anton seemed to drop the ball with Scary Monsters when he wrote "the empty feeling now baby" & "just hang on a little tighter now". Even Mid Summer's Day suffers from elementary lyrics as does Manon with it's trite "Cool cafe's, we walked the night away". However, this CD is still amazing and it's few lyrical problems is the only reason it lost half-a-star on my rating.
I get the overwhelming sense that I'm witnessing something extraordinary with his music. Roolaart crafts his rock with focus and mindful scope of its entirety. Not just simply writing filler to build up to a keyboard highlight (which he is incredible at) or building up parts just to support a ripping guitar solo (which he also excels at). Chock full of memorable songs, Dreamer is certain to hold a place in prog rock history as the standard for musical pursuit in this fine genre.
UMBRELLO - The news in the rock world is that Chris Squire departed The SYN
at the end of 2006. The SYN—the psych-pop band formed by Squire and Steve
Nardelli in ‘65 and disbanded when Squire formed YES in 1969—staged a
brilliant comeback CD, Syndestructible, at the end of 2005.
2007’s seven cut
CD, Armistice Day debuts a classic rock title track fueled by catchy hooks
and utopian lyrics of world peace. The CD is further fleshed out with live
2006 XM radio versions of tracks from Syndestructible that feature key
contributions from YES drumming legend Alan White and guitarist Shane
Theriot. The Syndestructible covers are interesting, near unplugged versions
with White’s tasteful drumming offset by Theriot’s acoustic guitar and
acoustic piano from Gerard Johnson. Armistice Day may signal the end of the
2005 revival with Squire and Nardelli, so here’s wishing them both much
success in the future. www.theone.tv
Over in the U.K. the multi-talented singer/songwriter Steve Nardelli has
launched his Umbrello Records roster with some mighty impressive CD releases
including Dreamer by N.J. based Anton Roolaart. With his vocals very much in
the spirit of late period Pink Floyd, Peter Hammill and even label boss
Steve Nardelli in The SYN, Roolaart proves to be more than an adept singer
songwriter and guitarist. Joined with an excellent band—including drummer
Rich Berends of the group Mastermind—Roolaart conjures up a sumptuous palate
of symphonic rock textures, heralding the era of when the prog-rock pioneers
like Yes, Genesis and Gentle Giant ruled the earth. www.antonroolaart.com
Another intriguing CD on Umbrello comes from guitarist Kurt Michaels.
Michaels follows the 2004 release of Inner Worlds with his 2007 CD Outer
Worlds. Taken from a series of 2006 live show where Michaels opened for the
Umbrello super-group The SYN, the 75+ minute Outer Worlds features Michaels
performing his fourth dimensional, dreamlike guitar instrumentals. Although
Michaels cites John McLaughlin and Miles Davis as his early influences,
Outer Worlds sounds inspired by the otherworldly soundscapes of early
Tangerine Dream combined with the atmospheric guitar looping of Robert
Fripp. From the cover art down to the up close and personal sound of the CD,
there’s an air of authenticity to Michaels’ guitar sound. www.kurtmichaels.com
/ www.umbrellorecords.com
June 26, 2007 - theONE.tv is a new concept in music entertainment with an
emphasis on live performances of real music from the world's most iconic
venues. Presenting a series of October launch concerts in London, New York &
Los Angeles, theONE.tv will feature some of the world's finest musicians.
theONE.tv is also working with the UK's leading independent venue operator
to broadcast live concerts globally from their venues on IP and mobiles.
Available to anyone with a broadband connection, theONE.tv is a global 24/7
music broadcaster, using the Narrowstep telvOStm commercial TV on IP
solution. All of this has been made possible through the association of
Steve Nardelli and Arnold Reicher. It is supported by London investment firm
Venesis, represented on the board by Adrian Giles.
Steve Nardelli is the singer and songwriter of the band The Syn and the head
of Umbrello Records. His musical collaborations have put him on the cutting
edge of progressive music. Nardelli said, "theONE.tv will focus around
bringing the energy and atmosphere of live music performance to the new
broadcast media of IPTV. Amazing concerts will be available to music fans
anywhere in the world."
Regarded as a true IPTV pioneer, Arnold Reicher brings 15 years broadcast
media experience in both Europe and North America to the project. He has
successfully launched international IPTV channels for factual and
entertainment markets through his broadcast companies. According to Reicher,
"By focusing on live gigs which is the lifeblood of the music industry, we
offer viewers a truly unique viewing experience with the added interactive
functions that only IPtv can bring. theONE.tv is great news for labels and
bands, and music fans around the world."
Adrian Giles is the founder of Venesis Limited, the business venture company
that has provided the initial funding to launch theONE.tv. Giles summed up
the launch of this unique broadcast business by saying, "The broadcast
industry is about to experience a revolution of change with the advancement
of commercial IPTV channels. theONE.tv has agreements in place with major
music content providers including record labels and live music venues, and
is now ready to take the online broadcast market by storm."
Sign up now for free, and start to experience the future of the music
industry now.
Kurt Michaels to be featured at DeliciousAgony.com
On Wednesday May 23rd at 8 pm EST on Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio,
Don Cassidy (host of the popular Yes themed South Side of the Sky show) will be airing an interview
with Kurt Michaels. Don will be playing tracks from Michaels' new CD, "Outer Worlds" as well.
The chat room there is usually a lot of fun and Michaels intends to hang out there on Wednesday.
Delicious Agony can be accessed at www.deliciousagony.com
and offers all kinds of ways to get the stream.
- - - - - - - - - - -
4th May 2007
Outer Worlds - Live CD From Kurt Michaels Released on Umbrello Records
"[Music] is a force of nature - and if you are a musician, you are compelled to
serve it." This concept is the one behind guitarist Kurt Michaels' "music by accident" philosophy.
That sort of approach is certainly best captured in the live performance, so it is fitting that
Michaels' Outer Worlds (his Umbrello Records debut) is a live disc.
Discovering music during his childhood, the die was cast fpr Michaels to become a musician
when the Beatles came to the United States. After thirty-five years in the business he can boast
sharing the stage with the likes of Wolfman Jack, Badfinger, Bobby Vinton, the Marvelettes, and
the Chiffons. In 2004 all his experiences culminated in the independent release of Inner Worlds,
Part One. That disc, described as "Olias of Sunhillow meets The Prisoner," earned rave reviews
and got him names as U-Magazine's 2004 Ambient Artist of the Year.
Outer Worlds is compiled from archives of shows performed between 2004 and 2006. The live
nature in itself makes it a change from its predecessor. It serves both as a new way of looking at
Michaels' musical vision and a continuation of the foundations that the debut established.
Michaels explained the process of creating the live music this way, "It took me a year to figure
out how to approach a live performance in the spirit of Inner Worlds. Since I didn't have the
desire to recreate art I'd already done, I decided to take the opposite approach, and use live
performances as an opportunity to let people experience me creating new music. In other words,
the shows are completely improvised--something very common amongst ambient/electronic
musicians."
He continued by saying that, "rather than simply interact with myself [Inner Worlds was purely
solo], I usually involve one other musician (a keyboardist), mostly Jim Gully, (although
performances by John Melnick and Michael Cosentino are also featured on Outer Worlds). These
excursions are not for everyone, but for me it was the most natural way to approach a live
performance in the spirit of Inner Worlds. A lot of the music I immersed myself in while growing
up, emphasized improvisation, particularly in live settings (Hendrix, Cream, Mahavishnu, Chick
Corea, Miles Davis etc), so really this was a trip down a road I was already quite familiar with."
Outer Worlds was released globally on April 24th. Live audiences have gotten to experience
Michaels' "fourth dimensional" playing first hand. Now the rest of the world can, too.
Dreamer –Debut CD from Anton Roolaart Released on Umbrello Records
Dreamer is the debut disc from progressive rocker Anton Roolaart. The CD was released on April 24th worldwide on Umbrello Records.
Anton Roolaart was born in the Netherlands, but moved with his family to the United States as a child. He discovered an interest in music at a young age and has been honing his art ever since. With his musical inspiration firmly rooted in such 1970’s acts as Yes, Genesis, The Beatles and Pink Floyd, his music certainly appeals to devotees of that era’s sound. Still, Roolaart’s fresh approach brings a new flavor and immediacy to the venture, which will allow it to resonate with more modern music fans, too.
Dreamer was recorded in Roolaart’s home studio. An accomplished sound engineer, he created a disc that rivals the quality of larger and more established companies. In addition, he wrote, arranged and produced the disc himself. Dreamer is not entirely a one-man show. Roolaart recruited Rave Tesar (Renaissance, Annie Haslam) on keyboards, Rich Berends (Mastermind) and Charles Descarfino on drums, as well as Vinnie Puryear on bass to help him complete the musical picture.
The end result is a disc composed of eight separate musical compositions. Each has its own flavor and style, but the entire disc reflects Roolaart’s talent and influences. The sounds of Yes and Pink Floyd, as alluded to here, will certainly make this album appeal to fans of that genre, but Roolaart’s fresh take is well-suited to recruit a whole group of newer music fans, as well.
The CD may be composed of Roolaart’s "dreams," but everyone can take part in this journey.
The Syn's Armistice Day is Now Available in the United States
The latest album from The Syn – Armistice Day – is now available in the United
States. Released throughout Europe several weeks ago, American fans can get the disc now, too.
Led by vocalist Steve Nardelli, the music on this disc was created by him along with bassist Chris
Squire and drummer Alan White (both known for their work in Yes), Gerard Johnson (keyboards)
and Shane Theriot (guitar).
Before there was Yes there was The Syn. Original Yes guitarist Peter Banks and bassist Chris
Squire were both in this legendary band in the late 1960's. While the group released just two
singles in the original incarnation, those tracks ("Created by Clive" and "14 Hour Technicolor
Dream") garnered them a good deal of attention. A new manifestation of the Syn came into being
in 2005 and have released two CD's (Original Syn 1965-2004 and Syndestructible) and one DVD
(Syndestructible Tour 2006) previously.
While Original Syn 1965-2004 was (as the name implies) mostly older material, Syndestructible
was a wholly new creation. The critics were quite appreciative. Georgia at metal-temple.com
said, "40 years of silence... and the masterpiece is here. Without excess "Syndestructible",
released by Umbrello Records, must be one of the most important releases in the latest years... at
least to my ears. Cure for the soul." Of their live performance Joshua Turner of Music Street
Journal said, "Like a Phoenix rising, The Syn comes out of nowhere and competes at full
strength. For hockey fans, this might be debatable, but for progressive rock fans and even those of
pro wrestling, this is a matter that's stone cold serious. As if they found the fountain of youth,
their reincarnation makes Rip Van Winkle look like a weary old man. While their odometer
shows mileage, they play with vehemence and vigor. Yes might have all the accolades, but this
obscure band comes alive from the ashes."
So, it is on the heels of such a lustrous return that Armistice Day enters the world. The CD
features an amazing mix of studio and live acoustic tracks recorded over the past year and with a
central theme of "Peace and Understanding" running throughout. That seems to be a message
that is quite timely for the world of the 21st century. That mantra is carried from the haunting
opener "Silent Revolution " through to the title track "Armistice Day " and beyond. In fact the
next number is a live acoustic version of their classic masterpiece "Cathedral of Love" recorded
in January at XM Radio Studios in Washington DC. Don Cassidy of Delicious Agony radio says
"Cathedral of Love" is "simply stunning." Armistice Day revives the dream of the Syn with
nearly fifty minutes of progressive rock sure to please fans of Yes and the genre in general.
theONE.tv– The Only TV Fans of Real Music Truly Need
theONE.tv has launched a new concept in music entertainment. With
an emphasis on live performances of real music, theONE.tv has begun broadcasting 24
hours a day using the Narrowstep telvOStm commercial TV on IP solution. This digital
milestone is achieved as a cooperative venture between
theONE.tv and their
technical partner Narrowstep, a cutting edge IP broadcast company. Together these
organizations provide a revolutionary global quality music television station. All of
this has been made possible through the association of Arnold Reicher and Steve Nardelli
and is supported by London investment firm Venesis, represented on the board by Adrian Giles.
Steve Nardelli is the singer and songwriter of the band The Syn and also the head of
Umbrello Records. His musical collaborations have put him on the cutting edge of
progressive music. This new endeavor brings that same sense of adventure to the new
medium of web-based entertainment. Nardelli said, "
theONE.tv will focus around
bringing the energy and atmosphere of live music performance to the new broadcast
media of IPTV. It will include both new and old school bands, but real great live music
will be the constant."
Arnold Reicher brings 15 years of experience in broadcast media in both Europe and
North America to the project. He is regarded as a true IPTV pioneer. Reicher has
successfully launched international IPTV channels for factual and entertainment markets
through his broadcast companies. According to Reicher, "By focusing on live gigs which
is the lifeblood of the music industry, we are offering viewers a truly unique viewing
experience with the added interactive functions that only IPTV can bring such as uploads
and the One Chart, the world's first global chart show across all genres. TheONE.tv is
great news for labels and bands, as well as music fans around the world."
Giles summed up the whole concept when he said, "The broadcast industry is about to
experience a revolution of change with the advancement of commercial IPTV channels.
theONE.tv will lead the way forward in this unique and exciting broadcast media. It's
real music for real music fans."
Macy Gray, Mick Fleetwood, the Dave Mason Band, the Syn, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and California Transit Authority have signed on for a tribute to veteran songwriter Ray Kennedy, to be held March 14 at the Avalon in Los Angeles. The event will be filmed for a Kennedy-centered TV pilot, "In One Room With Ray Kennedy."
Also on the bill is celebrity band 16:9, featuring James Denton of "Desperate Housewives," Hugh Laurie of "House," Bob Guiney of "The Bachelor" and Greg Grunberg of "Alias." Proceeds will benefit the Guitar Center Music Foundation, which works to bolster music education in schools.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
- - - - - - - - - - -
3rd March 2006
THE GUITAR CENTER MUSIC FOUNDATION TO HOST "AN EVENING WITH RAY KENNEDY AND FRIENDS"
FEATURING MACY GRAY, JAMES DENTON, HUGH LAURIE AND MANY OTHERS
Tickets on Sale Now Through the Guitar Center Music Foundation,
the Avalon Hollywood and Groovetickets.com
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, February 28, 2006—The Guitar Center Music Foundation is proud to announce that it will host
its first charity concert and silent auction on Tuesday, March 14, at Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Hollywood Blvd.
“An Evening with Ray Kennedy and Friends” will feature performances by Macy Gray, The Dave Mason Band, The Syn,
California Transit Authority, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Gia Ciambotti and celebrity band 16:9.
The new album is scheduled to hit retail shelves in the U.K. on October 31st through Nova, and in the U.S. on
Nov. 8th, through Umbrello Records and independent distributor ADA. The new album was recorded at
London's Strangeways Studios, with all tracks co-written by the team of Chris Squire and Stephen Nardelli.
Jon Webster, former head of Virgin Records, describes it as "the album that will bring people pouring back
to Prog music. Brilliant!"
The "Syndestructible" track list is:
1. "Breaking Down Walls" (intro)
2. "Some Time, Some Way"
3. "Reach Outro"
4. "Cathedral of Love"
5. "City Of Dreams"
6. "Golden Age"
7. "The Promise"
In addition to the much-anticipated release of "Syndestructible,"
THE SYN will play their first gigs in four decades on Nov. 14th and
15th at the very same Marquee Club in London where they opened
for so many great bands. "Were going back to our roots," said Nardelli.
"To where it all started."
The gala showcase performances at the Marquee will feature some classic
Syn music from the '60s, and spectacular new tracks from "Syndestructible."
The performances will be filmed by THAT-TV. Tickets will be 20 GBP. It is expected that tickets
will go on sale at the beginning of October through
http://www.ticketweb.com
but please check the website for the exact on-sale date. Tickets will also be available at the
Marquee box office.
In anticipation of the release of "Syndestructible," Squire and Nardelli
are scheduled to come to the U.S. in late October for a radio promotion tour.
Participating stations will be announced soon.
To top it all, a series of American concert dates are being booked,
with the tour opening in Boston in January 2006, and including a
showcase at New York's famed Joe's Pub. Dates and venues should be available for publication within
the next two or three weeks.
"It has been a natural coming together for Chris and I," explained Nardelli.
"The timing was right. We just picked up as if we just stopped yesterday. Creatively, we gelled immediately.
THE SYN had a reputation for fantastic musicianship and innovation, and that's what this new band has."
Last year, THE SYN released an Internet-exclusive, two-CD set of the archival recording, "Original Syn,"
(YesServices Edition) featuring 12 historic tracks from the '60s, a new recording of the song
"Illusion" and a new, hour-long interview with Squire and Nardelli.
"Original Syn 1964-2004" went to U.K. and European retail outlets last month, featuring two more new tracks,
"Grounded 2004" and an extended version of Yes' "Time and a Word."
THE SYN were the prototype for many of the progressive and art-rock bands that emerged from the '60s and '70s,
including Genesis, Asia, GTR, on up to Tangerine Dream, the Flaming Lips, and Porcupine Tree. The new band,
featuring Squire and Nardelli, also includes classically trained keyboardist Gerard Johnson and twin brothers Paul
Stacey (Oasis) on guitar, and Jeremy Stacey (Sheryl Crow, the Finn Brothers) on drums.
Calling themselves Prog Modernists, THE SYN tap their rich past and bring it into a new century with all the sterling
musicianship you might expect from a band that is intent on continuing to make rock history.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Friday 5th August 2005
Umbrello signing Alien Sushi team up with producer Steve Churchyard...
Umbrello director Michael Goodall is in LA with Alien Sushi and has finalised a deal with Steve Churchyard to produce
the bands first album for the label.
Churchyard has considerable pedigree and he was mighty impressed with the Alien Sushi demos and predicts a big future for the band.
Steve Churchyard Credits:
Steve Churchyard has just finished mixing The Darkness and Juliettte Lewis's band
JULIETTE AND THE LICKS. He just finished engineering tracks for FANTASIA, BEN FOLDS, SEAL, FAITH HILL and DISHWALLA
He also recently engineered a track for COLDPLAY and two tracks for KEITH URBAN.
Steve's extensive resume covers over 3 decades of artists including TRAIN,
3 DOORS DOWN, WARREN ZEVON, INXS, THE EAGLES, COUNTING CROWS,
RICKY MARTIN, TIM McGRAW, LEANN RIMES, WILL SMITH, BIG COUNTRY, GO WEST, JONI MITCHELL, MADNESS, BRYAN FERRY, THE FIXX and
THE PRETENDERS.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Monday 1st August 2005
We are very sorry to announce the cancellation of the More Drama Tour.
The tour will be re-scheduled.
This decision was made by the promotors and tour management following undetermined delays in getting visas for the
non-American band members.
The visas have to be applied for on one application for all tour
members, but if one member is red flagged for any reason, then all
members are red flagged.
In the days following the terrorist attacks in London, US imigration
and Homeland Security rightly is on high alert and there is no
flexibilty.
The tour management has tried everything to fast track this problem,
including the involvement of a US senator.
This is a problem facing many non-US musicians at the moment and we
are informed that a number of concerts are being re-scheduled as a
result.
We are now in discussion with management and promotors regarding
re-scheduling and information will be posted as soon as posible.
Rehersals have been great and we were all looking forward to a
wonderful tour.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing our American
friends soon.
Chris Squire, Steve Nardelli, Gerard Johnson, Gary Husband, Francis
Dunnery.
- - - - - - - - - - -
September 2005
The SYN to perform at the legendary Marquee Club on 15th November 2005
Click on poster image
to view it larger
- - - - - - - - - - -
24th May 2005
UMBRELLO LAUNCHES WITH STYLE AT THE CAFE ROYAL
The Cafe Royal, situated in the centre of London’s West End, played host to the launch of Umbrello Records and That TV on Tuesday the 24th May.
Steve Nardelli,
Chris Squire and Alan White were on hand to promote their latest albums and discuss details of the US tour, which will now kick off in America in August.
Also on the press panel was Umbrello Director Michael Goodall and Label Consultant Jon (Webbo) Webster
The event was a massive success and was attended by many influential figures, press & media.
(for more photos, visit the media section)
Nardelli is the lead singer, songwriter and overall "main man" of The Syn. In the past, The Syn
has included Yes members Chris Squire, Pete Banks and Alan White in its ranks, and currently
boasts a lineup that is every bit as impressive. Nardelli is joined by Francis Dunnery on guitar and
vocals and Tom Brislin on keys and vocals. Dunnery is probably best known for his work in the
legendary band It Bites and for his great solo work. He also played in Robert Plant's band (the
Led Zeppelin connection continues with Umbrello Records featuring John Paul Jones on their up-
coming Julie Felix release). Tom Brislin was the very talented keyboardist for Yes on their
symphonic tour and not only has worked with Meatloaf and Debbie Harry but also has his own
band called Spiraling, which has developed quite a following. The Syn will also be joined on the
new album by a number of very notable guest performers.
In step with his innovative style, Nardelli will lend his vocal and songwriting talents to "14 Hour
Technicolour Dream: The Virtual Band." This side-project will feature the talents of many
individual musicians working together—virtually—from locations throughout the USA.
Participants signed onto the project thus far include Umbrello Records recording artists Kurt
Michaels and Anton Roolaart, the California-based indie band The Tomorrowes, and both indie
recording artist/producer Kevin Still and vocalist/project executive producer Steve Sikes-Nova.
14HRTD:TVB is currently underway with plans to have its first Nardelli-penned song ready for
release around the same time that Big Sky will be released worldwide.
Now picture the valedictorian, his name is Anton Roolaart. Graduating at the top of his class, he is brought up to the pulpit to give his crowning speech. However, the school administration stripped him of his honors as an example to all the other hopefuls. They simply sent Anton on his way with only one explanation "now that you have learned all that we can teach you, you must go and find your own way"...
"[Music] is a force of nature - and if you are a musician, you are compelled to
serve it." This concept is the one behind guitarist Kurt Michaels' "music by accident" philosophy.
That sort of approach is certainly best captured in the live performance, so it is fitting that
Michaels' Outer Worlds (his Umbrello Records debut) is a live disc.
The Cafe Royal, situated in the centre of London’s West End, played host to the launch of Umbrello Records and That TV on Tuesday the 24th May.