Republic Universal has signed 23 year old actress Leighton Meester who stars in the teen drama “Gossip Girl”. Her sound is described as electro-pop and has teamed up with producers Polow Da Don (Usher, Fergie), Harvey Mason, Jr. (Justin Timberlake, Pink) and Spencer Nezey (Jupiter Rising). Her debut album will be released in the fall.

Check out the new single I Don’t Know by Dredg that will come off their new album ‘The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion’ due out June 9th. The San Francisco act currently has a string of dates in the west coast.

New York rock act The Pennyroyals just finished recording their debut record with Mike Plotnikoff (Buckcherry, Daughtry, All American Rejects). The lead track “White Noise” is co-written by Mitch Allan (Daughtry, Anberlin). For more information contact scott@srfllp.com

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Katie Cole recently relocated to Los Angeles to record her full-length record with producer Howard Willing (OK Go, The Smashing Pumpkins, Civet, Cheap Trick) who sent her an email after stumbling across her demos on the web. Katie falls between Sheryl Crow and Sara Bareilles. She will be performing for labels this Thursday in Los Angeles at The Viper Room. Check out the track Always. For more information contact justinrube@gmail.com

Chicago emo act Danger Is My Middle Name will be showcasing for labels on April 23rd at Arlenes Grocery.

Danger Is My Middle Name has hit the ground running after members of well known Chicago bands, (August Premier, Blacktop Mourning, The White Tie Affair, and Witroy), decided to form a group that was dedicated and hard working right from the start. In 2007, The band recorded a two song EP with producer Mike Hari (Witroy, Triumph & Parade, The Alumni Club). Later in March 2007, the band recorded a 3 song EP with Matt Kirkwold (Lucky Boys Confusion, American Taxi), as DIMN was added to Summerfest 2008 and Warped Tour 2008. Our favorite track is Home. For more information contact danielrfriedman@aol.com