Kevin Lyman is best known as the producer and creator of the extremely successful Vans Warped Tour, the longest running traveling music festival in the world today. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the tour has played to over millions of fans. Kevin has founded many other highly successful tours including the Rockstar Mayhem Festival and Down from the Mountain Tour. When not curating giant festivals, he sits on the Board of Directors for Saint Archer Brewery and the LA County Fairplex. He also has his hand in the record industry as co-owner of Side One Dummy.
A trendsetter for youth branding, Kevin has established creative partnerships with brands such as Vans, Kia, Journeys, Fuse, Ernie Ball, and Monster Energy Drink. Kevin was an honoree at the Grammy/MusiCares MAP Fund 2011 and received the Billboard Touring Awards Humanitarian of the Year in 2009. Recently he has founded The Entertainment Institute to revolutionize music business education utilizing his 35 years of experience.
You are best known as the creator of the Vans Warped tour, the longest running traveling musical festival in the world today, as well as the Rockstar Mayhem Festival. Are you content with your achievements or do you feel there is unfinished business?.
KL: No there is always stuff out there to do. I’ve always felt there is more out there to be done. People have asked me what was the best Warped Tour. I say “it’s the one that is going to happen, I hope.” You can’t live on status quo. I think what we are doing now , especially with The Entertainment Institute (TEI), some of the other branding things like speaking engagements, are pushing in the direction I want to go. I thought that education was going to be my calling and maybe the music thing was going to be a passing thing and I would get on with my life.
When you founded The Entertainment Institute, what sparked that idea? KL: A few reasons are that I speak at colleges and universities quite a bit. I firmly believe in the education process but sometimes kids come out of school not quite up with everything that is going on. They are not keeping current. I thought that maybe we could create a supplemental education program to teach them real time. Not to replace anything that one is doing in education, but to keep it in real time. CONTINUE READING
Nick D’ & the Believers emerged on the Ohio music scene in August of 2013 with the release of their “Throwing Stones EP”. The band was quickly recognized by critics from Stereogum and Paste who called the band “brilliant,” “consistently mesmerizing,” and “one of the fiercest live acts.” They signed a deal with Secret Road in LA for licensing and have song placements ABC’s Pretty little liars. They have received love from blogs including The Wild Honey Pie, Most Def, & Nylon. The band released their third EP, ‘Wanted’ in February.
Contact: info@nickdandthebelievers.com
Indie rock band, Redlands, has released their second single ‘Adventurer‘ which comes off the bands sophomore EP, that has a July release. They previously released Hollow Bodies. The EP was co-written with Sean and Alex Silverman of This Century and recorded with producer, Matt Malpass (Copeland, Lydia, Relient K, Manchester Orchestra). The band’s first release, The Lonewolf EP, was recorded in North Hollywood with renowned producer Matt Grabe (The Maine, Katelyn Tarver, This Providence).
Contact: benlohle@icloud.com, weareredlands@yahoo.com
Deal Casino is a 4 piece indie act from NJ. The members formed dropping out of school and moving to the rock n’ roll mecca Asbury Park. Instantly becoming a staple of the music scene, the band played a summer long residency at The Saint, put out three EP’s with producer Jon Leidersdorff and won three Asbury Music Awards for Best Pop/Rock Band, Best Vocalist, and Best Live Performances. The band has no plans to slow down as a relentless performing schedule, three music videos and several more EP’s are planned. The band has been featured in Onstage Mag & NJ.com. Deal Casino is an artist to watch.
Contact: thedealcasino@gmail.com
LA based alternative pop duo The Donnies The Amys signed a licensing agreement with Sony (Europe) to release its new album. The pair recorded their self-titled debut over the summer of 2011 in the midst of a Frisbee golf obsession and released the album in January of 2012. The Donnies The Amys was well-received which led to a slew of dates opening for Sea Wolf and TV placements on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Suits, Reign, 16 and Pregnant and many others. They have also been featured on KCRW, Revolt TV and college radio stations across the country. The band released their Stay the Same EP in 2014 and plan to release a second EP later in the year. Check out the track Stay The Same.
Contact: bcmclane@aol.com, naomi.robin@themgmtcompany.com
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