WELCOME TO LAUNCH 2015
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Welcome to the 7th Annual LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival in Historic Downtown Lancaster, PA! Bust out your notebooks, guitars, tickets or badges, and (if you must) ear plugs, because we are GO! Artists & Attendees who are returning, and those experiencing LAUNCH for the very first time, travel distances ranging from several blocks, to several hundred miles, to thousands of miles, all in search of greater opportunity, education, and some serious fun! Since it’s inception, LAUNCH has been about education by day, and entertainment by night. I invite the mildly curious, to the careerdriven; the casual fan, to the music enthusiast, to partake in either, or both aspects of the event. The Friday and Saturday daytime program consists of panels and seminars, where these passionate musicians, fervent would-be industry professionals, and even casualto-curious observers can network, digest advice and knowledge, and inquire about all things industryrelated. The panelists, from all across the country, have been selected due to their exceptional bodies of work, their remarkable experience in, and knowledge of, the industry, and their approachable nature. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, music will travel up and down the streets of Lancaster, music that appeals to audiences of all ages
and genres, spilling out of venues, sized great and small, as well as across several outdoor stages. While some artists were enlisted for their previously known material (our Marquee Showcase Headliners), the vast majority are here to play for you, perhaps for the first time; to bring their level best, and leave it all on the stage. Discover some of the finest LAUNCH 2015 performers, awarded the opportunity to play for you after undergoing a competitive submissions process. There are many moving parts to LAUNCH, and so many partners I wish to thank. Our venue operators are some the most ardent supporters of live music in this great city. The City of Lancaster, The Lancaster County Convention Center, and the Lancaster business community have been stalwart advocates of the event, from the beginning. LAUNCH Sponsors provide the critical financial and formational assistance contributive to the lowest possible attendance prices, giveaways and discounts to at risk youth and student organizations, as well as to the growth of the event, year-in and year-out. I am truly grateful to our LAUNCH Panelists & Presenters, for their generosity with their time and expertise. The LAUNCH Staff & Volunteers, a talented, diverse, and devoted group, is among the most integral ingredients to its success, and without whom, none of this would be feasible.
Jeremy Weiss, Conference Director, poses with a LAUNCH 2014 attendee
To YOU, the Attendee, both from the greater Central PA area, and from across the country. I count you among LAUNCH’s greatest attributes, whether it is participating in the conference program, the live-music concert events and showcases, or both. As a result of your love of music and your support, The LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival continues to thrive. Thank you! Jam out to bands, connect with people, soak in knowledge,
enjoy this magnificent city, and make memories! Jeremy Weiss LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival Director & Co-Founder
LAUNCH MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL 2015 STAFF Assistant Director: Elizabeth Maurer Assistant Director: Spencer Carpenter Director of Art & Design: Andrew Zell Production Manager: Bryan Naranjo Registration Coordinator: Paige Sodano Registration Attendant: Alexis Sanfiorenzo Exhibitor Liaison: Tammy Eno Volunteer Liaison: Eddie Nesbit Conference Assistant: Kristen Lutz Conference Assistant: Ali Chiavetta Conference Assistant: Samm Reese Conference Assistant: Ben Yohe Conference Assistant: Taylor Weiss
Conference Assistant: Jeremy Hoover Conference Assistant: Nicole Galbraith Production Assistant: Joseph Smith Production Assistant: Jason Rhoades Production Assistant: Ryan Macaluso Production Assistant: Andrew Pettit Production Assistant: Kyle Fisher Production Assistant: Matt Wilson Production Assistant: Vincent Martin Contributing Writer: Julia Hatmaker (PennLive.com) Conference Photographer: Dan Gillespie Conference Videography: Springwood Productions Travel Agent: Robin Ernst (Bon Voyage Travel)
Advisors: Jennifer Baker (City of Lanc Off. of Promotions Director) Greg Marco (City of Lanc Off. of Promotions Board) Josh Nowak (Lancaster County Conv. Ctr.) Jennifer Mercandetti (Lancaster County Conv. Ctr.) Rick Gadd (Decadent Suite/Gadd Agency) Marshall Snively (Lancaster City Alliance) Chuck Farrell (PA Entertainment Group) Roger Fitzwater (Woodcrest Audio) Justin Hershey (Central Penn Productions) David Silbaugh (Summerfest/Yellow Phone MusicConf) Joe Devoy (Tellus 360) Ken Mueller (Tellus 360)
PERFORMER SPOTLIGHT
ATREYU: BACK WITH A VENGEANCE Julia Hatmaker | Pennlive.com Printed with permission from PennLive.com
Atreyu shows no mercy with its blend of metal, hard rock, and hardcore, so LAUNCH fans better get ready. “We’re going to crush this show,” said lead guitarist Daniel Jacobs in an email interview. The band takes to the stage at the Lancaster County Convention Center at 9:15 p.m. on April 24 and Jacobs wants everyone to be prepared. “I just hope anyone who attends is ready, because they’re not going to know what hit them,” he continued. “Our recordings get people’s attention, but our live show is what seals the deal. We take no prisoners.“ Atreyu began winning over the hard rock community in the late 1990s before getting signed by Victory Records in 2001. It went on to have songs (including a Bon Jovi cover) featured in several soundtracks, including ones for blockbusters “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “Underworld: Evolution.” The group went on hiatus in 2011 before reuniting in 2014. A new album is in the works and slated for a fall debut, but Jacobs refused to spill any secrets about it. He did tease that information regarding its release would be coming out soon.
Playing in Lancaster will be a bit like going back to the pre-hiatus days for the group. They first played at the Chameleon Club, a CI Productions show, during one of their first tours with Boy Sets Fire and Snapcase, Jacobs said. “Tours that far back are pretty blurry for me, but I remember really enjoying the Yuengling on tap and the energy of the crowd,” he recalled. Energy is important for Jacobs, who believes it’s contagious. “When you are really passionate about what you do, people can feel that and will connect with the songs, as well as the members of the band,” he said. “When you aren’t, they can feel that as well and in turn will not connect with it. Be true to what you do and love it with passion. In return, your fans will do the same.” That passion is a requirement for a musician, he feels. “Only do [music professionally] if you love it and you’re willing to put everything you got into it,” he said. “This goes for every show, every song, every time.” That’s part of the reason it was important that Atreyu went on its hiatus. “We were getting burnt out
from touring too much and genuinely needed a solid break,” he explained. “Our heads weren’t in it anymore and we were touring/ writing songs because we felt like we had to and not because we wanted to. The passion fire had burned out. “Taking this time off helped us clear our heads and get ourselves mentally back where we needed to be to be the best version of Atreyu we can be,” he continued, adding later “Our passion fire is
back and burning stronger than ever.” Atreyu performs at 9:15 p.m. April 24 at the Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster. Tickets for the show are $20 adv / $25 d.o.s. and are included in the weekend VIP pass ($70 adv/$75 d.o.s.). Tickets are half price with a regular weekend pass ($40 adv/$45 d.o.s.) and Friday only pass ($30 adv/$35 d.o.s.).
PANELIST SPOTLIGHT
KEVIN LYMAN: A WELCOME RETURN Julia Hatmaker | Pennlive.com Printed with permission from PennLive.com
Kevin Lyman, founder of Vans Warped Tour and noted music industry guru, is returning to LAUNCH this year… and he can’t wait. “I just like the whole vibe of the festival,” Lyman said in a phone interview. “I think Jeremy (Weiss, creator of LAUNCH) has done a great job with it.” Lyman attended last year and was impressed with what he saw. “I liked the talent. I like that little market across the street from the hotel,” he said. “To be honest, it was fun to be able to walk around from venue to venue. The size of it was for me was conducive to actually have conversations with people.” “Personally, I think it’s the perfect size for people to perform at,” he added later. The fact he could walk around easily meant he saw more acts than he normally would. While he may catch a concert or two, Lyman will be at LAUNCH to talk as much as he listens. Together with his company, The Entertainment Institute, Lyman will be sharing his knowledge on how the music business works and how to succeed in it. The Entertainment Institute seminars will teach you how to think like an entrepreneur and how to make yourself stand out in a crowd. “The thought is, while we’re still somewhat relevant in the business, let’s pass on our knowledge to the
next generation,” Lyman explained. Lyman will also be moderating four spotlight sessions, which allow industry professionals to talk more about their career and what exactly they do. Each session will also include a question and answer period. Dakota Gartner, creative director for The Entertainment Institute, will be joining Lyman in moderating these sessions. “I think it’s important, no matter what industry job you’re getting into or what you’re trying to gain from the conference, to really find out what these people are doing,” Gartner said. “People ask questions all the time: why isn’t my favorite band playing a festival? Who books this person? What’s happening with this band and why did they cancel this show?” he continued. “Well, these are the people who are making those decisions.” Lyman’s hope is that his talks at LAUNCH will get people thinking. “I hope they walk out with one thought provoking thing that makes them think in a different way,” Lyman said. He also wants people to be ready to tackle the status quo, to disrupt the norm. “I think that’s the story of my life,” he laughed. “That’s how I’ve been able to be successful, I disrupted the norm of the music business [with Vans Warped Tour].” That’s what the music business is all about, he believes — doing something different. That’s where those attending LAUNCH come in.
“I JUST LIKE THE WHOLE VIBE OF THE FESTIVAL”
“You’re going to create the new It’s Not Dead festival on Oct. 10 in businesses that are going to be California, a gigantic punk rock event. successful,” he said, adding, “If I’m For more information on Lyman and The nice to people, maybe they’ll let me Entertainment Institute, visit thinktei.com. hang around a little longer.” On April 25, Lyman will be involved in As for Warped Tour, Lyman said The Entertainment Institute’s programming at there is at least one major change this LAUNCH. Lyman is speaking at two seminars (“Turn your Career Up to 11” (10:20 a.m.) year – the addition of a comedy tent. He also added that the full lineup will and “Can You Handle the Truth?” (2:30 p.m.)) as well as moderating four spotlights (artist be out closer to the tour’s date and manager, talent agent, concert promoter and that people will be pleased. tour manager) starting at 10:30 a.m., all at the “Some of the kids, if you read [their Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S. Queen Street, Lancaster. His events are free comments] online, aren’t happy with it, but I know we’re going to announce with a weekend passes ($70adv/$75 day of for all the bands they’re complaining VIP, $45adv/$50day of for general admission) the Saturday-only pass ($25adv/$30 day about right now not being on the and of) A pass is required to attend Saturday’s tour,” he said. conference portion. Lyman is also working on the
PERFORMER SPOTLIGHT
ALIEN ANT FARM: ALWAYS AND FOREVER Julia Hatmaker | Pennlive.com Printed with permission from PennLive.com
In 2001, it was nearly impossible to turn on the radio and not hear Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal.” A nu-metal cover of Michael Jackson’s hit, Alien Ant Farm’s version was a major success by itself, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fans can expect to hear it again at the group’s show at LAUNCH on April 25th at the Chameleon Club. But frontman Dryden Mitchell hasn’t always been in love with the song. “There was a time period when I hated ‘Smooth Criminal,’” he confessed, describing how it got annoying playing the song show after show. That’s no longer the case. “Now, I really embrace it,” he said. “It’s so cool and it’s given us a huge podium to stand on.” It also won Alien Ant Farm a lot of fans, as people picked up the group’s album “ANThology” because of the song and discovered other gems, including the band’s second hit, “Movies.” Alien Ant Farm is more than just its past successes, having released its latest album, “Always and Forever,” in February.
“I feel like there’s some relevance here,” Mitchell said of “Always and Forever.” “I don’t want to be an older band that’s just doing this to get some money,” he said. “I feel like the songs on this record stay with the times. I don’t feel like we’re beating a dead horse.” The music industry has undergone massive changes from when “ANThology” was released in 2001 and when “Always and Forever” came out. “It’s so different now, I wouldn’t even know where to begin [if I was starting out],” Mitchell said. “Social media and everything has made it so everyone is sitting in your living room with you. You have 7,000 bands at your fingertips.” Alien Ant Farm has embraced the new social media world though, even raising money for “Always and Forever” through crowd-funding on the website PledgeMusic.com. “It’s like the wild west,” Mitchell said. “Bands can succeed and can win -- it does happen. It puts more power into a band’s hands.” That being said, it isn’t necessarily better. “In the earlier days, these budgets [from labels] were outrageous,” he said. “Not to say
money does everything, but it does a lot as far as getting a song across the country. “I’ve always thought that to get heard by as many people as possible, by any means, is not the worst thing in the world.” Still, Mitchell wants Alien Ant Farm to be more than the songs that made it on the radio, more than just the group that plays “Smooth Criminal.” The band is alive, creating new music, playing shows and spreading the Alien Ant Farm
love. “The last thing I want to be is a nostalgia band,” Mitchell said. Alien Ant Farm performs at 10 p.m. on April 25 at the Chameleon Club, 223 N. Water St, Lancaster. Tickets for the show are $16 advance, $20 day of show. The concert is free with a weekend VIP badge ($70 advance, $75 day D.O.S.) and only $10 with a standard weekend badge ($45 advance, $50 D.O.S.) or a Saturday-only badge ($25 advance, $30 D.O.S.).