Last Thursday, 31 May 2007, was the 2nd birthday for the small and mighty record label, 00:02:59.  I wanted to take this moment to take a walk down memory lane by opening the 00:02:59 family photo album.

 

WILLIE NILE

 

This photo was taken on 21 February 2006 - the date of the label's first release, Streets Of New York by Willie Nile.  Though the photo is a little dark, it is still one of my favorites.   Willie had just finished an in-store performance at J&R Music World.  He really had a tough time singing that day - because he had a terrible cold - but he was still tough and fought through the pain.  I had just returned from my third trip to the hospital in four months (2 hip replacements and 2 pulmonary embolisms), and was in quite a bit of pain myself.  I think Willie's fighter stance is appropriate for this duo...

 

I would like to thank Willie for his friendship, and for giving me the chance to release his terrific album.  He helped me get through a tough stretch, and also helped my label hit the ground running...

 

There are too many highlights of this release to mention - but here are a few of my favorites:

 

"Great album!" - Bono

 

"A great album.  I love that Willie Nile has written a song about my idol, Bo Diddley - thanks Willie." - Lou Reed

 

"Top 10 Coolest Album in the World for 2006" - Little Steven in Billboard Magazine

 

"Streets Of New York is the most infectious, most compelling, least cynical and most put-it-on-again record that's likely to be released this year.  Buy this record.  If you don't like it, I'll give you your money back." - The Word (UK)

 

"One of the greatest Urban Americana albums of the 21st century-to-date. 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars" - allmusic.com

 

"A platter for the ages.  Dazzling Dylan-meets-Patti Smith anthemics infused with breathless, beatific lyrics and crisp Buddy Holly rhythms. 4 out of 5 stars" - UNCUT 

 

MATT MAYS & EL TORPEDO

 

Apologies to Andy Patil (his birthday is also May 31st), Robbie Crowell (his birthday is May 30th), Jarrett Murphy and Jay Smith for not including a photo with the entire band... but this picture just cracks me up too much.  This is a photo of Tim Jim Baker, Matt Mays and me upstairs at Pianos as the clock struck in the midnight hour of the US release date of Matt Mays & El Torpedo on 17 October 2006.  Good times, indeed...

 

I would like to thank the entire band, Mike, Louis and the whole crew from Sonic Entertainment, and Phil Zwicker for their friendship and work ethic.  It is tough for a brand new band to develop a following in today's music climate... but El Torpedo was tireless - driving on tour after tour to build their fan base.  If you haven't seen this band in concert yet, please do yourself a favor and check them out when they hit your town!!

 

There are too many highlights of this release to mention - but here are a few of my favorites:

 

Matt Mays & El Torpedo were the musical guests on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on 15 December 2006.

 

"Matt Mays & El Torpedo reaffirm that the Great White North can rock the roots just as hard as its neighbors to the south." - Paste (one of their 4 Artist to Watch)

 

"Mays' dreams sound big... but so do the band's guitars.  The songs - sprawling classic-rock-tinged anthems about cocaine cowgirls, dead-end friends, and lost souls - sound even bigger." - The Boston Globe

 

"I can't even find the words to describe his genuine, gorgeous songcraft and the band's killer live performance." - Performing Songwriter

 

"Easily one of the most impressive albums you'll hear. 4 out of 5 stars" - allmusic.com

 

"Mays and El Torpedo are here to change the rules.  So the next time American Idol has you reaching for a ball peen hammer, or Rolling Stone magazine's covers have you scratching your head and asking, "why," remember the name Matt Mays: He's got all the answers." - Studio City Sun 

 

 

MATTHEW RYAN

 

This nutty shot was taken at Congee Village as Matthew Ryan and I were ready to "get our Cong on" before one of his shows at the Living Room.  Careful... the congee is boiling...

 

Matthew Ryan's From A Late Night High Rise had 3 releases on 00:02:59: a digital release, a limited CD release online, at shows and at select indie stores, and, finally, a full-fledged RED release on 17 April 2007. 

 

I would like to thank Matthew Ryan for his friendship, and for his willingness to join me on this terrific, organic indie experience.  The album is really "the little release that could," and it has been a blast following the buzz and momentum on this journey!!

 

There are too many highlights of this release to mention - but here are a few of my favorites:

 

The opening track, "Follow The Leader," was featured on the hit FOX television show, "House."

 

"High Rise is that most rare of modern albums, one that comfortably bears its own weight from beginning to end.  Hands down, his finest work to date. 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars" - Paste

 

"A must-hear, have-to-own epic of an album that should be required listening for every songwriter - and music lover - in the world." - Pulse of the Twin Cities

 

"On From A Late Night High Rise, Ryan explores palpable grief and sadness but not without the powerful antidote of faith, hope and love... a deeply compelling work that resonates with an uncommon wisdom and depth." - Chicago Sun Times

 

"I can't think of a more sincere album released this year, and that's probably because there isn't one. 4 out of 5 stars." - Glide

 

"Matthew Ryan's hushed rasp, with words catching like vows destined to be broken, is one of modern music's most potent whispers.  (He) has been a contender since his first release, From A Late Night High Rise represents another bout won." - No Depression  

THE SANDINISTA! PROJECT

 

Since I don't have a photo (yet) with the creator and producer of The Sandinista! Project, Jimmy Guterman... it looks like I'll just have to show off one of the coolest pictures of me ever taken.  On 24 July 2001, my friend Rebecca Rosenthal gave me a VIP pass to the Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros in-store at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square.  She even snapped this picture of me with Joe.  He was so gracious and cool - I couldn't believe it.  Thanks again, Rebecca!!

 

The Sandinista! Project is a track-by-track tribute to Sandinista! by the The Clash, and it was released on May 15th.  It contains 36 wonderful covers by 36 different (and fantastic) artists over two CDs.  The project was produced by Jimmy Guterman, and the end result is stunning.  Though the tracks will soon be available online (iTunes, etc)... the best way to experience this release is with the full artwork.  The profits of The Sandinista! Project go to two charities: Amnesty International and the Joe Strummer National Forest.

 

I would like to thank Jimmy Guterman for his friendship - and his unique passion and determination.  The way he completed this tremendously difficult task is inspiring, to say the least!

 

There are too many highlights of this release to mention - but here are a few of my favorites:

 

"Members of The Clash wanted their songs to reverberate worldwide; The Sandinista! Project proclaims that they succeeded.  And it not only insists that the original album hung together but goes on to take the sprawl of Sandinista! even further." - The New York Times

 

"This intriguing crew of artists fulfills the original album's wide-ranging musical ambitions but evens out the performance and recording quality to make this a completely rewarding rock record.  4 out of 5 stars" - Chicago Sun-Times

 

"This project has the musical strength, variety, and inventiveness to stand on its own, but it will likely do what tribute albums should: Drive listeners back to the source." - Amazon.com Editorial Review

 

"There's hardly a cut that doesn't have something going for it.  A healthy percentage of the remakes provide fresh, new perspectives on familiar material." - Tampa Tribune

 

"As epic as its forever under-celebrated inspiration, TSP almost bests its template on some subatomic level in that there's barely a bad cut on it, which may be more than can be said for the original... each song comes alive.  The Sandinista! Project - mission accomplished." - Austin Chronicle 

THANK YOU

 

It is impossible to thank everyone who has helped 00:02:59 over the past two years... but I would like to offer very special thanks to a few people: Nicole Mensinger, Ben Bradshaw, Kimberly Tobash, Pierce Stacy and Gary Reing.

 

Also, special thanks go to the publicists who helped us get all of these cool quotes: Cary Baker from Conqueroo, Monica Hopman from Think Press, and Carrie Tolles from Shore Fire Media.  And, thanks to radio promo masters Jeff Appleton at Marathon Entertainment and Bruce Moser at Could Be Wild.

 

Of course, thanks to Jason Whittington and Missi Callazzo for helping us get the releases into all of the stores!!

 

Finally, the biggest thanks goes to each and every one of you for all of your support.  Please keep spreading the word about the music.  We couldn't do it without you!!

 

We have so much more good stuff around the corner... we can't wait to see what the Terrible Twos bring us!!!!

 

Go Cavs!!!!!!

 

Abe

 

"She had to go...

 Cause she didn't know

 Who Joe Strummer was."

                              - Cowboy Mouth