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London-based rock band Heaven's Heathens have been nominated for Best Single of the Year (unsigned band) at the 16th annual Los Angeles Music Awards for the song "In The Morning Light".
The L.A. Music Awards are the longest-running major awards show for
independent artists in the USA, and are open to all independent (not on major label) bands and performing solo artists across the world. Previous nominees have included No Doubt, System Of A Down, Korn and the Black Eyed Peas. Heaven's Heathens are one of only two British bands to be nominated this year - the result of the blind judging of thousands of eligible artists.
The Awards will be presented at a televised ceremony on Thursday 9th November at the Music Box Theatre, Hollywood in front of more than 1500 press and music industry contacts.
Formed last year in London, Heaven's Heathens are:
* Sri Lankan born vocalist Dharshika Ariyadasa
* New Zealander Steve Marcus (guitar)
* Welshman Chris Jones (guitar)
* Italian born Gianluca Nasticola (bass)
* Darren (Hair Bear) Malley (drums)
Blending 70s Americana with their British rock roots, Heavens Heathens' trademark sound of melodic yet powerful alternative rock has already made them one of the hottest new acts on the London music scene.
Dharshika comments: "We're very excited to have been nominated for such an important international music award. The news has helped to generate a great buzz about us, and has already led to interest from a number of record labels as a result".
For further information on the band, please visit: www.heavensheathens.co.uk or www.myspace.com/heavensheathens
by: Marco Gandolfi - Music-News.com
Subject: Heaven's Heathens / Camden Town
As those who have read my book will be aware, my introduction into the music industry was via organising my own club events, and managing a band.
Well that 6 piece band not only educated me on the importance of touring, and crucially live music, they inspired all that came after in my career.
Fast forward May 25th and a Camden location - the band of many on stage who caught my full attention are on tour of the U.K are the entitled Heaven's Heathens.
In short, The Drummer looked like a member of the hair bear bunch, the lead vocalist could very much have been the local Casanova who also works in the building trade... and a guitar player whose sexy dance act, reminded me of that last wedding I was invited to...
Get the drift? Well and here's the crucial bit, as with that tour I was on as an 18 year old crafting my skills, a new band back then called Flowered Up (out of Camden) were headlining, these guys , as Flowered Up did, totally controlled the crowd, and with songs like In The Morning Light, a song that Red Hot Chilli Peppers would be proud of, and the uptempo 'On This Day', showed both there lyrical, creative and musical talents.
Heaven's Heathens, Don't change anything about yourselves, you rolled back my years, and reminded me what the industry was and should be all about...
Entertainment.
Tony Portelli (author)
The Music Industry Raw Book
- Tony Portelli
Review of "Blue Room"by Planet Sound (Teletext Ch4) - Monday, 17 July 2006
Claiming to stand outside of current influences, there's certainly little in common in these Londoners with Franz, Kaisers or Arctics.
Their simple, understated Flying Burrito Bros backing might not work but they know that Dharshika Ariyadasa needs room to soar with his vocals.
In the vein of early Cousteu, his deep and baroque voice is sublime
Overall rating - 8 out of 10
- Planet Sound (Ch 4)
Discography
We have tracks on our myspace page, plus a demo cd we are sending out. We have had our music played on several internet stations and BBC Radio 3
Heaven's Heathens have donated "POLICE" to appear on a charity album being released December 2006. The charity concerned is Acorns Children's Hospice : Album to be released by CAVE Records : we are currently awaiting an update from 2424 Concert, we may appear in Canada 2007 as a performer. This is a huge event organised by IllumAlliance International Trust.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
At a time when it is increasingly popular for bands to follow popular trends and offer up recycled homogenised pop music, "Heavens Heathens" refuse to give up their trademark sound of melodic yet powerful alternative rock. They refuse to be categorised, instead preferring to let their music do the talking. Wearing their influences proudly, blending 70s Americana with their stronger more powerful British rock roots.
Founded by Dharshika Ariyadasa, Heaven's Heathens was initially a collaborative music project designed as a means for him to find a forum for his words and music. Vocalist Dharshika has over the years worked with many talented musicians in a bid to create powerful and beautiful music. Working with a community of like-minded individuals and under the title of Heavens Heathens, his creative zeitgeist has lead to what has been described as powerful, emotive alt/folk rock - a sound that is hard to categorise and impossible to ignore.
The powerful yet melodic sound that has become the defining sound of the Heaven's Heathens is the end result of one bands dream. Heavens Heathens emotive sound and powerful live presence has taken the London music scene by storm. The core of the band, now consisting of Dharshika Ariyadasa, Steve Marcus, Chris Jones, Darren Malley and Gianluca Nasticola continue to head onwards into the fray.
We are constantly upstaging bands at gigs : we stole the thunder of a bands album release gig in London on 28th October 2006....we received the only encore of the evening at another gig at SPACE in London - they whole audience stopped and listened to our music - they were mesmersied - a wonderous experience for us....we are currently involved with several children's charities...
Influences Tim Buckley, Nick Drake, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Ryan Adams, Alice In Chains, Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, Scott Walker, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Saul Bellow.
Links
