Black Stax Debuts “I Love My Life” Music Video, Celebrates Love, Life and Positivity Through Urban and Soul Influenced Track

Seattle, WA / February 15, 2011  - Black Stax, whose debut album, “Talking Buildings” was released last month on iTunes, today releases their first music video for the single, “I Love My Life,” which celebrates life, gives appreciation to heritage and demonstrates the positive, home-grown vibe of Black Stax and this urban and soul influenced song.

“We transformed a space use for welding and made it into a family BBQ.  Literally.  Added some cameras, lighting, good friends and some talented people and walked away with a music video,” says Jace of Black Stax.

The music video is directed and edited by Seattle’s Chris Parker and was shot in the industrial and artsy  Georgetown neighborhood.

“ ‘I Love My Life’ is about making the most of every day and recognizing those that came before you.  We are huge on family and were able to share the experience of recording our first music video with those who mean the most to us.  We hope everyone likes the result!,” added Felicia Loud of Black Stax who is the main feature of the video.

The video can be viewed on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCHTAFjE3Sg

About Black Stax

As the avant-garde of Seattle hip-hop and “displaying soulful depth and thought-provoking messages like modern-day prophets,” according to the Jazz Music Examiner, Black Stax makes creative, challenging and emotional music with an injection of hip hop and 70s-era soul.  The group is comprised of MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud and they’ve been featured in The Stranger, The Examiner, Publicola.com and national publication DEFT Magazine for their recently released debut album Talking Buildings,  which is an eclectic, urban mix.  

A collaboration that works, Black Stax successfully blends musical genres and attracts a varied and supportive following.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

Black Stax Joins a Line Up of Stellar Seattle Artists to Perform at All-City Jump Off on Friday, January 28th at the Lo-Fi Performance Gallery in Seattle

Seattle, WA / January 24, 2011 - Black Stax, who’s album, Talking Buildings was recently released on iTunes, will perform at the All-City Jump Off on Friday, January 28th, at the Lo-Fi Performance Gallery in Seattle.  They join a stellar line-up that includes Hella Dope, Lady Tasz, Yirim Seck, Suntonio Bandanaz, LaRue, and many more.

The Lo-Fi Performance Gallery is located at:

429 Eastlake Avenue East

Seattle, WA 98109

Show starts at 9:00 p.m. / 21+ with ID / Tickets are $5 at the door

As the avant-garde of Seattle hip-hop and “Displaying soulful depth and thought-provoking messages like modern-day prophets,” according to the Jazz Music Examiner, Black Stax is comprised of MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud.  They makes creative, challenging and emotional music with an injection of hip hop and 70s-era soul and their forthcoming debut album Talking Buildings is an eclectic, urban mix.  

A collaboration that works, Black Stax successfully blends musical genres and attracts a varied and supportive following.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino

BlueShoes Media

(425) 361-2754 office

amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

Dope Emporium Returns at Seattle’s Washington Hall, Saturday, November 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amalia Martino, BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 / amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

Dope Emporium Returns at Seattle’s Washington Hall, Saturday, November 13

Free, All-Ages Evening of Music, Art, Poetry, and Dance

Produced By and Celebrating Northwest Hip Hop

Seattle, WA / November 4 2010 - The Northwest, and specifically Seattle, is full of potential, brimming with talented emcees, producers, breakers and artists who are poised to share their gifts.  A fact already known by many and acknowledged by the City of Seattle this week when Mayor McGinn declared November as Hip Hop History Month.

Dope Emporium, which was founded in 2006 to promote local hip hop artists, returns this year and will feature over 50 local artists, including: Candidt,  XP, Steelo, Laura “Piece” Kelley, Lady Tasz, Suntonio Bandanaz and P Washington; spoken word from Chelsea Richardson, Aaron Reader and Wayman Earls; DJ sets from DJ Neebor and DJ Luvva J; visual art installation by Coolout Network and a marketplace, which includes products and information from over 20 area companies.  

Dope Emporium will take place Saturday, November 13th, 4:00 p.m. to 12 midnight at Washington Hall, which is located at:

153 14th Avenue
Seattle , WA 98122

This is a free, all ages and family-friendly event.

About Dope Emporium

Founded in 2006 by Jace Ecaj, an educator, activist, and celebrated artist (Silent Lambs Project & Black Stax), Dope Emporium honors the individual actions of members of the local Hip Hop community and provides a vehicle to bring the diverse talent of the Northwest together.  Dope Emporium organizes a collective of artists, educators activists and independent media to produce a variety of free, all ages, family-friendly events that showcase local talent and build strong, positive links within the community.

The committee has included contributions from hundreds of artists and crews from Seattle and the greater NW and such organizations as: 4BC Musick, The Town Entertainment, The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Hidmo, Youth Speaks, 206ZULU, The Stranger, Seattle Weekly, KBCS Community Radio, Capital Hill Arts Center, Umojafest, Hip Hop Congress, Artopia and more.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com


Black Stax to Open for Les Nubians at Showbox Sodo in Seattle

Seattle, WA / September 20, 2010 - Black Stax, who recently completed a month-long residency at Babalu The Mambo Lounge, which exemplified their fusion of genres and Felicia Loud’s jazz background, will open for the Grammy Nominated Afropean sister duo Les Nubians, at Showbox SODO on Thursday, September 23.   Presented by Easy Street Records and City Arts Magazine, Les Nubians stop through Seattle as part of a U.S. preview tour of their third album NU REVOLUTION, which will be released December 2010.


Showbox Sodo is located at:

1700 1st Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134



Doors at 7:00 p.m. / All Ages and 21+
Advance are $22.00, available at Ticket Master, and $25.00 at the door.


Black Stax will feature trumpet player Owuor Arunga, originally from Kisumu, Kenya, and guest drummer.  As the avant-garde of Seattle hip-hop and “Displaying soulful depth and thought-provoking messages like modern-day prophets,” according to the Jazz Music Examiner, Black Stax is comprised of MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud.  They makes creative, challenging and emotional music with an injection of hip hop and 70s-era soul and their forthcoming debut album Talking Buildings is an eclectic, urban mix.  

A collaboration that works, Black Stax successfully blends musical genres and attracts a varied and supportive following.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

Black Stax Avant-Garde Album Listening Event, April 2 at pun(c)tuation, Seattle

Black Stax Avant-Garde Album Listening Event, April 2 at pun(c)tuation, Seattle

Hebru Brantley’s Lions Disguised as Lambs Exhibit Provides Artistic Backdrop for Musical Experience

Seattle, WA / March 23, 2010 - Black Stax will host an album listening event, entitled Black Candy, that will solidify their place as the avant-garde of Seattle hip-hop, on Saturday, April 2nd at pun(c)tuation, located at:

705A East Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98122

This special event is an advanced listening of Black Stax’s debut album Talking Buildings, which will be released May 18, 2010. It will feature live vocal and dance performances, giveaways and be placed against the backdrop of Hebru Brantley’s
first West Coast showing of Lions Disguised as Lambs, a powerful exhibition of paintings that reposition historically derogatory images of African-Americans in the context of modern language and culture.

Black Stax is comprised of MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud, and creates an eclectic, urban sound; they make creative, challenging and emotional music with an injection of hip hop and 70s-era soul.

"Our album is hip hop, R&B or soul, something everyone is looking for and we can’t wait for the world to hear it," says Black Stax

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About pun(c)tuation:

A unique mixed-use space located in the heart of Capitol Hill, our goal is to nurture the creativity of future talent, illuminate the makers of the present and honor the work of past generations. Currently in “Phase One” and functioning primarily as an art and event space, pun(c)tuation believes in supporting and promoting community, inclusiveness, sustainability, and the timelessness of true quality. “Phase Two” will launch soon, with the addition of apparel and accessories and a focus on unique local brands, re-claimed vintage goods, and a bespoke in-house line.

Black Stax Performs for The Corner Finale, March 26 at The Jewelbox

Seattle, WA / March 16, 2010 - Black Stax will perform at the 2nd Anniversary and Finale of The Corner on Friday, March 26, at The Jewelbox Theatre in Rendezvous,
located at:

2322 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

The Corner, where Hip-Hop meets the theatre and the streets meet the stage, is the first place MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud came together as Black Stax for a public performance and The Corner has been a launching point for
many Seattle artists. This 2-year Anniversary and Finale will also feature Q-Dot, Brotha
Brown, Lisa Dank and DJ Mr. Hill.

This is a 21+ event and tickets are $5.00 at the door.

This will be one of the last performances for Black Stax before the release of their debut album Talking Buildings in May of this year. Black Stax creates an eclectic, urban sound that is reminiscent of The Roots and The coup with a dash of the early
Fugees and classic Janice Joplin.


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Media Contact:
Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

For Immediate Release: Ecaj and Silas Blak of Black Stax Guest Lecture at University of Washington on February 9, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amalia Martino, BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 / amalia@blueshoesmedia.com


Ecaj and Silas Blak of Black Stax to Guest Lecture at University of Washington on Tuesday, February 9th, School of Multicultural Education

Discuss Past and Future of Seattle Hip Hop, Cultural Stereotypes and Music Sales

Seattle, WA / January 27, 2010 - Ecaj and Silas Blak of Black Stax will be guest lecturers at the It’s Bigger than Hip Hop class, part of the school of Multicultural Education at the University of Washington, on Tuesday, February, 9, 3:30 – 5:20 p.m. The course takes place at the Art Building, Room 003.

In the It’s Bigger than Hip Hop class students learn about how performers respond to social forces and how they inform political changes with an emphasis on Seattle Hip Hop. They study historical examples, local populations and theoretical foundations, read, view, listen to and attend performances including hip hop, spoken word, theater, music, dance and art. This course has strong emphasis on resistances to oppressions, civic engagements and community building.

Ecaj and Silas Blak will present on early Seattle hip-hop, lessons learned during their first effort the Silent Lambs Project - a popular underground and conscious hip hop group of the 1990s - and their role in contributing to the future artists. They will deconstruct hip-hop stereotypes, and the role of capitalism and patriarchy in its commercial rise – themes found in the Silent Lambs Project music.

“We’re looking forward to taking advantage of this great opportunity to speak with the next generation of hip hop participants. If they’re open to the history and controversy of this region then I think they’ll learn a lot,” says Ecaj

“This is larger than entertainment. At times hip hop is our political process, it has created a form of discourse within our larger system, so we take this task very seriously and are hype about it,” adds Silas Blak.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

For Immediate Release: Black Stax Joins Hip Hop 4 The Homeless Benefit, Jan. 30 in Olympia, WA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amalia Martino, BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 / amalia@blueshoesmedia.com


Black Stax Supports Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless, January 30th in Olympia, WA

Donate Talent to Benefit the Less Fortunate Throughout the Puget Sound


Seattle, WA / January 26, 2010 - Black Stax will join other 25360 artists at the 2010 Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless benefit on Saturday, January 30, 4:00 – 10:00 p.m., at The Cherry Street Loft, located at:

508 Legion Street
Olympia, WA, 98504

This is a two-part event that begins with an all-ages food and clothing drive, 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 and a food or clothing donation is required. Winners of the 2009 Weekly Volcano 25360 Awards will be announced at 6:00 p.m.

A 21+ after party follows starting at 10:00 p.m., at The Sampan Lounge, located at 922 Hensley Street NE in Lacey.

All proceeds from this event will benefit missions, food banks, resources centers and charities throughout the Puget Sound and support recovery in Haiti; all artists and organizers are donating their services for this great cause.

Other performers include Wojack, Jay Barz (2008 25360 Hustler of The Year), Junkyard Gang, XP, Josh Rizeberg, Afrok, Asliani, Night Fox, along with DJ La Pointe (KAOS Radio), DJ Turtledove (206 Zulu), DJ Slimrock & DJ Drastic (2008 25360 DJ of The Year) and Luvva J will host the event.

Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless is an international organization founded in Vancouver, BC in 2002 and resumes business with Olympia, WA as its headquarters. Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. (aka Luvva J) co-foundered the program to benefit deserving organizations including the Tacoma Rescue Mission, at which his family took residence when they first moved to the area in 1980.

“Our philosophy of homelessness is NOT hopelessness. We believe in Power Over Poverty and Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless honors those who are living with challenges and difficulties by honoring and channeling the culture and heritage of Hip-Hop which comes from humble beginnings itself,” explains Co-Founder Jose Gutierrez

In 2008 Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless raised more than $3,000 in resources including clothing, food and funds that were distributed amongst Puget Sound shelters, community resource centers and food banks.

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Media Contact:
Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

Invitation to BSM Event: NW to BK Night of Live Music at Sputnik Brooklyn, This Thursday

I am happy to invite you to a FREE night of live music, this Thursday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. at Sputnik Bar, located at:

Sputnik Bar
262 Taaffe Place
Brooklyn (Ft. Green), New York

Doors at 7:00 p.m. / Show at 8:00 p.m.
21+ / No Cover

BlueShoes Media and Heidi Jackson present some of the Pacific Northwest's and Brooklyn's most inspiring urban talent in one chill night of musical performances: Black Stax, T-Weaponz, Suntonio Bandanaz, DJ Chela; giveaways provided by Emperial Nation, the premiere historically inspired men's wear.

Please let me know if you can make it.

Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media



Introducing Black Stax

Black Stax is the avant-garde of hip-hop. Comprised of MCs Silas Black and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud, Black Stax pulls lyrical inspiration from today’s news headlines and creates an eclectic, urban sound that is reminiscent of The Roots and The coup with a dash of the early Fugees and classic Janice Joplin.
In a recent review, The Stranger said “what defines Loud is…is her flawless command of the tones and textures of American Soul…what defines [the MCs] is their commitment to a hip hop that is complicated at the levels of ideas and expression, politics and language.”

Felicia Loud recently portrayed Billie Holiday in the Seattle run of "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" and received rave reviews from the Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.

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T-Weaponz

Audiences have been impressed by T-Weaponz's intellectual lyrics, their ability to interweave street scenarios and anecdotes with historical and literary references. From Ark's precise flow to Iz's blunt lyrics and Psalmz's flair for metaphors and wordplay, the MCs have formed a perfect triangle, complementing one another and ushering in a new sound. T-Weaponz appeared on the scene in 2003, with the release of the Alchemist-produced "Raised in the Slums" and the BlackOut EP, followed by the radio smash "Mira Mira" in 2005, the Billboard Top Ten R&B/Hip-Hop single "Dem Boyz" in 2006 and The Underground Music Award for Most Dynamic Group or Duo in 2007.

Their forthcoming album includes "Zodiac Girl" which is spinning on radio stations across the country and "Put Soul In It" which features DJ Tony Touch.
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Suntonio Bandanaz

Suntonio Bandanaz is an original "Seattle Underground Hip Hop Artist" that has released three LPs in recent years and regularly performs at high schools, colleges, open mic and popular venues throughout the area. With his spitfire delivery, that uniquely laces hypnotic syncopation to hard-hitting rhythmic cadences, complimented by his magnetic, melodious hooks that punctuate critically conscious, direct and provocative lyrical content.

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DJ Chela

DJ Chela is the DJ for the next generation, representing her values and music with passion. Since her beginnings in 2002, she has performed on three continents, branding her name in everything from radio, clubs, mixtapes, battles and live shows to political activism. Out of her legwork she has birthed a movement all her own: the New Girl Order, embracing the new possibilities for our world when Women’s voices have an undeniable and respected presence in Hip Hop and society as a whole.

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Emperial Nation

Emperial Nation was created in New York City in 2007 by a group of streetwear connoisseurs. The pioneers of this lifestyle brand noticed a demand in the marketplace for sophisticated and meaningful designs inspired by historical events. The EN movement is dedicated to preserving history through fashion & arts, giving it a new life through modern eyes of people who want to change their world.

RSVP to:

Amalia Martino
(425) 361-2754 office
(510) 435-7474 cell
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

or

Claudia M Correa
(646) 418-2623
claudia@blueshoesemdia.com


BlueShoes Media is a Seattle-based entertainment publicity firm with national clientele. http://www.blueshoesmedia.com

Invite: Felicia Loud as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Erickson Theatre off Broadway in Seattle

I had a chance to see this production on opening night and it was wonderful - Felicia is truly amazing as Billie Holiday.

If you are looking for something special to do in Seattle, I encourage you to check it out.

Thanks!
Amalia

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Felicia Loud is Set to Portray Billie Holiday


Photo by Terry Creighton

"Seattle vocalist Felicia Loud is about to go back in time. The Central District resident and current vocalist for hip-hop group Black Stax is starting a month long residency this weekend where she'll be portraying the late blues and jazz singer, Billie Holiday. That's an incredible task to take on but I can't think of any other urban soul singer locally that could pull it off besides her." -By Jonathan Cunningham

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
September 11-October 12

Strawberry Theatre Workshop
at the Erickson Theatre off Broadway
1524 Harvard Avenue
Seattle, WA, 98102

Tickets are $25 general admission, and $10 for seniors and students.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
(425) 361-2754 office
(510) 435-7474 cell
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com