Tickets for WINTER on sale Friday July 11, 2008 8am PST
U.S. P REMIERE OF CONTEMPORARY NORWEGIAN PLAYWRIGHT JON FOSSE’S WINTER” OPENING THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008 AT THE CULVER STUDIOS’ STAGE 7, CULVER CITY
WINTER, a Play by Jon Fosse, Directed By John Swanbeck, Starring Lene Pedersen and Terje Skonseng Naudeer
HOLLYWOOD, CA, --Internationally acclaimed Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse’s WINTER will have its U.S. Premiere at The Culver Studios’ Stage 7 in Culver City, California on Thursday, July 31st, 2008, at 8:00PM. WINTER, translated for an English audience by Ann Henning Jocelyn and Lene Pedersen, is directed by film and stage Director John Swanbeck, whose debut film, THE BIG KAHUNA, starred Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito, and whose Los Angeles stage debut, THE FORCE OF CHANGE, was universally and critically acclaimed. The cast of WINTER includes Norwegian actors Lene Pedersen (A DOLL’S HOUSE; L.A. RICOCHET) and Terje Skonseng Naudeer (MACBETH; TWO THOUSAND ACRES OF SKY). Lene Pedersen is also the play’s Producer.
WINTER tells the story of the emotional affair between two strangers who meet one cold winter evening. A woman of questionable background encounters a lonely businessman on a business trip. The two become entangled in an, at times comic, often brutal relationship. Risking their lives and livelihood, the pair is drawn together by a longing, which they cannot control. As they become entangled in each other’s lives, they find themselves trapped by their own desires. One consequentially intimate night in a hotel room changes the two, forever.
Says Director John Swanbeck, “The play is deceptively complex and enigmatic. The relationship between the two characters is not an easy one to grasp. Much like life, it cannot be easily defined or categorized. In Lene Pedersen I knew I had an actress with the subtlety, grace, emotional complexity and sense of humor necessary to bring the female character to life.”
“We are honored to stage WINTER at The Culver Studio’s Stage 7, for all its mystery and rich history. There’s no better place to perform our love story, WINTER, than returning to the stages graced by Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh while filming GONE WITH THE WIND,” says WINTER’s Producer and Lead Actress Lene Pedersen.
This modern play explodes with innovative elements unique for productions at this level, harnessing the talent of Show Designer Ray Woodbury (Backstreet Boys, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson), Lighting Programmer Andy Figueroa (The Crystal Method, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young), and featuring music composed by multi-instrumentalist and composer Gabrial McNair (Oslo, Green Day, No Doubt).
WINTER opens to the Public beginning Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 8:00PM and will run Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00PM and Sundays at 2:00PM. The play runs through August 17th, 2008. Stage 7 at The Culver Studios is located at 9336 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. Parking is free. Tickets go on sale Friday July 11, 2008. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased online at www.wintertheplay.com. Last minute tickets may also be available at The Culver Studios. Inquire online at www.wintertheplay.com.
Oslo's "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate" Available on iTunes Today!!
Oslo Announce Release of “The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate” and Tour
Album on iTunes SEPTEMBER 25 / In Stores NOVEMBER 6
Tour Begins October 2007
Oslo will set out on tour this Fall in support of their new album THE RISE AND FALL OF LOVE AND HATE (Six Feet / Sidecho). Oslo, comprised of songwriting trio MATTIA BORRANI (lead vocals, guitars), KERRY WAYNE JAMES (bass) and GABRIAL McNAIR (guitars, backing vocals), as well as Damon Ramirez (keys) and Charlie Walker (drums/ percussion) has enjoyed much success independent of any label support. Their emotive and engaging live shows and self-titled, self-produced debut release (2005) garnered significant buzz and coverage from RollingStone, Billboard, Music Edge, LA Weekly and the Los Angeles Times, which named Oslo one of the top 10 bands to download in the Fall of 2006.
Oslo's forthcoming sophomore release “The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate,” which they co-produced with Grammy Nominated engineer/mixer Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mickey P (Beck, Peaches, The Eels) and Sam Fogarino (Drummer, Interpol) is already receiving warm reception from radio, including Indie 103's Check One Two... and new song "Rhyme or Reason" was featured on the Season Finale of The Unit. The album also features guest appearances by Adrian Young, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Paz Lechantin and Ana Lechantin.
The critical acclaim of both their live shows and their debut release underscores not only the band’s onstage showmanship but the complexity and depth with which they compose music. Rich in texture, melody and fervor the Oslo sound conveys a layered listening experience that is as intricate as it is intelligent and evocative.
“The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate” is available digitally on September 25 and will hit stores November 6, 2007. 
Track List:
1. Slowdive
2. On My Mind
3. No Regrets
4. The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate
5. Things Fall Apart
6. Alive
7. Crowded Room
8. Mistakes
9. Morning In Fairfax
10. A Darker Shade of Gray
11. Rhyme or Reason
Oslo Confirmed in the following cities:
10/8/07 - The Bunkhouse, Las Vegas, NV
10/10/07 - The Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
10/12/07 - Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco, CA
10/13/07 - XOXO Bar, Reno, NV
10/14/07 - Satyricon, Portland, OR
10/15/07 - El Corazon, Seattle, WA
10/20/07 - Trash, Williamsburg/Brooklyn, NY (CMJ)
Oslo's site
Oslo on MySpace
Oslo on YouTube
Oslo on Virb
Oslo at Filter
OSLO TOUR--Los Angeles Venue Change!!!
OSLO's LOS ANGELES GIG HAS BEEN MOVED NEXT DOOR TO THE KEY CLUB!!!!
Upcoming CA Shows
Aug 2 2007 8:00P
The Blue Lamp Sacramento, California
Aug 4 2007 9:00P
The Beauty Bar Las Vegas, Nevada
Aug 6 2007 8:00P (doors 7:30)
THE KEY CLUB Los Angeles, California
Aug 7 2007 8:00P
The Prospector Long Beach, California
OSLO comprised of MATTIA BORRANI (lead vocals, guitars), KERRY WAYNE JAMES (bass), GABRIAL McNAIR (guitars, backing vocals), DAMON RAMIREZ (keys) and CHARLIE WALKER (drums) has enjoyed much success independent of any label support. Their emotive and engaging live shows and self-titled, self-produced debut release (2005) garnered significant buzz and coverage from RollingStone, Billboard, Music Edge, LA Weekly and the Los Angeles Times, which named Oslo one of the top 10 bands to download in the Fall of 2006.
Oslo's forthcoming sophomore release “The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate,” which they co-produced with Grammy Nominated engineer/mixer Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mickey P (Beck, Peaches, The Eels) and Sam Fogarino (Drummer, Interpol) is already receiving warm reception from radio, including Indie 103's Check One Two... and new song "Rhyme or Reason" was featured on the Season Finale of The Unit. The album also features guest appearances by Adrian Young, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Paz Lechantin and Ana Lechantin.
The critical acclaim of both their live shows and their debut release underscores not only the band’s onstage showmanship but the complexity and depth with which they compose music. Rich in texture, melody and fervor the Oslo sound conveys a layered listening experience that is as intricate as it is intelligent and evocative. “Oslo have the chops, tunes and aura to influence rather than be influenced. It’s time for a liberating leap into originality’s embrace,” says LA Weekly’s Paul Rogers.
“The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate” will hit stores October 9, 2007.
SXSWorld Magazine
If anyone happens to have a copy of SXSWorld Magazine, please proceed directly to page 26. I submitted an edited excerpt from my post-sxsw blog and they published it! Yeah! Go team. xop
OSLO To Be Featured On THE UNIT Season Finale
As Friday winds down what can only be described as an "Awesome" week, we've just learned that the CBS hit series The UNIT will feature OSLO's "Rhyme or Reason" on Tuesday night's season finale!! "Rhyme or Reason" is from Oslo's forthcoming (and much buzzed about) album "The Rise And Fall of Love And Hate." You can add "Rhyme or Reason" to your Profile or buy downloads from Oslo's self titled debut HERE.
OSLO at CLUB MOSCOW HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT 11P
LA / SF Band OSLO live at CLUB MOSCOW Tonight (Cherokee @ Hollywood) 11pm!! Be there.
Buy OSLO downloads and customizable ringtones (you pick which part of a song you want as your ringtone) at Music.com.
SXSW--oBLOGatory Post Fest Recount
"This room is non-smoking, right?" I meekly inquire in a voice barely audible. The receptionist looks back at me, distracted and hesitating, "yes." I don't believe her. As I walk down the hall to room 106, slip the key card into the door, and step into the nicotine soaked air of my smoke-free room, I mentally wave a white flag and recall the tea bar I saw on my way in. Even the peppermint can't soothe away the days of beer, salsa and salted meats from my tender throat. Each swallow shreds and grates, summoning flashbacks of the previous nights, of me, enthusiastically shouting over crowds and bands and singing every word to every song before wooooing both the bands performance and my own.
The misadventures of my delayed arrival feel like weeks ago but still sting a bit nonetheless. I walked away from the Hilton, wounded by bad timing and with bags in tow to Emo's Jr. to see The Ponys; damned to let the annoyances of my travels further interfere with my evening. Now after midnight, my luggage served as my badge and I immediately sent texts alerting my friends of my whereabouts and continued on with the boys of OSLO to the Blender Bar for Albert Hammond, Jr., then... and so on before retiring back to the band house for a morning nap. Unlike last year, I didn't plan out every moment of my day and night, nor race from showcase to showcase. I simply happened upon many great performances and people, sharing moments with friends old and new, running into many serendipitously. SxSW is great that way.
MUSIC.COM had a successful adventure with the launch of the music download and ringtone store, a great day party and a warm reception from artists at the convention center. All four of OSLO's performances went well, Waves (Upstairs) particularly. The night sky was warm and open to us, and the room full and driven, with the band invigorating the audience and audience reciprocating the energy. Saturday's shows seemed to resonate with me better than any of the other nights, Kings of Leon at Stubb's standing out most among them.
The HEEB party was fun (HEEB parties always are), as were the SPIN and FILTER sponsored events. BLENDER House was nice, once we passed the pretense of the door shenanigans. Each night saw the beginning of the next day. Upon word the Maxim party was shutdown, an impromptu gathering with Music.com, Oslo, YOUTH GROUP, and several of our friends who had also found themselves at the Driskill, punctuated the pleasantries of the day by enabling conversation among us all. Seeing the live shows is what we were here for, but the opportunity to actually converse with, rather than shout over, those you were partying with, was an unexpected treat.
Today, with most everyone gone, the few of us lingering aimlessly wondered 6th street before inevitably retiring home for naps and comfort or to enjoy time alone. To end my adventure, I grabbed dinner and a drink at Chuy's with Arrica Rose, a Dot, and some Los Angeles ex-pats before leisurely strolling through the beautiful night back to the band house to pack up my things. The river was black and silent beneath my feet and the last bit of spontaneity in me wished I would cannonball the stillness of the water and that of the town. It's an amazing transition how quickly Austin returns to itself only hours after the chaos. There was a lull to the day today that left me sleepy and content and ready for home.
Cows, Hootenanny and OSLO, Oh My!
The question eliciting the shortest response this week would be "What ISN'T happening right now?" So much brewing...
GLEN WEXLER is currently featured on APPLE.COM's Start Page highlighting his new book The SECRET LIFE OF COWS. 
We hand delivered a 6' print of an image from the book, featuring a cow in a trebuchet about to be launched over a castle wall, to the Grail Theatre at the Wynn Las Vegas. The print will hang in the main hallway amidst the Monty Python artwork for the duration of Spamalot!!
MUSIC.COM, who you'll see in every peticab you get into at SxSW this week, will release their Artist-controlled music download / mobile download and customizable ringtone store Thursday (March 15). It rules, and makes it possible for the ARTISTS to get the most money for their music sales! 
MUSIC.COM has a booth at the convention center where bands will be performing and are sponsoring the High Wire Hootenanny day party Thursday at Habana Calle 6 from 12-5p.
OSLO, who just played an amazing show at The Viper Room in Los Angeles Monday, has new tracks posted to their MySpace and is down at SxSW (isn't everyone??) playing several shows this week:
Mar 15 2007 9:00P Waterloo Icehouse
Mar 16 2007 3:15P Music.com @Convention Center
Mar 17 2007 3:00P Dirty Dog Bar
Mar 17 2007 11:45P Waves (upstairs)/Texas Rock Fest
The album cover for Oslo's forthcoming release "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate," shot by Glen Wexler is nearly complete.
Here's a fun wrap pic of a very disheveled me, Photographer Glen Wexler, "the talent" and Vu Ong from the set (shot by Carsten Steinhausen):
Reports from Austin soon...
OSLO Posts New Songs to MySpace
OSLO has posted 2 new songs off their forthcoming album "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate," to their MySpace site!!! With the new album in the can and renowned photographer GLEN WEXLER shooting the album cover, "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate" should garner a lot of attention lyrically, musically and visually!
Before embarking on their journey to Austin, TX for Texas RockFest and SXSW next week, Oslo will play BLAKES in Berkeley, CA on March 9 and the VIPER ROOM in Los Angeles on March 12th (10pm) as part of Indie 103's Presents.