Greetings,

It's that time of year again when artists and industry professionals head to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Music Conference. While some of us may arrive in a beat-up van with amplifiers, drum kits and keyboards, others will be landing at the Austin airport with a stack of business cards and comfortable walking shoes. This month we feature just a few of the nearly 1,600 artists that will be performing at SXSW. Feel free to browse our website or visit the link below for a listing: http://www.onlinerock.com/guest/sxsw2008.shtml

If you will be attending, drop us a line and let us know your plans.

FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD - Nicole Atkins' latest release, Neptune City, produced by Tore Johansson (Cardigans, Franz Ferdinand, OK Go, Saint Etienne, New Order), is an album that sounds like it came from anywhere but the New Jersey Americana rock tradition made famous by Bruce Springsteen. Her music ranges far afield: at some times vaudevillian, at others psychedelic, a little bit country, a dash from early musicals, all under a cloud of pop-noir, often all coming in the very same song. Atkins writes songs that could have come from an episode of Six Feet Under, or an updating of Grease, as directed by David Lynch. Download "Parties Over" along with other music at: http://www.onlinerock.com/partners/freedownload.shtml

CD REVIEWS - Bon Iver, Say Hi and Nyles Lannon, along with others are featured this month under our CD Review section and they are all scheduled to perform at SXSW. If you have a new release, send it in to OnlineRock for consideration. These reviews are perfect for your press kit or web site. To submit your CD or read the latest reviews, just go to: http://www.onlinerock.com/CDreview/

-------------------------------------
EZDRUMMER - EZdrummer is a low system requirement high end sounding drum samplers for players and producers alike. Together with a variety of EZX expansion packs it is currently the leading drum sampler in the market with kit customization, midi drag and drop capability and compatibility with all the major sequencer formats. Check it out at: http://www.toontrack.com
-------------------------------------

FEATURED ARTIST PROFILE - Our Featured Artist this month is Aloha. The four members of Aloha are scattered across the eastern half of the country, but spend most of their time making music together. Some Echoes is the second Aloha album since T.J. Lipple joined the band, and was recorded, mixed and mastered at Silver Sonya, the studio he runs with Chad Clark (Beauty Pill) in Arlington, Va. Check out their profile at: http://www.onlinerock.com/profiles/aloha_profile.shtml

-------------------------------------
Second Annual "Music for Our Children" Benefit Concert & Auction
Saturday, March 22, 2008 7:00pm start @ The Little Fox Theatre
2215 Broadway, Redwood City, CA
$55/$65 after March 8 and at the door (includes two drinks of Beer or Wine)
No Host Full Bar

Advocates for Children, CASA of San Mateo County looks forward to celebrating an exciting evening of music, art, and auctions with friends and supporters. This year Earl Thomas, an energetic, passionate singer who has performed on bills with Etta James, Ike Turner, B.B. King, Dr. John and Les McCann headlines the event. To close out the evening "Esprit Gitan" a swinging Gypsy Jazz Quartet led by Guitarist Doug Martin will light up the theatre. You'll want to get up and dance! Auction items include two unique paintings from one of Spain's most recognized artists, Jose Antonio Diazdel, 3-Night NY Package with Round-trip tickets on Virgin America, Day sail w/ lunch for 4 from Half Moon Bay on a 46 ft. sailboat, Private Party for 8 w/the Burlingame firefighters, Private Chef Sue Pauly at your home serving a 5-course small plate meal, a martial arts party for ten children from Golden State TKD, and much more! All proceeds help Advocates for Children reach its goal of serving 250 children and youth this year. Please turn out in support of our county's youth!
http://www.advocatesfc.org/concert2008
-------------------------------------

GEAR CORNER - To keep with our Texas theme, this month we are featuring the Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Tele Pickups. Born in the Custom Shop and used on many custom-made Teles, they feature height-staggered Alnico V magnets mounted into a fiber bobbin wrapped with enamel-coated magnet wire. The bridge pickup features a copper-plated steel bottom plate for increased output, presence and midrange. The neck pickup utilizes a nickel silver cover for clear, warm tone with increased output. Fender Texas Special Tele Pickups are OEM on the James Burton Standard, Merle Haggard Tribute and American Classic Telecasters. Check them out at: http://www.onlinerock.com/mf_store/guitar/p/Pickups/Fender_Custom_Shop_Texas_Special_Te_301620.htm

If you have any comments for OnlineRock, just drop our Webmaster a line at webmaster@onlinerock.com. We're always open to your ideas and suggestions.

See you in Austin!

Steve Beck
Founder