Mediatwist Develops DVE2 To Reach More Fans

Originally Published - December 2013
As we get ready to put the lid on this year and ring in the new, at Mediatwist headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, things are heating up for Drummer VS Emulator. One of the newest acts at Mediatwist, DVE has already enjoyed a world tour with stops in Sweden and Germany and is taking the EDM scene by storm at home in the states and internationally. This futuristic live music show features a ‘robot like’ DJ mixing on a touchscreen, an overgrown iPad looking device and a drummer donned in led chest protector. Referred to by Rolling Stone Magazine as the “Future of Dj’ing”, the show has been picked up as an entertainment enhancement by Feld Entertainment for performance in stadiums and arenas around the world. Last year, DVE wowed crowds from Jacksonville, Florida to Stockholm, Sweden. The overwhelming response to this new show has led to a demand by Monster Jam event managers to have DVE at all of their shows. “We ran into a problem, when all of the event managers wanted DVE at their show.” says Chris Kurtz, Mediatwist founder. “How could I keep all of the event managers happy by giving them ALL a Drummer VS Emulator show?” After phone calls back and forth with Justin Drake, the original Emulator and the rest of his team, Kurtz decided to expand the ever popular act and remembered a young dj that Justin had brought on tour a few weeks earlier. The plan was then set into motion to begin development on Team Drummer VS Emulator, a way to expand the tour and show potential of our calendar and get in front of as many people per year. Shortly after DVE2 was born. DVE2 features Stephen Boardman and Kevin Shamlin both of Louisville, Kentucky. The entire team is cramming the all week to prepare for DVE2’s first show at The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville January 3-5th. Justin Drake was careful to point out one key element that must be present for success. “It’s all about the kids at Monster Jam. It’s up to Chris and I to show Steve and Kevin how important that dynamic is in our live show. The lights, taking time to let them wear our helmet, all of it is for the kids.”

Look for Drummer Vs Emulator at Monster Jam tour stops nationwide including Jacksonville Stadium in Jax, Florida, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Pepsi Center in Denver Colorado and many more which can be found at Facebook.com/DrummerVSEmulator.

Mediatwist Acquires Legendary Producer for Artist

Originally Published - October 2013
Check out a preview of the latest release from Mediatwist artist, Dreamkiller. Mixed by Grammy Award winning, Toby Wright. This is one of many producer acquisitions that Mediatwist has landed for an artist. Toby has produced platinum selling hits from Metallica, Primus, 3 Doors Down, The Nixons, Alice In Chains, Korn, Sevendust and Slayer to name a few. Check out the full release of ‘Absolution’ coming soon.

The Mediatwist Group presents Drummer VS Emulator to the U.S.

Originally Published - July 2012
(St. Petersburg, Florida)

After a successful pre-production launch party in Brunswick Georgia Friday night, the Mediatwist Group and Sky Culture are ready to go live with this, first of it’s kind, live show.  Drummer VS Emulator features rock-star drummer, Jon Wilkes of mega band, “Secondhand Serenade”.  What is The Emulator?  There are only 5 of them in the U.S. right now and only a few dozen world wide.  The Emulator is a cutting edge touchscreen music technology that is revolutionizing live audio manipulation.  Made by the bright minds at Smithson Martin, this exciting new overgrown iPad-like screen on steroids, is being coined, “The Future of DJ’ing”. Behind the controls of the this innovative music software is world renowned DJ, Justin Drake.  Justin, The emulator, will battle head to head with Jon Wilkes on his drum kit, tossing beats back and forth to each other in a frenzy of Dubstep and EDM tossing in a twist of Rock & Roll.  The two are donned from head to toe in designer suits that look like something out of the movie Tron.  As they hit the stage at the State Theatre in St. Petersburg Florida, the crowd comes alive to finally capture a glimpse of this robotic, innovative live show.  “I came to see what everybody was talking about, and Jon Wilkes is one of the best touring drummers on the scene.”, Steve Martz commented about why he came all the way from Orlando to see this new show.  “The show left no stone unturned in the sonic spectrum.  It was something that this area has truly never seen before.”, J-Rock, a local promoter and manager for The State Theatre. 

After St. Petersburg, the boys have a long tour of Florida stops ahead of them.  Hitting Miami, Orlando, Cape Canaveral and ending off their Sunshine State run at Florida State University where they will perform at Lit Nightclub. It remains to be seen if this show can withstand the test of interactive necessity that music fans demand, but it looks like they have a pretty good start and some steam behind them. If this show comes close to your town, we would highly recommend checking it out.  Check out this YouTube video until then… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJUNBkkq8Ow&list=UUY2IhHV9AHoYGCP2bwvufag&index=1&feature=plcp

Mediatwist Facilitates Sponsor Acquisition with Celebrity Appearance

Originally Published - April 2012
On Friday April 20, a first of it’s kind appearance will take place at T.I.S. College Bookstore in our hometown of Bloomington Indiana.  Definitely not the first time a celebrity has been used for star power, rather the first time a traditional bookstore with roots in customer service and book buy back is dabbling with the power of famous names and faces. One of the biggest time’s of the year for Bloomington residents and Indiana University Students is centered around the Little 500 bicycle race.  Each year the IU Student Union Board puts on a music concert and they have a knack for securing the best and biggest musical performers each year. This year is no different, legendary band Sublime with Rome will be the headlining artist at Assembly Hall Friday night.  Thursday night and Friday afternoon the same band members of Sublime will be on a media frenzy at stop’s throughout Bloomington, all acquired by Chris Kurtz of The Mediatwist Group. ” I approached the marketing department of T.I.S. Group and urged them to get involved with this possibility of an appearance by the members of the same group that were going to be the ‘talk of town’ for Little 500″. They came back to me with, ‘yeah great idea Chris, but we don’t want to pay anything’. I knew I could generate revenue for the band and I knew I had a place to put them on ‘display’, I just needed some sponsors”.  Chris explained how his experience with spot sponsor acquisition on past tours in the music industry was a bonus when trying to pull the same thing off in his new home town.  “I just asked for a list of community partners from the marketing department at T.I.S. and started cold calling.  I knew as long as I could relate this appearance to added value and buzz for their brands, they would buy in”. “And they did!” says Chris.  This year’s Pampered Celebrity Meet Greet with DJ Rocky Rock of Sublime with Rome will take place on the afternoon of April 20 just before Rocky Rock takes the stage to headline the 2012 Little 500 show.  The event is sponsored by Bucceto’s Smiling teeth, a local restaurant in Bloomington, and also by Les Champs Elysees Day Sap and Salon. Sponsors will be on hand to give away free pizza and free massages. One of the promised perks to the sponsors from Mediatwist was a 30 second Youtube video by the celebrity for the sponsors to use on their social sites.  Here is the video http://goo.gl/B5bII . 

Stay tuned for update after appearance…………………………….

Mediatwist Signs One of Rock’s Best Drummers

Originally published - May 2011
The Mediatwist Group, a full service talent development and artist promotion company out of Miami Florida announced Friday that legendary drummer Jon Wilkes will now be part of their camp. Jon Wilkes is better known for his work behind the kit with globally successful rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. At the ripe age of 24, Jon Wilkes a Jacksonville Florida native is quickly making a name for himself on the rock and hip-hop circuit. Past projects of Jon’s include, Flo’rida’s rock re-mix of “Low” and Soulja Boy’s “Tell Um”. TMG’s first order of business will be developing Mr. Wilkes’ “Drummer VS DJ” show across the United States. Tour stops in Florida, Las Vegas, and Hollywood have already proven mega successful. “Drummer VS DJ” features Jon Wilkes on drums battling head to head with Jacksonville Florida’s DeeJay Capone. This show exploits the Rock/Rap dynamic that has proven successful for the likes of rock mainstays Linkin Park and Limp Biscuit with an added battle edge that keeps fans at the edge of their seats. “Im ready to take over the world with this”,Jon Wilkes explains as he talks about juggling his hectic tour schedule with TRJA and now “Drummer VS DJ”. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is currently on tour throughout the U.S. and is set to release their next album this summer. “I will get off the coach for any club, and I want the world to know about ‘Drummer VS DJ’. Lets take over!”- Jon Wilkes. For more information or to book “Drummer VS DJ”

Mediatwist Scouts Artist For National Rock Festival

Originally Published - May 2011

With celebrity hosts and headlining Billboard artists,this all day concert is making a name for itself. Bands from all over the world have submitted for consideration to play Rockapalooza, and a major producer has set his sites on Pennsylvania.

Miami Florida (I-Newswire) April 30, 2011 – This year’s Rockapalooza promises to be the best to date. Promoter Tim Corser has pulled out all of the stops to bring Jackson Michigan one of the best live events its ever seen. On June 25 Hollywood comes to town. Rockapalooza will be hosted by some heavy hitters on the big screen. Chanel, Big Black and Big Kat of MTV’s “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory will all MC the big day along with motion picture star Pauly Shore. There is no shortage of superstar music acts either,with some of rocks top acts to hit stage including Saliva, Pop Evil, Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, Chiodos, Mushroomhead and Shaman’s Harvest.

With all of these top notch names there is alot of bands wanting to get onto this bill. I had a chance to sit down with one of the major players behind this year’s Rockapalooza, and I found out about little corner of the world that has caught his attention and why.

The Mediatwist Group is one of the entertainment companies behind this years Rockapalooza and I spoke with TMG’s founder, Chris Kurtz. “I have always wanted to go back home to find artists that deserve a decent shot at some good touring shows.” says Chris about choosing Northeastern Pennsylvania as his focus area for scouting talent. “I came up in that area, and I wasn’t even close to the best the coal region had to offer. There are some amazing musicians that have paid their dues and there is also some fresh sounding music coming out of the Pottsville and Hazelton areas.”

This year Chris has hand picked 4 bands to perform alongside mega artists on the Rockapalooza stage. Now!The City(Pottsville,PA),Maddam Ink(Allentown, PA),Homicidal Supermodels(Hazelton,PA) and Cyanide Sunrise(Pottsville,PA).

“I live in Indiana and Miami now so I miss the PA music scene. The last great things to come out of PA musically were Breaking Benjamin and Fuel, its time for someone new to be proud of from my home state.”,Chris proudly says while pointing to a vintage t-shirt which says,”Jesus Loves The Poptart Monkeys”. Chris toured in PA icon rock band The Poptart Monkeys long before sealing his spot as hip royalty in the music industry. “I’ve spent a good bit of time in all of the green rooms and back-stages Pennsylvania clubs have to offer and I’m excited to bring some of the same entertainment those venues have birthed to this giant rock show.”

For more information on The Mediatwist Group or the latest happenings of Chris and his artists visit him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/poptartmonkeys