Mediatwist Teams Up With Five Finger Death Punch On Motor Sports Cross Promotion

Originally Published - May 2014
Follow along with Team 2Xtreme and The Mediatwist Group as they attempt to cross off another item on the bucket list of a motorhead rockstar that lives life in the fast lane and performs globally in front of millions of people each year in one of the World’s top grossing Metal bands. The entire project and concept was seeded between Zoltan Bathory of 5FDP and Chris Kurtz, CEO of The Mediatwist Group. In this interview Zoltan explains how this project all came about in a restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden. A conversation between Chris and Zoltan about monster trucks has developed into a rockstar preparing to strap himself behind the wheel of a 16,00 horsepower monster in less than 6 months after conception.

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 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