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Today's News


  • BASS: Total Science plays LA party Respect -- video

    Drum & Bass duo Total Science, whose birthnames are Paul Smith and Jason Greenhalgh, helped spread the genre to global audiences through a series of albums in the mid 1990s when DNB was in its early stages. This decade the English DJ/producers have continued driving DNB with their fast and fluid tracks backed by ripping basslines, many of which are mixed into the weekly DNB sets during the WORD’N’BASS Show. Total Science, who’ve recorded on top DNB labels like Breakbeat Science, Metalheadz and Good Looking among others, recently played the regular party Respect in Los Angeles -- which DrumNBass TV put online in crisp sound and video. Watch Now
  • WORD: Embracing online exodus, Penguin launches website channels
    By BPM Smith

    Penguin Group USA launched a new series of online channels at its website today that includes video interviews, author readings, audio discussions of the classics and excerpts from its latest releases in a bid to grab the attention of readers who are increasingly on the Internet. Read More
  • WORD: Scribd inks deal with Simon & Schuster to sell eBooks
    Press Release

    Scribd, the world's largest social publishing company, and Simon & Schuster, a leading global publisher, today announced an agreement to sell Simon & Schuster eBooks in the Scribd Store, an e-commerce destination and publishing marketplace launched last month to complement Scribd's already-popular platform for users' sharing their written works. At launch, nearly 5,000 Simon & Schuster eBook titles will be available on Scribd for purchase and download, making them readable on Scribd.com, computer desktops and various mobile devices. Read More
  • WORD: Litquake welcomes Lewis Black June 28 in fundraiser event
    Edited Press Release
     
    For its biggest fundraiser of the year, San Francisco literary festival Litquake announced that comedian, actor, author and Daily Show contributor Lewis Black will perform on June 28 in the first of several Litfest events taking place through August. The performance is Black’s only Bay Area appearance to promote his bestselling book "Me of Little Faith" (Riverhead Books) that was just released in paperback. Read More
  • BASS: Ripple, Dub Pirates, 16bit play Submelt party in Oakland June 6

    Party promoter Full Melt announced that a Breaks and beats event featuring nearly two dozen DJs from around the world is happening at SUBMELT, a rare 18-and-up event with three rooms of music, a juice bar, "heady" foods and massage chairs tonight (Saturday, June 6) at an underground location in Oakland, CA. Local beatmasters Plum Loco and Ripple (with MC Chronic), 16bit from the UK, Dub Pirates, Dr. Spook and Rastatronic are just a few of the DJs performing from 10 pm to 6 am Sunday. Call 530-575-6293 to get the location and further information.
  • WORD: Marilynne Robinson wins 2009 Orange Prize for Fiction
    Edited Press Release

    American author Marilynne Robinson can add another major award to her growing list of accolades now that she's won the fourteenth Orange Prize for Fiction with her third novel "Home" (Virago). At an awards ceremony in London, hosted by Orange Prize for Fiction Co-Founder and Honorary Director Kate Mosse, Robinson received a £30,000 prize and the ‘Bessie,’ the award's traditional limited-edition bronze figurine. Read More
  • Oscar GBASS: Nervous Records tabs Oscar G for artist album 'DJ' (de'ja') - with audio
    Edited Press Release

    At a time when most dance labels are cutting costs, stripping back and going digital only, Nervous Records is doing the opposite with Oscar G’s new three-disc effort, "DJ" (de'ja'). Oscar’s project comes without the influence or suggestions of hit-making Nervous Records, the label said. WORD'N'BASS obtained samples of Oscar's latest House music tracks from his upcoming album, which includes a disc of new productions, a live mix and a DVD of Oscar G in concert. Read More
  • WORD: Dennis Cooper kicks of Word for Word reading series in NYC
    Edited Press Release

    At New York City's Bryant Park Reading Room, acclaimed writer Dennis Cooper makes a rare appearance to talk with Tony O’Neill (formerly with the Brian Jones Massacre) about his new short story collection "Ugly Man" (Harper Perennial) that plumbs veins of dark humor amid the sex and gore his fans have come to expect. Other authors appearing through June include Christopher Buckley, Simon Van Booy and Monica Ali. Read More
  • Roger SanchezBASS: Voting, tour underway for fourth annual 'America's Best DJ' title
    Edited Press Release

    Pioneer Pro DJ and DJ Times magazine announced the launch of the fourth annual America’s Best DJ (ABDJ) competition and summer tour. The San Francisco Bay Area's DJ Shadow, Kaskade and Danny Tenagalia are among the top 10 in the ABDJ current standings while House music DJs Roger Sanchez (picitured) and SoCal's DJ Dan are making moves in the standings. Read More
  • WORD: Authors Egan Gibson, Harwood read at SF Bay Area bookstores

    Two Bay Area authors are reading at local bookstores this week. Tanya Egan Gibson will read from her debut novel "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Dutton) at A Great Good Place For Books in Montclair, located at 6120 LaSalle Avenue, this Thursday, May 21, at 7 pm. She'll follow with appearances in New York City during June. Checkout her website for more information... Seth Harwood, who first released chapters of his novel "Jack Wakes Up" via podcast before Random House picked it up, will do 7 pm readings at M is for Mystery in San Mateo on Tuesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 21, at Books Inc., located at 601 Van Ness in The City. "Jack" is about a one-time Hollywood star trying to cash in on his waning celebrity in San Francisco.
  • DJ RalphiBASS: DJ Ralphi killer going to prison

    The family of DJ Ralphi finally has justice. Former professional boxer "Fast" Freddie Cadena, a convicted felon and wife beater, copped a plea bargain for killing popular club DJ Ralph Falcon, according to New Jersey newspaper reports. Falcon, who was known on the club circuit as DJ Ralphi (pictured left), died on October 25, 2005, nine days after Cadena sucker punched him outside a club where he was performing. DJ Raphi left behind a four-year-old son. Meanwhile, Cadena, once a top boxing prospect who became a perp with four felony convictions on his record including assault, contempt of court, domestic violence and now manslaughter, faces up to 13 years in prison when he's sentenced in July. Cadena had recently gotten out of jail for beating the mother of his children when he killed DJ Ralphi -- who was dating the woman at the time.
  • WORD: Elmore Leonard launches 43rd novel 'Road Dogs'

    Famed literary crime novelist Elmore Leonard today launched his latest novel "Road Dogs" (HarperCollins imprint William Morrow) at the Lincoln Square Barnes & Noble in New York City, where he kicked off a six city tour. Road Dogs has Leonard's trademark tight plot and snappy dialogue, and includes several characters longtime Leonard fans will recognize from his prior novels. Read More
  • REVIEW: Brian D’Amato is back, and the Apocalypse is coming
    Review by BPM Smith
    DUTTON, 649 PAGES; HARDCOVER; $29.95

    After a hiatus of more than a decade, Brian D’Amato is finally back with his sophomore novel "In the Courts of the Sun" (Dutton) that is equal parts literary exodus, science fiction and thriller, and oh yes -- don’t forget about the Apocalypse that is coming in the not-too-distant future. Read More
  • WORD: Poet Craig Arnold 1967-2009

    The mystery of what happened to award-winning poet Craig Arnold has been solved and unfortunately it's not good news. Arnold died after falling off a cliff while hiking on the Japanese island of Kuchinoerabu, according to the University of Wyoming, where he was a professor in the English Literature department.  Read More
  • BASS: Peter Kruder releases ‘Visions Ltd’ EP
    Edited Press Release

    Peter Kruder, one half of the legendary duo Kruder & Dorfmeister, has launced a melodious EP through International Deejay Gigolo Records that marks his first 12" release in several years. The title track ‘Visions LTD’ is a soundscape of dance floor dreams -- soft yet progressive, a track that commands you to dance. Read More
  • WORD: 7 Stories Press publishes Nelson Algren 'lost novel'
    Edited Press Release

    To mark Nelson Algren's centennial birthday, 7 Stories Press announced it has published "Entrapment and Other Writings," a book that includes a long-lost unfinished novel and previously unpublished or uncollected stories, poems, and essays. Read More
  • WORD: ABA announces 2009 Indies Choice Book Award Winners
    Edited Press Release

    The American Booksellers Association announced the winners of the inaugural Indies Choice Book Awards. Formerly the Book Sense Book of the Year Awards, the new Indies Choice Book Awards reflect the spirit of independent bookstores nationwide through new categories and a broader range of winners and honor books. Read More
  • BPM SmithAUDIO: BPM Smith mixes special 420 Drum 'N' Bass set

    Continuing the annual tradition here at WORD'N'BASS, BPM Smith mixed a special 420 Drum 'N' Bass set for DNB heads who are lighting up in their silk smoker jackets and green tinted shades. After a Star Encounters intro, BPM Smith keeps the beats slower than usual with producers Flytronix, Electrosoul System, D-Bridge, Calbre and some surprisingly chilled out Noisia -- against a backdrop of a DJ Hell interlude and spaced out effects throughout. This set's dedicated to the Martians of Earth. Listen Now
  • BASS: Record Store Day celbrates indie stores, vinyl culture
     
    Today, hundreds of independently-owned music stores around America will participate in Record Store Day to celebrate the culture and unique place they occupy both in their local communities and nationally. In the San Francisco Bay Area, stores like Amoeba Records and Rasputin Music are going to be bustling as they play host to live music acts and promotional giveaways. Read More
  • Christopher LawrenceBASS: Christopher Lawrence, Thievery Corp and Crystal Method on Coachella lineup
    Edited Press Release

    Best known for rock headliners Paul McCartney, The Killers and The Cure, this year's Coachella music festival in SoCal has several top electronic music acts including Christopher Lawrence (pictured), Thievery Corp and Crystal Method playing this weekend. Read More
  • BASS: DJ Take mixes ambient Downtempo set

    Los Angeles based DJ Take, whose birthname is Sweatson Klank, recently mixed a live set of Downtempo and broken beats where he works in a ton of effects from loops to flanger, echos and some subtle turntable scratching. This set, which originally ran at indie online radio site Dublab, is sure to inspire daydreams and visions of ice cold martinis, slippers and incense in an ancient forest. Watch for his upcoming mix cd called "Sweatson's Trajectory" that's set for release in May 2009. Listen Now
  • WORD: Lisa McMann 'Fade' book tour hits SF Bay, ends in NYC

    Lisa McMann's nationwide book tour in support of her bestselling novel "Fade" (Simon Pulse) touches down in the San Francisco Bay Area this week, when she's appearing in El Cerrito and Petaluma. Fade has gotten considerable buzz for its romantic paranormal elements geared to teen readers. Read More
  • BASS: Nic Fanciulli helms first installment of Global Underground's new mix CD series
    Edited Press Release

    The ever pioneering dance music record label Global Underground is proud to  present its brand new Global Underground DJ Series. This new sonic adventure is all about putting the power in the hands of the DJ to take the listener on a complete introspective musical journey across two discs. Read More
  • BASS: The World of Drum & Bass reaches San Francisco

    The World of Drum & Bass, a party series that’s brought top DNB performers to venues around the world for 10 years, is touching down on The City this Friday, March 20 with a bevy of UK DJs including Chase & Status, DJ SS, Bailey, Kenny Ken, Influx and A.I. as they celebrate a decade of heavy bass. Playing alongside their offshore counterparts are several local DJs and MCs including Sharp, Sam Supa, The Colonel MC and Audio Angel. MC Tali, MC Biggie and Axiom MC will also perform at this massive gathering that Compression and Formation Recs will put on at Temple, located at 540 Howard Street. Pre-sale tickets for $20 are available at WantTickets.com. For a sample of what to expect Friday, check out The World of Drum & Bass Miami.
  • Karen DionneWORD: Karen Dionne follows 'Freezing Point' momentum with new novel

    What sophomore slump? Just months after the launch of environmental thriller "Freezing Point," debut novelist Karen Dionne has a deal for her sophomore work after literary agent Jeff Kleinman sold her second environmental thriller "Boiling Point" to publisher Berkley, Karen told WORD'N'BASS.com. For Karen, the deal continues her dream of becoming a career thriller author focused on scientific and environmental issues. Read More
  • BASS: A Sides headlines St. Patrick’s Day DNB party

    London-based DJ/producer A Sides, one of the true maestros in Drum & Bass, is playing San Francisco on St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, Mar. 17) at Underground SF, where he headlines a JungleCode/Shelter party with MC Duh holding down the mic. A Sides, who has released over 500 tracks since he began producing music in 1990, established Eastside Records in 1996. Since then the lablel has launched over 75 releases plus two compilation albums (Eastside Jamz Vol 1 & Vol.2) as well as A Sides' solo album "Follow The Groove." A Sides, who returns to The City for the first time in four years, has had his material released on many iconic labels such as Metalheadz, True Playaz, Liq-weed Ganja and Hospital, among others. Opening acts include The Heights, Big Sounds, and Jet and Noah playing a tag team set. The 21-and-up show runs from 10 pm to 2 am with just a $5 cover. Underground SF is located at 424 Haight Street. Wear green or you'll get pinched!
  • WORD: Novelist Robert Arrelano launches 'Havana Lunar'
    Edited Press Release

    Fresh off the press comes "Havana Lunar," an intriguing Cuban noir novel by Robert Arellano that publisher Akashic Books describes as a literary crime novel on the last island of Socialism set during a period of intense desperation. Arellano has readings slated in New York City and San Francisco in support of this March 2009 release that is set during one hungry, hallucinatory night in the heart of Havana. Read More
  • BASS: UK Dubstep DJ Reso plays SF club Paradise Lounge

    UK DJ/producer Reso, who has already smashed his way through the swathes of middle-of-the-road Dubstep producers to take his place as one of the scene's most original and technical artists at just 25 years old, plays San Francisco club Paradise Lounge tonight (Thursday, Mar. 12). His anthems such as the seminal "2 Faced Rasta" remix and more recently "If You Can't Beat 'Em" enjoy regular rotation from the likes of Rusko, Benga, N- Type and breaks icon Freq Nasty, Full Melt Recordings noted in a press release. Local DJs Ripple and Blackheart will open the 21-and-up show, which runs form 9 pm to 2 am. Presale tickets are available for $5 here. Cover is $10 at the door.
  • DJ HellBASS: DJ Hell to release new artist CD 'Teufelswerk'
    Edited Press Release

    Visionary artist and International Deejay Gigolo founder DJ Hell will release his masterpiece "Teufelswerk" (German for "Devil's Work") this April, the record label announced. Across 16 exquisite tracks divided into two themes, "Night" and "Day," DJ Hell weaves an intoxicating spell while collaborating with renowned artists such as Bryan Ferry, P. Diddy and Peter Kruder of the famous Kruder and Dorfmeister duo. Read More
  • WORD: Marsal Lyon Literary Agency opens shop, reps genre fiction and NF

    In the latest case in which literary agents departed from an established house to form a new venture, Kevan Lyon and Jill Marsal have left Sandra Dijkstra Agency to start up Marsal Lyon Literary Agency LLC. Authors will be interested to know they've also put out a call for submisions. Read More
  • WORD: ABA announces finalists for 2009 Indies Choice Book Awards
    Press Release

    The American Booksellers Association unveiled the finalists for the inaugural Indies Choice Book Awards, reflecting the spirit of independent bookstores and the IndieBound movement. Voting to choose the winners in seven categories is now open to the owners and staff at all ABA member bookstores. Read More
  • BPM SmithAUDIO: The WORD'N'BASS Show's Internet stream is back

    The WORD'N'BASS Show, broadcast on 104.1 FM in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2002, is once again streamed live on the Internet. The stream went on temporary hiatus due to technical issues, which did not impact the archived sets on BPM Smith's DJ page. During the program, he mixes Downtempo Electronica and Drum 'N' Bass sets from 10 pm to 12 midnight PST on Friday nights. Click here for more information about 104.1 FM as well as the full schedule of DJs and programs. Here is the real-time stream from the 104.1 FM studio, which broadcasts 24/7. Listen Now
  • BASS: Volko and Prohypnol drop hardcore DNB, techno bass

    Hungarian record label Black Hoe Alimony announced its latest Drum & Bass releases Project:V8 is ready to conquer the global DNB and techno scenes. Two thirds of the brand new Hungarian formation -- Volko and Prohypnol -- appear with two serious cutthroat tunes. Read More
  • WORD: American Booksellers Association to launch Indies Choice Book Awards
    Edited Press Release

    This spring, the American Booksellers Association will launch a new awards program -- the Indies Choice Book Awards. Indie booksellers will select winners in seven categories highlighting the type of books that indie booksellers champion best. The Indies Choice Book Awards, which supersede the Book Sense Book of the Year Awards, reflect the spirit of ABA member booksellers in the IndieBound movement and their dedication to handselling unique, thought-provoking, engaging fiction and nonfiction, children's and YA titles. Read More
  • BASS: Kikumoto Allstars 'House Music' EP slated for release
    Press Release

    Heading up his forthcoming Gigolo album release,'House Music', coming in May 2009, Australia's Kikumoto Allstars brings his second single release to DJ Hell’s International Deejay Gigolo imprint: The‘House Music’ EP. Read More
  • DJ NoahAUDIO: DJ Noah spins Drum 'N' Bass set

    DJ Noah is a resident with San Francisco crew JungleCode whose style is fast, fluid and dark with powerful bass lines. DJ Noah, whose birth name is Noah Krause, recorded a Drum 'N' Bass set at the JungleCode studio that WORD'N'BASS is pleased to share with readers. DJ Noah opens this set with the churning beats of longtime faves Psidream and Pacific, then settles into rapid fire DNB bombs ranging from American producers such as AK1200 and Gridlok to offshore counterparts Jade and Vicious Circle. Listen Now
  • WORD: Jenny Gardiner inks Simon & Schuster deal

    Author Jenny Gardiner said yesterday that her literary agent Holly Root of the Waxman Literary Agency sold her humorous memoir, "Parrothood: Twenty Years of Caring for a Vengeful Bird Determined to Kill Me" to Simon & Schuster imprint Simon Spotlight Entertainment for hardback publication in spring 2010. Read More
  • WORD: Yoko Tawada takes residency at Stanford University, reads Feb. 18

    Anticipating the arrival of "The Naked Eye," her latest novel in English, surrealist author Yoko Tawada is the current writer-in-residence at Stanford University, where she will do a reading this Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Palo Alto university's Humanities Center at 7 pm, publisher New Directions announced. On the East Coast she'll read on March 24 at Cornell University during her residency, which runs from Mar. 20 to April 12. Japan's Tawada has often been compared to prose stylists like Kafka, with her major themes covering gender and cultural identity. The Naked Eye is slated to launch in paperback across the USA on May 26, 2009.
  • WORD: Oakland author Yiyun Lee, Lisick, Maravelis top Bay Area literary events

    Oakland-based author Yiyun Lee, who has gotten big time buzz for her debut "The Vagrants: A Novel," (Random House), is the latest hot novelist to embark on a nationwide book tour. Bay Area fans -- and students? She's a professor at Mills College -- can catch her local appearance at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park, where she is signing copies on Monday, February 9, at 7:30 pm. Kepler's is located at 1010 El Camino Real… San Francisco author Beth Lisick, who remains on the meet-and-greet circuit for her book "Helping Me Help Myself" (HarperCollins), will appear at at Modern Times Bookstore, located at 888 Valencia Street, on Tuesday (Feb. 10) at 7:30 pm… Readers looking for a book party on Valentines Day can catch the launch of "San Francisco Noir 2: The Classics" (Akashic Books), featuring editor Peter Maravelis and select contributors at Ha Ra Room. The party kicks off at 875 Geary Street on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8 pm, when they will hopefully serve liquor for those of us preparing to enter a Battle Royale at San Francisco's overbooked restaurants.
  • WORD: 'Voices of A People's History of the United States' author Howard Zinn to hit SF

    Author Howard Zinn will host a performance of "Voices of A People’s History of the United States" (Seven Stories Press) with a sterling cast of readers and musicians including Benjamin Bratt, Josh Brolin, Stairwell Sisters, Diane Lane and Clarence Thomas on Thursday, February 26, event co-producer Haymarket Books announced. Read More
  • KluteBASS: Drum 'N' Bass DJ Klute plays San Francisco Feb. 6

    Klute, one of the brightest stars in global Drum 'N' Bass, is flying in from London and touches down at San Francisco club Fat City this Friday (February 6), where he is playing at the JungleCode party. The Commercial Suicide DJ/producer, well known for critically acclaimed albums such as "The Emperor’s New Clothes" and "No One's Listening Anymore," headlines a bill with fellow UK DJ Sage. Local talents DJ Bicolas and MC Duh are representing SF. The 21-and-up show happens from 10 pm to 4 am at Fat City, located at 314 11th Street at Folsom. Tickets are $15 at the door. Hit JungleCode.org for more information and limited $10 pre-sale tickets.
  • BASS: New Amaning & Stunna 12" out on BS1 Records - with audio

    After making its long-awaited return to the Drum 'N' Bass scene with a relaunch and signing of producers such as Kubiks last year, BS1 Records is back with a hot new 12" from respected producers Amaning & Stunna who collaborated with renowned producer Blame on a two-side disc. Read More
  • Ricardo CarpenterBASS: DJs, glam mark Chongolized Film Festival 09

    The Chongolized Film Festival 09 is happening this Saturday, January 31 at San Francisco's Delancey Street Screening Room, when long-awaited "A Hyphy Midlife Crisis" from budding director Ricardo Carpenter (pictured left) makes its theatric debut along with several films by local independent filmmakers. Ricardo said a DJ will spin before and after the screenings at this event, which has a "Hollywood Glam" theme in which attendees are encouraged to dress up like their favorite Hollywood celebrity. Other short films scheduled include "Greyhounds," "Cooking With Margarita," "That's Why You Never Drink Red," and Ricardo's previous film "Radio Rockers." Ricardo, a longitme Trance DJ who played under the name Chongo, describes the screening as "an exclusive private event" but says the public can join the fun with a $10 cover. The Delancey Street Screening Room is located at 600 Embarcadero in The City.
  • WORD: Ireland's Sebastian Barry wins 2008 Costa Book of the Year
    Edited Press Release

    Irish author Sebastian Barry has won the 2008 Costa Book of the Year award for "The Secret Scripture" (Faber and Faber), a moving account of one woman's stolen life and her journey to reclaim the past.  The announcement was made Tuesday evening (January 27) at the InterContinental Hotel in central London. Read More
  • Just weeks after joining Foundry Literary + Media, agent Stephen Barbara has already closed his first deal at the firm, and it includes the "a" word. Barbara announced to Publishers Lunch that he sold the worldwide rights to debut author Sam Munson's "The November Criminals" at auction to to Gerry Howard at Doubleday. Munson reportedly composed the novel for the University of Chicago's board of admissions, answering the application essay question: "What are your best and worst qualities?" The novel tells of the protagonist's dramatic senior year in high school that reveals he has no good qualities at all.
  • WORD: Japan's Kazuko Shiraishi does poetry readings in NYC

    Japanese poet Kazuko Shiraishi will do two poetry readings in New York City this week in support of her latest book "My Floating Mother, City," New Directions Publishing announced. Shiraishi, who Donald Keene calls "The outstanding poetic voice of her generation of disengagement in Japan," will read at the following two events that the publisher is hosting: St. Mark's Poetry Project, Wednesday, January 28, at 8 pm with poet Ed Sanders. The Poetry Project at St. Marks Church is located at 131 E. 10th St. in NYC. She will also appear at Japan Society, located at 333 East 47th Street, on Friday, January 30 beginning at 6:30 pm. Jazz trumpeter Oki Itaru will accompany her recital, with the event moderated by Forrest Gander. See the two group's websites for further information.
  • BASS: Christopher Lawrence remixes Enrique Iglesias #1 worldwide hit 'Hero'
    Press Release

    California DJ and producer Christopher Lawrence has remixed Enrique Iglesias's number one hit 'Hero' for the Latin megastar's 'Greatest Hits' album. The widely anticipated album was recently released in the the United Kingdom and Europe, with additional countries to follow. Christopher's impressive remix is the only one included on Enrique's album in these territories. Read More
  • StarkillersBASS: Ministry of Sound sets up residence in NYC's Ultra Lounge
    Edited Press Release

    Ministry of Sound, the world's most recognized and respected name in Dance Music, begins its flagship US Residency in New York Friday January 30. Top performers from around the globe are headlining the first fully produced residency by the UK brand, with costumes, visual design and music programming. Read More
  • WORD: Litquake, Sketchfest partner to combine comedy and literature in SF
    Edited Press Release

    The S.F. Sketchfest is on! Litquake has teamed up this year with Sketchfest, the nationally-prominent comedy festival that takes place each January at venues around The City. Litquake said in a press releaase that it is co-presenting Celebrity Autobiography, the smash hit lit-meets-comedy event from New York City being performed here for the first time, in which an all-star cast reads hilarious celebrity memoirs live. Read More
  • BASS: R3M, Enduser play San Francisco DNB events

    Fresh off its New Years Eve Drum 'N' Bass and fashion show blowout, Nickies in San Francisco's Lower Haight District has R3M headlining The Jungle Lounge this Wednesday (January 14). The free 21-and-up event, which happens every Wednesday from 10 pm to 2 am, will also have Reflex Crew residents Sharp, Monk, Lukeino and Eskae perform. Nickies is located at 466 Haight Street... Separately, Enduser of Washington, DC, is in San Francisco to play the January 15 Trauma Thursdays event at El Rincon that’s open to fans of DNB, Jungle and Dub age 18 and older -- an increasingly rare phenomenon for The City’s clubs. Local DJs Arson and Bonk will also hit the turntables from 10 pm to 2 am, with just a $5 cover. El Rincon is at 2700 16th Street at Harrison.
  • WORD: Flux taps literary agent Diver's novel 'Vamped' for May release
    Edited Press Release
     
    Lucienne Diver, a long-time book addict who went to work for Spectrum Literary Agency fifteen years ago to feed her habit, says she has traded in her high-rise for a lake view and written a cheeky novel "Vamped" that publisher Flux has slated for release on May 1, 2009. Flux is a new imprint geared to teen and young adult readers. Read more
  • Novelist Jayne Anne Phillips, on tour for her first novel in nearly a decade, will appear this Wednesday (January 14) at Kepler's Bookstore beginning at 7:30 pm. Her critically-acclaimed "Lark and Termite" (Random House) is described as a story of the power of loss and love set against the echoing ramifications of the Korean war, family secrets, dreams and ghosts -- yes, it's a "high-brow" novel. Kepler's is located at 1010 El Camino Real in Menlo Park.
  • WORD: Costa Book Awards 2008 category winners announced
    Edited Press Release

    Costa, the UK's largest and fastest-growing coffee shop chain, announced the Costa Book Awards 2008 winners in the Novel, First Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book categories. The Costa Book Awards recognize the most enjoyable books of the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. Read More
  • WORD: Agents on the move -- Barbara, Stampfel switch NYC firms

    Two literary agents in New York City today started the New Year with a bang by changing firms and expressing their interest in signing new authors -- which is good news for budding novelists in search of representation. Stephen Barbara joins Foundry Literary + Media while across town Joanna Stampfel is at Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation, with both moves effective January 5, 2009. Read More
  • BPM SmithAUDIO: BPM Smith mixes NYE 2009 Drum 'N' Bass set

    As the clock approaches midnight, BPM Smith cooks up a fresh set of Drum 'N' Bass to properly ring in 2009. In this special New Years Eve DNB mix, he merges Luke Slater's atmospherics with a white label DNB before transitioning to today’s finest producers from the UK, Brazil and Europe, including A-Sides, Koop and Chis Su, among others. Brace yourself for heavy bass bombs late in this set from the likes of Calyx, Laroque and Vital Elements. As always, this set is organically served, with no editing of the original mix performed live during the WORD'N'Bass Show. Listen Now
  • BASS: NYE 2009 blows up San Francisco with House, DNB, Dubstep

    Every New Years Eve, San Francisco hosts some of America’s most decadent parties with world renowned DJs, awe-worthy visusals, and impressive sound systems. Kaskade, Ghislain Poirier, and Plastician are just some of the global DJs who have embarked upon The City to perform at NYE 2009 events. Meanwhile Drum & Bass-heads are heading to Lower Haight for an event with a fashion show and local DJs. Read More
  • BASS: Dub and Breaks DJ FreQ Nasty drops Fabric mix; unreleased audio served
    Edited Press Release

    FreQ Nasty’s back and he’s pushing a new sound that’s destroying underground clubs around the world. Continually shape shifting under the wide umbrella of bass culture, FreQ Nasty forever stays one-step ahead of its ongoing hype-fueled evolution. From garage, breaks to dubstep FreQ Nasty’s at the forefront of the freshest beats around. Armed and ready for battle, FreQ Nasty comes at you with a hot new mix for Fabric and an exclusive free download of "Peacemaker (DUB)" -- a brand new track culled from his much-anticipated new artist album. Read More
  • WORD: Akashic slates launch of 'San Francisco Noir 2: The Classics'
    Edited Press Release

    With 2008 coming to a close, publishers are starting to unveil their upcoming titles for the first quarter 2009. One short story collection that will appeal to San Franciscans is "San Francisco Noir 2: The Classics" (Akashic Books) that follows in the tradition of the publisher's prior edition and is edited by Peter Maravelis, who will make several appearances in The City and larger Bay Area starting next month. Read More
  • WORD: 2009 Backspace Writers Conference announces dates, faculty additions
    Edited Press Release

    Backspace announced that registration has opened for the 2009 Backspace Writers Conference, which will be held May 29-30 at The Radisson Martinique in New York City, as well as a dozen new literary agent faculty members. Also, the Backspace Agent-Author Day kicks off the event on May 28 with small-group meetings that include query letter critiques and agents' comments on authors' opening pages using a "Two Minutes, Two Pages" format. Read More
  • BehrouzREVIEW: Behrouz spins a set of 'Pure' addictive House beats
    Review by BPM Smith
    NERVOUS RECORDS

    Every year a DJ will spin a mixed album that is so smoothly compiled with head bobbing tracks that it remains fresh despite getting constant play in my car stereo. San Francisco DJ/producer Behrouz has compiled just such an album in "Pure Behrouz NYC" that Nervous Records recently launched in stores across the USA. Read More
  • WORD: Authors Richards, Bell, Grilikhes read in San Francisco

    Three local authors tell their San Francisco stories this week in The City. Rand Richards will discuss his book "Mud, Blood and Gold: San Francisco in 1849" (Heritage) at the SF Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 2 beginning at 6 pm. He'll read at the Lower Level in the Latino & Hispanic Community Meeting Room. The SFPL is located at 100 Larkin Street... Janis Bell, author of the writer's guide "Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences," from W.W. Norton, appears on the same night at The Booksmith (1644 Haight Street) at 7:30 pm... Then on on Dec. 5, City College of SF's Phyllis Grilikhes will sign her book "To Set A Light In Every Tunnel" (Regent Press) at 6:30 pm at Books Inc., located in Opera Plaza at 601 Van Ness, in San Francisco.
  • WORD: Penguin Group builds a school for children in war-torn Afghanistan
    Edited Press Release

    Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season in the USA and we were pleased to find that book publisher Penguin’s American division is embracing the season of giving on a global scale. Penguin Group (USA) announced that it has built a primary school in Afghanistan, in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United States Association for UNHCR. Read More
  • BASS: Ruby Skye announces Toys For Tots drive; Le Grande, Dubfire headline

    San Francisco nightclub Ruby Skye and Mixed Elements announced a banging Thanksgiving weekend lineup including Fedde Le Grande on Wednesday night, whose November 26 show has a Toys For Tots drive in which guests get half price tickets when they bring a new, unwrapped present. Dance music fans can get in the holiday spirit by attending the show and donating to this local charity, which provides gifts to children of local families who cannot otherwise afford them. House music aficionados who are staying in town during the long weekend can also catch Dubfire, probably better known as Deep Dish among longtime fans, who headlines on Saturday, Nov. 29. Both shows are 21-and-up and doors open at 9 pm with opening acts on the decks. For more information about Ruby Skye, located at 420 Mason Street in SF, check out their website.
  • BASS: Cubist launches new 12 inch DNB with Zombie label

    Longtime indie Drum & Bass producer Cubist of Australia, whose album "A Night To Remember" got considerable buzz even without the marketing push of a record label, has signed with Grid Recordings imprint Zombie. The label announced that it has just released a banging new vinyl 12" by Cubist, whose birthname is Eden Krumins. Click here to listen to two tracks "Memory Lapse" and "Nautilus" featured on his latest album, which is available at many record stores worldwide that carry DNB as well as at the Grid Recordings website.
  • WORD: Costa Book Awards 2008 shortlists announced
    Edited Press Release

    The Costa Book Awards announced that novelists Sebastian, Chris Cleave, Louis de Bernières and Patrick McGrath were among those shortlisted for its 2008 awards. The Costa Book Awards recognize the most enjoyable books in five categories -- First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book -- published in the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. Read More
  • WORD: Authors Neumann, Weinstein sign at SF bookstores

    His book's title alone made us have to announce the news that Osha Neumann will do a signing at San Francisco's Modern Times Bookstore Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 pm. His book? The gritty coming of age tomb "Up Against the Wall Motherfucker: A Memoir of the Sixties with Notes for Next Time" from publisher Seven Stories Press -- sorry, we don't believe in self censorship so the title stays as-is. Also, for those of you who actually take lunch breaks, "It Came From Berkeley" (McNally Robinson) author David Weinstein will appear at Stacey's Bookstore on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 12:30 pm. Stacey's is at 581 Market Street, in the heart of downtown SF. Both authors are making a series of Bay Area appearances in support of their newly released titles.
  • Christopher LawrenceBASS: Christopher Lawrence and John "00" Fleming team up for 'Global Trance Grooves Vol 1: Two Tribes'
    Press Release

    Following a series of smash singles and collaborative sell out shows together, world renowned DJs John 00 Fleming and Christopher Lawrence (pictured left) have released a joint mix compilation "Global Trance Grooves: Two Tribes" on New York's Moist Music. A banging, take no prisoners trip into the powerful world of underground trance, "Global Trance Grooves" features tracks that both DJs sourced for their separate sets on opposing sides of the globe - yet reflects the parallels that both DJs share in creating their sound. Read More
  • BASS: Lee Coombs drops critically acclaimed 'Lot 49' mix CD
    Edited Press Release

    Lee Coombs has been at the forefront of the electronic music scene for the better part of 15 years. He's released groundbreaking mix CDs, remixed the world's most acclaimed artists and knocked out dancefloor destroying productions considered classics years after their release. While often associated with the Breaks genre, this labeling does not begin to tell the entire story. A boundary-less approach is truly Coombs' trademark and he's famous for mixing up breaks, house, electro, techno and acid with dexterous assurance. Prime example: "Lot49 Presents: Lee Coombs." Read More
  • WORD: Emile Griffith biographer Ross does book singing at boxing card
    Edited Press Release

    As a special treat for boxing fans attending Tuesday, November 11th’s "Bad Boys of Boxing" event at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, author Ron Ross will be on hand to sign copies of his critically acclaimed new book "Nine... Ten.. And Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith" (DiBella Entertainment). Read More
  • BASS: Don Rimini announces Fall tour dates in support of 'Kick N' Run' EP, has free mix
    Edited Press Release

    Parisian Jam Master Don Rimini and Delicious Gutter celebrate the release of the "Kick N’ Run" EP by announcing a massive international tour and offering a fresh new DJ mix just for the fans. Rimini’s month-long tour hits Europe and North America’s most critical markets including San Francisco. In many instances, this will be the first time for fans to get out and see Don Rimini live. Also, his "Come Get Dirty With Us" DJ mix is available for free download. Read More
  • Tech ItchBASS: Tech Itch plays new San Francisco event LOWpass

    Longtime British Drum & Bass DJ/producion duo Tech Itch returns to San Francisco this Friday (November 7), where they’ll headline along with  Armanni, Breakage and Hive at the debut of a new regular event series LOWpass, local party promoter fSound announced. This 21-and-up show features three rooms of heavy bass and a bevy of local and international talent in the DNB, Dubstep and live electronic scenes. Kozee, AXIOM and Audio Angel are among the openers beginning at 10 pm at the event, which will have video effects and mixing and lasts till 4 am Saturday. The party is at Fat City, located at 314 11th Street at the corner of Folsom in SF. Longtime DNB fans will remember Tech Itch as Decoder back in the '90s.
  • BASS: Moby 'This Is Last Night' virtual club event on November 3
    Edited Press Release

    Continuing a trend that began in 2006 when Paul Oakenfold and Sandra Collins played the first ever rave on Myspace, Moby is hosting a virtual club event to help  promote his latest album. The onine event, Last Night Remixed, sees the cream of the current electronic crop enlisted to remix tracks from 'Last Night', which is surely the most dance orientated Moby album this decade and is getting solid reviews (4 stars, The Sunday Times. 4 stars, Rolling Stone). Read More
  • WORD: Ready, set, go -- NaNoWriMo 2008 has begun

    November 1 means hangovers and smeared makeup for many Halloween revelers, but for some 125,000 authors and wanna-bes it kicks off a month-long effort to write prose during the 2008 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, NaNoWriMo subgroups have write-ins scheduled, author events, and even their own website for surviving one of those notorious crashes. Read More
  • BASS: Genome headlines Still' Doin It Halloween DNB party

    Longtime San Francisco Drum 'N' Bass party Still' Doin It returns this Halloween weekend with a night of tasty old school classics featuring the return of one of San Francisco's DNB veterans. Genome, who lately has been making waves internationally with his Dubstep work as DJG, returns to his DNB roots with a bag full of classic tunes. Other DJs playing include Method One, Kuze vs. David Groper who will do a tag team set, and AX!OM MC will hold down the mic. This free 21-and-up party happens from 9 pm to 2 am on Saturday, November 1 at Anu Bar, located at 43 6th Street between Market and Mission Streets in SF.
  • Jessica BrodyWORD: Novelist Jessica Brody promoting authors with ‘Free Book Friday’
    Edited Press Release

    Some of the brightest new ideas in book promotion are coming from debut novelists nowadays. Jessica Brody, author of "The Fidelity Files" (St. Martin’s Press - 2008) was searching for creative new ways to market her debut novel and collaborate with fellow authors. She noticed that free giveaways seemed to draw website traffic so she came up with the idea for FreeBookFriday.com, a site that is seeing traffic quickly rise by the week, the author announced. Read More
  • WORD: The Library of America’s latest a must-read for ‘True Crime’ aficionados

    This fall, The Library of America presents "True Crime: An American Anthology" (October 2008; hardcover; $40.00), the first fully comprehensive collection of the true crime genre. Ranging from the seventeenth century to the present, from William Bradford to Dominick Dunne, True Crime assembles accounts of some of the most notorious criminal cases in American history. Separately, The Library of America, a nonprofit publisher, has recent and upcoming titles on tap from authors as diverse as Phillip K Dick, William Maxwell and Katherine Anne Porter. Read More
  • BASS: Ripple, Lub Dub play ‘Bay Area Dubstep Vol. 2’ release party

    Full Melt Recordings announced that it is hosting a release party for its new album "Bay Area Dubstep Volume 02" tonight (Friday Oct. 24) in San Francisco at Jelly's, where two rooms of DJs, lights and visuals feature will Tribal House, Dub, Dancehall and of course Dubstep. Some DJs slated to hit the decks include Eskmo, Antiserum, Ripple, Lud Dub, and Kush Arora performing live with Juakali. This late night event is $15 before 11 pm, $20 afterwards. Copies of BIG UP Magazine & B.A.D. Volume 02 will be available at the party. Jelly's is at Pier 50 in The City.
  • BASS: Surya Dub pres. West Coast's UMOJA Hi-Fi Sound System 15 Year Anniversary
    Edited Press Release

    Hot off last month’s epic Bug and Warrior Queen show, San Francisco crew Surya Dub isn't slowing down. We're extremely proud to present the 15 year anniversary of one of the West Coast's most endearing, beloved, and diverse crews, the Umoja Hi-Fi Sound System at Club Six in San Francisco Saturday, October 25. Read More
  • BPM SmithAUDIO: BPM Smith mixes Downtempo set

    BPM Smith began mixing Downtempo and Drum & Bass in 2000. Since 2002, his Downtempo sets have traditionally kicked off the WORD’N’BASS Show, broadcast in the San Francisco Bay Area on 104.1 FM on Friday nights. In this latest Downtempo set he focuses the show on veteran beat producers like Tosca, DJ Cam, and Lemongrass as well as newly emerging artists like Idjut Boys and De Spira who are helping the lounge scene move in new directions. As always, this set is served chilled -- with no editing of the original live broadcast. New mix posted October 11, 2008. Listen Now
  • WORD: Interview with Karen Dionne, author of 'Freezing Point'

    Karen Dionne established Backspace, a literary website and message board that has expanded to include one of the book scene’s most anticipated yearly conferences, in 2004. The Minnesota author shared her thoughts with WORD'N'BASS.com Editor BPM Smith about the environment, the nature of human faults, and thrillers as her debut novel "Freezing Point" launched this month with Penguin imprint Berkley. Read More
  • WORD: Random House launches Winn Scotch novel 'Time of My Life'

    Allison Winn Scotch is a debut author no more. On Wednesday (Oct. 8) her second novel was published -- yes, that’s two novels in two years -- as Random House launched her sophomore title "Time of My Life" at bookstores across the USA. Allison says her latest is "much more than a story about a real life desperate housewife." Rather, it examines the lingering doubts many of us have about the paths we take in life. Is this a big theme alert? You’ll have to snatch a copy of Time to find out. Also, in an e-mail today Allison noted that The Weinstein Company is developing her second novel for the big screen. Congrats to Allison whose career has now officially taken off like a rocket. In New York City Allison will do a signing and reading next week, on Wednesday, October 15, at the Borders at Time Warner Center at 7 pm. Check out her website for more info.
  • Anita AmirrezvaniWORD: Authors Amirrezvani, Gaiman featured at SF Litquake events
    Edited Press Release

    Litquake, San Francisco's annual literary festival, is now underway at venues across The City with a weeklong series of author readings, presentations and parties. Here are some key Litquake events that readers will find interesting. Many Litquake events are free, so check out their website for a full list of events that range from formal author readings and workshops to the chaotic pub crawl with a literary flavor. Read More
  • WORD: Litquake, ODC/Dance company combine fiction, performance art
    Press release

    Thursday and Friday, Litquake joins forces with San Francisco's ODC/Dance company for two unique performances at Project Artaud. On October 9, "Off Book: Stories That Move" pairs three authors with choreographers to create "page-to-stage" dance interpretations of original fiction: writers Michelle Tea, Alejandro Murguia, and Tess Uriza Holthe, paired with Scott Wells, Erika Chong Shuch, and Katie Faulkner. This night will also feature JoAnn Selisker's Off Leash: Who's a Good Girl?, an ironic performance piece that explores the relationship of man and canine. And on Friday October 10, Rosanna Gamson's Ravish presents a multimedia dance theater piece that examines the lives of the Brontë sisters, and the writing of works such as "Wuthering Heights" and "Jane Eyre." Tickets are available for both nights at www.odctheater.org.
  • DJ DeniseBASS: House, DNB, global beats among LoveFest 2008 Afterparties

    Thousands of electronic dance music fans, DJs, and industry participants are parading through San Fransisco’s Market Street today (Saturday, Oct. 4) to the Civic Center, where the fifth year of a tradition that started with LoveParade continues through LoveFest 2008. When The City shuts down the gridlock of bass-bumping floats, there are dozens of afterparties taking place in San Francisco. Here are some party announcements we received. Read More
  • BASS: Tek-Thread headlines BADNB benefit party at El Rincon

    The last Bay Area Drum & Bass benefit party in support of this Saturday’s LoveFest float happens tonight (Thursday, Oct. 2) at San Francisco club El Rincon, where four-time US Battle Champion Tek-Thread headlines with Portland’s DJ Sense at the Trauma party. This event, which has a $5 cover and runs from 10 pm to 2 am, also features several local DJs like Eskae, Kinetik and R3M. El Rincon is located at 2700 16th Street. BADNB still has several volunteer positions to help with the float building and logistics from Friday through Sunday. Check out BADNB’s Myspace for more information. Separately, if you have a LoveFest afterparty to announce this weekend contact us.
  • WORD: Karen Dionne has online launch party for novel 'Freezing Point'

    Debut author Karen Dionne came up with a unique way to launch her novel "Freezing Point," which Penguin imprint Berkley has available in bookstores nationwide beginning Oct. 3. Tonight she unveiled an "online launch party" that runs from Oct. 1-3 where a bevy of authors make virtual appearances including David Morrell, Douglas Preston, Lee Child and JA Konrath, among others. Karen has various promotional giveaways for those who sign her guest book including copies of her environmental thriller, Penguin mugs and DVDs of various flicks. Click here to enter the site and help Karen celebrate her new career as a novelist.
  • WORD: Gail Konop Baker memoir ‘Cancer is a Bitch’ getting buzz
    Edited Press Release

    On Valentine's Day 2006, Gail Konop Baker found herself sitting topless in the oncologist's office. Married to a doctor and a health and fitness devotee, Konop Baker assumed she would know when her body rebelled against her. While her cancer turned out to be highly treatable, she chronicles the ups and downs of her transformation in "Cancer is a Bitch: Or, I’d Rather Be Having a Midlife Crisis," which Da Capo Lifelong Books launches on October 1. Read More
  • WORD: National Book Foundation announces '5 under 35'
    Edited Press Release

    The National Book Foundation will recognize five young fiction writers at the "5 Under 35" celebration at Tribeca Cinemas on Monday, November 17, announced Harold Augenbraum, executive director of the National Book Foundation.  He noted that three of this year's young honorees were born outside the United States. A previous National Book Award Finalist or Winner selected each of the five writers as someone whose work is particularly promising, exciting and is among the best of a new generation of writers. Read More
  • WORD: Matthew Quick debuts novel ‘Silver Linings’ with FSG imprint

    As the football season picks up steam, author Matthew Quick’s debut novel "The Silver Linings Playbook," a story about love, madness, and Kenny G set against a backdrop of a losing Philadelphia Eagles team could appeal to American readers. Farrar, Straus & Giroux imprint Sarah Crichton Books announced the novel has just launched at bookstores nationwide. Read More
  • DJ Alley CatBASS: Alley Cat to tour North America this fall

    Former San Francisco Drum & Bass DJ Alley Cat, whose career has flourished since relocating to London years ago, says she plans to tour North America this fall -- perhaps as soon as October -- in her first homecoming tour in nearly three years. Alley Cat's mixed albums include "Crowd Control" and "No Formalities" (Skunkrock). She has signed with Break Beat Science’s booking agency, and party promoters interested in having her spin at their events can contact them at info(at)bbsbookings(dot)com. To hear some of her recent stylings, click here for a podcast mix she performed this summer. You can also find more info and hear some recent tracks at her Myspace.
  • BASS: Compression reunites for BADNB fund raiser

    The San Francisco Drum & Bass party Compression is reuniting on Sunday (Sept. 21) to host a benefit party for Bay Area DNB at their old home, The Cellar. DJs spinning include Ivry & Sharp tag teaming the decks, DJ Havoc, 2 Cents and Canadub, among others, while Colonel MC and Audio Angel are holding down the mic. Doors open at 9 pm for this 21-and-up party. A $5 cover goes toward funding the BADNB LoveFest float. The Cellar, Compression’s weekly venue in past years but reconvening for one night only, is located at 685 Sutter at Taylor in downtown SF.
  • WORD: Wesley Strick returns to Hollywood, sophomore novel status unknown

    Since WORD'N'BASS.com is now going on four years old, it's time to start a 'Where are they now?' series. Let's start off with the talented Wesley Strick. When Wesley made a fantastic debut with his novel "Out There in the Dark" (St. Martin's) that was set in World War II Hollywood, I felt it was a sign of promising things to come from the veteran screenwriter. Who would've guessed that his edgy noir story would also be his last? Read More
  • BASS: Catz 'n Dogz debut album 'Stars of Zoo' out this fall on Mothership Music
    Edited Press Release

    The name is new, but chances are you’ve already heard Catz 'n Dogz. Previously, as 3 Channels, the best friend duo have already released red-hot club records on some of the most respected underground dance labels in the world including Trapez, Crosstown Rebels, Pokerflat, Boxer, dirtybird, Leena, Trenton, and their own imprint, Channels Recordings. After making underground techno for many years, the duo have now ventured into new territory. This time, as Catz n' Dogz, the boys have headed towards deep house without losing sight of their harder techno roots -- exploring lush organic soundscapes with live drums and instrumentation.  Read More
  • WORD: Online community for supporters of indie book retail launches
    Edited Press Release

    The IndieBound.org community, a gathering place for supporters of indie retail businesses, has now launched, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) announced. IndieBound, a movement to celebrate independent bookstores and to encourage shopping locally, kicked off in June and has become a strong presence in nearly a thousand independent bookstore locations across the country. Read More
  • WORD: Book tour kicks off Susan Wiggs new novel ‘Just Breathe’

    Bestselling author Susan Wiggs has released a new novel, "Just Breathe" (Mira), that the publisher notes is about big themes such as love, loss, second chances, and facing the past in order to create a new future. In Just Breathe, protagonist Sarah Moon returns to the hamlet of Glenmuir, California after suffering a devastating divorce. Read More
  • WORD: San Francisco names Tamim Ansary 'One City One Book' author

    Since today is 9/11, it’s appropriate to note that the San Francisco Public Library named local author Tamim Ansary’s memoir "West of Kabul, East of New York" (Picador) as its One City One Book title. The day after the World Trade Center was destroyed, when many of us wanted vengeance more than anything, Ansary sent an e-mail to twenty friends discussing the attack from his perspective as an Afghan American. The message was forwarded until eventually reaching millions, and the sentiments of his earnest note are reflected in Ansary’s memoir. Copies are available here at the SF Public Library and in audio format. One City One Book is an annual citywide literary event that encourages the San Francisco community to read the same book simultaneously and discuss it in book groups and events throughout the City, in hopes that it will help make reading a lifelong pursuit and build a more literate society.
  • BASS: Trance DJs Lawrence, Persequor play Digitally Imported today

    Fresh off his win at America’s Best DJ contest, Christopher Lawrence returns to the airwaves with the sixth installment of 'Rush Hour' radio on Digitally Imported today (Tuesday Sept. 9) with special guest DJ/producer Persequor. Persequor, whose birth name is Mark Sherwood, has a DJ style ranging from "epic Trance moments to deep dark techy beats," Lawrence noted on his website. In addition to DJing, Persequor has been producing cutting edge tech trance in recent years. Catch Lawrence and Persequor on DI’s Trance Channel today starting at 1 pm PST (San Francisco), 4 pm EST (NYC), 9 pm in the UK (London).
  • Christopher LawrenceBASS: Christopher Lawrence named 'America’s Best DJ'
    Edited Press Release

    Trance DJ Christopher Lawrence (pictured left) was named the 2008 winner of the America’s Best DJ contest on Tuesday, September 2, during a ceremony at Rouge at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Lawrence was presented with a gold medal and a gold-plated Pioneer DJM-800 mixer -- the only one in existence. Turntablist legend DJ Qbert