The Junkyard Band performing live at the Howard Theatre on Saturday January 24, 2015

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Proper Utensils performing live at the Howard Theatre on Saturday January 24, 2015

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Go-Go Symphony, the swinging classical orchestra rocking it over Washington DC’s go-go beat, has been asked to participate in Washington DC’s first official showcase at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin Texas! This is an amazing opportunity to bring go-go and classical music to an internationally renowned festival, but they can’t make this happen without your help. And they must raise funds by January 30, 2015 in order to attend the festival.

This is where you come in:

The Impact

Go-Go Symphony has performed at Washington DC’s Atlas Theater, the world famous 9:30 Club, in the Folklife Festival on the National Mall, and for the CNN televised Annual Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner.

SXSW is filled with shows and music industry events that will bring our unique mix of classical and go-go to a whole new world of fans, and help both Go-Go and Classical genres expand worldwide.

How Can You Help?

Here are the expenses that will be covered:

• Airfare (WAS->AUS, 3/16-18/15 roundtrip, median price from expedia.com on 1/20/15, estimate), $487.20 ea. @ 20 members: $9,744.00
• Hotel (average of highest + lowest rate SXSW.com recommended hotels, average 192.50/night for two nights), $385.00 @ 10 rooms: $3,850.00
• Per diem ($30/day for 3 days = $90/person) @ 20 members: $1,800.00
• Compensation ($250/person), $250.00 @ 20 members: $5,000.00
• Other Expenses (travel insurance, ground transportation in Austin, checked bag fees, large instrument rentals): $5,000.00
• TOTAL: $25,394.00

FOR MORE INFORMATION & HOW YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE CLICK HERE

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A compilation of PG County High school artist from Surrattsville, Suitland, Oxon Hill, Eleanor Roosevelt, Grace Brethren, and Laurel all together on one hip hop track show casing there rap talent!

ARTISTS:
@ILoveDeloran, @WillThaRapper, @PremoThaDon_TCC, @ReggieLaw, @NJayNGX, @KinggCeejayy, @Boss_ToroNS, @Ahaa_French

PRODUCTION:
DrewStar, Rome-n-Mone, TDC, @drewstar1100, @knoeffort, @moneondabeat, @disgofever, @tonioatkins

Video Shot by: @knoeffort
Produced by: @Drewstar1100

ORDER KNO-EFFORT TSHIRTS NOW!!
http://teespring.com/KnoEffortOrKnowNothing

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A list of the top ten songs played on “99 and Kato” for January 2015 (in no particular order). Thanks to our listeners for your feedback on the songs you’re diggin’.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE

TMOTTGoGo now offers its online magazines in digital format that you may check out and enjoy on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. This is a free monthly digital magazine for the music enthusiast and Go-Go culture lover as a whole. The magazine, available for download at http://www.tmottgogo.com/digital-magazines, aims to empower its readers to embrace an agenda of economic opportunity, education, moral leadership and continued innovation.

This embarking on yet another massive change here at TMOTTGoGo isn’t anything new. We’ve always been innovative with our ideas, features and design, always been prepared to take a risk and always welcomed the chance to shed our skin and re-invent ourselves. It’s what keeps us going. We’ve built up our audience over the last 19 years by taking this stance. We don’t profess to understand the paranormal, nor do we try to explain it. We don’t preach to you and tell you the way it should be. We do what a magazine should do – ENTERTAIN YOU!! You are the devourers of our passions for the media realm, and sometimes we like tease you with extra fillings of jam – because that’s how we roll!!

One if the biggest things that we want to put focus on as this new year begins are artists to watch on throughout 2015. The object of this, of course, is to invite artists, performers and musicians to illustrate their ranges of approach to producing affective, sensational and sensuous experiences through music and performances.

It is always inspirational to getting to know so many exceptionally talented young singers and musicians so early in their careers, and gratifying to be able to watch closely as they grow and develop to what they are destined to be.

Therefore, I would like to start the ball rolling by presenting to you are dazzling performer who’s star is currently on the rise. I actually first encountered Patrice Nickols over a year ago as she was performing at the Atlas Theatre with the band Be’la Dona. During this performance where she sang the John Legend hit “Tonight”, what really caught my attention (along with her soothing vocals) was how she commanded the stage and connected with the audience in doing so. To say the least, she made me truly believe what she was saying as she belted out the lyrics, “I don’t wanna brag, but I’ll be the best you ever had.” (see video clip below)

Well, after almost a year since that night, I finally caught up with Patrice to talk about her life, the bands, the music, and the continued growth in it that she plans on achieving.

What is your name?
Patrice Nickols

Where are you from?
Glenarden, Maryland

Thinking back to early childhood, what was your first experience with music for the first time like? What song do you remember most as a child?
I was told I’ve been singing as long as I could talk. My grandfather is a Grammy-nominated Quartet singer and many of my family members sing as well so I am sure I got the “bug” from them all. I just remember singing Karen White’s “Superwoman” and “Hero” by Mariah Carey as a little girl. My parents had me in pageants and talent shows at a very young age and I just remember performing and loving it.

What made you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I think I’ve known since I was about 4. After feeling the energy from people when I was onstage at pageants and talent shows I knew I wanted that feeling forever.

How old were you when you started getting involved in music?
About 4 years old.

How did you become involved in the type of music you play/sing now?
I have always loved R&B music and storytelling. A lot of my music has a very sexy vibe and R&B music has always been very sexy to me. I also love the story-telling aspect that usually comes from country music and to fuse that together (for me) is amazing!

Can you me a brief rundown of the experiences that you have had in the music industry (i.e., groups, bands, other other projects leading to where you are today)?
I had the amazing experience of performing with so many bands and groups in the DMV area—BeXperience Band and Be’la Dona. I am a member of Reid Temple and had the honor of performing with the choir during the BET Honor Awards in 2009. I have been blessed to perform in many different settings and also had the honor of writing my high school’s Alma Mater when I was just 15 years old.

What can people expect to see at your live performance?
I give a CRAZY amount of energy on stage. I will jump off the stage, stand on tables—anything I am feeling that matches the energy of audience and the song. I was recently asked by my management to give one word that describes what a performance is and my word was “sweat”. The stage is my office. It is where I work, and I aim to leave everything I have on that stage. People will see dancing, a little acting, live musicians, and lots of ENERGY. Be ready to sweat the weaves out ladies!

What do you feel distinguishes “an artist” from just a musician?
My stage performance, my personality, and being open with my life experiences makes me a little different from other musicians. I feel like a superhero about to conquer the world when I hear the first note of a song while on-stage. I am also a concept artist—I listen to what others are going through or think about a specific time in my life and write or connect with that energy. I write about love and having a good time, but I also believe that we go through so many changes in-between going to the club or being head-over-heels in love. I like to write about the in-between times—when you don’t know if you’re going to make it in your relationship. I also like to address things that women don’t want to admit—men aren’t the only ones doing the wrong thing.

What project(s) are you currently working on now, and how soon can we expect a release of it?
I will release a teaser single in February 2015 and the full album will be out on my birthday June 16, 2015 with a huge album release party. I will have two videos to accompany my songs as well. I will also premiere a reality series of my journey in music in August 2015. We are filming that now.

Is there anything that you would like to do in addition to making music?
I am truly interested in writing a book for young women and continuing to do community outreach. Broadway would be awesome as well—the live element is a big deal to me. I could say screen acting and that could be a great opportunity if it comes along but I really want to maintain a physical connection with people to continue even after my career progresses in order to maintain my genuine approach to my career.

Art & Music has an impact on both young and old. Everyone loves a celebrity, so what advice do you have for the youth of today?
I will just give a few of my mantras-
“In every situation, look at yourself before looking at anyone else and think about the impact you can have on the situation and the other person”.

“Be kind to all people because you NEVER know who you will have to come across later on in life”.

“Every opportunity isn’t for you and you can’t do everything alone”.

Finally, “You are the only person you get to live with for your entire life—take care of yourself”.

If you had only five minutes on earth to perform one song that could leave a great impact on the world today, what song would you perform and why did you choose this particular piece?
My song “Wonder Woman” would probably be the song I would perform. It is full of empowerment for women but it also emphasizes how fulfilling it is to nurture the men we love as well. The song is up tempo and exudes everything I want to give the world—we are wonderful and can do anything within God’s will.

Do you have any video links where people can see you?
Follow me on Instagram @patrice_live! My website will be up in a few months as well—www.patricelive.com

Is there anyone special you would like to thank for making your dream come true as an artist?
I want to thank God, my entire family, my friends, my management team DCLA, the entire DMV area, and every artist who has shown me it can be done!

Just for fun… fill in the blanks!
Without music, I would be incomplete.
Music is my source of energy.
My music makes me feel alive.
I write the songs because I want to help someone else.
Support music because people give their lives to offer it you.

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Team Familiar Band (formally Familiar Faces) performing live at the Inauguration Ball for incoming DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. Friday, January 2015 @ Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Visit Team Familiar HERE:

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