Cliff Martinez Sundance/Rock And Roll Hall of Fame

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Kicks of New Year As Sundance Juror, Announces South By Southwest (SXSW) Engagement

(January 17, 2011- Los Angeles, CA) – Film composer Cliff Martinez (Drive, Contagion) kicks off 2012 in exciting fashion. As the drummer on the first two Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, Martinez will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Martinez will kick off 2012 as a juror for The Sundance Film Festival.

With ‘awards season’ in full swing, Martinez’s original music for Nicolas Refn’s Drive was recently recognized by the Chicago Film Critics Association (Best Original Score), the Boston Society of Film Critics (Best Use of Music in a Film), and LA Film Critics (Best Music/Score Runner-up), with nominations for Best Original Score by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, International Press Academy (Satellite Awards), London Critics Circle (Technical Achievement For Original Score), and the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association. Rolling Stone named Drive the #1 movie of 2011.

Martinez, who recently served on The International Feature Nominating Committee for the Independent Spirit Awards and was a panelist at the Billboard and Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference, will also be participating at the South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX in March.

Cliff Martinez moved to California just in time for the punk movement. He had stints as drummer for the Weirdos, Lydia Lunch and Foetus frontman Jim Thirlwell, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Dickies, and was also the drummer in the final incarnation of legendary iconoclasts Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band.

Martinez’s entrée into music for film happened somewhat inadvertently, when a tape collage he had constructed led to an opportunity to score an episode of comedian Paul Reuben’s mid-‘80s TV hit, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. That collage was also heard by Steven Soderbergh, who tapped Martinez to provide the music for his first theatrical release sex, lies and videotape.

Martinez has since received compositional credit on many of Steven Soderbergh’s projects including Kafka, The Limey, Solaris, Gray’s Anatomy, Schizopolis, Traffic (which earned four Oscars and earned Martinez a Grammy nomination), and Contagion. He also composed the music for Espion(s) and A L’Origine, two French films released in 2009–the latter earned a Cesar Award nomination for best original score. His other credits include Narc, Pump Up The Volume, Wicker Park, Wonderland, and The Lincoln Lawyer.

Nicolas Refn’s Drive took to the streets in September. The soundtrack, featuring Martinez’s score raced to the top of the iTunes album charts, hitting #4 within a week of its digital release and peaking at #35 on the Billboard Top 200.

“I knew that Nicolas [Refn, director] was in love with that [80s electronic pop style] sound,” said Martinez, “and I saw a way to acknowledge it with vintage synth sounds and cover most of the dramatic food groups while referencing that style.”

Variety’s Laura Ferreiro writes, “while a synthetic electronica score may seem an unusual choice for a cerebral action thriller, it plays a pivotal role in setting Drive apart from other heist-gone-awry films, and arguably helped it become one of this year’s critical darlings.”

In an article about the sales success of the soundtrack, The Hollywood Reporter writes, “It was No. 5 Monday morning as fans touted it on Twitter: ‘Listening to the Drive soundtrack actually makes you 40% cooler than you were before.’”

Martinez recently completed the score for Arbitrage, which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival (the film is not in competition) and has signed on to score Nicolas Winding Refn’s follow-up to Drive, Only God Forgives.
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www.cliff-martinez.com
www.drive-movie.com

 

LUKE JAMES RELEASES NEW WHO IS LUKE JAMES? VIDEO

N.A.R.S. / MERCURY RECORDS / ISLAND DEF JAM ARTIST
LUKE JAMES
RELEASES NEW “WHO IS LUKE JAMES?” VIDEO

DEBUT SOLO ALBUM MADE TO LOVE COMING THIS SPRING

January 13, 2012 – On the heels of the release of his #LUKE pre-album and being announced as a performer at the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival in his hometown (July 6-8), N.A.R.S. / Mercury Records / Island Def Jam recording artist Luke James offers a deeper look into growing up in New Orleans and touches on his artistic inspirations with the latest installment of his “Who Is Luke James?” video series: http://youtu.be/S7z4GlrB67o.

Having already charmed critics from coast to coast and headlined events like Give Back Hollywood / VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Pre MTV VMA benefit, Luke James recently wrapped his multi-city opening gig on Robin Thicke’s “Love After War” tour.  The much buzzed-about artist’s growing celebrity fan base includes Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Estelle, and none other than Beyoncé, who selected him for a featured role in her “Run the World” video, and Melanie Fiona, who featured him as her boyfriend in her “4 A.M.” music video.  Luke James is also the co-writer of Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has penned songs for Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”), Michael Bolton, and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”), among others.

To view Luke James’ new “Who Is Luke James?” video, please visit: http://youtu.be/S7z4GlrB67o

 

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES TOUR TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Event Featuring New Four-Movement Symphony ours North America Throughout 2012

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 5, 2012 – Starting today, video game fans and music lovers in North America can purchase tickets for an extraordinary concert tour that celebrates one of the most beloved game series of all time. The Legend of Zelda™: Symphony of the Goddesses tour will feature live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise.

The name “Symphony of the Goddesses” refers not only to the concert program but also to the new four-movement symphony recounting the classic storylines from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time™, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker™, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess™ and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past™. Fans can also expect to hear stirring orchestral renditions of music from other games in the series, including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening™ and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask™. The full orchestra will be conducted by Eímear Noone with arrangements by music director Chad Seiter.

Since first appearing in 1986, The Legend of Zelda game series has sold more than 65 million units worldwide. The most recent entry in the series is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which launched exclusively for the Wii™ console in November.

Concert dates and locations are as follows (subject to change):

Jan. 10: Dallas
March 14: Vancouver, British Columbia
March 26: Seattle
March 28: San Francisco
April 7: Denver
April 20-21: Phoenix
May 12: Atlanta
May 31: Montreal, Quebec
June 22: Austin, Texas
July 14: Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 29*: Toronto, Ontario

* tickets on sale March 31

Additional dates and locations will be announced throughout 2012. Fans can view a complete tour schedule, find ticketing information and sign up for a regularly updated digital newsletter at http://zelda-symphony.com. For more information about The Legend of Zelda video game series, visit http://zelda.nintendo.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.8 billion video games and more than 610 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

 

GRAMMY-NOMINATED R&B SINGER AND MUSICIAN KARINA PASIAN RELEASES TRIPS TO VENUS EP

NEW EP FEATURES CHRISTMAS BONUS OF THE NAT KING COLE CLASSIC,
 “THE CHRISTMAS SONG,” JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

December 21, 2011 (New York, NY) – This December, GRAMMY®-nominated R&B singer and musician Karina Pasian released her follow-up EP, Trips To Venus, to her GRAMMY® Award-nominated Def Jam debut album, First Love. Working with a bevy of esteemed producers and songwriters including GRAMMY®-winning producer Needlz, Barry Eastmond, GRAMMY®-winning songwriter Cassius D. Kalb and Gordon Chambers, Karina Pasian delivers a lyrically stunning collection of songs on Trips To Venus that is filled with stirring piano solos and packed with personality.  As a special holiday bonus for fans, Karina Pasian concludes the EP with a breathtaking version of the popular Mel Tormé and Bob Wells-penned Christmas classic, “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” originally made famous by Nat King Cole.

Born in New York City, Karina Pasian first began taking piano lessons at the age of three.  By 13, she had already won Star Search, met Quincy Jones and was the subject of a bidding war between three major record labels: Def Jam, Interscope, and Bad Boy Records.  In June 2007, at the age of 15, Karina Pasian performed at the White House for President George W. Bush, in celebration of Black Music Month, making her the first person of Dominican descent to perform there.  Karina Pasian’s debut album, First Love, was released by Def Jam on August 19, 2008 and was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in the Best Contemporary R&B Album category.

Since breaking out onto the music scene with First Love in 2008, Karina Pasian has been recording music and finished up her studies at NYC’s Professional Performing Arts School.  Trips To Venus, available for $3.99 on iTunes (also available on Amazon and Google Music), marks the now 20-year-old’s R&B singer’s much-anticipated return.

Trips To Venus EP Track Listing:
1.     “Dead End”
2.     “Just Another Melody”
3.     “Last To Know”
4.     “Perfectly Different”
5.     “When You’re In Love”
6.     “The Christmas Song”

To stream Karina Pasian’s new EP, Trips To Venus, please visit: http://soundcloud.com/user206388/sets/karina-pasian-trips-to-venus/s-1wzzP and follow @KarinaPasian on Twitter.

To purchase Karina Pasian’s new EP, Trips To Venus, please visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/trips-to-venus-ep-volume-one/id488361854

 

SONY MASTERWORKS RELEASES SOUNDTRACK OF THE IRON LADY

ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSED BY THOMAS NEWMAN FOR THE FILM
STARRING MERYL STREEP IN THE ROLE OF MARGARET THATCHER

Soundtrack Recording Available December 20, 2011

Sony Masterworks is pleased to announce the release of the soundtrack of The Iron Lady on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.  Award-winning composer Thomas Newman created the original music for the soundtrack recording.  The Iron Lady opens in theatres on December 30, 2011.

The Iron Lady tells the compelling story of Margaret Thatcher, a woman who smashed through the barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world. The story concerns power and the price that is paid for power, and is a surprising and intimate portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman.

The film stars Academy Award-winners Meryl Streep as Lady Thatcher and Jim Broadbent as Denis Thatcher.  Their young selves are played by Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd. The rest of the cast of family and friends, politicians and advisers, is made up of the very best of British acting talent, including: Olivia Colman, Anthony Head, Richard E Grant, Iain Glen, Susan Brown, Nicholas Farrell, Roger Allam and Michael Pennington.

The original soundtrack is the work of Thomas Newman, one of the most respected composers in the movie business, who has scored over fifty feature films. Newman has been nominated for an Academy Award on no less than ten occasions, nine times in the category Best Original Score and once for Best Original Song. He has won a BAFTA, two Grammys and an Emmy, and has also been nominated for a Golden Globe. Born in Los Angeles, Yale-educated Thomas Newman comes from a prominent Hollywood musical dynasty: his father, brother, sister and uncle have all composed for the movies, and the singer-songwriter Randy Newman is his cousin.

His first major work in movies was in 1984 for Reckless. In 1999 Newman composed the score to Sam Mendes’ first feature film, American Beauty, and has written the music for all but one of Mendes’ later films, as well as Erin Brockovich and The Good German for director Steven Soderbergh, and such hits as Finding Nemo and The Horse Whisperer. Newman has also composed for TV, including the theme music for Six Feet Under, which won him Grammys for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Instrumental Arrangement, and has been commissioned to write orchestral concert music, for example for the Cleveland Bicentennial in 1996 and for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The film was written by award-winning writer Abi Morgan (The Hour, Shame, Sex Traffic, Brick Lane), directed by Phyllida Lloyd CBE (Mamma Mia) and produced by Damian Jones (The History Boys, Adulthood).  It is executive produced by Francois Ivernel and Cameron McCracken for Pathé, by Tessa Ross for Film4 and by Adam Kulick for Goldcrest.

 

CAROLE DEMAS, ORIGINAL STAR BROADWAY’S GREASE AND TV’S MAGIC GARDEN BACK ON BROADWAY WITH ORIGINAL GREASE CAST

Launching GREASE 40th Anniversary Year

(November 22, 2011 – New York, NY)  The original Broadway GREASE cast is reuniting for two very rare performances as part of Broadway Cares/Equity Fight Aids Annual Gypsy of the Year Event. A rollicking opening number will feature a reunion of the original cast of GREASE in a special 40-year anniversary tribute. In addition to Carole (Sandy), appearing will be original cast members Barry Bostwick (Danny), Adrienne Barbeau (Betty Rizzo), Alan Paul (Teen Angel/Johnny Casino), Walter Bobbie (Roger), Don Billett (Vince Fontaine), James Canning (Doody), Daniel Douglas (Burger Palace Boy), Katie Hanley (Marty), Tom Harris (Eugene), Ilene Kristen (Patty Simcox), Joy Rinaldi (Pink Lady), and Mews Small (Frenchy).  This show is easily the biggest party in town with appearances by dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway’s most popular shows and performers.

With thousands of performances in leading roles on and Off-Broadway and in major regional theatres, TV, radio, recordings, in concert, and cabaret, Carole has stolen the hearts of audiences and critics alike.  She created the role of ‘Sandy’ in the original Broadway blockbuster, GREASE, originated the title role in Stephen Schwartz’s THE BAKER’S WIFE in Los Angeles and played ‘Luisa’ in New York City’s longest running Off-Broadway show, THE FANTASTICKS, for two years. She is loved and remembered by generations of fans as co-star of THE MAGIC GARDEN, the most successful regional show in children’s television history.

Recently, Carole was featured in Town Hall’s Broadway Originals Concert, Off- Broadway Close Up at Merkin Concert Hall, Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway at Harry Chapin Theatre and 50th Anniversary Concerts for WBAI Radio, The Fantasticks (Night of 1000 Luisas) and The Lincoln Center Library For The Performing Arts.  Carole and her Magic Garden partner and lifelong friend, Paula Janis, were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.  Carole also performed a series of her cabaret show at NY’s Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Carole’s upcoming performances:

Gypsy of the Year
December 5th (4:30PM) and 6th (2PM)

http://www.broadwaycares.org/gypsy2011

Sean Harkness at The Players Club NYC
December 7th (7PM)
reservations@theplayersnyc.org

Neil Berg’s Broadway All-Star Holiday Concert
December 10th, (8pm)
www.irvingtontheatre.com
www.caroledemas.com

 

ALABAMA TO RECEIVE “GREATEST HITS” AWARD AND PERFORM ON “AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS” MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, ON FOX

MERICAN IDOL SCOTTY MCCREERY ALSO SET TO PERFORM

 

Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall,

Larry Mahan and Rodney Carrington Scheduled To Appear

 

Voting for Artist of the Year Continues at www.theacas.com

Until Friday, December 2

 

Legendary country music group Alabama has been tapped to receive the Greatest Hits Award at the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The veteran band, which gave its farewell tour in 2003, also will perform during the broadcast. Additionally, AMERICAN IDOL winner Scotty McCreery has been added to the list of performers for the two-hour primetime special.

 

The AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS Greatest Hits Award is presented to a country music act that has produced an extensive catalogue of No. 1 hits throughout its career.

 

As one of country music’s classic groups, Alabama has enjoyed more than 30 years of unprecedented success in the music industry. Consisting of Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook, the group has released 21 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums, and 43 No. 1 singles. Other accolades include eight country music “Entertainer of the Year” honors, two Grammys, two People’s Choice Awards and their very own star on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

 

Alabama first signed with industry giant RCA back in 1980. The group immediately began taking the country genre in new directions, reaching out to an incredibly diverse fan base, many of whom had never listened to country music. The band’s upbringing on country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, rock-n-roll and southern rock enabled them to perform everything from Acuff to ZZ Top. Their career sales have topped 73 million records, ranking them as one of the 10 biggest-selling bands in the annals of popular music – ahead of such rock legends as Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Queen, Pink Floyd and The Who. Additionally, Alabama has more No. 1 records than any band in country music history and has sold more concert tickets than any other country group.

 

 

The second annual AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, is the only country music awards show that gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has. Co-hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, along with country music’s Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry are set to perform. The special will also include appearances by Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan and Rodney Carrington. Previously announced participants include Lauren Alaina, Rachel Bilson, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery and the men of “Pawn Stars” (Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin Russell).

 

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2011, “Kids’ Choice Awards”). Fletcher Foster, Paul Flattery and Tisha Fein serve as producers; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special.

 

 

KILL THE NOISE RELEASES “KILL KILL KILL EP” ON OWSLA TODAY

UTTER BASS DESTRUCTION COMMENCES WITH 6 ORIGINALS AND 4 REMIXES FROM DILLON FRANCIS, ALVIN RISK, BROWN & GAMMON, AND KOAN SOUND

Today OWSLA proudly announces it’s 7th release, this time from LA’s Kill The Noise.  A prominent contributor to the label’s sterling catalog with remixes on both Porter Robinson’s Spitfire EP and KOAN Sound’s Funk Blaster EP, the man born Jake Stanczak delivers an assertive lesson in cinematic, cross-genre EDM with the Kill Kill Kill EP.

KTN’s landscapes each have an undertone of boundary-pushing futurism. Stoked by the intermittent sounds of thousands of cheering, riotous revelers, each track- regardless of sub-genre (the album spans many)- shares a reliance on the blistering bass that has come to typify OWSLA releases. Alvin Risk, Dillon Francis, Brown & Gammon and label alums KOAN Sound share remix duties, polishing and re-imagining the music while pushing the EP into album territory.

WATCH THE KILL KILL KILL TEASER VIDEO HERE:

PURCHASE THE KILL KILL KILL EP HERE:

http://www.beatport.com/release/kill-kill-kill/833512

KILL KILL KILL EP TRACK LISTING:

1. Kill The Noise (Part I)
2. Deal With It
3. Real Life?
4. She Likes To Party
5. Talk To Me
6. Dying feat. Ultra Violet Sound & Emily Hudson
7. Kill The Noise (Dillon Francis Remix)
8. Dying feat. Ultra Violet Sound & Emily Hudson (Brown & Gammon Remix)
9. Kill The Noise (Alvin Risk Remix)
10. Deal With It (KOAN Sound Remix)

 

ASHER ROTH SIGNS TO DEF JAM; NEW ALBUM SET TO DROP MARCH 2012

NEW RELEASE “PABST & JAZZ SESSIONS” ON iTUNES DECEMBER 20

RAPPER TO DONATE PROCEEDS FROM NEW PROJECT, PABST & JAZZ, TO FIGHT HUNGER IN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia-based rapper Asher Roth has announced that his sophomore album will drop on the legendary Def Jam Recordings in March of 2012. The follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2008 debut album Asleep In The Bread Aisle, Roth’s first Def Jam offering promises to be a significant step for the young star. “Def Jam is a great place to call home,” said Roth. “I’m excited to get back to the basics with good, honest music.”

While working on his Def Jam debut, Asher has kept his rabid fan-base satiated with a flood of new material online, including a lauded mixtape, 2010′s Seared Fois Gras With Quince And Cranberry, The Rawth EP- a free album with producer Nottz, plus countless singles, guest verses, and videos. Now, Roth prepares to leap back into the spotlight.”The Def Jam brand stands for quality, creativity, and authenticity,” said Steve Bartels, Island Def Jam President and COO. “We believe Asher Roth delivers all this and more. He’s a great fit for us and we look forward to delivering Asher’s special brand of great hip-hop music as only Def Jam can.” SRC Records CEO, Steve Rifkind, agrees. “Partnering up with Def Jam on Asher’s album is a great opportunity for all parties involved,” said Rifkind.

His most recent project is the Pabst & Jazz Sessions, a collection of tracks by Asher, The Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish, and production duo Blended Babies. The sessions collection will go on sale at iTunes December 20th with Asher’s proceeds going to The Philadelphia Hunger Coalition. For more on The Philadelphia Hunger Coalition: http://www.hungercoalition.org

Stay tuned for more on Def Jam’s newest star, Asher Roth…

NEW ASHER ROTH VIDEOS:

“IN THE KITCHEN FEAT. CHUCK INGLISH”

“LAST MAN STANDING”

“SUMMERTIME”

 

Japan’s virtual idol Hatsune Miku’s concert film to be shown in U.S. theaters (nine cities) for a one-night-only event on November 10th

J!-ENT has covered a few of these live concert streaming viewing events (in theaters) from Japan this year.  While most of the concerts have been rock bands, this time it will be Japan’s virtual idol Hatsune Miku.

In Japan, Hatsune Miku is a major national phenomenon and has appeared in numerous popular video games and music videos. Recently, Miku performed at “MIKUNOPOLIS in LOS ANGELES”, at the Nokia Theatre for the 2011 Anime Expo, held this past July in Los Angeles, CA.   She was also featured on Toyota commercials this past summer.

Live Viewing Japan, a distribution company which is focused on bringing Japanese entertainment to an international audience will stage a one-night Hatsune Miku event in nine major U.S. Cities on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM.

Live Viewing Japan Executive Director Hiroki Kotani said, “We’re very excited to present this unique Hatsune Miku experience for her U.S. fans. Miku has captivated a global audience with a mix of catchy pop music and captivating technology-inspired visuals. Her popularity has opened an entirely new range of possibilities to blend a cute pop idol persona with technology and computer-created graphics. We invite fans to visit the Live Viewing Japan web link for more information and for specific movie theater event locations. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Hatsune Miku perform!”

“Hatsune Miku Live Party 2011 39′s Live in Sapporo” will screen live at select movie theaters throughout the United States.

The cities that will host the Hatsune Miku event include:

Baltimore, MD
Boston (Manchester), MA
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Orange, CA
New York, NY – Two locations
San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Seattle, WA

 

 

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