Past News

Bobby Kane Last Call (Digital Single)   Download ($0.99): iTunes  |  Buy From Us

Last Call features Roomful of Sky Records wizard Jason Vitelli on sax-- it's a perfect example of Kane's brand of alternative soul(TM), and previews his upcoming full-length album!

(The Last Call video is still on the way, but in the meantime, check this out:)

 
iTunes Customer Reviews (A Sample)

Wonderful lyric and song (5 stars)
"I was thoroughly impressed with Bobby Kane's lyrics, arrangement, and soulful vocals. The subject matter is something to which I can totally relate. I love the contrasting sections, as they follow the character through his despair as the bar approaches "last call." Truly poetic!"
           -- Jake Elliot

Simply Amazing!! (5 stars)
"Bobby Kane's soulful voice and entrancing lyrics rumble through this honest song! His music is captivating and unique. I can't wait to hear more! You must buy this song!!"
           -- Jessica Lee NYC

 
Read all reviews (or write one) on iTunes!
 

Parabola Magazine

Joseph Campbell on 'The Future'

In a special arrangement with Parabola Magazine and the Joseph Campbell Foundation, series editor (and Roomful of Sky founder) Phil Robinson has selected a portion from the recently released Lecture I.1.5 - The Vitality of Myth, in which the always illuminating Campbell expresses his thoughts on a personal, creative and spiritual approach toward manifesting one's own future.

And Also... A Short Piece by Phil Robinson

And as a bonus, the new issue of Parabola Magazine also includes a short introductory piece by Roomful of Sky Records founder Phil Robinson, in which Phil shares a bit of his own journey, as well as the inspiration he's derived from Campbell's writings.

The new issue is OUT NOW-- look for it on newstands, or online!

Lecture I.1.1 - The Celebration of Life by Joseph Campbell $5.99	Lecture I.1.2 - The Individual in Oriental Mythology by Joseph Campbell $5.99	Lecture I.1.3 - Symbolism and the Individual by Joseph Campbell $5.99
Lecture I.1.4 - New Horizons by Joseph Campbell $5.99	Lecture I.1.5 - The Vitality of Myth by Joseph Campbell $5.99	Lecture I.2.1 - The Thresholds of Mythology by Joseph Campbell $5.99

Jessica Lee Blue (Digital Single)   Download ($0.99): iTunes  |  Amazon MP3

Blue, a fan favorite and Jessica's signature anthem at her live shows, is the title track from Jessica's upcoming full-length album.

The melody and lyrics are by Jessica Lee. The instrumental arrangement and chord progression are by Jessica's Roomful of Sky label-mate Jason Vitelli, who also performed on, recorded and produced the track.

(The Blue video is still on the way, but in the meantime, check this one out:)

 
iTunes Customer Reviews (A Sample)

WOW! (5 stars)
"I love it! She has an incredible voice! Jessica delivers an amazing range and her lyrics are well written. I find myself singing along with it when I'm playing it and even when I'm not. I will be telling everyone I know about this new artist and I can't wait to hear more from her!"
           -- Jenny_8272

Music that draws you in... (5 stars)
"Great new single by a young artist, with a voice that is unique and connects with you emotionally."
           -- Judy Ann

Blue (5 stars)
"I love this song!!! I think she has an amazing voice. Her vocals are clear, edgy and different from the music being produced in present time."
           -- marlene107

Awesome voice! (5 stars)
"Jessica Lee has a beautiful voice! I love this song! Its great and I can't wait to hear more!! Looking forward to the whole album!"
           -- LaurenB22

 
Read all reviews (or write one) on iTunes!

Jessica Lee... Live in NYC!

If you're in the NY area, catch the excitement of Jessica Lee's full band live shows, as she continues to play the city's top venues. Upcoming dates:

• Fontana's - Fri (8/7)
• Fulton Exchange - Fri (8/21)
• Cafe Wha? - Thurs (9/17)

Jason Vitelli No Photographs   Listen & Purchase: iTunes  |  Amazon.com  |  CD Baby

No Photographs is yet to receive a single review less than FIVE STARS.

With fan-favorite songs such as "June", "Last Rites" and "Apartment" on regular rotation on college and commercial radio stations throughout the NY tri-state area ( WBAR, WMCX, WTSR, etc. ), No Photographs in its physical release has already proven to be a huge success for this artist on the rise.
 

 
Charitable Donation of Proceeds.

Jason has chosen to donate a portion of all revenue from sale of No Photographs to Project Renewal, and has also been helping to raise awareness for this NY-based organization at his performances around the city. Project Renewal's mission is to renew the lives of homeless men and women in New York City, and they are the only organization in New York that provides everything homeless people need to move from the streets to independent living.

The Industry Speaks!

"He's so good... so good... I just want to punch him!"
           -- Pete Fogel, Booking Agent at The Bitter End

"Jason writes wonderful, complex, catchy melodies, literate lyrics (not so common in pop and rock, from my perspective), he can rock, he's soulful, his songs are full of feeling and he's got a great voice that he uses as another instrument in his arrangements."
           -- Barry Diament, Soundkeeper Recordings

"Dude... that Jason guy makes some fun tunes."
           -- Robert Smith, Kenny's Castaways

The Fans Speak!

"Jason Vitelli is one of that rare breed called a lyricist. His songs are not minutes of repetitive hooks, with one decent stanza of story. His words and phrasing are what make every song he sings a complete story and completely his own. Easily switching through the very bluesy "June", the cry of "Zeta Male", and the moody instrumental 'Upon the Dead Avenue' this CD with Jason's warm tenor at the helm is graceful, straightforward, emotional. "No Photographs" is impossible to label and is just as impossible to put down."
           -- Raivenne

"Listening to Jason Vitelli's new CD,"No Photographs" is a like taking a journey through a myriad of musical genres, all performed with great musical skill and talent. Jason plays and composes on several instruments. This includes having a pleasing and impassioned voice. I have listened to this CD over and over again, and each time, the songs come alive with intriguing poetic lyrics and unique musical arrangements. I'm sure you will enjoy his music also!"
           -- Sandra Noble, Songwriter/Educator

"'No Photographs' by singer/songwriter extraordinaire Jason Vitelli could have been appropriately called "No labels." Mr. Vitelli touches on many musical genres in this auto-biographical collection of one man's journey through life. Kudos to Mr. Vitelli for his outstanding lyrics and vocals, and wonderful arrangements."
           -- Bob Borress

Setting Stages on Fire!

On the live front, Jason's blistering and bluesy performances continue to draw raves and large crowds at landmark venues throughout the NY area, including the legendary clubs The Bitter End and Kenny's Castaways, where he's a regular performer. Jason has started to bring his brand of music to colleges as well, recently selected to feature at Rutgers University's 2009 New Jersey Folk Festival.

Phil decided to commemorate the occasion by turning his show into a celebration of the warm community of musicians surrounding him at Roomful of Sky Records. The night highlighted each guest's unique vocal style, as each singer sang individual verses and the ensemble harmonized together on the choruses.

The performance included spirited renditions of some of Phil's favorite songs, including Woody Guthrie's Hard Travellin' and Bruce Springsteen's If I Should Fall Behind, sung as a celebration of the real-life friendship between the musicians.

The highlight of the night was most definitely Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah in which the ensemble's gospel harmonies hushed the otherwise rowdy bar into silence and sent shivers through the spines of the audience.

All-in-all, another great night of music! Look for some videos from this all-star summit coming soon to our site...
 

Roomful of Sky Records, working alongside the Joseph Campbell Foundation, is proud to present this NEW ONGOING SERIES of digital releases of the famed mythologist's ground-breaking and inspiring talks...

 
Joseph Campbell, Master Storyteller

From the Star Wars trilogy to the Grateful Dead, Joseph Campbell has had a profound impact on our culture, our beliefs, and the way we view ourselves and the world.

Provocative and exhilarating, the 90 titles that will ultimately comprise The Collected Lectures of Joseph Campbell offer a glimpse into one of the great minds of our time, drawing together his most wide-ranging and insightful talks.

Lecture I.1.1 - The Celebration of Life by Joseph Campbell $5.99

Lecture I.1.2 - The Individual in Oriental Mythology by Joseph Campbell $5.99

Lecture I.1.3 - Symbolism and the Individual by Joseph Campbell $5.99

Follow Your Bliss-- A Dream Come True for Roomful of Sky!

The works of Joseph Campbell (particularly the well-known Power of Myth series with Bill Moyers, frequently aired on PBS) have long been a huge source of inspiration for singer/songwriter and Roomful of Sky founder Phil Robinson.

Campbell's well-known catch-phrase, "Follow Your Bliss," represents a distillation of what he felt all the great wisdom traditions of the world ultimately convey to us: to give yourself fully to your own deepest calling and pursue your own unique path, regardless of the challenges. When you do so, you are not only living to your fullest-- some might even say 'divine'-- potential, but also bringing something vital, energizing and essential to the world-- something which couldn't be gotten from anywhere else, other than by your efforts.

It was in the heeding of this message and following his own bliss, that Phil started Roomful of Sky Records, and the creative community surrounding it, in the first place, and in which he was also inspired to formulate its own catch-phrase: "Paint the walls of your cage with a dream."

In a world full of larger and more established record labels and media outlets, Phil (and the entire Roomful of Sky family) could not be more thrilled and honored to provide a home for the recorded legacy of Joseph Campbell. We will continue to work alongside the Joseph Campbell Foundation in bringing these inspiring works to you in accessible audio form for years to come...

Follow your bliss... and amazing things DO happen!

Huge shout-outs to friends of Roomful of Sky: Carl Golembeski of G2 Audio Solutions (engineering), Richard Patterson (music, graphic design), Carisa Swenson (graphic design), Maura Vaughn (voice-overs) and David Crawford (engineering) for their huge contributions toward completing this ambitious audio release on a very tight schedule!

The Music Snob regularly highlights voices and resources in our culture which aid independent musicians on their path toward success.
 

 

In the interview, Phil discusses the spirit of the cooperative community he has helped to cultivate, as well as offers some insights straight out of his own experience becoming a successful musician in the city.

Read Interview - Part 1
Read Interview - Part 2

    

Obsidian Oz - The Dream - Purchase on iTunes
 

Click HERE to purchase The Dream, Obsidian Oz's award-winning set of pop / rock / electronica tunes that have already burned up the charts on internet radio.

Learn more about The Dream HERE. Congratulations, Oz!!

June, the lead-off single from Jason Vitelli's upcoming album No Photographs is available NOW as a free download!

No Photographs, which Jason describes as "an art-rock album coalescing from a story of turmoil," will feature 14 of Jason's popular originals in full, fleshed-out arrangements, including concert favorites 'June', 'Last Rites' and 'Lower East Sigh'.

We've been listening to the pre-press copy non-stop at the Roomful of Sky office-- it's a captivating listen, definitely reminiscent of 70's concept albums... Like all of Jason's work, guaranteed to set foot in your mind and take root deep in your spirit.
 

No Photographs is set for release in January 2009.

Stay tuned for an announcement regarding the New York CD Release Party!

NY legend, alternative soul singer BOBBY KANE signs with Roomful of Sky!

After a couple months of negotiations, we can finally announce that Bobby Kane has officially joined our roster!

Bobby needs no introduction to NY music fans-- he's already nurtured quite an extensive following along the East Coast, and is well known for his incredible voice, stellar guitar playing and smooth, larger-than-life persona. He attracted the attention of label founder Phil Robinson, when they played a couple of the same venues on the same nights in the city-- in short, Bobby's performances left Phil gob-smacked. See for yourself, in this video:
 

Work has already begun on preparing Bobby's new album of contemporary soul songs, entitled ICARUS: Songs of a Fallen Angel, for commercial release on Roomful of Sky Records. The album will tap some of the production wizardry of Roomful of Sky label-mate Obsidian Oz.

Label founder Phil Robinson comments, "Signing Bobby is a huge coup-- having such an established artist, and one of his caliber, really takes us to a whole new level as a label-- it really opens up all kinds of possibilities as to where we can go with it. Plus, for me personally as a mythology buff, I find the album's Icarus-based theme very alluring."

The song is the first single from Dave's recently released album, Quiet Mind (listen/purchase Here).

WFUV is station 90.7 in the NY metro area-- for those outside NY, you can catch the spot on the August 16th episode archived online on the Idiot's Delight site.

Way to go, Dave!
 

Phil's June show at Stain Bar was recorded by video producer Michael Thurston (from The Simmer.com), for a future project.

Here's an excerpt-- Phil performing Is It True, one of his quiet, introspective songs from the upcoming album. Enjoy!

Here's the new video, featuring the song Quiet Mind, which is not only the title track but also the second single from the album, following the first successful single Jon Stewart Is God.

Dave teamed with Director Aris Ziagos of RiotScience Productions for this one, and it's a beauty!

But, that's exactly what's happened!

Support for our recent ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE concerts at Hayko's Turkish Carpets has been so overwhelmingly positive-- that we've entered into a partnership with Hayko's to make our acoustic showcases there an ongoing series...

Each month, Hayko's will host a night of some of our finest NY musicians in an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime living room-style setting (complete with Hayko's famous Turkish coffees and teas).

We already have local favorites Rich Casella, Dave Sasscer, Bobby Kane, Kitch, Jason Vitelli and Phil Robinson on the schedule in upcoming months-- check the Upcoming Shows page for all the details!
 

Jessica's band is notable for uniting three Roomful of Sky artists in the same band: Jessica Lee, Jason Vitelli (guitars/keys) and Phil Robinson (guitars/harmonica). As usual, the lineup was rounded out by Maria King (vocals), Bob Borress (drums) and newcomer Kirk Bailey (bass).

In addition to the knockout performance of originals from Jessica's upcoming CD, Blue, the crowd was treated to a couple choice covers as well, including 'Drops of Jupiter' by Train and 'All These Things That I've Done' by The Killers.

Check for more upcoming shows from Jessica, Jason and Phil on our Shows page!
 

This performance will be filmed for an upcoming video to be released by Roomful of Sky, so get dressed up and come and be a part of it!!

Advance copies of the CD will be available for purchase as well.

Check all the details on our Shows page.
 

Under The Radar Magazine, of course, is "The Indie Magazine that is the solution to music pollution" and is available at newsstands everywhere.

The UTR sampler CD is known as a proving ground for new music, has broken numerous new, hip bands and is on the cutting edge of today's 'take no prisoners' music business. Check them out HERE.

(You need to be a subscriber to the magazine in order to receive the CD compilation.)

Congratulations, Dave!
 

Now, Pitch Perfect has given the album 4.5 out of 5 geetars!

Read the full review HERE.
 

Arielle delivered a powerful solo set of all original songs, most of which will be featured on her upcoming debut album, Whet.

Everyone who was there last night knows that Arielle can be a force on stage, with the intensity never letting up even as she alternated between sweet, intimate vulnerability and raw aggression.

Here at Roomful of Sky, we're excited to finally have the opportunity to capture some of that energy on record-- in the meantime, be sure to catch one of her next shows if you can!