Press Release Author: Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace Los Angeles
Industry: Entertainment
Press Release Summary: Alex Arndt and Acoustic Minds set out on Peace Tour 2008 and join a growing list of celebrity endorsers such as Steven Tyler, Willie Nelson, and Joaquin Phoenix, to bring the historic, grassroots Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace to the nation.
Press Release Body: Los Angeles- Last year a rising indie band, China Room, decided to make their first tour a Peace Tour in support of the Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence., garnering national and international attention. This year, the hear it, feel it, be it generation said that one Peace Tour was not enough and more independent musicians take this Peace thing into their own hands. Alex Arndt and Acoustic Minds join forces for Peace Tour 2008. This year, two sets of musicians, with a more extensive touring schedule, join a growing list of celebrity endorsers such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frances Fisher, Amy Smart and Joaquin Phoenix, to bring this historic grassroots citizen initiative to the nation.
"To be able to creatively deliver a message of peace to all people who hear about this tour or come to see the concerts, is a true blessing. Peace and love is the essence of my message, my music, and my life. Hence, at this crucial time when Mother Earth and her residents are crying out for peace, I feel very privileged to be trailblazing this campaign using the talents bestowed upon me by the universe." Alex Arndt has performed at such hot spots as Las Vegas\' House of Blues, The Key Club, The Viper Room, The Knitting Factory, Highland Grounds and Fais Do Do in Los Angeles, Whitlow\'s on Wilson in DC, Boston\'s Harpers Ferry, Eugene\'s Cozmic Pizza and many more. He has been a featured Spotlight artist on Sonicbids.com and has been reviewed by Northeast In-Tune Magazine, Great American Song Contest, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Papercut Records, and Enfuse Magazine. Alex also was the recipient of an honorable mention in the Singer/Songwriter Awards for his song "Oh Well." "This band is all around good rock songs with a lighter touch. Excellent songs from beginning to end.\" A&R Select
"Support World Peace! We are honored to make our NW Ride Tour a Peace Tour - working with the Dept of Peace and Non-Violence to get this global message out!" Acoustic Minds began as a three-piece, with twins Jenni and Amanda Price sharing their love of singer-songwriters like Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell with acoustic guitar. They found like-minded artists around the Portland area, Nathan Milton (acoustic guitar, vocals), Franklin Gallwas (percussion), and Nathan Carver (bass) and eventually filled out their sound to a full band. Their first CD "Time" was released in 2005, and launched a national 59-city tour. Now, they have released their second CD, Live at Mississippi Studios and has already made a splash on Garageband.com's Folk Rock charts as well their Blues, R&B, and Jazz top picks, described as "Amazing Harmonies, one of the best vocal blends in town..\" by Jim Brunberg (SF\'s \"Box Set\" & owner \"Mississippi Studios\")
What has these artists so excited that they're dedicating an entire tour to it? The Dept. of Peace Campaign, an historic citizen lobbying effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace, with a bill currently before the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 808) is a landmark measure that will augment our current problem-solving options, providing practical, nonviolent solutions to the problems of domestic and international conflict. Domestically, the Department of Peace will develop policies and allocate resources to effectively reduce the levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse, and various other forms of societal discord. Internationally, the Department will advise the President and Congress on the most sophisticated ideas and techniques regarding peace-creation among nations. www.thepeacealliance.org
"I am so happy and grateful to be embarking on a journey that will go down in history! I truly believe from the core of me, that the world desperately deserves a US Department of Peace. Just saying it\'s pure title sends chills down my spine. As with \"Strength Through Peace (1,2,3,4)\", a song I wrote and recorded in support of Dennis Kucinich\'s HR 1234, I aim to also write an even more powerful song about HR 808 to engage and inspire congressmen and citizens across the nation." Alex Arndt A grassroots alliance between musicians and awareness raising for the Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace is so natural and successful that the Los Angeles area campaign is putting together a Peace Tour Kit to enable musicians from around the entire country to make their own Peace Tours, with information, models, resources and contacts for advice, experience sharing and even training in how to talk about peace.
Please check out www.ladop.org for information on the Peace Tour 2008 including a tour schedule that includes Eugene, Portland and Seattle, an Electronic Press Kit, and links to information on the Dept. of Peace Campaign, Acoustic Minds and Alex Arndt. For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact press@ladop.org .
Peace Tour 2008 May 16 Borders Books and Music Beaverton, Oregon May 20 Cozmic Pizza Eugene, Oregon May 17 The Vogue Chelan, Washington May 21 Edge of Belmont Portland, Oregon May 18 Borders Books and Music Union Gap, Washington May 22 East Burn Portland, Oregon May 18 Borders Books and Music Tacoma, Washington May 23 Skyway w/Keegs Rhododendron, Oregon May 19 Faire Gallery Seattle, Washington May 24 The Summit Saloon Lounge Bend, Oregon