Akasha Multimedia

It's been forever since I've been on this thing...go check out my MySpace page to see what I've been up to...

Here's an update on Swimming with Sharks, in the meanwhile...
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For more information, please contact
Bernadette Giacomazzo
Akasha Multimedia
www.akashamultimedia.com
info@akashamultimedia.com





Or



Melissa Deskovic

Vatic Media

vaticmedia@rock.com



To purchase Swimming with Sharks, visit

http://www.cafepress.com/akashamulti

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New York, NY -- A unique, exciting book is finally completed, and the buzz is already in full bloom for what promises to be a sensation, both nationally and internationally.

Melissa Deskovic, president of Vatic Media in Jacksonville FLA., and a Staff Writer for Florida Entertainment Scene; and Bernadette Giacomazzo, president of Akasha Multimedia (www.akashamultimedia.com) in New York City, the assistant to the president of What’s Good Live (www.whatsgoodlive.com), a professionally represented photographer through Photorazzi (www.photorazzi.com), and a major label scout for RCA (through MajorLabelScout.com), are both pleased to announce their book, Swimming With Sharks, available for purchase now at www.cafepress.com/akashamulti.

In the short time since Swimming with Sharks has been released, it has garnered an extreme buzz thanks to its presence on MySpace (www.myspace.com/swimmingwithsharksbook), astounding critical acclaim (NY Scene has called the book, “a no-nonsense, tough love book about the music industry”), and an endorsement deal with Hot Picks USA (www.myspace.com/hotpicksusa ), Halo Guitars (www.myspace.com/haloguitars) and Karma Microphones.

The book takes a unique approach to the music business -- both Deskovic and Giacomazzo wrote the book with the musician in mind, spoken as both professionals and “cool older sisters” of the independent music guard. Like any how-to book worth its while, Swimming with Sharks is replete with little-known facts and sound advice. It, however, also goes a step further: Deskovic and Giacomazzo worked tirelessly, for months on end, collecting interviews from various music industry professionals in a variety of fields, including law, promotions, marketing, and publicity. Swimming with Sharks also boasts some never-before-seen photos taken by Giacomazzo, whose professionally represented photography is award-winning and published. Her photos feature such independent luminaries as goth legend Voltaire, punk rockers Suicide City (ex-Biohazard and Kittie), and rock’n’roll guitarist (and New York City native) Wilson Lihn. Finally, Swimming with Sharks features snippets from Ask the Pros, a MySpace group moderated by Deskovic, in which up-and-coming bands ask the 200-plus-member cadre of professionals a variety of questions.

Swimming with Sharks also provides a rare treat for its readers: a compilation CD entitled Shark Bait, featuring 20 cuts from independent bands from a variety of genres. This CD will also be presented to various media outlets. Confirmed artists include alt-rockers Finespun (http://www.finespunmusic.com), fairy tale rockers Sky Salt (http://www.skysalt.com), ambient rockers A Conspiracy of Hope (www.myspace.com/aconspiracyofhope), and Florida’s own Sentenced 2 Live ( www.myspace.com/sentenced2livemusic) (managed by Deskovic).

Deskovic and Giacomazzo are already confirmed at the Connexion International Music Festival (in Las Vegas) and the Dewey Beach Music Festival (in Delaware), and are awaiting confirmation at other notable industry conferences. With the advance buzz for the book already at a fever pitch, it won’t be long before Swimming with Sharks makes its way to the top of the best-seller list. Are you ready for it?!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, please contact
Akasha Multimedia – New York City
www.akashamultimedia.com
info@akashamultimedia.com

To purchase Swimming with Sharks, visit:
http://www.cafepress.com/akashamulti

---

NEW YORK, NY (May 10, 2006): A unique, exciting book is finally completed, and the buzz is already in full bloom for what promises to be a sensation, both nationally and internationally.

Melissa Deskovic, president of Vatic Media, and Bernadette Giacomazzo, president of Akasha Multimedia in New York City, a member of the national Street Syndicate (www.thesyn.com), a professionally represented photographer through Photorazzi (www.photorazzi.com), and a major label scout for RCA (through MajorLabelScout.com), are both pleased to announce their book, Swimming With Sharks.

Critics of the book have already described it as “well-researched,” “informative,” and “clever.” The book takes a unique approach to the music business – both Deskovic and Giacomazzo wrote the book with the musician in mind, spoken as both professionals and “cool older sisters” of the independent music guard.

Like any how-to book worth its while, Swimming with Sharks is replete with little-known facts and sound advice. It, however, also goes a step further – Deskovic and Giacomazzo worked tirelessly, for months on end, collecting interviews from various music industry professionals in a variety of fields, including law, promotions, marketing, and publicity. Swimming with Sharks also boasts some never-before-seen photos taken by Giacomazzo – whose professional represented photography is award-winning and published – featuring goth legend Voltaire, punk rockers Suicide City (ex-Biohazard and Kittie), and rock’n’roll guitarist Wilson Lihn. Finally, Swimming with Sharks features snippets from “Ask the Pros,” a MySpace group moderated by Deskovic, in which up-and-coming bands ask the 200-plus-member cadre of professionals a variety of questions.

Swimming with Sharks also provides a rare treat for its readers: a compilation CD entitled Shark Bait, featuring 20 cuts from independent bands from a variety of genres. This CD will also be presented to various media outlets. Confirmed artists include alt-rockers Finespun (http://www.finespunmusic.com), fairy tale rockers Sky Salt (http://www.skysalt.com), and Florida’s own Sentenced 2 Live (managed by Deskovic).

Deskovic and Giacomazzo are already confirmed speakers at the Connexion International Music Festival (in Las Vegas), and are awaiting confirmation at other notable industry conferences. With the advance buzz for the book already at a fever pitch, it won’t be long before Swimming with Sharks makes its way to the top of the best-seller list. Are you ready for it?!

Click on the flier to purchase advanced tickets!

( survey )

(by the way, in case you're curious...the location listed is my aunt's address, not mine...I've had some issues with stalkers as of late, so I need to protect myself and my family...but my aunt carries a gun, so she doesn't mind... ;] )

Here's the EBay link:
CLICK HERE

It will be updated, probably every other day, with new stuff (including furniture, clothes, appliances, and more)! Many of the auctions benefit charity, so BID, BID, BID!!!

Yup...so I got accepted to be an A&R Scout at MajorLabelScout.com. YAY!

I'm still doing work with The Syn, What's Good Live, The China Club, and the like...and it'll be a cold day in Hell before I lay down Akasha.

But I'll now be looking at artists in a different way...now, I am working with Arista Records, J Records, and other labels under the RCA Music Group to identify, develop, and (Gods willing for them) sign talent to MAJOR LABELS.

However, let it be known: I take my job seriously. (Hell, I take EVERYTHING I do seriously...)

I'll have an official rules listing up shortly -- give me a few days.

For now, though, there's a couple of prelim ground rules...

(1) Do NOT ask me to sign your band. That's not my job. My job is to BRING YOUR BAND TO THE TABLE. I have no signing authority. No, bringing your band to the table doesn't guarantee anything. But, it's a step in the RIGHT direction (signing with a so-called "label" who requires you to utilize their management and/or studio is the WRONG way to go. Ask ANYONE who knows the biz...). And even if it doesn't lead to a major label signing, it may lead to other things (i.e., a production deal, a licensing deal, etc.).

(2) If you think your band has the muster, DO send me a link to your stuff! If I think it meets industry standards, I'll let you know that you've been submitted for review by the A&R reps. (I might need a physical press kit, and to see your live show as well...I'll inform you as it's needed. Just get it queued up should it be needed...assume that it is, for the record...) And folks, there's NO CHARGE (as it SHOULD be) to do so.

(3) Keep in mind...it's my name on the dotted line. Therefore, if your act isn't 100 per cent on the game (i.e., you have unprofessional business associates -- i.e., manager, photographer, fashion designer, booking agent, etc. -- you have unmitigated band drama and/or histrionics, or you have any sort of problems with excessive substance abuse), I won't even give it a second look. Take an HONEST look at yourselves before submitting to me.

There are people whom I absolutely ADORE and LOVE on a PERSONAL level that I wouldn't DREAM of submitting -- and then there are people that I haven't met that are a perfect match. So, believe me, it's nothing personal here...it's ALL business.

Just remember: for every ONE great band that rocks, there's TEN without the histrionic drama/angst and bad business associates and substance abuse.

The PROFESSIONAL MUSIC INDUSTRY does NOT consider band drama, substance abuse, and a team of drifters/idiots/psychos to be good things and "so rock'n'roll." They consider it a LIABILITY -- if they think your advance is going to fund a drug problem, or to propagate drama in the form of bad business associates and histrionics, they're not going to invest their dwindling time/money/resources into you. They would rather take a band that has the SAME potential as you (and maybe less) and develop them into greatness, than take the risk that you're going to OD before you fulfill your contract or that your Rhodes-scholar associates are going to inevitably piss off and/or disgust everyone who actually IS a professional.

It's not enough to have talent -- you need to have your stuff together, too!

(This is all in Swimming With Sharks, BTW --- OUT NOW!! Yeah, I know...shameless plug...)

Anyway, start getting your stuff together to submit to me!!! And GOOD LUCK!! :)

OH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO IT!!! PLEASE!
Give the gene pool a chance!
Think of the children!

And SHIT, it would make ME happy!!!

Don't worry, you won't feel a thing!

JOY TO THE WORLD...

Although, I know damn well...this is just your way to try to get sympathy. You want attention. You don't feel loved in the world.
BOO FUCKING HOO.
Listen, you're so pathetic, you're not even worth another word. Shrivel up and die already, will you?

A couple of you have asked me about this, so here goes...

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/astrology-articles/mercury-retrograde.php

Here we go again... Mercury goes retrograde once again. It happens 3 times a year and it lasts for about 3 weeks. This time is from March 2 to March 25, 2006. Next time, from July 5 to July 28, 2006. Then, from October 29 - November 17, 2006.

This is an important period, and we should be aware of the effects associated with this astrological influence. Since it is so often, we must learn what it means and how to take advantage of it.
Astronomical background

There is no real backwards movement of Mercury; it's just that we see it this way from Earth, because of the combined movement of the Earth and Mercury around the Sun. However, astrologically this is very relevant.
General influence of Mercury retrograde

Mercury rules over the mind's processes, studying, communication, businesses, travels and the like. When Mercury reverses its direction, all these areas are affected as well.

The mind turns naturally inwards and people tend to analyze more the own thoughts and follow the common thinking patterns, rather then be curious and eager of new intellectual experiences or challenges. This helps the meditation or the thorough lonely long-term study of a specific matter, but it affects the study of new subjects, the communication with the others, the attention oriented outwards.

Businesses, travels and communications tend to experience delays and different problems. Computers and other processes that work with information may experience crashes, unexpected failures.

Don't enroll to courses, don't buy expensive Mercurian items (books, cars, mobile phones etc.), don't sign important contracts and do not marry.
What is this Mercury retrograde period good for?

It is definitely a very good period for some actions. No time is completely bad for anything, there is a reason in everything happens.

The key is the reversed direction of movement: take any known Mercurian action, reverse its flow, consider the keywords "re-doing something", "double-checking", "finish the old projects" and there you are, you've found the good side of Mercury retrograde.

For instance, you may want to read again a book you particularly liked, a subject you studied before, meet and discuss with old friends you haven't met for a long time, travel to places you've already been to before.

This is an excellent time to work on old projects that never got to be finished. So, think about the things you started and never finalized.

Next, you might wish to prevent any bad things to happen to you: so double-check your agenda, call your business partners to confirm that everything goes as planned, have everything ready before the deadline and leave some extra time for unexpected events. Make copies of your important files and documents, save your work more often.

The other solution is to go on vacation or at least slow down the pace of your projects. You will find that going slowly during the Mercury retrograde period will spare you many efforts of redoing the same action that wasn't performed right the first time.

Above all, be generous and compassionate: you are already aware about the influence of this period, but the others aren't aware of it or there may be uncontrollable events. That's why you should have more diligence with the others and give them some more time. It'll be your mental health that you'll be sparing actually.

...our parents know us better than we think they do. And the sooner we realize that, goddamnit, they are SO FUCKING RIGHT, the better we'll all be.
I'm not talking about parents who are altered due to a chemical imbalance (either self-induced or otherwise). I am not talking about parents who didn't raise you to begin with, be it through their own desires, or circumstances that were beyond their control (the reason my birth mother didn't raise me was due to a circumstance that was WAY beyond her control -- namely, my dad was paralyzed due to a car accident -- it was his sheer steel will that made him beat the odds on THAT one -- and if she didn't work, we didn't eat...but still, it's not the point, she didn't raise me...and I still don't think, to this day, she knows me at all...).

I'm talking about parents who GET IT.

Let me explain something: unless you've committed murder, you have just as much right as the next stupid asshole to be as successful, if not moreso, than anyone else whom you may compare yourself to...THAT IS (and here's the upshot) as long as the tide you've left in your wake is a POSITIVE ONE.
If the no-name, wannabe rockstar bullshit band doesn't like you, WHO CARES. Fuck them. They are NOT worthy of your attention. And you cannot measure your success (or failure) based on the opinion of those who have failed a LONG time ago.
But if you're selling out your own kid to get ahead -- as though his/her life is currency in a business transaction -- then YOU DESERVE TO FAIL, and FAIL MISERABLY. And you deserve EVERY bad thing that happens to you as an end result of your narcissistic, histrionic, psychotic actions.

If your father is saying something that even total STRANGERS have picked up on...HELLO!!! Maybe everyone's onto something!
And if you would get your head out of your ass, you'd realize that everyone's got a POINT!!!

( More here... )

Get it? Got it? GOOD.

( A couple of things...some morsels of intelligence to chew on. )