Becky Hyden has been booking live in-store shows at Bill’s Records for a number of years now. She also was responsible for rounding-up free lunch for folks to enjoy at the KHYI 95.3 The Range Friday in-stores at the old Bill’s location. A whole helluva lotta work for KHYI fans to enjoy an afternoon filled with free food and great music.

As of late, Becky has really started to stir the pot, bringing in bands that aren’t necassarily in the “Americana/Alt.Country/Country” genres that KHYI mostly spins.

This past Saturday was a glorious example of the interesting mix of artists and bands you will find at Bill’s each and every Saturday afternoon.

First band up was a group of exceptionally talented young men from Tehran…

Founded in 2001 by a group of young Tehran artists and art students, 127 has found itself at the center of progressive cultural change in Iran.The band’s music melds Iranian melodies and jazz with an alternative sound.The band’s lyrics tell of the frustrations and joys of life, somehow managing to speak of their cultural time and place, while simultaneous reflecting universal frustrations of isolation, frustration, and hope.

127 is a 6 piece band -guitar,piano,trombone,bass and drums. the group has become a lighning-rod for international media attention. Through humerous articles and broadcasts in the western media, the group’s website receives thousands of hits a month from a growing international listeners.

127 has also composed the original sound-track of the French/German Television’s Arte production “Emamzade Internet”- a documentary directed by Reza Haeri- with the song “Digital Divide”. a short documentary named “127,an Iranian band” (by Reza Haeri) aired by UK channel 4 of June, 2005 gained an intresting respond from British audiences, 127 was also the feature of a Swedish documentary aired in January of 2005.

In addition to these television appearances, their music has reached radio around the world, and has been covered by major print media from Germany to the UK and US. The band has been invited to perform at 2005 SXSW festival in Austin, Texas but somehow they had to miss that opportunity!

127 recently has performed couple of gigs in Italy amongst Arezzo Wave Festival on july 15th 2005 at the main stage and gained a notable attention among audiences and press. on october 2005 performing in New York, Washington and Cambridge; 127 was the first Iranian rock band toured in United States. 127 has not released any records yet because of the country’s situations the band is now seeking for the permission to release it’s first record. at March 16th 2006 127 performed at 2006 SXSW in Austin TX at the Carribean Lights as a part of All Music is World Music showcase.

127 Band is managed by a remarkable man (Dave Dart) who walked away from a career, liquidated his life and formed Dart Music International, based in Austin, Texas.

Dart Music International (DMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to increase cross-cultural musical interchange while assisting international artists in capitalizing on their investment of traveling to Texas. Austin has become an important center for the arts. As the “live music capital of the world” it attracts performers, music industry professionals, and fans from around the globe to its many music conferences and festivals throughout the year. Other important musical events occur throughout Texas and our region as well, offering many opportunities for cultural interchange.

DMI is uniquely positioned to consult on aspects of artist promotion, tour management, publicity, and other professional services for foreign musicians. We help bands make immigration arrangements with greater lead-time and save several hundred dollars or more in visa and travel fees. Lodging and rental expenses are mitigated through our local contacts. DMI bands can earn money while in the US either by attaining the proper visa with our sponsorship or with DMI serving as the local business agent. The local knowledge and contacts of DMI helps artists place merchandise and play performances in the most appropriate venues, giving them the best opportunity to be seen by their target audience. Publicity and promotional opportunities are available regardless of U.S. representation status. Through DMI, the artists have a local base of operations where they can post materials ahead of time. Many potential stressors are neutralized simply by having a trusted local source for the best places to shop, eat, relax, and enjoy the experience.

There are many positive results arising from these efforts. The Texas and regional artistic community is enriched and informed by the contributions of international artists who might otherwise not be able to appear here. The artists enjoy the best possible opportunity for exposure to international and American music industry professionals who can help them realize their financial goals, while the local audience enjoys opportunity to learn from the foreign artists. For a variety of reasons these opportunities have severely diminished in recent years, inversely proportional to the need for such interaction. The experience enables a level of cultural intercourse that is increasingly rare and important given the current state of the international political landscape.

I can assure you that FineLineLive will be working closely with Dave and DMI to bring you more magnificant bands, like that of 127 Band.

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…More live video from Saturday is loading…