• Listen for hip-hop/electronic artist VIK44's new tunes accompanying the new web series to be released by the ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIMENT. Ragged Isle is a murder-mystery kind of thing, filmed all over Maine and set on a coastal island. The first 10 of 20 planned episodes have been shot and the first episode will "air" March 9, atwww.raggedisle.com.
• DEAD SEASON played their last show for the next couple months last weekend, as they return to the studio with JONATHAN WYMAN. Look for the next release in June.
• HIGH SCHOOL BANDS: If you're playing out, or want to play out, and you're not in the MAMM SLAM, you need to rethink your plans. The renamed ROCK-OFF, it's a band competition that emphasizes the many facets of being a band, including performance, writing, and marketing. Google MAMM SLAM and sign up by March 17. Opening round is April 2 and 3.
• DEAN FORD's got a new disc. His first post-GOODNIGHT PROCESS release drops March 15.
• TOO LATE THE HERO have been signed to a new label created by LAMB OF GOD drummer CHRIS ADLER, RETHINK RECORDS. They're the label's first signing, and they'll be releasing Statement of Purpose (produced by JOSH WILBUR, brother of TLTH frontman Jared, and also producer of records by Lamb of God, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, etc.), April 12. New songs will start streaming February 14 at the band's website, www.toolatethehero.com, with a new song dropping every Monday until the disc comes out properly.