San Diego Art and Music Collective Starts Record Label, Releases First Album

Originally dubbed "The Mangoose Society," the art and music collective that originated in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Mexico City (simultaneously) when a group of young musicians and writers began collaborating and trading home recordings, essays and short stories, has started a new San Diego-based label, Mangoose Records. Founded on purely independent principles, Mangoose exists to "facilitate and organize a symbiotic relationship with all the artists on its roster" according to the label's website, which features over 150 mp3s from its artists, available for free download and discovery by adventurous web surfers. Of these artists are San Diego's The Moviegoers, and their six-song EP Or the Gun marks Mangoose's inaugural release.

Label founder/Moviegoers member Richard Hunter-Rivera told Performer, "The label sort of came up as an idea about eight months ago. I realized that if you want people to hear your music, you need to be active, you need to promote it and put it out there."

In addition to The Moviegoers, Mangoose is home to singer/songwriters Raul Picaporte of Montreal and Jay Brockman of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as The Jinich Brothers out of the D.C. area. While Hunter-Rivera says that he would love to expand the Mangoose roster, he stresses the symbiotic relationship of the artists on it. Thus a requirement for new signees is to help promote the other artists on the label. "We're always open to meeting new people and networking, though," Hunter-Rivera told Performer. "If we like what we hear, we will definitely invite people to be involved or ask them if we can be involved in what they're doing."

Mangoose also aims to help support and cultivate the local community at large, with Hunter-Rivera offering a live footage service to local bands. Next on the docket, Mangoose plans to properly re-release some of its artists' previous albums, then start working on releasing new material.

www.mangooserecords.com

Venue Profile: SOMA

San Diego's Preeminent All-Ages Venue/Classroom

Originally a dance hall opened in 1986, SOMA has played host to influential acts like Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement and Green Day, amongst many other notables, during its long life and multiple incarnations. It's also played an influential role in the careers of local artists like Blink 182, P.O.D. and Unwritten Law, serving as both a training ground and launching pad. Occupying the former home of a movie multiplex in San Diego's Midway District since 2002, this full-scale venue continues its longtime reputation, bringing in large crowds and hard-hitting bills without the lure of alcohol. With owner/founder Len Paul and talent buyer Erin Paul at the helm, SOMA helps artists learn how to navigate the industry, and provides the opportunity for local acts to get noticed, giving them priority booking in the SOMA Side Stage and placing them as openers on national bills once they establish a draw of 100 or more.

Layout: Main Hall has an occupancy of 1200-2300 and a 42'x24'x4' high stage with drum riser, SOMA Side Stage has an occupancy of 500 and a 30'x15'x3' stage with drum riser. Side Stage is insulated with cellulose and acoustic curtains, making for great sound, and retains the original theater floor slope for optimum viewing.

Genres: Indie rock, pop, pop-punk, metal, hardcore and ska.

Booking: Email booking@somasandiego.com, making sure to put band name, genre, phone number and availability in the email (NO MP3 FILES - send a link to mp3s instead), or send/drop off press kit at least one month in advance, then follow-up with an email.

Fun Fact: The old projection rooms have been turned into dressing rooms that overlook the audience.

Address: 3350 Sports Arena Blvd, Suite I, San Diego, CA 92110

www.somasandiego.com

In the News

Local four-piece Years Around the Sun has finished a video for "Failing at Art," its first single off recent release, Inva De Siva. Directed by Kenny Luby, the video was filmed in the band's hometown of Encinitas and features all of the finest local spots, like Lou's Records, Moonlight Music, The Saloon and La Paloma Theatre.

www.yearsaround

thesun.com

San Diego's Sir Splendid has released the follow-up to its 2006 debut, Lords & Peacocks. Titled Sinister Purpose, the 12-track album features new member Schinelli on bass and Taurus pedals, and was written, recorded and produced by frontman Marcus Barron and mastered by John Golden.

www.myspace.com/

sirsplendid

Three One G has re-released The Locust's 2004 Follow the Flock, Step in Shit EP on square CD. And it plays!

www.threeoneg.com

The Burning of Rome has released a new full length. Titled Death Pop, the 14-song album is the follow-up to 2006's Living in the Lie and is selling at independent CD retailers in the area. The San Diego septet has also been gigging heavily around San Diego this summer in support of the new release.

www.myspace.com/

theburningofrome

On July 19, Get Back Loretta will be one of the many artists performing at the San Diego Pride Festival. The 34th annual celebration, taking place on July 19-20, is expected to attract over 40,000 people and will feature a lineup of local, independent bands and musicians of all genres on multiple performance stages throughout the festival grounds.

www.myspace.com/

getbackloretta

The Feelings Mutual recently released its self-titled debut EP on Ares Records. The San Diego trio, which features vocalist/guitarist Jordan Clark (ex-Hot Like A Robot), bassist Brandon Jenson and drummer Eric Brozgold, recorded the album's five tracks with producer/engineer Brent Clawson (Bullets and Octane, Guttermouth) and plans to tour throughout the year in its support.

www.thefeelings

mutual.com