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Positive Spin Promotions

I am here for Networking

About Me

WELCOME to the MySpace Page of Michele D. Maniscalco of Positive Spin Promotions in Boston, MA. Positive Spin began in late 1996 when some contacts I made at the NEMO conference as well as musicians I knew from my work as Gig Referral Service Coordinator at New England Conservatory approached me about helping them with publicity and promotion. Some wanted publicity campaigns for specific events, such as self-produced concerts and recitals, while others needed all the basics, starting with assembling attention-getting and appropriate bios, artwork and other media kit materials. I also helped artists build media kits and provided other services such as placing self-produced CDs on consignment in local record stores and monitoring their sales.I've been involved in music, arts and event publicity and promotion; arts journalism and special events since 1988, when I lived in Washington, DC.Some highlights of my experience:* experience as Assistant to the President and Publicist at Fast Lane International, a reggae and world music talent agency where I expanded the media list and increased visibility;* education and training in music business management, public relations and audio engineering;* publication of hundreds of artist profiles, arts reviews and interviews in local and national publications, notably the Checkerboard Chatter ska column in the late, great Instant Magazine; and* media coordination and logistical involvement in special events including the Boston Music Awards, the NEMO Conference and Showcase, the Washington Area Music Association's Crosstown Jam, the Sisterfire! women's music festival, Washington's Adams Morgan Day Festival and Nelson Mandela's US tour.

My Interests

Color Text Music, movies, good writing (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, journalism), art, special event planning, publicity, the art of image creation. Also enjoy bowling, pool, current events, animals.

I'd like to meet:

Musicians, writers, and other creators who want guidance in putting together image and media information, in promotional strategy and other services to attain greater visibility.Also experienced in and interested in working with those dedicated to animal and environmental protection.

Music:

Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, the Dropkick Murphys, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Sublime, the Slackers, the Stubborn All Stars, the Ramones, the Clash, David Bowie, Dean Martin, Fats Waller, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire; Eastern Standard Time, Jet, U2, Metallica, the Specials, Big D and the Kids Table, Audioslave, Nine Inch Nails, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Edith Piaf, Louis Prima, Hank Williams, Roger Miller, Buddy Holly, the Ventures, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Intruders, the O'Jays.

Movies:

A Baker's Dozen of My Favorite Movies (not in order): The Philadelphia Story, Trainspotting, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Godfather 1 & 2, Wild Strawberries, Wings of Desire, Frankenstein (Karloff), Dracula (Lugosi), La Strada, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Animal House, Office Space, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.

Heroes:

Bruce Springsteen, an incredible lyricist; Father Drinan, an inspiration to civic duty; Ben Franklin, a visionary with a sense of humor; John Waters, who sees beauty in and creates beauty from castoffs; Bono, a great musician and activist; Charles M. Schulz, who made Snoopy and the gang real and eternal with his wisdom, wit and warmth; my mother.

My Blog

Lucky Dube:His Message to Us and How We Can Honor It

Last week, a violent carjacking prematurely silenced the brave, outspoken spirit of South African reggae star Lucky Dube.  The very idea that a piece of property, no matter what its value, w...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:20:00 PST

RIP Hilly Kristal, visionary founder of New Yorks CBGB

An appreciative farewell to Hilly Kristal, founder of CBGB, the coolest hole-in-the-wall rock club in New York City until its demise in October of last year after more than 30 years of musical glory.&...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:27:00 PST

RIP Brad Delp: Another premature farewell

Even though I was not a fan of the band Boston, I was surprised and saddened to learn over the weekend of his untimely death.  He was known locally as a very nice guy and a great musician, and re...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:26:00 PST

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Even though I got shut out on tickets to the Dropkick Murphys shows in Boston over St. Patrick's Day weekend, I intend to find some way to celebrate Irish and Irish American culture and I hope you get...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:36:00 PST

History and accomplishments of Positive Spin Promotions and Michele D. Maniscalco

When I began working under the name Positive Spin Promotions in late 1996, I represented Jet Velvet Trash (later Jet Velvet); Bobby Lee Rodgers, a country-crossover artist who taught at Berklee a...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 05:39:00 PST

For a good time, check out The Beachball on YouTube!

If you're hitting a brick wall at work, someone's been giving you a hard time or you are just having a bad day in general, take a quick laugh break and view this funny short on YouTube featuring Rober...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 09:19:00 PST

The Best-Kept Secret in horror, Sci-Fi and Indie Radio is Coming to Austin, TX March 3!

I am writing this to let you in on the best-kept secret in horror and science fiction:  author/actor/radio personality Robert Shuster!  Shuster is coming to the STAPLE! independen...
Posted by Positive Spin Promotions on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:45:00 PST