Razor and Tie Music Publishing

NEW RELEASE! James Maddock EP

Razor and Tie Music Publishing

Multi-Media Song Placement, Focused Royalty Administration, Cutting-Edge Career Development

As the music business transforms from analog to global digital, creators of music more than ever need partners to help them reap the maximum benefit from their labors. No longer can a publisher passively wait for opportunities to roll in from a finite number of revenue producing areas. With the explosion of delivery outlets around the world, today’s music business demands a proactive, focused approach, both creatively and administratively. Such a concept has become a thing of the past for most major publishers with massive, barely manageable catalogs. At Razor & Tie Music Publishing we have learned from the past but we are tied to the future. Our entrepreneurial tradition as a company and extraordinary staff places us in the position of being a publisher for the future now.

Songwriters:

Matisyahu
Since the release of his 2004 debut, “Shake off the dust...ARISE” and the phenomenal success of 2005’s “Live At Stubb’s”, Matisyahu has continued to bring his uncanny, electrifying fusion of orthodox Judaism and classic reggae music to fans with an incessant touring schedule and unbelievable energy.
Born in West Chester, PA and raised in White Plains, NY, the young man formerly known as Matthew Miller would undertake a monumental odyssey before discovering his path - and voice - as Matisyahu (the Hebrew equivalent of “Matthew,” and the name he became known by when he became observant). Via adventures in Colorado, Israel, Oregon, and New York City, he not only heard a profound spiritual calling, but also discerned a revolutionary way to share his discoveries and reflections, via the reggae and hip-hop sounds that had long been an integral part of his day-to-day soundtrack.
“Youth”, Matisyahu’s latest offering, boasted two Top-20 hits on the Modern Rock Chart and landed a solo set at The Bonaroo Music Festival. The album was also the Number 1 album on Billboard’s Top Digital Albums chart. After the success of “Youth”, Matisyahu lent his talents to the award-winning documentary “Unsettled”. Matisyahu is currently working on new material for his next album which is slated for release sometime in 2008.
matismusic.com
myspace.com/matisyahu
Natalie Grant
It would've been easy for Natalie Grant, GMA's reigning Female Vocalist of the Year for two consecutive years, to rest on the success of her last album. Her 2005 breakthrough recording, Awaken, helped Natalie become Christian music's top selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in 2005 and 2006, gave her a formidable foothold at mainstream radio and media, and made her a household name in Christian music. With expectations running high after the overwhelming success of Awaken, Natalie was dedicated to her continued passion to create music with a purpose.
With her husband, Grammy nominee and Dove Award winner Bernie Herms, as well as longtime collaborator and Dove Award winner Shaun Shankel, Natalie wrote tirelessly for Relentless (Curb, 2008). She wrote or co-wrote seven of the album's 12 cuts. The collaborations include songs with singer/songwriter Matthew West as well as GMA's 2006 Songwriter of the Year Christa Wells (writer of Natalie's multi-format hit and signature song, "Held"), among others. Natalie’s album “Relentless” was released to critical acclaim in the first quarter of 2008. “I Will Not Be Moved” is the second single from Natalie’s album and currently rests at 21 on R&R’s Christian AC Chart. Natalie has been nominated for 5 Dove Awards in 2008, including Female Vocalist of the Year as well as Artist of the Year.
nataliegrant.com
myspace.com/nataliegrant
Drive-by Truckers
“As guys wrestle with the encroaching responsibilities of work and family, they still often romanticize or cling to their shit-kicking youth; the Drive-By Truckers' principal songwriters, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, represent each side of this coin.” (Pitchforkmedia.com) With two songwriters who are capable of so much, its not wonder Blender magazine called them “America’s greatest rock band…” Drive-By Truckers isn’t your average southern rock band, what makes DBT so unique is their ability to cross genres, tour relentlessly and, all the while, garner nearly universal critical acclaim. DBT is on tour this spring and will be featured on the upcoming compilation disc from the ground-breaking NBC show “Friday Night Lights”. Drive-By Truckers enjoyed a highly successful release in 2008 of their 8th studio album “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark.”
What the critics are saying about “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark”:
“You could argue that the Truckers should have revved up this Skynyrd side more often. But instead they let the songwriting speak for itself, and it sings loud and clear.” - Rolling Stone, 4 stars
“The men and woman of Drive-By Truckers are masterful storytellers, Hemingways of our time.” - Marquee Magazine, 4 stars
“Drive-By Truckers' seventh album is a sprawling scorcher, and while these guys certainly aren't strangers to long records, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark" is one of the meanest, leanest 19-track albums you'll ever spin.” - Billboard Magazine
drivebytruckers.com
myspace.com/drivebytruckers
Dave Barnes
Although Dave Barnes' first two albums (“Brother, Bring the Sun” and “Chasing Mississippi”) made him an independent phenomenon, achievement hasn’t changed the guy who honestly expects to replace David Letterman someday. He still puts out countless YouTube parodies and has even been know to rehearse his stand-up routine at shows. But Dave is serious about his music and who wouldn’t be after selling 45,000 units as an unsigned artist? Razor and Tie released Dave's album "Me + You + The World" on April 1st 2008 to critical acclaim, rising into the top ten on iTunes Album Chart in its first week available.
davebarnes.com
myspace.com/davebarnes
Anders Osborne
Since 1994, Anders has been working as a professional songwriter in New Orleans. His song, “Watch the Wind Blow By,” was recorded by country music star Tim McGraw and released to overwhelming success. The song reached 1 on the Country Music Charts and McGraw’s album sold over 3 million copies. McGraw isn’t the only artists who’s recorded Osborne’s songs. Artists like Keb’ Mo’, Tab Benoit, Double Trouble, Dr John, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux have all recorded songs by Osborne and some have even garnered Grammy nods for songwriting and production.
As a solo artist, Osborne has released 7 albums. His most recent output, “Coming Down”, was highly received with high praise. Paste Magazine described Osborne as having “cooked up an altogether tasty gumbo of soulful blues, hard-won wisdom, and that impossibly great voice, magically conjured across the space of 35 years.” (Paste Magazine)
andersosborne.com
myspace.com/andersosbornenola
James Maddock
James Maddock is a British born, New York City based singer/songwriter. Maddock is the man behind the much celebrated band Wood, whose debut album, “Songs From Stamford Hill”, produced the top 5 Adult Alternative hit “Stay You”. Wood’s album was released on Columbia Records and yielded two more hits: one appearing in the popular WB show “Dawson’s Creek”, the other featured in the Miramax film “Serendipity”. Maddock currently fronts his own band and has become an in-demand co-writer in both Nashville and New York. His latest EP “Strategies for Life” was released by Razor and Tie in March 2007, and will be followed up with a 2008 re-release including the breakthrough sound of “Sunrise on Ave. C.”
wwwmyspace.com/jamesmaddockmusic
Ari Hest
New York City native Ari Hest started his career while still an undergraduate at NYU. He spent his early years building his fan base by touring colleges and clubs across the country. In 2004, having released 3 independent records and sold 20,000 discs on his own, Ari signed with Columbia Records and released “Someone to Tell” to great critical and fan acclaim. After “Someone to Tell”, Ari decided to something a little different with his career. He severed ties with Columbia Records and embarked on project he calls “52”. Every week for one year Ari will release a new song through his website www.arihest.com. The project is the first of its kind and is already sending waves through the music business community. Needless to say, Ari’s independent status has amplified his creativity and opened his eyes to new outlets and distribution methods for his music.
arihest.com
myspace.com/arihest
Hugh Prestwood
Hugh Prestwood has been a fixture in the country music scene for almost thirty years. He got his start in 1978, when Judy Collins discovered him and gave him his first hit song, “Hard Times For Lovers”. Collins subsequently recorded five more of his songs. Since then, Prestwood has penned 1 hits for Randy Travis (“Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart”), Trisha Yearwood (“The Song Remembers When”), Crystal Gayle (“The Sound Of Goodbye”) and more. He has also written songs for such iconic country music stars as Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and The Judds.
Three of Hugh Prestwood’s songs have been nominated for Grammys. In 1994, he received a Primetime Emmy for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics” for his composition, “The Song Remembers When”, featured in the Disney special “Trisha Yearwood – The Song Remembers When”. Prestwood was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame in 2006.
Exile Parade
Exile Parade is a British Rock band from Warrington, North West, England; formed in early 2005 by Lomax (Vocals), Phil Hennessey (Guitar), Chris Owen (Guitar), Dave Hennessey (Bass) and Mutchy (Drums). They are currently recording their debut album with producer Owen Morris who has worked with bands such as Oasis, The Verve, New Order, and more recently The View. Morris said of his new project: "Recently I have been in Real World Studio with Exile Parade from Warrington. Best Rock and Roll I've had the honor and pleasure of being involved with since Oasis ' first album. Fucking stunning, evil music."
myspace.com/exileparade
Matthew Mayfield
Matthew Mayfield has shared the stage with the likes of Switchfoot, The Fray and Pete Yorn, opening for all three with his former band Moses Mayfield. After substantial touring and buzz, Moses Mayfield signed with Columbia Records and released the band’s major-label debut “The Inside” in March 2007. After the band called it quits in January of 2008, Matthew is ready for something new. He addresses his fans on his myspace page saying: “My name's Matthew. I used to be in a band called Moses Mayfield. I love those guys to death. We made a big record with big sounds. Now I wanna try something small and unrefined.”
myspace.com/matthewmayfieldmusic
Stephanie Lewis
Stephanie moved to Nashville in 2002 and quickly made her mark in the country music world with cuts by Emerson Drive and Blue Country. Her inspirational tunes were snapped up by Christian acts like Plus One, Jump Five, Avalon, Natalie Grant, and Jaci Velasquez, and her song “Adonai” won the Dove Award for Song of The Year. In 2002 she also won ASCAP’s songwriter of the year.
Michael Fordinal
Michael Fordinal has already independently released an EP (self-titled), an LP (Tucked Away) and performed live for tens of thousands…and he’s only 23 years old. Fordinal has toured the U.S. three separate times, opening for Ryan Cabrera and playing rhythm guitar for Ashlee Simpson. While on tour with Simpson he shared the stage with some big name artists including Stevie Wonder, Gwen Stefani, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys and Avril Lavigne. After the initial whirlwind of touring and recording in the pop realm Michael found that he longed to return to writing songs that explored the ins and outs of his faith. In November 2007 Michael signed a publishing deal with Razor & Tie Music Publishing/Maxx Music. He has since been writing and recording material for his first Contemporary Christian release.
fordinal.com
myspace.com/michaelfordinal
Phillip LaRue
Philip LaRue is a singer/songwriter who was one half of the hit contemporary Christian duo, LaRue. As a duo, LaRue has worked with some big name industry producers such as Monroe Jones (Third Day, Ginny Owens), Matt Bronleewe (Rebecca St. James) and Ken Mary. After recording two albums, watching two videos rocket up The Disney Channel video charts, and experiencing the explosion of teen pop in the marketplace, LaRue had established itself as not only a successful contemporary Christian act but also a relevant young modern rock/pop duo.Since becoming a solo artist Philip LaRue has signed a publishing deal with Razor and Tie and is writing material for his debut solo album to be released on Tooth and Nail.
myspace.com/philliplarue
Marissa Pontecorvo
Marissa Pontecorvo, a Julliard trained pianist and outstanding vocalist, takes inspirational lyrics and combines them with piano driven pop rock to create a niche in Contemporary Christian music. Marissa’s appeal and success, however, have not been limited exclusively to contemporary Christian music. She has been invited to open for Jessie McCartney, performed with Grammy winners Gordon Chambers and Jessie Harris and 5-time Grammy nominee Vanessa Carlton. She's also shared the stage with the Jonas Brothers, Aly and AJ, Everlife and Teddy Geiger.
In addition to writing and performing her music, Marissa has been featured in several top Teen magazines, and has appeared and used her voice in numerous national commercial spots. She has recently started college in Nashville, TN and is working on her second album “All Around Me”.
marissapontecorvo.com/home
myspace.com/marissacorvomusic
Michelle Lewis
Michele Lewis, the daughter of two successful musicians, was born to write and perform. As a child she sang on many jingles including work for Coca-Cola and Oreo leading her to a role on Sesame Street. After her Childhood success Lewis attended Columbia University only to drop out and ultimately join a female R&B vocal group, Shades of Soul, which was born out of her college gospel choir. After forming Shades of Soul, Lewis began writing seriously and started to gain notoriety.
After self-releasing a record in 2001, she lay low until she met like-minded East Coast exiles in Southern California including Tracy Bonham, Nina Gordon (Veruca Salt), and Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo). All with major label experiences and all fiercely independent, they just couldn’t resist and eventually formed a super-group. Hanley and Lewis have since become the main members of The Dilettantes, with a development deal on Columbia Records and a monthly gig at Hollywood’s Hotel Café. Though she sometimes feels as if she needs to make a choice between her two worlds, Michelle Lewis – toiling songwriter by day, funky songstress by night – is a vision of balance, sharing with the world her talent, one imagistic lyric at a time.
Blake Robin
Blake Robin’s great grandfather was the music director of the Russian army. Now, using the fake name Baron von Luxxury, he continues the family traditionin a slightly less violent fashion: sending disco troops to battle on the dancefloor.
Baron von Luxxury wears many hats. Like fellow multiplatform multitaskers James Murphy (DFA/LCD Soundsystem) and, hell, Timbaland, he’s a songwriter, performer, and producer, not to mention a DJ and label owner. As singer/producer/songwriter for San Francisco’s electropop/indie darlings Luxxury, he concocts shiny, sexy sonic cocktails combining the modern electro sounds of MSTRKRFT and Daft Punk with the classic, quirky dance/pop/rock sounds of New Order, ELO and Devo.
baronvonluxxury.com
myspace.com/baronvonluxxury
Russ Titelman
Producer/songwriter Russ Titelman has worked with some of rock ‘n roll’s biggest names over the last three decades, including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, George Harrison, the Bee Gees, Meatloaf, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, the Allman Brothers Band, James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Chaka Khan, Randy Newman and many more.
He earned two Grammys in 1992 for his work on Eric Clapton’s “Unplugged” album featuring the unforgettable single “Tears in Heaven.” He also earned a producer Grammy for the 1986 Steve Winwood mega-hit, “Higher Love.”
An accomplished musician, Titelman got his start in the 60s as a guitarist and backing vocalist under the tutelage of producer Phil Spector. He also wrote songs for the legendary Don Kirshner, working with master songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
russtitelmanmusic.com
Tony Scherr
Tony Scherr is one of the most in-demand session players in New York City. Scherr has played an integral role in the sound of such notable artists as Bill Frissell and Norah Jones. His debut album, COME AROUND, was released in 2002 on Smells Like Records label. Recently Scherr’s work has appeared on songs by Feist and Frisell. Scherr is currently touring with the legendary Willie Nelson.
myspace.com/tonyscherr
Young B
Female rapper Young B (a.k.a. Bianca Dupree) was only 16-years-old when she and DJ boy-wonder Webstar took the classic cold remedy, chicken noodle soup, and turned it into a New York City club smash. “Chicken Noodle Soup” took Harlem, New York and eventually the entire country by storm, inspiring countless YouTube tributes along the way. Webstar and Young B’s independently released debut album was quickly snatched up by Universal and in August of 2007 the label released 12” of the single to give to DJs.
myspace.com/youngbscrillahill
poet name life
Jaime Munson a.k.a. poet name life has established himself as a relevant member of the next generation of do-it-all producers, working alongside the likes of The Roots, The Black Eyed Peas and Pharell. Poet writes, produces, remixes and performs; combining elements of soul, jazz, hip hop and electro to create a sound all his own. His escalating appeal and recognition have lead to writing and production sessions with artists such as Tila Tequila, Balay and even an exclusive remix with Fergie.
poetnamelife.com
myspace.com/poetnl