We love good music, no matter the label that its given. We try to make sure in our music that theres something for everyone, its a great way to get people together. This bands members are Orcas Island and Bellingham locals. That’s northwestern Washington State. All of them have had very different upbringingings, but have become close friends through tight jams, road trips, snowboarding, packed houses to empty bars and lots of weed. Rise n Shine as its known now started as a garage band in Bellingham Washington in the fall of 2006. But the bands musical journey started years earlier on Orcas Island where the band experenced playing with any and every musician that wanted to jam. The band had a strong love for regggae and hip hop, and over the years have developed a sound that is a portrait of the environment they were raised in and their own personal musical experiences through the years. Rise n Shine now rehearses in Anacortes Washington and this last August released their first album. The band has stayed busy playing shows in and around Seattle, the San Juan Islands, Bellingham, and is planing a west coast tour in May of 08. The tunes that you’ve heard, are hearing, or are about to hear were recorded at The Art Institute of Seattle, Bianary Studios in Bellingham and Kalara Studios in Fremont.We know you’ll like it. More concert dates yet to be posted.

www.myspace.com/orcasislandband

It’s in the eyes. One can feel the vibes instantaneously. There’s something about the look emanating from his spirit as he is considering his words that belies an ancient Rastafarian spirit, the soul essence of who Winston van Ewyk, aka Winstrong the Soul Rebel is.

Born October 12, 1971 in a Suriname River village, Winstrong came up in a family of musicians.

His mother, Augustina Rensch was a school teacher who always took the time to sing falsetto in circle with family and friends. It was Augustine who influenced Winstrong early, encouraging him to sing and perform in front of anyone and everyone since before he could walk.

“My moms was the first to tell me I had special talent. She used to tell everyone, “Dis kid has something…watch dis…and I’d come up with songs and performances for dem. That was such a blessing; she gave me something to live up to.” He’s been singing ever since.

Flash forward to spring, 2007, and Winstrong is emerging into the spotlight with his upcoming album “Eye of the Storm,” Winstrong fuses roots dancehall style with today’s sophisticated R&B and Soul for an explosive sound that is already pleasing listeners worldwide. From the soul and dance vibes of “For Your Love,” to the militant and uplifting sounds of his first single “Sounds of Guns,” Winstrong illustrates the reality of everyday tough life into focus and promises a solution in Jah Rastafari.

Winstrong is currently based in Northern California, after spending the last couple of years in Hawaii recording records and performing. The Suriname singer was born into Rasta, and has a steady stream of conscious music emanating from the depths of his spirit. With his soulful voice, and an ultra high energy stage show, Winstrong has just what it takes to grab an audience and keep them engaged for hours.

Winstrong has performed with and is featured on compilations with some of the industry’s best; from Capleton, Sizzla, Prince Malachi, Tony Rebel and Black Uhuru’s Mikal Rose to Hip Hop Stars Wu Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Warren G and the bay area’s own Delinquents. Today’s genre-centered music industry prefers easy categories, however, with Winstrong’s roots based music, infused with dancehall and hip hop styles, he is able to clearly to defy those categories. Armed with his guitar, and strengthened by his lifetime study of Rastafari, Winstrong’s music is inspirational, and he is ready to lead the evolution of Reggae Music.

The year 2007 is a very exciting one for Winstrong as it marks the year the artist will be breaking into the international market. Winstrong is more than ready to fly forward into the scene with two records on the way. Producer Ryan Daisley has put the finishing touches on the first album, “Eye of the Storm” at Shaolin Studios in Oakland. Look for the “Eye of the Storm” featuring Gift of Gab of Blackalicious, now released

www.myspace.com/winstrong

Lionheart Productions started in Seattle Washington in 2001. In 2008 Caleb Cunningham Producer/MC for the project has collaborated with some of Seattle’s best musicians and singers in order to bring the music to life on the stage. For more info check

www.myspace.com/lionheartproductions

Dj Triple Crown is a talented, well versed Dj. He has been keeping the vibe irie for many years in Bellingham Wa. He is also a huge part of BuildStrong Clothing. His weelky nights from Friday Night Fire to Wild Out Wednesday have been a staple of the local scene. If you combine his worth ethic with that of his crew I.E. The Blessed Coast Sound System you realize how much they do for Reggae on the west coast. DJ Triple Crown also has 2 mixtapes under his belt with Fearless Fire Volume 1 and 2. Check out the intro track to the newest mixtape below.

www.myspace.com/triplecrownsound

DJ Cide began networking in Seattle and acquired his first weekly gig at Contour in Pioneer Square as a 19-year-old.

This allowed him to find more shows and venues to scratch at such as the Showbox, Des Amis, Nectar, Venom, Tost, Phenix, Chop Suey, Belltown Billiards and War Room.

In 2005, he had the opportunity to go on a nationwide tour with Jamaican recoding artist Prezident Brown. DJ Cide toured for five months though Washington, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado.

www.myspace.com/djcidemusic

DJ Element started in 1993 as MC Element at age 13, in Maryland, MCing and writing lyric and making mixtapes on top of tapes.

In 1997, he first started playing records in Seattle. His DJ career took off playing at festivals and shows, as well as starting the first Reggae Night in the resort town of Sandpoint, ID.

He DJ and organized the first three original Northwest Reggae Festival shows.

www.zionsgate.com