Beatnik Castle fet. Francillia: The Remixes

Tampa’s psychedelic dance/pop duo Beatnik Castle featuring Francillia’s debut single “Will U B Mine?”  was added to Billboard’s Breakouts for April 3, 2010. Also added that week is Rihanna “Rude Boy (#1), BWO “Right Here, Right Now, (#2), Beatnik Castle (# 3), Jason Derulo “In My Head,” and Emilia De Poret “Pick Me Up.” (# 5). Beatnik Castle’s limited edition club remix CD was a Featured Release in Zip Dj’s March newsletter and the single is still holding steady at # 2 (behind Adam Lambert) on Zip Dj’s Top 40 USA National Dance and Club Charts. For further information please go to www.zipdj.com.

“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” sighs an exhausted Quincy B, adding that 2010 is “starting to get busy.” Beatnik Castle was invited to perform at the Deet Promotions Winter Music Conference Showcase at Twist and, according to Top 10 Billboard artist and new Beatnik singer Ohsha Kai, “I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed performing the new single!” Performing with Ohsha Kai were back-up singers Jamesson Beane (filling in for regular back-up Ariale Brown, who couldn’t attend) and Leemarie, who, with Tampa rapper Apoca, performed Beatnik Castle’s Latin/Rap version of “Will U B Mine?” appropriately, titled “Tu Puedos Ser Mio?” Former Beatnik Castle featured singer Francillia also performed as well.

Beatnik Castle’s second single “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart (Like Mine)?” featuring Ohsha Kai should be ready for release by summer 2010. The trailer is currently available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VmWjS_O8Vc. And, according to those DJ’s who’ve heard the track, is already is creating a stir because of its retro 70’s style vibe, (Beatnik Castle’s signature style), and, of course, the powerful soulful vocals of Ohsha Kai. Incidentally, “Tu Puedos Ser Mio?” (the backbeat is the instrumental from Georgie Porgie’s WUBM tribal mix with additional electronic goodies from Quincy) and a Spanish acoustic version of the song (performed by Leemarie, who also sang back-up on “Broken Heart”) will be available soon.

“We’re sticking with the same team on this one as well, “ says Quincy, adding that, to date, remixers Josh Harris, Cato K, Lenny B, Julian Marsh, and Majik Boys have committed to the new single. “Why change horses in midstream?” Also joining the Beatnik Team is songwriter, arranger, and producer Bobby G. Summers, a multi-talented musician and founding member of The Deele (with L.A. Reed and Babyface). Summers has worked with The Bar-Kays, General Kane, Sly and the Family Stone and was the Music Director for Enterprise Orchestra that toured with Rev. Al Green for over 15 years. Summers and Beatnik castle will collaborate on an acoustic/piano version of “Broken Heart” which, according to Quincy B, will feature incredible arrangements and, of course, “plenty of killer vibe!”

For bookings (either club or acoustic performances) and other Beatnik information, please contact QuncyB@tampabay.rr.com or go to www.beatnikcastle.com or www.ohshakai.net

For promotions, please contact Harry F. Towers at 718-227-3250 Ploondeet@aol.com or Loren Chaidez at Lorenpromo@earthlink.net or 914-771-4113. Check out Bobby Summers at www.bobbysummers.com.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO BUY!

Beatnik Castle’s February 2010  limited edition Club Remix CD features new artwork and several new dance/club remixes by such dance world notables as Josh Harris, Lenny B, Cato K, Georgie Porgie, Majik Boys, Tod Miner, Julian Marsh and, of course, Quincy B. A Spanish Rap/salsa, Euro Techno, and eclectic Reggae version also will be available later this year.

Ohsha Kai Joins Mad Monk and Deet Family!!

TAMPA – Indeed, rumors have persisted about Beatnik Castle but, thankfully, the rumors are finally over and it’s official! International singing sensation Top 10 Billboard artist Ohsha Kai is an official member of Beatnik Castle and the Mad Monk, Ltd Family! The fiery, soulful Philadelphia-born recording artist, according to Mad Monk CEO Quincy B. Scovill, will bring “invigorating soul, heartfelt aptitude, and a distinguished musical prowess” as well as a commanding stage presence and captivating yet distinct vocal aura reflecting an innate drive and determination notwithstanding among contemporary singer/songwriters. Ohsha Kai joins other Mad Monk Artists Blind Granny, Peasants of Posture, Beatnik Castle and Scovill Avenue.

Ohsha is no stranger to the world of high-energy dance.

A well-rounded session singer for many R & B, hip-hop, and dance artists, Ohsha Kai’s first single – “Free Your Mind” – an upbeat soulful dance stomper, skyrocketed to # 1 on Billboard’s Breakout charts in July 2006 and rose to # 6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart. “Free Your Mind” also spent 15 weeks on Billboard and was on iTunes’ Top Ten list for dance recording downloads, Top 3 on Sirius Satellite Radio, Top 10 on the World Dance Charts, and recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and placed on the Official Grammy Ballot for “Best New Song” in the 2007.

Ohsha’s follow up single “Out of My Mind” was release in May 2007 and, like its predecessor, hit Billboard’s Top 10 and stayed on iTunes’ Top 50 dance charts for several weeks. Her current single is a high energy dance remake of Nu Shooz classic “I Can’t Wait” and is on CAPP Records highly successful compilation series, Best of 80’s Dance Vol. 3. Following a stunning performance at the 2006 Winter Music Conference in Miami, renown dance promoter and DJ Harry F. Towers proclaimed that 2006 was “…the year of Ohsha Kai!”

“What’s really special is that I’ll be member of the Deet family once again,” Ohsha admits. “Harry has been my musical godfather these past few years and he never gave up on me!” Beatnik Castle’s current single and video, “Will U B Mine?” (featuring singer Francillia) is currently being played worldwide and promoted by Harry and Deet Promotions.

Ohsha’s first single and video, “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart (Like Mine)?” is, according to both Ohsha and Quincy, a stunning old school-style musical composition that features “plenty of backing vocals and 70’s style strings. Ohsha Kai and “Broken Heart” will be featured on Beatnik Castle’s sophomore release Spring 2010. In the meantime, Ohsha and the eccentric Mr. Scovill are diligently working on a much-anticipated full length album to be released Fall 2010 on Mad Monk LTD. According to Quincy, Ohsha brings an “impressive potpourri of musical talent” to an already unique, wild and whacky world of psychedelic dance/pop.

“Her voice is incredible,” exclaims an excited Quincy. “I’ve never worked with anybody so versatile and talented; her voice is an amazing pitchblende of Patti Labelle, Melissa Etheridge, or Anastasia but has the elegance, say, of Lisa Stansfield, Ce Ce Winans, or Karen Carpenter. So far, Ohsha has demonstrated that she can sing anything – R & B, Dance, pop, rock, even heavy metal! Wait until you hear the songs Windows, Without You, or Afterdark. Pure raw energy and musical power. It’s amazing!”

“Many folks are going to be pleasantly surprised by the direction and cohesiveness of the solo material,” Ohsha playfully warns. This eccentric but seemingly effective musical collaboration – currently brewing in Central and West Florida, promises to be both unique and refreshing. “Imagine a combination of, say, Swing Out Sister, U2, Fifth Dimension, The Commodores, Warrant, Lady Gaga, The Stylistics, Pat Benatar, Beyonce, Donna Summer, Kelly Clarkson, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Nightwish, and Michelle Branch, combined with Alice in Chains, Amy Lee, Karen Carpenter, Lisa Stansfield, Jim Croce, John Denver, and Metallica.

“ It’s such an incredible musical potpourri and I’m very tickled pink to get started! That’s all I can say right now,” she playfully winks. You can check out Ohsha Kai’s web site at www.Ohshakai.net! For information on Beatnik Castle, go to www.beatnikcastle.com.

Beatnik Castle singer/songwriter Francillia will once again sing the National Anthem at the Ballroom Brawl professional boxing series of 2010 on Friday, January 22, at the Tampa Westshore Doubletree Hotel. The US Army Veteran and member Tampa Bay’s most talented psychedelic dance/pop duo Beatnik Castle, Francillia is riding high with with her chart topping single and video “Will U B Mine?”  a seventies-styled dance/pop song currently being played on dance mix stations and video outlets worldwide.  In November 2006 Francillia sang the Star Spangled Banner to a star-studded sellout crowd.

The main event of the evening will feature rising cruiserweight contender Nick “The Showstopper” Iannuzzi (13-1, 8 KO’s) as he takes on Orlando, Florida’s undefeated Rommel Rene (11-0, 6 KO’s). Iannuzzi is coming off a stunning second round knockout of former Contender star Michael Alexander on November 6th. The evening’s co-main event features Sarasota light heavyweight Adam Jaco (7-3-1, 2 KO’s) against Savannah, GA native Marcus “The Barber” Hall (11-3, 4 KO’s). Also on the card will be Tampa jr. middleweight Manny Woods (2-0, 1 KO), Tampa super bantamweight Dwayne Larry Jr. (2-0, 2 KO’s), undefeated Ft. Myers jr. middleweight brothers Quinton Willis (5-0-1, 3 KO’s) and Marcus Willis (3-0-2, 2 KO’s), undefeated Virginia jr. lightweight Cordaro Simpkins (3-0), Tampa welterweight Reynaldo Cepeda (1-0. 1 KO) and several others to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for this event are priced at $20, $35, and $75, and are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations and ticketmaster.com. The Tampa Westshore Doubletree Hotel is located at 4500 W. Cypress St Tampa, Fl 33607.

Doors open at 7:00pm, with the action starting at 7:30pm. Additional information is available at www.onepunch.net, or call 813-503-8109

Beatnik Castle and jamesson

Bay Area psychedelic dance/pop duo Beatnik Castle featuring Francillia will team up with Orlando dance artist Jamesson Beane and perform a special acoustic/dance concert at The Peacock Room in Orlando on Tuesday January 19^th at 10:45 pm.  The Peacock Room is located at 1321 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Fl 32803. Beatnik Castle’s chart-topping single and accompanying video “Will U B Mine?” is garnering rave reviews from radio programmers and Dj’s worldwide. Jamesson is a well-rounded contemporary dance artist with a plethora of experience and captivating personae. For further information, go to www.thepeacockroom.com or call 407-228-0048. There also will be a special guest appearance by international singing sensation and Act II recording artist Ohsha Kai. Don’t miss the fun!

The long-awaited music video “Will U B Mine?” from Tampa Bay Area psychedelic dance/pop duo Beatnik Castle Featuring Francillia, will make its national broadcast debut on Logo, the new LBGT network from MTV.  The video will appear on Logo Network’s “NewNowNext Poplab” program this Monday November 30 at 7:00 pm EST. The video also was added to MTV, VH1, Spike TV, AOL, and other national and international video outlets worldwide, including distribution by Promo Only.

Beatnik Castle lead singer/songwriter, Thee Lovely Francillia, will be DJ Bishop’s special guest and will perform the group’s hit single at Café Alma in St. Petersburg this Friday, December 4 around 10:00 pm. Café Alma is located at 260 1st Ave S # 100 St Petersburg, FL 33701-4364. For further information, go to http://www.cafealma.com/splash.htm

Set for release later this month is special dance/club remix cd of their worldwide smash single “Will U B Mine?” The new CD will feature several new dance/club remixes by such dance world notables as Josh Harris, Lenny B, Cato K, Georgie Porgie, Majik Boys, Tod Miner, Julian Marsh and, of course, the indescribable Quincy B. Also set for release 2010 is both an audio and video unplugged acoustic performance featuring “Will U B Mine?” and four songs from Francillia’s 2010 solo CD “Temptation”

For more information, please contact Barbara J. Sobel at BarbaraJSobel@gmail.com for bookings and more information. The videos can be seen at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxcFiqv1j-Y&NR=1 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySzo-v803BQ. Other links to the TBT article and Clear Channel site are http://blogs.tampabay.com/tbt/2009/11/new-beatnik-castle-and-francillia-video-will-u-b-mine.html and http://www.957thebeat.com/new2/artists/i/245678 respectively.

Here is the list of videos for the “NewNowNext PopLab” show airing on Monday, November 30th. This week’s show is a repeat of the Beyonce hosted episode. Premieres include Adam Lambert, Leighton Meester and Orianthi and, of course, Beatnik Castle!

1. Leighton Meester “Somebody To Love” (Logo Premiere)
2. Orianthi “According To You” (Logo Premiere)
3. Beyonce ft Lady Gaga “Video Phone (Extended Remix)”
4. Adam Lambert “Time for Miracles” (Logo Premiere)
5. Paradiso Girls “Patron Tequila”
6. LMFAO “La La La”
7. Cascada “Evacuate the Dancefloor”
8. Bebe Zahara Benet “I’m The It”
9. Foxxjazell “Split Enz” (Broadcast Premiere)
10. Beatnik Castle “Will U Be Mine” (Broadcast Premiere)

FACES Modeling Troupe End of Year fashion Show

Bay Area psychedelic dance/pop duo Beatnik Castle featuring Francillia will perform a special acoustic/dance number at the FACES Modeling Troupe Inc. (FMT) Semi-Annual Fashion Show at The University of South Florida Marshall Center, Student Center Ballroom on Sunday, November 15^th 2009 from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Titled “Primal Instincts: Remembering your Roots,” the Fashion Show’s theme will emphasize the importance of increasing awareness by embracing and subsequently maintaining one’s cultural roots within the local community as well as maintaining a universal camaraderie with colleagues and friends worldwide. Primal Instincts: Back to Your Roots will brilliantly display the progression of attire and fashion specific to primitive African cultures to contemporary designs. This special event welcomes all-ages and is open to the public. Admission is only $7 and $15 for VIP Access.

Headlining the November 15 Fashion Show are FACES models Amanda Faulk (featured in Tampa Bay Fashion Week, Bebe Couture Fashion, House of Ska and Clearwater Fashion Week), Jaidus Mondesir (featured in 2xist underwear shoots, Disney and SeaWorld ads), Roseanne Chery (featured in Untiltled Inc. Fashion, ENIGMA Fashion Show, and Dramatica Fashion Show), and designs by designer and former FACES model Nicole Chavanne. FACES also will be collaborating with other student organizations and community agencies such as ENLACE, Amnesty International, and The Poets: USF.

Beatnik Castle’s single “Will U B Mine?” is currently being played worldwide and was nominated by the national Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for Best Dance Single, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year for the 2010 Grammy Awards

For further information about FACES or the November 15 Fashion Show, please contact Daton Haywood, Director of Shows, at 352-988-7145, dhaywood@mail.usf.edu or go to www.facesmodelingtroupe.com.  For further information on Beatnik Castle go to www.beatnikcastle.com

Francillia and legendary boxing trainer Jimmy Williams

Francillia with World Champion Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell

Francilia at the fights

Special thanks to Terry Trekas at One Punch Productions and Fight Factory for making last evening’s Ballroom Brawl a most memorable occasion for Bay Area psychedelic dance/pop duo Beatnik Castle. The 2010 Grammy Ballot Nominees watched local fighters Lamar Davis, Nick Iannuzzi, Manny Woods and headliner Keith “One Time” Thurman win their respective bouts.  Boxing luminaries such as former world champions Jeff “Left Hook Lacey, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Daniel Santos, Ronald “Winky” Wright, and Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell intently listened as Beatnik singer/songwriter Francillia soulfully and gracefully sang the Star Spangled Banner to the celebrity-filled sellout crowd at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in beautiful but chilly downtown Tampa, Fl. Also in the audience were legendary boxing Hall of Fame trainers Angelo Dundee (Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard) and Tampa’s Jimmy Williams (Antonio Tarver, John Mugabi).

“It was really inspiring to see Jimmy after all these years, “said Quincy B. “Jimmy and I go way back; almost 20 years when I was just a know-it-all  kid from Kissimmee,” said Quincy B. “.Jimmy is a big fan of music and really enjoyed  Francillia’s performance.  He’s an amazing individual and his visionary wisdom was my primary inspiration to work with talented individuals.  My passion for music and entertainment was fueled by Jimmy’s wisdom many years ago. I can’t thank him enough. We’ll do anything to help promote whatever goodness and cheer he continues to spread worldwide “

Was Francillia nervous singing to such a star-studded crowd? “I was a little nervous,” she playfully admits. “But the butterflies quickly subsided and I had plenty of fun. Watching our local fighters win was enjoyable,” she said, adding that meeting and subsequently receiving kind words from Quincy’s mentor, Jimmy Williams also was an honor. “I wasn’t aware that Quincy and Jimmy knew each other! I can see where Quincy gets his passion and enthusiasm from.”

http://www.myspace.com/barbarasobel

The third time is always the charm! For the third consecutive year, Bay Area songwriter/producer/and owner of Mad Monk LTD Quincy B. Scovill and musical songwriting partner and Beatnik Castle band mate – US Virgin Islands-born singing sensation Francillia, have been placed on the Official Ballot for the 2010 Grammy Awards by the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Grammy Categories for Beatnik Castle’s debut single “Will U B Mine” are as follows:

Category 1: Record of the Year # 031
Category 3: Song of the Year # 704
Category 12: Best Dance Recording # 013

“It’s definitely an honor for Francillia and me to be nominated,” exclaims Scovill. “It’s even more special because Francillia is perhaps the most talented person I’ve ever worked with!”
Mad Monk LTD Recording artist Beatnik Castle featuring Francillia – the Bay Area’s coolest, hippest and dynamic eclectic musical duo, are basking in the skyrocketing worldwide success of their hit single “Will U Be Mine?” The single is currently which is currently being played on over 100 on dance/mix radio stations across the country, including XM/Sirius BPM and 16 radio stations in Europe, including the UK and Germany, as well as Australia and South America.
This is the third consecutive year an artist from Bay Area Independent label Mad Monk, LTD has been placed on the Official Ballot Grammy Ballot. Last year, hipfunskters Scovill Avenue were nominated in seven categories, including the coveted first three categories Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, respectively. In 2007, Bay Area doom metallers Peasants of Posture had four different songs from POP’s 2007 debut CD CounterRevolution nominated in four different categories. The original version of “Will U B Mine?” was recorded and released on Big House, Scovill Avenue’s 2008 debut CD and nominated in the Grammy category “Dance Single of the Year” in 2008.
“I guess a good song is a good song, regardless of how many times it’s recorded,” says Scovill, who insists that Francillia’s version is the “best so far.”
Since signing with promoter DJ Harry F. Towers of DEET Promotions in March 2009, Francillia and Quincy B have been extremely busy – performing at the Winter Music Conference in Miami in March 2009, as well as personal appearances at, local dance venues, art exhibits, fashion shows, and singing the national anthem for local and national sporting events. This musically diverse couple also performs the dance/club songs unplugged at coffee shops and private parties as well. The Bay Area’s hottest duo was selected as finalists for the 2009 Urban Music Awards and is currently writing and producing other dance and rap artists worldwide.
Scovill is quick to add that Mad Monk, Ltd plans to release Temptation – Francillia’s full-length solo CD in 2010. The current CD Maxi-single features Latin, techno, club, acoustic, and Island remixes by Scovill, Lenny B, and famed Miami DJ Cato K. Will U B Mine? CD Maxi-singles, Big House and CounterRevolution are still available through CD Baby. For further information, please contact publicist Barbara J. Sobel at 347-960-8153 or barbarajsobel@gmail.com. Check out the single’s Official Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySzo-v803BQ

Los Illuminados featuring Francillia

Tampa-based doom-metallers Peasants of Posture is diligently writing and rehearsing material for Foolin’ at the World, the much-anticipated follow-up to the 2006 debut CounterRevolution.  Helping out with some of the remixes and new songs is none other than Beatnik Castle lead singer and songwriter (and fellow label mate) Francillia.

“It’s definitely an honor and a privilege to have such a tremendous musician and songwriter helping us out, “says POP bassist Anastasia V. Romanov. Francillia’s haunting yet sultry vocals can be heard on the new POP single “Los Illuminados” as well as the techno/tranz version of “God of War (Release Me)” from the upcoming POP sophomore release Foolin’ at the World. “Francillia also sang on the Lamb of God Remix” and graciously offered to sing on some of our other songs as well,” adds a jubilant Romanov.

“She’s an incredible talent and really adds a new dimension. I wish we can steal her from Quincy and Beatnik!” his strange but effective musical collaboration – a pop/R& B singer/songwriter collaborating with an industrial/goth metal rock band as POP is, for the most part, a marriage “made in heaven.” Anastasia and POP singer Thomas E. Rasputin also lent their musical services on “desperado” – a brilliant contemporary rendition of the 1971 Alice Cooper classic which will appear on Francillia’s solo 2010 CD Temptation. PPO guitarist Felix Yussopov also played on Francillia tunes “Alley Cat” and the title track. Any chance that the lovely Francillia appearing on stage with the Peasants?

“I certainly hope so,” exclaims an excited Anastasia. “We’d love to have her play with us! She’s an immense talent and, above all, really digs heavy music with a good grungey vibe. We’ve been trying to get her to hang out with us at The Castle (Tampa’s world-renowned Goth Club in Ybor City) on Friday Nights.” Then she laughs: “We’ll drag her out one night!” Check out the new single “Los Illuminados” (already making a gothic splash in European radio!) and “God of War” at www.myspace.com/rasputinmadmonk.