It's the one-in-a-million chance most unsigned bands can only dream of. For Dig the Kid, that dream is becoming reality faster than they could have ever hoped. Thanks to a worldwide open call for songs from the online artist platform, ReverbNation, Oakland, CA's Dig the Kid's "Still Breathing" has landed the coveted placement of the end title song for the forthcoming, highly-anticipated reimagining of the 1991 cult classic, "Point Break."
ASG Music Group, the joint venture between Alcon Entertainment and Sleeping Giant Media LLC, joined forces with ReverbNation's community of nearly four million musicians for the song search. Bands were asked to submit an original song for the filmmakers to consider for possible use as an end title song or in the film's advertising campaign. The search generated over 7,500 submissions and over two million interactions.
The "Point Break" soundtrack album-which also features Steve Aoki with Headhunterz, Justin Young, MRKTS, SG Lewis, Genevieve, and Andrew Watt-will be released December 4 via Alcon Sleeping Giant/Caroline.
"Still Breathing" was serviced to rock and alternative radio, and released on iTunes November 13. It's also featured in a Jeep/"Point Break" integrated commercial, which started airing November 8 and will run through the end of November. "Still Breathing" recently premiered on Billboard.com, and the music video will premiere in the coming weeks.
Ken Caillat, Grammy Award-winning producer and Co-CEO of Sleeping Giant Media said, "To my knowledge, a worldwide search like this has never been done with a film of this magnitude. We are excited to give independent artists this global opportunity."
Forming a little over three years ago, when fellow Academy of Art University students Cory Todd (an illustrator) and Ian Lasater (a film major) created the trio with Lisa Mongelli, Dig the Kid has built a following the old-fashioned way-through dynamic live performances and steady touring. Onstage, all three rotate between different instruments, with Mongelli coming out from behind the drums to play guitar and bass, while Lasater takes over the drums.
"Still Breathing"--co-produced by Sleeping Giant Media's Michael Hodges and Ken Caillat-mirrors the band's gung-ho, one-for-all attitude and offers a glimpse of their relentless style. It's an amalgam of classic, alternative rock and reggae influences that range from Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater and Tom Petty, to U2 and the Killers, while forging their own unique identity.
"'Still Breathing' is about being close to death, but still managing to survive," explains Cory Todd. "That's the feeling we wanted to capture. Our songs have that cinematic quality anyway, with three-act narratives and character development. And the endings are always these big massive climaxes."
Set for release on Christmas Day 2015 by Warner Bros., "Point Break" is a re-imagining of the classic action thriller starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. The 2015 reimagination was directed by Ericson Core and stars Luke Bracey, EdgaR Ramirez, Teresa Palmer, Ray Winstone and Delroy Lindo. Producers include Alcon Entertainment co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove. It features cameos by international DJ and music producer Steve Aoki, as well as Seth Troxler and The Art Department.
The production was filmed on four continents, including North America, Europe, South America and Asia, and features scenes performed by the world's top extreme sports athletes, as opposed to stunt performers. Locations set for filming include Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Venezuela, French Polynesia, India, and the United States.
"Point Break" had an extraordinarily ambitious shooting schedule involving some of the most daring stunts ever committed to film. Extreme sports featured include surfing 70-foot waves, snowboarding, wingsuit flying, free rock climbing, and high-speed motorcycle stunts. Renowned extreme athletes performing scenes in the film include surfers Makua Rothman, Billy Kemper, Brian Keaulana and Ahanu Tson-dru; snowboarders Lucas De Bari, Ralph Backstrom, Mitch Toelderer, Mike Basich and Xavier De La Rue; motorcyclists Riley Harper and Oakley Lehman; wingsuit stunt pilots Jeb Corliss, Jon Devore, Julian Boulle, Noah Bahson and Michael Swanson; and free climber Chris Sharma, among others.
Meanwhile, Dig the Kid has lined up a handful of shows opening for Scott Weiland next month. Check them out at any of the following stops:
December 18 - Reno, NV -Psychedelic Ballroom
December 19 - Napa, CA - City Winery
December 21 - Los Angeles, CA - Roxy Theatre
December 22 -- Fresno, CA - Strummers
About ASG: ASG Music Group is designed to revolutionize the integrations within music, film, television and commercial media companies. In an industry filled with creative pressures to cut costs, ASG has formed an entertainment model to increase revenue, generate new revenue and add value for all ASG partners while focusing on the directors, producers and production companies' creative visions. ASG provides industry wide services including music content creation, production, composition, promotion, distribution and label services in all areas of music. In addition to producing original music and third party content for Alcon's motion picture and television properties, ASG partners with other film, television, brand and commercial media companies to provide numerous music solutions and label services.
About ReverbNation: Independent Artists turn to ReverbNation for music industry connections, worldwide audience exposure and the powerful promotional tools necessary to advance their careers in today's digital music ecosystem. Driven by its mission to put Artists First, the company has grown since its 2006 launch to serve nearly four million musicians worldwide. In 2014 ReverbNation developed its proprietary curation-at-scale methodology to identify the world's most promising Artists early in their careers. This capability, coupled with its global audience, allows ReverbNation to bring the world's best emerging Artists unrivaled access to opportunity. For more information, visit ReverbNation.com and follow ReverbNation on Twitter at @ReverbNation.
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