January 6, 2011

The Music Industry program and MAD Dragon Records will be busy in the coming months. In addition to new record releases, in January we will welcome Jason Crigler, a sought after singer/songwriter and guitarist who performed with Norah Jones and Marshall Crenshaw until a massive brain hemorrhage, known as an AVM or Arterio-Venous Malformation, nearly destroyed his life.  The prognosis for Jason’s recovery was poor as he was left unable to move, communicate or perform for several years. But with the love and support of his family and friends, Jason made a complete recovery.  His story was documented by filmmaker Eric Daniel Metzgar in Life.Support.Music, which we will screen, along with a presentation by Jason and his sister Marjorie on Saturday, January 30th at 1 PM in Geary Auditorium B at the Center City Campus.  Following the screening and talk, Jason will perform a concert sponsored by the Colleges of Nursing and Health Professions, the College of Medicine, the Athletic Department and the Office of Student Life.

Local musician, producer, DJ and label owner RJD2 will breakdown his production process during a discussion Wednesday, January 19th in Stein Auditorium. RJD2 will hold an open forum, starting at 6 PM, which will feature multi-track recordings of select songs from his six released LPs along with material from his new artist, ‘The Insane Warrior,’ due out later this year.  RJD2 will peel back the layers of ideas involved in his songwriting, production and mixing.  RJ’s Electrical Connections, the new label founded by RJD2, will also be discussed. Besides being a successful producer and beat maker, RJD2 is also a savvy music businessman.

On January 22nd, Mad Dragon recording artist Kuf Knotz will get the Drexel Homecoming festivities started with a special kickoff concert organized by the Latenight Series and the Homecoming Tradition’s Committee.  Kuf, fresh off his fall MAD Dragon release of Boombox Logic, will play a set, supported by several Latenight Series artists, in the lobby of Nesbitt Hall.  The concert starts at 5 PM and is free.  If you haven’t caught a Kuf Knotz live show, you’ll want to see this very special performer and musician. 

The annual MAD Dragon concert, produced by music industry students, is back for its fifth year on Thursday, March 3rd.  Headlining the show will be a top regional act comparable to previous headliners the Spinto Band and Illinois. The bill will feature bands drawn from the MAD Dragon roster. The concert is free for all Drexel students and will be televised on Drexel’s DUTV.