There's a distinct duality to Robert Schwartzman's solo debut, Double Capricorn, due out October 25, 2011.

The Rooney frontman revels in everything from energetic synths to smooth guitars, while cleverly commenting on life and love. Most importantly, the album supports an important cause as all profits from album sales will go to benefit the Tibetan Healing Fund. Double Capricorn is dance rock for the thinking man and so much more.

In between touring with Rooney, Schwartzman began penning ideas for a solo project in 2007. Over the years, those ideas evolved and morphed drastically. During early 2011, he was free from his past record label and reeling from a recent breakup all at once. So he hunkered down in his personal studio with a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve musically. That vision became Double Capricorn.

"I wanted to go for it and completely embrace the idea of a solo record without anyone else's input," Schwartzman declares. "There were no label obligations, and I felt completely free. I decided to take ownership over it and put my best foot forward with music I really believed in. It's a true solo album in the respect that I played and produced everything."

That statement comes through loud and clear during the first single "Second Chances." He's not bound to any conventions other than quality songwriting. An irresistible dancefloor-ready riff rolls into a shimmering piano bridge. Over this propulsive backdrop, Schwartzman urges not to take life for granted during a power pop hook.

"Lyrically, it's a commentary on my generation," he reveals. "So many people live through their social media and waste away online without doing anything. They don't have a voice or real opinions about life. They wait around for something to happen instead of working towards it. The song says stop taking things for granted. We all get chances to live and do amazing things. Seize those opportunities."

Schwartzman has been doing just that since he began his professional career over a decade ago. He's appeared in hit films including The Princess Diaries and The Virgin Suicides and he released three critically acclaimed full-length albums with Rooney—Rooney [2003], Calling the World [2007], and Eureka [2010]. He's also toured the world over playing for exuberant fans across the globe. However, he's never done anything quite like Double Capricorn.

Every bit of revenue from record sales will be donated to the Tibetan Healing Fund, which was founded by his close friend a Tibetan monk named Kunchok. The foundation is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that improves primary healthcare and education for rural Tibetan women and children in the Tibetan regions of P.R. China.

While Kunchok was working on his doctorate at UCLA, he stayed with Schwartzman's family for almost three years. In that time, the two developed a lifelong brotherly bond. Having become the first Tibetan monk to receive a doctorate, Kunchok moved back to Tibet. In the midst of working on Double Capricorn, Schwartzman booked a trip to visit his friend.

He explains, "After I went to Tibet, I was more inspired to finish the record and make it a cause-based release. Kunchok motivated me and gave the album new meaning. He's really incredible and he lives his life for the sake of helping people. I saw a birthing center that he built, and I wanted to do something. Rather than organize a fundraiser and call people for money, I chose to take my music and center it on a greater cause. That's an important message for this album."

That's only one of many messages encapsulated in these tunes. Schwartzman's versatility shines through brightly. "Out of My Head" starts with an airy keyboard before snapping into a sexy, slick groove. Then "Innermission" is a dreamy interlude colored by ethereal sounds, while "All My Life" is a gorgeous stripped-down closer. "I love when the end of records have something different going on," he says. "They can be a link or bridge to another album someday."

Going the indie route, Schwartzman is releasing the album via his website, http://www.RobertSchwartzman.com. Fans can either purchase a digital download or an exclusive physical copy. Every aspect of this record remains special for him, especially the very title.

"My mother always says to me, 'Well Robert, you're a double Capricorn," he smiles. "Both my rising sign and birth sign are Capricorn, and its part of my personality."
Simultaneously, Schwartzman has crafted an entire experience with a powerful meaning behind it. "I care that people feel like they got something from the record," he concludes. "Every element is so important. I want to showcase a new side of myself. There's a lot more that I want to say and do. I'm just starting it with Double Capricorn."

The future looks extremely bright for Robert Schwartzman, and his star will undoubtedly continue to rise. — Rick Florino, October 2011

In just one year, Miami native Emily Greene was able to pull off more than most New York musicians can pull off in five years. She self-released her debut album "Is This What You Had In Mind" to a sold out show at NYC's Joe's Pub, her music was featured on nationally aired TV shows such as Covert Affairs, the hit new TV series on the USA Network which shares soundtrack credits with other illustrious singer-songwriters and artists like Brandi Carlile, Florence & The Machine, Ray LaMontagne, Broken Bells, and Wilco, she's toured nationally and been chosen as an opening act for folk favorite Dar Williams to Pop UK soul songstress Eliza Doolittle and has played packed shows at notorious New York City rock clubs to silent and mesmerized fans. Not to mention her collection of glowing reviews- some saying she is a 'snarkier Tori Amos', and another saying that same comparison is too cliché for her. Time Out New York states she is a mix between "Liz Phair's brusque gal-rock and Norah Jones' husky coffee-tableisms."; The bottom line is Emily Greene climbed her way out of the pool of hundreds- maybe thousands of singer/songwriters in the big city alone and has been getting tons of the right kind of attention.

Before Emily even released her debut album, a number of industry leaders gathered behind her, beginning with Dan Romer, producer behind artists like Ingrid Michaelson and Jenny Owen Youngs. Dan teamed up with Emily to self-release her debut album, Is This What You Had in Mind on June 1st, 2010. She began touring shortly thereafter and booking residencies at major New York clubs like Rockwood Music Hall. Gail Marowitz, Grammy award-winning art director, created original earth friendly one of a kind artwork for the album packaging.

The album boasts layered harmonies and slow grooves, with memorable hooks like "Oceans and Waves" mixed with heavier pop anthems like "Starting Fresh." The title track, "Is This What You Had in Mind," is a dissonant melancholic confession that resolves in arpeggios and harmonies that haunt the corners of your mind long after the song ends.

Emily credits the uniqueness of her sound to the jazz and experimental rock circles she connected with while attending Berklee College of Music. Entering as a pianist, she became a staple in the Boston music scene, starting with her independent rock project, Imoto, and then branching off to create her own solo project gaining attention from jazz legends such as Terri Lyne Carrington and Joanne Brackeen. Her experience in the jazz world paired with her emotive and catchy songwriting led her to being a favorite in the community, and with an album in the works she left for New York
City to pursue the dream of developing and sharing her music more widely.
Emily Greene is now working on recording a follow up album and is collaborating with renowned pianist Pascal Le Bouef on a trip hop album under the name 'Kissy Girls'.


Discography:
Is This What You Had In Mind (2010)

Praise For Emily Greene:
"Is This What You Had in Mind... its engaging songs waver between Liz Phair's brusque gal-rock and Norah Jones' husky coffee-tableisms."
Time Out New York