Box Factory Hosts DJ Dance Party in Celebration of New Vinyl Album Release

Grammy-winning engineer/producer, Dave Carlock, announces a DJ dance party in celebration of The Rain Dogs' anticipated premium, 180g vinyl release of their new album, "Roses", on Saturday, December 17th, hosted by The Box Factory For The Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. The red carpet celebration will include a live auction for charity, all-inclusive multi-floor/multi-generation DJ dance party courtesy of Center Line Music DJs, gourmet pizza hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Silver Beach Pizza, and shuttle service to auxiliary parking for attendees courtesy of Signature Toyota.

Big Bear Auction Company's Jerry Glassman will kick off the event by auctioning off foil-numbered, limited edition gold and silver sleeved versions of "Roses" over hip-hop beats-uniquely "mashing up" his verbal art form with urban grooves in the spirit of the evening-to benefit a number of regional charities. The bidder who pledges the highest album bid of the night for charity will win a free concert by The Rain Dogs, redeemable within the 2017 calendar year. Other high bidders will receive an overnight stay at BH's newest hotels, SpringHill Suites Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn.

Released exclusively on vinyl with an accompanying digital download, "Roses" is the first release of a themed, two-album collection produced in his Benton Harbor Arts District recording studio by Carlock, who describes the music as "a variety of alternative pop/rock styles shaken together like a great mixed drink and served on the rocks."

Each ticketholder will also be entitled to a free, 180g standard edition version of the vinyl (with digital download), filled with minor chords, haunting hooks and lyrics. The band's stylistic collection of Goth-A-Billy, Punk-Pirate, raise-your-glass drinking songs, and tongue-in-cheek novelties provide the soundtrack for the perfect house party.

Songs written by guitarist/vocalist and band founder Bruce Bigford proved to be the key to Carlock's interest in producing the long-term dual album project for the band: "Bruce's dogged 16 year commitment to creating unique, original music in Southwest Michigan has always impressed me. Having co-produced a record with David Foster & Greg Ladanyi for The Tubes, The Rain Dogs' take on arty alternative pop/rock felt very natural, and turning an art gallery into a multi-floor dance house for the launch seems apropos", Carlock said.

Founded in 2000, the current Rain Dogs roster also features Mike Briney on bass guitar and backing vocals, Jenny Lynn on keyboards and backing vocals, and Mike Holton on drums.

Insisting on a primarily-original music format hasn't always been an easy road for the band: "I've always had a vision for the band and its performances, which has at times cost us band members who couldn't see where we were going. For me, performing should create a full experience, so we have various stage wear and subtle props that get the mood across. Lately it's a gangster/prohibition era look", Bigford said.

Where keeping a band together can always be tricky, writing original music has been less challenging for Bigford, which he started right away after switching from violin to guitar as a teen: "When I started fooling with the timer to make (practice) sessions go faster, I knew the violin wasn't for me. Without the pressure of that timer, I found myself practicing (guitar) for hours every day, and also writing songs", Bigford recalled.

"Collaborating with Dave (Carlock) to make a professional record on-par with the big acts he's worked with, pulling out all the stops and making it top notch with mastering pros from LA, pressing to heavy-duty vinyl-it was all done to create this two-record crown jewel in honor of my late wife Crystal, and I'm very proud of the work."

At the December 17th release party, ticketholders are encouraged to dress to make a statement in the spirit of a stylish, fun, rock and roll evening. "Be ready to have your picture taken on the red carpet with the band", Carlock said. "Express yourself in concert t-shirts and Converse, or black dresses and dancing shoes, or jackets and ties, or go wild with face painting and something that would make Bowie proud. It's an artist's celebration!"

Following the party on Monday December 19th, "Roses" can be purchased in Berrien County at 3 Pillars Music, 198 Water St., Benton Harbor, with a unique offering: a 10% discount on turntables and stereo equipment. The offer is good through January 13, 2017.

The album will also be available December 19th at Shuga Records, 1272 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL; Ignition Music, 805 W. McKinley, Goshen, IN; Satellite Records, 808 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI; & Vertigo Music, 129 South Division Grand Rapids, MI.

Advance ticket sales only, no door sales will be offered. $20 admission includes free album. To order tickets, visit www.boxfactoryforthearts.org, www.theraindogs.us, or call 661.RAINDOG (661.724.6364). Doors open at 6:45pm, auction at 7:30pm, and multi-floor/multi-generation DJ Dance Party to immediately follow.

Online music magazine Pitchfork reported that last year's total domestic vinyl record sales rose 32% to $416 million, the classic format's highest amount since 1988.

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