Reed Thomas Lawrence

RTL Plays Nightsounds at Bend PAC

2010-04-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Nightsounds is a cabaret series that features local musicians in a new intimate setting held at the brand new Bend Performing Arts Center "Innovation Theatre Works." Come down tonight for a very intimate acoustic show with Reed Thomas Lawrence at 1900 NE Third Street - 7pm - Bend Oregon 97701 - All Ages, $5 at the door. For More info please call 541.504.6721

See you tonight!

NWX Bend Spring Festival

2010-04-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Reed will be playing on the mainstage at the NWX Bend Oregon Spring Festival this Saturday, April 17th at 7pm (FREE). The mainstage will be located at the intersection of NW Crossing Drive and Mt. Washington Drive on Saturday and Sunday (I will be playing Saturday). For more information please visit: http://c3events.com

RTL on Myspace Artist Discovery

2010-04-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

Last year Reed caught the attention of Myspace Records through his songwriting & musical style - he is now being featured on the Myspace Music Artist Discovery program - check it out here:

http://www.myspace.com/artistdiscovery

The RTL Project w/ Cloaked Characters & Other Special Guests

2010-03-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

The RTL Project is the coming together of music and musical ideas through collaboration. With the art of integrating different styles like, hip hop, rock, blues and even the urban sounds that come from Jazz. California producer Brian Bennett, JT from Cloaked Characters, Engineer Rory Restani from Cloaked Characters, and last but not least, Songwriter and musician Reed Thomas Lawrence AKA RTL out which was created, “The RTL Project.” Come down to the Summit Stage & Saloon, Thursday night, April 8th @ 9pm in downtown Bend Oregon to get a taste of the RTL project as well as see the Cloaked Characters, Mosley Wotta and DJ Hittnrunn live. $5 at the door - for more info please email: booking@reedthomaslawrence.com for details. To hear tracks from the RTL Project please visit the RTL Project official myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/thertlproject

Bend for Haiti Concert & After Party

2010-03-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Everyone - Join me, Eric Tollefson, Root Down and David Jacob Strain for the Bend for Haiti Benefit Concert & after party on Friday, March 19th, 7pm at the Tower Theatre & 10pm after party at the nearby Liberty Theatre. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the relief efforts in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. For more info please visit our website at http://bendforhaiti.com

Tickets are on sale now at http://towertheatre.org

Bend for Haiti Press Release

2010-02-18T02:18:00.000-08:00

Bend Locals Come Together to Host Haiti Benefit Concert

A group of local musicians, in partnership with Bend based humanitarian organization World Relief NEXT, announces The Bend For Haiti Benefit Concert on March 19, 2010. The doors of Bend’s historic Tower Theatre will open at 7PM for an evening of hors d’oeuvres and live music that will provide desperately needed assistance to the millions of Haitians still suffering from the devastating 7.1 earthquake. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised by the concert will be donated to international relief and development agency, World Relief to provide ready to eat food, clean drinkable water and other essential emergency supplies.

The need is staggering. Since the earthquake struck January 12 government officials in Haiti have estimated over 210,000 dead and 1 million homeless (numbers equal to Tsunami of 2004). With over 250,000 homes destroyed and an estimated $14 billion in structural damages, the effort to rebuild Haiti is speculated to last at least ten years. With so many living on the streets with improper sanitation, inadequate access to food, water, shelter and health care the risk of infectious disease is staggering. For Haiti, the already poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the biggest need is long term support.

“Our hope is that people won’t forget about Haiti even when the headlines do,” says concert organizer Justin Lavik. “We know people are going to be hurting for a long time, and we want to do what we can to help.”

World Relief NEXT team member Matthew Smith has seen this need first hand. “Being on the ground in the Haiti is shocking. People have lost everything; homes, jobs, families. The need is everywhere – and we can help. This concert is a good first step.”

At The Haiti Benefit Concert, Central Oregonians can come together to make a tangible difference. Justin Lavik explains, “Most of us will never have the chance to go help in Haiti, but by attending the concert we can support those who are.”

Concert tickets will be sold at the door for $35, or, for $50 the ticket includes access to an after party hosted in the nearby Liberty Theater including live music, Haitian food and dancing.

WHAT: Bend For Haiti Benefit Concert and After Party

WHY: Benefit for World Relief programs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

WHEN: Friday, March 19, 2010 at 7PM (doors open at 6pm)

WHERE: The Tower Theatre, downtown Bend

WHO: Local musicians and one headliner from out of town

For more information on the Haiti Benefit Concert visit http://bendforhaiti.wordpress.com

To learn more about World Relief NEXT visit www.worldreliefnext.org

Northern Lights- Life- Grynch, Top Shelf, Reed Thomas Lawrence

2010-01-08T22:35:00.000-08:00

Check out the video below "All My Life," off of Northern Lights Featuring Grynch, Top Shelf & myself aka RTL. The track was produced by critically acclaimed Northwest hip hop producer "Terminil," who currently just released "Cut Em or Pay Em". I sound a bit like the white boy version of Bob Marley (not even close actually - just making fun of myself which comes naturally). Listen to the entire album here: http://nlights.bandcamp.com/ ENJOY!!

The Kilns Christmas Concert Dec 20th

2009-12-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

Join Reed Thomas Lawrence and Eric Tollefson at the Kilns Christmas Concert. Dec 20th, 7pm - $10 at the door - The Kilns, Bend, OR 550 SW Industrial Way - Suite 44

http://thekilns.com

Great show @ the Tower Theatre

2009-11-22T22:10:00.000-08:00

Well the show at the Tower Theatre was a full-house. What a great opportunity to play music with so many diverse musicians. Thanks to Eric Tollefson, Tim Schroeder, Dori & Doug at Clear 101.7 and the Ronald McDonald House for putting on the event and to all the other talented artists that performed Friday night - what a GREAT SHOW! Photos (Tara Miller) - check out other artist pics from Friday's show at Tara's site:
http://www.jitterbugphoto.blogspot.com/

RTL on the Myspace music home page

2009-11-21T02:36:00.000-08:00

It's getting better all the time...looks like I made it on the front of the Myspace music home page! Click on the screen shot below to see the feature. ~ Cheers

Cloaked Characters FREE Music Download

2009-11-21T02:12:00.000-08:00

Meet the Cloaked Characters, The Empyreal Dark Party Palooza Hop, established in 2000 by Joseph Tavares (a.k.a. Jay Tablet) and Rory Restani (a.k.a. Rory ONEders). Their music has been described as poetic hip-hop with deep, philosophical lyrics and is backed by producers Mr. E and Bennet Bangers’ unique and energetic beats. I know these guys personally and they are, in my book, one of the best underground hip hop groups around. Currently they just release a mixtape titled "Don't Think Just Do." Which has a few different flavors to offer to the ear...club, underground, rock, glitch, dub etc.. Download the first two tracks from that mixtape at the link below and click on the banner below to view their myspace page. HAPPY LISTENING! http://www.sendspace.com/file/wamafh

Northe’n Lights – All My Life f. Grynch, Top Shelf & Reed Thomas Lawrence

2009-11-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to meet and work with the critically acclaimed Northwest hip hop producer "Terminil," who currently just released "Cut Em or Pay Em" by Northe'n Lights. Featuring the talents of Punchline (NYC), Illmaculate (World Rap Champion), Toni Hill, Luck One, T Soprano, Mikey Vegaz, Arjay, Dubble 00, Pricy, Top Shelf, Grynch, Knuckles, and Element. The release is doing incredibly well and was featured on the top hip hop blogs in the US, called "2dopeboyz," below. Click on the blog below and give the album a listen. I'm featured on "All My Life." Track number two!

Homegrown Music Showcase @ The Tower Theatre, Nov 20th

2009-11-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Join Eric Tollefson, Shireen Amini, Empty Space Orchestra, Reed Thomas Lawrence, Dennis McGregor and other locals artists in the 2nd annual, “Homegrown Music Showcase," A benefit concert for Bend's Ronald McDonald House. This one of a kind event featuring some of the best and brightest of Central Oregon’s diverse music landscape. Friday, November 20th @ 7pm -Tower Theatre - Bend, Oregon 97701 towertheatre.org

Click on the website below to pre-order tickets!

New Website Up - Sign up for the Email List & I'll send you a FREE track!

2009-11-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

Quick note to let you all know that the new website is up and running. Click on the new site below, sign up for the email list and I'll send you a FREE track!

Annie Bethancourt Live @ The Kilns - Nov 15th

2009-11-11T21:00:00.000-08:00

Check it out guys, if you haven't heard this young lady sing and you live somewhere in vicinity of Central Oregon, you're in LUCK! She's playing this Sunday (Nov 15) at a super chill spot called the Kilns, Bend OR-7pm, $10 @ the door. Her music speaks for itself. Click the image above and give a listen....I'll see you there:-) Read more about the Kilns here: thekilns.com

Last Chance for Free Download

2009-10-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Last chance to download our track "Music" for Free! Just click on the Tankfarm Clothing website below and download our track "Music" for free (4th track down) and a ton of other great artist downloads from Myspace Records & Tankfarm Clothing...

Great Live Footage by JD

2009-09-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

Joseph Durest, better known as JD for short-has captured some of the best night footage that I've seen in a long time. Courtesy of Mr. JD and Shootoutmedia:)

RTL - This Old Train (Live) from Joseph Duerst on Vimeo.

In the Studio

2009-08-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

In the studio with Franchot Tone working out some new tracks for the new record which will be coming out sometime next year-I will keep you posted on the progress. I decided to be a little like Harry Connick JR. and sing standing up-works out pretty nice actually.

Rockstars

2009-08-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

This little one is a Rockstar all on her own. Just after eating an entire rack of Baldy's famous ribs, we still had room for dessert. Give it up for Whitney Tone, AKA munky.

Free Song Download

2009-08-17T15:19:00.002-07:00

We have a free download on the Takfarm Clothing website for one of the best unsigned acts on myspace. The first set of hang tag clothing is due to hit Pacsun stores and Urban Outfitters Nation wide this next week! We are the 4th track down on the Tankfarm website:
http://www.tankfarmclothing.com/prom

Rothbury Festival

2009-05-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally did it, we made the lineup for the Rothbury Festival. There are not many words I can use to illustrate the feelings that materialize when you get word you are sharing the same stage with legendary artists you grew up listening to, it's just kind of a fortuitous feat! This is an accomplishment that I have achieved through my good friends, family and partners in crime(my band). I give thanks to all!

Culver City Dub Collective Live

2009-04-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

Live at Jack Johnson

Meet Culver City Dub Collective (CCDC) who are ultimately assembled, produced and creatively grounded by two individuals: drummer/songwriter Adam Topol and guitarist/engineer Franchot Tone who is also the engineer and lead guitarist on my record.

Culver City Dub Collective (Live at Jack Johnson) from Joseph Duerst on Vimeo.

Keeping Ourselves Warm With Our Latest Tracks

2009-03-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

For some reason this winter seems to be dragging, leaving me grasping for some sign of spring. Mother nature seems to be teasing us as this winter winds down. Just as the sun begins to peak around the clouds and spring bulbs release their flowers and I prepare for warmer days and less clothing, we are reminded of the fickleness of the weather here. Silly how I fall for it everytime, because the next morning I wake up to iced over windows and a fresh dusting of snow on the cobblestones just outside my front door. However I do owe a bit of gratitude to this long winter because I tend to keep myself warm in the studio with our latest beats.

As the chilled wind blows and the rain changes from snow to hail, Franchot(my producer) and I have been laying down tracks that show the same variety as our weather. Always searching for new innovative ways to progress as artists and nail down our sound just a bit more, we have banged out a good 20 tracks, ranging from reggae to blues from blues to funk and from funk to back to pop. We will use all of this material to pull from for our next cd which we plan to release in 2009. So for what it's worth, I may be cold but my song book in filling up quickly with ink. Here's to winter, warm studios, and new material.

Bend Film

2008-10-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

You don’t have to look past the name of BendFilm to ascertain where the festival originated. While the non-profit independent cinema festival is, of course, rooted in our mountain town, this month will see BendFilm cross the Cascades for its first ever out-of-town event. If you are in the area of Bend Oregon then you can't miss this special event. Come down, have some local wine and brews and hang with my friends and family. I will be playing an acoustic set on Thursday October 9th from 7:45pm-8:30pm @ the Tower Theater located in the heart of beautiful downtown Bend Oregon Tower Theatre -835 NW Wall Street. For more info please check out: www.bendfilm.org or call: (541)317-0700

Its Great to Know Real Artists!

2008-10-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Everyone, meet Ben. He is one of those rarities among human beings who just connects with everyone, and they connect back. Ben just gets it! Like any other form of art, Ben is an artist that is super honest and doesn't try too hard to capture what is already there. You know, art is all around us, but sometimes we try too hard to see it and we just miss it.

Ben's work, always seems to debilitate the eyes which gaze back and forth from a brief sojourn through his very unique, very off the beaten track style of predicting life through a lens.

From me to you, one of my personal favorites- a genuine artist:
www.benmoon.com

Live on iTunes

2008-10-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that we are live on itunes, US, Canada and Europe! Give the new record a listen and please leave us feedback. Thx to all you listeners out there who are supporting the music because we couldn't do it without you!

Music Video Shoot

2008-10-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

The first weekend back from LA and it's cloudy here in Bend Oregon. We've had a super long winter and I was getting a little worried that we might not see summer. Sky, from Rage Productions gathered up everyone for the video shoot and we gave it our best shot.

Everything went super smooth. Everyone arrived on time and everyone had a blast. Thanks to Sky and the rest of the crew @ Rage Films. The team never ceases to amaze me when it comes to motivating the unmotivated, THX.

Thanks again to all the people who participated in making this happen.

RTL

RTL Music Video - "Music" from byron on Vimeo

Riots in Front of the King

2008-10-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this may sound somewhat indiscriminate, but it's a scenerio that actually took place. It's humorous but that's coming from me, the viewer, not the instigators who started this fracas. A yearning for the past, quote on quote, me wanting to see BB King. You know the guy who started it all. This guy's a legend!

The photo above was a "strikingly successful move." You see, that photo was taken just after the King discovered that people were being a bit rude during an original, yet, short guitar solo.

"Sit down!" is what I heard coming from behind me. Then, from the right, "we paid money for this show." "Sit down." Wow! I dropped to the grass, seemingly inert.

Meanwhile, "The thrill is gone, the thrill is gone away," yes! I can still hear BB through the agitated sitters in the back(somehow I must have had a good seat or something).

I think it's great to see people dance at a concert, don't you? I mean, isn't that what music is for, dancing?? The people behind me continued to revile at the people standing, "sit down!" And the people standing scolded back, "this is free airspace and a free country." Oh dear, here we go..... Here came the security guards ready to throw down the gauntlet.

Know the yelling is becoming a bit belligerent. I mean, is this really necessary, five security guards now standing in front of the people standing saying "If you're not going to sit down then we're going to stand in your way." I mean come on guys, I say all the people sitting down stand up and dance. Don't go see a concert if you want to sit through the entirety of it. Just sign up for netflix and have the concert mailed to your doorstep.

All of the arguing from person to person and security guard to person were ended when BB looked over and stoped playing, just gazing with disdain at how all these people would pay for tickets to see the King and then argue over grass space.

I think after the first second or two of BB's reaction, he accepted the fact that it was Hobson's choice, no choice at all.

But I still think it was an indifference that should have been acknowledged either by the people them self, or the security guards. So BB, this goes out to you and the incredible music you give to the people who listen.

THANK YOU and NO THANKS TO the arguments that took place in front of your stage by the ignorants who just don't see outside the box. Lets forgive them, it's anathema that always happens at live shows.

To BB

Bona fide till the end.

Fear Will Always Inspire

2008-09-09T15:59:00.000-07:00

I'm on a plane flying back from Colorado and I think its getting easier! "Unproblematic," you say?? Yes, trouble-free. Oh, flying that is. I utterly hate to fly. I'm not going to fabricate the truth on this one. Even though, I always say "oh flying, I love to fly", I'm speaking to you now from 27,000 ft. above solid earth so that is completely trumped-up when I say I love to fly, I'm not gonna lie to you!

And let me say this is serious and it just came to me. I am flying back on 9/11 and my heart truly aches for those who lost loved ones on that horrible and terrific day I will never fail to remember that day as I'm sure every person on the globe will never forget the day our lives would change dramatically forever.

There are two great observable things that happen when you fly. One, you are so scared shitless that you will talk with anyone, the person next to you, the guy in the front or the sweet flight attendant who normally you wouldn't have time to connect with but in this situation you appreciate the little things. Two, you always find out what your true dreams are when flying. Yes that's right, at least I do. Every time I fly, I'm so scared shitless that I start telling the person next to me everything that I want to experience in my life in the next 20 or 30 years. It's funny though, because the person next to me always looks at me like "wow, this kid is ambitious, and I am to a certain extent, but in all honesty, flying is my inspiration.

The Impossible is Possible

2008-08-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Just recently I had the opportunity to play on the same stage as Sheryl Crow and it was in the town I spent a majority of my youth in, playing small blues pubs and dreaming about moments like this at my hometown amphitheater in Bend, Oregon. Sheryl was late for the democratic convention and the stars somehow aligned for my band and I.