Local musicians planning video, CD release

After playing his upbeat acoustic rock in California, Michigan and Pennsylvania this year, singer-songwriter Andy Baker is coming home.

Baker, an Anchorage-based musician, is playing at Vagabond Blues on Jan. 11, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Palmer singer-songwriter Naomi Harris is opening for Baker.

Baker will perform original songs off his new CD, "Queenstown." He has been on the road for much of 2002, opening three shows in Alaska for John Prine, as well as hosting a number of performances in the Lower 48.

Baker has been touring in Alaska and the Lower 48 since his move to Alaska in 1998. He has played in venues ranging from a coffeehouse in Nome to the Atwood Concert Hall.

Baker's acoustic rock has been getting air time on KNBA, KBBI and KTOO radio stations in Alaska. Two of his original songs from the CD placed first in the APRN Song of the Year contest in 2002.

For more information about Andy Baker, interested people can visit Baker's Web site at www.andybakerlive.com.

There are also links on the Web site for people to listen to selected tracks from the CD, as well as to order the CD.

Roman Candles

ready to shoot video

After playing a few shows with Andrew Norsworthy over the holidays, Matt Hopper -- a 1997 Colony graduate and 2001 APRN songwriter of the year award winner in the rock category -- is ready to get back to work.

The Roman Candles are getting ready to shoot a video for the song Working the Kinks Out, and the band needs about 100 people for the filming. Hopper, the front man for the band, said it involves coming to a live show and listening to the band play the song over and over.

The Roman Candles are also busy recording their first full-length CD. The band was also asked to be on a compilation called Movements, which is being put together by BD4D.com.

For more information about the Roman Candles, interested people can visit the Web site www.theromancandles.com or Hopper's Web site at www.matthopper.com.

Anatomy of a Ghost

ready to release CD

Anatomy of a Ghost, the Portland, Ore.-based rock band comprised of men from Wasilla, is releasing its debut CD, Evanesce, on Jan. 21. The band has taken off recently, topping the charts at MP3.com a number of times with songs off the new CD.

The band has been busy touring the Pacific Northwest, receiving rave reviews in the process.

The band is also attracting a lot of attention overseas from international listeners.

For more information, including show dates, links to MP3 music and CD ordering, interested people can visit the band's Web site at www.wewillrise.net or the band's label, Rise Records, at www.riserecords.com.