Prog Fury: An Evening of Progressive Rock in Cali 6 November

BG Productions presents "Prog Fury: An Evening of Progressive Rock" featuring three of Los Angeles' best prog-rock bands: K2, Mars Hollow and Phideaux.

"We're stoked to be able to organize an event such as this; Southern California seems to have a distinct lack of prog-rock shows and we aim to change that with what will hopefully become a series of 'Prog Fury' events", says Mars Hollow bassist Kerry Chicoine; "We're hoping this line-up can prove, once and for all, that live prog-rock can thrive in SoCal."

K2 will be celebrating the release of their new album on Magna Carta Records, Black Garden; special guests Phideaux are currently on the prog-rock festival circuit, playing England's Summer's End festival as well as ROSFest 2011. Mars Hollow will be debuting material from their forthcoming album (with former YES man Billy Sherwood producing).

"Prog Fury" will take place on November 6, 2010; see poster above (click it!) for details.

K2 signs with Magna Carta; new album due in September

California-based Progressive band K2 has signed to Magna Carta Records and has released the first single “Widows Watch” from their upcoming release Black Garden. Black Garden is scheduled for release world-wide on September 21, 2010.

K2 is a true progressive rock band that combines influences of Genesis, Yes, ELP and UK. With vocals reminiscent of Peter Gabriel, bass recalling Yes’ Chris Squire and keyboards from Ryo of Spock’s Beard that bring to mind Rick Wakeman and Tony Banks, K2 is a prog lover’s dream.

Black Garden, K2’s first release on Magna Carta Records, is an instant Prog classic featuring skillful instrumentation, haunting vocals and a rich lyrical backdrop that tells the story of ancient Oceania. Black Garden describes the epic journey of the ancient Polynesians sailing over a third of our world before settling the islands of the South Pacific. And they did it more than 2000 years before Columbus sailed.

Jaquess took on the challenge of writing this ancient tale after visiting the South Pacific and Hawaii and being inspired by the islands’ beauty and history. He was fascinated by the story of how man first came to inhabit the islands so dense with splendor and seemingly cut off from the known world.

The early explorers had only small boats to cross the ocean’s vast emptiness drenched in molten sunlight during the day and veiled in complete darkness by night with only the stars and moon to guide them. The Polynesians travelled across the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean from the Asian mainland to find the mystic islands looming on their horizon after months of confinement on their small vessels.

K2 realizes this imagery in both their lyrical and musical approach to this album. K2 captures the essence of these travelers’ amazing journey where the abundant natural majesty found on the islands was only matched by the danger they faced every day both on land and sea.

Release Date: September 21, 2010
1) Black Garden 6:25
2) Passage to the Deep 11:37
3) Widows Watch 6:38
4) Encounter or Absence 7:12
5) Storm at Sunset 11:06
6) Summer's Fall 2:13
7) Path of the Warrior 10:44


K2 on the Magna Carta website: http://magnacarta.net/K2/index.html
K2 “Widows Watch” single on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/29t6zbn
K2 “Widows Watch” single on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/2bd8pdq
K2 Official website: http://www.myspace.com/k2ken

K2 signs distribution deal with UME

Critically acclaimed progressive rock act K2 has signed a major distribution deal with Umbrello Music Entertainment. The agreement covers both digital downloads and physical CD distribution worldwide. Included in the deal are the album Book of the Dead, a DVD and their upcoming disc, (working title: Black Garden). This deal is just the latest in a series for Umbrello (a label that is quickly becoming both a progressive rock establishment and a leader in digital and video technologies).

K2 was formed by Ken Jaquess in 2001. Beginning with guitar lessons at age 11, and switching to bass at 13, Jaquess found a desire early on to play unconventional music, far from the path of commercial, radio pop. That desire led him to perform with Newcross (Rain of Thought), Dresden and Atlantis before ultimately creating K2 (K Squared).

Book of the Dead was originally released in April of 2005 and received worldwide acclaim, even being heralded as a top 10 release by many critics. Jaquess was joined by drummer Doug Sanborn along with Spock's Beard keyboardist Ryo Okumoto, vocalist Shaun Guerin, violinist Yvette Devereaux, guitarist John Miner and guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Holdsworth, who was once named by Eddie Van Halen as the best guitarist in the world, is well known for his work in the progressive rock supergroup UK, but has also made a name for himself in fusion. He is a true musicians' musician.

In response to live gig requests, Jaquess assembled a new line-up to hit the road. Sanborn, Okumoto and Jaquess teamed up with Atlantis guitarist Karl Johnson and vocalist Josh Gleason of The Waiting Room. In January 2006, K2 performed their first gig in Hollywood. The entire Book of the Dead album was performed, along with a few surprises and was filmed live in widescreen. The DVD includes a bonus live video performance from their summer 2006 tour, as well as behind the scenes footage of rehearsals and a photo gallery. This long awaited item will finally see the light of day!

Jaquess is currently working on the new K2 album, which will also be released through Umbrello in early 2009. This deal will allow worldwide distribution of long anticipated material from this vital progressive rock outfit.