New Web Series Puts Spotlight on Youth in Today's Music Scene

(PRWEB) April 2, 2008 -- Online this spring, is "Let it be heard?the Story of The Collective Sound", an inspirational story of a small group of young musicians from around the world as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime during The Collective Sound (TCS) Summer Music Academy, the world's first ever touring music camp.

The new web series will premiere Saturday, April 5th from 8-11pm at the Downtown Chico Plaza, Chico, CA, with live musical guests, and former camp attendees, Aubrey Debauchery, TID, and the Shimmies. The 18 webisodes are then set to air one per day for four weeks starting April 7th at http://www.thecollectivesound.tv, as well as on YouTube, MySpace, Google, Blip.tv, and Veoh.com

"Let it Be Heard?The Story of The Collective Sound" is a raw, uplifting account of an eclectic group of young musicians as they collaborate with newly acquainted peers to learn about the music industry, recording, and electronic music. The series brings to light many of the issues facing today's aspiring young musicians as well as the endless possibilities life has to offer them in the hours they spend doing what they love.

Starting in the small town of Chico, the documentary follows the three-week adventure of 50 young artists as they attempt to write and record an original song, make an epk, shoot a music video, and get ready to open for headliners as part of the three-stop Element Youth Movement Co-Op Tour, a collaborative art, music, skate, and educational tour with Element Skateboards, the Element Eden Advocates, Adaptive Action Sports Amped Riders, Becky City, and various other non-profit youth charities.

The high energy webisodes capture the kids as they participate in a music video shoot with award winning Australian artist Ben Lee for his hit single "Love Me Like The World Is Ending", and visit Capitol Records, Pandora internet radio, and Mislabeled.com. It also features the kids' performances at San Francisco's Union Square, The Camp in Costa Mesa, and the Ocean Beach Skate Park in San Diego. The series is propelled by the music of Dredg, The Shimmies, Aubrey Debauchery, Evil Maria, We Barbarians, Modern Cinema, the Mathematicians and many more who have been involved with TCS over the years.

Rather than outsourcing the project to a traditional production company, TCS Founder and "Let it Be Heard?" narrator, Zac Smith, produced the series with friends Christian Spencer, Chris Acosta, and Brandon Vedder. The series also includes drawings by artist Daniel Vera that illustrate the inner monologue of camp characters as well as the plight of The Collective Sound.

"The DIY approach taken in the production and release of the series is right in line with the message we try to pass along to our kids. We have all been involved with the program over the years and felt it was our responsibility to tell the story in the most accurate way possible. We hope that others will find these kids as inspirational as we do," says Smith.

The Collective Sound (TCS) is a non-profit organization with a goal to present youth, age 12-18 years, from varying socio-economic and cultural backgrounds with an authentic musical experience through the vehicle of rock and electronic music. The Collective Sound nurtures tomorrow's creative innovators and leaders by developing music resources, programs and environments.

For more information on The Collective Sound Summer Rock & Roll Music Camps, and "Let it Be Heard - The Story of The Collective Sound" visit www.thecollectivesound.com or call 530-693-2058.

Press contact:

Zac Smith, Tel: 530-693-2058

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