PHOENIX, Feb. 4, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Viastar Holdings Inc. (OTCBB:VISH) announced today that the Company's premier label, Viastar Records, has signed Exclusive Worldwide Recording and Merchandise Agreements with 24-year-old, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Jaryd Burton. The former front man for Tribe Records recording artists Rimshot, Jaryd is considered by many industry professionals and fans alike to be one of the next stars to arise from the famous city.
Discovered by Viastar Records' Director of A&R, Shiva Baum, Jaryd was a finalist at the popular breeding ground for undiscovered talent, the Acoustic Live.net contest which was sponsored by L.A. tastemaker website The L.A Music Scene.Com (http://www.thelamusicscene.com). Burton has created a significant `buzz' in the community by playing to standing room only audiences at popular venues throughout California.
Armed with a large, powerful and distinctive voice, Jaryd's music is heavily reminiscent of such rock icons as Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain. Jaryd has the unique talent of creating music that connects with today's youth and includes material that is politically relevant, carrying a strong message of personal freedom and the importance of having the courage to believe in oneself.
As reported in the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine, there is a growing format at radio called "Classic Alternative" which focuses on the current audience demand to hear popular 90s Alternative Rock and new music which carries on that tradition. Viastar intends to capitalize on this trend with the release of Jaryd Burton's debut CD.
The focus of the Agreement with Viastar is the label's strong commitment to artist development, a necessary process of developing successful long-term careers that will stand the test of time. This will include relocating Jaryd to the Phoenix area to work intensively with Viastar's A&R department and production staff, putting a strong band together modeled after such classic multi-platinum alternative rock bands such as "Live", "Soundgarden" and "Pearl Jam".
"Jaryd's music and social conscience creates additional opportunities for Viastar to extend its merchandising arm into fashionable clothing and apparel outlets such as `Hot Topic,' allowing the Company the opportunity to reach deeper into the lucrative MTV Generation revenue base," stated Viastar CEO John D. Aquilino.
Shiva Baum, Viastar's Director of A&R stated, "Jaryd Burton has the opportunity to be a major voice of his generation and we believe that a commitment to serious artist development is an integral ingredient to lasting long-term success in the music business. This process, which has largely been ignored by the major labels in recent years, is Viastar's continued commitment to growing its roster and building its revenue streams. The company believes its shareholders will reap the benefits of this strategy from for years to come."
For more information visit Viastar's web site at http://www.viastarcorp.com/
About Viastar
Viastar Holdings, Inc. is engaged in the development, production and distribution of entertainment-related media for film, television, music and publishing interests. The Company's portfolio currently includes ownership of Viastar Distribution Group, A.V.O. Studios, Moving Pictures International, Viastar Records, Quadra Records, Light of the Spirit Records, and Viastar Classical.
Except historical matter contained herein, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.