International rock artist Manafest (aka Chris Greenwood) released his fifth label studio project, Fighter, on April 10^th 2012.

Produced by Adam Messinger (Justin Bieber) and Seth Mosley (newsboys), Fighter vents the Toronto native’s losses and draws hurting people toward inspiration like never before. With great hope, the starting title track crunches down hard on life’s oppression while Manafest retells his story to encourage others going through their own hard times. A fighter himself, Manafest knows what it means to have a fight. His uphill climb began at age five when his father committed suicide. Years of childhood insecurity and fear gave way to a promising skateboarding career, but then an injury took that away, too. Music soon filled the void, and it would prove to be a perfect fit.

“Whether it’s family, personal, or professional, it’s been a fight,” he says of a life and career that, despite their many layers and successes, are really just beginning to step into the ring. “I’ve had the willingness to bear pain to get through all this, and I’m winning now. Fighter was made to keep bringing a light to people; keep fighting.”

Twitter ~ @Manafest

Facebook ~ Manafest

OPENING BAND: CROOKED HILL 

Crooked Hill takes their name from the literal translation of the word Hamilton – the city in which the band members hail from. It only made sense to name themselves after the city in which they met, became friends, and grew together as musicians.

The five piece group has birthed a sound that is equal parts alternative rock and power pop, all the while paying homage to an array of influences from 80′s new wave to folk music. The songs themselves are a mosaic of the bands experiences, beliefs and observations of the human condition.

With the pairing of both female and male lead vocals the band has set out to create a variety of styles, textures and sound palettes.

After years of playing and writing together, the band recorded their debut EP “Up, Up Away” with Edmonton producer, Derek Steinbrenner, and released the EP on January 15th, 2011 at their CD Release Party to a SOLD OUT crowd of 300+ at The Studio at Hamilton Place.

Since then, the band released a self produced EP “Glaciers”, and has grown a huge fan base in the Hamilton/Toronto area – maxing out space in some of Toronto’s greatest clubs and venues (Mod Club, The Rivoli, The Drake Hotel, The Opera House).

Crooked Hill’s debut EP “Up, Up Away” is available on iTunes and in October 2011, they hit the road to Atlanta to record their 3rd release AMERICAN AUTUMN with producer Matt Goldman (Copeland, Underoath). 

Twitter ~ @CrookedHillBand

Facebook ~ Crooked Hill Music