MASSIVE ATTACK PRODUCER NEIL DAVIDGE TO WORK WITH MICROSOFT'S GROUNDBREAKING HALO 4 SCORE
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Neil Davidge
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Microsoft and 343 Industries have announced that the team has enlisted contemporary music icon Neil Davidge of Massive Attack fame to compose the score for Halo 4, the highly anticipated sequel to one of the entertainment industry's biggest franchises. The opportunity came into fruition when Davidge's representatives (Barry Campbell and James Cassidy) met with Microsoft's Kyle Hopkins at the previous A&R Worldwide produced MUSEXPO's Global Synch & Brands Summit in Los Angeles.
As co-writer and producer for the last three albums from pioneering trip hop group Massive Attack, Davidge is an award-winning composer, record producer, songwriter and musician who has helped create some of the most innovative sounds over the past two decades and made an indelible impression on the music industry. In addition to helping pioneer an entire genre of contemporary music, Davidge has established a career as a film composer, scoring acclaimed documentaries and composing additional music for Hollywood blockbusters like Clash of the Titans.
“As a passionate Halo fan, I'm incredibly honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to compose the score for Halo 4” said Davidge. “Music has always been at the heart of what makes Halo so captivating and iconic. With Halo 4, we want to build upon the franchise's amazing legacy and create a score that captures the awe and wonder of the Halo universe, and reinforces the deeper and more emotionally impactful journey Master Chief will embark on.”
Davidge's co-representative James Cassidy stated, “At the inaugural MUSEXPO Global Synch & Brands Summit we had a fortuitous meeting with Kyle Hopkins [Xbox Music supervisor] who happened to be a huge Neil Davidge fan. This started a chain of events which resulted in Neil working closely with Microsoft / 343 Industries and over the course of the last 18 months Neil has composed and produced the score to the forthcoming Halo 4 game. It's been an incredible journey so thanks to Sat Bisla and his A&R Worldwide team for putting us all together in a room [where this all began] at MUSEXPO Los Angeles and to Kyle Hopkins for seeing the potential and helping to make it happen!”
“I re-connected with Neil Davidge’s management at MUSEXPO Los Angeles, and our working relationship developed over the following months.
MUSEXPO provides an excellent platform to initiate and nurture these kinds of artist and industry relationships,” commented Kyle Hopkins, Music Supervisor, Microsoft Media Acquisitions (Microsoft/Xbox)
A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO Founder & President Sat Bisla added, “We are thrilled to see yet another great outcome being generated from MUSEXPO. We've had many hundreds of business deals [including people being hired for new jobs] and tons of synchs for those who have attended MUSEXPO and its Global Synch & Brands Summit. I commend Kyle Hopkins, Barry Campbell, James Cassidy, Neil Davidge and the many others who attend MUSEXPO for keeping an open-mind and embracing the global music community, which is MUSEXPO, where new relationships, opportunity and outcomes come to fruition.”
The partnership between Davidge and 343 Industries marks the first time a new composer has taken the reins for the landmark series’ score since the launch of the original Halo game more than a decade ago. Working in collaboration with 343 Industries, Davidge and his production team enlisted a 16 person hand-picked male tenor / bass choir plus 10 female Bulgarian vocalists, a full 50 piece orchestra and a whole host of other performers to bring the music of Halo 4 to life through a massive production effort on par with a major Hollywood blockbuster.
Click these links for some of the score for Halo 4 and other trailers: 1, 2 and 3.
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U.S. & GLOBAL MUSIC CREATIVES & BUSINESS MINDS HEAD TO LOS ANGELES FOR THE 8TH ANNUAL MUSEXPO
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Larry King
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The 8th annual MUSEXPO kicks off in just under two weeks (April 29 – May 2, 2012) at the W Hotel in Hollywood. The confab will bring together some of the most influential executives from around the world who are shaping the future of the global music business. This year’s event will host 30 artists from 14 countries and welcome delegates from three dozen countries on five continents. This year’s keynote will be moderated by legendary CNN anchorman Larry King. As always, MUSEXPO focuses on the music first and business is a natural second. “MUSEXPO has always been about those who discover and develop music and those who are helping shape the future of the global music business in a positive and inspiring manner. With almost 95% of the world’s potential consumer music market based outside of the U.S., MUSEXPO allows those looking to tap into new markets a way to do so without having to spend huge resources traveling around the globe. MUSEXPO brings the world of music to the doorsteps of Los Angeles” says A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO Founder Sat Bisla.
Music entrepreneurs and those vested in music can still attend the event including all panels, keynotes, showcases, opening night reception, awards luncheon, networking breakfast, networking lunches, networking wine-tasting and cocktail parties by registering by clicking HERE.
For the full MUSEXPO 2012 conference program schedule (including all events, panels, showcases, etc.), please click HERE. For all showcase artists click HERE.
To attend MUSEXPO with the A&R Worldwide newsletter readers 10% discount you can register by clicking HERE.
Some of the confirmed MUSEXPO participants include:
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Steve Schnur
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Ron Fair
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Alexandra Patsavas
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George Ergatoudis
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Craig Kallman
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Michael Chugg
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Jay Cooper
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Mel Elias
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Mamie Coleman
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Kathy Spanberger
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Mandar Thakur
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Jody Gerson
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Martin Goldschmidt
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Martin Kierszenbaum
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Rachel Levy
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Kevin Lyman
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Daniel Glass
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Tim Schaaff
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Ted Chung
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Peter Edge
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MUSEXPO organizers intend to keep the event intimate, inspiring and informative; after all, this year’s theme is “creativity, inspiration and new business opportunities for those vested in music with a mindset of acting local and thinking global.” The event will retain a similar ethos to the A&R Worldwide networking dinners started back in 2001, which have inspired many other conferences around the world and are the foundation of what MUSEXPO’s ideology is all about. MUSEXPO brings together executives and others vested in sound from the music, media and technology sectors from both within the US and abroad in a personal, interactive and forward–thinking manner. In addition, the conference has organized a stellar line–up of showcasing artists! With hundreds of A&R, publishing, music synch, managers, media, brand executives, booking agents and promoters from around the world attending this year’s MUSEXPO, the expectations are high for many acts to walk away with tangible outcomes, as well as post–signing success, thanks to the development foundation already in place for many of the showcasing artists. In addition, executives attending the event are in for a treat as the diversity of global attendees and companies to network and do business with is the strongest since MUSEXPO launched back in 2005.
In addition, MUSEXPO’s Global Synch & Brands Summit will have over 60 music supervisors from film, TV, games and advertising participating at this year’s event. A few seats are available. To register to attend, click HERE.
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RENOWNED MUSIC EXECUTIVE TOM WHALLEY LAUNCHES NEW LABEL WITH UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC
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Tom Whalley
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Universal Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), further expands its creative team this week by inking a label deal with renowned music executive Tom Whalley’s Seven Four Ent. The announcement was made last Thursday by Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group & Universal Republic, Monte Lipman, President & CEO of Universal Republic and Mr. Whalley.
“Tom is a fearless creative executive, respected industry-wide for his A&R instincts and great artistry,” stated Mr. Weiss. “He has been responsible for the breakout success of many of the world’s most exciting, original artists and we are delighted to be partnering with him on the launch of Seven Four Ent.”
“Tom has always been a fierce competitor who constantly operates outside the traditional boundaries,” commented Mr. Lipman. “His innovative approach towards discovering, signing, and marketing new artists has always been inspiring. I’m thrilled that he’s joining forces with Universal Republic.”
“As we continue to expand opportunities for new artists and their music, Tom and his label are a natural fit,” said Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group. “His renowned ability to spot new talent and work in true partnership with artists complements the creative vision that Barry, Monte and I share for our East Coast company.”
“This is a great time for artists and music fans and I am excited to be part of it,” added Mr. Whalley. “I want to continue my tradition of signing independent minded artists and building their careers while using Universal's ability to deliver music to everyone everywhere. Lucian, Barry and Monte’s commitment to me on my new venture gives me the platform to continue to nurture artists' careers.”
Best known for his extensive A&R and artist development experience and proven track record of discovering hit artists, Mr. Whalley began his career in the Warner Bros. Records mailroom before working his way into the label’s A&R department. At Warner Bros., Whalley had early success with ’80’s superstars Modern English and The Cure. He later joined Capitol Records as Head of A&R, where he worked with many of the label’s most important acts including Bonnie Raitt, Poison, Crowded House, the Beastie Boys, and MC Hammer. After Capitol, Mr. Whalley helped launch Interscope Records, eventually serving as President of the label. During his tenure at Interscope, Mr. Whalley signed such seminal artists as Tupac Shakur, Nine Inch Nails, The Wallflowers, Limp Bizkit, 4 Non Blondes, Helmet, Primus and Smash Mouth.
In 2001, he returned to Warner Bros. Records as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, where his first signing was the A&R Worldwide developing artist Bonnie McKee (hit songwriter for Katy Perry’s latest album) which followed a slew of chart-topping artists including Michael Bublé, The White Stripes, Muse, My Chemical Romance, Avenged Sevenfold, Big & Rich, Jason Derulo and Damien Rice, among many others. Mr. Whalley’s innovative integration of technology into marketing and promotion ignited the careers of Josh Groban and Linkin Park around the world and bolstered the careers of Madonna, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty. His commitment to artist development ensured massive worldwide success for international stars Metallica, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Seal, Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Enya and Faith Hill.
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BMG RIGHTS SIGN PLATINUM-SELLING MANDO DIAO
Million-selling Swedish rock band and European festival favorites Mando Diao have signed an exclusive publishing deal with BMG Germany. Led by singer-songwriters Björn Dixgård and Gustaf Norén, the band has released five studio albums, a Best Of and an MTV Unplugged set over the past nine years with total sales of over one million albums, 600,000 of them in Germany.
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Mando Diao
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Besides the upcoming regular Mando Diao album, the deal with BMG coincides with the release of two special projects from the band this year: Back To Earth, an album from Dixgård and Norén’s Gorillaz-type side project Caligola which features contributions from German DJ Paul van Dyk, singer Agnes Carlsson, Oskar Bonde from Johnossi and Swedish hip-hop producers Masse und Salla Salazar. In addition, a Swedish language album, where they interpret a renowned Swedish writer known for his poems about alcohol and women.
The regular Mando Diao album is expected to follow, but in the meantime the band will be playing three major European festivals this summer – In Music, Zagreb in Croatia, Das Festival in Schauffhausen, Switzerland and Sziget in Budapest, Hungary.
Mando Diao’s last album Give Me Fire entered the German, Swiss and Austrian charts at No.1 and its lead single sold 300,000 units in Germany alone.
BMG’s Fred Casimir, responsible for European Repertoire said, “Mando Diao has scored the rare achievement of consistently increasing their fan base while maintaining their musical credibility. We look forward to working with them to further grow their success internationally.”
BMG’s Maik Pallasch, responsible for German Repertoire stated, “Björn and Gustaf’s creative output is incredible at the moment. We are very happy to work with them at such an exciting point of their career.”
Mando Diao added, “We are glad to cooperate with BMG who have a lot of confidence in our different projects. The future is exciting and it will be great to see what we can do together.”
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ACCEPT ROCKS UP THE GERMAN ALBUM CHARTS
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Accept
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German hard rock legends ACCEPT have returned with their thirteenth studio album, Stalingrad, which celebrated big album sales both online and at retailers worldwide. Their 2010 release, Blood of the Nations, was their return after a 17-year hiatus and had been their most successful charting album to date. Bloodreached No. 4 on the German Album Charts, No. 11 on the European Charts and No. 35 worldwide. The album received more than 50 "Album of the Year" nods from International Rock key media and was accompanied by a sensational world tour with more than 180 shows in an 18-month period, circling the globe twice.
Stalingrad was just released in the U.S. on Nuclear Blast last Tuesday and the early figures have deemed the release a success. The album was released on April 6th in Europe and it reached Top 20 among online retailers in G.S.A., France, Canada and all of Scandinavia via the retail advance charts.
There are high expectations on the International chart entries in the upcoming week. This is definitely one of the most important hard rock releases of 2012 worldwide. The album will be released on May 2nd in Japan through Universal Music Japan. ACCEPT is scheduled to tour this Autumn with stops in North America, Latin America, Canada, Asia and Europe. For additional details on ACCEPT, including licensing and synch opportunities, please contact Deville Schober of Brainstorm Music Marketing AG at deville@brainstorm-music-marketing.de.
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GLOBAL NEWS UPDATES…
A&R Worldwide will host its VIP international networking dinner at MUSEXPO with influential leaders from the music, media and technology arenas on Wednesday May 2nd. For more information, contact info@anrworldwide.com. (MUSEXPO delegates get preferred seating – based on availability).
Last month, Pandora streamed over 1 billion listener hours for the very first time. This is an increase of 88% from one year ago as Pandora now claims a 5.79% share of the total U.S. radio listening, nearly doubling it’s percentage from a year ago.
Rumors and unconfirmed reports of Britney Spears signing on to be a judge on the U.S. version of “X-Factor” for $15 million were reported last week. E! NEWS stated that the deal is nearly finalized as both camps were going back and forth regarding money, but there seems to have been an agreement.
Q-Tip, former member of A Tribe Called Quest, has signed with the G.O.O.D. Music family, led by Kanye West. Universal Republic Chairman and CEO Barry Weiss made the announcement last week. Q-Tip’s fourth solo album is expected to be released this year.
GPS | Global Positioning Services has announced the signing of Producer, Mixer, Engineer and Musician Dana Nielsen for exclusive representation. The Grammy-nominated Mixer / Engineer has worked with Adele, Rihanna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Timberlake, Metallica, Weezer, Neil Diamond, Slayer, Linkin Park, System of a Down and Sheryl Crow among others.
Emil Nikolaisen the driving force and writer of Serena Maneesh (signed to 4AD and Smalltown Supersound) has been signed as an exclusive writer to Sony/ATV Scandinavia. Emil has released three albums with Serena Maneesh and is currently working on the new studio album. He's also been writing/recording recently with Todd Rundgren and Lindstrom in Oslo, Norway.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Stennett, Rakesh Sanghvi, Colin Lester, Keith Naftaly, John Silva, Martin Elbourne, Michael Taylor, Alex Gilbert, Sebastain Mair, Marty Diamond, Mike Sault, Milt Olin, Ted Chung and Robert Reynolds.
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JACKASS OF THE WEEK
Have you ever sent a personal IM to the wrong screen name, accidentally replied “send all” on an E-mail, or made a total ass of yourself? Yes, we’ve all had a jackass moment at one time or another in our life. This week, we show you some hilarious jack-ass moments. Click HERE to watch some major “Freudian lips…oops we mean slips” by media broadcasters from around the world. Very funny stuff!
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A&R WORLDWIDE’S "ARTIST OF THE WEEK" – ALIBRANDI
Australian quintet Alibrandi mixes infectious melodies with hard-hitting riffs to create their own brand of alternative indie-rock. Their debut EP, The Emergency, received national airplay in Australia with the lead single, “Even Lions May Fall,” featured in high-rotation spots on such taste-making independent stations as Melbourne’s Triple RRR. The EP and single were produced by Shane Graham and mastered in Seattle by Troy Glessner (Death Cab For Cutie, Anderlin, Underoath). This debut is chock full of tight rock anthems reminiscent of Manchester Orchestra and Bloc Party with hints of Sparta. Last year also included an east coast Australian tour, with 2011 being bookended by packed local shows; now, 2012 brings the next step in this Australian act’s career. Alibrandi has been selected for the FUSE Festival, one of Australia’s most respected music industry showcases. They’ll also perform on the national Rock the Schools Tour, a commercial high school tour encompassing each state of Australia that will witness Alibrandi perform at ten schools to over 5000 young adults between the ages of 13-17. Additional information, tour dates and music can be found at http://www.myspace.com/alibrandionline. Alibrandi will perform their first N. American music industry showcase at the Worldwide Radio Summit on Saturday April 28th at 9.30PM at S.I.R. Studios Hollywood (for guest list information, E-mail info@anrworldwide.com). The band is currently available for signing, licensing, publishing, booking, synch representation. To listen to their single, “Even Lions May Fall,” click HERE, or contact their manager Zac Gould at zac@smackfacerecords.com.au for additional information.
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A&R WORLDWIDE’S "VIDEO OF THE WEEK" – SCHMIDT
London 2011: a new musical cocktail is electrifying the club scene: the ecstatic feeling of freedom of Berlin in the 1920s merges with cabaret, new burlesque and exciting new tunes. In London, the era of the Blue Angel is experiencing a revival in the style of young people and in champagne-fuelled, sinful nights--a trend originating directly from the current zeitgeist. And a young woman from today's Berlin is one of its protagonists: SCHMIDT, a sensational singer who was discovered by a big name in the music scene between London and Los Angeles, Guy Chambers (Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Tina Turner). The then-21-year-old made her stage debut in London at Chambers’ “Orgasmatron”; since then, the young artist has been moving around the London music scene, working with musicians at Ronnie Scott’s legendary jazz club and looking for a special sound: Jazz-influenced pop, delivered in an idiosyncratic, authentic way. It inspired the music of the 1920s and today's attitude to life, through cabaret, jazz, freedom and joie de vivre--music relating to the hidden desires of young women. Her EP Above SinCity with Warner Music was released last October, providing an intriguing insight into her debut album, Femme Schmidt, which is due for release May 18th 2012. The video clip for “In The Photo Booth,” the first taste from the debut album, was just released. The New Cabaret inspired by the Golden Twenties and the Zeitgeist of modern metropolises can be seen as Schmidt displays her charm, beauty and originality. SCHMIDT will perform her first U.S. music industry private showcase on Sunday, April 29th. Contact info@anrworldwide.com for more details.
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PASSPORT APPROVED™ PLAYLIST – 4/15/2012
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, April 15th 2012: The two-hour weekly import show. As heard on KCSN “88.5FM” Los Angeles; KNRK Portland (now with a “Passport Approved Daily” segment on KNRK Portland); KCMP “The Current, Minneapolis; WCNR Charlottesville, VA; “YRockOnXPN” WXPN Philadelphia; WEQX Manchester, VT/Albany, NY and on www.indie1031.com and www.moheak.com in the United States. Also, on the worldwide web and twice weekly segment on Flux FM Germany (Berlin, Brandenburg and Stuttgart), Allgauhit-FM Bavaria Germany, Euro Trash Music South Africa, as well as, a regular feature on Japan’s national radio network Tokyo FM.
Listen to this two-hour show by clicking HERE:
ALL MANKIND – “Heart Of The Universe” (SO Recordings, UK)
FILMS OF COLOUR – “Actions” (Unsigned, UK)
SCHMIDT – “In The Photo Booth” (Warner Music, Germany)
ESCAPISTS – “Burial” (Unsigned, UK)
PARACHUTE YOUTH – “Can’t Get Better Than This” (Sweat It Out, Australia)
CLUB SMITH – “Beautiful & Useless” (Unsigned, UK)
THE PLASTICS – “Stereo Kids” (Unsigned, South Africa)
THE TEMPER TRAP – “Trembling Hands” (Infectious, UK)
DILLION – “Thirteen Thirty-five” (BPitch Control, Germany)
BIG WAVE RIDERS – “Behind These Walls” (Soliti, Finland)
OCEANICS – “Jukebox” (Unsigned, Australia)
SCARLETTE FEVER – “Crash And Burn” (Starfisch Records, UK)
THOMAS AZIER – "Red Eyes" (BMG Rights, Germany)
SATELLITE STORIES – “Helsinki Art Scene” (Rallye, Finland)
MAKESHIFT INNOCENCE – “Your Body” (OP3, Canada)
MAKESHIFT INNOCENCE – Live In Studio Interview
MAKESHIFT INNOCENCE – “All You Need Is Love” (OP3, Canada)
ALIBRANDI – “Even Lions May Fall” (Unsigned, Australia)
KEYWEST – “In The Fight For Love” (Alphastar, Ireland)
FRIENDS OF EMMET – “Hero” (Unsigned, Ireland)
CARO EMERALD – “Back It Up” (Grandmono, Netherlands)
U.T.R.B – “Pressure” (Unsigned, UK)
LONEHILL ESTATE – “Look Good” (Electromode, South Africa)
CALI – “Outta My Mind” (Unsigned, Ireland)
MUMIY TROLL – “Not Tomorrow (Carmen Rizzo Remix)” (The Village, Russia)
(Check out the Passport Approved Radio “Featured Artists” on the daily profile exclusively on AllAccess.com including Labrinth, The Fluxx, Friends of Emmet, Keywest and Caro Emerald).
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