WHEELS & DEALS: THE NEW PLAYERS CLUB

Hotshot record producer David Bendeth has a new development project called The Urgency. Bendeth is currently in the studio with the band working on tracks. But we hear weasel ears are perking on the tracks that were recently posted on the band’s MySpace page, spurring early label interest. Bendeth continues his hot streak, having produced Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Breaking Benjamin and Paramore’s breakout album, Riot!… Several industry folks were spotted at the Hotel Café last week checking out Canadian songstress Anita Athavale. KCRW’s Nick Harcourt is an early believer, having spun her record on his morning show. Get on it… Meanwhile, A&R reps and managers are flying north of the border to check out another Canuck—the Stacey Mitsupolis-repped Meaghan Smith… A&R hitter Victor Murgatroyd has inked a new agreement with RCA Music Group for his Five K Entertainment. The imprint will sign and develop new artists for J Records. Murgatroyd will continue to co-A&R his existing roster at J, including the acts signed to Mountainview Recordings, the label imprint of Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) and producer Joey Moi… Finally, congrats to Red Light manager Michael McDonald and wife Rebecca Wright on the recent birth of their daughter Noah Strummer Wells McDonald. Whew! That’s a long name. The child entered the world weighing in at 8.5 lbs, while singing the Clash’s Rock the Casbah… BUZZIN’: Luke Wood and Brilliant Technologies… Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ/GIGS:
LINDA ORTEGA Tues., Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m., Knitting Factory, L.A.
ASCAP’S WANG WEDNESDAY Wed., Feb. 6, 6:00 p.m., Big Wangs, L.A.
BMI’S DEVIL STOLE THE BEAT SHOWCASE Thurs., Feb. 21, 8:30 p.m., Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta