Houla Entertainment APCA Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Jesse Labelle

Houla Entertainment APCA Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Jesse Labelle

Jesse Labelle is a Canadian born country/pop/rock singer-songwriter. In June 2008, Labelle signed to Canadian label Wax Records and began working on his debut album, Perfect Accident, which would be released April 27, 2010. His second album, Two, was released August 7, 2013. He is best known for his singles "Easier", "Heartbreak Coverup", and "One Last Night". In 2013, citing creative differences between himself and the record label, Jesse was released form his recording contract with Wax Records and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where he teamed up with Public Artz Artist Development (Tim Hicks, Three Days Grace). In the summer of 2014 Jesse was chosen to open for Keith Urban on the "Raise 'Em Up Tour", notably at the Calgary Stampede. Audiences have embraced Jesse and his unique brand of Country/Pop/Rock Music. 

Jesse will be showcasing at APCA Hershey on Saturday, March 18 at the Lunch showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ The Middle Ground

Houla Entertainment APCA Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ The Middle Ground

The Middle Ground are an alt-rock group based out of Nashville, TN. Their music delivers catchy hooks that are bound to get trapped in your head, touching on the groups’ varied musical interests while staying rooted in pop sensibility.

he layered melodic guitars and writing style push the band to straddle the line between acts like Young the Giant, Kings of Leon, and OneRepublic.  The Middle Ground formed in late 2013, in Milwaukee, WI and consists of members, Joe Neary (vocals/keys/guitar), Chris Halbauer (drums), Jordan Burmeister (bass), and Zach Gruznski (guitar).  The band has been working on the release of their second studio album, Start Again, which will be out Dec. 2016.

he Middle Ground recently relocated to Nashville, and they've been taking the city by storm. Within months of the move they were finalists in the Music City Big Break, winning over the judges and audience alike. They've also been finalists in the Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem contest, not to mention the numerous past awards/recognition they received back in their hometown of Milwaukee, WI, which included a Radio Milwaukee Music Award nomination and being named the WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) 2014 New Artist of the Year. No matter where The Middle Ground goes, there’s a new fan to follow.

The Middle Ground is showcasing at APCA Hershey on Friday, March 17 at the Lunch showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Chad Zumock

Houla Entertainment APCA Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Chad Zumock

Chad Zumock is a proud 2.4 GPA General Studies graduate out of Kent State University, the same University that produced famous comedians such as Arsenio Hall, Steve Harvey, and Drew Carey. He captivates audiences with his high energy humor, brutal honesty about his life, and quick slacker wit. His likability is what connects him with all kinds of people and makes him a strong draw for all over the country, especially with college kids. 

His stand-up comedy has led him to appearances on the Bob & Tom Show, Opie & Jimmy Show, Spike TV, Cinemax, E!, numerous low-budget commercials, and even a writing spot on the 2006 Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner. In 2012 he released his Top 20 iTunes ranked comedy album "Adventures in Argyle" which also can be heard on Sirius XM Raw Dog and Pandora Radio.

Chad is showcasing at APCA Hershey on Friday, March 17 at 9:00 pm.

Houla Entertainment APCA National/Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Handsome Naked

Houla Entertainment APCA National and Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Handsome Naked

Handsome Naked is an award winning, critically acclaimed, nationally touring Hip-Hop/Rap and Comedy group from Chicago. In the process of releasing two EPs (#HandsomeNaked, Google Us) and three full length albums (Chicago Style, H.NAKE, Fully Clothed) they have collaborated with up and coming comedians such as Chris Redd (Poster: Never Stop Never Stopping, Fox - Empire), Rashawn Nadine Scott (Second City Mainstage, The Late Show), Nick Lavallee (Voted New Hampshires Funniest Comedian 13’-14’) and more. The group began when filmmaker and comedian Eric Oren (national touring stand-up, TruTV's "Roadspill") and Chucho Perez (Chicago MED, Second City Touring Company) joined forced with Brad Kemp (Second City Music Director) to create a music video and realized their love for lyrical rap. They recently headlined The Beat Kitchen, as well as the annual Chicago Laughingstock Comedy Music Festival and have appeared everywhere from WGN Radio to Second City's Death By Evening.

Handsome Naked is showcasing Saturday, March 11 at 1:00 pm at APCA National and Saturday, March 18 at APCA Hershey at the Dinner showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National/Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Jennifer Hall

Houla Entertainment APCA National and Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Jennifer Hall

Developing musical roots from Chicago, IL…Jennifer Hall has created a genre-defying performance with an unmatched passion and vulnerability in her music. Often drawing comparisons to the likes of St. Vincent, Janis Joplin, and Florence + The Machine, Jennifer identifies as a vocal powerhouse, while integrating her soulful tenderness with a mix of experimental production.

Since the release of Jennifer’s previous project, Jennifer Hall EP, she has created her own artistic avenue that pushes the boundaries of the indie, alternative, and rock genres to fuse as one. Poised for an exciting year, Jennifer Hall is working on new music for 2017 that is expected to revolutionize her musical movement, which has only just begun.

Jennifer is showcasing at APCA National on Thursday, March 9 at 3:30 pm and APCA Hershey on Saturday at the Dinner showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National/Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Drawing North

Houla Entertainment APCA National and Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Drawing North

The story of Drawing North started from writing simple pop demos in a garage to selling out their first ever headline show to over 600 people in their hometown of Canberra, Australia. Since then, the 3 friends have constantly been at work, whether it be booking their own 40 date school’s tour of Australia, recording acoustic releases endorsed by Joel Madden of Good Charlotte or playing festivals such as Australia Celebrates live, Vans Warped Tour Australia and Groovin The Moo. 

Drawing North recently released their debut album ‘El Dorado’ through Universal Music to great success that landed them a spot on iTunes Top 3 Pop Albums. The band has also showcased at Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and SXSW (South By South West) in Austin, Texas.

Drawing North is showcasing at APCA National on Saturday, March 11 at 1:00 pm and APCA Hershey on Friday, March 17 at the Dinner showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National Spotlight Artist ~ Comedian Landry

Houla Entertainment APCA National Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Landry

Landry is best recognized for his likeable hair, sprouting from charismatic follicles. He is a Canadian born interracial love child whose hybrid existence, when mixed with a little dysfunction, makes for a fantastic recipe of comedy goulash. He is the winner of both the Boston Comedy Festival and the World Series of Comedy but none of that matters so long as his mom thinks he's funny.  With a smile that lights up a room and a personality to match, there is no telling what great things this young performer will achieve.

Landry is showcasing Thursday, March 9 at 9:00 pm and is the Emcee Friday, March 10 at the Dinner showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National Spotlight Artist ~ Polaroid Summer

Houla Entertainment APCA National Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Polaroid Summer

Polaroid Summer is the combined talents of two well know Houston bands, Lost Element and VerseCity. Polaroid Summer is comprised of lead vocalist Micaiah Walker former lead singer of VerseCity, drummer Brian Barrett formerly of Lost Element, guitarist Trace Sisson formerly of Lost element, and bassist Kenneth Conlon formerly of Lost Element. After years of touring, writing, and tirelessly supporting their previous projects, both bands decided it was time to for a fresh start. The guys from Lost Element were introduced to Walker through a manager they had both previously worked with. They played a string of shows together in the Fall of 2016 where Walker filled in for former Lost Element lead singer, Omar Lopez. It was there that things really started to gel between the former Lost Element members and Walker. It didn’t take long before they started writing and forming the new project, Polaroid Summer. They spent the winter of 2016 at Mix star studios in Virginia Beach, VA with Producer Bryce Bordone, the nephew of 11 time Grammy award winner, Serban Ghenea. After writing and working with Bryce, the group quickly developed their new age alt pop sound that gives them cross genre appeal. Channeling both electronic and organic elements combine with big propulsive beats, catchy guitar licks in resemblance to the 1975, and hook driven lead vocals gives them a lavishly layered sound appealing to mass audiences. Delivering hook after hook, the bands debut EP features everything from powerful message songs like “The Giant” to heart felt emotionally centered tracks about loss and healing like “Feeling Connected” all the way to millennial generation sing along anthems like “American Gold”. Polaroid Summers first single, The Giant, which was mixed by Ghenea, will be released February 24th and their 8 song debut EP will be soon to follow. They are launching the new band with a big hometown show in Houston at Fitzgerald’s, Friday March 3rd.

Polaroid Summer is showcasing on Friday, March 10 at the Dinner showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National Spotlight Artist ~ Kristen Merlin

Houla Entertainment APCA National Showcasing Spotlight Artist is Kristen Merlin.

After earning her BA in Music and Sound Recording from the University of New Haven in Connecticut and brushing up on her performance chops all over Massachusetts with her own band, Merlin’s talents landed her a spot on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning series, “The Voice.” Her audition of Sugarland’s “Something More” received some heated haggling between coaches Adam Levine and Shakira. Merlin made the decision to join Team Shakira and became a powerhouse female staple of “The Voice: Season 6”. Merlin, who finished fourth overall on “The Voice,” is now making her debut with original music. 

Kristen is showcasing Thursday, March 9 at the Dinner Showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National/Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Daphne Willis

Houla Entertainment APCA National and Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Daphne Willis

Collaborating across multiple genres ranging from Soul-Rock and Pop to Hip Hop and Electronic Dance Music, classifying Daphne Willis in musical terms is no easy task. With infectious melodies delivered with lyrical precision and honesty, the songs and performances of Daphne Willis are sincere, compelling and relevant. 

Raised in Chicago and relocated now to Nashville, Willis cites influences as varied as Elvis Costello and Michael Jackson, but her musical output cleverly incorporates such inspirations into a style that is refreshing and contemporary in a way that suits her songs best. Daphne is currently a Pop writer at Sony/ATV and continues to release music and tour as an Indie Artist. 

Daphne is showcasing at APCA National on Friday, March 10 at 9:30 pm and at APCA Hershey on Friday, March 18 at the Lunch showcase.