Astronaut Julie Payette requested to bring the record along as one of only a handful of personal effects that each astronaut can bring a board a shuttle. So you know this record is freakin’ good. 

Following a smooth countdown with no technical issues and weather that steadily improved throughout the afternoon, the shuttle lifted off from Launch Pad 39A and began its orbital chase of the International Space Station. Shortly before takeoff, Ms. Payette said she was excited to go.

“Of course, I’ve been ready for a month now. We’re really looking forward to go and execute the mission. That’s what we’re here for,” Ms. Payette said. “I can tell you there is nothing routine standing next to a spacecraft or strapped inside a spacecraft . . . it’s quite awesome.”

Here’s a video of the launch. Go Kal go!

The shuttle is to carry seven crew members to the orbiting International Space Station (ISS) where they are to complete the assembly of the Japanese Kibo laboratory.  And jam out to the sweet rockin’ country, accessible, get-under-your-skin, catchy sounds of Kal Hourd’s “Haven’t Even Met Yet.”

Think of it as a literal record launch.

Ms. Payette, a fan of Kal Hourd, contacted him through his website requesting to take a copy of his album into space with her.  The prestige is rare, with the Saskatoon based singer/songwriter now slotted to join the ranks of music legends The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Sarah McLachlin, Taylor Swift and Beethoven, as a select few to have been blasted into space. Kal has also been invited by the Canadian Space Agency to attend the launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida.   

In 2007 Kal Hourd received the Rising Star Award at the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards (SCMA), and in January 2008 was invited to showcase his song writing skills and vocal styling at the OnTheVerge Festival in Nashville, Tennessee. This showcase provided the opportunity to record his debut album with the help of producers Thad Beaty and Jason Collum of Sorted Noise.  “Haven’t Even Met Yet”, is a creative culmination of many different music styles and influences filled with catchy phrases, great melodies and an unforgettable vocal.

“Haven’t Even Met Yet” can be expected to make its debut in stores mid-August 2009 through E1 Music Canada.  

Kal has already received several nominations from the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards and won the 2009 award for Video of the Year for his song “Pink,” the last track on “Haven’t Even Met Yet.” The song and video are very moving portrayals of a woman’s experience with Breast Cancer and this song has brought much hope to its thousands of fans. The video was even sent out in a mass-email by the Governor of Saskatchewan whose wife was battling Breast Cancer as a symbol of hope and solidarity. Watch the video here:

We’re excited to be a part of Kal’s continued success. Look for more from this rising star, including his upcoming album “Haven’t Even Met Yet” scheduled for release later this year! For more on Kal, please visit his website: kalhourd.com.

* Paul Alan’s song “To Bring You Back” is at number 12 on the CHR charts!

* MTV continues to show Secrets In Stereo some love. “No Such Thing” was featured in the MTV show “The Paper”. This is the 4th song from the Secrets In Stereo project to be used by MTV.

* We are currently working on music for:

Kal Hourd
Nathan Christopher
Deanna Harper
Greg Johnson
Kristian Bush
Parker Branch

* Perrin Lamb recently released his latest EP “Feels Like Home”.
It features the songs: Newborn Child, Shiver, Feels Like Home, Love You More and Better Now. It’s pretty much Fantastic Music… and the artwork includes super cool photos by Becky Fluke.

Regarding said EP, how about this:

Emerging from the ever growing pack of modern singer/songwriters, Perrin Lamb has worked tirelessly to develop a unique sound and point of view.
This can be heard in spades on Perrin’s 2007 release BE THIS WAY, the title track of which has been placed in several major TV series’, and has garnered praise from all over webdom.

His latest effort, “Feels Like Home”, deals with universal themes such as love, and loss, yearning and contentment. All the while creating a sonic landscape rife with subtle influences from his anglophilic nature….the string quartet in the radio ready “Newborn Child” seems to have been plucked from George Martin’s back catalog….to the down home strum and barbershop harmonies on the subtly sweet “Love You More”. But Perrin also likes to plug in and turn up as is evident in the slow burning love song to music itself, “Shiver”.

If you have more life ahead of you than behind you, or vice versa, this short but sweet and subtle collection will give you plenty to enjoy and ponder.