MSN Music

Discerning music fans can now savor intimate performances online from distinctive artists including Ani DiFranco, Jakob Dylan, Alanis Morissette, Raphael Saadiq, Ingrid Michaelson, Patty Griffin, Ben Harper and the Hold Steady on MSN Music. MSN is now an official online partner for Artists Den, an innovative live music project that focuses on unique performances captured in evocative venues here and abroad.

"Live from the Artists Den" on MSN will complement broadcast episodes of the project's new weekly series airing on PBS television stations across the U.S. Online, fans can view performances and interviews on demand, augmented by additional editorial features.

The Artists Den has been presenting emerging and established musicians in unique settings around the world since its inception in 2004. The venture began as one music lover's vision of staging outstanding live music in non-traditional venues. Initially a series of private living room concerts, the Artists Den expanded to include unforgettable performances across North America and Europe by some of today's most significant names in music -- in some of the most interesting, off-the-beaten-path locations imaginable. Since its formation, the Artists Den series has captured over 40 distinctive artists in performance.

"Live from The Artists Den" premieres on public television and online at MSN in February 2009. Recordings from concerts are released nationally as CD/DVD titles by Artists Den Records. For more information, visit TheArtistsDen.com.

Unlike other live music series, "Live from the Artists Den" breaks away from the confines of conventional studio sets by unveiling a new, unexpected venue in every episode. Each stunning location transforms into a concert setting for one unforgettable night. All top live acts, the musicians often play a role in picking the stage for these memorable events, which frequently inspire new renditions of songs and special set lists. Noted music critic Alan Light (former editor-in-chief of "Vibe" and "Spin" magazines and a featured contributor to MSN Music) conducts artist interviews on-site at every concert.

Additional artist performances will be unveiled in the months ahead to bring fans closer to artists they love, and introduce them to artists they'll treasure. Featured artists will include Crowded House, Aimee Mann, the Swell Season (the Oscar-winning duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, featured in the critically-acclaimed independent film, "Once") and KT Tunstall.