In October 2009, Uplaya awarded ISTVAN 7 Awards, predicting 7 "Hit" Songs on one Album - that is huge by any standard. Platinum Awards for "More", "Yes We Can", "I Still Love You", "Clowns", "Safe & Sound" and "Your Beauty's In The Way". "It's You And Me" was also awarded a Gold Award by Uplaya. and more visit: http://uplaya.com/artists/istvan ******************************************************* ISTVAN ''Clowns'' Best of the year 2009 on HCR Radio Seattle HCR Supported Bands Show, 03 Jan 2010. !!BEST OF 2009 SHOW!! SuLE * NONE LIKE US * ISTVAN * MALICE IN WONDERLAND * MOUNTAIN MIRRORS * * REVERSION ... and MUCH MUCH MORE! ''Clowns'' is playing on number 4 out of a 150 new supported Bands from 2009. http://www.headcaseradio.com/podcasts/mental/hcrsupbnd.2010-01-03.m4a ******************************************************** MIcControl's Jon Ostrow Album Reviews: Istvan has created genuine songs that combine the heavy hitting chords of early metal (Black Sabbath), the heavily effected palm-mute style rhythm guitar (Van Halen) and the strong melodies and harmonies with a lyrical focus on people, human nature and society (Pink Floyd)- after all, the title track is called Clowns, an obvious nod to people's behaviors today. As a songwriter, Istvan really hits the mark here. But it is Istvan's use of accents that show his true talent. Istvan has really shown some mastery of Rock n' Roll. In the end, Clowns by Istvan is really an album that anyone who is a fan of classic metal or classic hard rock should take a listen to. These songs are, without a doubt, well written, well arranged, and most importantly well performed. FOR MORE INFO ON ISTVAN, CHECK OUT HIS PROFILE RIGHT HERE ON MICCONTROL.COM ******************************************************* ISTVAN is an artist who comes from Montreal, Canada. ISTVAN ''Clowns'' Debut album is 12 tracks of really terrific Rock/Prog Music / Lyrics and will give your inner prog fan some tasty satisfaction. The songs and the sounds are original, catchy and well written! - Scott Wedel Radio Seattle ****************************************************** ISTVAN has always had music in his blood and recalls that as a tiny tot, he tried to sing, not talk, first. He is a Canadian with a Hungarian Father and a French Canadian Mother. He 'discovered' Elvis Presley when he was just 5 and by the time he was 6, he knew what his life ambition was - to be a R'n'R singer. His parents supported his dream by sending him to a Violin Teacher but that didn't last long as Istvan insisted on moving his body about whilst playing which his Teacher disapproved of. At 10 he purchased a black and white guitar just like Elvis' On Stage '72 one. A few months lessons and he was on his way. He still has that original first guitar today. After Elvis, he was 'into' The Beatles (related to John Lennon the most), which lead to followings of The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. By 15, he was penning his first song, "Safe And Sound". Istvan's music career started in earnest when he turned 17 and started Clubbing all around Eastern Canada (mostly Quebec and Ontario) and often played with musicians 10 years older than himself. He recalls he was their Michael Schenker from UFO and was their lead guitarist, a long haired blonde who played a fast picking and could drop down a scale at the speed of light. Aged just 19, he penned "I Still Love You", "Going South", "Praeludium", "Love", "Yes We Can", "Sunny Days", "Clowns","Made For Love", "It's You And Me" and some 15 other songs. That same year he also wrote a full Heavy Metal Album called "Doomsday". The following year Istvan purchased a Tascam Recorder, microphones, a Bass and Keyboard plus a few more Guitars. Fully equipped, he recorded a few songs and made a 100 Cassette copies which his Mother wrote covering letters for and mailed to Record Companies both big and small. Nothing happened. A year of setbacks in which he experienced the loss of his Father and the news he was to become a Father himself saw Istvan realize one cannot survive on music alone so he took a position with a Direct Sales Company. His success in sales led him to being sent to Europe to set up an Organization there, which he did, very successfully. During his time in Europe his duties included organizing many Parties, which meant hiring Bands, and most let Istvan play with them so he managed to performed all over Europe. Finally Homesick, he returned to Canada and set up his own marketing business which is, today, a highly successful venture. However time waits for no man and his mid-life crisis made him realize time was marching on and his music was being ignored. That was enough to motivate him to hire a studio and musicians and re-vamp his old songs and record them. Almost completed, Istvan signed up to MySpace and uploaded the completed songs. He was neither ready nor prepared for the huge responses he received.