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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

40 WATT HYPE TO OPEN FOR LUDACRIS
ON JAN. 23 AT THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

FRESNO, Calif. (Jan. 15) -- 40 Watt Hype, whose mix of Latin, Soul and R&B has made it one of the busiest bands to come out of Fresno, will perform at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 23 in Park City, Utah.

The Fresno hip hop group is scheduled to open for Ludacris, whose latest album Red Light District is listed on The Billboard 200 charts at No. 5. This is the first show 40 Watt Hype will perform out of the state.

The band is being flown into Utah from Fresno on Sunday morning and will perform its neo-hip hop sound before an audience of film and music enthusiasts and record label execs.

Awall, who rocked the microphone with Vagabond in more than 80 shows across California in 2004, said he plans to fully represent the Central Valley at Sundance.

“We’re ecstatic to play at the kind of event that supports the independent working entertainment community,” Awall said. “This being the first show of the year, it’s also a cool start for the band. We expect to make the most of 2005 and playing at an international event like Sundance is a great way to kick open the gates.”

40 Watt Hype is also putting together a DVD/CD bundle called “Live & Direct: Sight & Sound” that will be available in early February. The live CD will feature 15 live 40 Watt Hype performances and will be available separate from the DVD as well.

The band also is currently recording a full-length album that should be released this spring, Awall said. Their current album, produced by Grammy award winner Art Hodge, is called “Grand Unification Theory” and is available at Tower Records and iTunes among other places.

Multi platinum-selling rap artist Ludacris is the headliner at Sundance. As the self-proclaimed “Dirty South Ambassador,” Ludacris has recorded three albums with Def Jam Records – Back for the First Time, Word of Mouf and Chicken N Beer – which have sold more than 10 million copies to date.

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About 40 Watt Hype
40 Watt Hype is a neo hip-hop band that combines elements of Latin, Soul and R&B creating a new, fresh and commanding sound with tremendous crossover success. For more information, visit www.40watthype.com.

About the Sundance Film Festival
One of the premiere film festivals in the world, the Sundance Film Festival is a showcase for the best and latest work of independent American and international filmmakers. A diverse group of over 36,000 patrons attend the Festival each January in Park City, Utah, including directors, actors, film industry executives, and film lovers. The Festival is a program of the Sundance Institute. For more information, visit www.sundance.org.

CONTACT: Aaron Wall, (559) 421-6333 (voice mail).

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