Cynic Guru

Cynic Guru is an alternative/pop/rock band fronted by lead singer/songwriter Roland Hartwell. Hartwell is a Japanese/American originating from Los Angeles, and currently lives and works in Reykjavik. A violinist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Hartwell has played for Dr. Dre, Cher, P. Diddy, Mandy Moore, Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, Brian Adams, Leanne Rimes, Dionne Warwick, and Barry White. Other Cynic Guru members include Óli Hólm (drums), Einar Jóhannsson (lead guitar), and Ricky Korn (bass).  
 
In 2005, Cynic Guru was signed to a licensing contract with Skifan Records (now Sena Records), and the band’s debut cd “Iceland” was released in Nov. 05’.  It was immediately chosen by both X-FM and RUV as “Album of the Week”, and landed their first two singles in the top ten (‘Catastrophe’ on X-IÐ’s top ten, and ‘Drugs’ at #1 on X-IÐ).   
In Feb. 06’, Cynic Guru’s “Iceland” cd signed with Westwood Records of Japan to a licensing contract, and shortly afterwards was distributed throughout Japan.   A summer 06’ tour of Japan is currently being organized. 
After their groundbreaking performance at last year’s Iceland Airwaves Music Festival (2005), Cynic Guru was chosen to be on a compilation cd that was distributed in England via Music Week Magazine.  Soon afterwards, Cynic Guru was contacted by two UK companies: MANILLA PR and FAT NORTHERNER RECORDS.   
Manilla PR, a UK based Public Relations company, offered Cynic Guru to embark on a tour of England billed as “UK vs. Iceland Battle Of The Bands” and Fat Northerner Records signed Cynic Guru to a licensing contract releasing “Iceland” throughout the UK and Ireland.   
The “UK vs. Iceland Battle Of The Bands” tour is occurring from June 4th till June 10th.  The tour consists of 6 performances in the following cities: Middlesbrough, London, Sunderland, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester. 

http://www.garageband.com/cynicguru 
http://www.myspace.com/cynicguru 
http://www.cynicguru.com/