James Moore's Blog, page 122

Vents Magazine Is The Place For Quality Independent Music

One thing I see consistently in the music business is independent artists becoming discouraged after contacting the “Top 50 music blogs”, or scouring Hype Machine, and getting no response. All I can say is that there’s a much bigger world out there and I can guarantee that there are more high quality publications supporting indies than you think. Case in point; My good friends over at Vents Magazine have been raising their profile and consistently covering a wide range of artists through interviews, reviews, features, and a whole lot more since 2011. I can verify this personally through my own experiences with them and what they’ve delivered for artists I’ve worked with. Most importantly, they have a good ear for the “right stuff” and exert quality control. You can check out their issues through the link below and get in contact via their website.

I also had the chance to speak with head honcho/CEO Rafael Jovine and he answered a few of my questions about how they operate.

What is Vents Magazine looking to accomplish for independent musicians?

We want everyone to know about them. There are some cool big and indie signed bands around, but there are awesome and amazing talent yet undiscovered and that, if you check them out, you will realize you have wasted so many time listen to mainstream crap, loosing hope in music, when there was a light out there, and it is stunning beautiful.

What qualities do you look for in a musician or band?

I am a man of sounds, basically. I pretty much give a damn or don’t care too much about lyrics. So bands with great hooks, riffs, bass lines and drumbeats… those are my favourite.

What are some artists who have blown you away recently?

I know too much, but groups like Arstidir and iamthemorning, are perfect example of the talent yet to be discovered. Joe Vitale Jr. and Ivan Mihaljevic & Side Effects know how to rock, everything in their latest albums just fit perfectly. Michael Stahler and Ray Tarantino has some great tunes when it comes to Folk and Country Music, those are the types of artists that truly have been making me dig more those genres and getting more interested… EB11, The Upset Victory, In Cage, Dead Letter Circus… too many to count really

 

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Interview with Corinna C. Poeszus, General Manager of Universal Publishing Production Music

My friend Andrew Apanov of the popular music industry website Dottedmusic.com recently added a fascinating addition to his “Stand Above the Noise” video series, offering his musician and industry audience an exclusive interview with Corinna C. Poeszus, General Manager of Universal Publishing Production Music (Germany).

Universal Publishing Production Music handle the pitching of tracks from Universal’s back catalogue for licensing opportunities in film, TV, commercials, etc, as well as producing music. The video is filled with insight to spare, with useful information for both aspiring musicians and industry veterans.

Hats off to Dotted Music for this series!

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

A Template To Use When Contacting Music Blogs – Excerpt from “Your Band Is A Virus”

Many artists are confused as to what to include when contacting music bloggers. Opinions vary, and everyone has their own style. One thing is for certain, though. You should make things as easy as possible for the bloggers. The way I like to do this is by providing complete information with everything at their fingertips so absolutely no Googling is required should they wish to cover the artist. On the other side of the coin, the email should also be very concise. I don’t personally send any attachments or fancy one-sheets. (“Thank God!”, a blogger wrote to me once about this choice.)

Below is a template that you can adjust and use when contacting music blogs. Please keep in mind that the key to this, as I’m aware some readers will find this article through Google, skim it, and assume that I recommend sending mass template emails, is the personalization in the introduction. Build a rapport. Say hello. Be honest about who you are.

The following is an excerpt from “Your Band Is A Virus – Expanded Edition”.

Include All Information In A Concise Format

This is a general tip that applies to all music submissions. Many artists and PR companies either make their media pitches way too long or way too short. I have opened up emails that go on for pages or contain endless unwanted attachments. I also have received emails that only contain a zip file or one or two sentences and no artist link. These swiftly go to the junk folder.

Here is a template that I use when submitting music for review consideration.

(Personal message at the top w/optional press release below)

Artist name:

Location:

Styles:

CD name:

Release date:

Label information:

Streaming Link:

Secure Music Download Link:

Secure Press Photos Link:

Tracklisting:

Production details:

Members/Instruments:

Websites:

Music video links:

Press contact:

Artist contact:

Highlights/Accolades:

Bio:

Notes on this template:

For your Streaming link, Soundcloud, Bandcamp or your own private link are perfect for this purpose. Soundcloud includes a feature that allows you to set up your whole album for streaming, and even create private links that allow easy downloads of your release.

Your album download link, or zip file, can be hosted on a service such as Mediafire.com, Yousend.com or Dropbox.com. Make sure there are no pop-up advertisements or other annoyances. Put yourself in the shoes of the person on the other end of your email. To make it easiest on the media, I usually create a zip file containing the high quality version of the album (320 kbps), the album cover art (a large, high quality version), 4 or 5 high quality band photos, and a professional one-sheet or document with bio and contact information in case they lose the original email. This ensures that you’re not burying anyone with too many zip files, although it’s generally fine to have two.

When it comes to listing similar artists, a common mistake is to aim too high. Want a helpful tip? Don’t choose Radiohead. If you say you sound similar to Radiohead, your email may get skipped. Only Radiohead sounds like Radiohead, and it’s usually not a good move to pinpoint an act that so many people connect with on such a deep level. Acts like Metallica and U2 are also too big to list as similar artists. I know that when I receive music submissions with comparisons like this, it just doesn’t register on my psyche for some reason. However, if names like The Melvins, A Place to Bury Strangers, Django Django or Charles Bradley get mentioned, it peaks my interest.

Try choosing a mid-level “hip” band who are currently frequenting the music blogs, SXSW festival, CMJ, etc. Make sure you are sonically similar, of course. You will get more results comparing yourself to Cloud Nothings than Nirvana, for example.

Make sense?

For the websites section, don’t list every social media site or musician’s community you have a page on. Just include your official website, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Last.fm and Youtube pages.

The style section should be thought of the same way as the similar artists section. It’s meant to generate interest in your music, so instead of just ‘alternative rock’, you may have better luck with ‘alternative rock, garage rock, indie rock’. It creates more of a sense of depth. Of course, make sure everything you list is relevant to your particular sound and influences.

For highlights and accolades, the whole purpose of this is once again to be helpful and appease the short attention span of the reader. This is not meant as any kind of insult. I happen to have short attention span myself. It’s a fact of the internet age. People who take long periods of time away from their computers often report having unbelievable amounts of creativity and clarity return. In the time that I’ve been promoting music online, my attention span has diminished considerably. Therefore, a highlights and accolades section can be very helpful as a point form guide to why your band should be covered.

What should you include here? Have you opened for any notable bands? Have you won any awards? Have you been covered in any respectable publications or popular blogs? Is there anything strange or unique about you? If you are just starting out, you may not need this. You can always add to it later.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

How To Get More Press Than Other Bands – An Excerpt From “Your Band Is A Virus”

How do you get more press than other bands? It’s actually quite simple, and over half the work is accomplished by switching your mindset from one of an artist who is being “affected by the world” to a serious artist who is affecting the world with ease. The term serious implies you take the time to promote yourself. You don’t wait for someone to throw you a bone.

The following is an excerpt from “Your Band Is A Virus – Expanded Edition” from the Chapter “My Strategy of Behind-the-Scenes Marketing”. Here I’m sharing 5 out of the 13 tactics I share in the chapter. Further information covered in the book includes embracing the user-content revolution, the normal route done right, embracing the ego, donating to blogs you respect, launching your own platform and cross-promoting, advertising, and a full navigation through the controversial world of paid reviews. Some of the information is so counter-intuitive to the current industry that I prefer to share it with the book readers only.

The below excerpt alone should provide you with some counter-intuitive tips you’ve never heard before, and I hope they help you on your path!

Build A Freelance Army

Post an ad on Craigslist looking for quality freelance writers who want to write music reviews, features, and interviews, and are willing to pitch these pieces to various publications and blogs. Outsource reviews the same way you outsource advertising. Get people working on your behalf, because you’ll find that not many people are going to take up your mantle for free.

You would be extremely surprised as to the quality of writers you’ll hear from. Writers with multiple degrees, writers who contribute to top publications and magazines, you name it. There are no guarantees, but why not have them pitch your music to those publications? This is an inside track, and I’d go as far as to say it could be more lucrative than anything else you do promotion-wise.

Be Personable

We encourage you to check out “Staff” sections on music websites. Many music websites will have an area where they provide a list of their staff with email addresses, photos, music preferences, hobbies etc. Find someone you relate to and email people! Once again – have a conversation first and foremost. Many writers will even ignore great artists if the artist doesn’t take the time to engage them. Ask yourself, “What is a blog post worth to me?” If it’s worth $5, $10, $20 or even $50, it’s definitely worth some deep thought and a conversation.

As with conversation, so with emailing. Nothing gets people to light up more than to talk about what they’re interested in with the knowledge that someone is really listening. The blogger wants to be appreciated for their blogs the same way you want to be appreciated for your music. Once you understand that, you can start working on that premise. Independent Music Promotions

Support the Media

Independent media is at once thriving and collapsing. You would be surprised how much it helps when you retweet a review, share it on Facebook, or suggest it on Pinterest. It makes you look good to the place that supported you and opens the door to further coverage, and at the same time spreads your music to new potential fans by making your name more visible. It also exposes more people to the publication, making them more able to influence the success of deserving bands. Help them help you!

Drop the Unfounded Negativity

Somewhere along the line, the general perception of music reviewers, at least from the musician’s standpoint, became extremely negative. This is the same thing that has happened generally with the music industry. It’s a “no one is throwing me a bone” mentality. Seeing both sides of the coin, I have to say that musicians tend to show more ignorance when it comes to not realizing that no one owes them anything, especially time. It takes time to read your bio. It takes time to listen to your music. It definitely takes time to write about your music. Considering 99 percent of the people who write about music do it for the love of it without pay, it stands to reason that they should be respected, and that they are really no different from musicians. It’s merely a perceptual divide. Drop those misconceptions. They will only divide you from others. Fix that up and all of a sudden you are connected with another human being who is just like you.

Become a Stalker

Please note that this title is meant to be humorous and I in no way advocate any kind of harassment. Here’s the deal. There is no easy way to get your band featured in major publications such as Pitchfork, NME or Rolling Stone. Seeking out freelance writers and contributors can be a way to get in the door. You can find them through creative Google searches and appeal to them by getting personal through email. Check Blog Critics, Examiner.com, Technorati.com, About.com or Suite 101 and get in touch with the writers there.

Many writers for major blogs such as Pitchfork, the Aquarian Drunkard and Stereogum are freelance writers who write for a variety of publications. Also, most professional writers have their own blogs, Twitter accounts, and Linkedin profiles where their contact information is accessible. When you contact them, be polite and clear as to your intentions, and don’t take much of their time. There’s nothing wrong with “finding” someone as long as their information is readily available, they are treated with respect, and you only ask

once.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Marcus Reeves

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Marcus Reeves…allow me to explain. A press release arrived in my inbox, as they often do, and as I prepared to be unimpressed by over-the-top hype, a strange photo on the right side of my computer screen jumped out at me. I always talk about originality and the need to “stand on your own” as an independent artist, and London-based glam rock/pop artist Marcus Reeves is definitely unafraid to do so. From the first visual impression to hearing his impressively versatile music, Mr. Reeves comes across as a true professional.

At the moment, he’s launched a Wefund campaign to take care of costs for his upcoming debut album. The accompanying video should serve as a perfect example to independent musicians as to how to come across well to your fan-base and potential contributors, coming across as both humble and charismatic.

Read the news release below for full details and support the Wefund campaign here:

London, December 2012 – Fresh from the release of his debut single ‘Black Tears’ in November, London-based rock singer Marcus Reeves has appealed to fans and followers to help fund his debut album and choose his next single release. Five-star ratings for ‘Black Tears’ With positive reviews from online press and five-star average buyer ratings on iTunes for ‘Black Tears’, Marcus is looking forward to releasing his second single in late February.

He says: “I’ve got two strong songs lined up – ‘Mistaken Identity’, which is a sleazy rock number – and ‘Radio Head’, which is more of a guitar-driven pop song. Indecisive creature that I am, I can’t decide which to put out next, but listeners can vote for the song they prefer by commenting on the tracks on SoundCloud. They can also play a vital role in the completion of my album by donating towards it on WeFund.”

Reeves’ concept album ‘Quicksilver – The Masquerade Macabre’, consisting of 13 original songs, is slated for an independent release in August – as long as Marcus can raise £3,000 towards further studio time and CD production costs. Marcus has even raided his own personal archive to find rewards for WeFund sponsors, including signed sheet music, props and promotional items from his stage shows and even hand made masks of his own face.

His introductory video on YouTube features a previously unheard mix of one of the album’s tracks – ‘Gone’ – and Reeves plans to offer further exclusives to WeFund sponsors until the funding deadline on 1 March. Teasers of six completed songs from the album can be heard now on Marcus Reeves’ website, http://www.reevescorner.co.uk including his signature song ‘Mad Bad World’, which is available as a free download to fans who sign up to his mailing list.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Rock n’ Roll Lives! Hats Off To Sir Paul And Nirvana

Consider your faith renewed. Rock n’ roll is alive, well, and as vibrant as it ever was. When I heard the news about Paul McCartney’s live performance with the surviving members of Nirvana I was naturally excited, having a deep love for both bands and their contributions to music. Finding out the track was an original was a surprise, and then hearing how heavy it turned out was another. The recent performance of “Cut Me Some Slack” at the Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert evoked a loose and sludgy “Helter Skelter” feel, and the performance was inspired. What a perfect match. And the song was written just the day before…this 4-piece could bust out an album within a month I’d guess.

Naturally, there were message board folks who complained about the event for various reasons…but it’s clear that most rock fans are celebrating this momentous occasion. The track is not necessarily inspiring because of it’s lyrical content, but because of it’s rock and roll spirit, which is off the charts and enough to remind you why music is so important, so critical to human beings. Hats off to Sir Paul and Nirvana for a stellar achievement.

The studio version is well worth a purchase. Check it out below. It SAILS, and it’s available via iTunes.

Watch the original concert footage below.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

The Reason Bad Music Prevails

[image error]I believe I’ve come upon one of the many reasons why bad music prevails recently, and before I move into this topic I’d like to explain a few basic things. This is essentially an opinion piece, observations that come from my daily life and direct experience. Also, the term “bad music” is a loaded one, and it’s subjective. You could substitute it for mainstream music, but that wouldn’t be quite accurate, as we all know of some mainstream artists who play music with substance.

Here is my idea of bad music. It’s missing the soul and the substance. It’s in it for the money and not to move, to uplift, to speak from the heart, to be honest.  Examples are besides the point, and the purpose of this piece is not to slag anyone. Bad music is more of an energy than anything else. I’ve always loved music that I perceived as having depth, or “the real stuff”. It’s just a way of perceiving. So now that we’ve got that disclaimer over with we can move on.

Many people think that bad music prevails because it’s in high demand, and that’s something that will never change. There is some truth to the fact that human beings are heavily programmed from a young age, and part of that programming involves what we listen to. However, collectively, in relation to the independent music community, there is a tendency to have an “against” attitude when it comes to what each honest artist faces, but they tend to ignore one possible commonality.

It’s very convenient and lazy, as independent bands and artists, to think that the reason you’re not making progress is because of the masses. Perhaps they’re mindless, ignorant, dull, or have unrefined taste. Why haven’t they taken the effort to find you yet?

I’m going to pose these as questions merely to mull over, because I only see a tiny percentage of the trends in the music industry.

“Is it possible that these ‘bad’ musicians have more balanced minds when it comes to business? Do they simply work harder?”

Recently I’ve heard some interesting quotables from artists whose work is absolutely world class, highly intelligent and artistic, and ready to reach/inspire the world at large. Here they are, direct from the musicians themselves:

“We prefer ‘passive promotion’. If we do good work, that will prevail, and people will find our Bandcamp.”

“I don’t know how ‘quantifiable’ marketing is. What will it get me?”

“I don’t think promotion is a valuable use of our resources.”

“I don’t want to travel to some town and play for 10 people so we don’t bother touring.”

And yet, on the other side of the coin, I’ve said no to roughly 30 artists in the past month because they came across as sounding either fake, cheesy or put together/molded by a management team. I’ve had management teams try to convince me that these acts were going to be as big as U2, and that I could “piggyback off their success”. No thanks. Artists who sound more like an American Idol try-out than an honest, creative force…and yet, their business sense was impeccable. They were ready to reach out to the industry and take the necessary steps to move themselves forward. And once I said no, they were going to move on to the next PR company immediately and get going.

It dawned on me that this is why “bad music”, if I can use that term, seems to win the race so often. Whatever you think of their intentions, their materialistic expressions or their music, they have serious determination, and even if that comes from ego, it works for them and gets them where they want to be. They act. They work hard on their music and they contact people who they think could help them on their path. They don’t bother much with convenient “catch all” philosophies or ideas, because they know that you need to step to move, so they run, and as such, they make it into the public eye. Not so mysterious, is it?

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

I.M.P’s Bandcamp Bands Roundup, More Psychedelic Classics

We’ve been having a lot of fun with our Bandcamp roundups for a few reasons. In my experience, Bandcamp has been the number one way to discover high quality new music, especially in genres with “the cool factor” such as psychedelic rock, stoner rock, progressive rock/metal, rock n’ roll, and related genres. There can be an over-abundance of “industry artists” and Idol pop on some other music discover sites, so from my personal viewpoint, Bandcamp is the ultimate for the honest goods.

Their widgets are also the best way to share music that I’ve come across. Easy and ideal style-wise. So we’re going to continue sharing music that has blown us away as we check out our favorite genres on Bandcamp. Expect greatness.

First up today is The Walking Who, whose excellent album “Candy Flu” is selling for the easily distributable price of “FREE” on their Bandcamp page. I suggest you get yourself a copy and take a close listen to their rock n’ roll psychedelia that comes with a side of swagger. The dreamy title track is a must listen.

There are good things happening for rock in Greece if Tuber are any indication, with their razor-precision instrumental jam rock that is executed with vigour and edge. Their EP is available for free digitally at their Bandcamp page.

The Tambo Rays bring a unique dreaminess and sense of musical freedom to the psychedelic pop genre. It’s a pleasure to listen to a band with this much of a sense of dynamics in their song-writing. Their new 2012 album “Kaleidoscope” features some addictive material.

The Mast are a Brooklyn-based electronic duo paying homage to a variety of genres. What’s unique about them is their tasteful and fascinating production choices that seem to take cues from both Sgt. Pepper and Mezzanine; good choices. Also, the vocals are pure and absolutely gorgeous. After all, you’ll need a trustworthy narrator to lead you into the beyond, won’t you? “Seas Across Your Mind” is spellbinding, so be careful.

Spit Shake Sisters are high octane rock n’ roll, and that’s just fine with this listener. Attitude and aggression are injected into their danceable party rock, making their sound reminiscent of acts like Iggy & the Stooges. Pay attention to the gang vocals on “Happy Jivers” for enough energy to last you the evening.

Night Manager caught me offguard in the best possible way. Artists, this is how to write vocal lines. The fact that more artists don’t bother to write brilliant vocal parts just makes Night Manager all the more fascinating and unique. The music isn’t without it’s innovation either, seamlessly jumping from key to key with beautiful arrangements. HIGHLY recommend.

Low Litas play dark, electronic-infused psychedelic garage rock – Portishead meets the Breeders, and the vocals are beautiful. Their Bandcamp features their stellar 2008 release, but word has it they are working on a new album, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

SoftSpot are an experimental rock/pop act from Brooklyn, and their music is epic. With charismatic lead vocals and a surprisingly huge sound, it seems this band can create just about any textures they want to musically. It takes off, headed towards to the sky and doesn’t come down. Definitely music with depth.

Consecration are a band for those who want their music to psychologically trudge onward, onward, letting nothing stand in it’s path for more than a moment. Slow, determined, and riveting.

Royal Thunder sounds like Kylesa and Baroness but with a Jefferson Airplane feel, making the whole thing sound magical. It’s a celebration of rock n’ roll with no authority. What else sets them apart? The melodic vocals are filled with spirit, and this is where their contemporaries struggle. Listen to “CVI” at their Bandcamp.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Our Bandcamp Roundup Gets Psychedelic, Indie And Downright Strange

At Independent Music Promotions, we’re always on the lookout for the best in music with depth spanning all genres. You’d be surprised how difficult that task can be. There are millions of artists out there making sounds to be sure, but only a small portion letting their hearts speak. Give me anything from death metal to folk, but make it real. For more of what I mean, read my recent piece on Music Think Tank.

Today’s Bandcamp roundup is slightly random in genre, perhaps, but every single band really impressed us, and most of our list here have strong psychedelic elements in their music.

First up is Adios Ghost with their self-titled EP, an appropriate title for music that seems as if it’s cheerfully freeing itself of the past without looking back. To call them ‘indie rock’ would be quite limiting, given how stale much of indie rock is. There is a freshness that comes from dropping your conditioning and running with the wind. The harmonies reach out to the listener, and the instrumentation strays from the typical. It’s an uplifting experience. Listen below.

Next up is Aftergloam, who play it cool and extremely chill, kind of like the Breeders with some early Pumpkins and a touch of Sonic Youth thrown in. They let the songs creep up on you, until before you know it you’re enveloped in a wall of noise and feedback. Check out “Anatomy of an Elegy” below.

Agility aren’t afraid of the slow-burner, which sets them apart from most bands of their ilk. In fact, they’ve mastered the craft, leaving extra space in the music for the emotive vocals and spaced out guitar arrangements. There are hints of Kyuss, the Flaming Lips, Radiohead, and Jeff Buckley in their thick psychedelic sound. Listen to “Foreign Land” below.

Terraplane Sun are next on the docket and they’re guided by a strange lead vocal, or singer’s accent, that works 100 percent. This is critical for a band to have….charisma, and it’s his unique voice that makes the song uplifting and relate-able. Once you realize the expression is for real, you’re on board with this extremely tight, catchy band. Check out “Friends” below. “Get Me Golden” is the stellar track that will certainly get you going.

From the beginning of “Summertime”, the Skins show they’re serious about rock, with heavy, desert rock riffs and gorgeous soul/blues vocals. It made me wonder why there aren’t more bands aiming for a sound like this…ah, that pesky thought again rearing it’s head. The point is, the Skins are doing it and that means it’s still alive. It’s a fact. This is absolutely fantastic stuff that hits genuine highs. Holy Hannah! Listen to their EP, and your new seasonal favorite “Summertime” below.

Blackmilk sounds to me like the evolution of psychedelic music. Absolutely beautiful and spellbinding. It’s progressive, with a subtle electronic meets rock vibe, the whole thing grooving along so seamlessly you don’t care what genre it is. This is what happens when people grow up with a respect for Pink Floyd and Radiohead as well as trip hop and downtempo music. Check them out below.

Capital Cities – One of the few electro pop acts who I can honestly say blew me away immediately. This duo’s production is as impressive as can be, but more importantly, the vocals grab you. Great lyrics and brilliant vocal lines blend well with the danceable beats. The songs sound more like a celebration than anything else.

If you like your rock heavy, sludgy and psychedelic, Across Tundras is your new favorite. With a rock n’ roll menace at their core, their vocalist has some Danzig and Morrison spirit in him, and he leads the pummelling charge of strums and tom hits that seem determined to cross the desert before daybreak…or at least stop to enjoy some strange mushrooms. I love this band. It’s rare you hear good lead vocals in this genre. Highly recommended. Listen to “Sage” below.

Wildcat Strike play some seriously hooky indie rock with smart pop sensibility and strong lyrics to match. The touch of distortion in the mix adds an edge to the proceedings and sets them apart from the pack. Check out their self-titled album below.

“I could write you a verse, but it won’t make me a poet” – Shade of Red display a rare confidence and intelligent self-depreciating sense of humour on “Anne Ivory”. A mixture of indie rock, ska, and pop comes only part of the way to describing this unique UK act.

Glorie are an ambitious instrumental progressive/psychedelic rock act that deserve as much praise and promotion as they can get. Wow is all I can say. When was the last time you heard a band with a genuine sense of wonder in their music? Most instrumental rock isn’t half as ambitious as this. Glorie have left the “stream” of expected sounds, opting instead to create their own beautiful expression. Their self-titled release is filled with brilliance and a touch of forboding.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Why Independent Artists Can Learn From Deftones

I’d like to talk about Deftones for a moment here while I’m inspired and the moment strikes me, and how independent artists can learn from them. I’ve been a fan of the band since “Around the Fur” when I heard the innovative onslaught that was “My Own Summer”, with it’s ever-so-strange and challenging out of key verse vocals and gutwrenching wails on the chorus. There’s always been a depth and honesty to the band’s sound, and this can’t be said for other “nu-metal” or “alternative metal” genre rulers such as Korn (I don’t know if I’m supposed to capitalize the R and really don’t care), Limp Bizkit, Godsmack, POD, Papa Roach….I don’t know if I can go on.

Deftones were always fresh and driving. Like the Cure mixed with Faith no More with some punk, hardcore and shoe gaze for good measure.  That’s a silly description, but the fact is, they’ve risen above the crowd because of honesty. After “White Pony” and it’s major success, the band faltered slightly with their self-titled effort and didn’t really come out with a bang again until the excellent “Diamond Eyes”, which surprised the heavy music and rock worlds with it’s razor tight precision and pummelling bass.

Now, almost out of nowhere, comes “Koi No Yokan”, and it is without a doubt my 2012 album of the year. The passion and deep emotion put into this heavy, beautiful, dark and hopeful release is tangible. You can taste it and commune with it. Every song is great. Chino’s vocals sound better than ever, and the grooves are as thick as blackstrap molasses. It’s extremely rare for a band who have been around for 25 years to release the best album of their career, but I have to say, this beats “White Pony”, “Adrenaline” and “Around the Fur”. This is urgent art.

Artists should take note of this release, not to copy it by any means, but take note. True inspiration wins in the end. Speak YOUR truth. Stop asking for advice, for others to tell you what to do, what kind of songs to write, what to sound like, where to turn. Get your own sound. So many artists are just towing the line, desperately trying to get in CMJ, Pitchfork, Spinner and NME with their particular indie pop antics, hoping the public will find them cute, and the idea of ignoring the rules/making provocative art is all but forgotten. Your music only has value if it’s coming through you, not from you.

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