Welcome to the first edition of the new OurStage Blog feature “Liner Notes,” where we give the mic over to artists on OurStage to talk in depth about one of their tracks. Whether it be the inspiration, the meaning, the recording process, etc., “Liner Notes” is written for the fan who wants to know more about a song beyond what they hear. This week we reached out to Michigan rock band Good Luck Varsity to delve deeper into their heavy hearted track “Shipwrecked Safe & Sound”. Evan, the band’s vocalist, provides some insight on the song that was penned after two band members were involved in a serious car accident the day before a tour.
Continue reading ‘LINER NOTES: GOOD LUCK VARSITY – “SHIPWRECKED SAFE & SOUND”’
Archive for the 'Artist Feature' Category
Get 'Em High: RAS
According to their bio, RAS has a helluva mission on their shoulders: to “fight against whatever mainstream media and culture offers the masses today …uplift and create spaces where atrocities against people of the African diaspora can begin to heal … through remembering the past, exposing lies, expressing emotion and resisting self-hatred.” Not a job for the faint at heart. Luckily, the husband and wife hip-hop team has a whole lotta heart, and some mighty voices to back it up.
Winners of the 2008 Lennon Songwriting Award for hip-hop, RAS (Riders Against the Storm) is comprised of Rhode Island MCs Tiger Lily and JBro. Together, the duo vacillates between confessions of self-consciousness and chest-thumping demonstrations of verbal prowess. In “Never Alone,” JBro likens himself to Bobby Brown, “stressing every little step,” against a throbbing bass line and fluttering keys. Though lyrically anxious, the melody is self-assured. But its songs like “Ready or Not” that really show RAS at the peak of their potency. A remake of the Fugees hit, the track brings the drama with sweeping strings, reiterating percussion and the electronic hiss of synths as Tiger Lily and JBro chant, “RAS is right on target / First in the flame with the power to spark it.” It’s an explosive mantra for a duo that’s determined to burn down the house.
Branan Logan
Look out Country Channel! Branan Logan is here and he’s ready to take over the country community. His twangy voice and classic country lyrics team up to make his songs something worth tuning into. The potential for stardom is both tangible and undeniable for this songwriter. Branan’s tunes have garnered so much attention in Nashville that his tunes have been pitched to superstars like Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. His sound is totally his own, and he is sure to be noticed for his unique approach to country music.
You don’t have to be certifiable in order to appreciate Branan’s catchiest diddy “Borderline Crazy”. With a Phil Vassar sound and Kenny Chesney island-themed lyrics, its only a matter of time before everyone blasts this tune through their speakers. Logan tells his 60-hour weeks “Adios!” but the only thing I see country fans saying him is “Hola!” and “Muchas Gracias!” for making such great new music.
The OurStage Marketplace connects artists looking for gigs with venues looking for new talent. With over 100,000 artists and amazing opportunities around both the USA and the world, the OurStage Marketplace is the place to be for up-and-coming artists and the venues looking to book them!
Play the New England Americana Festival with Boston Americana favorites Three Day Threshold
This week, we’re spotlighting a great new opportunity in the OurStage Marketplace. The organizers of the New England Americana Festival need talent to fill out the festival’s roster and are looking right here on OurStage. The New England Americana Festival celebrates the long tradition of deep-rooted American folk music. This February, the festival will be take place over three nights at Church in Boston. The festival is looking for 4 to 7 more acts to join The Bean Pickers Union, The Rationales, Bryan Pero and the Tired Horses, The Bees Knees, Golden West Motor Lodge, Odessa Rose, Dave Sammarco Band, The Kingsley Flood, Three Day Threshold and OurStage artists The Autumn Hollow Band. Artists don’t have to be located in New England to apply, but those who can draw in Boston will be given preference. If you play Folk, Americana, Traditional Country, Alt Country, Blues, Rock, Southern Rock or any other roots-influenced music, head on over to the OurStage Marketplace and submit your EPK for this gig!
Submit your EPK to the New England Americana Festival gig, click HERE.
For more info about the OurStage Marketplace, check out the Marketplace FAQ section.
Now that you’ve written all the material for your new album, the hard part’s over, right? Eh, maybe not. The recording process can be a long, strange trip, but the best way to avoid speed bumps along the way is to lock in with the right producer at the start. You’ll want one who’s intuitively able to understand what you mean when you say, “I’d like the vocals to sound like a really rusty robot crying through a megaphone.” One who can pull your best performance out of you without alienating you in the process. One who partners with you and commits to your vision as if it were his or her own. Here are some tips to help you find “the one” and optimize the production experience:
• Make sure he/she is the right fit. Love the new Adam Lambert or Jay-Z record? Research the producer. Familiarize yourself with that producer’s previous work and decide if it’s the right production style for you.
• Get a sense of commitment from him/her. How much studio time can you expect on a weekly basis? What will the turnaround time be like for mixing? If you’ve got an album release deadline, you’ll want these questions answered before you partner with that producer.
• Schedule plenty of time for pre-production. Pre-production will help ensure you’re on the same page with the producer. That includes familiarizing him/her with your songs, going over arrangements and production ideas, and introducing him/her to records with production that you admire.
• Know when to let go of your own judgments and trust their vision. As much as you may want to micromanage the process, it’s important to give your producer some breathing room. Suspension of disbelief on your part may lead to some really great ideas that will strengthen your record. Sometimes it takes a village.
• Know when to fight for your own vision. At the end of the day, this is something you have to sign your name to. So it’s critical that the work on your record really represent you as an artist. If the producer is leading you down a path that doesn’t feel true to you, then it’s your responsibility to speak up.
• Check your ego at the door. If your producer comments how the transition between the chorus and the bridge is a little bumpy, and your response is to throw your guitar at the wall and scream, “I hate you!” then you’re doing a real disservice to your record and to yourself. Don’t take critiques personally. Remember, you’re a team working towards a common goal; world domination. So lose the ‘tude, dude.
