Welcome to our eighth installment featuring CMJ’s OurStage Staff Picks from the CMJ Relay Blog. CMJ is well known for their industry leading New Music Report magazine, which contains music reviews, artist news and interviews with the best artists being played on college radio.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Hip Hop Channel
Phillip Morris referencing skin flute solos and Hunter Thompson in the same song can make you crack a smile, proving witty hip-hop can thrive in the hands of the capable.
RIYL: Eminem, Ludacris, MF Doom
WEB: http://phillipmorris.us/
“Second Sketch”
Rock Channel
Driven by a thick and bluesy guitar lead, “Rock N Roll” is aptly titled. Simple and catchy, Wiser Time go straight for a no-frills classic rock grind.
RIYL: Black Crowes, Johnny Lang, John Mellencamp
WEB: http://www.wiser-time.com/
LoveLikeFire
“Unlighted Shadow”
Pop Channel
Insistent drumming and whirling keyboards help lay the sturdy foundation necessary for singer Ann Yu’s escalating vocals to penetrate your subconscious on this track the L.A. quartet.
RIYL: Eisley, Strokes, The Cure
WEB: http://www.lovelikefire.com/
In the early days of the music industry, a leak was as simple as a radio DJ copying an advance release and giving it to a friend. Today within minutes of someone sharing an album online, it’s available to anyone with an internet connection (and sufficient knowledge of where to obtain these files). It has become a daily habit of publications such as Digital Music News to announce leaks and add exposure to the growing leak issues in the industry. These recent leaks include hot shots such as Green Day, Eminem, Wilco and Franz Ferdinand.
Recently there has been a new front to this leak battle; Independent artists are starting to see the same issues as their Major label counterparts. One such example: Tori Amos’ latest album leaked on May 11th, it was due to hit stores only 8 days later.
Luckily, artists are fighting back with other promotions to promote buying their album. Those who pre-ordered Tori’s album on iTunes received a password to order tickets for her summer tour before the general public. The album also came with a DVD video; items like this are not usually included in prerelease leaks giving fans a reason to pick up the album. Artists like Tori also have another thing going for them: a loyal fan base who may download a leak but will still purchase the album for the extras and in support of the artist.
The industry is changing. The classic music industry tactics are futile. Labels must embrace change and adjust tactics for success as independent artists have, or they will soon fall to dust.
When you think of the latest sounds to appear out of Detroit, Eminem and The White Stripes are probably the first to come to mind. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that Detroit houses a thriving scene of indie music and art rock. At the forefront of this new music scene, you’ll find The Silent Years, one of the most diverse and unique indie groups to come around in a long time.
Artists often get caught up in lyric writing, attempting to focus on their words as the driving force of the song. The Silent Years take a more music-centric approach. They start with driving hooks and powerful instrumentation changes. In other words, they seek to create a sonic representation of the theme of the song, before a word even hits your ear. Lead singer Josh Epstein describes his poetic approaches to adding words to music as being “drafted and redrafted”. He feels that the pure expression of musical emotion should take the focus, and he struggles to find the perfect words to compliment it. Even with the layered, experimental sounds of their recordings, you can’t miss their live set as the band brings these sounds to the stage in a unique and organic way.
With such an authentic approach to songwriting and performance, it’s no surprise that the band is being afforded some impressive career opportunities. Recently signed to SideCho Records, the band is starting to make waves in the online scene while also building a nice list of supportive press. Bob Boilen of NPR is the newest critic to join the droves of fans lining up behind the new album, The Globe. “After one listen, I may have found my summer pop record,” he said when the band was featured on NPR’s “Song of the Day.” Recently, The Silent Years has also been featured as the “Band of the Week” in Paste Magazine and an ABC News interview. We caught up with Epstein to get his reaction to his budding celebrity status and to get more insight on his unique and ear catching approach to his music. Click through to see what he had to say:
Continue reading ‘THE SOUNDS OF THE SILENT YEARS’
