In today’s world of independent music, self-releasing albums is becoming the norm. But how do you distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd? This is where SideCho Media steps in. SideCho Media, a sister of SideCho Records offers digital distribution, promotion and consulting services. This month SideCho wants to award the ultimate promo package to one high-ranking OurStageIndie Rock act in need of some help getting their new record out there! The winning artist will receive $5,000 dollars worth of online promotion and consulting services, such as distribution to over 250 digital retailers, regional promotion at physical record stores, accounting breakdowns, bio composition and much more! Upload your best new track into the Indie Rock Channel before November 22nd to compete. Prizing eligibility is limited to artists with recent or upcoming releases, so don’t forget to check out the FAQ to make sure you qualify.
Can’t compete in the channel? You can always be a judge! After all, SideCho needs some help finding a deserving winner. That’s why they’re rewarding the Best Predictor of the final rankings for November’s Indie Rock Channel with a prize of their own. The fan with the best ears will win a Music Critic’s Grab Bag filled handpicked goodies such as a signed pair of drumsticks from Ilan Rubin (Nine Inch Nails), signed posters, an assortment of CDs and more. Click here to start judging the Indie Rock Channel.
There was a time, not that long ago, when the pop world was infused with romantic ennui. This cavalcade of weary-hearted artists was led by the Smiths, whose woebegone tales of love and loathing gave a jolt to bummed-out youth in bedrooms across North America and Europe.
These days you can still find vestiges of that age in plenty of bands. We Were Lovers is one of many. And though their lovelorn indie rock has lots of pretty moments, for the most part it lays supine on the bed like a melancholy teen. The combination of meandering, unintelligible vocals and lo-fi production washes out whatever energy the arrangements give the music. Even bright guitar stabs and an unexpected horn section in “Mirror, Mirror” fail to fully lift the song out of its torpor. Singer Elsa Gebremichael is dreamy, fo sho, but her drowsy singing style is, well, tiring after awhile. In “Birds of a Feather” multitracked vocals give the effect of a chorus of Debbie Gibsons on Quaaludes.
However, all hope is not lost. In the darker “C-C-Call You On,” Gebremichael snarls her way through distorted guitars, adding a killer Blondie edge to the tune. Here’s for waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
I hope you enjoyed reading Tuesday’s warm and fuzzy post about the sensibilities of stripped-down pop song covers because it’s time to pay tribute to the enveloping sonic POW generated by freakishly large bands. While there are significant monetary drawbacks in terms of diminished royalties per person and increased touring expenses (not to mention inevitable feuding egos), bands that overcome these potential issues earn a unique spot in today’s music scene. The sounds bellowing from 10+ musician acts—national and local alike—are incredibly revitalizing. And with more people on stage, achieving a feeling of intimacy in a live setting is actually easier than one would expect. Instead of the David and Goliath proportioning of musician vs. audience, the concert setting transforms into one enormous community.
And the musicians instantly become more connected.
Pedro Eca e os Franco Atiradores
Aside from producing an enhanced concert experience, the big advantage of the larger band is diversified instrumentation. While many of the big bands swell their numbers with brass and string sections like OurStage’s own groovy Latin crew Pedro Eca e os Franco Atiradores, bands like The Polyphonic Spree are able to branch out and make use of all those obscure instruments usually only uncovered in music dictionaries. With 12 individual instruments, this mini rock symphony makes use of a choir consisting anywhere from 6-10 people. They even employ the futuristic Theremin, a badge of honor among audiophiles.
Broken Social Scene
Impulsive performers Broken Social Scene frequently perform with 10+ members on stage, and like a musical jack-in-the-box, you never can predict just how many of them will appear until the first note is strung. In contrast to The Polyphonic Spree, BSS enhances their music with multiple musicians playing the same instrument (i.e. a plethora of guitar and percussion players). With the dense layers of sounds floating in the background, you’re sure to get lost in the aural beauty of their contemplative melodies and nostalgic storytelling.
Cloud Cult. Photo Credit: Aaron Vanderzwan
Instead of loading up on instruments, ragged Boston rockers Bang Camaro rage on stage with the relatively simple core foundation of guitars, bass and drums along with their secret ingredient: 8-12 vocalists. And, nearly paralleling the Trans Siberian Orchestra, 10 member OurStage group Anunnaki brilliantly unites the instrumentally opposing genres of orchestral and prog rock. Live acts move beyond the musical realm with Cloud Cult. This indie rock septet consists of two artists that paint on stage using the performance vibes of the night as their inspiration. With so many possibilities, give these unusual formations a chance! You never know just what might happen.
The OurStage Marketplace connects artists looking for gigs with venues looking for new talent. With amazing opportunities both around the USA and the world, the OurStage Marketplace is the place to be for up and coming artists!
This week we’re putting the spotlight on The Delancey. Located between hipster meccas the Lower East Side and Williamsburg, The Delancey can’t help but be one of New York City’s coolest bars. So it’s no surprise The Delancey maintains a loyal following among the skinny jean set but still draws a varied crowd from night to night depending on who’s playing. Past artists include Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Rye Coalition, Wyclef Jean (The Fugees), Tapes ‘n’ Tapes and Prince Paul (De La Soul).
And The Delancey’s ambiance is as varied as its music. While the ground floor lounge offers a long bar, DJ booth and a cool breeze, the downstairs boasts a killer sound system and mirrored walls so bands can easily turn it up to eleven and rock out. Up on the rooftop, an urban oasis awaits—complete with tropical flora, a fountain, an umbrella topped bar and a breathtaking view of the city. Just pick a floor to suit your mood.
The Delancey is currently looking for acoustic singer-songwriters and indie rock bands on OurStage. Check out their listings in the gigs section of the OurStage Marketplace and submit your EPK!
Unsigned Georgian indie rockers Anchors are pumping out the kind of catchy, piano-centric pop music that would lift the spirits of former Ben Folds Five fans. The band formed in 2006 under multi-instrumentalist member Seth Hecox’s personal mission to make, “music that should be made, but isn’t being made by many other acts today.” The group as a whole is heavy into making well crafted pop with multiple part harmony vocals. This week’s featured Download of the Week is an Anchors’ tune, “The Legendary Matt.” It’s the kind of song that instantly has your feet tapping, your hands clapping and your heads bopping from start to finish. I dare you to try to keep this track from getting stuck in your head all day. In fact, I double dog dare you. Currently, the band is gearing up for a tour starting July 1st with dates scheduled in Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama and Florida. If you dig “The Legendary Matt,” be sure to vote for it in the Indie Rock channel this month.
