Indie Music
- Thank You and Goodnight!
- Pepper Opening Night Live Webcast
- Morning Runner Split Up
- Birds of Wales Auction Guitar
- Ryan Adams throws hissy fit
- MySpace Hypocrisy
- White Stripes No More
- Virgin Festival 2007
- The TIMA's Are Coming
- When PR Is A Dirty Word
Posted by
Danny Brown
Although it's been an enjoyable ride, it's time to hand over the indie music reins to someone else.
Hey everyone,
It's with a degree of sadness that I'm announcing I will no longer be the Feature Write for Indie Music at Suite101.
Unfortunately, although I've enjoyed my time here immensely and met some wonderful bands and people because of it, I can no longer dedicate the amount of time to the site that it needs. With my PressRelease PR venture taking up the majority of my time now, as well as my other writing projects, something has to give. That something, sadly, is Suite101.
I will continue to contribute to the site when time allows, and I will certainly be continuing to support all the bands, artists and otherwise I have met, whether it's via a working relationship with them, or simply buying a CD or going to one of their gigs.
To everyone that's supported Suite101's indie section, you have my sincerest thanks, and I hope you continue to offer the new Feature Writer the same kind of support and new music recommendations that you gave me.
In the meantime, feel free to visit me at PressRelease PR and maybe I can help you with your promotional needs from there.
Have a great rest of 2007, and thank you again for supporting the best that new music has to offer.
Here's to your future success.
Danny.
It's with a degree of sadness that I'm announcing I will no longer be the Feature Write for Indie Music at Suite101.
Unfortunately, although I've enjoyed my time here immensely and met some wonderful bands and people because of it, I can no longer dedicate the amount of time to the site that it needs. With my PressRelease PR venture taking up the majority of my time now, as well as my other writing projects, something has to give. That something, sadly, is Suite101.
I will continue to contribute to the site when time allows, and I will certainly be continuing to support all the bands, artists and otherwise I have met, whether it's via a working relationship with them, or simply buying a CD or going to one of their gigs.
To everyone that's supported Suite101's indie section, you have my sincerest thanks, and I hope you continue to offer the new Feature Writer the same kind of support and new music recommendations that you gave me.
In the meantime, feel free to visit me at PressRelease PR and maybe I can help you with your promotional needs from there.
Have a great rest of 2007, and thank you again for supporting the best that new music has to offer.
Here's to your future success.
Danny.
Pepper Opening Night Live Webcast
Posted by
Danny Brown
Indie rock trio Pepper, from the tropical climes of Hawaii, are planning to share the opening night of their North American tour with the rest of the Internet.
Live Nation, the online destination of the world’s largest live music company, announced today that it will webcast Pepper, Hawaii’s favorite rock trio, live from House of Blues Las Vegas, on Wednesday, October 17th, the first date of their 33-city North American fall tour. Fans of the band can watch the webcast live on Live Nation TV beginning at 8:15 pm PST here.
The uninterrupted performance will be Pepper’s first live concert webcast, and will enable their fans from all over the world to watch their eclectic, in your face rock style.
“Since the beginning, we have been a band built from the bottom up,” says drummer Yesod Williams. “Our fans have helped shape our sound and our style, so giving them the chance to see us live on opening night is the best way we know how to repay them.”
The band formed in Kona, Hawaii in 1998, then relocated to Southern California in 1999, and is known for its eclectic island style and unique sound. With the band’s trademark penchant for the musically unpredictable firmly in place, their current album No Shame is a tasty and rewarding blend of styles and sounds unlike anything Pepper has ever recorded.
The uninterrupted performance will be Pepper’s first live concert webcast, and will enable their fans from all over the world to watch their eclectic, in your face rock style.
“Since the beginning, we have been a band built from the bottom up,” says drummer Yesod Williams. “Our fans have helped shape our sound and our style, so giving them the chance to see us live on opening night is the best way we know how to repay them.”
The band formed in Kona, Hawaii in 1998, then relocated to Southern California in 1999, and is known for its eclectic island style and unique sound. With the band’s trademark penchant for the musically unpredictable firmly in place, their current album No Shame is a tasty and rewarding blend of styles and sounds unlike anything Pepper has ever recorded.
Posted by
Danny Brown
Morning Runner, one of the most original indie bands in recent years, have called it a day whilst preparing their second album.
One of the things that I hate most about the music industry is how the few have's dictate everything over the have nots. Of all the bands and artists that are making music, you're probably lucky to hear around 5% of it through the mainstream media. Only the really big hitters like Kelly Clarkson and James Blunt (ugh!) will get full record label backing, whilst the rest have to scrape by on what they can scrounge.
Now this vicious circle has claimed yet another victim, with the news that British band Morning Runner have split up, due to the commercial failure of their debut album Wilderness Is Paradise Now. Signed to major label Parlophone on the strength of their indie following, Morning Runner have found out the hard way that yesterday's heroes are today's forgotten people, if your record doesn't sell a certain amount.
What's really galling here is that they were making their second album more radio-friendly on the advice of Parlophone, who then decided to tell them it wasn't what they were looking for and let them go. I'm not sure what wasn't radio-friendly about the absolutely beautiful Burning Benches from the debut, or the You Said demo from the second now-defunct album, but it's just more confirmation that record labels have absolutely no clue when it comes to music.
Now this vicious circle has claimed yet another victim, with the news that British band Morning Runner have split up, due to the commercial failure of their debut album Wilderness Is Paradise Now. Signed to major label Parlophone on the strength of their indie following, Morning Runner have found out the hard way that yesterday's heroes are today's forgotten people, if your record doesn't sell a certain amount.
What's really galling here is that they were making their second album more radio-friendly on the advice of Parlophone, who then decided to tell them it wasn't what they were looking for and let them go. I'm not sure what wasn't radio-friendly about the absolutely beautiful Burning Benches from the debut, or the You Said demo from the second now-defunct album, but it's just more confirmation that record labels have absolutely no clue when it comes to music.
Posted by
Danny Brown
It's not always sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, despite the best efforts of Pete Doherty. Canadian indie band Birds of Wales auction one-of-a-kind guitar for charity.
I'll be the first to admit, I'm normally one of the first to decry charitable causes by musicians as dubious, to say the least. Although there are certainly many genuine causes around, there are just as many that are used by the relevant stars to bolster a flagging career.
However, with indie folk rockers Birds of Wales, the cause is not only a good one, but they're also giving their fans the chance to own their own piece of history. Frontman Morgan Ross has put the acoustic guitar he used at this year's Virgin Festival in Toronto up for sale on the bidding site eBay, with all proceeds going to the Virgin Unite charity. An offshoot of Virgin Records, the charity helps many organisations worldwide by promoting social and environmental changes.
Whether you're a fan of Birds of Wales or not, the guitar itself is a worthy piece to own in its own right, and looks rather dapper with its red and blue flashes. Signed by Morgan himself, it's available for bid until October 14.
However, with indie folk rockers Birds of Wales, the cause is not only a good one, but they're also giving their fans the chance to own their own piece of history. Frontman Morgan Ross has put the acoustic guitar he used at this year's Virgin Festival in Toronto up for sale on the bidding site eBay, with all proceeds going to the Virgin Unite charity. An offshoot of Virgin Records, the charity helps many organisations worldwide by promoting social and environmental changes.
Whether you're a fan of Birds of Wales or not, the guitar itself is a worthy piece to own in its own right, and looks rather dapper with its red and blue flashes. Signed by Morgan himself, it's available for bid until October 14.
Posted by
Danny Brown
Ryan Adams has always been a temperamental character, and at a recent show in Minneapolis, he shows that behind the genius is still a spoilt child.
Currently touring to promote his latest release Easy Tiger, American alt-country rocker Ryan Adams has again disappointed thousands of fans by cutting short a gig. While playing in Minneapolis on Thursday September 27, Adams showed why he's someone you either love or hate, by using the age-old "sound problem" excuse to leave the stage before his set had finished.
Throughout the show, Adams complained about the sound monitors onstage at the State Theatre. It even saw him move not only his microphone and guitar pedals, but also two monitors as well. After just over an hour into his performance, Adams obviously decided he'd had enough - announcing the next track was "the last one", he promptly left stage and never returned, leaving seriously disgruntled fans booing and heckling the stage.
Yet it seems that it was only Adams who noticed this sound issue, since even his guitarist said he didn't see what the problem was. Although no official comment has come out yet, many fans and insiders are already agreeing that it's just another addition to the notoriously haphazard live experience that is a Ryan Adams gig. Yet the difference this time is that even the most die-hard of fans are losing patience with Adams' spoilt brat antics. Personally, I don't blame them.
Throughout the show, Adams complained about the sound monitors onstage at the State Theatre. It even saw him move not only his microphone and guitar pedals, but also two monitors as well. After just over an hour into his performance, Adams obviously decided he'd had enough - announcing the next track was "the last one", he promptly left stage and never returned, leaving seriously disgruntled fans booing and heckling the stage.
Yet it seems that it was only Adams who noticed this sound issue, since even his guitarist said he didn't see what the problem was. Although no official comment has come out yet, many fans and insiders are already agreeing that it's just another addition to the notoriously haphazard live experience that is a Ryan Adams gig. Yet the difference this time is that even the most die-hard of fans are losing patience with Adams' spoilt brat antics. Personally, I don't blame them.
Posted by
Danny Brown
MySpace have begun deleting accounts of users who use software to send mass messages to other accounts. Yet they're guilty of the very same thing themselves.
Why is it that MySpace users, whether it's bands, artists or individuals, are not allowed to send mass messages (or Spam, as they call it) to other MySpace users, yet MySpace Records do it for their artists?
Isn't this just a little bit unfair, not to mention hypocritical? So, it's okay for Tom or MySpace to spam us all with messages about Sherwood or any other band now on MySpace Records, but if a normal MySpace user tries it, they can have their account deleted? Where's the fairness in that?
Isn't this just the same as Restriction of Trade? After all, if a company is monopolizing a media or consumer outlet at the expense of other similar companies not being allowed to trade the same way, that's surely unfair business practice.
If you feel the same, write to Tom or MySpace Customer Service, complaining about this situation.
There's also a Facebook group to raise awareness.
Isn't this just a little bit unfair, not to mention hypocritical? So, it's okay for Tom or MySpace to spam us all with messages about Sherwood or any other band now on MySpace Records, but if a normal MySpace user tries it, they can have their account deleted? Where's the fairness in that?
Isn't this just the same as Restriction of Trade? After all, if a company is monopolizing a media or consumer outlet at the expense of other similar companies not being allowed to trade the same way, that's surely unfair business practice.
If you feel the same, write to Tom or MySpace Customer Service, complaining about this situation.
There's also a Facebook group to raise awareness.
Posted by
Danny Brown
The White Stripes have cancelled the rest of their tour dates for 2007. With Jack White's other projects, is this the end for this once revered band?
Breaking news
The White Stripes have cancelled all remaining tour dates through the end of the year, including fall dates in Britain.
"They thank you for your understanding and well wishes," said a posting on the duo's Web site.
Singer-guitarist Jack White and drummer Meg White had previously cancelled their September shows, saying "Meg White is suffering from acute anxiety and is unable to travel at this time."
Spokeswoman Chloe Walsh, in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press, said she had no further comment on the tour cancellation and White's illness.
Ticket holders can get refunds at the point of purchase, the Web site said, except for the Austin City Limits Festival, which is non-refundable because it is a festival.
The White Stripes have cancelled all remaining tour dates through the end of the year, including fall dates in Britain.
"They thank you for your understanding and well wishes," said a posting on the duo's Web site.
Singer-guitarist Jack White and drummer Meg White had previously cancelled their September shows, saying "Meg White is suffering from acute anxiety and is unable to travel at this time."
Spokeswoman Chloe Walsh, in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press, said she had no further comment on the tour cancellation and White's illness.
Ticket holders can get refunds at the point of purchase, the Web site said, except for the Austin City Limits Festival, which is non-refundable because it is a festival.
Posted by
Danny Brown
This weekend sees the Virgin Festival come to Toronto, with Smashing Pumpkins and Bjork amongst the headliners. Suite101 will be there reporting on it for you.
Indie mixes with the Big Boys
As you may know, this weekend sees the highly-popular Virgin Festival come to Toronto, and I'll be there covering it for Suite101. For your information, the bands I will definitely be checking out while I'm there are:
SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
* Noah's Arkweld
* Dragonette
* Crowned King
* The Wildbirds
* Bang Camaro
* The Most Serene Republic
* Clothes Make The Man
* Birds Of Wales
* Matt Costa
* Arctic Monkeys
* Voxtrot
* Interpol
* Mute Math
* Bjork
SUNDAY 9th SEPTEMBER
* Earl Greyhound
* Honeycut
* Biffy Clyro
* Closedown
* Tokyo Police Club
* Blonde Redhead
* Stars
* The Constantines
* Liam & Me
* The Red Romance
* The Heights
* Editors
* The Cinematics
* The Smashing Pumpkins
Since there is Internet access in the VIP Media area, I should also be posting blogs during the day, time permitting, so be sure to check in to catch up with all the latest info.
Confirmed interviews so far include Mute Math and Biffy Clyro.
Thanks, and here's to some great music this weekend!
Danny :)
As you may know, this weekend sees the highly-popular Virgin Festival come to Toronto, and I'll be there covering it for Suite101. For your information, the bands I will definitely be checking out while I'm there are:
SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
* Noah's Arkweld
* Dragonette
* Crowned King
* The Wildbirds
* Bang Camaro
* The Most Serene Republic
* Clothes Make The Man
* Birds Of Wales
* Matt Costa
* Arctic Monkeys
* Voxtrot
* Interpol
* Mute Math
* Bjork
SUNDAY 9th SEPTEMBER
* Earl Greyhound
* Honeycut
* Biffy Clyro
* Closedown
* Tokyo Police Club
* Blonde Redhead
* Stars
* The Constantines
* Liam & Me
* The Red Romance
* The Heights
* Editors
* The Cinematics
* The Smashing Pumpkins
Since there is Internet access in the VIP Media area, I should also be posting blogs during the day, time permitting, so be sure to check in to catch up with all the latest info.
Confirmed interviews so far include Mute Math and Biffy Clyro.
Thanks, and here's to some great music this weekend!
Danny :)
Posted by
Danny Brown
Now in its third year, the Toronto Independent Music Awards are about to take place in October, and the special wrap show is just a taster of what's to come.
TIMA's Back With A Bang
On Wednesday August 8th, the wonderfully atmospheric Jeff Healey's Roadhouse in Toronto (yes, THAT Jeff Healey!) plays host to the wrap party for this year's Toronto Independent Music Awards, or TIMA for short. And what a night it promises to be...
Organised by the slip of a thing that is Daniela Oliva (she's still in her early 20's!), the TIMA's were originally recognition for all that's great about indie music in Toronto and Ontario, but have become so successful that they have expanded to include worldwide bands. And with sponsorship from the likes of The Indie Bible, Jagermeister and Indie911.com, it's an award show that's set to grow.
Wrap Party Line-Up
With the nominations for the awards due to close at noon this Monday, August 13th, with voting set to run up until the actual awards night itself on Thursday October 4th, it's not only an exciting time for the bands and artists in the running, but for the indie scene in general. Proof of this comes with the fantastic line-up of some of the coolest names in up-and-coming indie music for the official wrap party:
On Wednesday August 8th, the wonderfully atmospheric Jeff Healey's Roadhouse in Toronto (yes, THAT Jeff Healey!) plays host to the wrap party for this year's Toronto Independent Music Awards, or TIMA for short. And what a night it promises to be...
Organised by the slip of a thing that is Daniela Oliva (she's still in her early 20's!), the TIMA's were originally recognition for all that's great about indie music in Toronto and Ontario, but have become so successful that they have expanded to include worldwide bands. And with sponsorship from the likes of The Indie Bible, Jagermeister and Indie911.com, it's an award show that's set to grow.
Wrap Party Line-Up
With the nominations for the awards due to close at noon this Monday, August 13th, with voting set to run up until the actual awards night itself on Thursday October 4th, it's not only an exciting time for the bands and artists in the running, but for the indie scene in general. Proof of this comes with the fantastic line-up of some of the coolest names in up-and-coming indie music for the official wrap party:
- Clara Lofaro
- blue VENUS
- Fancy Girls Market
- Letters To Elora
- King Clancy
- The Joys
- Westpoint
- Vangel
- Carly and Mark
Posted by
Danny Brown
When a band has a new album or tour to promote, PR people can be the nicest, most accomodating folk in the world. But then they also have their other side, too...
Any PR Is Good PR?
In my position as Feature Writer for the Indie Section here at Suite101, I've had the good fortune to not only hear some excellent bands, I've also been lucky to either meet them in person for an informal chat, or see them perform live when I may not have done otherwise. Usually, to arrange this, it entails me chatting to the PR people behind the band.
Generally, this is a pretty easy process, with the majority of PR people I've spoken to being rather affable and more than happy to arrange interviews, press passes for gigs, advance copies of new albums and many other things too numerous to list here. They know that the band need the press as much as the press need the band. However, this isn't always the case...
Who Made You God?
For as many great PR people and companies out there (such as Mike Cubillos at Earshot Media and Jenna LaMonaco at Girlie Action), there are some outrageously egotistical ones as well. Not only do they feel that they're more important than they are, they feel that the press is something to be treated in the same way you would a piece of dog crap on your shoe.
A perfect example is a recent interview and live gig review that was arranged and then fell victim to the curse of the uppity PR flunkie. Although I shall let the person in question remain nameless (though she really doesn't deserve the anonymity), it involved an excellent Scottish band who have just released one of the best indie pop albums of the year.
An interview was set up for their stopover at Toronto, and I was scheduled for a nice chat and a live review after. The band was great, and all for it. Then Little Miss No-Nothing decided that the interview was to be cut to 10 minutes (which I didn't deem worthwhile due to travelling distance) so she could fit in a magazine (I know this wasn't the band's decision, as they don't even like that magazine in question!), and not only that, my press pass had been given to another publication. Unbelievable. Needless to say, her boss received a rather sharp email from me, and a few choice words from the band themselves.
Let's All Work Together
This isn't the only time I've had similar horror stories happen to me, and I know from my network of writing colleagues that this happens a lot. My question is - why? We're all in this business because we love music, and we genuinely want to see bands succeed. Why does it sometimes have to feel that we're enemies?
Like I say, it's not all bad - the afore-mentioned Mike Cubillos over at Earshot Media is outstanding, and a feature will be appearing soon on how his company has been excellent for the indie music scene. Here's to more companies like Mike's in future - after all, without the press like myself and others as well as similar media, no-one would hear of a lot of bands in the first place...
In my position as Feature Writer for the Indie Section here at Suite101, I've had the good fortune to not only hear some excellent bands, I've also been lucky to either meet them in person for an informal chat, or see them perform live when I may not have done otherwise. Usually, to arrange this, it entails me chatting to the PR people behind the band.
Generally, this is a pretty easy process, with the majority of PR people I've spoken to being rather affable and more than happy to arrange interviews, press passes for gigs, advance copies of new albums and many other things too numerous to list here. They know that the band need the press as much as the press need the band. However, this isn't always the case...
Who Made You God?
For as many great PR people and companies out there (such as Mike Cubillos at Earshot Media and Jenna LaMonaco at Girlie Action), there are some outrageously egotistical ones as well. Not only do they feel that they're more important than they are, they feel that the press is something to be treated in the same way you would a piece of dog crap on your shoe.
A perfect example is a recent interview and live gig review that was arranged and then fell victim to the curse of the uppity PR flunkie. Although I shall let the person in question remain nameless (though she really doesn't deserve the anonymity), it involved an excellent Scottish band who have just released one of the best indie pop albums of the year.
An interview was set up for their stopover at Toronto, and I was scheduled for a nice chat and a live review after. The band was great, and all for it. Then Little Miss No-Nothing decided that the interview was to be cut to 10 minutes (which I didn't deem worthwhile due to travelling distance) so she could fit in a magazine (I know this wasn't the band's decision, as they don't even like that magazine in question!), and not only that, my press pass had been given to another publication. Unbelievable. Needless to say, her boss received a rather sharp email from me, and a few choice words from the band themselves.
Let's All Work Together
This isn't the only time I've had similar horror stories happen to me, and I know from my network of writing colleagues that this happens a lot. My question is - why? We're all in this business because we love music, and we genuinely want to see bands succeed. Why does it sometimes have to feel that we're enemies?
Like I say, it's not all bad - the afore-mentioned Mike Cubillos over at Earshot Media is outstanding, and a feature will be appearing soon on how his company has been excellent for the indie music scene. Here's to more companies like Mike's in future - after all, without the press like myself and others as well as similar media, no-one would hear of a lot of bands in the first place...