Indie Update

For all Indie artists, and Indie lovers that are out in the world, remember that there is more to music than just music.  If you are in a band, or are playing solo, remember what you want to keep alive. 

One band that shows what this means is Lit.  They are truly keeping the flame alive with their offering of rock, alternative and powerpop.  Most probably have heard their number one hit, My Own Worst Enemy, off of their debut album A Place in the Sun, licensed in 1999 by RCA.  Where did this band go since then?  They went to the good side of becoming Indie artists and developing the ideal - music simply to play music and to have fun.  Their new album is titled Lit, and is beginning a new set of tours to hit the scenes around the world.  It is their fourth album and is  quickly becoming known for its strong ability to keep the same style that makes the band truly unique. 

If you want to learn a lesson about what the music industry can do, as well as the power of Indie art, turn to the band that is lighting the way.  Lit, with their comeback as Indie artists is truly showing what true music is all about. 

Almost everyone knows what to expect when someone says that they are an alternative rock guy band.  Certain sounds, words and concepts are automatically going to be in the songs list - right?

Not with Making April.  The one thing that this band has is a good move up in the Indie scene with the way that they are approaching alternative rock.  The band has great foundational material with the acoustic rock sound that they have.  They have also taken their sound one step further to contrast different types of rhythms as well as some great vocal harmonies to give their song a different flair. 

Straight from New York, this band has broken into the scene with their CD, Runaway World, released in 2006.  If you hear their songs and like them, contact them for their tour they are working on getting set up.  Before long, they will be making their way to greater and larger places, seen with the beginning moves towards greater things, including being a part of MTV’s Laguna Beach. 

If you are looking for a great set of songs in Indie Alternative Rock, Making April is a definite stop.   Check them out at www.myspace.com/makingapril or www.makingapril.com. 

Millicent Friendly’s innovation is rocking the Indie scenes with their innovative combination style that is creating an alternative sound to alternative rock. 

This band carries an interesting combination of rock styles.  Everything from classic rock, to the more heavy metal genre intermingles with this bands style.  This band formed in Dallas, Texas and are quickly picking up on the music scene, straight back from their tour of Europe.  Their concept is to take the legendary rock styles that have been set aside, and to begin mixing them with newer forms that are driving audiences to the performances. 

Their recent CD is "Downtime" which is available for download on iTunes or through their various web presence areas.  You can visit www.myspace.com/millicentfriendly or www.millicentfriendly.com for more information on this bands strike back to true rock and roll. 

There are several Indie artists that are striving to make a name and continue to move forward.  Other Indie bands are there to make an impact, move certain styles and sounds forward, and leave their name as a tribute. 

Stereo Apollo is of the second type.  This Indie band comes from Holland.  There still, while reflecting classic rock, also progresses the sounds of rock forward into a progressive sound and feel of the genre.  It is stated that this band was equated with underground bands that have shaken the sound of rock and punk.  There CD, called a Deja Vu Just Passed Me By backs up their progressive sound.

The band is no longer playing together because one of the members received cancer.  However, the music that they did produce is known to be a value to Indie artists everywhere.  A tribute to their band can be found on www.myspace.com/stereoapollo. 

The Pixies are back. That’s right, the indie band that can be credited with influencing some of the greatest bands to come out of the early 1990s (including Nirvana, Radiohead, and Weezer) and with being personal faves of legends like U2 and David Bowie, got back together in 2004 after a long break involving some serious fighting.

The Pixies are actually in the process of recording a new album, to add to their studio albums produced so far (Come On Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa, Doolittle, Bossanova ,and Trompe Le Monde). Their latest release Wave of Mutilation demonstrated that the band had lost little in its eleven year break, with the single “Broken Face” carrying Frank Black’s quirky vocals and angsty lyrics over a mixture of punk/party music instrumentals.

Whether or not the Pixies can overcome the troubles that haunted them in the past remains to be seen. Certainly, the band members are much more mature in appearance than eleven years ago (weight gain and hair loss has given them a distinctly un-indie look). The pressures that led to the implosion of the band might be behind them, though, as bassist Kim Deal has proven through other projects (The Breeders) that she is as capable a vocalist and writer as Black.

Pixies on MySpace 

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