Indie Update

It isn’t necessary to introduce this New York band in the same way that one might introduce other young, struggling bands. After all, The Honorary Title has major record label ties. But for the uninitiated, the group is worth standing in line for.

"Untouched and Intact" opens with an interesting rhythm guitar move that gives the song a bit of 1950s flavor. While the song is not extremely ground breaking, the vocals do stand apart. Unlike many new songs by young bands, the melody line is creative. Generally, the listener won’t find a lot of hammering guitar with The Honorary Title, a Brooklyn, New York group.

"Stuck At Sea" from Scream and Light Up The Sky (great CD name) also gives the listener the pleasure of a good melody line, but this tune adds a great message that seems to be social commentary. No, not "seems to be" but "is" social commentary. There may be some potential here for a band that can reach some apathetic audience members.

Band members Jarrod Gorbel, Aaron Kamstra, Jon Wiley, and Adam Boyd have moved from true Indie status to put their musical efforts on the Reprise label, a major name in the music industry. Their veteran status is audible on "Far More" from the same album mentioned above. Good ballad….. New listeners may also want to give "Bridge and Tunnel" a listen (from Anything Else But The Truth).

The Honorary Title at MySpace

Tags: independent music, music, the honorary titie, indie, indie music

From Gainesville, Florida, the band Sister Hazel continues to bring some southern rock flavor to the airwaves and CD players of America. But that category would be too limiting for Ken Block, Drew Copeland, Ryan Newell, Mark Trojanowski and Jett Beres, who also seem to have some Pure Prairie League/Eagles influence in their background. This is not your "non-shaving" young band and their wide range of styles shows it.

And yet…and yet, listening to "Mandolin Moon" from Absolutely on Croakin Poets Records, while still giving some indication of the geographical influence, is delightful in its percussion and clean, single-string guitar work. This tune sort of takes things to the wide-open-spaces class. It’s a freshness that’s OK. (This is especially true in "Where Do You Go" from the same CD.)

Judging from the philosophy of spreading good cheer and helping with charity that defines Sister Hazel, the group has found its way "back to the basics," which apparently was the intention all along. "This Kind Of Love" contains some great keyboard work (piano and organ) that is proof of the band’s status as working, journeymen in a music business that sometimes swallows less grounded musicians.

Sister Hazel takes to the road with shows in South Carolina; the hometown of Gainesville, Florida; North Carolina; New York; Massachusetts; and then on to the Midwest. The tour winds its way back to Florida, ending in January with The Rock Boat festival (sold out in one day, with Better Than Ezra and Collective Soul joining Sister Hazel on the performers list).

Sister Hazel at MySpace

Tags: independent music, sister hazel, indie, music, indie music

Corey Crowder is definitely a folk singer, in the traditional sense. Hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, Crowder sings with a soft, breathy voice that is part of the song, not the only part that catches the ear. With good folk music, the acoustic guitar, piano, bass… whatever instruments are long for the ride… are also part of the message. This is quite refreshing, but not surprising considering that Crowder lists Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Johnny Cash and The Beatles among his influences.

A cast that includes bassist Logan Belcher, drummer Russ Chapman and guitarist Katlin Owen supports Crowder. The singer/songwriter apparently gets strong direction from manager Steve Taylor as well. It seems odd that Crowder is not connected with a record label (not even an Indie sticker, according to one Web site). It’s even more odd that he lists only one New Hampshire show on the schedule.

"Last Ones Standing" from the special CD is a nice, nice song. "When I’m With You" would be comfortable alongside any of the new folk/acoustic music gracing America’s stages today. The CD is called Starting All Over and the artist includes the title song on his sample list, featuring lyrics that draw the listener to further understand the message.

Personal note: I particularly like "Here’s Looking At You" from a recording called Learning To Let Go. This tune sort of reminds of one of my favourites from the 1990s – Counting Crows. More from this guy would be quite welcome.

Corey Crowder at MySpace

Tags: music, independent music, indie music, indie, corey crowder

Well, what do you expect with a song named "Satan Said Dance?" The sound-effects beginning makes you want to stay around and hear more. It’s sort of like walking in on a couple having sex – you don’t want to watch but you can’t look away. It’s too good as an experience.

The Clap Your Hands Say Yeah sound is rock/indie music with a twist. Or should we say it almost sounds twisted? Coming in a somewhat crooked line out of Brooklyn and Philadelphia, there are some Devo and techno influences here. But with the organ/synth/keyboards in evidence, these musicians can take you back to the great San Francisco sound of the 1960s.

Does this turn people off? Some, maybe. But apparently (and fortunately) there are enough intelligent listeners to make sure that Clap Your Hands Say Yeah shows are sold out in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and in Brooklyn. Alec Ounsworth, Tyler Sargent, Robbie Guertin, Lee Sargent and Sean Greenhalgh also introduce a bit of British boy vocals with "Underwater You and Me." The bass work is fantastic, in a retro-lead sort of way. Listeners won’t hear a lot of this bass clarity nowadays. Yet, with all of this "influence" Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a refreshing alternative. Can I actually hear Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds here, or Bob Dylan in a higher register? Or, better yet, is it just Clap Your Hands Say Yeah?

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at MySpace

Tags: clap your hands say yeah, indie, indie music, independent music, music

Great voice and smooth acoustic guitar – makes for some excellent listening, as most City and Colour fans state after hearing this acoustic/folk artist. With CDs on Dine Alone Records, Dallas Green couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate label name, as this work is almost exclusively the effort of one St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada singer/guitarist.

The haunting sounds of "Missing" from the War Child CD – Help! A Day in the Life, can draw the listener in, almost unexpectedly. "Wasting Time" is not at all complex, nor are the lyrics deep, but the message is clear: People love to talk about the things they are going to do. Green calmly urges everyone to get with it and stop, well, stop wasting time.

This artist claims to be influenced by everything and that becomes clear with "Save Your Scissors" from the 2005/2006 Sometimes and more so with Like Knives from Green’s 2007 Live recording.

City and Colour just completed a short tour, with stops in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Vancouver and Toronto. But this limited touring has not prevented Green’s lilting voice and soft guitar work from reaching around the world. The Web has spread the word, apparently, because City and Colour is getting requests to appear in Australia and several European countries. City and Colour was nominated for a Much Music Award (recognition that is attracting some attention in the music industry).

City and Colour on MySpace

Tags: indie music, independent music, city and colour, music, indie