Indie Update

With a name like this, the group should be very, very good (or at least on the way to being very, very remembered!)

A couple of minutes listening to some samples of SL tunes will convince almost any listener that this band should be a legend in the Orange suburbs and other residential areas around the United States. The group continues its excellent horn line contributions with "All Around The World" (from Infectious 2007). "Win A Date" from the same CD is an example of the youthful exuberance that still lies deep within these accomplished musicians. This is a rock and roll tune, for sure.

Band members include Vince Walker – vocals; Brian Klemm – guitar; Brian Robert son – trombone; Derek Lee Rock – drums; Mike Hacey – bass; Luis Beza – trumpet. Most Suburban Legends fans will know about the Web site note: RIP – Dallas Cook – trombone.

As their Web site states, these California boys realized, in high school, that girls like guys in bands, so they formed a band! But "something went horribly right" for collection of young fellows. This listener would guess part of the reason is the horn section, while another key to success is the good song writing.

Suburban Legends plays some limited dates in California, including a DVD party at the end of February.

Suburban Legends at MySpace

Tags: independent music, indie, music, indie music, suburban legends

First of all, there’s this nice clear voice expressing the sadness that might come from a broken mirror/life. "Mirrors" from Mapping an Invisible World is a nice combination of crisp rhythm, tasty background sound and quality rock.

Days Away, variously described as experimental and as rock, has a new EP - Ear Candy for the Headphone Trippers. "Wish," from that EP, has a bit quicker pace but is really no more complex. With this tune there is some remnant of the old British and east coast pop. Good enough.

The band consists of Keith Michael Goodwin – guitar/vocals, Michael Arnold – drums, Chris Michael Frangicetto – bass, Bryan Michael Gulla – keyboards and Russian boy dances, and of course Claims – outlandish claims. You figure it out! Goodwin and Arnold apparently have a new project called Castles. Listen for something good from that effort as well. These are serious musicians.

It is difficult to choose a favorite tune from a band that is relatively new to the listener, but I would have to go with "T Klines Decline" from Mapping an Invisible World. This listener is partial to intellectual, controlled rock ballads and this tune qualifies. After all, the group does quote Hermann Hesse on their site. Perhaps a majority of Days Away fans will feel the same way. Listen up!

Days Away at MySpace

Tags: music, indie music, indie, independent music, days away

So, Ms. Sable, where have you been? Or better yet, where are you? Of course, you don’t win Alternative Female Vocalist of the Year 2007 at the Los Angeles Music Awards without someone noticing (among other awards). But here in the heart of the country it is sometimes difficult to keep in touch with all of the very good musicians and vocalists "out there," unless they come and see us.

I am confident that some of the young folks who frequent Creepy Crawl, 2 Cents Plain and other St. Louis venues have not only heard of Mia Sable, but also have experienced her music intimately over the past couple of years. (I should explain that a large portion of the music education of this listener has occurred over several decades around the St. Louis music scene. Not a bad place to learn!!)

I do like "Secret Code" from Propellor (Moduristic Records 2006), as well as "Living A Lie" and "Beautiful Dreamer" from The Scenic Route EP (Moduristic Records 2008). The emotion is something you can touch. Sable not only sings remarkably well, she also speaks through her lyrics, in a way that Counting Crows lyrics speak to the listener, or the way that Pink Floyd lyrics speak to the listener. Matt McKenna on guitar, Ed Maxwell on bass and Jacob Szekely on cello assist sable. Cello!!!! Yes!!!!

Check out www.miasable.com . Great Web site. Sable will sing in Los Angeles a couple of times in February and March, and adds one stop in Austin, Texas. She has the assistance of some great music production people, including those who worked with Heart and Fiona Apple. Good start, Mia!

Tags: indie, music, independent music, indie music, mia sable

One of a few solid independent music sites on the Web today, www.sessionsound.com is once again looking for music talent among the great undiscovered! Indie Hunt found such ear-opening sounds as The Brobecks and Let’s Become Actors in previous competitions and will continue the current search through the month February.

What does the winner get for being recognized as a fan favorite, a "promising act" and a musical act with "significant indie appeal?" Beyond the additional recognition, there is a $1,000 cash prize offered (which may be enough to attract bands, single performers and their fans.)

How does an indie act get involved in this great opportunity? Registration at SessionSound is free to all those with a music profile on the site. A minimum of 50 votes from listeners who hear the music profile on the site makes the band/performer eligible for the prize. IP addresses are registered so that fans can only vote once. Competition ends on February 29.

One Session Sound listener described past contests and the site this way: "Great contest!" "Great exposure for musicians!"

SessionSound is intended to be a music Web site for connecting fans and artists, for "music streaming, downloads and webcasting." Bands and performers set their own retail price. Ownership of music stays 100% with artist. Those interested in the contest and/or www.sessionsound.com may contact Fadi Zeitoune – fadi@sessionsound.com

Tags: music, indie hunt, indie, independent music, indie music

From Portland, Oregon – the stylings of Brightwood!

This northwest group is, at first taste, easy to listen to. "Wake" features clear, upper-range vocals similar to several other groups of the century’s first decade. But Brightwood seems to separate itself from other groups with interesting drum touches, vocal echo and a softness that is youth under control.

Listeners who are unfamiliar with this group will benefit from listening to "Swan Song," as the players cruise for about a minute than break loose a bit. However, "In Memory" ( The Love Antidote 2006) probably goes further in highlighting what there is about this group that is different. Roll through the selections from Brightwood and the listener will see that young musicians can indeed play several ballads, at a reasonably slow pace, then offer a tune or two at increased speed, so that their CD is not a musical blur. Check out "Surefire" from The Love Antidote to hear a bit more of the interesting drumming that supports Brightwood’s melody.

It should be no surprise to followers of Portland music that Brightwood stood out, even in that musical proving ground. With EP sales in the thousands and a million plays on www.myspace.com, Brightwood became one of the MySpace Top 100.

Brightwood at MySpace

Tags: music, brightwood, indie music, independent music, indie