Indie Update

Now a resident of Nashville, Tennessee, Tyler James has the clarity of voice and the keyboard touch found in few other young pianists. His "Stay Humble" (2005) is similar in style to the more recent songs of Andy Davis. But there is some difference - in production, for instance. The strings in the background add a nice touch to this tune.

James cites such influences as Bob Dylan and The Beatles, not unusual legends to build a career on. But this youthful player also credits the nighthawk poet Tom Waits and Wood Allen as contributing to his musical and lyrical development. He also includes Bill Withers, who may be one of the least appreciated songwriters of our time. Having these sounds in your young head would certainly help a singing career.

With assistance from Adam Keefer – bass, Dan Burns – drums, Mitch Jones – organ, and Aaron Roche – guitar, James has been touring in a limited way. He carries such tunes as "Sweet Relief" (Sweet Relief EP 2007) that are well-crafted and obviously constructed on piano by someone who knows the keyboard. "Don’t Leave" (Windows Facing West) and "For My Generation" (Sweet Relief EP 2007) continue the comfortable listening work, though it might be hard to determine which song, if any, will be considered great. The steel-guitar sound helps "For May Generation" become a bit more soulful.

He’s 25, looks 15 and sings like someone 40 years old. Good stuff.

Tyler James on MySpace

Tags: indie, independent music, music, indie music, Tyler James

Ballad music always pleases a portion of the listening audience. Musical groups add a few more fans with a bit of banjo and some of that country-rock feel, such as The Band and others made a part of rock-and-roll history.

Now, The Daylights, aren’t The Band and their song "I Guess I Missed You" (2007 Epic) doesn’t pretend to be The Marshall Tucker Band or The Allman Brothers of old. No, this California group is its own commercial effort, far from knowingly imitating any one artist or band. In addition, this group is not a power band such as those legends of decades ago.

If there is any doubt, the first-time listener only needs to hear "Terra Firma (Bedroom Demos 2007). The interesting and eerily accurate sound makes it hard to ignore. Ran Jackson (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Ricky Jackson (vocals, bass, guitars) and Svend Lerche (drums, noise, vocals) have found a way to sing about lost innocent and simpler times while evoking a bit of The Moody Blues feels. "Walking Into A Storm" (Jim Abbiss Session Sony/Epic) will draw a percentage of fans with its great production and use of background sounds.

The quality of music from this trio is not surprising considering the members cite influences ranging from U2 to Chopin, from Brian Wilson to Radiohead. Throw in Sigur Ros and The Smiths and the influences are as solid as any band can lean on.

The Daylights on MySpace

Tags: indie, music, indie music, independent music, The Daylights

I’ve never heard of Ellicott City, Maryland, but if the guitar opening of "The Permanent Rain" (If You Could Only Keep Me Alive) is any indication, the sounds in the Ellicott City heads are just fine, thank you.

The Dangerous Summer is composed of AJ Perdomo, Cody Payne, Bryan Czap and Tyler Minsberg. Wanna catch ‘em? Try the Recher Theatre in Towson, Maryland or go to Vienna, Virginia on May 24 for Jammin’ Java with The Friday Night Boys. On June 21, The Dangerous Summer will be at the Penn Monster Factory in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

The group members cite Name Taken, Third Eye Blind, Bright Eyes, U2, Jimmy Eat World, Phil Collins and others as influences. Not bad for a learning process. It is interesting that in addition to Sub City Records, the name Hopeless Records shows up here. That label was the home of the ska group Mustard Plug, a group this listener experienced some years ago in Danville, Illinois.

"Wake Up," is a rock anthem from If You Could Only Keep Me Alive, while the song with an interesting title on the collection is "Disconnect feat Alex of ATL." I don’t get it either, but it is good listening.

The Dangerous Summer on MySpace

Tags: independent music, indie music, indie, The Dangerous Summer, music

For nearly 50 years, musicians and songwriters have been searching, through music, to find words that will properly express what they feel and think. These artists and players have also been looking for answers, most of which never come directly from lyrics or song construction.

If it was really possible to find "the answer" inrock and alternative music, wouldn’t the amazingly deep searches of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Kobain and numerous others have led them to make a different decision? Wouldn’t they have known enough to stay around and tell us about it?

It’s interesting, in this time of alternative/indie/new-old rock music, that some bands play and sing in the style of those forerunners such as Gerry and The Pacemakers. That band from the Liverpool, England area, gave us "Ferry ‘cross the Mersey," a song about place.

Other groups try the psych-search style of such legends as The Beatles, whose album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was one of a few quintessential hippie albums of the 60s.

Then some try to extend the pounding energy of some Led Zeppelin tunes or combine the intellectual with the youthful, as The Who did. (This group has remained with us, except for drummer Keith Moon. He too, didn’t find what he was looking for in rock music.)

We can only hope that bands such as Hawthorne Heights, Drowning Pool, the Pixies, Spitalfield, Like Lions and ActionReaction have helped the cause or will at some point in the near future.

Tags: music, independent music, indie, indie music, Searching Through Music

Those interested in, and clinging to, the great traditions of alternative music and the rock era will be pleased to see that this Pennsylvania group quotes the great Bob Dylan tune, "The Times They Are A-Changin’" on their Web page. This is a group of veterans, as "Cheap Seats" (Sea Beds EP 2004) with its fine guitar beginning, dates back nearly five years. The title tune of this EP, along with "Cheap Seats" may be the best rock and roll from the group.

Core band members Greg Itzen – vocals, Adam Honeycutt - guitars and piano, and T. J . de Blois – drums, have put together some excellent music, including "Scared To Love You" (Moshi Demos 2006). John Cecchine and Dan Kaplan round out the group. While this might not sound like a great song at first, the melody line and vocal treatment from Itzen are superb. Simple acoustic guitar is enough here, with some slight help from Honeycutt’s piano.

"make it better" has a pleasing guitar rhythm. Solid production and recording helps these tunes greatly. "Trust" (Jay Harris Demos 2006) is yet another guitar/vocal folk ballad that deals philosophically with the idea of love and trust. "End of the World" is simply great rock guitar.

Good music from the past. Someone should probably do a "Where Are They Now?" piece.

Like Lions on MySpace

Tags: independent music, Like Lions, indie, music, indie music