Our featured video this week is from White Lies (a review of White Lies is coming up). White Lies is one of a number of talented independent music artists on Fiction Records. Fiction of course is best know for being home to The Cure for over 20 years.
This UK indie label was started by Chris Parry in 1978 and since its relaunch in 2003, sports a list of independent music artists including White Lies. One way to look for additional independent music is to check the indie labels of artists you like. We plan to have a listen to Fiction’s list.
Besides White Lies, Fiction Records is now home to Ian Brown, Snow Patrol, elbow, The Maccabees, Jacknife Lee, Stephen Fretwell, Delays, Kate Nash, Filthy Dukes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Check out Fiction Records on MySpace
Tags: fiction records, indie, indie labels, indie music, music, independent music
So….have you ever started on a search for some bit of information, using the same method employed for months, and find yourself going down dead-end roads, one after another?
That’s the feeling I get when I try to find out something about Goodbye for Grace and/or C.J. Thomson.
On the band Web site, goodbyeforgrace.com, band members are C.J Thomson – vocals, guitars, keys, bass, violins & orchestral, drums & percussion.
It seems that Sir Thomson is now Volume Overdose Records, specializing in rock, metal and punk. Thomson was the vocalist and leader of Goodbye for Grace, a Sydney, Australia group that has not performed or recorded for some time. C.J. Thomson placed Volume Overdose Records on the MySpace Music in March of 2008, with the notice that at this “major” label, “we sign you!”
As for the band, here’s the information on MySpace: “Due to new commitments, Goodbye For Grace will no longer be performing and the release of their album has been cancelled. Thanks to all of the support and thanks for attending the gigs if you liked us you’ll like the lead vocalist’s new band.
Thomson’s marketing hook goes something like this: “After working alongside many musicians in the progressive side of music, C.J. Thomson, critically acclaimed guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter began to seek his solo career. I don’t know what to think of all this, since the actual quote said Thomson “began to sought his solo career.” What?!?
As a writer who is quite familiar with the online freelance site, Elance, I was surprised to see Volume Overdose Productions (C.J. Thomson) under the username coheed56, with a minimum hourly rate of $10. “We specialise in all types of jobs through thick and thin, we hope to keep you satisfied.”
From the Elance site:
Profile Type: Business
Year Founded: 2007
Number of Employees: 9 or fewer
We are based in Sydney, Australia. We have worked with many bands and movie productions to provide quality images completely designed by us.
Your guess is as good as mine.
Tags: independent music, music, indie music, goodbye for grace, indie
There’s something about these close-to-the-earth songwriters and singers that attracts a good portion of the listening public. Farrell Jackson isn’t the world’s best vocalist, though he is a passable singer. But story-telling is a strength with this guy from Oakdale, California.
This is what he has to say: “Hello, Farrell Jackson here, just some music for long distant fellow musicians and music lovers. All songs/instruments written or performed by me except where noted.” Very straightforward, this fellow.
He has put out a CD called Orchid Faded Sky and a newer collection called Jaxonville. He reports that he is working on a third CD. Some have reportedly compared him to The Grateful Dead and to George Harrison’s single ventures. I can hear some similarities, though I think “Train to Normal” sounds more like New Riders of the Purple Sage from the Jerry Garcia days.
Jackson is also a member of a classic-rock group, which performs around Modesto, California. He states that he won’t sign with a major label “because I am too old and lazy to tour.” Listen for great sounding acoustic guitars, mixed with tasteful electrics, and melodic vocals and harmonies thrown in. There is some nice keyboard sound on “Conversational Prostitute.”
The title tune from the first CD is a nice, nice piece of work, with good music and production.
Tags: farrell jackson, independent music, music, indie, indie music
It’s hard to argue with someone who is devoted to spreading the good word, as Chozen Vesselz does with its own version of spiritual hip hop music. It wasn’t possible to find the group and its tunes at chosenvesselz.com (coming soon, according to the MySpace information).
We were able to listen to some samples from the CV Jointz label recording and the few we heard were clean, straightforward and hopeful. Original band members (according to the MySpace info) were Reo Grand and Yahini the Elect, who rely on God and good hip hop as major influences.
This effort apparently goes back quite awhile, since the group was reportedly formed in 2000 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Michael Clark is Yahini and Jermaine Eaddy is Reo Grand. What’s the goal for these fellows? They state that it is to “share the Gift of God to all men. Our lyrics cover a variety of spiritual and social issues that are relayed over urban soundscapes.”
Some of the places they have performed in the past are: I Believe You Can Fly Youth Conference – North Carolina State University; Rap Fest – Bronx, N.Y.; Hip Hop Awards (2003) in Atlanta; God-Fest 2003 in Goldsboro, N.C. The music is also heard on radio and in various venues in North Carolina and Virginia.
Chozen Vesselz shows up in a comment from Obowri y Mbuagua (Chosen Vesselz) on July 22 of this year. The message is printed on www.kenyangospel.com, in connection with the Talanta Awards.
Tags: independent music, chozen vesselz, indie music, indie, music
Caustic Casanova is a power trio based in Williamsburg, Virginia – Michael Wollitz: guitar, keyboard, and vocals; Francis Beringer: bass, harmonica, and vocals; Stefanie Zaenker: drums and vocals. I suppose it’s safe to say they are still a power trio and working band, since their Web site does show one playing date, October 31, 2008.
Their debut album was Old Habits Die Hard met with public and critical acclaim. They have become somewhat famous, not only in the home area but in some other parts of this world. I really don’t know what to make of this “study/history” by a Cambridge professor that has been part of band marketing for some time. But I find “The Town Crier” an interesting piece from Imminent Eminence (January 2008). Ditto for “The March to the Sky.” It might be a bit much to call them giants and say that their thoughts are our thoughts. But it’s a good band, after all.
It’s understandable to want to claim, “I was there at the beginning.” It’s another thing to actually do it. Should these folks continue to work as a band, they might last long enough to be the beginning. Are they The Pixies or The B52s? Remains to be seen.
Tags: independent music, caustic casanova, music, indie, indie music
