Fiction Records

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: music, indie, independent music, indie labels, fiction records, indie music

Indie Venue Directory Released

I just was notified that the Indie Venue Bible has been released. This is a directory aimed at touring artists providing listings of over 26,000 music venues and 2000 booking agents in the US and Canada.

The venue directory includes anything from clubs to churches and community centers. There are even over 1000 colleges if you are thinking of starting a college tour.

The product is from our friends over at The Indie Bible which has been a proven tool for independent artists.

Tags: music, indie, indie music, independent music

Winning Indie Music Awards

If you’re an indie artist looking for recognition and some help in growing your audience you might consider applying to the International Independent Music Awards. It isn’t really a contest, as what you win is year-long help. You’ll be rewarded with professional help promoting your independent music, and marketing and distributing it to a much wider audience than ever before. 20 million people now follow The Independent Music Awards.

The audience for the Awards program includes radio programmers for public, commercial and college stations, music producers and promoters, music journalists, talent buyers for festivals and clubs, music managers for TV and film, distributors, managers, publishers, conference coordinators, and retailers.

There are many ways an indie artist or group can be eligible for The Independent Music Awards. If a recording is self-distributed and self-produced it qualifies. If the release of an indie label is distributed by an independent distributor or a major label distributor it qualifies. Every song must be an original of the indie artists, and singles or parts of albums that were released during the eligibility period. Since the 2007 awards just closed, the release dates would be between January 2007 and December 2008.

In addition to a song category there is a live performance category. A separate social action category accepts applications regardless of point of view. Web sites are eligible for Independent Music Awards as well. It must have as its mission the support and promotion of solo indie artist, indie music groups and independent record labels.

Additional categories for which those associated with independent music can earn awards are those who design posters promoting indie artists and groups, independent music video producers and those who create merchandise such as hats, T-shirts, bumper stickers and mugs, specifically for independent musicians.

Win or not, it is another outlet to get your music heard and that is a revenue producing activity you need to be engaged in. 2008 entries will be accepted through July. Get entry details here: Independent Music Awards and check out the 2007 winners while you are there.

Tags: indie music, indie, music, independent music

Welcome to 2008

I know this has been an extended break over the holiday period and it wasn’t expected. It was intended to be no more than a week but then the writer fell ill. We should get back to normal shortly.  I did find some articles written back in August by an alternate writer that I don’t believe were ever published. I’ll get these published and ensure we always stay ahead.

For all of those who have written requesting a review, a number of you saw your review come online but there is a huge backlog. I really appreciate the enthusiasm and as the blog’s popularity (and pagerank) keeps growing, I hope the artists are benefiting from the additional exposure. This site is and always will be dedicated to helping indie artists reach more people.

I am open to contributed posts. If you are an avid indie fan with a knack for writing and want some exposure, send me a sample. My bandwidth is limited and the list of pending reviews/bios keeps growing. I am paying writers to help me keep up but this is a tough business model considering the blog is not yet monetized. I have always been committed to the artists first. I’ll find something appropriate at some point.

It’s been 20 months since I wrote the first welcome post. I want to thank everyone for sticking with me as there were some big gaps in postings in the past. Bringing in a paid writer has helped to keep them flowing. I wish everyone great success in 2008. Keep making the music that enhances our lives and I’ll keep getting the word out.

Tags: indie, music, indie music, independent music

This Providence

This Providence entered the indie music scene from one of the hotbeds of youth music, Seattle, so be prepared for a bit of strong emotion and angst-filled lyrics. In fact, original members Dan Young (vocals, guitar) and Phil Cobrea (bass) make it a point to investigate and discuss personal/social issues in their music. But somewhere in the recipe listeners will find a dark sense of humor mixed with unique vocals (”A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing”) as well as straightforward rock (”Card House Dreamer”).

It may just be the choice of songs listened to but Our World’s Divorce (2004)might be just a bit more aggressive than the self-titled Our Providence from 2006. The vocal work is already strong in the earlier collection, such as with the singing on “Everyday.” The atmosphere of that song is quite a contrast to the ballad-like “My Beautiful Rescue” from the later CD.

The current band biography includes Gavin Phillips on guitar and Ryan Tapert on drums, a slight change from the original. But the group seems content with the current makeup, planning a tour that will include Chicago, Minneapolis and Cleveland before several stops along the east coast (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island etc.). The current CD is a full-length effort on Fueled By Ramen.

This Providence on MySpace

Tags: indie, independent music, indie music, this providence, music

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