Occasionally, someone points you in a certain direction and you find yourself listening to a group that is wise beyond its years. Such is the case with Boyce Avenue, based in Florida.
With a foundation going back to 2000, when these fellows were teenagers, Boyce Avenue has established itself as one of the premier young bands in the U.S. With a lineup composed of Alejandro Manzano: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano; Fabian Manzano: Guitar, Background Vocals; Daniel Manzano: Bass, Background Vocals; Stephen Hatker: Drums, Percussion, the team puts out crisp guitar chords and some biting lead on “Tonight” from All You’re Meant To Be. “Not Enough” from the same CD strikes me as plaintive – a word not used quite often enough!!
Boyce Avenue will be playing in Orlanda, Tallahassee, St. Petersburg and Jacksonville in November. If you are in the area, it will probably be worth a trip to catch a young group that stays away from screaming and pounding to give the listener quality, intelligent pop/rock songs. The writers in the group have made it into the top level of several songwriting competitions, including the 2007 John Lennon Songwriting Competition and the IAMA songwriting competition. The debut album, titled “All You’re Meant To Be,” was released by Boyce Avenue on March 25, 2008. Give ‘em a listen!
Tags: indie, boyce avenue, indie music, music, independent music
Here’s what some are saying, “Rarely does a simple acoustic project turn into something as ambitious as Oneonta, New York’s THE CAST BEFORE THE BREAK.” The bio written by Dave Graupman (written well, I might add) explains, “TJ Foster started the group as an outlet to explore new facets of his music, but with the addition of guitarists Jeremy Carter and Jordan Stewart, bassist John Cannon and drummer/producer Ben Hemingway, a much more developed sound emerged.”
“Understanding the Universe” from As Your Shoulders Turn On You starts with some nice, easy keyboard (for which I am a sucker) but then this sound experiment kicks up to something with a bit more energy. Lo and behold, just as the listener gets used to that pace, the keyboard and lilting vocals return. “Agnosia” is a particularly simple song, but not in the understanding sense. It may take the first-time listener awhile to get the message. I like the Stones/Beatles feel it evokes, along with the 21st century new feel.
The music is, indeed, diverse. It may also be free. Here’s what Foster said, “If you can’t afford our CD, burn it from a friend. Music deserves to be heard. And this record, as powerful as we’ve attempted to make it, needs to be shared with the world. We love our fans, and there’s nothing we wouldn’t try and do for them.”
I like the statement/theme idea. It seems I heard a lot more of that back in my youth (1960s). The group signed with Red Dragon Records and may be touring a lot.
The Cast Before The Break on MySpace
Tags: indie music, music, indie, the cast before the break, independent music
This is jazz, and it’s soul, cleanly produced and smoothly sung. Rivers offers an interesting mix of rhythms in “Fairy Tales” from the Play Things EP (2008).
According to her own marketing information, on the Stephanie Rivers Web site, she hails from Tulsa Oklahoma. Apparently she was a child entertainer, singing in and around Tulsa, in just about every venue you can imagine. She lists legends such as Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin among her influences, along with more recent but equally talented singers such as Ani DiFranco, Lauren Hill and Mariah Carey.
For some reason, it seems those performers who take some time with classical piano and voice develop natural talent in a unique way. “The Whole” has some exquisite jazz guitar to accompany Rivers’ soulful singing. This writer was about to comment on her “worldly” sound when he discovered that she experienced the hip-hop world in London and tasted the music of some of the best in Italy as well. When she began to work on her own “sound” she brought in Camila Celin on lead guitar, Greg Richardson on bass, Dani Correa to contribute on drums and Keenan Walter for some wonderful keyboard work. Thomas Jacobs adds vocals.
There isn’t a label yet, according to the Web information. But it won’t take long, I’d wager.
Tags: music, independent music, indie music, indie, Stephanie Rivers
This indie/pop band is certainly pop, but it sounds like fun music. Here’s their MySpace info, in short form: Based in Linköping, Sweden. In 2008, their first full-length album Spark Large was recorded and highlights the bands one-of-a-kind indie pop sound. While the group does use the mainstay rock sounds of guitars, drums and bass guitar, they also employ an array of more eccentric musical instruments for a indie/pop band, such as xylophone, marimba, banjo, vibraphone and unique vocal harmonies. Marching Band is Erik Sunbring and Jacob Lind from Linkoping, Sweden. According to this dynamic duo, all they need are two bikes, one laptop, three microphones and their keen sense of whimsical instrumentation.”
For a good sample of the light, interesting fare from this Swedish group, try “Make No Plans.” That pretty much says it about this group. But don’t feel you understand them because you see or hear the surface. There is some depth here that will only become apparent with time. They are working with the producer who helped put together collections for several top groups.
“Gorgeous Behavior” is getting a lot of listen. It’s a neat tune. Some of the “Winchester Cathedral” or Turtles sound from the 60s. Nice.
Here’s what the boys state on their Web site: “Our new record will be released on U & L Records August 5, 2008.”
Tags: Marching Band, music, independent music, indie, indie music
This “independent artist” markets himself as a singer of the “melodramatic popular song” as well as billing himself as a player/singer of Americana and folk music. After listening to a couple of tunes, I would buy that definition. I might even buy the Ten Year Sleep CD from 2007, which Gore put on his own label. This fellow is definitely an indie artist.
“Coming Apart” is a slow-moving, sad-atmosphere type of song. It may bring you down the first time you listen to it, but then, I think that’s what Gore intends. It is fairly well produced, to say the least.
Now, I must admit, “Bourbon Cigarettes” is really my kind of tune. Gore gives the listener a good bar song that is somewhat country and only a bit folk. But I could see this scenario playing out in some riverside tavern, where you may find all sorts of folks, and all categories in the social mix. The guitar solo is rather nice. This song puts me in mind of what T-Bone Burnett might produce, or should I say, already has produced.
Hey, now “Eight Years True” is Americana and folk. I hear a song that Gram Parsons would enjoy and John Hartford would understand.
I’d listen to Craig Gore again.
Tags: indie, indie music, independent music, music, Craig Gore
