Indie Update

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 music, indie, independent music, indie hunt

It would be easy to dismiss the efforts of some rock groups of the late 1950s and begin a history of alternative/protest rock with the great British and American bands of the 1960s. By doing this, a number of arguments would be avoided, arguments that might center on who the real trailblazers for rock and roll were. Those who think only of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, forget The Dave Clark Five and Steve Winwood’s first home, The Spencer Davis Group.

Various writers and observers of the rock scene in the 1990s nominated their favorite groups or individuals for founder status when someone asked who opened doors and blazed trails for rock in the alternative rock decade. While it is never completely accurate to say that a musical genre began on a specific date, in a specific place, with one or two individuals, there are those who believe artists such as Lou Reed and J.J. Cale should be credited not only with reviving some of this underground spirit in the 1990s but with establishing the movement in the ’70s and ’80s. Most would say Kurt Cobain had something to do with a certain direction in youth/rock music in that decade. (Personally, I think his contribution is overrated.)

Fast-forward to the new century and the argument could begin again. It will be quite interesting to see how those with 20/20 hindsight view some of the indie bands of the 2000s. Maybe it will be Sia. After all, she does color on her face, doesn’t she?

Will the decade be defined by what is on www.antimusic.com or www.altern-rock.com ? Time will tell.

Tags: indie music, indie, music, independent music

In most records of the alternative music scene, the 1990s is considered a decade of explosion for this genre. In keeping with that theme, Jim DeRogatis penned a book that drew immediate attention on publication. "Milk It" (De Capo Press 2003) was soon hailed as a "cool book" (Gina Vivinetto, St. Petersburg Times) and a book of truth that pulled no punches (Dave Chamberlain, New City).

His subjects included Kurt Cobain just months before he died, Arrested Development (DeRogatis said this group best "updated" the feeling of Woodstock ‘69), and Pearl Jam. This very brief list of subjects from DeRogatis’ tenure as pop music critic for the Chicago Sun Times does little to show the breadth and depth of the writing this fellow offered in the Alternative Nation decade.

So what is DeRogatis up to now, during this explosion of indie music that includes everything from legitimate rock/alternative groups to single artists who just want someone to listen to them? In 2002 he was still at the Sun Times as pop music critic and hosted a radio show called Sound Opinions. In 2006 he published a book about the Flaming Lips: "Staring At Sound: The True Story of Oklahoma’s Flaming Lips" (Broadway Books 2006). Apparently he still has something to say about the fascinating world of alternative and independent label music. www.jimdero.com

Tags: indie, music, indie music, independent music

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: independent music, indie, music, indie music

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, independent music, indie, music