Anna Thomas is only 13 years old and that makes her rather mature voice a pleasant surprise. She is apparently working with some talented backup musicians, who only add to the attraction of her performance. “Little Red” is a fun tune that is enhanced by good musicianship.
“My Circle” seems to fit Thomas quite well. She has a strong and confident presentation that belies her years. “Break Apart” succeeds on the strong drum beat and the great atmosphere added by the guitar. If this listener had to vote on early experience, the vote for “best Anna Thomas song” would go to “Break Apart.”
She was born in Memphis and now lives in the Dallas region. Her father played with bands and her musical heritage goes back to a grandfather who was a band director and session player in Memphis. Granddad played on Stax record sessions, including Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes and The Box Tops sessions, according to information provided by Thomas.
She is currently working on a full-length CD and covers some of the better known artists. She plans to be at the front of a band for which she will provide vocals and keyboards. Thomas will be part of the Chick Singers Night at the Dallas House of Blues on June 21. A few years of experience and growth in her voice could make Anna Thomas a well-known name in the genre. She has the songwriting part down.
Tags: independent music, indie, anna thomas, music, indie music
Bobby Long is a young folk/country singer traveling in the acoustic world. He is trying his stuff out on U.S. audiences this summer, making his way from New York through Texas and on to several west coast gigs. He then comes on around in September to finish things up in New York City before returning to London and the U.K.
This is not complex music. “Who Have You Been Lovin’” is simply voice and acoustic guitar. The vocal is physically strong. Long’s voice is a bit “raspy,” a fact that won’t hurt him a bit. In fact, it adds to the feel. He gets some musical assistance from Ed Chisholm and Alex Starling.
“Penance Fire Blues” brings to mind some of the passionate folk/alternative work presented in coffeehouses during the 1950s and 1960s. Long’s guitar work is fine, a rolling finger-picking style that almost stands on its own. “Two Years Old” is in much the same vein as the previous blues tune. There is passion in this man’s singing and there are stories in his lyrics. Time will tell if those lyrics will stand on their own as poetry, as do the words of the great folk and country singers.
This listener wanted to hear “The Bounty of Mary Jane” just because of the title. However, the guitar style and vocal work keep the listener focused. “Dead and Done” aint’ no slouch either. This is strong stuff. We’ll try to catch him live on the way by.
Tags: indie, indie music, bobby long, independent music, music
Many of us have just gotten used to the idea of finding unsigned, self-recorded singers and bands on MySpace, then getting to listen to their songs for the first time. The independent, almost socialistic, system gave hundreds of people a feeling of freedom that doesn’t come with buying a CD from one of the major labels.
Now we hear that MySpace Music (music.myspace.com) launched with four major labels, EMI, Sony, Warner and Universal participating with their catalogs. Sure, there is The Orchard, identified as an independent distributor, but something is wrong with the picture, in the minds of the true indie operatives.
Because of the backing of these major corporations and the advertising that is attracted to the MySpace Music world, songs are free, for all practical purposes. Now, it’s true that independent artists and self-produced singers may get some good exposure on this site eventually, and may benefit from the many users attracted to the site by big-name stars.
There isn’t enough space here to get into the legality issues, but some are concerned that the download price could be so low as to raise questions of price-fixing and collusion. I’ll leave that to the lawyers. But with major labels involved, the Web-based MySpace Music may already be a very valuable commodity.
For insight into how some of the indie folks feel about being left behind, read the excellent article from AP Tech Writer Rachel Metz. It’s an eye-opener.
Tags: indie, whose space, indie music, independent music, music
To hundreds, even thousands of struggling musicians, it seems the mountain is too high to climb. For those who are starting out as performers, the first goal may be to get a contract with a major recording company. From there, it’s only a matter of time before that talented individual becomes a star, right? But that climb to a spot high enough to get noticed and signed by a major label is sometimes dream-crushing.
Read this statement from the well-known Taj Mahal, from the foreword of a book called The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide to Blues.
“The music business has changed. Its earlier incarnation was of music lovers who got involved in commerce. Just like everything else, that group of people has moved on, and what has taken over is a group of people less interested in the music than in the business. So, with marketing and the record companies and media consolidation, there’s less art for art’s sake.
Of course, that’s where indie music comes in. Independent labels and self-produced CDs, along with Web download capability, have helped spread music more quickly, and widely, than ever before. There is a small percentage of industry people who still rely on the major-label method. But the numbers in the indie world continue to grow, in a challenge to the status quo.
Tags: indie, music, what’s the truth, indie music, independent music
Of course. Doesn’t every performer, young or old, want to have thousands of fans and a popular CD that is played around the world?
There is actually a Web site that uses this idea, and the phrase itself.
At www.want2bdiscovered.com budding artists can try to get exposure and publicity through the online world. This may not be much different from other music promotion sites, but at least the name and the “mission statement” put it at the grassroots level. Of course, this short review isn’t meant to be an endorsement of the site or what it offers. This is meant only to open another door in the music world.
The site claims to be able to get record deals and organize performances in front of thousands. The live streaming of “competitions and showcases” could help as well. The site does have an extensive list of performers.
Here’s what some of the promotional material states, “Want2bdiscovered.com has marketed this website to thousands of A&R reps, record labels, managers, promoters, producers & talent scouts so that your new music will get to the most important people in the industry. When someone in the music industry is interested in your music, they will contact us and we will provide them with your music and contact information or they can access your email address and/or phone number listed on your page. There is NO charge for creating a profile! It’s FREE for all Genres of music!!”
Tags: music, indie, want to be discovered, a&r, indie music, independent music
