8th Annual IMA Ringtone Winner Announced

For this year's IMA program, we teamed up with Myxer.com to introduce a Ringtone component.
Winners were determined based on the number of free downloads each finalist received from the IMA/Myxer.com widget.

And the most downloaded Ringtone is.....

RIGAMAROLL BY BILL CHAMPITO!



Here's a live performance of the tune:




Click here to check out the IMAs on Myxer.

In Memoriam: Travis Criscola of Cute Lepers (1985-2009)

Our condolences go out to 8th Annual IMA Punk Album Winning band, The Cute Lepers. The band's guitarist, Travis Criscola, passed away Saturday, March 28th.

The Cute Lepers posted this:

"Early the morning of March 28, in Cincinnati our friend and band-mate Travis Criscola passed away in his sleep. He was 24. Travis was guitarist in the Cute Lepers for the last six months. We're gonna really miss him. We feel that it's appropriate and absolutely not in bad taste to disclose the cause of death of our friend. Travis combined alcohol and pills, then went to sleep and never woke up. It was an accident.

Travis was not any kind of a habitual drug user. I'm a man who has left drugs and alcohol alone for over a decade and I just wont work with people who are mixed up with narcotics. It is rare to find a rock n' roll musician in his early twenties who doesn't get caught up in hitting the bars and going to parties on tour, and Trav was just one of those ones who made a really bad decision. He naively took some type of pills on top of the beer he was drinking and that's it."

---Steve E. Nix (Guitar, Lead Vox)

IMA Winner Performs With NEIL DIAMOND!

IMA Jazz Winner, Matt Shulman and his band, backed up Neil Diamond recently at NYU’s Skirball Center.

"Breaking news: Neil Diamond headllined a special event last night at NYU's Skirball Center as a crowd of almost 500 people watched an impressive array of local talent- mostly NYU alumni in a celebration of former NYU President Jay Oliva's 50 years at the University. The local act who blew the crowd away the most was trumpeter Matt Shulman and his band. Shulman is a New Century Future Star who was booked recently by Michael McHugh in the hot newly renovated room Village Underground. He performed an innovative version of the classic song "What A Wonderful World" with his band using loops to give the song a surreal neo- cool jazz edge. Then- Matt Shulman and his band backed up Neil Diamond on his classics "Sweet Caroline", "I Am, I Said" and a hip lounge-jazz update on Diamond's "Love On The Rocks" from the film 'The Jazz Singer'." -Michael McHugh, New Century Booking

MATT AND BAND ARE SET TO GIVE THEIR SECOND FULL ALBUM PREVIEW OF 'IN THE SKY', THE MUCH BUZZED ABOUT NEW RECORDING SLATED FOR FALL RELEASE THROUGH JAGGO RECORDS/UNIVERSAL.

*EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREVIEW, II*
@ NUBLU
SAT, MARCH 28TH, 9:15PM
62 AVE C BTWN 4TH AND 5TH ST
$10.00 MUSIC CHARGE

IMAs in Venus Zine

Next time you're passing by a news stand, be sure to pick up the spring issue of Venus Zine. Then, flip to the inside back cover and check out our ad featuring 8th Annual IMA Pop/Rock Song winner, April Smith (see good things come to those who receive IMAs!)



Here's the cover:




Spring 2009

Cover Story: Evan Rachel Wood lands a spot in the “25 under 25 List” along with Lady Sovereign, Adele, Alia Shawkat, Zoe Kravitz, Ida Maria, Charlyne Yi, Gabrielle Climi, and many more talented young women.

Plus: Los Angeles Editor of Apartment Therapy throws a “Modern Woodland” styled dinner party

And: Christian Siriano: A fierce force to be reckoned with

Fashion: Welcome to the Satellite Party: Etty and Perry Farrell show off vintage glam

Plus: Style Idol Marina Diamond, produce-inspired beauty products, Sticks + Stones: earthy accessories, Major Brand vs. Made By Hand: Night On the Town, and more!

DIY Décor: Justina Goes West: Our DIY Editor transforms her new Cali digs in ten days

Plus: Stocks Up for Collectors, Alternative Living Spaces, Elemental Design Studio transforms a rental kitchen in OneRoom: Now You’re Cookin’

Interviews: Hong Kong’s indie queen Josie Ho
Literary guru Mary Gaitskill
Emerging writer, author, and video star June Diane Raphael
Frontwoman for the Cardigans and A Camp Nina Persson
Metric’s Emily Haines
Penus: Dan Deacon, Eugene Mirman, Aziz Ansari, Wyatt Cenac, and Clark Duke

Plus: Chrissie Hynde dishes in "Call & Response"
Record Shopping with The Coathangers
Dollars & Sense: The Truth About Cats and Dogs
She Said, He Said: Beach House vs. Wavves
Scene and Unheard: Osaka, Japan

On the Road w/ IMA Winners, Velvet Code

The Velvet Code tour diary continues! Here's the band's first update from the road w/ Mindless Self Indulgence. Videos coming soon. Stay tuned!

TUESDAY

Cheeky button boys and girls,

Really bummed that I didn't get to start this blog earlier (we've spent every night either traveling, trying to find a place to sleep or eat, or just partying with fans after the shows)...but we got a wicked night's sleep and decided that no time like the present...




So this is Velvet Code's first EVER tour. And what a way to begin...with two of our favorite bands: Mindless Self Indulgence and Hollowboy! The first night was definitely nerve wracking. None of us knew what we could say or not say, do or not do, but thankfully we have Corey who is helping us stay organized. Corey is part of our management team and also manages Hollowboy.



Personally, I've never played in front of a crowd of 2000 people before so it was definitely a bit intimidating at first. Once we stepped onto the stage at The Palladium in Worcester MA though, we knew that it was our time. Things felt good...I love the hecklers more than anything haha. Keep em coming..it's want I feed off of when I'm hungry. And I'm more hungry than ever these days. Some tracks went over better than others. "Say You Love Me" seemed to be the crowd favorite that night...can't wait to get back there...

Next stop: Montreal at Le National. What a night that was...definitely an amazing crowd that went along the journey with us...we're super happy to have met you all and we will definitely be back.



Then it was off to my hometown: the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto Canada. My family was there and got a chance to see what this whole Velvet Code thing is all about! I think they get it now :). I was super happy to see my friends Ori and Matt there as well....Toronto rocks!

Tonight we're in London and then we get a much needed day off...let's keep the vibe alive!!

xo
Velvet Code


WEDNESDAY

Hey cheeky monkeys,

I feel like the being on the after party of the Hills or something with all sorts of excitement around what just happened. It's 2:43 in the morning, driving in the van to Columbus, exhausted but still wide awake! I can't believe how each night is progressing to something that we didn't think was possible. We are quickly becoming familiar with each other on stage and it's getting really exciting.



We changed the set list up tonite and played "Say You Love Me" first. I have to get that song kickin' early or it just doesn't feel right. My favorite song to perform is "More," which is a new track for us to perform. Hoping that "Never" will be another new one in the next day or two....



Ryan continues to kick ass, even though he changed up the set list by accident last night. That's alright. I almost broke by leg jumping off the stage to the floor! And Nick...well, Nick continued to work his magic with the fans...



So our stage tech, Pat (we call him Paulie, you know, from Rocky??!?) made a few extra bucks at the merch booth with his "slap me in the face for two bucks" offer! he got slapped a few times, hard. We'll have that up on myspace soon!



Til tomorrow night y'all! We're luving this life like no other!!
xo
Marlon
Velvet Code

Get Tour Smart at SXSW

"Martin Atkins, author of Tour:Smart will reprise his popular presentation at the end of Wednesday's conference. Clear your schedule to gain some knowlege and contacts on Wednesday March 18" - SXSW

From Public Image Ltd. to Nine Inch Nails, Atkins is known for his innovative tribal drumming, groundbreaking production, and his 20 year-old label Invisible. This entrepreneur now has a new book, Tour:Smart, has guest-lectured worldwide on the business of touring, and writes a weekly band advice column on The Suicide Girls site........catch him out on some Ozzfest dates and in a town near you soon! For more on his label visit www.InvisibleRecords.com, for his book, visit www.tstouring.com.

MARTIN ATKINS at SXSW:

Wednesday, March 18th
4:30pm Martin Atkins Tour:Smart Seminar at SXSW! (Austin Convention Center, Room 18)

Thursday, March 19th
1:00pm Martin Atkins / Tour:Smart special book signing at Barnes & Noble in the Austin Convention Center. FREE copies of the Tour:Smart DVD with every purchase!

Friday, March 20th -Waterloo Records, Austin TX - NO BADGE REQUIRED!!
12pm Martin Atkins / Tour:Smart book signing at Waterloo Records (600 North Lamar)
Free CDs and shirts from Pigface, Damage Manual, and more while supplies last!

Need advice at SXSW: Call the Tour:Smart Hotline: (773) 962-7519.
Martin says, "I'm turning on this phone when I get to SXSW. Call me if you need tips on anything. I'll try to help over the phone. If it sounds complicated, maybe we can arrange to sit down. I'm planning on having some great swag from Jagermeister, bags of Redbull and as much real world advice as you can deal with."

If you're in Austin, make sure you get a Tour:Smart SXSW Survival Guide!

As anyone in the music business knows too well, there is nothing more chaotic than SXSW. Between the two bands you came to see and the 1,988 bands you didn't, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Let Tour:Smart clear the BS! The Tour:Smart SXSW Survival Guide is packed full of helpful coupons and contents for all necessary things like:

• A chance to win a snare drum from Pearl, two chances to win a Dean Guitar, and a chance to win nearly $2000 of equipment from PreSonus Audio
• $150 off mastering at Mattress Factory Studio
• 3 months free subscription to Musician's Atlas Online
• $50 off printing and disc manufacturing from Oasis Disc Manufacturing
• Savings on posters, postcards, and fliers from MinuteMan Press Chicago
• Dos and Don'ts from our friends at Ourstage.com
• Exclusive touring tips from Marrow - a fantastic band that used Tour:Smart strategies to make more money on the road
• Exclusive link to one of our favorite clothing designers, Po-Po from Uniform Japan

Get Tour:Smart- http://www.tstouring.com/

Countdown to IMA Acts @ SXSW Pt. 4

More Must-See IMA Winners & Finalists playing SXSW next week....


MELISSA McCLELLAND, IMA Alt. Country Winner



Catch Melissa McClelland at SXSW:
Thursday, March 19 5:30 p.m. SESAC Day Stage Cafe Austin Convention Center (500 E Cesar Chavez St)
Thursday, March 19 10:00 p.m. The Velveeta Room (521 E 6th St)


WATCH MELISSA McCLELLAND:


MC LARS, IMA Judge



Catch MC Lars at SXSW:
Friday, March 20th 1:00 am @ Prague (422 B Congress Ave)

WATCH MC LARS:


THE PARLOTONES, IMA Pop/Rock Song & Music Video Finalists




Catch the Parlotones at SXSW:
Friday, March 2oths, 3:30pm @ Sonicbid’s Party, Maggie Mae’s (323 E 6th St)
Saturday, March 21 11:00 p.m. Maggie Mae's Rooftop (323 E 6th St)

WATCH THE PARLOTONES:



LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE, IMA Folk/Singer-Songwriter Winner



Catch Lucy Wainwright Roche at SXSW:
Friday, March 20th 12:15 am Victorian Room at The Driskill (604 Brazos St)

WATCH LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE PERFORM:

The Countdown to IMA Acts @ SXSW, Pt. 3

PRESENTING....

Today's Dose of Don't Miss SXSW Sets from IMA Winners and Finalists!

With...

GIRL IN A COMA, IMA Punk Song Winners



Catch Girl in a Coma at SXSW:
Wednesday, March 18th 1:00 pm @ SESCA Day Stage Café @ Austin Convention Center ( 500 E Cesar Chavez St.) ALL AGES
Wednesday, March 18th 10:30 pm @ Maggie Mae's (323 E 6th St)


WATCH GIRL IN A COMA’S LATEST VIDEO:


HOOTS AND HELLMOUTH, IMA College Label Release Winner



Catch Hoots and Hellmouth at SXSW:
Wednesday, March 18th Midnight @ The Ale House (310 E 6th St (Alley Entrance)) (21+)
Friday, March 20th 2:30 pm @ SESAC Day Stage Cafe Austin Convention Center (500 E Cesar Chavez St)

WATCH HOOTS AND HELLMOUTH ON TV:


THE MATCHES, IMA Music Video & Band Web Site Finalists




Catch the Matches at SXSW:
Wednesday, March 18th, 5:00pm @ Give More Love Party, Troubadour Saloon (503 E. 6th St.) ***This event is produced by IMA Judge, Jennifer DaRe and supports To Write Love On Her Arms. www.twloha.com. Ages 18+, FREE! No RSVP needed.
Thursday, March 19th, 4:00pm, Rock Band Lounge (311B E. 5th St.)
Friday, March 20th, 11:00 pm @ Wave Rooftop (408 E 6th St)

WATCH THE MATCHES PERFORM ACOUSTIC:



MORE MUST-SEE SETS coming tomm!

Don't forget to stop by and say "Hi!" to Music Resource Group at SXSW. We're at Booth #301 and we've got free shots of the famous AtlasTonic ready for you.

COUNTDOWN TO IMA ARTISTS @ SXSW Pt.2

Don't Miss IMA Artists at SXSW:

THE CUTE LEPERS, Punk Album Winners





Friday, March 20th 10:45pm @ Red 7 Patio (611 E 7th St)

WATCH THE CUTE LEPERS ON TOUR:



THE DOLLYROTS, Pop/Rock Song Finalists




Friday, March 20th 9:20pm @ Red 7 Patio (611 E 7th St)

WATCH THE DOLLYROTS



VAL EMMICH, Music Video Winner




Thursday, March 19th 8:00pm @ Maggie Mae's (323 E 6th St) [Badge Required]
Friday, March 20th 2:00pm @ Troubadour Saloon (503 E. 6th St)
Saurday, Mar 21st 7:00Ppm @ Hyatt Regency, Main Ballroom (208 Barton Springs Rd.)

WATCH VAL EMMICH PERFORM ACOUSTIC:




WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE IMA ARTISTS SET TO TAKE SXSW BY STORM... TOMORROW.

DENGUE FEVER, Winner, World Fusion Album, Venus on Earth

Home= Los Angeles, California

BEHIND THE MUSIC:

---The band describes its sound as "A Cambodian Pop Rock Psychedelic dance party"

-- Denogue Fever made the documentary, Sleepwalking Through The Mekongem. It chronicles the journey taken by lead singer Chhom Nimol’s in her native Cambodia during the 2005 Water Festival. The band’s performances there marked the first time a Western band had performed classic 1960s and ‘70s Cambodian rock ‘n’ roll in the country where it was created and nearly erased from existence by the brutal Pol Pot regime.

---More than a rockumentary, the film serves up a portrait of modern Cambodia as the band tours through Phnom Penh and beyond, crossing a great cultural chasm with the same spirit of Cambodia’s original rock pioneers. The film has screened at a diverse number of festivals and museums including The Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival, The Hawaiian International Film Festival, Roskilde Festival, The Istanbul Museum of Fine Art and the Museum of Fine Art in Boston.

--- Nimol sang regularly for the King and Queen of Cambodia.

---The band’s music has been featured in a number of film and television shows including CITY OF GHOSTS, MUST LOVE DOGS, BROKEN FLOWERS, HBO’s hit series TRUE BLOOD and twice on Showtime’s, WEEDS.

WATCH DENGUE FEVER:

IMA Artists Invade SXSW 2009

It's the time of year when 80+ music venues in Austin, Texas welcome more than 1,8000 bands to their stages for a jam-packed week of musical madness. Musicians travel from around the globe -sorta like the IMAS :)- to showcase.

It's an essential event and this year, March 18-22 is marked off practically everyone in the music industry's calendar. Days are filled with conferences and panels while music sets the scene for the night.

Music Resource Group will be there. Be sure to stop by booth #301. You can pick up a copy of the 2009 edition of The Musician's Atlas & score some deals on our interactive AtlasOnline.

Also, due to popular demand.... Our famous Atlas Tonic was brewed with extra vanilla this year! So be sure to sneak a shot.

As if that's not exciting enough, many of the acts performing are Independent Music Award Winners and Finalists!

We'll be profiling them in our special SXSW countdown. So watch this spot every day and be sure to mark your personal show schedules.

First up....

AIMEE ALLEN, part of IMA Punk Song Vox Populi Winning Duo, Scott & Aimee,



Catch Aimee:
Wednesday, March 18th, 2:30pm @ Darwin’s Pub for the Red Gorilla SXSW show
(223 E. 6th St.)
Thursday, March 19th, 1:00pm @ Paradise (Upstairs)
(401 E 6th St.)
Thursday, March 19th, 4:30pm @ The Thirsty Nickel for the Red Gorilla SXSW show
(325 E 6th St.)


WATCH AIMEE ALLEN PERFORM ACOUSTIC:



MARCO BENEVENTO, IMA Live Performance Winner



Catch Marco Benevento Trio- Friday, March 20, 11:45 p.m. Elephant Room (315 Congress Ave)

WATCH A VIDEO OF MARCO PERFORMING AT THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS 2008 CMJ SHOWCASE:



COMMON MARKET, IMA Rap/Hip-Hop Winners



Catch Common Market
Wednesday, March 18th, 9:10pm @ Back Alley Social (303 W 5th St) (21+)
Saturday, Mar 21 2009,4:30pm @ Palm Door

MORE BANDS LISTED TOMM!

IMA Winners, Velvet Code, Embark on Tour With Mindless Self Indulgence And Report On It for You!

THIS IS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF VELVET CODE'S TOUR DIARY FOR THE IMAs. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES & RECAPS FROM THE ROAD!

DAY ONE:

Hey y'all...it's Marlon from Velvet Code...what's poppin??

The countdown has begun; T-Minus 5 now til we hit the stage in our first North American tour, with Mindless Self Indulgence. After a series of nerve wracking rehearsals (something didn't work at each rehearsal!) I think we're finally sorted. Two more to go..Now to the question: What are we supposed to wear on this thing??? Do we even have time to shop? I'm not convinced that father time will be in our corner on this one. So today it's all about looking through our closets and finding stuff that we'll wear. Money's tight anyway, so I think it's the only solution for us.

I just got a chill down my spine..just the thought of performing in some of the places I grew up in like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver all get my uber excited. I have history there, and Velvet Code's about to add to it!! Every day in a different city...this is what we've been dreaming of...what we've been working so hard for...we're right around the corner...

I'll be back tomorrow, and each day...so make sure to check us out on myspace: www.myspace.com/velvetcodeband and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/velvetcode

Til tomorrow y'all.
Marlon
Velvet Code

DAY TWO:


I couldn't sleep last night. The official announcement was made and I was up sending emails, updating myspace, facebook etc etc. and couldn't get myself to fall asleep until 3:30. On top of that, I was having crazy dreams of being on stage, without any clothes! Talk about major anxiety!

We're 4 days away (3 and a half to be exact) until we hit the stage for our first show in Worcester MA. Here's our schedule for those who haven't seen it yet:

Mar 13 2009 6:00P - The Palladium - Worcester, Massachusetts
Mar 14 2009 6:00P - Le National - Montreal, Quebec
Mar 15 2009 6:00P - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, Ontario
Mar 16 2009 6:00P - Cowboy’s Ranch - London, Ontario
Mar 18 2009 6:00P - Clutch Cargos - Detroit, Michigan
Mar 19 2009 6:00P - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, Ohio
Mar 20 2009 6:00P - House of Blues - Chicago, Illinois
Mar 21 2009 6:00P - First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 23 2009 6:00P - Garrick Centre - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mar 24 2009 6:00P - Riddel Center (University of Regina) - Regina, Saskatchewan
Mar 26 2009 6:00P - Edmonton Events Centre - Edmonton, Alberta
Mar 27 2009 6:00P - MacEwan Hall Ballroom - Calgary, Alberta
Mar 29 2009 6:00P - Vogue Theatre - Vancouver, British Columbia
Mar 30 2009 6:00P - The Showbox - Seattle, Washington

They will be joined by their friends at HollowBoy.

To purchase tickets, you can go to: http://www.mindlessselfindulgence.com/tour.html

The question of the day is how am I going to get to sleep tonight? For one thing, I really have to stop eating so late and hit the gym at night. That'll be the plan for the next few days.

Ok, off to rehearsal....

Marlon
Velvet Code

COMMON MARKET, Winner, Rap/Hip-Hop Album

Home= Seattle, WA

BEHIND THE MUSIC:

---Common Market, aka Sabzi and RA Scion, bring a political and spiritual approach to Hip-Hop.

--An advance copy of their debut caught the ear of KRS-One, who praised the album and RA Scion for “spitting in the Tradition of the conscious Hiphop movement.” The Blastmaster then flew up to rock Common Market’s album release party in Seattle, then taking the duo on the road with him on the Temple of Hip-hop tour. The duo has also played with Zion I, Ghostface Killah and The Coup.

---At the core of Common Market’s music is a critical, unapologetic world view that change is not only necessary, it is inevitable, and can only come about through having love for and serving the people.

WATCH COMMON MARKET'S VIDEO FOR "TROUBLE IS":

LAFAYETTE GILCHRIST, Winner, Jazz Album

Home= Baltimore, MD

BEHIND THE MUSIC:

---Entertainment Weekly calls Gilchrist "...the heir to Thelonious Monk.”

---This pianist is a member of Jazz legend David Murray’s Black Saint Quartet.

---With his own band The New Volcanoes, Gilchrist leads an octet that's equally inspired by D.C. go-go, old school Soul, hard Funk and progressive Hip-Hop.

---His fourth & IMA winning album, Soul Progressin', was released this year on Hyena Records.

WATCH LAFAYETTE GILCHRIST & THE NEW VOLCANOES PERFORM:

THE FAIRYTALE, Finalist, New Age Song, "Land of Beauty"

Home= Sweden

BEHIND THE MUSIC:

--The Fairytale is Peter Malmberg (producer, composer, artist) and Ulrika Malmberg (producer, composer, artist, choreography).

---Peter has produced shows for: Fritidsresor, Safari, Broadway & Palace in Spain,Greece, Thailand & Egypt.

--He has recorded three singles in Sweden, which have been played several times on the national Radio station and has toured Sweden, England and Russia.

---Ulrika has participated in performances including West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz,Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Les Miserables.

--She is schooled in classic song and she currently works as a song and dance coach.

WATCH THE FAIRYTALE VIDEO FOR "CRYING":

CRAIG AMAKER, Finalist, Holy Hip-Hop Song, "Crazy Praise Reload"

Home= Connecticut

BEHIND THE MUSIC:

---Amaker's songs are of praise, deliverance, salvation and exaltation. His musical style is
founded on a foundation of R+B, Soul & Pop.

---He began his musical journey playing the trumpet in elementary school.

---In 2004, Amaker was nominated for Best Male Solo Vocalist at the Connecticut Gospel Music Awards and took third place.

---He serves at Cornerstone Christian Center alongside Pastor Alfred D Watts as a deacon on the leadership team and is also a lead singer in the praise and worship ministry and a member of the choir.

MRG's Robert Fontana Reports On Pop Trends And Their Musical Formulas

Visit http://gigdoggy.wordpress.com/

The Key to Music: a study on industry pop-trends and their musical formulas - by Robert Fontana

Robert Fontana’s ‘The Key To Music‘, a study and research project on the musical formulas that have made up the industry’s pop trends throughout these past decades.

Robert explains:

My pet project involves the analysis of any possible correlations involved with key signatures of all the Billboard Hot 100 #1’s from 1955-present (since the Rock era started). Basically, I’ve been recording the keys (including any full transpositions - not secondary tonicizations) of this comprehensive list of songs. My analysis will include results of most popular & least popular key signatures of all #1 songs as well as per decade, reasons why certain keys may have been chosen during particular time frames, the possibility that certain keys appeal more to audiences, and other musically-geeky probing.

The Key to Music

Ever wonder why we like the music we like? Why do we listen to the same classic songs over and over? Hipsters would say it’s because the system forces a select group of artists and songs down our throats. Mad scientist songwriters would argue for the plethora of pop music formulas. Sociologists might link it to patterns of what we were all exposed to while we were children. Freud probably would have said, “Sometimes a song is just a song.”

At first, I sided with the songwriters. It’s true. At their disposal are hundreds of proven tricks just waiting for the right moment to be pulled out of the tackle box (because hooks are found in tackle boxes). There are cliche chord progressions, common ways to modulate, arrangements and song structures that have stood the test of time, cookie-cutter drum beats, and certain harmonies that are always crowd-pleasers. Apply a mix of these tricks with a modern twist to some music, get a smashingly beautiful artist to sing it, promote the hell out of it, and voila: a hit song.

Somehow, I still wasn’t convinced. What interests me is if our love affair with songs could be something much simpler. When I first uttered it to myself, I thought the play on words was cute and didn’t think much about it. But then, I started to seriously consider it: what if the key of music was the key to music?

The Oxford Dictionary of Music describes a key as “…adherence…to the note-material of one of the major or minor scales – not necessarily a rigid adherence (since other notes may incidentally appear), but a general adherence, with a recognition of the Tonic (or key-note) of the scale in question as a principal and governing factor in its effect…”

I was intrigued to see if there were any correlations with a song’s key and its success during certain time periods. Are we susceptible to some innate preference for certain fundamental frequencies? What are the most popular keys of the most popular songs? Which keys are the least popular? Why were certain keys chosen and more successful during certain musical eras?

It’s tough because who’s to say which songs are the best? For the record, there is no truly accurate way to gauge a song’s popularity. The best we’ve come up with is Billboard, which calculates airplay and sales to deliver their weekly pole positions. So, I started with that. It has now become the sole focus of a project I’ve spent months working on. I’ve been analyzing every Billboard Hot 100 #1 song from 1955 (the birth of the Rock Era) to the present. For each song, I record its key and any full modulations that occur into a spreadsheet.

When I’m finished, I look forward to sharing my conclusions. Feel free to comment with any predictions. Stay tuned to GigBloggy for the results.

-----
Robert Fontana has a BA in Music Education and is an editor at Music Resource Group (MRG), which publishes an annual publication called The Musician’s Atlas as well as its online counterpart, AtlasOnline. The Musician’s Atlas is the ultimate music industry resource & includes contact information and details for every aspect of the business, including music venues, festivals, record labels, studios, radio stations, producers & much more. MRG also produces the Independent Music Awards (IMA’s) where winners are chosen from each of the 50+ music and design categories, and receive year-long print, online & broadcast promotion plus distribution & performance opportunities including an IMA showcase at the CMJ Music Marathon.