9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Mog

ARTIST NAME: Mog (aka Daniel Maguire)

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED:Canberra, Australia (permanently) and Wellington, New Zealand (temporarily).

WEB SITE:www.myspace.com/mogdaniel

INFLUENCES:Everything. But particularly Pop hooks and simplicity, Punk energy, Folk storytelling and lushness, Alternative guitars and originality, Low-fi warmth, and the odd Rock anthem.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• receiving national radio airplay
• the reaction to my new album, Nine
• working with one of Australia’s top producers, Stuart Stuart of Chartsong Productions
• whenever audience members sing along to the words of your songs

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: I thought the IMA could help increase my exposure in the independent music industry and to music lovers generally. The prizes are very appealing because they could open doors to new and exciting opportunities.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: For sentimental reasons, Suzanne Vega - her irresistibly catchy songs form part of the soundtrack to my early childhood memories. For effortless cool and intelligent songwriting, it’s Aimee Mann.

I’M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: You can’t beat the creative and business freedom of doing things on your own terms, and the satisfaction that this brings. It also affords you a certain credibility and integrity, though sadly not a sizeable bank balance. But perhaps above all, it’s the preservation, cultivation and evolution of self-identity.

WHAT’S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC: My new album will be/was released on iTunes in July 09, followed by a few gigs in NZ and then back home in Australia to promote it. At the same time, I’ll launch a promotional campaign to independent Australian radio stations. I’m also embarking on a US licensing/publishing push to hopefully secure some media placements. And last but not least, I’m already busily writing new material for my next album, sometime in ‘10and am very excited about the results it will yield.

SUCCESS = Artistic satisfaction + loyal fans + industry recognition

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: It's non-existence and unlimited potential. These days I usually perform as a solo artist and couldn’t be happier, although I’ve a network of talented and like-minded musicians with whom I sometimes play. As for me, I stand out from the crowd by my ‘melody is king’ mantra.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? East coast of Australia and occasionally pockets of New Zealand.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? The Pot Belly, Canberra Australia, because it’s intimate, friendly and unpretentious. They’ve also supported local musicians for as long as I can remember. I would add, though, that the shower still rates highly.