Mar 2009
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IMA Artists Flood SXSWMore than 1800 top acts & buzz bands will be playing at SXSW. Of course, many Independent Music Awards Winners, Finalists & Judges will be wowing music fans & industry. Don't miss these shows! Of IMA Vox Populi Punk Song Winners, Scott & Aimee
Aimee Allen is reveling in A Little Happiness. It’s her June slated-for release sophomore solo album and first since Scott & Aimee’s Sitting in a Tree, her collaborative effort with Unwritten Law’s Scott Russo. Sitting in a Tree spawned the 7th Annual IMA nominated and Vox Populi Punk category winning track “Miss America.” Perhaps you’ve also heard Allen while she was co-host for Suicide Girls Radio on Indie 103.1 FM, or sang along to her hit “Cooties” on the Grammy nominated Hairspray Soundtrack. She’s also lent guest vocals on reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry’s ‘Repentance,” and has joint songwriting credits with Linda Perry and Russo for UL’s Billboard Number 4 single “Save Me.” Did we mention reality star Tila Tequila-covered a song of Allen’s as the theme-song for MTV’s A Shot at Love? Or that she is a featured actress and performer in Numb, a tribute film to the 80’s punk movement? Learn more at www.myspace.com/aimeeallen.
WATCH AIMEE ALLEN PERFORM ACOUSTIC: IMA Live Performance Winner
Marco Benevento is touring in support of Me Not Me, his new studio album featuring interpretations of songs by artists including My Morning Jacket, Leonard Cohen and Deerhoof among others. He’s released it on his own label, The Royal Potato Family (distributed by MRI/Red). The ten-track collection arrives within a year from release of Benevento's critically acclaimed debut studio effort, Invisible Baby. Like its predecessor, Benevento is joined on the sessions by bassist Reed Mathis and drummers Matt Chamberlain and Andrew Barr. The band recorded at Chroma Sound in Seattle during days off on a West Coast tour earlier this year. Engineer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Antony & The Johnsons, Phish) mixed the sessions in Brooklyn. Learn more at www.myspace.com/invisiblebaby.
WATCH MARCO PERFORMING AT THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS 2008 CMJ SHOWCASE: IMA Rap/Hip-Hop Winner
Sabzi and RA Scion, the Seattle-based duo known as Common Market, bring a political and spiritual approach to Hip-Hop. At the core of the MC’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.
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. See more at www.myspace.com/commonmarket.
WATCH COMMON MARKET'S "TROUBLE IS" VIDEO: IMA Punk Album Winners
The Cute Lepers are a six/seven piece band from Seattle, WA equally influenced by first wave Punk, mod-revival and power Pop. The group’s tunes also glimmer with hints of doo-wop, early 60's Rock and a load of female back-up vocals. After a couple sold out singles and lengthy tours of the United States and Europe, in the summer of 2008 the band’s debut album, Can't Stand Modern Music, was released on Damaged Goods in the UK and Europe. Joan Jett signed them to her own Blackheart Records for USA distribution. Find out more at www.myspace.com/thecutelepers.
WATCH THE CUTE LEPERS ON TOUR: IMA Alt. Country Song Finalists
Whether performing on big stages at festivals, or playing intimate setting in pubs and the finer taverns all over the mid west & south, Dirtfoot puts on an uproarious show. The crowds come to take part in the fun and chaos, hollering to all the calls and responses, shaking their beancans, and getting down with the infectious grooves. There is only one Gypsy Punk Country Grumble Boogie band in the land… Dirtfoot. Visit them at www.dirtfoot.com.
WATCH DIRTFOOT AT THE VOODOO MUSIC FEST: IMA Pop/Rock Song Finalists
This Punk rockin’ three-piece is currently in the studio popping out new tunes. But you can check out their Blackheart Records release, Because I’m Awesome, to hold you over. The title-track was was voted COOLEST SONG IN THE WORLD 2007 by the listeners of the Underground Garage on Sirius Channel 25 and voted best release by the rad punx of Punk Rock Night. As if that’s not enough to convince you to check out the Dollyrots at SXSW, perhaps this will sway you--bassist, Kelly, named as one of Blender.com's Hottest Women of Rock! Visit them at www.myspace.com/thedollyrots.
WATCH THE DOLLYROTS: IMA Music Video Winner
Shortly after his IMA Win, Val Emmich signed to Bluhammock music and released his critically acclaimed sixth album, Little Daggers. Emmich opted to produce and engineer the record himself and play a majority of the instruments. He’s known for drawing listeners close with great pop melodies and playful arrangements while a penetrating lyrical story unfolds underneath. "Pop music is tricky because we've been trained not to expect much meaning in it. I love big melodies, but I also love songs with a strong, lasting message,” he says. He’s not only been lighting up stages, but television screens, thanks to a few high profile acting roles. Emmich has appeared as Tina Fey’s love interest on 30 Rock and landed on Cashmere Mafia. But it’s on Ugly Betty where he’s been pulling double-duty by acting and performing his own songs on multiple episodes. See www.myspace.com/valemmich for more.
WATCH VAL EMMICH PERFORM ACOUSTIC: IMA Punk Song Winners
These ladies hail from San Antonio, Texas – land of puffy tacos, Lone Star Beer, and the place where Ozzy pissed on the Alamo. In 2006, the Girls played for Joan Jett at New York’s Knitting Factory as part of a cable TV show featuring unknown bands. Jett was so impressed with the band that she and long-time producing partner Kenny Laguna signed GIAC to her label, Blackheart Records, on the spot. Their band’s 2007 debut album, Both Before I’m Gone, was a critical hit with raves from Alternative Press Magazine, the LA Weekly, Bust magazine, among many others, with the album reaching No. 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and No. 21 on iTunes. Of the four singles released, “Their Cell” is currently out and was recently in the Top 10 on Logo’s Click List show. Learn more at www.myspace.com/girlsinacoma.
WATCH GIRL IN A COMA’S LATEST VIDEO: IMA College Label Release Winner
Philadelphia’s gospel-drenched roots rockers Hoots and Hellmouth continue their endless barnstorming of the United States in support of their first album. From rockin’ fury to subtle understated beauty, Hoots & Hellmouth's self-titled debut [MAD Dragon/RYKO] presents a startling range of musical depth. Since their inception, Hoots & Hellmouth have been on a mighty roll, touring relentlessly both on their own and with friends (Dr. Dog, Grace Potter, Rev Payton and the Big Damn Band, Langhorne Slim, Will Hoge,). The band’s unique style of acoustic mayhem provides a flexibility that allows them to perform in all manner of venues, from rock clubs to folk fests. Enthusiastic festival appearances have included Langerado, Wakarusa and the venerable Philadelphia Folk Festival. In the words of Sean Hoots, "this music is at once a celebration and a mourning – championing the human potential to feel deeply and come together as a unified whole. It's a catharsis for 21st Century humans...it’s new music for old souls." Visit them at www.myspace.com/hootshellmouth.
WATCH HOOTS AND HELLMOUTH ON TV: IMA Music Video & Band Web Site Finalists
The Matches are four nonsmokers with radically different dietary habits, unified by the love of stepping into brand new socks, and amateur voodoo. The band's latest record, A Band In Hope (Epitaph March 2008) earned them the recognition as the Number One Band You Need to Know that year by Alternative Press magazine, which raved "The Matches dared to go off the beaten path of contemporary punk…and it sounds great. Subsequent spins unearth the nuances and detail found in each song, from the anthemic, stage-ready arrangements to stripped down acoustic numbers." The band is known for collaborating with a myriad of producers, including Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, 311’s Nick Hexum, Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, Goldfinger’s John Feldmann and the Wizard Miles Hurwitz. The Matches are currently in the studio and you won’t want to miss what’s coming. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thematches.
WATCH THE MATCHES PERFORM ACOUSTIC: IMA Alt. Country Winner
Melissa McClelland’s albums are a collection of dark fables for the soul, where love haunts solitude and fantasy trumps reality. By unflinchingly internalizing pop music sensibilities, Melissa carefully maps out the landscape within us. She explores the rules on the inside, for it is there where most rules are broken. She has toured with Jesse Cook and backed Sarah McLachlan. Stay tuned for her third album –out on April 7, 2009 through Six Shooter Records. She hits SXSW fresh off of gigs at Folk Alliance in Memphis. This month also finds her touring Canada. Also listen to her on Blue Rodeo's new live album, Blue Road. See more at www.myspace.com/melissamcclelland.
WATCH MELISSA McCLELLAND: IMA Judge
MC Lars is a member of what he dubs the "iGeneration," a group born and raised in the time of the Ninja Turtles, cassette tapes and new wave music, who now live in the age of Gossip Girls, iPhones and screamo bands. These are the kids who have grown up using the Internet as a part of their every day life. They can conveniently carry 30,000 songs in their pocket, but are faced with the glooming fact that the world's oil supply and Social Security will both run out in their lifetime. MC Lars is the hero of this new generation, addressing their thoughts and every day struggles in his music. His indie EP has sold over 10,000 copies to a dedicated group of misfits, allowing him to pulse the mainstream through unexpected outlets like Rolling Stone and MTV News. All of this led him to the decision to steer his own ship and to release the album on his own label (Horris Records) rather than fall into the major label glut. He sees little need for the traditional label trappings and would rather storm his own trail through the Internet, even encouraging file-sharing as a means of promoting his music. Go to www.myspace.com/mclars for more.
WATCH MC LARS: IMA Pop/Rock Song & Music Video Finalists
The Parlotones are the biggest selling band in South Africa and have delivered over 200 shows in 2008 across SA, UK and Europe. The band's big break came in 2006 when it signed a European license deal on the back of their debut single beautiful being used in a Fujifilm commercial. Key acknowledgements include Best Rock Album 2006 at South African Music Awards, Best Music Act - People’s Choice Awards 2008, Best Band - You Awards 2007, FHM Readers Choice 2007, Best Video MK Awards 2007, Best Video nomination Resfest 2007. Key performances include Live Earth, Coke Fest and V Fest. The Parlotones latest album is already platinum in South Africa and is due for release in UK/Europe and the USA. Learn more at www.myspace.com/theparlotones.
WATCH THE PARLOTONES: IMA Folk/Singer-Songwriter Winner
Lucy Wainwright Roche grew up in Greenwich Village, New York City. She is the daughter of two performing musicians, Loudon Wainwright and Suzzy Roche (The Roches). Her childhood was spent living out of a suitcase, either on the road, with her parents or being ferried around to different relatives in her big musical clan. After singing backup with her brother, Rufus Wainwright, over the years 2005 & 2006, she decided to take some time off from teaching to explore her life long relationship to singing and song writing. She is described by the New York Times as having the best qualities of both her parents and a voice “clear as a bell.” She has spent the last year touring in the US and UK and will be heading to Australia in the spring of 2008. Check her out at www.myspace.com/lwrlwr.
WATCH LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE PERFORM: April Smith IMA Pop/Rock Song Winner
April Smith is tiny. She stands somewhere around 5'2?, but she belts her lyrics like a gal two times her size on new tracks like “Wow and Flutter” and “Colors”. Having worked with producers Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) and Dan Romer (Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owen Youngs), April’s retro pop sound, carnivalesque melodies and jangly, suitcase-beating spirit will have you spinning like a whirling dervish! Her sly wit, cheeky attitude, sticky cadences, and profound lyrics are brilliantly reflected in her new material. Visit her at www.aprilsmithmusic.com.
WATCH APRIL'S VIDEO FOR "BRIGHT WHITE JACKETS": |
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