Indie News: Ilia rocks Lifest… TWICE!
Hey, if you’re fortunate enough to be headed to Lifest this weekend, be sure to check out The Edge Main Stage at 3:45pm on Saturday and then, on The Pit Stage at 8:00pm as Ilia, the rockers from AK will be rocking the land of cheese hard and well.
In addition to the rockin’ at the festivals this summer, the ladies also have a very full schedule coming up that will keep them on the road steadily through September. Not bad considering just a few months ago they were sitting on a bus with Eowyn wondering if they’d be able to even get that tour off the ground. Now it appears they’re even going to be making a west coast run and maybe, just maybe even be near Sacramento….
The economics of being indie…
We cover bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, that have successfully gone into self promotion, and the money they make is impressive. Do they still count as indies? I think not… When I think about the true indie artists we’ve covered here in our spotlight, I wonder if they’re going to be economically viable in the future.
I’m in California, so gas here is hovering around $4.50 a gallon right now. Diesel is right around $5.00 a gallon. If you’re driving a van that gets 10 miles per gallon, and gas is $4.50, it costs you $.045 to go 1 mile. Go on a 100 mile tip for a gig - 50 miles each way - and you’re talking $45.00 just to get there and back. Nevermind if you have to rent a PA or pay someone to help you load in and out… Almost half a C-note JUST TO GET THERE? Read more
Musexpo2008 - United Nations of Music & Media
Now, I know many of us in the US won’t be able to attend this event, but we had just under 1,000 visitors from Europe stop by ST.net in the last 30 days and they may want to attend. Plus, we’re all about getting the word out to indie bands like Verra Cruz who only play in Europe about an event like this that could help their ministry grow.
The inaugural Musexpo Europe will take place at this year’s selected city of London, England from October 27th – 29th at The Cumberland Hotel in the heart of London. Read more
Indie Spotlight: Verra Cruz
What do you get when you cross vintage guitar riffs (Think Hendrix or Zeppelin here), a growly vocal that pleads to be heard, songs that will make you think (a-la Cobain) and a give it all to His Glory? You get Verra Cruz. This British trio has a monster sound that can barely be contained. Which probably explains why they’ve been playing festivals all over Europe for the past few years.
The band, Mark James (Guitar/Vocals/Lapsteel), Jimmy Cook (Drums) and Henry Cross (Bass) has been cranking out tunes for over 10 years. Having garnered some pretty impressive press over the years, it seems that with the release of Innocence, they may be poised to transition from an obscure band into mainstream success. Winning a coveted spot on the Gibson stage at this year’s Download festival, Verra Cruz are about to get even more exposure in Great Brittan.
We had a chance to catch up with Jimmy, here’s how it went:
Indie Spotlight: Fun with indies
Hey everyone! Wow, what a great 3 day weekend. The good news: I’m fully relaxed and ready to hit it after three days of letting Robin Twitter her way around Spirit West Coast. There were some Indie happenings down in Del Mar over the weekend, of course. Our friends Richard Andrew Experiment placed 2nd in the Indie Talent Search - and got their shot on the C28 stage as well. Here’s some more awesome news from The Experiment…
The trip to Nashville for the finals only went to the 1st place winner (Trevor Davis). However, get this brother… they actually called me on Saturday night to say that even though we came in second, they wanted us on the MainStage! God is so amazing! I can hardly believe it myself! So here was the line up Sunday night: Richard Andrew Experiment, Aaron Shust, Barlow Girl, Kutless, Third Day. It was an awesome day brother.
Indie Video Friday: Delorean Grey: Always Answer
It’s not often that I run across a great video from an indie band. They just don’t have the budget for it, and let’s face it, it’s not 1988 anymore, so the world isn’t watching 50% of it’s music on MTV! I digress…
We’ll be chatting with these guys soon…
Day of Fire wants you to help Stars Go Dim too
Today we’ve put Stars Go Dim into our indie spotlight. Well, a few minutes ago we got an e-mail from Day of Fire asking you to help this amazing indie band…
Hey friends
Mike Wittig from the band PILLAR needs your help!! Need your help! Voting ends today at 11am CT! I hope you all had a great weekend. I played a show with Stars Go Dim and we opened for Switchfoot. It went really good. Will have pictures and video for you soon. My little brother came down for the show and we got to hang out. Thanks for helping out a good friend of Day of Fire!-Michael
Get discovered at this year’s GMA Music in the Rockies
Since 1974, GMA Music in the Rockies has been the Christian and Gospel music industry’s official training camp and competition for artists, songwriters and worship leaders. Thousands have traveled, from all over the world, to experience this adventure. They are drawn by its unparalleled training, professional and personal feedback, one-of-a-kind concert series, and sense of community, all nestled in the beautiful mountains of Estes Park.
Over the years, many artists were first heard at Music in the Rockies including: Chris Tomlin, Point of Grace, Jordan Sparks, Matthew West, David Phelps, BarlowGirl, Michael W. Smith, Nichole Nordeman and many others.
Here’s all the info…
Read more
Hey Indies… want a shot at being on next years WinterJam?
Our friends at WAY-FM each year are one of the sponsors of the Music Boat. They offer something there called the Indie Jam Showcase. This showcase of unsigned talent gets to play in front of thousands of people and hone their craft… and you can win a spot on next years WinterJam tour.
I don’t have any further details here, but if you’re interested you should probably hurry as the cruise heads out in mid May. Here’s the 411… Read more
Hey Indies… wanna go to London?
Loretta Fenton wants to be your new best friend, if you’re an unsigned Christian artist, that is. She’s working with Premier Christian Radio in the UK to do a weekly show, featuring unsigned artists for an interview as well as a live, in-studio performance.
Unsigned Christian musicians are being given the opportunity to play live to a UK wide audience on Premier Christian Radio.
Leading the crusade for new Christian talent is Loretta Fenton, an established performer and singer with over a decade of experience in the Christian music industry. She will be presenting the show Loretta Fenton Presents … Unsigned starting on Saturday 12 April.
“We’re putting out the call for all unsigned Christian artists to take part in the show and get their music heard,” she said.
“Whether you’re touring round the country or just starting out, there’s a place for you. All you need to do is send a demo to us at Premier Radio or log on to our MySpace page www.lorettafentonpresents.com and we’ll do the rest.”
Each week the show will have one unsigned act performing live at the Premier studios in London as part of the Centre Stage feature. The artists will also be interviewed by Loretta Fenton and have an opportunity to share what their music is about with the audience.
There will also be a chance for the audience to vote for brand new acts in the Spotlight competition, crowning one Artist Of The Month.
“Winners will be interviewed on the show and perform live in the studio as well as having their act profiled for a whole month on the Premier website. More importantly they’ll get their music heard by hundreds of thousands throughout the month!” Fenton explained.
So send your MP3’s and pack your bags! Official rules for entry are at: www.lorettafentonpresents.com
