Our goal was to start an indie label and focus on bands we love.  We’ve taken our time and have recently signed and launched our first band.  Granted these guys were doing good things without us but they’ve decided to let us drive a little.  Manic Bloom.  These guys are great and I’m really enjoying working with them.  The music is good and right up my alley.

This is my post to ask for your support.  Today Manic Bloom’s album “In Loving Memory” hit the different digital outlets.

Not sure you wanna buy it?  Visit their site @ www.manicbloom.com // Like it and want a free track?  visit manic.velvetfarm.com to get your free download (in exchange for a tweet of course).

Get it on either of these sites (or your favorite digital spot):

Thanks for checking them out and even supporting indie music!

• Billy Boy On Poison – Single is On My Way
• Audrye Sessions – Single is Turn Me Off. I’ve been on this band for a few months.. dig it a lot.
• The Sounds – Single is No One Sleeps When I’m Awake, love the girls that rock.
• The Trews – Single is Paranoid Freak – Great Canadian band, very poppy fun but still rockin’.

I’ve met a lot of creative, artistic, music and just plain cool people on twitter. A few weeks back I met an amazing photographer named Kellie Kano. We sent a few messages back and forth and then some how I discover that her husband is a guy named Mark Kano. Mark Kano was/is the lead singer for a band that I dig called Athenaeum. Many of you will remember Athenaeum from a hit they had back in the 90′s called “What I Didn’t Know”… one of my favorite songs still.

Mark has a new CD that is amazing. I’m not saying this because he’s now my friend on Facebook… I really dig this record. I think the release and timing are perfect and truly believe you will hear some of these tracks popping up soon. Mark’s vocals are very distinct and you know it well after only hearing him once.

The opening track and album title is Walking On Broadway. This is your song of summer. When you hear it you will want to roll down the windows and drive fast even if it’s supposed to snow tomorrow! Another notable track is Calling Saturn… I absolutely love the drum track on this one, that along with the rhythmic guitar in the verse sells this songs hard. My other favorites are the ballad-’y’ tracks Telling You I Love You & Baby I’m Your Man.

Please do yourself a favor and check out this album. I’ve been listening for a few days now and just can’t cut it off!

I’ve been on the hunt the past few weeks for something new.  Not necessarily innovative in the music world but at least music that can keep my attention from beat 1.  It’s not a huge list and unfortunately it’s not all available yet but I’m giving you a heads up…

What are you listening to?

• Tom Yarbrough: My Good Thing EP- the track “Oh, Your Love” is amazing.  Should be available in the next few months online.  I’ll definitely keep you guys posted on his stuff.
• Our Heart’s Hero: Just received two demo tracks from these guys- and I must say they have come a long way since the over-Christian-radio-produced self-titled debut on Gotee.  Excited to see these guys back to the edge!  Really digging the track called “Keep Breathing”
• Oasis: Dig Out Your Soul is one of if not my favorite album of 2008.  Absolutely amazing. “Bag It Up”, “Waiting For The Rapture” & “The Shock Of The Lightning” are stand outs on this album-  but I highly recommend the whole thing…
• Stereophonics: Decade In The Sun is a best of collection with a crazy new track called “My Own Worst Enemy”.
• The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus‘s new single “You Better Pray”-  good rock and roll.
• Butch Walker: Sycamore Meadows-  good safe record… if you are a fan then you will love this record.
• The Classic Crime‘s “The Fight”- yes, it’s a few years old but just dig this track.

What I did NOT buy or like this week.

• David Cook’s new album.  Cookie Cutter- absolutely nothing new and no surprises.  Will be a huge hit with mom’s and young ladies across the US.  I’m curious about his photos, his head seems really long- just me or the hair-do?
• Red’s new single “Fight Inside”.  I tried it.  It seems to be Chevelle meets Linkin Park and both of those bands keep me covered.
• Bret Michaels “Acoustic Sessions”-  Need I say more?

Please advise…  What are you listening to?

What are you listening to?

• Tom Yarbrough: My Good Thing EP- the track “Oh, Your Love” is amazing.  Should be available in the next few months online.  I’ll definitely keep you guys posted on his stuff.
• Our Heart’s Hero: Just received two demo tracks from these guys- and I must say they have come a long way since the over-Christian-radio-produced self-titled debut on Gotee.  Excited to see these guys back to the edge!  Really digging the track called “Keep Breathing”
• Oasis: Dig Out Your Soul is one of if not my favorite album of 2008.  Absolutely amazing. “Bag It Up”, “Waiting For The Rapture” & “The Shock Of The Lightning” are stand outs on this album-  but I highly recommend the whole thing…
• Stereophonics: Decade In The Sun is a best of collection with a crazy new track called “My Own Worst Enemy”.
• The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus‘s new single “You Better Pray”-  good rock and roll.
• Butch Walker: Sycamore Meadows-  good safe record… if you are a fan then you will love this record.
• The Classic Crime‘s “The Fight”- yes, it’s a few years old but just dig this track.

What I did NOT buy or like this week.

• David Cook’s new album.  Cookie Cutter- absolutely nothing new and no surprises.  Will be a huge hit with mom’s and young ladies across the US.  I’m curious about his photos, his head seems really long- just me or the hair-do?
• Red’s new single “Fight Inside”.  I tried it.  It seems to be Chevelle meets Linkin Park and both of those bands keep me covered.
• Bret Michaels “Acoustic Sessions”-  Need I say more?

Please advise…  What are you listening to?

Here’s the track to see for yourself. What do you think?

Here’s the track to see for yourself. What do you think?

Do yourself a favor and check out these artists, I’ve linked to their iLike.com page so you can check out the music:

• Carolina Liar – Coming To Terms :   I’m all over this album.  Very fresh.  Check the single “I’m Not Over“, huge hit potential.  The singer is from Charleston, SC (Carne’s Crossroads to be exact).  Glad to see the music scene isn’t completely dead here (even though he made it big in L.A.).
• Thriving Ivory – Thriving Ivory : It’s hard to describe this, it’s got some great 80′s ballad rock, but it’s modern and not cheesy… does that make sense? Check out the track “Angels On The Moon” It’s definitely worth a listen, you won’t be disappointed… perfect song arrangement.  It just continues to build to a huge track… love this song!
• Alkaline Trio – Agony & Irony :  This album rocks my face… The single is “Help Me”- amazing.  It’s Pop/Alt/Rock, heavy on the rock.  Great for driving or working too… especially if you want to do it fast.
• The Spill Canvas – No Really, I’m Fine : Another fine album, check the single “All Over You”.
• Hawthorne Heights – Rescue Me : This is their new single… a bit of a departure, well… maybe just something that happens to all bands-  a fresh sound.  The new album should own.  The single is available on iTunes…

What’s new in your world?  Share, share, share.

Drinking from the Cultural Watercooler today at Ethos…