Take a listen… what do you think?

Rope by Foo Fighters

This video dropped last week as well featuring Lemmy. Yeah, that Lemmy. Motorhead. The video is quite funny.

“They just don’t do it like they used too…” I’m talking about music.  Music in general.  The recording, the band, the sound, the writing, the live show, the professionalism…  Bands these days are trying hard to stand out for 5 minutes.  Many have a gimic or are trying to think about that one thing that can launch them to stardom.  Now I don’t blame the bands.  Currently we have access to hundreds of thousands of bands online.  We also have access to their fans telling us to listen to this one and that one.  Again, not knocking the band or the fans-  I’m guilty.  I try to share good music and artists that may otherwise go undiscovered by my friends.

The process of writing great songs,  being in a band, building a following and working your ass off to get noticed has moved to sitting at a computer, recording pieces/ideas (not days in a basement rehearsing) of a song, finding followers on one of the many social media networks, uploading a song to sell THEN start thinking about how do i play a live show and we should probably learn these songs as a band soon…   Yes, I know that is a bit of an exaggeration, but if you’re in a band you probably know what I’m talking about.

Wait! What does this have to do with Tom Petty???  I’m getting there I promise.  I’ve been to a ton of shows in this short life of mine (a way of saying I’m still young).  My first show was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in the early 80′s at Starwood Amphitheater right outside of Nashville.  I remember it vividly.  It was awesome.  Crosby Stills & Nash actually opened up for Tom Petty last night… so it came full circle for me.

So… Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. I’ve been a fan for a long time.  I own most all his albums.  Last night I saw him live and it just hit me-  ’They just don’t do it like they used too…”.  Petty has written hit after hit after hit and continues to put on an amazing show to back up those hits.  He’s the total package-  he doesn’t have a gimic, he doesn’t change his sound every album to match what is out currently and he just does what he does.  Rock.

I’m not saying that Tom Petty is the only guy who has this figured out.  There are a lot of great artists and bands out there doing this.  This is just something that stood out to me last night.

Here’s a question.  Do bands like Tom Petty, U2, Rolling Stones, Metallica and other ‘supergroups’ have an advantage since they went through the old school music system?  They had heavy radio and video play back in the day when that was one of the only ways to discover new music.  Has the internet and new media outlets changed the music game that much?  I say, yes.  I’m not complaining-  it’s a fine line.  I love these outlets and discover great music that I’d otherwise not find but sometimes I just want great music that is consistent, real and a true reflection of who the artist/band is.

What do you think?

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?