New Music You'll Want To Hear

Tip the Van is proof that the great genre of Ska is still alive. They have recreated all that was bold and beautiful in original Ska and shaped it to be their own. Whether hearing them through your speakers or live there is no doubt that you are in for some fun. Ska is by a definition an energetic sort of music and this band exudes a stark musical energy that will keep you coming back for more. Behind this energy, however, lies pocket horn lines, attractive melodic harmonies, and guitar comping that would make even Freddie Green proud. One flaw might be the overuse of the crash cymbal, that, at times, can be a bit overbearing. Beyond this however, Tip the Van's members demonstrate an overall understanding of the genre and an exhilarating sense of musicality.

Compliments aside, there are a number of artists in the same vein as Tip the Van vying to be the next Reel Big Fish or Save Ferris. Luck, persistence, and killing songwriting will be key for Tip the Van in the coming months/years. As is often remarked in this business, "its all in the song". Tip the Van has enough talent to execute well written hits, now they just need to write them. Not to say that they have not already dabbled in this area for the true beauty of Tip the Van lies in its exploitation of pop music molds; their song Simply Goodbye conveys there ability to take old musical form and make it their own. Thus, Tip the Van has one up on the competition. We look forward to tracking the progress of this artist. Listen to Tip The Van.

At the ripe age of fourteen, musician Christian Williams made the decision to make rock the prime directive of his life. Finally realizing his genetically-granted ability to sing, Williams arose from the drums and stepped forward as a true songwriter, both lyrically and melodically. While his guitar riffs are influenced by rock icons Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and George Harrison, with a sound likened to that of Muse, Soundgarden, and Radiohead, Williams lyrics are compiled within his own mind, unshifted by outside influence. Although a robust singer, guitarist and songwriter, Williams knew that his conquest would not prevail without the aide of longtime friend, Jason Thompson.

Intruigued by the complexity of rock percussion, Thompson developed an inspiring dedication to drums at a very young age. Able to produce such diverse and unique drumbeats thanks to the influence of bands from Incubus to Nine Inch Nails to Tool to The Mars Volta, he was eagerly sought out by many of Southern California's aspiring rock bands. Luckily for Williams, most of Thompson's early projects were underambitious and not "his sound." After experimenting with Williams in 2005, Thompson felt a visceral connection to the music and decided his future. Williams and Thompson were only short of their pursuit by a rhythm section.

Longtime classical instrument performer, Rowdy Bossard was a good friend of Williams, but not a first pick for new bassist. Fortune had it that Thompson scheduled Bossard for an audition, and to the surprise of all three musicians, discovered an instant and vital bond. Although auditioning for bassist without owning a bass, Bossard quickly developed a bold and recognizable bass tone and style, derived from classic and modern bands such as Jethro Tull and Beck. Bossard's tenacious dedication and ambitious attitude became the final elements of Williams' band.

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Attaining popularity as a musician requires a strange combination of luck, talent, and persistence. Brian Torres most definitely has talent, and we hope that he soon finds his stroke of luck. His tunes combine the perfect amount of practical, catchy, musicality and passion creating an overall feel-good listening experience. Thus, his music is intoxicating, you will keep wanting to come back for more. And if singing in Spanish were not enough, this bilingual virtuoso incorporates the fervor of this beautiful romance language into his own profound English prose, a true musical knight in shining armor. One's only constructive suggestion to Torres might be to experiment with some different genres, perhaps do something new and unexpected. Brian Torres has everything that he needs to be commercially successful, now persistence is all that he needs to pass the time. We look forward to seeing his name in the bright lights.

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While sticking to basic rock dogma SOUNDESCAPE transcends all expectations of amateur rock artists. Combining great production with apt musicality, their hard-driving tunes evoke pleasure from even the casual listener. Variation and diversity within their own genre again elevates SOUNDSCAPE to a distinction of its own; the stark stylistic contrast between "Bent" and "This Is Not The End" induces a certain curiosity in the listener that will make them want to come back for more and to stay tuned for what happens next. Labeling the cast of SOUNDESCAPE as merely talented would be doing them a disservice. Their drummer Jason Thompson keeps it in the pocket while Christian Williams and Rowdy Bossard lay down an impeccable combination of unique progressions and melodic lines. Williams's vocals have a sort of raspy sweetness that can be described only as intoxicating. There are few artists that have had the introspective power to define their style so well. In the end, this band is truly a sound that has escaped, rising above the cacophony of this era in the music industry. We expect great things from this band.

In the vein of today's popular artists such as The Fray, Coldplay, James Blunt, and Keane Dannel Vonn Dillon carves out a niche of his own with an extensive repertoire of catchy, piano-driven compositions. With origins in New England, Dannel Vonn Dillon is now based out of Los Angeles and is currently one of Hollywood's most promising young artists. Cutting his teeth the old fashioned way, he has toured the United States from Portland, Maine to Los Angeles, California, performing in bands and as a solo artist on hundreds of stages across the country. Dannel has recently signed two licensing deals with MTV Networks and his songs have been picked up for four feature film soundtracks to date. He was also selected to perform at Paramount Pictures for "Gridlock 2008", Hollywood's biggest New Year's Eve event, and his songs have won numerous awards on the acclaimed music site, GarageBand.com. Currently, the artist is finishing up a full-length album, planning a dual-headlining tour with famous comedian, Dat Phan, and setting up a European tour for the end of the year. On stage Dannel Vonn Dillon is mesmerizing and engaging, yet he readily claims to be a songwriter first and foremost, having penned over 200 original songs and advocating, "if a song is good...everything else is just atmosphere". In other words...he believes in God, but worships John Lennon.

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Andy Mac is an artist you'll want to listen to. It takes a true gift to create such sleek musical synthesis. One of Mac's best songs, "She Falls Away" aptly conveys his stark ability to mold lyrics, melody, and vocals into a perfect musical storybook. In other words, Andy Mac is a virtuoso in the art of putting all the right musical pieces, in all the right places. With a faint hint of John Mayer's folk roots Mac's music is not only appealing but intoxicating, you will want to keep on listening again and again. In their career, every songwriter wishes to attain such melodic appeal that Andy Mac has so easily achieved. Originality, even within Andy Mac's own musical niche is perhaps what makes him so great. Each song has a new stylistic addition or change that makes each track interesting, building Mac's repertoire into a single morphing entity rather than a list of formulated tracks. There are thousands of songwriters that can concoct memorable hooks and chorus lines and while Mac achieves this, he also goes beyond, making the entire song enjoyable: the verses are just as pleasing as the choruses. There is no doubt that with proper exposure and persistence Mac will achieve a earned level of success. We look forward to tracking the progress of this artist.

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Edgy and Catchy, Honeymash is one of those bands that seizes your attention from the start. From the catchy guitar progressions and layered vocals to in the pocket grooves Honeymash puts a new spin on old musicality. Brian Duffys raspy, melodic vocals make it evident that this is a group of talented musicians that should be watched closely. A gift to the ears, this band seems to be an odd combination of U2 and The Stones all mashed into one, combining hard driving rock hits with mind-blowing power ballads. There are few bands these days that can write the hits as well as perform them, the world needs more bands like Honeymash. "Tomorrow comes" is a truly a hit, and there is no doubt that it, along with the bands other great repertoire of songs will bolster them to the top. Look for this band in a big venue near you, for they are most definitely rising stars.

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MACERI is an up-and coming artist. By creating a perfect combination of vocals, lyrics, and instrumentals MACERI has achieved what so few amateur artists can: catchy and sleek musical synthesis. After songwriting, weaving the elements of a song together smoothly is imperative to creating a sellable musical product, MARCERI has accomplished this. Thus, half of the battle is won, to win the final half there are three things that must be done. To make it, MACERI needs a specific musical identity, the songs are great now but they sound like a lot of mainstream stuff that comes across music executives desks, they need something that makes them stand out, musically. Next they need a personal identity, something that fans will associate the band with, an identifiable identity. Lastly, MACERI needs luck. Like many artistic pursuits being in the right place at the right time can mean the difference between a struggling artist and a household name. The only thing that gives you a better chance of being in the right place at the right time is getting out there as often as you can, get as much exposure as possible. We look forward to tracking the progress of this artist.

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If the song "Legions" doesn't make you wanna move, you have no soul. Sometimes Charlie, reminiscent of the Doobie Brothers, is much more than your average jam band. A funky combination of cool guitar riffs, pocket beats, and catchy melodies you'll want to just keep on listening. If Sometimes Charlie can replicate the feel of "Legions" there is no reason that they shouldn't be a headlining band. There is something new and fresh about Sometimes Charlie, there is no doubt that they are a creative and talented bunch. Yet, they are still young and have a little maturing to do as artists, but this experience will only come from just doing it, from trial and error. Above all things, it is most important that their songs tell a story, a story that's never been told before. In time, Sometimes Charlie will be a force to be reckoned with.

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Joe Kennedy's sensational combination of ripe jazz riffs and catchy melodic lines make his refreshing musicality irresistible. If you like upbeat Jazz and fusion you will find Kennedy's tunes intoxicating. If there is one thing the music world needs it is a step back to when popular musicians were also talented musicians. Joe Kennedy is without a doubt a talented virtuoso with limitless marketing potential. I would not be surprised if Kennedy found his way into the mainstream, even while staying true to his jazz roots. After tightening up the vocals a bit I see no reason why Kennedy should not be a headlining artist, he has by far been one of the most musical artists that I have reviewed this year. His vocals are great for the songs, his melodies are catchy, and his grooves are, well, groovy. Kennedy is truly a musician that can be looked up to, learned from, and enjoyed. We can't wait to see what he does next.

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Rilian has all the marks of good songwriting. In listening to Rilian it is not hard to hear the beginnings of a truly great up-and-coming artist. That being said, there is still a lot of work for Rilian left to do. They have some great, hard-driving, power ballads and lack only perfectly engineered, catchy choruses. In their current state Rilian is a good listen, their only future challenge will be to become more unique and memorable. Obviously this is the pursuit that is the hardest for an artist to surmount, yet there is hope for Rilian. Already one can hear the beginnings of a unique identity that if developed further could be something truly great. Stepping outside the box and trying something new is going to be key for new artists in this genre as most record labels are already full with artists of the same style that are already ingrained with a devout following. Our favorite song entitled "Love Song" portrays a sort of great musicality, with melodic lines intertwined with weaving counter-melodies. We look forward to tracking the progress of this artist and hope that they find the inspiration for that memorable chorus soon!

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Falling for Tomorrow plays in the pocket, with attractive lead vocals and hard driving guitar progressions, they are truly up-and coming. Their song "Forgetting Yesterday" is truly a gift to the ears, it falls away from the "Major" sound of most pop music and takes on that distinctive, rough, and interesting alternative rock sound. And if singing in Spanish were not enough, this bilingual band incorporates the fervor of this beautiful romance language into its own profound English prose. The chorus lines in "Forgetting Yesterday" are also near angelic, they perfectly augment the well conceived melodic lines and increase the overall musicality of the tune. One of the only challenges that this band faces, probably the hardest thing to do as an artist, is to create something totally new and distinctive. For Falling for Tomorrow to set itself apart from the hundreds of talented international bands they need specificity, a distinctive auditory identity. Nonetheless, this band, with the right production has the potential to be something great as-is. Falling for tomorrow is obviously composed of talented musicians, persistency and a tireless work ethic is truly what they need now. We look forward to seeing how this band builds its future.

This blue heaven is a great example of a band that has old influences but also new ideas. Catchy chord progressions combined with melodic guitar riffs come to form a sleek instance of musical synthesis. In terms of lead vocals, the female lead does have a good voice, but most importantly a trainable one. I would be willing to guess that the lead vocalist has not had any formal training, I would imagine however the band and the vocalist would benefit greatly from a little vocal strengthening. As ever as always is perhaps the most catchy song that this blue heaven has put on their myspace player and is a great indie-like song. So far as mainstream music goes I'm not sure that this would make it, but there is definitely a large established audience for music like that of This Blue Heaven. When reviewing profiles to make it easier to decide what artists I will recommend for contracting I assign each a number out of 10. There are many factors that go into this number label including: image, personality, appeal, "sellability", musicality, and many others. This blue heaven has musicality, although it should tighten up its vocals and try to play consistently in the pocket, establish a groove. In terms of image, and appeal you can't get much of a sense of that from a webpage but you need an image to have sell-ability, this is another thing a would recommend working on, do whatever you can to sell yourself as well as your music. I would not recommend my company sign This Blue Heaven although I'm confident with some work they will get to that stage eventually. I would give them a 7 out of 10. Tighten up those vocals! I have no doubt that with some work This Blue Heaven will be successful, at least in their own niche.

Bodi Profit brings something completely new to the table with his unique musicality. He takes two different elements, his hardcore, grunge vocals and acoustic guitar and combines them to make a new sort of sleek musical synthesis. His voice combines perfectly with the guitar as there is a certain sweetness to it. Profit exhibits an enormous amount of talent and poise in his performances. Experimenting with variations on his musical arrangements might be something for him to do in the future as there is probably a limited audience for his current ensemble. In terms of songwriting Profit coveys many qualities of the professional songwriter, with honest, thoughtful lyrics and intricate, original melodic lines. Our favorite song "Happy at Peace" is a great example of this. The only thing lacking here is truly a timeless chorus, although it is catchy, to an extent, it is hard to truly pick out where it begins and ends. Yet, this is one of the only weaknesses of profit. And thus, we look forward to tracking the progress of this artist. Persistence will now be his best friend.

Many Users Have asked us about garageband.com Garageband.com is a great way to get exposure. However, there is a downside, you can waist a lot of time going in circles with a site like this. Developing into a talented and sellable musical artist should be your first concern. Then, if you wish to submit your music to somewhere feel free to, this is the exposure part of the game. Many artists jump the gun, they try and become "famous" or get exposure before they have perfected their art and their music. This is a hue mistake because with most listeners you only have 1 chance to sell yourself. This is the same with many record companies, they will put your artist profile on a lower ranked review track if you have submitted something that is not up to par before. Don't be to cautious and wait to long, but don't jump the gun. When you feel that you can't do much more with your music with the resources you have, then its time to try and gain a fan base.

Traveling the world to see concerts in huge venues with startling smoke and mirrors effects can be enchanting, but every once in a while there is a local, small venue concert that will just blow your mind. The shows put on by Victor Wooten and company on their 2008 US tour do just that. Yesterday evening, April 26, I was fortunate enough to witness first hand one of these shows. It was in San Juan Capistrano at a small venue called the Coach House. (read the rest at NotePromote.com)