Music Without Labels | Archive

Guards “In Guards We Trust” [NEW MUSIC]

05/20/13
Steve Rippin
· Album Reviews · Beat-Play, LLC · concert · Europe · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Los Angeles · music industry · Music News · New York · Uncategorized

Is it summer yet? I’m getting amped up for concerts and drinking out side. I’m also getting amped for today’s band of the hour. Guards. I’ve been listening to this record for a few weeks now. Its easy going rock and roll, just in time for Summer.

With this new release I think we are going to be seeing a lot of Guards for a while. It’s exciting to hear new music like this. Yes, it’s a reinvention, but the sounds are original and I really like the vocal arrangements. I’m not sure if everyone who formed a band in the last three years made it a rule to have a female so-lead singer but it’s working for me.

Founded in 2012 Guards consists of Richie James Follin, Loren Humphrey & Kaylie Church. Their most recent “In Guards We Trust” is loud, catchy and easily on of my favorite releases of the last few months. Since February the band has been touring heavily. They are currently in Europe making their way through the festival circuit and then toward the end of the Summer they’ll make their way state side to tour with Best Coast, Alt-J and Portugal, The Man. The tour wraps up with two massive shows at Lollapalooza in Chicago and FYF Fest here in LA.

Guards – Taxi Cab (Vampire Weekend Cover)

By: Steve Rippin | Beat-Play Ambassador Los Angeles | @stevewithMWL|Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC

She & Him “Volume 3″ with Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward [NEW MUSIC]

05/09/13
Steve Harpine
· Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · concert · Events · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Los Angeles · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · Top Posts · Video

Zooey Deschanel is quite the over-achieving artist. Her big break came in the early 2000s, when she began landing support roles in films such as Almost Famous, The Good Girl, Elf, and more. Today, Zooey is widely known as the star in the Fox series, New Girl, but it was over six years ago that her singing career began it’s launch. Fans heard Zooey sing before, most memorably in Elf with “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Three years later, Zooey teamed up with singer-songwriter/producer M. Ward, who encouraged her in the songs she was writing. In 2008, the duo, artily named She & Him, released their debut album, Volume 1. In an interview with Venus Zine, Deschanel described her feelings about starting a career in music.

“I always thought I would be able to sing and act, but at a certain point, it became difficult for me to share the music part. So I was writing a ton of music, but not really doing anything with it. I didn’t really know exactly who to collaborate with … until I met Matt, and everything seemed to fall into place.”

She & Him released a new album, Volume 3, this week with eleven original songs by Deschanel and three covers. Zooey’s voice retains a transparent tone throughout the record, often giving playful melody to lyrics about love and relationships. Have a listen to the first single, “Never Wanted Your Love.”

As you can hear, the record has a totally natural vibe. Crisp drums, tight bass lines, appropriate string and horn additions, and M. Ward’s phenomenal guitar playing give the album somewhat of a throwback feel. There’s a sense of Motown throughout, and the mastering process still left a rawness in the tones and grooves on the record. Sometimes it sounds like you’re right there in the room. Most of the album is a bit of a romantic walk back to a California beach in the 1970s. It even has background vocals tracked by indie pop group, Tilly and the Wall. Have a listen to the first song from the record released on She & Him’s Soundcloud, “I Could’ve Been Your Girl.”

Volume 3 is fun, but classy at the same time. It’s perfect for your summer trip to the beach mix or your playlist for the drive to this weekend’s drive-in movie. Mostly impressive is Zooey Deschanel’s songwriting and composing ability. She truly has a cool sense of melody and a knack for hearing instrumentation. With help from M. Ward, She & Him has become a quaint act for a classy show date. They kick off their summer tour in Nashville at the infamous Ryman Auditorium on June 13th. Get your copy of Volume 3 and check out She & Him’s summer tour stops by clicking on the album art below!

By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Release New Album “Specter at the Feast” [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

04/01/13
Steve Harpine
· Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Los Angeles · Music · music industry · Nashville · New Music · News · Top Posts · UK · Video

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a rock n’ roll band based in Los Angeles that’s been killing it as an independent for most of their 14 years as a band. Their new record, Specter At The Feast, dropped two weeks ago on March 19 through their own label, Abstract Dragon, and indie label, Vagrant Records. Fans around the world have been anticipating the release since BRMC’s acclaimed 2010 album, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo. Starting in December 2012, the band released a short film every week that chronicles the making of the new record, filmed and directed by Malia James. You can start here with the first of six videos:

I don’t need to say much here because, as you can already see, there’s plenty of content to go along with this release. It won’t be long before you begin to hear these songs in film, TV, video games, and essentially most places that music is heard. The first single, “Let the Day Begin,” is actually a cover of hit from 1989 by The Call. It’s available on a free EP download at blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com along with another new song, “Returning.” Have a listen to the single here:

You can get Specter At The Feast by clicking the Amazon links to the left or visit blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com by clicking on the album art below. Composed of Pater Hayes, Robert Levon Been, and Leah Shapiro, BRMC also happen to be incredible live, so make sure you check out their upcoming tour dates while you’re there. I want this record to be something special for all who listen, so I’m going to shut up and let you do just that… listen.

By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC

Jamestown Revival Continue Their Movement with “Fur Coat Blues” [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

02/19/13
Steve Harpine
· Art · Austin · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Music · Los Angeles · Music · Nashville · New Music · Top Posts · Video

Jamestown Revival is an authentic southern indie-rock group from Austin, TX formed by Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance. You see a lot of imitators these days, but a story like theirs drives the rawness of their back porch folk rock vibe. ”After growing tired of a life mining tiger’s eye in the foothills of the Texas hill country, they hit the road” and ended up in Los Angeles, pursuing a movement that was born within each of them.

Jamestown Revival is more than music. It’s an idea, and it’s a movement. It’s grass roots, and it’s back porch. Our strength is in numbers, but our individuality is ever present. We appreciate the simpler things, and we know where we came from. We value timelessness over trendiness, and quality over quantity.

It’s been two years since the release of their first project, The Knives & Pipes EP, which spurred a lot of opportunities for the guys and established the interest of listeners everywhere. Last summer, Jonathan and Zach traveled to a cabin high in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah to record their full-length debut album. ”The idea was that we wanted to be able to remove ourselves from the city and really live and breathe recording for a couple weeks.” They recorded everything to tape, so each song was a performance, a challenge that made their studio experience “more real.” Their first single “Fur Coat Blues,” released today.

The album was engineered and co-produced by Daniel Dempsey, a guy who they describe as an animal “who builds crazy little amplifiers out of old TV and radio parts and then plays them til they catch on fire.” They managed to transform the cabin into a studio in three days. The outcome of the session was 14 songs tracked, in the same room, with no headphones, and no click track. They received help from bassist and multi-instrumentalist Nick Bearden and drummer Ed Benrock. Jamestown Revival wanted to document the process, so they also brought Matt Sanders along to film. A mini documentary is said to be coming soon. Here’s the preview:

Jamestown Revival are all about the experience, and it’s uncommon to see music come together in such an organic form like you’ve seen above. The process itself is something that makes me anticipate their new album even more. They’re expected to have updated tour dates along with the album release this year. The current focus has been the release of their single, “Fur Coat Blues,” out today, so we’re hoping to hear more music soon. In the meantime, stay updated with all things Jamestown Revival by checking out their Facebook page. You can also check out a recent performance of “Wandering Man” on Balcony TV.

By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC

Local Natives Release New Album, “Hummingbird,” Today! [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

01/29/13
Steve Harpine
· Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Los Angeles · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · Top Posts · Video

Local Natives are an indie rock band from Los Angeles who gained their initial buzz from playing 9 shows at SXSW festival in 2009. The combination of compelling live performances and a great debut album gave the band a solid start. Gorilla Manor debuted on the Billboard 200 and earned the No. 3 spot on the New Artist Chart. Contrary to what a lot of young indie bands think, mirroring the debut of a band like Local Natives takes a lot of hard work and a bit of fortune. Kelcey Ayer (vocals, keys, percussion, guitar), Ryan Hahn (guitar, keys, mandolin, vocals), and Taylor Rice (guitar, vocals, bass) met in high school, where they began playing and writing music together. Years later, with the addition of drummer Matt Frasier and bassist Andy Hamm, they moved into a house together and began work on their first project. They funded the project themselves and teamed up with Raymond Richards to record Gorilla Manor, which included the single, “Wide Eyes.”

Since then, Local Natives have toured with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and The National, and been hard at work recording their sophomore release, Hummingbird. The band displayed catchy grooves and harmonies on their first album, locking in a distinct sound that they could call their own. Now, it’s about using that sound to the best of their ability, creating great songs to inspire fans to continue listening and sharing their music. From what we’ve heard so far, I’d say that they’re on the right track. After being compared to bands like Fleet Foxes on their first project, the follow-up has broadened the consumption of comparisons to the likes of Arcade Fire and Radiohead. Although they include the potential for flattery, those descriptors are always unfair because the Local Natives have always had a sound that they can call their own. The new record, Hummingbird, was recorded in New York with The National’s Aaron Dessner, who’s captured the vibe on the first record and has taken it to the next level. Hear it on “Breakers,” the first single from the new album.

The album is more than just more of the same as it escalates to the standout track, “Columbia.” Kelcey Ayer wrote the song after his mother passed away in 2011. The collaboration with Dessner has really driven the Local Natives on Hummingbird, inspiring a new energy and upbeat melodies, among the creative grooves an harmonies that fans love on the first record. Get your copy instantly by clicking on the Amazon link to the left. For updates on tour dates and more buy links, click on the album art below.

By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC

Imagine Dragons Release Official Music Video for “Radioactive” [MUSIC VIDEO/MUSIC]

12/10/12
Steve Harpine
· Art · Beat-Play, LLC · concert · Events · Independent Music · Los Angeles · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · News · Philadelphia · Uncategorized · Video

It’s been two months since Imagine Dragons released their debut album, Night Visions. The album peaked at the number two spot on the US Billboard 200 and US Billboard Rock Albums charts, and reached number one on the US Billboard Alternative chart. Their first single, “It’s Time,” has also done well, as it recently reached platinum status. With all the attention building so quickly, the demand for more tour dates, media, and interview requests increases. In line with the surge of new fans and listeners, Imagine Dragons announced their next tour and released a new music video today! The headline tour will be comprised of dates in the U.S. and Canada, starting early February 2013 and finishing up in March. They will be on the road with Atlas Genius, as well as Nico Vega and Royal Concept on select dates. In addition to all the hype behind new tour dates, check out the official music video for “Radioactive.”

The video was directed by Syndrome, who has also done videos with Eminem, Ke$ha, and The Black Eyed Peas to name a few. It features actors Lou Diamond Phillips and Alexandra Daddario, and puppeteers by the studio Puppet Heap (The Walt Disney Company, The Daily Show). While many of their fans seem to be confused by the choice of including puppets and the lack of an apocalyptic setting, few have attempted to grasp a metaphor in the playful concept that Imagine Dragons implemented with the music. ”The video revolves around a mysterious female drifter (Daddario) who is on a quest to save her friends (Imagine Dragons) from the perils of a sinister, underground puppet-fighting ring.” What’s your opinion on the seemingly fun, laid-back approach to the apocalyptic song? If you liked the video, share it! Fore more info on new music and touring, click on the album art below.

By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC

MWL’s Real Hip Hop Week – Day 2 – Dotropolis [REAL NEW MUSIC]

12/04/12
Dante Cullari
· Chicago · Hip Hop · Independent Music · Los Angeles · Music · Music News · New Music

Welcome to Day 2 of Real Hip Hop week at MWL. Yesterday we put you on to a sneak peak of DotTheONE.‘s upcoming EP “Av8ted“. Today we have another Dot that is completely ripping down borders.

Dotropolis out of Southside Chicago released his new 11-track EP “NATIVE” this morning, produced by LA producer Marzs. Gotta say, after listening, this EP wins the “most innovative Hip Hop album” award for this year in my book.

First here’s the man himself telling you a little bit more about Dotropolis:

Before we get to the EP, I just want to share with you one of the songs that made me want to put Dotropolis on this list in the first place. Please, listen to Crazy Blue:

Yea..wow. So here it is, the full “NATIVE” EP by Dotropolis, starting with track 7 – “Night Cap”, which is one of the strangest, and in my opinion, best songs on the album. Other highlights are track 2 – “Morton Groove”, track 4 – “McCloud” and track 10 – “Meryl Streep”, though listening to this EP all the way through is fcking awesome.

Dotropolis is one artist you are going to want to watch CLOSELY in 2013. Dude is all over the place, doing tracks with LA artists, working with the awesome a-LA lifestyle clothing company, and still having time away from solo stuff to be in the group RJ and Technique. If you haven’t heard their album Gosu yet, you are MISSING OUT!

I hope you enjoy “NATIVE” by Dotropolis and Marzs. Keep it locked to MWL for more Real Hip Hop ALL WEEK LONG. We have much more fire to bring! Happy Hip Hop Week!

Real Hip Hop Week Day 1

Real Hip Hop Week Day 3

Real Hip Hop Week Day 4

Real Hip Hop Week Day 5

← Older posts