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Music Without Labels

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Openmic Leading Nashville’s Rap Scene to New Levels [NEW MUSIC]

  • 05/13/13
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · FREE DOWNLOAD · Hip Hop · Independent Music · Lyrics · Music · Music News · Nashville · New Music · News · Top Posts · Video

This is Nashville, but leave your “dirty south” labels at the door.  The most organic rap in the country is coming from this city, and one of it’s leaders is Openmic.  In the latest video interview, he talks about his most recent experiences from the stage to the studio.  The main theme: the game is changing.  Nashville is growing, but in the rap and hip hop community, flourish is an understatement.  It’s not just about coming up with lyrics that flow and make sense.  Creativity lies at the heart of what Openmic does with his music, and the words seem as though they’ve become natural instinct.  But, don’t take my word for it:


As you can hear, this is not just your run of the mill student.  Openmic grew up “under the guidance of his father and renowned jazz musician Rod McGaha,” who continues to provide insight into his music to this day.  After years of recording and developing his skills, Openmic has had the opportunity to open for artists like artist Wale, Dom Kennedy, Big K.R.I.T, Yelawolf, and more.  It’s not just Tennessee that is taking notice.  I think you’ll understand when you hear for yourself.  Here’s the latest track from Openmic, “Im’a Fool Freestyle:”

Hear it as inspiration and encouragement that anyone can have the confidence to be great at what you do.  You’ll hear even more significance on his latest album, “For The Rebels,” featuring other local artists and collaborators that continue to influence the scene.  There’s an awareness of pop culture, but an honesty of staying true to oneself, being educated, and still grinding it out pursuing your dream.  Keep listening and make sure you check out Openmic when he opens for Big KRIT May 16th at Limelight in Nashville.  Click on the album art below to hear the latest and get on all things Openmic.

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

The Heavy and Light Tour in Philadelphia [Show][Free Download][Video]

  • 02/20/13
  • Philosofox the DJ
  • · concert · Events · FREE DOWNLOAD · Independent Music · Lyrics · Music · Pennsylvania · Philadelphia · Video

To Write Love On Her Arms‘ Heavy and Light Tour, which Steve Harpine recently covered in Nashville, made its way to the Theatre of Living Arts on Tuesday, February 12th. Hosting such a positive event on South Street during Mardi Gras was an unprecedented move, and TWLOHA put the focus on their message from the outset, handing out resources for local psychological help at the door and opening with a video clip of their mission for the night, affirming that the artists on stage care personally about each member of the audience and their stories. Immediately following the video, our attention was directed up and back to spoken word artist Anis Mojgani in the balcony behind us. The use of the entire room dramatically helped in making the crowd feel a part of the evening, whether artists were performing or founder Jamie Tworkowski and his friends were speaking.


 While Jon Foreman and Fiction Family have been headlining the entire tour, the rest of the lineup varied, and in fact some artists were joining the tour for the first time in Philadelphia, including opening act The Lone Bellow, whose three-part harmonies and acoustic stylings have been warmly welcomed by everyone from Conan O’Brien to Paste. The TLA proved to be no exception, as a church-like hush fell over the crowd. The hush continued through an inspiring welcome from Tworkowski, until Heavy and Light stalwarts Now Now (formerly Now, Now Every Children) took the stage and loosened things up with their playful banter and a bit of percussion. Considering the electronics and dancing I generally associate with their music, I was impressed they were able to tone things down so smoothly for an acoustic performance. For a taste of their recorded material, you can download their new single “Thread” here.


After a short talk from a psychiatrist, Will Anderson of pop-rock outfit Parachute brought back the coffeehouse vibe the night had been gradually developing with a solo set. When poet Anis Mojgani appeared in front of us, it was as if the night began again. His slam performance brought a punk rock energy to the proceedings that only continued as Anthony Raneri of Bayside began the mass sing-along portion of the evening. The excitement in the room was palpable as Jon Foreman spoke about what To Write Love On Her Arms means to him, and virtually exploded as he led everyone in an unamplified rendition of Switchfoot’s “Dare You To Move” before inviting Sean Watkins of Nickelcreek and the rest of their Fiction Family bandmates to join him on stage. They ran through a brief but excellent set of material from both their first album and their newly-released Reunion, and closed the night by inviting all of the artists on stage to sing Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold”. In a night filled with a sense of community and encouragement to take that out the doors into the rest of the world, I can think of no more appropriate sentiment to end on than “I want to live, I want to give… You keep me searching for a heart of gold…”

By Dave Fox | Philadelphia Ambassador | @philosofoxthedj | Beat-Play and Music Without Labels, LLC

Find Vienna and Talain Rayne at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA [SHOW/NEW MUSIC]

  • 12/26/12
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · concert · Events · Independent Music · Lyrics · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · Philadelphia · Top Posts · Uncategorized · Video

Being home for Christmas means making the most of a short week at home among friends and family.  Naturally, that consisted of seeing at least one show in my home city, the City of Brotherly Love.  I made the short 30 minute drive on Thursday to catch my friend, Talain Rayne, at World Cafe Live.  Talain has been playing shows and making industry connections since his debut album, Attic Lights, dropped in 2010.  Singles like “Dear Sister, Your Brother” have played on regional radio, and more people have been realizing that there’s something special about his music.  It’s addicting really, and the melodies will stick with you for days.  Lyrics about his family and life-changing events give depth behind the incredible hooks and musicality of each song.  In the midst of writing and finding a producer for the next record, people are consistently in love with Attic Lights.  Even YouTube sensation, Nanalew, continues to feature Talain’s music in her aw-inspiring videos.  Here’s her video for “Twinkle Lightly.”


“The lines between past, present, sadness, and joy are blurred together during a girl’s idyllic last night with her friends, as she attempts to cope with their lives moving in different directions post-graduation.”  The video was written and directed by Shawna Howson (Nanalew).  It’s true, that graduation usually means going in a different direction and sometimes making a new life in a somewhat distant environment all together.  In my case, that environment is Nashville, but I’m thankful for family and friends that can pick up right where we left off last year during Christmas time.  Also, it’s never short of new experiences, as I hung around at World Cafe to catch another one of Philadelphia’s up and coming bands, Find Vienna.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a quality performance and good songs from another local band on the rise.  Check out “Heartstrings” from their In Flight EP.


Find Vienna consists of four best friends that draw inspiration from “the battle artists fight everyday to make ends meet.”  Their new album reflects that struggle, desire, and more in each of its six tracks.  “We are four guys trying to make a living off of what we love the most, but we often find ourselves being shot down to the ground.  With the release of the new EP, we are planning to stay in flight.”  After seeing a few songs live, I was impressed by their tones and confidence together as a band.  They’ve certainly had the experience as Find Vienna has played with bands such as The Script, Neon Trees, Parachute, Green River Ordinance, Mae, and Company Of Thieves.  Their live show is strong, and it’s evident that they’re influenced by U2 and Jeff Buckley.  With honest lyrics accompanying their pop/rock sound, their goal is to “one day have the perfect song for every moment, whether it’s heartbreak, romance, or bad weather.”  Check out the title track from the album, “In Flight.”


The In Flight EP was initially established after a realization that they didn’t want to wait for the time it would take to release a debut full-legth album.  It’s been a year since the EP has been released, and Find Vienna agrees that their happy with the outcome.  “Though these tunes have taken us well over a year to get right, it was without a doubt worth the wait.”  I’m sure their fans agree and are now eagerly awaiting a full-lenght debut release.  To hear the latest recordings and tour dates from Find Vienna, click on the photo at the top, and don’t forget to check out the rest of their In Flight EP streaming from Soundcloud below!

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

Andrew Bird Gives Listeners Raw Authenticity with New Album “Hands Of Glory” [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

  • 10/30/12
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Lyrics · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · News · Top Posts · Video

For those who haven’t heard his music, Andrew Bird is an exceptional songwriter and musician heavily influenced by classical, jazz, and folk music.  He combines them in contemporary songs with compositions that mesmerize and push the limits of form, structure, and instrumentals.  His most recent album, Break It Yourself, received strong reviews throughout the US and UK and even secured strong chart positions in the United States and Canada.  The album was praised for it’s experimental yet accessible music and ernest poetic lyrics, communicating sounds and situations personal to Bird.  Today, Andrew Bird releases the much-anticipated follow up album, Hands Of Glory.  This album, his seventh, was recorded in a barn using one single microphone.  The result is hard to believe and distinguish as so because moments on the record take on incredible presence.  You can get an idea of how it worked by seeing this quick glimpse behind the scenes of the recording process.


The contemporary alternative folk music that we’ve come to know and love from Andrew Bird takes on yet another face as he’s incorporated country covers (the Carter Family and the Handsome Family) and folk songs full of life.  The eight-track album starts off subtly with a round bass line and slightly palm-muted electric guitar with just the perfect amount of delay.  Bird’s voice enters calmly and earnestly, “They’ll be three white horses, all in a line.  They’ll be three white horses in a line.”  The harmonies enter to finish the verse, setting up the entrance of acoustic guitar, drums, and slide guitar.  The song picks up during the second half of the song, with stronger vocals from Bird and distortion from the electric guitar.  Don’t rely on my description though, but please listen (for yourself) to ”Three White Horses.”

The album is littered with tremendous acoustic sounds.  You can even hear crickets and maybe even a couple birds chirping in “Something Biblical.”  Less is more on Hands of Glory, as the recording gives the listener a raw listen without sacrificing quality.  On an album like this, the emotion tends to be greater, and listeners can experience true audible art in it’s most authentic form [through speakers].  If you’re familiar with Bird’s previous recordings, you won’t be disappointed with the inclusion of his primary instrument; the violin.  Don’t miss the solos in “Railroad Bill,” a true tribute to bluegrass folk.  If you’re hungry to experience this album live in concert, Andrew Bird will be touring through Europe in November, so make sure to get yourself to a show if you’re in the area.  Check out tour dates, get your copy of his new album, and more by clicking on the album art below.

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

K’NAAN Releases New Album “Country, God Or The Girl” [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

  • 10/16/12
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Events · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Lyrics · Music · Music News · Nashville · New Music · News · Top Posts · Uncategorized · Video

K’NAAN has been one of my favorite rappers for years.  Most people enjoy hip-hop or rap because of the beat, but let’s face it, all beats are reproduced in some form or another.  Don’t get me wrong, hip-hop without a tight groove and good flow is like a guitar without strings, but there’s more to it.  Rap today, for me, is largely defined by its message or purpose, and I think it’s a disgrace that most mainstream rap can’t intelligently talk about anything other than the weekend, sex, and self-idolization.  K’NAAN, on the other hand, has something to communicate.  His music talks about real-life issues like social justice, the struggles of growing up in Somalia during the Somali Civil War, and faith.  The title of his new album is Country, God Or The Girl.  It’s as if we have to choose one, but I believe that’s the purpose of the album; to explain the complications or cohesiveness of how he interacts with all three in his own life.  Check out the video for the album’s lead single, “Is Anybody Out There? ft. Nelly Furtado.”


The song was originally released as a worldwide single on January 24, 2011 and peaked at #92 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Country, God Or The Girl is K’NAAN’s fourth studio album, and follow-up release to Troubadour, which contained the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Waivin’ Flag.”  Like Troubadour, his newest album features collaborations with other artists such as Nas, Bono, Nelly Furtado, Keith Richards, and more.  You’ll hear the hooks and intentional lyrics that you’re used to hearing from the Somali Canadian songwriter.  The artist known, critiqued, and praised for blending genres and breaking down barriers hasn’t backed down from what he enjoys.  Influences from rock, folk, dance, hip hop, and soul are evident throughout the album, which can’t be chained down to resting in only one genre.  The genre is K’NAAN, and that’s what I was hoping to hear with this release.  He still stays true to communicating the violence of his early youth, and continues to stick up for the less fortunate.  On the other hand, he carries a lighter side, bringing optimism or even humor to unexpected life experiences similar to that in “Hurt Me Tomorrow.”  The women that seem like they are trying to kill Keinan Warsame (K’NAAN) actually transform him instead by giving his life some color.


There is one thing of upmost importance on K’NAAN’s albums: the lyrics.  Let yourself go in the progressions, the beats, the hooks, and the instrumentals, but make sure you pay attention to his words.  The point is not to adapt all of his philosophies or convert to his ideologies.  The purpose here is to understand what he’s saying, and think about it critically because there is a lot of significance about people and the world that can help you think about your own life.  His story, for one, is pretty intense as you can determine from lyrics like those in “Nothing To Lose (feat. Nas).”

“Y’all know my war story, I won’t repeat it
It’s just injury, my victory’s undefeated
Thought you knew me well, go back and delete it
I’m in every joint this year, Orthopedic
And yes the AK’s are instruments we do drum ‘em
I’m somewhere between killa and king Solomon”

If you like what you’ve heard so far, don’t let the listening stop here!  Click on the album art below to check out more music from Country, God Or The Girl.

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

MWL Live Episode 2 [music news][interview][video][new music]

  • 09/28/12
  • Katie Holliday McVeay
  • · Album Reviews · Art · business · concert · Contest · Denver · Independent Film · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Interviews · Ireland · Music · music industry · Music News · MWL LIVE Tour · Nashville · New Music · New York · News · Photography · Uncategorized · Video

Last Friday MWL Live aired it’s inaugural web episode! This week on Episode 2 of MWL Live viewers can look forward to interviews from indie folk-rock band Rosco Bandana along with The Lonely Forest, a Beat-Play SnowTeam submission, a feature from Musicians Corner in Nashville, TN +++ plus a video from our friends at 45 Sound in Dublin, Ireland and much more! Watch the episode below and don’t forget to submit your show footage to katie@musicwithoutlabels.com!


Visit Music Without Labels on Facebook for your chance to win an autographed Easy Star All-Stars t-shirt and more!

 By: Katie McVeay| Spokesperson |Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC | crookedsunshine

Paper Route Releases “The Peace Of Wild Things” – Nashville, TN [NEW MUSIC]

  • 09/12/12
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Music · Lyrics · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · News · Top Posts · Uncategorized · Video

It’s here.  The Peace of Wild Things hit the ground running when it dropped yesterday, and it is already one of my favorite albums of the year.  It’s been three years since Paper Route‘s last release, and fans have been eagerly anticipating this new one for awhile.  Chad Howat (bass, piano, programming), J.T. Daly (vocals, keyboards, percussion) and Gavin McDonald (drums) have put an incredible amount of effort into creating the album, starting the process in December 2010.  It’s been a wild ride with months in the studio, pulling each crucial piece in place, and I’m sure some sleepless nights.  The hard work and patience has paid off, big time.  Check out the official music video for the album’s first single, “You And I.”


The video was filmed and directed by SmarkMark.  The video truly separates itself from others as Paper Route presents an “Inception”-esque story line that mixes a dream with reality.  I find it pretty amazing that the video pulls you in so much, especially near the end, that you can actually feel your own heart flinch when the girl shoot’s JT’s.  Well, at least mine did.  Paper Route has an excellent perception of art and allowing art to speak and stand for something.  That’s why I think that maybe it’s not such a coincidence that the heart and the ending were the only things perceived to be real, and thus were the only two things viewed in color.  If you have the urge like I did to go back and watch it again to see how Daly’s alter-ego attempted to “take care of” the girl before he gave her his heart, it’s well worth it.  If you haven’t seen it yet, their live video for ”Tamed” will probably give you different view of their appreciation for art.


The video and audio was all recorded live on location at a Nashville art studio during a recording of AUDIO-FILES.  The Peace Of Wild Things is a true work of art in itself, bringing creativity and meaning to subjects like life, relationships, and love (to be extremely vague).  I think their new biography describes it  best when David Dark writes, “Paper Route have now seen fit to go for broke on the possibility that epic earnestness, lyrical depth, and poetic heft can all coincide within one ridiculously catchy song collection primarily preoccupied with—wait for it–tragedy, disappointment, and loss.”  It’s a vulnerable record for JT Daly, as he displays lyrics that display the dissolution of his marriage, and Howat, as he dealt with a cancer diagnosis in his family.  However, the music has even more meaning than that, focusing on bringing truth and an organic sense of honesty to pop culture that rarely exists today.  If you think you understood a song on the album, go back and listen to it again and you may hear something that will catch you by surprise the second time.  In fact, listen to the entire album with a track by track summary of each song explained by the band, featured on Noisetrade.  Of course, the descriptions scratch the surface of the actual deep meaning, but it helped me gain more appreciation for each song.

If you liked what you heard so far, go BUY The Peace Of Wild Things by clicking on the art below.

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

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