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MewithoutYou Releases “Ten Stories” Album Independently [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

  • 05/17/12
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Music · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · Philadelphia · Uncategorized · Video

MewithoutYou would give you directions to the closest independent store if they knew you would go buy their album there, so it’s a bit ironic that I found out about Ten Stories while looking for new music on a popular streaming service (which shall not be mentioned).  Yes, I do struggle with the fact since I’m working in the seemingly care-free industry, but hey, now their music will be shared with everyone that reads this article.  However, I think mewithoutYou would rather have people listen to their music through any means, than not hear it at all.  Now is the most important time, as Ten Stories has been crowned the rightful follow-up to their 2006 release, Brother/Sister, and 2004’s Catch for Us the Foxes.  The difference between their past albums and Ten Stories is that this one was released independently.  See how it came together and hear their thoughts on the new record by checking out their official EPK.


It seems to be a common theme these days; bands choosing to leave record labels, instead of resigning with them.  It’s almost a bit disastrous for some of these companies, but I believe that it’s shaping music into what it was before… true art.  MewithoutYou’s latest project, which was just released May 15, 2012, allows the listener to experience so much more than 11 songs.  Ten Stories can be purchased as a deluxe box set that includes over a dozen original paintings, custom sleeves, etchings, and bonus songs.  Even if a fan decides to purchase a digital download, it’s hard to avoid the intricate detail in the album art.  The band has been creating significant albums like this since they started over a decade ago, but their creativity now is better than ever.  Just listen to vocalist Aaron Weiss describe the inspiration for the lyrics of the album, and you’ll see why.

“They’re not quite children’s songs,” vocalist Aaron Weiss explains, “with not quite coherent storylines, but there is an overarching and kind of child-like narrative: a circus train crashes in 19th century Montana. Some animals escape, others stay in their cages. The traveling menagerie re-rails, stays its course, and struggles to fill in the missing attractions. Meanwhile, freed from institutionalized life, the rice-cake rabbit takes to a peripatetic fortune teller, the monastic walrus is tempted by a hedonistic owl, a fish falls for an eggplant. Other songs describe a contemplative Fox’s prophetic dream, a starving Bear’s vision of a martyred saint, and an indecisive Peacock & gnostic Tiger learning the virtues of megalomania from an ego-annihilated Potter Wasp.”

Mind blown.  When you hear his “manic, unorthodox hollering” combined with the intricacies of these stories over the band’s solid groove and extraordinary sense of melody, you’ll get it.  Ten Stories has even been dubbed “the best Hayley Williams (of Paramore)-approved circus-train concept album.”  Have a listen to the first track on the record, “February, 1878.”

If you like what you hear, find out more about how you can get Ten Stories by visiting their website at mewithoutyou.com, or click on the incredible album art below.  Support these guys, enjoy this record, and remember to listen to more music!

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

MWL Live Tour 2012 [info][photo][music news][events]

  • 04/26/12
  • Katie Holliday McVeay
  • · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Boulder · Chicago · Denver · Design · Detroit · Events · IL · Independent Film · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Interviews · Los Angeles · Miami · Music · music industry · Music News · MWL LIVE Tour · Nashville · New Music · New York · News · Philadelphia · Photography · Pittsburgh · San Diego · Top Posts · Uncategorized · Video

Shortly after New Year’s I found myself on the beach in San Diego, also the home of Music Without Labels & Beat-Play! I’d been working with MWL from NYC and had continued to do so when I decided to start traveling late last year. When I arrived in California a few months into 2o12 opportunities and ideas to start a video project for the site quickly presented themselves. MWL photographer Shane Suski and I went to film school together in NYC and with the help of all the guys that run the site we were able to team up and launch MWL Live. Everything began falling into place. I didn’t know then what amazing things MWL Live would be able to do!

MWL Live is a video program dedicated to providing fans with the support and coverage they need to stay on top of today’s independent music scene. MWL Live is where you can find exclusive video interviews and live video coverage of the best shows around. The program is new and we need to get the word out about what we’re doing! What better way to reach the fans and get coverage of bands than to tour like one! The MWL Live team is headed out on a cross-country tour and I am determined to make you a dedicated viewer!

The tour has been a ton of work! Directions, accommodations, calculations, scheduling interviews, shooting, budgeting, editing videos, press credentials, t-shirts, spreadsheets, equipment, consent forms, millions of emails! Thank god for Google Docs, seriously… I was gonna say thank the universe, because that’s more my style but I think Google might actually be the universe. Anyway, when we had the idea of touring like an independent band I had no idea how much work it really is running an entire tour by yourself! We were ready to abandon our possessions and take on the task but we needed funds! We ran a Kickstarter campaign and thanks to all of our backers, and social networking, we reached our goal and the MWL Live Tour was official!

A very special thanks to Kickstarter backers Kaitlyn Suski, Dana Pscolkoski, Kevin Grimes, Amanda White, Britt Freeman, Janna Kelley, Rebecca Illowiecki, Joseph Szala, Amanda Scott, Jamie Joong and Florence Valente!

We are traveling over 11,000 miles in approximately 112 days! We are headed to some of the summer’s hottest summer shows and festivals. We have packed the car, mapped out the route and are working around the clock to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible! We will be posting tons of videos this summer and you can be there with us everywhere we go! Join Shane and myself as we drive from state to state camping, interviewing bands, going to festivals, visiting friends, exploring and going to tons of shows and events!

May through September we’ll be everywhere from San Diego to Portland, Seattle to Denver, Houston to New Orleans, Charlotte to Philly, New York to Rapid City and we will be uploading videos almost everyday! Travel with us documentary style as we leave sunny California venture up the west coast, camp with us in the Redwoods, drive through the Rocky Mountains through Amarillo to fish in the Gulf of Mexico. You can ride bikes with us through New York City, see our countries founders at Mount Rushmore and get exclusive concert footage and video interviews every step of the way! Click the map for more details!

We’re still waiting on confirmations from some festivals and shows that are happening a little further into the future but the tour can’t wait! We’re starting the tour here in San Diego bringing you interviews with Vintage Trouble, Carina Round, Turbo Fruits, Waters and more! We arrive in LA just in time to see Washed Out then we continue up the coast and on the tour goes! More artists and locations will be announced soon! You can visit the MWL Live Blog for a sneak peak at interviews to come, previews, festival coverage and more! Add the MWL Live Facebook and stay posted! We’ve all got a lot to look forward to!

In the meantime check out some of the videos we’ve done so far and let us know if you’re on the route! Be a part of the tour!  Know great bands along that deserve to be heard? We’d love to visit you while we’re on the road! There will be opportunities for you to interact, to get sweet gear [stickers, USB's full of behind the scenes footage and limited edition tour t-shirts], and to have your questions asked on MWL Live! Get involved now and guarantee yourself a summer full of entertainment!

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

Poor Moon/ Interview Christan Wargo [new music][info][free download][interview]

  • 03/30/12
  • Katie Holliday McVeay
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · concert · Events · FREE DOWNLOAD · Interviews · Music · music industry · Music News · New York · Philadelphia · San Diego

A few years back Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott of the Fleet Foxes began joining forces with brothers Ian and Peter Murray of the Christmas Cards. Amazing, right? What started as a long distance musical affair has become Poor Moon. The band just released their EP Illusion on March 27th and hit the road to complete their tour with Lost in the Trees. Touring is hectic as hell and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am that Christian was able to do an interview. It’s truly amusing, a must read.

Katie: Y’all just came back from SXSW, understand you had some van troubles, but you’re back in action. How does it feel to be releasing and headed out on tour as Poor Moon after years of long distance collaboration?

 Christian: It feels cool. It’s like the good ol days. Even the van problems and the insane drives are cool in a way. Especially once you pass through it. It makes for some good stories. SXSW was a trip. I love the energy of that fest and I had fun, however, I was glad to leave by the end. I don’t enjoy trying to load into a club while being yelled at by cops and city workers who don’t give a shit about my plan. The streets are closed to traffic and you’re not going to convince them that it is impossible for you to carry your gear down three crowded streets through thousands of drunk folks (bless their hearts) to deliver your stuff to the club. They don’t care and have heard it 100 times already that day. Don’t they realize how important this is for me?!? Lol.

K: Ha ha, damn that is a hassle. I recently began realizing how much work being a musician really is. Props. How is life in the van? Who does the driving, who is in charge of the radio?

 C: Van life is a barrel of laughs. One perk to being on tour with tight bros. We laugh a lot. Everyone is always trying to snap the best Instagram pic. And when we stop at gas stations KC will sometimes call dibs on a certain point of interest… Claiming rights to an exclusive shot of a mountain range or a cactus or something. Ian has a different approach. He tries to take the worst picture possible or capture the least appealing aspect of a city.

We take turns DJing. We stop often. We get stoked when we see a Flying J truck stop, because of the vast selection and the bathrooms are usually pretty alright. We sleep. We talk of many things. We stare out the windows and imagine what a cloud would look like if a huge shark bite were taken out of it.

I’ve hooked up a power inverter to our van battery and so we have full on POWER!!! This is cool because we have an electric cooler for groceries… A Nespresso espresso machine. We also have a juicer and propane stove, but we have yet to use them. Good intentions though. Jared, our front of house sound engineer is pretty good at making breakfast and I imagine one of these days he’ll get around to doing that. Jason (our drummer) does a lot of driving. He wears heavy boots, which probably helps. But we are all thrilled that he likes the morning shift cause the rest of us stay up late.

K: Can’t stop laughing, that’s great. You’re on the road with Lost in the Trees, love their new album, you guys are headed all over the country. Are you looking forward to playing any shows or visiting any places in particular?

 C: We were all really looking forward to Seattle since it is home and we haven’t really played a ton of shows in town. It was a great night. Our CD release show. Sold out. Had a great time. I always love stopping by Chicago. So much good food. The best Thai place I’ve ever been to is Uptown called Thai Siam Noodle and Rice. NY is always a hoot. As is Philly. I’m originally from the east coast and my folks are still there. Always nice to see them and old friends.

K: How was the project born, and when did releasing and touring come into play?

C: I guess after Crystal Skulls I just kept writing songs and didn’t really have much of a plan… Being a fan of Peter and Ian’s music I would send them my demos. Just cause they enjoyed getting them. KC and I would hang out and play records up in is old house in Shoreline. There was a practice space there and we would usually end up playing some of my demos and/or jamming or adding stuff to the demos. Over the course of a few years, while things were starting to kick off with Foxes I starting dropping hints to Peter and Ian about being in a band together. I think at first it was just a nice idea, but eventually it seemed real enough to them that they moved back to Seattle and we started recording stuff in Ian’s house. Originally it was intended to be “preproduction” for the “real” album but parts of those sessions ended up being the EP and LP. We recorded 16 songs over a year and a half, in between Foxes tours. Later, we brought in Jared and did all the basic tracking in Ian’s house and then took stuff to various studios in town to cut vocals and additional stuff that was too quiet to record in a house due to weird electricity or passing cars and planes, etc… So yeah, 16 songs. 5 of which are now the EP and the rest will be on the full length.

K:  How would you describe Poor Moon in comparison to the work you’ve done in Fleet Foxes or Crystal Skulls?

 C: I would describe it as a more personal project. The songs were written over a few years, which is a first for me. This is why there are a lot of different types of songs. I like that a lot about it. Being a fan of lots of different music, I like being able to try different things and I think this band reflects that.

K: Poor Moon is named in honor of a Canned Heat song, can you tell me why you felt this song title was a good fit for the project?

 C: Besides liking the way it looked and the imagery it evoked, I guess I felt a certain connection to the premise of the song. It did seem sort of ridiculous in a way… But at the same time it was sincere. I don’t think Alan Wilson thought it was a joke. He was genuinely worried about the moon being destroyed by mankind. I think it works (for me) because I feel that songs should exist in their own world. They can have their own set of rules. They can be anything and each song can live in its own universe. I find that the songs I like the most tend to come from a slightly odd place or have some sort of mystery around them. Anyway, I don’t feel there are a lot of similarities between my music and the music of Canned Heat… I just felt the premise of that particular song struck a chord in me and it stayed with me. I just liked it.

K: How do you feel about the music industry as it stands today? With the internet, technology and accessibility/piracy in general. What do you think the future of the industry holds, and what can we do to make sure our musicians get the compensation they deserve?

 C: I really don’t know. I don’t feel particularly affected by it. At least I don’t really pay attention to it much and I don’t think about it. I don’t personally have strong feelings about how people get a hold of music. I am stoked when people want to support music by buying a CD or a t-shirt at shows, etc. I think there’s a strong emphasis on that at this point. I think a lot of people really do get it… And they genuinely care about certain bands and musicians. To show their love they support them by going to shows, spreading the word about a band and buying the bands stuff. I’m probably just better off doing what I enjoy doing, which is making demos and recording songs and playing those songs with a band.

You can get Illusion and info on tour dates on Tumblr + Facebook. Download a free MP3 of the song above at Subpop. Bad ass. They’re touring all over the map so be sure to check em live if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

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

MWL LIVE TOUR 2012 [music][info][video]

  • 03/26/12
  • Katie Holliday McVeay
  • · Art · Austin · Beat-Play, LLC · business · Chicago · concert · Denver · Design · Detroit · Events · Independent Film · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Interviews · Los Angeles · Miami · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · New York · News · Philadelphia · Photography · San Diego · South Bend · Top Posts · Uncategorized · Video


At Music Without Labels & Beat-Play we know you want, and deserve, exclusive coverage of all of the best summer festivals and concerts; which is why MWL Live is embarking on a journey across the United States! MWL spokesperson, Katie McVeay, and leading videographer, Shane Suski, are crossing state lines to showcase musical acts at festivals, small town concerts and everywhere in between, providing up-to-date photos, video interviews, and giving you the opportunity to interact with today’s top artists and musicians.

MWL Live will be traveling approximately 11,000 miles in 108 days featuring popular musicians at Sasquatch, Free Press, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Lollapalooza, Bumbershoot Music Festival and everywhere in between! We also know that not all of your favorite musicians are located near hub cities where their music can be properly showcased, reviewed or featured. Are you one of these artists? Do you know a great band in your location? We are reaching out to artists and fans! We want to visit you during the MWL Live Tour!

A trip like this takes funding! How much? $10,000! Right now we have $4,000 towards the project, but it’s not enough! Our Kickstarter goal of $6,000 helps cover the (high) price of gas, food and other living expenses for two individuals during 4-month period. We’ll be working for you and with you, but we can’t do it without you! With the support of music lovers, makers, and fans we can make it happen! If everyone reading this donates $2.00 right now we can easily reach our goal in time for our May 15, 2012 departure! Earn cool rewards while supporting MWL Live and your favorite artists! Visit our KICKSTARTER PAGE to do your part! Share the link with your friends and music listeners everywhere!

Every penny counts so please donate whatever you can to the MWL Live Kickstarter Campaign! You’ll be granting yourself a VIP pass to all the best live music events of the year! Don’t forget to check out our Kickstarter rewards to see how to get MWL Live to your venue, become an Executive Producer for one of our videos, get your questions on air and tons of other awesome gear and prizes! Want more info? See the MWL Live Tour Map and MWL Live Tour Calendar! Still have questions? You can contact us directly at katie@musicwithoutlabels.com.

Thanks!

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

Lundi Release Debut Album “Backyard Scars EP” – Brooklyn, NY [NEW MUSIC/FREE DOWNLOAD]

  • 03/23/12
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Music · Music News · Nashville · New Music · New York · Philadelphia · Video

 

One of the highlights of writing about independent artists is being able to feature music that is personal to me.  Lundi is a new folk rock band based out of Brooklyn, NY that features three of my good friends from high school.  These guys are excellent musicians and started writing music together over five years ago.  After over a year of being in and out of the studio, they have finally released their highly-anticipated Backyard Scars EP.  The album features five tracks with full production, and you can download it for FREE!  You can listen to each track on the album here:

 

 Backyard Scars EP features Eric Dorr (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Lane Banning (vocals, keys), and Sawyer Bernath (vocals, bass).  Lane also produced and engineered the album, while all three were involved in the songwriting process.  As you can hear, the composition on each track is brilliant with the great use of horns, strings, percussion, and even the charge of a camera flash.  There are a lot of qualities about this album that set it apart from indie debuts like Lundi, and it starts with the songs.  You won’t find a dull moment in Backyard Scars because of the songwriting and combined musicianship from everyone involved.  You’ve heard it, and now you know about it, so go get it… for FREE!  Simply click on the album art below and get your free download.

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

Future Islands – “Balance” [VIDEO] [TOUR DATES]

  • 02/29/12
  • lizwithmwl
  • · Events · Music · Philadelphia · Video

future islands - on the water

Future Islands initially came out of Baltimore’s Wham City scene; their first, rather unexceptional record was built from electro-punk and day-glo squiggles. Over the past few years, though, they’ve become more aesthetically disciplined.  The band’s romantic synth sound scales new heights with On the Water, the trio’s most ambitious and fully realized statement yet. Built around a song cycle exploring love, loss, and memory, their latest album finds the band continuing to deliver pounding rhythms, swelling melodies, and undeniable hooks – but finding new ways to probe inner space and tug at hearts.

future islands

“Balance” is a standout cut from the recent LP – cool, pensive waves of electronic sound set the stage for a dance-pop ballad that finds singer Sam Herring delivering some of his most gripping and sophisticated verses. His singing sounds deep and high in the mix, pushed by the thump of the mechanical drum, and the airy production emphasizes its strength. “And I can sit and talk, because I was just like you, so arrogant and brave, impetuous and blue,” he sings, reminding a friend that changing one’s life only requires time.  Future Islands is currently on a European tour and returns to the US in April – playing throughout the East Coast (and Canada).  Tickets go on sale this Friday for their Philadelphia show at The First Unitarian Church on May 6th!


By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC

The Apache Relay – “American Nomad” [MUSIC] [TOUR DATES]

  • 02/29/12
  • lizwithmwl
  • · Events · Independent Music · Nashville · New Music · New York · Philadelphia

the apache relay

The Apache Relay spontaneously formed after just one gig at Belmont University. Their debut 1988, was released in 2009, produced by Doug Williams, best known for his authentically raw approach with the Avett Brothers. The record cracked the door to reveal the band’s capabilities, and they began touring nationally.  Two years later the Nashville act released their second album, American Nomad, a modern and young roots-rock collection.  Produced by Neilson Hubbard, the record is a collection of fresh and exuberant tunes that pay homage to the road, and suggests that the band will not be tied down – deftly moving from their folk rock base, to a Motown-inspired track, and a cover of Springsteen’s “State Trooper.”

The Apache Relay blend acoustic sounds and rock elements so well; it gives the emotionalism of acoustic music with the rousing pounding rock anthem elements.  It’s high spirit music that can also be very sensible and full of feeling.  The Apache Relay is currently on tour, playing all over the United States – upcoming shows include stops in Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas.  The band just released today that they added two stops – New York (April 17th) and Philadelphia (April 19th) – I suggest getting tickets soon!

 

By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC

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