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Music Without Labels

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  • Episode 15 - Feat. Yann Tiersen + Datsik + MORE!Episode 15 - Feat. Yann Tiersen + Datsik + MORE!
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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

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

 

James Blake Gives Independent a New Meaning on New Album “Overgrown” [NEW MUISC/VIDEO]

  • 04/26/13
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Music · Music News · Nashville · New Music · Top Posts · Video

At 25 years old, James Blake has built a reputation as one of the most brilliant producer/singer-songwriters in the UK today.  He began releasing music on an imprint level during his years at Goldsmiths, University of London.  His third EP, CMYK, gained traction through BBC Radio 1, but it was his new single and cover of “Limit to Your Love” by Feist that started to churn the waters.  2010 became a significant year for Blake, as recognition spread from music awards and in the UK to media attention from US outlets like Pitchfork.  At the same time, he was finishing up work on his self-titled debut album, which dropped in February 2011.  The album boosted Blake’s career with collaborations, performances, and more recognition for his art.  Fans and listeners all over the world have been anticipating his sophomore album, Overgrown.  Check out the first single, “Retrograde.”


Overgrown released this month on April 8, 2013.  The album is dynamic and confident.  The production is on a whole other level than what we’re used to hearing in contemporary music.  Similar to contemporaries like the XX, Blake seems to take his time through each sound and effect that goes into a record.  From sounds used in the groove, to the unique synths incorporated throughout the album, his songs take on a level of dynamics and creativity that many of today’s artists have not yet ventured into.  Overgrown also features guests Brian Eno and RZA.  There’s no doubt that his relationship with Jamie Lidell has affected the writing on the album, as James admitted in an interview with Hot Press.  Blake has also described his music as “melodic bass music,” pointing out that his dub influences extend both to the traditional dub music and garage music.  Well, we can certainly hear that!  Have a listen to the title track, “Overgrown.”


It’s received rave reviews on nearly all music outlets, as well as Music Without Labels.  I’d expect to hear even more of James Blake this year in the US, as his writing and production skills will for sure be in high demand by a number of todays top artists.  Thanks, James, for making music your own and not being afraid to be yourself in your art.  As we’ve seen countless times before, it’s been one of the most effective characteristics of artists who break quickly.  Get Overgrown today by clicking on the album art below!

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

Featured Music of the Week: Ghost Beach “Modern Toungues EP” [NEW MUSIC]

  • 04/25/13
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Music · Nashville · New Music · New York · Top Posts

This week’s featured music (on the left side bar <<) is from one of my favorite bands of the past year, Ghost Beach.  The New York City group has been delivering their “tropical grit pop” singles for awhile, gaining more fans with each release.  They’re on tour this month with fellow producer and friend, Chad Valley, and if you happen to catch a show, you’ll be in for a real treat.  Chad even remixed one of their most recent projects, “Tear Us Apart.”  The single dropped in October this fall as a free download on their website, setting up their release of Modern Toungues EP.  The five-song EP debuted in November, primarily through digital distribution markets iTunes and Spotify.  Their singles have already become summer party favorites, so I have confidence that you’ll be blasting this set at your next big shebang.

They hit you with a fresh wave of post-80s beach pop, with bright guitars and synths over big grooves that allow you to reminisce of all things fun and sunny.  It’s no doubt that they’ve found their sound when you listen to the production.  Influences such as Daft Punk, Depeche Mode, The Police, Tears For Fears, Brazilian Girls, and Thievery Corperation are heard, but certainly not duplicated.  The Ghost Beach duo consists of Josh Ocean (vocals, bass, synths) and Eric “Doc” Mendelsohn (guitars, synths, MPC).  They began to develop the whole project about two years ago, but it’s not just music that has brought attention to the band.  Artists vs. Artists is a campaign that began with the way that Josh and Eric have approached music distribution from the beginning: as free to fans who want it.  It approached a whole new level when it appeared in the form of a 15,000 square-foot video billboard in Times Square.

Our hope with this campaign is to stimulate the discussion on exactly what ‘piracy’ means to different people. To an older industry sector, it’s a dirty word that implies theft. From a younger, purely consumer standpoint it’s another term for distribution. As it stands now, we’re more closely aligned with the music consumer – in the sense that we are for this new distribution model, as evident by our efforts thus far to make Ghost Beach original music available for free to fans.

We think that working towards a digital retail/stream model, something similar to Spotify or Rdio, is the future of music - using the Internet as a force for connectivity and development rather then seeing it as the enemy. We subscribe to media futurist Gerd Leonhards ‘music like water’ philosophy that, one day, individuals will just pay a music bill – similar to their water bill, cable bill, electric bill – for unabated access. In this (hopefully attainable) Utopian music society, music will be available to consumers at a fare rate and artists/labels will be compensated with a fair royalty rate. In no way do we want to encourage theft of intellectual property. However we definitely support the idea of music distribution adapting to new technologies rather then fight against them.

Join the debate by using #artistsforpiracy or #artistsagainstpiracy hashtags and at artistsvsartists.com.  Pick your side and share your voice on this incredible platform created by one of the summer’s hottest indie bands, Ghost Beach.

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

 

Phoenix Drops New Album “Bankrupt” Today! [NEW MUSIC/VIDEO]

  • 04/23/13
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · New York · News · Top Posts · Video

It’s been awhile since I’ve made a post here, but the inspiration has finally come… with loud noise and flashing lights.  At least that was what we saw when Phoenix released the title of their new album on their website in January 2013.  The announcement came exactly one year after the band had announced that they completed four songs for the record.  Another month later, wearephoenix.com was relaunched with the official album release date of April 22, 2013.  In proper creative fashion, the announcement came with a touch of creativity, as an invisible hand penned the following message:

Dear all, our new album, Bankrupt!, will be released the week of April 22nd. Here is the tracklisting as well as the album cover. Much love et à bientôt.  -Thomas Branco Mazzalai Deck.

This was what Phoenix fans had been patiently waiting for.  It’s been nearly four years since their previous release, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which earned a Grammy Award as well as Gold certification in the US, Canada, and Australia.  Today, Phoenix releases my most anticipated album of the year, Bankrupt!, so sit back and listen to the first single, “Entertainment.”


The production on this record is something from another world.  The unique synths, paired with orchestra strings and fun grooves, make a perfect accompaniment to Thomas Mars’ unmistakeable vocals.  The melodies dive from overlaid hooks to lines that will undoubtedly make you feel accomplished once memorized after a few listens.  I think the single “Entertainment” has been an excellent choice for debuting the album.  It doesn’t give away all the treats, but it sets up the creativity to come.  We hear Phoenix pumping the groove on the verse, but dropping out for the chorus.  The synths are heavy, but engaging.  The groove is mastered with just enough of everything to keep you wanting more.  And more is exactly what you’ll get throughout the rest of the album.  It’s good to hear a band that knows who they are and continue to push the boundaries of making music.  Get your copy today 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

Josh Ritter Releases New Album “The Beast in Its Tracks” [NEW MUSIC]

  • 03/06/13
  • Steve Harpine
  • · Album Reviews · Art · Beat-Play, LLC · Events · Independent Labels · Independent Music · Ireland · Music · music industry · Music News · Nashville · New Music · News · Top Posts · Uncategorized · Video

Josh Ritter is one of my favorite songwriters.  He has a unique way of painting stories with words, but not just any words.  It’s not complicated, trying to draw on the psychology or theology that you might have heard from a professor.  Well, not always.  Rather, it’s pure and honest – a clear description of a situation or a person that relates to your experiences or feelings.  It starts off as an innocent pull, but by the end you’ll find yourself still, lost in a bounty of your own thoughts and imagination.  You’ll be wondering what it was that sucked you in.  Please, give yourself a chance to get lost in his art.  Put your social media, alerts, and text messages on hold for a second, and just listen.

“Joy to You Baby” is the 12th track from Josh Ritter’s new full-length album, The Beast In Its Tracks, released this week.  The album is his seventh, although he’s released eight EPs as well over the last ten years.  Put simply, this guy is a writing machine.  The Beast in Its Tracks is the culmination of emotions, struggles, realizations, and effects of Ritter’s heartache from a broken marriage years ago.

It felt like a different record from the start. Far from the grand, sweeping feel of the songs on So Runs the World Away, these new ones felt like rocks in the shoe, hard little nuggets of whatever they were, be it spite, remorse, or happiness. I told all this to Sam Kassirer, my producer and friend. If we recorded these songs, which felt so personal, their starkness needed a corresponding simplicity of production. I hadn’t composed this stuff, I’d scrawled it down, just trying to keep ahead of the heartbreak, and they needed to be recorded like that.

With any heartbreak comes healing, which is exactly what started to happen as Ritter discovered love again.  He found his new wife during that time of despondency, with whom he is excitedly raising their first child.  The drastic life change within a few short years was also an influencer in the album, which evolves from songs written in anger to songs created with hope.  Josh explained it simply in an interview with Rainn Wilson (yes, THE Rainn Wilson), “If I’m proud of anything with this record, it’s that I waited and gave it time for it to become something more than what it was at the beginning.”  Have a listen to the official lyric video for “New Lover.”


Sometimes it’s not enough to fit a story into just one song, so you have to write a novel.  Well, that’s exactly what Josh Ritter did when he wrote Bright’s Passage.  Published in the summer of 2011, Ritter summarizes, ”It’s about a kind of sweet normal guy from West Virginia. He goes to the first World War and he comes back and he has an angel. And it’s about him and this angel escaping this wildfire for five days. It’s sort of this short little comedy.”  Moral of the story: if you haven’t released 20 albums and a novel in just over a decade, then you’re not Josh Ritter.    His mind never stops creating art, and that’s what fans love about him.  In fact, fans can catch Ritter on The Beast In Its Tracks Tour, with U.S. dates starting next week and continuing through May 2013.  For more updates and links to get the new album, visit www.joshritter.com, and check out his older albums while you’re at it!

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

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