A quick run-down on the artists
we didn’t want to fail to notice this spring
Review by Ellen Eldridge
The indie feature was organized through SonicBids to provide indie artists – those acting as their own publicist or those for whom electronic press kits (EPK) are submitted by their publicist – an opportunity for a full-length feature in Target Audience Magazine. The Fall 2011 feature I wrote focused on what Dale Turner did so well with his EPK, and how he could teach other indie artists about marketing. The Winter 2012 feature showed how the inspiration from acting as the voice of JEM in the ’80s cartoon led Samantha Newark to forge her own way as a real pop icon. Every quarter I look for some aspect of an indie artist (band or singer/songwriter) to feature, and the staff gets a chance to decide what submissions to write regular reviews for. The submission fee paid by the band goes directly to the writers for reviews so the community aspect works well to encourage everyone’s dream.
With the submissions for the Spring 2012 issue, I just felt like these artists should receive more recognition that, ‘Sorry, we just don’t have the space for review.’
The Wiley One:
Love the artwork and the graffiti art heart showing off the EP title, Kill it With Love, because this band makes a dedicated effort to empower fans through charity. The band is well known for taking a powerful stance on spreading environmental awareness, working with many prestigious environmental companies and organizations such as Zero Hero, ACE Alliance for Climate Education and Disney’s Planet Challenge. The February release contains lyrics like, “I don’t want to swim in your shallow water; let’s go deeper” that could easily refer to an unhealthy relationship or to the power of getting involved with a great cause. This Phoenix band can be found at http://www.thewileyone.com
Jay Loftus:
This 24-year-old singer/songwriter defies the pretentious attitude adopted by many indie artists trying to stand out in a saturated market. His crisp vocals radiate melody and his lyrics venerate introspection about one’s place in everyday situations. His music is the kind of thing that coffee house patrons do not have to hide in their papers from awkwardly, but his ability to invigorate the casual listener will win him gigs. His personal voice in the submission is what won me over, and though I couldn’t find an angle worthy of an entire feature on indie artists I feel strongly that Loftus can teach other indie artists something about genuine sincerity:
In response to, “Briefly describe why we should write about you,” Loftus says, “Well, I guess it depends if you like my music or not. Otherwise, I’m like every other singer/songwriter out there struggling to get my music heard. It’s hard to stand out so, if I do stand out in your ears, then I think it’s worth writing about.”
Solar Spect
rum: The Lonely King (Released April 2)
With the submission from Justin Street – now known as Solar Spectrum, I received a specific request for feedback should he not be selected for the feature. The immediate question upon hearing his music was, “Is it a bad thing to sound so much like another artist?” because the comparisons to Jimi Hendrix stood out like a pink elephant in a room full of sober hippies. His band has been gigging and writing music for the first EP for three years, and though the electronic press kit didn’t lead me to choose the band for a feature, I don’t feel it should be passed-by. This link allows folks to follow the process of mixing the album on their producer’s Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/eltoncharlesdrum
Photo by Luis Ramos Valencia
Gabrielle Wortman:
I keep thinking that I don’t like pop rock but singers like Gabrielle Wortman keep reminding me that I do get incredibly caught up when a singer can really sing. The fact that she has been booked through SonicBids over 50 times is not a testament to a lack of indie artists – it showcases the fact that she really deserves the attention she attracts! I’ll be the first to admit that a hot chick wearing only a bra may turn heads, but for me it’s the first indication of someone trying to be something he or she is not. Capitalizing on looks is exactly the kind of thing that makes me think I hate “pop rock” and love bands who use stunning artwork on album covers and hide their faces from promos to highlight the music. Well, this top-ranked ReverbNation artist has exactly what the major labels are looking for and that isn’t to say she can’t teach indie artists a thing or two. She writes that she is, “still an emerging artist, who has the potential to break in to a far larger space. I just hope it doesn’t come at the cost of the material becoming packaged in lip-gloss. I am writing this on the day that the death of Whitney Houston is breaking across the world and I am immediately drawn to a comparison in the strength of vocal. What is far more impressive is the structure of the sound, which has real depth, as she has crafted the out-put on the disparity of environs in which she has lived, with melody utilizing significant sharps and flats, to add emotional context to the out-put.”
She deserves to be heard: http://www.gabriellewortman.com
Alex the Great
I still don’t have a great deal to say about this band. Alex the Great was not chosen for feature, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t sit listening to the music for hours while doing other things. Just because I can’t always think of something witty or profound to say about an artist doesn’t mean there is no substance to it. I didn’t have the time to write a review and I didn’t see a feature-worthy angle, but the fact is that this band deserves to be heard by those who like pure music not too unlike southern rock with twangy guitar chords and vocal harmonies. The folksy take to the lyric writing recalls Dylan or even Kevn Kinney. “The Saint” plays in the press kit in parts one through three; The Saint is the title of the first EP. This new band will cross the ocean on the backs of fans who share the music they sit and listen to from their computer. http://alexthegreatmusic.com
Randy Vera:
This was close to being the feature because I absolutely LOVE the idea behind the writing of the songs. Vera is a family man with a master’s in comparative literature who claims his three daughters are his life and that hits home to me as well. His poetry-into-songs style of writing means that the accompanying instrumentation has specific reasoning like the creeping bass line that represents the art thief on “Here Made of Gone,” which is the title track on the album produced by AIAA platinum certified producer Anthony J. Resta (Elton John, The Twilight Films Soundtracks, Shawn Mullins, Duran Duran, and more). The song is about The Gardner Hiest in Boston. The Heist is being made into a Matt Damon/Mark Whalberg Film. This is feature worthy, but just wasn’t the choice I ultimately made. Do yourself a favor and check out: http://www.reverbnation.com/randyvera
Love Hate Rebellion:
This band is the reason I decided to do a sort of honorable mentions list – I loved the music, but didn’t have the time for a full review, and because they are based in Australia it may be a while before listeners in the States catch on. They sound similar to much of the mainstream music by ‘90s grunge bands and they consider their songs through a process of exploring the realms of human suffering not unlike the movie “What Dreams May Come.” Love Hate Rebellion just started out in 2011 and 2012 finds them touring and gathering great press so I really think music fans should give this a listen. http://www.lovehaterebellion.com
Oy Vey:
I swear the guitar in the beginning of “The Brooklyn Side” sounds like The Cure on Wish, and as soon as the vocals kick in I heard SonicYouth. By the time the chorus kicked in I didn’t feel it was fair to compare Oy Vey to anyone else, and though I didn’t choose them for the indie feature, I feel they shouldn’t be overlooked. Botanical Curiosity, Oy Vey’s debut album, was released early in 2011, and won universal praise for its high energy, ingenious melodies, and diverse arrangements. Even though the sophomore release, Recession Girls, just came out in February 14, it’s already included in MTV’s music publishing catalog. The band’s influences range from Springsteen to Daft Punk to Fleetwood Mac to MGMT, and with only two members in the band the sound’s size will blow you away. Check out Oy Vey’s Recession Girls: http://www.oyveyband.com
Article 66:
These Florida natives have been on our radar since they enter the “Win A Photo Shoot” contest in 2009. The biggest thing going against them is the production quality because the talent is there and so is the songwriting ability. Combining the influences of musicians as varied as Eric Clapton, Dream Theater, Tool, and Red Hot Chili Peppers gives fans a lot to love about this band. Take the time to check them out: http://www.article66.com
