SoundCtrl, a network of digital media professionals who focus on advancing the music industry though the social web, announced the launch of “FlashFwd,” a campaign to honor individuals using technology to reshape the music industry.

During New York’s Social Media Week, the public was invited to nominate and vote on individuals, groups and organizations for this award. The nominees must be poised to create meaningful impact on the future of music through the innovative application of online and/or mobile technology.

If you’re standing in a forest, tilting your head way back to glimpse the tops of all those majestic, thickly trunked trees, it’s just impossible not to be moved by their centuries-old resilience; the stoic strength that sees them through even the harshest storms that Mother Nature can unleash.

Yet locked deep within the core of each of those mighty oaks and towering sequoias is something even stronger than their outwardly impressive surface layers: the heartwood.

A tree’s densest, most durable—and often most beautiful—element, the heartwood is the robust, knotty marrow that keeps it standing proud and tall for all to marvel at. And not only is Heartwood also the name of Canadian singer-songwriter Sora’s astonishing third release, it’s as well the perfect metaphor for her music: gorgeous, rich, endlessly enduring.

Mahogany Digital is offering  a free download of “Detour Ahead” from its newest artist, Jeff Hall.

Vocalist Jeff Hall, Kevin Mahogany’s protégé, premiered on the radio with two singles: “Cadillac Club” and “Detour Ahead.”

Discovered by Kevin Mahogany, Jeff Hall (pic left) has the vocal prowess reminiscent of jazz legend Mark Murphy. Hall brings a new urgency and street sense to traditional jazz, as evidenced by his vocal presentation and his onstage appearance. Hall defines a new direction for vocal jazz.

“When I heard Jeff, there was a quality in his voice there was a uniqueness to his sound,” Mahogany said with regard to his decision to introduce Jeff to the public.

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County will be hosting Lynn Riley, “Superwoman of the Sax,” at Bucks County Community College in Newtown on March 27. The Jazz in Bloom concert will benefit Habitat’s Youth United program and its goal to raise funds to build a home at the affiliate’s current homebuilding site in Perkasie.

Bucks County residents, Steve and Diane Silverhardt, stepped forward to donate their time and talents to Habitat for Humanity to help plan this amazing event. The Silverhardts are responsible for inviting the very talented Lynn Riley, who is also donating her services for the evening.

“I’ve been part of an interfaith house support group for Habitat Philadelphia and decided to refocus my community involvement with my move to Bucks County,” says Steve. “This concert is the first project of ours with Habitat Bucks and we couldn’t be more excited about it.”

Non-profit organization To Write Love on Her Arms won a Shorty Award in the non-profit category. The Shorty Awards is an award ceremony created for people to pick their favorite Twitter users in specific categories. Categories included in the The Shorty Awards were advertising, entertainment, humor, government, and more.

The Shorty Awards were hosted by Rick Sanchez, a CNN anchor who was one of the first television personalities to ever use Twitter. William Shatner was also in attendance, via satellite, to present an award. Some other Shorty Award winners included Ted Leo of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, fictional Mad Men character Betty Draper, television show True Blood, and political innovator Newark, NJ mayor Cory Booker.

Over 100 songs have been uploaded by music labels to the Rock Band Network, and unknown indie bands have the opportunity to expose their projects. So far, established bands have taken the spotlight, but this is a great outlet for unsigned bands to gain funding and get more fans.

Rock Band Network has allowed independent and unsigned bands to submit their own songs for users to download since mid-January. The offer is  for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions of the game with the intention of providing the most downloadable tracks to Nintendo’s Wii moving forward.

Indie bands can price their songs between 50 cents and $3, netting 30% of track sales. Users of the game will be able to preview songs before they purchase on the Rock Band Network store.

Featured Blog:

Writer C.W. Ross’s Blog
http://writercwross.wordpress.com/

This blog combines C.W. Ross’ three previous blogs (see below) into a one stop shop for information, commentary, interviews and reviews for a wide variety of Indie and Christian music.
Indie Music Stop- IndieMusicStop.com
The CD Reviewer- TheCDReviewer.com
Christian Rockers Online- ChristianRockersOnline.com

Featured Podcast:

“The World Is…” is off of Matthew Ryan’s recent album, Dear Lover. The indie artist is currently on a U.S tour. Check out the schedule for the tour here.

ZZK Records, that South American record label everybody’s talking about, is turning two years old.  And for the occasion they are celebrating the only way they know how.  With a Zizek party.

Scott Hardkiss releases an EP, Come On, Come On (Part II), which features all new remixes that take the unique track into completely different sonic territories. Dean & Britta, Joaquin “Joe” Claussell, and DJ Phunkae each put their own spin on Scott Hardkiss’ original song “Come On, Come On” off his album Technicolor Dreamer.

In their gorgeous downtempo remix, NYC indie darlings Dean & Britta (formerly of Luna) reimagine the song into a psychedelic rock meets intimate electronic chill-out ballad with beats, keys, and dreamy vocals by Britta Phillips and tripped-out space guitars by Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500).

Scott Hardkiss delivers his own signature uplifting club mix in both vocal & dub versions that effortlessly shifts between breaks and 4/4 beats in an anthemic tribute to all the old school Hardkiss-heads.

Austin Music Foundation presents PARTY:SMART featuring Martin Atkins with special guests Ariel Hyatt of Ariel Publicity and Charlie Cheney of Indie Band Manager.

These three indie music luminaries will share tips, secrets, and strategies to help bands more creatively and effectively promote themselves in today’s DIY music business climate.

Local musicians and industry pros as well as SXSW attendees from far and wide will meet for a pre-conference party and educational event with our special guests designed to facilitate relationships and “get the party started” on the eve of SXSW.

“Ones to watch for 2010″ Northern Ireland’s Strait Laces have been making noise since 2008. “Chunky, ballsy and a little bit sinister” their music nods to Biffy Clyro and At The Drive In whilst still maintaining a fresh sound.

The indie band’s incredibly catchy debut single ‘Seconds Out’ was released through Bruised Fruit Records and is available to buy from online music stores.

The most exciting band to come out of the north west of Ireland this year is Strait Laces. Three feisty young lads making spiky-rock-pop, they always pack a punch with their music.

Tunng – Hustle from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

The indie band’s album …And Then We Saw Land is due in early April on Thrill Jockey.