A bunch of wise people are always saying that the true measure of success in life is the ability to do what we love. And yet, for many musicians, something – be it an excess of other responsibilities or a lack of funds – always seems to get in the way. Not so for Toronto’s Zeus, one of the most refreshingly hang up and excuse-free indie bands working today. Members Mike O’Brien, Carlin Nicholson, Rob Drake, and Neil Quin play music constantly, ferociously, and on their own terms, and their unaffected, eminently listenable sound is the reward for listeners.

Zeus released their first full-length album, Say Us, this month. While the record came out on indie label, Arts & Crafts, the guys produced Say Us independently, in a recording studio they built themselves. The album’s uniquely sonorous rock vibe is a result of the band’s recording philosophy, which prioritizes a true-to-vinyl sound.

Zeus is currently on tour in North America with Jason Collett and Bahamas, both of whom they back throughout the show, on top of playing their own set. Clearly, for these guys, nights of jamming until you suddenly realize it’s time for breakfast aren’t just a rare occurrence, but a way of life. Their tremendous work ethic as musicians, and enthusiasm for collaborating with other artists, has resulted in a future that’s not just looking do-what-you-love successful, but make-your-mother-proud-successful, too.

Gighive caught up with Zeus’ Carlin Nicholson this week to pick his brains on recording Say Us independently. Here’s what he had to say:

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.

Over the last couple of weeks, there’s been a serious uproar in the UK’s indie music community. In case you haven’t yet heard the news, it seems that the BBC – the UK’s public service broadcaster, and the largest broadcasting network in the world – is on the brink of cancelling 6 Music.

6 Music is a digital station. Launched in 2002, it is the UK’s only truly major alternative/indie radio. Unlike the BBC’s other, mainstream-focused radio, 6 Music exposes listeners to indie labels, unsigned bands, and rarities from the BBC music archives (like the infamous John Peel Sessions).

The station also allows its DJs relatively extraordinary freedom to play tracks that they like, recommend new music, and shape the tone of their programs. In an era when radio DJs are anything but selectas, this is a rare enough phenomenon, indeed.

A Political Move

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.

Indie Bands Get a Shot At Becoming Rock Band Famous

The Rock Band Network music store is officially live. Will it be the greatest thing to happen to indie music since iTunes? Let’s have a look.

For all you kids not in the know, the Rock Band Network is the newest incarnation of the Xbox Rock Brand, er Band franchise. Network allows bands to put their songs on Rock Band 2. And not just big name artists. Using development tools provided by Rock Band, all indie bands can now, theoretically, have their songs available for sale, download, and play at the Network music store. Here’s how it works:

The Investment

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.

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.

You’re working on a new album. How do you release it? If you have any fans at all, chances are your record will be copied and spread all over the internet before you can say ‘final master.’ On the other hand, maybe you’ve got no fans and even if you do release your album for free on your website, who’s gonna care?

You can operate as did Joanna Newsom, for her hotly anticipated new album, Have One On Me. ­Newsom recorded the three-disc epic in an environment of absolute secrecy in order to prevent, er, leakage.

So that’s one way to go about it. However, many of this spring’s other big indie releases are taking a decidedly different approach. Over the last week, a flurry of bands have been pre-releasing new albums on major news websites. The albums are set up to stream – every song complete, no lame 30-second samples – for the week leading up to their official release.

Broken Bells

Broken Bells, the new collaboration between DJ Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, DANGERDOOM, Ghetto Pop Life, The Grey Album) and James Mercer (The Shins), are streaming their self-titled album on NPR. Broken Bells, officially scheduled for release March 9^th, is a unique new venture for both artists, melding genres in a way that may not pique the interest of indie or electronic fans. By streaming the album online, Broken Bells invites listeners to get hooked on the music before they buy. And they will get hooked. Broken Bells may be one of this year’s best albums, and Danger Mouse and Mercer are betting on its strength to sell mucho copies and concert tickets.

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.

I’m not much of a rocker, people … I’m just going to lay that little icing of honesty on you right now. However, on occasion, I have been known to sport a skinny jean, some guy-liner, head to the Lower East Side and sway like a cruise ship in troubled waters.

In other words, I have my indie-rock moments.

Today I have included some new loves in the world of both pop and rock, to give you that fizzle and sizzle your ears are yearning for. On the rock front, we have two of my new favorites, the Swedish funk known as Marching Band and the grungy fellas of Rogue Wave, followed by a classic indie staple, Yacht. Spinning 180 degrees to the pop-mosphere are Marina & the Diamonds and Dan Black, bringing up the more pop-tastic caboose of this week’s fave five train.

Independent band Lily Sparks have just released their debut EP, Cooper Cobra.

Forged in the crucible of the New York rock scene, Lily Sparks has emerged with a unique voice. Flanked by glitter guitars that alternate between crunch and wail, the singer’s got a set of pipes that can go from fragility to fury in a heartbeat. These girls play hard-rocking, toe-tapping songs that’ll make you want to shout and sing along.

First timers are never quite sure what to expect when they see a Lily Sparks show but after a few seconds it’s pretty clear: They rock. Flanked by glitter guitars that alternate between crunch and wail, the singer’s got a set of pipes that can go from fragility to fury in a heartbeat. These girls play hard-rocking, toe-tapping songs that’ll make you want to shout and sing along.

• Lead vocalist Niamh (pronounced “neev”) was born to sing. As a child in Ireland she sang traditional Irish songs, perfomed in choral groups and played lead roles in musical theater. She’s classically trained in voice and piano. She’s probably taller than you. But don’t let that scare you…

Disco Curtis will be supporting Co-Headliners Eye Alaska and Rookie of the Year on tour kicking off on April 8th in Wichita, Kansas.

The independent band recently released their video for their new single “Ashley,” which won MTVU’s The Freshmen and is now in rotation on MTVU.

Disco Curtis was most recently signed to MySpace/Interscope Records and debuted their music video for “Ashley” on MySpace racking in over 44,000 plays its first week.

Today, the band currently performs songs off their debut EP Play With Fire Get Burned which is available now via itunes.

Over the last few weeks, Vancouver, Canada has hosted athletes from all over the world for the Winter Olympics. But did you know that Vancouver has also been hosting musicians from all over the world? Yup, street performers have traveled from far and wide for one reason and one reason only: to busk on the sometimes-sunny Vancouver streets, and cash in on the magnanimity of Olympic tourists.

Why would someone fly across Canada, the U.S. or even Europe to busk at the Olympics? Because if you’re in the right place at the right time, a savvy, talented musician can make as much as $1000.00 a day.*

Here’s how….

What to do.

Don’t Just Have a Talent, Have an Act

Unfortunately, in many people’s minds, there’s a fine line between busker and beggar. To busk successfully, a musician has to separate herself from the crowd with an act. To stand out, she must:

• Rock an instrument other than the guitar.
• Always stand up to perform. No one’s going to shower her in money for sitting on her ass.
• Wear a costume. In a competitive busking environment, a girl playing the harp in an angel costume, or a guy playing the violin dressed as Darth Vadar, is going to earn points just for style.
• Dress up. If she’s not a costume-wearer, she must rock a suit, a dress, bright red shoes, or anything to send the message: I am not a homeless person!**