Cutting edge clothing and accessories designer, Jac Vanek, has teamed up with power-pop band, We the Kings to create a “We Love Japan” bracelet. All of the proceeds go toward relief efforts in Japan.
Jac Vanek just returned from SXSW 2011, where she hosted a gift suite with indie artists in attendance, such as Arms, Bad Veins, The Antlers, Nicole Atkins & The Black Sea, Jukebox The Ghost, etc.
Matt and Kim have set up a US tour that will kick off May 28 at the Sasquatch Music Festival and includes a performance at Bonnaroo June 10.
The official tour is dubbed, “Sidewalks,” which is the name of their recent release.
Each show will be a full night of dance debauchery and next day regrets. The independent artists will not be alone; The Thermals and DJ Autobot from Flosstradamus will be carrying the nonstop dance party through the evening and between bands.
Experimental indie rock band The Body Rampant will be releasing their new EP, Transient Years, on April 5.
Transient Years, produced by Casey Bates (Gatsbys American Dream, Portugal, The Man, MxPx, Chiodos), is a collection of music to be ultimately impressed by with an aggressive indie rock sound where at times listeners can find hints of experimental pop.
The White House Band’s highly-anticipated new EP has been released. The Stimulus Package EP is the band’second studio effort and the follow-up to The Method EP (July 2010).
The EP is independently released via Cap City Records, and available online for free download.
“This is a very experimental EP, we’ve been working on it for the past few months and are very satisfied with the outcome,” said David E. Beats, lead singer of The White House Band.
The Long Island rock band Sainthood Reps have recently signed to Tooth & Nail Records. The band will also be performing at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas at the Tooth & Nail Showcase on March 19 at Bat Bar.
As 2010 drew to a close, the band partnered with Tooth & Nail Records to begin working on their debut full-length, produced by Long Islander Mike Sapone (Brand New, Crime in Stereo, The Xcerts) and slated for release in 2011.
Sainthood Reps began when Francesco Montesanto created and recorded four-demos and played them for his longtime musical companion, guitarist Derrick Sherman. Knowing that he was unrefined, Montesanto hoped to entice Sherman into joining his musical endeavor because of his experience and similar musical interests, and thought he could turn his project into something worth pursuing more seriously.
BandCentral.com officially launched today, offering bands a suite of essential tools that will enable them to take control of their music careers. With BandCentral, artists, managers and labels can organize all the vital business aspects of band life – everything from tours and fan databases, to merchandise and money – enabling them to develop and sustain successful careers.
BandCentral is already being used by thousands of bands, labels and managers, worldwide and changing the way they work for the better.
“There’s real potential here for BandCentral to change the way artists take control of their careers, and I’m certainly keen to see how labels and artists get to grips with it,” said Darren Hemmings, Digital Marketing Manager at PIAS.
“Don’t get signed,” might be the perfect rallying cry for a new generation of indie-by-choice musicians. The words come from Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn of Pomplamoose, speaking from the homepage of YouTube’s newest initiative, MusiciansWanted.
Jack and Nataly are telling artists not to sign with a major label. Instead, DIY kids can generate their own revenue streams through indie resources like MusiciansWanted.
What’s the Deal?
YouTube announced the launch of MusiciansWanted this week at SXSW. The service allows indie bands to apply to the YouTube Partner Program, which has been doing amazing things for video posters ever since its launch two years ago. The YPP allows people who post videos on YouTube to earn nominal revenue off advertising. The more people watch a video (and the accompanying ads) the more money a poster makes.
Now, YouTube is offering indie bands the chance to become a major part of this program. If an artist’s application is accepted, they’ll be able to add tour dates and sell merch on their video page. And the sweetest plum of all? according to Wired, unlike regular YPP members, MusiciansWanted artists will receive the majority of ad revenue earned from people watching their videos, paid out on a monthly basis.
Chicago Hip Hop/Rap artist Rockie Fresh has lined up dates at 2010’s South by Southwest in Austin, Tex.
Rockie Fresh’s mixtape Rockie’s Modern Life was well-received in Chicago and is getting him airplay and live shows in his hometown.
The indie artist’s rhymes and tracks combine indie dance nods like Justice’s “Do The Dance” with a early 90’s feel fitting in alongside the Cool Kids and Kid Cudi.
Now Rockie is heading to Austin for the first time – really the first time performing outside of Chicago – to be part of SXSW including a slot at Urb’s show on the 18th and Hustleapalooza on the 20th.