You know the drill. IN SHORT is our monthly hodgepodge selection of stuff we think’s worth mentioning… sometimes it’s about music, sometimes not. This month, it’s about live music (what’s that? We kid, we kid), the interwebs, sort of:
SxSW Interactive, Film & Music Festival
Every year it seems someone is always questioning the validity of music conferences. And for good reason. Mostly they suck. The music panels especially. A bunch of know-it-alls who live at 30,000 feet and just like to hear the sound of their own voices — seemingly never doling out any practical, useful advice. Sadly, the music panels at SxSW are generally no exception. But now that I’ve started going to the Interactive portion of the festival beforehand, I could care less.
SxSW Interactive, that’s where you actually learn things. And generally, there’s less drinking (then during SxSW Music) which makes for better brainwork. You remember people’s names. Business cards actually find their way into your suitcase. You take notes. You have ideas.
Then, a funny sort of phenomenon starts to happen as the week wears on and Interactive flows into Music (Film is supposed to be the bridge but really, who goes?). Less green vegetables. Less sleep. Longer nights. The hotel staff now knows you by first name. Instead of sitting at panels you’re standing all day shows. But your attention span is shot and your smart phone is blowing up. Plus, your feet hurt.
Fun stuff. But in the end, I’m there to work. Every second of every waking moment, networking my little hiny off with the hopes that some of it will somehow pay forward and help make this crazy ride we’re on stick (even I don’t exactly know what that means but I’m leaving it in). Fingers crossed.
The best part: gazing out at an endless sea of head-bobbing, balding-with-ponytail, over-40 grown-up heads, collectively getting their badass rock ‘n roll groove right on.
Who says we old farts don’t rock? In Austin, we sure as hell do.
That said, here’s to seeing you at our showcase (a production of THE iNSIDERS NETWORK). If you’re in Austin, do drop on by. Those free beers I’m always threatening to buy you guys? Come and get ‘em.
Thursday, March 18, 12 PM-5 PM, 204 E. 6th St. (BD Riley’s)
12:00-12:35 They Were Stars
12:50-1:25 Seth Glier
1:40-2:15 Robert Deeble
2:30-3:05 Michael Miller
3:20-3:55 Steve Poltz
4:10-4:45 Roman Candle
Yeeeeeeehaw.
Tags: IN SHORT, Michael Miller, Robert Deeble, Roman Candle, Seth Glier, Steve Poltz, SxSW, THE iNSIDERS NETWORK, They Were Stars —
You read that right, it’s the Top 9. Two qualifiers: 1) an album totally worth the price, your money will be well spent and 2) an album that’s stood up on replay, ad infintinum. Hence, there were only nine. Trying to squeeze in a 10th felt like a copout. And we can’t have that. So, just in time for your shopping lists, our faves around Outlandos HQ for the past year:
1. Michael Miller, I Made You Up 
Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Miller’s sound teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. But don’t let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller’s unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur. No kidding. Which is why it’s my top pick. |
2. Chris Velan, Solidago
Solidago was on my tops last year because I had an early copy (the release was April 2009) but it’s so good I’m putting it on the list again. The scoop: cunningly disguised as jangly chill-lax pop, Solidago reveals whipsmart songcraft and no-bullshit guitar rockers juxtaposed amidst easy-going ditties. Think Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Bob Marley. The kind of political/romantic moxie that makes me think hell yes, I too am a Hard Way Learner. |
3. Mike Gent, Mike Gent
A pop masterpiece. Seriously. It’s easy, it’s smart, it’s fun, AND it has balls. Like Wilco used to (think Box of Letters, Monday). Speaking of balls, Mike’s other band, the Figgs, has long been one of my favorite badass live outfits. |
4. Glasvegas, Glasvegas
Timeless Glasgow glampop at its uber-finest. Echo and the Bunnymen-esque, bigger drums. Shit-hot. |
5. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Theory
Fountains of Wayne meets Cheap Trick meets Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lots of bouncy, chimey guitars, and an authentic garage sound. Plus the album has a million songs on it. Loads of bang for your buck. |
6. Contramano, Contramano
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. |
7. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear 
The Bees (US) are easily one of my fave bands ever. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out soon (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic-style. |
8. Passion Pit, Manners 
A dance record! Who knew. Fun fun fun. Very Jackson 5. Plus a lot of synth. |
9. Gary Yerkins, Compass 
Gotta have a touch of blues in your list. Gary has a sweet Robert Cray sort of thing going on. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem. xo |
Tags: Bob Marley, Cheap Trick, Chris Velan, Contramano, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, David Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Fountains of Wayne, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, Gidgets Ga Ga, Glasvegas, Jason Lehning, KATE BRADLEY, Michael Miller, Mike Gent, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Passion Pit, Paul Simon, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Roman Candle, Steely Dan, Steve Forbert, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Supertramp, The Bees, The Figgs, The Jackson 5, The Silver Seas, The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Wilco —
Even Donald Passman agrees, “the common denominator to all successful people is a blend of talent and drive, with (frankly) drive having the edge.” Translation: just like any entrepreneur, you’ve got to drive the ship. You’ve got to lead the way.
The question then is… how? That’s what everyone wants to know. For sure, owning a compelling product is only the beginning. What you do with it is then the challenge, creating a sense of more-than-music for your fans, leading them to/through it.
So, how do you attach meaning to your music? How do you assign value to it, above and beyond the music itself?
The easiest answer: exploit like-tribes. Your first instinct here might be other artists (co-bill, both sets of fans get introduced to your respective bands, etc.). Fine. That works. No harm. But everybody’s doing it. Burnout factor: high. And still, you’re limiting yourself to “just” music. You’ve got to be more inventive. You’ve got to lead. You’ve got to think outside the tribe.
Start by looking at what already exists: other than your music, what else do your fans have in common? Anything from microbrews to hybrid vehicles to Guitar Hero to pizza. It doesn’t matter. Identify peripheral tribes. Leverage the common threads. By recognizing that your fans have other interests and associating those interests with your music, you reinforce your role as leader. And by attaching music (sadly, now so free it’s virtually worthless) to stuff with a higher value, you create instant more-than-music. Example A.
You can do it.
11/9/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Donald Passman, KATE BRADLEY, MASOKO SOCIAL, Michael Miller, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Seth Godin, The Value of Emotional Value, Tribes —
Guest post this week from an astounding singer-songwriter who mysteriously remains relatively unknown (working on fixing that!), my friend Michael Miller.
Dear Hearts,
I have a friend who constantly asks me how to be happy. We talk about it all the time. Happiness.
I’ve told her, my secret is…. singing.
What makes someone happy? Why are some people happier than others? Some folks are completely miserable, despite their financial circumstances (rich or poor) or social standing (famous or homeless), while others are extra happy regardless of their life hardships or pain or suffering. I do believe that some people are just born lucky and predisposed to being happy, born with the “happy gene.” For others, no matter where circumstances or experiences take them in their lives, it seems to be a choice to be happy or not.
There are several secrets to happiness: living in a state of constant gratitude, faith, daily exercise, charity…. but a big one that I am certain has not been mentioned much, is singing.
Before I was born, my mother used to sing with her sisters professionally, touring and performing on tv and radio shows. Not surprisingly, there was always singing in the house and all around me… campfire choruses at 4H Summer Camp (led by my grandmother). A cappella hymns every Sunday morning at church. Bedtime lullabies. Back seat sing-alongs on long vacation road trips.
It was just natural and normal, like breathing or a second language, simply because my mother sang around the house all the time. While cleaning, doing chores, making dinner, working in the garden, walking us to school, ANYwhere and anytime… she would sing… if there was something on the radio or tv or any live performance, she would sing along, in harmony.
My aunt tells a story of when they were younger, growing up on their farm, a local neighbor farmhand would often visit and ask, bewildered, “What IS it with your family?? You are always so happy! There’s always singing going on. Singing!!”
I realize that I have done the same thing all through my life… I hear melodies in my head and just sing, regardless of where or what hour it is… or I’ll suddenly remember a favorite song and sing it out… I’ve sung through heartbreak pains, sung while traveling and getting lost (literally) in other countries. I’ll sing to ease boredom or to trigger the gushing buzz of a sweet memory… I’ll sing a prayer out loud… or a childhood TV theme song….
Perhaps this is not a huge revelation… it probably goes back to the beginning of time. Before language with words, there was humming and melody… the slaves in Egypt likely sang the blues to help pass the time…..
There are even studies about how singing makes you live longer.
I believe there is a spiritual soul revival that occurs or a magic eraser effect anytime you sing…… the more you sing, the happier you will be…. going through a firecrash breakup? Sing. Just lost your job? Sing. Walking down a dark, scary alley in the middle of the night? Sing.
Sing in the shower. Sing at the grocery store. Sing in your car. Sing in the elevator. It’s like free therapy or a free drug. It’s a light that pushes away the dark. Sing often and loud and proud. Just sing. It will make you happy.
M
Michael’s new record, I Made You Up (coming out this June and easily my favorite record of this year so far) can be heard here.
xo
4/6/09 | Comments (3)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, KATE BRADLEY, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, Michael Miller, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
So it’s off to Austin, Texas for me this Saturday. Going all-out this year for a 10 day stint, covering interactive, film & music at SxSW. If you’ve been before, you get that this is a fairly brave undertaking. Which is why I’ve got tons of Emergen-C, Tylenol, and eye-cream ready to go with. And I purchased an iPhone over the weekend to make it easier to navigate all those texts, etc., I feel so 21st century! God damn, this thing is friggin’ cool. It’ll be perfect once I transfer my “Truth Hits Everybody” ring tone from my old phone. In any case, by the end of Sx, all the walking, talking, the late nights, the tacos and Lone Star Ale having taken their toll, I’m sure I’ll feel at least 10 years older. But it’s a small price to pay. Showcases I’ll be at below, in case you happen to be in town 
. I’ll have a blog for you guys next Monday for the full report of the front half of the festival, at least insofar as much as I can take in the first couple of days. In the meantime… here’s what’s been spinning around the office this month so far:
Simone White, Yakiimo
If you haven’t met Simone just yet, the above is a decent taste… a commercial that played all over Europe and the UK with her song, “The Beep Beep Song” from the first album, I Am the Man. Spectacular record. The new one on the way is Yakiimo, with a release across the pond scheduled for June. Working on getting it out here as well. I think of her as a modern-day Joni Mitchell. Fave tracks from Yakiimo include Victoria Anne, Candy Bar Killer, and You Are Loved. You can hear them all here. Totally worth the import price.
Clem Snide, Hungry Bird
When Eef Barzelay isn’t busy doing his solo projects (which I equally adore) he’s got his hands full with Clem Snide. Always a good buy. My picks: Me No (a rocker!) and Pray, so very R.E.M. Hear them here.
Glasvegas, Glasvegas
Lamely, the actual video is no longer embed-able (Columbia Records, you fucking idiots). But still, holy crap, this is heaven. So very very Brit Box. Glasgow pop at its uber-finest. Genius name. Can’t get enough and can barely stand the wait to see them in Austin. So God damn brilliant. Echo and the Bunnymen meets The Family Cat. Double-shit hot.
Sometymes Why, Joey
Yep, it’s a Concrete Blonde cover, gorgeous. You can get it on their new album, Your Heart Is a Glorious Machine.
Michael Miller, I Made You Up
Unfucking believable. It’s a creeper so make sure you hang with it. Really hard to decide favorite tracks because the whole thing just builds. Nonetheless, “Munkie,” “Sweetness,” “Carolina Skyline,” “Gomer Put Your Fist Down,” “Sutures.” Hear them here. I’m telling you, this is a five-star record, all the way. Due out this summer. Pete Yorn, Tracy Bonham, Amy Correa and others guest. Plus it’s an all-star backing band. How the hell isn’t this guy famous? Working on that.
That’s all for now, talk to you guys from Austin next week. Here’s where I’ll be among other places:
- Breath of Fresh Air Showcase 12-6 PM, Wednesday 03/18, Threadgills, 301 W Riverside Dr (Brownshoe, Jeremy Messersmith, Romantica, Chris Velan, The Secret, Life of Sofia, Amy Speace, Winterpills, KaiserCartel, The Damnwells)
- Bloodshot Records Showcase 12-6 PM, Friday 03/20, Yard Dog, 1510 S. Congress (Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Ben Weaver, Charlie Pickett, Exene Cervenka, Deadstring Brothers, Ha Ha Tonka, The Meat Purveyors, Dex Romweber Duo, The Silos, Andre Williams, Justin Townes Earle, Rosie Flores, Waco Brothers
xo
3/9/09 | Comments (2)Tags: Amy Correa, Amy Speace, Brit Box, Charlie Pickett, Chris Velan, Clem Snide, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Echo and the Bunnymen, Eef Barzelay, Glasvegas, Ha Ha Tonka, Jeremy Messersmith, Joni Mitchell, KATE BRADLEY, Michael Miller, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Pete Yorn, REM, Simone White, Sometymes Why, The Damnwells, The Family Cat, Tracy Bonham, Winterpills —
