News, tidbits and updates from Digital Music Marketing. Digital Music Marketing is a leading provider of high quality internet marketing and digital distribution services for the independent recording community.
Landslide Records is proud and excited to announce its next release: MIDNIGHT BLUE, an all-new set of original blues rock from guitar master, Tinsley Ellis.
Produced by Ellis, the album marks the second release from his recently established label, Heartfixer Music. A hardworking veteran of numerous U.S. and international tours, Ellis picked up more new fans through his well-received all-instrumental album, GET IT!, plus appearances on 2013’s critically praised BLUES AT THE CROSSROADS 2 tours with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, and Jody Williams. He boasts countless great reviews, among them a rave from ROLLING STONE which said: "Feral blues guitar...he achieves pyrotechnics that rival early Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton.” A notable songwriter, Ellis’ compositions include “A Quitter Never Wins,” a version of which by Jonny Lang went multi-platinum. Featuring some of Ellis’ finest vocal stylings yet, MIDNIGHT BLUE includes wide ranging material that moves effortlessly from the powerful opening track, “If The River Keeps Rising,” through the soul laden groove of “Surrender,” the rollicking Louisiana rocker “It’s Not Funny,” and a poignant, Ray Charles influenced slow blues, “See No Harm.” Additional musicians include Nashville keyboard whiz Kevin McKendree (Delbert McClinton, Brian Setzer), bassist Ted Pecchio (Tedeschi/Trucks Band), and drummer Lynn Williams (Delbert McClinton). Beginning in January Ellis will perform a full slate of festival, theater and club bookings nationwide throughout the year.
Singer songwriter Luke Pilgrim has become one of the most watched, young artists to emerge out of Atlanta in years. Growing up in Cleveland, a small town in the mountains of North Georgia, and influenced by a blend of country and southern rock, Pilgrim’s love for music began at a very early age. Pilgrim began sitting in with bands at clubs as an eleven year old kid, and left older musicians in awe as he ripped out lead guitar riffs from music greats Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, and Tom Petty, to name a few. While constantly striving to perfect his musicianship, Pilgrim also began honing his songwriting and singing skills. By the age of fifteen, he had completed writing, recording, and producing his first full-length album with the band Last November. Pilgrim toured extensively with Last November for the better part of a decade. (Keep in mind the band was formed in high school.)
In late 2010, Pilgrim decided to get back to his country roots, heading to the legendary Southern Tracks Studios in Atlanta to record his first album under his birth name, working alongside lifelong friend mentor Rodney Mills (Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, ARS). Pilgrim shares; "I have always loved country music. It’s been a big part of my life growing up in the hills of North Georgia. The music on this album is perfect for storyteller lyrics, which always interested me the most about songwriting. If I can write something that really speaks to someone and affects their life, then that is what this is all about." Molding the song around the lyrics, Pilgrim brings real emotions to the table that listeners of all ages can identify with.
Ron Rogers Just released "Ron Rogers And The Wailing Wind" November 5th 2013. It has been two years since Rogers released "Country and Eastern" But for fans of Portland Oregon's very own Ron Rogers the wait is well worth it. For a limited time you can receive a free download of "Real Time Religion" at Civil Defense Music . Digital Music Marketing had a chance to ask Rogers about the New release, His band and his very unique artwork. Thank you Ron for taking the time and sharing your experience with us."Ron Rogers and the Wailing Wind" is available now at all digital retail outlets and streaming radio.
DMM: When did you become aware that you had a strong gift for writing and storytelling? RR: I've been writing songs since I first picked up the guitar at 16. when I was 20 I got in my first serious band and the other three guys liked and wanted to play my songs so I kept writing songs. I don't know that I thought of it as a "strong gift" but I thought it was cool to do it.
DMM: When it comes to your band you say: “the quartet has become tighter than a rusted lug nut and hotter than a habanero. “
How did you come to find your current line up ? RR: I had played in a short lived band with Chris Bond the drummer and Don Campbell, bass, and I had talked about playing together for 5 or 6 years before we finally did. Don and I were working up some songs on our first little get together and he said "what about steel guitar" ? I had been thinking about the same thing and I said"know any" ? He called Dave Grafe and Dave came over and it sounded good right from the start. Next time Chris came and that was it.
DMM: You are originally from Texas where you obviously get your Texas roadhouse, Blues and country influences. So why the move to Portland, Oregon? RR: I'd been living in LA for 15 years and needed a change. I had been to Portland a couple times to play and always thought it was a cool place, similar to Austin. The music scene was very "alive" with venues and lots of musicians. Lots of artists and creative people live here. And great neighborhoods, unlike what I was used to.
DMM: What did you take away from your experience as a staff writer at Island records? RR: Oh, Island, let's see. I guess I learned the way to get some where was relationships with people and you have to keep them interested in what you are doing. You can write good songs but getting them cut is another thing. If you are signed as an artist or writer you need an advocate pushing for you. People move around a lot in the business and sometimes your "guy" moves on. Things are different now but in some ways it's the same, you have to be very pro active to stay noticed.
DMM: When did you start recording in your own studio? Is there an upside or downside to this process for you? RR: I have had my own studio since 1983. It's all upside for me. I don't care about the clock DMM: When you are in the studio you have said that you like: “ recording tape with the passion and inspiration of single-take performances, preferring mood and feeling to note-for-note perfection” Is this because you like to keep it as close to a live experience as you can? or is it something else that you like about it? RR: did I say that? I do like it when I show the guys a song and we cut it before they really know it. On the new album there are several that happened that way, first or second takes on the night I show 'em the song. In the end the feel of the take is most important to me.
As David Briggs used to say, "it's gotta have the spook".
DMM: Beyond Music, you are also a mixed media artists. Known for your Shrines to Dead Musicians. When did you start start creating this subject matter and how many have you created to date? RR :I have always painted on canvas, since my twenties. I did my first "Shrine" in 1996. I don't do it full time but I have probably done 400. It comes in waves. Writing songs is a lot easier for me.
KEN
WILL MORTON TO RELEASE 7th SOLO EFFORT, SLOW BURN.
ON
JANUARY 21, 2014, ON RARA AVIS RECORDS
ATHENS, GA—November
11, 2013—Prolific Athens, GA- based singer/songwriter KEN WILL
MORTON will release his 7th
full-length recording entitled Slow Burn
on January 21, 2014, on Rara Avis Records.
While his last CD, Contenders,
was a loose, acoustic recording that received rave reviews, Slow Burn
reflects Morton’s propensity to rock and showcases his prowess on
electric guitar and harmonica. Players on the CD include:
Dean Johnston,
drums; Tim Adams,
bass; Scotty Nicholson,
keyboards; Andrew Vickery,
slide guitar; and John Keane,
harmonies (track 6). The 9 original songs were tracked at John Keane
Studios and Chase Park
Transductions.
They were mixed by Richard
Salino at 1093
Boulevard and
mastered by J.P. Pruett.
The cover art for the CD was created by local musician/artist Jack Logan.
Morton consistently receives
stellar press and is recognized for his distinctive voice and unique
lyrical style. His music has been praised by Relix,American
Songwriter, Vintage
Guitar Magazine, Performer
Magazine, Georgia
Music Magazine, Elmore
Magazine, Maverick
Magazine (UK) and
more!
Morton’s song “Oh Lord” was
prominently featured in the TV show The
Deadliest Catch on the
Discovery Channel. “On My Feet Again” was used in the closing
sequence of the indie film “Flight Of
The Cardinal” (now on
Netflix). Most recently, his song “Devil In Me” was used in
the HBO series, True Blood.
Morton is an extremely
engaging performer and has toured most parts of the U.S., opening for
Todd Snider, Billy Joe Shaver, Tommy Stinson, Sugarland, & more.
He has toured Ireland, performed at South-by-Southwest, the
Americana Music Festival, and more.
Morton will be touring in
Sweden in February of 2014 in support of the release of a “best of”
compilation entitled Tell It To The Wind,
which was released in Europe on Ball & Chain Records.
Additionally, Morton is
already putting the finishing touches on yet another 15 recordings
for a spring 2014 release.
Wiser Time's latest single "XII" is now available at all digital retail outlets visit wisertimemusic.com to hear more
Chuck Hammer's Guitarchitecture Meets Wiser Time
By Deb Devi
How does a Jersey rocker with the kind of huge soulful voice possessed by only a royal few (think Paul Rodgers meets Chris Robinson) wind up creating trippy-yet-hooky, vintage-yet-futuristic, slammin’ rock-and-roll with seminal synth-guitarist Chuck Hammer (Bowie, Lou Reed)?
Not how you might think.
Although Hammer’s roots are in rock, what he wanted from Wiser Time singer and guitarist Carmen Sclafani initially was a bit–unusual.
“I invited Carmen into my studio to cut a couple tracks that required him to–on the spot–invent a vocal language,” Hammer explains. “I wanted something not in English. I wanted a kind of primitive, pre-language vocal. He did such a great job of layering his vocals in a completely invented language that I realized he was someone I wanted to collaborate with further.”
Hammer began expanding the guitar’s vocabulary when he toured with Lou Reed from 1978 to 1980, re-creating string parts from Berlin, Street Hassle and The Bells live with a Roland GR 500 guitar/synthesizer. Back home in NYC, Hammer layered guitar and guitar-synth tracks to create “Guitarchitecture” instrumental works, like his Glacial Guitars album.
These caught David Bowie’s ear, who invited Hammer to record on Scary Monsters. Rolling Stone named him a guitar “pioneer,” in a select group with Robert Fripp and Allan Holdsworth. Today, Hammer is also an Emmy-nominated soundtrack composer for shows including Trauma: Life and Death in the E.R. and The First 48, and has collaborated with avant-garde artists like Laurie Anderson.
Sclafani’s classic-rock band, Wiser Time, had already released three fine albums of ‘70s-influenced rock–There and Back Again, All for One and Beggars and Thieves—when he met Hammer at a jam session. Once Hammer heard Sclafani’s latest songs, the two found common ground in a mutual desire to love and honor the rockness inherent in cranking guitars through vintage tube amps–yet nudge it into the future.
They co-produced Wiser Time’s new EP, XII, which flows without pause from the swirling instrumental “Renaissance” to Sclafani’s righteous rock anthem “Gonna Be Alright.” Former Gov’t Mule/Black Crowes bassist Andy Hess and drummer Steve Decker laid down thick grooves, and keyboardist Rob Clores (Black Crowes, Warren Haynes) added Hammond B-3 organ and bluesy piano. Sclafani’s Wiser Time partner, Jimmy Somma of Sommatone Amplification, contributed blues-rock leads, plus the pick of his sweet boutique amps.
“There’s a real sense of rebirth happening right now that I wanted to express on XII,” Sclafani notes. “We’ve all had to persevere through so much adversity over the last ten years, and I think many people are embracing the idea of ‘moving forward’ in a more positive direction. It’s gonna be alright!”
“I think people can clearly hear my rock ‘n’ roll roots in the flow of my first three albums,” Sclafani adds, “and with XII, Chuck brought Wiser Time’s classic sound into a more modern place with technology and the influence of his creative process. This EP is just a taste of what we've’ve got cooking!”
More tracks are in the works, including some with drummer Billy Martin of Martin, Medeski & Wood. These are some exciting collaborations with the potential to refresh and revitalize the guitar’s role in rock, so Guitar International had a few questions for Hammer and Sclafani.
This October Digital Music Marketing was involved as a first time sponsor on the Santa Barbara New Noise Music Festival. The festival is now in it's fifth year of operation and continues to grow. We recently got a chance to catch up with founder and fearless leader Jeff Theimer and he was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. Here is what he had to say.
DMM: How did the New Noise Music Foundation form and who was involved?
Jeff: NNMF formed in 2009. I was working in radio marketing in Los Angeles and had this bug to get back to Santa Barbara where I grew up. I loved music and digital technology and was an avid SXSW attendee. I was interested in exploring where the music industry was headed and how we could affect positive change for artists.
After going to SXSW for 3 consecutive years, I realized there was room for something like it in Santa Barbara-- perhaps a bit smaller. : ) I reached out to a friend who worked at the local Alternative Weekly paper (Matt Kettman, Santa Barbara Independent) and asked if this sounded like something he and the paper would/could get behind. He told me they had discussed something similar but never got it going and suggested I meet another friend (Tim Boris) who was also discussing having a music industry type event in SB. Together we formed the Festival and then the Foundation as a way to keep both the New Noise brand active throughout the year and to explore things we were interested in and thought important to the Santa Barbara music and tech scene. The Foundation is an avenue for us to do fun things with youth music, local music and bring a diverse group of concerts to Santa Barbara. At the time, there was only a couple promoters/groups doing concerts. Our main goal is to see SB artists succeed and try our best to help them by creating opportunities within and outside of Santa Barbara.
DMM: The New Noise Music Conference & Festival celebrates its 5th anniversary this year (Congratulations!) Can you tell us about some takeaways learned from the past and how the event has evolved over the last 5 years?
Jeff: I think the longevity comes from not trying to "hit a single and wake up on third." What I mean is we started New Noise with very little money (and it still operates on a beer budget). We've always had that 'let's see if we can pull it off again next year' attitude. I think that organic growth is healthy. We have never had a ton of big corporate sponsors, so that has made us lean and thankful for what we can do with relatively little. The basic format has remained the same, but we have added a few things like our annual Block Party which definitely is going to be a big part of our future growth. We are also evolving in that I am trying to actively get local clubs to join in with their own events/parties/bookings rather than just trying to do it all on our own. I think that will also add to the festivities and this is the first year I felt we were turning the corner on that type of participation. It felt really good. I also believe this year we had more people taking advantage of purchasing our badge (where you can go in and out of venues for three days). That definitely has been something we actively try to encourage and I think the concept is finally kicking in for our participants. Year one we sold a lot more single event tickets. I think our brand has really grown and people know we aren't going to put just anything on our stages during the festival. We care. We listen.
DMM: What is the future of New Noise?
Jeff: Keep partnering with other organizations and businesses. Keep growing and hopefully continue bringing new music that people dig to Santa Barbara. I hope to partner with the Santa Barbara Bowl more in the coming years so we can have that amazing venue play a bigger role in our event. That is something I definitely want to try n make happen. It's by far one of the best venues in the country so it just makes sense right? As Joe Strummer said, "The Future is Unwritten." As long as it's fun and their is an audience, we will keep rocking.
DMM: The “Living Room” is an all ages Drug and alcohol free environment for young artists to have a platform to express themselves. What got you started on this journey to help give young artists a 300+ capacity venue to call home?
Jeff: We have been through a ton of issues with trying to reopen the Living Room. Unfortunately, real estate is expensive in Santa Barbara so finding the right space in the right location has been a challenge. That said, I think it will happen eventually. I grew up in SB in the 80's & 90's. the Living Room opened and we had a 300 capacity all ages venue that had some of my favorite bands would play, and then we could perform there easily the next week and even take part in the club decisions if you cared enough to sit in on the meetings and participate. That was a WOW moment for me (and a ton of people to this day). Without it, I would never have been inspired to be in a band, explore what I could do around the music industry etc. That is why I care so much and want to see it open. We do a ton of youth music concerts and events throughout the year, but having a dedicated space that can host both nationally touring artists as well as locals without having to rely solely on alcohol sales would be a coup for this town. It would also serve as a hub for creative arts. I really think with all the great music and arts organizations in town, we will get it eventually. The vision and will is there. Patience I suppose....
DMM: What have been some of the challenges associated with providing an all ages event in Santa Barbara? Also what is the rewarding upside to such events?
Jeff: The challenges are simple: they cost more to produce then they can bring in at the gate. The economics of producing concerts on a small scale is not great. I do not suggest anyone to become an independent promoter (for a full time job). Do it for the passion. All ages shows essential in my opinion to a music scene. That said, Bars/clubs need alcohol revenue to pay their high rents, so what happens is they either are forced to charge some ridiculous rent to the promoter or simply decline even a sold out all ages show on a weekend (when kids need something to do) because they know they won't make any money even with 300 kids in the house. It's lame. It's honestly probably one of the main reasons New Noise is non profit- we have hosted hundreds of all ages events over the past 5 years. A lot of them we did knowing we weren't going to make our money back. Sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is, so we try to whenever we can.
When it's a youth oriented show, the reward is easy. How can you NOT dig seeing kids who are barely 12 years old ripping a Zeppelin song by the Skate Park??
Another reward is a more diverse set of local artists, better shows and the growth of a music scene. Muddy Waters Cafe should be given an award for all they have done in Santa Barbara for our SB music scene and artists. Without it, I think SB would be a wasteland for new music. We definitely need more all ages opportunities and that is what New Noise will continue to support. Whether it's our show or not. That is rewarding- just being in Santa Barbara and getting to work with all these talented people and bands.
Thank you to Jeff and his whole crew for an excellent time in Santa Barbara! If you would like to learn more about The New Noise Music conference and festival you can vist them @ NewNoise.org Next event for The New Noise music festival is coming up this December.
Friday December 6, 2013
Seymour Duncans 3rd Annual Benefit Concert For Notes For Notes
The Lobero Theatre
Featuring Jimmy Vivino,The Basic Cable Band,Slash and the Robert Randolph Band
Digital Music Marketing is happy to announce the addition of Jumpsuit Records to our Digital Distribution Family. Formed by The Polish Ambassador, Jumpsuit Records is a platform for artists to release music, collaborate and tour internationally. The label will shine a light on melodic mid-tempo, organic hip hop, textured electronica, and acoustic roots music.
Wildlight is the first act featured on The Polish Ambassador’s imprint Jumpsuit Records. Look for this duo on tour this fall.
Jumpsuit Records is proud to announce saQi as the newest member of our roster and present the title track to his upcoming album, "Quest's End".
Congratulations to Dmm artist Spady Brannan on his new novel "The Touch" Read the first 6 pages on amazon and get exclusive insight on the writing process and more at "The Touch" Facebook page.
I set out on the road of adventure exploring and experiencing the outer world in my late teens. This wondrous journey took me to the far corners of the world. I was busy making music, performing on many stages with many great artists.When home and Nashville called my name,I retired from the world of travel and wondered what the next step in my life was destined to be. Creativity in a new dimension blossomed as the order of the day as my inner journey began. I began to write songs for some of the greats in Country Music as well as Contemporary Music. I had the experience of becoming one of the top session players in Nashville. I recorded two solo CDs, while discovering that I had also become quite a teller of stories. “THE TOUCH” is my debut novel and all the way through the process of writing it I became more and more aware of how this progression in my life’s journey was to be my next step. My wish is that you will enjoy reading it. You see… fingers accustomed to playing musical instruments became quite adept at two-finger typing. May you enjoy the journey through my book.
Digital Music marketing is happy to see Greta Gaines receiving such a great response to her 5th release "Lighthouse and The Impossible Love" So far Greta has been Download of the day on eMusic with her first single "Goodside"...And we have news that Greta is moving up the charts @Roots Music Report - Weekly Chart Greta Gains top 30! "Goodside" is #28 this week. Way to go Greta!
If you want to learn more about Greta Gaines and her latest release "Lighthouse and the Impossible Love" check out the most recent interview in "Guitar World" magazine
NASHVILLE—March 19, 2013- Singer/songwriter, guitarist, television personality, professional sportswoman, activist and mother, GRETA GAINES, will release Lighthouse & The Impossible Love on May 14, 2013, on her own Big Air Records.
Lighthouse & The Impossible Love is the follow up to her 2008 Justice Records release, Whiskey Thoughts, which was lauded by Vintage Guitar Magazine as “one of the best records of 2008” and went to number one on Sirius/XM for most plays. The 10 new tracks for Lighthouse & The Impossible Love were recorded with longtime friend, multi-instrumentalist and engineer Eric Fritsch (Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Scott Miller) in his Nashville-based Eastwood Studios. Primarily tracked live in the studio, it has the vibe of an intimate show, tweaked with a plethora of vintage gear. This is Gaines’ most fully realized effort to date; it is personal, honest and raw.
Gaines emerged in 1992 when she became the first Women’s Extreme Snowboarding Champion. In 1997, she co-hosted the Big Air Snowboard Competition on the first MTV Sports and Music Festival. From 2000 to 2002, she hosted “FREERIDE with Greta Gaines,” a half-hour show on the Oxygen Network. In 1999, she released her self-titled debut, followed by the 2003 release of It Was Hot and Can’t Kill The Flavor in 2006. Greta has played Lilith Fair and toured as the opening act for Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, The Mavericks, Tori Amos and DJ Phillipe Solal in Europe. She also performed at the 2003 Farm Aid. She was a correspondent on ESPN2's "BassCenter" and "The New American Sportsman" and is still a competitive, professional fly fisherman. Her music has been licensed by ESPN, MTV, Oxygen Network and more as well in the soundtracks for “The Hottest State” and “Virgil Bliss.” Greta is a board member of NORML founding member of the newly established Norml Women's Alliance Foundation; she has become a featured speaker on Industrial Hemp and medical marijuana law reform.
Gaines has been featured in countless newspapers and magazines including Relix, Performing Songwriter, Harper’s Bazaar, NY Times, USA Today, Women’s Sports and Fitness, Sports Illustrated For Women, High Times and US Weekly. She appeared on “Good Morning America” in 2008 behind Whiskey Thoughts.
In addition to the new CD, Gaines recently contributed vocals on a duet with the legendary Donovan. His new single, “Harmonica Girl,” will be released via KCRW on April 20, 2013.
In other news, Gaines will perform and speak at the High Times Cannabis Cup which will be held April 20-21 in Denver, CO. She will open for The Mavericks at The Cannery in Nashville on Tuesday, April 23rd.
♫ Landslide Records celebrates their 32nd Anniversary with a retrospective playlist featuring Sean Costello, Col. Bruce Hampton, Derek Trucks, Widespread Panic and more - Click on link to subscribe now! Landslide Records 32nd Anniversary Landslide Records was established in 1981 with the now rare "Outside Looking Out" by The Late Bronze Age, a group led by Atlanta legend Colonel Bruce Hampton. The label released debut albums in the 80's by The Bluesbusters, Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks and Widespread Panic plus critically acclaimed blues by Tinsley Ellis and The Heartfixers and Nappy Brown. Throughout the 1990's to present, Landslide has released a wealth of great Southern roots music, including The Derek Trucks Band's first album, new Webb Wilder sounds on CD and DVD, diverse Americana projects by ex-BR-549 leader Gary Bennett, folk Singer/Songwriter Jan Smith, and Bluegrass hybrids Blueground Undergrass. Newest releases include Toe tapping Blues/Jazz/Soul wonders Scrapomatic, featuring Mike Mattison, and Carolina favorites, Jim Quick & Coastline.
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