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.
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