Tim Miller
www.sonicbids.com/TimMiller
Trick Bag
www.sonicbids.com/TrickBag
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
We’re happy that our hard work as a band is being recognized.
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
Mostly local gigs in the Massachusetts area, as well as our most recent CD release, Hip Shot, which can be found at CD Baby, Amazon, eMusic, iTunes, Rhapsody, etc.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
We are passionate about presenting the music of New Orleans and work very hard to raise awareness of it. New Orleans is the birthplace of American music, and we put outstanding efforts into studying this particular brand of funk, blues, and jazz in order to create music in it’s spirit.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
This band in particular shared a love of The Meters, the Neville Bros., and other New Orleans artists. We started as a cover band of The Meters, branched out from there, and now compose and perform original music in the style and spirit of such artists.
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
Personal experiences, our own interpretations of the world around us, and the instrumentals are based on the particular blues form and grooves of New Orleans music and funk in general. The elusive “funk shuffle” that seems to been born there is inherent in our music.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
Being able to distribute our music over the world, and spread the word about the grooves that we are passionate about.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
Working on our next CD, which will be more of our own original compositions.
Metheus Bound
www.sonicbids.com/metheusBound
Low Water
www.sonicbids.com/lowwater
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
LOW WATER: It’s very flattering. It’s always nice to hear from folks who are interested in what we’re doing, and with Skope it’s especially nice to be a part of the cool mix of bands and artists that we’ve seen profiled in the past.
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
LOW WATER: We recently made a video for our song “Go” in collaboration with a modern dance group called sleepdance and members of New York-based Momenta Quartet.
[youtube MsUY8WtK-qc nolink]
Right now we’re booking shows through the end of the year and gearing up to record a new record starting in December. So a lot of arranging and writing new material, which we’re been putting a lot of time into at the moment.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
LOW WATER: We would hope there’s an identity inherent in our sound, and that identity comes from writing and playing music that comes naturally, not being concerned with any scene or genre. People who tend to listen to us and come to gigs seem to be people who are genuinely interested in the music and not hung up on “indie cred” or what blog they saw us on.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
LOW WATER: The process of creating music for us seems to be evolving all the time in the sense that the music itself has started to go in a lot of different directions; more instrumental segues, more focus on harmonies, and weaving songs together, especially in the live shows. And that’s the long-term goal as well, to be able to continue to grow in those ways and continue to keep the band exciting for us as well as playing shows and just moving forward.
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics and instrumentals?
LOW WATER: Lyrics are very important to this band, and working a mix of stream-of-consciousness with a direct expression of emotion without being cliched or too “precious” is always a goal. Hopefully writing specifics that translate to the general, instead of the other way around. And using the music and arrangements to augment the words in such a way they work together is what really makes playing fun. And if it’s fun, it’s much easier to be inspired down the line.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
LOW WATER: It’s amazing how quickly music can get circulated around in the digital age. That can be a blessing or a curse. Some bands get a lot of attention all at once – usually because their sound is very unique. But those bands (and sounds) can sometimes fizzle out just as fast, because the novelty wears off. It’s exciting to hear from people in the UK, Brazil, Italy, places where our music is available to people who can’t necessarily see us live right now.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
LOW WATER: We have a couple songs that will be featured on PBS’s “Roadtrip Nation” this season, and were fortunate enough to be able to work with them for a second season in a row. We are very excited about the new songs and the steady growth musically we’ve been making over the last few records. We’re working on some video ideas and hope to do some more collaborations with other musicians as well on the next record. More shows, and hopefully a few rooftop BBQ’s at our practice space before summer’s over!
Pink Bullet
http://www.sonicbids.com/pinkbullet
Dan Peluso Band
www.sonicbids.com/danpeluso
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
Dan Peluso: It feels awesome! It’s a privlegde to be on your A2W feature and am honored by it. Having press and links to your music and videos is so important to help you get noticed as an artist and sites like yours are so great to help us. Thanks for giving us indie artists the love!!!
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
Dan Peluso: Right now I’m in the writing and pre-production stage for my second CD, which I plan to release late this fall or early winter this year. I’m still promoting my first CD, “ep,” which is available now on iTunes and other online retail.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
Dan Peluso: Well my upcoming CD is going to be a little different and more focused than my currently released EP. The EP out now is unique because it has so many different sounds or genres on each 5 song on it. Rabbit Hole has a pop/rock/americana sound, Take Heart and Letter Back to You are totally singer-songwriter, and Believe and Settle down are cutting rock and a little schizophrenic. My upcoming CD will be more focuses in one area and will be a lot more sophisticate in the areas of music and melody.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
Dan Peluso: Started by playing the drums in grade schoool, then by high school I was writing lyrics and writing some horrible songs on the guitar! I got the bug and then I kept getting better and still am. My long term plan is to get my music placed at more television networks and eventually be a full-time songwriter and/or touring artist. Like a lot of us I’d love to one day make a living from my music and talents in songwriting.
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
Dan Peluso: Life! Sometimes it just hit me and I write a song in like a half hour, and those are the best songs I write. Sometimes just the experiences and hardships I face in my life give my that extra kick in the creative butt to get something good out. I tend to write on emotion and feelings and that works best for me.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
Dan Peluso: Freedom and independence! You can really make a mark for yourself because of the digital age that you couldn’t before the internet. You can do stuff now that you couldn’t do before without the big bucks and contacts of the labels. You are your own label now and if you research and study yourself with how the business works and be tenacious enough to make some contacts you’ll start having success. I’d have to say selling online on iTunes is the coolest aspect for me right now.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
Dan Peluso: My upcoming release tentalivly scheduled for late this Fall 2009 or early Winter 2010 will be release digitally with the norm but will also be accompianied by music videos for each song. I’m doing stop animation and regular animation on every music video for each song on the CD and when you watch it will be like watching a short film. I’ll release this on iTunes as just mp3s but also as the whole “movie” as well with the videos. Fans of the Rabbit Hole music video will love this next project even more so stay tuned!!!
[youtube fA0-F9IB7K0 nolink]
The Billy Martini Show
www.sonicbids.com/TheBillyMartiniShow
David Blair
http://www.sonicbids.com/davidblair
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
David Blair: Totally excited — legitimate exposure is a valuable commodity these days!
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
David Blair: I’ve been – and am currently on a North American tour promoting my new album ‘Things Left Unsaid’ and I’m having fun with it — I’m playing in NYC today and drove all the way there from Vancouver — which is where I’m from. I still have to drive all the way back! Also have a new video out for the single ‘Hurts So Hard’ that I’m promoting on youtube as well!
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
David Blair: I think the topics for my songs are extremely relatable, and more importantly — singable — which gets them stuck in people’s heads more often than not! Its easy to listen to and like on first listen and I’ve had many people say that the falsetto in my songs is a major attraction. The sound is overall familiar to the ear — like they can compare me to a favorite artist — yet still fresh enough that its not like I sound exactly like someone already out there!
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
David Blair: I took piano lessons when I was 3 years old but didn’t starting writing on the piano til I was a teenager and joined a band when I was 16. When I picked up the guitar — that’s when I really started to write songs in a big way and I haven’t stopped since. Long term plans are to eventually be a household name for the most part in North America — preferably from an underground buzz like Dave Matthews or Kings of Leon who had been around for years in everyone’s mind before they hit any radio…
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
David Blair: I have to say vulnerable emotions are a great source to me. Emotions that most people probably wouldn’t want to show are gold…
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
David Blair: The whole viral aspect of it all is amazing — it’s a global village out there and you can make money staying at home essentially now — its crazy! To get your music and videos out there is much less depressing knowing that you aren’t dependent to MTV or whatever tv or radio stations to get it out there. Love it.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
David Blair: As soon as I return home to Vancouver in August — I’ll be getting ready to shoot a new video for my next single ‘I Want To Fall’ and I’ll be touring the west coast from Vancouver to LA in fall before I go back and start writing songs for a new album!
Emyna
www.sonicbids.com/Emyna
Q: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
A: I feel extremely privlegded, in this industry there are tons of independant artists trying to be noticed, get press and it is somewhat complicate when you are first trying to get your music heard. I definitely appreciate the exposure and your site helping out Artists like myself.
Q: What have you been working on promoting recently?
A: Other than promoting my two albums that are already in stores I have been working on my newest single release “Rock Queen” scheduled for late August, early September 2009. Also my clothing line Rock Queen Wear will be launced around that same time.
Q: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
A: The energy, visual lyrics and the messages that are sent throughout the song. Not to mention the catchy melodies and lyrics so you can’t help but sing along and get up and move.
Q: How did you start creating music and what is your long term plan with your band?
A: I started playing the piano when I was five years old and continued playing all throughout my childhood. When I was thirteen I entered this Coca-Cola lyric/song contest and won and ever since then I have constantly played around with melodies, lyrics and got interested in different instruments. It wasnt until college when I got into guitar and really started ‘rocking out.’
Q: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics and instrumentals?
A: Of course life always has an impact on a musician, we get some of our greatest songs from life experiences and emotions but truthfully it just happends, it can be anything from nature to emotional feelings to hearing a song on the radio that inspires me.
Q: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
A: The fact that everyday I am learning something new. I love all the sites that have been created to help artists get our work out there and have it not be rocket science. Its exciting to see whats already been created and I cant wait to see what pops up in the future.
Q: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
A: Other than the new single and clothing line coming at the end of the summer. I have been working on an all Female Rock Band; based out of Las Vegas and Women Who Rock fo Kids; a workshop program where they learn the different elements of Rock & Roll the history and actually get to have the hands on experience with several different instruments. Anyone interested can check out my myspace page for upcoming shows and make sure you add yourself to my fan mailing list so I can keep you updated on whats up and coming.
Carolann Ames
www.sonicbids.com/carolannames
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
We are excited and honored…I think this type of press is very helpful to artists.
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
I am still promoting So Long Abilene…it is nominated in the 2009 LA Music Awards for Best Americana Album and Best Americana Single. Also, I am working on songs for my next album… We will be recording this winter and are already trying many of the new songs at our shows on tour.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
I think one thing that sets my music apart is the “realness” factor. What I tried to capture on So Long Abilene was exactly how we sound as we do radio IN-Studio’s and shows around the country and, no doubt, that doesn’t apply to a lot of music today. I have been told that I have a very creative approach to time signatures and keys as well. The thing I like to do is create things that are challenging and interesting to me and outside the box without it sounding that way to someone who is not a musician…that is the trick in my mind. Otherwise you get “out there” and lose a lot of listeners. I like to be experimental without it being obvious.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
I started creating music originally as a way to deal with my emotions. Now it is more about creating art that interests me and moves me. Though I would have to say that the there are still songs that are written to help me deal with something that happens in my life. My band members are amazing musicians and we are all of a like mind with our views about creating and performing music. We are all about listening to each other and making real music ..letting it flow
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
I have many different ways of approaching inspiration for writing a song. Many times a certain word or phrase appears in my head and I start from that…. I just start singing something and have no idea where it comes from. The song West Virginia that won Grand Prize in 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Contest was written that way. Also, I tour a lot and I write down different things that strike me at the time as we are traveling and many of those ideas become songs. For example a DJ at an IN-Studio we did in the Appalachian mountains said something about his nephew, who was “a wretched child.” I liked that phrase and now I have a song about a someone who was a wretched child. It is called Down on Sugar Creek ( which is another word I wrote down on that tour.) Sometimes I want to write a particular type of song or am inspired by some drama happening to someone I know. Sometimes an idea will come to me in my sleep and then I have to get out of bed and write it down… I have lost some good ideas when I could not make myself get up to write it down.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
I think it is the limitless audience around the world. I got a lot of radio play for my most recent CD (So Long Abilene, 2008) in places that I have not toured. It was # 4 In France and # 6 in Italy in June 2009. And I received play in about 30 countries and as well as states that we have not toured in states due to various promotions my CD was a part of.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
My band ( Ken Dow, Melissa Harley and Steve Peavey) and I will be recording a new CD this winter. Updates will be available at my website www.carolannames.com
