Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have chose a select group of amazing musicians that will be speaking directly to the Skope readers. As always we encourage readers to dig deeper and check out their EPK’s.
Harpeth Rising
www.sonicbids.com/HarpethRising
Skope: How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
Harpeth Rising: Sonicbids.com
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Harpeth Rising: We have just released our second album, ‘Dead Man’s Hand’ and have been touring in the US and UK to promote it! We are also always writing new material, and preparing for the next album.
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians? Harpeth Rising: Yes — though there are pros and cons to each. Myspace seems to be a better way to network with other musicians, while Facebook is better for direct-to-fan. I think Myspace deserves props for being one of the first sites to act as a tool for independent artists!
Skope: Has you friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
Harpeth Rising: Very much so — our families are some of our best publicity!
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
Harpeth Rising: Music is both our passion and our profession, a hobby and a job, and I can’t think of anything more fun or beautiful.
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
Harpeth Rising: Playing live, for sure, although they are very hard to compare. Recording in-studio allows you to discover things about your songs that you don’t while performing live, because of how detailed the process is. However, there is nothing better than communicating with an audience!
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Harpeth Rising: We are currently on tour in the Midwest and South, and are booking new shows all the time! We can be found at www.harpethrising.com or facebook.com/harpethrisingband.
Christine Owman
www.sonicbids.com/ChristineOwman
Photo By: Niclas Tilosius
Skope: How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
Christine Owman: Through my label Revolving Records (revolvingrecords.com)
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Christine Owman: I’m promoting my recently released album – THROWING KNIVES – and very soon I’ll release a vinyl EP with a couple of new songs with guest vocals by Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age etc). I’ve also written and recorded music for a performance called Endure written by Melanie Jones which has been touring the US and Canada this summer and is back in New York City now.
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians?
Christine Owman: Not really, I think it’s all about trends and what social media people/listeners use at the moment. My music page on Facebook is pretty new so compared to Myspace I don’t reach as many people. But a lot of social medias are connected nowadays so they complement each other.
Skope: Have your friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
Christine Owman: Very. My social network has changed due to the fact that I’ve chosen to work so much with my music. But the people that have stayed and the likeminded people that I’ve met on the way are supportive. The closest people around me believe in me more than I do myself sometimes.
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
Christine Owman: I like the language. When I get sick of words, thoughts and feelings it’s a relief to write and play music. I express and interpret myself and my surroundings in music, noise, rhythm and harmonies. It’s my best interpretation and perception of life and death.
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
Christine Owman: I definitely need both. I love experimenting with recording and producing and I love giving myself and everything to my listeners live. I have my own studio and that means a lot. I’m not as fond of recording during a specific time with a deadline in a studio. Especially not if I can’t stay in the studio and record 24-7. I like to record immediately when I write something new and play with the production of it at the same time as I write it.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Christine Owman: Next up is playing during Indie Week Toronto in October and releasing my vinyl EP featuring Lanegan later this year. I’m also working with another theatre production in my hometown in Sweden.
You’ll find me on http://christineowman.com – http://facebook.com/christineowman – http://myspace.com/christineowman – http://youtube.com/christineowman – http://twitter.com/christineowman – http://christineowman.bandcamp.com – http://soundcloud.com/christineowman etc etc etc..
Forgotten by Friday
www.sonicbids.com/ForgottenbyFriday
Skope: How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
Forgotten by Friday: By Email. We were selected thru Sonicbids and we were sure excited to see the “Selected”.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Forgotten by Friday: On August 5th, We released our first album “Believe” out of Horizon Music Group. That’s what we’re promoting currently. We’ve gotten some decent airplay through radio stations in Boston, Connecticut and New York. We’re going to be up on ITunes and CDBaby by the end off the month but you can get a copy now through our website (www.forgottenbyfriday.com) or by coming to one of our shows! In one month we’ve already sold 300 copies.
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians?
Forgotten by Friday: We do! Myspace still has it’s place for musicians A lot of times promoters or booking agents will go to myspace to check out the band but Facebook is more effective keeping in contact with our fans and building our fan base. It’s what people use and they’re on it every day. With easy to view Comments and being able to link on the page and tag the band in photos and things its a lot more interactive.
Skope: has you friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
Forgotten by Friday: Our friends and family have been incredibly supportive of our music and truly are some of our biggest fans. They help promote the shows, travel out of state to see us and rave about us to everyone they know. We really appreciate their support and couldn’t have gotten as far as we have without them.
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
For me, music is everything. It doesn’t fill one specific void it’s more or less the “glue” in all the voids that hold me together. Music isn’t one specific aspect of my life, music IS my life. Everything else adds to it.
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
Forgotten by Friday: Although I do love playing in the studio, and working with our producer Vic Steffans, live is where it’s at. There’s nothing better than that sweaty, tired feeling after you’ve played your heart out in a long set. And I love the sound of the crowd. Without our fans this wouldn’t be any where near as much fun.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Forgotten by Friday: Well, we’re playing out extensively to promote the album in NYC, Connecticut and Boston. We are also planning a tour taking us from New England to Texas this spring. You can check us out on our website www.forgottenbyfriday.com, www.myspace.com/forgottenbyfriday or http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Forgotten-by-Friday/11856947046
Mika Ben-Yami
www.sonicbids.com/MikaBenYami
EarlyRise
www.sonicbids.com/EarlyRise
Skope: How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
EarlyRise: Through Sonicbids.com. That’s where we came across Skope and we’re glad we did!
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
EarlyRise: We are currently promoting our recently released debut album “What If” which is available on CDBaby, Amazon and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EarlyRise), and so far has gotten some great reviews. We’re getting some airplay on different radio stations worldwide, we’ve won some competitions and just got nominated for an Exposure Music Award – all with tremendous support from our fans, so we’re very grateful for all the positive feedback we’ve gotten so far.
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians?
EarlyRise: Yes. After trying both, we can definitely say that our Facebook page is growing extremely faster, has a lot more interaction and is, in general, a lot more effective than our Myspace page. Myspace will always be known as one of the first online platforms for independent musicians to distribute and promote their music and has served its porpose, but Facebook is pretty much the only place where you can actually connect with your fans and build a fan base.
Skope: Has your friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
EarlyRise: Very much so. It’s almost impossible to pursue a music career without occasionally getting unmotivating comments and coming across people who don’t have faith in you, and that can easily make you doubt yourself, but fortunately our friends and families have been very supportive since the beginning and are always there to back us up and keep us on the right track.
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
EarlyRise: Music isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are and so we can’t really say that it fills one specific void. It’s our passion and simply the most natural way for us to express ourselves and what we experience in life.
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
EarlyRise: Recording and playing live are two very different things so it’s hard to compare, but we enjoy doing both.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
EarlyRise: Right now we’re focusing on promoting our album and expanding our fan base. We’re constantly looking for opportunities to reach more people and also working on a couple of things we don’t want to give away yet!
You can find us at:
www.facebook.com/EarlyRise
www.youtube.com/EarlyRiseBand
www.EarlyRiseMusic.com (coming soon)
Jesse Batiuk
www.sonicbids.com/JesseBatiuk
How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
Jesse Batiuk: Via email.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Jesse Batiuk: Early this year, I released two singles with pop singer Michelle Harding, called “Same Old Song” and “Infinity”. They are currently being played on several online radio stations.
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians?
Jesse Batiuk: As of right now, yes. No one goes on Myspace anymore, but who knows things could change.
Skope: Has you friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
Jesse Batiuk: Yes.
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
Jesse Batiuk: Everyone needs a creative outlet, music is mine.
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
Jesse Batiuk: Well, you have to do both…but I love recording new material!
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Jesse Batiuk: I am currently in the studio working on new material. I’m easy to find online, just google my name, Jesse Batiuk. I’m the only one that exists…at least on the internet that is.
http://www.jessebatiuk/
http://www.facebook.com/Jessebatiuk
The Caretakers
www.sonicbids.com/thecaretakers
Keith Vreeland and Bad Dog
www.sonicbids.com/KeithVreeland
ShoreShot
www.sonicbids.com/ShoreShot
Skope: How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
ShoreShot: Sonicbids.com
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
ShoreShot: I just released my sophomore LP entitled, “The ProgresS Report,”guest-starring singer/musician Erich Wald. Physical copies are only available on shoreshotmusic.com and each purchase comes with a free, “shore” shirt of your liking!
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians?
ShoreShot: Yes I do. I also feel that the mediums are ever changing, so the safest thing you can do as an artist is have a presence on as many as possible.
Skope: Has your friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
ShoreShot: Every step of the way and it keeps me inspired every day.
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
ShoreShot: For me, music is life. It’s my gift, contribution, therapy, and practice. Music is a labor of love and nothing is more fulfilling than inspiring people by it. Music is also an investment in yourself as an artist that you might not see a return from right away. This process can become a beautiful struggle, and music is one of the best platforms to share your story through, along the road to glory!
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
ShoreShot: I love creating my art form in the studio, but also love allowing the audience to feel what I feel through my music in person.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
ShoreShot: I am currently booking shows in New York City, and still seeking the right management company/ booking agency to handle the logistics of a regional/national “ShoreTour’. My debut album, “Slowly But Shorely,” is available on itunes, amazon, rhapsody, etc. You can follow me on twitter @ShoreShot and “Like” “ShoreShot Music” on FB ((( http://facebook.com/shoreshot )))
Lilakk
www.sonicbids.com/Lilakk
Skope: How did you get news that you are A2W for September, 2011?
Lilakk: Our manager was notified through SonicBids, and she called us up — we did a little happy dance. Being selected was a big surprise for us. It’s pretty fantastic!
PHOTOGRAPHED BY NELSON LAU
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Lilakk: We are promoting our debut album, Soon, which we plan to release in December 2011. The album is composed of alternative punk rock all throughout, except for the last song “Soon” , which is a soft ballad with vocals sang by both Calli and Kirk… it is a lead-in to the second album. Right now, one of the tracks from Soon, “Open Your Eyes” has been all over internet radio…a lot of people have actually found us through that. We have music in rotation at a couple radio stations near Savannah, GA that play our other single, “Te(i)am”. These songs are helping build our fans base, and we are excited to be getting the word out about our upcoming release!
Skope: Do you feel that Facebook is more effective than Myspace for musicians?
Lilakk: Yes, I think Facebook is definitely more effective; I know a lot of people don’t really use Myspace anymore . However, they both have their pros and cons. I think for a band it is important to have both, to have as much social media going for you as possible.
Skope: Has you friends & family been supportive of your music ambitions?
Lilakk: The support differs for each band member. Some family is cautiously supportive and wants us to have a back-up plan while we are pursuing our dreams. But other family is encouraging us to jump right in and give it 200%. Most of our friends are either really into more underground music, or they are musicians themselves. They are excited when they hear that we are playing a gig close to them or that the album is about ready to come out. We are all really supportive of one another and that really helps.
Skope: What void does music fill in your life more than anything else?
Lilakk: It’s an outlet and a voice. I think a lot of artists are emotional people, and music allows them to cry out, to release hidden stress and messages. Being on stage for me I feel most at home and most alive. Music is a part of my soul and can fill the void of missed loved ones and unfilled expectations in other parts of our lives (work, school, family, etc).
Skope: Do you prefer recording in-studio or playing live?
Lilakk: Playing live definitely. There is nothing like the exhilarating rush of playing live! It’s fantastic! It’s more real, intimate, and there’s more energy involved. Whenever you play with people, either just jamming or rehearsing or whatever, you connect with them on a different level that is like nothing else. Playing music with someone for an hour is like talking to them and getting to know them for days.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Lilakk: We are going regional gigs in Savannah, Augusta and Athens. We will be heading to Atlanta in 2012 and maybe to Florida. Promoting the new album will be the focus of the next several months. We would love to hop on some tours (maybe through SonicBids) for next Spring and Summer. We have been trying to book as many gigs as possible, just trying to get our music out to people. Fans can find us at www.ReverbNation.com/lilakk, www.myspace.com/lilakkband, www.facebook.com/pages/Lilakk/104690973026, www.sonicbids.com/lilakk.
