@skopemag NEWS FOR AUGUST 28, 2018 @ 7 PM EST

A2IM and Richard James Burgess: Driving Huge Change in the Independent Music World

With CEO Richard James Burgess at the helm, the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has become a powerhouse force on the independent music scene. As of 2018, the nonprofit independent music association represents the interests of around 600 (and growing) independent music labels.

Being independent doesn’t necessarily mean being unknown; some of the organization’s member labels feature music from superstar artists of the stature of Taylor Swift. Recently, Burgess was featured in a Billboard story about the people behind their list of “2018 Indie Power Players” (a lineup that featured many A2IM members). He describes A2IM’s diverse membership of independent labels as ones that must own or control 50 percent or more of its masters.

Mirah shares synth-pop “Ordinary Day” with Brooklyn Vegan

‘Understanding’, Mirah’s 6th full length solo record, is a conscientious return to her early unconventional recording process — an embrace of spirited imperfection and rawness inclusive of rough first takes, natural room sounds, and a fair amount of broken equipment. Bathed in the sparkles of disco ball light, Mirah recorded demos with vocals, guitar, organ, and percussion in a former army barracks gymnasium at The Headlands Center for the Arts, where she spent four weeks as an artist in residence.

The Gary Douglas Band Fight The Good Fight With Deep In The Water

The Gary Douglas Band has officially announced the release of their hugely anticipated new album. DEEP IN THE WATER arrives everywhere on Friday, October 12th.

Hailed by Relix as “a rock ‘n’ roll troubadour, an intrepid journeyman whose sweat-drenched sound reminds one of the usual heartland heroes,” Gary Douglas has long been waging battle with the forces of greed and injustice, both as rebel rocker and as a hard-working attorney who spends each and every day fighting for workers rights and the victims of corporate greed. DEEP IN THE WATER’s remarkable title track reflects Douglas’ recent efforts on behalf of multiple plaintiffs battling DuPont for injuries sustained by the chemical giant’s illegal dumping of the dangerous chemical C8 into the Ohio River. Douglas spearheaded the milestone litigation, representing the unsuspecting communities along the Ohio River Valley to whom DuPont referred in internal documents to as “human receptors.” Much like the recent ruling against Monsanto in California, Douglas won a series of record-shattering settlements in the multi-district litigation, earning more than $700 million in punitive damages after juries agreed DuPont had acted with a “conscious disregard” for the health and well-being of the families living along the river in Ohio and West Virginia. “We connected all your dots/And we’ve become your worst nightmare/Agitators/And we’re rising up…”Douglas sings on “Deep In The Water,” using his extraordinary music to reaffirm his powerful message to corporations who destroy communities with little care for the men, women, and children who live there

Sam Tudor shares new video “New Apartment”

Sam Tudor on New Apartment

“While writing the album, I was thinking a lot about interior space, and physical structures became an easy stand in for my mental state. In fact, I got so obsessed with the shape of buildings and rooms that my physical location and my mental state often got conflated – my mindset and my dingy Vancouver apartment felt like part of the same system. New Apartment is a meditation on these internal places – an apartment is simultaneously your own secret place, and owned by every single person who has came before.”

Reese LaFlare shares new video for “Much Better”

Reese LaFlare has just shared an new video for “Much Better” (produced by Murda Beatz and OZ) from his self-titled debut album released earlier this month via Empire. Directed by Millicent Hailes and premiered by PAPER Magazine, check out Reese bring his swag to the trailer park for a day.

CUTT “Messy” Video

Up-and-coming pop singer Cutt released her wild music video for her single “Messy” yesterday on CelebMix.

“”Messy” is about sexual frustration but also frustration in general. I wrote it when I first tried to get sober and no longer had alcohol to get out of my own head; something I still struggle with. “Messy” is a fantasy song about escape.” — CUTT

You can find “Messy” on Cutt’s debut album -Nightmares – which was produced by Grammy award winning producer Scott Storch and Angel Lopez. Stream the entire album here.

EXCLUSIVE: Official video for Cutt’s single “Messy”

OMB Peezy Mourns His Best Friend in the Heartwrenching “My Dawg” Clip

OMB Peezy puts his heart and soul into his raps songs, expounding upon his state-of-mind with veracity and feeling. Mourning a lost loved one in a new clip, OMB Peezy shares “My Dawg.” Emoting over twinkling piano and soulful organ, a distraught Peezy tries to figure out how to live without one of his closest friends. “My Dawg” is one of the standout tracks on Loyalty Over Love, Peezy’s recently released mixtape. In the video, he grieves over his dawg’s grave, honestly expressing how he wishes the circumstances were different. Last week, Peezy treated fans to another revealing glimpse when he shared Behind The Title: Loyalty Over Love, a new FADER-premiered mini-doc that explains the main themes behind the album.

Sam Ravenna Announces New Album Release ‘Fragile’ Out October 19th!

Sam Ravenna’s sophomore release, “Fragile”, picks up where his self-titled EP leaves off, and dives deeper into what drives Ravenna as an artist. From vintage Motown flavored soul music, neo-soul funk beats, yacht rock, to experimental avant-guard Jazz and psychedelic dub, ‘Fragile’ simultaneously throws you back to the past, and plunges you deep into the future. To record the album, Sam and his Lake Tahoe based band set up an extensive studio at the house of drummer and sound engineer, John Riley. They laid the foundation for a 14 track album, all while being inspired by the views of a massive alpine lake just outside the window.

Southern-flavored roots rock quartet Sunshine Riot Drops New Single Ahead of Album Out 9/21

“Go For A Ride” is a snappy and brisk-paced love tune highlighted by a strong and unique singing voice that demands your attention all while the band formulates an impressive, southern-rock tinged sound.” (Pancakes and Whiskey)

Prog/Cinematic Metal/Hard Rock Project, Orissa Drops “Dazzling” Lyric Video via Pure Grain Audio

The album received rave features from Alternative Press, Prog Sphere, Metal Nexus, Guitar World, among other tastemaker blogs, and now, Orissa welcomes a eye-catching video that breathes life into the album, “that defies routine mundane labeling as it blazes its own fusion-derived trail.” (Riff Relevant) Orissa “has conquered their own unique style and release music that stands out in today’s scene.” (Metal Nexus)