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.
milow the girl
www.sonicbids.com/milowthegirl
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
Milow the Girl: It was a pleasant surprise. I focus on the music and hope that people will like it.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
Milow the Girl: We are currently working on a tour for late summer/early fall that will support the CD. We will do shows regardless of the gas prices but yes it is being taken into consideration.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Milow the Girl: My new CD “32,000 Feet Above” is schedule for release on May 1st. The Cd was recorded with Robert Venable in LA and Nashville. I also have two singles out now “El Corazon” and “Sad & Wild – Ecode Remix” along with a new Music Video that you can view on my website http://www.milowthegirl.com/Media.aspx
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Milow the Girl: I don’t count the hours but this is what I do full time along with a new passion project that has not launched yet.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
Milow the Girl: I think they don’t want to lose their investment. Its becoming increasingly difficult to make the money on sales alone as they used to. My indie label looks at other revenue streams and my career as a whole.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Milow the Girl: The Cd Release is May 1 2012, I am online at www.milowthegirl.com and at www.realizerecords.com. I have a music video out that can be viewed on my website, or at the labels or my youtube channels. You can also purchase my current singles at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/milow-the-girl/id380013294
Putnam Murdock
www.sonicbids.com/PutnamMurdock
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
PM: I was optimistic, but not necessarily confident. Hopeful. Cautiously optimistic?
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
PM: I do have upcoming shows. I am trying my best to stay local, but to be honest, I would drive across the country to play for free if it was the right gig.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
PM: I am currently promoting my latest release, Brand New Widow. I am incredibly proud of this live-to-tape record. We had one week to record and mix this record. It was an incredible experience. We knew that there would not be relentless scrutiny of minutia, or hundreds of over-dubs. This record is raw and the music is patient and vulnerable.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?PM: I do work. I teach. However, music is part of my life. I play all the time. I am always composing. I am lucky enough to be involved with different projects which keep me quite busy.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
PM: I think everything has shifted. All of the paradigms are being reinvented. Major labels are wonderful for a certain type of package. They have lots of money. They feed it to the masses. And we eat it. Every once and while, the major labels get it right by agreeing to take a chance. The good thing is the record companies cannot make their product. They need us.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
PM: Promoting my new record via touring the Northeast is the main focus. I am also involved in several projects to record music for film, including session work for Florentine Films, Ken Burns’ film company. I love the balance of recording in the studio and performing live. I am online at www.putnammurdock.com.
Jeni Carr
www.sonicbids.com/JeniCarr
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
Jeni Carr: I as NOT AT all confident! I’m actually new to SonicBids through BMI. Skope Magazine was a name I recognized, and with a new album coming out, it was one of the first things I applied for!
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
Jeni Carr: I play at least 3 shows a week in the regional area right now. Having the new album ready for release, our fan base and therefore our road time is quickly increasing. The super high gas prices are definately causing us to make changes from show to show. When I’m doing solo or duo acoustic shows, we now unload the trailer and take only what we need in the back of the SUV. When doing shows on the road, $4.20 for Diesel is causing us to leave the bus parked and travel the old fashioned way! This often means alot of extra work and coordination/communication for us and our bandmembers.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Jeni Carr: Currently, we are promoting all of the above! After putting nearly 20 years in as a regional artist, I’ve finally taken the time to record a full album of original music. I managed to fall into the Live show circuit, and never came off the road long enough to put a project together. The album was literally 20 years in the making, and all the songs on the record really take you through the last 20 years of my life. The first single was written by Nashville Heavy Hitters and Grammy award winners Frank Myers, and Bernie Nelson….this is also the only song on the record that I didn’t write myself. The song is a fun and sassy take on the breakup of a friends relationship. The single is called, ‘Dont Throw that Dog a Bone’ and though it’s not released until May 22nd, it’s beginning to gain airplay around the nation and is bringing a good amount of attention to the album. We are currently scheduling a radio tour, and hope to be promoting that as the national release date draws closer.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Jeni Carr: Our house revolves around music 24/7. Playing sometimes 3-4 shows a week, solo/duo and full band production, we spend ‘off’ days doing the ‘behind the scenes’ work. I left my job in Medical sales nearly 8 years ago and decided to pursue music as a full time passion. It’s a good thing! Taking things to the next/national level requires 24/7 dedication…I’m lucky to be in a position where that’s possible.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
Jeni Carr: Technology and American Idol…Technology because these days, people can create something out of nothing. With a little cash, you can create a great project and turn heads with the majors. They then spend money promoting and marketing only to find that the ‘artist’ was not an artist at all. There has been so much money spent on promoting studio creations that never pan out that alot of labels now ‘shy away’ from anything that would take development dollars. Though I do sometimes watch, shows like American Idol have made it too easy for labels. They can watch the show and pick cast offs they’ve seen perform live that already have national and even global followings. Bringing a small town artist up from having very little seems to be a bigger task and an un-neccessary risk. Popularity and quick album sales become more important than the music. I hope to be known for real music. Hype is great, but I want it to be about REAL music…not over-produced and fluffed up. Just real, raw music the way it’s supposed to be.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Jeni Carr: The National release date is May 22nd! Until then, and even after, you can catch me and my band, TwangTown in and around the regional Kentucky/Indiana/Tennesse area…we will be headlining the main stage at the Kentucky Derby Festval on the Lousiville waterfront on April 28th at 8pm…You can order and/or instantly download the album, listen, watch, link and check out tour dates at www.JeniCarr.com
Jenny Founds & The Modena Travelers
www.sonicbids.com/JennyFounds
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
JF: I have confidence in my music, but you never know how things like this will work out.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
JF: We have a show coming up at the Knitting Factory, and high gas prices will have an effect for some fans not being able to make it out to the show.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
JF: Currently we are promoting our debut full length album titled “Muse”.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
JF: At this point I attend school 28 hours a week, and work on music 12-18 hours a week not including shows.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
JF: I believe major labels are afraid of artist development these days because they are afraid of the risk involved with devoting that much time/energy/and money into a single act. I think it’s a shame.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
JF: Coming up we are playing the Knitting Factory on May 7th, and we are currently working on a brand new EP. Online you can reach us at:
http://jennyfounds.bandcamp.com
http://facebook.com/jennyfoundsmusic
Cheating Daylight
www.sonicbids.com/cheatingdaylight
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
Cheating Daylight: We are proud of the new record, and our work, and hope that industry people decide that they like it too. We are thrilled to have been selected by Skope and look forward to working with you.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
Cheating Daylight: We are heading out for Las Vegas on April 27th, where we will kick off the “All We Know Tour 2012”. The tour currently has 30 dates and counting. We will be touring throughout the year, in support of the new record, “All We Know”. The tour is staying mostly on the West Coast, from Vegas, to Palm Springs, to San Diego, and up and down the coast.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Cheating Daylight: The “All We Know” tour, is in support of the new record, which hits stores April 1st.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Cheating Daylight: The band is comprised of Jesse Crosson (17), Kyle Crosson (15), Jaden Crosson (13), Jacob Gill (17), and Connor Gill (13). We all go to middle school &/or high school full time?except for Jesse who goes to Sac State full time. The Crosson family live in Vacaville, about 2 hours from the Gill family, who live in Middletown. We practice through SKYPE 3-4 times per week and then every weekend, we get together and rehearse.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
Cheating Daylight: The music business is challenging and people aren?t buying as much music, especially CD?s as they use to. The major labels are very careful about who they sign because they don?t want to make a mistake and lose money. We hope to be one of those bands, that proves to the Major Labels, that even though we are kind of young, we deserve to be signed, because we will work really hard, and give it everything we have?to be successful, if given the chance!
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Cheating Daylight: The tour, and some big dates with music industry execs, including Sunset Sessions, California Music Industry Summit, and the Indie Entertainment Summit. www.cheatingdaylight.com
Smooth4Lyfe
www.sonicbids.com/smooth4lyfe
The Lion in Winter
www.sonicbids.com/TheLioninWinterband
Rospoem
www.sonicbids.com/Rospoem
The George Cahill Band
www.sonicbids.com/georgecahillartist
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
The George Cahill Band: I try to always be optimistic when I submit to magazines but I realize that it is always a long shot to actually be chosen to be featured. This way I’m not too disappointed if it don’t happen. Like the song says ” you got to keep on push in” ( lol )
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
The George Cahill Band: I do have shows coming up that are out of state and yes gas prices are becoming an issue for both my band mates and my fans.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
The George Cahill Band: Currently promoting my last album release ” Relevant” and getting lots of exposure after working with a great publicist, Rhonda Brilliant of Rainmaker Media Group.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
The George Cahill Band: I spend at least an hour per day on writing music and rehearse at least one night per week with my band mates but I still a day job as a Real Estate Broker. ( Still Have to bills to pay! Lol.)
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
The George Cahill Band: In my opinion most major labels are afraid to invest in artist development simply because of the high risk. Labels, therefore, have to be extremely care full before they lay their cash on the line. Sadly, most artists have to prove themselves and grow a huge fan base organically before a major label will even take a second look at investing in an artist
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
The George Cahill Band: We are excited to be playing our second festival, Nickstock, in New York this August. In addition The George Cahill Band will be performing a Neighborhood fund-raiser for two Philadelphia Fallen Firefighters at Stephen Starr’s Fishtown Hall in June 2012. http://www.georgecahill.com
Hana Kim
www.sonicbids.com/hanak
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
Hana: I’m not sure about confidence. I just submit and hope for the best. I am thankful for all and anywhere there is an opportunity that my music can be shared with a new or old listener.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
Hana: I am hoping to put a show together for some time at the end of June. While I still don’t have a set date, I’m confident that I will be having a full band gig during that time to continue some new songs I recently released on a live EP record. Gas prices, economy, and anything else affecting one’s time and money is always a factor. Yet I’m thankful to fans and followers who, regardless, come out and support. It makes me feel special to be apart of their priorities and that my music is enjoyable enough to them that they will make the trip out.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Hana: I just recently released a new LIVE EP record in which a wonderful group of musicians and I recorded both video and audio of some of my new songs at the beautiful Entourage Studios. These videos are available for viewing on my youtube channel: www.youtube.com/hanakimmusic. It was definitely a fun project and a good way to share a glimpse of a “live” show without actually being at a “live show”. The tracks are all available on Itunes as well, but I’m hoping that it will just be another reason for people to come out to the shows. Nothing beats the experience of a real band and a real performance, even if it has some real mistakes.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
Hana: I try to devote every spare minute I have. I teach music as my daytime work, which is almost equally satisfying because I get to share what I love with some really adorable kids. I’m also actively involved in ministry and missions so it’s sometimes difficult to work around it, yet I am trying to make my music a priority because I know that my passion is in songwriting and performing. Especially this month, I’ve been able to spend some time writing some new songs and I’m definitely in the process of getting a great lineup of shows for the summer and early fall.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
Hana: I’m not sure if they are afraid as much as they feel that their roles may be shrinking. However, there will always be artists who have a much larger draw and buzz around them and good musicians will always need help. It’s so important that artists get help with other roles such as marketing, PR, and management so that they can focus on what they are good at and let others focus on what they’re good at. I’m still in a place where I am taking on many roles, yet in that there is also a beauty, to be able to know the amount of work it takes to develop as an artist and it’s definitely allowing me to grow both as an artist and as a person.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Hana: Like I mentioned above, I just released a new video series with tracks from the videos available on Itunes, which is available for viewing at my youtube channel: www.youtube.com/hanakimmusic. I’m also hoping to continue performing (mainly in the Los Angeles area) for the next couple months so it’d be great to check out my facebook (www.facebook.com/hanakimmusic) or my website: www.hanakim.org.
The World War I’s
www.sonicbids.com/TheWorldWarIs
Skope: How confident were you that you would be selected for A2W April/May?
The World War I’s: With these things, you never really know. We are confident in our new record, but you never know who is going to be listening and what they might be into. If someone checks us out looking for elevator music or drum line marches, we aren’t too sure they will be pleased. If they are looking to shake their hips to some rock n’ roll, then they might have a better chance of getting what they want.
Skope: Do you have shows coming up and will high gas prices have any effect?
The World War I’s: We have a small tour up the North East booked for the end of this month, and yes gas prices will have a large impact….so much so that we are cramming 2 bands into the cab of a pickup truck.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
The World War I’s: We have a new record out on 12″ Vinyl and CD. It is our first full-length release and it is called “The Bite and The Boogie”. We were on public hiatus while we were wrapping it up (literally) and now we are playing a bunch of shows and booking a few small tours to promote it.
Skope: How much time per week do you devote to music and do you work/school as well?
The World War I’s: Between practice, booking shows, and promotion we each spend about 20 to 30 hours a week on the band….which is tough because we both work full time. I (Will) am a mechanical engineer and Sam is an Artist/Gallery owner. One of the downsides about being in a 2 piece is that there is the same amount of work to be done, but less people to do it.
Skope: Why do you think the major labels are afraid of artist development these days?
The World War I’s: Is it that they are afraid to develop new artists or is it just that they don’t have to anymore? These days bands have a wealth DIY tools at their fingertips. They can record themselves, promote themselves, produces their own videos, etc. Major Labels can swoop in anytime they want without putting any effort in. At the end of the day, it’s still a business for them, and unfortunately for us artists, there is little reason for them to risk time and money on a small band with potential, when there are plenty of unsigned bands who already have thousands of followers.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
The World War I’s: On the horizon is this month’s tour, then hopefully one or two NY area festivals this summer and then back in the studio. You can find us at www.theworldwarones.com
Rare Monk
www.sonicbids.com/RareMonk
