Toronto, Ontario’s Hostage Life are the latest band to be featured on Exclaim! TV. The episode features the band’s guitarist Patrick Mathers’ take on a number of Internet shock videos.

Hostage Life most recently released Walking Papers in 2006.

Source Continue reading Hostage Life featured on Exclaim! TV Episode 9 →

If you’re sick of seeing those lists up on the front page, worry no longer. Your regularly scheduled review updates have been re-instated starting today.

• The Red Chord‘s latest (released in July, granted), Prey for Eyes
• The UK’s Dartz! gets a U.S. release of their 2007 album, This Is My Ship
• Day 2 of Paint It Black‘s album release weekend in Philadelphia; the Hope Conspiracy made a rare appearance as well
• Veteran noise-metal signifiers Today Is the Day get a reissue of their 1994 effort, Willpower
• More at the reviews page

Source Continue reading Tuesday, January 8, 2008 →

Noted business writer Seth Godin has set his sights on the music industry. Godin is a veteran business writer and VP at Yahoo! and his lessons seem particularly important to those looking for a future in the struggling music industry.

Among his insights are his criticisms of copy-protection methods which are increasingly being abandoned by consumers. He notes:

There’s a paradox in the music business that is mirrored in many industries: you want ubiquity, not obscurity, yet digital distribution devalues your core product. Most items of value derive that value from scarcity. Digital changes that, and you can derive value from ubiquity now. The solution isn’t to somehow try to become obscure, to get your song off the (digital) radio. The solution is to change your business.

I shouldn’t have to say this, but here goes: suing people is like going to war. If you’re going to go to war with tens of thousands of your customers every year, don’t be surprised if they start treating you like the enemy.

And his most interesting insight is his view of how musicians can have a career without massive sales and huge marketing campaigns:

Today, of course, permission is an asset to be earned. The ability (not the right, but the privilege) of delivering anticipated, personal and relevant messages to people who want to get them. For ten years, the music business has been steadfastly avoiding this opportunity. It’s interesting though, because many musicians have NOT been avoiding it. Many musicians have understood that all they need to make a (very good) living is to have 10,000 fans. 10,000 people who look forward to the next record, who are willing to trek out to the next concert. Add 7 fans a day and you’re done in 5 years. Set for life. A life making music for your fans, not finding fans for your music….

You can check out the entire article here.
Source Continue reading Noted business author talks music industry: copy protection, social music, RIAA →

Smoke Or Fire and Fake Problems have fleshed out their recently announced tour together. The shows represent the last tour for Smoke or Fire bassist Ken Gurley who will be departing the band after the tour wraps up.

Source Continue reading Tours: Smoke Or Fire / Fake Problems →

The oddly named Portugal. The Man have officially parted ways with Fearless Records. The band is the second to leave the label in the past six months.

They added:

We had a truly wonderful year that has found us in a better place and label free as well. We are done! No contracts and no more name holding. We begin this new year free from the holds that have held us for the the past 2… not to mention the 3 prior to our music releasing.

Portugal, of Alaska and Oregon, The Man, will be entering the studio on January 20th with our good friends Kirk and Phil up in Seattle. New album begins with a new year, and not only that, self funded! At this point we plan on a self release… this shall last about as long as long as our “life savings” can stretch 😉 So. This is the first time Portugal will be heading into a studio with complete control of its own destiny… I must say I really really REALLY love the word “Destiny”. Soooo Fantasy. I feel like we should be slaying dragons…

. We know why we are here and we know you know why we know we are here. Its all about love. And it is all about taking it away from those who control it. It is art and it should be free. If you love it and live for it, you should help out in what ways you can. Always. And I should also say, not every label is in it for the wrong reason

Source Continue reading Portugal. The Man leaves Fearless →

Veteran melodic metal act In Flames have wrapped up work on their next album. The band has titled the record A Sense Of Purpose and it is expected out in April 2008.

The band adds:

We are extremely happy with the end result and so proud of what we have achieved with the new album and can’t wait for you all to hear it.

The record is expected via Nuclear Blast in Europe but a North American label has not yet been announced. The band’s previous album, Come Clarity, was issued via Ferret.
Source Continue reading In Flames complete new album →

The Finale, the indie-tinged side project from Every Time I Die frontman Keith Buckley, have posted two new songs.

You can check them out here.
Source Continue reading Finale (Every Time I Die) post new material →

St. Louis, MO-based Hot Atomics will be entering Firebrand Studios from January 25-27 to record a 7″ EP to be released this Spring on a yet-to-be named label. The band’s first album, Gringo’s Wasteland, has sold-out of it’s first printing and will be reprinted next month with new artwork from Keith Rosson. You can check out some music and upcoming tourdates at the band’s MySpace page.

Pre-orders for the new Radio War 7″ EP, The Rising of the Talentless, are available now via Copper Lung Records. All advance orders will include free mp3’s of all four songs.

Scranton PA’s Captain, We’re Sinking has posted three new songs online. The tracks come from the group’s new album, The Animals Are Out, which can be purchased on the band’s MySpace page.
Source Continue reading Hot Atomics, Radio War, Captain We’re Sinking →