It’s been 2-1/2 years since the Island Def Jam Music Group acquired a 50% stake in Roadrunner Records. However, the longtime rock-metal independent label still feels like an indie despite its major label parent, president Jonas Nachsin says. “In terms of the Roadrunner’s indie spirit, I don’t think we’ve lost any of that,” Nachsin says. “When the partnership was done, I think the first thing that was decided was not to do anything, which was a very sage and important game plan because when something is working, the last thing you want to do is start to mess with it.”… Read more »
Just a month after opening its doors, the Apple iTunes store is looking to expand. With content already available from all five major labels, the online music service is reaching out to independent labels in hopes of offering the broadest, deepest catalog of downloadable music. Apple has invited hundreds of indie label representatives to a private presentation on Thursday at the computer giant’s Cupertino, California, campus to discuss hopping onboard and adding their content to the more than 200,000 songs already available through the service. “The plan was to go out of the gate with the five major labels, but… Read more »
Songstress Sheryl Crow is on track to be the highest debut performance when the latest pop album charts are released Wednesday, challenging reigning Universal Music labelmate Ashanti for the top spot. But Crow’s latest effort, “C’mon C’mon,” her first studio release since the platinum “Globe Sessions” four years ago, also leads a sizable roster of artists bowing this month that have had a rocky history with the rapidly consolidating major-label system. Crow herself was one of several artists to question her future with Universal Music after the label giant acquired her alma mater, A&M Records. While the star and her… Read more »
Facing a fusillade of legal attacks from an irate entertainment industry, free file-sharing Netco Streamcast Networks – like Napster before it – is seeking legitimacy by reaching out to independent artists with technology to help them distribute their music themselves. Franklin, Tenn.-based Streamcast says its new digital rights management software, dubbed Content Into Application, or CIntoA, will let artists choose the level of access that users will have to songs that they upload into the company’s Morpheus file-sharing network. The tracks can be programmed to offer a limited number of plays before a fee is required, or only a snippet… Read more »
No Doubt are taking their Rock Steady to the streets, beginning in mid-March. The ska-turned-reggae rock quartet will launch its first proper tour in support of its latest album, Rock Steady, with two offshore dates in Puerto Rico and Venezuela, on March 14 and 16, respectively, according to an Interscope Records spokesperson. The Venezuela show is part of the Caracas Pop Festival II. Twenty-one other dates have been confirmed at press time, ending with May 10 in Dallas. Additional shows are expected to be announced later. Twenty-one other dates have been confirmed at press time, ending with May 10 in… Read more »
Privately-held online music company Listen.com said on Monday it secured licensing agreements from several independent record labels for a subscription service it plans to launch this fall. Through the deal, Listen.com joins a growing list of smaller independent subscription service providers, including FullAudio and Streamwaves, that have quietly been clinching licensing deals for content to compete with services like MusicNet and Pressplay, which are being backed by the giant recording companies and also plan to launch this fall. MusicNet’s backers are RealNetworks Inc., AOL Time Warner Inc’s Warner Music, EMI Group Plcand Bertelsmann AG’s BMG. Zomba, a giant independent label,… Read more »
Welcome Sydney Sprague to the show! Sydney is known as one of the most captivating emerging voices in the indie rock scene, blending raw emotion with introspective lyricism and infectious melodies. With her authentic storytelling and unique musical style, she’s quickly gaining recognition for her honest approach and compelling sound. We discuss her new single and music video for “As Scared As Can Be,” growing up in Arizona, all the bands that have inspired her, and much more. Stream her latest release here.
DAYTIME TV are back with some fresh Scottish indie rock in the form of “Jessica”. It’s going to be stuck in your head for weeks.
I am delighted to introduce an Australian indie rock band, Eliza & The Delusionals. I talked with Eliza and Kurt about their debut album (Now and Then out May 20), their single “Give You Everything.” I recommend checking out the single’s music video. We discussed how the band came together, what it took to make this album during the pandemic, and more. I hope you’ll check out their music!
You want to start the week off right and The Gunz Show is the perfect way to do it. On a brand new episode, Gunz invites Valley and Chaz Cardigan to the show.
When indie rock band Valley calls in, they dive into conversation about their new single “nevermind” – but don’t worry, they have plenty of other music to chat about too. They talk about their plans (or lack there-of) going forward and the excitement that comes with it.
Later, Chaz Cardigan joins the show. Gunz is introducing you to the singer/songwriter and what you can expect from his music. Listen in as they chat about his new song “Everything’s Wrong”, writing a record during quarantine, and making the music you wished you heard as a teenager.
