Indie Music Universe

Travis DeVries is the driving force leading the new Brooklyn based band, deVries.  He released their debut album, “Death to God,” in 2009 on Noise on Noise, and the response by reviewers has been unanimously positive.  The online webzine Incendiary Magazine went as far as to declare it, “probably the greatest Manchester album never to have been made in Manchester.”  Most recently, UK based Young Rebel, added them to their March online play list, and hailed Travis as “a great talent.”

Travis DeVries comes from Seattle, where for a decade, he had been the lead singer and songwriter of legendary shoegaze band, The Turn-ons.  In 2009, Spin magazine listed them in it’s “100 Greatest Bands You (Probably) Never Heard.”  And long before that, Peter Buck of R.E.M. declared them, “simply my favorite new Seattle band,” in an article for Q Magazine.

He moved to NYC in the summer of 2008 after the recording of Death to God was completed, and continued deVries there with a new line-up of talented musicians (Sean Gibbons, lead guitar; Martin Glazier, guitar; Johnny Lancia, bass; & Kuki Kooks, drums). They are playing shows throughout Brooklyn to growing popularity and enthusiasm, and writing new songs to be recorded later this year for a future release.  They are also looking forward to hitting the road and tour come summer. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

Single Parents is the project of three friends: Fernando Dotta, Anderson Lima and Rafael Farah. Based out of São Paulo, Brazil, the band was formed in 2008 via a partnership between Fernando (vocals, guitar) and Anderson (bass).

After playing together for a couple of months, Fernando moved to Brighton, UK, where he began to compose songs in English on acoustic guitar, and continued his transatlantic musical exchange with Anderson.

Once rejoined in Brazil, the duo gathered demos produced over these six months they were apart to start working on final versions.

Single Parents became a trio in March 2009 when Rafael Farah (drums) joined the band. “We melded our styles and genres, focusing on Britrock and American alternative rock from the 90’s.”, says Fernando.

The band released their debut EP in December 2009, titled Could You Explain?, including four tracks written in English, whose distinct  and identifiable influences contribute to shape their musical identity. Farah comments: “We selected the demo versions that best embody the project’s aim, working on them for months before heading into the studio”.

As the EP’s title suggests, the band does not intend to restrict their sound to specific references, but to give each track a unique feel. “We came up with different structures for each song, where the theme and ambience change throughout. That is the contradiction we’re looking to express in our compositions”, highlights Anderson.

The band is currently rehearsing in studio, warming up for gigs in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 13% [?]

The middle of five children, Winslow Bright grew up in Dallas, Texas where she began her commercial acting and print career at the age of two. By the time she was fifteen she convinced her parents to allow her to move to Los Angeles to audition for TV and film. While in L.A. she made contacts with individuals in the music industry and quickly started her singing and songwriting career. Winslow’s song collaborations have found their way to the daytime soap operas “All My Children” and “The Young and The Restless,” and she continues to build on her publishing catalog (ASCAP.)

Upon her return to Dallas during her sophomore year in high school, Winslow began working on her first album with local indie singer-songwriter-producer, Salim Nourallah (Old ‘97’s “Blame It On Gravity.”) Winslow’s 11-song debut album, “Lovable,” is a result of countless writing and recording sessions with Nourallah over a two-year period. “Lovable’s” song list includes 7 original tunes co-written by Winslow and Nourallah, who offers up two of his own songs, as well as the cover of Kirsty MacColl’s 1979 “They Don’t Know.” The album provides listeners a mix of mid-century retro sounds with enduring themes of unrequited love. Bright’s co-write, “Could You Be My Baby,” beckons memories of Roy Orbison with its sweeping, melodramatic vocals.

Winslow’s live performances in Dallas include The Granada Theater, Club Dada, The Door, and gigs at North Park Center and American Airlines’ Victory Park for the 2009 AFI Dallas International Film Festival. Now a freshman in college, Winslow continues her musical journey at NYU’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, where she also joins in on jam sessions at New York venues such as The Bitter End. She recently received a nomination for Best Band Venue Poster for her “Lovable” CD release at The Granada Theater from The Independent Music Awards. Fans can vote for the poster by going to www.winslowbright.com or www.myspace.com/winslowbright.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

Jared McCloud's natural, earthy tone and thought provoking lyrics showcase his talent and ability to draw his audiences into his story. Starting his musical career in "Hard Rock" bands, Jared decided to go solo, and released a self produced record while playing all over his native Connecticut to promote it. Honing his skill in small venues and coffee houses alike, Jared grew his fan base and wowed large music halls with his live performances. Picked up by Sling Slang Records in 2008, McCloud began touring all over the Northeast as well as performing on radio and television. More recently McCloud released his latest record, "Romance Of The Atlantic" and put together a live band to further enforce his vision.

Today, McCloud continues to tour the East coast, graduating to bigger and more prestigious venues. Be it with his wonderful band, or just a guitar for a solo performance, he strives to experiment and tweak his live performance, making sure the listener has gotten all they can from the song.

With this arsenal of new and exciting music and his "anytime-anywhere" gigging attitude, expect to hear a lot more from Jared McCloud.

Instrumentation:

Solo show:

Jared McCloud- All guitars, vocals Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

Cory Brown is a California-grown Singer/Songwriter with a distinct gift for crafting songs that draw fans from a variety of ages and backgrounds. Born into a musical family just north of Hollywood, Cory began playing guitar and singing at a young age. Aided by his father Barry (songwriter and lead singer for the early seventies band Morning, who shared stages with such artists as Jimi Hendrix and Chicago), Cory developed his natural talent for melodic songwriting and moving musical performance. The latest result is Cory's new debut solo album, Days In A Life, available now.

In 2001, after moving north to Berkeley, CA, Cory co-founded the Alternative-Americana Rock band 7th Direction. As their lead singer and primary songwriter, Cory also produced their debut LP Hundred Miles Gone. The album was praised by Relix and Pause/Record magazines, and Dennis Cook of JAMBASE.com named it one of the best albums of 2003. Relix Magazine, featuring 7th Direction in their 2003 article On The Verge: Artists You Should Know About, raved over Cory’s vocal performance and songwriting on his “soaring, harmony-laden” single Forgotten. The song was also featured in January 2003 on NBC’s hit television series Ed. Reviewers placed Cory’s catchy and intelligent songwriting style on the level of such music legends as David Crosby, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell. Fans compared Cory’s music to contemporary favorites such as Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, Dave Matthews, and Elliot Smith. Cory’s fans continue to be moved by his melodic yet powerful voice, a unique sonic-blend that gives an extra flavor to his already crowd-pleasing repertoire of songs. He is determined to touch fans and music professionals alike with his talent for captivating turn-of-phrase and everlasting musical melody. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 17% [?]

FATHER DUDE is a man of great conviction.  Tired of cliché and uninspired parody in pop music, Father Dude has blended a myriad of influences into his own style: Epic R&B.  Inspired by an introduction to Doo-Wop and early Rock and Roll/R&B, FD formed his first group at age 11.  After performing a cappella throughout Long Island, New York, he soon made a transition to drum kit in his teenage years.  Whether playing garage rock, Prog Rock, Jazz or Metal, FD prided himself on writing original material.  Some of his greatest influences and inspiration have been listed as Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Phil Collins, P-FUNK, Faith No More and Dr. Dre.  He would eventually return to his soulful vocal roots as a lead singer in the R&B group FUSION.  During the end of  it’s successful independent run including an international tour and radio airplay, FD decided to take full control of his artistry.

In late 2008, FATHER DUDE truly came into his own.  He organized his solo material with a team of co-writers and producers and put together a demo of arrangements.  FD and his production team ”Release the Sounds” soon began work on the debut EP entitled “I Feel Ways About Things”.  After it’s release in 2009, FD brought his explosive live show to NYC stages.  When his powerfully soulful voice and hook-laden melodies combine with an eclectic live band featuring some of the best Rock, Gospel, Hip-Hop and R&B musicians, FATHER DUDE delivers a truly unique live experience.  FD has a tough time pin-pointing his sound; “It’s the Past, Present and Future of popular music… don’t ask me stupid questions”.  Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 23% [?]

Music as a means to healing. Melody as a means of providing hope. There exists a specific line of music that is comprised of folks who have changed the world around them; we are working on furthering that line. BOY PILOT is a band that partners with friends, fans and non-profits to holistically make a difference that matters in the long run.

Instrumentation:

David J. Portalatin: Lead Vocals, Guitar

Jonathan Lammering: Drums, Percussion

Jacob Rivera: Guitar

Websites:

Official website

Myspace

Discography:

The Boy Pilot E.P.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Timid and soft spoken during early childhood, no one imagined his future interests might include songwriting and stage performance.  Attending schools in The West Indies, Japan and various parts of the states, exotic locales like Okinawa and Jamaica helped to shape +Spanx cosmopolitan worldview and love of different cultures and music.

The eldest of three talented siblings, his father remembers the infant +Spanx (too young yet to walk or speak) humming in tune The National Anthem while being coddled during its repeated performance at a theater.

As +Spanx showed great promise, his parents later encouraged him to study the cornet which led to a discovery of numerous instruments.  He became proficient on electric bass while performing with Top 40, retro-pop and classic rock groups, also developing a versatile yet powerful vocal that ranges from ballads & barbershop to hip-hop and hard rock… measured experiences which led to +Spanx fronting the Miami-based trio kNiption FiT, an enigmatic power-pop band best described as "The Monkees meet Rush…"

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 34% [?]

deVries (pro. devreese; Dutch def. from/of the North) is the new band of singer/writer/guitarist Travis DeVries of Seattle band The Turn-ons.  The August '09 issue of Spin magazine list The Turn-ons in its 100 "greatest bands you've (probably) never heard." Peter Buck of R.E.M. described them as “…simply my favorite new Seattle band. If I said that their sound was a combination of the Velvets, T. Rex and Spiritualized with a dash of Yo La Tengo, it wouldn’t do them justice [Q Magazine]." The Turn-ons played sold out shows with widely-known indie bands such as The Strokes, BRMC, Interpol, and played their last show with The Jesus & Mary Chain in '08.

Travis moved to NYC in the summer of '08 after recording "Death to God" in Seattle.  Death to God was produced and mixed by Turn-ons’ producer and member, Erik Blood(The Moondoggies, Tea Cozies, Romance). It was then mixed by legendary producer, Kramer(Galaxy 500, Low, Sufian Stevens).  Upon receiving the tracks for mastering, Kramer enthusiastically proclaimed “Travis, you’re a fucking genius.  This music is just too good” and “this shit is amazing.”

deVries' sound hearkens back to the reining days of Britpop/Madchester bands such as The Stone Roses and Suede.  Travis' lyrics touch on a wide range of social and human conditions and emotions of which he feels strongly about.  His songs range in issues from trans-gender children(Boys are Bores), to global warming(Slowing Down), and hints of economic upheaval(Black Thursday Repeat).  His gift of weaving lush orchestration & intensely personal lyrics is a reminder of how music can save your soul.

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Popularity: 34% [?]

White Picket Fence is honest, unadulterated indie rock with a sense of urgency that gives their material absolute credibility… Not because of the way somebody can describe it, but because of the way that it exists intrinsically. Please listen for yourself before continuing, as everything else is secondary to the music.

Since the band’s inception in 2008, White Picket Fence has been doing everything in their power to be heard. Equally at home in their van, the band has played non-stop to a variety of venues across the state, giving performances that have been praised both for their unique intensity and youthful charm. Coupled with their undeniable group chemistry and genuine appreciation for each opportunity that allows them to progress as artists, this effort has amassed substantial good press for the band. On an almost weekly basis, the group has been featured in numerous regional publications, and recently procured a spot for their now-sold-out, self-titled EP on Central New York’s Top 10 list of releases for 2008.

After pushing that record to its final sale, White Picket Fence went back into The Square Studio to work with Steve Sopchak (The Brilliant Light, Eyes Averted, Remember Tomorrow) on their first full length record called “Clocks and Calendars.” It will be independently released on June 6th, and a self-booked, national summer tour is to follow.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 34% [?]