Indie Music Universe

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: 22% [?]

By Deborah Diak

New music always excites me.  I crack open the CD or watch the bar move as the download is delivered from my wireless.  Today, I’m breaking down a new track from Anwar Robinson, called “Night’s Hot”.

The song is a perfect romantic ballad-like tune that draws you into the night.  It has an earthy aphrodisiac quality that wafts around you like a fine perfume.  Before you know it, you’re knee deep in the mood of the song.  Even after the song ends, you’ll notice a lasting romantic state of mind.

Anwar blows out some great riffs…urban and earthy.  The background vocals are smooth, sweet and sexy. Impressive from the first note, “Night’s Hot” is mixed to perfection. The instrumentals are flawless and you get an old school soul vibe juxtaposed with Anwar’s trademark style – polished and steamy.  It’s no accident that Robinson was a Top Ten finalist on Idol.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 18% [?]

Canadian Music Week is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries.  Combining four information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; a film festival; four awards shows and the nation’s largest New Music Festival – Canadian Music Fest – CMW spans a four-day period from March 11 to March 14, 2009 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe.  For more information, visit www.cmw.net.

The spirit and success of independent music is stronger and louder than ever. Hundreds of artists, who don’t fit in with the ever-narrowing radio formats, are none-the-less breaking through to a hungry public and winning the support of fans, media and tastemakers across the nation. These artists will be honored at the public presentation of the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards show, simply titled "The Indies".

These are the nominees for the Independent Music Awards, which are being featured today…

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 11% [?]

Alternative indie rock band Miniature Tigers are on tour now and all during the month of March with various acts, mainly in the Midwest, Southwest, and West coast.

Miniature Tigers is an alternative rock band based in Phoenix, Arizona. The band is made up of front man Charlie Brand, Rick Schaier on drums and vocals, Darren Robinson on guitar, keyboards, vocals and Lou Kummerer on bass, vocals.

Miniature Tigers’ sound was forged in the bedroom of frontman Charlie Brand, only to quickly outgrow the space, with the band soon finding itself on stage, in the studio and signed to Phoenix’s Modern Art Records in short order. Brand’s lyrics – a mix of deeply personal insights and playful references to the disparate cultural artifacts that have informed his existence – and effortlessly constructed indie-pop arrangements have made fans in his native Phoenix and beyond. They stretch to Los Angeles, where he reconnected with drummer, collaborator and fellow charter member of the band Rick Schaier while living in Hollywood, and far beyond thanks to the Internet, which it seems people are into these days. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 11% [?]

Virtually out of nowhere, independent R&B producer and artist Stevie Hoang rose to Internet fame following the release of his debut album, This Is Me, in December 2007.

This well written and critically acclaimed album reached number 1 on the MySpace charts and topped the Japanese Itunes charts ahead of Rhianna, Chris Brown and Alicia keys quickly after its release. The success of This Is Me landed Hoang a supporting spot on Omarion’s UK tour.

This talented UK artist began his musical journey at the young age of 11, after his parents forced him to take piano lessons. This proved to be a good thing for Hoang as he quickly realized his musical talent and became hooked on R&B, especially music by Boyz 2 men, R Kelly, Joe, Usher, Dru Hill and Brian McKnight.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 24% [?]