Credit: Dawn Canon

Are your CD sales sluggish? Are you down with digital distribution channels like iTunes, but you want to complement it with something a bit more creative — actually putting something in the hands of your fans? If so, Pittsburgh band Dawn Canon might have an option: USB music distribution.

The concept is simple really. Your tracks are put on a personally-branded USB drive that fans can buy instead of a traditional CD. No more ripping just to transfer tracks to an .mp3 player. No more hassle trying to get songs setup on multiple systems and portable players.

USB drives might not seem like the most economical option, but it’s not really about that. It’s about the branding. it’s about giving fans something truly useful. Think of it almost more as merch than music sales. You’re selling the USB drive. It can be re-used for whatever the fan wants. They can keep your tracks stored there or they can back them up somewhere else and use the drive for their school assignments, work projects, or personal files. No matter how the use it the end result is the same — they’ll be keeping a reminder of your band with them, possibly wherever they go. It’s all about that branding boys and girls.

I talked to Joe, Allison, Lauren, and Dave about how Dawn Canon came up with the idea and what they thought about the risks of this kind of distribution model. Here’s what they had to say:

AX: What made Dawn Canon decide to release their debut EP on flash drives instead of either CDs or solely online via .mp3 downloads?

Joe: We liked [the] idea of having a USB drive that people can use well after the music has been dumped into their iTunes, and the uniqueness really appealed to us.

AX: How does USB production and distribution compare to of that of creating and selling CDs? How does it compare economically to going solely the online route?

Lauren: USBs are definitely a bit pricier than CDs, but this release isn’t just about making a fast buck, it’s about creating something cool for the people who dig what we do. It’s a limited run, almost like most vinyl releases today and they’re only available at shows. Our music can be found everywhere online though: iTunes, Rhapsody, Lala, etc.

AX: Do you believe that USB releases are going to replace CDs, or do you see digital downloads doing that where USB releases are more of a novelty for people who want a physical product in their hands (such as being able to buy directly at a show, so the band doesn’t lose those sales)?

Dave: The future is too unpredictable. I mean who would have ever predicted that vinyl would give way to 8-tracks, and 8-tracks to cassettes, and cassettes to CDs? It does seem like CDs are becoming obsolete, though I do not personally believe that USB releases will “replace” CDs. I think something else will come along that hasn’t yet been invented. Maybe they will have 3D music – a totally interactive musical experience like a holographic music video in your living room similar to Rock Band? Now that would be cool.

AX: Is there any kind of built-in protection to stop a fan from stupidly deleting the files from the USB drive, and if not, how would / should artists deal with those issues? Will there be some kind of purchase verification process (along the lines of software keys) that will enable them to replace the files (maybe some kind of limited access to re-download the songs from a private area of the band’s site)?

Lauren: No, we have more faith in people. But if you do happen to delete the files, you can always email the band at our site.

AX: Are your USB EPs branded, and if so how did you go about it (is there a company out there offering affordable customization that would work for most DIY artists)?

Lauren: Yes they are branded.

Dave: Our strategy was to find the two companies with the best quotes and see who could give us the best price. As far as being affordable, it depends on what kind of budget you are on, and how much you are willing to spend. Buying in bulk does lower the price per unit.

AX: How do you feel about music portability and the role USB drive releases might play in that? Are you intentionally trying to make sure that fans can put their purchased tracks on all of their computers, mp3 players, phones, etc., without the limitations some download services might place on them (or at least ways they make portability more difficult)?

Allison: Yes, that was the idea. Our thinking was that once the music gets into the computer (via USB), there’s no telling where it may go.

AX: Do you have any fear that widespread use of USB drives will simply make pirating easier, or are you looking at a more open approach to music?

Dave: No, I don’t think it makes it any easier If people want to pirate music, they’ll find a way regardless.

Allison: Our thoughts are of a more, open approach to music and we hope they share our music with their friends.

You can learn more about Dawn Canon and their USB music distribution by visiting their website at DawnCanon.com.

Artist Name: Jay T. Vonada Quartet
Album Title: Jammin’
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Jazz
Location: Pennsylvania
Label: Self-released
Band Members: Jay T. Vonada (trombone), Adam Kurland (keyboards), Jacob Hibel (bass), John Sullivan (drums)
Website: http://www.myspace.com/jjazzbone

Jammin’ By Jay T. Vonada Quartet is one classy jazz collection. Vonada wrote and arranged all eight of these compositions, and also lays down mean trombone on it. But most important of all, it’s a whole lot of fun.

The songs on this disc cover quite a wide stylistic range. There’s the bluesy swing of “Three Tons” where Vonada swaggers loosely, much like a man carrying a little too much weight on his frame, while Jacob Hibel walks the bass. But the Jay T. Vonada Quartet is at its best whenever Adam Kurland switches from acoustic piano to organ, which happens on “Mina” and “Funk ‘n Blues”, the two songs that close out this CD. During “Mina”, Kurland lays down some nasty good notes, not unlike the great Jimmy McGriff. Then with “Funk ‘n Blues”, this jazz is mixed with the Stax soul of Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Of course, had this foursome expanded to include Steve Cropper-esque electric guitar, it might have been even better. But that’s just a wish, not any criticism.

Calling this CD Jammin’ is perfectly appropriate because Vonada and his group truly sound like they’re having fun building on these melodic ideas. Just get a load of Hibel’s bass solo during “Funk ‘n Blues”! Who knew a musician could have this much fun with an acoustic bass? It just goes to show you that electric bassists, like Stanley Clarke, don’t have all the fun.

Some have called jazz America’s classical music. Unfortunately, many have also treated jazz as though it were some stuffy, snooty style, which it was never meant to be. Thankfully, Vonada and friends know it “don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” because they swing this baby to the hilt.

Track Listing:

1. A blues
2. Three Tons
3. Anthracite
4. Alea
5. Rose Ann
6. Red Ash
7. Mina
8. Fink ‘n blues

To check out more about the Jay T. Vonada Quartet, please visit http://www.myspace.com/jjazzbone

Artist Name: Michael Miller
Album Title: I Made You Up
Release Date: June 16, 2009
Genre: Rock
Location: California
Label: Self-released
Band Members: Michael Miller (guitar, vocals)
Website: www.MichaelMillerCrusade.com

Michael Miller’s music is pretty, and sometimes slightly melancholy. I Made You Up is made up of ten moody songs, which are colored with Eric Heywood’s prominent pedal steel work, even though country is the last label you’d slap on this collection. Instead, tracks like “Carolina Skyline” give it more of a life-out-in-the-country feel.

Miller surrounds himself with a few high profile musicians, such as Patrick Warren who adds in nearly every conceivable keyboard sound. Another keyboardist, Rami Jaffee, has played with The Wallflowers, Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam. Mike Roe, an amazing guitarist/singer/songwriter in his own right, contributes to a few tracks, but you hardly even notice him. That’s really saying something, because Roe is certainly no wallflower.

Although quiet and subdued, Miller comes up with a few lyrical gems throughout this work. “Sweetness” is particularly fine, especially when he worries, “Honey, where’s your sweetness gone/Someone’s filled you up with stone.” Other times, the imagery is a little on the strange side, yet still works. “I’m your little fishy,” he admits during “Tipsy”, swimming in your head.” Okay, if you say so, Michael.

Brendan Buckley, who co-produced this disc along with Miller, also deserves a lot of the credit for giving this release its consistently pleasing sound. Some of these tracks feature up to nine musicians in the mix, which is quite a balancing act.

Miller’s been kicking around the music scene for quite some time now; he really deserves to be much better known. Let’s hope I Made You Up helps make up for lost time.

Track Listing:

1. I Made You Up
2. Tipsy
3. Between Us and Them
4. Sweetness
5. Munkie
6. Carolina Skyline
7. Gomer Put Your Fist Down
8. Sutures
9. Alas I Am Your Dirty Secret
10. Million Lonely People

To check out more about a Michael Miller, please visit www.MichaelMillerCrusade.com or www.myspace.com/michaelmillercrusade.

Artist Name: Woodpecker!
Album Title: f-hole
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Americana
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Label: Self-released
Band Members: Jordan Anderson: banjo, vocals; Al Huang: mandolin, vocals; Josh Steinbauer guitar, vocals; Andy Zue: cello; Michelle Vu: fiddle, upright; Bill Mayo: percussion
Website: http://www.woodpeckermusic.com

At first, it’s difficult to reconcile Woodpecker!’s traditional sound with its distinctly modern lyrical approach. If you didn’t listen all that closely to the words, you might take f-hole to be just another Americana CD, with plenty of requisite mandolin, banjo, and other acoustically stringed things. But “8 Miles & 2.5 Inches” begins with the line, “Thank God for Eminem,” which may be the first and last time a bluegrass song ever name-dropped that famous white rapper. Furthermore, the song goes on to praise Eminem’s music and also stick up – so to speak — for small penises. Once again, in case you didn’t already notice, this is not your father’s roots music.

How this band can be so traditionally minded musically, yet ghetto hip lyrically, is hard to comprehend. To prove “8 Miles & 2.5 Inches” is not a mere anomaly, however, another one titled “Ass Plague” states, “I’m as nice as I know how to be/To you bitches,” over a folk-y, acoustic guitar groove. Potty-mouth lyrics are more rule than exception.

I should add that the traditional music played throughout this work is no gimmick. These musicians consistently apply spot-on arrangements to these original songs. Much care also went into the artwork for f-hole, with its wood grain design, framed color photographs, and lyric booklet. The band also seems to have some sort of Flaming Lips fetish, which is suggested by their decision to only be photographed in animal costumes, thus avoiding visual identification.

Had Eminem been raised in the mountains of Virginia, I wonder if he’d have sounded like this group.

Track Listing:

1. Fullerton
2. Spark
3. 8 Miles & 2.5 inches
4. One Penny
5. Ass Plague
6. How Perfect
7. Earwax
8. Nothing Gets Chicks Hot Like A Guy Who Cares A Lot
9. Monkato
10. Rocks
11. Weighless
12. So You’re The Guy Who’s Going To Mary My Ex-girlfriend
13. Tall Buildings

To check out more about a Woodpecker!, please visit http://www.woodpeckermusic.com.

Sure, you probably sell your music digitially on iTunes or Amazon (or both). But do either really give you enough control? Wouldn’t you like a little more flexibility in setting your MP3 prices? Wouldn’t like a bigger cut of the sale? How about widgets that let you easily sell your music on any website, blog, or service were you can embed the code?

Interested?

If so, you may want to check out a new service from DirectStereo.com, offering independent musicians greater control and greater payouts than other digital music sales platforms.

Here’s the gist:

• Registration is free.
• You obviously keep full ownership of your music.
• You get to keep up to 70% of the revenue for each sale.
• You can setup a blog or get an artist page with a unique URL.
• You can earn credits by rating tracks from other artists.
• People can comment on tracks in the system.
• You can access simple widgets to copy and paste your music downloads for sale on your band site, blog, myspace profile, and more (on a side note, they’re working on a more advanced widget).
• Everything can be operated from a simple control panel where all options are available on every page (shown below).

User Control Panel

So what does DirectStereo.com offer that other digital music distribution services don’t? More flexibility and higher payouts (and since you can add a widget just about anywhere your fans hang out online, its reach is as broad as your own).

For example, you’re not forced to charge $.99 per track. Let’s say you have older albums and you’d like to charge less. You can. Or what if you want to charge more than usual for an album pre-launch before it officially drops? You can do that too. And you can change any prices you set each month. Here are the available pricing options for single tracks and albums:

Single Tracks:

• $.25
• $.50
• $.75
• $1.00
• $1.25

Albums (min. 4 tracks):

• $.99
• $1.49
• $1.99
• $2.49
• $2.99
• $3.99
• $4.99
• $5.99
• $6.99
• $7.99
• $8.99
• $9.99

When you’re ready to promote your tracks, here’s an example of the widget you can add to your websites, blogs, and profiles:

Widget

Looking to get your music on iTunes, but you don’t have the required distributor and UPC code? Then keep and eye on DirectStereo.com, because in the future they’ll also be helping musicians get their tracks on iTunes and other online stores acting in a distributor capacity.  Also still to come:

• The advanced widget
• Fully customizable personal / artist pages with the option to import your current Myspace layout (for branding consistency)
• A mobile version of the site, featuring iPhone and Android apps
• The ability for users to keep their download list online to create their own playlists and access their purchased tunes from any computer with Internet access

So is there any downside? Perhaps a small one for some artists.

When you upload individual tracks to sell, you’re required to offer them for free for two weeks before setting your prices (and with albums you have to make two tracks from the album available). Now if you’re already doing this temporarily through your Myspace page or official site, it shouldn’t be a big deal (and personally I’m a big believer in artists leveraging occasional free music against better monetization options - a topic for another day). But if it really bothers you, and that policy doesn’t change in the future, you can always upload them and simply not promote them there until the two weeks have passed.

Other than that, if anyone takes them for a test drive, I hope you’ll stop by here and leave a comment on this post to share your experience with other artists.

Artist Name: Heidi Siegell
Album Title: Us Lonely People
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Pop
Location: New York
Label: Self-Released
Band Members: Heidi Siegell: vocals, piano, trombone, and programmed virtual harp, er-hu, strings, brass, etc.; Rolando Gori: piano, guitar, pads and programmed virtual bass, drums, percussion, etc.; Mustafa Ahmad: percussion on “She Smiles” and “When Will Springtime Come, Maggie?”; Dana Lyn: fiddle on “Katy”’ Orlando Rodriguez Powers: “all male vocals” on “Us Lonely People”; Michael Siegell: saxophone on “She Smiles” and “Fear”
Website: http://www.musa212.com/hi_d/home.htm

Heidi Siegell draws comparisons to artists like Tori Amos and Kate Bush. But these names come to mind more for Siegell’s confrontational approach, rather than her musical style. It’s been famously said that there’s nothing to fear but fear itself, and that emotion is faced head-on with the aptly titled track, “Fear”. With this particular one, Siegell takes on fear as though it were a living, breathing being. The song also sports a wailing saxophone solo from Michael Siegell. Michael Siegell’s saxophone also appears on another track called “She Smiles.”

Siegell’s music might make you think of Rickie Lee Jones, due to the rambling, beatnik poetic way she navigates through her songs. With “She Smiles”, for instance, she seems to be in no hurry to get to the song’s end. Instead, it’s as though she’s thinking out loud – only you could say she’s singing out loud. But in contrast to Jones, Siegell emotes with a pure and steady pop voice, unlike the jazzier, hipster tone of Rickie Lee.

At the risk of reading too much into Siegell’s lyrics, it appears as though Siegell creates much of her music for the benefit of other women. Many of these tracks feature women’s names, such as “Katy”, “Mary Go Round”, and “When Will Springtime Come, Maggie?” Then again, “Welcome Prayer” may well be intended for a newborn baby.

Amos and Bush can come off as angry young women – well, they were at least young once. But Siegell is confrontational, without acting out angrily, if that makes any sense. Us Lonely People is a lot of things, but easy listening isn’t one of its primary characteristics. Siegell may be a complicated woman, but she’s without a doubt worth getting to know better.

Track Listing:

1 Welcome Prayer
2 Happiness Is Here
3 She Smiles
4 Us Lonely People
5 Masterpiece
6 Fear
7 Katy
8 My Dear Friend
9 Mary Go Round
10 Happiness is Here (Reprise)
11 When Will Springtime Come, Maggie?
12 The Way
13 My Wish For You

To check out more about a Heidi Siegell, please visit http://www.musa212.com/hi_d/home.htm.

Artist Name: The Shake Ups
Album Title: Breathing the Flood
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Rock
Location: San Diego, CA
Label: Gelatinous Productions
Band Members: Patrick O’Connor – lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion; Eve Gross – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, glockenspiel; Albert Lu – bass guitar, percussion; Kathie O’Connor – drums and percussion.
Website: www.TheShakeUps.net

Perhaps nobody loves power-pop music more than me. So when The Shake Ups mention influences like The Shins, The New Pornographers, and The Apples In Stereo, my appetite is immediately whetted. Nearly any combination of choppy guitars and sing-able melodies will turn my head in that favorite sound’s general direction. Unfortunately, Breathing the Flood is not exactly what a diehard power-pop aficionado usually bargains for. Instead, this CD has all the right elements; but somehow these weren’t mixed together correctly.

Singers Patrick O’Connor and Eve Gross pair up to comprise The Shake Ups’ center of attention. And while they both sing well together, and sometimes trade off lead vocals, they are by no means Neko Case and A.C. Newman (of The New Pornographers). You might say they have the pop, without the power because this music lacks necessary toughness. Granted, the guitar and organ fit just right during the intro to “You’ve Got the Number”. But when O’Connor and Gross begin to sing it, the lame Quarterflash (Remember “Harden My Heart?”) is suggested, but not something far cooler.

O’Connor and Gross are too polished, too perfect, but not too rock & roll. Great power-pop has all the musicality of pop music, along with the hefty muscle of rock. But The Shake Ups have gotten only half that two-part equation right.

When we get to track 11, “Seismic Waves”, with its extended guitar solo, The Shake Ups finally get the balance right. But on a 12-song release, this victory is too little, too late.

Track Listing:

1 Can’t Stop the Signal
2 Sex Exchange Operation
3 Make Some Noise
4 Slippery Slope
5 Out of Your Mind
6 Trunkey’s March
7 Wishful Sinking
8 Modern Age
9 You’ve Got the Number
10 Monster of the Week
11 Seismic Waves
12 Breathing the Flood

To check out more about a The Shake Ups and hear its music, please visit http://www.myspace.com/theshakeups or www.TheShakeUps.net.

Artist Name: Wendy Darling
Album Title: Half-Told Bedtime Stories
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Folk-Rock
Location: San Diego, CA
Label: Easta Green Music
Band Members: Vocals - Cori Rush; Guitar/back-up Vocals - Nate Heller; Bass - Jon Freeman; Drums - Hector Verdugo
Website: WendyDarlingBand.com

Wendy Darling is named after the female protagonist in Peter Pan. You know, the girl that didn’t want to grow up. But this San Diego band, fronted by Cori Rush’s authoritative vocals, is clearly comprised of worldly-wise grownups.

This four-piece’s sound is best described as rock, with folk touches. For instance, “Better than Penelope” floats with a gentle, contemplative feel that brings early The Smiths music to mind – especially with its Johnny Marr-like acoustic guitar part. One track, “Greenroom”, verges on harder rock, although nothing here ever drowns out Rush’s beguiling vocals.

There are also moments where Wendy Darling’s music even sounds a little magical – much like the story of Peter Pan – which happens with “Persistence of Will”; a track that includes chimes and Jon Freeman’s banjo. “ANON”, with little more than its quiet keyboard backing, is so hushed it might well stop you in your tracks. And Rush’s singing overall, which transforms these half-told bedtime stories into lullabies, will fill your late night room with tangible emotional warmth.

If you didn’t know any better, you might assume Wendy Darling is an actual female artist’s name (not a group moniker) and that Half-Told Bedtime Stories represent her musical journals. That’s because most of these song lyrics are confessional, much like all the singer/songwriter material in the ‘70s. Nevertheless, the crafty use of modem sound effects in “We Are” offer a reminder that Wendy Darling is, indeed, steadfastly a modern rock act.

The sound of Half-Told Bedtime Stories may sooth you to sleep, while its lyrics might keep you up at night, which makes it a bit of a lovely paradox.

Track Listing:

1 Sick Endgame
2 Diamond in the Mud
3 Better Than Penelope
4 Greenroom
5 Anon
6 We Are
7 Persistence of Will
8 3196
9 Closed-eye Hallucination
10 Pushing Daisies

To check out more about Wendy Darling and hear the band’s music, please visit http://www.myspace.com/wendydarlingrock or WendyDarlingBand.com.

Artist Name: Revolution, I Love You
Album Title: Noise. Pop. Deathray.
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Rock
Location: Delaware
Label: Self-released
Band Members: Jason Reynolds and Rob Lindgren
Website: www.RevolutionILoveYou.com

Jason Reynolds and Rob Lindgren, a duo called Revolution, I Love You, refer to their music as “equal parts drum machines and Fender jangle, fuzz bass and piano.” And dang, if they’re not absolutely right! This music may be relatively indescribable, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also mighty fine. Noise. Pop. Deathray. is comprised of only six tracks, yet each one is entirely different from the rest. Revolution, I Love You’s overall affect might just restore your faith in rock & roll.

With its dance music-inspired percussion and alternative rock guitars, “My Baby’s Gonna Save the World, What’s Your Baby Gonna Do?” simply burns with raw emotionalism. It is followed by the verbosely titled “Open Letter to The President of the United States”, which — while not exactly the sort of correspondence our head of state most likely reads — roars with punk power and just a touch of reggae dub. It also incorporates a weedy synthesizer part that weaves in and out of the mix at just the right moments. Toward the end of the track, there’s even a great hand clap rhythm. The very next song, “And She Said it with a Straight Face”, includes music hall piano for an entirely unexpected –- but welcome — feel. As you can plainly see, this disc is one rock & roll variety show.

Love and revolution are usually mutually exclusive terms: anyone who falls in love with a political revolution oftentimes has misplaced affections. Nevertheless, it’s easy to get all mushy when listening to this pair of musical revolutionaries. The only criticism to be leveled at Revolution, I Love You –- and it’s a minuscule one at best — is that six songs are not nearly enough. With Revolution, I Love You, let’s all pray for rock & roll world domination.

Track Listing:

1. Can I Get The Door For You?
2. My Baby’s Gonna Save the World, What’s Your Baby Gonna Do?
3. Open Letter to the President of The United States of America
4. And She Said it with a Straight Face
5. Lullaby
6. The Prettiest Feather, Or the Straightest Quill?

To check out more about Revolution, I Love You and hear its music, please visit http://www.myspace.com/revolutioniloveyou.

Artist Name: The Roseline
Album Title: Lust for Luster
Release Date: 2008
Genre: Alt.country
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Label: Self-released
Band Members: Colin Haliburton, vocals and guitar; Ehren Starks, keyboards; Jenny Davidson, bass; Jeff Jackson, guitar and pedal steel; and James Storms Piller, drums.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/colinpepper

The band The Jayhawks was from Minnesota, while the University of Kansas mascot is a Jayhawk. But The Roseline unites these disparate points of separation by combining Jayhawks-inspired music with geographic Kansas roots. The Roseline’s Lust for Luster can be loosely categorized alt.country music, primarily because of Jeff Jackson’s inspired pedal steel work, which gives even the group’s rocking-ist moments a sincere touch of twang.

The Roseline’s sound mirrors The Jayhawks’ country leanings, although it also lacks that band’s added jangle guitar elements and replaces Gary Louris’ lovable vibrato with Colin Haliburton’s plaintive singing. Sometimes this band’s lyrics can be striking, such as the social-political words that fill “Profit”: “I don’t wanna have a neighbor who has faith in God and guns and gold.” This is clearly a politically-motivated shot at the conservative right, which has plenty of misplaced love to give. Also, the alliteration in the way Haliburton strings together three “g” words within this one line is particularly effective.

Although country music mostly wins this act’s battle for a singular band sound, rock nevertheless speaks up loud and clear during “Leave a Note” via a hectic electric guitar solo. Even so, it’s not hard to imagine this particular song – if toned down many notches – as a country romper.

Some people’s faces have sad eyes, which make them appear cheerless even when they may actually be glad. Similarly, Haliburton sounds sad throughout this CD — no matter what his true intended emotions might be. He may sing of a lust for luster, in a quest for beautiful things, but most of the jewelry in this box is undeniably tarnished.

Track Listing:

1. Lust for Luster
2. Lions
3. Copper Cylinders
4. Structure Fire
5. Profit
6. Leave a Note
7. Bottle It
8. Broken Hearts
9. My Pure Love
10. G-Ma
11. Chaos
12. Purple Balloon

To check out more about a The Roseline and hear its music, please visit http://www.myspace.com/colinpepper.