TALENTfilter

AUDIAFAUNA

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:00:00 +0000

AUDIAFAUNA (unsigned, unpublished) -- We can't. Stop. Watching. This. Video. Dunno - there's something about the song and the visuals that we LOVE. They're like Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, but more fiddle-tastic, fronted by a cuter, more-talented Florence Welch. Or something even more awesome than that. We don't know much about them, but we do know Audiafauna is a Santa Cruz-based band in the process of recording a debut album funded by a Kickstarter campaign. Coincidentally, they're playing a show with Capital Cities (below) at Cafe Du Nord on June 25. If you're in the Bay Area, you should check 'em out.

Oh, here's the video. Bet ya can't watch it just once!

CAPITAL CITIES

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:40:00 +0000

CAPITAL CITIES (unsigned, unpublished) - Have a listen to this electro-pop duo from L.A. and tell us their song "Safe and Sound" couldn't be THE Alternative radio summertime jammy-jam. The group (who perform live with a full band) regularly sell out shows in the L.A. area and they're barely on the music industry radar. On Easter Sunday they performed in front of a sold-out crowd at The El Rey. Crazy! (*Hey labels, how many of your new artist signings could sell out the El Rey on Easter Sunday?*) If you don't believe us about this band, you can read about them here, here, here, here, or on just about any other new music blog you care about. Capital Cities will play an EP release party in Los Angeles at J Lounge on June 17 (KCRW Los Angeles DJ Jason Bentley will also be spinning, and you can expect some major early support from that station, among a handful of others, in the weeks to come).

Download their song "Safe and Sound" HERE

ALLEN STONE

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:40:00 +0000

ALLEN STONE (unsigned, unpublished) -- You may have seen features about Allen Stone on other tip-sheet blogs over the past few months, and while we've kept an eye on his progress, it isn't until now that we've decided to give him our official 'stamp of approval'. It was seeing this video that finally won us over:

Allen is now being co-managed by Jeff Robinson (credited for discovering/developing Alicia Keys), and a string of west coast support dates for Nikka Costa will begin in a couple of weeks. Expect maximum weaseltude at the June 23 show at The Roxy in Los Angeles.

Upcoming L.A. Area Shows Of Note

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 20:45:00 +0000

June 8 - The Dilettantes (feat. Kay Hanley) - Hotel Cafe
June 10 - John Gold - Satellite
June 11 - Blowing Up The Moon - Whisky
June 13 - Gold Motel - Hotel Cafe
June 13 - Olin & The Moon - Bootleg
June 16 - Heartstop (video premiere) - Dim Mak Studios
June 17 - Capital Cities - J Lounge (DTLA)
June 18 - Odd Future - House Of Blues Sunset
June 24 - Steve McMorran (of Satellite) - Molly Malone's
June 25 - The Mowgli's - Roxy
June 27 - Scattered Hamlet - Viper Room

MySpace Records To Close Shop, TALENTfilter Find Meiko A Free Agent?

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:11:00 +0000

Ripped directly from the HITS Daily Double Rumor Mill:

MYSPACE RECORDS OUT OF SPACE? With the imminent News Corp. sale of MySpace, the website’s MySpace Records looks like it’s shuttering for good this time. The label, which was formed in 2005 and aligned with Interscope Records, announced a partnership with Downtown Music last September. Since then, the label has been steadily dismantled by GM David Andreone, who took the helm just over a year ago and will leave at the end of the month to reportedly take a job at a digital music company. He has been helping the acts find new label homes, and even getting their master recording rights back. One act drawing some attention is Meiko, who already has a strong track record in sales, touring, film and TV placements. (5/31p)

A more thorough report here from RM64.com:

As the News Corp. sale of MySpace is close at hand (with an announcement expected in the coming weeks), so too is MySpace Records shuttering, for good this time. Early 2010 began the initial dissolving of the label, which was formed in 2005 and aligned with Universal Music Group label Interscope Records via a P&D deal that has now lapsed, and since last year the operation has continued under a skeletal staff and somewhat ambiguous circumstances – a partnership with Downtown Music was announced back in September.

However, with the writing on the wall as to MySpace’s future, and a scaling back of many divisions, MSR began to be dismantled, a process which was guided by label GM David Andreone who took the helm just over a year ago. Among many duties, Andreone has also helped the artists signed to MSR find new label homes, and even get master recording rights back – some albums previously released by the label have already been pulled down from digital marketplaces such as iTunes…

One former MySpace Records/Interscope artist, and now free agent who is getting a lot of industry attention, Meiko, has just completed a new album produced by Styrofoam and Jimmy Messer, and mixed by Brian Malouf. We hear that labels on both coasts are talking to the songstress, who already has a strong track record with sales, touring and film & TV… And word is that Andreone, a veteran of both the music publishing and record label arenas, is likely to transition to one of a handful of digital music companies in play, after he departs his post at the end June… Stay tuned.

YOUNG DIGERATI

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sun, 22 May 2011 00:10:00 +0000

YOUNG DIGERATI (unsigned, unpublished) -- Young Digerati is one of the San Francisco-based acts Live 105 APD/MD Aaron Axelsen picked last month as a 'Bay Area band you need to know'. We agree. So does Rocket Music who just picked them up for management. Young Digerati will play Live 105's "BFD 2011" concert on June 5 at the Shoreline Amphitheater, but L.A. weasels should check 'em out sooner at On the Rox May 26 and Three Clubs on May 28. Peep the video for their song "The Dauphin" here:

WE'RE ON TEH FACEBOOKS!

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sat, 21 May 2011 23:59:00 +0000

That's right - we've got ourselves a fancy-shmancy Facebook Page now. Please go 'Like' it, or 'Share' it, or whatever-the-hell-else. Here's a link: http://on.fb.me/talentfilter

THE MOWGLI'S

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:29:00 +0000

THE MOWGLI'S (unsigned, unpublished) -- There are eight of 'em, their home base is Venice, CA, and they're one of the hardest-working and oft-performing bands in Southern California. If you're a film/TV/commercial music supervisor or you work for an ad agency, and you've EVER been told, "We need to find something a little hippy-dippy and positive like that Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes band, but it has to be cheaper to license", this is your group.
The Mowgli's are wrapping up recording their debut album now and the buzz is beginning to build - they impressed more than a few nerds at the SF MusicTech Summit and you can expect your music biz brethren to follow suit. Don't sleep.

REBECCA JORDAN SIGNS PUBLISHING DEAL

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:29:00 +0000

Rebecca Jordan, who we first tipped to you in January 2009, has signed a worldwide, multi-year co-publishing agreement with Imagem Music. Aside from her own fantastic releases, Rebecca also wrote the Kelly Clarkson hit "Beautiful Disaster". She is still available for label signing.

GRAND TARANTULA

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:11:00 +0000

GRAND TARANTULA (unsigned, unpublished) -- San Diego-based band with local radio love from stations including tastemaker Alt-outlets 91X and 94-9. They played SXSW and a month of successful dates in March with Middle Class Rut, and they're playing in Los Angeles this Saturday, May 14 at Lot 1 in Silver Lake (11PM set time). Think Hot Hot Heat-meets-Foo Fighters. Check out their indie video for "I'm Not Gonna Let You Go" here:

ART VS. SCIENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:11:00 +0000

ART VS. SCIENCE (unsigned outside of AU) -- Definitely one of the more explosive acts we've seen live, Art Vs. Science is a trio from Sydney, Australia whose new album has reached the #1 spot on the Australian Albums Chart and #2 on the ARIA Albums chart. The groups sees lots of love from Aussie radio, especially Triple J. Watch 10,000 people lose their shit to Art Vs. Science at a music festival in Perth here:

Check out the video for their new single, "A.I.M. Fire!" here:

Upcoming L.A. Area Shows Of Note

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:36:00 +0000

May 9 - Meiko - The El Rey
May 11 - Loudness (!!!) - Key Club
May 13 - Roll The Tanks - Troubadour
May 13 - Neve (reunion show) - Troubadour
May 14 - Grand Tarantula - Lot 1
May 15 - Stone Darling - 3 Clubs
May 27 - Stone Darling - Redwood Bar (DTLA)

Sylvia Rhone To Leave Uni/Motown?

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:22:00 +0000

Reports over the last few days have said Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone will be leaving the company. Here's a link to one of the reports: http://www.thewrap.com/media/column-post/sylvia-rhone-seen-headed-exit-universal-motown-26929

Music Biz Rumors...

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:58:00 +0000

Hearing that Warner Bros. in the process of dropping more than a few artists from its roster - is this to make room for new signings since there are many new A&R players in the house?

Ankur Malhotra is leaving Capitol Records and heading to Epic Records, based on the west coast...

Meanwhile, we're hearing/seeing that EMI is on a bit of a baby-band signing spree...

Universal Music Group is bringing Sony Music A&R exec Jay Landers over to their side, based on the west coast...

Meanwhile, we're hearing there's a shakeup underway at Interscope with a few acts being dropped and some A&R staffers being let go...

Also hearing the Universal Music Group roster is about to shrink down BIG-time...

Is a major label about to bring someone from the TV world over to its A&R department on the west coast?

Meanwhile, we hear there's an east coast A&R rep making a move west to take a gig with a different label within weeks...

We leaving anything out? Let us know at TALENTfilter@gmail.com

LIVE 105 MD PICKS FIVE LOCAL ACTS TO KNOW

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:20:00 +0000

Alternative Live 105 San Francisco Music Director Aaron Axelsen wrote a piece on the station's website highlighting "Five New Bay Area Bands You Need To Know". Guess what, label heads - Aaron knows more about music than you or any of your A&R scouts. So get to listening.

http://live105.radio.com/2011/04/05/five-new-bay-area-bands-you-need-to-know/

SHOWSHOWSHOWS

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:00:00 +0000

UPCOMING L.A. AREA SHOWS OF NOTE

April 3 - Cydney Robinson - Hotel Cafe
April 4 - Jim Bianco - Bardot
April 7 - Stone Darling - Echoplex
April 8 - Meiko - USC Campus (Tommy's Place)
April 14 - Big Audio Dynamite (!) - Roxy
April 19 - Emily Wells - Largo
April 24 - Capital Cities - El Rey
April 26 - White Buffalo - Detroit Bar
April 30 - Joe Purdy - Troubadour

HEARTSTOP

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:05:00 +0000

HEARTSTOP (unsigned, unpublished) -- Had a chance to catch this band at The Roxy in Los Angeles last night. More than anything else, what impressed us was the raw enthusiasm of the bandmembers - they genuinely wanted to be there and their energy translated.

Three young guys, no older than 21, SoCal-based, been playing/writing together since they were kids, writing really strong pop/rock tracks. They're certainly not re-inventing the wheel, sound-wise, but what they've got now as a young indie unsigned group is strong. The songs are very sync-friendly, and definitely radio-ready - KROQ Los Angeles has been playing one of their new tracks, "Just Like Goodbye", on their 'Locals Only' program for a few weeks in a row.

With some A&R coaching and some serious road time, this band could be a force.

ELECTROLIGHTZ

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:42:00 +0000

ELECTROLIGHTZ (unsigned, unpublished) -- L.A-based, four-piece, electro-hip-hop act - already some serious industry buzz - Hot Topic's 'unsigned band of the month' - songs getting licensed left and right - performing at The Roxy on March 29 (10:30PM set time) - should be packed with weasels. If ya don't know, now ya know. Peep the Facebook, punk.

COOL CONTEST FOR L.A.-AREA BANDS

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:09:00 +0000

COOL CONTEST FOR L.A.-AREA BANDS - If you're an artist from the L.A. area, you've got a music video, and you're not anti- pop music, Top 40 KIIS Los Angeles is holding a pretty cool contest. You can win $10,000 in cash, and an opportunity to perform live on the Village Stage at their Wango Tango concert happening this May. Click here for all the details: http://www.kiisfm.com/common/social/kiis_breakoutstar/

KRAMUS

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:02:00 +0000

KRAMUS (unsigned, unpublished) -- It's been a while since we've come across some real 'meat & taters' Midwestern Red State Rawk that we actually like. The Indianapolis-area five-piece has been around for quite some time, and they're writing some great, accessible radio-friendly Alt-Rock. Alt-outlet WRZX Indianapolis agrees with us - they've played the unsigned band's song "Down Below" over 150 times already this year (how many times have they played your recent rock signing this year?). On-air support is also starting at WXEG Dayton. For A&R reps with a travel budget, head out to their new EP release party/show at The Vogue in Indianapolis April 8.

STONE DARLING

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:31:00 +0000

STONE DARLING (unsigned, unpublished) - Stone Darling is an all-girl L.A.-based four-piece that will soon be popping up on the music industry radar if they haven't already. A recent feature in NYLON Magazine has certainly helped create awareness, as has their seemingly non-stop performance schedule in the L.A. area (these ladies play everywhere from The Echo to The Bootleg to tiny boutique fashion stores). Local college radio stations including KCSN and KXLU are showing early support - we can only imagine KCRW will be next.

What do they sound like? Think Mazzy Star-meets-Mamas & Papas. They'll be self-releasing an EP later this month, and they'll have promo samplers with them in Austin during SXSW (see our SXSW list below for details on their showcases). Their MySpace page is HERE and their Facebook page is HERE.

Have a look/listen to their cover of the Funkadelic track "Can You Get To That":

SXSW 2011 SHOWCASES OF NOTE

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:11:00 +0000

SXSW 2011 SHOWCASES OF NOTE

First, we'd like to say these are just some acts we feel will be interesting to see. Some are already signed and/or published, but we're sure you've got a cheat-sheet list of acts you need to see already - just consider this another tool in case you missed some cool showcases when putting together your own list.

Second, we'd like to turn you on to a really comprehensive list of everything sanctioned and unsanctioned, show-and-party-wise, happening in Austin during SXSW. Go HERE - their list is WICKED thorough and it's got clickable links to let you RSVP to all the different stuff.

OK - that said - here's our list of cool shows & shit happening during SXSW - note we also included some spots to get free food and booze - 'cuz let's be honest - a free meal and free beers are always good to know about.

Update: Band names marked with a * are unsigned, bands marked with a # are unpublished

Wednesday, March 16

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM - FREE FOOD & DRINK - Latitude 30
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM - FREE BBQ - Brush Sq. Pk., East Tent
3:00 PM - Grand Tarantula * - PureVolume House
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - FREE WINE - Brush Sq. Pk., West Tent
8:00 PM - Stone Darling *# - Hotel Vegas
8:00 PM - Gold Motel - Buffalo Billiards
8:00 PM - The Tender Box * - Rusty Spurs
8:30 PM - Olin & The Moon * - Black & Tan
9:00 PM - Leeroy Stagger - The Tap Room at Six
9:00 PM - Lex Land - The Ghost Room
9:15 PM - James Blake - Stubb's
10:00 PM - Mona - Antone's
11:00 PM - Twin Atlantic - Maggie Mae's
12:00 AM - Admiral Fallow - Maggie Mae's
12:00 AM - Beans - Mohawk
12:00 AM - Ellie Goulding - The Bat Bar
12:00 AM - Kitten - The Marq
12:00 AM - The Naked and Famous - The Phoenix
12:15 AM - Queens of the Stone Age - La Zona Rosa
1:00 AM - Baths - Mohawk

Thursday March 17

11:00 AM - 5:30 PM - FREE BOOZE - Antone's
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM - FREE SPANISH FOOD - Brush Sq. Pk., East Tent
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM - FREE GERMAN FOOD - Parkside
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM - FREE FRENCH FOOD & WINE - Brush Sq. Pk., East Tent
12:45 PM - Emmylou Harris - Austin Convention Center
2:00 PM - Meiko # - The Driskill (SESAC Brunch)
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM - FREE FOOD & DRINK - Latitude 30
4:00 PM - Neon Hitch - Austin Convention Center
8:00 PM - Dinosaur Pile-Up - Latitude 30
8:15 PM - Fences - St David's Historic Sanctuary
9:00 PM - Kyla La Grange - Klub Krucial
9:00 PM - The Limousines # - Buffalo Billiards
9:30 PM - Noah and the Whale - Stubb's
9:45 PM - Neon Hitch - Habana Bar Backyard
10:00 PM - Fitz and the Tantrums # - Rusty Spurs
10:20 PM - The Lonely Forest - Maggie Mae's Rooftop
11:00 PM - Ellie Goulding - Klub Krucial
11:00 PM - Friendly Fires - The Windish Agency House @ ND
11:00 PM - Phantogram - Lustre Pearl
11:45 PM - Wu Tang Clan - Austin Music Hall
12:00 AM - Bear Hands - Victorian Room at The Driskill
12:00AM - Cee Lo Green - La Zona Rosa
12:30 AM - Gayngs - Mohawk Patio
12:40 AM - Hieroglyphics - Scoot Inn
12:45 AM - Classixx - Malverde
1:00 AM - James Blake - Central Presbyterian Church
1:00 AM - James Vincent McMorrow - Friends
1:00 AM - Oh Land - Buffalo Billiards

Friday March 18

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM - FREE FOOD & BOOZE - Latitude 30
3:30 PM - Odd Future # - Scoot In
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM - FREE FOOD & BOOZE - Brush Sq. Pk., West Tent
8:00 PM - Bearsuit - Latitude 30
8:00 PM - The Good Natured - The Windish Agency House @ ND
8:30 PM - Buddy *# - The Ale House
9:00 PM - Dan Wilson - Victorian Room at The Driskill
9:00 PM - Skrillex - Emo's Main Room
9:00 PM - Stone Darling *# - Baby Blue
9:00 PM - Air Dubai *# - Peckerhead's
11:00 PM - Chad Valley - Latitude 30
11:00 PM - Mother Mother - Swan Dive
11:30 PM - Helmet - Dirty Dog Bar
12:00 AM - Lucinda Williams - ACL Live at The Moody Theater
12:00 AM - Wolf & Cub - Swan Dive
12:30 AM - The Cool Kids - Emo's Main Room
12:45 AM - Satellite * - The Ale House
1:00 AM - Bombay Bicycle Club - Latitude 30
1:00 AM - Elizabeth & the Catapult - Creekside at Hilton Garden Inn
1:00 AM - EPMD - Venue 222
1:00 AM - Pint Shot Riot - 512

Saturday March 19

12:00 PM - 5:30 PM - FREE BBQ - Maggie Mae's
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - FREE FOOD & BOOZE - Latitude 30
12:00 PM - Foster the People - Austin Convention Center
8:30 PM - Brian Wright # - St David's Historic Sanctuary
10:00 PM - Air Dubai *# - Dizzy Rooster
10:30 PM - Meiko # - St David's Historic Sanctuary
11:00 PM - Blu - Venue 222
11:15 PM - Le Butcherettes - Emo's Annex
12:00 AM - Art vs Science - Maggie Mae's Rooftop
12:00 AM - Ume *# - Skinny's Ballroom
12:05 AM - Odd Future # - Buffalo Billiards
1:00 AM - Gobble Gobble - Club de Ville
1:00 AM - Jamie xx - Barcelona
1:00 AM - Young Legionnaire - Latitude 30

...and this last photo is for our British/Australian readers planning on going to Austin for the SXSW festivities (kidding, kidding...)

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:56:00 +0000

We're working on our list of "SXSW 2011 Showcases To See" ...hang tight!!

AIR DUBAI

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 03:04:00 +0000

AIR DUBAI (unsigned, unpublished) -- Go ahead - Listen to Air Dubai and tell us it wouldn't work on the radio. We dare you. This seven-piece Denver-based group recently won Alternative KTCL Denver's "Hometown For the Holidays" contest and their song "Restless Youth" has received over 30 spins on the station so far this year. At its core, Air Dubai is hip-hop, but these guys can SING, too, boy! They've got organic instrumentation layered over the top of everything which makes their music more accessible to Alternative and Pop fans. Air Dubai owns their masters and publishing, and they've got two shows coming up in Austin during SXSW - put them on your lists, dummies:

March 18 - Peckerheads - 9:00PM
March 19 - Dizzy Rooster - 10:00PM

Strangers

noreply@blogger.com (Team TALENTfilter...) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:35:00 +0000

STRANGERS (unsigned, unpublished) - This one's for fans of dark electro-pop ala Depeche Mode. Strangers is a new North London-based band featuring producer/remixer extraordinaire Glen Nicholls. You might know Glenn from his Future Funk Squad project, or from his remixes for artists including Sia, Snow Patrol, White Lies, and The Prodigy (among many others). Get on this one quickly - they've only had the music made available for two weeks, yet they've got two major label offers on the table. Listen to three tracks HERE.