BANDCOCKTAIL.COM

1) Darwin Deez – “Radar Detector” 2) Art vs Science – “Magic Fountain” 3) Jamaica – “I Think I Like U 2″ 4) Harlem Shakes – “Sunlight’ 5) Thao – “Body” 6) Elsinore – “Yes Yes Yes” 7) Sarah Blasko – “We Won’t Run” Darwin Deez – “Bad Day” 9) DOM – “Living in America” 10) Tim Delaughter – “Learn to Love the Ride” 11) Richard Vission and Static Revenger – “I Like That”

Phoenix – “Lisztomania” Throw Me The Statue – “Hi-Fi Goon” Cosmo Jarvis – “She’s Got You” Matt & Kim – “Lessons Learned” Peter Bjorn and John – “Nothing to Worry About” Tegan and Sara – “Alligator” Master Shortie – “Bringin it Back” The Features – “Lions” The Limousines – “Very Busy People” Windmill – “Big Boom” Yeasayer – “Ambling Alp” Pomplamoose – “Beat the Horse” Don Diablo – “Hooligans”

It’s good news for music lovers now that they can easily download music from internet without leaving the comfort of their chair. With the increasing accessibility of high speed internet, people are now turning to downloading rather than buy CDs or DVDs from music shops.

The explosion in numbers of MP3 players and iPods are leading to ever increasing numbers of users looking to download music from the web. Not to mention the fact that virtually every new mobile phone released now doubles up as a music player! The advantage of downloading of course is that you need only purchase the tracks you want and not the whole album, it’s a bit like buying your own compilation album!

Downloads of course are much cheaper than buying a CD from music shop. But of course, people are always looking to get something for free. A few years ago Napster was taken to court over it’s free music sharing service and has now evolved into a fee paying site. Previously music companies had lost millions in revenue as free file sharing led to a significant drop in sales. Ultimately, artists and music companies filed cases at Napster for stealing music and many people were charged for stealing music. However, after closing down this process by the companies, they provided Napster the permission to provide a fee paying download service.

There still exists many sites that offers free music download, however, these are mostly full of virus and spyware. You are free to download from these sites but the risk of infection is high, often you will not realize until it is too late. Repairing your computer may prove to be a very costly exercise! Always make sure you have up to date anti virus software loaded, get yourself some free software such as avg antivirus and you won’t go far wrong.

Legal music download sites are now becoming popular and are steadily replacing the illegal sites. And as the downloads are pretty cheap many people are comfortable by paying for music as they know that this maintain the music. However, there are some who still think that downloading free and illegal stuff is better; they are finding the way hard and costly.

Many sites offer music downloads for a very reasonable rates. For example, Legalsoundz charge only 9¢ per downloaded track and provide excellent downloading software. According to the recent survey conducted by Entertainment Media Research, 35% of music listeners are now downloading legally from internet. This is as a direct result of falling prices and is increasing day by day as the users are now aware of the fact that cheap downloads come without any risks like virus, spyware and the quality is obviously as good as original.

So there we are, armed with this knowledge you can go into the world of online music. Find a site you trust and that has good download software and most important of all, affordable. If you can, make a separate back up of your music on a backup drive, just think how much it would cost to replace the music you have! For a moderately small investment you can protect your collection for ever.

Virtual Venues Network (VVN), a pioneering media company that produces high-definition, virtual concert experiences at clubs and theaters, has introduced an exciting new opportunity for independent filmmakers, music documentary producers and makers of alternative content. “Indie Roadshow” will provide an alternative to traditional theatrical presentations with a new, state-of the-art digital showcase environment offered to nightclubs and college music venues. The “Indie Roadshow” will be offered exclusively through the Virtual Venues Network beginning October 2008.

“This is an entirely new channel for independent distribution” says CEO Michael Horne, “In addition to the great concert footage that has been submitted for inclusion in our “Virtual Concert Experience” environment, we’ve received great documentaries and indie projects that are perfectly suited to the college and nightclub audience.” The Indie Roadshow will feature pre-release exclusive screenings and stage DVD release events city to city, on tour, all year round.

VVN books high-definition music content onto nightclub stages, replicating the live concert and bringing national touring acts into smaller markets they would not reach on tour. VVN is currently outfitting nightclubs and college venues with projectors, their patented, ClubLyncTM digital players and installing life-size screens on-stage at each venue. They are currently coordinating a 60-city tour with “Hi-Def From Red Rocks featuring The String Cheese Incident.” While The String Cheese Incident is no longer touring live, the three hour, twenty minute Virtual Concert Experience is reuniting fans in hometown venues across the country.

Visit http://www.virtualvenuesnetwork.com for programming info and upcoming Virtual Concert and Indie Roadshow screenings or contact Virtual Venues Network at 831-421-9500.

Music is the rhythm of life and possesses the power to revive stale heart, mind and soul. Music has that great power of expression of an artist’s mind, his zeal, emotions and vivacity. Music can make the blood flow in opposite direction and that is why music plays a vital role in nurturing revolution by providing great motivation. Alternative rock is also that precious stone picked up from the sea of innovation. Alternative rock is essentially an umbrella term for underground music that has emerged in the wake of the punk rock movement since the mid 1980s. Throughout its history, alternative rock has been largely defined by its rejection of the commercialism of mainstream culture. The music now known as alternative rock was known by a variety of terms before “alternative” came into common use. “College rock” was used in the United States to describe this awesome music during the 1980s due to its links to the college radio circuit and the tastes of college students.

In the United Kingdom the term “Indie” was preferred; by 1985 the term “Indie” had come to mean a particular genre, or group of subgenres, rather than a simple demarcation of status. As a musical genre, alternative rock consists of various subgenres that have grown from the indie music scene since the 1980s, such as grunge, Britpop, Gothic rock, and Indie pop. These genres are unified by their collective debt to the style and/or ethos of punk, which laid the groundwork for alternative music in the 1970s. Alternative bands in previous times used to play in small clubs, at that time there was no advertising medium so it was advertised through world of mouth as a result alternative rock became popular among youth. Alternative rock does not have any particular musical style but many performers have made up their own style by including distorted guitars. Sounds range from the dirty guitars of grunge and the gloomy sound scales of gothic rock is the specialty of alternative rock.

Lyrics in alternative rock songs typically address issues concerned with society such as drugs, depression and environment. Alternative rock has that approach that can awake youth and can make them realize their potential. Alternative rock performers differentiate themselves from their traditional rock predecessors as they want to sing it for a greater diversity and experimentation in music. Alternative rock performers produce catchy as well as motivational music. Though their music–with its emphasis on distorted guitars and ambiguous lyrics doesn’t suit to commercialize society. Expressions explained by alternative rock songs are 3-4 minutes long, with catchy riffs and steady beats. Alternative rock aims to reach out to a new generation of youth with high energy, melodic music which spoke to contemporary social issues.

Defining music as “alternative” is often difficult because of the application of the word alternative. On one hand alternative describes challenging music that protest commercialization and mainstream values. On the other hand alternative word is used by music industry to mention available options. Whatever the meaning that word carries out, but the fact is that the alternative rock is exactly what present youth need to get motivated.

In my opinion that’s my top 10 of alternative and indie music!

Alternative Rock singer-songwriter Kirsten DeHaan has confirmed her latest release on SirLady Records: a five song EP dubbed “Thorns On A Crown” that is by far her most mature work to date. The new EP encompasses the sweetness of Liz Phair, a soft, airy quality like that of Sia, and the rich alto of Fiona Apple. Digital music distributor and licensing company Oseao Media Group will be making the EP available through major online retail stores on October 6th, 2009.

When describing her latest offering,” Thorns On A Crown” Kirsten notes, “This record, without exception, finally exemplifies who I am as an artist…Its alive, clear, and gripping. I wanted to make a very raw record, one that can’t hide, I think that goal has been accomplished.”

Kirsten has a lovely vocal range layered over innovative melodies and catchy chord progressions. The songs on her five-track EP extend over a range of toe-tapping to somber. The melody of the track “1984″ coupled with the guitar wah pedal effect gives it a 60’s psychedelic feel. The guitar intro then serves as an excellent backdrop through the entire song. Music lovers can download a free MP3 of “1984″ from her website at http://www.kdlocal.com

The single string guitar riff in “Double or Nothing” meshes in with the bass line very nicely giving it a Dave Matthews Band groove. The track “The Night Shift” has a Pink Floyd feel to it, which midway through introduces a samba like rhythm. In the track “I’m Coming Home,” Kirsten stays true to some of her influences like Bob Dylan evidenced by the use of the harmonica. This track also captures Kirsten exhibiting a decent vibrato. While at first inconspicuous and gentle, “Ms. Daisy” easily works its way into the listener?s subconscious through Kirsten’s melodious and colorful voice.

“My primary goal as a singer/songwriter and for ‘Thorns On A Crown’ is to make my music as tight as possible,” explained Kirsten. “After many years of writing my own work and playing with various musicians, I’m working with my guys, which, in my view, has created the ultimate band recording with just five instruments. Paul Amorese on drums, Jamie Sturm on guitar, Shawn Setaro on bass, and myself on guitar, vocals, and harmonica.”

DeHaan stomped onto the indie music scene in 2004 when she released her first album “Conform.” Reviewers compared her music to that of Nirvana, U2, and Belly. MTV struck licensing deals to play her songs Commotion and Saved on hit reality shows Made and My Super Sweet Sixteen. Garageband rated her #16 Best Female Vocals in Pop/Rock, all time, and FreshFarmMusic.com declared “Conform” one of the most popular records next to the Killers and Ashlee Simpson. In addition, Kirsten was one of five artists chosen for Men’s Vogue/Hennessey Flaunt Your Taste Critics Choice Awards this past year.

DeHaan also strives to promote and foster the indie music scene in New York City. She started the New York Indie Rock Launch in early 2006 to bring the best New York artists of various rock genres together under one roof. Promoting entirely on a grass roots level (a flyer to flyer basis), the first Launch sold out quickly and found tremendous success. DeHaan continued the series in 2007 and again in July 2008 at the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn.

http://www.kdlocal.com
http://kirstendehaan.musicdish.net
http://www.reverbnation.com/kirstendehaan
http://twitter.com/KDLocal

For CD or mp3 tracks as well as interview request, contact:
Eric de Fontenay
MusicDish
http://kirstendehaan.musicdish.net
kistendehaan@musicdish.net
+1 718 278 0662