Jessica Rhaye - Short Stories
(Independent)
Six years is a long time to go between albums, but New Brunswick’s Jessica Rhaye made the most of her musical sabbatical. Short Stories is a marked improvement over Rhaye’s self-titled debut, with a poise and polish that holds its own against the folk-pop heavyweights on the radio today. Producer Ed Woodsworth pulls the best elements out of each song, mixing Rhaye’s lush vocals against an ambitious musical backdrop that includes some of the east coast’s biggest players (Gordie Sampson, J.P. Cormier, Craig Mercer to name a few). If this disc ever finds its way to mainstream radio, Short Stories could be the beginning of a long, illustrious career.
—Tara Thorne
In addition to be a talented musician, Jessica is also a great graphic designer. She does most of her own promotional materials [if not all], did the design work on her CD and her website and she does do work for other folk as well.
Take a listen to some music and see her design work at her site http://jessicarhaye.com/
One of her design clients: http://www.soundpark.ca/
And an interview on Filly.ca
Wired has a report discussing a possible trademark dispute between Microsoft’s Zune and Canadian online indie label/site Zunior.com founded David Ullrich [former member of the Inbreds - listen below]
Imagine what he could do with that site using a Microsoft trademark settlement as seed money.
The entrepreneur in me gets very excited at any such possibilities for Zunior.
Particularly because the music fan in me would likely benefit.
And then again maybe this is the end of it….
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Posted this track back in December but may as well do so again:
Inbreds - Round 12
Congrats to Tanya! She’s been having a great few months with a Coast cover story, multiple award nominations at NSMW and now this. It’s nice to see when good things happen to/for good people.
Canada Music Week (CMW), Q104 and Music Nova Scotia are proud to announce that Tanya Davis is the regional winner of the National Songwriting Competition.
Davis’ song “The Gorgeous Morning” was one of over 200 submissions that poured in from across Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island last fall, and was declared the winner by a panel of established regional songwriters January 22.
“I am flattered because that songs means a lot to me,” says Davis. “The song is about quitting a job that wasn’t making me happy, and now [as a singer/songwriter] I am doing a job that makes me happy. I am excited that it was recognized.”
Davis’ prize package includes a Garrison AG-500 acoustic/electric guitar, a Sennheiser microphone package, a Carving leather guitar strap, and a one-year subscription of Canadian Musician Magazine. Davis also receives an all expenses paid weekend at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto and delegate passes to the Canadian Music Week Conference, where she will perform as part of CMW’s Songwriting Festival.
Last week the Guardian ran an article examining the current state of the independent scene and whether the word “indie” even has any meaning today - certainly debatable.
While the article provides ample examples of the new way things are going and the benefits to indie labels/acts [quick response times, embracing the new, lower costs] it also addresses many points someone jumping at the idea of starting an indie label or pursuing an independent route as an artist today should keep in mind:
Even for indies with popular acts, the galvanising effect of the internet can be overstated when it comes to the bottom line…And though it is easier than ever to launch a label, the gap between putting out a few tracks a month and establishing a secure business is getting bigger…The biggest challenge to the indie sector remains the need to adapt to the longterm decline of the wider industry.
But even considering those points, other general business risks and relative lack of rewards for most, there will likely continue to be a noticeable growth in independent labels and artist activity for the foreseeable future.
In independent news from ourselves, my partner Johanna Gerrits secured a healthy investment yesterday for From Here To There Records!!! We’re somewhat excited. So while you should consider this the first of many great announcements to come in the following weeks, we took it nice and slow getting to this point, almost a full year. We have walked away from working with great bands [music and people wise], let other opportunities slip past us and made a few mistakes of our own.
But we have a plan [a real one too, in writing and everything!] and see these changing times as a series of opportunities. For us, artists we work with and the local and independent scenes at large.
And plenty of artists share our views on the need for new ways of doing things. Of experimenting. I would not be able to count the number of articles, blogs and what have you I’ve read that have included direct reference to the fact that the old ways are no longer valid means of doing business. From the above mentioned article:
It’s a great time for music. But the record companies have finally worked out they’re on the losing team. Whether you do it yourself through MySpace, or on a label, the record is just the smallest part. It’s all based on a model born of the 1970s and 1980s. It doesn’t apply to 2007. - Alan McGee, Creation Records founder
Local artist Jonny Stevens sent me an email this weekend because he knew I would relate. We’ve talked many times about the way things are done today and the way they will be done [we, like everyone else are guessing mind you, as it’s clear NO ONE has a sweet clue, certainly not the majors, and I’d guess we haven’t heard of the person(s) who will figure it out yet]. But it’s fun and good for our own pursuits to hash out ideas and plan to try something new.
As an aside on the point of people not knowing what the new model will look like, here’s part of article I mentioned initially in my post Giving It Away which was based on Cory Doctorow’s article about giving away his writing:
This isn’t the first time creative entrepreneurs have gone through one of these transitions. Vaudeville performers had to transition to radio, an abrupt shift from having perfect control over who could hear a performance (if they don’t buy a ticket, you throw them out) to no control whatsoever (any family whose 12-year-old could build a crystal set, the day’s equivalent of installing file-sharing software, could tune in). There were business models for radio, but predicting them a priori wasn’t easy. Who could have foreseen that radio’s great fortunes would be had through creating a blanket license, securing a Congressional consent decree, chartering a collecting society and inventing a new form of statistical mathematics to fund it?
So if you have an idea, maybe it will be THE ONE. Find someone who can help you at least try [or critique your idea] and see what happens.
Jonny Steven’s has plenty of ideas that reflect the opinions and perspective of many artists I’ve spoken to working and getting out seeing shows. He’s been part of the music scene for quite a while now and has experienced quite a ride along the way. He’s hard working, writes great music if his style appeals to you [go listen to see for yourself, links at the bottom of the page] and has put his heart and I’d say at least [more?] a year into his forth coming full length self titled debut.
While he will be releasing a CD for this release, I’m not so sure his next album will necessarily be available in that or any format, other than as a digital download. While there will always be some artists that will want a CD [or vinyl or even tape release - see one of yesterday’s posts] Jonny may find his views to label him as an early adopter to ways that are coming like them or not.
The following is Jonny’s email, a local artist’s perspective, on where he feels things are heading for the music business and his music.
The New Music Business - as seen by Jonny Stevens
After playing in a band for 10 years and having our music regularly sidelined by the labels that released it who once believed in it I decided to try something different…I’ve got nothing to lose.
Racket Records is a creation that stems from the music industries inability to evolve in our changing music landscape. This leaves the job squarely in the artist’s hands to keep up with market trends. It’s as easy as thinking up the name of your record company if you have the determination to make it work and don’t take no for an answer.
The days of brick and mortar distribution are coming to a quick end with major chains like Tower Records going out of business and most others changing format from music to DVD sales. The corporations that control these distribution companies and stores are trying to cling onto an ancient model of business, why would anyone pay $20 for a CD when they can get it for free online with the click of a button. The independent artist is able to react to market changes within days sometimes hours while boardroom meetings have to be held in the other model.
It’s an exciting time for me and many other artists like me. The technology has finally caught up with our creativity so the only thing holding us back are our own ideas as to how something should happen.
The music industry is changing and the people who are being given empowerment again are the journalists, reviewers, bloggers, DJ’s and booking agents. There is no need for major label backing to break bands as the internet does it for a fraction of the cost and weeds out all the bad music as determined by the fans.
Notice how the only people really worried are the ones with the most to loose. Major labels and bands that pull in millions of dollars in revenue under the old model while the rest of us starve. I say let the CD die. Stop trying to hold onto it. Imagine if we as independent artists didn’t have to worry about manufacturing and shipping costs?
We could get back to recording singles to release online. Record on Thursday, mix on the weekend and release on Tuesday. Now with DMDS we can have our music released nationwide to radio stations with the click of a button.
The power of the internet and sites like You Tube and myspace.com will surpass (if it already hasn’t) the power of MTV and MUCH as well as mainstream radio. The future consumer want their media on demand, not in between Nickleback singles on their local radio station.
I for one am excited about the new music business as I’ve always been the type of guy to evolve and adapt to market trends and changes. I’m excited that once again young entrepreneurial men and women are able to make their innovative ideas a reality.
Jonny Steven’s Homepage
His MySpace
Last week I wrote about going out and finding people who can help you and asking for their help. Some great opportunities have come my way since I started doing just that.
Over on HearYa there’s a great example of someone asking for something they need.
The band Hymns for whatever reason, contacted HearYa and asked if HearYa was hosting a SXSW party and if so could they play.
Until that request, the folks at HearYa had never even heard of the band. Now there is no HearYa SXSW party, but instead of blowing them off, bitching them out or any other possible negative outcome, HearYa wrote a post about the band and suggested anyone else out there hosting a party or BBQ hook them up with a show.
Now the Hymns never got what they asked for, but they did get a new fan, a write up and his asking anyone that can help out to do so. Not bad in my books for simply asking for some help.
[And who knows, perhaps they still get that show somewhere].
http://www.myspace.com/hymnsband
http://hymnsband.com/
Another good reason to hang on to tape decks from Divorce Records:
Before things get crazy for Dog Day [Note from us: and they will], they have decided to release a limited run cassette with H&K on Divorce. The album will contain six songs and be duplicated on custom, high bias 20 minutes cassettes. THIS IS A LIMITED RUN OF 150 COPIES.
A pre-order has been set up on the Divorce website, so for $7 [in Canada] you can have a copy shipped to your door. If they are not all spoken for, I’ll be selling what’s left at the Khyber event on Feb 14.
Husband and Knife have also been developing a committed fan-base and their album Welcome Back to the Nothingness of Your Life was selcted by the Coast as one of the best of 2006:
This album is absolute. From the creaky four-track recordings to the morbid song topics, the mood never sways. It’s worth every moment you can give it. Somewhere between early Elliot Smith and Eric’s Trip’s more acoustic moments, it’s like a call from an old friend that you didn’t necessarily want to hear from. - Matt Charlton
Welcome Back to the Nothingness of Your Life, the new tape and a second pressing Dog Day’s Thank You can all be purchased at the Divorce store.
Husband and Knife on MySpace
Dog Day on MySpace
