undiscovered

Review: MuteMath - Armistice

undiscovered — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:47:59 -0700

MuteMath - Armistice
Record Label: Teleprompt Records/Warner Bros. Records
Release Date: August 18, 2009

When a band clashes with their record company and struggles to maintain their identity, it’s rather obvious that they feel strongly about who they are. MuteMath is a band that embodies these attributes. In 2006, the band self-released their debut in response to their label, Warner Music Group, packaging their songs primarily for the Christian market. After much struggle, MuteMath won the right to be marketed into the mainstream, with singer Paul Meany declaring that “we just want to make music with no barriers.”

After the solid success of the their self-titled debut, which received airtime on both MTV and radio, MuteMath are back with their sophomore release, “Armistice.” The record is a collection of eclectic, infectious pop tunes that aren’t the bread-and-butter radio singles many have grown to expect from bands today. The band channels the energy from their intense live shows to record as well as anyone, and “Armistice” comes as close to mimicking that adrenaline-rush as you can get.

The record kicks off with the fist-pumping rocker, “The Nerve,” a scathing commentary about a world that doesn’t seem quite right. Meany growls “Can you believe this world's like a glassy eyed swiggler caught sipping another one / Can you believe this world's like a tyrant taking over anything that it wants?” Before long, the band launches into full fury, Meany howling out “Set it on fire!”, shedding a satirical, ironic light on the idea that the only way to save a messed up world is to destroy it.

The next song, “Backfire” is quite the standout, with its groovy hook and chorus that draws the listener in with its infectious catchiness. Like the first song, its upbeat nature is sure to make “Backfire” a favorite live number for the next few years.

The record takes a quick turn with the lower-tempo “Clipping.” The musical layering of Greg Hill’s guitar work, in tandem with Roy Mitchell-Cardenas’ pumping bass rhythms, Darren King’s drum work, a string section, and harmonized vocals create a mysterious yet delectable atmospheric crunch. It serves as a reminder that this band isn’t just another hip jam band, but rather, a talented and versatile unit that is incredibly tight both in the studio and live.

The band continues to exhibit this talent throughout the rest of the record, dabbling in electronica, handclaps, and other elements, churning up their unique style. To say there is no Radiohead influence at all would be bogus, but nothing MuteMath does here comes across as pretentious or wrought in imitation. From the semi-plodding, semi-jogging “No Response,” to the softer introspection of “Pins and Needles,” there is not a moment the listener will become blasé.

The frenzied “Electrify” channels some figments of the previous MuteMath record, particularly “Chaos,” with its urgent, speeding vocals and swift drum work. It’s unabashedly a love song packaged in a less-than-common format; instead of the typical power ballads and cute mid-tempo pop configuration, it’s a raging, intense tune. It seems rather appropriate, considering that love isn’t always tame and serene – it can turn one’s world upside down and make you feel like running around in a fever. Meany certainly feels as such, declaring over and over that “I feel it, I feel it, I feel it in my bones.”

After this, the record ends on a strong note, with the achingly beautiful “Lost Year” and the sprawling 9 minute-plus “Burden,” which certainly won’t weigh heavily on one’s ears. MuteMath only scratched the surface of their talent with their debut, and now have taken their art to the next level with “Armistice.” Listeners will immediately notice a musical growth in the band’s music; MuteMath have certainly nailed down their identity as musicians.

- Job Ang

Free Download: Conor Oberst - Nikorette

undiscovered — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:24:56 -0700

Former LA Symphony Members Spill "Rootbeer"

undiscovered — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:20:10 -0700

Pigeon John and Flynn Adam, both formerly from hip-hop group LA Symphony, dropped an E.P. last Tuesday under the name of Rootbeer. With 5 tracks and not even 20 minutes of music there was many opportunities for me to listen through it again and again since it was released. With the top tracks Chimpanzee and title track, Pink Limousine, it is clear that Rootbeer has developed their own brand of hip-hop. It is animalistic, fast pace and fun. They have struck gold on these two tracks that would be pleasing to any fan of P.J or Flynn or (any Hip-hop head for that matter). Girlies is a fun track with a distict Rootbeer sound as well but it takes a back seat to the others. The last two tracks are Under Control which is starting to grow on me with out it having any special qualities, and So Good with is a throw back to Pigeon John's Sings The Blues. It feels like this track was a B side of that original release. All in all any fan will be stoked to grab the top three tracks, they'll gain a few new fans, they'll make some money on an extra release but I'm left wondering, "is this sideways momentum?" I most desperately want Pigeon John and Flynn Adam to make it big time. Will it be found in Rootbeer?

- Ryan Zeulner

Live Albums, specifically Clarity Live by Jimmy Eat World

undiscovered — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:16:43 -0700

There is probably a psychology to surrounding live albums. I don’t have my degree in it but I suppose if you are a die-hard fan you are going to buy it regardless if they are great or not. I believe that bands put out live albums for one of two reasons, record contracts need to be filled or money needs to be made without making new material. In this case Jimmy Eat World is self-releasing their live album on their own website so I believe it’s the latter. They do have enough fans to make a few bucks with a self-released live album.

How good is it? Well you have to consider that its live (4/5 to start) and the fact that Jim Adkins is unable to do layer after layer of recorded vocals means that Tom Linton is key to filling in behind him doesn’t help (3/5 now). But it is Jimmy Eat World and these guys have been killing it for ten years now. Besides who doesn’t have great memories of blasting the song Bleed American out of their car stereo as all your passenger friends sang along?

I’ve been a fan of Jimmy since 2001 so I missed the first round of Clarity. This time it’s a choice and I’m going to let this album go to the die-hard collectors. The fact that the album track listing isn’t posted and you can’t get 30 second sound clips on the site makes you hesitate to pull the 8.99 trigger (Did I mention it is the Clarity Album (but Live) + two encore tracks?).

But know this - the fact that the concert was recorded in their home state promises that the every song will have sing-along gang vocals to accompany you on a lonely drive to work any time you need them. If anything, this will make you want to go and revisit your old Clarity album again with a much new appreciation.

Find “Table To Glasses” streaming on their Myspace Page. www.myspace.com/jimmyeatworld

-Ryan Zeulner

Free Pre-Release Music Download: Take it In by Wye Oak

undiscovered — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:58:27 -0700

And the Winner is...

undiscovered — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:07:55 -0700

Announcing The Winner of Our Indie Artist Month March Madness Contest:

Tquan Moore: Don't Stop Praising

Tquan Wins:

Free NoiseTrade Distribution (worth $199): Upload your music and create a custom NoiseTrade widget. Fans can sample then choose to pay any amount for or tell 5 friends about your music to receive an immediate download. You receive names, email addresses, and postal codes from anyone who downloads your music. You keep 90% of what fans choose to pay. This is an indie artist’s dream. Your music gets put in front of the thousands and thousands of people who visit Noisetrade.com every week. In a viral, web driven marketplace, you can’t beat this kind of exposure.
C28 Artist Sponsorship (worth $150+): Ever want a clothing company to sponsor you? C28 has the threads, stickers, buttons, jewelry, etc so you can play in style. You get $150 to spend on their online store plus a widget to embed on your website (if people come to the store through your website, C28 will give you a commission on the profit).
50 Free T- Shirts from Extra Mile Merch (worth $300+) It’s simple. Give Extra Mile your band’s T-shirt design and they’ll give you 100 t-shirts in various sizes for you to sell to your fans. Bands: Call for Free Brand Storm Consultation or Print Quote: 949-429-1000 or scottbrinson@extramilemerch.com
A Spot on the Next Undiscovered Music Sampler - Our quarterly samplers get placed in college bookstores and C28 retail stores all over the nation. This is another great opportunity to get your music heard by a larger fan base.

Congrats Tquan!

Artists, check back in April for an all new contest centered around the theme, "Hope."

-The Undiscovered Team

The Best Bands You've Never Heard Of

undiscovered — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:34:47 -0700

Here's a growing list of bands/artist I think deserve a special shout out for the hard work and ingenuity. In additon, they all excell at covering great songs too (each video is a cover of a song they do). Enjoy!

Best Live Band: Dawes

Unfortunately their studio album does them little justice. They're a classic example of a band you listen to live and go "wow," then buy their CD and go "ohh." I'm confident their next project will correct the lack of energy on their first. In the meantime, if you get a chance to check out their live show, you won't be sorry. Explosive americana southern rock is their specialty backed by four part "eagles-like" harmonies that catapult you back to the 70's with the aid of tasteful tele licks and hammond drones. They're playing South by South West March 19th & 20th.

Best Hipster Band: Glare of Rockets

Emerging from LA's underground hipster music scene is Glare of Rockets fronted by high school senior, Mariah McManus with her brother Aaron and friend Matt Mugford. There's a big voice coming from this little lady... not your standard American Idol kind, but a unique, confident one that folks who listen to the likes of Tegan & Sara and Paramore might thoroughly enjoy. Whether acoustic or with a full blown band, Glare of Rockets is young, talented and extremely marketable with a glowing, bright future ahead.

Best Singer/Songwriter: Amy Kuney

Don't let Amy's mysteriously, sometimes hauntingly melodic stories fool you. The fact that you've probably heard her before is no mystery. Her songs have been played everywhere from Gilmore Girls to One Tree Hill, to Holiday ommercials for Macy's, and of course, Undiscovered. Quoted by People Magazine as "an amazing lyricist," listening to Amy perform is like catching a glimpse of honesty and vulnerability often found in people only without an audience present. Sometimes sarcastic, always soulful, and never mediocre, her words, compositions, and presence will leave you both entertained and intrigued at what she'll do next.

Best "Christian" Band: The Fragrance

The Fragrance is the future of the Christian music industry. Where else can you get the hymn-like magnitude of Sufjan Stevens with the post-rock of Future Forestry? Leeland almost had it, then crossed over to the more comfortable waters of contemporary pop. The Fragrance, a collection of college music majors making their mark at kid's camps and youth groups are anything but juvenial. No video but check out their undiscovered page.

Who am I missing???

Q&A with Molly Jenson

undiscovered — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:35:42 -0800

Molly Jenson is a singer-songwriter from San Diego who currently bases her operations in Orange County. Her new record, “Maybe Tomorrow,” dropped in stores March 3. Undiscovered was able to sit down with her a week before the album released to talk about her music.

Undiscovered: So your new album’s coming out next week right? I heard it’s actually a re-release of one that you did a few years back.

Molly: Yeah, I put a record out just independently and sold it at shows and to friends a couple years ago in 2005. And then when I signed with Bully!/Pulpit Records/Nettwerk Music Group, they bought the record off me and we changed the artwork and added a duet that Jon Foreman and I wrote.

Undiscovered: So it’s one week before your record releases. Is life any busier than usual for Molly Jenson?

Molly: It’s been crazy. This last month has been the busiest and most stressful month of my life, but it’s fun. I’m growing a lot, I’m learning a lot and I’m getting to do a lot. We shot my music video last week, and I got to go on tour with Fiction Family. We’ve been doing all these promotional things and it’s been really cool. This is the kind of stress I like. It shows me that stuff is getting done and things are moving forward.

Undiscovered: You mentioned touring with Fiction Family. Was that different from anything you’ve done before?

Molly: Absolutely! It was so amazing! It was my first real tour. I’ve played in Europe and I’ve played up the coast of California, but I haven’t left California on tour with my own music, opening for a band who has a good crowd of people. And I did five shows with them and I played solo. I’ve never played solo; I would always have at least one person backing me up because I never felt confident enough to play guitar and so they could cover up my mistakes. But I had the best shows I’ve ever played; we sold out every night.

Undiscovered: Your profile description on Myspace said you never planned on recording an album or ever doing any of this stuff. What happened?

Molly: Well, Greg Laswell and I went to college together at Point Loma in San Diego and we had mutual friends and we were only acquaintances in college. But in 2004 I moved to Orange County and I’d been singing on other people’s projects, but I really was starting to think that I wanted do my own stuff, but was really struggling. So Greg was working on his own stuff and producing other people. He heard that I was starting to write and called and said he’d love to meet with me. So we got together and wrote a song, and we just had this connection that can be really hard to find with other people, and it went on from there.

Undiscovered: I was interested in the song you wrote with Jon Foreman, “Do You Only Love the Ones Who Look Like You.” Any stories about that one?

Molly: Yeah, that was actually the first song we wrote together. He called me up out of the blue and said, “Let’s write!” I kind of blew it off as just something where he was probably just trying to be nice to his friends. But he really pursued it, and that was encouraging for me because I look up to him as a musician and songwriter, and to have him come up to me and say he wanted to write with me was a pretty big deal.

We got together and I played a song I’d started writing for him and I had a verse and we went with it. He just kind of went with it and it took a couple hours and we eventually finished it and had a song.

It’s basically a reminder to ourselves and everybody else in the world that we’re called to love everybody, not just the people in our circle of friends. We need to love the really awkward guy at school who doesn’t wash his hands. It’s kind of a reminder for us to do that.

- Job Ang

Why We Like Lykke Li

undiscovered — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:39:24 -0800

“Swedish people are so cool!” shouted 21-year-old fan Sena Serna over the loud music. “She exudes coolness!”

Such was the attitude of the crowd gathered at the Glass House on Feb. 17 to catch Swedish pop star Lykke Li on her U.S. tour for the debut 2008 album “Youth Novels.”

Timotej Zachrisson, known as Lykke Li, has quickly risen to iconic status both in Sweden and the U.S. with the release of her album, her live YouTube performances and her collaborations with renowned artists such as Bon Iver, Shout Out Louds, Santogold, and Kanye West.

Lykke Li seamlessly blends pop, hip-hop, dance, groovy jazz, and soulful R&B, into her own conglomerate style, with her catchy lyrics adding a girlish charm complementary to her vocals.

The show opened with Swedish husband-wife duo Wildbirds and Peacedrums, who mixed haunting drumbeats with trilly and soulful vocals. Spectators watched, amazed at front-girl Mariam Wallentin’s voice, while others bounced along with her. Toward the end of their set, Wallentin approached the edge of the stage, mic-less, crooning a sorrowful, acapella song. The ballad then broke into a drum medley led by lanky drum artist Andreas Werliin, soon joined by Wallentin banging on cymbals with her glittery drumsticks.

Wildbirds and Peacedrums, their name epitomizing of their sound, ended their set with a literal bang of the drums, Wallentin throwing her drumsticks to the ground.

After a brief set change, the musical intro to “Melodies & Desires,” the first song on the album, repeated overhead while the crowd looked around in anticipation for Lykke Li’s appearance. Finally, Li strutted on stage, accompanied by three scruffy band-mates in suit coats.

Much to the audience’s satisfaction, she opened her set with “Dance. Dance. Dance.” Her little voice sang, while she danced and shook the chains and bells around her neck, only stopping to hum a melody on her kazoo.

Next, the idolizing crowd pushed forward during the groovy “I’m Good, I’m Gone,” dancing and singing along. Li’s stage presence was commanding, with the audience responding to the line, “Yeah I know your hands will clap,” as she moved to the beat, flipping her long ponytail and playing with her wavy taffeta scarf.

She was a dramatic performer, using expressive hand motions during songs like “Hanging High” and “Little Bit,” her intense brow peering over the mic to sing the line, “I would give anything to have you as my man.”

“We’re gonna have a Swedish techno party,” Li said at the beginning of the heated electro anthem “Complaint Department,” resulting in a crowd-wide dance party led by Miss Li, using the whole stage as her personal dance floor.

Just when Li could not be anymore impressive, she performed her rendition of Kings of Leon’s “Knocked Up,” her body winding and swaying in front of the astonished audience.

After covering Lil Wayne’s “A Milli,” with which she proved that a Swede can rap, Li ended her set with “Breaking It Up” complemented by a disco ball over the bopping crowd.

She made her exit holding a megaphone high above her head. The crowd screamed for an encore and she returned, tossing water on the crowd saying, “You seem a bit tired.” She then “lullabied” a couple bars of “Tears on My Pillow,” leading into the touching song “Tonight,” which matches the theme of youthful innocence in her album “Youth Novels.”

“I hate to leave you all unsatisfied,” Li said at the conclusion of the song. “I’m going to sing a song we can all sing along to.”

She officially ended the show covering A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” with the audience echoing back “Yes you can!”

As her exit music (which sounded like an old spiritual) played, the lights went up over the venue full of fans amazed by her mesmerizing performance.

“Her music is really different,” said Hannah Harris, a freshman at Pasedena City College. “She’s unique and we really like her style. I’ve never heard anyone like her.”

- Sarah Sunderman

Undiscovered Presents Indie Artist Month

undiscovered — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:34:29 -0800

We're pretty stoked to announce that March = Independent Artist Month @ Undiscovered. Here's what this means for you:

MARCH MADNESS CONTEST:
Upload a song, get enough votes to be number 1 on the charts by March 31st, and win our gear, distribution, threads, and merch package sponsored by NoiseTrade, C28, and Extra Mile Merch – over $1,000 in prizes that help YOU go farther in your artistry.

What’s Included:

Free NoiseTrade Distribution (worth $199): Upload your music and create a custom NoiseTrade widget. Fans can sample then choose to pay any amount for or tell 5 friends about your music to receive an immediate download. You receive names, email addresses, and postal codes from anyone who downloads your music. You keep 90% of what fans choose to pay. This is an indie artist’s dream. Your music gets put in front of the thousands and thousands of people who visit Noisetrade.com every week. In a viral, web driven marketplace, you can’t beat this kind of exposure.
C28 Artist Sponsorship (worth $150+): Ever want a clothing company to sponsor you? C28 has the threads, stickers, buttons, jewelry, etc so you can play in style. You get $150 to spend on their online store plus a widget to embed on your website (if people come to the store through your website, C28 will give you a commission on the profit).
50 Free T- Shirts from Extra Mile Merch (worth $300+) It’s simple. Give Extra Mile your band’s T-shirt design and they’ll give you 100 t-shirts in various sizes for you to sell to your fans. Bands: Call for Free Brand Storm Consultation or Print Quote: 949-429-1000 or scottbrinson@extramilemerch.com
A Spot on the Next Undiscovered Music Sampler - Our quarterly samplers get placed in college bookstores and C28 retail stores all over the nation. This is another great opportunity to get your music heard by a larger fan base.

Enter a SONG...

* forgive us if this link wasn't working before!

* See below for official contest rules and regulations.

THE PRESS:
This month we’re taking a break from reviewing and interviewing popular artists and turning the blogs and videos over to you guys. We’ll be reviewing one album a week from an unsigned, independent artist as well as interviewing an indie band or singer/songwriter. Do you or your band think you have what it takes to be featured on Undiscovered? Email undiscovered@conversantlife.com giving us a link to your EP or album as well as your website and why you think we should review/interview you. There are only 8 spots available for this month so jump on this quick!

THE COMMUNITY:
Undiscovered offers a unique opportunity to connect with artists and fans all over the nation. Discover a community of independent artists, industry professionals, and consumers looking for new music and network with them through our social networking tools. There’s no better time than March when we dedicate the month to highlighting the best of what’s new, innovative, and undiscovered.

CONTEST RULES:

The “March Madness” Contest for Musicians and Filmmakers - OFFICIAL RULES

* Contest officially starts March 2nd. 2009 (11:59 PM EST) and ends on March 31, 2008 (5:00 PM EST).
* Participants are automatically entered into to contest by submitting an Undiscovered Song during the set contest period.
* All contest submissions must follow ConversantLife.com’s Terms of Service. We retain the right to remove any inappropriate content that violates these Terms of Service. Removed submissions are no longer eligible for this contest.
* Undiscovered songs submitted to ConversantLife.com prior to the contest start date are eligible to participate in the contest. Submissions promoted to the Undiscovered Awesome List are not eligible for the contest.
* The top voted song that sits in the #1 Undiscovered Music billboard spot on 3/31/2009 is the winner for song submissions.
* The winner receives:

A standard artist distribution package from NoiseTrade.com with the sign up fee wave
$150 worth of spending to C28.com plus an artist sponsorship agreement from C28 stores.
50 Free T-Shirts from Extra Mile Merch. Artist is responsible for providing a 2 color, 1-sided design.
The winning song placed on “Undiscovered Sampler Vol. 2.”

* Winners will be notified by a ‘Private Profile Message’ from CJ Casciotta (Undiscovered Manager) within 3 days of the end of the contest. Winning participants will be posted on ConversantLife.com/blogs/undiscovered no later than April 2nd, 2009.
* Email info@conversantlife.com for additional questions about this Contest
* ConversantLife.com staff and family members are ineligible to enter into this contest.