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Stone Antica – Audio Gumshoe 151

Reviewed by Rich on Nov 27, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:03 — 24.8MB)

Songs Played

- They’ll Strike You Out
- Hypnotizer
- On Your Way
- Right On
- Wily, Tricky, Foxy, Sharp //

Swedish rock act Stone Antica was first described as a local funk/rock band. Over the years their sound has developed into something more unique with rougher riffs and louder songs, though their funky roots can still be heard in their music even today.

It doesn’t seem that there’s ever been a Swedish band on Audio Gumshoe, but I might have to search back through the archives to be sure. The closest that I may have come is when I featured Robert Rolfe Feddersen, but that can’t be right, either. He’s from Crown Pointe, Indiana. Regardless, I’d say it’s about time.

If you are into driving rock and roll, tinged with some funk undertones, and a bit of raw blues tone for good measure, this is probably a good fit for you. Stone Antica presented their material to me back in the summer of 2011. They were then working on the final touches of their self-titled debut album. They had released the track, “They’ll Strike You Out,” on iTunes and Spotify. I submitted it for play on AMPed New Music Weekly Show #293; it is the first song you will hear on this episode of Audio Gumshoe.

With the exception of a laid-back, smooth intro on “On Your Way” each of these tracks drives forward with high-energy rhythm, solid guitar work and well sung vocals. The solid production helps take Stone Antica away from their self-proclaimed “struggling basement band” status. It is quality rock and roll — deserving of world-wide audiences.

The band describes the steps taken to help them achieve final release of the album “Stone Antica”:

[It was] was recorded at three different locations in 2010. Drum sessions were made in a wooden cabin to get that authentic and warm sound they were looking for. Both bass and guitar were later recorded in a borrowed studio an hour drive away. It was a fine place, but unfortunately very time consuming, and it was exhausting to get there. Therefore the band moved to the third and last location, in a studio right next to our rehearsal place, where they laid down the vocals and added the finishing touches.

Full Review

The Blue News – Audio Gumshoe 150

Reviewed by Rich on Oct 25, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:55 — 25.6MB)

Songs Played

- Just a Game
- Two Lovers
- Hypnotized
- Hitman Blues
- Stay Gone for Good //

I love The Blue News…Sultry, sexy, dirty and organic…Rich and warm songs, genuine vocals, true musicians doing what they love. I’m a fan. – Sylvia Massy (Producer – RadioStar)

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard the blues on Audio Gumshoe. But this isn’t just any blues, it’s tight, rockin’, blues built to last. I was pleased to get the email asking me to consider the group for the show. I’m a closet blues fan (perhaps someone will remember my old show “Blogs, Views and Blues”?) and always enjoy tracks that dig in, rock the beat a bit, yet maintain the feel and passion of the genre. The Blue News does that.

The band has some great news and credit to their name, too. Recently, they were notified that their song “Two Lovers” is featured on the “Fresh Cuts” CD Compilation released by Guitar Center. This volume is not yet released, but we’re told that upcoming Volume 7 will also feature Sublime With Rome (formerly Sublime). Past volumes have included Weezer, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, KRS-One, and New Found Glory.

Songs heard on this episode of Audio Gumshoe are from the EP Wartime Songs.

The album consists of 6 new songs recorded by legendary studio “guru” Jim Devito at Retrophonics Recording Studios in St. Augustine, FL. The album was mixed at RadioStar Studios in Weed, CA by Fernando Flores with famed producer Sylvia Massy! Sylvia worked with Rick Rubin in the 90s and has worked in the studio with Tool, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash and many more multi-platinum artists.

Another great credit for the band: The songs “Hitman Blues” and “Just a Game” can be found on Rock Band 3. Previous releases “So Easy” and “You’ve Got Someone” are found on Rock Band 2. Not bad, eh?

Oh, and if you want to be a triva buff, The Blues News are connected to Kevin Bacon through the legendary six steps of separation:

Yes, The Blues News has reached the status of being connected to Kevin Bacon through six degrees of separation.

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon
1. The Blue News recorded with Jim Devito
2. Jim Devito recorded Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3. Tom Petty’s video for Into The Great Wide Open starred Johnny Depp
4. Johnny Depp starred with actor Benicio Del Toro in Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas
5. Benicio Del Toro starred in 21 Grams with Sean Penn
6. Sean Penn starred in Mystic River, also starring Kevin Bacon

Be sure to check out the band’s schedule on their site at thebluenews.net. They play throughout the midwest, including Louisville, Indianapolis, and of course, Chicago.

Get the Music

Artist Links

The Blue News
The Blue News on Twitter
The Blue News at Facebook

Associated Links

Association of Music Podcasting
Blubrry Podcast Network
Audio Gumshoe on Twitter
Audio Gumshoe on Facebook

The audio file for this work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Full Review

How Do You Make Money for Music?

Reviewed by Rich on Sep 28, 2011

The FMC Mission

Future of Music Coalition is a national nonprofit organization that works to ensure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want.

About the Future of Music Coalition

FMC’s work is rooted in the real-world experiences and ambitions of working musicians, whose perspectives are often overlooked in policy debates. Over the years, FMC has provided an important forum for discussion about issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law. Guided by a firm conviction that public policy has real impact on the lives of both musicians and fans, FMC advocates for a balanced approach to music in the digital age — one that reflects the interests of all stakeholders, and not just the powerful few. By documenting historic and emerging trends in the music industry, FMC has become a trusted voice in the ongoing dialog about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s musicians. In fighting for a legitimate digital music marketplace and a broadcast media that values local and independent culture, FMC helps establish a healthier music ecosystem.

Get More Info

How Do You Make Money from Music? survey introduction from Future of Music Coalition on Vimeo.

Full Review

Secret Skwirl – Audio Gumshoe 149

Reviewed by Rich on Sep 25, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:48 — 22.7MB)

Songs Played

- Jeez Louise
- Fragile
- Where Are You Now? (sample)
- Dream Believer (sample)
- Blow It Away //

In late 2009, a recording engineer (Sheldon Gomberg) and a friend of his drove by a garage sale, in Tarzana, CA; and noticed a stack of 2 inch tape boxes. After a brief discussion with the homeowner, he found out that the tapes had apparently been left in a closet, under the stairs of her home, and were there when she moved in. She found the tapes when the wood floors of the house were being refinished. She was the fourth owner of the home, which was built (according to her) in 1972. There were 23 boxes of tape; which Sheldon bought for the forty-seven bucks that he had in his wallet, at the time.

Sheldon took the tapes back to his recording studio The Carriage House in Silverlake, and cracked them open. The only information in the boxes were song lists with the name “Sloan Kramer” written by hand, beside each title. A quick count of the titles totaled slightly over one hundred songs!

Sheldon had the tapes baked (to avoid delamination) and digitized, for playback in Pro Tools.

And if you want to know more about what happened to these songs — and the entire back story behind Secret Skwirl (and Sheldon Gomberg) you should listen to the podcast. If you just want to read about it — and, of course, pick up a copy of the album for yourself — you should go here. Obviously, you can also click any of the links about Secret Skwirl in the section below.

Though I’m the eternal skeptic about the story behind this music, I dig the tunes. Go get a copy of this album.

Get the Music

On iTunes

Artist Links

Secret Skwirl
Secret Skwirl on Twitter
Secret Skwirl at Facebook
Secret Skwirl at ReverbNation
Secret Skwirl at MySpace
Sheldon Gomberg

Associated Links

Association of Music Podcasting
Blubrry Podcast Network
Audio Gumshoe on Twitter
Audio Gumshoe on Facebook

The audio file for this work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Full Review

Nick Tann – Audio Gumshoe 148

Reviewed by Rich on Aug 21, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:56 — 21.0MB)

Songs Played

- How Do You Sleep
- Don’t Make Me Wait (TVP)
- How Can It Be Wrong (TVP)
- 3am (TVP) //

I’ve been likened to Dallas Green, John Martin, Nick Drake and Elvis Costello, but I like to think that I’ve developed my own distinctive sound.

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nick Tann is reaching toward a goal. You can help. I’ve decided to keep my comments to a minimum on this post (please listen to the audio). Instead, I’ve let Nick do the talking as seen at his own site:

In 2009 myself and Matt Stevens came up with the idea of me recording an album funded by fans and supporters. To give it a bit of an edge I decided that I wanted to record it live (hence keeping down costs) AND to produce a vinyl copy hence The Vinyl Project was born.

In March 2011 I went into Livingston Studios and recorded eight live tracks in-front of a specially invited audience.

I am still collecting the money still need to produce the final shiny black disc version but now have something real I can give when people contribute to The Vinyl Project.

Immediately you will get a finished mixed and master cd copy. This has been lovingly mixed and master by the might Kevin Feavey. This I will post to any address on the planet. I have already posted copies to America, Iceland and even Kent!

In time, when I’ve edited it, you will also get a short film shot on the day of recording by Matt Stevens. This will include material not on the cd or the finished vinyl.

You will get your name on the credits of the finished vinyl plus a small picture of you if you wish.

I still need quite a few more donations to make this happen so I really need your help.

To pre-order/contribute to the Vinyl project simply click the links below.