Breaking Bendeth: Q Prime who represents some of the biggest acts including Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Shania Twain has added producer
David Bendeth to their roster. Bendeth has produced platinum selling artists including Paramore, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Breaking Benjamin.
Radio Remains Relevant: 72% of adults are listening to the radio about the same amount or more than they did five years ago, according to American Media Services‘ latest “Radio Index” survey. 73% still usually turn on the radio when they get in the car. “The findings are interesting from many standpoints,” said AMD Chairman Edward Seeger. “They show that ‘regular’ radio remains a strong industry even while other audio devices are available.
Also, radio offers an experience unlike playlists on the iPod. I personally like to be suprised and I don’t mind sitting through a bad song.
Imeem Acquires Snocap: Snocap which has been struggling over the past year has been bought by Imeem. The Snocap/ Myspace widget stores never caught fire with the MySpace artist community. Many artists complained Snocap charged excessive per-track fees, which led to high-priced downloads to fans and leaving little left for the artist.
A Good Year: Virgin Megastores had one of the most successful years the U.S. chain of stores have ever had. Sales for DVD’s, Fashion, Video Game and Books were up. “Virgin Megastores are being recognized as a lifestyle entertainment shopping destination, rather than solely a music retailer,” says CEO Simon Wright.
A Victory for Victory Records: Hawthorne Heights who has been in a long cold war between labels and managers have finally come to a peace agreement.The label and the band have settled its differences and Victory Records will release Hawthorne Heights new studio album in late summer according to Hits.
Home copying – burnt into teenage psyche: A new study says 95% of youngsters are illegally copying music. Many record label executives see the piracy problem getting worse before it gets better. Some say new business models that adapt to consumers taste will put an end to the rapid growth of illegal downloading.
Ultimately it has to get better … At some point musicians and songwriters have to make enough money out of it otherwise they stop doing it,” he said.
New Music Streams: Alternative rock band 10 Years will be releasing their new record ‘Division’ through Universal Republic in May. Their new single Beautiful is climbing up the alternative and active rock charts and they just completed a video shoot with director Paul Boyd who has worked with Sting, Lenny Kravitz and Shania Twain. A couple of new tracks can be streamed here.
Recommended Listening: Room on Fire By Say it Twice
The Kings of A&R: SLASH of Guns N’Roses said there are no more identifiable guitar players and that emo sucks. We have an answer to that. It’s called the lack of musicianship. Being influenced by Fall Out Boy won’t lead you to the pearly gates. Those who listen and are influenced by artists pre-dating 2000 will generally have a better idea of musicianship and songwriting. If you want a career or at least a HIT, begin writing songs with dynamics. We want to hear a real vocalist this week. A vocalist that has a wider range than almost any other rock vocalist. Email Tips@kingsofar.com with a link to your myspace.
” At some point musicians and songwriters have to make enough money out of it otherwise they stop doing it,”
Maybe. But in terms of hip hop, it was a lot “purer” when there wasn’t a lot of money involved in it. It was done strictly for the love of the culture and getting your music heard.
Now, kids coming up watch BET and MTV cribs and think it’s another easy way out of poverty… copying the current crop of rappers (trash) that they see in mainstream media.
Personally, hip hop could use a cleansing right now, those that are in it to get a quick buck should fall by the wayside.
The new 10 Years tracks are friggen amazing – this kid may have the best voice in rock now! what a range!
I happen to agree liz. I listened to 10 Years songs Beautiful and Actions and Motives. This dude has a sick voice. Actions and Motives is friggen intense.
When will snocap work again?????
“At some point musicians and songwriters have to make enough money out of it otherwise they stop doing it”
This is easily the most ignorant comment of the month. Musicians will stop writing and performing because there’s no money in it?! About 95% of musicians and songwriters don’t make jack. They do it because they love to do it. What an idiot.
On a brighter note, I liked the first 10 Years disc and dig the new 10 Years track, though I was less impressed with the two other songs I heard.
KoAR, you have a working relationship with 10 Years, correct? I think it would be fitting to mention that when you post something about them. Seems only fair to let readers know of any potential bias…
Jalen’s right on. liz quite obviously doesn’t “get it.”
When was the last time you were surprised listening to traditional radio, Dean? The tape player in my Jeep broke so I’ve been listening to the radio a fair bit lately & the only times I’ve been the least bit surprised this year came listening to the local low-power classic country station. And I can’t even pick that up when I cross into downtown Atlanta. Oh, & T Rex came on the Georgia State station once when I was flipping through. That was pretty gnarly, but college radio is far too inconsistent to be listenable, especially given how little time I spend driving.
Jalen – stop being a pin head. All artist on koar receive the same coverage, you know it, and I know it.
Let’s move on…
Jon – maybe I should have rephrased the sentence better. Yes radio is boring, but the ipod is boring as well- artists are boring, especially post 2000 artists. I blame artists since they provide the content. I know every artist believes that they are the next Beatles, but they are simple a victim of their own dilusion. Hopefully, better artists will becoming out within the next 6 months.
I’m just pleased that radio is still a gatekeeper where the internet opened the flood gates.
I know what Liz means she is saying that if there is no money to be made then eventually musicians have to go do the day job thing and give up on the music. It does happen! I know guys that SHRED! that work in factories. Who cares if Dean works with 10 years they are a great band. This should sit real well on here but for vocalist with a HUGE range I downloaded One less reason doing a cover of Skid row’s In a darkened room from limewire yesterday and that guy hit every note that Sebastian did in the original version and Dean works with them too. So lets hear it haters.
jalan is wrong, as usual.. if money’s not important to the artist , then you’ll never hear his music because he won’t release it, he’s satisfied listening to it himself only
The “tape player” broke. Your funny!!!! and then T-Rex came on, sorry most kids probably don’t know who that is. But one of my favorite bands for the record.
I couldn’t agree more!! Slash hit it right on the head… I still look at Use your Illusion I/II as one of the most influential albums in my life… the songwriting.. the musicianship… most things from that era… even look at the songwriting from the LA hair metal days… laugh all you want.. many songs that are now classics and will be relevant for decades to come.. I can’t say the same for any song out now….
check out a band called StoneRider. theyre from atlanta, new band…their first record just came out in January and theyve already done 2 months out on the road with aussies rockers Airbourne. real solid rhythm section and a great lead singer/lead guitar player. solid first record, these guys got a future.
When was the last time you were surprised listening to traditional radio…look at the AB ratings on any citys rock radio.and most if not all are at the bottom of the list.thank you SAT radio.(XM RADIO)
you always tell when someone is getting “old” they grab on tight to the past..come on Slash,it’s been 20 years, sorry dude..
a singer with range ? what happen to “raw” “kickass” “balls”..if it wasn’t for “pro-tools most of todays bands wouldn’t be on cd’s.
Easy, Dean… I think my comment was fair and it certainly was not insulting or deserving of such a rude, dismissive response. If you’re promoting a band that you have a vested interest in, you should let your readers know — it’s no skin off your ass, so why so hostile? In the future, maybe take a minute to compose yourself before trying to compose a response.
Bestman333, do you know any bands personally? How many of them never played another note when they discovered they couldn’t make a decent living wage from their CDs/shows? Musicians love music and the will always write and play it. Do you really think music will cease to exist if the industry tanks?
hey jalan , ever hear of Kiss ? Gene Simmons has stated that they’ll be no new Kiss album because he’s not gonna spend $$ and weeks to make an album to have everybody “file-steal” it.. even if you don’t like Kiss, the premise holds true..music won’t cease, but GREAT albums will..
It’s funny to me that you posted Slash’s comments regarding his distaste for emo, and then you followed on with your own advice. Yet, you continue to endorse retread, generic rock bands on this site. I have yet to see you endorse an independent Artist who has legitimately forged a new sound.
Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean….what are we going to do with you? Are you sure you hear enough music to make sweeping generalizations about the quality and state of music these days? I implore you to listen to http://www.songplanet.com for one hour…just ONE hour. I guarantee you you’re mind will be blown by atleast one band you hear.