Many people take the independent route to stardom, but sometimes they decide to take a risk and form a band with other talented individuals. In fact, the members of SATELLITE could be successful independently, but they decided to play together as a band instead. The group consists of four members, who are Steven McMorran, Mitch Allan, Josh Dunahoo, and Justin Glasco, and they have only been playing together for the past year. Mitch has worked with artists such as Pink, Faith Hill, and Simple Plan, but he says that he is the most proud of the work he has done with SATELLITE. The band is from Los Angeles, California and is currently unsigned. Even without a label, SATELLITE has produced an EP called Ring The Bells, featuring the hit single "Say The Words." Instead of relying on volume to showcase their emotions like some rock groups, they use complex melodies to express a wide range of emotions while also maintaining their clarity.
SATELLITE's influences include Bruce Springsteen, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, The Killers, and Arcade Fire. The group has gained popularity in Southern California through features on TV and film, and they have been known to sound as good live as they do on their recordings. The LA Examiner included them as part of the 20 Bands to Watch in 2011. SATELLITE has performed all along the west coast and made an appearance at SXSW. Their music is real and passionate, and a label looks promising in the future for them as they continue working together.
New bands often find it difficult to gain a large fan base early in their careers. However, Windsor Drive, an alternative rock group formed only three years ago in Wausau, Wisconsin, has already attracted many fans across the country. This midwestern group has also called Houston their adopted second home.
Windsor Drive consists of Kipp Wilde, Owen Jones, Dan Sukow, and Jon Wasleske. They have already been on thirteen national tours, either as headliners or as opening acts to other indie bands. In addition, they have been featured on E! News with Ryan Seacrest, and they are considered an "Artist to Watch" by Clear Channel.
Windsor Drive first began with lead vocalist Kipp Wilde, who was raised in a musical family. He was interested in southern gospel songs and hymns and liked the messages they conveyed. Wilde was influenced by Ben Folds Five and U2, who encouraged him to write and perform music. Windsor Drive's songs have memorable melodies and contain themes of love, hope, and longing. Wilde comments that the group was "able to stay true to our roots and musical influences." Overall, Windsor Drive will continue appealing to people around the country with their passionate sound and inspiring lyrics.
To hear their music and find out about their newly released Winter Tour Dates, visit Windsor Drive's website.
Check out Windsor Drive's "Fall" from their EP Bridges:
Mash-ups are often difficult to create and require a good deal of creativity. Frans Peter Bull Enger, also known as Norwegian Recycling, began composing mash-ups in 2006 after listening to Party Bens "Boulevard of Broken Songs." He has released mash-ups that have been compiled in three albums, including So Far, Appetite for Deconstruction, and The College Dropout. Enger likes to experiment with different genres of music and combine songs that would not normally be put together. He is interested in expressing his views and opinions through the lyrics and voices of artists. Furthermore, he emphasizes his views by putting visuals alongside the mash-ups he creates.
Enger has been featured in newspapers, blogs, and even national TV. In addition to his current work, he has started an electronic music project called Blue Bubbles, which is a mix between chiptune, dubstep, and electronic. So far he has released remixes of Katy Perry's "Firework," All Saints' "Pure Shores," and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Give It Away." Three more remixes will be released later this year. Go to Norwegian Recycling's website to listen to some of his mash-ups and visit the Blue Bubbles site for a look at his new work.
The CO is a relatively new rock/pop band that has their own unique and distinct style. Consisting of Collin Brace, Troy Akers, and Nate Fleming, the band was first formed in 2005 by Brace and Akers, with Fleming later joining in 2007. They released their self-titled album in January 2010 and featured singer/songwriter Tyler Ward in the hit single "Keep It Together." Since their album, The CO has released singles including "Heartbeat" and "Be OK (United for Joplin)," which donated proceeds to Joplin, Missouri after the city was hit by a tornado.
The CO sounds like a mix between The Fray and Snow Patrol, which is why so many people enjoy listening to them. Their lyrics are genuine and address the ups and downs of common people's lives, allowing listeners to relate to The CO's songs. The CO is currently working on another album, and several of their songs have been used in television and film. They have performed all around the country in front of large audiences, and they will likely gain more popularity as their songs continue being used in TV and movies. To hear some of their songs and read more about them, visit The CO's website.
Check out The CO's "Be OK (United for Joplin)" tornado relief song:
In the music world today, many people enjoy not only writing their own songs but also covering popular artists' works as well. Landon Austin is an unsigned artist living in Nashville, Tennessee that is known for covering songs. He has also composed a few original songs, but he mainly focuses on recreating songs and putting his own style to them. Additionally, he was a finalist in Doritos' Crash the Super Bowl contest but did not win against Kina Grannis. Although he wasn't the winner, he was able to showcase his voice to a large number of people. Austin sings alternative and pop songs on the guitar, and he has covered songs by artists such as Foster the People, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay. I think Austin's voice is good enough for him to make his own album in the future. Without a doubt, he will gain popularity in the upcoming years, as he gains a larger fan base. To hear some covers Austin has sang, visit Austin's YouTube channel.
Set in Los Angeles, California, I Killed the Symphony is an alternative rock group consisting of lead vocalist Britt "Kiddo" Joyce, Jonny, Eric, Gabriel, and Jared. Joyce began singing professionally when she was four years old and decided to focus on singing even though she could play bass, guitar, and the piano. She has written and composed four albums and EP's and has been on the well-known Vans Warped Tour for three years. Joyce is an international artist, as she has toured in Brazil and Europe.
Joyce is the lead in the group I Killed the Symphony, and some of her influences are Joan Jett, Manson, and even Quentin Tarantino. She has a presence whenever she is onstage, as she combines her innocence with her explosive temper. Audiences have described her performances as theatrical pieces, but the band's songs can easily get stuck in your head. I Killed the Symphony is coming out with an EP in early 2012, so be on the lookout for that. For more information and pictures of the group, visit I Killed the Symphony's Facebook page.
Often referred to as country music's biggest night, the Country Music Awards took place this past Wednesday, November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards show first began in 1967 and was established to honor country music artists. Award categories include Entertainer of the Year, Male/Female Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year. Some well-known past winners are Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, and Rascal Flatts.
This year's show was hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Using their wit and humor, Underwood and Paisley made the show run smoothly. Throughout the show, various artists performed, such as Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum. The Band Perry was a notable winner, as they won three awards. Taylor Swift won what is considered the biggest award of the night: Entertainer of the Year. She was the only female nominee among big names including Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean. Overall, the CMA's were very entertaining and provided a great night of good country music. The CMA's help reinforce the prominence of country music in the U.S. today and showcase popular country artists' talents.
