Open Letter of Advice to Emerging Artists

Dear Emerging Artists,

Hope 2013 is treating you well and your career is headed in the right direction.  Hopefully you have already made some strides in 2013.  If you haven't - and you are trying to understand why - maybe the first place you should look is in the mirror.

While I will passionately defend an artist and zealously represent them - nothing I do for an artist can replace an artist actually trying themselves.  The artist's effort doesn't stop at just making great music and releasing it to the world.  An emerging artists needs to be their own publicist, their own best marketer, own icon... If you're an artist and you are trying to build a brand, an experience, an identity that is more than just the music that comes out of your mouth or thru your hands - you need to work on that.
Too often I consult or work with artists who just expect the sun, the moon and the stars because they put out a good record.  Artists all over the world create and release good records everyday.  There are more artists and more good records than there are highly lucrative opportunities for exposure so simply having a good record isn't a license to get paid.  You have to do more.  You have to a do a lot more.

If you've got a team - they should be helping you do more, but an artist shouldn't rely solely on their team.  An artist that makes little to no money shouldn't expect that just having a good song along with a  manager or publicist is the perfect recipe for success.  You actually have to put additional effort into that recipe as the artist.   To expect someone to turn you from zero to hero and get rich quickly is pretty unrealistic.  Like finding a needle in a haystack.  And most artists will say they are that needle in a haystack...but are you?  Look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions.

Do you have a voice that is uniquely different than other talented artists?
Are you an exceptionally talented musician/instrumentalist that stands out from other instrumentalists?
Do you produce and also write?
Do you have a studio you can access for free and make high quality sound recordings?
Do you have a fan base and network already that approaches 100,000?
Are you comfortable performing on stage?
Do more than 250 people come out to see you in your hometown?
Are you drop dead gorgeous?
Are you below the age of 22?
Do you have an innate cool and swagger to you that is undeniable?

Unless the answer to all those questions is yes - you're not the needle in the haystack and my advice would be to work harder - even if you don't think that is possible.  So...good luck in 2013. 

Artists that are working hard and on their grind - contact me at brandon@supergoodmusic.com about opportunities - including performances at SXSW and recording with Jam In The Van.

Sincerely,

Brandon Dorsky

Weapons of Audio On NBC & Premier Music Video for "Night Light"

Today's a big day for emerging local Los Angeles duo, Weapons of Audio, whose song "Night Light" is featured on tonight's episode of NBC's Being Human and whose video for the same just dropped.  The mini movie for the dance floor party starter "Night Light" features the brothers in a dreamy tripped out psychedelic night of ecstasy.

Directed by Jesus "Demonbabies" Rivera of LA's IHEARTCOMIX & Check Yo Ponytail fame - its a sexy tale of where the night can take you.

"Night Light" is included on Weapons of Audio's new EP Girl Crazy, coming out sometime later in 2013.  The EP is produced by W.O.A and features collaborations with producers Graham Marsh (Cee-Lo Green, Gnarls Barkley), producers Kyle Dreaden and Zak Ray of the Atlanta Creative Collective "Pack Life". 

MUSTACHE & SWEATER JAMS - TONIGHT THE PARTY IS ON AT THE MINT

Join the SUPERGOOD team and some of our favorite emerging bands as we celebrate the end of 2012 at The Mint tonight.  Cherub, Mystery Skulls and Mind The Gap will be joined by no just SUPERGOODMUSIC, but also the Jam In The Van (@jaminthevan), G Pen (@gpenlife), Grassroots California (@grassrootscali) and Weapons of Audio (@weaponsofaudio) families jamming out too - so come join us for the turn up with Doses & Mimosas and smooth indie dance jams!!

Tickets are $12 at the door.

Enjoy this preview soundtrack taken from Cherub's dope ass set in Jam in The Van at Bonnaroo, Mind The Gap's Jam In The Van session at The Central SAPC and the sexy beats of Mystery Skulls. ...

Tonight in L.A. - 9.26.2012 Concerts in Los Angeles

Enjoy your last Wednesday of September with the fresh sounds of Weapons of Audio, Peach Kings, Torches and Hey Champ at The Roxy.  Its an eclectic line-up – with the indie rock Outkast-esque Weapons of Audio leading it off and the synthesized pop tunes of Hey Champ closing it out.   The Peach Kings are a charming L.A. flavored indie rock outfit that are worth seeing more than once [she rocks  - promise ;) ] and I’ll be breaking my metaphorical cherry for Torches.  If you’re looking for a dosage of new(er) acts making quality music – head to The Roxy.  Want some free access? Get to twitter and tweet out @supergoodmusic @theroxy @weaponsofaudio @heychampmusic @thepeachkings to enter.  You could also buy tickets here.  

Of course – there are other options too.  Low End Theory hosts Teebs and Astronautica for the beat scene and Iheartcomix presents Django Django, Vinyl Williams and HOTT MT for a party over at The Echo.  

The Features with Army Navy at The Troubadour would be my second pick – you may be familiar with the Some Kind of Salvation Nashville infused indie rock styles that The Features are known for.  Well worth the cost of admission – as are The Killers at Fonda Theatre.  

There is a full list of shows below.  Remember to hit twitter or email us at contest@supergoodmusic.com if you want tickets to Hey Champ, Weapons of Audio, Torches and The Peach Kings!

• Alanis Morissette @ Fox Theater Pomona
• Indian School @ Origami Vinyl
• Samantha Ronson @ The Malibu Inn
• Riza Binder, Terron Brooks, Natalie Mishell, Aiden James @ Room 5 Lounge
• D Henry Fenton, Jackie Does Joel, Gooding, Lots of Love, Florence Hartigan @ The Hotel Café
• Django Django, Vinyl Williams, HOTT MT @ The Echo
• Dub Club @ The Echoplex (FREE)
• Harlan, Madi Diaz, Warships @ The Satellite
• RT N The 44’s @ One Eyed Gypsy
• Taken By Trees, Big Search @ Bootleg Bar
• Deccatree, Loretti, Karmic @ Silverlake Lounge
• Teebs, Astronautica, Jincallo @ Low End Theory (at The Airliner)
• The Killers @ The Fonda Theatre
• Dispatch @ House of Blues – Sunset
• Andrea Marcell, Mitch Forman, Doug Webb, Jeff Littleton @ bluewhale
• Weapons of Audio, Hey Champ, Peach Kings, Torches @ The Roxy
• Jerry Montano’s Down & Dirty, heaven Below, DJ Davewave @ The Viper Room
• PIKNIK @ Key Club
• The Features, Army Navy @ Troubadour
• The Cashbags (Johnny Cash Tribute) @ TRiP
• I AM 38 COMEDY w/ Johnny Sanchez, Jill Michele Melean,Rudy Moreno, Goerge Perez, Rick Najera @ Yost Theater
• Lant Lazwell’s Cirque Du Rawk @ The Mint
• Bloodshot Bill, Thee Cormans, Don Juan y Los Blancos, Becky Lee, Drunkfoot @ Alex’s Bar
• Maddison Hawkes (6 PM), Jonny Two Bags, Salvation Town, Suedehead, For The Kings @ Saint Rocke
• House of Vibe All-Stars @ Harvelle’s
• Clare Reynolds, Makepeace Brothers @ WitZend
• Nocturnal Youth, Alphabet, Skyler Funk @ The Central SAPC
• Jamestown Pagans @ 3 Clubs
• Kinds Hearts & Coronets @ Down and Out
• Jerry Vivino Quartet @ Vitello’s Jazz & Supper Club
• The Ukulele Urchestra of the Western Hemisphere, Valente, Summer Lovebirds, Samantha Jae @ El Cid
• Chris August @ The Observatory
• Meiko, Bobby Long @ SLO Brew

Weapons of Audio Premier Peruvian Pan Flute Beatbox on Jam In The Van

Fresh off the presses and straight out the fryer, Weapons of Audio dropped another hot piece of content today – “Life Goes” - the second acoustic video from their Jam In The Van sessions.   The poetic tale of life’s trials and tribulations features the premier of the Peruvian pan flute beatbox and continues the brother’s trend of creating a unique blend of soul, hip-hop and indie rock ethos.  Although it’s a live version,  Weapons of Audio crush another new track from their forthcoming untitled EP.

They’ll also be crushing stages this week –starting with Echoplex on Monday August 27th at Check Yo Ponytail 2 along with Tokimonsta, The Very Best and Jonwayne and then Labor Day weekend at City Stock Festival hosted by the great Jeff Miller (Black Crystal Wolf Kids).   Get your tickets for Check Yo Ponytail here. 

You can catch another Weapons of Audio video from JITV (included below) as well as many other videos from rising artists around the country.  Make sure the Jam Van can keep making mobile music content by voting for them in this Samsung Startup Thrillist contest here.  

Thank You to You/Weapons of Audio on Friday

Sitting in New Orleans, parked on the side of the road on Fathers Day, listening to Anders Osborne acoustically jam inside an RV I just travelled cross country in provided a good opportunity for reflection....

SUPERGOODMUSIC was launched around three years ago and as its father - I've nurtured the baby from its infancy into toddler-hood, from successes and failures, from micro journalism to big discoveries like Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks."  Finding that next big thing fuels the drive, and so do the fans, so THANK YOU to all of you readers, contest participants and general music enthusiasts.  You're all part of the SUPERGOOD fam!

And also thank you to Jam In The Van - the cross country trip provided a solid reminder to why I do what I do, facilitated the discovery of new talent and continued to assist SUPERGOOD in uncovering some artists whom we think could be the next big thing.  Weapons of Audio - who play tomorrow night at a Surfrider Foundation event - were an act whose JITV performance raised SGM's eyebrows.  Check out their awesome Jam In The Van video for "Night Light" and then see them play tomorrow night at The Arbor Collective (102 Washington Boulevard, Venice, CA).   Proceeds benefit Surfrider Foundation and there will be complimentary beverages available....so get your weekend started right with free drinks and tunes from Weapons of Audio, Capital Cities, Ry Cuming and more!

OUT OF CONTROL INDIE-SOUL

This Tuesday (tomorrow) - Los Angeles' The Central SAPC heats up with some fierce indie soul from emerging artists Weapons of Audio and Austin Brown.

The former are blood brothers from Atlanta who elected to turn L dot A dot into their hometown in the past year - and since then have been steadily creeping their way into the limelight.  From "If You Want Me" being a free ringtone through Coors Light to judging Sweden's Next Top Model to photo shoots as featured artists in Gilette's "Masters of Style" campaign - Weapons of Audio have been letting their swag flag fly high.  In their spare time they just happened to release a steamy, smanging bar anthem "Night Light" - co-produced by Grammy award winner Graham Marsh.  Returning to play The Central SAPC for the first time since their very first LA performance - Weapons of Audio are likely to cut that stage up and, if we're lucky, debut some material they've been cooking up since arriving to the left coast. 

Here they are rocking "Night Light" acoustic style on Jam In The Van.

WOA just sets the mood and stage right for another talented bloodline - the Jackson family.  Austin Brown, Michael Jackson's nephew, will again do his best to channel his uncle's skill set as he offers a taste of what's to come in his bright future.   Last week - the kid nearly kicked over a drum set and knocked a microphone off stage with his energetic dance moves and flexing.  The band is filled with young players and the music has plenty of pop stylings, from its soul to its subject matter ("Menage A Trois") to suggest that Brown has a lot of room to grow.   Check out some of his videos below and then make sure you get your ass to The Central SAPC early tomorrow - its FREE and its FUN!

OUT OF CONTROL INDIE-SOUL

This Tuesday (tomorrow) - Los Angeles' The Central SAPC heats up with some fierce indie soul from emerging artists Weapons of Audio and Austin Brown.

The former are blood brothers from Atlanta who elected to turn L dot A dot into their hometown in the past year - and since then have been steadily creeping their way into the limelight.  From "If You Want Me" being a free ringtone through Coors Light to judging Sweden's Next Top Model to photo shoots as featured artists in Gilette's "Masters of Style" campaign - Weapons of Audio have been letting their swag flag fly high.  In their spare time they just happened to release a steamy, smanging bar anthem "Night Light" - co-produced by Grammy award winner Graham Marsh.  Returning to play The Central SAPC for the first time since their very first LA performance - Weapons of Audio are likely to cut that stage up and, if we're lucky, debut some material they've been cooking up since arriving to the left coast. 

Here they are rocking "Night Light" acoustic style on Jam In The Van.

WOA just sets the mood and stage right for another talented bloodline - the Jackson family.  Austin Brown, Michael Jackson's nephew, will again do his best to channel his uncle's skill set as he offers a taste of what's to come in his bright future.   Last week - the kid nearly kicked over a drum set and knocked a microphone off stage with his energetic dance moves and flexing.  The band is filled with young players and the music has plenty of pop stylings, from its soul to its subject matter ("Menage A Trois") to suggest that Brown has a lot of room to grow.   Check out some of his videos below and then make sure you get your ass to The Central SAPC early tomorrow - its FREE and its FUN!

Bonfire Video - Chris Gambino

Childish Gambino - Music - More Music Videos

MTV premiered this wicked ghostly video from Childish Gambino. Other rappers should be scared of his forthcoming release on Glassnote, because it is probably going to be spooky spectacular. Anyhow, he drops this - and we share it for your Halloween enjoyment.

If you're in L.A. and want to ensure a Happy Halloween, come out to Bootleg Theater for Mind The Gap's last residency show of the month, with Weapons of Audio and indie rock cover band - Black Crystal Wolf Kids. It should also be wicked (in a good way) - and its FREE. Plus, I'm gonna give away some candy there - so it will be sweet too!

SUPERGOODMUSIC SHOWCASE at CMJ

Come rock with us and friends at our Friday night showcase at CMJ. We'll be featuring SUPERGOOD family Weapons of Audio and Kosha Dillz, as well as hip-hop veterans Rahzel and Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest. Headlining the night are buzzing indie-blues rock act The Stone Foxes, who are also playing SUPERDOPE on November 16th, as well as Soul Khan and Shinobi Ninja (who just played The Roxy last week).

Come see what will be the fresh sound in 2012 while its still 2011. Come to Dominion on Friday night.

428 Lafayette. Admission is free with a CMJ Badge or with RSVP here. Otherwise, its $5

Hip-Hop Artists On Their E-Mail Grind

Every once in a while you got to give love to those hip hop hustlers that are on their e-mail grind (or have people on their e-mail grind). We're constantly giving love to Kosha Dillz, who is just on the grind everywhere and always. Just in case you don't know about him, check out his website Kosha Dillz World and also peep this track, "Echi Ani Olech," off of his Gina & The Garage Sale EP. He spits in three different languages on that one.

Another hard grinding MC (who rolls with Dillz sometimes) is Verbs or Verbsisthehomie. He just dropped a wicked ill track "Feelings Get In The Way." He spit it at Knocksteady in this video, but you can just cop the download. He makes personalized CDs with his own illustrations - well worth the cash he is peddling them for.

Then there is Weapons of Audio - who are not from LA, but are moving to LA. They hail most recently from Atlanta and some of that southern fried flavor can be heard in their music. Their track "If You Want Me" was downloaded over 19,000 times in June and is still in my rotation. I'm definitely looking forward to catching their first ever Los Angeles performance, whenever that is...

Other MCs on their grind include JAMS. You might not know it because it isn't the first thing that turns up in a Google search for JAMS, but homeboy has somebody who was sending me e-mails and I'm glad I opened this one up. Coming out of Chicago - I gave the dude a chance, and was able to get past the fact that these look like some kids from my high school trying to make a rap video where they look hard. Just because I think their fashion choices don't fit their white suburban, I've never seen a gun or been through a fire look doesn't mean "Through The Fire" featuring Bradley Bacci isn't a good song. It is worth listening to and the video does have train tracks (thats a + in my book).

Wasn't Kidding About Weapons of Audio

Heard from some friends in NYC that the Weapons of Audio show was way way impressive. Their words exactly were "they should be playing arenas." That forced me to go dig around the 'net a little bit and I unearthed this video for "If You Want Me." Not only does the sing remind me a little bit of Prince, but apparently that female vocalist has been on The Voice.

Brothers Floyd and Jeremy Daniels clearly have the hotness. And here they're joined by Coco, Breezy and Angela Wolff. Peep it for yourself...

What The Knux? ('Roo Preview)

In light of Bonnaroo announcing their schedule - I'm continuing with my 'Roo Preview and countdown of artists SUPERGOOD thinks are super good. The Knux, hailing from New Orleans, blend of rap has been a favorite on my speakers since I first heard the album "Remind Me In 3 Days..."

With clear influences from Outkast and The Pharcyde, and a style that embraces a little bit of a rocker's swagger, it surprises me that The Knux didn't explode more off of "Remind Me in 3 Days..." Honestly, it was one of my favorite records of 2008. From "Bang, Bang!" - the Entourage trailer track to "Cappuccino" to "Powder Room" there were a bunch of bangers touching on subjects not often visited by rappers toeing a line close to pop-hop.

"Daddy's Little Girl" and "Powder Room" survived several years in my i-pod and made a return in 2011 when the duo dropped a leak from their second LP, "She's So Up", on Consequence of Sound in early February. The new material definitely has much more of a rock underpinning to it as heard in the driving guitar riff, but still possesses a catchy hook and their creative flow.

Very exciting to have these two brothers (Kentrell "Krispy" Lindsey and Alvin "Joey" Lindsey) on the 'Roo line-up - and at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night no less. What a great way to kick off the first night considering they were all the rage of the 2009 festival season (although they didn't perform at that many of them) and are well known for their intense and riveting live performances.

Just like The Knux bubbled up out of New Orleans and seemed to escape the west coast until their songs were synched with some popular TV shows (Entourage) and films (Harold & Kumar), another act from the southeast that should be popping up on the radar for everyone else soon is Weapons of Audio.

Those boys (and brothers as well) hail from North Carolina and have a sound that is one part The Knux, one part Prince, a little bit of Outkast and a cup of something new. Their synthesized soul or synthesized hip-hop soul is plain dope. Sadly, Weapons of Audio are not on Bonnaroo's line-up this year (or anyone else's festival line up either). That said, I promise they should be.

I've checked out some of their tracks on their facebook page after learning that they'd recorded with Grammy nominated Graham Marsh (the producer behind Cee-Lo's Bright Lights Big City) and from there, I just fell in love. You can fall in love with them too and then beg your local talent buyers to bring them to your city. Check them out on their facebook page and be sure to listen to "If You Want Me" if you want to hear the Prince influences; here is a video for their song "Boulevard" from their debut release "Bipolar".