As evidenced by a seemingly exponential number of acts these days, there quite simply have never been so many opportunities for musicians to circumvent the conventional system and deliver their music to the masses by unconventional means. Prior to this new age of free downloads, mass emails and Myspace, the road to the national record store usually went something like this:
1) A band, somewhere, would build up a name and following and eventually garner some label interest. 2) Said label would then assign an A and R [artist and repertoire] person to scout the up-and-comers. 3) Based on the recommendations of the scout, our budding heroes would either be asked to sign on the dotted line, or be deemed a waste of time.
While Shelburne Falls' Seth Glier (sethglier.com) is the first to admit that his new release, The Trouble With People, is a decidedly indie affair at present, the 19-year-old singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist is quick to credit his current career path to some old-school scouting, too.
"I was in Cub Scouts, and the assignment was to learn the national anthem," he recalls. "The next thing I knew, I was singing the anthem at my Little League games, hockey events …any chance I could get."
In much the same way that the tragic events of Sept. 11 awoke the country, Glier says it was actually the terrorist attacks that inspired him to move past the "say can you sees" and see what he could come up with musically in his own right.
To see—and hear—his latest batch of tunes (as well as help out a great cause, in that the proceeds from the event will benefit the ARC of Franklin County), check out his CD release party Friday, Nov. 21 at Old Souls Church in Greenfield.
*
Also celebrating new product this week are the original boys of the OC—Western Mass' Orange Crush. The quintessential '80s cover band has recently completed an all-original effort, 80s All Over, on drummer Tom Kielbania's Mainline Record imprint—and is slated to mark the occasion with a multi-day, multimedia takeover of Chicopee's Elms College that ranges from a release party proper on Wednesday, Nov. 26 to a video shoot/label showcase Nov. 29.
"We're gathering footage for a reality show based on Mainline Records and the never-ending search to find, record and release artists' efforts, and all the drama associated with that," Kielbania says. For more info on the label, a schedule of events and more, visit mainlinerecords.com.
*
Speaking of Orange Crush and assorted soft-drink sagas, guess we'll file this one under Guns 'N' Sodas? With a studio gestation period of nearly 14 years and a reported price tag in the tens of millions, it will be difficult to ascertain just who are the actual "winners"—if any—when the final spreadsheet is tallied on Guns 'N' Roses and the anticipated Nov. 23 release of their sixth studio effort, Chinese Democracy.
One sector of society that will clearly profit from the "procrastination termination," however, appears to be cravers of carbonation and caffeine—specifically, Dr. Pepper drinkers. Fearing the project had all but flatlined, the good Dr. prescribed a healthy dose of bribery to coax Axl and company to wrap things up: do it this year, and we'll give every American a free Dr. Pepper.
With Axl now owning up to his end of the obligation, the drink firm's V.P. of marketing, Tony Jacobs, recently confirmed his company's commitment to the challenge.
"We never thought this day would come, but now it's here," said Jacobs. "All we can say is: the Dr. Pepper's on us."
To get yours, log on to drpepper.com on Nov. 23 and register for a coupon good for one 20-ounce can. The voucher will only be available for 24 hours, but once secured, is good until Feb. 28, 2009.
Sorry, former G'N'R guitarist Slash and Buckethead. The offer is good for everyone in the U.S. except you two… Doctor's orders!
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
