Artist Interview: Mojave Nomads

Mojave Nomads hail from the Utah music scene, where pop music dominates. But with influences like Portugal. The Man, Broken Bells, and The 1975, it’s no wonder their indie, funk, 80’s tinged sound stood out when they submitted their song to one of our opportunities.

American Musical Supply picked them from thousands of submissions to play at the D’Angelico Showroom in New York in front of a hand-selected crowd of industry professionals.

We spoke to them about how they got started, the submission process, and what’s next for them.

RebeccaArtist Interview: Mojave Nomads
read more

Label Interview: Pacific Records

California-based indie label Pacific Records is running an opportunity through us where they’ll be conducting A&R research to identify potential ReverbNation artists to add to its roster. The label is looking to expand its roster with exciting new bands covering all genres of music.

Pacific Records has evolved from its humble beginnings as a retail record store chain into a multi-dimensional entity that includes recording studios, engineering services, CD replication, screen printing, and talent buying services, while its primary focus remains as an independent record label and music publisher.

We spoke to Martin Guigui, Senior Vice President & Director of A&R, at Pacific Records about how they got started, what kind of artists they look for, advice for artists submitting to records labels, and lots more. Check out their interview!

RebeccaLabel Interview: Pacific Records
read more

Artist Interview: The Leones

If you take epic piano riffs and dreamy synths, then mix them with influences like 80’s horror movies and Neil Young, you get The Leones. Hailing from Buffalo, NY, they dub their sound “ghost-gaze,” which is a great way to describe their haunting, cinematic sound.

The Leones submitted their song to one of our opportunities where they were picked from thousands of bands to be signed to End Of The Trail Records. We spoke to them about how they got started, the submission process, and what’s next for them.

RebeccaArtist Interview: The Leones
read more

3 Tips to Protect Your Music if SoundCloud Goes Bust

You may have heard the news concerning SoundCloud’s future. No one can see into the future, but what if SoundCloud does go away? What will happen to your music? How about your fans? Where will they go? IS IT TIME TO FREAK OUT YET?!!!!! Well, no. But, also, kind of yes.

Regardless of what actually happens to SoundCloud, this should be a moment of awakening for artists of all types. There are a few actions you can take – right…dang….now – to protect your music and your digital relationships with fans in uncertain times like these. And yes, before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room:

Is ReverbNation a good replacement for SoundCloud?

Rebecca3 Tips to Protect Your Music if SoundCloud Goes Bust
read more

I Am Nice: Sammy Brue’s Debut Album & Interview

He’s been described as a “15-year-old folk hero of the future,” a “wunderkind,” and an “Americana prodigy,” while simultaneously holding on to his teenager-ness; hanging with friends, playing video games, and skateboarding different spots. Sammy Brue just released his debut album, I Am Nice, on Friday, June 16th, and the Portland, Oregon native is undoubtedly about to become a household name. We spent some time with him, asking questions about life as a young artist, musical inspiration, and the grabbing inside scoop on that infamous hat of his.

RebeccaI Am Nice: Sammy Brue’s Debut Album & Interview
read more

From Cutting Grass to Apple Commercial: Meet Distartica

Distartica has been involved in the Houston, TX metal scene since 2008. With influences like Havok, Warbringer, Slayer and Iron Maiden, their sound is an old-school metal vibe with a touch of modern thrash metal.

Recently they found themselves being contacted by Apple and featured in a commercial. Their drummer, Carlos, is blind and uses assistive technology with Apple products, which led him to become apart of their Global Accessibility Awareness Project.

We chatted with them about how they formed, the challenges of getting your music heard, how they came to be featured in an Apple commercial and their advice for new artists.

RebeccaFrom Cutting Grass to Apple Commercial: Meet Distartica
read more

When Band Meets Label: How LuxDeluxe Got Signed By Old Flame Records

Quick thought experiment – you’re a DIY rock ‘n’ roll band from the same area of Massachusetts that produced The Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. and you’re trying to pique the interest of indie labels. You’ve released an album, done a bit of regional touring, got a strong fan base going and some press attention. Ok, what do you do now? Blast pitches all over the place to a bunch of “info@” email addresses? Tag every indie label in the known universe in your album cover art Instagram pics? Now put yourself on the other side of the equation – you’re an indie label constantly on the hunt for fresh talent. You have a rock solid reputation but limited budget and resources. How do you navigate the crowded waters of new music while still developing your current artists? The answer for both sides – queue the self-promotional back-patting for a quick moment – is ReverbNation. This is the story of LuxDeluxe and Old Flame Records, as told by them, with inspiration for any musicians out there looking to make the next big move.

RebeccaWhen Band Meets Label: How LuxDeluxe Got Signed By Old Flame Records
read more

Our Favorite Music Cities That Aren’t NYC, LA & Nashville

10 points if you can tell us where Denton is…If not, no biggie, that isn’t the goal of this anyways (sorry, geography nerds). We’re here to shine a light on cities with killer music scenes that aren’t NYC, LA, or Nashville, the ones that don’t get nearly enough love as they should. Come take a trip with us.

RebeccaOur Favorite Music Cities That Aren’t NYC, LA & Nashville
read more