Today's #MPFreebie - Music from SxSW

Most "technology folks" think of South by Southwest (SxSW) as a media/technology conference, but it began its long-lived run as a music festival.  It has stayed true to its founding ever since, even as it has grown to include SxSW Film and SxSW Interactive.  Given its massive attendance (over 12000 registrants last year) and incredible performances (over 2000 artists/groups at over 90 venues), it seems a safe bet to name SxSW as one of the largest music festivals in the US, if not the world.

As one might imagine, SxSW has become a MAJOR focal point for independent artists and record labels.  Each year, indie labels (and/or collectives of multiple labels) create MP3 samplers of the artists bound for SxSW.  In addition, they take a laissez-faire attitude toward third-party collections and playlists; it's all about the music.  Needless to say, this gives the digital collector a fine chance to add variety and "new sounds" to their collection.  As far as I'm concerned, this is a great source for music/artists I'd otherwise miss (sitting in Central Kentucky - hardly a hotbed for touring groups)...

I've provided links to several SxSW MP3 samplers below - enjoy!

 

Canadian Blast: Canadian Blast SXSW 2012 Digital Sampler

SxSW 2012 Music Sampler from SxSWBABY

IODA at SxSW Opening Day Bash 2012

Don't Mess with Texas: SxSW 2012 New Music Sampler

 

 

Polyvinyl Records Celebrates 15 Years - With a Free Sampler!

Polyvinyl Records, based in Champaign, IL, is something of a rare breed among music labels.  From the beginning, their business model has been based on a straightforward 50-50 revenue split with every artist.  I like that.  They're celebrating their 15th anniversary with a free sampler - and I like that even better!  Vivian Girls, Of Montreal, Joan of Arc, and 27 other Polyvinyl artists await you on this sampler.  Grab and enjoy!

Polyvinyl 15-Year Sampler

Tonight's #MPFreebie - Nordic Lake Sounds

It's time for another eclectic (and free) MP3 selection, and tonight's will not disappoint. Germany's Denovali Records bills itself as an "independent label for experimental, ambient, darkjazz, jazz, drone, electronica, doom, indie etc."  Their Nordic Lake Sounds Volume I certainly meets that description.  Quite frankly, there's a breadth of sound here that one rarely encounters within the scope of a single label.  My FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) would have to be Fromme Lugen by Sankt Otten, Les Fragments de la Nuit's Entre Ciel et Fer, and Nylonfrom Her Name Is Calla.  In playing through this sampler nonstop, one hears the influence of everything from classical piano to progressive rock, with a healthy dose of electronica used both as thematic statement and effect.  (Yes, there's a good chunk of metal involved, too.)  Give this one a listen, and be sure to wander through their site; there are 20 or so other free downloads currently available.

Denovali Records - Nordic Lake Sounds Vol. I (Label Sampler) - Denovali Mp3 Shop

#MPFreebie - Feels Like Christmas

Short and sweet - there's a healthy chunk of indie Christmas music, as well as Christmas MIDI files, e-cards, recipes and more at feelslikechristmas.com.  Knock yourself out.

Free Christmas Music | Free MP3 Downloads from Feels Like Christmas

#MPFreebie - 25 Days of Christmas Music from Amazon

This is short, sweet and to the point - Amazon is reprising its "25 Days of Free" promotion.  If they stay true to their selections of years past, this will be a good chance to pick up a rather eclectic Christmas playlist; the first two selections are Celtic Woman's "Ave Maria" and "Peace On Earth" by Brian Wilson.  Have at it.

Amazon.com MP3 Downloads: 25 Days of Free - Daily Free Downloads in December

Today's Random MPFreebie - XO for the Holidays Volume 4

Today's Random MPFreebie - XO for the Holidays Volume 4

XO Publicity is a music PR firm in Portland, Oregon.  They work with a broad, eclectic range of artists, and it shows in the latest edition of their holiday sampler.

My taste in music knows few bounds, so I found quite a few pieces to like.  My FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) would have to be:

• "I Believe in Father Christmas" from Pictures of Then,
• "The Gift" by Beneath Wind and Waves, and
• "Christmas Time" from Piney Gir.

There are also two covers of well-known Christmas songs--a new take on "Greensleeves" from Rags & Ribbons, and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Kulewa--but I'm torn on those two selections.  Both of those songs are firmly ensconced on my mental "Should Never Be Covered" list; while both bands do credible interpretations, they just didn't excite me...but I think that's more my fault than it is theirs.  You'll just have to decide for yourself.

While you're there, you can pick up the three previous releases of "XO for the Holidays." They're well worth your time and bandwidth...you'll find something to like on each of them.

Stay tuned for more Christmas freebies...

xo publicity

Tonight's Random #MPFreebie - Pop Suey

No, that isn't an ethnic joke - not from me, anyway...

Amazon's latest sampler, Pop Suey, is simply described as "Chinese Music Treats."  I was expecting traditional Chinese music, but I found the tracks on this sampler far more contemporary in nature.  We aren't talking bleeding-edge Western style, by any means--there are a few singer-songwriter selections that would be right at home on American radio 15 years ago--but it's interesting stuff nonetheless.  My FLFs (First Listen Favorites) are Lala Hsu's Riding a White Horse, The Flowers from Fan Fan, and Kenji Wu's Write a Poem for You.

It may not be first on my playlist, but it's definitely worth inclusion in the workday shuffle.  Joe Bob says check it out.

Amazon.com: Pop Suey - Chinese Music Treats: Various Artists: MP3 Downloads

 

Today's Random #MPFreebie - A Boatload of Free Samplers from Amazon

You may already be browsing Amazon's MP3 Store, but have you been paying attention to the "Free Songs and Special Deals" section?  Sure, they offer the free song of the day, and they occasionally feature a sampler alongside, but there are many, MANY labels releasing samplers throughout the year.  Over the last year-and-a-half, I've picked up over 150 samplers from this source alone; you'll find everything from world music to classical to metal and hip-hop in the selection at any given time.

For some reason--the "start of summer," I guess--there was a deluge of releases over the July 4th weekend.  Instead of trying to review so many samplers at once, I'm just going to throw you the links to the first 10 free samplers on amazon.com and (when I can find them) to the labels themselves.  If you want to start tracking future releases, here's the "Free Albums" page, sorted by Release Date, newest first. The latest releases:

Kill Rock Stars 20 Year Anniversary Sampler - Kill Rock Stars, Portland OR and Olympia WA
Dangerbird Summer Sampler 2011 - Dangerbird Records, Silverlake CA
Vagrant Summer Sampler 2011 - Vagrant Records, Los Angeles CA
A Touch and Go Records Digital Sampler - Touch and Go/Quarterstick Records, Chicago IL 
Bloodshot Indie-Pendants Sampler - Bloodshot Records, Chicago IL
Merge Records 2011 Sampler - Merge Records,  Durham NC
Frenchkiss Records Amazon MP3 Sampler - Frenchkiss Records,  New York NY
Carpark Records 2011 Sampler - Carpark Records, Washington DC
Stockholm Belongs to Us - Labrador Records, Stockholm, Sweden
Cantora Sampler - Cantora Records, New York NY
(and here's an 11th, just because it's REALLY good stuff!)
23 This Year: The Sub Pop Amazon Sampler - Sub Pop Records, Seattle WA

Go forth and download!

Today's Random #MPFreebie - New Weird Australia

Yes, it's another trip Down Under for free music.  This time around, it's New Weird Australia that draws our attention.  NWA is a non-profit initiative (supported, in part, by the Australian government) promoting "new, eclectic and experimental Australian music."  Their latest sampler, "We Are After All Here," succeeds on all three counts.  I'd recommend this compiliation on purely break-your-routine grounds, but several tracks stand out; my FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) are Horoscope from NO ZU, Camryn Rothenbury's Racing Across the Void, and Cannibal Cod by Desfontane.

If you like We Are After All Here, hit the "Compliations" link at the top of the page; you'll find several more samplers with which to feed your eclectic side...

New Weird Australia, We Are After All Here | New Weird Australia.

 

Today's Random #MPFreebie - Section 27

The Internet has certainly spawned an enormous range of creative outlets, and 'netlabels' promise to be a significant presence in the musical section of the creative spectrum. 

Most of us are familiar with the notion of "major labels," such as Sony or MCA; if your musical taste is on the eclectic side, you've probably explored the world of "indie labels," those independent (usually regional) record labels bringing even more artists to the commercial arena.  Well, netlabels take that idea one step further; they're usually community-driven enterprises, and their music is made freely available, usually under the Creative Commons license.  Given the nature of the Internet, netlabels tend to focus on the more...electronic genres of the musical world.

Section 27 is one such netlabel, and they've released a 2011 sampler of their artists.  Now, I'll be the first to admit that electronica is not my typical first choice of playlist, but (as usual) there's some ear-catching stuff on this 8-track compilation.  My FLFs (First Listen Favorites) are the bookends of this sampler, tracks 1 and 8: Non Dolet's Terminal and Intr1 from Shodan.  In between, you'll find digital meanderings of all sorts, including an interesting take on samples from an 80s chart-topper.

Check it out, and let us know what you think in the comments...

Tonight's #MPFreebie - Sounds from Down Under, Courtesy of @soundslikebne

Sounds Like Brisbane is a collective effort from 17 of Australia's independent labels, and it's definitely one of the more diverse samplers I've heard in a while.  Folks in Oz are absolutely kicking it across the board, if these tracks are representative of the indie music scene.  My FLFs (First Listen Favorites) are Marialy Pacheco's wonderful piano work on Sunshine State, the somewhat ethereal Unsolved Mysteries from The Rational Academy, and the straight-up punk of Undead Apes' Taxes.  Check it out - all 17 tracks can be previewed and/or downloaded from SLB's site, linked above...and keep your eyes open for news/downloads of the BIG SOUND music festival, coming this September...

Today's Random #MPFreebie - Friendly Fire Recordings

As you're probably discerned by now, I have a fairly eclectic taste in music.  Given that radio airplay is dominated (in most markets) by formula pop, I've turned to the independent scene for most of my "new" listening.  Today's free sampler comes to us from Brooklyn-based Friendly Fire Recordings, and it's an interesting collection.  It features 7 of the 15 bands on Friendly Fire's roster, and--as is the case with most such samplers--it demonstrates the range of artists currently under contract.  My FLFs (First Listen Favorites) are Light Pollution from Acrylics, Regina's hard-to-describe-but-I-know-I-like-it Tapaa minut aamulla, and NYC band Violens' Acid Reign.  Feel free to let me know your opinions in the comments.

Grab this one from Amazon.com...

Today's Random #MPFreebie - Ska Lives

Indie Vision Music is one of those sites that you just have to admire for its breadth and depth.  Focusing on "faith and entertainment with an independent perspective," IVM gives coverage to the less-than-mainstream faith music often ignored by even local music cognoscenti.  As you browse the site, you'll find everything from alternative to screamo to, in this case, ska.  Their latest compilation offering is Ska Lives, Volume 1, and it's well worth the download.  This 29-track offering is well-chosen; one usually finds a clunker or two in any compliation, but that doesn't seem to be the case with this effort.  My FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) are How to Program A VCR from Dime Store Heist, Just Like Josiah's You Hold the Key and Phil Joel's partnership with Supertones on Don't Forget to Remember.  (Special mention to Not For the Crowd for their rendition of Roll Jordan Roll - when it's done well, I love hearing old standards taken into new genres!)  Give it a listen; I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Ska Lives Vol. 1

Tonight's Random MPFreebie: XO for the Holidays from @xopublicity

XO Publicity, of Portland, Oregon, is a music promotion agency with a roster of 100+ clients.  This year, they offer us the third in their series of "XO for the Holidays" samplers.  This year's release is 11 tracks of holiday goodness, and it doesn't disappoint.  My FLFs (First Listen Favorites) are Judge Jackson's Christmas Tree (featuring Billy Bob Thornton), the acoustic-tinged Dreidel Song from Campfire OK, and Paper Tongues' take on Carol of the Bells.  While you're there, you can also pick up Volumes I and II of the series.  They're all good additions to your holiday playlist - thanks XO!

xo publicity

 

Today's Random Free MP3s: A Mountain of Indie Christmas Music

Suburban Sprawl Music is an independent label based in Michigan.  Not only have they put together a "Holiday Sampler" of their artists, but they've maintained all past efforts online as well.  It doesn't seem that there will be a 2010 edition, but here you go - this link takes you to 254 (yes, 254!) MP3s of indie/alternative Christmas music.  You'll find everything from an a cappella "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to "My Reindeer Got Drunk" and "Beards Scare Children (Unless They're Attached to Santa)"...needless to say, several of these tracks are definitely NOT for your mom's playlist or the office Christmas party, but it's all interesting stuff.  Load up.

Suburban Sprawl Music | Holiday Music Stockpile

 

Tonight's Random MP3s: Free Music World Holiday Sampler

I'm a music geek; there's no other way to put it.  I'll listen to anything once, and most things more than once.  Now, since I have four kids, it isn't as if I have some pile of disposable funds just sitting aroud for music purchases; as a result, I've spent the last two years or so roaming the Web for free music.  I've really become attached to label samplers, since they usually give a pretty broad range of artists/styles for their issuing labels.  This time around, it's Music World's Holiday Sampler from Amazon.  It's a small (7 tracks) but tasty selection of jazz/R&B-influenced pop, with a few rap tracks thrown in for good measure; my FLFs (First Listen Favorites) would be Micah Stampley's rendition of Angels We Have Heard On High and This Christmas from Brian Courtney Wilson.  If you're looking for holiday playlist fodder, check it out.

Amazon.com: Music World Holiday Sampler: Various Artists: MP3 Downloads

 

Tonight's Free MP3s - Hydra Head Records

If you know me at all, you know that I'm a listen-to-anything music geek.  Well, tonight's MP3 freebie is for the heavy metal fans.  Hydra Head Records, based in Los Angeles (but formerly of Boston), specializes in metal, and they're offering a 22-track collection from across their artist roster.  My FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) are New Bombs from Clouds, Helms Alee's Lionize, and Hayaino Daisuki's full-throated Ghosts of Purgatory.  If you're in a metal mood, check it out - it's a free download from Hydra Head's online store, linked below...

Phoning It In - A Hydra Head Digital Sampler

Tonight's Random MP3s - Deep Elm Records - "We Dream Alone"

I'm always on the lookout for free music.  (With four teenagers in the house, let's just say that my budget for music verges on the nonexistent.)  I recently ran across the latest sampler from Deep Elm Records, and it's a winner.  My FLFs (First-Listen Favorites) are 8105 from Moving Mountains, Ride Your Bike's The Connection, and Nomads by Les Sages.  I'm an eclectic listener, so this one will probably stay in my playlist for a while.  Grab a copy and see what you think.

Deep Elm Sampler - We Dream Alone