Cherry Suede

It's innovative artists like Cherry Suede that are defining the new music paradigm. Fully embracing the technology that is ravishing the traditional industry, they give away their music for free and are changing the way artists and fans connect.

Bandmates Randy Scott and Randy Young were both fans of rock giants like the Beatles, Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty, … before they were musicians and understand how important artist/fan connections are. After forming Cherry Suede, they took the philosophy of 'music as a shared experience' and ran with it.

They realized that they didn't view their fans as consumers of a product offered by a business, but rather, as part of the overall shared musical experience. So they decided to give away their music for free under a Creative Commons License (where fans are free to download, distribute, and remix all songs as long as they credit Cherry Suede and don’t resell them). This had a huge impact and as word spread a core group of fans formed becoming the Cherry Suede Brigade.

Still growing, CSB members now host Cherry Suede shows in their homes, back yards, camp-outs, etc., and show the guys around their hometowns. Some of these 'Hometown' shows are recorded and broadcast on the Cherry Suede site. CSB members are looking forward to a year of events with the band that include a cruise to the Bahamas, opening for Rick Springfield in Montreal, and a trip to the UK.

Very cool.

Listen to Cherry Suede on BandSoup.com

Hydrovibe

You've got to love the story of Hydrovibe that starts in Louisiana with vocalist Heather St. Marie collaborating with guitarist Mat Dauzat to create a sound combining dynamic, guitar-driven rock with powerful vocals. St. Marie and Dauzat move to LA and the very week of their arrival, Mat auditions and is hand-picked by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne to play lead guitar in Kelly’s band, immediately launching a worldwide tour supporting her debut album “SHUT UP” on Sony Records.

While on tour, Dauzat and St. Marie continue writing music via the internet. Upon Mat’s return, they begin recording demos and complete the line up with drummer Philippe Mathys and bass player Eliot Lorango. The four decide to delve into the budding DIY music business model and release their first album independently.

While mixing their debut album “Nothing Left To Lose”, Lion’s Gate/Twisted Pictures notifies the band that their track “Killer Inside” would be featured in the upcoming third installment of the blockbuster SAW film franchise. The band quickly switches gears and releases a 5-song EP (which also features a guest vocal appearance from the film’s star SHAWNEE SMITH).

Then the band's offered a spot on METAL EDGE Magazine sponsored “Corporate Punishment Tour” with Amity Lane featuring Kevin Palmer and Josh Moates of Trust Company and hit the road. Hydrovibe continues to tour the U.S. heavily for 2 years sharing stages with Static-X, Taproot, Soulfly, Trust Company, Powerman 5000, (Hed) P.E., Black Stone Cherry, Soil, and Drowning Pool.

When the band comes home and revisits the mostly finished album, they quickly decide to re-record to capture the new strength and intensity and to perform the more honed, road-tested versions of the songs. Hydrovibe enters Mad Dog Studios in Burbank, CA with Kevin Lamb to re-track the album. The band also enlists Kevin Churko, (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Five Finger Death Punch) who takes a break from his work on the new Ozzy album to mix the album’s first single “Fame”.

Hydrovibe kicks off 2010 by signing a deal with Japanese record label SPINNING that will release “Nothing Left To Lose” in Japan -Today!

What's Next?

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Meris

Don't be distracted by the occasional grandma panty throwing and fake mustaches, the Bay Areas' Meris is the real deal. The trio just released their new album Abandon All and are touring the west coast with a smart, witty and ironic stage presence unique to the metal scene.

Sean Hugunin, Brad Roberts and Eli Atkinson believe that "creativity is man's most extraordinary trait" and are committed to exploring the ecstasy, terror, elation and brutal frustration that naturally spawns from it.

Listen to Meris on BandSoup.com

One Step Closer

It's always fun to see the new generation of bands begin their climb through the industry muck. To witness humble beginnings in smoke fogged dive bars adorned in sticker covered walls peeling with age, while thrashing their hearts to dust on their pawn shop electrics to a crowd of less than a hundred; wailing in front of friends and family at backyard BBQ gigs;  endlessly updating and checking their myspace pages for feedback and to see how many people bothered to check the latest single. It takes a lot of balls, hope, and talent to make it through years of grassroots gigs and promotions like this. Not many bands, especially young ones, are able to endure. Some quickly fizzle and grey like the butt end of a finished cigarette, some play one gig and become instant sociopaths and go solo, but some rise through the ashes like scorched phoenixes and taste what it's like to "make it."

One Step Closer, a 4-piece band out of Oxford, Pennsylvania, are examples of future phoenixes that just began their feast.  At first glance, you might write them off due to their bushy haired, boy band reject exterior, but don't get it twisted-- these baby faced rookies of rock can flat out play. Led by their lead singer and guitarist, Scott French, whose nasally vocals remind me of a mix between Billy Joe of Green Day and Max Collins of Eve 6, One Step Closer is an emerging Alternative band ready to take that one big step closer to a contract and consistent paycheck. They will get there, because what the band lacks in studio polish, make up for with intensity and fantastic instrumentals. When finally placed in the hands of professionals, there is no doubt the potential will morph into payola.

Listen to One Step Closer on BandSoup.com

JunkFood

JunkFood's Bart Harris sang background vocals (along with Miley Cyrus) for Bret Michaels' song "Nothing To Lose" being released today on iTunes.

Voted best local band by the Washington Post's readers' poll, and On the Verge by On Tap Magazine. JunkFood has been tearing up the scene with their 3rd release "Mighty".

Here's an in depth look at the band on Washingtonian.com

Listen to JunkFood on BandSoup.com

motae

Oregon's motae is a four piece latin, jazz, progressive rock band that is pursuing an original sound with sincere resolve. They have drawn members from many backgrounds and ideals under the cause of music for the sake of music.

Listen to motae on BandSoup.com

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is the best kind of good times, really loud, often drunk and propelling their way through the NJ/NY music scene winning over fans one show at a time. The Swindle, produced by Grammy winning producer Joe McGrath and well received, is an impressive, melodic and edgey album. Keep any eye out for their next.

Click here for more Tourmaline on BandSoup.com

Blowing Trees

Blowing Trees pack clubs in San Antonio and built a legion of loyal fans that have come to appreciate their intense live performances. With influences ranging from Bob Dylan to Radiohead to Pink Floyd to The Flaming Lips, they avoid imitation and have a knack for blending styles into a unique, cohesive and memorable sound.

Blowing Trees' self-titled debut album, released by Glassnote Records and produced by Blue October platinum producer David Castell, captures their no-holds-bar eclectic style with a dynamic structure. The Day the World Left Me roars with relevancy and reverberates long after the song is over. California Skies is so visceral that you feel convinced you are driving down the Pacific Coast Highway. Take a sonic Rock tour with Blowing Trees and prepare to go off the beaten path.

Hear Blowing Trees on BandSoup.com