Your Vote Can Help Save The World
Sep0103:41 PM
Filed in: Music News
Scott Valentine has just moved into the final round of yet another amazing opportunity for this gifted songwriter. Valentine's song "Save The World" (see the video below) is now in the Top 55 selections out of more than 700 national applicants for the David Suzuki Foundation's Playlist For The Planet competition, done with the support of the CBC Radio3 user community.
The finalists were just announced and the final Voting Round has already started this morning. The details are simple, vote once a day from now until Sept. 7th.
So, once again I'm having to call upon our readers, supporters, and fans to help us out with daily voting. We need your help to make this dream a reality for Scott Valentine! If you know anything about Valentine, he truly wants to save the world, and having one of his songs added to his lifelong hero's (David Suzuki) projects would mean the world to him.
Together we can do it...let's support this amazing and gifted artist and give him the the increased exposure and recognition he deserves.
Click To Read More...
Music & Marketing Q&A: Watch It Live @ 7pm PST
Aug3102:44 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
** UPDATED POST **
The video below is now the pre-recorded version from the live event.
Tune in tonight...Tuesday, August 31 at 7pm PST (10PM EST), to take part in our very first Live Video Q&A Session with Thorny Bleeder's Managing Partner, Brian Thompson, on the music industry, marketing, and any other questions you might have. And of course, it's 100% free!
Watch the live video & interactive chat right here on this very page. Just login with your Twitter, Facebook, AOL or MySpace login and you're good to go! I'll see you tonight...
Click To Read More...
Live Video: Black Hat Villain at The Commodore
Aug3109:23 AM
Filed in: Music News
Watch the LIVE VIdeo highlights of Black Hat Villain performing live at The Commodore Ballroom in downtown Vancouver, BC for 99.3 The Fox Seeds 2010 Launch Party below.
Thanks to our good friend Chris Fisher for filming and putting together this incredibly cool edit for us. Check out some of Chris's amazing live photos beneath the video link as well...
Click To Read More...
19 Essential Artist Advice Blogs You May Have Missed
Aug3001:59 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
We know, it’s summer and you don’t want to stay indoors all day everyday, staring at a computer screen and reading blogs about how you can improve your career in music. Well don’t worry, even if you missed some of our columns while relaxing on the beach, we’ve put together a great list of our previous Indie Artist Advice columns on The Bleeder Blog so you can get you all caught up.
Summer is almost over and Fall is quickly approaching. If you're an independent artist, now's the time to dive in and refocus your efforts for the last quarter of the year.
If these articles leave you hungry for more information and ideas, we do private one-on-one consultations. Maybe we can help you out! Even if you're not in our area (Vancouver), we also do sessions via Skype. Feel free to send us an email if you're interested: brian@thornybleeder.com
Ok, let's get to it. Dig in and enjoy...
Click To Read More...
Black Hat Villain Rocks Vancouver Fox Seeds Party
Aug3011:19 AM
Filed in: Music News
It was an incredible night of live music at last Friday's big launch party for the 2010 Vancouver Fox Seeds contest, put on by 99.3 The Fox. All three winning bands put on fantastic world class performances: Beyond The Fall, Stars Of Boulevard, and Black Hat Villain.
While our boys in Black Hat Villain didn't take home the "Platinum" prize, it's safe to say that they wooed the crowd and left a lasting impression on hundreds of new fans that night. The reviews are starting to roll in, and it's quite evident this is the start of a very exciting ride for this band.
Check out this review snippet from the Vancouver Concert Addicts blog: Fox Seeds; High Octane Battle:
"Final performers to the platform were Black Hat Villain, from Vancouver Island. The vocalist of this band, came out in a white suit, a towering, lanky man with a big bushy beard. Unlike the first to leads, he brought more power to the stage. This band had the most sincerity and organic rock blood. Each member owned his position, working hard but really pouring themselves into every note. Out of each band in the finals, it was this band that had something truly amazing. Every song felt original, and again unlike the first two bands, not like a rip off of some other group. The explosive presentation rocked the audience, and had the building swaying. By far this was the best group."
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LIVE Q&A on Music & Marketing with Brian Thompson
Aug2501:25 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Hey folks, I had a random little idea this morning and decided to waste no time and throw it into action immediately. And that's the beauty of the world we live in today, you can make anything happen almost instantly!
So, here it is. Starting this coming Tuesday, August 31 at 7pm PST (10PM EST), I'm going to launch a weekly Live Video Q&A Session on the music industry and marketing. And of course, it's 100% free.
So in order for this test to work, I need you to mark down this date and time in your calendar and show up on time...otherwise I'll just be sitting there staring blankly at an empty chat window, twiddling my thumbs.
It's an open forum, so feel free to ask me anything you like: advice, tips, suggestions, experiences, thoughts, ideas...you name it!
Click To Read More...
Buy the New Quartered Album Direct
Aug2512:32 PM
Filed in: Music News
Interested in buying the new Quartered album, Walks Like A Ghost? Not interested in giving your money to iTunes or Amazon? Well, why don't you...
Thorny Bleeder Records,
right here
Click To Read More...
Now Available: Quartered 'Walks Like A Ghost'
Aug2409:34 AM
Filed in: Music News
Walks Like A Ghost, the long awaited and much anticipated new album from Quartered has finally arrived!
To celebrate the release of this incredible and album, we've partnered with our good friends over at TuneLab Music to give the world a free stream of the entire album!
If you live in Canada, the album is available everywhere that sells CDs. But as you know, music retailers are stocking fewer and fewer titles on their shelves these days, so if you can't find it make sure you ask one of the store staff so they can order it in for you.
And of course the album is available at all of your favourite digital music download stores. But for some reason, the album isn't up on iTunes yet. We're not sure why and are looking into it as we speak. In the meantime, visit any of the sites below to buy your digital copy today!
Amazon
eMusic
Rhapsody
Shockhound
Plus: Napster, MySpace, Spotify, IMVU, MediaNet, Nokia, Zune, and Thumbplay.
New online merch and a physcial CD store coming soon, stay tuned!
Click To Read More...
We Need Your Help: VOTE for Save The World
Aug1901:23 PM
Filed in: Music News
Ok Thorny Bleeders, it's time to rally the power of our music loving collective!
Here's a challenge to everyone who reads this: let's see if we can make this happen together and with the support of each of our friends:
Scott Valentine Presents (the solo project for the singer of Black Hat Villain) needs your help in getting his song chosen for David Suzuki's Playlist For The Planet.
All you have to do is click the link below, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "I choose this one" next to his song Save the World.
If you haven't see the brand new video for this song yet, which was inspired by the Free Hugs video, watch it below:
Click To Read More...
Free Music. Save The World.
Aug1711:00 AM
Filed in: Music News
This is an exclusive follow up to the blog we posted on May 7, 2010 entitled "Watch It Grow: An Experiment In Digital Busking".
Read the backstory here first, and then watch the video below from our friend Scott Valentine...
This video features the song, SAVE THE WORLD - a song by Scott Valentine Presents.
FREE MUSIC
Download Scott Valentine's Earth Day, All Day, Every Day soundtrack here for free.
Click To Read More...
Playlist For The Planet
Jul3107:16 AM
Filed in: Music News
The one and only David Suzuki has recently launched a new contest for singer/songwriters, the Playlist For The Planet Contest. Check out his website here for more information.
A Playlist for the Planet CD and downloadable album will be released by Universal Music this October — and we're hoping to get the Scott Valentine song "Save The World" to be part of it. We hope Save The World will become an anthem for change — a song that will inspire us all!
Since a clean, healthy, sustainable planet is something we all need, David Suzuki and CBC Radio 3 are putting out a Canada-wide call for songwriters of all levels to bring their talents forward.
Make sure you join Playlist for the Planet on the CBC Radio 3 website, and also visit Scott Valentine's profile on the CBC R3 website here.
A part of this contest will be the all-too-familiar Vote For Me element, which has become all too commonplace within music and social media these days. But alas, it's a necessary evil to help spread the music and for contests like this to pick the cream of the crop. We hate always having to ask for votes, it's just far too "spammy" for our likes...but...what can we do? This is a contest which is near and dear to both us and Scott Valentine, so we need to just dive in and play along.
So to get things started and to round up some excitement for this event, we've decide to give everyone a Free Download of Save The World! Grab it. Love it. And most importantly...Share it!
And don't forget about our incredible Summer Singer/Songwriter Showcase at The Media Club in Vancouver on August 19th, featuring Scott Valentine, Bodhi Jones, and Cory Woodward. Tickets at the door for only $10. Join the Facebook Event page here.Click To Read More...
What Gets You Out Of The House To See Live Music?
Jul2703:03 PM
Filed in: Opinion
Let's face it, we all have busy lives. Everyone has to find a way to make room in their schedules for work, school, girlfriends & boyfriends, cats & dogs, the family, needlepoint lessons at the community centre, eating Doritos on the couch, and masturbating to porn.
It doesn't seem like there's much time for anything else does it?
And that folks, is why many of us don't get out to see live music as much as we really want to. Despite being invited to a hundred shows a week on Facebook, you just can't simply go to everything. Excuses are made, hearts are broken, friends are lost...and you get the eight hours sleep you deserve.
But, on the flip side of this is when you actually do get out. Those rare occasions when you actually drag your sorry ass out of your condo or basement suite and you go and see some live music, whether it be an international touring band or a local favourite that just crawled out of a basement in the burbs.
And do you know what almost always happens when you make that choice to get out? You love it. You have the time of your life, hear some great tunes, support your local scene, you meet new friends...and you throw up on old ones.
So, in those glorious moments leading up to you rocking out at a local concert, what's the main deciding factor that gets you out of the house to see live music?
1. You love the band.
2. Your love the venue.
3. Your friends are going.
4. You're hoping there will be some hotties there.
5. It's close to your home.
Click To Read More...
Quartered Reveal New Album Artwork
Jul2202:27 PM
Filed in: Music News
Quartered have just revealed the album artwork to their highly anticipated new release, Walks Like A Ghost, available everywhere Tuesday, August 24.
The band is currently on tour across Canada as they whip the promotional machine into high gear...
Click To Read More...
Top 10 Ways To Break Up Your Band
Jul0910:52 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
I've worked with tons of bands over the years and one thing remains constant, they almost all breakup eventually. Sure, some can go the distance and outlast the others, but what sets them apart from the bands that just can't seem to keep it together and fall apart?
Well, if you hate the music you play and you want to break up your band, here's a quick checklist for you:
- Leave the business side of things to just one band member.
- Don't have regular band meetings.
- Don't educate yourself on marketing and promotion.
- Don't make a list of goals (and never revise them if you do).
- Don't utilize the power of social media and online networking tools.
- Don't take your band seriously as an entrepreneurial business.
- Don't network with other bands and industry people.
- Don't build a team of passionate and experienced people around you.
- Assume that potential fans, blogs, press, radio stations, labels and agents will find out about your band just because your music is so damn awesome.
- Don't respect your fans, and don't interact with them in the way "new media" empowers you to.
Scott Valentine: Live in July...Twice!
Jul0910:52 AM
Filed in: Tour Dates
The Shore 104, Sounds of Summer Finalist Scott Valentine will be performing for a special summer event at the landmark Granville Island watering hole, The Backstage Lounge.
The Reckoners will be closing the night both as a duo and with their latest 5 piece ensemble including Noah Walker, Sam Heard, and Evan Bates.
This will be an amazing night with some of the best singer/songwriters in Canada, definitely a night that's not to be missed!
Scott Valentine and The Reckoners
Tuesday, July 27
The Backstage Lounge
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
8:30pm
Tickets: $10 at the door
Visit the official Facebook Event listing here.
Just Announced!
FREE CONCERT ON THE BEACH!
Saturday, July 31
2:15pm
SHOREfest / Sunset Beach Stage
Brought to you by SHORE 104 FM - Roots, Rock & Rhythm. Sunshine, Live Music...and Fireworks! What could be better than that?
Click To Read More...
Black Hat Villain: Top 3 Finalist in FOX Seeds!
Jul0512:14 PM
Filed in: Music News
It was just announced that Black Hat Villain have made the cut and are now in the Final Top 3 for the 2010 Fox Vancouver Seeds competition, courtesy of 99.3 The Fox!
After a gripping and phenomenal performance at The Bourbon on Canada Day, we're thrilled at this latest piece of news for the entire Black Hat Nation. This is a pretty big deal for a rock band in Canada; to be selected as one of the Top 3 by both fans and industry veterans from over 400 total applicants!
Previous SEEDS winners include Art Of Dying, Nickelback, Big Naked, Default, Veer Union, Matthew Good, State Of Shock...and many more!
So for 2010, along with Black Hat Villain, the Top 3 is rounded out by our good friends Beyond The Fall and Stars Of Boulevard.
So what's next? The Top 3 bands will now perform for their Vancouver fans and the Canadian music industry impresario at The Legendary Commodore Ballroom on Friday, August 27, along with headliners The Arkells. After their performances, that very night...on stage...the Big Final Winner will be announced!
Below you'll find a fresh new LIVE video from Black Hat Villain's Canada Day gig that just surfaced this afternoon online, care of the Seeds Documented project put on by Out Front Musik.
If you haven't checked Black Hat Villain out yet, you owe it to rock n' roll to see what all the buzz is about! Do yourself a favour and plop down a measly $6 on iTunes for their just released new EP, 'My Generation'.
Buy it on iTunes here
Click To Read More...
"Sounds Of Summer" Top 10 Finalist: Scott Valentine
Jul0512:08 PM
Filed in: Music News
It was just announced live on-air only moments ago...Scott Valentine has made it into the final Top 10 for the 2010 Sounds Of Summer Song Search, put on by SHORE 104 FM in Vancouver!
Valentine's song 'Do It For Love' now moves into the final stages of this new and exciting songwriter song search in BC. If you'd like to hear his new single, pop on over to Valentine's MySpace page here.
The next phase in this competition is for fans to vote for their favourite, so stay tuned for further details!
For more information visit www.shoresoundsofsummer.com.
Congratulations Scotty!
Click To Read More...
