Soundtracking - Sound Bites: MySpace Music

Soundtracking is a weekly column featuring indie and alternative music, published every Tuesday by Laura Cushing on Gather.com. 

As an official Gather Music Correspondent, I'm pleased to bring my knowledge of indie and alternative music to the community. Soundtracking will feature some of the best up-and-coming bands in indie music today. Soundtracking will feature interviews, CD reviews, music playlists and mp3 downloads, and music discussions.

This week on Soundtracking-  Sound Bites - MySpace Music

MySpace can be a scary place. There's teen girls posing with cameras in hand, creepy guys looking to be your 'friend', and a ton of spam phishers to watch out for. But if you're willing to put up with all of that, you can discover some talented musicians. 

 This week's article features some great music I first heard on MySpace.  And if you're curious - yes, I do have a myspace of my own. I'm no musician, but I use MySpace for my poetry and some other writing. One of my friends even set some of my poems to music - you can hear it on my player . See, MySpace IS good for something.  Really. I swear. On to the music! Click on each artist's name to be taken to their myspace (links open in separate windows). Their is a music player located at the top of each MySpace page.

Michael Runion - (Recomended Listen: Red Pony )

I was sleepin' in the lobby
of the Hotel Belvedere
Kids were dancing on the ceiling
Spilling drinks into my beard

Michael Runion tells life stories with a strangely beautiful perspective. I had the pleasure of seeing Runion perform live several times - just a solo player with his acoustic guitar, singing to a world that needs much more of this kind of inspiration than they'll ever realize.  He has an EP called Early Grave which contains five songs (Carol Caroline, Red Pony, Don't Let Her Hold You Down, What Will Become Of Me, Glendale).  Michael Runion has played with The Elected, and Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. He has opened for Rilo Kiley, and designed several of their shirts.  Though he's a California native, Michael Runion is currently across the pond playing some shows in London. If you live there, you might want to check one out! 

Ladytown - (Recomended Listen: Carry You Away)

Can't let the rain wash over you
and carry you away
and you'll blow with the wind
then come back again, darlin'
let me see you smile again

Ladytown is Sarah Coleman, a Los Angeles cowgirl with a great big heart, and a warm folky voice. She sings songs of love and loss, hardship and hope, with a hometown feel. Ladytown released a CD called Thirty-Nine Nineteen (songs - Back To Me, Ain't Never Win, Glory Be, Read Me Like A Book, Daylight, Long Time Coming, Can't See Me, Beautiful Mistake, That Place, I Got You, Carry You Away) in 2006. Ladytown's population recently increased by one when Sarah Coleman and her hubby had a baby boy.  No shows currently scheduled.

The Popgun Plot - (Recomended Listen: Mr. Debussy)

In a China shop near Paris
there lived a salesman's son
Who grew up to give us melodies
Never before were done
He said "There are no rules in music
as pleasure is the law."
Then he died during the first world war.

 The Popgun Plot are named after a disastrous assassination attempt by a popgun wielder on George III in 1795. Their songs are as quirky and entertaining as that strange historical sidenote. The band is from Ireland, and they have released a four song EP called Mr. Debussy. (Songs: Mr. Debussy, Fearless Frank Harris, Intellectual Supermodel, Flop). No shows currently scheduled.

The Two Funerals- (Recommended Listen: AWOL)

Tell me how'd you deal with happiness?
How did you deal without making such a mess?
Hit and run was never quite your style
Hit and back up, hit and back up over again

Yes Dear - (Recommended Listen: Pictures of Your Bones)

Spots on the film that you held
and your hands were shaking.
You were on your hands and your knees
and your bones were breaking.
Everything reminds me of your face. 

Yes Dear's singer Nate Greely is formerly of Arlo, and has been in the tour band for the Elected and the Seeds.  The talented Mr. Greely and friends weave a tapestry of creepy tales and poppy laments with their songs. Yes Dear's first CD is self titled and contains nine songs (Don't Give Up, Prove It, Imaginary Wheels, Orion, Pictures Of Your Bones, Give Me The End, Alright, Surf The Intensity, Antidote). No shows currently scheduled.

Waxing Phil - (Recomended Listen: The Other Hand)

So high
Can you see all the people on the ground?
Goodbye
To the world that you thought that you found

Waxing Phil is a band from Minnesota. Their sound reminds me of Cat Stevens, back in his early days.  They're fresh and unspoiled, and singing harmoniously. These songs will have you moving along, and put a smile on your face.  They have two albums and an EP for purchase on their website. No shows currently scheduled.

Too Tall Jones - (Recomended Listen: One True Love) 

I tasted it before
when you let me be your one true love
I'll break that castle door
when you let me be your one true love

This hardcore rock band's lead singer, Freddie Nelson, was recommended to me as a "the vocal strength of Freddie Mercury (Queen), and the songwriting talent comparable to the likes of AC/DC and The Cult." With strong guitar riffs, and a classic oldschool style, this band does call to mind some of the rock classics while still having their own modern sound. The kind of music that gets you moving and motivated to face a tough day. The band's CD, Bipolar, is available through CD Baby.

Thanks to everyone who sent in a band for me to check out!

Next Tuesday: Soundtracking interviews Daniel and Star of Ozma

Two Tuesdays: Music To Write By - This month, Sountracking's music mix is about writing and writers! If you've got a song suggestion, send it on in.

Three Tuesdays: Soundoff! The question of the month is - What is the first concert you saw?  If you want to be featured in this column, send your answer in!

Four Tuesdays:  Sound Bites - TBA

Contacting Soundtracking:
CDs and promotional materials, interview and/or review requests can be sent to:

Soundtracking
PO Box 141  Newtonville, NJ 08346-0141

Email: Soundtracking@labarc.com   / AIM: Lab Arc Designs

Laura's column, Soundtracking is published every Tuesday in Gather Essentials:Music. Soundtracking is your guide to indie and alternative music -- featuring musician interviews, CD reviews, MP3 mixes, and discussions.

Laura Cushing is a 36 year old writer from the New Jersey Pines. In addition to music journalism, she writes fiction and poetry.

You can find all of Laura's Soundtracking columns by clicking the Soundtracking tag. Keep up with Laura's other postings and Gather activity by joining her Gather network -- just click here and select the orange Connect button on the left-hand side of the page.

You'll find Laura and other Music Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other music buffs at Music.gather.com.