Best Unsigned Local Acts

[vanzilla]

Not sure if there's already a thread on this; I'm sure I'll hear about it if there is.

My job requires a lot of travelling. When I hit the road, I like to check out the local music scene. So help me out Army, give me some bands I need to see when I'm in your hometown. Of course, it's cool to promote your own band - just make sure you state that it's your band. Links to band's webpages would be helpful so I can check out their tour schedule.

I'll start - In Nashville, three acts that are must sees are:

1. Stacy Mitchhart and Blues-U-Can-Use. Stacy is one of the best entertainers in Nashville. A true showman who mixes the blues with a dose of old school 70's R and B. An incredible guitarists to boot. He's been the feature act at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar since 1996, but don't think that just because he's been leading a house band for 8 years the guy's career isn't going anywhere. He's toured Europe several times, been in an HBO documentary, feature guest on "Dinner & a Movie". Currently fielding record contracts from Alligator and Blue Note. Stacy is a fave among country acts Wynonna Judd, Toby Keith, Big & Rich, and Gretchen Wilson.

For more info: www.stacymitchhart.com

2. Will Hoge. Will had a short lived record deal with Atlantic before they dropped him after 1 album last year. Atlantic can lick my balls. They did nothing to promote the guy, plus - the record he put out doesn't reflect the way the guy plays live. An incredible stage presence. He's like a combination of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Al Green. Very soulful, but rocks. Just put out a new live album, "During the Before and After" and nearing completion on a new studio album. Currently touring the country - won't be back in Nashville for a while.

For more info: www.willhoge.com

3. Jason White. Jason is best known for writing the controversial Tim McGraw hit "Red Ragtop" a few years back. His debut album "Shades of Grey" has some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. "Average Joe", and "The Alibi" are on my Top 10 Favorite Tunes of All Time List. His latest album "Tonight's Top Story" isn't as strong as the debut, but has a few decent songs on it. Suffered the same recording deal as Will, although I can't remember who signed him. He's a cross between Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, and Jackson Brown. Knows how to work a room.

For more info: www.jasonwhitemusic.org

Thanks everybody. Looking forward to hearing some of your faves.

[Last_Child]

You'll never go to my homwtown..but anyways..

I've heard that "Daukjøtt" is supposed to be good a good band.

+++

Daukjøtt means Deadmeat in English.

[Satan]

All of my local talent is unsigned. Or at least they are NOW. Unfortunatley, the labels don't send A&R people down here, and distribution would be a huge problem anyway, so I guess there won't be any record deals coming through.

Too bad though, because that new Grateful Who album is really good :)

[Roguesgirl]

This woman is an incredible blues singer out this way.

Lisa Marie (http://www.zyworld.com/lisamarie13)

This guy is from around here and just deserves waaaay more credit and recognition. He kicks ass.

Johnny A. (http://www.johnnya.com/)

[Soul Reaper]

Yes, Johnny A kicks ass!! He's signed to Steve Vai's label, I think. He has something to do with Vai anyway.

The hometown bands sucks over here, some pop band called Surf. I know of them because they out during one of the football (or soccer) games. They look like Busted.

There's a band near to here, in Leeds, called the Kaiser Chiefs who seem to be getting a lot of publicity recently.

[vanzilla]

Thanks for those who've contributed so far. And Reaper - that's a great pic on your sig man! I think even the penguin's got a boner.

Keep 'em coming fellas. Especially anyone living in Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Miami, Phoenix, Houston, and Jacksonville. I'm heading your way in the fall and want to rock!

[loss of fools]

all of the bands in my area are emo so its not a good area for unsigned bands. apart from downsize!

www.downsize.cjb.net

[Rikk]

Okay, PRINCESS SUPERSTAR isn't exactly unsigned local talent. But she's still kinda underground and one of my favorite artists. Mind you, this is rap in a sort of Beastie Boys kinda way. But maybe some of you will dig that...and if not, she's sure great to look at.

PRINCESS SUPERSTAR is amazing!!!

Concetta Kirschner was born on 172 and St. Nicholas Avenue in New York City to a Sicilian-American mother and a Russian-Polish-Jewish father. Eclecticism was bred into her bones. Growing up with hippie parents who regularly blasted everything from Stevie Wonder to Led Zeppelin to David Bowie, she was heavily influenced by her music-loving parents. The family moved from Washington Heights, New York to a farm in rural Pennsylvania when little superstar was three years old, and, when they moved on to suburban Philadelphia, she discovered Kurtis Blow on a pirate radio station.

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2002/totp_mag.jpg

Like a road movie legend at the age of 17, the young royal packed her bags, jumped on the bus and made it to New York to drink in her big apple roots. Her crazy love for music of many shades and the rebel cut of her jib led Miss Superstar to abandon the outmoded codes and pioneer her own style. In 1994 she cut her first demo tape on a rooomates' boyfriend's four-track. She played guitar, keyboards and did some of her first sampling and rhyming, and it instantly got praise from the press and major record companies, all complimenting her lyrical flow and inventive sampling.

In 1995 she released her debut album ('Strictly Platinum') on an independent label called 5th Beetle, having turned down the majors because she wanted to make innovative music, and didn't want to compromise. 'Strictly Platinum' was co-produced by herself, Greg Talenfeld (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) and Godfrey Diamond, best known for producing "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang. Now out of print, 'Strictly Platinum' was last seen fetching up to $100 on Ebay!

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/t_dutch_interv.jpg

In 1997 she founded her own label 'A Big Rich Major Label,' which she later cheekily renamed 'The Corrupt Conglomerate' after the big label mergers in 1999. She self-released her second album, 'CEO,' which wound the press up with reviews like: "This record defies expectations and categorization with jaw dropping lyrics". She was a one-woman show—booking her own tours, running her label and also of course, being an artist.

1999 brought us 'Last Of The Great 20th Century Composers', also self-released, and features collaborations with music's brightest lights from De La Soul alumni Prince Paul to former Fugee John Forte to The Blues Explosion's Jon Spencer. It burst on the scene with its slick, giddy egotism, assy-drenched brassyness and undeniably slamming beats. The press could not contain its glee for a record that resurrected the best of rock n roll's outlandish sexuality with hip hop's penchant for irreverent humour.

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2001/studio.jpghttp://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2001/studio1.jpg

At this point Princess Superstar was starting to be recognized at playing the rap game with rules that she was now breaking, with her witty, sarcastic, ironic and satirical brand of wordplay. Heaps of praise from the likes of The Face, The Source, Vibe, Jazzy Jeff, Pharell Williams (Neptunes), Garbage, William Orbit, and Sarah Jessica Parker to name a few, ensured that the time was right to bring her bar fight bravado to audiences all over the world.

All this attention ensured a veritable 'A' list of pop star friends. One of the more intriguing meetings took place last October when Jarvis Cocker from Pulp took the Princess to Pentonville Prison to perform at this north London jail's bar. The night was a rousing success and proved that she can give it live as good as on wax. She has sinced opened up for Bubba Sparks, N.E.R.D., and recently has played with Bjork, Z-Trip and KRS-1 at the Coachella festival in California.

But back to the autumn of 2000...Princess Superstar is quickly realizing that running a label and being a star is a very time consuming job and can work the nerves of even the steeliest jet setter. She brushed aside all the major label offers and chose the independent German based label, Rapster Records/!K7.

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2001/fabric.jpghttp://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2002/gigilo3.jpg

In the winter of 2000, the door was locked at the studio (The Vertical Corp., with longtime collaborator Curtis Curtis) and work began on what would be one of the defining albums of 2001. One of the more obscure facts about Princess Superstar is the lady writes the words, the music, produces and plays guitar, keyboard and drums, as well as being a DJ!

'Princess Superstar Is,' was the result, Princess Superstar's fourth album. As the title implies, it is a statement of intent, each track a streetwise fable. The album unfolds as an unpredictable stroll through the mind of a lyrical genius, an incredible producer and a woman with more soul than a hundred exorcisms.

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/miamiwmc/miamiwmc1.jpg

In fantastic fashion 'Bad Babysitter' was released onto an unsuspecting public extolling the joys of this most nefarious of teenage creatures. The joyful and wilful abandon that Princess brings to the rhyme perfectly captures every parents worst nightmare. Released in February the single entered the top 40 in England at #11, and the video was a smash hit on MTV and the Box in Europe.

'Princess Superstar Is' features collaborations with like minded lyrical wordsmiths and master producers such as Kool Keith, Bahamadia, The High & Mighty, Jzone and Mista Sinista and the Herbaliser. Princess Superstar isn't just about the hip hop undergroud however-her ideas reach across all forms of music. Mercury Award winning Beth Orton makes an appearance on 'Untouchable Part 2'.

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2004/backstage.jpg

Never stopping for a moment, in October of 2002, Princess Superstar releases her fastest rhyming single yet—"Fuck me on the Dance Floor". Produced by legendary Ghetto-Tech Booty-Bar impresario Disco D, it has been tearing up discotheques and beds 'round the world.

If that ain't enough, Princess Superstar is quickly becoming a world-reknowned DJ. She has even made her own vinyl white-label mash-ups pitting JZ vs. Black Sabbath and Ludicris & Fabolous vs. Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more! She has DJ'd everywhere from the Gigolo Party for the Love Parade with Ms. Kittin and Tiga to a New York party with ?estlove of the Roots and Felix Da Housecat. Also, in her newly formed DJ side project with DJ Alexander Technique using FOUR turntables (called djs are not rockstars!), she has toured Australia and Europe, bringing a crazy, unprecedented show.

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2002/beachrock1.jpghttp://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2003/pandg.jpg

Wondering about the next? After being featured on 'Made,' an MTV show for teenagers who want to be madeover, she is relentlessly touring with Djs are not Rockstars and doing a weekly radio show on Kiss 100 in London. Princess is ALSO in the midst of recording! We are guessing September 2005 for the eagerly anticipated FIFTH opus called "My Machine." It's an epic futuristic concept record that is totally on the hush hush! Producers include Armand Van Helden, Mighty Mi, Alexander Technique, Boris Dlgosh & Michie Lang, Junior Sanchez, Jacques Lu Cont (LRD/Madonna), and more... Recently, Princess dropped some vocals on the Prodigy's new album which went to #1 in the UK. She also has collaborated with Moby on his track "Jam for the Ladies" (see video!) and the legendary Arthur Baker (Afrika Bambaata, New Order) on "Return to New York." Check back here soon for more updates.

"A prophecy: I'm gonna own everything like I was an apostrophe..." Says the superstar in "Untouchable Part 1." And we believe her!

http://www.princesssuperstar.com/photos/2002/superstar_stage1.jpg



Check out her official website...
www.princesssuperstar.com

[vanzilla]

Nice work Rikk. Thanks for the info!

[Soul Reaper]

Thanks Rikk! :D

[Rikk]

Indeed.;)

[x3maine]

a great local band in this area is Dead Season. don't know if they have anything downloadable anywhere, but they kick ass.

not as much as VH of course. That Sammy Hagar kicks ass, man! Alsmot as much as Gary Sharone, or whatever his name is!

Fuck those punks. Come on Dave and Whiny Ed, if Motley Crue can do it, you guys can too!

[Roguesgirl]

If you're not familiar with Johnny A... have a taste of this.

"Oh Yeah" from Sometime Tuesday Morning is such a great tune. :)

Johnny A's Music (http://www.johnnya.com/music.htm)

[vanzilla]

Thanks RG! Dug the Johnny A! And I love your favorite Rothism.

- Man, that philosophy runs right through ya...

[x3maine]

i mentioned the local band Dead Season.

here is a link to some of their songs. Listen to "The One". I don't know how to make it clickable, so copy & paste.

http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=4988158&Mytoken=20041230094600

[m_dixon1984]

Thanks, Roguesgirl! I just love Johnny A's sound. Here's a local Ottawa band that's pretty tight. Their original stuff is a little melow for me but I've seen them live so many times that I got hooked.
Check'em out here: http://www.stonemelodies.com

Enjoy,
M