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Apple iPod - Touch

2007-11-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

Artist: CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexi)
Track: "Music is My Hot, Hot Sex"
Record: Self-titled (2006)
Record Label: Sub Pop
About: Cansei de Ser Sexy (lit. "[I'm] tired of being sexy" in Portuguese; better known as CSS) is a Brazilian band from São Paulo. Their songs have an electro-rock/ New Wave sound, and are sung in both English and Portuguese; their lyrics mostly concern pop culture.
CSS formed in September 2003, consisting of a group of friends. Their name was taken from a reported quote by Beyoncé, who allegedly declared that she was "tired of being sexy".
The band first became known through the internet. Their fotolog gained popularity and their songs were frequently downloaded from Trama Virtual's website (a Brazilian website similar to MySpace Music). After this overnight sensation, Trama Virtual invested heavily in the band, inviting a series of Brazilian and British journalists to report on them. Articles were printed in several Brazilian magazines and even British newspapers such as The Guardian, whose reporter was invited to see the band playing just before their signing for the debut, at a club in São Paulo. He predicted that they "could be the biggest band ever to come out of South America".
Suggested CSS Listening: "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above"
MySpace: www.myspace.com/canseidesersexy
Website: http://www.csshurts.com/
Purchase Album from Insound

In the News - Apple iPod Touch Commercial

2007-11-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

A shiny Apple story ... and a rotten one
MATHEW INGRAM

Globe and Mail Update

E-mail Mathew Ingram | Read Bio | Latest Columns
October 29, 2007 at 6:34 AM EST

Beginning today, Globe and Mail new-media reporter Mathew Ingram writes a Monday-to-Thursday feature on must-see Web hits and the latest news from the online world.

It's a heart-warming tale of what some call "user-generated content:" Nick Haley, an 18-year-old student in Leeds, hears a song with the lyric "my music is where I'd like you to touch," and the first thing he thinks of is how appropriate that line would be for an iPod Touch ad. So what does he do? He makes one and uploads it to YouTube.

Next thing he knows, his cellphone rings - an Apple marketing executive says they're interested in using his ad. Soon he's on a plane to California, where Apple's ad agency essentially recreates his ad in high-definition (the ad started running on U.S. television yesterday).

Did Apple go to all that trouble to create a heart-warming tale of user-generated content? Perhaps. Of course, Apple has also come under fire in the past for running ads that looked a little too much like someone else's work (including the moving silhouette ads, which were very similar to some created by Toronto-based Taxi).

Maybe this time Apple thought it might be better to give credit to the originator.

But Apple doesn't always respond so kindly to helpful suggestions from Apple fans. Just ask Shea O'Gorman: the nine-year-old girl, who loves listening to her iPod, wrote a letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs mentioning some of the features she would like added to the device (including the ability to see the lyrics of the songs as they play).

Three months later, she was overjoyed to get a letter back from Apple — until she and her parents read it, and realized that it came from Apple's chief counsel, who told Shea not to send Apple any more such letters and advised her to read the company's legal policy. The girl's parents say she was so upset she threw the letter aside and went to her room.

According to Apple, the letter was a standard form letter that is designed to protect the company from malicious lawsuits launched by inventors who might claim Apple took their ideas. The chief counsel later called Shea O'Gorman to apologize, and the company has reportedly had a meeting to try and respond better to inquiries from children.

mingram@globeandmail.com

Outback Steakhouse - Go Outback

2007-11-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

Artist: Of Montreal
Track: Wraith Pinned to the Mist And Other Games (Outback version)
Listen to the Original version
Album: Original song appeared on Sundlandic Twins (2005)
Record Label: Sonic Unyon Records
About Of Montreal: Of Montreal is an American indie pop band formed in Athens, Georgia, fronted by Kevin Barnes. It was among the second wave of groups to emerge from The Elephant 6 Recording Company.
The band was created by Kevin Barnes and named after a failed romance with a woman from Montreal, though the story changes in various interviews. Barnes was the only member of the "group" prior to his relocation to Athens, Georgia. There, he met Derek Almstead, later of the Circulatory System, M Coast, Elf Power etc., and Bryan Poole, who also performs as The Late B.P. Helium. Together, they recorded their first album, Cherry Peel, as well as The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit's Flower and The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy.
Myspace: www.myspace.com/ofmontreal
Website: www.ofmontreal.net
Purchase album from Insound

M&M's - Kaleidoscope

2007-10-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

Artist: Iron and Wine
Track: Such Great Heights (cover)
Album: Garden State Soundtrack (2004)
Record Label: Sub Pop Records
About Iron and Wine: Iron & Wine is the stage and recording name of folk rock singer-songwriter Sam Beam. He has released three studio albums, as well as several EPs and singles, and a few download-only releases, including a live album (a recording of his 2005 Bonnaroo performance). Beam was raised in South Carolina before moving to Florida to attend school, but now resides outside of Austin, Texas. The name Iron & Wine was taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film. He enjoyed the name, but decided to drop the "beef"
Suggested Iron and Wine Listening: "Boy With a Coin" and "Resurection Fern" from The Shepherd's Dog (2007)
MySpace: www.myspace.com/ironandwine
Website: www.ironandwine.com
Purchase album from Insound

Volkswagen - Gridlock Bubble Brigade

2007-10-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Track: Your Heart is an Empty Room
Album: Plans (2005)
Record Label: Atlantic Records
About Death Cab for Cutie: Formed in the tiny college town of Bellingham, WA, Death Cab for Cutie started out as a solo project from engineering student and committed indie rocker Ben Gibbard. Having turned a freshly broken heart into nine songs he wasn't embarrassed to share with someone else, he recruited fledgling four-track producer Chris Walla and bassist Nick Harmer. The result was the 1997 cassette, You Can Play These Songs With Chords (finally released on CD in '02, expanded to include various DCFC rarities).
To set the record straight, the band's name comes from a song performed by British jazz/rock/comedy combo the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band in the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film.
Suggested Death Cab for Cutie Listening: "Marching Bands of Manhattan" and "Soul Meets Body" from Plans (2005)
MySpace: www.myspace.com/deathcabforcutie
Website: www.deathcabforcutie.com
Purchase album from Insound
Video Coming Soon!

Levi's - Change

2007-10-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

Artist: Peter, Bjorn, and John
Track: Up Against the Wall
Album: Writer's Block (2007)
Record Label: Sony Music Canada Inc.
About Peter, Bjorn, and John: Peter Bjorn and John are a Swedish indie rock band, formed in Stockholm in 1999. The current members are Peter Morén on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Björn Yttling on vocals, bass and keyboards; and John Eriksson on drums, percussion, and vocals.
They are best known for the 2006 single "Young Folks", which featured Victoria Bergsman, formerly of The Concretes, and was a top 20 hit in the UK Singles Chart.
Suggested Peter, Bjorn, and John Listening: "Young Folks" from Writer's Block (2007).
MySpace:www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn
Website:www.peterbjornandjohn.com
Purchase album from Insound

In the News - Wilco Explain Volkswagen Ads

2007-10-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wilco Explain Volkswagen Ads

"We feel okay about VWs. Several of us even drive them." After millions of infuriated Wilco fans around the globe set fire to their copies of Sky Blue Sky and drove their Jettas off cliffs yesterday, Wilco took it upon themselves to explain their recent involvment in a Volkswagen ad campaign.

"With the commercial radio airplay route getting more difficult for many bands," wrote the Chicago sextet on its official website, "we see this as another way to get the music out there."

They continued: "And we feel okay about VWs. Several of us even drive them."

Wilco also clarified remarks made in the Volkswagen press release announcing their licensing deal with the German automobile manufacturer, which claimed this was Wilco's first such licensing deal.

"If you're keeping track, this is not the first time Wilco has licensed a song to or even been involved in a commercial -- most recently a TV spot for Telefonica Mobile in Spain used a Wilco song and some years prior Jeff Tweedy appeared in a campaign for Apple Computer. Wilco have licensed hundreds of songs to television shows and films worldwide... from festival-only indie films to major motion pictures and weekly TV shows."

So, there you have it. Life goes on, people buy cars, dads continue to rock Sky Blue Sky, and Wilco kick off their tour next week. Check out the dates and the complete VW statement after the jump.

As many of you are aware, Volkswagen has recently begun running a series of TV commercials featuring Wilco music.

Why? This is a subject we've discussed internally many times over the years regarding movies, TV shows and even the odd advertisement. With the commercial radio airplay route getting more difficult for many bands (including Wilco); we see this as another way to get the music out there. As with most of the above (with the debatable exception of radio) the band gets paid for this. And we feel okay about VWs. Several of us even drive them.

If you're keeping track, this is not the first time Wilco has licensed a song to or even been involved in a commercial -- most recently a TV spot for Telefonica Mobile in Spain used a Wilco song and some years prior Jeff Tweedy appeared in a campaign for Apple Computer. Wilco have licensed hundreds of songs to television shows and films worldwide... from festival-only indie films to major motion pictures and weekly TV shows.

Thus far the songs in the VW campaign are "The Thanks I Get" (a bonus track from Sky Blue Sky sessions, available for download via the Enhanced CD and via iTunes) and "You are my Face". We expect to have more details re: other songs shortly. The current plan (subject to change, like everything) is for 5 or 6 songs to be used.

That's it. Don't believe everything you read unless you read it here.

HQ

n.p. Kicking Television

Posted on Pitchfork Media by Matthew Solarski in business on Tue: 06-05-07: 10:10 AM CDT
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/43404-wilco-explain-volkswagen-ads

Volkswagen - Tow Truck

2007-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Artist: Wilco
Track: The Thanks I Get
Album: Not Released (although performed on the Late Show with David Letterman)
Record Label: Nonesuch
About Wilco:
Suggested Wilco Listening:
MySpace: www.myspace.com/wilco
Website: http://www.wilcom.com
Purchase album from Insound

Potiac G6 - Fuel Economy

2007-10-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Artist: Peter, Bjorn, and John
Track: Objects of My Affection
Album: Writer's Block (2007)
Record Label: Sony Music Canada Inc.
About Peter, Bjorn, and John: Peter Bjorn and John are a Swedish indie rock band, formed in Stockholm in 1999. The current members are Peter Morén on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Björn Yttling on vocals, bass and keyboards; and John Eriksson on drums, percussion, and vocals.
They are best known for the 2006 single "Young Folks", which featured Victoria Bergsman, formerly of The Concretes, and was a top 20 hit in the UK Singles Chart.
Suggested Peter, Bjorn, and John Listening: "Young Folks" from Writer's Block (2007)
MySpace:www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn
Website:www.peterbjornandjohn.com
Purchase album from Insound

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - Three Way

2007-10-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Artist: Chromeo
Track: Needy Girl
Album: She's In Control (2004)
Record Label: Vice
About Chromeo: Chromeo is an electrofunk duo based in Montreal and New York City. The duo is P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel), on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box, and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) on guitar and lead vocals. The two were best friends since childhood and they describe themselves as the only successful Arab/Jewish collaboration since the beginning of time.
Suggested Chromeo Listening:
MySpace:www.myspace.com/
Website:www.chromeo.com
Purchase album from Insound

Jaguar XK

2007-10-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Artist: Spoon
Track: I Turn My Camera On
Album: Gimme Fiction (2005)
Record Label: FAB
About Spoon: Spoon is an American indie rock band from Austin, Texas. The band is led by Britt Daniel (vocals, guitar); Jim Eno (drums); Rob Pope (bass) and Eric Harvey (keyboard, guitar, percussion, backing vocals). The name Spoon was chosen to honor the 1970s German avant-garde band Can whose hit song "Spoon" was the theme song to the movie Das Messer. Spoon's recording debut came with the vinyl release in May of 1994 of The Nefarious EP
Suggested Spoon Listening: "The Underdog" and "Don't You Evah" from Ga Ga Ga (2007).
MySpace: www.myspace.com/spoon
Website: www.spoontheband.com
Purchase album from Insound

Nike + iPod

2007-10-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

Artist: OKGO
Track: Here it Goes Again
Album: Self Titled (2005)
Record Label: Capitol
About OKGO: The Chicago band OK Go combined off-kilter guitars, Pixies/Cars fetishism, and straightforward power pop sensibilities to produce eccentric, catchy songs. Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Damian Kulash, guitarist Andrew Duncan, bassist Tim Nordwind, and drummer Dan Konopka, OK Go formed in the fall of 1998. Prior to Kulash moving to Chicago from Washington, D.C., the other three members of OK Go had been members of the Chicago band Stanley's Joyful Noise. After just a few months, OK Go garnered considerable media attention in Chicago without having recorded a single full-length album, their success attributed partly to an exuberant live show and opening spots for heavyweights like Elliott Smith and the Promise Ring. They released two three-song CD singles to tide fans over until a full-length could be recorded, and also served as the sort-of house band for a touring version of the NPR show This American Life. OK Go eventually signed with Capitol and issued an eponymous debut in September 2002, scoring the modern rock radio hit "Get Over It." When the combo returned in August 2005 with Oh No, it was without guitarist Duncan, who'd left after sessions for the album had ended. His replacement was Andy Ross. Ingenious creativity helped the guys push their second album by making a couple of low-budget music videos that became hits thanks to their simple yet memorable premises. The video for "A Million Ways" featured the guys showing off their best synchronized dance moves in the backyard, spawning countless fan tributes online, while the popular "Here It Goes Again" included nothing but OK Go boogying down to the song on multiple treadmills. ~ Scott Sepich, All Music Guide
Suggested OKGO Listening: "No Sign of Life" and "A Million Ways" from Here it Goes Again (2005)
Myspace: www.myspace.com/okgo
Website: http://www.okgo.net/
Purchase from Insound

Singular - Alone

2007-10-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

Artist: Cat Power
Track: Hanging on the Telephone
Album: Unreleased (originally recorded by The Nerves but popularized by Blondie)
Record Label: Plain
About Cat Power: Cat Power is the stage name of American singer/songwriter Charlyn "Chan" Marshall (born Charlyn Marie Marshall on 21 January 1972). She is known for her minimalist style, sparse guitar and piano playing, and ethereal vocals.
Suggested Cat Power Listening: "Good Woman" from You Are Free (2003). "The Greatest" and "Lived in Bars" from The Greatest (2006).
MySpace: www.myspace.com/catpower
Website: http://www.matadorrecords.com/cat_power/
Purchase album from Insound

Saturn - Like Always, Like Never Before

2007-10-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

Artist: Bloc Party
Track: So Here We Are
Album: Silent Alarm (2005)
Label: Vice Records
About Bloc Party:
Suggested Bloc Party Listening: "This Modern Love" and "Banquet" from Silent Alarm (2005). "Hunting for Witches" and "I Still Remember" from A Weekend in the City (2007).
MySpace: www.myspace.com/blocparty
Website: www.blocparty.com
Purchase album from Insound

UPS - One Driver

2007-10-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

Artist: The Postal Service
Track: Such Great Heights
Album: Give Up (2003)
Record Label: Sub Pop
About The Postal Service: The Postal Service is an American electronic indie pop band featuring singer Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel, Headset and Figurine. Several songs on their first LP, Give Up, feature guest vocals from Jenny Lewis, solo artist and the lead singer of Rilo Kiley, as well as vocals from Jen Wood, an indie rock musician. Chris Walla produced the album and played the guitar and piano on several tracks.
The name "Postal Service" was chosen due to the way in which the band produced their songs. Jimmy would write the music then send DAT tapes to Ben, who would edit the song as he saw fit, adding his vocals along the way, and send them back to Jimmy via "Postal Service".
Suggested Postal Service Listening:
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thepostalservice
Website: http://www.postalservicemusic.net/
Purchase album from Insound

Rogers PVR - Hockey

2007-10-26T18:36:00.001-07:00

Artist: Brett Drennan
Track: The One Who Loves You The Most
Album: So Much More (2006)
Record Label: Dualtone Music Group
Myspace: www.myspace.com/brettdennan
Website: www.brettdennon.com

Apple Ipod Nano - Stacks

2007-10-26T18:29:00.001-07:00

Artist: Feist
Track: 1, 2, 3, 4
Album: The Reminder (2007)
Record Label: Cherry Tree
About Feist:
Suggested Feist Listening:
MySpace: www.myspace.com/feist
Website: www.feist.com
Purchase album from Insound

In the News - Independent Thinking

2007-10-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

MARKETING
October 15, 2007

Independent Thinking

By Bryan Borzykowski

Classic hits have been replaced by an indie vibe as the soundtrack of choice for TV ads

"You coming to bed?" asks a woman, wondering if her husband is ready to stop watching the hockey game that's playing on their large plasma TV. "I'm just going to catch the end of the game," he responds, moments before his young son appears saying he can't sleep. When the father uses his PVR to show his restless boy a stellar goal and the two enjoy a spontaneous moment of father-son bonding, the warm, bluesy voice of 26-year-old singer/songwriter Brett Dennen starts to play over the dimly lit scene.

Duncan Bruce, senior vice-president and executive creative director at Publicis, the agency responsible for this Rogers PVR ad, chalks up the spot's success to the Dennen song, and it's hard not to agree. This quiet, heartfelt love song is perfect for the family-oriented commercial. But the agency gambled by using Dennen, then an unknown Oakdale, Calif.-based musician, to score a big budget ad. Fortunately for Rogers, the gamble paid off. "People liked what they heard in the commercial," he says. "And they continued to investigate. Rogers got the halo effect of customers' affections."

However, using "The One Who Loves You The Most" as the anchor for the PVR spot, which ran from last October to February of this year, wasn't the original plan. Rogers wanted to shell out the big bucks, $500,000 to be exact, for the rights to Eric Clapton's "Change The World." "They were on that ship of the big song," says Marco DiFelice, the music supervisor at Toronto-based music house Silent Joe and the man responsible for finding the song that Rogers would eventually use. "I was grumbling, 'why do they want another big song?' "

Before negotiating the rights to the Clapton tune, DiFelice decided to pore over thousands of other lesser known tracks, hoping to find a cheaper, yet more fitting alternative, to the "big fat song." And that's how they came to Dennen. "Brett Dennen was so clearly the winner that when you saw it up against the picture, it was undeniable to everybody," says DiFelice.

Passing on a legendary star like Clapton would have been unheard of in the 80s, when everyone from Michael Jackson to Carole Pope was getting their songs placed in ads; but today it's unknown independent acts like Dennen who are providing commercial soundtracks. "Using the big, traditional rock songs, what you're saying is 'hey look at me, I'm a big corporation that doesn't know what's cool and has the money to buy whatever I want,' " says Bruce. "That's the residue affect of the big song now."

One agency that's helped drive the industry towards the indie act-often defined as an artist who's not on a major label like Universal or Warner (though might be distributed by one)-is Leo Burnett. The venerable ad agency has bought tracks from The Be Good Tanyas, Joel Plaskett and The Golden Dogs for its Zellers spots. David Moore, Leo Burnett Canada's CEO, says enlisting these lesser-known pop acts has helped make the Zellers brand "more optimistic, more contemporary and more spirited" than it had been in the past, "and it really helped build a lot of buzz."

"It's really put a sound to our brand personality," adds Geoff Hardwicke, HBC's brand director. "Sound can help define who you are. Indie music tends to be a little more honest and fresh, attributes we hope people recognize in Zellers."

Like Rogers, Hardwicke says he had other options than using an unknown song, but in the end "the indie tracks were just better."

Staying relevant is only one reason more marketers and ad agencies are turning toward underground acts. With Canadian CD sales down 35% in the first quarter of 2007, the music industry is in turmoil and corporations, who have a far greater reach than many record labels, are positioning themselves as talent scouts and tastemakers of the future.

"The agencies love this because they're like the A&R kids now, picking what band is going to be popular," says DiFelice, who also found the tracks for most of the Zellers commercials.

Music industry veteran, and Joel Plaskett's manager, Mike Campbell agrees with DiFelice, saying that with increased competition and a weakening label system, fans are forced to find new music in places other than record stores. "The public hasn't the time, or the inclination, to sift through the dreck to find the good stuff," he says. "A good music supervisor will do that for them."

For proof, look at the Toronto-based reggae pop trio Bedouin Soundclash. Until the band landed a song in one of Leo Burnett's Zellers ads, the group was playing tiny dives across the country. In August, the band's sophomore album debuted at #2 on the Canadian charts.

And Bedouin's not the only act that has benefited from scoring a national ad. In May, Cadbury Adams Canada launched a spot for its Maynards brand that featured an infectious 30-second song by Toronto's Major Maker. The band wrote the tune for the ad, then titled the "Maynards Candy Song," but after the company posted the spot on YouTube, new fans demanded to hear a full track. So Major Maker hit the studio and added two and half minutes to the song, now called "Rollercoaster," and posted the finished product on iTunes in July. Since then, 3,700 people have downloaded the song, pushing the download-only track to #2 on the iTunes Canada rock sales chart.

"We knew the song would gain momentum, but we were surprised at the size and rapidity of that response," says David Vivenes, the marketing director for Maynards. "Now, "Rollercoaster," Major Maker and Maynards Candy are inextricably linked."

Having such a close association with a brand would have appalled the majority of artists-and more importantly, their fans-not so many years ago. Now, the dreaded word "sellout" is rarely uttered. "Kids are so inundated now," says DiFelice, "They see Molson banners while watching a band play live. At some point the kids got it, the band needs to make money."

Plus, with MuchMusic rarely playing music videos, and radio devoting its airtime to major artists, lesser-known acts are finally realizing the benefits of ad exposure. "If the ad doesn't suck and the advertiser isn't considered by the artist to be odious somehow... then it's a viable way to get people to hear your stuff and that, ultimately, is what it's about, isn't it?" argues Campbell.

While discovering a new band helps both the act and the brand, buying an indie track is also vastly cheaper than purchasing a song from an established artist. "The Beatles want $1 million to start, period," says Jody Colero, co-owner of Silent Joe. "U2 won't even give you a price."

Other name bands will charge anywhere from $100,000 and up, while independent acts usually charge between $20,000 and $40,000. Getting a music house like Silent Joe or Grayson Matthews to create a song from scratch starts at around $20,000.

Cutting costs by buying cheaper music, however, can bring greater risks. Using a famous track will mean instant recognition, and often immediate success. With an indie act, nothing is guaranteed. "You don't always know that when you go with an indie band," says Moore. "So the price is lower. We're not guaranteed this thing is going to be a hit and catch on."

Still, marketers and agencies are willing to take the chance. But are too many brands jumping on the independent bandwagon? "We're hearing indie-type songs for feminine protection ads," says Colero. "Some people are saying, 'it's cool so let's put on an indie song on.' Part of our success could be part of our undoing."

Until the masses stop singing along to Maynards or Zellers ads though, it's unlikely that agencies will quit looking at indie acts to help sell their client's brand. "Each sound is fresh and different from the previous one," says Moore. "Saying there's an over-saturation of indie bands is like saying there's an over-saturation of music."

Bryan Borzykowski is a freelance writer in Toronto

Welcome!

2007-10-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

I recently read about the rise of Indie Music in Advertising in Marketing Mag which spurred this blog. The objective of this site is to highlight the effective use of Indie Music in television commercials and give exposure to Indie Bands.