A&R Report: Action Item

Tags: A&R, Action Item, Pop, Rock

Apparently New Jersey has more to offer then guidos and hair gel.  Case in point, meet Action Item.  They’re a 5-piece pop rock act who will surely grab the attention of fans swooning over Parachute, All American Rejects and Secondhand Serenade.  Their sound is piano based with a taste of rock, soaring vocals and a drop of emo.  Not exactly reinventing the wheel, but they are certainly doing their part to separate themselves from the pack with well crafted songs that could likely end up on VH1 at some point.

The band is currently on tour with Allstar Weekend and is scheduled to play next tomorrow night in Atlanta, Georgia.  Have a listen to Action Item here.  You can also pick up their new EP which came out this week, The Stronger The Love on .

A&R Report: Fit For Rivals

Tags: A&R, Fit For Rivals, Rock

Having made a name for themselves on the Warped Tour this year, Fit For Rivals have sent the labels running to see them in their home state of Florida.  Having acquired major management and booking, the band is looking to take the next step and get signed.  Their sound is not a far departure from other acts you’d expect to hear on Warped, with an energetic, emo-rock approach that’s likely to grab the attention of AP readers.  Coming from Jacksonville, its likely they have been influenced by hometown heroes, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. 

Have a listen to the 5-piece act here.  You can also check out the video for their song “Damage.”  The band is playing next Saturday (8/14) at Jack Rabbits in Jacksonville, FL.

A&R Report: The Natural

Tags: A&R, Hip Hop, Media, New Music, The Natural

Here at The Sound Loft, we do the research so you don’t have to.  But from time to time, we’ll come across an artist that peaks our interest yet it’s practically impossible to dig up some info on them since they’re not yet established.  Such is the case with a talented MC from Downey, California named The Natural.  Although he released an album this week on iTunes called Pipe Dreams, you can see the area usually reserved for a label name is filled with a simple “n/a.”  Type in “The Natural” or “The Natural Pipe Dreams” or “The Natural Rapper” into your search engine, and you won’t find him.  Head on over to Myspace and type his name into the music search and still nothing.  Type the album name into the album search and… you guessed it… nothing.

Turns out, the young man (born Joshua Santos) was originally going by the name iDeal but was forced to change it when he found an R&B group with the same name.  So now he’s going with The Natural (although we foresee some further name changes coming as that one’s GOTTA be taken by somebody already).  In event, the kid his a laid back hip hop sound reminiscent of Travie McCoy.  Just have a listen to the track “Runnin’ Away” and you’ll see what we mean.  According to a blog post he wrote though, his single is an up tempo track named “Hold On.”  Yet we feel the standout tune is “Tour Guide.” 

He may be young and completely new to your ears, but he’s apparently shared the stage with such names as Talib Kweli, Bun B, Cypress Hill and Jurassic 5 to name a few.

Just head on over to his Myspace here (which you’ll notice by the address, is under the name ideal1)  and check him out.  While you’re there, have a look at the video where he and his friend Ashley perform an acoustic cover of Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.”  Ashley has some pipes!

If you just wanna skip ahead and go purchase the album now, you can do so on .  And if you STILL need more convincing that this kid is worthy of your attention, take a listen to “Tour Guide” below.

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A&R Report: The Honeymoon Thrillers

Tags: A&R, Pop, Rock, The Honeymoon Thrillers

Another new act out of Nashville that is likely to start getting some industry attention is the 5 piece known as The Honeymoon Thrillers.  Its interesting to see such names as The Beach Boys, The Smiths, The Clash and Elvis all listed as the band’s influences.  But somehow, that retro mix of sounds seems eerily on point given the finished product.  We’d maybe throw in some Offspring or Weezer just for good modern measure.

It’s likely that not many people know who they are just yet as the first show they played together was at this year’s SXSW music festival.  So be among the first to check them out as their mix of old school meets breezy new school is sure to put a smile on the face of your ipod this summer.

Lead singer Nathan Barlows and his band will be releasing an album tomorrow (6/18) that’s currently streaming on there website here.  Grammy winning engineer Vance Powell (White Stripes, Raconteurs) mixed the album.  Those of you in the Nashville area can join them at their release show, also tomorrow, at The Basement.

A&R Report: Jared Lee

Tags: A&R, Jared Lee, Pop, Rock

Singer/songwriter Jared Lee may have started in Boston, spent some time in New York and currently resides in Los Angeles, but his knack for writing could very well see this kid breaking through worldwide.  He’s already signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis and worked with a number of industry big timers such as Cliff Magnus (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson), Brian Howes (Daughtry, Hinder) and The Writing Camp (Beyonce, Brandy).  He’s scored a few television syncs with his song “Hooray For Hollywood” on MTV’s The Hills, and “Who Am I” on the soap opera One Live To Live.

Jared will be playing this Wednesday (5/27) at The Mint in Los Angeles and on June 24th at The Roxy in West Hollywood.

Click here to check out his mainstream sound which can most notably be described as OneRepublic-esque.

A&R Report: Val Emmich

Tags: A&R, Indie, Pop, Rock, Val Emmich

You may or may not recognize the name (as he spent time signed to Epic), but you defintiely recognize the face.  Val Emmich has already made his mark on the acting world.  Over the last few years, he’s played the musician/love interest on ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” been Tina Fey’s outlet for cougarism on NBC’s “30 Rock,” Lucy Lui’s hook up on ABC’s “Cashmere Mafia,” and is currently starring in a Heineken commercial where he boldly hits on the boss’ daughter (see below).  However, do some digging and you’ll find out that Emmich’s true passion is music. 

Having already toured with the likes of Dashboard Confessional, Gavin DeGraw, Gym Class Heroes and Butch Walker to name a few, Val is no newcomer to the game.  He was one of the most sought after artists of a few years back (even becoming the first ever unsigned artist to have his video played on MTV’s “TRL”), eventually signing with Epic.  However, when the label started restructuring, his A&R team was let go, and Emmich decided to look for a new home.

Well the New Jersey native recently completed an album with the production team known as Near Records.  It’s currently being shopped so although the public has yet to get their hands on it, Val has leaked 2 songs from the future release called “E.S.T.” and “Sidekick.”  Check them out here.  He’s got a brilliant way of toeing the line between mainstream and indie.  So we think it’s only a matter of time before he gets picked up.

If you’re in New York, be sure to catch him at the Mercury Lounge on May 20th.  We hear there will be a number of labels in attendance.

Get to know Val Emmich here.

A&R Report: Mikey Wax

Tags: A&R, Mikey Wax, Pop, Rock

Singer/songwriter Mikey Wax may not be reinventing the wheel with his acoustic based soft rock sound, but he’s certainly got the talent to separate himself from the pack.  He fits in with the likes of Jon McLaughlin, Jason Reeves and Jason Mraz with a strong writing ability combined with smooth vocals that lean soulful at times.

Tune in tonight (4/9) to CBS’ hit show “Ghost Whisperer” at 8pm to hear his song “In Case I Go Again” from his 2008 release Change Again.  The song was also the track that got Mikey named as The Unsigned Artist contest winner by South Florida’s Top 40 radio station WRMF.  If you’re headed to itunes to download the track, you’ll notice he also put out an EP this past February called For Better Or Worse.

Having just completed a string of dates with Howie Day and Serena Ryder, Wax will be opening for Tyler Hilton at New York’s Canal Room on Thursday (4/15).

Check out the sounds of Mikey Wax right here.

A&R Report: Mayday

Tags: A&R, Mayday

In listening to pop rockers, Mayday, it’s evident their strength is in songwriting.  So it’s not hard to see why Sony ATV Publishing has nabbed them, even though they are without a label.  However, that deal is not their only achievement.  They were on the list of MTV’s “Best Unsigned Bands In The Nation,” were labeled a “Buzz Act” by HITS Magazine and are currently sitting at the #1 position on Alternative Addiction’s Top 10 Unsigned Bands list.  In addition, 2 of the band’s members have co-writes on 2 songs on the Grammy nominated Red album, Innocence & Instinct (Sony) which came out last year. 

Their sound is likely to win over fans of Owl City, Parachute and Boyce Avenue as they’ve got big hooks, strong vocals and a good sense of melody.

To check out Mayday (formerly called Embassy), click here however, to listen to what’s possibly their strongest tune, a song called “Us,” you’ll have to go here.

A&R Report: The Spin Silhouette

Tags: A&R, Pop, The Spin Silhouette, Throwing Gravity

Pop fans, meet your new favorite act… The Spin Silhouette.  Fronted by Nashville’s Kate Linne, The Spin Silhouette has a sound that’s sure to please fans of Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, etc.  In their short time together, they’ve already had songs placed on ABC Familys’ “Greek” and “10 Things I Hate About You.”  Rumors are now swirling that they may pick up major management soon.

Chris Scott of Lava/Universal Republic rock band Throwing Gravity, is behind the project co-writing and co-producing all tracks.  Their debut EP entitled Six Gun Love will be out soon.

How long will it be before we hear the name The Spin Silhouette on top 40 radio?  We’re thinking not long.  Do you agree?  Check them out right here and let us know.

A&R Report: Windsor Drive

Tags: A&R, Pop, Rock

Hailing form the unlikely town of Weston, Wisconsin, Windsor Drive is a 4-piece alternative act named after a street in their home town.  Their soft rock sound is likely to pull fans of Parachute, The Fray and up and comers The Undeserving.

Having toured nationally a number of times, securing the “Artist To Watch” tag by Clear Channel, and a profile on E! News with Ryan Seacrest, the band seems to be headed in the right direction.  They released an EP last year called Bridges which boasts the song “Fall” that seems to be an obvious single.  However, if you like that track, you are sure to be pleased by the rest of the release.

Check out their video for “Fall” below and click here to take a listen to their other tunes.

CONTACT: info@pingpongmusic.com