“Isles.” Video from UK indie-rock group, Little Comets.

Emerging from humble beginnings, Little Comets have come from spontaneous shows on subways and bakeries to a major record label deal. Since breaking from said label in 2010 (the band jokingly adds that their album didn’t sound enough like Ke$ha), Little Comets have gone independent touring through Great Britain appearing at numerous venues and festivals along the way. Hailing from Newcastle, England, the band recently released their first single after being emancipated from their major record label. “Isles,” as well as 11 other tracks juxtapose in the form of their most recent album, In Search of Elusive Little Comets, which was released earlier this year reaching #54 on the UK Billboard charts. Check out the music video below from these Tynesiders. They are Little Comets. This is “Isles:”

You can find more information about Little Comets from their website, fan page, and twitter account. They will be touring England through the end of year, closing the year out with a show in their hometown.

I thought I would throw in a bonus track. It’s called “One Night in October.” It was Little Comet’s first big hit and I’ve been a fan ever since I heard a year or so ago. Cheers.

kyle c. stilley | marketing strategist | music without labels, llc | chicago | @stillz

“Face The Rain.” New Video from UK pop group First Place.

First place is the new pop urban group made up of three talented individuals residing in Bristol. Singer, rapper and songwriter Yomi started the group after performing with 20 year old rapper and Urban Music Award Winner Frenzee locally and as far away as Glasgow. Singer/ songwriter and ex-stage school Grade-A student Allegra was originally a fan of Frenzee’s music but is now a group member she brings balance and sweetness to the group with her soulful pop tones. Following on from the buzz First Place started with their first promo single Best Of Me, they are now back with their second promo single Face The Rain. Even though the band is currently completely independent, that hasn’t stopped them from impressing the likes of Alecia Dixon when they recently supported her, leading her to tweet about how great they were and their music was. Often playing to over 3000 kids, under-18 events, and corporate live performances, First Place have been slowly and independently building their fanbase by doing school tours and PAs across the UK. A nationwide school tour is planned for September 2011. First Place recently released their second video to single, “Face the Rain.” Enjoy.

As aforementioned, First Place’s break-out hit was their single “Best of Me” which started creating buzz around the top of the year. It is always a pleasure find a group that provides a clean, positive example for the younger generations. However, don’t expect to find any Barney sing-a-longs. Do expect to find a soulful vibes, positive lyrics, and wholesome entertainment.

kyle c. stilley | marketing strategist | @stillz | music without labels & beat-play, llc

“Always Anyway,” the new album from Three Legged Fox releases with hit single “Let You Down”

Five years ago, Three Legged Fox unleashed its musical vibes upon the masses. Since then, they have hit the national scene, sharing the stage with some of this country’s most prominent reggae acts, such as SOJA, Rebellution, and many others. On August 16th, this conglomerate, formed in the suburbs of Philadelphia, released their third full-length studio album, entitled Always, Anyway.

Three Legged Fox is comprised of four members: Kyle Wareham provides the vocals and fret play, Kory Kochersperger the beats, with Tommy Mosca and Mark Carson rounding out the guitar section, lead and bass respectively. Of the album, they’ve noted, “We knew from the word ‘go’ that we wanted to go really big on this one.  We wanted big sounds, accessible songs, and an overall modern approach.  We felt as though we had already done the raw, stripped down thing twice; and we had done the whole reggae horns, arrangement type of thing with the last album.  It was within us to understand that we’re not a traditional American reggae band; we’re an alternative rock, reggae band.  Ultimately, realizing what we are, and what we aren’t made it much easier and a lot of fun making this new album.”

This approach is evident in Always, Anyway. The music seems so organic. Even though they claim to be a hybrid-genre outfit, it never seems as though they are overreaching to fit into a certain genre, but rather celebrating the juxtaposition of the two. To the listener, the experience of having varying styles from track-to-track definitely creates anticipation while moving through the album. From the guitar-driven “Half Filled Boxes” to “Grace (Here With You),” a sweeping ballad of sorts, Always, Anyway is very well-rounded album that will continue to gain exposure as Three Legged Fox tours to promote the album. You can find tour dates as well as more information about the album at their official website. As aforementioned, “Let You Down” is the first release single from the out. Check out the video below.

by: kyle c. stilley | marketing strategist | @stillz | music without labels & beat-play, llc

“I Must Be A Lover.” Brand new video from Guillemots, live from Dot to Dot Festival in the United Kingdom.

This spring the editors at Music Without Labels were excited to bring you new music from the Guillemots, an alternative rock outfit from Birmingham, United Kingdom. In April, they released “Walk The River,” their third album to date which opened to rave reviews earlier this year. You can read Steve Rippin’s preview if you missed it. Recently, Guillemots released a live performance of “I Must Be A Lover” from a recent invitation to the Dot to Dot Festival, a weekend festival that circuits from Bristol to Nottingham to Manchester. This single goes on to add another stripe to an already stellar album. The bended notes of the keyboard and almost organ-like synthetics creates a unique platter for lead-singer Fyfe Dangerfield to serve his passionate and sensible lyrics about putting the past behind us and moving on. It is a remarkable song that I know you’ll enjoy.

Link to Video: “I Must Be A Lover (Live)” by Guillemots

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC

 

New Video Released by 1,2,3 to Single, “Work.”

1,2,3 is the brainchild of Nic Snyder and Josh Sickels, two friends from Pittsburgh, PA, who recently released there debut full-length album entitled New Haven in June. Aside from the logistical nightmare that is attempting to Google search “1,2,3,” my first experience with this group was extremely positive. After listening to samples that are posted on their myspace page, I became more enamored with their creativity and their ability to create so many different sounds, often within the framework of a single song. One benefit of this creativity is that the listener is never truly able to stereotype this band and any attempts to pigeonhole 1,2,3 into a specific category or compare them to others is quickly defeated when the next track plays.

Set in the quintessential blue-collar city of Pittsburgh, PA, “Work” is somewhat of a laborer’s anthem. Check out the video below and head over to their myspace page to hear more samples. As aforementioned, New Haven, their latest album hit the markets in June and its one of my favorite of the year thus far.

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC | kyle@musicwithoutlabels.com

The Little Black Hearts – “The Strange” [VIDEO]

The Little Black Hearts is a hard-hitting rock band from Leeds, UK. The four-piece outfit brings a truly raw rock sound, consisting of thundering drums, classic guitar riffs, and a bass that drives the show. While the brute force of their sound might be the most noticeable characteristic, you can’t help admiring the juxtaposition with the rhythm and melodic components. They are unabashed and unafraid, and, for the most part, completely unfiltered. If you take some time to listen to a larger sample of their music, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. To be honest, it’s quite endearing. Fun little tidbit: the video for their single, “The Strange,” was fully recorded and edited on ten iPhones. It’s refreshing to see people work outside of the common molds. You can check out the video below and make sure you check out their music section on their facebook page to hear more of their art.

Bonus Video: “Rebecca” by The Little Black Hearts

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC

Bright Light Bright Light – “Disco Moment” [VIDEO]

In the latter months of 2010, rising singer, songwriter, producer and DJ Rod Thomas released his debut album, Make Me Believe in Hope under the moniker Bright Light Bright Light. The Welsh-born Thomas harps on late-80’s and 90’s influences, such as Depeche Mode, Bjork, and Ace of Base to deliver an exciting electro-pop sound. To borrow German-magazine Finger’s description of Bright Light Bright Light, it’s “pop music you’d like to dance naked in the streets to.” Earlier this month, Thomas released the video to “Disco Moment,” his latest single, which encompasses the very essence of Bright Light Bright Light, from the passionate lyrics to the balladic refrains.

Bonus: Rod Thomas’ debut single from Make Me Believe in Hope, “Love Part II” was released last fall to warm reception. It’s an “interesting” video that clearly won’t be winning any awards, but it certainly does nothing to hinder the music.

Make sure you head over to Thomas’ website to check out more tracks and stay in touch with this talented artist’s next moves.

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC

Amplify Dot – “Semantics” feat. Kano [VIDEO]

More than ten years ago Amplify Dot, aka A.Dot, made her debut performance at Brixton Academy in her native South London. At the ripe age of 14, the blooming female rapper dazzled the packed house who had turned out to see another notable female rapper. Missy Elliot, of A.Dot’s performance, later told her “One day, you’re going to be big.” With plans to consummate said presage, A.dot continues her quest for greatness. Amplify Dot released her latest mixtape entitled Born Ready this spring on AmpedUP Records, which she is the proprietor. Recently, A.Dot released a music video to “Semantics.” Featuring Kano, an English national with Jamaican roots, “Semantics” showcases this rising star’s visible talents.

Bonus: A.Dot has also recorded a video for the title track “Born Ready” which you can check out below. Make sure you head over to A.Dot’s website to check out what’s new and stay on the up and up with A.Dot’s next moves.

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC | kyle@musicwithoutlabels.com

Top Shelf Jazz – “Gentlemen in Squalor” [VIDEO]

photo courtesy of Nick Clack.

Self-titled “Fine Purveyors of Filthy Swing,” this rowdy bunch of talented misfits are spewing their lewd and lascivious jingles across the United Kingdom and beyond.  Jazz and swing music, genres usually recognized from their grace and class, takes on a new twist in the form of Top Shelf Jazz, who has enamored as many new fans as they’ve disgusted.  “Gentleman in Squalor” is the title track to the most recent album, which released this spring. Top Shelf Jazz’s bawdy lyrics and blithe personalities will have you laughing and the music will certainly compel you to the dance floor. Make sure you head over to there official site to check out more samples of their music and the always entertaining section of hate mail that they’ve received over the years.

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC | kyle@musicwithoutlabels.com

MaXXXimum – “Destroy the Dancefloor” [VIDEO]

Meet Max Kline, a London-based electro producer who goes by the stage name MaXXXimum. Recently, he released a new track entitled “Destroy the Dancefloor” which I have taken a serious liking to. It has even supplanted The Shrugs‘ nearly two week hold of my cell phone’s ringtone. I once read, of MaXXXimum’s basslines, that the “XXX” in his name was appropriate because his basslines were so dirty.

Klein has been garnering local attention and has been featured on BBC’s “Introducing…,” which strives to support unsigned, undiscovered, and under the radar artists. You can hear a portion of that segment here. For you viewing pleasure, Klein has also created a video, a video mashup of sorts, for “Destroy the Dancefloor.” Set to the backdrop of the vampiric thriller The Lost Boys, Kline creates an audial thriller of his own, which you can download here free of charge.

Kyle C. Stilley | Marketing Strategist | @stillz | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC | kyle@musicwithoutlabels.com