The Atlantic Light (April 8, 2012)

The only thing better than great new music is FREE great new music! And that's just what The Atlantic Light (https://www.facebook.com/TheAtlanticLight) is giving to us this week!  This Maryland based pop/rock band has created a great EP full of high energy songs!  My favorite is "Hollywood Bound" but they are all outstanding!  And they are all FREE - just go to http://theatlanticlight.bandcamp.com/ and start downloading!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Ben Burgess (April 1, 2012)

Ben Burgess (https://www.facebook.com/TheBenBurgess) has just released a great/fun mixtape and best of all - it's free (though this one is worth paying for). This Texas boy has taken influences from all parts of his life and surroundings to create a really unique sound. His songs combine hip hop, rock, southern rock and more and he does it all really well!  Just one note - while we usually try to keep it pretty clean here at Emerge this is album definitely comes with an "explicit lyrics warning." 

And if you're in a band please be sure to check out this blog about an opportunity to be on a (free) compilation CD! http://emergemusicgroup.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-get-your-band-on-emerge.html

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

How to get your band on a Emerge Compilation CD! (April 2012)

I am in the process of gathering songs for a brand new Emerge Music Compilation CD! This CD will be given out to several hundred high school/college students at the end of April. It's a totally free project - free for bands to be included and will be distributed for free. We're just trying to get great new music out to lots of new listeners.

Basics..
1. Please email an .mp3 file to emergemusicgroup@gmail.com NO LATER THAN April 9th.
2. Songs cannot contain any explicit lyrics or overt sexual/drug/etc. references
3. You retain all of the rights to your music and we will not sell any of these CDs or use your music for any other purpose. You must have the rights to the song you submit. We reserve the right to decide not to use your song.
4. CDs will be distributed on April 22 to a regional youth leadership conference of high school students from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and DC.
5. We will print at least 200 copies of the CDs and not more than 500.
6. We'd appreciate if you direct your fans and friends to the Emerge Music Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/emergemusic/) so we can spread more good music to more people!

If you have any questions please let me know! Hope to hear from you soon!

Ira
emergemusicgroup@gmail.com

Coles Whalen (March 25, 2012)

Coles Whalen (https://www.facebook.com/coleswhalenmusic) intrigues me. She has a great voice and uses it in a variety of ways - some of her music is straight pop, some has a country slant to it and sometimes she takes on the attitude of a true rocker.  Whatever she does she does it well!  Her latest album, "I Wrote This For You" is her best work to date and hopefully will bring even more fans her way!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

The Bright Things (March 18, 2012)

The Bright Things (https://www.facebook.com/thebrightthings) are a great band from Brisbane who keep getting better and better with every song they release.  Their album "Question. Answer." included really good songs "Circles" and "Rocking Your Body" (among others) and recently they've released two more songs which I am loving.  "Castaway" is a great pop number with strong vocals and a very catchy/harmonious chorus.  "Bye Bye" (which is also free for giving them your email address at http://www.thebrightthings.com/) reminds me a little of Owl City (but not nearly as "girly" .  Lots of good stuff to like here!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Rob Giles (March 11, 2012)

Rob Giles (http://www.facebook.com/RobGilesMusic) has one of the best voices in music today.  In addition to a nice solo career he is part of one of my favorite groups, The Rescues (http://www.facebook.com/therescues) - but today's post is all about Rob and his new album "When We Were Happy."  Rob may be labeled as a "singer songwriter" but that doesn't really do him justice. He is a true artist. This album hits every part of the musical and emotional spectrum.  The re-released "You're Not Listening" is one of my favorite songs of the last few years - incredible lyrics and amazing vocals.  "I Don't Know Anything At All Anymore" is true bliss - just sweet perfection. 

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Tonight Alive (March 4, 2012)

I liked Tonight Alive (http://www.facebook.com/tonightalive) the first time I heard them back in 2010 when they released "All Shapes and Disguises." They've been on my list of bands to get around to featuring here.  Then I was reminded how good they are when they covered Mumford and Sons' "Little Lion Man" on Punk Goes Pop, Vol. 4. Now they are about to hit it big with the release of their new album "What Are You So Scared Of?"  This is awesome, high energy pop-punk music with great female lead vocals and a solid band to compliment her. 

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira