One thing I’ve learned from David Marsden and Ed (Ed-FM) Cooke: some of the best music in the industry has been overlooked because the stuffed suits in the record company/radio station boardrooms have given themselves the power to determine what us members of the poor, unwashed masses should listen to.  I have been a rebel my entire existence, listening to what moves me, not whatever is the flavor of the moment. If I didn’t feel that way, I would have missed out on some outstanding music without which my life would have been just a little more wretched. Can I imagine a world without Gary Numan, Slave To The SQUAREwave, Autocondo, Electronic Dream Factory, Vladymir Rogoff, Benjamin Russell, and so many others? No. Had I relied on what commercial radio force-feeds us, would I have enjoyed the moving and life-enriching creations of these fabulous musicians? Not likely.

The champions of bringing superior music (besides DJs like David and Ed) to the masses are generally folks in the marketing side of the independent music industry. I’d like to call attention to one such company, Independent Music Productions. The title of this music marketing outfit pretty much says it all.

I’ve had the pleasure of listening to some of the artists that Independent Music Productions promotes and feel they are worth the time to listen to. Here are a few to discover:

Rooftop Runners

From Independent Music Productions:

Forging a mix of menacing mood and moving melody out of their adopted city of Berlin, Germany, RTR are Canadian singer-songwriter brother duo Benedikt and Tobias MacIsaac. An internationally accomplished choreographer and dancer respectively, the brothers are no strangers to performing-arts success, having toured and performed extensively with world class troupes in Europe.

From: Berlin, Germany
Album: We Are Here EP (rel date April 3, 2012)

“Bang Bang” by Rooftop Runner via YouTube user rooftoprunnersmusic:

Style: Alternative / Indie / Trip pop
Members:Benedikt & Tobias MacIsaac
Production: Angela Seserman
Tracklisting: Streets, Energize, Bang Bang, She Devil
Official Website
Highlights: 2012 European tour successfully completed, performed at Club NME
“Streets” electronic remix, “Streets” Music Video, Streaming Link

From Independent Music Productions:

Sounds Like: Jeff Buckley, James Blake, Radiohead, Massive Attack

Bio: “Crippled in my youth, crippled in my youth, crippled in my youth and I’m trying to breathe”

Francis Bowie

From Independent Music Productions:

Francis Bowie is a metrosexual whirlwind of creativity within the Danish music and art scene; aside from his singing and songwriting,  he’s a painter, sculptor, designer, writer and gallery owner. Indie  Music Musings calls him “a positive rush of inspiration and  celebration inspired by new wave and electronic music. Picture Duran Duran and Unkle with dreadlocks.”

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
CD: Francis Bowie EP
Release date: Oct 17, 2011
Label: Interscope Digital
Production: Michelle Djarling & Kasper Larsen (Kay & Ndustry)
Websites:
http://francisbowie.bandcamp.com/, http://francisbowie.com, http://soundcloud.com/francis-bowie, http://www.facebook.com/FrancisBowie

Style: Intelligent Pop Music
Streaming link, Music video links

“Sunny Day” by Francis Bowie via YouTube use FrancisBowieOfficial:

Press contact: James Moore (james@independentmusicpromotions.com)
Artist contact: music@francisbowie.com

Monks of Mellonwah

From Independent Music Productions:

A four-piece alternative rock and indie band based in Sydney, the Monks draw on a variety of influences driving each member to create a fresh and unique sound, blending elements of classic blues & rock with modern indie and alternative rock. Their first E.P., Stars Are Out, is testament to such a unique blend, and has been highly praised since
its release in 2010.

Location: Sydney, NSW
CD: “Neurogenesis” EP (Advance rel May 24, 2012)
Streaming Music

“Swamp Groove” by Monks of Mellonwah via YouTube user MonksOfMellonwah:

Members: Will Maher (vocals), Joe de la Hoyde (backing vocals/guitar), John de la Hoyde (bass), Josh Baissari (drums)
Production: Jeff Bova (Michael Jackson), Ryan Miller (John Frusciante), Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, RHCP)
Websites:
http://www.monksofmellonwah.com
http://www.facebook.com/monksofmellonwah,
http://www.twitter.com/monksofmellonwah
Style: indie rock, alternative rock
Similar to: The Black Keys, Muse, Incubus
Press contact: James Moore (james@independentmusicpromotions.com)
Band management contact: Chris de la Hoyde (cdelahoyde@yahoo.com)