Teen Vogue

Recently I was interviewed for an article in Teen Vogue on Myspace. Actually I was interviewed last August for an article that hit newstands in March for their April Issue. Its a little confusing how old media works. Even more confusing in February I was asked to write a sidebar for the article on the best unsigned MySpace bands that are not in the top artist list.

This was actually the impetus for starting Signing Power. I mean if Conde Nast wanted my opinion then clearly it might make for compelling reading to the literally hundreds of people who are trolling the internet for A&R gossip. A&R is currently sandwiched between alternative uses for hockey pucks and pictures of Amanda Peterson (of Can't Buy me Love fame - Oh how the mighty have fallen) on the google search terms rank.

To that end I have decided to post my article since it was cut from Teen Vogue and I hate to see anything I wrote end up on in word document purgatory. You'll notice some rehash of bands I've already wrote about and some are now signed since this was originally penned in February. Jaymay getting signed to EMI was the easiest call since Against Me to Warner Brothers.

Beyond the MySpace Top Artists List.

Jaymay
http://www.myspace.com/jaymay
Best Song: Grey or Blue
Jaymay originally wrote her signature song "Grey or Blue" on a children's xylophone while babysitting, because she did not have her guitar on her. Since then she has toured the world showcasing with her honest voice and insightful lyrics leading to a stint as the number one folk artist on iTunes.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
http://www.myspace.com/boris
Best Song: Oregon Girl
SSLYBY are indie-pop darlings from Missouri who wrote the lyrics to their first full length album as a love letter to a girl. It must have worked as Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie put their song Oregon Girl on a mixtape to his girlfriend.

My Favorite Highway
- http://www.myspace.com/myfavoritehighway
Best Song: How to Call a Bluff
Take the piano driven hooks of the Fray place and mix it with the punky flavor of the All American Rejects and you have My Favorite Highway. Listening to the sincere powerful songs on their MySpace page will convert your bedroom into a stadium show.

Danger Radio
http://www.myspace.com/dangerradio
Best song: Party Foul
Currently being courted by a number of labels, Danger Radio is the other band of Scene Aesthetic (11 on unsigned artists list) vocalist Andrew De Torres. They may not have as many MySpace views as Scene Aesthetic but they have a more complete sound. The band combines rock and dance in way that bridges the gap between New Rave and the Emo Scene.

The Envy Corps -
http://www.myspace.com/theenvycorps
Best Song: Story Problem
The Envy Corps is the latest offering from Robert Reynolds, The Killers Lawyer/Manager, who holds the same title with The Envy Corps. This bands harmonious choruses and rhythmic riffs lend themselves to audience sing-a-longs and are sure to brighten up a miserable day.