‘In a music scene that is nearly impossible to be heard, yet alone be noticed, #WEATNU has been fighting for experimental music since the summer of 2014. Starting by forming the group We the New Underground, on Soundcloud that summer, but that was just the beginning of an idea that became a movement and finally a label that artists could stand behind‘
In this world we have formed, the musician is appreciated, not underrated. It is a city all its own, a hub for artists who long to be found, found by anyone they can. The seeker who wishes for something more than top 40 finds it here. Along with the many artists who release to us, with other sub-labels connected, forming a network, a machine for the avant-garde, a world that is so well hidden, few know about it, yet alone care to seek it out, but it’s there, and it’s been building for these 8 years. That machine is a self-running creation, that is helping the indie artist.
In a digital realm that is vast, a small drop of water that is made creates quiet ripples across the digital ocean. The original logo becomes those quiet ripples moving across the music scene.
The mainstream is this imaginary wall that we all fighting. #WEATNU didn’t climb that wall, we tunneled under it, forming our own underground. Using the internet as that underground, an underground that long existed, before this movement was made, even before the internet itself was conceived.
The mainstream is this imaginary wall that we all fighting. #WEATNU didn’t climb that wall, we tunneled under it, forming our own underground. Using the internet as that underground, an underground that long existed, before this movement was made, even before the internet itself was conceived.
We are the New Underground –
The Underground scene
The underground has always been the hidden driving force behind the music. When mainstream was releasing Disco in the 70’s, people in their own world were creating punk and later Joy Division starting the post-punk movement. Then the 80’s, while New wave was jamming and pop radio was pushing synth-pop. Industrial began to surface with groups like Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Skinny Puppy, NIN, Ministry and Severed Heads then from Belgium, EBM came forth, with Front242 andUK, Nitzer Ebb. When dance was huge, Richie Hawtin in a club in the Detroit scene was spinning techno, then later DnB, Jungle, Electronica in the UK, and Vaperwave, Lo-fi, Synthwave, Retrowave, Dream pop on the internet. And concluding, one scene building off another, connecting them somewhat with each other.
The experimental end of this spectrum began with early hits from Coldcut, Ninja Tune, WARP RecordsAphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher thus the IDM scene. Then trickling down to, Underworld, Boards of Canada, Tycho, Tosca, GusGus, and Röyksopp showing us the downtempo and chillout field of things. Each scene is born direct from the underground. A small niche of people find the music, and it drives straight to the heart of what they are longing to hear.
WEATNU encompasses all of these sub-genres in (4) labels.
A free existence to a musician is key to survival in a corp music world, and everything we do is free to the artist.
#WEATNU 2023
WEATNU Records
Housing all forms of electronic music, avant-garde, experimental and ever-evolving underground styles we are the bleeding edge of the DIY scene.
WEATNU Records – Founded 2014
IFMACA Productions
Our cinematic/chillout label and company for royalty free stock media, formed in 2021, and slowly rising to help composers who make film-related music, that you can listen to and enjoy.
IFMACA Productions – founded Summer 2021
Our library of composers continues to build
Transmission Nova
The post-punk/shoegaze of Transmission Nova, alongside goth and alt-rock of the 90’s.
Transmission Nova – Founded Nov 2021, launched 2022.
Synthesis Noir
And this year Synthesis Noir, our latest sub-label will house, EBM/Industrial, Darkwave, and Coldwave music.
Synthesis Noir – Founded 2023 (opens Summer)
Internet radio
WEATNU [OUR] Online Underground Radio, playing 24/7 on rotation all music that is uploaded to us. Freely send music to us.
WEATNU [OUR] playing the best of the underground, 24/7 Electronic, Avant-garde and beyond.
Alongside our sister station, Transmission Nova – WEATNU [OUR], which also plays Indie rock and shoegaze, goth, etc. Transmission Nova radio was the first before its label came years later.
Transmission Nova – WEATNU [OUR] 24/7 | Indie Rock/Post-punk/Shoegaze and Alternative. Internet radio: Playing the best of the Underground 24/7
Our movement hones in on “The Underground” of this modern era, where people are making music directly from their small bedrooms, tiny studio in their apt/flat. That obscure musician on YouTube you’ve never heard of, or the lonely talented musician that wants to be heard.
Along the way #WEATNU has formed Radio | Label | Magazine | and in 2023 formed its net-label to help the artist, who may not wish to sell their work, but instead be appreciated for it, under creative-commons licensing through archive.org.
#WEATNU – Net-label
WEATNU Records – net-label on archive.org – under creative-commons licensing. (opened 2023)
WEATNU continues to influence the indie scene
The image of #WEATNU – becomes invisible radio waves moving across the music scene, beyond web apps, beyond software barriers, and beyond the algorithm of social media, resisting restraint from the corp world. An idea is carried across the ocean, and around the world.
mind map of #WEATNU (c) 2023
Artists from different parts of the world
Artists from many places around the globe join us, we are a world-wide event. It started in the UK and spread to Australia, and now Russia where The Underground still thrives, thanks to the pioneers who keep it going; those early 80’s artists.
Artists and fans are given new options also in 2023, now that we have our network website.
Forum and social gathering
WEATNU Network – social network + forum, opened 2023
A free to join forum / social gathering for people to come together and share music, and to join #WEATNU, where one simply becomes part of the community, sharing each others music on the internet.
We are the New Underground seems to be influencing the music scene, in some way, by the people who hear the music we release to the internet. Those unknown musicians suddenly find a niche audience. There are micro communities across the world and have been for years, and WEATNU is here as the lighthouse for all to see from endless miles on that digital ocean we are traveling over.
Some artists who have come through our doors went on to become semi-famous, even successful and some were already this way before they arrived, only needing a boost for their self-esteem or finding a new audience, even enjoying the community we have here. For every person who can be helped here, they find their niche audience, and this continues to happen, due to the power of the internet.
What we offer is freedom to the artist and fans who alike wish to find music that isn’t mainstream, but has true, raw talent. Both the unknown and the known are welcome to join our movement. We need you all, now more than ever.
May we continue to grow in this hard music industry, but with your help, we will succeed.
“Canadian native, Victoria Bourdeau has been playing on WEATNU [OUR] (main) for some months now. We finally had a chance to get an interview with her this month. Her music comes from an influence of modern dubstep, Electronica, Deep House and Nordic pop.”
Victoria Bourdeau: You know, that’s an interesting question! I first started writing song lyrics in 2005 when the dream really came alive in me to do something outside of the box, and it’s become the greatest creative outlet for me besides drawing. When I got my first guitar on Christmas morning of 2009 I played it immediately, however something felt off, realizing I was a left handed guitar player with a right handed guitar I simply turned the guitar around and played it upside for two months until I got my father to help me re-string it.
What does music do for you when you create it?
VB: It opens up every possible door for creativity, and self-exploration, it’s like giving birth to a new way of embracing life. With different styles come different sounds, and with that you challenge yourself to become a better writer, and artist.
Any new material at this time?
VB: Yes! I’ve just finished recording a new track Called “Captive” and I hope to have it out shortly. Besides electronic music, I am constantly writing, EDM is just one side of what I do.
I understand you play the guitar and you also create electronic music using iOS apps?
VB: Yes, that’s correct, I create the electronic music from my phone, usually starting with the bass line and building the track around that.
Is WEATNU helping you to be noticed as an artist?
VB: Of course! Ever Since I’ve had contact with WEATNU the amount of support and encouragement I’ve received over Twitter and through the community of connected artists as well as through this WEATNU Records has been truly astounding to me. I still can’t believe all of the things that have happened this year, it’s just mind blowing. Also I want to take this time to thank friends and family that stayed by my side when things got rough, Thank you!
You have some pop elements in your music, does that somehow create a bigger picture for your electronic sound?
VB: I’ve never really thought of it in that manner to be quite honest with you, when I started out and still to this day, I’ve just wanted my sound to be unique enough, but familiar enough to the general public so that they get to experience a new vibe from my work. The intention was never to gravitate attention, it has always been simply to lift people’s spirits up and to inspire them.
As far as the area you live, is there a scene in your part of Canada?
VB: Honestly everybody just does their own thing which I think is cool.
What goals do you have as a musician?
VB: I try not to set goals because i feel they can make a person close-minded, I just go with whatever feels right for me in that moment, and just embrace every moment as it comes about, good or bad.
You also sing, are you planning on releasing anything in the future with your vocals?
VB: That may be a possibility for me one day in the future but for now I prefer to just let the music speak for itself.
Do you have any fav artists under WEATNU or WEATNU Records?
VB: Mm hmm, One of the artists that stands out a lot to me in not only style but class as well is Em Baker (Plike). Her sound is dark and atmospheric but leaves a very genuine and delicate impression on listeners.
What do you think about the current scene of electronic / DIY musicians these days?
VB: I think it’s wonderful, although I’m saddened that not more are recognized in the way they should be.
You’re a passionate and poetic person, how does music fit into your background, how did you begin?
VB: Music has always been apart of me. Just before I was born my father would crank up music to find that I was keeping perfect time to the harsh and violent beats of Motley Crüe . At just four months I was whistling, and by ten months I would hum myself to sleep.
I began music by studying the way different artists portrayed and conducted themselves on stage in a way that would get the crowd going, bringing the fans into that moment with them. If the artist was disconsolate, you felt it, if exuberant you felt that! It’s all about finding your path and growing from there.
Being one of the youngest of WEATNU, what do you think you can bring to your generation?
VB: I hope to be able to give back to people through my music and to inspire people to go after what they want in life contrary to what they believe they can succeed.
What influences you as an artist / musician to write?
VB: That’s a hard question to answer because everything in life inspires me to write, the bare leafless tress of winter clinging to life for one more season, the light of the moon at night, the miracle of life, the tides of the oceans and how the sea creatures respond to the different levels of water in their environment. Every little aspect of life is truly miraculous and breathing taking for me so it’s hard to answer that completely. I’m sorry.
Dreams of becoming?
VB: Someone who is able to inspire at least one person.
Tell us more about your new EP?
VB: Captive? Well It takes the form of many styles some of which are mixed. Deep House, Trap, EDM, Heavy Bass, Nordic Pop ect. For me it’s all about pushing the limits and not staying in one square box, because in time if I want to focus on one platform, it’s not something that wouldn’t have been familiar in my other music. The point is to stay as original as possible but also to constantly change it up, to have it be that no two songs are alike. I want each song on its own to speak for itself. That to me is how to keep things alive and is what the songs on my coming EP represent.
If there was one thing in life you could be remembered for what would it be?
VB: Being a risk taker.
Where do you see #WEATNU going in the next decade?
VB: I see it becoming a world-wide spread community of thriving artists.
Bagels or Donuts? VB: Why do you do this to me!! Both are great but I’m afraid I have to choose Donuts, I’m so sorry Bagels!!
For an entire year WEATNU has been building a large group of artists on it’s label WEATNU Records. You’ve heard many of them throughout the months. Now you can hear them all together on the same album. Showcasing 74 amazing electronic artists, including punk and post-punk, dream-pop, nu jazz swing. You can buy this great piece of underground history for 9.80 USD. Complete with a wide variety of styles from all over the world. WEATNU Records continues to take in the greatest of hidden talent. All artists receive 70% per sale. WEATNU believes in fair pay to the artist.
Purchase on Bandcamp
<iframe style=”border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;” src=”https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3474610779/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/transparent=true/” width=”300″ height=”150″ seamless=””>WEATNU Records: Year One by WEATNU RECORDS</iframe>
Culture is an important part to music, as it dictates the direction of future music generations. Groups of people form together to make micro-scenes, one side you have Vaporwave, the other you have experimental / avant-garde, Synthwave, Synthpop and Dreampop. We’re living in a time where we no longer need to be fed music to find what we like; instead we search on the net. Indie music has always been the entrance to the underground. But the underground is far larger than the mainstream. Punk, Electronica, Techno, DnB, IDM. Have all come from the underground scene. There is a paradigm shift happening now, the Internet, social media and musicians can now form as one to share, over-share and saturate the virtual music scene. A flood of musicians pour into groups, forums, facebook, twitter and of course Tumblr at every moment. WEATNU is part of that culture, instead of filling it with confusing noise, it is filling the music world with an identity and culture #WEATNU culture. After nearly two decades we are seeing what Electronic music is becoming. The DIY scene + Electronic, is bringing to our ears, for the first time soloists in droves. Many of us who are in our 30s grew up listening to Grunge music and then later we broke away to find something different, thus the Electronic / DIY community began in our homes, apt’s, bedrooms and garages. Artists have to find ways to share their art, and WEATNU took that opportunity in doing so. Solo Electronic music is the future of music itself. The idea of the band is now a guy/girl on stage with a monome, ableton live, laptop and a small MIDI Controller.
But culture also encompasses the vibe itself, the DIY musician or band is elevated off the ground through their own promotion. Twitter becomes the manager, Facebook becomes the way to show others what you do and the list goes on. DIY culture is important because it tells another side of music history. What was born from the Internet after the year 2000 was this culture and it’s here to stay. WEATNU continues to discover and bring forth the greatest of these artists, their voices are heard from a great distance through the talent they display; whereas other publications and radio might dismiss their existence. WEATNU is a culture all its own. An audience of fans waiting to hear something new and unique. The community of listeners become the culture and WEATNU is slowly becoming a hidden part of pop culture itself. In time it will be noticed by more and the artists who are both band and solo alike will have a platform to stand on and show their music to the world.
But there is more to the world of Electronic than DIY solo artists. WEATNU progresses through its search of the hidden artist, now pushing its way into the dance community. Holding together the experimentalist, producer, composer and finally DJ. Such a movement of avid artists creates avid fans. With the likes of labels such-as WARP Records and Ninja Tune, WEATNU is just as important as not only a movement but a record label as well. Net-radio continues to play the artists 24/7. For every new act that the DIY scene discovers, the music world continues to progress. And unlike the world of the mainstream, underground culture is always changing, always trying new ideas. Never holding to one thing for too long. It’s a raw, uncharted world that a person could never completely wade through and find every piece of music ever created. The Internet has become that world, now with endless artists doing something somewhere in any part of the world. Culture itself through the pop craze, or pop culture has always shaped a generation. The 80’s generation was shaped by MTV and British Pop, which later became more corp driven and started to lose its way well into the 2000’s. Experimental culture is once again showing up in the world of music. But the artists of tomorrow, the pioneers who are the next Gary Numan will come through the doors of WEATNU, or have already, and one more important part of underground culture will be noted in the history of music. These DIY artists are important to music and the scene itself. We are seeing a new punk era forming right before our eyes. Thanks to the greatness of modern technology, and the Internet’s social media. Pop culture creates itself, naturally and WEATNU takes in the acts that are unnoticed and talented.
#WEATNU began with one Internet radio, in 2014, WEATNU [OUR] but lately thought it best to expand to other stations, called portals. These portals each have music playing 24/7. Below they will be explained.
Portal #1WEATNU [OUR]: or WEATNU (main) playing Electronic, Avant-Garde and Beyond.
Portal #3 Abstract Alpha: This station plays abstract, electronic, IDM, experimental, Ambient, field recordings 24/7. The station comes from the show on WEATNU [OUR] (main)
“Buffalo, NY, native, Bufinjer, Dave Bulera grew up to the Big Beat sound of the 90s. His music takes you back to the days of The Chemical Bros, NIN, The Crystal Method, The Prodigy and Pitchshifter. #WEATNU DM was fortunate to get a moment with him in his busy schedule.”
Corbin: First and foremost I would like to say thank you for giving us at WEATNU an opportunity to give back a little to someone who has done some writing for our digital magazine and has contributed to the “gears of WEATNU”.
Listening to your album Synical takes me back to the 90’s. The sounds used and the style of its progressions especially. What are some of your influences that inspired you to create this album?
Dave: It’s funny that the album takes you back to the 90’s because a lot of my inspiration is from the 90’s. I am strongly influenced by Nine Inch Nails, Filter, The Crystal Method, The Prodigy, and The Chemical Brothers. All of which were at their peaks in the 90s and early 2000s. Nine Inch Nails’ Pretty Hate Machine was a huge influence in the direction of my music interest, and as I switched gears from listening to music, to making music in 1999, I was heavily into the electronic music genre, or Electronica as it was referred to at that time.
Corbin: With all the music projects you take on how often do you get a chance to sit down and write music for yourself?
Dave: I try to focus on my music first. Unless there is a deadline (which has been the case lately…), Sometimes when I am working on a project for others, and I get stuck, or frustrated with how things are going, I take a break from the project and work on my own music. This can be a double edged sword though because when things seem to be coming along good, I focus on it until it’s done, so this can put me behind on my projects. I have been working on my new album for over a year now, and my projects have pushed my release date back a bunch of times. At this point my new album is scheduled to be released in June.
Corbin: We’re looking forward to your new album. What is the name of the album and how different will it be from your last one?
Dave: Thanks. I’m excited about my new album. It will be called “Electrolysis”. This album has been work in progress for over a year. The songs will be similar in style to most of my songs in “Synical” but show how my my techniques in laying out the songs has grown. I don’t focus on one genre in my songs. I like to use a combination of new and old to make things unique. Effects have been used a lot more in my newer songs to keep things sounding fresh and different.
Corbin: Will this be released as a WEATNU exclusive?
Dave: Yes, I plan on releasing it exclusively on WEATNU Records, then in July I will release it again through Music Kickup to get it up on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Deezer, MixRadio,Rdio, and Xbox Music.
Corbin: With only about a month left do see anything else getting in the way of the release of “Electrolysis”? Besides promoting the album where will Bufinjer be moving from here?
Dave: I still have 2 songs yet to be completed for a remix album that are due within two weeks. If I can get these done soon, I can get back to my music and complete the songs for “Electrolysis”. If these remix songs take longer, I will have less time to finish things up for my album. I have already pushed this off 3 times, so hopefully this won’t be the case again. Originally I wanted to release it in January, but I did not have things ready, then I wanted to release it in March, but other projects pushed it further away. Then I was gearing up for May. I’m giving it another month to finish all things up. Because of my busy schedule, between working, and family, I do not get as much time as I would like to devote to my music projects.
At this point I don’t have any specific plans once I release “Electrolysis” as far as what is next. I would like to make some new videos for the songs from “Electrolysis”. I have one for “Deep Under” but that was done 6 months ago, so I need to get back into the video groove again. I make all of my own videos. I also would like to continue my series of The History of Electronic Music for WEATNU Digital Magazine. It’s fun to learn more about the history, and share it with others as well. Of course, I will work on music, and start preparing for my next album as well. Some day I’d like to re-master and release my older songs, I have well over 80 songs that I’ve made prior to “Synical” that I have not released. That will be a major task for two reasons, it’s a lot of songs to work on, and I only have the MP3s to work with because I had a computer hard drive loss a while back, and lost all of my original project files.
Corbin: Wow Dave! Your story sounds almost exactly like mine only most of my old stuff is backed up on mini-disc and it’s becoming increasingly harder to find a MD player that actually works anymore. What programs do you use for your music and then for your videos? What about live instruments?
Dave: Wow, mini disks huh? Yea I bet it would be hard to find players for them! Haha. I just got a new 1Tb external hard drive, so I plan on copying my music there, and I’d like to find a cloud storage big and reasonable enough to store all of my music too for safe keeping. I have many different programs I use for my music, Ableton Live 9, FL Studios 10, Studio One, and Sony Acid Pro 7.
I feel most comfortable with Sony Acid Pro 7, so mostly I use that, my Novation Launchpad, and my iPad and my Novation app. Acid is what started my journey into making music, and I’ve used it for so long I know all the tricks and features well. I also use VSTs quite often. I have somewhere around 100 of them that I use for effects, tweaking, and mastering. For my videos I use mainly After Effects and Movie Maker. I use a mix of video clips and after effect projects to make my videos. As for live instruments, sadly I do not play any. I was always interested in the drums. When I was young I got a drum set for kids for Christmas. I was maybe 6 or 7. They were not quality drums, and I was a bit rough with them, and eventually I broke them. So there went any shot at the drums for me. I have also played around with guitar and bass, but never was able to focus on them and learn to play. That is why I love electronic music, and being able to make music on my computer. I feel I have a good ear for music, but not being able to play any instruments, I would never be able to make music, without a computer.
Corbin: Your music seems to really fit well with songs I have heard on all the most famous video game platforms and new game releases. I don’t have time for video games any more but it is becoming more and more a demand to have incredible music on these games. Have you ever thought of trying to get a licensing deal with any of the large console companies?
Dave: Thanks I appreciate that. I also don’t have much time for video games anymore, although I do spend some time playing video games with my kids when I can. I’ve always wanted to get my music in video games, commercials, or movies. Years ago I tried to deal directly with EA Games, but that went nowhere. I do have my music with two licensing groups now, but unfortunately no placements at this time. I’ll be honest, time usually hinders me to promote and get my music to licensing placements. I know I should be better at that, maybe once things calm down a bit, and I get my new album out, I will look into more licensing companies.
Corbin: Ah yes, TIME the greatest thief!! There are only so many hours in a day and we must all use them wisely. Please take into consideration all that you do musically and I will ask you this, if you only had 1 hour per day to do anything you needed to in your musical endeavors what would it be and why?
Dave: That is a great question. Since I normally jump all over the place (I get easily distracted sometimes) that is a hard one to answer. I think I would spend the time to work on re-mastering my older songs. The reason why is so I can compile albums showing the progression of my music over the years.
Corbin: I was really expecting you to say what others might say, make music! You are very unique in your craft, in that you would choose to have the records of your legacy in a form that best represents your aim for a quality product that others may enjoy. So as far as live music, this is the furthest thing from your mind?
Dave: I thought making music was too easy of an answer. I just want to share my music with others. All I can do is hope they can enjoy it as much as I do. As for live music, I really am not cut out for that. I’m not an outgoing person when it comes to strangers. Once you get to know me that changes, but I’m not one to be the center of attention. Plus, the music I make isn’t cut out for live sets. I cut and chop and move things around to make it work for me. Yes I could use my computer and press play, or program my Launchpad to do it, but I’m more about production than live sets.
Corbin: I see you share a lot of other artists music across the Facebook WEATNU “Artists and Fans Movement” page and on Twitter. Being an advocate for other artists music is very time consuming but a necessary part of our movement. How do you think we can get others within the movement to do the same?
Dave: I believe that is something people do by choice. I have always been an advocate for my friends and fellow musicians. That’s why I started my website , to help as many other artists as I can. All we can do is keep encouraging others to share and promote fellow WEATNU members. I don’t really know of a way to get others to do this other than to keep stressing how important it is to help. It can be time consuming, but if you just did a little bit every day or two, it would benefit everyone.
Corbin: Dave you literally just blew my mind! I had no idea you were responsible for Connect4Artists and I have been posting and promoting others across it and Facebook and Twitter for a while now. How well do you find artists across Connect4Artists help to promote each other?
Dave: I mention the site once in a while, but I kind of keep that separate from my music stuff. When I first started it, I devoted a lot of time to it, but as time went on, I had to spend less and less time on it. I still offer free promoting on the site. If artists share their links with me I post to the site, then share across twitter, facebook, google, and sometimes Youtube if the link is for Youtube. I have been able to connect with some artists there, and have thousands of likes and followers between all the social media sites. Unfortunately it really hasn’t had much attention on the website lately.
The Facebook account tends to have the most action, twitter next. I often wonder how many people realize there is a website. I think most think it’s a Facebook page and that’s it. I really don’t see too many artists promote each other there. It seems just as with WEATNU, artists are just too busy to promote others, and share with others. I try to share as much as I can, but time is always a challenge, so I don’t share as much as I would like. If I had the time, I would post as much as I could on my own to the website, especially for WEATNU artists, and share all of the great stuff, but I don’t have the time, so I have to only post when the artist gives me the links to post for them. If only there were more hours in a day!
Corbin: I had no idea that it was a website either…I never looked that deep into it. I’m wondering now if it is that same attitude towards WEATNU that people don’t understand. The many avenues that our movement provides and using each one to its fullest is the most beneficial way to gain exposure. Most importantly sharing the gift of this movement and all it is encompasses is the key to making artists successful through WEATNU. Why did you create Connect4Artists?
Dave: I believe that is part of the attitude. Not knowing is a big factor I’m sure. Being busy is also a factor, because people are in a hurry, and don’t pay full attention. I find myself doing that sometimes. I think this is good feedback for me though, because maybe I need to add the web address to the cover photo, and maybe pin info on the page to show the website info. I know this isn’t the case for WEATNU though. Almark has made many posts to explain what WEATNU is all about, and sent info to explain things. But to ask for help so often that everyone sees it, often seems like begging. As for why I created Connect4Artists, here is the story… I was on a website called Beat100. Some may know of it, but if you don’t, it’s a website where you post your video (and now audio) into the “Charts”. You get votes to move up the charts with the intention to get to number one. To get the most exposure, you connect with others, and swap votes, and hope for the best. Well it turned out that the site manipulates the charts by giving “Artist of the day” awards which gives votes, and there are bonus votes that the site gives too. Plus you could “Buy” votes by “Promoting yourself” to move up the charts. Through the site I made many good friends, but we quickly discovered the site was fixed.
It favored certain artists, and pushed the ones that paid to the top. All very unfair. I even made it to first place, and was excited until I found out there was no cash prize anymore, and the “Worldwide Press Release” and “Exposure to officials in the industry” were all a big joke. I gained no new followers after winning, and had no interest whatsoever from getting to number 1. Then there was Artistsignal, with the vote bots, and and artists coming out of nowhere to win. And the hours spent to make and get votes. Also there was Citizen.tv (Now closed) with vote bots and favorite artist treatment. It all got to be too much. Contest sites are a joke. They provide false hope in boosting your career if you win.
A good friend of mine, and myself started talking about this. We know the whole reason for joining these sites was for exposure, and to meet fellow artists. But why deal with the cheats, and get nothing for all the trouble? We started saying we should make a site to help artists. Help them get exposure through promotion, help them meet other artists with similar interests. Provide helpful info, and maybe even help someone’s career. So Connect4Artists was born. It’s a great idea, great concept, but getting people to notice it has been a challenge. My original goal was to eventually get A&R and Record Labels to notice, and maybe be able to help artists with the right connections to boost their career. It’s still in its infancy, but it never took off like I envisioned. I still hope to grow the site, and hopefully make it a great tool for artists.
Corbin: Do you have any links to some of the newest material going on the “Electrolysis” album that you would like to share?
Dave: I have released a few of the songs that will be on “Electrolysis” on Soundcloud already. This has been a long process to put this album together, some of the songs have been out for a while. One in particular, “Josh’s Part” has been out for a year already. I’ve even had some of the songs playing on WEATNU OUR already. Punch Down, and Deep Under are currently in the rotation, and Altered Axis has played in the past. Here are the links to a few songs that will be on the album that I’ve already posted.
Corbin: Where do you believe the independent artist will stand as far as exposure in the next 5 to 10 years?
Dave: I think it’s a very interesting time for independent artists. It’s hard to tell what direction things will go. Places like Spotify and Tidal help and hurt the independent artists at the same time. Offering streaming pay is nice, but the pay is so low unless you get tons of plays, you don’t get any money. But they are helping a bit with exposure. I do fear how the music industry shuts down sites that are more listener based, and for the independents, like Grooveshark. Sites like these, Soundcloud, Reverbnation, etc., now have to make deals with record labels, and if the big labels pull their music, it can be a good and bad thing. Bad because it will pull listeners, but good, because it will allow more room for the independents. I believe over the next 5 to 10 years, that the large record labels will dwindle, and smaller labels will take over the market. If this happens, the independent artist will prosper. And with the advancement of technology, it will become easier for independents to produce and distribute their own music. This will be good for individual exposure, but will make it even harder to get noticed because the market will be saturated. Time will tell, and as we all well know, things can change in an instant.
Corbin: As always Dave I just want to thank you for all that you have done for the WEATNU movement. Looking forward to the release of your “Electrolysis” album.
Dave: Thanks so much for taking the time to interview me. I really appreciate it!
I had a late Friday night and sat down in front of my computer with a coffee cooling at my desk this morning, groggy and uninspired. I was asked to do a feature on the new Bufinjer release, and five minutes into the album, the coffee was no longer required. With brilliant synthesizer textures, solid drops, and uplifting melodies, Bufinjer (Out of Buffalo, New York) provides for a dynamic sonic atmosphere that could fill most any space.
Echosonica comes to us with her latest album and a video. Her music could be described as the dream wave version of the new age. Just watch the video to see. She is also with WEATNU RECORDS. Check out the latest EPÂ Right Ascension
