Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

Nomy recieves 100,000+ Spotify plays

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

People are quite clearly nuts about Nomy. In the past few months he has been receiving serious playtime on Spotify, in total achieving over 100,000 listens. His hit “Cocaine” has more plays that Eric Clapton´s song of the same title.

So who is Nomy? some of you may ask. An impossible question to question to answer, clearly. But to give you some idea we can tell you that Nomy is an self producing musician from Sweden who has built his following from the grass roots up. He creates much of his music via his own computer, which gives him the artist freedom and control he requires for his creativity reach its musical potential. The feeling and meaning contained within his music is surely a testament to this. His songs change from moving ballads to awesome thrashing hard rock refrains. Within each one one can feel the underlying genius which one can identify as Nomy.

By his own volition, much of his music can be found on his website and floating the Internet for free. With such an interest in his music the availability on streaming services and music stores has made his music more omnipresent than ever. Keep on rockin, Nomy. The world is ready.

You can stream Nomy´s music here (Spotify, Deezer ) and find his music on iTunes, Amazon Mp3, Tunetribe and most other music stores. Otherwise head over to his official website.

The Tin Pot Operation

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Notorious contrarians, Tin Pot Operation expound their own brand of anti-establishmentarian alternative indie punk madness. As they admit themselves, it is entirely unlikely that their music will ever be used in a mobile phone advert; something which doesn’t bother them in the slightest.

Forging their sound out from the raw materials of life in native Belfast, their music is honest, perceptive and uncompromising. Describing their music, they say that it is “Sort of the abandoned offspring of Punk getting lucky with Indie after a bottle of Absinthe. Veering between XTC, SLF, Talking Heads and Billy Bragg”.

Their latest much anticipated album “Human Resources” definately does not dissapoint. According to NME this “self-released slab of wax is a beautifully battered sonic manifesto and it sums up their hometown better than any empty-headed politician ever could.” Nicely put, NME.

By now, you must be curious what Tin Pot Operation are all about. Luckily, you check em out on the player to the right, else head over to Spotify for a listen. If you get hooked, you can also find “Human Resources” on most online music stores, such as iTunes and Amazon MP3.

Morton Valence unplugged from Hamburg

Monday, September 28th, 2009

The silky smooth popsters Morton Valence initiated their tour of Germany on Saturday with a superb unplugged performance for Balcony TV in Hamburg. Morton Valence received much acclaim for their album “Bob and Veronica Ride again” a fan funded enterprise which created a real humdrum among bloggers, music magazines and the media in general. Check out this beautiful acoustic version of their single “Chandelier”, which was released digitally on Record Union and is now available on music services around the world (including Spotify and Deezer).

Digital Explosion!

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Digital explosion is a perfectly suited name for the dance/electronic/trance outfit hailing out of Turku, Finland. Their music is digital, and most definitely explosive! With catchy electronic hooks, rapid beats and soaring fast paced synth, the tunes will be buzzing through your head long after you have ceased listening.

The element of Digital also carries another relevance for the band, who first met their success selling MP3s on MP3.com in 2000. They hope to fuel this success and feed their loyal fanbase with their last 2 releases, one called “Electronic Revolution”, and the other a selection of their previously released material (adequtely entitled “Selection“). Find them on Spotify here.

This really is dance music at its highest quality, and one can only imagine what kind of havoc it reaps when unleashed on the dancefloor. Give them a listen on the player in the sidebar to find out what what we mean. “Summer in Belize” is simply nuts.

The Faces of Twaang

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Twaang metal is a Swedish experimental metal group led by Roland Billberg, an internationally renowned Swedish music maker and producer working in  variety of genres. Roland won the The Effigy Award for best Electronica in 2008 and was nominated for “Songwriter of the year” in the US.

The direction of the Twaang metal project is an extravagant and violent brand of heavy metal designed to shock and awe. Drawing influences from Dance, ambient and Rock, Twang Metal creates an audio and stage show experience designed to shake the masses. The bands recent international success have enabled them to develop a more impressive, elaborate image and live performance, making them extremely popular at venues across the world. This raw and uncompromising metal sound is expressed in their recently release album “Dark Angel” which will soon be available online.

Check out the video for Deliverance below to hear a sample of what Dark Angel has to offer.

Another face of Roland can be seen in an independent solo project, in which Twaang takes on a slightly different sound - losing some of the violent thrash metal flourishes and embracing a more straightforward dance/ambient sound. Like Twaang Metal, this sound draws on a range of influences, including artist as diverse as Gary Moore, Steve Vai, Mike Oldfield, Enya and AC/DC. This sound exemplified in album “The Third Dimension” which is currently available on most online music stores, and can be streamed on Spotify here. To sample this side of Twaang, check out the video for “Moondance” below.

Playlist for a super weekend!

Friday, September 18th, 2009

We thought we would try something new here on the blog today and post a Record Union Spotify playlist. Contained in the list is a selection of tracks from Record Union artists which we think captures the spirit of the weekend! Maybe something to put on before you head out and see you friends? or something to keep the festivities going and the end of the night? Well, you decide! You can find the playlist HERE. Let us know what you think!

Next week, we will post a playlist of music selected by our A&Rs, so watch out for this too. You can find all the playlist created by Record Union and rate them on Share My Playlists. From the all of the Record Union team, have a super weekend!

Interview with Alex Sayz

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Since he started as a DJ 14 years ago, Alex Sayz has relentlessly devoted himself to his music. Arranging events from a young age, he is a 2000 gig veteran and has made the dance floor crucial to his own artistic survival. Now producer and co-creator (with Niklas Bergwall) of Top DJ Records, he is using his reputation as an innovative world class DJ to create and produce cutting edge music which is causing havoc on dance floors around the world. His last release “Shame on You” (feat. Lawrence Alexander) recently reached #16 on the Billboard dance airplay chart. Record Union caught up with Alex and talked to him about his current projects.

For those who don’t know about Top DJ records, can you tell us a little about what you are up to over there?
TopDJ Records is part of TopDJ Music Sweden where we also have TopDJ publishing and TopDJ management. Me and my colleague started TopDJ Music because we wanted to control our releases. We don’t want to blame anyone else if we don’t success. Since Im first of all a DJ everything we do have to be for the dancefloor. When we sign artists or when we produce music we only have to ask us a simple question: would I play this out on the nightclubs?

Your release “Shame on Me” recently achieved #16 on the Billboard dance air charts. Was this success expected?
No I couldn’t expect any Billboard chart in my dreams. Everything took off when I visited the Winter Music Conference in Miami this year. I handed out some demo CD’s and received some calls when I got back home. Some major labels and some minor. I fell for a label called Parker Recordings. Mr. Parker is well known in the business and previously released acts like Lasgo and Ian van Dahl for a bigger label. I had a feeling that Parker Recordings would work hardest for “Shame On Me” so we chose them. Luckily it paid off.

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Mother Popcorn makes you wiggle!

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Mother Popcorn makes you wiggle, it is true. Their infectious upbeat 70s funk Motown influenced pop is just too much for your body to handle. It is party music, through and through.

But it´s not necessarily the kind of party music which has people jumping around banging their heads, more a lounged back, sophisticated party music – imagine a party of well dressed people drinking refined cocktails celebrating life and having a good time. Live, however, im sure its a completely different story. However, regardless of what setting one plays Mother Popcorn, alone in your room, or at a party, the effect of their music is undoubtedly uplfiting.

So what of Mother Popcorn themselves? Well, they are based in Swedish coastal city of Gothenburg, there are 6 members and they are all skiled musicians. The music is well thought out, technically precise and superbly executed - the elements of Vocals, Trumpet, Saxophone, Guitar, Bass and Drums coming together to produce a clean, seamless concoction of musical goodness.

Mother Popcorn have released a self entitled debut EP on Record Union. The 4 songs it contains are just enough to satisfy, but like their growing fan base, we are looking forward to hearing more!

Why not head over to Spotify and give them a listen? If you get really hooked, you will find their music on most online stores, such as Amazon MP3, iTunes and emusic.

The Phoenix Rose: inspiring change through music

Friday, September 4th, 2009

The Phoenix Rose is a band on a mission.  The goal of their debut release “Sick and tired” on Record Union is not just to provide their growing fan base with some great new music, but part of a larger scale campaign to raise awareness about how the music industry can too become more environmentally aware.

To assist them on their noble mission is the pioneering label Archangel^Green, the first Record Label 100% committed to a green agenda.  When the band signed to the label they both agreed to numerous clauses aimed at making the production, performance and distribution of their music as environmentally friendly as possible. The release will also be 100% digital, which is far more eco-friendly as it requires no physical transportation or manufactured raw materials!

The official release of “Sick and Tired” (featuring Flo) on the 9/9/9 is set to cause quite a stir. Their massive media campaign has received  support from all corners, especially organisations working to promote a greener future. As for the song itself, well, it is extremely catchy and will definitely have you coming back for more. Head over to their MySpace page to give it a listen and check out their video.

For the full single, including 5 great remixes from the likes of Pete Hammond and Freshold, you will have to wait until the 9th when it will be available first on TuneTribe!

10% of all profits will go to The Big Issue.

Dr. Sounds: songs from another planet

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

One of the fantastic things of the new music environment is the diversity of music which is now available to those who love music. No more is this tendency proved than in the case of Dr.Sounds, who composes slow, electronic, ambient symphonies probably unlike anything you have heard before. One could describe it, strangely, as new age classical music – as there is a subtle sophistication in his music which takes careful listening to fully appreciate. Not something which you throw on at a party, but something to stimulate your mind. In fact, even without mind altering substances, it has been said to induce trancelike states.  Do not listen to while operating heavy machinery.

And what of Dr.Sounds himself? Well, the inspiration behind his music is equally intriguing. His mind values “logic and mathematics before feelings”, and he says he has always had a deep relationship with his computer. With his music he describes “experiences of flying through several worlds, changing shapes and another life context” – the experience of “coming from another planet” a common point of expression within his music.

Rather than voice and playful hooks, Dr.Sounds uses floating new age soundscapes to express his vision.  He is aware that his music contrasts with the more popular sound, and requires more interaction from listeners. However, he has found an audience for his music among new age circles and those who practice meditation, yoga or alternative healing. He hopes that with his music now available widely, he can introduce his music to a new audience – Record Union will support him in any way we can.

Dr.Sounds has released a large collection of his works via Record Union. You can listen to them here on Spotify. Or buy them from most major online music stores, such as iTunes and Amazon MP3.