When I started this column I thought it would certainly be tough to find enough material to keep Sound Sunday going week after week. Meanwhile, I have a backlog and could probably produce two or three Sound Sunday posts each week. Yes, I am struggling to fit in everything I find!
Today, one of the most effective ways for a musician to gain some attention and eventually make a living from their passion, is to offer their work for free. Think about this for a second. Imagine you had to work for free to be noticed by an employer and eventually get a paid job. How much would you value every little bit of support?
Vanguard Villains – selftitled
Genre: alternative, indie, rock, hard rock
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The members of Vanguard Villains have performed in various New York bands before joining together in this independent combo. They release their music through their own record label. Otherwise, they would probably not put out their album for free.
You can download their selftitled album for free from Bandcamp until September 10th! No strings attached. |
Vanguard Villains MySpace and Homepage.
Zed – The Invitation
Genre: rock, hard rock, metal, punk
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Zed is an old school rock and roll band from the US Bay Area. Rock ‘the way it should be’ per Zed’s definition includes loud guitars, a dose of whiskey, and a middle finger. And no parental advisory tag on their album? You be the judge! Download The Invitation from Bandcamp. |
The Alpha Theory – RAW
Genre: rock, soul, hip hop, funk, reggae
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The Alpha Theory was founded in North Carolina in 2008. They quickly were invited to open shows for big names, including Grammy-Winner 9th Wonder. In the wake of their first full-length studio album, they have released tunes recorded live in April 2010. RAW includes their hit single Sell Me a Cloud, as well as two cover songs.
The RAW album is available from Bandcamp. Data input required. |
The Alpha Theory MySpace and Homepage.
Jairo Mendez – Puta Rumba
Genre: house, mash up, rave, urban
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Jairo ‘Campesino’ Mendez is a DJ from Venezuela. Had it not been for a local DJ, who used his equipment as bail after being arrested by the police, Jairo might not have gotten into music mixing. He acquired the gear from a local pawnshop and has since been remixing popular songs, giving them his own touch. He is also this year’s winner of the “Miss Tanga Afterparty Contest”.
Get the album from Generation Bass, no questions asked. |
Jairo Mendez on Generation Bass and Soundcloud.
Standing Small – Asleep at the Oars, Dreaming of Freedom
Genre: rock, indie, christian
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Standing Small is an indie rock band, preaching the ‘Gospel of Jesus Christ’. Asleep at the Oars, Dreaming of Freedom is their second album. Look beyond Jesus, appreciate the divine message, and enjoy the music. After all this life is all about experiences.
The album is available freely from Indie Vision Music. |
Standing Small MySpace and Homepage.
Bei Maejor – Çpısdn uÊop
Genre: rhythm and soul, hip hop,
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Bei Maejor acquired a long list of production credits before being signed with Jive Records. His activities made him a famous figure on the University of Michigan campus. He graduated in 2008. His next album is expected to be released at the end of 2010.
You can download Çpısdn uÊop from Bei’s homepage. |
Bei Maejor MySpace and Homepage.
Cult of Zir with Ogo Eion – Shortwave Ministry For Theatre Noir
Genre: experimental, electronica, ambient
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Cult of Zir, also known as Nolan Ashley, is an artist from Portland, Oregon. Ogo Eion produced the “impeccable shortwave radio squelches” used in this four song album, which explores the four directions South, Eash, North, and West.
Shortwave Ministry for Theatre Noir is a ‘name your price’ download from Bandcamp. |
Cult of Zir MySpace and Homepage.
Feed The Feeble – 2009 EP
Genre: indie, pop, jazz, rock
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A college band formed by Vanessa Acosta and Menchie Caliboso in 2006, Feed The Feeble has come a long way during the past four years. Meanwhile accompanied by drummer Chris Walker, they have played a show with Daedulus and made an appearance at the Long Beach Festival.
This may be your last chance to download the album, which will be taken offline by the end of August. Get the EP from Bandcamp with no strings attached. |
Feed The Feeble MySpace and Facebook.
Ill Mondo – Be Bad
Genre: experimental, classical, instrumental
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Ill Mondo is a two man hip hop production team from the San Francisco Bay Area. Be Bad is a two song concept mix completely free of old school hip hop. The first piece is crafted around funky beats and clips, while the second piece focuses on oriental sounds.
Download the two track masterpiece from Circle Into Square. An eMail address is required. |
Ill Mondo MySpace and Homepage.
A Common Year – Between Cities
Genre: alternative, indie, rock
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A Common Year is a young indie rock band from Indianapolis, Indiana. Their debut album was recorded in bedrooms and basements in three different cities across Indiana. Hence the name Between Cities.
The album is available from Bandcamp in exchange for your eMail address. |
A Common Year MySpace and Homepage.
Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here. To have your free download featured in an upcoming article, please get in touch with me (tina at makeuseof dot com). Feel free to use the comments to make requests or share your opinion. Your feedback is very much appreciated!
What is your favorite album this Sunday?
Tagged: downloads • freebies • indie music • music albums • songs • soundsunday
