The newest, most exciting development I have found in independently produced music is called CASH Music, which stands for "Coalition of Artists and Stakeholders." This project has been undertaken by one of the great minds of modern rock, Kristin Hersh, as well as artists Xiu Xiu and Donita Sparks.

Here is CASH Music's mission statement, from their website:

We Love Music.

We are a Coalition of Artists and Stake Holders building an open-source platform for the new, distributed music business. Our goal is to get powerful yet intuitive tools into the hands of the artists who need them so they can better reach their audiences.
What you see here is just the beginning of a large, primarily open-source project that is taking shape as an operating system for artists of all disciplines; enabling new models revolving around an interactive, participatory culture. If you'd like to learn more, read our about page or have a look at one of our early projects listed here.

In other words, CASH Music is not only allowing artists to present musical works that are independent, passionate and uncensored - it is a collaborative effort that will directly connect the artist with their audience. Imagine being able to tell your favorite artist your favorite part of a song, how it makes you feel, what kind of brilliance they have presented to you - and actually have them respond? This wonder has been happening for Kristin Hersh fans at her Throwing Music blog for some time, but now, the CASH Music collective amplifies this possibility, bringing it to new heights such as:

Special Opportunities: Including a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Kristin in the studio to observe the recording process. (For a supporter who contributes $500 - but really! That is something you can't put a price on.)

Subscriptions: These subscriptions include limited edition illustrations by Kristin, advance copies of her new cd when it's released, even guest list privileges to shows for some subscribers.

I really think this is an awesome idea. And I absolutely love Kristin Hersh's solo work, Throwing Muses, and 50FOOTWAVE - so I am excited about the new paths she is paving with this project. Taking the record industry out of the equation is a real boon for artists. Not having your creative works limited or censored before their release, critiqued or "polished" by talentless producers on staff at a major label (some are good, but let's be honest), not dealing with the red tape of distribution or the worthless rhetoric you must ascribe to in order to "pursue a career" correctly. CASH Music gives these artists the potential to make it - really make it - on their own, on the merits of their creative brilliance. Much power to that.

Hersh has even created another opportunity for fans in her creative response section where regular joes can post their remixes of her tracks or links to artwork inspired by the music.

Check out Kristin Hersh's newest song "Krait" on her CASH Music page. It is free to download, and you can make a contribution to support her amazing artistic process on the site if you would like to. According to Kristin's accompanying blog, "Rizzo says this song is "big". I agree, as it uses big imagery: Garden of Eden, primordial ooze stuff. It goes humanist biblical on your ass, with a little Raising Arizona thrown in."

So while you enjoy her music, realize the new wave Kristin is starting in the world of music, the modern takes on classical elements in her instrumentation, the unadulterated words and ideas she presents to you are not just suspended in some subterranean space capsule called "the record store" that is separate and distinct from this time and place. She is sharing her creative reality with you both musically and literally - and she wants you to be involved.

Kristin Hersh on CASH Music: http://kristinhersh.cashmusic.org/

Donita Sparks on CASH Music: http://donitasparks.cashmusic.org/

Xiu Xiu on CASH Music: http://xiuxiu.cashmusic.org/

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brittanybf says:

thanks for the heads up. this is pretty exciting that its spearheaded by two great ladies of rock.

Posted 2 months ago | Delete

I'm not sure if I have written about Kent before, but their album Isola was simply a masterpiece. They are yet another Swedish group I adore. Between my separate loves for Salt, Whale, and Kent, I may as well declare it my favourite country for music, period.

I discovered Kent's Isola album much the same way I found most music in my youth - at Rhino Records in Claremont, CA. But this was a unique case, in which I actually won a contest! Isola was the grand prize in a drawing. I had never heard of Kent, but enjoyed cds, so I entered. I'm not really sure if anyone else did, but I was very glad to have won once I was able to sit down and listen to my prize.

Kent's Isola is at times stark and dreary and at others, light and bubbly. It is an expression of pure emotion compressed into a matter of minutes. The song "If You Were Here" is one of my favourites because of its trance-like rhythms, almost classical elements, and sheer desperation. Anyone who has ever had a long-distance love affair or a partner with an opposite schedule can surely find deeper meaning in the words of this one.

And, I love the fact that there is a song called "Elvis" on this disc. Especially because of my proximity to Memphis.

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brittanybf says:

Sweden rules. I want to go there just because of all the music that's out of there.

Posted 3 months ago | Delete