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Happy New Year from DiscoveringArtists.com

We're staying cozy in New Jersey this winter – not only with warm clothes, but with some hot tunes. Currently spinning Charlotte Martin, Kerry Getz and oodles of Kristin Diable, we're eager to brave the cold Northeast and see some shows.

We're also eager to begin a new year here at DiscoveringArtists.com. Plan on more reviews, more contests – more of everything you love about the site. And more!

Otherwise, enjoy 2005 and the exclusive features in our newsletter!

Dan and Kristen
The DiscoveringArtists.com Team

News

Kyler wins Runner-Up Kyler's song "If You Want Me To", which won the Gold Prize in the Adult Contemporary category, was awarded First Runner-Up Over All in the 2004 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest at the awards gala on 11/20/04 at the Hard Rock Cafe in DC. Last year Kyler also won First Runner-Up Over All with her song "Something So Beautiful". For more, visit http://saw.org. Ben Folds sets '05 Tour Dates Visit http://www.benfolds.com to check out a few East Coast tour dates before Folds heads to Europe for the summer leg of his tour. Saba Releases Acoustic Tracks Head over to myspace.com to hear a few acoustic tracks by San Diego's goddess, Saba. Bain Mattox is Bloggin'AthensMusic.com is now featuring Bain Mattox blogs. Check out http://www.bainmattox.com to view journal entries from the guys while they're on tour. For more news click here!

Newest Reviews

CD Reviews:
Granian: On My Own Two Feet

Purchase this CD

This album features the intoxicating lead gritty vocals that only Garen can introduce, with an electrically and emotionally charged lead song, "On My Own." Similar in sound to Live, this NJ-based band is gaining popularity with this album. They still blend the acoustic rock of their past albums into this one; as is evident with a listen to "Uncovered", a melodic-folk track with some studio adornments. In it, Garen sings, "Everything would be just fine/If maybe we could pass time well/We're leaving this all uncovered." Professional in sound, this album is full of thoughtful lyrics that brew a raw blend of emotions.
Favorite Tracks: On My Own, Vigil
Rating: 4.5 stars

Fooling April: Every Good Boy Does Fine

Purchase this CD

I've been waiting to hear this album for some time now and it's arrived in style! From first listen to "Firefly", the energizing track re-mastered with spectacular vocals and super up-tempo backup arrangements and the signature keys that make this band so exotic, I was lured. Keys are the word, and "Backslide" features an enticing entry with some raw alternative rock background electric guitar ranges. "She's With Me" takes on a little Maroon 5 ala "Sunday Morning", as Brian Kenneth sings adoringly, "She's with me/And the whole world can know now/Finally we're making it known/'Cross the room, one look can show me/All I need is in her." And thank goodness the band managed to get in "E-Dumped", a hysterical Ben Folds-like track about the wonders of online relationships in an age of IM-based romances.
Favorite Tracks: Firefly, E-Dumped
Rating: 4 stars

Upcoming Features

CD Reviews:
Joe Beleznay, Red Wanting Blue, Bens Bones, Badly Drawn Boy, Ed Harcourt, Jen Chapin

Sponsor

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- P.T. Barnum

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Rainmaker Publicity has been serving the indie music community since 1996. They are the premier public relations firm for unsigned artists and indie labels. The firm specializes in print and electronic media, developing talent, attracting A&R attention, augmenting fan bases, and selling CDs. If you're ready to take your band to the next level, visit them at www.rainmakermusicpublicity.com

Rainmaker Music Publicity

Want to advertise with us? Visit http://discoveringartists.com/html/advertise for details

Features

Interview
Creede Williams
He used to practice law; now music is in order for Creede Williams. This Texas singer-songwriter opens up about songwriting, collaborating with Cary Pierce and living life with music in mind. Read on for more.

Special Feature
Try Recording Wherever You Want
This month, artist and entertainment biz guru Charley Cheney of indiebandmanager.com
shares with us tales of recording. A must-read article for any artist! Click here to read!

Contests

Autographed Fooling April CD
This month we are giving away Fooling April's brand new CD Every Good Boy Does Fine. We are giving away 2 autographed copies of this CD. Click here to enter! Entries are due by January 31, 2005. To read a review of this CD click here.

Message Board

Don't forget to visit our message board to post and read about your favorite artists.

Favorite reviewed CDs of 2004

Kristen:
Marc Broussard - Carencro
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day
Ari Hest - Someone to Tell
Adrienne - 10,000 Stones
Switchfoot - Beautiful Letdown

Dan:
Charlotte Martin - On Your Shore
Graham Colton Band - Drive
Ari Hest - Someone to Tell
Rachael Yamagata - EP
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day