ShoutNote

Long waiting for the opportunity to profile an indie band from outside the L.A. area, I caught a show by the group Yeasayer on April 25. The band’s considered part of the experimental rock scene emerging in Brooklyn, which includes acts like Free Blood, High Places, and MGMT. I captured a few live clips and interviewed lead singer Chris Keating, who had some interesting things to say about how he’d improve the indie music scene and L.A. club owners’ affinity for “pay-to-play.” Check it out:

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Free Blood played a set along with Yeasayer on April 25. As one of the notable groups from the Brooklyn music scene, the two-person act combines electronic dance grooves with dissonant noise and trippy techno pop. It’s an experience to be heard and a fun show to check out if they pass through your town. A few live clips in the video below.

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I ventured to Amoeba Music in Hollywood last Saturday to witness their celebration of Record Store Day. Though the event sounds like a promotion for a one-day sale, it was actually a coordinated effort by independent record shops across the country. For those who’ve never been to Amoeba in Hollywood, imagine walking into the largest Tower Records (when most were still open), but instead of filling it with over-priced big label CD’s, stock it with new and used records from every style of music known to exist. I was there for about two hours, and the checkout line never shrunk to smaller than 3/4 the size of the store, even with what appeared to be a full staff of cashiers. Below is a video I grabbed while at the shop. It features a short interview with one of the employees, a guy who claims to have worked in nothing but record stores for the past 20 years, and he has some interesting info as to why an indie band may still want to sell their music in an independent record shop.

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In L.A. we don’t have many subway platforms, so musicians frequently bring themselves to the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica to perform for however much change you want to throw in their guitar case. As a new feature, ShoutNote will periodically show indie artists playing on 3rd Street. This post features Chelsea Williams, Seis Cuerdas, The Ken Oak Band, and Station.

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Lindsay Gunn Spiller is an entertainment attorney known to reach out to new musicians, film producers and writers. “My love and passion has always been music,” Spiller said in a recent interview in Santa Monica.

As a marketing agent early in his career, he represented some of the biggest names in professional sports, such as John Elway, Dan Marino and Moses Malone. About two years ago, Spiller ventured into representing entertainment professionals. At a Bay area Jazz festival, he met Dina Eastwood and her husband Clint (yes, the Clint Eastwood, known also for his love of Jazz). Spiller soon found himself providing council for a colleague of the Eastwoods, and he said most of his entertainment clients since have been producers or music supervisors for film and television. Spiller said he’d like to add more bands to his client list, in addition to his current efforts representing film and television professionals.

When asked about the most significant piece of legal advice he’d offer to indie or unsigned bands, Spiller said, “Not to be afraid to find talented professionals to help them structure a business. Ultimately, what they’re trying to do is establish a profitable enterprise that is art based.”

Spiller said that many artists he’s worked with only sought council “out of desperation,” after legal issues arose from a deal they didn’t seek advice on from the beginning. “They should really think about it from day one,” he said.

Spiller recommends the three most important advisers for any band are an attorney, an accountant, and eventually a manager. “There are always going to be lawyers and CPA’s and other professionals who really do want to help up-and-coming artists. You can structure deals that are amazingly cost-effective and affordable for them,” Spiller said about potential concerns from artists that professional legal and financial advice is too expensive.

Spiller enjoys utilizing social media as a means of contact and maintains profiles on sites such as Tribe Hollywood, Facebook and LinkedIn. But he still never discounts the value of direct, in person communication. “It’s always about the next deal,” Spiller said, relating to the trust and rapport that’s established when meeting someone face-to-face, compared to corresponding only through email, phone, or a social media message.

I took the opportunity to ask how he’d improve the independent music scene, with a focus on advice for bands that may have future offers on their work. Video below…

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