The Soul of Indie Music

Once again I am going to bring to you a different kind of indie music. I was surprised myself when I first heard the group and knew they were indie. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are a Funk/R&B/Soul with an indie label.

The group aims to capture the essence of funk/soul music as it was at its height in the mid-1960s to mid-1970s. They are so focused on doing so that they completely rid of modern digital recording methods in favor of using traditional analogue recording equipment. The type of instruments used by the band may also be considered limited to those that would have been available up until the mid-'70s.

The original incarnation of the band, the Soul Providers was formed in the mid nineties by Philip Lehman and Gabriel Roth AKA Bosco Mann. The Soul Providers began recording an album consisting of James Brown inspired instrumentals and vocal collaborations with Deep funk legend Lee Fields. It was during these sessions that Roth and Lehman discovered vocalist Sharon Jones after she recorded backing vocals for one of the Lee Fields tracks. Then in 2000, due to a growing difference of opinion, Lehman and Roth decided to go separate ways and both set up new labels.

The bands influences are James Brown, Eddie Bo, Lyn Collins, Marva Whitney, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Mahalia Jackson, The Meters. If you listen to a song, or moreover watch a music video-you can clearly see why and how those are their influences.

Now, the Brooklyn, New York located band, under their indie record label, are continuing with their idea of what great music is and staying strong against all those who call their ways primeval. I call it genius. The way they are taking music and completely abandoning all though of what music nowadays should be is incredibly intriguing.

You can learn more about them on their myspace page or at daptonerecords.com



 

Can't Stop Won't Stop

The term "indie" is a nick name coming from the word, independent. Being an Independent, “indie” artist simply means without a major record label, no boss. Typically that means the artists don’t have anyone telling them how to sound, so their music can often times be unique, different, etc. Over the years though, with that "different" tone that we find common in indie artists, the actual word "indie has become more than just a description of the independence, but more of a style of music. With that, people are surprised to hear different sounds than the typical folksy, maybe rock music. But, indie can very well mean hip hop. These artists are just as indie as the others, they just may like dancing and "bringing the funky"  just a bit more.

A Provo, Utah native group called “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” is an unsigned hip hop group that has made a name for themselves with their exciting and unique rap and singing styles. The group consists of three members, two singers(or rappers), and a DJ. They are young, but definitely on their way to making it big.

I had the opportunity to hear and see them perform at Sammy’s. (http://ericarphoto.blogspot.com/2010/11/photos-from-cant-stop-wont-stop-show-in.html)  They had the entire place jumping up and down. It was clear they knew what they were doing. The group moved around-and off the stage as they sang and rapped catchy songs that the audience tried to sing along to. Their music is fun and easy to dance to.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop describes themselves, and their music, “  [we are] straight up party music for straight up party people. Word to ya momz.” Their band influences are Aesop Rock, Breakestra, J5, The Beastie Boys, SiD, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, Doomtree. Maybe that will give you an idea of what they are like. If you like any of those artists, or just even like hiphop, check them out on Facebook or Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cswsmusic. You won’t be able to keep yourself from dancing at least a little bit-"the funk" will come.