Maximum Free Music Friday :: The Dimes "Folk Pop You Can Revel In"

This week we present you with the sounds of Portland's own, The Dimes. On the band's website it states "Folk-Pop You Can Revel In" well we couldn't agree more!

The Dimes are a folk-pop collective centered around guitarist/vocalist Johnny Clay, and have released two full length albums and three EP’s to date on the verrrry cool Timber Carnival Records.

Primarily known for their stellar songwriting, glowing harmonies and sixties-pop production, on this recent offering The King Can Drink The Harbour Dry the band has broadened its sound of late, adding pedal steel, mandolin, harmonica and dobro to its recent recordings, evoking a sweeter California-country sound remeniscent of Neil Young’s Harvest recordings.

Make sure to check out the enchanting beautiful Save Me, Clara, and the Simon Garfunkel-esq Lovely Mary Dyer.

AllMusic.com recently said, "The Dimes have done what most bands dream off, creating an alternate universe of warm pop music with a sunny vibe that will keep toes tapping and plaster a sunny smile on every listeners face."

Official Site :: www.thedimes.net 

Twitter :: twitter.com/thedimes 

Bandcamp :: www.thedimes.net

Maximum Free Music Friday :: Ryan McAllister

Welcome to our second offering of Maximum Free Music Fridays, Artist Showcase. As Vancity has seen its first rain in sometime, we thought we'ed run with the theme and introduce you to local singer-songwriter Ryan McAllister and feature the track This Black Heart, one of our favourites from his debut full length Music For A Rainy Town.

Ryan McAllister’s career began as the lead singer/songwriter for Dakona, McAllister runs Five Acres, a professional recording studio in a converted barn a few steps from his home in a sleepy corner of Southwest B.C.

McAllister wrote, produced, recorded and mastered Music for a Rainy Town, an honest, vulnerable and diverse record that covers the genre gamut between southern pop, story-telling folk, and straight-up rock. At times, it is reminiscent of artists like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer, but McAllister’s unique vocal stylings set it apart as something all its own.

In an age of 99 cent singles, Music for a Rainy Town is a powerful 12 song album from front to back, with each track showcasing strong, seasoned storytelling, engaging melodies and lyrics steeped in imagery.

“Amazing singer songwriter, one of Canada’s best and is no doubt still one of the country’s brightest yet to be fully discovered and appreciated talents.” Freeway Frank, Virgin Radio Montreal, Former Host of Canadian Top 20

Official Site :: www.ryanmcallister.com 

Bandcamp :: www.ryanmcallistermusic.bandcamp.com

Twitter :: @ryanmcallister_

Maximum Free Music Friday :: Artist Showcase

Almost every day, we here at Maximum are lucky to be introduced to all kinds of cool new artists from all corners of the world, our A&R box is always overflowing and we often say to each other "why arne't these people rich & famous rock stars".

So we cooked up an idea that each Friday we will select a cool artist that we are hip to, dig allot and feel you need to hear.

So tune in, turn on, download and enjoy!

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To kick things off for Maximum Free Music Friday's, it is with pleasure that we introduce you to folk-singer Chris Trapper.

Family Tree the lead track on Into The Bright Lights by songsmith Chris Trapper is the perfect pop tune for long summer drives with the top down, the tunes cranked and the landscape rolling by. The New York Times describes his work as "classic pop perfection".

Chris is most known for his song THIS TIME, the Number 1 selling song on the Grammy nominated soundtrack for AUGUST RUSH (Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and has written 7 songs for Canadian band GREAT BIG SEA, including their #1 single “Sea Of No Cares” from the certified–platinum Sea Of No Cares.

Chris has decided to release his music in the "PAY WHAT YOU CAN" model, as an offering for those fans who may be under the economic tide, and for those who are swimming, all proceeds for this recording will pool into his next recording budget, tour support, and his ongoing struggle with doughnut addiction.

So please support Chris with whatever you can!

 Official Site :: www.christrapper.com
Bandcamp :: www.christrapper.bandcamp.com

Twitter :: @christrapper

Facebook's Musician's Playbook

Facebook recently released a lengthy, detailed guide for building a serious band page. This 40-page guide (embedded below) includes everything from the best top-level approach to debugging details. And, in between, tips on driving better traffic and engagement, managing logins, setting up analytics, and choosing plugins. It's the "Musician's Playbook," and it's a serious guide for building something directly and independently.

Musician's Playbook

Connect with Fans (CwF) and give them a Reason to Buy (RtB). CwF+RtB=$$$

An excellent presentation from Michael Masnick, founder of TechDirt.com, highlighting some real world D2F (Direct To Fan) Marketing success stories from Trent Reznor & NIN to Josh Freese and more.