Eddie Vedder Releases “My City of Ruins” To Help Haiti

We all by know by the horrible earthquake that essentially leveled Haiti. But, within the devastation comes the outpouring of support from the music community.

There was of course the Hope for Haiti telethon, and a ton of acts, like Radiohead, that have put on special benefit gigs.

Well, here’s one that I wouldn’t have missed. It’s Eddie Vedder covering Bruce Springsteen’s “My City of Ruins”. Sales from the single will be benefiting Artists for Peace and Justice Haiti Relief.

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Changing How Musicians Connect With Bloggers and the Press Release 2.0

It’s been a solid 3+ years as a blogger here at evolvor, and because of that I’ve earned a ton of experience not only in the content development side of things, but also in the PR department. As I’ve continued to grow as a respected mind in the ever evolving digital music landscape, I’ve noticed that many still approach sending out press releases in the same fashion that has been used for years. And that approach, in my mind, is rather stupid.

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FourFour Hooks Up With ArtistData and Makes User’s Lives Easier

FourFour, a newly launched platform developed exclusively for bands and musicians to build better websites for free, announced today a partnership with ArtistData that provides musicians with an easier way to keep their official site in sync with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and other music-related sites.

Thousands of musicians have been using ArtistData to syndicate information across social networks and concert databases. Now, those musicians can use ArtistData to update their official site at the same time. Bands enter tour dates, news and blog posts into ArtistData and then, by running their site on FourFour, can have that information simultaneously published to their website. Bands can now update all of their sites in one place without having to enter the same information multiple times.

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Windows and ReverbNation Team Up Once Again to Provide Music Fans Free Music

A few months back, you might recall the first time ReverbNation and Windows teamed up to promote free downloads. The campaign was a success for both parties – many bands got some serious exposure, ReverbNation and Windows got some ad love, and some acts got to put a few bucks in the bank (which they need to take whatever they can get at this point, especially if they are just starting out.)

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61 North Host Benefit Concert for Spinal Cord Injury

Philadelphia-area blues rockers 61 North are proud to present the second annual 61 North Benefit Concert for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The event will be held at Salem Community College’s 400-seat Davidow Theatre in Carneys Point NJ.

Special musical guests Mad-Sweet Pangs will provide a full set followed by headliner 61 North. Guest speakers will include President Peter B. Contini of SCC and Adam Taliaferro of the Adam Taliaferro Foundation. Brian Kanady of Rowan Radio will be hosting the event.

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NYC Singer/Songwriter, Zack Borer’s “That’s The Way” Preloaded on the Latest Android Smartphone, the Google Nexus One

Singer/songwriter, zAck borer has big plans for 2010 and he’s not wasting any time. To kick off the new decade with a bang, zAck’s song “That’s The Way” is preloaded on the Google Nexus One, the latest android smartphone. zAck’s song was one of thirteen total tracks selected to come preloaded on every Google Nexus One device and can be accessed by clicking on the ‘music’ button from the main splash screen.

Users who like what they hear are able to discover more music from zAck by clicking on the links to iTunes and Amazon made available within the player or are presented the option of clicking through to YouTube to watch video of zAck.

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Ville Vallo Discusses “Mental Boner” of New HIM Record

I am publishing this story for two reasons; one, if you wanna know how to make big time $$$ in merch, look into HIM and their heart-a-gram logo. These guys must be zillionares, and that’s just from all the stuff my brother has bought off of them over the past 10 years.

Second, is the use of the phrase “mental boner” in an interview. What a way to describe the creative process guys.

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30 Seconds to Mars “Fan-Face” Album Cover Stunt an Overwhelming Success

Thirty Seconds to Mars set out to do something that had yet to be done when it came to releasing their latest album, This Is War. Jared Leto and fellow band mates asked their fans to send in pictures of themselves for a chance to be displayed on the cover of their new album.

The forward thinking of Thirty Seconds to Mars has enticed fans to purchase the album not as another CD, but as a collectors item. Fans have been swapping the new Thirty Seconds to Mars album ‘This Is War’ the way people used to trade beanie babies or sports trading cards. Jared Leto told Spinner Magazine, “I heard that one was selling on eBay for $2500 or has already sold.”

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Soundgarden Officially Reunites, School is Back in Session

What a hell of a happy new year -after whiping my champagne-hangover tears from my eyes this morning, one lone message standed out from my BlackBerry – Soundgarden is back!

Head over to their new website, Soundgardenworld.com to sign up for new updates. After you do, you’ll get to watch the video for the classic “Get on the Snake”.

The news was officially confirmed by a one Chris Cornell via Twitter just before the New Year:

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The Evolvor Music Marketing Methodology

One of the hardest things about working in this business is trying to explain to people what exactly it is that I do. People are always thinking that marketing online is a “magic button” service that they can just pay $50 for and see results.

I worked on creating a new sales page over the weekend and now present to you with the Evolvor music marketing “methodology”. I hope the explanation is clear enough for those who contact me for my services; any input from you the reader would be helpful.

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Alt – Rocker Kirsten DeHaan & The SirLady Experience ‘Thorns On A Crown’ 2010 Northeast Tour

One of five artists chosen for Men’s Vogue Critics Choice Awards, and a leading licensor on MTV and AOL, Kirsten DeHaan’s highly anticipated third album, ‘Thorns On A Crown’ (SirLady Records) reflects the current social-political climate with intelligent lyrics wrapped in rock, blues, folk and pop, has been received by rave reviews.

“The Songs on her five–track EP extend over a range of toe-tapping to somber. In the current music world of soulless musicians singing to beats generated by machines, it is refreshingly evident to have DeHaan whole-heartedly fulfill a responsibility of realness & truth”

–Jessica Wilson, MusicDish

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WANDUTA Launches—New Online Resource Dedicated To Helping Independent Musicians

FREE Web Service Offers Access to a Suite of Benefits Tailored to Needs of Emerging Artists—Including Affordable Health Care

Independent musicians no longer have to go it alone, thanks to Wanduta, a groundbreaking, members-only free Web resource for musicians, which launched today. At Wanduta, membership has its privileges—offering musicians a suite of benefits including affordable healthcare, a musician-centric discount platform (covering travel, gear and more) and opportunities to play live shows and gain further exposure for their music.

The Wanduta mission is to give working independent musicians everything they need for success by offering them the same opportunities and support available to other professions. By signing up for free membership, Wanduta members have access to:

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Scott Weiland Delivering “A Merry Christmas” For STP Fans

I’ll be completely honest here, I’m a sucker for this time of year. Especially, when it comes to holiday music.

If you’ve been a regular visitor around here, then you’re already well aware of my affinity towards 90’s bands, and their take on the whole December 25 shin ding.

For the last couple of years I’ve been raving about Scott Weiland’s rendition of the classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” which he performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on December 18, 2007.

To make my spirit bright, the track has finally been officially recorded and put up for sale at iTunes.

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Announce New Album Details and Tour

There haven’t been too many acts that have really struck a chord with me during the last decade. Besides Kings of Leon and The Black Keys, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is one of the select few.

I’ve been talking these guys up since their 2001 self-titled debut, so I’m extremely pleased that they’ve recently announced the details of their upcoming fifth studio.

After bouncing from major labels Virgin and then RCA, BRMC is going to be releasing Beat The Devil’s Tattoo via their own label Abstract Dragon, and in partnership with Vagrant Records, on March 9, 2010 here in the States.

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