Call For Submissions! - Album August Project
August is a great month. It even has its share of holidays. But while National Mustard Day, Wiggle Your Toes Day and the dubious Bad Poetry Day are among the celebrations happening in the month named for Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, there was a notable lack of music-themed celebrations taking place. Hence the need for, "Album August".
The third annual @LinerNotes Album August series of daily album reviews is fast approaching and I am looking to mix things up a bit this time. The first year I did this, it took place entirely on Twitter, with a nightly #LiveTweet first-listen review of an album I'd not heard previously. Last year, I combined the nightly #LiveTweet with a weekly blog recap of all the albums reviewed during the week. This year, I am looking to really turn things up to 11.
The entire point of Album August is to get a daily dose of new sounds, bands and even music styles into your ears. As I am planning on doing themed weeks this time around and since sharing knowledge is not just a one-way flow of ideas, the first one will be Reader Suggested Artists. That means I will be featuring a minimum of seven music acts suggested by you, the @LinerNotes readers. If I get a ton of great submissions, I might extend this theme to more than just a single week.
There are two ways you can submit music artists to be considered. The first is via Twitter. Just @ reply me there and let me know the name of the band you want me to check out. I've already received some interesting submissions there. The second way is via the contact page on this blog. Now, the real question is, what kind of artists am I looking for to feature in Album August?
Engage List Mode! (Imagine cool electronic sound effects, here)
1. All music styles will be considered! - Yes, even chiptunes, traditional bagpipes or bizarre style collisions, so if you know a band that specializes in electro-acoustic Laplander Folk Metal, bring it on! That said...
2. No cookie monster vocals - A vocalist is just as much an instrument in a band as a guitarist or a bouzouki player. I want to hear singers.
3. Or perhaps they have no vocalist at all - Despite my note above, often times a band or solo performer will produce even better results, sans vox. Instrumental artists are VERY welcome!
4. They should be relatively unknown - Don't send acts signed to major labels. I am really looking for untapped talent here, so...
5. Think local - There are tons of bands you probably know that others don't. Embrace your inner hipster!
6. The artist should have music recorded - An EP at the minimum, but an album is preferred.
7. The music should be accessible - The idea here is to get people listening to new music, so it should be available either physically or digitally. Bandcamp versions are ideal but not required.
8. Seven albums will be featured - At the minimum. If I get a ton of great submissions, I may cancel one of my other planned theme weeks to feature more of your suggestions!
9. Reader Question: Can the artist be from Japan? - Yes, yes, oh はい！(that's Japanese for, Yes!). As a full fledged Nipponophile, I fully welcome further insight into the popular music of Japan. Plus there is so much of it, it is near impossible for a Westerner to keep up with every artist!
10. Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, please use the hashtag, to make this easy - Sometimes Twitter can go wonky (insert "no kidding remark, here) or @ replies can get buried. It's not essential, but if you include #AlbumAugust in your tweets to me it makes it easier to find your suggestions. (Ed. Note: We would like to apologize for the blatant call out to Carly Rae Jepsen's #1 hit)
11. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Go on, @ reply me or email me with your suggestions. I really am interested in what my readers listen to beyond the obvious.
Album August will start on August 1st, (natch) And in case you thought I was joking about National Mustard Day, Wiggle Your Toes Day or Bad Poetry Day, click and be amazed!
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