Sugarblade was started in July 2004 when Miguel Staunton and Alec Brietzke first sat down together to jam out some songs. Both musicians had just come from broken bands and had been looking forward to doing an acoustic project to take a bit of a break. Realizing that the songs had real potential the duo decided to try the full-band approach once again. Recently coming out of a band herself, (Maverick recording artist, "Lillix"), Kim Urhahn seemed an ideal addition on drums. Soon after, Greg M., an old friend of Alec's, joined the trio on bass, thus completing the band. It became obvious after only a few live shows that Sugarblade had something special. The band gained a loyal following instantly and has been playing relentlessly to rave reviews and an ever-growing fanbase. The band released a 7-song EP entitled "Faux" in July of 2006, which has been selling steadily and exposing them to more and more fans. Several independent and college radio stations have recently added Sugarblade to their regular rotation and the band is poised to take their music to the highest level possible.
Sugarblade considers themselves a rock band with a hint of power-pop. The chemistry of this foursome lies in the fact that each member comes from a different musical background in terms of influences and styles. Take an instantly-recognizable vocalist with a style that is a blend of Morrisey, Muse, and Peter Gabriel. Add a guitarist heavily immersed in the glamrock and metal of the 80's, with a incredible knack for melody. Now add a rhythm section consisting of a rock-solid drummer with an ear for detail, and a metal bassist with a love for all music dark and angry. Combine those elements with great songwriting, a love for what they do and a sound all their own and you have Sugarblade.

•  like a classic
•  How to make a good...
•  Totally!
•  I love anything acoustic...
•  Acoustic Rock Ballad!

The Iacoponi Experience are a catchy three piece alternative indie rock band from Berkhamsted, near London, UK. Band members include: Andy Kirk on vocals and guitar, Martin Iacoponi on bass guitar, and Elliot Ledger on drums.

The band all met in 2000 at the age of 10 as members of the same prep school, but didn't form as a band until late 2005 when Elliot finally got a drum kit as a christmas present. The problem of a band name came about before there first gig in early March 2006, a school talent show. Ideas flew about and 'The Iacoponi Experience', was suggested initially as a joke, due to the high popularity which Martin Iacoponi (our bassist) had with the opposite sex, all of them seeming to want the same thing, 'The Iacoponi Experience'. The other two band members thought this was very funny, so then confirmed this name with the teacher in charge before actually conferring with Martin, who, needless to say, had absolutely no say in the matter; the name was just intended for this one school show anyway... However, the name never changed. After the first gig we were 'on the map', people knew who we were, 'The Iacoponi Experience' was born.

But it was not until the following year that things began to pick up a bit of momentum. Many songs were written in surges of creativeness, "I'll Be There" finding its way as our first hit with the public. In March 2007, The Iacoponi Experience performed this as their first single at The Talent Show, but then things took a turn for the worst.

The band could never seem to agree a time to practice, and as a result, the song writing stopped, we were drying up. (But, we did get away with secretly stealing some bottles of wine at a party, playing drinking games in another room, and not being disturbed as people thought we were having 'band issues'. When they cottoned on, the third bottle was being finished...)

However, strong friendship pulled us through these hard days, and in December 2007 we released our first CD, 'The Iacoponi Experience - EP', a 6 track EP including the hit single "I'll Be There", and the slower moving "Those Times", as well as a live version of "I'll Be There" from The Talent Show 2007.

This kick started the creationism in the band once again, with a fresh batch of new songs on its way. March 2008 saw the band headline The Talent Show 2008 with their upcoming, second single "Everyoung", as well as a heart-stopping performance by an expanded band playing "Smooth" by Santana, with Elliot moving to lead guitar; also a substitute drummer, backing vocals, piano, and two trumpets were all involved. This can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdCx9Lj6a0I

For the summer of 2008, the band have now employed an 'open release', meaning that they are going record songs as they are written, and to release songs as they are recorded. Having heard the first single "Everyoung" at The Talent Show, expectation could not be higher. Let's hope it does not disappoint...

Artist Information

Biography
After a long hiatus from music, both writing and singing, award winning songwriter Sean Croley has returned and recorded an EP of which one reviewer has said:

"their debut EP "Walk" contains amazing songs that easily could be featured on any release with these pop makers." (Keane and Coldplay)

There came a time in early 2006 when the urge to begin writing and recording seemed to well up inside Sean once again. He began writing songs within hours and recording them the next day and after amassing 15 good sounding demo's within 3 months where he narrowed it down to 5. This is when he reached out to friends ask them to play on what he now terms "a good songwriting demo." to come and play on this project. These friends included guitar player Bob Egan - Wilco, and Blue Rodeo. Tony Lind- Hewitt, and former guitarist for Thousand Foot Krutch. Drummer-Jim Boudreau whose resume includes The Wilkinsons, David Foster, Chuck Berry, and countless others. Steve Hogg, acclaimed bassist who played with Ian Thomas, Jamie Warren, and is a regular session player for Juno winning producer J. Richard Hutt.

This gave Sean a very solid sounding EP, well sculptured and very well produced. Now, all Sean needed was the live band. Again, a call went out to friends who knew people who knew people and the emails started to come in. One by one Sean met with each of the candidates turning some away and latching on to others telling them that they're in, never once did he ask to hear them play. The only thing he went on was word of mouth, gut feeling, and a prayer.

Together, they have taken the Seans songs to another level far beyond even Sean's expectations to create a live show that has brought the crowds to their feet for standing ovations.

This eclectic group of guys who's style and influence range from jazz to power punk have found one vision, one dream, one band that they all believe in.

They are...

"THE WEAK NEED"

A high energy pop act being regularly compared to such bands as Keane, Coldplay, Mute Math, Pilot Speed and U2. Their emotive delivery at their live shows has their fans saying that they were "blown away" and "speechless" afterwards. "They are like the Coldplay of Canada." Sean himself is quoted as saying "I love Keane and Coldplay. I really like their sound but honestly, I don't listen to them alot of the time because I don't want to start writing like they do. I'm totally influenced by their sound but I really try to take it somewhere totally different." Different indeed. It is easy to hear bands like The Cure, The Smiths, U2, and Canadian favorites, Pilot Speed, and Never Ending White Lights washing through The Weak Need as the listener is bathed in Croley's unique intimate vocals, textured harmonies and intricately woven lyrics.

Here is what industry and fans are saying about The Weak Need:

"The Weak Need is favourite band in my iTunes library (15.000 songs) " - Benjamin T.

"emotive, memorable writing and tasteful, very impressive production! " � Vlad Shusterman

"...very cool sounds. You're professionals...Maybe the new Cold Play " - 100 Ilusoes

"Cold Play... I think that's a great comparison, but you still manage to have an original sound.. " - J. Spengler

"Every once and awhile you stumble across a band that gives you goose bumps and no pun intended but I feel ya! " - Jill

"Your songs are great! You have to get a band together and start playing...people need to hear your music live. " - The Entropy

"Really lovely chorus in lay me down reminds me of keane." - Flo Anito

"One Word....Amazing!!! " - Cool Planet Entertainment

"Todays world, people will do anything to "FEEL" You've done that ..." - Nathan

"Great song and impressed by your voice...breath of fresh air" - Raine

"I just truly wanted to share with you what a powerful experience it was for both of us. We were not at all familiar with your music before last night, but it left a huge imprint on both of our hearts. Thank you for your courage in pursuing this dream. " - Lisa.

•  light driving pop w/ pleasing...
•  Perfectly Wonderful!
•  a soliloquy, a colloquy, warm...

Lightswitch is a group of 4 brothers, making up a highly professional youth oriented Christian alternative rock band, bringing energy to the stage without compromising their music and bringing a positive message to today's youth, playing for thousands of people each year through out the USA at Festivals, Colleges, Youth groups, Public and Private schools, Rallies, Church events, Conferences, and many other special events, Through out the Midwest and beyond. Some of the bands LightSwitch has opened for are: Sanctus Real, The Afters, Steller Kart, Todd Agnew, Rush of Fools, Mainstay, etc.

Lightswitch is also known for their hit Song "WE ARE STRONG"

Why we do what we do,
Our desire to see people realize that God loves them and has a plan for them and to encourage them to live an uncompromised life for Him while living in a very compromised world. Our mission is to encourage this generation in their walk with God.

Lightswitch is now on iTunes!

Darwen Online brings you the best mix of local music for you to listen to and download and also features other bands through our playlists.

View the monthly top 10 chart and support local bands by downloading and listening to their songs. The chart will be updated regularly throughout the month so check back regularly!

For bands, this is your opportunity to sell your work to your fans via downloads and see recognition in the form of our monthly charts. See our website for more information - Darwen Online.

Please click here for more information on our local bands and the latest chart positions.

•  A long winter...

Secrets in Stereo....Is it a band? Is it a person? For Nashville singer/songwriter/producer, Josh Ryan, "Secrets in Stereo" is a passion project. Recently, Josh has generated tons of buzz in the industry as a solo artist with his self described "progressive pop" sound. Much of that buzz was created when Nathan Walters of the platinum recording pop band, Plus One, and Nashville musician/producer/songwriter, Jason Collum, joined with Josh to co-write and co-produce his itunes-released debut EP, "Not Today." After a year of building momentum as a solo artist, Josh has come to a crossroads in the direction of his music. "I felt like the music that we were creating was bigger than me, and I didn't want to be confined to the solo singer/songwriter mold." Enter Josh's newest effort, "Secrets in Stereo." With 4 of the 10 tracks already featured on MTV shows like The Real World - Sydney, it seems Josh's feeling might have been right. But why the name? "It's always fascinated me that as singer/songwriters we lay out all of our most well guarded thoughts and insecurities for the world to hear and judge. When I perform, or my song is playing on the radio...I'm telling all my secrets to whoever will listen."

Plunkett: an English boy and an Italian girl.
Both Ian and Lara had a love for music from a very early age.
After studying music at Rome, writing and recording with the ambient project Ex Machina and alternative electro pop group Otero, Lara became a partner and A&R of the Dune Records, an independent italian label based in Florence.
Ian had always played in bands and after finally finding like minded musicians the electro pop/rock band ‘Pukromo' was born. In late 1999 Pukromo signed to Dune Records recording their debut album ‘Promise Me Kill Me' during 2000.
Life’s funny sometimes and although the label and band folded, Ian and Lara got together.
Frustrated by the mechanisms and ties of the music biz and tired of their ‘electronic’ past, they focused on their emotions, on themselves. Without any thought or the pressure of trying be anything other than that. Themselves.
In 2006 their debut album ’14 Days’ was released. An acoustic orientated, intimate album of alternative contemporary folk rock. The album received an unexpected critic and listener's acclaim through the internet leading them to being featured artists on some of the most important independent music sites throughout the world. Many of the songs have also since been used in two American independent films: Dave's Date (Forbidden Foot) by Natasha Guruleva (Accent Works) and A Hell Shared by Karl Rose (Current Production).
2008 sees the release of Plunkett’s second album ‘Folk Songs’. Contrasting its predecessor, although still remaining alternative contemporary folk rock, the sound and feeling of the album is much more direct with as much emphasis on the lyrics as on the music.

With a desire to only write songs and move people, Plunkett choose to remain independent artists and work outside of the mainstream music business.

Plunkett make Independent music for independent minds.

To know more about Plunkett and their upcoming releases visit their website www.plunkett-music.com.

•  Short and Sweet.
•  Simon and Garfunkle Like
• cool river

With emotionally complex lyrics laid upon bittersweet melodies, Angie’s songs recount tales of empty rooms, cold hearts and dreamy longings. Evoking a diverse range of influences, her music is a fleeting nuance of dark piano-drenched pop alternative. Her live performances are deceptively simple and equally impassioned with beautiful harmonic textures. She is a singer songwriter with a sweet, yet strong & unique voice, style and sensibility. www.angiemusic.com

Derek Kehler is a twenty two year old independent artist from southern Manitoba. He has been involved in the southern Manitoba music scene for close to six years now. Through creative rhythms, and unique melodies Derek forms his music; lyrically, He connects intuitively with the listener, aptly expressing a range of human experience with “simply poetic words.” He has been compared to artists such as Coldplay, and Radiohead.

Derek was the lead singer of a rock band from southern Manitoba, named Sardis. Two years ago, when they went their separate ways, Derek turned to his acoustic roots as a solo musician, and started playing at bars and cafes in Winnipeg. Recently Derek moved to Vancouver, where he plans to establish himself as a solo artist.

In the past he has been involved in starting an acoustic cafe night where he performed along with other established and up and coming artists. He was also part a motivational assembly named V2live (v2live.ca), in which Derek, along with artists such as Fresh I.E., and Amanda Falk encouraged students to follow their dreams.

Simon Collins –“Time for Truth”
Simon Collins, 28, was born in London, England. He, along with his mother and sister relocated to Vancouver, Canada when he was five. It was at that time that his father, rock legend Phil Collins, began teaching him how to play the drums. Simon spent a great deal of time on tour with Genesis and his father. It was then and there that he honed his skills as a competent drummer. Now it has become self evident that he inherited his father’s ability as a performer, composer and musician on drums, piano and
vocals. By the age of fourteen he began composing and producing his own material on the path of his own solo career. In 2000 Simon relocated from his home in Vancouver, Canada to Germany where his debut album "All of Who You Are" released on WEA Records immediately entered the German charts. The LP was released in over 30 countries worldwide, selling over 100,000 copies in Germany alone. The first single "Pride" was charted all over Eastern and Western Europe. The second single "Shine Through" co-written with Howard Jones, also became an instant radio hit.
With Simon relocating back to Canada, we present his second LP "Time for Truth" revealing a greater artistic depth that was not heard on the previous record. It proves him to be prolific not only as a singer/songwriter but also as a producer and multi-instrumentalist. Picking up where his father left off, Simon Collins has created a record that people can escape into and which has the timeless feeling that can only be captured by great song writing. He has the talent and the creative insight to confidently follow in his father’s footsteps while leading his own generation toward a new perspective and positive outlook. "Time for Truth" is a sonic evolution. It is an album written with the message from the current point of view that we all share as a new generation on the planet. A theme that searches for the common spiritual and celestial ground we all share with each other. Simon achieves his message through vast soundscapes and lush ambient plateaus, driven by a fusion of both electronic and organic beats, while interweaving heavy influences of Euro-trance and techno. Simon has embraced his electronic roots with this recording and in turn written strong, confident material that swirl in pop harmonies, generating a contemporary style of new wave.
With musical high lights such as the title track and epic opener "Time for Truth", and the sensitive and heartfelt ballad "Hold On" plus the alluring and hook filled "Out on the Playa", the listener is lead on a journey through time space and left with contemplative thought and irresistible melodies. Think of the lush and precise production of "Massive Attack" and "Depeche Mode" with the inspired and uplifting song writing of "Cold Play" and "Radio Head". With sometimes-unorthodox hooks and ambitious arrangements, balanced with clever and well-timed commercial appeal. It is a crafted work of sonic art at many levels. Therefore, It is no wonder that he decided to title the LP "Time for Truth". This new work offers the true vision and multi-faceted artistic capabilities of Simon Collins.

•  Very Phil...
•  Phil Collins, is he still...