Connected to the Sound - Indy "Finds"

The sound is an ode to the influences of Ledbelly, Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf. The visual is that of 20-something Redbull guzzling skaters. The sound and the visual don't equate (which makes them all the cooler) but the music is transcendent and they just plain ROCK. The Black Keys are my signature indy "find." I stumbled across them several years ago I can't remember how...and they're my "dude, have you ever heard The Black Keys? No - you've got to listen." If you haven't heard of them, you can take a listen on their site at http://theblackkeys.com/. And if you ever get the opportunity to see them live, just go.

This blog gives me another outlet from which to spread the good word about these guys. Every guy needs a "find" that he can proselytize. Why? Ok - on the surface, it's a bit of a 'merit badge' - it helps you feel like you're a participant, not just a listener, it gives you cred...and it makes for good conversation over beers. But more so, having an indy find and sharing it, in a way I think, connects you to REAL music...the kind that isn't manufactured to appeal to the bell in the bell curve, sanitized for radio, or optimized for the audiophile - you're a proponent of the little act with the BIG sound. And that's something entirely different from the BIG act with the little sound.

In this era of consumer research, mega-producers and world-wide electronic distribution, it's easy to forget that music is a base form of human experession and is intended to elicit strong emotions and connect people. Listeners don't equate fans...and indy bands (and music as a whole) need participants like us!