Stereofame

Stereofame Artist of the Month, February 2010: Stephen Vickers

2010-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

If good things come to those who wait, then Nashville-based rocker Stephen Vickers must finally be getting his due. With a career that has taken him from his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama to Los Angeles and back to the South, the power-rock troubadour's arena-ready anthems have earned him the title of Stereofame.com's Artist of the Month for February 2010.

In a modern rock landscape dominated by half-hearted crooners clinging to what remains of the grunge movement (insert Nickelback), Vickers' self-assured baritone and honest lyrics serve as a welcome relief. While he counts late 90s alternative acts such as Matchbox Twenty and Third Eye Blind among his wide range of influences, Vickers points to his childhood as his earliest introduction to music. "Like pretty much every southerner, I grew up singing in church," Vickers said. "Towards the end of high school, I started taking the guitar more seriously. I would try to learn things like Dave Matthews songs and then just started writing my own stuff." After graduating high school, Vickers picked up and moved to Los Angeles at the urging of his good friend and fellow musician Ken Merrione. Unlike so many others who migrate West with dreams of stardom only to watch them fade beyond the horizon with the setting California sun, Vickers' rock-ballad "Give You My Life" (recorded with Merrione) caught the ears of L.A. radio station Star 98.7 and earned him and his band a spot among the top five finalists for its "Rockstar Search" contest. "That was a pretty cool experience being in L.A. and hearing my song on the radio," Vickers said. "We got to perform at the Key Club on the Sunset Strip with all these other amazing bands."

After the untimely passing of his friend and mentor Merrione (and much soul searching), Vickers moved to Nashville to return to his Southern roots and reinvigorate his songwriting. These days, Vickers is busy working on new material that he hopes to release later this year. "Describing the new songs to people I tell them to imagine if Rob Thomas wrote an album for Chris Daughtry and it was produced by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic," he said.

No doubt, Vickers will have a whole new group of fans eagerly awaiting his latest offerings as a result of his selection as Artist of the Month. Vickers praised Stereofame as a unique platform through which his music can reach a worldwide audience. "It's a lot like Myspace but devoted specifically to musicians," Vickers said. "I recommend it to everyone I meet because it's such a great way to get feedback on your music."

As Stereofame's February 2010 Artist of the Month, Vickers will get valuable exposure to an international audience in addition to a $1,000 prize. Stereofame is a one-of-a-kind community where artists are judged objectively by the listening audience. Artists gather more points as they rise in rank and refer their fans from other sites. Plus, artists can sell their music here, too, so they're getting serious points while making money, something iTunes doesn't offer! Listeners are also rewarded for their input, as they can earn points for listening to a song and giving it a "thumbs up or down," and writing thoughtful reviews. They can help talented artists get the attention they deserve by signing artists to their virtual record label and then promoting their signed artists to their friends. Of course, fans get tons of points for buying music and bringing people to the site, too. All these points can be cashed in for various prizes such as iPods, musical equipment, gift cards and more.

Think you've got what in takes to be Stereofame's next Artist of the Month? Then go to Stereofamecom and upload three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/aom. And if you're a fan, log on to Stereofame.com today to help some of tomorrow's biggest and brightest stars get heard and earn some sweet prizes at the same time!

Stereofame.com January 2010 Artist of the Month - Justina

2010-01-12T04:10:00.000-08:00

Part Cyndi Lauper, part Michelle Branch, New Jersey-born singer/songwriter Justina is all talent. Listening to Justina’s powerful vocals, one can hardly believe that a voice with such command and self-assuredness comes from a 26 year-old girl who stands all of 4'11".

With irresistible hooks and refreshingly personal lyrics, Justina is asserting herself as a rising star in the female singer/songwriter landscape. Her ability to bounce from gentle love ballads to Beatles-esque pop tunes with heart and honesty has earned her the honor of being chosen as Stereofame.com’s first repeat Artist of the Month winner.

"It's like being on a virtual micro-label," Justina said of Stereofame. "You can upload your music to a mass audience and there’s nothing to lose, it's an awesome thing to be a part of."

Since receiving a guitar on her 18th birthday, Justina has immersed herself in the craft of songwriting, a pursuit that she says comes with its highs and lows.

"Sometimes good ideas will just hit me and sometimes I have to force them out," she said. "It's different every time but that’s what is so great about songwriting, it can be so frustrating...but ultimately it's very rewarding to be able to put your emotions into something positive."

Despite her soulful sound, Justina is an unabashed "chick rock" devotee. In addition to counting artists like Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks among her influences, Justina credits the aforementioned Branch with giving her the motivation to take herself seriously as an artist.

"(Branch) is the whole reason I picked up the guitar when I did," Justina said. "She had just come out when I was 18 and she was really the only young girl out there that played her own instrument and I was really inspired by that."

Most importantly, Justina clings to the belief that her integrity as an artist defines her sound.

"I hate the whole lip-synching thing," she said. "It's so fake, I just like real music and real artists who put creativity into every aspect of it."

One things is for certain, Justina is the determined to share the creativity inside of her with the rest of the world.

"I wake up in the mornings, get ready, get in the shower and I’ll have a hook in my head that just needs to get out."

As Stereofame's January 2010 Artist of the Month, Justina will get valuable exposure to an international audience in addition to a $1,000 prize. Stereofame is a one-of-a-kind community where artists are judged objectively by the listening audience. Artists gather more points as they rise in rank and refer their fans from other sites. Plus, artists can sell their music here, too, so they’re getting serious points while making money, something iTunes doesn’t offer!

Listeners are also rewarded for their input, as they can earn points for listening to a song and giving it a "thumbs up or down," and writing thoughtful reviews. They can help talented artists get the attention they deserve by signing artists to their virtual record label and then promoting their signed artists to their friends. Of course, fans get tons of points for buying music and bringing people to the site, too. All these points can be cashed in for various prizes such as iPods, musical equipment, gift cards and more.

Think you've got what in takes to be Stereofame's next Artist of the Month? Then go to Stereofame.com and upload three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/aom. And if you're a fan, log on to Stereofame.com today to help some of tomorrow's biggest and brightest stars get heard and earn some sweet prizes at the same time!

Stereofame 2010 Artist of the Year - Fatkid Dodgeball

2009-12-28T11:20:00.000-08:00

The boys from Fatkid Dodgeball know a thing or two about hard work. In fact, the Columbus, OH quartet seem to embody the working class mentality of their blue-collar hometown. Even the names of the members (Frank - Vocals/Bass, Bull - Vocals/Guitar, KC - Guitar, Ryan - Drums) sound like nicknames hurled between factory workers.

"There's a great scene in Columbus, lots of really good bands," Frank said. As Stereofame's 2009 Artist of the Year, Fatkid Dodgeball (the unusual name comes from a saying of one of Frank's college roommates) are in relentless pursuit of the perfect rock performance. "It's the energy, that hard rock edge with some sing-alongs and real solid melodies. I think that's what we've kind of grown into," Frank said. That mission has already taken them across the country but the foursome has fought the urge to move to a larger market and has instead decided to plant deep roots in the Columbus scene. "It can be difficult to get noticed outside of Columbus," Frank said. "But it's not like New York City where it's difficult to get on anyone's radar because everybody is in a band."

The rockers have found a niche spreading their high-energy live shows to an appreciative audience of students in Ohio. "The cool thing is there's a college in just about every corner of the state," Bull said. "So that helps us a lot by giving us places to go out and play with a built in crowd."

With a sound that recalls the hard-driving guitars of the Foo Fighters and the melodic sensibilities of bands like Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory, Fatkid Dodgeball, known to their fans as FKDB, are poised to explode in a genre that hasn't seen many fresh faces for a while. Despite the band's collective affection for distorted guitar driven rock tunes, it is FKDB's democratic approach to songwriting that has accelerated the group toward a more mature sound. "When we really found our sound is when we stopped trying to sound like anyone else and started doing what came natural to us," Frank said.

As FKDB's sound continues to evolve, it's relevance hasn't been lost on Stereofame's online community. Users & judges on the site rewarded the band with Stereofame's coveted Artist of the Year honor, which carries with it a prize of $5,000. "The best thing about Stereofame is it's a way to get instant feedback," Frank said. "We can put up an exclusive track and get it heard by people who really know and love music."

Stereofame is a one-of-a-kind community where artists are judged objectively by the listening audience. Artists gather more points as they rise in rank and refer their fans from other sites. Plus, artists can sell their music here, too, so they're getting serious points while making money, something iTunes doesn't offer! Fans of music are also rewarded for their input, as they can earn points for listening to a song and giving it a "thumbs up or down," writing thoughtful reviews, and helping talented artists get the attention they deserve by signing artists to their virtual record label and then promoting their signed artists to their friends. Of course, fans get tons of points for buying music and bringing people to the site, too. All these points can be cashed in for various prizes such as iPods, musical equipment, gift cards and more.

Think you've got what it takes to become Stereofame's next Artist of the Year? Then go to Stereofame.com upload three songs to Stereofame.com/contest/aom and try to first win Artist of the Month honors. And if you're a fan, log on to Stereofame.com today to help some of tomorrow's biggest and brightest stars get heard and earn some sweet prizes at the same time!

Hidden Feature

2009-12-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

Search for "winter" to see a surprise.

Thanks to www.icondrawer.com for the graphics.

Stereofame December 2009 Artist of the Month - Mere

2009-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

"It's time to see all the places we will go," croons Braz, lead singer of the New Jersey based Mere, in their song "Higher." That type of optimism is peppered throughout Mere's music, indicating that Braz and company are ready to discover all the places they will go. With a sound that is, at once, hopeful and triumphant, Mere seem prepared to take their message as far as they want. Whether tackling weighty themes of heartbreak and turmoil or celebrating the beauty in the relationships around them, Mere's music always looks for the light at the end of the tunnel. "There are good things and bad things in life and we're happy to talk about them all," guitarist Brian Bason said, "but at the end of the day, life is beautiful."

The quintet's shared focus on tightly packaged melodies and hook-driven songwriting makes them instant radio fodder, helped along by Braz's soaring vocals. Fittingly, "Higher" has gathered attention as a theme song of sorts (it has been featured by NBC as part of their Olympics coverage) and for a band who eschew musical excess, the track is a microcosm of Mere's collective focus on the craft of songwriting. "We like to treat notes like they're expensive," Bason said. "You have to spend them like they're money. Sometimes you have to spend money to get something good but you should never spend frivolously."

As Stereofame's December 2009 Artist of the Month, that message is one step closer to reaching the mass audience Bason has in mind. As a band who unabashedly wear their hearts on their sleeves, Mere has crafted a sound that blends the melancholy pop sensibilities of Lifehouse with Braz's vocal prowess that recalls the best of bands like Starsailor and Dishwalla. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by the Stereofame community, where they are ranked among the top fifteen artists on the site. "The best part about Stereofame is that the community is full of really great music fans," Bason said. "They support the artists like no other site."As the latest in the growing list of Stereofame's Artists of the Month, Mere get to take advantage of the site's ability to introduce artists to a national audience like never before. In addition to a $1,000 cash prize, Mere is now eligible for consideration as Stereofame's Artist of the Year, which carries with it a $5,000 cash prize.

MIA Magazine profiles Shifta

2009-11-04T04:33:00.000-08:00

MIA Magazine recently published an article about Shifta. Republished with permission.

MIA Music
SHIFTA
By Jarrell Douse

Kingston, Jamaica's newest musical installment, Shifta Mason, considers modesty a virtue. His unassuming dress and choice of a ordinary midday meal of two cheeseburgers, small-sized pouch of fries and a cup of water lend credence to a pared down philosophy that appears to serve the singer well.

He's casually clad in a pasty, red t-shirt, tattered blue jeans, a Texas fitted baseball cap, and feet that would've been shod in a pair of well-worn Ed Hardy casuals--had he not been stepping on the backs of them. The site of this interview also bolsters his embrace of all things moderate - McDonald's on 62nd Street in Liberty City, just off of I-95.

Sitting so that he's facing outside, Shifta peers out of the window as though something behind the glass is commanding his attention with a hold so taut, his eyes cannot move.

He blinks, then, confesses that his recent rise to respectable notoriety is attributed to his musical interests and interpretations--a cacophony of traditional grassroots reggae and back-bending, hip-winding dance hall beats-- and a subscription to the belief that he can have whatever he wants-- and he wants it all!

He advises anyone wishing to stifle his self-imposed expectations: "Don't hold your breath."

Innovative and daring, this young trailblazer also infuses sounds from "di yaad" with distinct snippets of American rhythm and blues, and hip hop influences into a niche he has carved for himself amidst the soulful genres.

But before he would introduce his artistic genius--which is evidenced in his hit song "Do It" (produced by Power Surge featuring Miami's chart topping artist Flo-Rida)--to the ears of his increasing American fan-base, he says that he had to put his "time in."

His time included innumerable hours perfecting his voice, tone, and even, patience, while creating a name for himself back home.

"I thought it was important that I establish a certain level of respect in Jamaica before I could expect to establish any in the United States. I had to get the attention of Jamaicans before I could get it anywhere else in the world--if you're not respected at home, where are you respected," he said.

Shifta insists that he is not an "overnight sensation." His father, Piper Fras, legendary Caribbean promoter and producer is often credited for helping to spawn the careers of Lady Saw, Reggie Stepper and General Degree.

His dad's success notwithstanding, Shifta said his persistence, not family ties, catapulted him to the status he now enjoys.

"You gotta hustle in the music industry," he says, adding "I know what it is like to stand beside the deejay booth (for hours) hoping for the opportunity to drop my demo in the deejay's hand. I know what it is like to sit outside of [WEDR] 99.1 Jamz waiting to talk to DJ Khaled."

He knows what it is to be hungry for something that you love almost more than air.

"Some people tend to think that I am where I am because of my father and that I had it easier than other artists. Some people may even think that my success over the last several years is a fluke."

But what many don't know about him but he wishes that they did, is that he has "been into music a long time" and has "no plans of leaving it anytime soon."

His impetus for creating music began in Jamaica when he was around seven or eight-years old, he recalls. Then, as teenager, he dared to become a deejay if only for the purposes of making music, and to satisfy his ardor for entertaining people.

"I like to make music that makes people feel alive."

As he grew up he continued to deejay, but discovered the rhythm of his own beat; inevitably instigating a need to create his own music, his own sound.

"I'm not new to the music industry--maybe a little to the American music scene, but I've been on the mixed tape circuit for a while, now, with my Timeless Entertainment brand."

His hard work and perseverance, humility and genuine motivation, have afforded him the "excitement" of sharing with music lovers from Europe to Japan to Africa, his distinct mix of reggae and dance hall and hip hop.

Some might say "not bad" for a young man who has yielded a career out of a hobby-turned-dream that continues to materialize. Shifta eats the last of his second cheeseburger, washing it and the last of his fries down with his cup of water.

He is looking out of the window, again.

Silence.

He soon breaks it, to say, "If you want to be someone it is important to be humble, and to know that the beginning of everything begins in the mind. So, do it!" he declares, while managing to smile a modest smile.

Stereofame, the pioneering online social music game, has chosen "Zuri Allen Star" as their November Artist of the Month.

2009-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hollywood-based singer/songwriter Zuri Allen Star has been performing since the age of 5. Her music, which is a blend of urban pop, has been climbing the charts on Stereofame since a fan created a profile for her about a year ago.

"I went on Stereofame.com to check it out and was immediately sucked in," says Star, who will be making her upcoming 2nd cd available for download on the site. "I have had the most positive experience with them, it's really enhanced my career!"

Other opportunities with Stereofame for Zuri have included a recent tour in China and performing in the Stereofame CMJ Showcase in New York City.

"I've already gotten more out of my exposure on Stereofame than any other site on the internet. I'm honored to win this month's Artist of the Month contest, and I'll be putting the money I won into the recording costs for my new album," says Zuri, who is again collaborating with producer, Mike K (Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield).

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners qualify for the upcoming Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure.

There's also competition for the listeners where the more votes they post, the more chances they have at a 10,000 point prize! The more points the artists and listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.

Artists can enter next month's Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/aom.

In today's evolving music scene, it's an exciting time to be an artist and a fan, especially at Stereofame, where they both get exactly what they deserve. The chance to have a voice and have it be heard!

Stereofame, the pioneering online social music game, has chosen "Modern Science" as their October Artist of the Month

2009-10-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

The Las Vegas based duo "Modern Science" was surfing the net a year ago when they stumbled upon the Stereofame site. "We immediately thought it was a cool concept," says Kane, who is originally from Canada and is the primary songwriter for the group.

The band's self-titled debut was recorded in their home studio in Las Vegas over the past year. "We're really proud of this album," says Mike, who plays bass and provides backup vocals. "We feel like we've already put out our greatest hits album and now, we can expand musically and do almost anything." Their 10 original tracks are currently available on Stereofame.com

Mike and Kane intend to use their prize money to help pay for their upcoming trip to the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City on October 23rd, where they will perform at the Ace of Clubs as part of Stereofame's Official CMJ Showcase.

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners qualify for the upcoming Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure.

There's also a competition for the listeners where the more votes they post, the more chances they have at a 10,000 point prize! The more points the artists and listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.

Artists can enter next month's Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/aom.

In today's evolving music scene, it's an exciting time to be an artist and a fan, particularly at Stereofame, where they both get exactly what they deserve. The chance to have a voice and have it be heard!

Stereofame, the pioneering online social music game, has chosen “My Beautiful Letdown” as their September Artist of the Month.

2009-09-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hailing from Ripley, Ohio, My Beautiful Letdown is a 4 piece alternative indie band fronted by Dorena Cox, a wife and mother who works full time and takes care of her ailing mother.

"I've never won anything in my life except a $50 scratch-off ticket," said Cox, who plans on using a portion of the contest prize money to help pay for her mother's hospice expenses. "I'll put back the rest into the band." My Beautiful Letdown currently has several tracks available in the Stereofame Music Store and is getting ready to go back in the studio to finish up their full length cd.

Dorena and her bandmates Jordan Gast, Kevin Parsons and Brian Hines found Stereofame while surfing the internet. "I enjoy the Stereofame site more than any other site we've been on," says Cox. "I log on every morning before work and it makes my day reading people's comments. Stereofame really helps indie people like me find an audience outside of our little town."

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners qualify for the upcoming Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure.

There's also a competition for the listeners where the more reviews they post, the more chances they have at a 10,000 point prize! The more points the artists and listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.
Artists can enter next month's Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/aom.

In today's evolving music scene, it's an exciting time to be an artist and a fan, especially at Stereofame, where they both get exactly what they deserve. The chance to have a voice and have it be heard!

Stereofame, the pioneering online social music game, has chosen New Jersey’s Vine House as the August Artist of the Month.

2009-08-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

A power-pop band often compared to another New Jersey-based group, The Smithereens, the band has enjoyed great success being involved with Stereofame.

"We see download sales every week through Stereofame. "It's been a great distribution and networking site for us," says Mark Stancato, lead vocalist and guitar player for Vine House. "We're thrilled to have been chosen as the Artist of the Month and plan on using our cash earnings towards recording costs for our upcoming new EP."

One of the original bands on Stereofame, Vine House has been enjoying a fruitful relationship with Stereofame for the past year. The band performed at the NYC Stereofame Showcase in January and also at the Stereofame SXSW Austin Showcase in March.

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners qualify for the upcoming Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure. There’s also a competition for the Listeners. With each vote, Listeners earn a chance to earn 10,000 points. The more votes you submit, the more chances you have to win! The more points the Artists and Listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.

Artists can enter next month's Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/artist-of-the-month.html.

In today's evolving music scene, it's an exciting time to be an artist and a fan, especially at Stereofame, where they both get exactly what they deserve. The chance to have a voice and have it be heard!

New Homepage Features

2009-07-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

In an ongoing effort to continually improve the overall quality of the music listening experience for the entire community, Stereofame has changed the way in which music will be featured daily on the homepage: Stereofame will feature the Homepage Auction Winner's music next to tracks from the current Artist of the Month, Weekly Showcase Artist, and a Daily Pick made by Stereofame.

$1,000 Sweepstakes Winner: SmashCan

2009-07-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Cooker with the SmashCan $1,000 Pre-Paid VISA® Card from Stereofame.com.

Cooker (L), Stix (M) and Reggie (R) of SmashCan:

$500 Sweepstakes Winner: Christopher Lee Schulze

2009-07-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Stereofame Artist, Christopher Lee Schulze with his new $500 VISA® Gift Card that he just received in the season ending Spring Sweeps. Congrats to Chris and nice screen shot props of his Artist profile, christopher_lee_schulze!

$500 Sweepstakes Winner: abbeybusch

2009-07-02T04:19:00.000-07:00

Abbey and Ryan Busch showing off their new $500 VISA® Gift Card that they just won in the Stereofame season ending Spring Sweeps. Congrats to them and her SF label, abbeybusch!

Stereofame Sweepstakes Winners

2009-06-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

At the close of the Spring Season on Stereofame, all unspent points were automatically exchanged for Stereofame Sweepstakes tickets. The eighteen winners listed below each received one Visa® gift card.

Labels:
jukiesdabomb Records: $1000 winner
Mercy Records: $500 winners
dad378
abbeybusch
neversummer
walkawayhc
guttersyphen
loadedboards
Eagle Dreams Promotions

Artists:
"SmashCan": $1000 winner
NatalieGelman: $500 winners
Jaloes
The Thrifters
RatherBros
BLEACH BLACK
DoCc Da RiPper
Christopher Lee Schulze
moneyMOCKseven

June Artist of the Month

2009-06-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Stereofame, the online social music game, has chosen singer songwriter Hana Pestle as their Artist of the Month.

Nineteen year old Hana Pestle relocated from Montana to Los Angeles two years ago to pursue her music career. With the help of writer and producer Michael "Fish" Herring (Prince, Christina Aguilera, Tupac), and Evanescence co-founder, Ben Moody (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion), her self-titled EP was released in 2008.

Internet marketing has been an integral part of Hana's success: "Stereofame is my favorite site because it incorporates the listener more than any of the other sites out there. The hits on my website, my sales & my fan base have increased significantly since I joined Stereofame," says Pestle.

She plans on using her contest earnings to manufacture more merchandise to sell on her upcoming tour.

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners qualify for the upcoming Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure. There’s also a competition for the listeners where the more votes they post, the more chances they have at a 10,000 point prize! The more points the artists and listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.

Artists can enter next month's Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/artist-of-the-month.html.

In today's evolving music scene, it's an exciting time to be an artist and a fan, especially at Stereofame, where they both get exactly what they deserve. The chance to have a voice and have it be heard and rewarded!

May Artist of the Month

2009-05-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Stereofame, the pioneering online social music game, has chosen Boston-based band Vivian Darkbloom as their Artist of the Month

Borrowing their name as a homage to Vladamir Nabokov while giving a nod to his book, Lolita, the band lives up to Nabokov's idea of having an alter ego with their uninhibited rocked-out stage performances yet somewhat shy & intellectual personas offstage.

Vivian Darkbloom is comprised of graduate students Rob Morris (MIT) on vocals, Cristiano Castellitto (Berkeley) on drums, and Brian Skerratt (Harvard) on bass and vocals.

Morris's studies at MIT in media arts and sciences have influenced the band’s live show with his innovating usage of a Wii remote attached to his black Fender guitar. Through a fairly simple hack, he is able to turn the way the guitar is tilted into sound modifications on stage.

The band discovered Stereofame on Twitter: "I saw a positive shout-out for Stereofame and decided to try them," said Morris. "We're thrilled we were chosen and we plan to invest our $1,000.00 prize money into our summer tour." Their current EP, "Let's Become Machines" is available for download on the recently launched Stereofame music store.

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners also qualify for the Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure. There’s also competition for the listeners where the more votes they post, the more chances they have at a 10,000 point prize! The more points the artists and listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.

Artists can enter next month’s Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to www.Stereofame.com/contest/artist-of-the-month.html.

In today's evolving music scene, it's an exciting time to be an artist and a fan, especially at Stereofame, where they both get exactly what they deserve. The chance to have a voice and have it be heard!

Stereofame 1.0 Updates - 4/9/09

2009-04-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

Notable updates released today:

Download Utility Improvements
Enhancements to purchase flow for buying music
Lyrics now posted with songs in the Artist of the Month Review section
Improvements to auto-bidding for premium members

FAQ of the day:

What was the goal when making the Better Days are Ahead video? Was there a specific objective?
Stereofame & Big Dog agreed on this: To do justice to Big Dog's lyrics and create a video that when seen, would be the kind of video that would make the viewer feel compelled to pass it along to everyone in the viewer's email address book because it was that important to be shared & seen by everyone; those that lived it and those that could gain from the educational opportunity to see what really happened.

Stereofame posts all notable updates regarding SF 1.0 right here on the Stereofame blog.

We invite you to post comments and report technical issues using the comment link below. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Track all SF 1.0 release updates here.

April Artist of the Month - New Jersey singer/songwriter Justina Carubia

2009-04-09T05:57:00.000-07:00

25 year old Justina Carubia is the latest artist to be recognized in Stereofame.com's popular Artist of the Month contest.

Justina has been playing guitar and writing her own songs since she was 18. When browsing through Gogirls.com she came upon a positive review for Stereofame and decided to setup a profile for herself. "I was only on there about a month when I submitted myself for the contest - I wasn't expecting to win anything so fast! I can’t believe how many friend requests I get on my other sites from people that are saying they first saw me on Stereofame."

Justina recently relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her music career. She plans on using her $1,000.00 prize to record more songs for a full length cd. Songs from her current EP, "Break of Day", can be downloaded at http://www.stereofame.com/justinamusic. Her track "Am I the Only One?" will also be featured in Stereofame's 11-song Album of the Month for April, available at a special price for all Stereofame members.

The Stereofame Artist of the Month contest is the hottest tool for independent talent to gain international exposure, get serious objective written reviews and win a $1,000.00 cash prize. Monthly winners qualify for the upcoming Artist of the Year contest, where $5,000.00 is up for grabs, along with other promotional exposure. There’s also competition for the listeners where the more votes they post, the more chances they have at a 10,000 point prize! The more points the artists and listeners earn, the more they can cash in for killer rewards like iPhones, surfboards and PlayStations.

Artists can enter next month's Artist of the Month Contest by submitting up to three songs to http://www.stereofame.com/contest/artist-of-the-month.html

Stereofame combines the social networking aspects of the popular MySpace and Facebook web sites with the auction functions of eBay and creates a game where both listeners and artists compete for points that can lead to valuable rewards ranging from mountain bikes to iPhones.

The future of music is now and it is online at www.Stereofame.com.

BIG DOG's NEW RAP VIDEO IN TUNE WITH THE TIMES

2009-04-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

Dynamic Rapper Big Dog has created a rap video that showcases the struggle and tenacity of the civil rights movement era. The video, entitled "Better Days Are Ahead," that was released on Saturday, April 4th, right here on Stereofame.

The historic April 4th date commemorates the 41st anniversary of the slaying of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Better Days Are Ahead," features the history, legacy, heritage and tradition of the Black struggle.

The rap video provides a historical timeline of our past, present and future, while also delivering a powerful message of faith and positive expectation. "I gathered the inspiration to write these lyrics over a period of historical times - starting from the birth of the civil rights movement, led by Dr. King, to the celebration of President Barack Obama as the first Black Commander in Chief of the greatest country in the world," says Big Dog. "The music and message represents our heritage and is the epitome of how hope transcends everything."

Big Dog's "Better Days Are Ahead" video release is timely and critical because of the people it profiles, their place in history and the overall purpose in life. Dr. King's legacy is recognized nationwide and his message still resonates through all time, influencing generations of all ethnicities. With the election of President Barack Obama, Dr. King's dream came to fruition. Big Dog's video represents a journey through time and a vision of victory.

We invite you to share this message with everyone you know and to join in the conversation by leaving a comment on the Better Days Are Ahead music video page.

Stereofame 1.0 Updates - 4/2/09

2009-04-02T03:49:00.000-07:00

Notable updates released today:

Browse by Premium Members
Improvements to commenting functionality on SF TV
Stereofame "Better Days Are Ahead" Trailer released on YouTube

FAQ of the day:

What does the vip status underneath my artists mean?
The VIP icon indicates that the Artist is a premium VIP Member on Stereofame. Check out all of the added benefits for VIP Artist Members and Backstage Pass Label Members.

Stereofame posts all notable updates regarding SF 1.0 right here on the Stereofame blog.

We invite you to post comments and report technical issues using the comment link below. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Track all SF 1.0 release updates here.

Stereofame Beta Sweepstakes Winners

2009-04-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

At the close of Stereofame Beta, all unspent points were automatically exchanged for Stereofame Sweepstakes tickets. The twenty winners listed below each received one $250 Visa® gift card.

Labels:
coldsouljeff
csanchez
Envelope Labels
Industry Records
Internet Geek Musician Records
legendary rose
rebecca J
Redemtion Records
snakes hip records
starry_night

Artists:
Complex
Deby Kelley
Eyesee3
Justina
M.E.C.C.A
O-sol
Rick Baden
Tarsha Jackson
The David Michael Project
unsane

Stereofame 1.0 Updates - 4/1/09

2009-04-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Notable updates released today:

Music Upload Improvements (Upload a song and enter details in the same step)
Drag and Drop IE Bug corrected
Improved play button behavior
"Better Days are Ahead" trailer released. Produced and Directed by Stereofame.
Music Reviewing for May's Contest is now open

FAQ of the day:

How are some members bidding automatically?
Stereofame now offers premium memberships with extra benefits. One of the benefits is "Auto Bid". Premium members can enter the maximum amount of points they're willing to spend for an item at the Point Store and the auto bid system bids for them. If someone outbids their max bid figure, the also have the option to be notified via text messaging.

Stereofame posts all notable updates regarding SF 1.0 right here on the Stereofame blog.

We invite you to post comments and report technical issues using the comment link below. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Track all SF 1.0 release updates here.

April Artist of the Month - Justina

2009-04-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

April Artist of the Month Winners Announced!

The Stereofame Artist of the Month Contest would like to thank the Stereofame music reviewing community, all entrants and judges.

APRIL ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Justina

The Artist of the Month winner for April, April, has won $1,000.00 cash!

APRIL REVIEWER OF THE MONTH

Abe Q.

The top Music Reviewer for the April Artist of the Month Contest, Abe Q., has been awarded 10,000 Points!

June Artist of the Month Contest

Submissions are now being accepted for the June Artist of the Month contest. Artists can enter up to three songs. Artist entry period ends on 04/30/2009.

Stereofame 1.0 Updates - 3/31/09

2009-03-31T14:14:00.000-07:00

Notable updates released today:

More Premium Member ID tags Posted (look for VIP or BACKSTAGE icons on member profile pics as you cruise the site.)
Alerts will now be sent directly to artists when they make a sale. Visit your Account page to activate text message alerts for this feature
Improved play button behavior
June Artist of the Month Contest page ready for entries tomorrow (New Rules!)
Genres posted on artist billboards (artists can edit this information)

FAQ of the day:

What happened to my Label Ranks today?
As a result of removing the "Use it or Lose it" rule from the Game, Label ranks were restored to their original positions at the beginning of the season before "Use it or Lose it" played a role in repositioning.

The good news is that (1) No points were removed during the restoration process, (2) Labels now receive more points because no matter what our Label Rank may be, you will never receive less than 50% of the top ranked Label and (3) Labels that are active get up to 3,000 points a month more than Labels that are inactive by being awarded 100 points for the first vote each day.

Stereofame posts all notable updates regarding SF 1.0 right here on the Stereofame blog.

We invite you to post comments and report technical issues using the comment link below. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Track all SF 1.0 release updates here.