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Go Rock; Anderl, Holley plug in with digital releases
Friday, October 03, 2008
Many area acts still cling to the old-school approach of releasing physical CDs, but some adventurous acts such as Joe Anderl and Dress Code are starting to pursue digital-only releases.
"People have paid way too much for me, from buying the records to letting me play shows and paying me there," said Anderl, who has released three albums conventionally. "It was about time to give something back. I've had the idea for awhile to do an all-digital release, and the Fictionband situation presented itself in a way that seemed like the way to go."
The first of two new digital releases, "The Fictionband Sessions," is an EP with five original songs and one unique, stripped-down cover of Europe's "Final Countdown." Download the album free at www.fictionband.com.
"I didn't have it in me to write a full-length record, and I felt these songs were more of a continuation of what I'd done before," Anderl said. "The songs are good but it's not cohesive. I think they all work together but I didn't think I could pull another five songs out that would flow that way."
The second album, a full-length compilation of unreleased material, is available as a free download from The Buddha Den (www.buddhaden.blogspot.com).
"It's all the B-sides," Anderl said. "It's got radio station versions of different songs, demo versions of songs that we didn't put on the record and live tracks. I got to the point where I was thinking, 'Why just sit on them?' Plus, I want to support these online sources that are supplying music to people."
Local musician Derek Holley, who records electronic dance music under the moniker Dress Code, has been releasing music traditionally since the mid-'90s. Several years ago, he expanded into the digital market, offering his releases as hard copy CDs and MP3 downloads.
However, with his latest EP, Holley has immersed himself fully into the digital world. The five-song disc, released by Chicago-based label Phuture Trax Records, is a download-only release available through iTunes, Amazon and other online outlets.
"One huge benefit of having an international digital release is my track, 'Everybody,' from the EP is now being shopped to DJs worldwide," Holley said. "I've had the biggest response from the UK so far, and have made the top 20 on two different DJ charts there. Another benefit to go with the digital release is that it's from a label that's known for dance music. I think this gets me a little more attention from some people than when I did self-releases."
ROCK INSIDER, by contributing writer Don Thrasher, appears weekly and gives a behind-the-scenes view of the Dayton music scene. Contact Thrasher by e-mail at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
