Bonnaroo 2012

Indie Spotlight: $2 Dollar Shows

$2 Dollar Shows is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing awareness of social issues through art and music by partnering with community organizations to present monthly $2 Shows that anyone can enjoy, while providing a platform and exposure for independent artists. Tickets always cost $2, and events are always connected to a charitable cause. Diverse media and genres are selected for $2 Shows, from indie rock, hip-hop, jazz and Americana, to… more

Indie Spotlight: Big History

Big History is a six-piece soul/electronic/pop act roaring out of New Orleans. Anchored by the smoky vocals of Meg Roussel, the group’s catchy hooks pour from laptops and violins alike. The band has crafted a bedroom pop debut flashing with the pulse and shimmer of a 3 a.m. dance party, but smooth and hazy enough to be revisited the morning after. Having caught the eyes and ears… more

Indie Spotlight: Stepdad

Stepdad was formed in a sweltering Chicago apartment in the summer of 2009 when two songwriters turned roommates, ultramark and Ryan McCarthy, began writing songs together. The duo relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they finished their first EP called “Ordinaire.” Due to an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the eight songs contained on this EP, the boys added long time friend and bassist Alex Fives and drummer… more

Indie Spotlight: Courrier

The title of Courrier’s first studio release, Like the Cold of Snow in the Time of Harvest, is a fitting description of the boys from Austin, Texas. Like a new wind in an often dry and monotonous music “business,” Courrier’s music is refreshing indeed. With the release of their debut full-length album A Violent Flame, Courrier reaches a whole new height. Their song “Between” quickly raced up… more

Indie Spotlight: Automatic Static

Zac – singer, songwriter and guitarist for Automatic Static –has contributed music to soundtracks such as Varsity Blues, Johnny Tsunami and National Lampoon’s Beerfest and has toured with Staind, Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, Deftones, Far, Type O Negative, Sevendust and many more. He recruited friends and long time local Sacramento musicians Matt (tone factory) on bass and Kevin on drums. Together they form the… more

Indie Spotlight: Shining Through

San Diego band Shining Through released their new EP “White Flag” on September 20 last year through Gas Can Music. Singer/songwriter James Clelland leads the listener through five infectious tracks that serve as an open door to his life and those that have surrounded him. Tracks such as “Pills In Your Pocket” and “San Diego Summer” have already received early critical praise and placements in film/TV.… more

Indie Spotlight: I Am the Icarus

I Am the Icarus is the brainchild rock project of San Diego, CA-native Daniel Godfrey. With diverse musical influences such as Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails, Daniel set out to showcase his diverse taste in alternative rock on his self-titled EP. The release features five tracks including “Miss Blue” and “The Secret to Living Is Dying Well” and was produced by Shaun Lopez of FAR/Deftones fame,… more

Indie Spotlight: Brick + Mortar

Brick + Mortar represent the underground, the oppressed, the disillusioned, and voiceless. Fusing driving percussion, grooving bass, eclectic samples, and anthemic vocals creates a new world sound that is so fresh you truly need to hear it for yourself. Their live show is a party that erupts like a magnetic sonic volcano catching the attention of everyone in the room, drawing them to the stage full of… more

Indie Spotlight: Casey Veggies

Casey "Casey Veggies" Jones may be young but he definitely knows the value of prioritizing. Although this 90’s baby came into high school with hoop dreams, playing shooting guard for Inglewood High School's Sentinels, the L.A. native soon realized that in pursuing basketball he was really just sleeping on another talent--rapping. “I’m trying to be diverse and versatile but at the same time I want it to… more

Indie Spotlight: Count Fleet

Buzzbands.LA expertly sums up Count Fleet’s growing appeal: Los Angeles-based Count Fleet's jangling indie pop epitomizes the notion that the hills of Echo Park are fast becoming the latest refuge for "big-hearted folk music coming from the scene." The band’s lush sound finds its middle ground somewhere between Laurel Canyon's psychedelic country legends The Byrds and the sunny West Coast harmonies of more

Indie Spotlight: Transfer

There's a great deal to love about Future Selves, the epic debut album from San Diego's Transfer. Bound with anthemic choruses, psychedelic guitars and skewed pop hooks, theirs is a sound that clips stadium-sized riffs to anthemic lyricism. It's little wonder Q recently tipped them as the band most likely to emerge from America's indie hinterlands in 2011. transferband.com more

February Indie Profiles Now Live

BMI’s February batch of indie profiles is stacked with intriguing innovators. Transfer, Count Fleet, Casey Veggies, Brick + Mortar, I Am the Icarus, Shining Through, Automatic Static, Courrier, Stepdad and Big History are all spotlighted, along with vinyl-focused label Hit… more

BMI to Participate in AIMP & CCC’s 2nd Annual Music Industry Toolbox

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and The California Copyright Conference (CCC) will co-host the second annual Music Industry Toolbox, a business-to-business event featuring global rights leader BMI, premier digital music marketing firms, music management software and services essential to music publishers, record labels and other sectors of the music business. The free event will be held at The Sportsmen’s Lodge (12825 Ventura Boulevard in… more

MusicWorld: Geico features Wrinkle Neck Mules, songwriter news, Q&A’s & more

Check out the new BMI MusicWorld digital issue, featuring… Important stories for working songwriters from Billboard, Rolling Stone, the New York Times and more. Geico + Wrinkle Neck Mules: Persevere long enough, and sometimes a stroke of great luck will come your way. This past November, Geico began airing a TV commercial featuring Virginia-based Wrinkle Neck Mules' “Central Daylight Time." Ammar Malik:… more

The Road to Bonnaroo: Round One Rocks Feb. 27

Nashville’s Road to Bonnaroo competition is back. Eight first-round performers will kick off RTB 2012 on Monday, February 27 at the Mercy Lounge. With tight, three-song sets, Colorfeels, By Lightning, Toy, The Hollywood Kills, Quichenight, Laura Reed, Sam & Tre and Brandon Jazz & His Armed Forces will each vie for a spot at Bonnaroo. Presented by BMI, the Nashville Scene, Mercy Lounge and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival,… more

10 Questions: Ammar Malik

Ammar Malik is a guitar-toting songwriter from Virginia who, at 24, also happens to be one of pop’s hottest guns for hire. His involvement behind Gym Class Heroes’ “Stereo Hearts” sparked a pivotal camaraderie with that song’s featured vocalist, Adam Levine. That chemistry helped produce “Moves Like Jagger,” the massively infectious Maroon 5 single that needs no introduction. Taking stock—and a… more

Catching Up with Dafnis Prieto, Winner of MacArthur Foundation Fellowship

When jazz drummer-composer Dafnis Prieto answered his telephone’s ring one day in October 2011 to find the director of the MacArthur Foundation on the line — informing him he’d been awarded one of the creativity fostering organization’s prestigious fellowships — he was “shocked, elated, humbled and proud all at the same time.” Prieto was also justly rewarded. The tireless work of the 37-year-old native of Santa Clara,… more

10 Questions: Shawn K. Clement

Shawn K. Clement began touring as a guitarist for country and rock bands while still in his teens; after two years at the Berklee College of Music, he headed to Los Angeles to forge a career in film music. Along the way Clement avoided getting pigeonholed by film genre or musical style. His résumé includes such varied projects as TV’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the IMAX animated… more

From the Archives

Audrey Winters, Little Richard, Tammy Wynette and George Jones huddle for a photo at the 1974 BMI Country Awards in Nashville. more

Songwriter Business News

Important stories for working songwriters: Billboard highlights the music that made the 2012 SuperBowl ads. The New York Times looks at the relationship between songs and the politicians who use them. The iHeartRadio app now includes college stations, and Rolling Stone helps spread the good news. Cloud music’s future was discussed at midem 2012 in Cannes, and for those of us unable to fly… more

Indie Meets Mainstream: Geico Features Wrinkle Neck Mules in Latest Spot

Persevere long enough, and sometimes a stroke of great luck will come your way. That’s something Wrinkle Neck Mules have learned in recent months. This past November, Geico--yes, the insurance company famous for its Gecko spokes-creature--began airing a TV commercial featuring a snippet of “Central Daylight Time,” a song the Virginia-based band had recorded but not yet released. Neither the song-title nor the Mules are… more

Global Leaders Meet in Cannes for midem 2012

International leaders in music, technology, brands and education came together for midem 2012, January 27-30 in Cannes. Panels led by experts in copyright, delivery platforms, music publishing and so much more filled the schedule of the summit, a must-attend event where current issues are debated and key business deals are reached. Richard Conlon, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Communications & New Media for BMI, served as an advocate for copyright… more

Remembering Jean Banks: 1934-2012

Jean Banks, Senior Director of Jazz and Musical Theatre at BMI, passed away on February 2 in her Lower East Side home after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 77 years old. Jean got her first taste of show business when she worked as an executive secretary for the New York office of Seven-Arts Productions. After her stint at Seven Arts, she also worked for a time at… more

Sundance 2012: Rodriguez

When Rodriguez took the stage to perform at BMI’s 8th annual Sundance Snowball, he was every bit the awe-inspiring rock poet first introduced in his 1970’s recordings. The only difference is now, everyone knows it. Born in 1942 in Detroit to Mexican immigrants, Sixto Diaz Rodriguez released his first single in 1967, and followed with two albums on Sussex/A&M, 1970’s Cold Fact and the following year’s Coming… more

Supreme Court Decision Provides for Restoration of Copyright Protection for Foreign Works

A January 18 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding a federal law that essentially pulls some works in the public domain back into copyright protection is winning applause from the creative community. The case, Golan vs. Holder, revolved around a 1994 law that applied largely to works first published abroad from 1923 to 1989 that had earlier not been eligible for copyright protection under U.S. law. The Court ruled… more

Three Good Reasons To Love Your Songs

In order to suffer the slings and arrows that are an inevitable part of trying to generate income from your songs, it’s a good idea to love them first. I’m talking about a very specific kind of love here. What I’m not talking about is the kind of desperate, dysfunctional love where your song is so dear to you that you’re crushed if someone doesn’t love the song as much… more

Pitbull to Receive BMI President’s Award at 19th Annual BMI Latin Awards

Pitbull will receive the BMI President’s Award at the 19th annual BMI Latin Awards slated for March 30 at the Encore Wynn Las Vegas. The private ceremony salutes the songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-performed Latin songs on American radio and television in the U.S. The BMI President’s Award is presented on unique occasions when an individual songwriter or executive has distinctly and… more

Kenny Chesney Leads List of 2012 ACM Awards Nominees

BMI songwriters and artists overwhelmingly dominate the list of 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards nominees, announced Thursday, January 26. BMI has historically represented the majority of country music’s leaders – from Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Porter Wagoner, to Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Merle Haggard – and a review of… more

BMI Live Celebrates 1st Anniversary of Distributing Royalties for Singer-Songwriter Performances

This month, BMI Live — the important and groundbreaking program that enables performing songwriters to be compensated for their public performances of their songs — celebrates its first year anniversary. Over the course of the year, thousands of songwriters have signed up for the free program, many of them receiving royalty payments for the first time as a result. By logging onto the BMI Live section of bmi.com and… more

Michael Woodard Wins on Series Finale of Popular Reality Singing Show ‘Majors and Minors’

14-year-old up-and-coming BMI writer wows fans and industry judges Last night, on the highly anticipated season finale of the popular reality singing show Majors and Minors, 14-year-old BMI writer and singer Michael Woodard took home the top prize of a music publishing deal and a record deal with RCA Records. Woodard, a sweet and gifted eighth grader from Philadelphia, won fans’ hearts with his incredible voice, positive attitude and infectious… more

BMI Bids Farewell to Outstanding Sundance 2012

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival was once again filled with premieres of awe-inspiring work by BMI composers, along with signature BMI events that have become annual favorites. The highly anticipated BMI composer/director roundtable, “Music & Film: The Creative Process,” took place on Wednesday, January 24. Focusing on the relationship between composer and director, the panel is a cornerstone discussion at the festival on the role of music in film. Panelists… more

Save the Date: Grammy Edition of BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” Slated for Feb. 11 in L.A.

Grammy-winning hip-hop icon Rev Run; RZA, the Grammy-winning founder of Wu-Tang Clan; Good Charlotte co-founders Joel and Benji Madden; multiple Grammy nominee/producer/artist and official voice of South Florida DJ Khaled; and Grammy-winning songwriter/producer RedOne are confirmed panelists for BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” 2012, slated for Saturday, February 11, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Key Club (9039 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069).… more

WIPO and OAS Release Report on the Economic Contribution of the Copyright Industries

BMI Supports the Value of Music in Global Joint Statement JOINT STATEMENT: The vibrant music of the Western Hemisphere is widely recognized as one of the great contributions of our peoples to global society. Yet our ability to continue creating and offering this magnificent music is under threat today like never before. The collective output of our songwriters, performers, musicians, publishers, technicians and producers is being stolen on a massive… more

NARM Offers $50 Discount Off Entertainment & Law Course Cost

NARM – the National Association of Recording Merchandisers – will offer a CLE (continuing legal education) course on Thursday, March 1 at the offices of Greenberg Traurig LLP in New York City. Part of the Entertainment & Technology Law Conference Series co-presented by NARM and digitalmusic.org, the half-day session will cover bankruptcy’s effects on copyright assets; the complex licensing of musical works; current monopoly and antitrust… more

SF MusicTech Summit & Digital Music Forum Offer BMI Member Discounts

BMI will sponsor two key gatherings of digital and music movers and shakers next month: the San Francisco MusicTech Summit on February 13 and Digital Music Forum: East, February 22 and 23. Held at Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco, the one-day SF MusicTech Summit brings music and technology leaders together. BMI songwriters, composers and music publishers are encouraged to attend and to take advantage… more

Sundance 2012 Blog: Keaton Simons

I've always had a special connection to Sundance because my late grandpa David Rayfiel and festival founder Robert Redford were extremely close friends and associates. My grandpa David wrote The Way We Were, Three Days of the Condor, Out Of Africa, and many other films starring Redford. Admittedly this is where I switch from associating Sundance with film and start thinking of music and friends. The last time I attended… more

Majority of 2012 BRIT Award Nominations Go to BMI Songwriters

BMI’s international songwriting family earned a commanding 55% of the nominations for the BRIT Awards 2012, the celebration of the year’s best popular music in the U.K. and around the world. Many of the nominees are members of British performing rights organization PRS for Music, but choose BMI to represent them in the United States. 2011 belonged to Adele, and her soulful reign is reflected in nominations… more

Remembering Etta James: 1938-2012

Etta James died on Friday, January 20. She was 73 years old. “With the passing of Etta James, we lose one of the most powerful and beautiful voices of blues and soul, and a woman whose spirit was as fierce and unapologetic as her music,” said BMI President & CEO Del Bryant. “James lived a life of both triumphs and… more

Sundance 2012 Blog: Miriam Cutler

The Sundance excitement starts from the moment I get the phone call from my director that we will be premiering at Sundance – especially if we have actually finished the film in time. Even though I’ve had a number of films here over the years, every time is like the first – especially at the premiere screening with an audience full of anticipation. And there’s no better movie audience than at Sundance, especially for… more

Sundance 2012 Blog: Doreen Ringer Ross

For me, the Sundance Film Festival always begins at LAX. The first person I saw when I stepped out of the taxi at the Delta terminal was one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Keaton Simons. He was there along with his girlfriend, music publicist Laura Goldfarb, his mother Eliza and his stepfather actor Eric Roberts. Keaton played our BMI Snowball several years ago. He’s crazy talented and a… more

Remembering Johnny Otis: 1921-2012

Legend Johnny Otis died on January 19. He was 90 years old. Otis was many things -- songwriter, band leader, musician, talent scout, dj, activist, preacher, author -- but those labels only hint at the scope and power of his versatility and vision. He had an incomparable knack for spotting and nurturing artistic genius, and is credited with guiding the careers of soul and r&b pioneers such as… more

Sundance 2012 Blog: Michael Bacon

I'm on my way to Park City in support of the documentary Slavery by Another Name that I scored. It focuses on a hideous part of our history that is unknown to most of us. I've been to Park City seven times now-four times for Sundance screening events and three for concerts with my band, the Bacon Brothers, at the Arts Center.  Oxygen is readily… more

MusicWorld: Skylar Grey, Anthony Hamilton, Sundance & More

Check out the new BMI MusicWorld digital issue, featuring… Anthony Hamilton: “This new album came in sections. I was in a space where I wanted to change it up a bit. I was in a moving mood; I wanted to feel like it was traveling.” Skylar Grey: “I don’t go out and specifically take a song and say, ‘I wanna do something like this’—because… more

Anthony Hamilton Picks Up the Pace with ‘Back to Love’

“I haven’t been on a swing in years,” Anthony Hamilton explains as he glides on a friend’s swing in North Carolina. The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter is taking breather as 2012 sets in, coming off the high of his recent release Back to Love. With a decade invested in music, Hamilton has carved a sizeable niche, due largely to his relatable songwriting hugged by his deep textured vocals.… more

10 Questions: Skylar Grey

Skylar Grey will be hard-pressed to top 2011. Last year yielded a stunning Grammy performance—and nomination—festival appearances, and a European tour. But it’s all been leading to Grey’s debut album, Invinsible, expected in the coming weeks. Grey is again partnered with her golden-eared producer pal Alex da Kid, whose steely, mammoth-like beats hammered beneath Grey's vocals during last year's string of collaborations with hip-hop… more

Trailblazer, Defined: Kirk Franklin

There was nothing at all timid about the words Kirk Franklin delivered as an intro to his 1997 gospel and r&b hit “Stomp (Remix).” “For those of you that think that gospel music has gone too far,” he challenged, stamping every syllable with streetwise churchly conviction, “you think we’ve gotten too radical with our message. Well, I’ve got news for ya. You ain’t heard nothing yet.” That… more

One More Reason Sundance Matters: Peter Golub

If Peter Golub were much in love with vanity (and he isn’t), he could boast of a musical career as distinguished, varied, and influential as any almost any artist working today. “I got pulled into writing incidental music for the stage,” Golub recalls when reflecting on his concert music roots and musical contributions to now more than 100 plays. He has also composed four ballets and quirky… more

Kathryn Bostic: A Storyteller Returns to Sundance

Whether she’s composing a film score or writing, performing and producing her own country and gospel-tinged solo record, what Kathryn Bostic is really doing is telling a story. “I’ve always loved the art of storytelling,” says Bostic, “and I’ve always loved film. I’ve always loved the different ways in which filmmakers define these stories. There’s such a vast array of choices, and to come on board as… more

T. Griffin Readies ‘California Solo’ for Sundance

Many musicians are trying to find the right sound, but for composer T. Griffin that cliché takes on unexpected depth and dimensions. In addition to his lauded solo pieces and work with the band the Quavers, Griffin has earned esteem scoring a number of moving independent films, including Prodigal Sons, Children of Invention, and a number of works with Jem Cohen. His latest projects are Liza Johnson’s… more

Ryan Beveridge Reflects On Sundance Composers Lab

The Sundance Film Festival has its share of glitz and celebrities. But those wishing to dig a little deeper in search of the true talent the festival year-round nurtures need look no further than composer Ryan Beveridge. This alumnus of the Sundance Composers Lab credits the organization for a substantial portion of his career, thanks to the networking and support which have sent projects his way. But… more

Dutch Phenom Eva Simons Keeps It In-House

“She’s pretty awesome.” Eva Simons is gushing, her oversized mohawk a tidal wave of orange spilling from one side to the other. The Dutch singer-songwriter launched to pop’s dance-dominated frontlines last year with the surging Afrojack collaboration “Take Over Control,” and she’s hardly reluctant to praise one of that song’s other co-writers—her mother. It’s almost an understatement to say Eva Simons was born into… more

Songwriter Business News

Here are a handful of the stories that got us talking over the past month: What would the perfect music app do? Wired has some ideas. American Songwriter sits down with Twilight music supervisor and former BMI staffer Alexandra Patsavas. Kickstarter funded almost 12,000 projects last year – and it’s getting bigger. PaidContent.org breaks down the numbers. From e-mailed co-writing to streaming showcases,… more

Ludovic Bource, ‘The Artist’ Take Golden Globe for Best Score

French composer Ludovic Bource clinched a big win at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, held Sunday, January 15 in Los Angeles. His music for The Artist was named Best Original Score for a Motion Picture, and joined the cavalcade of honors for the film, including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and Best Actor – Comedy or Musical. “It’s an incredible honor,” Bource… more

BMI Honors Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker & Marvin Sapp at 13th Annual Trailblazers

BMI honored gospel giants Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker at its 13th annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon today in Nashville. Held at Rocketown, the event brought legends and contemporary stars together to celebrate the careers of two of the genre’s finest. Marvin Sapp’s “The Best in Me” was named BMI’s Most-Performed Gospel Song of the Year. Co-written… more

BMI Presents Annual Composer/Director Roundtable at Sundance 2012

BMI and the Sundance Film Festival will present the 14th annual Composer/Director Roundtable and 10th annual Snowball during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, slated for January 19-29 in Park City, Utah. Entitled “Music & Film: The Creative Process,” BMI’s roundtable will take place on Wednesday, January 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sundance House presented by HP (638 Park Avenue). The Snowball – also on Wednesday, January… more

In Praise of “Modular” Recording

Much has been made of the long-awaited official release of the Beach Boys’ epic SMiLE album, which, despite being abandoned back in mid-1967, represents the creative high-water mark for its composer, BB leader and pop wunderkind Brian Wilson. By 1966, Wilson, using the technology available at the time, was hard at work developing an entirely different approach to crafting music in the studio. Rather than cutting backing tracks live from… more

Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden & More Saluted as NEA Jazz Masters Celebrates 30 Years

BMI partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts to host the annual luncheon toasting the 2012 class of NEA Jazz Masters on Tuesday, January 10. In a clear illustration of BMI’s storied commitment to jazz, all of the 2012 honorees are BMI creators: composer, drummer and keyboardist Jack DeJohnette; saxophonist Von Freeman; composer, bassist and educator Charlie Haden; and vocalist and educator Sheila Jordan; as well… more

CMA Songwriters Series Expands to U.K. and Ireland with BMI in Feb. 2012

The Country Music Association's very popular CMA Songwriters Series is coming to the U.K. and Ireland for the first time with special performances in February 2012 scheduled for London, Belfast, and Dublin, CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore announced today. The international tour will be known as CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series. DATES Wednesday, February 22 London Islington Assembly Hall… more

Indie Spotlight: Josiah Leming

Josiah Leming is a 22-year-old American-born singer/songwriter and global recording artist. You’d be hard pressed to find a kid in the world that could tell you the stories Josiah Leming could tell you. Stories of growing up in the hard-luck rural town of Morristown, Tennessee, of leaving that town at the age of 17 to pursue an unlikely music career. He could tell you stories of lessons… more

Indie Spotlight: Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group of day dreamers who craft folkie pop songs. But last year, the normally mild-mannered six pack—who’s releasing their EP, “Into the Woods,” on December 20—transformed into total rock stars after stomping out their competition during Músiktilraunir, a yearly battle of the bands in their native Iceland. With the group’s bright, trumpeting single “Little Talks” winning over one blog at… more

Indie Spotlight: Jhameel

Jhameel creates explosively funky music comprising soul-stirring guitar, immersive synthesizers, triumphant brass, and unique, melodic vocals inspired equally by Prince and Michael Jackson. An incredibly talented musician, Jhameel produces his own music, and plays each and every instrument on his records himself. In just two years Jhameel released two full-length albums, Jhameel and The Human Condition, a fun “Dance” EP, and recently dropped a collection of brand… more

Indie Spotlight: Shannon LaBrie

Shannon LaBrie has been speaking her heart out on guitar and piano for the past 14 years and from the sound of it, she won’t be shutting up anytime soon. After sowing her wild oats and moving across the country a few times, she is finally calling Nashville home. Shannon has been a full time independent songwriter, not only in her own style but also in country… more

Indie Spotlight: COYOL

COYOL is a collision of the old Southwest and the new Los Angeles. A seemingly contradictory duo, COYOL is a beautiful juxtaposition between polished and poignant vocalist, Celeigh Champan, and unrefined, avant-garde artist, John Isaac Watters. They asked Texas native and long time friend Gramling to produce their self-titled debut EP and join them on keys...thus, COYOL was born. In the summer of 2010, they recorded their… more

Indie Spotlight: Tiger Waves

Tiger Waves know the tyranny of distance, and they seemed to have tamed it for their purposes. In the spring of 2011, the foundation was laid online between two songwriters—James Marshall in Austin, Reid Comstock in Chicago. Tiger Waves is a band born of dropboxes, email attachments and CD-Rs and while the two principal songwriters living 1,000 miles apart. The music, however, isn’t necessarily the cold, detached… more

Indie Spotlight: Tic Tic Boom!

The emerging indie synth-pop band Tic Tic Boom! is the creative convergence of Mike DeLay and Leilani Francisco. With music that has been referred to as "electro-pop-tacular", the band strives to make anthemic soundscapes containing elements drawn from indie rock, new wave and punk. Since the release of their EP “Reasons & Rhymes” in early 2011, Tic Tic Boom! has been built a solid base of loyal fans both in… more

Indie Spotlight: DJ Kalkutta

Who is DJ Kalkutta? To put it simply, a talented New York-based turntablist and producer affectionately referred to as Bollywood Barbie, whose real life "Cinderella story" only adds to her intrigue. Born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, her birthparents surrendered her to a Mother Teresa-founded orphanage when she was just 2 days old. She spent the majority of her infancy there until she was adopted by an American… more

Indie Spotlight: Is Tropical

Formed in London in 2009, Is Tropical first came to international attention with debut single “When O’ When,” released on Hit Club Records in January 2010. Produced by Al Al Al (The Big Pink/Klaxons/Duran Duran), the single, together with their spectral live shows, saw the band attract the attention of fans and critics alike. They were soon signed to French music and fashion label Kitsuné (Digitalism/Two Door… more

Indie Spotlight: Harriet

Harriet, a new Los Angeles-based band fronted by former Dawes member Alex Casnoff, will self-release its debut EP “Tell the Right Story” on January 31, 2012. The EP’s gripping opening track “I Slept with All Your Mothers” is currently premiering at PasteMagazine.Com. Casnoff was formerly a member of notable Los Angeles bands Dawes and PAPA, bands both named after grandfathers. Casnoff decided to name the… more

Indie Spotlight: Gothic Tropic

Los Angeles trio Gothic Tropic introduces some hard edges to the playful world of psych-pop. Gothic Tropic finds inspiration from high energy afro-cuban beats, and exuberant guitars. The brainchild of Cecilia Della Peruti, Gothic Tropic keeps the vibe measured and darkly bizarre with a unique lead guitar/vocal style that recalls catchy elements of pre-punk 70s acts such as Television, Captain Beefheart, and Can. Bassist… more

Indie Spotlight: Girl in a Coma

San Antonio’s Girl in a Coma have left a permanent tattoo on the hearts of music lovers with their piercing songs and nuclear performances. They’ve blazed a singular trail since Nina Diaz joined the band at age 13 and have found champions and comrades along the way including Joan Jett who signed them, as well as Morrissey, Sia, Tegan and Sara,… more

BMI’s January Batch of Indie Features Now Live

BMI’s first indie artist profiles of the new year span a wide range of creators, including Girl in a Coma, Gothic Tropic, Harriet, Is Tropical, Jhameel, DJ Kalkutta, Tic Tic Boom, Tiger Waves, Josiah Leming, COYOL, Shannon… more

2012 Golden Globe Nominations Go to BMI Composers

Legends and new talents stand side-by-side in BMI’s elite list of nominees for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Iconic composer John Williams earned a nod in the Best Original Score for a Motion Picture field in recognition of his music for the acclaimed War Horse. Williams is joined in the category by Atticus Ross, Ludovic Bource and Abel Korzeniowski. Last year’s winner… more

Four New Year’s Resolutions for Songwriters

There are so many facets to life as a songwriter that there’s always something we can do to move the ball forward. To that end, I’ve listed a few New Year’s resolutions, starting with the little things and moving up to the big ones. 1. Write down a song title every day. If you take a minute or two every morning to wake up your inner songwriter, you’ll be amazed… more

1.06.12

BMI Pick of the Month: New York

1.09.12

BMI Acoustic Lounge - Los Angeles

1.10.12

2012 CES International: Las Vegas

1.10.12

Jason Blume Songwriters Workshop: Nashville

1.10.12

California Copyright Conference: Sherman Oaks, CA

1.10.12

NEA Jazz Masters Awards Ceremony & Concert: New York

1.11.12

2012 CES International: Las Vegas

1.12.12

2012 CES International: Las Vegas

1.13.12

2012 CES International: Las Vegas

1.13.12

Royalty Payment

1.13.12

Crested Butte Songwriters Festival

1.13.12

BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards: Nashville

1.14.12

Stellar Awards: Nashville

1.14.12

Crested Butte Songwriters Festival

1.15.12

Crested Butte Songwriters Festival

1.15.12

Golden Globe Awards: Los Angeles

1.17.12

BMI Live! presents…: Los Angeles

1.18.12

BMI Acoustic Lounge - New York

1.19.12

NAMM Show: Anaheim, CA

1.19.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.19.12

BMI Songwriters On Call: Washington, DC

1.19.12

The Music of BMI Composer-in-Residence Adam Schoenberg: Nashville

1.20.12

NAMM Show: Anaheim, CA

1.20.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.21.12

NAMM Show: Anaheim, CA

1.21.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.22.12

NAMM Show: Anaheim, CA

1.22.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.23.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.24.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.25.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.25.12

14th Annual Composer/Director Roundtable @ Sundance: Park City, UT

1.25.12

BMI presents…Noche Bohemia: New York

1.25.12

10th Annual Snowball @ Sundance: Park City, UT

1.26.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.26.12

BMI 101 Workshop: New York

1.27.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.28.12

MIDEM 2012: Cannes, France

1.28.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.29.12

MIDEM 2012: Cannes, France

1.29.12

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, UT

1.30.12

MIDEM 2012: Cannes, France

1.31.12

MIDEM 2012: Cannes, France

1.31.12

International Blues Challenge - Memphis

1.31.12

Deadline for 5th Annual Music City Songwriting Competition

2.01.12

International Blues Challenge - Memphis

2.02.12

International Blues Challenge - Memphis

2.03.12

International Blues Challenge - Memphis

2.04.12

International Blues Challenge - Memphis

2.06.12

BMI Acoustic Lounge - Los Angeles

2.07.12

BMI Presents at 12th & Porter

2.10.12

MusiCARES Person of the Year: Los Angeles

2.11.12

BMI @ The Grammys “How I Wrote That Song”: Los Angeles

2.12.12

Grammy Awards: Los Angeles

2.13.12

SF MusicTech Summit: San Francisco

2.15.12

BMI Buzz at the Basement: Nashville

2.15.12

BMI Acoustic Lounge - New York

2.19.12

WAMMIES: Virginia

2.21.12

Jason Blume Songwriters Workshop: Nashville

2.21.12

2012 BRIT Awards: London

2.22.12

Digital Music Forum East: New York

2.22.12

Folk Alliance Music Conference: Memphis

2.22.12

Country Radio Seminar: Nashville

2.22.12

The CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series in the U.K. and Ireland

2.22.12

Music Industry Toolbox 2.0: Los Angeles

2.23.12

Digital Music Forum East: New York

2.23.12

Folk Alliance Music Conference: Memphis

2.23.12

BMI 101 Workshop: New York

2.23.12

The CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series in the U.K. and Ireland

2.23.12

BMI Presents…WCRS Live!

2.24.12

Folk Alliance Music Conference: Memphis

2.24.12

The CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series in the U.K. and Ireland

2.24.12

BMI Showcase @ Folk Alliance: Memphis

2.25.12

Folk Alliance Music Conference: Memphis

2.25.12

The CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series in the U.K. and Ireland

2.26.12

Folk Alliance Music Conference: Memphis

2.26.12

The Academy Awards: Los Angeles

2.27.12

The Road to Bonnaroo Passes Through 8 off 8th: Nashville

3.01.12

Entertainment & Technology Law Conference Series: New York

3.07.12

BMI Pick of the Month: New York

3.09.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.10.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.11.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.12.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.13.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.13.12

Jason Blume Songwriters Workshop: Nashville

3.14.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.15.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.16.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.17.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.18.12

SXSW Conference & Festival - Austin, TX

3.23.12

Royalty Payment

3.26.12

The Road to Bonnaroo Passes Through 8 off 8th: Nashville

3.27.12

Tin Pan South - Nashville

3.28.12

Tin Pan South - Nashville

3.29.12

BMI 101 Workshop: New York

3.29.12

Tin Pan South - Nashville

3.30.12

BMI Latin Awards: Las Vegas

3.30.12

Tin Pan South - Nashville

3.31.12

BMI Live Deadline