Great new music from independent labels and artists all around the world

A predominantly, but not exclusively, acoustic SnC this week. This probably reflects my past few weeks of frantic but productive activity. I’m ready for a break!The autumn skies are making themselves felt here in Suffolk. It is fairly warm down here but looks cold up there. You’ll be pleased to know that the hops at the top of the steps are doing well.I am the Mountain – Fairmont (New Jersey, USA)on Mint RecordsThe release party was last night in Clifton, New JerseyIndie rockers Fairmont present a different side of their influences with "The Meadow At Dusk." With the addition of vocalist Samantha Carradori as a counterpoint to frontman Neil Sabatino, the band is able to tread new musical ground, stylistacally ranging from folk ballads to indie dance and 90’s alternative. Produced by Bryan Russell (Straylight Run, Coldplay, etc.) at Red Wire Audio, Fairmont is releasing this EP as a digital download with a limited edition vinyl run. Contest winners will find their artwork featured alongside the band’s drawings in the limited edition poster included with the vinyl release.www.fairmontmusic.comwww.myspace.com/fairmont

Fairmont "I Am the Mountain" (mp3) from "The Meadow At Dusk" (Mint 400 Records) Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Rhapsody Buy at iTunes Music Store More On This Album

Tallahassee Turnpike Blues – American Fiction (Wisconsin/Florida, USA)Ethan Cook: vocals. guitars. mandolin. harmonica.It is from the clutches of sub-zero winters and the well tilled farm fields of Wisconsin that American Fiction comes to the stage burdened by a thorn in his side and a story on his tongue. Every song he sings is sung with an urgency and passion to realize our own cinematic existence. Every song written is not merely a thought or chapter expressed, but rather an undying hope to stir one tired organ within the cage of every chest.American Fiction has struck his six strings atop roofs, on frozen lakes, in packed auditoriums, corner cafés, and most recently on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor on National Public Radio. Every performance played is treated not as an endowed right, but a hunger to share an artistic love. Over the past 2 and half years American Fiction has released both a 5 song EP titled "Devil’s Casino" and a 16 song full length album titled "Lakes" released in the summer of 2008. Over the past few months "Lakes" last has been remastered and further promoted as American Fiction has signed with Branch Records, an independent label based in Panama City, FL. Although currently pursuing a degree in Religious Studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison, American Fiction still hopes to tour and see the nation by the roads and highways that haunt his dreams.Through a bleeding vocal and a poignant word, American Fiction walks a road of his own continuing to sing truths amid an unrelenting sea of compromise and icy complications.www.myspace.com/americanfictionbandwww.americanfictionfrontier.blogspot.comEarly Midnight – Peppertown (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)Remember the rippin’ guitar and tribal drums sounds of the early 70’s, bands like Santana, Little Feat, Allman Brothers and ZZ Top? Peppertown does. This 5 piece band out of southeastern Indiana is putting a new twist on what they consider a lost sound in modern music. Creating their own fine blend of blistering bluesy guitar, earthy drum jams, and solid songwriting, Peppertown is stirring a buzz, nationwide, and abroad. The bands D.I.Y. savvy has taken them from the hills of Indiana into the ears of America. err and beyond!www.peppertownmusic.comwww.myspace.com/peppertownmusic

Peppertown "Early Midnight" (mp3) from "Change My Ways" (Sol Records) Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

My Heart – Sahab Tolouie (Prague, Czech Republic)Belongs to the group of musicians who derive inspiration from the traditional music of their native lands. For Shahab, this means combining traditional Persian elements with traditional Spanish flamenco.following his graduation from high school, he departed for Seville, Spain. There he studied his flamenco master course, attaining the highest level of achievement, "Nivel Alto."As a multi-instrumentalist, Shahab incorporates different traditional Persian instruments such as the Setar, Laud, Mandola, Daf and Dammam, along with the Flamenco Guitar, in his compositions. His most important instrument, however, is his voice. Powerful and dynamic, it is flavored with a special richness typical of eastern vocalists. When combined with his unique manner of singing, that voice is an essential and very expressive part of his musical presentation.www.shahab-tolouie.comwww.myspace.com/shahabtolouiewww.cdbaby.com/cd/shahabtolouieNicolas Cage – Corduroy (Toronto, Canada)It’s been a long time coming for Toronto four piece, Corduroy. Developing their brand of haunting folklore tales laced with sweeping post rock guitars and group hum-a-longs, hasn’t been all that easy. Originally starting out as Whatever Happened to Corduroy? in 2007, the band released a well received debut self titled EP of their mixed and messy ideas that was blazing with promise.TOUR DATESept. 25 @ Sneaky Dees, TORONTO (w. The Paint Movement, Make Your Exit)www.myspace.com/thebandcorduroyFor You – Peter Bradley Adams (Brooklyn, NY/Nashville, TN)Peter Bradley Adams was one half of the duo "eastmountainsouth" signed by Robbie Robertson (of The Band) to Dreamworks Records in 2002. He has released two solo records ("Gather Up" and "Leavetaking") and is set to release his third, "Traces" this September on Sarathan Records.www.myspace.com/peterbradleyadams Put the World on Stop – Sean Fournier (Milford, Connecticut, USA )Oh My, a six-track EP Sean Fournier published on Jamendo a few weeks ago, is, evidently, available for free download and not just on Jamendo. But that’s only a small part of Sean’s production so far. The rest, namely two full-length albums, are for sale. "That was the plan: to offer a free album to get my music to as many people as possible, he explains. Currently, there are over 35,000 downloads. Oh My has really helped get my music out there."In addition to his music, artfully crafted acoustic ballads tinged with electronic elements (somewhere between Cake, G. Love & Special Sauce and Ben Folds) that he writes and records alone, Sean does everything else himself too: artwork, web design, promotion, etc. "It has morphed from a serious hobby to a second job! It’s about 30% making music and 70% promoting it. I enjoy doing my own artwork and website design. I want my music to have a homemade feel to it and doing my own visuals helps that cause."At the moment, Sean tours mostly around universities in the Northwest of the US, but he definitely hopes "to stretch out further", thanks in no small part to online campaigning and its "global reach". In the meantime, he’s working on his third album. If you liked what you heard, go check out his homemade website for more.www.sean-fournier.com/www.myspace.com/sfournier

Shake Shake – Terio (Miami, FL, USA) ArielWith a background as colorful as his music, Terio captures your spirit with his rhythmic and sophisticated sounds. Born in Costa Rica to Cuban parents and raised in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, Terio was absorbed from an early age by a yearning to have lived the golden era of Havana as foretold by his family’s tales of a lush tropical world capital where cabarets, casinos, late night diners and Hollywoodesque bars riddled a sea-salt bathed boardwalk famously known as "El Malecon." This is the era that flourished and nurtured many of his influences such as Desi Arnaz, Celia Cruz, Benny More, Perez Prado, amongst many others.He met and became good friends with songwriter and producer Chris Rodriguez, who shares, not only his cultural background, but his passion towards creating music that captures such an era. Together, began a collaboration and writing endeavor that has resulted in an amazing and attractive concept. The classic elements to their composition style gives you a flash-back to Hemingway’s Cuba during the 50’s era, while the modern edgy beats and electronic sounds that carry the tracks keep you quite aware that you’re still very much indeed in the modern era.www.teriomusic.comwww.myspace.com/teriomusic