Volume 2, Issue #7

Delian League

 It’s amazing in this day and age of awful, repetitive nu-metal and rap/metal acts that Delian League is searching for a label. Their unique sound which blends technically crafted rhythms together with old-school metal drive has them primed for a break out. The band, which was started by Richard Braodhead and David Hatfield, have been in the studio pacing themselves for what will become their first full-length album. They currently have a three-song demo including “The Questioning” and “Final Day.” Once completed, they plan on playing several area shows and are even entertaining the thought of taking their act overseas for a while.

5 Questions for Delian League:
1) Describe your version of metal. “We have more of eclectic sound than other bands. Vocally and technically structured. We really focus on the music and make sure it sounds great. We understand that “heavy” doesn’t have to mean detuned and distorted.”

2) Explain what Jude Andrade’s “clean” vocals are. “Basically, that he’s not yelling. It doesn’t have anything to do with cursing or anything like that. We want the audience to hear his voice so that they can listen to his lyrics. There are so many bands out there now that scream the words and people cannot understand a thing. We want to go in that direction.”

3) The band recently said goodbye to Chris Kaminsky and after a long search welcomed Joe Dowling to the drum kit. How’s that panning out? “We developed a niche with Chris so when Joe arrived we all needed to get on the same page technically. And also adapt to a new personality in the room. Luckily after auditioning 40-50 drummers we found the right one.”

4) You’ve worked your asses off playing the NY-NJ circuit. What’s the most you’ve gotten out of it besides the exposure? “The actual energy of playing in front of a crowd. Connecting with them and watching them react to your music. After the first show we ever played it became like a disease. We knew we had a good band when we were in the studio. But when we got on stage and played the excitement was magnified.”

5) It must have blown your minds to play a few shows with some of the bands you grew up listening to? “We got to play on the same show as Anthrax and Overkill at the Old Birch Hill in Jersey. We got to hang out with them both a little bit during the sound check. It was really cool.”

---Joseph Barracato

Third Day

One would think releasing seven albums, one EP and hanging around the music scene for 13 years might get you at least one billboard in Manhattan. But that hasn’t been the case for Christian Rockers Third Day. It seems the Atlanta quintuple is loved and adored everywhere except in the Northeast. They just completed a U.S. and world tour to which they played sold-out shows every night, yet the average tri-stater hasn’t a clue of who they are. But that is soon to change. Their new record “Wire” is steadily creeping up the Christian charts and several singles have found their way onto the radio. The album, which was mixed by Brendan O’Brien (STP, Pearl Jam), is full of beautifully crafted, intense music that is sure to awaken the soul.

5 Questions for Third Day:
1) Your music seems to be more appreciated and popular in the South than in the North. Don’t you agree? “Definitely, because there is so many more Evangelical Churches there. They really support Christian music in the South. It’s kind of a cultural thing.”

2) On your new album, the band shied away from religious terms and allowed the listener to interpret the meanings of the songs for themselves. Why? “About two years ago the whole band sat in a circle and tried to figure out where we wanted to go next. We all decided that we needed to broaden our audience. We wanted all people to listen to our music, not just Christians.”

3) Creed, before singer Scott Stapp’s meltdown, used to fight the Christian Rock label despite the fact people didn’t mind. What’s your perception of that? “We started out as a Christian band and we still are. We’ve never been afraid of that. Just labels in general. We really don’t want to be put in a specific class.”

4) What was it like to work with O’Brien? “We walked into his studio and there are all these great albums on the walls. We were very excited. And then we got really lucky because he was working with Bruce Springsteen at the time and his sessions were delayed so he focused all of his attention on us. He is great at what he does.”

5) How have you guys evolved as a group? “Well the chemistry has always been there. We found out early that we sound a lot better together than a part. After playing together for a long time in font of bigger and bigger audiences we’ve gotten better musically. Especially on the new record.”

---Joseph Barracato

Summer of Supremecy for Usher's Confessions

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since March, its been virtually impossible to escape the wrath of Usher. Whether its the radio, television or club, cuts from his latest record “Confessions” are sure to find you. And after an announcement by Billboard earlier this week, Usher finds himself perched on top of the Hot 100 Chart with his third single off the album “Confessions Part II.” With the news, the artist extends his time on top to 21 non-consecutive weeks. Just how hot is Usher right now? He actually replaced himself on that same chart, sending “Burn”, his second single to No. 3.

On the strength of his first single “Yeah”, the album sold 1.1 million copies in less than a week. Those sales were the best on the 30-year history of his label Arista. The summer releases of “Burn” and “Confessions II” have certified the album platinum twice over. His 2001 effort “8701” has sold over three million copies and is still growing with the Usher fever that has grasped the music nation. 50 cent may have owned last summer with his major label debut “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” but this go round belongs to the Atlanta native who refuses to rest. Rumors throughout the industry have surfaced that Usher intends to release two more singles before the fall, both destined to continue his reign on top. Usher, whose album has been sitting at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 for the past six weeks in a row after an eight-week run on top, is expected bring us “Caught Up” and “Simple Things” before the leaves change colors. And if you thought the prior three No.1 singles were his best work to date, wait until you hear the next two.

---Joseph Barracato

Q: What is the real deal with Publishing?

-- Borg 5

A: Publishing is an important part of the business that many artist overlook. Partially because it is farily complex and partially because they don't really understand it. In the simplest terms publishing is the exploitation of an artist's creation for the benefit of that artists.

For example, without publishing your songs could not be played on the Radio or in a TV show. Therefore, publishing companies are in the business of exposing (exploiting) your music whenever possible. Sounds simple? This pary can be. However, compensation and admistration are the most complex areas of publishing. I will review in our next issue.

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