David Slater – Top picks of 2009

There have been other contributors to this site and David Slater’s opinions, support and service to the (underground) unsigned band network has probably been second to none. He has a splendid philosophy towards this scene – not only does he comment and encourage the artists he comes across but he BUYS the artist tracks, which is something we should all maybe do.

In the UK there has been an ‘X factor’ backlash with independent minded people refusing to buy the winner’s song and buying a track by ‘Rage Against The Machine’ instead. This anarchistic approach is something we (as independent artists) should praise – I will be taking a leaf out of David’s book and I will be buying more of the tracks we review.

Below are his top 5 picks (I don’t think he can count).

These are faves, maybe not surprising to you, just amazed at how this can get MISSED in mainstream!

  • http://www.reverbnation.com/blindskunk Love this guy! Great imagination when it comes to put video to his music. Is new track MONTY ON THE RUN from the old C64 days, is super cool, with a 1903 movie sync’d in!
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/thiswindow Can’t leave this out! AGAIN is killer, rhythmic. Have to listen in different ways, just to pickup the subtle background sounds. There’s a lot in just one song! (purchased)
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/atomicskunk The experimental aspect is what drew me to this, found in a tunepak. The mix of everyday sounds, with electronic track, just draws you in. FOREST FOR THE TREES is a very ambient track, one of my faves.
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/spice Juan Diaz has a classical and a world feel, but his treatment of the WHOLE sound is incredible. RUINS OF UR is a perfect example.
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/dalegoodie GREAT surprise on my music travels! His acoustic track EVERYONE’S GOT STORIES just proves this guy has talent. And he’s only an hour down the highway!
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/adarose Another surprise! These kids will hopefully get to the next level. They have a fair bit invested, along with there parents! INFAMY shows off Charlie’s vocals!
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/yourfavoriteenemies These guys have a great MySpace following, just getting going on RN, but they are connected on the webs so well! Video Blogs, chats, news letters, everything to get the word out. But take a listen to the OPEN YOUR EYES, and you see why they are working, needs to be heard. The VIDEO for this track is awesome.
  • http://www.reverbnation.com/dahliawakefield Not partial to Country per se, but heard ‘I’ on the first Windows promo, and hit the FAN button! Great vocals on a POP/ALT-Country track. Another that needs some AIR PLAY.

I better stop! Too many to list! And more to find! 😉

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About peter

'Death by Sushi' Fish can kill me. When I was very small (maybe 3 or 4 years old) my grandfather, who lost the sight of one eye from a bullet fired by a German sniper (fortunately not a very good one) during the Battle of the Somme in World War 1, wiped my face with the corner of his apron, an apron he had used to wipe his filleting knife on. He was a grocery shopkeeper who specialized in wet fish.