Bakersfield band gets break with new Web-based musician showcase
| Tuesday, Sep 30 2008 08:06 PM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 02:47 PM
Images
The Councilmen (Photo courtesy of Tami Haley)
Despite the fact that the Internet and home music production software has made it possible for anyone to promote real or imagined musical talent, the music business hasn’t changed: If you want to have an important career in music, you still need an army of music industry professionals working for you. But how do you recruit such an army?
Ask The Councilmen, a local trio that has earned a considerable following and a few high-profile opportunities, including an appearance on CBS’ “Living Room ... LIVE! Battle of the Bands,” on “The Early Show” in 2007.
Thanks to an enthusiastic fan base and a supportive manager, The Councilmen — currently Keaton York, Julian Sanchez and Taylor Haley — work steadily, mostly around Bakersfield, but occasionally in the Los Angeles area. A recent appearance in Hollywood caught the attention of executives of a new company, LP33.tv, a Web-based showcase for musicians founded by former Virgin Records CEO Andrew Bentley that officially launches Thursday.
“We provide a platform for unsigned artists or indie artists they wouldn't usually be able to get,” said LP33.tv senior vice president Catalina Guirado-Cheadle. “We encourage people to put up their own videos, blogs, etc.”
But Guirado-Cheadle said the company is going to do a lot more for The Councilmen. In addition to the general Web site benefits, the company has signed The Councilmen as a featured artist. The company has shot a video of the band, which will be added to linear streaming video presented by online hosts who also direct music fans to featured artists like The Councilmen.
“They’re going to supply contracts, legal documents, all those other things that go with being a band,” said band manager Tami Haley, who added the company offers a split of 70/30 — which she described as higher than the industry standard as the “70” goes to the artist — for all music, merchandise and bookings sold by LP33.tv.
The Councilmen are lead singer, guitarist and band founder Keaton York, 24; and childhood friends Julian Sanchez, 21, on bass and backup vocals; and Tami Haley’s son, Taylor, 21, on drums. York has been the songwriter, but Sanchez said all three have been collaborating on songs in the last several months.
York, the “old man” of the band, describes the band’s style as “roots rock,” original songs grounded in ’70s Southern rock groups such as the Allman Brothers and ZZ Top, with some Jimi Hendrix thrown in.
“To me, the focal point of the band is our live shows,” York said. “The CDs are good, but when people see us live, we come across a lot better that way.”
Guirado-Cheadle would seem to agree, saying the band is getting an “extra push,” because of what she describes as very strong songwriting, great vocals, and the “X-factor.”
“It’s that extra quality that some people have and some people don’t,” Guirado-Cheadle said. “We just think they’re really different, really special. They have a nonchalant vibe about them.”
Is the band ready for the big time?
“We’re just, like, slowly going about it,” said Sanchez, who is balancing a day job with playing in the band. “I would like at least to go on a tour so we can at least say we tried.”
York’s ambitions are more definite.
“I’ve been having people tell me they were going to make me famous since I was 10,” York said. “A lot of my ambition with this band is not to play a lot of gigs, but really good gigs.”
York said he has an established career and clientèle as a hair stylist in Bakersfield. He also has a 4-year-old daughter, Sagen (pronounced say-jun). Long-term touring, a requirement for any successful band, would take him away from her, something he says he is not willing to do. But whatever his future with the band, he said he is pleased at this new interest and influx of industry support.
“It’s for the experience and the opportunities,” York said. “Lately we’ve been getting a lot of opportunities and they’ve been a lot of fun.”
