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Well I continued to try to sell the site after the original sales attempt. I found a buyer through a forum, and he’s a pretty high profiled webmaster who will probably do great things for the site that I do not have the time to do.

My main reason for selling was because I’m trying to focus my attention and energy on other travel sites that I’m starting. I’m trying to branch new travel niche websites off of my original, somewhat successful budget travel site BudgetGlobetrotting.com. So if by chance you’re interested in luxury travel, family vacations, or beach vacations, check out my other sites.

If not, stay up to date with Indie music here. It’s been fun and I’ve learned a lot about indie music with this blog, and it’ll be hard to see it go. Oh well. Later —-Nick

Voxtrot is breaking out their new LP on May 22 of 2007, and I’m pretty pumped. The new Self titled, 11 track LP will be released on CD and also the legendary LP format. Beggars Group and Playlouder are the labels that will let this beastly album run wild.

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Hey

I’ve decided to put this blog, Independent Music Blog, up for potential sale. My post frequency has been dropping, and I haven’t done what I’ve planned to do with the site yet. I think it could offer a lot more under a new developer.

So if you are interested in buying the site, you can get it relatively cheaply. Contact me NOW using the contact form or commenting here! and I will direct you to the forum where it is being sold. There aren’t any bids on it yet though, so there’s a definite possibility nobody will buy it, and I’ll gladly keep blogging here.

So if you indie music fans want to start blogging on a well established music blog (this one), please contact me. I want it to remain in good hands. Don’t be afraid if you don’t know anything about blogging or sites, its easy.

UPDATE: The site was not sold, so I will remain the owner indefinitely.  I am still open to offers to buy the site, but I will not be actively trying to sell it for awhile. 

The folks from Chicago based indie band Arwin sent me their CD titled “Bright Outside” to review. Arwin is relatively new indie-pop band that looks to The Beatles and Radiohead for inspiriation. Their sound, however, is more comparable to Rilo Kiley and Nada Surf. I think that hints of early Death Cab for Cutie can also be found in their songs.

For their CD, it’s their first self released EP called Bright Outside (link to listen below), and it’s pretty decent for a first release. It’s nothing unpleasant by any means. I think Bright Outside is their best song on the EP, as it offers good orchestral sounds with pretty good vocals. Valerie, Bert, and Ernie is also pretty good, although it seems to be a bit slow and dragging at points. But overall, I am fairly impressed with those two songs offered on Bright Outside.

The EP also features “Meant to Be” which is a “driving sing-along,” that shows a perkier side of Arwin. Fortunately it doesn’t sound too punk, which is a plus to me.

All of these songs can be heard at the band’s myspace page. Overall, the EP is a little above average. I look forward to following their progress because I think their next offering could be a lot better.

The folks at Shoddy Records contacted me about a review of The Swede. I checked out some of their music online, and must have liked them because I agreed to review them if they sent me a copy of their CD.

Si when I popped the Swede CD into iTunes to start the review, I immediately remembered why I asked for a copy of their music. I can safely say that it is good. Describing their music, however, is a bit more difficult. It falls somewhere between rock and singer/songwriter, and matches perfectly with the rainy Saturday afternoon that lingers outside my window.

The Swede sounds most like a Coldplay and Kunek mixture, but it has a more subdued sound that Coldplay does not possess.

Shoddy Records describes their offereing best with “it retains a solid feel throughout, opting not to overstuff itself with filler, or instrumental red herrings.” I can stand by that statement, because very rarely do their songs get too heavy. They’ve got a great thing going.
As for songs on the record, my favorites include The First Song on this Record and No Loud Crash. You can listen to The First Song on this Record, The Director, and A Harmless Tune online at the Shoddy Records website.

The Swede have only begun, and I think they have the characteristics needed to make some waves in the Indie music scene if they keep up the good work and a get a few breaks here and there.

I’m not really sure how I missed out the announcement of the 2007 lineup that will be at the spectacular Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. Well better late then never, so here’s the list and dates of performers attending the festival in lovely Union Park.
Friday, July 13

• Don’t Look Back
• Sonic Youth (Daydream Nation)

Saturday, July 14

• Cat Power
• Clipse
• Iron & Wine
• Girl talk
• Grizzly Bear
• Professor Murder

Sunday, July 15

• Of Montreal
• Jamie Lidell
• Ken Vandermark’s Powerhouse Sound

Very solid artist lineup at Pitchfork in 07. Saturday looks like a pretty bad ass day, and then there’s a solid wrap up Saturday with Of Montreal and Jamie Lidell. So if you’re in the Chitown area that weekend, look into getting some day tickets. The discounted three day tickets are already sold out, but a little spendier day tickets will still be available.