There are many social music websites to choose from, but what’s the best choice? Does it matter? Which service has the best, deepest selection of interesting sounds? Which one is the easiest to share? Which one has the best layout? If you’re not familiar with social music networks, here’s a five of the leading candidates:

iLike is a partnership with MySpace. Remember them? It’s still a very popular home for musicians, as it’s a way to promote their music free of charge. iLike also let’s users create a profile, share music with friends, search concerts, music charts, and create playlists. There are many independent artists found and you can listen or buy songs with just a few clicks. iLike also lets you build your own radio station.

LaLa is no more. From their website, “The Lala service has been discontinued as of May 31st, 2010.” This is soon to be replaced by an Apple iTunes streaming website. Apple purchased LaLa this past winter and rumor has it that this is their plan. Watch the WWDC on June 7th for more information.

Blip.fm offers search results for audio and video. It does a pretty good job finding independent artists, too. When you ‘blip’ a song, there is an option to echo your selection using Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Friendfeed, LiveJournal, and Ping.fm. Visitors to Blip.fm can create a playlist to save for later or share with friends. Users will also see links to Amazon and iTunes for purchasing each blipped song. (more…)

Welcome to International Record Store Day! Support your local music store and see what special vinyl or CDs are available this day only… I’ve heard there are some great re-releases on limited edition vinyl, like older R.E.M. albums, from the IRS days, many special releases in all genres, and of course raffles – Go!, Go!, Go!

I love Spring. The grass turns green, plants and people come out of their winter hibernation, temperatures get warmer, and many records need listening. It happens twice a year – Fall and Spring. New records appear online and in stores just when you need them most. Spring releases are where most of our summer music listening comes from – and this year it begins with She & Him, Volume Two (Merge Records). It’s 13 upbeat and fun pop songs by Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. The production is reminiscent of the 1960s girl groups – complete with orchestra, big Phil Spector-like sounds, and M. Ward’s signature reverb guitar. Zooey’s voice is part country, part 60′s rock n’ roll. Favorite tracks include Skeeter Davis’ 1964 version of “Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now,” “Thieves,” and “I’m Gonna Make it Better.”

Portland is just 40 minutes north of Portsmouth, NH along Route 95, but feels so much closer. I think it’s because there’s usually less traffic driving north, especially in the cold and gray non-tourist season. Portland is full of fun things to do – it has big city potential, but folks are happy just the way it is – it’s northern New England’s crossroads of culture on the coast. Whether you’re a fan of bar hopping, art galleries, independent film, gourmet and ethnic food, coffee, shopping, or sight-seeing – Portland has it all and without the big city price tags.  There are many parking garages and street parking spots – all priced not to break the bank. Some areas are even free – but I’m not telling where… you’ll have to find ‘em yourselves.

Start out parking near lower Congress Street, which is downtown Portland’s main drag.  It’s mixed with local and national businesses to admire – but pay most of your attention to YES Books located at 589 Congress Street. They’ve got tons of used books in all categories – I always find something and have at least 1 conversation with another patron… (more…)

I’ve been involved with the local music scene since 1992 when I began at WUNH 91.3 FM in Durham, NH. After DJing and acting as the radio station’s music director in 1996-97 I began working at BullMoose Music upon it’s grand opening and became the location’s indie music buyer. After 3+ years in retail, I decided to finish school and work in the world of computing and Information Technology, but never giving up my interest or involvement with music.  After the turn of the century I started a music promotions business, in which I represented Important Records, Broken Sparrow Records, and Aesthetics Records. I also released two Justin Carloni albums under the Sadheel Records label. I later volunteered at WSCA (Portsmouth Community Radio) as Music Director, where I met some great people, expanded the music library, and was nominated for the 2005 CMJ Music Director of the Year.  After a few years volunteering and doing weekly radio programs, I decided to exit WSCA and try my hand at booking acts for the Hush Hush Sweet Harlot music series at The Red Door. Laurel Brauns had worked her magic the previous two years, but was soon moving to Oregon, which gave me the opportunity to book live music beginning in January 2006.  This whole story finally leads us to the following news…

I am resigning my duties effective April 1, 2010 at The Red Door and handing over the Hush Hush Sweet Harlot music series to Mr. Tristan Law. (more…)