Hello musicSUBMIT artist,

As the 2000's draw to a close, it's only fittingly to reflect on the past decade of music. Withstanding 10 years in this crazy business, from artists to labels to venues and everything in between, is truly a feat. Actually, MusicSUBMIT is only halfway there. Here's to all our friends in the music business - see you next decade!

This month's newsletter features 3 pillars in the indie music world that have stood the test of time...

Featured Band:

The Flaming Lips (26yrs and counting)

One of the longest running indie rock bands since the 80's, The Flaming Lips first formed in 1983 in Norman, Oklahoma. 

Wayne Coyne and his brother Matt, along with Michael Ivins (bass) and Richard English (drums) released their first full-length album in 1986 and never looked back. 

It would be 6 more years and 3 more full albums before the band signed with Warner Bros in 1992.  Two albums later came "Transmission from the Satellite Heart", which featured the radio single "She Don't Use Jelly", becoming the Lips' one (and pretty much only) hit single.   

The Lips may not have had another big hit, but in the years that followed they were able to release a new album every other year while building up a huge cult following.  Their songs have been featured in numerous TV shows and commercials, and they've been fixtures on the major festival circuit for over a decade.  With a consistent mix of touring, festival appearances, TV song placement and new recordings, the Flaming Lips have proven to be a great success story for musicians who play in obscurity for years, then fly (comfortably) under the radar for many more...

Featured Indie Label:

Bar/None Records - Hoboken, N.J.

Bar/None Records was formed in 1984, in Hoboken N.J. as the side project of record storeowner Tom Prendergast.  The label put itself on the map after launching the careers of alt-rock band They Might Be Giants, and continued to have success releasing indie records for 10,000 Maniacs, Yo La Tengo, and Of Montreal. 

Bar/None has managed to navigate the music business for 25 yrs by carefully releasing records through cultivated channels while readying to ramp up quickly when success hits.  A quick glance at their website shows a past and current roster of over 100 artists. In addition to They Might Be Giants, the label surpassed 100,000 units sold for acts including Edwyn Collins and Freedy Johnston.

Featured Venue:

Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd.
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106
216.321.5588

The Grog Shop in northeast Ohio is a booking agent's premier venue for regional and national touring bands alike.  Located midway between Chicago and New York in the Coventry neighborhood of Cleveland, this 400-capacity venue has been around for over 15 yrs, hosting every act moving up from small dive bars to arenas. 

Too many bands to name, but artists from newcomer Owl City to legends Dinosaur, Jr. and Henry Rollins were among the recent shows at Grog Shop.