Guest Post: Independent Music – Ones To Watch Out For

This is a guest post by Nick Lewis of independent digital distribution leaders Zimbalam.

Digital distribution has allowed anyone the chance to release their record and share the same virtual shelfspace as major label artists. But with much smaller marketing budgets (if any) behind them, it can still be a struggle for independent artists to get their name out there. To help a few along, and introduce you to some choice tunes in the process, here are 3 of the best artists cherry-picked from Zimbalam's roster.

We Are Animal

We Are Animal encapsulate everything that's great about DIY music. A Welsh 7 piece who record songs the same day they're written in a variety of locations; deep in the woods, in an old slate quarry, never in a studio, their skittering, infectious songs are as inventive as their methods are rudimentary.

Their debut album 'Idolise' was released at the end of last year and is by turns irresistibly foot-tappable and primitively menacing. The sound of a werewolf roaming the Welsh valleys with intention to dance.

http://soundcloud.com/zimbalam/sets/artist-of-the-week-14-18-feb

Milk White White Teeth

A riotous wash of sweet pop melodies, disco grooves and sunshine brass, Milk White White Teeth create richly textured slices of fabulously crafted indie-pop with enough twists to make a cocktail. The Leeds based collective have already attracted comparisons to Vampire Weekend, but with 8 members sharing a veritable menagerie of instruments between them, they really do have a sound that's all their own.

Thanks to the miracle of digital distribution, you can find their single 'Ingrid Won't Smile' on iTunes now. In the mean time, check out the video for 'Daughters' below.

http://soundcloud.com/zimbalam/sets/featured-artist-milk-white

Charly Coombes & The New Breed

Last but certainly not least, Charly Coombes & The New Breed are an Oxford based quartet with a slick line in indie rock that belies their DIY roots. Endlessly touring, they're set to appear at a number of festivals this summer before a new release and a major UK tour.

It's classic rock 'n' roll done with contemporary flair.

http://soundcloud.com/zimbalam/sets/artist-of-the-week-charly

All of these bands are great in their own right, but they're also just the tip of the independent iceberg. What they all have in common is a DIY ethic that lays to rest the traditional music industry rulebook and shows that independent artists releasing through digital distribution really can operate on the same footing as those with record label support.