Founded in 2002, Nature Sounds is a young Brooklyn-based label that has quickly gained a strong reputation for top-tier hip-hop, reggae, dub, jazz, & soul.

Artists include Masta Killa [solo debut from Wu-Tang Clan member], MF Doom [critically acclaimed masked rapper who has recently collaborated with De La Soul, Madlib, and RJD2], Vordul Mega [ex-Cannibal Ox MC], R.A. the Rugged Man, political rappers Immortal Technique, KMD [best-of CD], Jamaican guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith, and others. The excellent "Convexed" label compilation contains tracks from some of the above, plus tracks by Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, Pharcyde, High & Mighty and others.

2005 will bring new albums from MF Doom, Phil Da Agony, Scientist, Copywrite, King Tubby and Charlie Hunter.

Welcome to The Orchard, Nature Sounds!

NXNE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

The submission deadline for Toronto's 11th annual North By Northeast Music Festival [June 9-11] is 5pm January 14. With a growing line-up of special events and networking opportunities, NXNE is a place where independent bands can perform for music industry big-wigs, and international bands looking for Canadian interest can show off their wares. With record label reps, booking agents, club bookers, publishing companies, music industry associations and a slew of other artists hanging around Toronto for three days, it's a weekend not to be missed! Submission fee: $30.

For more info: www.nxne.com.

COMING SOON:

Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets – Rock (Lookout!)
Since we last mentioned Ted's new album, Shake the Sheets, the CD was ranked #20 on SPIN Magazine's Best 40 Albums of '04; #7 on GQ's Top Ten of '04; and included on CNN.com's five best albums you didn't hear in '04. Blender and Jane Magazine gave it four stars. Ted's also been featured in Fader, SPIN, Alternative Press, CMJ New Music Monthly [cover story] and Time Out NY. He also held down the #2 slot on CMJ 200 chart for 3 weeks] and received video airplay on MTV2 and Fuse. Good on ya, Ted! Ted Leo/Pharmacists will tour the West Coast in February.

Art Brut, Modern Art – Rock (Fierce Panda)
Last month, NME ranked Art Brut's debut single at #20 on their Top 50 Tracks of 2004; major UK daily newspaper The Guardian ran a feature article on the band; and Modern Art - their second single - peaked at #49 on the UK singles chart. Not too shabby for a band that didn't exist this time last year! UK's Rocklist calls Modern Art "a fierce shot in the arm of modern rock" and "a mangled mess of The Jam, The Longpigs and The Pixies on an art-rock trip." The Face, The Times, and U.S. magazine Blender have also jumped on the Brut-wagon. Count us in!

The Hold Steady, Almost Killed Me – Rock (French Kiss)
This Orchard favorite just received the top spot on both Rolling Stone and SPIN magazines' “Best Albums You Didn’t Hear in 2004” lists. Over the past year, they have also received praise from Jane Magazine, Magnet, Pitchfork, Seattle Weekly, New Yorker, Village Voice and the Minneapolis City Pages, who proclaimed Almost Killed Me 2004’s "first great rock album" back in March. The Hold Steady are currently recording a follow-up, to be released this Spring by French Kiss. Upcoming shows: Mercury Lounge in NYC 1/19 and Talking Head in Baltimore, MD 1/22.

Murray Weinstock, Tails of the City – Rock (Lovenotes Records)
On Tails of the City, Weinstock and a cast of guest artists including Dr. John, John Sebastian, Phoebe Snow and NRBQ's Joey Spampinato sing Weinstock's original songs, all written from a dog's perspective. Last month, National Public Radio [NPR] dedicated part of its popular "All Things Considered" program to the album, interviewing Weinstock and airing several audio clips. Click here to visit NPR's website, where you can hear select clips or listen to the entire program.

Laura Cantrell, Not the Tremblin' Kind – Rock (Diesel Only)
Congratulations to Cantrell for signing with Matador Records! Matador will release Cantrell's third country-tinged CD this Spring. Renowned UK DJ John Peel called her debut Not the Tremblin' Kind "my favorite album of the last 10 years and possibly my life." [A DJ herself, Cantrell hosts the long-running Radio Thrift Show on NYC-area freeform radio station WFMU.] Cantrell has toured with Elvis Costello and Joan Baez; appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Newport Folk Festival and the Late Show with Conan O'Brien; and profiled by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Matisyahu, Shake off the Dust...Arise – Reggae (J-Dub Records)
This 25-year-old New York City-based Hasidic dancehall reggae singer/rapper combines the sounds of Bob Marley and Shlomo Carlebach. His unique musical fusion has earned attention from the New York Times, New York Post, Jerusalem Post and Boston Globe. XXL Magazine writes, "Matisyahu's debut release promises to impress both Jews and Gentiles alike with its uplifting lyrics, spit in Matis' rugged dancehall style." He is scheduled for a 1/11 performance on Last Call with Carson Daly, his second major TV appearance since his August spot on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Virgin Digital

Retail giant Virgin joined the digital fray this past September with a new download store powered by MusicNet, who also powers digital stores on AOL, Cdigix, RCN and Adelphia.

THE U.S.A. SONGWRITING COMPETITION is the world's leading songwriting competition. Now in its tenth year, the event honors songwriters, composers, bands and artists selected by a top-notch committee of music industry judges, which includes representatives from Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. Prizes include $50,000+ U.S. in cash and merchandise. The competition accepts entries in 15 different categories, from all countries. Application deadline: May 31, 2005. Application fee: $30.00. Early registration bonus: free one-year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine. For more information: www.songwriting.net.

GRASSY HILL KERRVILLE NEW FOLK COMPETITION is accepting up to 800 entries for its emerging songwriters competition. Songwriters can submit two new original songs. 32 Finalists will be invited to perform their two songs at the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk concerts in Kerrville, TX. Six of those finalists will win $450 in awards, a subscription to Performing Songwriter magazine and a 20-minute encore performance slot at a later date. The competition accepts folk, singer/songwriter, blues, bluegrass, Americana, jazz, acoustic rock, light country, Celtic, reggae and children's music. Application deadline: March 15, 2005. For more information: www.kerrville-music.com/newfolk.htm.