OAKLAND, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Audio Crush PR) -
Music Resource Group (MRG) has announced acclaimed Oakland, California's the Matches among an eclectic mix of self-released and independent label talent culled from six continents as Nominees for The 9th Independent
Music Awards. Sweeping the Pop/Rock categories, the Matches received nods for ALBUM 4, UNRELEASED; GRAPHICS? TITLE? OR NOT NEEDED? in the Pop/ Rock Album category and its track, 'It's My Day,' in the Pop/Rock Song category. ALBUM 4.... was released in August 2009 through Talking House Records as a collection of previously unreleased songs, recent song demos and two special released acoustic tracks shortly after the band announced its hiatus and performed two sold-out final shows in their home state at The Fillmore and The Troubadour.
While working on the ALBUM 4, Matches' multi-tasking frontman (lead singer/primary writer/rhythm guitarist and graphic designer) Shawn Harris, received an e-mail from manager/producer/co-writer Miles Hurwitz asking what Harris intended for the album title and cover graphics. As the Matches' members shared a long-standing running joke mocking Hurwitz' habit of too much detail and excessive length in e-mail subjects, Harris found the subject of this email from Hurwitz solved the question of the album title. He used the subject verbatim, accompanied with a simple, text heavy design for the graphic.
LISTEN TO THE MATCHES ALBUM 4 IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE: https://thematches.bandcamp.com/
VOTE FOR THE MATCHES IN THE 9th IMA VOX POP POLL:
IMA Winners will be determined by a panel of 80 influential artist and industry judges including Zooey Deschanel, M. Ward, Tom Waits, The Black Keys, Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy), Mark Hoppus (Blink-182), The Apples in stereo and David Garrett, and will be announced in January, 2010.
Music fans have until June to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.
https://tinyurl.com/VoteMatchesAlbum
VOTE FOR THE MATCHES SONG HERE: https://tinyurl.com/VoteMatchesSong
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE MATCHES MEMBERS:
Though Shawn Harris (vocals), Jonathan Devoto (guitar), Matt Whalen (drums) and Dylan Rowe (drums) are no longer making music together as The Matches, each is continuing his artistic career.
SHAWN HARRIS UPDATE:
Harris has teamed up with one of Australia's finest - Something With Numbers frontman Jake Grigg- as Maniac. Their synth lines soar through a stratosphere somewhere between MGMT, the Moody Blues, and a John Williams film score. The rhythm section grooves like Sting playing for Stevie Wonder. And their emphasis on melody and neglect of gain knobs and crash cymbals could have been influenced by Cat Stevens as easily as Vampire Weekend. But perhaps the music's most notable characteristic is its vocals: Griggs's and Harris' voices tracked simultaneously on one microphone, weaving doubles into harmonies and octaves, while their stomping feet and clapping drives behind, giving the songs a primitive, live exuberance.
Expect Maniac's debut EP in early 201 with a full-length following before the end of the year. Oxen (Harris' 2008 IMA Vox Pop Winning design company) is doing the videos and art for all of those releases.
Until Maniac songs are released into the wild, the duo is putting out fun covers from current No 1 songs.
Check it out: https://www.1thisweek.blogspot.com/
Sneak Peak: www.myspace.com/mmmaniac
JONATHAN DEVOTO UPDATE:
Jonathan Devoto surprises some long-time fans as he bounds forward to front his own band, Bird by Bird, as lead vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter. However, those who have followed his eight-year career with the Matches are familiar with his intense and fiery live show and magnetic stage presence even in his support role.
The new songs Bird by Bird deliver are woven with sharp and nimble wordplay, fusing driving, syncopated rhythms and compelling melodies, much like the Matches' music. However, Devoto's material leans toward a more emphatic, more robust rock sound, unabashed guitar glimmer supporting melodic charm and layered harmonies.
Devoto is currently in the studio wrapping up Bird By Bird's debut. His new live line-up is set to debut as the band headlines San Francisco's beloved showcase club, Bottom of the Hill, Saturday, Jan. 2nd. Planning is underway for a March tour from CA to Austin for SXSW 2010.
Listen now: www.myspace.com/birdbybird
DYLAN ROWE UPDATE:
Rowe just got off the road after a couple of tours as fill in bassist with We Shot The Moon (band of leader Jonathan Jones who came from Waking Ashland).
MATT WHALEN UPDATE: The tables are turning for Whalen, who helped out Devoto as he played in the first few Bird by Bird shows. He's now exploring the business side of music.
JUSTIN SANSOUCI UPDATE: Prior Matches' bassist, Justin Sansouci, who is on half the album tracks, is in his second year of an illustrious and very selective art/animation college program in San Francisco.
EARN MORE ABOUT THE IMAs:
www.IndependentMusicAwards.com
