I’m starting to see that musicians in other countries truly see the United States as a land of opportunity and feel that the US is more accepting of their art. I suppose there are a lot of goats in the US that are willing to give any kind a music a listen and that’s a wonderful thing. This time around, Josh Lewan a.k.a. Whiplash explains why rap remains in the Australian underground, desribes what it is like working with Lil Wayne and reveals which character from the movie Grease he is most like. Listen to his three part release, Losing Control.

How did you get the nickname Whiplash?

One of my best friends called me Whiplash because I was a bit of a deviant and I had a devil-like laugh. I really took the name to the extreme and really became Whiplash in my own way years later. My life experiences and mentality brought more meaning to the name later on. It describes my personality and train wreck type of lifestyle I lived around the world.

What is it like being a rap artist from Australia?

It has been tough for me for years because Hip-Hop has only recently made its way into the mainstream and become legitimate in the culture. For years it was hard to break in as a rapper.

Since rappers are discriminated against by a predominantly pop music culture, labels and older generations didn’t understand it, so I could not get music deals with Australian companies or publicists, booking agents etc. I had to get all my music opportunities overseas. Every record company in Australia rejected my demo.

My album was banned in Australia 2009 for its explicit content. Australia is very conservative yet it has such a hard-core underbelly. Every country needs strong individual artists to make a genre powerful over a long period of time or it will be over saturated and lose its appeal.

Tell us about your albums?

The first album is the beginning of it all. The second album goes up a level to the first, yet the second album features fewer samples and other artists. I try to mix everything up so I don’t get bored or bore the listener. I naturally change or progress on each album. The third album features more artists on it compared to the first album.

Overall all the lyrics are from the same story that is my life so every song connects in the end. All the lyrics are from the same books of lyrics I wrote from 2004 to 2009.

What song is the most fun for you to perform?

I enjoy doing one of my songs that has a good balance of singing and rapping so I can attract the people that like my singing voice and attract people that like my rapping. I enjoy doing my best songs that have power or good lyrics, the ones where people clap or cheer during the middle of song not just when it is over.

You recently did a track with Lil Wayne; can you tell us how this came about?

I recorded an album called Rapanease and the label I am signed to ‘Dasvibes Jamaica’ released it worldwide. One of the tracks on the album called “Ghetto Surfer” was sent to Lil Wayne and their crew was feeling it so Lil Wayne recorded over that music.

You sample a song from the movie Grease in one of your tracks, which member of the T Birds are you most like?

I would say I am most like Danny (John Travolta) because he pursues a girl and has a romance on the beach. That sounds familiar. He meets Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and I would be keen on a girl like that too, also because I sing pretty well along side John on that hook.

Who are your biggest influences?

Eminem is my biggest influence. To hear someone that good makes you want to do what they do as well or better and to take an interest in their lyrics, their music and their story.

It is great to have artists like him there to push us, motivate us and make us go up to the next level for our own music. A living legend like Eminem is my biggest influence; someone like that you can feed off for ten years growing up.

Singers like Justin Timberlake influence me. Rappers and producers like Dr Dre, 50 Cent, 2pac, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, D12 and more influenced me also.

If you could tour with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?

I would tour with Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, 2pac, Xzibit, D12, Notorious B.I.G and more.

If it were your last day on earth, what CD would you listen to?

I would listen to a mix CD of all of my favorite artists hit songs. I would sing and rap along to it until I die. Love Hip-Hop, love music.

Now go on and become his friend on MySpace or Facebook.

–Sheena

Hi I am Shayne Locke, CEO of Cowbell Digital Music.

I count it an absolute honour to be asked to write for Music Goat, which has been a great source of information on indie artists and the side of the music industry that isn’t often talked about. The Goat has asked me to provide a bit of a background about me, and what I do before I start the whole blogging process. So here goes.

Twelve months ago we started a record label – which is rather ironic since we release everything digitally or on cd! On starting the label, we asked ourselves what we would want if we were artists. The number 1 answer was – To Own Our Music. Not give the rights to our music away.

A big inspiration to our company setup was Terry McBride of Nettwerk Music in Canada. His philosophies answer the question of Copyright Control that we posed so we decided to run with the model that has been so effective for Terry. Cowbell Digital Music was born and the big point of difference was Collapsible Copyright (artists owning their music).

Everything about the label was different. Focus on digital, multiple service agreements and helping artists connect with fans by encouraging the use of social networking.

Another major point to our label has been the establishment of Cowbell China. As of last month, we are the first independent label to be officially on the ground in China with an office in Shandong province and the support of an official government run website. No other indie label has managed to get to this point so we consider it a privilege to be able to take our artists into China.

With all the massive leaps that we are taking as a label, we are also establishing a second platform to help new emerging artists find a voice. With a focus on the music community it totality, it will cover all genres, all styles and give artists a sense of belonging while also allowing an artist’s growing fan base to buy their music at a price set by the artist.

So please keep an eye out for my posts as I shed a bit of light on what is happening in the industry and maybe even provide a few options for the struggling artist in all of us.

For more information about us, head over to www.cowbell.com.au

Shayne Locke
Cowbell Digital Music – It’s Your Choice.

Yep, you read that right. Sir Elton John is going to be doing a tune with Alice In Chains on their upcoming album “Black Gives Way To Blue”. For the record I usually don’t do a ton of press release stuff but this is above and beyond Musicgoat worthy. I mean think about it, Elton John and Alice In Chains? I couldn’t have made it up if I tried. Can’t wait to check it out.

Anyway, here is the rest of the press release with some statements from the Jerry Cantrell. Read it and let us know what you think in the comments below… Read the rest of this entry

Did you get a chance to watch the Rock Hall induction ceremony last night? I saw the first and last half of it because my wife wanted to watch a movie. Hopefully I can catch a re-run so I can check out the Run DMC portion of the show.

I figured I would take a few minutes to share my thoughts and get a conversation started to see what you thought.

First, it is always cool to see dudes at that age still getting the job done. Little Anthony and the Imperials were fun to watch – My 2 year daughter was even shaking her butt a little. It was one of the times were I knew that I heard the songs before but didn’t know who did them – now I know. Read the rest of this entry

Yep you read that right, the hard rock band Seether has covered the Wham! tune “Careless Whisper” (you can hear it on Seethers homepage and you can check out Wham! here).

I heard it on Sirius Octane this morning and I – like the DJ who introduced the song – have been struggling with it since (just a little bit). On one hand, from a creative freedom standpoint,  it is cool that Seether has the balls to cover a tune by a band that – to put it mildly – doesn’t quite fit the their image.  

On the other hand, from a shoot-yourself-in-the-foot standpoint, you have to wonder what their fans think about it. I can’t imagine that the typical hard rock fan is pumped to sing along with “I’m never gonna dance again…”. And speaking from a long history as a metalhead, this sort of thing would be punishable by death back in the day (lol).

Now I don’t mind Seether and the 80’s teenager that still hangs out inside of me has a soft spot for “Careless Whisper”. But, I am just not so sure they belong together. What do you think?

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Well, clearly the beef between Apple Corps and Apple Computers that started a while back is still bitter as ever, and unfortunately this will deny listeners who live and die by the iPod access to the Beatles music. But, lo! Here it is! The Beatles Rock Band arrives in stores on September 9th!

The upcoming release of the Fabs’ foray into the gamer world is exciting for me. Because it is yet another confirmation of what I have been telling the Musicgoat for years: the Beatles, as a cultural phenomenon, will never – yes I said Never – die.

If I had an Xbox, Playstation or Wii, I would definitely shell out the $99.99 to get myself an imitation McCartney violin bass, or a Harrison twelve-string Rickenbacker which is included for use with the game. I would have liked more information on what specifically is included in the Special Edition. For $249, you want to know, and you want time to save up for it if it is what you want. I am sure it is not worth it unless you get an imitation Beatles sitar, Moog synthesizer, harmonium, tape loop machine, wind machine, and calliope, so I can play the Beatles’ studio-era music to the full effect.

But even if not, wow, music in video games has come a helluva long way since the Mario Bros theme song, huh?

Ever thought about hiring an artist or a band to come and play right in your living room? If so, today is your lucky day. Over the last few days, I have stumbled upon three websites that are making it their mission to hook up artists with people like you that are willing to try something different for their next party or social gathering. Those three sites are; PrivateConcerts.com, ConcertsInYourHome.com and MPTrax.com.

Now I didn’t see John Mayer, Springsteen or Metallica looking for work on any of the sites – not that most of us could afford their services anyway – but, if you look listen around, you will find some talented artists for some pretty reasonable prices. And I imagine the talent pool will only get better as the popularity of these sites grows.

I think it is a great idea for both the fans and the artists. Hell, as soon as I get my music up and running, you can bet I will be throwing up a profile on one or all of these sites. I mean, how cool would it be to be invited into someones home to party with someones closest friends AND get paid?

So next time you are looking for a live music fix, why go out to the club or coffee shop? Hop on to one of these sites and then hire yourself a capable musician to entertain you – and your pals – right in the comfort of your own home.

Just wanted to pass something on to you. I received an email from the Undercover Hippy – a big favorite here on Musicgoat. He is looking for everyones support in getting to the main stage at this years Sunrise Celebration Festival.

If you don’t know who I’m talking about, check out the podcast featuring the Undercover Hippy.

Read his words below and then join me in voting so we can get him some of the exposure he and his music deserve. Read the rest of this entry

I recently received a question from a musician who is having more than her fair share of problems obtaining print media coverage in areas where her band is touring.

Hopefully, my advice and ideas that I gave her can benefit you and your band as well should you experience similar difficulties with obtaining print media support for your gigs/tours. Read the rest of this entry

Not much to say here. I just wish Gene would come back to add a little flare.

Trace Adkins is fine and everything but he just doesn’t do it for me.

Oh well, looks like there may be more time to do other things on Thursday nights.