About the Blogger: Anthony Caroto

I'm no stranger to the music industry or the wants and needs of independent bands. I started my musical journey in 1991 when I first picked up the bass. For about eleven years I played in bands, did some touring, recorded a bunch of demos and basically did what most local bands do. I had some successes, but many more disappointments. Hey, I was new to the business and didn't really understand it.

In May 2001, after sitting at a bar in center city Philadelphia with some of my fellow musicians and discussing (complaining about) the current local scene, I had the idea of starting a new website for networking and promoting ourselves. News, shows and more could now be found at www.origivation.com. The word itself is a combination of "preservation" and "original"..... hence the slogan "For the Preservation of Original Music". We were all kind of jealous of the cover band scene because of their successes.

The website took off almost immediately. Little did I know that it was about to become a full-time job.In October 2001, while still doing the website and the occasional show, my employer informed me that I was being laid off - effective November 1st. I was really bummed out because I truly loved my day job and the people I worked with. Fortunately the company was very kind to their employees (hell, they sent me to Scotland for ten days to visit their main office and production line) and as a going away gift, they presented me with $5,000. The financial backing for my next endeavor was now readily available - origivation.com was about to evolve into a free, monthly publication - Origivation Magazine.

The first issue hit the streets in December 2001 - looking back, wow what an awful issue, haha. But hey, I was enrolled in the school of trial and error, majoring in "learn as you go".

I ran the publication until November 2006. By then I'd decided to relocate to Arizona for an extreme change of scenery and lifestyle. However, if you've already clicked on the link to Origivation Magazine, you'll see that it's still in production today under the more-than-capable hands of its new owner, Brian Cronin. I'm still involved with the occasional article - I wrote the cover piece on Cobra Starship for the July 2007 issue.

In my time as owner / editor / distributor / writer / etc of OM, I learned a lot of things about myself and the industry. The magazine allowed me to sponsor event, most notably the Dewey Beach Music Conference, as well as speak on panels about my experiences and judge music contests. Being one of three judges for the Philly finals of the 2005 Emergenza Festival was certainly a high point as well as an honor.

In addition to the magazine, I also helped to build the Functioning Band Series (www.bandseries.com) - a sort of one-day "mini music conference" designed to assist bands in their scene. Most of the event have taken place in Philly, but others have been conducted in New York and Connecticut. An event in Phoenix, AZ is being planned now.

Currently, in addition to maintaining this website, I'm working with an excellent band called Psychostick from Tempe, AZ who I "discovered" by accident in May 2006. Long story short - I was in Phoenix, AZ for the first time and went out to see some bands. Psychostick was performing and I instantly fell in love with the music and style. After hooking them up with a few gigs in Philly and having them crash at my house, we were able to build a professional relationship based on similar ideas and thoughts. I'd suggest you check 'em out - www.myspace.com/psychostick.

MITM Venue Listings

ARIZONA
Phoenix
Alice Cooperstown
Angelo's Lounge
Joe's Grotto
Modified Arts

Scottsdale
Acme Bar & Grill

Tempe
Acme Roadhouse

scene sites:
AZpunk.com
Collective Underground
Indie-AZ.com

CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield
Vinny's Bar
Fullerton
The Alley
Modesto
Fat Cat
Sacramento
Boardwalk
Marilyn's on KCOLORADODenverCervantes Masterpiece BallroomCONNECTICUTHartfordSully’s Pubback to top DELAWAREWilmingtonKelly's Logan HouseFLORIDADelray BeachBack Bone Music IOWADavenportLumpy'sIDAHOBoisiThe BouquetILLINOISEast MolineRacers EdgeChicagoThe Elbo RoomMARYLANDBaltimoreOttobar MASSACHUSETTSBostonBill's BarJamaica PlainThe Alchemist LoungeWorcesterRalph's Chadwick Square Rock Clubback to topNEBRASKALincolnKnickerbockers NEVADALas Vegasback to top NEW JERSEYBlackwoodCherrywood Bar and Grill CliftonDingbatz Cherry HillTop Dog FranklinvilleFranklinville Skating RinkTrentonChampionship Bar & GrillVinelandC.C. CharliesThe Scene Musicians Network (scene site)NEW YORKNew York CityArlene's GroceryLit LoungeOHIO CincinnatiThe Mad FrogTop Cat’sback to topOREGONPortlandHawthorne Theater PENNSYLVANIAAllentownCrocodile Rock HarrisburgHarrisburg Online (scene site)Milmont ParkTom n Jerry'sPhiladelphiaOrigivation Magazine (scene site) First Unitarian Church Johnny Brenda'sPontiac GrilleSweeney's Saloon West ChesterRex's (located just blocks from West Chester University)back to topTEXASAustinRed Eyed Fly OdessaDos Amigos San AntonioClub KristalUTAHSalt Lake CityClub Vegas VIRGINIASpringfieldJaxx Nightclub WASHINGTONClarkstonVesuvius Lounge SeattleSkylark Café & Club back to top WEST VIRGINIAFairmontBunny's Lounge WISCONSINLa CrosseWarehouse Night Club

Band Review: Shawn Fogel

Shawn Fogel
Homebase: Bridgeport, CT

Fogel's style is quirky and comfortable, but sometimes too safe. He's got a smooth voice that reminds me of a laid back Dave Grohl. The country flavoring works sometimes, sometimes it doesn't. The 70's style vocal nod to Simon and Garfunkel are warm, I'm liking it. "What's Mine Is Mine" is a simple acoustic ballad with strolling melodies. The harmonica solo fits perfectly and isn't overdone. I really liked how this song ended, it was different. "I'd Be Lyin'" has a cool "Beatles-ish" vocal line. The horns are a nice touch. "A.D.D." is the best track, but then again I like songs that poke fun at one's own misery.

Overall I think Shawn has the talent to be successful for the night in front of a good crowd, but to achieve any real longevity he'll need to step away from his comfort zone, starting with some new tempos. It's great that he played every instrument on the album, but in this case some outside influence would not only help the music, but help Shawn evolve into a much better songwriter.

www.shawnfogel.com
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