The Independents

Braun and Brains Music proudly presents The Independents. These outstanding independent artists were selected from hundreds of submissions and we are honoured to showcase such incredible and diverse talent for our inaugural compilation.

The genres requested in our call for submissions included pop, rock, alternative and singer-songwriter. You will hear a wide interpretation of these genres and a wide variety in writing styles and production methods. The range of music is broad and unique. We invite you to listen to each track as the gem you are looking for might be the next song!

Norine Braun - Alberta

Singer-Songwriter/Rock © 2005 Norine Braun / Braun and Brains Music SOCAN

www.norinebraun.com
Vancouver BC, Canada

Norine Braun’s music has always existed on its own terms. Artsy, intellectual, tuneful and savvy Norine will zing to the heart of any listener.
2004 Winner Artists for Literacy Songwriting Competition and Stonewall Society’s Musician Of the Year Award 2004.

Dudley Saunders - Truck of The Rising Sun

Acoustic/Alternative © Dudley Saunders Male Music BMI

www.DudleySaunders.com
Los Angeles, California, USA

Dudley Saunders mixes the Appalachian folk and gospel of his Kentucky childhood with the beat-jazz chords and avant-garde sensibility of his New York adulthood to make music that's both primal and complex. This track is from his second solo CD.

Maya Solovey - Dissolving

Pop/Alternative © Maya Solovey

www.mayasolovey.com
New York, NY, USA

Young, genuine, and passionate for life, love, and truth. Maya produces pop music, with eastern influences and a slight R&B flavor.
Incorporating lush vocal layering, strings, Sanskrit mantras, sitar, and tablas to create deep, earthy full sounds, with melancholic undertones.

Amun Ra - Bullet Train

Pop/Rock © 2005 Amun Ra & Dead Inside Entertainment (BMI)

www.amunramusic.com
Boston, MA, USA

Amun Ra is a Boston-based band blending pop songwriting with breakbeats and electronica. Their work follows the tradition established by likes of Stereolab, The New Deal, and Portishead. In 2005 Amun Ra released their second album, "A Thousand Ticking Clocks."

9 Red Sun - Growing Up In Public

Rock/Alternative © & Published 2005 Songfellowz ASCAP

www.9redsun.com
San Francisco, California, USA

9 Red Sun is known for their soaring melodies, catchy hooks, clever lyrics, and energetic live show. Think Blondie, with Foo Fighters guitars and Beatlesharmonies. They have won awards from VH1, Billboard and John Lennon Song Contest.

Skin Flick - Dear Adeline

Punk/Rock Sin Filled Valley

www.skinflick.com
California, USA

Christa Couture - I Will

Folk/Pop © 2005 Christa Couture SOCAN

www.christacouture.com
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Singer/songwriter/neo-folkie Christa Couture weaves a blend of folk, quirk and bark; ballads of travel and heartache, little love songs and f**k you ya f**ker ditties.

The Papers - Lonely Being Beautiful

Rock/Pop © Paul Griffin

www.wearethepapers.com
Birmingham, United Kingdom

ellee ven - Under My Skin

Pop / Electronic / Dance / DJ © ellee ven and R. Keys for ellee ven music and Green Lady Music

www.elleeven.com
Los Angeles, California, USA

Compared to indulgences like martinis and massage tables, and artists like Lenny Kravitz and Sade, Ellee Ven’s music blends pop rock and electronica for a sound dubbed “groovetonics”. Her latest release Funky Bohemia features the hit single Under My Skin.

KRESCENT 4 - Picture Perfect

Rock/Alternative © 2005 KRESCENT4 / BMI

www.krescent4.com
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Krescent 4 is affiliated with Spike TV, On Demand Cable, CMJ and Sirius Satellite Radio. K4 has recorded several albums and performed from LA to NYC. "Picture Perfect," was recently recorded with renowned two-time Grammy nominated producer Brad Gilderman.

Hopkinson - As Far As I Can See

Rock/Pop © 2003 Hopkinson / Merrill APRA / BMI

www.ianhopkinson.com
Sydney, Australia

Hopkinson is no stranger to the music biz having been a solo act since his 2001 debut album. Currently co-writing and producing his next album in San Francisco with George Merrill whilst gigging in LA and NY with his band.

Vougeot - Walls of Glass

Pop/Power Ballad © 2005 VougeotMusic ASCAP

www.wallsofglass.com
www.singfortheanimals.com
Stillwater, Minnesota, USA

From years of classical violin training through National Anthem singing at Yankee Stadium to her Grand Prize win in the Great American SongContest of among over 3,000 songs worldwide.Vougeot (voo-ZHOH) is a powerhouse voice not to go unnoticed.

Anton Glamb - Subway

Combining the fun of his Hawaiian childhood with the unpretentious wit of his Columbia education, his music projects a rare conscious optimism by blending elements of jazz, rock, funk and electronica in carefree pop verse.

Mike Rickard - Lucky

Listeners and critics alike have embraced Mike Rickard’s debut CD “Stirred Not Shaken”, which aptly demonstrates Mike’s sensitivity and humor in dealing with the meaningful issues we all face. The CD was nominated for a 2005 Outmusic Award.

Tracy Stark - So Cool

Adult Contemporary Pop/Acoustic © TSongs Music, BMI Produced by Richard Barone

www.tracystark.com
Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

An award-winning musician and musical director, Tracy has worked with such artists as Lesley Gore, Phoebe Snow, and Academy Award nominee Karen Black. Tracy has appeared in numerous television shows, including The Today Show, and her songs have won accolades in songwriting competitions.

Old Dog Music - So Far Away

Rock / Acoustic

www.olddogmusic.com
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Ollie Davidson wrote his first song on his dad’s old guitar at age fifteen. Today, this self-taught artist and evocative singer is author of an impressive arsenal of uniquely powerful and harmonically intricate songs, finally released as Old Dog Music

Patti Witten - Black Butterfly

Patti's third CD, Sycamore Tryst, offers "wonderful examples of tasteful country-tinged acoustic folk-pop" (StarPolish). "A through-line from Guthrie to Dylan to Joni Mitchell" and "subtle, poetic beauty" (Performing Songwriter). "Black Butterfly" took honorable mention in the Billboard Song Contest.

Salme Dahlstrom - Hello California

Pop - Electronic - DJ © 2004 Salme Dahlstrom. Written by S. Dahlstrom. Published by Gofa Music / BMI

www.salmedahlstrom.com
New York, New York, USA

Mixing break beats with funky guitar riffs and undeniable pop hooks Salme Dahlstrom has created an irresistible blend of rock and electronica that vibrates through the soul, lifts the spirit and will have you cruising in the fast lane.