Hi-Speed Soul In Search of Interns

Just got this email from Eric Howarth of Hi-Speed Soul records/management (and Daydream Nation Presents). Eric is super talented, driven, and has years of experience in the music business after playing in bands, owning and operating M-Theory Records, and setting up his label and management company as well as his promotions wing of Daydream Nation. Anyone looking for an "in" into the music scene would be hard pressed to find a better mentor.

Hi-Speed Soul is looking for an intern or two and will be interviewing soon. Applicants must be self-motivated, be in tune with the kind of music we release, and be looking to get hands on experience with the inner workings of a label/mgmt company. HTML/Web experience is a big plus. Interested parties can contact eric@hispeedsoul.com.

Hi-Speed Soul (Record Label/Mgmt Company/TV & Film Licensing/Consulting)

Record Label:
Swervedriver "Raise" & "Mezcal Head" 180gr LPs- #d and Ltd to 500 copies - 2/1/11
Afghan Whigs "Gentlemen" 180gr LP Reissue- 1/25/11

Hyena (LP w/MP3s)
Film School (Fission Out Now)

The Nervous Wreckords (Louis XIV/ Cornershop)
Nada Surf

Representing:
The Black Heart Procession

Pall Jenkins of BHP/Three Mile Pilot/Myth/Mr Tube & the Flying Objects

Free Nada Surf Tickets!

If you're like me, you love Nada Surf, you love M-Theory Records, you love the Casbah, and House of Blues, well, not so much. When I heard the Casbah was presenting Nada Surf at HoB, I thought I might have to make an exception to my personal HoB boycott. I'm completely anti the service charges they add to every ticket sale, the full body cavity searches at the door (which I've heard they've chilled out about), and the people who are there just to talk over the band throughout every show I've ever been to... but now, M-Theory has made it easy! And I have no problem sucking it up and going to the House of Blues to see one of my favorite bands. Even though I already had a copy of Lucky, I went to the shop and when you purchase the new album (Sale price $12.99), you get a free pair of tickets to the show (while supplies last). I just went half an hour ago and it appeared they still had a handful of tickets left. I already knew I loved the album and I had no problem dropping the dough for the package deal.

Anyway, stop reading this and get your butt to M-Theory before it's too late.

Hi Speed Soul Records Signs Lady Dottie & The Diamonds

Talk about local love! Hi-Speed Soul is the label owned by the peeps over at M-Theory. Adam Franklin (of Swervedriver) is on the label, and they've also reissued an early Nada Surf EP. Now, they've announced that they've signed Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, giving some local love all around. Details on the release are forthcoming.

In other M-Theory news, mark your calendars for some great in-stores they have lined up...Tuesday, February 5 at 6 pm, they've got Grand Ole Party, with an after party at Starlite. A week later, on Wednesday, February 13 at 6, they'll have an in-store with Louis XIV who will be playing an acoustic set and hanging around for autographs.

I have a feeling Heather and Eric might have to keep growing that store...

Wednesday Recap: Adam Franklin, Innaway, The Focus Group

The truth is that I never got into Swervedriver. It's not that I didn't like them, it was just I lacked exposure to them. I had the cassette from labelmates Ride, but I had limited exposure to good music in junior high, depending on word of mouth and whatnot. That said, even if I didn't like Adam Franklin, I was gonna support the first band released on Hi-Speed Soul records, the mothership being M-Theory records. After the fact, I can defintely consider myself a convert. Adam played an in-store, and while he struggled to remember the lyrics to a song he'd been playing all tour long, we were all just mesmerized by his voice, accompanied by his solo electric guitar. He could've made up lyrics and nobody would've cared. For the 40 minutes or so that we played, we were all eyes closed right along with him.

Later at the Casbah, I was disappointed that there wasn't more of a crowd, but such is life sometimes in San Diego. Still, those of us there got a great show from all the bands.



The Focus Group started off the night and while I caught them midset, they gave their thanks to Swervedriver for inspiration and appreciated the crowd that was there specifically for their brand of new-gaze. The highlight was when they had Jason and Demetrius of Goodbye Blue Monday sit in front of the stage, each with a drum in front of them, and played along with the band. I told everyone this was Mitch's band (from No Knife) but I guess he was serious about not playing anymore. Sorry for spreading rumors.

Anyway, Innaway was next up and they were really good. The singer had such a cool voice that it appeared he's a trained vocalist and not just someone faking it or making it up. Unfortunately, they cut their set short because they were missing their keyboardist and I guess he was essential for a couple of their songs. The only complaint I had about the band was that at times the bassist was completely turned around. It's one thing to play off the feedback on an amp, another thing entirely to be crowd shy or whatever. Hopefully with more touring a livelier and more engaging show will evolve.

Adam Franklin finished up the night and the crowd was mixed with people who were there because of the Focus Group, diehard Swervedriver fans, and new Adam fans who like me, trust the judgment of Eric and Heather at M-Theory. The show did not disappoint and Adam didn't struggle with lyrics as he had earlier. It was a polished show and they had the attention of the crowd. I had the chance to talk with a couple of the guys in the band later and the next night and they were all so nice. Than, the drummer, has his own project called ShushShush and his mom lives in SD, so he stuck around a few extra days.

I thought I had my pics on photobucket, but it appears I don't so I'll have to post those later. Also, Eric was recording the show with his camera (I played with the lights trying to help him out, so if I find the YouTube, I'll post it here as well...

Adam Franklin @ M-Theory/ Hi-Speed Soul HQ

You know who likes their artists recorded? Hi-Speed Soul Records, that's who. They just put out the new CD from Adam Franklin, former frontman of Swervedriver. I'll write about the show when I get around to it, but in the meantime, here is some YouTube, with Heather's permission...

Adam Franklin performing "Shining Somewhere" at M-Theory, July 18, 2007.