Music News: Sounds from Across the Pond
HIgh Time Records is a music company that might be new on the scene in the UK, but they've been making major waves across the pond in the States as well. Two years ago Carl Hitchborn started the company and ended up maxing out credit cards in order to fund the business. High Time also provides artist management, publishing, merchandising, and branding for artists. Its two major artists currently are Coasts and The Hunna.
Now that they've seen success through their first two signed bands, the label is beginning to develop and find new talent. They've decided to do this through a new imprint called High Time 45. According to High Time's website, "Artists signed to HT45 will receive a small advance to put towards the master and composition rights, and a dedicated marketing budget, to include a promo video, PR, and social media campaign. You’ll get a taste for the High Time ethos and strategy, and we can start to explore where the relationship might go." The bands will be able to release two singles through this system in hopes that it will result in the ability to record a full album with the label.
This is a pretty big opportunity for many UK artists, as it's not always easy for them to get their music heard by industry executives and influencers.
The first band to release a single with High Time 45 is Only Shadows. As High Time's blog states "The Midlands based four-piece comprise Nick (lead vocals and guitar), Riley (lead guitar), Alex (bass), and Paul (drums). Between the four of them they produce a beautifully heavy, guitar-driven wall of sound." Guitar-driven is an accurate description for songs like "We Are Machines," "Fight Milk," and "Be Still." The band seems to create high-energy, rock songs with a just a slight tinge of pop mixed in.
