Well, this year is about to come to an end!  2011 is fast approaching!

But before 2010 is gone, I’m throwing one more CD out there for your listening displeasure!  Hehe

Saudade “Restricted” $6 — This is another collection of songs written and produced by myself, meaning that the content is somewhat questionable.  When I make music, it isn’t because I’m a great performer, but I use it as a tool to express the different emotions and talk about the situations I’m going through, hopefully in interesting ways.  Of course, I record in the style that suits me at the moment, usually with plenty of 80’s influences, since that’s where my music roots are firmly planted.  My songs have also been a background for silly, no-budget videos that my son, Dylan, and I make together.  It’s something we do every once in a while, usually shooting, editing, and posting to Youtube in a matter of a few hours, start to finish.   It is a fun way to spend an afternoon with my son and usually a bunch of friends.   Anyway, to finish off the year, I now have a few of the “Restricted” CD’s for those who are daring enough to subject themselves to a new collection of songs.  The songs fit roughly into a concept about struggling to find a place in the world when your career or your plans fall apart.  The music video for “Thunder” works as a nice introduction to that concept, so go ahead and shoot away a few of the last minutes of your year watching, and maybe even ordering a CD here :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1305/Saudade-Restricted

And, should you REALLY be sonically masochistic, pick up two albums for only $8 right here :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1305-x/Saudade-Restricted-plus-The-Guts-to-Be-Good

Yes, there’s more from the Saudade project, but I’ll save that for later in 2011.

Oh, and if you do not speak Portuguese and wonder what the word “Saudade” means…there is no direct translation in English. It is a noun that means the feelings you get when you miss something…or possibly a longing for something, someone, sometime, etc.  You can have “saudades” for your past experiences, or somewhere you used to live, or people you used to know.  Etc.

Have a wonderful 2011!  Again, I thank you for helping A Different Drum to survive one more year!  Each one is a true victory!

-Todd

Happy Holidays and a merry Christmas from A Different Drum!

The end of 2010 quickly approaches.  When I look at this past year, I see one that has been full of personal challenges, but also full of interesting surprises.   It is the year that A Different Drum’s label took on a new approach by releasing limited edition CD’s to VIP subscribers in order to keep the new music coming out– basically keeping the label alive when it otherwise would not be able to press forward much longer.   That has been a positive change in 2010.  The feedback I’ve received from the subscribers so far has been very positive, and that gives me hope for the future.

Now, as a little piece of nostalgia, I’m going to end the year by looking back at where it all began.  Back in January of 1996, A Different Drum was a music store– yes, a physical, brick-and-mortar store that was only starting to build an online presence.   That was the year that I produced my first compilation CD entitled, “Rise! America’s Synthpop Underground”.   That was the first release from A Different Drum’s own label.   It has been out-of-print for many years now, but it was recognized at the time as a wonderful snapshot of America’s underground scene in the mid 90’s when synthpop was extremely hard to find.   Even to this day, some fans consider it a treasure.

You can see a listing for that CD on Amazon.com here , though the only copies floating around are used CD’s being sold by individuals:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002W7PNTC

There are very few of these CD’s available in the world, but it is fun to see that there are still a handful of copies to be had, for the collectors who want a piece of  A Different Drum’s history.

In fact, as I look back at the label’s nearly 15-year history, I see that a large portion of the more than 300 CD releases are now out-of-print and only available as collectibles for the serious hunters.    In fact, sometimes I come across Amazon listings like this , where a single CD is being offered for over $70, or a 5-disc set is $199, and I’m surprised that some old label releases have reached a sort of “cult classic” status:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00006DAK8

Here are a couple interesting pieces of information and a special offer to celebrate the past, and the future of A Different Drum’s label.

The two oldest label releases that are still in print are the following:

Cosmicity “Isabella”
The Nine “Native Anger”

Both of those were reprinted in second editions a few years ago– the Cosmicity with a minor tweak to the artwork and The Nine with a complete rework of the cover art from the original (files for the original were lost by the printer at the time we wanted to make another batch).    In fact, those are about the only releases that remain in print from the first three years of the label.    Since then, Cosmicity released several other albums, plus a couple of offerings under Mark Nicholas’ own name, and The Nine went through several band name changes including Alien#Six13, Alien 6, and new Tenek.

SPECIAL OFFER:

If you would like to celebrate A Different Drum’s history by picking up one or both of those two classic albums (Cosmicity “Isabella” and The Nine “Native Anger”), here is the deal…

Email me and let me know which one (or both) you want, and how much you want to pay for each CD, with a minimum offer of $1 each.   In other words, if you want to buy both, and offer $1 each, then I’ll invoice you for the price of the 2 CD’s plus A Different Drum’s regular shipping charge (so I don’t lose money shipping them to you).  You can click to complete the payment and the CD’s are yours.   OF COURSE, you can offer MORE than $1 for one or both of the CD’s.   For example, if you email and say, “I’d like the Cosmicity CD for $20″ then I’ll invoice you for that amount, and I’ll consider it a generous contribution to help keep the label alive for longer, because heaven knows this business needs the boost.   But it is up to you.  Offer what you want and I’ll take it, up until January 1st, 2011.

Again, the offer expires on January 1st, 2011.   So, email me at todd@adifferentdrum.com and let me know if you want either CD, or both, and how much you are willing to pay for each (or how much you’re willing to “donate” if you like to think of it that way).    Heck, if you’re feeling generous and offer a nice amount, I’ll throw a little something extra in the package.

MORE NEWS from the upcoming history of A Different Drum:

One of the bands that I have had the honor of working with for many years, both as a retail store, and as an independent label, is The Echoing Green.   It has been fun to release everything from rarity collections to full-length albums with the headman, Joey, and his gang.   They are 100% good people and their music is always top-notch.  Well, it has been several years since The Echoing Green has put out a new album, but you’ll be happy to know that the wait is almost over.  The new album is complete and being mastered and prepared for release in early 2011.

A Different Drum will be releasing the exclusive CD edition of the album!  Though it will not be a VIP subscriber release, it will be a limited edition from the beginning and is expected to sell-out quickly.   I’ll have more information about that upcoming album soon, and I’ll set up a pre-order page once it is at the factory.    But in the meantime, you can now order some of their older material from A Different Drum’s website at super-discounted prices!

Pick up the fabulous album, “Music from the Ocean Picture” for only $3 while supplies last, and order it right here :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1047/The-Echoing-Green-Music-From-the-Ocean-Picture-Special-Edition

Pick up the limited edition 2-CD combination release, “Songs of Innocence and Experience” which combined the rarities and demos collection called “Science Fiction” with their wonderful album, “Hope Springs Eternal”.   Order the 2CD combination for only $6 while supplies last right here :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1210/The-Echoing-Green-Songs-of-Innocence-and-Experience-Hope-and-Science

If you don’t have either of those releases, then here is a chance to pick them up very inexpensively and prepare yourselves for the upcoming 2011 album!

GOODBYE to MYSPACE:

It has been very interesting through years of running this business to see how the internet has changed.  Not only the technology keeps changing, but also the ways that people communicate and interact socially are always changing.   I remember when I first started A Different Drum as an online store for synthpop, I was mostly communicating through a modern synthpop newsgroup.   Later, some forums popped up which were hit-and-miss in terms of content.   Often those forums were informative and provided interesting ways to hear new music, but I found myself somewhat turned-off by the argumentative nature that would come into play in some of the discussions (it was almost a game for some people to get into “flame wars” and argue about musical preferences).  So, I eventually gave up following many forums.   Then social networking exploded and Myspace became a huge hit– especially as a tool for new artists to gain exposure.   That spawned competitors like Facebook, and that brings us to the the “now”.  Myspace really has been overrun as a social networking site by Facebook, and only exists now as a way to advertise (so much so that they now call it a “social entertainment” site rather than  a networking site).  Attempts to “befriend” one-another was overtaken by bot programs and nothing seemed very real or genuine anymore on Myspace.  Though Facebook is the king of social networking, they too have to battle some of the spam-like uses for the site.  Anyway, I kept up with Myspace for quite a while, and I think some people may have discovered A Different Drum artists through the website, but I no longer find any need to keep a Myspace page / profile running for A Different Drum as a business.  The stats are meaningless, and I don’t know that it serves any purpose at this point for the label.  I think it is probably a great idea for individual artists to maintain a Myspace account since people use the site to explore new music, but not for A Different Drum as a label.   So, I’m closing the Myspace account as of today.   Thanks, Myspace, for filling a void at a moment when we needed it, but I’m moving on– your bazillion messages and invitations are meaningless to me.

It will be interesting to see what comes next in terms of music exploration and discussion sites for folks like us.  There are already MANY out there trying to fill that role, and it’s almost hard to keep up with them all.   No matter how you explore your music, I hope that you’ll always feel comfortable just emailing me when you have a question about A Different Drum, or that you’ll find what you need at www.adifferentdrum.com where I’ve always tried to stick to the basics

Well, that’s all for this Christmas evening update.  Thanks for supporting this music for one more year!   I’ll be back in touch soon…

-Todd

This is Todd at A Different Drum.  I have a few things to talk about in today’s update.  First of all…

The new Provision CD is here!

PROVISION “Paradigm Shift” $12 — After taking some time off, the popular US synthpop band is back with another collection of uptempo, pounding dance tracks for their fans.  You can get additional information,  listen to audio samples and order the cool new CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/KR-001/Provision-Paradigm-Shift

Also for the synthpop collectors, I have a little spotlight on an act from south America, going back to 2005.  We now have these CD’s in stock in limited quantities.  Check out the band’s homepage for history and audio samples:

http://www.distantproject.net

Distant Project “Venus” $16 — The band’s album from 2005  Order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/61434601504-0/Distant-Project-Venus

Distant Project “Primitive” $16 — The band’s album from 2007.  Order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/5970034260-2/Distant-Project-Primitive

Distant Project “Stars” $16 — The release from 2010 pulling together extras, remixes, etc.  Order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/61434606345-4/Distant-Project-Stars

In other news…

COLOR THEORY has a new remix EP available for download.   You can go here for information and download:

http://colortheory.bandcamp.com/album/the-silence

ALSO, I still have some discounted compilation CD’s still available.  If you want any of these (only a few left), please email me at todd@adifferentdrum.com and let me know which ones you want.  Then I’ll send you an email invoice which you can click to complete the payment.   Only while supplies last!

“Electropop 3″ — $12
“Advanced Club 1″ — $8
“Radio Resistencia” — $5
“The Autobahn Festival Live” — $3
“EBM - Electronic Body Music” — $12
“Dynamo Volume 2 (Run Level Zero, Militant Cheerleaders on the Move, Interlace, Thirteenth Exile”) — $8

That is all for now.  Have a wonderful day!
-Todd

Hello friends!  This is Todd at A Different Drum.  I have three new releases to talk about, plus an email-only clearance sale on a few compilation CD’s.   First of all, here are the new releases…

NEW ARRIVALS:

Peter Heppner & Nena “Haus der drei Sonnen” (MCD) $11 — Actually, Nena gets top billing on the official single because she has been around for longer that Peter Heppner (remember that 80’s hit, “99 Luftballons” or “99 Red Balloons”).  But we modern synthpop fans know Peter well as the voice of Wolfsheim.   So, here is a duet with the two of them.   You can watch the music video and order the CD single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/505249835632-4/Peter-Heppner-and-Nena-Haus-der-drei-Sonnen

OMD “Sister Marie Says” (MCD) $11 — For the fans and collectors of OMD, this is the 2nd single from the new album.  This is one of the songs that sounds obviously like an 80’s throw-back from the band.  It is very synthpop, and very OMD.   The single features the radio version, plus the bonus track, “The Grand Deception”.   You can watch the rather dramatic video and order the single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/506020480090-0/Orchestral-Manoeuvres-in-the-Dark-OMD-Sister-Marie-Says

Various Artists “Modern Synthpop Compilation Volume 2″ $14 — While the first volume is still fresh in the scene, we already get the 2nd volume which features tracks from new and underground synthpop acts.   If you consider yourself an explorer of new music, you’ll enjoy hearing songs from artists like Brand New Day, Elevated Sins, Bispatial, Haberdashery, Machine Made Pleasure, Jens Bader, Red Sector One, etc.   You can see a complete track list and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BNCPCD07/Various-Artists-Modern-Synthpop-Compilation-Volume-2

For the collector of Polish-language synthpop:  I have only one pair of CD’s which I’m selling together.  These are two albums by the Polish synthpop band called The Cuts.   The albums are “Syreny nad Miasfem” and “Czworka” and the two are going for $35 (together).  If you want them, please email me– the first person to request them will get them.  Oh yeah, they do sing in Polish, and you can watch a video here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGD25nw9Ne8

COMPILATION CLEARANCE SALE:

If you would like any of these clearance compilations, please email me by replying to this update or sending your request to todd@adifferentdrum.com

These discounts are only through email, and the CD’s are available first-come-first-serve.  Once they are sold out, then they will not be back-ordered.   If your requested compilations are available, I’ll reply and send an email invoice which you can click to complete the payment.   Here is the list:

“Electropop 3″ — $12
“Elektrisch 1″ (regular one-disc edition) — $10
“Elektrisch 2″ (limited two-disc edition) — $12
“Advanced Club 1″ — $8
“Advanced Club 2″ — $8
“Radio Resistencia” — $5
“Spacesynth.de Contest Traxx” — $8
“Future Clash Progression 1″ — $8
“The Autobahn Festival Live” — $3
“EBM - Electronic Body Music” — $12
“Your World in Our Eyes - A Tribute to Depeche Mode” - $5
“Dynamo Volume 2 (Run Level Zero, Militant Cheerleaders on the Move, Interlace, Thirteenth Exile”) — $8
“Extended Electronics” (2CD) — $10
“Synthphony Remixed Volume 1″ — $8

Thanks for your support!
-Todd

This is Todd at A Different Drum.  I’m sorry to say that technical problems caused some email problems over the weekend.  I woke up this morning to find out that none of my emails from the weekend made it to me.

If you send me a message, order inquiry, or any communication via email over the weekend, please resend it to me at todd@adifferentdrum.com

My email should be working now.

Sorry for any inconvenience.
-Todd

Hello once again from A Different Drum.  Well, I can’t believe the end of the year is coming!  2010 seems to have rushed by very quickly, which is probably a testament to my age (or my stress level) or something like that.  Anyway, with each year I’m getting older, but I’m not tired of this music!  It’s still a joy to let you know about new items that come into the store.   So, here ya go!

NEW ARRIVALS:

Pet Shop Boys “Together” (MCD) $11 — This is the new single from the recent compilation release “Ultimate”.  So, if you just want the new song without picking up another hits collection, this is the best way to get it, along with the extended version and two exclusive bonus tracks called “Glad All Over” and “I Cried for Us”.   You can watch the video for the title track and order the single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/509999476912-8/Pet-Shop-Boys-Together

Parralox “Metropolis” (limited 1st edition) $20 — This is the third sensational album from one of the hottest acts in synthpop to came around in recent years, featuring ultra-catchy tunes and a female vocal lead that sings one song after another sounding like a could-have-been 80’s hit.  They have that Abba-esque knack for pop songs that makes them irresistible.  You can listen to audio samples and order the limited first edition of the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/CRCDPLOX06A/Parralox-Metropolis-Limited-Edition

Various Artists “Electropop 5″ $20 — This is the latest installment in the popular synthpop compilation series.   If you want to keep up on the latest tunes from the scene and enjoy having exclusive extended versions and remixes, this series is perfect!  This new edition features tracks by Christopher Anton, Neuropa, Daybehavior, Haberdashery, Hyperbubble, and more.  See the complete track list and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/CRCD005/Various-Artists-Electropop-5

Alphaville “Catching Rays on Giant” $26 — After several years, one of the legends of synthpop and new wave is back with a new album!  I haven’t had a chance to listen to anything but the single since I’ve been madly shipping all the pre-orders as fast as possible and haven’t kept a copy for myself yet.   You can order the regular edition of the album here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/AVCD2/Alphaville-Catching-Rays-on-Giant

Limited edition of Alphaville’s album:

Yes, I took pre-orders for the limited edition of “Catching Rays on Giant” which features a bonus DVD and comes in gate-fold digipack.   I have been receiving those limited editions from Germany in spurts and I want to get all the pre-orders covered before I offer it again on A Different Drum’s website.   A couple of my sources have been shipping them only in small quantities, and so I want to be sure everybody who already paid for one gets it first.  Once I’ve finished with those pre-orders, I WILL list the limited edition again…once I know how many extras I have.   So, if you want the limited edition and didn’t pre-order, just wait a bit longer.  I should know by the end of next week how many I have left (when my final copies arrive).

Thanks for your support!  I look forward to what 2011 can bring!

Note concerning phone service:   I have had a lot of fun over the years talking to many of you on the phone.  I remember spending hours and hours playing music over the phone back in the “old days” when I had a physical storefront and people around the country would call to hear samples of the new De/Vision or KieTheVez album, etc.  I’d prop the phone by a speaker and skip through a few tracks.   In fact, talking about music with people around the world has been one of the great pleasures of my job.
With that said, I just wanted to let people know that I am not in my office as much these days due to limitations on my time from other employment (particularly in the late afternoon and evenings).  So, I often don’t get my calls and I’m surprised later to discover a pile of phone messages that I didn’t know I had because I’m so focused on getting through my emails and orders, etc.   So, please forgive me if I’m not answering your call.  Remember that I check my email regularly and can get back to you very quickly that way.   If you like to place orders by phone, feel free to try back, or leave your order information on voice mail for me.   You’re more likely to catch me here in the mornings, so you can call then.   It’s actually more likely you’ll reach me by calling back the next morning rather than leaving a voice mail that I may not hear for a while.
Anyway, that’s not big news or anything, but I keep feeling bad about missing messages or not returning calls as quickly as I used to, etc.  Don’t give up on me!  Just shoot me an email or call me back again soon.  I wish I had more time to focus on the music business, but alas, a guy’s gotta make a living

Thanks,
Todd