The time has come for A Different Drum to set up a blog. I know, I’m a little bit late on this trend, but it’s better late than never. I’ll use this blog to post news about A Different Drum’s label and store, in a convenient location where you can visit regularly. I’ll even copy the regular email updates into the blog for those of you who are not subscribed to the Yahoogroups mailing list.
Oh, by the way, my name is Todd Durrant, and I’m the owner of A Different Drum, having run the business for many years, since it’s early days in 1991 when I started the business as a specialty, international music store, to 1996 when I started the label, to now. It has been my full-time job, and it is one that I love. If you’d like to read a bit more about my personal adventures, I have a personal blog here:
http://toddiovision.wordpress.com/
It may take a while for me to get this blog polished up and looking the way I’d like, since I have to keep things running the meantime. Yeah…shipping orders, planning releases, and trying to keep up with all the social networking sites and regular life…but I hope that the blog has some value for you.
Now, here is the latest email update sent out by A Different Drum, in case you didn’t see it:
Hello synthpop fans and friends. Here in the USA we’ve been watching the stock market plunge even more than it already had. But we don’t have to watch our little music scene plunge, right? There’s still new tunes to enjoy! To help out in these hard times, I’ve got three fun, new singles for you this week, and they’re cheap! For less than the price of a McDonalds super-sized combo meal, you can pick up two new singles for one low price by clicking here or using this link:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=ADDCD1294%2FADDCD1292
We’ll look at those singles individually below. But of course, you can always listen to some songs by the newest releases in A Different Drum’s store by going to our radio player which streams hours of music for you to enjoy.
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/Player
Also, I’ve added a handy widget at the top of A Different Drum’s homepage, just to test it out. It features several VIDEOS from recent arrivals in the store. Just go to www.adifferentdrum.com and you’ll see the handy tool where you can click on each video to watch. Click the side arrows to see a few more selections. Good times!
NEW ARRIVALS:
Rename “The Hack” (limited 7-inch vinyl single) $4 — Behold, it’s the first 7-inch vinyl single released by A Different Drum, together with Niiemo Records (Germany). This is a strictly limited edition vinyl single, each coming with band autograph, and each one numbered (1 - 500). It’s fun as a collector’s piece for fans, even if you don’t have a record player. NOTE: You can purchase a couple different versions of THE HACK as downloads from all major outlets. But this is the ultra-cool physical product for the ultimate fans! I’ve also shown a couple of links to affordable, cool, USB-connected record players if you want to go back to the old school, while having a record player that plugs into your computer. Listen to track samples and order your single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=ADDWAX2
Disreflect “Rest” (MCD) $4 — Shortly following Disreflect’s debut album, MNEMOPHOBIA, A Different Drum’s presents this wonderful REST CD maxi-single which features all-new versions of the song, including the CLUB MIX which adds a club-friendly beat to the original album version. Plus you’ll find the Raindancer remix of FEAR OF MEMORIES which is an instant hit, and the memorable bonus track, THE STAR OF COUNTY DOWN, a classic folk song with a new, electronic twist. Watch the video, listen to track samples, and order your CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=ADDCD1294
Saudade “Bad Dreams” (MCD) $4 — Originally written in the 80’s and re-recorded twenty years later, “Bad Dreams” is now available on CD maxi-single along with two remixes by RENAME, giving the song new life while still retaining the 80’s feel. The bonus track “Lost Diamonds” is another remake of an 80’s synthpop demo recording. SAUDADE is my own project as I revisit my past and contemplates the future of electronic pop music. Watch my home-made video, listen to track samples, and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=ADDCD1292
November Process “Deafinition” $15 — This CD came out a couple of years ago, but it’s worth bringing in for a visit if you never heard of the band or never checked out this album. These guys combine edgy synthpop with Neuroticfish-style vocals and trancey, futurepop music for an intense, club-friendly brand of music. It’s a release that shouldn’t be overlooked, and you can find out why by listening to the audio samples and ordering the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=VM0004
Various Artists “Radio Resistencia” $16 — Now for something completely different. This compilation from Europe’s Enfant Terrible Productions spotlights the electronic alternative scene, but I haven’t heard of a single band on there. That also makes for some fun because I get to explore and discover some new acts with different styles. This compilation spans everything from new-wave-flavored rock, to bleepy, bouncy electronic instrumentals, to old-school synthpop, to gothic flavored stuff. There are tracks that sound like Joy Division or Cocteau Twins, then you’re into bouncy, early 80’s robot-like stuff. Check out audio samples of this diverse collection and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=ET001
HEADING to MINNEAPOLIS:
I plan to head to Minneapolis in a couple more weeks for the big show featuring INFORMATION SOCIETY, Faith Assembly, Moulin Noir, and more. I’m going to make the 2-day drive each way so I can enjoy the live musis, plus I’ll have a vending table where people can browse through the goods and buy some new music at great prices.
It would be wonderful to see you there if you can make it. You can get more information here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/conventions.php
You can buy tickets here :
http://www.indietickets.com/tickets/customer/home.php
THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF BLOGGING:
I’ve recently been delving into the huge world of blogging, tweeting, and all the other cool internet social networking tools out there. It’s really an amazing, and somewhat daunting, world that we live in where we can keep track of each other over long distances with so little effort. For instance, I have an application called “Friendbar” that scrolls across the top of my Firefox browser, giving me a constant feed of people’s Twitter updates and Facebook status updates. I can see everything from the mundane (like “just went out to get a drink”) to the enlightening, to the humorous, etc. Somebody just now said that they are “doing that sprinkler dance”. I don’t know what that means, but it’s kind of fun to watch.
In my efforts to stay up to date on these things, I’ve started my own little blog. It’s a personal blog rather than a “strictly business” blog. I’ve only posted on it twice so far, and those have been music related, but I do intend to write a little bit about other things in my life as well. I’m going to figure it out as I go. If you’re interested in looking, point your browser here :
http://toddiovision.wordpress.com/
The more people who look at it, the more motivation I’ll feel to update it. Or, abandon it 
There is another blog I’ve been following which is very enlightening if you’re a band or label in the independent music scene. It is hosted by Brian Hazard of Color Theory, but has contributing articles by other folks (I’ve written one, Mark Nicholas of Cosmicity has written one, etc.). It sort of weighs the different promotional methods for independent music, trying to weed out the stuff that’s a waste of time and look at the places where bands can really get their music heard. It is called Passive Promotion and it is located here :
http://www.passivepromotion.com/
Are you looking for a fun way to spend some time listening to music, but also judging and sharing your opinion on the tunes? I’ve actually had some fun with this one. There is a website called www.ourstage.com where indie artists upload their music and videos in all styles, and then it’s open for judging every month. The great prize winners can earn some cash and prizes, but most of all, it is simply a fun way to explore. It’s easy to do while you’re working at your computer. You sign up for an account, then you click to “Judge” (I prefer doing the “head-to-head” rather than the “sort four” judging), and pick a category, then simply decide which track is better. I’ve been spending the most time in the “electronic / electro pop” category, which has everything from instrumental dance tracks to quirky electro and synthpop.
Try it here :
http://www.ourstage.com
Well, that’s all I have to share with you this week. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little update. I also hope you can spare a few dollars for a CD now and then, since we could certainly use the support these days. But even more important, I hope that you’re all keeping a positive outlook on life and that you can find joy in your everyday adventures, despite the challenges that come from time to time.
Thanks for your support,
Todd
