Offering Creative Cures for Commercialism
By Alex Kantarelis

Listening to the radio can get old. Usually it’s the same watered down music every hour, on constant repeat, broken up with only commercials. Satellite radio has some benefits, but then again, who really wants to pay for radio?

Good news. There is one more format out there that just brings it back to basics. Internet radio. With very few commercials, and absolutely no subscription charges, internet radio is a perfect substitute for commercial or satellite radio.

Evolving Artist Entertainment is a company that’s looking to rid the world of such monotonous radio and TV nonsense. Says Director of Operations Craig Frand, “[We are] all about giving creative people opportunities in the entertainment realm.” This is a relatively new concept in a business where making money seems to have replaced any authenticity in most music.

Evolving Artist (www.evolvingartist.com), which is based in Southbridge, has its foot in the door of both internet radio and internet TV, with two separate channels running all day, every day. “They manage and program the Evolving Artist Entertainment Network ~ Engage Internet Radio and eaTV, broadcasting new music, new music videos, original programs, and feature performances to the world, around the clock, on the internet,” Frand explains.

The music on Engage is not what you would normally hear on commercial radio. It is from smaller acts from all over the country and the world. Regardless of whether a band is on a major label or a small independent label, everyone gets a chance. “It’s really meant to help further artists’ careers, or at least offer them exposure,” Frand says. “If it’s good stuff we’ll give you the exposure,” he adds. But everything is tested carefully. They won’t just take Joe Shmo’s demo that he recorded in his basement with a $10 microphone. The new music first gets submitted to a focus group. They decide what’s good and what’s not. From there, it enters the Engage rotation. Then listeners vote on their favorite songs. The more votes for the song, the more exposure it gets.

eaTV follows the same philosophy, giving the smaller guys the chance for exposure. It is mainly music video based, but also has some original programming. “It’s like MTV in its early days,” Frand said. Where it differs from MTV is that it does not limit itself to the major label releases. “The biggest video distributors in the country and in the world send to us. “We get the stuff from the same [distributors] who send MTV their stuff. However, MTV is a little more elitist and we’re all about the new cool stuff,” Frand said.

The programming on eaTV and Engage is the best part. Both stations have original programming that airs live and is also available through the on-demand section of their website all week long. Some shows are strictly music, some are just plain entertainment. Every Sunday night on Engage is “Most Wanted,” the program that counts down the top 10 most requested songs of the week. A second version of “Most Wanted” appears on eaTV every, counting down ~ you guessed it ~ the top 10 music videos of the week. “Audio Style” features reviews of everything from the latest CDs to home products and even has travel guides. Then there’s the “Kurt & Corey Show” on Engage, hosted by two “just plain guys” who talk about everything from video games to what’s hot on the internet. If all of these shows aren’t enough for you, check out “Alan’s Short Film Series” every Wednesday night on eaTV, giving small filmmakers a chance for exposure.

Now if eaTV is the mother and Engage Internet Radio is the father, then Shatterproof Studios is the first born child. Shatterproof evolved from the two, but is independent of Evolving Artist Entertainment. Once again, its mission is to help artists further their exposure. When the studios are not being used for the radio and TV stations, they are used to make promotional videos for bands, anything from just a simple video of them playing live to an interview to a fully produced music video. The artist can then use it on their Myspace or You Tube to attract more attention to the band. The service is inexpensive and available to anyone and everyone. “Whether it’s for marketing your band, or if your mother wants to come in, sing karaoke, and send it out as a Christmas card, we can make it happen,” Frand says.

While many of the artists featured on both Engage, and eaTV are considered “underground,” they are surely not unknowns. Many of the acts have large fan bases that support them throughout the country and the world. Everyone from 90s hit makers The Barenaked Ladies to current emo/indie rockers The Academy Is get airtime. They recently featured Dutch indie-rock band Betty Serveert. They’re global!

In the end, it’s up to you, really. If you’re interested in hearing the same music over and over again interrupted only by seemingly endless commercials, then stick with radio as you know it. If you’re interested in expanding your horizons, and trying something new and modern, give Engage Internet Radio and eaTV a chance. After all, it’s 2007. Get with the times!

If you are interested in sending your music or music videos for airplay consideration, send your package to:

Evolving Artist Entertainment
ATTN: Programming Dept. CODE: EA
18 Mill Street
Southbridge, MA 01550