Rocking and rolling on the World Wide Web

Their music blasts through thousands of ears. They have fans in places as far away as Kenya. But the Fighting Janes haven't gone platinum. They don't even have a record deal. Thanks to the Internet, these five Montgomery County teens are spreading their music across the globe.

The Fighting Janes, whose bassist and two guitarists attend Blair, are among a growing number of bands gaining popularity through web sites designed to promote up-and-coming artists. These sites, such as PureVolume and Audiri, allow musicians to circulate their songs on the World Wide Web, generate buzz and build a fan base. Audiri has 7,127 registered artists and 26,409 members. PureVolume, which includes signed artists, has even more: From Maryland alone, 4,423 musicians have registered.

For unsigned bands, the Internet can be a valuable self-promotion tool, allowing groups like the Fighting Janes to gain exposure and fans - or even attract the attention of a record label.

A local band with distant fans

Before getting a record deal, bands usually call themselves local, but on the Internet, vicinity is irrelevant. Artists can find fans from other towns, states and countries but not necessarily in their hometown. The Fighting Janes have listeners from outside the U.S., but few people is Silver Spring have even ever heard of them. "No one from Blair really knows us," says junior Andrew Joseph, one of the band's guitarists.

Still, the Fighting Janes are pleased with the publicity they have gained so far through the sites. Since forming two years ago, they have played 16 small shows, mostly in Olney and at the Grog and Tankard bar in Washington, D.C., that features local bands. The Internet also serves as a network to find venues and book shows.

After each show, the Fighting Janes check their web pages for feedback. In January, when comments on the group's Audiri page suggested that the band incorporate more lyrics into their songs, the Fighting Janes began to emphasize their vocals more. Joseph says the band values listener feedback. "If you look at our first show and you look at our later shows, you definitely see a difference," says Joseph. "And a lot of that is due to the advice we get from people online."

Senior Avi Silber, a political rapper, also enjoys reading reviews of his music on the Internet. Like the Fighting Janes, he has heard from listeners from places like Israel and Kazakhstan through his page on MySpace.

James Lunsford

Photo: Senior James Lunsford plays guitar with the band Break the Balance during the SGA sponsored Back to School Barbecue.

Senior James Lunsford plays guitar with the band Break the Balance during the SGA sponsored Back to School Barbecue. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lautenberger.

Silber also gets a chance to interact with fellow musicians on the web. When Blair alumnus Julian White, who accompanies Silber in many songs, moved to Texas to record an album, the two kept in touch via MySpace. During the four months that White was away, Silber listened to his friend's music updates at least once a week and left comments on his page. When White returned in May, the two were ready to record a song together.

A search (term) for something new

Through his music, Silber strives to convey motivational messages to his audience. In his latest cut, "Keep Tryin'," Silber encourages listeners to persevere by telling the story of a man struggling to cope with his sister's cancer. He deviates from the typical rap fare and, in doing so, attracts fans in search of something different.

Unsigned music enthusiasts say they turn to sites like Audiri because they have grown bored with mainstream music. For these listeners, thousands of independent artists like Silber are just a few clicks away.

Before the advent of MySpace, freshman Ariana Kosok discovered new bands by going to local shows. Now, she listens to emerging talents from places such as Sweden without leaving her computer.

Kosok says she enjoys browsing music on the web because she can easily find artists that match her unique tastes. She has no trouble finding the emo and indie songs she loves on the Internet. "I think that there's something for everyone on these sites," she says.

Aiming for the record

MySpace hosts profiles for thousands of bands, both signed and unsigned. Alongside profiles of mainstream artists are those of fledgling musicians, like freshman Miguel Tenicela, who plays in Unless Your Willing [sic], a band that specializes in acoustic, emo and rock. Tenicela's mother and sister run a promotions company, which, with the help of MySpace, has landed several band gigs reaching from Virginia to New York. As they continue to perform, Tenicela hopes to expand the band's fan base. Ultimately, he hopes that Unless Your Willing will get signed, and he believes that the group's MySpace page will help the group appeal to a record company.

EMI Group Capitol Records is one corporation that uses the web to scout new talent, according to Adam Grossberg, the company's senior director of corporate communications. Grossberg says that "the Internet has made discovering new artists more efficient from a logistical standpoint, and we're tapping into social networking sites like MySpace to do so."

However, Grossberg adds that a web site alone cannot promise a band a record deal. While a broad online fan base can impress big labels, it is not a substitute for a screaming audience at a live show, according to Grossberg.

This, says Tenicela, is what is most valuable about the Internet as a promotion tool - its ability to bridge the gap between downloads in cyberspace and real-life fans. Tenicela says the web draws enthusiastic crowds to come to their performances. He believes that the Internet is essential for bands to promote themselves both online and among live listeners.

"If you didn't have the Internet, it would be 10 times harder to get even 10 fans to come to your shows," Tenicela says.

Band Information

Unless Your Willing
Genre
Pop punk/Emo/Acoustic

Band members
Miguel Tenicela - guitar/vocals
Mickey Sandridge - lead vocals
Patti Tenicela - bass/vocals

Upcoming shows
Oct. 20 - The Levi's Store
Georgetown, 6 p.m.
Oct. 27 - My Brother's Place
Waldorf, 6 p.m.
Nov. 3 - Mayorga Coffee House
Silver Spring, 6 p.m.

Songs
"Photographs and Scars"
"You and Me"
"The Gates"
"Last Mistake"

Web site
MySpace Site

Smash Adams
Members: Greg Hitz (bass)
Dusty Durston (drums)
Colin Gray (vocals/guitar)
Chris Huskey (vocals/guitar)
URL: PureVolume Site
Hometown: Bethesda, MD

Jema
Members: Johnny Slenkovich (bass/vocals)
Nathan Tucker (guitar)
Ernie Slenkovich (drums/vocals)
URL: MySpace Site
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD

Skinny and the Newsteam
Members: Matt Prorok (vocals)
David Feily (guitar)
Jake Mills (drums)
Sam Genovese (drums)
URL: MySpace Site
Hometown: Olney, MD