We are pleased to welcome Los Angeles based indie rock group Act As If for Film and TV representation.  The band has been praised for their anthemic songs and passionate lyrics, earning them comparisons to Death Cab For Cutie,  Jimmy Eat World and Snow Patrol. Their sound is championed by an instinctively pop-minded approach to songwriting, setting them apart from others in their genre.

Led by front man and chief songwriter Peter Verdell, Act As If has just finished recording their debut album There’s A Light, which has already been critically well-received.

“With a vaguely emo/hard-rock alternative style and a truckload of biting hooks, this is music that haunts and inspires.  While many young musicians make obvious blunders on debut albums, it’s tough to find any fault with this disc.”
-Scratch Magazine

Check out the teaser video below for the title track “There’s A Light.” For licensing info, or to request a copy of the album, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Act As If – “Through Trap Doors”

Vancouver’s Adrienne Pierce has just released her third album Oh Deer.  The new album showcases Pierce’s distinct voice and quirky indie-pop sound, striking a delicate balance between strong hooks and witty lyrics. This diverse collection of songs embodies human emotion, each taking on a life of its own.  But the driving force of Oh Deer is Pierce’s obvious talent, charm and depth as an artist.

Adrienne Pierce is currently featured at Vancouver Is Awesome, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Vancouver arts and culture.  Be sure to check out this great feature for a little insight into this talented artist.

For licensing info or to request a copy of Oh Deer, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Adrienne Pierce – “Come Over To My House”

Fool’s Gold is currently on tour through Europe, playing several festival gigs which will conclude with slots at Leeds and Reading Festivals.  The afro-pop collective has just garnered a 5 star review from the London Times of a recent show in Brighton.  Check out a few of the nice words they had to say about the performance:

“But with an almost impish sense of delight as if the meagreness of the crowd merely served to throw down the gauntlet that’s what Fool’s Gold set about doing. From the beginning it was a synergy of incongruent parts. It took maybe seven or eight minutes for the scampering, cowbell-pummeling syncopations of Bark and Bite to accelerate to a euphoric machinegun rattle.   For the duration, the Fedora-wearing singer Luke Top seemed like a man out of time, his tremulously beatific tones hovering at a remove from it all.”

-The London Times

Fool’s Gold was also recently interviewed for Mewbox, discussing the band, their different incarnations and their recent tour experiences.

The self-titled debut album from Fool’s Gold is now available on IAMSOUND Records.  For licensing info, or to request a copy, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Fool’s Gold - “Surprise Hotel”

SALEM has just released “Asia,” a new track from their highly-anticipated debut album King Night.  The track has been praised by Pitchfork and XLR8R, who calls the track “beautifully creepy.”  SALEM has also just released a teaser for their forthcoming music video for “Asia.” Be sure to check the teaser below and stay tuned for the release of the full video.

SALEM’s debut album King Night will be released on IAMSOUND Records on September 28th.  To request a copy or for licensing info, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Restless People has just released a video for “Days Of Our Lives,” the first single from their self-titled debut album.  Directed by LA-based artist Petra Cortright, the video for “Days Of Our Lives” captures the band’s feel-good energy, highlighting the essence of this tropical synth-pop gem.  Check out the video below or head over to Stereogum.

The debut album from Restless People will be released on IAMSOUND Records on September 14th.  To request a copy of for licensing info, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Ari Shine is currently profiled at The Vinyl District, the official blog of Record Store Day 2010.   The feature finds the Los Angeles-based songwriter recounting the important role that vinyl records has played in shaping his personal connection with music.  The Vinyl District is also currently sponsoring a contest to see Ari Shine with Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants at Washington D.C.’s DC9 Nightclub this Monday, August 9th.

Ari Shine has just finished recording his latest album Ghost Town Directory.  The album features ten gritty pop songs that capture the depth of this prolific songwriter.

To request a copy or for licensing info, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Ari Shine – “Not Your Trial”

We’ve already told you about IAMSOUND Records’ LA Collection, a series of split 7-inch singles that features the best local artists coming from Los Angeles. The LA Times, LA Weekly, Pitchfork and Filter have published features this exciting joint venture with KCRW and London’s Pure Groove Records.  Well, more releases are on the way. The latest LA Collection release is now available and features garage punk band, The Franks and synth-pop outfit, Signals.

IAMSOUND Records also has a few new singles on the way.  The first was released this week and features Kisses, one of our favorite new bands from Los Angeles.  The a-side is a brilliant, disco-inspired pop favorite “People Can Do The Most Amazing Things,” with an added Pete Wiggs remix on the b-side.  Next up, on August 24th, IAMSOUND will be releasing “Like A Fading Rainbow” by Swedish sensation Jenny Wilson with a special gospel version on the b-side.

For licensing info or to request a copy of the music, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Kisses – “People Can Do The Most Amazing Things”

W.E.C.L. is proud to welcome The Franks for representation for film and TV licensing.  This garage punk trio from Echo Park have been described by the LA Weekly as “equal parts fun and noise.”

The Franks’ upbeat, straightforward approach to rock music has quickly brought comparisons to The Hives’ best work.  But The Franks display a certain level of sincerity that is disguised by their hold-nothing-back portrayal of youth and rebellion.  Their latest EP, Duh, has earned them a place amongst other West Coast standouts including the Soft Pack, Best Coast and Wavves.

The Franks are included on the latest LA Collection release from IAMSOUND Records.  The LA Collection is a series of split singles that spotlights some of the talented local artists that come from Los Angeles.  Be sure to check out this release, which includes “Ray Gunn Radio” by The Franks and “Vacations” by Signals.

To request a copy of some music from The Franks or for licensing info, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

The Franks – “Ray Gunn Radio”

We are pleased to be representing Superhumanoids for film and TV licensing.   Hailing from from the heart of Los Angeles, Superhumanoids combine romantic indie pop, edgy new wave and a dash of garage rock to create a sound that is all their own.

The band has just released their Urgency EP, which has already earned them several comparisons to Morrissey.  However, the Superhumanoids’ sound is refreshingly bright, upbeat and optimistic in its approach.  The result is a unique tone that captures the band’s deep person connection to their music, that is, a sound that leaves any listener wanting more.

Check out the video for “Hey Bang Bang” below.  For licensing info or to request a copy of Urgency, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.

Hey Big Bang from superhumanoids on Vimeo.

Last week, Sahara Smith performed at the Hotel Cafe for her Los Angeles debut, which left the LA Times’ Pop & Hiss raving about her stellar performance. The young songwriter had an all star band backing her up, which included guitarist/bassist Will Sexton, guitarist Jake Owen and drummer Mike Meadows.

“At the top end, her voice hits angelic highs reminiscent of Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris, and at the lower end, which she tapped only briefly on Tuesday, she brought a rich bluesiness that’s worth further exploration.”
-The LA Times’ Pop & Hiss

Sahara Smith has just finished her debut album under the supervision of renowned producer T-Bone Burnett. Myth Of The Heart will be released on August 31st. Check out her new video for “The Real Thing” below.

For licensing info or to request a copy of the album, please contact colin@worldsend.com or kevin@worldsend.com.