Artists to Look Out For- Jonathan Clay

The next artist on the agenda is Jonathan Clay. I found him about two years ago on MySpace and since then, he has continued to go from strength to strength.

1. Would you please introduce yourselves.
My name is Jonathan Clay. I'm 23 years old and I'm out of Austin, TX.

2. How did you get into music?
When I was 15 I picked up the guitar and I got the bug. Once I started playing it became the only thing I wanted to do. I would bring it to school everyday, and I remember cutting class to hang out in the practice rooms and play. It was the first thing is was ever truly driven to do.

3. How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you?
It's a little bit of everything. The songwriting is at the forefront of my project and it's driven by strong pop and blues influences.

4. What work at you doing at the moment?
Working on writing for a new album.

I recently released an album for free download. You can get a copy from my MySpace Page
Thanks alot for thinking to feature me!

'This One's for Me'- Official Video directed by Josh Franer


Official Site
To buy 'Back to Good', Jonathan's recent LP click the iTunes link,

Artists to Look Out For- Mark Rose

The second in the artists to look out for this year, especially my of my favourites from MySpace, Mark Rose.

1. Would you please introduce yourselves.

I'm Mark Rose- a singer/songwriter from Chicago. I was front man for the rock band Spitalfield from 1998-2007 and now am taking the next step in my career as a solo artist.

2. How did you get into music?

I've always been around music, it has pretty much been my main focus since I can remember. Starting with piano lessons when I was five years old, starting bands with my friends in middle school, playing in the symphonic and jazz bands in high school-- it was all I did. In early 2003, my band (Spitalfield) signed a recording contract with Victory Records. I spent the next five years writing, recording & touring-- making it to nine countries over three continents. It was an amazing experience.

3. How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you?

The easiest way to describe what I am currently doing would be pop/blues. People compare me, stylistically, to John Mayer or Jason Mraz. I am all about finding grooves and really feeling the music.

4. What work at you doing at the moment?

Writing a lot of new material as well as putting together my Spring tour which will route me down to SXSW in Austin, TX. I plan to be in the studio working on some new demos soon as well.

You can find me at: http://www.MarkRoseMusic.com - which has links to my music and blog, if you're interested.

Someone Live at the House Cafe in Dekalb

Also hit his MySpace for more information.

Artists to look out for- Rick Seibold

Thanks to modern technologies such as MySpace, musicians have been given a new output to show off their talents- most without even having to be signed!

My next planned series on My Two Pennies involves bringing to you highly recommended artists from these sites. These interviews are exclusive and are what the artist wants you to read about them, from where they came from to how they got into music.

First is Rick Seibold, with 7835 friends already on MySpace, he looks set to be riding 2009 to it's full extent.

"Rick Seibold presents songs about love, learning and coming of age with a knack for smart and often catchy melodies... it's sure to make any young female listener swoon." (Alyssa Rashbaum, MTV, SPIN, VIBE)

"Hey I'm Rick, I grew up in Wilmington, NC. Moved to New York City a few years ago and started playing around town in the local clubs. A little over a year ago I decided to make the move to Nashville to start recording a new record which I'm finishing up right now. It will be out this spring, probably in April."

"I started playing guitar when I was 15, and began writing songs as soon as I knew my first few chords. Where I grew up, there was a pretty vibrant film scene. When I was about 10 I played one of Anthony Hopkins's kids in a movie where I had to sing 'Silent Night', so I guess that's when I officially got my start!"

"Growing up at the beach in NC proved to be one of the early major influences on my music. I love the ocean, and have tried to write about my experiences growing up there as much as I can. Moving to New York City, and now to Nashville, has also had a major impact on my writing. Someone once told me if Jason Mraz and Chris Brown had a kid, it might look like Gary Coleman. But if they made an album, it would probably sound a lot like me."

"Look for the new record on iTunes in April."

"Mary" * Rick Seibold & The Rock-afire Explosion!


Rick's first EP, 'That's The Day' is on sale on the iTunes Store and has achieved getting into the Top Three on the Pop Chart!

To buy the album click the iTunes logo.

Official Site

Listen to some good music

Check this guy out... really good, especially for any Goo Goo Doll's fans out there... You know who you are! Highlights include 'Take it Slow' and 'Thrift Store Gypsy' (see next month for a review).

While I'm promoting, here is another great singer, his recent album 'Soul Variations' is great and the songs 'Stop' and 'Pushing Triggers' are definite highlights

Ollie///Beauty is music for the month :D

My top five for the month of March:
1. Duncan Sheik- For You
What a beautiful sound, short and sweet but really touching. Reminder of the summer evenings spend with friends and really one that I could listen to over and over... I heard of him through a YouTube video, see below, a mini film called The Delay which was produced as advertising for American Express and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels.
2. Jeremy Camp- Understand
Forget all your connotations to religious music, this guy has taken CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) to a new level. Even for those who just want to listen to the music and not take in the religious part, I would defo recommend. Makes me want to jump to the beat with the brilliant rock beats.
3. Andrew Morris- Already Gone
What a find through MySpace & iTunes, this guy is little known but for how long, on the strength of his EP, Upside Down, I can see a bright future... it's wonderful to find pure, real, local talent and this is certainly what Andrew stands for.
MySpace Page
4. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly- Find The Time
The power behind the music, Sam Duckworth, certainly shows he is one to look out for in 2008! His second album, Search for the Hows and Whys, released on the 10th March is already available on iTunes and this song, the first single, is a real stand out... Listen to it, enjoy it and be one of the first to tell others about this brilliant song.
5. Yael Naim- New Soul
For those of us who watch T.V, it's hard to miss the new MacBook Air ad's and this song is the tune that has you humming throughout... lovely, simple music that you want to repeat over and over will beautiful lyrics and a video that I can't get enough off...



A stunning look into the hotel industry, makes you really think and wants to remind you, that it's the little things in life that make you happy. Includes the music of Duncan Sheik (Look above!)

That's it for now, will be back soon with more commentary about life in terms of ME! :D