Received this press release from "8th Impression" today, the gist of which 
is they are helping market new bands to consumes through ringtones, games 
and commercials rather than airplay. I guess that is like a publishinghouse 
who used to cover albums/radio/ancillary just dropping the formerly 
conventional outlets like a bad language and focusing squarely upon consoles 
and handheld devices. Not that it doesn't make perfect sense from a profit 
standpoint, but I don't know what seems odder - that the band's profile 
highlights include inanimate products or that Electronic arts actually has a 
"new music" unit as opposed to a soundtrack division.

(Bang Camaro really sucked on Conan, by the way...they sound like a limp 
KISS tribute band. I'm assuming the line of idiots behind the guitarists are 
supposed to represent *you and your friends inyour living room*?)

b

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"8th Impression is meant to be advertising?s portal to the music 
marketplace. After seeing so many of our clients try to set up record 
labels, we thought it would be better to set up a label any client could 
call their own, and have the advice of seasoned label executives available 
to guide their initiatives. We?ve set up a platform where any client, agency 
or music house can have their own record label and bring artists, original 
commercial songs, and mnemonics directly to consumers," adds Mat Morse.

8th Impression's first release is Boston buzz band Bang Camaro, who are 
signed to EA Games new music unit Artwerk. The band started the year with a 
bang, appearing on Conan O'Brien 
(http://www.hulu.com/watch/51262/late-night-with-conan-obrien-tue-jan-6-2009) 
and as the focus of a cover story on Billboard Magazine. Bang Camaro has 
gained such a high profile from their product-based appearances on Guitar 
Hero and Rock Band and are one of four tracks in the upcoming Sims 3.

cheers
b