New & Fresh

Here is a question for everyone.  What is “New & Fresh” in music?

Really, we want to know, cause we’re stumped.

We have an associate we keep ties with at one of the major record companies.  He basically manages the people who go out and find the new talent that they eventually sign.

Every time we talk to him, he asks us what we think is “new and fresh.”  Naturally, we tell him that our music is pretty new and fresh, and then we throw a few other bands under his nose that we think fit the criteria.

He shakes his head an says “no, no. . how about (insert band name here)?”  He spills out the name of yet another “Fray” offspring, or something that sounds like the reincarnation of Conner Oburst.

In other words, to even the most basic of music connoisseurs – NOT new and fresh.

When we talk with him about this over the phone, we direct him to myspace pages.  We hear his computer play the first ten seconds of a few songs, and then he says something to the tune of “No. . . too much like a jam band.”

Before I move on, I would just like to say that this is a really nice guy.  Super smart an a pleasure to be around.  But I don’t think he actually listens to music (like most major industry guys).

The “too much like a jam band” band?  Statewide Emergency, apparently.  And if you have ever heard these kids, you would know that they are NOT a jam band in ANY capacity.  In fact, they are straight up rock and roll and they kick ass and I have no idea why every major label in the country isn’t kicking down their door (and then replacing it with gold) to sign them.

The question remains – what is “New & Fresh”?  Cause I am stumped. I look through the monthly Colorado Music Buzz or the  bands mentioned on the Denver Music Board – and I just don’t hear it.