Ivory’s piano-laden tracks excel in instigating dreamy gaits through dewy-eyed memories and yearnings. Recorded at Smart Studios in Madison, WI, the band’s self-released EP introduced their bubbly piano pop to indie rock connoisseurs. Ivory’s spruce arrangements embody mass appeal, capable of Generation Y adoration and baby-boomer appreciation. Kick back with a glass of red wine and Ivory’s “Coast of Maine.”

Tally Hall graciously side-step genre pigeon-holing. Vocalist/guitarist Joe explains: "If a certain idea requires a certain sound, then why limit ourselves?" The Boston Herald praises Tally Hall’s mix of “vintage Beastie Boys with snarky new wave and Beatles-y psychedelia,” while the Detroit Free Press calls the group’s debut, Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, “pop patchwork at its best.” A crew of serious composers, pianist/vocalist Andrew received the prestigious BMI/John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship as the band’s “Good Day” was featured on The OC. Discover Tally Hall here with “Spring and a Storm.”

Missouri-based quintet Ludo issued their self-titled debut in 2003 and hit the road. Packed venues across the Midwest and Texas led to heavy rotation on FUSE, including three appearances on the network’s Daily Download — a first for an independent band. Ludo’s follow-up, Broken Bride, broke EP molds, emerging as a cohesive rock opera that follows two lovers through time and tribulation. The band signed with Island Records in 2006 and is currently in the studio recording their major label debut. Sample Ludo’s brand of rock here with “Hum Along.”

The Nice Device take pride in their insistent evolution — growing pains are prettily exposed instead of swept under the rug. Delicate lead vocalist Alicia sets the buoyant tone, backed by happy guitar chords and the occasional foxy jolt of electronica. Pitchforkmedia.com proclaimed that the quintet’s Birth of a Lover EP "strikes a balance between charming sugar high and nuts 'n' bolts junkyard cacophony…a remarkably strong debut.” Soak up The Nice Device here with “Innocent.”

BMI’s “See It Hear First” podcast has become an important tool for exposing new BMI songwriters and artists to key industry professionals and fans alike. Since its release in May 2005, millions of listeners from around the world have tuned in to discover new music from a broad range of genres and regions. Past 'cast artists including singer/songwriter Brendan James, rockers somedaynew, Latin hip-hop artist Cosculluela, Canadian crossover band Soul Kid #1 and country-pop combo the Zac Brown Band have all grabbed the industry's attention through the BMI podcast, with some landing major recording and publishing deals, and others on the verge of being signed.

In addition to hearing great music from an array of new talent, podcast listeners can also vote for their favorite artist to help them win a CD duplication package from Disc Makers, the leading CD manufacturer for the independent musician. Winners get 1,000 discs, a prize with a promotional value of more than $10,000.

Tune in to bmi.com/podcast to hear all 18 editions of the BMI podcast, the first in the music industry to be listed in Apple's podcast directory. The "See It Hear First" series is also available from iTunes at bmi.com/itunes, from Yahoo! at podcasts.yahoo.com, or though Pod2Mob.com.

The Midwestern group, fronted by singer/writer Nathaniel Swokowski, drew inspiration from their home town of Appleton, a small college community consumed with paper mills, hunting gear, and taverns.

In just a few years, Ivory's lush instrumentation and epic sound has earned them the attention of fans and industry across the country. Following the successful self-release of their Ivory EP - recorded at Smart Studios in Madison (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hawthorne Heights) - Ivory start 2007 with a fresh set of songs and plans to tour - winning over America one vibrato, tenuous, mood-setting note at a time.

Ivory's Nathaniel Swokowski, BMI's Samantha Cox, Ivory's Thomas Bishop and Adam Fuerst, BMI's June Neira, and Ivory's Daniel Beck

Kicking off the show was rock outfit Ivory. Take U2's guitar work, Coldplay's epic piano sound and Copeland's sing-a-longs, and you'll get the refreshing sound from this Wisconsin four-piece. Ivory has just signed with Ohio-based label, Carbon Copy Media, the label founded by Hawthorne Heights' JT Woodruff. Ivory's debut full-length CD is due out in early August.

Singer Cameron McGill, band member Noah Harris, BMI's June Neira, band member Jeff Kamesiak, producer/engineer Manny Sanchez, band members Jason Brammer and Sean Burke, and BMI's Samantha Cox

Taking the stage next was Chicago-based Cameron McGill. His first album, Stories of the Knife and the Back (2004), describes a youth who leaves his mountain village to become a poet. In 2006 he took pop music to the dark libraries of your old house with Street Ballads & Murderesques. He will release two EPs in 2006, The Company of Great Thieves and Hold on Beauty.

Matt Hoffer sings at BMI's MOBfest showcase before heading off to L.A. to be on "Rockstar Supernova"	Steve Moekler performs at BMI's Day Party	Cameron McGill performs at BMI's Day Party

Up next was Matt Hoffer, who left a successful and comfortable career in corporate America to follow his passion and songwriter muse to become what he describes as a "blue-collar" musician. In order to capture his vision, Matt spent three weeks in March 2005 going through preproduction and tracking the five-song Never Comfortable EP with up-and-coming producer Mike Shimshack in Brooklyn, N.Y. The resulting songs took pop to a new level and the end result is a very professional effort; an infectious alternative record without any over-the-top hooks and gimmicks.

Pictured after Farewell's performance are singer Marshall Davis, BMI's June Neira, keyboard/backing vocalist Chris Lee, BMI's Samantha Cox, guitarist Kevin Carter, guitarist, bassist Buddy and drummer Jeff Ellis

Farewell is a six-piece band based out of Greensboro, N.C. During the past year, the band has recorded a six song EP, accumulated an active fan base, and rocked the eastern half of the U.S. like no other. They have shared the stage with such bands as Copeland, Glasseater, the Lawrence Arms, Limbeck, A Small Victory, Halifax, Madcap, Rocky Votolato, Tsunami Bomb and many others. The band just recently finished up their fall tour with Perfuma and is exploring options for the release of their newest album.

Exit the Ordinary members Tim West, Justin Niemi and Luke Frenette

Exit the Ordinary punched in to make simple rock with a beautiful blend of bigness and intimacy. Hailing from Detroit, Exit the Ordinary is the invention of Tim West (lead vocals, guitars), Justin Niemi (bass, background vocals) and Luke Frenette (drums, background vocals). The independent release of the group's EP, The Place You Are (2005), served to strengthen their identity as a band with the pulse and driven rhythm of a prizefighter, but with the gentleness of a good physician.

The Bon Mots perform at BMI's MOBfest showcase at the Double Door

The Bon Mots formed in Chicago in 2000 when Michigan natives Eric Chial and Mike Coy decided to combine musical efforts. In late 2001 and early 2002, the band recorded an album's worth of material and released Le Main Drag (Mellifluid Records). Reviews of Le Main Drag frequently reference Elvis Costello, and 60s and 80s British Mod influences such as the Kinks and the Jam. In addition to critics' praise, Le Main Drag was the eighth most added record on the CMJ Charts in August of 2004.

Jerry Reid performs at BMI's Day Party

Photos: Paul Natkin