The Avett Brothers perform their song "Down with the Shine" and talk to Billboard about their new album "The Carpenter" in the latest session of Billboard's Tastemakers series. The Avett Brothers say the two keys to making recent album were talking things out in addition to recording and the sheer number of shows they've played since 2009's acclaimed "I And Love And You." The band, who saw "The Carpenter" debut in the top five of the Billboard 200 this fall, took to the roof of Mophonics Studio in Manhattan to perform an acoustic trio of songs from the new record. Watch as they play "Live And Die," "February Seven" and "Down With The Shine" for the Billboard Tastemakers video series.

Check out the lastest new tracks from Mophonics' artists and producers...

ATTENTION SXSW 2013!!!  Join us on Wednesday March 13 from 11am-12pm for an in depth discussion on music in advertising....how the jingle turned into the jam when artists and musicians started writing original music for commercial spots with the same tenacity as they would writing a song for their own album.  Joined by Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz and The Tantrums this panel should not be missed. @michaeljfrick @stephanaltman @gabemcdonough @amosnewman


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music by josh brochhausen and mike haziza

Regina Spektor performs "Ballad Of A Politician" Live at Mophonics NYC

"I don't know if I really believe in genre divisions," admits Regina Spektor as she reminisces on the making of "What We Saw From the Cheap Seats," her most recent offering of warm piano pop -- her sixth studio album to date. "I just think that with everything, if you're just experimenting, you can get to play with everything if you're allowed to." Spektor sat down at the keyboard for a three-song Billboard Tastemakers at New York's Mophonic's studio, and discussed the album and more in depth.  Full story by Chris Payne, @Billboard

"Radio" by Mansions on the Moon. Recorded at Mophonics.  Artwork by Mansions on the Moon. Copyright 2012

The first show Icelandic folk rockers Of Monsters and Men played during their breakout run at SXSW this March was at an Austin, Tex. bike shop packed with singing fans. And though there was perhaps a little more space to maneuver at Mophonics Studio in NYC, the group did not tone down the exuberance one bit as they ran through renditions of "Little Talks," "King & Lionheart," and "Mountain Sound" for their Billboard.com Tastemakers session.

In a moment of brilliance that he claims came "straight from the dome", Josh Marcy coins the term "Graypril" (ie. Gray April), to describe the depressing fog that has descended over Venice this month. We expect this to make its way into everyday consciousness like "Gray May" and "June Gloom".

music by Nico Mansy