MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I just wanna wish everyone who reads this a very merry Christmas.

I hope it's amazing and that you all got exactly what you wanted and that you get to spend this day with the people you love :)

Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers

http://sk6ers.com/

So you remember my last post? Probably not because it has been ages. Anyway, it was about Jon McLaughlin. Well today's post is about the band the he opened for on the latest tour that I saw him on. Now, I had never heard of Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers and didn't think to look into them because all I really needed was Jon McLaughlin (You know, like I did with Foxy Shazam and Panic! at the Disco). Anyway, I was confused when I found out Jon McLaughlin was the opener. I had had no idea. I also did not think anyone would be good enough to have him opening for them. NO SIR! JON OPENS FOR NO ONE! BUT, they came out and were really freaking good. Like... REALLY good. They're a rock band from Massachusetts, they're older (Stephen Kellogg is in his 30s)and a lot of their music revolves around stuff like family. So yeah. And, on top of that, they gave a great performance. They didn't have a huge following or anything, but they genuinely loved all the people that were there and allowed them to do what they loved to do. It was great to see a band like that. That, and it was really freaking cool when they came out into the middle of the crowd, stood on crates, and played a song unplugged. It was great. THEY, are great.

Go Download: Uhm... how bout you just download everything? No? FINE, but you should really consider listening to all their music HERE. (Also, one of my favorites is "Such A Way" so go get it on iTunes



I really wish I could find a video of them playing "Milwaukee" the night I saw them because there was this gorgeous piano and drum break that was just a completely ethereal moment. But I can't find it, so here's a different performance of it, which is still really good.

Back from Florida!

So I'll be doing a post tomorrow night and probably Christmas day.
Then I'll be disappearing again until the 30th.

So I forgot...

I've been in Florida for the past few days with only my iPhone as connection to the Internet, so that's why I haven't posted anything. I won't probably post a blog until the 24th, and then I'll probably go MIA again. I'm not dead, just on vacation :) Happy Holidays

Jon McLaughlin

http://jonmcl.com/

I discovered Jon McLaughlin when his song "Beautiful Disaster" was the free single on iTunes like, years ago. Sophomore year of high school to be exact. I thought the song was pretty good so I bought his album because it was pretty cheap, but I never really listened to it until my mom came home after seeing Enchanted with my sister and demanded I find out whoever sang one of the songs on it. It turned out to be him (the song in question was "So Close" in case you were wondering) and I sat down and listened to the album and fell in love. Fast forward like, 5 years, 3 concerts and 2 albums later and I still love him with all my heart. He's wonderful and SO under appreciated, it's insane. His piano playing will blow you away and his silky smooth voice is to die for. Not to mention he is one of the most perfect human beings ever. He's cute, he's nice, he tells funny stories (You shouldda heard his story about Blake Shelton texting him) and he loves his wife SO DAMN MUCH.

Basically, if there is someone who SHOULD be famous, but isn't, it is this guy. He's wonderful and I can't say better things about him. He's always putting on amazing shows, and his songs are just so heartfelt and meaningful. I mean, let's be real, I can tell you how great he is all night long but you just won't understand until you listen to him, SO GO LISTEN TO HIM DAMMIT!

Go Download: "Indiana" is by far my favorite song he has ever made (Indiana is my favorite album he's made, but I love all his albums, so ya know) but you should seriously consider just downloading everything he's made. But I guess you can just go pick up his latest album, Forever is Ever, on iTunes.

The Band Perry

Not unknown, I know, but really cool when you meet them because they rode the plane with your mom!!!!

I'm Sorry

I haven't posted in awhile and I really should, but I can't right now because I'm not on my computer, but I promise you that Friday you will have a post

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #1

THE MOMENT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! (And by all, I mean the like, two of you that read my blog lol Not that I don't love both of you greatly!) NUMERO UNO DISCOVERY....O!

Name: The Head and the Heart
Original Post:http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/09/head-and-heart.html

Why: WHY NOT?! Ok, well I have a SERIOUS soft spot for this band. Like... SERIOUS. I've seen them four times this year, the same amount of times I've seen my favorite band, and I just can't get enough of their live performance. And I can't get enough of their album, or just how cool they are! Maybe it's cuz they're from Seattle and thus I feel a connection, you know, since Washington is like, my birthplace, and as much as I hate to admit it, pretty darn cool. Either way, THATH is just magical and hands down my favorite indie/folk act of the year, if not EVER. Which, throws them up to the tippy top of my favorite discovery of 2011. I love them so much.

What they've done since I posted about them: What HAVEN'T they done?! They went to London and Germany, released an iTunes Session, been on Conan AND The Late Show and so much more.

They made these really cute shirts


And, they performed at ACL, which you knew from my original post, but you didn't SEE!



So yeah, long story short, FAVORITE DISCOVERY OF 2011.

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #2

Name: Foxy Shazam
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/10/foxy-shazam.html

Why: Foxy Shazam went from being a band I did not know to a band I listened to for three straight weeks right after seeing them in concert with Panic! at the Disco. I wasn't just listening to them, I was watching their videos, finding live video of them, interviews, and just anything else you could think of. You see, when I find something I like, I binge on them, and I binged on Foxy HARD. There isn't anything about Foxy Shazam that I don't like, other than the fact that I didn't get the chance to meet them after the show because of that one REALLY RUDE security man (forever bitter). But anyway, long story short, I love everything this band does, be it their music, their performance, how they dress or just what they stand for. That, and the second you incorporate the trumpet in your music, there's a 65% chance I'll like you even more. (But for real, have you HEARD Alex Nauth's playing?)

What they've done since I posted about them: They released the teaser for their new album, out on January 24 as well as the tracklist! :D



The Church of Rock and Roll:
1. Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll
2. I Like It
3. Holy Touch
4. Last Chance at Love
5. Forever Together
6. (It's) Too Late Baby
7. I Wanna Be Yours
8. Wasted Feelings
9. The Temple
10. The Streets
11. Freedom

I would also like to mention that it was a REALLY hard decision to decide whether they would be my #1 or not. In the end it came down to how many times I had seen each live that separated them. But it should be known that I had the toughest of times making the choice.

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #3

Name: Finding Atlantis
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/11/finding-atlantis.html

Why: Let's be real, if I had a record label, these boys would be the first people I would sign. Plain and simple. Ever since getting the EP (which Chris emailed to me, which was WAY too nice and made my day) I have listened to it at least twice a day. I can't tell you just how great I think these guys are, not to mention how nice they are. Seriously. Vicci stamp of approval ALL OVER THIS BAND. Trust me when I say their EP is WELL worth the $5. SO GO GET IT ON ITUNES!!!!

What they've done since I posted about them: Well, I mean, not much. I DID just write about them lol BUT they do have a show coming up in Greensboro, NC on the 11th, so if you're in the area, you should go. I know I would.



Also, since I have you here, ACOUSTIC VIDEOOOOO! :)


PS- Would you CHECK OUT that Power Rangers shirt?!

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #4

Name: Moonlight Social
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/08/moonlight-social.html

Why: Well, first off, you obviously don't pay attention to much on my blog if you're shocked they made this list. I'm just saying. I love this band. I love their sound. I love what they're doing. Of course, I may be slightly biased because I know them. BUT, I can look past that to see that they are REALLY talented and definitely deserve to be on my list, especially since they are the one band I've seen more than my #1 discovery this year. HELL, I've seen them more than I've seen my favorite band EVER. (Note, I live in Austin, and they play in Austin, so it's a LOT easier to see them a bunch of times. BUT THAT ISN'T THE POINT!) So yeah, I'd be remiss to leave them off of my list.

What they've done since I posted about them: WELL, they are going to record with Matt Noveskey. And they just played their last show of the year before doing that. Uhm... I would post video from that if I had any buuuuut I don't.... So in the mean time, go support them by buying their EP from iTunes and donate to their debut album at their Kickstarter



Oh, and they got interviewed by me, which you can read over HERE.

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #5

Name: Walk The Moon
Original Post:http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/09/walk-moon.html

Why: This band is 1) Fun, 2) Nice, 3) Great live and 4) Has an affinity for body paint. Also, I seem to have missed out a key detail about when I saw them at Bonnaroo. It wasn't just that I saw and met them, but it was REALLY my first experience with their music. Sure, I had heard Anna Sun and The Liftaway beforehand, but that was it. I didn't know anything else about them, and a band that can make you fall in love with them through their live performance is A-OK with me. Also, they even do great via live webcast. So yeah, my love for these boys has NOT diminished a bit since I posted about them last.

What they've done since I posted about them: They toured with Fitz and the Tantrums, AND announced a tour with Young the Giant. They also did a performance for MTV's Hive at Webster Hall. And it was awesome.

Walk The Moon
Get More:
Walk The Moon, MTV Hive

ALSO, they follow me on Tumblr, which makes me feel like a cool kid.

AND I ALMOST FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING! They are in studio recording :)

Moonlighting the Social Scene

Clouds rolled across the sky, obscuring the moon and what little stars could be seen through the light pollution of Austin. Music floated through the cool night, drawing in spectators like a siren’s song to the western side of the Art Institute of Austin. Harmonies filled the air as guitar and drums accented them. It may not have been the normal scene for live music in the city, but the band that was playing is far from out of place. They have been hard at work and that work is paying off. All within the same year of its creation, the band’s achievements include a SXSW showcase, a win in a competition held by The Austin Chronicle and a chance to record with a member of Blue October. With this being their final show before heading into the studio in January, the musicians gave an intimate performance with their hearts on their sleeves. This is Moonlight Social.

Jeremy Burchard played tenor drums and Jennica Scott played trumpet in the Longhorn Band, but that isn’t what brought them together. Longhorn Band boasts about 400 members, making the leap between different sections is not an easy feat.

“I don’t think I would have met her without her reaching me,” Burchard said.

“I heard a cover that he did online and reached out to him to tell him I liked it. We met that way and then started hanging out,” Scott said. “The music came naturally because we were both such musical people.”

Both had been interested in music since they were children. Scott came from a musical family, with both of her parents being singers and her extended family on either side playing instruments or singing. “It’s a family thing, what can I say?”
Burchard grew up fascinated by music. “When I was little, I used to have a little black notepad with neon pens that I would write my songs in,” he laughed. He is also knowledgeable in many instruments, having started with the viola before moving on to trumpet, percussion and self-taught guitar.

After pushing to get Scott in front of a microphone, the duo recorded their first cover, Reckless Kelly’s “Wicked Twisted Road.” And then another, which led to yet another. These jam sessions led to them doing a couple performances together, which in turn led to their friends asking about their band.

“We were like, ‘Are we a band?’” Burchard recalled fondly.

Once they realized they were, in fact, a band, the duo needed a name. “The idea was the total, complete honesty of conversations that people have late at night,” he explained. They try to create music that rings with honesty, and the name Moonlight Social captures that sentiment, lending itself to a moment that we all experience, whether it be with friends or a lover.

They started writing songs to convey their ideals captured in their name. “There are some songs that one of us wrote and we’ll work together to make it ours,” Scott said about their writing process. “Most songs are a collaborative effort in some way.”

Things took off for the newly formed alt-country duo as they were selected to take part in a Grammy sponsored showcase at SXSW in March, self-released an EP in May and took on about 100 bands in the Sound Wars hosted by The Austin Chronicle to win a chance to play at the annual Hot Sauce Festival in August. They also started playing shows around Austin, becoming regulars of the club Momo’s. Creating a loyal fan base of friends, family and local music lovers, Moonlight Social was already further ahead than many bands get within their first year. Then, they got some great news.

A contact Burchard had made as a member of the group Grammy U had been passing their music around, and passed it along to Matt Noveskey, bassist of the band Blue October.

“He said it really ‘jived’,” Burchard said. “And he wasn’t pushy. It’s cool to have someone who has been on the other side as well, ya know?” They were offered the chance to go into the studio with Noveskey in January to record their debut album. The band jumped at the chance and took to the internet to employ the help of their fan base by creating a Kickstarter project. In order to get to the studio, the band would need to raise $15,000 in donations by Dec. 16. Less than five days later, the band had met its goal.

“That’s incredible,” they wrote on their Kickstarter page. Now, they are working harder than ever preparing to create their album.

“The songs on the EP were a good start but they aren’t how we imagined they’d end up,” Burchard said. “We have 20 or so songs to choose from.” One song that will be “retooled” for the album is “Neither Are You,” the song they would use to showcase their band. It also recently won Grammy U’s “Show Us Your Hits” competition.

“It really expresses our sound and melodies as well as our harmonies. It encompasses all of the things that we hold most important in our music,” Scott explained.

As their two hour set came to a close, the moon had cut through the clouds, shining down on the band that used it as a namesake. Scott and Burchard, along with their live performance members Gabe Durand-Hollis (Drums), Rannon Ching (Guitar/Mandolin) and Donald Williams (Bass), thanked the crowd for coming out and handed out free EPs. It may have been their last show of the year, but it is certainly far from this band’s last show.

For music and information about donating money toward Moonlight Social’s debut album, visit http://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #6

Name: Ed Sheeran
Original Post:http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/09/ed-sheeran.html

Why: Are you kidding me? Do I NEED a reason to love him aside from the fact that he's a ginger British singer?! Haha, but seriously, his music is some of the best music I have on my iPod. It isn't just what type of music he makes, even though it is some of the most chill music ever, it's also the subject matter. I feel like he covers a lot of real world problems that aren't seen in many artists' music today.

What they've done since I posted about them: He released an album, "+", but you can't get it in America. Go figure. BUT, America will be getting his EP on December 6 :)

In the mean time, watch his latest music video, which features Rupert Grint, my second favorite British ginger

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #7

Name: Speak
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/10/speak.html

Why: I think if there is any band out there that embodies the "Austin sound" it's Speak. I listen to I Believe In Everything ALL the time. When I'm writing, when I'm doing dishes, in the shower, just laying on the floor and thinking about life. You know, all the time lol. I would love to see them live, and EVENTUALLY, I will. I also may love them so much because they're an Austin band, and I just really like anything related to Austin. (This city, is my city. AND I LOOOOOVE IT. I LOOOOOVE IT.)

What they've done since I've posted about them: They performed at Fun Fun Fun Fest, they're doing a show at Stubb's tomorrow (Dec. 4) where you can get in for a small donation ($1 minimum). AND, they plan on debuting a new song.

It's a collaboration with RAC, but since video won't be up until tomorrow, here's a remix by RAC of "Carrie"



AND, they did a cover of "Weekend Wars" by MGMT

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #8

Name: Tanner Patrick
Original Post:http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/11/tanner-patrick.html

Why: Well, for starters, he was one of my favorite posts to write, so that has to count for something. He is also STILL the most adorable thing I have ever seen. He is also still my favorite person on Youtube, so that has to count for something too. Really, the only reason why he isn't higher is because I'm still waiting for his original song (But I definitely don't doubt that it'll be amazing. Because, well... like I said before, I think he can do no wrong.)

What they've done since I've posted about them: WELL, he has been added to the 4th Annual Unsilent Night music festival in Dallas where he'll be playing the Merch Now Main Stage 1. (It's a pretty big deal because that's the stage the headliner, All Time Low, is playing. So yeah, Tanner is legit.)

He also did a cover of mashup of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" and Swtichfoot's "Twenty-Four" and it's absolutely beautiful.

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #9

Name: The Autumn Advance
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/09/autumn-advance.html

Why: Well, I have become a regular at Tripp's chat. And not only is he a pretty cool guy, but the people there are pretty cool too. Everyone knows how I feel about nice band people. You win me over when you're nice. So yeah. That, and I had suggested he cover The Band Perry and he did. (Of course, I wasn't the only one who suggested it, but you know. I was one of so I feel cool). You TOO can become a regular of his chat HERE at 9:30 pm EASTERN TIME on WEDNESDAYS (So, 8:30 pm here in Central time, 7:30 pm Mountain time and 6:30 pm Pacific time)

What they've done since I posted about them: He covered "If I Die Young" (Like I suggested)

Top 10 Discoveries of 2011: #10

Name: Kingston
Original Post: http://corneroflostandfound.blogspot.com/2011/10/kingston.html

Why: I can always do with more country in my life, and they are wonderful. They seem like the sweetest guys and they make the greatest covers and they seem to be working REALLY hard on some music for us all. Plus, I can appreciate boys who face their biggest fears, especially when it's because they're keeping a promise to their fans for helping them reach their Pledge goal. (They also donated to Children Miracle Network with that money. So yeah. They are sweeter than maple syrup.)

What they've done since I posted about them: Like I said, they faced their fear of spiders (It was quite entertaining)


And they did a cover of Katy Perry's latest single, "The One That Got Away"


I think I also like them so much because they're from Nashville, and now that my family lives two hours from Nashville, I like to pretend I know stuff about Nashville. :)

Plus, have I mentioned how adorable they are?

So here's the deal

I'm going to be doing a Top 10 Favorite Discoveries of 2011. So every day I'll post one of the 10. I'll tell you why they're on my list, a little bit about them if I haven't posted about them/ what they have done since I've posted about them. That sorta thing.

:)

Cool?

Glad we had this chat. It shall start tomorrow with #10

GET PUMPED!

Finding Atlantis

http://www.facebook.com/findingatlantis

Ok, ok, I'll admit it. I've been neglecting my blog because I've been sucked into the black hole that is Netflix's Romantic Comedy Instant Watch Category. Go ahead. Laugh all you want, but that is why BTNLT has been so devoid of human activity. BUT FEAR NOT LOYAL READERS! Because Finding Atlantis has brought me back.

Luck would have it that I checked my email today and saw a Twitter email saying a street team had started following me. Odd, since I didn't know the band in which this street team repped, so I went to rectify the situation, if only just to make myself more knowledgable in the musicverse. And it led me to this band's Facebook, and from Facebook, to their songs. And then where from their songs, you ask?

Straight to rocking out and ignoring the sweet, sweet cries of yet another couple who would end up living happily ever after.

Now, what is this band's appeal? What about them dragged me away from my 2011 Thanksgiving Movie Binge?

This pop rock band from Winston-Salem, NC has two songs. Just.... two songs. One has 94 plays (soon to be 95 as I am listening to it, again, as I type) and one that has 638 plays (probably 639 as soon as this post is done) and upon first hearing them, I just sat back and let both of those song play three times each.

They're wonderful! Chris Lane's voice is the voice that you have always wanted to hear when you pressed play on a pop rock band's music and never gotten. Shawn James provides excellent back up vocals and do NOT even get me started on the playing he, Arthur Balwah and Josh Willis are doing on these two tracks. It's just.... superb.

This young band has ALL the right beginnings, and you can bet that I'm going to be keeping an eye on them. Really, the only way they can go is up, and the future just looks oh so bright for them. Seriously. Check them out.

Go Download: Their song "The Saltwater Cure" from Facebook. Oh, and I should probably mention that it's free. Can't get much better than that, right?

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

I'm sorry I didn't post this yesterday, but I was off in Aggieland having the most stressful night of my life.

I'll have some new bands up for you soon.

It's just that it was a holiday and all, and you know how holiday type stuff goes.

Austin Nivarel

http://www.purevolume.com/new/austinnivarel

If one wanted to visually represent the sound that is Austin Nivarel, they need to look no further than his past Facebook profile pictures.



Just look at it. He's happy, colorful, and just looks like one of the sweetest guys ever. Now, go liste to his music. Happy. Colorful. And Sweet. This boy is what I started my day with on Friday, and it led to not only a wonderful morning, but a wonderful day. (It should be noted that I am the furthest thing from a morning person you can get, so anything that can make me smile when I wake up is on to something.)

My first thought about this Wisconsin-onian (is that what they're called?) was that he was like a male version of Taylor Swift (minus the inability to sing live) which is why I greatly aprove of his cover of her song "Enchanted". His version is great, and he definitely did it justice. I actually think it's better than the original (I'm sure I sound like a T-swizzle hater, but I would just like to say that I'm not. I actually own all her albums. Just as an FYI.)

Basically, I guess what you need to know most from this post is that Austin Nivarel might be the most spirit uplifting music I have blogged about. If you just want something to make you smile and make your day just seem that much better, you should look into his stuff.

(I would also like to point out that with the exceptiong of percussion, which is played by Tony Wick, Austin plays all his own instruments :) Boy has some talent.)

Go Download: You can get can get is cover of "Encanted" and his song "Brightest Thing" for free here. Then, I suggest downloading One Day at a Time

Take The Day

http://www.facebook.com/wearetaketheday

The last thing I listened to on my laptop, was low. Which probably explains why the volume was all the way up on both my computer AND Youtube. So, when I clicked on Take The Day's "FTW" it's needless to say that my ears were assaulted with heavy guitar and crashing cymbals. Maybe assaulted isn't the best word, since it connotates something negative, something that this band, is far from.

Milwaukee claims this currently unsigned band, but honestly, I can't see them staying 1) in Milwaukee and 2) unsigned for long. With the idea of wanting to spread "positivity, passion and love" through their music, I can't say that they have failed. In fact, listening to them does remind me of my younger music days, rocking out to Simple Plan's "I'd Do Anything", The Ataris' with their cover of "Boy of Summer" and Bowling for Soup's "Girl All the Bad Guys Want". Whether that is what they're aiming for, I probably won't know, but needless to say, the put a smile on my face this fine November morning.

I found Take The Day because they liked a quote I posted on Tumblr, and I think that quote shows just what type of band these guys are, so I'm going to share it here as well.

What I feel most obligated to is sourcing inspiration and chasing it down and living inside of it and not obsessing over whether or nor this track is going to be on the radio or whether or not this album is going to be gold. Instead, [I’m] just trying to do things that are worth doing and leave me with a feeling like I’ve created something- and I didn’t create it for somebody else, but I CREATED something and I’m proud of it. -Andrew McMahon

So yeah, in a world filled with people making music just to get rich and famous, I feel that these boys have jumped into for the right reasons. And I definitely look forward to what they have in store for us.

(I'd also like to throw on out their that their logo is super cool, and they have badass taste in music. Facebook says we like pretty much all the same bands lol)

Go Download: "Won't Wait" off their EP City Lights & Summer Nights (Part One) on iTunes. **EDIT**: Tonight, at 8 CST, they'll be releasing a free track on Facebook, so go hit that up too, cuz nothing is better than good free music.

Young Guns

http://www.facebook.com/younggunsuk

What do I like best about Young Guns...

Honestly? I don't know. But, it's most likely the fact that they are producing some of the best rock sounds I have been able to find in a while. Not pop-rock. Not punk-rock. Straight up rock sound. And I love it.

They are an extremely hard working group of boys, especially Gustav Wood and Fraser Taylor, who are the only ones who have been a part of the band since their creation in 2003. Their debut album, All Our Kings Are Dead, was self-released. And not only was it self-released, but it was a self-release that reached enough people to help them sell out their shows.

AND, not only have they sold out their own headlining tours, but they've even supported Bon Jovi. Yeah. BON. JOVI. So, I feel justified in saying that this band has their shit together, and they are definitely making wonderful music.

Gustav's voice is one of my favorite's in the rock scene. It's just so... pleasant? Is that the word I want? It's.... befitting the genre. And it has this very pure quality to it. It's just really clear, and I like it a lot.

Also, I think it should be mentioned that when I saw Yellowcard, LP was wearing a Young Guns hoodie. I told him I was really freaking jealous cuz I love them and Sean was like "Yeah, they're amazing!" and then rubbed it in that they get to see them next month T.T

Anyway, the moral of that story is that Yellowcard thinks Young Guns is amazing too.

The unfortunate thing about Young Guns is you can't buy their album in America, probably because it IS self-released. I, for one, had to find it off of Mediafire. But, it should be noted that as soon as I CAN buy it, I will. Their next album, Bones, has a planned release date of Febuary 6, 2012. So fingers crossed so we Americans can get in on some Young Guns action, because we are SERIOUSLY deprived.

Go Download: Though you can't buy their full length, you can get their 2009 EP Mirrors on iTunes. (My personal favorite off of it is "The Weight of the World")





AMERICA WANTS YOUNG GUNS!

I can name about 100 different reason as to why my blog class is my favorite

But I think I'll just share our Class Love Playlist and let you see for yourself :)

Right HERE 22 lovely songs brought to you by one of the coolest classes ever.

RadioDriveBy

http://www.facebook.com/radiodriveby

Let's face it, it was a terrible day for any new music to be discovered by me today. The stream of Marianas Trench's Ever After went live, and there were very few things that were gonna stop me from listening to anything other than that today.

That was until I had listened to the album three times and then checked my email and saw that I had a new twitter follower. And you guys know the philosophy. Give me a chance, and you get one in return. So I stopped what I was doing, and put RadioDriveBy on.

I think what I like best about this Arizona based band is that they "want to make your ears happy" and that's exactly what they did. They didn't try to sell me something other than upbeat, fun pop rock (and we all know how I feel about my pop rock).

Trent's voice is really interesting, and is always switching between familiar and completely unique. It intrigues me. However, he isn't the only member of the band, and Adam, Austin and David should be mentioned as their playing meshes so well together with each other as well as Trent.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been slightly bitter about the fact that I had to like this band in order to listen to their music, but I have seen in the error in my ways, because they are well worth the like. I'll be keeping my eyes on these boys. And I sincerely hope they'll be heading down to Texas (and by Texas, I mean Austin) sometime soon so I can enjoy them live :)

Check out their latest single, "Hope You Know" below!

Go Download: My personal favorite "Deny" off their single Nothin' But Better. ("Shine" is in a close second)

Siri Svay

Now, if you frequent my blog, you'll remember that a bit back I wrote about my friend Siri and her sister Tavy. If you don't frequent my blog, you can find that post, HERE. I mean, it's one of my first posts, so it isn't as awesome as it should be, but you get the jist.

But this post, this post is all about Siri.

You see, she's auditioning for The Glee Project 2. Now, if there is anyone that I think could fit in with the cast of Glee, it's Siri. She's funny, she can sing, she's down to earth, and I mean, basically she's one of the coolest people I now.

She sings Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" in her video, and it would seriously mean a ton to me, and the world to her, if you take just 4 minutes and 34 seconds out of your day to sit down and watch her video and like it. Maybe share it?

I can honestly say, that if there is any post on my blog that you read, it needs to be this one.

SO GO HERE! IT'S WELL WORTH YOUR TIME! I PROMISE!


(I may or may not have picked this picture so I could tag Coca-Cola XD)

Charlie Simpson

http://www.facebook.com/#!/charliesimpsonmusic

I liked Busted. I REALLY liked Fightstar. Why do I bring this up, you ask?

Busted, a British boy band, and Fightstar, a British rock band, have one key component.

Charlie.Simpson.

Now, I know what you're thinking. This guy went from being in the British version of the Jonas Brothers (Though, we should all take note that they 1)Happened before the JoBros and 2) Were far superior), to being in a rock, almost hardcore, sort of band, and now he's doing the folky scene?

I get it, and if I hadn't already been sold on Charlie Simpson beforehand, I might have had the same hesitance. Luckily, I've been in love with Charlie for some time now, and dove into his solo work head first.

And it was like jumping into a pool full of all the best things possible. Chocolate. Rainbows. Winning football teams. Puppies. You get the picture.

I will admit that had you told high school me that he'd be singing music like this, I would have laughed at you. But now, I can't even imagine him going back.

Charlie's voice is like a little slice of heaven and it actually kind of sounds like it was made for this genre. The acoustic guitars and harmonica play so beautifully with his distinct, husky toned voice.

He's one of my favorite British artists, and quite frankly, I would very much like to be able to get his music in America. (So either A) The UK needs to share or B) America needs to let this kid over!)

Also, he said he may be coming to SXSW :)



If this happens, you can bet I'll be there. So quick.

Go Download: Like I said, if you're from America, getting his music is a little tough. Luckily, you can get his FREE EP here

Do you guys remember Moonlight Social?

They were one of my first posts, which you can see here. It really doesn't do them any justice and honestly, I should probably redo it now that I know what I'm doing.

But I digress.

You guys already know that I absolutely adore them and want nothing more than for them to make it big.

LUCKILY, we (yes, WE) have the opportunity to help them :)

They have the chance to work on their debut full-length album with Matt Noveskey of Blue October this January.

So where do you come in? Well,you see, they need help making some money for costs. $16,000 to be exact. So, if you could please, PLEASE, help em out, that would be marvelous. Not only can you get goodies depending on how much you donate, but you can get the opportunity to say you helped a great band get their start.

And even if you don't have much to spare (trust me, I understand not having any money) there is a dollar option. (Every little bit helps, yeah?)

Even if that is out of your budget, PLEASE spread the word.

Jennica and Jeremy are awesome people, with a TON of talent and they deserve recognition.

So head on over to their Facebook so you can see just how good they are.

Then, once you've fallen in love, head on over here to help em out

:)

The Brobecks

http://www.facebook.com/TheBrobecks

So, I've been meaning to listen to The Brobecks for some time now. I would see them on my Tumblr dash and make a mental note to check em out because I think Dallon Weekes, the current touring bassist of Panic! at the Disco and main member of The Brobecks, is the bomb dot com. But something would always come up and I never would get around to it.

Until last night.

You see, I follow Breezy Weekes, his wife, on Tumblr and she posted a picture of her tattoos, and from what I gathered, they are in the song "Le Velo Pour Deux".

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I 1) Plan on marrying a man who can sing so he can write songs for me; 2) Am a complete and total sucker for love, especially love that is sung about.

Ex- My Chemical Romance's "Summertime". The line "You can run away with me, you can write it on your arm, you can run away with me, anytime you want" is in reference to messages Gerard Way and his wife would write on themselves during a tour they did together. CUTE I SAY!

So yeah, upon seeing that, I dashed to Youtube and searched "Le Velo Pour Deux" (Translation: Bicycle for Two) and became an instant fan. (Plus, I mean, come on. How adorable is "I would spend my whole life with you on a bicycle built for two"?)

This indie band has a wonderful feel. Sometimes I feel like I'm listening to a band from an older era-- "Le Velo Pour Deux" at some points sounds like a twisted waltz)--, and other's feel like I'm listening to a weird indie version of Muse. (Now, hear me out, I say Muse, because no matter what song or how I listen to it, Dallon's voice reminds me of Matt Bellamy's. You can call me crazy. I probably am. But that's what I think of.)

But either way, I love what I'm listening to.

Dallon is quite a musician and lyricist, and I honestly cannot get enough of The Brobecks.

The worst part about this band? The fact that they have been missing from my life for so long.

Go Download: "Love at First Sight" from his album Violent Things on iTunes

Myka,Relocate

http://www.facebook.com/mykarelocate

I like screaming. I won't lie. Maybe not screaming the whole time, but the second you gimme a song that is about half and half, chances are I'll greatly appreciate it.

That being said, Carter Banks actually suggested this band.

Within the first 10 seconds, I knew I would like this band. They have everything going for them that I love when it comes to screamo. There are the pop rock vocals to counter the screaming. The screaming isn't that scary death metal screaming. (The only band I listen to with the scary screaming is Asking Alexandria.) And the production is just phenomenal.

While some members have been playing together for roughly four years now, the current lineup has only been around since January of this year. And what is even more impressive is that they have 1) Been able to perform with the aforementioned Asking Alexandria, We Came As Romans and Saosin. 2) They have been on not one, but TWO east coast tours. 3) They've done not one, not two, BUT THREE regional tours. 4) They've been asked to perform at Unsilent Night.

Not impressed yet? Yeah, this band is unsigned.

According to their Facebook page, they have a full length in the works for next year AND a national tour for this winter.

So yeah, this Houston band has been doing a lot. And it shows. They're great and I absolutely love what they have up.

Give em a shot so we can wait for their full length together :)

Go Download: You can get their song "Natural Separation" for free in exchange for a tweet here

The Cab

http://thecabrock.com/

I've known The Cab for awhile. How long you ask? I discovered them when their first album, Whisper War came out in 2008. It also was the year I saw them for the first time with Danger Radio, The Maine, Forever the Sickest Kids and Metro Station at Emo's Outside.

So yeah. It's been awhile. Long enough for me to just assume that everyone knows about them. Which is exactly why I have decided to talk about them today. (That, and the fact that I got to see them, again, last night.)

There are many things I love about The Cab. Their music is wonderful, they're some of the sweetest guys you'll ever meet and they work hard for what they want.

It took them awhile to release their latest album, Symphony Soldier which came out just a couple of months ago, mainly because of setbacks such as lineup changes and conflicts with their record label. But it was an album WELL worth the wait.

Now unsigned, The Cab is doing everything on their own and they deserve way more recognition than they get.

All in all, The Cab is that sexy pop rock that so many bands wish they could make, but just don't quite get there.

Go Download: "La La" off their album Symphony Soldier. And also check out one of my favorites from Whisper Wars below :)

Tanner Patrick

http://www.youtube.com/user/TannerPatrick

There are a few things you should probably know about Tanner Patrick before I get into the meat of this post.
1) He was another Siri suggestion.
2) He is the most adorable thing to happen since puppies. Yes. Puppies. And if you don't believe me, just look at the picture below. He was Toon Link for Halloween. Your argument is invalid.

3) He is the only person that has made a version of "Pumped Up Kicks" that I thoroughly enjoy. (That's right. I don't even enjoy the original.)

That being said, I have high expectations for anything Siri may suggest to me, mainly because she has such awesome taste in music, so I mean, Mr. Patrick had a lot to live up to. (Especially since I've been known to prowl Youtube for cover singers and I don't mean to brag, but I've found some EXCELLENT singers via Youtube. So yeah, stiff competition.)

However, Tanner Patrick has one of the sweetest voices I have ever heard. It oozes with sincerity and if we're being honest, I've listened to his cover of "Stereo Hearts" like 10 times today.

He also plays all his own instruments. So far I've seen the acoustic guitar, the keyboard and the drums.

And, on top of all that, he doesn't just stick to one genre for the songs he covers, which is refreshing to see. I love to see artists tackle different song types and make them their own.

I actual think this boy may be able to do no wrong, and I am EAGERLY anticipating his own original work, because if he can do this with songs that already exist, I can only imagine what he can do with his own music.

Go Download: He currently doesn't have anything for download but go like his Facebook to be informed as soon as his single drops.

Carter Banks

http://www.facebook.com/carterbanksmusic

Suggested to me by the lovely Siri, Carter Banks is sugary sweet, absolutely adorable pop music that is sorely missing from my iPod.

Hailing from McKinney, TX, this singer/songwriter sounds like a pleasant mix of The Ready Set and Never Shout Never. In fact, I actually think he does The Ready Set and Never Shout Never better than they do.

With songs perfect for the tween girl with a crush, or for lying out by the pool in the summer (or I guess pretending you're out by the pool since it's November and I don't think anyone will be swimming anytime soon), Carter Banks will always have a market to play to, because honestly, who doesn't love a feel good pop song every once and a while?

(Also, I can totally overlook the fact that he goes to Tech even though it is rather unfortunate timing that I'd find him the week of the Tech game. \m/)

Go Download: His single "Like At First Sight" on iTunes But you should also check out his song "Honestly Amazed By You" because Siri likes it a lot :)

Anarbor

http://www.anarbor.net/

So Anarbor has been on my iPod for awhile, and I would be lying if I said I just found them.

However, I still love them immensely and often wonder why I don't hear people talking about them or sight them more often.

What I had loved about Anarbor when I first heard their self-released EP Hearing Colours, Seeing Sounds was that it wasn't perfect. There were moments that were so raw that I actually felt as if the band was right there in the room with me. I also couldn't help but love their lyrics, which I thought were very mature and rather beautiful coming from such a young band at the time.

Ex-"I am god and the devil himself kisses my feet." "My bed gets sick of your body like the moon gets sick of the stars." and "I wanna feel the beat of your selfish heart as our bodies melt into one in the dark."

Since discovering them, this band has been signed to Hopeless Records and released two EPs and one full length. And MOST recently, they released The Mixtape which is them covering songs.

Basically, this band has done a lot of work, and has been near and dear to my heart, so this is more of a personal post I guess.

Go love em.

Really.

Go Download: They have three free songs and a free music video here



This is a personal favorite of mine

Kingston

http://kingstonofficial.com/

I have a confession to make. I.... have a soft spot.... for country.

I mention this, because it is seriously a deep dark secret, that no one would know about. So how this country duo came to decide following me on twitter was a good idea, I'll never know. Anyway, I stand by my word that anyone who gives me a chance will get a chance in return.

The Carter Twins, Josh and Zach, make up the band Kingston and from what I can tell, they have been using the name Kingston for roughly a month now.

Anyway, that was just a tidbit of fun information. This band has a decent following already, and they totally deserve this. I LOVE their sound. And I love their harmonies. And I love their covers (which they give their own Kingston flair to) and their original songs. I just.... cannot get enough of these boys.

And on top of all that, they seem like such wonderful people.

So all that combined, you can bet if I ever hear that they're going to be in Austin, I am gonna be there, and I am gonna be there QUICK.

Go Download: Sadly enough I can't find anything up for download, and I think you can only hear their music via Youtube BUT THEY ARE WORTH IT OK! Below you can hear their original song "Livin On Lovin' You" :)

Harbour Season

http://www.facebook.com/HARBOURSEASON

A chorus of Oh's is what greeted me when I opened up the link to Harbour Season's facebook page, and let's be honest, they had me hooked. But I mean, you guys know how I feel about pop rock by now. And the fact that they're from the UK? I may be slightly biased.

But, all joking aside, it isn't what this band is that I adore about them, though it is a great start, but it's where I can totally see them going. Harbour Season has only been a band since the beginning of this year, and they are already producing these sounds. So I can only imagine where they're going to be this time next year.

I also think that it should be noted that one of their songs is called "Hey Vegeta... I Can Fly!" Now, that may mean nothing to the common man, but to someone who grew up during the era of Toonami (when Toonami was good) the DBZ reference was not lost (assuming it was in fact a DBZ reference). Which can only mean one thing.

These boys make great music, have loads of talent, and could DEFINITELY be my best friends.

Go Download: Unfortunately, I don't think they have anything for download yet, because they are literally THAT new. But I love "Every Mistake Is Like You" so check it out on their facebook.

EDIT: There is a place to download! So get on that!

Sorry I haven't posted

I have one lined up. Actually, I have TWO lined up.

I just really need to finish my Russian midterm paper, so at the latest, you guys will have something new by tomorrow night.

Also, today in class we talked about creating lists, and I think I'm gonna create a list of my favorite bands I've discovered this year.

So get pumped :)

Foxy Shazam

http://www.foxyshazam.net/

Not exactly an "unknown" band, but one that I discovered last night and have fallen completely, and totally in love with.

I have heard the name Foxy Shazam before, but never gave much thought to them. Even when I thought they were going to be the only opener for Panic! at the Disco I didn't look into them because it really didn't matter if I liked them or not, I just really wanted to see Panic!.

The second this band walked onstage, I knew they were going to be at the very least entertaining, because let me tell you, just their appearance is enough to have made me fall in love them. From Eric Nally's awesome 'stache, to Sky White's epic beard and Daisy's ginormous two toned hair, you can't help but be prepared for an insane show. And let me tell you they did not disappoint at all.

As far as first impressions go, it was by far the best way to be introduced to Foxy Shazam. Energy oozed from their every pore as the danced, headbanged, screamed, jumped, you name it and these boys did it.

AND, even better, their performance was NOT to make up for any lack of musical talent. They just have this sound that is so.... APPEALING! It was very... old rock. It reminded me of Queen. (Before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I said it REMINDED me of. Not they sounded like Queen. Not that they are the next Queen or that they want to be Queen. Just to clear anything up for anyone who may or may not get offended as they have seemed to be getting on other sites.)

Anyway, mindblowing. It's the one word I can think to describe this band. I look forward immensely not only to their next album, due out in January, but to them coming back to Austin so I can see them again.

Also, I would like to point out that any band that includes instruments like trumpet in their music is a-ok with me.

Check out a live video of them below, mainly because I just have to share their amazing stage presence with you.

Go Download: "Oh Lord" off their self-titled album on iTunes. But you should also check out "The Only Way to My Heart" because the trumpet is just so damn sexy in that song. You know what, just grab the whole album.

The Orange

http://www.facebook.com/theorangeband

So I have this friend, who has awesome taste in music (but I may be slightly biased since he likes all the same music I like) and I asked him for some lesser known bands. And he sent me in The Orange's direction.

Now, if we're being completely honest, had he not told me to listen to them, I probably wouldn't have. I mean, they've listed their genre as "Paisley Underground". 1) What? 2) I don't even like paisley. So yeah. I was a little iffy on the whole thing.

But I bucked up and gave them a shot, and I'm a fan! (Of course, or I wouldn't be writing about them)

Based out of Dallas, this band has a rather retro feel to them, so definitely out of my main scene, and kind of left field from my folk scene. They're "born out of a feverish pop psychedelic dream" as they like to put it, and it's a dream I'm ok with having. There is something oddly familiar about the singers voice and the music. Basically, I just have them on repeat. They're different, but not so much so that I'm turned off by it.

Words fail to describe the way I feel about this band, but you should definitely give them a chance.

They have a planned release date for a new EP in early 2012, and I for one, cannot wait to hear what's on it.

Go Download: My personal favorite is "Snow Globe" but I'm also a huge fan of "Nip-Tuck" so grab them both off of iTunes

The Abstract

http://www.facebook.com/TheAbstractBandTX

It seems I have stumbled across a movement. A movement of older sounding rock, and I am just fine with that. This five piece band currently based out of Austin, TX is heavily influenced by the British invasion of the '60s and their sound is raw. Raw in the very best way possible. Though, I feel like now should be the time to reiterate that the '60s inspired music isn't my usual. In fact, it is slightly far out from my usual.

HOWEVER some of my favorite music is the music that you can listen to and think "Damn, this band would be wonderful live." And The Abstract is that sort of band. I feel like you would hear them while walking down 6th street and get pulled into the bar that they're playing at because there is just something enchanting about the way they sound.

Of course, I could write about how great I think they are all day long, but I don't think I will ever be able to do this band justice just by talking about them. They're one you'll actually have to sit down and listen to yourself.

However, let me assure you that they are WELL worth your time.

(Also, I think it'd be fun for everyone to note that they too like The Orange. See how that happens, huh? I like to make connections when I can :D)

Go Download: "Black Beauty from their EP on iTunes

Roy English

http://www.theroyenglish.com/

Eye Alaska was never a band I listened to. I had heard the name, but never actually gone and listened to their music. Unfortunately, this band broke up this August, which means even if I got into them now, it would be too late. (Note: I have looked into them now, and will forever rue the day that I missed out on seeing them live)

What does this have to do with this "Roy English" character do you ask?

WELL, Eye Alaska's Brandon Wronski announced a mere two weeks ago his new project, Roy English. Now, I just caught wind of this project last night, and had it not been midnight already, I would have taken to blogspot and written about my new found love. Be that as it may, I spent all day trying to decide how to put into words what Roy English is like.

What did I come up with?

Smoke.

Now, that's weird, but hear me out. Brandon Wronski's vocals are smooth and at first I was thinking smooth, like velvet. But really, it's even much more than that. It has such a caress it's like running your fingers through the smoke of a cigarette exhale. It's rich, luxurious and incredibly sensual.

His song "Western Woods Freestyle" starts subtetly with tinkling chimes and piano and background vocals that sound like sirens trying to lure sailors from ships. Layering in strings, it comes to a crescendo and then drops off again. Honestly, if it isn't the first song on his album, my mind will be blown, because it sets up the emotions just right.

The other two tracks he has up have a more R&B feel, with magnificent beats and his smokey voice. I kind of feel like I should have the lights dimmed and be surrounded by candles, if that is any indication of the mood in which they set.

I very much look forward to his album, and will be keeping my eyes open so I can let everyone know when it drops.

Go Download: Everything he has put up and been a part of it up for free download here

Razia's Shadow: A Musical

Remember that one time when I promoted Jack's Mannequin's new album and it was weird and totally not in the format of this blog?

Well, I'm gonna do something like that again right now.

Only even weirder cuz this album I'm about to promote came out in 2008. So it's not even new. The band that created it isn't even a band anymore. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy this masterpiece.

Forgive Durden, or rather, Thomas Dutton is the genius behind Razia's Shadow: A Musical. It's like a rock opera, but better.

The album is a story, with a whole cast of singers (13 in all) including Max Bemis (Say Anything), Brendon Urie (Panic! at the Disco) and Greta Salpeter (The Hush Sound).

It starts off with the creation of the world by O the Scientist (Casey Crescenzo) with the help of his angels, his best being Ahrima (Dutton) and Nidria (Lizzie Huffman) but Ahrima gets angry because he isn't given the credit he deserves, so he is talked into destroying the light by Barayas (Bemis). Upon destroying the light, he is cast out to the darkness, causing a rift between the two worlds which won't be closed until one of his blood from the darkness reunites their worlds.

A hundred years later, Adakias (Also voiced by Dutton) questions being a prince of the darkness and leaves, even after his brother, Pallis, (Urie) threatens to find him and make him pay. But he goes into disguise and leaves anyway.

From there, Adakias finds his true love, Princess Anhura (Salpeter), unfortunately being around him makes her sick, because he's from the darkness and she's from the light.

He takes her to Doctor Dumaya (Shawn Harris) who will save her, as long as Anhura stays with him forever. But after he heals her, Pallis shows up and outs his brother as well as tries to kill her.

Adakias protects her, and gets stabbed instead. And he dies.

Now, I know that was a really quick run down of what happens, and you can't POSSIBLY understand this album without actually listening to it yourself. But it, personally, one of the most perfect albums I own. The story is gorgeous and I can't even begin to tell you just how much I love the moral of it.

The production is stellar. Many of the parts were recorded by the artists and sent back to Dutton to put on the album and the majority of the orchestral parts are from a software due to budgeting. So yeah. Knowing this, the sound is mindblowing.

Dutton did a WONDERFUL job and I can't speak more highly of this album. I love it so much that I tweeted him about how I wished to personally thank him for creating it.

Seriously though. Go check it out. It will change your life.

"The unrelenting constancy of love and hope wil rescue and restore from any scope."

Go Download: The whole album because you can't just get one song.

Set It Off

I actually was a fan of Cody Carson before I was a fan of Set If Off, his Orchestral Pop band from Tampa, FL. He shares my love for All Time Low, but is actually talented enough to cover on youtube. Anyway, he started promoting his band, so of course I had to give them a shot, and I love them. It has been exciting for me to hear the growth this band has under gone over the past couple of years, going from a pop rock sound to a more full, darker sound. My personal favorite by them is "I Promise" with it's sweeping orchestra, vocals and tone. I think it's a beautiful song unlike any I've heard from a band also categorized as a pop rock band. Their song @Reply is another great one that gives you a feel for their darker side as well a cleaner, more put together sound.

Go Download: "I Promise" from their album Calm Before the Storm

The Mid-Summer Classic

The Mid-Summer Classic started following me on twitter. And I generally like to check out the people who follow me on twitter. It's my main source for these things in case you ever wondered. This band, fits in quite nicely with the general scheme of bands I love. The more pop-rock it is, the more I'll probably like it, and this, is pop-rock at it's finest. There are lyrics about young love, guitars, keyboard, and excellent hair. (LOL) But in all seriousness, I am a major fan of Robert Dobbs' voice and I feel like after a bit of fine tuning, this band actually has a shot at hitting it big. They have all the factors to be GREAT. Now all they need, is your love. SO GIVE IT TO THEM.

Go Download: Their album doesn't come out till November 8th, so while you wait, check out "Never Let You Go" below.

I'm severely lacking in posting this week....

I'll make up for it.
I've had posts planned, I just got swamped with homework.
You'll have one tonight for sure.

Obadiah Parker

http://www.facebook.com/#!/obadiahparker

How did I find Obadiah Parker? Tumblr. I was going through my tracked tag for The Vampire Diaries and someone had posted a playlist for the show or something along those lines, and what caught my eye was a cover of Oukast's "Hey Ya". There aren't many people who have covered "Hey Ya" so I was intrigued. A quick youtube search brought me to a wonderful artist. It was amazing to hear that song in a folky tone and just a guy and his acoustic guitar. I highly suggest fans of City and Colour or Ray LaMontagne to look into Obadiah Parker. Also, as a random sidenote, the man has a KILLER ginger beard.

Go Download: His cover of Radiohead's "Idioteque" on iTunes

SPEAK

http://www.facebook.com/#!/hearSPEAKhere

One of my friends (The male half of Moonlight Social) suggested I give this Austin based band a listen. He actually went as far as to say that he thinks they'll be rather popular within a year. And I mean, at first I was like, that's kind of a tall order dontcha think? Lemme give them a listen first. So I hopped on over to their Facebook, and to say that I was a little shocked at the voice that came out of Troupe Gammage would be a gross understatement. I don't know what I was expecting per say, but that strong voice was not it. One blog described them as indie electro-pop and if we absolutely have to classify them, that is what I'd dub them as. Their beats are infectious in the same way that popular hits on the radio are today, but it sounds nothing like what we have been force fed by MTV. Margaret Moser of The Austin Chronicle mentioned that there is a new sound evolving here in Austin, and I believe that SPEAK is at the forefront of that movement. So do I think these boys will be famous within the year? I don't wanna jinx them or anything, but let's just say if I hear them in the near future on the radio, I wouldn't be shocked at all.

Go Download: My personal favorite is "Wars" . After you fall in love with that, buy their album on iTunes

People and Things

I know this is another post that is out of the ordinary, I promise this will be the last random post for awhile. But I am so in love with Jack's Mannequin's new album, People and Things that I just had to inform the blogosphere to go get it.

I think it just might be Andrew McMahon's best album. Ever. Out of all the Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin albums, this one is my personal favorite.

For those of you who don't know about Andrew McMahon, he was the lead singer of a band called Something Corporate when he was in high school. They got really big, and had become somewhat of what we call "Teen Idols". But then that band fell through, as one can imagine, many teenagers would become burnt out after touring throughout high school and right out of it. Then he started Jack's Mannequin, a project named after a childhood friend who had leukemia (Spookily foreshadowing). A few months before the release of their debut album, Everything in Transit, Andrew was diagnosed with Leukemia, which was the main influence for his second album, The Glass Passenger. It also caused him to start a foundation to raise money for cancer research called Dear Jack.

Now, I don't know if you can tell, but this man is like my hero. He's a huge inspiration, and though he says in the album trailer that he doesn't see himself as a a fighter, hero or inspiration, I can't think of any other way to describe him. If there is any post that you actually pay attention to on this blog, it should be this one.

Jack's Mannequin is a band that will change your life, and People and Things should go down in history.

"I love this album. For what it says and what it took to get there. It may not be life or death, but it's life."

Go Download: People and Things

Alex Goot, Chad Sugg, Luke Conard

Alex Goot
Luke Conard
Chad Sugg

So, today's post is going to be a little different.

These three guys aren't exactly a band. They're actually three seperate youtubers that cover music and occasionally get together and sing songs. Tonight they posted a cover of Adele's "Someone Like You" and I really, really like it. These boys sound great together, and if I had it my way, I'd make them be a band. Alex Goot's piano playing is a wonderful companion to Chad Sugg and Luke Conard's guitar playing. And don't even get me started on their voices. They all have a different sound, but when they sing together, it's magnificent. These three boys have also covered "Lighters" by Bad Meets Evil ft. Bruno Mars and Alex and Chad have covered "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry. I do like them all seperately, but I enjoy them best when they're together, and I can only hope they keep doing covers (and maybe some original stuff?) so my ear appetite can be fed.

Go Download: Their cover of "Someone Like You" off iTunes.

Rocky Loves Emily

http://www.facebook.com/#!/ROCKYLOVESEMILYband

Currently based in Detroit, this six man band is just a good time. With whole band chanting and upbeat guitars and happy lyrics, this music is like bubblegum for my ears. They remind me of American Hi Fi for some reason, and make me want to dance around my room without a care. They have a pop rock sound that isn't unfamiliar to my blog, and if you are into acts such as All Time Low, American Hi Fi and Every Avenue, than this band is right up your alley. Something about this band though that makes them stand out? They seem like genuine people. And, their music video makes me smile.

Go Download: Their single “Clueless” from their EP on iTunes

The Famous Class

http://www.facebook.com/thefamousclass

London based pop-punk band The Famous Class is hard to describe. I feel like the band said it best, "Like All Time Low and Paramore and Blink 182 in a hot tub together on a warm summer's day...Naked!" There is something about this bands that makes me flashback to middle school. This is the type of music I rocked out to after school with my black nail polish and my middle finger up in the air. Not to say that that is a bad thing. TFC is damn catchy and actually had my attention within 15 seconds of listening to their song "Have You Ever..." I keep trying to pinpoint who they remind me of, but I just keep coming back to what they said. They make for a fun listen, and I'll definitely be keeping my eye on them.

Go Download: Their cover of "Never Gonna Give You Up" for free here

Goodnight Fellows

http://www.facebook.com/GoodnightFellows

This band is yet another that I found upon their following me on Twitter, and I was prepared for the typical pop rock band that they seemed like. When I hit the play button on their music player, you can imagine my shock when the first song that started playing proclaimed “I hope he breaks your heart” which I feel is different from the usual love songs we find in the genre. Catchy beats and a clean voice carry the music and makes for a good lazy day out by the pool soundtrack.

Go Download: "On Our Way" for free from http://goodnightfellows.bandcamp.com/

My Girl Friday

http://www.mygirlfridayband.com/


This next band is a self proclaimed Funk/Pop/Rock group from Phoenix. Their music is the type of music I would pop in while going on a summer day drive with friends, or while I’m getting ready in the morning and I’m dancing around in my underwear. They make incredibly fun music, and we all know that that’s never a bad thing. They just released a new single, "American Kids" on iTunes, and you can check it out below. It's an ode to youth and I find it quite refreshing. (I also love the lyrics "Here's to the friends who got it figured out, at least the pretend. Here's to the rest of us singin' 'What's my age again?'") Also, their website allows you to listen to their song "April Jean". Give em a listen. They'll brighten up your day.



Go Download: "American Kids" off iTunes

Culture Sol

http://www.reverbnation.com/culturesol

Admittedly I don’t usually listen to hip hop. I try, I do. I keep my mind open, but I tend to lend myself more towards the different variations of rock. That being said, Culture Sol is a hip hop group I can actually see myself blasting as I’m driving around downtown. Their hooks are infectious and I found myself bobbing my head along with the beat. Unfortunately, as they are from Atlanta, I probably won’t be able to see them soon as I’m a broke college kid that lives over 1,000 miles away. Since I don’t know much about hip hop, the best way for you to understand Culture Sol would be for you to give them a listen for yourself. Trust me. It’ll be worth the time.

Go Download: You can download “Hey Ho! (We Get It Crackin)” from their website for free.

I'm sorry loyal followers

All two of you lol
I missed Monday's post cuz I was seeing My Chemical Romance :DDDDD

Marianas Trench

http://www.marianastrench.net/

Another band seriously underestimated by the music fans in the United States. The Canadian rock band is a four piece group that is actually quite well known in Canada, making appearances at the Much! Music awards and pretty much never leaving Canada. You can finally get their albums Fix Me and Masterpiece Theatre on iTunes, but it took way to long for them to get there. Anyway, I digress. Their sound is ever evolving with their second album sounding nothing like their first and I'm quite sure their third, due out November 29, will sound nothing like the others. With Josh Ramsay's soaring vocals and personal lyrics (Their song "Lover Dearest" is from a letter he had to write while in rehab to his heroin addiction and "Skin and Bones", "Feeling Small" and "Alibis" are about his fight with bulimia) the band has a way of creating music that is accessible to everyone. I'm excited for them, because they're going to be a part of their first US tour supporting Simple Plan, Forever the Sickest Kids and The Cab. Watch out for these guys. I've had my eye on them for over a year now, and they have been blowing my mind every day since.

Go Download: While I want to tell you to download everything of their's, check out "Masterpiece Theatre III". It has parts of every song on the album, as well as songs from their first put together. And it's wonderful.

[You should also check out the video below, because I really like to watch it]

Ed Sheeran

http://edsheeran.com/

British acoustic folk singer Ed Sheeran isn't exactly unknown in the UK. However, virtually no one knows about him here. Which is sad, because he's WONDERFUL. Armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar, this gifted ginger blows minds with his voice and lyrics. His most known song, "The A Team" is used in many collaborations with rap artists, which creates a beautiful marriage of the two genres. It's also a very meaningful song, written about a girl in a homeless shelter he played a benefit show for and how she got there. I don't know why he hasn't dropped here in the US yet. He was a part of the iTunes Festival this year, but I still have to turn to torrents to get all his music. Which is wrong. I would love to be able to pay for his magnificence.

Go Download: You can get his cover of "Wayfaring Stranger" and "U.N.I" by signing up for his email list on his website :)

One Step Away

http://www.facebook.com/onestepaway

One Step Away is a pop rock band based out of Boston, MA, which is sad for me because it is entirely too far especially for how much I enjoy this band. This band has been featured in Alternative Press, played on stages such as Universal Studios Hollywood and recorded an album with producers Dan Malsch and Alec Henninger (whom have worked with bands such as Framing Hanley and Forever the Sickest Kids). I guess what I’m trying to prove with that is that these guys are getting their work done, and deserve to be recognized. I think what catches my attention most with them is that lead singer Adam Carrington’s voice is VERY reminiscent of Bedlight for Blue Eyes’ Daniel Rinaldi. However, it should be noted that they are two different bands and while it was the voice that pulled me in, it is the lyrics and overall tone of the band that kept me sitting at my laptop needing more.


Go Download: "Need You" off their album For The Broken.