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)