Bastille

http://www.facebook.com/bastilleuk

Oh I know what you're thinking, what Vicci?! You're posting more than once a week again! I know, it's crazy. But I told you I'd make up for my absence. It also helps that I just happen to have stumbled across Bastille and could not contain my joy over this discovery and just HAD to write about them.

You see, my dear friend Brenna turned me to this website called 8tracks (like I needed another music website) and I'm slightly addicted. Basically, it's a site where people can make and share playlists. So it's just a bunch of random playlists and all you really know about them is the title and the description if the creator feels so inclined to give you one. You don't know WHO is on the playlist until their song has played, which I find rather intriguing myself. And as soon as the playlist is done, it moves on to another random mix. So I'm sitting here, listening to this playlist, which is really just background sound as I already know a good majority of the music on it, when all of a sudden I am ripped from my reverie (ok, a little less dramatic, I was only blogging on tumblr afterall) by these wonderful beats and most notably, the lyrics. Quickly switching to the other tab that I had open, I saw the title of the song and the name of the band. "Flaws" by Bastille. And that, my dears, is what I like to refer to as Love at First Listen. I promptly turned to Spotify, in hopes that their music would be there, and as luck may have it, their EP, 'Laura Palmer,' and their single 'Flaws' were up, and they have been on repeat since. (In case you were wondering, this all happened this morning around 1 AM.)

That all being said, Bastille started out as just Dan Smith making music in his bedroom. Upon deciding he didn't want to be a singer-songwriter anymore, he decided to expand and become a band instead. And now I'm pretty convinced that they might be flawless. I'm looking for the catch here, I really am, but so far, nothing. Everything I've listened to has been wonderful. Live stuff, acoustic stuff, covers, all amazing. The harmonies are great and the musicality is spot on. I love the melodies they play, their music is just so catchy. I mean, really, if you couldn't tell, I'm completely in love with them, and it's only been a little over 12 hours since I discovered them. I also think this might be a good time to say that on top of loving the music, I absolutely adore Dan's hair.

So to sum everything up, I think it's only a matter of time before these guys hop the pond and come over to America. At least, that's what I'm hoping, because I can guarantee that I will be at their show so quick. (Though, I guess I have no issue with going to the UK to catch em c:)

Go Download: Everything ever. Aha, all joking aside, their EP, 'Overjoyed,' is up for preorder on iTunes, but you can listen to them on Spotify and you can also pick up their mixtape 'Other People's Heartache' FOR FREE here!!!

(The song that sparked my love.)

Emeli Sandé

http://www.facebook.com/emelisande

 Now, I know it has been a while. But for good reason. Not only have I been away trying to be a good student so that I can one day do this for a living, but I've also been away trying to find someone that I would be excited to talk about. I've come across so many acts that sound just like each other, and while I can appreciate them all, I was looking for something new and exciting. That new and exciting something came to me in the form of Emeli Sandé.

 My love for the Scottish soul and R&B singer is all due to tumblr. While perusing the One Direction tag (Yeah yeah, I know. I'm a fangirl. What can I say.) I saw a post about a song called "Read All About It Pt III." Now, I don't know what it was that pulled me to it, because it obviously was NOT One Direction-- though it did tie in and belong in the tag after I found out the reasoning-- but I just had to listen to it. Maybe it was because of the couple of lines of lyrics attached, or maybe it was because I was on this search for something to add to my iPod. Whatever it was, it led me to some of the most beautiful music I have listened to.

 You see, Sandé started as a songwriter, writing for acts like Tinie Tempah, Cheryl Cole, Professor Green and several others. Soon after she tried to break into the singing business as well, and eventually landed a record deal in 2011 with EMI Records. Now, not only has she boosted her writing resume to include Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle she's released her album 'Our Version Of Events.' And by released I mean she's released it in the UK already, where it entered the charts at #1. We here in the US have to wait until June 5 to own it (Or, you know, legally own it.) Can I also mention that she won the Brit for Critics' Choice at this year's Brit Awards? So she's already got the UK with her charm, and with the latest wave of British artists hopping the pond and trying to dominate the US (One Direction, The Wanted, Ed Sheeran, etc) I wouldn't be shocked if she puts us under her spell as well. (Fun Fact: She made her US television debut on April 19 on Conan! Check it out here!!)

 Now that we've talked all the fun background stuff, let's talk about the facts. The girl is fabulous. She has a gorgeous voice, she can play the piano and her lyrics are just downright beautiful. Her music is the stuff you pop in while sipping on a glass of wine and winding down after a long day or while your soaking in a nice long bath. It's the kind of music you pop in to get yourself focused. It's the kind of music that you listen to when you need a good cry. Most importantly, it's the type of music you put on when you just need to feel understood, because let's face it, Ms. Sandé is saying everything we have always wanted to say, just could never say it as eloquently.

 Not only that, but I believe that what she writes isn't written with the intention of making it a radio hit. She writes about are themes that people SHOULD be hearing about. In the description of her latest music video, "My Kind of Love," she wrote

During my time studying medicine, I found it hard to write, but one of the things that inspired me were the patients and the interaction that they had with their loved ones during their time of illness. When people arrived at the hospital, money and status became irrelevant and only health mattered, which sparked an honesty between people which was amazing. This interaction, declaration of support and love, was the inspiration for "My Kind Of Love" and something I wanted to try and portray in this video.

So yeah, I firmly believe that what she writes is art. It has surpassed the point of music and become something infinitely more beautiful. (Wow how many times can I say beautiful in one post?)

 Anyway, I think at this point you can tell that I'm completely in love with Emeli Sandé. Her album is amazing. Her videos are amazing. She's amazing. Signed, sealed, delivered. She's bringing something back to the music scene that I think has been sorely lacking, and I personally cannot wait to see more of her.

Go Download: You can preorder 'Our Version of Events' on iTunes for just $7.99, which is practically stealing. You also get her song "Next To Me" as soon as you do :)However, my personal favorites are "River" and "Read All About It Pt III." (Though "Read All About It Pt III" doesn't seem to be on the US version of the album.)

So I'm gone for awhile because of school stuff

And I come back to Blogger being completely different. Uhm.... Ok. Anyway, I haven't died. And I promise to make up for my lack in posting as soon as I catch up with all my work and stuff. Promise. With the pinky and everything.

Interview with SPEAK

Hey guys!
Check out my interview for Rock Edition with Bands That Need Love Too alums, SPEAK!

http://www.rockedition.com/interviews/artist-interviews/interview-with-speak/

At the corner of lost and found :)

Why You Should Just Give In to Boy Band Era 3.0

If you're my age-- 20 for all those wondering-- chances are you remember *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys (I mean, my age group kind of grew up with them). And if you were anything like me, they were one of your very first band obsessions (if not the first). Some of you may even have the honor of calling one of them your first concert (I got to see *NSYNC for my 10th birthday). So obviously, if you were like me, when Boy Band Era 2.0 came to an end you were distraught. Sure a few popped up here and there, but none with the same gumption that captured our hearts like *NSYNC and BSB. That all changed when Big Time Rush hit the scene. You may argue with me on that, but I promise you, the Return of the Boy Band started with them. Unfortunately, I think they got the proverbial short stick as upon opening the gateway to this new era of boy band, they unleashed the likes of One Direction and The Wanted. That, however, is another blog all together. You see, if you're like me, you're relishing this resurgence of boy bands. You also have friends or know people who are NOT as enthusiastic as you are about this return. But why does it have to be that way? How can people blatantly hate such fun, happy music? Maybe it's because it's the cool thing to hate things that are popular, or maybe they just dislike adorable boys that sing adorable things. But I'd be willing to put my money on the fact that they are just worried about being judged for openly appreciating these groups and therefore make up for their secret shrines by drinking some haterade. (Am I allowed to say that still? Is my age showing?) That being said, here is a list of reasons why you SHOULDN'T feel guilty about nodding along to the catchy songs of Boy Band Era 3.0, because let's face it, you're probably gonna be hearing these songs for awhile.

1. These Aren't The Goody Two Shoe Boy Bands That You Grew Up With
Sure, maybe they look like it, and maybe their songs might show a bit of lighthearted nature (EX- "Every time you come around you put a lightning bolt on my face"), and their fangirls certainly do not help but do NOT get it twisted. These are boys ranging from 18-23 and two of the three aforementioned bands are from the UK where they aren't as uptight as those of us in the US. Maybe it's because I was like 7 when *NSYNC happened, but I don't think they ever did interviews like this. Nor do I remember them making music videos like this. (Dost mine eyes spy stomach licking?) So really, the argument that they are "too young" is a load of crock.

2. Like Any Boy Band, They Have The Looks


(Also, chances are if you're a red blooded female, you've already seen the new Ponystep photos, but just in case you missed them

(Also, I spy with my little eye a wet boy band)
Okay, maybe this was just so I could go through pages and pages of Google image results. I'm back on task now.

3. They Really Can Sing
Not that I am claiming my boys in *NSYNC and BSB can't. That would be the most blatant of all lies. However, let's take a second to listen to some of the trademark harmonies that come with boy bandom.



So, really, the "They can't sing and people only like them for their looks" argument is pretty invalid too.

4. They Have Impeccable Taste In Music
What does this have to do with anything you ask? Well, if they like good music, they are influenced by good music. You want a list of the artists that they appreciate?
One Direction: Two Door Cinema Club, The Fray, Queen, The Beatles, John Mayer and The Script.
Big Time Rush: Taking Back Sunday, Incubus, Donna Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Radiohead and even some broadway (Shout out to Carlos for his love of Rent!)
The Wanted: Oasis, Switchfoot, Queen, Coldplay and Boyz II Men.
So now I've just made your "They aren't 'real music' and don't know what 'real music' is" argument invalid. (And quite frankly this argument just makes me angry so before I go off on a tangent, I'm gonna move on.)

5. How Can You Hate Fun Music?
We all need a little happy from time to time, don't we? I'd be lying if I said that my iPod wasn't full of deep, meaningful songs that tug at the heartstrings or that make you think. But sometimes you just don't want to think. You just want to listen to something that blatantly lays it out there for you and has a catchy beat. And since when has that ever been a bad thing? Seriously. If you don't find yourself bobbing your head at least once to any of the following songs, you probably just don't have much of a sense of fun.



Yeah. Happy music. If you have an argument against happy music, you obviously just need more of it in your life.

6. They Can Also Tug Heartstrings
On the flipside of that, everyone loves a good ballad. Everyone. Especially one that makes you feel like YOU are the person your boy band of choice is singing to.



So there goes your "They only make stupid pop music" argument.

I could probably keep going, but let's be real, at this point I'm beating a dead horse. An extra dead horse. The main point of this is to point out that the majority of people who act like they dislike boy bands so much do so because they don't realize that there is no reason to hide a true like for them. of course, if you genuinely STILL don't like them, then you legit don't like them. And cool for you because that means you probably aren't 1) A female, 2) Between the ages of 12 and 25 or 3) A "hipster" that dislikes anything that is part of the "mainstream."

Remember When

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Remember-When

Hah, the title kind of makes it look like this is gonna be a nostalgic post. Well it's not. It's a post about a pretty darn good band who just happens to have a nostalgic sounding name. It actually only took me half a song to decide that these boys would be this week's Band That Needs Love Too. Now, I know what you're thinking. That's totally jumping the gun. That's like basing a love for an album on the minute thirty iTunes preview of one song. But sometimes, you just know.

And with this band, I just new. Maybe because they seem to fit the candy coated confection sounds that I've been craving lately (Helloooo Boy Band Era 2.0), I don't know. But there is just something about Kyle Nelson's voice that just captured my heart, or... I guess my ears rather. Citing bands they like as The Summer Set, The Ready Set, Stereo Skyline, Never Shout Never and a handful of others, it's quite obvious to see where they fit in the pop rock genre that I know and love so well.

They are just a good time. Their music doesn't have any undertones that make me want to curl up and cry, they are just good, pure, pop rock. It's the type of music you can relate to and pop in on a hot summer day (or, if you're in Texas like me, a hot spring, summer AND winter day). To say that the music they are making is groundbreaking would probably be an overstatement, but it honestly feels like they aren't making it with an agenda. To me, and I could be wrong, but it feels like Remember When is just aiming to give you something to listen to that will make you smile.

Well you have succeeded boys, if that is indeed your mission, because I'm sitting here enjoying it like no other.

Go Download: The debut album 'Forever A Dream' from iTunes! But, my personal favorite is "Secret Valentine." (Which is NOT a We The Kings cover lol)

Interview with BLACK TAXI

Hey guys, I've been failing to share my interviews, but I think this band will be making an appearance as a BTNLT so I figured I'd make a point to share!

Check it out HERE