Every Tear Drop is A Waterfall?

The title of Coldplay's new song made me wince a little...Every Tear Drop is a Waterfall...that sounds pretty lame. I listened to the song once, liked it, but then wrote it off. Later I started seeing that people were really responding well to their three new tracks off their, so far untitled, 5th studio album.

I gave the song another shot and it really has grown on me surprisingly! When I find new music or just songs that really resonate with me, I always look up the lyrics. I think what got me to really start liking this song was the lyrics. Specifically this part,

"I turn the music up, i got my records on, from underneath the rubble sing a rebel song. 

don't want to see another generation drop, i'd rather be a comma that a full stop."

Something about the lyrics got me today and made me change my opinion of this song. Read them for yourself and hopefully you'll like them as much as I did! 

http://www.directlyrics.com/coldplay-every-teardrop-is-a-waterfall-lyrics.html

Whatevers on Your Mind

Gomez recently released a single from his new album, Whatevers On Your Mind, called "Options". I fell in love with this song because of the lyrics mainly. It is a great song musically as well, but the lyrics really are great. Lyrics are usually what I pay attention to in songs, and find that a lot of them can really be quite fitting.  In the song "Options" the lyrics say, "all the things you'll see, all the places you'll go." Without really knowing why, these lyrics stuck with me. I love the optimism of the lyrics that tie back into the happy summery sound that this song has.

Regardless if you pay attention to lyrics, find them meaningful or not, Gomez's song Options is a great new single after his last successful songs. You can listen to the whole new album HERE!

Thom Yorke & Radiohead's New Basement Sessions

This needs no lengthy explanation. Thom Yorke is his own kind of awesome. He really freaks me out while still making me love watching him perform.

This song, "Staircase" is a new song that is going to be on their upcoming album, "From the Basement." http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/

NPR: Tiny Desk Concerts

NPR never fails to have great live performances from artists playing in their All Things Considered office. Each artist that plays a set usually plays 3 songs. The cool part about these concerts is that that you can really get a sense of the band's personality, and not just their music.

This particular concert is with Local Natives. They are an LA based band that are said to have, "indie-rock arrangements, clattering Afrobeat rhythms and euphoric chamber-pop harmonies [that] may be what invites listeners in, but the lyrics contain just as much depth and nuance." said Michael Katzif from NPR. I first loved Local Natives when I heard their song, Sun Hands. It just makes you want to sing along and move around when it opens with quick drumbeats.  They have a very unique sound and are really growing into their own style. I can't wait to see what they do next!

Watch their NPR Tiny Desk Concert here! http://www.npr.org/2011/02/21/133899844/local-natives-tiny-desk-concert

Damien Rice

Regardless that it is the first day of summer, Annapolis weather has not figured itself out yet. Its rainy, gray and windy, which is not normal for regular summer weather here. The weather makes me change what music I listen to pretty drastically. Today's weather brings  the Damien Rice out of my iTunes. I always love Damien Rice, but there is certainly a time and place to play his music....and that time is now.

Volcano from his album O is a track that I never really listened to, but right now I can't stop listening to it! Listen to it below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZduDvIBu3EU

Matthew and the Atlas

When Matthew and the Atlas opened for Mumford and Sons, it was hard to focus, sitting on the lawn, on how great they really are due to the weather (it was thunderstorming and hailing). They sounded great from what I could hear, but I knew I would have to really check them out later. I got home and found a great track! The song, "I Will Remain" is a nice mellow, yet happy summer song.

Check them out here!
http://www.myspace.com/matthewandtheatlas

...and my favorite song of theirs, "I Will Remain" here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4WFfmE73Sw

James Blake. Lindisfarne

 This new self titled album released by James Blake has a very unique sound throughout the album. He tends to have a dupstep style backing paired with piano guitar chords. He says that it is a way to make the singer-songwriter six string style interesting. I think he definitely has.

In Lindisfarne part I and II, he sounds very much like Justin Vernon of Bon Iver with the wispy vocals that are almost mysterious in a way. I hadn't heard much from James Blake before but having heard Lindisfarne first, I loved his combinations of sounds. Then I then listened to his song, Limit to Your Love, which is blocked into either piano jazzy parts or the heavy dubstep. That one may have to grow on me, but so far so good with Lindisfarne.

Give James Blake's Lindisfarne a listen! Keep in mind this video is really weird...

http://vimeo.com/23912297

Mumfor and Sons..Too Gooood!

I recently saw Mumford and Sons at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and they exceeded my expectations. First of all, I had a lawn seat, and unfortunately it started thundering and storming like crazy, then proceeded to hail through the opening acts. I am such a fan of Mumford and Sons, that I saw no other option but to stay through the disastrous weather and see them perform.

That was the best decision to stick out the weather because it cleared up as soon as they came on stage! The atmosphere on the lawn was amazing with people just dancing around singing every word to every song. The band had such great stage performance it was all you could do to not smile. They also played about 4 or 5 new songs that they'll be putting on their upcoming cd, which I now can not wait for! Each song they introduced just got better and better. They have a lot to live up to with their second album following the huge success of their first album, Sigh No More.

I was able to find some videos of their new songs from when the performed on the Railroad Revival tour. Check them out!

Hopeless Wanderer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBvtZAQhywY
Below My Feet - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0N9r7bNSR8

Arcade Fire: Front Row

Walking up to the gates for the Arcade Fire concert in Charlottesville, VA, my friend Taylor and I were confused as to why nobody was in line with only 10 minutes before gates open. Our cab driver apparently dropped us off at the second entrance, which nobody knew about! We were now first in line for the concert...unbelievable. Taylor and I had been talking about how amazing the show was going to be and joked about the idea of being front row. The ticket lady got a call on her radio to start letting people in, so she then checked out tickets and let us in. We said we weren't going to be "those fans" that would sprint to the stage, but from the other gate we could see people running so incredibly fast to the stage. We immediately turned into the full fledged "crazed fan" mentality and began sprinting towards the stage. I felt like I was in a movie because the vendors along the street we had to run on to get to the stage started cheering for Taylor and I yelling, "run run!!" We rounded the corner, saw the stage, saw that the front row railing was open and we started yelling about god knows what. Legitimately turned into super fans and went crazy over the fact that we were going to be front row for Arcade Fire.

The opening band, Bowerbirds, came on and if it wasn't for the fact that all I wanted to do at that point was get out of the 97° heat and humidity or see Arcade Fire performing, I'm sure I would have enjoyed them more. Soon Arcade Fire came on the stage and the crowd of 4,000 people went wild! They opened with Ready to Start, and continued with this set list...
The most amazing part about the show to me was that the band was all so versatile. Win Butler, the lead singer, played the guitar, mandolin, and the drums. His wife and band-mate, Regine played the drums, sang, played this weird organ grinder thing featured in keep the car running and played the keyboard.

The encore however was the most impressive part of their show. They came back on stage and immediately went into playing, Wake Up. The crowd was singing every word at the top of their lungs, and it blew me away that so many people loved this band so much, and I can only imagine how that feels as the band to have 4,000 people singing your song back to you. The last song was Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) which features Regine. She was amazing, and an even better dancer. At the end of the song she took these handfuls of long neon ribbons and started to dance around with them. Somehow for it being such a small addition to the show, that made the song one of my new favorites.

Needless to say, this is the only way I want to experience concerts now; front row. That is near to impossible, but it made the show 100 times better being that close to the band. I felt like part of the concert.

New Summer Album: Givers

This summer, I am interning as a Lifestyle Rep for 'stache Media promoting bands under RED Music Label. We are just starting for the summer term, and I'm so excited about the bands that I am going to help promote this summer! So far, I get to help get the word out about new albums and tour dates for My Morning Jacket, GIVERS, and Art Brut.

GIVERS are a brand new indie/pop band from Lafayette, Louisiana. "In Light" is the first album form this young band, and is turning into a great summer album. Their most popular track and single, "Up Up Up" has an upbeat and just happy vibe about it.


I am most excited about promoting this smaller, young, band because they have a great opportunity to well on their first studio album this summer. They had also won me over already when I saw the TOMS ad campaign featuring them, and we all know I love TOMS...Check out GIVERS new album, "In Light" in stores now, and check their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/GIVERS/65782606394

hope you love them just as much as I am beginning to!

Bon Iver: New Album Finally

Bon Iver has always had me as a fan with his soft but powerful style. I’ve been anxiously awaiting his new cd, and thank god, its finally here. Pitchfork has a stream of the whole new album, and so far so good!

Listen to the new Bon Iver album now http://p4k.in/kz8960

For anyone who hasn't heard Bon Iver before, here a little something to give you an idea of what he is like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssdgFoHLwnk

What Are You Listening To?

I recently stumbled upon this video that is pretty cool. A guy stopped all the people on the streets that were listening to iPods, and just simply asked them what they were listening to. I thought it is kinda cool to see the difference in the music choices between London and New York City. Check it out!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504784_162-20069357-10391705.html

New Yorker stopped..

..and a guy from London

One for One

TOMS: Not only a shoe company, but a One for One company

Many of you may have heard of TOMS Shoes before. TOMS is by far one of my favorite companies today that not only produce an amazing product, but are looking to help others. TOMS is known for their revolutionary idea of the One for One business model. When you purchase a pair of shoes, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. Founder and CEO, Blake Mycoskie, has decided to expand this One for One model and make TOMS not only a shoe company, but a One for One company.

TOMS is now selling sunglasses!!

When you purchase a pair of these new sunglasses, they are going to give the gift of vision to people in other countries, starting in Nepal, Cambodia and Tibet. The idea of giving vision…seems hard, but they way they describe their goal is to give medical exams, a pair of prescription glasses, or a vision saving surgery to a person in need.

Honestly, I am blown away by Blake and his passion for his company. I have made it a goal to someday be involved with TOMS and the TOMS One for One movement. I love this new idea they have, and hope you do too!

Summer Music Festivals

So, pitchfork media has become my one new sources for new music, info about artists, and now concert happenings all around the world. if only i could get myself to every single one of these festivals. in my dreams. I hope anyone near these festivals can go because they will most definitely be worth every dime. I can verify that because I watched the live Bonnaroo Webcast of Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire last night. Bonnaroo is blowing everyone out of the water this year with the amazing line up and the artists are doing a phenomenal job during their sets. Summer is about new music and hopefully seeing it live at these craaazy festivals. Wish I could be at every one of them!

http://pitchfork.com/news/42642-pitchfork-guide-to-summer-festivals/