Okay. Like I said. Musical overload people. haha And in celebration of my exciting news I'm gonna give you THREEEEE new bands to check out (but i'll keep my chatter short)! :) My news is--my parents gave me 3-day passes to Lollapalooza for graduation. Thank you mom and dad! Haha For those of you that don't know, its a huge music festival in early August in Chicago's Grant Park. I will be seeing the likes of The Killers, Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon, Lou Reed, TV on the Radio, Vampire Weekend, Snoop Dogg (haha), the Decemberists, Band of Horses, Of Montreal, Arctic Monkeys, Coheed and Cambria, Ben Folds, Santigold, The Gaslight Anthem, The Airborne Toxic Event, Chairlift, Ida Maria, Manchester Orchestra, and that's just to name a few. As I'm sure you can see I have blogged about a good handful of those bands...which is SO exciting to me!!! :) So...needless to say--IM EXCITED!!!
New: Telekinesis--"Coast of Carolina"
Telekinesis has that classic seventies pop sound. Not too surprisingly, they opened for Death Cab for Cutie as an early gig and their career kind of took off from there. Rolling Stone describes their vocals as "sun-kissed" and I couldn't agree more. They have a really great sound. A lot of their lyrics are about dreams and things of that nature, which always results in some really creative concepts. The band members claim they get a lot of inspiration from listening to other records, so a variety of influences can be seen in their work, including their tour with Death Cab.
Other Songs to Check Out: Imaginary Friend & I Saw Lightning
New: Paper Route--"City Trucks"
This American indie band hails from Nashville, TN. They toured fairly recently with the likes of Paramore and Jack's Mannequin on the Final Riot Tour in the summer of 2008. They have a really unique sound and incorporate a variety of instruments into their music. They claim that they don't define the typical sound of their city, and labeled themselves the "black sheep of Nashville". Black sheep or not, I like em. :) Hope you do too.
Other Songs to Check Out: Second Chances & Only Words
New: Electric Owls--"Magic Show"
They don't have a ton of songs out just yet, but this band out of North Carolina is definitely one to check out. They have an acoustic sound with amazing, heartfelt vocals by lead singer Andy Herod, backed by a sort of synthesized sound on their song "Magic Show". The acoustic sound is continued through most of their songs, including "Darken Me", which has a much cleaner sound than "Magic Show". "Cannibal Superstar" returns to that synthesized sound again, but its far from the typical 80's synthesizer sound you may be imagining. Check it out...I think you'll be glad you did.
Other Songs to Check Out: Darken Me & Cannibal Superstar
Enjoy! And let me know what you think!!!
Peace, Love, & RockNRoll
--A
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Kings of Leon & Rilo Kiley
Hey loves. I'm doing my best to catch up! I have so many bands to blog about and every day I find more! So. While I have the time, I'm gonna just go into musical overload and keep posting as often as possible! So...I'm giving ya two old ones today! Get excited! Haha
Old: Kings of Leon--"Four Kicks"
A hugggggge favorite of mine, Kings of Leon is an AMAZING band! One unique aspect of this band is that they are all related, either as brothers or cousins. Caleb, Nathan, Jared, and Matthew Followill came together to form this garage rock/alternative rock band in 2000. Lead singer, Caleb, has a really unique voice that is one of my favorite aspects of this bands sound. They have that whole "you-cant-always-REALLY-understand-what-we're-saying" thing going on in their lyrics. Growing up in Tennessee they have some sort of accent going on, although it doesn't quite seem southern. Not much else to say, just a kickass band :) So....turn it on...turn it up! And Enjoy!
Other Songs to Check Out: "Sex is on Fire", "Day Old Blues", and "King of the Rodeo"
Old: Rilo Kiley--"Portions of Foxes"
This LA-based indie rock band is comprised of two former child actors, Jenny Lewis (Troop Beverly Hills) and Blake Sennett (Boy Meets World), as well as Pierre de Reeder and Jason Boesel. Personally, I love a band with a great female vocalist, and Jenny Lewis is just that. Overall, Rilo Kiley just has what I consider a really chill sound. I love listening to them in the car and singing along--I'm a nerd, I know. :) There are various influences on the band that are very evident in their music. Lewis sang back-up for Benn Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie's side project--The Postal Service (if you don't know them, absolutely check them out--they're fabulous). They have an indie/electronic kind of sound that is definitely present in Rilo Kiley's music at times. Blake Sennet and Jason Boesel also have a band called The Elected that they perform in as well.
Other Songs to Check Out: "My Slumbering Heart" and "The Frug"
That's all for now!
Peace, Love, & RockNRoll
--A
Old: Kings of Leon--"Four Kicks"
A hugggggge favorite of mine, Kings of Leon is an AMAZING band! One unique aspect of this band is that they are all related, either as brothers or cousins. Caleb, Nathan, Jared, and Matthew Followill came together to form this garage rock/alternative rock band in 2000. Lead singer, Caleb, has a really unique voice that is one of my favorite aspects of this bands sound. They have that whole "you-cant-always-REALLY-understand-what-we're-saying" thing going on in their lyrics. Growing up in Tennessee they have some sort of accent going on, although it doesn't quite seem southern. Not much else to say, just a kickass band :) So....turn it on...turn it up! And Enjoy!
Other Songs to Check Out: "Sex is on Fire", "Day Old Blues", and "King of the Rodeo"
Old: Rilo Kiley--"Portions of Foxes"
This LA-based indie rock band is comprised of two former child actors, Jenny Lewis (Troop Beverly Hills) and Blake Sennett (Boy Meets World), as well as Pierre de Reeder and Jason Boesel. Personally, I love a band with a great female vocalist, and Jenny Lewis is just that. Overall, Rilo Kiley just has what I consider a really chill sound. I love listening to them in the car and singing along--I'm a nerd, I know. :) There are various influences on the band that are very evident in their music. Lewis sang back-up for Benn Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie's side project--The Postal Service (if you don't know them, absolutely check them out--they're fabulous). They have an indie/electronic kind of sound that is definitely present in Rilo Kiley's music at times. Blake Sennet and Jason Boesel also have a band called The Elected that they perform in as well.
Other Songs to Check Out: "My Slumbering Heart" and "The Frug"
That's all for now!
Peace, Love, & RockNRoll
--A
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Amos Lee, Carolina Liar, & The Airborne Toxic Event
Wow. It's been over a MONTH since I last posted! I apologize. It's been a pretty crazy few weeks! :) I did go to a concert a couple weeks ago though. State Radio. They're not INCREDIBLY famous, so you may not have heard of them. But I would venture to guess you've heard of the band Dispatch? Well Chad Urmston from Dispatch does lead vocals and guitar for State Radio, and they have a pretty similar sound to Dispatch, but a little more mainstream (in my opinion). Aside from it being freezing and rainy, it was a really great show. :) So...check them out!!
Old: Amos Lee--"Listen"
When I think of singers with beautiful voices, Amos Lee is definitely one of the first ones that comes to mind. I would venture to say, in my mind, there are few singers who really exude genuine passion in their music. Ya know...singers that are singing because they love it. People for whom it isn't about the money. With his roots on the East coast, specifically in Philly, I find his musical beginnings to be really interesting. He didn't even start playing the guitar until he was in college! I guess it just goes to show you some people have this kind of talent inside them, and eventually they just find it! :) His music is considered a mix of a folk and R&B sound. I have to say, there is not one song he sings that I don't love. He has one of those voices...that just makes you melt. For me, others in this category include John Mayer and Jack Johnson. There's just something about their voices...and their music...that makes you fall in love with them. :)So...check him out. Let me know what ya think!
Other songs to check out: "I'm Not Myself" and "Southern Girl" (and really anything else...haha)
New: Carolina Liar--"Simple Life"
Although these guys hail from the LA area, the majority of the band is from Sweden. They have a sort of the Killers/Cake kind of sound, mixed with their own flair. I really love the lyrics to their songs. Focusing on the song "Simple Life", which happens to be my current favorite, I really love the line in the chorus:
"Don't you wanna live a simple life
You pray for change before you turn out the light."
It's totally relatable I think. One of these feelings everybody feels. A lot of their songs have that kind of...searching for yourself theme. Overall, just a really great band. Not much else to say. The music speaks for itself. :)
Other songs to check out: "Beautiful World" and "Show Me What I'm Looking For"
New: The Airborne Toxic Event--"Sometime Around Midnite"
So...I'm giving you TWO new ones in an attempt to make up for my absence. :) This American rock band consists of your typical rock line-up (guitar, drums, bass) but also incorporates some strings and some keyboard, which I really love. Considered part of the post-punk genre, their music ranges from really "perky dance-rock" to more "solemn" songs. An interesting aspect of Mikel Jollett's writing (the member that formed the band) is what led him to form the band in the first place. His mother was diagnosed with cancer, and then he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. In interviews he has expressed how he was overcome with the concept of life's fragility. "It just felt like everyone around me was dying,” Jollett says. “That’s a moment in your life that changes you. You realize that life is finite and you only have so much time." Although his illness does not have a huge impact on his music, I find it interesting to think about when listening to the lyrics and ATE's music as a whole.
Other songs to check out: "Wishing Well" and "Gasoline"
I promise to try and keep up now. :)
Peace, Love, & RockNRoll
--A
Old: Amos Lee--"Listen"
When I think of singers with beautiful voices, Amos Lee is definitely one of the first ones that comes to mind. I would venture to say, in my mind, there are few singers who really exude genuine passion in their music. Ya know...singers that are singing because they love it. People for whom it isn't about the money. With his roots on the East coast, specifically in Philly, I find his musical beginnings to be really interesting. He didn't even start playing the guitar until he was in college! I guess it just goes to show you some people have this kind of talent inside them, and eventually they just find it! :) His music is considered a mix of a folk and R&B sound. I have to say, there is not one song he sings that I don't love. He has one of those voices...that just makes you melt. For me, others in this category include John Mayer and Jack Johnson. There's just something about their voices...and their music...that makes you fall in love with them. :)So...check him out. Let me know what ya think!
Other songs to check out: "I'm Not Myself" and "Southern Girl" (and really anything else...haha)
New: Carolina Liar--"Simple Life"
Although these guys hail from the LA area, the majority of the band is from Sweden. They have a sort of the Killers/Cake kind of sound, mixed with their own flair. I really love the lyrics to their songs. Focusing on the song "Simple Life", which happens to be my current favorite, I really love the line in the chorus:
"Don't you wanna live a simple life
You pray for change before you turn out the light."
It's totally relatable I think. One of these feelings everybody feels. A lot of their songs have that kind of...searching for yourself theme. Overall, just a really great band. Not much else to say. The music speaks for itself. :)
Other songs to check out: "Beautiful World" and "Show Me What I'm Looking For"
New: The Airborne Toxic Event--"Sometime Around Midnite"
So...I'm giving you TWO new ones in an attempt to make up for my absence. :) This American rock band consists of your typical rock line-up (guitar, drums, bass) but also incorporates some strings and some keyboard, which I really love. Considered part of the post-punk genre, their music ranges from really "perky dance-rock" to more "solemn" songs. An interesting aspect of Mikel Jollett's writing (the member that formed the band) is what led him to form the band in the first place. His mother was diagnosed with cancer, and then he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. In interviews he has expressed how he was overcome with the concept of life's fragility. "It just felt like everyone around me was dying,” Jollett says. “That’s a moment in your life that changes you. You realize that life is finite and you only have so much time." Although his illness does not have a huge impact on his music, I find it interesting to think about when listening to the lyrics and ATE's music as a whole.
Other songs to check out: "Wishing Well" and "Gasoline"
I promise to try and keep up now. :)
Peace, Love, & RockNRoll
--A
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