Thursday, September 29, 2011

JGL & Jimmy Fallon Karaoke-- (updated thoughts on Drums live performance)

So a few weeks ago I posted a link to Joseph Gordon Leavitt covering Nirvana and this week I came across his appearance on Jimmy Fallon

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/Karaoke-with-Joseph-Gordon-Levitt-(9/27/11)/1358852


JGL impersonates Axl Rose singing Kelly Clarkson's Since You've Been Gone--pretty hilarious

then Jimmy and JGL sing Lady Gaga ''Edge of Glory'' Where do I find these men with self depricating humor and also sing karaoke?:) sigh!.. Also just caught episode two of  The Sing Off.. I asked last year and will probably ask again.. Shawn Stockman (of Boyz II Men) to marry me!

I may have to revise my Top 5!

Upcoming post (The Drums performing Live at Subterreanean this Tuesday 10/4)

First off I loved the venue! Subterranean is a sweet 3 floor place wooden winding staircase that leads up to a birdeye view of the stage (obviously appreciated by the short people who would miss actually seeing everything on the main floor)--The place was packed! literally people out the door.  there is a really old spooky but pretty chandelier! Love it! There was also a very interesting 2 person statue, the context of which you would have to see for yourself but its definitely graphic and worthy of a snicker and a photo with it.






Opening Band: Veronica Falls from London guy +girl lead singer(girl reminded me of the lead of the xx's) short black hair, sweet whispery voice, lots of sass.) + Girl bassist who didn't say a word the whole show very mysterious. They played for 30 minutes with almost no talking in between songs. While their music was good and exactly what I expected, if you really listened closely all the songs were using the same repetitive chord played hard and fast. Very little depth to the musical arrangement and vocals, as a member of the audience it felt like they didn't want to be there.

When the Drums went on the energy instantly changed. Front man Jonathan Pierce the best way I can describe him is a goth version of James Spader with a bowl haircut in person but in this picture he looks more like the bully from Cobra/Karate Kid.




He went on and the charisma was infectious, constantly swaying and doing ''the twist''. The basist had this cool little dance move too not sure how to describe it. Songs were amplified to another level live vs. just listening to the cd. This is a band that definitely feeds off of the crowd's energy. Not a still person in the house during their hit single ''Money"' definitely New Wave with a twist, ''I want to buy you something.. but I don't have any moneeeey'':)

but the vibe was more upbeat like my favorite ''Days".. ''and days go by and I never needed you''  than the recently released ''break up mixtape'' record (Portamento) That record had a delightful way of making you feel happy even though the content and the lyrics conveyed a broken heart

Here is a 5 question interview with the Drums and their own personal playlist


Next Post: Foster the People Live Review

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

REMIXES- my new obssession (Screw Guys I Just Wanna Dance!)

So thanks to a friend of mine/ hearing Girl Talk open for Gym Class Heroes a few months ago. I am now listening to and appreciating the art of the remix/mashup. Their stuff isn't on Itunes I got a burned cd.

 She got me to step out of my comfort zone of ''sad bastard'' music that I all but deleted except for a handful of songs and added more remixes feel good, start your day/workout music.. Work out??.. hmm maybe my new playlist will help inspire me to hit the gym

basic concept of Girl Talk they take rap and remix it to old school like Cyndi Lauper, Jay Z, Jackson 5,  ect.

The art of remixing is sometimes saturated to the point where you say to yourself ''if one more band does a cover or remix of ''x'' song (insert Adele ''Rolling in the Deep'' La Roux ''Bulletproof'' or any Britney song) I am going to hurl!''

Here is a great interview with Tiesto about the relevance of dance/remixes making a comeback in today's music scene!!!:
http://www.spinner.com/2011/09/28/tiesto-spinner-interview/

So excited when examples of the topics in my blog appear in mainstream media--makes me feel like I know what I'm talking about!:)

But lately I've found inspiration in combining artists/genres to create the best version of a song that isn't obvious, one that contains surprise elements that keep song on repeat for the listener to catch all the little facets that didn't consume them the first time.


I've never been a Drake fan but combined with James Blake and they got me hooked. (maybe because the Drake track is present but almost unrecognizable, its definitely on my repeat list

http://soundcloud.com/sampill/drake-vs-james-blake-ransom

Here's another one but I like the first link better
http://soundcloud.com/pretty-much-amazing/james-drake-successful-cmyk

New James Blake single:

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/28/listen-james-blake-fear-to-fear.html


Also, if you haven't heard the 2nd single released from Florence + the Machine ''Shake it Out'' here it is remixed by Benny Benassi
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/27/listen-florence-and-the-machine-shake-it-out-the-weeknd-remi.html

In this song I've discovered you can combine the essence of the ''sad bastard''/breakup song with R&B/dance.. Thanks SKOA!--single not yet released for DL
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/23/watch-kele-what-did-i-do-feat-lucy-taylor-official-video.html

This track I think is on a whole new wavelength:) something different

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/22/watch-monarchy-you-dont-want-to-dance-with-me-feat-britt-lov.html

These are all just first listens for me, I can provide more commentary when I hear them a few times, but upon first listen, I thought all tracks were noteworthy of posting:)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The British Are Coming + FREE DOWNLOAD

So in the morning when you wake up, you need a song to jam/dance while you get ready right?

Try the morning parade! (from the UK)--FREE DOWNLOAD!

http://nylonmag.com/nylonblogs/blog/2011/09/07/free-music-morning-parade/

Here's another Brit Band--the Kooks! they sing a song called ''Rosie''- not the AC/DC kind but a Strokes meets Beatles kind of vibe!--LOVE IT!--two other tracks on the video as well. (They are coming to the Vic 11/26-- I will definitely be there! New Album drops Sept 13th
http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=6836


Whether you realize it or not you've probably already heard this song on commercials/tv -- "Always Where I Need to Be'''
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh_-IoHD6oM


p.s. this is the 3rd or 4th  that I've considered sublime to my Ipod.. something's in the water over there  :)

I accidently defaulted my Itunes to the UK store... I didn't realize it and i'm thinking to myself ''whoa, the top 10 charts have much better music on them this week than usual!''..Then i realized the pound symbol next to the cost of the album.. Yeah I might need to move to london to find my music soulmate

Friday, September 2, 2011

I LOVE covers!--ADDED 9/30/11 JVM cover ''Wicked Games''

Recently, there have been a lot of great covers put out into the music atmosphere!

This cover combines in my opinion a man who could be Bon Iver's vocal twin + a song that brings me back to me listening to my mom's old stereo=Steve Winwood! remember him? (Higher Love) well you should!!!


http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/2/download-james-vince-mcmorrow-higher-love-steve-winwood-cove.html

 JVM Covers  Chris Issak's ''Wicked Games'' http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/29/watch-james-vincent-mcmorrow-wicked-game-chris-isaak-cover.html

JVM is coming to Hideout 9/15! I'd really like to see his range/perform live to see what he can do

Original Version of the song here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqlauwX_ums

JUST ADDED! ALLISON MOSSHART covering ''It's a Wonderful World''

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/9/8/listen-alison-mosshart-what-a-wonderful-world-louis-armstron.html

I have on this blog professed my love for Alison of the Kills/Dead Weather, her love of leopard print, messy hair, the color black, her raspy voice and general bad ass mentality, the list goes on.