Wanna Be

If you remember, a few weeks back I talked about artist Roderick.  Last Tuesday he released a new track "Wanna Be," and it is exactly how I thought it would be.

All About Roderick

[Photo:  Roderick, YouTube]

I personally consider this song to be my favorite of his.  It has a groove and vibe that is hard to find in current music--almost the same as The 1975, but unlike The 1975, Roderick's songs all sound different and creative (sorry fans of The 1975).  The engineering and mixing are both very professional, and that may be because he is the one doing all of the heavy lifting.  Jeff Lynne (you all know how much I love him) did the work for ELO and look how far it got them.  Having complete control is perfect in the music business, because you can put out music that you and only you believe in, which is a big reason why Roderick has been so successful thus far.

One of the most difficult things to achieve in music is releasing music that people can purely relate to.  I see a lot in popular music that music is perceived to be relatable, when in reality, the listeners just think it is because it is being performed by one of their favorites.  To dumb it down, music is easy to bullshit.  Roderick describes his music as "Songs about life from an honest perspective" (Source).  That description in itself is a very honest one.  Unlike artists on the charts who are almost 100% influenced by the people surrounding them, it is clearly evident in Roderick's music (in particular "Wanna Be" for the sake of this post) that he is using only his personal experiences to convey messages through music.

This NEW song (and his others) are absolutely worth listening to.  You can stream this track on Spotify.

The Collection

I have a pretty big record collection now, with the number totaling 299... only one more until 300!!

I'm pretty sure I did a post like this a while back, so if I find it I'll be sure to link it below.

My collection has grown a lot, especially in the past two years or so.  I have a journal where I write down every record I obtain, but I would fall behind adding them in.  That was until I found an amazing way to keep track of my record collection, and also learn the minimum and maximum values of what I have.  It's a site called Discogs, and they have made it super fast and easy to keep track of everything you have acquired over time.  All you need is the Cat#, which can be found on both the vinyl itself and on the front of the album cover, both pictured below.

They don't only have LPs, so if you collect CDs, cassettes, and DVDs.  No matter what you log, each item will have a minimum value, median value, and maximum value, so if you are ever looking to sell, you know the price range based on the condition of your item.  Here's an example by showing you part of my collection:

Logging all of my records took me probably around 5 hours to do.  Yes, it's time-consuming, but you have to make sure that you're logging the exact copy you own, that way you get an accurate value (I also took it so  seriously because my boyfriend and I had a contest to see who has a collection worth more).

One of the biggest reasons why it was worth it taking so long to complete was because I found records I forgot I had.  I found records that I at one point listened to almost every day.  Even though I'm still young, I still felt nostalgic--like I was in high school again.

This is not a paid sponsorship!  I just wanted to share my ways with all of you, especially if you are one of my longer readers.  Since I just went through my list again, my next post will probably be an updated version of my favorite LPs, so check back this week for that!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter. 

Play Pretend

I am trying to broaden my fanbase by talking about different bands, because I feel like I pretty much only talk about alternative bands.  The only hardcore band I have talked about is Mom Fight, so today will be dedicated to introducing all of you to a hardcore band called MVA.

[Photo:  Silvio Capoferri & MVA]

Hailing from Bloomfield, NJ, their unique sound sets them apart from other bands in the same genre. Their style somewhat combines elements of skate punk, as well as metal and traditional hardcore.  "Circular / In Between," from their 2017 EP Eternal, encompasses skate punk chord progressions and hard-hitting drum sounds from hardcore.

The fifth song on the EP, "Play Pretend," is the perfect closing to an EP of this nature.  The track starts off as a break-neck speed hardcore song, but over the course of the song slowly disintegrates into a breakdown that consists mostly of drums.  One of the hardest-hitting songs on the EP, "Play Pretend" overall summarizes their main purpose and sound.

I know this post is short and sweet, but at only 9 minutes, it fits the EP very well.

Room For Rent

Stephen Kellner, also know as Roderick, is no newbie to the New Jersey music scene.  In it since around 2006, Stephen has a very diverse and expansive musical repertoire.  Van Atta High, who released their debut full-length Run Like Hell in 2007, went for a more pop-punk vibe, while Roderick has a sound more comparable to Dashboard Confessional.

[Photo: Roderick, Instagram]

Roderick released full-length Memory in 2011, and then 12:34 in 2014 with an acoustic version of the album in 2017.  For the most part, the songs on Memory are somewhat bouncy--a mid-2000s-pop-rock-anthem type of album. "Room For Rent" is probably the best example for that analogy.   "Rhythm of Love" by the Plain White T's is a poppier version of Roderick's music, making "Room For Rent" the perfect cross between genres.

You hear some maturity in the quality of both his vocal style and songwriting with his second album 12:34.  Focusing on "Awake Before Dawn," Roderick exercises a better grasp on dynamics (volume) and arrangements.  This album is a good summary of his music career thus far.  You get a sense of his roots intertwined with his new approach.

I'm writing this post as a prologue to his upcoming single "Wanna Be," which is coming out on April 10th, so expect a review of that in the next few weeks.

You can follow him on Instagram and streams these albums on Spotify.

French Blonde

You may remember my post from a few months back about Deal Casino.  Since then, they have released a full length album that still transports me to a different place.  This past Wednesday they released a video for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest, featuring an unreleased song, "French Blonde," that is nothing short of a musical masterpiece.

Review of Deal Casino's EP

I like comparing new music to old to help paint a better picture of what I think a band was trying to achieve.  I have to say, though, that Deal Casino is a band that I have a hard time doing that with, mainly because of how original and creative their music is.  Their self-titled debut featured elements of classic rock, including '70s harmonies and a rich guitar presence.  While they are keeping their roots evident in this song, you immediately feel a sense of evolution and maturity.  Like most alternative rock bands, they are starting to become more experimental with different vocal and instrumental styles and techniques.  The spoken words in the verses, the pedal on the bass, and the added effects throughout the track all bind together in a way that I have never seen (or heard for that matter) before in any song.  While hearing things like this might get some people thinking that this song is an acquired taste, it's not.  Anyone with an appreciation at all for the art involved in music will find their own individual love for "French Blonde."

[Video:  Deal Casino, YouTube]

Lyrically, "French Blonde" is very unique from what they have released in the past.  The spoken words in the beginning and the rhyme schemes feel as if a Charles Bukowski poem has come to life:

I'm a dead animal

You're used to seeing my guts

You just pass me on the street

And drive right over me

While you're puttin' on...your makeup

I'm the next holiday

I'm your team, down by 6

I'm all your meals at once

A French blonde at Sunday brunch

They're strange (not in a bad way at all), yet oddly charming and intriguing, so you want to keep listening--something that Deal Casino has landed several times before...just never like this...and it's incredible.

I'm going to leave you off here, since I want you to enjoy this unreleased track for yourself.  Comment down below with your thoughts!

Click the Twitter and Instagram links at the top of the page and be sure to follow to get updates on new posts and featured bands!  Click subscribe on the right below my name to receive emails every time I post!

The Goodness

I had an interesting conversation with my boyfriend the other day about what "emo" really means.  It is very often that we hear people say things like, "I'm feeling emo today so I'm going to listen to Fall Out Boy."  Statements like that seem to drive us music lovers crazy.  So while sitting at dinner, my boyfriend and I talked about the characteristics of "emo," so I have compiled a list for you about the myths of emo.

MYTH NUMBER ONE:  Emo bands wear makeup and nail polish

The first band that comes to mind when thinking about makeup and nail polish is My Chemical Romance.  My Chemical Romance is NOT emo!!  Their first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, is somewhat close, but everything else is not.  Don't get me wrong--The Black Parade was a great album.  Everyone I know has gone crazy for "Welcome to the Black Parade" since sixth grade, but My Chemical Romance is basically pop punk with makeup.  Honestly, the best I'll give them is "mall emo," which is music that you would hear at Hot Topic.

MYTH NUMBER TWO:  A band is emo if they make you emotional

This is a tough one because emo is short for emotive, so to be fair, the term "emo" is overall very subjective, which is why you see bands falling victim to the stereotype more often than they should.  But let's consider music as a whole for a minute.  Think back to when you were younger, when you were first appreciating the theory and composition of music.  What was the first song that made you cry?  I don't remember mine, but it was probably something by a Classic or Baroque era composer.  Do my emotions make G.F. Handel emo?  Even though, like I said before, the decision is technically subjective, stylistically Handel is not emo.  So what do I mean by stylistically?

The definition, in terms of style, changes depending on the "wave of emo."  Emo wasn't even a term in the '80s, so the first wave of emo was the early '90s, when it was pretty much punk music.  The second wave came in the late '90s and was much different than the years preceding.  This wave was more quiet but had more complicated guitar parts.  And finally, the early 2000s was close to being pop-punk without really getting all of the way there.

MYTH NUMBER THREE:  "They're emo because they SCREAM in their songs"

The biggest reason why the above statement is a myth is because over the years, people have attached characteristics to emo music simply because they didn't know what emo was and probably just wanted to sound cool.  Screaming should have never been associated with emo.  The screaming that kids were probably actually referring to was metalcore screaming, which is in its own genre completely, which is fine because I'm not touching that with a ten-foot pole.  Think of it this way:  A band that has an excess of emotions is not going to scream in the way that A Day or Remember or Converge does.

MYTH NUMBER FOUR:  If a song has a heavy guitar, then it's emo

We're at the one I have been waiting for, and it's is another one where I have absolutely no idea where it came from.  The guitar has been a staple of music since the 1950s when rock and roll first hit radios.  Years and years of development eventually led to guitars producing heavier sounds from different pedals and fuzzboxes.  With all of this in mind, how does a sick guitar make a band emo?  The Rolling Stones weren't and never will be emo, and the same thing can be said for Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull.  All-American Rejects, even though they had very few heavy guitar parts, still managed to make it onto some emo lists, along with Pierce the Veil and Escape the Fate.  I don't really understand the All-American Rejects one, except for the fact that maybe people thought they were emo due to their look?  The Pierce the Veil and Escape the Fate one is easier though... scene bands have commonly been confused with being emo.  If you aren't sure what "scene" is, think of the girls who shopped at Hot Topic and wore plaid skirts, awfully layered and colored hair, peace signs with their tongues sticking out, and very heavy eyeliner.


I know, I threw a lot of information at you, and if you're unfamiliar with this topic, you're probably a little overwhelmed.  I have seen so much of this lately, though, with the early and mid-2000s being so far away now... people are "reminiscing the days of 'emo.'"  Just thought I'd nip it in the bud now while it's still relevant.


Follow me on Twitter @jordanblogger for updates and be sure to subscribe to get notified when I post again!

Zodiac

My boyfriend's band Mom Fight released their first EP a little while back, and everyone around us has been pretty stoked about it.  Hailing from Central Jersey (I'm not arguing--Central Jersey EXISTS), this band has provided everything needed to set the record straight in the hardcore scene.

[Photo: Mom Fight]

Hardcore is known to most as "screamo" music, a phrase that grinds the whole genre's gears.  The technique of hardcore is quite more complex than that.  Screaming is usually referred to as the vocal technique used in metalcore.  The yelling that is used in hardcore typically has more of a growl in it.  However, these are just basic generalizations.  One of the best things about hardcore is there is no "right" way of performing.  If you listen to "Under Duress" by Converge, and then to Mom Fight's "Destroy," you'll notice major differences in the sound and vocal style of each band, even though they classify themselves under the same genre.  It's very important to a lot of these bands to sound different from other groups in order to retain individuality.

Mom Fight underwent major changes this past summer.  Not long before they started recording their debut EP, lead vocalist Joe announced his departure from the band.  "It saddens me to say this but I will no longer be the vocalist of Mom Fight," Joe wrote in the official statement.  But as they say, the show must go on, so my boyfriend, Nick, assumed the role of vocalist, while continuing to play the guitar in the EP recordings.  His unique vocal and guitar styles, Evan's heavy bass levels, and Steve's relentless drumming, each characterize the songs in different, yet complementing, ways.

Last year, I sat down with former bassist of Flammable Animals, Pat, and discussed their EP.  After getting such a great response, I have decided to do the same here to provide a true feel for what Mom Fight was going for with this record.  Here's a piece of Vacant with Nick.

Pat's 2016 Interview for 'All These Wolves'

You guys, back in February of 2016, released two sets of two-song demos.  On Vacant, you only recorded two songs from the demos, "Pain Within" and "Destroy," and then wrote three new ones.  What made you not include the other two songs in the process?
When the time came to pick songs to record, we wanted to pick the songs that best represent Mom Fight at the moment.  The three newer songs that made it on the record were the obvious choices.  The two demo songs that were picked were picked because they meshed best with those three songs, resulting in a cohesive EP.

Were the three new songs written before Joe left, or did you group together and come up with those once the thought of an EP crossed your minds?
Joe had written only a handful of lyrics total for the three songs, "Ren," "Zodiac," and "Songbird."  Most of the lyrics were improvised during the gigs we had, and gave me his blessing to write over anything he had previously come up with.  The day before tracking vocals, I rewrote the songs entirely, creating themes out of the working titles we had chosen already.

Which was your favorite song to record both vocally and/or instrumentally (remember, Nick does vocals and guitar)?
For both instances, "Ren" was my favorite to record.  For the vocals, even though it wasn't the first song I tracked on vocals, it was the first song I got to see take shape with my lyrics on it.  I felt as though the lyrics sat on top of the instruments so naturally.  As for guitar, "Ren" was the first song that we tracked as a trio, and it was also the first song that we really experimented with to get the tone that we desired.

What about live?  What song do you love performing the most?
I think "Songbird" is the most fun for me in a live setting because my vocals mimic a really cool rhythmic groove in the instruments.

Is the answer the same for what you'd love the audience to hear?
I think the answer's the same, but the reasoning is different.  There's a certain way I want the audience to perceive us, and I think "Songbird" does that best.  It's dark and heavy, but also somewhat chaotic. It doesn't sound like a stereotypical hardcore song--it's heavy in its own way.

This was a short interview, but I only wanted to give a brief view from their end, rather than just always throwing my opinion out there.  The EP is available on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Eldorado

I am writing this post as I am lying in bed.  These cold days and nights are somewhat weakening, making the nighttime a place to unwind and get into a different element than you were during the day.  I have spent most of the night just hanging around, but as I usually do, I went on Spotify to listen to some relaxing instrumental music.  Some include Disney/Disney-Pixar scores, Alan Silvestri, etc...  But since I have been listening to the same songs for a few days now, I looked elsewhere to find nighttime comfort.  The biggest go-to for me is Electric Light Orchestra.  Jeff Lynne's chilling yet soothing vocal effects, his use of orchestral accompaniments, and transitions between tracks, are all perfect for submitting your mind into a different thought zone, allowing for the dismissal of problems and situations of typical every day life.

Despite these feelings of content and satisfaction, I am never one to listen to an album straight through.  I get distracted and will end up pausing and skipping to the tracks I love the most.  But my tiredness got the best of me tonight, and I did what my dad has been telling me to do for a month:  I am listening to ELO's Eldorado from beginning to end with no interruptions.

[Photo:  Electric Light Orchestra]

It's an album I've known my entire life, but knowing each song individually is different from knowing them all as one piece.  The opening track "Eldorado Overture" flows unnoticeably into the second, "Can't Get It out of My Head."  So unnoticeably, as a matter of fact, that when you are listening to the vinyl, you  would think it is one long track.  So unnoticeably, that when you are listening, your heart and time somewhat stop ticking.  But unlike some other heart-stopping music, your heart doesn't begin again at all until the album is over, and it's only because of the realization that it's over, and life doesn't actually flow that way.

The whole album has one main theme, and the songs are connected somehow, whether it be by the overture or the song before, it almost feels as though you are reading a book.  I have noticed a lot how several albums don't have something tying all of the songs together.  Either the songs are too different in sound or meaning, or they could even all sound too similar, blending all of the pieces together so no songs stick out.  A common occurrence with ELO is balance between differentiation and similarity between tracks.  While "Boy Blue" and "Nobody's Child" sound different within, what connects them is their similar intros (they're also several tracks away from each other).

The album comes to a faded end, with the second to last track being "Eldorado," which is much slower than some of its predecessors.  But once again it transitions flawlessly into the final track, "Eldorado Finale,"  which is symmetrical to the overture; the beginning of the overture is the end of the finale, and the end of the overture is the beginning of the finale.  Lay down, close your eyes, and listen to this album (with headphones, not earbuds) from beginning to end with no interruptions.  It will almost feel as though you are watching an opera, each song presenting a different scene with different emotions being presented and provoked.  Even though there are different emotions, the whole opera makes sense because of one ongoing theme and message.  And if Jeff Lynne and the rest of ELO did not do a phenomenal job of this, then maybe music isn't the field for me.

Christmas in L.A. (... in June)

Funk music peaked in the 1970s with bands like Kool & the Gang and CHIC, who both centered their music on bass lines and even fused the genre with disco.  Recently, there has a been a funk revival that is represented through bands like The Meters and Snarky Puppy.  Leading this revival is the Michigan-born band Vulfpeck.

Vulfpeck is currently considered one of the best and most original funk bands.  Rather than sticking with classic elements of funk, they shift between adding different pieces of jazz and soul, giving their work a unique take on the timeless genre.  A large portion of their songs are instrumental, which represents how talented they are.  All of their songs, both instrumental and vocal, showcase all of the elements equally as to not mask the abilities of the band members individually, along with how well they mesh together.

[Photo:  Vulfpeck]

Very minimalistic, each member and their respective instrument play their role and their role only in the songs.  In "Game Winner" from their 2015 album Thrill of the Arts, singer Charles Jones and guitarist  David T. Walker feature in the song.  The two of them, with Charles also on the rhodes, gives the track a gospel swing.  While the track can appear to be too packed with elements, everything from the synth to the background vocals are distributed evenly, leaving no room for confusion, only room for complete amazement.

The group's talent does not stop at instrumentation and delivery.  They seem to be masters at strategically placing samples throughout their songs.  In "Game Winner," leading out of the bridge with the line "Give me the ball," there is a sample of a basketball swoosh.  Also, the one-minute-long instrumental track "Walkies" on Thrill of the Arts has a dog bark sampled alongside a groovy bass line and a rhodes.

"Christmas in L.A." was first released as an instrumental track on their 2014 EP Fugue State.  The same track was used on Thrill of the Arts, except this time with vocals and the most Christmas-y instrument of all--sleigh bells!  The vocals are often sung by featured artists, however on this track it is sung by Vulfpeck drummer Theo Katzman, who happens to have the perfect funk voice.  The track is also backed by some more gospel-like vocals, giving them a funk-soul fusion.

Vulfpeck is available for purchase and streaming everywhere because they're awesome.  I HIGHLY suggest listening to their albums and EPs in tracklist order.  I mainly say that because "Welcome to Vulf Records" (the first track on Thrill of the Arts) will get you extremely excited for the rest of the album.  The track has an insane piano introduction that really just screams "Opening" and "Listen to me first!"  Listening to it first will only benefit you in the end... I'll place that song below for your convenience.

[Courtesy of Vulfpeck on YouTube]

Purple

Joe Parella, Chris Donofrio, Jon Rodney, and Jozii Cowell may not be familiar names now, but if you wait around a little bit longer, you will know them as the successful and up-and-coming group, Deal Casino.  This alternative rock band has formulated a sound that is unique to them, rather than conforming to the norms of the genre.

[L-R:  Joe P., Jozii, Chris, Jon / Photo: Cody Cutter]

Between 2014 and now, Deal Casino has held residencies at the most popular venues at the Jersey Shore--specifically Asbury Park--quickly earning them recognition as one of the hardest working bands in the scene.  All of their hard work has paid off, giving them a whopping 612,000 streams of their song "Anything That's Bad" on Spotify.  And if that wasn't good enough, their songs have been streamed on Spotify over 1.5 million times.  With a following as large as theirs, what is it about Deal Casino that has drawn so many people in?

Over the past five years, the band has recorded five EPs:  Cocaine Love, The Runaways, Heck, Nika, and their most recent, Human Cannonball.  All recorded at Asbury's Lakehouse Recording Studios, their team includes audio engineer Erik Kase Romero and producer Jon Leidersdorff (aka the owner of Lakehouse).  It is not uncommon for bands to venture into different studios with different producers and engineers to help release their work.  With Deal Casino, however, keeping things consistent has definitely helped their sound naturally progress and mature.  Since the beginning, their recordings have achieved a polished sound, despite their desire to have them sound as if they are live recordings.  For a four-man band, they put out a sound that is well-developed, rich, and are as high in quality as any monumental rock band.

One of my favorite songs by them is "Purple" off of Human Cannonball (the new video was just released so I'll post it below for your convenience).  The song is lined with country-like guitar licks between the stanzas, and pulled together with "Ol' '55" Eagles harmonies in the chorus.  While their musical style is no where close to that of a southwestern / country rock band (like the Eagles), they have strategically placed elements of those genres in their songs.  "Panama Papers" (my personal favorite) has obvious '70s and '80s rock influences, with blaring guitar bends throughout the chorus as well as in individual parts of the song.  The guitar existence in all of their songs is very prominent, which was a common characteristic in 1970s music, regardless of genre.  "Bare Hands," from 2015 EP Nika, the guitar in the chorus and second verse has a groovy vibe, which when followed by "Purple" on a playlist, it is apparent that their signature style has merely just matured, rather than changed

You can purchase their EPs Heck, Nika, and Human Cannonball on iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp, as well as stream them on streaming services.

["Purple" Official Video / Courtesy of Deal Casino on YouTube]

All These Wolves

Flammable Animals, the band that debuted with What Lies Beneath the Parkway North last year, just released All These Wolves, a new EP that exemplifies the main components of alternative rock.  Fast rock tempos, clever hooks, jarring guitar work, and lyrics that make you think instead of just tapping your foot, are just a few of the several things Flammable Animals have seemed to perfect.

Flammable Animals' Debut EP 'What Lies Beneath the Parkway North'

A few months back, bassist Pat Napurano approached me about conducting an interview for this EP, and of course I said yes.  I compiled a list of questions and sat down with Pat in their living room to get a behind-the-scenes look at All These Wolves.

[Artwork:  Michael Burke, Samantha Bastone, and Erin Holmes]

How is this album different from What Lies Beneath the Parkway North?

First off, the production on this is way better - the quality is certainly there.  I think that everyone really pulled together on this one and we all just did our jobs really well.  I think it differs in the fact that it's mature and the songs are just better.

Is there any song in particular that you're really excited for everyone to hear?  And is there any one that you're really excited to play live?

If it's a song I want people to hear, probably "Due North" (Kevin's song).  That's the one I want everybody to hear.  But playing live, probably right now is "Ordinary Threat," 'cause I've been having the most fun with that one live.

Why do you want everyone to hear Kevin's song?

It's totally different in the fact that if you listen to our first EP, and then listen to this one and get to that track, it's just way different than anything we've ever done before.  That's the only song of ours that sounds like that.

I'm going to branch off a little bit from the album.  As a band in general, what would you say your ending goal is as a band?

End goal right now obviously for us is to get signed at some point and really try to do some heavy touring - really get our names out there.  That's pretty much it for right now.  You can't become complacent in what you're doing.  We want to go as far as we can with it.

Bands sometimes change their identities to try to reach that kind of goal and I know you said there's nothing in mind right now, but would you guys ever consider changing who you are in order to get to that point?

No, not at all.  We really love each other, and if you really want to get down to it, sometimes we'll fight like idiots but we do love each other, and that's why I like being in the band, because of who we are when we're around each other.  It works really well for us, so I don't think that will ever change and we will never change who we are, what we do. . .

So even musically you wouldn't change anything?

That's a different story.  Identity is one thing, but changing our sound. . . who knows?  I think this one sounds way different than the last one, and I like that.  I don't want to do two things in a row that are the same.  That was our goal, to really go in the opposite direction.  We targeted a bunch of areas last time to hit, like things we wanted it to sound like, but we also had the mind set of, "Let's stay from things we don't want to sound like," which is just as important, I think.  That's what really came into play here.

When you were writing the album, was there anything you were hoping to achieve with it?

At least on the business end of things, we would like this one to make a bigger impact than the last one did.  Everyone who has heard it liked it so far, so all positive reactions.  I'm interested to see how everyone else feels now.  We wanna see if it makes a bigger splash - there are more people paying attention now.  Artistically, I think this is exactly what we needed production and writing-wise.  I can't wait for everyone to hear this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Boyfriend's Car," the second track on the extended play, was recently released as a music video that you can watch by clicking this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UTvnKEEsD4.

Be sure to get your hands on a copy of All These Wolves, available for purchase NOW on iTunes, Bandcamp HERE, CD Baby HERE, and is also available to stream on Spotify.

Beautiful to Me

So it's the end of the semester, which means that Blue Hawk Records has released another compilation album.  Our seventh album featured four unique artists, each of them expressing their talents in different ways.

My personal favorite has to be Dan Amato's "Beautiful to Me."  After auditioning acoustically, it was settled that a trumpet, saxophone, drums, and bass would be added.  His song is soul pop, the soul mainly coming from the brass and woodwind instruments.

Next, we have rock band Thanks Genie's song "Run."  The song has vibes like Paramore with the female lead singer and eminent guitar.

Blue Hawk Records' Fifth Album 'Blue Hawk Five'

Kellen Brennan's song is perfect for those who love a jazz tune.  Listening to this song takes you to an intimate jazz club in Greenwich Village.

Finally, there's Dan & Jackson.  The duo's song is what you'd listen to on your drive to the beach with your convertible top down.  Like Dan Amato's track, something was added to this song last-minute.  Background vocals were added by six of us (yes, I am part of that six) in the last minute or so of the song, giving the track a little extra of a wow factor.

The album is available for purchase on iTunes here and also available to stream on Spotify.

Don't Give Up

So I went MIA again, so I apologize.  But on a good note, there's a lot happening in the field of music right now, so be prepared for plenty of amazing posts coming up.

To start off my comeback, Blue Hawk Records is preparing to release their seventh album on DECEMBER 9th!!!  I can first-handedly say that this is one of our most rocking' albums yet, so be prepared to be bombarded with posts about the upcoming release!

Another thing you'll have to look forward to is a bunch of random information.  If you've been a reader of mine for a while (and I thank you if you have) you'll already know that I talk about some really random stuff sometimes, so it's only appropriate that that continues.

If you have a Spotify, a lot of my posts will probably involve playlists, but if you don't have a Spotify, I will be sure to make the songs accessible to you.

So that's basically what I am going to be talking about from here on out, but I'm going to try to make it as interesting as possible.  So things you will NOT see anymore on here are song reviews (so no, I will not be covering "Hello" by Adele) and people I'm sick of seeing in the music industry.  So many people are sick of Taylor Swift, so you don't want to hear me say I'm sick of her when a majority of the world is already saying it.

So to leave you today on a good note, here's One Direction's latest music video (because if you've been a reader for a while you will know that I love the boys).

[Source:  YouTube]

Dorian

I know, I know - I haven't been on here in months and I feel terrible.  This post was from May 1st, but for some reason I never posted it.  So, more than two months later, here it is.  And expect more posts from me!


So on April 29th, Blue Hawk Records (a student-run record label) released their fifth compilation album.  The Applied Music Industry II class put together this entire album - from holding auditions (and choosing the five acts for the album), to promoting the most innovative album of Blue Hawk Records' releases, this album is such a nice reward at the end of all of the grueling work.

The album was recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park, and was produced by Erik Romero and our professor, Joe Rapolla.

[Source:  photos.nj.com]

I was the Online Director for the label, handling Facebook and Twitter over the course of the semester and making sure everyone was always updated on what was going on with the label and recording at the moment.

Here's the track list:

1. Calendar Pages - Lily Anne Riche (folk)
2. Competition - Tatiana Walia (soul)
3. I Found Gold - Shoreline (indie)
4. You'll Never Be - Brian Perrino (alternative)
5. Dorian - Tympanic Plexus (instrumental)

Aside from being the Online Director, I was also part of the A&R team, so I sat in on the auditions and had a say on the acts chosen for the record.  Lily was the first person to audition, and the second she left the room was her song was over, everyone immediately knew they wanted her to be on the album.

Shoreline used to be known as a duo called Joe and Dan.  With Kathleen now part of the group (the girl singing the harmony), they became known as Shoreline.  They came in and auditioned with two songs:  "I Found Gold" and another song about a piano (I'm sorry, I can't remember the name).  They were on last semester's album, so we were a little hesitant to pick them, but everyone really enjoyed their performance.

Brian Perrino also auditioned two songs.  His songs were both very angsty, and that's what we liked.  We wanted this album to be different from every other BHR compilation, so having an emotional act like him helped us to achieve that.  His energy and performance took us all away and we really liked him.

Tatiana Walia was an act that completely blew us away.  She walked in and had no music, so she sang two songs acapella.  Her song "Competition" was extremely powerful to the point where I started crying.  The amount of passion she put into her audition was so inspiring and all ten of us fell in love with her faster than we have anything in our lives.

Despite my feelings towards Tatiana, Tympanic Plexus is definitely my favorite act on the album.  The woman who signed them up, Heather (who plays the electric violin), is a current student at Monmouth, while one of the others in the group is an alum.  The other band members are just friends of theirs.  They're an instrumental group who came in and auditioned two songs and we ultimately chose "Dorian," even though both were fantastic.

The album is available to purchase on iTunes and is available for streaming on Spotify!  It would mean the world to us if you bought the album!!

What Lies Beneath the Parkway North

So many great artists have gotten their start in the legendary Asbury Park, NJ such as Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Bon Jovi.  The talent, however, doesn't end with them.  Asbury Park-based alternative rock band Flammable Animals is one to look for.

[Photo: AM Productions]

This quartet consists of Guy Battaglia (vocals, guitar), Kevin Houston (vocals, guitar), Pat Napurano (bass), and Joe Enright (drums).  I had the amazing opportunity of hearing them audition for Monmouth University's Blue Hawk Records' Spring compilation album back in February and they sound just as incredible live as they do in the studio.  In a nutshell, they are not what some would think a college band would sound like, I'll tell you that.

Their individual talents mesh together perfectly, making their presence sound similar to that of a band like Brand New and The Wonder Years.  It's pretty rare that I actually feel music, but I feel it with this group.  From every lyric, to the instrumentals of each track, their passion for music is very evident in the recordings, as they convey feelings in ways that no pop or R&B group ever would, and that's what makes them a true pop-punk band.

[Artwork: Michael Burke, Summerlyn Astrom, Alexis Morrison, & Erin Holmes]

Their debut EP, What Lies Beneath the Parkway North, isn't what you would expect from an alternative/pop-punk band . . . It's so much more.  There is an intro track called "Initium" that sets the extended-play of on a great start, and each song is perfectly placed on the album, making it flow very nicely through the ears of the listener.  As put by Guy himself, "This record is a culmination of New Jersey sounds, spirits, and smells that were recorded in Steve Kellner's (Van Atta High) basement as a result of a horrible Christmas."

Here's a video of them performing the second track of their album, "Frozen Grapes."

[Source:  YouTube]

Their album is available pretty much everywhere.  You can buy it from Bandcamp here.  Or if you're more into iTunes, you can buy it here.  And for those of you who like CD Baby, click here.

Like them on Facebook

Subscribe to them on YouTube

Spaces

"Does it ever drive you crazy just how fast the night changes?  Everything that you've ever dreamed of, disappearing when you wake up.  But there's nothing to be afraid of.  Even when the night changes.  It will never change me and you."

~~~~

"Only half a blue sky.  Kinda there but not quite.  I'm walking around with just one shoe.  I'm half a heart without you."

~~~~

Today marks a very sad day for me and my fellow Directioners.  I found out this afternoon at 12:40 that Zayn Malik has left One Direction.  Being a fan for three years, this was a day I thought I would never have to see.  One Direction would not only break records, but they would stay a complete band forever.  I was naive.  No band ever sticks together.  No, One Direction has not broken up, but I can't help but think that this is the beginning of the end for them.

I had been awaiting Zayn's return to the tour.  After finding out today that he would not be returning for the remainder of the On the Road Again Tour or to the band in general, I was very heartbroken.

While most people reading this will think I am just a dramatic fangirl, something everyone should understand is that I have put so much into this band.  I was finally able to go see them last year during their Where We Are Tour and I was beyond excited.  This year, when I attend the OTRAT, I won't get the same feeling I got last year.  I will never stop being a One Direction fan and I still can't wait to see them this August, but it's not the same without Zayn.

But I am not mad at him.  I have noticed a big change in him this past year.  He has seemed upset, like he hasn't been enjoying himself as much as the other boys have been.  Not that he didn't like the amazing opportunity he was given, but the fame and spotlight made him unhappy.  Everything happened so quickly for One Direction.  They were formed on The X Factor, and only a few weeks into the live shows, they had hundreds of girls lining up outside the studio to see them.  Between releasing a new album every year and going on 9 month tours non-stop since 2010, it's been too much to handle, especially for Zayn, who is someone who likes to have some time to himself.

I love Zayn more than words can describe and I've never even met him.  If leaving the band is what it takes to make him happy, then that's what it takes.  I love you, Zayn, and you'll be a member of One Direction.

~~~~

"Ooh, spaces between us keep getting deeper.  It's harder to reach ya even though I try.  Spaces between us hold all our secrets, leaving us speechless and I don't know why.

Who's gonna be the first to say goodbye?"

Unzip Your Harrington

The first time I listened to the Drowners, I assumed, because of their sound, that they were English.  And don't get me wrong - the Union Jack (even though paired with an American flag) did nothing but add on to the deception from this post-punk NYC-based band.

[Source:  Amazon]

Now, my "false" predictions that the quartet is English weren't completely false.  Lead singer Matthew Hitt moved from Wales to NYC.  See?  I kind of know what I'm talking about!

Anyway, enough with my ongoing obsession with Englishmen.  Everything about this band is perfect.  To start, their songs are not long at all . . . we're talking Beatles lengths.  In fact, only one song from their debut album Drowners was over 3 minutes.  Even though the songs are short, they don't seem unfinished like some shorts songs do.

Their songs are also very lyrically well put together.  "Watch You Change" has the repetitive line "There's not a shoulder cold enough for me to give her," and "Unzip Your Harrington" starts the chorus with "I'm gonna hang around long enough to be part of your furniture."

It's crazy I have gone so long without knowing this band and their music.  Bands with such cool tunes deserve a lot more recognition.  Share them with a friend, they'll probably love them.

Cheap and Cheerful

Garage rock is a genre we have seen since the 1960s with groups like The Kinks and Andy Warhol's The Velvet Underground.  Of course one could say that garage rock has evolved, but to be honest, what doesn't age through generations?  Despite that being fairly true, I don't see much of an evolution with garage rock and here's why.

First, listen to "All Day and All of the Night" by The Kinks from 1964.

[Source:  YouTube]

Now, listen to "Cheap and Cheerful" by The Kills of their 2008 album Midnight Boom.

[Source:  YouTube]

Aside from the obvious difference in quality, what's the major change between the two tracks?

Well there isn't much.  I know this may be true for these songs only, but it does go to show that the genre clearly hasn't done much changing in the past 50 or so years.

I first heard "Cheap and Cheerful" when one of the people I follow on Tumblr posted it from Spotify.  The first listen I took didn't make me too pleased.  It wasn't until I continued playing it on Spotify that I fell in love with it and bought it on iTunes.  It's quite good.

Talking Body

I was on iTunes yesterday trying to find some new music to buy and stumbled across one of Tove Lo's songs from her debut album Queen of the Clouds called "Talking Body."

After the chart success of her single "Habits (Stay High)," I had to give the track a chance.  After only twenty seconds of the minute and a half preview I fell in love with the electropop tune with 50 Shades of Grey raunchiness.

"Now if we're talking body, you got a perfect one so put it on me.  Swear it won't take you long.  If you love me right, we f*** for life on and on and on."

[Source:  YouTube]

Speaking of 50 Shades of Grey, I am also in love with "Love Me Like You Do" by "Burn" singer Ellie Goulding.  I guess Valentine's Day has a big effect on me - I'm in love with songs about love at the moment.  At first, I wasn't a huge fan of this song, mainly because I thought the chorus was too repetitive, but I did like the strong use of percussion and lyrically is a great song.

"Fading in, fading out, on the edge of paradise.  Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've got to find.  Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire."

"Yeah I'll let you set the pace 'cause I'm not thinking straight.  My head's spinning around, I can't see clear no more.  What are you waiting for?"

[Source:  YouTube]

When You Were Mine

In my Business of Music class, my professor plays a song or two from a new(er) album.  He played four different artists today, one of them being Night Terrors of 1927.  The LA-based duo just released their debut album through Atlantic, Everything's Coming Up Roses.

One of the songs my professor played was "When You Were Mine," featuring twins Tegan and Sara.  After hearing it that one time, it's probably one of my favorite songs at the moment.

[Source;  YouTube]

It may sound a little amateur, but I really like how this song has two duos.  It's pretty symmetrical - it goes well with my OCD.