Here's a cool little discovery! Drummer of I See Stars, Andy Oliver, has a side solo project under the alias of I Am Skywalker. It seems as though he does a lot of mixing and working a bit with the dubstep, which I can appreciate. Not too sure what he plans to do with this or what he's planning for the future, but I think this is cool stuff - just as long as I See Stars stays a band! Take a listen to it, and I very much enjoy "In Your Eyes" (below).
On Thursday, December 1st, local Austin (and UT) band, Moonlight Social, filled the starry Texas night with alternative-country rock at the Art Institute of Austin. Their sound is not particularly my cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed their performance! At first you think that there are five members to this group, but in reality there are only two: Jeremy Burchard (center) and Jennica Scott (on Burchard's right), whom are members of the Longhorn Band!
I never realized how much talent was brewing on the UT campus, and I wouldn't have known about Moonlight Social if it weren't for Vicci, who not only has posted about them numerous times on her blog but also wrote a kick ass band profile on them for her journalism class! I would share it with you, but I'm not sure if I have the power to do that! [[EDIT: She posted it!]]
Anyway, I enjoyed seeing Moonlight Social perform. Country's not my forte, but they definitely captured my attention. They give off a stage presence similar to Tyler Ward and his band. Each member of the band looks like they're genuinely enjoying themselves while performing and that they really love music. What I thought was the most impressive aspect was the vocal stylings of Jennica. She has an amazing voice - good range with a very crisp sound - and she works it. The band played a mixture between original songs and cover songs - one that I knew for sure was "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum. My favorite original song they had would probably be "Neither Are You," which is the song they closed the night with.
From what I've seen and learned about Moonlight Social, I have no doubts that they're on the right track to making it big. Jeremy and Jennica have only been working together for a year, and they've accomplished so much (only naming two of many): from performing at the 2011 SXSW showcase to having the opportunity to record with a member from Blue October. I sense great things to come from this group especially because they'll be heading to the studio to record a new album,so be on the lookout for them in the future!
Alex Gaskarth wrote a message on his Tumblr addressing the "issue" between All Time Low and Big Time Rush.
"Big Time Lush
Apparently I pissed a few people off today— What’s new? Big Time Rush fans, in NO way did I intend to disrespect the guys. My explanation was rushed (teehee) and worded wrong in the final iteration of the interview.
To clarify, BTR’s reps asked to do a version of No Idea, which we were totally cool with, and that version of the song ended up on their newest record. (They even credited me. Aww.)
When I compared them to The Monkees, I was merely attempting to explain how and why they ended up with an alternate version of our song on their album in the first place— certain aspects of their band are determined by the powers over at Nickelodeon, and their TV show, which the band was formed around, (as was their music, respectively.) That’s just fact. No denying it.
However, what defines a “real band” is subjective, and taken out of context, my comment definitely came off as condescending, which was never my intention.
Those guys are homies, and they’re doing what they do very well— I certainly wasn’t tryna hate.
xo"
As many have predicted, it was a known fact that "No Idea" was being incorporated into Big Time Rush's new album. I think that Alex handled the situation well by calmly explaining himself - I would like to locate the interview he mentions. So no worries: All Time Low and Big Time Rush won't have to duke it out with each other!
The first thing that I wake up to on my phone this morning is this lovely music video right here that I've been patiently waiting for for the last few days, and it's a great way to start my day. All Time Low releases their music video for "Time Bomb."
I very much enjoyed this video and not because it's my favorite track on the record. I think this might be their first one to have a legit narrative accompanying the band performance because their videos usually include them playing the song and them messing around in the video (especially for "I Feel Like Dancin'"), but I digg this. What's also cool is that although at first you may think, "wtf?" I still appreciate the reference made in this video. And what is that reference? Go watch the video and find out yourself!
Le sigh. Ten days until these guys will be in Dallas. It's in big permanent marker letters on my calendar over there on my wall. Such a shame. The video makes me want to see them live again because they always put on an awesome show, but alas I can't. Aside from that, they've really come a long way, and I'm so proud of what they've accomplished in just a few short years.
It's been awhile since I've done a band profile post, but here's one! This band, While We're Up, sent me one of their songs to listen to via YouTube, and fortunately for them I actually did cause usually I ignore those messages. The song is called "Hold," and it's a slow love ballad with sweet words that would make any girl's heart melt.
"Hold" - While We're Up
Aside from the love song to induce some winter cuddling, While We're Up is normally an unsigned acoustic pop rock band from Tempe, Arizona, and they sound like it for sure. Their songs have a happy feel to it and could potentially brighten anyone's day. You don't even have to listen to the lyrics - just listen to the music and the vocal melodies. This boy duo definitely give off a coffee shop vibe, but if they get signed, I could see them doing some tours. Give them a listen!
Surprise, surprise! Nearly a few days after they release their single, "California," The After Party boys release a music video to go along with it! The video has a more serious tone to it than their previous ones, and it's a good video nonetheless! It shows the guys living life on the road and their touring adventures - I see footage all the way from when they played Kansas City Warped Tour this passed summer. It's a nice little video, and I enjoyed it a lot. It makes me more excited to see them in a few days!
Be sure to spare about four minutes of your time to watch this video and also buy their single on iTunes!
So a shocking discovery was made over the holiday break: Breathe Carolina is on the effing radio! My sister and I are just cruising on the road when I hear "Blackout" - their recent hit single - and I nearly stop the car and flip shit! As some people would put it, "That shit cray!" This is the first (okay second) time that an "underground" band that I listen to is on mainstream radio; the first being The Ready Set's "Love Like Woe."
Not that I'm not happy for this great achievement, but there is always that small "hipster" part of me that is thinking, "Well that's great. Everyone is going to fall in love with them and I'll have to stop listening to them," which I refuse to do because I really do love Breathe Carolina (with thanks to my best friend for introducing me to them). The thing is..."Blackout" is probably one of my least favorite songs on the album, but hey - it's got a nice beat to it and it's catchy therefore radio-worthy. It's been said that half of their latest album, Hell is What You Make It, is half radio-friendly songs and the other half is their usual heavy sound. I much prefer the heavier songs on their album than the radio stuff they put out, but it's whatever.
"Blackout" - Breathe Carolina
Another factor that might have to do with their recent exposure is that they are going on tour with Flo Rida. Enough said.
Congrats to Breathe Carolina for making it onto the radio, but I hope to be able to see them live again before they get too big!
