It's been a GREAT day! Hope you enjoy this tune by Kodaline.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Belated Music Monday - "Happy" by Pentatonix
Adame wanted me to have this be Monday's tune.
Rappin for Jesus
It's hilariously awful and inappropriate.
So let's do this instead.
Because this was already awesome.
Rappin for Jesus
It's hilariously awful and inappropriate.
So let's do this instead.
Because this was already awesome.
Monday, March 17, 2014
SXSW BBN Semi Finals - QUICKFIRE!
Here we are in the semi finals! It's been relatively easy thus far, but with only six bands left to compete we're going to blaze through the next round in a quickfire. I've heard most of the songs numerous times and can whittle our way to the top three.
Starting off the third bracket are two bands from opposite ends of North America, both including a Canadian persuasion. Air Traffic Controller hails from Nova Scotia and Paranoid Castle is a Bay Area emcee with a Canadian producer. "You Know Me" "Pick Me Up" and "Hurry Hurry" are infectious tunes that have won my heart to Air Traffic Controller.
Royal Teeth faces off against Wakey! Wakey! Both bands are for the younger crowd; very lovely, angsty and meant for a showcase on the CW. I have to award it to Royal Teeth.
No brainer for OK SWEETHEART against Landlady. Remember the song "Cry Me A River" in V for Vendetta by Julie London? Listen to "Before You Go" and tell me if you get the same feeling. Say it with me... O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A.... OOOOOOklaaaaahooooooma!
Alrighty folks, how was that for fast?
Starting off the third bracket are two bands from opposite ends of North America, both including a Canadian persuasion. Air Traffic Controller hails from Nova Scotia and Paranoid Castle is a Bay Area emcee with a Canadian producer. "You Know Me" "Pick Me Up" and "Hurry Hurry" are infectious tunes that have won my heart to Air Traffic Controller.
Royal Teeth faces off against Wakey! Wakey! Both bands are for the younger crowd; very lovely, angsty and meant for a showcase on the CW. I have to award it to Royal Teeth.
No brainer for OK SWEETHEART against Landlady. Remember the song "Cry Me A River" in V for Vendetta by Julie London? Listen to "Before You Go" and tell me if you get the same feeling. Say it with me... O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A.... OOOOOOklaaaaahooooooma!
Alrighty folks, how was that for fast?
SXSW BBD 2nd Bracket - Cello Fury vs. Landlady
Last competitors before the finals! Cello Fury versus Landlady.
I'd like to note that my friend Ian looks similar to the brunette dude in Cello Fury. Ian is musical, but not of the cello variety. Stealing from wiki, Cello Fury is a chamber music group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group consists of Nicole Myers, Simon Cummings, Ben Muñoz and David Throckmorton. They rock strings. My Aunt Nan would not find this offensive.
And Landlady? They are a hard act to find. Brooklyn guy, Adam Schatz, tends to cover other music in video and with the exception of the vegetable video "Above My Ground". Experimental, free-flowing, jazzy and bizarre. Adam is the maestro of his own world of crazy, which actually makes sense... which is crazy.
After pacing back and forth, I'm awarding this to Landlady. While neither band is my cup of tea, I appreciate the opportunity to explore something new. Cello Fury is classically a better fit, but this is SXSW after all.
I'd like to note that my friend Ian looks similar to the brunette dude in Cello Fury. Ian is musical, but not of the cello variety. Stealing from wiki, Cello Fury is a chamber music group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group consists of Nicole Myers, Simon Cummings, Ben Muñoz and David Throckmorton. They rock strings. My Aunt Nan would not find this offensive.
And Landlady? They are a hard act to find. Brooklyn guy, Adam Schatz, tends to cover other music in video and with the exception of the vegetable video "Above My Ground". Experimental, free-flowing, jazzy and bizarre. Adam is the maestro of his own world of crazy, which actually makes sense... which is crazy.
After pacing back and forth, I'm awarding this to Landlady. While neither band is my cup of tea, I appreciate the opportunity to explore something new. Cello Fury is classically a better fit, but this is SXSW after all.
SXSW BBN 2nd Bracket - OK SWEETHEART vs. The Unlikely Candidates
Welcome back my three readers. We are narrowing down the contenders for the SXSW Best Band Name and have two more rounds in this bracket before the playoffs.
Let's start with OK SWEETHEART.
Erin Austin is a better version of Zoey Deschanel; more likeable, humanistic and without defense to her quirks. Her voice is enjoyable and the variance in tempo within songs is appreciated. The band name is a reflection of her Oklahoma upbringing. That said, she's still too cool for me. I don't think I own one vintage piece of clothing let alone a hairstyle that would fit in with her hipster friends.
Guess what? I've heard more songs by The Unlikely Candidates that I didn't realize. "Howl" may have been a Music Monday pick back in October. I cannot in good conscience send them through when they aren't a mystery to me. GREAT band! Really enjoy their work. But it wouldn't be fair. Sorry The Unlikely Candidates. It's not you, it's me.
OK SWEETHEART continues on by default.
Let's start with OK SWEETHEART.
Erin Austin is a better version of Zoey Deschanel; more likeable, humanistic and without defense to her quirks. Her voice is enjoyable and the variance in tempo within songs is appreciated. The band name is a reflection of her Oklahoma upbringing. That said, she's still too cool for me. I don't think I own one vintage piece of clothing let alone a hairstyle that would fit in with her hipster friends.
Guess what? I've heard more songs by The Unlikely Candidates that I didn't realize. "Howl" may have been a Music Monday pick back in October. I cannot in good conscience send them through when they aren't a mystery to me. GREAT band! Really enjoy their work. But it wouldn't be fair. Sorry The Unlikely Candidates. It's not you, it's me.
OK SWEETHEART continues on by default.
Friday, March 14, 2014
SXSW BBN 2nd Bracket - In-Flight Safety vs. Wakey! Wakey!
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to G Funky flight 314 from SXSW in Austin directly to your eyeballs. At this time, make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their
full upright position. Also make sure your seat belt is correctly
fastened and you have an alcoholic beverage in your hand. We advise you that as of this moment, any electronic
equipment must be turned up as loud as possible. Thank you.
More Canadians... In-Flight Safety. At least they aren't from Newfoundland, amirite Bueno? This isn't the band your Mum warned you about. Take a heavy heaping of Snow Patrol, throw in a dash of Coldplay and maybe a sprinkling of Rise Against drumming (at times) you've got yourself a good, steady band.
And they are up against? Wakey! Wakey!
Frontman Mike Grubbs isn't all about the piano in his music, but he is kinda all about the piano. More emo than Ben Folds, less grumpy than Chris Martin, and ... hairier than Billy Joel. His lyrics are very much right out of the journal and tend to be about love in some form or fashion. That's all I got folks.
It's a toss up. I'm going to award it to Wakey! Wakey! just because of Mike's talent and it brings back fond memories of the sailors asleep on the floor of my apartment. Wakey wakey! Eggs and Bakey!
More Canadians... In-Flight Safety. At least they aren't from Newfoundland, amirite Bueno? This isn't the band your Mum warned you about. Take a heavy heaping of Snow Patrol, throw in a dash of Coldplay and maybe a sprinkling of Rise Against drumming (at times) you've got yourself a good, steady band.
And they are up against? Wakey! Wakey!
Frontman Mike Grubbs isn't all about the piano in his music, but he is kinda all about the piano. More emo than Ben Folds, less grumpy than Chris Martin, and ... hairier than Billy Joel. His lyrics are very much right out of the journal and tend to be about love in some form or fashion. That's all I got folks.
It's a toss up. I'm going to award it to Wakey! Wakey! just because of Mike's talent and it brings back fond memories of the sailors asleep on the floor of my apartment. Wakey wakey! Eggs and Bakey!
SXSW BBN 2nd Bracket - Tacocat vs. Royal Teeth
I'm nervous where this one will go. I have been enjoying Royal Teeth and have already downloaded three songs. If Tacocat can make a good argument with their music, then they are still in the running.
A quick reminder about the awesomeness of Royal Teeth.
They tour... A LOT! Founded in Louisiana, they are definitely a pop group for the MTV crowd. (I like pop, sue me.) The female in the band, Nora, reminds me of a red-headed Joanna Page. They don't have a good bio out there, so I have to depend on other resources. Follow them on Twitter @royalteethmusic They're going to appear on American Idol next week, so the 'splody is about to happen for them.
And now... Tacocat.
According to their "hella interesting bio" they like The Ramones, weed, Hondas and feminist sci-fi. Three women and one long-haired dude make up the Washington state group. It's only a matter of time before they are promoted on Portlandia. I dare you to listen to their tunes and not imagine The Go Go's playing in your garage.
Oh Tacocat. You're fun and silly. But the garage-band rawness isn't able to compete against Royal Teeth. Chomp, chomp, chomp goes the Teeth on the Taco. (Not the cat part... that would be gross.)
A quick reminder about the awesomeness of Royal Teeth.
They tour... A LOT! Founded in Louisiana, they are definitely a pop group for the MTV crowd. (I like pop, sue me.) The female in the band, Nora, reminds me of a red-headed Joanna Page. They don't have a good bio out there, so I have to depend on other resources. Follow them on Twitter @royalteethmusic They're going to appear on American Idol next week, so the 'splody is about to happen for them.
And now... Tacocat.
According to their "hella interesting bio" they like The Ramones, weed, Hondas and feminist sci-fi. Three women and one long-haired dude make up the Washington state group. It's only a matter of time before they are promoted on Portlandia. I dare you to listen to their tunes and not imagine The Go Go's playing in your garage.
Oh Tacocat. You're fun and silly. But the garage-band rawness isn't able to compete against Royal Teeth. Chomp, chomp, chomp goes the Teeth on the Taco. (Not the cat part... that would be gross.)
SXSW BBN 2nd Bracket - Paranoid Castle vs. The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer
The second set of bands to make the initial cut are Paranoid Castle and The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer.
I gave Paranoid Castle a little grief in their first round for Weed Man; I'm pleased that they made it through so that I could experience "Feeling Inside". If Kirby Dominant went up against some slam poets I know, he would (as his last name states) dominate! SF Bay based, I'm reminded of Saul Williams but with a prettier melodic voice. He really likes champagne, so send him a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.
Blues duo Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers create a sound of five or six members, but they play everything from drums, guitar, harmonica and vocals themselves. The lack of bass is apparent, but I cannot imagine how they create what they do between just the two of them. It's harsh and hard blues. They're Canadian, eh? I really hope Matthew hasn't murdered anyone with an axe.
Tough call. But I'm going to award it to Paranoid Castle.
I gave Paranoid Castle a little grief in their first round for Weed Man; I'm pleased that they made it through so that I could experience "Feeling Inside". If Kirby Dominant went up against some slam poets I know, he would (as his last name states) dominate! SF Bay based, I'm reminded of Saul Williams but with a prettier melodic voice. He really likes champagne, so send him a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.
Blues duo Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers create a sound of five or six members, but they play everything from drums, guitar, harmonica and vocals themselves. The lack of bass is apparent, but I cannot imagine how they create what they do between just the two of them. It's harsh and hard blues. They're Canadian, eh? I really hope Matthew hasn't murdered anyone with an axe.
Tough call. But I'm going to award it to Paranoid Castle.
SXSW BBN 2nd Bracket - Swamp Cabbage vs. Air Traffic Controller
Hello my three readers. We have run through the first round of the SXSW Best Band Name competition and 13 bands have been eliminated. With the remaining bands, we'll dive a little bit deeper into their background and explore more music.
Up first, Swamp Cabbage.
A Floridian band founded by Walter Parks, they have been around since 2003. One of their songs is featured as the opening to American Guns. They have a great website, a collective history of working with great musicians, and appear to be a good live jam band.
They are pitted against Air Traffic Controller.
Boston guy, Dave Munro, was a real life Air Traffic Controller for the military. The music is a little reminiscent of They Might Be Giants. Dave likes to wear a chapeau and is definitely of the hipster variety. He apparently has issues with being on time; which means we could never be friends.
Easy win to Air Traffic Controller.
Up first, Swamp Cabbage.
A Floridian band founded by Walter Parks, they have been around since 2003. One of their songs is featured as the opening to American Guns. They have a great website, a collective history of working with great musicians, and appear to be a good live jam band.
They are pitted against Air Traffic Controller.
Boston guy, Dave Munro, was a real life Air Traffic Controller for the military. The music is a little reminiscent of They Might Be Giants. Dave likes to wear a chapeau and is definitely of the hipster variety. He apparently has issues with being on time; which means we could never be friends.
Easy win to Air Traffic Controller.
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