Keeping It Fresh

Continuing with more ACL artists, today I am focusing on one of the electronic acts to hit the stage. What is interesting is that initially, this artist was not supposed to be listed. Due to some complications though, they were slotted and many of us got to experience Justice for the first time. And let me tell you, the show was absolutely mesmerizing.  A little background about the group, Justice is a French electronic duo who has been a strong and powerful underbelly of music. The duo has been nominated for multiple Grammy's and has even won for some of their remixes. Justice has a really great repertoire of sound and production. At times during their performance, I would get some serious Daft Punk vibes. There is something very meticulous about their work and in the intricacies of their music. There are definitely disco and funk electronic vibes, thrown in with a little bit of house as well. But what makes Justice stand out, even more, is that there are lots of influenc...

Big news! Last weekend was the first weekend of Austin City Limits! Now ACL is one of the biggest music festivals in the South, and rightfully so! The festival claims six days over two weekends and over 200 artists, which is pretty nuts! I was lucky enough to be able to go, and I wanted to share my experience with you all. Which is why I thought it would be great to talk about some of the artists I got to see who completely surprised me! So let ACL Week begin! Today I want to talk about an artist who blew me away within the first 10 seconds of their performance. Greta Van Fleet is a band I had never heard of and probably wouldn't have come across in my music discovery paths. But thanks to ACL, I have been exposed to such a riot of a band, and I am excited to be able to share their music with you. This band sounds like a modern y Led Zepplin, and when the lead singer opened his mouth and let out the first note, I was hooked. It wasn't so much a note as much as it was a growli...

Today I have some music by a band called The Afters. Now it has been an extremely long time since I have posted a song by this band. And it is actually a shame that it has taken this long for me to put up another incredible song by The Afters. The song I am posting today was actually used to open and present The Golden Globes on television. Now, this is really cool in my opinion, especially given the fact that they are not one of the more well-known bands in the popular music sphere. Of course,  I found it to b a bit ironic that most people have no idea who The Afters are, yet their music was used for one of the biggest televised events of the year. But to continue onto the song itself, this particular track comes from the fifth album by The Afters.  One of the most notable things about The Afters, something which makes them so great, is their ability to create music that inspires. So many of their songs are so inviting and incredibly inspirational, hopeful on all accounts ...

Today I have music for you by a more underground band by the name Gossip. This is a track I actually forgot about for a little while, until it started playing off one of my playlists. Naturally, I started to really jam out because, hey, it's been a while! And of course, hearing this song again after so long reminded me about how good this song is. Which leads us to the rest of today's post! There is so much energy in this song, and carries the energy of a rock song. This song goes from being a brooding prowl to being an energetic disco and indie rock song. This is something we could hear from more underground rock scenes, and was especially popular in the UK. There is a very distinct rock sound, one that makes it clear that this is a rock song and not a synth pop or electronic poop song. But at the same time, it has the dance-like qualitites of those kinds of songs. There is a sense of groove to the song that is heightened by the guitar beats and melodies. This song is defini...

Today I have some music for you by the artist known as VanLadyLove. The first time I heard this song, I had chills up and down my arms. This is a song that has a lot of feeling poured into it, but not the emotional kind of feeling. This is something that beckons the call of freedom and adventure and letting go and moving into the unknown. This song is something that is immersed in inspiration and makes us feel that sense of having our own wings to go forth and go on our own. But at the same time, the song addresses that we cannot live in the world of our dreams. We have to be able to bring all of those sentiments to the real world, and we cannot run away from everything that we have to face here.So when we look at this song, there are some really nice things that are going on to make this a completely feel good song. For starters, this song doesn't use guitars much, and opts for using a mandolin. I really enjoy the mandolin, with its oddly sweet sound. It is a stringed instrument...

Today I am going back to the days of the boy bands, a song that is off one of my personal playlists. LMNT was around for a short while, coming out with a lead single which seemed to take over the young pop world by storm. I never realized how much I loved this song until I heard it after almost 10 years, and if something like that doesn't make you feel old then I don't know what will. There was so much about this song which made young me (and current me) really love this song. I have to admit, this song has all the characteristics of your typical 2000s boy band. This is the kind of song you would hear in all those teen movies, and incidentally enough, this particular song was a popular choice. But we have a lot going on in this song which helps give it that throwback vibe. For starters, the fact that LMNT is a boy band. It is hard to miss that fact, and that in itself is enough to make this song a good one. The nostalgia for boy bands of old, with synchronized dance moves a...

It has been quite a while since the last post, hasn't it? Well, back at it again today and my goodness it feels so good. Now I have done quite a bit of music exploration the past few days, so I have some great music coming your way! And this first song is by the artist known as KYKO. A relatively new artist, KYKO has easily secured a spot on my playlists, and this song is the reason why. This song is the first track I ever heard by KYKO, and I loved it so much that I had to sit down and listen to everything KYKO has on Spotify. And I have loved pretty much every track available. What first struck me about this song is the way it seamlessly combines genres- a bit of indie rock with some synth pop and alternative sounds. Personally, I think these combinations like this are safe choices when it comes to releasing new music. We get to have the modernity of the indie and pop, with the warmth and energy of alternative rock. KYKO's soundscape is one that is so nice to experience. ...

Today I have some music for you by a band that I haven't really talked about in an incredibly long time. I'm thinking its maybe been two or three years since I last talked about these guys. A shame for sure, but this song resurfaced among my playlists, and the memories made me come here to write about it. This song is by a band called Foals, a group out of England. This is a band who has been around for quite some time, and they have such an odd reputation to me. It seems like they are a band that everyone knows, yet nobody knows who they are. Foals has performed at so many huge festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella, and they have a good number of accolades under their belt. But at the same time, I have found that when I ask people if they listen to Foals, the answer is usually a no. But I kind of like it when bands have reputations like that. It makes the music so much real and pure to me. It's like having a well-kept secret that many others are also trying to keep se...

Today I have some new music for you by a band that I have loved for a long time. 30 Seconds to Mars is a band that I have spent a lot of time talking about in the past, and they are out with a new track and hopefully, another album to follow suit. But the band has spent a lot of time touring and performing, taking a bit of a break, the frontman acting in a few films, etc. But I have to say, it is exciting to have the band finally drop some new music, so let's get into it. In standard 30 Seconds to Mars fashion, this song makes me feel like I am capable of doing anything. That tends to be a common theme across all of their albums. From the opening to the very end, this song surges with power and passion, ferocity and intensity. There is this fierceness to the music which feels like it is coursing through your veins, powering your mind, body, and soul. And that is one of the things I absolutely love about the band. The music is passionate and empowering, as are the music videos whi...

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I last posted. Lots of things going on, some moving around, trying to get some time to write. And I am starting up again with some music for you from Japan. ONE OK ROCK is a rock band (go figure) out of Tokyo, and was recently on tour. Now I only recently started listening to their music, and it took me back to my rock roots. I will say ,ONE OK ROCK tends to take a little bit more of a punk sound with this song, but it really works for them. One of the things I really have to appreciate about ONE OK ROCK, is that each album sounds different. The band is not afraid of trying out new sounds and vibes each time they put out an album, and I respect that both as a listener and as a musician. You can also really tell who has influenced the band. Some albums are almost like an homage to ONE OK ROCK's favorite and most inspiring bands, but they are still able to make each album sound like their own. Now the album which this song comes from...

Today I have music for you by a band called The Summer Set. This song is like a breath of fresh air in the world of punk rock. This song is a great song to call the vacation anthem or summer anthem. This song is just bursting with energy and a fun feeling to it. I think this song is so appropriate for summer not only because it has that fun  feel  to it, but the lyrics talk about passion and love and freedom and excitement, all things that define how summer and vacationing is. It captures the feeling of driving around town while standing up out of the sun roof of the car. It brings that feeling of basking in the sun and playing in the surf. Now when it comes to the vocals of this song, I think it is brilliant. The vocals are incredible! There is a softness to these vocals that remind me of The Cab's lead singer. When it needs to be rougher and more intense, it can be. But in these instances with a pumped  up  beat and a riveting sound, the softer and higher pitch...

I feel like it has been such a long time since I have talked about some hardcore rock music. So today I have some heavy rock music for you all. This song just started playing in my head earlier in the evening, and it feels like a nice throwback to the time when rock music was full of this grit and grunge. Breaking Benjamin  I know it was for me, especially because this song definitely seemed to capture my mood for part of the day. This is one of the my favorite songs by the band Breaking Benjamin. A lot of people have heard this song, and many have fallen in love with it. For me, it is easy to see why this would be so popular among all age groups. Breaking Benjamin creates music that is very raw. Each song has a depth to it which we can all appreciate because we have been there. And that rawness is something to be commended. Now one of the reasons Breaking Benjamin isn't what we would call main stream rock, is due to their stylistic elements. One of the most prominent (and my a...

Today is one of the most patriotic holidays of the year for those of us in the United States. Given the obstacles we have faced withing the past year, as a country and as a part of the world, today was extremely special for me. There have been many disheartening moments within this past year, not just for me, but for so many others around the country and the world. But despite the political, social, economic, and moral hurdles we've faced, today was a beautiful display of what the Fourth of July means. It was so wonderful to see so many people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the day which symbolizes our nation. Seeing everyone together, united as a common people, well it was something incredibly hopeful. And in light of Independence Day, I thought I would be a bit patriotic with my posting. As per tradition, this first song is the national anthem, because what kind of Independence Day would it be if the national anthem wasn't played? This particular rendition ...

Today I have some music by an artist we haven't really heard from recently.  Gotye was at a tall peak of popularity a few years ago with a hit single that was heard all over the world. But, I am not here to talk about a song that pretty much everybody seems to know. Gotye is an artist who has a very interesting an unique style. While none of his songs sound the same, there is this commonality in the way they are produced and performed, which makes them stand out as clearly one of Gotye's. Whether it be a more energetic or a subdued song, there always seems to be an underlying motif that connects all the songs together. Gotye creates music that can be seen as a bold move in the realm of pop music. He is not afraid to make the music completely his and totally out there. This is one of my favorite songs off the album for that very reason. This song in particular is incredibly intriguing because it has this intense energy to it that kind of captivates and holds you tight in its g...

Today I have some wildly sick music for you. The band Sigur Rós is one of the most eclectic and hauntingly incredible bands I have ever heard. This is one of those bands that people seem to know about but also not know a thing about. Struggle, I know. But, for those of you who have never heard of  Sigur Rós or know the name but no songs, this is a special treat for you.  If there is one thing I have learned from my dabbles in literature, entertainment, and music, you really only get to experience these things for the first time once. I know it sounds so stupid, but when you think about it, the reality of that is there. You only get to experience something for the first time once. That elation and excitement and complete shock and utter bliss is something that you feel from experiencing something for the first time will never happen again once you have experienced it. So for those of you who are hearing Sigur Rós for the first time, I hope you really enjoy this first expos...

Today I have some music for you that is by an artist I have been following for a little while now. Father John Misty seems to have broken through and is on a quiet but steady rise within the music world. What I really like about Father John Misty, is the depth he has both musically and lyrically. He's also a bit eclectic, which is always a plus! To kick us off, I want to talk about Father John Misty as a whole. He has taken on the artistic persona as someone who oddly fits a more folksy kind of sound. It is a neat progression because Father John Misty was a former member of a couple of indie bands, including Fleet Foxes. And with the latter band, we do get to hear some of that folk sound which seems to have translated over into Father John Misty's music. He also happens to be a singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer. Meaning, he has the capability to record and produce his own music. Which he does. The production of this song is absolutely incredible! From vocals to instru...

Today I have some music for you that comes from the 1980s. Specifically, this song is by one of the greatest British bands of all time, and this song is hands down one of the most remarkable romantic songs we will ever hear. The Smiths will forever and always hold an incredibly special place in my heart because of this song. Now for those of you who don't know, The Smiths was a band of England during the mid and late 80s. They were a group that spearheaded so much within the music world, including individualism and artistic creativity. The Smiths have always been a phenomenal band, which is why I have been giving them a good and thorough listen over the course of the past few days. This song stands out not only as one of the greatest songs by The Smiths, but as one of the greatest romantic songs of all time. The balance between the composition itself and the lyricism is absolutely beautiful and perfect. There is an odd kind of hope that we get with this song. Those warmer feeling...

Today I have some music for you that is so refreshing because it is just some good old rock and roll. This song is by a band called Splitter, a name that I would automatically think would suit a  more metal sound. But this song is what I think the Beatles would sound like if they had a little heavier rock. And I love it! This song has a lot of the older rock elements that have become classic, but the lyrics and style of guitar playing is very modern. That combination is pretty damn swell when we hear it in a song like this. I mean you take the guitar solo that is thrown in the middle, and that just screams rock and roll. And then, of course, we have the vocals which remind me so much of Paul McCartney. This is definitely what a modern day Beatles would sound like, and there is nothing wrong with that! Every kind of artists needs some evolution, it just so happens that a second band proves to be a bit of that evolution for the Beatles.  This song opens up with a repeated gu...

Today is a day of mourning for the music community. We lost an incredible vocalist, musician, and music member last night. Chris Cornell was the lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, and to this day remain one of the most important and pivotal influencers in the music community. The Grammy-nominated singer could be considered one of the fathers of grunge rock music and helped kick start a movement which shook the entire world. He helped define the niche genre that is grunge, taking the best elements of punk and metal to brew something completely unique and edgy. His voice was a force to reckoned with, being able to fluidly transition from a vulnerable howl to a gritty growl, with a range that spanned four octaves. From 1984 to now, Chris Cornell is a powerful presence and overcame much in his life. I pay so much respect and love towards Chris Cornell and his family. His work with music and his influence within rock music have been so transformative for the genre. My ...

Today I have some music for you by a band that has been a little off my own personal radar. Sometimes you run across a band that you listened to in what seems like a past chapter, and their music allows you to reminisce. I wanted to go ahead and talk about a song by Blue October that did just that for me. I haven't heard this song by Blue October in such a long time, that when this shuffled into my music stream, I had to stop for a moment to just listen. This song definitely airs a little bit more on the somber rock side of things. Blue October is a band that is under appreciated in my opinion. Though they are more well known as a rock band, Blue October has some beautiful music centered around these rock soundscapes. Every song has such a deep meaning and a theme that they are able to explain to us through music. This, in particular, is a song that really speaks to the depths of humanity. This song reaches out toward the emotions that everyone feels and struggles with every day....