Check out the music video for one of their latest releases, "Phone Call", below. Dreamers of the Ghetto is a trio turned occasional quartet originating from Nashville. Their music emits a very relaxed yet soulful and deep vibe. They have recently added a live drummer to the mix, which has helped them achieve a more complex sound. If this is a taste of what is to come, I hope we will be hearing more from this group towards the beginning of next year.
This is such a wonderful photography project. M. Sharkey has traveled the country photographing and interviewing queer teens living their lives like normal human beings; its just beautiful. Its beautiful to see LGBTQ youth with such vibrancy, fervor, and passion. To all you ignorant bullies out there: this is a war you are going to lose. This is proof.
2010,
gay,
m. sharkey,
queer,
youth
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It's seven o'clock, on the dot, I'm in my drop top cruisin' the streets....The words of a true poetic genius, right? Okay, that might be somewhat of an exaggeration. Scratch that, it is quite the overstatement.
Usher is in the midst of his 2010 North American "OMG! Tour" and made his way to Houston this week. With my good friend in tow, I weaved through the typical downtown traffic on my way to Toyota Center with no real expectations for the show. Honestly, I just wanted to drink. I'm not an avid fan of arena/stadium concerts. I don't want to pay $100.oo for an artist I kinda/sorta want to see, but even more, I cringe when I have to spend $9.00 for a beer. I can get almost four Four Lokos for that price (that's 16 Lokos total). Anyways, Usher's latest album, Raymond vs Raymond, has been blowing up radio stations across the country. Singles such as "DJ Got Us Falling In Love Again", "Hot Toddie", "There Goes My Baby", etc. have become the new music plague. After being beat in the head by these songs, I couldn't help but start to find them entertaining. You can judge all you want, but his songs are catchy as hell. C'mon, its U-S, H-E-R, R-A-Y-M, O-N-D.
As soon as we nestled into our fifth row seats, the house lights faded to black. We missed the opener, Trey Songz. The show itself was very atypical for a pop arena show: pyrotechnics, massive projection screens, random props, backup dancers, risers, and a live band. My preconception for the performance was that he was going to lipsync almost the entire time, but to my surprise, that wasn't the case. He physically sang for a decent amount of time. That took place in between the several instances where he either ripped his shirt off, thrusted his crotch into the air, or simulated vaginal/oral penetration.
His set lasted about an hour and a half and was filled with many new songs but also a good amount of oldies. Nonetheless, I sang 95% of the lyrics and nearly lost my voice. I can't lie to you; I felt a tad ashamed telling friends that my voice was raspy for THAT reason, but then again, I really wasn't. I'm known to be quite shameless.
Biggest complaint: They stopped serving alcohol an hour before the end of the show. That was dumb. Really dumb.
All-in-all, the concert was high in entertainment value, but quantity definitely beat out quality.
For more pictures like the one featured, check out this link right hurr.
Yes, I know: Its Ke$ha. Say what you want; Judge all you want. I might not be in love with her music, but I'm a huge fan of this guy's videos. Check it out! Also, check out his video for Katy Perry's "Peacock" here.
Recently, a handful of members from Gorillaz made a special appearance on BBC Radio 1. Damon Albarn tugs at your heart while he performs his rendition of The XX's "Crystalised". The already moving song seems to evoke even more pain and emotion as seen in Albarn's facial expressions. This is a truly a superb take on the hit indie tune.
Neon colors, angel wings, choreographed dance moves, a crowded stage set that is probably against fire code, and of course, musical genius; all should be expected from the one-and-only Sufjan Stevens. Above, you will find Sufjan's debut network television performance (except for his surprise performance with The National on David Letterman here.) Fallon appears to almost be in awe of what takes place. He should be.
This past September, I had the honor and pleasure of enjoying Sufjan Stevens perform live in Dallas, TX on the Southern Methodist University campus. The most accurate comparison to seeing Sufjan in the flesh is finding a unicorn in your backyard on a snowy day in Hell. He hasn't toured in 4+ years, and when the opportunity presents itself, you make sure you get tickets for the show closest to you, no matter what the cost is. For the latest tour, he even hand picked all of the dates and venues himself. Its difficult to put into physical words how wonderful, ethereal, magical, passionate, notable, dorky, personal, etc. this concert was. It was impossible not to be mesmerized. Sitting in the front row of the pit helped a bit too. I must say that personally, I highly enjoyed his quirky dance skills. Not many people can make "awkward" look "cute", but he does it quite well. I've seen countless shows this year, and this rates as one of the top for 2010. If you STILL haven't jumped on the bandwagon and checked out his full length album The Age of Adz or his EP, All The Delighted People....do yourself a favor and purchase both (no, don't open a new tab on your browser and go straight to bit torrent). Sidenote, his opening act/current touring band member, DM Stith, is also worth checking out.
I've had a musical crush on Sufjan Stevens for years, and now that crush is creeping upon infatuation (too much?). He is absolutely adorable in every aspect. I was this close to stealing him right off the stage. Look at this man...whether you are male or female, how can you not feel the same way?
(cue googly eyes......now.)
Proud to be an Aggie.
There's a limit to your love
Like a waterfall in slow motion
Like a map with no ocean
There's a limit to your love
Your love, your love, your love
There's a limit to you care
So carelessly there, is it truth or dare
There's a limit to your care
There's a limit to your love
Like a waterfall in slow motion
Like a map with no ocean
There's a limit to your love
Your love, your love, your love
There's a limit to you care
So carelessly there, is it truth or dare
There's a limit to your care
Oooh, the national phenomenon that is Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair". Yes, she is a mere 10 years olds, she possesses a "distinct" fashion style (or someone is giving her that style), and her track is respectable for someone of such a young age. With all that said, if America wants to see how people REALLY whip their hair back and forth, watch the video below.
As I was sipping on a 44 ounce Diet Coke last night, my friend and I were sending each other videos like the one above, and and I just started to think. Most have at least heard of voguing, but the femme style of vogue has been taking over the underground for years. It actually made a national appearance on MTV's America's Next Dance Crew. The woman featured in the above video, Leomy, was a member. Another fun fact, Leomy was an extra in Willow Smith's official music video.
There is no arguing that its a catchy tune, but I just have to point out the fact that Will Smith's cleverly named daughter needs to do some research (10 year olds can read, right?). It is possible she was truly influenced by this scene, but how many nine and ten year olds know anything about LGBT subcultures? To the more informed minority, I feel like she is trying to somewhat represent an entire culture that she knows absolutely nothing about. If she knew how much of a force Leomy is in the vogue scene, she would have featured her in that music video for more than five seconds.
Just sayin'. That's my rant for the morning.
And I really wish I wasn't terrified to shablam. I would probably fracture by legs, back, and/or neck. Maybe one day....just watch for me on the dance floor.
The Mashup King, Girl Talk, has made his latest album, All Day, available on his website. Oh, and it is FREE TO DOWNLOAD. Would I lie to you? Never. I haven't listened to it yet, but I have a bit of apprehension. Night Ripper is still his peak album for me. I wasn't thoroughly blown away by Feed the Animals, but no one can deny that any Girl Talk album can push a dance party to the next level. The album is free to download as either a seamless file or with separated tracks. He states on his website: "All Day is intended to be listened to as a whole."
Also, Girl Talk has a ridiculously intense tour schedule for the upcoming winter and spring seasons. It surprises me that his ear drums haven't vacated his head, flicking him off as they explode. Check out his website to see if he is coming to a city near you. Seeing him live is quite the experience. The first time I witnessed the madness, I was at the front of the stage next to the man himself. At the same time, I was so drunk, dehydrated, and surrounded by others in the same state, I thought I was going to vomit on his computer station.
Enjoy!
**UPDATE** I listened to the entire album last night. Thumbs up! I enjoyed it much more than I expected.
If you have not read my personal Four Loko experience yet, please do here. My sources forwarded me this article from the New York Times: Maker Halts Distribution of Alcoholic Energy Drink. Phusion Projects, the creator of Four Loko, will cease all Four Loko distribution in New York by this Friday. It is official. "Blackout in a Can" is nearing its end.
This is a sad day in American drunken history.
Similar to M.I.A.'s "Born Free", this music video is teeming with a certain ginger persuasion as well. It actually features actor Ian Hamrick, who was executed in the NSFW video. This time around, there are no red heads being sniped and ripped to shreds by land mines. Sleigh Bells is still a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. No, their lyrics aren't comprised of complex, metaphorical lyrics. No, their beats aren't masterfully produced. Its just fun music, pure and simple. Check out the video below:
Sleigh Bells "Riot Rhythm" from Bo Mirosseni on Vimeo.
I first discovered Violens when I got a hold of their St. Etienne cover, "Avenue". Although it was just a taste, I developed a yearning for a full-length LP and that wish has finally been fulfilled. Yes, the band did release a summer "re"mixtape, but don't get it twisted. It is not the same. Never heard of Violens until now? Want to know how would I describe their sound? It is sort of a montage of fuzzy psychpop, synth and the 80s with a sometimes upbeat aggression. Lead singer Jorge Elbrecht has a very pronounced, new-wave vocal style.
Amoral, by definition, means to lack any sense of morality. Don't get thrown off by this: you don't have to put aside your music snob morals to enjoy this album. Elbrecht dually serves as a member of an art company in New York, and that influence is obvious in tracks such as "Generational Loss" and "Amoral". These have more of an instrumental, avant-garde feel. The rest of the album is a bit more straightforward and polished.
Amoral has a range of styles, but I will say this. Violens' true quality is more apparent in their upbeat, standout songs. Still, the album in its entirety makes for a great listen. Random note: I have to say that it is refreshing to not hear an ungodly amount of reverb. There are too many up-and-coming indie bands striving for a similar sound that are comparable to kids in a damn candy store when it comes to reverb. Instead of cavities, they probably have massive earwax buildup. At least that's what I feel like after my head is overloaded with reverb. Personally, I believe that many musicians use excessive reverb as an easy way out. Violens successfully produces a large, powerful sound without it.
All-in-all, Violens' Amoral is a great album to listen to during the upcoming fall/winter seasons. The lyrical content often broadcasts a very dark, somber aura, which is perfect. Check out the music video for "Acid Reign (In The Trees Mix)" below:
In preparation for the culmination of Robyn's three part album project, check out these new tracks from the final Body Talk installment, set to be released in the US on November 22. If you STILL don't believe that Robyn is pop royalty to the world, than you need to get your ears and mind checked out. You's crazy.
****Since YouTube took down those videos for being "illegal" or something dumb like that, check out the other tracks HERE.
Four Loko. So listen: If you are between the ages of 16 and 30, you have probably been exposed to this tragic national phenomenon in some form or fashion (unless you've been living under a "sober" rock, and those are no fun). After constantly hearing mixed reviews of this 24 ounce, overly caffeinated, 12% alcohol content having, overly sweet, malt liquor beverage, I felt it was necessary to finally take on the challenge of finishing one. Let's be real, its inevitably going to be banned from convenient stores everywhere. Get it while you can.
First, I have to lay out the scene for you kids. Before hitting up the outlet mall, my friend and I were enjoying a few morning cocktails at a classy, corporate restaurant in Cypress, TX. Always trying to stay ahead of the curve, I had the bright idea of embarking on a Four Loko hunt. Although fearful of the possible outcome, my friend relunctantly agreed. Our waiter/bartender/instigator gave us a few tips, and then we were on our way to sugary debauchery. Did we need a Four Loko on an early Monday afternoon? No, but who really needs a Four Loko at any time of day? Luckily, our hunt lasted only 5 minutes. We found our prize at the first gas station we stopped by. There were only two flavors available: blue raspberry and cranberry lemonade. This was a tough decision to make, but after a few minutes of banter, we landed on the blue raspberry. In all honestly, I don't know if there is a "delicious" flavor of Four Loko; only "tolerable".
After dropping a whopping total of $5.34, we took our brown-bagged delights to the streets. Well, in reality, we took it to the Houston Outlet Mall parking lot, where we feasted on 60 grams of diluted sugar and alcohol. Sip after sip, we slowly felt the surge of Four Loko churning through our systems. As I turned up the music in my car (sidenote: the name of the playlist was "sloppy". Take that how you want.), we drank, danced, hugged, and laughed for a good 30 minutes before my friend almost pissed on the SUV next to us. Yes, people were gawking at us.
Standing up and walking was a task we had not prepared for. We hazily staggered through the outlet mall, going from store to store. It was almost impossible to hide our alcohol induced giggling. Although I was not the most drunk, I still felt its fuzzy effects for the rest of the evening. Drunk shopping isn't always a smart idea, but caffeinated drunk shopping is even worse. Temporary ADD can be a side effect of drinking a Four Loko, so prepare yourself. Nonetheless, I purchased some cute fucking black ankle boots. Oh, and "ALDO shoe store", you made us feel like we were at South Beach. Thanks for that. I'm pretty sure my friend was belting out some of the tunes (yes, we were being stared at again). I definitely did a dance test in my boots to this in the middle of the store:
I am sad to report that I didn't black out at any point during my Four Loko experience, and I wasn't sober before my first sip of it either. My Four Loko co-pilot might have taken a vomit break at one point, but she stayed in the game until the end. Maybe I should have purchased both flavors to fulfill my iPod playlist title (P.S.- Blue Raspberry was a terrible choice)? I could lie to you and say I will never purchase a Four Loko again, but I won't do that. I'll let you know when I drunkenly decide to do it again.
Just embrace the aftermath. Don't question it.
P.S. - Four Loko has an official anthem. Gross.
"If you don't use Four loko in your pregame, then you ain't tryin' to win the game."
Words to live by.
ELECTRO|iˈlektrō|
a style of dance music with a fast beat and synthesized backing track.
Some would say its almost a way of life for me / its a fundamental part of my psyche / I inhale it with more fervor than the polluted Houston air I breathe everyday. That all may be true to an extent, but most importantly, it unconsciously makes me dance the shit out of a dance floor.
Crystal Castles: an often chaotic indie electro duo that music aficionados/hipsters seem to either love or despise. Regardless of your feelings towards them, you gotta give them credit for what they do for a living. CC released their second self-titled album on May 24th of this year, and recently they remixed the track "Not In Love." This time around, the duo made an effort to appease a wider range of music fans. No, this isn't your stereotypical remix, but how can anyone go wrong with Robert Smith? (What hipster doesn't love The Cure? Don't answer. Its a rhetorical question.). Check out the track below. You won't be disappointed.
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I can't lie to you. When I previewed the first single from LCD Soundsystem's latest album release, "Drunk Girls", I was not impressed. I was worried it was a precursor of what was to come. LCD is a first tier band in my mind, but I couldn't get over the novice sound of it all. Luckily, after the album was released to the public, my worries were put to rest. I mean, I still don't like "Drunk Girls", but that is why my iPod has a NEXT button. A little while back, I discovered a well-done remix of "You Wanted a Hit" by Keljet. It has enough continuous drive to move those oxford shoes/high tops/TOMS on the dance floor, but it can also be a track to listen to on the back porch while drinking a microbrew and smoking an American Spirit. Check it out below. Oh, and be sure to check out the latest LCD music video, "Pow Pow".
