P1 at The College of William and Mary

2009-09-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

Favorite Band in the CMI

2009-04-15T14:11:00.001-07:00

My favorite band in the CMI is :"Our Satori" of Santa Cruz, CA. They have been compared to the likes of Jack Johnson and Dispatch. Santa Cruz music journalist Garrett Wheeler had described their music as "upbeat and catchy, like something off Jack Johnson's Brushfire Fairytales, though without the hush whisper that has become Johnson's trademark," also adding the distinction that "Satori is no Jack Johnson rip-off, as they transform from laid-back pop to straight-ahead jazz-rock with a dynamic level Jack Johnson has yet to accomplish."

Like Jack Johnson, Our Satori has the ability to both relax me and pump me up - depending on my mood. There are not many artisits that can do this. They capture the smooth sound fundamental to quality jazz and relaxiation while layering the percussion to create a modern toon and vibe.

Their music and sounds are ART in every form and direction.

Regional Champion for the CMI

2009-04-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Regionally, my favorite band in the CMI is "Strange Faces"! Not only because they are from good old North Cackalacky but because they truly make you want the once Strange Faces of their group to become very familiar. They are a brand new sound with a “Strange Face” - an emerging group whose sounds should be heard from your speakers!

Historically, Strange Faces formed in 2008 in Raleigh, NC. The band was a concept of songwriter Ryan Barnum’s that was realized when two of his former band mates and closest friends from NY moved to Raleigh to make music together again. The lineup consists of Ryan Barnum (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Art Pierce (Drums), and Mark Connor (Bass, Vocals). The band shares a love for vintage instruments and classic recordings, and strive to keep their sound organic and true to their beliefs.

Their sound effects are unique to them and embrace modern technicques while emboding the comfort of traditional soothing rythems. The indie feel to their toons ensures a captivated audience and growth in the mainstream market while the taste of rock gives them the edge necessary to enlist loyal followers.

I challenge you to explore the sounds of “Strange Faces” and see for youself just how comforting a “Strange Face” can be.

Sound Makes The World Go Around

2009-03-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

Playing off the previous post, have you ever watched a movie without sound?! It’s depressing but that’s how it was back in the day!

Imagine this…watching a movie with sound but without music. This is painful. Honestly, I don’t think you realize how much music adds to films as far as mood and suspense until you watch a movie without it. It lacks so much depth and interesting suspense.

My point? Appreciate music on every level. Musicians make great music to listen to on the radio but music and sound in general go beyond that. When you hear a door slam in a movie, chances are that it’s not actually a recording of a door slamming. There is a whole industry of “musicians” and “sound specialists” that spend their lives adding sound effects to films so that you think they are natural and that you are hearing the sound you think you are hearing. Timing is crucial and only the best of the best make it.

Music is life and life is music. One without the other just doesn’t feel right!

Where The Wild Things Are

2009-03-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

It’s funny that we are writing about Where The Wild Things Are this week. Honestly before last year (when I was a Junior in College), when where the wild things are was my sororities theme for bid day…I had NEVER heard of it (SHOCK, I know). Apparently this is a popular book children have read to them when they are little that leaves an impression. I grew up in upstate New York and most of my friends there have never heard of it so I didn’t feel so bad. Maybe it’s a regional thing? Ha. I bought the book for clue week to be read to my little by a cute boy for a "tuck in" but I never read it.

I am not going to lie, I don’t know how I feel about this said “Arcade Fire” setting the mood for the trailer because I don’t know what the arcade fire is. Because this was not a classic book for me, I don’t have any feelings about it being turned into a movie- but I’m sure many people do because so many feel so connected to it on a whole different level of childhood love.

I watched the trailer and it looked pretty cool, I could see why younger kids would make their parents take them to see the movie – it has a Lion King/Harry Potter feel.

On a musical note, I think its AWESOME that popular indie music is being used to set moods in films. It gets away from the often cliché sounds found in films that make what’s about to happen so predictable. That being said:

My favorite car chase song would be: “Highway To Hell” (speed up) by ACDC

My favorite opening credits song: “The Perfect Day” by Hoku
My favorite ending credits song: “Closing Time” by Semisonic

My favorite fight scene song: “Move If You Wanna” by Mims
My Favorite love scene song: “Bubbly”by Colbie Caillit

---> This is a picture of me on bid day junior year in my "Where The Wild Things Are" tee shirt :o)

Lollapalooza

2009-03-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

The Killers and Tool are expected to fill out the headlining slots for the fifth annual Lollapalooza festival Aug. 7-9 in Grant Park. Multiple industry sources confirmed over the weekend at the South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas, that the two bands will join headliners the Beastie Boys, Depeche Mode and Jane's Addiction, plus Kings of Leon.

What do we think of this? We think it could be better and are somewhat disappointed. Maybe if they didn't have a fee to submit your band to attempt to be a headliner, they would have gotten some real raw talent.

None the less, for Lollapalooza...the show must go on and lollapalooza goers will just have to wait it out until next time to hear the music they truly crave in their hearts and souls.

I Love College

2009-03-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

When you think of songs that you like, what comes to mind? Maybe it's something that makes you think of a loved one, a school dance, a best friend, a season....well, as i wrap up my senior year at the college i've recently taken a liking to the song "I Love College".

Most of you are probably familiar with this song and if you've gone to college you can probably relate to this particular song. It's the first song i've heard about college that really captures the reality of the non-academic scene.

With referances to sleeping in late, going out til early hours of the morning, being a beer pong champion, writing on people with sharpies and chanting "FRESHMAN" - this song speeks loudly to our generation.

So seniors...as you purchase your cap and gown and smile for the cameras, don't cry because it's over, smile beacause it happened.

"Man, I Love College"

I'm Feelin' this Sound

2009-03-04T04:48:00.000-08:00

Lets play a game! I’ll say one word and you tell me what comes to your mind….

Me: Brazil….

You: Adriana Lima…right?!

I’m not surprised, they are pretty much synonymous – but what about Pierre Aderne? Born in France but raised in Brazil, Aderne is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and poet, his many new generation musical partners include Seu Jorge, Domênico, Rodrigo Maranhão, Dadi and others. His sound is unique, with an “island feel” that makes you want to move your hips. Most songs are in Spanish, which give them a romantic and exotic sound, almost like something you can tango or salsa to.

He is well known and has graced the top of music charts in Brazil, Japan and Portugal. It’s only a matter of time before his flirty sound catches on here in the U.S. Be on the look out…great music is only an ear shot away. -->

Discovering Drawn

2009-02-17T04:42:00.000-08:00

Underground music: Underground music refers to a variety of post-1960s rock, pop, or dance subgenres that developed a cult following despite their lack of mainstream appeal, visibility, or commercial promotion. Underground bands and artists are often signed with independent record labels, and they typically perform in small venues and promote their music through word-of-mouth, fanzines, and college radio or community radio airplay. (wikipedia.com)

There was a time when underground music meant artists that independent record labels hadn't even discovered. Underground music was traded on cassett tapes between community members. When you listened to it, you were probably one of twenty to actually hear it. How cool is that!?

Times have changed. Record labels have popped up all over the world both large and small in a race to sign the "up and coming artists" of the world. The internet has served as a medium for the little guys to promote themselves and get their name out. As a means to book small gigs at local pubs or submit their music to large labels by just the click of a button.

Thank goodness there are still open mic nights. I went to an open mic night at Hide-A-Way Lounge! Of course girls were goo goo eyed over cute boys who could carry a tune but their jaws dropped when they saw they cold also play guitar!

It was then that i looked around and realized that THIS was underground music. These were people that i was watching preform that may have only been seen by a handful of people before me. I was excited...until i found out my favorites had a myspace music page.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=65581186&albumId=1516

Their sound is unique and good. They are Drew and Sean...known at small venues throughout Virginia as "Drawn". Their link is above...check it out!

It was then that i realized that this growth of underground musics increased availability was not a bad thing...IT WAS A GOOD THING! Now good sounds can me heard by more ears than ever before and people who should be discovered actually have the oppostunity to be.

So...what's my point? Yes, the concept of "underground" has changed A LOT but in the end, it's for the better, not the worse. Music is like marriage...for better or for worse...we will always be here...listening, reviewing and most importantly...DICOVERING.

xoxo,

Rocking On....

Because Music Is What Sounds Feel Like...

2009-02-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day has come and gone now...If you will be celenrating Valentine's Day belated this year, a mixed CD maked a perfect personalized gift. What would it have on it? Sometimes music speaks louder than words and sometimes artists can say it better than we can....here are some ideas:

Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
But I Do Love You - Michelle Branch
Everything I Do, I Do it for You - Bryan Adams
I'll Always Love You - Whitney Huston
Love Will Find A Way - Christina Aguilera
When The Sun Comes Up - John Legand
Thank You For Loving Me - Bon Jovi
Ain't No ountain High Enough - Diana Ross
Superstar - Usher
Confidence - Teddy Geiger
Over and Over - Tammi Chynn
Bed - J. Holiday
Sacrifice - Alaine Whats
I wanna Know- Joe Weather
Flying Without Wings - Ruben Studdard
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Dangreously In Love - Beyonce
Secret Hideaway - Tessanne Chin

Love is a friendship set to music.
E. Joseph Cossman

Ultimate Shows

2009-02-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to a concert that was just amazing? I bet it was some time ago...lately it seems to be harder and harder to find a show that you really feel confident dropping $100 on a ticket to go to. When i think back some of the best shows i have been to have showcased a mix of artists that appealed to various age groups and the ones that left me in shock and awe always has a surprise preformance (for example - Kenny Chesney and Uncle Cracker...SO amazing!)

This week i was challanged to pick my dream line up for 4 genres (each having an opener, mid and headliner) and here it goes....

ROCK...according to dictionary.com rock is: a genre of popular music originating in the 1950s; a blend of black rhythm-and-blues with white country-and-western; "rock is a generic term for the range of styles that evolved out of rock'n'roll." With this in mind i have selected the following for a good rock show:
Opener: Jimi Hendrix with a surprise appearance by two songs in Led Zeppelin
Mid: The Rolling Stones
Headliner: The Beatles

HIP HOP/RAP...many see this genre as "street poetry" while others (close minded others) classify it as ignorance, none the less the line up i have selected for this genre really covers the generations and is as follows:
Opener: Ice Cube
Mid: Run DMC
Headliner: Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I and Kanye West (similar to the Grammy preformance but a MILLION times better, without MIA and mixing their most popular selections and strong points as artists to really make a cohesive preformance)

JAZZ...this is a hard genre to market to a large audiance. So often quality jazz is late night is a smaller setting but the best of the best could and should be showcased in the largest venues and would be as follows...
Opener: Herbie Hancock
Mid: Duke Ellington with a surprise appearance for the last song only by Ella Fitzgerald
Headliner: Miles Davis joined for the encore (lets face it we all know its going to happen) by Louis Armstrong

POP...Popping bubbles is cool, but pop music is cooler. Pop is such a broad genre and actually technically could include some artists already named above but, i think a show that encompassed several generations could include...
Opener: Katy Perry
Mid: Miley Cyrus (of course starting out as Hannah Montana and removing her wig dramatically mid-song with a song change) and her dad, Billy Ray joing her for a surprise appearance (what crowd doesn't love him AND want to see a father/daughter preformance) Headliner: New Kids on the Block (an oldie but a goodie that young and old alike know)

Would you do a show differently? Do you hate one of the artists i've showcased? Share your thoughts! Make your own line up that you'd like to see replace mine and post them in the comment section to the blog post...i promise i won't be offended, i may even be tempted to agree with your suggestions...

xoxo

Politics

2009-01-27T15:58:00.001-08:00

Slimy Politics or Real Person Mistakes?

Timonthy Geithner…criminal or a man who made an honest mistake? Geithner was named Treasury Secretary in Barack Obama’s Adminstration and when the announcement was made, one would think we should be glad to know who was appointed. Instead controversy swarmed. In January, reports revealed that Geithner had failed to pay over $30,000 in taxes while he was employed with the IMF between 2001-2004. He didn’t make payment until his nomination (coincidenceeeee?).

None the less, Geithner was confirmed by a 60 to 34 vote in the senate after of course, maintaining that he had no knowledge of the tax error until his audit.

Geithner is a graduate from Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins – how could a man with such a prestigious education be “unknowing” about this major mistake in his specialized field? One can only hope that politics is taking a new turn and instead of trying to cover up scandal, they are attempting to display that even educated people in important positions can make mistakes and that they too are real people?

Maybe she's just not that into you?

2009-01-27T10:01:00.001-08:00

Gentlemen,

I know you think you are good looking, smart, dashing, interesting…what have you. So you meet a nice lady and you’re interested in her and she gives you her number – this does not mean “you can have whatever you’d like” nor does it mean that you can call 8 times in 2 hours from your phone, various pay phones or friends phones.
This means:
1. She could be a really nice person…so nice that she didn’t have the guts to give you the number to dominos or the rejection hotline (202-452-7486, seriously it’s so funny – give it a call)
2. She might think you are so annoying that she just wants you to go away and she knows you are “that guy” who will txt her right away to confirm the number and doesn’t want to deal with facing you after rejecting you
3. She may want to get to know you…(this does NOT mean she wants to hop in bed with you that evening – or any evening for that matter)
4. Maybe her friend thinks you are cute and she is going to pass the number along to her
5. She just wants you to go away because you are scaring off other potentially amazing men

Once you get the number…don’t wait 3 days to call…that just makes you seem like a jerk who is on his high horse – this “rule” is so generation land line. Seriously, it’s ok to call or send a text the next morning…generally speaking we will be excited.

IT IS NEVER EVER ACCEPTABLE to assume the lady you just met wants to hop into bed with you. Also, it is a MASSIVE turn off when you “blow up her phone” (this includes but is not limited to), calling multiple times in a row before you get a call back or calling and then following up with a text message to make sure she knows you called or calling from your phone then *67 so its listed restricted so you don’t look obsessed then calling from a friends phone, pay phone or work phone… and combination of the above. This is the BIGGEST turn off EVER and in most cases will result your number being attached to the contact name of “do not answer” or “crazy man”

Just a word to the wise…after venturing out this weekend I decided this was some knowledge that needed to be made somewhat public – for the greater good of mankind.

Britney's Back

2009-01-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears…

Two words that automatically spark some sort of connotation within in minds of EVERYONE. If you’ve never heard of her, you are either living on another planet or lying. Although there is always a connotation, for some it is negative and for others it is positive and for many it has teetered back and forth over the years - and that is totally ok! Regardless, according to the sales numbers, people are still loving her (or loving to hate her) but either way, they are opening their wallets!

Her most recent album, as we all know is Circus. She’s been through a lot emotionally and physically but no one can deny, she looks AMAZING on the cover and the inside pictures. This is the thing about Britney, you can’t just review her music without reviewing her. Now, to the music…

We all are familiar with the tracks and the fact that Britney is "re-vamping". Although the overall feel is somewhat perverted, the album shines compared to others. The songs are in an order that rotates between fast and slow/good and bad which is key to a good album. The fatal flaw of it all has to be the simplicity in the repition of the hook’s of most of the songs. What producers thought would be the hook of the century is so simple that it’s almost insulting and their hook proved to be nothing other than a “hook-line and sinker” (for example, Womanizer…are there no synonyms?) I think what really makes this album great though, simplicity aside, is the intros, outros and transitional bridges. The songs are on subjects almost all can relate to in one way or another and that’s what is most important part of music - that it speaks to you as a listener. The beats make it good for listening to as you’re driving around in your car or stepping up on the stage at the hottest dance club in the city. The optimistic, make lemons into lemonade feel is constant throughout and I think (age appropriate) this album will serve to boost or instill confidence in girls, ladies and women alike (and make a few men aware of the fact that we really aren’t sickers for the swagger of a champion).