Many people take the independent route to stardom, but sometimes they decide to take a risk and form a band with other talented individuals. In fact, the members of SATELLITE could be successful independently, but they decided to play together as a band instead. The group consists of four members, who are Steven McMorran, Mitch Allan, Josh Dunahoo, and Justin Glasco, and they have only been playing together for the past year. Mitch has worked with artists such as Pink, Faith Hill, and Simple Plan, but he says that he is the most proud of the work he has done with SATELLITE. The band is from Los Angeles, California and is currently unsigned. Even without a label, SATELLITE has produced an EP called Ring The Bells, featuring the hit single "Say The Words." Instead of relying on volume to showcase their emotions like some rock groups, they use complex melodies to express a wide range of emotions while also maintaining their clarity.
SATELLITE's influences include Bruce Springsteen, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, The Killers, and Arcade Fire. The group has gained popularity in Southern California through features on TV and film, and they have been known to sound as good live as they do on their recordings. The LA Examiner included them as part of the 20 Bands to Watch in 2011. SATELLITE has performed all along the west coast and made an appearance at SXSW. Their music is real and passionate, and a label looks promising in the future for them as they continue working together.
New bands often find it difficult to gain a large fan base early in their careers. However, Windsor Drive, an alternative rock group formed only three years ago in Wausau, Wisconsin, has already attracted many fans across the country. This midwestern group has also called Houston their adopted second home.
Windsor Drive consists of Kipp Wilde, Owen Jones, Dan Sukow, and Jon Wasleske. They have already been on thirteen national tours, either as headliners or as opening acts to other indie bands. In addition, they have been featured on E! News with Ryan Seacrest, and they are considered an "Artist to Watch" by Clear Channel.
Windsor Drive first began with lead vocalist Kipp Wilde, who was raised in a musical family. He was interested in southern gospel songs and hymns and liked the messages they conveyed. Wilde was influenced by Ben Folds Five and U2, who encouraged him to write and perform music. Windsor Drive's songs have memorable melodies and contain themes of love, hope, and longing. Wilde comments that the group was "able to stay true to our roots and musical influences." Overall, Windsor Drive will continue appealing to people around the country with their passionate sound and inspiring lyrics.
To hear their music and find out about their newly released Winter Tour Dates, visit Windsor Drive's website.
Check out Windsor Drive's "Fall" from their EP Bridges:
Mash-ups are often difficult to create and require a good deal of creativity. Frans Peter Bull Enger, also known as Norwegian Recycling, began composing mash-ups in 2006 after listening to Party Bens "Boulevard of Broken Songs." He has released mash-ups that have been compiled in three albums, including So Far, Appetite for Deconstruction, and The College Dropout. Enger likes to experiment with different genres of music and combine songs that would not normally be put together. He is interested in expressing his views and opinions through the lyrics and voices of artists. Furthermore, he emphasizes his views by putting visuals alongside the mash-ups he creates.
Enger has been featured in newspapers, blogs, and even national TV. In addition to his current work, he has started an electronic music project called Blue Bubbles, which is a mix between chiptune, dubstep, and electronic. So far he has released remixes of Katy Perry's "Firework," All Saints' "Pure Shores," and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Give It Away." Three more remixes will be released later this year. Go to Norwegian Recycling's website to listen to some of his mash-ups and visit the Blue Bubbles site for a look at his new work.
The CO is a relatively new rock/pop band that has their own unique and distinct style. Consisting of Collin Brace, Troy Akers, and Nate Fleming, the band was first formed in 2005 by Brace and Akers, with Fleming later joining in 2007. They released their self-titled album in January 2010 and featured singer/songwriter Tyler Ward in the hit single "Keep It Together." Since their album, The CO has released singles including "Heartbeat" and "Be OK (United for Joplin)," which donated proceeds to Joplin, Missouri after the city was hit by a tornado.
The CO sounds like a mix between The Fray and Snow Patrol, which is why so many people enjoy listening to them. Their lyrics are genuine and address the ups and downs of common people's lives, allowing listeners to relate to The CO's songs. The CO is currently working on another album, and several of their songs have been used in television and film. They have performed all around the country in front of large audiences, and they will likely gain more popularity as their songs continue being used in TV and movies. To hear some of their songs and read more about them, visit The CO's website.
Check out The CO's "Be OK (United for Joplin)" tornado relief song:
In the music world today, many people enjoy not only writing their own songs but also covering popular artists' works as well. Landon Austin is an unsigned artist living in Nashville, Tennessee that is known for covering songs. He has also composed a few original songs, but he mainly focuses on recreating songs and putting his own style to them. Additionally, he was a finalist in Doritos' Crash the Super Bowl contest but did not win against Kina Grannis. Although he wasn't the winner, he was able to showcase his voice to a large number of people. Austin sings alternative and pop songs on the guitar, and he has covered songs by artists such as Foster the People, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay. I think Austin's voice is good enough for him to make his own album in the future. Without a doubt, he will gain popularity in the upcoming years, as he gains a larger fan base. To hear some covers Austin has sang, visit Austin's YouTube channel.
Set in Los Angeles, California, I Killed the Symphony is an alternative rock group consisting of lead vocalist Britt "Kiddo" Joyce, Jonny, Eric, Gabriel, and Jared. Joyce began singing professionally when she was four years old and decided to focus on singing even though she could play bass, guitar, and the piano. She has written and composed four albums and EP's and has been on the well-known Vans Warped Tour for three years. Joyce is an international artist, as she has toured in Brazil and Europe.
Joyce is the lead in the group I Killed the Symphony, and some of her influences are Joan Jett, Manson, and even Quentin Tarantino. She has a presence whenever she is onstage, as she combines her innocence with her explosive temper. Audiences have described her performances as theatrical pieces, but the band's songs can easily get stuck in your head. I Killed the Symphony is coming out with an EP in early 2012, so be on the lookout for that. For more information and pictures of the group, visit I Killed the Symphony's Facebook page.
Often referred to as country music's biggest night, the Country Music Awards took place this past Wednesday, November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards show first began in 1967 and was established to honor country music artists. Award categories include Entertainer of the Year, Male/Female Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year. Some well-known past winners are Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, and Rascal Flatts.
This year's show was hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Using their wit and humor, Underwood and Paisley made the show run smoothly. Throughout the show, various artists performed, such as Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum. The Band Perry was a notable winner, as they won three awards. Taylor Swift won what is considered the biggest award of the night: Entertainer of the Year. She was the only female nominee among big names including Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean. Overall, the CMA's were very entertaining and provided a great night of good country music. The CMA's help reinforce the prominence of country music in the U.S. today and showcase popular country artists' talents.
While being under the radar for some time now, Kelly Clarkson's new album, Stronger, was released this past October. Clarkson is a pop/rock artist and is known for beginning her career on the first season of American Idol. Stronger is Clarkson's fifth album, and it shows her comeback into the music world. The songs on her album tell a sort of empowerment story and consist of powerful lyrics. Her album expresses her expanding perspective but feature the similar sounds of Clarkson's unique voice. There are over twenty new recordings on Stronger and some hit singles include "Mr. Know It All" and "Don't You Wanna Stay" who Clarkson sings with Jason Aldean. Clarkson actually won a Country Music Award this past week for Musical Event of the Year for her performance with Aldean. Winning this award reveals Clarkson's ability to collaborate with various artists and her versatility to perform a different genre of music. To purchase Stronger, visit Kelly Clarkson's website.
Check out one of the songs from Clarkson's new album: "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)"
Kina Grannis, a guitarist and singer-songwriter, began her career after winning the Doritos' Crash the Super Bowl contest. As a result of winning the contest, her music video for "Message From Your Heart" was played during the commercials of Super Bowl XLII. Her music is mainly pop or acoustic, and several of her songs have made appearances on television shows including General Hospital. Grannis began her World In Front of Me tour in the beginning of this year, and she plans to perform in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia later this year.
For twenty-two months, Grannis has been working on a music video for her single "In Your Arms." She called it her "Secret Crazy Project" because she wanted to create a video that nobody else has made before. Grannis was successful because her video features the use of 288, 000 Jelly Belly jelly beans and stop motion animation. The music video is unique because of Grannis' use of the jelly beans to create different backgrounds and effects. I thought her idea was very distinctive because she actually interacted with the objects that the jelly beans were forming. The light, happy tone of the song is supported by the creative use of jelly beans, making the audience feel carefree. To see the "In Your Arms" music video and to hear more from her, go to Kina Grannis' website.
Oftentimes, it is easier to form a band with your family, or the people who are closest to you and know the most about you. The Band Perry is a country group composed of siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry. They began making music in 2005 and are currently signed to Republic Nashville. Older sister Kimberly leads the group, providing most of the vocals for their songs. The Band Perry did not start gaining recognition until 2008 when Bob Doyle helped them make recordings. Ever since then, they have gradually expanded their audience and have made a name for themselves in country music.
The sibling trio released their first album The Band Perry in October 2010. Some notable songs on the album include "If I Die Young," "You Lie," and "All Your Life." Many of the songs were written by the band themselves, which is rare for artists today. Kimberly's vocals are strong and reveal her emotional side as well as her creative side as she sings about a variety of topics. It is evident that The Band Perry is a quickly emerging group because they are nominated for five CMA awards, including New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year ("If I Die Young"). They are also nominated for New Artist of the Year for the American Music Awards. Both award shows will be taking place later this month. To find out more and to learn about their upcoming shows, visit The Band Perry's website.
Watch their newly released music video for "All Your Life."
Tim Be Told is a contemporary Christian-based group that incorporates a variety of pop, rock, and gospel. They are still relatively unknown, but they are gaining popularity as they tour at college campuses and churches around the country. The group is made up of Tim Ouyang, Andrew Chae, and Caleb Wu, and they aim for honesty in their songs. Humanity, which is their new album, is now available on their website. The songs featured on this album are inspiring and give faith to listeners. Some notable songs include "The Symphony (Compose Me)," "Humanity," and "Reach for the Light." Tim Be Told's vocals are strong and emotional, and their lyrics are powerful. Because most of their concerts are free, I think that Tim Be Told will be able to gain popularity quickly, and they will be able to publicize themselves more easily. For a preview of Humanity and a list of their tour dates, check out Tim Be Told's website.
For several years now, Breanne Duren has been working with Adam Young in Owl City. She is featured in a few songs including "Honey and the Bee" and "The Saltwater Room." Currently, she is playing keyboards for Owl City in their "All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour," and she is opening their shows with music from her new EP Sparks. She began working on Sparks while on tour, and she plans to pursue a solo career. Her voice sounds like a girl version of Adam Young's voice, as there is evident influences of electronic sounds in her newly released "No One Else." Owl City fans will most likely be drawn to Duren's voice and style because of its similarity to Young. You can purchase her EP now on iTunes, and for more information, go to Duren's website.
Making new music is inevitably difficult, as artists and bands seem to "disappear" from the music scene for some time. The Fray gained popularity with their How To Save a Life album but have otherwise lost touch with the public. However, they recently came out with a new single called "Heartbeat," which is part of their new album Scars & Stories. Their album is scheduled to be released by Epic Records on February 7, 2012. The group will begin a series of television appearances on October 27 in order to publicize their new album.
Lead singer, Isaac Slade says that the inspiration for "Heartbeat" came from his travels to South Africa and Rwanda. He wanted to stay open to anything that came his way, and he was especially inspired by an expatriate woman there. As a result of his experiences in Africa, Slade was able to come up with the lyrics and melodies of songs on Scars & Stories. The Fray did not hold back on their third album, and I am excited to hear new music from this popular group.
Oftentimes, people begin their music careers as members of a larger group and then decide to go solo. Former Cute Is What We Aim For guitar/bass player, Dave Melillo, is just one example of an artist that is planning on releasing an album later this month. His EP called Future Focused is a preview of his 13-song mixtape that he began writing seven years ago. Recording for this album began at the beginning of this year because Melillo was going through difficult times. He comments that every song on the upcoming album is based on his personal experiences, and that the album is a way for him to look forward to the future by learning from the past. For a link to the EP, go to Dave Melillo's website.
Have you heard of Parakate? If you're a fan of Parachute or Kate Voegele, then you would know that the name was made for their joint tour (Parachute + Kate = Parakate). Rock/pop group Parachute is playing their new music from their album, The Way It Was, as well as some old favorites. One of my favorite songs off The Way It Was, is Kiss Me Slowly. The song was co-written by Parachute's Will Anderson along with Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood from Lady Antebellum. Other notable songs on the album are Something to Believe In, Forever and Always, What I Know, and American Secrets. Kate Voegele also released new music this year with her album, Gravity Happens. Notable songs include Say You're Mine, Hundred Million Dollar Soul, Enough for Always, and Impatient Girl.
An interesting offer on the tour is a chance for fans to meet Parachute and Kate Voegele for an exclusive soundcheck before the shows. The VIP tour package includes a soundcheck party, meet & greet, exclusive music, and autographed merch. Since music isn't bringing in as much revenue as it used to, many artists are relying on special bundle packages such as this or merchandise sales to boost tour revenue. It's also a great way for artists to form a stronger relationship with fans.
Back in August, Mat Kearney released his third full-length album, Young Love. The first song I heard from him was his single, Closer To Love, from his previous album, City of Black & White. I love the emotions he portrayed in that song and the lyrics. On his current album, his first song and first single, Hey Mama, is upbeat and brighter than songs from his previous albums. The music video for Hey Mama shows the vibrant personality of New Orleans and was filmed in black and white. Some other songs that I like on the album include: Ships In The Night, Sooner or Later, Down, and Count On Me (which features children singing in it).
Mat Kearney's Official Website: http://www.matkearney.com/
I first heard of Tim Halperin when his song, She Runs, was featured on Heineken's Ultimate Playlist. Heineken had a contest on Reverbnation where the winner (artist with the most downloads) would be featured on the page and received a cash prize. Many know of Tim Halperin from American Idol, but he had already established himself as an up-and-coming artist before the reality show. After American Idol, Tim got a boost from influential radio personality, Kidd Kraddick, on 106.1 in Dallas, TX when Kraddick created a segment called "Idol Got It Wrong". Kraddick wanted to prove that Tim should have won American Idol. With help from Kraddick, Tim's career built up momentum. The day after his contract was up with American Idol, he released his debut album, Rise and Fall. The first single off his album is called The Last Song and his album debuted at No. 14 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart. The album also hit #1 on the singer/songwriter chart on iTunes when it was released in September.
It's clear that Tim Halperin is a rising singer/songwriter. He recently opened for Lee Ann Womack and The Fray and has made numerous national appearances. See below for The Last Song music video:
Big Machine Records recently announced the signing of fifteen year old, singer/songwriter, Ella Mae Bowen who is from South Carolina. I wrote about another group from South Carolina in my last post - Needtobreathe. It turns out that she is also friends with Seth Bolt from Needtobreathe. He has produced and co-written music with Ella Mae Bowen. She has been recently seen at the Footloose premieres because she sings a cover of Holdin' Out for A Hero for the soundtrack.
She has an interesting background because she was born prematurely with lungs that weren't developed and yet, she has become a singer. She has been surrounded and fascinated by music her whole life. Her dad made music on the side and she sites her grandad as a huge influence in her life and on her music. Her beginnings remind me of how Taylor Swift first started and it will be interesting to see how Ella progresses throughout her career.
The Footloose soundtrack has already been released and the remake of the movie is coming to theaters this Friday. Her cover on the soundtrack will accompany other songs by big name country artists such as Blake Shelton, Zac Brown, and Big & Rich.
Many great bands begin their careers and get noticed after some time, but it takes a while to reach the masses or for the music to reach a different audience. Needtobreathe, an established Christian rock band, is one example. The band has been touring with Taylor Swift on the Speak Now tour and is one of the opening acts. With this opportunity, the band is able to reach a larger audience that may not have discovered their music until now. They recently came out with their fourth album on September 19, 2011, and it has already reached #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian chart. Some singles that caught my interest are "Drive All Night," "Slumber," and "The Reckoning," which is also the album's name. There is an evident Christian influence found throughout the songs that makes the album upbeat yet reflective. The band also has bluegrass and folk influences and combines them with a classic rock sound. The songs are perfect "any day songs" that can be listened to for whatever mood you may be in. Their lyrics are heartfelt and provide real messages to listeners. I think that by opening for Swift, Needtobreathe is establishing themselves as a qualified band that deserves more recognition. All in all, if you haven't listened to their songs, you should visit the Needtobreathe Website to hear and find out more about them. The band is also playing 'secret shows' that are announced via Twitter at various cities along the Speak Now tour.
Without a doubt, Gavin DeGraw is back with his new album, Sweeter, which was released on September 6, 2011. The album features the popular single "Not Over You" and brings back classic DeGraw sound. "Not Over You" is a mix of pop and rock sounds with the serenading voice of DeGraw. The lyrics are simple yet sincere and the music video conveys a guy being vulnerable, but at the same time, being too proud to admit that he's not over her.
It is evident that Sweeter will continue being successful, as it has already hit the Billboard Top 200 Chart at #8 and the Digital Albums Chart at #5. Other songs that I enjoyed on his new album include "Soldier," "Sweeter," and "You Know Where I'm At." To hear more from Sweeter, go to the Gavin DeGraw website.
Musicians are finding new ways to make their concerts more memorable. Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift, knows how to do just that. She started her Speak Now Tour in Asia earlier this year, and she is currently on her U.S. portion of the tour. If her many costume changes and elaborate sets aren't enough of a show for fans, she has also started covering artists' songs who are natives in the specific city she is performing. In addition, numerous singers such as Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and Justin Bieber, have surprised fans and joined her on stage. Swift has covered "Baby" by Justin Bieber in Canada and "Lose Yourself" by Eminem in Michigan. One of my favorites is "Keep Your Head Up" by Andy Grammer. Grammer was actually present at the Nashville concert and sang with Swift. Although Grammer isn't from Nashville, having a guest performer is always exciting for fans. I feel that this addition makes her tour even more interesting and exciting for her fans because they aren't expecting her to sing any songs other than her own. Swift loves engaging her fans and surprising them, which is evident with these cover songs. Without a doubt, she has brought something new to her concerts that has created interest from her fans, as they wait to hear what song she will play next. I think that by doing this, Swift has allowed each of her shows to be different and unique. On November 21, a Speak Now CD/DVD will be released, allowing people to experience her tour again or for the first time (if fans weren't able to attend one of her concerts) and will include various bonus features and behind the scenes content. After finishing the US leg of her tour in New York, New York, Swift and crew will bring the Speak Now tour to Australia and New Zealand starting March 2, 2012.
This past Thursday, Facebook had its F8 conference where Mark Zuckerberg announced major changes to the popular social networking site. Currently, only developers can access the new features that have been announced. On September 29, Facebook will launch its new features, including a timeline of a person's "Facebook life," more specific "like" buttons, and access to music. People now have the opportunity to listen to what their friends are listening to and can find new artists. The only downside to these new additions is that both you and your friend must have the same music service, such as Spotify, in order to listen to the same songs. Furthermore, this initial change will only be available for six months free and after that, the music companies will charge a fee for their music or will set a limit on how many songs you can listen to per month. Fortunately, there will be other options, including free or paid accounts, that you can use to access music on Facebook. These changes will spark advertising for Facebook because people will be spending more time on the site and sharing things they like to their friends.
I believe the new Facebook will be successful because of the advanced features it will contain. New artists can advertise their music online and have a greater chance of becoming more well known compared to the past. Not only can people share music, but they can also share basically anything that they find interesting. Updating their website and adding numerous features will help Facebook compete with other social networks like Google+. For more about Facebook's new updates that will be coming this Thursday, check out the following link: New Facebook.
Ed Sheeran, an emerging artist from the UK, recently performed at the iTunes Music Festival in London. His new album, +, features the popular song "The A Team" and showcases his vocals. Sheeran is classified as a pop singer/songwriter, but he also demonstrates that he can rap and beatbox. The orange-haired twenty year old proves to be an exception to the typical alternative rock sound I thought I would hear from him. Sheeran has great potential and is likely to gain popularity in the United States, following other popular European artists, including The Script, Adele, and Leona Lewis. To find out more about Sheeran and listen to his other music, visit the Ed Sheeran website.
Lady Antebellum's new album "Own The Night" was released on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Notable hits include, "Just a Kiss," "Dancin' Away With My Heart," "Wanted You More," and "We Owned the Night." For the most part, the album contains the strong in-tune voices of Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley. Although this album may not be as successful as its predecessor, "Need You Now," avid country fans will nevertheless buy it, and it is currently the number one selling album on various charts, including iTunes. Lady Antebellum's lyrics are meaningful and are highlighted with strong vocals. I enjoyed the album, but I was expecting a little bit more because of what "Need You Now" provided. Overall though, "Own The Night" is an album that proves why Lady Antebellum is an award-winning trio worth listening to.
Pop Chips, a healthier alternative to normal chips, is currently featuring many new artists from around the United States and offering free music downloads to listeners. One such group is Goodbye Coastline with their single "Mister Disaster." Their lyrics are simple and straightforward. They have a traditional alternative band sound, and this song is good for anybody trying to find a new band with potential. The song is upbeat and provides a starting point for Goodbye Coastline to gain popularity. The free downloads that Pop Chips is offering enables unknown artists to see whether people enjoy their music. I think that Pop Chips is helping their company expand, as well as aiding new artists become mainstream. If you want to find other potential artists, then visit Pop Chips Facebook page.
"Being Me" is an interesting song that holds my attention until the end. Not only are the lyrics meaningful, but the layers of clothing, various wigs, and fake eyelashes add perspective to the overall song as a whole. Kira continues to take off various pieces of clothing while walking down the street, which shows her lack of caring of what others think and reiterate the overall importance of "Being Me." This song is part of Kira & The Strange's new EP "Chasing Shadows", and if you want to hear more from them, look for their album that comes out this Friday, September 9.
He Is We, a group composed of Rachel Taylor and Trevor Kelly, team up with Owl City in their newly released song, All About Us. The light introduction that uses guitar and bells makes me feel relaxed about what I'm about to hear. When Taylor's voice joins the ongoing melody, I feel reassured, as she comments that "It'll be alright." Then I suddenly feel empowered by the chorus and can begin understanding the story behind the lyrics. Adam Young's melodic voice creates more comfort, serving as the man's perspective that reassures the female character that he will always love her even though she is diagnosed with cancer. I enjoyed the exchanges between Taylor and Young because they portrayed the mutual feeling of love and happiness that couples share no matter what circumstances may come up. All About Us is a pleasant song that leaves you with that "feel-good" feeling. He Is We and Owl City make a good team, and I couldn't have imagined any other groups to make this song sound as authentic as they did.
