Coldplay has a new video for "Viva La Video" directed by Hype Williams! It kind of looks like the iPod commercial they did, but I like it nonetheless...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
IT WAS A GRAND OLE PARTY
Last night a couple of my friends and I headed over to Echo Park. First, we stopped off at my friends new place in Echo Park, which is walking distance from The Echo. After walking around the neighborhood, we headed over to catch Grand Ole Party.We got to know GOP and interviewed Mike (bass player) a few weeks back, so I was anxiously awaiting last night. We walked in, grabbed a drink and met up with the contest winners from the GOP contest we had. It was such a pleasure to finally meet up with some of my readers and the winners couldn't have been nicer.
So, 11:00 came and GOP finally took the stage! Two words entered my mind during the first song - BAD ASS! Kristin (Lead Singer) has such a POWERFUL voice and such a captivating presence. It was really cool to see her go ape on the drums and belt it out at the same time!
It's nice to catch something new and fresh every now and again. I definitely see BIG things happening for this San Diego trio! They finish up the last part of their west coast tour tonight before a hometown crowd in SD! You can also catch them at the end of the month in Anaheim at the House of Blues w/The Black Keys, and October 4th at the Detour Festival in L.A.
www.myspace.com/grandoleparty
IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...
Lady Gaga saw, and Lady Gaga conquered. Along with her eccentric posse of back-up dancers, she lit up the stage of 'So You Think You Can Dance' with a no-holds performance that has EVERYONE talking. Check out the show-stopping throwdown!
GET TO KNOW...
Being that I'm from Indiana, I immediately was all about this next breaking artists! His name is Jon McLaughlin and he's a fellow Hoosier like myself. Lots of talent has come out of those corn fields, David Letterman, The Jacksons, Me and now Jon.
A great deal has happened to Jon McLaughlin between the release of his debut Island Records album INDIANA last year, and his new, sophomore effort, OK NOW.
When we last saw him, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter was giving a show-stopping performance of the Oscar-nominated “So Close,” the song he sang in the hit Disney movie Enchanted, on the worldwide telecast of the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
The appearance re-ignited INDIANA, spurring a 1,514% overnight sales increase at Amazon, sending it to the #1 spot on its Movers & Shakers chart, and creating solid momentum for his latest release. The single from INDIANA, “Beautiful Disaster” attracted over 420,000 digital fans when featured as Download of The Week.
And after getting major touring slots with Sara Bareilles, Paolo Nutini and Kelly Clarkson, along with dates with Colbie Caillat, Duffy and One Republic under his belt, Jon McLaughlin hit his stride on the road.
Flushed with that success, McLaughlin entered an L.A. recording studio last year intent on undergoing both a musical and stylistic transformation. The heartland piano player expanded his palette by working with new producer John Fields (Rooney, Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse, Switchfoot), co-writing with the likes of Jason Reeves (Colbie Callait’s “Bubbly”) as well as writer/producers Tricky and The-Dream (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), Troy Verges (Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me”) and Brett James (Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel”).
McLaughlin admits the experience of appearing in Enchanted and performing on the Oscar telecast was a career-defining moment.
“The whole thing has taken on a life of its own,” he says. “I wasn’t even supposed to be in the movie. I love Disney ballads, but I didn’t necessarily connect it to what I do as an artist. But that image of an old-school crooner inspired me. I was able to see myself as something different, which helped me open up to try new things on this album. I wasn’t afraid to try on some new looks, either.”
Jon describes himself as a “child of the ‘80s” in talking about the musical direction of OK NOW, with the very first single “Beating My Heart” the perfect example, an introspective, existential tune about nothing less than the meaning of life, with an elaborate pop-rock production that evokes Coldplay, thanks to soaring synths and a crackling backbeat.
With producer Fields playing bass, drums, slide guitar and a variety of other instruments, McLaughlin also enlisted the talents of ace players such as guitarists Tim Pierce and David Ryan Harris, as well as drummer Dorian Crozier in the studio.
“Smack Into You,” written and produced by Grammy winners Tricky and The-Dream, is about falling head over heels in love, a combination of the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and U2’s “With Or Without You,” melding acoustic guitar and McLaughlin’s piano to create a passionate undertow. “This song has such a great groove and is so fun to play live,” says Jon. “It creates such a special moment in the room.”
Jon describes “You Can Never Go Back,” which he co-wrote with acclaimed L.A. singer/songwriter Bleu, as his attempt to write a “late-‘70s, early-‘80s Billy Joel song,” an admonition to not dwell on the past that evokes the blue-eyed soul of the Bee Gees crossed with Hall and Oates, buttressed by Fields’ George Harrison-like slide guitar riffs.
McLaughlin’s soul/R&B croon also characterizes “Things That You Say,” a bittersweet song about “loneliness, the isolation you feel when you’re trying to connect with anybody, but end up with these shallow, going-through-the-motions relationships instead.”
Synthesizers introduce “You Are the One I Love,” a song Jon co-wrote with Jason Reeves, inspired by the tabloid reports about Amy Winehouse’s stormy relationship with her husband Blake that shows an empathy to the beleaguered pair. The multi-layered production is driven home by Peter Gabriel-like tribal drum rhythms.
“I feel for them,” McLaughlin admits. “Who’s to say any of our relationships are any less dysfunctional? I think it’s cool that they’re so madly in love.”
“The Middle” is about being able to take the Hoosier kid out of Indiana, but not being able to take Indiana out of the Hoosier. The youngster who grew up in a conservative Midwestern household admits home is where his heart still remains: “Let me tell you now where I went wrong/Hollywood is just another place/I don’t belong.”
“Four Years” is another Billy Joel-style, tongue-in-cheek take on a ‘50s rocker about high school peer pressure that advises freshmen not to worry about the dictates of fashion.
“You just spend so much time worrying about stupid stuff that just doesn’t matter,” says McLaughlin, who insists his own high school years were pretty good. “I wish I could get back all the money I spent on Abercrombie and Fitch back then. If I heard this song when I was still in high school, I still don’t think it would change anything. You can’t change high school kids’ minds about these things...but I’m still going to try.”
“We All Need Saving,” a song about the importance of friendship, starts with a stack of Beach Boys-styled street corner doo-wop oooh-oooh harmonies McLaughlin recorded late one night on Garageband.com, which gives the song its sacred feel, while “Throw My Love Around” counsels that, with only one life left to live, it’s preferable to take risks then end up having regrets.
That same spirit of taking chances informed the making of OK NOW.
“My philosophy has changed,” nods McLaughlin. “Now I believe you should get crazy in the studio, explore different sounds, and I love the challenge of recreating the songs in the live setting –that’s the best part.”
OK NOW is OK to go.
SeeqPod - Playable Search
www.myspace.com/jonmclaughlin
A great deal has happened to Jon McLaughlin between the release of his debut Island Records album INDIANA last year, and his new, sophomore effort, OK NOW.
When we last saw him, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter was giving a show-stopping performance of the Oscar-nominated “So Close,” the song he sang in the hit Disney movie Enchanted, on the worldwide telecast of the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
The appearance re-ignited INDIANA, spurring a 1,514% overnight sales increase at Amazon, sending it to the #1 spot on its Movers & Shakers chart, and creating solid momentum for his latest release. The single from INDIANA, “Beautiful Disaster” attracted over 420,000 digital fans when featured as Download of The Week.
And after getting major touring slots with Sara Bareilles, Paolo Nutini and Kelly Clarkson, along with dates with Colbie Caillat, Duffy and One Republic under his belt, Jon McLaughlin hit his stride on the road.
Flushed with that success, McLaughlin entered an L.A. recording studio last year intent on undergoing both a musical and stylistic transformation. The heartland piano player expanded his palette by working with new producer John Fields (Rooney, Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse, Switchfoot), co-writing with the likes of Jason Reeves (Colbie Callait’s “Bubbly”) as well as writer/producers Tricky and The-Dream (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), Troy Verges (Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me”) and Brett James (Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel”).
McLaughlin admits the experience of appearing in Enchanted and performing on the Oscar telecast was a career-defining moment.
“The whole thing has taken on a life of its own,” he says. “I wasn’t even supposed to be in the movie. I love Disney ballads, but I didn’t necessarily connect it to what I do as an artist. But that image of an old-school crooner inspired me. I was able to see myself as something different, which helped me open up to try new things on this album. I wasn’t afraid to try on some new looks, either.”Jon describes himself as a “child of the ‘80s” in talking about the musical direction of OK NOW, with the very first single “Beating My Heart” the perfect example, an introspective, existential tune about nothing less than the meaning of life, with an elaborate pop-rock production that evokes Coldplay, thanks to soaring synths and a crackling backbeat.
With producer Fields playing bass, drums, slide guitar and a variety of other instruments, McLaughlin also enlisted the talents of ace players such as guitarists Tim Pierce and David Ryan Harris, as well as drummer Dorian Crozier in the studio.
“Smack Into You,” written and produced by Grammy winners Tricky and The-Dream, is about falling head over heels in love, a combination of the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and U2’s “With Or Without You,” melding acoustic guitar and McLaughlin’s piano to create a passionate undertow. “This song has such a great groove and is so fun to play live,” says Jon. “It creates such a special moment in the room.”
Jon describes “You Can Never Go Back,” which he co-wrote with acclaimed L.A. singer/songwriter Bleu, as his attempt to write a “late-‘70s, early-‘80s Billy Joel song,” an admonition to not dwell on the past that evokes the blue-eyed soul of the Bee Gees crossed with Hall and Oates, buttressed by Fields’ George Harrison-like slide guitar riffs.
McLaughlin’s soul/R&B croon also characterizes “Things That You Say,” a bittersweet song about “loneliness, the isolation you feel when you’re trying to connect with anybody, but end up with these shallow, going-through-the-motions relationships instead.”
Synthesizers introduce “You Are the One I Love,” a song Jon co-wrote with Jason Reeves, inspired by the tabloid reports about Amy Winehouse’s stormy relationship with her husband Blake that shows an empathy to the beleaguered pair. The multi-layered production is driven home by Peter Gabriel-like tribal drum rhythms.
“I feel for them,” McLaughlin admits. “Who’s to say any of our relationships are any less dysfunctional? I think it’s cool that they’re so madly in love.”
“The Middle” is about being able to take the Hoosier kid out of Indiana, but not being able to take Indiana out of the Hoosier. The youngster who grew up in a conservative Midwestern household admits home is where his heart still remains: “Let me tell you now where I went wrong/Hollywood is just another place/I don’t belong.”
“Four Years” is another Billy Joel-style, tongue-in-cheek take on a ‘50s rocker about high school peer pressure that advises freshmen not to worry about the dictates of fashion.
“You just spend so much time worrying about stupid stuff that just doesn’t matter,” says McLaughlin, who insists his own high school years were pretty good. “I wish I could get back all the money I spent on Abercrombie and Fitch back then. If I heard this song when I was still in high school, I still don’t think it would change anything. You can’t change high school kids’ minds about these things...but I’m still going to try.”
“We All Need Saving,” a song about the importance of friendship, starts with a stack of Beach Boys-styled street corner doo-wop oooh-oooh harmonies McLaughlin recorded late one night on Garageband.com, which gives the song its sacred feel, while “Throw My Love Around” counsels that, with only one life left to live, it’s preferable to take risks then end up having regrets.
That same spirit of taking chances informed the making of OK NOW.
“My philosophy has changed,” nods McLaughlin. “Now I believe you should get crazy in the studio, explore different sounds, and I love the challenge of recreating the songs in the live setting –that’s the best part.”
OK NOW is OK to go.
 |
 |
SeeqPod - Playable Search
www.myspace.com/jonmclaughlin
Thursday, July 31, 2008
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Awe...little Kate Voegele has come a long way since her days as Mia on ONE TREE HILL. She just finished a tour with Natasha Bedingfield and the Veronicas, and now she is about to kick off her biggest solo tour yet.
Hey Everyone, I’m very excited to announce my fall headlining tour. It’s a nationwide tour sponsored by University of Phoenix.The dates are listed below!
8/8 Pomona, CA Glass House
8/9 Laguna Hills, CA Laguna Hills Mall
8/11 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater
8/12 Seattle, WA Neumo’s
8/14 Salt Lake City, UT Club Sound
8/16 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground
8/17 Edina, MN Southdale Center
8/18 Milwaukee, WI Rave Bar
8/19 Grand Rapids, MI Intersection
8/21 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen
8/22 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen
8/23 Gurnee, IL Gurnee Mills
8/24 Cleveland, OH HOB
8/26 Philadelphia, PA World Café
8/27 Norfolk, VA Norva
8/29 St.Petersburg, FL State Theater
8/30 Ft.Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
8/31 Orlando, FL Social
9/3 Atlanta, GA The Loft
9/4 Birmingham, AL Workplay
9/5 New Orleans, LA House of Blues Parish
9/6 Houston, TX Wherehouse Studios
9/7 Dallas, TX The Loft
9/10 Los Angeles, CA Roxy
9/11 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
9/12 Santa Barbara, CA West Beach
9/13 San Diego, CA SOMA Sidestage
9/14 Phoenix, AZ Martini Ranch
9/16 Denver, CO Bluebird
9/18 St.Louis, MO FuBar
9/19 Indianapolis, IN Music Mill
9/20 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theater
9/21 Detroit, MI Crofoot Ballroom
9/23 Toronto, ON El Mocambo
9/24 Rochester, NY Water Street
9/25 New York, NY Irving Plaza
9/26 Boston, MA Somerville
9/27 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place
9/28 South Hackensack, NJ School of Rock
9/30 Baltimore, MD 8x10
10/1 Fallas Church, VA State Theater
10/3 Westchester, PA West Chester University
10/5 Salisbury, MD Salisbury University
REDLASSO NO MORE
Today is a sad day here at musicbleep... I look to Redlasso to bring you guys footage of performances off the late night shows or any sort of music related topic off of TV.
This is probably old news, but when I went to pull a clip for Low vs. Diamond and The Tings Tings off the late shows from the other night, this letter was posted on their site.
Lets hope they can settle all their issues, so this great site can be back up and running! Until then I'll have to find other ways (besides YouTube) to bring you content.
To Our Loyal Users:
We would like to thank you for your continued support of Redlasso. You have been essential to making Redlasso a household name online. Unfortunately, due to the legal actions taken against Redlasso by two networks, we are left with no alternative but to suspend access to our video search and clipping Beta site FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. The networks have provided a big blow to the blogger community’s right to exercise the first amendment and comment on newsworthy events. It is anti-Web. During this service suspension, we will continue our conversations with content providers, with the goal of establishing formal partnerships that will quickly help us restore access to the Beta site.
For our business and Radio To Web clients, Redlasso will continue to operate and provide those services to you without interruption.
Again, thank you.
REDLASSO
LIKE A VIRGIN
Every morning arund 9am I open up my iTunes and turn on KCRW. Recently, KCRW has had some really great live sessions with bands. Yesterday, KCRW welcomed The Virgins. No video of the session, but at least you can listen to them.
Also, check out KCRW for all their archived studio sessions with all different kinds of great artists!
Also, check out KCRW for all their archived studio sessions with all different kinds of great artists!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
THE SHY & CAROLINA LIAR
Last night at the Troubadour, I went with a friend to see The Shys. I have to admit that I am not that familiar with them, but they totally blew me away last night. These guys are serious. A complete "Rock and Roll" experience!! High positive energy was flying through the sold out crowed. I was so pumped, I almost scaled the scaffolding and threw myself on the crowd! They were tight, completely put together both musically, lyrically, and even their look. It was their CD release party, and I highly recommend checking them out on iTunes or www.myspace.com/theshys. I had the opportunity to meet the fellows after the show, and they were truly genuine gentlemen.
After The Shys, we were given an awesome follow up from Carolina Liar!! I have missed their last few shows, and was so stoked to finally catch them, especially at the Troubadour. Again, a tight, all together sound. I have been a fan of theirs for a while, after checking them out when I heard that they were opening for LVD.
The other day at Amoeba, waiting for The Duke Spirit to perform, I sat in their listening station and listened to their whole album, and it is simply amazing. It's one of those albums where every song is amazing. They are great storytellers, melody makers, and all together classic rock n rollers!!
Again, check them out on iTunes or go to www.myspace.com/carolinaliar.
Photos and story by Cory Radke
LAST SNEAK PEEK!
This is the third and final video trailer from The New Year for their upcoming self-titled album, due out September 9th on Touch & Go Records.
www.touchandgorecords.com/bands/band.php?id=25
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
Lady Gaga, the Retro-Sexual Disco Diva who won over the hearts of the world at this year's Miss Universe Pageant, strikes again! This time, she is set to perform for the Results Show of 'So You Think You Can Dance' tomorrow! Make sure to tune in or set your Tivo at 9-10PM EST/PST on FOX!Here she is performing at this year's Miss Universe Pageant.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
KCRW WELCOMES BLACK KIDS
KCRW welcomed Black Kids for an in studio session yesterday. I had a chance to catch the tail end of them at Coachella this past year and dug what I heard. I have become a big fan and tonight they hit the El Rey in Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, I am going to miss their show again tonight, because I have ticket to see Carolina Liar at the Troubadour. At least I have KCRW...
Unfortunately, I am going to miss their show again tonight, because I have ticket to see Carolina Liar at the Troubadour. At least I have KCRW...
GET TO KNOW...
Mutlu Onaral must have drank a whole lot of that water growing up. He may be more R & F (rhythm & folk) than R & Blue. You can even add the bounce of the Brazilian and the sway of the Jamaican in his tunes. But the 27 year old singer, instrumentalist and composer, known to everyone as Mutlu, has always sounded as if he’s been drunk on the Philly punch that makes the funk flow.
From the intimate high and passionate lows of his voice, to the friendly wordplay of the lyrics to melodies soaked in percussion, soaring string sounds and the flicker of the Fender Rhodes, it’s as if you’re hearing Stephen Stills having breakfast with Stevie Wonder, lunch with Steely Dan and dinner with Daryl Hall; yet all in a unique groovy setting courtesy of pop’s newest most iconic voice.
He sounds like Jamiroquai mixed with Ben Harper, and Amos Lee. Mutlu is a funky singer songwriter with lots of soul and his new album “Livin It” just dropped last Tuesday.
Grab your copy today!
SeeqPod - Playable Search
http://www.myspace.com/mutlusounds
THE DUKE SPIRIT LIVE
Last night we had the honor of witnessing UK's newest sensation, The Duke Spirit. If you are not familiar, check them out on myspace or look them up on recent posts on Musicbleep, or youtube their performance on the Tonight Show. They took control of the stage and really busted it out!
Here are some pictures of them from their in-store performance at Amoeba Music on Sunset in Hollywood.
I have never loved a tambourine so much!
PEMBERTON 2008
Coldplay, Low vs Diamond, Wolfmother, N.E.R.D among others kicked of the 1st annual Pemberton Festival in Canada over the weekend. Here are a few pix from this weekends fest.
Coldpay, Flaming Lips, Crowd - Photos by Nilina Mason-Campbell
Pharrell by Jody Rogac
Photos for RollingStones.com
Monday, July 28, 2008
GNARLES BARKLEY LIVE
If you didn't get the chance to catch Gnarls Barkley on KCRW or at the Hollywood Bowl this past Sunday - this is for you! Gnarls was in studio last Friday to perform music off their latest album.
WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO
Chromeo premiered their latest video for "Momma's Boy" on FNMTV this past Friday. It kinda has that "Take On Me" vibe from that A-Ha video out in the 80's.
Watch Chromeo's vid and then watch A-Ha's!
GA GA GAGA
Are you gaga for Lady Gaga? If so, this contest is for you! To celebrate the upcoming release of her debut album 'THE FAME', Eyespot.com is now hosting a very special contest!
Fans are invited to create their own version of her music video for "Just Dance", with themselves as special guest stars!
Also, check out Lady Gaga's series of webisodes, Transmission GaGa-Vision, on Imeem and her website! A new installment debuts every Tuesday at 3pm PST! Now you can watch Lady Gaga as she embarks upon her glitzy, retro-sexual journey to super-stardom! Check out the latest episode here: www.imeem.com/ladygaga
www.myspace.com/ladygaga
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