Just feel the music–if there is one universal language it is the melodies we are humming along to. These are some of my favorite bands, songs, and lyrics
Lots of great music announcements over the last few days, including newly released lyric and music videos. Check them out below!
“Love and Drugs” Lyric Video
Head on over to We Are the Maine to get a free download of their song, “Love and Drugs” This is the second song The Maine has released from their highly anticipated album, Forever Halloween, which is set to be released on June 4th as part of their kick-off celebration for the 8123 North America Tour!
“Bulls in the Bronx” Music Video
I recall getting a comment from a reader, requesting some music updated from Pierce the Veil, and lucky for you, the band just released a music video for “Bulls and the Bronx” from their album, Collide in the Sky. The band is currently finishing up their Spring Fever Tour with fellow comrades All Time Low, Mayday Parade and You Me at Six.
“Should’ve Just Gone to Bed” Lyric Video
Enjoy the funny memes in the new lyric video from The Plain White T’s. The band has been sitting on the side lines of the music scene for quite some time. Although the band has released several songs since their 2005 top hit, “Hey There Dellilah,” nothing has stuck amongst listeners until now. Check out the rest of the songs on their EP over at iTunes now! There have been mixed reviews from their fans, but all in all, I think it’s good to see them back in action.
“Chin Up Kid” Lyric Video
Forever the Sickest Kids recently released a lyric album from their new album, J.A.C.K., which will be available on June 25, 2013. These guys are one of my favorite bands to rock out to in the car during the summer, so I can’t wait to add them to my Summer 2013 playlist!
“Find you There” Single from We the Kings
One of my favorite bands, We the Kings, recently released a new song titled “Find you There” on iTunes. You can download the song for just $0.69 or listen to it over and over again here:
All of this new music is pulsing through my veins, making me wish summer would hurry up already, how about you? Leave a comment and let me know what songs you are obsessing over now!
The Maine Make a Special Announcement, Release New Song: “Happy”
photo: The Maine Facebook Page
The Maine fans were up late last Tuesday waiting by their computers and anxiously checking their smart phones for the latest update from the band.
In conjunction with the release of “Happy,” The Maine’s fifth album is now available for pre-sale, which you can order clicking right here! The first official 8123 North American Tour Dates have been posted – check the band’s Facebook page to see where they will be performing near you. Tickets for specific concerts have become available progressively since last week (I will be seeing them back-to-back while they are in Chicago – yay!)
Yesterday, The Maine shared a few Instagram photos and tweets as they filmed their new music video a song titled “Love and Drugs,” which will be featured on their Forever Halloween album. Forever Halloween will be available world-wide on June 4, 2012 – that is also the start date for the 8123 North American Tour.
In other news regarding the band, the book project from Dirk Mai and The Maine is currently on backorder due to printing issues. “Roads” was expected to ship out on April, 20, to those who had pre-ordered a copy. However, The Maine sent out an email revealing that the copies they had received did not match “the standard that we feel you paid for.” Thus, the band and Mai have decided to have the books reprinted to meet their standards. In an effort to compensate for the delay in delivery, The Maine decided to include “free signed posters to everyone who has ordered the book,” rather than just the first 1,000 fans who pre-ordered “Roads.”
For all of you anxiously waiting by the mailbox, take a breath and ask God to bless you with the gift of patience until your book arrives. Until then, listen to “Happy” and take a look at some of my concert photos from the Pioneer Tour to keep you going!
Tuesdays are typically release days for new media and today is no exception to that rule!
“Legendary” is Now Available World Wide
Photo: thesummerset.com
The Summer Set released their third, full length album today! “Legendary” was released yesterday in the United Kingdom and is now available world wide on iTunes. The band recently released a lyric video for their song, “Lightening in a Bottle” from the new album. I have also included the lyric video “Boomerang” for your viewing pleasure – make sure to comment below and let me know what your favorite song is off of the new album – Enjoy!
So I already wrote a post today but the latest news in music has me typing like a crazy person! I have two updates regarding some of my favorite bands to share with you!
“Legendary” CD Premiers on Absolutepunk.net
Photo: thesummerset.com
The Summer Set has partnered up with Absolute Punk to offer fans a preview of the band’s new CD, “Legendary.” If you want to hear the full playlist before “Legendary” is released next Tuesday, April 16, click here right now! So far, I’m obsessed with every, single track – I will have this site on replay until they cut the live stream.
The Main announces 4th Album Title
photo: The Maine Facebook Page
The Maine has been taunting their fans all week long with encrypted messages and photos leading up to the announcement of the first ever 8123 Tour, which will take place from June 4 – July 26. The Maine will headline the North American tour, accompanied by A Rocket to the Moon, Brighten and This Century.
“Forever Halloween” is the title of the Maine’s 4th album. The band recorded and produced the fourth album in partnership with their management company, 8123, and will release their second independent album in a row (Pioneer was also independently released). “Forever Halloween” will be available for pre-order next Tuesday, April 16. The actual release date for the CD will be June 4, to kick-off the North American Tour.
Coachella 2013 is here! The next two weekends will be packed with great music, art and of course, fabulous fashion! Women everywhere will be donning an eclectic mix of boho, grunge, girly and rocker styles in celebration of the largest annual festival hosted in California.
Last years fashionable mentions included Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Diane Kruger, Rihanna, Emma Watson and Kate Bosworth, among many other celebrities. I can’t wait to see what outfits the stylish attendees have in store for us this year. I anticipate there will be a nice balance between bright, neon colors, studded embellishments, floral prints, and a variety of shoe styles at this years Coachella 2013.
Here are my fashion picks for this years Coachella Festival! You can see how easy it is to mix and match these items to create outfits to fit every style and personality. My favorite items include the Mela Navy Tribal Print Dress, Karen Millen Cuban Heel Boot, Adorn by Sarah Lewis Turquoise Trifecta Necklace, Festival Collection – India High Waisted Sequined Denim Shorts, Rebel Yell Harpers Anorak, and the Printed Scarf with Embroidered Birds. Comment below and tell me what your top picks are!
Aqua Mini Crossbody Bag ($385) shoplesnouvelles.com
Billabong Moon Victory Crop Tank ($23) swell.com
Troopa Combat Boot Blue Leather ($99) Stevemadden.com
Aldo Bendix Cross Body Retro Bag ($67) asos.com
BCBGMAXAZRIA Natural Stone Earrings ($88) bcbg.com
The Chicago weather this week may have you fooled, but spring is here and before you know it, the warm summer weather will be sweeping the city. Get ready for some amazing music events coming to the city! Chicago just announced the following music and art festival dates:
Wired Fridays: Now – May 24
Every Friday the Chicago Cultural Center will host Wire Fridays. The festival will include free admission to see live ambient, electronica and dance performances by up-and-coming Chicago musicians and DJs. Wired Fridays are part of the LunchBreak series sponsored by the city and will take place on Friday’s from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays: May 27 – July 29 New Music Mondays is a new music Festival to hit Chicago. Live performances will include music from indie rock and pop musicians. Admission is free of charge and the shows are expected to be held at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Millenium Park.
Millennium Art Festival: May 31 – June 2
Check out the Millenium Arts Festival late spring/ early summer and discover works from local artists. The actual arts festival is held two blocks from Millenium Park. Food vendors and music will also be featured during the weekend festival as well. Admission to the arts festival is free.
Chicago Blues Festival: June 6 – June 9
Chicago is getting ready to celebrate it’s 30th anniversary of the city’s largest music festival this year. The Chicago Blues Festival, titled “Rollin’ Up the River” will journey up the Mississippi River to get to the city. The opening performance will take place at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion on June 6 at Millenium Park. June 7 – 9, the Blues Festival will be held at Grant Park. Can’t miss performances include Shemekia Copeland and Bobby Rush.
Music lovers have been indulging these past two weeks as new songs, new music videos and new albums have been released. Here are some music highlights in cased you missed them!
March 12
The Summer Set released a new single Tuesday, March 12 from their new album, Legendary, which is set to be released in early April. The song, “Boomerang,” has been on repeat on my Spotify account ever since it debuted. The upbeat tempo, catchy lyrics about power couples like Beyonce and Jay-Z, Audrey Hepburn and James Dean are sure to get stuck in your head! Listen to the new song here and I guarantee you won’t be able to stop wishing you were the girl on lead singer Brian Dales’ arm.
As you know, the number 13 is typically painted on singer Taylor Swift’s hand as a good luck charm she wears on performance days. It’s only fitting that the country-pop singer choose March 13 to debut her newest music video, “22.” This was my favorite song to listen to when I first purchased Swift’s album, Red. Watching the music video seriously makes me want to be 22 again! Swift shot the video in Malibu with some of her closest girlfriends, including actress Jessica Szohr from Gossip Girl. Watch the video and comment below – whether you love it or hate it.
Lydia released a new music video, “The Exit.” from their new album Devil. Lead singer Leighton Antelman’s vocals are just as dreamy now as they were from the last album, Paint it Golden. I love the old car, the vintage feel of the room where Leighton is sitting, playing the guitar and feel totally jealous of the gorgeous girls who got to shoot with the band during the video. Check out the video below – Lydia has gotten nothing but praise from their fans on twitter and Youtube about the new video and album.
Leighton was kind enough to answer a few questions about the video and Lydia’s new album. When I asked what his favorite part about making the video, Leighton responded, “Best part of shooting ‘The Exit’ video was getting to drive this super old bronco that we used in a few of the scenes. That car was really hard to drive but fun as well.” As far as his favorite track off the new album, Leighton said, “I really like how ‘Back to Bed’ turned out. As for a favorite I don’t think I could say. I’m a little bit biased.” “Back to Bed” is one of my favorites I’ve listened to so far from Devil, followed by “Knee Deep,” “The Exit” and of course “Devil.”
March 19
Following the release of their music video, Devil debuted the next day! The album is now available on iTunes, Spotify and for sale on eighty-one twenty-three’s website. Lydia has started touring through North America to promote their new album, so be sure to check out their schedule and catch a show at a city near you!
Although I am not a huge Justin Timberlake fan, I had to discuss his new album, The 20/20 Experience – I mean, the man hasn’t released an album in over 7 years. JT released the song, “Suit and Tie” and also debuted a new music video, “Mirrors” from the album. Rumors have been swirling about whether or not the singer will be making more music to follow up with the release of his new CD. Justin cleared the air when he told the press at his album release party that yes, The 20/20 Experience is only part one to the two piece album. However, JT declined to state when the second part would be released.
I’ve been obsessing over accessories as of late, so I decided the next few posts are going to be about spring accessories – I’ve been listening to music a lot more at work as I write, and I have to say, my standard apple headphones are becoming quite uncomfortable, so I decided to start shopping around for a new pair to replace them. Here are some of my favorites that I’ve found so far…
Frends Layla in Rose Gold Photo courtesy of Frends.com
These headphones have been trending on sites such as R29, which is how I first discovered the brand. I love the Layla in Rose Gold because I am actually also obsessing over this jewelry color as well, which makes these headphones doubly awesome because Frends actually based their headphone line off of jewelry!
Anyways, these Layla headphones are hand crafted and feature both genuine leather and metal (the headphones also come in regular gold and silver metal as well). Memory foam ear cushions sound super luxurious and comfortable, which is exactly what I am looking for in a new headphone set. The headphones also feature a three-button microphone with volume, music and phone control so you can use them to listen to music and talk on your smart phone as well, or use them on your computer to Skype.
They are the most expensive pair I am looking into, but the stylish and functional features make them worth the money.
Beats Solo HD On-Ear Headphone photo courtesy of apple.com
I did a random Google search to see what would suffice and these blue beauties caught my eye. I love the pop of color (you can actually choose from 8 different shades) and the fact that these fold up to fit nicely in your purse. I generally don’t leave my headphones at work, so the foldable aspect of this set is a great quality.
The earphones themselves look very comfortable thanks to the unique padding so I can definitely see myself rocking out with these bad boys all day long. The product detail also says the set is very light, which is good to hear, because the last thing I need is to be wearing a headphone set that is going to weigh my head down for eight hours.
Sol Republics Track On-Ear Headphones photo courtesy of bestbuy.com
The Sol Republics brand offers customers the option to change and customize their headphone set with interchangeable headbands, so you can add a splash of color to your pair. Headbands come in blue, red and purple – you can also purchase matching chords in these colors as well. The polymer compound material that makes up the ear padding is super comfortable for long-term wear, which is exactly what I need.
So of course, the problem comes down to price…any advice? Which sets do you like best? If there is another headphone brand or style I should look at, let me know!
This past Thursday, Eighty One Twenty Three management released a post about a new book by photographer Dirk Mai and the band, The Maine. “Roads” is the follow up book to “This is Real Life” which was published back in 2009.
Dirk tweeted about the new book stating,
photo courtesy of dirkmai.tumblr.com
“I’VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS OF MY LIFE AND I’M PROUD TO SAY “ROADS” IS NOW ON PRE-SALE TO ORDER. MY FULL LENGTH PHOTO BOOK DOCUMENTING MY TIME TOURING WITH THE MAINE AROUND THE WORLD.”
The book is available for pre-order here and is expected to ship on or around April 15th.
The Maine lovers will get an inside look at behind the scenes moments, including over 1,000 photographs Mai took of the band during the recording of their albums, set lists and every day life over the last four years.
John, Garrett, Pat, Jared and Kennedy all contributed to writing the contents of the book. “Roads” is a follow up to the first book project Mai and The Maine collaborated on titled, “This is Real Life,” which featured images and journal entries of the band back in 2009 as part of the Van’s Warped Tour.
Dirk has also published a “litho poetry” book with The Maine’s lead singer, John O’Callaghan last December titled “Exaltation.” This unique projects contains images by Dirk and poems written by John that can be mixed and matched to the users delight.
Finishing up their fourth tour-promoting Pioneer, The Maine is trailblazing their way through old and new fans alike. Along side them are old friends, Mayday Parade and new acquaintances The Postelles, from New York. The Maine’s John O’Callaghan (lead vocals) was kind enough to give me the low down on the final round of the Pioneer tour.
Salak: How is the tour going?
O’Callaghan: Going really well. We’re just about halfway done–We go until right before December. Fortunately we get to go back home for Thanksgiving. We have a show in San Diego the next day and then Arizona is the last show. It’ll be good to be at home, we haven’t been home for a couple of years. The tour has been awesome, everyone is really, really cool.
Salak: The last tour I saw you perform with Lydia and the Arkells. What made you change the line up for this tour?
O’Callaghan: Well, Mayday and us are run by the same person; the tour was proposed to us and both parties were interested. We toured with Mayday in the states about four years ago, so it’s been a while. We came to terms on who we wanted to open the show and the band the Postelles, from New York, really brought a classic rock vibe…well not classic rock but more of a British infused rock and roll and we all seem to mesh really well.
Salak: Yes, that was the first concert I saw you perform was with Mayday Parade.
O’Callaghan: Yea, and we got to tour with them overseas a little while ago, so it was good to see them again and it’s been nothing but fun.
Salak: How have the fans been this time around from the last tour?
O’Callaghan: They’ve been great, man. I think everyone will agree that it’s a unique crowd for us. Some people are there for the individual band but I think the . We have the opportunity to play for some new kids. So whenever you get the chance to get in front of new faces, I really think that’s important for growing a band.
Salak: Something I was reading was that you (The Maine) wanted to play a new set for each show. Would you say that’s been the most important part of this tour? Or what were you guys really trying to accomplish this time around?
O’Callaghan: We just didn’t want things to get stagnant for our band. We wanted to keep things fresh as far as that’s concerned. The first week it took a little bit to get used to it, but since then we’ve created a bookend to start and end each show and the middle is different. We just feel, or have noticed the last couple of years on tour that there are some kids that go to five or six shows on a tour and we wanted to give them a unique show each time. It was a difficult thing to do because we have so many songs in our back catalogue so we condensed it to 35 and we’ve been choosing from those. It’s definitely something we want to keep doing.
Salak: I saw that you had posted on Facebook to fans out on the east coast, how did hurricane sandy affect the tour, if at all? Did the band reach out to help or aid the relief efforts?
O’Callaghan: We have yet to. I’d like to team up with someone, especially because we know people who’ve been affected by it, but that still remains to be seen. Very unfortunate stuff.
Salak: The music video for “Misery,” which we talked about last time, was a more intense video from past ones and your new music video, “Like We Did” seriously had me falling out of my seat laughing. It was so ridiculous. Why did you decide to have such a drastic difference in attitude for these videos?
O’Callaghan: I think for us it’s important for us to take things seriously but also, you know, life is not serious and I think our approach has never been straight-faced so the way of divulging a little bit about our sense of humor and our individual character. I think it was a good balance. A good concept is a good concept, so, the concepts that we have, or that people bring to the table that are serious, we’ll talk about but I really believe that there has to be room for lightheartedness.
We didn’t start out that way and I never, well, serious isn’t the best word to use because we are serious about what we’re doing but, you know what I mean?
Salak: Yea, you are passionate about what you do but you want to maintain that lightheartedness…
O’Callaghan: Yes, intense is a better word to use. And I see that becoming a trend in the future.
Salak: Can you tell me about the brainstorming process for the video?
O’Callaghan: Initially I had the idea of choreographing a dance for elderly people. I wanted it to be like 65 and older. My mom evaluates and instructs a group of elderly people so I was asking her and trying to get her to be up for it. But since we said sayonara to our label the budget obviously for the video was next to nothing. So getting things into place to really have that carried out would have taken money we didn’t have. So we went online and decided to do it ourselves.
I think the grand total for the video was $5000, so we probably would have spent way more on a different video. Dirk Mai filmed and directed the video and he’s never done anything like that so it was cool to experience all of that together and learn from it all.
check out the video for “Like We Did” here…
Salak: Do you think you are going to have any other music videos before the tour is over? I know you are all so busy…
O’Callaghan: Probably not before the tour is over but I’d like to have one more. We actually had a buddy, a mutual friend, from Nasty who ended up making an animated video and just put that out for us. That’s probably the closest thing we’ll get to an actual video. Ugh, I’d like to make it more of a point on the next album to incorporate more visuals. But seeing as the future is uncertain and open as far as everything concerned, but at this point that’ll probably be the last video.
Salak: Are you planning on self producing the next album?
O’Callaghan: Umm, not planning on it to be honest. We’ve had names in a hat and throw around a couple of names but I think it’s necessary for us to get back into the hands of a producer and work with someone who understands what it means to be a band a little bit more. And someone who will provide an environment for us to make the best album we can. I think that’s what would be ideal. But again, we’re not nervous about having to do that again.
I think we would like a helping hand, but we’ll just have to see.
Salak: Once the tour is over are you going to go away and start the new CD?
O’Callaghan: Yea, that’s the plan. Starting December 1st, we will be in a room together in Tempe, AZ and we’ll be writing. I have a lot of material written, but sort of the next step is to bring all that to the table. We all sit with it together and work accordingly from there.
I’d like this next effort to be much more focused, and more of a finished thought. I think that will all depend on how we go about it in December. I’m looking forward to that. Mostly January will be the start of when we hash it all out.
Salak: Is it important for you when you are writing your music for you to be in seclusion, away from it all?
O’Callaghan: I actually have a lot of it already written. I wrote when I was at home—I can’t write when I’m on the road. When we were putting the tour together I had a good amount of time writing on the piano at my house. I feel like I know there is a record written in there somewhere, we just have to figure out what that record is going to be as a group. I don’t see much more writing going into it as far as brand new ideas. I would say it’s already written at this point.
Salak: Do you feel you are pulling a lot of experiences from this past year into the new CD? Travel, friends, love, loss…
O’Callaghan: I think subconsciously yea, it’ll all work itself in there whether I’m liking it or not. I think a lot of it is more personal, more my voice than ever before, which I am excited about. A lot can change once we are all together but we’ll just wait and see.
Salak: So you really write the songs and then come together and compose the music to go along with it?
O’Callaghan: Ugh, correct, and kind of the arrangement.
Salak: Do you feel like there is a good balance between your personal life and touring?
O’Callaghan: I think there is no such thing, or separation; it just is what it is. And at this point I think that’s a good thing because it’s really all I have. Yea, I think if it were any other way I would feel too idol, like I was sitting still and becoming complacent, so, I like the way it works right now. It’s a good thing, it means people are still somewhat interested in us and we’re relevant. When it stops, that’ll be the depressing part.
Salak: How was it overseas?
We got to visit Italy and Spain for the first time, so that was really amazing. And Paris was a weird show, we played on a boat, so that was different.
Salak: I loved the collaboration between you, Arkells, and Lydia on the beetles hit “with a little help from my friends” and the past couple of years The Maine has done a cover for the albums “punk goes…” Have you ever considered having a duet of sorts on the CD? With another band? or a female voice?
O’Callaghan: Collaborations always require spontaneity; so planning is usually useless when it comes to that. I have however pondered the idea of having someone of the opposite sex on a track where it sees fit. Completely open to the idea of both, though, I have no specific person in mind. More so just a thought at this point.
As the last tour for Pioneer comes to an end, fans may leave the last shows in anticipation of the next CD, the next tour, and all The Maine’s music has to offer. Whether they once again self-produce or find a good fit with a new record label, John has reassured us that they are going to make another great album for their fans and can’t wait to begin their travels all over again.
