Category: News

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News

“The Runaways” In Theaters Today!

Will you be seeing The Runaways? Watch the movie trailer below and some additional footage from the band as well as clips from the film. Starring Twilight‘s Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, the film has all the critics buzzing. Love to know your reactions if you do see it this weekend!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpdXKocacQ]

Cherie Currie singing “Cherry Bomb” live in Japan in 1977

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMDn6V7ZLhE]

“Cherry Bomb” Dakota Fanning featuring Kristen Stewart

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKJUJZtfACo]

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News

Watch Train Perform Live In San Francisco!

Their most recent single, “Hey, Soul Sister” has exploded on the charts over the past few months. In fact, it seems as if every time I turn on the radio or TV it’s playing. Not that I mind.

In partnership with Walmart and Green Works, Train recently recorded a concert in San Francisco to kick-off Earth Month. Viewers can watch as the San Francisco natives play classics like “Calling All Angels” and “Meet Virginia” as well as newer tracks off their latest release, Save Me, San Francisco including “Hey, Soul Sister” and “If It’s Love.”

Watch a preview of the show below and for the complete six-song performance, click here.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhOaswY-oJc]

Related Links:
• Q&A; with Train
• You Sing, I Write’s Top 5 Interviews of 2009
• Poll of the Week: What Do You Want To Ask Train?
• Saturday Song Addiction

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News

What Would You Ask a Music Video Director?

Last month, I featured Hotspur‘s music video for  “Heads/Tails” as a song of the week (watch it below). A telling ballad questioning the future of a relationship, between the piano accompaniment featured throughout the song and watching a relationship unravel, the video strikes a chord.

I grew up obsessively watching music videos of my favorite bands and always wondered what a typical video shoot entailed. Tomorrow I’ll find out when I interview director of “Heads/Tails,” Josh Eisenberg. I’ve been preparing questions of my own, but I’d love to hear what you want to know about the process. Feel free to send me your questions in the comments!

Watch the video for “Heads/Tails” below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRIBtPGbWMM]

For a behind the scenes look at the days spent filming the video, watch Hotspur Sound Engineer Alex Markides’ footage below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PREUoJxmi-Q]

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News

Gaslight Anthem Unveil “American Slang”

Yesterday, Jersey favorites The Gaslight Anthem released their first single and title track to their upcoming release, American Slang. Produced by Ted Hutt (producer of their second album, The ’59 Sound) the highly anticipated third album from the band is due in stores June 15.

Rolling Stone spoke with frontman Brian Fallon a while back and he talked of the album. “The songs sound like Tom Waits’ storytelling and the Clash playing as a band, but with some big Motown-style choruses in there.”

Longtime fans will be happy to know the band hasn’t abandoned their Jersey roots and sound. Their vivid lyrics combined with Fallon’s vocals and guitar and percussion intensity on “American Slang” are enough to keep fans anxiously awaiting their June release.

You can listen to “American Slang” on MySpace and Facebook. The complete track listing and lyrics for American Slang are below:

1. American Slang
2. Stay Lucky
3. Bring It On
4. The Diamond Church Street Choir
5. The Queen of Lower Chelsea
6. Orphans
7. Boxer
8. Old Haunts
9. The Spirit Of Jazz
10. We Did It When We Were Young

“American Slang”

Look what you started,
I seem to be coming out of my skin.
Look what you’ve forgotten here.
The bandages just don’t keep me in.

and when it was over, I woke up alone.

and they cut me to ribbons and taught me to drive.
I got your name tattooed inside of my arm.
I called for my father but my father had died.
while you told me fortunes, in American Slang.

Look at the damage,
the fortunes came for the richer men.
while we’re left with gallows,
waiting for us liars to come down and hang.

and here’s where we died that time last year,
and here’s where the angels and devils meet.
and you can dance with the queen if you need,
and she will always keep your cards close to her heart.
before they tear you apart.

What do you think? Is American Slang an album you will be buying?

Related Links:
• You Sing, I Write’s Top 5 Concerts of 2009
• Band of the Week: Gaslight Anthem
• Five Albums to Prolong Your Summer
• All Points West : Music, Mud Wrestling, and Beer Gardens

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News

Stream Six Songs Off Sia’s Upcoming Release

Australian songstress Sia manages to captivate music fans, critics, and fellow musicians in the industry, most notably Christina Aguilera who recently asked Sia to work on her upcoming release. While Sia’s fourth album, We Are Born, isn’t due out until June 8, lucky fans can hear six songs from the LP on her site, http://www.siamusic.net.

First single, “Clap Your Hands” is an energetic track that is sure to bring even the most timid wallflower to the dance floor. While many of the tracks on her site are upbeat, danceable numbers, ballads like “I’m In Here” showcase her emotional vocals, having the listener beg for more. To preview Sia’s six tracks, click here.

I named Sia one of my Top 10 interviews of 2008 after chatting with her about her last release, Some People Have Real Problems. She filled me in on the touring lifestyle, her songwriting process and stalking Amy Winehouse. To listen to my interview with her, click here and be sure to catch her on the road later this spring!

Related Links:
• Q&A; with Sia
• Sia Interview Featured on Rolling Stone
• Sia Plays Sold-Out NYC Show
• Sia Interview on mp3

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Features News

Poll of the Week: What Spring Album Release Are You Looking Forward To?

It’s officially spring and lucky for all you music lovers out there, that means plenty of album releases. From classic acts like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Willie Nelson to powerful female singers including Christina Aguilera, Sia and Katy Perry, there are numerous gems to choose from. And lets not forget my favorite Jersey boys, Gaslight Anthem.

While I’ve included four of the artists I’ve previously covered on You Sing, I Write in this week’s poll, I realize these artists are just a sampling of the many albums being released. So, be sure to leave additional suggestions in the comments as I’d love to know what you’re most excited about hearing this spring!

What Spring Album Release Are You Looking Forward To?

Gaslight Anthem
Jakob Dylan
The National 
Sia
Other
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News

Attention High School Students: Grammy Camp 2010


Are you in high school and interested in pursuing a career in the music industry? If so, Grammy Camp is the place for you. Held in Los Angeles July 10 – July 19, Grammy Camp offers students the opportunity to work with Grammy-winning and nominated professionals and industry specialists affiliated with The Recording Academy over a number of music industry career tracks.

The deadline for high school students to apply is March 31, 2010. Interested students can apply here. You can submit your video essay and audition videos online here. Applicants in Los Angeles and Scottsdale can also record their application videos free of charge at MyStudio locations in those cities.

For more information and to apply, visit grammyintheschools.com. Good luck!

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Contest News

Want Your Photo in Dlugokecki’s New Album?


Last year, during SXSW I had the privilege of interviewing Southampton, England-based sextet Dlugokecki during their first trip to the States. Having been in the music scene the past 10 years, the band is inviting fans to add their picture in the inside of their upcoming release, 10 Years of Dlugokecki.

The 2-Disc, 34 track album will be available April 5 and all you have to do to enter is hold up a piece of paper with the name of your favorite Dlugokecki song clearly written. The most original entry wins an A2 framed 10 Years of Dlugokecki print of the new artwork, signed by the band. Three runners-up will be picked at random and win free tickets to the tour finale and a free Dlugokecki T-Shirt.

Send a picture of yourself,  friend or family member and they’ll print it in the inside of the CD and add it their Web site. Add the picture to facebook and tag Ben Dlugokecki, or send him the image via E-mail. The contest ends Sunday, so be sure to enter now! I may send a photo myself…

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News

You Sing, I Write on Last.fm!

I’m excited to announce that you can now follow You Sing, I Write on Last.fm! Having covered 400+ bands, you can listen to all the bands I’ve written about over the past two years on Last.fm while reading about them on the blog at the same time. How cool is that?

In addition to listening to some of the bands I’ve featured, check out the journal section for my SXSW interviews and coverage from last year as well as all the artists I’ve interviewed this year for Spinner.com.

To visit You Sing, I Write’s page click here. Special thanks to Shelley Tibbetts for setting everything up!

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News

Thank YOU For Your Votes!

I can’t express in words how appreciative I am of your support and votes for the SoundCtrl and Pepsico FlashFwd contest. Unfortunately, I didn’t win the trip to SXSW but I did reach over 50 votes and was even featured on their blog as one of their top contenders.

While a free trip to Austin, Texas, and interviewing tons of bands while there would have been amazing, I’m truly grateful for the response, emails, comments, retweets I’ve received from everyone. It made me realize this little music blog of mine has had a much greater impact than I ever could have imagined. From a friend who works at a national magazine telling me she based their magazine’s blog after mine to a former colleague from college who informs her students of my blog, I couldn’t be more humbled.

I may not be attending SXSW, but that doesn’t mean I won’t keep on interviewing and discovering talented musicians for you. With a site redesign in the works and interviews lined up with some amazingly talented bands, You Sing, I Write will keep me busy. Thanks for coming along for the ride!

For a complete list of the winners, click here.