Today Spin featured Sam Means’ first track since the Format disbanded in 2008. His soundtrack to indie comedy, The Sinking of Santa Isabel, will be released September 29, Spin.com reports.
Definitely a more stripped down feel than his previous band, Means’ indie-centric track is catchy and grows on the listener. Click here to listen to the song, “Yeah Yeah” in it’s entirety.
What do you think? Will you be purchasing Sam Means’ new album?
Glass Pear is Welsh-born singer-songwriter Yestyn Griffiths. Having previously collaborated with his sister, Jem, on her popular debut and sophomore releases, Griffiths eventually decided to record tracks of his own. While his debut album, Streets of Love, is due in stores tomorrow, you may already recognize his voice from first single “Last Day Of Your Life.” Mixed by Coldplay producer Danton Supple, the song has been featured in episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “90210.”
In a press release, Griffiths explained the story behind his stage name, Glass Pear:
“A lot of the songs I write are about the fragility and transiency of life and love. So I wanted to find a name that expressed that. Apparently the ancient Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality (pear trees live for a long time),” Griffiths said. “It’s also a symbol of affection in other cultures. In Chinese the word li means both ‘pear’ and ‘separation’ and for this reason, tradition says that to avoid a separation, friends and lovers should not divide pears between themselves. So for me a glass pear is a pear that is fragile, breakable, needing protection, just like love.”
Streets of Love is a solid release filled with catchy, uplifting lyrics and moving musical accompaniment. On “Last Day Of Your Life,” Griffiths sings, “If this was the last day of your life/What would you do to make things right?/If this was the last day of your life/Who you gonna call to make things right?”
The emotive lyrics combined with soaring guitar and string features leave an impact. Additionally, many of the tracks have piano interludes that bring to mind bands like Coldplay and The Fray while his introspective and questioning lyrics recall that of Switchfoot.
Standout track, “Streets of Love,” is bound to get stuck in the listener’s head. The most upbeat song on the album, Griffiths sings along fitting guitar and percussion beats, “Thinking of the one you love who doesn’t know it just because/You’re too afraid to be a fool again/People punch and people bruise on these streets of love/Stand up on your own two feet there’s more to life than memories my friend.”
While the album starts off slowly, with each repeated listen there is something new and unexpected. Griffiths’ voice has that familiar and comforting quality to it as he confronts the confusion and heartache of life through continuous questioning within his songs. “What’s the point of being human if we’re not alive?” he asks on moving ballad, “Colours.”
Ending with the captivating “My Ghost” (see video below), Griffiths proves his versatility as a singer-songwriter on his debut release. For more on Glass Pear, visit MySpace and if you like what you hear, be sure to pick up Streets of Love tomorrow.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMj5yPDp32Q]
Recommended: For fans of Coldplay, Radiohead, The Fray, Switchfoot, Better Than Ezra.
I couldn’t go anywhere this week without hearing a Taylor Swift song. Kanye West on the other hand, not so much. MTV’s Video Music Awards are now a week old, but the press is still abuzz. I was outside Radio City Music Hall when the debacle occurred — five minutes before Swift took to the streets for her live performance (see videos below).
Let’s take a look back at the night’s events and let me know your opinion in this week’s poll. Do you think Kanye’s apology was sincere? What would you have done if you were Taylor? Are you tired of hearing all of this being reported? Feel free to leave your response in the comments.
Taylor’s (and apparently, Kanye’s) acceptance speech:
Taylor Swift performing “You Belong With Me” live:
What you didn’t see: After her performance, fans on the street were pounding on the cabs and chanting her name, in a way letting Taylor know they had her back.
Beyonce proves, once again, why she is one of the classiest female artists in the industry today:
Kanye’s Apology on “The Jay Leno Show”: (29 minutes in)
http://widgets.nbc.com/o/49d06ba1523528c3/4ab6e4005cbadcfc/49d06ba1523528c3/50ad34f2/-cpid/8c287ca4a3e1cdbf
After watching it all take place, what are your thoughts? Be sure to vote in this week’s poll!
This week is contest frenzy at You Sing, I Write! While I already have a winner to the Ragged Magazine contest from earlier this week, (congrats to Colleen who responded with the correct answer — Switchfoot was the first band I interviewed for the blog) there are a few more contests going on you may be interested in entering.
U2
Kijiji, eBay’s free, family-friendly, local classifieds site, is giving away tickets to the U2 concert next Wednesday at Giants Stadium. Residents of New York and New Jersey can enter by taking the following steps:
1. List an item for sale on Kijiji New York, Kijiji Hudson Valley or Kijiji Newark.
* Include a brief description of the item, as well as why you are willing to sell it for a chance to win the tickets.
* Also include a photo, if possible.
2. Follow Kijiji on Twitter (so you can be notified via direct message if you win).
3. Send a tweet with the link to your Kijiji post and the hashtag #kijiji.
For more information and complete rules click here.
Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow
Infiniti has secured a handful of exclusive tickets to the Sundance taping of Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow on September 21 in New York City. Visit:
1. Facebook.com/Infiniti: Simply upload a picture of you and your Infiniti on Facebook to be eligible.
2. Twitter.com/InfinitiNews: Just Tweet @InfinitiNews why you love your Infiniti.
Full contest rules are here.
Good luck! Be sure to let me know if you win.
I received an email this week featuring Real Ones‘ new single, “Every Dog Has Its Day” from their upcoming release, All For The Neighbourhood. After just one listen I immediately fell in love with the song and lyrics behind it. The psychedelic folk-pop vibe is something I haven’t heard in a while, and for the five childhood friends from Norway, it works.
Listen to the song here or watch the video below. Love to know what you think!
Every Dog Has Its Day
http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=30139752,t=1,mt=video
Photo Credit: Wendy Hu
Labor Day has come and gone and as much as we’d like to deny it, autumn is officially here. While it may be time to pack up that bikini, there’s no need to turn the music down. With tunes this good, who said summer has to be over?
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
The E.N.D., short for The Energy Never Dies, does just that. Released in June, many of the tracks could be heard in clubs and parties all summer long. In fact, it didn’t seem right if the night ended having never heard at least one of Black Eyed Peas’ songs. Hit singles, “Boom Boom Pow,” “I Gotta Feeling,” and “Meet Me Halfway” are undeniably 2009 summer anthems. With their electrifying dance beats, catchy choruses and synth-fused tracks, Black Eyed Peas prove they still know how to get the party started.
Colbie Caillat – Breakthrough
If Colbie Caillat’s new album, Breakthrough, doesn’t emit summer nostalgia, I don’t know what will. You can practically hear the ocean waves and smell the sea salt as she’s singing current radio hit “Fallin’ For You” and moving opening track, “I Won’t.” Of course, that could be because she wrote the album while vacationing in Hawaii. Songs like the laidback acoustic “Droplets,” featuring co-singer/songwriter Jason Reeves, and emotional “I Never Told You” are a breath of fresh air. Bet you can’t help but reminisce about that summer romance.
The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
Jersey’s own the Gaslight Anthem have had quite the summer. Having toured the globe in support of their incredibly well received sophomore effort, The ’59 Sound, the band also shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen at Glastonbury Festival in England. If there was one album that epitomized driving down the shore with the top down and radio blasting, it would be this one. Tracks like “Great Expectations,” “Here’s Lookin’ At You, Kid” and “Backseats” are filled with vivid imagery and descriptive narratives of failed relationships, lost youth and somber regrets masked by energetic musical accompaniment. With a punk rock feel combined with that classic Springsteen sound, The ’59 Sound references those long summer days and endless summer nights.
Gloriana – Gloriana
The country outfit’s debut self-titled release encompasses upbeat, high energy songs bound to get the crowd on their feet. This is no summer campfire music. Currently on the road supporting Taylor Swift, the four-piece, made up of brothers Tom and Mike Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Cheyenne Kimball, are sure to change the everyday music lover’s opinion on country. Catchy hit single “Wild At Heart” has been gaining attention throughout the summer, garnering them best single by a new country act in 2009 while tracks like “The Way It Goes” are sure to be just as successful. With fitting fiddle, steel and guitar accompaniment along with the bands’ emotive lyrics, Gloriana is sure to win over music fans everywhere.
Sean Paul – Imperial Blaze
The reggae king is back with his 20-track summer release, Imperial Blaze. Including smash club-centric tracks like “So Fine,” “Now That I’ve Got Your Love” and “Press It Up,” Sean Paul continues to prove his success as a producer and solo reggae artist. At a press conference earlier this summer, Paul talked of his new single. “I think [“So Fine”] is a perfect summer giant. It’s very bouncy. I usually cover stuff that you can hear in the clubs, in the cars. It’s raunchy but also sounds smooth. It has a cool attitude.” After listening to the track, I couldn’t agree more. In fact, most of Imperial Blaze has that same flavor: jams that make you want to get out on the dance floor.
What do you think? What albums did I leave out that should be considered? What’s your favorite summer album?
It’s been a while since I featured a contest on the blog, so when I heard about Ragged Magazine‘s VIP Contest, I thought it’d be a great opportunity for readers. Whoever emails me first with the correct answer to the question below will win Ragged’s #7 VIP Prize Pack which includes:
If you like the artists above and want to read more about them, be sure to download the issue for free here.
Now for the contest question: Which artist (or band) did I interview first, specifically for You Sing, I Write?
Be sure to email me at atreuter@gmail.com with “You Sing, I Write/Ragged Magazine Contest” in the subject line and your name and answer. Thanks for entering and good luck!
This past Friday I caught Only Living Boy‘s performance at The Court Tavern in New Brunswick. Performing a 45-minute set, the Jersey-based band impressed with their ear-grabbing guitar riffs and infinite energy. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been at a show when a band’s improvisation was so captivating.
The three-piece, which consists of frontman Joe Cirotti on guitar, bassist Eric Curley and drummer Trevor Newcomb, had the room packed as they played songs from their self-titled debut release. While their alternative rock brings to mind classic 70s acts, it is perhaps no wonder that their name was inspired by Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 song “Only Living Boy in New York.”
Not new to the music scene, Only Living Boy has been playing together in various forms, perhaps most familiar as Rabid Roy. About to embark on an East Coast tour, the band has shared the stage with notable acts like the New York Dolls.
Only Living Boy has a sound that stands out from other up-and-coming acts today. Niki Coate of WNTI described it best: “a combination of the psych rock inherited from their parents’ vinyl and the alternative rock of their own MTV adolescence.”
“My Friend,” a song Cirotti said is about his dog, brings to mind the Woodstock era and guitar-centric jams of legends like Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana while “My Heart Is Burning” has an edgy, almost country rock vibe to it. Cirotti’s vocals are captivating as the accompanying percussion and guitar interlude portrays his ongoing angst told within the story of the song.
Additionally, tracks like “How Lovers Have a Ball” continue to exemplify the band’s versatility and timelessness. While some songs transform the listener to another era, others maintain a certain charm and relevancy, continuing to keep Only Living Boy on the cusp of a constantly changing music industry.
For more on Only Living Boy and upcoming tour dates be sure to visit their MySpace. To listen to a stream of current single, “Worthless,” click here. To listen to “Homesick,” click here.
It has been reported that Patrick Swayze has died today, at the age of 57, after his long battle with pancreatic cancer. Perhaps known best for his performances in films like “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost,” it is his advocacy over the years that has been an inspiration to many. Follow CNN’s breaking coverage as more information is disclosed here.
I was fortunate to have met and interviewed Swayze while in college at a heart disease awareness event. You can read all about it from my previous blog post here.
Earlier this year, Swayze was interviewed by Barbara Walters’ where he talked in depth about his battle, his journey and his career. Watch the opening segment of Walters’ interview below. For the remaining clips of the interview, go to YouTube.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywOgw_dJV_M]
The VMA’s are back and will be taking place live at Radio City Music Hall in New York City tomorrow night. I’m psyched because I will be attending and taking part in the red carpet extravaganza and Taylor Swift’s performance (look closely, maybe you’ll spot me!).
Performances this year include Janet Jackson with a musical tribute to her brother, Jay-Z, Green Day, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Muse, Wale, and more. I’m not sure how much access I’ll have during the show, but be sure to follow me on Twitter as I update you to all my artist sightings and interviews. Tune in Sunday night at 9P/8C.