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Song of the Week

Song of the Week: “Why Georgia”

This past week has been a whirlwind of changes. When reflecting on life and next steps I always turn to music. After missing my last bus home to Jersey last week after a stressful day of apartment searching John Mayer’s “Why Georgia” came on my iPod. Though the song is a decade old and I’ve heard it at least a million times, it struck a chord. Maybe my quarter life crisis has finally struck, but his lyrics really hit home.

“Everybody is just a stranger but/That’s the danger in going my own way/I guess it’s the price I have to pay/ Still ‘everything happens for a reason’/Is no reason not to ask myself if I’m living it right.”

Regardless of his status in the tabloids and my friends tiring of my obsession of him, his music always manages to make an impact on me. Watch the video below of “Why Georgia” and be sure to follow my concert coverage [cough: gushing] on Twitter tonight when I catch his show in Pennsylvania!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYn7ryaWNE]

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Matt White

With familiar vocals that recall fellow singer-songwriters Jason Mraz and Matt Nathanson, Matt White impresses. While his music combines light piano and guitar accompaniment, it’s his voice that leaves the greatest impact. Soothing and relaxing, tracks like “Love” embody a certain longing many can relate to with a Caribbean vibe while “Taking On Water” is an emotional track with moving vocals and delicate guitar finger picking, suiting the song well. 

In 2007 White broke into the scene with his debut album, Best Days. The LP peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s New Artist chart and garnered him much praise. Rolling Stone named him one of “10 Artists to Watch” while Details added Best Days in their “best new music bubbling from the underground,” saying White has “a falsetto smooth enough to melt the icy heart of a Brooklyn hipster.”

While it is debatable if White has in fact melted the hearts of Brooklyn hipsters, it’s safe to say he has impressed many New Yorkers. Born in New Jersey, after college White moved to New York where he could be found singing on street corners and in Washington Square Park. His street performing days soon ended as many recognized his talent and he graduated to gigs at Joe’s Pub and the Living Room, not to mention tours with notable acts including everyone from Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and B.B. King to OneRepublic, Third Eye Blind and Counting Crows.

If his music sounds familiar, it’s because tracks have been featured in numerous films, commercials and TV shows like “Shrek The Third,” McDonald’s, “The Hills,” “Brothers and Sisters,” and “One Tree Hill.”

His second album is due out this Fall, and features production from David Baron (Lenny Kravitz) and Henry Hirsh (Lenny Kravitz), as well as mixing from Jack Joseph Puig (Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, Sparklehorse, Shelby Lynne) and Joe Blaney (The Clash, The Ramones, Prince). If it’s anything like his well-received debut, White is one artist to keep your eyes on.

For more on Matt White, visit him on MySpace and be sure to catch him performing tonight at Webster Hall as part of the New Music Seminar.

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Song of the Week

Song of the Week: “East Coast Anthem”

Whenever I’m in D.C. I find myself singing Good Charlotte’s song “East Coast Anthem.” Especially the opening lines, “Walking on the streets of D.C./On the east coast where I live.” I’m headed to D.C. for my friend Sarah’s wedding this weekend and you can bet I’ll be screaming those words as soon as I get there.

I was OBSESSED with Good Charlotte in high school, even convinced I’d marry Benji (haha…some things never change). That is definitely a post for another day. For now, enjoy some old school Good Charlotte footage, circa 1999.

Cut to 2:20 for their live performance of “East Coast Anthem.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9gp7QKDoP8]

Remember their song, “Hold On?” Such a powerful video.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj31k1SsaZg]

This was my favorite…”Movin’ On.” I think I need to write a post of my crazy encounters with Good Charlotte. Next week maybe…what do you think?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo4iAgtB1_4]

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Features

Artist to Watch: Adam Taylor

Pennsylvanian poet, Adam Taylor recorded his debut EP, Play the Piano Drunk, his senior year of high school. Produced by his older brother, LIVE founding member Chad Taylor, the release is a jaw-dropping and foot-tapping mix of folk, rock & roll, ragtime and jazz. An old soul, Taylor’s songs embody socially conscious lyrics with impressive musical accompaniment. 

“Painting Leprosy” kicks things off with an old ragtime vibe. Fast bass guitar and piano soon enter with aggressive percussion. Throughout the track, vocals alternate well between Taylor and Kate Young. A solid way to begin the EP, with upbeat piano interludes and soulful singing, “Painting Leprosy” transports the listener to another era. In fact, one can vividly picture Taylor and Young singing in a speakeasy in the early 1900s.

Next track, “12:51” is a slower folk song with the main focus on Taylor’s vocals. With striking percussion mid-song, Taylor proves he’s more than your average singer-songwriter. The slow buildup and fadeout of the song impress and the listener never knows exactly what he will hear next.

“I think many of the songs share a bluegrass or folk lineage,” Taylor says. “Where they feel upbeat but tend to have more meaning than a shallow pop song. If you look beyond the catchy melodies there is often a greater depth.”

I couldn’t agree more. While “12:51” has soothing vocals with light electric guitar, “Elvis” is a funky blues track with thought provoking lyrics. “The room is turning round/And the world can be confusing/There’s no icebergs in Iceland/There’s no Thanksgiving in Turkey/Come on, get your reasoning/You know money grows on trees these days/So go on plant a thousand/And be like Johnny Appleseed.”

Every track on Play the Piano Drunk is unique and embodies a new genre of music. Whether you’re into folk, rock & roll, blues or jazz it is easy to appreciate each influence throughout the seven songs. Visit Adam Taylor’s Web site to listen to tracks from his EP and stay tuned for his full-length LP.

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Tamar Kaprelian

Tamar Kaprelian has been writing songs for as long as she can remember, drawing inspiration at an early age from Disney films and later, music icons Billy Joel and Paul McCartney. However, it wasn’t until she entered and won OneRepublic’s cover song contest in 2008 that labels started to take notice. With Ryan Tedder’s help, she soon signed to Interscope Records and began working on her debut album, due out later this year.

A coming-of-age record that chronicles her life and relationships, Kaprelian is determined to create an album that is real and true to her, both personally and artistically. By previewing a few tracks on MySpace and witnessing her live last night in New York, she is well on her way.

With emotion-filled lyrics and equally passionate vocals, Kaprelian’s music inspires the listener. First single, “New Day” is a song about “struggling, overcoming and having faith in believing that you can get yourself out of the situation.” A relatable track, Kaprelian takes the listener on a journey with her powerful vocals and the tale’s resolution. “I was lost but I found what I was looking for/Waking up, waking up to a new day,” she sings. (Watch the video for “New Day” below.)

http://www.vevo.com/VideoPlayer/Embedded?videoId=USUV70903968&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded

Kaprelian’s airy vocals on the upbeat “Delicate Soul” brings to mind fellow singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles while tracks like “Purified” and “Three Simple Words” portray a more mature sound. Never one to shy away from how it all began, Kaprelian performed a soulful rendition of  “A Whole New World” from Disney’s film “Aladdin” last night to a packed and sweaty crowd at Mercury Lounge.

With her powerful vocal delivery, piano interludes and string features throughout many of her tracks, Kaprelian’s music strikes a chord. “Three Simple Words” is a moving ballad of love lost with delicate piano accompaniment and angelic vocals while “Transcend” impresses with soaring string interludes and a deeper, more intimate sound.

Look for Tamar Kaprelian’s debut album due out later this year. Until then, learn about her songwriting process and collaborating with OneRepublic in a video interview below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szR02wPOx4s]

Watch Tamar’s winning cover of OneRepublic’s “Apologize” below. For more on Tamar, be sure to visit her on MySpace.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6FFQ3CJcBU]

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Song of the Week

Song of the Week: “American Slang”

If you’ve been following You Sing I Write at all over the past two years, you know of my love for Jersey boys The Gaslight Anthem. Earlier this week, they released the music video for “American Slang,” the title track and debut single off their new album.

Set in New York, the music is agressive with unrelenting percussion and soaring guitar riffs, all underneith frontman Brian Fallon’s powerful vocals. Watch it below! And, if you missed my review of their album release show, you can read it here.

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

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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Artist of the Week Features

Artist to Watch: Shwa Losben

Shwa Losben combines impassioned folk and rock & roll for a truly unique sound. Whether he’s writing about a friend who went to Mexico with a guy she met on Craigslist on “Trainwreck,” or critiquing mean hipsters on “Brooklyn Girls,” his tales captivate the listener.

Losben moved to New York in 2007 and has steadily built a name for himself, playing in front of packed venues with his band “The Good Times.” The singer-songwriter released his debut solo album, Chop Chop in 2008. With rave reviews, USA Today wrote, “it deserves to be heard by more people.” Additionally, the title track earned Losben the ASCAP Robert Allen Songwriting Award.

Two years later, Losben is back with his fan-funded release, Good Times Good Times. The 10-track album offers listeners fun, upbeat songs accompanied by intriguing characters and descriptive storylines. Blending folk and rock, Losben’s soulful voice soothes above fitting music. Each song offers something new, whether it be the twangy “Worst Is Over” or the danceable “Penultimate Dance.” A track he has high hopes for, of “Penultimate Dance,” Losben says, “My dream is for it to be the second-to-last song played at weddings and bar mitzvahs.”

Good Times Good Times draws influence from Pulp and Pearl Jam and no doubt has distinct musical components to please every music lover. With resemblance to fellow New York singer-songwriter PT Walkley on “Treat the Disease,” the track impresses with horn features, powerful guitar and percussion and Losben’s wavering vocals.”Total Nightmare” is another danceable gem with energetic keyboard and vocals throughout while “Sandy Don’t Worry” is an impassioned love song reminiscing of the past. 

With an album this diverse, one can only wonder what the future will bring for Losben. Having opened for Ben Folds, he is well on his way. To stream Good Times Good Times click here. For more on Shwa, be sure to visit him on MySpace.

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Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: “Free”

As Fourth of July weekend approaches, what better way to kick off the festivities then to salute our troops and remember why we’re all here? Watch Zac Brown Band’s emotional performance of “Free” below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKZ0XkLaJ9s]

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Benefit Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: “Push Push”

Last Thursday, Kat DeLuna impressed the packed crowd at Santos Party House for Girls Who Rock with her catchy beats and seductive dance moves. This week, she debuts the new video for latest single, “Push Push” featuring Akon.

Sure to be a summer hit, she even picked a fan from the crowd to teach him and the entire audience the official “Push Push” dance. Watch the videos below and learn it yourself!

http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf

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

Related Links:
Girls Who Rock: Meet Kat DeLuna
Girls Who Rock: Meet MoZella
Girls Who Rock: Meet Shontelle
Girls Who Rock: Meet Cara Salimando
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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Hypernova

Iranian rock band Hypernova have risked their lives to play music. In Iran, simply holding a rock show could mean arrest, large fines or even a public flogging. Hard to believe? The fact that Hypernova have put their lives in danger by playing secret gigs in Iran gives you an adequate indication of their passion for music. It also makes me wonder just how many American bands would do the same.

“The underground scene in Iran is pretty intense,” explains frontman Raam. “There are many amazing musicians driven by a burning passion who are literally putting their lives on the line for their music, just like we did. There’s nothing more beautiful than raw and sincere music.”

The band made their way to the U.S. in 2007 and released their debut album, Through the Chaos this past April. Rock & roll at their core, Hypernova blends gritty guitar and percussion, Raam’s deep vocals and moving lyrics for a truly unique experience. While they have been compared to New Order, Interpol and Franz Ferdinand, the quartet is well on their way to making a name for themselves in the West.

Many tracks off their album sound autobiographical. On “American Dream,” Raam sings, “I know that I’ll never go back home/To the life I had, the life that I had known … All I wanted was the rock & roll/All I wanted was to see the world.” While rock is at their core, tracks like “Universal” and “Viva La Resistance” have an underlying catchy dance vibe. 

A song about living in the moment and not knowing which day could be your last, Hypernova prove their point on “Viva La Resistance.” “The boys, they are shouting and the girls, they are dancing/’Cause it ain’t no fucking crime … So dance like you’ve never danced/Scream like you’ve never screamed/’Cause this one might be your last,” Raam sings with powerful guitar and drums behind him.

First single “Fairy Tales” has garnered much buzz and was recently nominated for mtv U’s “The Freshmen.” With Raam’s baritone vocals and the band’s equally gritty beats, the raw emotion is evident. Hypernova kick off their summer tour tomorrow at Bowery Ballroom in NYC with Kashmir. Be sure to visit  MySpace to hear their music and watch their video for “Fairy Tales” below. You can read more about the band from a recent interview with NPR here.

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

Related Links:
Artist of the Week: Lenka
Artist of the Week: Sahara Smith
Artist of the Week: Billy Currington
Band of the Week: The Spring Standards