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Features

Poll of the Week: What New Features Do You Want to See on You Sing, I Write?

Well, I successfully (or unsuccessfully) however you decide to look at it, applied to be Diddy’s assistant as you may have read from yesterday‘s post. The majority of you voted last week for me to apply and wrote the most encouraging messages, which definitely persuaded me to audition. All in all, it was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon!

Now onto this week’s poll question: What New Features Do You Want to See on You Sing, I Write?

This is more of an open-ended question than a multiple choice selection, so I really want to read your ideas in the comments. I’ll give you a few suggestions, but ultimately I’m looking for your creative input this week. While I’ve learned that many of you enjoy the artist features and interviews from a previous poll, I’m curious to see what my blog may be lacking that you want to see. More contests? Auditions? (for my sake, I hope not!) Music streams? Live Twitter updates on the sidebar? Or, how about recommendations? For example, maybe at the bottom of an album or concert review I’ll put a list of artists the musician sounds like. See my Mat Kearney review for an example.

Let me know. My friend Jennilyn and I have been brainstorming in our free time and it’s so important to get your ideas as well! Please leave your suggestions in the comments. I look forward to reading each one!

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Features News

Poll of the Week: What Do You Enjoy Most on You Sing, I Write?

I’ve been receiving more responses from the poll questions lately, which I’m always excited about! It seems that while most who answered last week’s question, How Did You Stumble On You Sing, I Write? seem to be a friend or family member, I received many votes for “Other.”

From the comments I found out that some readers stumbled on the blog from popular music network MOG while others did by searching for artist interviews. Always good to know. Thanks to everyone who participated and left their response in the comments, as I’m constantly trying to serve you, the readers, better!

Now onto this week’s poll question: What Do You Enjoy Most on You Sing, I Write?

Interviews

Concert Reviews

New Artist Features

Album Reviews

Other

I’m interested to read your votes, as this will help me get a better feel as to what I should feature more on the blog. If you love the artist interviews, I’ll make sure to have a new one up each week or if you like show reviews, I’ll be sure to catch as many as I can! Thanks again for participating, I look forward to reading the results! As always, if there is something you want me to post more of that’s not an option, feel free to mention it in the comments!

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News

Poll of the Week: How Did You Stumble On You Sing, I Write?

I was explaining to my sister the wonders of Twitter this past week and how I’ve noticed more traffic on my blog since joining. While I don’t think I was too convincing (she hasn’t joined yet), it got me curious as to how you first heard about You Sing, I Write and what keeps you coming back.

I’m sure there are more reasons than the five selections I’ll post in the poll this week, so feel free to leave anything I may have missed in the comments. I’m really curious to see how you found my blog and if there’s anything I should be doing to get it more notice.

This past week’s poll winner for question, What festival are you most looking forward to? was a tie between Lollapalooza and Warped Tour. I received a lot of great comments on Warped Tour which only convinces me to attend this year!

Now to this week’s poll: How Did You Stumble On You Sing, I Write?

Twitter

MySpace

Word of Mouth

You’re a friend/family member badgered to read about my latest posts via Facebook messages, Gmail statuses or curiosity.

Other

You have until next Sunday to post your vote before the poll closes. If I left any options from the list, feel free to leave them in the comment section!

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News

You Sing, I Write Layout Revamp

Last night when I logged into my Blogger account I noticed a layout upgrade that I figured I should do since the blog hasn’t changed too much over the past year. Unfortunately, while reformatting I lost most of my html and template design so I’ve been fixing it up little by little today.

The sidebar was the portion that needed the most work and thankfully I was able to post all the interviews and blog links that were previously displayed. I also added a poll to the sidebar (right after the interviews) that I’d love you to participate in, and even give me ideas for. The first poll question for this week is “Who was your favorite boy band?” Definitely a topic of much debate! (Backstreet Boys are mine in case you’re wondering.) I love reading your comments and I really want this blog to be more interactive, so vote in the poll and leave me suggestions on what types of questions you’d like to see in the future.

As my readers, I really value what you favor on the blog so speak up! I’ve been talking with a bunch of friends about some tweaks I plan on making here and there, but I’d love to know your suggestions as well. Is there way too much text on the sidebar? Do you care about the Twitter updates, or should I just delete that? Send me your feedback so I make sure you keep coming back to You Sing, I Write!

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News

You Sing, I Write Featured As Top Reviews Source

A co-worker sent this Boxxet link to me, informing me that my blog is featured as one of their top 10 review sources! I’m not really sure how prominent this site is to begin with, but to be featured No. 7 on their “Top Reviews Sources” right before Rolling Stone is pretty incredible. Still kind of floored to be honest. They feature my review on Kanye West’s latest album, 808s & Heartbreak. If you haven’t read it yet, you can read it here. Thanks for all your support! It really means the world, and having people find my blog on sites like this is a hint that I’m headed in the right direction. As always, thanks so much for reading!

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Photos

You Sing, I Write Photographer of the Year: Wendy Hu

The end of the year is approaching and it’s that time when we all tend to look back and assess the year that was 2008 and prepare our “best of” lists. I’ll probably compile a few of my favorite albums of the year at some point, but in the meantime I wanted to give credit where credit is due, specifically the amazing photos on the blog.

From accompanying me on the “Get a Life” tour, including interviewing bassist Jeph of The Used on their tour bus, to assisting and photographing my interview with frontman Kris Roe of The Ataris in the basement of Maxwell’s, Wendy was there for it all. Not to mention her pictures — have you seen them? All the super clear, up-close concert photos on my blog are courtesy of Wendy. I don’t know what I’d do without her!

Sure, I write the reviews, but as they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words” and I have to agree. I try to be overly descriptive in my concert reviews, but seeing a photo as a musician performs, leaning closer and closer to the edge of the stage while every hand is in the air in hopes to shake the hand of their favorite band (see photo above) is priceless. So thank you Wendy for contributing to my blog this year and as a special feature I figured I’d compile a “Year in Photos” post featuring some of my favorite shots from Wendy this past year. What do you think? Here‘s her Flickr account, did I leave out a photo I should have included? Enjoy!














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News

Follow You Sing, I Write on Twitter

You can now follow me and my music adventures on Twitter. Check me out at http://twitter.com/yousingiwrite. Musician Josh Charles has been raving about Twitter for a while and I’ll admit, at first I really didn’t understand what the big deal was. But, Twitter is addicting in the way that Facebook was when it first came out. So try it out and add me to your followers! I’m on Facebook and MySpace as well, so check out those links on the right side of the page underneath the “About Me” section of the blog. As always, feel free to email me with bands you’d be interested in learning more about.

In other news, be sure to read my latest review posted on Filter of Luke Brindley‘s show in New York last week here. Also, if you are interested in winning copies of Katy Perry and Boys Like Girls’ albums, enter the contest (deadline is end of day Friday so you still have a few hours). See the details in this past Sunday’s post.

I have a ton of interviews to finish transcribing and editing that I hope to post within the next week for you read/listen to so be on the lookout for those. Also, if anyone is in the New York area tomorrow I have an extra ticket to the All-American Rejects’ free concert at Hammerstein Ballroom tomorrow night. E-mail me for details.

Categories
Photos

You Sing, I Write Anniversary Concert: Night In Photos

As promised, here are some photos that recap last Saturday night at Maxwell’s. Thanks again to everyone who made it out! With such success, I’m already thinking of ideas for next year . . . maybe I’ll hold the concert in New York and get even more bands to play. Suggestions always welcome. Special thanks to Wendy Hu, Dan Ng and Pauline Karakat for the photos! You can view more of Dan’s photos of the night here.























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News

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Maxwell’s in Hoboken last night! The room was packed, the alcohol was flowing and most importantly, the music was rockin. Special thanks to Josh Charles, Joey DeGraw, The Canon Logic and Love Goat who all put on amazing performances. I’m hoping to post a photo collage later this week from everyone who shot throughout the night so be sure to check back for that!

Another very special thank you goes out to my amazing friend and fellow blogger Monica Rozenfeld for her post about the show on her blog, The Jew Spot (check it out for photos of the night!) and videos uploaded on YouTube. You can watch Monica’s videos of Joey DeGraw and The Canon Logic below. Can’t wait for next year’s concert! Taking band suggestions now 🙂

Below is a segment of The Canon Logic’s energetic performance as well as a view of the packed room and fans dancing along throughout their set.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evNr0pRxtao]

You can watch Joey DeGraw performing at Maxwell’s in Hoboken last night below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyaWDa5J82g]

Categories
News

You Sing, I Write Anniversary Concert Tonight!

Just wanted to remind you all about the awesome concert I’m hosting tonight at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. Please come out and say hi!

Check out the flier on the right for more info and the lineup for the night below:

Doors 8:30 p.m.
9 p.m. Josh Charles
10 p.m. Joey DeGraw
11 p.m. The Canon Logic

Should be fun! See you there.