Metronomy
Hey again, everyone! Welcome to Sarah’s Music. GAB. mini post. This week our mini post is all about the band Metronomy! A friend told me about this band and I really enjoy them. I like to say I’m not overly fond of electronic music but every so often I find a band that changes my mind. These guys are one of those bands. I have two more songs for you this week. The first song I have for you guys is The Look. This was the song my friend first had me listen to and I love it.
The second song I have for you is A Thing for Me. I really love the sound of this song, it’s a lot of fun.
I hope you guys enjoy those songs! This was Sarah’s Music. GAB. Mini Post. I’ll be back next week with a full post, until then you kids have fun! Thanks for reading.
SF
Ed Sheeran- Mini Post
Hi again, everyone! This week’s mini post is all about: Ed Sheeran! I have no memory on how I found him but I’m so glad I did. He’s a singer/songwriter who plays guitar and sings on all his tracks, but quite a few of his tracks were done in one take with no editing or going back to layer sounds. Today I have two songs for you. In the first, Lego House, you might see a familiar face.
This next one, I just think paints a cute picture of a couple just enjoying each other, and the melody is really catchy and just really pretty.
This has been Sarah’s Music. GAB. Mini Post. Next week I’ll have one more mini post before coming back with a full post on Blind Pilot, so stay tuned and I’ll see you soon!
SF
Sorry… again.
Hey everyone! I just found out/ realized that the location that my sister is having her wedding does not have internet access. So the next few posts are going to be super short but all with resume as normal in a few weeks.
This week I really wanted to talk about Blind Pilot, so I am going to link a few songs and when I get back I will do a full post on the band from Portland, Oregon. But until then, here’s a few of my favorite songs by them.
3 Rounds and a Sound
Poor Boy
Sorry again about the short posts guys! Happy New Year and I’ll see you when I get back!
Please Stay Tuned!
Hi all! Because of the holiday this past weekend and the fact that I’ve been packing to leave this weekend for my sister’s wedding in Puerto Rico, there’s no full post this week but I do have a video for you all.
A friend sent me this video and I am falling in love with it! The band, Howler, is set to release their first album January 16th in the UK and the 17th in the US. I plan on doing a full post on them a little after their album releases but until then, here’s Back of Your Neck.
Happy holidays and I’ll see you next week with a full post!
SF
The Midnight Beast
Until now I’ve posted very serious artists. These guys aren’t really all that serious, these guys are my favorite parody band and they’re really quite good at what they do. So, if you’re looking for serious artists, sorry, not this week. Check back again in seven days. Today we’re going to dive into the crazy world that is of The Midnight Beast. Just a note, their lyrics are not really all that appropriate, well. So kids under 14 might want to skip this week.
Background Information
The Midnight Beast are three piece parody band from London. The group is composed of Stefan Abingdon, Dru Wakely, and Ashley Horne. These guys are a proper overnight sensation due to their first video on YouTube which was a parody on Ke$ha’s Tik-Tok. After two more parodies the group started releasing original songs which became equally as popular as anything else they had released.
Sounds Like…
All the parodies the guys do sound like the same music as the actual songs. It’s almost as if they just used the karaoke tracks for each song and made up new, really hilarious lyrics to them. And then the original music these guys put out is, admittedly, a little more electronic than I would usually go for but in this case I really don’t mind it, it fits in my mind.
Fun Facts
Stefan and Dru were actually in a serious band together before TMB got together. The group was called Perfect People with two other guys. Stefan and Dru did a ukulele version of one of Perfect People’s songs What You’re Told, which is really great to be honest.
Discography
TMB haven’t released a full album at all but they have quite a few singles out, including seven on iTunes. But I recommend watching the videos on YouTube first. Watching the choreography and all the jokes really makes these guys funnier then they already are.
Tours
TMB have been playing all across the UK for what seems like ages but they are currently taking a break from touring to focus on new videos and music.
Songs I Love
Now, for these, I might not say much about each video because I just really can’t describe them. They’re just too funny, not just the lyrics but the videos as well. And please remember, not all the lyrics may be appropriate for those who are younger. So with that in mind, the first song I have for you by these guys is the first parody they released Tik-Tok. It’s hilarious and really clever actually.
Second up is the first original song they posted on their YouTube, Ninjas.
Lastly, since I’m not going to post again before Christmas I decided to use their parody of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You. Again, not appropriate for the youngin’s.
Fin!
Thanks for another week of Sarah’s Music. GAB. and I hope you check out The Midnight Beast. You can check out their Facebook, and their music is available on iTunes and Amazon.com. So, until next time kids, Happy Holidays, lay off the peppermint schnapps and keep listening to those generally awesome bands!
SF
Adele
Alright, I have a confession. This week’s G.A.B. isn’t a band, but I don’t think anyone can say she’s not a fantastic artist! So for this week, and probably a few more weeks in the future, I’m going to ignore the “band” part of my title and just go with it, because she is generally awesome all by herself. And alright, I have another confession, I did have the chance to discover Adele myself a few years ago instead of hearing her on the radio, but I passed over her because I just thought she was another female vocalist that was only going to disappoint me, and I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.
Background Info
Adele Laurie Blue Blue Atkins is from Enfield, North London, and released her first single, Hometown Glory, in October 2007. Ever since then, her popularity has been growing, and fairly quickly too, although Adele’s first number one single didn’t come around until her second album. But, Rolling in the Deep was number one on not only the UK music charts, but the top US charts as well. Her third and current single is Set Fire to the Rain and is currently achieving a high level of success in multiple European territories.
Sounds Like…
Adele is generally described as a singer-songwriter and an indie artist, which is all nice and well enough but we’ve been skirting the real feel of her music. Adele’s music is filled with more soul and feeling than our world population is used to hearing in today’s pop music. Listening to her , you can tell she believes what she’s singing about and loves to share this with people. Her voice is powerful and has great tone to it, she can control her voice better than most and I’m going to go out on a limb and say she’s going to be around for very long time because her music is so pure.
Fun Facts
As amazing of an artist as Adele is, we all have fears, but her’s is a little peculiar for her line of work. Adele actually has a real stage fright issue. Like, projectile vomiting and trying to escape venues real. But apparently she deals with it well enough because she has only canceled shows due to health reasons.
Discography
Adele has two albums out, her first which was widely popular in the UK entitled 19. Her first album had her first two singles on it, Hometown Glory and Chasing Pavements. Unlike most artists, Adele wasn’t all too concerned about how her second album did, she just felt the need to write and it all came out. 21 really took off in the States though, which her last three singles came off of including Rolling in the Deep and her latest single, Set Fire to the Rain. You can find all her music on iTunes and Amazon, as well as a live performance by Adele at The Royal Albert Hall, as well as some other great venues.
Tours
As a lot of people know, Adele had to cancel the last month of shows of her North America show to have an operation on her vocal chords, but all is well now. As far as has been announced, Adele will not be performing anytime soon, most likely so she can make a full recovery vocally.
Songs I love
So, as usual, this is my hardest part especially since I’m going to try and stay away from her really big hits and singles and use the songs I don’t think get enough credit. So here it goes.
First and foremost, I am putting the song One and Only right at the top of my list. I love this song so very much, for the lyrics, for the vocals, for the amount of emotion she puts into singing the song. I just am in love with it.
Secondly, still off her new album is the song I’ll Be Waiting. I like this song because it’s more upbeat and really shows that she doesn’t just sing slow songs.
Lastly, I chose a song off of her first album, which at least in the states is super underrated. This is My Same which was written about her best friend. I think it has more of a jazzy feel to it, though it’s really modern.
Fin!
Thanks again for reading Sarah’s Music. GAB. Remember to check out Adele’s website which has all the details about her music, tour dates that may come up and where to find her music. This was post number five, thank you so much for those who have kept with me this past month. Don’t forget to comment below and tell me what you think or to request a band, who knows, I might write about them! Thanks again and remember, until next time kids, don’t drink and drive and don’t be sad, if you get sad, just be awesome instead by listening to those generally awesome bands!
SF
The Black Keys
So I love these guys. They’re a bit different than the other bands I’ve been posting about, but not at all in a bad way. I’ve always said, I do love indie rock and acoustic music, but nothing beats a great blues guitar.
Background Info
So, The Black Keys is a two piece group with Dan Auerbach on vocals and guitar, and Patrick Carney on drums. Both of these guys are from Akron, Ohio and formed the group in 2001. Neither Dan or Pat have any formal musical training, which I think is astounding, you’ll see what I mean after you listen to some of their stuff.
Sounds Like..
Like I said above, these guys are much different than others I’ve talk about. Their music is very bluesy and kind of takes you back to a psychedelic rock era. Dan and Pat are known for their very lo-fi music. The Black Keys have opted out of signing onto a record label and actually recorded most of their album Thickfreakness in Pat’s basement, and if you listen closely you can hear some background noises in their recordings. With a soulful guitar, not perfect vocals and their lo-fi sound, their music sounds like it should have been released the late ‘60’s rather than the ‘00’s.
Fun Facts
In the hometown of The Black Keys, there’s two competing burger joints called Swenson’s and Skyway. When asked in an interview which the guys preferred, they both agreed on Swenson’s for classic burgers, though Pat did say he preferred Skyway for novelty burgers.
Discography
The guys have a number of albums and EPs out. Their first album, The Big Come Up was released in 2002 and they have released five albums after that, the latest being Brothers, which is one of my favorites. With their five full albums, there’s a mini album, Chulahoma, with seven songs on it, and also three EPs, Your Touch, Lonely Boy and The Moan. In addition to all that music, their next album, El Camino is set to drop this Tuesday, December 6th.
Tours
The Black Keys are about to play their last show next Sunday, the 11th, before taking a break for the winter holidays. This January they start a tour through Europe and the UK through February, before coming back to the States and Canada for a one month tour. No more tour dates or music festivals have been announced for the rest of this spring/summer.
Songs I Love
As usual, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this section and have come down two three songs, though, again as usual, it pains me to cut it down. But it must be done! If for anything, for the sake of trying to keep these posts short. First song I have is off the album Brothers. I love this song. It has a great melody and I don’t know why exactly but I love Dan’s voice in this song. This is The Only One.
The second song I have for you is Have Love Will Travel from their album Thickfreakness. This song is actually a cover, the original is by Richard Berry, and has a fantastic guitar part including a killer guitar solo. Like I said in the beginning of this post, nothing much can beat a killer guitar solo.
Up next is their song Your Touch off of their album Magic Potion. This song, once again, has some killer guitar in it as well as awesome percussion, which is what I feel The Black Keys are all about. They take what they both are good at and make music around that. I love it.
Alright.. so not quite three songs this week but I thought I should mention this song. If these songs don’t capture your interest maybe this one will. Tighten Up may sound a little familiar when you listen to it because it was on an advert. Now, I love the song a lot, but sometimes I think I like the video just a tiny bit more. The kids are just so darn cute!
Fin!
Thanks again for putting up with me and reading Sarah’s Music. GAB. post number four. Now go check out and discover The Black Keys for yourself! Their site is http://www.theblackkeys.com/, you can find links to everything you need to know Black Keys related, including their own forum and all of their music is available on iTunes, Amazon and eMusic as well. So, thanks and until next week kids, remember to comment down below, tell all your friends about the blog if you liked it, tell all your enemies if you didn’t and keep listening to those generally awesome bands!
SF
Foster The People
This band is super popular right now but I really do love them so I decided to use them as my band of the week. And it’s not only because of how popular they are, but because of their amazing accomplishments. Now, let’s go find out more about them…
Background Information
The band originally started in Los Angeles, as a personal project for Mark Foster (lead vocals, guitar and keyboard) that evolved into a group with Cubbie Fink on bass and vocals, and Mark Pontius on drums. After gaining popularity, the band started touring with Sean Cimino on guitar, keyboard and vocals and Isom Innis on keyboard and vocals. Mark originally wanted to call the band Foster and The People, because Mark liked the idea of a name with an classic feel, but the group eventually changed it to make more of a statement. Despite their amazing popularity, the band has only been together for about two years (that’s since 2009 in case you’re reading this super late).
Sounds Like…
So, this band is actually more synthesized than I’d usually listen to but they have great beats, catchy melodies and amazing bass lines. What’s great about this band also is that they’ve melded multiple sounds and genres to compose one unique sound that stays consistent throughout their entire album. The guys have said they didn’t want to be pigeonholed as a certain genre and I have to say, I really feel like they accomplished that seeing as I’m not sure what to call them other than synthesized indie, alternative rock. Just another band you’ll have to listen to something from them to figure out what I’m talking about.
Fun Facts
So, the guys had to do a photo shoot in the middle of the ocean, literally floating in the middle of nowhere. While they were off the boat and in the water, the guys saw a shark fin about 40 feet from where they were swimming. Everyone got back in the boat fine and no one was hurt but they were bummed out that the photographer didn’t get any pictures of the odd event, even considering one of the guys told him to keep shooting if something like that happened. Another thing I think is worth talking about are the lyrics to Pumped Up Kicks. A lot of people I know are turned off by the lyrics because they think it’s just about some kid jacking another person’s shoes, but really Mark Foster wrote this song about the mentality of a kid who has been bullied and are at their breaking point. It’s not about a random act of violence, it’s someone being pushed to violence. With the meaning behind this song and the impact that Mark tries to impart on people makes me love this song even more than just for the rocking bass line.
Discography
Foster the People started out buy posting their song Pumped Up Kicks on YouTube. That song started such a wave that the band then released a self titled EP and then their album Torches, though the songs on the EP are all available on the album and, of course, there are many remixed and Dubstep versions of their songs all scattered throughout the internet.
Tours
The band has been touring around world and playing huge music festivals such as Coachella, though most recently have been through through the UK (one tonight in Ireland). The guys still have a few shows in Canada and the US before breaking for the winter holidays though. The guys start back up again to tour through Asia and Australia beginning in January through the beginning of February. You can check out their website for all their tour dates.
Songs I love
Alright folks, on to my favorite part. Now, because I think everyone and their mom have heard Pumped Up Kicks on the radio, whether they’re aware of it or not, I have refrained from adding it to my list, though I really do love it. Here’s three other songs that I love just as much:
Firstly we have Don’t Stop (Color On The Walls). This is their new single though they don’t have a video for it yet. While we wait, here’s a fan made video with lyrics!
Second up we have Helena Beat which was they guys second single. I think the video is a bit weird but, like always, that’s never stopped me from liking a song.
The last song I have for you guys is Houdini. I am not sure exactly why I love this song so much, but really, I do love it. The video is kind of cool as well since it’s live shots from one of their shows mixed with some behind the scenes bits, though it’s the whole album track.
Fin!
Thanks again for reading Sarah’s Music. GAB. post number three. I hope you all check out Foster the People if you haven’t before this. Their website is http://www.fosterthepeople.com which has links to their Facebook and Twitter, and their album is available on iTunes, Amazon and eMusic. Thanks again and until next week kids, don’t do drugs and keep listening to those generally awesome bands!
SF
Born Ruffians
So I adore this band. Like completely in love, though I wasn’t crazy about them at first, the more I listened to them the more I ended up loving them. But now I can listen to them all day and often have. And who do I have to thank? My friend Jonny. He and I talk music quite a bit and he introduced me to Born Ruffians. I really can’t thank him enough because I adore this band so much. Just a note, some (just some!) of the songs by this band might not be suitable for younger listeners/readers.
Background Information
Born Ruffians were originally a three piece band formed in 2004 but fairly recently they recruited a fourth member for live shows. The band consists of Luke Lalonde on guitar and vocals, Mitch Derosier on bass, Steven Hamelin on drums and, our fourth ruffian, Andy Lloyd on guitar and keyboard. These guys are from the Toronto/Montreal area in Canada and are currently signed to Warp Records.
Sounds like…
Alright, I’m going to confess. I know this is an important section but second post in and I already kinda hate it, only because I like a lot of bands that have unique sounds which makes this part super hard for me to write. Born Ruffians is a great example. Luke has a super unique voice which on it’s own gives the band a indescribable sound. But his voice combined with the awesome melodies, guitar, drums and their really fun, fantastic lyrics makes for great songs over and over again. If generally calling them an alternative Canadian indie rock band helps, then there you go. But you really have to listen to them to understand their sound and how great they are.
Fun Facts
The band has mentioned in some recent video journals on their main site that they love listening to a podcast called Mike and Tom Eat Snacks. Now, this podcast sounded super silly but I decided to try it and listen to one and, let me tell you, it has become the highlight of my week. The podcast is hilarious but definitely brings some fine points to the snack game. Also the guys Mike and Tom have used some of the Born Ruffians’ songs in their podcast, which is probably super cool to the guys. I suggest you try listening to Mike and Tom after you check out Born Ruffians! But again, a note, this podcast is marked as explicit on iTunes and might not be suitable for younger listeners/readers.
Discography
Another reasons I love Born Ruffians is that they have a lot of music out. They have two full albums, three EPs and two singles. Their first release was a self titled EP which has six tracks, which was followed with two more EPs and a single before they released their first full album, Red, Yellow and Blue, which included some of their more popular songs such as “Hummingbird”, “Barnacle Goose” and “Little Garçon “. After their first full album, they released another single which was closely followed by their newest album. All of their work is available on both iTunes and eMusic.
Tours
Born Ruffians have toured through out Canada, the US and Europe, and have played some bigger festivals like SXSW, but currently they have just finished up a tour through Europe. The only shows they have lined up are the few in Toronto with Said the Whale and Tokyo Police Club at the Phoenix Concert Theatre at the beginning of this December. So if you’re in the area, check them out, it should be a good time.
Songs I love
Alright, so I have a bit of a problem with this part as well because I love so many of their songs that I can’t pick just three to post here, but I will try (but I’ll probably end up listing more after the links anyway). Again, these aren’t my favorite videos, just the songs.
First in my mini playlist is a song off their first album “Hummingbird”. This is the first song I listened to by the band and I still love it.
Second up is their song “Little Garçon”. I think this one is really cute, it’s one of their slower tracks but their layered harmonies, back up vocals and great lyrics really make this song fantastic. This song also happens to be off their first album. Though, this link is to a live version, but I love it because there’s an extended ending that I wish was on the album track. I think it’s worth mentioning that this song was used for an American Express commercial so if it sounds familiar, that’s the marketing at work.
http://youtu.be/c-9MxgyScIM
Next is a song that I feel is not as popular as some other ones but I love it, a lot. It is also coincidentally off their first album, I did not plan it that way but let’s roll with it. “I Need a Life” is a great track that has a great beat, fantastic guitar and super fun lyrics. The video is a bit odd but that won’t ever make me love this song any less.
http://youtu.be/L9dP51_WssU
AND I’ve decided to add another song since all three previous songs are off their first album, I’m going to put one off their second. “What to Say” is a great song. When you look at the lyrics, (which most of their lyrics are one the band’s website) they all ring true. “People talk, people walk, people mock but they don’t know what to say.” I always think of the phrase “you are talking but you’re not saying anything” when I listen to this song which, along with the great melodies and such, make this song one of my favorite songs by them. And also, I kind of love this video.
Like I said I’d probably do, here’s a list of some more songs you should check out along with those I linked: “Sole Brother”, “Foxes Mate for Life”, “I’m one of Those Girls”, “Red Elephant”, “Barnacle Goose”, and “Ready for Bed”. Those are just some of my favorites but really, there are only two or three songs of theirs that I just “like”.
Fin!
I hope you all go check out Born Ruffians, and if you like them refer them to friends so we can try and get them touring in our areas! You can check out their website http://bornruffians.com/ to find links to their Facebook, MySpace, Unofficially Official Tumblr and more.And Remember to go to iTunes or eMusic to download their albums!
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of Born Ruffians or even request bands for future posts in the new comment section below! This has been Sarah’s Music. GAB. post number two, and until next week kids, have fun, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do and keep listening to those generally awesome bands!
SF
Two Door Cinema Club
Alright, to be honest, TDCC wasn’t my original band for my first post. I am really into another band at the moment but I recently got an email about their UK tour and when I saw their name in my inbox, something clicked in my head and I knew they were supposed to be my first post.
Background Information
Now to what you came here to read about: Two Door Cinema Club. TDCC is a three piece band with Alex Trimble on vocals and guitar, Kevin Baird on bass and vocals and Sam Halliday on guitar and vocals. Now, the band does not have an official drummer but they’ve recently started touring with one, Benjamin Thompson. The original boys, Alex, Kevin and Sam, are from Bangor and Donaghadee in Northern Ireland and formed TDCC in 2007. They currently are very popular around the UK and are also quite popular here in North America.
Sounds Like…
From my point of view “TDCC sounds like…” is a super difficult way to start a sentence. They are so hard to describe because their sound is so original, it really can’t be thrown in a nice little box and called just one thing. On their facebook page it mentions that TDCC has been compared to bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Broken Social Scene but I think that’s a little bit of a stretch. Listening to their album, mostly all of their songs have strong beats, fantastic lead melodies and hooks that will stay stuck in your head all day just because they are so great. All of their songs are filled with energy and will change your mood for the better no matter what your day has been like. This band has done what most dream of doing which is making their sound completely their own and it is truly genius.
Fun Facts
Now, if you’ve gotten to here because you’ve kept reading (which is super!) you might be thinking “Two Door Cinema Club is a pretty unique name. I wonder how that one came about.” Well, good think you kept reading because I can tell you! The name came about when one of the band members mispronounced the name of a local movie theatre, “Tudor Cinema” and they kept the name.
Discography
Two Door Cinema Club has one album out, Tourist History, and a remix EP of that original album, both available on iTunes and just Tourist History is available on eMusic. The original album has ten tracks, some of the more well known being “What You Know”, “Something Good Can Work” and “Undercover Martyn”.
Tours
In the past Two Door Cinema Club has played many music festivals during the summer and has toured not only the UK but the US and Europe. They are currently finishing up a North American tour going through the Northern US, San Diego and Vancouver before they take a short break before starting their 2012 UK tour with Metronomy, who are also great. All tour dates can be found on their website which will be linked at the end of this blog.
Songs I love!
Now I’ve come to love all the songs I’ve come across by TDCC but I am only going to post three, which deciding what to post is no easy task. All the links go straight to the band’s YouTube channel which has not only their music videos but aslo some tour diaries they have posted. For clarification, these are in no particular order and it’s not the video itself, it’s songs I love. All of these are also great examples of their strong beats and lead melodies I mentioned before. And their guitar rifts are freaking awesome as well.
Now, first up is their song “I Can Talk” which is one of my favorite songs. I know I mentioned before that this is not about the videos, but I do have to say, this video is pretty awesome.
Second up is “Undercover Martyn”. I just adore this song. The beat and the melody in this song always makes me want to dance and I almost always end up singing along, but I also do that with most of their songs.
The last songs I’m going to post by TDCC is “Something Good Can Work”. This video is kind of special for me because I found TDCC through this video back in 2010 which was posted on the site for the videographer. I loved them so much I automatically downloaded all that I could find by them and I have loved them since.
Fin!
Like I said before, all tour dates and information can be found on their website as well as merchendice and links to their Facebook, MySpace and other pages: http://twodoorcinemaclub.com/
You can also check out iTunes to get their album. Thanks so much for reading my first post, I hope you found it interesting and will come back next week for a new band! Have a great week.
