Secondhand Serenade’s Something More, the first single from the upcoming third album, Hear Me Now, is one beautifully broken track. The song, which dives into the realm of torn meandering lives delivers a message of hope even when heartbroken and hopeless.

Secondhand Serenade is the product of singer/songwriter John Vesely, who worked with producer Aaaron Johnson (from The Fray), to create intimate, pensive, somber pop rock full of meaning.

The music video, directed by Declan Whitebloom, fits the track’s somber sound.

Billboard’s review of the track said it best: “As Vesely sings of the internal strife that a breakup can cause, he powerfully conveys the very human message that everyone makes mistakes. A no-brainer for top 40 and hot AC radio formats, “Something More” is sure to saturate the summer airwaves.” –Alex Vitoulis

Check out the music video below. Hear Me Now is due out in August.

Joke, people. Joke.

More than 60 celebrities have donated a pair of shoes for MAG (Mines Advisory Group) — an organization that helps those affected by landmines. Each pair will be auctioned to raise money for the cause. Great news, right?

Of course it is, but I’ve got to be honest. As I was looking over the shoes being donated, I laughed a little. I effing love Pink for donating a pair from Aldo. Really, Pink? Aldo?! That store is in pretty much every mall across America, you think she would’ve gave up something a bit more exclusive. I kid, I kid. Kinda.

In all fairness though, the Aldo pair from Pink, in many ways, most likely corresponds with her normal, highly genuine, down-to-earth, anti-celebrity view of a lifestyle? Which is one reason why I think the chick is awesome.

The main point is that these shoes will most likely raise money and awareness to a cause that deserves our attention, and that’s never a bad thing. All the shoes are cool, I just had to share that rant.

To see the shoes being donated click here.

Will you bid for a pair of these kickers or donate a few bucks to the cause and go to your local mall instead?

And for shits and giggles (someone care to explain this expression to me?), take a flashback tour to Pink’s God Is a DJ, below.

Robyn has just released the music video for her brand new single Hang with Me. The video takes fans behind the scenes of Robyn’s touring life. But don’t worry, it’s not the typical video we’ve all seen before, this behind-the-scenes vid was directed by Max Vitali and is shot in an original manner that holds your attention, each shot a photograph all its own. There’s also live performance footage, studio time shots, and other promotional specks, like a fan signing and radio interview. If you look close enough you will also see BTB fave I Blame Coco.

Hang with Me is the lead single from Robyn’s second album (Body Talk Pt. 2) of a three part trilogy.

Robyn described the song as: “Pop should be seductive and sweet when it can. And I felt like I could be on Hang with Me, in a uncompromising way. It’s like a sweet and sour bon-bon wrapped in melancholy.”

The new album will be released September 6th.

Watch the music video followed by a beautiful live acoustic performance, below.

Robyn recently performed at London’s Rimmel Room and as usual, her acoustic renditions overflowed with emotion, sure to melt hearts. Watch my favorite number (Dancing On My Own) from Body Talk Pt. 1, below.

This lead single is intensely strapping. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few weeks back and was given the opportunity to watch him perform this track, and it blew me away upon first listen. It’s a hard-hitting, soaring song: “You were wrong, there was grace. You saw the enemy, I saw your face. People like you and I, spinning from space, you were wrong, I still have faith” — these lyrics can relate to a lot of things, including his separation from the group, or even situations in life.

Ed Kowalczyk is not just a celebrity that makes money playing music; he is an intellectual artist that should be the role model for many forthcoming musicians. His interviews alone prove he is intelligent beyond levels of music. He tells stories without torment or really ever putting people down. Instead, he shares an enlightenment and understanding that few of his contemporaries share. He is truly an exceptional musician and lyricist.

This album will take long time fans, as well as new ones, on quite a ride. Fans of Live will instantly recognize the power of the voice we have all grown to love. This album walks the line of power ballad and alternative music with, well, Grace. It’s ferocious yet passionate, while retaining the spiritual songwriting side he’s always been known for. Ed also did a songwriting collaboration with Chris Daughtry on Drink (Everlasting Love). These songs show that he has entered a new chapter in his life, reigniting the spark in his affiliation with music. Sometimes artists need to move on from groups to take on fresh musical challenges. I am sure that being the front man for multi-platinum selling Live for 15 years has lead to the need for change, while using his experience as inspiration for the solo release.

Ed stated in a recent interview: “You can’t fake inspiration as an artist, you know where you get it.”

Do yourself a favor and check out Ed’s solo release. The songs are like a peek inside specific moments of your life and carry very profound meaning to many. It will truly make you feel Alive.

Her music is unstoppable, and whether you dig it or not, she will be on every mainstream station you can find. It’s slated to hit airwaves on August 3rd.

Katy took the time to describe her video in a recent interview stating: “It kind of exudes this euphoric feeling because everybody remembers what their teenage dreams were — all the girls that were on your poster walls.”

It’s an innocent pop song, one that you hate to admit you like, but you tend to keep on repeat. From what I’ve heard of the album so far, it seems to contain musical references to 90’s house music, pop, rock, and plenty of fun thrown into the mix.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Mz. Perry, and let’s just say, she is exactly what she portrays herself to be, and that is pretty refreshing. Trust me, I am not a huge pop buff, but I have a respect for artists who aren’t afraid to challenge themselves, and release what they feel is appropriate in their range and whole “package”. But an argument may arise that Perry’s too old to be naming an album Teenage Dream? Is she stuck in a young fanbase? What do you think?

Overall, it’s a cutesy mid-tempo song with a catchy chorus. Does Katy have the potential for another smash hit, or is the California gurl’s new single forgettable?

Take a listen.

Their songs are like a step into the underground. Almost always they’ll start with a riff or startling drum solo that makes your brain cells perk up. The effect they have on your ears is massive. Like the sensation of striking liquid gold; it all gushes out and sinks through the pores, like you’re watching ink get absorbed in your skin.

Though they have some killer EPs showcasing their talent, their first full length album is only coming out, as they say on their Facebook page ‘mid 2010′. Can’t wait to see how all that unspoiled energy juice comes together!

Just when you thought there was no more good punk revival out there, two blokes and one miss from down under suddenly fall into your line of vision. They have the potential to become a lifestyle, synonymous to mornings like caffeine and cigarettes.

If the Beat Generation was assigned a soundtrack, The Black Stars would be a definite candidate. When you listen you may feel zapped up but misdriven, as if motivated to do something drastic, but unsure of what you’re going to do. Soon all that unfocussed animation will just go into dancing, and you’ll feel the joy come back to sunsets.

I long to get rock and roll whiplash from The Black Stars, up close and personal.

Best of all, the message they slam in their performance is one they roll with off the stage. All that rebellion and energy isn’t just put into rocking, but doing good deeds. They’re fiends to the slimy corporations, and friends to the animals. In fact, on their Myspace, their last blog entry was in protest of allowing hunters in the national parks of Australia. Fingers like lightning, and spirits that are as selfless as they are sweet –that’s what I’m talking about!

Go on now, and download their tracks from Itunes. But before you do that, take a peek at one of their older songs Alright Baby, with a vid that shows you don’t need a steel contract to make a sweet music video. Though I do warn you: playing this video may cause your monitor to spark.
　

ROB BRAYL: What’s the deal with the name, Powerlifter? Do tell.

MARTIN SWIGGART for Powerlifter: We decided to name the band POWERLIFTER because Matthew’s (vocalist) dad used to be a powerlifter when he was younger. We thought it was a pretty triumphant name for a band.

RB: Many elements are used to make up music, but not everyone would agree a Gameboy is one of them. How did the idea of using the Gameboy in your music develop?

MS: I used to have my own band (Martendo) about three years ago in which I made 8-bit sounds in a computer program. One night Matthew and I were drinking and hanging out and I showed the songs to him. He fell in love and told me about how there are people who use old computer systems and gaming devices to make music. I instantly researched and figured out how to use the Gameboy.

RB: There’s several crotch shots in your music video for Buffalo. Alcohol and crazy dancing, too. Clearly the point of the video is pure fun, eh?

MS: [Laughs] Pretty much. We do love to party and have fun. When we were talking about video ideas I told them I wanted a party video like in those late ’90s teen high school movies. The parties you always wanted to go to because it looked so fun. I think in the end we did a pretty good job at achieving that.

RB: The video and the sound coming from Powerlifter is so Brooklyn. Any New York shows in the future? Tour?

MS: Oh really? Didn’t know we were “Brooklyn” — that’s pretty awesome. As of yet we do not have any New York shows. We are about to go on a short tour to play the Gen Con convention. So yes, tour is a big part of our future. We’d love to make it up to New York.

RB: Be random. Tell us something we should know about the band and the music you’re proud to be a part of.

MS: We have an alter ego named Annoying Dead Best Friend. We want to start a restaurant called Blue-BQ. Where everything in the restaurant is white and the BBQ is blue. We are also in the works for shooting three/four more videos and working on a dvd. Currently writing/recording an EP for an Italy release on COUCOU net Label. I’m proud of this band because we always have fun when we play and hang out and encourage you to have fun with us.

Check out Powerlifter’s music video for Buffalo, below.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Christina Aguilera shines the most to me, when she isn’t selling sex but selling substance. And with the new music video for the Sia produced ballad You Lost Me, Aguilera does just that, broken with raw emotion.

Check out the just-released video below.

Carson Kivari is one of the best YouTube search results I’ve ever gotten. A man who’s always been searching for the stranger, stronger, deeper pieces of life. Where else would that quest take him but straight to Mother Music’s door, and he’s put up house there ever since.

Our Mr. Kivari had such an infatuation with music that for years he would hitchhike from his small town in B.C. into the city just to practice singing and freestyle rap. He’s completely self-taught, but the professional sizzle of his put-together numbers makes it seem like he’s been under the wing of a voice trainer since he was five.

Some artists refuse to settle for just one measly genre to call their own. Instead, they become connoisseurs to as many as they can get their hands on, excelling at each stage and rocketing on to the next. Carson definitely has that going on for him. He’s done hip hop, he’s done electro, he’s ridden the long trails of tender folk, and torn up the venue with rock.

As he says, “Try as I might, I can’t seem to commit to one genre.”

The three new songs he’s released mirror that. Come Get Me is full of that delicious smooth-beat hiphop, Wish the Stars is an unexpectedly fresh take on the electro-pop movement, and Pathos (which will be released on his upcoming EP) is rich with culture and percolating sound.

If you pick any song out of his colourful mix, you can tell he’s sampled every dish from the buffet. Though this inclusive pallet may not be for everyone, it’s great for someone who loves a ‘little bit of everything’.

The variation keeps him going, but what first got me drawn in were his lighter, more stylistic pieces. Just him and his guitar, the music spinning out of his soul- it makes magic happen. He’s the cream-filled centre of the quaint collaborative cupcake. Full of sugar, spice, and everything else ripe for an after-dinner treat.

For now he’s still living the edge of the unsigned artist, but it shouldn’t be long ‘till this guy is all signed up with a comfy contract and a stadium full of fans. Talent knows no bounds, and his is going to take him somewhere.

It was tough settling on which project to showcase, but I went with Pathos, just ‘cause there’s something hidden under that song that I can’t resist.

Let it speak to you; mp3 is below.

Taio Cruz!

I wasn’t sure the British singer-songwriter could top the addictive hook of his massive single Break Your Heart (ft. Ludacris), but he’s proved us all wrong with a new stick of addictive pop dynamite.

The feel-good dance track is taken from his 2009 CD Rokstarr. In the explosive just-released video, Cruz can be seen around babes in mechanic outfits, big trucks, wrecked cars, and sticks of dynamite, of course. Cruz even cruises around on a 1000cc-speed bike.

Cruz told MTV about the track: “The song ‘Dynamite’ itself is about when you go to the club and when you go to a party and when you’re just going out…you got to feel like, ‘I’m just gonna explode,’ — basically, we are going to represent that with just massive, massive, fireworks in the sky!”

Apparently, a remix of the song featuring Jennifer Lopez is expected to surface soon.

Check out the premiere of Dynamite (directed by Bernard Gourley) below.