Posts Tagged ‘Beautiful’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is seriously beautiful.

That is all.

Suck it, Taylor Swift haters!

[Related Post: The Civil Wars Cover 'Disarm' By The Smashing Pumpkins]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ah, the infamous Jack White; the man of many projects. I am a huge fan of Mr. White, the talented lad who hasn’t precisely been living life outside the public eye since announcing the demise of The White Stripes last year, making records with everyone from Tom Jones to the Insane Clown Posse. Well, he now has added “solo artist” to that long list of credentials on his resume. It was bound to happen; sooner or later, Jack was going to run out of awesome people to collaborate with!

On April 24th, Blunderbuss will hit shelves, with the now-released lead-off single Love Interruption. I feel that this single is an accurate preview for the rest of the album (let’s hope I don’t have to put my foot in my mouth). Needless to say, it’s going to rock. In a recent press release, Jack stated that Blunderbuss is “an album I couldn’t have released until now. I’ve put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.”

Music needs Jack White more than ever; this man’s soul is pouring hard on this song, in not only musical effort, but content as well. I am a huge fan of woodwind instrumentation, and adding fellow Nashville singer Ruby Amanfu to the harmonies just makes it that much more compelling. You may find it somewhat slight on first listen, but give it another chance. The more you listen, the more connected to the lyrics you will feel.

Let the love interrupt.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Lil Wayne’s genius has taken a more vulnerable, sensitive approach lately, and I freakin’ love it! With his recent emotional smash How To Love, to his just-released video with crooner Bruno Mars, Weezy is letting us into the heart that lies behind his hard, tattooed exterior.

The brand spankin’ new pairing with Mars, on the track Mirror, is fresh to death with genuine real talk. The 29-year-old rap prodigy reflects on his life while splashing paint, revealing a self portrait in the end.

Watch the diamond-grilled rapper get all touchy-feely below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Opening her debut performance at Radio City with Dark Side, Kelly Clarkson stood behind a sheer curtain that flashed a negative light of images and words — all tabloid fodder surrounding her professional career and personal life. The one word in particular that stood out the most, in bold red letters, was the word FAT. It was a touching moment to open the show in such a vulnerable way, in a way that most certainly fits the theme of Dark Side – a way that has lead everyone in the audience to feel connected to her, to cheer her on with a force to be reckoned with. Kelly Clarkson not only represents the girl next door who can rip a song a new one, she also represents a piece of all of us — that part of us that’s human and f*cking normal and real. This is why we, as fans, and as people, love and cling to Kelly Clarkson.

To keep it brief, after the show I updated my personal Facebook with this:

“On a high from Kelly Clarkson’s show. She was bloody amazing! I especially loved her cover of Florence + The Machine’s ‘Heavy In Your Arms’ — goosebumps! Vocally the best show I’ve seen in quite some time. Oh yeah, and Fancy herself (Reba McEntire) was in the audience. I will definitely be seeing her again. Unf*ckingbelievable!”

That pretty much sums up the show, except I did leave out the fact that besides her huge pop records, she also performed a cover of Etta James’ hit I’d Rather Go Blind (as a tribute to the iconic singer’s recent passing), and a wonderful rendition of My Man, taken from the huge Broadway favorite Funny Girl.

But since Kelly’s ballads have always hit home runs in my eyes, those particular numbers stole the show in my opinion. Below you will find an acoustic, stripped-down version of the angst-ridden Never Again, the beautiful rendition of Florence + The Machine’s Heavy In Your Arms, and a lovely ballad that Kelly wrote to help the children of Africa entitled You Still Won’t Know What It’s Like.

Get ready to feel your heart skip a beat.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

It’s been almost a year since I last talked Tim McGraw. And although BTB doesn’t spit out country-related material on the daily, when I heard this song I instantly knew I wanted to write about it.

The fifth song from Tim McGraw‘s upcoming Emotional Traffic album (due out January 24th) is pure poetry. Written by Jedd Hughes and Luke Laird, the modern country track is rough around the edges yet full of smooth-skin soul.

The darker ballad revolves around a man who’s tired of fighting with his lover.

“Let’s just cut it down the middle / Let it bleed and bleed out / I’ll clean up the mess / Baby you stand there and shout / Cry, cry, baby I can’t hold us together,” McGraw pours out the words with a bittersweet center.

“Baby I’ll let you go when you say so / Try to let your heart fly free / I’ll crawl outta my cradle, down into my black hole / You just lay low / Under your halo,” he continues to sing, during the chorus.

If this song is any indication to how the rest of the Emotional Traffic album will sound, I’d say we’re in for a beautifully wild ride.

[Related Post: Tim McGraw Joins The Sober Club]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Nothing else enhances my week quite like discovering free singles on iTunes. This week, it’s Swedish duo First Aid Kit, and their single Emmylou (off of their record Lion’s Roar). I am totally intrigued with this number. The single pays tribute to some of the girls’ favorite country musicians, including: Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, June Carter and Johnny Cash.

Two sisters with a robust love for folk, indie, country, and most of all, kick ass harmony. I recollect hearing of these girls when they did a stunning cover of The Fleet Foxes, resulting in a huge internet fan base. Maybe it’s me, but this tune puts me in a state of widespread calmness. Check it out.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I’ve been wanting to share this for awhile but never knew when the moment was right. Today feels right.

2 years or so ago, I asked a close friend about how he felt when Obama was elected and I remember his exact words because they moved me so much: “You know when you’re a kid and you’re told you can be anything you want to be when you grow up? Well, being black, I knew that was a lie because I could never be President. But then Obama showed up and he changed all that.”

Today we celebrate more than equality. We celebrate the freedom to choose.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

At less than a week old, Blue Ivy Carter is already making chart history, thanks to a slick feature on daddy Jay-Z’s Glory. (Some kids have all the luck.)

According to Billboard, Baby Blue (or B.I.C., as Beyonce/Jay-Z’s daughter is credited on the track) is the youngest person to ever land on the chart in history. The track is currently sitting at #74 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Since Blue Ivy was born late on Saturday, it is likely that she was only hours old when her voice was recorded for the song.

The heartfelt song about fatherhood was produced by Pharrell.

With references to Bey’s previous miscarriage and his own absent father, Jay-Z doesn’t hold back the heartbreak on the otherwise joyous tune.

Personally, I find this vulnerable side of Jay-Z to be completely refreshing!

Congrats to Beyonce and Jay-Z on the birth of their baby girl!

Get More: Music News

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

So, I just finished watching the new chick flick, New Year’s Eve, and it was super cute. Judge me all you want, I really don’t care. Talk to the hand cuzthafacedontgiveadamn!

Anyways, the reason I am posting this is because during the opening credits, I almost exploded with excitement to hear Ian Axel being played. Yup, I had one of those loose cannon popcorn moments.

Ian was the first artist I interviewed on this blog. His music is incredibly genuine and honest and it just warms my heart to know his fro is rising to new levels. I knew the minute that I first stumbled upon Ian that he was destined for baller status.

Support Ian Axel.

Support quality indie artists.

Support us, dammit. No, really. Get a tattoo or something.

[Related Post: In-Sight Dance Company's Original Ballet Feat. The Music Of Ian Axel]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Lesson of the day, cumquats!

Fact: This is how Lana Del Rey got her name.

Lana Turner + Ford Del Rey. Very hipster-y, of course.

That’s it, kids. See, learn something new every damn day if you read BTB!

[Related Post: Brooklyn Is The Bee's Knees, Obvi]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Welcome back, kiddo.

“It really is a dream job, and it’s really cool. I do stop and keep it all in perspective. This is pop music, and it’s not f*cking brain surgery. I mean, some of it’s serious…but some of it’s just really fun dance music. And I’m wearing eight pounds of makeup because I f*cking want to. Why not?”

–Adam Lambert

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Last night on the subway, I sat across from an elderly homeless woman who spoke only Spanish. She had on flip flops with old socks, a thin dirty dress and several t-shirts with holes. Her legs were something awful because of the cold and living conditions she’s had to endure. Every other stop she would raise her head from slumber to ask for pesos. It actually made me tear up. I guess because seeing this really put Christmas into perspective. Everyone around her was so busy with their shopping bags and iPods and comfortable lives.

This is just a note to remind you that the magic of Christmas has nothing to do with wrapping paper or bows. And the next time you complain when you get a pack of socks for Christmas, remember that some would consider that gold.

(BTW, beware… cuteness coma ahead!)

[Related Post: It's Time We Shift Our Focus]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Photo Cred: Marina Nikitina]

This summer, on my daily commute around the city that never sleeps, I stumbled upon a diamond in the rough. Turns out, the diamond was/still is the best artist I’ve seen perform acoustically in the underground world of New York City. To read more on this day of discovery click the related post link below, which features the awesomeness of Freddy Marx Street.

Now, the Ukrainian-born singer/songwriter has independently released his debut music video and, as expected, it’s breathtaking.

When I asked Max (a name he prefers to be called) to give his perspective on the clip, this is how he responded:

“Well, the song is about life. And how it always changes after everything… It’s good because that means you are on the way. Some words in the song are dedicated to my sister’s little daughter. I was writing that song when she was borning (but I knew nothing about that). By the way, in the video, that baby is not my sister’s. So the video shows that you can choose to live in your own little cold world with its thick walls or to leave it for real life with more “air” and colors. But you need to let someone help you. And sometimes THAT is one of the greatest challenges of your life. You think that you know everything, you are so aware…”

The stunning video was filmed at Grebnevs’ estate in Russia and by the walls of the Penal Colony-43 in the Ukraine. The clip was directed by Marina Nikitina, who also took the artist photo above.

I cannot wait to see what blossoms from this talented soul in the future.

Please watch + pass along! Support quality indie artists like Max!

[Related Post: Exclusive Interview: Freddy Marx Street]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Get ready for chills down the spine.

Can’t wait to see Kelly kick it live in January, here in the Big Apple!

In the meantime…

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

OK, guys. So y’all know how much I like this cholita, right? Well, yeah. I pretty much think she’s the bee’s knees! But up until recently I had not seen interviews with this Brooklyn bombshell, the fly glamour girl who stole our hearts with the nostalgic Video Games.

That’s starting to change now that the buzz surrounding Lana Del Rey is building into a full-fledged swarm.

Fresh off the press is the release date of her debut album Born To Die, which is set to drop on January 31, 2012 via Interscope Records. Video Games (Lana’s first single) hit the #1 position on iTunes in 9 countries, including the UK, Australia, Holland and France.

Says Lana: “The songs I’ve written are an homage to true love and a tribute to living life on the wild side.”

A new music video for the title-track, Born To Die, is being shot and will be released in the near future, concept conceived by Lana herself and directed by Woodkid.

Interview + audio below.

Oh! And for all those people bashing this girl, check yourself before you wreck yourself! God, I’m so full of wizdum it’s not even funny.

[Related Post: Meet Lana Del Rey]