Posts Tagged ‘Beautiful’

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]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Paramore’s new single In the Mourning is definitely picking up right where the band left off. They really know how to make hits and gets one’s energy flowing. I found this stripped down, acoustic version of the tune done by Miss Hayley Williams, and had to share it.

Feel free to eat this up!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is probably the best P!nk song you’ve never heard…

Love Song, taken from her 2003 album Try This, is probably one of the most beautiful and understated songs of her career. Real talk though, I still blame the album cover for this album not doing as well as her other efforts. Nonetheless, this track is flawless and I’m in reminiscent mode lately.

Watch. Tear up. Repeat.

It’s a cleansing process!

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

If you follow this blog, you will see Florence + the Machine (and Drake) on a consistent basis. They’re just that damn good. Once again, they’ve gone and outdone themselves. At BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge, the band broke out with a cover of Take Care by Drake featuring Rihanna. I was a fan of this track before, but now, it’s an absolute love affair.

Check it out for yourself.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I was lucky enough to be in the audience while this was being shot. Yup, I was there! Get it? I was there! Anyways, I totally cried. The song is Beyonce’s most moving, in my opinion — so feeling that, while being there in the moment was emotional overload. I’m not even kidding.

Beyonce’s Live At Roseland: Elements of 4 DVD is out now!

See the beautiful moment transpire below.

[Related Post: Beyonce Loves Her 'Brave' Gay Fans]

[Related Post: Beyonce Gets Intimate With '4' Showcase]

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Bell X1: a band that’s content making a stream of steady music. They are Irish lads who have been loyal to the art since who-knows-how-long. They bring an elemental poignancy to indie rock I have not yet seen before. And that’s quite nice. Just when I think indie rock is bordering on cliche, a new (or old) act steps up and grabs me.

Recently, they found themselves touring about New York and couldn’t help but be drawn to the magnetic, odd allure of the Occupy protests. This was their thought on it: “…It actually had a real festival feel; there were some drummers and horn players throwing it down. Noise about all these ills is better than no noise.”

Love it. What’s more, their new song Sugar High is all about these dear old corruptions our world is facing.

I dig this groove. It’s energetic, incredibly powerful, but also very sad. I adore it when people use their talent to spread a message, to get people talking and thinking about what’s happening in the world. And the lyrics hit me hard…

“Let’s build all this shit no one’s ever gonna buy, When we come ‘round we’ll blame the sugar high, And act all sheepish and kinda sorry-ish…”

“Free to those who can afford it, To those who can afford it, Very dear to those who can’t, Those who can’t…”

Bracing, beautiful, breaking.
　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

One of the most striking moments in the new film Martha Marcy May Marlene is when twisted cult leader Patrick, played by the brilliant John Hawkes, performs the song you’re about to hear. I remember sitting in the theatre in total trance mode, seduced by the magic this song creates meshed with Hawkes chapped vocals.

JAW DROPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL.

Do yourself a favor and see this movie. One of the best films of the year in my opinion. The story, cinematography, acting; all brilliant.

And to everyone posting about J.Lo’s performance from the AMAs last night: THIS is what REAL music sounds like. No props, audio backing or shirtless male props required.

Song (live version) + trailer below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Mom: I thought I’d call to see if you’re safe. I saw all the crazy protestors on TV!
Me: I gotta go, I’m at the Brooklyn Bridge protest!
Mom: ROB! PLEASE GO HOME!
Me: Don’t worry. I plan on leaving before the cops start beating people with sticks. I have Kelly Clarkson tickets to obtain tomorrow.

3+ hours w/ the protestors. Met some awesome new friends. Spoke to a few cops, everything peaceful. But then I could no longer feel my face, so I headed home. So proud to be a New Yorker! Power to the people!

BTW, this song is perfection, beautifully jaded…

And oddly enough, it somehow manages to relate here.

Can’t wait to hear this track live in concert!

[Related Post: Perils Of The Working Class]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

That’s right, elves. HOX3 = ho x 3 = ho ho ho. Complicated, I know! Not everyone is as gifted at math, so I thought I should break it down! Anywho, this is NOT a Christmas tune. So there.

But hey, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate, right? Especially since it’s been a good minute since we’ve heard a new track from Brandy, who pours her heart and soul out on the just-leaked edgy ballad about a lost love. The emotional track was produced by Kadis & Sean.

Apparently Brandy is pretty darn happy with the track tweeting: “Now y’all know I don’t toot my own horn, but a b*tch SLAYED ‘silent night’ #cockymoment !! Lol”.

Judge for yourself.

For the record, I’m lovin’ this song!

[Brandy's new album is due out next year on RCA/Chameleon Records.]