Posts Tagged ‘Pop Rock’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Time to punch a dude in the ballsack!

After all these years, I still LOVE this damn song. It gets me.

Where the hell is Meredith Brooks these days, anyways? For real, someone else do the research for once. I’m cranky and on my period!!!

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: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Coldplay has freshly released Mylo Xyloto, fully compacted with assorted reviews and spiraling vocals and lyrics, solidifying why they were, are, and always will be one of the biggest bands on the planet. I totally dug the single Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, and enjoy the album as a whole. But one track sticks out like a sore thumb – Paradise. It balances the perfect style of vintage Coldplay and the new electric style Coldplay. And if you aren’t sold on the song right away, just watch the video below. It features lead singer Chris Martin dressed as an elephant on a journey to find other members of Coldplay, also dressed as elephants. Yes, I comprehend it’s a bizarre concept, but somehow it works.

This track pulses with a tantalizing force. Fan or not, no one can deny that Coldplay always experiments into new realms of music, complete with color and diversity. It is buoyant and beautiful, yet still finds a way to match itself with the deep, slow, and evocative jams. From their own lyrics, ‘In the night, the stormy night, she’ll close her eyes. In the night, the stormy night, away she’d fly.’

Go on, and let the music consume you, for this could be Paradise.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Guitar, people! Guitar.

Last week, passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight were given an extra scrumptious treat (damn them!) when singer/songwriter/uber-cutie, Mat Kearney, busted out an impromptu performance mid-air. Apparently this has been on Mat’s bucket list for quite some time.

Says Mat: “I’ve always actually wanted to pick up my guitar in the middle of a flight and just walk down the aisle and play songs, but this is the first time I’ve ever actually gotten the chance to do it.”

Here’s the proof!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

To celebrate the death of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, I thought I would post one of the songs that became a backdrop to my life when I was struggling with the idea of stepping out of the closet. It’s a beautiful song by Kendall Payne entitled Closer To Myself.

Surprisingly enuff (or not if you follow this blog on the regular), Kendall Payne is a Contemporary Christian artist. My jagged faith is important to me and this song not only represents a freedom but also a cage; I felt completely caged with everyone else’s idea of who I should be at the time (including the conservative church’s idea).

The line that particularly pierced was — “I’ve been everybody else, now I want to be something closer to myself.”

I’ve never been in military uniform (well, not my own at least — oh snap!) but I can only imagine that this is how each LGBT soldier feels when they serve our country with their lips sealed.

This is getting preachy McPreacherson so I’m gonna shove a cork in it before I go all Southern Baptist psychopath, so that’s pretty much it, kids. Be yourself. Love yourself. And do NOT, for any reason whatsoever, buy a pink Hummer.

And if this is too serious for ya, you can A. suck it and B. go watch hot soldiers dancing to Britney Spears by following the link below.

Thanks.

[Related Post: US Soldiers Grab Crotchsicles While Dancing To Britney]

[Vid Above]: A brave soldier coming out to his father, the day DADT died.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

First off, apologies to my baby daddy Drake for what I’m about to say. I think I may have a new crush! And he’s white! Guess the world is going to end in 2012 after all. I’m kidding. I love white dudes! As long as they are cool, personable, genuine, funny, and not into like Michelle Bachmann and stuff. Ya know, the usual ‘Is he worth it?’ routine.

His name is Jamie Scott and if you’re from London or a music trendsetter than you may have already called dibs, but I just stumbled across this video and instantly felt static cling. Beyond the surface remains a talent that stings just the same.

The style + art direction hits the bull’s eye.

Watch Jamie Scott in action below to see what I mean.

Graffiti6′s EP Free will drop on October 4th, so watch out!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Fact: Mat Kearney is uber-cute.

Fact: Mat Kearney is no longer for the taking. But you can still stalk him through the release of his music like a normal person slash groupie! (Not that I know or anything.)

Fact: Mat Kearney’s music is brilliant. Poetic verse thrown over a pop hop beat, his sound is as fresh as it is sensitive and heartfelt.

Listen to the new release + Mat with poet Anis Mojgani below.

Dreams are stronger than thighs / And questions are the only answers we need to know that we are alive as I am when I have the mind of a child, asking why is 2 + 3 always equal to 5 ? / Where do people go to when they die? / What made the beauty of the moon? / And the beauty of the sea? / Did that beauty make you? / Did that beauty make me? / Will that make me something? / Will I be something? / Am I something?”

And the answer comes: already am, always was, and I still have time to be.

— Anis Mojgani

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

ROB BRAYL: Let’s start off this interview randomly, shall we? What are you doing this exact moment?

CAROLINA LIAR FRONTMAN CHAD WOLF: I’m in my kitchen packing for a move, combined with some extra lunges so I can get an extra work out, while eating what shouldn’t be packed up… It’s a good day!

ROB: The new record, ‘Wild Blessed Freedom’ — in three words is about?

CHAD: A new approach.

ROB: As any other CL fan, I was moved by your breakout single ‘Show Me What I’m Looking For’ — do you feel the new album is full of similar emotionally charged content?

CHAD: Thank you! I don’t think it would be honest if it didn’t have that emotion. One thing I’m so grateful for is that ‘Show Me’ is and was as honest as it could be. When we play it live it comes from something deep inside.

ROB: I know that you’ve worked with Max Martin and other pop industry giants for your new and previous albums, and I wanted to get an opinion on something I recently read, an article in which Linda Perry called Katy Perry’s music “popcorn”, basically insinuating it wasn’t as authentic as say the new Adele. Any thoughts on this?

CHAD: Personally, I love popcorn. Some of the greatest moments of my life were shared with a big fat greasy box of popcorn. Those kind of comments seem silly to me. There are people who experience Katy Perry on the same emotional level that someone will experience Adele and both are great and very real. It all comes from where you are in your life — being “cool” can really skew perspective.

ROB: Is it true that you grew up in a Pentecostal household? (I have a similar background, also growing up Pentecostal in the South. Southern pride, what what!)

CHAD: Oh yes, I did! At one point I was looking into becoming a preacher but my mom told me I needed to work in music, that was my first love and always will be. But I’ve seen the Holy Ghost in action twice in my life and whatever that was, once you feel something like that you will always be Pentecostal no matter how far you get away from the church… right?

ROB: Which track do you feel is the standout on the new record? Care to provide the backstory to said track?

CHAD: ‘Beautiful People’ has got some special mojo. There is something so real in that song that I can’t quite put it into words. It was an idea that my friend Alex Kronlund had, and it got its start when me, my girlfriend at the time and Tobias Karlsson moved out of his house, and we all stopped talking to each other because of some drama that has long since been worked out. But he focused all of that energy into that song when we started working on this record. He played me what he started and I really came out of my skin. That song is a real gift.

ROB: I always ask this and it never gets old: What’s your current guilty pleasure? (Music and non-related musical items welcome.)

CHAD: Cooking and eating. I honestly cannot get enough of all this amazing food that is available right now. I mean we got some Sprinkles Cupcakes the other day, thinking that all the hype was just BS, but no no no. That is not the case. Those things are crazy.

ROB: Most played song on your iPod at the moment?

CHAD: Kvelertak ‘Utrydd dei Svake’ — it’s a great black metal band.

ROB: Do you guys plan to tour the US with this album? Specifically NYC? Pretty please.

CHAD: We are planning everything right now. We hope we will have the details on where and what we are up to before weeks end! We will come to NYC, there’s no way we couldn’t.

ROB: And finally, can you get me an job/internship with Max Martin or Diane Warren. I have no shame! Also, can you explain what it was/has been like working with these pop powerhouses.

CHAD: I’ll see what I can do — I’ll put in a five star reference at the least. Those guys have taught me that no matter how big and great you are, you are only as good as the moment that you are in and you have got to work every time you get a chance and have complete reckless abandon when it comes to your art! Let me get back to you on the jobs! Thanks for reaching out to us.

Carolina Liar’s new album, Wild Blessed Freedom drops September 27th.

Watch the video for Drown, the first single off the new record below.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

It’s new. It’s breathtaking. It’s super ferocious and it’s what real music should sound like. It’s self-explanatory. It’s Florence and the Machine with What the Water Gave Me. It’s a hit.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I have a hard time with musicians who act like pr*cks because it just makes me mad. If you’re actually making a living doing it [making music], pinch yourself every day, because it goes if you don’t love it and people will eventually get p*ssed off. I’m going to call somebody out on it – the Kings of Leon are running some risks. They’re irritating people and you can’t do that too much. Eventually the bad boy image affects fans’ willingness to show up. Their fans will get bummed out. Everybody has their demons, everyone has their challenges. I’m a bit of a hothead in certain circumstances, but you’ve got to temper it because your fans are there and they’ve paid good money to see a show, and you gotta bring it.”

–Isaac Hanson via WENN

Meow!

FYI: Anyone who says Hanson doesn’t create pitch perfect pop songs either doesn’t know pop music or is simply a hater! Proudly MMMBoppin’ fo’ life!

Don’t be a poser, you know I’m right.

Cue flashback in 3, 2, 1…

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

My darling Kyle Carey (aka Pretty Face 4 Radio) has a new installment to take out on the town. The single is One Day In Love, and comes at me with the spice of a summer festival and the colours of an impressionist painting. Not as dancey as his usual recipe; more riding on the lava-indie roadtrip vibe. If his usual work is pop rocks, this song is chocolate pudding. His delicious vocals compound with a new-found softness, a delicate nature I hope he’ll continue to explore.

Close your eyes, open up and take a taste.

Video is below.

[Related Post: Introducing Pretty Face 4 Radio]　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

As a follow-up to THIS POST, Michelle Branch is out with the music video to her new single, Loud Music. Branch’s upcoming third solo album West Coast Time, is due to drop sometime this fall on Branch’s own vanity label Sticks n’ Stones Recordings.

I’m really feeling the easy breezy au naturale vibe to this song. It’s simple and effective like most of Branch’s catalogue. And on the flip side of the coin, her makeup is always perfect as well. No one does easy breezy melon face like this girl. Never overdone, and always fresh and melon-y. (Yes, melon-y. Get over it!)

Get it, gurl!

Also, does anyone else get an overwhelming desire to hop into a sketchy van and go on a roadtrip after seeing Michelle’s videos? Homegirl is always on the road in these clips!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Stumbling upon the right song at the right time is the story of my life. And this song is no different…

Even though this clip is over two years old, it seems to have entered into my atmosphere precisely when I needed to hear it. That’s the power of what I believe is God, and the undeniable power of music. The ability it has to morph, to get inside our souls through the cracks of our broken hearts.

This song will feed your soul.

Kim Walker’s voice is clearly touched by something bigger than all of us.

Watch the incredible performance of Where You Go I Go below.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Young dudes from Bowling Green, KY that know how to make attractive music while adding Southern twang; witness Sleeper Agent. These rock stars are bursting with energy and personality in their lyrics, and what they do, they do it well. Recently touring with BTB favorite, Cage the Elephant (also hailing from Bowling Green), I heard a lot of show feedback stating how the opening band was worth the ticket price. Amen to that.

There is a downpour of new bands that lack the attention they deserve, but Sleeper Agent should hop on the musical radar in no time.

Check out single Get It Daddy, for a fun change to your playlist. It’s a splendidly earsplitting track merging with a sing-along power-pop chorus.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Is there anything cuter than indie boys stroking their guitars? The answer to that question is YES. Shocker, I know. But throw a fluffy pooch or a baby eating birthday cake into the mix and usually it’s a doozy. Today, the aww inducing video you’re about to see involves neither of those things, but it’s still just as adorable. It’s a Beluga whale, y’all!

Also, I just want to state that I love the entire package of Noah & The Whale’s Life Is Life. For the music video, the band teamed up with American photographer Autumn de Wilde (Beck, Elliot Smith), who directed the clip. The result is a beautifully crafted piece of art. The message of the song backed with the visuals is really quite stunning. To water it down — I frackin’ love it!

Charlie Fink (lead vocals) stated with regards to the song/video: “I think its best that I don’t say too much about this and just let your imaginations run wild.”

So get to running!

Oh, and hopefully the whale clip puts a big fat smile on your face.

OMGSOCUTE!!!