Posts Tagged ‘Pop Rock’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

HCR knows a thing or two about making a good music video. And in their latest effort, the boys toss a new summer jam into the feel good pool.

The Nashville pop rockers certainly have a quirky sense of humor (how could you not when the name of the band was taken from an “extreme fan” Chelle Rae?). This humor is showcased in the just-released video for Tonight Tonight — a song/video combo that’s totally prepped for summer roadtrips and rooftop parties.

In case you’re wondering, HCR’s guitarist Nash is Glee star Chord Overstreet’s brother, hence the cameo in the vid.

Check it out!

[Related Post: Big Apple Review: Hot Chelle Rae]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

American Idol alum, David Cook, is proving he is ready to strike back on his sophomore album. His latest single release, The Last Goodbye, is a triumphant return after a long hiatus. Nothing like an up-tempo breakup song, with passionate vocals, scrupulous production, and destructive guitars. All of this combined with a memorable chorus proves David Cook can pilot the pop territory without deserting his roots. This song will fit well in the radio environment, and the singing and receptivity behind it will prevail with popularity.

Take a listen.

Welcome back, David Cook…

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

ROB BRAYL: So, tell us about Brian.

BRIAN MACKEY: I defy main-stream. I’m the kind of guy that shows up to a gig without a guitar case, and just a guitar strapped around my back, I jump on stage and do my thing. I’m not really into being hip or what’s cool at the moment, I kind of just do what I feel, and if it makes other people feel in the process, then that’s a good thing, good or bad, happy or sad, doesn’t matter. (But I would like to make them feel good.)

RB: Your video for ‘Honest Love’ was just released and it carries a pretty heartfelt message. Can you take us back to the moment you started writing this song, what was the driving force behind this record?

BM: The song, ‘Honest Love’ came out of a conversation with myself, to try to make sense of what Love really means. The waiting, the wanting, the abandonment, the moving on, the changing of the heart, the mind, and still being able to sum it all up in one word, and putting Honest in front of it, which seems like a contradiction, but a beautiful one at that. The record was supposed to be a full-length album, but I didn’t really have the money to do it. So I made it an EP, and put together the songs that I truly wanted to get out there with the limited resources I had at the time. I just needed to get the song ‘Florida’ on there, because a lot of people came up to me at shows and said they could really relate to that song. So I figured if enough people told me they could relate, I felt it was a good fit for the album.

RB: Your song, ‘Sunshower’ (off the ‘Honest Love’ EP), was chosen to be on the official ‘Songs of Love for Japan’ compilation (among great artists like Sara Bareilles and others). Can you tell us a little more about this project?

BM: Yes, this one came to me last minute, and it’s really just a super great cause for the ravaged country of Japan, which is just going through so much turmoil. It was strange because I was saying to myself, what could I do to help, I’m only one person. And then there was this opportunity to help, so I took it. It’s a 100 song compilation of not so well-known songs, but by really great artists. 100% of the proceeds go to Shelterbox, the charity committed to helping the victims and their families in Japan. Also, Ani DiFranco will be on there too, and many more.

[To learn more click here.]

RB: Any current pop culture addictions? Ones that may have influenced your music in any way?

BM: Pop-culture addictions… there are some, mostly in the film world. I love certain TV shows like ‘True Blood’, or anything where someone is ripping their neck off, all done in the name of love. I love this great UK show called ‘Doc Martin’, I discovered it on Netflix. So what I do is go to the British TV section on Netflix, dim the lights, get out my chutney and talk like Sherlock Holmes the whole night. I’m not sure how any of this influences my music, but I love all kinds of music, for example, I love piano, and classical music like Beethoven privately, but never play it on stage.

RB: Finally, where can new listeners keep up with your work? What new tricks do you have up your sleeve? Oh, and thank you for chatting with us.

BM: They can find me in all the usual places, like Facebook, Myspace (when it was popular), Reverbnation, iTunes – oh and by the way I have a Brian Mackey App releasing this week, so for all of you who have iPhones and iPads, so if you are somewhere lost and the GPS drops out, the only thing that comes in will be Brian Mackey, you’ll surely be pissed off, and want to break your phone. Also, I will be the featured artist in the launch issue of Rising Magazine, they will be featuring new photos taken by their photographer on location “behind-the-scenes”-like candid stuff, so keep a lookout for that. In May I’m shooting my next video, ‘Sunshower’, with the brilliant director Nick Cavalier, to be released in the summer, and have some new tour dates coming out for the summer/fall.

Thank you so much for the time, and letting me ramble on about stuff!

Watch the just-released video for ‘Honest Love’ below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Besides getting an image overhaul (I noticed this weeks ago on the Grammy red carpet), Anna Nalick is also embarking in a new direction musically, signing a worldwide, multi-year administration agreement with Imagem Music. Nalick’s smash, Breathe (2AM), went 3x Platinum on the Billboard Top 100.

According to Richard Stumpf, President of Imagem Music USA: “Anna has a real gift. Her writing creates vivid scenes for the listener and her emotional delivery colors them in. She wrote her entire first album, which included the massive hit ‘Breathe (2AM)’. We are thrilled that she has chosen Imagem as her publishing partner.”

After sealing the deal, Nalick commented, “After years of searching for a soul mate, I believe I’ve finally found the right partner with whom to raise my song children.”

Nalick is currently at work on her new album.

Listen to the just-released Words, featured on the upcoming album, below.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Patrick Stump, former frontman of Fall Out Boy, has released a solo EP (out now). Stump’s got what I like to call a Michael Jackson voice, in that it’s so damn distinct, making sounds from his mouth sound like beats, hitting each note to death. Truant Wave is an interesting collection of songs, that in my opinion are mediocre, but still showcase his talent. (These cuts did not make Soul Punk, his first solo release due out this summer).

I feel Stump has an inner genius when it comes to music, and I’m very excited to hear what is in store. For now this EP will be spun around, and you can check out track Stoplight (below). This is something innovative and inimitable, showcasing Stump’s display of musicianship.

He’s out to show the world what he’s got, and sugar, he’s goin’ down swingin’.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing Joshua Radin (with opening acts Justin Nozuka & Andrew Allen), live in concert via the Best Buy Theatre in Times Square…

The general consensus is that Joshua Radin is a cutie pie, an A+ type of man dipped in whip cream and covered in rainbow sprinkles. Because honestly, let’s face facts: the guy’s sweet. Yet after seeing him perform live, I think that statement is only partially true. Missing from that statement is the fact that Radin’s substance isn’t sugar coated or sugar based at all. It’s apparent when Radin takes the stage and tells his often quirky stories of past ex-girlfriends and awkward moments in baby making, that Radin is a man whose heart has been shattered and put back together time and time again with a guitar pick and a microphone.

The man comes across absolutely genuine and real on stage and that aura of energy is one of the reasons he is so beloved. The minute he starts to strum, the audience is mesmerized and captivated by his marshmallow voice — his lyrics and emotion as comfortable as peanut butter and jelly — yet as beautiful and exotic as white sand.

Ok, I’m gonna take a moment to step away from the writer mentality and quickly say that my favorite moment of the whole damn show was when Radin — who works with the amazing organization Little Kids Rock – brought three kids on stage from a public school in the Bronx (which he had visited earlier as a part of the organization’s mission to save music programs in public schools), and had the three students play along with him as he performed Brand New Day, all three of the girls strumming along on their acoustic guitars. The audience went wild — not only for the heart that seems to bleed from this artist — but for the utterly normal, giving, non-egotistical being that he comes off as being.

Radin’s low-fi sound is one that shouldn’t be missed live.

Opening acts Justin Nozuka and Andrew Allen were also incredible. I have seen Nozuka in concert before and he always delivers and packs a punch. One exciting note on Nozuka’s behalf is that he mentioned his plan to record with India Arie. Something I definitely look forward to hearing in the future.

Canadian singer/songwriter Andrew Allen comes off as quirky on stage, wrapped in a package that is full of a marketability factor that should ultimately be used as an advantage for him as he tries to make a splash in the States.

Go.see.this.tour.

The end.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Lady Alanis is back. Her voice is stunningly distinct, yet never seems to disappoint. It’s been quite some time since Ms. Morissette has embraced fans with new music, but today the wait is over with the newly released track Professional Torturer. The song is taken from the soundtrack Radio Free Albemuth. Although this is not a single, it’s sure to make an impact on the music scene. What a beautiful piece of music — somewhat similar to her old stuff — leaving listeners relating to her lyrics.

Listen to Professional Torturer now.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Sidenote: All the photographs seen above were taken via my mobile phone, so exsqueeze the grains. Kthanksbye.]

If you ask someone about Sarah McLachlan, the general consensus is that her music is depressingly beautiful. The good thing about that heavy description is that I kinda/sorta breathe beautifully depressing music (and I mean that description as a compliment). I don’t mean depressing as in something that makes you feel bad — it’s just that McLachlan’s music helps to bring you down, down to what truly matters in life: love, connections, and the emotional pulse between our lives.

Late last week, I had the pleasure of seeing Sarah McLachlan in concert at Beacon Theatre. I was pretty stoked to see her perform live, especially since for the majority of my high school career, I was stuck in an actual depressing bubble, one that Sarah’s music helped to pop.

Sarah McLachlan & Friends (Butterfly Boucher & Melissa McClellan) is a show that delivers.

A day or two after the show (during dinner with friends), I was surprised that not a single one of my friends knew the story behind McLachlan’s huge hammerdown of a smash Possession. When I told them the story, it seemed to have trumped the utterly sexy and intimate vibe that they had once imagined. The truth is, Possession was written about a person obsessed with someone to the point of violence…

Long story short: McLachlan was sued in 1994 by Uwe Vandrei (an obsessed fan from Ottawa, Ontario), who alleged that his love letters to her had been the basis of Possession. This lawsuit never made it to trial as Vandrei committed suicide before the set date.

Three years later, McLachlan told Rolling Stone that writing the track was quite the release: “And this one person wasn’t the only guy… there were a lot of letters from other people saying the same kind of thing. Writing the song ‘Possession’ was very therapeutic.”

A tragic tale — yet out of the darkness came Possession, which remains my favorite SM track, so I was happy when she performed the number during her set. (And I’m getting off subject, I just found the story underneath the song to be incredibly fascinating and thought I should share for those unaware.)

The show ran for approximately three hours, which may sound like overkill but in all honesty, it felt like half an hour. McLachlan, who sang lead & backup during the show also took rounds shifting from the guitar to the piano. And blah blah blah, basically the show was filled with all of McLachlan’s hits and each number hit the spot. (Sorry for cutting this short with the triple blah remark, but the length of this thing is already getting way out of hand.)

Butterfly Boucher’s songs were generally girl punk-esque, except one track in particular (featured on Grey’s Anatomy), which was more bittersweet and heartfelt. Melissa McClelland’s sound seemed to fit alongside McLachlan’s well, meshing with an acoustic country rock vein.

The Sarah McLachlan & Friends tour continues through March 26.

Watch my favorite performance of Possession below (the host cracks me up with that pronunciation) + the powerfully humane World On Fire vid following.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

We all have our weaknesses. For some it’s chocolate, for others it’s neck rubs… for me, it’s Brit boys with attitude. Specifically, You Me At Six, another group with all the makings for mainstream popularity. Delish pop rock has a habit of hailing from Surrey, and that’s where these fellas first started strumming.

If you care to remember, they actually were on a hot list around 2008 with hits like Save It For the Bedroom and Kiss And Tell. Almost three years later, and have they faded into the black? Gone back to humble ways? Not if they have anything to say about it.

Last album celebrated some successes last year (ranking #5 on the UK charts), and there’s no doubt that their songs landed on your party playlist. Like any poppy, rocky elite, they can swish from cute and shallow to acoustic and sweet. They’re accessible, simple, bright, bubbly, alive. They fizz like soda, sparkle like glitter, and pull it all off with an inconceivable charm.

I can only imagine what kind of energy they have on tour. Smashing lamps, shooting water guns, and basking in their boyish spirits.

Best way to break these guys down? Think Boys Like Girls and All Time Low, plus accents. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But as usual, I don’t want my readers to be sheeple, take a look for yourself and voice your own opinion.

Liquid Confidence walked away with the award for Best Single at the 2010 Karrang! awards. I think it was deserved. Do you?

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Back in September, The Script released their 2nd studio album Science & Faith. And although only two singles have been released thus far, a brand new remixed track recently surfaced online of the band entitled Walk Away.

The new version of Walk Away features rapper B.o.B and throws the usual sound that The Script delivers into a hip hop rock blender. We all know B.o.B can take a track to a new level when he dives headfirst into a collaboration and this go around is no different.

Listen below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine recently got butt ass naked for Cosmopolitan Magazine. The frontman shredded his threads to bring awareness and attention to men’s cancer.

The risque/over-the-top pics portray Levine barenaked with Victoria’s Secret model girlfriend Anne Vyalitsyna’s hands covering his lil’ Leviner!

Although Levine is undoubtedly eye candy, I laughed a little when I saw the shots because it’s so ridiculous. But it’s good to know that the sexy shoot is raising awareness for Everyman — a UK prostate and testicular cancer campaign.

To learn a few of the most random facts about Maroon 5 — including Levine outing Jamie Lee Curtis — click below for the interview via Los Angeles Times + check out a live performance clip of Maroon 5 on Conan following.

[Related Post: Does Adam Levine Make You Hungry?]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

That’s it. I’m dropping the bomb announcement, proclaiming what you may already know: Fefe Dobson takes the crown when it comes to pop breakup jams. First, she seethed in her attitude-y (yes, I said attitude-y) Ghost vid and now she’s back for a second dosage of breaking walls with Stuttering. Clearly, the girl has a thing for bad ass cars and bad choices in boys. But we don’t mind. Bring it on, it obviously suits her well.

Check out Dobson in action below with a live performance + the music video following of the undeniable pop record, Stuttering.

[Related Post: Fefe Dobson Seethes In 'Ghost' Vid]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

We’ve been chatting a lot about Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers and how much we adore his solo project, but we haven’t been as loud about the group as of late. Well, this is about to change as the boys are back in town with a new Christmas track entitled Boots.

The group’s tradition is to create a new holiday single every year and donate all the proceeds entirely to charity. Good music for a good cause is something we should all get into. This is a great song for the holidays, and in my opinion, we need these guys back on the music scene for good. Come on, we’ve waited long enough!

Unwrap this gift and give it a spin.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Bryce took to The Rocket Summer’s Facebook fan page and sent the following message to fans: “My grandfather suddenly passed away this morning… He was a Godly, loving man who enriched people’s lives and will be greatly missed. I was blessed to be off tour and with him when he went to be with the Lord. Take a moment to tell the people in your family that you love them today…”

Our condolences go out to Bryce and his family during this difficult time.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Listen to the glimmering grand return of my musical muse, Adele. Check out the just-released single, Rolling In The Deep, taken from the upcoming album 21 (due out soon). It’s striking, and overflowing with soul.

Can’t wait until baby girl releases the new record.