Honestly, this was the best halftime show in…I dunno, ever?!

Besides the sweet notion of dedicating her performance to her father, a man of Midwestern values who she says is the reason behind her work ethic, my favorite quote from Madonna’s Super Bowl Press Conference was when a young man asked M if she had any advice for artists young in their career.

This was her response:

Press conference + halftime extravaganza below!

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.

Okay, so I may be a little late on this, but I am a recent supporter of UK duo The Big Pink. Back in 2009, the group released their debut album A Brief History of Love, which I wish I had given more attention to, but hey, that’s the beauty of music — it’s never too late to give your ears some foreplay. (Their sophomore release, Future This, is now on my to-do list.)

I am currently focusing on the strike with lead single Stay Gold. It has a hip hop drum pattern with a little electro feel. Song Facts explains that the song’s title is a phrase meaning “keep true to yourself” or “preserve your innocence,” which was originally used in Robert Frost’s 1923 poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell drop the hazy pathos and opt instead for slick beats and a trip-hop edge. I could listen to this on repeat for days! On to the rest of the album!

On the plus side…

Actually, there isn’t a plus side.

Watch at your own risk, suckas!

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.

My favourite Canadian rock boys are back with a new single, and a new break onto the charts. Their latest splash in the sea, Am I Wasting My Life, is a throbbing, honest piece.

My Sister Ocean has injected me with musical morphine. Again.

This song is an affront on apathy; the listener is forced to reconsider, reevaluate. The vocals hit you like air-borne alcohol. From the tip of the drumsticks to the vibrating guitar, all resonates with a heavy dose of reality. The song makes me taste smoke. I see lonely roadways lit up with the eerie glow of streetlights. I hear a soul seeking clarification. It’s the purest beauty, and the most devastating pain.

Thus far, the single has hit #50 on the Canadian Active Rock Charts, a first for this budding talent. Let’s push them even higher up the scale.

[Related Post: Duo To Watch: My Sister Ocean]

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.

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]

I’ve been scoping out some fresh talent these days and pleasingly landed on a British dynamic duo (Jeremy and Elizabeth) called Summer Camp. Their album Welcome to Condale was released in November and has received great reviews as one of the best albums of the year in many musical publications. It’s got that glow sound of the ’80s, all while keeping it current and fresh at the same time.

Check out one of the many attractive tracks off of this release, called Down. The video is just as cool as the jam!

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]