a REALLY new artist.

This is the last blog I'll have time for before they are marked, and there were so many great bands I couldn't choose one. Then I started thinking about something my high school vocal teacher had us do in a project- she had us choose 3 of our favorite artists, and discuss how our voices and styles were alike. Then, she had us look up their musical influences, and find the similarities between the two. By the end I realized how much new artists take from previous ones they have listened to. This shows even in the blogs I've written, Kate Nash's role model is Lily Allen, and they sound alarmingly alike. Then shins role models are the smiths, and they sound a lot, I mean a lot alike, just as I mentioned in my blog about them. My particular influences consist of all the bands I've showed you, and an acoustic style found in the Live Lounge. So, I thought for my last blog I'd show you sort of a glimpse into the product of all these great indie bands. Then, I realized I ahve no recording equipment, no knowledge as to how record, and worst of all- it's flu season. My voice is barely there. Still, I'd like to show off a little of what I've done. All I can show you are lyrics, but I happen to be pretty proud of them, and lyrics are so powerful that I think they are the entire frame of the song. So, here goes nothing. Be kind.

When you left you left like a sunset,
and your light shone through as you walked out of my life.
I know you weren't mine to begin with...
but anyone can enjoy the sunset.

The word goodbye is attached to so much sadness,
it's hard to believe I'd give anything to say those words now.
I guess I'll have to resort to a 2am phone call on your machine,
Screaming about how even if you were hers, I was not to blame
Screaming about how even if you were hers, it didn't change a thing.

I fell in love with our friendship
I fell in love with the way our eyes met
I fell in love with our laughter that night
I fell in love but I didn't mean to.

Now that you're gone, the stars don't shine so bright
I hope from where you are you can still see the light
and I do want you to be happy
but I guess a part of me wishes you were happier with me

Staring up at my ceiling, with a blank mind and even emptier mind
thoughts of you have been washed away with the lips of some other guy
ignoring every glimpse, every whisper "hey you're a mess kid"
Ignoring every glimpse, every whisper cause hey, I'm a miss kid.

I fell in love with our friendship
I fell in love with the way our eyes met
i fell in love with our laughter that night
I fell in love but I didn't mean to.

When you left you left...like a sunset.

In the summer, I play a lot of guitar, not only do I have a heck of a lot more time, but I love playing guitar by the fire. Damien Rice is a great artist I've become pretty comfortable with playing, his accompaniment is simple but always sounds very delicate and beautiful. His voice is powerful and has so much emotion in it that it brings his lyrics to life. He writes all his own stuff and kind of reminds me of an acoustic version of coldplay. Rice has released 2 albums, one titled 0 released in 2002 and another titled 9 in 2007. Although most of his songs are done by him accompanying himself on guitar, he can also play the cello, violin, piano and drums. His songs are mostly slow, and i wouldn't exactly call them up beat but the lyrics aren't quite as sad as most slow songs tend to be, in fact sweet avenue is a great love song that could make anyone smile. That reminds me, smile, also known as Aimee, is another hit of Rice's, and it's powerful chorus will blow you away. I encourage you to take a look at all of Damien Rice's discography because each song really is different, but his unique sounds pulls them all together delightfully. Here's one of his really slow tunes, The Blower's Daughter, from the film closer.

Happy holidays everyone!

Lately I've been in total Christmas mode- putting up christmas lights, decorating my tree, watching Christmas movies and eating endless amounts of Christmas cookies! I even went to the mall the other day and was excited to see Santa and his elves busy at work finding out what all the kiddies are asking for, and Christmas music, which is the whole point of my little blog. I don't know much about this artist, I kind of think he resembles U2, especially the singer's voice. The artist is Hawksley Workman, and the song is called Merry Christmas, I love you. I stumbled upon the song through a friend, so I can't say much for the artist besides that I've fallen completely in love with this song. It's not all about christmas, and maybe doesn't have the traditional value of oh holy night or even rudolph, but the ending makes me feel like the song was a Christmas present to someone, and is there really a better gift could someone ask for? I thought it was really sweet, and just wanted to share, so make sure you pull up the lyrics while you listen.
Happy Holidays everyone :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUJB-yyfZas

just a heads up

Living in hamilton, there aren't too many local celebs to admire, the only band I can think of is teenage head. Mediocore at best is an upcoming band in hamilton, taking the music scene by storm and doing it in style! They are a young band, all it's members under 25, but their sound is mature beyond it's years, in fact, it might even be familiar. They haven't adapted to the generic screaming that most underground bands have become reformed, they've also avoided "hard core break downs" or any sound that might inspire someone to begin "hard core dancing" but old school "moshing" can be expected. Their sound is new and refreshing to hear, but it's retro feel screams rock and roll. They aren't very established, but watch out world, here comes Mediocore at Best!
Here's some videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycrXaaY5nM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLk92bzHXSs

Look them up on facebook for upcoming shows, they usually play in hamilton or toronto, and they've got a show next week with Die Mannequin at the Casbah!