Local bands are the gravy to music

So my love for smaller bands and artists has grown. I got to cover a local battle of the bands contest (called the Local X-Posure) for work and interview many of the artists performing. Local bands are the best to work with. They give you whatever you want and are incredibly grateful for any kind of coverage you give them. And me, I'm all about giving them coverage. There are way too many excellent bands out there getting no attention.

Read the article here and learn all you can about six excellent bands. Make me happy and go there. Please.

Here are some songs from some of the contenders.

Bullistic - Song of Hope
Under the Flood - The Witness
Four Stories - Mistakes

Reality Welcomed

After months of anticipation and wondering what was taking so long, Ross Copperman's new album Welcome to Reality will be released on May 14th.

Ross had so much talent back when I went to school with him. Now that he's a rising star in the UK, his music is getting even better. Everytime I hear a new track, I fall in love with this album even more. I'm a little biased here since I do know him (My previous post about Ross).

Only problem is that the album is being released in the UK first. So I'm just going to have to fly over there and get it. Dead serious. Well, a trip to England was already in the works, so picking up this album will be on my itinerary under visiting Abbey Road and Buckingham Palace.

All She Wrote
Found You
Shout

A Nice Surprise

Last night, I attended a show at the up and coming Starr Hill concert venue. Apparently, it's been all the rage in the local music scene here in Virginia. I must say my first experience there was both wonderful and awful at the same time.

The main act I went to see was a band called Tea Leaf Green. And while, they were good, they definitely were not my cup of tea. They are the kind of band that would play a 15-minute long instrumental jam-type song and then immediately go into another 15-minute long instrumental jam-type song. If that's your thing, by all means, listen and continue to enjoy. Me, however, I wanted to know when to clap and give my eardrums a quick breather.

However, the opening act, William Walter & Co. was definitely worth it. A good mix of jam band funkness, rhythm and blues, and a light-hearted rocking good time, William Walter made me want to kick my shoes and dance the night away. I will be keeping my eye on them now.

We All Want
Broken Windows
Happy Times
all from The Story So Far (buy)

Beer is the reason I get up every afternoon

I need to stop going out to bars every night and drinking. Since I am now in the vicinity of numerous bars in a 2-block radius of my house, my willpower for staying home is quickly dwindling -- as is my bank account. Plus, it is definitely cutting into my blogging time.

I have a good time and in no way am I getting hammered every night of the week. Just every day ending in "y." :)

But I end up paying for it the next morning, so maybe a few times going to work with bloodshot eyes, an unshaven face and a pounding headache will make me keep myself under control. I'm taking tonight off. I need to rest and recuperate.

Homer Simpson - A Very Good Beer
The Offspring - The Worst Hangover Ever from Splinter (buy)

Crap. St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow. This is not going to end well.

Fuel - Luck from Natural Selection (buy)
John Mayer - St. Patrick's Day from Room For Squares (buy)

Remixing It Up

I'm not usually a fan of remixes. Most that I hear are just random beats with only a snippet of the original song or the actual song with a techno backing track served only to make the song somewhat danceable.

However, I recently came across Tago-Mago, who has made some excellent remixes of some popular tunes. I'm quite enjoying the way they reinvent songs I know and create something completely different. In some cases, I like their remix more than the originial.

Here are some of my favorites:
Kool Keith - Drugs
Outkast - Ms. Jackson
Both from their latest EP, My Quiet Corner To Reflect (you can download the entire EP from their site)

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I've decided to make a bunch of changes to my blog. I've been playing with the templates trying to figure out a new look. So if things look crazy, don't worry. All will be okay again in due time.

But make sure to check out the new features around here.

If you take a look over here ------------------------------------------------>
you'll see "Artists of the Moment." If it's here, then I highly recommend it. But everything on here I highly recommend.... so, um... just go check them out, ok? You'll be glad you did. It'll change often, so make sure you go listen to their fine music.

Shawn Mullins - Changes from The Faculty Soundtrack (buy)

Almost Famous

If I could just talk about music I like for a living (and get paid for it), my life would be complete. Well, as of today, I am one step closer to that goal. I can now call myself an accomplished music journalist. I got to cover a Battle of the Bands contest that one of our radio stations has been doing.

You can read my piece here. I've got a follow-up story on all the bands involved in the final competition. I'll let you know how that goes. I feel very self-confident right now. God, one article under my belt and I'm already getting a big ego. Don't worry, I'll come back down to Earth soon.

Pete Yorn - Top of the World from the exclusive bonus edition of Nightcrawler

Feel Good Movie Trailer Music

I love watching movie trailers. Sometimes, they get me pumped up to see the movie. But most of the time, the trailer is ten times better than the movie itself. And that's why I love them. A brief introduction to the main characters, a set-up to the main problem, a few funny one-liners and the tagline "coming soon." I only have to sit through a good minute and 30 second preview instead of a drawn-out 2+ hours. I've saved so much time this way.

But what I really love is the music they play in the last half of the trailer. You know, the part where the main character(s) either a) begin to fall in love, b) learn some kind of life lesson, or c) have a heart-wrenching tear-filled moment. And as soon as that moment happens, they play some Michelle Branch or Avril Lavigne song. And you know that I'm right.

But I do love when an unknown song (to me anyway) is played during the trailer that makes me want to watch the trailer over again and find out what the song is.

Some recent examples include:

The Kevin Costner/Ashton Kutcher movie The Guardian involving the United States Coast Guard's rescue training program. Costner plays the older, rougher rescue swimmer and Kutcher, the wiseass rookie. And when the two have a moment realizing that saving lives is more important, Snow Patrol plays in the background.

Watch the trailer here
Snow Patrol - Run from Final Straw (buy)

Next up is the upcoming flick In The Land of Women starring Adam Brody and Meg Ryan. Brody stars as a young man fresh from a break up trying to get back on his feet again. He ends up falling for the daughter of Ryan, and when they kiss, we listen to Trading Yesterday.

Watch the trailer here
Trading Yesterday - One Day from The Beauty & The Tragedy (buy)

I think I'm in love

Have you ever had an artist you just come across and think "Wow, why haven't I discovered them sooner?" Then you spend days, weeks even, listening to everything they have done and getting even more excited about them? That's me at the present moment.

I am loving Amy Winehouse right now. Her gorgeous looks and beautiful sultry voice are driving me insane. I seriously cannot get enough of her.

You Know I'm No Good from Back to Black (buy)

Attack of the Bens part 3

Ben, Ben, and more Ben. I'm starting to think there is some sort of musical society where everyone's first name has to be Ben. I've come across quite a few. And today, I have found even more.

But first, check out who has come before:
Attack of the Bens part 1
Attack of the Bens part 2

Ben Clarke
If you're a fan of psychedelic folk rock music with great vocals, check out Ben Clarke. His style reminds me of Wilco and Neil Young with a rootsy sound thrown in for good measure.

You Don't Know



Ben Lacy
Lacy doesn't just play simple guitar parts, he plays all the parts, at the same time. He covers songs by the likes of Led Zepplin, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan and Van Morrison effortlessly

His technique is so amazing, it needs to be seen to be believed. He is a one-man band, providing his own bass and percussive parts while simultaneously laying down rhythmic chords and melodies.
Layercake from One Track Mind (buy)

Ben Swift
Swift is a dynamic performer with a compelling, distinctive voice. His songs combine soulful singing, a broad range of acoustic/electric styles, and insightful lyrics. Swift is reminiscient of acts such as Elvis Costello and Joni Mitchell mixed in with current rock bands. Ben is also a professional photographer and works this into his stunning album art.
Down With You from Pull (buy)


Ben Westbeech
Bristol-based Ben Westbeech has gained a lot of attention in the rock/dance/remix area. Westbeech gets your head bobbing and your feet moving. Club goers will want to give Westbeech multiple listens.

Get Closer (Lovers Mix) from the Get Closer single (buy)


Ben Walker
Walker is a part of Ben Walker Radio. The group has been collaborating since 1999 and the lineup is constantly changing. The raw emotion and lyrical style has remained constant though.

St. Valentine's Day from There's Better Places To Go (buy)