The Lumineers: Stubborn Love (One of the Most Impressive and Powerful Concerts of My Life)

Thanks to my amazing sister Hannah, I was blessed to be able to see The Lumineers this past Saturday night, and let me tell you, did they ever illuminate my weekend, my year, heck, my life! They are such an amazingly talented, lovely group of individuals who truly care about their music, their audience, and the experience of seeing them live. The reason I'm not posting any pictures or videos of this unreal show is that they asked the massive Greek Theater crowd (5,801 eager Luminees) to please put away their cell phones and cameras and be HERE, be NOW, be PRESENT for what was happening in front of them. Wesley Schultz, the lead singer ensured the hipster L.A. crowd that, "You don't need to prove to your friends that you were here. They'll believe you." It was beautiful.

95% of the crowd were decent human beings and set aside their lofty instagram aspirations and facebook fancies to have a wonderfully distraction-free show, and it really made a difference seeing a crowd that was much more wholly invested in the art happening in front of them, rather than viewing majesty through a 4.87 inch screen. Don't get me wrong, I'm in so deep in unhealthy smart phone addiction that I was itching to video all the amazing moments of their show, but afterwards I was able to walk away not with video files in my pocket but with uncapturable moments of community and gorgeous harmony engrained forever in the smartest portable device known to man: my memories. 

By using my non-digital eyes, I was witness to some truly magical songs. Managing to make a six-thousand strong crowd personal and intimate, The Lumineers lit up that theater with unparalleled soul and heart. At points dispersing themselves amongst the entire audience to make the venue shrink and the sound and soul magnify, they were musical geniuses from the first haunting treble that echoed whilst 5 chandeliers rose slowly through the air to begin the show, to the final jubilant chords floating away after 'Stubborn Love' was sung by 6,000 voices jumping up and down chanting, "Heaaaad uppp! ..............Looooovvvve" into the perfect night. 

Sigh.

 It's always those last swelling, overwhelming numbers that get me. There's so much vibrancy in that final triumphant exhalation after a night well spent. So much palpable joy as every person in that audience feels the same uplifting wave of joy and community. As each voice harmonizes with the next. As 6,000 disparate backgrounds and stories and experiences mesh together into one warm web of love and you can't help but smile at the shared human experience. It's those moments that cement my love of music, that make drives into L.A. worth it, that fuel my ceaseless musical discovery. To breathe in that ecstatic swelling music is all I need, and to exhale as one with a crowd high off the same sumptuous sound stimulants is breathtaking. Mmmm. 

Anyway, 'Stubborn Love' was powerfully awesome, and La Blogotheque has a great Take Away Show of The Lumineers playing 'Stubborn Love' on a rooftop for close friends. The small audience jangles their keys along to the song, and there's one poor guy in a green shirt who is the brunt of the joke and has to jangle imaginary keys at the 3:00 mark, and then once again is made to look ridiculous at 4:12. This song, this video, this band. They're amazing. Enjoy friends. 

Hunter Hunted: Keep Together (Viceroy Remix)

Yes, I've posted Hunter Hunted, and oh my gosh, have I posted Viceroy before, but there was simply no way I could pass up this recipe for perfection, this fusion of fantasticness, this mix of magic! The original 'Keep Together' is so, so catchy, but with the addition of Viceroy's impeccable feel for summer jams and general fun music, this turns into a dream ride! The 2:00 mark brings in those classic summertime jams and makes you want to vibe until the morning. I'm in love. Enjoy, and happy friday! 

Faul: Changes Ft. Wad Ad (Horn Filled Chillwave)

You know those days when SoundCloud takes you to so many mystical and unexplored places that you are left struck speechless? 

If you tragically haven't experienced one of those days, imagine that you're about to take a bite of what is already your favorite food in the world, and just as the spoon (or fork, or chopstick, or hand, or whatever utensil you use in concert with this food) is about to reach your mouth, your every sense suddenly experiences the highest euphoric level possible, eyes drinking in beauty, ears melting with sweet melodies, limbs shaking in pleasure...you get the picture. All this is happening, and then you learn that you've been provided with boundless supplies of aforementioned food for life, and that you solved world hunger. Also, you find $20 in your back pocket later. 

That's kind of what a good day of musical discovery is like for me. :)

Faul is just one of many, many artists I found today, but 'Changes' just spoke to me. So relaxing and gorgeously introduced, it builds to a seamless fade-out around the minute mark, and then brings in such wonderful choir-like children's voices which sound so positive and uplifting. I just can't get enough! The horn around the two minute mark is too god damn sexy! I don't know if it's humanly possible in the human genome to be able to dislike this song. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

A.C. Newman: Take On Me (Cover)

Covering the Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha of the 80's, A.C. Newman does one hell of a cover. His voice so powerfully swells and grows to reach the sensational summits of this song that you wonder why he's not Billboard Hot 100 material! By 1:07 into the song you've already rode a roller coaster of tonality and emotion, and the slow build of, "Take...on...me. Take...me...on. I'll...be...gonnne...in a day or TWOOOO!" is drastically moving! ...It also helps that the background instrumental is one of the catchiest things ever. Loving this song! Thank you so much Meghan for showing it to me! Enjoy! 

Zedd: Stay The Night ft. Hayley Williams (Heartfelt, Piano Driven EDM)

At only 24 years, Zedd has done some pretty incredible things. Born in Moscow, Russia, this lad has suddenly exploded in popularity with his gorgeous and refined electronic music that brings some soul and actual musical know-how back to the genre. His piano and vocal driven tracks leave me awestruck every time, and his single 'Clarity' is one of the best EDM songs ever in my opinion, has sold over 1.2 million copies, and racked up nearly 32 million YouTube views. 

Today Zedd released the music video for the next hit of the year, 'Stay The Night', this time featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, who absolutely KILLLLLLLLLS it on this song! The music video leaves you completely breathless. Extremely fast paced and engaging, two lovers perform a tragic dance with each other, even though they are separated. The ethereal effects of their gorgeous dance, and the ferocity of the vocals and video make for something powerful! Zedd sits at the piano throughout the video, the single solid point in a vista of the vaporous, calmly defying the impalpable. I highly, highly suggest watching this one all the way through! Enjoy! 

I was being a complete musical deadbeat and hadn't actually seen the music video for 'Clarity' until now, and let me tell you: it's a must watch! So many things collide in cool ways in this video, and it takes you from streets to deserts to the sky. Really, really well done! Zedd can do no wrong!!!!!!!

Adventure Club: Gold (Another Gorgeous Anthem)

"Gold by Adventure Club is the number 1 song to eat bacon, drink whiskey and bang to" - Reliable Source... 

I was going to write a lot of words about the new Adventure Club track, but apparently some reliable source already did all the leg work for me! Thanks reliable source who's totally not the band themselves! Enjoy this epic track which slows things down a little bit for this unreal duo, but doesn't sacrifice a single second of unbeatable vocal splicing. Adventure Club is probably the number one electronic act I'd like to see live: the stuff they do with female vocals transcends reality. Enjoy and snag a free download!

B.o.B feat. Taylor Swift: Both of Us (It's The DJ Kue Remix!)

I may not have gotten to go to the B.o.B. concert tonight at school because of work, but judging from Facebook and instagram, he killed it. Pretty sweet that my tiny little liberal arts school got a big name like B.o.B.! I haven't really heard his stuff since 'Airplanes' and all that business was popular, but no-one can deny that he has some REAL catchy songs! 

DJ Kue spins this already toe-tapping song into a club banger with signature background happiness! Enjoy a free download and a stellar Sunday! 

Said The Whale: Mother

"Things are going to change like 100 degrees." How very true of life. I love that line. 

If you can't tell that Said The Whale are one of the most fun-loving bands ever, then you're clearly missing the picture...punny, eh!? These Canadian savants, British Colombian geniuses, these musical masters, just had their new album Hawaii come out on Tuesday, and everyone should go get it! Upbeat, at times beautifully slow and tender, Said The Whale has killed it once more and I can't wait for everything in store for them! Snag the CD on iTunes here, and on Amazon here!!!!!!!! Also, the band sent out a lovely e-mail that said some really cool and inspiring things about the affect actually buying artists music can have. There e-mail stated: 

A quick word about purchasing music, if I may, just to clarify a few things:

1. When you pay for our music (rather than illegally downloading it), we actually receive quite a large portion of that money, contrary to some theories we've heard.  We are on an independent record label, so there is no "big company" taking a huge cut and screwing us in any way.  It's just the five of us and a small label who has all sunk a lot of money into our career. You paying for our music is HUGELY beneficial to the longevity of our band. 

2. People sometimes ask us what method of purchase is the most beneficial to us - the answer is that it doesn't really matter.  Most retailers (be it online or physical) take approximately the same percentage, so just make a purchase wherever you feel most comfortable purchasing.

3. Spotify and other streaming services pay us essentially nothing, but they are great for discovering new music! 

I think this is an awesome message that more small bands need to share. BUY YOUR MUSIC PEOPLE! It lets these bands keep doing what they love and allows them to make the music that you love! 

'Mother' is a breakneck pace song that is gorgeous, brilliant, and sums up the breathless and wonderful flow of 'Hawaii'. Enjoy! 

'I Could Smoke' is straight up fun.


I'll stop with 'Oh K, Okay', because next thing I know I will have shared the entire album. I'TS ALL SO GOOD! :) Love you all!

Paul McCartney: New

Managing to remain one of the coolest people ever for decades upon decades, Paul McCartney is superhuman. He also enjoys daintily sipping tea! One of his new (get it? It's new) songs is called 'New', and it just so happens that my dad (you know, the one who is perpetually doing way cooler things than I could conceivably imagine) was at the massive concert where much of the footage comes from! Epic right!? 

How perfect is it that 'New' matches up perfectly with the new iOS7 Apple update!? Coincidence? I think not. The great people and things in life must have coordinated this momentous occasion. 

Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I need my rest so that I can wake up early and explore every nook and cranny of iOS7 for the foreseeable future. Enjoy this fantastic lyric video with footage of what looks like a truly incredible live show! Imagine seeing a Beatle in the flesh! So jealous father. Quite a nice song as well! Happy Thursday! 

Grouplove: Schoolboy (The New Album is Sick!)

Grouplove's new album came out today, and it is SO awesome! Joyful, unexpected, group ballads are back! 

They're so exuberant, you can just feel awesome group dynamics and mutual fantasticness dripping from every song! They must have the most unbelievably great days everyday! How can you not with a name like Grouplove!? I highly suggest listening to the whole album all the way through, because I'm digging each and every song, but if you only can hear a few, I'd suggest 'Girl' one of the bonus tracks, which is really sick, 'Ways To Go', of course, the catchy single, and 'Schoolboy'. Every song is unique and wonderful, and all of you beautiful people should start 'Spreading Rumors' (that's the album name) about how great it is! Enjoy!

Buy from iTunes right here: Spreading Rumors.
Or from Amazon here: Spreading Rumors. It's slightly cheaper on Amazon.
Listen on Spotify, watch the epic 'Ways To Go' music video on YouTube, just employ every medium there is to get more of these guys and spread the GROUPLOVE!!!

Sadly there is no full version up anywhere yet...but here's a 50 second clip that gives you a good idea of the brilliance in store!

One of the songs that does have a video is 'Borderlines And Aliens', which is great! Enjoy!

Motorcycle: As The Rush Comes (Gabriel & Dresden Chillout Mix)

As the quote above clearly states: This song will drift you DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP into the sound. Chill, and floating (the way I feel like I describe every flipping laid back song I post. I'm so original) this song by Motorcycle has been remixed to become something to fall asleep to and then descend into the most amazing dream state with. Six and a half minutes of unadulterated relaxation, I guaranteed some magical chilling! Jes Brieden's voice will transport you. Some real cool stuff happens at 2:08, and forever after that point. Enjoy and don't miss class because you listen to this right before! 

Fiona Apple: The Scarecrow (Cover Of 'Pure Imagination')

This is just about the coolest thing a restaurant chain has ever done that I can think of! Fiona Apple who, you know, has won a Grammy and all that jazz, has partnered with Chipotle Mexican Grill for something so cool! Don't let that odd pair throw you off: this is truly scrumptious, kind of like Chipotle's burritos!

Within the medium of a gorgeously rendered, touching, and positive short film called 'The Scarecrow', Chipotle shows a dystopian future where robotic crows and gross meat-packing companies control the worlds food supply (doesn't really sound that far off, eh?) and real food is a distant memory. Fiona Apple's gorgeous cover of the classic song from 'Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory', 'Pure Imagination' is the backdrop for an inspiring tale of an intrepid (and probably Chipotle employed) Scarecrow who defies the system! Even if the idea sounds silly, when you watch the video and hear her powerful voice, you'll be pleased! The joy and Fiona's smashing voice really make you feel good around the 2:30 mark! Enjoy!

Also, big shouts to all the new followers who have just started following the blog! It means so much to me that people are listening to, and reading these, and whether you stop by every day, or once a month, it's so awesome to have friends new and old sharing the music I love! Thanks! 

Ta-Ku: We Were In Love (Chillstep w/sick beat)

Should I call this Breathstep? The intro to this song is way too sick, just the intake and outtake of breath, but so musical it'll blow your mind! Floating like a frisbee on water, Ta-Ku crafts a song you just want to stare into mysterious forests to! I love all the wild stuff going on in the background! Really and truly a unique sound that I'm hooked on! About a minute in, 'We Were In Love' really gets going! Enjoy! 

F Y F E: Solace (Jeremy Summer Camp Remix)

You may remember F Y F E from way back in April, or this may be your first taste of the interesting British solo artist. Either way, you're going to love this! His voice cradles you and guides you gently into the song, and then Jeremy (or is his full name Jeremy Summer Camp? Who knows!) just gives him the coolest beats and progressions to sing over! The reverberating beginning only gets better as the song unfolds, and I would classify this as some certified school-time solace! Enjoy!!!!!! Check out F Y F E'S SoundCloud page here! 

'Conversations' is another great song, with a laid back video. Enjoy!

Cults: Go Outside

"Tis the simplest bells that create the best of music"-Me. 

Thanks for that inspiring quote Miles. This song is gorgeous in its simplicity and brilliant in its message.

As counterintuitive as it is to stay inside to listen to this song, I hope it'll get you outside immediately afterward to dance around and frolic and forget about the internet and Facebook and homework and stress and the new iPhone and everything that you're preoccupied with. Cults knows what's good, and it's not here on this screen, it's out there in the woods and the seas and the mountains and the fresh air! 

So, yes, listen to this song, share it with your friends, like it, yadda, yadda, yadda, but then, GET THE HELL OUT THERE and do something awesome. It's take-a-trek-outside-thursday after all! Love you peeps! 

Arcade Fire: Reflektor (An Interactive Musical Experience Like No Other)

This is like nothing you've seen before. We all know Arcade Fire can do anything they flipping want and millions will watch with bated breath, but when they partner with Google, create an interactive music video, and make some powerful statements about our entire society, all to the tune of an amazing song, OUR JAWS DROP. 

'Reflektor' is unparalled. There are a few ways to experience this epicness, my friends. If you use Google Chrome as your browser (which should be all of us...it's da bomb) and possess a smartphone, then you're going to click right here to visit Arcade Fire's homepage. There, you'll click on the far right circle and then click start, which will subsequently transport you on a magical, interactive, truly unique thrill ride of a music video! Pushing the limits of what a band can do with music, this is the way I suggest listeni...wait, wait, EXPERIENCING this wonderment. 

If you are sadly lacking those components, find a friend to watch it with, it's worth it, I promise. It also starts a little slow, but I assure you, it's worth going through the whole video. If you do get to revel in this, I highly suggest reading this article about the song/video's competing messages, and the irony of the songs pairing with Google. It's very thought provoking and makes me respect Arcade Fire like mad! Find the article here: Sneaky, Subversive, Anti-Internet Moral of 'Reflektor'. 

If you really have no other way (or you want to see the other really awesome music video they made for this song), then watch below. This music video is actually also beyond cool and sees the band don massive head cutouts and pursue a man made of mirrors, then dance around a casket full of small dolls...It's kind of really, really beautiful. Also the fact that it is a little less hands-on lets you absorb the lyrics more, making you further question the song's deeper meaning! Ooooooooh! I love Arcade Fire! :) 

Miley Cyrus: We Can't Stop (Bastille Cover)

Holy teen-stars-go-bad-then-epic-bands-make-said-bad-songs-epic Batman!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell is with Bastille's unstoppable onslaught of awesome lately!!!!!????? I can't get enough! 

The crazy catchy piano in the beginning lets you know this is going to flipping warp Miley Cyrus into a new dimension! Bastille morphs this party anthem into a crooning, dare I say...meaningful song! His voice is beyond everything, his hair is beyond everything, his brilliant work-in of 'Achy-Breaky-Heart' is hilarious, and his giggles interspersed throughout this live session just make something smashing. This is probably going to make you love Miley Cyrus even more than you already do, because her originals can be made into FANTASTIC songs like this. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is just way too much epicness in the world of music right now, it was nearly impossible to settle on what to put up today. 

Said the Whale is streaming their new album 'Hawaii', 

Arcade Fire just released what is quite possibly the most wildly original music video I've ever experienced (and yes, you experience it, it is 100% interactive...I won't give too much away), 

The Arctic Monkey's new album came out today, 

Macklemore released the music video for 'White Walls' today, 

NPR is streaming the full new Grouplove album, 

The Colorists' sure to be top 40 hit 'Little Games' is the free iTunes download (which you NEED to go get, it's free!)

...When the hell do these artists expect me to sleep!? My goodness I love music. Well, all of you have wonderful Tuesday's! 

Husky Rescue: Sunrider (Psychedelic and Unique!!!)

Well, the first weekend of college is complete, and I couldn't think of a better song to highlight how weird, awesome, and unique it is to be back! 'Sunrider' is so unlike most of the stuff I listen to! Not really in any sort of genre kind of way, it's just different from anything anyone listens to! Cool drums give way to electric toots and trills, which transition into soft normal-indie-sounding singing with lovely whistling behind, then a 10,000% magical, elf-like female voice comes out of nowhere and delivers lyrics in an uncanny and super engaging fashion!!!! The rest...let's say it takes you into la la land...

Very dreamy, very awesome. I'm checking out more Husky Rescue right now, and they're blowing my mind. Check out their Soundcloud or Spotify for some great stuff! Warning: that whistling will get stuck in your head! Enjoy! 

Coldplay: Atlas

It's the moment you've all been waiting for! The day Coldplay releases their new song fresh and ready for 'Catching Fire', the second Hunger Games movie! It's been far too long since 'Mylo Xyloto' for my taste, and Coldplay has returned in fine and fit style! Complete with a gorgeously composed lyric video that is astral in scope and lovingly put together, I couldn't be more stoked! One of their slower ballads for sure, 'Atlas' does build nicely and...explode. If you want Chris Martin to carry your world, you better give this a listen! Enjoy! 

Local Natives: Wide Eyes (Vodka & Milk Remix)

You want to just hear something weird and quirky that warps Local Natives to a totally new and exciting place? Vodka & Milk deliver a very fresh and different take on the brilliant band, and take 'Wide Eyes' to a great place! The vocal splicing is SO COOL, and the rest of the song very relaxed. Enjoy!!!!! Happy friday! 

FUN. CONCERT WAS AMMMMAZZZZZZINNNNNGGGGG!

Wow. How do I even...

That was so good. I gained such a powerfully enhanced appreciation for Fun. after seeing them live! They were passionately engaged, so energetic, and JESUS CHRIST can Nate Ruess sing! Nestled in the surprisingly intimate cocoon of the Greek Theater within Griffith Park, L.A., you felt like you were truly in a different world. A world where there existed no worry or troubles, only you, Fun., and euphoria. They just really put on a breathtaking show! Every song was a massive anthem, and they got even the 'we wear 3 layers of clothing and are too hip to dance or show enjoyment' L.A. crowd to groove, move, and sing along a lot! Nate had the crowd assist in most of the songs, but loved to challenge us to sing back something he would sing, and watch smugly as we butchered the wild notes he had just sang. Their little stories they told, and interludes between songs were hilarious and his voice just had such power and depth, even as he simply spoke. It was LEGENDARY!!!! 

'Carry On' was probably one of my favorite songs of the show, just so positive and gorgeous and communally uplifting!!!!! And now that I've seen this unreal music video, I think I'm officially a Fun. fan for life! They're just so much...I have to say it... FUN! Love you guys! Certainly one of the best concerts I've ever been to! Don't miss out on this stupendous music video for a bordering-on-spiritual song! 

Sebastian Ingrosso, Tommy Trash & John Martin: Reload (EDM)

If you're in the mood for one of the most massive anthems of the EDM world, complete with one of the coolest, most visually spectacular music videos of said genre, look no flipping further!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

This song just fuels all that wild, unbridled love that seems to explode out of the festival scene. I really don't know much about the whole P.L.U.R. life, (peace, love, unity, respect), but with this song playing while 330,000 people dance together in communal ecstasy, I think I'd feel the "Free love" that the song mentions. I love it! Good god festival videos get me stoked on electronic music! Enjoy this truly crazy music video complete with dragons, volcanoes, universe travel, and love! 

I honestly think that I could watch festival recap or promo video for eternity. Every single one just makes its respective festival look like the most life-changing and magical experience ever! While Ultra will never outshine Tomorrowland in my eyes, their after movie this year is pretty epic. I got chills around the 15 minute mark when Swedish House Mafia played their last set ever...I don't know what it is about those guys but they transcend simple ol' EDM and make things emotional somehow. Anyway, you know you're going to full screen and high-def this and have the best slow motion video recap of your year (until the next Tomorrowland video that is). Enjoy!

Satellite Stories: Campfire (AHHHHH!!!!!! IT'S THEM AGAIN!)

Holy mother plucking goodness. Satellite Stories has a new song and nothing could be better news! I started writing this post before I'd even pressed play on the new song because these geniuses who are the Two Door Cinema Club of Finland can do no wrong! I can say without fear that these guys are going to get SO BIG and hopefully ride the same wave of fame that TDCC have, because they're simply eargasmic, romping fun! I'm in love. 

Do yourself a favor and make your day a guaranteed 77 times more incredible by listening to Satellite Stories!!!!! Go! Now! Have an unbelievable aural time! :)

And if you haven't yet heard their other most recent song from a while back, 'Scandinavian Girls', you'll fall head over heels for this gem! Enjoy!


Follow them on SoundCloud RIGHT NOW here!

Manchester Orchestra: I Can Feel A Hot One

Manchester Orchestra's delivery is just perfect. 'I Can Feel A Hot One' is especially relevant seeing as I have returned to the bitter heat of Redlands! Andy Hull, the frontman of the not-quite-as-orchestral-as-you-would-expect group has a killer voice and some deep lyricism and the flow of their songs is impeccable. This one's one of their slower jams, but has some really beautiful segments! Extremely vintage and indie music video too! Enjoy Manchester Orchestra and check out their wildly different song 'Virgins' for a change of pace complete with rocking rock and a children's choir!