I love this magazine, i've found a ton of new great music, as well as other stuff like great books and movies. Not only is feel of a more "non-mainstream" style, they send a sampler cd of music, 20-30 songs, of new and buzzworthy artists. you can't go wrong with that, and best of all - you can name your own subscription price. I paid $5 for a year's worth, but you can go as low as $1 (regular subscriptions are like $20 for a year).
please do this, even if you don't like or know the bands in the magazine, you can't go wrong at that price. i'd never heard of most of the bands when i did this 2 years ago (thanks Scott) but now i listen to quite a few of them on a regular basis like Iron & Wine, She & Him, Rooney, Bon Iver, and much more
https://www.pastemagazine.com/action/recordstore_offer
do it now.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Free Album Stream - theAudition
i have really liked these guys since the debuted back in the day, even though they're on Victory Records they have a really accessible sound, sort of like Fall Out Boy but more serious (and better!).
They have a new album being released on April 28th, and Victory has posted an entire album stream for free here: http://www.punknews.org/article/33142
Check it out and let me know what you think.
theAudition
They have a new album being released on April 28th, and Victory has posted an entire album stream for free here: http://www.punknews.org/article/33142
Check it out and let me know what you think.
theAudition
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
How To Find More Music
Over the years some people have asked me how i find so much "new" music, or where do i find out about these bands. I think there are some sure-fire ways to find new music that is similar to the music that you're already listening to. If you like Top 40, mainstream, radio music, then all you need to do is keep listening to the radio and have the DJ's decided what music you like, you're obviously not into music enough to at least put a cd in or listen to your ipod, but thats a whole 'nother post.
Anyway, here are a few ways i find more music than i can listen to:
Who Tours With Who?
The best way to find a new band is to listen to the bands that you're favorite band is listening to. Most bands (except big time ones) tour with other bands that come from the same genre. For example last year i went to see Gabe Dixon Band, but i didn't recognize the other two bands that were playing, Jay Nash and Justin Nozuka. So i checked them out and well, they're pretty cool. If you like heavy music its the same thing, who is Haste the Day playing with, or who is Comeback Kid playing with. that should give you a few different bands to check out.
What Label Are They On?
When you get away from the major labels like Atlantic or whatever, you find that labels stick to a few genres. For example i have grown up with labels like Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph, they're punk labels, and if a band i like is on that label, maybe i'll check out the other bands on that label. Its the same with Victory Records (Comeback Kid / Silverstein / No Innocent Victim) or Facedown, or Tooth & Nail, Solid State or whatever. Usually labels will put out samplers with music from a large chunk of their artists, and usually the samplers are free. find out what label your favorite artist is on and then listen to other bands on that label.
What Magazines/Blogs Are They In?
Search magazines or blogs/reviews that talk about your favorite artist, and see what other bands show up there. for example i like to read HM Magazine and Paste Magazine. HM is geared toward heavy music/christian like As I Lay Dying or Means. They have a review section that i skim, looking for what albums got good reviews and then i check out those albums. Paste is more like indie/americana/rock like Iron & Wine or Rooney. they also have reviews, and they send out a sampler every issue that you can listen to.
Also you can look at the end of the year "Best Of..." lists in those blogs/magazines. you already trust the opinion of that source, like punknews.org , so if one of the writers takes the time to put a band on their Best Of ... list, then its probably a good band/album. i find a lot of new music this way.
Mixtapes
The last, but most fun, way to find new music is to ask your friends for a mixtape. have them burn you a cd of their top 10 tracks right now. its fun to put together 30-40 songs for someone but usually that is more music than people have attention for, even though i just did this for Jordan. new music is easier in 5 to 10 tracks, enough for a car ride or whatever. trust your friends to bring their favorite music, if they love it there must be something worthy in it (unless they love U2...just kidding Aaron/Matt...)
What Not To Do:
There are also ways to NOT find new/good music. the first is listening to big time productions like the Grammys or other award shows. Yes some of the music is good, but a lot of it is based on buzz/rep/name/politics. trust me on this, if you really like music and want to find hard working honest bands, the Grammys are not a place to find that.
Also don't take the opinion of MTV/radio/paid advertisers. These places are all about buzz, if a band has buzz they'll promote, but they're not actually listening to the music. If the band has money they'll be promoted, that doesn't guarantee that they're good. trust music fans, not people trying to make money off music.
lastly, listen to whatever i tell you to listen to, because if you're already here reading this blog then why not listen to what i say is good!
When i say "check out" these bands, you can do that by finding them on myspace, purevolume, last.fm, pandora, itunes...All of these places are free to listen, you can hear the band for free and find out if it something that you want to invest in (or download...).
Anyway, here are a few ways i find more music than i can listen to:
Who Tours With Who?
The best way to find a new band is to listen to the bands that you're favorite band is listening to. Most bands (except big time ones) tour with other bands that come from the same genre. For example last year i went to see Gabe Dixon Band, but i didn't recognize the other two bands that were playing, Jay Nash and Justin Nozuka. So i checked them out and well, they're pretty cool. If you like heavy music its the same thing, who is Haste the Day playing with, or who is Comeback Kid playing with. that should give you a few different bands to check out.
What Label Are They On?
When you get away from the major labels like Atlantic or whatever, you find that labels stick to a few genres. For example i have grown up with labels like Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph, they're punk labels, and if a band i like is on that label, maybe i'll check out the other bands on that label. Its the same with Victory Records (Comeback Kid / Silverstein / No Innocent Victim) or Facedown, or Tooth & Nail, Solid State or whatever. Usually labels will put out samplers with music from a large chunk of their artists, and usually the samplers are free. find out what label your favorite artist is on and then listen to other bands on that label.
What Magazines/Blogs Are They In?
Search magazines or blogs/reviews that talk about your favorite artist, and see what other bands show up there. for example i like to read HM Magazine and Paste Magazine. HM is geared toward heavy music/christian like As I Lay Dying or Means. They have a review section that i skim, looking for what albums got good reviews and then i check out those albums. Paste is more like indie/americana/rock like Iron & Wine or Rooney. they also have reviews, and they send out a sampler every issue that you can listen to.
Also you can look at the end of the year "Best Of..." lists in those blogs/magazines. you already trust the opinion of that source, like punknews.org , so if one of the writers takes the time to put a band on their Best Of ... list, then its probably a good band/album. i find a lot of new music this way.
Mixtapes
The last, but most fun, way to find new music is to ask your friends for a mixtape. have them burn you a cd of their top 10 tracks right now. its fun to put together 30-40 songs for someone but usually that is more music than people have attention for, even though i just did this for Jordan. new music is easier in 5 to 10 tracks, enough for a car ride or whatever. trust your friends to bring their favorite music, if they love it there must be something worthy in it (unless they love U2...just kidding Aaron/Matt...)
What Not To Do:
There are also ways to NOT find new/good music. the first is listening to big time productions like the Grammys or other award shows. Yes some of the music is good, but a lot of it is based on buzz/rep/name/politics. trust me on this, if you really like music and want to find hard working honest bands, the Grammys are not a place to find that.
Also don't take the opinion of MTV/radio/paid advertisers. These places are all about buzz, if a band has buzz they'll promote, but they're not actually listening to the music. If the band has money they'll be promoted, that doesn't guarantee that they're good. trust music fans, not people trying to make money off music.
lastly, listen to whatever i tell you to listen to, because if you're already here reading this blog then why not listen to what i say is good!
When i say "check out" these bands, you can do that by finding them on myspace, purevolume, last.fm, pandora, itunes...All of these places are free to listen, you can hear the band for free and find out if it something that you want to invest in (or download...).
Monday, February 9, 2009
Grammy Opinion
I don't usually watch the Grammy's, but this year i decided to in anticipation of some good live performances. I don't have any expectations of the awards since music is so subjective and apparently the judges don't actually listen to much of the music.
My favorite performance was Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles can really sing and if you aren't listening to Sugarland, you need to be! I liked how after their song, Stay, she joined British singer Adele for her hit song. It sounded great.
My second favorite was Carrie Underwood. I don't really know much about her except that according to Aaron she is awesome. I thought her performance had the most energy of the night, which is saying something since everyone in audience is sitting and not really getting involved. Her performance looked even better in contrast to the next performer, Kid Rock, who was terrible, as usual.
I really like the Coldplay stuff, first playing my favorite song Lost! with a verse from Jay-Z which sounded incredible. Then playing Viva La Vida which i really enjoy watching them perform.
I thought the Stevie Wonder/Jonas Brothers thing was cool, it would have been awesome without the Jonas Brothers though, they're tools. Speaking of tools, Paul McCartney and Neil Diamond were also boring, sorry, they're old and they should just stop.
The hip-hop for the night did not live up to expectations. Swagger Like Us is a cool song, but unless you really know the song or rap in general, it never goes over well live. I'm not a fan a Lil Wayne either, so his exposure for the night didn't excite me. The only rap performance i liked was T.I. and Justin Timberlake, and Kanye with Estelle.
Other weird things i didn't like/understand was Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, that was terrible, Radiohead was good but i still don't get it, the BB King/John Mayer stuff had potential, but you couldn't really hear the individual guitarists, and it was really short and jumbled. the Four Tops bit was awful.
Any thing else that happened during the evening was probably too boring for me to remember. oh, and Blink-182: apparently nobody cares dudes, sorry.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Heavenfest Lineup Announced
For those of you who enjoyed last year's first ever Heaven Fest, they have announced the bands for this year! Last year, our little band 519, play alongside a few other worship bands, like the Brian Davis Band (of CCU fame!) on the Worship Stage, and it was a great time. A few of the "big" bands that played last year included Haste the Day, Skillet, Trace Bundy and others!
This year's lineup feature more big names like Third Day, Skillet, Canton Jones, Disciple, Glorious Unseen, Kutless, Seventh Day Slumber, Phil Wickham, and more to be announced. If you like Christian hip-hop/rap this is the place to be, with virtually every name in game playing here.
A friend of ours is the brains behind Heaven Fest, and we're excited that it has been so successful, not just with bands but with great sponsors/supporters mainly Compassion International, Colorado Christian University, Seek and Soak, and Worship and the Word!
take a minute to check out the website, this "fest" isn't until August so there will be more details announced!
This year's lineup feature more big names like Third Day, Skillet, Canton Jones, Disciple, Glorious Unseen, Kutless, Seventh Day Slumber, Phil Wickham, and more to be announced. If you like Christian hip-hop/rap this is the place to be, with virtually every name in game playing here.
A friend of ours is the brains behind Heaven Fest, and we're excited that it has been so successful, not just with bands but with great sponsors/supporters mainly Compassion International, Colorado Christian University, Seek and Soak, and Worship and the Word!
take a minute to check out the website, this "fest" isn't until August so there will be more details announced!
Friday, January 16, 2009
More Than Music
So i'm going to be very honest here and some people will judge me, but thats fine.
Bands are about more than just the music, its the complete package. Personally i like bands for different reasons than just the songs they write, it could be their reputation, respect, history, beliefs, relationships, and other factors. Back in the day we didn't know much about bands except what we saw of them either live, or on MTV, or maybe an interview we read in a magazine.
Now with the explosion of social-networks like myspace and facebook we can learn a lot more about the bands we listen to. Most "big" artists have someone that creates and runs their profile pages, which still doesn't give the fan an idea of who the artist really is, but for small-time bands, they usually run the pages themselves.
I personally am a facebook user, i still have a myspace account, but the main reason i keep it is because of the music. Myspace (if you don't know already) allows it's users to post bulletins for everyone to see, and bands use this tool to either announce shows, new albums, sell merch, or breakup. You don't really get much else except maybe a shout-out to another band or a thank you. Not in this situation though.
I've been a pretty big fan of Destroy the Runner since their debut album Saints came out a few years ago. Last year they released I, Lucifer with a new lead singer, and i thought the album was pretty good (i ranked it my 4th favorite release of 2008). The problem is they apparently love myspace, and posting ridiculously lame bulletins.
It's hard to judge a band by their myspace page, most hardcore music fans would say its only about the music, but not me, i like to think that the bands i like are "cooler" than average, they're too cool and busy writing awesome music to pay attention to myspace. DTR apparently has a lot of free time since they don't really tour outside of SoCal. They post an amazing amount of lame bulletins like Paris vs Britney, lame youtube clips and crap like that. I would have been better off never seeing this side of the band.
I was getting over this little hiccup when yesterday they released another music video for one of their songs, and it was ridiculously lame. I don't know what to do. They're actually playing in Ft Collins next month and i'm going to go, but what if thats the last straw? Recently some bands have come through and changed my opinion of them in a negative way based on their live show like Emery, Matt Wertz, and Energy.
I don't think i'm going to say "i don't like you guys because of your myspace page". Pretty much anyone who posts multiple bulletins or whatever is annoying, rather they're in a band or not. So i guess my question is whether or not this should affect my view of Destroy the Runner? Does anyone have a similar story? Does anyone this this is totally lame that it bothers me?
Bands are about more than just the music, its the complete package. Personally i like bands for different reasons than just the songs they write, it could be their reputation, respect, history, beliefs, relationships, and other factors. Back in the day we didn't know much about bands except what we saw of them either live, or on MTV, or maybe an interview we read in a magazine.
Now with the explosion of social-networks like myspace and facebook we can learn a lot more about the bands we listen to. Most "big" artists have someone that creates and runs their profile pages, which still doesn't give the fan an idea of who the artist really is, but for small-time bands, they usually run the pages themselves.
I personally am a facebook user, i still have a myspace account, but the main reason i keep it is because of the music. Myspace (if you don't know already) allows it's users to post bulletins for everyone to see, and bands use this tool to either announce shows, new albums, sell merch, or breakup. You don't really get much else except maybe a shout-out to another band or a thank you. Not in this situation though.
I've been a pretty big fan of Destroy the Runner since their debut album Saints came out a few years ago. Last year they released I, Lucifer with a new lead singer, and i thought the album was pretty good (i ranked it my 4th favorite release of 2008). The problem is they apparently love myspace, and posting ridiculously lame bulletins.
It's hard to judge a band by their myspace page, most hardcore music fans would say its only about the music, but not me, i like to think that the bands i like are "cooler" than average, they're too cool and busy writing awesome music to pay attention to myspace. DTR apparently has a lot of free time since they don't really tour outside of SoCal. They post an amazing amount of lame bulletins like Paris vs Britney, lame youtube clips and crap like that. I would have been better off never seeing this side of the band.
I was getting over this little hiccup when yesterday they released another music video for one of their songs, and it was ridiculously lame. I don't know what to do. They're actually playing in Ft Collins next month and i'm going to go, but what if thats the last straw? Recently some bands have come through and changed my opinion of them in a negative way based on their live show like Emery, Matt Wertz, and Energy.
I don't think i'm going to say "i don't like you guys because of your myspace page". Pretty much anyone who posts multiple bulletins or whatever is annoying, rather they're in a band or not. So i guess my question is whether or not this should affect my view of Destroy the Runner? Does anyone have a similar story? Does anyone this this is totally lame that it bothers me?
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