This month we bring you reviews on Christina Perri, Panic! At The Disco, Lenka and more!
I can't believe it! Lemonade is a year old! I still remember all the work that went into that first issue. May still be one of the best honestly! We had the lovely Angie Mattson on the cover, since she was part of our "Top 5 Girls You Should Be Listening To" piece. I had no clue what the magazine would turn into from there. Quite honestly it was an act of frustration towards so much hard work I had put into my craft with little reward. Here we are a year later-still starving- but I have been rewarded with the respect and support that make it worth while. I put everything I have into this magazine. Not everyone is willing to give you a chance these days and so all you have left is yourself at the end of the day. It's still frustrating at times, don't get me wrong, but with the right people in my corner I know success of all kinds is right around the corner.
There are a few people I especially want to thank for all of their help through this year. First my mom, she has always supported my crazy world since I was barely walking. Many people see this as a hobby, she knows it's a job and that I work my ass off hoping for a break. I would also like to thank the rest of my family, who have also supported the magazine, there have been ups and downs, but through it all, you've all been there for me in one way or another. Also a thank you to my brother/roommate, Brody who also does a few hip-hop reviews from time to time. Aside from family, I want to thank friends like Sabrina Alcock who not only contributes articles when she can, but is also one of my best friends and biggest supporters, especially when I need someone to talk to and lean on a bit. Also my friend Jenna Freeman, who is a talented artist herself and has written for the magazine as well and my friend Amanda Russ who was probably the first fan and will always be the biggest fan!
Now onto my friends in the business, Rey Roldan from Reybee Productions has supported and believed in the magazine since I met him. With the knowledge he has of the industry, he has helped this writer become a lot more than that whether he knows it or not. Also Jesse Dietz, he interviewed me for the magazine he works at (Hits Daily Double) and has provided me with some of the coolest music to be in this magazine. Tim Stam (DJ Slam) for the amazing press he has given us. Photographers like Leigha Hodnet. Friends from before the magazine like Kelly Nishimoto. Also artists like Brooke Ross and Chloe Leighton, the best way to describe them is complete sweethearts, I feel like they're teammates in this world where we need people we can relate with. Thank you as well to our newest member, Eb Macpherson who has taken a bit of the workload off of me as well as Nicole Figueroa who has also contributed freelance articles since last fall. My friends in Birch Bay, Tammy, Becca and Brian (who's now in Florida). Ugh I feel like I am accepting an award and I am going to forget someone. Obviously all of the readers as well, without you guys, what would be the reason? Well I guess getting to talk to rock stars is still a reason....just kidding haha. Big thanks to the Simms family too (Juliet, Tommy and Natalie), you guys rock and last, but not least, Allisen Casares, I would have never started this magazine if we didn't joke about it that one evening. You are one of the best friends anyone could ask for, you never fail to make me laugh and I know if you read this, you will tell me to fuck off and that's why I think so highly of you. All that said, here is to MANY MORE!
-Brandon
How do you feel about small-town charm? Personal lyrics? How about Finn from Glee? If you responded positively to all three, then Dom Liberati is the man for you. With his quarterback good looks and sensitive worldview, Dom shares with us his feelings on the three big mysteries: girls, God, and life, through catchy melodies and fresh rock chords. He writes about what he knows so his lyrics are honest and relatable. If you are having trouble imagining his tunes then think novice Jimmy Eat World... Or just listen for yourself!
Dom began developing his musical talent as early as 12 years old, owing homage to his uncle who featured Dom in his annual Christmas concert tour. Since then, Dom's been singing, writing songs, and playing bass. Combine that with his love for playing in the Friday night football games and my fellow Glee nerds will understand his ability to relate to Finn. No one really knew how to comprehend Dom's interest in both sports and the arts. Did I mention that he went to high school in Ohio?
Now returning to present day L.A, we find Dom living the life as a starving artist; a "conservative rock star" as he would say. Just like you and me, Dom works a day job and waits excitedly for his tax return. The only difference is that he is playing in crazy, awesome Hollywood venues like Whiskey-A-Go-Go by night. Also as he performs he likes to focus on the interconnectedness between the crowd, himself, and his band. What he likes about performing isn't the attention from screaming fans (although I'm sure that is fine with him as well), but rather that "we are all in this having a good time together". So set aside your preconceptions about mainstream rock and just have a good time listening to his aesthetically pleasing tunes.
P.S. Check out www.domliberati.com and see if his Fall tour will bring him close to you!
by Brandon Lemons
Ultraviolet Sound's front girl and L.A. native, Sarah Hudson (daughter of Mark Hudson from 70's group, The Hudson Brothers) was living in New York when she met future band mate, Sami Diament. The timing was perfect and ever since they have been collaborating and playing high energy shows, sharing the stage with acts like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Robyn and N.E.R.D. Their brand new self titled album is out and ready for your listening pleasure. Here is what they had to say to Lemonade.
LM: How are things with Ultraviolet Sound?
Sarah : We are doing good!
LM: I have been listening to a lot of your music lately, as well as reading what fans have to say and they say that on stage is where you guys really shine. What have been your favorite moments singing live?
Sarah: In our live show, we definitely have crazy energy on stage and for us its important to make the music and make the record come alive on stage. We really want to give the audience and our fans something to walk away with and remember. We've played a lot of good shows. We actually played one in Canada, it was this club in Toronto called Circa and that was one of my favorite shows, it was super packed and really energetic. What was one of your favorites Sami?
Sami: Well I would say one of the most interesting shows we played at was one of Perez Hilton's parties in Las Vegas with Lady Gaga, but it was right before she got really famous. It was right before their relationship as well, so it was kind of crazy to get a glimpse into that world before it became what it became. It was crazy too, because we basically played on top of the DJ booth, there really wasn't a stage and we were all super scared of falling down and dying.
LM: Your lyrics are really complex and amusing, how is the writing distributed between the both of you?
Sami: We both contribute, but it really depends song to song, for the most part Sarah takes the lead on most of the lyrics and I contribute a little as well, and then it's the other way with production. We definitely try to contribute evenly, but it's Sarah's lyrics that make a lot of the songs unique, so I often really want her to push that side of it.
LM: They're really high tempo, so the production must be quite a bit of work as well.
Sarah: Definitely this album, we took a long time to produce it and yeah it was intense.
Sami: Yeah it really was. I mean we worked on it for a whole entire year, with only a few days off. It was awesome to have that kind of time to work on it.
LM: Your songs have been featured on shows like The Hills and Real World, what was it like when you first heard yourselves on TV?
Sarah: Its awesome! Actually we were watching Castle on ABC and we knew it was going to be on, but we didnt know when, all of the sudden we were just sitting there and it came on and we were like Oh my God, we know this song and it was really cool, because they played a large part of it. Its always cool to hear your songs like that.
LM: What was your favorite part of making your first release, O.C.D. (Obsessive Compulsive Dancing)?
Sami: Actually that record was a tough record for me, because we were still developing our sound as writers and producers. Really the best part I guess is when we finished it and then it became a lot more exciting. I think performing those songs and actually being able to build our band from those songs was really great.
LM: Dance music of all kinds is really making it big right now. What are you guys loving the most right now?
Sami: For me I am really into dubstep, I think that genre is really pushing so many creative boundaries. Artists like Skrillex and Nero from the UK, I think what they are doing is unbelievable. It's really untouchable in terms of creativity and quality.
Sarah: I personally love Robyn, shes so amazing live and I love her look. I just really love her and I am inspired by her. I know they dont have anything out right now, but I love the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Goldfrap, all those women are huge inspirations for me. I always go back to my dad putting on the Beatles though too, you know also the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Elvis. At the end of the day I always sort of go back in time.
LM: Dubstep is the word at the end of everyones tongues it seems. Are you seeing it becoming a big trend right now in L.A.?
Sami: Oh yeah, it's super big out here and I talk about it a lot with producers and friends I work with and stuff. In our culture, we were already engineered to get into that rhythm, because all it really is, is a half-time beat which is really what metal and rock are at the end of the day. So many of the bands I grew up playing with, I mean I was a drummer and we used to go half-time in everything, so now its like the same kind of rhythm, but with the sounds and aesthetics of dance music. I think it's completely new sonically, but still so familiar, so it doesn't surprise me that everyone is getting into it. I am just super excited about the genre itself.
LM: What's on the horizon for you guys?
Sami: Well we are working on some new material, were working on some new songs, some dubstep tracks, some new pop material, so cover songs.
Sarah: Our new single is on the radio right now called Girl Talk. Were just looking forward to doing more shows and playing live and getting to as many cities as we can. Touring is what we love to do and what we thrive on.
For more on Ultraviolet Sound go check out www.ultravioletsound.com
Brooke Annibale is a singer/songwriter. "No way!", you might find yourself exclaiming. A female singer/songwriter? Well that's something new! Your skepticism would be expected, as these days it seems like every other girl on the planet is a singer/songwriter, but it would be misplaced. Annibale is not your typical singer/songwriter: she is from the cold climes of Pittsburgh, not California; she's obsessed with hockey; and her latest release, Silence Worth Breaking, is possibly the best truly independent recording you will hear from an unsigned artist this year.
Want to meet her? Good, because she definitely wants to meet you.
So the NHL playoffs begin today. Do you think your Pittsburgh Penguins can go all the way?
Brooke: I don't know. It's hard to say because of the missing superstars. I'm pretty proud of how they've stuck it out without them so far, but I don't know if we can go all the way without them. Maybe if Sid (Sidney Crosby) comes back, but I'm scared for him to come back after that concussion. You just can't mess with concussions, you know?
Those things are gnarly. You hear about players coming back after a week sometimes, and then other times it's months. Crosbys been since about January, right?
Brooke: Yeah. That's why it's pretty shocking that we've still made the playoffs (Laughs.).
Your musical style would play really well out here on the West Coast, sort of that groovy acoustic-pop-folk-rock kind of vibe. What is the music scene like in Pittsburgh?
Brooke: It's pretty eclectic. I think a lot of people are doing what I'm doing, though some of the singer/songwriters are a little more folksy. There are a lot of acoustic musicians. Then again (Laughs.), with the recent uprising of Wiz Khalifa it seems like a lot of the attention is on the hip-hop scene here now.
Do you dig hip-hop at all or is that not your speed?
Brooke: It's not something I pay the most attention to. I mean...I don't really choose to listen to it, I suppose, but some hip-hop songs are so catchy you can't help, but like them (Laughs.). Right around Super Bowl time this year Wiz Khalifa's song Black and Yellow was one I would choose to listen to because it got everybody pumped up for the Super Bowl.
You studied at Belmont University in Nashville and played some shows during your time there, so I'm curious how the scene in Nashville differs from Pittsburgh. Are there any drawbacks to being based in Pittsburgh rather than Nashville?
Brooke: Nashville definitely has a much bigger music scene because pretty much everyone you meet there is involved in music somehow. There is definitely more of a singer/songwriter scene there. All the musicians and artists are sort of inspired by each other, so that creates this sort of Nashville sound and not in terms of the Country sound, but more like the independent singer/songwriter sound.
I dont want to get you in trouble with your hometown, but are there times where you think you should have stayed in Nashville or think maybe you'll go back in the future?
Brooke: Yeah, that crosses my mind sometimes just because I like new things. I might want to be somewhere else for a while at some point, but I don't know right now. Well see (Laughs.).
Silence Worth Breaking really is a stunning record on so many levels: the excellent musicianship, the insightful lyrics, the great melodies....it's just a really great record.
Brooke: Well thanks!
It sounds like it was a blast for you to work with Paul Moak.
Brooke: Yeah, it was good for sure.
So how did you know you wanted to hook up with him to produce your album?
Brooke: My friend Justin is an engineer at the Smoakhouse, and he raved about Paul and his work and his studio, and after I checked out the studio I thought "I need to make this happen", because the studio was amazing. Everything Justin played for me that Paul had worked on with other artists.....the subtle things he did to make the songs even better in recorded form......it's exactly what I was looking for and wanted to be able to do with my music. After I saw what he could offer there was no other option in my mind.
How have your fans been responding to the album?
Brooke: Pretty well (Laughs.)! Just by looking at messages or Facebook posts it seems like people have been pretty into it. We had the CD release show here in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago and it was really great. A lot of people came out, we played the whole album and I got to talk to a lot of people afterwards. There's been a lot of good feedback, so I think people are receiving it well. I haven't had anybody tell me they dont like it (Laughs.), but then again I don't know that anybody would actually tell me that.
BP: Do you have a favorite song from the record?
Brooke: I feel like that changes. I probably had one favorite going into the studio, and then the way another song turned out in the studio made me like that one even more than the other, just because of how it sounded with the band or something. I really like the way Under Streetlights turned out.
That song is phenomenal, by the way.
Brooke: Thanks! That was the first song we did when we went into the studio. I wasn't expecting Yours and Mine to turn out as well as it did. It was the oldest song I had written that we ended up using for the record, and so I was not as excited about doing that song because it was older, but then what we did with it in the studio reignited my excitement about the song.
Nice!
Brooke: I almost didn't use Don't Let Them Tell You, but Paul insisted I put the song on the album and now Im really glad that we put it on there. So while I don't have an actual favorite, those three stick out to me.
As an unsigned artist.....and the fact that you're unsigned blows my mind, by the way-with you having to wear all these different hats, how have the internet and places like Facebook, Myspace and Kickstarter helped increase your viability as an artist?
Brooke: I think without the Internet, without all those tools, it would be really hard to be an independent musician. I don't know that it would be possible. As far as my career goes, I've always had those tools available to me. Facebook and Myspace were there pretty much from the beginning of my time releasing music, so I can't even picture being an independent musician without those, just because it makes you instantly available, internationally. Ten years ago, people were more dependent on getting a record deal because it was the only way they could reach people, but now you can reach people a lot easier. It still takes a lot of work, but nowadays you have the access to be able to do it better, to some extent.
Are you okay with remaining unsigned, or would you like to get a record deal eventually?
Brooke: It's something I wouldn't ever say I didn't want. I think it can be great for bands. I know a lot of independent labels wouldn't interfere with the music, but sometimes you hear nightmarish stories. Take the band Wilco, for example. They took their record to their label and the label hated it, and they had worked so hard on it. I can't imagine how an artist would deal with that, but there are still good things about having a label backing you, and I wouldn't ever not consider signing with one.
Are there any artists or CDs that are blowing your mind right now?
Brooke: Ive been listening to the Civil Wars a lot. I got to see them a couple weeks ago.
Oh cool!
Brooke: Their harmonies are reason enough to make you want to listen to the CD again and again. Adele's record is really good too. I hadn't really listened to her last record, but I heard one of the songs from the new one and just really liked the style of it. Another artist I've been listening to is James Vincent McMorrow. He has a Bon Iver kind of voice and does some cool singer/songwriter stuff. I also can't get that new Paul Simon song out of my head. It seems like every day it gets stuck in my head. Have you heard it?
I don't think so. Whats it called?
Brooke: It's called The Afterlife. It's real catchy. I can't get that song out of my head, so I guess its worth noting! (Laughs.)
So what are you plans, musically, for the rest of 2011?
Brooke: I'm working on booking more shows in the next few months for the summer. I'm going to this music conference in Lancaster, PA called the Launch Conference. I've never been to this event before but I've had friends who have gone and liked it, so I'm playing two shows there. Otherwise I'm just planning some more stuff for the summer-like touring, hopefully, in New England.......and want to play music as much as I can.
You know we give our neighbors to the North a bad time every once in a while, it's like a sibling rivalry right? We love them, but we love to pick on them even more (coming from a family that includes both Canadians and Americans, I know this first hand). However, there is no picking on Toronto, Ontario's Mandi Perkins, the front girl for the "glitter-grunge" band of Verona.
Now living in the sunshine of Los Angeles, Mandi is the vintage rocker chick from her looks to her clothes to her voice. Here is what she had to say to us.
LM: Hey how are things?
Mandi: Its going good!
LM: Tell us a little more about your newest song Raining that you wrote for your brother
Mandi: My brother has been battling brain cancer for three years, so I wrote that song after I had just come out of radiation with him, because I felt so bad, it was really sad and it sucked so much, so I wrote Raining for him, so he could listen to it when he went for chemo and went for radiation.
LM: It seems like it is really touching a large group of people who are listening to it as well.
Mandi: Yeah I really hope when people listen to it and are going through something crappy or something difficult that it makes them feel better. You don't have to have a sick family member or even be sick yourself, you could just be bummed out and I hope it makes you feel better. For me, music saves me, when I am really bummed out, I listen to music and I instantly feel better.
LM: What led up to the creation of the band?
Mandi: I was a solo artist with Sony and my record label basically got fired and they ended up closing the label I was on while I was still on it. For about six months I was on the label as Mandi Perkins, but I couldn't do anything, I couldn't write for anyone. Labels are good and bad, it's good that they give you avenues, they have great advice, there are great radio teams and marketing and they help you with money, but it's also bad, because if something bad happens to your team, it's very political and you get stuck, because you can't do anything. I just realized I didn't want to be put in that position again A. and B. I wanted to form a band. During that time I went on tour, when I got back I met Toby Gad, he's a producer who has worked with artists like Beyonce and Fergie. He introduced me to a writer he had just signed named Dillon Pace. We started writing together for some other people and then realized after we wrote a song together for the Eclipse soundtrack that whatever we were doing was really dope and we wanted to be in a band together, so we made of Verona. That was in February of 2010, so its been over a year since we formed.
LM: So you had a song featured on the Eclipse soundtrack?
Mandi: No it almost made the cut, everyone who listened to it loved it, but it didn't quite make it. Its called Torn, we released it as a free download and in two days it had over 100,000 listens, so it all worked out.
LM: You're originally from Toronto. What was the path like from Toronto to L.A.?
Mandi: Well I ended up going to UC Berkley for English Literature and I knew I wanted to move to L.A. to be a singer, so when I came down to L.A., I came down for some singer songwriter stuff and I also went to law school. I ended up getting a record deal soon after passing the bar, so I didn't get to practice as a lawyer, but it doesn't hurt to have a law degree.
LM: Do you miss Canada much?
Mandi: I mean Canada is awesome, the people are really nice. It was a nice environment to grow up in. I think being forced to be inside a lot due to the weather also forces you to be creative. You really end up appreciating the summer there! That being said, having sun and warm weather year around, being able to be outside all the time, I love it, I wouldn't trade it for the world right now. Los Angeles gets a bad rap, but there are so many beautiful things about living here.
LM: You guys list yourself as Glitter-Grunge and it's a really good description of your sound. What led you to this sound as a band?
Mandi: We ended up adding three more band members in June of 2010 and I think we just thought that we had a bit of the 70's and you know a bit of that psychedelic sound, that atmosphere of rock. At the same time it also has this 2050, this futuristic sound to it. We really wanted something that was a little old, a little new and something totally unique. We didn't set out to do that, but when we started playing it we were like "oh shit, this is something completely different!", we believe it's very palatable and still very different from what anyone else is doing.
LM: That's what is cool, it IS different, but not different as in boring or different as in too much going on, it's different good. Besides what you have up on your social networking sites, are you going to be releasing any music soon?
Mandi: We just finished our first set of music, like our first EP, so we just finished doing that. We are currently doing the showcasing thing and just seeing what happens there before we release anything. I would hate to start releasing stuff and then have to take it
down, that is the worst! People can definitely go listen to it though whenever they want on our facebook and myspace.
LM: Are you guys doing a lot of shows in California?
Mandi: We have been doing a lot of shows around America, Seattle is one of my favorite places in the states.
LM: Well that's good to hear!
Mandi: Yeah, we've done several shows in Seattle, we've played in Snoqualmie a few times as well.
LM: Snoqualmie Casino is one of my favorite music venues for sure.
Mandi: Yeah I have played there four times.
LM: Do you have any shows planned in the near future?
Mandi: We are hoping to come up through Oregon, Washington and Vancouver (B.C.) very soon. We are also hoping to play some festivals through the summer, so if you can come...check us out, because we put on a great live show! It's an engulfing sound and I think its is just as pleasing to a 12 year old as it would be a 62 year old.
LM: What music are you into right now?
Mandi: I am really into Florence + The Machine, Muse, Metric, I am trying to think of some new artists I am really into, I was into Nicki Minaj for a minute.
LM: Florence + The Machine is so good, its crazy how she's still a bit under the radar compared to other artists. Kind of like Ellie Goulding who I just did a review on.
Mandi: Oh my God I love Ellie Goulding! I just saw her show at SXSW, she was so amazing, it was really dope.
LM: What are you looking forward to for of Verona?
Mandi: I'm looking forward to finishing this EP and making the second one, which will be a spin off of the first EP. I am looking forward to touring and wouldn't mind winning a couple Grammys :: laughs :
LM: Well personally I think you are on the right track.
Mandi: Thank you Brandon Lemons.
LM: Thank you Mandi Perkins.
Sadly a short time after this interview was done, Mandi's brother lost his battle with cancer. We definitely want the whole Perkins family to know we are thinking of them and this article is absolutely dedicated to them.
It doesn't always work this way. We all know of the infamous one hit wonder syndrome and that doesn't always have to do with the band or singer involved, sometimes it's just the flavor of the month. I am sure many of you out there who were in high school during the early 2000's remember Yellowcard being the band you just HAD to have on your playlist with all your other favorites. There is a difference however between Yellowcard and your other favorites....after eight years, guess who is touring Europe and selling out shows around the United States? If you guessed Yellowcard.....you would be right. I caught up with Ryan Mendez during their last tour for a quick chat on life after Ocean Avenue
LM: So how is life on the road?
It's great, this tour has been incredible, all the bands have been great (Hey Monday, All Time Low), the crowds have been awesome, pretty much every show has been sold out.
LM: What's it been like touring with Hey Monday and All Time Low?
Yeah it's great every band on the tour has this great set of fans, they are all great and although each band has its own fans, they all are really supportive of each band.
LM: I remember being such a huge fan of Ocean Avenue when it came out and although you had some great albums after that (Lights and Sounds and Paper Walls), When You Are Through Thinking, Say Yes seems like almost an answer or a continuation to Ocean Avenue. Would you agree with that?
I think there is definitely the same kind of energy and freshness on it, I am not sure if we set out specifically to do that. We definitely have been receiving that kind of reaction though in reviews and such, as well as people saying its our freshest album since Ocean Avenue and I would agree with that. I think it just kind of happened like that, we had been on hiatus for a couple years and were all kind of doing our own thing. Coming back to it, I think it's only natural for it to be like that, we were very re-energized, which was similar to how we felt when we were brand new and made Ocean Avenue.
LM: How would you say you've changed as a band since Ocean Avenue?
There have obviously been a few member changes, so obviously that creates a different vibe in the band. Everybody has also had more life experiences since 2003, it's been eight years now. The band sold a bunch of records with Ocean Avenue and then the next album wasn't received quite as well, so we definitely went through the ups and downs of major label music. The band has definitely been on quite a journey. I think this is the best lineup the band has had, we are all very focused and on the same page and I think that's the first time it's been like this since the Ocean Avenue era.
LM: Being a fan myself, I was so happy to see fans become so ravenous over When You Are Through Thinking, Say Yes. Were you expecting that? Or has it been a surprise?
We totally were surprised! I think we were really happy to announce we would be getting together to make another record, I don't know if we expected the response to be quite as overwhelming as it was. I don't think we expected it to be bad, but to see the response be so huge, it was a pleasant surprise, it's nothing short of incredible for us. Our fans are so diehard and loyal and it proved our fans didn't go anywhere over the past couple years.
LM: So a question I have had since I started listening to you guys is about the violin, I have likened it to sounding like a canary in the midst of chaos in the best way possible. How did adding it to the band come about?
That was actually something that happened way back when the band started in high school. It started even before Ryan (Key) joined the band. The guys were like 17 and 18 going to school in Jacksonville, FL, Longineu (drums) and the original guitarist, Ben Harper were playing more fast paced, aggressive, punk rock stuff and they were friends with Sean Mackin, our violinist. They were getting ready for a show and they said "hey do you wanna come up and play with us for a show?", like it would be a fun thing to do, he was a friend of the guys you know? That basically ended up turning into him being in the band. It definitely wasn't a planned thing. It just kind of stuck, everyone seemed to like it, it was a unique thing.
LM: As you are getting ready to wrap things up here soon, what have been your favorite moments of the tour so far?
Well I will separate this into two tours, since we just got back from an international tour as well. Our international tour included Japan, Philippines, Russia, Finland, UK. That was incredible. On that tour, I would have to say Japan is always amazing, but going to a few places that we had never been before like the Philippines, Russia and Finland was incredible, showing up there to people who knew the band and knew the words was awesome. Never having been to a place before and having that response is humbling and just kind of inspiring. On the American tour, I would have to say the Florida shows and Atlanta. The south has always been good to Yellowcard, obviously since the band started in Florida, but the energy at those shows was so amazing, its like we never stepped away.
LM: Youv'e already released two videos for songs off of the new CD, are you going to be releasing more soon, what is the plan for the rest of the year?
We are going to be doing a lot of touring, pretty much non stop, going everywhere we can. We are definitely hoping to release another single this year, but are really pushing Hang You Up right now. There are plans to do another video this year if Hang You Up does well, so we are definitely hoping it does, so if we did do another video it would be later in the year, but really we are just going to see how everything goes. For now, we just know for sure that we will be on the road all year.
LM: How are you guys keeping busy during the downtime on the road?
We watch a lot of movies and a lot of sports. Myself and Ryan (Key) are huge soccer fans, the MLS season just started up and we are both big Galaxy (Los Angeles) fans. We have also been following the European Leagues. I personally am a huge hockey fan too, and the NHL
playoffs are about to start, so I am definitely going to be paying attention to that. When the sports aren't on, we will basically flip through the channels and see what good movies are on and will watch those. I don't get a chance to listen to a lot of music, but I know when I get a chance I will be playing the new All Time Low album a lot, they played it for us the other day and it is really good.
LM: Going back to sports, I noticed your twitter avatar is the Detroit Red Wings logo, so we can definitely agree on who the best hockey team is there.
Absolutely! Like my whole life!
LM: It looks like Vancouver is storming through the Western Conference, but I am definitely hoping for some Red Wings magic, this is after all there 20th consecutive playoff appearance.
I know, they have the record for most post season appearances of a professional sports team. Its awesome. Vancouver does look good, but you know, just like the Sharks (San Jose) they seem to just not have it in the post season. L.A. Kings look better than last year, but the injuries are going to hurt them.
LM: Of course on the soccer front...I am a huge Seattle Sounders FC fan, so we will just stay away from any talk about the L.A. Galaxy..
::laughs:: I don't have any problem with Seattle, I love the city of Seattle, Sean Mackin is actually a Sounders fan, he's lived in Seattle the last couple years, so we always watch when were together. It doesn't get too crazy, he's more of a football fan, so yeah. I am just really glad that the MLS is expanding and is selling more tickets, that is great to see.
LM: Have you ever been to an MLS game?
No, and funny enough I was supposed to see L.A. play Seattle last year and then it didn't end up happening, but I really want to and have been meaning to.
LM: It's definitely an amazing experience, I love going to Sounders games.
Yeah and from what I hear Seattle comes the closest to matching the atmosphere of European games.
LM: Personally, what has been the best part of this record for you?
You know, that's a tough question, but I really just have been so happy with the response. When we started getting some of the press feedback in December (2010) and there were no negative comments, I was really blown away and the whole band was so happy. With all the work that goes into making a record, you don't always get to sit down and really see what you have done until the end, so getting this kind of feedback is incredible and we are all so proud.
Fools For Rowan is modern rock at it's best. It's the kind of music you want to have blaring in your car (especially if you are just in that kind of mood) or the kind of music you want on your workout play list. What adds to their being special is front girl, Erin Mullins. At first glance she might appear tiny, but there is nothing tiny about her voice...the girl can sing. Mix in Rachel Brandsness on guitar, Ryan Nanney on rhythm guitar, Aaron Elliot on bass and Jordan Cullen on drums and this co-ed band is a recipe that will leave your ears begging for more.
We were very happy to get a chance to talk to Erin about the band, so with that said....here is our interview.....
LM: Everything ok in Nashville? I know we are miles away here on the coast, but the weather seems nasty down there!
Erin: Yeah, we are surviving, the storms were pretty nasty last night, but it's sunny and beautiful today.
LM: Glad to hear that. So tell me how did Fools For Rowan come about?
Erin: I was in Nashville working on a solo project and I was in a band before this band, so as I kept working on my solo project I thought to myself "you know, this would be so much better as a band, this would just be cooler, this would be better all around" and so I started to work on making that happen. I already knew Aaron, our bass player and he knew Jordan, our drummer and Ryan, our guitar player, so he brought those two in. Then we held auditions for a lead guitarist and found Rachel. It all came together really, really easily and really fast. I mean we've only been together for a year and a half now.
LM: Youre a cute, little thing. Do people get a bit shocked by what you do and how you rock out?
Erin: Most of the time, people don't really think I can sing, because I am told my talking voice doesn't really sound like my singing voice, so they're surprised more that I belt the songs out and such. Also my pictures, especially in our most recent pictures make me look quite tall and I am just 5'1, so most of the time when I come off the stage, people are like "oh my gosh, you are so much shorter than I thought you were! "
LM: You guys totally have the
girl power going on with you singing lead and Rachel on lead guitar. Do the guys ever get jealous?
Erin: Not at all actually, that was a concern I had in the beginning, you know it was something I thought about, but they have really taken us in like we are their sisters and you aren't really jealous of your sister, you know what I mean?
LM: You're originally from South Dakota?
Erin: Right, I grew up in South Dakota, but really equal parts of my life then were spent between South Dakota and Fayetteville, Arkansas. Tennessee is nothing like South Dakota
:laughs:, to be honest I really miss South Dakota. The town that I grew up in, in South Dakota
was about 100 people, literally like 100 people I am not making that up! That's what the sign says when you drive into the town and there are no stoplights, nothing. I miss that small town feeling and I do go back every chance I get.
LM: When you were growing up there, were you already getting into playing music?
Erin: Yeah, my family has always been really, really into music. They are really into traditional country music, so we listened to a lot of that and I still listen to country music. I remember singing in my grandparent's living room and I sang in church and in my mom's yard, so since it was such a small town, it was more like small town gatherings. Now when I go back I do the exact same thing.
LM: Speaking of country music, Nashville is a hub for it. How have you guys been received as a rock band in Nashville?
Erin: There's a real strong rock music presence in Nashville now, there wasn't one several years ago, but now that Paramore and Kings of Leon came out of here, there has been this group of people that has come out and said "hey we play rock music too". For us it was just the perfect time. We've even been accepted by the country world, I go and watch country bands all the time and they do the same for us.
LM: You guys definitely have that Kings of Leon vibe and people who love country seem to love Kings of Leon too, so I guess it totally makes sense.
Erin: Yeah and when it all comes down to it, good music is good music.
LM: You've opened for bands like Halestorm, who has been your favorite act to share the stage with so far?
Erin: Yeah, we've been able to open up for some really cool acts, but I have to say that Halestorm has been my favorite. Here's why; the first time we opened for them, we had never met them before, and we really didn't meet them at that show. Everything moved really fast, there wasn't any time for formal introductions. However looking back at pictures from that show, they made time to see our show and that really impressed me. Then when we opened for them a second time, we did an acoustic show before we opened for them and they actually came out to our acoustic show. I was in the middle of a song and in walks Lzzy and it was so cool. It all comes back to that mutual respect and support. They hung out with us all night and they are just really, really sweet wonderful people.
For more Fools For Rowan, check out www.foolsforrowan.com
Can you feel it everyone? It's the time...of the season.....you know.......for loving? What's your name? Who's your daddy? Is he rich? Good than he can buy you some new music! It's still good to be informed on which music to spend your money on though right? That way you can spend his money on other things like, oh gee I don't know.......some summer party beverages if you know what I mean? That is of course if you are 21 or have a friend who has a friend who can hook you up with a fake license, but I didn't tell you that.
Well before I dig myself a bigger hole and get accused for corrupting the youth of the nation, here are this month's reviews!
Just when we thought everything had fallen apart for the avant-garde, alternative rockers...look what we have here! Yes, that's right, a brand new album from the boys that brought us A Fever You Can't Sweat Out and Pretty Odd. A little bit has changed, you may have noticed the band has now become a duo, but that's about all. Otherwise it is the same band, we love (or some of you hate to love), and in my opinion they are stronger than ever.
I know many weren't impressed with Pretty Odd, in fact I would go as far to say that I was one of the very few who actually liked it quite a bit and I think it got a really bad rap for being so much different from A Fever You Can't Sweat Out , ,maybe it was too soon to experiment, but I still felt you couldn't look past the infectious melodies and often strangely poetic lyrics.
In Vices and Virtues, Panic! goes back to their roots sound-wise, but has also grown from both albums. It is easily my favorite album to come out of Fueled By Ramen equipped with some of my favorite lyrics I have heard in a while such as "Since the day we met, I only shoot up with your perfume. It's the only thing that makes me feel as good as you do" . I could go on and on and on and on about how much I love this album, but you guys might get a bit bored, so instead go out and buy this album! I dare you to take it out after one time through, because it's impossible.
-Brandon Lemons
After Gnarls Barkley came out with Crazy in 2006, I had to buy the album, that's when I got my first taste of Danger Mouse's work, after that I've listened to pretty much every CD Danger Mouse had something to do with, and enjoyed all of them immensely. When I heard that he was coming out with a CD with Italian composer Daniele Luppi featuring Jack White and Norah Jones , I was pretty excited, not only does it feature 2 great singers of our time, it's also based on the idea of sounding like 60's Italian film soundtracks. Was it everything I wanted it to be? Yes, I thought it perfectly captured the idea it was going for, sadly like a lot of people have said, it makes you wish there was an actual movie to go with it. All the interludes flow perfectly into the songs with Jack White and Norah Jones, and those songs are so good, especially The World, the last song on the CD, but as good as they are, there aren't enough songs by them on there, and the CD feels a little short because of that, it's the only thing holding me back from giving it a perfect review. Does that make this CD worth missing out on? Definitely not! I highly recommend this CD, especially if you're already a fan of Danger Mouse as I am.
Brody T.
You know there is a difference between odd and weird. Lykke Li, although I do like listening to her music is kind of weird. When you see her on stage, she's got a persona and it's not necessarily one that warms your heart or in my opinion further endears her to you as an artist. Lenka on the other hand is odd....and I mean that in a good way. For instance in Everything At Once on her brand new album, Two. Lenka sings about being as scary and the sea and as buzzed as a bee (whatever that means), as well as brave as a bear and fast as a hare. I mean, that is downright strange, yet it WORKS! Her voice and her lyrics are just so damn cute, it's insane.
The album starts off with the title track Two, which is tremedously catchy as well as My Heart Skips A Beat. Both of these tracks show off Lenka's sexy side and I mean that....they are downright hot! After the first two tracks, she definitely settles back into her comfort zone with songs that would remind you of her first album. Roll With The Punches definitely fits that description and although I love the song, it may be a little to similar to Skip Along off of her first self titled album.
All in all the only criticism I have is that I wish she would have kept a little more of the tone she starts off with on Two throughout the whole album, but on the other hand, we love Lenka for her being adorable, so perhaps two sexy songs is enough? Either way, this album is a favorite of mine and will probably be a favorite of yours as well.
Usually there is a reason why an artist is unsigned. Maybe the band is new and still trying to figure out their sound, or perhaps their singer is tone-deaf or writes lyrics that a seven-year-old would think are hideous. Whatever the reason, it's generally pretty easy to see why someone doesn't have the support of a label. Believe me when I tell you that Brooke Annibale doesn't have any of these problems, and nor does her latest release, so I have no idea why she's still unsigned. If the right people get a hold of Silence Worth Breaking however, she might not be unsigned for very much longer.
