WAKARUSA 2011

Wakarusa is a four day long music festival. Wakarusa attracts people and artists from all over the U.S. Held in the mountains of Ozark Ark., Wakarusa is a great weekend camping trip to enjoy with your friends. This year the festival will be held on the weekend of June 2-5, 2011.

Wakarusa is a great place to discover new upcoming artists. The main focus of Wakarusa is the music but it is much more than a four day long concert. During the day or night you can buy anything from pizza to artwork from vendors.

Wakarusa tickets go on sale December 3 so make sure you add them to your Christmas list!

Songs of the Week

Songs of the Week

Songs of the Week

The first thing that I do when I wake up is turn on my iTunes, listening to good songs puts me in a great mood and prepares me for the day. I would say that 10 hours of  my day I have some sort of music on. Last week I chose a different favorite song for each day of the week.


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MONDAY - (Sylvia) by Miike Snow, is a mellow song one that you like to hear at the beginning of your week. With a catchy tune you will catch yourself humming it throughout the day.

TUESDAY-(VCR) The XX, my new favorite band, elaborates on all of their musical talent in this song. They take the rythm to unexpected places with mystical guitar solos.

WEDNESDAY- (Beetles) Warpaint an all girl alternative band expresses how somedays just don't go the way you plan but you have to keep moving on. This really fit my Wednesday, I couldn't seem to get any of my things together, but this song reminded me that I just have to do my best and thats all that I can do.

THURSDAY- (Hannah) recorded by Freelance Whales, was the highlight song of my week. Thursday is a great happy day for me because it starts my weekend. With this up beat song I started the weekend off right!

FRIDAY- (House of Cards) Radiohead's song House of Cards is the type of song I enjoy partying to. The lyrics may not be the best but I like the beat.

SATURDAY-(My Friends) Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the main reason I picked this song for Saturday is because Saturday is the day I spend with my friends!

SUNDAY-(Monster Mash) Considering today is Halloween night I felt that it is appropriate to choose this song. HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Well those are my songs of the week, keep stopping by to discover new albums and artists that you have never heard of before.

PEACE, LOVE & LISTEN

Dog Walkers of the New Age Unite

Kevin Cole from KEXP located in Seattle, host Music That Matters. In the Vol. 222. - Dog Walkers of the New Age Unite, Kevin plays alternative to hip hop, all independent artists. I really enjoyed listening to this podcast, if I could pick one way to discover new artists every other week this I feel is second best, next to concerts. Cole's choice of music is similar to my own and I enjoyed how he focused on mixing up the generes, too much of one type of music can wear down your ears.

This podcast is delivered every other week. Music That Matters, features whole songs with no commercial breaks and very few commentary segments. Everyone should subscribe to this podcast and avoid the annoying commercials that the radio plays every five minutes.

Another great thing about this podcast is its free! So if you enjoy listening to great music check out KEXP Website and subscribe.You can also find the track list to this weeks podcast there.

PEACE, LOVE & LISTEN

Space Freeze Movement

Patrick McNicholas, a current Middle Tennessee State University student, is dedicated to his music 365 days a year. McNicholas is going to school to become a record producer although his biggest dream is becoming a famous live D.J. McNicholas transfered from Oklahoma State University to MTSU this fall to pursue his dreams.

McNicholas can play a variety of different insturments, in his free time instead of watching T.V. or playing video games, McNicholas entertains himself with music. Many of his classes fit right into this daily routine his required homework is usually learning how to play a new insturment or write a new song.

His latest project Space Freeze Movement is compiled of many differnt generes and styles. McNicholas is truly one of a kind, he may be mixing some electronic beats on the synthesizer or singing a catchy tune with his guitar maybe even mix the two together to get a new sound. You can check out some of his music on the Space Freeze Movement Myspace page.

McNicholas enjoys experimenting with new technology and musical instruments. MTSU only a few miles outside of Nashville, is filled with new bands and artists waiting to be discovered every day. Patrick said it was a big move, but he is happy with his decision and is confident that his musical carrer will continue on.

PEACE, LOVE & LISTEN

ACL Friday

Its the first day of ACL and me and two crazy girls are getting ready and jamming out, listening to music we are about to experience live. This is all our first time experiencing Austin City Limits, we arrive and the line to get in is extremely long, people of all ages waiting to enjoy a day of music and culture.

We venture to the Honda stage after we get our wristbands. Miike Snow is playing and the crowd is huge everyone is dancing and I am so glad that I bought tickets. My friend Alex is already lost and I wonder if I should be worried, my mind is suddenly directed back to the stage while Ezra Koeinig from Vampire Weekend appears. The crowd goes crazy and I feel content. Alex shows back up and we go start walking to the AMD stage to see The Black Keys, as we start walking toward the stage we soon realize that there is no possible way for us to get close so we find a place in the grass to sit. Alex wonders off again and I start to get a scared i'm alone she shows back up with two beers, I love this girl. We sit and listen to the music drinking our beers as we wait for the next show.

Alex wants to see Beach House and I unsure of who they are take an interest and agree to go with her. We get there before they start to play and get a spot close to the stage. Beach House starts playing and I can feel the bass pounding in my chest, I recognize some songs from there newest album Teen Dream. Beach House has a soft electronic pop feel and I make a note to download there music when i make it back to Stillwater. Slightly Stoopid, the band I wanted to see the most today is about to begin after walking across Zilker Park me and the girls decide to just sit out in the crowd on my tapestry and chill. Slightly Stoopid is a reggae band comprised of all white guys who you would stereotype as punk rock guys. There is a little girl about the age of 3 next to us dancing around to the music, it makes me happy that her parents have brought her to ACL. 

It is now dark and Phish is about to go on, this is the show all of my friends told me I have to go see. We walk to the bar and get new beers,  Me and Alex decide we need to get in the front the very front and we do front and center the security gates pressing our stomach. Phish walks on stage and there is a roar from the crowd, I smile at Alex and as the music starts to play my body starts to move. I didn't want it to end but it did we get a ride back home and I begin to get sleepy.

After I get ready for bed and lay down, I begin to dream about tomorrow and what joy that will bring. 

PEACE, LOVE & LISTEN

ACL

Needing to add some new artists to  your iTunes library? Austin City Limits Music Festival is being held this upcoming weekend in the 'Music Capital of the World' Austin,  Texas that is. Since 2002, ACL has been bringing people together each year for three days of music.

This years line up features more than 100 artists both old an new. The festival will be equipped with eight stages. Concerts will begin each day at 10 a.m. and the music is scheduled to continue until 10 p.m. each night. Shows play simultaneously throughout the day but if you check out <html ="http://www.aclfestival.com/"> THIS </html>, you will be able to make your own festival schedule.

ACL is not just about the music all of the proceeds help fund other parks around Austin. ACL host many other things too like art and a place for the kiddos to relax and chill out. ACL unlike other festivals is not a camp and stay...but thats alright you are in downtown Austin, where the music never sleeps.

Sadly if  you haven't bought your tickets already you might be out of luck. I just scored mine in an intense eBay bidding 10 minutes ago (AAOGIVNEROGVOAUBEVO:BVN"OIWEHGP....thats my excited scream). ACL usually sells out quickly. If you are brave enough this weekend is going to be a great one to spend in Austin, you never know you might just get lucky and score some tickets.

PEACE,  LOVE & LISTEN

From the Source

This weekend I decided to take a road trip to Murfreesboro, Tenn. Murfreesboro is the home to Middle Tennessee State University, Patric McNicholas a good friend transferd to MTSU to presue his music dreams after he told me about the music scene I knew exactly where I needed to go, MURFREESBORO!

Murfreesboro, Tenn. Is 35 minutes outside of Nashville, Tenn. Some people consider Murfreesboro a suburb of Nashville, take a visit and you will discover the town of Murfreesboro has a musical scene to call there own.

Despite the 12 hour drive me and my friends safely arrived in Murfreesboro at 2a.m. Friday morning. Everyone we met this weekend could play and instrument or two. Many people were in a band or had there own, the real musicians even played in two bands. When we went out Friday and Saturday night, I got to see more concerts in one night than I had ever seen in my life. Murfreesboro is a great town for new artists, being so close to Nashville is a great benefit when trying to get noticed by that certain lable. The fact that it is a college town and people like to party, new bands always have an opportunity to play live.

I was excited when I realized what this little town of music was all about. The next No. 1 album could be right under your nose if you travel to Murfreesboro Since music is never in short supply you are almost guaranteed a good time.

The Cains Ballroom

A local favorite for all musical ears. Cain's Ballroom located 423 N. Main St. Tulsa, is a venue that hosts growing artists. Hosting a show or two every weekend. Cain's offesr multiple generes and hosts an equal amount of underground bands and mainstream bands.

Although Cain's Ballroom is the main venue, Cain's also has an outdoor facility, River Parks Amphitheater located inTulsa as well. I recently attended this venue to see Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Ghostland Observatory.

River Parks Ampitheater seats a good amount of people and before the second set begun it was packed. Although glow sticks were prohibited few got them in prepared to make their own light shows, I got mine in! But I soon discovered it was more a need when you have that many stairs in a dark theater it can become a hazard.  People of all ages were in attendance. Concessions like any other place were overpriced, they were also in short supply. Inbetween sets the line was extremely long and you could tell they were not very well equiped. By the time the sun went down the intensity of the music, lights and good crowd vibrations began to rise.

Sound Tribe Sector 9 usually known as STS9 played first. STS9 is composed of 5 musicians who specialize in creating a burst of bold rythm complemented with bright ringing tones. The band has released many albums and even a live DVD. This band has also devoted time to helping out with community service projects.

Ghostland Observatory a duo based in Austin, Texas. Recording four albums and a live DVD Ghostland Observatory is becoming known around the map. The two play a funky combinations of electronic "funk"rock. The song "Sad Sad City" is my favorite.

For more information on who is playing in the future at Cains Ballroom check out their website www.cainsballroom.com . If you see something you like go ahead and purchase your tickets through protix.com

Video Music Awards

I've been waiting for this day for a few weeks. Maybe it's because I'm a big fan of Chelsea Handler, who was as high as a kite after sitting in a prayer circle with Snoop Dogg, received the honor to host the VMA's this year. Now understand the main focus of this blog will be to converse on local bands and artists, but  considering it is the night of the VMA's, something i consider to be iconic in the music industry. I couldn't resist writing a little something about it. I mean people will be talking about this for the next year, so I sat back with some popcorn, set my D.V.R. and tweeted of course.


This years VMA's is really special because Lady Gaga has broken a new record, (and a her feet did you see those gold shoes) , she was nominated for 13 awards, and won the first two before the VMA's even started. Gaga was also lucky enough to capture the  3rd VMA maybe they should change the name to the GAGA awards. SHE'S TAKIN' OVER! Nicki Minaj preformed with will.i.am during the pre show, I would just like to say it was an interesting performance. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with her face, was she trying to look mean.


Let me just share a little bit about Justin Bieber, he had an amazing entrance and performance. I couldn't imagine being a teenage girl he would definitely be my B.O.C. (boy of choice). Lets share a few words about the real slim shady Eminem opened the VMA's with his song "Not Afraid". Was it more than just a coincidence that the same song he preformed he also received a VMA for? This same award he was not present to receive because he had already departed from the VMA's in order to make it to N.Y. in time for a performance.


So how long will it be until Usher decides to stop sliding around, I mean i hope he keeps sliding around whether it is on his feet or in a wheelchair that man is hot! Taylor Swift....get it girl, now let me update you if you forgot, Swift got rudely interrupted by a "Big Black Elephant" Kanye West last year at the VMA's. Taylor preformed her new song "Innocent" straight from her diary, about that most memorable experience. Drake also preformed his song "Fancy"....FREE WEEZY. Now the cast from Jersey Shore also got to experience the VMA's first hand, it seems the more places they go, the less clothes they seem to have on.


Now I hope you realized that you were able to vote for this years top new artists by sending a text to 66333. I did, Justin Bieber got my vote just because he is the only one I can stand, and what do you know the kid won. Linkin Park also was present to preform in a local park, I would love to have experienced that, the light show looked amazing on T.V.


Cher was also present at the VMA's wearing her see through, leather jacket, big hair ensemble. Lady Gaga and Cher on the same stage can you say revolution.Lady Gaga was even so gracious to announce her new album "Born This Way". After all of her recent VMA success, I will be sure to jump in line and grab that one off of the shelf.


Kanye ended the show with a preformance to talk about.. All of the people I talked to it about said it sucked, i agree the only thing good about that preformance was the dancers. At least the song he preformed talked about all of the categories he fits into.


Well now that i have procrastinated on all my homework, to watch the VMA action, i would like to say....


PEACE, LOVE & LISTEN