Are titles a requirement too?

I think that people should enjoy working towards something, whether it be a grade, a promotion, a new home, they should enjoy getting there. I don't enjoy blogging anymore. I actually really dislike it. And that's what this class is really about, right: expressing our opinions. I thought blogging was really cool for about six weeks. Seeing how many people would read my posts was really cool and made me want to write more and really put thought into things. If it isn't obvious that I'm putting effort in to this class then I'm probably doing something wrong.

Two posts a week. One about class. One about what I'm listening to. That's it.

I don't enjoy it and I'm not going to dedicate interest to it anymore.

Getting snug under the Covers

Austin is finally getting chilly, which feels  incredible. Last night I actually got to pull out the extra blankets and snuggle up. To me, fall weather just begs for new music on my phone. This season however I've fallen victim to catchy and beautiful YouTube covers. 

For the bubblegum pop lovers, check this out. It seems like everyone and their dog has been covering this song. Cups, originally by Anna Kendrick has exploded from the Movie Pitch Perfect. Finally these four young artists do this song justice.

For those of you who like something a little more solid to rock to, check this out. I stumbled across Gentleman's vibe through a dance video actually, This song is super jammin' and the mix of the old school classic song and the new school rap make it perfect for dancers and jammers alike.

And finally, the soft and lovely song. I've been a fan of Taylor Swift for years, and it seems that she has the most musical fans. these two singers blend perfectly together...it just makes me want to sing a sweet duet after the perfect first date.

I love covers. I love taking a song and making it your own and hearing how other people adapt music, too. I hope you guys enjoy these. Go Explore!

Rock is just so LOUD

According to my iTunes....I have a lot of the "rock" genre. Two hundred and eighteen items worth, apparently.

The above is a screenshot of three songs under the same genre.  Conversion, by The Fight of Our Lives is...loud. It's screamo at some points, and just, guys, it's just loud and chaotic. That's usually my definition of "rock".  You Found Me, by the Fray is nothing like the first song, in my opinion. It's mellow, kind, and emotional. Nobody's screaming and I can't picture any of the band members smashing their guitars after preforming. And then there's by Such Great Heights, by The Postal Service...which is different from both of the others. What. The third song is light and slightly techno, bubbly, weird, just a cool jam, but certainly not rock in my eyes.

I don't really know where I'm going with this. So uh...rock on y'all.

Great Expectations

ACL weekend one has come and gone. I wasn't there this year but I was last year. We've been talking about the lineup and the experience of ACL a lot in class recently...leading up to the festival. Last year a friend of mine and I walked in knowing three or four people we really wanted to see. Ya know, big names: Florence and the Machine, The Black Keys, Bassnectar. 

Walking in Friday mrning, it was by complete chance that Erika and I ended up front row for the Wombats...who are now easily one of my favorite bands. We recognized some people from school and trusted them to be fans of a kick ass band...and they were. It was a great show and a great start to ACL. 

I've heard great reviews and stories from this year. Here's to another great weekend. Find somethign new to love! 

PS: yeah...the Black Keys were something I expected to love. And did. Bam that photo.

Cover Albums

I think cover albums are really interesting. I think one artist being so influenced by another is an extremely humbling, but on the other hand, being someone who is so interested in two separate sounds and wants to fuse them into something new...that's awesome. In class we talked about all the mixes that came out of Jay-Z's Black album. THERE ARE SO MANY. Off of one album...

I think music is a community. People all do their own thing, but their sound was definitely influenced by someone else, or a combination of thing's they've heard. Everything is unique in a beautiful way, but the history and lineage of music is so easily traceable...and that's timeless and precious.

Just dance.

Music that makes you dance might be my favorite. Well, it certainly has been my favorite this week. As a listener, it's always really hard for me to sit still when I'm listening to anything, especially something with a fun dance beat and even more so on a good day. Today has been a good day...listen to this sexy Jason Derulo song. Just dance a little bit. Get up. Be happy and dance.

Money? What?

So ACl is this weekend, and for a few reasons I'm not going...but it seems like everyone esle and their gods are going. Which is so good! Last year I was an average ACL attendee who wanted to see the big names and didn't care about what was happening between Florence and the Machine and The Black Keys...mostly because I was parked at that stage for most of the day.

Some people question why someone would pay so much for tickets and not know what's going on all day...but it's so simple to me. My answer comes in two parts: 1. You could spend the $250 ticket price on tickets for ONE show...ACL is a magical bargain for concert lovers. 2. Even if I had no clue who was playing, ACL is just cool, and I think society values coolness. People love light shows and iphones, because they're cool. Because they're fun and convenient and cool. Anyway, people love music, it's an experience and I think it's one worth paying for. It's a chance worth taking.


 Just in case you're going and don't have a plan yet:  http://www.aclfestival.com/2013-lineup/

Music with a Message

Months ago, Macklemore released his tour route. As soon as I saw Cedar Park Center I put in my credit card number. Oh god...so good. But it wasn't until I was driving around Hawaii that I heard any of his earlier work. (like the above) The song I linked to this blog is absurd. Proud. American. Weird. But I think there's something to be said for that. Artists become popular when the pride they have in their work is just overwhelming. Normal people like to look up to someone...I don't know, maybe. Obviously this song isn't a real summary of all American views...but I can't help but love how Texas redneck this is.


I started writing this with a real intention of talking about a few different artists I stumbled upon recently...but I'm stuck in a swamp of Macklemore. So obviously the first song I talked about was absurd. I'm sure most of you guys know Thrift Shop.....I'm not going to link that. But my favorite Macklemore song is Victory Lap. 

 "you've got a whole world to change, but understand who you've go to change first"
                                                                                 -Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Victory lap -

God, that is so good. Music is so individual, people write songs about their lives, about things they've been, but I think a good musician becomes great when their music not only connects to people, bug gives them a positive and powerful message to stand behind.