Musical Fridays

I was recently introduced to a new music station in my area and I've been listening to it constantly!  It plays the type of music I love and has introduced me to a new band everyday.  Therefore, I figured it was time for another installment of Musical Fridays, so here are some of my recent favorites!

Come With Me Now - KONGOS

This four brother band originally from South America is amazing!!  It blows my mind that one family can be so talented. This song, in particular, gets stuck in my head for hours and hours.  I'm also super impressed by their use of an accordion.  I can't wait for this band to blow up.

Love Don't Die - The Fray

Okay, this song isn't from a new band but this song is literally played every time I listen to the radio and I LOVE it.  This is a horrible music video, I hate it.  The song, however, can be on repeat for days and I will still love it.

Coming of Age - Foster the People

I absolutely love the 80s vibe of this song and video.  The only other song I know by Foster the People is Pumped Up Kicks.  Coming of Age sounds like it comes from an entirely different band.  I love both songs and cannot wait to hear more on their new album!

What music have you been loving recently?

My First Road Trip!

This past weekend, I went on my first road trip sans parents.  My friend Emily and I headed down to the Bay Area to see Panic! at the Disco play in Oakland.  We decided to get a head start, hitting the road about 8 am and arriving in Berkeley around 1:30.  After a little food and shopping, we decided to visit the botanical gardens at UC Berkeley.

Then, we continued to head up the mountain and got completely lost in the search for steam trains in Tilden Park.  We eventually arrived at the closed building but we were rewarded with an amazing view of the Bay Area. It was absolutely spectacular.  We could see everything from downtown Berkeley to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Once the sun set, we headed over to Oakland for the concert.  The Fox Theater was packed.  Panic! at the Disco definitely pulled out all the stops.  Brendon Urie's high notes were amazing and the atmosphere was just fantastic.  I absolutely love seeing a band perform.  Unlike listening to a CD or watching a movie, at a concert or show, you are sharing an experience with the artist rather than just enjoying what they made.  When Panic! played 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies', the joy on the band's face as we sang louder than them was fantastic.  Brendon actually stopped singing and just listened to us.  It was so wonderful to see us, the viewer, make the band as happy as they make us.  

I am incredibly happy that I was able to take this trip.  It was really exciting to be both without my parents and outside of my normal environment.  This was my first trip entirely independent and without much of a plan.  The fact that it went so well makes me more confident about the rest of the new experiences coming up this year.  Also, I'm already planning to go back in late July to see the Neighborhood! 

The Creative Collective// New Music

The Creative Collective is back and today's prompt is to create a playlist full of new music.  The expectation is that I would utilize Pandora, Spotify or another music source to find some new artists.  I have not had the time to do that.  I've been writing my Extended Essay.  I literally spent four hours at the library writing yesterday! Therefore, I do not have enough songs to create an entire playlist so instead I have complied a playlist of non hits from some of my favorite artists as well as some new songs I've been listening to recently.

This playlist is a strange collection of songs.  From stand-up to punk to country to indie it's a good reflection of my actual music collection.  I would probably listen to this playlist while driving.  I would sing my lungs out to Hunter Hayes and Panic! At The Disco while Volcano Choir and Snow Patrol are nice to sit back and truly listen to.  Where would you listen to these songs?  What songs have you been loving lately?

Musical Friday

It's been quite a while since I've written one of these posts and I'm loving some new songs.

Let It Go by Idina Menzel in Disney's Frozen

I recently saw this new Disney princess film with my friend Dana and loved it to bits.  I really like the direction Disney has been moving in with Tangled, Brave and now Frozen. Every time I listen to this song I get the shivers, in a good way!

R U Mine by Arctic Monkeys

I've had this album on repeat in my car for days and I've discovered that this song is my favorite.  I don't listen to the radio but I think Arctic Monkeys have been gaining some popularity in America which I think it really cool. I've been a pop music junkie all my life but it's really cool to see a more 'indie' style of music becoming the norm.  Plus Alex Turner's greaser look, yes please.

Of The Night by Bastille

I can't get over how much I love this band.  Usually I listen to an album on repeat until I hate it entirely but this has yet to happen with Bastille and I've been listening to them for about 6 months now.  They're re-releasing Bad Blood with extra songs in January and I can't wait!

Afraid by The Neighborhood

Almost everyone has listened to Sweater Weather but I prefer this song. Plus this video is amazing and raw.

No Church In The Wild by Kanye West

A slightly older song then the others but still just as good. I tend not to like rap but then beautiful songs like this one show up and I make me reconsider my world.

Odd Covers

I've recently discovered the magic that happens over at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.  Somehow in this amazing world, they convince bands to cover songs from entirely different genera of music and it results in some pretty awesome combinations!  

The 1975 - What Makes You Beautiful

Bastille - We Won't Stop

Marina and the Diamonds - Startstrukk

Musical Fridays!

School is driving me insane and it's barely even started.  I come home from school and all I want to do is take a nap even though I've been sleeping 10 hours a night!!!! But then when I do sleep, I have discomforting stress dreams about the rest of this year.  College admissions, standardized tests, IAs for days. SENURS! I hate everything.

On a happier note, here are some songs I've been loving while procrastinating.

Acapella - Karmin

I was introduced to this song by a friend and I knew I had to own it after the first listening.  The female empowerment plus witty lines, like "Thought he was gluten free but all that I got was bread", make it the perfect song to bring up my mood. Plus I love the video.

The Silence - Bastille

Oh Bastille.  They are definitely my musical obsession right now. All I do is listen to their newly released album 'Bad Blood' on repeat.  I bought the album about a week ago and I've already listened to it 30 times through.  This song, a bonus track, is my favorite.

6AM - Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums are just fun.  My friend Brian said they sounded like modern 80s music that you just can't help but dance too.  The perfect blend of my mothers music and my own!

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke

It's a horrible video and has horrible sexist and makes rape okay but it's really catchy and I'm an awful person.

Musical Fridays

I made a post a couple weeks ago highlighting the music I had been loving recently. I've rediscovered and discovered some new favorites so I thought I would share them with you! It's going to be a little bit of a nerd heavy post because of my recent trip to VidCon and YouTube's Geek Week.

This Kiss - Alex Day (Feat. Carrie Hope Fletcher)

I know Alex Day can be a touchy subject when it comes to YouTube as he is a bit blunt, but I love him.  I'm glad he has switched to a less electric style of music, my favorite album is his acoustic one! Anyway, This Kiss and Good Morning Sunshine are some of my favorite songs and I can totally picture them in the background when getting ready for school this year.

 This Is Gospel - Panic at the Disco

Surprise, surprise, my pop punk tendency arises again. The song is great though it has few words, but the really great part about this song is the video.  Brendon Urie really gives it his all in his videos. In both Miss Jackson and This is Gospel he acts slightly insane and it is wonderful to watch.  Even if you hate Panic at the Disco, give this video a watch because I think it's amazing.

After Ever After - Paint

What happens after 'happily ever after'? Apparently nothing good, except for his voice, his voice is good.

Oh My Dayum - The Gregory Brothers

It hasn't left my brain since I heard it live. It's brilliant in a what the fuck sort of way.

Indigo - Tom Milsom

It's cute, he's cute, he's british, it's a love song. What else do you need?

Titanium - Christina Grimmie

Oh my god, her voice is amazing. Granted, I'm validated by 13 million views but it's the truth.  If you haven't heard her before, give this video a shot.

What music have you been enjoying this week?

Musical...Fridays?

I've been away for a while, sorry about that, but during that time I have rediscovered my love for kinda shitty music. Just pass all the pop-punk and real pop over here please. I literally cannot sit in my seat when I listen to these songs, I just have to get up and move.  I hope you find something to move your butt to!

Hot Chelle Rae-Hung Up

Their videos crack me up. Especially the one with the girl from Pretty Little Liars. Quality entertainment.

Bastille-Laura Palmer

I am in love with this band. I don't know how to explain it there is just a deep connection.

Best Song Ever-One Direction

I'm sorry, but I love these boys.  I am proud to say I no longer stalk their lives like I did about a year ago, but the crazy stuff they chose to do just jumpstarts those feelings all over again.  They are literally making fun of themselves.

Panic at the Disco-Miss Jackson

I don't care if it sounds like Fall Out Boy, I love it.

Union J-Carry You

I thought I was done, but then this made me crack up.  Cute British boys plus the sequel to one of my favorite movies? I had to.

Austin Mahone-What About Love

I've started to take pride in how bad they are. I need to stop.

Music Memories // 29

How Do I Feel (The Burrito Song): In 5th grade my teacher had a boombox in his room and every morning my friends and I would listen to our CDs.  Needless to say, there was a lot of Jonas Brothers and Radio Disney music played.  We could never take this song seriously, a couple of lines in we would always break down in laughter!

Light The Castle Up: Jingle Spells 3 was the first wrock album I got.  I remember in 2009 I spent the entire Christmas blasting, memorizing, and singing along to these songs.  Even my parents know the words!

Good Thing: My friends and I spent too much time singing along to this song in middle school.

Ocean Avenue: "We're looking up at the same night's sky" Anyone with internet friends can relate.

Goin' Back To Hogwarts: Starkid may have a bad rap, and most people only know Darren, but they are the reason for who I have become over the last 3 years.  This song marks the beginning of my path of acceptance of who I am.  I've realized that I'm definitely not nerdy or fangirly 'enough' to fit with these people anymore but I still have them to thank for me.

Goin' Back To Hogwarts

 

A Public Apology // 13

A little late to the bandwagon, I'm going to begin participating in Story Of My Life's blog every day in May challenge.  1/3 of May may be over (hehe) but inspiration is always welcome.  Today's prompt is to issue a public apology.  There are many things I could put here, like the fact that I mumble and don't enunciate properly causing many people to not understand me, but what I would rather talk about is my horrible taste in music.  For example, I just skipped a Nirvana song on Pandora but kept the Jonas Brothers song.

I have subjected too many friends to my horrible taste.  It doesn't help that they're all hippies or musicians raised on either classical or obscure music.  I grew up listening to Radio Disney.  My parents don't even listen to anything "good" just the pop music of their eras.

There are three facets of my horrible taste.  First, is pop music.  Anything on the radio I will love.  No matter how bad the song, within a few hearings, I will know it and love it.  This love of pop stretches back to the early 2000s.  I still, proudly, sing along with Hilary Duff, Jump 5, Play, Jesse McCartney, Bowling For Soup, and more are added every year.  I may know every One Direction and The Wanted songs.

Next is what I like to call internet music.  Alex Day, Charlie McDonnell, Harry and the Potters, Ministry of Magic, The Whomping Willow , Starkid, Tom Milsom, The Remus Lupins, etc.  If you don't know any of these bands, don't worry.  They all sing about nerdy topics such as acne, doctor who, harry potter, firefly, and angler fish.  I love it because it represents a time period of my life, but the quality can be some of the shittiest I've ever heard.

Last comes the semi-okay bit.  I do listen to people who I consider "good" like AWOLNATION, John Mayer, The Killers, The Script, Mumford and Sons, Macklemore, Oasis, and Snow Patrol.  However, these songs are never on when other people are around.

So, what's your opinion?  Should I hide my iPod from any potential friends or belt out 'I Am Harry Potter' loud and proud?  If you're interested, here's a playlist of some of my favorite songs right now.

Oh right, the apology, I'm sorry I subject you to out of tune songs with bad lyrics but sometimes you've got to accept the awful.

Weekly Photos #8

I did better! Still not everyday but I did get some pictures I really liked.  This week was a good one.  Very low stress and surprisingly little homework.  I can't help but wonder when the homework monster will reemerge.

Package for my good friend/TREES!/the most perfect seashell I've ever found/movie tickets I saw this week/hair is dyed

Looking back, this week is even better than I remember.  Random hair experiments, movies and perfect seashells, what else do you need?!  I don't think there should be hair dye in my house because when I'm bored my hair gets dyed.  I've had this pink dye for about 6 months and and used it on the spur of the moment twice!  I really like the result this time and I might try it again in the future with more permanent hair dye.  It's already fading :P

Good Things

Darren Criss

I love this boy.  Especially his own music. I could listen to Muse and Stutter (above) and I Still Think over and over again forever.  He's just so adorable!  Come on Darren, quit Glee and put out some of you're own stuff, I'm sure there are enough people to buy it.  If you don't know Darren or you think he's just a stupid glee kid I urge you to listen to one of these songs and tell me what you think in the comments!

I Knew You Were Trouble ________ Version

You've probably found this on the internet already but I fall over laughing every time.  Oh Taylor, the world doesn't seem to be good to you right now.  Here are some other versions I love.  Darren, Nicholas Cage

How did your week go?!

Crossing Entertainment

Sometimes, you don't need to make music about a book because it already exists in popular culture. Recently, I've found music that illustrates books on the radio! Today, I thought I'd share two of these combinations with you.

"I'm sorry I don't understand, where all of this is coming from, I thought that we were fine. Your head is running wild again, my dear we still have everything and it's all in your mind."

Just Give Me A Reason - P!nk

This song is the novel Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.  Every time I hear it I think of Anna and Vronksy's relationship near the end of the book.  In the story, Anna has trouble separating fiction from reality and thinks that Vronsky no longer loves her, which is far from the truth.  I see that same emotion in this song, especially in the parts sung by Nate Ruess. 

"There was time, a met a girl of a different kind. / Don't you worry, don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you."

Don't You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia

This connection may just be in my brain, but this song reminds me of the Maze Runner series.  When I finished the second one this song automatically came to my mind.  Just replace God with WICKED and it makes sense right? It also fits into the emotional crazyness at the end of The Scorch Trials.

It's crazy how perfectly similar unrelated things can be.  It kinda proves the idea that there only a few plots in the world retold in different ways!

Weekly Photos #4

Sorry I've been missing this week school just grabbed hold of my brain and wouldn't let go.  In fact, right now I'm frantically learning french as I write this blog post! I don't even have school tomorrow, but I do know how to say fire hydrant now, la bouche d'incendie! Anyway here are some pictures, I'm sorry that they're late.

Buying some gas/river up in the mountains/paper cranes on my bio project/a pot I made in ceramics/jump-starting my friend's car/sunny spot in a rainy sky/weird dogs on the side of the street

This week I basically lived in my car.  I took a good 4 hour road trip with my friends on the weekend and on Thursday I decided to sit in my car for a couple hours to do homework instead of going home.  I wonder if taking photos while driving is illegal cause I've done that...

Good Things:

#3 by The Script

I've had this album on repeat for most of this week.  I have a seven CD changer in my car and this is the only one I've listened to this week.  I love the mix of pop with meaningful lyrics.

Finishing Projects

I finished my literature seminar and my Group 4 project for the IB this week and while it isn't the end of my to-do list by far, it feels good to complete stuff.

My goals for this week are to really work on French so that I can test out and fininaly finish The Scorch Trials. It has been at least 3 weeks since I started it! Well that was my week, what about yours?

Weekly Photos #3

This week I started a 30 Day Photo Challenge I found on pinterest and it's been helping me a lot.  Having something, a prompt, to accomplish that day has made me take interesting photos that I really like this week.

Healthy Dinner?/meow my cat/loved my make-up that day/no idea but I love it/homework and Pandora/egyptain hieroglyphs on my pants/the scene in my rear view mirror

Some days it's hard to find something to fully capture the prompt, like routine for example, but they inspire me to remember to photograph everyday.  I'd really like to know how I made that swipe of light though...

Good Things:

British Swag by Tulisa

Yeah, I've watched some X-Factor with her as a judge, but I don't think that is the entire reason behind my love for this song.  I can't even relate to in on any level, but it's been on repeat for 24 hours.

Local Plays

I went with a friend to see a comedy show put on by a local theater group and it was wonderful.  Plus I got to experience a part of my community I was unaware existed before.  It was weird and funny because everyone there knew each other except for my friends and I.

What did you enjoy this week?