So I've been watching FUSE a lot lately and 30 Seconds to Mars' new music video "Closer to the Edge" has been getting a ton of publicity on their "Top 20 Countdown". I've watched it numerous times and so far I haven't gotten tired of it.
I'm not in their fanclub (The Echelon), nor do I own their entire discography. In fact, I mostly just own their singles. This video made me think however. It's basically a mini-documentary of the band touring in various continents for their world tour and hitting cities from Europe to America to Asia, etc. It's about the band but the majority of it showcases the fans; waiting outside in line, crowd-walking, shouting the chorus to the camera, describing what music is to them in their lives...
It just made me wish more bands did things like this after watching it. I feel like 30stm care about their fans a lot and even more so, they care about the music they make more than the capital they're making from it. I listen to AFI a lot and I feel like they'd agree with these sentiments.
The video to me was so close to home, too. It feels like it was made by a fan and encapsulates that raw energy of live music, the excitement of loving a band so much that it hurts sometimes, and that high you get from being in front of a stage shouting lyrics out loud alongside complete strangers who love that piece of music for the same reasons you do.
The world needs more of this; artists for the fans.
Check the video below:
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Artists for Capital: A Rant-a-lcious muse
Putting some inspirational/passionate pics in between these ranty paragraphs too :) Hooray for visual sweetness, eh?
Ok so some of you reading may or may not know that I recently graduated with a degree in English/Media & Communications/Creative Writing. My primary focus however, was on music journalism.
Overall, I spent the last 4 years of my life immersing myself in it all; heading concert planning for my college and booking bands to come and play live, finding myself in an internship at Blackheart Records, managing our radio station during my senior year, writing a music column for our campus paper, sitting down and having one-on-one's with artists at venues in and around Philly and doing phoners for this blog, etc. I'm a geek and wanted to experience it all from every angle. And I wanted to do it all at once.
Before I knew it had happened, graduation had popped up and that thing they all call, "the real world" hit me straight on. Like all of my friends, months before and right after graduation, I started hunting online for work related to all of the above areas and found myself taking a part-time position tour-managing for a local singer/songwriter. I'm not going to name names or anything because this would be extremely rude and likely karma would come back and bite me in the ass with some sort of life-threatening mosquito bite or hair-dye mishap that made me look like the Joker. Eek.
Anyway....Suffice it to say this person I was working for was the exact opposite of the experience I had at Blackheart. Everyone in their offices were incredibly welcoming and friendly, appreciative, easygoing, passionate about the work they did and believed in the label as a whole and backed the artists on it. I was interning for them for college credit and I basically traveled 5 hours from Philly-NYC to get there and stayed in a hostel two nights a week to be there for free. More than anything, I remember just being on the bus on the way out of the college town I live in and having that feeling of elation start to rise up in my chest, getting more excited week after week to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than myself and to have lived inside of this grand bubble of self-awareness while all around me these experiences were chipping away at an outer shell of myself and digging to expose who I really was at my core. The months there were gorgeous and revelatory.
And thennnnn after graduation this "artist" (loose quotes) came along and sort of threw me for a loop. I felt like they didn't care about the music at all and although they're only working on their sophomore album, there was a lack of soul to the work and a larger focus on money-making, so much so it began to be the only part of their personality that showed. Among this, other ridiculous things too; wanting to put pictures on their website of themselves with movie stars to gain notoriety through proximity, impatience with the team of their employees literally asking us what we were doing every 2 minutes online as we worked, a lack of knowledge about the business and jargon any musician should be familiar with, and little to no initiative or care to interact directly with fans, expectations higher than the alps for 9 dollars an hour and commentary about our work never encouraging or appreciative, and micro-managing like whoa. Beyond that there were dozens of other signs that this person wasn't one who you'd see bleeding their heart on a stage anytime soon, let alone willing to make the sacrifices it took hundreds of others to just make it there as an opener and it saddened me. As dramatic as it may sound, I could feel my soul dimming down working for them.
Thus the reason to rant to you, dear reader, whomever you may be, and explain how this all led to me sit pensively at my laptop late last night to send a resignation email out because I felt something inside of me dying out a bit; that same whimsical sense of wonder and newness and being immersed in a part of the business where there was nothing to do but learn from people who shared my own inspiration; people who understood how much one song can change things and how things like tattooed lyrics on someone's skin, or the fans that show up 5 hours early just to be barricade, or how music listeners will always be dying to fill up a room to hear lines they feel they themselves could have written...these things weren't even on the foreground of this person's mind nor did they understand why they happen.
These were only some of what I want to work for and this person wasn't showing me any of that. I had countless talks about it with friends and family and we all concluded it was for the best. I'm hoping though, that Blackheart wasn't that metaphorical diamond-in-the-rough and that these things I'm looking for (and will continue to hold out for) are more than few and far between.
I also feel that coming from the perspective of a fan, if you're in this industry it's not enough to just LOVE music. That word is too small for even half of what I feel. You have to be in touch with it on a deeper level (especially if you're a musician!)thrive around it, understand that it has the ability to be this purple-cloud moment in the middle of pit where hundreds of faces are titled up towards 4 strangers above, joining sometimes off-key voices in the same chorus and you all know why you're there together and the musicians on stage in front of you know better, and the lights in all of your eyes reflect that silver gleam of something intangible that can only be seen in rare moments like that. You have to perceive that although an artist is just a regular human being like anyone else, they still hold a torch of promise above so many listeners heads month in and month out on tour, and have the potential to be responsible for as much change as a political figurehead could have or as I really believe in most cases, more.
I honestly wish that people who know or have been given the chance to find out what they want out of life and can see their passions on a clear road ahead should just say "fuck it all" and go for it with everything they've got and take away from the bad experiences not regretting them, but using each one as a lesson to hone in deeper on what they want.
I grew up with a rare genetic disease and because of this, spent months in and out of the hospital in my childhood, teenage years, and currently at times I'll fall ill for weeks at a time and find myself back there again. If it's taught me anything it's that life really is fleeting and you only get this span of chunky and sorted decades to be who it is you want to be. Cliche as this may sound, albeit vaguely GoArmy.com, what you're passionate about is far too hard to ignore, far too important to your own personal growth to place on some bac-kburner and settle for something less. So I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to be that architect of your life and build a world around you filled with art, those who understand your desires and dreams, and a job that affords you the time and existence to be that version of who you are to the core and furthermore, inspire you towards becoming it.
Also, funny side note: I had originally planned on writing about how ridiculous it is that Justin Bieber is now working with Usher in music videos and how when I was his age, I was consumed with leisure activities like POGS, playing Manhunt with neighborhood kids, wondering which arcade game at the mall would be more beneficial in the long-run to my $5 dollar allowance, and watching too many episodes of Boy Meets World and Clarissa Explains it all. Just sayin'. Usher's great and all, but I wouldn't trade those Cory & Topanga memories for this:
I'll be blogging way more often about music related things so hopefully some readers will be gained and if not, no worries.
shout it out loud,
~Laurel
Ok so some of you reading may or may not know that I recently graduated with a degree in English/Media & Communications/Creative Writing. My primary focus however, was on music journalism.
Overall, I spent the last 4 years of my life immersing myself in it all; heading concert planning for my college and booking bands to come and play live, finding myself in an internship at Blackheart Records, managing our radio station during my senior year, writing a music column for our campus paper, sitting down and having one-on-one's with artists at venues in and around Philly and doing phoners for this blog, etc. I'm a geek and wanted to experience it all from every angle. And I wanted to do it all at once.
Before I knew it had happened, graduation had popped up and that thing they all call, "the real world" hit me straight on. Like all of my friends, months before and right after graduation, I started hunting online for work related to all of the above areas and found myself taking a part-time position tour-managing for a local singer/songwriter. I'm not going to name names or anything because this would be extremely rude and likely karma would come back and bite me in the ass with some sort of life-threatening mosquito bite or hair-dye mishap that made me look like the Joker. Eek.
Anyway....Suffice it to say this person I was working for was the exact opposite of the experience I had at Blackheart. Everyone in their offices were incredibly welcoming and friendly, appreciative, easygoing, passionate about the work they did and believed in the label as a whole and backed the artists on it. I was interning for them for college credit and I basically traveled 5 hours from Philly-NYC to get there and stayed in a hostel two nights a week to be there for free. More than anything, I remember just being on the bus on the way out of the college town I live in and having that feeling of elation start to rise up in my chest, getting more excited week after week to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than myself and to have lived inside of this grand bubble of self-awareness while all around me these experiences were chipping away at an outer shell of myself and digging to expose who I really was at my core. The months there were gorgeous and revelatory.
And thennnnn after graduation this "artist" (loose quotes) came along and sort of threw me for a loop. I felt like they didn't care about the music at all and although they're only working on their sophomore album, there was a lack of soul to the work and a larger focus on money-making, so much so it began to be the only part of their personality that showed. Among this, other ridiculous things too; wanting to put pictures on their website of themselves with movie stars to gain notoriety through proximity, impatience with the team of their employees literally asking us what we were doing every 2 minutes online as we worked, a lack of knowledge about the business and jargon any musician should be familiar with, and little to no initiative or care to interact directly with fans, expectations higher than the alps for 9 dollars an hour and commentary about our work never encouraging or appreciative, and micro-managing like whoa. Beyond that there were dozens of other signs that this person wasn't one who you'd see bleeding their heart on a stage anytime soon, let alone willing to make the sacrifices it took hundreds of others to just make it there as an opener and it saddened me. As dramatic as it may sound, I could feel my soul dimming down working for them.
Thus the reason to rant to you, dear reader, whomever you may be, and explain how this all led to me sit pensively at my laptop late last night to send a resignation email out because I felt something inside of me dying out a bit; that same whimsical sense of wonder and newness and being immersed in a part of the business where there was nothing to do but learn from people who shared my own inspiration; people who understood how much one song can change things and how things like tattooed lyrics on someone's skin, or the fans that show up 5 hours early just to be barricade, or how music listeners will always be dying to fill up a room to hear lines they feel they themselves could have written...these things weren't even on the foreground of this person's mind nor did they understand why they happen.
These were only some of what I want to work for and this person wasn't showing me any of that. I had countless talks about it with friends and family and we all concluded it was for the best. I'm hoping though, that Blackheart wasn't that metaphorical diamond-in-the-rough and that these things I'm looking for (and will continue to hold out for) are more than few and far between.
I also feel that coming from the perspective of a fan, if you're in this industry it's not enough to just LOVE music. That word is too small for even half of what I feel. You have to be in touch with it on a deeper level (especially if you're a musician!)thrive around it, understand that it has the ability to be this purple-cloud moment in the middle of pit where hundreds of faces are titled up towards 4 strangers above, joining sometimes off-key voices in the same chorus and you all know why you're there together and the musicians on stage in front of you know better, and the lights in all of your eyes reflect that silver gleam of something intangible that can only be seen in rare moments like that. You have to perceive that although an artist is just a regular human being like anyone else, they still hold a torch of promise above so many listeners heads month in and month out on tour, and have the potential to be responsible for as much change as a political figurehead could have or as I really believe in most cases, more.
I honestly wish that people who know or have been given the chance to find out what they want out of life and can see their passions on a clear road ahead should just say "fuck it all" and go for it with everything they've got and take away from the bad experiences not regretting them, but using each one as a lesson to hone in deeper on what they want.
I grew up with a rare genetic disease and because of this, spent months in and out of the hospital in my childhood, teenage years, and currently at times I'll fall ill for weeks at a time and find myself back there again. If it's taught me anything it's that life really is fleeting and you only get this span of chunky and sorted decades to be who it is you want to be. Cliche as this may sound, albeit vaguely GoArmy.com, what you're passionate about is far too hard to ignore, far too important to your own personal growth to place on some bac-kburner and settle for something less. So I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to be that architect of your life and build a world around you filled with art, those who understand your desires and dreams, and a job that affords you the time and existence to be that version of who you are to the core and furthermore, inspire you towards becoming it.
Also, funny side note: I had originally planned on writing about how ridiculous it is that Justin Bieber is now working with Usher in music videos and how when I was his age, I was consumed with leisure activities like POGS, playing Manhunt with neighborhood kids, wondering which arcade game at the mall would be more beneficial in the long-run to my $5 dollar allowance, and watching too many episodes of Boy Meets World and Clarissa Explains it all. Just sayin'. Usher's great and all, but I wouldn't trade those Cory & Topanga memories for this:
I'll be blogging way more often about music related things so hopefully some readers will be gained and if not, no worries.
shout it out loud,
~Laurel
Friday, April 2, 2010
Antigone Rising: Read all about em'!!!
Hello and happy Friday!!!
So last weekend Ursinus College and WVOU radio had a Spring headliner come and they were absolutely fantastic.
They're continuing their tour along the East Coast and will be playing at the famous "Bitter End" in NYC April 10th, next Saturday. I encourage everyone who's around the area to attend this one. Their new lead singer Nini Camps has a voice that's revelatory with vocals that can survive with no accompaniment whatsoever and the rest of the band (drummer Dena Tauriello, sisters Kristen (bassist) and Kathy Henderson (electric) )are musicians in the purest sense of the word.
Check out their tour dates below, which include some pretty sweet venues along the East Coast as well as a show at Pridefest in NY that's no doubt going to be a terrific time, and a 3-hour boat tour that circles Manhattan with a live show from Antigone during the cruise!!!
Tickets and show times can be found here with dates listed below
April 10 Bitter End : NYC
April 29 Infinity Music Hall : Norfolk,CT
May 1 Jerkys : Providence, RI
May 9 Tulip Festival : Albany, NY
May 14 The Record Collector : Bordentown, NJ
May 22 Mamapalooza : Valhalla, NY .. Kensico dam
June 13 Long Island Pride Fest : Hecksher Park, Huntington, NY
June 25 Katherine Hepburn Theatre : Old Saybrook, Ct
July 8 Rock Boat : NYC- cruise around Manhattan
Aug 7 Club Passim : Cambridge,MA
They're on just about every social networking site there is so feel free to check them out on:
Their Homepage, where you can listen to their newest track, "Breaking Me"
Myspace
Youtube
Or in my blog archive here
Friday, February 5, 2010
Joan Jett news...all kinds of good stuff to read!!
Happy Friday guys!
There's been so much happening with the label I intern for, Blackheart Records, I figured I should make a comprehensive blog about it.
Beginning with things to read about, AMMO is releasing a book in tribute to Joan, chronicling her life and career in pictures designed by Todd Oldham.
Click here to Pre-order
As if one rock and roll text isn't enough, "Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway", written by Runaways member Cherie Currie herself, can also be purchased Here on Amazon
You'll definitely want to read about this after the "The Runaways" movie comes out on March 19th. Check out some of pics from the premiere at Sundance as well as the afterparty where Joan performed some Blackheart & Runaways tunes. Also, be sure to check out this exclusive clip of the film you can view Here
And if you're really curious about the film and how it was received two weeks ago at Sundance, read what Vanity Fair had to say about it
Read the Review
Next, Urban Outfitters (AKA one of the best stores at KOP Mall) is now selling Joan's "I Love Rock and Roll" LP. There's nothing sweeter than listening to some vinyl on a Saturday night. You can purchase that on their website by clicking below.
Urban Outfitter Link
Feel free to follow the Runaways and Blackheart on these sites to keep up with the goings on :)
Blackheart Records Twitter
The Runaways Twitter
The Runaways Homepage
Joan Jett Twitter
Joan Jett Myspace
There's been so much happening with the label I intern for, Blackheart Records, I figured I should make a comprehensive blog about it.
Beginning with things to read about, AMMO is releasing a book in tribute to Joan, chronicling her life and career in pictures designed by Todd Oldham.
Click here to Pre-order
As if one rock and roll text isn't enough, "Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway", written by Runaways member Cherie Currie herself, can also be purchased Here on Amazon
You'll definitely want to read about this after the "The Runaways" movie comes out on March 19th. Check out some of pics from the premiere at Sundance as well as the afterparty where Joan performed some Blackheart & Runaways tunes. Also, be sure to check out this exclusive clip of the film you can view Here
And if you're really curious about the film and how it was received two weeks ago at Sundance, read what Vanity Fair had to say about it
Read the Review
Next, Urban Outfitters (AKA one of the best stores at KOP Mall) is now selling Joan's "I Love Rock and Roll" LP. There's nothing sweeter than listening to some vinyl on a Saturday night. You can purchase that on their website by clicking below.
Urban Outfitter Link
Feel free to follow the Runaways and Blackheart on these sites to keep up with the goings on :)
Blackheart Records Twitter
The Runaways Twitter
The Runaways Homepage
Joan Jett Twitter
Joan Jett Myspace
Monday, January 25, 2010
Runaways Premiere at Sundance, review, trailer link
"The Runaways", which is set to hit theaters March 19th directed by Floria Sigismondi and Executive Produced by Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna debuted this past weekend at the Sundance film festival.
Here's a review from:Collide.com
"With fantastic performances from Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Michael Shannon, The Runaways delivered the goods at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Based on the book Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story by Cherie Currie, The Runaways tells the coming-of-age story of the teenage rock band The Runaways and how they came together in the mid 1970’s. Kristen Stewart stars as Joan Jett, Dakota Fanning is Cherie Currie, and Michael Shannon stars as the über-eccentric Kim Fowley - the man who put The Runaways together.
While there was a lot of debate if the film would show a no-holds-barred account of what The Runaways really went through back in the 70’s - like the drug use and the in-band make-out sessions - not only does the film show a warts-and-all look at what happened to the band - at times you’ll feel like you’re watching documentary footage from the era as Stewart and Fanning are really playing and singing in the film, and they both deliver inspired performances.
The first thing to know is if you’re wishing you were at Sundance to see The Runaways, Apparition bought the film and it’ll be released in America on March 19, 2010. So it’s only a short wait.
The movie opens in 1975 Los Angeles. We’re quickly introduced to Joan Jett and Cherie Currie and what they were going through in their lives.
Jett was a loner trying to figure out her look and a way to play guitar when women were considered groupies and not members of a band. At the same time, Cherie Currie was a tenth grader idolizing David Bowie and hanging out in the same local clubs as Jett. When Joan Jett runs into Kim Fowley outside a venue, she pitches the idea of an all girls rock band and after some makeshift rehearsals and band auditions, The Runaways are born.
It’s when the group is forming that we get some awesome scenes of Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley. Also, to help get the group ready for the road and what being a rock star is all about, Fowley makes the girls go through band camp where he teaches them the ropes and delivers some killer dialogue. Remember, at the time, an all girls rock band had never been done and Fowley realizes he might have a huge hit on his hands. Finally after some local parties, the band hits the road and we watch as The Runaways make the big time.
As the journey unfolds, the teenage girls begin to experiment with drugs, their sexuality, and how to survive as a band, which Cherie Currie pushes too far in almost every way.
Again, the performances are fantastic across the board, and Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning really impressed me with their portrayals of these still-living rock stars.
What I really liked about the movie is that it doesn’t take any sides about The Runaways story. Writer/director Floria Sigismondi paints a realistic portrait of Los Angeles in 1975 and what was going on in Joan Jett’s and Cherie Currie’s lives. We get to see how each of them lived and what brought them together. And after they got famous and made it in the record industry, Sigismondi paints a portrait not of judgment or condemnation, but simply as it was. The story has enough ups and downs that she didn’t need to use a heavy hand to tell the story, which some filmmakers might have done.
The other thing to know about the film is that while the movie has a great supporting cast featuring Scout Taylor-Compton (Lita Ford), Alia Skawkat (Robin who is a fictional composite of all the people that played bass in the band), and Stella Maeve (Sandy West), they’re relegated to background players with only a few scenes. Sigismondi focuses on the Jett-Currie-Fowley relationship, and it’s a smart decision that pays off.
Of course what would a review of The Runaways be without some mention of the rumored make out scene between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning?
Yes, the movie has such a scene, but it’s tastefully done. You never get the feeling that Sigismondi is using either actress more than is necessary to show the two had a night together. But it’ll be very interesting to see what the Twilight fans think of this scene, especially Stewart’s teenage fanbase.
My larger question is what parents are going to do with their kids who want to see Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett? Even though the film doesn’t glorify or condone any questionable action in the movie, you see Kristen Stewart (and Dakota Fanning) doing drugs, kissing girls, and walking around with not much clothing on. The Runaways is an R-rated film that explores a different era and I think depending on the kid, some parents may have to do some actual parenting and say that while Stewart plays Bella Swan and Joan Jett, Bella Swan is nothing like Joan Jett.
Exercise common sense.
Final Thoughts
While some Sundance movies have a lot of buzz before the festival, The Runaways will ride its Sundance momentum into theaters this March and should be able to mint a lot of coin from worldwide audiences. Also, with a killer soundtrack and an honest portrayal of The Runaways, the band should enjoy a bump in sales and a lot of new fans finding their music.
But more than anything, The Runaways is a great movie filled with honest and real performances from its experienced and talented lead actors.
Definitely recommended."
To view the official trailer, click here: Runaways Trailer
Here's a review from:Collide.com
"With fantastic performances from Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Michael Shannon, The Runaways delivered the goods at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Based on the book Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story by Cherie Currie, The Runaways tells the coming-of-age story of the teenage rock band The Runaways and how they came together in the mid 1970’s. Kristen Stewart stars as Joan Jett, Dakota Fanning is Cherie Currie, and Michael Shannon stars as the über-eccentric Kim Fowley - the man who put The Runaways together.
While there was a lot of debate if the film would show a no-holds-barred account of what The Runaways really went through back in the 70’s - like the drug use and the in-band make-out sessions - not only does the film show a warts-and-all look at what happened to the band - at times you’ll feel like you’re watching documentary footage from the era as Stewart and Fanning are really playing and singing in the film, and they both deliver inspired performances.
The first thing to know is if you’re wishing you were at Sundance to see The Runaways, Apparition bought the film and it’ll be released in America on March 19, 2010. So it’s only a short wait.
The movie opens in 1975 Los Angeles. We’re quickly introduced to Joan Jett and Cherie Currie and what they were going through in their lives.
Jett was a loner trying to figure out her look and a way to play guitar when women were considered groupies and not members of a band. At the same time, Cherie Currie was a tenth grader idolizing David Bowie and hanging out in the same local clubs as Jett. When Joan Jett runs into Kim Fowley outside a venue, she pitches the idea of an all girls rock band and after some makeshift rehearsals and band auditions, The Runaways are born.
It’s when the group is forming that we get some awesome scenes of Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley. Also, to help get the group ready for the road and what being a rock star is all about, Fowley makes the girls go through band camp where he teaches them the ropes and delivers some killer dialogue. Remember, at the time, an all girls rock band had never been done and Fowley realizes he might have a huge hit on his hands. Finally after some local parties, the band hits the road and we watch as The Runaways make the big time.
As the journey unfolds, the teenage girls begin to experiment with drugs, their sexuality, and how to survive as a band, which Cherie Currie pushes too far in almost every way.
Again, the performances are fantastic across the board, and Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning really impressed me with their portrayals of these still-living rock stars.
What I really liked about the movie is that it doesn’t take any sides about The Runaways story. Writer/director Floria Sigismondi paints a realistic portrait of Los Angeles in 1975 and what was going on in Joan Jett’s and Cherie Currie’s lives. We get to see how each of them lived and what brought them together. And after they got famous and made it in the record industry, Sigismondi paints a portrait not of judgment or condemnation, but simply as it was. The story has enough ups and downs that she didn’t need to use a heavy hand to tell the story, which some filmmakers might have done.
The other thing to know about the film is that while the movie has a great supporting cast featuring Scout Taylor-Compton (Lita Ford), Alia Skawkat (Robin who is a fictional composite of all the people that played bass in the band), and Stella Maeve (Sandy West), they’re relegated to background players with only a few scenes. Sigismondi focuses on the Jett-Currie-Fowley relationship, and it’s a smart decision that pays off.
Of course what would a review of The Runaways be without some mention of the rumored make out scene between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning?
Yes, the movie has such a scene, but it’s tastefully done. You never get the feeling that Sigismondi is using either actress more than is necessary to show the two had a night together. But it’ll be very interesting to see what the Twilight fans think of this scene, especially Stewart’s teenage fanbase.
My larger question is what parents are going to do with their kids who want to see Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett? Even though the film doesn’t glorify or condone any questionable action in the movie, you see Kristen Stewart (and Dakota Fanning) doing drugs, kissing girls, and walking around with not much clothing on. The Runaways is an R-rated film that explores a different era and I think depending on the kid, some parents may have to do some actual parenting and say that while Stewart plays Bella Swan and Joan Jett, Bella Swan is nothing like Joan Jett.
Exercise common sense.
Final Thoughts
While some Sundance movies have a lot of buzz before the festival, The Runaways will ride its Sundance momentum into theaters this March and should be able to mint a lot of coin from worldwide audiences. Also, with a killer soundtrack and an honest portrayal of The Runaways, the band should enjoy a bump in sales and a lot of new fans finding their music.
But more than anything, The Runaways is a great movie filled with honest and real performances from its experienced and talented lead actors.
Definitely recommended."
To view the official trailer, click here: Runaways Trailer
Monday, January 18, 2010
Antigone Rising, check em' out!
Hello to everyone out there in the inter-web world :)
Just wanted to give you guys the skinny on a new band I've been introduced to called "Antigone Rising". Have a read and a listen...
Antigone Rising has had quite a journey so far. As an all-female rock band with roots based in NY’s Greenwich Village in the early 90’s, their sounds encompass a mixture of rusty rock, bluesy folk, and some CMT-worthy twang sprinkled in between. Originally formed by sisters Cathy and Kristen Henderson during their days at Bucknell Univeristy, Antigone or “AR” (as their fans refer to them), started out and have continued to play venues in and around New York City and along the East Coast. They’ve been known to frequent small clubs on Bleecker Street like the “Back Fence” and even “The Bitter End”, New York City’s oldest rock club where acoustic wonders like Carly Simon, Norah Jones, even Bob Dylan have performed.
Their influences range from various guitar-gods, citing artists like Zeppelin, Bowie, Petty, and Hendrix as favorites; what’s more is that their sound actually reflects this. And having toured with acts like Joan Jett, Aerosmith, and The Stones, they've most certainly proven themselves worthy of a respectable fan-base for an indie-labeled band.
Not to place the sole focus on their instrumentals, but the vocals of Antigone are revelatory. Songs like, “Longshot” bring to mind that syrupy quality of Joni Mitchell every folk listener craves, intertwined with the sadness and sincerity of Sheryl Crow. And with seven albums under their belt with their latest release a live acoustic album recorded in 2005, they’re planning on entering the sound-booth for an EP sooner than later.
Antigone are currently on tour on the East Coast and will be hitting the Tin Angel in Philly on March 12th. What better way to spend Spring Break than to take in a live show with some musical goodness?
Buy Tickets for the Tin Angel show here
To hear more from AR, check them out on
Myspace
Their Official Website
Facebook
lord knows I'm a voodoo child, baby
~Laurel
Just wanted to give you guys the skinny on a new band I've been introduced to called "Antigone Rising". Have a read and a listen...
Antigone Rising has had quite a journey so far. As an all-female rock band with roots based in NY’s Greenwich Village in the early 90’s, their sounds encompass a mixture of rusty rock, bluesy folk, and some CMT-worthy twang sprinkled in between. Originally formed by sisters Cathy and Kristen Henderson during their days at Bucknell Univeristy, Antigone or “AR” (as their fans refer to them), started out and have continued to play venues in and around New York City and along the East Coast. They’ve been known to frequent small clubs on Bleecker Street like the “Back Fence” and even “The Bitter End”, New York City’s oldest rock club where acoustic wonders like Carly Simon, Norah Jones, even Bob Dylan have performed.
Their influences range from various guitar-gods, citing artists like Zeppelin, Bowie, Petty, and Hendrix as favorites; what’s more is that their sound actually reflects this. And having toured with acts like Joan Jett, Aerosmith, and The Stones, they've most certainly proven themselves worthy of a respectable fan-base for an indie-labeled band.
Not to place the sole focus on their instrumentals, but the vocals of Antigone are revelatory. Songs like, “Longshot” bring to mind that syrupy quality of Joni Mitchell every folk listener craves, intertwined with the sadness and sincerity of Sheryl Crow. And with seven albums under their belt with their latest release a live acoustic album recorded in 2005, they’re planning on entering the sound-booth for an EP sooner than later.
Antigone are currently on tour on the East Coast and will be hitting the Tin Angel in Philly on March 12th. What better way to spend Spring Break than to take in a live show with some musical goodness?
Buy Tickets for the Tin Angel show here
To hear more from AR, check them out on
Myspace
Their Official Website
lord knows I'm a voodoo child, baby
~Laurel
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
NEW Dollyrots single out today!!!!!
Hey there music-listeners ;)
Just a friendly update that the Dollyrots new single, "California Beach Boy" is now available for digital download here:
"California Beach Boy" & "Dumb" Itunes
and it's also on sale in a pretty little vinyl you can pick up at the Blackheart Records store,here: Buy the Vinyl here!
Andddd as if that wasn't enough, you can listen to both California Beach Boy and a second new track, "Dumb" all right here for free (no 30 second clips but the FULL SONGS)
MP3 GOODNESS
Oh yeah, and it should be mentioned that The Dollyrots are going to be performing on this Friday's (that's January 15th, folks) airing of "The Price is Right"
So be sure to catch that as well. Drew Carey might cry if you don't view it. And no one wants to see that...No sir.
Oh yeah, and one LAST THING...
this music video is lovely. LOVELY MUSIC VIDEO OF MYSTERY
In lieu of Simon Cowell leaving American Idol after this season, it had to be posted.
keep on rockin' in the free world,
~Laurel
Just a friendly update that the Dollyrots new single, "California Beach Boy" is now available for digital download here:
"California Beach Boy" & "Dumb" Itunes
and it's also on sale in a pretty little vinyl you can pick up at the Blackheart Records store,here: Buy the Vinyl here!
Andddd as if that wasn't enough, you can listen to both California Beach Boy and a second new track, "Dumb" all right here for free (no 30 second clips but the FULL SONGS)
MP3 GOODNESS
Oh yeah, and it should be mentioned that The Dollyrots are going to be performing on this Friday's (that's January 15th, folks) airing of "The Price is Right"
So be sure to catch that as well. Drew Carey might cry if you don't view it. And no one wants to see that...No sir.
Oh yeah, and one LAST THING...
this music video is lovely. LOVELY MUSIC VIDEO OF MYSTERY
In lieu of Simon Cowell leaving American Idol after this season, it had to be posted.
keep on rockin' in the free world,
~Laurel
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Brand New: Philly Concert Review
Hey everyone, WVOU GM throwing up Vincent Discepola's review of Philly's Brand New Concert...ENJOY!!!
"This past Sunday I ventured down to the Electric Factory to catch a show before another grueling week of school began. I had seen Brand New a few years ago when their last album (The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me) and was pretty impressed with the performance, although their stage presence was the weakest part of the show.
So heading into Sunday I had the feeling that I would get a pretty similar experience again, and I was right.
Crime in Stereo was on first. They are a band based out of New York (like both Glassjaw and Brand New) and friends of the headlining band. They played a string of songs that kept the crowd’s attention for the brief twenty minutes or so they played, but sadly ended slowly which in a way turned the crowd off to them.
Next up was Glassjaw. The crowd was anxiously awaiting and some even started pushing forward before the band even came on. This was Glassjaw’s first night on the tour, as well as their first performance in quite a long time. They didn’t disappoint, however, as the crowd went wild singing and screaming along. The band had a unique set up, all the instruments were facing one another as the popular flag of Glassjaw hung in the background. Another interesting part of their performance was the fact they did not have a light show, they simply had the lights dimmed and let their stage presence make up for the rest. Glassjaw’s lead singer, Daryl Palumbo (also lead singer of Head Automatica), was by far the most entertaining and energetic of all the bands of the night.
Brand New came out with a lot of energy, Jesse had a second microphone to do most of his screaming into, and the band picked up a 3rd guitar player to cover some extra parts and vocals when needed. The crowd pushed and swayed and sang along, everyone was enjoying their time with the band. Luckily enough, I was able to make my way to the point where only a few people (and a gap full of concert security) separated me and the stage. “Welcome to Bangkok” really got the crowd going right into the pounding bass drum driven “Sink” from their newest release. Then, the band took the crowd back to previous albums for the next six songs. The end of this string of songs included an interesting, mostly acoustic version of “Limousine” (the band only started playing once Jesse sings “seven loves you so much”). Next, the use of the backdrop screen accompanied “Vices” and “Gasoline,” and then the band played one of my favorites, “Sowing Season (Yeah).” The band headed back to two more songs from Daisy, then to The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, then to Jesse Lacey finally speaking to the crowd for once. Up until that point, all that the singer had said to us was “Thank you” and “We’re Brand New,” as well as thanking the opening bands and talking about how wonderful they were. But at this point, before playing “Bought a Bride” Jesse thanked the crowd for the band telling us how much it means to them. After “Bought a Bride,” the band proceeded into the first single off of Daisy, “At the Bottom.” Then, all but Jesse and Vinny (second guitarist/back up singer) walked off stage as the duo performed a simply beautiful version of “Play Crack the Sky.” It was very peaceful ending for a very energetic show. The only person lacking energy was Jesse, but it can’t be overlooked that his vocals sounded perfect.
Overall, the show turned out to be a good one. Crime in Stereo was a good band for being the first out of three, Glassjaw was absolutely phenomenal, and Brand New didn’t disappoint.
BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT (BRAND NEW): Sink, Limousine, Sowing Season (Yeah), Jesus Christ, At the Bottom, Play Crack the Sky
BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT (GLASSJAW): Tip Your Bartender, The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, Siberian Kiss
BRAND NEW’S SETLIST November 15, 2009
1. Welcome To Bangkok
2. Sink
3. Degausser
4. You Won’t Know
5. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't
6. Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades
7. The Shower Scene
8. Limousine
9. Vices
10. Gasoline
11. Sowing Season (Yeah)
12. You Stole
13. In A Jar
14. Luca
15. The Archer's Bows Have Broken
16. Jesus Christ
17. Bought A Bride
18. At The Bottom
19. Play Crack The Sky
GLASSJAW’S SETLIST November 15, 2009
1. (You Think You're) John Fucking Lennon
2. Tip Your Bartender
3. Mu Empire
4. Ape Dos Mil
5. The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports
6. Pink Roses
7. Jesus Glue
8. Two Tabs of Mescaline
9. Siberian Kiss
"This past Sunday I ventured down to the Electric Factory to catch a show before another grueling week of school began. I had seen Brand New a few years ago when their last album (The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me) and was pretty impressed with the performance, although their stage presence was the weakest part of the show.
So heading into Sunday I had the feeling that I would get a pretty similar experience again, and I was right.
Crime in Stereo was on first. They are a band based out of New York (like both Glassjaw and Brand New) and friends of the headlining band. They played a string of songs that kept the crowd’s attention for the brief twenty minutes or so they played, but sadly ended slowly which in a way turned the crowd off to them.
Next up was Glassjaw. The crowd was anxiously awaiting and some even started pushing forward before the band even came on. This was Glassjaw’s first night on the tour, as well as their first performance in quite a long time. They didn’t disappoint, however, as the crowd went wild singing and screaming along. The band had a unique set up, all the instruments were facing one another as the popular flag of Glassjaw hung in the background. Another interesting part of their performance was the fact they did not have a light show, they simply had the lights dimmed and let their stage presence make up for the rest. Glassjaw’s lead singer, Daryl Palumbo (also lead singer of Head Automatica), was by far the most entertaining and energetic of all the bands of the night.
Brand New came out with a lot of energy, Jesse had a second microphone to do most of his screaming into, and the band picked up a 3rd guitar player to cover some extra parts and vocals when needed. The crowd pushed and swayed and sang along, everyone was enjoying their time with the band. Luckily enough, I was able to make my way to the point where only a few people (and a gap full of concert security) separated me and the stage. “Welcome to Bangkok” really got the crowd going right into the pounding bass drum driven “Sink” from their newest release. Then, the band took the crowd back to previous albums for the next six songs. The end of this string of songs included an interesting, mostly acoustic version of “Limousine” (the band only started playing once Jesse sings “seven loves you so much”). Next, the use of the backdrop screen accompanied “Vices” and “Gasoline,” and then the band played one of my favorites, “Sowing Season (Yeah).” The band headed back to two more songs from Daisy, then to The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, then to Jesse Lacey finally speaking to the crowd for once. Up until that point, all that the singer had said to us was “Thank you” and “We’re Brand New,” as well as thanking the opening bands and talking about how wonderful they were. But at this point, before playing “Bought a Bride” Jesse thanked the crowd for the band telling us how much it means to them. After “Bought a Bride,” the band proceeded into the first single off of Daisy, “At the Bottom.” Then, all but Jesse and Vinny (second guitarist/back up singer) walked off stage as the duo performed a simply beautiful version of “Play Crack the Sky.” It was very peaceful ending for a very energetic show. The only person lacking energy was Jesse, but it can’t be overlooked that his vocals sounded perfect.
Overall, the show turned out to be a good one. Crime in Stereo was a good band for being the first out of three, Glassjaw was absolutely phenomenal, and Brand New didn’t disappoint.
BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT (BRAND NEW): Sink, Limousine, Sowing Season (Yeah), Jesus Christ, At the Bottom, Play Crack the Sky
BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT (GLASSJAW): Tip Your Bartender, The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, Siberian Kiss
BRAND NEW’S SETLIST November 15, 2009
1. Welcome To Bangkok
2. Sink
3. Degausser
4. You Won’t Know
5. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't
6. Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades
7. The Shower Scene
8. Limousine
9. Vices
10. Gasoline
11. Sowing Season (Yeah)
12. You Stole
13. In A Jar
14. Luca
15. The Archer's Bows Have Broken
16. Jesus Christ
17. Bought A Bride
18. At The Bottom
19. Play Crack The Sky
GLASSJAW’S SETLIST November 15, 2009
1. (You Think You're) John Fucking Lennon
2. Tip Your Bartender
3. Mu Empire
4. Ape Dos Mil
5. The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports
6. Pink Roses
7. Jesus Glue
8. Two Tabs of Mescaline
9. Siberian Kiss
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tenderbox on tour
Hey guys, check out my interview with frontman Joey Medina of "The Tenderbox" in the blogs archives. Now on tour with Kill Hannah and She Wants Revenge, their latest album "EP1" is up for grabs on Itunes. Take a listen on our Blogspot player to "Media Lies" as well!
Also, check them out on these fantastic websites:
Tenderbox Myspace
Official Tenderbox Website
Also, check them out on these fantastic websites:
Tenderbox Myspace
Official Tenderbox Website
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Girl in a Coma @ The M Room in Philly!!!!
Blackheart Records artists "Girl in a Coma" will be performing live at the M Room in Philly on October 1st! Only $8 for tickets! Having toured with acts like Tegan & Sara, Cyndi Lauper, and Social Distortion, it's a show not to be missed!
With their latest album "Trio B.C." dropping in 2009, their sounds are a mixture of wavering rock vocals from singer Nina Diaz with hints of rockabilly and San Antonio based twang in between.
Also, be sure to check out my interview with Nina in our blogs archives as well as their websites here:
Girl In a Coma Myspace
Blackheart Records Homepage
Girl in a Coma Twitter
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Dollyrots: Interview with Vocalist Kelly Ogden
Interview with Kelly Ogden
Conducted/Written by Laurel Salvo
Enjoy!!!
With their Sophomore album “Because I’m Awesome” having been out for a little over two years, I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with vocalist Kelly Ogden about “The Dollyrots” journey in the music business.
Long time friends since middle-school, guitarist Luis Cabeza and Ogden hadn’t originally planned to take the band to where it is now. In the minds of their 8th-grade selves, Ogden didn’t know how to play guitar, they had no drummer, and it was more to “just have fun”. It seems that ultimate and genuine goal has been reached and the Dollyrots are now heavily established in the scene; having recently signed in 2007 to Blackheart Records with their third record dropping later this month.
With hundreds of shows under their belt, songs on the soundtrack of Ugly Betty, Greek, CSI, and even feature films like “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2”, the word is out. Their most recent album “Because I’m Awesome” features pop-punk goodness tailored for anyone who likes to toe-tap in their Converse shoes on black pavement while chewing bubblegum. A mixture of light lyrics and deep cutting rock riffs, it’s a terrific soundtrack to any summer day; a muse of rock and roll and bouncing soles jumping up in a pit to hit a rainbow colored beach ball towards a stage. The songs are reminiscent of a time in one’s youth where you think of nothing but poolside hangouts with friends. Not to be taken too lightly, however, the energy the Dollyrots have on stage is nothing short of combustive. Admittedly Ogden has even gone so far as opening some pretty bloody wounds from how raucous her live-guitar playing can get.
Stage violence aside, the most important part of the bands makeup seems to be tightly knit connections, not just intimately with their fans but namely the roots of friendship where the creation of the band began. Guitarist Cabeza and vocalist Ogden met in late junior high, together picking up Chris Black along the way. Having relocated from Florida to LA after the 2000 election of George Bush and fearing the world could end anytime; the trio set their collegiate goals on the backburner to fully submerge themselves in the business. With their first record dropping in 2004 on the early fizzled out “Lookout Records”, their sound was met with an appreciative nod later on at Warped Tour in 2006, when Ogden mustered up the courage to introduce herself and their current album “Eat My Heart Out” to the summer festivals headliner, Joan Jett.
Aside from their own records, The Dollyrots are also featured on the new warped tour soundtrack, “Endless Bummer”, also produced by Blackheart Records showcasing artists like “The Circle Jerks”, “Pennywise”, and yes, “Joan Jett & the Blackhearts” as well. The Dollyrots cover of “Bad Reputation” delivers the gold-token Summer-festival mosh vibes any scenester can kick their legs to and Ogden’s light-hearted and wavering punk vocals establish their musical persona as a band that’s in the business to enjoy life more than anything.
Kelly called me from LA and the conversation we had included talk of their new record, Halloween plans the band has, and everything in between about fan dynamics and lyrical inspiration.
*Cell ringing* Hey, it’s Kelly
Laurel: Hey, Kelly. How are you?
Kelly: Good, how are you?
Laurel: Great, thanks so much for doing this interview.
Kelly: No problem!
Laurel: So the last show you did was last month in Long Beach at Alex’s bar. Did you play any new tracks, off the new record at all?
Kelly: We did. We played about half of our new songs. And we also played “Nobody Wants U” off our last record and we had never, ever played that live before but we had to learn it. It was weird because we had never played it together, like, we had just played it in the studio.
Luis, live in Pittsburgh
Laurel: And how did the fans do with receiving the new stuff? Did they seem to like it a lot?
Kelly: People really, really liked it. It was kind of a relief because you know, we’ve been like, stuck in a bubble working and working and not really knowing if anyone would like it… So it was really good. I think we really needed it at that point.
Laurel: Awesome. And you’ve been off tour for about a month now. How’s that been
going? What have you and the band been up to?
Kelly: Um...lots of kind of random LA stuff which has been nice. We’re still trying to finish up the record and there have been meetings and trying to finish up artwork and that kind of stuff. I mean, personal stuff, I tried out for this Nancy part in this Sex Pistols tribute band. *laughs* It was really, really fun. I liked doing that. It’s called “Anarchy in LA” and it’s pretty hilarious.
My friends just released a movie so we’re helping her out and we went to the premiere and stuff. That was pretty fun. It’s a fun little film, “Let Them Know”. Yeah, other than that, I take Quito hiking up in the hills. *laughs*
Laurel: And the new record is set to have 12 tracks with more than enough B-sides left over, according to your blog on Blackheart’s website. Can you tell me anything about it like what sort of lyrical and musical shifts it’s been from “Because I’m Awesome?”
Kelly: Um…I think maybe it’s just a little bit, I don’t know how to even say it. I guess there’s a little bit less of a concern for what Genre we’re supposed to fit into or, you know, whether if no one’s going to care about saying one thing or another. I think we just felt more free to create what we wanted it to be without over-thinking it. We’re better this time. The bass lines are harder. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it live. *laughs* It’s cool. We made it pretty hard for us and sounding more like from when we grew up.
It’s still going to be a Dollyrots record. I don’t think it’s going to be some major departure. We put some more synth sounds in it though so that’s a bit of a departure but they’re pretty quiet in the mix so people might not always notice.
Laurel: And with the new album you’ll be releasing it on vinyl as well. Is that something you did for the last couple albums? I’m not sure if “Because I’m Awesome” was on vinyl or not…
Kelly: Well for the first record we had it on vinyl but with “Because I’m Awesome”, ya know, things got busy and that never happened. But we’re still going to try and release “Because I’m Awesome” on vinyl too. Yeah I feel like, we really like bands and I love to get the vinyl because it’s this huge piece of art and it looks so cool and sounds so much nicer. I think it’s a cool thing to do. I feel like we should just forget about CD’s because they’re pieces of crap. *laughs* I’ll take vinyl over digital any day and I’ll be a happy camper.
Laurel: You keep a blog updated on Blackheart’s website pretty regularly. All the band have a Twitter accounts. You do a sort-of rock and roll advice column for Buzznet called “Rock & Roll Therapy”, you Blog on Myspace with updates as well and you interact with your fans directly as often as you can.
Other bands might say they don’t have the time for that sort of thing but how important is this type of intimacy with your fans where you’re constantly engaging in an open dialogue?
Kelly: I feel like it’s as important as the music is to us. I would still be making music if no one was listening but the fact that it does matter to people and they do feel passionate about it…The fact that I can communicate with them directly is kind of an amazing thing. It’s something you can experience with the last decade. It’s really cool.
We try our best but it’s kind of overwhelming. In the time that we’ve had in LA lately, I’ve kind of just been going through emails and working really hard keeping up on stuff. We’ve been trying to empty the Myspace page when it’s full. It’s something that we all do every day. We all spend totals of hours on all that stuff. And you know, as we get busy doing the record there’s even more messages and it’s like, “Oh Crap!” *laughs*
But you know, it’s really cool and I think it’s special and we get to meet people on the road. When we kinda already know them it’s pretty cool.
Chris Black drumming in Pittsburgh
Laurel: Are there any recent experiences you’d like to share with fan interactions online or directly or even with letters that have really stuck out to you? Even at the last show at Long Beach…
Kelly: At the last show it’s really, really funny cuz’ you know there were a couple fans that were over at the merch table. And I was just walking around before the show when everybody got in and I almost felt bad…*laughs*A guy walked over and sort of goes, “Hey, I’m really sorry but can you take a picture?”
And I go, “Oh yeah! No problem!” And then I take his camera, because I thought he wanted me to take a picture of him and his girlfriend. *laughs* And then it got really, really awkward and it was just him being “Um I’m sorry but can I take a picture with you…?”
And I go, “Alright, okay…No problem” And I’m thinking, “Yeah, I forgot that you might want a picture with me…” *laughs* That was really, really funny and I felt like a complete…idiot. But, it happens.
And then there was someone at that show who hadn’t seen us…in probably four years. I met the kid once at an LA show and he was just like, “Oh look at how many come to shows!” And he hadn’t even seen us since “Because I’m Awesome” came out so that was fun. Now we’re a different band. *laughs*
Laurel: With being on Warped tour, playing shows in LA at different venues, and being in the sort of…apex of the music scene where you live, what bands are you into at the moment/and are there any album releases you’re looking forward to?
Kelly: Um…It’s really, really weird because when we started making the record…I kind of stop listening to all music except what we’re working on. I’ve kind of been really out of the loop lately. When we’re around and Girl in a Coma is around we’ll go see them. For the most part, we’re in this weird little bubble. I haven’t even been to a show lately and that sucks. *laughs*
But as soon as the record is finished and you know we picked our tour up and the album’s done I can stop making mix tapes for us and I’ll probably have a better idea of who’s playing in LA.
Laurel: I read that when you began the band you started out playing Ramones covers. Are there any covers you’d love to attempt live for the next tour with the new album?
Kelly: Mmm...I haven’t really thought about that! We’ll play a lot of “Bad Reputation” of course off the (Endless Bummer) soundtrack. Yeah, I don’t know. Maybe we’ll do “Head On”. The “Jesus and Mary Chain” did that pretty good! I love that song.
Laurel: It would be a step away from the Dollyrots…
Kelly: Yeah! Maybe we’ll do that…
Laurel: You were in an episode of CSI playing a band called “Rough Sects”. Do you have any ambitions towards the world of acting anytime soon?
Kelly: It’s not something that I’d pursue or even something that I desired. But when things come up like that I have a lot of fun doing it. It’s not something that I wouldn’t want to do. I mean, I guess if I had time I might try and do it to make some extra money. It’s not something though where I want to be…in that world….
Kelly live in New York City
Laurel: Artists right now are doing a lot of things outside of touring; Tyson from All American Rejects has his own clothing line, Davey from AFI makes vegan t-shirts with Peta-friendly slogans and he also has his own jewelry line. And then you’ve got Lady Gaga doing the whole spokesperson thing for MAC Cosmetics. I know you’re pretty big on the commercialization of your tracks through TV shows. Do the Dollyrots plan to branch out in any similar ways?
Kelly: I really like making stuff. I make a lot of t-shirts and things like that. I feel like if I had time I would love to make jewelry and clothes. I’d love to make things. I feel like I have a lot of ideas for clothes but I never have time to go shopping or make anything. I do go out and think, “Oh this would be such a cool outfit but…it’s too bad it doesn’t exist!” *laughs*
I do feel like the way the music industry is now bands kind of aren’t huge anymore. After the record label and the publishing company and the artwork and the videos, it may seem like bands are making a lot but that all gets split and divided, ya know and sucked out.
I feel like thinking about other ways and branching out and even using the band as a brand is kind of…inevitable if you kind of don’t want to go out for a real job sometime.
Laurel: Alright onto the random questions...What are 5 essential things you always bring with you on tour?
Kelly: There’s usually a pet, that’s for sure. Vitamins, cuz I eat like crap. Booze. I always have earplugs, but that’s not exciting….We’ll say a pet, vitamins, booze. I bring a lavender pillow because that helps me sleep so I wouldn’t want to not have the lavender pillow. Andddd…my computer.
Laurel: And what was the last movie you saw in theaters?
Kelly: I saw District 9.
Laurel: How was that?
Kelly: I feel like it wasn’t as amazing and brilliant as I thought it would be. I saw it after everyone else saw it. I feel like, it was really good and it was cool.
Laurel: I feel like the hype for that was bigger than it was just because it was Peter Jackson doing it.
Kelly: Yeah it was good. It was just, that was cool. That was that. *laughs*
Laurel: I saw 500 Days of Summer last time I was at the movies.
Kelly: Oooh I want to see that…
Laurel: Yeah I mainly went because Marc Webb directed it and he’s done like, all these really iconic music videos from all sorts of artists and it was just really cool to see him doing film. It had a lot of neat music stuff in it too.
Kelly: Awesome
Laurel: Current ringtone?
Kelly: *laughs* Oh man. I have this awful standard hip-hop beat because I have the 4-year-old Razr and I’m just waiting for my Verizon contract to die. *laughs*
Laurel: What are some dream bands you’d love to tour with if you could choose anyone?
Kelly: It would be really fun to tour with “The Sounds”. They’re like a pretty cool band and there’d be some good overlaps. They’re kinda different but not so different in a way that it wouldn’t work. And if we were more hardcore I’d have to choose “Against Me!” because I love them.
Luis at the Key Club in LA
Laurel: If there was going to be a movie made about the Dollyrots for the big screen, what famous stars would play each band member and why?
Kelly: *laughs* Oh man. That’s a hard one…We’d have to pick like, some kind of High School Musical actors because we’re so young. Who would it be? *laughs* Oh, that sucks. I have no idea. Can you even think of anyone? Zac Efron for Chris…
Laurel: That’s terrible. *laughs*
Kelly: *laughs* Um…I really can’t think. It’d be funny. Maybe…they have to be actors though. I keep thinking of other musicians and not actors. I don’t really know…
Laurel: That’s cool. *laughs*
Kelly: *laughs*
Laurel: Any big plans for Halloween?
Kelly: For Halloween? Um…I’ve been thinking… I cut bangs so I’ve been thinking about being some kind of 80’s pop-star. We all usually go to “Boys Town” on Santa Monica because they have this huge, crazy Halloween parade so that’s probably where we’ll be. It’s almost like… a scary LA Pride but even goofier and weirder, with people wearing scary costumes instead of… rainbow costumes.
Laurel: Yeah Philly has “Dracula’s Ball” at this nightclub called “Shampoo”. It’s weird though because they have it on Halloween but they have it 5 times a year too so Halloween can be like, during May sometime.
Kelly: Oh, awesome.
Laurel: Well that was all I had but thank you so much for the interview. I’m actually working for Blackheart now as an intern and Girl in a Coma is going on tour but hopefully I’ll get to see you guys soon once you start playing live for the new album.
Kelly: Well have fun working for Blackheart! They’re all really cool people!!
Laurel: I love it there. I just started there last week and it’s fantastic.
Kelly: Well cool. I can’t wait to meet you!
Laurel: Thanks! Thanks so much again for the interview and have a good night.
To learn more about the Dollyrots, find them on the following websites:
Dollyrots Homepage
Dollyrots Myspace
Blackheart Records
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
News, an album review, and more NEWS!
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to write and officially welcome everyone back to Ursinus for the 2009/10 school year. With that welcome, WVOU is bringing you a special concert!!!
Held in Wismer Lower Sunday, September 13th at 7:30pm, "The Living Things" are set to perform. They've toured with the SXSW festival, played this past summer's Lollapalooza, and are going to be in Joan Jett's new biopic film about her early career in the Runaways playing the Ramones. The show is going to be FAN-TAS-TIC so come on out and enjoy the live tunes.
The interview I conducted with their frontman over the summer is in the archives of this blog so feel free to read all about em'.
What else what else? We'll be at the Activities Fair this coming Wednesday 12:00-1:30pm so if you're interested in DJ'ing, or being part of Concert Planning or fund-raising activities to get more concerts for the Spring, please drop by and sign up. Also, bring your friends, cuz' we'd love to have them as well ;)
Lastly, my new good friend Vincent Discepola was kind enough to give me an album review so without further adieu, here's his written words on the September 22nd debut of Brand New's "Daisy"
"To me, a band like Brand New can appeal to so many different kinds of people. Their first release, Your Favorite Weapon, gave listeners an album full of enjoyable, pop punk songs. The next release, Deja Entendu, was not as poppy but, in my opinion, much more enjoyable lyrically as well as musically. Their third attempt gave listeners The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. This album really showed a huge transformation in the band as it revealed a much darker side that many, including myself, did not expect.
So what about the new album?
I hadn’t heard much hype about the new Brand New album. I heard they were playing a couple new songs here and there and laying down some tracks, but it wasn’t until I heard they had a new single that I began to get pumped for the album. However, after finally hearing the single, I wasn’t so sure I wanted the band to get any darker than they already had with their previous effort. It wasn’t until I heard the single mixed in with the rest of Daisy that I really started to see where they were going with this album.
I began to listen to the first track, “Vices,” the songs starts with a woman singing with a piano, sounding like a song taken straight out of a black and white film. But that could only last so long before the band really shows you what they are about with this attempt. The rest of the song kicks in, and believe me, you won’t be ready for this Blood Brothers-ish first track.
After such an intense opening, I only expected the intensity to continue, but I was mistaken. The next track, “Bed,” mellows things down a bit before heading into the first single “At the Bottom.” The album continues through mellow moments, in your face sections, and even a country sounding instrumental track, “Be Gone” before bringing you to the title track, which is actually one of my favorites of the album. The final track, “Noro,” is not a bad closer for most bands, but considering how great all the other album closers have been by Brand New, I think this track is the biggest disappointment of Daisy.
Tracklist:
1. Vices
2. Bed
3. At the Bottom
4. Gasoline
5. You Stole
6. Be Gone
7. Sink
8. Bought a Bride
9. Daisy
10. In a Jar
11. Noro
My overall opinion is this: Daisy is not the band’s best work, but that does not necessarily mean it is a bad album, all I am saying is I expected more. I feel many parts of the album lack instrumentation like in their previous albums and the lyrics are dark but will not appeal to many like they have before. But this is just my opinion.
Please, if you are a Brand New fan or just a fan of music in general, go check this album out when it comes out September 22. I only ask that you keep an open mind when you listen to this album because it does not sound like the Brand New you once knew. Expect the unexpected. "
Just wanted to write and officially welcome everyone back to Ursinus for the 2009/10 school year. With that welcome, WVOU is bringing you a special concert!!!
Held in Wismer Lower Sunday, September 13th at 7:30pm, "The Living Things" are set to perform. They've toured with the SXSW festival, played this past summer's Lollapalooza, and are going to be in Joan Jett's new biopic film about her early career in the Runaways playing the Ramones. The show is going to be FAN-TAS-TIC so come on out and enjoy the live tunes.
The interview I conducted with their frontman over the summer is in the archives of this blog so feel free to read all about em'.
What else what else? We'll be at the Activities Fair this coming Wednesday 12:00-1:30pm so if you're interested in DJ'ing, or being part of Concert Planning or fund-raising activities to get more concerts for the Spring, please drop by and sign up. Also, bring your friends, cuz' we'd love to have them as well ;)
Lastly, my new good friend Vincent Discepola was kind enough to give me an album review so without further adieu, here's his written words on the September 22nd debut of Brand New's "Daisy"
"To me, a band like Brand New can appeal to so many different kinds of people. Their first release, Your Favorite Weapon, gave listeners an album full of enjoyable, pop punk songs. The next release, Deja Entendu, was not as poppy but, in my opinion, much more enjoyable lyrically as well as musically. Their third attempt gave listeners The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. This album really showed a huge transformation in the band as it revealed a much darker side that many, including myself, did not expect.
So what about the new album?
I hadn’t heard much hype about the new Brand New album. I heard they were playing a couple new songs here and there and laying down some tracks, but it wasn’t until I heard they had a new single that I began to get pumped for the album. However, after finally hearing the single, I wasn’t so sure I wanted the band to get any darker than they already had with their previous effort. It wasn’t until I heard the single mixed in with the rest of Daisy that I really started to see where they were going with this album.
I began to listen to the first track, “Vices,” the songs starts with a woman singing with a piano, sounding like a song taken straight out of a black and white film. But that could only last so long before the band really shows you what they are about with this attempt. The rest of the song kicks in, and believe me, you won’t be ready for this Blood Brothers-ish first track.
After such an intense opening, I only expected the intensity to continue, but I was mistaken. The next track, “Bed,” mellows things down a bit before heading into the first single “At the Bottom.” The album continues through mellow moments, in your face sections, and even a country sounding instrumental track, “Be Gone” before bringing you to the title track, which is actually one of my favorites of the album. The final track, “Noro,” is not a bad closer for most bands, but considering how great all the other album closers have been by Brand New, I think this track is the biggest disappointment of Daisy.
Tracklist:
1. Vices
2. Bed
3. At the Bottom
4. Gasoline
5. You Stole
6. Be Gone
7. Sink
8. Bought a Bride
9. Daisy
10. In a Jar
11. Noro
My overall opinion is this: Daisy is not the band’s best work, but that does not necessarily mean it is a bad album, all I am saying is I expected more. I feel many parts of the album lack instrumentation like in their previous albums and the lyrics are dark but will not appeal to many like they have before. But this is just my opinion.
Please, if you are a Brand New fan or just a fan of music in general, go check this album out when it comes out September 22. I only ask that you keep an open mind when you listen to this album because it does not sound like the Brand New you once knew. Expect the unexpected. "
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New, News, News
Hey guys. So a few things to let you know before Fall semester begins.
First off, there will be an interview of Los Angeles based rockers, "The Dollyrots" posted on the blog sometime in September. Now signed to Blackheart records, they've performed on 2006 Warped tour, had their music on ABC's "Ugly Betty" as well as "The Greek", and performed on Fuse's "The Sauce" in the past. Trust me, you'll love em'. Their cover of 1971's Billboard hit, "Brand New Key" is pretty fabulous as well.
Check them out early:
Cover of "Brand New Key"
Official Dollyrots Website
Dollyrots Myspace
Secondly, Nick Hanford and myself have been working on booking some folks and our first official WVOU show will take place on Sunday night, Sept. 13th with "The Living Things". Find their interview in our archives I conducted with their frontman, Lillian Berlin along with links to their Myspace and official site. It's going to be a great set to take in, so bring your friends!!
dynamite with a laser beam,
~Laurel
First off, there will be an interview of Los Angeles based rockers, "The Dollyrots" posted on the blog sometime in September. Now signed to Blackheart records, they've performed on 2006 Warped tour, had their music on ABC's "Ugly Betty" as well as "The Greek", and performed on Fuse's "The Sauce" in the past. Trust me, you'll love em'. Their cover of 1971's Billboard hit, "Brand New Key" is pretty fabulous as well.
Check them out early:
Cover of "Brand New Key"
Official Dollyrots Website
Dollyrots Myspace
Secondly, Nick Hanford and myself have been working on booking some folks and our first official WVOU show will take place on Sunday night, Sept. 13th with "The Living Things". Find their interview in our archives I conducted with their frontman, Lillian Berlin along with links to their Myspace and official site. It's going to be a great set to take in, so bring your friends!!
dynamite with a laser beam,
~Laurel
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