Fun. is, well, fun! Their new album, Some Nights, drops today and you need to hear it. Fun. formed in New York during the winter of 2008 with Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff. It’s been a wild ride for the trio, especially with the amount of attention that has been buzzing around their newest release. Their single, “We Are Young” features one of my favorite live performers, Janelle Monae, who does an outstanding job complementing Nate on lead vocals. You might have heard it during the Chevy Sonic Superbowl commercial with all the crazy stunts performed by the new car, or on the TV show Glee. Check out the official video of “We Are Young ft. Janelle Monae” from Some Nights.
The song is probably a bit different than most of the pop songs you’re used to hearing these days, but Fun. isn’t your typical indie pop band. They have combined a variety of styles to produce alternative pop music that has it’s own distinct and unique sound. Their journey has taken them from supporting acts like Jack’s Mannequin, Paramore, Relient K, and Janelle Monae to hitting the top of the charts with Some Nights. It’s all happened fairly quick, as Ruess’s previous band, The Format, broke up in 2008. After that, he joined with Andrew and Jack to record Fun.’s debut album, Aim and Ignite. They were supported by thousands of fans within the first year and started to tour with major acts. Two years after forming, Fun. signed with label Fueled by Ramen and started recording their second album within the next year. Today, Some Nights is officially born, and you can listen to it right here:
The album stream was released just last week with a note from Nate Reuss thanking fans for their support. Sorry, Nate, for your struggles with Google email interface. A few days later and Some Nights has already hit it big, and I think you can hear why. The arrangement is amazing, the harmonies are brilliant, and the total feel is consistent through each awesome song on the album. You can see how to purchase the album, and get other information about Fun. at ournameisfun.com. Have fun with Fun. and remember to listen to more music!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Chances are, you’ve probably heard music from Can’t Stop Won’t Stop without even knowing it. This is one of my favorite bands to follow because they simply have the best media out there. They’ve become well known from their video collaborations with Devin Graham (aka Super Tramp) that feature some of the best stunts and extreme activities ever. The viral hits have collected millions of views, which directed a lot of attention to the music and iTunes store for the tracks behind the action. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is an independent hip hop team from Provo, UT that continues to produce fresh hip hop music with insane videos. The latest video features the world’s largest rope swing, and it’s exhilarating. It’s accumulated nearly 4,000,000 views in just five days, so check it out.
The video was created by Devin Graham, and the music is “Up and Away (feat. June)” by Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. CSWS features Big Spoon, Ne-Z, and DJ TRON majik. They started over two and a half years ago with big dreams, and hit the ground running in their first studio session. Their claim of being “straight up party music for straight up party people” has led to some cool opportunities, especially when it comes to putting together shows and gaining fans. With influences like Aesop Rock, Breakestra, J5, The Beastie Boys, SiD, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, and Doomtree, you can bet that Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is well-gounded. Their combination of beats, horns, flow, and hooks are super fresh and the perfect sound for any party. Just check out “Cool Summer” from their Kitchen Clean EP in the Huge Bike Jump video, which went viral last year:
This is the song and video that first led me to Can’t Stop Won’t Stop a year and a half ago. Being an extreme spots addict myself, I couldn’t get enough. Then, when the “World’s Largest Rope Swing” video came out last week, I had an idea who might be involved. However, there is more to CSWS then just cool music integrated with awesome videos. Their five-song Kitchen Clean EP released April 4, 2011 and is an excellent debut. Every song delivers the same party vibe you’re used to hearing in the videos, with a lot of energy and lyrical flow. These guys have been going DIY and honestly there’s no better way to do it, especially when your product sounds like this. Give these guys some love for their innovation, ingenuity, and their music of course. Check out the “Human Slingshot” video, featuring “Stop, Drop, Roll” from your new favorite band.
I grew up wakeboarding, so I love junk like this on the water. In fact, I’d be right along side everyone in any of these videos if I had the chance. I’m just happy to be bringing you some fresh music to start the spring season with. Be sure to check out the Kitchen Clean EP and the new single on the Can’t Stop Won’t Stop iTunes page by clicking on the single art below.
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
I continue to scout all genres in Nashville for the best independent artists on the rise and recently came across Chancellor Warhol. Chance is a hip hop artist born and raised in Nashville who has really developed over the last couple years. His creativity and art form resonates throughout all aspects of his life, which gives his music more meaning and relativity than most. His first album, Japanese Lunchbox, was released in 2010 and voted Best Rap Album of 2010 by Nashville Scene. Combining electro and hip hop has given Chancellor Warhol a distinct sound and set him apart from the rest. His latest project, The Silver Factory, is a huge 13-track album with some of the freshest beats and creative rhymes of 2011. Check out the promo video for “Crystal Clear” (feat. Particle People).
Now you want more, I know. His sophomore album is filled with killer tracks and I’m gonna let you listen to the whole thing! However, there is more to the music than just beats and cool rhymes that encompass stories of love and moving on. Chancellor Warhol is not just a stage name, but a mission in which Chance is a dictator of his own art; hence, Chancellor (a position of government) and Warhol (Andy Warhol). The main idea is that it is up to us as well to dictate art for ourselves and not to simply let popular culture determine what we see and do. ”Warhol has also supported a long list of artists, including Questlove, Kid Cudi, G-Side, and Yelawolf. His music has been featured on the industry podcast ‘Bands Under the Radar,’ HBO’s ‘Less Than Kind’, and the Gen Art Film Festival’s award winning film, Saeng-il (Birthday).” So, it gives me great pleasure to bring you Chancellor Warhol’s, The Silver Factory.
Pretty sick. One of my favorite tracks is “Weapon (feat. Boss of Nova),” and it does a killer job of setting up the entire album. The Silver Factory really is a weapon. It’s a weapon that no one has invented yet, and you can bet that it will get people’s attention. My next favorite, “Kings and Queens (feat. Nite Nite),” is one of the biggest bullets. It proves how the ways of our world lead to self-destruction because of who we look to as our leaders and who or what we try to emulate in our society. I think it shows how we tend to chase dreams that are littered with lies and fakes. Pretty cool. Chance speaks a lot of truth about popular culture in The Silver Factory.
One of the best things about this record is all of the incredible collaborations with various artists. The hooks are dope, and the tones are right on. It’s amazing how you can have a variety of artists help in the production of a record, but it still has a reoccurring vibe throughout. Chancellor Warhol has accomplished that. Check out chancellorwarhol.com for more music and freshness.
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Dr. Dog is an indie rock band from Philadelphia, PA who have become loved for creating memorable songs by blending unapologetic ’60s pop worship with lo-fi recording techniques. Their sound is unmistakeable and their albums have become widespread due to touring with My Morning Jacket and M. Ward following the release of Easy Beat in 2005. Their newest record, Be The Void, just released last week on February 7, 2012. Check out the video for their single, “That Old Black Hole.”
Dr. Dog is Toby Leaman (bass), Scott McMicken (lead guitar), Frank McElroy (rhythm guitar), Zach Miller (keyboard), and Eric Slick (drums). The lead singer role is shared by Leaman and McMicken, while all members contribute harmonies. The last time I saw Dr. Dog live was years ago at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA. Their recorded songs are even better live. The energy from all members and the sharing of lead vocals keeps everything fresh, while retaining their niche sound. That’s kind of what separates these guys from other bands. It’s unique to see two guys on stage share the role of lead vocals, and it gives the listener a different vocal sound just like changing a guitar or switching up a drum groove. Pretty cool. Check out my favorite song by Dr. Dog, from their 2010 album Shame Shame, “Shadow People.”
My favorite aspect of Dr. Dog’s music isn’t just the solid songwriting, but the harmonies and raw musicianship in general stirs something inside me. Their voices and style is particularly unique because there’s nothing in the way of you and the band playing their songs. The production is low-fi and it allows their music to come across naturally and play so organically. It’s especially cool to see them in concert because the show is even better than the album, which is difficult to find with many independent rock bands today. I grew up just north of Philly, so it’s very cool to see this band get national attention, even as an independent artists.
Be sure to check out more music and tour dates from Dr. Dog on their website by clicking on the photo above. I hope you enjoyed some new independent tunes from my home town of Philadelphia, PA. Remember to listen to more music!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Joy of Painting is a garage pop band from Nashville, TN with a killer debut album called Asterisk. The album drops today, and will be launched with a free CD release show tonight at Bonhoffer’s in Murfreesboro, TN. I first heard the band at 5 Spot in East Nashville, where they rocked out with tunes from their debut record. Asterisk is packed full of energy, great songs, and solid musicianship. I think this one will surprise you because, well, a debut album from an indie rock band in Nashville, TN isn’t hard to come by. However, Joy of Painting is really on to something with their first release. It separates itself from the pack, in a good way. You’ll be singing or humming these songs to yourself after the first listen. There are appropriate dynamics, good song forms and great use of melody throughout the album. Enough of me talking about it, hear for yourself!
Like I said, a great debut album from a fairly new Nashville rock band. The occasional post-punk vibe blends so well with the original garage pop. It’s also a bit rare to see a band find their style so early in their career, but this one fits. It even flows from high energy, danceable songs like “No Bones” to the ballad feel of “The Bird.” Their single and first track on the album, “Old Love,” starts the album off with a bang on the common theme of how difficult love is. The record continues to expand on the topic with songs like “My Personality” that question why it’s so difficult to have a steady relationship. Whatever the theme, I’m sure we can all relate to at least one of these tracks at some point in our lives.
Joy of Painting will be playing at The Basement on March 5 for the first Beat-Play event in Nashville! Even if you’re planning on attending their release show tonight in Murfreesboro, this event will be another awesome chance for you to catch these guys live. Most importantly, make sure you listen to and buy this record if you haven’t already. Asterisk is already one of my favorite independent albums of the new year. For more on Joy of Painting, check out their Facebook page. Remember to listen to more music!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
If you’re looking for the first fresh sound of 2012, the wait is over. Sugar & The Hi Lows released their debut album today, packed with new music influenced by old soul roots. The duo is Trent Dabbs & Amy Stroup, two amazing singers, songwriters, and musicians from Nashville, TN who previously played together in the Ten out of Tenn. Sugar & The Hi Lows is a vintage duo that creates new music that is reminiscent of old soul and rock n’ roll, the foundations of todays popular music. The debut record showcases the combined musical influences and gifts of these two incredible songwriters in a collaboration that was simply meant to be. Listen to four of the eight tracks on the album here!
Dabbs and Stroup have been amongst the best singer-songwriters in Nashville, with dozens of their songs spinning behind hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Parenthood, Private Practice, So You Think You Can Dance, Pretty Little Liars and more. On their own, their styles revolve around various singer-songwriter genres, driven by guitar or piano with a steady focus on the stories or feelings that encompass each song they write. With Sugar & The Hi Lows, the two have been able to embark on something new and different than their solo projects. Dabbs and Stroup have played together before, but this was an entirely new sound for them. It all started when Dabbs purchased a vintage box amp and sat down for a regular co-write with Stroup. “We got to talking about his dad and throwback music from the ‘50s and ‘60s and just like, ‘Why isn’t there that type of music now?’” Stroup recalls. ”That day, their song ‘This Can’t Be the Last Time’ came in less than two hours. A newfound creative freedom had been tapped, and the next seven tracks for the project fell quickly into place.” Check out the Sugar & The Hi Lows EPK.
I think the blend that Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup have with this project is brilliant. The debut album is outstanding and well-produced, featuring eight great songs that derive from that good old soul music you can dance to. You won’t have to wait long before you start hearing a few of them on film and TV. Seriously, this is a record that everyone can appreciate because it draws from the roots of almost everything we listen to in popular music today. They are currently touring in the South, so if you’re nearby, don’t miss one of these shows! For tour dates, music, and other information, visit sugarandthehilows.com!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
The Grammy awards are arguably the most main stream music event on the face of the planet. The sheer money that goes into it with major label contributions and overblown performances by overblown pop stars who instead of singing live and or playing an instrument choose to haphazardly dance around like dummipies is mind-blowing. I would love to continue this rant as it has been brewing for the last couple years, but I can’t. For the last three years I’ve attended The Grammys live from the Staples Center here in LA and last night was just special.
After having attended many of the rehearsals in the days leading up to the show I found myself in awe of talents young and old. It’s one thing to see this stuff on TV but live its something different. Music fans know exactly what I’m talking about. I was able to duck in and see the legendary Tony Bennett sing with Carrie Underwood, Rihanna sing with Chris Martin and Coldplay and Sir Paul McCartney himself backed by the one and only Joe Walsh and Diana Krall. All of this just in time to make my way outside in time to catch Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 rehearsing in the club tent. Music lovers I know that was a pretty big brag on my part, but it was a serious day of music.
Day of show is busy. The Red Carpet opens some 5 hours before the show and most of the awards are handed out during the pre-telecast. 16,000 people give or take attend the show which is just ridiculous. Skirllex cleaned up this year in the dance music categories and Foo Fighter’s and Adele cleaned house in the rock and pop categories respectively. I could sit here all night and debate who should have won what, but that’s boring. From here on out it’s all about the music. Please excuse my shitty cell phone pictures/ video, but I wasn’t supposed to take most of these so bare with me.
The show opened with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. They played a new tune called “We Take Care of Our Own” from their upcoming record “Wrecking Ball” setting the tone for an incredible night of music. It was an appropriate song seeing as how the music community had come out just the night before in droves to support, mourn and honor the life of Whitney Houston. LL Cool J hosted the show this year… that’s all I have to say about that.
My night started when Rihanna took the stage. She is really hott. She sang her song and danced her dance. It was entertaining to say the least. What I was really waiting for was her duet to follow her performance with Chris MArtin from Coldplay on his song “Princess of China.” Dimly lit center stage I knew it was about to get good. After the duet Coldplay’s full stage setup was revealed as they tore into their recent hit single “Paradise”.
The lights were incredible and the energy in the room was electric as each audience member held up their own light up bracelet synced to the music. I love Coldplay. They take a lot of flack, but they are amazing performers and their stage setup was insanely cool.
After Coldplay I was in awe, but also needed to move quickly to secure a seat on the other side of the venue for the biggest performance in my eyes, The Beach Boys. Living in Southern California, The Beach Boys are by default the soundtrack to summer here. I have been brought up listening to their countless hits. Hearing that the rest of the band was reuniting with Brian Wilson (one of my all time idols, accept for that couple years he locked himself in his house with a bunch of god damn hippies and animals) was just incredible and I was not about to miss this big moment in music history.
The medley of tunes opened with Maroon 5 performing a rendition of “Surfer Girl”… yawn. New comers Foster The People picked up the pace with “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”. They were really great. Marc Foster has that tenor voice so synonymous with The Beach Boys.
After a brief intro from Ryan Seacrest the legendary Beach Boys took the stage. Brian sat dead center at his keyboard. Comatose as he looked I think I saw a smile in there somewhere. He was flanked by his former and now new bandmates as they tore through the classic “Good Vibrations.”
For me, I wasn’t sure if that moment could be topped and then I made my way outside to the dance tent for Foo Fighters.
DAMN IT NOTE: I just realized I skipped over Adele’s performance. She is absolutely unmatched as far as vocal power and sheer amazing singing ability. Her performance will no doubt go down in history and her big winning night will go down in the record books. Her performance of “Rolling In The Deep” brought the house down. Is that enough? Yes? Ok, now on to Foo Fighters and Deadmau5.
The Foo Fighters took the stage in front of a crowd of about 1000. A small dance tent had been set up to accommodate the most underrated party of the weekend. Without wasting any time/ without waiting for the cue from the TV folks Dave and his band ripped through “Panama” by Van Halen, “Breakdown” by Tom Petty and their own “Times Like These”. Hidden partially behind a curtain it was weird to hear and not be able to see but it was unreal none the less. In the middle of “Times Like These” the Foos were forced to stop in lew of TV timing. As they were being hushed Dave Grohl teased the stage manager revving the crowd by sticking his head out from behind the curtain and starting the riff to “Everlong”. With ten seconds to live the whole band ripped into “Everlong” sending the crowd into a frenzy and pissing off the stage manager. Awesome.
Remember when I said The Beach Boys could not be topped? Yea I lied. Foo Fighters ripped into their new track “Rope” with the drop of the curtain.
At the end of “Rope” another curtain dropped revealing DJ Deadmau5 who began spinning a “Rope Remix” with the Foo Fighters playing along. My mind was melted and I left it on the floor.
I made my way back to my office at LA live on the highest of highs. I got a text from a co-worker who had just got confirmation that not only had McCartney changed his setlist from a new song to the Abbey Road Medley to close the show he also invited a few friends on stage. Fittingly McCartney took the stage and started “Golden Slumbers” and was joined with rock royalty, Joe Walsh, Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl. Trading righteous solos and giving the 2012 Grammys the send off it deserved the guitar gods left the crowd wanting more.
From top to bottom, from classic rock to pop country, from Nikki Minaj to a pile of crap. This was a night of real music. Not once did I hear lip syncing. Yes there were the massive fluffy pop acts. Katy Perry was incredible, Taylor Swift was enjoyable to look at and Nikki Minaj was fucking terrible, but thats ok. I had a blast. It was a music fans night. I think those who were there and those who saw it on TV can agree.
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