The National – Concert

On Friday night, I ended up going to see one of my favorite bands of the moment, The National. They played The Santa Barbara Bowl, with the guests, Portugal. The Man.

Photo taken by myself of the stage

I got there, and as I began the long walk up the hill, raindrops started to fall. Living in Santa Barbara, rain is rare, and the chance of it becoming a problem was slim. I got to my spot in GA (the pit), jut in time to secure a position in the second or third line of people. Portugal. The Man, was playing just as I got there. They are a rock band from Alaska. I was not expecting to like them very much, but they put on an amazing show, rocking out in their rain jackets.

A photo I took of Portugal. The Man playing.

As the sun set and darkness took over, they set the stage up for the main act. When The National came on, of course, everyone was screaming, as they went into their first song. They played almost all of my favorites, starting with some newer ones, and leading into the older classics. The show got better as it went on (and as the lead singer’s wine bottle emptied out a little more.) About half way through the show, the rain started to pick up. By the time they were playing the song, “I Need My Girl,” it was completely pouring. Some people took this as their cue to leave, while the rest of us splashed and danced, singing along with the band. It rained on and off for the rest of the night.

 

The show was amazing, because they are such talented musicians, and the lead singer is a great performer. He ran all over the place, through the pit, hanging off the walls, and even up to some seats. They ended the show with an acoustic song, almost drowned out by the sound of the audience’s voices. It was a really special night, and I am so glad I got to go.

Here is their final performance at The Bowl

 

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

Bastille

 

I have found a new obsession. I’m sure everybody has turned on their local alternative radio station and heard the song “Pompeii” playing. Maybe you turned it on, maybe you changed it. Personally, after hearing this song, I researched the band, and listened to their album. Bastille is a british band that began as a solo act by the singer, Dan Smith, who eventually turned it into a band. They are fairly recent, releasing their debut album Bad Blood only early this March. Within this short time, they have had HUGE success in the UK, and very large success in America, especially their song “Pompeii.” Just recently, they performed on one of the big stages at Coachella, to a huge mob of people. They have also been musical guests at SNL, and gone numerous popular places in the UK.

As you can tell in the song “Pompeii,” lead singer, Smith, doesn’t just write about the usual love stories. When asked about songwriting, he says “I’m not interested in writing overtly autobiographical songs. I would rather explore interesting stories. I like the idea of the songs being evocative and distinctive, so I have in my mind the atmosphere that a film could evoke.” To me, that is new and unique, which draws me to the songs.

http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a552494/ellie-goulding-david-bowie-arctic-monkeys-bastille-win-at-brit-awards-2014.html

Although you have all heard their lead singles, “Pompeii,” and “Bad Blood,” but it is worth it to listen to these other songs. I have made a list of favorites, but this is by far the hardest artists to narrow down. I would recommend listening to the whole album.

• Icarus
• Flaws
• Overjoyed
• Oblivion ❤
• Laura Palmer
• The Draw 

My second favorite thing about Bastille is how amazing they are live. Here are a few videos.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake has been in my favorites for a ridiculously long time. I will do another post on N’sync and my other favorite 90’s boybands, but today will be on Justin’s solo career. Justin is possibly my favorite male diva. He was raised in a town near Memphis, Tennessee. At age 11, he went on the TV show, Star Search. From that, he was signed onto the Mickey Mouse club with people such as Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears. After, he organized the group N’sync, which as I said, I will focus on some other time. They found great success, and became the 3rd best selling boyband in history, but separated around 2000.

http://www.kost1035.com/articles/mark-kristin-in-the-morning-446394/watch-its-been-20-years-since-11830849/

Justin began a solo career, releasing many successful albums. He also explored acting. In the early 2000s, he did both crafts. By 2007, he was being featured on other artists’ songs, but not recording himself. However, he was doing much acting. It was only in 2012 that he decided to do more solo recording. He recorded tracks form The 20/20 Experience with no goal in mind, just for the love of music. In 2013, he released a single with Jay-Z, returning to the music scene officially. His second single, “Mirrors,” found HUGE success at the grammys and charts around the world.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-gossip/justin-timberlake-reveals-new-album-1592752

Here is a list of my favorite songs by JT: (click to listen)

• Señorita
• Cry Me A River
• Rock Your Body
• My Love
• What Goes Around…Comes Around
• Let The Groove Get In

Here is a video of him performing “Mirrors” live, in s snazzy suit.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

Fader – Temper Trap

http://fanart.tv/artist/bb6eaced-69dd-4636-829f-9f987acc4fc3/temper-trap-the/

I started listening to Temper Trap a few years ago. They are an Australian band that formed in 2005. They have had huge success in Australia, but they are also showing up on the charts of other countries, including the US. They are a very typical indie sound, but they also have a unique factor, which is that there are many different sounds incorporated on their albums.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fader_(song).jpg

I am specifically writing about their song “Fader.” This song was released as the first single off of their debut album, Conditions. It didn’t have huge success, but it gave the band a name in the charts, which paved the way for them, later on in their career. This song is addicting. I have listened to all the present day Temper Trap, but I always go back to this song. I am a sucker for this kind of music. It is extremely catchy, but not annoying. My favorite part is that the verses are really great lyrics, and kind of a low key sound, but once the chorus kicks in, the background voices sing “oo oo oo.”  “Fader” has all the key elements of a song, including a guitar riff. It’s not a face-melting solo, but a good piece.

Here is a live performance of the song.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

 

Coconut Records

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_Records_(musician)

I discovered Coconut Records a while ago while I was researching the lead singer, Jason Schwartzman. He is a successful actor, whose side job is a band called Coconut Records. He has starred in many Wes Andersen movies, such as The Darjeeling Unlimited, Moonrise Kingdom, and recently, The Grand  Budapest Hotel. He started this band in 2006, and released their first album Nighttiming in 2007. At the time, their music is very Indie, but over the years, other bands have created a similar sound to Coconut Records. Recently they releaser a second album, Davy.

http://freyartanddesign.com/art-direction/conconut-records-davy-cd/

They have not found a huge amount of success, but I don’t think that they were searching for that. It was more of a fun side project, and it kept them very true to their sound, as opposed to the other bands who became sellouts.

Below are a few of my favorite songs by Coconut Records: (click to listen)

• Microphone– This song is really sweet, but has a folky sound to it.
• The Summer– This song is another cute song, but has more power to it. It has a bigger band and more production.
• It’s Not You, It’s Me– This song is extremely catchy, and although it is a sadder backstory, it still feels intimate and sweet.
• Nighttiming– My favorite. It is very upbeat, and too catchy, addicting almost.
• Saint Jerome– Short, quirky story. It is very sweet, but heartsick as well.

As per ususal, here is a crappy live video of their hit, West Coast.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

Lost Cause – Beck

http://www.spin.com/articles/beck-morning-phase-capitol-records-february-2014-album/

Tonight, I had planned to write about one of my favorite artists, who is a very exciting performer and pop musician. However, I ended up having a really awful night, and I couldn’t bring myself to write about this happy musician, or even put his music on. Sometimes you just have those nights, or days, or, weeks (i’ve had months). So I got under my covers, and put my “those nights” playlist on. I skipped until I found the songs that spoke to me. The song “Lost Cause,” by Beck is absolutely perfect for tonight.

Beck was someone I was raised on from my mom. Beck was born and raised in LA and fell into the music scene. I am not going to lie and say that I am a huge Beck fan, because I enjoy everything i hear, but only listen to a few songs religiously. His album Sea Change is the album that I have payed closest attention to. It came out September 24, 2002.  It is, in my opinion, his best. I saw him perform at the Santa Barbara Bowl, and ironically, he is performing at the Arlington Theatre tonight.

The song “Lost Cause,” can bring me to tears, and almost always does. The lyrics are those of a hopeless lover or friend who has tried to help the person they love, but have to realize they are “fighting for a lost cause.” In the end, they leave, and the person has to live alone, without the love they always had. Just listen to the song’s lyrics, or even melody, and you will fall in love. In the right time and place, this song is like a sad, lonely, hopeless, heaven to your ears.

Here is one of the two music videos:

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

Passion Pit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_Pit

I’m sure that most of you have heard of Passion Pit before. They have become very well known in the music scene. Passion Pit is an “indietronica”  band from Cambridge, Massachusetts. They formed in 2007, after the lead singer, Michael Angelakos, wrote some songs for his girlfriend as a Valentines Day present. The other band members liked his material and wanted to collaborate. They formed the band and released the EP, Chunk of Change. One of their most successful singles, Sleepyhead, came from this EP. In 2009, they released their first album, Manners, which was very successful, branching out further than just the college music scene. Between albums, they toured with Muse and performed at festivals around the world. They are also known for remixing their own, and other people’s songs, so they have many remixed out. In 2012, they released their third album, Gossamer, which was even more successful. They headlined a tour, but it was cut short, when the lead singer, Angelakos sought treatment for his bipolar disorder.

Luckily, I caught one of their shows, before the tour was stopped. I saw Passion Pit when they came to our very own Santa Barbara Bowl. Their opening band was the Joy Formidable, an upbeat British band with a female singer. Passion Pit performed a full set. The show was amazing. Angelekos was one of the most energetic performers in a band that I have seen in a while. He was constantly dancing and swinging his mic around, not to mention he sounded amazing. The vibe was very festival, he climbed into the crowd, and let us sing along. I was in the pit (general admission), and it felt like a community, everyone pulsing and jumping with the rhythm.

Passion Pit performing at the SB Bowl http://www.independent.com/news/2013/oct/29/review-passion-pit-santa-barbara-bowl/

I think that Passion Pit does a very good job choosing their singles, which is why I recommend all of their singles for new listeners. Of course you should listen to their big hits like “Sleepyhead,” “Little Secrets,” and “Take A Walk,” but I am a little worn out with those songs.  I will list a few different singles and non singles below.

1. Carried Away – One of the best songs live, which is why I think I love it.
2. The Reeling – The very best live song, because everyone was screaming the lyrics along with him. It is also my favorite to dance to, when I dance, which is never. 😉
3. I’ll Be Alright – I love this whole song, but I really like the breakdown in the bridge. It is the perfect amount of electronic music.
4. Moth’s Wings –  This song was not a single, but I just really enjoy it as a song.
5. Constant Conversations – A song with sweet vocals, but still very anthemic.

My favorite thing about Passion Pit is their live performances. Here is a really bad quality video of an amazing performance.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

 

Jeff Buckley

http://www.virginmedia.com/music/features/overrated-albums.php?page=10

It is rare that you can say you have liked an artist for your entire life. Well, maybe it isn’t rare to say it, but it is rare to have it be true. There are probably only 2 or 3 artists that I can truly claim this with. Jeff Buckley is either number 1 or 2, tying with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I am not sure why, but my dad chose Jeff Buckley as the singer to introduce to me and my sister. Maybe he didn’t choose, maybe we just latched on to the songs in his car radio. Overtime, I have stayed latched on. Through elementary school, middle school, and even more in high school, his songs have been in my top.

Jeff Buckley is from Anaheim California, where he was raised by his mother, and had a complicated relationship with his father, Tim Buckley, a popular folk musician. Tim was said to only have met Jeff after he turned 8, and then died of a drug overdose when Jeff was 11. Jeff grew up and began working at a hotel, playing music, and decided to pursue it. In mid 1993, he started work on his first (and unexpectedly last) album, Grace. This album was released August 23, 1994, featuring songs written, and played by Jeff. To me, this was the release of what would be one of the greatest albums of all time.

http://continuousmusic.blogspot.com/2009/02/grace-by-jeff-buckley.html

On May 289, 1997, a year and a half before I was born, Jeff Buckley died. He was working in a studio in Memphis, and decided to go for a night swim in the Wolf River, an extension of the Mississippi. He had swam there before, so him and his roadie drove to the shore. The roadie recounts that Jeff waded into the water, singing the chorus to “Whole Lotta Love”, by Led Zeppelin. He was fully clothed in boots and his outfit as he went in. After going to move something, the roadie turned back to the creek and Jeff had vanished. His body was found on June 4. There were speculations about drug and alcohol related death, but the autopsy results showed that the drowning was accidental, and that Jeff was in a proper state of mind when he died.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Buckley

I would recommend listening to the whole album, Grace, but here are some of my favorites to recommend.

1. Lover, You Should’ve Come Over – My favorite Jeff Buckley song. Bring tissues if you are going to listen.
2. Last Goodbye – This song is a more upbeat song if his. It’s gets better and better the more you listen.
3. Grace – The song the album was named after. I would describe it as haunting, but still exciting, not boring. Every piece of this song is perfection.
4. So Real – This song is kind of all over the place, sounding very chaotic. That is why I love it, it goes through so many ups and downs.
5. Mojo Pin & Dream Brother – These songs are tied for 5th place, because I prefer Dream Brother, but other people love Mojo Pin, you choose.

Here is one of his live recordings, a cover of I Know It’s Over, by The Smiths.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

The Smiths

http://www.mtv.com/artists/the-smiths/

So I have been trying to change up my music selection for my blog lately, but tonight I couldn’t help writing about one of the classics. The Smiths are probably in my top 10 favorite bands, not just on sad nights like this one, but all the time. It frusterates that they get the reputation of being a sad band, just because they have a few amazing mellow songs. Enough of my rant, enjoy the music and review.

The Smiths are an english rock band formed in 1982. To this day they are thought of as one of the most influential british rock bands. Unfortunately, they are not still together. The band split due to personal issues by Septemeber 1990, around the release of their fourth studio album. The lead singer, Morrisey, continues to do music, even Smiths songs. Recently, they were strongly featured in the soundtrack and plot of the movie 500 Days of Summer. This led to a revival within our generation of listeners.

http://www.celebratesouthgate.com.au/events/500-days-of-summer/

I have narrowed down 5 songs that are my favorite by The Smiths, both “depressing” and not.

1. There’s a Light That Never Goes Out – This song, to me, is a feel good song. The lyrics are very loving, and it gives a warm feeling without being sleepy.
2. I Know It’s Over – This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life. Like all their songs, The Smiths captured emotions perfectly within their lyrics. It can be depressing, but I could also see someone singing this in front of their mirror.
3. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want – I like this song, because it is so simple, you just have to listen to it, to understand.
4. Asleep – Many people know this song, for good reason. The title suits it perfectly, being the perfect song to listen to when you go to sleep. Although it is, you will not fall asleep listening to it. I can listen to it on repeat for an hour, and just lie here and recite the lyrics, which ironically beg for someone to “sing them to sleep.”
5. Girlfriend In a Coma – This song is less of an epically good song, and more of one I listen to on the daily, during class, or while I am walking my dog. The music video is pretty hilarious.

Here is a live performance of The Smiths

 

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva

Iration

http://digitaljournal.com/article/356634

When it comes to reggae music, I am pretty picky. I feel like some of it is lovely, and I can completely enjoy it, while others feel like they are trying to hard. In the reggae-rock type category, I like most of the classic bands for Santa Barbara teenagers and young adults to like. Rebelution is a good one as well as Slightly Stoopid and Sublime (with our without Rome). However, my all time favorite is Iration. I feel like they have more depth to their musical composition than most reggae groups.

http://irationmusic.com/blog/detail/full-moon_acoustic_show_tonight_in_santa_barbara_with

 

Iration started in Santa Barbara, which is awesome, because there is this unspoken connection between most of the people here and their songs. Although they are all originally from Hawaii, they formed in Isla Vista and played small shows throughout Santa Barbara. They were known by all the UCSB kids, and they played house parties and bonfires, but they were all excited when they could reach out to an audience filled with more than just half drunk coeds studying Marine Biology. Now that they have left to bigger events, Iration still comes back to SB for concerts and events.

http://irationmusic.com/blog/detail/full-moon_acoustic_show_tonight_in_santa_barbara_with

 

Almost all of their songs are amazing but I do have a few that I recommend if you are a new listener. (click to listen)

1. Timebomb – Although I usually don’t recommend a band’s biggest single, Timebomb really is a great song. I understand why it was their biggest hit, I think it is a good song for anybody.
2. Wait & See – This song is really sweet and when you listen to it, you get all fuzzy, because the lyrics are so nice.
3. I’m With You 
4. Let Me Inside 
5. Falling

Here is an acoustic performance of their song Back Around.

Feel free to leave comments with how much you liked or disliked this song, or request songs for me to listen to.

x Eva