ArtistoftheWeek:Natalia Lafourcade7/13/10-7/20/10

I found out about Natalia Lafourcade when I was looking for some more Latin Artists and I couldn't really find any I liked. Then I heard her song, "En El 2000", and I was blow away. It was as if I was listening to Nelly Furtado mixed with the Spanish version of Alanis Morrissette. It was pretty cool. Then I found out about her song "Casa" & "O Pato", then I heard her most recent song, "Ella Es Bonita". A great song, indeed. I really liked all of those four songs. But it took me a while to like the albums. They were the ones that you have to sit down and listen to till the end. If you don't you'll miss out on the whole thing.
~Music Videos~
Cursis Melodias
Ella Es Bonita
Te Queiro Dar
Azul
Casa
Busca Problema
O Pato
En El 2000

Official Website

ArtistoftheWeek:Seeker Lover Keeper6/27/11-7/4/11

Seeker Lover Keeper, amazing. There's nothing that I could say that no music lover from Australia who has a blog hasn't already covered about this band and this wonderful album. I love that the group is getting positive feedback and a lot of love from fans of Sarah Blasko, Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann (Sally fan right here!)The only things that I've noticed that no one has talked about is, the negatives. I love the album, don't get me wrong it's just so many people have said things like,
1. I just can't see how these three could have collaborated and made such a good album. They seem so different.
No they don't. Sally, Sarah, and Holly are all content, quiet and shy singer/songwriters. The three collaborating is a perfect match. The only different thing about them is their, musical style and vocal range.
2. Seek her, Love ker, Keep her.
Guys, the name of the group is not a hidden message. It's just a name that Sally thought up for the group. Let it go, and stop making the group more sensitive than it already is.
3. Sara Blasko, Holly Thornsby, and Sally Seltman.
Now, I know you really don't love the group if you can't spell their names right and if you do or if you're just picking favorites by misspelling the artists you don't know/care for names then please don't spell any of their names. Give the girls some respect now.
Aside from those three things I love the fans and the group itself. The Australian Music Scene has proven itself once again with this new album from Seeker Lover Keeper.

Just in case you were wondering,
Sally Seltmann is the Seeker
Sarah Blasko is the Lover
& Holly Throsby is the Keeper

Sorry about that rant, just had to get that out (it's petty).
I can't describe the album to you, it's too amazing to put in words.
Listen to it for yourself here on their facebook page.
Free Downloads
Selective Songs From Seeker Lover Keeper
Here are the Music Videos for
"Light All My Lights," "Even Though I'm A Women", and "On My Own".

~I Hope You Enjoy The Beautifully Sweet Sounds Of Seeker Lover Keeper~

ArtistoftheWeek: Thao & Mirah 6/20/11-6/27/11

Thao & Mirah, are both wonderful singer/songwriters. Not once in my life I ever thought of the two making an album together.Usually when two singer/songwriters make albums together the album sounds like one overpowering the other. Not this one.These two are so in sync, with one another on songs and melodies it's almost uncanny. With Mirah's vocals and Thao's verbal beats, the two created a good harmony in the song, Little Cup.With their lead single, Eleven, it's a song that grows on you. (I know that people say that and 9 times out of 10 that's not true for a lot of music lovers but it is, trust me.) The catchy beats, and vocal attitudes from Mirah & Thao are amazing! Folks, is a very chill song on the album, one for a relaxing summer day on a porch sitting on a rocking chair.
Spaced Out Orbit, really reminds me of Mirah's style of music. How Dare You is like a call and response type of song, I love that they do that. I love call-respond songs. So amazing. This really shows their strength of working together. Hallelujah is one song you will want to have in your collection. It's calm melody and subtle reminders of religion is a great thing to have. Especially is your filled with doubts. Squareneck, is the title for the guitar used in the song, and the guitar really does make the whole song. Greatly done! I hope this is not the end of Thao & Mirah, but who knows what they plan to do in the future.
Selective Songs From Thao & Mirah
Facebook
Official Website

Hope you enjoy the sweet sounds of Thao & Mirah!

ArtistoftheWeek:Adele5/9/11-5/16/11

Adele. Words cannot describe how timeless this artist is. I could go on and on about her talent and her music, but I think that the hundreds of music critics and thousands of internet bloggers have said enough of that.
When I first heard about Adele, her song, "Hometown Glory," being featured as the iTunes single of the week. I saw the cover art for the single and I thought that because of her style and her physique she would be looked over by the music industry and just be another great artist stuck in the underground. But, she received great publicity with her song, "Chasing Pavements" in the US and with, "Cold Shoulder" in the UK/Europe. Every person that had a passion to sing was talking about Adele. Her music touched people's hearts and her lyrics stayed in people's minds. Her melodies gave people a thing to groove to and her emotions gave people a feeling of something amazing.
This year (2011), she has released her second studio album, "21". This album showed so much more promise. I thought that she would experience the same fate as Corinne Bailey Rae because of her change from blues to more soul/gospelesque music. But her first single, "Rolling In The Deep," soared the charts and her album became a #1 seller in the US and the UK. I was so happy to hear people talk about Adele and her second album. Sadly because she became so famous, there's always that group of people that do not like her because of her fame. Some people have said that she has sold out with her 21 album. Her catchy melodies and hooks/choruses in the songs. Too Pop, (Well she is a pop musician, anyways). Adele replies back to this saying that she's trying to find her sound.
If you haven't listened to Adele, you should, and then buy her CD, 21.
Free Downloads
Selective Songs from19
Selective Songs from 21

ArtistoftheWeek:Hotel Lights5/2/11-5/9/11

Hotel Lights, real name Darren Jessee, is a folk-singing man at heart. When he premiered on the music scene with his self-titled debut album, Hotel Lights, it exploded on the indie folk world when his song, "Follow Through" was featured on Grey's Anatomy in 2006. After that exposure, Hotel Lights had a following and other television shows asking to license his songs for their shows. His debut album became a hit, (not a huge one but a must-have at least) in 2006. Being in Barnes and Nobel and Target/Best Buy stores in the "Grey's Music" section, (I remember that section). After that album he released an EP called, Goodnight Goodmorning, and a second studio album called, Firecraker People.
Here's some songs if his style has piqued your interest!

Free Downloads
A.M. Slow Golden Hit
What You Meant
Follow Through
Motionless
Let Me Be The One
The Waves
Blue Always Find Me
Wedding Day

ArtistoftheWeek:Jenny Owen Youngs4/25/11-5/2/11

Jenny Owen Youngs, that name has been one that I have talked about since 2005. She's been a great pop/rock musician to have when I was transitioning from mainstream pop/rock music to more independent music. The public found out about this musical gem from her song, single "Fuck Was I," from her debut album, Batten the Hatches. Having her music featured on so many showtime television shows such as, WEEDS and United States of Tara. (Which gives her so much credibility because Showtime is the highest of high for television quality.)
Anyways, enough talk, time for music, here's some songs and videos to enjoy! Hope you enjoy this musician as much as I have! She's a great one to have!

Free Downloads
F*ck Was I
Voice On Tape
Drinking Song
Led To The Sea
Here Is A Heart
If I Didn't Know
Things We Don't Need Anymore
Hot In Herre (Cover)
Led To The Sea (Funny Energy Remix)

ArtistoftheWeek:Jamie Lidell4/18/11-4/25/11

Jamie Lidell has such an interesting take on music. His style is a collection of soul, R&B, blues, electronic, folk, rock, and funk. At least that's what all the music critics say. Personally, I think he's just got a great sense of funk in his music. Jamie Lidell's music can appeal to many. His lyrical style is one of a romantic filled with some angst. With some songs the lyrics are a little too sad but Jamie sets up the right melody to make the song just right. Like for his song, "Where'd You Go?" there's a part where he sings, "That's why I cry!" and it fits so well with the music that it doesn't bother you or make you feel a little wimpy listening to lyrics like that. (You know if you're worried about that whole emasculating thing.) I highly recommend you to listen to Jamie Lidell if you like the combination of R&B and Funk.
Official Website
Twitter
Youtube
Facebook

Free Downloads
Selective Songs from Multiply
Selective Songs from JIM
Selective Songs from Compass

ArtistoftheWeek:Ellie Goulding4/4/11-4/11/11

Ellie Goulding is a graceful light that has shared it's magic with the world.

Ellie Goulding is a singer/songwriter musician from the UK. Her music is of an electronic style with melodies and lyrics inspired by Pop. Her vocals are of a tie with heavy british accent and the feel of a pop girl. Ellie Goulding's songs are sometimes thought to be based on love but most times they are about something else.
That's what I love about Ellie Goulding. You think that her songs are about something as little as a crush or sex, but it's mostly about something more. Something bigger, something more than just about a boy and a girl.
If you haven't heard of Ellie Goulding and her amazing music and her amazing voice you should. Her music will take your mind and/or your heart to another level of understanding, another level of life. She's a siren among the group of young British Singer/Songwriters. She's one to spend your money on.

Free Downloads
Guns And Horses
Starry Eyed
This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)
Under The Sheets
Every Time You Go
Lights
Human
Believe Me*

ArtistoftheWeek:Moumoon3/14/11-3/21/11

Moumoon formed in the year of 2005 and didn't receive popular recognition until 2010 with their single, "Sunshine Girl". A cute poppy uplifting song geared towards females.
Thanks to the Anessa Commercial they have become a known pop duo for cute and happy or sweet and sad songs for the sentimental hearts.
After the success of their single they released two more chart-topping singles titled, "Moonlight" and "YAY". The songs were featured in more commercials and were getting more radio play than the songs they released before "Sunshine Girl".
After their successful year (2010) they released a new music video for the promotion of their recent album, "15 Doors". The new single is titled 15 Doors. The song is thought to be depicting the musical life of YUKA and Kosuke Masaki.

"5 Minutes Ago...10 Days Ago...15 Years Ago...15 Doors..."

Free Downloads
Selected Songs from Full Album 15 Doors

SKY HIGH

Selected Songs from Mini Album SPARK

Selected Songs from Mini Album Refrain

Moumoon Songs: English Edition

Official Website


Music Video for 15 Doors

Moumoon have gone far with their musical talents and commercial success, I wish all the luck for them on their musical journey! Go Moumoon!

ArtistoftheWeek:Emily Hearn11/23/10-11/30/10

Emily Hearn's music has really touched people's hearts with her songs. She released an EP in 2009 called, Paper Hearts. She started a project on Kickstarter, a way for her fans to fund her debut album that is expected to release sometime either in fall 2011 or Spring 2012.
I found out about Emily when I was exploring Kickstarter and saw all of the amazing artists on the website. When I found out about her when I clicked on her I watched the video and the song that played. I thought that she was pretty good so I looked her up saw her site which was pretty cool and listened to her EP.
If you liked Clara C, then you'll love Emily Hearn!
Free Downloads
Rooftop
Two Feet On The Ground
Paper Heart

Official Website

I hope you like Emily Hearn!

ArtistoftheWeek:Amanda Duncan11/16/10-11/23/10

Amanda Duncan is cool, fun, and awesome! I found out about this artist when she started following me on twitter. At first I was thinking, who's this and then I checked her out and I was thinking, "Oh wow, I should check this girl out some more." So I listen to some more of her songs and I liked what I heard. Then I heard that she was coming to my College and I was excited about this!
On Nov. 13th she came and sang cool songs to me and my college friends and we enjoyed the laughs, talks, and sing-alongs with her. I bought her EP and some buttons, I would've bought a shirt too but they were only girl sizes. So I talked to her and we had a good time.
I even gave her a mix CD (or 2) to enjoy on her time on the road.
I then listened to her EP the day after and I loved it.
One of my favorite songs is, The Words That I Say. It reminds me of the country pop music I listened to when I was little and the tone of her voice in the song reminds me of Natalie Maines.
If you don't know about Amanda you should check her out!

Free Downloads
Love I Have For You
Words That I Say
Fall Into You

Official Website

Hope you love this cool Singer/Songwriter!

P.S. Go buy her EP, it's only 5$ and you get 6 songs from it. It's not hard and it's really cheap too. Take that one day off from the 5$ footlong dinner and spend it on Music!

ArtistoftheWeek:Lights11/2/10-11/9/10

Lights is amazing. At first she had some hard times making a great chorus for her songs because she was so focused on her vocal strength but now she's exploding through the industry with her style, melodies, feeling and voice.
You should check Lights out.
It's a Must!
Her music is perfect for the Autumn and Winter seasons.
Free Downloads
February Air
The Last Thing On Your Mind
Drive My Soul
Up Up And Away
My Boots*
Official Website
Fun Fact #1: February Air, The Last Thing On Your Mind & Drive My Soul have all been on an Old Navy commercial for 2007.
Fun Fact #2: My Boots is my favorite song of her's. It's also climbing up the charts for dance/pop music for iTunes.

ArtistoftheWeek:Hanwell10/19/10-10/26/10

Hanwell is a band that a friend of mine told me about. They're an indie pop band from Des Moines, Iowa. This is a first for me to post an ArtistoftheWeek from Iowa. I've heard bands from Iowa and, let's just say they were really bad.At first I didn't really know what to expect from the band because my friend told me they were from Iowa so I thought they're songs would be unorganized, bland, and downright depressing. But, after I listened to Paperback Blues I was impressed by the band. I really like them now and I think that they deserve to be ArtistoftheWeek this week.
Free Downloads
Surgeons
Paperback Blues
Radio Saints
Empyre
Official Website|Facebook|Myspace

~Hope You Enjoy Hanwell~

ArtistoftheWeek:Azure Ray9/15/10-9/27/10

I love Azure Ray, their music is so addicting and very soothing. Especially on their first album, which set the musically fit that this band is. Indie folk/pop, with sounds of the countryside and calming feminine vocals to lull you to sleep.
Luckily Azure Ray switches it up a little bit, it's not all sadness or boredom on a sunny day.
Their lyrics, mostly targeted towards love and loss, are so carefully structured with the sounds and little metaphors in their melody is so attracting.
When I first heard an Azure Ray song I was blown away. The song that sold me to this group was Sleep. Pandora played the song to me and I loved it.
This group had been well recognized by the media and the public as a great folk duo. I swear if America loved Folk music right now, Azure Ray
would be #1 for more than a couple of weeks.
How can you not like two girls who can sing and write very felling.
I remember when I heard that Azure Ray broke up. I was devastated, mostly because I found out they broke up about a week or two after I fell in love with them and their music.
So while they were broken up I checked out more of their music (singles, EPs) and then Maria Taylor (the other part of Azure Ray, one on the left), so then I was pre-occupied with maria taylor's CD. I feel in love with her Ladyluck album and haven't thought of Azure Ray since.
This summer, I hear that Azure Ray is releasing a new album. I was so excited, and filled with glee that I couldn't keep my excitment. So I pre-ordered the album and I wanted to see their album's CD and lyric booklet. I love buying CD's it's exhilarous What was even better was that the CD came 2 weeks earlier with stickers and coasters!
Ok, well the album was over all great. The songs that stuck out to me are amazing. The songs that struck out me from the album are; "Don't Leave My Mind"
"Silver Sorrow"
"On And On Again"
"Make Your Heart"
& "Lonely Girls"
I have to say their recent album, is really insightful, in the beginning middle and until the end of the album. They've grown a lot since the last 6 years of making an album together.

Free Downloads
Selective Songs From Azure Ray (Album)

Selective Songs From Burn & Shiver

Selective Songs From Hold On Love

Selective Songs From Drawing Down The Moon


Official Website

~ I Hope You Enjoy Azure Ray~

ArtistoftheWeek:Lucy Schwartz9/7/10-9/14/10

I love Lucy Schwartz, her songs have been featured on practically every song on TV today. Basically her style and melodies are upbeat pop sounds and catchy hooks. Even her song Gravity is catchy and upbeat and it's not even trying.
Her amazing talent has been recognized by many big music industries which landed her with some money and time to make more music for TV and Movies and release a couple EPs and an album, Life In Letters, which is releasing on September 26th! Can't wait to have it! I assure you Lucy's music will make you want to sing, love, and smile.


Free Downloads
Selective Songs From Winters In June
Selective Songs From Help Me! Help Me! EP
Selective Songs From Life In Letters
Little One
When We Were Young

Websites
Myspace
Facebook
Twitter

~Hope you enjoy Lucy Schwartz!~