The Strokes - The Making of Angles: Episode 1 - 3

I don't know about you guys, but I am totally pumped about this new Strokes album. It's been so long and I'm anxiously counting down to March 22 when I get to hear Angles. 

More news on The Strokes - here.

Foo Fighters - Rope

New song, Rope, off of the new Foo Fighters album Wasting Light. Album will be released April 1, 2011.

Check out the bands site for more information - Foo Fighters.

George Mason University Band Plays Rage Against The Machine

This video was fun to watch. It pretty impressive, as well. I like the girl in the red shirt; she is definitely having a good time.

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References:
http://thenextweb.com/shareables/2011/02/26/school-band-plays-killing-in-the-name-by-rotm/?awesm=tnw.to_17V57&utm_content=twitter-publisher-main&utm_medium=tnw.to-twitter&utm_source=twitter.com

Radiohead - Lotus Flower

New video for Lotus Flower off of Radiohead's new album The King of Limbs. TKOL was not supposed to be available until tomorrow, February 19th, but somehow I am downloading right now.

Enjoy!

Go to Radiohead's website for more information.

The Black Keys - Howlin' For You

This is a fun new video of Howlin' For You by The Black Keys. 

WANTED: Metal Band to Play SXSW

Check out this article at Mashable.com about getting noticed via crowd-sourced A&R site. SignMeTo is offering the chance for one lucky metal band to get a sweet gig at SXSW this year.

Check out this article for more information on the contest; click here.

Check out SXSW here. Dates are March 11 through 20, 2011 this year. 
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References:
Mashable. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/02/15/sxsw-signmeto/
SXSW. Retrieved from http://www.ssxsw.com

Did You See the Bonnaroo Lineup?!

Have you seen how awesome Bonnaroo 2011 is going to be? I'm tempted to sell my Austin City Limits tickets and head to Tennessee in June! 

Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 19, 2011! Don't miss out!


Check out the website here - www.bonnaroo.com 

The Strokes are Baaaaaaaack!!

Hopefully you all got your free download of The Strokes' new single, Under Cover of Darkness. I received about 6 emails with a link to download it, and 6 more to remind me to download it by today.

I am very happy with the single and cannot wait to hear the entire album on March 22, 2011. Below is the official cover art for Angles. Tell me what you think of it?

The single will be available for purchase on February 15, 2011 if you weren't lucky enough to get the free download.

More information on The Strokes website - here.
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Resources:
video - http://www.youtube.com/user/thestrokes
cover art - http://new.thestrokes.com/

Concert Review: Matt and Kim at Aloha Tower

Matt and Kim finally made it to Hawaii for their first show ever on the island of Oahu; and I have to say it was definitely an awesome show. They started it off fast and fun, and ended it with a bang. They sure know how to interact with the crowd and get them going. Matt and Kim definitely have great chemistry and you can truly see how much they love their jobs as musicians, as they told the crowd over and over.

I’ve been a huge fan of Matt and Kim for a while now, but seeing them live blew me away. Their stage presence was amazing, and though I didn’t think it was possible, they even sounded BETTER playing live. Matt is a wild man on the keyboards and Kim goes nuts on the drums; it was so fun and exciting to watch them play!

Here is a video I took last night of them playing “Cinders.” Which was played at lightning speed and was AMAZING!

Matt told the crowd that they usually dedicate the first song they ever wrote to anyone in the crowd who hasn’t seen them live, but being as it was their first time playing in Hawaii, they dedicated their song “Silver Tiles” to everyone in the crowd last night.

Matt was nice enough to take a picture with my friend and myself after the show.

Highlights of the evening: Kim doing her “booty dance” on the crowd, and also getting to meet Matt. Keep rockin’ and having fun guys! Come back soon!

Matt and Kim’s album Sidewalks is out now! Check out Matt and Kim’s website here.

The show was put on by Bamp Project, who has been bringing more and more newer acts to Hawaii, and I am so thankful for that. Thanks, Bamp! Keep up the good work!
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References:
All pictures and videos taken by Katie Billingsley

Sad Day: The White Stripes Announce Their Break Up

Jack White's record label, Third Man Records, posted this announcement on their site, “The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.”

I, personally, am a huge fan of The White Stripes, and have been since the beginning. They came onto the scene with such a different sound, that it was impossible not to love them. So, this break up is a bit of a disappointment, but I do understand that they did this "out of respect for the art and music that the band has created." This way they can preserve what they have created together.

Which White Stripes' album is your favorite?

More information at Third Man Records.
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Resources:
Third Man Records. (2011, February 2). Retrieved from http://www.thirdmanrecords.com/

Are You Uploading Your Videos? Well, You Should!

These days’ talent scouts are finding more and more new artists via the internet. Websites, such as YouTube, where you can upload your video for anyone to view have become incredibly popular. YouTube’s site boasts that they have "hundreds of millions of users from around the world,” and is available in 25 countries. YouTube is such a great tool for artists who are trying to promote their music and get their name out there. Having "hundreds of millions of users" capable of viewing you and your music gives you plenty of opportunity to be noticed. And an additional perk is that it is free, so you won't be out any money for marketing costs.

This girl, Alyssa Bernal, was noticed by Pharrell Williams of N.E.R.D on YouTube. He proceeded to track Alyssa down and sign her to his label, Star Trak Entertainment. Alyssa’s debut album, In Love Again For The First Time, is set to release some time in 2011.

Mashable reports more YouTube successful musicians here.

Here are a few tips to make your video stand out from the others:

• Take your time: don’t just slap a messy video together. No one wants to watch a video that isn’t pleasing to the eyes or ears. Also, the nicer the camera, the higher the video quality.
• Make it interesting: if there is something different about you or your music, make sure it is showcased in your video. Remember, you’re trying to stand out in a sea of videos.
• Have fun: if you’re video is boring and bland, then it isn’t going to catch anyone’s attention. Enjoy yourself and be yourself during the making of your video.

So get yourself a camera and make some videos. The sooner you post a video, the sooner you get noticed.

Check out Mashable's How To: Become a YouTube Sensation for more tips.

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Resources:

Elliot, Amy-Mae. (2011, January 23). 15 Aspiring Musicians Who Found Fame Through YouTube. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/01/23/found-fame-youtube/

YouTube. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/t/faq

Sniderman, Zachary. (2010, November 9). HOW TO: Become a YouTube Sensation. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2010/11/09/become-youtube-sensation/
Alyssa Bernal. (n.d.) News. Retrieved from http://www.alyssabernal.com/news/

Matt and Kim Coming to Hawaii!

Not many bands make their way to Hawaii, but luckily Matt and Kim will be stopping by later this month on their way back from Australia. Should be a good show! See you there!

More information available here.

Tickets available here.