Austin City Limits Music Festival 2012

I was really trying not to let it get to me... I figured that I now live in Austin, TX and I could go to ACL Fest next year, but I am so bugged that I am not going to be there today when the gates open. If moving wasn't so damn expensive, I'd buy these tickets on StubHub.

I'm not super pumped about the line up, but it is the experience that I want. When you go to a music festival it is like you're in a completely different world for the time being. LUCKILY, I did win tickets to see Jack White's taping for ACL Live on Sunday and there are always the ACL Late Night shows I can hit up. 

I hope everyone that is going has fun and is careful. Wear your rain boots just in case it rains like it did yesterday - it's looking like it might. I'll be at home watching from my couch on the YouTube webcast. 

Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes

This album is on repeat. End post.

Flying Lotus - 'Small Moments'

(Excerpts from Until The Quiet Comes)

Adele - 'Skyfall'

A teaser track of Adele's theme song for 007 Skyfall was leaked today. You can hear 90 seconds of it here or below.



It is a very sorrowful track. Keep in mind we are only hearing the first 90 seconds of a 4 minute and 46 second long song, so it may pick up. With the 007 Skyfall trailer starting out with Bond being "dead" the movie may very well have a bit of sorrow to it.

It is a good song, but it doesn't beat Jack White's and Alicia Keys' Quantum of Solace theme song, 'Another Way To Die.'

UPDATE 10/12/12:
The SoundCloud clip was taken down, but here is the YouTube video for the entire song of 'Skyfall.'

Matt & Kim's New Album "Lightning"

Matt & Kim have such a great energy. During their shows they are all over the place - bouncing around, cracking jokes, cursing, apologizing to the young-ins for cursing, crowd booty dancing. On Twitter they are continually engaging with their fans, even giving out their phone number for you to text or call them. Them being such amazing human beings is a reason (in addition to their music) why I am totally pumped for their new album Lightning, which released TODAY.

We've been hearing "Let's Go" for a few months and it's a great first single off of the album. At first listen "Now" stands out to me. It has a techy sound to it and is kind of edgy with it's beats. "I Said" and "I Wonder" also have a funkiness to them with the keyboard going. Really digging those two songs. Matt tweeted this morning that "It's Alright" is one of their favorites. The other songs aren't jumping out at me yet...maybe they'll grow on me.

Matt & Kim have made videos for all of the songs on Lightning and you can find them on their YouTube Channel. Which is your favorite? 

Matt & Kim - "It's Alright"

You can find the full length album on Spotify or you can purchase it on iTunes.

Azealia Banks - "Luxury"

I caught Azealia Banks' show at Coachella and I instantly loved her. I saw this video on UPROXX and it reminded me of how awesome she is. Look at those legs, too! 

Azealia Banks - "Luxury"

I also love this one...

U.S. Tops The List As Music Pirates

We're number 1! We're number 1!...in illegal music downloads. 

MusicMetric reported that the U.S. topped the list as the biggest music pirates, moving 96.6 million illegal files in the first half of 2012. Following by the U.K. (43.3 million), Italy (33.2 million), and Canada (about 24 million).

Surprising? Not really. However, I am a little disappointed that Drake is the number one artist being downloaded. He's good, but I really wish America had better taste in their music.
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Sources:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/new-report-shows-the-us-leading-in-illegal-downloa,85052/
http://www.spin.com/articles/drake-most-illegally-downloaded-artist
http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2012/02/23/the-tricky-job-of-banning-the-pirate-bay/

Fleetwood Mac Tribute Album: Just Tell Me That You Want Me

Even though A.V. Club gave it a C+, I am excited about the Fleetwood Mac tribute album, Just Tell Me That You Want Me. But I'm usually excited about any great artist(s) being re-imagined by other great artists. 

I understand that some of these artist may not be one's first choice in paying tribute to Fleetwood Mac, but no one is ever going to sound like the original and it just isn't meant to sound that way. Fleetwood Mac has such a unique mellow sound from a different time, it is going to be hard to duplicate it in today's music and mindset. A.V. Club I say to you, cut these "alt-rock superstars" some slack on their rendition of these hits. 

However, I do agree that Gardens & Villa's version of "Gypsy" is the best covered song on the album and did Fleetwood Mac justice. Best Coast's "Rhiannon" is my least favorite. It feels flimsy and Cosentino throws in a southern drawl that just doesn't fit. 

You can buy the album now on iTunes. What do you think? Yes? No?
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Sources:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/various-artists-just-tell-me-that-you-want-me-a-tr,83767/

Muse's Olympic Anthem "Survival"

Muse with Olympic torch

I love Muse (so does everyone else these days) and I am proud of them for their Olympic anthem, "Survival." The song makes me want to run, go further, go harder, WIN! So, I feel that it is completely appropriate to be the "official" song of the 2012 Olympics. 

That being said, it isn't my favorite Muse song and will only reside on my "workout" playlist. There are a few elements of the song that sound like the Muse that I love - some raunchy guitar and Bellamy hitting a few high notes - but that is about it. I can only hope that the next album sounds better than this anthem.

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Sources:

Picture from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18133072

Coachella 2013? Yes, please.

I know Coachella 2012 is old news by now, but it was amazing and if anyone is wondering...yes, I will be at Coachella 2013. Weekend 2 to be exact. Tickets have been purchased and planning has begun. 

I'm back?

I'm a terrible person and stopped posting unannounced. These past few months have been incredibly busy with work, travel, concerts, Coachella, and such.

I promise I will post more...

Here is a video that makes me happy. YouTube is being a pain, so I'm posting the link from Popstache.

Dirty Projectors - Gun Has No Trigger

Up & Coming Artist: Walker Lukens

If you haven't heard of Walker Lukens, you will within the next year or so. He has a soulful sound with quality lyrics that your ears just can't deny. 

Watch for his full length album "Devoted" in late 2012 and an EP in March to tide you over. In the mean time get a taste of what Lukens' has to offer on his Bampcamp. 

'Emma!' - Walker Lukens & Grand Child

SOPA/PIPA DEAD

I'm sure you've all heard by now, (I'm just a bit slow with updating my blog...) but SOPA and PIPA were pulled! VICTORY! 

Here is a fun infographic from SOPA Strike. Keep bugging your senators, so these two don't come back.

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Sources:
http://sopastrike.com/numbers/

SOPA/PIPA Strike - January 18, 2012

I know most of the people that read my blog are friends and family (and I love you all for reading what I write), so you may remember my post about Protect IP Act (PIPA) (I still love you if you don't). I barely scratched the surface on what is wrong with this act in "Is Legislation Keeping Up With The Times?" but it is a mixture of confusing terms obviously put together to bedazzle us into thinking it is a good thing. The same goes for Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Here is a nice infographic and more explanation to help you understand a little better. 

Congress will vote to pass these acts on January 24, 2012 - PIPA in the Senate, SOPA in the House. We need to stand up and protect our rights of free speech, privacy, and prosperity. I am a true believer in artists getting credit for what they create, WHATEVER type of artist that may be. But these are a step in the wrong direction and not the legislation that is needed.

Tomorrow, January 18, 2012 (or today if you're on the East Coast) many majors websites plus hundreds of others, will be on strike to protest the internet censorship bills, SOPA and PIPA. You can join the list and also contact your congress representative by visiting SOPA Strike. You can also use Wikipedia's Congress Lookup website for locating your representative.

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Sources:
http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-companies-dark-list/
http://sopastrike.com/strike/

http://sopastrike.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:CongressLookup
http://americancensorship.org/infographic.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more

Coachella 2012 Line Up - Are You Pleased?

So, it isn't the GREATEST line up in the history of line ups, but I am pumped all the same. I will be at weekend two, so track me down! 

Here is my list for the weekend and of course I'll stop by the headliners:

• Swedish House Mafia
• GIRLS
• The Horrors
• Frank Ocean
• The Black Angels
• Other Lives
• Bon Iver
• The Shins
• Miike Snow
• St. Vincent
• AWOLNATION
• Big Pink
• Beirut
• Girl Talk
• Santigold
• Real Estate
• Growlers

I want to see as much as possible, these are the musts...

DON'T FORGET! The rest of the tickets will be released this Friday, January 13, 2012. Good luck!