Farewell 2010.

Farewell 2010. We had our ups and downs, but I've definitely grown.






This whole album is absolutely wonderful.

Ambivalence Avenue-Bibio

Because We're Only Young Once

Miami Horror -an upcoming electropop band from Australia.

Recently came out with an album called Illumination this year.

Dubstep

I don't know many people who are immediate fans of dubstep when they first hear it...not many people know what it is. Dubstep is a genre of electronic music coming from the underground scene of the UK that has very heavy bass and drum lines with the use of a synthesizer. It's overwhelming at times but has a unique sound that can be appreciated and incorporated into other types of electronic music. Here's three different variations. Enjoy.

Anyone going to TAO '11 this NYE in Los Angeles?

The Line Up is as follows for now:

-Laidback Luke
-Markus Schulz
-Wolfgang Gartner
-Major Lazer Ft. Diplo & Switch
-Jackbeats
-Rusko
-Nero
-Dada Life
-DJ Reza
-Kill the Noise
ect....

Should be epic.

__________________

I'm off to New York tomorrow morning to spend Thanksgiving weekend with some friends from highschool and abroad. :) Can't wait!

A holiday really shouldn't be the motive behind my self-reflection and what I'm thankful for, it should be something that I acknowledge everyday. However, I just wanted to say that I'm really thankful for my health, my loving family, my caring and supportive friends, and the opportunities I've been given to experience life to its fullest. I do recognize how blessed I am. And though it's a natural human intention to always strive for more...I'm happy to say I'm content. I've been given everything I need. And for that I'm truly thankful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Girl Talk & Kanye West

New Girl Talk Album-All Day is out for Free Download.

New Kanye West Album-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is out early...heh

Ohh the joys of Internet?? and the downfall of the music industry because of such accessibility...

OR is it?? Since we're on the subject of the Internet...I'm currently in a class discussing the different genres of music that originated from prominent cities in the States with a significant musical history. It's interesting because in the mid-20th century, the "impure" particular spaces where music was made in newly developing cities across the United States became the face of cultural ambiguity and the source of intercultural communication in a racially segregated society.

Music has evolved in many ways with the transition towards modernity being synonymous with being culturally diverse. It has become an avenue for social change by transcending all cultural boundaries to create a mix of sounds that develop and recreate itself; a sound that can be reflective of various racial backgrounds. In the current modern age of the 21^st century, music still unifies and promotes intercultural communication. However, rather than being rooted on a more obvious form of space based on live performance, the Internet seems to have become the space where interaction takes place. Not necessarily in the context of a virtual reality, but definitely as virtual communication. Whether or not the Internet is seen as an “impure” space is subjective, but it facilitates intercultural communication through the easy exchange of ideas, styles, and techniques of various genres of music that are not limited to regions anymore but now globally accessible. The creation of websites like YouTube, LastFm, Pandora, and MySpace have revolutionized the speed at which music can be traded and promoted to the masses. The Internet has become a cultural phenomena that has essentially freed society of its immediate traditional views and has allowed music to expand to include a wider audience. Whether this freedom and accessibility of music constricts an artist because the avenue of which their music is marketable cannot be enforced by the record industries is a question that can be pondered. Nevertheless, the record industries have been at fault in the past for restricting artist creativity in order to commercialize their music a certain way. Maybe the Internet is freeing that bind and we're just making it back full circle to music that was created, not to generate monetary profit and personal gain, but to JUST be created and shared by a community of enthusiasts.

Just a thought.

Urban Arts Outreach

This summer I was fortunate enough to have helped out and been a part of a movement that I strongly believed in. Urban Arts Outreach is a movement to uplift local and global urban art communities by promoting reconciliation and justice, encouraging and empowering servant leaders, assist local means to meet local needs, care for people's health, and educate the next generation through the arts. They help bridge the gap between culture and church, art and purpose.

They hold "sessions" (also known as open mics, jam sessions, and practice spots for dancers) that are trusted meeting grounds for cultural expression. Sessions provide a safe-haven where people of different backgrounds can periodically participate, practice, promote, and progress together.

Urban Arts Outreach is the catalyst group involved with facilitating such a session twice a month in downtown Santa Ana called Saint City Session. The Session is dedicated to consistently meet and build connections between people through a dialog through the arts. Instead of assuming the needs of the community, we listen and assist growing ideas towards better solutions. The result is a diverse, yet relational, family-friendly environment, not limited to stereotypes of what church and fellowship should look like.

Saint City Session is organized and led by a friend of mine, Dan Emmerie, who DJs and created his own free mixtape to download. It's a track composed of classic hip hop artists and snippets of Rick Warren's message from a Purpose Driven Life.

Track listing:
1. Intro - Rick Warren*
2. What am I here for? - music by The Procussions "I'll Fly"
3. Created for a Relationship - beat by Kev Brown "Raise"
4. Love - music by Poems "Love"
5. Separation to Solution - beat by Ohmega Watts "Dedicated"
6. Freedom to Choose - music by Theory Hazit & Sivion "Decisions"
7. Call to Action - beat by Mr. J (The Procussions) "Everybody's Free"
8. Confession - music by Braille "Everything Changed"
9. Prayer - beat by Dert (Tunnel Rats) "You can do better than drums"
10. Celebration - music by Surreal & Sivion "Let the Horns Blow"
11. Recap Cypher - music by Lightheaded, Poems, Sojourn, Sivion, Surreal, and more...
12. Purpose and Passion - music by The Procussions "High Powered"

If you're a dancer, DJ, or artist who needs a place of community and practice, come check out Saint City Session in Santa Ana, California next time you're around :)

Real Talk

So I'm sitting in my room browsing through possible future prospects after college while listening to some random tunez when it really hit me: I'm done. Done as a competitive soccer player for 15 years. Done with college in a couple months. Done with my adolescent years. Done growing those extra inches I've always hoped for. Done living off my parents. This is where my comfort zone ends and I begin to cross into a world of uncertainty, discovery, struggle, doubt, dreams, and adventure. A time to explore my passions, put myself out there, and chase my endearing dreams. This is where my real life will begin.

So let's be real. My interests vary and I don't know where I'll end up in the next 5 years. All I know is that music has always been up there competing for my attention with family, friends, travel, soccer, and of course school (stay in school). Music has been my outlet, my connection to people, my happiness, and my identity. I've neglected this blog for awhile due to those other passions taking priority, but I'm writing to establish that it will again take precedent in my life.

So wherever I choose to live my life next year....this blog will be my constant.

Cheers, to new opportunities in an uncertain future.

Don't Stop Dancing Guuuuuuurll

Can't Stop, Won't Stop.

It's been 5 months now since my departure from Europe. I can't decide if I'm unable to let go of my fond memories of my experience abroad or I just miss the European lifestyle. It might be a little bit of both. In any case, I've tried to stay in touch with the European music that I've come to adopt here in the States. Here's a sample of some tunez:

This one has been one of my favorites this past week.

From SomethingALaMode (SALM), 2 French artists who incorporate classical beats from the violin and cello to their electronic style. Very Creative. And the music video really caters to the carefree life.

BT is an American composer/producer who focuses on electronic music but has a very diverse background in classical music as well. He's known for his technique in stutter edit which you can hear in this song. This song is a more relax, "lets play some tunes in the background" kind of song. Enjoy.

And of course a song produced from the UK by Aruna and well known DJ Mark Eteson. Probably the one song from the three that most represents the style of music played in Europe, or at least in the clubs haha.



One of these days...I'll have to make it to England....

10-10-10 and Finally 21

Tupac - Do For Love (Vodka & Milk Remix) by Vodkandmilk

Kaiser Chiefs

One of my sister's favorite songs that she shared with me and I had no choice but to share on my blog because it is that good.

Under the Stars.

Hip Hop. The essence of my love for music. Will never NOT miss the opportunity to experience a hip hop/rap concert if my youth allows me. Weird to think that one of these days I'll show my kids my most treasured itunez library and play them songs from Cunninlynguists, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Nujabes, People Under the Stairs, Souls of Mischief, and Common Market. Not to mention the many mainstream artists as well. Can't wait for that day to come. Haha

Just got back from the Big Boi Concert hosted by Brown University on Lincoln Field tonight. Was a little disappointed in how short the concert was and the quality of the sound system. But had to give them props to an overall great performance in terms of the artist-audience interaction. Also...I just want to say that I love fog machines and most importantly....concerts outside. Reminds me of summer. I definitely dig the laidback feeling that outdoor concerts produce. Enjoying the company of others, leaning back on the grass with your feet crossed, listening to music, occasionally jumping up to dance to a good jam that comes on, and staring up at the open sky. Have you ever just laid down on the grass looking up at the stars with some good music playing on your ipod? It's relaxing.

Turn the Bass up to this song.

Wiz Khalifa @ Lupos. Wednesday 9/22/10

$18 at the door

Testimonial Year-Hilltop Hoods. Cuz this song is a classic in my book :)

Reunions

Sorry for being MIA the last month. It's been a pretty busy month. My roommate Kate from abroad came to visit me in CA for a week :) then I headed East to reunite with some other friends from Greece before I ended up back at Brown to start my senior year. WHAT?! I refuse to acknowledge that I'm a senior....

Venice Beach, CA

Bradley Beach, NJ

Ahh yes but along the way, I've been continuing to collect new music and have a wide variety to share with you.

Indie:

:

Au Revoir Simone Remix

Electropop:

House:

Hip Hop:

More to come...

Summer Nights

As the last days of summer approach...

Ready for the Weekend.

Yes, it is in fact Monday. Why the title so early in the week? Well, the past couple weekends have been pretty eventful in terms of my exposure to various music. And lets be honest, we thrive on weekends. Or maybe, its because I've been listening to Calvin Harris's Album "Ready for the Weekend" this past week. Heh. I recommend it for those days you just want to blast music in the house and just dance. Either way it's been quite an interesting month of discovering and rediscovering the music I enjoy. Seasons really do have a way of influencing the music you listen to at the moment.

So I did end up attending Project Ethos a couple weekends ago with some friends and it definitely was a good time. Gives you a little glimpse into the Hollywood scene. The Music Box was a great venue with a relaxed atmosphere. The rooftop balcony was my favorite. An upcoming artist by the name Miguel performed live. His style reminded me of Pharrell with the hiphop/rock vibe. Check him out. He's pretty good.

Found some new artists this past week that I wanted to share as well.

A little more on the electropop. Chew Lips is a group from East London who has been described as "minimal dance-pop." Then there's the remix album of Major Lazer and La Roux called LazerProof. It's a pretty sweet remix.

Fist Pumping.

A couple weekends ago, I went to the Electric Daisy Festival. It was EPIC. For those of you who don't reside in Southern California, EDC is a huge electronic/dance festival hosted by Insomniac held at the Coliseum in LA. It was overwhelming at first with just the sheer size of the turnout, but needless to say you couldn't match the atmosphere that was created with so many people all there to have a good time and thrive in electronic/house/techno music. This festival was a mecca of the best DJs in the world. From deadmau5, Armin van Buuren, Kaskade, Benny Benassi, Moby, Fedde le Grand, Afrojack, Swedish House Mafia, Boys Noize, MSTRKRFT, Laidback Luke, ect. I've always loved electronic/house, but I'm pretty sure my trip from Europe enhanced that love. Europe thrives on techno.

So lets follow the Jersey Shore and "fist pump like champs."

Here are 2 songs that are dance worthy.

Also, anyone interested in fashion/music/art should attend Project Ethos in LA next week.

Friday July 16, 2010

Music Box in LA

6:00pm

$20 GA tickets online

They are an organization dedicated in promoting new and upcoming artists by holding events for them to showcase their work.

This year "Project Ethos returns to the newly renovated Music Box (formerly the Fonda) with house Nick Verreos for an unforgettable night of fashion, music, and art. 10 fashion lines featuring Anna Lynett (Project Runway), 100 models, LIVE Concert featuring Miguel, Josephine, DJ Shy, and Don P, 12 visual artists, 6 fashion vendors, and over 1500 attendees."

I'm thinking of attending. Check it out. It should be good.

Humble Beginnings.

Currently 2:30am listening to The Twelves, a pair of Djs from Brazil who I've fallen in love with thanks to the suggestion of one of my most cherished friends. Decided to start a little project this summer. Might have began in Greece, oh how I miss Greece, with the obsession over Stereo Love by Edward Maya. Funny story. First heard the infamous song at a local club then recognized it again on the radio on a simple taxi ride with my roommate Kate. Was singing along with the driver and of course dancing. Unfortunately, the language barrier was an issue, which lead me to desperately search for the name of the song on Greece's Top 40 archives for a couple hours only to be rewarded at the end with the nonstop repeat of the song for the rest of the semester. Clearly discovering this one song was more important than exploring Athens at the time...Or maybe its a way for me to keep my overflowing tabs of new songs on youtube somewhat organized in a day to day blog and keep me occupied for the summer. Whatever the reason, I started this blog to share my passion for music in random updates of new songs that I find, favorite artists, current playlists, ect. Whether it turns into a collection of thoughts, life experiences, and pictures towards the end might be a possibility, but for now music it is.

I must warn you. Though I listen to a wide range of music...I have a keen interest in hip hop/electronic/house. A disclaimer of sorts....

And so it begins....

Here's my first clip. The song that defined my semester abroad and is slowly infiltrating its way into the US from Europe.

Stereo Love - Edward Maya