BOTW #4 - Moya

Photo from: vintagebrighton.com

The British Invasion is back and thriving!  With acts such as Adele, Ellie Goulding, One Direction, and The Wanted tearing up the US pop music charts, it shouldn't take this week's BOTW: MOYA, too long to follow up!

Moya is a solo singer/songwriter with a soft and soulful tone that caught my attention a few months ago back in September '12 when her single, "Making Me Fall", was featured on YouTube.  The main reason I clicked on the obscure video was because Moya was wearing a rad studded denim shirt in the video still, and anyone who knows me can confirm my love for studs and denim.  I'm also sucker for piano-pop, so this song was bound to be on replay for quite some time (it's still in my top played songs in iTunes!).

Moya's first LP, "Lost and Found", is filled with heartfelt and quality pop tunes (I've always thought that British music in general was more sophisticated, and Moya proves this!).

Moya's music is too legit to quit and definitely deserves the radio airtime.  Hope you check out her tunes and enjoy them as much as I do!

Photo from: last.fm

moyamusic.com

Twitter @moyamusicuk

For Listeners of:

1. Adele

2. Ellie Goulding

3. Bruno Mars

4. Sara Bareilles

5. Christina Perri

6. Amy Winehouse

7. Allen Stone
8. Lily Allen

Moya's Best Jam: "Making Me Fall"

Moya's Current Single: "A Little More Love"

Oh yeah, Moya totes RT'd me. (:

Until next week my music-lovin' friends! (:

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.


P.S. After I posted the blog, Moya herself tweeted me back. She is awesome! (:

Moya RT'd again! 3/17/13.

BOTW #3 - Churchill

Churchill is: Tim, Mike, Bethany, Tyler, and Joe.
Photo from: clubzone.com

In an unlikely era of mainstream success for indie-folk-alt-rock bands like Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and Arcade Fire, there is a new kid in town: CHURCHILL. These Colorado natives have strategically weaved themselves into this genre that seems to be gaining fans by the second.

On the ride home from school earlier this month, I was jamming to Seattle's Alternative station, 107.7 The End, and Churchill's single "Change" came on and I immediately fell in love with its contagious chorus!  Nowadays radio stations barely ever announce song titles or artists so I always get heated when I don't know who the great song is by... but then I remember it's 2K13 and there are things like apps and the internet, so I calm down.

While investigating Churchill via the interweb, I was delighted to find that they have released an EP and are currently working on and LP.  Needless to say, all five tracks on the "Change EP" are solid and leave you wanting more.  I truly believe it will only be a matter of time before this band reaches a level of recognition that is comparable to The Lumineers' mainstream hit, "Ho Hey".

With the band's ability to write memorable melodies and their awesome vocal-trading between Tim and Bethany, I am sure they will win you over soon enough!

Image from: churchilltheband.com

Band Site:
churchilltheband.com


For Listeners of:

The Lumineers

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Of Monsters & Men

Grouplove

Matt & Kim

The Head And The Heart

She & Him
Mumford & Sons

Arcade Fire

[Yeah.. I know, there are a lot of "&" bands in this list.  Haha]

Churchill's Catchy Single: "Change" [Coincidentally, this video debuted on VEVO today!]

I hope everyone has a musical night!


Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.


...Soon after posting, Churchill responded!

BOTW #2 - States

Photo belongs to: toothandnail.com

Greetings musical friends!

Time to update your music library with this week's band of the week: STATES! Forming as a myriad of members from fan-favorite indie-altrock bands, "Copeland" and "Lydia", States brings fresh songs with a dash of Eisley's enchanting melodies and Paramore's headbanging-ness.

If you know me, I'm all about the rockin' bands with a fearless front-woman on the vocals.  Mindy White is just this.  Her sweet, yet powerful voice is the perfect fit for the pop-rock outfit comprised of driving basslines, catchy guitar riffs, and a subtle keyboard synth foundation.

The band currently has a self-produced album and EP ("Room to Run" and "Line Em Up", respectively), and they were quickly scooped up by Tooth & Nail Records.  The label is also home to veteran rockers like mewithoutYou and MxPx, and I would not be surprised if States reaches their level of fan-following because their music is definitely worthy!

statesmusic.com
Twitter: @STATESmusic

Favorite Songs:
1. "As Good As it Gets" [The Rollerskate Remix will make you want to have a dance party]
2. "Everlasting" [Has a chorus you will want to belt in the shower in preparation for your American Idol audition]
3. "Captivating Me" [Don't be surprised if you catch yourself jammin' the air drumset]

4. "Generation" [Worthy of throwin' up the 'rock-on' sign and headbanging]

If I created an internet radio station for STATES, related artists would include:
1. Eisley
2. Paramore
3. Young the Giant
4. Metric
5. Meg & Dia
6. Neon Trees
7. VersaEmerge

Shows?..
Waiting impatiently for them to go on tour!


That's all for now, I hope you guys check out STATES! Don't forget you heard about them through me before they got big (: ...I wouldn't be surprised if it were to happen soon!


Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll.
A-Tran.

>>> Mindy read the blog, NBD! 3/26/13

BOTW #1 - Allen Stone

Moccasin Twins. Photo by Momma Tran. @PLU 3/1/12

Whatup Music Lovers!

Welcome to your Mid-Week Music Update! For the first ever official BOTW Spotlight, it only seemed appropriate to induct Chewelah, Washington's very own pride and joy: ALLEN STONE!

If you are a fan of soul, then Allen is the dude for you. His groove-able and shower-belting worthy tunes are often compared to the likes of Stevie Wonder and other soul/R&B greats.  Just imagine Stevie if he were a 25-year-old hippie with grandpa specs and Seattle-based flannels.

Not only can this guy sing, but this guy can SANG.  Allen executes riffs with ease and reaches notes that will take you to church, he did grow up singing in gospel choirs after all!  The only way to fully appreciate and experience every heartfelt lyric he sings is if you are able to check him and his band out live.  Although his albums give you a pretty good vibe of his musical stylings, he has grown so much as an artist and performer that the cd recordings do not allow you to completely experience his epic full performance potential.

On top of all his talent, he is one of the most humble and laid-back dudes you will ever meet.  After the Physical Album Release show at Easy Street Records on Queen Anne, Allen stayed to meet and chat with every single person that was at the show, and I know this because I was literally the last person in line!  He really appreciates his fans (especially his hometown Seattleites!) and we sure appreciate him and his musical craftsmanship.

Support local musicians and check out his website for all the deets on tours, music, merch, etc.!
www.allenstone.com

A-Tran's Top 5 Favorite Allen Stone Songs:
1. Unaware

2. Sleep
3. Last to Speak
4. Another Break Up Song
5. Satisfaction

Allen's Best Cover (but they are ALL legit):
Is This Love - Bob Marley

I've seen Allen at...
Neptune Theater - January 15, 2012
PLU - Mar. 1, 2012
Easy Street Records, Queen Anne - August 23, 2012
Paramount Theater - Dec. 7, 2012

How to prepare for an Allen show:
1. Wear a flannel and/or moccasins
2. Bring your dancing shoes
3. Be ready to "Get Naasty"

Best Collabs
1. Daryl Hall + Allen: Check out the full episode of "Live From Daryl's Home" for a soul-packed house show. http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/currentep.html?ep_id=66
2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis + Allen: "Neon Cathedral"


I hope you check out Allen Stone's music and be sure to let me know what your favorite songs are or any cool concert experiences you have! Until next week my music friends. (:


Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.

Welcome to A-Tran's Band of the Week Blog!

Welcome music lovers, one and all! 

Every week I will spotlight a band on this blog as the "BOTW".  The bands and artists are chosen because they are legit on many levels.  I will chat about favorite songs and albums, shows I've been to, what it was like to meet them (if applicable), and other neat deets.  Tips on navigating venues around the Greater Seattle area, what to wear to shows, and how to effectively mosh/crowd surf will also be included in your weekly musical digest, all for the low price of free.99! :P

The purpose of this blog is to inform you on how awesome these bands and artists really are, and to hopefully convince you to go check out their records and live shows.  Being a musician myself, I definitely appreciate the art that other musicians create and I think it is really important to support (and enjoy!) this soulful and powerful form of self-expression.  

With that, I hope you find these postings informative and useful.  I would really love to hear about your concert experiences, favorite songs, and any other rad stories you may have about the bands and artists!  Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome! (: 

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,

A-Tran.