Special Feature: NEW MUSIC IN 2013 (so far)!

Hello fellow music lovers! As I write on the BOTW #12, I thought it would be a good idea to do a quick rundown on what new music is coming out this year! I feel 2013 is going to be a big year for many artists, and I can't wait! Here is what I am excited about so far! [Everything mentioned is OUT NOW!]


OneRepublic - Any team with Ryan Tedder is in it to win it. OneRepublic's "Native" is as solid as it gets. Track 1, "Counting Stars", will convince you of this within the first 30 seconds!

The Strokes - Their "Comedown Machine" LP gives you that retro-Strokes vibe along with some fresh new sounds. Julian's voice is the epitome of alt-rock, that is all.









Demi Lovato - Demi's "Heart Attack" single gave me a heart attack from all it's glory. She brings back some of her early pop-rock style with some powerhouse Kelly Clarkson-level belting. I could not be more excited for the album expected to be coming out this summer/fall.








Wavves - Indie-surf-rock fans are in for a treat with this band's new record, "Afraid of Heights".  Fans of Best Coast and MGMT would totes dig this stuff. (Shout out to Jonathan for introducing them to me!)









Vampire Weekend - AT LAST! These fancy alt-rockers have finally come back with some new stuff and their single "Diane Young" is one of my favorites so far this year!










Phoenix - These Frenchmen know how to entertain, especially with their new single "Entertainment"! Amazing live band, and I can't wait for the rest of the album!

Daft Punk - Am I the only one STOKED that Phoenix AND Daft Punk are releasing new music at the same time? They should just go on tour together... it makes so much sense.






Ariana Grande - Don't fooled by this singer's extreme tween/teen-fandom because this girl can SANG. Her debut single, "The Way" featuring Mac Miller, gives off so much 90s. You will be reminded of a young Mariah Carey with her breathy soprano pop timbre and some impressive whistle notes too!








Justin Timberlake - Although reluctant to listen to "The 20/20 Experience" at first due to my anti-N*Sync & pro-Backstreet Boys life style, I finally caved a couple days ago.. and I gotta say, there are some good jams there. (But those 8 minute songs? Ain't nobody got time fo dat...)








Beyonce - Obviously I have to end this list with the Queen. Nothing else is to be said.
>>> BOW DOWN










There are SO MANY other new releases I am stoked for, but I shall save them for another special feature on the blog! In the meantime, hope you are enjoying the music of 2013 so far, I surely am!

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

BOTW #11 - Civil Twilight

Photo fr: Soundonthesound.com

Calling all alt-rock fans! Not to be confused by the vampire trilogy, this week's BOTW is Civil Twilight, and if you don't already know them, well... you should! Complete with vocals reminiscent of the epic and iconic Thom Yorke and Matthew Bellamy, driving guitar riffs, and atmospheric synth-y backgrounds, there is no doubt that this super studly group of South African natives are able to embody the genre to its fullest.

I first heard "Letters From the Sky" (from their self-titled debut LP) on the one and only Seattle alt-rock station, 107.7 The End, and I was instantly hooked! A couple of years later, I could not have been happier to learn that they would be at Bumbershoot 2012 (the BEST Bumbershoot to date btw!). Civil Twilight is one of those bands that you love on records, and love even more live! The energy they have on stage just cannot be captured through just a CD, and Steven's super suave vocals are even more beautiful in person. But if you haven't gotten a chance to see them live yet, it's your lucky day because they have two stellar LPs, "Civil Twilight" and "Holy Weather". Add them to you alt-rock playlists, you will not regret it!

Photo by Momma Tran. Bumbershoot 2012.
Above: The guys of Civil Twilight and I.
I am trying really hard to hide the inner fangirl (if
you couldn't already tell)! They were the sweetest
dudes, and how could you not love those accents??

Fans of ______, would love Civil Twilight.

1. Young the Giant

2. Oasis

3. Walk the Moon

4. Radiohead

5. (Old School) Coldplay
6. Silversun Pickups

7. Muse
8. The Script










My favorite Civil Twilight tunes:
1. Trouble

2. Fire Escape

3. Human (You MUST hear this live, it just might bring you to tears)

4. Every Walk That I've Ever Taken Has Been in Your Direction (Best/Cutest song title, ever)

Hope you like the new jams, see y'all next week! (:

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

BOTW #10 - Paramore

Photo fr: paramore.net

In the wake of hearing Paramore's new track "Still Into You," I couldn't help but choose these guys to write on.  I am proud to say that I have grown up with Paramore since "All We Know is Falling" when it was released during my freshman year of high school back in '05 (dang, I'm old haha)! Paramore, to this day, is one my favorite bands of all time for reasons.  Reasons being: kick-ass girl powerhouse vocals, driving bass lines, the catchiest guitar licks, memorable lyrics and melodies, the perfect mashup of rock and pop, and super stylish outfits to die for.  Paramore can do you no wrong!

Photo fr: paramore.net

Between 2002-2004 Paramore was formed in Franklin, TN, and in 2005 their first record was released through the super trendy label, Fueled By Ramen.  Up til 2009, the band released two more full length records, original soundtrack songs for "Twilight" and "Transformers", and even had featured songs on video games like "Sims" and "Guitar Hero".  Fast-forward to 2013, four years since releasing their last album, Zac and Josh Farro (drummer and guitarist from original Paramore lineup) had parted ways with the band, and the remaining members (Jeremy Davis, Taylor York, & Hayley Williams) are set to release their fourth studio album on April 9th!  The self-titled record has a track list of 17 songs (not to mention the 2 B-sides featured in their special edition box set)... that's NINETEEN new Paramore songs!!! Not sure if I can handle it, but it is definitely worth the wait! No words can express what this band means to me, they really proved that their love and passion for music could overcome anything and that is something I really look up to.  I hope you enjoy listening to them (if you don't already do)!

paramore.net
@paramore

I've witnessed the greatness of Paramore on...
9/1/2008 Seattle Center - Bumbershoot
7/19/2009 w/ No Doubt & The Sounds - Summer Tour - White River Amphitheater
5/12/2010 w/ fun. - Spring Tour - WAMU Theater
12/4/2010 w/ All Time Low, The Maine, Boys Like Girls, 3OH!3, The Ready Set, Runner Runner - Jingle Bell Bash 2010 - WAMU Theater

If you haven't already, you HAVE GOT to see these guys live.  Though their studio recordings are perf, nothing can beat the electric-high-energy shows Paramore puts on! Headbanging and singing at the top of your lungs fo dayz.

Now on tour! [and has not yet announced a Seattle/surrounding area date...]

Album: All We Know is Falling
Released: 2005
Favorite Tracks: Brighter, Emergency

Album: Riot!
Released: 2007
Favorite Tracks: When it Rains, Crushcrushcrush

Album: Brand New Eyes
Released: 2009
Favorite Tracks: Playing God, Ignorance, Turn it Off

Album: Paramore
Set Release: April 9, 2013
The Awesome Singles So Far: Still Into You, Now

Have a rockin' rest of your week, friends!

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,

A-Tran.

P.S. The day Hayley replied to me on Twitter was THE BEST day. 

(Sometime in Dec. 2010)

BOTW #9 - Rozzi Crane

Image from: rozzicrane.com

This week's BOTW, Rozzi Crane, has the soulful voice that you are missing in your current music collection, and has just the right amount of rasp, attitude, and style to go along with it.  Due to the beauty of the internet, we are able to access so much more music that is created by artists that are not (yet) mainstream.  One day about a year ago while browsing the YouTubes, I found Rozzi singing a cover of "1+1" by Queen Beyonce.  At first I thought there was no way anyone could sing this song and do it justice. Wrong.  Rozzi sings everything with ease and I instantly became a fan of her deep and rich tone, not to mention the effortless transitions to her solid higher register as well.  This girl has got some major pipes and some cray range too!

Rozzi is currently working on her first EP as the first artist to be signed under Adam Levine's record label AND is touring with Maroon 5 as a featured performer! I CANNOT wait any longer for this record to come out, but in the mean time I've been coping by listening to her AWESOME earlier original work that I downloaded from her BandCamp a while back, and of course all her YouTube covers are quality!

Rozzi is on the rise and it is only a matter of time before she hits the big time with her big voice!

facebook.com/rozzicrane
@rozzicrane
youtube.com/rozzicrane
rozzicrane.com

Fans of _____, would LOVE Rozzi Crane:
1. Adele
2. Allen Stone
3. Scott Hoying
4. Jazmine Sullivan
5. Amy Winehouse
6. Sara Bareilles
7. Carole King
8. Toni Braxton

A few of my favorite covers from Rozzi!

Queen B? No prob. (Scott Hoying and Rachel Saltzman on backups!)

Rozzi and Scott Hoying singing together... Like, I can't even handle these riffs. Too good.

Too much soul. And that vibrato doe.

Hope you like Rozzi Crane's stuff so that you can join me in her album countdown! Until next time my friends. (:


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


This post is Rozzi approved! :D