A musical genius named, Jack

One of the most influential musicians of our time - John Anthony Gillis aka Jack White.

And no, he's not just that guy from The White Stripes. This man is a real musical genius in my eyes and there are not a lot of people I admire as much as I do Jack White.

He not only does incredible vocals, but he also plays - get this - the guitar (and boy does he play it), bass, drums, the keyboard, clavioline, marimba, mandolin, and the xylophone...Amazed? I would hope so.

Other than The White Stripes, Jack was also the vocalist and guitarist for The Raconteurs (one of my all-time favourite bands) and The Dead Weather. He recently released a solo album, Blunderbuss, which is a little different than his usual sound, but incredibly well done.

If you hadn't realised how talented he actually is and never put much effort into really experiencing his amazing work, please just take some time and spend it with Jack. It won't take too long for you to really see, hear and feel what he is capable of. I am in awe of this man and speechless at his work more often than not.

Below are a few of my faves. I sincerely hope you enjoy the journey you are about to embark upon while experiencing the greatness that is, Jack White...

The White Stripes:

'Fell In Love With A Girl'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q27BfBkRHbs
'Blue Orchid'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKntY8WkNYQ
'Jolene' (probably one of the best covers ever done) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4rYaLBUpLA
'Seven Nation Army' (Live at Rock Am Ring)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuRd1yqGDeE

The Dead Weather:

'Blue Blood Blues' (Live from Third Man Records) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctSFZj_LdI0
'Hang You From The Heavens' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scJ8ITsZsl4

The Raconteurs:

'Salute Your Solution' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lL1CW140FQ
'Broken Boy Soldier'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYVNxjeQbfE
'Carolina Drama' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqp12b61pFo
'Top Yourself'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL3LlTzN38s
(The B-Side Collection is also really good)

Jack White:

'I'm Shakin' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvpoiiBW9bc
'Freedom at 21' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s92smjLq_38
'Sixteen Saltines' 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsixWMdScUI
'Love Interruption' (great song!!) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErNRBTPbEc
'Blunderbuss' - Unstaged (so awesome, with all those instruments together on this song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sInSN2_d6hc

<3 <3 <3

It's all about Ben

Ben Howard has been lifting my spirits and inspiring my soul since late last year. No matter how many times I've heard his songs...they still have the amazing power to just make you feel good. Every time.

I stumbled across a live performance of this 26 year old English singer-songwriter recently and oh my, was I in for a real treat! I had to watch it again immediately. This guy is beyond talented. Not only are his songs really catchy (and not in an annoying if-the-radio-plays-that-song-one-more-time-I'm-gonna-puke kind of way), they're really well written and he sure knows how to play the shit out of that guitar.

He wasn't the only one to impress me on this particular show (T in the park, 2012). There was a red haired woman to the left of him, doing his backing vocals, who completely blew me away. India Bourne plays cello, keyboards, ukulele, bass, contributing vocals and percussion. I had trouble keeping my eyes off both of them. Goosebumps were present throughout the show, especially at the end of 'The Wolves'.

So here are my faves and also that ridiculous performance at T in the park. Guaranteed you will be in love with Ben Howard after this (if you aren't already, of course).

'Only Love'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWlKZ6C7cDY

'Old Pine'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzzCthKw_C0
'The Fear'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnxCxHLAqn8
'The Wolves'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQaGEI5D2Q
'Call Me Maybe' - I hate this original song, he somehow makes it awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPU8V-nvUEk
'Keep Your Head Up'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADP65wbBUpc
Live at T in the park 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pq-yUpFbTc

Make sure you get his debut album "Every Kingdom". You will not be sorry!
<3

Harder Harmonies and a Lunatic's Lament...

The past few days I have been feeling rather uninspired. I just couldn't find anything great to talk about and I was so frustrated that I wasn't falling in love with anything at all.

So I decided to go back to some of the music that really made an impression in my life and changed my way of listening and experiencing music, especially the writing. So I am so thrilled to share this with you.

The following 2 bands are definitely at the top of my list when it comes to writing and playing more than just a melody. They make you feel, really feel, on a completely different level. The lyrics are ridiculously good; and in this case, the music is mostly just an accompaniment...in my opinion anyway.


  Alesana - their music is actually also pretty great. A very good combination of heavy and lighter rock with a bit of screamo to just increase the intensity of the lyrics a little. Reading the words while listening is a must.

You have to experience it for yourself, so here are a few of my favourites (some of the music videos are quite intense as well, so just keep an open mind):

'Lullaby Of The Crucified'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pm2Xfwy5ZA

'A Gilded Masquerade'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30c9rlyiBKs
'Hand In Hand With The Damned'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXnsCagejCM

'Apology' - acoustic version (so decently done, man)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAHfl_ouCaE

'What Goes Around' - Justin Timberlake Cover for Punk Goes Pop vol 2 --> SO GOOD!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UeVepOirYE

'A Lunatic's Lament'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4atuHtjnYGU

La Dispute - ahhh now here is a band that I am sure not a lot of you will really 'get'. Probably the best writing I have and will ever experience (yes, that is what it is). In their case, the music is just the background. My dear friend who introduced them to me described them perfectly: talk/scream poetry.

Definitely not for everyone, but if you are able to get completely in touch with yourself, really let go and just open up your heart and especially your mind...you will enter a whole new world of what music and talented writing such as this can do to your soul.

Your life will never be the same again.

Even more so than with Alesana, read the lyrics while listening to my faves below...

'Such Small Hands'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76qfQojdo0
Sort of followed by:
'Nobody, Not Even The Rain'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCtgFS0zMI8

'The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai0gyXCkfdk

'Three' (this is their unique rendition of Edgar Allen Poe's hauntingly beautiful poem, 'Annabel Lee')
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSDnmy9UZQU
'Edward Benz, 27 times'
(this song can be a bit upsetting)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQQGihb_66w

'Bury Your Flame'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1tM4zldov8
'Harder Harmonies'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huMZ7Hc12F0

 
<3

Tides of Tilian

One of the best days of my life was one in which I was introduced to the music of the great Mr Tilian Pearson. I am so happy to share this love.

His (former) band, Tides of Man, is what I like most. The lyrics are insanely good - he is one of the best songwriters I have ever come across. Their alternative rock sounds are really easy to fall in love with, it touches your soul in such a deep way - I still feel it every time I listen to them.

Their 2 albums differ so much, each bringing something incredible to the table. "Dreamhouse" is very easy to relate to, with songs about life and love. The second album, "Empire Theory" is really something great. Songs about war and mercy and so on - simply superb writing.

Sad but true is the fact that Tilian left Tides of Man in 2010. He has done and is currently doing vocals for Saosin, Dance Gavin Dance and also a quite decent solo album - 'Material Me'. Though this album is not exactly my taste (a little too pop-ish for me) I can't help but admire his work. Again, songs so well written and quite catchy tunes - you just can't not love him.




MY TIDES OF MAN FAVES:
'A Faint Illusion' - probably my favourite song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxhTU3sRw84
'Home'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sulxlCJf-J4
'Not My Love 2'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6rt0Wkj3z0
'I Saw Mercy Conquer Hate'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUeWCKUaOaw
'Create Couldn't Keep Up'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_mM8tvfZLM&list=PL_f_IOnKTivRLCQtaVfK_7KJ1Owd9HtSr

TILIAN PEARSON - Solo
'Up In The Air'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H94RE-jvHLQ
'Chemicals'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwLbsdqPwDY
'Waste My Time'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJrOdIWqdtc
'Favor The Gods' - acoustic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teT4-viSRWA

<3

Bonne BΔstille :-)

Bastille - named after the lead vocalist's day of birth, which also happens to be Bastille Day in France.

Now this quartet has brightened up many a day in my life over the past few months. Dan Smith is such a talented musician and he happens to be quite easy on the eyes as well :-) He so beautifully creates different  sounds to their music which causes them to stand out and grab major audiences in different genres.

Just have a listen to the awesomeness, that is, Bastille (beware - goosebumps are a sure thing)

'Flaws' - recorded at Abbey Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzRBoZb3GKw&list=FLl1MvJSzUKPr_PSXgF-69Ww&index=25

'Bad Blood'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoNYlV07Cf8

'Of The Night' - Their version of Snap's "Rhythm Is a Dancer" & Corona's "Rhythm of The Night"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcw720SivGg

'Locked Out of Heaven' (Mash-up) - BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eHKLX7LqDE

'No Angels' feat. Ella --> The xx vs TLC cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nth2LHK6CU&list=FLl1MvJSzUKPr_PSXgF-69Ww&index=8

'Dreams' (feat. Gab Aplin) --> Great Cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ocmrU2yx8

'Requiem For Blue Jeans' --> Another great cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTFKiqM_kA

Ok, I have to hold back otherwise I'm just going to put links to ALL their songs here. Each one is so different and amazing - that makes them great. So just listen and appreciate...

<3

I wonder, can you daydream at night?

A simple, almost too corny lyric that actually caught my attention...

May I introduce yet another Australian promise: Hands Like Houses, making great music since 2008, signed by the awesome Rise Records in 2012.

I stumbled upon 'Lion Skin' when YouTube so kindly suggested it to me and I have been ever so thankful since. Their debut album, Ground Dweller, was released last year along with a really worthwhile acoustic EP called: The Snow Sessions.

Have a listen to the originals as well as the acoustic versions below - a job well done, I say!!

'Lion Skin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrLXXlLKzAc
'Lion Skin' - acoustic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw8DoHzoYQk

'The Sower'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t0u3ruIcdM
'The Sower' - acoustic --> THIS ONE IS VERY GOOD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b5Q-UVD47g

'The Sower' & 'This Aint No Place For Animals' - The Snow Sessions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOGZXnNXJsI

<3

Elena Tonra

From the first time I heard the amazing sounds of Daughter, just over a year ago, on a miserably rainy day,  I was in awe of Elena Tonra.
 
The only word to describe her / them is simply: REAL

Described as "one of the most unique sounds", her voice is hypnotic, the lyrics (written herself of course) are just relevant somehow to every single person out there.

'Youth' is extremely well written,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEpMj-tqixs&list=RD02psiILfa-G1c
so is 'Landfill'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpWO_byqSr8&list=RD02psiILfa-G1c
'Run'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psiILfa-G1c
'Medicine'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf6mkYz4mx0&list=RD02psiILfa-G1c
'Candles' and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BucfErwPTWs&list=RD02psiILfa-G1c
'Still"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUWrcFpmI5U


I am totally stoked about her debut album (If You Leave) that was released recently and it is currently still on repeat in my car.

Do yourself a favour, whether you usually like Indie/Folk music or not:
Switch off the lights, lay back, hit play on 'Youth' and let Elena give you just a slight nudge towards what you REALLY think and feel - You can thank me later...

Shadows settle on the place, that you left.
Our minds are troubled by the emptiness.
Destroy the middle, it's a waste of time.
From the perfect start to the finish line.

And if you're still breathing, you're the lucky ones.
'Cause most of us are heaving through corrupted lungs.
Setting fire to our insides for fun
Collecting names of the lovers that went wrong
The lovers that went wrong.

We are the reckless,
We are the wild youth
Chasing visions of our futures
One day we'll reveal the truth
That one will die before he gets there.

And if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones.
'Cause most of our feelings, they are dead and they are gone.
We're setting fire to our insides for fun.
Collecting pictures from the flood that wrecked our home,
It was a flood that wrecked this home.

And you caused it,
And you caused it,
And you caused it

Well I've lost it all, I'm just a silhouette,
A lifeless face that you'll soon forget,
My eyes are damp from the words you left,
Ringing in my head, when you broke my chest.
Ringing in my head, when you broke my chest.

And if you're in love, then you are the lucky one,
'Cause most of us are bitter over someone.
Setting fire to our insides for fun,
To distract our hearts from ever missing them.
But I'm forever missing him.

And you caused it,
And you caused it,
And you caused it 
<3

Oz brings the stuff

I am so delightfully surprised by what Australia has been sending into the world lately. Great, great talent is brewed in the land down under!

The likes of Boy & Bear, Angus & Julia Stone (more about these significant siblings later) and then for today's love: Jinja Safari and The Delta Riggs.


Their sound has been described as Indie meets Forest Rock. I could not have put it better myself as it suits their style, look, sound just perfectly. Jinja Safari has the awesome ability to make you want to carve something out of something else and make music with it :-) Instruments such as the sitar, harmonium, flute, bamboo flute, bells and a tabla are what makes them so incredibly unique and inspiring.

 They are going to take over this world, no question! And I will be first on board. Their debut album will be out in May this year <3 <3 <3

'Mermaids'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCiHSA_LCRs&list=FLl1MvJSzUKPr_PSXgF-69Ww

'Forest Eyes'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VThcYR7hT18&list=FLl1MvJSzUKPr_PSXgF-69Ww&index=14

This is quite a treat, their rendition of R Kelly's 'Ignition' on Triple J:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOrDneiOJDM&list=FLl1MvJSzUKPr_PSXgF-69Ww





Ahhh The Delta Riggs....Now this is a band I'm liking more and more each day. Their music is very energetic, garage rock-ish... They are still a very young band (calling themselves a 2year old child in the music industry). I only really fall in love with and respect a band if they are able to perform exceedingly well live, which they sure do!!

Impressively, Elliott Hammond is not only the lead vocalist, but also plays drums, harmonica and organ. He also plays in Wolfmother (organ and percussion).

Keep your eye out for these guys; they will be sure to rock your socks off. Their debut LP, Hex.Lover.Killer, will be out April 12th.

'Soul Train'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeVPem8tiiE

'Rah Rah Radio'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_caRtOAzWU4

<3