Tag: American Authors

Afro Pop, European Artists, Hip Hop/Rap, Pop Music, R&B, Rising Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Upbeat Songs

“In Your Arms” by Nico & Vinz

October 19, 2014

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On Thursday night I attended a great concert at Beacon Theatre in NYC – Fresh 102.7 Fall Fest. This was the second Fresh Fall Fest and, after attending last year, I was not going to miss it. Last year they had an incredible lineup with Kodaline, American Authors, Daughtry (playing an acoustic set), and The Fray. It was a fabulous show!

This year when I heard the lineup announced, I knew that I was going to make it an annual event. First, let me say that Beacon Theatre is such an incredible venue – just a beautiful, iconic theatre. Second, who gets all those incredible acts together for one night? Fresh 102.7 did a great job of lining up some amazing performers who provided concert goers with a fabulous 3 hour show! We were entertained by Nico & Vinz, Bleachers, Matt Nathanson, Ingrid Michaelson, and Neon Trees.

Last year, both Kodaline and American Authors were the rising artists who got a huge introduction at the show, Daughtry was a big name who played an acoustic set which made it a unique experience, and then we had the big finale by The Fray. This year, it was hard to determine who was the main act. Obviously, Nico & Vinz are rising artists and fit that bill, as does Bleachers (even though Jack Antonoff is a member of the popular band, Fun.). Matt Nathanson played an incredible acoustic set, but there were still two acts left to follow – Ingrid Michaelson and Neon Trees. Really, both of them could have been considered the closing act and they both performed like they were. The performances were amazing and incredibly entertaining.

Today, I just wanted to quickly post a song by Nico & Vinz, one of the rising artists from the night. Nico & Vinz, (Nicolas “Nico” Sereba and Vincent Dery) from Oslo, Norway, have a great stage presence and a really fun sound. I found them thoroughly entertaining and adorable – I especially loved watching Vincent Dery dance. 🙂 I am certain that you are already familiar with their Song of the Summer, “Am I Wrong.” If not, click on the song to have a listen. The second single from their debut album, Black Star Elephant, which was just released this month, is today’s song of the day. It is a song that I just really love and the video is actually very powerful. Nico & Vinz have a sound that is very unexpected. The music combines pop, Afro beat, hip hop, R&B, and reggae; and their lyrics are very powerful with a message to share. They sound fantastic together! I hope that you like this song as much as I do … I just can’t seem to get it out of my head.

Irish Artists, Pop Music, Sad Songs, Singer/Songwriter

“Six Degrees of Separation” by The Script

January 28, 2013

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Well, the GRAMMY awards are over and now back to recognizing ALL the good music that is out there. I find the awards interesting; there are so many artists that are incredible that never get any recognition. I would love to understand how the voters pick their nominees and how the voting process occurs. I find it funny that they honor lots of “old-timers” in current shows because they never actually won a GRAMMY back in the day when they should have been honored. Oh well, I guess it is just one method of honoring artists … the other is a celebration by us, as music lovers and fans, as we honor and enjoy the wide range of musical talents and genres. So, back to the music …

Today, I am sharing a song from one of my favorite bands (I know, I have a lot of favorites ;)!) The Script is an Irish band that I have been in love with for many years. I distinctly remember when I first discovered them. It was 2008 and we were living in London. I was on the high street getting my hair cut. The salon was pretty hip and they had a great radio station playing. Suddenly this song starts to play and I immediately love it! So, the whole time I am sitting there getting my hair finished, I am trying to remember all the words to the song because I had not been paying attention when they introduced it and said who it was or the name of the song.

I walked home and immediately told my kids: “I just heard the best song and I need to figure out who it is! The song was about a guy who is sitting on a corner and he has a sign …” My daughter rolled her eyes at me, sat down at the computer, and said, “I’m probably going to need more to go on than that.” But we begin googling new songs, new artists and some of the words I could remember and sure enough … we figured it out! It was “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The Script. It was then, and still is, one of my favorite songs.

The Script is comprised of three Irish guys (a self proclaimed Celtic Trio) – Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power – who are incredibly talented song-writers, musicians, and singers. They are great storytellers and write a lot about their life and love. Some of the topics they have covered are the death of parents (The End Where I Begin, If You Could See Me Now), and troubles that friends and family were having, particularly during the economic downturn in Ireland (For the First Time, If You Ever Come Back). They have released three albums: The Script (2008), Science & Faith (2010), and #3 (2012). Based on that history, I am hoping for a new album this year. All three albums are fantastic and very different from each other, but I tend to have a stronger connection to the first two albums even though I love several songs on #3.  Check out all their music because I can’t even begin to list the songs I would recommend. Today’s song is from #3 and I love the word play that they use – “Six Degrees of Separation.”

I did not get to see The Script perform live while I was living in London, but I have seen them 3 times back here in the States! They are incredible live! They are funny, personable, down-to-earth, and sound even better live than recorded. They have opened for some incredibly big names, such as Paul McCartney and U2, both of whom personally sought them out because they were so impressed with their talent.

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With that background, I have some exciting news! The Script is touring with OneRepublic this year … two of my all time favorite bands together! Does it get any better than that?!! I am thrilled and can’t wait for the concert. My entire family loves both bands so it will be a great family show. I have to say that The Script and OneRepublic are two of only a handful of bands that I wouldn’t have to beg my husband to attend with me. To top it off, American Authors will also be touring with them. 🙂

Alternative, Electro, Rising Artist, UK Artists

SONG OF THE DAY – “THRIFT SHOP” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring WANZ

December 31, 2013

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Happy New Year!

It is 10:00 p.m. where I am sitting, so just a couple more hours left of 2013. I can’t believe how quickly the year passed. So many exciting things happened this year! It will be a year full of many memories for me, but I am looking forward to creating new ones in 2014.

It was difficult to pick just one song today from so many favorites, but this song was probably the most memorable song of the year. I am certain it is not new to most of you, but can you seriously think of 2013 without thinking of Thrift Shop? Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were a phenomenon in 2013!

For the last few days I have been posting songs by some of my favorite new musical finds of 2013. To finish that up – on this last night of the year – I wanted to post a list of my favorite “new to me” bands and artists of 2013.  Drum roll, please ….  Here is my list:

I enjoyed so much good music over the year from a multitude of artists, but I discovered all of these artists in 2013 and they instantly became favorites and people that I will be keeping my eye on. I hope that you were able to discover and enjoy great music this year as well, and I am looking forward to sharing the musical journey with you in 2014.

And as I mentioned a couple days ago, my favorite album of the year was “Native” by OneRepublic.

 Music brings me joy and I am looking forward to a joyful year full of love, friendship, adventure, and … of course … MUSIC!
Family Songs, Indie Rock, New York Artists, Rising Artist, Upbeat Songs

SONG OF THE DAY – “LUCK” by American Authors

October 30, 2013

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I just recently saw these guys at a live acoustic show in NYC at the Beacon Theatre.  They were incredible live and I highly recommend you see them if you get the opportunity.  I heard an interesting story about them.  They were all students at the Berklee College of Music in Boston – a very prestigious (and selective!) music school.  They met at school and soon afterwards all dropped out to form a band.  Yikes!  I wonder what their parents thought. haha!  If the lyrics to this song are about real life (which it sounds like they are), I am guessing it might have something to do with that.  I found the lyrics to this song quite powerful for me and, needless to say, the song has been on repeat at my home the last few weeks. 🙂  Have a great day!