Okay, you are probably thinking, “I thought she said she was back … and then she disappeared again.”
Sorry to have been so absent over the last few weeks. Sometimes life gets in the way. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of January and had surgery on February 23. I know, a little heavy for a music blog :), but I think knowing that will explain the song choice for today.
The title of the song just rings so true for me right now. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from so many – family, friends, work associates, and even acquaintances. It is amazing how much love there is in this world if we open our hearts to receive it. I have truly realized that I am nothing without love – it is the foundation of my life. I received a note from a friend that said:
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.
I know this is an older song and it is not Throwback Thursday, but after an experience I had yesterday morning, I just had to post it as my Song of the Day today. One of my all time favorites!
Yesterday morning I went running in Central Park with my husband. We ran past the stage setup and security for the Global Citizen Festival on our way to the reservoir. The festival was last night and the stage was all set up ready for the show. After running around the reservoir we were headed back to the Columbus Circle area when we heard music playing. I stopped and said, “That is Fun.!.” We immediately turned around and ran back to the stage. They were doing sound checks for the concert and Fun. was on stage running through their set. We sat there and watched their entire set. They sounded amazing! We heard four songs, but they finished with this one and then we “carried on” and finished our run.
I have always loved this song and find it so inspirational. It truly is one of those songs that can help you through a difficult time. My favorite line – “May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground.” I have been singing it ever since yesterday morning. Funny how an older song gets a new spark. This song has been on my playlist for several years now, but it is now back at the top.
Just wanted to share this cool experience with you today. You gotta love NYC! Only there would I just happen upon Fun. playing in the park at 9:00 am on a Saturday morning!
I am really liking this new song by Bleachers, a solo project by fun. guitarist, Jack Antonoff. This is the first single by Bleachers, just released last month with an album scheduled for release in the spring. You can certainly hear some of the sounds of fun. in the music, but it is definitely a little edgier and heavier on the guitar. It makes for a great sound! I also think the songwriting is fantastic – very honest and open. I find it extremely motivating.
Antonoff sees “I Wanna Get Better” as “the story of my existence so far and a lot of the things I struggled with … A lot of things on the album, including this song, are about loss,” Antonoff says. “It feels joyous, but for me it’s very desperate.”
Bleachers is performing in Austin this week at SXSW and is also scheduled to perform at the Governor’s Ball in NYC in June, along with several other tour dates and festivals scheduled. It seems that Antonoff kept himself busy during fun.‘s downtime and he has come out with something that is worth listening to, and a side project that is absolutely worth watching. As for us fun. fans … not to worry, there are plans for them to begin working again in the near future and I am looking forward to what will come next from them. In the meantime, enjoy this song by Bleachers.
