Fun. Some Nights

Fun. has officially released their music for new single Some Nights off of the album with the same name, Some Nights this morning, watch it below! The video is set to have taken place back in the Civil War because to quote director, Anthony Mandler "The feeling and sound of the song felt like an old war to me".

Paradise Fears, Payphone.

The Vermillion boys have done yet another cover this time taking Maroon 5’s new song Payphone by storm.

Action Item, Glad You Came/ Young Blood

From left to right:
Dan Brozek, Brian Cag, Mark Shami,
Anthony Li and David Buczkowski

Action Item of New Jersey recently posted their version of The Wanted’s Glad You Came.

Call Me, Maybe.

One of many Call Me, Maybe pictures.

“Hey I just met you…” is all I’ve been seeing on twitter and lately been hearing on the radio thanks to Canadian singer, Carly Rae Jepsen.

The Summer Set, 99 Problems?

From left to right:
John Gomez, Stephen Gomez, Brian Dales, Jess Bowen
and Josh Montgomery

I recently stumbled upon this cover of Jay Z’s 99 problems from Scottsdale, Arizona’s own The Summer Set.

Beautiful Freaks Tour 2012

April 29, 2012 I had the privilege of attending the Beautiful Freaks Tour at Newport Music Hall in the wonderful city and state of Columbus, Ohio.

Paradise Fears, Sanctuary.

From left to right:
Jordan Merrigan, Lucas Zimmerman, Sam Miller,
Marcus Sand, Michael Walker and Cole Andre

Paradise Fears of Vermillion, South Dakota  recently released a new single titled Sanctuary today, be sure to check it out below and let them know what you think of Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to buy it on iTunes!

STSL What Makes You Beautiful

Secret Tunnel Story Line of Tucson, Arizona recently covered What Makes You Beautiful, originally sung by British boy band One Direction.  

Basement Tapes.

Sweet Talker of Phoenix, Arizona will be performing a free show at The Crescent Ballroom on April 3^rd. Also performing that night is Love Milk, Heavy Horses, Fatigo Duo and A Technicolor Yawn; be sure to check them out beforehand.

Saguaro Benefit Show

The Summer Set of Scottsdale, Arizona recently performed an acoustic set for a benefit show Saguaro High School put on alongside My Girl Friday and Kenny Holland.

Hot Chelle Rae: Honestly

Break ups are one of the hardest things you’ll ever experience. In a way it’s like experiencing your own piece of hell, the pain is unbearable and you’re left feeling like your whole world is torn apart.

Arizona Music.

When you think of Arizona unbearable heat in the desert comes to mind, right? I understand we do have long 120 degree summers and desert galore but if you look closely you would see the amazing music that comes within the heat. Saturday March 3rd I had the pleasure of watching five wonderful artists remind me why I love the Arizona music scene so much.

Congrats RadioDriveBy!

RadioDriveBy of Chandler, Arizona has officially surpassed their goal of $2,000 for their Kickstarter by $115, congrats guys!

The Summer Set: When We Were Young Video

Do you remember the person you fell in love with for the first time? The one who left you speechless every time you shared a gaze, kiss and touch; the one you shared your heart and soul with and believed that this was the way life was meant to be. Then that dreadful moment where everything falls apart happens and you’re left wondering how something that was once so amazing leaves you feeling like you’ve just entered Hell.

FUN. Some Nights

August 25, 2009 Fun. released their first album titled Aim and Ignite and after three years of patiently waiting they have finally released their sophomore album, Some Nights.

End of the World Tour 2012

February 17^th I attended the End of the World tour located at The Nile Theater in Mesa, Arizona and though I was unable to see Mayday Parade, I did watch three amazing bands do what they love.

RadioDriveBy Kickstarter Campaign

“Sounds of a city on the beach seem to be calling me, calling me home…” reads the opening verse of the new single, Sunday. And calling them it has, RadioDriveBy of Tempe, Arizona has started a Kickstarter project in hopes of purchasing a trailer to put their equipment in that would allow them to begin touring around the country, starting with the west coast.

From left to right:
David Glosser, Evan Yuen, Trent Clark, Austin Galvin, Adam Simmons

RadioDriveBy consist of members Trent Clark, lead vocals; Adam Simmons, guitar/ vocals; David Glosser, guitar; Evan Yuen, bass and Austin Galvin, drums. They have been an unsigned band for a quite awhile now who have been paying for the use of studio time as well as other musical needs out of pocket and as you all know it can get a tad bit pricey.  Thus evolving the need of the Kickstarter project, the boys are in need of $2,000 and are more than halfway there standing still at $1,099. They are asking for a minimum donation of $1 and personally I believe we all have that extra dollar to spare. Not that it should matter but the boys are also generous enough to award those who donate a certain amount of money.

Kickstarter Rewards:

$5 or more: You will receive 3 free song downloads from past releases and will get to sign your name on the inside of trailer once it is purchased.

$15 or more: You will receive a free digital copy of new RadioDriveBy EP (when released) and all previous rewards.

$25 or more: You will receive a single off the new EP for free before it is released, a signed “thank you” note from the band and all previous rewards.

$50 or more: You will receive two RDB bracelets, two unreleased demo recordings and all previous rewards.

$75 or more: You will receive a phone call from the band, a RBD shirt and all previous rewards.

$100 or more: RadioDriveBy will play an acoustic session for you in person if you’re an Arizona resident or via Skype for those out of Arizona, entire EP before it has been released and all previous awards.

$250 or more: A snare drum or bass guitar signed by the whole band along with all previous rewards.

$500 or more: A Gretsch Electric Guitar signed by the band along with all previous rewards.

$1,000 or more: A member of the band will get your name tattooed on them and will write you a personalized song.

I wouldn’t hold my breath much longer over the tattoo prize seeing as they have already passed the halfway mark. If you’re considering making a donation all the information you need is here and even though I have no affiliation with the band, I want to thank you for what you’ve done. Keep in mind that you’re doing so much more than tossing a few bucks around, you’re contributing to making the dreams of five young men come true and who are we to deny that from them?

Follow RadioDriveBy on Twitter

Like RadioDriveBy on Facebook

Check them out on Youtube

And don’t forget to donate!

xoxo,

alicia.

Everything's Fine/ Symphony Soldier Tour 2012

January 14^th and 15^th I attended the Everything’s Fine/ Symphony Soldier Tour in the wonderful cities of Tempe and Tucson, Arizona; I must say that it was the best weekend I had in 2012 thus far.

Sam Miller of Paradise Fears

Paradise Fears of Vermillion, South Dakota, opened the tour both nights and if I say so myself, set the bar pretty high. They put on a great show and proved they can get the crowd going while playing a cover of Stacey’s Mom (Fountain of Wayne) in Tempe and a mash up cover of Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine) and Cute Without the ‘E’ (Taking Back Sunday) in Tucson. 

Days Difference, a band from Virginia Beach, Virginia and He is We from Tacoma, Washington were the next two bands up and put on a good show both nights. Brian Dales of The Summer Set even came out and joined singer, Rachel Taylor of He is We in a duet both nights, which the crowd enjoyed very much.

Alex DeLeon of The Cab

The Cab was next in the lineup in Tempe and could not have put on a better show. The crowd was ecstatic and sang their hearts out to every song. A crowd favorite was definitely Living Louder as Brian Dales of The Summer Set walked onstage and sang along with Alex DeLeon, lead vocals. The next night in Tucson, The Cab headlined and it was, without a doubt, one of the best shows I have ever been to. The set list were pretty much the same both nights however Alex DeLeon sang his rendition of What Goes Around, Comes Around (Justin Timberlake) while Alex Marshall, pianist, played alongside the keyboard after Lovesick Fool in Tucson; definitely a crowd pleaser. Before Living Louder was sung Alex DeLeon pulled an 11 year fan (who has been said to have gone to every Cab show in Tucson) onstage, gave him a hug and allowed him to stay up there for the rest of the night. I’m 99.9 percent sure every girl in that room fell in love with him even more.  As enjoyable as that was, my favorite songs both nights were definitely La La, the way the crowd sang their hearts out and the energy the guys of The Cab held onstage made waiting in line, standing in the rain and having the back of my head smacked around that much more worth it.

Brian Dales of The Summer Set

The Summer Set headlined their sold out hometown show of Tempe, Arizona and definitely played with everything they had. Brian Dales, lead vocals, surprised the crowd when he joined drummer Jess Bowen in a drum solo and even picked up a guitar in a new rendition of Thick as Thieves.  The amount of energy that was in that room was insane, the crowd, the music, everything couldn’t have been done any better. And then I spoke too soon, the Tucson show was hands down AMAZING. A couple of songs were played that were not played the night before which kept it interesting for those who went to both shows as well as, I’m sure, The Summer Set. I must say that my favorite song of the night was definitely When We Were Young, there was that certain moment when the Brian sang “Young forever, back then…” then held the microphone out to the crowd and we sang “never knew the first loves the hardest…” followed by a “Ain’t that the truth?” from Brian and that’s when I got chills and knew my night was made. 

It was a beautiful show that plays back in my mind every night since. Everything was perfect; the crowd had tons of energy and sang their heart and soul out to amazing bands who reminded us all why we love them and their music so much. They’re all musically talented and quite attractive but the fact that Brian Dales of The Summer Set and Alex DeLeon and Joey Thunder of The Cab stood outside in the pouring rain making sure all fans got a picture makes me love them all so much more.

If you haven’t seen them yet check out cabsummerset2012.com to see when they are coming to a city near you and believe me it is a show that is definitely worth your time.

xoxo,
alicia.

This Is How We Live.

There is something about that feeling you get while standing before a stage where live music is being played; the opening bands are on that stage doing what they do best. Even if you don’t know who they are most of the time you give them the benefit of the doubt and enjoy their music as best as you can.

Brian Dales of The Summer Set; Tempe, AZ 1/14/2012

(Photo Courtesy of The Summer Set Facebook Page)

Then there is that insane moment when the lights go down and you can’t see anything but you scream as loud as you can because you already know who is setting foot on that stage next. As the headlining band walks on and begins their first song leaving the crowd to go crazy. Amazing fans all around you, people you don’t even know are right beside you and you smile with them because you’re all there for the same reason. The bass is pumping through your body and no one is making fun of you for jumping and dancing like an idiot.  Personal space is nonexistent and the girl behind you has genuinely smacked you in the back of the head a billion and one times though there is still no other place you would rather be.

Then that second when the singer points the microphone to the crowd and every single person in that venue sings their heart out and this is when the crowd truly has become one. Whether it is your first time seeing this band/ artist or your tenth time you can’t help but get chills and freak out uncontrollably. Everyone is so used to seeing their pictures and watching their videos online but that moment when you’re actually standing before them is priceless. Knowing you could look forward to this at the end of the night makes everything terrible that has happened, the stress of school and life seem worth it.

This is what I live for and though I wish I could experience this every day I have come to the realization that if that were to happen I probably wouldn’t be able to appreciate it as much as I do now. To you this is only an ordinary band, a crappy bar or venue, the set list is a simple piece of paper and a wasted night listening to noise but to us this is so much more. It's love, the soundtrack to our lives and what keeps our heart beating; it's home. Home is that one place where we can leave reality at the door and get lost within.

xoxo,
alicia