CONCERTS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

Tame Impala at the Beacon Theater

There are lots of ways to pass time: Do your homework. Read a book. Watch something on Netflix. Go for a jog. Make art. We as humans are completely capable of doing all of these things in isolation. On the contrary, our lives are made more enjoyable when we are in good company.When I think of a best friend, I think of a person to whom I can tell anything. I think of someone I can text at any moment of any day, of someone whose attention I always have, undivided. I think of someone who I can be myself around, 24/7.

MUSIC: A MIGHTY UNIFIER

When I learned that this week’s theme was “Thinking Globally”, I found myself overwhelmed by all of the different possibilities. Then I thought, why not just write about my own ethnicity? I decided that I would ask my father, who immigrated to the United States from Japan, about the kind of music he listens to.

His favorite music is Japanese pop, because he has listened to it since he was six year old. He is soon to be 60, so he’s been bumping for more than 50 years (!!!). Even after living in the U.S. for quite a while now, the sound of J-pop continues to resonate with him. The lyrics of favorite songs hold deep meaning in his heart.

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA

There is nothing like good ole concert season. With autumn being here, it is so nice to be out and about. Music festivals can be a bit of a drag when it is nearly 90 degrees out and you are running low on water money. No one likes being in a crowd with extra sweaty people rubbing all over you and being dehydrated! So when it is closer to the end of the year when the weather is lightening up and you have a day full of music and food, it all becomes quite an experience. You get to feel the cool wind blowing, see the sun set with multiple colors laid throughout the sky, and get to hear your favorite band playing music in the background.

FALLING FOR NEW TUNES

Fall is definitely my favorite season of all. Not just because of the fact that I adamantly dislike the heat in the summer, but tons of new music is released beginning in early October to mid-November. Although I love the typical poppy sounding summer anthems- nothing beats a fresh new album from artists both old and new. With my favorite time for new music just starting up I have created a quick playlist of songs and artists you should be looking out for this fall. Enjoy!

MUSIC IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Social media is extremely popular amongst our generation, as is becoming close with people that you meet on social media. People from all over the world can bond over liking the same TV shows, movies, books, bands, and so much more. For me, it’s a band that brought me to my closest friends. I mean this in the least cheesiest way possible, but The Vamps have actually changed my life. The Vamps are a British acoustic indie/pop band (well their old music and covers are acoustic indie/pop anyway, but that’s a completely different story) that started out on YouTube.

EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END: WEEZER IS BACK

“I'm letting all of these feelings out even if it means I fail, ‘cause this is what I was meant to do and you can't put that on sale.”

These words, however simple they may seem, exemplify what I think it means to be a true artist. Although creativity can be something to monetarily gain from, it should first and foremost be valued as a communicative outlet. If you agree with me on that and have not yet heard of the band Weezer, I am shaking my head in disapproval and urging you to go listen to them right this instant.

REAL ESTATE DELIGHTS HOMETOWN WITH PACKED SHOW

Real Estate, an indie rock quintet with a majority of its members hailing from Ridgewood, New Jersey, played a homecoming show at Terminal 5 in Manhattan on Thursday, October 2 in support of their third and latest album, Atlas. The group, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Martin Courtney, bassist Alex Bleeker, keyboardist Matt Kallman, guitarist Matt Mondanile, and drummer Jackson Pollis contracted friends Regal Degal, Peaking Lights, and DJ Tom Scharpling to help them start off the special night. 

MUSIC MIDTOWN

Nothing warms my heart quite like thousands of sweaty people dancing in the hot sun to their favorite bands does. Music festivals have become a staple in the cultures of all genres of music. Fresh off of the coattails of Music Midtown in Atlanta, I have had my annual dosage of outdoor jams. Midtown boasted a monstrous lineup with the likes of John Mayer, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, RUN DMC, Iggy Azalea, Banks, Twenty One Pilots, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Eminem, just to name a few. The beautiful end-of-summer weather that dawned Piedmont Park last weekend set the tone for the amazing weekend that lied before us. 

PLAYLIST: LOVE

Recently I found myself getting lucky in the love department and scored myself a wonderful boyfriend. So as the excited teenage girl I am I decided to create a playlist with a wide spread of songs that make me think of that special someone. Have a listen when you’re thinking about your crush, spending time with your fave, or just want some chilled songs.

PLAYLIST: REFLECTION ON THE SUBJECT OF LOSS

Sometimes we just need a day to get everything out and reflect on life, love and loss. Having recently lost an important person in both mine and my family's life, I have been looking back onto my life and realising how much more I need to appreciate. This short playlist is the perfect accompaniment to a good, old-fashioned cry or a bit of reflection. I hope it inspires you to make the most of life, because no one will be around forever. 

GROUPLOVE'IN

“Whatever you do, just make sure you’re being creative and doing sh*t with your hands!”, Grouplove frontrunner Hannah Hooper said to a crowd of young adults as they listened on Tuesday, September 2nd at the Masquerade Music Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Grouplove is an alternative rock band based out of sunny California that reps hippie vibes and a message to push all of their fans to keep art alive. Consisting of lead vocals and guitar by Christian Zucconi, vocals and keyboard by Hannah Hooper, bass guitar by Daniel Gleason, guitar by Andrew Wessen, and drums by Ryan Rabin, this band is always sure to put on a performance that will leave your ears buzzing for days post performance.

SIR SLY CONCERT REVIEW

Have you ever seen a lead singer head bang so hard that you just admire the pace, stamina, and strength the person has? Because this past Saturday night, I stood in awe as I watched Landon Jacobs from Sir Sly head bang and dance on a stage much too small for him. 

Sir Sly are a pop indie band from Los Angeles, California who came onto the music scene two years ago. The band consists of five members: Landon Jacobs, Hayden Coplen, Jason Suwito, Philippe Gutierrez, and Chase Kensrue.

PIANO LULLABIES

Boston – Augustana

Between You And I – Every Avenue

Why I’m Home – Go Radio

THE (ALMOST) FAMOUS FIVE: FIVE ARTISTS TO WATCH

2014 has been a big year for music of all genres, and it’s only going to get bigger as summer draws to a close. Due to the large amount of albums set for release and the highly anticipated Autumn/Winter tours, new artists will be exploding on to the scene left, right and centre. Here’s my guide to The Ones to Watch in the upcoming months.