If you’re single this year, don’t fret. Not everything is about chocolates, champagne and cheesy cards. There are a slew of amazing shows happening in San Diego, and you need to check them out. Who knows, maybe the person of your dreams will be waiting in the crowd? (Too cheesy? Yeah, let’s just focus on the music.) Continue reading Forget Valentine’s Day: Here’s what you should do this week
Tag Archives: albums
The Theme Song this Week is by Let’s Drive to Alaska
Meet one-man-music-machine Let’s Drive to Alaska, and learn why he’s going to become your next favorite dance/electronic project. Continue reading The Theme Song this Week is by Let’s Drive to Alaska
The Theme Song This Week is an ode to Dexter
The theme song for this week comes from a YouTube star who will really blow your mind with her original song inspired by Dexter Morgan. Trust me when I say this tune is perfect, mysterious and just on the verge of moody, just like the famed vigilante serial killer.
With over 170 videos, 120,000 subscribers, and god knows how many total views (hint: A LOT), I’m seriously surprised that this charismatic and humble singer and songwriter hasn’t found herself smack dab in the middle of her own fame. However, there is nothing wrong with flying under the radar, especially when it comes to an artist who is as dedicated and creative as Daniela Andrade. She has her own active Tumblr tag, so she counts as famous to me.
Listen to more of Daniela’s work; you won’t be disappointed. And let me know your opinion on her Dexter inspired tune. Appropriately dark and alluring?
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Viv and the Revival: Revved up Rock
The world could use a little more guitar, and pop rock project Viv and the Revival agree. According to the artist’s social media pages, he introduces himself as Viv and labels anyone who enjoys music as “The Revival.” What revival is he referring to exactly? A modern restoration of rock, perhaps? The answers may lie in his latest album The Introduction, out October 8th, which features that trademark sound of riff-inspired music with catchy, poppy melodies and themes. The album definitely offers upbeat, energetic danceability (that better be a word!); and while it leans more on the pop side than any other genre, the heavy influences are still mixed in here and there across the album. And all of this comes from a musician who very humbly accepts and appreciates every one of his fans, which makes me want to say, “rock on, revivalists!”
The Indie writer Toni Rivera spoke with Viv from Viv and the Revival about his upcoming new album and what the current music industry means to a rock artist like himself.
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TheIndieSD: What is your favorite song that you have recorded?
My favorite is probably “Criminals” which is on my new album “The Introduction”.
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TISD: You have a new album “The Introduction” coming out on October 8th. What should we expect from the album? How will it allow us to get to know you and your music?
It’s a big record with a lot of universal themes in it. Everyone can relate to the lyrics and see themselves in the songs. I poured my heart and soul into this album and the things I talk about are very important to me, so the lyrics will allow everyone to get to know me.
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TISD: How was it recording the album?
It was an adventure. I learned so much about music and songwriting throughout this whole process and grew a ton as an artist. I became a different person since the completion of this record.
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TISD: If you could create a duet or collaboration with any artist/band, who would it be? Why?
My number one would have been either Michael Jackson or Bob Marley, but from all of the amazing people out now, maybe someone like Adele or 30 Seconds to Mars. They’re just so talented and I really admire the message in their songs.
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TISD: What inspires you to create music?
Everything inspires me. Everything about life and the world makes me want to be creative and say the things that are on my mind.
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TISD: How do you feel about being a musician in today’s world?
It’s a really special time I think to be a musician. Things have changed but there is so much amazing music at everyone’s fingertips. You can find 50 new bands everyday that you end up loving. I do wish that live shows still had as much importance as they did back in the day. I think that’s where you really get to know and understand an artist or band, when you see them bare their soul live.
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TISD: What things do you take from your personal life and put into your music?
I don’t write about personal things, but I write about universal topics that matter to me. Topics that everyone can relate to. I’m sure a lot of personal things end up coming out somehow though on my songs without me even realizing it. It’s like subconscious therapy.
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TISD: There are a lot of things going on in the world and some artists are taking on these themes, such as Macklemore with his song about same sex marriage and Boyce Avenue with a song about suicide. How do the things going on in the world affect you and your music?
Everything affects my music. I try to be open and compassionate, and once you let your guard down, you’re vulnerable and can truly write from your heart.
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TISD: Do you remember your first concert? How did it affect you?
Well my dad is a professional drummer so I’ve been going to concerts since I was a little kid. The first big concerts that I went to were in high school, seeing Tom Petty, Incubus, The Used, a bunch of bands. Every time the lights went down right before the show started, I would get these chills and goosebumps and I would just say to myself, “you have to do this!”
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TISD: How do your fans impact you?
My fans are amazing! They have supported me from the very beginning and have grown and changed along with me. They’re the reason why I do this.
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TISD: What’s one thing you would want to say to everyone who’s supported you?
From the bottom of my heart, I can’t even thank you enough for the support! It truly means the world to me, and I don’t know where I would be without all of you, so thank you!
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Now with four EP’s under his belt, national television recognition, and a full-length album released soon, Viv and the Revival is set to leave a mark this year. According to his bio, when asked about his Revival, Viv stated:
“I was feeling rundown with music and was searching for something. When I found that passion reignited, it felt like a revival for me – a new start and it was super important for me to get that message out. Every day, you can achieve whatever you want to, be who you want to be, and do what you want. There’s no limit to how good someone can be. This is the Revival. We’re all here to make a big noise. We’re all here to shake things up. We’re all here to change the world. This is your moment, this is your time, this is your world, and this is your Revival.”
Become a part of the Revival and preview the upcoming album, The Introduction, below. And follow their website or Facebook page for official updates! Let us know what you think in the comments below!
The Theme Song This Week is to crave a different kind of buzz
The theme song for this week comes from a 16 year-old girl with a song that you probably have heard already and found yourself humming all day, without even realizing it. We’re talking about New Zealand popstress Lorde, who is quickly convincing the masses that she could be the next princess of pop.
With a truly perfect grasp on a modern pop sound that is refreshing without being too cliché, Lorde has an EP that boasts originality and even a little bit of swag. Which is ironic, when you listen to her current hit single “Royals”, a perfect ballad to the generation of youth that are tired of “Cristal, Maybach” and “diamonds on your time piece”. Throw away all of your possessions and stop worrying so much about having the next best thing with a pop singer who claims she’s never even “seen a diamond in the flesh.”
Well, she is only sixteen. I’d be very impressed if she had a Maybach and a diamond encrusted watch at that age. Though these days, the youth are the rich, now aren’t they? Either way, Lorde isn’t preoccupied with these materialistic music ideals, and the result is a jam that almost anyone can truly relate to. Top it all off with her uncanny ability for lyrics wise beyond her years, and a voice that sounds more mature jazz maven than precocious teenager, and Lorde is sure to become something big in the states.
Check out the video for “Royals” and let me know what you think! I can’t stop listening. Seriously…someone get the replay button away from me.
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GP of the Week: Lenka brings the Show to SD
Guilty pleasures aren’t that guilty if you’re proud of them, and trust me, I am always proud to share a pop artist who gets it right! And best of all, I’ve got you covered if you need something to do this weekend.
Lenka, who’s been on a first name basis with the world since beginning her solo music career, has been awfully busy since “The Show” put her on the pop music map.
She followed up her self-titled debut with the just as catchy and poppy Two, an album that may have suffered the “sophomore slump” . While it’s extremely fun and the lyrics are very smart, overall it’s lacking creativity and follows similar two-beat patterns throughout most of the songs. Here’s where this pop story becomes an uplifting tale. Lenka’s latest release, Shadows, seems to offer everything we were hoping for from her earlier release. Shadows offers diversity while painting a magical scene from the very start, with “Nothing Here But Love.” The entire album plays on atmospheric sensibilities that Lenka describes as “lullabies for adults”. But don’t expect to nod off after you hear how beautifully crafted and uplifting the album can be. Tunes like “Find a Way to You” and “Two Heartbeats” playfully bounce around in rhythms like an intricate music box, while dipping into minor keys at just the right moment to cause the perfect amount of tension. That tension is what makes this album Lenka’s deepest repertoire of songs yet.
Pop music that is deep. That is when any artist in any genre gets it right, and in my opinion, artists like Lenka should be the definition of great music.
If you want to hear all of this goodness live, you can catch Lenka this weekend at Soda Bar on Jun 2nd.
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