Travie McCoy

I'm sure you have all heard the song, "Billionaire" on the radio and if you haven't heard it on the radio or heard someone singing it because it's stuck in their head, well...you're living under a rock. Travie McCoy is the lead singer of the group, Gym Class Heroes. I liked a lot of the Gym Class Heroes' songs when they first came on the mainstream radio, and I really enjoyed "Billionaire" when it came out, too. So, when his first complete solo album came out, I checked it out. I didn't download the entire album, but I did download "Billionaire," "We'll Be Alright," and "After Midnight." Those other two tunes, definitely have the same potential as "Billionaire." They're fun songs with a good beat. Definitely songs that could be played at clubs, dances, or other events with music to get people out of their seats. Travie McCoy is one of those mainstream pop artists who get played over and over again, but his stuff is fun to listen to, so if you like "Billionaire," I suggest you download at least the other two songs I mentioned earlier. Check out the links below.

Travie McCoy's MySpace Page
Travie McCoy's Official Website
Official Music Video for Billionaire (explicit)
Travie McCoy performing "We'll Be Alright" Live

Janiva Magness

I heard Janiva on XPN one day and I knew I had to download her tunes right away. If you enjoy a true blues musician, Janiva Magness is your girl. She has been in the business for over three decades, but her sound never gets old. Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. She received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year (she is only the second woman to ever win this award, Koko Taylor being the first) and for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007. As the Philadelphia Inquirer said, "Magness sings superb, potent soul-blues with a scorching intensity." Her newest CD is called "The Devil Is An Angel Too." After hearing her one song on XPN, I had to buy her entire new album (and I bought a few other songs from other albums, too). So, I definitely suggest you buy her stuff if you enjoy this type of music. As always, here are some links below so you can get a taste of her sound.

Janiva Magness' MySpace Page
Janiva Magness performing "You Were Never Mine" Live
Janiva Magness performing "Can't Stop Cryin'" Live
Janiva Magness performing "I'm Lost Without You" Live

Matt Morris

Another ex-MMC member who has been touring small venues for years, and is starting to really make a name for himself. He has also co-wrote many songs by Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, and Christina Aguilera. In January 2010, Matt signed as an artist on Tennman Records, which is owned by Justin Timberlake. He then released the CD, When Everything Breaks Open, which is a great record. Back in January, he actually performed the song, Hallelujah, with Justin Timberlake in the Hope for Haiti special. This is another example of a true musician. Not only is he talented with his own music, but he has the give of writing wonderful, meaningful songs for other artists, as well. His lyrics to the songs he writes, are brilliant. He's got this real, soulful way about him and his songs on his current CD don't really follow a certain pattern. Each song sounds very different, which is refreshing compared to artists on the mainstream radio. One song which stands out from the rest, and is a huge favorite of mine is "Live Forever." It starts off with just Matt and an organ (and some guitar), and then around the 1:24 mark, the bass comes in with the drums and it's this great beat. I don't know about you, but I just love those types of songs, where they start off with minimal instruments, slowly and then all of a sudden, the beat comes in. It's a powerful song. You should definitely check it out - I put the link to his music video for Live Forever below, it's also a great video, too. So, check him out. I put some websites down below if you want to read more information about him, and to check out some of the tunes, too.

Matt Morris' MySpace Page
Matt Morris Official Website
Matt Morris "Live Forever" official video
Matt Morris featuring Justin Timberlake - "Bloodline" live n
Matt performing Bloodline with Justin Timberlake on Ellen
Matt Morris performing "Money" on Ellen

Airiel Down

Well, how do I even begin? Everyone should have expected that my boys would make at LEAST one blog topic! As most of you know, Airiel Down is the band my cousin, Taylor, is in (plays the drums). They've been together about six years and I've been following them and traveling many places to see them play for about four years. They've also stayed at the Landrin household many times - so I'm a little biased with this one. But with all that aside, they are an exceptional, independent band from Raleigh, NC. When I say independent, I mean it. This is one of those true, struggling bands who's out there just trying to make it in the business. I promote them all I can because I believe in their music and what they stand for. They are such hard workers and have played everywhere in the country. I've seen them play to thousands of people at a sold out show in Raleigh and to about 10 people in random places like Towson, MD. But you know what, they play the same type of show with thousands or 10 people. Anyway, I could go on and on, but that would just be boring to some of you. I'll put some links below for you to check them out, and if you dig their sound, go buy some of the tunes (or all of them) on iTunes because like I said, they do everything themselves, so they could use the support. And speaking of support, if you're in the Philly area, they will be playing a huge Philly gig at the Hard Rock Cafe on Friday, August 13, 2010. Please come out if you have the time because they're trying to get more gigs in the area, and if they have a good showing that night - there could be more AD in Philly! (Which means, I won't have to travel 8 hours just to go see them play! LOL)

Airiel Down's Official Website
Silhouette Music Video
Air Video (one of my all time faves)
Quick Video

Nikki & Rich

I discovered Nikki & Rich when they appeared on Ellen a few months back. Well, I liked them so much, I immediately went on iTunes and downloaded all of their available songs. It's a female lead singer, and the music is very old fashioned. Almost like the type of music you'd hear back in the 60's. They have some great beats to the songs. As their Myspace page states, "Sounds like...Lauryn Hill meets The Supremes while hanging out with Alicia Keys listening to Outkast "Hey Yah." Definitely check out "Next Best Thing," "Cat and Mouse," and "December" (which sounds like the slow song Johnny and Baby dance to in Johnny's place in Dirty Dancing). Here are some links to check them out. They don't have much out just yet, just a small EP that only has a few songs, so hopefully they'll be coming out with more.

Nikki & Rich's Myspace Page
Nikki & Rich on Ellen performing Next Best Thing

Tony Lucca

I first discovered Tony on the new Mickey Mouse Club (MMC), which I'm sure haunts him to this day. He has changed quite a bit from his MMC years. He's in the singer/songwriter category and he's amazing. He's got such a soulful, pure voice that you just don't find out on the radio these days. He plays at small venues, such as the Tin Angel and World Cafe Live in Philly. He recently released a new cd called Rendezvous With the Angels on July 13, 2010. It's a great cd that has continued to play in my car since I bought it last week. Here's a link to his homepage, if you want to check him out and find out more information about him (http://www.tonylucca.com/). He'll be in Philly at the Tin Angel on Friday, August 20. I probably won't be attending that show, since that's the same day as my mom's birthday, but I'm going to try and make it to his show in Easton, MD the next night. Here's a couple of links to some videos of Tony showing off his skills.

Melancholy Collar
Pretty Things
Foxy Jane

My New Blog!

Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I have a passion for music. Whether it's simply listening to it on the computer or in the car, going to live shows, or singing karaoke weekly, I surround my life with music. So, I've decided to start a blog about music. I may blog about new music I find, what shows I'm going to (and my "review"), different venues, or I may use this to simply post my frequently Facebook status updates of SOTD. Feel free to leave any comments or share any music with me, as well.