KT Tunstall

On Sunday, April 10th, 2011 I went to the Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA) on South Street in Philadelphia to see KT Tunstall for the first time. I first learned about KT Tunstall when I heard her single, "Black Horse and A Cherry Tree." I started singing this song at karaoke (with the smart suggestion of my good friend, Cisco) and it quickly became one of my favorites to sing (and a crowd pleaser as well). In the past few years, I have bought her CD's but I must admit I never really listened to her songs that frequently. It wasn't that I didn't like her music...I'm actually not sure why I never listened lol. Well, after seeing her live earlier this month, I became an even bigger fan. She performed the entire night by herself using looping pedals instead of having a band back her up. For those of you who are not familiar with looping, here's a definition: Loops are short sections of tracks (probably between one and four bars in length), which you believe might work being repeated. A loop is not "any sample, but...specifically a small section of sound that's repeated continuously. Besides her unique vocals, she also used instruments including a guitar, kazoo, piano, and drums. I had never been to a show where the artist used this technique the entire time, and I must say, it was really cool to experience first hand. Along with her musical talent, she also had a great personality. She was hilarious and conversed with the crowd a lot. I found her to have a great connection with the crowd and she was very appreciative of the support she was receiving from the audience. Many people would probably put her in the country genre since "Black Horse and A Cherry Tree" sounds a bit country and that's one of her most popular singles, but she actually has a rock feel to the rest of her music. I definitely recommend checking her out, especially if you can see her perform live. You won't be disappointed. (Definitely check out the video below of KT performing "Black Horse" at this show because she does a cool version of "Seven Nation Army" in the middle of the song.)

KT Tunstall's Official Website
KT Tunstall performing "Black Horse and A Cherry Tree" at TLA
KT Tunstall performing "Uummannaq Song"
KT Tunstall performing "Glamour Puss"
KT Tunstall performing "Through the Dark"

Adele's newest album, "21"

I've been a fan of Adele's since her first release, "19" so it was no surprise how great her second album, "21" is. She has such a powerful voice, and you can really feel her emotions in all the songs. Like her first album, she sings about losing a loved one and the vulnerability you feel when giving your heart to another. She wrote all of these songs last year about one particular relationship, which is similar to what she did with "19." (Both albums are named after the age she was when she wrote the albums.) I think a lot of people (probably more geared toward females) can relate to a lot of her music because a lot of people feel that hurt and vulnerability at some point in their lives. It's hard for me to pick out a few songs to highlight on this album because I honestly love every single song, but if I had to choose a few I'd say the first single off the album, "Rolling in the Deep" is a great choice. Adele also does a fantastic rendition of The Cure's "Lovesong." I've never had the opportunity to see her perform live, but I will definitely be keeping my eye out for her next tour in the area. If you haven't already, I really recommend that you go out and buy/download this entire album.

Adele's Official Website
Adele's Myspace Page
Adele "Rolling in the Deep" Official Music Video
Adele performing "Lovesong"
Adele "Rumour Has It" with lyrics

Anti-Valentine's Day Playlist

Ah, the day has finally arrived...Valentine's Day. For most of you who are in relationships, it's a day to remind your loved ones of how much you love them and adore them (blah, blah, blah). Although, for those of us singles out there, it's a reminder of the fact that we are indeed without that significant other (like we really need to be reminded). We all have our opinions on this day of reminders, but I wanted to have some fun with it (being on the single side of this "holiday") and create an Anti-Valentine's Day playlist to keep the singles' minds off the fact that we're alone. So enjoy this list of 82 songs (there's no particular order). I have included a link to a video on YouTube that displays the songs so you can listen (just click on the artist and title).

Ace of Base "I Saw The Sign"
Adele "Rolling in the Deep"
Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know"
Alicia Keys "Karma"
All-American Rejects "Gives You Hell"
Ani DiFranco "Untouchable Face"
Blu Cantrell "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops)"
Bon Jovi "You Give Love A Bad Name"
Britney Spears "Stronger"
Bruno Mars "Grenade"
Carly Simon "You're So Vain"
Carrie Underwood "Undo It"
Cee-Lo Green "F**k You"
Cher "Strong Enough"
Christina Aguilera "Fighter"
The Clarks "Better Off Without You"
Destiny's Child "Survivor"
Dixie Chicks "Goodbye Earl"
Eden's Crush "Get Over Yourself"
Elton John "I'm Still Standing"
Evanescence "Call Me When You're Sober"
Fiona Apple "Get Gone"
Fort Minor "Where'd You Go?"
Garbage "Special"
Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive"
Guns N' Roses "Used to Love Her"
Hilary Duff "So Yesterday"
Hinder "Without You"
J. Geils Band "Love Stinks"
Janet Jackson "Son of a Gun"
Janiva Magness "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down"
Jazmine Sullivan "Bust Your Windows"
Jo Dee Messina "My Give A Damn's Busted"
Jo Dee Messina "Bye Bye"
Joan Jett "I Hate Myself For Loving You"
JoJo "Leave (Get Out)"
Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around Comes Around"
Justin Timberlake "Cry Me A River"
Kanye West "Heartless"
Kate Voegele "99 Times"
Katharine McPhee "Over It"
Katy Perry "Ur So Gay"
Kellie Pickler "Best Days of Your Life"
Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone"
Kelly Clarkson "Never Again"
Keyshia Cole "Shoulda Let You Go"
Kristinia DeBarge "Goodbye"
Leona Lewis "Take a Bow"
Linkin Park "In the End"
Mariah Carey "Shake it Off"
Maroon 5 "Through With You"
Miranda Lambert "Gunpowder & Lead"
Miranda Lambert "Kerosene"
Miranda Lambert "White Liar"
The Misfits "Die, Die My Darling"
'N Sync "Bye Bye Bye"
Natasha Bedingfield "Single"
New Kids On The Block "Officially Over"
P!nk "So What"
P!nk "There You Go"
P!nk "U & UR Hand"
Paramore "For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic"
Patty Smyth "Goodbye To You"
Paula Abdul "Cold Hearted Snake"
The Pussycat Dolls "Whatcha Think About That"
PYT "Same Old, Same Old"
Reba McEntire "Consider Me Gone"
Reba McEntire "Turn On The Radio"
Rihanna "Breakin' Dishes"
Sade "Soldier of Love"
Simple Plan "Time to Say Goodbye"
Soft Cell "Tainted Love"
Taylor Swift "Picture to Burn"
Theory of a Deadman "Bad Girlfriend"
Three Days Grace "I Hate Everything About You"
The Ting Tings "Shut Up and Let Me Go"
Ugly Kid Joe "Everything About You"
V V Brown "Game Over"
V V Brown "Leave!"
Whitney Houston "Heartbreak Hotel"
Whitney Houston "Learned From The Best"
The Wreckers "Leave The Pieces"

The Clarks

I'm not sure why I haven't done a posting on The Clarks yet, since they ARE one of my all time favorite bands! Although, with the Steelers in the Super Bowl this weekend, this is the perfect time to have The Clarks my subject today. The Clarks are a rock 'n roll band from the Pittsburgh area and they've been around for more than twenty years. I've been a fan of their music since I was in high school, and I've seen them many times (too many to count). I've seen them more in Pittsburgh (usually at the Chevy/IC Light Amphitheater down at Station Square) and have seen them a couple times in Philly (World Cafe Live, North Star Bar, and TLA). When I see them in Pittsburgh, they get thousands of fans to come out to their shows, yet in Philadelphia, it's usually a smaller crowd. My Uncle Ed is actually good friends with the band members, so I've gotten the chance to meet them a few times. Every time they were in Philly, I've gotten the chance to hang out with them after the show because of it being a smaller venue. All I have to do is throw out my uncle's name, and I usually end up having a beer with them after the show. lol :-) Gotta love connections! They are the type of band that anyone can listen to...they play all American rock 'n roll style music. I guess they could be put in the same category as Bruce Springsteen, just not as popular. They have a lot of music out there, and have even made an appearance on the David Letterman Show. Anyone who has any association to the city of Pittsburgh, is a diehard Clarks fan, and gets super pumped up when they hear a Clarks song. I don't think there is one Clarks song that I'm not a fan of. You can go through each one of their CD's without skipping a song. They're that kind of band. Definitely check these guys out (especially if you can catch them in Pittsburgh, because those are the best shows to go to...so much fun!) :-)

The Clarks Official Website
The Clarks performing on the Letterman Show
The Clarks performing "Cigarette" (my favorite that they perform live)
The Clarks performing "Butterflies and Airplanes" (my absolute favorite)
The Clarks performing "On Saturday"
The Clarks Official Music Video "Better Off Without You"
The Clarks performing "Let it Go" (this song appeared in the movie, Summer Catch)

Kate Voegele

I discovered Kate Voegele when she first appeared on the show, One Tree Hill. She played a musician in a band that was lead by Kevin Federline, and he played a jerk who ended up walking out of the studio and quitting the band. Well long story short, two of the characters on the show (who owned a record label) realized that Kate's character was the one with the talent. Since that first episode she appeared in, Kate has become a regular on the show and has performed quite a few songs on many episodes. I immediately loved the sound of her voice and I loved the lyrics in her songs. Her music was discovered by MySpace Records when she debuted her first CD, "Don't Look Away." She released her second CD, "A Fine Mess" in May 2009. Soon after becoming a fan of hers, I found out that my Uncle Ed actually helped Kate get her first big gig when she played at the IC Light Amphitheater opening for some big act (I can't remember who). I went to see her a few years ago when she played at the TLA in Philly and actually got a chance to meet her briefly and she actually remembered my uncle, which was pretty cool. As many of the artists I'm into these days, she sounds exactly the same live as she does on her CD's. I really enjoy the lyrics to her music, because I feel like I can relate to almost every song. I've actually gotten through some hard times with a past relationship thanks to many of her songs. If you look on my iTunes, you'll see that some of her songs have been played more than most. Unlike many popular artists out there, she also plays her own instruments. As always, I've included a link to her official website and a few videos of her performing live.

Kate Voegele's Official Website
Kate Voegele performing "Hallelujah"
Kate Voegele performing "Angel"
Kate Voegele Official Music Video for 99 Times

Rad Bromance

When I went to World Cafe Live with my friend, Amy, in the beginning of December (for the Bryan Greenberg show) we noticed a flyer that displayed future shows and one show caught our eye. RAD BROMANCE - AN ALL MALE LADY GAGA TRIBUTE BAND. We simultaneously agreed that we had to buy tickets for the show. I mean, come on, what female in today's day and age wouldn't want to see an all male band rock out to Lady Gaga covers? So, on December 22nd, Amy, our friend, Tiff, and I traveled down to World Cafe Live for this event. The show took place on the upstairs stage at WCL, which I was surprised because I imagined a band like this to play on the downstairs stage (plus there is a lot more room to stand and dance downstairs). Unfortunately, we weren't able to reserve a table so we had to do the whole standing room only thing, which the upstairs venue is not really well equipped for that. It was packed in there, so that was probably the only compliant I had because we couldn't really see the stage very well. Other than that, it was an amazing show. Rad Bromance basically gave all of Lady Gaga's hit songs a rock twist, which was refreshing. As much as I love Lady Gaga, her songs get overplayed on the mainstream radio, so it was nice to hear a new version of her songs. I just wish they sold their version of her songs, but I'm pretty sure they'd have to deal with all the copyright issues if they were to do so. Apparently, Rad Bromance is originally from the Philadelphia area. Since Gaga only has so many hits (I mean, she's only been around a couple of years) the band only performed for about an hour, but they basically covered every one of her popular songs. I'm not quite sure how often they play in the area, but if you're a Gaga fan (aka "Little Monster") then I suggest you check them out. They have a page on facebook (I've included a link below) that displays their upcoming shows. I also included some YouTube videos of Rad Bromance performing live (some of the sound isn't the greatest, but it gives you an idea).

Rad Bromance's Facebook Page
Rad Bromance performing "Bad Romance"
Rad Bromance performing "Love Game"
Rad Bromance performing "Dance in the Dark"

Bryan Greenberg

Bryan Greenberg is probably better known as the actor who appeared on shows like One Tree Hill, October Road, and is currently starring on the HBO show, How To Make It In America. He also starred in movies like Bride Wars, Perfect Score, The Good Guy, and Prime. I found out that Bryan is also a musician when I saw his character sing on One Tree Hill. Turns out he had an actual CD out. He would probably go into the singer/songwriter category. He often plays acoustic shows when he does tour. I saw him play at World Cafe Live in Philly two years ago and really enjoyed his music (he's lovely to look at, too). It was pretty exciting being that close and seeing him in person as well, since I'm a huge One Tree Hill fan. Last week, Bryan came back to the World Cafe Live, but this time he was with a full band. The show was great, and he's got a great personality, as well. In between songs, he would share some stories that went along with the songs, or just interact with the crowd. The only thing I wasn't a fan of during this show, were the many younger girls who came because of his character on One Tree Hill, and they weren't really there for the music. But Bryan embraced this crowd with friendly smiles. Bryan actually sang a lot of new material because he's releasing a new CD in January 2011, titled, "We Don't Have Forever." After the show, my friend, Amy and I stuck around to meet Bryan and get a picture with him. There were a lot of girls who stayed around, as well, but we didn't have to wait TOO long to meet him. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to actually talk to him, but he seemed really cool and nice in the short time we did spend with him. I included a video of Bryan performing his song, Someday, which he sang on One Tree Hill. This video is a couple of years old because I couldn't find any current videos of him performing live. I also included a video of him performing the song, You Can Run, which features Kid Cudi (who is also on the show "How To Make It In America").

Bryan Greenberg featuring Kid Cudi "You Can Run"
Bryan Greenberg "Someday"