Paradise Awaits

The art in this video is amazing.

ZHU - Paradise Awaits (Official Video) from ZHU on Vimeo.

It's time I POST.

It's time I PREACH!
okay. don't run just yet!
here's what's been getting me movin':

I'm a fan of the world and traveling. So I'm a fan of this video. (That was easy.) I'm also a fan of how being able to do a backflip makes everything okay when you can't do trap (phew!), and of course, any Rufio reference. RU-FI-OOO! However I was still trying to figure out how I feel about SonReal, this Canadian hip-hop artist, overall. Musically, this song "Preach" is catchy with its fast-paced verses, a chorus that immediately staples itself into your mind, and the organ and piano infused beats. Initially, I could only appreciate the little stand-alone quips that had pop-culture and other, not as obvious, cultural references. Then it hit me. The verses aren't just the obviously shallow, narcissistic words that they seem to be. They're obvious hard hits on all the cliche heads of today's shallow, narcissistic music.

... Or maybe that's all complete bull. If so, then I'll just quote my gangsta mother:

WHATEVER.

seriously. direct quote on multiple occasions.

More support of his ironic lyricism: "Everywhere We Go"

I recently (when I first wrote this... geez, I need to post faster)... Let me start over.

I sort of recently stumbled upon Pell's newest album that was released earlier in 2014. If you like Chance the Rapper or Kendrick, then you would dig this guy. If you like PB&J, you would probably also be into it. Okay, that might not be 100% accurate, but I know I'm right with some of you...

There is a music video for this, but aside from the part where they're eating avocado like an apple (Normally good choice, but judging by the scenery, they're definitely not in California... which might make it less of a good choice.), the music video isn't much to write home about. Just sit back, close your eyes, and absorb the horns, rattles, rhythms, and rhymes of this lovely tune from the New Orleans artist. It kind of might will be your next hit on your "Get Pumped" playlist. We all have one.

Check out more of Mr. Jay Pell on his SoundCloud here.

So we all know it already, and I'm just gonna say it: MØ is a weirdy. But a precious weirdy. I'm all for people dancing like no one's watching. And she really hits that one right on the nail. I also excuse her awkwardness with the fact that her music gets me groovin', too. Perhaps in the same way as her... But I like to think I've got better moves... ;)

If you haven't seen Kendrick Lamar's performance on The Colbert Report of his new "Untitled" song, then you better get on it NOW.  Skip to 4:11 for the song alone. The interview before the performance is also amazing and enlightening on who he is and what great things he advocates. (Disclaimer: you'll have a new admiration.) But back to the song... This is from the new album whose release was postponed until some time in the early part 2015. I'm dying of anticipation. Kendrick is full of thoughtful lyricism, spreading his ideas with what he does best: music. To me, if his music was described as you would describe some visual art, I would call it mixed media music. He knows how to combine even typically clashing variables to make them mix together as smoothly as a Dutch Bros coffee (#shamelessshoutout).

Edit: Had to update the video because the old video was broken. If you are interested in the Colbert performance and interview, you can view it on The Colbert Report webpage (which I strongly suggest for both the interview and seeing the live performance!). Also, the song was not released on the new album because it was written the same day.



And here's a few more worth hearing that I'm going to let you go ahead and draw from all by yourself, in order to get this thing posted! Still to be enjoyed...

Bipolar Sunshine - Love More Worry Less

This song just reminds you of what is important while getting itself engrained into your head.

San Fermin - Parasites

Starts with electric beats. Then strings, brass, and winds. Angelic choir of voices. Mutes and snares. A hint of indifference in their voice... but not in the feels. OH THE FEELS!
(I'm a sucker for a full band. High school band geek for the win!)

SBTRKT & Ezra Koenig - NEW DORP. NEW YORK.

Don't get too creeped out. Just let Ezra's voice take you on a journey... along with this creepy wolf...

Jungle - Time

It's Time to
groove.
dance a jig.
See what I did there? Full circle.

Don't hold it in.

Just let it out.

-K.JOHN

Cymatics: Science vs. Music

If you haven't seen this yet, go ahead and do yourself a favor.

#tbt: An Ode

An ode 
to #throwbackthursday 
and the great big Pink 
in the sky.

Patreon: A New Source of Crowd-funding for Creators

As I was searching for a topic to write about for this post, funneling through newly released music, I came upon a new Christmas album from Walk Off the Earth (WOTE). I'm not usually a fan of every single musician deciding to release a Christmas album with their "unique twists" on Christmas classics, but I usually like how WOTE mixes things up with the covers that made them popular - and even more so I love their original songs with their creatively produced music videos.

The following videos are for reminders:

How could you forget the cover that made WOTE popular?

A fun play with loops, cars, and flying instruments for a second music video to WOTE's original, "Gang of Rhythm."

Now on with the story... I thought there HAS to be an awesome music video to go with one of these songs; make things interesting. Turns out, there isn't... However, the main video on their YouTube channel introduced me to a new crowd-funding venture: Patreon. Patreon is a little over a year old, but has already made its users over $1 million dollars per month in funding. Patreon is different than other crowd funding resources because "patrons" (fans) donate an amount on a subscription. What does that mean? If I want to donate $1 to WOTE to make music videos, I would be committing to donating $1/month with rewards in return.

Who cares?

Maybe you don't... if you are an artist with stable funding. But if you are still supporting yourself, whether it is in music, writing, drawing, film, and more, this is a great way to get steady funding to support multiple projects, and not just one. Patreon allows for recurring funding in order for creatives to work on what they love, and interact with their top fans providing the funding.

For those of you who claim to not be a creator of any kind, I still strongly suggest you check out Patreon for the following reasons:

1. Everyone either creates and/or enjoys those creations. Why not check it out to see if you can get support or support others?

2. Patreon might inspire other crowd-funding sites to allow for subscription or recurring funding commitments. Be on the hipster side of things, and join something early that inspires a new way of fundraising.

3. By supporting your favorite creators, you can get exclusive access to some of their creations. Who doesn't love being treated like a VIP?

-K.JOHN

Election Day Playlist

IT'S ELECTION DAY

Here's a little fun playlist for you inspired by November 4, voting, the government, and 'Murica.

Did you vote? Did you know what you were voting for? Will it make a difference?

Well, in the meantime...

#tbwhateverdayitis

Because AMERICANO.

The classic American way: this land is your land, is my land, is our land. Share and share alike... right?




For "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"




#theissues

And let us not forget... most importantly...

Fight for your right.

∆ - All Yours

Image from DIYMag.

After the departure of an original band member, Alt-J is finally returning with even more of their magic. They thought they would not be able to come back without him, but we are thrilled that they were completely and undoubtedly wrong.

Alt-J has been releasing a song every few weeks since the beginning of August from their highly anticipated sophomore album This Is All Yours (to be released on September 22). Here is a taste of what is to come:

Watch "Hunger of the Pine":

This was Alt-J's first single released from the new album and "Hunger of the Pine" is in typical Alt-J style. But it prompts you to ask yourself an important question. The first is have you ever had a vendetta to slay all the things on your to-do list with a swift arrow? Let this song pump you up. I'm serious- I recommend putting it on repeat for a full eight hours. How do you think this blog post was written?

Listen to "Every Other Freckle":

When you listen to "Every Other Freckle", you might feel as if you are in a dark old circus in the middle of the forest, under the full moon. Think a Robin Hood Cirque du Soleil. You might even grow some acrobatic freckles by the end of the song. Again, this song reflects Alt-J's signature style.

*Edit: Check out Alt-J's recently released music videos (that's right, plural) for this song. 

Boy/Girl variations. What do you think?

Watch "Left Hand Free":

If you feel like you should be riding around on a four-wheeler to this song, being followed by clouds of dust as you do donuts, then you are on the right track. Thom Green revealed in an interview that “Left Hand Free” was created in 20 minutes to please the label for a more American sound. They refer to it as the “least Alt-J song ever.” It is quite different than what they’ve made before, but their satirical style of the song shines through to expose the clever band that we love. They ran with the idea of the song probably becoming a NRA theme song when they produced the music video.

Alt-J has already seemed to master their craft. They take you on a trip, without any help from hallucinogens. Alt-J knows how to create music that will invoke feelings of euphoria and tickle your ears. You plug into their music, and ask yourself Where am I? Is this a new world? An old world? Is this 1975 Santa Barbara with synthesizer? And these are all valid questions. Because, perhaps, you are somewhere else in that moment.

And now we have a glance at some more of their new songs, thanks to the good ol’ NPR Front Row! Check out some more songs on the new album by clicking the link. You can find:

Bloodflood Pt 2 @ 24:25

Warm Foothills, The Gospel of John Hurt, Nara/Leaving Nara: starting @ 43:20

To keep up with further releases, visit Alt-J's YouTube Channel.
Dig what you hear? Pre-order the songs and/or album from iTunes here.