Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Boomzers



The Boomzers

The Boomzers are an Italian electronic group made up of Brian and Marco. They are not very well known like Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, or Avicii, but they are slowly raising to fame. Working with Boxon and Crux Records, they are coming out with many Eps including "We Are Back", "WTF", and "Rowentah." Personally, the Ep "We Are Back" is my favorite and their most famous. The Boomzers have worked with The S, who is also an Italian electronic group, creating remixes and collaborations such as "We Are Back- The S Remix." This is one of their best songs and most inspiring. They show anything is possible if you work hard at it, even if you're not the most famous musician out there. 


http://www.facebook.com/theboomzers 
-This is The Boomzers' official Facebook page containing photos, tour dates, free downloads of their songs, and videos.

https://soundcloud.com/theboomzers
-This link is The Boomzers' Soundcloud, where many musicians get a chance to share their music with fans and other musicians. 

https://twitter.com/TheBoomzers
-Finally, here is their Twitter where you can view recent posts by them and keep pace with them no matter where you are in the world.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013


Artist: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

1. PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/education/tchaikovsky.html). This page offers a biography of Tchaikovsky. This biography goes in depth into both his career and personal life.
2. NPR (http://www.npr.org/artists/90515326/peter-ilyich-tchaikovsky). NPR offers a variety of recordings, interviews, and concert dates for Tchaikovsky's compositions.
3. Youtube of recording (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWG6P46xv0&playnext=1&list=PLFD05046EA54FC8F2&feature=results_video). This is a video of Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.

I chose classical composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky because I find that his music has an ability to transcend mediums of art. Tchaikovsky composed the score for three very famous ballets: Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. Growing up a dancer, I was enamored by these performances, and was fortunate enough to see all three. Now, when I listen solely to the "soundtrack" of these ballets, I not only find an appreciation for the music itself, but can hold in mind the physical portrayal of emotion I saw in the ballets. It is this very sentiment that drove me to choose Tchaikovsky, a composer who's vision I see as having the strength and rare talent to encompass many forms of art with his work.

-Catherine Gelband


Monday, February 25, 2013

Kerry Washington




Kerry Washington is an American actress native to The Bronx, New York. Ms. Washington attended the prestigious Spence School in Manhattan where she graduated in 1994, and went on to attend George Washington University majoring in a personalized course of study, Performance Studies. Kerry Washington has been casted as the main actress, supporting actress, and held roles in numerous films since 2001. She is especially inspirational in her current role as Olivia Pope, the main character in the TV series “Scandal.” She plays as a powerful lawyer who fixes scandals mainly in Capital Hill. Her role as an independent, intelligent, and powerful woman is very compelling. Aside from her acting career, Ms. Washington is a member Americans for the Arts (the nation’s leading non-profit organization for advancing arts in America), President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (advisory committee to the White House on cultural issues), and V-Day (a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls).



This website is all about Kerry Washington. It contains information of her press release, biography, photos, affiliated organizations, and career.

This website contains all of the films and roles Kerry Washington has played. It also includes beautiful photos of her and a short biography.

This is Kerry Washington’s ultimate fan website. It has trailers of big screen movies Ms. Washington will be starring in as well as promotions of roles she is currently in. It also has a link to her ultimate-fan Facebook account, YouTube videos of interviews, and clips of movies she has and will play in.




Sunday, February 24, 2013

Ciara


Ciara Harris, The First Lady of Crunk&B, released her first album at the age of 19 after signing a record deal with LaFace Records. Since then she has won a Grammy Award, three MTV Video Music Awards, among many others, as well as hitting the Billboard Hot-100 top ten singles with eight different songs. In addition to these major achievements, as of 2010, she sold over 17.9 million albums worldwide and is currently working on her fifth album entitled "One Woman Army". Since the release of the music videos for "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step", Ciara has made a major impression in the dance community. I, personally, was inspired to take up hip hop classes after viewing her collaboration with Missy Elliott. Even her album Ciara: The Evolution was released alongside a DVD featuring Ciara herself teaching the actual choreography from a few of her music videos, which are also included. With every new music video released comes a new outrageous, skilled, powerful dance move!

http://onlyciara.com/
The Official Ciara website gives information about many aspects of Ciara as a person and an artist. Featured is a short bio, concert updates, discography, and even a store.

http://ultimate-ciara.com//
The Ultimate Ciara website features news updates, blogs, videos of interviews among others, and provides other ways for fans to connect. It is geared towards Ciara's truest fans not only because of the fore mentioned sections, but also because it was created years ago by a few of Ciara's biggest fans.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1733488/bio
A popular website on which to feature actors, the IMBd has included a profile for Ciara. On the profile is a mini biography, information about Ciara's appearance, and trivia.



Sleigh Bells



  
 “American noise pop” the second cousin of noise rock incorporates white noise, electro feedback, or a mix of two with traditional pop music instrumentation. American noise pop is the halfway house between the points that are avant-garde and bubblegum. Sonic Youth is the front running example of said genre and festivals such as the San Francisco Noise Festival are increasing in popularity, steadily since 1994.

Emerging from this grey area of white noise comes Sleigh Bells.

I am a fan. And then I am not a fan. This music is like a fair-weather friend, great somedays and then drives you to the bottle the next. I suggest that you challenge yourself to plug in, zone out, and decide for yourself if you are a lover or hater of all that is Sleigh Bells. Sleigh Bells have been featured on Primetime television shows as performers such as Saturday Night Live and have been included in the Gossip Girl series. Even with such huge accomplishments under their belt, they are still flying under the radar and a force to be reckoned with. 




The Web Presence of SB:


When you are in need of a Sleigh Bells fix, this is the sight for you. No nonsense. No ads. No confusing drop down menus and scrolly bars. The home page offers access to the SB shop, SB youtube account, SB on iTunes and SB tourdates. You have the option to get to their Facebook or Twitter. Simply stated, this is the ultimate Portal for all things Sleigh Bells.


As a Marketing student specializing in Social Media Marketing, I find this twitter feed extremely interesting. Sleigh Bells have 39,277 followers yet have not said a single thing! Call it a cult or tweet anticipation, this proves that creating a strong branded musical group can lead to numbers of fans of .. nothing? This sight is also a way to connect to Sleigh Bells Official Website, reignofterror.tv.


Soundcloud is a great site to hear new music and more importantly playlists. Users connect with friends and post their original music, mix tracks, or simply complie playlists. This website is particularly interesting because users can post comments throughout a song. These comments are quite interesting to read, and often times give insight into related music or inspires readers to explore ideas that they may not have otherwise.

"Click click saddle up see you on the moon then
And all alone friend
Pick up their phones then
Ring ring call them up
Tell them about the new trends"     
            -Sleigh Bells, Rill Rill, 2010




Barcelona's Playground Artist



ANTONI GAUDI
Antoni Gaudi is one of the very few exceptional architects who not only understood the engineering aspect of a building, but also incorporated mystical art throughout his work. Gaudi was inspired by Gothic and Islamic architecture, but had a passion for incorporating nature throughout his work. While his designs have an Art Nouveau style, his mystical imaginations created a whole new category on its own.

When architects design a building that goes beyond the goal of providing shelter, can architecture be seen as a form or art? By following engineering and mathematical calculations, architects can create a functional building, then add their artistic flair for esthetics. Traditional artists would argue that the architect should construct the building to be considered a word of art. The answer to this question varies, but I believe Antoni Gaudi is not only a fascinating architect, but is also of the pioneers who successfully showed how a building can truly be a work of art.

This Spanish architect made Barcelona his hometown and ultimately, the city made it his playground. Barcelona is a city that is sprinkled with Gaudi 's architecture throughout the city. As a result, Barcelona gained worldwide fame and a reputation for art. Two of his most famous work are detailed below.



PARC GUELL
One of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites

http://www.welcome-to-barcelona.com/2012/10/11/park-guell-barcelona/
This website provides a quick overview to some of Gaudi's impressive work in Barcelona.

Parc Guell is an amazing collaboration between sculpture and nature. Sitting up towards a small mountain, the Parc offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city as it stretches into the Mediterranean Sea. Count Eusebi Guell commissioned Gaudi to originally design a residential complex for the wealthy; however, Guell was not successful in his venture. As time passed, Gaudi transformed this hilltop landscape into one of the most spectacular outdoor venues, showcasing Gaudi’s love of color in the multi-colored mosaic tiles. These tiles are decorated as a mosaic dragon in the entryway or, in the Gran Placa Circular, Gaudi used mosaic tiles to create the world’s largest seated bench where visitors can sit and relax.

 
 

SAGRADA FAMILIA
One of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/?lang=0

This website is Sagrada Familia's home page and dedicated to the history and future of the basilica. There is a virtual visit and tickets can also be purchased here.

A trip to Barcelona is not complete without an admiration of this minor basilica. Gaudi started his work in 1883 and is scheduled to complete in 2026, 100 years after his death. It is nearly impossible to describe the basilica in one paragraph and where the saying, ‘a picture can tell a thousand words,’ a photo of La Sagrada Familia is worth at least 100,000 words.

Sagrada Familia has immense geometric details and symbolism throughout the detail. It has been documented that Gaudi learned metalworking, wood carving and glassblowing techniques so that he could instruct artisans who worked under his supervision to execute his vision.

La Sagrada Familia is considered an extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages. Once completed, the basilica will be the largest church in the world.

Rainer Zerbst said, "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art."
-- Rainer Zerbst, Gaudi - a Life Devoted to Architecture, pp. 190-215.
 
For more information on Antonio Gaudi and his work of art, you can visit http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/lifelists/Antoni-Gaudis-Barcelona.html.

This is a great website to visit all Seven Wonders of Gaudi's work: http://mikerobbers.hubpages.com/hub/sevenwondersofgaudi


Jonathan Larson



Jonathan Larson may be a name unfamiliar to you. However, he has impacted this world in a large way. His greatest contribution to this world was the musical “Rent.” He was born and raised in the state of New York and lived his early life with the focus being on theatre music. He graduated Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, with the intent of being an actor but he was so influenced by Stephen Sondheim, his mentor, to pursue writing musicals. While he had some success with the rock musical,  “Suburbia”, the musical “Rent” from the get go seemed that it would be a hit.
The musical “Rent” is a story about a group of young poor artists in the East Village of New York while a majority of them have HIV/AIDS. It was inspired by the opera “La Boheme” by Puccini. The parallel’s between the musical and the opera are numerous and make the experience of watching one with the knowledge of the other ten times more enjoyable. The musical is full of heart and powerful songs and themes, such as community, love, acceptance, death and free expression. One of the most powerful songs “Seasons of Love” asks the question “How do you measure a year in the life?” And to this, all it says is “Measure your life in love.” This simple but impactful message has resonated with many lovers of “Rent” and it is hard to imagine that many people would not resonate with this idea. Tragedy hit the night before previews of the musical for the first Off-Broadway production when Larson died of an aneurysm from Marfan Syndrom. His death gave the original production an urgency which then set the standards for the play form the get go.
Due to Larson’s work, the awareness of AIDS in the artist’s community was raised along with AIDS in general. This work had such a huge impact that it won the Pulitzer Award the year after it was debuted. “Rent” was revolutionary for musical because it was young and fresh for the younger crowd with a meaningful story. Larson’s work had taught society so much about the issues of AIDS and about to measure of our life’s important in the love we share.

This website is the run by the same group that runs the Tony Awards. This website talks about how Larson was able to do a good portion of his work because of grants. This inspired people to create grants under his name.

This website gives detailed information regarding everything “Rent” and Jonathan Larson. It talks a lot about the linguistic of curtaining the musical “Rent” and putting it on the stage.

This website talks about the history of “Rent” and how it was inspired by the opera “La Boheme.” It also talks about the parallel’s between Larson’s life and his characters.’


Maya Plisetskaya


Maya Plisetskaya is considered to be one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century. With her charismatic personality and incredible talent she became known around the world. Not only is she an inspiration to myself personally but hundreds of other dancers. At a young age of eighteen she was the leading dancer at the most prestigious ballet companies in the USSR. Dancing up to the age of 65 and still being considered an image to watch. Much of the reasoning behind my choosing her to write about on the blog has to do with the effect she can have on people. If any of you have ever seen her performance of Swan Lake you would most likely agree with her incredible talent.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-AMH_Woywg
Skip ahead to the 2:00 minute part past the swans you will see her incredible performance. I wanted to add this to show everyone the clip that many have seen and been easily persuaded to love her and her dancing capability.

http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/plisetskaya-maya
This link is to a website about Maya Plisetskaya. The website gives a quick bibliography of her life and accomplishments.

http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/opera-and-ballet/maya-plisetskaya/
This website highlights more of her accomplishments and is less about her life outside of ballet. It also explains much of her life after retirement at 65 years of age.

http://www.ballerinagallery.com/plisets.htm
This website has a short introduction to who she is but mainly show cases photos of her. There is also another video of her performing.

Girl Talk

Gregg Michael Gillis (Girl Talk)


Gregg Michael Gillis, better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is a sample Disc Jockey (DJ) from Pittsburgh, PA, that specializes in mashups. A mashup, if you are unfamiliar with the term, is the seamless blending of two or more pre-recorded songs to create a new song. The first song I had the pleasure of hearing that was architected by Girl Talk included a mix of Elton John’s Tiny Dancer and The Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy. I was immediately hooked. 

Girl Talk samples songs of artists from many musical genres. However, I find the most successful of his aural experiments to contain a hard beat, a rock and roll instrumental, and hip hop lyrics. My favorite of his albums is his most recent, All Day. The album opens with Black Sabbath’s distinctive early metal guitar riff from War Pigs when, suddenly, Ludacris’ booming voice is briefly heard reciting lyrics from his song, Move Bitch (Get Out the Way). Ozzy Osborne’s angelic vocals are soon interwoven with Ludacris' and the two songs become one. Girl Talk virgins will be confused at this point, in the same fashion as taking a big swig of milk but expecting to taste soda. There is that brief moment when you taste nothing because your tongue is giving your brain information different than what it expects and there is a synaptic misfire. The same happens when listing to Girl Talk, except it is one’s sense of hearing, instead of taste, that is baffled. Once your brain catches up and figures out what is going on, you realize that the songs Girl Talk has chosen to mashup are just right and it makes total sense.  

Girl Talk has never paid for a sample. I’m not sure how he gets away with such copyright infringement, and I’m not sure he does either. However, it might be because he does not charge for his music. You can go to his record label’s website right now and download his complete discography in MP3 format for free, and I recommend that you do just that. Welcome to a new way to listen to all of your old favorites.  
 

Listen to Girl Talk's full album, All Day, on YouTube by clicking above. The album begins with the mashup of Black Sabbath and Ludacris.

Want a look into the mad mind of Gregg Gillis? Follow him on Twitter!

Download free Girl Talk albums in MP3 format at illegal-art.net. You may also purchase FLAC, CD, and Vinyl copies.

Visit Girl Talk's website for links to his Facebook and MySpace pages, to buy merchandise, for tour dates and public relations information, to download music, and to learn more about an amazing artist.  

Thursday, February 21, 2013


Jay Chou is not only a really famous Taiwanese singer but also a songwriter, actor, director, and music and film producer. He was born in January 18th in 1979. Jay Chou’s composition combines traditional Chinese style and R&B. At the beginning of his career of entertainment, he had a really hard time because not so many people appreciated his talent. Fortunately, his friends and he entered in a talent show called Super New Talent King and it impressed Jacky Wu, who is an influential character in Taiwanese’s entertainment business. Jacky Wu gave him a chance and hired Jay and encourages him to perform more. Jay Chou became a well-known singer when he released his second album, Fantasy. Up to now, he has sold more than 175 million albums worldwide. Not only being a famous singer but he is also a successful actor. Jay portrayed Kato in a Hollywood movie, The Green Hornet.

                I started to listen to his music when I was in elementary school. My favorite song was Can’t Express Myself from his Fantasy album. Even though this song is not the most famous song in this album, the lyrics and the style of this song just touch my hard and it gave me a feeling of how hard to tell someone that you really love her. Other songs also impressed me a lot. His Chinese style music always surprised me especially for the lyrics. Vincent Fang is his songwriter and accounts for most of the lyrics in Jay Chou’s album. Every time I re-read the lyrics, it always gives me a different feeling and the use of meaningful. Sometimes those lyrics were written in the form of ancient Chinese history so that people are able to feel and experience history.

 


This is the Youtube video about Jay chou’s concert in 2010. There are also some famous singers from his company perform together. During the concert, he interacted with a really famous Hongkongese singer and it was my favorite part.


This is Jay Chou’s facebook page. It tells you the newest information so that everyone is able to know his new songs at the very first time. Also, you can also see his pictures and videos.


This website is about all the information about Jay Chou. You are able to see his profile, listen to his songs here, read the lyrics, and get to know his history. It is like his blog.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Bombay Bicycle Club


Bombay Bicycle Club - a group of people that just so happen to be a band, that i consider very dear to my heart. They formed back in 2005, three of them meeting at school and then meeting the fourth member at a funeral. They were in a competition in 2006, and were one of the two winners - then being able to have a slight rise to fame. They include a wide range of musical instruments in their band, which is really awesome when trying switching things up and adding new elements to their songs. I find often that they have a song to match any kind of mood i am in, which is hard for a band to do. They are simple, not over the top and really focus on what matters the most - the lyrics. While they are know known among most of the United Kingdom and people with a more indie music taste, they haven't let fame get to their head. I saw them back in October in Seattle, and had the opportunity to meet three of the band members! They were so down to earth and easy to talk to, and didn't mind signing about every item i had in my purse. 


(above is two members of the band and i (Ed and Jamie).

#1. Their website - it's straight, simple and to the point! This is probably the most useful website about them. It has all of their news, tour info and merchandise in one easy spot! 

http://www.bombaybicycleclubmusic.com

#2. Their twitter - In a band, life is always go go go and you don't always have sufficient time to update your website, but updating a bands twitter is so simple and easy. Bombay Bicycle Club update their twitter constantly, which is the easiest way to keep updated with the most current information. 

https://twitter.com/BombayBicycle

#3. NME is a magazine (also located online), which is a major journalism publication located in the United Kingdom. Seeing as BBC are a English band, there are countless articles written about them in magazines and on the web. I find it easiest to read fascinating articles about them on the web, seeing as a subscription to NME in print would be pricey seeing as i am overseas! 

http://www.nme.com/artists/bombay-bicycle-club

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Yiruma: River Flows in You



Started to play piano at the age of five and educated in Englad, Yiruma is an incredible well-known international pianist that caught the attention and hearts of many listeners. His birth name is Lee Ru Ma, and he was born on February 15, 1978 in South Korea. Yiruma started to make connections with music and play piano at a young age, and then attend The Purcell School of Music in England to study music. Later on, Yiruma carried out a composition major at the King’s College London. During his studies at the King’s College London, Yiruma was able to release his first debut album, Love Scene. However, this album was not the one that caught many ears and heart.

I came across with his music in 2006 when my friend played this piece of his music on the piano, River Flows in You from his First Love album. I was so amazed with this specific piece of his music that I instantly fell in love with it. First Love was the album that boomed and introduced him to public in a way that he was praised and loved. Followed with his second album From the Yellow Room, the most famous song in that album was Kiss the Rain which is also stunning and captivating. I love these two songs because they just touch your heart and give you goosebumps. Nevertheless, I felt so much love, and I was able to go along with the music and feel it so inside of me. Also, his music in my opinion is nothing much related to classical music like Mozart or Back, but more of a contemporary and modern feeling.


I will always remember and love the song River Flows in You. It gives me a developing feeling which is great. Yiruma are one of the small amounts of musician and pianist that can actually gain attention in the music industry. Yiruma went back to Korea, and he stated how hard it was bring himself in the music industry in Korea. But he did it. The Youtube link below is a live performance of Yiruma’s River Flows in You.

Yiruma wants to work and compose music for contemporary artists. He personally wants to create music that is not hard or complicated to listen to. He is looking forward to compose and write music for artists he looks up to.

Digging into Yiruma’s life. He has a very good and understanding relationship with in his in-laws, such as his wife’s sister side.  Kwon Sang Woo is a well-recognized actor in South Korea and is married to Yiruma’s wife’s sister, who is also an actress in South Korea. A family full of talented people.


Psy Park



Psy (Park Jae-sang) is a Hip-Hop singer from south Korea. "Gangnam Style" was the most watched video on internet and became a famous song known by the public. Psy was an active singer ever since 1999, and released his very first album on 2001 named "PSY from the PSYcho World!". However, I came to know him after watching his video "Gangnam Style" just like everybody else. I am not his fan, but I would like introduce him to everyone. Psy's song, Gangnam Style, does not only has a particular beat, but also very impressive dance moves that caught the attention of the public. Due to his catchy songs and entertaining dance moves, he caught the attention of the people, and became one of the most famous artist in the world.

I have an Asian ethnicity, and I somehow thought that he was only famous in Asia. However, one time when my friend was driving me home, he played the "Gangnam Style" song in the car. Hearing it, I was really surprised. Then I realized that he is not only famous in Asia or among Asian community, but the around world.

His song gave me a different perspective about people that speak different languages. No matter what languages people understand, they can communicate through their own preferences in music. In this case, Psy brought a lot of different people around the world to enjoy its dance and music.

Psy dances with Madonna


http://www.ygfamily.com/artist/About.asp?LANGDIV=E&ATYPE=2&PTYPE=&ARTIDX=15&PROIDX=&IDX=
This site is Psy Park’s home page. It lists his filmography, biography, events and editorial, upcoming projects. Also, you can download his wallpaper and screensaver from here.  


http://www.youtube.com/user/officialpsy
There are numerous videos on YouTube featuring Psy in concert, flims, and music videos. It also links to his online shop for his fans.


https://www.facebook.com/officialpsy
His facebook page reports the every event he attend. His fans can comment on his post.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Josh Groban




Josh Groban is far from average in regards to his incredible ability to sing and captivate listeners. His style is one that has crossed over the borders between many genres; predominantly linking opera with pop. Though his style seems to defy any concrete classification, many have tried. The result has been awkward and contradicting labels such as ‘pop-opera’ or ‘classical pop’ and other hybrid genres of the sort. Regardless of his label, (or perhaps the lack of one) his music seems timeless.
A naturally gifted baritone, Josh Groban does not have to try hard in order to have a beautiful voice. However, he is adamant in voice training which in turn helps him to consistently be on key in vocal timbre as well as the vast range of notes he is able to hit.
I find Josh Groban worthy of sharing because he is both an incredible singer and an inspiring person beyond his talents. He has contributed to numerous foundations and selfless projects that speak to who he is as a person. As a result, the uplifting messages in his songs seem to deepen with meaning as listeners can believe in the sincerity of his words. His voice has touched the hearts of many genres as he has used his music as gate-way in order to uplift his listeners.


This website is a fantastic place to start in order to get to know Josh Groban and his work on a deeper level. It offers everything from a short biography with previews and lyrics to some of his songs, to his own personal blog. His blog helps reveal more about who Josh Groban is behind the voice and the spotlight.
Josh Groban’s YouTube page is full of videos of both his live and edited performances. From his most well-known You Raise Me Up, to some of his lesser known songs, it is always a pleasure to watch the artist at work.
This is a nice resource for learning what Josh Groban has to say for himself in regards to his musical career, specific songs, and his life outside of music.  The site contains a large number of interviews Josh Groban has done in his lifetime from 2001 until the present.