Videos : Panic! At The Disco ft. Lolo : Miss Jackson

Who is Panic! At The Disco?
For the past 4 and a half years I’ve been battling addiction. Well, to be honest, I’ve really been battling it for the last two years. Those first 2 and a half years were spent in a place where I thought I had finally found the correct dosage of my personally prescribed medicine to feel “normal"…..In reality, I was mostly stumbling through my life hoping no one noticed I was high.

Growing up I never used drugs or alcohol. I smoked weed and had my first drink in the same night when I was 19. I loved it, and from that point on I made sure to make up for all those years I had spent abstaining. I’d think to myself… “What have I been doing? This is it! This is what I’ve needed". I didn’t know it then, but it would be the identical reaction to the way I felt while using that would later lead my drug use dominating my life. For the first few years, my life in a band afforded me the ability to maintain a drinking habit that wouldn’t have lasted a week at a day job. Being on tour left me with a very distorted view of what drinking habits are considered “normal". But, unlike most of the other musicians I spent time with on tour, when I got home my drinking increased. My anxiety and depression became much worse, and I used alcohol to attempt to numb it. It can be a shock to the system when you go from being on tour for 18 months, almost never being alone, always having somewhere to be and a show to play, to waking up alone having no clue what your gonna do for months on end. Now, if that sounds like it should be on the top of the list of first world problems, you’re right. No one deserves any sympathy for having too much free time. But for someone like me, an addict and alcoholic, free time can be dangerous. I need structure, and when I don’t put it in place for myself, I suffer the consequences.

Then, a little over 2 years ago, something traumatic happened in regards to the health of a loved one. It was around this time that I started taking Vicodin and Xanax on a daily basis. It was an intoxicating mix. At the time, I honestly thought that I had figured it all out. That I could self medicate my way to always being happy and never having to deal with any underlying issues causing my depression. I quickly became a serious addict. As crazy as it seems to me now, when I was high, I felt like the person I wanted to be. I liked myself, and I thought that everyone else must like me more too. I’d become so used to functioning when I was drinking and taking pills that, in my mind, everyone else must think I’m not only acting “normal", but happy! outgoing! and content. On tour, It became a balancing act between taking enough so I didn’t start feeling withdrawal symptoms and not taking too much that I couldn’t function.

When we got off the tour we were doing for our last record, I slipped further into my addiction. With a lot more alone time and no worry of being presentable at an interview or a meet & greet, my life began to revolve around my addiction. Wake up: Take a pill to have the energy to get out of bed. Leaving the house: Make sure I have enough pills to last till I get back. I had back up pills in my car, my backpack, all over the place incase something happened to the ones I had on me. I couldn’t go more than 8 hours without feeling painkiller withdrawals. I was taking a dangerous amount of pills while drinking to chase that high, and just like with any other substance, the higher the high is, the lower the low is. What started out as a way for me to numb anxiety and depression had become the major cause of it.

Last fall, after months of trying to quit and only making it 2 or 3 weeks, I entered treatment. I was extremely lucky to have the support of my family, bandmates, friends and my girlfriend. I’ve met too many people who have lost everything and burned every bridge they have due to their addiction. I can honestly say that without the love and support of those closest to me, I wouldn’t be here, sober, and able to write this today. The thought of putting this on paper and out into the world is scary. Since I’m still so fresh in my recovery, I was questioning whether or not I should. But, as anyone who has dealt with this personally knows, recovery is not possible without honesty. I spent years hiding and lying about my addiction. A huge weight was lifted from me when I could look at my friends, family and band in the eye and tell them what was really going on. It didn’t feel like I had some sort of double life anymore. I don’t want that feeling in any aspect of my life again.

Wow, now that I’ve put this down all my nerves have gonna away and it just feels freeing. My goal in releasing this is to try and relate to anyone who has experienced addiction personally or with a loved one, and to be honest with everyone else. To let people know that anxiety, depression, and addiction are not picky. They plague people of all ages from all walks of life. But, you can recover!! So, please seek help if you’re suffering personally, and urge anyone you know to get help if they are suffering. It gets better one day at a time.

Looking forward to seeing all of you on tour,

Spencer


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Singles : Wookie ft Eliza Doolittle : The Hype

Listen To Wookie ft Eliza Doolittle : The Hype

Who is Wookie?
MOBO nominated “Best Producer” and “Ericsson “Best Newcomer” Award Winner Wookie (real name Jason Chue) is arguably the most talented producer to emerge from the UK underground music scene to date. Producing for Wayne Marshall, Dynamite MC, Doom Man, Soul II Soul, as figurehead of the UK garage scene and with a ridiculous number of club classics under his belt including his number 9 hit “Battle” and his underground sensation “Scrappy”, his is a story coming back to where it all began - the very roots of dance music…

Wookie has reproduced tracks for the likes of Justin Timberlake, Omarion, Amp Fiddler, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lily Allen, Jill Scott, Raul Midon, John Legend, Gabrielle, MJ Cole, Masters at Work, Nitin Sawhney, Brandy, Roni Size, Soul II Soul, Craig David, Texas, Angie Stone, Faithless, Sia, Sisco, DJ Zinc, John B, MC Dynamite and many many more… His unique sound and the high calibre of his productions have earnt him huge respect throughout the industry and make him one of the most sought after producers of our time.

Wookie’s latest 12’’ “Live On” feat. Lain was released with Soul Heaven/Defected in Nov 2006. The next Wookie single is due for release in May ’07. “Do you Believe” feat. Xavier is the second release from Wookie’s own label Lovestar Music. “Do you believe” is a thought-provoking, uplifting song with all the warmth and atmosphere of classic soul combined with big house beats. This release marks Wookie’s return to the soul roots of dance music and his drive to get closer to what people are feeling on the floor has inspired him to DJ for the first time in his prolific career! 2007 will see Wookie launching regular Lovestar Music nights and delving deeper into the production of a second album.

The Story...

Heavily influenced by his reggae producer father, Jason began his career as a producer with reggae star Wayne Marshall in 1991. Jason produced the majority of Marshall’s debut album “90 Degrees and Rising” in 1994 which topped the Music Week dance chart for 3 weeks and the Urban Street Chart for 8 weeks. Shortly after the release of the album Jason spent the next 10 years as in-house writer/producer at the Soul II Soul Studios.

Jason first developed his own Wookie sound remixing tracks for Destiny’s Child, Public Enemy and Nas to name just a few. The Wookie sound was already in development during the late 90’s and became apparent in his bootleg remixes of Whitney Houston, Brandy and Debalah Morgan. His first legit remix as Wookie was “Sunshine” for Gabrielle in 2000.

Later taking centre stage at the forefront of the emerging UK Garage Scene he went on to achieve International success as an artist in his own right with his Number 9 hit in the UK National Charts “Battle” from his debut album. His debut album “Wookie” was released in 2000 and was hailed as a “soul masterpiece in a modern style” and the “first truly essential and definitive UK Garage album,”. His fresh, innovative and distinctive sound demonstrated in hits like “Battle”, “Back up back up”, and “Scrappy”, won him critical acclaim Worldwide. The first release on his own “Lovestar Music” label was “Sunshine in the Rain” in 2006 feat. Lain which became a pirate radio and club anthem almost over night even before its release summer 2006.

The year 2007 saw another chapter start with the Release of "Gallium" on Defected "Miami in the House" Compilation which arguable was a major player in the new sound of London "UK Funky" Later releasing a vocal version on "Lovestar Music" with vocalist NY.

Intent on creating a new sound, Jason has been quiet over the past few years, but is now ready to step back into the forefront and Deliver!


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Videos : Fabolous ft. Broadway : Guess Who's Bizzack

It gets cold on the road sometimes. Fabolous takes us back to The S.O.U.L. Tape 2 with his latest visual, “Guess Who’s Bizzack” featuring Street Family crooner Broadway. The Brooklyn spitter breaks down how the busy life of a rap star can cause a strained relationship back home. Co-starring a look-a-like of his current girlfriend Emily Bustamante, Loso looks for advice as he roams the snow covered streets.

Dedicated to Trayvon Martin, enjoy Los’ new video. His new album, Loso’s Way 2: Rise to Power is due later this year.


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Albums : Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros : Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zerosh

Listen To Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros : Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Who Is Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros?
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are an American indie folk band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2007. Led by lead vocalist Alex Ebert, the group features a revolving lineup of up to 11 people. It began as a collaboration between Ebert and singer Jade Castrinos as part of a musical collective. Ebert's live persona and the band's name are based on the protagonist of a story he wrote, a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe. Drawing from roots rock, folk, gospel, and psychedelic music, the band's image and sound evoke the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The group's first show was played July 18, 2007 at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. Their first studio album, Up from Below, was released on July 7, 2009 on Community Records and featured the popular single "Home". Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros released their second full-length album, Here, on May 29, 2012. Their third album, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, was released on July 23, 2013.

After years of the Los Angeles party lifestyle and subsequent drug addiction, Ima Robot frontman Alex Ebert broke up with his then-girlfriend, moved out of his house, and spent time in rehab. During this time, Ebert began to write a book about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe that was "sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind, but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love." Ebert adopted the Sharpe persona as his alter ego. He said, "I don't want to put too much weight on it, because in some ways it's just a name that I came up with. But I guess if I look deeper, I do feel like I had lost my identity in general. I really didn't know what was going on or who I was anymore. Adopting another name helped me open up an avenue to get back."

After meeting singer Jade Castrinos outside a Los Angeles cafe, Ebert and Castrinos started writing music together, and became a part of the art and music collective The Masses, which was partially started by some seed money from the late Heath Ledger. While the two had a romantic relationship that did not last, their fledgling group eventually swelled to more than 10 members, some of whom had been Alex's friends since he was young. In mid 2009, Ebert, Castrinos, and a group of musicians toured the country by bus as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. Their first show in 2009 was at the Marfa Film Festival in Marfa, Texas. The band recorded their debut album, Up From Below, in Laurel Canyon. Produced by Aaron Older and Nico Aglietti, it was released on July 14, 2009.

On April 12, 2009, the band released "Desert Song", a music video and the first of a 12-part feature-length musical called SALVO!. Part 2, "Kisses Over Babylon", was released November 24, 2009 through Spinner.com. Part 3, "40 Day Dream", was uploaded to YouTube by the band on May 19, 2011.

In April 2011, the band joined Mumford & Sons and Old Crow Medicine Show on the Railroad Revival Tour. According to American Songwriter, the tour stopped in six cities, playing alternative venues such as an Austin, Texas high school where Mumford & Sons taught the marching band how to play their hit "The Cave". The tour was also the subject of Grammy-nominated director Emmett Malloy's latest documentary Big Easy Express, which strove to capture "the pure joy of music" through Americana folk imagery. The documentary went on to win in the category for Best Long Form Music Video at the 2013 Grammy Awards. The group's second album, Here, was released on May 29, 2012.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Review
Alex Ebert, or perhaps his messianic alter ego Edward Sharpe, has a thing for magic. This intangible element follows the 35-year-old and his 10-person troupe of modern-day flower children as they continue their pilgrimage, currently in its sixth year, to unfurl joy, peace, harmony, what have you, on audiences around the world. A healthy portion of reviews of the beautiful, controlled chaos that is the Zeros live show center around the word “magic”, and Ebert once said quite simply, “It’s more fun to live with magic than without it.”

After battling drug addiction on an odyssey to stare death in the face and rising up from below, Ebert underwent a Jesus-esque makeover, embarked on a band-forming tryst with the ultra-charming Jade Castrinos and rode the success of the mega-popular 2010 hit “Home”. Consequently, ESATMZ’s 2012 release, Here, didn’t quite stack up to the debut as far as grand choruses and undeniably catchy numbers go, but the record challenged spirituality and saw the frontman reaching peace; as he told us on the opening track, “Only one desire that’s left in me/ I want the whole damn world to come and dance with me.” When swelling crowds inch one closer to that sole desire, what’s the next barefoot step toward the abyss?

“Let’s … get … HIGH,” Ebert loudly answers, sounding like the ringleader of a janglin’, psychedelic circus (“on love” directly follows the exclamation). While the group is often lumped into the radio folk-rock revival genre, garnering more love from the mainstream masses than critics, and sometimes badgered for commonplace back porch anthems, the stomp-clap is merely this record’s backbone. Psychedelic San Francisco guitars and harmonies, along with a collection of intricate tambourines, horns, and whiskey chatter all prove a sound far more complex than that of, say, the commercial freight folk train Mumford and Sons.

The shock to this album’s system arrives when Castrinos saunters into Ebert’s spotlight, crafting vibes more Jefferson Airplane than the Johnny Cash and June Carter-esque banter of previous entries. Although Ebert’s falsetto toppling over the group’s harmony electrifies, the track gets its boots knocked when Castrinos’s Grace Slick-like croon enchants a minute and a half in. Her solo vocal performance on in “Remember to Remember” fails to rival Here’s shiniest gem, “Fiya Wata”, but it further validates her talents as she instructs us that life’s journey isn’t a solo trip: “You don’t walk alone/ As the storm it rages/ Be not afraid/ Let it pass.” In a form true to the outfit, the references to God are left up for interpretation: make the all-holy being whatever you want, and that’s just fine by this gal.

Even despite her standout moments and Ebert’s assurance that Edward Sharpe is now something much bigger than him and a rehab-inspired alter-ego, the whole thing is his show, through and through. He relaxes with “In the Summer” (essentially a modern-day take on Mungo Jerry’s “In the Summertime”) and channels David Bowie on the mini musical that is “Life is Hard” (while lines like “Life is it/ It’s where it’s at/ It’s getting skinny, getting fat/ It’s falling deep into a love/ It’s getting crushed just like a bug” seem juvenile on paper, the message rings universal and the music undeniable). On the thumping lead single “Better Days” and album closer “This Life”, he admits that not every day can be a walk in the park (or a music festival).

His raspy excitement tames itself as he faces his issues with mortality on the latter, a bluesy nearly six-minute dance with death (“I’ve been trying to pretend/ That death is my friend/Oh this life/ This life ain’t for me”). The drugs, the band, the beard – for Ebert, it all boils down to his questions of what we’re doing here and where we go when it’s all over. Accepting that the answer could very well be nowhere, his lyrics may tell us this life isn’t for him, but the music reveals that Ebert has made himself the life that is for him. Couple the track with the clattering and twangy “Country Calling”, an anthem for anyone whose planted themselves in a city only to long for the road, and the success of Edward Sharpe manifests.

During an early scene in the 2012 film, Big Easy Express, in which the Zeros hopped a train to New Orleans with Mumford & Sons and Old Crowe Medicine Show, Ebert explains that the ragtag group is aboard “To see America the way they saw it more than 100 years ago when we were all children dreaming to lift ourselves and the world we come in contact with back into the magic.” When Ebert’s country calls and life simply doesn’t feel right, he can hop a train, capture lightning in a bottle for at least a second at each show, and return with a record such as this. One with a sole (read: soul) mission: to spread a little bit of magic. The magic of being high, the magic of summer, and the magic of love.


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Videos : Jay Sean ft. Rick Ross : Mars

Along with the release of his fourth studio album 'Neon', Jay Sean also drops the music video for his sensual single "Mars," featuring Rick Ross. In the clip, the Cash Money crooner drifts off to the red planet on a quest for love.

"'Mars' for sure is probably one of the songs I'm most proud of, we were just in the studio having fun, listening to some great oldschool R&B records. We were like man, this sh*t feels good, let's do something like that," Jay Sean told Singersroom.

He adds: "Where are those joints, like back in the day when I wanted to make a mixtape for my girlfriend?...So I was like, let's make one of those songs and that's how 'Mars' came about...I got to sing in a way that America hasn't really heard me sing before in my falsetto."

Jay Sean's new album 'Neon' is now in stores, tap the purchase button.


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Eats : USA : RI : Newport : Via Via Pizza

About Via Via Pizza
Visit us today for some out of this world pizza and subs! Via Via Pizza is located in Newport, RI and we DO deliver all day. Call us right now and let us make you a pizza! We pride ourselves in making the most delicious fresh pizza, pasta, wings, subs, salads, and Seafood using the finest ingredients. We also offer Ice Cream, Shakes and Smoothies! Taste one bite and you will always choose Via Via pizza.

Via Via Pizza Review By bob c. : Newport, RI
"ive been going here for 20 years and mohamed (the owner) is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet i get the buffalo slices all the time, a common misconception is that its blueu cheese globbed on there (its fresh melted mozzarella) 2 slices are as big as a small pizza at most places and will cost ya like 6 bucks cant tell you how many times they let me get 2 for 3$ though when your money management skills are hampered by hard drinking but i also often go for lunch they keep it nice and cool for a place with a 5 ton brick oven thats like 800 degrees, and the staff will bend over backwards to get you whatever you ask for, this place is a newport tradition and mohamed is a true american success story"


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Address : 372 Thames St Newport, RI 02840 | Phone : (401) 846-4074
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Videos : Justin Timberlake : Take Back The Night

When Justin Timberlake and Jay Z played their big-ass show at Yankee Stadium two weekends ago, JT was pulling double duty: Not only was he entertaining the massive crowd as one half of the Legends of the Summer Tour, he was also providing fodder for the video for his totally-not-about-sexual-assault new single “Take Back the Night.”

The clip takes a healthy amount of footage from the Yankee Stadium shows, and really drives home just how gigantic the set-up is on this current run (the stage literally does take up the entirety of the Yankees’ outfield).

In between the performance footage, there’s a narrative about Timberlake heading down to Chinatown to dance with some kids, hit up an underground club, and generally start a party wherever he happens to be. Check it out above.


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Articles : Jennifer Lopez, Casper Smart Engaged?

Jennifer Lopez celebrated her 44th birthday on July 24 - and boyfriend Casper Smart treated the b-day girl VERY well! The 26-year-old dancer purchased some vintage jewelry from L.A.'s popular Platt Boutique - including a 1940s gold and diamond ring! Hmm... is the "Live it Up" beauty and her boy-toy now engaged? Both stars heatedly deny such wedding rumors, but the Hollywood couple does seem very happy! On J.Lo's birthday, Smart tweeted, "#HAPPYBIRTHDAY to my very very #BeautifulBear the nicest,sweetest,funniest,sexiest bear there is!!!! Love u xooxo." How cute!

When Lopez turned the big 4-4, her younger boyfriend posted this sweet b-day shout-out on Twitter:

@BEAUcasperSMART: "#HAPPYBIRTHDAY to my very very #BeautifulBear the nicest,sweetest,funniest,sexiest bear there is!!!! Love u xooxo @JLo."

And Smart was on a mission to give Lopez an extra-special gift. He knew she loved jewelry, so asked for help from J.Lo's longtime stylists, Mariel Haenn and Rob Zangardi. They pointed him towards Larry Platt's Boutique.

"He told me he had bought her jewelry before, but never vintage," Platt recently told People. "So he wanted to go in a different direction, something one-of-a-kind."

Platt continues, "He has a very good eye and knew what he wanted. He was looking for vintage pieces that had a chic, modern feel to them. He told me that there are only two pieces of jewelry that Jennifer wears on a daily basis, so he wanted to pick pieces that he felt she would wear all the time and could go with everything... He appreciated the fact that pieces were beautifully made, from a different era and were completely unique."

Smart ended up choosing a 1970s yellow-gold and diamond chain link bracelet and a 1940s gold and diamond ring, both with a coordinating buckle motif. And apparently Lopez loves them.

But allegedly, the gift was NOT an engagement ring. Just some beautiful (pricey) bling for the b-day girl. Check out a photo of the ring here... definitely not a flashy diamond rock that symbolizes marriage.

The couple's been dating since J.Lo broke things off with Marc Anthony back in 2011... and they seem totally thrilled to be "in love." Maybe a future wedding isn't totally out-of-the-question...


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Sources : Jennifer Lopez & Casper Smart Photo | Jennifer Lopez, Casper Smart Engaged? Article

Videos : Marques Houston ft. Problem : Give Your Love A Try

Marques Houston drops the music video for the feel-good single "Give Your Love A Try," featuring Problem, where the two stay posted by a vintage Imapala - MH is surrounded fly girls, and subliminal references of his former moniker “Batman” from the 90s group Immature flash across the screen.

About his upcoming collection Famous, Houston told Singersroom it will be “different because I've grown, I've matured and I see music a lot different than before.”

He adds, “This album is very soulful like a "Prince" or "D' Angelo" vibe. Very musical and very heartfelt. It's all about love!”


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Albums : The Smashing Pumpkins : Aeroplane Flies High

Listen To The Smashing Pumpkins : Aeroplane Flies High

Who is The Smashing Pumpkins?
The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, created in 1988. Formed by frontman Billy Corgan (lead vocals, lead guitar) and James Iha (rhythm guitar), the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin (drums), D'arcy Wretzky (bass guitar), Melissa Auf der Maur (bass guitar), and currently includes Mike Byrne (drums), Nicole Fiorentino (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Jeff Schroeder (rhythm guitar) among its membership.

Disavowing the musical punk rock roots of many of their alt-rock contemporaries, the Pumpkins have a diverse, densely layered, and guitar-heavy sound which while adhering to a punk influenced philosophy in terms of musical delivery, contains elements of gothic rock, heavy metal, dream pop, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, shoegazing, and electronica in later recordings. Corgan is the group's primary songwriter—his grand musical ambitions and cathartic lyrics have shaped the band's albums and songs, which have been described as "anguished, bruised reports from Billy Corgan's nightmare-land".

The Smashing Pumpkins broke into the musical mainstream with their second album, 1993's Siamese Dream. The group built its audience with extensive touring and their 1995 follow-up, the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. With 20 million albums sold in the United States alone, the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s. However, internal fighting, drug use, and diminishing record sales led to a 2000 break-up.

In 2006, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin reconvened to record a new Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. The band toured with a rotating lineup of between five and nine musicians through much of 2007 and 2008 with new member Jeff Schroeder before Chamberlin left the band in early 2009. New drummer Mike Byrne and bassist Nicole Fiorentino solidified a new lineup with Corgan and Schroeder, toured through much of 2010 and 2011, and are currently recording the album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, having just released the album-within-an-album Oceania. (Read More)

Aeroplane Flies High Review
Smashing Pumpkins fans could never justly feel as though they’ve been left wanting. The band’s history has been one of oversharing before oversharing meant LiveJournals and cleverly angled MySpace profile pictures. The very first clue that the Pumpkins kept a vast treasure trove of recorded material on hand at any time was the post-Siamese Dream rarities collection Pisces Iscariot. Then Billy Corgan and company (but really just Billy Corgan) decided that the Pumpkins had enough album-level material to release 90 minutes of music in the form of their octuple-platinum opus Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. And after Mellon Collie, of course, came the titanic The Aeroplane Flies High. Contained within the enormous lunch box of Aeroplane’‘s original release was, by definition, a collection of the five Mellon Collie singles. In practice, the discs that accompanied the thunderous “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, the iconic “1979″, the vicious “Zero”, the lush “Tonight, Tonight”, and the meditative “Thirty-Three” were less singles and more themed EPs. Each disc, save for the covers collection of the “Bullet” disc, explored more deeply the sonic themes posited by their lead tracks. For a band like the Pumpkins, who fluctuated between orchestral dream pop, thrash metal, psychedelic grunge, coffee house acoustics, and new wave stomp, such a move made sense. It takes patience and practice to perfect the myriad styles from which the band culled, and the original five discs of Aeroplane, aside from being an engaging listen for even casual fans of the early Pumpkins, also served as a reminder of how much work the band put into their craft.

Highlights of the original five discs included the solo acoustic beauty “Jupiter’s Lament”, the band’s glam metal take on “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight”, an impressive turn on the old standard “My Blue Heaven”, the classic Pumpkins groove of “Pennies” (which really should have seen album release somewhere), and the song which would title a later rarities compilation, “Rotten Apples”. It’s on these songs where Corgan’s talents as a songwriter across genres are more intimately explored. The extra 33 tracks that made up The Aeroplane Flies High served as a more effective version of the band’s VH1 Storytellers turn; you could hear the story of the band more effectively just by hearing the band. Taken as separate nuggets, they were bite-sized histories.

This reissued release, however, is literally over 100 tracks. It’s everything about the Pumpkins classic overabundance of studio time turned up to eleven, then digitized and released onto a hapless public. And while it would be nice to think that, say, the extra 15 tracks that make up the “Bullet” disc open a window into the band’s creative process when in World-as-Vampire mode, all it really does is expose just how judicious the band had to be in their cuts. If the grating riff of “Germans in Leather Pants” had ever been exposed to the world, it might have ruined the band’s career years earlier. Later, the eight-track version of “Zero” is a toothless bunny compared to its album state. Taken as a whole, this bloated re-release of Aeroplane is an obsessive’s curio, the type of thing a 34-year-old still really trying to figure out the hidden meanings behind MACHINA: The Machines of God would gladly shell out for and pore over, looking for numerological references to Glass and June.

Listened to in bits and pieces, however, this new Aeroplane solves the Big Smashing Pumpkins Riddle: Why hasn’t this band sounded the same since these sessions? The big falsehood of the Pumpkins’ history turns out to be Billy Corgan’s centrality. While Corgan maintains front-and-center status across the jams and live recordings that tail-end the original singles, the interplay of the band as a four-piece unit has never been more apparent than here. Tempo-shifting with Swiss watch precision, alternating between dynamics in perfect sync and without warning, settling into complex grooves with lazy aplomb, the Smashing Pumpkins sound like equals here. Listening to anything from Adore onwards after digging into this release will further highlight the intangibles the band lost when playing without all four original members.

If a release with over 100 tracks is of any value to the casual listener here, it’s as a picture of a working band at their peak doing exactly that: working. It shows the depth of material tossed aside even before it had been formed into coherence. It shows the formative structure of songs in chrysalis, and how you can tell even from those fledgling beginnings which will stick in the consciousness. Over the course of the band’s rehearsals for its show at Chicago’s Double Door, and the subsequent show itself, it shows how bands translate studio hits into live performances both thunderous and flat. And it shows how the Smashing Pumpkins in particular thrived and were at their most vibrant when these four particular people were able to work together. Despite the personality problems that would soon force the original lineup to split, the mountain of tracks that make up this release show how well the band functioned as a professional unit. If you’re a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, or a fan of rock history, Aeroplane may not be an essential document, given how inordinately packed it is with extras, but it’s certainly a telling one.


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Sources : The Smashing Pumpkins Photo | Listen To Aeroplane Flies High | The Smashing Pumpkins Biography | Aeroplane Flies High Review

Purchase : iTunes (Deluxe Version) | iTunes | Amazon

Videos : Tinie Tempah ft. 2 Chainz : Trampoline

UK rapper Tinie Tempah gives his new single, the 'twerk' anthem "Trampoline" the music video treatment. The infectious urban-rap song - produced by Diplo - is the first offering from Tinie's upcoming second album "Demonstration", in stores later this year.

"Trampoline" is a huge leap from Tinie's more commercial sound in his debut album "Disc-Overy", with hits such as, the catchy "Pass Out", or the radio-killer "Written in the Stars". Tinie is going more urban this era, and I have the sad, but honest feeling that this change will hurt his career and sales. "Trampoline" ain't a bad song as a whole, it's very twerk-y (lol), but I don't think it is what the UK audience is 'expecting' to hear from their Tinie. His rap is great, but he needs pop-urban, for-the-clubs productions to support it.

As for the "Trampoline" music video, well...as one very clever YouTube user posted in the video's comments section; "That awkward moment when the lyric video is better than the music video". I endorse this opinion! ha. Lyric video was simple but had a nice feeling, whereas the official video is just awful, and 'skip-worthy' when on TV.


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Sources : Tinie Tempah Photo | Trampoline Video | Tinie Tempah Article

Singles : HAIM : The Wire

Listen To HAIM : The Wire

Cali sisters HAIM have yet to release an LP, but when they do, the thing is gonna be an absolute destroyer. The band’s singles just get better and bigger with each subsequent release, and “The Wire” — which premiered today on Zane Lowe’s BBC show — is their most robust and confident track to date: It has the lushness of Fleetwood Mac and the swagger of the Pretenders over a drum track borrowed from Gary Glitter or T. Rex, with a studio-enhanced density of sound that stands up next to Ke$ha’s most frenetic and ambitious material. It’s a fucking great, great song. Listen.


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Sources : HAIM Photo | Listen To The Wire | HAIM Article

Videos : Avicii : Wake Me Up

Avicii switches his festival stage for the countryside in his new video for “Wake Me Up,” backed by Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren. The song is a different take on the DJ’s usual pounding electronic tunes, featuring a soulful vocal performance from Aloe Blacc and guitar riffs from Incubus‘ Mike Einziger.

The unexpected country twang of “Wake Me Up” is reflected the accompanying video, which follows a young country girl as she transitions from her hometown into the big city to find herself. When she arrives (on her horse, of course) she is greeted by fellow soul searchers who all bare the same Avicii logo. It ends with a ravetastic dance party with the DJ entertaining the crowd. (In short: It’s a documentary.)

“Wake Me Up” is the first single from Avicii’s forthcoming debut album #TRUE, which will be released on September 17. The album is expected to feature various artists like Imagine Dragons, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Nile Rodgers and Adam Lambert.


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Sources : Avicii Photo | Wake Me Up Video | Avicii Article

Clubs : USA : NY : New York : Cielo NYC

About Cielo NYC
Cielo is a state-of-the-art space in downtown’s ultra chic Meat Packing District that provides a music program specializing in electronic music. It is a haven for mature individuals seeking intelligent nightlife with neither the hassles of large clubs nor the elitism of upscale lounges with too many VIP rooms. Once you are in Cielo, there will be no more ropes, checkpoints, or rules. Security’s goal is to compliment the experience, not to hinder it.

Cielo has set a new level in New York nightlife by going back to basics: the best DJs, a strong door, impeccable service, stunning decor and lighting, and a world renowned sound system by legendary UK sound system pioneers, Funktion One, which will blow the most fastidious audiophile”s socks off. The space is purpose-built for dancing with a centrally located sunken dance floor that is surrounded by banquettes decked out in brown and beige suede with a range of inventive lighting effects to enhance the design; the overall look is a timelessly stylish take on the Seventies aesthetic.

Conceived in 2003, Cielo is the brainchild of co-owner Nicolas Matar. A DJ for the past 20 years, Nicolas was most notably known for his residency at the infamous Pacha Nightclub in Ibiza. Nicolas played in the funky room or “El Cielo” and credits those years as the inspiration for Cielo and his eventual return to New York. Over the last nine years the focus at Cielo has been on maintaining a high level of service and an experience unlike any other. As demonstrated by the unprecedented number of awards and nominations the club currently boasts, Cielo has established itself as an international brand with an edict of outstanding electronic music. In addition to its accolades, Cielo has featured more top international DJs than any other club in North America since its opening. Showcasing DJs such as Luciano, David Guetta and Sven Vath before they were the kingpins they are today.

Cielo is open five nights a week starting on Monday with Francois K’s Deep Space, moving to Wednesday with Louie Vega and Kevin Hedge’s Roots and on to Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Cielo NYC Review BY Colleen B. : Orlando, FL
"They weren't lying when they said LEGIT sound system! Amazing spot to see an intimate show with your favorite DJ. Staff at the door, just like any other club staff... is it that hard to ask for organization? Oh well, I am sure I don't understand all the "club logistics."

Bartenders were on point. Wish there were more than 3 girls stalls for the bathroom.

Overall, I went for the music. It delivered and I am a happy girl. Props on the amazing sound system and quality, Cielo."


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Address : 18 Little West 12th St New York, NY 10014 | Phone : (212) 645-5700

Sources : Cielo NYC Photo | Cielo Nyc Club Victor Calderone Video | Cielo NYC Information | Cielo NYC Review

Videos : The 1975 : Sex (Explicit)

Who Is The 1975?
The 1975 are an English, Manchester-based alternative rock band from Macclesfield in Cheshire. The group consists of Matthew Healy (vocals, guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums), and Ross MacDonald (bass). They have released four EPs: Facedown, Sex, Music for Cars and IV. Their self-titled debut album is scheduled to be released on 2 September 2013 through Dirty Hit/Polydor.

Matthew Healy, Ross MacDonald, Adam Hann and George Daniel met at Wilmslow High School near Manchester as teenagers and began to play music in 2002. After Hann invited the members to form a band, they passed their early days covering punk songs in a local club. Healy was originally the drummer, but took over vocals after the previous singer left to start another band. Daniel was recruited as the new drummer to complete the final line-up.

Having previously performed and released material under various guises including Talkhouse, The Slowdown, Bigsleep, and Drive Like I Do, the band eventually settled on the name The 1975. Healy recounts that the name was inspired by scribblings found in the back page of an old Beat poetry book dated "1 June, The 1975".

The band first appeared as The 1975 in January 2012, in the run up to the release of their first EP and after signing to UK based Indie label Dirty Hit. They performed as The 1975 for the first time in April as a support act for Little Comets on their nationwide tour.

The release of their first EP, entitled Facedown, in August 2012 saw the band's first UK airplay on national radio with lead track "The City", which featured as part of a BBC Introducing show with Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1.

The 1975 once again garnered national radio attention in late 2012, with BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe championing their single "Sex". They embarked on a tour of the UK and Ireland which extended in to early 2013, before beginning a US tour in the spring. They found mainstream chart success in spring 2013 with single "Chocolate", which reached number 19 in the UK singles chart. The band supported Muse on the second leg of The 2nd Law World Tour at the Emirates Stadium in London on the 26th May 2013.

Their eponymous debut album, which is set for release in September 2013, will be co-produced by Mike Crossey, who has previously worked with Arctic Monkeys and Foals. A new recording of "Sex", releasing on 26th August, will be the album's lead single.

Critics at Pitchfork Magazine have favourably compared them to The Big Pink. Sex was described by Paste Magazine as "equal parts ethereal and synth pop", with "haunting" and "smooth" vocals. Their "mellow", stripped down style was praised for its lack of "attention-grabbing production theatrics". Though generally acknowledged as an alternative rock group, they have been influenced by diverse genres including electro-pop, electronic music, guitar pop, and R&B. Healy specifically cites Talking Heads, Prince, My Bloody Valentine, Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, D'angelo and Sigur Rós as musical influences; he states that his greatest influence is the oeuvre of filmmaker John Hughes. Their "melancholic" black and white visual aesthetic is juxtaposed with major keys and what the band calls "classic pop sensibilities". Lyrically, The 1975 explore themes of discovery and novelty in the more specific context of sex, love, drugs, hope, death, and fear, thus the bases of rock music.


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Sources : The 1975 Photo | Sex (Explicit) Video | The 1975 Biography

Gadgets : Creative Airwave

Simplify your life with the Creative Airwave. Unlike other regular speakers, you can experience the convenience of one-touch pairing with its NFC feature. You can also enjoy your music wirelessly on the go, as it comes with Bluetooth® and a rechargeable built-in battery. This uniquely designed speaker, packed with these amazing features, is available in four vibrant colors.

The Creative Airwave features Near Field Communications (NFC) technology which allows for easy, one-touch pairing by simply tapping your NFC-enabled Bluetooth smart device on the speaker.

As for your smart devices that are not NFC-enabled, you can easily pair them with the Creative Airwave via Bluetooth using the conventional method.

You can also enjoy your music by connecting directly to the speaker via the integrated analog Aux-in connector.


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Sources : Creative Airwave Photo | Creative Airwave Article

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Videos : Backstreet Boys : In a World Like This

Who Are The Backstreet Boys?
Making history remains second nature for Backstreet Boys.

The Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum pop-powerhouse has solidified itself as the biggest and best-selling boy band in history with sales exceeding 130 million albums worldwide. Meanwhile, they're also one of the only music artists to release seven consecutive albums in the top 10 of the Billboard Top 200. Two decades into their career, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Nick Carter are as strong as ever, and they're not stopping.

They initially formed in 1993 and began turning heads with their self-titled first album three years later. Driven by the single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)", they instantly became pop stars. Superstar status soon followed with the release of their 1997 effort Backstreet's Back and a RIAA diamond certification for their debut — placing them in an elite club with Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and Billy Joel. Closing out the century with a bang, Millennium set the record for first-week sales in the United States at the time, moving 1.1 million units in merely seven days.

At the 1999 Billboard Music Awards, the band won the highest honors of "Artist of the Year", "Album Artist of the Year", and "Album Artist Duo/Group of the Year" as well as "Album of the Year" for Millennium.

Still, Backstreet Boys upped the ante higher for 2000. They kicked off the year gracing the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, while Black & Blue topped their previous record and sold over 1.6 million copies during release week. One month later, it was already certified eight-times platinum. The subsequent tour grossed revenue of over $100 million dollars. 2005's Never Gone also went platinum continuing their bona fide hot streak and once again proving their staying power. In the meantime, they enjoyed high-profile collaborations with everyone from Elton John to Sting.

Kevin Richardson left the band in 2006 to pursue his love of acting. During this time BSB continued as a quartet and released two albums, Unbreakable and This Is Us. Both albums debuted Top 10 on the Billboard 200 charts and have since become fan favorites.

In 2010, BSB took to the high seas for the inaugural Backstreet Boys Cruise. The S.S. BSB has become an annual adventure that strengthens their bond with fans. One of pop's biggest moments came when Backstreet Boys historically merged with New Kids on the Block forming 2011's supergroup NKOTBSB and selling out arenas full of screaming fans worldwide.

There's more BSB history to be made. We're still living in the Backstreet Boys' Millennium.


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Sources : Backstreet Boys Photo | In A World Like This Video | Backstreet Boys Biography

Interviews : Cole Plante : Unfiltered: Episode 1

Who Is Cole Plante
Hey everyone. I'm Cole, formally known as KiD DJ. I'm Asian / Italian. I'm 16 & I'm a sophomore this year and living my life in music. Music has always been in my life because of my parents and other friends in the industry. My influences span from different generations of musical styles & artists. I mainly play piano and trombone.

My hobbies are of course anything related to music (live it and breath it); producing songs, remixing, playing piano or trombone, and just simply listening to music too. I also heavily enjoy playing video games, which is my time to take out some anger on annoying Xivilai and Daedra in the planes of Oblivion hahaha.

I started DJing in winter/spring of 2009 and my first gig was at Rain Nightclub in Las Vegas on April 30th 2008. My DJ / Production sound is a cross breed of electro house baselines, big room hooks, progressive melodies and dubstep / breakbeat undertones thrown in. I've been compared to as a cross between Skrillex / Porter Robinson live.

I mainly produce in Cubase 6.5, Ableton Live 8 & Logic 9. While on tour, I bring the amazing visualist Zeke (Falcotronik) who helps add that stage presence to deliver a performance that's both an audio / visual experience.

At home I play games, practice, produce, sleep; I just do what I do. I live for music, and that's what drives me to produce tracks and remixes and DJ clubs and festivals. I want all my fans to enjoy music just as much as I do, so I make my sets perfect and on top to make that happen. I do what it takes and I do it well. Remember the name cus you'll be seeing it a lot.

I'm currently signed with Hollywood Records and currently working on singles with an album of original music / collaborations set for release in fall 2013 but in the meantime checkout my soundcloud.com/coleplante

Till I see you on the floor,

COLE!


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Sources : Cole Plante Photo | Unfiltered: Episode 1 Video | Cole PLante Biography

Videos : Yo Gotti ft. Jeezy, YG : Act Right (Explicit)

Yo Gotti took his services to Oakland in the visual for "Act Right," the first single from his forthcoming I Am EP. With a bit of assistance from his CTE connects Young Jeezy and YG, the Co-caine Muzik rapper mobbed out with the locals.

The trio hit the scene like it was the heyday of the hyphy movement. You'll see them ghost riding their whips, though scrapers aren't their vehicle of choice like their Bay Area brethren. Their d-boy spirit makes Gotti and co. up the ante by cruising through the streets in a Ferrari and Lamborghini, respectively.

The three rappers hit the club in the finale to pop bottles and enjoy the luxuries of the VIP. You know, the "good life."

Director Alex Nazari brought the treatment to the small screen.

Again, find "Act Right" on Gotti's I Am EP, due out November 19 via Epic Records. Check out the video above.


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Sources : Yo Gotti Photo | Act Right Video | Yo Gotti Article

Albums : Gregory Alan Isakov : The Weatherman

Listen To Gregory Alan Isakov : The Weatherman

Who Is Gregory Alan Isakov?
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and calling Colorado home, Gregory Alan Isakov has been traveling all his life. Songs that hone a masterful quality beyond his years tell a story of miles and landscapes, and the search for a sense of place.

Music has been a stabilizing and constant force. “I’ve always had this sense about music and writing that I sort of have to do it. Like I’ll implode without it. I probably wouldn’t do it if I felt any other way.”

His song-craft lends to the deepest lyrical masterpieces, with hints of his influences, Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen. He has been described as “strong, subtle, a lyrical genius,” but the source of his writing often remains a mystery to him. “My songs have nothing to do with me; they have a life of their own. A lot of times I won’t know what a song is about when I’m writing it. It just has a certain feeling about it.”

Isakov has played numerous music festivals and venues across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. When he is not on the road or writing, he is usually in his garden. A degree in horticulture might seem contradictory to a life spent in motion, but Isakov finds balance in the quiet concentration of the work, creating roots that keep him connected to home.

His new album, The Weatherman, was recorded mostly in solitude outside the quiet mountain town of Nederland, Colorado over the course of a year and a half. “I wanted to make something that felt genuine. We recorded everything with analogue gear and mixed it on tape, which gives the songs a raw and vulnerable feeling.”

The title Isakov chose for the record reflects the nature of his external surroundings as much as his inner experiences. References to the weather are a reoccurring theme in Isakov’s writing, but there is a deeper meaning behind the name.

“To me, the idea of a weatherman is really powerful. There’s a guy on television or on the radio telling us the future, and nobody cares. It’s this daily mundane miracle, and I think the songs I chose are about noticing the beauty in normal, everyday life.”

The Weatherman Review
I will admit right out of the gate that I have a huge musical crush on Gregory Alan Isakov. Every time he utters the word “darlin’,” I take a moment to gather myself. And it’s been awhile since we’ve seen a full-length record from him; in fact, 2009’s This Empty Northern Hemisphere has been spinning for at least three years in my regular rotation. Released to great critical success, there is a lot of expectation surrounding the release of The Weatherman. Of making the record, Isakov notes, “I wanted to make something that felt genuine. We recorded everything with analogue gear and mixed it on tape, which gives the songs a raw and vulnerable feeling.” He goes on to add, “The idea of a weatherman is really powerful. There’s a guy on television or on the radio telling us the future, and nobody cares. It’s this daily mundane miracle, and I think the songs I chose are about noticing the beauty in normal, everyday life.”

That exploration of exposing everyday beauty pierces through every single song that connects The Weatherman together. It’s a cohesive and easy-flowing collection of material. At times, it feels too perfect; Isakov employs that recording method and feeds warmth and intimacy to produce a highly effective result. As a songwriter, Isakov is the quintessential modern-age troubadour, setting the scene with seemingly simple melodies and embellishing an organicly lush sound with the addition of piano lines, string work and a vulnerable vocal performance. He makes it sound easy, this exceedingly well-constructed and executed treasure trove of songwriting.

The Weatherman opens with the hypnotic and dreamy “Amsterdam,” quickly setting the tone and pace for the rest of the record. “Saint Valentine,” the lead track off the album, is a finger-plucking, richly vintage delight for the ears replete with dreamy harmonies and an effortless lead vocal. This is the track you’ll play over and over for years to come. Lyrically, it’s a wonderful example of Isakov’s ability to combine wit and melancholy all at once:

“Well Grace she is gone she’s a half written poem
She went out for cigarettes and never came home
And I swallowed the sun and screamed and wailed
Straight down to the dirt so I could find her trail
Well I just came to talk Saint Valentine
I never pictured you living here
With the rats and the vines
Ain’t that my own heart
Hanging out on the line?
Oh you’re all fucked up
Saint Valentine”

“Second Chances” and “Living Proof” propel the album forward lyrically with strong imagery and a quiet confidence. The banjo-laden instrumental “California Open Back” clocks in at just under a minute and a half, but represents another upward turn on the record. “The Universe” seems to take on an other-worldly characteristic, appropriately enough. And this leads to the vibrant “Suitcase Full of Sparks,” a standout track that’s classic and lovely on every level - destined to become an Isakov fan favorite. The clarity and restraint exhibited both vocally and lyrically on “Honey, It’s Alright” is counteracted beautifully by the song that follows it, “All Shades of Blue.” Closing track “She Always Takes It Back” rounds back to the hypnotic state that opens the record, providing a perfect arc of style and substance. A sense of closure to the theme of recognizing fragility and beauty that threads through The Weatherman.

There’s a humbleness about Isakov’s work; it’s familiar without being formulaic. The intimacy of his songwriting combined with a beautifully distinct voice makes The Weatherman more than worth the wait. Gregory Alan Isakov is easy on the ears, but it’s the subtleties of his lyrical work that will stand strong against the test of time. He has found the musical sweet spot with this record, surpassing his previous work and moving forward with a new standard of beauty in its rawness and simplicity. This is the type of relevancy that singer-songwriters strive for. Isakov has produced a musical miracle of his own with The Weatherman by connecting with the mundanity of life and showing us his true artistry.


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Sources : Gregory Alan Isakov Photo | Listen To The Weatherman | Gregory Alan Isakov Biography | The Weatherman Review

Purchase : iTunes | Amazon (Explicit) | Amazon

Videos : London Grammar : Strong

Who Is London Grammar?
London Grammar is an English art rock trio formed by Hannah Reid, Dot Major and Dan Rothman. Their debut EP Metal & Dust was released in February 2013 by Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd. Their debut album If You Wait is due for release on 9 September 2013.

Vocalist Hannah Reid and bass guitarist Dan Rothman met in the first year halls of residence at Nottingham University in 2009. Rothman saw a picture of Reid on Facebook with a guitar and messaged her to see if she wanted to jam. Multi-instrumentalist Dot Major (keyboard, djembe, drums) was added later, after being introduced to the band by Rothman's girlfriend. The band began by playing low-key gigs at local bars. Several years later, in December 2012, the trio posted their debut single "Hey Now" on the internet. As of July 14, 2013, the song had received over 700,000 hits on YouTube.

Their EP Metal & Dust followed in February 2013, and it made the top five of the iTunes chart in Australia. They released their single "Wasting My Young Years" in June 2013, peaking to number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. The band also featured on Disclosure's #1 UK album Settle with the track "Help Me Lose My Mind", released in June 2013. The band has recorded two live sessions for Radio 1, and this summer they’ll be playing at 10 European festivals.

London Grammar's music has been described as "a blend of ambient, ethereal and classical sounds" with melancholy guitar, soaring vocals and plaintive lyrics. Hannah Reid's powerful, brooding vocals, prominent on all of London Grammar's tracks released to date, are often compared to those of Florence Welch. Reid also contributes to the band through her self-written lyrics which she describes as "emotionaly affected". As she disclosed in an interview with Glamour UK magazine, she "writes about people who come in and out of my life." The song "Wasting My Young Years", which has over 600,000 hits on YouTube, was written about her ex-boyfriend.


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Sources : London Grammar Photo | Strong Video | London Grammar Biography