The Panic! Experience

Okay so if you didn't know, Panic! at the Disco came to Austin last week to promote their new album, Vices and Virtues (you should totally buy this album).

And I was lucky enough to go to the concert! and OMG it was awesome! The singer (Brendon Urie) was so funny! for someone who usually sings to alternative rock music, he sure can rap.

This Is the Adorable and incredibly Talented Brendon Urie

But you might remember him from the I Write Sins Not Tragedies music video

Anyway, let me see if i can sum up my experience into a blog post.
I got my mom to buy me a rainbow colored P!ATD tshirt with a half wolf, half ballerina girl on it (Which is ironic if you know me)
I learned that Patrick Stump has a really awesome voice and looks alot better without the baby weight

After the Weight Loss

Before the Weight Loss

He was one of the opening acts at the concert, he was promoting his own album called Soul Punk

(You should buy this album too)

So after a very invigorating performance from the ever energetic Patrick Stump,
Panic! at the Disco made their debut on stage and I was unmercifully squished between bodies of sweaty people who screamed Brendon's name. But in the rush of the moment I didn't really care about that.
Brendon tried to get the crowd excited (if they weren't already from Patirck Stump's) by Singing/Screaming one of the new songs from his album and much to his relief, Everyone was not only dancing to the song but they were singing along with him. After he got warmed up, he complemented the crowd by saying "You guys sing f***ing loud!" which got him an even louder sound of cheering and applause from the audience. The rest of the show involved alot of provocative jokes (Ex: Brendon said "LETS GET SWEATY!! before he continued with the show, Among other things I don't think is allowed to be said on a school blog) and me getting pushed to the front of the crowd. When the show was over, I ran outside to wait for Brendon and Spencer but sadly, They weren't signing or taking pictures so I just went home with the bass from the speakers still sending waves through my bones.

Signing Off!
Everlast

Shirking Shirts

Why are concert t-shirts so ridiculously overpriced? I mean, sure they’re special and all that, but really?

$40, $50, $60 for a single t-shirt! It’s ridiculous. They aren’t even that awesome. You can get formal dresses/skirt suits for that price. Its so not cool. Concert tickets are expensive enough, but with the added cost of a shirt, they are  way overpriced. Sometimes, they cost so much that you can’t get a shirt at all. Why do they torture us so???

 

This is the Taylor Swift Speak Now concert shirt. Not too impressive, right? Guess the price: $35

So. Not. Cool.

This is the Gaga shirt, for $40. It's a little more impressive, sure, but for that much, I'd rather skip it. Pictures are enough, and they're free, too!

Why do musicians insist on selling overpriced shirts? Their loyal fans dutifully buy every single album, every EP, tickets to every concert. Do they have to buy freakishly expensive clothing, too?

Thanks for listening,

Miss Treble

It's Back to Haunt Me...

That's right, it's back.

Writer's Block has stolen my soul again.

I'm not sure why, but I haven't had any inspiration lately. Hopefully something will come up by next week.

Anyways, Writer's Block is starting to really annoy me. It just keeps coming back, then it goes away, then it comes back again. I really need a hobby... -.-"

So, besides me ranting on Writer's Block, I'm glad that our magazine is coming along... nicely. I'm pretty sure that some people who appreciate music wil appreciate this magazine, so please look forward to it!

... *thinks of what to write next* ... Okay, so I've been comtemplating if I should post original song lyrics I've done in past years, but I'm pretty sure some certain unmentioned people will post hate comments (not that I mean anyone in my class...) Anyways, I'd like to hear your feedback via comments so please let me know!

.... This Writer's Block seems like it's giving me ADHD, because I'm just saying what's on my mind without really thinking about it (not sure if I should be saying that >. >) So if you want me to post about something MUSIC RELATED, then please comment about it so I can consider the ideas you send me.

Yeah, I'm done ranting now. :D


Image found here.


-BREAK AWAY-
KeiLove

Memorable Voices and Tunes

Michigan J Frog

This cute wittle Warner Bros. fwoggy's first appearance was in the cartoon "A Very Froggy Day" . He is most famous for singing "The Michigan Rag" (the song which his creator named him after) but he also sang a variety of other songs as well:

• Hello! Ma Baby
• I'm Just Wild About Harry
• Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
• Largo aAl Factotam

MJF also sang short monologues informing parents that children watching should not let their child wacth the next showing on TV (he typically did this before shows liek Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel were about to start).

Source

Jiminy H Cricket

His little tune "When You Wish Upon A Star"  was incredible, in fact, it's the song i sing when i need to calm down or I'm really stressed (don't judge, do you  have a happy song?!). And Jiminy also played his role in the minds of the youth. He appeared in a series of educational shows called "I'm No Fool", encouraging kids to stay in school;

I'm no fool, no sirree!
I'm gonna live to be [23,33,53,93,103]

I play safe for you and me
'Cause I'm no fool!

Other highlights of his career were the numerous musical sing alongs he hosted, including the biggest Disney songs of that time.






Source
Snow White
Okay, so alot of Disney movies had musical numbers in them so i really tried to avoid Disney but I want to say something. HER VIOCE ANNOYS ME SO MUCH! It's sweet and all, but when I heard her sing in the movie I got that feeling you get after chugging down a spoonful of table sugar (for those of you who can relate). I'm not even going to color the text.
 I think that so far Ariel has the prettiest voice, tell me if you think differently.

Uncle Remus

Source

He is the one who sang Zippidy Doo Dah! Along with a collection of folk songs through animal stories. The main focus of Uncle remus was to present the music of the African American citizens. i believe there are four books full of his songs.

 Hmmm... can't think of anyone else...
So I'll ask you guys! (sorry I'm not from Texas, i don't say y'all). Can you think of any characters that snag or had memorable songs (can't be in Disney movie songs though)?

Dum Dee Dum

AAT CGC CTA CTC CTT CTG CGA ACT (DNA-YES I AM TALKING IN CODONS)

Concert Blues

Yesterday, Panic! At the Disco played at La Zona Rosa. You know where I was? Sitting in my room, doing homework! My friend, the blogger Everlast, got to go (I think her post this week is about it…) and I was hoping to go with her. But then, lightning struck: my mom decided that school was more important than going to a concert that I’ve been looking forward to forever!

What the heck? Come on, parents. Is going to a concert so bad, especially when I really like the band?

I was so upset, and that’s not where it stops. This month, Taylor Swift is playing at the Frank Erwin Center. I asked for tickets AGES ago, and my dad goes, “I’ll look into it.” A couple months later, I asked about it, and he looked at me like a deer in the headlights.

Oops.

So, it got me wondering, do my parents have something against concerts!?!?  I mean, it’s not like I’m going to jump into a mosh pit at the first chance I get. Actually, there probably wouldn’t be a mosh pit at any of the concerts I go to.

Anyways…. I wrote this because of my lack of a life. I’m such a lame person, for real.

Bye!

Miss Treble

Can you do PINK?

On my previous blog post, "pink" was listed under Selena's video("The Race Of The Weird"). And I'm sure you've noticed that a lot of pop music videos are overusing the color pink. And the stars that have been using it to the max is probably Nicki Minaj. It gives her the"I'm cool and CUTE!" . Source

Source
Believe it or not, I actually had pajamas that looked like that when I was little, they were footy pj's! And also more age appropriate for my five year old self.

On a another note: "Radif"?
Short and sweet , it's a melody that has been passed down from generation to generation, commonly used in indian music. it was my only code name idea, but now I hate it. It sounds akward. How about "Dum Dee Dum". Yes,yes I like that.
teLl Me your FAvOrite   pop songs, do they use the color pink?

Dum Dee Dum
(ps what do you think about Dum Dee Dum?)

Best songs of the week

ALEXANDRA STAN - Mr. Saxobeat from vaibhav pandey on Vimeo.

Alexandra Stan's Mr. Saxobeat + Friends = one of the most epic dance parties EVER! This song just makes you want to dance with its saxophone in the background to get you off your but and the bass just keeps you on your toes as your caught in the whirlwind that is this awesome song.

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know from CANADA on Vimeo.
ht Meet Two Door Cinema Club, just three dudes from Ireland who make really catchy songs using mainly acoustic guitars.

O.A.R. - Top 20 Countdown

Signing off

~Everlast


You just have to listen to this one for yourself

The Odds Are In Your Favor

Hello, you listeners of American music.
I've decided to take a short break from my Asian music obsession and placing the odds in your favor (partially). This week's post is going to be about an album that will release November 8th.

Okay, I lied about being out of my Asian music phase. This blog post is about former KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi. Last year he left KAT-TUN to continue his solo career in the US, and now he's finally making his "debut" with the album "Test Drive", featuring Jason Derulo. Akanishi has a YouTube channel that you can subscribe to here. He also has a US official website, where you can get all the latest news and updates.

Personally, I'm not sure if I should look forward to this or not. I mean, I really liked him when he was part of KAT- TUN, but now I think that this might not work. This might be because I'm not a big Jason Derulo fan(don't kill me), but it also could be because I'm so used to hearing him sing in Japanese (but I know that Akanishi is REALLY fluent in English because he used to switch between staying in Japan and the US). Based on his YouTube channel it looks like he might have his own show as well, titled "Jin Akanishi: The Takeover." i think he might be going a little above and beyond here, but maybe it's for publicity in the US. I'm leaning towards the "I'm starting to dislike him a little" side, but that's okay, because I have his KAT-TUN music on my iPod.

Before I forget, Akanishi also has an official Twitter

Anyways, I still wish him luck in his solo career here, and hope everything turns out okay. Ganbatte, Akanishi-san!

This is the US version of the album cover. Find it here.

-CHECK IT OUT-

KeiLove

New Release from Alice Nine

I'm once again resurrected from the dead.

I haven't had any topics to blog about, but then I remembered one: Alice Nine's recent single release, "HEART OF GOLD."

So that's why I'm updating today.

"HEART OF GOLD" released September 7th this year (which is the first day of school for the East Coast) and I've been really looking forward to downloading it to my iPod. The single has three types of CDs:
Type A



Type B

 and

Regular Edition


                        All  images found here.

Each CD contains different cover and tracks. The regular edition contains three tracks: HEART OF GOLD, Ray, and Haikara Naru Rinbu Kyoku (White Collar Naru Rondo) while the Type A and B CDs have only two tracks: HEART OF GOLD and Ray.


Screencap found here. Watch the full music video here.

Unfortunately the music video doesn't have English subtitles, but you can find the translation on a fanmade LiveJournal.

I've listened to "HEART OF GOLD", and I think it's one of their best songs yet. It's really expresses Shou (the singer)'s personal feelings and the lyrics are something I can relate to very well. The song itself is amazing, and it makes me like Alice Nine even more than I used to (which is more that a lot).

That's my update for now. See you next week!

-JUST BE LIGHT-
KeiLove

The Most Miserable People Around

Hey guys!

So, this weekend, I’ve been obsessing about my latest craze: Les Miserablés (the musical). The music is so compelling, and the story is so detailed! Also, some of the male singers look and sound like musical gods. But, pshh, that’s obviously not a selling point. O.o

Anyway, I was watching it on my lovely laptop, when, BAM! It (the realization, not the laptop) hit me. I have never read the book! Now, this was a terrible mistake on my part, seeing as I love books. So, I went to the library and checked it out. So far, so good. While I was reading it today (I won’t mention in which class…. -.-) I had another realization. You know how if you watch a movie before you read the book, you see the characters the way they appeared in the movie, instead of how they’re described in the book? Well, what if it’s the same with musicals?

I know, I know, musicals technically count as movies, since you’re watching a live version of a story. I, however, have always viewed musicals as a separate entity, just because they involve lots of singing and movies generally don’t.

But should I have read the book first, no matter how amazing the musical is?  I know a lot of people say that when it comes to movies.  I’m so confused!

See you next week,

Miss Treble                                        

The Race of the Wierd

       Lady Gaga is the face of weird. But now it seems like more and more artists are trying "out weird" her. Actually, I really do think that that is how Gaga decides to express her herself. Like, she's not trying  to deliberately be weird. (If ya know what I'm sayin'). "Gaga weird" looks more professional and uniform, like art. Selena Gomez,however...I think that this is the worst effort I've have ever witnessed. It makes me groan.

These are the images from Selena Gomez's "I Love You Like A Love Song" that most made me groan drop my head into my hands.














image found here

 







image found here



THE ACTUAL VIDEO

     It looks like a weird mixture of...totally unrelated things. At least Lady Gaga's videos put an uncomfortable smile on face. Whereas this video leaves you scratching your head and furrowing your eyebrows.
Unrelated things found in the video:

• Japan
• Star Wars
• The color pink and the usage of tutus
• A mass variety of outfits and hairdo's
• Shiny/sparkly things (make up, glasses, outfits)
• A mariachi man?
•  Bearded Guy on a sitar sitting in the sand (wasn't that in Kesha's Your Love is my Drug ?)

 yup,there he is.In the sand.

• Light sabers
• Pinata
• Video-generated vehicles
• Horses
• ...the list goes on

what i mEaN is sOmetimes, there is a limit, and as artists, yoU've Got to realize wHen It getS out of hand. music vidEos areN't abOUt the actual sonGs any more, but ratHer the aim for weird factor.
IS ENOUGH,
Master Radif. 

KeiLove's Leads

Okay, so right now I'm in the middle of updating everything, so I might as well post the leads so I get SOME credit for them.

Narrative: Freshman year in high school was supposed to be exciting for Jamey Rodemeyer, who just entered Williamsville North High School this year. It was all about finally being able to grow up and decide your future. However, he faced  the torment of bullies wherever he went until three weeks later, on September 18, he committed suicide to escape the pressures of bullying.

Startling Statement: People don't understand the fact that suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States and all over the world. and it's getting worse.

Direct: If you're one of the millions of LGBT oriented teens, then you also could be part of the 90 percent of teens who are bullied in school due to their sexual orientation. This also means that you might be more prone to suicidal thoughts and/or committing suicide. Recently, Jamey Rodemeyer, a freshman of Williamsville North High School this year, committed suicide due to the constant taunts of anti-gay bullies who bullied him over his sexual orientation.

Moves Like Jagger

 

Isn't this just a wonderful picture?! I took it myself :) I'm so proud (I hope you don't mind me using emoticons)

Mm'kay, so I just wanted to post this picture up because I think little Giovanni here needs his prop for the awesomeness that is his hair. I mean seriously, isn't that just the best hair you've ever seen?!? It has the perfect color and its distributed just right. And I didn't even have to photoshop it! well, it was a little hard to desaturate the picture because of his hair flying all over the place but it still came out pretty good. Last and not least, I want to thank Felix for chasing around poor little Gio to get me this pic. And I would like to thank Gio for looking awesome when he runs away from giant hulking savages. Gracias Amigos.

Signing off,

~Everlast

Click Here to see Felix's Blog

Wanted: Forgotten Songs

I am currently working passionately on an article regarding the use of auto tune. A large portion of my research requires me to go back in time, where my favorite songs lay.
So recently a lot of my favorite childhood songs have just been coming out of the depths of my mind and I break into song, and let me tell you, it's the greatest feeling on the world! My most recent excavations include songs like All Around the World by A Touch Of Class and I'm Blue by (da ba dee) by Eiffel 65. When this happens I feel a rush of happiness! Even though I can only recall a few fragments of the songs.
Then I wonder,
"These use to be my absolute die hard favorite songs, how could I forget them?!”
Then the horror sets in,
"Oh no, I've fallen into the very trap I'm arguing against in my opinion piece!”  My new favorite songs were all auto tuned! how can I write a convincing article against auto tune when I myself am being manipulated?
The feeling of guilt sets in and I feel ashamed, I shun myself from the world...or the world of my home, which was empty at the time due to the fact that my parents were out. But I still felt lame, and brainwashed... no... I FELT VIOLATED! I wanted to infiltrate every mainstream station in the world for overusing auto tune, then whip out as many synonyms my nerdy mind could spawn for the term "this is crap poop !"
And so now I warn you readers, NO, I beg of you, to resist the lazy new auto tune hip hop songs of our generation. Hip hop used to be something only pure genius and creativity could  create, the lyrics, the dance, the DJing. Hip hop used to address serious problems and conflicts which may be hard to understand now because hip hop doesn't do that anymore.

More to come in my opinion piece.

thankS for listening, i Had tO let it oUT
Master Radif

Lead's from Everlast

Direct Address:

Bass booming in your ears, you can feel it in your legs. The smell of sweat is everywhere. You fight to have enough room to breathe from bodyparts constantly rubbing and mashing into you. Yet your enjoying yourself, your letting you hair go everywhere and moving your body to the beat. This is what you love about going to a LMFAO concert.

Question:

How does it feel to go to a LMFAO concert? let's just say it's a unique experience.

Startling statement:
According to LMFAO's Redfoo when asked about their "I'm Sexy and I know It" costumes, they said "Well, obviously it was cold outside, but that didn't stop us to wear those speedos. And it was very fun, probably the most we've ever had. Venice is a hometown, we grew up there. Since then, I've been in speedos all the time. I even wear speedos to the club."

~Everlast

P.S. I've never been to their concerts, but it does seem pretty awesome doesn't it???

Miss Treble's Leads!

These are my opinion leads!

Lead 1 (Descriptive)
Elexus Hargis ran excitedly into her local Target. Quickly locating one of the red-shirted employees, she asked him if he knew where the Vices & Virtues, the new Panic! At the Disco album was. He pointed out one of the many shelves, and she jogged towards it, trying not to appear too conspicuous. Quick as a flash, she picked up the CD with the maroon casing, and purchased it. Screaming (on the inside, of course) with joy, she headed home hastily to listen to the album.

As she listened to it, she sighed with relief. The previous album had been in a startlingly different style, and she was glad that her favorite group had returned to its original sound.

Lead 2 (Compare and Contrast)
Before, when people thought of great music, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, and others came to mind. Nowadays, the heavily doctored voices of The Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, and Usher are our first thought.

Lead 3 (Direct Address)
If you’re used to turning on the radio and rolling your eyes because they’re playing the same old songs, then you must agree that things need to change. More than ever, genres that aren’t considered mainstream are in danger of growing smaller and smaller, until all our music sounds the same.

Master of Radif ---Leads

Narrative

Shinjini is very excited right now. it’s 9:30 at night and she’s been downloading songs from iTunes for well over an hour, Kesha songs, let say, or was that T-pain, or Jay-Z? Uh, who is it that uses auto tune so much they’ve completely ruined the original purpose of hip hop? You know, that one singer who's songs all sound the same? The one who's live performances SUCK because they’re voices are so untrained because auto tune does all for the work for them!

   

Descriptive

Our generation, lets face it, is totally tech savvy. Pick up you iPod and  look through all the pop sings you have, chances are, the most recent ones are infected with what Time magazine has called one of the worst things ever invented. This horrible demon of a software has been tearing apart the true essence hip hop used to hold, since it’s spawning in 1997.

Compare and contrast

Technology has finally done it. It’s gone to the heart of Pop music and destroyed its true essence. The poison? Auto tune! Hip hop held a deep meaning for those in poverty in the early seventies, it was means for people to relate with each other. Flash forward about forties years and hip hop has retrogressed down to the bare minimum.

Classical Concentration

Classical music: does it help you concentrate?

I say yes. When I’m doing my math homework, I find that it’s distracting to listen to pop songs and fast-paced music. I also don’t want to listen to the normal sounds of my family life: my brother watching Mythbusters, my mom on the phone, my dad getting home from work. Even the sound of the guinea pig drinking water distracts me! But somehow, when I hear relaxing, soft piano and orchestra music, I calm right down and get to work.

Why is that?

According to studies, classical music reduces the heart rate, which contributes to higher studying capacity, since people learn best either under extreme pressure or relaxation. Another interesting idea is The Mozart Effect. This theory is that playing classical music to young children, infants, and even unborn babies can increase their IQ and make them smarter. I’ve read up on it, and it seems pretty weird. I can see how classical music can help with concentration, but The Mozart Effect seems a little funny. However, I'm sure that there are several studies about it that have researched it more thoroughly.

What's your opinion on classical music and concentration?

Peace,
Miss Treble.

Music Scene's GEMINI

KeiLove is back!


                                               Learn more about Alice Nine here.
Over the summer I went to Japan to help out with earthquake relief, and while I was there my host family took me to a concert with all these bands I idolized. The concert was great; girugamesh, GACKT, V'ersailles, and all these other great bands were there. All was well, and to make it even better, I was given the opportunity to sit and chat with one of my top idols, Visual Kei band Alice Nine. During the session I got the deeper meaning of the tracks on their most recent full-length album, GEMINI, and find out where the true inspiration came from.

Before the interview, I had some serious work to do. Since visual kei is a very unique genre of music that only Japan has, I had to brush up on my terms and do some extra research. For those of you who have never heard of Visual Kei (which is pretty much all of you), it's generally a music genre that combines rock, pop, and techno with inspiring lyrics, crazy guitar solos, and a mix of all different clothing, ranging from Victorian to street fashion. Though the music styles may change from time to time, the quality of the music stays the same, maybe gets better (it depends on who you are). Since the genre has become increasingly popular throughout the world, along with severely busy touring schedules, it was hard for the band members to sit and talk somewhere else besides in a crowded tour bus. It took me a while, but after they finished their recent tour and released GEMINI, I finally got some down time with them (it was worth it, I'll tell you that).

NOTE: I had to translate this before I could put it on this blog, but some words are left in their original form, because they either have too many uses or can't be translated.

... I reconsidered and decided to put this piece in the magazine, so it would be a waste to put it here. Anyway, now that you have an idea of what visual kei is and the basic info about the interview, I'll leave you there.

-FLOATING IN THE VOID-
KeiLove