Photo Credit Ellie Gould
It’s been about a year since I first heard the enchanting song “Starry Eyed,” written and performed by new UK sensation, Ellie Goulding. Back then, I wouldn’t have guessed that Goulding’s music would experience so swift a rise to the top, but that’s precisely what’s happening–and how! The song’s debuted at #4 in the UK Charts, and her freshman album, Lights, is poised to be her first #1 album come Sunday, too.
You know that saying, “If at first you don’t succeed then, try, try again?” British rapper Example, who’s been on the grind these last five years making a name for himself, has done just that. Born in London as Elliot Gleave, he adopted the name “Example” as a sly nod to his own initials. Gleave enrolled in university to study film, but soon found that his real passion lay in music. First inspired to pick up the mic by Wu Tang Clan and Slick Rick, in 2006 Example began releasing his tracks independently, and while his first studio album garnered little commercial attention, it didn’t discourage him; in 2008 he signed to UK label Data Records and began developing a fresh new sound.
Tags: London · MusicNo Comments.
Just as you’re finished eating the last of your holiday leftovers and and trying to get the sound of Auld Lang Syne out of your ears, you realize that we have indeed come to the beginning of a brand new year and darn it, a new decade! Greetings 2010! To start the year off right, I have for you a sampling of some non-U.S. acts of various genres who I predict will be winning lots of praise and new fans over the next twelve months. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Tags: Music3 Comments
Inspired by the likes of Duran Duran and Wet Wet Wet, Pony Pony Run Run chose their distinct name to stand out and and leave a lasting impression. The band was formed back in 2003 when brothers Gaëtan (guitar/vocals) and Amaël (bass) met Antonin (keyboard) while attending art school in the picturesque city of Nantes, France. After three years of touring extensively throughout Europe, the guys hooked up with prolific producer Frédéric Lo and collaborated on their debut album You Need Pony Pony Run Run which was released this past June.
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When describing this next group I have the tendency to call them the “Norwegian Black Eyed Peas”. It’s not because Donkeyboy is known for infectious dance tracks with hip-hop flair, but because, like BEP, the band has seriously dominated the charts this year in their native country. Donkeyboy released its debut single, Ambitions, this summer and it clung to the #1 spot on the Norwegian charts for a record 12 weeks, only to be usurped by the band’s sophomore single Sometimes. Clearly, to say that they are popular in their homeland would be a gross understatement.
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2009 has been a very busy year for music newcomer, Paloma Faith. The 24-year-old London crooner has gotten ears buzzing and folks talking about her unique brand of soul pop. Her debut album, Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful, twittered and soared into the UK’s top 10. So far, the album’s spawned two hit singles: the brash Stone Cold Sober and the stirring New York.
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Last month, my good friend Charlie shared a link on my Facebook wall. That link was to the music video for, “Box ‘n Locks”, by singer- songwriter, MPHO (pron. mm-poh). By the time the clip was over, I was left mesmerized and had become an instant fan. MPHO is a London based artist who has been involved in the music industry for more than a decade, and is now blasting to the forefront and displaying to the world her immense talent for verse and vocal. Born in apartheid South Africa to a white mother and black father, Mpho’s very birth was illegal due to the nation’s then restrictive laws on interracial relationships. She immigrated to Britain at the age of four and grew up in bustling South London. Mpho comes from a musical family and her upbringing in the multicultural Brixton neighborhood has greatly influenced her artistry. She attended the renowned BRIT School for Music and spent many years providing backing vocals for artists like Natasha Bedingfield and Ms. Dynamite.
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Like so many of you, I was shocked and saddened yesterday upon hearing of the sudden passing of the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. In the hours since his death, millions of people have come together to mourn this man who is arguably one of the greatest entertainers to ever walk this Earth, but we all know that he did so on “the moon” as well. What can one really say about Michael that hasn’t been said already. He was a showman who’s perfectly assembled pop songs invoked strong feelings from all of us. Whether it was the excitement of “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” or the aggressiveness of “Bad“, Michael’s music was a soundtrack for several generations of folks all across this world. I would go as far as to claim that MJ’s global notoriety was on the same level as Christ himself. His distinct fashion sense and lightning quick dance moves were also undeniably part of his persona. If it weren’t for Michael, you wouldn’t have an acceptable reason to grab your crotch in public! I will always remember listening to “You Are Not Alone” incessantly on the radio when I was in the 2nd grade. Despite all the controversy that followed him in the later years of his life, Michael was still the consummate performer. Let us now remember this man who had an impact on so many lives, both young & old, “Black & White“. Cry, laugh, sing, and celebrate his achievements, and “if they say ‘why’, tell ‘em that it’s human nature.” We love you, Mike.
Tags: Music2 Comments
Many college students make traditional spring break getaway plans, hopping flights to Cancun, Fort Lauderdale, and Las Vegas. I made the decision to pack my bags and reserve a roundtrip ticket to the nation of Iceland. I know it sounds random, but this was definitely a trip that I will never forget. Due to the recent economic collapse, Iceland has seen the value of its currency drop significantly, and subsequently an increase in tourist traffic in a country once known for being rather expensive to visit. From the moment I landed at Keflavik Airport and drove in the early hours of the morning into the capital city of Reykjavik, I was amazed by the sheer beauty of the natural landscape.
As I began exploring the tiny city, I saw young people dressed in skinny jeans with keffiyehs tied around their necks. It was as if I hadn’t left Washington. Countinue Reading…
Tags: Culture · Travel2 Comments
British singer-songwriter, V.V. Brown is on the verge of becoming one of the big acts of 2009. With her mix of 1960’s pop and contemporary soul, Brown has the music scene abuzz about her upcoming debut album. Not only does the girl have a great voice, but her lyrical content takes the listener on a musico-emotional adventure. V.V. can currently be seen in the pages of Vogue magazine and her fans in the United Kingdom can grab her album Traveling Like The Light when it hit stores in June. I was lucky enough to snag an interview with V.V. in which she talks about her music, new fame, and being compared to other artists.
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