Surround You - JAWS

It starts with a unique theme that then tumbles in what feels like a waterfall of sound. The lead singer of JAWS, Connor Schofield, has a droning voice that fits their style. The band is from Birmingham, England but has a sound that made me think they were from California. They just give off the feel of an indie California. The chorus repeats a sort of mantra that sounds poetic with the sunlight and surrounding.

To learn more about JAWS, visit their website: http://www.jawsjawsjaws.co.uk

Hunter Hunted Concert Review

Place: 9:30 Club in Washington DC

When: November 15

Hunter Hunted, a band composed of two main members, Michael Garner and Daniel Chang, fills the stage with their other members, Taylor Dexter, the drummer, Blake Straus, the bass player, and Morgan Paros, the violinist. They fill the stage with a presence of pleasant partying. They bring the life to the concert and wake up the crowd after their short break. Their set starts with a couple familiar songs from their EP and then go into a cover for the Pixies song Where Is My Mind? Besides playing the rest of their EP, they also play a couple songs not released yet called Ghosts and Blindside. Michael Garner does most of the talking between songs, giving a shoutout to his other members especially his drummer, Taylor, who he says a different filler between songs each night. Morgan on the violin does a great job of juggling her violin, the keyboard and some pedals. They balance calm and peaceful music with a cool sound that makes their music open to a wide opportunity of fans. Also, they are a very down to Earth group that loves to come out to the crowd and meet their fans so keep your eyes peeled after their show if you want to meet them.

To learn more about Hunter Hunted, visit their website: http://hunterhuntedmusic.com/

Bang Bang - Nick D' and the Believers

Nick D' and the Believers are a small band with an amazing sound. Their typical chorus is very upbeat and extremely catchy. You'll find yourself singing Bang Bang all day. Their sound is also very pleasant. Their music video tells a cute story with some adorable dancing. The make up artist did a god job on their faces. Unless they actually did just punch each other in the face to get that look... That's commitment if that was what happened!

To learn more about Nick D' and the Believers, visit their website: http://www.nickdandthebelievers.com/

WALK THE MOON Album Release Announcement

For those of you who have not heard, WALK THE MOON is releasing their new album, Talking is Hard, on December second. However, if you are a Spotify user, you can already listen to ALL of their new songs. I say to hop on that if you can. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Immortals - Fall Out Boy

This song starts with a very interesting and catchy sound that fades to the background as Patrick Stump starts to sing. The Immortals chorus is bad ass and just makes every one who hears it want to sing along. This song was apparently made for Disney's new movie Big Hero 6. It is placed in the movie at a perfect time to pump is up and gives the song a good focus while time passes. The music video starts out promising with all of the band members picking their song from a juke box and then placing a cd with the resemblance of Baymax from the movie on the player. Otherwise, the entire music video is just the record twirling around and around. Maybe it's just doing that to hypnotize all its viewers but I watched and have not had any hypnotizing side effects. Does anyone else think that the next album Fall Out Boy releases will be their last? They've been releasing singles that say "you will remember me for centuries" and "we could be immortals". Is this their way of saying goodbye?

To learn more about Fall Out Boy, visit their website: http://falloutboy.com/

Wax - Theme Park

This song has a smooth dance beat that just makes you want to swivel instead of tapping your foot. The guitar just makes this song so memorable. The singer, Miles Haughton mumbles yet keeps himself easy enough to understand. The music video did not take much except a pretty girl and a TON of photos. It's a fairly interesting enough video but I'm not sure it has anything to do with the song.

To learn more about Theme Park, visit their website: http://www.themeparkband.com/

Agora - Bear Hands

This song barely needs an intro and you already know you're in for a good time. The underlying chant of Agora makes that extra layer to the song that allows it to stand out while also defining the issue they are describing in their lyrics. The drum beat is highlighted to keep the song up to a rocking dance beat. Anyone who suffers from agoraphobia would probably tell you that it sucks and that's what they seem to be addressing in this video and song. On a lighter note, I do love the dragon in the video. Anyone else wonder what it's name is? And one more thing about this Dylan Rau 's hair in the video:

Agreed, ladies?

To learn more about Bear Hands, visit their website: http://bearhandsband.com/

Junior Prom Concert Review

Place: 9:30 Club in Washington DC

When: November 15

Junior Prom was the opener for Hunter Hunted and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and they put on a great show. Although the band only consists of two men, Erik Ratsenberger and Mark Solomich, they put on an amazing show. It's full of so much energy that between songs, the lead singer and guitar player would tell jokes or cute anecdotes so that they could catch their breaths. They will play almost every song from their EP, starting with Big Timer. They perform their new song, Cheap Thrills and one they haven't premiered yet called Guilty Pleasures. Their set is short which is disappointing for me since I'm a big fan of theirs. Since they open before Hunter Hunted and before the main act, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, not the whole crowd is their yet and not all of them are as into it as they are for Andrew, but it is a good time and completely worth it to show up early enough to watch them go on. They are on the rise and I can not wait for their first full album to come out!

To learn more about Junior Prom, visit their bandcamp: http://juniorprom.bandcamp.com/

Salt - Bad Suns

Bad Suns just released a new music video for their awesome song : Salt! It is nothing like their music video for Cardiac Arrest which was mostly just them playing the song and the screen being tinted. They took this music video to a much more theatrical level to show what they mean with their lyrics. The ending could be seen differently so it's up to you to decide what they mean. I've been a fan of Bad Suns for a long time. Salt is an amazing song that came out on their first EP. It has an amazing base line throughout the song. The lyrics are about doing everything you can to find yourself just like how the music video is showing but to a much deeper meaning than I had expected.

To learn more about Bad Suns, visit their tumblr: http://badsuns.tumblr.com/

Different Colors - WALK THE MOON

This new song from WALK THE MOON was just released today! It is the first song they have released off their album Talking is Hard, which will be out on December second. It starts out with a catchy chorus and the lyrics are really cool. This song stays true to the style of their first album while still shaking it up and keeping it fresh. 

To learn more about WALK THE MOON, visit their website: http://shutupanddance.walkthemoonband.com/

Album of the Week - Violent Things - The Brobecks

Album of the Week is Violent Things by The Brobecks. Coming across this CD was a pure feat of luck! Of course the bright colors make it stand out and that title is just the kind of thing I'm looking for. I had not previously heard of The Brobecks before this CD but now I can't get enough. They sound remarkably similar to certain phases Panic! at the Disco went through, which may actually not be much of a coincidence since back in 2012, the lead singer, Dallon Weekes, left The Brobecks and officially joined Panic! at the Disco as their bass player and also helped to write songs for their new album Too Weird To Live Too Rare To Die. My favorite songs off the album may have to be Bike Ride, Love At First Sight and Better Than Me.

To hear more of The Brobecks, visit their bandcamp: http://thebrobecks.bandcamp.com/album/violent-things

Gentle Folks - Hunter Hunted

Hunter Hunted makes a fabulous sound that is full of heart and also playful. This song is chilling and calming. It starts off with a nice beat with a cool echoing tone then a chant that just seems sweet and poetic. Although, I've had friends who thought that they were saying "calling all the germaphobes" and said "ooh! This is my jam!" Now, I have never had this confusion and I believe that most NORMAL people who hear the song do not have this problem (not to say I'm normal). Daniel Chang and Michael Garner make nice singers that tie this song together in a nice now with their unique musical stylings. Excuse there only being a live video but these guys are fantastic in concert!

To learn more about Hunter Hunted, visit their website: http://hunterhuntedmusic.com/

Driving Through A Dream - Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

This song, like many of Andrew McMahon's, is beautiful and calming. He also pulls in a tint of synthesized pop that makes it still young and hip enough for the cool kids to dig this. He says this song is about those nights when you wake up and can't sleep because of everything, whether it be stress or just being an artistic night owl who gets their best ideas at night, and about having someone who will be there beside you and get you through the night. The recurring chorus is just dreamt to me when they say "try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream".

To learn ore about Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, visit their website: http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/

EP of the Week - Junior Prom - Junior Prom

Junior Prom is the EP of the week! This EP is so high energy! Mark Solomich vocals are strong throughout each of the songs but there's a really cool tune to each that makes it memorable. I especially love that sort of trumpet sound they play periodically in Run Around The Back. I can't remember, did they play these songs at my junior prom? Or was it just whatever new song Katy Perry had put out? You may know this EP from their song Sheila Put The Knife Down, if not, that's fine because all their songs are great! Be sure to check out Big Timer, Run Around The Back and International.

To learn more about Junior Prom, visit their website: http://junior-prom.com/

Dreaming - Smallpools

This song is awesome. It has a cool dance beat that makes it lots of fun with a fabulous guitar rift that makes it rock. The singer, Sean Scanlon, almost makes the song sound like an older Passion Pit song. This video seems like fun until the guy keeps trying to leave the party and it begins to feel like Season one of American Horror Story. Excuse any spoilers. But it's still fun to watch.

To learn more about Smallpools, visit their website: http://smallpoolsmusic.com/

Band of the Week - Cherub

Their sound mostly seems to be summed up in one word: PARTY. Cherub is a duo from Tennessee made up of Jordan Kelly and Jason Huber. You probably know them from their fairly recent hit Doses and Mimosas. Their sound is commonly remixed and running wild with themes of crazy parties and girls. I love their break up song <3 They speak the truth! Some things do become distorted, but at least they're not afraid to speak their mind! This band is brash but they know how to slow it down for some songs. Yet they keep it to their own temp with their awesome sound and funny lyrics in songs like Strip to This. I suggest Monogamy, Freaky Me, Freaky You and Disco Shit. Lovely music.



To learn more about Cherub, visit their website: http://cherublamusica.com/home

Cheap Thrills - Junior Prom

Finally! A new single by Junior Prom! This song is just as good as their EP with a strong dance worthy beat. Their synthesized sounds make for an interesting flavor that always makes their songs seem so diverse yet have something to hold them together and make them unique.

To learn more about Junior Prom, visit their website: http://junior-prom.com/

Take Me to Church - Hozier

Hozier has a deep, strong voice that just empowers this entire song. Take Me to Church is not fragile. The lyrics are beautiful and poetic and absolutely do not go under appreciated as he is clear in this song. This song has some of my favorite lyrics ever which I'd like to point out, including how his lover "used to giggle at a funeral". Some may say that by falling in love, you are reinventing yourself with this other person as your guide to the new you.

To learn more about Hozier, visit his website: http://hozier.com/home/

Happy Idiot - TV on the Radio

This song has a good sound with some brutally honest lyrics. It's so much better not to know something, especially about an ex. It has a good dancing beat but it is also slow paced by the singer's, Tunde Adebimpe's somber expression. The video starts out kind of feeling like a car commercial but then picks up into Speed Racer on some really sad drugs. Even Doctor Who fans are almost guaranteed to love this music video as Karen Gillan plays that girl you just can't get off your mind or get over.

To learn more about TV on the Radio, visit their website: http://www.tvontheradioband.com/

Rhinestone Melodies - SomeKindaWonderful

Rhinestone Melodies by SomeKindaWonderful just came out yesterday! This song sounds so classic. It has a nice beachy theme but with a little bit of a heavier guitar. The song is so toe tapping good. It makes you want to dance, but not how the people dance these days with all their tweaking and grinding, it takes you back in time where there was actually dancing at school dances and dancing took more talent than just jumping up and down. I just want to put this on repeat because it just gives off such a strong happy and cheery vibe.

To learn more about SomeKindaWonderful, visit their website: http://somekindawonderful.com/home/

Medicine - The 1975

A new song from The 1975! It feels amazing when these guys get something new out! This song was developed for the new rescoring of the movie Drive. (Which I have not yet seen). The whole beginning is kind of dreamy. The guitar picks up and just carries you away. There aren't many lyrics in this song but they're bittersweet. How he has to leave but she is good for him like medicine. It's sad to leave someone who you rely on so much for happiness.

To learn more about The 1975, visit their website: http://the1975.com/

Creepy Song - Sonika

Happy Halloween! This is probably the only Halloween song I could think of. It's very techno pop, especially with the robot singer, Sonica. Congratulations if you can understand her completely without having to look up the lyrics. The lyrics actually tell a bit of a story I enjoy. The most memorable parts of this song seem to be the screams in the background and how the robot seems to have a sarcastic tone about people dying. Good job, Mr. Creeper.

To learn more about Sonika and the other Vocaloids, visit the website: http://www.vocaloid.com/en/