Like I mentioned before, this was my first "real" concert that I've attended. It was loud. Awesome. Overall, it was a good experience. I've included a couple of videos from Bruno Mars' songs. The sound is pretty good, even if the video is lacking. Also, there were these girls in front of us who were beyond annoying, so just do as we did and try to ignore them.
Janelle Monae was super talented and she sang all the songs that I wanted her to sing. Her voice was awesome. She did drift around on the vocal scale a little to showcase her voice which got a little old but still she was absolutely unique.
Bruno Mars was just as talented and a little more mainstream. But oh my goodness, all the pre-teen girls in the audience went absolutely WILD. I wasn't as familiar with Bruno's songs, so I wasn't as involved.
Wahla! My first legitimate concert. Check.
This is Nelson. (the band) I think this video is rather hilarious. They probably top the crazy hair bands, at least in length. I've never been more jealous of a boy's hair before. Blonde and long, gah! I don't know much about the rest of their sound, but this song is pretty legit.
Enjoy!
Or rather, let's just listen to some music. I have little-to-no faith in my musical abilities, so I tend to leave the creative stuff to people with some real talent.
Liiiiiiike, Mr. John Schmidt here.
My mother has always been a huge fan and we've grown up with his work. Last autumn we went to an outdoor concert of his to celebrate her birthday. It was awesome.
So a couple of days ago, my mother texted me to check this out via youtube and I like!
I am quite partial to the cello. It's so deep and melodious, but it has some kick to it as well.
And thus I am sharing it with all of you.
Again, the blessings of the internet, may they never end.
I found this from a friend's FB. Thank goodness for FB, right? How would we find anything cool without it? Well, I don't know much about these boys. I am guessing they are Italian. Yes, I know, my detective skills are astounding. They sound much more mature than they look.
Mmmmm. Italians. Especially ones that can sing.
This reminds me of a book (like everything does, right?)
It's called the The Silent Gondoliers by the same guy who wrote the Princess Bride novel. It's an interesting fairy tale. I recommend it if you are in need of a short story.
Actually, the only thing it has in common with the video is Italians and the song, 'O Solo Mio'.
But hey sometimes, that is all you need.
I, quite possibly, have the coolest assignment in the history of all TA (teaching assistants). Yesterday, my professor asked me to create a playlist of 80's rock bands for the next class. Can you say, heck yes? Here is what I whipped up, in case you were wondering.
Of course, Journey makes the list along with some Van Halen, Queen, Styx, Kansas, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Boston, Cheap Trick, etc, etc.
I had the best time with it.
Lady Gaga released a new single entitled "Hair" today, right after my ode to my hair color post this morning.
Coincidence?
I think not.
Lady Gaga is...unique. Let's leave it at that.
But this song is totally me.
"I've had enough,
This is my prayer,
That I'll die living just as free as my hair."
Utah Symphony presents: Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky
Utah Scandinavian Festival in Ephraim, UT
Janelle Monae AND Bruno Mars in Utah Valley, this MAY
Both of them, together. It's like my dreams come true.
This comes out in July, so I won't be able to see it until I get back from Norway, BUT! I am intrigued and I have some high hope for this one. Everything I've read about Ryan Gosling is impressive and to finally see him in a romantic comedy? Knock on wood, I hope his performance is just as good as his other work. I also like the other characters: Steve Carell when he's not Michael Scott and Emma Stone was hilarious in Easy A, despite it's laugh-out-loud inappropriateness.
Again, here's hoping.
And of course:
I first heard of Janelle Monae last year? Sometime like that. I love her sound, I love the strangeness, I love the fact that you cannot box her in. She is an artist, which is the highest compliment I can give. I love this new song, which is why I'd thought that I'd share.
Even USA has "character approved" her. See here.
And as we all know, USA knows how to spot characters. Which is why basically any of their TV shows, I'm a fan.
More on characters later...
In my heart of hearts, I love the Biebs. Mostly because it's all just so ridiculous. Well, this youtube video takes the ridiculousness to a whole new level. These two fellows go through a instrument battle and "Baby" starts the whole thing, with a recorder! You know, that instrument that nearly every fourth grader plays at least once, but then it is never heard from again? If you have ten minutes to spare, I would recommend going through each link at the end of the videos. It's fairly hilarious.
Yes, I know. I am behind the times. But hey, at least I am on the bandwagon now!
This girl has talent. And lungs. She can belt it out like it's nobody's business.
I think that I have probably listened to this song dozens of times in the last 24 hrs. It's that good.
Enjoy!
Uh, noooo. This isn't a tribute to the Kelly Clarkson ditty of the same name. Besides, she misspelled the greater portion of her song title.
This is actually a little song that I found whilst watching vh1's top 100 hard rock songs last night. The band was only together for a short time, like most rock bands. They just can't help but fall apart. Fortunately, they leave some good music behind. I think my roommates were a little surprise, perhaps a little scandalized that I actually like hard rock. Well, not all of it, but a large majority.
"It doesn't seem like you"
Well, surprise!
I think I like it so much because secretly, I want to be outrageous too and rock bands get to be outrageous for me.
So, back to this song. It's called "Since you've been gone" by Rainbow.
Yes, I was surprised too that there was a band called Rainbow. Like I mentioned before, it didn't last long.
But, it's catchy.
And I cannot stop listening to it.
So I decided to share.
Lyrics (for you textual learners out there)
Whhooaa, whhooaa, whhooaaaa
I get the same old dreams, same time every night
Fall to the ground and I wake up
So I get out of bed, put on my shoes, and in my head
Thoughts fly back to the break-up
These four walls are closing in
Look at the fix you've put me in
Since you been gone, since you been gone
I'm outta my head, can't take it
Could I be wrong, but since you been gone
You cast the spell, so break it
Oooohhh - Whhooooaaa - Ooooohhh
Since you been gone
So in the night I stand beneath the back street light
I read the words that you sent to me
I can take the afternoon, the night-time comes around too soon
You can't know what you mean to me
Your poisoned letter, your telegram
Just goes to show you don't give a damn
Since you been gone, since you been gone
I'm outta my head, can't take it
Could I be wrong, but since you been gone
You cast the spell, so break it
Oooohhh - Whhooooaaa - Ooooohhh
Since you been gone
[INTERLUDE]
If you will come back
Baby you know
You'll never do wrong
Huhhhhh
Since you been gone, since you been gone
I'm outta my head, can't take it
Could I be wrong, but since you been gone
You cast the spell, so break it
Oooohhh - Whhooooaaa - Ooooohhh
Ever since, you been gone
[GUITAR SOLO]
Since you been gone, since you been gone
I'm outta my head, can't take it
Since you been gone, since you been gone
Just so you know, still in the Bollywood phase. I was sick this weekend so of course, what better way to nurse a cold than to stay in and watch crazy action-drama-romance-musicals?
I submit that there is no better way.
The movie above is from the movie Dhoom 2. It has the same people that were in Jodhaa Akbar. Hrithik Roshan is a beautiful, beautiful man. (Trust me...just google him. So pretty...)
Who can dance.
What more can you ask for?
So, here is the song that encapsulates my entire weekend.
Fun, huh?
p.s. Dhoom Machale roughly translate into "Rock On".
Victor Borge was a funny, funny man. Super talented and still had a sense of humor. And, he's DANISH. And we all know how much I love Scandinavians. I saw this clip over the break with my grandpa. We both laughed very hard, but I was the one that ended up on the floor with tears in my eyes. Good stuff. Enjoy!
Apparently, I am on a 1970's singer-songwriter phase. First Dan Fogleberg, now Jim Croce. But have you ever listened to his stuff? It is so soothing, so friendly, so heartbreaking. It makes you wonder what he could have done, had he lived longer. He died in a plane accident, just when he was 30. It's that kind of tragedy that makes you grateful for what you have.
"If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I'd like to do Is to save every day 'til eternity passes away Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever If words could make wishes come true I'd save every day like a treasure and then Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time To do the things you want to do once you find them I've looked around enough to know That you're the one I want to go through time with
If I had a box just for wishes And dreams that had never come true The box would be empty except for the memory Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time To do the things you want to do once you find them I've looked around enough to know That you're the one I want to go through time with"
*there is no video of him performing this song, it was released posthumously. But it is a good, good song. Just like all the rest.
I have these moments All steady and strong I’m feeling so holy and humble The next thing I know I’m all worried and weak And I feel myself Starting to crumble.
The meanings get lost And the teachings get tossed And you don’t know what you’re Going to do next. You wait for the sun But it never quite comes Some kind of message comes Through to you. Some kind of message comes through.
And it says to you...
Love when you can Cry when you have to... Be who you must That’s a part of the plan Await your arrival With simple survival And one day we’ll all understand...
I had a woman Who gave me her soul But I wasn’t ready to Take it. Her heart was so fragile And heavy to hold And I was afraid I might Break it.
Your conscience awakes And you see your mistakes And you wish someone Would buy your confessions. The days miss their mark And the night gets so dark And some kind of message Comes through to you Some kind of message Shoots through --
There is no Eden or Heavenly gates That you’re gonna make it to One day But all of the answers you seek Can be found In the dreams that you dream On the way.
This is my new favorite song. At the moment. Anyways, I realize that I am a little behind everything...I just don't like doing something that everyone else is doing. So if you are wondering why I am paying attention to the World Cup two months after it's over, you must realize that it is a pride issue. I'm working on it, ok? Anyways, can I just say how much I love Shakira? Not because everyone, upon hearing my name says "Like Shakira, huh?" (I can't tell you HOW many times that has happened. Let's have some originality here, please people!) Anyways, I totally want to learn how to dance like this. I think it's going to take some practice...
I am not kidding. When I am not playing it over and over again on my ipod, I am watching it on youtube. I am fairly certain that a big portion of the views have come from me, but I feel very strongly that it needs to be watched a lot more by more people. So watch it people!
I love their sound. I love the mixture of strings and guitars and drums. It's so delicious. And soothing.
And if you are interested, Amazon mp3 has the "Long Goodbye" for free as well as all of their other songs for a price.
Hallelujah is used to express praise or joy. At least, that is what the internet tells me and it makes sense to me. For the President's day weekend, me and the roomies went to southern Utah. We went for a little walk in Zions. Beautiful, beautiful. Looking at all of this physical glory, puts me in awe of the Lord's creative powers once again. The desert definitely has some good points...
The sky so blue, the rocks so orange...
Look! A swamp in the desert! So GREEN!
And a heart made out of stone...
And no one could ask for two better gals!
*the title comes from "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. AMAZING song! I just found it, like last week. I like the version sung by Kurt Nilsen.
He was the World Idol winner, from NORWAY! *sigh* So good. So good. Sometimes, I feel like this, confused at the state of things but still thankful for what I've got. Poor King David...
