LIGHTS and BMTH Collab

According to the music website Indiestar, LIGHTS will be featured in two tracks, called "Crucify Me" and "Don't Go", from Bring Me The Horizon's new record, titled "There is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen it, There is a heaven, let's keep it a Secret". Also to be featured on the record is Josh Francesci, of You Me at Six, on the track "Fuck". The album is rumoured to be released this coming October. The full article can be read here.

Sky Sailing- New Music Video

On Tuesday, Adam Young's music project "Sky Sailing", composed of pre- Owl City recordings, just released a music video for the song Brielle, off the new album An Airplane Carried Me To Bed. The video is adorable- sweet and animated, if perfectly suits the softer side of Adam's music. The video is available for purchase on iTunes.
skysailingmusic.com
skysailingmerch.com

LIGHTS at Sonic Boom- Videos

LIGHTS at Sonic Boom playing her cover of Rancid's Fall Back Down. Other videos from the set available here:youtube.com/emilyimw

Tegan and Sara Vinyl 6 pack- preorder

Tegan and Sara have just announced that a 6 pack of vinyl will be released for sale, including the albums Sainthood, The Con, So Jealous, If It Was You, and Home Recordings, which includes demo tracks dating back to the time of So Jealous. Pre-orders can be made here. Order now so that you can recieve a very limited edition signed poster.

Myspace, YouTube.

Tegan and Sara- On Directing

Calgary born twin sister music act Tegan and Sara released a new music video for the song On Directing, from their most recent album Sainthood. Directed by Angela Kendall, the video is fairly simple- no obscure storyline to follow- just interesting, unique footage of the twins singing the song. It is actually very effective.



Tegan and Sara's:
Myspace
YouTube
Facebook

An interview with Everlea

So recently I got the chance to do a short email interview with Casey Shea from Everlea, who is on guitar and backing vocals. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Emily:How long have you been playing your instrument for?

Casey: I've been playing for about 17 years now. 

E: When did you realize that being in a band was what you wanted to do?

C: When the band first started getting sweet shows is when I realized that I wanted to do it forever. 

E: When &how did you guys all meet?

C: I met Justin at a summer job where we would just talk music all day. We met Brendan through his uncle who had heard from my dad that we needed a drummer. He came in, tried out, and the rest is history haha.

E: What's your favourite song you guys have released so far& why?

C: My favourite songs are the new ones that are coming out soon. I think they are really killer!... But from the old stuff, I always enjoy playing 'Cigarettes' mainly because people know and love that song and that makes it fun to play :) 

E: Which album or Ep so far is your favourite & why?

C: I always love our newest stuff, so 'In bedrooms and basements' is my favourite. I'm really proud of the songs and I love to play them live.

E: What's your favourite part of the recording process?

C: When its over haha... seriously though, it can be really stressful. But then when its done you can sit back and relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It's always a good feeling to have something new that you can show people.

E: What would your dream tour lineup be?

C: Us and anyone big haha. Radiohead and/or Cursive would be amazing though! 

E: If you could do a collaboration with any band, what would it be? Or would you just do it with the same as the dream tour? 

C: Radiohead or Cursive haha. That's a totally unattainable goal, but those bands are always doing something new and amazing, and it would be a dream come true to collaborate with them.

E: What's your favourite album of all time (not yours)

C: I'd have to go with 'The Ugly Organ'' by Cursive. Brilliant record.  

E: Anything interesting coming up in the near future you could tell us about?

C: We are currently working on a brand new album that will hopefully be out this fall!! I'm really excited to show people these new songs, because I think they'll be blown away! 

E: Anything you want to say to your fans?

C: Thank you so much for being fans!! It really means the world to us!

If you guys haven't heard any of Everlea's stuff, definitely check them out. They're great.

Plastic Poetry (S4C song) by Everlea
Their Myspace!
Facebook page!

VersaEmerge- Video Available on iTunes

The music video for the title track of VersaEmerge's new album, Fixed at Zero, was released for purchase on iTunes today. For those of you who haven't seen the video yet, it fits in perfectly with the feeling of the new album- eerie and mystical. It takes place in a dark forest, starting with Sierra in a vulture's nest. The dark creepy feel is definitely added to by the fact that there's dust and dirt flying everywhere. Flashing between Sierra in the bird's nest and her and the band playing the song, this video is so Versa it's not even funny. If you love them, you'll love this video guaranteed. If you've already seen and loved it, you can buy it here! If not, take a look!


Website: here!
Myspace: here!

Never Shout Never- New EP

Never Shout Never (Christofer Drew) released a new EP, titled Melody, which features two songs from his upcoming album, Harmony. CheaterCheaterBestFriendEater, and Coffee and Cigarettes are both awesome songs. They both have a laid back feeling, using a steady beat, simple harmonies and high pitched guitar or possible ukulele, he's written two really catchy songs that are sure to get stuck in my head over the next few days. If this is a taste of what's to come in the new album, I'll be sure to check it out.

The Narrative- Debut Album!

The Narrative, an indie pop/rock band hailing from New York, released their debut, self titled full length album today.Their style, which is very melodic, featuring guitars and keyboard, will appeal to a wide variety of musical tastes. Most of the tracks feature vocals by Suzie Zeldin (keyboard and vocals), whose soaring voice is such a contrast to the heavy guitar that it ends up sounding absolutely perfect. The remainder of the songs feature vocals by guitarist Jesse Gabriel, whose voice sounds perfect when harmonized with Suzie's. Unlike most pop albums you hear coming out today, every single song has its own unique sound and feel, using Charlie Seich's skills on the drums to drive the songs forward in different tempos and  rhythmic similes. From the upbeat, poppy opening track "Fade", to the slower, more relaxed, piano driven "Don't Want To Fall", every song has something unique and different to offer. If you take the time to listen to these guys, I'm telling you won't be disappointed in the slightest. This album is the real deal.

Sky Sailing- New Single

Adam Young, of Owl City, released a new single under the name for his pre-Owl City recordings, Sky Sailing. The new single, Flowers of the Field, is a perfect representation of what an Owl City- Acoustic album would sound like. The song is full of light acoustic guitar and rich violins, with Adam's vocals seemingly floating on top. IT is slightly slower than some of his other songs, and it has a very relaxed feel, perfect for summer.

LIGHTS at Sonic Boom

Photo Credit- @Jennnysu

After arriving at Sonic Boom for the special in store, acoustic show to celebrate the release of LIGHTS' acoustic EP, I picked up my wristband and headed to the back of the lineup, which was already to the very back of the record shop. After waiting in line for a bit over an hour with some fellow LIGHTS fans, they started letting people into the basement, which was very cramped and hot. Initially, I couldn't see anything, but then a couple of friends made room for me up front. After about half an hour, Lights came out onto the tiny stage, and picked up her new acoustic guitar, Lisa. Due to the small, intimate nature of the show, there was a ton of crowd interaction, and it all felt very personal. She played all of the songs off of the new EP- February Air, Fall Back Down, Saviour, River, and Romance Is, along with a few other songs from her album. She mentioned a few inside jokes with some of her fans, joked with some of her forum members, and even almost forgot how one of her songs went. Her guitar playing a vocal performances were both amazing. She added little riffs to most of songs, which sounded great. She seemed like she was having so much fun, and looked really happy to be playing. After finishing her set up and hi-fiving most of the front row, she promised to meet everyone in the basement. I was about 15th in line. Being my first time meeting her, I was extremely nervous, and when I finally got to go say hi, I must have seemed like I didn't know how to talk. I got a hug and a picture, and she told me I was awesome after signing my wallet, EP, and iPod. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay later when she hung out with a bunch of fans she has met a number of times before. Still, I had a great show. When I left that room, I knew I was never going to forget that show- it was such an amazing experience.

Videos of her entire set are available here.

Lights. Acoustic

Anyone who watched Toronto singer LIGHTS' uStream chats in the fall knows how talented she is, not only in synthpop, but also in acoustic songs. Which is why all of her fans were so excited for the release of her acoustic EP, titled Lights.Acoustic. Every single song on this 5 track EP is absolutely beautiful, making it well worth the money. It features 3 of the songs from her debut album, The Listening, played acoustically, as well as a song she wrote at age 16, and a cover of Rancid's Fall Back Down. I think one of my favourites on the EP is River. It is such an amazing juxtaposition, as on the album it is a really aggressive, fast moving, synth song, whereas on the EP it is really delicate sounding, and quiet, almost like a lullaby. The first time I heard it, I was nearly brought to tears. Romance Is is amazing. It is by far the darkest of the songs, and there is something really special about it. Not one of the songs was at all a disappointment. The entire tracklisting was amazing. This really goes to show you that LIGHTS is a force to be reckoned with.

Sky Sailing- An Airplane Carried Me to Bed

Anyone who follows Adam Young on twitter has probably been anticipating this release as eagerly as he has. The album, released under the band name Sky Sailing, features the early recordings of Adam, before Owl City, Swimming with Dolphins, and Port Blue. The album is really different from most of Adam's current music, but I really like it, possibly better than Owl City. It's a really interesting juxtaposition- comparing his aggressive synthpop to this project. This album is mush slower, more relaxed, and calmer. As opposed to electronic, the style of the music is more acoustic, and piano oriented. It is the perfect summer album. Some album highlights are Sailboats, and Captains of the sky. Even if you're not a fan of Adam's more electronic stuff, there is a big chance you will love Sky Sailing because it is quite different, and sounds a bit more natural. All in all, it is a lovely album.

VersaEmerge- Fixed At Zero

Fixed at Zero was probably one of my most anticipated albums of the year. For anyone who likes female fronted alternative rock, this album is definitely a must have. Sierra's vocals throughout the entire album are completely flawless, and the guitar riffs all sound amazing. One thing I especially like about the album is the use of sharps and flats in a lot of the songs, which really gives the music a different feel from a lot of the music you hear today- it sounds almost eerie in some parts. For people who bought the bonus track version on iTunes, it came with acoustic versions of the title track, and You'll Never Know, both of which are amazing. The give both of the songs an entirely new dimension. The lyrics are so relatable, and a lot of the songs seem like they could have been written about your life- they're about things everybody goes through. One of my personal favourites from the album is Redesign Me, because it reminds me so much of something I was going through this past year.Unlike a lot of albums coming out recently, the flow doesn't seemm choppy- the album is cohesive and each song flows perfectly into the next. The final song, Lost Tree, is a perfect finish to the record. It ties all of the songs together perfectly, and leaves you complete;y satisfied. Even if you are not an existing fan of VersaEmerge, you should definitely give this album a listen- you will not be disappointed.

Old Old Review #2- Owl City at the Sound Academy

After picking up my 4 guests for this concert, we drove over to the Sound Academy, where we skipped the line, headed straight to will call, and got admitted to the venue. Deciding again to avoid getting crushed, we stayed towards the back of the venue, near the merch table and the bar. The first opener was Paper Route, an alternative group from Nashville, Tennessee. I had heard some pretty good things about this band, and was really excited to hear their set. When they came on stage, I was pleasantly surprised. Their style was really something I would like to listen to on a daily basis. It was guitar and drum heavy, which is a common factor in a lot of my favourite bands.
Next, LIGHTS came on stage. i was really excited for her set because I am a really big fan. And as per usual, she did not disappoint. Surprisingly, her vocals had improved even more since the last time I saw her live, which was in November, and that really improved the quality of her set. Her set included almost all of the songs from her album, The Listening, as well as an acoustic cover of Fall Back Down, by Rancid. When LIGHTS was done, it was time for Owl City's set.
When he came onstage, all the fans were shocked to see that Adam Young was wearing a fluffy, feathery, bird costume. As he opened with "The Bird and the Worm", I knew it was going to be an interesting set. I really enjoyed his set. Some of the songs sounded very similar to each other played live, but you could always tell which one was which. I think my favourite thing about his set was how violin- driven the songs were when played live. It really gave them a different feel, and I really enjoyed it.
I decided to stick around a bit after the show to see if I could meet any of the openers. I ended up meeting the drummer from Paper Route, but unfortunately LIGHTS did not come out for a meet and greet. Finally, after what was a long, but really fun night, I headed on my way.

Old Old Review #1- Everlea: In Bedrooms and Basements

To anyone who is an existing fan of the Ontario band Everlea, it should be no news to you that they love their acoustic guitars. Several songs from the most recent album feature acoustic guitars, many of which are my favourites. Therefore, I was very excited to hear that Everlea was releasing an acoustic EP, titled In Bedrooms and Basements.
The opening track, Impossible is easily my favourite song on the EP. The guitar work is spectacular. The playing is so clean a flawless, and so intricate. It gives it a very relaxing feel. The lyrics compliment the guitar perfectly, and the vocals are completely flawless. The first time I heard the song it gave me shivers. The entire rest of the EP follows that pattern. All of the songs feature clean acoustic guitar, and have a very cottage-y, calming feel. Featuring an acoustic version of one of their hits from the first album, Hook Line and Sinker, it is definitely a must have for existing fans, and even if you have never heard of Everlea, you should definitely give it a listen- you won't be disappointed.

Old Old Old Review #3- LIGHTS at the Kool Haus

After arriving at the Kool Haus at 5:30, it was no surprise to see the line up was already halfway around the block, owing to the fact that this was LIGHTS' biggest show to date. It was freezing during the entire lineup, but knowing that I was going to be seeing LIGHTS so soon made it bearable. When the finally started letting people in, I was relieved to finally be out of the cold. The merch area was like a riot zone. Everyone was pushing and shoving like crazy to get to the frost. After deciding that we would prefer not to get crushed, me and my friend proceeded to the back of the venue where we had space, and a clear view of the stage.
First, it was Jets Overhead's set. I had heard their recorded stuff before, and it was actually quite good, but I had never heard them live. I was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed. It might have just been the amps playing wierdly at the back, but a lot of the guitar sounded very high pitched and screechy, as well as the drums being excessively loud.

Once their set had finished, the air was thick with anticipation. People were getting so excited to finally see LIGHTS. After about half an hour of set up and mic testing, she finally appeared onstage, to screams of excitement. Her set was completely amazing. Her vocals have improved so much over the time she's been singing, it is really quite astounding. Anyone who thinks that she uses auto tune to cover up her voice, should really go see one of her live shows. She was interacting so much with the fans throughout she show, it almost seemed as if she was talking to you personally. She was so upbeat the entire time, bouncing and dancing. In between some of the songs, clips of her animated mini- series, Captain LIGHTS came on screen. It was really cool. After playing a full set, including all of the songs from her new album, she said bye to the crows and walked offstage. After rousing screams, she came back on, bringing her acoustic guitar, to play February Air, and a cover of In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins.
All in all, it was an extremely enjoyable show, and I for sure will be talking about it for quite a while.

Old Old Old Review #2- LIGHTS- The Listening

For those of you who haven't heard of LIGHTS before, she's definitely worth listening to. Her debut album, The Listening, released on September 22, 2009, isn't what you'd hear coming from any pop artist. Featuring the hit singles Saviour, Drive My Soul, and Ice, the songs are so catchy you can't help but love them. The album has an almost futuristic feel, with a very synth-y sound full of fun beats and upbeat tempos. Auto tune is used in a few of the songs, but before anyone can complain, it is used very tastefully, not like T-Pain or anything. She uses it as an effect, to enhance the songs, not to cover up her voice, and it really does pay off. Her vocals are amazing throughout the entire album.
When you listen to the lyrics, you can tell that she really does put her heart into her music. it's not just what you'd hear in any pop song. The lyrics are really meaningful, and the songs are about stuff everyone can relate to. My personal favourites are Lions, Face Up, and Pretend. When I listen to this album, there isn't a single song I skip over, they are all completely worth your listening time, and the money.

Old Old Old Review #1- Marianas Trench at the Opera House

After arriving at the Opera House in Toronto only half an hour before the doors were due to open, I saw the line up around the entire block and was relieved that I had connections at the venue. After calling the owner, we skipped the whole line and got taken to the balcony, where we got front row, centre seats. While we waited for the doors to open, we got to watch the sound check of the second opener, Everlea. First, the Zolas played. From Vancouver, Canada, the band features only two players- on guitar and keyboard. They had a very unique style, very relaxed, almost the type of thing you would expect to hear playing at a cottage. After a solid half hour set, Everlea came on. Hailing from Kingston, Ontario, they were a four person indie-rock band. I was very impressed. The guitar and vocals were all amazing, and I picked up both of their albums after their set, and fortunately was able to meet the lead singer, Justin Dube. Finally, Marianas Trench arrived onstage. With the lights dimmed, they files on one by one, to the opening notes of their albums first song, Masterpiece Theatre 1, to tremendous applause. Aside from being extremely loud, their set was amazing. The vocals were completely flawless, and there were no issues at all. The band did an amazing job at interacting with the audience. For the performance of their hit single, All To Myself, they had a contest and the winner, Caroline Sano, got to go onstage with them and play the song on guitar. She did an amazing job. They had a funny "game" going- any items of clothing thrown on stage during the set had to be worn by their roadie, Brett, for the remainder of their set, which was good for a few laughs.  At the end of their set, the walked offstage, to tremendous screams of ENCORE! Finally, Josh came back, alone, and told the crowd about his former heroin addiction, and played the song "Lover Dearest". The band came onstage halfway through that piece. For their last song, they played "Shake Tramp", which the audience loved. The whole venue was screaming along to the chorus. After a deafening round of applause, the band left the stage for good.

All in all, it was an amazing show, and I would definitely reccomend these guys in the future.