Dawn runs fast

So I had a birthday...

2013-04-21T15:05:00.005+08:00

And I got the best birthday gift.

First Quarter Round-Up: who you should be listening to since the year started

2013-03-23T22:51:00.000+08:00

I meant to write about this sooner - but I guess I'm writing this now that everything's overwhelming me at the moment. Not to worry, I'm talking about new (-ish as I've possibly procrastinated writing this for almost four months) music, of course.
I do realize that I still have readers and it pleases me so to have all of you ask me what's up and how I'm doing and what I'm listening to and if I'm still alive? -- excuse me for the usage of 'pleases me so', by the way, I have been reading Pride and Prejudice and may as well go Victorian on this text but power through, we shall.
Fuck that sounds weird.
ANYWAY NEW MUSIC. KEEP YOURSELF IN TOPIC.
I have listened to a couple of new things since the new year (and some random non-sensical listens last year), fell in love with a track or two, but I figure that I better compile a few of them here:

FOLKSY FEEL
The Staves

The Staves may the reason why I'm writing this post in the first place. I love them, in italics, so note the stress. I have been seeing the girls on Communion posts and newsletters since late 2011 but by then my Communion favorite was Ben Howard, then Michael Kiwanuka and a little bit of Lucy Rose and Jake Bugg, but this year I may be all about The Staves. Sure it's a little too early this year to say (or not? 1st quarter done) but their album Dead & Born & Grown may be my favorite already.

Daughter

I first heard of Elena Tonra's melancholic chops on the track "Landfill" and featured it on my fist 'mixtape' - it's an outstanding track with quite conflicting and complex ideas on one's emotional state. Seems like that is what Daughter's music is, as they've released an LP (finally!) titled, If You Leave which includes this instant favorite, "Still".

Father John Misty

Father John Misty is one of those guys you just want to write a book about or film a documentary or a biopic of. He gives me Jack Kerouac feels and I'm not sure if that's who he is really or that's who he's marketing himself as. Either way, he's interesting, and his music is an important factor to that.

POP-ISH TUNES
Haim

It would be bad to snub Haim, especially when they were just included in a Mumford and Sons video. My hate for Haim could be explained in this conversation with one of my friends Ilia:

Me: I don't know what Haim did to make me hate them.

Ilia: Haim? Why do you hate them?

Me: I dunno. Last year they were on MySpace's homepage and Ryan Adams was raving about it allegedly and of course knowing Ryan Adams' sound, I was expecting acoustic folk-y rock shit.

Ilia: LOL yeah.

Me: And I ended up with something that could be an opening theme for an 80s movie. It annoyed me. Misleading.

Ilia: Hahahahahahahahaha

Here is a lesson: sometimes marketing hurts you more than it helps. Also, there's a thing called false advertisement. And the track that I was referring to was "Forever". But then again, "Don't Save Me" is a pretty catchy track and I wouldn't really complain if someone plays it out loud, I would just be, "Well if you must play current music."

JESSIE WARE

I'm actually a bit confused where to put Jessie Ware (I almost placed her below with AlunaGeorge), but pop may be the best place for her. I feel like she's built around the Cheryl Cole prototypes, and there's nothing wrong with that.

ELECTRO COOL
CHVRCHES

Let us talk about CHVRCHES' perfection shall we? One, Laura Mayberry, you hot babe. Two, Laura Mayberry's voice. Three, the track that is "The Mother We Share". Four, their upcoming EP due very soon. And five, their recent success of making music on a basement to signing with Glassnote Records. Well. Done. You. Three.

Purity Ring

My year basically kicked off with Purity Ring - it was a major boost from my almost hiatus-esque holidays. In fact Shrines may be the first album I listened to this year.

HIP RnB
Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is cool. I'm not legit enough to talk about him. But yes, he's got a swimming pool of liquor and I dive in.

Childish Gambino

TWO WORDS: DONALD GLOVER. If you watch Community you would understand. If not, okay. So basically Donald Glover = Childish Gambino = Troy Barnes. If you combine all of his awesoness, your head might explode. Camp is fantastic and sure it took me a few more listens before I desynthesized myself with the art that is rapping, but "All The Shine", "Bonfire" and "Heartbeat" - they deserve a few spins on your side.

AlunaGeorge

AlunaGeorge is sexy. And isn't that what RnB is for?

ALTERNATIVE/ROCK GODS
Alt-J

I expressed my interest in Alt-J on my list last year, in fact An Awesome Wave is on my runner-ups for top albums in 2012 but I think my infatuation for Alt-J escalated on an insane level when they were about 10-15 feet away from me. Despite of the fact that they've disappointed me that night (they walked out of the stage because of some tech issue - real performers make do!), somehow it worked differently on me in the lomg run: the following days I've resorted to watching Alt-J live sets on YouTube to convince myself that they weren't so bad live, and that their quite bored/blah mood on stage was just who they were, personality-wise. The result is an obsession with Joe Newman - front man extraordinaire - and my quest to find more things about him and the books that he love and listening to An Awesome Wave 2-3 times a day until I couldn't tell which song I like best.

The Rubens

This one's pretty easy: The Rubens are Burberry model-esque boys singing Kings of Leon-esque songs. Why haven't you clicked play yet?

STAPLES AND COMEBACKS
Justin Timberlake

I don't think I need to explain myself about this anymore? If you don't know or you haven't listened to Justin Timberlake, you should see a therapist on the grounds of why are you not aware of what's happening in the world for the last decade or so. Look I didn't even put a link on his name!

STARS

Who doesn't love Stars? They've produced countless hits over the years that by the time they've announced that they're dropping by here I was already sure I'm in. The North is a wonderful addition to their discography, a bit more upbeat than the previous albums but stays true to what the band is all about.

LOCAL FLAVOR
Up Dharma Down

Up Dharma Down, one of the biggest names in Manila's music scene came out with their new album, Capacities, late last year. The band's sound evolved and leaned in more to electro, giving their fans a new and refreshing perspective on their music.

Outerhope

I considered it a lucky instance when Outerhope opened for Stars last February. I instantly fell in love with the sibling duo's dream-pop sound and cursed myself for not knowing about this band earlier than I should. I'm making it up for him by stalking them on gigs.

2012's List of Faves

2012-12-27T01:31:00.001+08:00

Hey I'm baaaack!

I completely went MIA on you guys, sorry about that. I've just been mulling over a few things the past few months re: blog content, and lacked a bit of time writing about favorites. My Tumblr blog is well and alive though, and if you're only after my fave of the day, then you should totally check it out from time to time. Also, I have been using Music Weekly as my outlet, pretty much, so if you're in for some Crush of the Day posts from me and my colleagues then dig around the site.

Now that that part's done, I'm off to do my yearly lists of things! I can't say that it's an annual thing as this is only the second time for me to do it. But here goes:

FAVORITE ALBUMS

(My Top 5 Albums of 2012 post was published in Music Weekly)

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Frank Ocean was every bit a surprise for me, as much as hearing about this from me for you. Maybe that's the reason why I always put Channel Orange on top of my list: it's not my usual pick, and yet I could listen to it and pass it on to friends with two of my thumbs up. Most of all, Channel Orange made RnB exciting again, at least for me.

Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

I missed this album in 2011, but I'm glad I've gotten hold of Youth Lagoon's The Year of Hibernation, a 10-track release of serene dream pop tunes with beautiful, slow builds to climax. Not something you would want to listen to while walking on the street (as it could get pretty quiet at first) but something that accompanies writing, thinking, sighing, daydreaming - you get the picture - perfectly.

The Paper Kites - Woodland

The beginning of this year, I was pretty much in love with The Paper Kites' Woodland EP. I listened to the whole of it every day for weeks and weeks and arrived at this review.

San Cisco - Awkward EP

Ah, San Cisco, the soundtrack of my summer (other tracks outside Awkward included). Fun, catchy, oozing of youth and sunnies, the EP makes me think of running wildly through the suburb streets with friends, tagging along skateboards (I don't have friends with skateboards, though, how sad) under the bright sun. Ice cream in cones can be included.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Also a release from 2011, I never got a good listen of M83's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming until the beginning of the year. It visited my ear buds from time to time all throughout the year.

Milo Greene - Milo Greene

I have to admit, Milo Greene could be the apple of my eye this year. I may have talked about the band a little too much this year, raving about their self-titled debut, my feelings completely reminiscent of my infatuation with The Head and The Heart in 2011. This band deserves so much more recognition, and I'm going to keep pushing and pushing until they get the fans they deserve.

Beirut - The Rip Tide

Beirut took a while before their sound rubbed off of me, but when it finally did, it stuck. Brilliant music, but could be an acquired taste. Then again, so as most good things in life.

Passion Pit - Gossamer

Passion Pit's latest is my go-to happyhappydancey album (well, I'm bound to have one, a friend of mine felt sleepy just listening to Milo Greene, how much more if I asked him to listen to The Paper Kites + Youth Lagoon?). Gossamer is an electropop delight, one that could brighten anyone's dull day.

The XX - Coexist

Considering the fact that it took me a year, yes, a year, to actually sit back, tilt my head and say, "Hey, The XX is good" after getting a copy of their debut, Coexist was a different story. Hearing "Angels" for the very first time sort of turned me into melted wax, so you can only imagine what the whole thing could do for me.

Mumford and Sons - Babel

I would be a hypocrite to not put Babel in this list, because the first time I got Babel a few days early from its release (unbelievable perks of my job!), it made my day. Made my month, even. It made me giddy for days straight, the kind of feeling one gets when they've waited for something all their lives and it didn't disappoint (unlike all of our first kisses, ha ha ha). With that said, I do have to say Sigh No More remains more of a favorite, Babel a close second.

Runners-Up:
Alt-J - An Awesome Kind of Wave
Sigur Ros - Valtari
Passenger - All The Bright Lights
Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again
The Maccabees - Given to the Wild
Two Door Cinema Club - Beacon
Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal
Best Coast - The Only Place
Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg

Other Artists Mostly on Shuffle:
Band of Horses
Bon Iver
Beach House
The Smiths
The Weeknd
Regina Spektor
The Vaccines
Muse
Ben Howard
Laura Marling
Noah and the Whale
Metric
Little Red
Foster the People
Maroon 5
Julia Stone
Sleigh Bells
Snow Patrol
Death Cab for Cutie
Daughter
The Drums
The Killers
Angus Stone
White Lies
Damien Rice
Nirvana
John Mayer
Florence and the Machine
Marina and the Diamonds
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Los Campesinos!
Fanfarlo
Isbells
Ellie Goulding
Phoenix
Jinja Safari

The Naked and the Famous
Freelance Whales
Dave Matthews Band
Phantogram

Fave Newbies:
Walk the Moon
The Rubens
Young the Giant
The Apache Relay
Citizens!
Owl Eyes
Youngblood Hawke
Royal Teeth
The Royal Concept
Lucius
Father John Misty
The Griswolds
The Lumineers
San Cisco
GROUPLOVE
JJAMZ
Trails and Ways
Purity Ring

Guilty Pleasures (and I won't even justify them):
One Direction
Owl City feat. Carly Rae Jepsen - Good Time
Lana del Rey

I might do a different post for my fave singles for the year, might. I won't say 'stay tuned' but what the hell, maybe do.

Live: Foster the People

2012-10-07T20:17:00.003+08:00

I've been crushing on Foster the People ever since I randomly heard 'Pumped Up Kicks" on the radio almost two years ago, bopped my head to it, typed in 'Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks' on YouTube (and saw Cubbie Fink eyefucking the camera) and caught them perform in Coachella 2011 -- so it was a given that when my friend tweeted me about the concert, I freaked.

Despite the less-than-a-month-preparation for the concert, it's a done deal that I'd be in Araneta come October 6th, even if I broke my hip or arm or whatever (true enough, I did slip on the office floor the day before the concert -- but that's a different story, one that I shouldn't have mentioned in the first place, really).

To tell you honestly, seeing Snow Patrol live this year is hard to top off. That concert just really blew my socks off. But Foster the People did not disappoint: the very minute Mark Foster stepped out of the stage and grabbed the mic, his skinny legs doing that weird dance, the whole stadium transformed into a big party.

The stadium was a beautiful sight too - I can only imagine how much more it is for the boys: hundreds of people jumping, screaming, singing along to their album's tracks, multiple glow sticks in different colors dancing along to the beat -- from where I was, it was just pure fun.

* No DSLR shots for the night. Just ye olde point and shoot camera.

Mark Foster was quite a showman, and if you haven't seen him perform before, you might think he drank a lot of Kool-Aid from his guitar-throwing and keyboard-stand-pushing moves (we think he's weird, but he's weirdly good too, so we let it pass). The other two members, Cubbie and Ponsi, were a bit quiet throughout the night, though. Cubbie sometimes moves around the stage, travelling from the left side to the right, where Mark Pontius (yes, that's Ponsi) is. Other than that, I think Isom Innis pretty much stole the show -- yes, the guy with the maracas and sometimes beats the hell out of the snare drum (dude, you are AWESOME and how awesome is your name?). I'm giving props to Sean Cimino too, cause god, the whole night was pretty good.

The night felt pretty fast though. Post-concert, the whole thing felt like a weird flash of lights and sounds. Also, I think I've gone a bit deaf, I don't know if it was the speakers or my own screaming at fault here, but yeah, it was a loud night. The good thing was there were no breaks too, thank God, just one song after another, in between outros that could keep you guessing what's coming next (bragging: I got "I'd Do Anything for You" from the very first note haaa! Fan girl badge, present). It would have been better if they used the big screen so I can at least see their pretty faces closely, but I guess that's a patron girl privilege.

We got closer seats than the usual though, and despite my efforts to shout out "PONSIIIIII", I'm guessing he never heard it. I have ginger tea brewing as I type, and I can't really talk too much cause I think I seriously strained my vocal chords. That's never happened in a long while (it only happened when the Backstreet Boys had a concert in 2010 hahahaha). So a hundred points for Foster the People?

What happened on the 18th?

2012-09-20T21:42:00.002+08:00

I suppose you were waiting for a Live: Maroon 5 in Manila?
You're right, I was expecting that too. Especially when I purchased the tickets two months before the concert:

Life is a bitch though, and instead of showcasing my moves like Jagger (don't believe I have such), I was at the emergency room of Makati Med. Ah, don't you just love my luck.

Maroon 5 concerts in the Philippines - III
Times I've seen them -
Songs I like from the band - IIIII

In other news, I have no dengue (yay) but I'm anemic and I should start eating red meat (no yay). And I'm seeing Foster the People next month and no amount of flu will stop me from seeing Mark Pontius. Taga pa natin sa bato yan.

Travel Bugs: Siem Reap

2012-09-15T10:39:00.003+08:00

I did it! I finished 1/3 videos from my VN-CAM trip this year. Yay me!

Travel bugs: Siem Reap from dawnrunsfast on Vimeo.

Enjoy! And if you want to hire our lovely tuk tuk driver, Mr. Tim, just leave a comment below and I'll pass his e-mail address so you can book him for your Angkor Wat trip. He's awesome, no kid.

Quickie: Listen to Milo Greene

2012-09-08T12:01:00.001+08:00

Milo Greene

It's been over a month since my ears chanced upon the infectious sound of LA quintet, Milo Greene, on one of my random set-and-label/publisher-account-visits on Soundcloud. Don't let the weird (and a bit creepy for me) painting of a man aka their debut album's cover fool you - the band is actually quite a charmer:

Seeing that they've toured with and opened for some of the artists already in my playlist (The Civil Wars, Grouplove), I guess I'm bound to discover Milo Greene through different channels later than sooner. They have, after all, performed at Letterman, and just stopped over Conan.

Their single "1957" captured my attention, made me sit up straight from my slouching, giving me that rush in the head I usually get when listening to something I really really like. With the band's exquisite harmony opening up the track to the stomping beats that would eventually lead to a sweeping line, "it takes me away, takes me away, takes me away" - it's suffice to say that in less than a minute into the song, the band has taken me away.

It is, however, their track "Don't You Give Up On Me" that has cemented their right of being more than just a one-hit wonder and made me click on my friends' names on GTalk and Skype to just say, "Dude, this is so good, give them a listen."

I suppose I'm doing the same thing now with the rest of you -- check out Milo Greene and let them take you away with their folksy feel, beautiful vocal harmonies and guitar playing, all seen here:

Milo Greene performs "1957" at Lollapalooza

Their self-titled debut album is available on physical and digital sales, now.

Live: Snow Patrol Fallen Empires Tour

2012-08-18T16:42:00.003+08:00

What: Snow Partrol Fallen Empires Tour

When: August 9, 2012

Where: Araneta Coliseum

My biggest concert hangover to date -- Snow Patrol really just took my breath away.

Truth be told, I can't put things into words (and I'm supposed to blog about it?). All I can say is that, I went to the concert thinking, well, I'd be stupid not to go, this is Snow Patrol after all, and they may not be back ever ever again and I came out of the coliseum thinking, OHMYFUCKINGGODTHATWASTHEBESTCONCERTICAN'TBELIEVEIEVENCONSIDEREDNOTTOCOMEANDOHMYGODTHEYWERESOAWESOMELIVEANDICAN'TBELIEVEIHAVEN'TSEENTHEMSOONERANDOHMYGOD

It stretches on, but you get the idea. I came out the biggest fan girl there is (but I have a feeling that someone else who watched the concert would claim this too). All 16 songs in one go, no set breaks -- 2 songs for the encore. I have to give props to the audience too, the fans outweighed the nonsensical and annoying-"we're-just-gonna-sit-down" type of people (booo).

Moreover, I didn't want the band to stop, even if they sing and play the same song over and over. If I could have them on loop, I probably would. I would supply Gary Lightbody with food and water for the rest of my life if he could just stay on stage and sing for me.

That very night I told people that they'd be stupid to not to see Snow Patrol live even once in their lives, ever.

I stand by those words.

Photos by Maan, as I was busy jumping and dancing and singing my ass off one track after the other.

This is more than just Live: Lifehouse Live in Manila

2012-08-01T17:57:00.001+08:00

Sometime around July 2005, I was getting ready for a freshman acquaintance party of some sorts by a fraternity. I know, I can’t believe I’m telling this story again – and neither am I going to be very good at it. I don’t remember a lot of the details; I wasn’t sure what day that was and the time it started, but I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that I talk of this night.

Seven years has passed since that day, and as I sit here in front of the oblation, no longer a student and (quite) older than everyone else passing by me, I realize that this is the perfect opportunity for me to tell this story, one more time.

I was only sixteen then and was out with a classmate from my Philosophy class. We headed to Baker Hall and scoured the area. Soon enough, there were bands playing on the stage. One of those was Six Cycle Mind. I wasn’t really a fan of the band, but when they did a cover of Lifehouse’s “You and Me”, I basically freaked and spilled coffee on my date’s hand. It was my favorite of the week or month (and now a favorite for forever).

In the midst of that song, I met someone. I was clueless then of how important that night would be. Really, if I knew better, I would have paid better attention, at least notice the color of his shirt (I think it was yellow), or remember the first words he told me (It's probably just "Hi".) All I remember was that he strutted with another girl, making their way through the otherwise preoccupied crowd, and stopped when he saw who I was with. We were shortly introduced, said hi and that was it. It took a while before we met or spoke (again, I couldn’t remember much), but one boring day during a sembreak, he sent me a joke that completely turned my day. It was a moment, I realized – otherwise, I wouldn’t remember the instance. I sat there in my room, staring at his message with a grin on my face, ignoring the other boy that I was talking to, thinking, hey, this boy is funny.

A few days ago, I sat at Smart Araneta Coliseum while Lifehouse – yes, Jason Wade & Co in real life – performed for the second time in Manila. I missed the first one as I was a student then, and haven’t realized the freedom of going wherever I want whenever I want. Queued at the top part of the set list was “You and Me”, squeezed in between quite unfamiliar singles. It was surreal, yes, and the good thing is that this time, I wasn’t settling for some artist to do an okay cover – it was really Jason freaking Wade on the vocals (and guitars).

It was surreal but quite a sight to see.

Yes, people got to touch him. Lucky Lower Box ticket holders.

What’s better is that instead of watching Jason Wade with someone random, I was sitting right next to the person I met for the first time while “You and Me” was playing, after not seeing each other in almost three years. Poetic, as my friend would put it. The only sensible thing, I’d like to think.

So pardon me if this post is only semi-live, cause as much as Lifehouse was amazing (and I mean it, cause I think a part of me melted when Jason sang a tidbit of Blind and Hanging By A Moment was a crowd favorite and therefore epic and Take Me Away is a new favorite and Everything was goosebumps-inducing), Roy was, and always will be, more.

Photos by the ever so awesome Maan (my also concert buddy who was sitting not so far away from us).
Post drafted during an alma mater visit.

Live: Deathcab for Cutie Live in Manila

2012-07-29T14:56:00.003+08:00

This is a story of two broke girls aka Tin and I.

Tin and I knew Death Cab for Cutie was coming a good month or so before they came. We had a plan. We had a plan with our friends to go together and see them on NBC Tent.

Alas, Tin and I never bought tickets. I bought shoes instead. So I would like to apologize to Ben Gibbard for choosing shoes over him; they were very pretty shoes, by the way.

But even if Tin and I weren't able to buy tickets, we were at the Fort at that night, stalking the NBC Tent like true blue badass DCFC fans. We had dinner but jumped at the sound of "I Will Possess Your Heart" whilst chomping down our burgers. Turns out it was the second song of their playlist, and we scoured the tent, once again, like vultures.

We could see Ben from the outside, even on the projected screen, and we could still feel the tremble of the bass and the cheering of the crowd and the clarity of Ben's voice. We were there. And that's what matters.

While we ran along and stopped by Starbucks to get coffee and talked and hung around at the parking lot, convinced that we'd see the band jump on that van we eyed for a good 20 minutes or so, we've immediately shut ourselves up when they played Transatlanticism. Best last song ever, if you'd ask me.

Of course, you can't expect me to have Ben's photos, but the ever so gorge Tisa has some and the bragging rights of being inside the tent, here.

Live: 98 degrees, A1 & Blue The Greatest Hits Tour Live in Manila (aka the Ghosts of my Music's Past)

2012-07-29T12:11:00.002+08:00

I kicked off this year with a high school best friend reunion that requires screaming for our once object of obsessions.

Now I understand that this totally compromises my indie cred and what my friend would call as my 'hipster image' (although I doubt that I'm a hipster, haha) but you know, we all have skleletons in our closets, ghosts in our pasts, whatever you call it. That's slightly the case of this post -- seeing Jeff of 98 Degrees, the three lads from A1, and Blue was a trip down memory lane. And I had a pretty grand time, mind you.

On February 25, we lined up at Smart Araneta Colseum and found ourselves immersed in teen fandom, complete with A1 banners and photos. I wasn't really a fan of A1, and was only there because I had the biggest fan girl frustration on Blue, the Brit boy band that I swore I would see live when I was 14 but didn't.

The night started with Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees. I know Nick Lachey is more of a big star now, but really, where's the band solidarity, even for old time's sake? I like 98 degrees. I have a cassette tape of their first album that I insisted on playing during our day roadtrips to San Pablo. He came out and started with "Because Of You" which we all lapped up with nostalgia.

Jeff was my favorite member of the band, anyway, but I have to admit that the stage looked a bit sad with just him there. And it's pretty hard to sing songs made for 4 on your own. I should know, cause karaoke-ing boyband songs is not easy. Haha.

Sharing the stage with Jeff was local band, South Border, and the genius that is Jay Durias, no introduction required, googling possible. The guys were supporting him on some of the hits and even lent their hit "Rainbow" for Jeff to perform to the crowd. It was an "Aww" moment.

A lucky tween got to embrace Jeff while he serenades her with the band's hit "I Do" -- I know, he should have picked an older girl to make it look less...illegal or something.

With his shirt slowly unbuttoning as his set list runs out, Jeff sang "Invisible Man" -- a great song to end the 98 Degrees hits and onto the next band: A1.

A1 is my best friend's fave (who was sitting beside me at the time, wriggling in her seat in excitement) and they came out -- Christian, Ben, and Mark looking like, coughs, grown men. Christian stands with a guitar, Ben heads for the mic and Mark with his keyboards -- and I thought, well, this is not the A1 we once knew.

And true enough, they kicked ass that night. Less sappy hits (they decided to do a medley of their hits instead), some awesome covers (including Black Eyed Peas' 'I Gotta Feeling') and their new songs which I have to admit, I adore (hint: YouTube 'Waiting for Daylight'.)

Any girl would know what song they're singing in this photo. Okay, should, should know.

I can't possibly say anything more about A1, except for the fact that a) I have renewed my faith in them; b) Ben Adams is ridiculously hot; c) I used to dislike Mark, but he looks hot as well, and ok, Christian, points for you too; d) I would totally listen to their songs even at this day and age and; e) they should have a concert on their own cause they seriously stomped Jeff and Blue in this concert.

We were on such a high when A1 finished that Blue, as much as I loved them, seemed like a disappointment. It stings to say that, being a True Blue fan (lol) but A1 moved from the cheesy dance steps -- they performed. Blue, well, was choreographed. But whatever, any fan would still enjoy the boys.

They came out, clad in suits, looking dapper. I got major kilig just seeing them, a mere fulfillment of my 14-year-old (day)dreams. They performed a few hits (enter bragging: I know 'em all! I know 'em all!) and changed to something more eh, urban.

The Blue set was actually bitin, especially because A1 sang like a hundred (exaggeration!) songs. They didn't even sing "Best In Me" which I have planned to bawl on during the concert (again, exaggerating). Their last song was "One Love" which has proven to be a great last song syndrome.

*awkward tall person pose, yes.
The three of us left with big grins on our face and an intention to google Ben Adams' photos. Good night, it is.

Photos by Karen Tan and Karla Laconsay

Playlist Catch Ups: Walk the Moon, Good Old War, Of Monsters and Men, The Griswolds, Polica

2012-06-24T14:30:00.006+08:00

Sorry, kids, I haven't been very generous lately. I'm a bit preoccupied with things and yes, I've just (not really just, try two weeks) come back from my VN/CAM 5-day-trip which is, mind-blowingly awesome -- so awesome, that I'm seriously considering moving to Saigon. I mean, are you kidding me? Coffee shops, vendors selling books on the streets and the European-esque feel? The place is screaming, "Stay with me!"

But anyway, I wasn't able to prepare for a playlist at the time, and we've endured MTV China's playlist (which is basically composed of Nicki Minaj's "Starships", Rihanna's "Where Have You Been", and One Direction's "One Thing") the whole time. Thankfully, I had these guys to accompany me during the trip, too, as I have been listening to them weeks before the trip.

Walk The Moon

Ohio, USA

Official | Facebook | Twitter | MySpace

Walk the Moon's Anna Sun EP is a treat - but the band's also recently released their album and performed on Letterman. Ooooh, someone's going to get famous!

Good Old War

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Official | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | MySpace

So let's see: three bearded boys with a folksy sound, strumming guitars and harmonizing beautifully - kind of a no brainer for me.

Of Monsters and Men

Garour, Iceland

Official | Facebook | Twitter | MySpace | Tumblr

My saving grace from my Vietnam and Cambodia trip! I got My Head is an Animal on my phone (and I discovered the band through my colleague, Marie, who just loves the band) and as much as I adore "Little Talks" and "Love Love Love" when I first streamed Of Monsters and Men's album via NPR, "Slow and Steady" was the perfect song to listen to while rain poured on our Saigon City Tour.

The Griswolds

Sydney, NSW, AU

Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bandcamp

The Griswolds may be one of my faves right now, not just because of their music but they get points for congeniality. If the band hasn't followed me on Twitter, then I wouldn't be able to discover their track "Mississippi" which I fell in love with pronto. They're quite generous, too, visit their Bandcamp site and get this track for free.

Polica

Minneapolis, MN, USA

Official | Facebook | Soundcloud

Since Bon Iver casually dropped this band's name post-Grammys, I took it upon myself to find out who these guys were. But it wasn't until I listened to a random online radio that I heard "Wandering Star" which eventually encouraged me to listen more. A voluntary MySpace Polica radio listening party brought me "The Maker" which cemented the fact that Polica are worth the listen.

Gotye: Don't let him be somebody that you used to know

2012-06-22T23:33:00.001+08:00

Well, by now everyone would have known who Gotye is and how to actually pronounce his name.
If you still don't know him by now though, do these words ring a bell?

But you didn't have to cut me off

Make out like it never happened and then we were nothing

And I don't even need your love;

You treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough

No, you didn't have to stoop so low,

Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

I guess that I don't need that though;

now you're just somebody that I used to know.

Still no? Well, get yourself out of that rock now. The man has been sitting on No. 1 for weeks now - in pretty much every country - including Billboard's Top 100, beating the ever so viral Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe". Let's not forget the fact that a couple of people tried to make their own versions of it, from American Idol contenders Elise and winner, Phil, and a very weird Darren Criss-Matt Bomer version on Glee.

It's a pretty-crazy-Somebody-That-I-Used-To-Know-time, and I guess I couldn't really blame people, as I was pretty much raving about it with just about any one when I first heard the song last year. I don't know if Australians are sick of it already, as it was their number 1 song last year -- maybe not, though. I personally can still listen to the song and not hate it, despite its current mainstream-ity.

But now that we've established that Gotye's "Somebody that I Used to Know" is a hit to pretty much anywhere, really, I seem to feel the need to reiterate that the man is more than just this song. We've seen so may artists out there be defined by this one hit, making it harder for them to move on from that one awesome song.

I got Making Mirrors not a week after discovering "Somebody that I Used to Know", and it's true, I haven't really loved all tracks as much as I loved his hit, but there are a few gems in the rough. So, here are the other tracks from the album that I think should also get its much deserved attention:

Eyes Wide Open

When Gotye premiered in the US at Jimmy Kimmel Live, he performed this single after the hit "Somebody That I Used to Know"

Easy Way Out

This could be my favorite Gotye video to date. The song only lasts for two minutes and thirteen seconds though, which is quite frustrating for someone who's enjoying.

I Feel Better

One of the first songs that popped out when I was on my initial Making Mirrors listen.

Bronte

The following times that I put Making Mirrors in my playlist though, Bronte stood out.

Gotye's has other singles out, including Heart's A Mess; it's currently sitting pretty at - what do you know - #1 on Valleyarm's Charts, with his other singles Thanks for Your Time, Learnalilgivinanlovin and Coming Back trotting along.

All of these tracks were from his album Like Drawing Blood, initially released in 2006. Talk about talent finally paying off! So don't let it stop at "Somebody that I Used to Know". The man's just starting to blow all of our socks off, I believe.

In the Mix: The Paper Kites - Woodland EP

2012-05-11T17:20:00.000+08:00

I've always had a soft spot for folk: the sweet vocal harmonies and the heart wrenching/breaking, sigh enducing lyrics -- so it seems like a no brainer for me to go out and lobby for Melbourne-based folk act, The Paper Kites.

The band released their EP Woodland, which is composed of six lovely tracks -- all soft, sweet, melodic tunes with lyrics that pinch your insides like "And my love is yours but your love's not mine (Featherstone)" and "You fill my head with pieces of a song I can't get out (Bloom)". No worries, not every track in the EP's bound to make you lie around the floor weeping, there's a livelier track in Woodland, a fresh and youthful piece that makes you want to run out barefoot in a field while Willow Tree March oozes with percussion and attitude.

It would seem silly for me to recommend a favorite track, as I've become endeared to each one. So click on each title below and I beg you, listen.

Tracks:

1. Bloom

2. Featherstone

3. The Mortal Boy King

4. Willow Tree March

5. Halcyon

6. Woodland

For an avid fan, this seems short and barely enough, but it coaxes you to ask for more ala Oliver Twist and his bowl of porridge. Can I have some more, please?

Of being twenty and three

2012-05-08T13:41:00.004+08:00

Three weeks ago, I turned 23.

The day started with my housemates greeting me a happy birthday, one by one, as they awake from slumber, while I get dressed for work. I went to work and found my colleague asking me a weird question, which was just his cue to sing me dan-dalandan-dan-dan, happy birthday to you! Quite corny, yeah, but funny now that I think about it.

Soon as I logged in at Skype, there were numerous messages pending, coming from my MOA and Eastwood officemates, also my Australian colleagues (and even my boss!). It was a good start of my day, and as the day progressed, more people texted, posted on my Facebook wall, tweeted, etc.

Also, Maan's message:

Danica (7:16 AM, April 18): Happy birthday, ivy dawn! sana mapanood mo ng live ang mumford and sons(nga ba?) salamat sa buong album ng ra ra riot! Adik na ko sa too dramatic.haha.

Edz (6:56 PM, April 18): Happy birthday to one of the prettiest and kindest lady I know. :-) I miss and love you bebe gurl. I hope to see you soon. :-*

- these are text messages. i can't make screencap work on my phone. gah

When office day ended, my housemates and I decided to go get some pizza – my go-to comfort food. We ended up having a feast while a man played guitar and sung Howie Day’s Collide. It was a nice end to my day.

What's that song? It's Fanfarlo's "Harold T. Wilkins or How To Wait for a Very Long Time"

Nothing really overtly special happened that day, but there are a few things that I realized at the time: one, I like my job that much that I didn't mind working on what most would consider as a personal holiday (also, maybe, this means maturity of some sort? haha); two, my father greeted me on the right day (yay, Papa! Points for you!) and; three, I have quite kept a good set of people around me.

For all I care, every one that mattered to me, every one that I wanted to remember me (well, except for my sister, cause she greeted me the day after, honestly mistaking the 19^th for the 18^th – we ended up laughing about it anyway, must come with the pregnancy) that day, did. And I guess that’s the only thing I wished to happen that day.

This is why I think that this was my best birthday to date. So for everyone who greeted and said/made all those nice things for me, really, thank you.

--

Strangely, turning 23 has turned me (or my brain) into a mini-energizer bunny. I have plans, and even goals now, that I plan to complete and not wave off like what I used to do the past few years. So -- here it is, a list of the 23 Things I Will Do While I'm 23. Some are petty, some aren't, but either way, I'll cross each one of these off, hopefully, before another April comes.

Twenty-three Things to Do at Twenty-Three

~~Start living~~ ~~alone.~~ ok, not alone, but new place!

Start contributing to magazines/blogs again.

Buy a guitar.

Start learning to play the guitar.

Take your keyboards to your new place.

Start re-learning to play the keyboards.

Hear yourself sing again.

Buy a DSLR with video.

Start your project: film budding musicians perform.

Ask Maan, Ninky, and Miguel to help you with this project – and anyone who wants help.

~~Get a hair makeover. You know it’s time for one.~~

Stop buying too much wedges (but what is too much?). Time for pumps, love.

Rediscover your fashion style. Something is happening and you know it’s changing.

~~Attend concerts.~~

Start watching local artists perform on local bars again. The OPM scene is about to boom again.

Don’t stop writing; you’ll finish one, soon.

~~Travel.~~

Go out on weekends.

Ok, this doesn't count as weekend, cause this was Monday night, but go out, leave your lair, is what I'm saying.

Take your mom grocery shopping at least once a month.

This is a monthly thing, so, it will take a while before this gets crossed off.

~~For the love of God, date.~~

Maintain connection with your friends and;

Don’t hesitate to make new ones.

Ooh, I'm excited to cross off more.

No slim pickings

2012-04-04T17:02:00.001+08:00

Hear ye, hear ye!
New girls on vocals!

Grimes - Oblivion

Vancouver, British Columbia, CA

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter

Class Actress - Bienvenue

Brooklyn, New York USA

Official Website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter

St. Vincent - Cruel

New York, New York, USA

Official Website | MySpace | Facebook

Not exactly a newbie, but I can't take her out of this list!

Owl Eyes - Raiders

Melbourne, Victoria, AU

Facebook

2:54 - Scarlet

London, UK

Official Website | MySpace | Facebook

These girls were all the rave since this year's SXSW.

Quite a good batch of ladies. No slim pickings!

Project Mix Tape: Here Comes that Funny Feeling they called Love

2012-03-24T22:04:00.005+08:00

Project Mix Tape #2 - at last!

It took me a while to make this one, friends -- but here it is, brand spanking new mix tape for you, yes, you who's recently found a reason to grin from ear to ear. You, lucky you, who's found someone to gush about and think about from the moment you wake up til you fall asleep. You, who seem to smile for no reason at all. You, who sees the world wonderfully because love has come at last.

Who's In That Playlist?

Jinja Safari

Sydney, NSW, AU

Myspace| Facebook| Twitter| Tumblr

Magenta Skycode

Turku, FI

Official Website| Myspace| Facebook

The Apache Relay

Nashville, TN, USA