the New "hit" Man

FREE DOWNLOAD - "When I Was Young" by Nada Surf

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Nada Surf are an indie alt-rock trio from New York, N.Y. Their 7th studio album, The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy (2012) is now available. You can download the reflective track "When I Was Young" for FREE below.

www.nadasurf.com

Available @ iTunes.

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Cool For Chaos" by Nostalghia

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Cool For Chaos" by Nostalghia

"...I know you, you'll shut my lips
You'll say
Shove yourself down with
But wait,
Are you cool with Chaos?..."

As if it were a ticking time bomb, the piano strikes on like a pendulum counting down to something more sinister. Welcome to the dark and dramatic world of Nostalghia's "Cool For Chaos". Based out of L.A., Nostalghia are the unique duo of Ciscandra Nostalghia and Roy Gnan whose "Cool For Chaos" is as unsettling as it is engaging. A song that draws you in and won't let go. Captivating artistry at it's best. The song is taken from their EP Cool For Chaos (2011) and is available for download @ nostalghiamusic.com.

Check out the wicked visuals in the stunning video below
directed by John Albanis.

Available @ amazon.com

Available @ iTunes.

www.facebook.com/NostalghiasCorridor

vimeo.com/channels/symerra

COVER ME - Bon Jovi + Bon Iver = Bon Joviver "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Miracles of Modern Science

2012-01-28T18:54:00.000-05:00

A trend that seems to be getting indie artists some notice ("Walk Off The Earth's "Somebody That I Used To Know", Boyce Avenue's "Only Girl In The World", Karmin's "Look at Me Now") is to not only make a great cover song of a popular song, but to make that cover distinctly your own. Here's a video that's been getting some notice (Huffington Post, Strombo, Stereogum). The five member orchestra-pop band out of Princeton, NJ, have recorded a cover of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" with a spot on falsetto voice and style that mimics Bon Iver's Justin Vernon's own voice. Simply brilliant.

www.miraclesofmodernscience.com

OFFICIAL PREVIEW - "Give Me All Your Luvin' " by Madonna

2012-01-28T11:53:00.001-05:00

Here's an official teaser of Madonna's new single "Give Me All Your Luvin' " (feat. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj) and co-producer by Martin Solveig. The song is taken from Madonna's upcoming album MDNA (2012) which is scheduled for release on March 26th. "Give Me All Your Luvin' " will be available for download on February 3, 2012. You can catch Madonna perform live during the halftime show, along with M.I.A. & LMFAO at the XLVI Superbowl on Sunday, February 5th.

Watch the world premiere video for "Give Me All Your Luvin’ " during American Idol this Thursday, February 2nd.

Available March 26th, 2012

www.madonna.com

Did Mary J. Blige Get Snubbed by The Oscars?

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

The 2012 Academy Award nominations were announced this week and surprisingly only two songs were nominated (click here). One of the clear front runners for a nomination was Mary J. Blige's song from the motion picture The Help entitled "The Living Proof", yet for some reason it failed to secure an Oscar™ nomination. So, was MJB snubbed? Let's try to break it down. First there are the Academy's voting rules:

"An original song consists of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the motion picture. There must be a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition (not necessarily visually presented) of both lyric and melody, used in the body of the motion picture or as the first music cue in the end credits." *

"The Living Proof" was specifically written for the film by MJB and her co-writers Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas and Thomas Newman, the film's composer. The song also was featured during the beginning of the end credits, so it definitely qualifies.

Next up, is the shortlist of songs that were submitted and qualified for a possible nomination:

• "The World I Knew" from African Cats
• "Lay Your Head Down" from Albert Nobbs
• "Star Spangled Man" from Captain America: The First Avenger
• "Collision of Worlds" from Cars 2
• "Dakkanaga Dugu Dugu" from DAM999
• "DAM999 Theme Song" from DAM999
• "Mujhe Chod Ke" from DAM999
• "Rainbird" from Dirty Girl
• "Keep On Walking" from The First Grader
• "Where the River Goes" from Footloose
• "Hello Hello" from Gnomeo & Juliet
• "Love Builds a Garden" from Gnomeo & Juliet
• "Bridge of Light" from Happy Feet Two
• "The Mighty Sven" from Happy Feet Two
• "Never Be Daunted" from happythankyoumoreplease
• "Hell and Back" from Hell and Back Again
• "The Living Proof" from The Help
• "Coeur Volant" from Hugo
• "It’s How We Play" from I Don’t Know How She Does It
• "When the Heart Dies" from In the Land of Blood and Honey
• "Ja Nao Estar" from José and Pilar
• "The Keeper" from Machine Gun Preacher
• "Life’s a Happy Song" from The Muppets
• "Man or Muppet" from The Muppets
• "Pictures in My Head" from The Muppets
• "Summer Song" from The Music Never Stopped
• "Imaginary Friends" from Olive
• "Sparkling Day" from One Day
• "Taking You with Me" from Our Idiot Brother
• "The Greatest Song I Ever Heard" from POM Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
• "Hot Wings" from Rio
• "Let Me Take You to Rio" from Rio
• "Real in Rio" from Rio
• "Shelter" from Take Shelter
• "Gathering Stories" from We Bought a Zoo
• "Pop" from White Irish Drinkers
• "Think You Can Wait" from Win Win
• "The Backson Song" from Winnie the Pooh
• "So Long" from Winnie the Pooh

Finally, the voting procedure on how a song secures a nomination:

"In the Original Song category, Music Branch members shall screen clips of the eligible songs and vote on the achievements. Voting shall be conducted as follows: Nominations will be determined by an averaged point system of voting using 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5 or 6. Only those songs receiving an average score of 8.25 or more shall normally be eligible for nomination. There may not be more than five nominations. If no song receives an average score of 8.25 or more, there will be no nominees. If only one song achieves that score, it and the song receiving the next highest score shall be the two nominees. If two or more songs (up to five) achieve that score, they shall be the nominees." *

Only two songs, "Man or Muppet" and "Real In Rio" managed to score 8.25 or more and that's why there are only two nominated songs this year. I think the Music Branch of the Academy needs to re-evaluate their voting procedures. Do you think Mary J. Blige got snubbed? If you listen too "The Living Proof" and some of the other shortlisted songs, "Think You Can Wait" (From "Win Win") by The National, "When The Heart Dies" (From "In The Land of Blood and Honey") by Natasa Mirkovic - De Ro and "Lay Your Head Down" (From "Albert Nobbs") by Brian Byrne feat. Sinéad O'Connor for example, you begin to realize that they too got overlooked. Do any of these songs carry any less of artistic merit then past nominated songs? All the songs are well crafted and carry an emotional connection to each film. Perhaps, the voting Academy places a greater emphasis on where these songs are played in relation to the film and that's ultimately why "The Living Proof" was overlooked. Whatever the reason, you're in good snubbed company MJB. Oscar™ approved or not, there is a wealth of great movie music waiting to be discovered.

All songs available @ iTunes.

* Official Music Rules - Oscars - click here!

10 WEEKS, 10 SONGS, 1 ALBUM by Joel Plaskett Emergency

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Canadian east coast native Joel Plaskett & his band the Emergency have set off on an ambitious journey of releasing one new song each week for ten weeks. It all started on January 10th with the excellent first track "You're Mine", followed on the 17th with "Harbour Boys", and now this week brings the melancholy "Old Friends". This is all leading up to the full album release of Scrappy Happiness (2012) on March 27th. You can catch Plaskett on tour this April across western Canada.

Joel Plaskett Emergency Tour Dates:

04-13-12 Victoria, BC – Alix Goolden
04-14-12 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
04-16-12 Banff, AB – Banff Centre
04-18-12 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall with Special Guest Frank Turner
04-19-12 Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre w/ Frank Turner
04-20-12 Saskatoon, SK – U of Sasks, Louis Pub w/Frank Turner
04-21-12 Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre w/Frank Turner
04-25-12 Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre w/ Frank Turner
04-26-12 Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre w/ Frank Turner
04-27-12 St Catharines, ON – Brock Centre for the Arts w/ Frank Turner
05-18-12 Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre w/ Frank Turner
05-19-12 Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre w/Frank Turner

www.joelplaskett.com

PLAY IT AGAIN - "The 48A Waiting Steps" by The Crimea

2012-01-25T00:07:00.000-05:00

The Crimea are an indie progressive-rock band from the borough of Camden in London, England. "The 48A Waiting Steps" is a track off their album Secrets Of The Witching Hour (2007). An eclectic song that is refreshing in it's own uniqueness. Along with the band's beautiful hushed harmonies, "The 48A Waiting Steps" takes you to a place you've never been. The album is available as a FREE download from their website: www.thecrimea.net. The band has racked up 116,403 FREE downloads of their album so far and that would classify it as platinum selling status in Canada. Check out the fan made video of "The 48A Waiting Steps" below.

www.thecrimea.net

2012 OSCARS - BEST ORIGINAL SONG NOMINATIONS

2012-01-24T08:50:00.000-05:00

2012 ORIGINAL SONG NOMINATIONS

This year brings only two Oscar nominated songs (see below). Original Score nominations went out to John Williams ("The Adventures of Tin TIn"), Ludovic Bource ("The Artist"), Howard Shore ("Hugo"), Alberto Iglesias ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy") and double nominee John Williams ("War Horse").

"Man or Muppet" by Bret McKenzie
Sung by Jason Segel & Walter the Muppet
(From "The Muppets")

"Real In Rio" by Sergio Mendes & Carlinhos Brown,
Lyric by Siedah Garrett
(From "RIO")

For the full list of nominations - click here!

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Travel As Equals" by Joseph Arthur

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

"Travel As Equals" by Joseph Arthur

"In the dark of graveyard chatter

In the light of freedom’s call

In the heat of any matter

We travel as equals or not at all..."

Paste Magazine called Joseph Arthur one of the 100 greatest living songwriters, yet listening to "Travel As Equals" you feel that esteemed proclamation is somewhat of an understatement. Easily one of the best songs of 2012, "Travel As Equals" captures much more than a moment or feeling, it captures the essence of humanity. Arthur has crafted a modern day gem, a poetic plea that "we travel as equals or not at all". Amazing. Arthur is offering this song and his entire new double album called Redemption City as a FREE download (if you like what you hear, you can also make a $ donation) available @ www.josepharthur.com.

Fan made video of "Travel As Equals"

www.josepharthur.com

Older Posts:

"Love Never Asks You To Lie" by Joseph Arthur

R.I.P. Etta James (1938-2012)

2012-01-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Legendary singer Etta James has passed away. She was just shy of her 74th birthday (January 25th). In the last few years she was in ailing health. She had not only been diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, but had also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. According to Rolling Stone's list of the Greatest Singers of All Time, James ranked in at #22. She was best known for her timeless 1960 classic "At Last" (#2 R&B, #47 Pop). Other hits included: "Trust In Me (#4 R&B, #30 Pop), "All I Could Do Was Cry" (#2 R&B, #33 Pop), "Seven Day Fool" and "Something's Got A Hold On Me" (#4 R&B, #37 Pop) which can currently be heard as the hook (sample) in the Top Ten global smash "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida and the club hit "Levels" by Avicii. Below is the official statement from the Recording Academy:

NEWS RELEASE

Recording Academy Statement re: Etta James
Jan. 20, 2012

Three-time GRAMMY^® winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Etta James leaves behind a dynamic legacy spanning six decades. Her music knew no boundaries as she explored diverse genres including blues, soul, R&B, rock and roll, gospel and jazz. She will forever be remembered for her timeless ballad “At Last,” and a powerful voice that will echo around the world for generations to come. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, fans and all who have been stirred by her soulful songs and passion for music.

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy^®

Read more about Etta James @ www.cnn.com

***UPDATE***
As of 4pm on Sunday, "At Last" currently sits at #10 on the U.S. iTunes chart & #31 on the Canadian chart.

FREE DOWNLOAD - "Festival" & "Ny Batterí" by Sigur Rós

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Icelandic ambient/new age/progressive rock band Sigur Rós have released a LIVE album and DVD entitled INNI (2011). A concert experience that enables the fan to get up close to Sigur Rós like no other. You can download the tracks "Festival" & "N´y Batterí" for FREE below via Topspin. If you haven't experienced the ethereal sounds of Sigur Rós, now's your chance.

www.sigur-ros.co.uk

Taken from INNI (2011) available now.

PLAY IT AGAIN - "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur" by Sigur Rós

NEW MUSIC - "Nothing To Lose" by K'naan feat. Nas

2012-01-19T11:20:00.003-05:00

Some stellar new music is on the way from one of Canada's finest musical exports, K'naan. On January 24th, 2012, an EP entitled More Beautiful Than Silence is set for release that features five new tracks and guest vocals from Nelly Furtado and Nas. You can listen to the track "Nothing To Lose" featuring Nas below.

TRACK LISTING:

1. “Is Anybody Out There” feat. Nelly Furtado
2. “Nothing to Lose” feat. Nas
3. “More Beautiful Than Silence”
4. “Better”
5. “Coming to America”

knaanmusic.ning.com

NEW MUSIC - "We Take Care Of Our Own" by Bruce Springsteen

2012-01-19T10:41:00.001-05:00

"We Take Care of Our Own" is the 1st single from Bruce Springsteen's upcoming 17th studio album Wrecking Ball (2012). The single is available today for download @ iTunes.

Wrecking Ball is scheduled for release on March 5th (U.K.)

& March 6th (U.S. & Canada).

TRACK LISTING:

01. We Take Care of Our Own
02. Easy Money
03. Shackled and Down
04. Jack of All Trades
05. Death to My Hometown
06. The Depression
07. Wrecking Ball
08. You’ve Got It
09. Rocky Ground
10. Land of Hope and Dreams
11. We Are Live

LIVE @ THE EL MOCAMBO - THESE ELECTRIC LIVES

2012-01-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

Check out the awesomeness that is These Electric Lives as they play Toronto's El Mocambo on Saturday January 21st. Until then you can check out their brand new collaboration with electro-house recording artist Yuhei Kubo entitled "Tell Me".

theseelectriclives.com www.facebook.com/yuheikubonz

Available @ iTunes.

2012 GENIE NOMINATIONS - ORIGINAL SONG

2012-01-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

The 32nd Annual Genie Award (Best in Canadian Film) nominations were announced on Tuesday. Below are the five nominations for Best Original Song. To view the complete list of Genie Award nominations - click here.

"My Love My Love" (From "Cloudburst") by Jay Brannan

jaybrannan.com

"Quelque part" (From "Starbuck") by Carole Facal

www.caracolmusique.com

"Oeil pour Oeil" (From "Good Neighbours") by Malajube

www.malajube.com

"A Different Sort of Solitude" (From "French Immersion") by Steven Page

www.stevenpage.com

"Waiting For Your Touch" (From "Funkytown") by Kim Richardson

written by Jean Robitaille & Steve Galluccio

www.kimrichardson.com

www.genieawards.ca

SONG OF THE WEEK - "December Sky" by Tomi Swick feat. Julian Lennon

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

"DECEMBER SKY"

by TOMI SWICK feat. JULIAN LENNON

"...Everybody wonders why I stick around

and wonder why I even try

well they don't know the reason why

I lie awake at night losing my mind..."

Singer-songwriter Tomi Swick is a native of Hamilton, ON Canada. In 2007, he won a Juno for Best New Artist of the Year. His debut album Stalled Out In The Doorway (2006) yielded the singles "A Night Like This", "Everything Is Alright" and "Sorry Again". In late 2011, Swick released "December Sky" which features additional vocals from Julian Lennon. A beautiful melancholy song with sweet sounding harmonies provided by Swick and Lennon. Available now @ iTunes.

onesheet.com/tomiswick

Martin Luther King Day

2012-01-16T06:01:00.000-05:00

MLK - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The origins of U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)" began in late 1983. The song in it's conception was initially an idea about U.S. President Ronald Reagan and America's defiant foreign policy. But the song and it's elements were not coming together. That all changed when the band visited the Chicago Peace Museum. An exhibit dedicated to the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. left a strong impression on the band and the inspiration that had been waning had now been returned. "Pride" had a clear focus an entirely new song was born. From "The Stories Behind Every U2 Song" (2009) by Niall Stokes. You can find "Pride" on U2's album The Unforgettable Fire (1984).

www.martinlutherking.org

Click to link to Billboard's 10 Songs Honoring Dr. King.

GOLDEN GLOBES - BEST ORIGINAL SONG - "Masterpiece" by Madonna

2012-01-15T21:56:00.002-05:00

Madonna's song "Masterpiece" that appears during the end credit sequence of her film directing debut W.E. has been awarded with the 2012 Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Is it the strongest of the five nominated songs? Take a listen to all five nominated songs and you be the judge. Academy Award Song Nominations will be announced on January 24th, 2012.

"MASTERPIECE" (From "W.E.") by Madonna

"THE LIVING PROOF" (From "The Help") by Mary J. Blige

"HELLO HELLO" (From "Gnomeo & Juliet")

by Elton John & Lady Gaga

"THE KEEPER" (From "Machine Gun Preacher") by Chris Cornell

"LAY YOUR HEAD DOWN" (From "Albert Nobbs")

by Brian Byrne feat. Sinead O'Connor

All tracks (except "Masterpiece") are available @ iTunes.

2012 BRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Brit Awards (or the Brits) are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards, much like the Grammy's in the U.S. or the Juno's in Canada. The Brits will be handed out on February 21st, 2012.

Album of the Year

Adele - 21
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran - +
Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Single of the Year

Adele - "Someone Like You"
Ed Sheeran - "The A Team"
Example - "Changed The Way You Kissed Me"
Jessie J feat. B.o.B. - "Price Tag"
JLS feat. Dev - "She Makes Me Wanna"
Military Wives / Gareth Malone - "Wherever You Are"
Olly Murs feat. Rizzle Kicks - "Heart Skips a Beat"
One Direction - "What Makes You Beautiful"
Pixie Lott - "All About Tonight"
The Wanted - "Glad You Came"

Click here to get the full 2012 BRIT Award Nominations

2011 BRIT Award Winners - click here!

PLAY IT AGAIN - "Outside My Mind" by Griffin House

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Griffin House is a singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. His song "Outside My Mind" never falls short of quite elegance. House draws you in with his heartfelt lyrics and keeps you hooked with his pensive vocals and beautiful acoustic & electric guitar playing. Sweet music to your ears.

"Outside My Mind" by Griffin House

griffinhousemusic.com

Taken from the album Upland (2003) available @ iTunes. You can also catch Griffin House on selected tour dates across the U.S.

Griffin House Tour Dates:

Jan 14th, Indianapolis, IN

Jan 15th, Columbus, OH

Jan 24th, Charlottesville, VA

Jan 25th, Annapolis, MD

Jan 26th, Vienna, VA

Jan 27th, Philadelphia, PA

Jan 28th, Boston, MA

Jan 29th, NYC

FREE DOWNLOAD - Nettwerk Music Sampler

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Nettwork (via Noisetrade) is offering a FREE 13 song download featuring a wide range of artist's on it's roster. Artists include: Matt Wertz, Great Lake Swimmers, William Fitzsimmons, Frazey Ford, Ladytron and others. If you enjoy what you hear and can also leave them a tip$.

www.nettwerk.com

THE GRAMMY AWARDS

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean, Nicki Minaj, Sir Paul McCartney, and Coldplay with Rihanna have all been officially announced by the Recording Academy as performers at this year's show. You can watch the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on CBS this February 12th @ 8pm EST.

Full 2012 Grammy Nomination list - click here!

'80's Rock Band's You Thought Were...Hum...Dead

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Long live the '80's. Numerous rock bands that found huge success in the '80's and then disappeared continue to record and tour to this day. With the resurrection of the reformed Van Halen, it got me wondering 'what other '80's rock bands are still out there?' Here's a look at a few of them...

Loverboy (1980 - )

Known for hits "Turn Me Loose" and "Working For The Weekend", these Canadian rockers released the new single "Heartbreaker" in 2011.

Night Ranger (1982 - )

Songs such as "Sister Christian" (#5) and "When You Close Your Eyes" (#14) were huge hits for this California band. They continue to tour and in 2011 they released a brand new album entitled Somewhere In California.

The Outfield (1984 - )

Their debut album Play Deep (1985) spawned the hits "Your Love" (#6), "Say It Isn't So" (#38) and "All The Love" (#19). Originally from London, England, they released an album's worth of new material in 2011 called Replay with the lead single "California Sun".

Journey (w/Steve Perry) (1977-1987, 1995-1997)

Journey (w/Steve Augeri) (1998 - 2006)

Journey (w/Arnel Pineda) (2007- )

Although Journey continues to record and tour successfully with original members Neal Schon and Ross Valory, most music lovers prefer their Journey with former lead singer Steve Perry. Their 1988 Greatest Hits album has sold over 25+ million copies worldwide and in 2011 a companion album called Greatest Hits 2 featuring 18 additional songs from the Steve Perry years was released. Included are a few gems ("Still They Ride", "The Party's Over", "Feeling That Way") that may have eluded some fans over the years.

Nelson (1990 - )

Alright, so the twin brother duo of Gunnar and Matthew Nelson don't exactly qualify as '80's rock... They broke onto the music scene with their #1 hit "(Can't Live Without Your) Love And Affection" and follow up hits "After The Rain" (#6), "More Than Ever" (#14) & "Only Time Will Tell" (#28) all from their debut album After The Rain then...nothing. In 2010, they released a brand new album called Lightning Strikes Twice.

All tracks available @ iTunes, except Journey.

SNOW PATROL BRING'S "NEW YORK" TO LETTERMAN

2012-01-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

Snow Patrol appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman to help promote the North American release of their new album Fallen Empires (2011). They performed a stellar rendition of their new single "New York". Currently on tour across Europe, they begin a North American tour starting on March 29/12 in Orlando, FL. (see more dates below).

Watch a 45 min. Snow Patrol concert recorded live @ the Ed Sullivan Theatre as part of the Live On Letterman series.

SNOW PATROL's NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

www.snowpatrol.com

SONG OF THE WEEK - "Brightside" by The Knocks

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Brightside" by The Knocks

"...We've been working overtime
Looking for the active life
But something's got you feeling fine
This melody's been on your mind..."

Leading off with the first 'song of the week' of 2012 is New York City electro-pop duo The Knocks and their upbeat and infectious track "Brightside". A fitting song that will get you groovin' to whatever your new year's resolution maybe. "Brightside" is taken from the duo's EP Magic (2011). You should also take note of the killer remixes of "Brightside" (DiscoTech & Fred Falke Remixes) available @ iTunes.

www.heavyrocmusic.com

Available @ iTunes.