Reactable

So, I found this instrument a couple of years ago and then completely forgot about it.  I was sitting, dwelling in the cavern that is my mind this morning, swatted down all the cob webs, kicked out the gnome that had made a home, and for some reason thought of this thing.  It took me a bit to find it again, but I swear this is one of the most interesting instruments I've ever seen.  I would try and explain it to you but I think that would be like me trying to teach Calculus with only a box of crayons.(that means it would be hard) So, I'm attaching a link to the founders of this thing so if you're curious how it uses the waves and blocks you can go read about it. 

http://www.reactable.com/




It's pretty freakin amazing if you ask me!
-Kev

New Take on "Teenage Dream"

I just found this video on Youtube.  I normally don't think these kind of things are that cool, but I listened to the original right after and I think I like this guys version better!  And the guy's a pretty good singer on top of it.  Just a little diddy to hold you over for the day!


-Kev

ZAPPA GUN GANG!

What would you think if I told you there was going to be a group with two guys a girl, who wore nothing but 80's and 90's neon clothing, four finger rings, clear glasses, silver teeth and they're gonna play electro pop music with rapping and a keytar?  Exactly, you'd say that this might just be the greatest group EVER!

When I first heard of the band Hyper Crush my buddy Robbie was getting ready to go to one of their concerts.  He basically told me what I just wrote above and out of sheer hilarity I was super excited to hear their stuff.  Now that I know all the above AND have heard their music I am a huge fan.  They have the most amazing mix of show and the music to back it up.

I mean the only word I should have had to say to convince you they were good was the word Keytar, but I've recently learned not everyone is as impressed with the Keytar as I am.  Literally the only way that this band can improve at this point would be to wear a piano necktie and use a red keytar instead.

The three members are, check this out, the rapper, Donny Fontaine, the sexy pipes, Holly Valentine, and the music man/beat man/DJ/keytarist, Preston Moronie.  With names like those I would expect nothing less than the cast from The Godfather joining forces with the Electric Light Orchestra and I kind of feel like that's exactly what I got.  They are all from Southern California and have been together for about 5 years now.  They started as a group called the Bel-Airs until they added Holly and became Hyper Crush.  Their first album, The Arcade, is a great introduction into their sound.  Songs like "Sex and Drugs" and "The Arcade"  give you a fun insight into the beats that form their music and the humorous lyrics that really fill it out.  With their second album, "Mix-Tapes Vol 2"  they continued to run with the nintendo themes of the song "The Arcade."  The entire album is laced with early NES references and sounds that really help you dive straight back into your childhood.  The best part about them is that they continue to fill out their sound and really improve with every single that comes out.  They recently released a couple singles "Keep Up" and "Ayo" which have the same feel as their early stuff with darker trancier beats.  I think "Keep Up" is their best song yet.  They have built up a pretty good following touring across California and opening for Lady Gaga on her European tour.
Basically what it comes down to is that when you're throwing an up beat party or in the mood to just jump around and be crazy, you can't go wrong with them.  Their beats and music are encapsulating while the lyrics are simple enough to learn and sing along.  Hope you guys check them out cause they're a blast to listen to!
 
Here are some links to check out more of their stuff:
Hyper Crush Myspace
Official Hyper Crush website
Youtube Channel
 
Kev

Inspiration for the Blog Nation

First off thank you so much for coming to check out my new blog!  I decided my first post would be a little diddy about why I decided to start doing this.  Reason one:  I love music.  Reason two: I used to do a blog for a website that I was on.  I was required to write a blog once every week or so and I never knew what to write about, so I always ended up writing about bands/artists/music videos/whatever.  so, I figure why not just start blogging about only music. 

I like to think that I have one of the more eclectic tastes in music.  From folk, to jazz, to rap, to musical theater, I pretty much like it all.  I have on various occasions caught myself spending hours on youtube watching rap battles, or clips from Musicals, or even just watching music videos of people I've never heard of.  (I know I shouldn't admit that but what the hell.)  So, in all of my exploration around the interweb I think I've collected a pretty good number of groups/siungers/bands that a lot of people haven't heard of.  Now, the fact that I enjoy them so much and no one else has heard of them makes me feel special to a certian extent, but at the same time I want talented people to be successful.  So, I decided I'm going to use my vast sphere of influence to spread the word about these people.  Okay maybe not vast, but at least you'll enjoy it, right mom?  I'm gonna post videos, pictures, links and pretty much everything juicy I can find on these people so that if you like them you can go support them.

So, I hope you enjoy it.  It will be trial and error for a while as I try to perfect the best way to do it, but if nothing else it will be new people and there will be lots of free stuff given out...okay scratch that, there will be no free stuff given out other the the free musical knowledge that I'm throwing your way.

Thanks for reading and here's a little something to start us off!

Kanye "Power" music video
 - this dude has amazing music but is such a visionary for new things.  This video is simple in it's concept but amazing in it's execution and idea.  Love it!

Kev