No Easy Way (Out) - by Digital Daggers

Digital Daggers based out of LA, CA.  They started in 2010, and they are an 'alt-pop' duo comprised of Andrea Wasse (singer for The Weekend; born in London, Ontario, by the way…) & Space (guitarist for Memento).  They were brought together by the Creative VP at EMI Music Publishing.  They've had multiple songs in multiple spots including for the TV shows The Vampire Diaries, and Nikita; the movie The Roommate; and the trailer for the video game Crysis 2.  This song is from their first (& only, thus far) EP, "Human Emotion EP", released Dec. 21st, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQhiV9_sWEU

& here's the trailer for Crysis 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsVKCHYR_zM

Miles Away - by Ocean is Theory

Awesome indie post-[something] rock.

Ocean is Theory is based out of Atlanta, GA.  They formed in 2007 & independently released 2 EP's: "Into the Mouths of Lions" (released May 2nd, 2008) & then "In My Blood Again" (released Sept. 29th, 2009).   They signed on with Razor & Tie Entertainment around the early middle of 2010.  This song is from their EP, "In My Blood Again".

http://www.purevolume.com/oceanistheory          (1st track in playlist)

http://www.myspace.com/oceanistheory         (2nd track in playlist)

& here's a [relatively poor quality] video of the song live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuGO7yV7Ci0

& for the heck of it, here's their website (just because I'm on a 'roll' with posting links, apparently… :P  )

http://oceanistheory.com/


& for that matter, you can download 2 songs from that "In My Blood Again" EP for FREE from their bandcamp:
http://oceanistheory.bandcamp.com/

P.S. It may not be until later in the semester until I post something 'blog-like' just because I have quite a bit of homework that I need to focus on...  (not many people seem to be reading this, anyways; I guess I'm just telling myself, then, eh?  ;)

Horizon Rainfall - by Future of Forestry

FoF had its roots from a band called Something Like Silas who started in 2000.  After there were only 2 original members remaining after some line-up changes, they decided to rechristen themselves as Future of Forestry in 2006; they signed up with Credential Records at the same time.  The name comes from C.S. Lewis' poem called "The Future of Forestry".  Since then, they've had music in "Grey's Anatomy" &  MTV's "Sixteen and Pregnant".  They've released 6 EP's (including 2 Christmas EP's) & 1 LP.  Of these EP's, there was a set of 3 - the "Travel" trilogy.  This song is from "Trilogy III", released June 29th, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCKn1vakX0E

My Little Nightmare - by Kids in the Way

I must say that I do look forward to what they've got coming…

KITW is based out of Indianapolis, IN.  The formed in 1997 as Serenity, but changed their name sometime before 2002, when they had their self titled independent debut EP release.  They signed to Flicker Records shortly after & released an LP, Dec. 26th, 2003 ("Safe from the Losing Fight").  Their next LP was "Apparitions of Melody", & shortly before the release of their 2007 LP "A Love Hate Masquerade", they announced they were breaking up.  It was quiet (not intentionally, just kinda worked that way…).  But, in 2009, they announced they were getting back together, then released an EP in March 2010 & did some touring.  There's supposed to be an album coming out this spring; can't wait to see what it holds…  This song is from "A Love Hate Masquerade" released Sept. 18th, 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxaMkTW-xfY


Here's vid of an acoustic version of a song called "Tale of a Lost Boy" from their 2010 EP (I think...).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZynKBkahwNk

Mrs. Vandebilt - by Paul McCartney & Wings

If I could like this like I do on Facebook, I would.  :P

Paul McCartney & Wings (or just simply, Wings) formed in 1971 after The Beatles broke up in '70.  This 'project' started with McCartney's 3rd post-Beatles release, "Wild Life"; it was under the name Wings, & they were McCartney & his wife, Linda; drummer Danny Seiwell; & guitarists Hugh McCracken & David Spinozza, & they kept this line-up until '74.  In that time, they released two more albums; & in '72, they made the theme song for the James Bond movie  "Live & Let Die" (the song was produced by George Martin - The Beatles' producer for a number of their records including Sgt. Pepper's).  Their first US hit was "My Love" from the '73 album "Red Rose Speedway" & it made it to #1.  They broke up as a band in 1981, a few years after another line-up change & more #1 hits.  This song is from their '73 "Band on the Run".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HgCtHZQlJM

& here's a live version from Quebec in 2008 (also the first year they played this song live…)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw4DhdKAEv8

& here's something interesting I never saw until today: Paul McCartney singing with Linkin Park &… Jay-Z's kinda singing along… ish… (Paul doesn't come in until 2:40; & they sing "Yesterday")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24MD-v0IgYA

Come Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing - as performed by Mosquito Fleet

Excellently done.

Mosquito Fleet is based out of Marion, IN.  Their name comes from the actual term 'mosquito fleet' - its use began in the war of 1812, says Wikipedia & has been used in many cases since.  But the instance they're looking at is from the World War II - I'll post the what they said (it's their bio on their MySpace) under all of this…  They've had 2 releases - their first: an LP: "All Those Who Wander Are Not Lost", released March 23rd, 2010; & they put out their 2nd release "Swings & Cloves EP" on Jan. 11th, 2011.

& for a tiny bit of background on the song: it was written by Robert Robinson in 1757 when he was 22 years old.

http://mosquitofleet.bandcamp.com/      (it's the last/4th track)

"

IT IS LATE SPRING OF 1940..... Turbulence and chaos of the Second World War overwhelm the Allied troops trapped on the beaches of the English Channel in Dunkirk, France. Demise seems inevitable as the Luftwaffe looms overhead and the German infantry closes in. There is no way out..... However, for roughly a week’s time, a fog fills the air preventing the German fighter planes’ vision of the sea. The notoriously violent English Channel grows still offering conditions calm enough to sail on, even for a modest sailboat. The tranquility of the sea is pregnant with expectation..... During this time of unprecedented conditions, an assembled fleet of nearly a thousand civilian boats depart from British soil. They rescue hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers from their imminent death. Many of these men later return victoriously to the French coastline on D-Day. The impossible heroism of these insignificant vessels of deliverance earned a legacy that would remain for years to come; they are called the “mosquito fleet.”

"

& I was going to post a video from YouTube of different 'covers' of the song, but I couldn't choose... just look it up & you're likely to find a beautiful version SOMEWHERE in there...  ;)

...

but, to get you started, here's a few that you may choose from..  :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlLVqIbCFU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNc-3mNP54

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t34HDS2Xuuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQdPBYki2Cc

Seatbelt Hands - by Listener

Basically indie-rock talk music.

Listener is based out of Atlanta, GA & is composed originally of Dan Smith (Deepspace 5) but then had the addition of Christin Nelson (possibly Chris Nelson & Kristen Smith, by the sounds of it, according to at least one site…).  Dan's been going at this for around 8 years, & has released 5 LP's & a couple of EP's (including a Christmas one).  The latest is "Wooden Heart", released July 6th, 2010 (& that's where this song is from).

http://listener.bandcamp.com/album/wooden-heart (track 8)

http://www.myspace.com/listener (7th on playlist)

If you wanted, you can download, for free, the vocal tracks that were used in the album "Wooden Heart"; makes for an interesting (in a good way) listen.  It's just on their Bandcamp page..:

http://listener.bandcamp.com/album/wooden-heart-poems

Euphoria - by Nick Chiodras

I can't find much about Nick Chiodras, but it appears that he is a guitarist for the hardcore/screamo band A Letter to the Sky (who was known as Chase This City).  He's from Wheaton, IL (& so is A Letter to the Sky); & he makes techno music (that is, aside from ALTTS, if he is in that band…).  … but that's all I can find, offhand (I'd like to do more digging, but I've homework…)…

http://www.purevolume.com/theNickChiodrasSideProject (it's the 2nd song on the list…)

The Lights - by All Left Out

Sweet ('cool' sort of 'sweet') song by the New Zealand rockers.

All Left Out is (as mentioned) from Hamilton in New Zealand.  Their music making started in 2002, & in Jan. 2003, they released their first EP, "Retrospect".  Two years later (in Feb.), they released their first LP "Never Say Never".  Extensive touring followed, including in the US, Canada, and even the UK.  They've toured more (including with Family Force 5, Rage Against the Machine, Fall Out Boy, & more big names, too) & have had 2 more full-length albums since; "The Conquest" in 2007, & "We're Alive" in 2009 (all of which were done independently).  I also know that they did much touring, here in Canada at least, with an organization, making stops at high schools across most of Canada (I couldn't find &/or remember which org. though...).  However, on Dec. 15th of 2010, they announced on their Facebook & MySpace pages that it was the end for them; they did one final tour in January of this year (but, on a brighter note, they closed the 'note' off with: "What's next?? We will all still be involved in music in some form, so keep an ear out!").  This song is from "The Conquest".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc_F_21PlHs

P.S. The reason why I say "remember" is because my high school was one of those stops.  I just feel like kinda bragging about that. ;)

I'm Not Leaving - by The Gentlemen.

Awesome pop/rock British band.

This is pretty much the only bio I can find on them; taken from their site:

"Formed in Sheffield and made up by brothers Joel and Josh Cana - who make up the rhythm and bass sections respectively, Sean Walsh on guitar and 'enigmatic, wizard-like lead singer' Nicholas Noble, who's as comfortable singing and breakdancing around the stage as he is on guitar or keys."

They've released at least 2 LP's (maybe some EP's?), their latest being "A Candid History of Faith, Hope, Love", released in 2008 (I think).  This song (version) is from that release.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnkhBJ9JrL0

The original is actually from their prior release, "Smile Back at Me".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3J8L_f0N54 (& you will have to ignore the overloaded distortion - it's the only one I could find offhand...)

& here's an acoustic version they did during their Tour of Homes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha41_02dON8

Switch - by Kronicles

Solid hard rock = awesome.

Kronicles is based Morristown, NJ.  They released 3 LP's before their latest, "Reset", released Jan 8th, 2010.  In order of their releases, they are: "The Joseph Prophecy" (2003); "The Songmaker" (2005); & "The Never End" (2007).  "Reset" was recorded & produced with Travis Wyrick (who also did the same for Eowyn, P.O.D., Disciple, & a few more).  They're now currently working on making more music including some for a side project EP called "Illuminate", set for this spring.  This song/version (their's a newer version on "Reset") is from their LP "The Never End".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS-_zC8Bp6E

P.S. hopefully in the new semester I will start posting stuff aside from JUST the songs...

Ruckus - by The Young International

TYI is based out of Nashville, TN.  They've been at this music thing for at least 5 years, but only started releasing releases as of last year, with this song being their first single release (that I can find, at least…).  Their first EP was released just Feb. 1st of this year… & that's about all I can tell you... oh! - & their music is incredibly catchy.  There's a couple of videos they've posted on YouTube setting up for their releases, if you wanted to check them out…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvU7fDlBmz8

here's there YouTube page if you felt like checking it out:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheYoungINTL

Sweet Fascination - by Photoside Cafe; Home - by Red Umbrella

I'm going to do a bit of a daily double today…  :P

Song #1 of the day - for all you who have 'valentines', lovers, and significants: Sweet Fascination - by Photoside Cafe.

Photoside Cafe is from Chicago, IL; they met at a college & describe themselves as an "aggressive, acoustic, rock band" - & the title fits (except with this song as it's a beautiful ballad… ;))  They've even shared the stage with the likes of Relient K, tobyMac, and Switchfoot; & have also attended the Ichthus & Cornerstone festivals.  This song is from their first LP, "The Beauty of Innocence Remains", released Aug. 27th, 2009 on Grrr Records.

Song #2 of the day - for all those without 'valentines', lovers, and significants: Home - by Red Umbrella.  The song for those described just above, waitin' for your time…  ;)

Red Umbrella is from Parry Sound, Ont.  They've released 2 LP's, "Living & Surviving" being their latest, released Oct. 2nd, 2008.  This song is from their first, "Storm Warning", released April 25th, 2006.

Sweet Fascination:

on their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/photosidecafe (3rd on list)

on their Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photosidecafe?v=app_178091127385 (3rd on list)

live @ Cornerstone, 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzRHsVzY0J8

Home:

on their purevolume: http://www.purevolume.com/redumbrella (3rd on list; pure coincidence)

& for the heck of it (some can relate):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWvzZCZF1gw

:P


& you can download "Sweet Fascination" for free, only for a few more days, though...
https://www.noisetrade.com/photosidecafe#

Shoeshine Johnny - by Guardian

Early 90's rock/metal band.  Enjoy.  :)

Guardian had its beginnings as far back as 1982 in Santa Ana, CA.  Originally named Fusion, they grew & was noticed by Enigma Records.  They were signed in '85 & added guitarist Tony Palacios in '86.  They recorded their first 'official' LP "First Watch", & it was released in '89 (they did lots of touring for the years before…)(& as other trivia, that was produced by Oz Fox, who also did Stryper…).  A lineup (featuring only the bassist, David Bach, from the original lineup), a new label (Pakaderm), then a new album ("Fire & Love", '91).  After releasing 4 more albums + 3 Spanish albums, they broke up in 2001.  They regrouped occasionally, but in 2009, they announced that they were officially getting together now (also seemingly with a new moniker, House of Guardian); they also released an EP in 2009.  This song is from their 1993 album "Miracle Mile".

The very 90's music video of "Shoeshine Johnny":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NgA9eI0XCc

Wish - by Paper Route

My new favourite song for today (hence why it's my 'song of the day').

Paper Route is from Nashville, TN.  They formed in 2004 then proceeded to release 2 independent LP's & an EP before being signed to Universal Motown.  They've since released their LP "Absence" (released April 28th, 2009) & an EP, "Additions EP", a B-sides EP of remixed songs (released March 30th, 2010).  After some relocating, they settled in a house they call Joy Mansion, in Nunnelly, TN (as far as I know, they're still there).  Videos & updates confirm they have an album coming up real soon.  This song is from their album "Absence".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVfSL7uAIDI

P.S. Sometime ago, they posted a link on their Facebook page to this site called SerialBox.  Paper Route was featured on it & they performed a few of their songs acoustically.  Very well done.

http://www.serialboxpresents.com/#540299/Paper-Route-Part-One-of-Two (just at the top of the page is where you can click to find part 2 where they have a few more songs.......)

Pretty Snarl/Star Blankets - by Secret And Whisper

(Pretty Snarl/) Star Blankets - by Secret & Whisper.  Awesome post-hardcore-alt-rock-awesome-music-genre..? (<-- too many different terms/genres to choose from...)  ;)

SAW is from Kelowna, BC.  They formed after some lineup changes happened in 2006/7 to the band, Stutterfly.  The introduction of a new singer & style brought them to the attention of Tooth & Nail Records in the U.S.  They then released their 1st LP as SAW; it was "Great White Whale", & released on Feb. 12th, 2008.  2 years later, they released their 2nd, called "Teenage Fantasy", on April 6th, 2010.  These 2 tracks are from "Teenage Fantasy" ("Pretty Snarl" acts as a bit of an intro to "Star Blankets").

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOruJderH7Q

Way Back Into Love - from the movie "Music & Lyrics"

Tim's song of the day: Way Back Into Love - from the movie "Music & Lyrics".  Performed by Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore/Haley Bennett (pending which video you pull up & which point in the movie you watch…).

The song was written by Andrew Schlesinger for the 2007 movie "Music & Lyrics" staring Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, & Haley Bennett (among others, but those are the key players, of course…).  Andrew Schlesinger has been nominated multiple times for different awards & has at least one win (Grammy?).  You can read what the movie was about on its IMDb site or Warner's website for the movie.

This lyrics video was performed by Grant & Bennett:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbYGomf2BEU

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758766/

http://musicandlyrics.warnerbros.com/

& of course, as with many songs, there's a cover to go with it.  Here's one of the well-produced ones that I like..:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCT3_Hcc1WY
(who it is exactly, I'm not quite sure as I can't read... Chinese?  Correct me if I'm wrong...)


That melody popped into my head earlier (couldn't remember what it was at first) & couldn't it out.  :P

Stand - by Rascal Flatts

Awesome, awesome song.  One of my favourites by them.

Rascal Flatts is based out of Nashville, TN (like most major country artists)(2 [who are actually 2nd cousins (Jay DeMarcus [bass & bg vocals] & Gary LeVox [lead vocals])] of the members are originally from Columbus, Ohio; DeMarcus was moved to TN in 1992 & was in the band East to West).  They started in 1999 & got signed to Lyric Street Records & released their self-titled debut a year later.  Right from the get-go, they were noticed, having their debut single "Prayin' for Daylight" reach peaking at #3, & 3 other singles from that album all reaching the top 10.  In 2001, they released their "Melt", & continued to gain success through the following decade.  Multiple albums of theirs achieved multi-platinum status, with their 2006 album "Me & My Gang" reaching 5x Platinum.  They've now released 7 albums plus a live DVD & a greatest hits CD.  This song is from their album "Me & My Gang", released April 4th, 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Vzpjv_kR4

All of Us - by Blindside

All of Us - by Blindside.  After a long, long time of silence, they've resurfaced again to give us fans a picture that has what appears to be a release date for…something (single? album title? album??)…  :D

Blindside is from Stockholm, in Sweden.  They started playing music together in a youth centre in Stockholm, & the crowds they drew eventually grew to around 500 people.  In '96, they funded an demo independent demo, & debuted themselves in Sweden with a full, self-titled LP in '97.  At some point, however, Tooth & Nail Records got a hold of one of their demos, signed them, & re-released their debut later in '97.  They released 2 albums (self titled, & "A Thought Crushed My Mind") with them, but due to "lackluster sales", they were the last on Solid State (a 'daughter company' of T&N's).  Shortly after, however, they were signed to Elektra, where they have released 3 LP's, an EP, & re-releases of the albums from T&N.  However, they announced that their next release is to be the best or bust, so to speak - for over a year, there was no news, but then in November, both they and Papa Roach 'tweeted' about how Papa Roach thinks the new album is 'amazing'.  Then, just an hour or so ago, they released a picture on their Facebook page which contains the letters "wshww" & a presumed date "028/002/011".  This song is from their 2nd release on Elektra, "About a Burning Fire", released Feb. 24th, 2004.

Here's the music video for the song..:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INHzkO9w_KA

& here's a link to the picture..:

http://www.facebook.com/BlindsideSweden

Hold Me - by Jamie Grace

Another new artist in the bigger industry, but certainly starting off with the right foot.

Jamie Grace is a 19 year old from Atlanta in Lithonia, Georgia.  She, as she put it, "'got [her] start' on YouTube"; Grace was signed onto Gotee records & is 'helmed' by Joey Elwood & tobyMac.  She's still in college, & as an interesting piece of trivia: she was diagnosed at age 11 with Tourette Syndrome.  Her first EP, "Hold Me EP" will be released Feb. 22, while her LP will be released sometime this fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENlO-uVg8Sk

Ruler of Everything - by Tally Hall

Tim's song of the day: Ruler of Everything - by Tally Hall.  Fun song by a fun, unique band.
Tally Hall is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  They formed in 2002 and released a demo album, 2 EP's and an LP (not in that order), & then they released a final version of "Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum" on Atlantic Records, on April 1st, 2008.  They have a new record "Good & Evil" set to release this year, too.  Keyboardist & vocalist Andrew Horowitz "won the John Lennon Songwriters Award once for 'Good Day' and was nominated for 'Just Apathy'".  They've also had songs featured on a couple of different shows including The O.C.; one person also auditioned for American Idol using with their song "Banana Man" (they didn't get through, though...).  "Ruler of Everything" is from "MMMM".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8sUC-dsW8A
& here's the audition using "Banana Man":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htkFh6qLehU

& here's some other fun stuff they do... random, but kind of amusing, to say the least:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrj46wdh9jo&feature=relmfu
including their "What you don't know" segments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35y4eQiT-kk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oEfaEHuHM&feature=relmfu

Relentless - by House of Heroes

Awesome pop/rock song that opens their latest LP...

HoH is from Hilliard, OH.  As one site put it, they've been influenced by: "Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, The Who, E.L.O. with a touch of Meatloaf" (& it's certainly true!).  They've toured with artists such as tobyMac, Skillet, Seabird, Family Force 5, & have attended the Purple Door, and Creation Fests & more.  They've released 5 LP's as House of Heroes (1 at first as No Tagbacks), an acoustic LP to accompany their 4th LP "The End is Not the End", and a Beatles cover EP.  This song is from their latest, "Suburba", released Aug. 3rd, 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYj8vaalfeA
& as a 'bonus', here's a video a girl did of her playing the violin part in the bridge..:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttX9WvsQ6NE


& FYI:
This is the song that I named this blog after.  Why?  Because I was listening to this at the time I was putting this together & hadn't thought of a title until it asked for one.  & I figured it was appropriate for me because I do want to live like a wildfire, & burn relentlessly.

Welcome!

Hey there.  So, as the saying goes: 'here goes nothing' with my first blog where, you'll find songs I post mostly daily, other bits of info or links, and also how corny I am (<-- case in point).  Hope you enjoy.
P.S. You may have to be patient with me as I figure this thing out.  ;)