Salt and the Light - by Sent By Ravens

This song kinda hit me a today... namely at: "...but I've learned that it's ok to be broken at Your feet, & it's where I wanna be...".   ...

For those who read this: I'm sorry, but I'm not going to do research right now 'cause it's late, & I'm tired & sore.  I'm sure that if you follow along, however, that you will find me posting something by Sent By Ravens again soon enough.
But just so you know: they're from Columbia, SC & are signed on with Tooth & Nail Records.  This song is from their label debut LP "Our Graceful Words", released April 20th, 2010.  Other trivia: the lead singer's wife is from Quebec (just as a Canadian connection...  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu0-5Y_DNgA

Crazy Crowd - by DJ FreeG ft. N.I.C.

Being as I'm not all up in slang terms: would this be an appropriate place to say 'dirty' (as in, the sick/cool/good kind of dirty)? lolDJ FreeG (Stefan Fritschi) is based out of Bern, Germany. He started off in the hip-hop industry before he bought his own equipment in 2009 & switched to house music as he started working in clubs as a DJ.  This song is one of DJ FreeG's & MC N.I.C.'s singles released in 2011.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmqHoA3vWS4


P.S. Sorry for sporadically missing a number of days over the past couple weeks.  Things should be a bit more normal by next week...

Beautiful Ashes - by Éowyn

New music video released just yesterday (Apr. 25th).  Rockin'.  lol
Éowyn Russel (<-- yes, 'Éowyn' is her stage & real name) is from Nashville, TN.  She's an independent artist who started her career (according to Wiki) in 1999.  Her debut release, "Shattered Illusions", however, didn't come until Feb. 10th, 2003.  She's obtained decent success with that & her sophomore "Identity" (Jan. 15th, 2006), but "Silent Screams" (Apr. 20th, 2008) pushed her even further with a couple of singles reaching top 5 in a chart (<-- for certain) or two.  However, as her website puts it: "In 2008 she was forced to announce her departure to the industry due to financial and was forced to sell everything that had to do with her musical career".  But, late 2010, she announced her return, & has a new album "Beautiful Ashes" set to be released May 3rd, 2011.  This song is from the upcoming album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9SEAPXezG8

He's Alive - by Don Francisco (+ Dolly Parton's cover)

A good one to finish off the Easter weekend, eh?

Don Francisco was born Feb. 28th, 1946 in Louisville, KY.  He had a career in the 1960's as a folk rock artist before rededicating his life to God & a bit of a genre change.  His debut in this change was "Brother of the Son", released in 1976 on the recently founded NewPax Records (which has rostered the likes of Bill Gaither, David L. Cook, Brown Bannister, & other notables [that I haven't noted… lol]).  Francisco has won 2 Dove Awards over his 20 album (<-- including live?) career.  This song (which was written "from the point of view of Peter just after the crucifixion of Jesus) is from his sophomore album "Forgiven", released in 1977.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO-7gehGYII

& here's Dolly Parton's version live at the 1989 CMA Awards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRPWUHM80M

Also, you can download a bunch of Don Francisco's songs for free from his website:

http://www.rockymountainministries.org/ (just click on "Free MP3's!", then right click, & download...)

Atoning Sacrifice (&) Wine and the Bread - by The Relay

The former: an awesome song that crossed my mind a few times today (esp. w/ Easter & in general…).  The latter: an awesome song that I forgot about that happens to directly tie in with Easter.

The Relay is from Mililani/Oahu, Hawaii.  Beyond that, I can't find much about this specific band…  5 members: David Tamaoka - vocals; Daniel Kirnbauer - bass; Jacob Pierce - guitar; Josh Tamaoka - guitar; Matt Wellman - guitar.  They list their influences as Anberlin, Jimmy Eat World, The Almost, & the like.  However, David & Josh Tamaoka both are from the band Pennylane, & some of those members were from the band Longshot 808.  David (as Canefield Hero) has opened for a number of well known acts including Jason Mraz, Underoath, Rise Against, Mae, 311, & more.  The Relay currently appears to be signed to TMG Records & has a few bits of material here & there (most of it free).  These song is from their ReverbNation free downloads (or at least, that's where I got it!).

http://www.reverbnation.com/therelay

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Relay/181893668514079

(I'm not sure if this'll work, but here - it should pull up a general search for The Relay on Indie Vision Music)   :

http://www.indievisionmusic.com/?s=The+Relay


P.S. Sorry for missing the past couple days (if you've noticed! lol).  It's been a good, relaxing but full weekend being home from college.  For the fellow students: Hope your exams & year went well (& continue to, if you're not done..)!

Goodbye for Now - by P.O.D.

For us students who are saying such... Ok, well, maybe the actual message doesn't fit that exact scenario perfectly, but it's the thought that counts, right?

P.O.D. (Payable on Death) is based out of San Diego, CA.  They started in 1992, after Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval's mother passed away of leukaemia & he became a Christian - he joined his cousin Wuv Bernardo & his friend Marcos Curiel; Gabe Portillo became their bassist but was replaced by Traa Daniels in '94 (they released 1 LP before then - "Snuff the Punk" in '93).  They're now 6 albums later, with the latest being "When Angels & Serpents Dance", released April 8th, 2008.  Some side trivia: Sonny made the girl's name Nevaeh popular after giving his daughter said name (& it apparently "has gained traction faster than any name since the [U.S.] government began tracking names in 1880").  This song is from their album "Testify", released Jan. 24th, 2006.  (& as a bit more trivia, it features Katy Perry before she got into the mainstream).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plGETDmXw5g

& here's a live version, if you wish:

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

Something Beautiful - by NEEDTOBREATHE (to which, it won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year tonight!)

2 things I have to say: "Awesome song" - & "Congrats to NEEDTOBREATHE!"

NEEDTOBREATHE has their background from Possum Kingdom, in South Carolina (but are now listed as being based out of Charleston, SC).  They formed in 1999 - two brothers, Bear & Bo (Bo born Nathanial Bryant -) Rineheart (vocals, guitar & piano; & bg vocals & guitar, respectively) & childhood friends Joe Stillwell & Seth Bolt (bg vocals & bass; & drums/percussion, respectively).  They independently released & sold 3 EP's before signing with Atlantic/Lava Records & releasing their LP "Daylight" in 2006.  Their second LP "The Heat" hit the streets the next year & made it to #2 on the Heatseekers chart (coincidentally ;)  ), & they continued to tour & tour.  Their latest release, "The Outsiders" was released August 25th, 2009 & they have a new album set to release sometime this year.  This song is from "The Outsiders"; & "Something Beautiful" won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year just tonight at the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards!

Music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq1H3l7kyYU

& here's a live acoustic one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8cvqqQB_lQ

Reinventing Robert Cohn - by And Then There Were None

Studying for an exam (production - where we talked about genres including techno/dance) made me want to listen to their music; lol.

ATTWN formed in 2003 & are currently based out of Salem, NH.  The started as a metalcore band & they self-released an EP called "6,000 Tries" shortly after.  On Sept. 11, 2005, they released a self-titled EP, and then in 2006, they released "The Hope We Forgot Exists" EP on November 2nd.  However, as singer Matt Rhoades stated, "Eventually I ran out of ideas for writing metal music, and began to write what came more naturally…" - and so, they ended up signed with Tooth & Nail Records & eventually released their dance/techno full-length  "Who Speaks For Planet Earth?" on February 24th, 2009.  & as a separate fun fact, at one point (I'm not 100% certain now as there has been a bit of a line-up change…) all 5 members were vegetarians.  This song is is from "Who Speaks for Planet Earth?".

Music video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnp2Z--UW7o

Better quality audio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TbvrEQsY4c

& you can download an acoustic version of their song "Thank the Watchmaker" for free on their PureVolume page:

http://www.purevolume.com/andthentherewerenone

New post from Andrew Schwab & free music from Sandra McCracken

Andrew Scwab is the singer/frontman for the hard rock/core band Project 86.  He also writes poems & books with some excellent insight into the many concerns that arise in life...
http://www.andrewschwab.com/blog/
His latest post is called "The Second Greatest Commandment: Avoid Shooting a Cannon Through Your Neighbor's Window".


Sandra McCracken is an acoustic/folk artist from (where other than:) Nashville, TN.  She's released her 2001 album "Gypsy Flat Road" to download for free for a LIMITED time on Noisetrade as a 10 year anniversary gift of its street date.  So 'pick it up'!
https://noisetrade.com/sandramccracken#




P.S. Sorry for missing a 'song of the day', if you're concerned... I know I am... lol

You Are Mine - by John Ball

If this were Facebook, I'd like it. Twice.

John Ball is from Birmingham, AL (his base of operations is out of Nashville, TN, of course ;)  ).  This song is from his own independent project - John is the bassist for The Sleep Design: an instrumental rock group out of the same areas.  John Ball released his debut EP on November 16th, 2010, called "Found Among The Broken".  His premise on his music: being real - "… Really, what it is is an overflow of my heart".  This song is from that EP.

& you can download the EP completely FREE from his website:

http://johnballmusic.com/

& also The Sleep Design's album for free, too, from Come&Live Records:

http://www.comeandlive.com/downloads (it's about half-way down…)

Lately - by Day of Fire

Sick song... "sick" as in awesome.

DoF is based out of Nashville, TN.  The band's story starts with vocalist Josh Brown (from Jackson, TN) being a rock star in the 90's - drugs included.  He started songwriting at age 15 & acquired a serious drug habit then, too.  At 17, he became the singer for Full Devil Jacket & they scored the record deal 5 years later.  However, "Brown had a major crash: a heroin overdose in an Orlando bathroom put his career on hold while he rehabbed and rethought his life".  A few years later, Brown, started up another band, & it eventually ended up with guitarist Joe Pangallo & bassist brother Chris Pangallo (who, as I found out a year ago, later played on a track for Krystal Meyer's latest album "Make Some Noise" - random trivia… lol), & drummer Zach Simms, who all formed Day of Fire.  They released their self-titled debut on October 26th, 2004 (to which, "Brown "penned most of their… debut in his mom's garage").  From there, they went on to release "Cut & Move" in 2006, & their latest, "Losing All", on January 26th, 2010.  But, on June 8th, 2010, they announced an indefinite hiatus after Razor & Tie (the record label they were with) pulled tour support out.  This song is from "Losing All".

Studio version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5swZXNm7ZCk

Official live version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaxof34FCIk

Acoustic version on 101.7 The Fox:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAVvKBsM1Tw

& you can download this song for free from:

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/downloads/freemusic.asp

& a few other places, but that's where I found me...

Sing - by Bellarive

…

Bellarive is a 6-piece outfit from Orlando, FL.  I can't find much about them, but I know they're with Come&Live Records, & they released their debut EP "The Being Human Project… Start Listening" on July 31st, 2009 (according to one website…).  They just released the music video for this song not too long ago, either (the YouTube vid was up on Apr. 11th); &: they put their new website ( http://www.bellarive.com/ ) up just on Tuesday.  This song is from "The Being Human Project… Start Listening".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gdI3Fqrz3I

& you can find out more about the music video in this blog post:

http://www.bellarive.com/blog/archives/87

P.S.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you check it out: you can download that EP completely FREE from Come&Live Records' website:

http://www.comeandlive.com/

( http://www.comeandlive.com/CLD/Bellarive/index.html )  (<-- that takes you right to the download for "The Being Human Project……")

( http://www.comeandlive.com/downloads/ ) (<--- they've got some other awesome downloads to check out - all of which are free!; I'd recommend… all of it, pretty much… lol)

Sun King - by State of Mind

Just happened upon this & wanted to post it - DnB (drum 'n' bass).

State of Mind is based out of New Zealand & consists of Patrick Hawkins & Stuart Maxwell.  They started SoM in 2004, & after "expand[ing] to include labels such as Teebee's Subtitles Records, Friction's Shogun" & more, they started their own record label, SOM MUSIC, in 2007.  Their debut LP, "TAKE CONTROL" was released in 2006 through Uprising Records.  Their other LP is "Faster Than Light", released in 2009 on SOM MUSIC.  This song was released as a single in 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imp0BqHBxyQ

Paralyzer - by Finger Eleven

Haven't heard this one for a while…

Finger Eleven is based out of Burlington, Ont.  They started out as Rainbow Butt Monkeys & released "Letters from Chutney" in 1995.  They released another LP in 1997 ("Tip") before being signed to Wind-Up Records (12 Stones, Evanescence, Seether), re-released "Tip", & have since released 4 more; the latest being "Life Turns Electric", released Oct. 5th, 2010.  Their name, as Scott Anderson (vocals) explains, comes from the idea that: "when everything is pushing you in one direction and your instinct drives you in another—that’s finger eleven".  This song is from their break out album "Them vs. You vs. Me" (which won the 2008 Juno award for Rock Album of the Year) released on March 6th, 2007.

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

& this is them performing "Paralyzer" at the Orange Lounge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2B8PeyTQWw


But better yet: here's their performance at the Juno's in 2008 (with the Mount Royal College Conservatory Calgary Youth Orchestra):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4_fA5wjxRI

The Rescue - by Search the City

The song that got me into their music...

StC was based out of Detroit, MI.  They released an EP "Ghosts" in 2006 before signing to Tooth & Nail Records.  They then released their debut LP "A Fire So Big the Heavens Can See It" on April 1st, 2008.  However, they posted on May 13th, 2009, on their MySpace a blog about their situation/breaking up - what kinda started the break up was when they were on a tour: the headlining band broke up, leaving them in California (2000 miles from home) & broke "& it seemed like this set the tone for the next year"; they eventually just kinda burned out & drifted a bit more their own ways (but, of course, on good terms).  However, they are still active in the music industry: bassist Brandon Ellis is now the lead singer for Rocky Loves Emily (who just recently released their label debut), & a couple of the members have come (& gone?) with some other projects, & singer Josh Frost is now heading the band Evil Us (who just posted a 'note' on Facebook stating the current state of things… I'll post the link below…).  This song is from "A Fire So Big the Heavens Can See It".

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

To which, you can also download 2 of the songs Evil Us has released for free from their PureVolume page..:

http://www.purevolume.com/evilus

(& the note:

http://www.facebook.com/EvilUsmusic - just go the "Notes" section & it's the one from April 7th)

Leavin' - by Paul Brandt

One of the reasons why I'm still a country fan  ;)

Mr. Brandt was born in Calgary, AB, on July 21st, 1972, but grew up in Airdie, which was a small town north of Calgary.  He started singing at age 6 in their family church & learned guitar at age 13, & the rest is history.  He signed with Warner/Reprise in Nashville, TN & had his first major break in '96 with "My Heart has a History" - it made it to number 1 in Canada & "made him the first Canadian male country artist to reach the Billboard Top Ten in the US since Hank Snow in 1974" - & it got bigger from there.  He's released 5 studio albums, his latest being "Risk", released in 2007; plus 2 Christmas albums & the famous live album "Small Towns and Big Dreams".  This song & video is from his LP "This Time Around" (which went platinum in Canada), released August 3rd, 2004.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zwpbq2Rg6M

Also: something interesting I found: the Paul Brandt Trucking Ltd.  Kinda related to the singer, but not fully... lol  :

http://www.brandttruck.com/about/country-singer.html

Hand Grenades - by Write This Down

(I'm going to keep this quick 'cause I'm in the studio & wanna get some sleep tonight, still.)   ;)

WTD started in 2005, & are based out of Minneapolis, MN.  They released 2 EP's before being signed to Tooth & Nail Records in 2009.  They worked with Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, BarlowGirl, Disciple) for their self-titled label debut LP.  This song is from that LP, & it was released April 20th, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0TT_VOjmXg

Blood & Water download reminder...

Also: just a reminder that Blood & Water has their album "In Character" available to download for free on IVM (but only until TOMORROW - April 8th!) - seriously worth getting.

http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2011/03/21/blood-and-water-in-character-2/

Courage - by Flatfoot 56

Celtic Punk rock = win.

Flatfoot 56 is from Chicago, IL & they formed in 2000.  They've released a total of 5 LP's; the first 3 independently, then a re-release of "Knuckles Up" (2006) on Flicker Records, followed by "Jungle of the Midwest Sea" (2007)(also nominated for a Dove Award as Rock Album of the Year), and "Black Thorn" on Old Shoe Records.  They recently (last year) underwent a slight line-up change as their bagpipe/mandolin/lead guitarist left to take care of family.  This song (& music video) is from their "Black Thorn" album, released March 30th, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5zO06PyVM

& you can download this song for free from their Facebook page or main website:

http://www.flatfoot56.com/

3 things:

1) Just a quick shout-out to High Flight Society, who's bassist got engaged recently! (they announced it on Facebook on Monday...
2) I'm not sure how scripted this was, but if you know a bit about the band (Silverline)... well, I found this amusing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njHgQYBv81o
"We're a rock band!" lol
3) Amazing!  Seriously: check this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTUP5EhtEpo

I Wasn't Ready - by Turn Off the Stars

I'm going to put the 'post script' part here, now... because I can...
P.S. Sorry for missing the last couple 'song of the day''s if you've been waiting for them. lol
~~
I did a lift [copy, so to speak] of this song for a project & handed it in on Monday.  Before I did the lift, I loved the song.  Now, after listening to it quite a bit over the past 2 months, I absolutely freakin' LOVE it!!!  ;)

TOTS is from Toronto, On.  Their name is from a jazz pianist Bill Evan's song ("Turn Out the Stars", probably).  They've had 2 releases, an EP called "Everything Is Ok" (Nov. 30th, 2004) & a self-titled LP (Aug. 15th, 2006).  They draw some influences from the likes of U2, Bryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Copeland, The Cure, & more.  TOTS was also featured on an episode of Master Tracks (my production teacher's TV show, at that!  :P  ) - the episode was posted November 23rd, 2009 (recorded in April '09).  Sadly, they announced their 'break up' (but it's all in good terms) on Facebook on May 25th, 2009.  According to someone on Facebook, Michael Walker (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) is currently in school to become a teacher.  This song is the opener for their album "Turn Off the Stars".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj8vZZxIqLY

& here's a couple of live versions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1KyvwwYtj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHKY1olxb-U (in Minneapolis, MN on Oct. 12, '06)

& here's the episode of Master Tracks from Aux.TV:

http://www.aux.tv/video/Turn-Off-The-Stars-Record-Heartbeats-on-Master-Tracks/

(to which, you can download the… download… for free at Aux.tv - http://www.aux.tv/audio/ - you just have to scroll through the list…))

& you can download another single ("Please") for free on TOTS' PureVolume page:

http://www.purevolume.com/turnoffthestars

Chattanooga Choo Choo - by Glenn Miller

One of the greatest band leaders of all time.  (& I'd do more research, but, like I said yesterday, I've assignments & deadlines comin' mighty quick…)

Born March 1st, 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa, he was listed MIA in December 1944 when his plane disappeared somewhere over the English Channel. He was touring Europe with his Army Air Force Band, playing for soldiers & more during the war.

Here's one of the many clips & versions of this song..:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQybKMXL-k

& if you wish to do more reading on him - this site looks decently credible (just skimming through, it seems alright…)

http://www.glennmillerorchestra.com/history.html

Interstate - by Blood and Water

This is kinda my life song right now, I think...
(I'm just going to re-post what I had last time for them 'cause I've projects, deadlines approaching... you get the picture........)

Awesome stuff - check it out! You can download their album "In Character" for free from IVM (link provided below…)! (but only 'til April 8th...)
Blood & Water is based out of… well, depends on what site you look at.. but they're based out of California. They're a 4-piece band who started as a ska band in 2004 (but, as their MySpace says: "began taking shape in the summer of 2006, when they released their first EP") inspired by the likes of The O.C. Supertones, Five Iron Frenzy, Weezer, & Jimmy Eat World. They've released 2 EP's, followed by 2 LP's - their first was self-titled in 2008; their latest was after signing to Eden Records, based out of San Fransisco - called "In Character", released July 13th, 2010; it was produced by Masaki Liu who did Five Iron Frenzy, The W's, & Matisyahu. This song is from "In Character".
Here's the link to download the album:
 http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2011/03/21/blood-and-water-in-character-2/
(I can't find a link for the song specifically so... enjoy the album!)

No Greater Love (&) God is God - by Steven Curtis Chapman

It's a… daily double… or something along those lines 'cause I can't listen to one song without the other.  Inspiring - & at the very least, I think you should watch the live version of "No Greater Love" from his live DVD - like I said, inspiring; & the video they put behind this song is amazing & a true story (about the Waodani tribe in South America…).

Steven C.C. was born Nov. 21st, 1962 in Paducah, KY & has released 13 studio albums (not including Christmas albums or EP's) since his first LP "First Hand", released in 1987.  He's won numerous awards and has an amazingly inspiring personal story (esp. revolving around his adopted daughter [Maria]'s death in 2008).  Currently, he's touring Canada, & as a bit of trivia: he has his own signature guitar - a 714 Taylor Signature Series.

& for info on the Waodani mission - well, watch the video.  :)

No Greater Love (studio)(which also has one of the elders of that tribe singing a bit of a chant - translated in the video…):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHMS3gWO4Z4

followed immediately by God is God:

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

& here's the live version of No Greater Love from his Live DVD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEcRv3c-Cuw