Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which is hard to believe considering half of you reading this probably still have your Christmas trees up. Anywho, that loving holiday that makes couples swoon, Hallmark rich, some single people bitter, and probably Manti Te’o a little conflicted is fast approaching and what better way to set the mood then with some really good music about the “L” word? The two artists I’m profiling on the first “A-Sides” of the year have two love songs that are as infectious as your co-worker’s cold. Rachel Brown’s “Bumblebee” is a sweet song that’s really a love letter to anyone who’s ever been in love. The song, which she performed last week at an A-Sides session filmed within the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY, is off her debut EP “Building Castles” which dropped late last year. The NYC singer/songwriter’s honest lyrics and unique sound has drawn praise by critics and celebs like Wyclef Jean and the immortal John Stamos. In addition to being a multi-talented musician, Brown has smarts, too. Case in point: she went to Harvard, and you didn’t. Watch her performance of “Bumblebee” below followed by the dropping of some knowledge in an interview. Love it. Love her. Like me? “Bumblebee” Interview Where to find her: http://www.rachelbrownmusic.com/ http://www.facebook.com/rachelbrownmusic http://www.twitter.com/rachelbrownnyc Like Brown, Chris Wallace is a lover not a fighter. His Top 40 pop/dance hit “Remember When (Push Rewind)” – one of iTunes ‘Best of’ 2012 – continues to climb the [...]
Pop music was just so much better in the 1980s. The cheesy songs worked because they made you want to dance and you were just oblivious to the fact that the whole era was a big pound of Pizza the Hut. But, we loved it. We still love it. I love it. You love it. Does Lyle Lovett? Anyway, Tegan & Sara have taken that 1980s, retro, nostalgic feel with their first single “Closer,” and unearthed a burst of fruit flavor for your ears. It’s no wonder the song is killing it right now on alt-radio stations, and has been featured on some VH1 promos already. Not surprisingly, the new pop-infused sound for the Canadian darlings has led to articles being written suggesting the twin-sister duo are going all pop now and leaving their indie spirit behind. The question is irrelevant. Good music is good music. Sure “Closer” rocks like Electric Dreams did back in the day, but it’s not like the sisters Quin are reinventing their style altogether. They’re still the same sibs who have been recording meaningful and catchy (albeit depressing) music for 13 years. Their seventh album, Heartthrob, just finds their same style within a pop production. In other words, sad songs can sound happy. Just ask Foster the People. In any event, the album (produced mainly by Greg Kurstin, who worked with everyone from The Shins to Ke$ha) arrives Jan. 29 and it’s retro sound will make fans feel something and I’m guessing it’ll be positive. [...]