Nothing brings people together better

than an impromptu singalong to Hey Jude.

Hey Jude Times Square Subway Station from 39forks on Vimeo.

And though I generally say things like that in a sarcastic manner, I'm actually pretty serious this time. Maybe you have or maybe you haven't found yourself in a similar situation as the harmonious folk in that subway station though I do hope you have. It's pretty fun. 

In places like The Shout House - a rock n' roll, dueling pianos, singalong bar, the masses join together in song and though the bar is crowded and it's loud, you're really not all that uncomfortable because literally everyone is singing along to Bohemian Rhapsody with you.

The reason I bring all this up is because I am currently seated in Tyler, Texas (roses capital of the world, so I hear). I'm on Spring Break and am here hanging out with my friend Nick. Whilst he's been away at work during the day, I've been leisurely blogging from a patio chair in the sunshine, soaking up all 70 of those delicious degrees. Anyway, the last couple of nights I've been meeting and hanging out with his friends, almost all of which are somehow involved in music. Needless to say, as a girl from Small town, Iowa, that lives in Big City, Minnesota, that hasn't spent any time at all in Texas and literally only knows one person here, it's been a challenge to "fit in", even with fellow musicians.

Last night we were at this guy's apartment and he asked Nick to play some of the songs he had written and in turn, our gracious host played some of his original tunes as well. At one point all of us were singing in a group and I didn't feel like the outsider anymore.

Music doesn't strange things sometimes, don't you think?

Anyway, I've realized just how different music scenes can be place to place. I feel like I have a fairly broad taste in music. Some days I'm happily singing along with Jason Mraz and others I'm rocking out with the likes of MGMT. Then I might wake up with a Guns n' Roses tune stuck in my head and go on a hairband kick. It also wouldn't be strange to find Garth Brooks, Debussy and/or Buddy Holly on my iPod there either. These are all artists and genres I grew up with. The indie rock/progressive/emo/experimental scene wasn't prominent near my rural hometown and so that particular part of music is still new to me.

Immediately upon landing in Dallas and getting into Nick's car, I was introduced to Yeasayer. And I'm completely hooked. This video is off of their most recent album 'Odd Blood'. They're overall sound is reminescent to Tears for Fears meets The Cure, with their own twist.

(Image to the left from the 'Odd Blood' album art)

The video below is my current personal favorite off of the album, Ambling Alp. You should seriously check it out. It's catchy and fun with great lyrics, a visually interesting music video and a beat that is impossible not to nod your head to.

Enjoy, readers and as always,

Keep on rocking in the free world,

Jenna

What I'm listening to now: Ambling Alp, by Yeasayer

Rediscovered photos

Credit

Hey, Hey, My, My....

What I'm listening to right now: Grey Sky Eyes, by Carbon Leaf

I haven't updated these last few weeks due to the extreme lack of musical activity in my life.

There's certainly been activity now.

In addition to the 90s cover band I am apart of, I am also embarking on a side project with the lovely Miss Anna Christy and Mr. Kristopher Ransom. We've dubbed ourselves Blue Jay Radio, not to be confused with the sports team radio station...


As of now, we do very little outside of the dining room, although we are in the process of working up tunes. We plan to hit up coffee shops and open mics for fun on the side once we have a solid set list. I'm really excited to be a part of Blue Jay Radio and to be working with these two great musicians double-time.

Speaking of that awesome 90s cover band, The Damn Skippies are having their great reunion this Tuesday. It's been over a month since we played all-together at Mears Park and we are extremely happy to be coming back.

We're not all returning, however. Though we will miss our beloved mistress of the keys, Miss Christina 'Lil Bit' Leonard dearly, we wish her all the best in her writing career. : ) Good lucky, Lil' Bit. You're amazing.

After much deliberation The Skippies put together another set list and are ready to get rollin' once again. EP plans are in the works as well...So make sure you talk to you closest Skippie about how you can get your hands on a copy. Hopefully we'll have something tangible by Christmas.

In other news...I had to back out of my internship at Universal Music Group. I'm not entirely sure if this was a great idea or not yet, however, my stress level has immediately dropped. I'm taking that as a good sign and am just rolling with it. Besides that, it opened up a lot of time during my week to work in the Admissions Office at McNally Smith. I'm really excited to start there, even though it will probably end up being about the same amount of hours as the internship. However, I won't have to drive in heavy traffic to the west side of Minneapolis. Huuuuuuge plus.

I also want to take this chance to let you know that my student newspaper, The Decibel, is starting up once again on Tuesday (Tuesday is a big day for me). We're going to be starting a fairly large online presence as well as printing hard copies...Watch out of obnoxious plugging for The Decibel.

Hey! Did you hear that Death Cab for Cutie is going to be on New Moon movie soundtrack? Pretty cool, huh? I definitely thought so. My excitement for that movie and another awesome movie soundtrack is unfathomable to even myself. At MTV's Video Awards tonight the song 'Meet Me on the Equinox' was premiered. This blogger is a fan. Check it out here.

In other news, there's a Beatles edition of the ever video game Rock Band. You know, a lot of musicians, it seems, dislike the Guitar Heros and the Rock Band games that are out there. (And as a musician I can safely say that they are a little frustrating sometimes...) but at the same time, I think they're great. Due to circumstances possibly out of their control, a lot of people in the world are never going to be able to play 'Come Together' on their own guitar. Now they'll be able to, or at least pretend they are. Sometimes that's close enough. And I think that's kind of neat.

Besides, I think games like this inspire a lot of kids to go out and start learning how to play a real guitar, or learn to how to play real drums or bass guitars. I'm no gamer, but I am a teacher, and I think that inspiration is seriously lacking in parts of some kids' lives. I say, "Rock on, Rock Band Rockers."

In other news, MTV's Video Music Awards are getting started right about now. Unfortunately I'm missing them, as I sit here and blog at work. But I'll be keeping tabs on them throughout the evening I'm sure. Green Day is up for Best Rock Video. That's fantastic. Many will argue that Green Day has "sold out" - whatever that means - over the last decade. Whatever. Who else from this generation has lasted on the charts for twenty-plus years? Not many. Go you, Green Day.

I feel I should also mention that Jason Mraz won 'Best Album' at The 2009 San Diego Music Awards. I may be biased, and let's face it, I totally am, but not only that awesome, but it was completely deserved. Congratulations, Mr. Mraz! (( Check out his awesome acceptance speech below... ))



With that I feel it is time to say 'ado', good readers. I'll be updating soon.

Keep on rocking in the free world!

Jenna