Stefani’s Solo Album Comeback is all about Feelings

Generation Y and the Millennials can definitely remember Gwen Stefani as either the muse of the alternative rock band No Doubt or that fancy, talented blonde who popularized the song Sweet Escape with Akon. Throughout the years, one thing that never waned is Gwen Stefani’s ability to lure in more and more fans whenever she steps into the limelight and opens her mouth to sing.

Going on and off the radar made Stefani a relatable artist, surging from the broken and happy pieces of her personal life and juggling her musical journey together. Despite the seemingly long absence for putting up a studio album, the warm reception of her current offering leaves us wondering why we love Gwen Stefani so much. The answer is comprised of just a few words: she is an awesome and passionate musician.

Ten years after The Sweet Escape album which left us bouncing with the tracks comprising it, Gwen Stefani performed a major overhaul upon the release of her third studio album entitled ‘This is What the Truth Feels Like.’ Managed by the firm Interscope Records, this offering will channel much of Stefani’s experiences over her recently broken marriage and the start of a new romantic relationship.

Many album experts swear by the raw and real emotions Stefani herself put into the tracks of this album, making it more sellable to the singer’s plethora of fans that never left her side despite the lows in her career. Originally, This is What the Truth Feels Like was supposed to be released in 2012, but Stefani scrapped the idea altogether when she reached a roadblock, making it difficult to release her creative juices and craft tracks to be included in the album.

The vibe of the album leaned on the sorrow, joy and sarcasm of a recent break-up, tackling all possible human emotions that can be felt in between the stages. Themes of betrayal, disappointment and pure hurt coincide with the hope of loving again and the tedious process of moving on.

Tracks such as Baby Don’t Lie and Spark the Fire have been released prior to the album itself. However, the weak commercial reception was a deciding factor to postpone the album’s release until March 18, 2016.

Genres included in the album include dancehall reggae, pop and R&B, with rawness and stills from Gwen Stefani’s personal losses and triumphs. The album’s lead single first aired in October 2015, and Used to Love You is one of those songs you’d play when you’re about to step out of despair, but get pulled back by your heartbreak’s joyous past.

Some of the other tracks meant to make you adore Gwen Stefani’s musical talent even more include Misery, You’re My Favorite, Where Would I Be, Make Me Like You, Truth, Send Me a Picture, Rare and Me Without You. For its reception, This is What the Truth Feels Like debuted at number one in the illustrious US Billboard 200, with 84,000 units sold as of March this year.

The United Kingdom received the album with a lukewarm welcome at first, but eventually came to realize how relatable the album is and sales have been unstoppable since then. Professional ratings from different firms also affirmed how valuable this album is for Stefani’s solo career, with Rolling Stone giving it a 3 out of 5, Slant Magazine with a 3.5 out of 5 and Entertainment Weekly grading it with an A-.

http://laurenceourac.com/stefanis-solo-album-comeback-is-all-about-feelings/

Pink wrote the soundtrack for the movie ‘Alice through the Looking Glass’

The Rabbit Hole together with famous fictional characters Alice and Mad Hatter will once again open its gates on the big screen through Disney’s latest offering Alice through the Looking Glass. But before the beloved story of Alice is shown before our dreamy eyes, a catchy soundtrack would first tease us which is written by none other than Pink.

The singer of ‘Just Give Me a Reason’ is having her comeback by engaging in a project where she penned and sang the latest soundtrack for the new motion picture from the powerhouse production company, Disney. Pink has officially joined the ranks of singers like Sarah McLachlan who sang Toy Story 2’s soundtrack When She Loved Me and Frozen’s Let It Go as performed by Idina Menzel.

A Disney soundtrack plays a big role in the success of the movie paired with it and Pink is given a chance to continue the tradition by sharing her talent in one of the most followed classics of all time.

The teasing and chasing is over as the track ‘Just Like Fire’ was officially released to grace the new Alice in Wonderland installment. Aside from the stellar cast that includes A-listers Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, the hype and anticipation towards the movie became even more frenetic as the music video nudges us about the characters’ looks in the film. The visual appeal blended well with the song’s semi pop, semi punk vibe with a hint of rap on the side.

Of course, the theme is all about empowerment and conquering challenges. As the movie’s general plot is about 19-year old Alice’s return and pursuit to vanquish the evil works of the Red Queen, the song’s message is tailored to the core meaning of the film. It is a tough job for our dear Alice, but we’ll let the movie do the storytelling for you all.

Pink admitted that this project is a welcome call for her. Aside from the main soundtrack, the singer was also involved with the trailer’s theme, White Rabbit.

http://laurenceourac.com/pink-wrote-the-soundtrack-for-the-movie-alice-through-the-looking-glass/

Looking at Good Charlotte’s musical voyage

Mentioning Good Charlotte will pull you back to the early 2000s when the music scene was mostly dominated by bands from pop to rock. It was a time when the vibe of the mainstream industry had a balanced flavor of anything and everything. The diversity of genres made available in this epoch was a buffet of various pallets that fed the different wants of people who grew up at this time.

Unknown to many, while the majority were singing along with the Goo Goo Dolls and rapping with Eminem, identical twins from Maryland were jumpstarting their career to become one of the most remembered rock bands the world has ever heard by far. Brothers Joel and Benji Madden may have grown up surrounded by domestic problems including their parents’ separation, but the two kept holding on through their strong inclination towards music.

Mostly influenced by rock artists like Green Day, The Smiths, The Cure, etc., the duo’s style and song writing eventually flourished. The two had a first-hand encounter with what was once considered the haven of bands who were just starting out. After high school, Joel and Benj received a plane ticket from their mother as a present and this gave them a chance to visit the East Bay club where some of the bands they look up to established their early music.

Other members eventually joined the band like Paul Thomas, Billy Martin and Dean Butterworth. The band was not always present or complete. They must have created quite an impression when their self-titled debut album was released live 11 years after they were introduced, but fans were given somewhat sad news when it was announced that the band will take some time off in September of the year 2011.

With five albums under their belt, the band is returning with their newest album entitled Authority.

The members admitted that their rest from the spotlight allowed them to rekindle the drive and creativity that withered during the course of their career.

The hiatus also allowed them to focus on their personal lives including the marriage of Benj with the actress Cameron Diaz back in 2015.

http://laurenceourac.com/looking-at-good-charlottes-musical-voyage/

A Must hear: Needed Me by Rihanna

Rihanna continues to prove that she’s one of the best female singers out there. We know how the song Work flirted with our imagination as she and Drake delivered the teasing track right before our eyes and gave us an ear-gasmic experience that screams sensuality and fun.

Gone were the days when Riri gave us mystery as she proved that made it as seen in the progress of here even better looking career. No more drama and scandals like what happened between her and former boyfriend Chris Brown. Our girl from Barbados has risen even stronger and bolder, evident in the ventures she has engaged in not only in the field of music, but within fashion as well.

Clearly unapologetic and rebellious in a sense, the singer successfully transcended stereotypes and maintained the public’s interest when we all thought things were over after the much talked about scandal she had with her former boyfriend. There were even rumors circulating that she’s been spending time with actor Leo DiCaprio lately. Now that’s what you call bouncing back.

If Work lets us peek into Rihanna’s alluring charm, then another single from her album Anti entitled Needed Me gives us all access to her sheer nakedness and soul mixed together to come up with a narration that’s interpreted by director Harmony Korine.

Watching the video is like watching an installment of a gangster inspired movie. There’s violence and some explicit scenes that are not supposed to be seen by kids. With a gun in her hand and bloodshed in the latter part of the vid, it will not be a surprise if the singer would land a cameo role in a mafia film in the future.

The song is probably her last offering before jumpstarting the Anti World Tour scheduled to commence in the month of May.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-must-hear-needed-me-by-rihanna/

Music Played Smart and Passionately by Allan Kingdom

Aside from sheer talent and the passion to maintain a music career, it is very important for artists to have a strong connection to the people around them. It can be with their managers, their growing fans, the people they work with or other artists in the same genre. No matter what it is, time has proven that being in good terms with everybody is beneficial.

You might not be the strongest suit now, but if there’s an unmistakable development of talent through prolific releases and if one is tightly connected with someone else’s prominence, then success is certainly attainable. That being said, here is an artist named Allan Kingdom, and by the looks of it, he will be staying longer than he’s expecting.

Born as Allan Kyariga, Allan Kingdom was raised in Winnipeg, Canada and has a strong desire to please people through music. After a rigorous yet normal life, Allan Kingdom moved a notch up by mastering his passion in music by studying at the revered Minneapolis Institute of Production and Recording.

Here, Kingdom was exposed to how the industry works as a whole and managed to learn what it is like once viewed from the inside of the canopy. He started out his venture in mainstream music as a record producer in 2011 and from there, he established a strong reputation as a serious and passionate musician.

During his production phase, Allan Kingdom did not seem to like the idea of just being behind the stage, so he worked his way up as a rapper. It can be remembered that Allan Kingdom was part of the rap group Thestand4rd together with equally-talented artists like Spooky Black, Bobby Raps and Psymun. With this mighty squad, Allan Kingdom got his hands on their first self-titled album in 2014, which received a plethora of accolades and praises from the music industry.

In his early years as a musician, Allan Kingdom experimented with different screen names such as The Northern Gentleman, Peanut Butter Prince and King Kyariga. After all these years, the name ‘Allan Kingdom’ is what he is most famous for.

Kingdom attributes his unmistakable inclination to music from artists such as Kid Cudi, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, treating them as inspirations during the course of building up his confidence to be on the spotlight. Allan Kingdom has also been known through his ventures in crafting head-bopping mixtapes that surely appealed to those who have loved the rap genre from the start.

Some of the most famous mixtapes released by Allan Kingdom include Trucker Music (2011), Talk to Strangers (2014), Future Memoirs (2014) and just recently, Northern Lights.

An EP entitled ‘Pinkspire Lane’ was also released in 2012, garnering him more followers as it cascaded through the whole music realm. Allan Kingdom also gained some exposure through guest appearances in music videos, especially when he showed up on Kanye West’s ‘All Day’ track in 2015.

http://laurenceourac.com/music-played-smart-and-passionately-by-allan-kingdom/

Hustling Up the Ladder to Musical Fame – Erik Hassle

Okay, so we all know that Sweden is now a country sought-after in the music industry due to the prevalence of artists hailing from there, making big waves in fame on the EDM genre. We have seen one artist after the after, conquering the music food chain with all the necessary talent and usually winning it after some mainstream exposures.

But after all the EDM acts spawned from Sweden since early 2010, here comes another artist who wants to prove that there’s more to the country than just jumpy tunes and modern beats. Now carving his name as an artist to watch out for in 2016’s third quarter, Erik Hassle is set to dominate not with synthesizers and boosters, but just with his vocals.

The 27-year old Katrineholm, Sweden child is a well-known advocate of pop since he started out his career within his hometown. Erik Hassle focused on this genre from the very beginning since he knew full well that this is a giveaway ticket for him to reach stardom.

Aside from his bold approach to pop, Erik Hassle’s talent in songwriting is a plus as a full-pledged musician. It was in the year 2005 that he humbly began his journey and all throughout these years, Hassle’s career has been handled by different music firms like the TEN Music Group, Roxy, Island and Universal Republic.

Like any other artist who loves to enrich his hometown’s musical inclination, Erik Hassle dominated the Swedish charts with songs such as Hurtful and Don’t Bring Flowers. Quite expectedly, Hassle’s ventures in Sweden paid-off as he’s now a known pop icon within the limits of his country.

His reach has also expanded to as far as Denmark. Using the two aforementioned singles, he expanded his vision and broke borders, reaching the United Kingdom together with his first studio album entitled Hassle.

Later on, Erik Hassle became the talk of the town due to his inclination to pop music, alongside songs that he personally wrote. In early 2010, he toured with international pop artist Mika as a supporting act, which generally increased his market value and made him reap more admirers along the way.

He prolifically produced more music until worldwide streaming firm iTunes introduced him as an upcoming pop artist and from then on, he amassed a huge chunk of streams and music downloads. In 2012, he put forth his third studio album entitled We Dance which has been patronized in Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark.

As for extended plays, some of the most popular under Hassles’ belt include The Hassle Sessions: Volume One, Taken, Mariefred Sessions and Somebody’s Party. In singles, Erik Hassle can be remembered through tracks such as No Words, If Your Man Only Knew, Natural Born Lovers, Talk About It, Grace, Are You Leaving and Stay Away.

http://laurenceourac.com/hustling-up-the-ladder-to-musical-fame-erik-hassle/

Blossoms is Certainly Not Just another Band from England

England is such a music-rich country that whenever acts or artists hail from this country, we all try to witness how awesome they will be. The healthy music industry which is contained within the country itself is viewed as somewhat beneficial to the ‘gifts’ brewing inside the musicians residing in the UK.

English acts are now known as purely talented folks who mean the industry no harm, and the charm that any British artist cascades has been irresistibly good to patronize. Now that we’ve known soloists like Adele and group acts such as the Spice Girls, another band is yet to conquer the music arena and they call themselves ‘Blossoms’.

If you’re thinking that Blossoms is an all-female group, then erase that notion as the band is pure testosterone. Hailing from the humble city of Stockport, Greater Manchester, Blossoms is out and about to offer nothing but the best musical styles and unmistakable talent to entertain.

Be delighted to know that this band is directed to perform tracks within the genres of indie pop, indie rock and alternative rock. Many music analysts have connoted that Blossoms’ fresh input to these seemingly old genres is just as bold as their ultimate dream to reach a worldwide audience.

Currently, Blossoms is under the experienced wing of musical firm Virgin EMI Records. While their fame is concentrated in the greater United Kingdom, Blossoms is slowly carving its name onto the mainstream music scene since they started out in 2013.

This English indie pop band is comprised of a gifted quintet, namely Tom Ogden (main vocals, guitars), Josh Dewhurst (lead guitar), Charlie Salt (bass, secondary vocals), Joe Donovan (drums) and Myles Kellock (keyboards). With this roster, Blossoms is an all-out band meant to provide their listeners with high-quality music and insurmountable energy when deployed on stage.

The name ‘Blossoms’ is actually derived from a public house which is situated in their hometown, specifically in the corner of Bramhall Lane and Buxton Road. At the start of 2016, Blossoms was luckily included on BBC’s Sound of Music List, a citation for budding artists and acts that will definitely make it big if given the right amount of exposure and opportunity.

As soon as 2014 kicked in, Blossoms managed to deliver a couple of extended plays such as Bloom, Blown Rose, Charlemagne and At Most a Kiss. Just this year, they managed to release their first self-titled major studio album. Some of the tracks that made Blossoms’ journey interesting include You Pulled a Gun on Me, Blow, Cut Me and I’ll Bleed and Getaway.

http://laurenceourac.com/blossoms-is-certainly-not-just-another-band-from-england/

Attest to the Potential of James Blake

At first, he offered beats and tunes to the world that were reminiscent of the biggest EDM artists who conquered early 2010. The genius in him produced melodies and string of sounds that are just irresistible for dancing and after series of exposures, he displayed that there’s more to him than just beats. After quite few appearances on various stages, he then shocked his growing fans that his vocal chords can work wonders too.

The versatility of his mind to create electronic music and impeccably sing at the same time is reason enough for the world to know him more. If you’re on the look-out for an awesome artist to dominate your playlists, then try James Blake and never regret it.

Born James Blake Litherland, the 27-year old musician is slowly taking the world by storm through his sheer talent in crafting and performing songs. James Blake is focused on genres such as electronic, post dubstep, R&B, soul and experimental, which shows everyone how flexible his skills can really be.

Aside from his innate vocal prowess, James Blake is also notoriously known for playing the piano and the EDM instrument called the synthesizer. He has been around since 2009 and if you’re just starting to know him through this article, he’s definitely worth a shot to be heard.

Starting off with extended plays, James Blake is a cut above the rest due to the fact that he trekked the complex post dubstep genre, a concept that gave him the edge and exposure. He first gained popularity from his home country the United Kingdom and through the connection brought about by technology, his name zoomed into stardom as soon as it hit the mainstream.

James Blake’s career has been handled by different music firms such as 1-800 Dinosaur, ATLAS, Polydor, Universal Republic and Hessle Audio. James Blake, despite his short tenure, received a Mercury Prize for his second album and was nominated as the Best New Artist for both the Grammy’s and the Brit Awards.

Throughout the course of his journey, James Blake was able to produce three studio albums and a total of six extended plays which all turned out positively for this multi-talented artist. In 2010 and 2011, he captured the industry’s interest through EPs entitled The Bells Sketch, CMYK, Klavierwerke, Enough Thunder, Love What Happened Here and 200 Press.

His first self-titled studio album earned Silver and Gold status from BPI and IFPI DEN respectively and gave him his first break on charts such as US Dance, Denmark, UK, Australia and Belgium. His sophomore album entitled Overgrown was equally received by certain countries with open arms, which further cemented his career as a full-fledged recording artist.

Just recently, ‘The Colour in Anything’ under Republic Records is making a mark on several charts and is said to make his journey all the more famous in the next few months.

http://laurenceourac.com/attest-to-the-potential-of-james-blake/

Be Amazed with the Musical Style Brought About by DNCE

If you were saddened by the disbandment of the Jonas Brothers and you’re missing Joe Jonas quite terribly, then fret no more as a rising group called DNCE will chase your blues away. It’s a normal phenomenon that even the most successful acts would soon get into the separation phase, like the Spice Girls or Destiny’s Child, but the careers of the members thereafter are best to watch out for.

Like what happened to the Jonas Brothers, the disbandment led its members to tread their own paths. If you’re one of the millions who adored Joe better than the rest of the former group’s huge fan base, you need to fasten your seatbelts for the unstoppable rise of DNCE.

Formed and dominating the general music scene since last 2015, the American group DNCE is all about performance and the strong display of individual skills from its members. Many music fans have commented that the mixture of members and their accompanying individuality make DNCE a group to root for in the next few years.

Focusing on pop rock and funk, DNCE screams dance beats and fanciful tunes, giving the whole music community a breath of fresh air in contemporary music. DNCE is currently handled by the eponymous outfit Republic Records, and everyone is excited about the group’s bright future.

DNCE is comprised of Joe Jonas, Jack Lawless, Jin Joo Lee and Cole Whittle, all equipped with awesome passion to please their growing fan base. Most of them have come from bands of their own, and the experiences they have reaped from their former careers gave DNCE a boost to become even more successful.

DNCE tested the waters of fame when they ventured into releasing the track Cake by the Ocean, which generally started out a bit off the radar upon its release. However, when people came to know that the members of the band sounded very familiar, the song proceeded to gain steam and received positive feedback from a plethora of pop lovers.

Cake by the Ocean successfully landed on the US Billboard Hot 100 at the ninth spot and even entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number seven.

Right after their firs track rolled out, DNCE put forth the effort to craft their first official extended play entitled SWAY, comprised of four cuts. The inevitable influence of Jonas’ slick pop orientation has been evident on SWAY, and reviews are generally positive. They then followed it up with a fourteen-date tour, the Greatest Tour Ever, which was a treat to those who witnessed the event.

DNCE gave it their best shot by performing with unreleased tracks and numerous covers of current and old pop songs. The band has also been applauded with their renditions of songs such as Maybe Baby, Rock and Rock is Here to Stay and Born to Hand Jive. While they are becoming increasingly famous, DNCE took the opportunity to dig deeper by joining pop superstar Selena Gomez in her Revival Tour this year by being the concert’s opening act.

http://laurenceourac.com/be-amazed-with-the-musical-style-brought-about-by-dnce/

Shedding Some Light into Music via the Lumineers

In a world where mainstream music always puts artists on the pedestal, a thriving band with no connections to anything ‘famous’ will certainly have a difficult time becoming known or patronized. With how things are going nowadays, genres such as pop, rock, R&B and ballad are those raking in support, sales and veneration from crazed music fans.

But as they always say, music is for everyone who has the heart for it, and yes, we can still see a plethora of acts and groups slowly inching their way to fame, one day at a time, despite the fact that it all seems too difficult. Equipped with nothing but unshakeable passion, innate musical talent and resilience, these so-called indie acts are something that we should also look into, starting with The Lumineers.

Hailing from the music-rich corners of Denver, Colorado and Ramsey, New Jersey, the talented members of The Lumineers ensure that their names will be carved deeply onto the canvass of music history. Focusing on music genres which are considered ‘non-mainstream’, the group still plays what it wants including indie folk, folk rock and Americana.

Founded by members Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, the band is now considered a solid mainstay in several music charts, including the illustrious Billboard which is notorious for sending budding artists into the blinding lights of fame.

During the time when Schultz and Fraites circled New Jersey for a series of acts, another equipped musician joined the group: cellist Neyla Pekarek. In 2012, two additional members joined in as well: bassist Ben Wahamaki and pianist Stelth Ulvang, completing the quintet now called The Lumineers.

Right after they found their ‘tune’, the band immediately worked on their first self-titled album in April 2012, which is bound to leave an impression on millions of listeners worldwide. Carried by Dualtone Records, this album release has soared well in its first week of release, placing at the second spot in the Billboard 200 albums chart.

The Lumineers’ first attempt through their debut album granted them Platinum status in the United States and Ireland, merits of Gold certifications in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Due to this album, an extended play entitled ‘Winter’ was released shortly thereafter, solidifying their presence as a group to watch out for.

The Lumineers then received nominations from the coveted Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Americana Album in 2012. Last April 8, the band set forth once more to make some noise within the halls of mainstream when they released their sophomore album entitled Cleopatra. Quite accordingly, this album is set to remove the lid created by pop illusions and expose what’s happening in real life.

http://laurenceourac.com/shedding-some-light-into-music-via-the-lumineers/

See Eric Church Dominate Through His Impressive Musical Style

The world of country music can be considered as magnanimous to what we currently regard as mainstream music. Though it is not as popular as pop, rock and R&B, it never cease to flourish in selected parts of the United States, bringing with it an intense love for performing and the rich legacies strewn together by past and present country music artists.

While we don’t know much about who’s who in the current country genre scene, there’s never a smudge of a doubt that all existing musicians who are trekking this field are both talented and passionate in what they do. Aside from huge names such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift, one person that floats within this genre is a man named Eric Church, and he’s about to blow everyone away with his mere talent and undying desire for music.

Born as Kenneth Eric Church, the 39-year old country musician has been a resounding persona within his genre due to his seemingly old approach to singing and performing. Eric Church is known to play specific genres like outlaw country, rock heavy metal, Southern rock and bluegrass. Aside from his undeniable vocal ability, Church is also known to be a prolific instrument player, hence his noticeable affinity with the piano, guitar and banjo.

He can also craft the best country music tracks due to his strong inclination to songwriting. During his younger years, Eric Church first tested his ability to play for a crowd when he covered multiple Jimmy Buffett songs in some dive bars and local watering holes. He then found himself playing for the Mountain Boys, a group comprised of his college roommate, himself and his brother, hoping to take North Carolina by storm.

The sought-after Eric Church has been managed by two of country music’s biggest firms, namely Capitol Nashville and EMI Nashville.

In 2005, Church wanted to take songwriting seriously instead of being in the front lines and co-wrote tracks such as The World Needs a Drink and Whiskey Wings for artists Terri Clark and Dean Miller. However, music producers saw something better lying behind the veneer of Church’s pen and signed him up for a recording contract instead.

Capitol took the time in honing Church to be an impressive singer and they realized that he was ready when he played the song ‘Lightning’ to Arthur Buenahora, the same producer who sent Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert’s careers soaring with Sony Music.

Eric Church marvelously performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time in April 2006, just in time as he released his first major album entitled Sinners Like Me. Five more albums were produced after, making Eric Church’s career blossom more than it was expected to.

Church also played his cards well and continuously made his star shine by joining hordes of tours from the time that his career started until 2014-2015 when he joined The Outsider World Tour together with Dwight Yoakam, Halestorm, Drive by Truckers, Brothers Osborne and Chris Stapleton. As for his music style, Church cited the names of Merle Haggard, The Band, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Pantera and Metallica as his biggest influences.

http://laurenceourac.com/see-eric-church-dominate-through-his-impressive-musical-style/

Satisfy Your British Craving with the Multi-talented Tom Odell

There’s something about British singers that is irresistible, impressive and admirable to music fans all over the globe, putting them on a pedestal that’s difficult to match in hindsight. After the successes of performers like the Spice Girls, One Direction and Adele, everyone has been waiting for another supernova to come from the music-rich country of the United Kingdom over the last couple of years.

Maybe it’s the refreshing English accent or the blatant charm, but singers hailing from the UK are deemed superior in terms of performing and vocal prowess. We can all nod in agreement that there’s something addictive whenever an English performer is on stage, and much as we try to avoid listening, we still do. If the anticipation is just too much to handle, then look for Tom Odell and vanquish your longing for another Brit singer to serenade you.

Born Thomas Peter Odell, this 25-year old musician is fresh from the presses of his hometown in Chichester, West Sussex in England. Known as a multi-talented artist, we can all drool as Odell pinches us with his soothing voice and skills in playing the piano, keyboard or organ.

Like any other kid entering adolescence, Tom Odell found love in writing a multitude of songs but laid-off the dream of entering the music industry because he thought it was ‘uncool’. However, habits turned into passion and he pursued a music degree in Liverpool with high hopes that one day, he’d be able to share his talents in singing and composing with the rest of the world.

Originally, Tom Odell was a part of Tom and the Tides while he further expanded his desire to learn music at the Brighton Institute of Music. With the band, Odell structured his plans and created songs for school requirements until he decided to go solo in 2010 and moved straight to London. Luckily for Tom Odell, manager Lily Allen of the musical firm In The Name Of took notice of his David Bowie-like stage presence and signed him up as a recording artist in 2012.

The horizon became even broader for Tom Odell as he released his first extended play entitled Songs From Another Love. This undertaking led to opportunities for his music to be used in various commercial ventures such as BBC’s scheduled advertisements and a handful of Burberry fashion shows.

In February 2013, Tom Odell was awarded as the BRIT’s Critics’ Choice Award winner, which was also won by Adele and Florence and the Machine, thereby solidifying his career even more.

In June of 2013, Tom Odell released his first studio album entitled Long Way Down now under Columbia Records, which hit the top spot in the UK Charts among others. Quite expectedly, Long Way Down was widely heard in different countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark and Belgium, granting it Platinum recognition by the British Phonographic Industry.

Set to be released in June 2016, Odell is working on his sophomore album entitled Wrong Crowd, which will now be handled by RCA.

http://laurenceourac.com/satisfy-your-british-craving-with-the-multi-talented-tom-odell/

Releasing the Gift of Entertainment through Otep

Of all the music genres available, metal is definitely one of the most popular. While the mainstream industry is more of light rock, R&B and pop, there exists a genre that embodies noise, purposive use of loud instruments and percussions, and metaphors thrown in between lyrics. Metal is the kind of music you play when you’ve had a very bad day at the office or when you want to release any bottled-up anger.

Luckily, metal has branched out into different styles, making it more personal and identifiable instead of just one huge field. The variations make it easier for listeners to personalize the genre. With different shades, people can adore this genre even more, and one band that comes to mind if you want that ‘metal’ flexibility is known as Otep.

Showing diversity in skills and orientation, Otep can simultaneously play different types of metal such as NU metal, alternative metal, gothic metal, rap metal and extreme metal. They flourished by playing one metal music style to the next and easily attracted audiences throughout the course of their career.

Hailing from the flamboyant city of Los Angeles, California, Otep is considered as one of the most revered metal groups in all of history through their prolific exposures as entertainers. Starting their seemingly distant ambition to be superstars in their chosen genre, Otep first have played on stage by participating in an invite sent to them by Ozzfest. Since then, the band has graced the stage of this event, earning more and more minions along the way.

Otep is actually an anagram for the word ‘poet’ and was inspired by the name of lead vocalist, Otep Shamaya. Currently, the other band members include Ari Mihalopoulos in guitars, Justin Kier handling drums and Andrew Barnes for the touring bass. The quartet launched their official career by releasing their first studio album in June 2002 entitled Sevas Tra, which can also be considered an anagram for “Art Saves.”

After a few weeks, the album’s strength increased, making this Capitol-produced venture soar to the US Billboard charts at 145th place and 86th in the United Kingdom. They immediately followed with a stronger comeback for their sophomore album, House of Secrets, establishing the band as a relevant part of the metal genre, with bold approaches in instruments and impressive color channeled through the band’s vocals.

Four more albums have been released by Otep which are The Ascension (2007), Smash the Control Machine (2009), Atavist (2011) and Hydra (2013). Just last April, Otep managed to craft their seventh studio album entitled Generation Doom, which was favorably received by their large fan base, topping the charts in US Indie (10th place) and US Rock charts (7th spot).

The band also successfully created a live album in 2012, which was sponsored by Victory Records and widely known by the title ‘Sounds like Armageddon’. Some of the most popular tracks from all of Otep’s studio albums include Rise, Rebel, Resist, Fists Fall, Not to Touch the Earth, Warhead, Ghost Flowers, Breed and Perfectly Flawed.

http://laurenceourac.com/releasing-the-gift-of-entertainment-through-otep/

Never Say Die Attitude Made Wolfgang Gartner’s Dream A Reality

When one enters the music industry, it is never a guarantee that his or her fame would be absolute. The world has been exposed to millions of artists packed with various types of sounds that would either spark interest or bore someone to no end. For an artist to stay longer and gain fame faster, it is imperative that he should be dynamic, fresh and volatile, which is not the case at all times.

Music fans have seen stars dim, casted out of the scene, torched aflame above the others, and some sparks resiliently came back because they were never fit to just die out. Fame has never been too kind with Wolfgang Gartner as how other house music artists have experienced, but this never stopped him from reaching and showcasing his full potential to the world.

Initially presenting his deep house DJ skills, Wolfgang Gartner never found a solid voice as an artist when he first entered the industry in 1999. Born James Thomas Youngman, the now-33 year old musician has experienced failure and used this as an inspiration to get back in the game with a new name in July 2008.

Now equipped with vast experience, Wolfgang Gartner has re-surfaced in mainstream music when he finally connected to a bigger fan base after focusing on other variants of house music, such as electro house, progressive house and the dizzying complextro.

For his comeback, Wolfgang Gartner managed to put eight of his genius tracks as top-notchers in the illustrious Beatport Top 10. Many EDM concert goers would definitely have a copy of his worldwide known single, Wolfgang’s 5th Symphony which suitably became Beatport.com’s highest selling and grossing song of 2009.

Further in his career, Gartner received a coveted nomination at the 2010 Grammy Awards for his remix of Andy Caldwell’s Funk Nasty. From here, his career caught the fame that it’s worth and he became a household name in house events and music festivals.

Some other works of art that were stamped by Wolfgang Gartner’s undying passion for music include his full-length album ‘Weekend in America’, which featured the era’s most famous musicians such as Omarion, will.i.am, Eve and Jim Jones.

This album was generally received well as it placed second on iTunes’ dance charts during the time of its release. Several collaborations were also tagged with Wolfgang Gartner’s ingenuity and music style, such as his tracks with Deadmau5 on Channel 42 and Tiesto’s We Own The Night.

Gartner’s created tracks have also established a good footing, as it is used on video games, thereby reaching a wider and more dynamic audience. Some of the franchises which adapted Wolfgang Gartner’s tracks are Stoked, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, DJ Hero and Forza Horizon.

Some music aficionados would also associate some of Wolfgang Gartner’s tracks to teenage TV series in the United States like Grey’s Anatomy, Teen Wolf, The Secret Circle and How I Met Your Mother.

http://laurenceourac.com/never-say-die-attitude-made-wolfgang-gartners-dream-a-reality/

Freshest Musical Approach Delivered to You by Natalie

Every once in a while, we are mesmerized by how female artists and acts dominate the general music scene. Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift and Adele are examples of how we have come to realize how important women’s contributions are in keeping the music industry alive.

It is also a fact that rising artists right now have come to remove the notion that for a singer to flourish well in this industry, he or she must start as young as possible. While this might be factual to some who we adore now, more and more people have broken the borders of age and still pursue their dreams to share their talent no matter what it takes.

One such artist is the feisty female vocalist Natalie La Rose and her seemingly mature penetration into the music industry has been more effective than striving for it early on.

Now aged 27, La Rose has been a femme fatale in the genres of pop, R&B, electropop and dance pop since starting to chase her singing career four years ago. While her reception was not initially fruitful, Natalie La Rose’s passion to achieve what she wants is far stronger. Currently signed up with the well-known musical outfit Republic, Natalie La Rose has made it crystal clear that her vocal abilities and the pizzazz to move are worthy of a huge fan base.

The Dutch singer has been receiving the diva treatment after international recording star Flo Rida ensured that La Rose’s connection to the international scene will be strong and tight. La Rose have been active in keeping her musical passion going as she worked on a part of High School Musical in her home country reprising the role of Taylor Mckessie.

Also, this talented diva-in-the-making has solid musical roots. Thanks to her academic excellence in Amsterdam’s Lucia Marthas Dance Academy, she has been well equipped for singing and dancing. Natalie La Rose named some influential stats like the late Aaliyah, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Musiq Soulchild, Jennifer Lopez and the iconic Whitney Houston as some of those who have sparked her interest in singing and performing.

Just this year, Natalie La Rose made noise in several music charts with her international debut single ‘Somebody’ with another rising star Jeremih. As expected, La Rose gained rightful attention as this track placed really well on the US Billboard Hot 100, the Official UK Singles Chart and even as far as Australia’s ARIA Singles Chart. The singer’s follow-up single has been well thought of as Fetty Wap graced the collaboration for the song entitled ‘Around the World’.

Last year, La Rose was prolific in major collaborations with other artists such as taking part in Caroline D’Amore’s ‘Gypsy Woman’ and Timeflies’ ‘Worse Things Than Love’. Currently, there are rumors that La Rose is well on her way to release her first full-length studio album while gaining as many fans as she could during the last quarter of 2015. Natalie is also said to take part in Fifth Harmony’s Reflection Tour as the band’s opening act.

http://laurenceourac.com/freshest-musical-approach-delivered-to-you-by-natalie/