The Rudimentals Bringing the Music Genre Ska Back to Life

The world of music nowadays would definitely lean on mainstream genres such as pop, rock, rap and R&B. We have come to embrace the aforementioned genres since this is what everyone listens to, and it feels obligatory to like them despite the itch of looking for a fresh genre.

We are all guilty of purchasing their albums, streaming their music videos and putting them on repeat for as long as our ears could take. With this lies the probability that we have neglected other great acts from other music genres such as ska.

It is not every day that we get to hear an artist or a group from the humble area of Cape Town in South Africa. Furthermore, it is really not conventional that we hear groups comprised of six members and above. The edge found in The Rudimentals is quite difficult to miss, so much that if you haven’t taken a second to hear them out, there must be something wrong with your system.

Focusing on unconventional music genres namely ska and reggae, this huge group of combined talent is slowly taking the world by storm through their innate passion to perform.

Currently, The Rudimentals is comprised of Teboho Maidza, Ross Macdonald, Simone Bates, Jodi Engelbrecht, Michael Levy, Karl Gray, Antonio Cencherle, Errol Strachan and Nikolai Athrios. This nine-piece music wonder will bring a fresh sound to your eardrums if the only ska track that you can think of is No Doubt’s ‘Underneath It All’.

All throughout their career since 2000, The Rudimentals was able to release two studio albums entitled ‘More Fire’ and ‘Set It Proper’. What made them really popular in underground and mainstream music is when they released a live DVD/CD compilation of the 2007 Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Concert, topping charts in South Africa and echoed all over the world.

Currently, The Rudimentals have been jumping through different music moguls like V-Labs, Rising Records, and most recently, Independent. Just this year, The Rudimentals successfully signed a deal with world-renowned British music handler Moon Ska World, which primarily gives career opportunities to small-scale artists in the United Kingdom.

Many music experts have noted that the fair mix and exposure of all the nine members made The Rudimentals float above the rest. They have made appearances in several music festivals in Europe and their home country. The Rudimentals’ preservation of how ska music should be performed has been a leap of faith especially now that the music industry is up for something new.

Aside from the hypnotic vocals, the band also never let go of the opportunity to perform with the aid of various musical instruments like the trombone, saxophone, flugel, percussions, keyboards and guitars.

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The Irony of Glam and Rock through The Struts

The rock genre has been around since time immemorial. It transcended the demanding notions of the mainstream music industry and stayed afloat despite fewer acts coming forth to keep it alive. Rock is unforgettable to any music fanatic out there, and in one way or another, there would always be room for some brain-shattering, musical-high phases associated with this genre.

While there have been many rumors about rock losing its steam over the past couple of years, the relevant band called The Struts have been proving these accusations wrong since 2010, and their presence is a reminder that rock is nowhere near extinction.

Currently, The Struts is comprised of Luke Spiller, Adam Slack, Jed Elliott and Gethin Davies, originating from the music-inclined town of Derby, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom. Focusing on keeping the rock genre kicking, The Struts have been very prolific in crafting songs for the benefit of their fans all over the world.

With their skills and passion for performing, The Struts have rubbed elbows with some of the industry’s largest musical firms like Interscope, Polydor, Virgin and most recently, EMI.

Band member Luke Spiller is noticeable due to his ‘strutting’ while performing, thanks to his music inspiration, the legendary Michael Jackson. The hyped-up Spiller made-up the band’s name after he was told that he’s all over the stage during their music gigs.

Surprisingly, The Struts’ branding paved the way into making them more adorable due to the fact that it’s definitely not difficult to memorize. Many of The Struts avid fans would surely remember them when they opened for The Rolling Stones in 2014, in front of 80,000 spectators during some nationwide tours of the iconic band in England and France.

The Struts became famous for their refreshing take on rock as they put glamor and pizzazz to the usual stone-cold finish that it has. Their sound is somewhat addicting and many have noticed how modern their version of rock is.

The Struts has a special place for past rock tracks and they always make it a point to act as a tribute to this. Currently, The Struts have been reveling in their first studio album entitled ‘Everybody Wants’ which was just released in July 2014 under Virgin EMI, which made it huge in the music scene ending up at the 52nd spot on the UK Hit Charts.

After the UK success of their first album, The Struts made follow-ups with two extended plays entitled Kiss This EP in April 2014 and Have You Heard in August 2015.

Some of the tracks from The Struts include I Just Know, Could Have Been Me (placed 2nd in US Alternative and 12th US Main Rock), Kiss This (23rd and 28th for US Alternative and US Main Rock respectively) and Put Your Money On Me, which made their name as reverberating as ever in the last quarter of 2015.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-irony-of-glam-and-rock-through-the-struts/

The Unforgettable Presence of Johnny Hallyday’s Life in Music

It has been proven true that experience is essential in determining if an artist can be heralded as an icon. More often than not, artists or groups normally come and go after a successful track and it definitely takes sheer talent and pizzazz for someone to stick to fame a bit longer.

Well-respected artists should also have a look that doesn’t tarnish no matter how many years have passed and an innate charisma exuded whenever they speak.

At the very least, neophytes who want to be the next music supernova must possess the aforementioned traits for if not, oblivion is inevitable. One great example of a man who truly has everything is the French singing sensation and epic actor Johnny Hallyday.

Popularly known as the French Elvis Presley, Jean-Philippe Smet has been one of Europe’s most venerated entertainers since he started out in 1959. With his sharp looks, musical mastery of rock and roll, rock and pop along with a charisma that’s just difficult to miss, Hallyday never found it a hassle to cement his name in the minds and hearts of his fans.

Despite the fact that Johnny Hallyday got most of his fame in France, he’s still regarded as one of the world’s best-selling music icons of all-time in the same league as Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Beyonce.

The mark that Johnny Hallyday left before his supposed last 2009 is something that made French people proud, and though not regarded as an international superstar, the influence that the singer had in his hometown is quite enough for him to be regarded as a full-pledged music icon.

Throughout his career, Johnny Hallyday wrote a variety of albums since his first entitled Nous Les Gars, Nous Les Filles which topped at the 25th spot in 1961. Some of the other albums which made Hallyday a well-respected singer include Sings America’s Rockin’ Hits (1962), Johnny Hallyday Olympia 64 (1964), Insolitudes (placed 1st in 1973), Rock N’ Roll Attitude (1985), Lorada (1995), Flashback Tour: Palais des Sports (2006), On Stage (2013) and the recently released Rester Vivant (2014).

Aside from the numerous albums which all sold well on music bars at the time of its release, Johnny Hallyday was able to complete 18 platinum disks, a whopping 180 concert tours within Europe and all over the world and an impressive 80 million records.

Johnny Hallyday has also been quite prolific in making movies as an actor as he did roles in flicks such as Detective (1984), Love Me (2000), Why Not Me? (1999), Crime Spree (2003), Quarter VIP (2005), Vengeance (2009) and The Pink Panther 2 as Laurence Millikin.

Some of the most notable tracks that made Johnny Hallyday the icon that he is today include True To You, Cadilac, Love Affair, Rester Libre, La Loi Du Silence, Seul and the 2015 release entitled De L’Amour.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-unforgettable-presence-of-johnny-hallydays-life-in-music/

Raise your hand if you want to be in that James Corden carpool

Singing can be an escape, a mood changer or simply a narration of a relative situation hugged by rhythm and melody. It’s something that can be done almost everywhere except for places that require the utmost silence. Music has the ability to gather people and let them sing, dance and party. Many have become richer by choosing this path as a lifelong career – talk about the famous singers that dominate mainstream media of whom we idolize.

Rubbing elbows with the who’s who is a privilege given to few. And luckily, this is a chance that the late night host James Corden was able to devour in very much abyss. Why, if singing with the music industry’s hottest personalities while driving isn’t insane in a great way, I don’t know how else to call it.

Many would not mind hitching and driving for free if it is going to be with sensational singers Adele, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber and One Direction. The segment ‘Carpool Karaoke’ of the Late Late Show with James Corden has gathered much attention especially when Adele graced the host’s front car seat and belted not only her smashing hits but Nicki Minaj’s Monster and Spice Girls’ Wannabe.

Watchers were left smiling when they saw the songstress lay her hair down and just be a party girl having a good time belting fun songs alongside her good comrade. Why, this video became even record braking as it garnered more than 40 million views and counting.

Aside from the lovely Adele, James Corden was also able to welcome the legendary Stevie Wonder in his very own car. With a touch of comedy and hilarious conversations while humming the singer’s famous songs, the video also got a massive 15 million views.

People can’t get enough of this segment on Corden’s very own show. Followers can’t help but to wish they know the singers on the list to be featured next but of course, that will only unfold by religiously watching the program that redefined how cool it is to have a mini party inside the car.

http://laurenceourac.com/raise-your-hand-if-you-want-to-be-in-that-james-corden-carpool/

Pick Conrad Sewell as Your Newest Music Delight

Music fanatics all over the globe have always been on the lookout for something fresh. While our preferred mainstream musicians remain the same, the feel and sound of an act that we’ve never heard before always comes as a sweet treat. Since we have been introduced to a wide array of youngsters lately, maybe it’s about time that we patronize someone more mature and skilled like Conrad Sewell.

Hailing from the Land Down Under, Conrad Ignatius Mario Maximillian Sewell, or more popularly known as just Conrad Sewell has been dominating the airwaves since we first met him in 2012. The undeniable charisma and the concept of listening to someone ‘mature’ are what set this male singer apart from other performers crowding the music scene.

Focusing on the genres pop and soul, Conrad Sewell is a ticking bomb just waiting to explode right after he collaborated with Kygo for the infamous pop single ‘Firestone’.

Sewell entered the established school St. Laurence’s College from 1998 to 2005. With a wide array of stints and gigs in Australia, he ensured that his journey would soon be recognized by a wider audience, hence the Firestone collaboration.

Musical ingenuity has been flowing deep within Conrad Sewell’s veins since he was a kid and reports have been made that he’s been prolifically sending out demo tapes to music producers since he was 8.

Many Australians would surely remember Sewell when he tried out for Australian Idol in 2004, and unfortunately did not make the cut. His dreams of becoming huge one day never died despite this defeat and he worked harder to be included in a short-lived rock band called Sons of Midnight.

Sewell cultivated himself more and did underground recordings and garage sessions to travel to the United Kingdom, where he thought he would be accepted as an artist.

Conrad Sewell slowly climbed the music hierarchy and worked with several famous songwriters the likes of Jamie Hartman, Sam Hollander, Eric Rosse and Brian Lee.

He then managed to release his debut single entitled ‘Hold Me Up’, which received fairly general accolades from listeners and music experts. ‘All I Know’, his first studio album, was released in November 2015 under 300 Entertainment which peaked on Australian charts at number 9.

This feisty and resilient musician can also be remembered through his tracks such as Start Again and Who You Lovin’, both of which included on the All I Know album.

The song Start Again is his best so far, which peaked at number 1 on the Australia Hot Charts and gave him his first Platinum recognition from ARIA. Some Sewell’s other collaborations that will mesmerize you include Running Out of You with Felix Snow, Braver Love with Arty and Little Love with Killian and Jo.

http://laurenceourac.com/pick-conrad-sewell-as-your-newest-music-delight/

Piercing Through the Music Canopy with Major Lazer

Music festivals have proven to be one of the best ways to keep the industry alive and kicking with its long and exciting list of artists, proven to never disappoint fans from all over the planet. With all the music frenzy going on within a particular music festival, it can be said that vocals isn’t that much of an importance but instead, fest goers are more into the galactic effect of sounds and the cacophony of instruments.

One of the most famous genres that set the tone of music fests are that of Electronic Dance Music or EDM, and one of the most popular groups to have ever graced the music planet is that of Major Lazer. Currently comprised of Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, Major Lazer was originally crafted by record producer Diplo, to take on a multitude of genres such as EDM, dancehall, reggae, trap, reggaeton and house since 2008.

The duo is a frequent part of music festival set lists and with how things are rolling, these wonderful and talented musicians are sure to keep the spirit of EDM resounding for a very long time.

Major Lazer is currently signed up with Interscope, after a long struggle to settle with a music outfit to take care of their careers. Former handlers the likes of Secretly Canadian, Downtown and Mad Decent provided the break that the Major Lazer needed and deserved, and since their start in 2008, the duo is pretty much doing an awesome job with the passion to perform and entertain.

Coming from the musically-inclined city of Los Angeles, Major Lazer has performed on various music festivals such as the Flow Festival in Helsinki, Pitchfork Music Festival, Sasquatch Music Festival and Outside Lands Music Fest to name a few.

The eclectic approach on EDM and their blatant passion to perform in front of a huge crowd without even the jitters normally accompanying it have made Major Lazer a crowd favorite. As of now, the band has released three studio albums entitled ‘Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do’, ‘Free the Universe’ and the latest ‘Peace is the Mission’.

Their initial offering of their first album to the already awed fan-base made them attractive to singers such as Crookers and Afrojack, and was made famous by their first single entitled Hold the Line. 

Their debut album definitely garnered so much attention that they have been invited to a couple of music gigs and asked to perform on huge events. Their music video for Hold the Line also managed to make it to the MTV Video Award’s Breakthrough Video Category as a strong nominee.

Free the Universe, the band’s follow-up LP, is focused on the reggae genre, working with the legendary Snoop Dogg all throughout the album’s production. After all the drama involved with its original members, Major Lazer managed to come-off unscathed with two remaining members and ventured into other things aside from music making. While producing their second album, they also helped other budding artists to flourish and become a part of the fame they managed to acquire.

They have been instrumental to completing Rita Ora’s first album and the iconic No Doubt’s sixth attempt to release a studio disk. Alongside producing for other singers, Major Lazer has toured for the first time in 2013, which was a world tour campaigning their second album. Major Lazer is set to release a fourth album entitled ‘Music is the Mission’, which would be on the music stands in early 2016. This album, which is eagerly awaited by fans from all over the world, is said to include tracks co-written by Belgian singer Selah Sue.

http://laurenceourac.com/piercing-through-the-music-canopy-with-major-lazer/

In Focus: The Weeknd’s Tell Your Friends

His soothing voice is food for the soul. The queer performer and critically acclaimed singer garnered attention due to his one of a kind style that made him a cut above most of the performers seen nowadays. Get to hear that unique voice once again through his single entitled ‘Tell Your Friends’, which created a buzz not only for listeners but music icons as well.

His track Tell Your Friends is a story; a narration of the singer’s life. This describes his early years growing up in Canada. The growing-up stage isn’t about being sheltered and living a pampered life. He mentioned being engaged in drugs and minor thefts during his younger years.

“As soon as I stepped foot in the city, it was a feeling I got addicted to,” he told to Rolling Stone on one of his interviews. “Lights, no sleep — either you’re going to make it or die trying.” – The singer added. (Cited: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-the-weeknd-bury-himself-alive-in-tell-all-your-friends-video-20150824#ixzz3jpg05gqg)

The song is part of his second album named ‘Beauty behind Madness’. The video was set in a monotone vibe directed by Grant Singer. It’s nothing but dark surroundings that combined well with the striking words of the track. The sultry rhythm serves as a cushion to the harsh story that’s etched on the verses of the song. Armed with a shovel in a desert, some might find the video creepy especially in the scene where the singer seems to bury himself in the soil.

The words may be full of pessimism and truths about the rough road ahead, but we can probably relate to the singer’s personal experiences. The line ‘go tell your friends about it’ is what makes the chorus unforgettable. This repeated line will definitely stick to any listener’s mind and will linger for a certain amount of time on the playlist. The video ended maintaining the overall mood with The Weeknd riding a car and moving away in the same dark surroundings.

Official Video:

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Nobody Does French Tongue Twisters Like La Fouine

Christmas Day is fast approaching and while everyone is on their own path into making this season as merry as possible, one talented solo artist is quite excited for his birthday celebration. Yes, you read it right, this music genius is set to spend his 34th year together with the cheers of Yuletide, and if you’re an avid fan you’d definitely associate with French soloist La Fouine.

One thing that sets La Fouine apart from the rest of the pack is his piercing eyes which are quite reminiscent of world-renowned rapper-slash-music-producer Drake. With the right physical package, the undeniable passion to entertain and his skill set deserving of the highest music pedestal, La Fouine has been making headlines all over Europe, and hopefully, all over the world.

Born as Laouni Mouhid, La Fouine is originally of Moroccan descent, hence his overall look worthy of second glances. Confirming that this singer can do everything, he is also a renowned songwriter and rapper, as well as the sole of owner of Banlieue Sale Music, where he is currently signed up with.

Aside from being a superstar, La Fouine is also a respected businessman who owns his own line of clothing called ‘Street Swagg’, which is a French staple for young urban professionals and those who simply love to dress-up.

Focusing on French hip hop, La Fouine has been present since 2001, garnering quite a significant following in and out of Europe. He is also a talent of Sony Music France, which is the reason why he’s getting all the attention that he deserves. La Fouine is also translated as ‘the Weasel’ in the English language, and many associate this to the singer’s humble beginnings and ambitions in his musical career.

Throughout his career, La Fouine managed to release a series of relevant albums and tracks that certified him as an established name in French rap. Spearheading his discography is his first album entitled ‘Bourre au Son’, which pegged on the California music style.

Released 2005, La Fouine and this album were a lethal combination for the birth of the singer’s ultimate fame alongside carrier tracks such as L’unite and Quelque chose de special, which both received positive accolades from his target French audience.

In between studio albums, La Fouine is quite prolific with releasing mixtapes like ‘Planete Trappes’ and ‘Planete Trappes Volume 2’, which significantly made the preceding albums all the more attractive to the music market. The next albums crafted by La Fouine included ‘Aller-Retour’, which is certified Gold and was released in March 2007, ‘Mes Reperes’ which got a Platinum, La Fouine vs Laouni which was extremely marketable and got a Double Platinum in 2011 and the recent ‘Drole de parcours’, which careened a Platinum in 2013.

Some of the most infamous tracks by La Fouine are Tombe pour elle, Papa, J’avais pas les mots and Ma meilleure—all of which placed well within the Top 20 spots of several French music charts. As expected, La Fouine is regarded well by award-giving bodies such as the MTV Europe Music Awards by where he was hailed as 2011’s Best French New Artist.

Other citations and accolades include the Victoires de la Musique where he was nominated three times, the L’annee du Hip Hop where he got three nominations for Best Rap Artist, Best Album and Best Track, and lastly for the Trace Urban Music Awards in 2013 where he bagged Best Male Artist, Best Collaboration and Best album for Drole de parcours.

http://laurenceourac.com/nobody-does-french-tongue-twisters-like-la-fouine/

Nick Jonas doing good outside the loop of brothers

The guy who once fed our teenager fantasies has now grown up as a full debonair that was linked to some of the most beautiful faces in Hollywood. We started seeing him performing with his brothers on one stage but going solo did him good as the career of Nick Jonas continues to flourish.

Nick might be more famous nowadays due to the girls being attached to his name, but the singer proved that his staying power goes beyond the borders of the success him and his brothers were able to cultivate back when they were still a band. Being linked with Kendall Jenner and just recently Kate Hudson definitely shows that our teenage dream has grown up.

We have seen him making an evident statement that having a solo career is something he can endure. Last year’s video, ‘Levels’, awakened that teenagers side inside us and made us relive the memories back when we sang together whenever any of the Jonas Brothers’ music was played. High expectations were set and there’s no denying that he was able to set the bar quite high with his newest single.

Seeing the video for the first time had me thinking that maybe, we are looking at another Justin Timberlake in the making. It is not as if he can’t be his own person, but his footsteps seem to be similar to Timberlake in his early days as a solo artist. It is no surprise because the guy has undeniable charisma and talent. Nick can definitely sing, dance and act.

The release of his album entitled ‘Chains’ was also a success ranking at number 13 on the Billboard hit chart last year. He even made several appearances including a stint on Scream Queens and Kingdom. Clearly, there is no denying that Nick will do well with or without the presence of his brothers on the center stage.

http://laurenceourac.com/nick-jonas-doing-good-outside-the-loop-of-brothers/

Musical High Brought to You by Sarah McLachlan

Whenever you feel like listening to music that’s just soothing to both the mind and the senses, one artist that comes to mind is Sarah McLachlan. With her angelic mezzo-soprano vocal range, Sarah and all her tracks can be easily associated with soulful ballads.

Born and raised in Canada, the unforgettable singer-songwriter has left her mark in the music industry as she has sold 40 million album copies worldwide since she started in 1998. With eight albums currently under her belt, Sarah McLachlan can still be heard during those mundane moments everyone has after a tiring day or after an eventful circumstance. True enough, Sarah McLachlan is one of the most memorable singers in the pop/rock genre.

Sarah McLachlan’s most successful album is entitled ‘Surfacing’, which easily earned her numerous recognitions from award-giving bodies. It is with this album that McLachlan established her career through the song ‘Angel’, which was used in the movie ‘City of Angels’ and received the rare quadruple-platinum award for a movie soundtrack. This same album gave McLachlan two Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the track ‘Building a Mystery’ and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for ‘Last Dance’.

The track Building a Mystery also garnered Juno Awards for Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year for McLachlan herself and Album of the Year for ‘Surfacing’. Some of the other albums that really cemented Sarah McLachlan’s name as a respectable musician include ‘Afterglow’ and ‘Wintersong’, with some tracks topping the charts such as ‘Fallen’ and ‘Song for a Winter’s Night’.

Aside from being a prolific musician, Sarah McLachlan’s relentless efforts to help budding artists has been evident when she co-started in the Lilith Fair Tour. This separate venture inspired some female musicians to showcase their talents from 1997 to 1999. The Lilith Fair Tour can be recalled as a successful set of shows from the country’s most successful female artists of that time with Paula Cole, Lisa Loeb and Michelle McAdorey.

The said humanitarian venture through music raised $7 million which was then used for charities involving the youth and the poor. Some of the other albums popularized by Sarah McLachlan include Touch (1988), Solace (1991), Fumbling Towards Ecstacy (1993), Laws of Illusion (2010) and Shine On (2014). Tracks that can be associated with McLachlan’s addictive vocal prowess include I Will Remember You, Adia and One Dream.

http://laurenceourac.com/musical-high-brought-to-you-by-sarah-mclachlan/

Mishka and his smooth voice in the world of reggae

They say the experiences you’ve gone through are what make you. In the bout between nature and nurture, the influence of the environment will definitely play a key role especially in honing and inspiring an individual. This is true especially in the story of one of reggae’s prominent musician Mishka.

Mishka grew up in an unconventional way as he spent his growing years in the ocean together with his parents and sister. In line with his parents’ dream of rearing a family amid the blue ocean, Alexander Mishka Frith, or Mishka had an interesting environment while growing up.

It is no surprise that he has an affinity to water as he even competed for surfing internationally. Before the world knew him to be a performer that speaks soul whenever he sings, the surfing community first learned about him as someone representing Bermuda in surfing meets.

Being an artist runs in the blood as his older sister Heather Nova is also a singer/songwriter, while his uncle Michael Frith worked by creating television shows. Singing may have come later in Mishka’s life bit it doesn’t mean fulfilling his potential came late. Even during his younger years, Mishka would sing.

It was in the year 1996 that the 1974-born singer took music seriously. Back then, he started singing professionally when he signed up with Creation Records. The unique rookie artist was soon picked up by listeners as his first track entitled ‘Give you All the Love’ climbed to the top spot on the UK and Japan hit lists. Due to the attention he was able to get after starting, citations from the mentioned countries followed.

Numerous gigs and live acts after, he then signed up to be Matthew McConaughey’s first artist under his record label called’ j.k livin’.

Mishka continued to become successful as his 2010 album called ‘Talk About’ experienced the same success his debut LP had. His influence has been measured and confirmed as the giant clothing brand O’Neil also commissioned him as their endorser.

http://laurenceourac.com/mishka-and-his-smooth-voice-in-the-world-of-reggae/

Meet the potential star in MIIA through Dynasty

Having carved her name in the Norwegian pop scene, young talent MIIA is now heard in a broader scale as her latest song entitled ‘Dynasty’ had its exclusive premiere via Billboard.

Starting at an early age, MIIA has been a mainstay of the current music industry in Norway. Her first album called ‘The Light of Love’ made enough impact on the local music scene that it even managed to climb to the number 24 spot of the iTunes Pop chart.

While she was already making noise locally, it was her rendition of Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’ that made her talent evident to a broader audience. Thanks to YouTube, music listeners from various parts of the world made the name of this talented singer a little bit more famous.

Her style of singing is distinct and can be easily remembered. There is something remarkable about this young talent’s voice. Her husky, throaty kind of singing reminds us a little bit of Adele and a partly of Norah Jones. There’s a hint of soul and croaky appeal in her style that makes her effective especially on humming songs of being broken and being pained from love, just like what her single Dynasty conveys.

The song is a poem of a love gone wrong. What’s impressive is that this song was penned by no other than the singer herself. There is depth in the words stringed together to make up meaningful phrases that are on point in conveying the image of a commitment on a verge of a split.

Hear the lines “Thought we built a dynasty that heaven couldn’t shake. Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn’t break up,” and feel the disappointment for a love that could’ve been true if the lovers were just able surpass the test of time. (Cited: https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Miia/Dynasty)

http://laurenceourac.com/meet-the-potential-star-in-miia-through-dynasty/

Meet some of the KPOP’s most followed boy bands

KPOP opened a new dimension in the art of performing due to the higher intensity this genre put on the table. KPOP artists share the same recipe that makes this style unique. Aside from their eccentric looks on and off work, their craftsmanship in dancing and singing are well established, which is why there is no denying that KPOP lures many followers, within and outside Asia.

TVXQ – Since 2003, this boy band has been appreciated by audiences all over Asia. As a matter of fact, many consider them as the most successful act of their time especially when they reached their peak during late 2000s.

If a musician’s success is measured by their sales, TVXQ will definitely be part of the most famous bands as they were able to generate an estimate of 10 million records sold within a decade of their career. Originally composed of five members, the boy band became a duo with U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin remaining from the original group.

BigBang – This five-piece group started in 2006. However, their early career didn’t define them as the golden boys of KPOP. It took them several tries before establishing a name and gathering loyal fans that eventually grew in numbers when their album ‘Always’ was released. Their success continued until they bagged the much coveted Artist of the Year award in the 2008 Mnet Korean Music festival.

Due to their success, the group risked connecting to a wider audience as they tried their luck in Japan. Their efforts paid off, not only in record sales but with the recognition they received as well. The band won three recognitions in the MTV Video Music Awards Japan and claimed Best Worldwide Act in the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Infinite – Aside from their music, the band attracted interest due to their impressive dance moves. The artistry and expertise in routines shown when they perform made this talented band one of the most well-known acts in KPOP. Songs like ‘Come Back’ and ‘She’s Back’ led to the success of this group comprised of Sungkyu, DongWoo, Woohyun, Hoya, Sungyeol, L and Sungjong.

The band’s popularity was shown in the ticket sales of their concert back in 2012, wherein all tickets were sold-out in after ten minutes. Their world tour that began in 2013 received equal success as they had 20 performances in some parts of Asia, North America, Europe and Dubai. Aside from music, members of the band ventured onto other performing arts as some of them had acting stints on movies and TV shows.

Super Junior – Formed in 2005, this thirteen-piece group gained international fame due to their hit ‘Sorry Sorry’. The success of one of the biggest groups in the history of KPOP was evident as they were able to attract international audiences outside Asia. As a matter of fact, the huge number of their fans was formally declared when they won Best Fandom Award in the 2015 Teen Choice Awards.

The members come from different backgrounds, but are all experienced when it comes to facing people as they group is made up of models, actors and hosts. Other hit songs include ‘Miracle’, ‘U’ and ‘The One I Love’.

http://laurenceourac.com/meet-some-of-the-kpops-most-followed-boy-bands/

Hinds express girl power in millennial epoch

There is no denying the modern day has shifted to being liberated. With the continuous pursuit of blurring lines between stereotypes, people from different backgrounds are more expressive now especially when it comes to individualism. Gone were the days when the majority just follows the familiar because more people are now courageous in self-expression using different mediums, from clothing to art to music.

Girl power is one of the things that the modern times have paid attention on. With active participation to augment feminism, more and more women stand taller and braver when it comes to following their paths and opening doors to opportunity. The Spanish band Hinds is on the list of empowered women who make things happen as this all girl group makes waves in the indie scene.

Originally comprised of two members, Carlotta Cosials and Ana Garcia Perrote, the band that is now collectively known as Hinds was first called Deers. Eventually, there was a name change due to a conflict involving another band. Three years after the duo started, another two members came along with the release of ‘Demo’. The girl band was completed after the entrance of Ade Martin and Amber Grimbergen.

Unlike mainstream bands that always appear with make-up, this quartet is always laid back. With jeans and shirts as their staple wardrobe, the group is comparable to the friends you usually hang out with during free time. This aspect alone makes these girls relative. Throw away huge wigs and shocking lipstick because the simplicity in the appearance of these girls does not overshadow their fun sound.

After their first series of songs came out, the band garnered praise from some of the world’s most respected citation-giving organizations and sites including Pitchfork and The Iris Times.

The girls do not need to prove how in demand they are since getting 16 concerts in just 4 days shows how promising their chosen career is playing out.

Tours are already listed on the band’s official website and all of them will be held in different destinations in Europe including the UK, Germany, Australia, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

http://laurenceourac.com/hinds-express-girl-power-in-millennial-epoch/

Kygo reveals new single featuring fresh talent Maty Noyes

Kygo seems to know how to stir excitement among his fans as he releases a new single featuring the voice of new talent Maty Noyes. The clamor for him to come up with an album that exhibits his distinct tropical house sound might finally turn into reality as hints of an LP are widely discussed specifically in the social media.

Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll or Kygo to his followers first gained attention when he made a remix track of Ed Sheeran’s I see Fire. This alone got him millions of views from both SoundCloud and Youtube. The popularity kept growing as some of the world’s hailed performers like Coldplay and Avicii reached out to him for collaboration.

Recently, the Norwegian DJ fed the desire of his audience yet again as he released Stay. True to his identity, the new song that was given life by Noyes’s unique voice gives a deep house vibe that his fans love him for. Unlike other team ups, the two artists collaborated to come up with a material happened quickly. “I actually co-wrote the song in maybe two to three hours, laid the vocals and thought to myself, ’The only thing it’s missing is a drop from Kygo,” LA based vocalist Noyes mentioned during one of her interviews with MTV. (Cited: http://www.mtv.com/news/2681734/kygo-stay-maty-noyes/)

Kygo admitted that he’s been receiving a lot of demos from various aspiring artists and what makes the process interesting is finding the gold within the haystack. He admitted that finding fresh and unique talent excites and motivates him. The same happened when Noyes hand Kygo her demo tape.

This admirable DJ quickly picked up the uniqueness of the vocals he heard and decided to work with the person owning that voice right away. “She sent me over the demo. I loved it,” Kygo explained. “Loved her voice. It was so unique. I just liked the idea and gave it a try. It was actually kind of a quick process. I feel like when I get the demos — I get a lot of demos — but when I get the right demo, I get very inspired. I produce around it, and it often goes very fast.” (Cited: http://www.mtv.com/news/2681734/kygo-stay-maty-noyes/)

http://laurenceourac.com/kygo-reveals-new-single-featuring-fresh-talent-maty-noyes/

The Cream of the Crop in Music’s Digital Libraries

With the advent of technology fusing with music, it is no wonder why it is more convenient for everyone to listen to tracks even before the release of its album. We have all been attracted by huge music streaming outfits such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and many others into believing that music can be replayed whenever you want.

Truthfully, patronizing music and all the things it encompasses have come a long way from being played on turntables or sold via laser disks. As much as we want to go back to the old ways, we all know that the current situation is what’s best for music addicts.

While the power of albums and radio remain significant, more and more music fans have succumbed into getting the latest tracks through modern ways. The people of today have their music libraries on mobile phones and other electronic devices. Listed below are the best-selling digital singles that have dominated the intangible lines of technology, and you’d be shocked to know that it’s not Beyonce or Taylor Swift who’s on top of the food chain.

Canadian-based singer and pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is dubbed as the Queen of Digital Airplay for her song ‘Call Me Maybe’, released in 2011.

It bested other tracks with almost 15.1 million copies sold. Not far behind, the techno group Black Eyed Peas placed second with 15 million copies for their anthem song ‘I Gotta Feeling’.

Collaborations have also made it to the first 10% of the list with the songs Blurred Lines (Robin Thicke, T.I., Pharrell) and Moves Like Jagger (pop group Maroon 5 and pop diva Christina Aguilera) respectively garnering 14.8 and 14.4 million copies purchased online. Solo act Kesha got a spot with the song Tik Tok that has been a humongous banner song of teenagers who think that life is a party, hence the 15 million copies sold as a result.

Of the ballads, Adele’s Someone Like You garnered a total of 9.9 million tied up with another collaboration in the song Just Give Me a Reason by Pink and Nate Reuss. Released in 2002, Eminem’s Lose Yourself secured his influence with 9.7 million copies.

Femme fatales like Beyonce, Leona Lewis and Katy Perry won’t just cease chart domination as their songs ‘Single Ladies’, ‘Bleeding Love’ and ‘Hot N’ Cold’ all reaped a 7.7-million-copy achievement. 

Included in the prestigious list are Rihanna for ‘Diamonds’ with 7.5 million, Avril Lavigne and Nicki Minaj shared the 7.2 million mark with hits ‘Girlfriend’ and ‘Starships’, while established rock group Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’ got astounding sales of 7.1 million.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-cream-of-the-crop-in-musics-digital-libraries/