New York, New York

I'm not going to deny that I've been slacking. I've been busy with another sort of love. I am a New York fan. I was born in New York, bred in New York and bleed New York. So, naturally, I've been very occupied as of late. This is due to the names, Manning, Lundqvist and LIN! Thank goodness one of them is done(on the top!) for the season. I need my sleep.



Still can't believe Jay-Z is a NETS fan...sigh.

PS 22 at it again! This time on a Target ad

I had tears waiting to bust out after I saw this Target ad. Those were tears of joy! This ad features our hometown girl Denise, from P.S. 22 in Staten Island, belting out Rolling in the Deep. Simply beautiful. I'm so proud!

Thanks, Mr. B. For being such an amazing inspiration to all your kids. Your picture should be right next to Webster's definition of "teacher." The difference that you have made in this world will never be forgotten.

Watch the ad below.



Here's the "original" rendition from the halls of P.S. 22!

Jackson Hunt @ The Other Door

If you so happen to be in Los Angeles (and I know some of you are!), make a visit to see our piano man, Jackson Hunt!

Jackson just spent last week in Miami gearing up for his performance at a jazzfest in Wellington, Florida. I'm sure his performance made some new fans before he even returned to his newly adopted home in the City of Angels. Fresh off of this trip, Jackson will be playing at the Open Door in NoHo (who knew there's one outside of NY) this coming Wendesday. It'll be a treat if you get to see him sing, "Dance Dance."

The Other Door @ 8pm on Wedenesday, 2/15
10437 Burbank Blvd
North Hollywood, CA

Hear an update from the man himself =)

Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012

Another one lost too young and too tragically to her own demons. Here's to one of the best and here's hoping that she is finally in a better place.

Celebrate! Superbowl XLVI

Where have I been the last 2 weeks? Just trotting around town with this on...

And singing this...



<3 NY Giants <3

Awesome game played by both teams!

Ellie Goulding on David Letterman Tonight!

Catch Ellie Goulding performing on David Letterman tonight (11:30PM EST on CBS)! Click here for my review of one of her amazing live performances from last year.

This will be Ellie's first performance of the new year. She will also be performing at Terminal 5 at JFK tomrrow night. Drop by if you're in the area. It'll be worth it.

Stephie Coplan and the Pedestrians

Stephie Coplan and the Pedestrians is a fairly new indie ska pop band. Stephie's Pedestrians are bassist John F. Hebert and drummer Shane Considine. Their music is practically Lily Allen's roommate. Or as described in Stephie's bio, their music "creates characters ranging from hipster snobs to wild-child hippies to sadistic flight attendants." They have to be from NYC.

Fortunately, these "characters" got them placed in NY Deli Magazine as December's Artist of the Month. They also recieved the People's Choice Award at Hoboken Music Awards. Not bad for a band that haven't even released an album yet.

Drop by Rockwood Music Hall on Jan. 21st at 8 PM for their debut album release party!

Here's Stephie Coplan and the Pedestrians' latest video, Jerk.

New Heights

Why aren't these guys popular yet? I saw New Heights open for Clara C back in November and I'm just wondering why aren't they popular yet. The songs are catchy of the alternative pop/rock kind. The music and lyrics are like candy to your ears. Sensitive like Nickelback (yes, I think Nickelback is sensitive), but rock-y and distinct like 3 Doors Down. They're even ready for some prime-time TV!

This Washington state based band started 7 years ago. With a few changes along the way, they've steadied it to 4 members made up of lead singer Travis Graham, guitarist Chris Kwak, bassist Tyler Carroll, and drummer Bobby Walker. Their third album, Something to Believe In was released in September 2011. And it's pretty freaking good.

Their touring schedule ends at the end of the month in Seattle. Hopefully, they'll get to make plenty more stops soon.

Take Me On is the second song of the new album, which also features Clara C. As much as I love the fact that there's a music video for this, I gotta say, the taking down of the bad guys AK-47 style were a bit overdoing it. Especially with Clara C's hair staying PERFECT the whole time! I still replayed it a few times, though.



Here's one of my favorite songs, Love Found Me from their last album, Starting Again.

Anjulie - Love Songs vs. Stand Behind the Music

Whoa, Anjulie. Anjulie busted out from the suburbs of Toronto and pitched her self-titled debut album in Canada and the U.S. during the summer of 2009.

Her first album showcased her strong and beautiful voice with jazzy and soul steeped songs such as Boom, Crazy That Way and Rain. Talking about Rain, that song tears your heart out. Slowly.

After making an impressive momentum with her first album, Anjulie went back to the studio and drew up her next move in the music world.

2011 proved to be a very different move. Anjulie introduced her new single, Brand New Bitch, with a very different attitude. It quickly made it onto the pop/dance club scene. And I totally danced my heart out to it. It took a while, but her next single Stand Behind the Music finally debuted in December. This new direction caught a lot of her fans off guard and some were not too happy. But this "new move" is just another platform used to display her talent in that she can be any type of singer whenever she wants to be. Because she can do it, successfully. Like a chameleon. Madonna, anybody?

No you don't stand a chance/For a second in my world/The same old song/You won't last long/If you don't stand behind the music ~ Stand Behind the Music

Even though her style has changed (or is continuously changing), her hooks are always the same. In the sense that it will take you in and not let go. I do warn you that her beautiful voice paired with the arresting hooks that she writes will stay latched onto you for a while.

Love Songs from her debut album, Anjulie.



Anjulie's newest single, Stand Behind the Music (12/20/2011).

Ximena Sariñana @ Mercury Lounge on 1/25

Have you heard? Ximena Sariñana, the Latin Grammy nominated, MTV award winning, Mexican singer songwriter actress(that was a mouthful) will be performing at Mercury Lounge on January 25th. Ximena's 2008 debut album, Mediocre, quickly climbed up to the top of the charts with her jazz infused contemporary indie songs. The first and very succesful single off of the album was, "Vidas paralelas" ("Parallel Lives"). I could only feel what she's singing...because I haven't got a clue on how to speak Spanish. Except amigo, como esta, por que and el bano! Well, sometimes you don't even need words to understand.

The very first time I heard Ximena was on the Spanish version of Jason Mraz's song, Lucky. Then one song led to another and the rest was history.

Ximena released her second album, Ximena Sariñana, in August of 2011. The whole album is in English with the exception of "Tu Y Yo." This album walks a bit of a different line from her first album. It is more alternative and synthpop based. Talking about different, Different is the name of the first single from Ximena Sariñana. Looking forward to see her live performing new and old songs!



Wait, I lied. I also know serrano jamon, pulpo, chorizo, champiñones al ajillo, paella...and of that sort.

NLX - on a card

I love how I find some of our favorite artists popping up in random places. NLX, in this case. For you love birds who want to say something special in writing, check out www.soundsentiments.com for a card based on NLX's song, "Find Love." Hopefully, we'll get to catch her next performance soon!

Happy holidays!

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays filled with family, friends, laughter and great food! Cheers to a wonderful 2012 =)

little hurricane - Baby It's Cold Outside (free mp3 download)

By the time the holiday seasons roll around, you ought to figure out if you were naughty or nice and know what to expect in your stocking. And it looks like we did something good this year. One of our favorite bands, little hurricane, put out their interpretation of a classic holiday tune, Baby It's Cold Outside. Get yourself this sweet treat by downloading it for free from their site, here !

Make Music New York - 12/21/11

This year will be Make Music New York's first Winter celebration! Make Music Winter will be on December 21st, the first night of winter. There are 12 outdoor and free performances scheduled to be played in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

I'm very partial to guitars and would suggest "Tilted Axes: Music for Mobile Guitars" and walk along the marching electric guitarists at play. Or maybe go to the "Notation Parade," where the brass musicians will go from building to building to find parts of a piece that will be imaged onto the façades. Or if you're feeling old school and hip, go to Park Slope for "Peregrine," a boombox galore. Check out the schedule and enjoy!

Jackson Tyler Hunt - The Verge (free mp3 download)

Almost here! Jackson Tyler Hunt's album, The Verge, debuts next week on December 13, 2011. The first single off the album is the title track, The Verge. This song feels like the realization that appears after waking up the next morning from a night of fun out on the town. A realization of what the world truly is without all the sparkling lights and pom poms. And all that's left is you standing on a crossroad that you, somehow through many twists and turns, ended up at. "I'm here. What do I do now?" Will be back with the album review soon.

In the meantime, listen and download for free, The Verge, at the link here =)