Adele is On Top

Adele, a British artist, is holding on to her top spot on the United Kingdom charts. It is week 11 for her newest released album, “21,” and it has managed to achieve the longest consecutive run at No. 1 for a studio album by a solo artist in British chart history!

Cover of Adele's "21"
picture from Wikipedia

Adele’s “21” has certified seven-times platinum for U.K. shipments of 2.1 million and has topped the charts for longer than any album since Bob Marley and the Wailers compilation “Legend” back in 1984.

Adele started her singing career very young, “as soon as I got a microphone in my hand, when I was about 14, I realized I wanted to do this,” she says.

Her influences come from quite a diverse list of artists including: Jill Scott, Etta James, Billy Gragg, Peggy Lee, Jeff Buckley and The Cure. But her soul-tinged songs and lyrics about love’s lost and memories made are easily related to by those listening.

The female artist signed with XL Records early on and has only grown as a musician.

“I never, ever thought I’d get signed. The A&R guy emailed me and I was ignoring it…I didn’t realize they did all these amazing names,” Adele said.

Her new album was released in mid-January in the U.K. with the single “Rolling in the Deep.” It wasn’t until February 22, 2011, that those of us in the states got a taste of her new stuff.



Most reviews for “21” were quite positive from the critics, which might explain why it has become such a phenomenon on the U.K. charts. The album sold 208,000 copies in its first week and is now the biggest-selling album download of all-time in the U.K.

I first discovered Adele when I heard her song, “Hometown Glory,” on So You Think You Can Dance and immediately fell in love! I was so excited for her to release a new album and, at the same time, not surprised by its success.

Adele is an amazing artist with a unique sound. Her voice has a very easy-listening tone to it, making her music very enjoyable.

Thoughts??

Suite 709

There is a new and upcoming band making their way into the spotlight in the Austin area, Suite 709. They just played at the University of Texas at Austin’s Forty Acres Fest this past Saturday and caught the ears of many attendees.

I guess they’re not really “new” considering they have been performing since 2009 and are already pretty well-known by some Austinites. Suite 709 has a sound that extends across many different musical genres. They combine infectious rhythms, catchy lyrics and soulful vocals to achieve the sound that makes everyone want to dance.

The band is made up of five members that each contribute their musical talent to make up this amazing sound! You have Jirod Greene on vocals, David Butler on guitar, Ross Falcon on bass, Dietrich Schmidt on keys/vocals and Zach Boston on drums.

Members from left to right: Falcon, Butler, Greene, Schmidt, Boston
Photo from Suite 709 Facebook page

Suite 709 got their start at one of Austin’s biggest music festivals, South by Southwest, in March 2009. Since then they have played multiple shows around the city, as well as a few in College Station where some members, including Greene, went to college.

I had the opportunity to get the scoop on what was coming up next for this local band. I spoke with Greene for a little bit after their performance on UT Austin’s Main Mall.

“We just finished recording our new EP yesterday and are very excited about it,” said Greene.

The group did recording with Dwight Baker, Platinum producer/songwriter, who has worked with another Texas star, Kelly Clarkson. Baker sees a bright future ahead for the members of Suite 709.

“I believe Suite 709 have everything it takes to be successful recording artists on the national scene,” said Baker.

I for one became a huge fan of them on Saturday after their performance. They played a few cover songs and some new material too. Their sound reminded me a little of John Legend but with a more dance-y beat.

Suite 709 plan to release their new EP sometime in May and hope it will help their continued growth in the “Live Music Capital in the World.”

You can check out their music on Myspace, Facebook and their Website!!

Thoughts??

Death Cab for Cutie Back With New Material

The new Death Cab for Cutie single, “You Are a Tourist,” was released earlier this week for fans who want a little taste for what is to come of the new album “Codes and Keys.”

The indie-pop band got their start playing shows for half-empty venues in New York City in the early 2000’s. Since then they have released six pretty successful albums including: “Narrow Stairs,” “The Photo Album,” “Plans” and “Transatlanticism.”

Ben Gibbard, singer/songwriter for Death Cab for Cutie, talked to SPIN about the band’s upcoming album.

“I want to move beyond the brooding, self-loathing lyrics of 2008’s ‘Narrow Stairs’ for a more upbeat record,” he said. “I didn’t want to write those songs again.”

With the release of “You Are a Tourist” it’s clear that Gibbard kept this in mind. Having recently married and moved with his wife, Zooey Deschanel, he is in a much happier place these days.



Death Cab for Cutie
[picture taken from spin.com article]



The lyrics are not as sad and depressing as they have been in the past. This time around they are more up-lifting and inspirational.

 “If there’s a burning in your heart, don’t be alarmed,” and “if you feel like a tourist in the city you’re born in, it’s time to go / and if you find your destination, there’s so many different places to call home,” are just a few worth mentioning.

The new single “is a sprawling pop anthem, with a punchy beat and glistening, Edge-style guitar melodies,” comments Nick Jardine, writer for SPIN.

I’m a huge fan of Death Cab for Cutie and therefore a fan of this new song. There is definitely a new sound to it but I’m glad they didn’t steer away from the “chill” aspect of their music.

I also enjoy the fact that some of Gibbard’s side project, The Postal Service, is present in some of the harmonies.

The new album will be available this summer on May 31. Until then, Death Cab for Cutie has announced tour dates for their Spring tour starting May 18.

Thoughts??

Ellie Goulding Makes Her American Debut

Photo from Panic Manual



Ellie Goulding finally made her American debut on March 16, 2011, at the Bat Bar in downtown Austin. She was one of many artists who attended and played during this year’s SXSW music festival.

Back in England, Goulding is already a well-known pop star. She has achieved very high status with her #1 debut album, “Lights,” a smash hit cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” and a top spot in “breakthrough act of 2010” in BBC’s annual poll of music critics.

I was lucky enough to attend her first show last Wednesday with hundreds of other people, many of which I thought didn’t even know who Ellie Goulding was. I was quickly proven wrong when everyone started singing along to her first song.

Goulding’s set was backed by a band including: a drummer and two multi-instrumentalists. She played her acoustic guitar and even some drum sequences.

Her music is very much in the singer/songwriter, pop category. She has an acoustic guitar meets electro beat sound that entices her listeners. I can’t help but sing along.

At the beginning of her set she told the audience, “I am quite nervous so just bare with me.” But there was no need for all of those nerves because everyone loved her!

She had a nice voice and alluring stage presence during her performance. I didn’t want it end!

Ellie Goulding is continuing to make her way through the states with more shows. She is performing in Washington, D.C., Boston, New York, Chicago and more. In fact, six of her scheduled shows are already SOLD OUT!

Her debut album “Lights” was released to the U.S. on March 8, 2011. With the crowd she gathered at Bat Bar and the sold out shows she is playing in the future, I believe she is well on her way to popularity here.

I had been looking forward to seeing her in concert since I started listening to her a year and a half ago. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be one of the first people to witness her first show in Austin, Texas.

Thoughts??

Perry Shows the Love

So, last summer there was a rumor going around that Katy Perry was not a fan of Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” music video.  

After the premiere Perry tweeted, “using blasphemy as entertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling a fart joke.”

The tweet doesn’t drop any names so there isn’t any evidence that Perry was in fact talking about Gaga’s video. However, many were gossiping that she was referring to the upside-down crosses, edible rosary beads, sexy nun outfits and other risqué religious imagery from “Alejandro.”

In her early music career Katy Perry was making contemporary Christina music. So I understand if she found the video to be offensive. But we can’t forget her first pop single, which was about kissing girls wearing cherry Chap Stick.

Some people were confused and had much to say. The comments on EW.com share some of their thoughts.

In the past, Perry may have had her problems with Gaga’s videos. But nowadays, she seems to be a fan of the most talked about single being played on the radio.

On Monday, during her concert at Paris’ Le Zenith, Katy Perry was caught covering part of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”

This acoustic take was a stripped down version of the original Gaga No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit. The Hollywood Gossip is saying “Perry paid the Mother Monster the ultimate compliment.”

Fans posted some mixed reviews on billboard.com. Some absolutely loved her cover saying “I love it! She sounded great. I think her voice actually sounds really good whenever she sings acoustic…It’s nice to see her support other female artists.”

 Others took the opportunity to criticize her. “She sucks…just a follower because she’s less talented than Gaga.”

Personally, I am a huge Gaga and Perry fan! So if I can get two in one, I’m completely happy!

I think it’s time for Lady Gaga to cover a Katy Perry song next!

Thoughts??