JLew Reschedules!

My view of Jenny at The Music Box last June.

Whew.  We can all breathe a sigh of relief now.  Jenny Lewis has rescheduled her "I Heart Cali" tour.  It's been a pretty rough week for me, so I was so thankful when she announced it.  I got my tickets for June 20th at the Largo.  (A great venue for intimate shows).  And it's the day after my birthday, so it'll be a nice little gift.  I've been going through serious JLew withdrawals.  I haven't seen her perform live in almost a year.  Can you imagine???  I'm proud to say that this will be my 14th time seeing her live.  Exciting stuff!

My Top Ten Ani DiFranco Songs

This is from when I saw Ani at the House of Blues a couple years ago.

Really, does it get much more badass than Ani D?  After 20 years in the music biz and over 20 albums, she still knows how to tug at our heartstrings with each and every song she writes.   And she just keeps going.  Her most recent album, Which Side Are You On?, was just released in January.  What I love most about Ani is that it’s so hard to put her into any one category.  Is she blues?  Soul?  Jazz?  Folk?  Singer/songwriter?  Rock?  The answer is: yes, yes she is.  She is all of the above and more!  And her guitar prowess is simply mind-bottling.  You know...when things are so crazy it gets your thoughts all trapped, like in a bottle?  (Come on…what’s that from?) Seriously, though.  Whenever I try to learn an Ani song on the guitar, I’m like WTF is she doing?  How many hands does this woman have?!  And then I put my guitar down and go hover in the corner and cry.  Okay, not really, but it’s pretty frustrating.  

Since her style reaches across so many musical genres, her lyrics make you think “omg, she totally wrote that about my life,” her guitar-playing sends me into a tizzy, she writes songs that can speak anyone, anywhere, I’ve decided she will be our new “Essential Playlist.”  With the help of my bff (Ani is one of her favorite singers) I’ve narrowed down the top ten Ani DiFranco songs for you to add to your playlist (if you don’t have them already).  

1. Falling is Like This

Pretty much sums up what love feels like.  “We can’t fight gravity on a planet that insists that love is like falling and falling is like this.” 

2. Untouchable Face

The very first Ani song I had ever heard.  Needless to say, I was hooked.  Without a doubt, one of the best breakup songs of all time.  EVERYONE has felt this at one time or another.  “She’s not really my type, but I think you two are forever and I hate to say it, but you’re perfect together , so fuck you and your untouchable face.”

3. She Says

A hauntingly beautiful song that’s about a relationship not being able to work out simply due to the timing.  She’s got a beautiful girl in her bed and knows that it just can’t work no matter how much she wants it to.  “Like an idea, she came to me, but she came too late or maybe too soon.  I said please try not to love me…you know I have no vacancy and it’s awfully cold outside tonight.”  Gah!  It gets me every single time. 

4. Not a Pretty Girl

Female empowerment.  The lyrics say it all.

5. Both Hands

We witness the deterioration of a relationship.  Her words in this song are so deeply personal, it’s like peering into her life and the failed romance that she tried so hard to keep together.  The imagery in this song makes it one of Ani’s best.   You see every single moment as the breakup plays out.  “You’re bones have been my bed frame and your flesh has been my pillow, I’ve been waiting for sleep to offer up the deep with both hands.” 

6. Little Plastic Castle

This seems to be an Ani theme in a lot of her songs (and it’s a much welcomed theme!)  Don’t judge people by their appearances or make assumptions based on what they look like or what they’re wearing.  “Quick!  Someone call the girl police and file a report.”

7. Overlap

“I know there is strength in the differences between us and I know there is comfort where we overlap.”  And she said when I write songs about her, it reminds her of this line: “I build each one of my songs out of glass so you can see me inside of them…”

8. 32 Flavors

A song basically telling everyone not to take Ani (or anyone else, for that matter) at face value.  This song says so much in a matter of minutes.  Every line is my favorite line, so just give it a listen and let the words speak to you.  I promise there will be at least one line where you’ll think “Damn, now THAT’S a line.”

9. As Is 

Such an amazing song about accepting someone for who they are and what they are, flaws and all.  And don’t bother trying to lie or be someone you’re not, because you’re not fooling anyone.  “Just give up and admit you’re an asshole, you would be in some good company.”  I also love the line, “When I look down, I just miss all the good stuff and when I look up, I just trip over things.”  That pretty much sums up my life.  I’m so shy, I often look down when I walk and I know I’m missing out on so many great things and great people that I’m just too shy to experience.   And when I look up, I end up becoming disillusioned with things…or literally just tripping over them because I’m a klutz.

10. Fire Door

Ever been cheated on?  This is the song for you.

So...are you an Ani fan yet?  Then get on over to iTunes or Amazon or her website at www.righteousbabe.com to get everything she has ever written...ever. 

 

Workout Songs

Okay, since I'm a regular at the gym, whether it's LA Fitness or Krav Maga or on the soccer pitch, I cannot stress enough the importance of having good, fun, upbeat and motivating music to listen to while you work out.  If my iPod runs out of battery while I'm at the gym, my day gets infinitely sadder and my workout suffers.  So I'm here to share with you my top ten workout songs right now:

1. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
2. Rumour Has It/Someone Like You mashup from Glee
3. Gimme Sympathy - Metric
4. How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20
5. Bodies by Drowning Pool
6. 'Til I Collapse by Eminem
7. Committed by Jenny and Johnny
8. Here It Goes Again - OK GO
9. My Body - Young the Giant
10. You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Are you pumped?  Then download these songs and get to it!

Guilty Pleasure

I'm almost ashamed to admit this.  But I'm going to admit it.  Because I'm not a music snob.  I like what I like.  And it turns out, I like Selena Gomez's "Love You Like A Love Song."  There.  I said it.  And I'm not taking it back.  You can't make me.  It's kind of like when I went through my Miley Cyrus phase a few years ago.  I couldn't get enough of her song "7 Things."  And Ke$ha's album.  I may or may not have worn that album out.  It's just good fun.  And so it "Love You Like A Love Song."  Now the question is: do I download it?  Or will I soon get tired of hearing it on the radio?  Hmm...

Lyrics of the Day

"And the heart is hard to translate
It has a language of its own
It talks in tongues and quiet sighs
And prayers and proclimations
In the grand days of great men
And the smallest of gestures
And short, shallow gasps."

-Florence + the Machine, "All This and Heaven Too"

Lyrics of the Day

 "Heartbeats" - (I love the Elllie Goulding version, but The Knife version is pretty awesome, too)

One night to be confused
One night to speed up truth
We had a promise made
Four hands and then away

Both under influence
We had divine scent
To know what to say
Mind is a razor blade

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

One night of magic rush
The start, a simple touch
One night to push and scream
And then relief

Ten days of perfect tunes
The colors, red and blue
We had a promise made
We were in love

Dream Collaborations

 Okay, I'm gonna make this short and sweet.  These are the folks I would LOVE to see collaborate on any sort of musical project:

Me with Dallas Green of City and Colour.

City and Colour with Sade.  I know it sounds weird, but if you heard Dallas Green (the man behind City and Colour) sing the mashup of his song "Sometimes I Wish" and Sade's "Ordinary Love," you would want this collaboration, too!

Florence + the Machine with Adele.  Come on.  Two sultry Brits with killer voices?  Arrange a tour together, ladies.  Or record a song.  Anything!

Naya Rivera with Ne-Yo.  Yes, I'm a huge Gleek and Santana (Naya Rivera) is my favorite.  How cool would it be if she  not only released a solo album, but also collaborated with my favorite R&B artist.  Besides, Naya + Ne-Yo.  Come on!  The Naya/Ne-Yo tour. It just rolls off the tongue.

Jenny Lewis with Jenny Owen Youngs.  My two favorite Jennys.  East coast Jenny (Owen Youngs) and West Coast Jenny (Lewis).  The Biggie and Tupac of the girls with guitars world.  I'm salivating just thinking about it.

Ingrid Michaelson - Up Close and Personal

Ingrid!

Ingrid is back!  And I'm one of the lucky few who was able to attend one of her intimate "pop-up" shows in support of the release of her new album, Human Again.  She played at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood - probably the venue I've been to the most.  I love the intimacy of Hotel Cafe.  The maximum occupancy is approximately 150, so you know you're gonna get a truly personal show. 

I can't even express how amazing this show was.  I had only downloaded her new album a couple days ago, so I didn't have too much time to learn the songs she was going to perform, but the one song I found myself listening to on repeat (and the song I almost teared up to when she played it live) is called "Ghost."  That is by far my favorite song on the album.  It's one of the most heart-wrenching breakup songs I've ever heard.  Sample lyrics:

"Do you remember when the walls fell
Do you remember the sound that the door made when you closed it on me
Do you know that I went down to the ground
Landed on both my broken-hearted knees
I didn’t even cry
'Cause pieces of me had already died"

Trust me.  It's a tear-jerker.

The most exciting part of her show?  She invited one lucky fan up on stage to sing with her.  The song is called "The Chain."  It's off one of her previous albums and I think it's safe to say that it's my favorite Ingrid song.  It's sung in a round and Ingrid only had bandmate Allie Moss with her on stage, so she needed another voice for that song.  She asked for a volunteer and only two people raised their hands.  I was one of those two people.  The thought of maybe being able to sing on stage with Ingrid Michaelson was enough to make my heart beat out of its chest.  It's always been my dream to be invited on stage to sing with one of my favorite singers.  And who did she choose to sing with her?  The other girl that raised her hand.  Yup.  Story of my life.  But that's okay.  The other girl did a great job and I was genuinely excited for her.  My day will come...sooner or later.

Ingrid played the majority of the songs on her new album, while sneaking in some old fan favorites.  She had the crowd in the palm of her hand.  (Which, incidentally, is the name of one of her new songs, "Palm of Your Hand," which was just featured in an episode of Grey's Anatomy).  I've seen Ingrid four times in concert and every time, I'm captivated.  Not only by her voice and her music, but by the stories she shares with her audience.  She's known to vamp a lot between songs, sharing funny and engaging stories and she constantly keeps the audience laughing.
 
Once the show was over (too soon, if you ask me), I met up with her back stage and had a really nice conversation with her.  It's actually my second time meeting her and I really love how genuine and sweet she is.  They always say "Don't meet your heroes" but with Ingrid, thankfully, I wasn't disappointed.  She was open and honest and funny and I'm so thankful that I had this opportunity to talk to her.  She's playing at the Wiltern in April and of course I already have my tickets.  After the first time I saw her in concert, I made a solemn vow to never miss Ingrid when she's in LA.  I'm sticking too that vow.

Coachella 2012

So here's the Coachella lineup.  I have to admit, I've never actually been to Coachella.  I always want to go every year because of how many incredible bands are there, but I usually can't afford it and the thought of being in the desert in the searing heat and bright sun probably isn't the best for my fair, Irish skin.  But this is an impressive lineup. And it's TWO weekends!

The acts I'm most pumped about?  The Black Keys, Florence + the Machine, La Roux, Bon Iver, Martin Solveig, Mazzy Star, Cat Power and of course Feist!

Lyrics of the Day

Sometimes I wonder why
I'm so full of these endless rhymes
About the way I feel inside
I wish I could just get it right.

- City and Colour

Death Cab!

 KCRW hosted a private Death Cab for Cutie show at Bob Clearmountain’s Berkeley Street studio in Santa Monica. This intimate setting is a perfect venue for watching a band you truly love. The past few times I’ve seen Death Cab in concert I was really far away amongst a crowd of thousands, so it was such a treat to see them up close and personal. The excited crowd of 150 people stood shoulder to shoulder in eager anticipation waiting for the band to take the stage. 

After 14 years together, Ben, Chris, Jason and Nick released their seventh studio album, “Codes and Keys,” back in May. Throughout their ten-song set, they performed songs from the new album as well as some fan favorites. Opening with “Crooked Teeth” (one of my favorites) from their seminal album “Plans,” the quartet seemed right at home on a relatively smaller stage than they’re used to. 

They led right into “A Movie Script Ending,” followed by a song from the new album, “Doors Unlocked and Open,” which had everyone moving in unison to the strong and steady beat. That’s just one of the many things I love about this band. No matter how mellow they may seem, their live shows always get people moving. 

They performed the new album’s lead single, “You Are a Tourist” next. The audience hung on to every word as lead singer Ben Gibbard sang “define your destination/there’s so many places to call home.”

Following “Tourist,” there was a mini-break in the show where the band was interviewed by KCRW’s Annie Litt and we got to know a little bit more about the quartet. For any Death Cab fan, it was a brilliant dialogue where they discussed their lyrics, music, touring, books they’re reading and how they’ve managed to stay strong as a band throughout the last decade and a half.

After the interview, they kicked back into gear with “Portable Television” – laden with a groovy tambourine (tambourines are ALWAYS groovy!) and a predominant drum beat. 

After “Blacking Out the Friction,” they played a couple more songs from “Codes and Keys,” including the album closer, the sweet and carefree “Stay Young, Go Dancing.”

For their “non-core” – as Ben called it – they closed with the full and rich “Sound of Settling.” The show was over way too soon, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. This really was an incredible venue and the acoustics were top notch. 

The performance and interview will air on Tuesday, November 1 on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” Be sure to tune in! It will also be streaming live on line during the radio broadcast.

You can catch Death Cab for Cute currently on tour and their “Keys and Codes Remix EP” will be available on November 22.

Sad News!

Awww man.  I was so excited when  Jenny Lewis announced her "I Heart Cali" tour.  I got my tickets to see her at McCabe's.  It would have been my 14th time seeing her in concert.  (Yes, 14th.  I'm a "JenHead."  What can I say?)  Well sadly, she just announced that the tour has canceled and rescheduled for a later time.  I'm bummed, but seeing as how she's citing a family emergency, more than anything I hope she's okay.  I can be patient and wait for new dates to be announced.  I just hope everything's okay.  Hang in there, Jenny.  We all love you.  You're worth the wait.

Performing Tonight!

It's been a while, but I'm performing tonight at Room 5 in Los Angeles.  Come one, come all and watch me perform original songs and some covers from my favorite artists!

Lyrics of the Day

"I've just seen a face, I can't forget the time or place
Where we met, she's just the girl for me
And I want the whole world to see we met
La da da die die."

The Beatles, "I've Just Seen a Face"

The Elected at the Troubadour

It’s been four years since my favorite band, Rilo Kiley, produced a new album, but luckily for me, frontman Blake Sennet has been hard at work on his side project, The Elected, which has just released its third album --“Bury Me In Rings”.

The disc’s 12 tracks are full of dreamy pop with a 70’s vibe. One could liken it to the jingle-jangle feel of The Byrds, with a plethora of instruments creating a full and satiated sound. The effervescence of each song leaves the album sounding softer, smoother and a little less strident than their previous albums.

The album kicks off with two sprightly sounding songs: “Born to Love You” and “Babyface” – both consisting of spot-on, mellow harmonies. “Look At Me Now” is an upbeat and catchy tune with buoyant guitar riffs, while a more subdued “Trip Around the World” makes excellent use of the ukulele. (I’m always a sucker for a good ukulele song.)

In the sweet and soulful ballad, “Have You Been Cheated,” Blake brings the lyrics to life as he sings, “You put all your best words in your worst song and you can’t bear to sing it when they won’t sing along.”

The album closes on a bittersweet note with “Time is Coming,” where among the soft and melodic guitar, Blake sings “Will you hold me if I cry, will you miss me if I die? Will you come and heal my wounds?”

At the band’s record release gig at the Troubador in LA on May 17, Blake proved he has lost none of the passion or intensity he had on prior tours of either of his bands.

Opening with a cover of Tom Petty’s “You Got Lucky,” Blake and the boys then dove into “Babyface,” before treating the crowd to “I’ll Be Your Man,” from 2006’s “Sun Sun Sun”.

During the few moments between songs when the venue was quiet, members of the audience started shouting out songs they wanted to hear. Most of them yelled out “Ripchord” (a song off of Rilo Kiley’s 2004 album, “More Adventurous”) while others requested The Elected’s “Bank and Trust,” which Blake himself admitted he didn’t know how to play anymore.

At live shows, I feel like the audience should just let them play what they play. There’s a set list for a reason. If the band asks for requests, then by all means speak up, but otherwise, just let them do their thing. I know fans want to hear their old favorites, but sometimes you have to let your favorite artists share their new material with you. That’s why they’re there. That’s why they’re excited and why they’ve been rehearsing over and over to give you the best performance they can.

Anyway, back to the show. After a few more songs off the new album – “Born to Love You,” “Have You Been Cheated,” and “Where Are You” – and after a little tuning problem with the guitar during “Time Is Coming,” they played a fan favorite “Biggest Star,” which had Blake rocking out, while belting “Honey, I can’t lose!”

For the encore, they only played one song: “A Response to Greed” from 2004’s “Me First”--leaving hungry fans salivating for more when the lights came up. I’m sure I speak for the rest of the crowd when I say the show was a big success and a great way to welcome back a guy who’s been gone from the music scene way too long. (Sure, it’s only been a few years, but it felt like a lifetime!) Welcome back, Blake!

Bad Religion/Rise Against

It was a sold out crowd at the Long Beach Arena where we were all treated to a genuine arena rock concert. This would mark my first time seeing The Descendents, Bad Religion and Rise Against in concert. I wasn’t disappointed.

All three sets were fast-paced and high energy, complete with crowd surfing and several mosh pits that were fun to watch from the balcony seating. It was like little moving crop circles running clockwise in the crowd. Maybe one of these days, I’ll be brave enough to try it, but in the meantime, I was quite content with my nosebleed seats.

After The Descendents opened the show, punk rock legends Bad Religion set the stage ablaze with their energetic and dynamic set. Playing many of their classic hits and fan favorites, including “Infected” and “Sorrow,” it’s hard to believe that they’ve been doing this for 30 years. They haven’t slowed down at all and had just as much endurance and gusto and twice the stage presence as any fledgling band that has only been touring for a couple years. They also performed “The Resist Stance” and “Cyanide,” newer tunes off of their most recent album, “The Dissent of Man.”

The only problem I had with Bad Religion’s 12-song set had nothing to do with the band itself, but the three people in front of me who spent the entire set on their cell phones texting and Facebooking. All three of them…the whole time. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: get off your phones and enjoy the music, people! Who wants to be distracted by an incoming text when you’ve got great live music to stimulate you? It takes away from the full experience, so do yourselves a favor and either leave your phones in the car or just use them to snap a few pictures to commemorate the show and then put them away and enjoy the concert.

Vent over. Now back to the show.

When the main act of the night, Rise Against, came out on stage, the crowd went nuts and more moshing commenced immediately. Playing hits like “The Good Left Undone” and “Prayer of the Refugee” off their 2006 album, “The Sufferer and the Witness,” they had the entire crowd fist pumping, head banging and singing along. One particular song that got me out of my seat and dancing around was my personal favorite, “Audience of One.”

Lead singer Tim McIlrath’s vocals were a little lost at times amongst the over-powering guitar levels, but once the kinks were worked out, he sounded great and his voice filled the entire venue.

Touring in support of their brand new album, “Endgame,” they didn’t stray from performing songs off that album, including their current hit single, “Help Is On the Way,” a song whose video is inspired by and depicts the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Being known as an activist band, Rise Against strongly advocates causes like animal rights, environmental issues, and even fighting against the bullying of gay teens and the onslaught of gay teen suicides last year, which they so passionately sing about in “Make It Stop (September’s Children).” As Tim McIlrath sang, “And too much blood has flown from the wrists of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss. Who will rise to stop the blood?” I thought about how great it is to see a band that stands for something and believes in the word they’re singing, especially when they do so while entertaining a crowd of thousands.

Their sixth studio album, “Endgame,” is available now. If you’re a fan of pure, pulsating rock combined with socially conscious and prevalent lyrics, then you’ll love this album.

Avril's New Album: "Goodbye Lullaby"

It’s been a long time coming. Four years, to be exact.

Now, Avril Lavigne’s new album, “Goodbye Lullaby,” is finally here!

Some might call the Canadian native’s style “pop,” some call her “rock” and some try to describe her as everything in between. Well, I say, ‘Let’s refrain from labeling her.’ She is simply a musician, plain and simple. And true musicianship means taking a leap and not being afraid to explore every kind of sound and emotion that inspires you, which is exactly what she does on this album.

So, we all know Avril originally from her “Complicated” days — and more recently, from her “Girlfriend” days. On her fourth album, the angst is still there, but it’s not as prevalent as it has been in the past. We definitely get that sound in the lead single, “What The Hell?”, but don’t let that catchy song fool you. The rest of the album is much more subdued and meditative. She’s showing signs of growing up as evidenced in songs like “Push” and “I Love You.” She poignantly explores heartbreak in “Not Enough” and “Remember When.”

Perhaps the most personal song on the album, “Goodbye,” is a hard one to listen to, particularly if you’ve ever had your heart broken. The words, as simple as they are, are all too true. As she sings, “I have to go, I have to go and leave you alone,” the song builds into a crescendo and tugs at the heartstrings.

Still, the album isn’t all “what if’s” and “goodbyes.” In “Smile,” she sings about making out with someone all night and then waking up with a new tattoo. Never one to be lacking in the lyrics department, in her signature ballad, “Wish You Were Here,” she sings, “Damn, damn damn, what I’d do to have you here… I love the way you are with who I am. Don’t have to try hard.”

Just as a fair warning, she makes good use of swear words on the album, which I’m personally a sucker for in songs.

Avril worked with producer Max Martin on “Goodbye Lullaby,” as well as ex-husband Deryck Whibley (of whom a lot of the songs seem to be about, but you can read into it what you will). Yet, there seems to be no ill will between the two.

The proof is in the words sung by an older, wiser Avril.

Getting to know April Smith

Tamara and I with April Smith!




If you don’t know who April Smith is, I guarantee you will soon. This girl is blowing up and shows no signs of slowing down. In the past six months, the New Jersey born, Brooklyn-based singer's music has been featured on Showtime’s “Weeds,” multiple commercials, and her band, April Smith and the Great Picture Show, also released their new music video for the dark and mischievous song, “Terrible Things.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg9-I0ULERA She just finished up a successful tour and most recently, April’s song, “Can’t Say No” (a song inspired by her adorable dog, Scout) was featured in a montage on the season premiere of “American Idol.”

I caught up with April recently to chat all about her whirlwind year and what’s on the horizon for her in 2011, starting with her reaction to “American Idol” using her song. “I was so excited. People started calling me and were like, ‘Oh my God, your song is on ‘American Idol!’ I think they were just looking for a song that fit and I guess mine kind of came up in the search. I'm really excited!”

Seeing as how over 26 million viewers saw the premiere of "Idol," April is sure to gain even more momentum. This kind of success doesn’t come easily, though.

“I don't have a label, so it's basically a DIY operation. You kind of have to get a team together that's 100% gunning for you at all times. After you make the album, it's like you’ve planted the seed and now you have to water it. You have to get promotion and radio and marketing and all that stuff and you have to pay for a tour and it's all so expensive... I've been pretty lucky as an artist without a label that I've gotten the opportunities that I've had because it's really tough to get those things happening.”

With the success of April Smith and the Great Picture Show’s album, “Songs for a Sinking Ship,” April is just now starting to hit her stride and has big plans ahead for the coming year.

“I've been writing. When you're involved in the business side, it's so hard to take off the ‘business hat’ and say, 'Now I've got to be creative.' So, I'm trying to find the balance between the two. I'm writing now and I'd like to have the next album written by the end of the year.”

The underlying style of her most recent album is a retro pop ‘30s and ‘40s inspired sound fused with vintage, jazzy vocals. She says she's looking forward to exploring and developing that sound even more.

“The retro/swing/big band sound has always been a favorite of mine, so it was definitely a different direction for me when it started influencing my writing. And I'm really happy with the way that 'Songs for a Sinking Ship' sounds, but I think as an artist you should hope that you evolve and change a little bit, even if it's not a drastic change. I definitely feel that on the next album, it'll be a little bit of a different sound, different instrumentation. It'll still have that retro sound, but maybe different elements.”

Perhaps why April is doing so well is because her music really is unlike anything else people have heard before in our generation.

"I feel like it's accessible, but it's not typical mainstream music," she continued. "I hope that works in my favor.”

If you read my previous review on April’s album, you’ll remember that I marveled at her powerful, moving voice and it had me wondering exactly when she discovered she could sing like that and how she got her signature sound.

“When I was little, I used to sing all the time. I would not shut up. I loved the ‘Annie’ soundtrack, so I used to sing that anywhere. When I was 13 and I realized I wanted to sing, I had this horrible stage fright and I was really nervous and gradually I got less nervous. It's just really important to find your voice and not try to sound like other people. You should always try and be unique in your style. When I tried to tune out everything around me, all the mainstream music, I think that's when I became a better singer. It was really easy for me to find my own voice."

If you listen to the entire album, each song tells a story and they all seem to be connected in a way, which led me to believe it could be turned into a pretty stellar musical. I asked April if she would ever consider taking on the task of turning her songs into a musical someday.

"I would love to do that, actually. My first college major was musical theater, but I switched to broadcasting. My big passion is to create my own music. I would love to do a musical. I've been approached by a couple people who are playwrights who have asked me if I wanted to write something and that would be a really fun thing to do when I have some downtime between albums, even if it's a really short show or writing a couple of tunes for a musical."

While a musical isn't out of the question, there is one goal that April would love to attain:

“What I really would love ultimately, is I would love to have one of my songs on ‘Glee.’ That would seriously rule. If someone told me I'd have sell my kidney, I'd say, ‘All right.’ I just want to have a song on that show. I think ‘Colors’ would be an amazing song for them to do.”


OK Gleeks, so have a listen to April Smith -- and after you discover exactly what I've been raving about, let’s get a Facebook campaign going to get one of her songs on “Glee”!


5 Quick Questions With April Smith:

What is the song that made you want to become a musician?
"'Somebody to Love' by Queen."

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
"Listening to Wham."

What is one thing you want to try that you've never tried before?
"I would love to jump out of a plane someday. With a parachute, of course!"

What is your favorite city to play live in?
"Spokane, Washington."

What is one thing you can't live without on tour?
"A fingernail brush. I am super creeped out by dirt under my fingernails."

AvLav is back!

I’ve been waiting a long time for this: new Avril music!!! Nearly four years since her last record, her fourth studio album, “Goodbye Lullaby” is set for release in March. The track list has already been revealed. While I’m anxiously awaiting the release, the Max Martin produced kick-off single, “What the Hell,” gives us a taste of what’s to come from the new album and if this song is any indication, we definitely have a lot to look forward to from Avril this spring.

With synth-filled, steady beats and a prominent keyboard sound that doesn’t let up, “What the Hell” is an infectious, in-your-face, fist-pumping good time. Avril shows off her young, carefree attitude with taunting and teasing lyrics reminiscent of her lead-off hit song from her third album, “Girlfriend.” Her cheekiness is unrelenting in the power-pop single as she sings, “All my life I’ve been good but now I’m thinking ‘What the hell?’/ I don’t really care about if you love me, if you hate me, you can’t save me…” She even ends the number with a few playful “la la la’s.”

Avril kicked off the New Year by debuting the catchy, party song on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” to an amped-up audience. Based on that performance, the new single and the forthcoming album, it looks like 2011 is poised to be the year of Avril.

So… have you still not heard the song yet? “What the Hell” are you waiting for?!

Ingrid Michaelson at the Troubadour

Closing out her North American tour, singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson headed to the Troubadour for the first to two sold out shows in Los Angeles. I’ve seen her live before, but after this performance, I have made myself a solemn vow to see her in concert every time she comes to LA. This girl puts on a hell of a show. She is a consummate entertainer, to say the least, and left me with a perma-smile on my face the entire night.

Shortly after 10:15pm, the band entered to Led Zepplin’s “Immigrant Song” and started playing their version of the song. Immediately following the cover, Ingrid went right into her song “Soldier” (off her current album, “Everybody”). After a bit of ukulele trouble, she moved over to her keyboard to perform an older song, “Breakable.” After sharing a story of how Leann Rimes quoted her lyrics on Twitter, she busted out in to a short little ditty, appropriately titled “Famous People Know Who I Am” then dedicated the bubbly sounding, but lyrically heartbreaking “Once Was Love” to none other than Leann Rimes.

Then came time for “Die Alone” - her obligatory ‘happy song’ (as she called it). Don’t let the title fool you, it really is a song about hope in finding true love and realizing that maybe you won’t die alone. See? Happy song! With the ukulele problem now solved, it was audience participation time where we all sang back the chorus to “Mountain and the Sea.”

During the fun and catchy love long, “You and I,” each band member got to sing a little line and everyone joined in on the foot-stomping and hand-clapping at the end. After that, Ingrid was left alone on stage to regale the audience with her story of meeting R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, then proceeded to make my heart nearly explode with delight when she covered my favorite R.E.M. song, “Nightswimming.” It was a remarkable a capella rendition using a looping pedal to record her voice harmonizing the melody as she sang the lyrics over it. The entire crowd was captivated, even the ones who had never heard the song before.

After throwing in some new tunes, including “Annihilate” (which is a pending title) and her current single, “Parachute,” she began to sing one of my favorites: “The Chain.” At this point, I’d like to take a moment to really convey exactly how insanely good her vocals are. This girl has got chops. I’m really not a fan of that expression, but there’s really no other way to put it. Her vocal prowess is top notch. During “The Chain,” her voice filled the entire room, with Allie Moss and Bess Rogers singing the backing vocals in a round.

Learning her lesson the hard way in previous shows, she knows now never to play ‘the hit song’ first for those who just came to hear that one song. Her big hit, “The Way I Am” came about an hour into the show followed by another hit, “Maybe” (which is the song that takes me days to get out of my head once I’ve heard it.) I don’t think her fans could have asked for a better closing number than Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” which came complete with synchronized line-dancing and a fun little cheer-type pyramid at the end. While I love her original songs, I always look forward to seeing her live just to hear her cover songs, whether it’s Radiohead’s “Creep,” Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” or the theme song to “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”

Instead of doing the traditional “run off stage and come back on two minutes later for the encore,” Ingrid and the band opted to simply have the lights go down and they each found a hiding spot on stage until the audience applause grew to deafening heights, waiting for an encore. We were all very pleased with her playing “Be OK” and then she got us all dancing around to a raucous, punk rock version of “The Way I Am.” She covered her own song and made it even more awesome than it was…if that’s possible.

She had the crowd laughing and singing all night and we all hung on to every word of her little anecdotes, not wanting her witty badinage to end. But I was lucky enough to get to meet and talk to her after the show. She's an absolute sweetheart. Her tour may have come to an end, but she does have four dates in Australia later this month. In the meantime, while you’re waiting for her to come back around to your city, be sure to download her current single, “Parachute.”