Favorite CMI Band

I don't know if a lot of other people do this too, but I can usually tell if I like a band/artists within the first 30 secs. of a song. I just need enough time to hear the music and hear the vocals and I'm set. Just like anything else, I have my favorite CMI band. Lets start regionally.

Regionally I like Pinstripe 45s. I'm pretty much a sucker for anything acoustic, so naturally this caught my ear. Marshall will be stopping through Ames on April 24th at Mother's Pub, so I plan on catching that show.

And for Overall favorite band...drum roll please (ba nanananana)......Twentyfour64!

I chose twentyfour64 because they were the only band on the CMI CD that was closest to what I listen to daily. I was hooked as soon as I heard 'Superboy' and just continued to become a fan of these guys. I hope that someday I'll be able to catch them (a well as the other P1 artists) on tour and experience these artists in their natural element, which is playing live.

Where The Wild Things Are

I gotta be honest; I've never read the book, but after watching the trailer I'm pretty excited to see this. I'm sure fans, children and parents will be (and already are) geeked about seeing this and that is it will bring in tons of cash.

When it comes to music being in movies, I honestly prefer it being indie music as opposed to "popular" music. I think it does wonders for the artists and also the movie. For example, I hate watching movies that feature songs from Top 40 radio because the minute I hear it during some sweet scene all I can think of is "damn I'm so tired of this song" and it sometimes ruins the scence for me. I feel like this will give Arcade Fire alot of attention, and am also excited to hear what Daft Punk has in store for Tron 2.0.

As far as music that I would put into movies, here it goes:
Opening Credits - Roads - Blindside. This would work well with just the instrumental
Car Chase - Archers - Brand New.
Love Scene - Inevitable - Anberlin. I just like how it keeps building all the way up to the end and then lets you down slowly.
Fight Scene - Blisters and Coffee - The Classic Crime.
Ending Credits - anything by Explosions in the Sky.

-Reed

Life Changing Album

The album that changed my life is Silence by Blindside. I first heard this album not too long after I became a Christian. At the time, I always thought christian music was boring and really only consisted of the songs I heard in church, cheesy christian rap, DC Talk and Third Day. Then one day a friend of mine said "hey check this out" and I was completely blown away. It showed the other side of christian music that's not all "kum by ya" by introducing songs about real issues that people deal with. Because of this album I was able to get into bands like Underoath, Emery, etc. And the fact that they're Swedish is pretty cool too (Don't worry the album is in English). Whether you're a Christian or not, I urge you to check out this album as well as their other releases.

lollapa-snooza

I've always wanted to go to Lolla but I've always had something going on, whether it was moving into an apartment, working or just something dumb. I was really bummed about missing last year due to Rage Against the Machine, Kanye and Lupe Fiasco being headliners, but 2009's headliners just arent doing it for me. Dont get me wrong, they (Kings of Leon, Jane's Addiction, Beastie Boys, and Depeche Mode) are all talented artists but its just not my cup of tea. The only one I would consider going to see would be the Beastie Boys...but I'll wait to see who else will be at Lolla to decide if I'm going to go or not.

The album that changed my life...

So I was considering which, out of all albums ever, has had the biggest affect on my life. Soooooooooo many options. When looking at my iTunes playcount for songs only a couple of albums made the cut of every song having a bunch of plays. The next cut is which album actually made a difference. The winner... "Hello, Good Friend" by The Rocket Summer.

Not only does singer/songwriter Bryce Avary take real life issues into context when writing his music, he makes the listener feel how he thinks they should. The piano/guitar filled melodic pop music just fills you with wonder as he uses many styles of song. This album has not only made The Rocket Summer my favorite band, but it has also led me to take song lyrics seriously and listen for their true meaning. Songs like "I Was So Alone" and "Never Knew" make you really feel what Bryce is thinking. I extremely suggest you take a listen even if you only listen to one song, I'm sure that you will want more.

Andy

South by Southwest Music Festival

I also have the sad news that SXSW is during spring break.

I am bummed because I have followed this festival for a couple years now and I am always impressed by the musical talent provided. Each band has a unique style and it is very interesting to get a taste of the music there.

If I could see anyone there, I'd definitely want to check out the Chicago based death metal band "These are They" - now, this isn't my usual style of music, but the guitar and drum talent in this band is unreal. I am fascinated by their crazy fast rifts and I wish I could see it in person.

Anyways, I hope anyone who has the opportunity to go for sure takes it.

It's gonna be a blast!

Andy

SXSW Band - As Tall As Lions

This year SXSW is during my spring break, which is cool. But what is NOT cool is that I can't go because I have to get 4 teeth pulled that week. But if I could go, one of the many bands I would go see is As Tall As Lions.

As Tall As Lions are a indie/ambient band from Long Island, New York. This four piece band have release two albums (Lafcadio and a Self Titled album) as well as two EPs, with Into the Flood being the most recent release. They are currently in the studio and are set to release that album sometime later this year. I love listening to them because its chill enough to be background/study music but I can also use the energy from some of the songs to get me through a long drive.

If you will be attending SXSW (lucky dog, you) they will be playing at Cedar Door on the 19th and Buffalo Billiards on the 20th.

Some other artists I would be going to see if I could are: Wayna, Dear and the Headlights, Nevertheless, The Devil Wears Prada, Fighting With Wire, Lil John, Colin Munroe, NeverShoutNever!, Asher Roth, and 3oh!3.