Shake Your Booty

It's finally Friday, which means it's the weekend! That also means a huge majority of people -- myself included -- are going out and are going to get their groove on. Tonight I'm going to see a local Athens, Ohio band called Uptowne Buddha perform. Their genre is funk/soul/rap, so essentially it's one huge, live dance party. The last time I saw them my sister Anna, our friend Megan and I got pulled on stage for their last song and danced our respective asses off. I also conveniently brought a disposable camera with me so here are some subpar quality photos.

Anna & Megan

Anna, Megan and I

Uptowne Buddha

On stage

Go listen to some Uptowne Buddha while you're pre-gaming and getting ready. Shake your butt with your friends and with strangers. Go have fun, it's Friday.

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By: Sarah Weingarten

London Up and Comers

This past week I've had two artists on repeat, Banks and Rudimental. Both London natives, but two completely different sounds. Banks, who's full name is Jillian Banks, has one EP and is expected to release her first full-length album this year. She opened for The Weeknd this past year and Billboard said "[She] evokes the smoky vocals of Lana Del Rey paired with the ominous soundscapes of The Weeknd..." 

Banks - "Waiting Game"

Banks - "Warm Water"

Rudimental, on the other hand, consists of four Englishmen who produce electronic dance music.

They mostly produce the drum and bass and have featured artists sing their lyrics. This past year they dropped their debut album Home, which immediately took the number one slot in the home country. Home has a lot of great featured artists like Childish Gambino, British newcomer Ella Eyre and Emeli Sandé. They also told Company Magazine in their December issue, that they just finished recording a song with a famous U.S. rapper. Rudimental is going to make huge waves over in the states.

Rudimental - "Waiting All Night"

Rudimental - "Feel The Love"

Both Banks and Rudimental are making their rounds on music festival circuit this summer, so keep a look out for them.

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By: Sarah Weingarten

Festival Season

http://jml-.tumblr.com/

Festival season is amongst us, ladies and gents. Coachella released its 2014 lineup three days ago and music lovers were swooning, myself included. But not all of us have $375 casually laying around to blow on a Coachella ticket, and don't forget the cost of airfare or gas and a place to stay. Also, the festival is in conveniently in the middle of April (WHY APRIL? WHY?). So unless the stars align and you have the ability to just pay for a Coachella ticket with no other expenses, there's really no point on blowing so much cash. But no worries, festival season doesn't start and end with Coachella. There are festivals all over America (it's called festival season for a reason).

1. Sasquatch! Music Festival
May 23 - 25 and July 4 - 6
Quincy, WA
Keep your eyes peeled for the 2014 lineup, because there is no set release date. For 2013, Sasquatch! had Mumford and Sons, Vampire Weekend, Grimes and the Arctic Monekys on their lineup. General admission tickets are $325, and last year's tickets sold out in 90 minutes.

2. Governor's Ball
June 6 - 8
New York, NY
The 2014 lineup hasn't been announced yet but by looking at last year's headliners Kings of Leon, Guns N' Roses, Kanye West, Feist, Kendrick Lamar and the Avett Brothers I'm going to assume 2014 won't disappoint. General admission tickets are $230 with a $20 fee. I'm going to assume it's a processing fee.

3. Bonnaroo
June 12 - 14
Manchester, TN
Bonnaroo is one of the most popular music festivals. The 2014 lineup is highly anticipated to live up to last year's which included Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Drake. The weekend pre-sale tickets already sold out for a whopping $234.50 so general admission regular sale tickets are likely to be more expensive than that.

4. Firefly Music Festival
June 19 - 22
Dover, DE
Who would have thought little Delaware could hold a music festival with performances by Foster the People, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alabama Shakes and Matt & Kim. The 2014 lineup hasn't been announced yet, but the little state pulls big names, so I would be on the lookout for when it drops. General admission tickets are usually around $200. One of the cheaper fests.

5. Bunbury
July 11 - 12
Cincinnati, OH
The good people of Bunbury revealed three performance for Saturday June 12th before the entire festival lineup is released on February 20th. The three performances are Fall Out Boy, Paramore and New Politics. They will all be playing on the second day of the festival. Bunbury is hinting at some major artists if Fall Out Boy, Paramore and New Politics are all just on one day of the weekend long fest. General admission tickets are only $130.

6. Lollapalooza
August 1 - 3
Chicago, IL
Lolla is high up on the popular fest charts. This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet, but 2013 had The Cure, The Killers and Nine Inch Nails as headliners. Lolla usually sells out really fast and general admission tickets are around $230.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The internet is at your disposal to uncover great festivals that are close to home and are relatively cheap. May we all attend great music festivals this year and not break the bank. Amen.

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By: Sarah Weingarten

Top 10s For 2013

First of all, check out my radio station's top ten albums at ACRN.com. I work with some great people with very diverse and lovely music tastes. Keep an eye out for some other cool stuff we experienced this year that will be popping up. 

Personally, I think I preferred 2012 when it came to albums from artists that I already adored, but cheers to 2013 for being a year of new discoveries, side projects and artists on the rise. Here's a rundown of my favorite music that was released this year:

www.explodinginsoundrecords.com

Ovlov - am [Exploding In Sound]: I am so thankful to have stumbled upon this band in my late night, tired-eyed hunts for new music. Ovlov is the very best of buzzing rock delivered from some homies from Connecticut. The sound is unique, original (while influences are still clear) and intriguing. It’s the type of record I’ve been waiting for all of my life, and I didn’t even know I was longing for it. It is elating. Favorite Tracks: "Milk," "Blue Baby," "The Great Alligator," "Nü Punk," "Grapes" 

deafheavens.bandcamp.com

Deafheaven - Sunbather [Deathwish]: Super emotional, chilling and probably the best driving music ever. It stimulates the imagination, mine in particular. It became a very visual record, evoking fantasies and foggy memories that I’m not sure are real. Deafheaven’s screaming is delicate and fragile while still inflicting incredible power and pain. Favorite Tracks: "Dream House," "The Pecan Tree," "Please Remember"

www.pitchfork.com

King Krule - 6 Feet Beneath the Moon [True Panther Sounds]: Check out my post dedicated strictly to the King. This guy has it going on. Favorite Tracks: "Neptune Estate," "Baby Blue," "Out Getting Ribs," "Ocean Bed," "Easy Easy"

www.brooklynvegan.com

Their / They’re / There - Their / They’re / There [Polyvinyl]: For a band that’s just a side project for some really talented, established guys, I’m really surprised at how well this came together. But not really, because I’m pretty sure anything these guys do will sound good. This record is just as fun as I’m sure they all had making it. It’s what Evan Weiss, Mike Kinsella and Matthew Frank are good at, thrown together into one catchy-ass album. Favorite Tracks: "Their / They're / Therapy," "Concession Speech Writer," "Apocalypse"

petalpa.bandcamp.com

Petal - Scout EP [Run For Cover]: RFC just signed this little cutie from Pennsylvania in November and I am head-over-heels. The EP is too short and I’m looking very forward to anything else she comes out with. It kind of reminds me of Lemuria, except I never really got into that band, so I would say this is much, much better. Kiley Lotz’s high notes rule and I’m looking forward to having this on repeat well into 2014 and beyond. Favorite Tracks: "Comeback," "Left A Mark," "I'm Sorry"

crashofrhinos.bandcamp.com

Crash Of Rhinos - Knots [Topshelf]: Crash Of Rhinos’ 2011 release Distal is energetic and upbeat, and Knots follows suit, except with more diversity. The band slows its tracks down and adds a grungy component for a very well-rounded, exciting piece of work. Favorite Tracks: "Interiors," "Luck Has A Name," "Speeds Of Ocean Greyhounds," "The Reason I Took So Long"

www.pitchfork.com

Julianna Barwick - Nepenthe [Dead Oceans]: Julianna Barwick creates dreamy soundscapes perfect for a scenic film with snowy mountains contrasting clear blue skies. Her flawless voice loops around and around as various instruments build around it. Perfect background music to heighten any mediocre situation, or to fall asleep to as a soundtrack for a striking dream sequence. Reminds me of Hallow's Bastion in Kingdom Hearts II or a flying shot through Middle Earth. I'm a freakin' nerd. Favorite Tracks: "Pyrrhic", "The Harbinger," "One Half"

datpiff.com

SZA - S EP [TDE]: Absolutely incredible. What I would consider a mix of the best of hip hop and the best of ambient, with a mouth-watering R&B voice at the front. SZA was just signed by TDE and is a little different from her counterparts Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar, but just as big and just as booming. Favorite Tracks: "Ice Moon," "Castles," "Terror Dome"

www.metalinjection.net

True Widow - Circumabulation [Relapse]: It isn’t True Widow’s self-titled, but it’s still awesome. Dark, doomy tracks for the laziest of days and sleepiest of mornings. The kind of album you just listen to all the way through.

altpress.com

Balance and Composure- The Things We Think We’re Missing [No Sleep]: I’m not sure if it was freshman blues or whatever, but this record really hit me. I was not into the band before this album, but I over-played it like crazy after it was pushed on me by a friend. It will always be known as the record that I drove down to OU listening to on move-in day. (They made a documentary about the creation of the album, check it out) Favorite Tracks: "Keepsake," "I'm Swimming," "Parachutes," "Notice Me," "Tiny Raindrop"

~honorable mentionz~

Cloakroom - Infinity, Beach Fossils - Clash The Truth, Gucci Mane - Trap God 2, Local Natives - Hummingbird, Pity Sex - Feast Of Love, Into It. Over It. - Intersections,  Native - Orthodox, Iron Chic - The Constant One, Waka Flocka Flame - From Roaches To Rollies, Pet Symmetry - Two Songs About Cars. Two Songs With Long Titles., Kelela - CUT 4 ME, Kanye West - Yeezus, My Bloody Valentine - m b v

Tracks From Those Albums Among Other Jams:

“Vivid Dreams” - Owen: Mike Kinsella conjures up all pain and longing and soothes it in a way that only he knows how.

“Bank Head" - Kelela: A catchy, sexy party song. Not something to get everyone on the dance floor but enough to nod your head, sing a long and drink to. 

“Drawstring” - Pity Sex: Short and sweet, fuzzy and youthful. 

“I’m In It” - Kanye West: Dirty as hell. Extremely uncomfortable. I couldn’t stop listening.

“No Amount Of Sound” - Into It. Over It.: Sad. Slow. Pretty.

“Dream Journal” - Cloakroom: I did a whole lot of nothing this summer except stare at the ceiling. This song made that much more of an experience than it should have been. 

“No We're Not Actually” - Dads: The power in this song lie in the lyrics, and the build up, and I just love Dads. I'm a weirdo and I really like the complexity of hospitals and this song captures the beauty and pain lodged into every room.

“Anxiety’s Door” - Merchandise: A friend put this on a mix for me over the summer and I can’t get over how '80s it is. Very Meat Is Murder-esque: everything I am about.

“Lose My Breath” - Yuck: Yeah, it's not old Yuck. But this is a jam.

“Receiving Line” - Title Fight: As long as these guys keep putting out releases, I’m always going to find at least one song to overplay. 

"Love In A Cold World" - Beastmilk: Reminds me of Danzig. Into it.

"Curtain Call" - They're / Their / There

I'm sure there's stuff that I'm missing. Thanks for taking interest in my interests. Love ya. Sorry I never post, Sarah. I'm very lazy. 

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By: Marlena Scott

Best Albums of 2013

Oh, a fresh post. Sorry, Marley and I have been on hiatus due to finals and lack of sleep. But I (Sarah) am going to share my top ten albums from 2013 to brighten your winter break and give you a viable excuse to take a break from Christmas music. Without further adieu, here are my personal favorite albums from this past year in alphabetical order because I am a weak son of a B and I can't rank/pick apart these albums.

http://www.amazon.com/

Arctic Monkeys – AM [Domino]: The Arctic Monkeys reestablished themselves as smooth sexy Brits with AM. This album was everything I was hoping and wishing for. Nothing beats Alex Turner cooing into your ear while he strums the guitar. Needless to say AM is heavily sexy infused with rock n’ roll and will be on repeat for years to come.

Favorite Tracks: "Snap Out Of It," "One For The Road," "I Wanna Be Yours"

http://www.amazon.com/

Best Coast – Fade Away [Jewel City]: Best Coast knows how to produce an EP. Fade Away if filled with punchy surf jams, which are perfect for listening to while reminiscing about sunny days. Or you could listen to the whole EP while alone in your room or in the car or in your friends’ car, it doesn't matter. Just listen to the EP because Bethany Cosentino’s voice will make your whole day brighter.

Favorite Tracks: "I Wanna Know," "I Don't Know How"

http://www.amazon.com/

Beyoncé – BEYONCÉ [Columbia Records]: There is only one woman, no, person, in the world who could crash iTunes by releasing an un-promoted album and that person is Beyoncé. She also outsold any female pop singer’s week album sales in 24 hours. Yeah so to saying her self-titled album is pretty worthwhile is an understatement. Beyoncé proves why her nickname is Queen B and BEYONCÉ will turn your cherry out (this sentence will only be funny once you listen to her song "Blow").
Favorite Tracks: "Blow," "No Angel," "Partition," "Rocket," "Superpower"

http://www.amazon.com/

Disclosure – Settle [Universal Island Records]: U.K. siblings Guy and Howard Lawrence created an album that is brimming with seamless dance tunes that have enough synth riffs and guest artists to keep party people going all night long. But Settle is more than just another dance album. It’s catchy and has enough substance to not be categorized as trashy club music.

Favorite Tracks: "Latch," "White Noise"

http://www.amazon.com/

HAIM – Days Are Gone [Polydor]: The Haim sisters gained a lot of hype before the release of their first album, Days Are Gone. A lot of well deserved hype because the sister trio of Este, Danielle and Alana pulled through. Days Are Gone is a mixture of pop hooks and rock n' roll that are strung together with clever lyrics.

Favorite Tracks: "My Song 5," "The Wire," "Falling"

http://www.amazon.com/

Laura Marling – Once I Was An Eagle [Ribbon Music]: Laura Marling’s voice is hypnotic and flows effortlessly from one track to the next in Once I Was An Eagle. This album is just a really solid and is a joy to listen to and is carried effortlessly from track to track by Marling’s smooth, creamy voice.  Basically I want Marling to sing me to sleep every night. 

Favorite Tracks: "Take The Night Off," "I Was An Eagle," "Master Hunter"

http://www.amazon.com/

Miley Cyrus – Bangerz [RCA Records]: Say what you want about Miley but Bangerz is heaven to the ears of pop fans. Miley revamped her sound a long with her image showing how committed she is to the new era of Miley. Or maybe the previous Miley was just a Disney produced image and the current new Miley is the real Miley, woah. Anyway, the media shouldn’t be harping about Miley’s new look if it’s helping her produce albums like Bangerz.

Favorite Tracks: "#GETITRIGHT," "Wrecking Ball, "My Darlin'"

http://www.amazon.com/

The National – Trouble Will Find Me [4AD]: Trouble Will Find Me is a tearjerker of an album. Filled with heartbreak and raw lyrics The National produces an audible emotional roller coaster. So when you're mentally brain dead and trying to write a college essay listening to this album will help you generate some minuscule emotion to emit to your writing. 

Favorite Tracks: "I Should Live In Salt," "Graceless," "I Need My Girl"

http://www.amazon.com/

Sky Ferreira – Night Time, My Time [Capitol Records]: Okay, yeah I have a huge fat girl crush on Sky but that’s not the reason Night Time, My Time made my top 10 list. Many years went into the making of Sky’s first full album. It’s catchy and edgy, showing a different side to Sky than her previous EPs. Sky proves that she has more depth than mass produced pop princesses in Night Time, My Time. It's just a bonus that she is a grungy babe. 

Favorite Tracks: "Heavy Metal Heart," "You're Not The One," "I Blame Myself"

http://www.amazon.com/

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City [XL Recordings]: Vampire Weekend should be praised for their innovativeness. Ezra Koenig knows his way around a song. Modern Vampires of the City is chalk full of smart lyrics that fly under the radar because of Vampire Weekend’s quirky upbeat image. This album shows how much more they can offer to the music world and solidifies their presence at the top of the charts. Also go follow Ezra on twitter, you're welcome. 

Favorite Tracks: "Hannah Hunt," "Diane Young," "Finger Back," "Don't Lie"

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By: Sarah Weingarten

Friday's Music Day,

But my mind is more frazzled than it has ever been, so here are a bunch of talented people playing candid versions of some very bangin' songs on a Wednesday.

I hope everyone's having a nice week :)

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By: Marlena Scott

Bad Bitches

Hallelujah, it's finally Friday. Here are some good girl tunes to start your weekend right. Booty shaking is encouraged.

#GETITRIGHT - Miley Cyrus

Overdose - Ciara 

Move - Little Mix

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By: Sarah Weingarten

Mixing

Mixing two songs together seamlessly is something that is part practice and part natural talent. Getting the two down marks synced and looping the music is all practice. But hearing two songs and imagining them together and then creating a musical experience that no one else literally imagined is the natural talent.

www,aeyelaeyen.tumblr.com

Nineteen year old Tumblr blogger Alan has butt loads of mixing talent. For example, Lorde and Fall Out Boy together on one track, and it works. It's musical magic.

When I listen to his mixes, I'm usually blown away. He has a keen sense for layering and mixing songs that just astound and amaze me. But mostly I become infinitely jealous at how smooth his production.

Check out his Tumblr here, also he has an EP out. Oh, and just a reminder he is only nineteen.

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By: Sarah Weingarten

Unearthly

Back in 2010, Zoo Kid released a home-made mixed and mastered track he created with his friends via House Anxiety Records at 16 years old.

In 2011, Zoo Kid transitioned to King Krule and debuted his new title at a festival in France.

I feel deprived to the bone that I hadn't heard of this kid before this past summer with his release of 6 Feet Beneath The Moon via True Panther Sounds. It's November, and I'm still not over it.

The album is an incredibly layered piece of art that is impossible to confine to a genre, so I won't even bother.

It hits at every part of the body. It appeals to every sense. It is everything.

Read into this kid; at only 19 years old he will grab your attention and hold onto it. I was at WalMart and saw a relatively thin red headed boy, and my heart sunk thinking of King Krule. The feelings I experienced during the course of this record are that deep.

Here is an interview he did with The Guardian that is particularly effective in illustrating his demeanor; he encompasses a natural, relatable anger toward the world all the while possessing a relentless desire to do this "life" thing the right way.

Can I hang out with you guys?

Here are some of his side projects to check out:
DJ JD Sports
Edgar the Beatmaker

For the record: I wouldn't have broken your heart, Archy Marshall.

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By: Marlena Scott