I sincerely apologize for not being as diligent as I could be with this blog. This blog will be on hiatus for a while. There's a lot going on with me offline to make things happen in my life and career and The Music Tourist project, unfortunately, is not much of a priority right now. I may resume this blog at a later time, but for now you can enjoy the past posts I worked really hard on. Thank you for all your support, commentary, and views. Until then, always stay tuned.
~ The Music Tourist
aka Lauren
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
You Know You're a Songwriter If...
1. You have random lyrics scribbled in the most random places.
2. You have a section in your phone/tablet/laptop of random notes and ideas.
3. You feel naked without a pen/pencil and paper on you or near you at all times.
4. You have a "writer's mentality" when listening to the radio, meaning that you put yourself in the mindset of the writer of the song.
5. When you hear a song, you think of how you would have changed the melody/harmony/lyrics if you wrote it.
6. You feel slightly depressed when an idea leaves your head.
7. Listening to other kinds of music often spark ideas.
8. You are almost always in a constant critic's mindset when it comes to listening to a song and critiquing it's composition and lyrical choices.
9. You feel the need to explain to people that your "hobby" is your full-time job.
10. At least 75% of the day consists of writing or listening to music.
11. You post song lyrics as Facebook statuses and tweets, many that are your own.
12. In a bookstore, you end up in the music section.
13. You spend hours at a time writing or composing, especially one part of one song.
14. You become immediately intrigued when meeting other musicians and writers...or anyone in the arts.
15. You get irritated when you haven't written anything for a while.
16. You feel like you're "on-the-clock" 24/7.
17. You have been woken out of your sleep with a song idea and won't allow yourself to dose back off until most of it is recorded in some way.
18. You enjoy long road trips (if you're not driving) because it gives you a chance to sit in one spot and write.
19. Poorly written songs and lyrics irritate you.
20. Keep a watchful eye or an open ear to any and every potential song opportunity.
21. Dream-collaborate with your favorite artists in your head.
22. Imagine writing a song for your favorite artists.
23. Have a section of your iTunes/mp3 player with small bits of your music.
24. You know what Finale and Sibelius is...or at least what ProTools and Digital Performer is.
25. You get a sudden rush of adrenaline when entering a studio.
26. You anticipate coming home from at times some of the most fun and exciting places just to write about it.
27. Daily routines are often interrupted by sudden bursts of ideas.
28. You search lyrics for songs and analyze them.
29. You go in the art supplies/music section of your local department store, even if you don't plan on getting anything from there.
30. You see the potential in bad experiences, even while going through them, as song ideas.
31. You are kind of a music snob.
32. You know who writes some of your favorite songs.
33. You kind of have more respect for artists that write their own music, maybe even if it's not good.
34. You have written a song for therapeutic reasons for your own personal experiences.
35. You imagine, and often compose, written texts and prose to music.
36. You are subscribed to at least a few songwriter/musician newsletters, blogs, or sites.
37. You can identify the writing styles and patterns of artists when you hear their music.
38. You can identify typical chord progressions and melodic patterns in artists' work.
39. You're phone or contact list is flooded with more publishers, writers producers, and/or even lawyers more than actual friends.
40. You can do absolutely nothing else with your day but work on a song and feel like that day was truly fulfilled and accomplished.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Music Tourist's: The Five Spot #2: January 28, 2012
Hello and welcome to The Five Spot, your place to see five of the biggest music stories of the past couple of weeks. Here's what's going on in the world of music.
1. Etta James dies at 73
Legendary rhythm and blues singer Etta James, known for her signature hit "At Last," died on the morning of Friday, January 18th. The four-time Grammy award winner was battling leukemia. RIP to the legendary artist.
2. So Long to S.O.P.A.?
After many websites, bloggers, and social media users blocked themselves to protest the S.O.P.A. bill set to censor the internet and fight piracy in potentially harmful ways, the bill has been delayed. As many lawmakers, entertainers, and internet users alike heavily protested rejoicing at the possible abolishment of the bill, it has been shelved and could reemerge later this year.
3. Singers Brandy and Monica Re-unite
Fourteen years after "The Boy Is Mine" gained pop/r&b songstresses Brandy and Monica massive appeal and success, the two singers are set to reunite for a new single called "It All Belongs to Me." The single is set for release on February 6th.
4. ABBA with New Song in Nearly Two Decades
After nearly thirty years since they disbanded, Swedish pop band ABBA is set to reissue their 1981 album "The Visitors" with a new unreleased track called "From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel recorded around that time." This will be the band's most recently released material since their box set in 1994.
5. Adele "Sets Fire" to the Charts with third #1
Adele's critically acclaimed album "21" sits pretty at #1 for the 17th time. Concurrently Adele's third single "Set Fire to the Rain" bypassed Rihanna's smash "We Found Love" for the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100. Adele's other two singles have had long-lasting #1 streaks on the Hot 100 as well.
Industry | Divided: These High-Profile Artists Are Now Fighting Against SOPA...
So Is SOPA Dead? Not Exactly
Brandy and Monica Reunite For First New Single in 14 Years
1. Etta James dies at 73
Legendary rhythm and blues singer Etta James, known for her signature hit "At Last," died on the morning of Friday, January 18th. The four-time Grammy award winner was battling leukemia. RIP to the legendary artist.
2. So Long to S.O.P.A.?
After many websites, bloggers, and social media users blocked themselves to protest the S.O.P.A. bill set to censor the internet and fight piracy in potentially harmful ways, the bill has been delayed. As many lawmakers, entertainers, and internet users alike heavily protested rejoicing at the possible abolishment of the bill, it has been shelved and could reemerge later this year.
3. Singers Brandy and Monica Re-unite
Fourteen years after "The Boy Is Mine" gained pop/r&b songstresses Brandy and Monica massive appeal and success, the two singers are set to reunite for a new single called "It All Belongs to Me." The single is set for release on February 6th.
4. ABBA with New Song in Nearly Two Decades
After nearly thirty years since they disbanded, Swedish pop band ABBA is set to reissue their 1981 album "The Visitors" with a new unreleased track called "From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel recorded around that time." This will be the band's most recently released material since their box set in 1994.
5. Adele "Sets Fire" to the Charts with third #1
Adele's critically acclaimed album "21" sits pretty at #1 for the 17th time. Concurrently Adele's third single "Set Fire to the Rain" bypassed Rihanna's smash "We Found Love" for the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100. Adele's other two singles have had long-lasting #1 streaks on the Hot 100 as well.
Sources:
Etta James Dies at 73; Voice Behind ‘At Last'Industry | Divided: These High-Profile Artists Are Now Fighting Against SOPA...
So Is SOPA Dead? Not Exactly
Brandy and Monica Reunite For First New Single in 14 Years
Sunday, January 15, 2012
How the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Makes Me Feel (Again)
Music does some interesting things to one's imagination. It takes you places, brings back memories, and cements events into your subconscious until they are brought about by the familiar melodies. Let's create some of those events as it pertains to the current Billboard Hot 100 Top 10.
1. We Found Love Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
This song makes me feel like jumping up and down in a European dance club, with a hot local guy, drinking cocktails, under the disco ball, in the center of the room. Yes all of that.
2. Sexy and I Know It LMFAO
Honestly I'm still just tryna get the image of the LMFAO thong man-sausages swinging out of my head.
3. It Will Rain Bruno Mars
The whole world has a sepia tone and it seems like there's only two people in a single town. He is pale, sparkly, and obnoxious. Then out of no where some shirtless boy-wonder claims his love for me too. It's all so complicated.
4. Set Fire to the Rain Adele
I imagine this being the response to "It Will Rain" (the song itself, and not my Twilight-inspired response to it). And not only because both songs' references to dramatizations of precipitation. The emotion from the tumultuous relationship results in a strong ballad that brings on the waterworks in a beautifully angry way.
5. Good Feeling Flo Rida
It makes me have a GOOD feeling. Duh!
6. The One That Got Away Katy Perry
This song makes me wonder if any guy that I had once crossed paths with could have truly been the one that got away. But then I switch gears and proceed to get my gangsta on by turning on...
7. Ni**as in Paris Jay-Z and Kanye West
I feel like loudly blasting this song down the streets of Paris, pissing off every French passerby, as the city vibrates to the rhythm of the overexaggerated bass. That s*** cray.
8. I Won't Give Up Jason Mraz
As a stark contrast to the aforementioned tune, I feel like sitting in a peaceful state with just me, an acoustic guitar, and hundreds of inescapable thoughts and memories of love, loss, and the beauty of life.
9. Party Rock Anthem LMFAO feat. GoonRock and Lauren Bennett
10. Someone Like You Adele
I gave some time from the last time I did one of these posts because I assumed that there would be a completely new list of songs. It seems like America's love affair with the soulful songstress Adele and the hyperactive party boys LMFAO is ongoing. Not only do both artists have two new songs in the top 10, but #9 and #10 still are holding on strong themselves. I still wanna freelance party rock to "Party Rock" and create unfamiliar emotions to "Someone Like You."
1. We Found Love Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
This song makes me feel like jumping up and down in a European dance club, with a hot local guy, drinking cocktails, under the disco ball, in the center of the room. Yes all of that.
2. Sexy and I Know It LMFAO
Honestly I'm still just tryna get the image of the LMFAO thong man-sausages swinging out of my head.
3. It Will Rain Bruno Mars
The whole world has a sepia tone and it seems like there's only two people in a single town. He is pale, sparkly, and obnoxious. Then out of no where some shirtless boy-wonder claims his love for me too. It's all so complicated.
4. Set Fire to the Rain Adele
I imagine this being the response to "It Will Rain" (the song itself, and not my Twilight-inspired response to it). And not only because both songs' references to dramatizations of precipitation. The emotion from the tumultuous relationship results in a strong ballad that brings on the waterworks in a beautifully angry way.
5. Good Feeling Flo Rida
It makes me have a GOOD feeling. Duh!
6. The One That Got Away Katy Perry
This song makes me wonder if any guy that I had once crossed paths with could have truly been the one that got away. But then I switch gears and proceed to get my gangsta on by turning on...
7. Ni**as in Paris Jay-Z and Kanye West
I feel like loudly blasting this song down the streets of Paris, pissing off every French passerby, as the city vibrates to the rhythm of the overexaggerated bass. That s*** cray.
8. I Won't Give Up Jason Mraz
As a stark contrast to the aforementioned tune, I feel like sitting in a peaceful state with just me, an acoustic guitar, and hundreds of inescapable thoughts and memories of love, loss, and the beauty of life.
9. Party Rock Anthem LMFAO feat. GoonRock and Lauren Bennett
10. Someone Like You Adele
I gave some time from the last time I did one of these posts because I assumed that there would be a completely new list of songs. It seems like America's love affair with the soulful songstress Adele and the hyperactive party boys LMFAO is ongoing. Not only do both artists have two new songs in the top 10, but #9 and #10 still are holding on strong themselves. I still wanna freelance party rock to "Party Rock" and create unfamiliar emotions to "Someone Like You."
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The Music Tourist's The Five Spot: January 14th, 2012
Hello and welcome to The Five Spot, your place to see five of the biggest music stories of the past couple of weeks. Here's what's going on in the world of music.
1. CD's are still in.
Just this past week, I came across an article that said that Rihanna was the biggest selling digital artist of all time. With infectious pop singles that automatically climb the charts, it is definitely not a shocking record. However Rihanna's album sales are modest in comparison. According to an online report, it seems like in people still like the physical product. Reportedly, two-thirds of all albums purchased in the U.S. in 2011 are albums reaching an impressive 223.5 million out of 330.6 million total. In the UK, 76.1 percent of albums sold were CD's. These physical albums still being sold can contribute to department stores like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy push sales of albums with advertisements and signs. The general public may just also like the idea of having a physical album to keep of their favorite artist. It is almost like merchandise in a way that provides a tangible product of their purchase. Whatever the reason, CD's are still selling...for now.
2. Nickelback is ruining rock? Says Black Key.
Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney had some harsh words against Nickelback's music. Carney quotes saying that "rock & roll is dying because people became okay with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world." He goes on to state that his passion of rock is being "watered down" and is disappointed that bands like the Black Keys are being lumped together with Nickelback. In my opinion, I prefer the Keys work to Nickelback but in the Canadian band's defense I have to say that there are different kinds of every genre. Hip hop artists like Lupe Fiasco and Common are very different from rap stars like Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. Soulful artists like Adele are lumped into the same category as Ke$ha or Britney Spears. We are a people of generalization and convenient categorization and music is not any different. Yes I would regard Nickelback and Black Keys as rock but they are different kinds of rock. Everything is watered down to make sales but there are the purists and the indies that add variety. Adele, an arguably gimmick-less talent based on song over sex, was the biggest selling artist of 2011 with her album 21. Five years ago it was the High School Musical 2 cast selling over all the artists of that year. Take that as you will, but then again people like what they like.
3. Could Black and Yellow cause Wiz to give up the green?
A Pittsburgh rapper and writer named Max Warren is suing rapper Wiz Khalifa for allegedly ripping off his own song "Pink and Yellow" in Wiz's Hot 100 #1 hit "Black and Yellow." Max is reportedly seeking $2.3 million in damages. Both songs are posted on YouTube and many fans and passerbys have offered commentary. It would be interesting to see how all this pans out. In the industry, copyright lawsuits are nothing new and are surely not going away. It definitely keeps entertainment lawyers with food on the table.
4. Beyonce gives birth to "Blue"
On Saturday night, January 7th the Roca-world welcomed their youngest member daughter Blue Ivy to entertainer Beyonce and rap mogul Jay-Z. Delivered in Lenox Hill Hotel in New York City, this is the couple's first child. Congrats to the proud parents!
5. The-Dream got $15 million for "Umbrella": That's a Half A Million for Every "Ella!"
Hit writer and producer, The-Dream, who co-wrote hits such as Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and Justin Bieber's "Baby," says that he got $15 million from Rihanna's smash hit "Umbrella." If The-Dream had just written that one song, he'd be set for life still. It just goes to show that it only takes one hit song to have a writer pretty much set for life as they can sit back and collect royalties. The hard part is getting there thought. So much is music life.
Sources:
Two-Thirds of All Albums Purchased In the US Are Still CDs...
The Black Keys: Nickelback helping to kill rock
Exclusive: Wiz Khalifa accused of stealing "Black and Yellow" in $2 million dollar lawsuit
Beyonce And Jay-Z Welcome Baby Girl
The-Dream Got 'Around $15 Million' for Writing Rihanna's 'Umbrella'
1. CD's are still in.
Just this past week, I came across an article that said that Rihanna was the biggest selling digital artist of all time. With infectious pop singles that automatically climb the charts, it is definitely not a shocking record. However Rihanna's album sales are modest in comparison. According to an online report, it seems like in people still like the physical product. Reportedly, two-thirds of all albums purchased in the U.S. in 2011 are albums reaching an impressive 223.5 million out of 330.6 million total. In the UK, 76.1 percent of albums sold were CD's. These physical albums still being sold can contribute to department stores like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy push sales of albums with advertisements and signs. The general public may just also like the idea of having a physical album to keep of their favorite artist. It is almost like merchandise in a way that provides a tangible product of their purchase. Whatever the reason, CD's are still selling...for now.
2. Nickelback is ruining rock? Says Black Key.
Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney had some harsh words against Nickelback's music. Carney quotes saying that "rock & roll is dying because people became okay with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world." He goes on to state that his passion of rock is being "watered down" and is disappointed that bands like the Black Keys are being lumped together with Nickelback. In my opinion, I prefer the Keys work to Nickelback but in the Canadian band's defense I have to say that there are different kinds of every genre. Hip hop artists like Lupe Fiasco and Common are very different from rap stars like Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. Soulful artists like Adele are lumped into the same category as Ke$ha or Britney Spears. We are a people of generalization and convenient categorization and music is not any different. Yes I would regard Nickelback and Black Keys as rock but they are different kinds of rock. Everything is watered down to make sales but there are the purists and the indies that add variety. Adele, an arguably gimmick-less talent based on song over sex, was the biggest selling artist of 2011 with her album 21. Five years ago it was the High School Musical 2 cast selling over all the artists of that year. Take that as you will, but then again people like what they like.
3. Could Black and Yellow cause Wiz to give up the green?
A Pittsburgh rapper and writer named Max Warren is suing rapper Wiz Khalifa for allegedly ripping off his own song "Pink and Yellow" in Wiz's Hot 100 #1 hit "Black and Yellow." Max is reportedly seeking $2.3 million in damages. Both songs are posted on YouTube and many fans and passerbys have offered commentary. It would be interesting to see how all this pans out. In the industry, copyright lawsuits are nothing new and are surely not going away. It definitely keeps entertainment lawyers with food on the table.
4. Beyonce gives birth to "Blue"
On Saturday night, January 7th the Roca-world welcomed their youngest member daughter Blue Ivy to entertainer Beyonce and rap mogul Jay-Z. Delivered in Lenox Hill Hotel in New York City, this is the couple's first child. Congrats to the proud parents!
5. The-Dream got $15 million for "Umbrella": That's a Half A Million for Every "Ella!"
Hit writer and producer, The-Dream, who co-wrote hits such as Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and Justin Bieber's "Baby," says that he got $15 million from Rihanna's smash hit "Umbrella." If The-Dream had just written that one song, he'd be set for life still. It just goes to show that it only takes one hit song to have a writer pretty much set for life as they can sit back and collect royalties. The hard part is getting there thought. So much is music life.
Sources:
Two-Thirds of All Albums Purchased In the US Are Still CDs...
The Black Keys: Nickelback helping to kill rock
Exclusive: Wiz Khalifa accused of stealing "Black and Yellow" in $2 million dollar lawsuit
Beyonce And Jay-Z Welcome Baby Girl
The-Dream Got 'Around $15 Million' for Writing Rihanna's 'Umbrella'
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Music Tourist: Favorite Tourist Features of 2011!!!
Hello Everyone,
To reiterate from yesterday's post, Happy New Year! I'm personally excited for the work that I will create on this blog as well as the opportunities ahead for me. And as some of you know, as evidenced by my blog, I'm a big fan of lists. I do a lot of "Top 10, 20, etc." lists. So this post is no different. Here I have listed Top 10 Favorite Posts from the year 2011. Follow the links to view.
Posted: Saturday, September 3rd
A list of ten reasons why I love music.
Posted: Friday, September 4th
Financial advice for people just starting out in their careers, specifically musicians.
Posted: Friday, June 24th
A compilation of my 25 personal favorite songs from the King of Pop.
Posted: Thursday, May 19th
Maybe not the greatest videos to some, but definitely some of the most entertaining in this Throwback series.
6. Aaliyah: Gone But Never ForgottenPosted: Thursday, August 25th
A tenth-anniversary tribute to one of my favorite artists gone to soon.
5. Spotlight Sunday: Isra Shatat
Posted: Sunday, May 8th
An in-depth interview with one of the industry's rising execs.
4. The Four Kinds of Dream Killers, What Weapons They Use, and How to Fight Back
Posted: Sunday, September 4th
I hope you enjoyed the past year for my blog as well as look forward to what I have ahead for my fellow tourists. Stay tuned.
~L~
4. The Four Kinds of Dream Killers, What Weapons They Use, and How to Fight Back
Posted: Sunday, September 4th
From haters to protectors, dream killers and the way dreamers can deal with them are analyzed.
Posted: Monday, April 4th
A four-album review of the recent albums from four of my favorite artists from different genres.
Posted: Sunday, April 17th
I analyze my top 25 most frequently played songs on iTunes.
Posted: Monday, June 26th
A narrative of how I miraculously attended one of the best concerts/evenings of my year and possibly my life.
I hope you enjoyed the past year for my blog as well as look forward to what I have ahead for my fellow tourists. Stay tuned.
~L~
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Music Tourist: Happy New Year!
Hello Everyone!
First off let me just wish everyone a Happy New Year! It is a brand new year, a season of new beginnings and renewal for many. New goals are set and a new outlook on improving the situations of the previous year. I hope all of that comes to be for all of you for 2012 and beyond.
Before 2011 came to a close, I had applied many updates to this blog. I sought to have a more structured, scheduled, and informative blog as well as fun and freelance. I want to commit to this project more for not only lessons in diligence but also to further my interests and passions as well as network to others who love music. I have many awesome subjects to touch on and have been spending several weeks getting feedback from others. I want to create a space in which people can learn, discuss, engage, and be entertained; whether that is to a small, humble audience or to a wide mass of music lovers from all over.
With all this being said, I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I continue to create and change it. I hope you all keep that "new year newness" mindset all year round and make every day count. And for my fellow aspiring musicians, keep encouraged and keep the music alive. Like a helpful A&R person told me, we are the future of music and the past generations of movers and shakers are relying on us to stabilize and influence a remarkable industry we are a part of. Remember, "making it" is only the first step. We've got a lot to do once we get there. Be prepared, be knowledgable, be you.
Stay tuned,
The Music Tourist
First off let me just wish everyone a Happy New Year! It is a brand new year, a season of new beginnings and renewal for many. New goals are set and a new outlook on improving the situations of the previous year. I hope all of that comes to be for all of you for 2012 and beyond.
Before 2011 came to a close, I had applied many updates to this blog. I sought to have a more structured, scheduled, and informative blog as well as fun and freelance. I want to commit to this project more for not only lessons in diligence but also to further my interests and passions as well as network to others who love music. I have many awesome subjects to touch on and have been spending several weeks getting feedback from others. I want to create a space in which people can learn, discuss, engage, and be entertained; whether that is to a small, humble audience or to a wide mass of music lovers from all over.
With all this being said, I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I continue to create and change it. I hope you all keep that "new year newness" mindset all year round and make every day count. And for my fellow aspiring musicians, keep encouraged and keep the music alive. Like a helpful A&R person told me, we are the future of music and the past generations of movers and shakers are relying on us to stabilize and influence a remarkable industry we are a part of. Remember, "making it" is only the first step. We've got a lot to do once we get there. Be prepared, be knowledgable, be you.
Stay tuned,
The Music Tourist
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)