Category Archives: Friday Five

Artist to Watch, Friday Five, Music

The Friday Five: CMJ Artists To Watch

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CMJ Music Marathon is a week long festival that literally takes over any and every music venue in NYC.  It’s an entire week filled with seminars on the music industry, concerts, and new emerging artists playing pop up shows all around the 5 boroughs.   It’s worth checking out a showcase or two, and we suggest staying to catch all of the artists – you never know, you might just find your new favorite band!  One of us worked the festival last year and it was one of the most fun experiences we’ve ever had!  Here are our top five picks for bands to catch at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon.

1. Born Cages
Coming back for round two at CMJ, Born Cages are ready to hit the ground running with their latest single “Rolling Down The Hill”.  The band are playing a few shows for CMJ this year so be sure to catch them this year.

2. We Are Stations
Playing their first CMJ festival this year, We Are Stations aren’t afraid to give it their all.  Armed with a Foo Fighters sound and positive songs that can turn that frown upside down, this is a show you don’t want to miss at CMJ this year.  When we spoke with the band over the summer, they teased each other as well as a possible EP!

3. The Ugly Club
If you like Walk The Moon, there’s a chance you might like The Ugly Club.  Despite their name, the band is actually really easy on the eyes but that’s just an added bonus.   Spot one of their stickers around the five boroughs and tweet a picture of it- there could be a surprise in store for you!

4. The Rare Occasions
Continuing the grunge trend in 2014, The Rare Occasions are here and they’re going to take over your playlists one song at a time. The bands latest single is huge and we will definitely have this in heavy rotation in the fangirl offices!

5. Bailen
Bailen (previously The Bailen Brothers), is made up of twin brothers, their sister, and a family friend and honorary Bailen.   They first caught our attention when they opened for CMJ alumni AJR earlier this year.   If you like infectious melodies and harmonizing siblings, Bailen is definitely worth checking out.  

5SOS, Artist to Watch, Country Music, Friday Five, Jake Miller, Music, Secret Fangirls

The Friday Five: 5 Songs Currently On Repeat

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Whether we hit “replay” on our AppleTV to rewatch Sam Hunt’s live performance videos, or someone catches us humming 5SOS’s new single, we all have those songs that we can’t stop listening to.   This week’s Friday Five is a short playlist of the songs we just can’t seem to get enough of!

1. Jake Miller – First Flight Home
On the heels of his new single “First Flight Home”, Jake Miller announced that he would be playing at Miami’s Y100 Jingle Ball 2014 – something he says has been on his bucket list for a long time! Watch the official video for “First Flight Home” below.

2. Sam Hunt – Break Up In A Small Town
Sam Hunt is being billed as a “soon to be superstar”, and when we caught him opening for Kip Moore on the CMT “Up In Smoke Tour” we fully agreed.  Sam is set to play Emporium on Long Island in November and he’s one artist we will gladly go to “almost the Hamptons” for because he’s THAT good!

3. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Good Girls
Jingle Ball is the perfect exposure for the Australian pop punk band to potential fans that might not realize they actually do like guitar driven music!  5SOS are scheduled to perform at a bunch of annual jingle ball festivities around the United States in anticipation of their huge summer 2015 headlining tour!

4. North Of Nine – We Ride
Jackson Guthy’s new band North Of Nine hit the ground running with a single and a video for “We Ride”.  While the band aren’t touring just yet, they’re looking to the future and something big could be on the horizon for them.

5. Born Cages – Rolling Down The Hill
Local indie band, Born Cages are a fangirl favorite and not just because of their sleek sound, churning out catchy song after catchy song. Their latest single “Rolling Down The Hill” is getting added to a bunch of radio stations and it’s definitely a fun song during live shows!  Born Cages are slated to play two showcases at CMJ in New York this October.

 

Be sure to follow Jake Miller, Sam Hunt, 5SOS, North Of Nine, Born Cages, and Secret Fangirls on Twitter!

Friday Five, Music

The Friday Five: Classic Weezer Songs

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Weezer’s 9th studio album, “Everything Will Be Alright In The End,” is out on Tuesday, October 7th.  Let’s rock out like it’s 94 and take a look back at some of their biggest hits.

 

1. “Buddy Holly” – 1994
One of the coolest music videos of all time – we still aren’t sure what sort of wizardry is happening here.

 

2. “Say It Ain’t So” – 1995
The song that defined the 90s alternative genre.

 

3. “Island In The Sun” – 2001
This song will forever remind us of the Olsen twin movie of the same name, where this track was played approximately every 5 minutes.  We hope Weezer got royalties for each use of the song!  (We estimate about 350 times in the film).

 

4. “Beverly Hills” – 2005 
The perfect song to drive around with your windows down, as we did for the entire summer of ’05.

 

5. “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” – 2009
Relationship Goals: This song
Bae Goals: This song
Everything: This song

 

Bonus: “Back To The Shack” – 2014
An instant classic.

 

Boys We Like, Friday Five, Music

The Friday Five: Rooney Songs

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Robert Schwartzman’s California Roll Tour kicks off tonight in Boston.  We’re beyond excited for this tour –  for starters, Robert has written some of our favorite songs of all time (both solo and as the front man of Rooney) and we haven’t seen him in ages!  But the tour itself is something completely new and unexpected – he’s hosting it on a 30-passenger party bus.   We literally have no idea what to expect from this show which definitely adds an extra air of excitement!  So, in honor of the tour, here are our favorite Rooney songs!  (It was nearly impossible to keep this to 5 songs).

1. “Blueside”
The band’s first official single.  Bonus points if you caught Robert performing the song in “The Princess Diaries.”

2. “Popstars”
Robert is always ahead of his time – the lyrics of this song are even more relevant today than when it was released in 2003.

3. “I’m Shakin”
Hey man, do you know who sings this song?  ROONEY!

4. “I Should’ve Been After You”
This song and video perfectly capture Rooney’s retro sounds.

5. “I Can’t Get Enough”
Warning: watching this video will make you want to go roller skating. (Luckily the revival of all things 90s lately has included roller rinks!)

Bonus #1: Robert Schwartzman – “Out Of My Mind”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayVUbX_3L40

Bonus #2:  Solobob – “The Victim”
Robert’s first solo venture, and the greatest music video of all time.

Be sure to follow Robert Schwartman & Secret Fangirls for more updates!

Boy Bands, Friday Five, Movies, Music

The Friday Five: Our Favorite Fictional Bands

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As long as true musicians have existed within the television and movie realm, parody artists and even purely fictional bands can eventually turn into real recording artists!  No genre is immune to this trickery either.  Here is our list of our top five favorite fictional bands!

1. The Oneders
One hit wonders are nothing new and they will always be a strange phenomenon in the music industry and pop culture in general.  “That Thing You Do!” follows the rise and fall of a one hit wonder band, The Oneders (Wonders).  This is one of our favorite movies of all time and for the amount of times the song gets performed in this movie, it’s a WONDER we don’t get sick of it! (see what I did there?) On a serious note: if you are in a band, want to be in a band/the music industry, or even just love music…spend some time with this movie and remember that fame is fleeting but you can make the most of it while you have it.    You guys look great in gold, have I told you that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPMLG8mnCRM

2. 2ge+her
Was this band a joke?  Yes. What their hit song catchy?  Yes. Do we still catch ourselves singing it?  Yes. Would we go see them on tour? DUH!!  They caught us everything we need to know in life about math:  You + Me = Us.  Calculus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrwl6a4-lSg

3. Microbe
Zenon – Girl Of The 21st Century spawned one of the most awesome ideas for a pop star ever – to perform a concert in space!  Protozoa, his band Microbe, and Zenon Karr team up and pull it off, in a true 1999 iconic DCOM.  We know you can still sing all the words to “Supernova Girl.”  Zoom zoom zoom makes my heart go boom boom…

4. Mario And The Brick Breakers (real life band – Patent Pending)
They went from plumbers in Brooklyn to the biggest rock stars in the world.  Then it all came crashing down.  This 30-minute documentary follows the rise and fall of the band, Behind The Music style.  You never think that a band of brothers will break up but obviously family isn’t always forever!  Catch Patent Pending headlining their “Brighter UK Tour” this fall.  Watch the Mario And The Brick Breakers trailer below.

5. Spinal Tap
Contrary to popular belief, Spinal Tap is not actually a real band! They were completely formulated for the1984 mockumentry “This Is Spinal Tap” and oddly enough, the band took on a life of its own.  Spinal Tap is still a huge pop culture phenomenon and we’re totally guilty of using their name as a verb before.

 

Friday Five, Music

The Friday Five: Songs Of The Week

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We’ve spent most of the last 2 weeks at the US Open, our favorite time of the year.  Here’s what we’ve been listening to this week!  We’ll be back to regular blogging next week after the finals.

1. Demi Lovato – “Really Don’t Care”
We think this is the US Open DJ’s favorite song, because we heard it at least five times a day.  Or maybe he’s just really excited about the Demi World Tour, which kicks off tomorrow?

2. MKTO – “Classic”
MKTO performed at Arthur Ashe Kids Day this year, getting the US Open off to a fun start with this classy jam.

3. Hunter Hayes – “Wildcard”
This should be the theme song for every player that gets a wild card into a tournament.   Would have been a perfect song for Hunter to perform at Arthur Ashe Kids Day!  But we were totally okay with hearing “Tattoo” twice.  Tickets are on sale now for the “Tattoo (Your Name) Tour!”

4. Nick & Knight – “Switch”
We got a little break from the tennis action on Wednesday when we headed to Nick & Knight’s album release show at the Highline.  The show was a preview of what to expect on their tour this fall, and trust us, you don’t want to miss it.  Their harmonies, choreography, and bromance are amazing.

5. NKOTB – “Single” & Backstreet Boys “The One”
Another US Open DJ favorite is “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay.  Which just brings back memories of the NKOTBSB tour opener mashup of NKOTB’s “Single” and Backstreet Boys’ “The One.”  So naturally we just start singing NKOTBSB anytime we hear it.

90s, Boy Bands, Friday Five, Music, NKOTB

The Friday Five: Nick & Knight’s Greatest Hits

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In case you haven’t heard, Nick & Knight’s debut album will be released next week!  The album, out September 2nd, is a collaboration between all time boy band greats Nick Carter and Jordan Knight.   In celebration of the album, here’s a look at our favorite Nick & Knight songs and collaborations.  If you’re in NYC, you can celebrate the album release with Nick & Knight at Highline Ballroom!  Get more info here.  You can pre-order Nick & Knight’s album on iTunes now!

1.  Jordan Knight – “Give It To You”
Jordan’s first solo hit was a smash on TRL back in the day, although looking back we probably shouldn’t have been singing this song.  Oh well.  It was co-written by Robin Thicke, so it all makes sense now.

2. Jordan Knight featuring Donnie Wahlberg – “Stingy”
Nick & Knight’s album isn’t the first time he’s teamed up with a fellow boy band member.  We love this collaboration between Jordan & Donnie.

3. Nick Carter – “Just One Kiss”
While Nick’s solo career never reached the height of Jordan’s, he did release his 2nd solo album in 2011, including this catchy lead single.

4. NKOTBSB – “Don’t Turn Out The Lights”
The start of the Carter-Knight bro-mance began in 2010 when the supergroup, NKOTBSB was formed, AKA the greatest thing to happen in boy band history.

5. Nick & Knight – “One More Time”
And the second greatest thing to happen in boy band history: the first single released by the duo!  We can’t wait to see them on tour this fall.  Check out all the dates here!

 

Friday Five, Music

The Friday Five: Summer Love Songs

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It’s hard to believe that we’re already nearing the end of summer.  (Seriously, how is Labor Day next weekend?!)   Which means you’ve got just a couple weeks left to find (or enjoy) that summer romance.  Here’s the soundtrack to your summer love.

1.  “19 You + Me” – Dan+Shay
This nostalgic track paints the picture of a perfect summer romance.  From sweet tea kissin’ to that first dance in the sand, just listening to this song makes you feel like you’re spending a hot day on Myrtle Beach back in 19–.

2.  “Alice By The Hudson” – AJR
One of AJR’s biggest influences are The Beach Boys, and you can certainly hear it in this track.  “Alice By The Hudson” sounds like a modern day update of the ultimate summer love song, “Surfer Girl.”

3. “Young Love” – Jesse McCartney
We’re loving the retro-pop vibes of JMAC’s new album, “In Technicolor.”  A great love (or a great love song) will make you feel like you’re 17 again.

4. “Shower” – Becky G
This catchy track is everything you’d want in a summer romance, and will have you dancing in the mirror and singing in the shower.

5.  “Vacation” – Sam Hunt
Okay, so this is more of a love song to summer itself and an ode to being on vacation.  A reminder that you’ve got 2 weeks of summer left:  use them well.

Bonus: “Summer Love” – Justin Timberlake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiMhRwHP6sg

Friday Five, Music, On Tour

The Friday Five: Summer Tour Jams

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We’ve been to a lot of shows in the past week, and after a good concert a song will stick with you for days.  Here are the songs we can’t get out of our heads after seeing them live.  All of these artists are on tour now, so be sure to check out when they’re coming to your town!

1. Rixton – “Wait On Me“
We love the Ace of Base vibes of this track. (did we just age ourselves?)   Rixton put on a very solid show at Irving Plaza, impressing us with their musicianship, stage presence, and fan boys.  You can catch them on the Broken Heart Tour across the US this summer.

2. Jesse McCartney – “Punch Drunk Recreation“
If you saw JMAC in the Lifetime movie “Escaping Amish,” then you’ll recognize this track as the song his DJ character is playing the moment A.J. Michalka falls in love with him.  And who wouldn’t with this beat?   Check out the dates for the In Technicolor Tour here.

3. THE HEYDAZE – “Adderall“
There’s nothing we love more than a bad (good) pun.  Especially in this cleverly crafted pop song by NYC’s THE HEYDAZE.  See them on The In Technicolor Tour with JMAC through August 23rd!

4. Patent Pending – “Hey Mario”
Patent Pending’s American Meltdown Tour just wrapped up, & they’ll be hitting the UK & Germany later this Fall.  The band are unleashing the Mario & The Brick Breakers documentary soon which we’re sure will have us in stitches like their “Twilight” remake did in 2010 (and still does today).  Make sure you have your copy of the Mario & The Brick Breakers “Greatest Hits EP” on iTunes US and iTunes UK now!

5. MKTO – “Forever Until Tomorrow“
We still can’t get over how great Tony Oller sounded, even when battling laryngitis.  Surely it helped that MKTO has songs that are fun to sing along to, like this one.  The American Dream Tour wraps up this weekend and they’ll be joining Demi Lovato on tour this Fall!

Bonus:  Tiffany Houghton – “Band Boy”
Because this is our theme song, and she totally rocked on the American Dream Tour.

Friday Five, Music

The Friday Five: Breakup Songs

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Sometimes, there is just nothing like a good breakup song, no matter what you’re going through.  They can help vent your anger, remind you to stay positive.    Here are some of our favorite breakup songs.

1.  Brandyn Burnette – “Thanks For Nothing”
Brandyn Burnette’s new single “Thanks For Nothing” shows one way to deal with a breakup.  Be positive!  That is, be positive that the person you just broke up with is, in Lauren Conrad’s words – “a sucky person!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHa4nguI2T0

2. Hunter Hayes – “More Than I Should”
Hunter is so sweet that makes us wonder who broke his heart so badly that he penned one of the angriest breakup songs we’ve ever heard.   You can feel the anger in this song from the first note to the end. The guitars come in, guns blazing, while Hunter sings “I found out the hard way, I loved you more than I should”.  We always find ourselves feeling better after listening to this track!

3. Tiffany Houghton – “The Best”
Fresh music from Tiffany Houghton, this break up song is one of our new favorites.  We can’t get over how upbeat and happy the music is while Tiffany sings about the jerk who broke her heart.  Bless his heart, she’s just wishing him the best.  HA!

4. Taylor Swift – “Picture To Burn”
Oldie but a goodie from the queen of writing the songs that are the soundtrack to our young lives.  Taylor Swift knows how sucky guys can be,  but as far as she’s concerned, they’re all just another picture to burn!  Does anyone else miss Taylor’s country days?

5. Jonas Brothers – “What Do I Mean To You”
When we first heard this song last summer on tour, we had no idea that it would be the last time we’d ever see the brothers together as a band, playing music on tour and stuff.  The chorus just punches you right in the gut – like when he said those fateful four words “we need to talk”.  By the way – Kevin/Joe/Nick, WHAT DO WE MEAN TO YOU!!?

Bonus:  78 Violet (Aly & AJ) – “Potential Breakup Song” & Jonas Brothers “Move On”
You can’t talk about breakup songs without mentioning this iconic song by Aly & AJ and it’s companion song, “Move On” by Jonas Brothers.   “Move On” was never recorded, and only performed once, at Bamboozle.  But we’re sure it felt good for Joe to get that off of his chest!  They both sure seem to have issues with their stuff.  We hope you got your stuff back.