Our top videos of the week include Austin Mahone's "Say Something" ... we can't get enough of him. Although we <3 One Direction and Justin Bieber, we know the next big thing when we see him. And we're willing to bet Austin Mahone is gonna be big. Do you agree? "Say something" (haha) in the comments below!
Do you know the quote, "what would you do if you knew you would not fail?" Need some inspiration to do... well, just about anything? Watch this video. Seriously, it should get you moving towards whatever your goal may be. Go on, conquer those fears!
Wouldn't it be nice if all our teachers were this clever?!
GloZell always makes us laugh, even making fun of One Direction's "I Should've Kissed You"
And here's what One Direction "I Should've Kissed You" really sounds like before GloZell butchers discusses their song!
Hope you enjoyed our fave videos of the week! Have a wonderful weekend!
You know how a summer playlist can take you right back to a moment? A first kiss… goofy moments with friends… a fun trip or vacation… or even the most trivial moment can feel incredible when you’re taken back to it by a certain song. So here is the summer playlist for you to kick-start those moments. Now go get started on making memories!
Drums- Let's Go Surfing
Boys. Boys running. Boys running and playing instruments. Also,we think they're singing about surfing or something...
Boys Like Girls- Thunder
This song makes us want to cram 20 of our closest friends into a vintage convertible and go cruisin' to find a boy that is our thunder.
Kermit the Frog- Put the Lime in the Coconut
Ok...this song is officially sung by Harry Nilsson...but any song is better when covered by The Muppets.
The Wanted - Chasing the Sun
We want them, we want the sun; 1 out of 2 isn't bad.
Snow Patrol - Called out in the Dark
Because you need to cool off a little and "this is your life, this is your time." Enjoy summer!
Jason Aldean- Dirt Road Anthem
Hot Southern Summers are THE BEST...
Kory Burns- Let Me Count the Ways
Kory gets the award for Best Summer Boyfriend.
Here are some more...reggae, country, steel drums, pop, rap, alternative...yep. Looks like we've got you covered!
Fun. - Some Nights
Sleeping With Sirens- Postcards and Polaroids
Jane’s Addiction- Jane Says
Bob Marley- No Woman, No Cry
Bruno Mars- The Lazy Song
Modest Mouse- Float On/The Ocean Breathes Salty
Zac Brown Band- Knee Deep/Chicken Fried
Violent Femmes-Blister in the Sun
Kid Rock- All Summer Long
The Flaming Lips- Summertime
LFO-Summer Girls
Phantom Planet- California 2005
Lenka- The Show
The Decemberists- Sunshine
Beck- Magnolia
Milagres- Here to Stay
The Sundays- Summertime
Best Coast- Summer Mood
Simple Plan- Summer Paradise ft. Sean Paul
California Gurls- Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg
With Bonnaroo Music Festival and CMA in Tennessee this weekend, plus Pitchfork in Chicago next weekend and scores of other summer music festivals this summer here's our list of must-see bands. Summer music festivals are a great way for new bands to get exposure, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to discover cool new music. With the popularity of summer music festivals increasing, more are cropping up each year. This means that there is a great possibility that there is a venue that is close to YOU! We've already helped you pack your bag with musicfest essentials, now we've created a list of a few of our favorite artists that are currently on tour and playing summer music festivals across the United States.
A genre-defying jam band with rock, reggae, and funk influences, Dispatch is back after an almost 10 year hiatus. The band is made up of just three members…Brad Corrigan, Pete Francis Heimbold, and Chad Urmston. They hit the road on tour in 2011 and released a new album in May. Check out “Valentine”
A folksy, neo-hippie group that consists of at least 10 members, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros put on an amazing live show. At any given time you might see a fiddle, ukulele, accordion, trumpet, keyboard or viola… along with the ordinary guitar and percussion. Alex, the idiosyncratic lead singer will likely be dressed in all white, seemingly pajama-like garb and may very well be barefoot. And you can feel their excitement while they are on stage. Listen to “Home.”
With their bluesy/country/rock feel, Heartless Bastards is a four-piece band with Ericka Wennerstrom on lead vocals. Her voice is throaty and perfect. They released their fourth album (Arrow) on Valentine’s Day. Could this be why we love them so much? Listen to “Mountain” and chill. Because it’s a chill song.
The Shins are described as a folk/surf rock band. We prefer to describe them as “jangly.” You may have heard their music on The OC, Gilmore Girls or even The Spongebob Squarepants Movie. Spongebob Squarepants. Do you really need any more reason to listen??? New Slang
Led by Sameer Gadhia , Young the Giant is a rock/pop band whose song “Cough Syrup” was recently featured on GLEE. People love to yell out, “Which one is Young” and “Which one is the Giant?” We don’t really care which is which. All we know is that Sameer has dreamy eyes. And dreamy lips. And dreamy hair. Watch the official “Cough Syrup” video so that you may take in all the dreamy.
Michael Wayne Atha, aka Yelawolf, is a rapper who proudly hails from Alabama…and you’ll often hear a “Roll Tide” and see him show off his Bama tats during his high-energy shows. Yela has appeared on The Road to Stardomwith Missy Elliot. He also has acting chops. He’s appeared on an episode of CSI: Crime Scence Investigation. With friends like Travis Barker and Wiz Khalifa, this guy is gonna go far. It doesn’t hurt to collaborate with Kid Rock either…
Mac Miller…hip hop artist…friend of Wiz Khalafia…has a remix of Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend”… really, really cute. So here. Now you won’t have to frantically search for the remix…
You know how they say a relationship is better if you’re friends first? Well, the same can apply to bands. GROUPLOVE became fast friends but didn’t actually form a band until a year later. “Tongue Tied” is a great song…and semi-naked pale guys falling into kiddie pools are pretty funny. And it was also sung on GLEE.
Cage the Elephant hails from Kentucky. Because they are good friends with one of our all-time faves, Sleeper/Agent, you'll often find them touring together…which is double the awesome. Their song “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” was played in the video game “Borderlands.” And Matthew Shultz walks kind of like a zombie in the video…
As we were listening to Alabama Shakes, a girl behind us said of Brittany Howard, the lead singer, “Her voice is amazing. She is like the Adele that no one knows about yet.” We can’t think of a better description. Plus, when we ran into her in the VIP artist area, she totally humored Lisa and posed for a picture after she turned all giggly fan girl on her. We dare you to listen to her sing live without her soulful, bluesy voice giving you chills. We dare you.
Lead singer crowd-surfing in a hamster ball? Copious amounts of confetti? Balloons and beach balls bopping through the crowd? Capes, oversized furry bear gloves and one-piece gold lame’ bodysuits? Yes. Flaming Lips has it all. This is the show not to be missed. Led by Wayne Coyne, the Flaming Lips have been around since 1983. They were named on Q Magazine’s list of 50 Bands to See Before You Die. We emphatically agree. In fact, we are already stalking tickets to catch the next show closest to us. For your enjoyment… a song about a girl defeating pink robots…
Imagine being just 16 years old, leaving school, and joining a band of 20-something year old guys to go on tour. That is exactly what Alex Kandel of Sleeper/Agent did. I couldn't wait to sit down with her and see what life is like on the road. I caught up with her (yep, that's me on the left in the cover photo with Alex Kandel in the shades) at Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, AL. after Sleeper Agent played their set. She invited us into the band's trailer (which made me feel so super-cool) to talk about what it's like to be a girl in a rock band. She's the lead singer of Sleeper/Agent, which is THE alt-rock band you need to know. The band consists of Alex Kandel (vocals), Tony Smith (guitar/vocals), Lee Williams (bass), Josh Martin (guitar), Scott Martin (keyboard) and Justin Wilson (drummer). They are from Bowling Green Kentucky and will be playing at Forecastle Festival in Louisville July 13-15... and loads of places between now and then.Popcosmo: So you were 16 when you started with Sleeper Agent?
Alex: Yeah…when I started meeting with them, writing, playing I was around 16 and then 17 when we started really taking it seriously…and 18 when the record deal happened. I signed immediately after I turned 18.
Popcosmo: And I understand there was a little convincing that had to go on with you joining the band?
Alex: Yes…just because it meant that I would have to leave school early and finish on my own accord. My Mom was understandably against it…because I was a really good student...that’s what I was going to do…I wanted to go to, like, this awesome college, I had it all lined up, I had college credits…had done the AP test, ACT and all that. In my Mom’s eyes, she was like ‘you can do music anytime you want’ but to me it was like ‘but not this opportunity’ and I was passionate about this opportunity and I wanted to see it through. And so my Mom told me if I wanted to do this it would have to be without her support and that I needed to understand that she was not agreeing with me. So it was my first adult decision as far as “Wow…my Mom doesn’t want me to do this but I can do it anyway.” But my Mom is my best friend so even though I did it, we worked on our relationship after the fact. And she was really proud of me because I did it, and I saw it through.
At this point Tony Smith walks in and plops down on the floor, looking ever-so-cool in his sunglasses. Like Alex, he is even more adorable in person. I find myself wanting to pick them up like a Barbie and Ken doll, squash their faces together and make them kiss. But it’s not like that…
Popcosmo: Was it an issue touring with guys…much less older guys?
Alex: Not really. That was never really the problem because my mom really trusts me to make smart decisions and she knows all the guys…they’re really good guys. They’re older brothers. I think she would feel worse if they were my age. They watch over me like hawks. They’re my older brothers.
Popcosmo: And there was some persuading on your part to get into the band as well?
Alex: Oh yeah. I weaseled my way into this band! There were like “Nah” and I had to really want it and really pester them a lot until they were finally like, “fine” thinking that I would…
Tony: Chicken out.
Alex: Yeah. But then I learned 4 songs in 3 days and we did the show at Mercy Lounge in Nashville which is a place that we still play a lot on tours and stuff so it was really cool that was my first show.Popcosmo: And that was all it took?
Alex: Yeah after that show it was like “wow” and all our friends that were there were really excited about it. I think that was the first time we felt like a real band.
Popcosmo: And you skipped your senior year?
Alex: Well, half of it. I’m finishing up when we have time off…doing some work here and there. I only have 2 credits left. It sounds so bad (laughs)…but I’m in the real world now where I have this email to answer or these things to do and I’m doing this and writing an article for that and I have a job now and I’m going to do this but I have to crack the whip and do it myself now. There’s no one there waking me up and making me do it.
Popcosmo: What’s it like being on tour with all boys? Stinky?
Alex: If I could get rid of my nose, I would! Yeah…it doesn’t really smell pleasant ever. We all travel together in a van…we don’t have a big tour bus yet…so there’s a lot of sleeping in a van while someone else drives in shifts. But I’m very obsessed with my special expensive shower products that I keep with me at all times. And that’s, like, my one chance to be a girl when I’m in the shower…these fancy soaps and shampoos.
Popcosmo: Things are happening so fast…you’ve been Rolling Stone’s “Band to Watch” and you’re touring. When you go home to Kentucky do people treat you differently…especially boys?
Alex: Um…well, I would just say they’re a lot nicer. More friendly and more likely to approach me. There have been a few times when we are home when people have asked for pictures and that’s really weird.
Popcosmo: Most embarrassing moment onstage?
Alex: OK…I have a really …I wouldn’t say ‘weak’ stomach…but I get really weighted down by food easily. So I can’t really eat before we play because I move around a lot. And I will start to feel nauseous. So my most embarrassing moment is the time I ate way too much before we played one day and retched into the microphone. I didn’t throw up! But instead of singing…just, “BLEHHH”…that noise came out into the microphone. It was awful.
Tony: And there was that one show where you couldn’t move at all…you just swayed back and forth. What was that…Ichiban?
Alex: Ugh
Tony: And she was so sick…
Alex: It was food poisoning. So it wasn’t just that I ate too much! I was literally sick.
At this point, Alex said she wanted to share some advice for girls who may want to go into the business…
Alex: A lot of times when we play onstage and stuff… just because I’m a girl and in music… for some reason… since I’m in a rock band… that’s not OK for some reason. I mean, you’d think we would be beyond that at this point. I’ve never been like, “Oh…I’m a feminist” and I don’t like that word but I’ve learned a lot from doing this. I had never felt as strongly about it until now, but if I want to wear a t-shirt and jeans, I will. But a lot of people, even women, have made a big deal out of the fact that I’m not attractive or sexy because I don’t wear tight dresses. I mean, they will openly say that about me and say that’s why they don’t like the band. And that’s always something I like to be for younger girls. I remember when I was younger, the girl musicians I liked were the ones who were just really honest and not all dressed up. You know, I loved Gwen Stefani in the No Doubt days at the beginning when she would wear a sports bra.
Tony: I remember you talking about her doing push-ups on the stage.
Alex: I remember thinking it was the coolest stuff in the world. And I remember watching Janis Joplin on some thing on TV and my mom being like, “See…that’s why she’s great because you can tell she means it." So I think I’ve learned a lot. And when younger girls talk to me, that’s one thing I like to get across is that YOU define how you feel about your appearance. And if I want to dress up I do, when I feel like it. But I live in a van (laughs). So the way I act and the way I dress is going to affect that. But I still have the ability to feel pretty.
Tony: Are you talking about your Lush? That’s your escape…
Alex: Yeah. I told her about my expensive stuff.
Popcosmo: Lush? I LOVE Lush!
Tony: When Alex joined the band, we made sure to…we said, “Listen to The Breeders, listen to The Stellars…just like, front women who weren’t, like, front women. Women who were just part of the band and didn’t take sh*t from nobody. Alex is a sweet girl so she can’t be like that all the time. But she has her moments. Like in Seattle, you get the “show us your (boobs)” thing a lot as a girl in a band.
Alex: And that’s what I am saying. That there’s still this sexist thing…
Tony: We’ve even heard, “Show us your (lady parts).” And that’s not even, like… I mean…how would one present that.
Alex: And this was after we had been playing a while and you would think that it would… But I’m trying to turn it into a positive thing. I have a blog and I blog a lot about just being on the road and things that come up like that. And even some of our fans have been…well, they don’t know that I read everything and even though I know they love our music, sometimes they will be like, “I don’t like what Alex is wearing” and it’s so bizarre to be commented on like that. So the blog is my way to be like, “Hey…this is how I feel about that.”
As we are chatting, Alex starts rifling through her bag and pulls out her Lush Shampoo for me to smell…
Alex: This is my go-to shampoo. It’s all coconut and conditioning and so nice. These are my essentials. I have about 5 Lush things with me right now but I have a whole box that I take with me if we’re on tour for a long time.
There is much discussion about Lush bubble bars and using 3-4 at a time when she is home. Then there is more smelling of the products and gushing and discussing of the favorites. When it’s time to go, Alex throws on her sunglasses and poses for a picture. Then she offers some gum that they got as part of their tour swag. She digs through the big box gum and hands me one. I look down in my hand and the packet of gum that stares back at me reads, “I Love You.” We love you too, Alex Kandel and Sleeper/Agent!
With Coachella behind us and Bonnaroo coming up fast, music festivals are in full swing. When we visited The Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores this past weekend, we found that certain things are, well, essential. Of course you need your jean shorts, but after the obvious, we put together this handy guide of our 13 must-haves to keep you looking and feeling your best, even in the heat and crowds of music festivals. 1. Deodorant - When thousands of peeps are putting their hands in the air, things are bound to get stinky. This is the time to go clinical strength and apply liberally in the morning to stay fresh through nightime!
2. Something to pull your hair back - These Marc Jacobs elastics are cute enough to wear as bracelets and add interest to a plain pony or messy bun. And if your hair is short, or long and you want to look cool and keep it off your face, a bandana always is in style.
3. Sunscreen - Apply BEFORE going out for the day and reapply every hour or so. A couple of cute local guys we talked to swear by Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray. And we know your mom told you to apply sunscreen to your face because you don't want wrinkles when you are older. She's right. Apply. Reapply. And reapply. We love Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer for our face because it is so lightweight and has 30 SPF.
4. Some Like it Hot Shampoo/Conditioner - If your hair frizzes in the humidity the first day but you don’t want to be tied down to a ponytail, braid, or bandana all weekend, pick up this shampoo and conditioner by TIGI and go long and loose all day.
5. Refillable Water Bottle - Festivals want you to buy their food and water so bringing in your own is a no-go. With bottled water costing at least $3 a bottle, this can very quickly eat into your cool festival t-shirt fund. Thankfully, there are usually water stations throughout where you can snag a quick refill. The ideal situation, of course, would be to have a boy with a CamelBack full of water that you can leach off of. But just in case you are running low on boys, water bottles from Sigg will do just fine, thank you.
6. Flip-flops - Your feet need to be cool and comfy but your shoes are probably going to get trashed. Cheap doesn’t mean you can’t be chic. Planet Flops and Cooei are classic styles, comfy and squishy… and all around great flip-flops. And they’re easy to kick off, rinse, and put in your bag if you want to slip them off and go barefoot in the sand/grass.
7. Lip Balm Sunscreen - Lips need sun protection, too but there’s no reason you can’t have a little glamour. MAC Hey Sailor! SunTints Liquid Lip Balm has the triple threat…color, shine and SPF. And everyone will be so jelly when you pull out the cute striped tube. And it's limited edition, meaning get it now 'cause it will be gone soon and gone forever.
8. Band aids - Boo-boos and blisters happen…and life’s too short to use plain Band-Aids.
9. Hand sanitizer/Travel Size Antibacterial Baby Wipes - Two words…Porta Potty. Need I say more? Grab a few from Bath & Body Works and hook them to your bag for squeaky-clean hands. Baby wipes are great to use after applying sunscreen and before eating.
10. Solar Phone Charger - Sure, there are charging stations…but the lines can get a tad ridiculous. And if you’re standing around while your phone is charging, you’re missing out! Amazon.com has a nice variety of solar chargers for many different phones. AND as an added bonus, they’re eco-friendly!
11. Face Wash - Dancing, sweating, dancing. All. Day. All. Night. If you want your skin to stay clear, then wash up morning and night. And we suggest a gentle wash because the last thing your skin wants is to be irritated. We recommend Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash in a bar or pump for travel.
12. Oil Absorbing Sheets - since you know you will be documenting those moves for Facebook and Instagram.. and Tumblr.. and... well everywhere, you need to make sure your skin is looking great throughout the day. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets help your skin keep their healthy glow but help absorb excess oil. Now you are paparazzi ready!
13. Finally, because you need somewhere to store everything: a comfy, large cross body bag! It needs to big enough for a towel, cover-up, water bottle…EVERYONE seemed to have some variation of this cross-body bag from Target…including ME! I found it to be just the right size without weighing me down.
And that's what you'll need to be as prepared as I was for the Hangout Music Festival - you'll be prepared anywhere and everywhere this summer! Have fun, be safe, and enjoy! ~LISA, Music Editor
Graduation is around the corner and so we needed a playlist of the best graduation songs, because a great playlist makes life better for just about everything.
Anticipation is in the air. There's an excitement that summer is within our grasp. But there's also a sense of transition. It's graduation time and many of us or our friends are moving on to bigger and better things. To deal with the mixed bag of emotions, we created a playlist of the best graduation songs that speaks to friendship, nostalgia and moving on to whatever life has in store. Dry your eyes, hug your friends and give a listen. It's not goodbye...it's I'll see ya later!
Jordin Sparks- One Step at a Time Nothing like inspiration and a great pair of heels...
Skillet- Say Goodbye A tearjerker. For sure.
All-American Rejects- The Last Song "As I leave, will you be the someone to say goodbye As I leave will you be someone to wipe your eye My foot is out the door and you can't stop me now." Good grief. Will someone pass the hankies?
More of our best graduation songs for inspiration and friendship...
Vitamin C-Graduation Song Rod Stewart-Forever Young Taylor Swift- Never Grow Up Jimmy Eat World- The Middle Green Day- Good Riddance Kimya Dawson- Tree Hugger Eve 6- Here's to the Night The Nixons- Sister Cracker- Friends Beatles- In My Life Sarah McLachlan- I Will Remember You Tim McGraw- My Old Friend Chris Isack- Graduation Day The Velvet Underground- She's My Best Friend Drivin' N Cryin'-The Friend Song The Weepies- Can't Go Back Now Nada Surf- When I Was Young Israel Kamakawiwo'ole- Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World Lynard Skynard- Freebird Coldplay- Yellow Alphaville- Young Forever (check out the Jay-Z remix too!)
UPDATE: We've added to our list with a new post and instant playlist of our favorite NEW graduation songs and some that weren't included on this list! Just click the link :lol:
