Last week, I “introduced” YouTube sensation turned mainstream pop-rocker Tyler Ward to my Tragic Kingdom readers. Ward, who released his latest video over the weekend (watch Tyler’s version of Hunter Hayes’ “Wanted” here), is finishing up the national leg of his world tour. The tour is his first in promotion of his first original-tuned EP Hello. Love. Heartbreak.   Tyler took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to chat with me about his new original music, what he’s got planned for the holidays and what it was like when he first realized he was becoming a star. Interview with Tyler Ward Chris Vetrano: You just released a new EP of…

We’re nearing the end of another great year in music and I’m busy putting together my year-end ‘Best Of’ lists, but before I announce my picks I want to hear from YOU! Who was your number one go-to artist in 2012? What song’s wouldn’t leave your head? What concerts made you a diehard fan? Vote for your favorite artists and songs in Tragic Kingdom’s Best of 2012 poll now! So take a 15-second pause and let me know who had you rocking out all year long below. Be on the look out for Tragic Kingdom’s ‘Best Of 2012’ lists coming soon where I’ll announce the Reader’s Picks as well.

The Killers, who seem to leaving their not-as-epic Battle Born record in 2012, released two new videos this week. “Miss Atomic Bomb” was the first track to make it’s way to the small screen and left little to talk about. The next single to get an accompanying clip is “Here With Me,” a big budget project  that stars Winona Ryder and is directed by the legendary Tim Burton. The video reunites the Hollywood pair, who worked together on the iconic film ‘Edward Scissorhands’. Old-school Burton fans, who may not have taken a liking to his latest mainstream pictures, will likely be pleased with the eerie video he delivers for the rock…

Last week, I delivered the premiere of Marié Digby‘s powerful new video “First Picture of Earth.” If you missed it, watch it now here. Before the video’s premiere, I hit the singer with a little Q&A to find out more about the inspiration for the video, what’s next and where her clear love of music came from. Read the interview below and check back soon for more from Marié.  Interview with Marié Digby Chris Vetrano: It was in 2007 that your cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” made an impact online and contributed to the success you’ve seen over the past few years, but where did you first discover that music was what you…

Country phenomenon Taylor Swift released her 23rd music video for the single “I Knew You Were Trouble.” today, which conveniently happens to be her 23rd birthday. The video portrays a grittier, rougher version of the Taylor that Swift fans have come to expect from her, documenting a turbulent relationship over the dubstep track. As an obvious fan of indie-darling Lana Del Rey, it’s clear to me that Swift’s latest desert-themed video draws heavy comparisons to Del Rey’s “Ride,” which I drooled heavily over this summer. Despite the comparisons, and without picking one over the other, the darker Taylor is a welcomed change. Watch Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.”…

It would be silly for me to try to introduce you to Tyler Ward because, with over 1 million subscribers and almost 315 million views, you’re more than likely familiar with at least one of the many covers he’s featured on his popular YouTube channel. If you’re a regular reader of Tragic Kingdom, you know that I grew up in a small suburban town outside of Denver, only recently transplanting myself to Nashville. If you’re one of the millions of Tyler Ward fans, you know he too hails from Denver; a fact that brought us together in the halls of our Highlands Ranch school long before his first video hit the…

Nickelback may not be the object of many true music fans affection, but for Avril Lavigne the band’s frontman Chad Kroeger can do no wrong. The pair announced their engagement in August and have been working together on Lavigne’s new record, which is expected to drop in 2013. In a tribute to her soon-to-be hubby, Lavigne covered the band’s biggest hit “How You Remind Me” for a Japanese animé film, which turns the rock anthem, from the band’s 2001 Silver Side Up, into a sugary piano ballad. Listen to the cover below and download music from Avril Lavigne now on iTunes.

Bruno Mars, the R&B crooner that brought us the massive smash singles “Grenade”, “Just the Way You Are”, “Marry You” and from the Twilight soundtrack “It Will Rain“, drops his sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox today. Judging by the album’s successful lead single “Locked Out of Heaven” it seems Mars isn’t facing the dreaded sophomore slump with his new release. The album -a riskier, grittier take on his signature sound- offers 10 sexually charged and perfectly selected tracks. Since his debut Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Mars has impressed critics and a growing loyal audience with his genius blend of vintage and modern. Delivering his tracks with throwback choreography and production, then mixing it with…

Congratulations go out to Lady Antebellum‘s Hillary Scott and her husband, drummer Chris Tyrrell, who announced that they are expecting their first child later next year. The pair made the announcement exactly 11-months after their January 7th wedding in upstate New York. Hillary posted the new on the band’s website, saying: Chris & I are excited to announce that our Christmas gift has arrived a little early this year! We are having a BABY! We feel so blessed!!! – Hillary I’m sure this will be an exciting new adventure for Hillary, her husband and her bandmates. Get Lady Antebellum’s Christmas record On This Winter’s Night now on iTunes.