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Artist To Watch: Neon Trees
I first heard this month’s featured artist, Neon Trees, in Austin at Entertainment Weekly’s SXSW VIP party. And while the complimentary drink selection – some overly sweet Acai Berry vodka concoction – had me ready for a new location, I was stopped in my tracks by the four piece band as soon as they took the stage. The high energy set which included selections from the band’s album, Habits, became the highlight of my search for the next best SXSW band. The performance was illustrated by the band’s front man, Tyler Glenn, jumping around the stage showcasing his dynamic vocals and verging-on-insane stage presence, reminiscent of No Doubt‘s Gwen Stefani. …
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Giveaway: Win 2 passes to The UMS!
Like free stuff? Well then you better sit down because Tragic Kingdom is giving away 2 four-day passes to the western regions largest indie music festival! Tragic Kingdom is all about exposing emerging artists and that just happens to be the same mission of The Underground Music Showcase – or The UMS as it’s more commonly known – which is why we’ve teamed with them to deliver a couple of free passes to our readers. Here’s a few ways you can win:1. Follow me on Twitter at @CMVetrano and tweet the following: “@CMVetrano is giving away 2 passes to @TheUMS at www.tragickingdomblog.com and I want them!” 2. Like our newly…
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Artist To Watch: Dave Preston
For the past couple of years, I have had the pleasure of seeing this month’s featured artist, Dave Preston, play all over Denver. And while his raw and natural talent has been featured alongside some great artists, including Paula Cole, Trace Bundy, and One Eskimo, it’s his ambient guitar work, from his debut release BE, that has been recognized across the globe. After receiving internationally syndicated radio play, as well as being featured nationally on NPR, the release debuted in September of 2008 on the New Age Reporter Charts at number 91, shooting to number 66 the following month.That same year, Preston was selected to join the band of an…
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Bad Romance Pt. II
Last night Christina Aguilera debuted her new video, “Not Myself Tonight”, from her upcoming release Bionic. The new mother shows off her sexy, and yes “Dirrty” side, in the new clip, but it’s the undeniable similarities to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video that have people on the net in a frenzy. While Aguilera continues to deny that she’s trying to copycat anything that Gaga, or anyone else for that matter, are doing, she will have some explaining to do after people catch the video. Perez Hilton posted a side by side comparison of some of the elements directly taken from Gagaloo’s video. Check it out and then watch the premiere…
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A Change Is Gonna Come
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The UMS Saves the Denver Music Scene!
The Underground Music Showcase – now known simply as The UMS – is excited to welcome over 300 local and national bands, singer-songwriters, and comedians to 30 of the best local venues when The UMS takes over 10 blocks of Denver’s South Broadway from July 22nd thru July 25th. The UMS, which has grown to be the largest indie music festival in the Western United States in just 10 short years, started as a one day event featuring five local bands. Now “the little fest that could”, as it is referred by Denver Post Pop Music Critic Ricardo Baca, focuses on both national and local independent artists in its tenth…
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Hiatus Over
The Idol Insider went to Austin for some extreme music overload at SXSW (South By Southwest) a couple of weeks ago and you may have noticed I’ve been MIA since. Well, friends, the music got the best of me and I crashed hard after one of the best weekends I’ve had in a while. And now, fully recovered, I am back and ready to bring you some new incredible tunes from some insanely talented, new artists on the rise. Earlier this year, I introduced you to Matt Morris, who took over Austin playing multiple shows each day during the fest, and earlier today he premiered the I Heart Radio acoustic…
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Andrea Ball on The Deuce
My featured artist of the month, Andrea Ball, appeared on The Deuce in Colorado on Tuesday night. She performed her new single “Dial Tone” from the album of the same name, which was released this week. Be sure to pick up this great album on iTunes now and if you’re in the Colorado area, come see Ball perform at Hi-Dive tomorrow night.
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Gone To South By
Idol Insider is headed to Austin for a jam packed weekend of fun at South By Southwest! On our agenda: Perez Hilton‘s “One Night In Austin” with Snoop Dogg, Alphabeat, and a surprise guest (I’m salivating with anticipation), Metric playing at Stubb’s, Free Sol, meetings with some of the hottest new bands emerging on the music scene and, of course, I’ll be scouting new talent to bring to you on Idol Insider. Some of our featured artists, including Houses, Matt Morris (with Dave Preston), and Andrea Ball, are also playing down at SXSW and we’re hoping to stop by to show our Idol Insider support! I’ll catch you up when…
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Idol Recap: Top 16
What is there to say about the Top 16 showdown on last week’s American Idol? It was all wrong — everything from song choice to the hopefuls that got the boot. The girls kicked off the week with a mild “bang”. Most of the ladies failed to make any kind of impression, including Paige Miles, who butchered “Smile” the same way she’s ruined every other song she’s chosen over the past three weeks. And Katie Stevens, once a front-runner, proved she doesn’t have what it takes to take the title. But sadly, neither of those ladies were sent packing, instead it was the most unique contestant, Lilly Scott, and Katelyn…
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Artist To Watch: Andrea Ball
Idol Insider is excited to bring you our new featured artist of the month, Andrea Ball. Ball is a self-described creative individual who “can’t seem to communicate the same way everyone else does”. Instead, she best communicates in beautifully crafted lyrics, telling a story with an arrangement, and expressing emotion with her performance, which is why the stage is where she feels most comfortable. And while she may feel “different from everyone else” at times, this is what makes Andrea Ball one of the music community’s most celebrated new stars. We first discovered Ball in 2008, when her first LP titled Beat Beat Pound made its way to iTunes. A…
