Introducing… Geographer, the Next Big Thing in Indie Rock

If any of y’all have chilled in BU Central while I’ve been on shift, chances are you’ve heard Geographer before.

The band has described their sound as “soulful music from outer space” and that certainly isn’t far from the truth. The use of synthesizers and cello in addition to standard band instruments gives them a distinct place within the Indie Rock genre, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they totally blow up in 2012. The fact that two band members are Berklee graduates is just the cherry on top of their immaculately-produced tracks. Standout songs “Kites” and “Verona” from 2010′s Animal Shapes EP are posted below.


Geographer will soon be touring with labelmates Miniature Tigers and The Chain Gang of 1974 when they hit up Brighton Music Hall on March 24th. Tickets can be bought , but I know I’ll just pick mine up at the Paradise Rock Club box office any day now and skip the service fees. I’ve been pretty obsessed with the band for several months now, so I’m hella excited for this ish.

Have a great week, y’all!

- Josh

Fitz and the Tantrums

Sometimes, there’s nothing better for forgetting your troubles than putting on the right song, and rocking out. Fitz and the Tantrums is good for a number of songs suitable for this kind of occasion. I first heard them on the soundtrack to HBO’s 24/7 Rangers/Flyers series, and have been hooked ever since. Check them out!

 

 

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

Here are a few pick-me-up tunes on this dreary, rainy day:

When I’m With You – Best Coast

Steve McQueen – M83

Strange Love – Theophilus London

New Beat – Toro y Moi

Or if you’re into that whole being-emo-while-it-rains thing, here are some more mellow songs:

Our Deal – Best Coast

When It Rains – Paramore

- Sherelle

Obsession of the Week: Lana Del Rey

As I have stated in previous blog posts, I have an extremely addictive personality. My current addiction: Lana Del Rey. My friend showed me some of her music when I was visiting Vermont last weekend and I haven’t turned it off since.

There is just something special about her voice. Her bad girl quality mixed with the classic old-timey sound she has is unique in an Amy Winehouse sort of sense.

I feel like you will be able to fully appreciate her music by watching these three videos. Her music videos are a little out there but that is probably why I love them so much!

Born to Die

Blue Jeans

Video Games

Enjoy and Happy Thursday!

Love always,

Lanie

Something to Ease Your Midterm Blues

As most of you know, it’s midterm season! What better way to help you study than provide you with a stimulating playlist to jam to while you’re puzzling over notes and lecture slides? These are just a few songs that have have become the soundtrack to my time value of money homework for my finance class, so I hope this helps you during your long study sessions.

• No Future/No Past - Cloud Nothings
• New Low - Middle Class Rut
• Born to Die - Lana Del Rey
• Escapee - Architecture in Helsinki
• Toothpaste Kisses - The Maccabees
• Days - The Drums
• Jesus Fever - Kurt Vile
• Municipality - Real Estate
• So American - Portugal. The Man
• Wildfire - SBTRKT
• Come Closer - Miles Kane
• We Don’t Eat - James Vincent McMorrow
• A Case of You - James Blake
• Hands - Alpine
• Back of Your Neck - Howler
• Fire Escape - Civil Twilight
• Sweetest Thing - The Rifles
• We Were Children - Tribes
• We Are Young - Fun.
• We Are Young - Juvenile
• Deep in the Woods - Tennis
• Abducted - Cults
• Zimbabwe  - New Navy
• I Think I’m Fine - Woe & Flutter

PS, I turned 20 today.  No more awkward teen years for me!

- Sherelle

LIVE: George Watsky tomorrow Friday 2/17!!

Hello all!

Today for my blog I am going to do just a bit of shameless advertising for our Friday night event this week because I want everyone to know just how awesome the show is going to be.

This Friday BU Central will be having our first ever LIVE poetry slam event and we’re starting off with a bang with George Watsky. I wasn’t too familiar with his poetry/rapping/hysterical youtube videos until I recently wet on a little youtube adventure and was thoroughly impressed.

His poems/raps are filled with clever lyrics whether they are telling a story or just for entertainment and the speed at which he can rap is absolutely insane!! The first George Watsky video I saw and the only one I was familiar with before recently was this one, where he showcases his incredibly quick rapping skills:

 

But then I came across this one that had me dying of laughter

 

And one more just for a little preview of what a Watsky live show is like

 

So Friday night come on down to BU Central and share a laugh with all of us!

Have a fantastic Thursday!!

Love always,

Lanie

Steve Aoki Comes to Boston This Thursday!

That’s right ladies and gents, Steve Aoki and Datsik are coming to the Boston House of Blues this Thursday, Feb. 17th! This is pretty big news, because Boston, at least in my opinion, sucks majorly for live music of this sort.

If you listen to the top 40-type music, you probably know who Steve Aoki is. If you don’t, please come out from the rock you live under, and watch this youtube video:

This is one of my favs: Steve Aoki and Afrojack- No Beef:

Steve Aoki is the Japanese guy with the cool mustache..

And Datsik is this creepy looking guy right here:

I don’t think he has any music videos yet, but here is a song by him:

If you like this kind of music, consider buying a ticket now, because I’m sure any remaining tickets will be gone by the day of the event!

Happy vallytimes day everyone!

- Tim

Don’t forget Sparta

I’ve realized that most of the “new music” I discover is actually at least a few years old, but hell, its new to me. Having recently rediscovered At the Drive In due to the announcement of their reunion, I decided to check out Sparta, the band formed by the guitarist and drummer of At The Drive In shortly after they broke up in 2001. I’ve definitely been digging what I’ve found, which has sounded reminiscent of ATDI, but a little more subdued. Check out the song below and see what you think:

 

This Week’s Music Buzz

I’m sure most of you–and by most I mean 114 million of you–tuned into this year’s annual Superbowl and the most exciting halftime show since Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction. Who could have possibly imagined Madonna taking stage with Nicki Minaj, Cee-lo Green, LMFAO, and M.I.A.? I thought the performance was awesome, but my opinions are probably clouded by overwhelming nostalgia for the 80s (even though I was born in the 90s)  and my love for artist comebacks. Aside all the chatter about Madonna’s sugar-coated performance and her surprisingly fit, middle-aged body, another stage partner stole the after-show buzz  when she slipped in the s-word during her performance and flipped millions of viewers the bird. British phenom and wild-child M.I.A. couldn’t have picked a better time to draw attention to herself; she recently dropped a new single and has another album in the works. Talk about a risky PR strategy.

Her newest video, Bad Girls, has already achieved over 1.8 million views since its release 5 days ago and was either marked as empowering for women of Middle Eastern culture and aesthetically refreshing by some or controversial by others. If you’ve ever listened to an M.I.A. song or watched her live, you know that “controversial” is her middle and I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Check out her video for Bad Girls:

My New Favorite Tuesday Night Activity: Timeflies Tuesday Release

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we are having. For this week’s blog I am going to highlight something that I suggest you all look into because the videos these guys release are a youtube trap of wonder!

I first came across Timeflies on my friend’s facebook. The group consists of 23 year old Cal and 22 year old Rez who began recording together in October 2010. They both went to Tufts and got their music started in Boston (woot woot!!)  and they are incredible.

So you may ask why specifically like to listen to them on Tuesdays? Well… every tuesday the duo releases a duo on youtube. It may be an on the spot freestyle, a mash up of popular songs, or even a twist on old classics, but the videos are incredibly entertaining and the beats are always good.

I’m going to show you a couple of my favorite of their videos as well as their most recent release and make sure you check in next Tuesday to check what they have in store with you. Follow them on twitter @timeflies and get updated on all of their new videos!

This is your answer to all of your past boring Tuesday nights. Tune in to watch and marvel at the great music and Cal’s mezmorizing good looks!

Video 1: This week’s Superbowl Special Madonna tribute

 

Video 2: (My Favorite) extended Under the Sea

 

Video 3: I just like this one

 

Try to tell me now that you’re not in love…

Until next time!

All my love,

Lanie