Junior Prom have released their self-titled EP. Purchase here!
JUNIOR PROM on TOUR
+ supporting Panic! At The Disco w/ The Colourist
2/5 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory +
2/7 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle +
2/8 – Miami, FL – Fillmore +
2/9 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues +
2/11 – Houston, TX – House of Blues +
2/ 12 – Austin, TX – Emo’s +
2/14 – Phoenix, AZ – Marquee +
It seems everyone in the United States of America and then some watched the GRAMMYs. Twitter was bursting at the seams with social commentary regarding Taylor Swift dancing like a wacky inflatable man and Ozzy Osbourne’s convoluted and baffling introduction to the remaining Beatles’ performance. But do people really understand how the GRAMMYs work? How do artists get nominated? Who decides the winner? What is the difference between the record of the year and song of the year? Well look no further, my friends, your questions will be answered here.
The GRAMMY awards are put on annually by The Recording Academy, an organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievements and powerful accomplishments in the music industry within the past year. However in the past decade or so, the Academy has become very involved in advocating the arts and contributes to multiple outreach programs in the United States. Not to worry; they are not just a group of music snobs sitting around with cigars criticizing music.
Well then, who exactly is in The Recording Academy, you ask? Wonderful question. The Recording Academy is comprised of “creative and technical professionals….. and other recording industry professionals such as executive producers, writers, publishers, attorneys, record label staff, music merchants, music educators, and artist managers who are directly involved, on a professional basis, in the music business,” according to the Grammy 365 website.
HOWEVER not just any old person that considers himself an “industry professional” can vote. Now, now, we wouldn’t leave the outcome of the most prestigious American music awards in the hands of Bob next door with a YouTube account and a few T-Swift covers would we? No way. In order to be a VOTING member of The Recording Academy, you must apply. There are a series of qualifications you must meet under different categories, such as having a particular amount of recorded and released music or being endorsed by an existing voting member. Hey, if you were nominated for a GRAMMY though, that will certainly put you on the fast-track to becoming a voting member. Well, if it was within the past five years.
SO how does one get nominated to win a GRAMMY award? Well, a registered Recording Academy member or an artist’s record label submits their recording electronically. Then, the voting members do what they do best: vote!
Now, you ask, what is the difference between the song of the year and record of the year? How is “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk the record of the year, and Lorde’s “Royals” is the song of the year? Aren’t those the same thing? Well, it is rather simple. According to the GRAMMY website, the song of the year recognizes just songwriters while the record of the year takes into account the artist’s performance as well as the studio work that went into the album, including any producers, mixers, and recording engineers. Makes more sense why a million people we didn’t recognize were up on stage with those two crazy robots. A lot of work goes into a recording, and The Recording Academy recognizes those contributions. I mean look at their name… it is kind of a given.
Last of all, that ever-enduring GRAMMY question that everyone is racking their brains for an answer to, the question that haunts us in our sleep and everywhere we go on the internet: why do they let Taylor Swift stand up and dance during the show? Ladies and gentlemen, I may never ever have that answer. I sincerely wish I did, however, you are going to have to take it up with The Recording Academy yourselves.
Bayside reminds me of my “sk8r grl” phase (refer to bio), although their first album, Sirens and Condolences, came out in 2004; I was in the 4th grade. However, if I had known of them in my teenage years, I’m sure they would’ve ranked right up there with My Chemical Romance and Good Charlotte (refer to bio). I hope that is not offensive; I really liked MCR and GC. Bayside consists of Anthony Raneri for vocals and guitar, Jack O’Shea for lead guitar, Nick Ghanbarian for bass, and Chris Guglielmo for drums. Bayside’s newest album, Cult, is similar to Sirens and Condolences in its natural and coarse sound. Cult is full of angst and rebellion, very nostalgic of the early 2000’s for most of their listeners. Bayside has come 10 years since their first album and has somewhat become a cult of their own in that the quantity of their followers has greatly increased. And for long-time Bayside fans, this album fits perfectly into their discography.
Furthermore, Bayside is a perfect example of that punk-pop sound listeners must have an “acquired taste” for. Bayside is currently touring with similar styled bands as Four Year Strong, Daylight, and Mixtapes in the Great American Cult Tour. Dates below.
Cult opens with a drum roll and a vengeful guitar in “Big Cheese”. The guitar riffs seem to be specific to Cult, especially in this piece. They are sharp and swift, and somehow remind me of Power Rangers… Interestingly, there are group lyrics, similar to gang chanting. This definitely brings about the “cult” feel of the album, as if Bayside is starting a revolution. It seems an appropriate piece to open. Raneri sings, “I love to be wanted, but all I want is to be loved. Is that so much to be remembered, never swept under the rug?” Bayside makes a comeback and wants their followers to know it, although I don’t think they ever forgot.
Raneri’s rough voice carries the rebellious sound of the album throughout, and the gang singing continues to make his voice seem more powerful, as in “Time Has Come”. Angst is obvious in the lyrics as Raneri sings in “Hate Me”, “We’re perfect as perfect can be. I hate you and, baby, you hate me.” There continues to be a sense of opposition throughout the album, whether it is against the subject of the songs, authority, or time.
“Transitive Property” is a slower melody and somewhat melancholy, but not to the point of depression. Bayside’s soft side comes out when Raneri sings, “You’re my rock, if I’m still yours”. It is a relaxing piece compared to the high energy of the bulk of the album. “Objectivist on Fire” continues the solemn atmosphere with solo vocals.
The album ends with “The Whitest Lie”, which opens with the guitar riff that we hear in “Big Cheese”. Here is the most prevalent use of the gang singing, and Bayside suddenly seems like an army. Bayside isn’t just a cult with a following; it is a voice for the angry and the hurt. They embody grit and heartbreak, and the album ends on an empowering note.
The Great American Cult Tour:
3/5 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
3/6 – Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot Ballroom
3/7 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
3/8 – Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall
3/9 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
3/11 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
3/12 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
3/14 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
3/15 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
3/16 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
3/18 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
3/19 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Live
3/20 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
3/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
3/22 – Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
3/24 – Dallas, TX @ The Door
3/25 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
3/26 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio
3/28 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
3/29 – Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theater
3/30 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
4/1 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
4/2 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
4/3 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
4/4 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
4/5 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
To coincide with the release of their new album, Broken Bells performed last night on The Late Show With David Letterman. However, instead of performing one of their new tracks, they chose to perform a tribute to the Beatles, “And I Love Her,” featuring Ringo Starr.
On a recent snowy day in Athens (I’m sure those of you in town remember it well), we met with local musician and art student, Kristine Leschper. Kristine is the irreverent and mysterious vocalist behind Mothers, and she’s just as interesting as her music. For this weeks street style review, we asked Kristine to wear an outfit with a story:
The Jacket:
“The jacket was my grandmothers in the 1940’s/50’s. I was at her house a few years ago looking through her incredible collections of clothing, art, and trinkets that she had gathered over the years. I told her how incredible the leather coat was, and she said, ‘take it – looks better on you!'”
The Ring:
“When I was eighteen my father gave me this ring, because he wanted to be the first boy to give me a diamond. “
I have to admit, I almost teared up a little when Kristine told the ring story…but I held it together for a short conversation to find out a little more about Kristine’s style and inspiration:
Vinyl Mag: First, what are a few of your favorite things?
Kristine Leschper: Bones, ivy plants, teeth, and winged insects.
VM: What/who influences your style, or what kind of things inspire the way you dress?
KL: I joke that I dress like a teenage boy in the 90’s. This outfit is pretty put together for me – I usually end up wearing a lot of corduroy shirts and denim jackets.
VM: What are you currently listening to?
KL: Angel Olsen’s “Tiny Desk Concert” on NPR… over and over.
VM: Are there any shows you’re excited to go see in the near future? (local or otherwise)
KL: I’m really stoked about Real Estate in March, and Daniel Rossen in April.
VM: Lastly (and most importantly), If you could pick a superpower what would it be?
KL: Invisibility!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Kristine’s music or amazing prints, follow the links below!
Thanks for visiting Vinyl Mag for this weeks Street Style Profile.
Watch Tree’s new video for “Stuck Down The Wrong Rabbit Hole” below. “Stuck Down The Wrong Rabbit Hole” is a short film co-directed by Tree and Steven Dabal that’s based on Tree’s song “Rabbit Hole” featuring Beat Culture and Lena Kuhn.
Today, The Honey Trees are sharing a new track, “Nightingale” off their upcoming album, Bright Fire.
Check out El Ten Eleven’s release of their new EP, For emily. Check out the full stream of the EP below, and be sure to catch them on their tour starting tomorrow!
Tour Dates:
On February 17, London electronic pop three-piece Years & Years drop their sophomore single, “Real.” “Real” is set to release via Kitsuné, alongside b-side, ”Eyes Shut” and remixes from Le Marquis, Tobtok and J.A.C.K. Pre-order Real here.
