I got the immense pleasure of seeing ‘Foster the People‘ when they stopped by Portland, Oregon last Wednesday. The tour appeared to have sold out virtually everywhere, including Portland, so I fought hard to get tickets to the show! About a week before the show I got word that I did get tickets – and I was beyond thrilled!

After the release of “Pumped Up Kicks” earlier this summer, I quickly bought their debut album, ‘Torches’. I listened to it over and over and over – all summer long, and it has quickly become my favorite album of 2011. I don’t talk about albums on here unless I really, really love them. And this is one of those albums that I obsess over. I have my Pandora station on ‘Foster the People’ and I NEVER change it. I love every song on the album!

FTP started the show with my FAVORITE song, ‘Houdini’. From the very first song, I knew I was in for the show of a lifetime. They put on quite possibly the best concert I’ve seen in a long time. I’ve always said ‘Mumford & Sons’ was my favorite live show (still is) but FTP comes in a VERY close second. I believe they played ever single song off their hit album.

There wasn’t a single person holding still the entire show. I tried to find a good video of the show, but everyone was dancing and moving so much – it’s hard to get a grasp at how amazing the concert really was!

Their US tour is wrapping up this week – and then they’re heading overseas for a MAJOR tour. If you live outside the US – check here to see when they’re coming to you!

PS: If you live in Vegas – there are still tickets available for that show – go HERE to buy!

If for some crazy reason you don’t have their album yet, drop what you’re doing and buy it NOW!

You should also follow them on Twitter and Facebook – like moi. OR visit their website for all other information!

Have I mentioned how much I love them? You have to pick up the album. Have I ever steered you wrong?

Here’s “Houdini” – my favorite track from the album:

PS: These pictures ended up being taken by my lovely brother Josh (pictured below) because my photographer was at home sick. Even though Josh can’t take pictures to save his life – he got some good shots, no?

We met a great guy, Kai, who took some great shots of the show. Check out his pictures here!

In an exclusive interview, R.E.M.’s Mike Mills tells Rolling Stone why the band decided to call it quits after 31 years. “It’s not because we have to or we can’t stand each other or we suck,” Mills says. “We’re happy. But we’re done.”

“There is sadness because I will never play on the same stage as Peter and Michael again,” Mills tells Rolling Stone’s David Fricke. Yet, Mills insists, “We’re doing this for good reasons, and we end up looking back at all the fun, the joy and the incredible opportunities we had.”

R.E.M. actually made their decision a few months ago, before they met in Athens, Georgia, this summer to record three new songs for a greatest-hits package. The band delayed the announcement because “a lot of people are affected by this decision in a serious way,” Mills says, referring to R.E.M.’s staff and crew. “We wanted everything set up the way it should be.”

Mills can’t remember when he, Buck and Stipe began seriously talking about the end of the band. “But it was discussed on the 2008 tour,” he says, and during the sessions for Collapse Into Now. The group was coming to the end of its Warner Bros. deal and chose not to tour behind that record. There are “indications” on the album, Mills notes, citing Stipe’s “lyrical content” in “All the Best.” “There are some straightforward see-you-laters on that one.”

Source

Just minutes ago, Randy Jackson tweeted that he has discovered some fresh talent on YouTube. And he wants you to pick the next star!

The ‘American Idol’ judge found a little bit of Hip-hop, a little bit of Pop, some Country Soul… and a little bit in between…

The up and coming artists on YouTube include: Reggie V, Mia Rose, Hayler Stayner, Steeve Foster, and my favorite — Lindsey Lee.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE ARTISTS OUT AND VOTE!

Source Image via Fame

In case you didn’t know, song artist Sean Kingston was in a jet ski accident last weekend and was severely injured. Good news is… he walked for the first time this morning!

A rep for Kingston tells us, “Sean is breathing on his own and walked for the first time this morning.”

“Sean Kingston continues to be hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. His condition has been upgraded to serious.”

As TMZ previously reported, the “Beautiful Girls” singer was critically injured in a jet ski accident last weekend — and had been attached to a breathing tube. So today’s news in VERY GOOD.

Kingston’s rep adds, “Sean thanks his friends, family and fans for their outpouring of prayers and well wishes.”

Source Image via Fame

I’ll take a break from Oscar coverage to post this breaking news… Lady Gaga’s music video for “Born This Way”!

The music video was shot by fasion photographer Nick Knight.

“This is the manifesto of Mother Monster,” Gaga says, setting up the effects-heavy video. “Thus began the beginning of the new race. A race within the race of humanity, a race which bears no prejudice, no judgment, but boundless freedom.”

I don’t like the video at all. Is that Gaga on a cross? Is she calling herself Holy? I think the video is disturbing at the least. I think Lady Gaga is officially too full of herself. It’s a self-gratifying video – and I don’t care for it at all.

In my opinion she’s going too far… settle down, Gaga… you’re not THAT great.

Here are some pictures from the video – including this one, in which she’s made herself look almost identical to Madonna. Is this a stab at all the talk that her song is a ripoff of Madonna’s “Express Yourself”?

WATCH THE VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP!

The White Stripes have formally announced on their Web site that they have broken up.

“The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health,” the two said in their statement. “It’s for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way. The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore,” Meg and Jack said in their statement. “The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Jack and Meg haven’t released a new album in almost four years, while Jack was focusing on his other bands, the Dead Weather and the Racounters.

Source

RIP

I absolutely love Amos Lee, have been since his self-titled debut album back in 2005. ‘Arms of a Woman’ off that album still gives me goosebumps. He released ‘Supply and Demand’ in 2006, and ‘Last Days at the Lodge’ in 2008. Those albums are each beautiful – and I listen to them constantly. When I heard he was releasing a new album – I was ecstatic! It’s been three years since his new album, so I was so excited to hear his new music! ‘Mission Bell’ is a beautiful album. It comes out on January 25th – and will only be $9.99. So if you’re an Amos Lee fan like I am, you must buy it! You will not be disappointed!

GO HERE to pre-order your copy of ‘Mission Bell’

His new album is a beautiful folky-pop masterpiece. He even throws in a couple duets with Lucinda Williams and Willie Neslon! His soulful voice makes the lyrics he sings to life. My favorites on the album are “Violin”, “Stay With Me” (featuring Priscilla Ahn – love her too!) and “El Camino”.

On January 25, Amos Lee will release Mission Bell, his fourth album for EMI’s Blue Note Records, and his richest and most fully formed album to date. Mission Bell, which was produced by Joey Burns of the acclaimed band Calexico, displays both range and cohesion, an array of emotions unified by Lee’s eclectic taste and distinctive vocals. With a remarkable set of guests—including Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown, and James Gadson—and the musical backing of Calexico, the album marks the arrival of Amos Lee as a mature artist who continues to explore his musical and thematic interests.

GO HERE to see when he’s coming to your city!! (Go quickly – shows are selling out left and right!)

Go here for more information on Amos Lee

Follow Amos on Facebook!

CONTEST WINNERS:

• Jennifer B
• Jessica A