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 Case You Didn’t Know is THRILLED to announce the release of Brandi Carlile – Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony, the new concert album from acclaimed American singer-songwriter-performer Brandi Carlile, available everywhere Tuesday, May 3.

I’ve had the opportunity to listen to this beautiful album, and as a HUGE Brandi fan, I can’t tell you how happy this made me!

Here are the songs you’ll find on this new album:

1. Curtain Call
2. Sixty Years On
3. Looking Out
4. Before It Breaks
5. I Will
6. Shadow On The Wall
7. Dreams
8. Turpentine
9. The Sound Of Silence
10. The Story
11. Pride And Joy
12. Hallelujah

This amazing album was recorded from two incredible sold-out shows in November 2010 in her hometown, Seattle. The album features Brandi and her band – Tim Hanseroth (guitar), Phil Hanseroth (bass), Josh Neumann (cello) and Allison Miller (drums), performing original songs and a few beautiful covers – alongside a thirty-piece orchestra!

Brandi Carlile, winner of Seattle’s City of Music Breakthrough Award for 2010, sold-out her Benaroya debut in 2008.  Returning to the Hall for the first time last November, after touring more than a year in support of Give Up The Ghost, Carlile treated her fans to an expanded road-polished repertoire, performing an exquisite set-list of original compositions and covers including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” and Elton John’s “Sixty Years On” (showcasing Brandi’s vocals within the original Paul Buckmaster arrangement), all included on Brandi Carlile – Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony.

Brandi Carlile – Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony is now available for pre-order at BrandiCarlile.com and Amazon.com.

I have seen Brandi in concert more times than I can count, and every time I see her it is better than the show before it. I even got to meet her last year, which was probably the highlight of my year! I see a LOT of shows for the website, and out of everyone I’ve seen, Brandi is always my favorite. She’s such an amazing, passionate performer. She’s on tour right now (I’m seeing her again in a couple weeks!) so GO HERE to check out her tour dates, and see her when she comes to your town!

PS: Here’s one of Brandi’s songs that just kills me every time (I’m doing good if I don’t cry when I hear it!). It’s not on this new album, but it’s on ‘Give Up the Ghost’ which is one of my favorite albums!

Adele’s stunning new album, ’21′ has finally been released today, after two long years since her last album, ’19′. It’s been out for a month in her native U.K. (and also most of Europe) where it’s been dominating the charts. Having listened to the album obsessively myself, I can see why it’s doing so well. It is a spectacular album.

’21′ is the follow-up to Adele’s debut album ’19′ back in 2008. At 22 years-old, I can’t believe what she’s accomplished in just two albums. I can’t wait to hear what’s coming up on her next album.

She recently opened up to MTV about being an artist in the US: “Oh, it’s magical being here. I didn’t think I’d ever release a record here,” she laughed. “It’s a big deal in England. There’s a massive thing, like, ‘Did you crack America?!?’ The biggest acts in England, no one has any idea who they are here. … I’m not a radio artist here, I’m not on pop stations really, I have these songs that go everywhere. So it really is people are proper behind me here, because I sell records; I don’t sell singles. And that doesn’t happen anywhere.”

BUY THE ALBUM HERE!

I’m just in love with this album. It’s got so much of everything – a little country, a little jazz, a little R&B, a little bluegrass. She blends them all beautifully in one stunning album. Out of the 11 songs on the album, I can’t think of one I don’t like. There are so many favorites, I just love the whole thing.

The album has several sad songs (“Rolling in the Deep,” “Set Fire to the Rain” and “Someone Like You”), which she has said are about the end of her first “real relationship”. Even though the songs are dark – they are powerful. “It broke my heart when I wrote this record, so the fact that people are taking it to their hearts is like the best way to recover. ‘Cause I’m still not fully recovered. It’s going to take me 10 years to recover, I think, from the way I feel about my last relationship,” she said. “It was the biggest deal in my entire life to date. … He made me totally hungry. … He was older, he was successful in his own right, whereas my boyfriends before were my age and not really doing much. And he got me interested in film and literature and food and wine and traveling and politics and history, and those were things I was never, ever interested in. I was interested in going clubbing and getting drunk.”

“I heard that you’re settled down, that you found a girl, and you’re married now,” Adele sings on the closing track, “Someone Like You.”

“I heard that your dreams came true, guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you,” she continues over a simple piano melody.

Adele performed “Someone Like You” at the Brit Awards earlier this month, and the astonishing performance has already been viewed by almost 2 million people on You Tube. Enjoy the video below!

BUY YOUR COPY OF ’21′ HERE!

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.

I get the privilege of seeing Amos in Portland this Friday – but luckily for you – his tour’s just getting started! GO HERE to see when he’s coming to your city!! (Go quickly – shows are selling out left and right!)

Here’s a live video of him performing ‘Windows Are Rolled Down’ which can be found on his new album, ‘Mission Bell’!

Go here for more information on Amos Lee

Follow Amos on Facebook!

CONTEST:

I have 2 copies of ‘Mission Bell’ to give away!
To enter – tell me what your favorite Amos Lee song is in the comments below!
US Residents only
Contest ends Friday, January 21

I have been absolutely obsessed with Mumford and Sons ever since I downloaded their amazing debut album back in June. Sigh No More is an incredible album, and if you haven’t downloaded it yet – stop what you’re doing and go buy it. Uh-may-zing.

I have loved the CD so much, I can’t think of a single song on the album I don’t like. Little Lion Man is my favorite, but Winter Winds, Roll Away Your Stone and Dust Bowl Dance are equally amazing.

When I heard they were coming to Portland, I hunted down their label and begged for tickets. The show was sold out in just a few hours, and I knew tickets would be hard to come by. I knew the show would be amazing.

Of course it was better than I could have ever imagined! I’ve seen a lot of shows over the years, and I think Mumford and Sons was the best show I’ve seen in a very long time. It’s not very often when the live show is better than the CD, and that was absolutely the case here.

Marcus Mumford, the lead singer is a force to be reckoned with. He is such a powerful performer, you can barely take your eyes off him when he’s singing. Every song that was sung, every banjo – drum – and guitar that was played was absolute perfection. For less than $30 you can see one of the best shows you’ll ever see. You will dance, you will clap – and when it’s over, you’ll be dying to see them again.

See them now – on this tour – while it’s still affordable (I saw Lady Gaga in Portland in 2008 for less than $20, and now that would be impossible). Mumford and Sons have the talent to take them to the next level. So now – while they’re playing the private and absolutely perfect intimate venues – do yourself a favor, and see them NOW. (Check here to see if they’re coming near you!)

Unfortunately all of their concerts (that as of now are posted) are sold out. But keep your eyes and ears open for giveaways in your area. You don’t want to miss them when they come near you.

Check out their website for more information!

When I heard the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack last year, I fell in love with so many artists I had never heard before! After listening to the New Moon soundtrack, I went on to buy albums from some of the artists on the CD like Grizzly Bear and Band of Skulls. In fact, New Moon the movie was terrible, but New Moon the soundtrack was fantastic.

So I was eagerly awaiting the release of the Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack, because like the one before it – I hoped the CD would be amazing! And it absolutely IS. No matter if the movie is good or bad, the soundtrack is something everyone should own. It truly is a wonderful mix of amazing music. Whether you love or hate the Twilight movies, I think you will love this CD.

The CD is full of incredible talent like Muse, Sia, Vampire Weekend and Metric. And full of hot new talent like Florence and the Machine . One of my favorites, Bat For Lashes makes an appearance in a duet with Beck. The CD is just full of these powerful songs, written by the hottest talent out there right now.

I think my favorites are Muse’s ‘Neutron Star Collision’ (they are always brilliant, no?), Florence + the Machine’s ‘Heavy in Your Arms’ (cannot WAIT to get my hands on their CD!) and Sia’s ‘My Love’. I actually really like most of the songs, but those are my favorites. The CD flows well, and hopefully the movie can live up to it’s awesome soundtrack!

Here’s the Official Track Listing!
1. Metric, ‘Eclipse (All Yours)’
2. Muse, ‘Neutron Star Collision (Love is Forever)’
3. The Bravery, ‘Ours’
4. Florence + The Machine, ‘Heavy in Your Arms’
5. Sia, ‘My Love’
6. Fanfario, ‘Atlas’
7. The Black Keys, ‘Chop and Change’
8. The Dead Weather, ‘Rolling in on a Burning Tire’
9. Beck and Bat For Lashes, ‘Let’s Get Lost’
10. Vampire Weekend, ‘Jonathan Low’
11. UNKLE featuring The Black Angels, ‘With You in My Head’
12. Eastern Conference Champions, ‘A Million Miles Away.’
13. Band of Horses, ‘Life on Earth’
14. Cee-Lo Green, ‘What Part of Forever’
15. Howard Shore, ‘Jacob’s Theme’

Visit the official website for music videos, exclusive interviews and MORE!

Buy the CD on Amazon here!

I first fell in love with Imogen Heap when she was part of the musical group Frou Frou in 2002 & 2003. Their song Let Go, which was on the Garden State soundtrack remains one of my favorite songs of all time.

When I talked to family and friends about Imogen, no one recognized her name, but everyone knew her songs. She has a very unique and beautiful voice, and I can now say that I think Imogen is probably one of the better performers I’ve ever seen before.

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect going into her show. I knew her songs, but I’d never seen her perform online or live. When she hit the stage wearing hammer pants (seriously) and lots of feathers in her hair I knew she would be different. She was – and it was absolutely BRILLIANT.

Troy Kujala shot these pictures at the concert, and they capture her essence so beautifully. She was such a charismatic performer, the pictures bring her to life online. (To see other concerts Troy’s shot, go here)

I’m so happy to have seen her perform. She is hilarious and engaging, and ridiculously talented. The musical talent she has is absolutely breathtaking. She mixes and creates songs right before your eyes. Every song is a living creature, she creates each sound – each beat herself! (She’s wearing microphones at her wrists to capture every sound)

On Ellipse, her latest album, Imogen pulls out all the stops. Her songs First Train Home and Little Bird are my absolute favorites. I’d love to hear what your favorites are!

32-year-old Imogen Heap is a Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter from Romford, Havering. She is well known for her work with Frou-Frou and her solo albums which she mixes, writes and produces.  In 2006 Heap was nominated for 2 Grammys. 2009′s Ellipse earned Heap 2 Grammy nominations, and she won one for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

For her solo work (as well as her work with Frou Frou ), Heap specializes in heavily produced and arranged singer-songwriter pop incorporating elements of rock, dance and electronica. In a 2005 interview, she commented “I just love crafting and shaping sounds. Actually, many of the sounds that I work with start off as organic instruments – guitar, piano, clarinet, etc. But I do love the rigidity of electronic drums… I would record live drums, and then I would spend a day editing them to take the life out of them. I like to breathe my own life into these sounds, and I do try to keep the ‘air’ in the music. Some people think electronic music is cold, but I think that has more to do with the people listening than the actual music itself.”

Heap also mixes ambient sound into her music where appropriate: “One night I decided to record my boyfriend and me eating dinner. I wanted to get the sound of the room. So, on “Clear the Area”, for example, you can actually hear the sound of a frying pan. People might think it sounds like rain, but it’s a frying pan. Certain sounds give the music a width and a space, and that’s important.”

Heap states that her song lyrics come from personal experience, but are encoded rather than being straightforwardly confessional. She has commented “Most of the time, the lyrics are kind of like my secret messages to my friends or my boyfriend or my mum or my dad. I would never tell them that these songs are about them or which specific lyric is about somebody. Often, when I sit down to write a lyric, it is in the heat of the moment, and something has just happened.”

Imogen is still touring. You need to see if she’s coming to town near you. If she is, YOU HAVE TO GO SEE HER! She is amazing!

BUY ELLIPSE HERE!!
Tour information
Imogen on Twitter
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