Ugh, I'm stuck here at work and need to stay late tonight to finish up my project, which is due tomorrow. Usually this isn't so bad, if it wasn't for the fact that I will be missing my chance to see Musiq Soulchild for free. :( *sadness* He'll be at the Best Buy in Alexandria, VA at 7pm tonight promoting his album, ONMYRADIO, and giving his fans a performance. Not only that, but he'll be signing CD's and meeting the fans also.
Sigh, I'm definitely missing a chance of a lifetime (or so I think.) Tonight makes me wish I was a bum, and didn't care about my responsibilities. But alas, I do. Let's hope JenBabe will get something for me. *cross fingers*
Well, if anything I can hope and dream that I'll have another chance to meet Soulchild.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
maybe a new direction
If you haven't seen it or heard it yet, check out Ryan Leslie's new music video, "How It Was Supposed To Be." I can't say it's a work of art, but then again, in plain terms, it doesn't suck. And by the way, I do love the song. I really love how his music is incorporating the rock qualities, but I have always been biased towards his work =P. If RLes continues in this direction with his music and mass marketing his material, it will definitely hit off in the mainstream.
So, something's been boggling my mind now, since listening to the song. There's a sample of a beat that repeats over and over again. If you listen to the first couple seconds of the song that's the beat I'm talking about. It's making me crazy because I just can't put a finger to it. But I think it reminds me of Timbaland's "Scream," especially the chorus part of "Scream." Am I right or am I wrong? Or hopefully somewhat close. Just give me some peace of mind to my craziness.
Also, thanks to my co-worker and her husband, I checked out this bookstore called Second Story Books. Small hidden gem in Dupont to find used books, they even have a small music section, which I immediately headed over to. Now as as an AmeriCorps member, we all know I don't really get paid much. And it doesn't help when I have to save money this month, big time for the holidays. But, alas, I gave in to the power of the books and my passion for music. I bought a hardcover of Raising Hell (about Run DMC), and let's just say, I'm thankful for not paying the retail price (well at least now with my AmeriCorps allowance =P)
I've determined for myself this book will be one of my investments for my passion for music. I know I can always google or wiki information about the artists out there, but just having the hardcopy to refer back to is nice. I'll also admit that I did buy the book to get a little more knowledge about RunDMC. I didn't always grow up listening to Run DMC, until high school/college. I was a little kid who loved her Vietnamese, Disney, soft contemporary pop music and classic r&b, like Mariah and BoyzIIMen (and even then I didn't know all their music). Only did I reach middle school was when I was more exposed to different genres of music. So any time I can get my hands on something that I should have known more about back in the day, I just get it now, and take it whole heartedly. I'll tell you how Raising Hell is, and you tell me if I'm right about RLes's song being similar to Timb's song.
Like I always say to my volunteers, we never stop learning. Every day we're always learning something new.
So, something's been boggling my mind now, since listening to the song. There's a sample of a beat that repeats over and over again. If you listen to the first couple seconds of the song that's the beat I'm talking about. It's making me crazy because I just can't put a finger to it. But I think it reminds me of Timbaland's "Scream," especially the chorus part of "Scream." Am I right or am I wrong? Or hopefully somewhat close. Just give me some peace of mind to my craziness.
Also, thanks to my co-worker and her husband, I checked out this bookstore called Second Story Books. Small hidden gem in Dupont to find used books, they even have a small music section, which I immediately headed over to. Now as as an AmeriCorps member, we all know I don't really get paid much. And it doesn't help when I have to save money this month, big time for the holidays. But, alas, I gave in to the power of the books and my passion for music. I bought a hardcover of Raising Hell (about Run DMC), and let's just say, I'm thankful for not paying the retail price (well at least now with my AmeriCorps allowance =P)
I've determined for myself this book will be one of my investments for my passion for music. I know I can always google or wiki information about the artists out there, but just having the hardcopy to refer back to is nice. I'll also admit that I did buy the book to get a little more knowledge about RunDMC. I didn't always grow up listening to Run DMC, until high school/college. I was a little kid who loved her Vietnamese, Disney, soft contemporary pop music and classic r&b, like Mariah and BoyzIIMen (and even then I didn't know all their music). Only did I reach middle school was when I was more exposed to different genres of music. So any time I can get my hands on something that I should have known more about back in the day, I just get it now, and take it whole heartedly. I'll tell you how Raising Hell is, and you tell me if I'm right about RLes's song being similar to Timb's song.
Like I always say to my volunteers, we never stop learning. Every day we're always learning something new.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Sunny came home...It just feels so good
I don't know if anybody misses any of the music they listen to back in the day, but I know I do. Earlier today at work, I heard a classic that reminded me of my middle school days. "Sunny Came Home" by Shawn Colvin. Yes, I know it's kind of an old song for someone like me in middle school, but it was just so soothing back then and I stand by it, lol. So after hearing "Sunny Came Home", I thought about other old school jams I used to love to listen. I thought about my hip hop to pop to rock and then techno just popped up in my head. One word, Rockell!
Rockell's music was pure hotness for me. It pleased my ears with the vocals and the pop-ish/electronica beats. So I just open up Pandora, type Rockell, and it just brought me back to skating and summer days. Stevie B, Jocelyn Enriquez, Cynthia, Gigi, etc. "Do you miss me, do you miss..." It was so nostalgic that I had such a natural high. So high that I got so much done at work. Young and carefree. Skating around the rink. Blasting the music out of my car every summer. Sigh. Those were the days.
Oh and it didn't end just there. As I was driving to my friend's to go to the mall for some Christmas shopping, I heard another classic (well for me at least), and this time it was some hip hop. It was Puffy and Ma$e, and then the old school joints continued on from there. Those were the days when when Sean Combs was "Puffy" and did not refer to himself as "Diddy" and when Ma$e first came out as a rapper and not a priest. Times have changed, but classics still live on.
We all love to reminisce and what better way to do that than listen to our old school joints. Whip out that cassette or record player, jump on Pandora or find that playlist in your mp3 player. And for the young folks, you guys just may like it too, just give it a chance. It just feels so good.
Rockell's music was pure hotness for me. It pleased my ears with the vocals and the pop-ish/electronica beats. So I just open up Pandora, type Rockell, and it just brought me back to skating and summer days. Stevie B, Jocelyn Enriquez, Cynthia, Gigi, etc. "Do you miss me, do you miss..." It was so nostalgic that I had such a natural high. So high that I got so much done at work. Young and carefree. Skating around the rink. Blasting the music out of my car every summer. Sigh. Those were the days.
Oh and it didn't end just there. As I was driving to my friend's to go to the mall for some Christmas shopping, I heard another classic (well for me at least), and this time it was some hip hop. It was Puffy and Ma$e, and then the old school joints continued on from there. Those were the days when when Sean Combs was "Puffy" and did not refer to himself as "Diddy" and when Ma$e first came out as a rapper and not a priest. Times have changed, but classics still live on.
We all love to reminisce and what better way to do that than listen to our old school joints. Whip out that cassette or record player, jump on Pandora or find that playlist in your mp3 player. And for the young folks, you guys just may like it too, just give it a chance. It just feels so good.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tis the Season to be Jolly
You know it's the holiday season, when you've eaten too much food, the air is cold outside especially when you whip out that jacket and scarf, AND when Christmas carolers walk into your work and start singing. Yes, that's right, I said it, Christmas carolers. It's not everyday you see carolers midday at work. But I did today.
I came out of my office from the back of the store to hand some stuff to my co-worker on the other side of the office/affiliate, when I heard some singing. At first I thought it was a couple of our volunteers with good cheer. But as I walked closer, I saw three images near the entrance of the door. They were definitely of Asian descent, I'm assuming they were Filipinos. So, they're all in their Christmas/ holiday cheer, all singing, with the one guy sandwiched between two girls playing the guitar. Apparently their story was they were traveling from California from their church, just going around the country singing Christmas carols to help fund money for a charity. It was amazing and uplifting. I never thought I would see carolers, ever. And traveling to raise money for charity too. One word, crazy. But I guess, I should say never say never to any possibility. As Forrest Gump says, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're gonna get." =P
So for the past couple months, I'm trying to stay up to date with my r&b and hip-hop music/music videos. And I've done this through MySpace and *drum roll* 106 and park. Today, 106 and park debuted Jamie Foxx's new single, "Just Like Me." His new single features TI and I'm loving the song. Reminds me of a little r&b classic, but still towards what the mainstream would like. It makes me excited about Jamie Foxx's new album! His new album, Intuition, will come out Tuesday, December 16. Now check out the music video, so cute and funny, heehee.
I came out of my office from the back of the store to hand some stuff to my co-worker on the other side of the office/affiliate, when I heard some singing. At first I thought it was a couple of our volunteers with good cheer. But as I walked closer, I saw three images near the entrance of the door. They were definitely of Asian descent, I'm assuming they were Filipinos. So, they're all in their Christmas/ holiday cheer, all singing, with the one guy sandwiched between two girls playing the guitar. Apparently their story was they were traveling from California from their church, just going around the country singing Christmas carols to help fund money for a charity. It was amazing and uplifting. I never thought I would see carolers, ever. And traveling to raise money for charity too. One word, crazy. But I guess, I should say never say never to any possibility. As Forrest Gump says, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're gonna get." =P
So for the past couple months, I'm trying to stay up to date with my r&b and hip-hop music/music videos. And I've done this through MySpace and *drum roll* 106 and park. Today, 106 and park debuted Jamie Foxx's new single, "Just Like Me." His new single features TI and I'm loving the song. Reminds me of a little r&b classic, but still towards what the mainstream would like. It makes me excited about Jamie Foxx's new album! His new album, Intuition, will come out Tuesday, December 16. Now check out the music video, so cute and funny, heehee.
New Chapter
So I'm taking a step to turn my passion for music into good use. I can no longer keep my theories, revelations, and new discovery of music or hot new joint anticipation in the dark anymore. So for those who really know about what or who I discover or just want to know the music I'm feeling nowadays, just come on by.
So last night at work, we had the annual volunteer recognition event. It's been a pretty long day, so my co-workers decided to drink at Growlers and invited me in the process. Even though I've lived in Gaithersburg for a year, I have never stepped foot in this place, even though it's 10 min. away from the house. Maybe I just like going into DC more. Growlers is a type of restaurant/ bar which the locals go to, I guess. Unlike my usual social persona, I opted for water instead of some gin and tonic or a beer. Maybe it was a good thing, since the place seemed dead (it was around 8-9ish) and I still had my AmeriCorps t-shirt on =P.
It was open mic night at Growlers, and I'm starting to learn open mic for various venues doesn't always mean EXHALE (which includes spoken poetry, just like college days, sigh). Last night, it was more an easy music/ chill kind of scene and this guy was the only one at the mic. I didn't catch his name at the beginning, but according to the Growlers website, I'm assuming his name is Jon Blank (even though I swear it was Stranger).
Well Mr. Whatever-his-name-is had a really great voice and great improv skills. Some songs came on from the jukebox, including Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows" and for him to create some melodies to go along with the song was hot. Mr. Whatever-his-name-is played great reggae covers and he did get a chance to play one of his own songs, which was hot. Very Jason Mraz-ish. I didn't record any of the music this time, but it's only the beginning.
Oh and one more thing, I can't wait until the Grammy's. I was already hyped up about AMA's, which was great this year, but still cannot believe they hosted a live Grammy Nominations Concert last night. Either the Grammy's want more exposure or give the community more music to listen to, I think it's definitely hyping up this coming Grammy awards.
So last night at work, we had the annual volunteer recognition event. It's been a pretty long day, so my co-workers decided to drink at Growlers and invited me in the process. Even though I've lived in Gaithersburg for a year, I have never stepped foot in this place, even though it's 10 min. away from the house. Maybe I just like going into DC more. Growlers is a type of restaurant/ bar which the locals go to, I guess. Unlike my usual social persona, I opted for water instead of some gin and tonic or a beer. Maybe it was a good thing, since the place seemed dead (it was around 8-9ish) and I still had my AmeriCorps t-shirt on =P.
It was open mic night at Growlers, and I'm starting to learn open mic for various venues doesn't always mean EXHALE (which includes spoken poetry, just like college days, sigh). Last night, it was more an easy music/ chill kind of scene and this guy was the only one at the mic. I didn't catch his name at the beginning, but according to the Growlers website, I'm assuming his name is Jon Blank (even though I swear it was Stranger).
Well Mr. Whatever-his-name-is had a really great voice and great improv skills. Some songs came on from the jukebox, including Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows" and for him to create some melodies to go along with the song was hot. Mr. Whatever-his-name-is played great reggae covers and he did get a chance to play one of his own songs, which was hot. Very Jason Mraz-ish. I didn't record any of the music this time, but it's only the beginning.
Oh and one more thing, I can't wait until the Grammy's. I was already hyped up about AMA's, which was great this year, but still cannot believe they hosted a live Grammy Nominations Concert last night. Either the Grammy's want more exposure or give the community more music to listen to, I think it's definitely hyping up this coming Grammy awards.
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