Insiders, Outsiders and Old Boys: Covers Redone

Boy, do I love cover versions - when a band you love and a song you love come together and it works... doesn’t get better than that. Listen to John Mayer’s version of Hendrix’s ‘Wind Cries Mary’ and ‘Bold as Love’, No Doubt’s version of Talk Talk’s ‘It’s My Life’, Cat Stevens’ ‘Wild World’ redone by Mr. Big, Counting Crows doing ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ and dozens more – good’s not the word, interesting - maybe, versions of the songs.

I love the new Opus Kroaknitghts Album.Been listening to it all week. My favourite’s are Venky’s ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Alexis D’souza’s ‘Turn Me On’, Rooshad’s ‘Spiderman’ and Aditya Menon’s ‘Suck My Kiss.’ This CD just proves that Bangalore has oodles of talent.

"It's All Good"

Weekend was great! The place, the pool and the company- overflowing stacks of fun! But there was nothing else in my head besides writing on my blog. Clickity click cliiiick.

On our way to and from the resort we celebrated connections with the Foo Fighters, Goo Goo Dolls and Dire Straits. I have to admit, that I actually liked a bit of the hip hop and the trance tunes that were played in the car. All together, the entire trip was awesome cos everything was done in a close setting with friends.

It was when I was lazing around in the pool, that’s when I was able to lock down the band whose tune was playing in my head. ‘Rascal Flatts’ singing ‘Winner at a Losing Game’. You can’t miss the band’s trademark country sound that’s sweeping through music systems of melody lovers. The musical fabric is inspiring and the lyrics just swirl your heart into a puddle of melted chocolate, giving both diehard and new-to-the-wagon fans something to scream about.

RJ leaves soon to LA. After nearly 6 months of trips, drunken fiestas, giant group hugs and guy bashing, we lose a piece of the group. She introduced me to Industrial music - music I had no idea existed. Very danceable, very accessible music. It explains why all sorts of people, be it those in metal t-shirts, pop fans , people in black or why the dancing crowd, like it.
Jenn, u define impressive. Thanks for always being fun. Gonna miss you!

“Shiny happy people holding hands

Shiny happy people laughing

Everyone around love them, love them

Put it in your hands

Take it take it

There’s no time to cry

Happy happy

Put it in your heart

Where tomorrow shines

Gold and silver shine”

-R.E.M

THE ALBUM CHASE

Check out these guys - Alejandro Manzano, Fabian Manzano, Daniel Manzano from Florida. They're brothers who make amazing music. Just a handful of people might have heard of their music in the US and they’re practically unheard of in India. But on the strength of their incredible performances, they have grown to own a solid fan-base which is no easy goddamn task.

I stumbled upon their music on Youtube at the beginning of the year and since then I’ve been a dedicated fan. I’m particularly excited about their new album- ‘All You’re Meant To Be’, primarily because it’s their first release since I got to know them. More importantly, they also sang covers of some my new favorite artists- John Mayer, Chris Bown, Carrie Underwood and Leona Lewis. Liking the covers, if I’m 100% honest, really says I like who this band was, the new album will determine if I like who the band is.
Boyceavenue’s here for the long haul. Their performances are phenomenal and the members themselves make clear one thing: that they’ve set the standard and all you have to do is turn up the volume, hit the repeat button, and your troubles, for a blissful three minutes or so, will disappear.

Spin It Around: New Music in the Public's Hands

Karma6 launches their label on Monday in Mumbai. Wish I could go… Oh I wish they had it in B’lore. I mean they’re from here, after all. With the launch of the label there will be a good chance to check out new music and I know there’s a thirst for new live music out here. A lot of positive things happening right now and the scene is on the brink of a major upsurge. Friday’s here! Music and water – that’s how I’m spending my weekend.

To Sheet’s, Runa, Ru and my frequent readers:

“well open up your mind and see like me

open up your plans and damn you're free

look into your heart and you'll find love love love love

listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me

ah, la one big family….”

- Jason Mraz- “I’m Yours’’

Medicine Music

I was around twenty when I first touched a dead body. My aunt was pretty young when she died of cancer. I was at the hospital the evening they gave up hope and stopped doing anything for her. I was standing near the doorway when I saw her take her last breath. I remember hearing her struggling so much to breathe. Every sound that escaped from her mouth sounded painful to my ears. I asked my mum to hound the nurses and tell them to check on her. They came around, took a look at her, gave a resigned shrug and told us they could do nothing.
A few minutes later, we heard the last long breath and I knew she was gone. I was afraid to touch her because I'd grown up with her, seen her laugh, eaten numerous lunches with her, seen her share tons of memories with my family and I couldn't quite believe that she was gone. With a lot of difficulty I went close to her body and touched her arm for only a second and then I walked away from her, out of the room, crying and ashamed and certain that I never wanted to touch a dead body of someone I had known and loved. I didn't want to accept the fact that life had just left her and all that was left was this body I knew but it couldn’t move, it couldn’t do anything that I had known her to do.

When I had returned home, I pulled out three songs that sorta helped me through this time.

Sarah Maclachlan- I Will Remember You

Garth Brooks- More Than a Memory

Kansas- Dust in the Wind

I listened to them and thought of people I had once known and cared about and how they were off on long journeys, how they left this place forever, who dreamt of having better things and living better lives and how they are in a place far better than they would’ve ever dreamt of.