Here's to the girls who prefer guitar over piano...Who prefer metal over alternative...
And alternative over pop...
Here's to the girls who sing basslines...
To the girls who can sing lower than most guys...
AND ALL THE GIRLS OUT THERE MAKING MUSIC!
...THIS BLOG BEGAN! And thus, this blog began many other blogs. A gymnastics one, a 4-H one, a school one, a reporting-turned-art one that got deleted in STEM Foundations class, a pro-life one which is the newest one with the smallest amount of publicity. And I am also the newest member of the JAM Adventures blog.
This blog, and more importantly its readers, has done so much for me. The blog because without it, I wouldn't have discovered my love for writing fiction and newly I have discovered my love for poetry and songwriting. If you see my second post and then this one (I will not link to the first because it is really pitiful), there is a pretty big difference that I hope you can see. With the second post, you can pretty much infer that I was in the fifth grade and I was. Didn't know much about blogging, I just knew I wanted to do it. And that helped me improve in grammar, in which I am suffering a B in Language! Yuck! But then again, I did skip the eighth grade and move up to freshman Language in seventh grade and this year I had to go back to eighth. And how do the readers help? Whenever I'm feeling down, just in the perfect time I receive a comment from one of you, and it makes me feel suddenly much happier. I do want more followers, but I kinda like the title I have for myslef, the indie blogger.
So, here are my top 3's!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fave band
1. Deas Vail (indie rock/alternative/Christian)
2. Coldplay (alternative/pop)
3. Local Natives (indie rock/folk)
Fave solo artist
1. Taylor Swift (country/pop)
2. Katie Costello (indie pop)
3. Yael Naim (indie folk/pop)
Fave cover artist
1. Megan and Liz
2. Boyce Avenue
3. Cimorelli
Fave music genre
1. Folk
2. Alternative rock
3. Country
(I also like worship and Christian music, but that can fit in all of those categories, really.)
Fave indie rock song
1. "Monday" by The Sea and Cake
2. "Wide Eyes" by the Local Natives
3. "Life in These Little Boats" by Deas Vail
Fave indie folk song
1. "Airplanes" by the Local Natives
2. "Go to the River" by Yael Naim
3. "Come Home" by Yael Naim
Fave indie pop song
1. "Anywhere Place" by Katie Costello
2. "Oh, Imagine That" by Max and Simon
3. "Ships in the Night" by Mat Kearney
Fave alternative song
1. "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World
2. "Over My Head" by The Fray
3. "Dare to Believe" by Boyce Avenue
Fave country song
1. "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars (no, they're not racists)
2. "Size Matters" by Joe Nichols
3. "Best Days of Your Life" by Kellie Pickler
Fave mainstream pop song
1. "Liar Liar" by Christina Grimmie
2. "Far Away" by Tyga and Chris Richardson
3. "Old School Love" by Megan and Liz
Fave orchestra song
1. "Mombasa" by Hans Zimmer
2. "Time" by Hans Zimmer
3. "Doctor Who Opening Credits" by BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Ben Foster
Fave metal song
1. "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence
2. "Again" by Flyleaf
3. "My Heart is Broken" by Evanescence
Fave instrument
1. Acoustic guitar
2. Electric cello
3. Piano
Role model
1. Laura Blaylock (from Deas Vail)
2. Kendall Jenner (she's a Kardashian, sorry...)
3. Ann Marie Calhoun (a rock violinist who has done a performance at the Inception premiere with Hans Zimmer, Johnny Marr, and Lili Hadyn)
Hair inspiration
1. Amy Lee (from Evanescence)
2. Lili Hadyn (her hair is super curly)
3. Miley Cyrus (crappy singer, but her song "When I Look at You" is beautiful)
Fashion inspiration
1. Taylor Swift
2. Laura Blaylock
3. Liz Mace (from Megan and Liz)
Fave tele show
1. Doctor Who
2. Switched at Birth
3. The Lying Game, I guess
Fave movie
1. The Help
2. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Disney/Walden)
3. Inception
Fave book
1. "Beatle Meets Destiny" by Gabrielle Williams
2. "The Harvest of Grace" (reviewed but I don't feel like posting a link) by Cindy Woodsmall
3. "Pretty Little Liars" by Sara Shepard
My main talents
1. Writing short stories and novels.
2. Music, which would be Vocals/Guitar/String Bass/Piano. I've been singing for two years, playing guitar for nine months, string bass for one year (very small amount of practice though), piano for four years however I am just now working on chords.
3. Collaging. If that's how you spell it. I put magazine papers on EVERYTHING--- I have a composition notebook that has a whole bunch of stuff on the out and inside covers, plus my wall if full of posters, all perfectly aligned with each other, I try to make them perfectly straight, and not one poster is one hundred percent next to the other. Can't wait for freshman art class this year!
My fun facts
1. I am supposedly in the seventh grade
2. I am thirteen years old and 5'9" and the second or third tallest girl in my class
3. I was a cheerleader for three years and the best tumbler on my squad. I'm also a former gymnast. I miss gymnastics soooo much. So now I do human videos and I still get to spot and base stunts.
My aspirations
1. Be a famous journalist and novelist
2. A member of an indie rock or folk band, preferably as the guitarist or lead vocalist
3. Be a pastor's wife!!! I know for sure that's on my list... prayed about it at Ohio Youth Convention 2011!
If you know me, you know...
1. I love Jesus with all my heart and will give up ANYTHING for Him. "I wanna live, but I would die for You." -Fireflight
2. I have gone through a few things in the past, but I have learned to give it all a 'whatever' and move on
3. I write because I want everyone to have the chance to be as happy in life as I am!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Y.B.M.L.a.Y!
Lisa Cimorelli and Christina Grimmie. Both participated in the battle of the covers and did great. Both covered "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. They have different voices entirely and did the song different ways: Cimorelli chose Acappella, Christina played along with piano. They are different but the same. Why? Both chose to tackle the difficult, incredible, impossible high note. But the question is, dearest...
Who did it better?
I don't like picking favorites because both are marvelous singers. I say the two are equal because, you see, I liked Christina's version better because she had an instrument playing and the Cimorelli girls... their Acappella skills could enhance (they don't have anyone doing bass/low vocals--- I'm tellin' ya, that's the problem!). But without a doubt, Lisa did sing the high note better than Christina did, that I must admit. So, here they are, equal. Christina's cover was better, Lisa's note was stronger. Alright? Don't give me hatemail. I am human, I have a right to an opinion. So, I say, (and this is Lisa's motto basically) "Haters, BACK OFF!"
Here's a cool mashup of Megan and Liz, CIMORELLI, Boyce Avenue, Megan Nicole, Tiffany Alvord, and Christina Grimmie.
Enjoy life and love what you have! And don't forget:
I have been playing around on YouTube lately (I'm @Gymnastix1710, and it's no use visiting my channel because I have no videos uploaded.) and found some really cool stuff. I came across some covers that I liked, so, I chose Megan and Liz, CIMORELLI, and Christina Grimmie.
"Price Tag".
^^^THIS^^^ is the first Cimorelli song I heard.
Dude, that baby looks like Dora the Explorer. Not an insult, because I kinda looked like that when I was a baby. Chubby cheeks, almond eyes, chubby body... been there, done that. I'm not Asian, but no one said I had to be.
"Skyscraper".
Christina Grimmie's voice is amazing! She sings pop and that's not my favorite genre by any means, but her voice is awesome! Blog about her or something!
I don't know who is who, but whoever is on guitar: Nice guitar! It's pretty! A fact: These girls are twins whose birthday is the day before mine. Mine is November 22, theirs is obviously the 21st.
Rock on,
Hope!
P.S. November 22. Keep that date in mind every time you click a post or post a comment, because every time you do that, you are getting me closer and closer to my goal: 13,000 pageviews by my thirteenth brithday! Make this little dreamer's dream come true!
P.P.S. Oh, and does anyone know how to put your own original song on iTunes?
I've been showing you what all the right moves for stage presence are, but have you noticed what's missing? There are things that all singers get wrong (even the ones with record deals), and you might have that one bad habit that I haven't combatted. Well, here's what NOT to do, so if you're doing any of what I say not to do, now is the time to stop!
Hello everybody, this is Nina and Mark. Despite the shaky beginnings and the lack of hearing Mark's voice, they can sing. And Mark---- he sure knows harmony! Mark, you can do a duet with me any time. Any time.
There are a few flaws I found in this, which is completely normal because they are not perfect. There were some problems with Nina's beginning, but their stage presence just... bothers me. And Mark, don't think you're safe because I like your voice a lot--- your stage presence kinda bothered me. Maybe I'm just being a little strict because the FAF band's lead singer Mariah sang a solo of this that I heard a minimum of fifteen times. But still, I know what I want in a cover.
First, what's up, Mark? You look mad or bored or something at 0:11 and pretty much the rest of the time you weren't singing. Don't get me wrong--- the voice rocks. And Nina--- is your arm glued to your side? I had that problem---technically, I still do---and that's what they (my youth pastor and our band's {we like to call her} manager) told me. Just remove the arm from the side sometimes. Tap your hand on your side sometimes to keep up with the percussion/rhythm (the timing here was messed up a little, sorry...) and that'll kill time there. Or, if you have a fidgeting problem, just slip that arm behind your back. Sometimes, do what you're doing.
Now, what REALLY bothered me was 3:01 through to 3:24. Guys, that's over twenty seconds of awkward silence (excluding violins)! I know that instrumentals can feel awkward, even a little embarrassing because there's well... nothing to do. My problem was I looked down at the ground throughout the entire guitar solo during my song because I had nothing to do. Don't look down, but don't just stand there either. You may feel frustrated when trying to not look down and not just stand there, and you might think, "Well then what am I supposed to do?" You're supposed to come up with something. Ad-Lib if you have to. What Mariah did when she sang "Unredeemed" on that instrumental was she ad-libbed something that was originally in the song (as in the ad-libs were originally there). Here's the chorus:
"Places where grace is, soon to be... so... amazing. It may be unfufilled. It may be unrestored. But when anything that's shattered is laid before the LORD, just watch and see... it will not be... unredeemed."
Here's what Mariah and Selah added to the chorus when the instrumental rolled around:
"Ooh... it will not be, UNREDEEMED. Yeah yeah... yeah..."
If you ad-lib, all awkwardness ceases.
Cimorelli, you never cease to amaze me. I'll admit, I was extra picky on y'all, girls with the record deal. Christina that plays piano. Katherine on bass. Lisa (believe it or not) doing percussion. Amy with a guitar. I was extra tough on this somewhat-acappella group.
0:34--- DON'T LOOK DOWN! Normally, I would let that slide because it was apart of Amy's stage presence, but from a fan's view and not a singer's, we want to see your pretty face!
I love 1:22. Watch how Lisa smiles when Lauren hits that high note. Lisa must be proud of her lil' sis.
1:43. Dani. The eyelash thing could have waited. I don't care if you had a plank in your eye--- I have sung with eyelashes in my eye, an itchy back, messed up hair, giant pimples, poky legs, plaque-y teeth, an urge to swallow, sneeze, or cough--- if I had to tolerate that, the eyelash thing could have waited. And I don't want to be mean to you, Dani, but 1:48 looked forced. Fake. Rehearsed. Unprofessional. Mainly unprofessional, because even though you were touching your hair for stage presence, it looked like you were touching it for the fun of it. So just don't. On the bright side, I can tell you're improving, Dani! You're gonna have a strong voice soon if you keep this up!
FAVE BLOOPERS: 4:21... *after a long silence* "I'm Lauren". At 4:24, when she was like, "I am sorry", it reminded me of me. I don't know why. 4:32: "My haters, sorry that you couldn't phase me". Sorry, I just wrote a Nicki Minaj quote. I love 5:37 when Christina's like, "Lauren's the best little sister I've ever had", and Dani looks like, "Oh no she did not"! 5:57--- Lisa, you're not just a percussionist--- you sing better than... I don't know, I'll think of someone.
I'm sorry that this is the same song as the first video. You only have to watch it a little bit, I promise. 2:03 is what I want you to see. All I say is, DO NOT watch your partner when in an ensemble or band! It looks like you don't know what you're doing.
I hoped this help you develop your vocal skills (and anyhting else that applies)! Thanks for reading!
When you hear me say "playlist", you probably automatically think of the iPod on this blog (doesn't it look so cool?). I've been using it for two years now.
Well, here's what I've been listening to this summer (including some not-so-Christian songs).
"Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, And Things Like Chemistry" by Relient K. I've loved that song since I was eight years old.
"Closer" by Shawn McDonald. This song is the catchy-est Christian song I've ever heard, and it kinda reminds me of something Bruno Mars would do.
"Again" by Flyleaf. It's my favorite Flyleaf song, and one of my most-listened-to songs this summer! It's just awesome! I listen to it when I'm mad and it makes me happy AGAIN. I also love the meaning behind it. Watch... there just might be a lyric post of it coming from me soon!
"Better Than Revenge" by Taylor Swift. This is probably her best song, although I really like the lyrics to "Long Live". This is my favorite Taylor Swift song ever... WHOA OH!
"Desperate" by Fireflight. I love the guitar, and Dawn's voice is just incredible. It's impossible to sing that high for me! How does she do it? My favorite Fireflight member is Wendy, because she has awesome hair and plays bass (just like my dad does and I'm learning)!
"Fixed At Zero" by VersaEmerge. I used the video to this in "Operation: Stage Presence" last month, because not only do they have good presence, but Sierra's voice is awesome (and too high for my range)! I also love the guitar at 2:46 and 2:51. I don't know why, but it always gets me right there. Why isn't this song on my iPod? Don't ask me!
"For Those Who Wait" by Fireflight. I listened to that song a lot at the beginning of summer, so that explains why I'm kinda sick of it.
"Emergency" by Paramore. This song is sorta sad, but "It's really not your fault, when no one cares to talk about it..." I posted this in "Operation: Fun Fun Fun FUN!" Because my stage presence "Is an emergency".
"Best Love Song" by CIMORELLI. I like it better than the original, and Even though it's not the best love song, it was good enough for me to post it, and it sure is the "Crunkest"!
"Must Have Done Something Right" by Relient K. I once had this song on repeat for like, an hour! Okay, maybe not that long. But I'm "racking my brain for a new improved way" to listen to this song, because a stereo isn't good enough! If I knew Matt (both Thiessen and Hoopes), we'd be best friends. Matt Thiessen, "We should get jerseys cuz we make a good team. But yours would look better than mine, cuz you're outta my league". Stay tuned for a lyric post.
"Summer Forgets Me" by Deas Vail. I love the entire band, so I can't decide on a favorite! But if I have to have one, it'd be either Wes because he's the lead singer, Laura because she's awesome, or the bassist (forgot his name) because his stage presence is so awesome, it's almost funny! Stay tuned for a lyric post of "Summer Forgets Me".
Okay, I can't help myself... I have to tell you what the new Deas Vail song is. It's called "Gone". I love all the "oh"-ing in it. I'm kinda mad at Deas Vail right now because although it made it onto the Split EP with Farewell Flight, it won't be on the album I pre-ordered. But I'll get over it. All that matters is the meaning behind this song. Stay tuned for a lyric post of it.
"Baby" by Relient K. It's the best cover I've ever heard... I instantly fell in love with it.
"Here you are, down on your knees AGAIN. Trying to find air to breathe AGAIN. And only surrender will help you now. I love you, please see and believe AGAIN."
-Flyleaf, "Again", my song pick of today. Stay tuned for a lyric post.
Operation: Stage Presence obviously was not enough. My presence still sucks... just not as badly. So, here are some more videos to (hopefully) help my presence, and maybe even yours if this applies to you.
I love the violins at 3:02, but my favorite part is 3:08 when afterwards, everybody kicks in and it gets loud again! Check out my lyric post "For Those Who Wait". Doesn't this song "Set your heart on fire"? Doesn't "It set you free"?
This song doesn't help me completely (when it comes to movement), but it sure does set my heart on fire, and Dawn (lead vocalist) shows some amazing facial expression. Wendy (bassist with the amazing red/black hair) is always doing something when they show her. It doesn't matter that she headbangs. She's doing SOMETHING. And the guitar guys (one of which is named Glenn whom is married to Wendy) show that you need to LOOK UP!!! Don't stare at your guitar the whole time! And you can even learn from the young actress--- show expression. That's it.
Do you see Hayley's emotion at 3:01? Doesn't she look so much younger at 2:58?
Show emotion. But this video is mainly for you guitar players. See how Josh, Jeremy, and the other guy are jumping around like there's no tomorrow? Simply just... have fun.
I love the guitar at 2:59. I especially love Lisa's voice at 3:12 through to 3:15 when she's like, "Oh, oh, oh oh oh, oh oh".
This video shows that you should just have FUN! CIMORELLI has a song for that, too... check out their "Friday" cover I posted back in May. This has a lot to do with sound, too. They use a lot of autotune now, so their wonderful voices don't make me feel like nothing because I know they had extra help. See how they're in almost perfect harmony, though? Yeah.
Also, you see how much fun they're having? Katherine having a ball at 0:32. Lauren hugging herself at 0:39. Christina jamming to the beat at 0:44. Lisa waving her hands at 1:29. Dani dancing at 1:36. Katherine throwing her hands up at 1:44. They're all one big happy family, yes, but they're having SO MUCH FUN! If they're not having a good time, they're good at faking. I know I wouldn't like having to sing with my sisters (again).
Don't be afraid to look silly! It'll put the audience in a GREAT mood!
Just. Have. FUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!
PS: Our church has some new worship interns that have been here for about a month now... I think they're awesome and I hope they stay here forever! I know forever is a long time, yes. Just thought I should say something. I know it was random and weird to bring up, but Taylor Swift says you should speak now, and John Mayer says you should say what you need to say. So that was what I needed to say.
Oh my goodness gracious gosh. Only the LORD knows how much stress the Blogger shutdown was.
WEDNESDAY~ Blogger shuts down for an hour of maintenance.
THURSDAY~ Blogger shuts down into read-only mode.
FRIDAY~ Blogger is STILL in read-only mode, with a catch. This time, they decide to temporarily delete all posts (worldwide!) published on Wednesday after 7 a.m., so you may have noticed that "When I Grow Up" was deleted for awhile and now is back.
I was so upset. I really wanted to launch my 4-H club's blog (I'm the club news reporter and I have three other girls {Riana, Tesia and Zoe}that will be team members) yesterday, but because I couldn't, I just sent them a really long e-mail explaining the rules and guidelines for our blog. I felt like I had the ultimate power! I felt like the president! Speaking of which, I have a few jokes. (Not to offend anyone that one is a political opinion.)
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Q: What has America become?
A: An Obamanation! (If you like Obama... I'm sorry, but I don't.)
Q: What is Rebecca Black's favorite holiday?
A: Black Friday! (You know you had to laugh!)
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Here is a really cool song cover and video!
Wowee... (definition: Extremely wowed. Pronounced: wow-EEE!!!) CIMORELLI really transformed this song. In case you're wondering, these are the same girls that performed "Price Tag" in my post "Me And My Gang". That was the first CIMORELLI song I ever heard. They're a great group, but like everyone, they're not all that spectacular like some people say. But, they are talented--- really. Dani (the one rapping in this video and raps in basically every one they do) is only ten years old and Lauren (she was wearing a bow tie in "Price Tag" and in this video, she's the one with the skateboard in the Superman shirt and the one singing the part "kicking in the front seat...") is only twelve years old. She's my age! I love her bow ties that she usually wears, so much that they inspired me to make them out of duct/duck tape... they're headbands for girls and guys can adjust them to fit their neck. Then, Amy (The one in the cowgirl outfit) has a great fashion sense! You should see her "Firework" outfit, her "Pray" (Justin Bieber) outfit, AND her "Baby" (that's also a JB song) outfit. They're really cute! You might be jealous... I have an outfit just like the "Firework" one. But it ruins my pride that most girls do, too:(
My two favorite Paramore songs right now. They are so inspiring, unlike a lot of their other songs that sort of feel like they have an empty meaning sometimes.
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I've been waiting to do this all week now. The entire album of "All The Houses Look The Same"... you can listen to them now! Hopefully, you'll decide to buy them... they're really good. I don't own any of these videos, okay? I am on YouTube, but no, I have no videos yet. But I will start performing music covers, so I'll give you info on that ASAP!
I am just now hearing some of these songs, and love a lot of them! My absolute favorites are "Light As Air", "Shoreline", "Follow Sound", and "Anything You Say". Those are the bestest, aren't they? Oh yes.
Well, I hope you dance! (In perfect time! "Dance In Perfect Time" is a song by Deas Vail, in case you think I'm crazy.)
AND...
AND... this one describes my life. Completely forgot about it:
Okay... it was a good song until the rap interlude ruined it, but this has to be one of the best HSM songs. At least for a Disney song. Next time I'm having trouble looking up and smiling onstage, I'll remember this song!
I can't explain my weekend clearly. I missed out on homeschool group because I forgot to cook a Macedonian dish, so I just didn't go. I got some sleep on Thursday night and practiced my vocal solo on Thursday and Friday.
Yesterday, Friday, was ReBecca's birthday. (at the end of my RandomNess post yesterday I said "Happy fourteenth birthday, Rebecca".) I went to her house, but it wasn't a party. Just basically a family event and her friend Olivia came as well.
Being the crazy teens (and pre-teens) we are, we played Just Dance all night. And finally, somebody had the same love for this song as I do.
"Up the chim-en-y! Jump in the line, rock your body in time!"
We played all of my favorite Just Dance 2 songs. However, I found some things that weren't right.
In "Big Girls, You Are Beautiful", the girl could have been a little bit bigger. (I'm just sayin'...)
We didn't go home until 11 last night, (and did I mention there was steak involved? *licking lips* Juicy, seasony steak?) and it was fun. I've only met Olivia a few times, but she's really funny! She's also got the Bieber Fever. She's a belieber. Kinda scary... kinda cool!
Last night I drank so much soda (A&W, Diet Coke, and then Coca-Cola) that I just died of craziness. There was a time where I was like, lying on the floor of laughter, and randomly started talking. I think I was talking to myself...
Also, I came up with the best plot for my story "Unspoken", the one about the couple who's mute and deaf. I can't tell you everything, but I'll tell you that they're gonna get married and Braeden is gonna join the Air Force. He's gonna get deployed to Afghanistan and while they're married they're gone have a baby girl together. Or twins... either is cool with me.
The question now is... die or live? My dad told me he should survive the war and then drving back from the airport, he gets killed in a drive-by shooting. That'd be kinda weird. Maybe he should die in the war... but I sorta want my story to have a happy ending, because it's a Christian book that I want Zondervan to publish. I want Holli to think he's dead, but then he comes back alive somehow.
I like sunshine endings...
And one last thing.
Finally... I can listen to this song without muting it!
