Summer Bands: Halocene

Name meaning: It is an original word, an improvised version of the word "holocene," which means... some sort of landscape or era or something of that sort. Nothing witchy, scary, cussy, or perverted. Trust me.

Discovered this band maybe a week or two ago. If I were working for a label, you best believe I would've signed them. And since I'm not, well, they're still unsigned. Yo, Capitol! I found a band that you might wanna sign. Come on... if you can sign Katy Perry, why can't you sign Halocene? She gets enough publicity already.

Genre: Indie rock

Now, let me show you what I mean when I say Halocene!

"Sometimes" is such a great song. Almost grunge-y. "This won't get better..."

"Last Dance" is the title track from the album, "Can You Hear Us Now?". Yes, we can hear you. And it's like music to our ears, no pun intended.

I love "Secret..." they need to turn it into gossip. Many say that this sounds too "Avril Lavigne-ish" and that they need to get their own sound, but this IS their own sound. Sure, one song sounds similar--- so what? I don't think I'd even like the song if it were by Avril. I like that Addie has that Hayley Williams voice about herself, yet still she has her own tone. And I love how the band can be similar to others at times, but still they have their own sound. They also like making fun of themselves and having fun while recording, as you can see in the "Ocean Avenue" video, which is not on here, but you can see the "Ocean Avenue" lyric post.

And I just saw a video of them at the Phoenix Convention Center.... been there, kinda done that! Oh, Fine Arts... Excited for Louisville, but I feel like Phoenix can't be replaced.

Look up on your own: "Love Was Just A Lie" by Halocene. It's a great song.

This band is for fans of: Paramore, Avril Lavigne, Evanescence, Fireflight, Skillet

//NEXT// This summer, Rend Collective Experiment, Landon Austin, Megan and Liz, Mat Kearney, Fireflight, Sanctus Real, Yellowcard, Local Natives, Kiersten Holine, Sara Bareilles, Wesley Blaylock, Troian Bellisario/FAMILY, Ellie Swisher, Christina Grimmie, Hans Zimmer, Coldplay, Relient K, VersaEmerge, The Fray, and more or less will be coming into picture!

Summer Music: Ocean Avenue

Ocean Avenue

There's a place off Ocean Avenue
Where I used to sit and talk with you
We were both sixteen, it felt so right
Sleeping all day, staying up all night...
Staying up all night...
There's a place on the corner of Cherry Street
We would walk on the beach on our bare feet
We were both eighteen, it felt so right
Sleeping all day, staying up all night...
Staying up all night...

If I could find you now, things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away, yeah...

There's a piece of you that's here with me
It's everywhere I go, it's everything I see
When I sleep, I dream and it gets me by
I can make believe that you're here tonight...
That you're here Tonight...

If I could find you now, things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere, somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away, yeah...

I remember the look in your eyes
When I told you that this was goodbye
You were beggin' me not tonight
Not here, not now

We're looking up at the same night sky
And keep pretendin' the sun will not rise
We'll be together for one more night
Somewhere, somehow

If I could find you now, things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere, somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away, yeah...

Everything You Need to Listen to This Summer!

It's finally here. So, what should you listen to? You heard about bands that are great to get ready for summer, and now here's an updated list of SONGS you need to hear to get you in the summer-y mood. And don't worry, lyric posts are on the way! During the week of Nationals I'll probably have about five lined up to publish that week. And the week before I have a somewhat-pageant... yes, this girl is running for Greene County Princess! But here are some awesome songs that you might want to put on your iPod, especially if you're due for some new songs. (I know I am!)

Everyone needs motivation for a good workout, especially when jogging in the heat.

The clock-ticking is depressing... it mkaes me think of the music video when the kid is inside of, must I say, a SCHOOL.

The video makes me so excited to go the park and play beach volleyball with some friends...

I'm thinking of Phoenix an dI don't know why... maybe because it randomly pops in my mind and I wanna go back...

Nothing's better than guitar int he summertime. And the song is great "because I know that You love me..."

Again, there's that amzing guitar...

The piano reminds me of a swimming pool. FUN FACT: "Lovers in Japan" was the first song I ever learned on guitar.

The drumming and bass... amazing. Deas Vail wows everyone???

Yes. EVERY. ONE.

Even just Wesley (lead vocals) can wow the world.

Isn't the song sooo happy? Voted #1 best song to listen to during 1st period by... me.

This can also get you in a happy mood *sarcastic*...

Summer: the ultimate party.

Boyce Avenue... really hot.

I love Halocene. Remember when I was all sad because Relient K was in Phoenix the day after my stay for NFAF? Turns out, so was Halocene. Now I'm super depressed--- I could have been a fan way before now!

Summertime... "ain't no sunshine when she's gone, 'cause she's always gone too long any time she goes away."

Halocene again... but this time it's a Yellowcard song. I never say this about any cover, but dang... this is SO much better sounding than the original! Who's ready to hit the beach?

Landon Austin is so freaking hot... sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hot... Combine Chad Sugg and Chris Martin and Mat Kearney and there he is. His beautiful voice, attractive looks, weirdly combed hair, and intense, raw talent. Usually I minimize videos when watching them, but I just have to look at him... it's addictive.

Who wants to play soccer? That sport brings bad memories, but oh well.

I love this girl... Yael is so talented, and this song brings a warm feeling of being around family and friends.

Who's thinking of the 90s when they hear this song? Am I the only one? 90s music is the heart of summe rmusic... I either think this song sounds like it because I was born in the 90s or because the band started in the 90s.

"Ignoble" definitely has a home-y, but very sad feel.

These images show some great summer memories for everyone. The song is "Take My Hand" by The Cab. You can also see some graduation images (0:12, 3:21, 3:29), and if you're a senior, well. CONGRATS!
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Well, have a nice summer. I will be posting WAY more often during the summer months and will be sure to update you on my discoveries of new bands and new songs to keep you happy this summer:)

MY SUMMER PLAYLIST!

It's June! I still have eight days of school left, talking school days. June 13th. I know, I'm dying. So, I've been doing these things for a year now. Just to let you know, I've bene OBSESSING over quite a few songs lately. You had fiar warning.

1. "Echo" by Jason Walker. The song is just absolutely beautiful. The piano is absolutely beautiful, like seriously. I love songs that start out with only one instrument and then the entire band joins in, which is exactly what Jason did here. "I don't wanna be down and I just wanna feel alive and get to see your face again, but 'til then... just my echo. My shadow, you're the only friend that I have... I'm out on the edge and I'm SCREAMING my name like a fool at the top of my lungs. Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright, but it's never enough..."
2. "Cubism Dream" by the Local Natives. I love the guitar, and their voices all perfectly harmonize.
3. "Chances" by Athlete. I first heard it on a Doctor Who episode, specifically "Vincent and the Doctor." Why do you think Vincent van Gogh is my favorite artist? They placed this song at the perfect time at the end of the episode, when the eleventh Doctor decides to show Gogh (he committed suicide at 37) how amazing of an artist he will become. In his day, or at least how DW shows it, he was not recognized for his talent at all. Just a mad man with a canvas. But this song at the end in the background voiceovered with these words: "He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty.Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world… no one had ever done it before. Perhaps, no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world’s greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived." Just perfect. Athlete has a new fan!
4. "The Other Half of Me" by Ellie Swisher. The song screams everything I want in my future hubby. "You say life is sweeter 'cause I'm in it. But trust in me, I'm the one that's winning!"
5. "Eyes Wide" by Aristotle (warning: profanity involved in the rap--- I only listen to the chorus) featuring the Local Natives (it's my text alarm--- the "ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh..." part) and "Wide Eyes" by the Local Natives, which is the original version of the song. I like the music video for "Wide Eyes"... it ruins my love for the song every time I see it--- a shark stalks this guy so he kills it, he fights it and kills it during the best part of the song, it's rather graphic actually. Then he puts it in a bodybag. It'd be hilarious if he got caught. And then the next day he is free of his anxiety... and then it ends with an evil koala climbing down a tree with red eyes. "Not again!!!" It makes you wanna yell. I guess that goes along with "Oh some evil spirit, oh some evil this way comes. They told me how they fear it now they're placing it on their tongues. Oh oh, to see it with my... oh oh oh own eyes..."
6. "Starbucks Smile" by Maria K. "I'm so in love with your" song, Maria. This song is "as perfect as a Jolly Rancher seems. I'm more than a girl, I'm your biggest fan." You're a pop artist and you can get me to love you. Takes talent. Sometimes I wonder why I listen to this song, but "you give me a million reasons" why. Am I "in love with your" music? "Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah, baby!"
7. "Abraham's Daughter" by Arcade Fire. The song is rather biblically incorrect (just take a listen and if you're familiar with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac, you'll get it) but since it's Hunger Games based, I think they only wanted to use it as a metaphor. Besides--- check out that killer percussion! It made walking out of the theater feel pretty darn awesome.
8. "The Ruler and the Killer" by Kid Cudi. I posted this on my gymnastics blog. Check it out here!
9. "It's Not Easy (Superman)" by Five For Fighting. So depressing, and speaking of, I have recently discovered my love for slow and sad songs. The majority of the songs I write are slow and sad. "I'm not crazy... or anything."
10. "Gifts and Curses" by Yellowcard. I love the simple guitar lead at the beginning on the "Mary belongs to the words of a song" part. "(She is the one) but I have a purpose, (she is the one) and I have to fight this... (she is the one) the villain I cannot down... What if I fall then where would I go? Would she know (she is the one), all that I've wanted? (She is the one) and I will be haunted. (She is the one), this gift is my curse for now."
11. "Take the Heartland" by Glen Hansard. It's very violent, but it makes my day. Yeah. Being the happy girl I am, it's amazing that I am obsessed with sad and angry songs. I mean, come on--- who listens to songs that say, "Should I kill you with my sword, yeah or should I kill you with this word?" How about you just don't kill me at all?
12. "One Engine" by The Decemberists. Even better than "Down by the Water." I love the electric guitar. But clearly, this band doesn't understand the meaning of the word "hiatus." Weird. "The line of right, it will barely make you feel... make you feel... barely make you feel..."
13. "American Baby" by the Dave Matthews Band. I mentioned this last time, but sorry, this song is pure genius.
14. I still like "Hellfire", too.
15. And I still like "Mombasa" by Hans Zimmer. The only song that makes me rush through my homework like crazy, yet STILL I get a good grade for it.
16. "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" parts 1 and 2. Part 1 is inspiring and about a girl with cancer. Part 2 is just something you'd play to torture the people in your car.
17. "Professor Layton's Theme" from some video game. My friend Evan showed it to me in STEM Foundations class one day because he was disappointed that I had good artists on my iPod (specifically referring to Newsboys and TobyMac) but none of their good songs. Come on... I love "Born Again!" but I like this one. Accordion + percussion + piano = Professor Layton and Professor Layton ONLY.
18. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" by Donny Osmond. I used this song to motivate the only guy on my May Madness team in youth... yup, that's what you get to do when you're the team leader. "Stop sipping like a lady and drink like a man! Chug it! You are on a team full of girls! Don't act like us! Be a man! Mister, I'll make a man out of you!"
19. "I Am (Creation)" by Overture. Sounds a lot like "Time" by Hans Zimmer. It's form the same album as "Alive (Mary Magdalene)" by Natalie Grant, another song I love.
20. I might as well mention "Alive (Mary Magdalene)" now:). I love the guitar. "I am His because He is ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE, yeah! ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!" That girl can hit crazy notes.
21. "This is War" by 30 Seocnds to Mars. If you've heard the song, you probably like it. "OH! To the leader, the pariah, the victor, the messiah! This! Is! Wa-a-ar, YEAH!"
22. "I Can't Make You Love Me" covered by Kiersten Holine. This song has such a powerful message, and I think anyone who has had a crush on someone who didn't like them back or was in a relationship with someone who didn't feel the same way about them can understand this and relate. "I can't make you love me if you don't. You can't make your heart feel something it won't. Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I will feel the power but you won't. No you won't."
23. "Ignoble" by Kiersten Holine. "I am sorry time was wasted on a heart you didn't love."
24. "Stay Close" by Fireflight. Fireflight's new song from their new album! Gah! This song gives me the same feeling "For Those Who Wait" does.
25. "Sometimes" by Halocene. It's got a pretty awesome feel to it. Another band I really like.
26. "Safe" by Britt Nicole. It's such a pretty song--- Christian, and it's another one of those starts-with-piano-and-ends-with-a-whole-band-behind songs. I would love to sing it in a lower key for Fine Arts next year. I've liked that girl's music since third grade.
27. "Last Dance" by Halocene. The song plays piano in a lower octave, which I love sooooo much. And then guess what? The whole band comes in!
28. "You Are My Vision" by Rend Collective Experiment. I can't wait to sing this hymn in church. Maybe I can suggest that we do when I join the worship team.
29. "Meeting in Doorways" by Deas Vail. It's happy and sad. Of course, I adore its sad vibe more than the happy vibe.
30. "Asleep at the Wheel" by Wesley Blaylock, a solo project of his aside form Deas Vail. Can't wait to interview him...
31. Lastly, "Who Knows Who Cares" by the Local natives. Makes me feel like I'm in a jazz club. Has a sad vibe, but makes me feel confident.

Yup. Those are the songs I am in love with right now. There's probably more but... oh well.