Adding to your Musical Palette

Recently, I have been listening to more international artists. You know the ones outside of Mumford and Sons, Two Door Cinema Club, and Adele. Why? Well I'm glad you asked. The other day I stumbled upon a few new artists, (well to me they were new) as I began to find out more about them I learned that they had been around for quiet sometime and well known...overseas in their home continents of Australia, Europe, and South America.
I began to think about all the international talent that is never promoted over in the US but is highly sought after in other countries. I believe as someone who wants to be apart of a fast pace, and changing industry, such as myself, I need to stay current with the sounds and trends not just in America, but everywhere. And I want to!
So this is my weekly challenge to myself, and to you, "if you choose to accept" (yeah, I just quoted Mission Impossible...)
Pick a continent, Find and artist (try their Top 40 list or Award Show Nominee/Winner list), and LISTEN to their music. What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? Do you think that they are marketable in the US? Finally if it is something that you see yourself listening to again and again...SHARE IT! Tweet about them, post on your Facebook, follow them, whatever.
You may be surprised by what you find and like. I for one listened to Michel Telo, a Brazilian singer/songwriter, primarily country music I believe, and I thoroughly enjoyed his most recent chart topping song "Ai Se Eu Te Pego."

Let me be honest and say...I had no clue what he was saying (4 years of Spanish and all I can say is "Hola"...thanks high school), but I still got down and jammed in my apartment like the rest of the audience at the concert (I watched a clip online).
I posted a link to the song so that you can hear something new and a couple of articles about Telo from Billboard Business.
http://youtu.be/hcm55lU9knw

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/global/how-michel-telo-went-from-obscure-brazilian-1006586752.story

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/michel-telo-shatters-german-download-record-1006631952.story


As I sign off here I would love to read your views on music overseas; do you have any recommendations?

 Finally, I can not forget to say hello to my number one fan!

"Hello Mom!, Thanks for reading"

To my other readers,

 Happy Listening! 

Auzi D

4/2/12

Back In Action...

Hello All,
So, with the holiday and Christmas season passed and the new year started I am finally back on track with everyday life. I have gotten back into the groove of things and I am looking forward to what 2012 has to offer! I personally don't think "its the end of the world as we know it," (...did I just quote R.E.M. unintentionally?...Yep!) ...I do, however think it is the beginning of something BIG.

 I know I have some great opportunities ahead of me this year! The first of which is helping to promote the Open Mic nights around town and meeting and promoting new artists. Second, and more importantly is spreading the word about Wristband_Junkie! I am asking my readers to start following/liking/sharing us as you continue to read. WJ is still considered a baby...my baby so, I would also like to receive feedback...let me know your out there...It would be nice to hear other comments besides my mom's.

Sidebar:
"Hi Mom!"

I really am looking at getting involved the local art scene not just music, but film, spoken word, and dance. I am going to go to more seminars and sitting down to meet with Industry professionals; I intend on picking their brains, and sharing what I learn with you. I want to share my experience, and knowledge with you in hopes that WJ will be come a well rounded and helpful blog.

Finally my goal for 2012 is finding ways to revolutionize the Christian Music and Entertainment Industry.

"Oh no here she goes, Bible thumping..."

No my friends, I am not, keep reading.
I may not have discovered any new artist over the holidays but one thing I did come to realize is that the Christian Entertainment Industry is behind in its innovation and I want to know why. It's actually quite frustrating, there are so many talents that are being used in the secular industry because there isn't an opportunity in the Christian industry or at least it is not being advertised.

In a nutshell, my 2012 goals for Wristband_Junkie are:
1. Develop and Promote WJ as brand. {We are still in an "infancy" stage as it was only created 2months ago.}
2. Meet, Promote, and  Write about new artists at least twice a month. {Local, and Independent Artists I have been listening too.}
3. Share insights on the Entertainment Industry. {Tips, Experience, Knowledge etc.}
and
4.Revoltionize the Christian Music Industry. {Let's be honest, can this happen in one year...well with God anything is possible... but I at least want to start making a dent.}

Now as my reader's (and as my mother...'Hi Mom!') I am asking you to keep me accountable to my goals and to you!

Thanks for reading...
Here's to a successful launch in 2012!
You will be hearing from me soon!

Auzi D.
:::WRISTBAND_JUNKIE:::

GRINGO STAR

If you get the chance to see these boys, DO NOT PASS IT UP! We've seen them twice now within one week, and even though the second show was in someone's living room, Nick, Pete, Chris, and Peter certainly did not disappoint. 

The Atlanta natives' sets included tracks from their 2008 release "All Y'all" as well as their latest, "Count Yer Lucky Stars." Although their voices are as perfect as their talents on each respective instrument, the most impressive and exciting part of their live show is that between each song, the guys actually switch places! SPIN.com called them "multi-instrumentalists who bounce between guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, accordion, kazoo, and tambourine." I think it's safe to say that Gringo Star is capable of keeping any venue full of high energy and good vibes. Aside from that, they came across as chill, down to earth guys who love what they do and appreciate the opportunity to share the experience with their fans. 

Best of all, they're not boring.

I've been so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this band and am glad I walked away from their show with a gorgeous purple vinyl -- which you can purchase here. The best "sounds like" I can give you are The Monkees or The Kinks in a more modern style, and some songs (namely "Jessica" and "Light in the Sky") are a bit reminiscent of Deer Tick.

Overall, Gringo Star is a band of beautiful variety, perfect for those of us who are married to excitement. We look forward to seeing how far they'll rise! 

gringostar.net

facebook.com/gringostarmusic

twitter.com/gringo_star_atl

myspace.com/thegringostars

(Photos taken at Will's Pub and a UCF house party we crashed -- via M's iPhone)

Pick of the Week

And the Giraffe….

        And the Giraffe….

             And the Giraffe…..

                    And the Giraffe….

And Stop.

Remember this name. And preserve the time…the place… the chills….and the smile (you know-- the one that slowly crept across your face when you heard their first song).

I know I remember…

It was a cold December morning, Thursday the 8^th at 7:20AM. I was at my apartment on my Twitter account. I do not know what attracted me to, And the Giraffe. Was it the ambiguity of their name? Or maybe, it was the ‘dream-folk’ description that captured my attention. Whatever the reason, I say fate, in all her providence, united the two of us… and I thank her! Within seconds…seconds…of hearing the first riffs of Underground Love I felt chills and I …well I think M says it best so I shall quote her, “And the Giraffe makes me feel like I was taken by a gust of wind in 1993 and will be floating for eternity.”

The soft, raspy, yet mellow voice infiltrates my music soul child! I get those happy chills and giggles. Ever experience those? It's like I have discovered one of the best-kept secrets of the folk genre for 2011.

Excuse me…

Ok I'm back…I had to go dance my way through “1055,” it is the second song on their EP: Something for Someone. So where was I?...Oh yes, how I stumbled upon And the Giraffe. Well, somewhere between the second and third track I immediately contacted them on Twitter to let them know of their new fan. And after a few tweets, back and forth,  I am excited to say that I will have the opportunity to interview them when they arrive in Orlando, during their summer tour in 2012!

So Who is And the Giraffe?

And the Giraffe, is Nick Roberts and Josh Morris, two friends who met during and orientation meeting in Gainesville, FL.  The Florida natives recorded their first EP: Something for Someone, during the 2011 summer in Nick’s apartment bedroom. I highly recommend you check these guys out! We will keep you posted on the dates of their shows for the Summer 2012 Tour!!

Website: andthegiraffe.com

Twitter: twitter.com/AndtheGiraffe

Oh and by the way, in case you were wondering what songs I love the most, they are: Underground Love and Masquerade. Please give me some feedback and your thoughts of your favorites!

Well my friends Until I Post Next Time...Happy Listening to And the Giraffe !

Auzi D.

:::The Wristband_Junkie Team:::

Meet the Junkies: M.

The true beauty of a book or a song isn't in the eloquence of a sentence or the flow of a melody. It's in the way the people and places you once knew stay alive in the ink, the way that it all rushes back on tempo, at 120 beats per minute. The past stands still for a time, like fog in the air of a dewy December morning in a place far from home. For 3 minutes and 54 seconds or 266 pages, no one leaves, and no one dies. But in the end, it's the final notes, those last few pages, that are the most beautiful of all. They leave you with a sense of comfort in knowing that life changes in the blink of an eye but no matter how far you go, you can always revisit the moments you thought would see no end. The words on the page will never change and the song remains the same, no matter where you wake up the following December, or with whom.


Who am I? Where'm I from? Where've I been? What do I do?
I'm M - a creature of chaos; the kid being shushed in a half-empty library of a school whose students usually go on to win Oscars and Grammys. Music is the thing I crave most in the world, it is my be-all-end-all, my Mecca. For as long as I can recall I've been chasing a feeling which I can only describe to you as balloons floating around along the breeze, above the sea... one that only art and love can evoke. I live my life in the most beautiful way, and have been lucky enough to learn how to take my experiences - the fragments of who I was, and build an evolving mosaic. I work hard so I can play harder (i.e. go to shows with my friends and not hold back). I've met a lot of really amazing people, some you may have heard of; others… you will. I will always long for greater things, but my god, if I could live forever the way that I do now, I'd be just fine.

Recently in heavy rotation:
Listener
And The Giraffe
He's My Brother She's My Sister
This Will Destroy You
Gringo Star
BLORR
The Front Bottoms

Wristband _ Junkie

Hello, my name is Austin, and I am the founder of Wristband _ Junkie.
Wristband _ Junkie is a group of writers, who enjoy attending live shows and supporting independent musicians. We focus on Show Promotions, Venue Promotions, and Most Importantly Helping Musicians Build their Fan Base.

 Our mission is to write about the shows that we attend and interview the artist in hopes of educating the reader and broadening the artist's fan base. We cover topics on shows, musicians experiences, artists that have caught our attention, venues, music business, and the music industry in general.

I am excited about sharing my experiences and fun times at shows! Honestly, I must admit I am a little guilty...this blog gives me an even better excuse...no, no reason....to go to concerts and talk to the artists!

So who are the Wristband Junkies?....
Well as I mentioned earlier, I am Austin (Auzi D), I am currently a student at Full Sail University and I am in the music business program. Ultimately, I want to work in Artist Development, and Branding/Promotions. I also think it would be exciting to be a Tour Publicist, Concert Promoter, and/or Music Supervisor at some point in my life. I am open to all opportunities in the music industry, especially if it is overseas, and allows me to travel....a lot! I have a very eclectic music palette so readers can expect a wide variety of genres coming from me. I am strictly a consumer of music, I do not play any instruments, and while I have been told I sing well, I am not a completely convinced ( I do appreciate it though...).
I came up with the idea of Wristband _ Junkies the morning after attending a  Gringo Star, The Sh-Booms, and He's My Brother, She's My Sister show at Will's Pub. I woke up on my couch, that morning (somehow I managed to bypass my bed) and the first thing I saw was my awesome wristband, which brought back memories of the night before. I began thinking of the atmosphere, the strangers that I met, and danced with and just how the music affected me. The best part of the night was hanging out after the performances and getting to know the artists before they hit the road. That's when I realized: 'I shouldn't keep this to myself, I want to tell others about my experience and I want others to hear the music and support the these great bands!'  Then BINGO!... I creatively, despite the morning haze, came up with Wristband _ Junkies.
WJ, is comprised of different writers, who have offered to contribute their musical experiences, and ideas. As they join the team they will offer their bios. We would love to read your feedback and answer any questions that you may have. Please follow us on Twitter @WristbandJunkie.

We look forward to bringing you great show reviews, music reviews, and venue reviews. Until we post next time....

Auzi. D
:::THE WRISTBAND_JUNKIE TEAM:::