"A Rocket to the Moon" Skyrockets to Success

The band I am going to introduce to you all this week is the fun-loving boys of A Rocket to the Moon.  I first was introduced to this band in the hot months of summertime and so thought it fitting to introduce them to you guys with summer being right around the corner.  In fact, whenever I hear a song from these guys I immediately picture kids driving around with the windows rolled down, tires spinning on the bare pavement, and the sun setting towards the background of a small hometown.  Summer, summer, summer. J  Nothing can beat it.

Well, believe it or not, A Rocket to the Moon started out as an experiment.  A few years ago in 2006, Nick Santino put a handful of his songs on the internet without really thinking anything of it.  He just wanted to see if he would get any feedback from people about his musicality. 

But what started as just an electro-sonic experiment turned out to be an explosion of musical success.  Receiving a lot of positive feedback, Nick Santino got more people to help him out and be in his band.  “I never actually intended for A Rocket to the Moon to get this far.  I always wanted to take it to the next level and put a couple of guys in the act instead of having all the focus on me,” Nick Santino said about his musical invention.  Currently, A Rocket to the Moon consists of Justin Richards on guitar, Eric Halvorsen slapping the bass, Andrew Cook playing percussion rhythms, and of course Nick Santino who started the band. 

A Rocket to the Moon got very popular quickly and started its first official tour in 2008 alongside The Cab, Hey Monday, and This Providence.  The band produced its first full-length debut album and called it On Your Side in 2009.  This album was produced with help of producer Matt Squire (who also is the producer for big name bands Panic! At The Disco and Boys Like Girls).  “We had never recorded a full-length before and we learned so much from working with Matt.  We did it really quickly but we didn’t feel any pressure because we spent so much time preparing before we went into the studio,” Santino explained about the band putting together the album in just a mere seventeen days.  He went on, “Justin and I are big country fans, so it’s got that feel to it mixed with a ‘90s pop-rock kind of vibe; it’s just an all-round fun album that doesn’t fit into one genre.”  A Rocket to the Moon tries to make each song and rhythm relatable to many different types of fans.  The lyrics are supposed to be able to fit many different people’s stories and lifestyles.  They can do this by writing about situations that happened to them personally, but putting more of an unspecified spin on these personal things when they write about them in songs.  This gives listeners a better chance to be able to relate to the words and the ideas behind the music. 

In spring of 2011 A Rocket to the Moon went on their first headlining tour, the “On Your Side” tour.  A Rocket to the Moon will be touring the UK with Mayday Parade in May.  They will also be touring Australia and Indonesia with Hey Monday.

The music A Rocket to the Moon makes also cannot really be defined into any specific genre.  “I think it’s pretty awesome that we’re able to tap a couple of genres instead of getting stuck in just one,” says Santino.  Since the band cannot be defined into a genre they have toured with many different types of bands including The Fray, Boys Like Girls, and Cobra Starship.  This gives the band an advantage because they touch listeners’ hearts from many different genres and therefore gain more support from the public.  A Rocket to the Moon is also very close to their fans; they hold them dear to their heart.  They are very down to earth as a band, and so what you see onstage is also what you get in person.  The members of A Rocket to the Moon are very warmhearted people.  All they want to do is try to deliver music that their fans will love, (which they keep doing, everyday!)  So what are you waiting for?  Give it up for A Rocket to the Moon!

The first song is a ballad of a sadder sort.  The song “Like We Used To” talks about a lover that has gone to love a different person.  The song is very sad but many listeners are able to relate to the feeling of a broken heart.  Here’s “Like We Used To”.

The next song I will show you is more of an upbeat song.  “Mr. Right” is also about wanting to love somebody who is currently with somebody else, but this song is about how the pursuer is not going to give up on his love.  The lyrics “You could be the best of me, when I’m the worst for you” show how the pursuer thinks his love is perfect while he might not be anywhere near perfection, but he is still going try to get his love.  Here’s “Mr. Right”.  Hope you enjoy!!

Not Your Regular "Cookie-Cutter" Format...

            The band I will be introducing to you all this week is a band I can’t believe I haven’t written about yet!  The Format has always been one of my favorite musical artists.  The Format started around 2001 with Nate Ruess and Sam Means from Arizona being the creative masterminds behind the music.  The band chose their name to make fun of the music industry for a want of the band to make a cookie-cutter “format” of a hit.  They didn’t want to follow anybody else’s rules; they wanted to make their own music, their way.  Even though they were critiquing the music industry with titling the band this way, their first hit single off of their EP album cleverly titled “The First Single” was a hit in the Southwest.  This success led The Format to sign with Elektra Records in 2002.  Through Elektra Records, the band was able to produce their first major full-length album called “Interventions and Lullabies” in October of 2003.  Sadly, Elektra Records began folding into a merger right as The Format’s album was coming out into stores, and the newly merged label sort of “forgot” about the band within all of the chaos of the merge.   Still, The Format toured North America for about two years and had plans in the back of their minds of making their next album. 

The Format released their next EP album through Atlantic Records (who took in a lot of the bands that Elektra Records left behind) in April of 2005.  This EP album was titled “Snails”.  However, not long after the release of their album “Snails”, The Format was dropped from Atlantic Records.  Due to the frustrating situations that the band had been through while dealing with record labels, The Format recorded and released their next full-length album independently on The Vanity Label.  This is a label that is still managed by the band today.  This full-length album that was recorded and released through The Vanity Label is called “Dog Problems”.  Throughout The Format’s existence, the pair toured and played with a variety of different musicians.  In 2007, the band added four more people to The Format.  These additions consisted of guitarists Mike Schey and Mark Buzard, drummer Adam Boyd, and Don Raymond on bass. 

I think the reason people enjoy The Format so much is because a lot of their songs are summery, feel good types of songs.  Most of their songs have good beats, and make you want to get up and dance around the room, (or even in the car).  I would love to buy one of The Format’s albums and listen to it on a road trip.  Finally being able to find a record label where they could express themselves the way they wanted to, The Format was gaining even more popularity with people throughout the nation.  However to everyone’s great dismay, the band announced they were going on hiatus on February 4, 2008 and that they would not be making another album.  They haven’t been together since.  I think if they wouldn’t have quit they could have gotten really popular, but I guess one could say that they quit while they were ahead.  Their music still circles the youthful scene and can be heard on many people’s musical devices.  If The Format ever decided to get back together, I’m sure they would have many faithful fans following them. J

            The first song I will show you is the “Dog Problems” music video.  This is the clever video that made me remember that I wanted to write a blog about one of my favorite bands The Format.

The next song I will let you all listen to has a very summery/sunshine, get in your car and go type of feel to it.  The song is peppy and makes you want to dance around.  I especially like listening to this song in the car.  This is one of my favorites.  Here’s “Tune Out” by The Format.

So there you have it, they also have a lot of other good songs….  so check ‘em out!

The Dodos... Not the Bird

            The band I will be introducing to all of you this week is… The Dodos!  The Dodos are a band that got started in San Francisco and can be described as an indie rock folk band.  Now, I know you all are probably thinking ‘but we just discovered an indie folk band last week…’.  Which, we did.  But tonight I texted a friend to tell me a good band that I had never heard about, and he texted back “The Dodos!”.  So therefore I checked them out, found I liked them, and am now writing about them. J  Don’t worry though; I am hoping you will like them too. 

            Meric Long studied West African Ewe drumming and sought to create a band where the drumming could be the core of the music and help bring out the syncopated rhythms coming out of the acoustic guitar.  Long ended up meeting Logan Kroeber randomly through his roommate.  The Dodos released their debut album “Beware of the Maniacs” in 2006.  Two years later, they released “The Visitor”.  Original members Meric Long and Logan Kroeber then teamed up with electric vibraphonist Keaton Snyder to add more depth to the band.  These three collaborated with producer Phil Ek on “Time to Die” in 2009.  Throughout the years, they have traveled all over on tour. 

            The first song I am going to let you take a look at is “Fables”.  If you look closely at the beginning of the music video, you will see that the band supports the use of duct tape.  In the very beginning of the video a frame shows the percussionist putting on a tambourine that is taped to his foot. J  This is another quirk of the band’s unique percussion skills; they definitely use their creativity to their advantage.

            The next song that I will be showing you is called “Winter”.  I think the sound of The Dodos could be described as very… raw.  The reason they get this “raw” sound is because on a lot of their albums they record things one time, or record it live.  However, this works for them because listeners can relate to them better this way because they definitely do not have auto toned voices or instruments.  They are real.  I hope you enjoy the song “Winter”.

All Is Fair in Good Old War...

            The band I will introduce to all of you this week is an indie-folk band coming all the way from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania called Good Old War.  There are three official members to this group including Keith Goodwin, Tim Arnold, and Daniel Schwartz, each name relating to the decision of their band name Good Old War (GOODwin, ArnOLD, and SchWARtz).  The band put out its debut album in 2008 called Only Way to Be Alone.  This was made possible for Good Old War because of Sargent House Records.  Good Old War has been said to radiate warmth and vulnerability through their musical style, of which I totally agree.  My brother introduced me to the band about a year ago, and I have to say that when I first hear them, I thought they were just alright.  I didn’t think they were anything special.  I remember being drawn to two songs and the rest I thought was mediocre, nothing too spectacular.  However, one particular night I gave the band another listen while I was doing my homework, (I like to listen to music that I don’t know the words to while I work), and I started to really enjoy them.  After a few more listens I can honestly say that Good Old War is one of my favorite bands.  And I don’t really understand why!  They have such a simple style to their art, but I think that is exactly why I love them so much.  I love singing along to the sweet harmonies, and I like listening to the voices that are real and not auto tuned by some machine.  I was looking up music videos for Good Old War, and even when I came across the live versions of the songs, the music sounded the same.  That is what a talented band should sound like; it shouldn’t matter if the band is live or recorded, the quality of the music should stay the same.

            Throughout 2009, Good Old War toured around a bit, hit up some local radio shows, and even sang God Bless America at a hometown Phillies game.  And it seems to me that they’re musical career is just getting started.  In fact, in June of 2010 Good Old War released another album entitled Good Old War.  I didn’t know any of the songs off of this album, but when I was researching the band I definitely was impressed with Good Old War’s style on this newer album.  I love how Good Old War just knows who they are as musical artists; they don’t try to be like any of the mainstream artists around today or anybody else.  They are always themselves, and it shows in their music.  So what are you waiting for? Take a listen; Good Old War will definitely not disappoint. J

            This first song “No Time” is one of my favorites.  It is one of the more upbeat, faster-paced tracks and can be found on Good Old War’s debut album Only Way to Be Alone.  It is about one person who doesn’t understand why his “lover” doesn’t care for him in the same way he cares for her. 

            The next song I will show you is “That’s Some Dream” from the second album Good Old War.  The music is so soothing and peaceful.

            I have so many other favorites from this band, so here is the Myspace music page so you can check them out too!  Two more of my favorites are “Coney Island” and “Sneaky Louise”.

 http://www.myspace.com/goodoldwar/music/songs?filter=popular

            I hope you enjoy!  J

Carlos Bertonatti gets an Easy A when it comes to his music...

     This week I hope you all get the chance to know…. Carlos Bertonatti!  I stumbled upon this artist via a popular movie that many of you may have already seen called “Easy A”.  I watched this movie with my friend Krista, who enjoyed this movie (and its music) a lot.  Therefore, promptly the day after watching the movie, she downloaded the movie’s musical soundtrack.  That’s where Carlos Bertonatti comes in.  On the soundtrack is a “dance in your room while singing into the hairbrush” feel-good kind of song called “Picture Perfect” which caught my ears’ attention.  And who sings this happy-go-lucky type of song?  You guessed it, Carlos Bertonatti.

            To my surprise, I found out that Carlos Bertonatti grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, Bariloche, Argentina, and Miami Florida.  His family moved around a lot.  Growing up, he was able to let out his emotions through playing a guitar.  Eventually though, people found out about his voice and he started to sing along with the songs he played.  Carlos, being very good looking, also starting catching the eyes of many young females.  His populartiy started to grow.  

          In 2005 Carlos began recording with Miami based producer Chris Rodriguez.  The album that they started to right together showed Bertonatti’s Latin percussion and hip-hop flavor.  He also has the ability to show his classical and heartfelt side with some of his other tracks.  Sadly, I tried to find out more about this artist, but it looks as though this is the only album that is out there as of right now.  Hopefully, Bertonatti will keep writing his music and produce another album.  As for now however, I hope you enjoy Carlos Bertonatti!

          This first song I will show you by Carlos Bertonatti is called “Picture Perfect”. This peppy song was featured on the “Easy A” comedy.  I love the unique instrumentation in Carlo’s music.

  

          I could not find many other decent quality videos of Carlos Bertonatti's music, so I will leave you with his Myspace link.  He has four of his songs on this site.  His song "The Little Things" can be compared to Jack Johnson's easy going style.

http://www.myspace.com/carlosbertonatti

I know your ears won't be disappointed!

Rooney is Rewarded for their Persistence

            This week I am going to introduce to you a band with a little old school flavor.  This band has been compared to bands including The Beatles, The Cars, and Cheap Trick.  The rockin’ band I am going to introduce to you all this week is called Rooney.  Sadly, Rooney seems to have been born in the wrong era.  With their old school sound, Rooney has been trying to make it big for a very long time.  And finally, their perseverance has recently been starting to pay off.

            Back in 1999, the band formed being called the name of Ed Rooney.  The band released a series of independent EPs through to 2002.  Moving up in the musical social ladder, Rooney got the chance to sign on a recording deal with Geffen Records.  The band never really slowed down enough to quit but album sales were definitely slow.  The group held a cameo appearance on the O.C. where they sang a few of their songs, and then had a song featured on the daytime soap opera “All My Children”.  Rooney kept persisting to try to make it to the big time, and had many songs featured on different television shows.  They even toured with different artists including Weezer and The Strokes.  However, things still came slowly for the band.  Still pushing forward, Rooney started working on their second album called “Calling the World”.  In 2007 the band’s single “When Did Your Heart Go Missing?” became popular and was used in a commercial for the TV show “Beauty and the Geek”.  Their new album with this popular single debuted at #42 on the Billboard Top 100 Albums chart. 

            The following year of 2008 Rooney started with opening for teen heartthrobs, The Jonas Brothers, on the Jonas Brothers’ “Look Me in the Eyes” tour.  In 2009 the band started working on their album entitled Eureka.  Rooney is actually currently on tour covering this new album.  The tour goes until the end of May, with Rooney playing music in various cities all over the United States.  Even though it has been a long and winding road towards musical fame for Rooney, they have definitely never given up and are not about to be taken out of the race any time soon. 

            I first heard of the band Rooney a few years ago.  My friend Andy has been dubbed the nickname of “Rooney” in comparison to the CBS news spokesman Andy Rooney, so when she saw an album of a band named Rooney at the musical store, she thought she just had to buy the CD.  She had never heard of the band and didn’t even know what they were going to sound like.  Luckily, she liked their sound a lot, and then introduced them to me.  I hope you enjoy them as well!

            First, I will show you one of Rooney’s first hit singles, “When Did Your Heart Go Missing”.

The next song I will show you is one of my personal favorites, “I Should’ve Been After You”.  This song is one of my favorites because it is upbeat, and a good song to jam to in the car.  I hope you agree!

Niemann, is the New Man, in Country Music

The artist I am going to introduce to you guys this week is country music artist Jerrod Niemann.  Jerrod Niemann was born in Harper, Kansas (there’s no place like home!) and was influenced by country music at an early age.  The very first musical instrument Niemann learned how to play was a Tracy Lawrence autographed guitar that his mother won at a Tracy Lawrence concert.  He has been in love with music ever since.  Niemann went on to compete in various talent shows, (across the country!) and finally won the national finals with Tracy Lawrence’s hit song “Texas Tornado” in 1996.  After high school, Niemann attended South Plains College in Levelland, Texas on the pursuit of an Associate of Arts degree.  It was here that he started playing acoustic guitar and singing in Texas clubs and bars, kind of on the start to kick off his music career. 

            Wanting to get more of a “country outlook” Jerrod Niemann moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2000.  He and his band started playing concerts at various clubs around the country, but never got any radio time.  He then went to Europe to tour with the band Kane. 

Luckily, in 2006 he signed to Category 5 Records and made the country singles charts with his “I Love Women (My Mama Can’t Stand) single.  Then, Jerrod Niemann signed to a different record company co-owned by Brad Paisley in 2010.  His debut single “Lover, Lover” became his first number one country hit by August.  Jerrod was flying high.  Though it has been a long and winding road for Jerrod, his persistence in the musical world has definitely paid off for him.

            The first song I will show you today will of course be this number one hit, “Lover, Lover”.  I went to Tennessee over spring break on the UMary STLF trip, and this song was a hit with many of our group members.  It is a fun song full of soul that can be sung on the bus by everyone. (Why yes, we did actually do this.) J  It is a great song to let out frustrations, especially if any of you out there have ever been heartbroken by a so-called “lover”.

            The next song I hope you enjoy is called “What Do You Want”.  I think the reason listeners love Jerrod Niemann so much is the simplicity in his voice, and how sweet his voice is on their ears.  His voice kind of has a relaxing, and almost lazy? feel to it (but in a good way of course).  I hope you enjoy Jerrod Niemann!