Blog of the Song Strumpet
Speed dating my way through music
By Jane Croft
I’d love to be a die-hard fan; one of those people who has been following a band since an inaugural gig, someone who has built a veritable wardrobe of fan Ts, a gal who sticks with a band through the hit singles and the B side releases.
But I’m not that faithful.
I brazenly jump from genre to genre ~ loving ‘em and leaving ‘em… and every so often coming back for more. Here’s where my fickle heart finds itself right now.
Bootie Call Ballad
Definition: I’m secretly hot for this song. I won’t talk about it in certain company. I may pretend I’ve never even heard it. But know that I’m thinking about it at 11pm and calling it up on You Tube.
Icona Pop ~ photo courtesy of VH1.com
This month’s Bootie Call is a suped-up song by Icona Pop, “I Love It.” If you were able to somehow melt down a big pack of Strawberry/Grape Nerds and hook the sweet candy goodness right into your veins, you’d know how awesome this song is. No, the lyrics aren’t for everyone ~ “I crashed my car into a bridge. I don’t care!” And no, I don’t think you should do something as rash as the lyrics suggest when your crush hits the road. But the song just gets you going and there’s no denying the crazed fun that follows.
The duo of electro-house music is made up of Swedish chicks Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo. They entered the game in 2009 and have said that they make music “…which you can both laugh and cry with at the same time.” Who doesn’t like a good mood swing?
Yes, you need to listen to the groove right now, so click HERE . And for more Icona Pop fun, visit their WEBSITE
Beat with Benefits
Definition: I’ll be seen out in public, blasting this song and lauding the talents of the band. In moments of unbridled passion, I may call it my personal anthem ~ until I find a new one.
It’s hard not to love this vocal powerhouse who writes the majority of her material as well. She’s confident in herself and her abilities and those good vibes are contagious. But her high contrast remix of “Hometown Glory” just takes me to a crazy zone of dance perfection. Her voice is basically her soul escaping from her body and painting auditory pictures of life for all to respect. Take a listen HERE.
Adele, whose real name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, is a singer-songwriter and plays a number of instruments. She grew up wanting to embrace the music lifestyle and turned to greats like Jill Scott, Etta James, Billy Bragg, Peggy Lee, Jeff Buckley and The Cure for inspiration. Her song “Skyfall,” just won an Oscar for best original song and she’s also now juggling the music biz with mommyhood. Check out her WEBSITE for more upcoming tour dates.
Old Flame
Definition: This band, or this song, has made a few appearances in my life. It reminds me of times gone by and I toss it a small, knowing smile that says, “Remember when?” each time I hear it.
This month, I’m totally playing, replaying and then playing again “Un Amor” by the Gipsy Kings. The sound is so rich and full of love and passion it brings tears to the heart. They’re known for combining flamenco with touches of Western Pop and rhythms. From the power of the opening vocals, they grip you and won’t let go.
Their story is pretty cool, too. Gipsy Kings consists of two bands of brothers: the Reyes (Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Patchai, Andre) and the Baliardos (Tonino, Paco, Diego). The Reyes and Baliardo boys were the offspring of Spanish gypsy families who had fled into France to escape Spain’s Civil War. They grew up roaming the south of France, working harvests and making music. Accept no imitations and learn more about this group of heart-breakers HERE.
The Beat Next Door
Definition: Whenever I’m tired of doing the “long distance relationship thing” with songs that have achieved national or international acclaim, I turn to the local talent to entice me. And it does!
For the most part, I consider myself an aging club kid. I love all genres, respect all magical influences and fusions as we approach new horizons in the music industry, but just throw some high energy dance my way and I’m typically happy. Every so often, I need a good quiet moment of reflection and Worcester musician Jon Bonner is providing it this month with his song “Tennessee Moonshine” off of his digital album, All By Myself. Oh, this song is a pure bluegrass/Americana heart breaker. Just sway back and forth to Bonner’s voice (which undulates from gravelly tough to soft and sweet) and let the tears fall. Take a LISTEN.
Bonner, whose father was also a musician, grew up living and breathing music. With influences like Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, BB King, and Freddie King, you can tell that Bonner’s talent pulses through him, resonating from his very core. Check him out at a Worcester-area show and like him on FACEBOOK.
Commitment Material
Definition: I get bitten by the commitment bug sometimes and, through a break in my sanity, believe that I could be a band’s groupie ~ maybe even play a song for my parents. But after a few days, reality slaps me and I’m back at the players’ ball.
I was just recently directed to this funky, Holly-go-lightly gal. She’s from New Zealand and is reported to be in her late teen years. Her talent at 16 makes me look back upon my own adolescence and wonder why my head was so far up my own insecure butt. Lorde, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor, has got an ear-grabbing sound of light pop mingling with dance that’s sweet, light ice cream.
Her hit “The Love Club” is really getting some attention. People from around the world are bopping to this spirited pop hit and you can’t blame them. If you love a hint of Regina Spektor in your tunes, you’ll dig Lorde. And for a taste of her darker side, listen to her song “Royals.” Her lyrics cut like a sharp, blood-tinged blade: “I cut my teeth on wedding rings.” And you just can’t stop listening. Check her and her other melodies HERE.