Skipalong with Lenka

Lenka: Aussie TV host turned international pop star. Her music is infectiously upbeat and matched perfectly to the art on her album cover. Her songs have strong melodies that stay with you and playful harmonies on piano, trumpet, and cello, among more conventional band instruments. She’s an animated performer and her concerts are a blast to go to!

Her self-titled solo album was released in 2008. Songs from the album can be seen in scores of TV commercials and have been featured in shows like Grey’s Anatomy, 90210, and The Hills. According to her Twitter account, she’s working on some new music, so while you’re waiting for her new CD to come out, take a listen to her freshman album:

Lenka - Lenka

Favorite tracks: The Show, Trouble is a Friend, and We Will Not Grow Old.

~Ally

Controversial New Single from MGMT

You can listen to this track on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQA_tYXOPa4

. . . BUT the video is likely to get taken down any minute for copyright infringement, so your best bet is to download the track for free from the band's website: http://www.whoismgmt.com/

This song, called "Flash Delirium," is getting quite a bit of attention, mostly because it's very different from their previous hits like "Time to Pretend." It's been called "a whiplash-inducing 180 from the dancepop-singalong-of-the-decade that was 'Kids' " by some, and described as "more of a crazy and chaotic acid trip than actual music" by others. MGMT's fan base seems to be split between those who liked the band's more mainstream-friendly sound, and those who are happy to see the band take some risks with their music. (Remember how much Panic! at the Disco's fans freaked out when they went from this to this?)

Personally, I love "Flash Delirium." I'm pretty certain it won't be a hit radio single any time soon, but it shows that MGMT has more depth and talent than I gave them credit for. It changes tempo and style so frequently throughout the 4 minutes and 16 seconds that it's nearly impossible to pin down exactly what it sounds like. There's a very brief moment of Middle-Eastern influence at the beginning, at one point it sounds like doo-wop, the next moment it morphs into something more like Magical Mystery Tour, and towards the end it speeds up into a frenetic pop-punk climax worthy of The Wombats.

Also, if there are people out there who think that this song is too weird and trippy, then obviously my generation has forgotten how to appreciate good ol' psychedelia. So I made a playlist, because that's what I do best.

Songs That Are Weirder Than "Flash Delirium":

Frontier Psychiatrist - The Av...

Close chorus - A Sunny Day In ...

Panda Panda Panda - Deerhoof

Vicinity Of Obscenity - System...

La La La - the bird and the be...

Alcohol - CSS

Bad Fever - The Asteroids Gala...

Galang - M.I.A.

Faberge Falls For Shuggie - Of...

Plan A - The Dandy Warhols

Unsolved Mysteries - Animal Co...

(And that's not even including the obvious classics like Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" or The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"!)

Have a great weekend!

~Ellie

P.s. We had to change up the schedule a bit. The review of Gamages Model Train Club will be posted next week. I promise.

INTERVIEW: Take One Car

If there’s one thing I as a listener appreciate from my bands it’s humility, drive, and a sense of humor. And as desirable as these qualities are, they’ve also become a rarity (Kanye West anyone?). It wasn’t until recently that I was in touch with these BAMFs from New York (specifically their guitarist Pete) and lemme tell ya, they definitely possess all those qualities. I sat down with him and their lead singer Tyler last Thursday for an MSN-style interview to see what exactly these guys are all about. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the impossible-to-categorize, Take One Car!

Juno says:

First off, what's the story behind the name Take One Car?

Take One Car says:

The name came from a car accident. Our first bassist and drummer were involved in a car accident back in 2006. They were following one another to practice. A cat ran out in front our bassist, he stepped on the brakes and our drummer crashed into him from behind. So initially the name was kind of a joke, saying "take one car to practice instead of two." It kind of just stuck. (By the way Tyler is here too answering questions, I don’t know if I mentioned that)

Juno says:

(The more the merrier!) Speaking of the other members, how did you guys meet?

Take One Car says:

Through friends, family and the internet. Craigslist helped us out quite a bit in finding members. Tyler and Branden are cousins, I had originally met Tyler because of an ad for a guitar player he posted a few years ago and Brittany responded to an ad we had posted about looking for a drummer.

Juno says:

How long have all of you been playing your instruments?

Take One Car says:

Tyler has been singing and playing since he was a teenager, Branden started playing guitar about 3 years ago and ended up picking up bass, I started playing guitar when I was a little kid and Brittany started drums around the same time.

Juno says:

So what made you specifically decide that making music was what you wanted to do?

Take One Car says:

I think each one of us has yet to find anything else that makes us as happy, so it seemed like a pretty logical thing to do.

Juno says:

So "music or gtfo" as the internet saying goes, basically?

Take One Car says:

Exactly, we all dedicate our lives to playing our instruments, and playing in our band

Juno says:

Well your dedication is definitely paying off. I just looked at your MySpace and you're pretty booked in these next few months. What's the best part of playing live? Perhaps "most rewarding" is a better way of phrasing it.

Take One Car says:

The most rewarding thing is having the opportunity to share what we have created in a live setting. Few people ever get to see an artist create a piece of art, but it is different with live music. Yes, it has already been practiced, but there is that wild and untamed aspect to it. You never really know how it will turn out. It is that uncertainty that makes it so exciting and rewarding.

Juno says:

What's the strangest thing that's happened to you guys at a show?

Take One Car says:

I (Pete) dislocated my knee while playing at a show in Peekskill, NY. I had to be taken away by ambulance to the nearest hospital. It was awful, but we were lucky enough to have caught the whole thing on camera. I am sure you can find it on the internet somewhere haha.

Juno says:

That's a show they'll never forget! So what about before the show itself? Some performers have special "rituals" they do to ensure a great show. What about you?

Take One Car says:

We don't really have any specific rituals. We kind of collect ourselves in our own ways and focus on playing a good show.

Juno says:

Alright. Now let's talk about the music itself. What genre(s) do you consider yourselves?

Take One Car says:

I think that's the hardest question we get. We've been called everything from anger jazz to post hardcore. We like to consider ourselves an experimental band. We never really felt comfortable with any title that has come our way. It's a constraint we'd like to avoid

Juno says:

Labels are for soup cans, so I've heard. Who would you consider your biggest influences?

Take One Car says:

Well I think that has a lot to do with our indifference to being labeled. Each one of us comes from such a diverse background that it would be hard to nail down any one influence. We get compared to bands like At The Drive In, Bear Vs Shark and mewithoutYou pretty often, although none of them were a primary influence in our music...We never planned to sound like anyone. We started playing, and this sound is just what came out.

Juno says:

Is there a primary songwriter, or do you all collaborate lyrically?

Take One Car says:

We leave the lyrics to Tyler being he's the singer. As for the music, it is mostly ideas that are brought to the table at practice. One of us may write just a riff or a complete song, but it isn't until we all get together that anything really begins to take shape.

Juno says:

Well this one's for Tyler then. Where does the inspiration for the lyrics come from?

Take One Car says:

I don't think it really comes from any specific place. It could be anything. Sometimes I'll find a word I like and turn out an entire song from that. Some lyrics have come from my experiences, and others from a feeling I would like to convey. Occasionally I will be driving, something will hit me and I will write it down. My inspiration is often something I wait for rather than hunt down.

Juno says:

So music is a very personal thing for you guys. Speaking of personal, here's my favorite question to ask. If I were to steal both of your iPods/MP3 players, would I find anything embarrassing (like Hollaback Girl or Oops! I Did It Again)?

Take One Car says:

Hahaha, actually I (Pete) have 'Hollaback Girl' on mine. I'm in love with the drum beat and the hook. You could find pretty much anything you want on Brittany's and you would get a good dose of country on Tyler’s.

Juno says:

Not gonna lie, I have a fair amount of Gwen and Britney on mine as well, haha. So where do you ideally see yourselves in five years?

Take One Car says:

In 5 years I see us on our 3rd or 4th album, hopefully with some pretty awesome tours under our belt. Our goal is to keep taking our music and our band to the next level. We thrive off being busy and pushing ourselves so we will no doubt continue in that form.

Juno says:

What's the biggest obstacle you've faced as a band?

Take One Car says:

You name it, we've had it happen. Losing members, vans breaking down on tour in the middle of the night, being able to finance ourselves, injuries, bad people, etc. Pretty much all the things bands hope they never have to deal with.

Juno says:

And overcoming those challenges just makes the whole thing even more worth it, right?

Take One Car says:

Absolutely. We've been to the brink where most normal people would call it quits. But our love for writing music and playing music is what has kept this band alive and moving through all of those tough times...After all that we've been through together, there doesn't seem to be much that we couldn't survive. Each hardship has made us so much more appreciative of what we have.

Juno says:

So what do you think sets you apart from other bands on the local scene?

Take One Car says:

Dedication, and the ability to stay together. We've been witness to a lot of great bands who either fell apart or called it quits.

Juno says:

What's the best advice you can give to bands or singers who want to take on the local scene as well?

Take One Car says:

Good luck and keep at it. You always have to remember that results and accomplishments don't happen overnight. It can't just be a hobby if you're looking to take it somewhere

Juno says:

Everyone who wants to make it has at least one person who doesn't believe they'll be anything. What do you have to say to those who never believed in you?

Take One Car says:

F*** off. Honestly...we have all had that person, or those people who have put us down, told us it wasn't worth it, or tried to screw us over. We won't hear it.

Juno says:

Well put. Well before we wrap this up, one final question. Currently what are your big plans for the band? A new CD, big tour coming up, etc?

Take One Car says:

We will be going on tour for the month of July. We're still finalizing the route, but it looks like we will be hitting quite a bit of the south and mid-west before we make our way home. We plan to begin recording our next album sometime in early fall. Of course, there will be plenty of weekend shows to look forward to as well.

Juno says:

Well I wish you nothing but the best in your upcoming shows Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me today!

Take One Car says:

Thanks a lot, Juno, we really appreciate getting to talk to you!

Juno says:

I'll be sure to let you know when this gets posted. Tweet ya later! (For the record that didn't sound as lame in my head)

Take One Car says:

Awesome, we can’t wait to see it. And don't worry, it didn't sound lame at all! Stay in tweet!

See, now that was lame.

Not gonna lie, the “f*** off” did shock me at first (a lot of their prior answers had a Zen vibe to them) but I can understand where they’re coming from. They’ve got better things to do than listen to the haters. Though, with talent like theirs, I find it hard to believe that they could even have haters (lest of course they be jealous fools!). But if you don’t believe me, give their music a whirl. You just might find your face melting.

http://www.myspace.com/takeonecar

Enjoy, music lovers!

~Juno

P.s.- As soon as my WinZip arrives in the mail I’ll be reviewing their CD as well, so be on the lookout for it!

Monday Mayhem: A Look at the Upcoming Week

Happy Monday, everyone!

I know, I know, that's an oxymoron. But at least spring is in the air, right?

So, I'm sure you're all eager to hear what MnM has planned for this week:

• Wednesday: An interview with Take One Car
• Friday: A review of "The Loss of Gamages Model Train Club" (GMTC's debut album)
• Coming Soon: An interview with Gamages Model Train Club
• Coming Soon: An interview with Ontario band Beyond the Shadows
• Polls: Only one week left to vote in our latest poll about OK Go music videos! (check the sidebar)
• Facebook Page: The Battle of the Sexes Contest ends April 1st! That's only a little more than 2 weeks away! Don't forget, the winning side gets 5 articles of their choice! Guys, you're behind, but you still have a chance to edge the girls out of first place, so invite your friends!
• Other news: Moxie and Mayhem will officially be ONE YEAR OLD on April 15th. Birthday cards and cakes are quite welcome. We're planning something super-special for the occasion.

To make your Monday brighter:

Hello Monday - Gaelic Storm

(To use Lala widgets to listen to songs, you do have to sign up on their website, but the process is really quick and painless, and totally worth it!)

REVIEW: “The Brooklyn Demos” by The Vanguard Villains

Who loves finding new music? Pssht, more like who doesn’t finding new music? No one. That’s who. Because we all love it. But what about when the music finds you? Yes lads and lasses, all it took was a listen on last.fm and the band contacted me with a simple request- a review and interview. You have no idea how absolutely psyched I was to see a band reach out to me like that; it filled me with hope for the future of this blog. We’re really making progress since our April conception. The band is none other than The Vanguard Villains, a New York-based rock trio that defies the “hippsterdom” dominating their city (to quote lead singer Neil). What do you mean you haven’t heard of them?! Well it’s a good thing I’m around. And now without further ado, here’s my review of their album “The Brooklyn Demos”.

Track One- “I Could Save the Day” (for children of the 90s)

A fabulous introductory track. The beginning is very relaxed and lead singer Neil’s powerful vocals reach out and grab you in. The chorus is a little more upbeat than the verses, proving that mellow songs can still be fun. Around the three minute mark a nice little guitar solo dominates the scene, paving the way for Neil to come back full force. The song is reminiscent of the alternative and college rock-gone mainstream that dominated the airwaves of the 90s. Ahhhh, the music of my youth.

Track Two- “Admire” (the caffeinated song)

The first song I heard from the band when I discovered them online. Once again the verses are chill and the chorus is energized, this time by the drums (taking on a slightly grunge sound) that nicely compliments the guitars (as opposed to supporting them from the background). A nice song to play during a long car ride to keep you awake, or to get pumped up before an otherwise boring event (7 AM staff meeting anyone?).

Track Three- “Insidious” (third time’s the charm)

What rock album is complete without a song about feeling like you’ve hit your breaking point? Very few. Rock encompasses a broad emotional spectrum, from self-loathing to devotion to your beloved. And every successful rock band/artist has to be able to create the emotional connection with their audience by touching on all of those feelings. Otherwise…they’re just spewing radio fodder trash. Unlike most songs about the breaking point, however, it’s not nihilistic and dismal, rather confident and empowering (“I’ll decide when it’s time for treason”) which I find refreshing indeed.

Track Four- “Music for Vampires” (homage to the grunge era)

Was that Nirvana? Was that Pearl Jam? Seriously, I couldn’t tell exactly who it was I was listening to until Neil’s vocals took command. This is by far their grungiest song, and damn, it’s very well executed! The guitar at the end is truly epic, and pays homage to the great grunge bands of decades long lost. Kurt Cobain (RIP) would be very proud if he heard this gem.

Track Five- “Fade” (airplay anyone?)

This is probably the most radio friendly song. It starts out with a sound we’re all familiar with, but for all the right reasons. It’s not recycled, it’s reinvented. It’s the anthem for the hurt, the let down, the underdog. My favorite line is “But I can never see a reason to let go of what is killing me”. Who hasn’t been there before, honestly? It’s one of those songs that brings you back to a bad memory without opening any wounds.

Track Six- “Give It Up” (the feelings you know, the lyrics you wanna hear)

Give It Up branches off from the more mellow sounds of the previous tracks and shows off a grittier, rugged sound, proving that this band knows how to experiment with their sound without going overboard. The lyrical content is comparable to Three Days Grace’s epic hit “I Hate Everything About You” minus the implications of, ya know, hate. It’s easier to relate to than its more aggressive “love-hate relationship” sibling songs.

Track Seven- “Unexecuted” (the most creative song on the album)

I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this song’s intro. It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Once again they’ve managed to switch up their sound without sounding ADHD (hey, I’m mentally ill, so I can crack a joke without being a bigot). The beauty is maintained through the entire piece, which I first believed to be instrumental. A pleasant surprise of Neil’s soft vocals will find you near the three minute mark. Near the end of the song the pace picks up with a speedy spoken verse that carries on to the end. While it is a strange way to end the song, it’s a creative way to end a song that started with such an indie/folk sound.

Sounds Like- A 90s alternative/college rock/jam band with elements of guitar virtuoso. A nice balance of guitar and drums. If you’re nostalgic for the era of alternative, look no further.

Feels Like- A quesadilla made in Mexico, not Taco Bell. In other words, they’re authentic, and not in any way passing themselves off as something done before or something they’re not. They maintain a likeable sound without abusing it.

Should Open For- The Killers, Muse, Spin Doctors, Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, Matchbox 20

Overall Score- On a scale of one to ten . . . ninja.

But hell, if you can’t take my word for it, listen for yourselves here- http://www.last.fm/music/The+Vanguard+Villains/The+Brooklyn+Demos

For those interested in purchasing the album you find the details for doing so here-http://thevanguardvillains.blogspot.com/2010/02/album-now-available.html

~Juno

J-Ska vs. American Ska

I first heard the OreSkaBand earlier this year and couldn’t believe what I was experiencing. Ska had found its way into Japan. As a huge lover of Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, and of course Sublime I had to delve deeper into the mysterious entity that was Japanese ska.

For those who aren’t familiar with the genre it began in Jamaica in the 50s as a precursor to reggae and rocksteady. It is a blend of traditional Caribbean sounds with American jazz/rhythm and blues (yeah, the old stuff). It has been historically categorized into three “waves”- the 60s Jamaican scene (First Wave), the 70s revival in the form of the “2 Tone” subgenre in England (Second Wave), and then it hit America in the 80s and continues on (Third Wave). Hooray for musical history lessons! Now back to biz.

J-ska is part of the Third Wave. But how does it compare to American ska? As I write this I have my last.fm scrobbler set to the j-ska tag and I am listening non-stop. So far I am, sadly, not all that impressed. J-Ska is fun and upbeat, but doesn’t seem to deliver the same “feel” like Operation Ivy and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It’s an easy listen and the music videos are certainly entertaining, but mostly just j-pop with an instrumental makeover. But you be the judge!

In The Ring- OreSkaBand vs. Less Than Jake

“Wasuremono”, OreSkaBand

“Rest of My Life”, Less Than Jake

In The Ring- Yum!Yum!ORANGE vs. Reel Big Fish

“Precious Days”, Yum!Yum!ORANGE

“Take On Me”, Reel Big Fish

So, does it have the same caliber as American ska, or is it simply a pop-esque spin on the genre?

~Juno

Band Interview: HardHeartAway

Well ladies and gentlemen, we’ve done it. Moxie and Mayhem has scored its first real-for-real interview. In the past week my friend Isabel and I had been crafting questions and early this morning we received our answers. Ya see, the band we were working with had a schedule that seriously conflicted with mine, so Isabel (head of their southeast Wisconsin street team) and I decided instead of doing it over the phone we would come up with a list of simple questions, send them to the band, and wait for the response. The wait is over. I now present to you, straight out of Ohio, HardHeartAway!

How did you meet?

-Sam, Keith and Andrew met through mutual friends about 2 years ago and became really good friends. We met Nick in August of 2009, when he arrived at a party at Sam's house. We met Tom this past October through Nick's ex girlfriend, as well as a previous guitarist. Jake joined in November when Keith met him at another band's practice.

When did you form your band?

-Sam and Keith officially started the band in April of '09. It was really just a fun little hobby however, until the rest of the members were added. Now it's business.

How long have you all known each other?

-Sam Keith and Andrew have known each other for roughly two years. The rest joined within the last six months.

How long have each of you been playing your instrument?

Sam- 4 years

Andrew- 5 years

Keith- 2 years

Tom- 11 years

Jake- 4 years

How did you come up with your name?

-Two of our old friends were looking through lyrics of bands we had been listening too, and they came upon Death Cab for Cutie's "Photobooth". The lyric goes "the cold air will rush your Hard Heart Away". It basically means what it is. No hard hearts please.

What genre(s) of music do you consider your work to be?

-Electronica/ Hardcore for the most part. We throw in a little pop though.

Which bands do you cite as your major influences?

-Taking Back Sunday, Underoath, and I See Stars are the main influences but our other members are into heavier music such as Whitechapel, Between the Buried and me, ect. We're all big fans of Chiodos as well.

What inspired you to make music together?

- We're all best friends so we decided since we all played a different instrument we might as well make music. Plus, we were tired of all the bands in Toledo sounding the same.

Who is the primary song writer of the group?

-Sam and Keith write most of the music. Sam and Nick co-write the lyrics as well. Jake has recently become a part of writing guitar.

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? What inspires you to write these topics?

-Different experiences in each of our lives, such as relationships, friends, weekends, parties, and growing up. Overall, holding onto youth is probably the main theme. The newest song on our myspace page is actually about Kanye West, and how he dissed Taylor Swift last year. Heh.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

-Money is the main challenge, as well as being a Hardcore/ Electronica band in a local scene that favors metal and such.

What is your most memorable show you’ve played?

-Honestly our first show. Everyone was there for us and everything went perfect. And free drinks.

So far what is your favorite song to play live?

-Firestarter My Hero is probably our favorite. We've only played it twice live, but it will be on the myspace very soon.

Where do you see the band in 5 years?

-Hopefully on a major label making a career out of doing what we love and ideally living somewhere out west. We don't hope to be famous, just to make a career out of music.

What sets you apart from all of the other bands on the local scene? Why should we pay attention to YOU?

-Well first of all nearly every band in Toledo is playing some sort of metal music. Changing it up with catchy poppy chorus' and epic synth breakdowns sets us apart. We have a wide variety of musical background in our members, so we implement a lot of sounds. Guitar sweeps, techno dance breaks, clash chords, breakdowns, roaring screams and catchy singing are all rolled together. No song sounds like anything except us.

What is your next plan for the band?

-We plan on having a seven song E.P. recorded and produced by the end of March. ( we do all the recording, producing and mastering ourselves). Mid May we have a little mini tour going from Ohio to New York. Can't wait!

Who would you like to share the stage with and why?

-Definitley Asking Alexandria, they are epic. But really any band that can just jam and have a good time. Maybe challenge us to some beer pong?

Some bands have special "rituals" they do for good luck before the show. Do you have anything you do before a show to ensure it goes well?

-Ever seen the Wendys commerical, "$2.99"? Yeah we recite that. We also have a few secret handshakes, but that's classified information.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians on the local scene?

-Write what you love, not what people want you too. You will constantly hear people telling you what is wrong with your music. As long as you're making music YOU enjoy. And lastly, it's not that hard, if you want it bad enough you can do it.

Is there anyone that thought you wouldn’t make it or thought the band was a joke?

-Of course, like every other band we have our critics. Ex-girlfriends, metalheads, and guys with pre-frayed brim hats. To quote MTV's Jersey Shore, "If you're a hater, I probably got a full time job for ya".

What do you have to say to them now?

-Eat my shorts. No just kidding. We'll let our music do the talking.

What’s more important, the music or lyrics?

-Well either or is really nothing without the other. You can only get the crowd moving with powerful riffs, but you can really only "move" them with powerful lyrics. It's like spaghetti. With just noodles or just sauce, it's nothing. But with both, it's magic.

Will there be an EP in the near future?

-Look for it at the end of March! It will probably be self-titled, but that's up for discussion.

Will you guys ever do a remake of any Lady GaGa song? We’ve read that your synth player is quite the fan.

-We are actually in the process of making a cover of "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha. How did you know he was a fan?

And what about "Pants on the Ground", would you remake that one?

Never heard it hold on, let us listen to it really quick...................eh, probably not haha. We'll stick with Ke$ha for now. Sorryyyy.

Is there any particular tour you would like to be a part of someday (Warped Tour, Bamboozle, etc)?

We'd love to be a part of both Bamboozle and Warped. We're actually playing Cleveland Warped this summer!

What’s the most embarrassing song you dudes have on your iPods (Spice Girls, Britney spears, etc)?

Tom actually has Ryan Cabrera. Nick has some Miley Cyrus. Don't ask.

If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing instead?

No idea. Thats why we're playing music. Shucks.

What celebrity or band do you hate the most and why?

If Nickelback and Limp Bizkit had a baby, we would hate that band more than anything. Obviously, we're not fans of Kanye either, as illustrated in "Milk is not a Good Chaser", which you can listen to on our Myspace

This one’s for the girls- who is the biggest ladies man?

Andrew thinks he is, but it's a tight race between Sam and Keith. Nick and Tom have girlfriends, so their game is limited. And Jake... he is just a labrynth of confusion. Not confused as in, you know, swinging both ways, just... confused. Heh.

If you haven’t checked them out yet, you’re definitely missing out. Fans of trancecore bands like Enter Shikari will definitely dig the electro/hardcore sound combo they have going. And as soon as we get our hands on a copy of the EP you can expect a review. Remember to see them in Cleveland Warped this summer!

Hope you enjoyed this latest installment of MnM. Toodles boys and girls!

~Juno