“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”  - Victor Hugo

For me, music is an escape. That's why I'm such a concert junkie. When you're there, front and center, you're surrounded by such amazing music. There are people all around you who appreciate it just as much as you. For a few hours you are lost in a different world.

Saturday, December 8th I went to Not So Silent Night, a concert set up by a local radio station, Live 105.3. On the second night, the lineup was:

• Imagine Dragons (20 min)
• Grouplove (30 min)
• Tegan and Sara (30 min)
• Passion Pit (30 min)
• M83 (45 min)
• The Killers (1.5 hrs)

It was an outstanding concert, with an awesome lineup. Grouplove was fantastic (as always), and Imagine Dragons was great as well. The Killers, on the other hand, were absolutely phenomenal. Lead singer/keyboardist Brandon Flowers has an incredible voice, and a very infectious personality that shows onstage, was he always has a smile on his face. They performed all the classic songs (Mr. Brightside, Human, Spaceman, etc.) as well as some I wasn't as familiar with, but were still amazing. Some of those include Here With Me, Runaways, and Be Still. Check out some of these songs below (very worth listening to, and very recommended).

Be Still:

"Wax and Wire" is by far my new favorite song. The haunting piano melodies are accompanied by many harmonizing voices, xylophones, and beautiful bird chirping as well as an infectious beat that is constantly changing, making sure you never get bored with this song. The ending is somewhat a let down, with a repeating phrase slowly fading out. It seemed as though the ending would be better because the beginning and middle is incredible. I found this song from a random bike video my brother showed me, and upon hearing the song I knew that it was amazing. If you like this, check out the rest of the songs on Loch Lomond's "Night Bats" EP.

Lyrics:
"I'm helplessly needless, and needless to say I owe you
I'm helplessly needless, and needless to say I owe you

Well I'd wait ten thousand picks for just one more chance
Just one more chance to see your face again

Well I'd pull, teeter away, at the earth with my teeth
The earth with my teeth to touch your face alive

You lie helplessly still as your face falls apart
You lie helplessly still as your face falls apart

With wax and wires and hair from the back of your head
With wax and wires and hair from the back of your head

Well I can make your face brand new
Well I can make your face brand new

You are warm
You are warm

Come take my hand and I'll take your hand
And I will bring you out
Come take the line and I'll take the line
And I will pull you out
In the sun."

On November 17th, 2012, the alternative/indie-rock band Grouplove played their last concert of their "Never Trust a Happy Song" tour. The band consists of singer/guitarist Christian Zucconi, singer/keyboard player Hannah Hooper (who is an artist and designed and painted the album covers, tour posters, and t-shirts), guitarist Andrew Wessen, singer/bass player Sean Gadd, and drummer Ryan Rabbin. These five all have distinct personalities that you can easily see during their performance. As a complete groupie, this is the 2nd time I've seen them, and they were absolutely outstanding.

This is a heart wrenching song that is just gorgeous. It is the saddest song I have ever heard but is so beautiful. It's worth listening to over and over.

Who Knows starts out with a very strong guitar interlude, with the drums kicking in a few seconds later. This continues on and you can hear the raw power of the guitar as it is accompanied by continuous cymbals and a steady drum beat. When the singing starts - about a minute into the song - the words are almost unintelligible; with a second singer echoing the lyrics of the first. This song mainly focuses on the guitar solos and rhythms.

Great song to listen to if you're looking for more powerful guitar solos.

As a student in high school, I am constantly being exposed to new music and the media that surrounds it. To me, music is life. It is everything that we think and hear and feel. It stretches and rebounds with beats and rhythms that we sometimes take for granted. It has the ability to be everywhere and nowhere all at once and I'm taking this opportunity to share that music with you.

There is nothing greater than hearing the first few seconds of a song that just amazes you. It is an addictive feeling, one of hope and new beginnings. You are not a true music listener if you don't feel something when pressing play on your iPod. I want to show you artists and bands whose words and beats send shivers throughout your body; ones that make your heart ache and smiles grow on your face.

I will be posting new playlists, bands, or songs I have found from various websites, as well as basic info about new tours announced for some of my favorite artists as well. I will also take the time to review many albums and concerts.

As Jack Kerouac said, “The only truth is music.”