A Warped Look At Summer

With the start of school brings the unavoidable end of summer. It's not all bad but it's hard not to miss the things that make summer so special; lazy days with your friends, day trips to the beach, and one of the highlights of summer every year, the Vans Warped Tour. Now unfortunately I wasn't able to attend any dates on this years Warped Tour but I was able to get a listen to most of the bands doing the tour and was given some recommendations of what new bands to check out. This year Warped Tour helped make a name for two acts that are without a doubt talented and are sure to make an even bigger name for themselves throughout the next year. These two acts are so good in fact, they've earned my own full out recommendation.

First, is a the three-piece band from London, England, Tat. Tat is an English punk band fronted by Tatiana Demaria that first appeared on Warped Tour in 2006. Only expecting to play 8 dates the band was asked to finish the entire tour, 28 shows in total. With their debut album due to be released this fall expect big things from these three. Below is a video of Tat performing their song Bloodstain on Warped Tour and an interview with Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman.





It is more likely that you have heard of the second Warped Tour band to earn my recommendation as they were able to be the feature of the MTV show Buzzin'. And even though they were featured on MTV, Shwayze actually does make good music. Hailing from Malibu, CA the band consists of Cisco Adler and Shwayze and their groove based hip-hop gives the perfect vibe for a chill out summer soundtrack. Check out one of their performances from Warped Tour below and pick up their self-titled cd.

Time For A New Beginning

It seems like these days we just keep moving on. New beginnings never cease. Part of the greatness of life is not knowing what each day will bring. But sometimes its nice to sit back and look at the good times we've had with those close to us. After my old computer needed to be replaced I was able to back up a few things that were important to me. Below is the video I shot for my senior class, these are still the best people I know.


NHS Class of 2006 from Matt Shea on Vimeo.

Enjoy This

DJ Okawari's new album Diorama can only be designed as auditory beauty.



1.Evening Comes
2.Chocolate
3.Bluebird Story
4.Ring
5.Colors Of Life
6.Synchronize
7.One For U
8.Aurora
9.Coffee Break
10.Crescent Moon
11.Tayutau
12.Silent Night
13.Animal Forest
14.Times Fusion

Download Link

Good Old War

I just don't get tired of hearing this song


Also, here's another GOW video of them covering Cecilia by Simon & Garfunkel

Nike Be True: Kicks Creator

Nike has come up with an interactive website that allows you to design your own personal dunk highs and then randomly have them put up against other peoples shoes. This design tool has an outstanding amount of options as far as materials and colorways can be concerned, so if you consider yourself a designer or just like sneakers you'll probably enjoy it. Head over to Nike to start creating.

R.I.P. Bernie Mac

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac past away this morning due to complications with a case of pneumonia. He will be greatly missed and may he rest in peace.

This Kid Is A Beast

Avalon and Only Way To Be Alone

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to acquire both Anthony Green's new cd Avalon as well as Good Old War's upcoming release Only Way To Be Alone. I, as many others have, have been anxiously waiting for Avalon to be released and with the release date being this week I was finally able to give this cd a listen. Only Way To Be Alone will be released later this month and was definitely a pleasant surprise to listen to. I won't get into too much detail on either album as I think you should really listen to both for yourself but I will say that both whole heartedly earn my recommendation. For those of you who haven't heard of Good Old War, they were formed by two members of another great band Days Away as well as Dan Schwartz, the guitarist from Unlikely Cowboy. The band name came about by taking part of each band members name, Keith GOODwin, Tim ArnOLD, and Daniel SchWARtz. The interesting thing about hearing both albums on the same day is that on Anthony Green's Avalon, Good Old War is featured as the backing band and plays an excellent new version of the popular song Dear Child. Anthony was able to return the favor by adding his stand out vocals on the track Weak Man for Good Old War's album. On August 6th, Anthony Green will kick off his solo headlining tour where Good Old War will not only be playing in support with Person L but will also be his backing band. For CT residents this tour stops at Toads Place, New Haven on September 13th.

Here is the video for Good Old War's "Coney Island" off of Only Way To Be Alone

W.

Oliver Stone, who has directed movies such as The Doors, Any Given Sunday, and Alexander is now in production for the movie W. This movie chronicles the life and presidency of George W. Bush's, played by Josh Brolin, and although I don't have much more information about the movie the trailer was convincing enough for me. Looks like it could be pretty funny. Check out the trailer below.