Sunday 30 October 2011

ISYS100: Tonight, Tonight

hey followers :)
this is our Music video for the song Tonight, Tonight by the Hot Chelle Rae, We worked really hard on this video :P even thought it may look noobish please try to enjoy watching it ^___^ 




The song has been cut down because we were limited >_< can you tell where we cut the music? lol hopefully its all smooth...

ENJOY EVERYONE ^^
The Music Note mq crew :P

Monday 10 October 2011

Michael Forever Tribute Concert

On Saturday, 8th October 2011, a few artists and Michael Jackson's family gathered together to pay tribute to the late King of Pop. The performers who attended the tribute concert include Leona Lewis, Christina Aguilera, Ne-Yo, Cee Lo Green, Jamie Foxx, Beyonce and more.


The performers each performed wonderful songs from across MJ's career. Christina had performed "Dirty Diana" and "Smile" on the show. I think MJ would be very proud of the performers. Each of them did wonderful jobs in performing the songs. Apparently, the stage shaped like a giant glove. I can see, MJ is nodding ans smiling from up there. Judging by the noise of the crowd, I'm sure most of the audience were enjoying themselves. Reminiscing over MJ's songs from throughout his career. I would have attend the concert as well if I do not have fly 10600 miles to UK.


Unfortunately, Black Eye Peas and Jennifer Hudson had pulled out of the concert. Black Eye Peas had released statement that they would not be able to attend the tribute concert due to 'unavoidable circumstances'. On the other hands, rumors had it Jennifer Hudson pulled out 11 hours before the concert because she was frustrated with the organizers of the show. Also, MJ's siblings, Jermain, Randy and Janet were absent from the show because they thought it would be inappropriate to hold the show during the manslaughter trial of Dr.Conrad Murray.



MJ's children, Prince, Paris and Blanket made it to the stage to thank the audiences. I'm sure MJ is very proud of his children.



Most of us grew up listening to MJ's songs. Even though he had passed away, I still listen to his songs every now and then. He's irreplaceable in most of our hearts. However, I do not get the point of organizing the show on 8th October. It's neither MJ's birthday nor death anniversary. For those who knows the reason behind it, please do share!! I have a feeling, they're doing the concert to suck it out more money from the fans. *Ooops*




#my favourite song#

May Michael Jackson R.I.P.!!

Chinese Pop

To my dear followers~
this is my last personal post, i hope that my past 2 post have opened your ears to new musical experiences. My last post gave me trouble since I couldn’t think of anything to talk about. But going from my usual theme of Asian music culture I’ve decided to introduce everyone to Cpop also known as Chinese Pop.
Just like Kpop or Jpop it’s very similar. Maybe the only difference is the language haha. I joke, I think there’s much more to it then that! And that is why I am writing this post.

Cpop is a music genre which consists of artists which originated from Mainland china, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The term Cpop not only covers the pop genre but also R&B, ballads, Chinese hip hop and Chinese ambient music.
For this post I will give examples from each country, I’ll try to make it short and simple as possible ^^

Taiwan
Taiwan is considered as part of Cpop since they sometimes sing some form of Chinese dialect. They have many known artist such as: S.H.E, Show Luo, Jolin Tsai, Fahrenheit and many more.





The first song is called Ting ma ma de hua (Listen to your mother’s words) by a Taiwanese singer named Jay Chou. You may have recognised him from the film Green Hornet where he plays Kato. Listen to your mother’s words has a playful up beat music and meaningful lyrics basically telling you all to listen to your mother’s words. In other words he is basically lecturing you but in a fun up beat way (^▽^)
You might not have heard of Jay Chou before but you may find this song familiar. I can’t say that for all of course, but for me, I had no idea who Jay Chou was, but when I heard this song, it was familiar.

Mainland China
Mainland China is of course apart of the Cpop genre. I was researching for some mainland Chinese pop but it was hard, I found lots of Taiwanese singers but not so much Mainland Chinese pop singers. Then finally I found a pop group called “Top Combine” …see the work I do for you guys? :( haha I joke I’m also on this musical learning experience with you guys ・~ヾ(゚ー^*)


to me I found the song to be similar to Korean pop group DBSK, for some reason it didn’t appeal to me as much, but it was still ok to listen to.

Hong Kong
Hong kong is an example of one of the chinese dialect, which is considered to be apart of the Cpop genre.

For this I have chosen a very famous person for you guys to listen to, You may know him from such films as rush hour and Shanghai knight. If you guys haven’t guessed it yet its Jackie Chan!!




For those who had no idea that Jackie chan could sing, He can! Hes not only an excellent martial artist/actor he is also a singer. You may have recognised that the song is from the hit Disney movie Mulan. For those who haven’t…I guess you learn something new everyday haha :D
When I first listened to the song, I thought it was weird but as it kept on playing I started to find it cool, I think its because of the video LOL (^~^;)
What did you guys think? Did you find it interesting that Jackie Chan sang? I know I did :P

So to wrap up my post, I hope this was informative yet enjoyable to read =D
Until next time guys ~
Peace
Ann <3

Blog on Electronica music

 In a world full of technology, it is almost impossible to escape the modern electronica craze. Many pop artists are jumping on the bandwagon and my favourite part of this craze is that it is open to anyone and is given rise to a whole load of local artists. Artists such as Daft Punk, Art Vs. Science and The Presets have given life to this genre of music. Previously, the instruments used to create this music were too expensive for many musicians starting their music career and electronica was considered ‘art’ music. The beat is extremely catchy and video clips feature extreme colours and are often very obscure. Bring on the beats!


Daft Punk are arguably the pioneers of this style and established themselves in the music scene in the early 1990’s. Originating from France, the duo produced music designed for clubs that reached extreme popularity. Their first major hit ‘One More Time’ became synonymous with clubbing all over the world.





Art Vs. Science are a more modern version of the electronica style and are Australian which I find interesting, home talent is something I love supporting. Another interesting fact about these guys is that they are ex Macquarie University students so they sat in the same classes as us, cool hey! Their videos and live shows are colourful and energetic, a sign of a good band to me. The music video for ‘A.I.M, FIRE’ shown here is just one example of their obscure videos.





The Presets are also modern frontrunners for electronica and are Australian too, told you I love the local stuff! The lyrics to most of the songs are slightly strange but as soon as a song plays you cannot help but hum along. The Presets have won many Australian music awards and are well received globally. Their single ‘Talk Like That’ is a modern club anthem as shown below.





Being a part of this technologically savvy generation makes it difficult not to love this style. Next Presets album please! So there we have it, a very short introduction to the genre of dance/electronica. Happy dancing readers!

Sunday 9 October 2011

Japanese Music ヘ(゚∀゚ヘ) 

Hey Guys =D

so leaving of from my last post (if you guys remember), I talked about the Korean pop wave also known as the Hallyu wave to some people.
I think for this post I will stick to a similar trend and introduce everyone to different music trends not only in Asia but also most places around the world.

For this post, the topic will be on Jpop and Jrock. If you all have not guessed it yet the J stands for Japanese.

Like Kpop, Jpop and Jrock have been very popular in Asia and other places around the world. My intention for this post is to promote and get more people interested in Jpop and Jrock.


I shall start my post with one of my personal favourite Japanese pop song called First love by Utada Hikaru.





That was the Japanese version. For all those gamers out there, you may have heard of her before. Utada Hikaru is Japanese but was born in America, she is well known for the songs contributions to Square Enix and Disney’s joint game series called Kingdom Hearts.

The instruments used in first love gives the song a mellow feel. It’s a meaningful, melodic song that just makes you want to keep listening over and over again. For those people who don’t understand Japanese there is an English version of the song, I defiantly would recommend this song for those people who enjoy listening to slow melodic yet meaningful song. The good thing about listening to Utada Hikaru is that some of her songs which she sings in Japanese can be found in English.
Here is the English version of the song:




Moving away from the pop genre, I want to show the rock lovers out there that Japan can defiantly rock!!! I reckon that Jrock is probably better known then Jpop.

I’ve realised that most of the Jrock songs give off a gothic feel, they use the usual instruments such as Drums, Electric guitar and Bass…is there any other instruments missing in rock? (I’m a noob when it comes with the rock genre) haha
To show what I mean here is an example of gazette’s song called Guren




Then again NOT all the Japanese rock gives off the gothic feel. Here is an example of Sid’s song called Natsu Koi (summer love)




Although this song is rock, the up beat vibe of the song gives off more of a pop vibe, I guess you can say that this song is Pop rock. ^^

In my personal opinion the pop genre in Japan is not as widely known outside the world, not much as Kpop but the genre does have a lot of followers around the world. I personally like Jrock more then I like Jpop simply because the songs are more meaningful in my opinion. What do you guys think? :D





Well guys this is the end of me trying to expand your music horizon.

Hoped that wasn’t too painful :P
Peace

Ann <3

Saturday 8 October 2011

Bob Marley

Bob Marley was a Jamaican song writer and singer for ska, reggae and rocksteady. In 1963, Bob Marley and other group of 5 others formed a group called “The Teenagers” which they later on changed to “The Wailing Rudeboys”, followed by the “Wailing Wailers” and finally to “Bob Marley and The Wailers”.

Bob Marley’s first recordings were in 1963 as a solo artists but he hit the Jamaican charts when he formed the group “Wailing Wailers”. Songs like “Soul Rebel”, “Duppy Conquerer”, “400 years” and “Small Axe” were released.

In 1972, the group signed with the Island Records and their music started to become known internationally. In 1975, “Bob Marley and The Wailers” did a tour around Europe and hit theUKcharts with the album “Natty Dread” together with the single “No Woman No Cry”

The Hit single “No Woman, No Cry”



In 1976, they released the album “Rastaman Vibration” which has an impact on American charts. And not long after that Exodus and Kaya were released as well.

The other great single which cracked the British charts “Exodus”



Another personal favourite “Three Little Birds” J


In 1980, at the end Bob Marleys European tour, he was diagnosed with cancer and eight months later after fighting the disease he dies in the Miami Hospital on May 11, 1981.

Today, I listen to Bob Marley when I'm trying to relax or when I'm driving down to stop me from going all out on road rage :D

Bob Marley remains as the most widely known reggae music performer and is accredited for helping both Jamaican music and Rastafari movement for a worldwide audience.

Thursday 6 October 2011

Soundwave festival

The Soundwave music festival has been the biggest event to hit the alterative music scene since Big Day Out and I’m sure many music lovers haven’t been disappointed with the huge acts playing. Bands for the 2011 bill included Iron Maiden, Slayer, Queens of the Stone Age, Slash, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold, 30 Seconds To Mars, New Found Glory, Sum 41, Never Shout Never and Annberlin to name a few with tickets priced at the $130 mark. Tickets can be purchased through the official website, http://www.soundwavefestival.com/ or through ticket agency, 'Tickettek'. Travelling to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, this festival has given alternative music in Australia the revival it required. About time too!


Kicking off the tour in Brisbane in summer fans brave the sweltering heat, crowds, lack of water and risk dehydration in the hopes of seeing/meeting their favourite bands but that’s the point of Australian music festivals, right?! Soundwave caters for individuals who love rock, metal, punk and even pop punk which is essential for a country who is generally quite isolated in terms of new music artists.

The Soundwave franchise became so large that the managers decided to expand from the one concert and have a ‘Soundwave Revolution’ in spring and almost sold out. A few weeks before revolution, many of the major headlining bands pulled out and disappointed many fans. I had tickets and was devastated! Many music fans were incredibly shocked and the reputation of the Soundwave name has been tarnished.



2012 is a new year though and let’s hope the big bands don’t pull out this time! Who am I kidding, I will still buy tickets anyway.

Deep Purple!

Deep Purple is a rock band formed in 1968, along with Led Zeppelin and Sabbath. Their songs fall under the category of heavy metal rock although some people say that they don’t belong in any genre.

The first song released by Deep Purple in 1968 “Hush”




They released their first album “Shades of Deep Purple” and “The Book of Taliesyn” in 1968 followed by their third album “Deep Purple” in early 1969. In 1970, the band became touring and releasing albums along the way. One of these albums was “In Rock” which contained the songs “Speed King”, “Child In Time” and other albums that included the ever popular “Highway Star” which is when they became most famous.

The song that made Deep purple famous, “Highway Star” released during one of their tours, 




Despite the band’s success, the end came in March 1976 when Coverdale handed in his resignation. However, the main tragedy occurred in December 1976 when Bolin (a band member of Deep Purple) had just finished recording his second solo album and was found dead due to drug overdose.

This is a personal favourite :) its called “Burn” it was released in one of the albums around the 1970s, 





Deep Purple will remain one of the greatest heavy metal rock that ever existed since they were also once listed in the Guinness Book World of Records as the loudest pop rock band. During that time they sold over 100 million albums worldwide.

#1 Girl: Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester currently perhaps best known as Blair Waldorf from CW television series Gossip Girl. Leighton Meester was featured in “Good Girl Gone Bad” a couple years ago with Cobra Starship. I do not think her voice had been portrayed fully in the song. Maybe her voice had been slightly modified or the dance pop songs did not do the justice to her already beautiful voice.




However, I have totally changed my mind after listening to “Jenny” and “Blue Afternoon” – songs she featured in with Check In The Dark. She has a whole new voice. At this point, she has gain enough experience from the previous two collaboration. On the positive notes, Check In The Dark has been encouraging Leighton to sing with her own style and telling her she has very unique voice. Maybe the encouragement she received has boost her confidence in singing, which is great!



Currently, she is still working on the album along with Check In The Dark. Hence, we could only have access to the live version of Leighton Meester and Check In The Dark’s performances. Judging from the videos, we’re really into it. Other than that, she has picked up guitar for the album. Once again, she has proved to many of us, she’s not just a beautiful actress, she is an amazing singer as well.




We're keeping our finger crossed that Check In The Dark and Leighton Meester will produce many good songs together!

XoXo

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Shakira

Colombian singer Shakira Mebarak has had a huge impact in the latin society as well as the English society. Released her first album “Piez Descalzos” in 1995 which made her well know in Latin America and Spain and also with her next albums which were released in 1998 and 2001 called “Donde Estan Los Ladrones” and “Laundry Service” which sold over ten million copies worldwide.

"Estoy Aqui" is of the songs of Shakira's first album



Popularity of Sharika’s success led her to release her first English single in 2001 “Whenever, Wherever” and together with “laundry Service” they sold over 13million copies and broke the barrier of the English speaking world.

"Whenever, Wherever" was the first english single that Shakira released



Recently, Shakira’s song “Waka Waka” was chosen as the official song for the World Cup 2010 inAfrica. The song became a great hit and has sold more copies than any other world cup official songs.

"Waka Waka" the song that Shakira released for the World Cup 2010




Today, Shakira continues her singing career with a tour around South America with her final stop being in Puerto Rico.

Lady GaGa!

Whilst researching gender in popular music for an essay in another unit, I couldn't help but think... Lady GaGa! To me GaGa embodies gender in popular music by breaking all gender/theatrical norms and it continues to astound me how influential she has become in such a short time. Since her debut album 'The Fame' in 2008 she has skyrocketed into fame with hits including 'Just Dance', 'Poker Face', 'Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)' and most recently 'You and I'. I personally have enjoyed the GaGa roller coaster!

Since her beginnings in 2008, the variation between her 3 albums is incredible! Her debut album ‘The Fame’ began as innocent pop music with happy lyrics and catchy beats. The first single entitled 'Just Dance' became a club anthem due to it’s electronica feel. GaGa quickly became known for her dance music with her videos conveying this. Countless remixes have since been uploaded to social network site YouTube. The video for ‘Just Dance’
 




Then came ‘The Fame Monster’ in 2009 which was leftover tracks that GaGa carried over when she changed her record labels. GaGa in this album started to become extremely political and the beginnings of her ‘Monster Club’ were established. Lobbying for equality and free love and active in the fight for gay marriage, GaGa’s music reflected this political shift. Video clips became extremely abstract as can be seen in the video for ‘Alejandro’.

 





And if things couldn’t get stranger, her latest album 'Born This Way' is almost cult like with GaGa coining the phrase “put your paws up little monsters!” Commanding audiences all over the world, now, GaGa has received criticism for her new style some mainstream fans believing she has too much of a cult following. ‘Born This Way’ was the first single from this album and embodies GaGa’s quest for gay marriage and encourages her fans to love themselves. You can see the video here

 







GaGa is still an inspiration to many young people and I believe she is incredible. She has inspired so many fans to be unique and embrace it. I saw paws up little monsters!

Saturday 1 October 2011

ヽ(ヽ´Д`)。・゚・Hallyu Wave・゚・。 (´Д`ノ)ノ

Kpop or Korean pop has been rapidly sweeping through out Asia and other places in the world like: North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, North Africa and Oceania. The Koreans have characterized this wonder as ‘Hallyu’.

I admit I am one of those people who have fallen for the Korean pop wave. Although I might not be able to understand every single word, there is something about the Korean pop music which attracts me to listen to it more. I am sure there are people out there in the world who agree with me (⌒v⌒)

For those who are new and has never heard of any kpop. My blog post is the one to read !! I shall start the wave for you all!! ヽ(´ー`)ノ(ノ´ー`)ノ(ノ´ー)ノ

The first song I decided for everyone to hear is Tae Yang’s Wedding Dress
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uthxUVMcYw )





Its unique sound mix of piano, electric, and the usual pop beats makes wedding dress an addictive song to listen to. Although you might not be able to understand Korean, the minimal English that is added gives you the idea that he is singing about love.  naww ・~ヾ(゚ー^*) 
If this doesn’t make you want to keep listening then the next song may be more you style.

If you don’t like the electic up beat-y sad songs, another good song to listen to is the recent MBLAQ’s Mona lisa.





The music feature instruments such as Maracas, guitar and accordion. Mona Lisa has that sound you would most likely hear in South American/Spanish music giving the song a South American/Spanish-y vibe. It is a very up beat song that makes you want to get up and start doing the tango or something haha!! 

For those people who love cute songs a good one is Balloons by DBSK
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcdwauRn394)  ,
Gee by SNSD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7mPqycQ0tQ)  and
Super Junior – Haengbok also known as Happiness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRaKDCrFp0)

If all these don’t tickle your fancy there are always so much more out there! the good thing about the Korean pop industry is that there is different genres of music for different types of people. I’m just starting what could be a wonderful music experience!
OH and before I forget…for those who are interested in kpop and is in Australia there is a Kpop concert Coming on the 12th of November 2011, be sure to come !! :D here is a link to the site: http://www.kpopmusicfest.com.au/

Hope these would tickle your pickle !
Peace
Ann <3