Andrew McMahon

A lot of you might have never heard of Andrew McMahon but to me, he is one of my favourite artists. He has been in two bands (Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin) and is now making music solo. Aside from being an insanely talented at playing the piano, songwriting and singing, he is an amazing person. A very intelligent man but also he has gone through some traumatic life events that have shaped him into who he is today. When he finished the first record for Jack's Mannequin he got some devastating news and found out he had ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia). With his positive attitude and Andy being the fighter he is, he managed to beat it ! :) Though that's not the main focus, I figured I should mention a little part of his back story since I am educated on it. 

I first started listening to Jack's Mannequin when they appeared on the hit TV show "One Tree Hill". Since I am a pianist, when I saw him playing the piano, I was mesmerized by him. This lead me to research his music and listen to it all! His first band was formed when he was in high school and that was Something Corporate, they definitely had a punk-rock sound to their music. While, when Andrew transitioned into Jack's Mannequin it was a bit more towards punk-pop. Both are fantastic bands with lots of albums, but Andrew decided to go solo after years of being in a band. All his songs are very piano-based and sound so different but yet the same. It is clear to tell the difference between these three musical acts, but thats what is great about them, they each have a different sound. His lyric writing is really incredible and it shows through all his songs. He has only released a few songs during his solo career. They are more pop than usual, but there is no complaining, the songs are brilliant. One of my favourite songs off his new EP "The Pop Underground" is Synesthesia.

I've had the privilege to see him in concert with Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin and while he was touring solo. I also got to meet him one time and he was a very lovely guy! So nice and took the time to meet EVERYONE who was in line. He has a very special place in my heart and I will always admire him. I have two tattoos that are both related to him. One says "Swim" and one says "Be Positive" in his writing. Swim is from his song called "Swim" by Jack's Mannequin, which is a song about never giving up and to swim for your life, even though it may not be the greatest at times. That song has always gotten to people and almost everyone can relate to it. I decided to get "be positive", he also has that tattoo, and we both agree that its nice to have it there on your arm, so when times are hard, you are reminded to be positive:) 

I hope you take the time to explore all his music and realize how magical and talented this man is! Also he has a foundation called "Dear Jack Foundation" that is geared towards helping young adults diagnosed with cancer. Check out this website and see if you can help! xx

-Lyndsay

Ellie Goulding

Lately I have a newfound love for british music. I'm aware a lot of classic rock bands come from the UK but I have found that within the 90's and first few years of the 2000's, people have not focused much on british singers and bands. Bands/singers from the UK are becoming big names here in Canada and America, such as Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, Adele, etc. One singer I am very fond of is Ellie Goulding, her voice is as unique as you can get. Her sound can go from soft, sweet melodies to music that makes you want to get up and dance for forever. With the upbeat music in the background to the slow piano sounds, her music definitely has various styles. She has two albums and one deluxe album, called Halcyon Days. That album (Halcyon Days Deluxe) has recently come out and I can say that I do not regret that purchase at all. One song on that album that I love dearly is "I Know You Care". It is one of her slower songs but it is so incredibly beautiful.

I've found that many of her songs reach to me on a personal level and they are filled with emotion and passion, which is what I love about her music. When I start to really enjoy an artist, I often tend to watch interviews of them so I can get a feel of what they are presumably like in real life. Watching interviews of Ellie Goulding did not disappoint, as she seems like one of the most down to earth girls in the music industry. I only expect more great things to happen to her in the future and for her fan-base to increase a lot! 

-- Lyndsay

The 1975

These past few months I have been listening to a band called the 1975. They are a band from Manchester and they are absolutely brilliant. Ever since I heard their first song, I instantly became hooked. They have a major song out right now called "Chocolate" that everyone has been talking about, which is an amazing song, though that is not the song that made me instantly love them. Their song "The City" was the first song I ever heard by them and I just thought it was absolutely wonderful. There music isn't like a typical Manchester band, it is new and refreshing. There is definitely a rock feel and some people have called them a "guitar band." On their debut album "The 1975" most of the music has a theme of love, sex and drugs. Most of the songs on their EP's are haunting but beautiful. "Girls" is one of my current favourite songs by them, their sound is so lovely, I could listen to them all day.

I'm going to see them in concert in a week and a half and I could not be more ecstatic. I reckon it will be amazing and I will fall even more in love with them than I already am. The band prefers everything in black and white, so the focus is not so much on them but focused on the music and as well, so they are "separated from reality". I really think it is a cool idea how they have done that and now they have made an image for their band. The way they are so passionate about their music and know what they want makes them even more desirable. Safe to say, I think I will be listening to them for a long time.

So I decided to start a blog...

As the title says, I decided to start a blog. I have seen many other people do it and thought it would be a pretty interesting thing to do. I'm not the most eloquent writer/speaker, so bear with me but I do hope you enjoy what I have to say.

I figure I will talk about my thoughts, share some of my opinions and mainly talk about music, as it is my one true passion.

If you do come across my blog and enjoy it, then thank you from the bottom of my heart xx

--Lyndsay