Owl City on cover of June edition of Alt Press

I didn't see this one coming. There must be a lot of young, snotty scene kids pissed off about this one. Oh well, AP will make up for it in July's Warped Tour issue.

Ke$ha coming to Cedar Park Center in August

Here's something for the 2nd-4th Street crowd to get excited about. All you mainstream pop listening, Bobby Bones loving, Domain shoppers of the city rejoice! Practice your sweet dance moves in the mirror and perfect the fist pump by August 3 as the Get Sleezy Tour hits The Cedar Park Center. LMAFO and Spank Rock join headliner Ke$ha. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 8 via Ticket Master.

Watch Ke$ha's music video for her single "Blow" below:

Watch: "E.T." by Katy Perry ft. Kanye West

It's hard to believe this is the same young woman I met at Warped Tour just a few years back. I am not a big fan or anything, but Perry makes good pop music. I was impressed with her new video for her single "E.T." with Kan-yeezy.

The song is blah, but the video is well done. If you like the song, it is available on her latest album Teenage Dream. Video directed by Floria Sigismondi.

Internet Killed The Video Star

This is one of the best music videos I've seen lately. I love the irony and bikini clad zombies, but the song is not in my realm of taste. Still, I thought I'd share as this genre is uber popular here in Austin with the kids.

Hipsters telling hipsters not to date hipsters? I'm Confused

I guess I'm over a year late on this, but someone just sent this video to me today. The group is called Ménage à Twang, which reminds me a little of David Garza's Twang-Twang-Shock-A-Boom. I hope they weren't calling me a hipster or undateable by sending me this. I am certainly not a hipster. I thought some of you might enjoy this so I figured I'd post it. I give them a gold star for creativity. 

More Gaga Covers: "Speechless" by The Material

If you have been on YouTube recently, you can't not come across another Lady Gaga cover song.Most are terrible amatuer attempts at YouTube fame, but occasionally some are pretty good. The last one I posted was from indie singer-songwriter, Lissie. She had a band and guitar for that one.

This one is just a voice and a piano. It comes from one of my favorite pop-punk bands, The Material. Some may have caught them on MTV a few years ago or maybe even played their songs on the video game Rock Band. I saw them at The Red Eyed Fly in 2008 and have followed them ever since. The video above is lead singer Colleen and Jon (who normally plays guitar) on piano. It just goes to show, everyone goes Gaga for Lady Gaga.

John Mayer is for lovers and I want to hate him...

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Oh Em Gee...Vh1 brought back their Story Tellers series, a program I used to watch in the early part of last decade and the early '90s. I own the Sarah McLachlan one on DVD and watched The Smashing Pumpkins episode every time it aired back then. It was a great series where the artist really talked about their songs in an intimate setting, sometimes going "unplugged".

Now VH1 brought it back with some good artists and some I think they could have waited on. One artist that I like that may surprise you about me is John Mayer. I caught the episode today while eating a late breakfast. I never really liked Mayer's music at first, but he grew on me after a while. I did find it impressive that a lot of amazing black artists endorsed him and openly admitted to loving his music. First there was Jay-Z, the Quest Love from The Roots to name a couple. Then I started noticing him on the tabloids with hot celebs, and some not so hot, while waiting in line at the grocery store. Remember the picture with the green Borat swimsuit? Hilarious! How can you not be impressed by the guy?

Album Review: The Boy Who Never by Landon Pigg

Many of you may not know Landon Pigg by name, but you have probably heard his song “Falling In Love At  a Coffee Shop” on AT&T commercials. If you went to the movie theaters to see Whip It, you may recognize his face. Now it is time you get to know Landon Pigg the musician, not the actor or commercial jingle singer. His new album, The Boy Who Never, might just make you forget he acts.

Many of you will purchase The Boy Who Never just because of “Falling In Love At a Coffee Shop”. It’s a soft, poetic love song made for chick flicks, Myspace profile songs and of course commercials. Many know it as the AT& T song, and that is the only thing not to love about it. Pigg’s high pitched vocal stylings take you in; while the cello provides the perfect romantic backdrop Pigg needs to compliment his acoustic guitar. Occasionally the piano drizzle a few notes which really complete the song. At this point, it is already a timeless classic.

As for the rest of The Boy Who Will Never, it is not worthy of the same high praise.  For an album to generate interest based on a near perfect song set the bar high for Pigg. I didn’t expect more hits like “Coffee Shop”.  There are a few good pop songs that people will love, but only Pigg’s hardcore fans will remember them.  It’s a shame really, because Pigg is a talented artist.

“Take A Chance” is good pop song that sounds like something you’d hear by The Fray on a Top 40 radio station. With indie guitar sounds (spacey notes, crunchy guitar) and heavy bass line, it is a song that even pretentious hipster audiences would love. It is a more up tempo love song about letting that special someone in and “taking that chance” on a relationship.

Landon Pigg

www.myspace.com/landonpiggmusic

For those looking for more great ballads from Pigg, “Look So Tired” should give you your fix. Other noteworthy tracks include the brass accompanied “A Ghost” and the folksy “Made For Glory”. Pigg is totally capable of making great pop songs that don’t’ sound like the slow ballads he is best known for. He already proved that to me when he released his This is a Pigg EP.

Landon Pigg is a talented artist who should remain a mainstay in music world and specifically in the Top 40 realm. For those not yet familiar with Pigg, think of him as the love child of James Blunt and The Fray. That’s how he sounds to me. I’d love to see him take high singing voice to a track that rocks a little harder to see how that would sound. Continue to expect big things from Pigg in the future.

Checkout the video for “Falling In Love In a Coffeeshop” off of Landon Pigg’s album, The Boy Who Will Never:

"Coffee Shop" music video for Landon Pigg from Kip Kubin on Vimeo.

For more on Landon Pigg, visit the following links:

Landon Pigg on Twitter

Landon Pigg Official Website

Review published on Double Stereo. For more reviews, interviews, videos, blogs and downloads, visit www.doublestereo.com

Album Review: Hot Mess by Cobra Starship

Fueled By Ramen’s pop punk darling, Cobra Starship, recently released their third album entitled Hot Mess. They are already getting radio play around the country with their first single off Hot Mess, “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Gossip girl actress Leighton Meester. I can't stop singing it. I don't want to love it, but I do.

Does Hot Mess live up to the hype of the smash first single? I wondered the answer to that myself before listening to it all the way through. That’s a lot to live up to.

Click here to read the full album review on Double Stereo

It's True! Panic At The Disco Are Splitting Up!

I didn't see this one coming folks. I remember saw these guys at Stubb's on my 27th birthday with Motion City Soundtrack. At least I can say I saw them live when they were still together. According to their official website, http://www.panicatthedisco.com/, members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker are leaving to pursue other musical endeavors. The other two members, Brendon and Spencer, will continue on as Panic At The Disco. If you were counting on seeing them this summer with Blink 182, have no fear. They still plan to finish out that tour. I'll have to keep checking their website to see what Ryan and John's project will be like.

So, in honor of the once good (not great but good) Panic At The Disco, I posted this video for "I Write The Sins Not Tragedies". It was their best song and can be found on their album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out:

I Write Sins Not Tragedies from Panic At The Disco Fansite on Vimeo.

A Conversation With Adam Siska From The Academy Is

I recently got to sit down with Adam Siska, bassist for The Academy Is, while here in Austin. Siska and The Academy Is lead singer, William Beckett, were on an acoustic tour. There were not big crowds for this tour, as the clubs were smaller and more intimate. It was a big change from the large Warped Tour crowds I had seen them play in front of in previous years. I spoke with Adam about Warped Tour, the acoustic tour with William and even about playing in Latin America for the first time.

Click here to read the full interview with Adam Siska on Double Stereo

New Video From Jason Mraz and Ximena Sarinana

I came across this cool video online today. Pop singer Jason Mraz seems to love duets with hot female singer songwriter types, but then again who doesn't? Remember Mraz's last duo was with Colbie Caillat on the song "Lucky". I wasn't feeling that version too much, it was just another run of the mill top 40 pop song to me. However, I am feeling his new version with Mexican actress and singer, Ximena Sarinana. An MTV Blog, MTV Buzzworthy, actually got something right when it allowed for people to share this video for "La Suerte". A Spanish rendition of Mraz's song with Caillat, Mraz turned a song I wasn't feeling into a song I actually like. Ximena's voice makes the song. According to the MTV Blog, Mraz will be looking to put out a Spanish language version of his album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. When? I am not sure of the date and didn't care enough to surf around looking for it. I have my apprehensions about how it will sound, but I applaud him for at least trying. If only more mainstream artists were bold enough and opened minded to try. Still, I have never been one for doing a cross over album in another language, even from Latino artists trying to sing a Spanish song in English without mastering the language. Yes,that was sort of a stab at my beloved Shakira. It was also a stab at Paulina Rubio and other Latin pop stars who have done the same. Love the Spanish stuff, wish you would have kept it that way.

Here's the video, check it out for yourself and see what you think:

Jason Mraz - New Music - More Music Videos

Find Me on Last FM

This blog goes out to my friends really, but if you are on Last FM feel free to hit me up. Last FM is a social music site that exposes to the world what it is you listen to from your computer. It also has cool radio stations that you can create or that it automatically customizes to your tastes based on what you already listen to. I love it and have used it for a while now, but only six of my friends use it. The fun part other than discovering new music from your friends is making fun of what they listen to. Are there any other music bloggers in Austin out there who use it? I am looking to see what other influential music aficionados are listening to.

If you are in a band and you don't have a Last FM profile, you need to get on it. It is as easy as adding stuff to Wikipedia. You should also have a Last FM button on your myspace page or a link to your Last FM profile on your Facebook fan page.

Ian on Last FM

Oh! And ABout Last Night... Reviewed on cdFuse

Love She Wrote is another member of what I refer to with my friends as “Generation Fall Out Boy”. That is good or bad depending on your musical preferences. If you hate what the Warped Tour has become these days or despise bands will overly colorful t shirts and skinny jeans, no need to keep reading. If you like young, high energy bands with catchy hooks then perhaps you should give Love She Wrote a listen.

Read the full review here on cdFuse

Driver F & Zlam Dunk at Stubb's Friday Night

Two hot young cdFuse artists, Driver F and Zlam Dunk, will be playing Friday at Stubb’s. They will be playing with Austin rock group, Spin Alley, as they release their new album entitled Victims. I have not yet checked out Spin Alley, so I look forward to seeing them for the first time. From what I hear on their myspace page, its sounds a little like 311 meets Faith No More.

I have seen co-headliners Driver F and Zlam Dunk many times this past year. Neither band ever disappoints me. Both bands are young and very high energy, but my comparison stops there. Both are worth checking out, and here’s why:

Driver F has the best album release of 2008 with Chase the White Whale. Don’t believe me? You can listen for yourself here on cdFuse or view their praise on the Driver F myspace page. All those critics and publications can’t be wrong. In addition to their great CD, their live show is the best it has been right now. They always had that “it” factor, but lately they sound more polished. It is a great blend of keys, horns, guitars, and energy. The horns don’t over power but compliment the vocals of Tyler Welsch and (W)Andy Lane. Even your mom will like Driver F.

Zlam Dunk is the hottest young band on the scene since Driver F. Having only been together since last spring, they too continue to improve their already exciting live show. Since they don’t fit a specific genre, I call Zlam Dunk’s music “dance punk”. It is certainly punk enough to mosh to, but hip enough to make you dance. There are lots of drums, keys, guitars, a tambourine and even the quintessential cowbell….because we all need more cowbell. Let me warn you though, their music and live show never slow down. You know when some bands play a couple of fast tracks and slow it down for a song or two? Not the Zlam Dunk guys. This band needs ritalin, but even that probably wouldn’t work.

If you don’t like mosh pits or crowd surfers, avoid the front and post up with me at the bar. I'll see you there!

Cruiserweight CD Release Show at Emo's

Halloween in Austin is always a good time. Downtown gets more crowded and crazier than usual. People come from all over Texas to see all the crazy costumes and especially for the Halloween parties happening all over town. This year for Halloween, I was at Emo’s for a pretty big and important Cruiserweight concert.

Other than being Halloween, last night for Cruiserweight was the CD release show. Last night’s show, (which included Zlam Dunk, Driver F, Mondo Pr!mo and The Pink Spiders) was also drummer Yogi Maxwell’s farewell show. You read that right and the flyer tells no lies. Yogi is not going to be playing shows with them anymore….so they claim. After all, he is a Maxwell and knows all the songs. We will see how long that lasts.

Now I know this is the part where I usually talk about the other bands that played and what I thought, but tonight was all about Cruiserweight. This year, starting with Free Week at Emo’s back in January, I always caught them by accident really. In other words, I was at shows in which they played but was not there for them but rather for other bands that headlined. In addition to Free Week, I saw them play with Driver F at their CD release show at Stubb’s, and then again at Emo’s for the Dynamite Boy Reunion show in April. Finally, with the release of their new album, it was their turn to headline and for a blog feature.

When I arrived at Emo’s The Pink Spiders were in the middle of their set. I saw lead singer Stella Maxwell and her brother/guitarist Urny Maxwell in costume. Stella was dressed as a sexy Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz while Urny was in his little Tin Man hat. For a while there, before they took the stage, I thought that was their only costume. As I and everyone else at Emo’s found out, they had other costume’s on hand for their set.

After setting up, the first Cruiserweight member to take the stage was Urny, all dressed up in his black t-shirt and Slash wig. He even had the big black hat. After he came out, playing the Welcome to the Jungle riff that starts the song, the other members came out in full Guns n Roses costume. During that same time I was wondering how they were going to pull a GnR set with only four members. That questioned was answered when I saw a guy dressed as Izzy come out to play with them. I could be wrong, but I believe it one of the guys from Dynamite Boy.

After a minute or so of teasing the crowd with the Welcome to the Jungle riff, the rest of the band broke into full song and Stella came out as an awesome Axel Rose. She had Axel down to the core, in her long red haired wig, red skin tight pants, shades and black t shirt. She even took on his persona, cussing at everyone and calling the other bands “pussy bands”. I loved it. No other local band in any genre I have seen has as much personality as Cruiserweight. I know a few that come close, but not like Cruiserweight. They also covered Sweet Child of Mine and went backstage to change for their regular set.

After all was said and done with the GnR bit, Stella was back in her Dorothy costume ready to go with a pumped out crowd. They brought their usual high energy and entertaining sets, performing new tracks off of Big Bold Letters as well as old favorites. There was also their older hit singles like Yellow Lights, Goodbye Daily Sadness and Cautionary Tale. Good songs do not get old, as myself and everyone there still enjoy them. The most fun part of every Cruiserweight set I have been to is Stella’s dance battle with whomever is bold enough to challenge her.

Last night Cruiserweight was on their game. It was the best performance I have seen from them in years. Being that they are going on tour starting this week, that polish should carry over to the rest of their tour dates. If you are outside of Austin and are reading this, do go check out Cruiserweight live (minus Yogi now) but practice your moves first.

As far as the album goes, see what I have to say about it on CD Fuse where I do my exclusive album and video reviews. Speaking of videos, word is that Danger Films was the film crew last night taping everything for a live DVD. I can’t wait to see that when it comes out. In the meantime, I got some low grade point and shoot footage of Cruiserweight’s GnR bit. Check it out:

Carolina Liar & Some Power Pop Bands at Emos'

Thursday night The Academy Is show at Emo’s was the ultimate teen rock fest of a concert. I might as well have been a parent. As a matter of fact, this show had more parents there than ACL (not really). Upon arrival, I was starting to wonder if I was in the right place. I showed up to see one of my favorite new bands, Carolina Liar.

When I first got to Emo’s, Hey Monday had just started their set.

They were the second band to go on and already had the crowd excited. I first heard Hey Monday on a Fall Out Boy mix tape I was sent this summer. I know I can’t be the first out there to say this publicly, but one can’t help but draw Paramore comparisons. If Paramore had a younger sibling, Hey Monday would be it. That being said, being compared to Paramore is not a bad thing. Anytime a young Alternative Press looking band of guys has a young female lead, like Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday, Paramore is who you are judged against.

Hey Monday was received well by the young crowd. Their music was a little young for me, but I can see why the kids love it. Their music is fast, energetic and catchy. It is all about the hooks and sing alongs in this young power pop genre. Hey Monday has all those elements. Listen to How Long? and see for yourself. It is their best song off their album “Hold On Tight”.

After Hey Monday, Carolina Liar came on. With the shirts they were wearing, they could have been called Carolina Boy Scouts. I dig the band, but I didn’t quite get the outfits. One of their guitar players looked like the guy who played Stiffler on American Pie and had the hipster headband on. None of the band matched their lead singer, Chad Wolf, who was in a blue cub scout uniform. He also looks a little bit like Jesus with a scarf.

The unusual choice of wardrobe is the only negative thing I have to say about Carolina Liar or their set Thursday. Their radio hit I’m Not Over has been playing on 101X locally for some time now and I sing to it in my truck. Their sound is more indie rock/alternative compared to the rest of the bands on the bill. How they got on this tour or this show baffles me.

Carolina Liar sounded just as good as they do on CD Thursday. Scot Wolf is a phenomenal singer and song writer. He doesn’t lose a step or miss a note live. At least he didn’t Thursday night. He epitomizes what a rock front man should be. He woos the ladies in the crowd while flailing his long hair and scarf, often dropping to his knees. Backed by a good band and great keyboard sounds, Carolina Liar stands out from an over saturated market of indie bands. His best expressions and rock star moves come during Show Me What I’m Looking For and what sounds like an 80s hair metal ballad, Coming to Terms. On Coming to Terms, the key board and over all vibe remind me of old Motley Crue ballads or even bad Cinderella songs. I loved it. The power ballad needs to be brought back to rock. I dug it all.

The young crowd also loved Carolina Liar and sang along to I’m Not Over as they concluded their set with their big hit. It will soon be a timeless classic that Bob plays in his radio station years from now. I still hear it on 101X now. In case you live under a rock or missed the show, check out this clip from the show: