Artist(s) of the Week

I'm sorry. I'm a little late, my internet was not cooperating yesterday. To win back your affections I come at you with two, count them two, artists this week.

Artists of the Week: Sick of Sarah and Von Iva



This past Tuesday I went to see Sick of Sarah and Von Iva play at T.T. The Bear's Place in Cambridge, Mass. While the sound wasn't the greatest, the bands put on infectiously fun shows.



I've been a fan of Sick of Sarah for about a year now. This quartet out of Minnesota has a fun, edgy, rock/pop sound that makes their music stand out. With fast drums, shredding guitars and innovative vocals these are some girls to watch. They can also do acoustic in a way that many bands can't or don't anymore.



Von Iva is infectious. This trio out of San Francisco is pure energy, pure fun. Called "electro soul-punk", it seems to fit. If you get a chance to check them out live, do it. You won't regret it. They command a crowd, no matter the size, and make you want to get out there and dance. (And this is from someone who doesn't dance)



Fun Fact: Von Iva played in the movie Yes, Man as Munchausen by Proxy, the backing band of Zooey Deschanel's character.

Week 5 - SoS and Von Iva

Artist of the Week

Yay it's Friday...finals are over and I can "relax" for a couple days anyway.

Artist of the Week: Hunter Valentine



Hunter Valentine is an alternative rock group out of Ontario, Canada. The simple, driving melodies, are catchy without sounding too cliched or too polished. The balance of the guitar and bass form an almost hypnotic spell and the drums form the perfect backdrop for the raw power of the guitars.

The videos for the singles "Staten Island Dream Tour", "Typical" and "Break This" off of their debut album, The Impatient Romantic, are fun (who doesn't love school girls or roller derby?) and provide a glimpse into the personalities behind the music.

Week 4 - Hunter Valentine

Artist of the Week

Yes I know...this was supposed to be up yesterday...I'm sorry, I got distracted by Finals and May 1st stuff...or shiny objects, whatever.

Artist of the Week: Amanda Palmer


Admittedly Amanda Palmer was not going to be artist of the week this week, but being that her birthday was this week, it seems only fair.


Amanda Palmer, solo musician and 1/2 of the brilliance that is the Dresden Dolls. With a style all her own Amanda Palmer makes music a theatrical experience, a self described "Punk Cabaret".


Her solo album "Who Killed Amanda Palmer?" was released in September, and it is absolutely one of my favorite records of the year. I can't get enough of it. From beautiful piano ballads like "Ampersand" to vibrant guitar tracks on "Guitar Hero" the album never feels lacking.



If you have yet to check out her solo album (or any of the Dolls' albums for that matter) do yourself a favor and do it.

Week 3 - Amanda Palmer

Artist of the Week (ok...a little late)

...yes I know Friday has come and gone, with no new post from moi. Sadly, a death in the family has made me unable to post on time. However, here I am, back again, and I come bearing gifts.

Ok, so maybe I don't have gifts, but I do have last weeks Artist of the Week for you, and really shouldn't that be enough?

So without any more ado, cause I've rambled on enough, onto the fun stuff.

Artist of the Week: Kill Hannah



Described by one reviewer as "One part glam rock, one part industrial-pop rock" Kill Hannah is a quintet out of Chicago. Founded in 1994 by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Mat Devine, Kill Hannah's sound is every bit as androgynous as they look.

They've had a couple minor hits with songs like "Kennedy", "Lips Like Morphine", and "Boys and Girls".

With a sound very reminiscent of Garbage, especially in "Kennedy" and "Boys and Girls". You can tell they were an influence, as well as The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, and The Smiths.

Week 2 - Kill Hannah

Record Store Day

Since this is a music blog, I feel it only right to mention that today is Record Store Day.

I just got back from my local record store, where I spent way too much money (of course) and got a ton of free stuff.

So go out and support your local record store, get new music.

Artist of the Week

It is that time...time for the very first Artist of the Week.

*drum roll please*

Artist of the Week: Concrete Blonde


Concrete Blonde is an alternative rock band from the late 80s - early 90s. They released their first album (Concrete Blonde) in 1986, broke up in 1993, reunited in 2001 and officially retired in 2006. They had a few minor hits in "God Is A Bullet" "Caroline" and their most well know "Joey" which reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The poignant vocals of Johnette Napolitano evoke Janis Joplin. Coupled with her poetic lyrics and guitarist Jim Mankey's licks make for a great listening experience.

At times soothing, at times macabre, Concrete Blonde's unique sound is one to check out.

Duckys Music Madness

Introduction Interjection

Who is Ducky?

I'm a college student in love with music.

My music library is vast...I don't even know what I have half the time.

I listen to a wide variety of music, but generally speaking I tend to shy away from country and rap for the most part, although there are exceptions. So you probably won't find too much of that here, but you never know.

I do play music, guitar mostly, but I'm attempting to learn drums and I will occasionally write my own stuff.

Basically music is my life and I want to share my love and knowledge of music with whoever wants it.

And yes...this is obviously all my opinions on music "good" and "bad", I take no offense if you disagree and I hope you don't either.