Author: Kristen

Kristen’s 2014 Music Mix – Track 6 – Queen Caveat

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Here it is, the mix of songs that helped define my 2014.

6. Queen Caveat

At the beginning of 2014, Queen Caveat celebrated the release of a new EP with a residency at The Satellite. I made every single one of those shows. I tagged along with the band when they made their Warped Tour debut this summer. When it came time to create a music video for their single, “Breathe”, I was there! I’m not sure what the future holds for this band, but I will be there too…

 

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW 2014 Mix – Track 5 – Vance Joy

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Here it is, the mix of songs that helped define my 2014.

5.Vance Joy

This song, on Vance Joy’s amazing album, Dream Your Life Away, came out in the fall and quickly worked its way up to my most played song of the year.  I saw Vance Joy at SXSW playing in a church. It was the same showcase as Hozier and Sam Smith so to say it was the place to be that night is a bit of an understatement. If I could give out the music awards, “Red Eye” would get record of the year for 2014.

 

~ Kristen

8MM at The Viper Room

Posted on by Kristen

P1570601I’m happy to say that one of my first sets of the New Year belonged to rocker’s 8MM. 8MM is primarily husband and wife due of Sean and Juliette Beavan. Sean brings the rock pedigree and versatile guitar and Juliette brings the voice, the sparkle, and the charm. They were joined by a full band that included guest guitarist Johnny Radtke (Filter, Kill Hannah). All together, they produced sexy, dance-inducing beats, seducing the room towards the stage for a night not soon forgotten.

They began their show with my favorite 8MM tune, the gutsy “Kin”.  They had a seven song set which also included the country tinged, “Between The Devil and Two Black Hearts”, the hip moving “Around the Sun”, and ended with the more progressive “Give It Up” featuring Sean on vocals. The band, per usual, felt very comfortable on the stage, interacting with each other and the audience. Juliette kept the crowd invested as Sean took his “tuning breaks” and took the time to wish everyone a Happy New Year. The good times were felt all around. 8MM fills this seeming void these days of straight up rock music. They prove that rock can still feel relevant, be versatile, and is, at least in my opinion, the go-to genre for a fun time.

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For more on 8MM, check out their website. For musical recommendations, their EP, Between The Devil and Two Black Hearts is my favorite, but they also have some pretty nifty remixes available for those more included to that sort of thing. No shows on the horizon, but we’ll be sure to keep tabs on the band for our concert calendars.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s 2014 Music Mix – Track 4 – Hozier

Posted on by Kristen

Here it is, the mix of songs that helped define my 2014.

4.Hozier

Going into SXSW, Hozier was one of my top picks to check out. By the end of the year, this guy had a hit album, played on TV, sold out tours, and was generally the talk of the town (or at least my office). I’m just glad I got so see him front row in a tiny room. What an experience! “Work Song” is the song I remember him playing live that really got me. It’s still one of my favorites.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s 2014 Music Mix – Track 3 – Pepper’s Ghost

Posted on by Kristen

Here it is, the mix of songs that helped define my 2014.

Pepper's Ghost

 

2014 marks the 10 year anniversary of Pepper’s Ghost’s Shake The Hand That Shook The World. Although the band is no longer together, they still play an important role in my life. When I started DJing for High Voltage Radio, they were one of the first bands I played. When I took a road trip to a college friend’s wedding, Pepper’s Ghost was the playlist. Favorite bands never die.

 

~ Kristen

p.s. I was a camera operator in the above video…

Kristen’s 2014 Mix – Track 2 – Twin Atlantic

Posted on by Kristen

Here it is, the mix of songs that helped define my 2014.

Twin Atlantic

 

I wasn’t sure Twin Atlantic could ever give me an album that came close to 2011’s Free, but this year’s Great Divide lives up to its predecessor. It was the album’s first single, “Heart and Soul” that ultimately made me choose seeing Twin Atlantic at The Troubadour in 2014’s greatest show conflict of the year (something I still don’t want to think about).

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s 2014 Music Mix – Track 1- The All-American Rejects

Posted on by Kristen

Here it is, the mix of songs that helped define my 2014.

All-American Rejects

This might as well be my theme song this year. As I being to make preparations for the next stage of my life, the concept of moving along has come to haunt me. I also saw The All-American Rejects acoustic this year…twice! All the energy of their rock shows + incredibly entertaining story-telling.

 

~ Kristen