Who doesn’t love a good summer road trip? Especially if that road trip involves music. And I’m not just talking about turning up some old-school Madonna and rocking out in the car; I’m talking about days and days of awesome live music once you reach your destination.

Concerts are fun, but outdoor music festivals are memorable. They are life experiences. And they give you a lot more music bang for your buck. Looking to get away this summer? Why not grab some friends, pack up the car and head out to the biggest music festivals of the summer. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out. And if you’re lucky, you might even be able to hit them all! Read More »

There’s something about listening to a woman tear her heart open onstage…husky voice dripping in longing, captivating eyes staring out at the audience, that is truly beautiful.

Women with soul speak for all of us who have gone through heartbreak, fallen in love, cried on the bathroom floor when our hearts fell into the pit of our stomachs after seeing our ex with his new girl… We’ve all been there, and the women who sing about it have been there too, putting everything we’ve cried and screamed about into words.

Though there are always the classics; Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald among countless others, there are women breaking new ground with the same grit, the same heart-wrenching confessions at the mic, and the same beautiful voices gliding over bossa nova grooves, brass, and funky drum beats.

These women have it all. So light some candles, pour yourself a glass of wine and feel empowered, cry, remember, whatever…they’ll take you somewhere and I promise they’ll hold your heart in the palm of their hands the entire time.

*Duffy: when I say she’s going to give Amy Winehouse a run for her money, I mean it.

Download: Rockferry and Mercy Read More »

American Idol makes me feel like vomiting.

There, I said it.

How much longer can this go on? I won’t deny that we have found some incredibly talented singers from this show: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia Burrino….Clay Aiken?

But, with that said, there are about 5 MILLION incredible artists playing in bars, clubs, coffee houses, etc. within a block of my apartment. Los Angeles, Manhattan, Austin, and po’ dunk towns with karaoke are cranking out talent as you read this.

It isn’t that the people on the show aren’t talented, it’s that the whole formula is absurd, obvious, limiting and now, boring.

There is ONE SLOT for each sterotype: Read More »

Think you have an eye for talent? Are you the next Simon, Randy or (God forbid) Paula?

Well, AI won’t be around again for a few months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your talent show fix. (and no, The Singing Bee doesn’t count)

FameCast is an internet-based talent competition where the winner has the opportunity to win $10,000! And in an appreciated twist, the contest isn’t just for singers! Comedians, singers, dancers, directors, and spoken word artists all have a shot at a title in their category.

Fans voted for their favorite performers and all the performers had to do was upload a video of them doing their thing. Way easier than Idol, if you ask me. Read More »