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Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Calvin Harris - Lollapalooza After Party Reminscing

The summer wouldn't be complete without Lollapalooza. It will no doubt go down as one of the best in recent years. One of the most memorable acts to hit the Lolla stage was Calvin Harris. He not only had festivalgoers at Lolla dancing but he kept it going at his official Lollapalooza after party at Studio Paris



**Above Image Courtesy of Jon Mathias**

This excited editor had a chance to witness the DJ mastermind that is Calvin Harris at the Official Lollapalooza After Party and by no means did he disappoint. From the retractable rooftop at Studio Paris showcasing the Chicago Skyline, to the crazy light show, it had all the makings of a superstar performance. Celebrities even made appearances to party with what is undoubtedly the "it" guy in music right now.




Calvin Harris has become one of the biggest DJ’s in the world and has had a whirlwind last two years. Born in Scotland, Calvin Harris began creating his own electronic music in his teens. Eventually, like so many other musicians, he began promoting his music via social media in hopes of catching his big break. Eventually he caught the eye of a representative from major record label EMI in 2006. His keen eye for unique sounds as well as writing and producing made him a force to be reckoned with.



Along with releasing his own album he began writing and producing for artists like Kylie Minogue, All saints and Kelis. Undoubtedly, the 2012 release of his third solo album “18 Months” was his breakout album. The acclaimed album was filled with collaborations with the likes of hit makers like Ellie Goulding, Rihanna and Ne-Yo. He also took the chance and even did vocals for his now infamous track “Summer”. Calvin Harris was making waves and the world was finally taking notice. Not only are fans lining up to see him but other music artists are rushing to collaborate with him. He is by far one of the most world-renowned DJ’s in electronic dance music today and if his airplay isn’t proof enough, in 2013 he was named the highest-earning DJ by Forbes raking in over $46 million dollars.



The amazing space of Studio Paris in downtown Chicago was the place to be for the official Lolla after party. After a crazy set in Grant Park, Calvin Harris partied the night away with a few lucky Chicagoans August 2nd. Calvin Harris hit the Studio Paris stage at around midnight to a sold out show. From the start you could feel the intensity of the crowd. Calvin played all his hits from this summers anthem “Summer” to the ever-popular “Sweet Nothing” and “We found love”. You know you’re a legitimate star when the crowd knows ever word to your songs. And this crowd did. Calvin Harris played homage to his fellow EDM dj’s such as Swedish House Mafia by mixing some of their more popular tracks. The feeling inside Studio Paris was in one word, electrifying. Everyone was having a blast and everyone was dancing. For this huge fan, it was a definite treat to get to see this man live.

While so much music today has negative connotations, EDM, electronic dance music, has taken on a life of it’s own due to its positive and carefree nature. As a self described EDM fanatic, it was amazing getting to witness one of the best dj’s of our time perform the night away under the perfect summer night sky. Calvin Harris is the real deal and if you get a chance to see him live, take it. He’ll be gracing the stage for a long time to come and I for one am very thankful for that and so is the music industry.

Hideout Block Party & A.V. Fest

I will always remember my first car. It was a 1968, fire-engine red, Cadillac hearse that my grandfather bought me. It only got 6 miles to the gallon, so I mainly drove it from home to school and back. Nonetheless, I have wonderful memories of cruising in my car in the fall, listing to Death Cab for Cutie's album, Plans, play from my makeshift CD player/portable boom box, sitting on the passenger-side floor. To this day, I feel a twinge of nostalgia when the leaves begin to change.



On Friday, September 5th, Death Cab for Cutie headlined the Hideout Block Party and A.V. Fest, here in Chicago, IL. This two day music festival also featured artists like The Handsome Family, The War on Drugs, Valerie June, and Hamilton Leithauser.





Singer and songwriter, Valerie June, who graced the stage the Saturday of the fest, sat down with us to talk about making music and embracing times of silence.

Halfstack Magazine: Your music seems to dabble in a few different genres. How would you best describe your style of music?

Valerie June: I call it Organic Moonshine Roots Music. It's just American music in its southern most forms. An American artist that comes to mind when you use the word dabble is Tom Waits. What a dabbler!

HS: What inspires you most when writing music?

VJ: I'm greatly inspired by silence. Silence makes me want to make music!

HS:  How did you get involved with this year's Hideout Block Party and Onion A.V. Fest?

VJ:  I reckon it was my Chicago based booking agency, Billions Corporation, ultimately.  But, I was performing a couple years ago at The Hideout with a band called The Wandering.  After sound check, we went upstairs and I was fascinated by Mavis Staples' throne.  They told me she sat in it at the Hideout Block Party.  I secretly planted a wish in that moment to perform for the block party one day!

HS:  Are there any other artists this weekend you are excited to see perform?

VJ: The Funky Meters!


HS:  You have collaborated with other artists, such as Old Crow Medicine show in the past.  What is your favorite thing about collaborating with other musicians?
 
VJ:  I love learning how other songwriters receive or write tunes.  It's magical!


HS:  If you could work with any musician that you haven’t yet, dead or alive, who would you aspire to make music with?

 VJ:  Now, I can't tell ya all my secrets!  I have a list, but I learned early on in the wishing game that those things you deeply want that seem beyond your reach, you should treat delicately and rarely speak of while they are in the incubator.

HS:  Your latest album, “Pushin’ Against A Stone’ featured a few other artists.  Who worked on the album with you?

 VJ:  Dan Auerbach [of The Black Keys] and Booker T. Jones.

HS:  You were nominated for a Blues Music Award this year for your album, ‘Pushin’ Against A Stone’.  Can you tell us a little bit about that great achievement?

 VJ: Wow!  I'm honored, but I can't really say much besides HUGE THANKS.

HS:  Other than writing and performing music, what other ways do you enjoy spending your time?

 VJ:  Walking, yoga, meditating, baths; I'm pretty up, so I tend to seek calming adventures!

HS:  What can we look forward to next from Valerie June?

 VJ:  I'm working with the Goddess on the future.  It will be as she wishes to see!'

Make sure you check out the full editorial gallery in the Fall issue of Halfstack HERE!



Halfstack's September playlist refresh

Music is at the heart of September’s issue in Halfstack Magazine. To keep in line with this month’s theme, this week’s health and fitness article includes a compilation of songs to motivate you during and energize your workouts:




  • “Levels – Radio Edit” by Avicii
  • “How We Party – Original Mix” by R3hab, Vinai
  • “Bounce – Extended Mix – feat. Kelis” by Calvin Harris
  • “Echo – Original Mix” by BlasterJaxx
  • “Stay the Night – feat. Haylee Williams” by Zedd & Haylee Williams
  • “You Lift Me Up (Live City Remix)” by Mikey Wax
  • “Recess” by Skrillex
  • “One – Radio Edit” by Swedish House Mafia
  • “Up All Night” by Arty & Angel Taylor
  • “Animals” by Martin Garrix
  • “Million Voices – Radio Edit” by Otto Knows
  • “Calling (Lose My Mind) – Radio Edit” by Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso
  • “Break Free” by Ariana Grande & Zedd
  • “Tell Me When You’re Ready” by Flo Rida & Future
  • “You Make Me” by Avicii
  • “Va Va Voom” – Nicki Minaj
  • “Blame” by Calvin Harris & John Newman

Listen to the full playlist on Spotify at “Halfstack’s September Playlist Refresh” by blohmann8. Jam on.

Jin: Taking Hip-Hop and Technology by Storm with New Maturi App Project

Written by: Dana Rettig as featured in Halfstack's Fall Issue. Read the entire issue today HERE.

Japanese native, Jin, is not your average producer and musician. He is a game changer who believes in the essence of evolution that is sure help others become more advanced in their everyday life.  After taking the music world by storm, Jin decided to establish something that will change the world of technology forever: create his own app device for the aspiring artists to help display their talent.


Jin’s latest device, MaTuRi, allows the world to come together and enjoy their favorite artists among other things.  Although Jin is interested in producing and writing lyrics, Jin is more interested in taking Maturi to another level by promoting the app worldwide.  “We are producing many artists such as my own band, High Speed Boyz, but right now, I am more interested in taking the technology world to a higher level and to use MaTuRi to demonstrate a better and more exciting app.”
 
Less than a month after the app launch, Jin has received excellent response from some the hottest artists in the industry.  In the interview, Jin stated his elation towards his newest project. “I am very happy to hear that many websites picked up Maturi and that lots of artists are interested in creating their own MaTuri apps,” Jin said. “The unprecedented nature of this app system, we believe, will attract many more.”



With Jin’s newest project on display in Japan, he is optimistic that his work of art will take technology to another level of today’s world of ever-changing technology trends. “I am hoping that MaTuRi will be one of the answers and that many artists understand its capability,” he explained. “It’s a demo stage in Japan. The Japanese version should be available in the beginning of 2015.”

Now that everything is in order, what is next move to getting people to take notice of his newest project? “My hope is for every artist to create their own free app through MaTuRi and that those apps would become the bridge between artists and music listeners. The ultimate goal, of course, is to fuse the power of humans and technology, always with a thought of the future in mind. With that in mind, MaTuRi has more than 10 patent technologies,” he explained. He added: “Not to mention, I am very interested in how to improve the connected speed of iCloud,” Jin concluded.

For more information about Jin’s newest app and latest musical project, you can reach Jin on Twitter at Jin_X. Or go to www.maturisystem.com

Music Inspired Fashion for Her

Hey Halfstakcers! We have found some great music inspired fashion! Check out these edgy tops to pair with some distressed jeans to get a chic yet artsy look.



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Check out these styles from brands like NastyGal and more!

Halfstack Fall Issue Sneak Peek: AV Music Fest

Here's a few snapshots from Halfstacker Perry's visit to AV Music Fest! Be sure to check out her whole gallery in the upcoming issue of Halfstack Magazine releasing Wednesday Sept. 17, 2014! You can check out more information on the festival at: http://www.hideoutblockpartyavfest.com

 

Download our latest issue at: www.issuu.com/halfstackmag

Halfstack Fall Issue Sneak Peeks: Meet Elizabeth Lyons

Written by: Jennifer Lezan as featured in Halfstack's Fall Issue

She’s the All American girl. A gorgeous, sweet and funny young lady with an infectious laugh that is sure to win the hearts of many. On top of that, the girl can sing. It’s no surprise that The Country Music Association dubbed Elizabeth Lyons an artist to watch this year. Her ITunes chart topping single “Party Rules” has been on the new and noteworthy page and has been bumping in many a country girl’s jeep all summer long. As a Chicago native, she’s a country singer with a city girl heart. Halfstack had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth at The Windy City BBQ and she graciously took some time to complete an interview with us.  Read on to learn more about the country music scene’s sweetheart: Elizabeth Lyons.



Q&A

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself, how you started and what inspired you to chase your country star dreams?


I love to laugh, make people smile and give big hugs! I have been in 18 musical theatre productions. I have always loved singing & dancing & piano & music! My parents said your college education comes before the country star music dream & said I could go to Nashville and pursue my country star dreams but only if I attended college while pursuing the dream. I am thankful for their strong belief in education. I'm proud to say I did it: pursued music dream & graduated from Vanderbilt University a year ago...sometimes I forget I have a degree in film. Until someone asks me about movies then I won't stop talking about classic Hollywood films or Rom Coms....or I decide to make a funny video at Wal-Mart in between a radio interview or boating with my family just because its what I love to do. My sisters and I used to make music videos, a very different experience than when I made my first music video. I went from dancing in my sisters room to dancing in a field with one of the best directors (Mason Dixon) in country music. Traveling to do a tour in the Midwest the day the music video charted #8 on iTunes Country Music Video Charts & #18 on All-Genre was the best way to celebrate as I'm from the Midwest!

People question the Midwest for being country: "those fly over states" Jason Aldean sings about are some of the top corn producing agricultural states in the world- some of the best soil/ or in the words of FGL: Dirt ! Recently announced Garth Brooks will open his tour in Chicago: 5 sold out shows- so I know country is alive and well in the heartland of America. Country became a part of my heart and soul spending every childhood summer in Northern Iowa: picking strawberries in my bikini, fishing for cat fish with my Grandpa, and making strawberry jam with my Grandma.

While I love the country, I'm also a city girl who loves to meticulously read menus at restaurants and window shop... Always on the search for good shoes and anything sparkly, diamonds, cheetah, or leather. I always try and look my best but my sorority sister and I used to laugh I usually look horrible when I see my crush! I always had a position in my sorority house but never wore their shirts because I'd rather wear a cute dress. Greek life definitely helped me get my first album (co-wrote all 6 songs EP) to chart #42 on iTunes Country Album Charts and All Time Bestsellers Albums Under $8 for months & #10 on Billboard Heatseekers East North Central. To celebrate I went and got some corn bread and made my Rice Krispie treats (which are the best! I swear a full stick of butter is the key).

I made 50 batches for all the radio stations I visited driving over 9500 miles this summer I was reminded how much I love to sing to the Spice Girls Notorious BIG Dixie Chicks and Rolling Stones. All the driving was worth it because I got to meet all kinds of people and the song has charted #87 on media base and #96 on music Row.

Check Elizabeth Lyons out online:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/elizabeth-lyons-ep/id572518758
Web: www.elizabethlyonsmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElizabethLyonsMusic


For the full article, check back Wednesday Sept. 17, 2014 to read the complete story in Halfstack’s Fall 2014 Issue. You can download the latest copy of the magazine at: www.issuu.com/halfstackmag

Music Must Haves

Hey Halfstackers! Before we head back to school here are our music must haves! Great new headphones, speakers, and more all at reasonable prices!


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