21 Days of (non-traditional) Christmas!

As I've previously mentioned, I like funkified Christmas music.  And those that challenge traditional Christmas hymns and the classics are winners in my book.  Crystal Theory's Chillout Christmas album is the combination of Esthero & Mandalay (now I am gonna have to pull their album out!), a true vibe to put you into a candy cane trance.  Listen to White Christmas below.

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Happy Halloween!

Have a safe & Happy Halloween everyone!

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PSA: It Gets Better - Todrick Hall

You should already be aware of the amazing It Gets Better campaign.  So many celebrities, musicians, and everyday people have come together to let the youth today know that it will get better - the bullying, of any type, will stop and you will leave all of that behind you.  You will become a better person - a bigger person.  We here at Wonky Pop want the youth of the world to know - gay, straight, bisexual, black, white, Christian, muslim, whatever walk of life you come from - that it will get better.  Shake off the words that hit you hard and knock you down.  Dust yourself off and continue to move forward.  Life will get better.  Thank you Todrick Hall for this incredible message via song.



Thanks Rocky.

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You Can Take the Boy Out of the Country but...

Let's face it.  I have been and always will be, a small town boy from Minnesota.  Though I may live in San Francisco now, I can't get forget my upbringing.  And to be honest, I hope I never do.  I'm thankful for my large palette for musical flavors.  I sometimes wish I shared the same for food (though that could be dangerous).  Which is why with every heaping of pop, there's gotta be a little bit of country.

Sara Evans is getting ready to release her new album sometime next year and I'm in love with her first single A Little Bit Stronger.  She's just released the video - simply done, but I could do without the short "web cam" clips.  I can't get over the uniqueness of her voice for a country singer - if she wanted to, she could be a strong pop ballad singer, next to the likes of Celine Dion and (old school) Mariah Carey.  If you haven't heard her rendition of Westlife's No Place That Far, then you're definitely sitting there thinking I'm nuts for even making such a statement.  I mean hell, if Shania Twain can do it, so could Sara!

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This Week's Album You Can't Live Without

I can't live without music in general therefore there are so many albums that I would classify as ones I Can't Live Without.  One that immediately comes to mind would have to be Fumbling Towards Ecstasy by Sarah McLachlan. This is the quintessential, melancholy, rainy day album.  However to me, it defines a period in my life where I struggled with the fact that I was painfully shy and introverted. This was the first album that I ever bought that effected me profoundly on such a deep level.

I remember when I first heard the song Possession on the radio- I couldn't believe how pure and honest her voice was. Beyond Possession, the whole album really spoke to me. There was one song in particular on that album titled Elsewhere that was the definition of my life. There is a verse, The quiet child awaits that day when she can break free of the mold that clings like desperation. That quiet child was (and still is for the most part) ME. I can recall sitting in my room for hours with that album playing on my Aiwa Boombox and trying to learn every song on my flute. I wanted to be able to sing like her, with the tonality that she had and the ease of which she could switch from a chest voice to a falsetto....I still wish I could sing like that....but I thought that if I couldn't do that, I would sing through my flute. 

As embarrassing as this all is, I really feel it was the first album that shaped my current taste in music.  To this day, when I put on that album, I completely become that same person that I was....sitting in my room, in my McLachlan-esque world. Oh, and if you want to hear some insane vocal range, listen to Fear below....amazing!




Posted by SarahFreakin'

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Reliving the Moment: #1

Reliving the Moment: Another new series we are going to feature on the blog are moments we just have to relive again and again and again!  Our contributors are going to get personal and emotional...and they may even cry (or make you cry in the process).  At the very least, they'll jog your memory with some of the best moments in music history.

Amazing.  Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone paying tribute to Janis Joplin at the 2005 Grammys. This was Melissa's first public appearance since being diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months prior. While still bald from chemo she strutted her stuff on stage as if screaming to the world, 'I will not let this define me.' Following suite, she gave a performance that will clearly go down in history as one of the best Grammy moments of all time. This was true women empowerment at it's finest. It gave new meaning to the lyrics I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough. Keep on rockin' girl.

Posted by Snapshot

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SOTD: Elisa "Gift"

Must be in a sentimental mood today.  Damn colds always do this to me!

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VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Are you enjoying Wonky Pop?  Well, vote Wonky Pop as best music blog for the BT Music Digital Awards!

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This week's Album you can't live without

In early 2000, unless you were like me and just couldn't get any rest, you didn't know who Lifehouse was or even familiar with the song Hanging By A Moment.  They aired their first single from their debut album No Name Face on VH1's Insomniac music videos.  If you were being played between the hours of 4am and 11am, you were probably not that well known.  But it was a way to get your music out there, for those college students like me who just happened to be awake.  For some good reason, their song struck a good note with me and I couldn't get enough.

Though starting as a Christian Rock band that frequently performed at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Malibu, Lifehouse hit the mainstream in 2001 with Hanging By A Moment.  The single even beat out Alicia Keys & Janet Jackson on the Billboard Hot 100 that year for #1 hit.  It has sold over 4 million copies worldwide and still is one of their most stand-out albums since the band's creation.

No Name Face will be an album that I will never retire.  Besides their first hit, other songs that really resonate with me are Breathing, Simon and of course the power ballad Everything.  I remember hearing Everything for the first time, while sitting in my car at a campus retreat.  Maybe it was the hollowness of the first few verses, or the way Jason Wade poured his heart into the chorus, but it really hit home.  I remember sobbing uncontrollably and just letting myself go.  I had all of this pent up agression and self loathing and this song was just what I needed to get it out.  

I've been fortunate to see Lifehouse perform more than 5 times in my lifetime and I hope they continue to grow and mature as a band.  Not once have they let me down at a live show and every album has its own story to tell.  

No Name Face is that album that really shows one just how powerful music is and can be.  Whether you are spiritual or not, this album will go straight to your heart and into your soul.  I'm not being cheesy, I'm being real.  Seriously, just listen.

Lifehouse - Everything

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I feel like God's playing a cruel joke on me

No, seriously.  Don't judge.  I've driven 5 miles, more than 380 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, to escape the fog & the cold that refuses to leave the Bay Area.  And what does God hand me while I'm down here?  More effing fog!  Did it follow me down here?  Does he have some ill-will for me?  Did I wrong it in some way?  I just wanted one weekend, with sun and 80 degree weather.  And God decides that this is the weekend the shit-ass weather has to not only consume San Francisco but also an area so far south, it could be in another state!

Fortunately, as I type this @ the Santa Barbara Borders downtown, there is sun.  But who knows how long it will last.  So far, the only enjoyment of this trip has been the group of dolphins that swam on over to the beach by our hotel.  That was pretty sweet.  

God, shed your light- isn't that how it's supposed to go? 

Now don't get all crazy thinking I'm a Bible banger or the like.  I'm really not about to get into my spiritual & religious beliefs on here.  This is a site about music, right?  And the occasional "pity me" party can't hurt?  I suppose I should just lighten up... or is it, light up? 

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Get that heart pumping

California has a reputation that it's always warm and sunny.  Well that is not the case for Northern California, especially this summer in San Francisco.  With everyone's eyes and ears on the happenings of the Prop 8 trial, most are oblivious to the constant grey fog, engulfing the city on a daily basis.  Though San Francisco has always been known to have an "Indian Summer," this is getting a bit ridiculous.  I feel like I haven't seen the sun in a few weeks, the temperature never seems to reach above 62 and it's always around 50 degrees at night.  Where's my motivation to race home to enjoy the few remaining hours of sunshine?  Where's my motivation to do anything, if that?  Well, thank God there is some good new music out there to keep my heart rate up when I'm at my fog covered gym, just hoping the sun will peak it's head out and shine thru the rusty old Potrero Hill windows.

Jonsi (some of you may know of him as the lead singer from Sigur Ros) is currently on my "Stairmaster" playlist (I couldn't come up with a more creative name for it) and the song "Animal Arithmetic" came on right as I stepped onto the stair master.  Motivation I desperately needed this morning, from this Icelandic genius.  The video is just as heart racing as is the song, without being "pop sounding" or dance/techno style.  It was perfect to get my heart racing and to stay motivated, knowing I still had to drag my ass to the dungeon office today.  Hope this helps your Thirsty Thursday!

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It's official: I've overdosed on music

You read that headline correctly.  Like a drug addict, I've officially overdosed on music these past few days.  Yesterday, my head began to spin after receiving a bunch of new stuff - amazingly good new stuff - via emails and by word of fellow bloggers & tweeters/twotters/tweakers...  There's so much I want to share with you, but having a full time job can sometimes restrict me from getting to it fast enough.  So over the next few days, expect to be introduced to a lot of new great artists - ones you should definitely be watching.

On another fun note, the Wonky Pop blog format will be changing once again in the next couple of weeks.  I am extremely excited to revamp this site to bring you nothing but the best in music.

If you have any suggestions/comments/questions etc, as always, feel free to Twitter me, Facebook me or email me at wonkypopp@gmail.com

Happy Humpty Dumpty Day!

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Lather Rinse Repeat

Throughout the rolling hills of San Francisco, people were blasting their sounds of victory from Love vs. Hate last night.  Though most of it was probably tunes you'd hear at gay bars, the energy in the air was so different than November 2008, when Prop 8 was first voted into place.  This country is on a way to change.  Moving on... despite a few postings about poop lyrics and flop movies, I wanted to share with you some more songs that are on rePEAT on my iPOD.  Happy Thirsty Thursday!

Keane ft. K'Naan - "Stop For a Minute" - catchy tune, has a OneRepublic feel to it.

Stop For A Minute (Feat Kanaan) - Keane

Kelly Rowland - "Rose Colored Glasses" - absolutely LOVE this song.  The lyrics are great, the upbeat ballad is just perfect.  If this is any indication of what her new album will be like, it's gonna be damn good.  It's so nice to hear Kelly with out that homeless guy.

Rose Colored Glasses

Robyn - "Cry When You Get Older" - nothing beats seeing this girl live but damn, this song is just feel good summer.

Cry When You Get Older by robyn

Carmen Reece - "Right Here" (Dave Aude Club Mix) - this will have you on your toes!

Right Here (Dave Aude Club Mix) - Carmen Reece by Wonky Pop

Natalia Kills - "Mirrors" - seductive blend of Rihanna, Lady Gaga & Xtina.  Also check out "Zombie."  She is one to watch!

Natalia Kills - Mirrors 

Smashing Pumpkins - "Tonight Tonight" - nothing like 90's rock!  

tonight tonight.smashing pumpkins

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PSA: Congratulations, you sound good with AUTOTUNE.

This.Needs.To.Stop!  Stop, please!  Networks, stop telling your reality "stars" that they can sing!  Seriously, they can't!  Nice that you sound good with AutoTune.  Congratulations - maybe some day they will add the category of "Best Song With AutoTune by a Tool" category to the Grammys.  I'm sure these hopefuls are thinking it will.  Listen if you dare.

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TODAY IS THE DAY!

These incredible musicians are taking over the San Francisco Mezzanine venue!  I have waited years to see the lovely Robyn.  I don't need you to pull out any of your old hits (well, maybe "Do You Know") - just please be sure to sing "Fembot", "Dancing On My Own", "Hang With Me" and "Cry When You Get Older."  Thank you for being one of the great musicians who inspired me to start this blog - and share with the world your musical talent.  Continue to amaze us!  And be sure to notice the 3 guys wearing our very own "Initiating Slut Mode" tshirts :)  We made them just for you!  Kelis, please pull out "Milkshake", "Bossy" & "Trick Me."  Anything from your new album will get us dancing.  And Dan Black, get the beats going and wow us - I know you will!  Can't wait to experience your music live tonight!  

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Summer Tunes (halfway point)

Though it doesn't always feel like summer in San Francisco, when I get onto the 580/80 and head back into the city from the East Bay, I'm that it is.  As I make my way over the Bay Bridge, the dense fog starts to swallow up San Francisco and the temperature drops a good 12 degrees.  It's summer alright!  (Summer's in SF are typically August-October FYI.)

Though we're already halfway thru the summer, I don't have to go to school in the fall.  My schedule stays the same.  And I don't have to think about leaves falling off the trees, turning colors and then the nasty white shit falls from the sky.  Thank God I live in Northern California.  If it ever snows in San Francisco, I'll be on the next flight outta here and on my way to San Diego.  I left Minnesota for a reason.

For those of you baking in the heat back east, here's some good tunes that's had me enjoying my summer so far (some old, some new - and a note or two).  You can't find all of these on iTunes (Apple isn't always on top!) but most are on Legalsounds.  It beats paying $18 for an imported album.

Stone Temple Pilots - "Core" - Long Beach, CA - a classic 90's album

Kevin Rudolf - "To the Sky" - NY, NY (currently Miami) - this will keep you driving for hours.  Many of you probably remember his hit "Let It Rock."  This album will have you hooked.

Naomi - "The Big Shapes" - Germany - it's Pet Shop Boys meets Mute Math & the lighter side of Muse.

Example - "Won't Go Quietly" - UK - TripHop/HipHop/Electronica & Dance.  It's amazing and I have this one on repeat.  You won't be disappointed!  This is in the running for my favorite album of 2010.

Taio Cruz - "Rokstarr" - UK - A perfect blend of R&B, Hip-Hop & Dance.  I fell in love with Taio's musical style while in London last Thanksgiving and his first album "Departure." 

Robyn - "Body Talk Pt. 1" - Sweden - Of course this summer would NOT be complete without Robyn.  This album is incredible.  Especially "Fembot" and "None of Dem."  Cannot wait for "Body Talk Pt. 2" releasing in the UK September 6th!  A US release date has not been issued yet.

Backstreet Boys - "Black & Blue" - Orlando, FL - I'm sure it's due to their recent appearance at SF Pride that I started re-living my late high school and early college years... and I'm not ashamed to admit, I love the BSBoys.  And "Black & Blue" was highly underrated- all because it strayed away from their usual.

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breaking the silence after short hiatus

Sorry to my fellow Wonky Poppers for being so M.I.A. these past few days (almost a week I guess huh?).  I was lost in the wonderful world of oHIo.  It was surprisingly a nice break from the homeless-ness, liberal crazy & pot-infested beautiful city San Francisco.  It felt an awful lot like Minnesota.  Especially when my boyfriend's family decided to cut down a living tree from the front yard of their house at 8 o'clock at night!  Good thing I got that on video - maybe I'll have to throw that up on YouTube soon.

Maybe one day I can focus on this blog and not have to work full time- but I don't foresee that happening anytime soon.  In the meantime, take a listen to this girl that I am loving right now - Lena Meyer-Landrut.  The German singer set a record by having three top five singles with her debuting album "My Cassette Player."  She's already sold more than 400,000 copies in German, most likely due to her winning the Eurovision Song Contest this year.

She has a similar singing style to that of Kate Nash and an incredible mature voice for a 19 year old girl.  I love it because it's not one of those covered in sugar canes and gum drop type voices.  It's raw and unique and stands out.  Though her album has not released in the USA (big surprise there because the USA can't seem to embrace these great artists), it is available on Legalsounds.  I love her cover of Jason Mraz's "Mr. Curiousity" as well as Adele's "My Same."  She's had some great writers on this album, including Ellie Goulding, another favorite of Wonky Pop.  Here's her hit "Satellite" below.  I just wish the video was a bit more exciting for such a fun, head-bopping song!  So instead of her official  video, here's Lena singing live.

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No, really, it's not bong resin

Here's the worlds' first mobile recorded music video, ever.  Created with the iPhone 4G.  Sidenote: iOS 4.0 screwed my 3G.  Thanks a lot Apple.

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Gayest.Posting.Ever.

It's San Francisco Pride (and NYC pride, Minnesota & Chicago pride) this weekend and in honor of that gayness, my gayness and the gayness of this blog, here are some of my favorite queer tunes for the summer (and acts coming to San Francisco in honor of pride or this summer).  Gay enough for you?

Happy Pride everyone!  Be safe this weekend!

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My favorite girl is leaving on a jet plane

Today is the day that my lil' girl Boo (aka my American Tabby cat named after the girl in Monsters Inc.) is heading back East to Connecticut to be with my family.  I know what you're thinking, she's a cat.  What's the big deal?

Well, Boo has been with me for the past 7 years and has been that loyal friend and companion.  She's moved with me from place to place as I tried to find a home.  Yeah, kinda like a dog, she actually knows that I'm her Dad and comes to me when I'm around.  She listens to me, listens to my crazy banter, my insane variety of music and always gives me that look that says "what the hell is wrong with you?"  She's brought me a lot of humor, love and energy over the past few years.  And now it's time to say goodbye, at least for awhile.

This was a decision not easily made but sometimes you have to give and take in life.  I know that my family back east will take care of her as if she was their own and she's in good hands.  The best part of her living with my family is that I can see her whenever I go home.  She'll always be my little girl.

Love you, Boo.

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