Life of a Rock Star™

Music News #LOARS

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-05-15T12:12:28-07:00

Her new album was just released on the 28th of April, she played a Comedy for a Cause benefit on May 9th, and the artist just finished playing multiple tour dates from New Jersey to DC with Ryan Cabrera, Tyler Hilton, and Teddy Geiger--three boys she calls "fun" and "flirty." ...On her 4th of what will be five separate releases for a 20 song debut album "Skitszo Part 4," Carr's idiosyncratic pop sound is equal parts melodious and pure hearted fun. ..."Once In A While" is French Montana's opening track on debut album "Excuse My French" featuring Max B that kicks of this hardcore East Coast Rap freshman effort (set for release on May 21st) with a one-two punch. ...This soul heavy song is fabulous retro R&B--a must for every sexy lounge playlist--that infuses everything we miss about the 20s with everything we love about the modern day sound of Coco O. ...With his North American Summer Tour kicking off the 1st of June, Frank Turner has released a new music video for "The Way I Tend To Be." ...You can pretty much guess he won me over from the get-go with that, but truth be told--Alexis Babini who's been on tour with Aaron Carter--had me at "Shut Up and Kiss Me."

One Direction, Olly Murs, Jessie J, & Union J All Come Together for Comic Relief Charity Red Nose Day

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-18T17:48:14-08:00

She looks stunning. #comicrelief twitter.com/danwootton/sta…

— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) March 15, 2013 ...(Pictured left: One Direction in their Red Noses in support of Red Nose Day 15th March for Comic Relief charity. ...One Direction has recorded and released yesterday, 17 February 2013 a remake of "One Way Or Another" (buy it on iTunes in the UK here) and is donating the proceeds to Comic Relief. These charitable boys have stolen the hearts of Comic Relief. via www.rednoseday.com: "We’re a bit in love with One Direction, and not just because they’ve recorded the ace Red Nose Day single. ...She's going to need it… Jessie J will be shaving off her hair to help raise money in a "hair-raising dare" to help raise money for Red Nose Day. ...Harry says: "Our parents worry about us growing up but here they have to deal with their babies getting pneumonia and diarrhea, common killers in Ghana which can be prevented with a course of vaccinations."

Linkin Park Mike Shinoda Talks Evolution of Linkin Park & Emerging Artists Contest

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-18T09:27:26-08:00

Linkin Park, Mike Shinoda, talks about the creation of Linkin Park--endless weekends of recording in his room--AND working with Amplify, Hyundai and The Recording Academy in support of the GRAMMY® Center Stage's new project. ...New bands, artists and singer songwriters can upload their song for a chance to win either a studio session with a GRAMMY® producer, a music video by a noted director or tour support with an opening act slot on a major tour or music festival. ...Mike Shinoda went on to explain, "There was a point at which a couple of friends and I had a tape of some stuff that we thought we had made that was pretty cool and we sent it to a guy--an A&R rep who actually…had a mailing address included in one of the cds that we owned. ...He's looking at me like 'Kid, whatever you're doing, when you get to the point where you can actually do it in a professional environment, he's like, 'I wanna hear every step of the way just keep sending me demos. ...The GRAMMYS® is a very deep network...when it comes down to the people who are selected for this...it's going to be tailored to whatever the artist's dream scenario is. ...What we like to do is work with the artist and help create that content for them and give them a platform for which they can show it."

Passenger "Let Her Go" Climbing Global Charts

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-15T17:36:28-08:00

We added his song "Let Her Go" to our Love Songs Playlist and five months later we see this song jumping all over the top ten iTunes music charts. If you haven't downloaded Passenger's album "All The Little Lights" with "Let Her Go" on it, it's a must-add to your playlist. ...Download “Let Her Go” on iTunes “Only know you’re high when you’ve been feeling low, only hate the road when you’re missing home. ...Interview with Singer / Songwriter Mike Rosenberg of Passenger on his new album "All The Little Lights" and his Concert Tour with Ed Sheeran ...Passenger opens for the Ed Sheeran concert on tour throughout the U.S., and while Mike Rosenberg--the singer songwriter of Passenger music--is by no means new to the music scene, his sound is now being heard and discovered by the masses, and they are loving what they hear. ...[“Let Her Go” song lyrics: “Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low, only hate the road when you’re missing home.

The 1975 Have Just Released Free Sex EP 7-Track Remix

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-15T10:23:15-08:00

"I want our music to be a part of people’s lives, properly” singer Matty Healy has said of his band. ...The 1975 has just released a free "Sex" EP 7 song remix--which you can download at the1975.com by providing your email address to the band. ...I got asked to leave, I never actually got expelled…”) transitioning to public school at the age of fourteen he started drumming in a punk band with eventual band mates Adam Hann (guitar) and Ross MacDonald (bass). ...“I got really obsessed with the idea behind Patricia Arquette’s character in True Romance when I was about eighteen,” Matty recalls “That craving for the bad boy in that film it’s so sexualized, and the gore with the sexual lust really merges together. ...“We said ‘we’re not desperate to be famous, we’re not desperate to be in a massive band, let’s do it our way, on our terms, and make sure that our projection of ourselves is controlled by us’.” ...The 1975 have knocked it out of the park with "Chocolate," therefore we couldn't help but knock everything off the calendar and move the hit tune into this week's slot for Song of the Week.

The Lonely Island "YOLO feat. Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-14T14:21:00-08:00

Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar" Song of the Week ...Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar" just released on January 27th of this year makes Song of the Week. And while this song is comical, we really do believe that there is no such thing as too much Purell. ...Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar" made Song of the Week because we have found ourselves saying most--maybe all--of these things in massive paranoia sincerity. ...FINALLY: In a sick way we're kind of turned on by Adam singing, "Cook your meat ’til it’s done." Which is proof that when you're as sexy as Adam Levine, it doesn't matter what you say, every syllable you utter sounds hot.

Deadmau5 & Kylie Minogue Rock Post Grammy Awards Benefit at HOB Sunset

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-14T13:17:04-08:00

We love when music and charity collides and it did so in a big way on Sunday night when Roc Nation and Three Six Zero brought out amazing talent to benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Post Grammy Awards, the party to be at has become the House of Blues Sunset Strip charity benefit by Roc nation and Three Six Zero Group. Jay Z and Beyoncé showed up to throw support behind The Children’s Orthopaedic Center benefit Sunday night February 10th at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. ...14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, February 10th, for the second year in a row, the biggest night and biggest names in music converged at House of Blues on Sunset for a sold-out post-Grammy charity concert presented by Roc Nation and Three Six Zero Group. ..."Producing an event during GRAMMY week is a great time to benefit and highlight the Children's Orthopaedic program" says Dean Wilson, President of Three Six Zero Group, "Thank you to all the artists who performed and everybody that made donations that helped make this event such a success." "We cannot express enough our thanks to Roc Nation, Three Six Zero, House of Blues and all the amazing artists who donated their time and talent for this amazing event," said David Skaggs, MD, Director of the Children's Orthopaedic Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Country Music Awards Nominations Announced With Eric Church On Top

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-13T10:45:59-08:00

Also leading the nominations count are Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Eli Young Band, and Florida Georgia Line. ...Church also earned nominations for Single of the Year for "Springsteen" and for Vocal Event of the Year for "The Only Way I Know" with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. ...He also received nominations for Album of the Year for tailgates & tanlines and Vocal Event of the Year for "The Only Way I Know" with Jason Aldean and Eric Church. First-time ACM nominee, Kacey Musgraves is nominated for four awards including Female Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year and twice for Video of the Year for "Merry Go 'Round" as both artist and producer. ...Reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton is nominated for three awards, including his third consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year and second nod for Entertainer of the Year. ...(Friday, February 8, 2013)—EMI Records' Eric Church will release a 17-track live album, Caught In The Act: Live, on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 featuring songs from Sinners Like Me, Carolina, and his CMA Award-winning 2011 release, CHIEF.

The Bolts "Wait 'Til We're Young" Album Just Released: New Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-13T06:32:20-08:00

All this week, Life of a Rock Star™ will be highlighting new albums and releases by popular bands and some lesser known bands to get our readers geared up for a whole new year in music. ...Adding this band's new album "Wait 'Til We're Young," to our list of must-have new music is a no brainer. ...More highlights on the "Wait 'Til We're Young," album include "Our Love Can Change the World," which is reminiscent of a Billie Joe Armstrong style ballad. "The Truth" which feels like a song you've heard before and in no time will be blasting out your car windows on a hot summer night with your best friends singing along. The title song on the album "Wait 'Til We're Young," shows off the band's full pop rock synthesized sound with four-part harmonies that will take you through the amazing range these--can we just say super cute--boys possess. ...Heath Farmer, Guitars and Vocals: “In Orange County where we were born and raised, it’s got a metal scene, it’s got a punk scene and it’s got a real hipster scene.

Imagine Dragons Night Visions Deluxe Album Just Release

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-12T10:09:55-08:00

All this week, Life of a Rock Star™ will be highlighting new albums and releases by popular bands and some lesser known bands to get our readers geared up for a whole new year in music. Imagine Dragons, the Las Vegas band who has us all singing "It's Time," is our first highlight of the week and with their release today of the Deluxe Album version of "Night Visions" that includes five previously unreleased bonus tracks for sale exclusively at Target stores and at Target.com. ...12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum-selling rock band Imagine Dragons, who have captivated fans across the globe with their hit singles "It's Time" and "Radioactive," will release a deluxe edition of their gold-certified album Night Visions on KIDinaKORNER/Interscope. ...We decided to release a special deluxe version of Night Visions that includes some songs fans have enjoyed at the band's live shows," said producer and founder of KIDinaKORNER, Alex Da Kid. ...The deluxe editions, which will be available from all digital and physical retailers, features five bonus tracks -- live favorites that have been requested by fans, including "The River," "America," and "Selene," which were recorded in the same period as "It's Time." A deluxe edition of Night Visions, featuring two bonus tracks "Cover Up" and "I Don't Mind," will be sold exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com.

Grammy Awards: Some Nights Are For Fun (period): And the Winner Is…

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-11T08:00:10-08:00

Grammy Awards: Some Nights Are For Fun (period): And the Winner Is… ...Taking home the GRAMMY® for Best New Artist and Song of the Year and with arguably the best performance on the GRAMMY® stage last night--rain and all--at the Grammy Awards this band is poised for greatness. Last night was a big night for electronic music scene's Skrillex, the darling of the alternative music scene The Black Keys, the indie world's Gotye, and the UK's pride and joy Mumford and Sons. ...Label: Roc-A-Fella Records; Publishers: Hit-Boy Music/Very Good Beats, Hip Hop Since 1978, Dean's List Productions, Unichappell Music ...Label: 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville; Publishers: Global Dog Music/Lunalight Music, Big Loud Songs/Angel River Songs ...Label: Big Machine Records/Universal Republic; Publishers: Sony ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music, Sensibility Songs, Absurd Music, Shiny Happy Music, Baffle Music, Henry Burnett Music

Grammy Awards Highlights and Headlines

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-10T11:48:20-08:00

Whether you are heading off to a GRAMMY® party, watching the Grammy Awards with friends or just going to be curled up on your couch enjoying the show with your family, we've got the headlines and highlights to keep you "in-the-know" of what to look forward to tonight. ...Zac Brown, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), Elton John, Mumford & Sons, And Mavis Staples To Join Together For A Special Tribute To The Late Levon Helm On The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® ...Current nominee Miguel is up for five awards: Song Of The Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Adorn," and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Kaleidoscope Dream, and Best Rap Song (along with Olubowale Akintimehin, S. ...Twelve-time GRAMMY-winning producer T Bone Burnett, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), and Wiz Khalifa each have two nominations: Burnett is nominated twice in Best Song Written For Visual Media for "Abraham's Daughter" (from The Hunger Games) (along with Win Butler and Régine Chassagne) and "Safe & Sound" (from The Hunger Games) (along with Taylor Swift, John Paul White, and Joy Williams); Howard is up for Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance for "Hold On" (both with Alabama Shakes); and Wiz Khalifa is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Payphone" (with Maroon 5), and Best Rap Song for "Young, Wild & Free" (along with Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Peter Hernandez, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine). ...Previously announced presenters are nominees Beyoncé, Hunter Hayes, Carly Rae Jepsen and Katy Perry, actor Kaley Cuoco, actor and three-time Emmy® Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winner Faith Hill, singer/actor Jennifer Lopez , three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, actor Pauley Perrette, seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban. ...Nominated for Song of the Year with his now famous "The A Team," which is still on the charts after 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 sitting in the number 23 spot, Ed Sheeran is a testament to the success an artist can experience with hard work and perseverance.

Ed Sheeran Has Already Won At #SheeranGrammys

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-10T07:51:50-08:00

Nominated for Song of the Year with his now famous "The A Team," which is still on the charts after 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 sitting in the number 23 spot, Ed Sheeran is a testament to the success an artist can experience with hard work and perseverance. ...Ed says he was "getting no's up until January of [last] year," until he played the Queens Diamond Jubilee Concert and the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony which turned "No's" into "Yes's" for the artist whom at one point was sleeping on his manager's couch. ...From the early days Ed would sell CDs of his songs out of his backpack, putting cash in his pocket to get to the next gig, but also planting a flag in people's minds that here was music that was worth paying for. ...When Ed was told by his then management that he would need to conform to succeed -- including dying his hair, and giving up his unique delivery -- Ed responded by writing the cult song, 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You'. ...In February last year, after two years of constant gigging and sofa surfing, Ed recorded a live version of 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' for leading urban YouTube channel, SBTV. ...5 Collaborations' in January, which featured the who's who of UK hip hop and grime: Devlin, Wretch 32, Dot Rotten, P Money, JME and Wiley, the support was so strong it propelled Ed to Number 2 in the iTunes album chart after just 24 hours.

Mariah Carey's "Almost Home" Is Lindsey Ray's Great And Powerful Birthday Wish

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-09T16:36:53-08:00

One of the co-writers on Oz The Great And Powerful's soundtrack song “Almost Home” is Lindsey Ray, the same sweet young Lindsey Ray we recently caught singing along side Graham Colton at The Hotel Café promoting their Sooner the Sunset EP [read the review here] just a few months ago. So just how does the 29 year old Lindsey Ray singer songwriter from the small town of Belfast, Maine co-write a song with the biggest pop star in the world? Although we know she has the talent—Lindsey Ray wrote a song for Demi Levato in 2011 and we can’t stop singing “Helium Heart” off of her Sooner the Sunset EP—we still couldn’t believe our eyes. ...Editor Nicole Hanratty spoke to Lindsey Ray about the big news and how the collaboration with Disney and the five-time GRAMMY® winner Mariah Carey came to be. ...She called me and asked me if I wanted to write it with her...or try writing something for it with her. ... Six months ago we were working on that, and now here we are with a song that Stargate and Mariah Carey co-wrote and collaborated on and Mariah Carey is singing it.

Mariah Carey's "Almost Home" Is About Believing In Yourself

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-09T16:31:13-08:00

The soundtrack to the movie includes Mariah Carey's "Almost Home" song to be released on Carey’s label Island Def Jam on February 19, 2013. ...“Almost Home,” co-written and sung by the global superstar Mariah Carey is sure to be an instant hit as is the much anticipated Oz The Great and Powerful fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi. Award-winning director and photographer David LaChapelle is set to direct Mariah Carey in the music video for the song in what LaChappelle calls “a duet between Mariah and the movie.” And while this music and movie entertainment news is eye-catching for all of the obvious “Mariah Carey is a Goddess” reasons, something much tinier yet significant about the Oz The Great And Powerful soundtrack “Almost Home” press release popped right off the page at us. ... The statement read: “’Almost Home’ is performed by Mariah Carey, produced by Mariah Carey and Stargate for 45th & 3rd Music LLC, written by Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen and Mariah Carey. ...One of the co-writers on Oz The Great And Powerful's soundtrack song “Almost Home” is Lindsey Ray, the same sweet young Lindsey Ray we recently caught singing along side Graham Colton at The Hotel Café promoting their Sooner the Sunset EP [read the review here] just a few months ago.

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Have Us Seeing Stars As Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-07T16:42:12-08:00

Song of the Week goes to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (GPN) "Stars," a song off of their recent "The Lion The Beast The Beat" album that chokes us up every time we listen. ...The young 29 year old voice of lead singer Grace Potter belts out "Stars" with pain and experience in her voice that is well beyond her years, a talent she has had since the inception of the Vermont based indie band in 2002. ...More than ever, I think outside perception affects how we view ourselves… I started thinking about these archetypes: everyone perceives a lion as a powerful, glorious animal and a beast as a flawed, scary, unpleasant creature…but that’s just on the outside. You only have to read a few children’s fables to see those themes: the ‘Cowardly Lion’ from The Wizard of Oz, the Beast from Beauty and the Beast – I’m fascinated by the idea that we all hold such a broad spectrum of impulses and how we choose to act on them makes us who we are.” The lyrics in "Timekeeper" where she sings out "I thought I'd have it right by now…everything's still spinning out," and in "Parachute" where she sings, "you're gone like the wind and it don't even matter…we had a sky dive love affair doomed from the very start," are examples of this duality the album exemplifies thematically. ... The stunning Grace Potter plays out this theme further in the "Stars" black and white music video where she is dressed for a glamorous night out in her gorgeous black gown, but is instead playing guitar in a dark room by herself.

Emeli Sandé Shows LA What She's Got

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-07T11:47:09-08:00

The Scottish sensation--whom Jay-Z adequately nailed when he commented, "She is going be a big deal,"--set the El Rey on fire from the moment she stepped up to the mic belting out her first song "Heaven." ...When Sandé sat down to play the keyboard and quieted her band for a moment, she told her fans, "You may be laughed at, you may fail, but it's worth it…" She belted out her inspirational song "Clown," (off of her recent "Our Version of Events" album), and the intensity of her delivery hushed everyone who stood in witness. ...Singer Emeli Sandé is a rising star here in the U.S. and if you missed her recent tour, you can see her perform live Monday February 11th at L.A.'s Key Club and the concert will also be streamed live. The concert is sponsored by Chapstick and the re-launched entertainment site MySpace as part of Chapstick® sessions, a national initiative celebrating music and all the great things that can be accomplished with healthier happier lips. ...Alicia Keys tells Maya Angelou of when she first knew she loved music, "In the very beginning…I remember really early on falling in love with singing and that was because of this really eccentric Kindergarten teacher I had. ... Because of her I learned my very first song…it was the first time I sang in front of an audience, that's where I discovered I loved it.

Keaton Simons New Single Out On iTunes "Beautiful Pain"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-06T12:20:02-08:00

Keaton Simons New Single Out On iTunes "Beautiful Pain" ...Keaton Simons' new single "Beautiful Pain" is out now on iTunes and it is nothing short of beautiful. His acoustic delivered intro is followed by Keaton's signature rock sound that finds its way into your soul. ...This song sends a clear message to those who are frozen in fear and encourages them to face their fears get up and move. ...Keaton Simons played The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood last month on January 5th, and the sold out room was rocking to songs from Keaton's new album. He talked about his excitement of creating his own label and Keaton energized the crowd of his fans who knew every word to every song he sang.

Muse Supremacy LA Shot Music Video Has Rockin' Surfers

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-06T08:31:42-08:00

As the band stands out on a platform with the amazing backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the white and black faced surfers master the waves while Muse sings out, "The time has come to destroy your supremacy." And perhaps it has… Muse has been nominated for two Grammy Awards, one for Best Rock Album for "The 2nd Law" and one for Best Rock Song for "Madness." ...

Justin Bieber Makes History With 5 #1 Albums Before 19

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-06T06:26:24-08:00

Justin Bieber Becomes 1st Artist In History With Five #1 Albums Before His 19th Birthday - As BELIEVE ACOUSTIC Debuts At #1 Soundscan With 1st Week Sales Of 211,000 Units And Hits #1 iTunes In Over 63 Countries!! ...6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As his brand new album, BELIEVE ACOUSTIC (releasedJanuary 29 th) soars to a #1 Soundscan debut on first week sales of 211,000 units, RBMG/Island Def Jam Music Group global superstar Justin Bieber – the #1 most-followed person on Twitter with more than 33.9 million followers, and this weekend's (February 9 th) host and musical guest of NBC's Saturday Night Live, – now becomes "the only artist in history to have five #1 albums before turning 19," as declared by Billboard. ...With BELIEVE ACOUSTIC shooting to #1 on iTunes in over 63 countries (including the U.S.), the Prince Of Pop, who turns 19 on March 1 st, also becomes "just the 10th act to score a #1 album in four consecutive years," again according to Billboard. ...BELIEVE ACOUSTIC adds fuel to the fire introducing three previously unreleased songs: "Yellow Raincoat" produced by Justin and Tom Strahle; "I Would" produced by Da Internz and Aaron Michael Cox; and "Nothing Like Us," written and produced solely by Justin, which gives fans an unprecedented and intimate glimpse of young love. ..."Beauty And A Beat," which became Justin's first #1 Dance Club chart hit last week, shattered online records in October, when the VEVO video premiere delivered 10.6 million views in the span of 24 hours. ...

i love my #beliebers - we got a good thing here. just thinking with all these blessings i promise to keep #GIVINGBACK . thanks
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 6, 2013

GRAMMY® Week Playlist to Keep You Drunk On Ed Sheeran

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-05T09:40:11-08:00

Three Must See GRAMMY® Week Shows] we've put together a #SheeranGrammys Grammy Awards inspired playlist "GRAMMY® Week In Hollywood" for you to enjoy via SoundCloud. ...With live performances by The Lumineers, Carrie Underwood (we hope she doesn't drive her black cadillac), Jack White, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, fun., Mumford and Sons, Rihanna, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert the night will be rocking "The A Team" of performers! ...Kaley Cuoco, Neil Patrick Harris, Faith Hill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Tim McGraw, Katy Perry, and Keith Urban Are The First Presenters Announced for Music's Biggest Night® ...31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourteen-time GRAMMY(®) winner Alicia Keys and current nominees Maroon 5 will join together for a special performance, and current nominee Frank Ocean is set to perform on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards(®) telecast. Current GRAMMY nominees Carly Rae Jepsen, and Katy Perry, as well as actor Kaley Cuoco, actor Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winner Faith Hill, three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban will appear as presenters. One of this year's leading nominees, Ocean is up for six awards: Record Of The Year for "Thinkin Bout You"; Album Of The Year and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Channel Orange; Best New Artist; and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Jay-Z, Kanye West and The-Dream); and Best Short Form Music Video (with Kanye West, Frank Ocean, The-Dream, Romain Gavras, and Mourad Belkeddar) for "No Church In The Wild."

Sasquatch 2013 All-Star Lineup Here We Come!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-05T06:32:21-08:00

Who else is headlining the May 24th-27th 2013 music festival at the Gorge? ... Hold on to your hats… Never mind, pack your hats and get ready to go play in Washington! Memorial Day Weekend is gonna rock. 2012 was sold out with a crowd of 25,000 attendees so get your tickets fast! ...More highlights include ZZ Ward, Divine Fits, Dropkick Murphys, Steve Aoki, Alt-J, Willy Moon, Solange, Sea Wolf and Capital Cities. Last year’s artists included headliners Jack White, Bon Iver, Beck, The Roots, Feist, Of Monsters and Men, Wolfgang Gartner, fun., Alabama Shakes, Ben Howard, L.A. ...title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen>

Ultra Music Festival 2013 Lineup Highlights

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-04T21:31:17-08:00

Ultra Music Festival is the hot spot to be and with the lineup complete, you can now plan out your travel and get ready to take in an amazing show. ...BAYFRONT PARK, DOWNTOWN MIAMI, FL--Ultra Music Festival 2013 is two weekends March 15, 16 & 17th 2013 and March 22, 23, 24th 2013 and is boasting the hottest artists including Afrojack, David Guetta, Kaskade, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Crystal Castles, deadmau5, Zedd, Steve Aoki, The Weeknd, and Snoop Dogg --just to name a few! Last year a reported 165,000 people attended this mega Miami music fest making it the "it" place to party. "Ultra takes place in Miami, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ibiza and Korea and is expanding into Europe with ULTRA Europe July 2013 in Croatia. Originally created as a pure electronic music festival in 1999, ULTRA has grown through the years to present not only the genre’s hottest, biggest and best headlining artists (Swedish House Mafia, The Chemical Brothers, Tiesto, Avicii, David Guetta, deadmau5) …but also crossover headline bands (The Cure, The Killers, The Black Eyed Peas, M83).” [ultramusicfestival.com] Sponsors include Miami Music Week, Heineken, Heineken Light, Red Bull, Sirius XM, Space Ibiza, and Ultra Music.

Beyoncé Blows Out The Super Bowl

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-03T18:49:33-08:00

while the power is out at the Super Bowl, watch Beyonce's amazing halftime performance again --> bit.ly/XRehdy (via globalgrind)
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) February 4, 2013

...

Beyonce snaps a pre-Superbowl pic w designer of her halftime costume, @rubinsinger... just love her, so sweet. twitter.com/BobbieThomas/s…
— Bobbie Thomas (@BobbieThomas) February 4, 2013

...

Beyonce is an honorary Delta Sig and Tri Delta #ThrowWhatYouKnow twitter.com/fratrage/statu…
— Frat Rage (@fratrage) February 4, 2013

...This why she is the BEST EVER. twitter.com/BeyonceLand/st…

— Beyoncé Land (@BeyonceLand) February 4, 2013 ...Michelle. #SuperBowl huff.to/WoxtU9 twitter.com/HuffingtonPost…

— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) February 4, 2013 ...

beyoncé: this is my beyoncé moment ((literally)) twitter.com/leeumpain/stat…
— ♡mackenzie♡ (@leeumpain) February 4, 2013

Beyoncé Talks Motherhood and Super Bowl Nerves

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-02T16:47:12-08:00

For those of you who think Beyoncé just shows up looking fabulous and pulling off phenomenal performances, here's a look at the hard work and behind the scenes practices the pop star puts in before a big event like performing LIVE at the halftime of the Super Bowl, which Beyoncé called "a highlight of a career." ...She says the best thing in the world is waking up in the morning is seeing her daughter's face whom is now starting to talk. ... ... ...10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the preeminent media brand for African-American women, continues its commitment to recognizing excellence and achievement during its 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Music event taking place on February 6, 2013 in Los Angeles. The invitation-only, red-carpet GRAMMY® Week event will highlight the contributions of Black women in music with a special salute to what's current, what's new and what's next.

SXSW Music Line Up Reflects Direction of Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-01T16:40:22-08:00

If you are headed to SXSW must see bands include LOARS featured artist the Stevie Wonder-like sensation Allen Stone; an up and coming band from Manchester, The 1975 (see Song of the Week); alternative punk band we adore Lemuria (interview); three women who bring brand new voices to music Lianne La Havas, Paloma Faith (see Song of the Week), and ZZ Ward (album review); two bands that are bringing positive messages of love and tolerance to the stage with them LOARS featured bands The Mowgli's (interview) and Pentatonix (music review and Kevin Olusola interview). Whiskey Shivers, Divine Fits, Willy Moon, Jetta, Ginger and the Ghost, Kiven (review), Rah Rah (review and Song of the Week), Sea Wolf, Heaven's Basement, The Neighbourhood (review), Capital Cities and Delta Rae are also must see artists playing SXSW. Popular artists appearing at SXSW include: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds (tour); Of Mice & Men; Ra Ra Riot; REVOLVER; Skylar Grey (review), Teddy Geiger (music review); Dirt Nasty, Kris Allen, Far East Movement, Havana Brown, Tegan and Sara (tour); Matt Nathanson, The Sheepdogs, Shiny Toy Guns (review and Song of the Week), and Wolfgang Gartner. ...Attended by 19,000 music industry representatives—including 3,200 media representatives—and thousands of fans, SXSW “hosts acts in every stage of their development including music legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Geldof, Smokey Robinshon, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and Jimmy Cliff. ...10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the preeminent media brand for African-American women, continues its commitment to recognizing excellence and achievement during its 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Music event taking place on February 6, 2013 in Los Angeles. The invitation-only, red-carpet GRAMMY® Week event will highlight the contributions of Black women in music with a special salute to what's current, what's new and what's next.

Muse "Madness" at GRAMMY® Awards and New Opening Act Dead Sara On Tour

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-02-01T11:49:41-08:00

Music News ★ BRIT Awards ★ MUSE ★ Alternative Rock ★ The 2nd Law Muse's GRAMMY® nominated "The 2nd Law" album "Supremacy" includes the hit song "Madness" [see Song of the Week] which--no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™--is nominated for Best Rock Song. Just days away from the Grammy Awards, Muse sat down with Radio.com to talk about how the song came to be and its' minimalistic chords that created a sensation. ...rnd=69819;hostDomain=cbsrla.cbsradio.com;playerWidth=425;playerHeight=270;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8272997;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Radio%252006;advertisingZone=CBS.MUSIC.KROQFM%252Fworldnowplayer;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed'>Video - The 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards are at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 10th and the popular British band Muse will be there. ...Just after the Grammy Awards and Muse's anticipated performance February 20th at the BRIT awards, popular Southern California band Dead Sara will open for Muse on their national tour.

The 1975 "Chocolate" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-31T08:24:06-08:00

The 1975 "Chocolate" Makes Song of the Week and We Want More ...We love The 1975--a band out of Manchester--and the beat of this song. The 1975 have knocked it out of the park with "Chocolate," therefore we couldn't help but knock everything off the calendar and move the hit tune into this week's slot for Song of the Week. "Chocolate" is the first single released off of the band's upcoming "Music For Cars" EP available March 4th in the UK and March 5th in the US. ... The 1975 is a band with fierce talent, lyrics that stick and vocals that bring alternative music a new sound. ... The band kicks off their U.S. tour playing SXSW in March and we expect the music industry to stand up and take notice.

Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, And Frank Ocean Added to GRAMMY® A TEAM of Amazing Performers

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-31T06:48:31-08:00

Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, and Frank Ocean have been added to the Ed Sheeran A Team of performers at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards February 10th at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. ... With live performances by The Lumineers, Carrie Underwood (we hope she doesn't drive her black cadillac), Jack White, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, fun., Mumford and Sons, Rihanna, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert the night boasts a definite "A Team" of performers! ...Kaley Cuoco, Neil Patrick Harris, Faith Hill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Tim McGraw, Katy Perry, and Keith Urban Are The First Presenters Announced for Music's Biggest Night® ...31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourteen-time GRAMMY(®) winner Alicia Keys and current nominees Maroon 5 will join together for a special performance, and current nominee Frank Ocean is set to perform on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards(®) telecast. Current GRAMMY nominees Carly Rae Jepsen, and Katy Perry, as well as actor Kaley Cuoco, actor Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winner Faith Hill, three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban will appear as presenters. One of this year's leading nominees, Ocean is up for six awards: Record Of The Year for "Thinkin Bout You"; Album Of The Year and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Channel Orange; Best New Artist; and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Jay-Z, Kanye West and The-Dream); and Best Short Form Music Video (with Kanye West, Frank Ocean, The-Dream, Romain Gavras, and Mourad Belkeddar) for "No Church In The Wild."

Alicia Keys Credits Kindergarten Teacher For Love of Singing: Black History Month Artist Interview

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-30T21:18:29-08:00

Alicia Keys tells Maya Angelou of when she first knew she loved music, "In the very beginning…I remember really early on falling in love with singing and that was because of this really eccentric Kindergarten teacher I had. ...30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Maya Angelou's Black History Month Special 2013, "Telling Our Stories," features five celebrated guests, Kofi Annan, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Regina Taylor and Oprah Winfrey sharing candid stories about their paths to achievement and their place in the annals of black history. ...Academy and Grammy Award winner, Jennifer Hudson, provides a glimpse of her astounding journey from the church steps of her Chicago neighborhood to becoming one of the country's top artists. ... Receiving both an Academy Award and a Grammy, Hudson talks about the support and future of her musical and acting career, the love of her family and the importance of giving back to the community. ...And headline she did… The Alicia Keys concert that ensued the Monster Awards ceremony was the highlight of the week long International CES convention in Las Vegas. ...When Columbia Records released a selection songs from the historic "12-12-12" The Concert For Sandy Relief, one thing was clear and noticeable right off the bat: Alicia Keys is the only female artist on the album.

ESSENCE Spotlights Black Women In Music GRAMMY® Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-30T18:21:46-08:00

The invitation-only, red-carpet GRAMMY® Week event will highlight the contributions of Black women in music with a special salute to what's current, what's new and what's next. Hosted by global, multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland and ESSENCE editor-at-large Emil Wilbekin, the 2013 event will shine a spotlight on artists Lianne La Havas and Solange Knowles, who will each perform live sets as part of the celebration. "What makes ESSENCE Black Women in Music so distinctive is that we are able to highlight the success of amazing African-American women in music, who are not only changing the game, but also creating the rules," said ESSENCE editor-in-chief Constance C.R. ...ESSENCE's exclusive February 2013 issue GRAMMY Insider package (on newsstands on January 11th) will also feature 28 Days of Black Women in Music -- a timeline of moments past, present and future celebrating women who rock all month long, including mainstays: Rihanna, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Lauryn Hill; as well as a new generation of artists including Azealia Banks, Emeli Sande, Gaby Amarantos and more. ...Solange's latest single, "Losing You" and her critically acclaimed EP: True, with collaborator Dev Hynes, is reflective of her journey as an artist, bringing listeners a fresh new sound, "with a breezy fusion of singer-centric R&B, 1980's pop, and lanky mid-tempo hip-house beasts," as described by Spin Magazine. ...The daughter of a Greek father and a Jamaican mother, La Havas fell in love with music at a young age and cites her parents' favorites as a huge influence: artists like Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Mary J.

GRAMMY® Week Entertainment in LA is Off the Hook

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-30T16:53:21-08:00

GRAMMY® week is the best time to be in Los Angeles and catch a show. With all the hottest musical acts in town for the Grammy Awards ceremony at the STAPLES Center on February 10th, there is hardly a venue to be found not hosting an incredible event. ...Tweet with @LOARS_Music on GRAMMY® night #Grammys AND for the latests on all of our GRAMMY® coverage check out our Grammy Awards highlights. ...Adam Carolla, pictured left at CES in Las Vegas January 2013, is hosting a party at The Roxy this weekend. ...Comedian Darryl Lenox, (pictured left with Nicole Hanratty) who's currently on tour and has a special out on STARZ for his comedy album "Blind Ambition" will be on Conan Thursday night February 7th. ...Partying for CHARITY, the Jay-Z owned entertainment company Roc Nation is putting on a benefit concert for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Justin Timberlake Needs A "Suit And Tie" To Perform at the GRAMMYs

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-30T06:33:51-08:00

Justin Timberlake released his new song two weeks ago "Suit and Tie featuring Jay Z" which jumpstarted his reentry into the music world. ... (The news was overshadowed a bit by the larger story this week that saw independent artist Macklemore take the No. 1 spot with his smash hit "Thrift Shop." ...Now back on top, it looks like Justin Timberlake needs a suit and tie as he has been asked to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards next month making his re-entry into the music world legit. ...Tweet with @LOARS_Music on GRAMMY® night #Grammys AND for the latests on all of our GRAMMY® coverage check out our GRAMMY® awards news & highlights page. ...This marks the first time in four years that Timberlake will grace the GRAMMY stage, and will be his debut TV performance on the eve of his first studio album in seven years. ...via RCARecords.com:"Suit & Tie featuring JAY Z" was written by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Shawn Carter, Jerome "J-ROC" Harmon and James Flauntleroy and produced by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Jerome "J-ROC" Harmon.

Macklemore Giveaway: Win Tickets To See Macklemore & Ryan Lewis LIVE in Concert with ALLEN STONE

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-29T09:37:20-08:00

Macklemore Giveaway: Win Tickets To See Macklemore & Ryan Lewis LIVE in Concert with ALLEN STONE at Purdue University ...Hey Indiana--We're giving away two tickets to see Billboard Hot 100's No. 1 slot holder for "Thrift Shop," Macklemore and Ryan Lewis live in concert with soul music artist we love Allen Stone. ...We will upload all of our entries to LifeofaRockStar.com and tweet out some of our favorites, so remember when you send off your picture, make sure you are good with us sharing it with the ENTIRE universe ;) ...His music makes you smile--despite some of the serious themes--and brings back the soul sounds of Earth Wind & Fire in a contemporary way. ... Influenced heavily by both his mother (a doctor) and his father (a preacher), Allen is a hard-working talented musician with a strong business sense and an acute awareness of what society is missing today: music with content and consciousness. ... Allen's mother is a breast cancer survivor and Allen donates a portion of every ticket sold on his tour to the Keep A Breast Foundation.

Bon Jovi "Because We Can" Music Video Premiere

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-29T08:47:49-08:00

videoId=USUV71201944&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0&cultureName=en-US&cultureIsRTL=False"> Bon Jovi will be releasing a new version of the music video for "Because We Can" every week leading up to the release of their new album "What About Now" which is expected out March 26th. ...Bon Jovi's "Because We Can" Nets #1 Global iTunes Success In 12 Countries, In Advance Of New Album, What About Now, To Be Released March 26th On Island Records! ...29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After blasting out to worldwide radio on Jan. 7th, Bon Jovi's new single "Because We Can" quickly turned into the biggest single launch in the iTunes era of the band's storied career. ...Following the premiere, fans will be treated to the release of a new alternate version of the video every other week leading up to the March 26th release of WHAT ABOUT NOW.

Great White "Hard To Say Goodbye" Moves Band to the Top

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-29T06:28:30-08:00

The voice of Terry Ilous--new lead singer of Great White--is moving "Hard To Say Goodbye" to the top of the charts. ...If you haven't seen the video yet on our Life of a Rock Star™ video favorites page, check it out here (but seriously, get your kleenex first): ...Multi-platinum recording artists, GREAT WHITE announced today that the band’s third single off of Elation, “Hard to Say Goodbye,” has reached No. 10 on the classic rock radio Mediabase chart. ...Tune in to KGB FM (San Diego) at 6:45 a.m. pacific time on Friday, February 1, and watch XETV TV (San Diego) at 8:20 a.m. pacific time for more coverage. GREAT WHITE’s robust touring schedule just added a direct support slot for WHITESNAKE on July 27 at the Mattawa Voyageur Days in Mattawa, Ontario. ...Their song arsenal also includes “Rock Me,” “Save Your Love,” “The Angel Song,” “Mistabone,” “I’ve Got Something For You” and “Feeling So Much Better” (recent Top 20 on the classic rock chart.)

GRAMMY® Partners With DRUGFREE.org Awards Two Teens GRAMMY® Experience

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-28T11:57:34-08:00

In honor of National Drug Facts week which kicks off today, two talented teen musicians have been announced as the winners of the ultimate prize package for their music: a 55th Annual GRAMMY® Experience! See that kids, it pays to be drug free… Congratulations to the first place winners, Vinny Cavalcanti, a senior at West High School, and Nick Miller, a junior at Rowland Hall Academy. ...The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares, the two nonprofit organizations of The Recording Academy(®), in collaboration with The Partnership at Drugfree.org, will honor all the winners during the third annual National Drug Facts Week, January 28 - February 3, 2013, coordinated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health. ...The song depicts how an individual can succumb to drug and alcohol addiction and reveals the deep concern friends have for his unhealthy lifestyle as illustrated in lyrics, "I've been meaning to talk to you about something for a while, about your problems with the syrup, and your problem with denial." In addition to the GRAMMY Awards backstage experience, the winners will have their musical entries posted on the GRAMMY365(®) Website and the MTV Act blog, as well as on the Above the Influence campaign website. The winners also receive prizes including iPads with the GarageBand app; an opportunity to release a record with Iron Ridge Road Recordings*, through Clarity Way, a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania; a small cash award courtesy of the Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, California; and a certificate from the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares acknowledging their role in the dissemination of health information about substance abuse.

GRAMMY® Stage Will Host the A Team of Amazing Performers

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-28T11:15:36-08:00

With live performances by The Lumineers, Carrie Underwood (we hope she doesn't drive her black cadillac), Jack White, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, fun., Mumford and Sons, Rihanna, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert the night will be rocking "The A Team" of performers! ...Tweet with @LOARS_Music on GRAMMY® night #Grammys AND for the latests on all of our GRAMMY® coverage check out our GRAMMY® awards news & highlights page. ...24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Current GRAMMY(®) nominees the Lumineers, Carrie Underwood and Jack White are set to perform; nominees Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert will join together in a special performance; and Elton John and nominee Ed Sheeran will perform live together for the first time on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards(®) telecast. ...The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 10, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 - 11:30 p.m. ...Nine-time GRAMMY winner Jack White has three nominations: Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album for Blunderbuss, and Best Rock Song for "Freedom At 21." ...Los Angeles, CA- Ed Sheeran's fans showed up en masse Monday night at the Wiltern Theatre arriving as early as 6:30 in the morning to insure they had up close access to their favorite artist.

Macklemore Has Entered The Building

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-26T06:33:13-08:00

Music News ★ Billboard Hot 100 ★ MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS ★ Hip-Hop / Rap ★ The Heist Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have pulled off the ultimate "heist" stealing the number one slot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from Bruno Mars and holding The Lumineers at bay with their smash hit "Thrift Shop." ... ...His music makes you smile--despite some of the serious themes--and brings back the soul sounds of Earth Wind & Fire in a contemporary way. ... Influenced heavily by both his mother (a doctor) and his father (a preacher), Allen is a hard-working talented musician with a strong business sense and an acute awareness of what society is missing today: music with content and consciousness. ... Allen's mother is a breast cancer survivor and Allen donates a portion of every ticket sold on his tour to the Keep A Breast Foundation.

Muse News: "Supremacy" Scoop on the Brit Awards

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-25T16:29:26-08:00

The February 20, 2013, Brit Awards are shaping up to be supreme with Muse's announcement that they will be performing the lead track on their GRAMMY® nominated "The 2nd Law" album "Supremacy" with a full orchestra. In an interview with Radio.com, Muse singer Matt Bellamy said, “We’re going to perform there hopefully with a full orchestra and choir to do a full rendition of 'Supremacy,' which is the first song on the album. ...rnd=991081;hostDomain=cbsrsf.cbsradio.com;playerWidth=425;playerHeight=270;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8222564;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Radio%252006;advertisingZone=CBS.MUSIC.KITSFM%252Fworldnowplayer;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed'>Video - ...The Black Keys, Fun., Mumford and Sons, Frank Ocean and Jack White nominated for Album Of The Year. ...We all know that love is pure madness, and this song takes you into a sheer dream-like state musically bouncing you around inside the padded walls of mad love. ...The sound is addicting with a gritty rock guitar solo that shows the ability of the band to vary the direction of the music they produce.

The Script "Hall of Fame feat. will.i.am" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-24T12:03:21-08:00

Popular Irish band The Script created a distinct sound with "Hall of Fame feat. will.i.am" released in September of 2012 that is still bouncing up and around the charts. ... "Hall of Fame feat. will.i.am" makes Song of the Week as we gear up for Superbowl Sunday on February 3 and dedicate this song to all of the aspiring athletes, students, and youths working hard towards a goal. ...This band of talented songwriters who has lived their own advice working hard towards their goals commented on their success and returning home to Dublin, "I actually felt really guilty," admits Mark [Sheehan]. ... The tables have turned quite considerably, and you want to be a little bit excited and go, 'oh, man, we just played with McCartney, we just got to number one,' but they're going 'I just lost my job', or 'I split up with my wife." --via thescriptmusic.com ...9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Epic Recording Artists The Script have again hit the top of the charts with a #1 single in England ("Hall of Fame" featuring will.i.am) and a #1 album in Ireland. ...By then, The Script had become superstars at home - a three night stand at the 02 Arena in Dublin sold out in less than 40 minutes, with more than 60,000 tickets sold.

Local Natives "Hummingbird" Streams All Grown Up on iTunes

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-25T11:15:36-08:00

Please note: The pre-order contents listed here are subject to change without notice and the final product received may differ. ...New Music ★ Listen to Free Music ★ LOCAL NATIVES ★ Alternative Rock ★ Hummingbird Local Natives, popular Los Angeles band out of Silver Lake and in the 2013 Coachella line-up, is set to release their new album on January 29, 2013 and you can listen to the album free today on iTunes through the iTune app. Have a listen and see what all the buzz is about. To learn more about the band, check out this recent article on Local Natives: "Local Natives' Big Vaulted Ceilings" in which Kelcey Ayer tells LA Weekly, "The album is just completely about where we've been since the first one and we've just grown a lot. I don't think it was so intentional to sound more mature or more grown up, but that's just where we are.

Calvin Harris Turns Nothing Into Gold

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-24T11:22:13-08:00

One of our favorite artists, Calvin Harris has turned his song "Sweet Nothing" into pure gold. Certified for sales in excess of 500,000 sold, this song off of Calvin Harris album "18 Month's" featuring Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine showcases Calvin Harris' electronic pop skills. Harris, an accomplished songwriter, has collaborated with a number of popular artists including the Scissor Sisters, Kylie Minogue, Kesha, Ellie Goulding, Dizee Rascal, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, deadmau5 and we're certain he has much more gold in his future. ...24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Calvin Harris' single "Sweet Nothing" has just been certified Gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 singles sold. The international DJ, producer and hit songwriter teamed up with Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine fame to record this track, which peaked at #1 across several digital retailers. ...Harris has been nominated for his first two GRAMMY® Awards, including "Best Dance Recording" for his hit single "Let's Go" featuring Ne-Yo and "Best Short Form Music Video" for "We Found Love" by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris.

Megan Hilty New Album Reflects Breaking Up and Finding New Love

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-24T10:42:50-08:00

Megan Hilty's soon to be released album "It Happens All The Time" is poised to be the love song playlist theme track for breaking up and hoping to find new love again. ... We can't wait to hear what Hilty's releasing but if her success in the theatrical and television world are any indicator, we are sure it will be a smash hit. ...The repertoire is a significant step outside of both the musical theater world in which Hilty initially found fame - via Broadway roles as Glinda in Wicked and Doralee Rhodes in 9 To 5: The Musical - as well as her TV character Ivy Lynn in Smash, in which she's sung such noteworthy songs as the GRAMMY®-nominated "Let Me Be Your Star," Carrie Underwood's "Crazy Dreams" and the Rose Royce (and Mary J. ..."I want to show a different side of me because it's the first thing I've ever done that's just me and not attached to any character or story line," says Hilty. ..."I was looking for lyrics I could connect with," she explains, "which comes from another part of my theatrical background: I always feel that there has to be a point to what I'm singing, instead of it just being a pretty sound. ...Keeping with the theme of new beginnings, "No Cure" is unique to the rest of the album in that co-writer Hogarth joined her on vocals, giving it the feel of a duet, which Hilty loved.

Wiz Khalifa O.N.I.F.C. Stamps Versatile Album With Signature Sound

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-23T11:02:17-08:00

Atlantic Records artist Wiz Khalifa, fresh off of the success of his 2012 collaboration with Maroon 5 on "Payphone," Wiz Khalifa has released a new album O.N.I.C.F. that debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 2. ...The album debuted at number two and if not for the record breaking success of Taylor Swift's Red, it is likely O.N.I.F.C would have most assuredly come out on top in the NO. 1 slot of the Billboard charts. ...“O.N.I.F.C.,” the highly-anticipated sophomore album from Rostrum/Atlantic recording artist Wiz Khalifa, has debuted at #2 on the Billboard “Top 200 Albums” chart. ...Khalifa received nominations for “Best Rap Song” for his collaboration with Snoop Dogg, “Young, Wild & Free” featuring Bruno Mars, from the soundtrack to their film “MAC AND DEVIN GO TO HIGH SCHOOL,” and “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” for his collaboration with Maroon 5 on their hit single, “Payphone.” ...January 25, 2013 Los Angeles--Ages 21+ go catch Wiz Khalifa get it like no one else can and bring the house alive at the Icon LA Ultra Lounge @IconDTLA dance club with live music from Wiz Khalifa hosted by Big Boy from power 106 and DJ E-Man. Fresh off of the success of his 2012 collaboration with Maroon 5 on "Payphone," Wiz Khalifa has released a new album O.N.I.C.F. that debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 2, (see album review below).

Lady Gaga, The President Is Listening

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-23T08:52:26-08:00

Well, he certainly was when Lady Gaga performed live for him at the Inaugural Staff Ball customizing lyrics that had smiles on the faces of President Obama, the First Lady and President Clinton telling President Obama, "You won twice!" ... There's something about Obama You and I," Lady Gaga belted out--without lip-syncing as it is now widely speculated that Beyoncé did singing the National Anthem at the Inauguration ceremony. ...Politics aside, this Lady Gaga performance is a gem and a revealing witty taste of the creative artist inside the outfits. ...It’s no surprise Zedd, the Russian-born German raised EDM producer / DJ / songwriter is über successful as he started playing piano at age four and recording his own songs by the time he was six. ... In a recent interview, he attributed his exposure to a variety of music, including classical, to the secret behind his success--which he humbly calls “satisfactory development.” ...The 22 year old Zedd opened for Lady Gaga on her Asia tour, whom he met in London and worked with her remixing "Marry the Night" as well as "Born This Way."

Jessie Ware New EP Gains Fan Devotion

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-23T07:50:03-08:00

If you've been living under a rock, don't watch Jimmy Fallon (she performed live last night January 22nd) or follow Katy Perry on twitter (a huge Jessie Ware fan) let us be the first to introduce you to the British voice of Jessie Ware to which we are now devoted. Jessie Ware's recently released If You're Never Gonna Move EP boasts five tracks: "If You're Never Gonna Move," "Sweet Talk," "Devotion," "What You Won't Do For Love," "If You're Never Gonna Move (Two Inch Punch Remix)," and we love them so much we already can't wait for more on her Devotion album set to be released this April. ...Jessie Ware's new EP has the sultry vibe of the Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J Blige--a staggering comparison to make to an artist that has eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 29 nominations) and four American Music Awards--but Jessie Ware is poised for success. The title track has an addicting electro influenced slow tempo that sets the subdued house music mood and while her vocals track is predominately subdued as well, when she belts out, "I know you hear me, but can you reach me? ...Jessie Ware's voice is dubbed alternative pop but we're calling it a brilliant revelation of the inner soul--a glimpse inside the human heart--that will win your devotion.

I think this lil' lady is going to be massive so if you haven't discovered her yet, jump on board: Jessie Ware bit.ly/Ty3Olb
— Katy Perry (@katyperry) November 10, 2012

NJ Teacher Affected By Sandy Hook Wins Guitar Center Drum Off Contest

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-22T09:01:38-08:00

22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Guitar Center is excited to announce Juan Carlos Mendoza from Perth Amboy, NJ as the winner of Guitar Center's Drum-Off, the 24th annual search for the next great undiscovered drummer. ... This past Saturday's Grand Finals closed out the competition with a night full of riveting, high-energy performances as the five finalists vied for the coveted title of Guitar Center's Drum-Off Champion. ...Classically trained in a wide variety of instruments, Juan Carlos Mendoza received his BA in Music Education in 2004 and is currently pursuing his M.A in Music Education while serving as the Band Director for William C. ... As a music instructor in his Northern New Jersey hometown, Juan Carlos was deeply affected by the nearby tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December, moving him to dedicate his performance to the victims and their families. ..."My experience in this competition has been really humbling; I was honored just to be selected as a finalist because all of the contestants are awesome players and have become great friends," said Juan Carlos Mendoza. ...During the finals at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, the five talented finalists shared the stage with live performances by world-renowned musicians including Pedrito Martinez, John Blackwell, Zigaboo Modeliste, Keith Carlock, Darren King and the legendary Steve Gadd who was honored at the event with an induction to Guitar Center's RockWalk.

Lexie Roth Talks Sandy Devastation & Sings Twenty Something Struggles

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-21T10:56:40-08:00

With the perfect soothing sound to get you through an introspective day, the first released video for "Stay or Go" off of Lexie Roth's self-titled album is a prelude into Lexie's world split between Martha's Vineyard and Brooklyn. ...

Lexie Roth - Stay or Go from Joel Henderson on Vimeo.

...I've lived in New Zealand, I've lived in Italy, I went to China… My main thing is, I would just love to have my music heard and appreciated and also just to meet other great people so addicted to life in general and that's the meaning of success." ...I lived in New Zealand and the kiwi bird conservation there is an amazing, delicate place, but right now with Hurricane Sandy in New York, me and my friends have been going down a lot trying to help out and canvas and see what families need. ...“Music was in my blood from birth,” says Lexie Roth, the daughter of Arlen Roth (legendary guitar god who has performed with everyone from Simon and Garfunkel to Bob Dylan) who possesses a unique musical talent of her own. ...The “Stay Or Go” video is about the frantic restlessness of being in your early twenties and feeling constantly compelled to seek or forge an identity and a life; it’s about the struggle of being just one person wanting to experience, see, taste, meet, be everything and everyone at once.

EVE Returns to Hip Hop Looking Sexier Than Ever

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-20T14:52:18-08:00

With the release of "She Bad Bad" by EVE back in October of 2012 (available on iTunes now) and a new song coming January 22nd at a Big Brothers Big Sisters event, EVE is officially back in high charitable style. Taking part of National Mentoring Month, EVE is sharing her new release "Make It Out This Town" at a VIP reception in Washington, D.C., at which the song will be live streamed. ...Grammy Award Winning Artist EVE to Debut New Song as Part of Exclusive 'Hip-Hop Homecoming' Announcement at Big Brothers Big Sisters' National Mentoring Month Event WHAT: In honor of National Mentoring Month, Grammy Award winning recording artist EVE will announce her new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest non-profit youth mentoring organization. As part of the exclusive "hip-hop homecoming" appearance, EVE will debut her soon-to-be released single, "Make it Out this Town." ...Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children in single-parent homes, low-income families, or households where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships.

Nate Reuss Has Fun At Sundance Going Green

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-19T17:54:51-08:00

Now through February 15th bands can enter the contest to win a prize worth $30,000 and travel on tour in a more green rock star style. ...Brita is teaming with Nate Ruess on behalf of GRAMMY® nominated band fun. and a previous FilterForGood partner, and non-profit REVERB to unveil the FilterForGood Bottle Free Bands program at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. ...These bands will receive a package of branded bottles to help them to reduce their bottled water use, REVERB green riders to encourage environmentally friendly hospitality and 200 branded, reusable Brita Nalgene water bottles the band can sell to not only make some money on the road, but also encourage their fans to kick the bottled water habit. Then, of the 30 participants, one band will be selected by music fans to receive the kind of package the big names have gotten – including consultation on creating a comprehensive Green Tour from Brita and REVERB. Worth an estimated $30,000, the prize will also include 2,000 branded reusable Brita Nalgene water bottles to sell as a merchandise item to help fans reduce their bottled water waste. "Just a few years ago, fun. was a perfect example of a band who wanted to learn more about how to help the environment and make changes on tour but didn't have the resources to do it," said Ruess.

Doug E. Fresh Receives Lifetime Achievement Award At Hip Hop Inaugural Ball

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-19T17:01:23-08:00

Fresh Receives Lifetime Achievement Award At Hip Hop Inaugural Ball with 2 Chainz, John Legend, Swizz Beatz Attending ...Tomorrow night the Hip Hop Inaugural Ball II takes place, Sunday January 20th at 8Pm and will be hosted by LA LA Anthony and Terrence J. ...16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) along with PHILANTHROPIK are pleased to present the HIP-HOP INAUGURAL BALL II in celebration of the Hip-Hop community's role in the 2012 Election and promoting political awareness. ...The brainchild of event chairs Russell Simmons and Zach McDaniels , the HEINEKEN USA sponsored Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will once again be the hippest and hottest ticket of the Inaugural weekend, celebrating the hip-hop community's role in popular culture and the 2012 election. 2 Chainz, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams , Jadakiss, Brandy, LOS, Tank, Lance Gross, 9th Wonder and Raheem DeVaughn and more will be amongst the many in attendance to celebrate the role that hip-hop played in registering and mobilizing voters during this election cycle. ...Lifetime Achievement honoree MC Lyte will be honored with a special tribute performance by fellow ladies of hip-hop Yo-Yo, Smooth and Lil Mama.

Anna Rose Streams "Electric Child" and It's Burning Hot

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-18T18:15:39-08:00

When you pair Anna Rose's hard hitting energy with her sexy Paula Cole vibe, heavy drums and guitars, Anna Rose's "Electric Child" shows off what a talented female artist can achieve. ...We recently interviewed Anna Rose about her sophomore album due out later this year, "Behold A Pale Horse" and asked her what she hopes to say with this album. ...She went on to share, "I think it’s an intense, powerful question and a scary question but in a world where we care so much about the things that we own and the things that we buy, such a commercial world--I’m completely affected by that, positively, and negatively--I just think the question of what do you leave behind is something that’s gotten lost in that. ...Fierce velvet-voiced rock ‘n roll soul child Anna Rose (daughter of the legendary Alan Menken of Disney & Broadway fame) streams her latest song, “Electric Child” from upcoming album Behold a Pale Horse. ...

Anna Rose - "My Body Is A Cage" from The MuseBox on Vimeo.

“The video, which premiered on NME.com, was shot by famed director Moh Azima, known for his recent video work with such acclaimed bands and artists as Cold War Kids, Interpol, The Hold Steady and Chromeo.

John Mayer's Voice Raises $100,000 For Charity

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-17T20:26:59-08:00

John Mayer performs live for the first time since April 2011--due to throat granuloma--and raises $100,000 for a charity to help firefighters in Livingston, Montana. His triumphant return to the stage has been highly anticipated by fans who have loved his Born and Raised album and are eager to see him perform live on tour. ...John Mayer Helps Raise More Than $100,000 At "The Livingston Town Proper: A Concert to Benefit the Fighters of the Pine Creek Fire" ...17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Livingston Town Proper: A Concert to Benefit the Fighters of the Pine Creek Fire," a special musical event organized and hosted by performing artist John Mayer, has raised more than $100,000 to help firefighters who battled summer 2012's devastating Pine Creek Fire, which destroyed more than 8500 acres of forest and farmland in and around the town of Livingston, Montana. ...Released in June 2012, Born and Raised, the fifth Columbia Records album from seven-time GRAMMY® winning singer, songwriter and guitarist John Mayer, debuted at Number One in six countries--Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands and the United States--while hitting Number One on iTunes in thirty territories worldwide. ...A musician who confounds genre boundaries, John Mayer has performed and/or recorded with an extraordinary range of artists from the worlds of rock, blues, hip-hop, jazz, and country including Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Burnett, Herbie Hancock, Dixie Chicks, Jay Z and Alicia Keys.

Jason Castro Tells His Story & "Only A Mountain" Moves To Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-17T13:24:26-08:00

Song of the Week ★ New Music ★ JASON CASTRO ★ Singer Songwriter ★ Only A Mountain ...You don't have to find your way around this Song of the Week. Jason Castro's new album Only A Mountain with title song "Only A Mountain" encourages you to face your fears and brave through "the story of your life." ...Jason's lyrics offer a little comfort in a time when the world and its' challenges seem a bit scary, "You don't have to let your fear control you…gotta find a second wind, don't you quit." ...You don’t have to find your way around it ...You don’t have to find your way around it

John Mayer & Maroon 5 Part of Off The Hook New Orleans Jazz Festival Line-up

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-17T11:34:40-08:00

John Mayer & Maroon 5 Part of Off The Hook New Orleans Jazz Festival Line-up ...During the cold of the winter it's exciting to think warm thoughts of springtime and gear up for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival "New Orleans At Its Fest!" April 26th to May 5, 2013 brings an amazing eclectic--including GRAMMY® nominated THE BLACK KEYS--and talented group of musicians together to a city still fighting to rebuild. ... Maroon 5, John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Ocean, Gary Clark Jr., Jimmy Cliff, Dave Matthews Band, Better Than Ezra, Band of Horses… The list goes on and on. ...Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, John Mayer, The Black Keys, Trombone Shorty, Gypsy Kings, Gary Clark Jr., George Benson, Kermit Ruffins, Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, Darryl Hall and John Oates, Stanley Clarke, George Duke Project, Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Dr. ... King, Dianne Reeves, Phoenix, The Nevilles, Rebirth Brass Band, Jimmy Cliff, Earth Wind & Fire, Galactic, Pete Fountain, Terence Blanchard, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Los Lobos, Juan Luis Guerra Y 440, Little Big Town, Better Than Ezra, Jeffrey Osborne, Taj Mahal & The Big Tuba Band, Roy Ayers, Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade, One Mo' Time 35th Anniversary, Davell Crawford, Meter Men with Page McConnell, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Calexico, Chris Owens, Ellis Marsalis, John Boutte, Sonny Landreth, Amanda Shaw, Treme Brass Band, Marc Broussard, Nicholas Payton, Soul Rebels, Big Chief Monk, Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles, AND Mardi Gras Indians.

Stereospread Takes You On A Dream Flight

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-16T20:37:58-08:00

Music on "The Heart & The Thief" EP is the electro pop soundtrack in your dreams that takes you on a journey, so prepare to take flight. ...LOS ANGELES – Dynamic electro pop trio STEREOSPREAD joins forces with Fanattac, the Internet’s newest social music hub, to release exclusives and teasers for their highly-anticipated first album, The Heart & the Thief, set to release January 15, 2013. ...Leading up to the release, the band is working closely with Fanattac to release several exclusive songs and remixes on the platform and continue to build a community for their fans. The platform will be hosting multiple share-to-unlock promotions in which fans are encouraged to share a link via their social media channels to unlock a free download of a song. ...STEREOSPREAD’s mega remix of “Bring Me Back to Earth,” a huge collaborative success with Department of Energy, is currently available for download via the share-to-unlock promotion. ...The Department of Energy remix of ‘Bring Me Back to Earth’ is a killer dance track, and within the first hours of release of our ‘share-to-unlock’ promo it brought new fans to the band and to our platform.”

Afghan Women To Benefit From ATN Music Awards

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-16T19:11:05-08:00

16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Some of the world's most famous Afghan musicians and performers from around the world will gather on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the spectacular Kingdom of Dreams in Delhi, India to celebrate Ariana Television Network's 7th Annual ATN® Awards 2012. ...Asad Badie returning to host the event for the third time, the ATN Awards will feature thirteen categories including Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Song, Best New Male Artist, Best New Female Artist, Best Ghazal, Best Duet Song, Best Mahali Artist, Best Lyrics, Best Video, Best Patriotic Song, Best Sofie-Taswwufi Singer, a new category for the youngsters of Afghanistan, the Best Rap song,and a special Lifetime Achievement Award. ...A number of Indian stars and celebrities such as the famous Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas will join the celebration as well, as will Zeenat Aman, a leading Bollywood actress in the 1970s and 1980s, and Prem Chopra, a veteran Bollywood actor of more than 320 films. ...The nominated artists and special guests are part of a growing group of cultural ambassadors and global entertainers who have worked tirelessly to elevate Afghan values in the creation of vibrant and authentic music, and have helped make the Awards show the most widely viewed award ceremony for Afghans in Afghanistan and around the world." ...This year, the ATN Awards show is partnering with the Bayat Foundation (www.bayatfoundation.org) in an effort to support aspiring female Afghan students pursue and further their educational dreams by providing scholarships, materials, and financial support to educational institutions around Afghanistan. "There is no doubt that Afghanistan's future rests in the hands and hearts of its young population: It is this young generation – the most avid group of music fans and the most passionate followers of the artists we're celebrating tonight – who will lead our nation towards a brighter future, a prosperous economy, and a dynamic cultural environment.

Dave Grohl Says Nevermind Was A Return To Old School Sound

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-16T16:01:44-08:00

The success of the record saved the studio from closing its' doors and as a result Dave Grohl says that he stayed close with the owners of the family run studio. ...So "Nevermind" was kind of a return to that just old school just set up hit record and play and when it became popular that's where everybody started going to get that sound…Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac." ...Grohl called McCartney “just the sweetest, nicest, most awesome person” and after they recorded some performances for the Sound City documentary, Grohl asked McCartney if he wanted to jam. ...Sundance Film Festival is set to rock with Dave Grohl‘s Sound City film, "a documentary about the storied L.A. studio," (Radio.com) premiering at the annual festival which runs January 17 - 27, 2013 in Park City Utah. Life of a Rock Star™ is excited to see the film that brings back the core of music as it began with the human element. Set in the heart of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, the legendary musician Dave Grohl brings back to life a studio lost to the digital age with the help of iconic musicians who once recorded in that very same studio: Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Rick Springfield, and Paul McCartney amongst others.

GRAMMY® Nominees Album Supports MusiCares Foundation ® and the GRAMMY Foundation®

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-15T19:40:50-08:00

The hot 2013 Grammy® Nominees new album to be released next week includes music from The Black Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Frank Ocean, The Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Hunter Hayes, Gotye, Alabama Shakes, fun. featuring Janelle Monae, Florence and the Machine, Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Jack White, Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa, Muse, Carly Rae Jepsen, Coldplay, Miguel and Adele. ...8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Capitol Records and The Recording Academy®'s GRAMMY Recordings® will release the 2013 GRAMMY ® Nominees album on Jan. 22, 2013 and provide lucky music and GRAMMY fans two chances to attend the 55th or the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards®. ...The 19th edition of the best-selling collection includes many of the most widely recognized GRAMMY categories representing nominees for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album. ...First, when pre-ordering the 2013 GRAMMY Nominees album at www.grammy.com/2013grammyalbum by Jan. 21, music fans can enter to win a trip to the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. ...Additionally, providing another chance to win tickets to Music's Biggest Night®, each 2013 GRAMMY Nominees album purchased in stores will include a special game piece featuring a unique entry code for the GRAMMY Ticket Game. ...The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Sunday, Feb. 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m.

Scissor Sisters on Crackle From The Basement

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-15T20:58:37-08:00

Pictured left: Scissor Sisters perform live their smash hit featured on Glee "Let's Have A Kiki" for Crackle's original series "From The Basement" produced by Nigel Godrich ...Crackle and From The Basement invited Life of a Rock Star™ in to visit their closed set for this incredible event and spend a bit of time chatting with Jake and Ana. ...The first two seasons of FROM THE BASEMENT are available now for U.S. and Canada on Crackle.com, as well as on Android handsets and tablets, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Sony Blu-ray, Roku Streaming Player, Sony Streaming Player, Sony Bravia televisions and Google Chrome. ...Their most recent album "Magic Hour" includes the song "Let's Have A Kiki" which has taken on a life of its' own and was recently included on the popular television show Glee performed by Sarah Jessica Parker. ...Don’t be fooled like I was believing the dynamic duo that is Ana Matronic and Jake Shears met at Disneyland, no that was just a story the two cooked up to create a fun bio for themselves. ... "I was dressed as an Andy Warhol factory reject and he was dressed as a late term back alley abortion," and Ana said she knew right then they were going to be friends.

Justin Timberlake "Suit and Tie feat. Jay Z" Has Us Seeing Clearly

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-14T21:47:41-08:00

Justin Timberlake released a new song today "Suit and Tie featuring Jay Z" and sends a letter to his fans. ...Back in June of last year, I quietly started working on what is now, my next journey with that thing I love called MUSIC. ...It is full of inspiration that I grew up listening to and some newfound muses that I've discovered along the way. ...14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy Award® and Emmy Award®-winning artist, Justin Timberlake, today released his long-awaited new single, "Suit & Tie featuring JAY Z." "Suit & Tie featuring JAY Z" was written by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Shawn Carter, Jerome "J-ROC" Harmon and James Flauntleroy and produced by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Jerome "J-ROC" Harmon. ...The song is the first release off Timberlake's forthcoming album, The 20/20 Experience , due out this year on RCA Records.

Coheed And Cambria New Song "Dark Side of Me" Produced by Incubus Michael Einziger

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-14T10:11:05-08:00

Coheed And Cambria New Song "Dark Side of Me" Produced by Incubus Michael Einziger ...Incubus guitarist Michael Einziger (Incubus) has uploaded a new song on SoundCloud he produced for Coheed and Cambria. The lyrics "I gave my everything for all the wrong things," grab your attention as you delve into Einziger's re-mixed version of Coheed & Cambria's song "Dark Side of Me." ...Einziger told Radio.com, “Claudio (Sanchez), the singer of Coheed & Cambria, came out and stayed with me at my house in Malibu for a couple of days. ... He played me some of the music they’d been working on, and I picked out the song ‘Dark Side of Me,’ which the band and already written and recorded. ...Coheed and Cambria's original version of “Dark Side of Me” will be on the band's forthcoming album, "The Afterman: Decension," expected on 5 February.

Amity Is A New Voice For Charity

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-13T18:22:51-08:00

Singer songwriter Amity co-founded Our Kids Sake, a non-profit charity organization devoted to helping homeless children in Sonoma County, California. ...A Powerful New Voice -- Amity Releases Her Music Video, "Me and My Guitar" ...8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Budding singer, songwriter Amity is bringing her unique brand of smart, catchy and introspective music to the world. ..."Me and My Guitar" is part of a recently released EP, which includes "I Remember it All" and "The Other Side." ...In addition to performing "Me and My Guitar," Amity sang with the Les Paul Trio, showing off her chops in her original rendition of the jazz classic, "How High the Moon." ..."I hope that 'Me and My Guitar' can add a little something to a person's day," says Amity, "whether it is a smile, an idea, or a little dance move."

Battle of the Bands 2013: Register Now For Hard Rock Rising Global Band Competition

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-13T10:24:03-08:00

Hard Rock Rising supports the musical careers of aspiring artists around the globe by giving one local band the opportunity of a lifetime – participate in a World Tour at Hard Rock Cafe locations, film a music video, record an album with Hard Rock Records and receive the equivalent of $10,000 in new gear. ...“More than 12,000 bands entered Hard Rock Rising and nearly one million votes were cast by fans around the globe in 2012 – we hope the continued success of this programm will catapult an emerging band to success and introduce their sound to Hard Rock’s worldwide audience.” ...“The influence of Hard Rock’s iconic brand – fused with ReverbNation’s extensive network of over 2.4 million artists in 250 countries worldwide – is a match made in rock and roll heaven,” said Mike Doernberg, CEO and Co-founder of ReverbNation. ...Following open registration, fans decide who moves on to the live performance phase of the programm and can vote on any Hard Rock’s city-specific, Facebook page by downloading free tracks from bands of their choice. ...Once the top 25 are determined, a panel of music industry professionals; including Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band, Live Nation Senior Vice President of Music Toby Leighton-Pope, and Hard Rock Records’ Artist Relations Executives John Kirkpatrick, James Buell and Blake Smith; will select the grand prize winner and two runner up bands. ...Following an exhilarating competition process – the Grand Prize winner will play a World Tour in cities including Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, Chicago and Honolulu, arranged by Hard Rock International; record an album with Hard Rock Records; shoot a music video; and receive new music equipment and gear valued at $10,000.

The Black Keys "El Camino" Up For Album of the Year - Delve Inside The Album

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-12T21:53:00-08:00

From sleeping in their van on the road and seeing a motel as a perk, to walking the red carpet at the GRAMMYS®, The Black Keys from Akron, Ohio exploded in 2012 with their album "El Camino." The hit song "Lonely Boy" off of the album garnered international attention as it climbed charts worldwide peaking at number 2 in Australia and number 7 in New Zealand. Watching this talented band gain well deserved recognition lights us up at Life of a Rock Star™ as we are still listening to their "Brothers" album on repeat. ...Although it was released in 2011, The Black Keys’ El Camino was one of the biggest albums of 2012…So, how did the blues-rock duo from Ohio become one of the biggest bands in the world? ...rnd=312644;hostDomain=cbsrla.cbsradio.com;playerWidth=425;playerHeight=270;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8163635;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Entertainment;advertisingZone=CBS.MUSIC.KROQFM%252Fworldnowplayer;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed'>Video - ...The new year also looks to bring in a GRAMMY® for the band as they were nominated for Album of the Year for "El Camino," Best Rock Performance for "Lonely Boy," Best Rock Song for "Lonely Boy" and Best Rock Album for "El Camino."

Alicia Keys Fired Up CES Monster Awards Ceremony

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-12T20:38:08-08:00

She took her place on the piano as the lights came up and said, "It's a new day, it's a new time and I'm ready to have fun with you tonight!" ...The artist led into her second song "Karma" from her 2003 album "The Diary of Alicia Keys" by reminding her audience, "We're free to let go of the past and live in the present. ... Alicia Keys' third song of the night was "You Don't Know My Name" (also from "The Diary of Alicia Keys") and the pop reggae feel of the song shook up the energy in the room a bit getting the fans into her show. ...Standing on the stage look sexy as ever and singing to a crowd of mostly men, Alicia Keys looked amazing in a white blazer over a cropped white form fitting top that revealed her six pack abs with navy pants. ...She shared with the crowd that she sings "Not Even The King" to him at bedtime and then launched into a rendition of the song that was nothing short of tearjerking. ...When Columbia Records released a selection songs from the historic "12-12-12" The Concert For Sandy Relief, one thing was clear and noticeable right off the bat: Alicia Keys is the only female artist on the album.

Sundance Film Festival Set To Rock With Dave Grohl's Iconic Band of Sound City Players

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-11T09:26:01-08:00

Sundance Film Festival is set to rock with Dave Grohl‘s Sound City film, "a documentary about the storied L.A. studio," (Radio.com) premiering at the annual festival which runs January 17 - 27, 2013 in Park City Utah. ... Set in the heart of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, the legendary musician Dave Grohl brings back to life a studio lost to the digital age with the help of iconic musicians who once recorded in that very same studio: Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Rick Springfield, and Paul McCartney amongst others. Festival attendees can look forward to Dave Grohl's live performance with “The Sound City Players” — which includes an eclectic group of musicians promising a legendary show. In "The Sound City Players" are Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), and Rick Springfield, Pat Smear (Foo Fighters), Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Nate Mendel, Krist Novoselic (Nirvana), as well as Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine and the punk icon, Lee Ving of Fear. ...Grohl’s film looks into the history of the legendary L.A. studio, and features interviews with Nicks, Fogerty, Nielsen and Springfield, as well Tom Petty, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and even Barry Manilow. ...Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Rick Springfield, and Paul McCartney are just some of the legends who jam with Grohl and create a brand-new album on that revered soundboard.

Maroon 5 Kicks Off CES Qualcomm Keynote in Acoustic Fashion

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-08T08:37:40-08:00

January 7, 2013--Las Vegas, Nevada--Adam Levine and Maroon 5 were the headlining band and highlight of the night at Qualcomm’s #bornmobile Preshow Keynote address in Las Vegas last night in The Palazzo Ballroom in The Venetian Hotel. “We don’t usually do acoustic so this is a little weird for us,” Adam told the audience of mainly press in town to cover the massive consumer electronic event that takes over Las Vegas for a week of what’s new and innovative in the technology world. ...The three song concert set included “One More Night,” “This Love,” and what Adam Levine called, “kind of an old song,” their smash chart topping hit “Payphone.” ...The band sounded fantastic acoustic and proved that no matter how tough the crowd--a seated lot of techie journalists--they can make anyone tap their feet and sing along. Seeing Maroon 5 in this environment with a simple no frills set stage and what seemed to be an off the cuff performance (Adam at one point asked one of his band members what key they should play in), conjures images of what these talented musicians must have looked like back in the day when they were playing small venues and more intimate settings. Adam Levine and Maroon 5 started the week off in true rock star style and Life of a Rock Star™ is excited to see all that is in store for music in Vegas this week!

Darryl Lenox Blind Comedian Has Inspired Ambitions

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-04T22:41:00-08:00

Meet Darryl Lenox, the near-blind comedian who will make you laugh out loud with astute observations such as life would be a whole lot easier if it came with this warning: This is just gonna hurt, and I'm sorry. ...Heavily reliant upon music for inspiration, the comedian tells Life of a Rock Star™, "Before the biggest shows of my life, I always bring my headphones and listen to music. ... Well, my instrument is my voice and my relationship with the audience so I have to create a musical rhythm back and forth with them and so the music really helps me do that." “Blind Ambition” is more than just the title of Darryl Lenox’s recently named top 5 comedy album of 2012, it’s the journey of a man who has come through virtual and literal darkness to see that he can realize all that he imagined as a child and that there has been a purpose for his pain and struggles. ...People in third world countries don't have the same access to just regular visual needs, eye glasses, contact lenses and saline solutions but mainly eye glasses and so we all if we have eye glasses have an old ugly pair we don't use anymore, you can just bring those to my show. ...When I first met Darryl Lenox inside the Hollywood Improv bar, he appeared to be a confident man enjoying the success of his current album "Blind Ambitions."

Paloma Faith "Just Be" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-03T10:51:51-08:00

Life of a Rock Star™ is excited to announce 2013's first Song of the Week is by the UK's Paloma Faith. "Just Be" is the perfect song to start off the year 2013 as this will be the year Paloma Faith's voice dominates the airwaves. ...Paloma Faith first came across the Life of a Rock Star™ radar in London at the London 2012 Olympics where we saw her live performance up close and personal at Hackney House celebrating the live feed of the Opening Ceremonies. ...When she sang "Just Be" at Hackney House last summer, the audience was enthralled with the range of her voice. ...The Hackney born indie rock singer, Paloma Faith, showcased her talent tonight at the opening of Hackney House timed to correspond with The Games in London, and Life of a Rock Star™ was thrilled to be invited. Gorgeous, with a powerful voice, Paloma Faith was well loved and applauded by the gathered party crowd at Hackney House tonight as she sang songs to be released soon.

Gideon Grove's New Music Video Will Break You Down

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-04T08:46:57-08:00

"Walls" is a single off of Grove's recently released a "Wildfires" album which is catching on and spreading like one. Shot by amazing videographer Matt Williams, Life of a Rock Star™ would love to describe the "Walls" video as a hot new release-but it looks far too cold in that brick East Coast loft! ...NEW RELEASE from Gideon Grove - Walls (featuring Andy Zipf and Bobby Thompson) on Vimeo ...title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="560" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen>

Gideon Grove - Walls (featuring Andy Zipf and Bobby Thompson) from Clubhill Media on Vimeo.

...Among his recent accomplishments are impressive feats such as debuting his first solo album "Wildfires" on iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart at No. 13, holding a New and Noteworthy iTunes featured album spot for weeks, sitting now on the "Discover This" chart at number 4, and opening up for American Idol winner Kris Allen this past October. ...Gideon Grove supports Musicians On Call which brings musicians in to play at the bedside of wounded warriors.

Maroon 5 Set To Perform At CES Next Week In Las Vegas

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-03T14:58:55-08:00

With so much talent at music descending upon Las Vegas next week, Life of a Rock Star™ is excited to get into Sin City and catch all that is new in the electronics industry and catch some fantastic shows that include Maroon 5 at Qualcomm's chief executive officer Dr. ...A seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner known for his work with The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am is a founding shareholder in Beats Electronics, the creators of the Beats by Dre™ headphones. will is a featured panelist on the Next Generation of Innovators keynote at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8 in the LVH Theater. World-renowned drummer and producer Travis Barker will sign autographs from 12-1 p.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, at the Pioneer Electronics Booth (LVCC, North Hall Booth #1101). ...Chicago band, I Fight Dragons, whose track "Save World Get Girl" recently premiered on Nintendo 3DS video, will perform their first-ever iBand-style set at a gig for Bém Wireless guests at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9 at the Flight Lounge at Luxor. ...New and hot-on-the-scene rapper Lil Twist will appear at CES at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, at the Nikura booth (LVCC, South Hall 4, #37134). ...Marley will be at the House of Marley booth (LVCC, Central Hall, #10544) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. from Tuesday, January 8 through Thursday, January 10.

Pop Russian Artist Vitya Belan Reveals His Face Premiering New Single "Fairy World"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-02T22:31:36-08:00

Life of a Rock Star™ is absolutely taken by the big bright blue eyes of this young child actor in "Fairy World," a new single released by Vitya Belan. ...He announced that his alter-ego was going to sing soon, the very Vitya Belan, but he just half revealed the mystery and forced his fans to be in anticipation looking forward with excitement for several months. ...The main theme of the new music project is in fact going to be that Vitya Belan is going to express himself fully and present songs, written all by himself, without any help. ...“This is what I’ve been collecting inside me – emotions, events, sorrow, some musings, - and the time came, when I found the moment and had ability to give it a shape, which is interesting for me and is very up-to-date! At present I create music all by myself, I write texts, plunge into the process fully, drifting of delight, of this possibility to create music at any point of Earth, at home, on tour, everywhere, where I manage to do it! ...Together with his like-minded persons, sound producer Andrey Cherny and musician Slava Lungu, the artist is working on his debut album, which he’s going to present in 2013.

Pentatonix Releases Swedish House Mafia Mashup

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-02T15:34:02-08:00

Pentatonix Releases Swedish House Mafia Mashup "Save The World / Don't You Worry Child" Video ...Music Video ★ PENTATONIX ★ Cover Swedish House Mafia ★ ENTERTAINMENT ★ Pop ★ Tour The band's most recent music video release Swedish House Mafia mashup "Save The World / Don't You Worry Child" is a brilliant blend of dance electronic beats with the unique unparalleled Penatonix harmonies we love. ...Life of a Rock Star™ caught up with the band a few months ago and interviewed group member Kevin Olusola. ...Watch Petatonix SHM "Save The World / Don't You Worry Child" on YouTube Music Videos

Beyonce And Pepsi Get Fans Involved In Superbowl Show

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2013-01-02T13:37:58-08:00

Beginning on Saturday, December 29th, fans are encouraged to submit photos of specific "poses" in hopes of being selected for a chance of a lifetime – to appear in an on-air introduction welcoming Beyoncé to the stage for the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show. ...Hundreds of photos uploaded at www.pepsi.com/halftime with the hashtag #PepsiHalftime will be used to introduce the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show and to welcome Beyoncé to the world's biggest stage. ...In addition, people who submit their photos by January 11th will be entered into a drawing for a chance to be one of 50 lucky fans selected for an unforgettable on-field experience during Beyoncé's Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show performance seen by millions of viewers at home. These fans will be able to bring a friend to New Orleans, participate in dress rehearsals during the week leading up to the show, and be a part of the Halftime Show's on-field dance team on Super Bowl Sunday. ...videoId=USSM21201200&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0&cultureName=en-US&cultureIsRTL=False">

Zedd and Matthew Koma's Spectrum of Success Sum Up 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-31T08:09:54-08:00

Matthew Koma and Zedd are consummate Rock Stars making an indelible mark on the direction of the music industry today. 2013 is sure to include more breakout hits influenced by the production and creative genius of both Koma and Zedd. ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=&affiliate_id=&cul=FFFFFF&cur=FFFFFF&cll=FFFFFF&clr=FFFFFF&wh=300&ww=250&t=Happy%20New%20Year%21%20Rock%20in%202013%21&d=Party%20Playlist%20New%20Years%20Eve%20Music%202013%0Ahttp%3A%26%23x2F%3B%26%23x2F%3Bwww.lifeofarockstar.com&pl=572377247,77788795,3030142,378109641,573510046,547070169,586401392,401264198,83243544,512360396,51958108" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:250px;height: 300px;border:0px" > ...videoId=USUV71200879&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0&cultureName=en-US&cultureIsRTL=False"> ...The New York singer / songwriter toured with Owl City this year, signed with Cherrytree Records (Interscope), Matthew Koma released his EP "Parachute" on May 29, 2012 with four songs: Voyeur, Parachute, 1998, and Stars. According to Cherrytree Records, “Matthew wrote and produced/co-produced all of the four tracks on Parachute, working with collaborators Alex Da Kid (Nicki Minaj, Rihanna), The Runaways’ Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello (Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis), The Smeezingtons’ Ari Levine (Bruno Mars, Bad Meets Evil), and Mike Caren (T.I., B.o.

James Arthur Does The "Impossible"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-28T11:22:00-08:00

The video of his live performance of "Impossible" says it all and we challenge you not to tear up at the end when he is mobbed with love: ...He now joins such exceptional talents as Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke amongst those who have emerged from the show, and thus won the £1 million recording contract courtesy of Simon Cowell's SyCo Records. James was able to see off powerful-voiced Jahméne Douglas and unexpected crowd-favourite Christopher Maloney with strong performances of "Feeling Good" and "Make You Feel My Love", a duet with his mentor Nicole Scherzinger. From now on, he will be working hard to imitate Leona Lewis' soaring career, rather than Steve Brookstein's which plummeted, Icarus-like, soon after he won the competition. So far the signs are looking hopeful, as James's debut single "Impossible" immediately broke X Factor records, clocking up 490,000 downloads within the first day. X Factornatics will be eager to snap up this single, and many are already looking forward to when all of the contestants go on tour next year.

Alicia Keys "That's When I Knew" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-27T22:26:44-08:00

Alicia Keys "That's When I Knew" Song of the Week ...We listened to this song for 10 seconds and that's when we knew it was grabbing the last Song of the Week spot for 2012. ... "That's When I Knew" captures the simplicity in a conversation and the touch of a hand that can transform an innocent friendship into love mid-moment--sending unassuming hearts "all in." ...That's when I knew you stole my heart away from me ...That's when I knew you stole my heart away from me ...When Columbia Records released a selection songs from the historic "12-12-12" The Concert For Sandy Relief, one thing was clear and noticeable right off the bat: Alicia Keys is the only female artist on the album.

Alicia Keys Is On Fire

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-26T15:50:18-08:00

When Columbia Records released a selection songs from the historic "12-12-12" The Concert For Sandy Relief, one thing was clear and noticeable right off the bat: Alicia Keys is the only female artist on the album. ...Her new album "Girl On Fire" is full of stand out highlights that include songs "Brand New Me," "That's When I Knew," "101," "One Thing," and of course her hit single "Girl On Fire" that is all over the Billboard charts. ...Alicia Keys sings out in a painful bold voice that alternates with a softer vulnerable side both hitting chords sure to resonate: "Careful with your ego, he's the one that we should blame…why you mad, it's just a brand new kind of me. It took a long long time to get here, it took a brave brave girl to try…it took one too many excuses, one too many lies, don't be surprised…it ain't bad, I found a brand new kind of free." ...The Robin Hood Relief Fund will receive 100% of the net proceeds of digital retailers, Columbia Records and the artists from the sale of this album (a minimum of $6.50 for sales in the United States.) The Robin Hood Relief Fund is providing money, material and know-how to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hardest hit by the storm.

Robby Romero's "Who's Gonna Save You" Benefits Project Protect

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-24T09:03:52-08:00

Robby Romero's "Who's Gonna Save You" Single & Music Video Debuts on iTunes to Benefit Project Protect ...21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Thunder Entertainment is pleased to announce today's release of musician Robby Romero's Deluxe Edition single and music video for "Who's Gonna Save You" on iTunes. 100% of the profits from the sale of Romero's latest single will benefit the Project Protect Awareness Campaign dedicated to raising awareness about critical issues facing Mother Earth. ..."Given the deadly fallout from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear disaster in Japan, record breaking heat waves, droughts, fires and floods this past summer and the cataclysmic Hurricane Sandy, the message of 'Who's Gonna Save You' is more than music and more than timely," says musician Robby Romero. ...The single is the first in a series of musical releases that will support Project Protect through Native Children's Survival, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ..."December 21, 2012 is a celebration of the end of an ancient mystic cycle and the recommencement of an Indigenous call to consciousness for the restoration of life in balance," continued Romero. ... Grammy Award winning singer Lisa Fischer (The Rolling Stones, Luther Vandross), Dakota Romero and The Gwich'in Youth Choir from Arctic Village accompanied Robby Romero and his band Red Thunder on the track.

Mikey Wax Has The Spirit Of The Season

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-24T08:08:41-08:00

We saw Mikey Wax open up for Graham Colton at Hotel Cafe last month in November and were immediately struck by this singer/songwriter's ability to move from instrument to instrument and keep his show alive as if he were a three man band. He's a fun act to catch and this playful video he released for Christmas (off of his Holiday EP) is a present for everyone, plus it will wake you up to the giving spirit of the season! Watch Mikey Wax "And A Happy New Year" on YouTube Music Videos ...

Janet Jackson AMFAR PSA For World AIDS Day

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-01T14:49:21-08:00

Janet Jackson encourages the creation of an AIDS-Free generation in the U.S. by "Starting at home." ...It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system — the body's defence against diseases. HIV can be passed on through infected bodily fluids, most commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment. There are now more people than ever living with HIV in the UK — around 100,000 — with a quarter of those people are unaware they have the virus. ... • You can get the results of an HIV test in just 15-20 minutes ...Watch Janet Jackson's AMFAR PSA For World AIDS Day on YouTube Music Videos

West of Memphis: Voices for Justice

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-22T10:25:57-08:00

Various artists that features Eddie Vedder's song "Satellite," and includes songs by Henry Rollins, Natalie Maines, Lucinda Williams, Camp Freddy, Marilyn Manson, Band of Horses, and Bob Dylan amongst others have added their voices to the soundtrack that supports a documentary film that highlights social injustice and a fight for life. ...A new documentary written and directed by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Amy Berg (DELIVER US FROM EVIL) and produced by first-time filmmakers Damien Echols and Lorri Davis, in collaboration with the multiple Academy Award-winning team of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, WEST OF MEMPHIS tells the untold story behind an extraordinary and desperate fight to bring the truth to light; a fight to stop the State of Arkansas from killing an innocent man. Starting with a searing examination of the police investigation into the 1993 murders of three, eight year old boys Christopher Byers, Steven Branch and Michael Moore in the small town of West Memphis, Arkansas, the film goes on to uncover new evidence surrounding the arrest and conviction of the other three victims of this shocking crime – Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley. All three were teenagers when they became the target of the police investigation; all three went on to lose 18 years of their lives - imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. How the documentary came to be, is in itself a key part of the story of Damien Echols’ fight to save his own life. ... But as Echols, who spent eighteen years on death row, himself has stated "... in the face of such horror, in the face of resounding grief and pain, you cannot give up ... you must never give up."

Pearl Jam "Better Man" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-20T09:25:39-08:00

We can't find a "Better Man" and we are dedicating this Song of the Week to you! ...She lies and says she's in love with him can't find a better man She dreams in color she dreams in red can't find a better man ...She lies and says she's in love with him can't find a better man She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can't find a better man ...She dreams in color she dreams in red can't find a better man

Lifehouse Kicks Off Almería In A Big Way

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-20T16:18:54-08:00

December 18, 2012--West Hollywood, CA--Carolina Liar was the surprise guest performer that got the Lifehouse Almería CD release party started last night at Troubadour. There were also surprise appearances by pop singer Natasha Bedingfield and Charles Jones, as well as a nice moment when Jason Wade invited his long time manager Jude Cole whom he called his "best friend" on stage to sing. [Read the Lifehouse in Concert review and see concert photos] ...New Music ★ CAROLINA LIAR ★ Alternative ★ Tour ★ Video ★ Photos ★ Featured Artists December 18, 2012--West Hollywood, CA--Carolina Liar was the surprise guest performer that got the Almería CD release party started for Lifehouse last night at Troubadour. Carolina Liar is a band that is friendly with Lifehouse and seemed thrilled to be included in the celebration.

L.A. Reid To Be Honored At Pre-GRAMMY® Gala

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-19T14:44:08-08:00

18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Clive Davis and The Recording Academy® will present the annual Pre-GRAMMY® Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening before the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com). Sponsored by Harman, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide, this exclusive, star-studded celebration will feature special musical performances and will be attended by the world's most renowned artists and top industry VIPs in music, film, television and new media. ...The Recording Academy will present Reid with the President's Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music. ...In 1989 he co-founded LaFace Records with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, in partnership with Clive Davis and Arista Records and introduced a string of multi-platinum artists, including Toni Braxton, OutKast, TLC, and Usher. ...Additionally, during his tenure at Arista he oversaw OutKast's GRAMMY-winning album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below and executive produced Usher's Confessions, which went on to win a GRAMMY and sell more than 10 million copies in the United States. As chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group, reins he took in 2004, Reid supervised the revitalization of Mariah Carey's career with The Emancipation Of Mimi; helped Kanye West achieve multi-platinum status and worldwide recognition with Late Registration and its follow-up Graduation; nurtured Bon Jovi's platinum selling album Have A Nice Day and their platinum follow-up Lost Highway; managed The Killers' 2004 triple-platinum debut Hot Fuss and Fall Out Boy's 2005 major label debut album, From Under The Cork Tree; and he signed and oversaw Justin Bieber's multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated My World and Never Say Never and Rihanna's succession of worldwide multi-platinum best-sellers Music Of the Sun, A Girl Like Me, Good Girl Gone Bad, and Loud.

The Black Keys Patrick CARNEY's Serious Boredom Will Be A Must-Hear Moment

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-19T13:59:26-08:00

Patrick Carney will host a radio show and DJ the program Serious Boredom set to begin in January of 2013. The new year also looks to bring in a GRAMMY® for the band as they were nominated for Album of the Year for "El Camino," Best Rock Performance for "Lonely Boy," Best Rock Song for "Lonely Boy" and Best Rock Album for "El Camino." ...19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that Patrick Carney, drummer of the Grammy® -Award winning band The Black Keys, will host Serious Boredom, an exclusive show on SiriusXMU, channel 35. ...During the first episode, SiriusXM listeners will hear Carney play music by artists like Pavement, Guided By Voices and Yo La Tengo as well as a new duet by Adam Green and Binki Shapiro. ..."We are the place to discover new music and we take pride in creating unique and wide-ranging opportunities for our listeners to hear new artists and songs," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "When an influential artist like Patrick Carney gets behind the mic and invites listeners for an inside look into his inspirations and personal favorites, it's a special, must-hear moment for our subscribers.

The Neighbourhood Premier New Song "A Little Death"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-18T18:42:05-08:00

The Neighbourhood PREMIERE a new single “A LITTLE DEATH” the B-Side to “LET IT GO” on "Thank You," and bring the signature sound of Jessie Rutherford's intoxicating voice to a song that evokes mystique. The alternative rock band out of Southern California tells a story with this sexy song that draws you in with lyrics like, "touch me, make me feel like I am breathing…feel like I am human…" The video for "A Little Death" will be released on December 25th which is a nice little Christmas gift for all of The Neighbourhood fans. ...Formed by five friends in August 2011, The Neighbourhood are set to release their debut album, which was recorded in L.A. during the summer of 2012, in the spring of next year. ...(Pictured left: Jesse Rutherford, lead singer of The Neighbourhood performing live in concert at The Viper Room November 26, 2012) ...November 26, 2012--West Hollywood, CA--"We've been at this for about a year now," Jesse Rutherford told the eager audience at the Viper Room last night.

Lifehouse Plays The Troubadour Tomorrow Night

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-17T17:02:56-08:00

Lifehouse recently released "Almería" [read the album review] and are now on tour promoting the new album. ... The show sold out in less than 60 seconds [check stubhub.com for resale tickets] while their album has created quite a buzz. Their song "Between The Raindrops" featuring Natasha Bedingfield is currently no. 26 on the Billboard Hot Pop Songs Chart and no. 83 on iTunes Top Songs chart. Lifehouse will appear on New Year's Eve Live (Fox) and you can check their website for more events upcoming at: LifehouseMusic.com ...Lifehouse is releasing their newest album "Almería" next week December 11th via Geffen Records and lead singer Jason Wade calls it "very in-the-moment." ... The song is charted on Billboard.com #8 Rock Digital Songs #30 Digital Songs and #16 Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

Top Songs Playlist December 2012 #MusicMonday

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-17T16:13:14-08:00

We've put together a list of songs that are on the iTunes charts and are a fun entertaining mix for your iPod. It makes a great holiday gift if you are shopping for the music lover in your life! ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=&affiliate_id=&cul=FFFFFF&cur=FFFFFF&cll=FFFFFF&clr=FFFFFF&wh=370&ww=325&t=Top%20Songs%2012%26%23x2F%3B17%26%23x2F%3B12&d=http%3A%26%23x2F%3B%26%23x2F%3Bwww. LifeofaRockStar.com%0ATop%20Songs%20for%2012%26%23x2F%3B17%26%23x2F%3B12&pl=573962551,571445453,501614942,580532010,534441559,560148921,565210327,574871309,582338385,562464932,545389289,536282832,580997074,486040194,573276813,572610140" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:325px;height: 370px;border:0px" > ...Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, The Lumineers, will.i.am, Justin Bieber, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Rihanna, Phillip Phillips, Ke$ha, Swedish House Mafia, P! ...℗ 2012 Fueled By Ramen, LLC for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.

Holiday Music Is Essential For Winter Season

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-17T07:37:30-08:00

And while we don't recommend ignoring your menu, this holiday music Pandora survey finds that most people judge a party's success based more on music than the food. ...A new survey by Pandora (NYSE: P), the leading internet radio service, yields interesting insights into how Americans prefer to listen to Christmas and holiday-themed music during the winter season. ...Whether trimming a Christmas tree, wrapping gifts or preparing a festive meal to share with friends, the holiday survey confirmed that Americans love their holiday tunes. ...For those that like to spread holiday cheer at home by entertaining, the survey found that holiday music is a must to set the mood for a memorable and festive gathering. Nearly a quarter of Americans feel that the music selection is more likely to make or break a holiday celebration than the menu. And in picking the perfect music to accompany their get-togethers, three in four people admit they prefer classic holiday tunes from artists such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole, rather than new releases from today's chart toppers.

Imagine Dragons Talk Big Drums

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-16T11:35:52-08:00

Imagine Dragons has gone platinum with their single "It's Time" off their full length debut album "Night Visions," which they'll be touring in support of in Spring of 2013. ...Their hit single "It's Time" with a folk indie sound has popped up on a variety of genre specific charts and created a sky's the limit potential for this Las Vegas band. The song has "crossed over from Modern Rock to Top 40, Hot AC, and AAA and reached the Top 5 on Billboard's Alternative and Rock charts after being used in a trailer for the motion picture The Perks of Being A Wallflower." (via Interscope Records) ...“It’ll be like a 5-foot drum now, and it’ll be on our next headlining tour of the U.S.,” Sermon related. “I think the drum is not just for the sake of having something to hit onstage, it definitely lends itself to our sound and what we do,” he continued. ...rnd=936176;hostDomain=cbsrla.cbsradio.com;playerWidth=425;playerHeight=270;isShowIcon=true;clipId=8062029;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Radio%252006;advertisingZone=CBS.MUSIC.KROQFM%252Fworldnowplayer;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed'>Video -

The Mowgli's Call For Moment Of Silence At Dakota Lounge To Remember Newtown Victims

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-15T19:09:28-08:00

The eight member band--7 boys, 1 girl Michael Vincze, Colin Dieden, David Applebaum, Spencer Trent, Matt Di Panni, Josh Hogan, Andy Warren, and Katie Earl lit up the stage and brought the positive energy of their "Love's Not Dead" EP to a crowd after a very difficult day in light of the Newtown tragedy that occurred earlier in the day. ...After a long day that was difficult for the entire nation, said Katie Earl, "Love's not dead," bringing the theme of their music into the moment. ...Playing on in celebration of the Christmas party show they had planned, The Mowgli's inspired the crowd to celebrate the joy in the room and embrace the love and positivity that their music embodies. The loyal fans sang along to every song in their set and eagerly passed around the plastic owl that travelled with The Mowgli's on their recent cross country tour from which the band seemed a bit happy to be home, if not temporarily. ...San Francisco by The Mowgli's ...He optimistically tried to put me on speaker phone so I could have the entire fun loving and talented 8 member band on the line, but then had to pull over and take the call in a quieter location on the side of the road just patching in Michael to the call.

ZZ Ward "Til The Casket Drops" Sets The Bar High

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-15T13:15:48-08:00

Life of a Rock Star™ is winding down the year by bringing you albums that should be added to your playlist before we properly enter the new year. ...The angst in her voice resonates with the times but digs deeper to pull you into a world that could be. ...ZZ Ward exemplifies the singer songwriter genre and sets the R&B/Soul bar high for those in her field. ...His music makes you smile--despite some of the serious themes--and brings back the soul sounds of Earth Wind & Fire in a contemporary way. ... Influenced heavily by both his mother (a doctor) and his father (a preacher), Allen is a hard-working talented musician with a strong business sense and an acute awareness of what society is missing today: music with content and consciousness. ... Allen's mother is a breast cancer survivor and Allen donates a portion of every ticket sold on his tour to the Keep A Breast Foundation.

Owl City Leads Rock The Red Kettle FREE Concert At L.A. LIVE With Hot Chelle Rae & More

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-15T12:31:43-08:00

Take top pop artists and mix with a fantastic charity to create a Rock The Red Kettle event worth heading out to catch in LA this weekend. ...Tomorrow night, The Salvation Army will proudly present the third annual Rock the Red Kettle Concert, produced by Specktor Media, featuring a mix of today's top music artists including Owl City, Hot Chelle Rae, Andy Grammer, Bridgit Mendler, and Sonus. The free concert on Saturday, December 15, which will be open to the general public and support the Army's annual Red Kettle Campaign, will begin at 7:30 p.m. ...The concert will feature a variety of performances from hot young artists, led by pop sensation Owl City, who went on the road for the second annual Rock the Red Kettle Tour to encourage volunteerism and support The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. The tour, which was the first leg of Owl City's The Midsummer Station World Tour, stopped in 25 major cities across North America, and Owl City also volunteered at multiple Salvation Army locations. Other performers for the Rock the Red Kettle concert include chart-topping Hot Chelle Rae, who just wrapped a year-long extensive worldwide tour and are currently working on a new album targeted for release next year; certified gold pop artist Andy Grammer; and Hollywood Records recording artist and Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler.

Mike Posner Releases New Single "Heaven" For The Families In Newtown

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-15T11:47:29-08:00

Mike Posner Releases New Single "Heaven" For The Families In Newtown ...Mike Posner just released a song written for the families of the December 14th tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Artists across the board are struggling with how to respond to this tragedy with some holding a moment of silence at their shows last night, as did Train and The Mowgli's. Others are taking to their twitter feeds to condemn the madness and some are creating healing music to bring the world around the Newtown community. ..."Today my prayers are in the sky…they say that time will make it better and I hope that what they say is true. ... ...We love this sweet song and video tribute by Alex Preston on YouTube Music Videos for the families of the Newton tragedy.

Cold Summer Releases New Single "The Fallen"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-15T11:06:56-08:00

The post hardcore punk rock band Cold Summer released the first single off their upcoming album, "The Fallen," which you can listen to and purchase on bandcamp.com. Cold Summer's EP "The Wake" was released on iTunes this past summer and the band is working on new tracks to release their debut album in early 2013. "The Fallen" is Cold Summer at their best with a big drum sound and killer vocals coming together to create an exciting glimpse into what is to come from this Wakefield band in their upcoming album. ...Pictured L to R: Dan Feast (vocals), Chris Harrison (guitar), then Chris Hepworth (bass) and Justin Eastwood (drums) ...The Cold Summer "Wake" EP was released on iTunes August 6th, 2012 (which you can also listen to at the Cold Summer website). ... The music they are writing compels you to move in rhythm with the beat, their lyrics are full of thoughtful prose and yet this England based band has given a different voice to post hardcore punk.

Dropkick Murphys "The Season's Upon Us" Music Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-14T13:25:08-08:00

The Best Christmas Music Video: Dropkick Murphys "The Season's Upon Us" Music Video ...We voted Dropkick Murphys "The Season's Upon Us" The Best Christmas Music Video! ...We all need a little humor to get through the crazy holidays and the family that comes along with the festivities. We love love love Dropkick Muphys song "The Season's Upon Us" as we do our darnedest to avoid all things crazy during the holiday season. ...NOTE: This Dropkick Murphys YouTube music video was sent to Life of a Rock Star™ from a close family member knowing we would appreciate the humor behind the lyrics. ... ;) "I'd like to take them out back and deck more than the halls," Dropkick Murphy sings about his horrible nephew who once gave him a wrapped box full of sh*t sending us off laughing again.

Follow Laura Warshauer "In Merry Measure" & Deck The Halls

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-14T09:42:19-08:00

Laura Warshauer, BMI and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame 2010’s “Holly Prize” winner (named after Buddy Holly and presented to only one singer-songwriter per year) is closing out her whirlwind year in style two fantastic holiday tunes. 2012 marked a very special year for Laura as she made her debut at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, IL as well as performed on two national tours with Bob Schneider (Summer) as well as the Sunset Sessions featuring Duncan Sheik & Alpha Rev (Fall) respectively. She is now sharing her version of “Deck The Halls” as well as her original Christmas tune, “I Love You, Mr. ... Laura also notes of the track, “I'm happy to share this with fans, and hope it adds a little extra something to this season's festivities, as it did for me in recording it!” ...Grinch,” the quirky love song, written from the perspective of Cindy Lou Who, was penned in 2010 after Laura made the big move from New Jersey to Los Angeles. “I remember feeling a little disoriented because I was used to growing up on the east coast with the cold weather (along with all the music, decorations, and lights) signifying the holidays,” Laura says. ...Laura recently spent time recording multiple songs with PJ Bianco including her hot upcoming single, “Running From The Grave,” which will impact Triple A Radio on January 7, 2013.

Bruno Mars "When I Was Your Man" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-13T10:24:58-08:00

Bruno Mars "When I Was Your Man" Song of the Week ...Such was the case this week when someone--you know who you are--stuck Bruno Mars "When I Was Your Man" on the top of editor Nicole Hanratty's playlist. Somewhere about the line when Bruno sings out "my heart breaks a little when I hear your name," she was hook line and sinker sold on Song of the Week. ..."When I Was Your Man" is off of Bruno Mars most recent album "Unorthodox Jukebox" (currently the Top Album on iTunes) that includes the hit single--currently the top iTunes song and #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts--"Locked Out of Heaven." ... While the songs Mars was instrumental in crafting for Flo Rida's "Right Round," Travie McCoy's "Billionaire," and K'Naan's "Wavin' Flag," have all been favorites, "Unorthodox Jukebox" is rock solid proof that Bruno Mars belongs in the spotlight. ...Do all the things I should have done when I was your man

Let Leftover Cuties "Christmas Time Is Here" EP Bring You Holiday Cheer

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-12T17:09:42-08:00

Life of a Rock Star™ loves the sweet and festive voices on Leftover Cuties "Christmas Time Is Here" EP. ...Join Los-Angeles band Leftover Cuties as they get into the holiday spirit with their brand-new EP, "Christmas Time Is Here." This fun collection features Leftover Cuties' spin on their hand-picked favorite holiday classics and is a perfect gift for everyone on your list. ..."Blue Christmas" is peppered with mariachi horns and timbalis, and nods to the band celebrating the holidays at home in Los Angeles. "Christmas Time Is Here" is an appropriate end-of-year celebration for Leftover Cuties, who have enjoyed their best year to date. ...Leftover Cuties is currently in the studio working on their forthcoming album with producer/engineer Dave Way (Fiona Apple, Macy Gray, Sheryl Crow) which is set to be released in Spring 2013.

John Mayer Organizes A Concert to Benefit the Fighters of the Pine Creek Fire

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-12T16:30:32-08:00

Make sure to catch the on sale this Saturday, 15th of December for what is set to be a fantastic charity benefit concert by John Mayer. ...10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy® award-winning singer songwriter and musician John Mayer has announced that he will be organizing a benefit concert to help the firefighters who battled last summer's devastating Pine Creek Fire, which destroyed more than 8500 acres of forest and farmland in and around the town of Livingston, outside of Bozeman, MT. ...Zac Brown and Clay Cook, along with long time band mate David Ryan Harris, will step in to add vocals for the still-recovering Mayer. ...Putting on a concert to raise some money for the departments is the least I can do for a town and a community that has welcomed me with open arms." Tickets for the January 16 show, which will be held at the Emerson Theater in downtown Bozeman, MT, will go on sale December 15. Mayer is making a limited number of premium seats available to be sold through Tickets-for-Charity at $1,000 per ticket package, including a donation directly benefiting the Park County Community Foundation (www.pccf-montana.org) to support local wildfire relief.

Skylar Grey "C'mon Let Me Ride" Feat. Eminem New Music Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-12T11:28:22-08:00

Skylar Grey's Music Video For "C'mon Let Me Ride," Featuring Eminem Debuts Today And Single Now Available Through All Digital Retailers ...11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated music video for Skylar Grey's new single "C'mon Let Me Ride," featuring Eminem debuts today with the release of the track available now through all digital retailers. "C'mon Let Me Ride," produced by Alex Da Kid and mixed by both Eminem and Alex, is Grey's first single from her hotly anticipated debut album "Don't Look Down," due Spring 2013 from KIDinaKORNER /Interscope. The 13-time GRAMMY® winning producer, songwriter and rapper Eminem is an executive producer of the debut album from five-time GRAMMY® -nominated singer songwriter Skylar Grey and he also appears in the music video for "C'mon Let Me Ride." ...Grey co-wrote the biggest selling single of 2010: Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie," which earned her two GRAMMY® Award nominations for Best Song and Best Rap Song of the Year. ...This past January, Grey released "The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey," which featured special acoustic performances by Grey of three songs she wrote and produced: the original demo of "Love the Way Part III" (the original "Love the way You Lie" made popular by Eminem and Rihanna), "Coming Home Part II" (originally performed by Diddy-Dirty Money) and "Words" (originally "Words I Never Said," performed by Lupe Fiasco).

Depeche Mode New Album & Tour

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-11T09:29:24-08:00

New music from Depeche Mode makes the long winter worth bearing and Life of a Rock Star™ can't wait to hear what this iconic band has in store for us next. ...via ColumbiaRecords.com: Depeche Mode To Release New Album On Columbia Records In March 2013 ★ EUROPEAN TOUR WILL KICK OFF MAY 7 ★ ...videoId=USQX91202011&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0&cultureName=en-US&cultureIsRTL=False"> ...Following the release of their new album, Depeche Mode will embark on a European tour, kicking off in Tel Aviv's Hayarkon Park on May 7. ... The band will go on to play at Rome's renowned Olympic Stadium, the Stade De France in Paris, and Moscow's Locomotive Stadium before wrapping up the European leg of their tour in Minsk, Belarus on July 29.

Columbia Records Releases "12-12-12" Charity Benefit Selection of Songs on iTunes

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-10T22:06:28-08:00

The Concert Lineup Includes Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, The Who and Paul McCartney ...11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records announced today that they will release music from the "12-12-12" benefit concert, presented by Chase, to provide the most assistance possible to the victims of Hurricane Sandy through the Robin Hood Relief Fund. The fundraising concert at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday will feature iconic performers and a selection of 24 live tracks from the event will be available for pre-order on iTunes starting today at iTunes.com/121212. ...The net proceeds from the soundtrack will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which is providing money, material and know-how to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hardest hit by the storm. "12-12-12" will be distributed worldwide to nearly two billion people through television feeds, radio and online streaming and available to 114 million television households in the US and to more than 400 million television households outside the country via networks and feeds in North and South America, Europe,Africa, Asia and Australia. ...One hour ago, Rolling Stones announced they will also join the live performance line up that includes Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen amongst many others for the 12 12 12 entertainment event to benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund at Madison Square Garden.

Squeeze "Tommy" New Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-10T10:18:00-08:00

Tommy will be available digitally as a free download via Squeeze’s website from December 10th and prior to that as a live recording on at their Pop Up Shop tour. ...Glenn adds: “When recording the track we were working on changes to the song and sitting down together discussing where the changes should be made and we're in complete agreement about them which is something new for our relationship.” ...‘Tommy,’ along with other brand new tracks, will be made available to the fans as part of the ‘Live Package’ of recordings when Squeeze hit the road with their ‘Pop Up Shop’ tour in November and December. ...With fans who still cry out for music in the old fashioned sense - that they can touch, and feel – whilst existing in an industry where the outlets for the physical product are diminishing, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford will be taking their Pop Up Shop on tour this November and December. ...So this Pop Up Shop tour is where we're at now... a combination of new songs and technology, of musicianship and experience that make this tour for Squeeze 'A Giant Step Forward.'” ...With contributions from former band members Jools Holland and Paul Carrack, together with testament from Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler and Aimee Man, as to the genius of Difford and Tilbrook's song writing, and why they deserve to be placed alongside such renowned song-writing partnerships as Lennon and McCartney, Jagger and Richards and Elton John and Bernie TaupiB.

Rolling Stones Join The Concert For Sandy Relief All-Star Line-up LIVE on AXS.tv

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-07T11:03:42-08:00

Rolling Stones Join The Concert For Sandy Relief All-Star Line-up LIVE on AXS.tv ...Benefit Concert ★ Rolling Stones ★ LIVE ★ AXS.tv ★ Rock ★ Entertainment ★ Events ROLLING STONES PLAY SANDY RELIEF --This is the benefit concert of the century with more talent joining the line-up every day. One hour ago, Rolling Stones announced they will also join the live performance line up that includes Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen amongst many others for the 12 12 12 entertainment event to benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund at Madison Square Garden. ...★ CHARITY EVENT ★ The Concert For Sandy Relief 2012 - Wednesday, 12 December DONATE HERE ...STARRING: The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Chris Martin, Paul McCartney, The Who, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Roger Waters and Dave Grohl

Daughtry & 3 Doors Down LIVE on AXS.tv

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-07T10:08:53-08:00

December 4, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA--Multi-platinum American rock bands Daughtry and 3 Doors Down, currently on a 19-city co-headlining tour, will broadcast LIVE from 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado exclusively on AXS TV.  Music lovers will be ready to rock with this special concert event experience when Daughtry and 3 Doors Down take the stage and are 100% live with AXS TV’s Live LIVE national television audience on Tuesday, December 11.  On this highly anticipated tour, Daughtry is playing their new single "Start of Something Good" from the gold certified Break The Spell album, along with smash hits and fan favorites including "Home," "It's Not Over," "Feels Like Tonight" and "No Surprise" from platinum-selling Leave This Town and their blockbuster-selling and record-breaking self titled debut. ... "The Greatest Hits," their recently released album of remixed and re-mastered tracks and three new songs including “One Light,” will be the AXS TV live soundtrack for this one of a kind night in music.  "We are having a blast touring across the country with Daughtry and thanks to AXS TV we are bringing the show live to your living room,” said Brad Arnold, lead singer of 3 Doors Down. ... "AXS TV, 3 Doors Down and Daughtry are giving viewers a great opportunity to witness one of the biggest co-headlining rock tours of 2012,” said Evan Haiman, Vice President of Music Production at AXS TV.

Snoop Dogg Becomes Snoop Lion

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-07T06:11:02-08:00

The VGAs are tonight with Linkin Park and Snoop Lion set to perform. ... Well, then before you watch the VGAs tonight, watch "Snoop Lion Reincarnated." "Snoop Lion is the evolution of Snoop Dogg" he tells us in this documentary style about his new album coming out titled, "Reincarnated" set to be released December 18th. ... But reassures us, "I'm still Snoop Dogg, this is me right now. ... But at the end of the day when I'm making my reggae music, I'm in the life of Snoop Lion." ...

Cher Lloyd Stands "Behind The Music" Grabbing Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-06T18:59:00-08:00

Tucked into Cher Lloyd's new album "Sticks & Stones" is a spunky pop song that sticks in your head titled "Behind The Music." This catchy tune is sandwiched between Cher Lloyd's two hits "Want U Back" and "Oath," yet we think this pop dance song is soon to rise up and grab its' duly deserved notice. ...Whether it's her edgy Nicki Minaj style rapping or the confidence in delivery, we've absolutely fallen for this Brit's candor. ...Catch Cher Lloyd in concert at one of her holiday shows this December in the U.S. from New York to California. ...If you can't stand behind the music ...If you can't stand behind the music

Grammy® Nominations 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-06T08:40:12-08:00

The Black Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Fun., Gotye, Frank Ocean and Taylor Swift nominated for Record Of The Year. The Black Keys, Fun., Mumford and Sons, Frank Ocean and Jack White nominated for Album Of The Year. Song of the Year nominees: The A Team, Adorn, Call Me Maybe, Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) and We Are Young. ...André 3000, John Mayer & Earl Sweatshirt, featured artists; Om'Mas Keith, Malay, Frank Ocean & Pharrell, producers; Calvin Bailif, Andrew Coleman, Jeff Ellis, Doug Fenske, Om'Mas Keith, Malay, Frank Ocean, Philip Scott, Mark "Spike" Stent, Pat Thrall, Marcos Tovar & Vic Wainstein, engineers/mixers; Vlado Meller, mastering engineer ...[sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Said And Done Music/Valley of the Songs Music/Sony ATV Timber Publishing/West Main Music/Windsor Hill Music/Thankyou Music] ...[Big Machine Records/Universal Republic; Publishers: Sony ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music, Sensibility Songs, Absurd Music, Shiny Happy Music, Baffle Music, Henry Burnett Music]

Gideon Grove "Wildfires" Album Is Spreading

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-05T11:48:12-08:00

Gideon Grove ★ New Album ★ Music News ★ New Artists ★ New Music ★Singer Songwriter ...Debuting at #13 on Singer Songwriter Album iTunes Chart, this is one of the most intriguing new albums Life of a Rock Star™ has heard. Gideon Grove's music is a fusion of bluegrass and Bob Dylan, two major influences on this talented musician growing up. ... "Cherokee Stars" is a highlight on the album and a great first taste of an album that will capture your soul. ..."Wildfires" is on iTunes "New and Noteworthy" Singer Songwriter albums. ...www.youtube.com/gideongrove (if on mobile device, best link to hear music)

Britroyal "Unfinished" Album Is Anything But "Ordinary"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-04T17:17:33-08:00

"Unfinished" is the genius of new artists Mazin and Kais Oliver the twin brothers who together are Britroyal. ...Richards and Mikal Blue working on this project along side an all-star team that also includes Mark Mazzetti and Brian Scheubel, Britroyal's freshman effort is anything but "Unfinished." The title track on the EP "Unfinished" is a standout highlight and an absolute favorite of Life of a Rock Star™. The lyrics are strong, hitting sentiments like "you're a fire that I can't put out with time." ...The song "Wasted I Love You" is absolute genius for its perfect commentary and will have you hooked on Britroyal with one listen. ..."You're leaving your fingerprints on so many hearts…I see a hero in you…you're everything to me, you're anything but ordinary."

Lifehouse Sparks Inspiration With "Almería" Album Review

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-03T17:22:57-08:00

We also love the wild west sound of "Right Back Home," the Lifehouse rock sound of "Move On Day," the lyrics of "beat up dreams" in "Where I Come From" and the sweet ballad sentiment of "Aftermath." ...“It was a liberating experience; I feel like we can take all our different musical influences and they can kind of coalesce together and live in the same space without any rules or guidelines. ...Working with Almería producer and cowriter Jude Cole and Jacob Kasher, Wade and Lifehouse further developed the track over the next three and a half months and honed the lyrics into a pointed and poignant dialogue that required just the right voice to dial in the message. ...Wade came up with "Nobody Listen" without a distinct melody line or lyric; he simply "went in with this blank canvas and started throwing stuff down on tape and this track just kind of came to life. ...Long time Lifehouse manager, producer and collaborator, Jude Cole commented on the making of the track: “I had the great pleasure of meeting Peter when I worked for Extra some years ago. ...And by doing that it's made something that sounds clearly different but not completely unfamiliar -- more like a seasoned band with a renewed sense of purpose and mission, which for a group like Lifehouse is an exciting prospect indeed.

Gavin DeGraw Releases Official Soldier Music Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-03T09:07:24-08:00

The hit single “Soldier” is the third single off of his fourth studio album “Sweeter,” and has been quickly making its way up the charts, following suit with successful singles “Sweeter,” “Not Over You,” “In Love with a Girl,” “I Don’t Want to Be,” and “Chariot.” ...“It was time for me in my career to release a song that had a sentiment like this one… It's something that people from different backgrounds, with a lot of different stories can relate to. ...The shooting day including scenes shot at Gavin and Joey DeGraw’s National Undergound bar in Nashville, shots of Gavin performing at a Yamaha grand piano atop Nashville’s downtown pedestrian bridge, remote helicopter shots of the bridge and Nashville skyline, 4 giant searchlights, 500 extras with candles, and an unplanned downpour of rain for the final hours of shooting. ...“The combination of the piano, the searchlights, the 500 extras, the Nashville skyline, and ultimately the downpour of rain really brought a depth to this video that I am really proud of.” ...videoId=USRV81200524&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0&cultureName=en-US&cultureIsRTL=False">

The Bolts Heat Up KROQ Locals Only Night At The Roxy

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-02T12:37:47-08:00

The Bolts have played this venue before, but this night they were part of the KROQ Locals Only Showcase a highlight on their road to success. This modern rock band knows how to light up the stage and they do it regularly at the Disneyland Residency in Anaheim. ...What's most impressive about The Bolts is that they bring their own set of diehard fans who faithfully sing along to the songs on their setlist: "Tell Me," "Taking On The Night," "Walk Away," "The Truth," "Wait Till We're Young," "Play The Music," "Don't Let Me Go," "This Can't Be Real," "Caving In," "We May Fall," and "Our Love." ...Heath Farmer, Guitars and Vocals: “In Orange County where we were born and raised, it’s got a metal scene, it’s got a punk scene and it’s got a real hipster scene. ...If you haven’t heard of The Bolts yet, you will…Meet The Bolts: These five guys out of Orange County, California are bringing their musical talent and passion to the stage grabbing new fans with every show. ...Once you get past how young the band appears to be making such an experienced sound, you'll find yourself struck by just how stunning both the lead singer Hunter Taran and the keyboardist and backup vocalist Rachel Brady are on stage.

Hotel Cafe & Greenroots present: Rockdrive - Benefitting Victims of Hurricane Sandy

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-02T10:59:34-08:00

Hotel Cafe & Greenroots present: Rockdrive - Benefitting Victims of Hurricane Sandy ...If you are looking for things to do in Los Angeles tonight, The Hotel Cafe is putting on a charity concert benefitting the victims of Hurricane Sandy via The American Red Cross. Life of a Rock Star™ loves this intimate venue and the music is always fantastic. ...Hotel Cafe & Greenroots present: ROCKDRIVE - Benefitting Victims of Hurricane Sandy ...INFO Please Note: Door Proceeds to benefit victims of hurricane sandy through the Red Cross. ...If an artists name is not listed in the details, then tickets for that artists show are being sold separately, or at the door.

Trevor Live Benefit Watch The Red Carpet Livestream Tonight

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-02T09:26:12-08:00

The music and comedy charity benefit concert headlined by Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Morrison, Darren Criss, Anna Kendrick, Jesse Tyler Gerguson and Naya Rivera raises money for LGBTQ Youth crisis intervention and suicide prevention. LIVE STREAM to be hosted by Tyler Oakley & Shira Lazar for The Trevor Project ...Enter your mobile number and reply "YES" to the text message you receive to confirm your ... The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

Carole King With All Star Line Up Perform At Charity Tribute Event

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-02T08:17:06-08:00

Join Carole King in her effort to help fund The Painted Turtle and send children with serious medical conditions the gift of enjoying camp a experience. The benefit charity event includes performances by Carole King, Katy Perry, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Jesse McCartney, Herb Alpert, Merry Clayton, Darlene Love, and Nikki Yanofsky. via ThePaintedTurtle: Join us for this All-Star celebration of the legendary Carole King and her impact on the music world as an artist and a songwriter. Carole will perform from her legendary body of work and be joined on stage by an esteemed line-up of today’s premier artists gathered to salute her. ...The Painted Turtle provides children throughout California and the West with serious medical conditions the opportunity to rediscover the ordinary joys of being a child through year-round camp and hospital outreach programs. ...This star-studded event promises to sell out The Dolby Theatre’s 2,500 seats with a VIP audience of Los Angeles’ top entertainment, financial, and philanthropic leaders.

Karmin ROCKS The Troubadour

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-30T13:05:47-08:00

...Live Performance ★ Karmin ★ Troubadour ★ Pop Rock ★ Concert ★ Bands to Watch Karmin sold out the Troubadour in West Hollywood last night and lit up the stage with their dynamic presence. The Amy and Nick duo is a hands down show stopper. Read the concert review and see more CONCERT PHOTOS on Karmin's FEATURED ARTIST page. PLUS see how Amy answer's the question, "When's the wedding date?"

Rah Rah "Art And A Wife" STEALS Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-29T12:09:55-08:00

In one fell swoop last night at the Bootleg Theatre, the Canadian band Rah Rah rocked a live performance of their recently released song "Art and a Wife" that stole our hearts. We stopped the presses and pushed all prior agendas aside to let Rah Rah steal the coveted Song of the Week spot for the week of November 29th. ...All eyes were on the stage last night at the Bootleg as Rah Rah's artistic show grabbed the undivided attention of everyone in the theatre. ... The talented band switches up lead singers, instruments and positions so often that if you made a drinking game out of it…well let's just say you would need a designated driver. ...The band has toured incessantly behind their previous two albums, sharing tours with the likes of Minus The Bear in Canada and USA, Wintersleep in Europe and Canada, and label-mates Said The Whale. ..."I used to have a guitar, though I didn't know what for…now I just want a wife…and then I got a band, we drove around in a van…" ("Art & A Wife") READ MORE: RAH RAH ALBUM

Ariana Grande On Behalf of Sharpie® Sends One Charitable Teen Fan To One Direction Concert

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-29T08:54:57-08:00

After Hurricane Sandy hit, the requests for help from "Angels of God Clothing Closet" dramatically increased and two corporations, Sharpie® and STAPLES stepped up to help Katelyn meet the needs of her community. ...Life of a Rock Star™ is thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview this rock star teen via email and have fallen in love with her inspirational story. ...We are just thrilled to see that you got to be a part of the 1D #SharpieHELLO event, and that you have been recognized for your charitable work. ...First things first, we heard you got four tickets to the One Direction concert at the #SharpieHELLO event as a thank you for all of your hard work collecting goods to donate to Hurricane Sandy victims. ...If fans tweet and tag an image of their #SharpieHELLO before this Monday, it may be featured on a billboard in NYC’s Times Square on 12/3 – the day of the 1D concert at Madison Square Garden. ...Like every other girl in attendance, our teen rock star spent the night before the concert with her bestie planning and shopping for the perfect outfit, making One Direction tee-shirts, posters and shopping for carrots--One Directioners will know why the produce was important.

GAVIN DEGRAW --MULTI-PLATINUM ARTIST -- TO RELEASE ‘SWEETER LIVE’

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-28T11:02:45-08:00

Multi-platinum selling artist Gavin DeGraw will release his new live album, SWEETER LIVE, on 3 December 2012 on Sony Music. The UK release of SWEETER LIVE follows Gavin’s UK launch and live success, selling out three live dates at the O2 ABC Glasgow, Manchester’s Academy 2, and London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, when he toured the UK in February earlier this year. ...The album will feature a live concert performance from Gavin’s recent sold out summer US tour with multi-Grammy winning singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was recorded and filmed live in August of this year at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Lancaster, California and features Gavin’s greatest career hits including ‘I Don’t Want to Be’, ‘Follow Through’, ‘Chariot’, and ‘In Love With A Girl’. ...Gavin’s self-titled second album debuted at number one on the digital sales chart and at number seven on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in 2008, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album. ... The album’s first single, ‘Not Over You’, co-written with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, reached number one on the Hot AC charts, was a top 10 hit on Top 40, and was certified double platinum.

Welcome To The Neighbourhood

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-27T07:52:40-08:00

November 26, 2012--West Hollywood, CA--"We've been at this for about a year now," Jesse Rutherford told the eager audience at the Viper Room last night. ... The 21 year old indie rocker has a look that is reminiscent of Billy Idol and a voice that takes you to a whole new--dare we say mod meets rock--world. ... Combine all of that with Rutherford's magnetic stage presence and it's no wonder Columbia Records has come along and swooped these guys up. ...Before the band played the song last night at the Viper Room, Rutherford told the excited crowd of "hoodlums" (as The Neighbourhood fans are called), "Hey our moms are here so if you guys know the words to this song then you should sing it. ...The Neighbourhood's set list also included songs "Wires" and "Female Robbery" which are two more highlight songs on The Neighbourhood's first EP "I'm Sorry" available for download on iTunes. Upon leaving the show last night--with seemingly choreographed timing--Alt Nation was playing The Neighbourhood's "Female Robbery" on the radio, a sign that this band has struck a chord with an audience who love's their sound.

The Farthest Edge Takes On The AMAs and Hurricane Sandy

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-26T18:59:52-08:00

26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, November 18 th, The Farthest Edge converged on the American Music Awards scene for what they hoped to be their inaugural walk on the AMA Red Carpet. Realizing how important the American Music Awards are in the industry and to rising stars, the opportunity to be a part of this signature event ignited the rockers and like any other calculated risk takers, they set out to seize the moment, and headed to Los Angeles from Billings, Montana with less then 10 hours to spare before showing up at the American Music Awards. ...Before an after-party attendee stepped foot in any venue, The Farthest Edge was headed back to Billings, Montana to fulfill a commitment to help raise funds to support the victims of Hurricane Sandy. ... Lead vocalist Patrick Michaelis chimed in and had this to say about his experience, "Seeing what takes place behind the scenes at the AMA's firsthand was an experience that I will never forget and I look forward to the experience in the years to come." ...They have since worked alongside of respected industry executives, including Kevin Black (formerly a VP at Interscope and a former President at Warner Brothers Records); The Farthest Edge brings more than just good old rock n' roll to the table, they collectively have a keen awareness of the social injustices in the world and heed every opportunity to give back through personal appearances, performances and charity events. ...Life of a Rock Star™ is always a sucker for an acoustic song and this gem on the "Believe" album is our favorite!

Faulkner Triumphs With Most Added Single To Triple A Radio Last Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-26T12:43:55-08:00

With 1.5 million views and counting this song is the most added single in the country on Triple A Radio along side The Lumineers, Fun., The Wallflowers, Of Monsters And Men and Dave Matthews Band. ...New on the scene, the Indie/New Wave band Faulkner, who play in a style best described as British-Invasion “Indie/New Wave”, are launching their new self-released EP in a big way. ...With impressive social networking numbers and an appreciation and expertise on how to use innovations such as Cloud Technology, Faulkner are in a league of their own. ...Song of the Week “Stubborn Love” by The Lumineers is Life of a Rock Star's new favorite hit. ... The lyrics, “it’s better to feel pain than nothing at all” are an excellent example of the band's ability to use music to draw an audience with truth. ...Life of a Rock Star™ is always a sucker for an acoustic song and this gem on the "Believe" album is our favorite!

Lana Del Rey's "Paradise" EP Is Pure Gold

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-26T11:45:38-08:00

Starting with "Ride" her album takes you through a series of songs that create a dream-like illusory "Paradise" as you listen. ...21, 2012 -- Congratulations to Lana Del Rey whose new eight song 'Paradise' EP debuted this week at #10 on the Billboard 200 selling 67,000 copies in its first week. Lana's new music video for the Rick Rubin-produced single "Ride" (http://youtu.be/Py_-3di1yx0) has accumulated over 13 million views on YouTube, while the latest video for "Bel Air" (http://youtu.be/yq3yT8CkPzY) released earlier this month already has 3 million views. Her cover of "Blue Velvet" is also featured on 'Paradise' (http://youtu.be/HLEA3bc-3p0). Lana's album 'Born To Die' has now sold over 2.9 million albums and 4.4 million singles worldwide, with over one million singles in the U.S. alone. In Europe, 'Born To Die' has gone Double Platinum in five countries (U.K, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland), Platinum in four countries (Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa), and Gold in 12 countries, including Russia, Spain, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

K'Naan Concert Packs The Troubadour With City Of The Sun: Album & Concert Review

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-25T18:49:27-08:00

K'Naan Concert Packs The Troubadour With City Of The Sun ...Saturday, November 17- Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA--The Somalian born / Canadian based singer K'NAAN packed the Troubadaour with fans pushing their way to the front of the small venue's stage just to be closer to their favorite artist. They sang along to "Hurt Me Tomorrow" and danced their way through K'NAAN's energetic performance. ...His success in music skyrocketed when Coca-Cola dubbed K'NAAN's song "Wavin' Flag" as the theme song for the 2012 FIFA World Cup Campaign. ...His recent album "Country God Or The Girl" is a star-studded collaboration with songs that feature Nelly Furtado, Keith Richards, Bono, Nas, Mark Foster, and will.i.am. ...The evening's opening act, a band from New York City, called City Of The Sun was a delightful surprise playing acoustic music with a bit of spice to it that engaged the crowd.

ALLOISE - "Sweet Love" New Music Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-24T07:07:32-08:00

The singer songwriter's piercing blue eyes will grab your attention immediately and the sultry sexy sound of "Sweet Love" will draw you in. As part of this music video's ode to love, ALLOISE highlights two women kissing and says of this inclusion, "Homosexuality - is one of our natural manifestations." ...It should be noted that in the video there are also two kissing girls, who are not afraid to show their feelings and express themselves freely. ..."I believe that nature intended the union between a woman and a man as an ideal and fruitful, but to all gay couples, I also sincerely wish happiness and understanding.” ...“Fashion Rocks” in Ukraine was a two day mega-event fashion show / concert held on October 11th & 12th at Crystal Hall that featured American music producer Narada Michael Walden. Ukranian stars showed off their talent and sang the greatest hits written and produced by Narada for artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Regina Belle.

Justin Bieber "Be Alright" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-22T10:12:39-08:00

Life of a Rock Star™ is always a sucker for an acoustic song and this gem on the "Believe" album is our favorite! We love the positive message, "through the sorrow…everything's gonna be alright." ...This Song of the Week ode to JB goes out to the pop star for taking time out on the freeway no less to say, "Hi" to our car full of Beliebers, i.e. screaming excited girls waving wildly out the window. ... We are excited to catch you at KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2012 Monday, December 3rd at Nokia Theatre L.A. ...Pop singer Justin Bieber was barely into his teens when he released his platinum-selling debut, My World, and became one of 2009's youngest success stories. An Ontario native, Bieber had placed second in a local singing competition two years prior and began posting his performances on YouTube.

Rah Rah "The Poet's Dead" New Album: New Music For Your Playlist

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-22T08:32:45-08:00

"I used to have a guitar, though I didn't know what for…now I just want a wife…and then I got a band, we drove around in a van…" ("Art & A Wife") ..."The Poet's Dead" was released digitally on October 2nd, and was released physically, October 22nd and is Regina, SK sextet Rah Rah's third album to date. "Prairie Girl" is also a standout on the album and shows the band's strengths in songwriting with lyrics like "...when the chips start falling I'll stay here." ...Sunday, November 11, 2012 --Dodger Stadium-- The Walk to Cure Diabetes by the Los Angeles Chapter of JDRF was held this morning at Dodger Stadium. ...November 18, 2012--Los Angeles, Ca-- Scissor Sisters performed live in the Charlie Chaplin Stage on the Jim Henson Studio lot for the filming of Crackle's popular online digital free show "From The Basement" produced by Nigel Godrich. After their performance, Jake Shears and Ana Matronic sat down with Life of a Rock Star™ editor Nicole Hanratty and talked about "Let's Have A Kiki" airing on the Thanksgiving episode of Glee.

Thanksgiving Playlist For A Painless Thanksgiving Family Dinner

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-21T17:30:05-08:00

While we absolutely adore the gratitude theme of Thanksgiving--and Life of a Rock Star™ is grateful for all of our daily and devoted visitors--we recognize that being trapped in one room with your entire family, your significant other's family and your family's family not to mention the always present strays that seem to pop up for the abundance of Thanksgiving food can be quite painful. ...So we went straight to Web MD to research "Alternative Treatments to Pain Management" and wouldn't you know it…Music makes the list. ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=&affiliate_id=&cul=FFFFFF&cur=FFFFFF&cll=FFFFFF&clr=FFFFFF&wh=370&ww=325&t=Party%20Playlist%20Thanksgiving&d=LifeofaRockStar.com%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner%20Party%20Playlist&pl=392747514,298937692,381307814,303079465,155710892,76921005,170589685,485549296,467916450,5132815" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:325px;height: 370px;border:0px" > ...November 18, 2012--Los Angeles, Ca-- Scissor Sisters performed live in the Charlie Chaplin Stage on the Jim Henson Studio lot for the filming of Crackle's popular online digital free show "From The Basement" produced by Nigel Godrich. After their performance, Jake Shears and Ana Matronic sat down with Life of a Rock Star™ editor Nicole Hanratty and talked about "Let's Have A Kiki" airing on the Thanksgiving episode of Glee. ...Christina Aguilera opens up "Just A Fool" by crying out, "Another shot of whiskey please bartender…" Make that two, and we'll saddle right up to the bar and sing along with her.

Rolling Stones Concert Tours

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-21T16:44:21-08:00

The waiting is over – The Rolling Stones will kick off their ’50 and Counting’ live concerts this coming Sunday 25th November at The O2 Arena in London. ...There is NO SUPPORT ACT for these concerts, The Stones will perform for over two hours and they want to deliver a stunning show to celebrate five decades treading the boards. ...Stones fans will be delighted to hear that Stones legends Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor are confirmed as special guests for these London shows. ...The Rolling Stones will play a second night at The O2 Arena London on Thursday 29 November, before heading across the Atlantic for three shows: Barclay Center, Brooklyn on Saturday 8 December, and the Prudential Center, Newark NJ on Thursday 13 and Saturday 15 December. ...Working out of a three-story warren of studios and darkrooms on Gerard and Wardour Streets, the Hungarian-born photographer and his stable of assistants fanned out through London's streets to capture local rock legends, visiting pop stars and sultry screen sirens. ...Christina Aguilera opens up "Just A Fool" by crying out, "Another shot of whiskey please bartender…" Make that two, and we'll saddle right up to the bar and sing along with her.

Kayla Stockert Is Building Castles In The Sand: Oldies Loving Teen Is A Huge Fan Of My Chemical Romance And Will Steal Your Heart With Her Retro Sound

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-20T16:17:17-08:00

Kayla Stockert Is Building Castles In The Sand: Oldies loving teen is a huge fan of My Chemical Romance and will steal your heart with her retro sound ...A throwback to the music of the 50's, Kayla brings her own twist to songs that will take you right back to "Let The Good Times Roll" by Shirley & Lee. ...In 2011, Kayla was 1 of the handful picked out of 40,000 kids to audition for a show called Majors & Minors, although she didn't make the final cut the experience was invaluable. ...Watch this youtube music video all the way to the end and listen to Christian answer the question, "Are you gonna brag to everybody you have a song written by a world famous pop star?" ...I broke my foot once by tripping over my own feet and just recently tripped over my feet again and sliced the top of my toe off - probably the reason why I'm not so good at sports . ...Life of a Rock Star™ is excited to bring you this week's Feature Friday new artist interview with two brothers who are bringing their unique sound out to play.

Ariana Grande And Sharpie Say HELLO To One Direction As They Kick Off Their Tour In The States

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-20T14:56:59-08:00

If fans tweet and tag an image of their #SharpieHELLO before this Monday, it may be featured on a billboard in NYC’s Times Square on 12/3 – the day of the 1D concert at Madison Square Garden. ...OAK BROOK, Ill., November 19, 2012 ---– Sharpie delivered a giant fan “hello” to One Direction along with a big heartfelt “thank you” to a special New Jersey teen during an event yesterday to officially welcome One Direction to their upcoming Tour. ...In addition, she helped navigate the pandemonium that ensued when three lucky fans drew a “golden Sharpie” from a giant bin of personalized One Direction Sharpie markers to uncap tickets to 1D’s sold-out Madison Square Garden show. ...While Katelyn was overwhelmed with the donation, it wasn’t until Grande stepped forward to present her with four tickets to One Direction’s Madison Square Garden concert that she showed a true teen moment. ...The event is part of the brand’s new #SharpieHELLO campaign, which includes a national Facebook sweepstakes where two fans will win an all expense trip for themselves and nine guests on the Sharpie corporate jet to a 1D concert. ...Like every other girl in attendance, our teen rock star spent the night before the concert with her bestie planning and shopping for the perfect outfit, making One Direction tee-shirts, posters and shopping for carrots--One Directioners will know why the produce was important.

KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-12-06T09:54:03-08:00

...Held at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk in Universal City, CA, the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas has become the concert to attend over the years. Now in its' 23rd year, the show is boasting a venerable dream team line up of artists that includes rock star Jack White, Linkin Park, The Killers and the new sensation indie band Fun. as the headliners. The show is two nights December 8th and December 9th and "Proceeds from the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas benefit local charities Para Los Niños and the Al Wooten Jr. ...For the full line-up for both nights see below. Tickets to both nights are now sold out via LiveNationn.com but some tickets are available via third parties on websites such as Stub Hub: Stubhub.com.

Scissor Sister's Live Interview Talk About "Let's Have A Kiki" On Glee

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-19T18:37:13-08:00

Their most recent album "Magic Hour" includes the song "Let's Have A Kiki" which has taken on a life of its' own and was recently included on the popular television show Glee performed by Sarah Jessica Parker. ...November 18, 2012--Los Angeles, Ca-- Scissor Sisters performed live in the Charlie Chaplin Stage on the Jim Henson Studio lot for the filming of Crackle's popular online digital free show "From The Basement" produced by Nigel Godrich. After their performance, the brilliant and stunning duo Jake Shears and Ana Matronic sat down with Life of a Rock Star™ editor Nicole Hanratty and talked about "Let's Have A Kiki" airing on Glee. ...Watch a live clip from the Scissor Sister interview with Jake Shears and Ana Matronic on YouTube ...Crackle expands music programming by serving as exclusive U.S. online home to the popular series’ new season featuring artists Moby, The Shins, Foster the People and others ...As the exclusive online home to season 3 in the U.S., Crackle will bring the popular series featuring intimate performances from some of the biggest and most-respected names in the music industry to a larger audience.

AC/DC On iTunes

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-19T10:12:24-08:00

NEW YORK, NY and CUPERTINO, CA — November 19, 2012: Columbia Records and Apple today announced that AC/DC's entire catalogue is now available digitally for the first time exclusively on the iTunes Store worldwide. From their 1976 debut High Voltage to seminal classic Back In Black and 2008 smash hit Black Ice, every one of AC/DC's 16 studio albums, along with four live albums and three compilation albums, are available for the first time ever on the iTunes Store. ... Fans can also choose from two specially packaged digital compilations: The Complete Collection, the complete iTunes-exclusive AC/DC catalogue; and The Collection, which includes all 16 studio albums. AC/DC's thunderous and primal rock and roll has excited fans for generations with their raw and rebellious brand of music, which also resonates with millions of new fans discovering AC/DC everyday. ... AC/DC's music has been Mastered for iTunes, ensuring the music is delivered to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers and producers intended. ...Christina Aguilera opens up "Just A Fool" by crying out, "Another shot of whiskey please bartender…" Make that two, and we'll saddle right up to the bar and sing along with her.

Christmas Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-17T19:38:35-08:00

This holiday season, new albums by Pentatonix "PTXmas" and Colbie Caillat "Christmas In The Sand" are a fun way to bring new sounds to your celebrations! ...All Star Line Up Of Musicians Support Special Olympics In GMC TV's "A Very Special Christmas: 25 Years of Bringing Joy To The World" ...All Star Line Up Of Musicians Support Special Olympics In GMC TV's "A Very Special Christmas: 25 Years of Bringing Joy To The World" ...GMC TV Presents an Original Landmark Documentary Music Special "A Very Special Christmas: 25 Years of Bringing Joy to the World" ...Christina Aguilera opens up "Just A Fool" by crying out, "Another shot of whiskey please bartender…" Make that two, and we'll saddle right up to the bar and sing along with her. ...Katy Cappella, formerly a Chesapeake employee, helped the Fortune Magazine Top 100 Company win the 2010 Battle Of The Corporate Bands as the lead vocalist of Chesapeake's Shale Play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and herself took home the Steve Eck Memorial Best Vocalist Award.

The Mowgli's Live Performance The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-17T11:18:42-08:00

November 16, 2012--Los Angeles, CA---The Mowgli's, a local Southern California band made their television debut after recently signing with Photo Finish Records performing live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night singing their hit single "San Francisco." The 8 member band of friends just a finished tour on the East Coast and is on a two week break coming home to Los Angeles before they head off on tour again starting with an appearance at the Troubadour with Walk Off The Earth and Selah Sue [click here to see Selah Sue in concert with Ed Sheeran] Friday November 30th. ...

We just rocked @jayleno and we loved every moment of it! Thanks to everyone on the show. twitter.com/Themowglis/sta…
— The Mowgli's (@Themowglis) November 17, 2012

...twitter.com/Themowglis/sta…

— The Mowgli's (@Themowglis) November 16, 2012 ...Christina Aguilera opens up "Just A Fool" by crying out, "Another shot of whiskey please bartender…" Make that two, and we'll saddle right up to the bar and sing along with her.

Christina Aguilera "Just A Fool" With Blake Shelton Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-15T00:07:40-08:00

Christina Aguilera opens up "Just A Fool" by crying out, "Another shot of whiskey please bartender…" Make that two, and we'll saddle right up to the bar and sing along with her. No one does a heart wrenching love song like Christina does and this country "esque" pop duet with The Voice co-star Blake Shelton is a love ballad to baste in for a while. Christina Aguilera recently released her new album "Lotus" and Life of a Rock Star™ is smitten over the sweet sound "Just A Fool" brings to her repertoire of love songs. ...And while we are forever and always a fan of the almost whispered soulful sound of "Save Me From Myself" from Aguilera's "Back To Basics" album, "Just A Fool" takes on an aggressive approach to tackling the lyrics vocally in a way that highlights the force to be reckoned with à la Christina Aguilera. Of course, while we're still stuck on the mantra that is "You Lost Me" from "Bionic" we feel quite confident we are ready to move on to blame ourselves and make "Just A Fool" our most played love-just-sucks song on our playlist. ...LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, 2012 -- dick clark productions (dcp) has announced that music icon and eleven-time American Music Award-winner Stevie Wonder will perform a tribute to the legendary Dick Clark on "The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards®."

Richie Sambora Concert Rocks New Music For Sandy Relief At The Fonda Theater

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-14T19:40:19-08:00

The longtime rock band Bon Jovi lead guitarist performed songs from his new album "Aftermath Of The Lowdown" and played some older crowd favorites proving this musician can still bang it out. ...When he sang the song "Weathering The Storm" off of his new album, Richie told the crowd, "I wrote this song about my personal storms but now it's apropos because of all that people are going through on the East Coast." ...Richie Sambora's Album "Aftermath Of The Lowdown" is available for purchase with the song "Every Road Leads Home To You" on iTunes ...Richie Sambora, legendary rock musician and founding member of Bon Jovi, played to a sold out audience at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, in London last night and rocked the house. ...Fans queued to see him perform hits from his new album "Aftermath Of The Lowdown," including single "Every Road Leads Home To You," previous solo albums and the Bon Jovi classic, ‘Dead Or Alive’. Supported by his super tight live band, Sambora wowed the crowd and even performed an unexpected and inspired collection of diverse cover songs including "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison’s "Wild Night," a rousing rendition of Oasis’ "Don’t Look Back In Anger" and a show stopping performance of "The End" by The Beatles.

Haley Reinhart Played Hotel Cafe To Packed House

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-13T17:05:50-08:00

Monday, November 12--The Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA-- Haley Reinhart played the intimate showroom last night and it was standing room only--wait, scratch that--it was breathing room only. ...The Hotel Cafe's stage hosted Haley Reinhart for the first time last night and she was gracious about the reception she received. ... Then she turned around and looked at the bar stool sitting behind her and asked the crowd, "Do I sit on the stool or use it for my whiskey?" ...Haley's set list included, "Wasted Tears," "Hit The Ground Runnin'," "Keep Coming Back," "Wonderland," "Now That You're Here," and "Oh My," from her new album "Listen Up!" ...Haley's rock star fashion included black leggings that were high waisted with a gold long zipper running up the front accenting her tiny waistline and perfect curvy figure. ...By the time she belted out "You Really Got A Hold On Me," done by--insert your favorite rendition Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, or The Beatles--Haley Reinhart had The Hotel Cafe eating out of the palm of her hand.

Pentatonix Keeps The Art Of A Cappella Hip And Alive: Interview With Kevin "K.O." Olusola and PTXmas Album Review

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-13T11:32:51-08:00

Nicole: You guys have a ton going on with the release of the PTXmas album this month on the 13th, your performance at the AMAs is next weekend and this tour that’s got you going every night. ...It’s a blessing that people are coming out for the sold-out tour and just supporting us because if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to do this and we wouldn’t be able to serve people with music, so it’s such a blessing, a great opportunity. ...Nicole: I was telling my daughter that I was going to be speaking with you today and she said, “Yes, mom, my choir teacher showed us their "Payphone" [Maroon 5] video as an example of how to sing a cappella.” ...At first, we really just did it because we thought it was fun and then just to see the swarms of people who have come to love this and who have never even have been singers before or go to choir but now they’re starting to feel reenergized to do this type of music… it’s such a blessing that we can lead that movement and be in the forefront of it. ...It just makes me feel good to be able to speak to a completely different group of people and cultural reform is such a huge part of what I do, I think of what I want to be and what I want to do, so it just feels good. ...We’re starting right now, writing and trying to get ideas for that and it’s going to definitely be a lot more originals because we really want to be an original band.

Elvis Presley "Prince From Another Planet"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-13T08:40:02-08:00

FULL 20 MINUTE PRESS CONFERENCE AVAILABLE AS PART OF THE STUNNING 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF: ELVIS PRESLEY: PRINCE FROM ANOTHER PLANET, AS RECORDED LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY, JUNE 10, 1972 ...A spectacularly rare press conference by Elvis Presley accompanied by his dad, Vernon Presley, that took place the day before his legendary four nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1972, has been included for the very first time as part of the release of ‘Elvis Presley: Prince From Another Planet’, released today on Sony Music. ...In one of the last press conferences that Elvis Presley would do, just five years before he died, Elvis spoke of his desire to perform in Britain. ...The rare footage has been unearthed and added to a brand new anniversary edition of Prince From Another Planet, as recorded live at Madison Square Gardens. As well as the two CD’s which feature the Saturday show of his long-awaited New York residency, the bonus DVD features hand held film of his afternoon show and an incredible documentary. ...ELVIS PRESLEY: PRINCE FROM ANOTHER PLANET, AS RECORDED LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY, JUNE 10, 1972 DELUXE 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2-CD+DVD BOX SET, OUT TODAY

Haley Reinhart Plays The Hotel Cafe In Los Angeles Tonight

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-12T09:04:55-08:00

Haley Reinhart brings her creativity and powerful voice to this album that is soak-it-all-in good. ... The singer songwriter waited until her tour with Idol was over to put out her debut album which was released earlier this year with a jazz infused soulful rock sound saying, “It was really important to me that the record have an organic, soulful sound that truly reflects the kind of artist I want to be.” (via HaleyReinhart.com) ...It's the song that resonates in your soul and it's a smash hit on the charts. ... The comforting melody, the sweet lyrical verses and the instant connection are what draw you in and the intoxicating voice of Philip Phillip is what holds you steady. ...Just one glimpse of her "Maypole" music video and you will be hooked on Anna Haas. Match her theatrical style with her magical voice and you will crave this music especially on the ever-imposing fall dark cold nights.

Graham Colton Played Hotel Cafe With Sooner The Sunset Lindsey Ray

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-11T21:22:37-08:00

Thursday, November 8--The Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA-- Graham Colton played the intimate showroom last week and brought with him his new side project Sooner the Sunset Lindsey Ray. ...His style is reminiscent of James Taylor while his talent is taking lyrics and a melody and turning it into a theme song to life's ups and downs. The Sooner the Sunset EP self-titled "Sooner the Sunset" highlight song is "Helium Heart" available on iTunes and is definitely a song to add to your playlist. This sweet soft-pop love song "climbs to the clouds" as Graham and Lindsey sing "we've been here before…well if I'm honest, back then I wasn't as sure of what I wanted…" It played beautifully live and created a sentimental atmosphere that was vocally stunning. Other songs on the EP have a country genre feel to them or a "barn burner" effect as Lindsey Ray called it, especially songs "All Because of You" and "Mark Set Go." ...The comforting melody, the sweet lyrical verses and the instant connection are what draw you in and the intoxicating voice of Philip Phillip is what holds you steady.

JDRF Walk For A Cure At Dodger Stadium With Jessarae

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-11T18:06:28-08:00

Sunday, November 11, 2012 --Dodger Stadium-- The Walk to Cure Diabetes by the Los Angeles Chapter of JDRF was held this morning at Dodger Stadium. ... It took over the entire park and boasted thousands of walkers wearing spirited team tee shirts enjoying a fun filled day of music, food, and celebrities out supporting the cause including this year's Grand Marshall Frank Buckley, the co-anchor of the KTLA Morning News. ...Jessarae sang his signature rendition of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" as well as original songs "Threw Me In The Fire," "Look Me In The Eye" and his song "Closer" from Jessarae's "Pilot" album now available for sale on iTunes. ...Jessarae recently performed at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles with Jeff Pollack, CEO of Global Media & Entertainment for Pollack Media Group, "one of the music industry's top prognosticators of musical trends" in attendance. (via PollackMedia.com) Said Pollack of Jessarae, "I think he’s very talented, he’s got a great potential, a wonderful voice, a great look, extremely nice stage manner, extremely warm, and most impressive is his songwriting. ...Life of a Rock Star™ enjoyed watching Jessarae sing his heart out donating his time for the JDRF cause and is in absolute agreement with Jeff Pollack. ...Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disorder of the body’s immune system — that is, its system for protecting itself from viruses, bacteria or any “foreign” substances."

Maroon 5 Perform At "The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-10T12:35:22-08:00

5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Three-time GRAMMY®-winning group Maroon 5 are set to perform an exclusive concert for guests attending "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night ® ." The concert will immediately follow the one-hour live nominations special — which will feature performances by Luke Bryan and Maroon 5, and will be co-hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J and six-time GRAMMY winner Taylor Swift. The show — which will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees — will take place live for the first time ever at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network (www.cbs.com) from 10 – 11 p.m. ...Tickets for "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" and exclusive post-show concert with Maroon 5 are on sale now and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at 800.745.3000. ...LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception, and also hosted the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast for the first time earlier this year. ...Life of a Rock Star was in the audience last night to see Maroon 5 kick off their Overexposed album playing Payphone on the Late Show with David Letterman and for the private concert they put on after the show taped.

Phillip Phillips "Home" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-08T09:57:26-08:00

Written by Greg Holden, the song "Home" got the nod from Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine to be the song of victory on American Idol Season 11, and that it has been. ...15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips will release his much anticipated debut album The World From The Side Of The Moon (19 Entertainment/Interscope Records) on November 19 th. ...Recorded at Quad Studios in New York City The World From The Side Of The Moon was produced by Gregg Wattenberg (Train, O.A.R.) with Phillips writing or co-writing the majority of the album. ...The same day that Phillip Phillips claimed his victory in American Idol's season 11 finale, the 22-year-old singer/guitarist released "Home," a debut single that showcases his rich, raspy vocals and masterful guitar skills— and marked the biggest opening sales week for an Idol winner's coronation song with 278,000 downloads sold. ...Phillips kept on studying guitar on his own ("mostly by playing along to the karaoke machine") and soon found himself mastering riffs from classic-rock tracks like Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" and Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." ... With encouragement from his family and friends, Phillips took a break from working in his family's pawn shop and auditioned for American Idol in summer 2011—and soon found himself tearing through powerful, full-throated performances of songs by artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett on the Idol stage.

The Como Brothers Band: The Interview "Underneath It All"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-08T18:31:29-08:00

Matt: Yeah, we got our power back and luckily our house didn't get any damage or anything but I know a lot of neighbors did and there are a lot of trees down and houses and cars that are not in too good of shape so we kind of lucked out but, you know, I feel bad for a lot of people around us. ...We are doing a music video for one of our songs that we did with another artist, Kayla Stockert, so we are kind of going to be filming that pretty soon on December 1st and then we are doing a four-song EP that we are going to try and release in January and then we are also recording a 11-song full-length album for release some time next year so we are pretty busy right now. ...Matt: We met her at a showcase that we did at the Sony Music Building in New York City and we kind of came into contact with her through that and she actually messaged us and she knew that we were songwriters and she was just starting to write songs herself and she kind of just asked if we'd be interested kind of in writing songs with her or for her and once we heard her voice we were like, oh, definitely. ...On the first EP we kind of wrote our own and we would edit each other's songs but it wasn't as in depth with the co-writing aspect of the songs and I think you'll see it on this EP coming up in the new album. ...Matt: Yeah, there is a variety I guess of top acts and then we also have a love for blues music and we think kind of tying in blues themes into pop songs, kind of underlying them, also gives songs a little bit of integrity and originality too because I don't think that's been explored enough in the music world but other blues artists I guess like Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. ...Andrew: Sure, well to point out that specific line that you're talking about, I kind of wrote that at a time when I was in school and didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life and it's just a way of saying, I don't know what I'm going to do, but whatever I'm going to do, I'm going to manage my worries and what I worry about in life.

GIBB BROTHERS PERSONAL LOOK AT CAREER TO BE RELEASED 3 DECEMBER 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-08T08:20:47-08:00

Produced to mark the group’s golden anniversary this very special boxed set was created by Barry and Robin Gibb with the siblings sharing 50 years of memories in this stunning musical and visual scrapbook. ...MYTHOLOGY also features a collection of family photos, many never-before published, along with tributes from artists such as George Martin, Brian Wilson, Elton John, Graham Nash, and the band’s long-time manager Robert Stigwood. More poignant that ever, Mythology was created in 2010 by Barry with his brother Robin who sadly died earlier this year on 20 May 2012. ... But mainly, the collection digs into the Bee Gees’ vast catalogue to highlight deep tracks such as the early single “Spicks And Specks” (1966); the title track from the 1969 concept album Odessa; the single B-side “Country Woman” (1971); “Spirits (Having Flown)” (1979), the title track from the 35 million-selling album; “The Longest Night” (1987) from the multiplatinum ESP; “Closer Than Close” (1997) from Still Waters; and “Man In The Middle” (2001) from the Bee Gees’ 20th and final studio album before Maurice’s passing in 2003. ...Nearly all of the songs from his 1977 debut Flowing Rivers are featured, including the back-to-back #1 singles: “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” and “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water.” The set contains “I Can’t Help It,” his duet with Olivia Newton-John, as well as several tracks from his final studio album After Dark (1980).

Graham Colton Singer Songwriter Plays The Hotel Cafe

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-07T13:26:57-08:00

His audience gets to enjoy what "Graham does best: write lyrics about universal themes of love and loss, and everything between in a way that uniquely ties himself to the listener; and most importantly, enables them to feel as though they are hearing the story of their own lives through Graham’s music." -via FlemingArtists.com ...Catch him in Los Angeles at The Hotel Cafe with Sooner the Sunset at 10PM this Thursday night 8 November with Lindsey Ray. ...Song of the Week “Stubborn Love” by The Lumineers is Life of a Rock Star's new favorite hit. ... The lyrics, “it’s better to feel pain than nothing at all” are an excellent example of the band's ability to use music to draw an audience with truth. ...nk's new video "Try" off her album "The Truth About Love" is a show of her physical, personal and artistic strength. ...Pink is a master at metaphors and from the barren field to the theatrical tribal expressive dance, "Try" tells the story of virtually every relationship and the vulnerability of hearts in love.

ALLOISE Performs Live With Narada Michael Walden

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-07T10:45:48-08:00

“Fashion Rocks” in Ukraine was a two day mega-event fashion show / concert held on October 11th & 12th at Crystal Hall that featured American music producer Narada Michael Walden. Ukranian stars showed off their talent and sang the greatest hits written and produced by Narada for artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Regina Belle. According to kyivpost.com, "While Walden was impressed with numerous Ukrainian musical talents, he felt strongest about Jamala, Kamaliya (wife of Kyiv Post publisher Mohammad Zahoor), Hard Kiss, ALLOISE (former vocalist of Gorchitza) and Viktor Romanchenko from X-factor." Narada, an emmy and multi Grammy award winning producer, musician and recording artist is known for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack and "producing hits for artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (including the platinum “Freeway of Love.”), Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck and The Temptations, the EMMY and multi-GRAMMY winner (Producer, Album and Song of The Year) has been at the helm of hit music that spans decades. …Walden was an integral part of introducing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to millions of fans worldwide, producing and writing their breakthrough hits that first brought these divas to the spotlight. ...For seven straight years he has served as Music Director for the Rainforest Foundation Concert at Carnegie Hall, the high profile conversancy benefit spearheaded by Sting and Trudie Styler that has featured the likes of Elton John, Billy Joel, Ravi Shankar, James Taylor, Brian Wilson and, of course, Sting himself.

"Birdy" Is Making Sweet Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-07T08:50:20-08:00

This almost 16 year old girl from the UK--her real name is Jasmine Van de Bogaerde--has been called Birdy since she was a baby because she "would open her mouth so wide" when her parents fed her. ... Birdy posted a video of herself singing at the age of 12 and was discovered on YouTube by a record label and has since worked with Rich Costey (Muse), James Ford (Arctic Monkeys) and Jim Abbiss (Adele and Arctic Monkeys). ...Birdy's cover of James Taylor's "Fire & Rain" is a perfect singer / songwriter adaption of a song to her own style recreating a song as her own while still keeping the tune recognizable and in tact. ...June 14, 2012 - Burbank, CA - "Learn Me Right" - an original song featuring British-born singer and songwriter Birdy, will be featured on the upcoming soundtrack to the animated Disney*Pixar film Brave, which will be released by Walt Disney Records on June 19th. ... In addition to "Learn Me Right," Birdy's original song "Just A Game" is featured on The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond, produced by T Bone Burnett. ...In March, Birdy released her self-titled debut album, a soulful, sophisticated collection that includes a cover of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love," which peaked at No. 17 on the UK singles Chart after BBC's Radio 1 added it to its playlist.

Election Day: Celebrities Vote Campaign

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-05T09:56:38-08:00

Go to bit.ly/U7g5U6 #WeWill #GoVote

— Jason Mraz (@jason_mraz) November 5, 2012 ...

Not sure where to vote on Tuesday? - find out here: headcount.org/find-your-poll… fb.me/22ql9grcv
— Bob Mould (@bobmouldmusic) November 5, 2012

...Go to bit.ly/U7g5U6 #WeWill #GoVote

— Neon Trees (@neontrees) November 5, 2012 ...

Will Ferrell will do anything—ANYTHING—to get you to vote on November 6th: OFA.BO/sQuM35 say.ly/WSD4wo6
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 5, 2012

...

Call 866-OUR-VOTE/687-8683 if you have problems at the polls bitly.com/WnuVal #RespectMyVote
— Tity Boi (2 Chainz) (@2chainz) November 5, 2012

...

Report #Election issues by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE or through twitter using the hashtag "#OVLReport"ow.ly/eZYdc @866ourvote
— Rock the Vote (@RockTheVote) November 5, 2012

Matchbox Twenty "Overjoyed" (Official Video)

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-02T10:01:35-07:00

Just when we thought we couldn't love Matchbox Twenty's "North" album or the song "Overjoyed" anymore, they hit us with this: the "Overjoyed" official video. Somewhere between grabbing tissues and flat out just falling "in love with love" (to quote The Mowgli's "San Francisco") and the gorgeous voice of Rob Thomas, this video is a refreshing testament to love that lasts through the ages. ...Alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty's new album "North" is on the Billboard 200 at No. 29 this week, it's been on the chart for four weeks and peaked at No. ... As music downloads go, the entire album is a must for your playlist, but as love songs go Rob Thomas singing "I Will" is a show stopper. ...Download Matchbox Twenty “North” on iTunes it’s the must have new music pop album to add to your playlist this fall! ...The lyrics, “it’s better to feel pain than nothing at all” are an excellent example of the band's ability to use music to draw an audience with truth.

The Lumineers "Stubborn Love" Song of the Week & Album Review

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-11-01T04:10:18-07:00

They've also recently announced that their new album has been licensed to Dualtone and are touring like mad and on a pace set to keep their success on an upward trajectory. ...The folk alternative bluegrass music of The Lumineers in songs like "Slow It Down" is anything but simple and their album takes you on an emotional journey through their growth, pain and rebirth as they sing "we never looked back, that wasn't what we were good at…" and ends with the memorable line, "only love can dig you out of this." ...One can't help but relate the healing powers of the Dead Sea to seeing how for band members Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites moving from New York to Denver after the death of Jeremiah's brother at the age of 19 must have been incredibly healing. ...The acoustic folk sound of The Lumineers is contagious and their album is a stellar entrance onto what is certain to be an ever growing stage taking this band to new heights. ...The Lumineers have become a huge success story in the US, having sold over 150,000 copies of their debut album and 430,000 single downloads in less than four months through Dualtone. ...Following a string of sold-out US tour dates the band will bring their critically acclaimed live show over to the UK this autumn where they will support fellow Nashville, Grammy Award winning duo, The Civil Wars.

Music Party Playlist & "Thriller" Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-31T09:33:19-07:00

(Pictured left to right: Devil Tracy Bobbitt, Editor of HollywoodMomBlog.com, our fabulous Hostess Stacey Uberstine aka "The Real Sandy" --not the hurricane-- and Skating for Gold, Editor, Nicole Hanratty having a little Halloween fun. ...Enjoy hits from Pitbull, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Ne-Yo, Neon Trees, Jessarae, The Mowglis, Kat Lane, The Lumineers, Cher Lloyd, Beyoncé, Muse, Pink, Mumford and Sons, Matchbox Twenty and Shiny Toy Guns! ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=0&affiliate_id=0&cul=FFFFF&wh=370&ww=325&t=Music%2520Playlist&d=LifeofaRockStar.com%2520Music%2520Playlist%2520for%2520Halloween&pl=0,562396944,571445453,542468928,546464877,513803062,572956756,502683833,564020975,563015717,491168691,545398137,548698717,534843304,567969304,571445450,568450938,486628269" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:325px;height:370px;border:0px" > ...READ MORE: Song of the Week is "Waiting Alone" by Shiny Toy Guns: Video & Music ...The two talented and very cute guys behind the Australian indie pop songs caught my ear when it came time to compile the Life of a Rock Star™ Back To School playlist. “Set Alight” (on the Sun City EP also titled “Set Alight” ) is the perfect blend of upbeat and forward motion dance music balanced with lyrics that are thought provoking and relatable.

#MusicMonday San Francisco Giants And The Lumineers Ho Hey Parody Music Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-29T19:21:31-07:00

Here's a fun parody music video set to the band The Lumineer's "Ho Hey" hit single to celebrate the San Francisco winning the World Series and "Return to Splendor." ...Song of the Week is "Waiting Alone" by Shiny Toy Guns ...Shiny Toy Guns ★ Song of the Week ★ News ★ Artists ★ Alternative Music Song of the Week goes to a band who has come back together to put out their third album, hence the title of the album "lll." Shiny Toy Guns and their lead singer Carah Faye and are poised to take over the charts with "Waiting Alone." ... READ MORE: Song of the Week is "Waiting Alone" by Shiny Toy Guns: Video & Music

Anna Haas Interview and New Album "Crazy Is"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-25T19:58:54-07:00

I didn't want to be too defined in my undergraduate, because I knew that I loved the Performing Arts and there is so much that I’d love to do, but I chose not to get a BSA for instance in musical theater, just because I wanted to have the flexibility to choose my classes and experiment with whatever I wanted, so I did everything from films, plays, to musicals. ...It was tough to sort of make the decision to leave this world of auditioning and the potential career on Broadway for this career, just as a singer songwriter, but I then realized there was no reason why I can't incorporate my love for the theater and for that sort of entertainment into my music and it has been the thing that has made me stand out, made some people say, wow your music is theatrical, but also it confuses certain people. ...I think throughout history and even today women have been called crazy when they are not satisfied romantically or sexually and they are sort of lashing out or just trying to convey what it is they need, but not being able to find the words to do that even when they are being criticized, or pressed, or beaten down whether emotionally or physically by their partner. ...I get it a lot, and I hate it when I am talking to somebody--a man, who is trying to flirt with me or take me out or whatever--and one of the first things he will say is, "you know I love red heads" - and I am like cool, great that is not all I am. ... ...I think, and I don't talk about this song very much, but "Just the Breathe Of" is probably the most sort of myself to me when I listen back to it, because it brings me back to the place that I was at when I wrote it and that is really just a song about losing someone who you believe to be your soul mate and not really understanding it ... sort of that open ended question, the asking of why’s and for some reason it is peppered with all this detail of specific relationships that sort of haunts me every time I listen to it. ...We shoot some parallel footage of me also on 8 mm to make the film all very cohesive and so yes, its sort of just piecing it all together and I am really excited to share it, because I think it is going to be something completely different from "Maypole" - sort of a much more personal vulnerable look into my life and to my family and it is a tribute to New York and to the passing of time and generations and just a chance to get some of footage out there for people who love New York or for anyone who has ever lost anybody - I hope it can bring them peace, so that is the next big thing.

Shiny Toy Guns Song of the Week "Waiting Alone" Video & Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-25T15:12:29-07:00

Song of the Week goes to a band who has come back together to put out their third album, hence the title of the album "lll." Shiny Toy Guns and their lead singer Carah Faye and are poised to take over the charts with "Waiting Alone." ... Life of a Rock Star also loves: "Somewhere To Hide" and "Take Me Back To Where I Was." ...Watch this fun video clip of Shiny Toy Guns performing live on the outdoor stage at House of Rock in Santa Monica for charity Music Unites. ...Shiny Toy Guns sing "Waiting Alone" at House of Rock in Santa Monica for Music Unites charity ...Do you really never see me when you come home late at night?

JETTA Shows London Music Scene She Has The Look And The Sound To "Start A Riot"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-24T06:14:20-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ loves JETTA's new song and it sounds like The Feeling is quite impressed with her talent also! ...LONDON, UK- JETTA, an incredible new vocal and songwriting talent, put her self in pole position for the next big thing accolade, when she performed to a capacity crowd of media tastemakers at legendary venue The Scotch last night. ...JETTA has already received incredible media attention and has amassed thousands of views on YouTube for her self-shot video for debut single, ‘Start A Riot’. ...Records launched its “Be Your Own Muse” campaign in Los Angeles by kicking off a charity concert event at the 2012 House of Rock on Saturday night. It launched this past weekend in LA with “an amazing educational panel with leading women in music including Phylicia Fant, Julie Muncy, Michelle Jubelierer and a special songwriting session with Candace Lee Comacho and Helena.” (http://www.facebook.com/MusicUnitesOrg) In addition, Guitar Center donated 30 brand new Fender guitars to the participating and appreciative girls in Compton. ...Life of a Rock Star™ turned over the reigns to choose Song of the Week to a Life of a Rock Star™ teen contributor--and as teens always have their finger on the pulse--she came up with the most recent Taylor Swift single "State of Grace" that is receiving rave reviews that Taylor Swift has knocked this new song out of the park.

Red Taylor Swift New Music Playlist Album & Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-23T18:59:12-07:00

;) "Everything Has Changed" has a folk typical of Ed Sheeran's style and a signature guitar sound typical of Taylor Swift which flatters both of the young artist's voices. ..."State of Grace" the first song on the album made Life of a Rock Star™ Song of the Week upon release. "I Knew You Were Trouble" is sure to be another long lasting hit single off the album (debuting at No. 3 on Billboard.com Hot 100) with a catchy chorus and a hint of an electronic mix that works well with the song and is evidence of Taylor Swift's ability to stay ever-current. "22" also has an electro house dance sound. ...The album closes with "Begin Again" which is a slower and more subdued break up song with a whole new silver lining and we think is a beautiful frame for the entire "RED" album. ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=0&affiliate_id=0&wh=370&ww=325&t=Taylor%2520Swift%2520%2522RED%2522%2520Playlist&d=LifeofaRockSTar.com%2520Taylor%2520Swift%2520%2522Red%2522%2520album%2520playlist&pl=0,571445450,571445455,571445456,571445464,571445454,571445452,571445453,571445463,571445465,571445458,571445462,571445459,571445461,571445457,571445449,571445466,566725375" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:325px;height:370px;border:0px" > ...Life of a Rock Star™ turned over the reigns to choose Song of the Week to a Life of a Rock Star™ teen contributor--and as teens always have their finger on the pulse--she came up with the most recent Taylor Swift single "State of Grace" that is receiving rave reviews that Taylor Swift has knocked this new song out of the park.

Pitbull Playlist, Music Videos & Global Warming on #MUSICMONDAY

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-22T12:20:30-07:00

Pitbull's "Global Warming" album is set to be released just in time to get keep the party going all through the holidays on November 19th--preorder on myplaydirect.com--as only this international sensation can do! ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=0&affiliate_id=0&t=Pitbull%2520Playlist&d=LifeofaRockStar.com%2520brings%2520you%2520a%2520Pitbull%2520Playlist%2520with%2520our%2520favorite%2520rap%2520%2526%2520pop%2521&pl=0,428086879,305395272,440733037,440733042,440733039,397501063,562396944,512013248,440733046,312687521,440733053,465972626" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:250px;height:300px;border:0px" > ...After having recently rocked the iHeart Radio music festival in Las Vegas, Pitbull is set to return there as his concert tours keep him pumping one show after another. ...He has also worked with famous artists such as Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Marc Anthony, Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Chris Brown, Havana Brown, T-Pain, Akon, Lil Jon, Jim Jones, TJR, Nicola Fasano, Trina, Young Boss, Jamie Foxx, Kelly Rowland, Machel Montano, Jamie Drastik, Sensato, Black Point, El Cata, Vein, Nelly and Enrique Iglesias. ...Give your week a jump start and listen to Pitbull’s newest single released, “Don’t Stop The Party (Feat. ...Life of a Rock Star™ turned over the reigns to choose Song of the Week to a Life of a Rock Star™ teen contributor--and as teens always have their finger on the pulse--she came up with the most recent Taylor Swift single "State of Grace" that is receiving rave reviews that Taylor Swift has knocked this new song out of the park.

Katy Cappella Artist Interview: Pop Star Katy Cappella Returns Home Taking The Stage By Storm In Concert With Good Fortune Behind Her

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-20T17:54:10-07:00

Katy Cappella, formerly a Chesapeake employee, helped the Fortune Magazine Top 100 Company win the 2010 Battle Of The Corporate Bands as the lead vocalist of Chesapeake's Shale Play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and herself took home the Steve Eck Memorial Best Vocalist Award. ...(Pictured Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort, October 6, 2012 L to R: Katy Cappella wearing Suzanne Lay black dress with emerging designer Suzanne Lay herself just minutes before the runway show began and Nicole Hanratty--wearing a Suzanne Lay black body suit from Fall 2012 Line.) ...After a gorgeous day of wake boarding out on Canyon Lake and a red carpet evening at Phoenix Fashion Week supporting emerging designer Suzanne Lay, [see Phoenix Fashion Week in TIME magazine] Katy Cappella opened up over a late night dinner about what it took to over come her worst enemy—practicality—to take a leap of faith and follow her voice. ...Katy: This is a cool thing, this girl emailed me on Facebook, that I went to college with and I really didn’t even talk to her that much at college. We had some of the same classes so I knew who she was but she friended me on Facebook and after my album came out which was probably in August she messaged me and she was like, “I just want you to know that I had the most terrible week. ... I’m not trying to be the biggest star ever or anything but I want the world to hear my music and have the opportunity to take it in like that girl did where it changes their whole spirit to something positive.

Richie Sambora Rocks Out In London

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-18T17:01:02-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ has to stop everything every time Richie Sambora's new hit single "Every Road Leads Home To You" plays. ...Richie Sambora's Album "Aftermath Of The Lowdown" is available for purchase with the song "Every Road Leads Home To You" on iTunes ...Richie Sambora, legendary rock musician and founding member of Bon Jovi, played to a sold out audience at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, in London last night and rocked the house. ...Fans queued to see him perform hits from his new album "Aftermath Of The Lowdown," including single "Every Road Leads Home To You," previous solo albums and the Bon Jovi classic, ‘Dead Or Alive’. Supported by his super tight live band, Sambora wowed the crowd and even performed an unexpected and inspired collection of diverse cover songs including "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison’s "Wild Night," a rousing rendition of Oasis’ "Don’t Look Back In Anger" and a show stopping performance of "The End" by The Beatles. ...Life of a Rock Star™ turned over the reigns to choose Song of the Week to a Life of a Rock Star™ teen contributor--and as teens always have their finger on the pulse--she came up with the most recent Taylor Swift single "State of Grace" that is receiving rave reviews that Taylor Swift has knocked this new song out of the park.

Free Music Download: JETTA "Start A Riot" New Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-18T16:57:48-07:00

JETTA, an incredible new vocal and songwriting talent, will self-release her debut single "Start A Riot" as a free download via twitter on 22 October 2012. ...Born and raised in Liverpool, JETTA is a musician who has been quietly gathering interest for the last three years, chiefly due to her incredible vocal talent and songwriting. ...Impressed by her dynamic vocals, respected Dubstep producer DJ Jakwob then handpicked JETTA for a guest appearance on his hit track "Electrify", which generated heavy specialist support from BBC Radio One DJs including MistaJam, Nihal and Zane Lowe. ...JETTA is now set to storm the web and dance floors, with the release of her first solo single, an uplifting independent soul smash called "Start A Riot." ...To download "Start A Riot" fans will visit her website www.startariot.co.uk, on the 22 October and follow instructions on how to download the track via twitter. ...Life of a Rock Star™ turned over the reigns to choose Song of the Week to a Life of a Rock Star™ teen contributor--and as teens always have their finger on the pulse--she came up with the most recent Taylor Swift single "State of Grace" that is receiving rave reviews that Taylor Swift has knocked this new song out of the park.

Taylor Swift "State of Grace" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-18T08:50:33-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ turned over the reigns to choose Song of the Week to a Life of a Rock Star™ teen contributor--and as teens always have their finger on the pulse--she came up with the most recent Taylor Swift single "State of Grace" that is receiving rave reviews that Taylor Swift has knocked this new song out of the park. ...Her simple lines, "And I never saw you coming and I'll never be the same," accomplish with brilliance the feat by which every writer is challenged. ...To the extent that her singles have been critiqued for being all over the board genre wise, Life of a Rock Star™ would point out that Taylor Swift as a mainstream force has used her powers to expose massive audiences to new genres and force people out of their comfort zones. It's an arguable point that her performance of "Mean" on national television in early 2011 at the music awards brought folk pop music to the masses and contributed to paving the way for the acceptance of similar eclectic music by bands like fun., Mumford and Sons, and The Lumineers. ...Life of a Rock Star™ could not be more excited to bring you this week's amazing artist, the Paul Child Band and our favorite song off of the Paul Child Band's recently released EP "Runaway. ... Song of the Week "Beautiful Belief" will light you up and reinvigorate your playlist with a fresh sound from this London, UK band on the rise that is loaded with talent.

Ellie Goulding Lights Up Hollywood Performing Live Songs From Her New Album “Halcyon” (Concert Review)

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-17T19:33:53-07:00

Part of the British Invasion taking over the air waves along side Mumford and Sons, One Direction, and the Ed Sheeran kind, Ellie Goulding’s most recent album "Halcyon" was released October 9th and is No. 18 on the iTunes album charts. Last night, Ellie Goulding took over the stage at the Troubadour with her talent, beauty and yes she beat on her drums… The intimate venue drew Twilight celebrity star Kristen Stewart which was no surprise as Ellie’s new song, "Bittersweet," produced by Ellie's boyfriend Skrillex, is on the Twilight saga Breaking Dawn Part 2 movie soundtrack. To see Ellie Goulding in the Troubadour is a once in a lifetime experience as she is exploding on the music scene and likely her next tours through Southern California will see her filling larger and larger venues. ...The next song she performed is part of a soundtrack in a film called “Now Is Good” (a Warner Bros. film starring Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine in theaters now) which Ellie called “literally the saddest film of all time” but told her audience it is very good and encouraged them to go see it. ...Saving the best for last, Ellie sang “Anything Could Happen” to her enthusiastic fans who sang along and followed it up with her smash hit & widely popular “Lights” song which has been on Billboard Hot 100 for 42 weeks, was still holding strong at No. 12 last week, sits currently at No. 15 and peaked at No. ...Ellie finished off with a cover of Elton John's “Your Song” for which she is known for including in her setlist and famously sang for Will and Kate at the reception of the Royal Wedding in April of 2011--with her last song “Starry Eyed” off of her “Lights" album to round off the night with talent, grace, a glowing stage presence all in an energetic rock star style.

#MUSICMONDAY Live Concert The Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years And Will Rock London & New York

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-15T08:55:39-07:00

The most eagerly anticipated concerts of 2012 are announced today as the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band, The Rolling Stones, confirm their long awaited return to the stage with four spectacular arena shows in London and New York. ...As the crowning glory of their on-going 50th anniversary celebrations, the rock icons will play to thousands of fans at London’s O2 Arena on November 25 and 29, and then across the ocean to perform at the Prudential Center, Newark, near New York, on December 13 and 15. ...They will treat their generations of fans in a must-see, heart-pumping celebration of era-defining tracks such as Gimme Shelter, Paint It Black, Jumping Jack Flash, Tumbling Dice, It’s Only Rock and Roll, plus a few surprises and countless other classics from GRRR!, the multi-format compilation RS50 album coming out in November marking the Stones’ astonishing five decades at the top. ...Fans can look forward to an all-new, custom-built set design, with a stage based on the band’s ubiquitous and celebrated tongue and lips logo, which will reach out into the crowd and become a truly must see and hear experience, with integral video screens and effects enhancing the sort of high-octane adventure for which the band’s concerts have been famous for decades. ...Richard Branson and Paul Dainty's history with the Rolling Stones spans five decades - so it is apt that these shows, which celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary - marks them joining forces for the first time as Virgin Live to promote the greatest band there has ever been. ...Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."

POP STAR KATY CAPPELLA JOINS SUSAN G. KOMEN’S “RACE FOR THE CURE”

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-14T12:20:26-07:00

Raised in Claremore, Oklahoma, this small town girl whose music is inspired by her desire to help others stresses the importance of being involved in Race For The Cure. Katy Cappella tells KomenPhoenix.org in her “Why I Walk” statement, "I walk to raise awareness and stress the importance of getting mammograms and doing self breast examinations." ...If people understand the importance of early detection and act on that knowledge, we can lessen both the financial and emotional burden breast cancer has on our community until that burden is eliminated with a cure!" ...Pink is a master at metaphors and from the barren field to the theatrical tribal expressive dance, "Try" tells the story of virtually every relationship and the vulnerability of hearts in love. ...Life of a Rock Star™ could not be more excited to bring you this week's amazing artist, the Paul Child Band and our favorite song off of the Paul Child Band's recently released EP "Runaway. ... Song of the Week "Beautiful Belief" will light you up and reinvigorate your playlist with a fresh sound from this London, UK band on the rise that is loaded with talent.

BAKER Concert Live at Viper Room West Hollywood

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-14T09:21:42-07:00

With a showcase at the world-famous SXSW Music Festival under his belt, and a wildly successful music video release for his hit single, “Not Gonna Wait” (the video has garnered over 2,000,000 Youtube since it's debut in early July), BAKER is now preparing to light up the Viper Room in West Hollywood. Shortly following two dynamic live performances at the House of Blues and The Hotel Cafe, BAKER is ready to rev up the crowd once again with a set of brand new tracks, including his hit single, “Not Gonna Wait”. ...Over the past four years, BAKER has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest producers in the industry, including Greg Ogan (Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Leona Lewis), Eric Sanicola (a member of famed Lady Gaga producer RedOne’s production team), and Kylie Minogue and J.Lo hitmakers Cutfather and Damon Sharpe. ...Celebrity Singer Songwriter Katy Cappella (pictured left wearing a Suzanne Lay pink Destin Top) talks about why she loves Kenra Platinum Blow Dry Spray and Kenra's Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month via a partnership with the Rapunzel Project. ...Life of a Rock Star™ could not be more excited to bring you this week's amazing artist, the Paul Child Band and our favorite song off of the Paul Child Band's recently released EP "Runaway. ... Song of the Week "Beautiful Belief" will light you up and reinvigorate your playlist with a fresh sound from this London, UK band on the rise that is loaded with talent.

Mumford & Sons Babel TAKES OVER Billboard Hot 100 With SEVEN Songs

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-13T07:49:55-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ staff worried they needed to have their eyes checked when they were browsing the Billboard Hot 100 Week of October 20, 2012 charts. ..."According to figures from Spotify, Babel was streamed over 8 million times in the U.S in the past seven days making it the most streamed album ever in the first week of it being on sale." (via antimusic.com) ...Life of a Rock Star™ could not be more excited to bring you this week's amazing artist, the Paul Child Band and our favorite song off of the Paul Child Band's recently released EP "Runaway. ... Song of the Week "Beautiful Belief" will light you up and reinvigorate your playlist with a fresh sound from this London, UK band on the rise that is loaded with talent. ...One song after the next on his album "Pilot" takes you on a journey through questions that revolve around identity, love, and challenges we all face regardless of age. ..."Seen It All Before" is a strong representation of all he embodies and after spending some time chatting with him, there is no question success is his to grasp.

The Truth Is...Singer Songwriter Jessarae Is A Rock Star With Raw Energy

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-11T20:28:47-07:00

I’ve had them in my house for four or five years and I don’t know, I just, I really like it, it’s another instrument that I just kind of self-taught and I wanted to learn as many instruments as I could. ...They took my brother to acting school, and they let me do my thing and spend a lot of time when I could’ve been studying or something--which I still do a lot of--but you know what I mean." ...I thought if I’m going to get into this I want it to be something that I could really believe in and when I go up and sing I want to be passionate and bring something that’s my own to music. ...People are always asking me that, how it was, but I don’t think my parents could be any happier just watching both of their kids kind of grow up and find their own thing and not forcing them to do anything but just watching us grow and become our own kind of people. ...It was also because that Adele song ["Rolling In The Deep"] was kind of like the anthem of that whole tour because we’d go from place to place and all the kids were singing that song and they wanted us to sing that song every day. ...It was definitely scary because I’d go there and a lot of the kids weren’t so accepting of me right away, which is to be expected because I’m this little like white kid coming in, I was probably like 14 or 15 coming in and trying to entertain all these kids that are a lot tougher than me, you know?

Paul Child Band "Beautiful Belief" New Music For Your Playlist & Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-11T08:32:54-07:00

Song of the Week: Paul Child Band "Beautiful Belief" ...Life of a Rock Star™ could not be more excited to bring you this week's amazing artist, the Paul Child Band and our favorite song off of the Paul Child Band's recently released EP "Runaway. ... Song of the Week "Beautiful Belief" will light you up and reinvigorate your playlist with a fresh sound from this London, UK band on the rise that is loaded with talent. The Paul Child Band is an alternative rock band with a folk infused indie music sound akin to bands like Dave Matthews Band, Fun., and Mumford & Sons. ... ...

P!nk "Try" YouTube Music Video Battles Through Love

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-10T09:46:32-07:00

nk's new video "Try" off her album "The Truth About Love" is a show of her physical, personal and artistic strength. ..."Where there is a flame someone's bound to get burned…you've got to get up and try and try." ...“Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” was Life of a Rock Star™ Song of the Week August 30th and has only continued to race up the charts since then. ...Her latest jam is as rockin’ and feisty as all of her pre-baby music, which is why I’m naming it the song of the week for my girl Nicole of Life of a Rock Star. ...Alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty's new album "North" is on the Billboard 200 at No. 29 this week, it's been on the chart for four weeks and peaked at No. ... As music downloads go, the entire album is a must for your playlist, but as love songs go Rob Thomas singing "I Will" is a show stopper.

#MUSICMONDAY: Songs From Zedd, Adele, Coldplay + YouTube Music Videos

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-08T19:49:39-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ is so excited for Daniel Craig's return to the Ian Fleming's James Bond Skyfall 007. ...An album that is still going strong a year after it's release… No. 66 on the Albums iTunes Charts and No. 130 on the Billboard 200 Coldplay "Mylo Xyloto" is filled with songs we love. ...This Feature Friday Life of a Rock Star™ brings you new music from Bentley and an interview with lead singer songwriter Micah Bentley. ...Song of the Week: Matchbox Twenty "I Will" New Music for Your Love Songs Playlist ...Alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty's new album "North" is on the Billboard 200 at No. 29 this week, it's been on the chart for four weeks and peaked at No. ... As music downloads go, the entire album is a must for your playlist, but as love songs go Rob Thomas singing "I Will" is a show stopper.

Blind Benny is Something Worth Following

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-06T15:09:36-07:00

The band behind Jade<3 and Jonathan brings out the big band sound when they are recording, but the EP is largely an acoustic sound at heart full of beautiful songs like “Goodness,” for which Blind Benny stands apart. ...He went on, “I was just telling her the other day, the one thing that we do--sometimes we get a little bogged down with all of it, setting up shows and promoting for shows and rehearsing and all this stuff--but the things that we actually are good at, at the end of the day, and the thing that we like to do is, if you lock us in a room, we can just write song after song after song after song after song. ...Hearing them talk about one another while the other was listening was like being inside two minds that click and work on the same track but also make the one’s thoughts stronger and more powerful. ...The two of them laugh at and with one another and tell me about things that influence the, for Jade<3 it’s books and for Jon it’s listening to vastly different kinds of music that includes everything from Skrillex and Hendrix to Radiohead amongst others. ...She says, “Jade<3 was once hired to play a show…and the people who hired us actually thought they hired the old band Jade and they loved us but they were wondering why we weren’t three black women.” ...Jade<3 tells me that “Chewjitsu” is closest to her heart then adds, “I had a friend email me and ask me what is that you’re saying at the end in the lyric of ‘Chewjitsu?’

Matchbox Twenty "I Will" New Music for Love Songs Playlist & Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-04T09:53:58-07:00

Song of the Week: Matchbox Twenty "I Will" New Music for Your Love Songs Playlist ...Alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty's new album "North" is on the Billboard 200 at No. 29 this week, it's been on the chart for four weeks and peaked at No. ...Our current pop music favorite "She's So Mean" from the same album by Matchbox Twenty has hit the Billboards.com Hot 100 and Life of a Rock Star™ hopes "I Will" is headed up the charts next. ...Download Matchbox Twenty “North” on iTunes it’s the must have new music pop album to add to your playlist this fall! ...Singer Songwriter Jetta wants to "Start a Riot" with her new single and it makes the Life of a Rock Star™ “New Music & YouTube Music Videos We Love” list! ...And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening.

Kelly Sweet's Voice is an Amazing Grace: Singer Songwriter Interview & New Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-03T11:47:11-07:00

But to lose the other less than six months later...is beyond.

— Kelly Sweet (@kellysweet) May 30, 2012 ...We reached out to Kelly recently and are honored that she shared her story with us, it's an inspirational one that reminds us life is "an adventure and a fleeting one at that." ...Kelly: To be honest, I've written some new songs that are on my new record about my parents, and about the process of losing them, before, during and after. ...But now, I see a woman, still young, of course, but one that has determined her direction for her life now, with purpose and strength, and is in control of her own life, finally! ...

My dad, playing the same piano that now lives in my studio. instagr.am/p/OhKhHivN8i/
— Kelly Sweet (@kellysweet) August 19, 2012

...But I feel that in this stage of my life, I want to find a charity that supports cancer research, but specifically one that supports alternative therapies that are not always related to drugs and chemotherapies, but more homeopathic cures and diet.

Ed Sheeran Concert Rocks Wiltern With Passenger & Selah Sue Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-02T11:54:03-07:00

Ed Sheeran's concert set list Monday night included (in no particular order): "Give Me Love," "Small Bump," "Lego House," "The A Team," "Kiss Me," "You Need Me, I Don't Need You," "The Parting Glass," "Drunk," "This," "Grade 8," and "U.N.I." ...He asked the crowd to hug the person next to them--whether they knew them or not--put their arms around one another and sing along just like you would if you were at a music festival. ...Every song in his thirty minute concert set was well received, and when some of his lyrics contained a bit of adult language-(nothing more than a few swear words), he was sweetly shy about singing them out to the crowd of mostly 14 year old girls. ...A 72 year old man from Australia walked over to tell Mike a story about how he and his wife had been married for many years and had been saving up to take a thrip to Copenhagen when the wife unexpectedly passed away. ...Then with a huge smile on his face and his eyes all lit up, Mike said, "Holes is always my last song… My songs are pretty depressing. [the crowd laughed] It's about those little interruptions you have through life…" After starting the song out in slow form, he picked up the pace of "Holes" and ended off his set with a lively audience singing along: ...And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening.

Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions in Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan Music Charity Event

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-01T15:03:18-07:00

Michele Clark’s Sunset Sessions, a music industry convention and talent showcase, is coming to The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV from November 8-10, 2012. ...November’s Sunset Sessions Vegas at The Cosmopolitan will be the 18th event in 15 years and for the first time ever, the Main Stage shows will be open to the public to benefit charities all over the world (of the ARTISTS choices)! ...The Cosmopolitan said, instead, event-goers can secure tickets by committing their time or money to one of several nonprofit organizations, including Communities in Schools of Nevada, Three Square, Opportunity Village MusiCares and many more to be announced! ...You can secure tickets by making a time commitment or a monetary donation to one of several nonprofit organizations, including Opportunity Village, Three Square, Communities in Schools of Nevada, as well as The Recording Academy’s own MusiCares. ...“Michele Clark has figured out how to bring together radio programmers, artists, managers, music supervisors and record company people in a dynamic stew that re-energized my feelings about the music business again and gave me many ideas and contacts to use on behalf of my clients. ...And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening.

#MusicMonday: New Pop Music Downloads For Your Playlist

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-10-01T14:15:21-07:00

℗ 2012 Simco Limited under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited ...Buy your Stand Up For Heroes tickets to see this all star show by the Bob Woodruff Foundation featuring Mike Birbiglia, Patton Oswalt, Jon Stewart, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg Big Band + Surprise GUESTS ...Song of the Week: Green Day “Oh Love” ...Green Day blew up the stage at iHeart Radio music festival where the band’s energy and music brought the audience alive. ... And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening. READ Song of the Week: Green Day "Oh Love" iHeart Radio concert photos, "Uno" album review love & YouTube music video

Rolling Stones by Dezo + 20 Years of Pop Star Photos

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-29T20:56:39-07:00

In his 20 years as London's most prolific entertainment photographer, Dezo Hoffmann compiled one of the most comprehensive archives of pop culture that the world has ever seen. Working out of a three-story warren of studios and darkrooms on Gerard and Wardour Streets, the Hungarian-born photographer and his stable of assistants fanned out through London's streets to capture local rock legends, visiting pop stars and sultry screen sirens. ...Perhaps Dezo's best known work is the product of his close 18-month association with The Beatles, which famously came to an abrupt end when John Lennon publicly dressed down Dezo on the set of "Hard Day's Night," peeved over an unflattering photo of the guitarist's mop top. ...Records launched its “Be Your Own Muse” campaign in Los Angeles by kicking off a charity concert event at the 2012 House of Rock on Saturday night. It launched this past weekend in LA with “an amazing educational panel with leading women in music including Phylicia Fant, Julie Muncy, Michelle Jubelierer and a special songwriting session with Candace Lee Comacho and Helena.” (http://www.facebook.com/MusicUnitesOrg) In addition, Guitar Center donated 30 brand new Fender guitars to the participating and appreciative girls in Compton. ...And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening.

Weekend 100 Countdown: Week of October 6, 2012 “One More Night on the Campaign Trail”

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-29T11:27:49-07:00

With politics heating up…we thought we would devote this week’s countdown to that final hour when there is only “One More Night on the Campaign Trail.” ...With only hours to go until votes are cast, Romney supporters are regretting calling a 5-1-5-0 on the Tea Party and republicans are crossing their fingers voters don’t Take A Walk too far down memory lane back when Romney called 47% of them victims. ...Anchors are grumbling, “Everybody Talks about the time the networks called it wrong, but when the Lights and cameras are on you and the election is Too Close to call, no one is having a Good Time making up jibber jabber to fill the air time.” ...In honor of Maroon 5 working its way up to the No. 1 spot this week, we’ve translated the Billboard’s Top 100 song titles into “Letter to Adam Levine With Love From Your Biggest Fan” for your entertainment. ...

Chances are if you begin a sentence with, "I'm not a stalker, but..." you are most likely a stalker.
— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) July 29, 2012

...And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening.

Lucy Spraggan "Last Night" X Factor Audition YouTube Music Videos

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-28T11:36:13-07:00

X Factor UK Auditions, August 25, 2012- We are guessing no one will be avoiding this girl in the street anymore…Lucie Spraggan’s catchy audition X Factor song “Last Night” is an instant hit! ...Interview with Singer / Songwriter Mike Rosenberg of Passenger on his new album "All The Little Lights" and his Concert Tour with Ed Sheeran ...Passenger opens for the Ed Sheeran concert on tour throughout the U.S., and while Mike Rosenberg--the singer songwriter of Passenger music--is by no means new to the music scene, his sound is now being heard and discovered by the masses, and they are loving what they hear. ...Passenger’s rock music has a folk twist and without question is a sound we love that is somewhat akin to Mumford & Sons. ...And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening. READ Song of the Week: Green Day "Oh Love" iHeart Radio concert photos, "Uno" album review love & YouTube music video

Micah Bentley: New Music Singer Songwriter Interview: "Micah Bentley on the Journey"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-28T09:23:59-07:00

Basically, got to release my new album called “Prone To Wander” on iTunes, and a lot of really cool fun things came from that, like not only just the release but I got some great response in the industry from a bunch of different people. So one thing that came about was the producer, his name’s David Bendeth--he did Paramore and a bunch of other people--he got a hold of some of my songs from that album and just really liked it. ...All through high school I was in different bands, and did that, improving my songwriting, and that translated into today where I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with tons of different songwriters, and producers and people of that nature, and I feel like I’ve come a long way from back then, you know? ...Micah: That’s definitely, it’s a hard thing because the music industry is so different and there are a lot of those shows where people are almost--after a couple of months of being on the show--all of the sudden that’s kind of how they define their success is whether they succeed on that show or not. ...Where I’m from definitely I think has effected like even the band that I was in, A Change of Pace, I feel like the fact that we were from Phoenix, Arizona, allowed us to succeed in certain ways that we might not have if we were from one of the bigger music towns like L.A. or New York, or Nashville or something. ...I love that right now on the radio you can turn it on and even though you still hear a lot of the same stuff, like the dance music and stuff like that, you’ll also hear some Mumford and Sons, and then you’ll hear Fun. and then some other indie artists that succeeded, like Gotye, or any of those guys, but then I just love how, I kind of like where radio is going right now.

Green Day Green Day "Oh Love" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-27T08:52:54-07:00

And while it ended with a relatively minor arguably punk-band appropriate melt down, one broken guitar and a Billy Joe Armstrong rehab check-in, (where we wish him a super speedy recovery so he can come out on tour), the Green Day live performance at the iHeart Radio concert was a highlight of the evening. ...Green Day’s “Oh Love” makes Song of the Week because of its sheer brilliance of creating an alternative rock music meets punk music hinting at a ballad song that makes us fall in love with Green Day all over again. ... True Story: As a puppy this dog was car sick ALL the time, cried and drooled at the mouth from being nauseated in the car on even the shortest of rides. ...“Away From The World” was released on September 11th and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 falling in line with five prior of DMB albums. The band released this statement on September 19, 2012: “We would like to thank all the fans who helped “Away From The World” debut at number 1 on the Billboard top 200. “Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

Switchfoot CharityBuzz Auction: Meet the band & See Them in Concert

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-26T20:41:13-07:00

Switchfoot has donated a meet and greet, 2 tickets to one of their upcoming shows on the Vice Verses (download Vice Verses on iTunes) album tour and a poster signed by the band members. ...In keeping true to its San Diego roots, the band annually hosts Switchfoot Bro-Am, an event that benefits the San Diego-based StandUp for Kids, a national non-profit helping homeless and at risk youth. ...Their songs are more like mission statements so it was no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™ that Apple launched the iPhone 5 yesterday using the Switchfoot song “Always” off the album “Hello Hurricane” in the promotional release iPhone 5 video. Because we are equally excited for both the arrival of the iPhone 5 and Switchfoot to play LA, we could not think of a more perfect song to carry us through the week, and we dedicate this Song of the Week to those starting anew. ...The band released this statement on September 19, 2012: “We would like to thank all the fans who helped “Away From The World” debut at number 1 on the Billboard top 200. “Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

Celebrate a Day of Peace at Listen For Life Concert

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-25T06:51:31-07:00

Newest additions to the SoCal line-up for the Hollywood event this week are multi-genre violinist Geoffrey Maingart as well as Las Vegas performer Ukulele Ray, and the popular Boxing Gandhis cross-cultural band that shares LfL's mission of creating peace through music. ...Los Angeles, CA, September 24, 2012 — Legendary blues/rock musicians (present or former band members with Guns N’ Roses, Dave Matthews Band, Carole King, Sergio Mendes, Lionel Richie, and many others) have formed a new all-star band to promote world peace through music. They have combined with internationally-renowned music masters from nine world cultures to launch a world tour, and will be sharing their unique "around the world" program at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheatre this Thursday, September 27th. ...The concerts to promote UN Peace Day began three years ago through a joint venture between the United Nations and Listen for Life, which was founded in 1998 as a global family of music listeners, performers, and producers, "restoring music as a unifying force for good worldwide". . ...“We are launching the all-star global concert tour in the Los Angeles area because of its music industry roots, and the springboard the area has offered to many legendary performers who believe music can bridge global discord,” said Donna Stoering, Founder of Listen for Life. ...“Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

Jetta "Start a Riot": New Music & YouTube Music Videos We Love

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-25T06:20:11-07:00

Singer Songwriter JETTA wants to "Start a Riot" with her new single and it makes the Life of a Rock Star™ “New Music & YouTube Music Videos We Love” list! ...Smoke and Jackal is a side project of Jared Followill from Kings of Leon, who reportedly needed something to keep himself occupied while his band was on a break from touring, and Nick Brown from Mona. With a very alternative rock sound this song’s disturbing lyrics and mesmerizing vocals keep you listening time and again. ...“Away From The World” was released on September 11th and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 falling in line with five prior of DMB albums. The band released this statement on September 19, 2012: “We would like to thank all the fans who helped “Away From The World” debut at number 1 on the Billboard top 200. “Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

Passenger Interview "All The Little Lights" and Concert Tour with Ed Sheeran

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-24T08:50:17-07:00

Passenger opens for the Ed Sheeran concert on tour throughout the U.S., and while Mike Rosenberg--the singer songwriter of Passenger music--is by no means new to the music scene, his sound is now being heard and discovered by the masses, and they are loving what they hear. ...Mike: I think when I was writing that song I kind of had in mind all of those reasons why you don’t follow a dream, whether that be somebody’s advice is not to do it, or to try, and it’s very hard actually to throw yourself into whatever it is you want to be doing. ...Mike: Years ago--I think he was about 15 or 16--and I think we just played a gig together in a basement in Cambridge, in front of about 12 people, and we just really, I think we just had a mutual respect and love for each other’s music and we got on really well and had a few beers. ...Mike: Oh, I don’t know, like I think it’s funny, when you make a record and you spend months on it, and you mix it and you end up listening to it so many times that it almost becomes something different from music. ...It’s kind of cold and edgy on the surface, but actually it’s got real warmth and real heart as well, and then kind of moving into my own sort of personal feelings as well and trying to intertwine the two things, if that makes any sense at all. ...I don’t think it’s going to come out for a while because we’ve only just released this album in the States and there’s still quite a lot of touring to do for this campaign.

Weekend 100 Countdown: Week of Sept. 29th 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-22T12:32:25-07:00

In honor of Maroon 5 working its way up to the No. 1 spot this week, we’ve translated the Billboard’s Top 100 song titles into “Letter to Adam Levine With Love From Your Biggest Fan” for your entertainment. ...

Chances are if you begin a sentence with, "I'm not a stalker, but..." you are most likely a stalker.
— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) July 29, 2012

...Just because I’ve sworn that I will love you Til My Last Day there is no reason for the FBI to be Shinin’ On Me. ...We’ve translated the Billboard’s Top 100 song titles into a list of “Things a Girl Would Never Say” for your entertainment. ...The band released this statement on September 19, 2012: “We would like to thank all the fans who helped “Away From The World” debut at number 1 on the Billboard top 200. “Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

PSY Gangnam Style Music Video Shatters World Records

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-22T11:26:08-07:00

September 21, 2012- Korean Pop Superstar 'PSY' has already achieved quite a lot with his video for 'Gangnam style', and now he can add a Guinness World Record to that list. ...The closest competitors for most liked video on YouTube include LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem' (1,574,963 likes), Justin's Bieber's 'Baby' (1,327,147 likes) and Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' (1,245,641 likes). ...In years past it was unthinkable that something would be viewed a hundred million times, and now "Gangnam Style" has achieved more than twice this figure in just 3 months on YouTube.' ...“Away From The World” was released on September 11th and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 falling in line with five prior of DMB albums. The band released this statement on September 19, 2012: “We would like to thank all the fans who helped “Away From The World” debut at number 1 on the Billboard top 200. “Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

Lemuria's Album "Pebble" is a Pleaser

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-20T21:05:12-07:00

We've worked hard to get better, and we still are...that's not something that you just stop and say, “Ok, I'm good here, I don't need to be any better than this.” ...Your music has been labeled “alternative indie rock” but is clearly influenced by the punk genre as Bridge 9 calls you a “post-punk band with pop sensibilities.” ...I don't feel like Lemuria has really been pigeon holed or anything by the labels; like one day I see someone refer to my 'power pop' band, the next it's 'indie/punk', knowing how much ground those classifications cover, just the term Pop in general, is more freeing than it is limiting. ...The music they are writing compels you to move in rhythm with the beat, their lyrics are full of thoughtful prose and yet this England based band has given a different voice to post hardcore punk. ...The band released this statement on September 19, 2012: “We would like to thank all the fans who helped “Away From The World” debut at number 1 on the Billboard top 200. “Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) READ MORE SONG OF THE WEEK: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND “SWEET”

Dave Matthews Band "Sweet" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-20T08:52:00-07:00

“Away From The World” also marks a new milestone for Dave Matthews Band in that we are the first group in chart history to have six consecutive studio albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.” (via DaveMatthewsBand.com) ...“Sweet” makes Life of a Rock Stars™ Song of the Week because of the way it showcases not only Dave Matthews’ voice but also the band’s versatile sound as well as the transitional way the structure of the song moves. ...Produced by Steve Lillywhite, (as were the first three Dave Matthews Band albums), of this seventh album Dave Matthews says in an interview: “It’s hard to compare myself or compare the band to something we’ve done before. I know that the process of making the record was a lot more like the first three albums and the beginning of what became The Lillywhite Sessions just because of the way that Steve works and how he relates to the band. ...Their songs are more like mission statements so it was no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™ that Apple launched the iPhone 5 yesterday using the Switchfoot song “Always” off the album “Hello Hurricane” in the promotional release iPhone 5 video. Because we are equally excited for both the arrival of the iPhone 5 and Switchfoot to play LA, we could not think of a more perfect song to carry us through the week, and we dedicate this Song of the Week to those starting anew.

Frank Ocean & John Mayer on SNL

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-19T16:10:11-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ loves Frank Ocean’s new album “Orange” and all things John Mayer. ... As if Frank Ocean’s smooth voice isn’t enough, he walks away near the end of the song to play a video game letting John Mayer take center stage and finish it off right with a gorgeous guitar solo. ...Life of a Rock Star™ loves the genius musical talent that is John Mayer and the John Mayer hit “Shadow Days” off of the recently released album Born and Raised. ...Life of a Rock Star is overwhelmed by the smooth sounds of Frank Ocean’s new album. ...Their songs are more like mission statements so it was no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™ that Apple launched the iPhone 5 yesterday using the Switchfoot song “Always” off the album “Hello Hurricane” in the promotional release iPhone 5 video. Because we are equally excited for both the arrival of the iPhone 5 and Switchfoot to play LA, we could not think of a more perfect song to carry us through the week, and we dedicate this Song of the Week to those starting anew.

Smoke & Jackal’s “No Tell”

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-19T14:40:23-07:00

Smoke and Jackal is a side project of Jared Followill from Kings of Leon, who reportedly needed something to keep himself occupied while his band was on a break from touring, and Nick Brown from Mona. ...We love that Kings of Leon is supportive of the Smoke & Jackal project and is promoting it on their band website. ...We’re hoping Kings of Leon restocks on The Early Vinyl (currently sold out) which “features the band's first three albums on gatefold double LP, plus a single bonus LP with rare content, contained in a beautiful, numbered lift-off box. The set also includes a 20-page book featuring liner notes by Austin Scaggs along with rare art and photos from the band’s early years.” ...Their songs are more like mission statements so it was no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™ that Apple launched the iPhone 5 yesterday using the Switchfoot song “Always” off the album “Hello Hurricane” in the promotional release iPhone 5 video. Because we are equally excited for both the arrival of the iPhone 5 and Switchfoot to play LA, we could not think of a more perfect song to carry us through the week, and we dedicate this Song of the Week to those starting anew.

Carly Rae Jepsen's "Kiss" Album Pops the Hits

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-19T10:10:47-07:00

Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” was Life of a Rock Star’s 2012 Song of the Summer. ...While it is primarily a dance / pop album, “Kiss” contains a song called “Almost Said It” that stands apart from the rest with an almost Miley Cyrus pop / country feel. ... Life of a Rock Star™ finds it apropos that the song starts off lyrically with, “I always want more…” because that’s how we feel about Carly Rae Jepsen’s music. See what we mean by checking out the “home made” music video Carly Rae Jepsen uploaded to YouTube of herself singing “Almost Said It” --dubbed “We Almost Said It” only accompanied by herself on guitar sitting on a stairwell. ...“Good Time” by Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City we love just because we can see that the two of them couldn’t be having a better time singing together, plus we love the music video. ... Also, we love the story that Owl City tells about having really wanted to work with Carly Rae Jepsen, thinking it would never happen, then finding out his manager was friends with her manager.

Joe Kirkland Joins Team Adam on The Voice

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-18T14:35:03-07:00

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View more videos at: #globalwarming bitly.com/O8NrQx

— Pitbull (@Pitbull) September 17, 2012 ...A humble Pitbull thanked the packed Home Depot Center for his first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 “Give Me Everything” (featuring Neyo, Afrojack and Nayer), then electrified the audience with his high energy performance of the song that closed out KISS FM Wango Tango 2012 with phenomenal force. ...This video is so hot of Nayer in a leather jumpsuit slashed from top to bottom in a sexy trio singing “Suavemente” with Pitbull and Mohombi: Watch Pitbull & Nayer “Suavemente” video ...Their songs are more like mission statements so it was no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™ that Apple launched the iPhone 5 yesterday using the Switchfoot song “Always” off the album “Hello Hurricane” in the promotional release iPhone 5 video. Because we are equally excited for both the arrival of the iPhone 5 and Switchfoot to play LA, we could not think of a more perfect song to carry us through the week, and we dedicate this Song of the Week to those starting anew.

Music Unites at 2012 House of Rock

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-17T09:26:38-07:00

It launched this past weekend in LA with “an amazing educational panel with leading women in music including Phylicia Fant, Julie Muncy, Michelle Jubelierer and a special songwriting session with Candace Lee Comacho and Helena.” (http://www.facebook.com/MusicUnitesOrg) In addition, Guitar Center donated 30 brand new Fender guitars to the participating and appreciative girls in Compton. ...The event (sponsored by Guitar Center, Casa Noble Tequila, Fender, Rock Paper Photo, Coca-Cola, Whole Foods, Modern Bite, Ciroc, Sony, Verizon, and many other philanthropic companies), was akin to a music festival with amazing talent set up to play throughout different rooms of the 10,000 square foot mansion with a main stage set up in the backyard overlooking a serene golf course on the near 2 acre estate recently purchased and renovated by owner Elaine Culotti. ...A House For Lions (AHouseForLions.com) was in the midst of recording their debut album and Music Unites guests were able to hang out on the long curved snake-skin patterned couch that screams rock and roll—even be a bit silly taking photos with the band—while they performed and worked on recording their soon to be released debut. ...Music Unites, the New York City based non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining funds for music education programs in under developed school districts, announces its with House of Rock LLC as the featured charity beneficiary for House of Rock’s VIP Opening Party on Saturday, September 15, 2012. ...Their songs are more like mission statements so it was no surprise to Life of a Rock Star™ that Apple launched the iPhone 5 yesterday using the Switchfoot song “Always” off the album “Hello Hurricane” in the promotional release iPhone 5 video. Because we are equally excited for both the arrival of the iPhone 5 and Switchfoot to play LA, we could not think of a more perfect song to carry us through the week, and we dedicate this Song of the Week to those starting anew.

P!nk "Blow Me! (One Last Kiss)" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-30T09:58:26-07:00

Her latest jam is as rockin’ and feisty as all of her pre-baby music, which is why I’m naming it the song of the week for my girl Nicole of Life of a Rock Star. ...I think that life's too short for this, I want back my ignorance and bliss ...

Train- "Drive By" (Official Video) from London Alley Entertainment on Vimeo.

“Drive By” has been on the Billboard.com Hot 100 for 33 weeks proving it most certainly is not a drive by on the charts. ...Because of that, the fact that some of us have experienced our children being in hospital NICUs, and our San Francisco roots, we feel like the best way for us to give back is with the Family House organization. Being a local cause and helping kids and their families when they need it the most is something we profoundly admire and there's not a more caring staff from the top down.

Sun City on a Roller Coaster Ride

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-06T05:43:17-07:00

Sun City is an electronic duo comprised of Tobias John and Daniel Mackey from Perth, Australia that is playing music festivals and shows one after another growing ever more popular with every appearance. ...I see that Dan takes the vocal lead, but in terms of production and writing (both music and lyrics), does one of you take the lead or is there an equal contribution? ...Well we started Sun City at the beginning of last year (2011) we were both 22 at the time… Although it wasn't long ago, an awful lot has happened since, both inside and outside the confines of the band. ...Nicole: It was sad to read about the loss of your friend, Sam Trowbridge who died at such a young age and I really enjoyed the short You Tube video clip he created of the two of you, "Sun City - Cement 2011." ...We are absolutely blessed that we got to spend the time with Sam at the Cement Festival in April last year, it was one of our first live shows and it was a whole bunch of fun. ...Well now that we've released "Set Alight," we're following it up with a whole bunch of live performances that will take up most of our summer (mainly festivals and few great supports).

3 Albums to Download: September 3rd 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-03T21:48:31-07:00

Three albums to download that are far from new to the charts and you should definitely have on your playlist: ...The first album to download--run don’t walk--to your nearest iTunes download station and grab The Cars “Complete Greatest Hits.” From “My Best Friend’s Girl” to “Shake it Up,” every song is great and evokes memories of good times. ...Album number two to download as soon as possible is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers “Greatest Hits.” ... By the time you hear “Free Fallin’” and “Learning to Fly” you can’t believe you’ve gone without this album on your playlist for so long. ...Her latest jam is as rockin’ and feisty as all of her pre-baby music, which is why I’m naming it the song of the week for my girl Nicole of Life of a Rock Star.

BT London Live Trafalgar Sqaure Concerts

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-09-03T08:45:41-07:00

A reported 11.2 million viewers watched the spectacular Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony and 14,000 spectators gathered at Trafalgar Square to watch the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony screening. “BT London Live is a key part of the citywide program of free cultural events being organized by the Mayor of London to celebrate the London 2012 Games.” via LD Communications ...More artist timings and further information please visit BT London Live “What’s On?” ...If anyone thought for one second that having a kid might have softened her, they were dead wrong, and thankfully so. Her latest jam is as rockin’ and feisty as all of her pre-baby music, which is why I’m naming it the song of the week for my girl Nicole of Life of a Rock Star. ... nk “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” Song of the Week.

Labor Day Playlist 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-31T23:17:17-07:00

To help you enjoy your BBQs and pool time, our Rock Star Teen contributor #BMG has compiled this playlist to musically enhance your weekend that we know all of the Taylor Swift, Pitbull fans, Beliebers and One Directioners will LOVE LOVE LOVE! ... ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=0&affiliate_id=0&wh=370&ww=325&t=Rock%2520Star%2520Labor%2520Day%2520Playlist&d=@LifeofaRockStar%2520Teen%2520favorites%2520playlist%2520for%2520Labor%2520Day%2520Weekend%25202012&pl=0,534441551,534441559,512232077,517705639,504709664,460237046,526747572,506958389,418571516,487887356,482734331,458062926,531721396,526828184,552633540,465972626,482734113" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:325px;height:370px;border:0px" > ...Matthew Koma is growing in popularity and Life of a Rock Star™ is bringing you the latest on his work & videos: ... ...Her latest jam is as rockin’ and feisty as all of her pre-baby music, which is why I’m naming it the song of the week for my girl Nicole of Life of a Rock Star.

Cold Summer: The A-Team Interview

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-30T21:26:48-07:00

The music they are writing compels you to move in rhythm with the beat, their lyrics are full of thoughtful prose and yet this England based band has given a different voice to post hardcore punk. ...And then you realize that when Cold Summer says that they're a band that is "dynamically challenging perceptions and conventions of what a band playing heavy yet melodic (passionate but not pretentious) punk / hardcore influenced rock should sound like," they aren't kidding. ...Justin: Well, we are into a diverse range of bands really and we don't like to be limited to one genre, so I guess that’s the inspiration and the drive behind it really. ...Justin: Yes he does, however in terms of us playing live, and him being able to not 'do too much' we are looking at adding both Chris's (bass and guitar) to do backing vocals as well. ...Justin: Dan is saying from a third person view, like the two sides of a story, as in how people can see you in control (good side) and then a bad side (when your perhaps not in control). ...Justin: I’ve played in bands for about 6 years… After the dissolution of my previous bands, I formed a band and through placing ads, I found Chris, and both Chris's have always had the intention to do a band together, but been busy with art and University studies.

Aoki In Wonderland

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-29T10:57:57-07:00

He is in Miami Beach tonight, Orlando tomorrow (August 30th), Las Vegas on August 31st, New York on September 1st at the Electric Zoo 2012, Chicago on September 2nd, then takes his tour to Europe. ...Miss Palmer)” by Steve Aoki and Afrojack, “Turbulence,” “Ladi Dadi (feat Wynter Gordon),” “Livin’ My Love (feat LMFAO & NERVO),” and “Cudi the Kid (feat Kid Cudi & Travis Barker).” “No Beef” has been Steve Aoki’s most successful song on the charts to date; it hit number 25, on the UK Singles Top 75, and stayed there for 1 week. (via acharts.us) The album was released in January of 2012 and features: LMFAO, Kid Cudi, Travis Barker, Will. ...At the #SSMF Sunset Strip Music Festival (August 18, 2012) Aoki, wearing his “Let Them Eat Cake” tee-shirt sprayed his crowd down, showered them with confetti, threw out an inflated air-mattress for comfy crowd surfing, and dove into a super sized cake. ...Steve Aoki will use his global influence to raise money for relief organizations dealing with these issues through money raised at his own touring events, memorabilia auctions and partnerships with like minded artists. ...The Sunset Strip Music Festival does a phenomenal job of creating a high energy concert feel while bringing the fan up close and personal with his or her favorite musicians and bands.

Anna Rose: Genre Crossing Her Way to Success

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-24T13:06:27-07:00

Nicole: Okay, not intentional but you do say that your personality puts you to where--you didn’t say all over the board--you sort of said that you can play hard but you can calm down, you run the gamut, and I actually see that in your music. ...There are those different elements to me and I’ve been influenced by--it’s sounds very silly for me to say this--but I really just love music all the way around. ...Anna Rose: What I’ve been thinking about now, there’s a lot of different things in there, obviously because there is such a diversity between all the songs [and] …a lot of different things that I can take away from those songs. ... This record is a result of me asking myself, “If I could leave one album behind as my legacy, if I could leave one piece, one disc of music, one album of music, for people to listen to, for people to hold onto forever that’s my legacy and the only thing that people would remember me for, what would it be?” ...Anna Rose: I think it’s an intense, powerful question and a scary question but in a world where we care so much about the things that we own and the things that we buy, such a commercial world--I’m completely affected by that, positively, and negatively--I just think the question of what do you leave behind is something that’s gotten lost in that. ...I think that’s really how you develop fans, true fans, fans that will buy every one of your records--is having them see you play live because I think if you can prove it to them why then they’ll want to come back.

Rock the Bells 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-24T12:19:45-07:00

If you are a person who loves hip-hop music, having a great time and the heat, you should have been at “Rock the Bells” in San Bernardino, CA last weekend. ...Another extremely impressed first-timer Matt Levitt says that his favorite thing is that, “These rappers all get the crowd involved and make it so fun to be in the audience.” Many of the rappers themselves are big fans of fellow artists and would watch shows from in the crowd with the rest of the general audience, happy to take pictures and talk with anyone. After his crazy performance Saturday with fellow rappers Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock, we spotted Ab-Soul walking around the grounds with a few friends and stopped to chat: “It’s a real party out here, gotta be a part of it,” he said. ...Rock the Bells 2013 is sure to be just as great or even better, as it will be the 10th anniversary of this awesome hip-hop experience! ...We all know that love is pure madness, and this song takes you into a sheer dream-like state musically bouncing you around inside the padded walls of mad love.

Back to School Playlist

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-23T18:51:25-07:00

See what’s new and update your MP3 player with our Back To School Playlist including music from Muse, Katy Perry, Matt Nathanson, Taylor Swift, Katy Cappella, Sun City, Ellie Goulding, Zedd, Matthew Koma, Adventure Club, Trey Songz, Fun, and Phillip Phillips. ...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=0&affiliate_id=0&wh=370&ww=325&t=Back%2520To%2520School%2520Playlist&d=LIfeofaRockStar.com%2520@LifeofaRockStar&pl=0,552381569,507778684,435918265,552633540,540387881,547970976,551889367,538873179,547979600,486040194,533998204,530212665" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:325px;height:370px;border:0px" > ...With Marilyn Manson headlining the event, we knew there would be some great outfits and the 100 degree weather insured the looks would be hot! ...New Music ★ MUSE ★ Music News ★ SONG OF THE WEEK ★ Alternative Rock ★ Music Review ...We all know that love is pure madness, and this song takes you into a sheer dream-like state musically bouncing you around inside the padded walls of mad love. ...The sound is addicting with a gritty rock guitar solo that shows the ability of the band to vary the direction of the music they produce.

Muse "Madness" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-23T17:21:09-07:00

We all know that love is pure madness, and this song takes you into a sheer dream-like state musically bouncing you around inside the padded walls of mad love. ...The sound is addicting with a gritty rock guitar solo that shows the ability of the band to vary the direction of the music they produce. ...We have seen the light and finally realized…”Madness” by Muse is what we need to get us through the week. ...Matthew Koma is growing in popularity and Life of a Rock Star™ is bringing you the latest on his work & videos: ... “Live to Rise” in the Marvel Avengers movie was the band’s first new song in 15 years and it has wet our appetite for more! Life of a Rock Star™ is anxiously awaiting the release of the new Soundgarden album set to be released this October 2012.

Wallpaper. Hits Vegas

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-22T16:02:25-07:00

Wallpaper. played Sunset Strip Music Festival last weekend and was an absolute highlight on the stage in The Roxy. Check out some of the Life of a Rock Star™ Wallpaper. concert photos from #SSMF: Wallpaper. played crowd favorites including: F*****g Best Song Everrr and #STUPiDFACEDD that had the room jumping up and down and singing along. ...The alternative and rock music scene on Sunset at SSMF last night screamed rock star fashion! With Marilyn Manson headlining the event, we knew there would be some great outfits and the 100 degree weather insured the looks would be hot! ...Life of a Rock Star’s Song of the Week goes to breakout artist Katy Cappella’s “All I Need (Acoustic)”.

3 Matthew Koma Videos To See

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-22T10:35:02-07:00

The New York singer / songwriter will be on tour with Owl City in September and October of this year hitting California, British Columbia, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois and Michigan. ...According to Cherrytree Records, “Matthew wrote and produced/co-produced all of the four tracks on Parachute, working with collaborators Alex Da Kid (Nicki Minaj, Rihanna), The Runaways’ Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello (Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis), The Smeezingtons’ Ari Levine (Bruno Mars, Bad Meets Evil), and Mike Caren (T.I., B.o. ... ...Cherrytree records calls Matthew Koma, “An inventive songwriter with a keen sense of melody,” and it seems like the Carly Rae Jepsen team agrees as Matthew Koma is contributing to Jepsen’s new upcoming album. The collaboration is not a surprise, as The New York Daily News reported a few days ago that Koma and Carly have been dating for over a year and he recently publicly introduced her as his girlfriend for the first time. ...The Summer of 2012 will be remembered for two things: The London 2012 Olympics and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me, Maybe” song dominating the airwaves.

Matchbox Twenty New YouTube Music Video Lets You Change Your Angle

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-21T15:09:25-07:00

Change Your Viewing Angle - Matchbox Twenty’s “She’s So Mean” Video is 360 Degree Fun ...Life of a Rock Star™ loves this song and this cool new video from Matchbox 20 which lets you choose your viewing angle. ...“Watch Matchbox Twenty perform the new single " She's So Mean " in a 360 degree video for their new album " NORTH " out in September on Emblem / Atlantic Records. ...And all you want is just to hold her, but she don’t go for that ...(You’ll never let her go, why don’t you let her go?) ...Life of a Rock Star’s Song of the Week goes to breakout artist Katy Cappella’s “All I Need (Acoustic)”.

Love and a .38 at SSMF

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-20T15:57:48-07:00

Love and a .38 played the Sunset Strip Music Festival again this year and fans were ready for their return! Their recent release “Lovely Lies” put them on the Life of a Rock Star™ “A list” of bands to check out. ...Expectations run high with so many talented bands to see at SSMF and when you choose to see one you necessarily miss out on others. My intention was to catch a few songs by Love and a .38 before I ran off to catch the next band on the “A list.” ...They are a current rock band with an old school feel and seeing them in this small venue was amazing! ...With Marilyn Manson headlining the event, we knew there would be some great outfits and the 100 degree weather insured the looks would be hot!

Sunset Strip Music Festival

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-19T21:48:47-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ at the Sunset Strip Music Festival ...The Sunset Strip Music Festival does a phenomenal job of creating a high energy concert feel while bringing the fan up close and personal with his or her favorite musicians and bands. Venues for the event included The Key Club, The Roxy, Whiskey A Go - Go as well as outdoor stages sponsored by Monster Energy and 98-7FM. ...Here’s a hot photo recap of the rock stars we caught while we hopped around: ...There was a line wrapped around the block outside the House of Blues and every other club on Sunset. ...The standing crowd was on their feet jumping to songs from the 60s and 70s played by Robby Krieger and Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes) and drummer Joe Magistro (Rich Robinson Band) who played a collection of The Doors mixed with songs from Robinson’s Molitz’s and Magistro’s new CD “Through a Crooked Sun.”

LA Woman Kicks Off Sunset Strip Music Festival

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-18T09:37:50-07:00

The standing crowd was on their feet jumping to songs from the 60s and 70s, shaking their fists in the air as Robby Krieger (The Doors), Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes) and drummer Joe Magistro (Rich Robinson Band) played a collection of songs from The Doors mixed with music from Robinson’s Molitz’s and Magistro’s new CD “Through a Crooked Sun.” ...From spiked hair to the preppy look, including hipsters and hippies--it didn’t matter what you were wearing just as long as you sang along. It’s no small feat to pull in such a diversely dressed and age variant crowd, but Robby Krieger and Rich Robinson as headliners pulled it off with ease. Robbie Krieger told the crowd that the first scene in The Doors movie was filmed in The Viper Room, then sang “People Are Strange” to a cheering crowd who loved being reminded of the venue’s history. ...Favorites in the set last night was an early Fleetwood Mac song, “Station Man,” more songs from The Doors including “Riders On The Storm,” “Roadhouse Blues,” and closing out the night with the infamous “LA Woman.” ...Life of a Rock Star’s Song of the Week goes to breakout artist Katy Cappella’s “All I Need (Acoustic)”.

Katy Cappella "All I Need (Acoustic)" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-16T12:37:38-07:00

Life of a Rock Star’s Song of the Week goes to breakout artist Katy Cappella’s “All I Need (Acoustic).” Download “All I Need (Acoustic)” from Katy Cappella’s “Turn the World Around” album (released June 26, 2012) on iTunes here. ...Download “All I Need (Acoustic)” from Katy Cappella’s “Turn the World Around” album (released June 26, 2012) on iTunes here. ...When you hear a new album that you love and with songs that have already hit the charts, but then you hear a new song that is embedded within the album that lights you up-- it just has to be song of the week. ...Everywhere we turn it’s Marina and the Diamonds that keeps catching our eye… So Life of a Rock Star decided to give the U.K. artist a listen and we LOVE LOVE LOVE this song: “Primadonna Girl” on the ‘Electra Heart’ album. ...With a cute design and a cuff that pops a color, we love this rock star look and are certain we will see a slew of celebrities rocking them soon!

Three Songs To Download

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-15T09:36:38-07:00

New Music ★ KATY PERRY ★ Music News ★ RYAN STAR ★ Pop ★ TAYLOR SWIFT ...Manufactured by Capitol Records, LLC, 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ...Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together on iTunes ...We bet all the Lolla goers are still rehashing the amazing time in Chicago this weekend. And while 2012 has just wrapped up and there is excitement about Lolla happening in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, Israel August 20 - 22, 2013, Life of a Rock Star™ is thinking about this flashback photo moment from Lolla ’92 by Lance Mercer of Chris Cornell crowd surfing. ...Meet The Bolts: These five guys out of Orange County, California are bringing their modern rock musical talent and passion to the stage grabbing new fans with every show.

Sunset Strip Music Festival Line Up August 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-14T15:31:31-07:00

Hands down the place to be this weekend in Los Angeles is the Sunset Strip Music Festival sponsored by Virgin America. ...Make sure you catch The Bolts --read their interview here-- this weekend at the Sunset Strip Music Festival! ...One sound built upon another as band members worked together to realize the full potential of their songs. Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane came together to form a sound that music lovers adore. ... (Editor, Nicole Hanratty, headed into New York City last month and spent some time interviewing one of the most talented fine jewelry designers in the city, Alp Sagnak of Atelier Minyon.) ...Excerpt: “Any love story has a deeper seeded meaning and this diamond studded cuff from Atelier Minyon in New York is no different.

Mumford & Sons Release "I Will Wait"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-13T13:03:56-07:00

In the beginning there were “last minute street-side jamming sessions,” and as word of mouth spread about the band there were shows in small venues packed into the rafters. (via MumfordandSons.com/biography) They released the album “Sigh No More” in 2009 and the quality of their music spread it like wildfire and grew their fan base even more with touring and playing music festivals. ...In January of 2012, BBC News reported that in 2011, “Mumford and Sons sold 1.4m copies of their album, Sigh No More.” ...If it is any indicator of how the rest of the album will sound, Babel is going to far exceed the success of “Sigh No More.” The sincere sound of Mumford & Sons is heartfelt and the song “I Will Wait” will resonate with that romantic part of you that knows that sometimes there are people worth waiting for… ...So we are very pleased and excited – as are the band of course – to announce that they will be returning to the Roundhouse on 24th September to play this year’s iTunes Festival.

Closing Ceremony Music

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-12T16:45:13-07:00

A much clearer and closer pic of @onedirection at the #olympics #closingceremony twitter.com/Olympics/statu…
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 13, 2012

...July 31, 2012 -- “Spectators at the Aquatics Centre witnessed drama and history on Day 4 as Michael Phelps became the all-time most decorated Olympic athlete, while Ye Shiwen claimed a second title.” ...Check out this Team USA Olympics Swim music video of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” ---> READ HERE ...This trio, consisting of brothers Mike and Tom Gossin along with Rachel Reinert, is knocking it out of the park… READ HERE

Rock Paper Photo Presents: JayZ on the Throne

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-11T17:42:22-07:00

…I have always been fascinated with what makes a person great, unique, or original, and it has been my goal to capture or to interpret these qualities. ...A very different, more somber mood prevails in his beautiful black and white portraits of such artists as Jeff Buckley, Iggy Pop, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Snoop Dogg. ...He has shot on assignment for Spin, Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly, and his work has been featured in numerous magazine and album covers. ...You’ve mentioned some pretty amazing people you’ve worked with, but I have to ask, what did it feel like to have Jay-Z walk up to you and basically just say you have what it takes? “That was a very surreal moment because at the time I was signed to Island Def Jam, Jay-Z was an executive at the company and had seen me perform at a showcase for the company and that’s where I’d met him very briefly. ... And I was like--it was one of those like--oh my god did he just say that?

Song of the Week: Gloriana "(Kissed You) Good Night"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-09T15:42:48-07:00

This trio, consisting of brothers Mike and Tom Gossin along with Rachel Reinert, is knocking it out of the park with this album that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboards Country Albums, No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and No. 20 on Digital Albums. “(Kissed You) Good Night” has been on the Billboard’s Country Songs charts for 41 weeks and sits at No. 2 this week (up from No. 3 last week). While the song’s message is simple--he wasn’t brave enough to kiss the girl--we’ve all been there before and the feeling resonates. The melody is catchy and Life of a Rock Star™ loves the summer time feel of a country song that’s just play-it-in-the-backyard good music. ...In the spirit of the Summer Olympics in London, Life of a Rock Star™ has chosen a song off of the “Isles of Wonder” album for Song of the Week. ...Life of a Rock Star™ Song of the Week for Thursday, July 19, 2012 is hot out of the studio… Just released July 9th “In Currents” by The Early November is playing on repeat at the Editor’s desk.

Rock Star Beach Volleyball USA Gold Medal Match

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-08T11:47:18-07:00

USA Beach Volleyball will bring home the gold today, but by which California Girls rock star duo is yet to be determined. ...Not since 1996, when Sandra Pires and Jackie Silva from Brazil went against their own Brazilian teammates --Monica Rodrigues and Adriana Samuel has this happened where two women’s teams from the same country fought for the gold. ... • The last time the U.S. had two teams in the Olympic beach finals was at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta where Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes advanced as did the U.S. team of Mike Dodd and Mike Whitmarsh. ... • The only time the U.S. has won more than one medal in an Olympic women’s beach volleyball tournament was in 2004 in Athens when May-Treanor and Walsh took the gold and the U.S. team of Elaine Youngs and Holly McPeak won the bronze. ...The Hackney born indie rock singer, Paloma Faith, showcased her talent tonight at the opening of Hackney House timed to correspond with The Games in London, and Life of a Rock Star™ was thrilled to be invited. ...July 31, 2012 -- “Spectators at the Aquatics Centre witnessed drama and history on Day 4 as Michael Phelps became the all-time most decorated Olympic athlete, while Ye Shiwen claimed a second title.”

Celebrating Lolla Moments Gone By

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-06T08:38:27-07:00

And while 2012 has just wrapped up and there is excitement about Lolla happening in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, Israel August 20 - 22, 2013, Life of a Rock Star™ is thinking about this flashback photo moment from Lolla ’92 by Lance Mercer of Chris Cornell crowd surfing. ...The entire album is a showcase of his raw vocal talent, an inner calling to the greatness that was the Seattle grunge movement of the 90s, and an affirmation of his career successes with Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and Audioslave. ...via Chris Cornell.com: “In 2010 Cornell became closely involved with the Fulfillment Fund, a college-access and mentoring organization, and he and his wife have helped draw a whole new generation of mentors and donors to this cause. Chris’s Dream benefit concert was successful in raising much-needed funds and the new Chris and Vicky Cornell Scholarship Fund will enable a qualified student to be selected annually for a special educational award. In August 2011 Cornell helped raise awareness for Sam Childer's, Angels of East Africa children's charity with his song “The Keeper,” written for the Marc Forster directed film Machine Gun Preacher. For the first 24 hours of release, the song was exclusively available as part of the "Donate to Download" campaign and a portion of the proceeds continue to go to the charity.

The Bolts are Starting Something

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-04T07:37:56-07:00

This modern rock band has played The Roxy in Hollywood, The Grove in Los Angeles, The Viper Room in Los Angeles, are a recurring act at the Disneyland Residency in Anaheim and are set to play the upcoming Sunset Strip Music Festival on August 18, 2012. ...Ryan's family and my family have been super close since we were in preschool so we, along with our other core group of friends, all consider ourselves family; we've been through a lot of good times and hard times, and that's what makes us family. We've had the privilege of getting to know Matt's family as we've started this band and consider them a part of our family too. ...It's just like when the DJs whose songs you hear on the radio have the right singer take on the vocals because it feels like it works, but our singers also just so happen to be the band members. However, we try to make sure that we still have a 'recognizable voice' in our songs, and so we do that by doing our four part harmonies at the chorus, where we all blend our voices together.” ...LOARS: Do each of you have a favorite band right now--other than your own ;) -- something that is on your iPod that always makes it to the top of your playlist?

Call Me Maybe: Song of the Summer

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-03T06:35:31-07:00

The Summer of 2012 will be remembered for two things: The London 2012 Olympics and Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me, Maybe song dominating the airwaves. ...According to acharts.us: “The song Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen has been listed for 401 weeks in 21 different charts. ...As of today, Carly Rae Jepsen’s song sits at no. 3 on the iTunes charts--It held the the no. 1 spot most of the summer--and has dominated the Billboards. ...The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae video on You Tube hasn’t done badly either with over 10 Million views. ...In the spirit of the Summer Olympics in London, Life of a Rock Star™ has chosen a song off of the “Isles of Wonder” album for Song of the Week. ...It is a song that evokes global international spirit--although that is far from the origin of the inspiration for the writing of the song--during a time when it is most needed.

Arctic Monkeys "Come Together" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-08-02T10:56:36-07:00

In the spirit of the Summer Olympics in London, Life of a Rock Star™ has chosen a song off of the “Isles of Wonder” album for Song of the Week. The Arctic Monkeys cover The Beatles tune, “Come Together” with an old school sound that does proper homage to The Beatles and the true intention of the song. It is a song that evokes global international spirit--although that is far from the origin of the inspiration for the writing of the song--during a time when it is most needed. ...Aside from the Arctic Monkeys, the “Music for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games” album includes songs from other artists such as Frank Turner, Underworld, The Chemical Brothers, Pet Shop Boys, U2, David Bowie, Dizzee Rascal and more. ...The song is the opening track on the album Abbey Road, and was released as a double A-sided single with "Something", their twenty-first single in the United Kingdom and twenty-sixth in the United States. ...Life of a Rock Star™ Song of the Week for Thursday, July 19, 2012 is hot out of the studio… Just released July 9th “In Currents” by The Early November is playing on repeat at the Editor’s desk.

USA Olympic Swim…Call Me Maybe?

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-31T19:22:50-07:00

July 31, 2012 -- “Spectators at the Aquatics Centre witnessed drama and history on Day 4 as Michael Phelps became the all-time most decorated Olympic athlete, while Ye Shiwen claimed a second title.” ...And with GOLD in 4x200 free, @MichaelPhelps secures 19th medal & title of MOST DECORATED OLYMPIAN OF ALL TIME!!! ...Check out this Team USA Olympics Swim music video of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” ---> ...If you are in London--or headed there--St Martin’s Courtyard is the place to be for shopping finds and fantastic dining. The charming old world center brings together an eclectic collection of restaurants that really offer something for everyone. ...The Hackney born indie rock singer, Paloma Faith, showcased her talent tonight at the opening of Hackney House timed to correspond with The Games in London, and Life of a Rock Star™ was thrilled to be invited.

KonKoma Plays Hackney House

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-30T02:51:46-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ loved the show put on by this eclectic group of guys tonight in London. The Hackney House had a sultry vibe Sunday night as KonKoma played about a 5 song set and made everyone forget the next day was a Monday. ...KonKoma’s reggae jazz sound commands you to join the dance floor "even if you have two left feet," as they pointed out. The crowd especially loved the clap along catchy beat of the closing song "I love my brother" and called for an encore. The band delivered and played one more reggae jazz infused song which brought an impromptu rap element up on to the stage to the show with someone either named or just singing “cocoa minute.” ...“KonKoma are a new London based band - a rich blend of Afro-funk, jazz, soul and traditional African rhythms.

London Calling

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-29T10:46:39-07:00

With all eyes on @London2012 Olympics this summer, Life of a Rock Star™ music is focused on all things London. ...All eyes on the capital city: reliving that "Mad Day" in the summer of '68 ...With those words, spoken on July 28, 1968, a fellow photographer invited Tom Murray to a publicity shoot for an unnamed band. ... The impromptu shoot that followed took Tom and the band on a mad dash around London. The images that Tom captured are considered the most important color photographs from that period of the group's career. ...In bigger music news, Pierce the Veil’s new album Collide With The Sky takes the No 3 spot on iTunes top albums.

Olympic Celebration in London at Hackney House Kicked Off by Paloma Faith

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-27T15:43:28-07:00

Friday, July 27th, 2012- London--The Hackney born indie rock singer, Paloma Faith, showcased her talent tonight at the opening of Hackney House timed to correspond with The Games in London, and Life of a Rock Star™ was thrilled to be invited. Gorgeous, with a powerful voice, Paloma Faith was well loved and applauded by the gathered party crowd at Hackney House tonight as she sang songs to be released soon. ...Paloma’s presence on stage is commanding and her fun sense of personality keeps the crowd entertained. ...For more information on the UK’s Paloma Faith visit her website at: ...Hackney House is a showcase for Hackney's businesses and talent and a resource for the thousands of journalists in town during Games time. #hackneyhouse ...Take a peak inside this cute spot (find a store location) and find a fun bag or tee shirt to bring home to commemorate the London Games this 2012!

Jack White "Hypocritical Kiss" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-26T11:24:44-07:00

Hot out of the studio… Just released July 9th “In Currents” by The Early November is playing on repeat at the Editor’s desk. ...Everywhere we turn it’s Marina and the Diamonds that keeps catching our eye… So Life of a Rock Star decided to give the U.K. artist a listen and we LOVE LOVE LOVE this song: “Primadonna Girl” on the ‘Electra Heart’ album. ...Pierce the Veil--currently touring on the Vans Warped Tour--is releasing their newest album this month, Collide With The Sky. ...When you hear a new album that you love and you know the top songs by heart that have already hit the charts, but then you hear a new song that is embedded within the album that lights you up it just has to be song of the week. ...Muse is a band that is all over the Life of a Rock Star™ playlist. With so many great songs and such a talented collaboration of musicians, it is no surprise that their newest song “Survival” has been named the official London Olympics song for the summer 2012 games.

Dizzee Rascal will rock Hyde Park Tonight

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-26T08:30:25-07:00

Expecting 80,000 people to fill Hyde Park, Dizzee Rascal will bring in the finale of the Olympic Torch Relay! ...The Olympic Torch Relay Finale concert will be headlined by Dizzee Rascal, The Wanted, You Me at Six, Rizzle Kicks, Eliza Doolittle, Wretch 32, Morning Parade, and Little Comets. The energy is electric here in London and every square inch of the park grass is filled with anxious fans. The streets have been lined all day long with anticipation of those lined up to watch the torch run by them. ...The Olympic Torch will have travelled for 70 days throughout the UK and is said to have come within 10 miles of at least 95% of the UK population. According to the london2012.com/olympictorchrelay information site, “altogether 8,000 Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame- including thousands of young people.

Team USA Team Processing Music Video

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-26T00:00:20-07:00

...WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: USA Olympic soccer player Heather Mitts shows off her her soccer skills during a photo shoot at Stonehenge on September 11, 2011 in Wiltshire, England. ...Check out Team USA at Team Processing getting a little, okay A LOT of swag for London 2012 and becoming an Olympic family: ...WATCH: Cool video of #TeamUSA athletes getting their gear in #London2012 w/ "We Are" song from Ice Age 4: http://bit.ly/Q5AhhQ Watch the US Olympic Team video Team Processing --to Ice Age song “We Are” HERE Buy “We Are” by Keke Palmer from iTunes here

Song of the Week: The Early November "In Currents"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-19T16:02:49-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ Song of the Week for Thursday, July 19, 2012 is hot out of the studio… Just released July 9th “In Currents” by The Early November is playing on repeat at the Editor’s desk. ... Maybe it’s because we dug out our old The Cure albums this week or maybe it’s because we are heading into Malibu tonight, but we are loving the old school alternative sound of “In Currents.” ...Everywhere we turn it’s Marina and the Diamonds that keeps catching our eye… So Life of a Rock Star decided to give the U.K. artist a listen and we LOVE LOVE LOVE this song: “Primadonna Girl” on the ‘Electra Heart’ album. ...Pierce the Veil--currently touring on the Vans Warped Tour--is releasing their newest album this month, Collide With The Sky. ...When you hear a new album that you love and you know the top songs by heart that have already hit the charts, but then you hear a new song that is embedded within the album that lights you up it just has to be song of the week. ...With so many great songs and such a talented collaboration of musicians, it is no surprise that their newest song “Survival” has been named the official London Olympics song for the summer 2012 games.

UK's DJ Hype is at Hollywood House of Blues

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-19T09:19:37-07:00

July 21, 2012 9PM DJ Hype from the UK is playing the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip this weekend. ... “One of the UK’s best plays an hour of heavy jungle and drum & bass with the scene’s biggest DJs, producers and MCs passing through.” --via www.realplayaz.co.uk ... (Editor, Nicole Hanratty, headed into New York City last month and spent some time interviewing one of the most talented fine jewelry designers in the city, Alp Sagnak of Atelier Minyon.) Excerpt: “Any love story has a deeper seeded meaning and this diamond studded cuff from Atelier Minyon in New York is no different. ...There is always something fun on the Hollywood Bowl Calendar and this weekend it’s Smokey Robinson Friday and Saturday, July 20th and 21st. ...Matrix takes the portable speaker world to a whole new dimension and Life of a Rock Star™ is rolling with it...

Pierce the Veil Album No 3 on iTunes

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-19T07:40:24-07:00

Life of a Rock Star listens to its’ suggestion box…and we’ve made one of the first songs to be released from Pierce The Veil’s Collide With The Sky “King for a Day (feat. ...Today a song popped into my head that I haven’t even thought of for over a decade, but I remember it like I last sang it yesterday and I had to find it right away. Not on iTunes, (although it is there), but on the disc I knew I had bought in 1989 and was buried somewhere in a box in my garage. ...“Live to Rise” in the Marvel Avengers movie was the band’s first new song in 15 years and it has wet our appetite for more! Life of a Rock Star™ is anxiously awaiting the release of the new Soundgarden album set to be released this October, 2012. ...Matrix takes the portable speaker world to a whole new dimension and Life of a Rock Star™ is rolling with it...

Hollywood Bowl July 20th & 21st

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-18T15:20:08-07:00

There is always something fun on the Hollywood Bowl Calendar and this weekend it’s Smokey Robinson Friday and Saturday, July 20th and 21st. ...“King of Motown, satin-voiced vocalist and brilliant songwriter Smokey Robinson is known for classic hits such as “Tears of A Clown,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Tracks of My Tears” and many more. ...While there are lots of dining options at the bowl, we love the Gelson’s Gourmet Picnic Meals “orchestrated by Gelson’s” for your night out at the Bowl. Visit www.gelsons.com where you can find a variety of picnic meals from which to choose and take advantage of Gelson’s current Hollywood Bowl Gourmet Picnic Meals special: ...Musicians tend to sway towards the Democratic candidates, but Life of a Rock Star is keeping track of which musicians are swayed by the Republican agenda this 2012 presidential election. ...With the election drawing near and things heating up in the presidential race, Life of a Rock Star is keeping an eye on your favorite rock stars to see which candidate they are supporting in the 2012 election.

The Stone Roses Mark Time

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-16T13:53:18-07:00

Today a song popped into my head that I haven’t even thought of for over a decade, but I remember it like I last sang it yesterday and I had to find it right away. Not on iTunes, (although it is there), but on the disc I knew I had bought in 1989 and was buried somewhere in a box in my garage. ...The album was already re-working its’ magic. 1990 was a great time in my life, (maybe that’s what made me think of it) and if you were in my car, you were listening to this album. ...Played: On repeat, through the portable disc player that fed into the cassette deck of my pull out stereo via some strange cassette with a wire coming out of it. ...It made me smile and marked fun times: a trip to Tijuana, BBQs, silly mischievous fun, amazing friends, a fun job, camping trips, graduation, drives up the coast and a crush on a boy. ...We all need a “go to” tune to remind our hearts that life is not always so serious and good times--if not here today--are just around the corner.

Jimmy Fallon Blow Your Pants Off

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-10T09:58:00-07:00

His most recent comedy album released June 8, 2012 “Blow Your Pants Off” will keep you from jumping off the rooftop on your darkest day, (at least for 44.2 minutes--if you buy the Deluxe Version). “Blow Your Pants Off” will do just what it claims, so wear your cutest and cleanest underwear! ...Jimmy caught Life of a Rock Star’s™ full attention with the song “Tim Tebow to Jesus Christ” sung to the tune of David Bowie’s “ground control to Major Tom.” ...AND we dare you not to sing along to these HIGHLIGHTS on the album: ...“Now what you hear is not a test, I’m rappin to the beat!” ...Rubbed my eyes, tried to remember what the hell I did last night… This aint my bed, this aint my room…” Walk of Shame (feat.

Atelier Minyon is Rocking the Fine Jewelry

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-13T08:38:00-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ editor, Nicole Hanratty, headed into New York City last month and spent some time interviewing one of the most talented fine jewelry designers in the city: Alp Sagnak of Atelier Minyon. I’ve been looking forward to meeting Alp and his assistant Erin ever since they sent me a photo of a Handcrafted 18k white gold mesh diamond bracelet with 4.72 ct diamonds three years ago. ...Stripping my body of all jewels other than my staple gold band family heirloom ring that was my great-great-great grandmothers, I dressed in a simple black short dress and grabbed a taxi down to Spring Street. ...Diamonds that glow in the dark, hand woven gold tapered-to-fit necklaces, studded cuffs tailored to the shape of your wrist, bracelets shaped like snakes, gems framed by art, to-die-for stackable bone rings and a necklace that stole my heart with a hand carved dish holding a solitaire diamond in the middle telling a story of a naive inner soul surrounded by a rougher edge. ...There is the type of person who needs to wear all their diamonds and needs everyone to know the brand--or the Tiffany's or the David Yurman’s--then everyone knows they spent "x" amount of dollars on it. ...Alp then flipped around the necklace I didn’t want to let out of my sight that had the solitaire in the middle of the hand chiseled dish that framed it so beautifully.

Marina And The Diamonds "Primadonna Girl" SONG OF THE WEEK

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-12T13:08:52-07:00

Marina And The Diamonds "Primadonna Girl" Must Be Song Of The Week ...Song of the Week ★ New Music ★ MARINA AND THE DIAMONS ★ Pop ★ PRIMADONNA GIRL ...It’s Thursday and that means Life of a Rock Star™ is bringing you a new Song of the Week for Thursday, July 12, 2012. Everywhere we turn it’s Marina and the Diamonds that keeps catching our eye… So Life of a Rock Star decided to give the U.K. artist a listen and we LOVE LOVE LOVE this song: “Primadonna Girl” on the ‘Electra Heart’ album. ...It’s pop music, with 80s type lyrics …”beauty queens and silver screens”… that are fun and just what the summertime needs. So put down your convertible top and blast your Marina and the Diamonds ‘Electra Heart’ album!

Frank Ocean Channel Orange Review

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-12T10:14:54-07:00

Life of a Rock Star is overwhelmed by the smooth sounds of Frank Ocean’s new album. From the opening song, “Start” to the last song “End” we are enthralled by his captivating sound. Channel Orange is that album you put on to decompress, have a glass of wine, read the evening paper…wait, does anyone even do that anymore? OKAY, throw back a shot of tequila, check your email, catch up on Facebook, and tweet your friends about how much you love “Channel Orange!” ...byline=0&portrait=0&color=a8a8a8" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen>

frank ocean [pyramids] from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

...Life of a Rock Stars™ Favorite song on the album: “Bad Religion”

Soundgarden Rises Again

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-09T12:42:03-07:00

“Live to Rise” in the Marvel Avengers movie was the band’s first new song in 15 years and it has wet our appetite for more! Life of a Rock Star™ is anxiously awaiting the release of the new Soundgarden album set to be released this October, 2012. ...“Live to Rise” peaked at number 4 and is sitting in the number 10 slot on the Billboards.com Rock Songs Chart. ...Not only will the band release a new album later this year, but the grunge goliaths recently hit fans with their first 100-percent new song in 16 years, ‘Live to Rise.’ ...‘Some of the songs on our new album are pretty far left of center, and sort of zero in on more of a hardcore Soundgarden fan and not necessarily a family that goes to see a film like that,” says Cornell. “Although ['Live to Rise' is] not really what I think of as a necessarily family friendly song, but it’s as close as we’ve ever come.’”

Sonic Tap Playlists

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-01T11:33:46-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ loves to create playlists, but we also love to find a great pre-made playlists that makes life easier… Sign up to create a playlist, purchase digital music, or browse what others have put together as a soundtrack for you to enjoy. SonicTap has featured playlists and allows you to select a channel by music genre or lifestyle: ...Big Band Swing, Malt Shop Oldies, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, Rat Pack, Country, Red Rock & Blues, Y2K Hits, Love Songs, Folk Rock, Bluegrass, & Today's Hit. ...Love music but don’t have time to put all your favorite songs together for your cocktail party, your road trip to California, your next half-marathon? ...For Sonic Tap DirectTV channel guide go to www.directv.com/guide and click on the "800" tab.

iHeart Radio Music Festival

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-09T09:40:34-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ is so excited about this two day iHeart Radio music festival with an ALL-STAR line-up! ...Okay so maybe we were just there… and spied this iHeart Radio magazine cover, but we’re coming back! ...GREEN DAY • BON JOVI • JASON ALDEAN • LIL WAYNE  ...“This year's extraordinary line-up will include Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Brad Paisley, Calvin Harris, deadmau5, Enrique Iglesias, Green Day, Jason Aldean, Lil Wayne, Linkin Park, Mary J. ... nk, Pitbull, Rihanna, Shakira, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift and Usher with more to be announced in the weeks prior to the event.” In partnership with Kindle fire, Hopper, Macy’s, MGM Grand Las Vegas, the Voice, and State Farm™

Green Day vs Angry Mom

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-09T09:12:24-07:00

Life of a Rock Star™ love love LOVES these Green Day letters! There old news but notable and a good re-read always makes us :) ...“Back in December of 1996, worried about the influence of Green Day's "explicit" fourth album, Insomniac, on her 8-year-old son, a mother decided to write a slightly aggressive letter of complaint to the band. It clearly hit a nerve, and she soon received a handwritten response from then-24-year-old frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. ...Apparently this exchange inspired the song "Reject," as found on Green Day's next album, Nimrod. ...Green Day will perform this September at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas September 21-22, 2012!

Epicenter Festival Line-up

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-07-09T07:59:29-07:00

... ...Location: Irvine Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre • 8808 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, Ca 92618 ...

3rd of July Independence at The Coach House

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-17T21:17:32-07:00

... ...Live painting and art installations by Kovart Collective, INK gallery and Unravel Your Mind ...Sponsors: Bix King, Rockstar Energy Drink, Tavik, Arnette, EmazingLights.com, Boom headphones

Happy Father's Day Rock Star Dads!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-17T19:03:36-07:00

Just want to take a minute to say happy fathers day to all the dads out there. ...Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there! Thanks for all of your grilling, sporty, out- doorsy-ness and smelling nice like old spice:-) ...Happy Fathers Day to the one and only James Anderson (my dad). ...Happy Fathers day to all the real men out there... ...“@MARYSJOINT: Good Morning @maryjblige & A Happy Fathers Day to @Kenduisaacs Love, Hugs & A Happy Sunday to you both x”

Terry Ilous is bringing something to others

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-14T20:52:19-07:00

Let's be honest, when a man is half Spanish and half French, it's really difficult not to notice how attractive he is, especially when he is chivalrous on top of everything else. ...Previously the lead singer of the heavy metal band XYZ, Terry has performed and worked with a list of music icons that is jaw dropping: Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Whitesnake, Stevie Wonder, AC/DC, Mariah Carey, and Guns N Roses amongst others. ...He told me, 'You are doing music to be a star, you should do music for the right reasons, not to become a rock star.'" ...It was performed by a coalition of rock stars brought together by Terry (whom also performed) and included Eddie Money, Bobby Kimball (Toto), Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Don Dokken (Dokken), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne / Quiet Riot / Whitesnake), Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group / Survivor), Phil Lewis (LA Guns), Richie Kotzen (Poison / Mr. ...I tell Terry that I have watched a clip of his "Bending Reality” show and ask him: Why do you think you are afraid of success? ...As we both gathered our things and were rushing off, I grabbed my pen one last time to write down something Terry Ilous asked me as a side note.

Marc Anthony Holds Obama Fundraiser

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-14T16:47:54-07:00

The presidential election campaign is in full swing and Life of a Rock Star is watching which rock stars are endorsing which candidates. ...Marc Anthony is holding a special political fundraising concert for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign on June 26th in Miami, Florida. For tickets click here--you can also donate to the campaign via that link. Ticket prices start at $44 (for which there is very little availability) and go all the way up to $5,000 which includes a photo reception, VIP seating and a meet and greet with Marc Anthony. (No ticket price offers a meet and greet with the President himself.) ...Obama Victory Fund 2012 - Reception with President Obama and special musical performance by Marc Anthony

Song of the Week: Gym Class Heroes "The Fighter (feat. Ryan Tedder)"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-14T09:58:54-07:00

... ... ...Life of a Rock Star loves The Fighter (buy it on iTunes). We melt to the sound of Ryan Tedder’s (One Republic) voice and love the collaboration with Travie McCoy and Gym Class Heroes. ... ℗ 2011 Fueled By Ramen LLC for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.

Ice-T Documentary Opens June 15

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-14T09:20:44-07:00

Life of a Rock Star can’t wait to see this star-studded documentary on the evolution of rap music with interviews from rap artists that include Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Chuck D, Eminem, Nas, Kanye West, Ice Cube, Snoop Dog, Bun B, B Real, Common, MC Lyte, Mos Def and more. Ice-T’s documentary “Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap” opens this Friday, June 15, 2012. In an interview with LA Weekly, he says that in order to make this film, he “had to triangulate, which means get the film crew guys from London, the artists and myself — who's doing Law & Order full-time — in the same place on a particular day at a particular time. You have no idea how hard it is to get a rapper to stop moving.” ...View the “Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap” movie trailer:

Iconic Images of Rock in the 80s

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-13T14:09:10-07:00

“Rock of Ages” open in theatres this weekend JUNE 15th and Rock Paper Photo is hosting an exhibit in its’ honor to showcase “an exhibit by renowned lensman Mark Weiss, entitled “The Decade That Rocked The Ages - Through the Eyes of Mark 'Weissguy' Weiss,” June 13-20 at the GalleryBar in New York City.” ...“The Decade That Rocked The Ages - Through the Eyes of Mark 'Weissguy' Weiss,” curated by Def Leppard’s lead guitarist Phil Collen, rocked the GalleryBar in New York City last night. ...“The series, curated by Def Leppard’s lead guitarist Phil Collen, will reveal a chain of never-before-seen snapshots, photographed in the courtroom at the 1985 Parents’ Music Resource Center (PMRC) senate hearings by Weiss, who was one of the only behind-the-scenes photographers present during the trial. ...Collen is the latest individual, hand-selected by Rock Paper Photo to serve as an esteemed guest curator; he joins the ranks of Kelly Osbourne, Guy Oseary, John Varvatos, Danny Masterson and journalist Rachel Felder.” Collen will unveil the exhibit, which features images of musical icons targeted by the PMRC, including his own band mates, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Lita Ford, Journey, Whitesnake and Joan Jett, as well as the vibrant scene in Washington during the events.” ...Danny Masterson and Rock Paper Photo, the online gallery for fine art photography founded by Live Nation, and Madonna's manager, Guy Oseary, are presenting an iconic collection of limited edition prints at Confederacy in Los Angeles.

Wake the Punk Up

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-11T18:17:56-07:00

Ian Kelk of 30 Dirty Thoughts is holding up the long-standing tradition of punk music, or Pop Punk music as it is now commonly called. A man who can find the funny in anything--including his physical run in with a moving vehicle in Mexico that left him with a broken tibia--Ian Kelk opened up his satirical world to Life of a Rock Star. ...Over the years, most punk bands have moved away from the anti-authoritarian themes and lighter comedic lyrics, but 30 Dirty Thoughts has stayed true to its’ punk roots writing hilarious songs such as “Jenny Got Busted,” “Auto-Tune This! ...It’s not a crime to sign with a label and it is a forced reality for most bands that can’t afford to make it on their own without industry backing. ...Between the release of their original Cheshire Cat album and Blink-182’s breakthrough album Enema of the State, (which put the band on the charts for the first time), Blink-182 signed with MCA in 1998. ...While the Pierce The Veil cover of Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars) on the album Punk Goes Pop Volume 4 shows the amazing and raw vocal talent of the band, the Punk Goes Pop album and its’ direction over the years in and of itself is a great testament to the almost forced switch punk bands must make to stay relevant.

iTunes Charts: Top Ten Today 6/11/12

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-11T09:19:57-07:00

...wtype=4&app_id=null&country=us&partnerId=0&affiliate_id=0&t=iTunes%2520Top%2520Ten%2520Today%25206/11/12&d=LifeofaRockStar.com%2520@LifeofaRockStar%250AiTunes%2520Charts%253A%2520%2520Top%2520Ten%2520Today&pl=0,504709664,531561499,485468352,507778684,512013248,486040195,479321648,513123103,520594518,488192528" frameborder=0 style="overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;width:250px;height:300px;border:0px" >

Laura Warshauer added to Lolla line-up!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-10T15:54:45-07:00

Laura Warshauer played the Troubadour last night--opening for Bob Schneider--in Los Angeles to a crowd that may not have known her when she took the stage, but was certainly enthralled by her raw rock and roll talent and pure voice by the time she finished out her set with her new song “Dream Sequence - I Want To Make Things Right.” Laura looked every bit the rock star in her black tight leather pants, oversized multi-strung thick corded silver necklace and v-neck tank style black blouse. Her short hair, her voice and her strong presence on stage was reminiscent of a commanding young Pat Benatar. While Laura played a few of her original songs off of her album, one of which--Wishing Well--was on the charts for 12 weeks, she got the crowd singing along to the Elvis classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The full house at the Troubadour loved what Laura called her quintessential hit the ground running dive bar song aptly named, “Rockstar.” As a rare treat, Laura hopped into the crowd to belt out “Full House” while Oliver, (Bob Schneider’s trumpet player) took the stage to join in on the song.

ALLOISE NEW video SHE KNOWS

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-08T11:55:15-07:00

Her new solo project is ALLOISE, and she knows “there are no rules for a grown man in the night.” ...ALLOISE, former member of the group Gorchitza, has launched a solo career and her new single "She Knows" is already being broadcasted on radio stations. A Firework Sound production, ALLOISE successfully combines elegant professional studio work with a first-class rich sound. ...ALLOISE appears as a real house-diva with a velvet voice, curly locks in elegant dresses and sophisticated music. ...The “She Knows” video is filled with bright vivid colors and spectacular imagery, clearly the work of two of the best Ukrainian stylists Slava Chaika and Vitaliy Datsyuk. ...http://soundcloud.com/fireworksound/alloise-she-knows-radio

The Killers Battle Born is Coming Soon

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-08T09:17:15-07:00

...If you’re a fan of The Killers (who isn’t?) then you have been counting down the days until their new album is released, Battle Born and to see them on tour at the Firefly Festival. Life of a Rock Star was excited to see The Killers tweet out a link to a trailer for their new album yesterday. (Catch the album trailer for Battle Born on Vevo here.) ...Upcoming: See The Killers at the Firefly Festival where they headline with Jack White and The Black Keys in a rock star lineup that also includes Death Cab for Cutie, John Legend, The Flaming Lips, Cake, Grouplove, Young the Giant and Chiddybang.

LA Kings Will Need to Carry On

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-07T18:37:01-07:00

The LA Kings lost last night and as the NHL Stanley Cup 2012 Game 4 pre-game show foreshadowed, the LA Kings will need to “carry on.” The green laser light show was phenomenal and energized the entire stadium as a photo montage of the LA Kings was set to “Welcome to The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance. Life of a Rock Star was there, dining and watching the game in rock star style inside the fabulous San Manuel Club. The crowd went wild as the song echoed off of every Kings jersey-clad shoulder in the house. ...We loved it most when some old school Bob Segar music hit the ice as the Staples Center blasted our favorite song, “Hollywood Nights!” And while the evening ended in a loss for the Kings, it was a win for the fans who were a part of history in the making.

John Mayer "Shadow Days" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-07T16:40:19-07:00

Song of the Week: John Mayer “Shadow Days” Genres: Rock, Music, Adult Alternative, Pop, Pop/Rock, Blues-Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter ...Song of the Week ★ New Music ★ JOHN MAYER ★ Singer Songwriter ★ SHADOW DAYS Life of a Rock Star™ loves the genius musical talent that is John Mayer and the John Mayer hit “Shadow Days” off of the recently released album Born and Raised. ...Currently sitting on the Billboard music Hot 100 chart at number 86, (it’s been on the chart for 2 weeks where it peaked at number 42). ...John Mayer’s “Back to You Fund” Supports Family Centers HIV / AIDS Program

Why Hunger Chapin Awards Dinner

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-07T14:43:34-07:00

“WhyHunger is a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment.” (via whyhunger.org) ...WhyHunger is a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. ...WhyHunger's programs work to support these community-based organizations as they grow and develop, and bring new ideas and practices to creating a just food system that provides universal access to nutritious and affordable food. As a grassroots support organization WhyHunger provides capacity building services, technical support, and access to information and financial resources to community organizations implementing new ideas and developing groundbreaking projects to transform their communities. ...Artists Against Hunger & Poverty enlists performing artists to raise funds and awareness for the most innovative and effective community-based organizations fighting hunger and poverty on the frontlines in cities, towns and villages all across the world. ... Click here to learn how artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Chicago, Marc Broussard and more work with WhyHunger to raise awareness and funds in the fight against hunger and what you can do to get involved.

Graham Colton In Between

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-07T14:04:17-07:00

Recorded at Eddies Attic in Georgia, Graham Colton’s voice sounds amazing as he belts out this heartfelt song he wrote with Emerson Hart, the lead singer of the band Tonic. ...(Life of a Rock Star loves the recent charity work done by Tonic as they travelled to Haiti as Artist Ambassadors.) Via Tonic-Online.com: “The purpose of the trip was to gain a better understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Haiti, particularly since the devastating earthquake of January 2010, and with specific regard to sustainable food solutions for children. J/P HRO (jphro.org) in Port-Au-Prince, MPP Haiti on the Central Plateau , the US Embassy, and related local organizations graciously hosted all of us to help provide a very personal experience and a direct understanding of the current situation. The trip also highlighted the annual Hard Rock “IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER” Campaign, a collaboration with Yoko Ono Lennon and long time charity partner WhyHunger (whyhunger.org), to see first-hand how funds raised from the campaign were being used to help develop and provide sustainable food solutions for the children of this challenged country. It was an enlightening experience for us, and we hope to continue our relationship with all of the generous people that we met on this journey.”

LMFAO Concert hits Staples Center tonight

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-05T11:02:12-07:00

Sorry For Party Rocking Tour USA Tonight at Staples If you are looking for some fun tonight Los Angeles, head downtown (show is not sold out yet) look for tickets at PrestigeTickets.com and join the LMFAO party. The LMFAO show includes performances from Far East Movement, The Quest Crew, Sidney Samson, Eva Simons, Natalia Kills, and Matthew Koma. (Check out Matthew Koma’s just released EP.) ...Sorry For Party Rocking Tour ...

Wallpaper. in Vegas

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-04T12:47:30-07:00

... ...And we don’t mean your kitchen, we mean Ricky Reed plays LAX club at the Luxor in Las Vegas this Wednesday June 6th at 10pm. While Best Song Everrr made Song of the Week--and Life of a Rock Star does love love love it--Wallpaper.’s newest video is making us laugh! ...

Check out Cap That!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-02T20:48:32-07:00

“Capture, create and share” all your favorite rock star music video moments and turn them into cool artwork to style your walls with your favorite artists! Bands, artists and fans alike can now literally stop the show. Take the video replay one frame at a time and create a momento from your favorite performance or concert. ...Check out CapThat.com where you can upload your own video to capture a still frame in a photo, on canvas or create a poster. You can also shuttle through stock video in the Cap That library. Now go play and be sure to tweet us pictures of what you create.

Album to Watch: The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-02T15:52:32-07:00

The “double album pressed on two high-quality, multi-color vinyl discs housed in separate custom art jackets and poly bagged together” has sold out. ... Life of a Rock Star is counting the hours until the digital version release on June 26, 2012. ...Watch The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends Walkthrough video and see what the album and album cover look like: ...The double album was a limited release and includes the following tracks:  ... I Don't Want You To Die (featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay) Some vinyl copies seem to be available for sale--or resale as it may be--for an increased price here on Amazon.com.

Eric Church "Springsteen" Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-06-02T13:34:45-07:00

The LA Kings love Eric Church and we hope they’re pumping his music loudly as they gear up for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals 2012 tonight! To inspire the Los Angeles Kings, Life of a Rock Star has chosen Eric Church’s Springsteen as Song of the Week--showing country music a little love. It’s been on Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks, was at #20 last week and has climbed to the #19 spot this week. Eric Church grabbed us with the line, “When I think about you, I think about 17...” ...Springsteen is on Eric Church’s album Chief released July 2011 and is available on iTunes. ...For more information on Eric Church visit EricChurch.com or find Eric Church on Twitter @EricChurch

Hot Annie Rise Video!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-31T21:58:38-07:00

...• Watch for the Life of a Rock Star Annie Rise interview post to come! European house-diva Annie Rise released a new song and video “Get into my car”. ... Thank you to those of you who serve. Thank you to those families who have sacrificed. We hold the memory of those we have lost in our hearts.

Hey Zedd! We're excited too!

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-28T13:07:57-07:00

Zedd - Spectrum (feat. Matthew Koma) by Zedd ...important;}/* if you want to have valid HTML, please be so kind and put the style part in the head of your page */Send me
your sounds

Natasha Bedingfield Rocks the Orange Ball

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-25T20:44:43-07:00

May 24, 2013--Beverly Hills, CA--Natasha Bedingfield sings Unwritten for an intimate crowd at the Lupus LA 2012 Orange Ball. Her live--basically a cappella performance--with guitarist Luca Campaner--was a phenomenal showing of her strong voice and amazing range. Natasha Bedingfield looked absolutely stunning and gave the prestigious evening a fabulous rock star touch. ...Special thanks to our host and hostess, Silver Loop sponsors and philanthropic friends of Lupus LA’s 2012 Orange Ball, Stacey and Gary Uberstine for hosting us. ...Soram was praised in a note from President Obama, “I trust that you will take pride in your contributions, and I hope your service moves others to serve as well.” ...In lupus, the body overreacts to an unknown stimulus and makes too many antibodies or proteins directed against the body tissue.”

Wallpaper. Best Song Everrr: Song of the Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-25T13:16:32-07:00

"Best Song Everrr" Song of the Week ...“F••king Best Song Everrr” makes song of the week for all the right reasons...it makes us smile, think of our best friends and remember the good times. It’s a guilty pleasure, but we can’t help turning the radio up every time this song hits the waves. ...You and me and everyone we know on our best night ever, positively #STUPiDFACEDD, champagnin’ with no plans in the morning.” -thisiswallpaper.com/music/about ...Best friendss, you are my best friends ever, seriouslyyy this is like the best night Everett #bestsongeverrr #summerjam ...and TURN the F••king Best Song Everrr up!

Born This Way Foundation

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-23T19:50:55-07:00

Our Life of a Rock Star teen contributor, was thrilled to take part in a Born This Way Foundation assembly. Teens were asked to listen to the lyrics of Born This Way by Lady Gaga and think though what it means to be able to express themselves in a safe environment, be a part of the change, and impact their local community. ...Lady Gaga has joined forces with The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment and is now also teaming up with Viacom to celebrate individuality and reward bravery. ...This rock star organization is making a difference in the lives of so many who are in need of a braver, kinder world. “Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, the Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2011 to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a braver, kinder world.”

EDC Vegas 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-22T21:39:14-07:00

It’s coming soon...and the buzz is hot off of the heels of EDC New York. ... The Electric Daisy Carnival is coming to town and it will be a blast. From pool parties to all night raves, Vegas is going to be pumping non-stop June 8th, 9th and 10th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Presented by Insomniac Events, EDC has an all star music line-up that includes: AfroJack, Calvin Harris, Dada Life, David Guetta, Kaskade, R3Hab and Zed’s Dead. ...(See the entire line-up of other events planned for EDC week in Las Vegas from Tuesday June 6th through Monday June 11th.) In addition to the music performances, special appearances by Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity are scheduled elevating the EDC experience.

Final Round: Jesse Marie & Trevor Need Your Vote

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-22T10:14:14-07:00

Vote for Jess & Trevor to Open for Josh Gracin ...Via www.joshgracin.com "Josh is very excited to announce that he will be looking for opening acts for 6 of his shows in May. He has teamed up with the social platform TopBlip.com to help discover some of the nations best talent to have them join him on stage LIVE! ...Jesse Marie and Trevor Make it to the Final Round of the Top Blip contest to open for Josh Gracin in concert! Your vote could put them over the top and up on stage! ...Vote here: http://www.topblip.com/contest/bracket/67/3481

Nayer Suavemente Ft. Pitbull & Mohombi

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-22T11:30:36-07:00

...This video is soo hot of Nayer in a leather jumpsuit slashed from top to bottom in a sexy trio singing Suavemente with Pitbull and Mohombi on the gorgeous beach in Malibu. ... It’s a catchy dance tune with three voices that are blended in a smooth rhythm that will make you want to move. It is “Double Domination” and we are “ready to lose it all.” Watch here Nayer Pitbull & Mohombi "Suavement" on YouTube Music Videos If you can’t make it to the concert, you can watch a live stream feed of it here starting this Saturday, May 12th at 2PM.

Josh Gracin Contest: Vote Jess & Trevor

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-09T10:55:37-07:00

Vote for Jess & Trevor to Open for Josh Gracin Via www.joshgracin.com "Josh is very excited to announce that he will be looking for opening acts for 6 of his shows in May. He has teamed up with the social platform TopBlip.com to help discover some of the nations best talent to have them join him on stage LIVE! ...Life of a Rock Star is Voting For Jess and Trevor to open for the Josh Gracin Pleasanton, Ca show! You can vote for them each day by clicking on the link below. ...Login by registering for an account with TopBlip or through Facebook:

Norah Jones in Central Park

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-09T10:32:16-07:00

Take your Happy Pills and catch a rock star concert this summer in Central Park. ... ...69th St At 5th Ave Entrance/Rumsey Field, Central Park - New York, NY 10019 ...Proceeds from this concert help make possible the free programs of SummerStage. Visit @CPFNY on Twitter or SummerStage.org for more information. “City Parks Foundation provides free and accessible arts, sports, education and community-building programs within NYC parks.” 

The Voice 2012 Winner

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-05-09T09:27:55-07:00

... ... ... ...Fresh off of his first Coachella experience--Coachella 2012--his intense tour schedule from May through August has him hitting Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. ... He spends three nights in June in Las Vegas--sure to be wild shows--then hits Wisconsin on his way to London. ...

Radiohead Carpool-chella: Coachella the eco friendly way

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-19T13:34:14-07:00

If you are traveling to the Coachella Valley for Weekend 2 to see Radiohead on Saturday April 21st, stay eco-friendly and get your carpool on! ...(Pictured left to right: “The Radiohead Carpool-chella Crew” Ashley Grose from San Francisco, Kelly Freitag from Santa Barbara, Lindsy Brewer from Morgan Hill, Beth Portesi from Lake Tahoe, Enrique Reyes from San Francisco, and Nicole Vink from Santa Barbara) Life of a Rock Star™ loves these environmentally friendly Coachella carpoolers who were spotted by Tracy Bobbitt @HollywoodMom traveling like rock stars. They are from up and down the coast of California and banned together to create their own Radiohead “Carpool-chella” road trip. ...Our rock star travelers were spotted loading up their carpool-chella camping car with supplies at Vons grocery store in Calabasas, California this morning. ...Happy trails and carpooling to all Coachella goers...and remember the official Earth Day is April 22nd!

The Glory Game: Interview

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-19T05:47:20-07:00

While their music speaks for itself, (download it here on itunes), this talented rock band is made up of four guys out of the Dayton Ohio area who are working hard to get themselves heard. The Glory Game describes their music as having a pop / pop punk / rock sound, and it truly is a woven blend of the three genres with an old school rock influence that will appeal to a wide fan base. ...“And I knew Zach from a while back and Adam knew Aaron from a while back and we all just kind of fell together really and we just became a band like that.” ...• Fly By Nights – “When all is said and done we all came out as one…We’re gonna make it this time… You can see us for who we are.” ...It was kind of cool to have the whole band get to actually sing and play parts of the album, and that way all of us were heard. ...I haven’t met a musician that is more…he’s just one of the best guys I’ve ever met in my life.

Pitbull takes Men In Black 3 "Back In Time"

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-18T12:56:29-07:00

Life of a Rock Star Album to Watch: Best Intentions

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-16T06:50:14-07:00

We Are The In Crowd’s most recent album release “Best Intentions” is the Life of a Rock Star™ Album to Watch this week. With a few songs that lean toward a pop sound (All or Nothing, Kiss Me Again, On Your Own & You’ve Got It Made) this band is alternative, but on the light side. The Worst Thing About Me hits a great balance between the two music worlds with a dash of “angry” in the lyrics: ...And if you want me now I’ll make your life a living hell.” Check out Best Intentions by We Are The In Crowd on itunes. ...or visit their website: www.wearetheincrowd.com to check out their upcoming tour dates in the UK and on the Vans Warped Tour in the states.

Coachella Rock Star Party with Belvedere Vodka

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-17T05:48:38-07:00

“The Belve Music Lounge took up residence at the Dupont Estate in La Quinta during the first weekend of Coachella Music Festival. ... On Friday, Vampire Diaries star, actress and singer Kat Graham rocked the lounge with a live performance after DJs D'Anconia, Andy Caldwell, and Skeet Skeet pumped up the volume, mixing it up on the ones and twos. ...“Tucked away from the festival grounds, guests sipped Belvedere Vodka Cocktails, relaxed on Belve Music Lounge daybeds and lounge chairs, and swam in the refreshing pool. ... An oasis for celebrities, musicians and VIP guests, the #BelveMusic Lounge was the place to be to enjoy the best vodka and the hottest music. Attendees included Shenae Grimes, Haylie Duff, Joy Bryant, Bravo TV star Matt Nordgren, Crystal Method’s Scott Kirkland, Coachella performers GIRLS, DJ Paul Oakenfold, LA Riots, Perez Hilton, Theophilis London, Rye Rye, Skylar Grey, Simon Rex, Keilani Lai, New York socialite Brian Mazza and NHL players Shane O’Brien and Joffrey Lupul.” ... Dao-Yi Chow ‏ @alldaydaoyi: It's Xmas in April...waking up to these lovely @ #BelveMusic Lounge - Coachella Music Festival 1st Weekend

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-14T09:49:49-07:00

If you are heading to New York, make sure you catch the huge sensation on Broadway starring Nick Jonas, “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” ...“Now, in its second smash year, Broadway’s musical comedy hit welcomes a bright new star—music sensation and Broadway alum, NICK JONAS (Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, Annie Get Your Gun)! You’ll delight to his riotous rise up the corporate ladder as he struggles to juggle the promotion, the corner office and—of course—the girl. Joining him are Emmy Award® winner BEAU BRIDGES, (Brothers and Sisters, The Fabulous Baker Boys), MICHAEL URIE (Ugly Betty), TAMMY BLANCHARD (Life with Judy Garland) and ROSE HEMINGWAY in this charming production that The New Yorker calls “a first-rate, high-stepping musical! ...Along with Beau Bridges, Nick Jonas knocks it out of the park with his performance. ...Make sure you hang around after the show to grab a photo and an autograph from Nick!

Coachella April 15, 2012 line-up

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-13T07:16:35-07:00

... ... ...Visit Coachella.com for information on carpoolchella, wristbands, car camping, festival passes, the lineup, travel & lodging along with general festival information.

Lollapalooza 2012 line-up and look back

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-11T09:26:44-07:00

Via Rolling Stone: “Joining Sabbath on the Lolla lineup is a cavalcade of color-named bands, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White and the Black Keys. Rounding out the bill are the reunited At the Drive-In, Florence and the Machine, Miike Snow, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Delta Spirit, Metric, Gaslight Anthem, Sigur Rós, the Shins, Kaskade, Bassnectar, J. ... As of now, the Whigs' Lolla gig is their first U.S. reunion show; the band is slated for an already-announced apperance at All Tomorrow's Parties in New Jersey this September. ...Along with Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Living Colour, Ice-T, Butthole Surfers and the Rollins Band played. ...In 2005, the concert began occurring annually only at Grant Park--no longer a traveling show--calling Chicago its’ permanent new home. ...Steeel Pulse, Francisca Valenzuela, The Flaming Lips, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Killers and Kanye West, Jane’s Addiction, Mala Rodriguez, Cypress Hill, Ben Harper and 311 headlined.

Gary Lightbody is head over heels in love with Fallen Empires

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-10T13:03:59-07:00

“We’ve always loved electronic music, you know I’ve dj’d electro...for 15 years you know with tom and the band, so I mean it’s always been part of our lives. ... It’s just recently that it’s become a bigger part of our music, it’s not the whole picture by any means, we haven’t turned into a dance band or anything ridiculous like that...the essence of Snow Patrol remains. Even in the dancier songs it’s still very much a Snow Patrol record but, ...there is more electronic signs pushed to the forefront rather than hiding in the shadows which, they’ve always been sort of banished to the shadows in the past.” ...We’ve never made an album that took as long as this because we just decided that we would take our time and explore every possible sonic avenue and not be constrained to putting a deadline on it, which we always do. ... You’re always aware that it needs to be done by a certain date and therefore that puts more pressure on you and this time around we took that pressure right off.” ...Writing about family and about home and about characters, people that I‘ve met along the way, this record is much more expansive in that respect, rather than the kind of insular world of my broken heart.

Eddie Van Halen's Rock Star Style

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-07T16:24:04-07:00

Donning a GUNS Clothing black tee made from bamboo lined with a collar made out of Italian suede, Eddie Van Halen still looks every bit the part of the heart throb lead rock guitarist now as he did in the 80s singing Jump. It's fitting that this 80's rock star is wearing GUNS Clothing as the brand's marketing is based upon 80's action movie heroes. Rishi Kumar, the owner of Guns Clothing, says that growing up, he was a big fan of 80's action heroes like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. ...Life of a Rock Star™ was thrilled to receive the trademark Guns Clothing metal box containing the most insanely soft t-shirt we have ever felt. ... The subtle but stylish trim on the collar and arms adds a high-end look to the tee that is both luxurious and yet still hip. ...Rishi says, “Even though I was born here, still you have that culture from your parents and they bring that with them.

Coachella 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-04-03T11:03:07-07:00

A$AP Rocky, Abe Vigoda, Afrojack, Alesso, Amon Tobin: ISAM Live, Andrew Bird, AraabMUZIK, Arctic Monkeys, At The Drive-In, Atari Teenage Riot, AVICII, AWOLNATION, Azealia Banks, Band of Skulls, Beats Antique, Beirut, Black Lips, Bon Iver, Borgore, Breakbot, Buzzcocks, Calvin Harris, Childish Gambino, Company Flow, Dada Life, Datsik, David Guetta, Dawes, Death Grips, Destroyer, Destructo, DJ Shadow, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Dragonette, EMA, Explosions in the Sky, Fanfarlo, Feed Me, Feist, fiREHOSE, First Aid Kit, Fitz and the Tantrums, Florence and the Machine, Flux Pavilion & Dr. ... Black Emporer, Gotye, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Greg Ginn and the Royal We, Grouplove, Hello Seahorse!, honeyhoney, Housse de Racket, Jacques Lu Cont, James, Jeff Mangum, Jimmy Cliff with Tim Armstrong and the Engine Band, Justice, Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian, Kaskade, Keep Shelly in Athens, Kendrick Lamar, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, LA Riots, Laura Marling, Le Butcherettes, Lissiee, M. Ward, M83, Madeon, Madness, Manchester Orchestra, Martin Solveig, Mazzy Star, Mea, Metronomy, Miike Snow, Modeselektor, Morgan Page, Mt Eden, Neon Indian, Nero, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, NOISIA, Oberhofer, Other Lives, Porter Robinson, Pulp, Pure Filth Sound, R3hab, Radiohead, Real Estate, Refused, Santigold, SBTRKT, SebastiAn, Sebastian Ingrosso, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Sleeper Agent, Spector, Squeeze, St. Vincent, Sub Focus, Suedehead, Swedish House Mafia, The Airplane Boys, The Big Pink, The Black Angels, The Black Keys, The Dear Hunter, The Gaslampkiller, The Growlers, The Head and the Heart, The Hives, The Horrors, The Rapture, The Sheepdogs, The Shins, The Vaccines, The Weeknd, Thunder Cat, Tijuana Panthers, tUnE-yArDs, Wallpaper, We are Augustines, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Wild Beasts, Wild Flag, Wolf Gang, WU LYF, Ximena Sarinana, Yuck, Zedd, Zeds Dead ...Check out the Coachella Fashion look book by www.shopplanetblue.com and follow their fashion tips on twitter @ShopPlanetBlue

Vancouver Olympics

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-16T10:37:31-08:00

It is rare for us all to be interested in the same broadcast--we usually battle between Disney, Discovery, History, Fox and CNN--but the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics have us all captivated. ...(My hubby and I are still debating the Apolo Ohno silver medal win where the two Koreans knocked each other out of second and third place allowing Apolo Ohno to come from fourth place to take silver and tie Bonnie Blaire's record as the most decorated Winter Olympic champion. I say he won fair and square, my husband says he should be embarrassed to accept that medal and should hand it to the Korean who was knocked out by his own teammate.) ...Most importantly, when we are watching the Vancouver Olympics as a family we talk to each other about fun exciting things that have nothing to do with school, work, finances or chores and that is a beautiful thing for family time. Even if it is just for a few weeks, we can all use a break from the usual bickering and enjoy rooting for the same team. ...You may be sitting on the couch watching the women's Freestyle Skiing and debating which athlete had the best run--some in my household mistakenly think the Canadian Jennifer Heil deserved gold--but what you are really doing is spending quality time, pointing out common interests, enjoying something that connects you, and sending a message that says, "I like listening to your opinions and have fun sharing, or in our case disagreeing, with you."

Ending Childhood Obesity

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-10T10:35:08-08:00

In times like these, it can seem more sensible to spend your grocery money on a box of fruit roll ups that boast being a, "Good source of Vitamin C, Fat Free and Gluten Free," and won't spoil than on a basket of strawberries that will likely last no more than three days. ...Maybe that is karma coming back at me, (and I'm sure somewhere in Heaven my father is getting a giggle over that), but I don't think I am the only mom today who answers that question with trepidation knowing the answer will be met with complaints. ...• Work home made soup into the menu a few times a week (try this Tortilla Corn Soup) for an economical satisfying meal that sneaks veggies in as well--plus it can sit on the stove simmering for hours so you can serve it in waves as the family arrives home. ...• Many love the Crock-pot option as you can make your meal earlier in the day while you still have energy and it is ready to eat when you get home. ...This is easier in the summertime when it stays light out later but even if one parent walks with the kids to dinner and another brings the car to drive everyone home, it is still a great way to get the kids out and moving. ...• Don't be afraid to get your kids up off the couch and tell them for every twenty minutes they sit in front of the television they have to get up and do x number of jumping jacks or push-ups.

Life parenting a teen

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-09-01T10:29:35-07:00

Right there, I have probably made a few parents nervous but I know that many of you have or will at some point look at your teenager with frustration and say, “I don’t understand you, what were you thinking and how did you ever think that THAT was okay.” ...So with this information and the fact that we know hormones affect our teenager’s emotionality, mood and physicality, what we need to understand is that our adolescents are still learning how to process, organize, feel and prioritize decisions while at the same time trying to understand how they can fit in with their peer group and feed their hunger for new experiences. ...In my experience through the years, if the rules for your teenager are thought out ahead of time, reasonable, negotiated and clearly written with enticing rewards and appropriate consequences it is the best situation to striving for a secure, healthy and balanced teen. ...I have seen parents that don’t have rules set up or if they are set they don’t really follow through or they make up rules when they are so angry that the teen is grounded for the rest of his or her life. ...I know that some of you are thinking that I haven’t met your teen and they can fight like no one you have ever known but over time teens will learn if they are fighting you to no avail it may be easier to just acquiesce. ...In light of this, it is really important to listen to your heart and your intuition and if something doesn’t feel right with your teen it is better to seek help and peace of mind than wait till you have more information.

John West on his humble hustle

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-03-11T14:41:40-07:00

I found John West on itunes one random afternoon while in search of some music that could prove to be mind altering. ... Three of his songs "Lovely" with Pusha T @PUSHA_T, "Loved You Tonight," --my favorite--and "Right Now" made it to my daily workout playlist and helped my brain switch gears from "can't even focus on breathing" to "run and relax" mode. ...From a distance, it was hard to tell which one was the fan and which one was the musician as John was just as excited to meet each person by whom he was approached. ...We found a warm place to sit upstairs in the McDonalds food court of Third Street and I watched intently as the young musician whom recently sold out the Roxy and the Troubadour (both in West Hollywood), and has been signed by David Massey at Mercury Island Def Jam "IDJ" sat reflecting upon his life. He answered each question thoughtfully while sipping at his herbal tea--while only once making light of the fact that he will do anything to get his music out there, including taking interviews with bloggers. ...He moved to Los Angeles in 2005 and had been in town only two months working as a substitute teacher, (both his mother and his sister also teach) when he watched a girl perform on Third Street and decided he wanted to give that a try.

Grammys Celebration 2012

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-02-12T15:54:21-08:00

Photos from inside The Embassy and UG Strategies Grammy Celebration ... ... ...

New York Fashion Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2012-02-03T10:41:13-08:00

Playlist blaring in my ears, I was once again bound for the Empire Hotel to meet my adorable--far too young for me to notice how cute he was--contact whom would shuttle me into Fashion Week at Lincoln Center VIP style, courtesy of Prestige Tickets. ... (Left: Photo taken of me wearing a Suzanne Lay dress as I am escorted past the corded off line of people waiting to be let in to the Pamella Roland show by New York's "It" photographer Shaun Mader. ...Thirty minutes into the show, my picked up on the streets of New York date--the very famous stylist--Clifford Lilley and I realized we weren't at Odd Molly at all. ... Making repeated puns on the oddity of not being in Odd Molly instantly bonded Clifford and I in such a way that I knew he would be my new fashion best friend. ...He grabbed me by the waist--which God love him he called tiny--and pulled me to the front of the Customer Service counter with an air of confidence that offended no one waiting in the long line behind him. ...Within seconds of women strutting down the runway the rope holder, whom had been bedazzled by Clifford's powers, sat us in two empty VIP seats which left the rest of the standing folk drooling with envy.

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way to New York Fashion Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2011-09-10T09:15:48-07:00

Second, and this is an important one, no one wants to hear this song while waiting to board your flight: "Bye-bye Miss American Pie...singing this will be the day that I die." ...One bump of turbulence and I will grab you--it really doesn't matter that we've never met--and scream, "We're all gonna die!" ...I realize your wife may not appreciate you standing in the aisle with your baby staring at me while turning your back to her. However I equally do not appreciate my aisle seat being claustrophobotized* by your cargo bearing rear end smashed up against the side of my face the entire flight. ...And while it is fantastic that you have an onsite gym so cleverly named "Sweat," my vacation orders do not call for any activity remotely related to wearing spandex or exerting myself in an unnatural manner. ...The Living Room on the seventh floor with your adorable bartenders Jonathan and Patty is already my new favorite hangout.

Firefighters Always Remembering, Always Serving

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2011-09-11T05:35:32-07:00

While it may look like we were having a good time--okay we were--these Oakland, California firefighters, (Tony the Tiger Tarek, Joe, and Big Mike from Station 8 pictured above), spent time talking to me about honor, service and dedication to their own. They packed up their courage, kissed their beautiful children goodbye and boarded a plane to New York City. In the face of increased terror alerts, these brave firefighters prepared themselves for anything--paying their own way--to be ready for any call to service. ...Tarek, Joe and Mike--heroes in my book--will wake up this morning on the ten year anniversary of 9/11, dress in their Class A uniforms and attend a special memorial service for their fallen in a show of powerful devotion to their lost comrades. ...A large contingency of firemen have come from the Los Angeles Fire Department as well. ...It was an honor to have spent time getting to know them.

Life of a Rock Star Experience New York Fashion Week

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2011-09-05T13:09:35-07:00

Life of a Rock Star's Nicole Hanratty will be on a whirlwind trip experiencing the high fashion Manhattan hot spots up close and personal. ...Editor Nicole Hanratty will travel the elevated skies with Virgin America from Los Angeles to New York where she will enter the elite world of high fashion. Iphone in hand, she will be documenting her trip from the moment she hits the runway from the "everyday mundane carpool mom" perspective. ...And with the US Open in full force, don't be surprised if she squeezes into a bleacher seat to catch a glimpse of the fun. Prestige Tickets is Los Angeles' premier ticket broker offering seats to events and venues all over the world. From court side Laker seats to front row concert experiences, Prestige Tickets brings their clients the Life of a Rock Star experience with every ticket they sell.

Words With Friends

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2011-06-26T19:32:21-07:00

Kids, teens, and adults can't get enough of this online game that allows you to play your move when you want without anyone looking over your shoulder. ... Throw down any letter combination you can think of and Words With Friends (WWF) will let you know if it counts as an acceptable word. ... The added bonus--you get to trash talk your opponent or whine about your awful letter rack via a chat bubble screen that is attached to every game. ...Accusations rip across the room at formerly peaceful family gatherings that have now become showcases for high scoring games whose outcomes are always photographed and texted with bragging rights. ...He has been known to be sitting within speaking distance from my sister but chooses instead to text her a photo of the screen to show her my recent ingenious move that has him pulling his hair out. Upon hearing her phone ding my beautiful sister rises to search for her phone and read her text only to see that the text was from her hubby--who was sitting right next to her--complaining about TheWiner again.

Celebrity Life

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-06-08T09:20:43-07:00

Last night I was mid-bite savoring the spicy tang of PF Chang's Ma Po Tofu, when my mother-in-law announced that she had heard--and by the way she was waving her pointed finger back and forth at me and my husband seemed to think was accurate and true about us--that our generation's big problem is that we all want to live a celebrity life. ...Their names get them in the door while we wait like maroons* at the back of a line arguing about whether or not my less than suave hubby should make another awkward attempt at slipping the host some cash to get us in before our ten o'clock bedtime arrives. They are invited to galas while we are headed off to Home Depot to purchase more plants for the garden where you are likely to find us "oooing and awwing" over our very first apples blooming on our recently planted tree. ... They are headed off to fabulous places on a whim via their private jets while we are depositing change at the local Coinstar machine getting our thrills from the digital display as it counts up our cash as if we've won a jackpot. ...In our family, we may be motivated to work hard and earn money to provide a better life for our children than we had growing up--a gene that is responsible for the ever-improving lifestyle of the human race--but we are not looking to live a celebrity life. ...Family, friends, community, sharing, loving, appreciating each day and forever remembering that when rainy days come it's a good excuse to huddle tight under the umbrella with your loved ones and let the kids jump in the puddles, laugh and enjoy the simple pleasures we ignore on brighter days.

Say Cheese

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-23T10:58:13-08:00

While recently browsing the refrigerator section of Smart and Final--one of my favorite supply stores--I came across this imitation pasteurized process american cheese. ...Call me crazy for questioning how closely aligned to cheese this food product really is, but with four other descriptive words, (including the word "imitation"), before the word cheese, I'm wondering what exactly is in those 120 slices. ... And maybe this cheese gets a second point for honesty in labeling--we could use more of that these days. After re-reading the label multiple times I emailed a picture of it to my husband with the question, "Do you know what this is?" ...Can you imagine what packages might actually say if they were a little bit more like this imitation pasteurized process american cheese? ... Their label says, "Oreo Sandwich Cookie" but what it could really say is, "Sugary, Oily, High Fructose Corn Syrup Filled Artificially Flavored Cream Between Two Chocolate Wafers That You Won't be Able to Stop Eating and Will Show Up on Your Scale Tomorrow Morning."

Women and Super Bowl Sunday

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-08T09:02:00-08:00

Of course there is the food and the friends--don't forget the commercials and silly betting pools--but aside from what is happening on the field there is off the field drama as well. I'm not talking about the tear jerking mini-dramas that are played throughout the day about players beating the odds to make it to the Super Bowl or the personal challenges they endure that glue you to the couch in anticipation of seeing these individuals be rewarded for their endurance and perseverance. ...No- the myths that Super Bowl Sunday see a spike in domestic violence are not the drama I'm referring to either... ...Women have an amazing ability to ease through a testosterone filled room with a smile--showing interest in the game when appropriate--but otherwise huddling together to share their stories, heartache and laughter. ...Wild energy from children running through the house and men howling stirs about, the game plays on but time stops when one friend quietly tells another that life is not going well. ...To women everywhere, here's a nod of Super Bowl Sunday admiration for the struggles you face and the burdens you endure--quietly with a smile--while still showing up every day to play the game, work hard, and take care of your families with love.

Date Night

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-04T10:23:17-08:00

But it is the one night of the week when my husband and I know we get to walk away from the house, leave our concerns behind—hypothetically—and enjoy an adult dinner at a nice restaurant (sans the overpriced penne pasta with butter). ...Likely the entire ordeal will take a full two hours—I have always postured that they must have to run to the market and buy the mac n’ cheese to make for the kiddies—with us paying $25.00 per bowl of cheesy noodles and wishing we had just gone to CPK which the kids were begging for in the first place. ...There are many date nights when we have been kicked to the curb by the quick service too soon and we stare at our watches in disbelief that it is only 7:00 PM, wishing we could just go back home. ... So although we are wishing we could just curl up on our couch in our comfies at home, we push through just to get the break from the hour of endless delays and stall tactics before the lights are finally turned out. ...The movie has to be just long enough so that we can take full advantage of the fact that the babysitter is there to handle the bedtime routine, but not so long that we can’t be in bed in time to watch Anderson Cooper and Larry King Live. ...I also remind myself that this is why I never feel guilty about always choosing the movie that I want to see, because he falls asleep even if it is an action packed thrill chaser or a suspense thriller that he picks.

2010 Hot Topics

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-03T09:41:18-08:00

It's now easier for a women over the age of 40 to find a husband than it is to find a job. ...The "Good Life" has been sent a notice of abandonment, (even by those who can still afford it). ...President, Vegas is on our "Not Giving Up No Matter What" list, along with our hairdressers and home shopping network habit. ...Everything everyone says can be you-tubed, tweeted, facebooked, and blogged for all eternity to remember, unfortunately. ...How about some six month no cancellation laws and mandatory modification offers for health insurance premiums? ...No matter what is going on around the world, the laundry still needs to be done at home.

Garage Tells All

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2010-02-01T11:35:34-08:00

The vast majority of us all start out in the same place post college--renting an apartment and dreaming of the day we will sign our life away to a mortgage and have shelter we can call our own that includes our very own garage. In these youthful and optimistic days, we see a white sparkling clean well-organized space that perfectly fits our car, bicycle, washer and dryer, along with a cabinet that can be used to store a few mementos. Within days of having the coveted keys to the new front door, we surrender and designate the garage for all of the boxes of things we have accumulated over the years and have no idea what to do with, yet we begged our parents to save. The tennis racket circa 1980s, soccer trophies, the art work from first grade, the notes we passed back and forth to our best friends in junior high school--back when they still called it junior high--fill boxes that we forgot even existed until the day Mom and Dad showed up with them in lieu of a house warming present. ...Depending on the stages of our lives we are in, our garages will inevitably spend time serving a variety of functions: a storage facility for moving days and spring cleaning overload; a toy room full of Big Wheels and plastic BBQ play stations that don't fit in the house; a pet kennel for dogs who can't be trusted around babies or not to tear up the couch when left alone; a home office for when we need to escape the chaos we have created inside our four walls; a home fitness center for when we need to get our bodies back into the shape they were before we gained the married and content 20 lbs; a sound-proofed teen rock band studio for when we want to foster our children's creative outlet without having to hear it; a hobby / tool shop for our husband's to stay out of our hair, an extra bedroom for when we need a place to house the in-laws--just kidding Mom and Dad—or the foreign exchange student we’ve taken in to help cover the mortgage; and one day if we’re very lucky it might just house our vehicle. ...The eyes may be the window to the soul, but our garages are glimpse into the current stage of our lives and in it the drama, humor, hobbies, function and family memories play out one season after the next.

H1N1 Vaccine

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-11-02T10:16:39-08:00

We don't know if we should brush it off as an over-hyped media blitz reminiscent of the Richard Heene story, a government hyped political story to get health care reform passed (as Rush Limbaugh would argue), or whether we should just follow along and line up for the vaccination. ...For three hours I was entertained by the countless number of cameras, photographers, reporters, news vans, satellite dishes, radio djs, and personalities, including the man in front of us who listened to me quiz my child for a history test then explained a little more that we should know and told us about the book he wrote that he was promoting while in line. ...What made even less sense is that while the line continued to not move at all for the first hour before the clinic opened, people continued to shuffle closer together as if huddling in tight would make the time pass by more quickly. ...Next came the news reporters, who also thought it polite to shake your hand before they shoved a microphone in your face, to ask you really well thought out questions such as, "Why are you here," and my personal favorite, "Are you worried?" ... However, most of us would prefer not to admit our advanced stages of H1N1 paranoia in front of our children who we had pulled from school and dragged down to the park where they had to stand in an endless line for hours and could only look at the play equipment in hopes that at some point in the day they would be allowed to climb all over it. (The mom behind me had convinced her two year old that they were attending a block party that would start as soon as they got a little medicine but I am sure she wouldn't mind telling the reporter that she was panic stricken because she has relatives in New York who are high risk and can't even get the vaccination.)

Histerectomy

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-10-27T21:03:41-07:00

The ancient Greeks may have been masters at throwing the javelin, but when it comes to trying to pinpoint the cause of a woman's hysteria they were way off the mark. ...But the recovery time for me was going to be anything but and certainly a bit of a set back physically, so choosing the right surgery date was critical. DH grabbed a calendar and helpfully tried to find a good day for the surgery that would fit into his busy work schedule, not to mention baseball play off games, high school football, and good weather. ...When DH got up in the morning a certain "eeeewww" expression crossed his face when he saw me hunched over, moaning, dragging a half full catheter bag followed by the cat. ..."Another interesting fact about the "hysterical" word root: I remember from my human sexuality class at Cal Poly (ah, the joys of elective classes) that the use of vibrators actually originated in doctor's offices, with the same "troubles of the womb" or "hysteria" theory. So, when a woman was acting up, or getting a little too lusty, (which is unladylike and hysterical of course), she could be prescribed a doctor's visit for a session with his medical vibrator.

Closet Catharsis

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-09-14T20:49:33-07:00

Note: A few weeks ago I mentioned randomly my "out with the old and in with the new" clothing theory which keeps my closet simplified and pared down, but always fresh. Whenever I buy new clothing I pull out older clothes from my closet that I haven't worn in over a year or no longer reach for and stick them in a donation bag before I put any new items away. ...Yet when I started to look closer at what I had hanging in my overflowing closet--keeping the "when did I wear it last" question in mind--I realized it was time to get down to business. ...The good news being, that if a flood of water came rushing down my street, I would be the first one outside donning my high water slacks ready to fill sand bags in style! ...Neither have been worn since then, (so that's more than a year) and when you get right down to it, it's been five years since I've even been on skies. ...It turns out that she didn't look too bad from the front, (no comments on the braless part), but the 10 inch zipper back was not very cooperative.

You're Only As Old As Your Slang

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-05-13T17:49:12-07:00

While watching Q Wreck in a YouTube video the other night it became glaringly obvious that my youth vanished long ago with Milli Vanilli. The moment Q Wreck pronounced, “I ain’t getting caught riding dirty,” my age began to rival that of a Roman statue. ...I made this inquiry the first order of business on my morning walk with my girlfriends, but let’s face it...they’re as old as me. ...This linguistic guide does for your speech what Botox does for your face and is arguably just as essential if you want to appear young. Let’s face it, if you speak like you have one foot in the grave it doesn’t matter how much cosmetic surgery you’ve undergone, your use and understanding of modern day slang terms--or lack thereof--makes your age as obvious as the nose on your face. ...Getting caught by the police with contraband, or in urban slang, gettin caught by da po po, wid some of dat dro dro.

Even My Dog's On Twitter

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-04-25T15:11:27-07:00

However, her mommy insists that she must also be philanthropic in her tweeting, so she posts tweets (and re-tweets) with information about doggies less fortunate than herself that need new homes. Sometimes she even tweets about outbreaks of illnesses in the news, such as Parvo, to remind pet owners that we need to keep our pets vaccinated and safe. ... When @SpoiledDog opened her Twitter account she was worried she’d be the only dog in town, but to her surprise there are tons of canine friends to tweet with online! ... Now I realize that nobody ‘gets’ Twitter until they ‘get’ Twitter and that there is definitely a light bulb moment involved. ... In just the doggy world alone, we are getting the message out about shelter needs, rescued dogs that need homes, disease outbreaks, dog foods that work for certain allergies, and training tips. ... You can sign up for your own Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com then get started by following me @LifeofaRockStar and my dog @SpoiledDog.

Buzzwords at Home

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-04-09T14:31:53-07:00

And while I would like to bring my laptop along for quick access to movie times and reviews, restaurant suggestions, access to information that would settle our debate of the evening, and maybe sneak in a blog post while he is paying the bill, my computer is not allowed along either. ...My husband would swear that he gets Rickrolled every time I tell him he can take my car and he gets down the block only to see that the gas tank is empty. ... He hangs up the phone and moves on with his day while I need to get to work asap finding a dog/house/babysitter, a destination and a hotel, make some reservations, pack up everyone and be ready to go with a smile on my face as soon as he pulls in the driveway. ...Rediscovering fun at home is a great way to spend time-off and is a welcome break from the constant running we do six days a week. ...For those of you not familiar with this term, it’s when something trendy or great has gone too far and would be better off never heard from again. ... Every time it’s on my husband has to watch it and I’m really not sure how many more times I can sit through the Doughboy pool collapsing.

Spring Break 2009: Staycationing

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-04-06T10:01:14-07:00

The kind of day that makes residents remember why we live here...the kind that makes tourists decide to move here...the kind of day with no sports or activities for my very active family. ...So after months of collecting winter dust, I dug deep in my drawer to pull out my backyard-approved bikini, (the kind not fit for public viewing), loaded up on sunscreen, and grabbed a towel along with some magazines to peruse. It has been so long since I've been in the backyard to relax on a lounge chair that until I stepped foot outside, I forgot that we don't even have a pool. ... The hefty price tag combined with the realization that we'd be using it once a year made it simply a bigger, more expensive version of the Jacuzzi we installed ten years earlier but haven't used in the past four. We did have the plush lounge chairs but after years of being used as Rescue Hero stations, skateboard ramps or stages for the adorable cousin starring "variety shows" our lounges were tattered beyond repair and found their own way to the curb. ...With that, I grabbed my tattered beach chair out of the garage positioned it in the sun and sat down to read my new one year-old magazines I had until now never had the chance to read.

"How To" Refill the Soap Dispenser

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-03-30T18:36:04-07:00

You actually have to pull the top off of the soap dispenser to squirt more liquid inside. It takes a bit of effort but the rewards are spectacular! Once you replace the lid--Voila!--one press produces enough soap to wash a sink full of dishes. ...2) Pour more soap inside the container--we keep the refill bottle under the kitchen sink--and leave an inch or so of space on top. ...I see you when you're sleeping, I know when your awake. I know when you've been bad or good, so refill when necessary for goodness sake!

Life of a Rock Star Birthday

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-03-19T08:21:23-07:00

My sister Gina's birthday was this week and she has been kind enough to share with our readers what a real Life of a Rock Star™ Mom's birthday is all about: ...Well, why wouldn't she wake up to her kids and hubby bringing her steaming hot coffee, crunchy toast and not over-cooked-with-a-dash-of-cheese scrambled eggs while she slowly awakens to the beautiful day? Maybe because her sweet hubby doesn't know how to push the 'On' button for the coffee maker--even though she had gotten it all ready the night before--and needed our Life of a Rock Star™ Mom to head down the steps to get the java brewing. ...Wear your referee jersey though as an all out brawl over who gets to wear the green shirt with the white shorts as opposed to the white shirt with the non-existent green shorts--so that no one looks like twins--has broken out in the bedroom closet. ...Get out your pom-poms, video camera and cooler full of team refreshments while you cheer the team on one game at a time in their Downy scented uniforms fresh from of the dryer. ...In not too many years on birthdays to come, spa appointments may replace doctor visits but nothing will compare to the sweet hugs and kisses, smiles and time spent with her adorable kids while they still want to spend time with her.

Funny Signs of the Times

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-03-10T09:58:14-07:00

Seems as if the financial credit markets have finally loosened up. Fortunate Southern California residents can apply for financial aid for... their hair cuts*? ...Yes, times are tough and no one can get a loan to purchase a house, car or help stock their small business shelves but this is an encouraging sign that some aid is still available. ...*(All right, we know, the aid is really for those who want to enroll in the Barber School. But Life of a Rock Star™ can't resist a funny sign.) ...Submit your "Funny Signs of the Times" photo HERE.

Best Friends

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-03-02T14:19:33-08:00

I added a splash of soy milk, replaced the lid and walked away from the coffee bar only to realize far too late that the reason I was not tasting any of my beloved beverage is because I was pouring it down the right side of my body. No, it was not coming out of the plastic hole on top of the lid for my perched lips to sip because the lid was ajar and the coffee was instead pouring through the crack between the top of the cup and the bottom of the lid. ...Or would I find strength, take the bull by the horns, embrace the wet feeling that was mocking me and telling every person for me that I was wearing my coffee on my sleeve? ...I felt grateful until a crowd began forming behind me with people angrily waiting for her assistance all glaring at the woman who was half painted in a wet brown coffee stripe hogging the counter lady's time, waving their numbers wildly. ...But in my haste to seek refuge in the friendly face of the checker I chose the express lane and realized too late that my cart held many more than ten items or less. ...I smiled apologetically and hoped only that they could see, I was just missing my best friend, who always makes things better for me.

'Slamdog Millionaire'

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-02-23T11:54:14-08:00

I had heard earlier in the weekend that the mother of the little boys who appeared in the movie had to beg borrow and steal to scrape up enough money to buy the young actors a new pair of blue jeans to wear on the flight to America from India--their first time flying--and my heart melted for their story, their mother, and the real poverty that does exist in India. I was eager to see them on the red carpet because I knew their innocent eyes would be lit up with excitement as they took in the visceral experience. ...It was a treat to watch the cast, especially the small children, light up with pride and excitement each time their movie was mentioned and won. ...It was a fairy tale ending for the low budget movie which told a story more involved than just what we saw on screen, but of a country whose plight is now in the spotlight. ...She looked glamorous, fresh and young with her pale colored gown, bright red purse and vintage necklace that let's face it...most of us would die for.) ...(I'm just not sure what to make of this comment, but I would venture to guess he won't be viewing the venue as a good luck charm in the future.)

Mammogram Fun

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-02-12T13:01:01-08:00

Okay so no one really has fun getting a mammogram, but they are so important to have annually that I figure I may as well find the humor in them to encourage women everywhere to make that dreaded phone call, schedule an appointment and get their boobies squeezed. ...No, instead she will have you fuss with it, holding it at your waistline (at least we get to hide our midline fat), while her cold hands man-handle your right boob into an olive press. (I haven't yet figured out if this is to pretend you are not completely checking your dignity at the door or if they think the oversized gown makes the whole procedure seem more like modern medicine and less like medieval torture. ...After she has imaged your left and right side and you are ready to pull that sassy blue cover-up over your shoulders again the technician, (whom has now fondled you more than your husband has in the past year), in her most cheerful voice states, "Now it's time for the steep sided and detailed magnification pictures." ... The chipper tech changes the angle on the meat grinder and starts all over again going side to side taking turns putting each one of your boobs under the clear flat steamroller that allows you to watch one by one as each of your breasts is transformed into what must have been the inspiration for the design of Pac Man. Dismissed back into the hallway back to the cubby where you left your dignity and clothing to wait for the radiologist's reading and your results, you hear the patient in the next room over ask, "How much do you want to bet a man invented this machine?"

Kettle One is for the Dogs

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2009-01-13T12:42:30-08:00

The holidays are over, I can leave my house without worrying about whether or not I need a gift for anyone I’m about to see and I’ve jumped off of the Fall Holiday Wheel of Events that belongs in my nephews’ hamster cage purchased for their birthdays which they promptly returned after realizing hamsters poop. ...With the battles over who gets to drive, where my husband can (or can not) place his barefoot feet and the music selection choice settled, we succumb to the calming vibrations of the piecemeal freeway. Within minutes of entering the “enjoyable state” of a road trip, the car traveling just ahead of us decides to empty their one-gallon container of windshield wiper fluid in an all-out tidal wave attempt to clean their never-washed-before-bug-filled windshield. Aside from breaking all rules of road etiquette by splashing cars up to a quarter mile behind them and leaving water spots all over my clean car, what’s irritating is you know it doesn’t even work. ...Cars that don’t want to drive, windshield wiper fluid flying everywhere, incessant dog whining, and before you know it, I’m missing the cocktail filled holidays. ...They poop where they eat INSIDE the food that they eat, they poop where they sleep, they poop while they play on their whirl-a-wheel toys, they poop in front of their mirrors designed to look like a Hamster TV purchased to spice up their hip hamster condos.

Unfriendly Signs: Crunch Zone

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-12-04T17:41:52-08:00

...Just a little holiday cheer for all of you who need a smile while you’re meeting the demands of your over-committed calendar this month... I found this sign on the East Coast up in Kennebunkport, Maine. Apparently they take their parking spaces as serious as we West Coasters take our over-sized SUVs. For get about Texas, Don’t Mess with Maine!

Thanksgiving Disasters

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-11-11T17:25:49-08:00

We’ve had knock down drag outs in Mammoth, flues that cleared tables, been lost on roads that seemed to go in circles on our way to Big Bear, and had arguments that made moving to Syberia seem like a completely plausible solution. It’s a wonder we do this year after year, yet in approximately one week’s time I will once again have a house brimming with people and more bellies to feed than I can fathom. ...Whether the glass Pyrex dish was just responding to the pressure to perform or trying to get a little extra attention, upon eruption it caused a big bang and posed a serious hazard. ...I’m sure you have a Leave It To Beaver family where June and Ward are sitting across from one another complimenting each other’s lovely attire, but in my dysfunctional family snarky remarks and hot topic debates fly around the room like a bat trying to escape. Suffice it to say there have been years when the only thing our guests were thankful for was the opportunity to escape out the front door. So with eight days and counting I’ve got my work cut out for me to prepare dinner for two dozen people--representing six different families, three different religions, two opposite political parties and several diametrical views--which won’t be half as challenging as coming up with four hours worth of safe conversation topics.

Multi-Tasking Or Attention Deficit Disorder

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-11-06T17:19:12-08:00

On my way to sit down at my desk to write this article, I heard the dryer ending its cycle. I ventured into my other office--the laundry room--to pull out my husband’s white tee shirts and get them folded while they were still warm and wrinkle-free. I knew I needed to get my bottom in my desk chair and avoid further distractions, but as I was putting away the fresh laundry I noticed my child’s closet was in desperate need of organization. ...After gathering up an armful of pajamas and recently worn clothing that would benefit from a trip to the laundry room, I walked past a bed that needed to be made. Unable to get any further in my day with such an important task uncompleted, I thought of my girlfriend Shawn who makes her kid’s beds as they are still getting their feet on the floor and smiled thinking how I had let an entire hour pass by before straightening out the blankets and fluffing up the pillows. ...Read responses as soon as you get back from Whole Foods and are finished with whatever else distracts you on the way to your email box.

On Tour

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-09-23T14:45:10-07:00

There have been some bumpy flights, cancelled plans, airport dramas, annoying inconveniences and general travel mayhem along the way, but there were only a few things this Diva (to my husband’s dismay) and our offspring couldn’t handle. ...• Yours truly demanding a new hotel room--or hotel--if maintenance could not supply a shower head that was not a Rain Shower so my hair wouldn’t get wet when I simply wanted to rinse off in the evening. ...Meltdown that everyone but my I’m-not-in-any-rush husband had when we arrived at an airport where we waited for a taxi longer than it would have taken us to walk the ten miles to our accommodations. • Walking out on our dinner reservation--and the food we ordered--at a swanky uptown restaurant because they seated us in a cafeteria style table where we either had to join in the conversation the couple next to us was having or put on our ipods to tune them out. • Threatening to call Dateline NBC on the airline and its employee when I called to express my discontent that the quoted ticket fare did not reflect the almost $400 inflated charge the agent wanted to put on my credit card. ... When I told the supervisor that he could at least speak to me in a friendly manner and not act so hostile towards me, he responded, “It’s not about being friendly.”

One Good Compliment

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-09-08T14:38:08-07:00

Once we fill our mugs and start to wake up we face the reality of the emails chores and to do lists that must be dealt with for the day. ...This morning was no different for me until I logged on to my computer and received the sweetest random compliment (Thank you L!) ...(Well, it certainly wasn’t the onslaught of horrific messages to which I had to respond that put a smile on my face...) Here are a few ideas I came up with to be sure that every Monday morning a special accolade awaits all of us and starts every one of our weeks off right: ...banner on eBay, delivered in person by a hot guy posing as your husband--with flowers in hand--who folds a load of laundry and empties the trash unsolicited before he goes on his merry way. ...Okay, so maybe I’m dreaming, but in all seriousness after we fork over half of our life savings for a tank of gasoline, couldn’t the fueling station print out a receipt with a sweet little compliment after the total?

Sensor Wife

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-09-05T14:31:46-07:00

As my husband and I stand in line one after the other waiting to fill our own coffee cups with fresh pressed coffee from my favorite appliance in the house, (our Miele cup by cup coffee maker that turns out six different flavors--decaf and regular--cappuccinos and espressos), I turned the dial to make my own personally programmed favorite cup of coffee. My husband stands behind me, empty mug in hand, and asks, “Is the coffee maker actually still programmed for all of the different types of coffee capsules that are in it?” ...“Well I don’t know maybe there is a sensor inside that automatically detects which coffee is which... ...There is also a sensor that washes your dirty laundry and makes it magically appear clean, pressed and hanging in your closet.” ...“There is also a sensor that automatically makes your dinner, takes care of your dog and transports children to and from school.” ...Start by hitting the sensor that makes the lunches, reloads the washing machine, cleans the couch that was peed on, shops at Smart and Final...”

Cereal Diet

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-08-28T14:25:02-07:00

I know my mother in law is panicking right now thinking that I’m about to announce that I have served my husband nothing but cereal for the past week. I can see her and her sister-in-law, (thanks for being one of my most loyal readers Aunt Carol), on the phone right now trying to determine if they should call Husband Protective Services on me. ...Rise and shine it’s six a.m.; time to disrobe, hit the scale, and decide whether this an “Egg’s benedict with pancakes on the side, I can eat whatever I want” day or an “I’ll just have fruit” kind of a morning. ...This diet worked great for me every day as I’m not a big breakfast eater until the popcorn was gone and real food was calling. ... Really a great theory except lunch just ended up seeming to come around earlier each day, as my appetite was already teased and hunger began to creep up on me, until I found myself eating egg salad sandwiches at 9 a.m. ...But I know how you are, some reunion or wedding or red carpet event will hit your social calendar and you’ll be desperate to look your best back at the deli purchasing a gallon of broth while I’m at home polishing off a pizza.

20 Year Reunion Crashers

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-08-08T14:04:36-07:00

Chatsworth High School Class of 1988 had their twenty-year high school reunion last Saturday night and yours truly was among the younger classman who crashed in on it. ...1 My sister, who so lovingly toted her younger sister out and about with her to all of the fun parties, was in that class. I couldn’t miss seeing all those older boys I hung out with while avoiding the less cool guys my own age and her fun loving girlfriends who never left me out of the joke. ...2 My husband was in that class as well and I wasn’t going to let some single hot girl looking for the hook up or miserably married ex-girlfriend get her claws on my man! ...No, he and his cronies weren’t voted most popular in high school, but they had each other; they had the brotherhood and that has lasted through today. So many classmates didn’t show up because they couldn’t afford the price of admission even though, the cost was virtually the same as the 10 year reunion.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow More Appreciative

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-07-28T13:57:22-07:00

Leave the house for a month and clear out your refrigerator before you say au revoir! ...I would like to send a special thanks to my mom and my mother-in-law for offering to do my husband’s laundry for him and prepare him meals. ...The first time my adorable hubby had to do laundry he sent me a photo that he took on his Blackberry of the dryer. ...And now you know why I didn’t even leave him one single egg to crack. ...I advised him to eat out and use the bathroom while he was dining, (he ran out of the “soft” toilet paper as well while I was gone.) ...I’m not delusional enough to believe he really realizes this, but I will say that he hasn’t come home one day from work since I have been back and asked me that maddening question, “What did you do all day?”

Dog Flight

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-06-30T13:48:40-07:00

(Special note: Were it not against all laws of matrimony, the picture above would be of my loving husband asleep across the aisle from me with his mouth hanging wide open sitting on the plane totally oblivious to the world around him. ...The whining continued sporadically and there was no doubt that although Ajay (my newly met seat partner) and I were trying to tune her out, everyone in First Class, if not beyond, could hear her whimper as if someone were threatening the termination of her lifetime doggy spa membership. When flight attendant “Bob” (a totally made up name for him) showed compassion and allowed me to remove my pup and hold her on my lap, (he first asked permission from the stranger sitting next to me to assure he had no objections or allergies and luckily didn’t ask the "I hate dogs" woman), I was grateful and certain that my baby girl would curl up on my lap and sleep the whole flight. ...Screaming Boy’s Sister, (which would have surely been her name if she was American Indian), came up to hang out with me and my adorable puppy--likely to escape her brother--during the flight. ...From that point forward, he took note of every time that I would just get the dog settled and close my eyes when the next passenger or flight attendant who walked by would reach out to pet the sweet thing and wake us both up. ...By that point, I would have bought his kids a dog along with a years worth of supplies if the brother would just stop wailing and Screaming Boy's Sister would let me rest.

Promotion At Work

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-06-23T13:42:54-07:00

I have such exciting news and I want to share it with all of my readers first! ...So I dared to ask, “Why am I the only one who can log on to Nespresso.com and order coffee capsules?” That was when he informed me that I am in charge of everything that goes on inside the house. ...Within seconds he promoted me to President of Household Operations with his magic “I Am Man and Master of the Household” wand. Then in record speed, (the man can’t type more than one word per minute - literally), he hand delivered me a paper name plate with my name, new title and phone number perfectly centered and typeset to display on my desk. ... Now anyone who is in question about why our laundry hasn’t been done in a week can call me on my cell.

Summertime Fun

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-06-20T13:30:51-07:00

How many days, hours or minutes were your kids released from school and let out into the wild before you hammered them down with “The Lecture?” ... “If this is how you’re going to act then I’m signing you up for ____(insert torturous activity, e.g. summer school, macrame, volunteer work)___ and shipping you off to ____(insert undesirable location, e.g. ...When my scratch count begins to resemble a never-ending picket fence on a long drive in the country, I usually decide it is time for one. ...But in the interim, for those long hot summer days, here are a few of my favorite activities to make the time enjoyable: ...Make two pitchers full of lemonade, (one just for me -click here for the over twenty-one adult recipe- and one for the kids - click here for the Whole Foods organic lemonade recipe) and set up game day. ...Collect the cash and send the check off while you are still basking in your pride and quicker than you can give my other favorite lecture, “Charity means charity!

Midlife Crisis

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-06-15T13:12:27-07:00

I think it is a problem when someone relates more to a movie than real life and in this film, I found myself wanting to jump in and embrace the characters as if they were my personal spiritual gurus. ...You see there is something very profound that I Heart Huckabees is trying to say and that is, we aren’t always ready for the truth or success until we dismantle ourselves. ...Or will he go on leaving everything for me to find as if he thinks that I enjoy crawling around on my hands and knees scooping up his articles of clothing that have been strewn about like a crime scene for me to clean up? ...I will admit it is certainly easier to believe that the events of our lives are being ticked off one at a time the way a nun systematically fingers the beads of her rosary and recites the appropriate prayers. ...But while writing it, I have washed my hands three times- once after each load of dirty laundry I started - and intermittently obsessed about issues I will soon be faced with like an attorney going over a closing argument. ...I’m sure that there is a deep dark rooted cause for my lack of ability to mono-task and turn a blind eye to the albatross in my laundry room, especially because my parents owned a dry cleaning business.

I Always Wanted To

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-05-27T13:03:45-07:00

Not a day goes by when I don’t hear the phrase, “I always wanted to...” followed by some either crazy unattainable dream or a pragmatic realistic goal that this person has never gone after. I could be in line buying a cup of coffee and an absolute stranger behind me will comment that she likes my shoes. Before I can say thank you, she is sharing how if she had to do it all over again, she would have finished getting her college degree before she became pregnant and had her three kids. ...Or, could it be that my eyes leak out the truth that I too have started a lot of things in my life that I’ve never finished? ...Why don’t any of us realize that life is so short and each and every day could be our last? ...We really just want to retire with lots of stories for our grandkids about all of the things we could have done, if only we had a pair of shoes to walk to school with through the ten feet of snow ten miles uphill both ways.

Idol Gives Back Bake Sale

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-05-21T12:54:28-07:00

It is a great cause and I am more than happy to tie on my apron and put my over-priced kitchen appliances to work! When I put on my Baker Extraordinaire Chef’s Hat there is no limit to what I can create but the number one request was for home made cupcakes. ...I slid my cupcake pans into the oven and hovered over them even though I had set the timer, because I am famous for getting distracted and letting things burn. ...I made the dog walk out into the backyard by herself to go to the bathroom, (so cruel I know), I let the washer and dryer alarms sound off without answering their calls, and I let the phone ring off the hook. ...But I knew fancy frosting wouldn’t be enough to make these cupcakes legendary, so I set out to search the toy isle at Longs. ...“The going price is usually 50 cents for cupcakes,” but, “I’m charging 75 for these since they are home decorated and they have those cute animals on top!”

Bedtime Routines

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-05-15T12:43:50-07:00

Upon reentering the house, the dog must do a running leap up onto my lap crushing my organs upon landing as she looks for my protection from the bedtime call she knows is coming. ...My husband will call her anyway letting her know that she's not hiding from anyone and she had better get her booty to the bottom of the staircase so that she can be carried up to her bed. ...I must be the last one to bed after making one more final swoop through the laundry room - give a little good night kiss to the dryer... and a fond "I just can't wait to see you again in the morning" to the washer! ...We then proceed to argue over why CSI should not scare me because it is aired on network television, but yet it does and I don't like the disturbing nightmares it provides me with. ... I then tell him to go watch it downstairs, but he can't because he's not Tom Cruise, and he tells me it will be over in five minutes which is a big fat lie - every time. ...My husband will wake up in the middle of the night while I am sleeping, stay up late watching some phenomenally earth shattering interesting piece on the history channel that he has seen no less than 22 other times, and then fall asleep with the remote controls on his chest.

Blending Fun

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-05-12T12:20:26-07:00

I can’t think of very many people that could make me set my alarm clock for one minute earlier than my normal daily routine already requires, but Denise Estrada is definitely one of them. Last Friday morning was an exercise in “How to feed the dependents, make the lunches, get through the carpool line, walk the dog, pluck your eyebrows, apply camera-ready make-up, work the hair into an acceptable style and slip into an outfit that doesn’t scream, ‘I’m dressed all wrong!’” When my very talented friend Denise Estrada, (Owner, Melange Apothecary), called to ask me to mix fragrances while she was interviewed on camera discussing her store, she didn’t have to twist my arm. ...My good friend proudly offered up her hot coffee with her tale of bravery, and instructed all of us we had better drink it because of what she had endured to obtain the coveted brew. ...The blending event was super fun and after an hour of alternatively sniffing perfumes with coffee beans to clear my nasal palate, I picked three scents to combine into a perfume: Calla Lily, Pikake and Gardenia. I had to smell a few scents I didn’t prefer, (which will of course be the scrunched up nose expression that was caught on camera), but in the end the most difficult thing was narrowing down all the wonderful fragrances I did love to just those three.

Spray On Tan

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-05-08T12:14:03-07:00

The pressure is on to show up bronzed, but this wrinkle-a-phoebe doesn’t want to appear 80 before her time, so I booked the next available appointment at a swanky salon for a hand painted Spray-On Tan. ...I tried to act cool, like I had no problem disrobing in front of the woman who was about to hand spray my naked body. ... I, on the other hand, was standing on an elevated step about two feet off the ground with my arms and legs spread eagle and wearing nothing more than the paper band-aid. ...She was an old acquaintance of my ex-husband who had years before solicited him with something she had to offer in exchange for something he could give her in return. ...It was completely humiliating, degrading, and horrible to be standing there at this woman’s mercy after she had just gotten a complete and no holds bar look at my body. ...finally went off, I threw on my clothes faster than you can say, “I’m never coming to this place again for the rest of my life I don’t care if I love the make up girl here and she is one of my closest friends or that I have a $500 gift certificate for more services!

Charity Function Mayhem

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-05-05T21:18:33-07:00

What could be more fun at a charity function than observing the “haves” put it all on the line for the “have-nots”? It’s certainly amusing to watch how the grown-ups behave when they get a night out to play... ...An impressive display of jewels, handbags, gowns, designer shoes and updo’s lending one to believe that more money is spent on dressing for the occasion than is raised for the cause. ...And, just like in high school, the table your sitting at counts more than it should. ...Attendees talking about their big houses and big ventures becoming otherwise disinterested when the Generosity Games begin. ...A wife disappearing to the bathroom only to return and find that her hubby has won a trip far far away...

A Dog's Life Isn't So Bad

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-04-29T21:05:28-07:00

For example: being “a dog’s age” makes you ancient; “dogging it” is a cop out; “a dog’s life” is not an enviable one; “every dog has his day” gives us all hope that we may one day win the lottery; “letting sleeping dogs lie” is usually a wise decision; “going to the dogs” is a degenerative existence; “putting on the dog” shows off your wealth; while “teaching an old dog new tricks” forces us to break our old bad habits. ...She waits by her bowl as soon as I begin to start cutting up the fruit and lets me know she won’t be left out of the party. Mid morning, she demands her special canned food and in the late afternoon there is yet a third feeding of more dry food or possibly some other gourmet home made selection. In between, she gets a variety of treats that all work for her allergic, sensitive little tummy that I have scoured the universe to find. ...As if her life wasn’t cushy enough with the multiple beds that have been purchased for her from Maxwell Dog, (which are moved around hourly as the sun moves about the house throughout the afternoon), my little angel also gets Lap Time. ... As soon as she sees her opportunity she runs for her favorite new Bully Stick, (my dog doesn’t know what it is like to have an old bone), and jumps right into position.

Bookshelf Personalities

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-04-28T20:59:45-07:00

It might just give us an insight on your personality and let us know a little more about you than you may be willing to share. ... ... ... ...It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know you are:

Lunch at Geoffreys

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-04-18T20:23:34-07:00

My two favorite friends swooped me down to the beach to a surprise destination that I couldn’t have enjoyed more. ...If you order up the right day, you will be enjoying a beautiful afternoon and I guarantee you will not want to leave this haven. ... A two hour minimum is required for full enjoyment, but really even those are just for newbies. ...I can hear you now as you gaze down at your watch not wanting to end your perfect afternoon, “What kids? ... The world will tip over on its axis and your children might miss some critical instruction that will make or break their next competitive match. ...Must-haves at Geoffrey’s in Malibu: Veuve Clicquot Rose, Fresh Ahi Tuna Tartar, Baked Brie in a Puff Pastry, Poached Pear Salad, and Eggs Benedict.

Bag Quest 2008

CommentBox@NicoleHanratty.com — 2008-04-07T19:56:54-07:00

Yes, that’s me pictured above on the left with the impossible to obtain cement colored mesh fisherman style Giorgio Armani handbag that is more fabulous that you can believe! ... To the far right is the stunning Richel Roggin with the to-die-for bronze colored Mahina by Louis Vuitton and hiding inside is the must-have matching wallet. ...These two moms certainly make the cut and I’m sure you can see why… I’m not at liberty to divulge all the details of their Bag Quests, but I can tell you that a flight over a large body of water was involved! ...I’m on my best behavior all winter long earning Wonderful Wife points to justify every ounce of effort and expense that must be garnered into getting the beloved bag. ...When the call finally comes in that the purse is in the bag, I’ll stop at nothing to get it! ... This year I called in a favor from my ex-husband (yes, Ex) and asked him to send his courier to pick it up for me.