Last night marked President Obama‘s second inauguration ceremony. Among the many celebrities and speeches of the day, we saw spectacular performances by Beyonce, fun., Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and James Taylor.

Five-time Grammy winner James Taylor was the first to take the stage, with an acoustic rendition of “America The Beautiful.” Kelly Clarkson followed the inaugural address and performed “My Country Tis Of Thee,” while Beyonce closed the performances with “The Star Spangled Banner.”

As the ceremony ended and the Inaugural Ball commenced, Alicia Keys sang her hit “Girl On Fire,” with the simultaneously sweet and awkward title change, “Obama’s On Fire.” Jennifer Hudson provided the soundtrack for the President and First Lady’s dance, as they swayed to a cover of Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” (which the president himself ad-libbed at an event last year). The band fun. then closed the evening with their hit, “We Are Young.” You can view fun.’s performance right here and the rest of the performances after the jump. Continue reading ‘Music Of The Presidential Inauguration: Beyonce, fun., Kelly Clarkson And More’

With the return of hipster favorites Ra Ra Riot, Toro y Moi, and The Joy Formidable, this is an especially fertile week for indie rock releases. Also on the menu are new offerings from classic punk stalwarts Bad Religion and OurStage’s own rising star Tyler Bryant.

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown – Wild Child

We’ve been fans of Tyler Bryant’s barn-burning blues guitar skills for years, and now, with the release of Wild Child, Bryant and his band are poised to take the national scene by storm. Their new album has enough plaintive slide guitar, ripping solos, boot stomping and gang vocals to last you a lifetime. Or at least until their next release comes out.

By the way, the single “Say A Prayer” is currently iTunes’ Free Single Of The Week.

Ra Ra Riot – Beta Love

Ra Ra Riot are back with an album of danceable minimalist synth pop that also manages to incorporate more organic sounds from swelling string arrangements. Strong echoes of David Byrne are still recognizable in frontman Wes Miles‘ voice, but he generally sounds much more self-assured and in reach of a true personal vocal style this time around.

Continue reading ‘New Releases: January 22, 2013′

For those of you who have been waiting to hear some new music from Paramore, the three years of burning anticipation can be quelled for at least a little while. Yesterday, the band released their first single, entitled “Now.” The song is from their upcoming self-titled album, available April 9. To listen to the single, click here and peruse the multiple pre-order options available.

Since members/brothers Josh and Zac Farro left the band back in 2010, the group has shown no signs of disbanding and, judging by the new single, is going strong. The track pulls heavily from the Gwen Stefani/No Doubt school of sing-talking during the verses, as well as some of the more grandiose production techniques of Muse. Additionally, singer Hayley Williams has admitted getting more into EDM over the past year, which has also subtly made its way into the mix. Enjoy.

More Like This:

• Paramore and M83 Producer Team Up On New Album
• OurStage on 8tracks: Pop Rock Party
• Discourse & Dischord

Hello, my name is Tyler and I’m the vocalist of a hardcore band from Washington DC known as Over & Out. I’m originally from a little town in Pennsylvania called Landenberg, and the best way to describe where I’m from is to say “I’m outside of Philly” when in reality I’m closer to Delaware, and it takes about a 20 minute drive to into town.

Music has always been a huge part of my life, and the catalyst of which was the film That Thing You Do!. I started drumming at a really young age because I wanted be Guy Patterson from the film, and after running that VHS into the ground I continued to learn about music from my older brother. New Found Glory, Green Day, Sum 41 were my gospel, and growing up in an age where videos were easily accessible via what we call “the internet” I became completely enthralled by the idea of the live show. Shows, concerts, gigs, whatever you want to call them, I needed that experience in my life. At first, I thought that thirst could be quenched by going to concerts and shows with my friends. I’ll always remember the first time my brother push me into the pit at a Linkin Park show. From this point out I was addicted to punk and shows, addicted to the chaos, addicted to one of the only places that really made sense in my life. It was only a natural progression that I wanted to be in a band, and while it never really germinated in high school, I knew that I needed to at least give it a shot. Music had given so much to me, and I needed to at least try to give something back as well. Continue reading ‘GUEST COLUMN: Touring For The First Time’

Another music rumor has been laid to rest, as Billboard confirmed early this week that The Postal Service are alive again. Not only will they be releasing a deluxe edition of their only album, Give Up, but multiple sources have confirmed to Billboard that the band is slated to play this year’s Coachella with the possibility for additional dates and festivals.

Though fans may be hopeful that this means new music, it was only this past October that Ben Gibbard told Spinner, ”There are no plans to make a second record, I can’t say that enough.”

For a ten year flashback, listen to “Such Great Heights” after the jump. Continue reading ‘The Postal Service Reuniting For Coachella’

We Came As Romans’ (WCAR) sophomore album, Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be, has been re-released for 2013 in a deluxe edition with three additional tracks.

Thematically, the album offers a comprehensive meditation on the challenges and struggles we encounter as we grow older, and the maturity that we gain from life’s calamities. Yet, the band retains the positive sense of camaraderie so familiar from their first album, To Plant A Seed. Among all of the bands within the metalcore scene, WCAR has defined themselves by creating a unique sonic niche, utilizing slightly altered metalcore characteristics, synthesizers, and clean, auto-tuned vocals.

Driving, syncopated patterns create a groove familiar to metalcore. However, lead guitarist Joshua Moore provides melodic phrases that flow over the groove and help create a distinct sound. Additionally, clean vocalist Kyle Pavone and screamer David Stephens compliment each other and deliver well-articulated lyrics. The high production value on the album helps to blend all of the elements together, though it also seems to cover up the main criticism the band consistently receives – Pavone’s lack of delivery during live performances. But his vocals work well here; the slight auto-tune and a generous amount of reverb create a nice change from Stephens’ screaming. Combined with arrangement elements such as breakdowns, melodic passages, lulls featuring synthesized groove patterns, and tempo changes, the music and vocals seem to mesh effortlessly.

In a well-executed display by a band that can distinguish itself from the rest of the ever-growing metalcore scene, Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be conquers the sophomore album jinx. While I wouldn’t say that it is better than their debut release, I will say that We Came As Romans have been able to produce a solid album that is not a carbon copy of their first.

More Like This:

• We Came As Romans Release “Glad You Came” Video
• Of Mice & Men Re-release ‘The Flood’ With Four New Torrential Tracks

Photo by Lisa Johnson

If you were to ask a dedicated fan what “punk” means in 2013, you would probably receive a long-winded dissertation on innumerable subgenres. Make no mistake: this conversation might be interesting, but it is not informative. At its core, the spirit of punk has always entailed – in one form or another – the forging of an individual path in the midst of a sea of conformity. It has reveled in a promised escape from the drudgery of the nine to five existence, a comfortable suburban home, and the meaningless trappings of a materialistic middle class life. It rejects the enforcement of the status quo. It pushes ceaselessly back against mindless repetition. That is what punk still is.

What happens, then, when a punk band turns that same critical eye on its own career; a career built upon the inevitable and predictable annual cycles of album releases, touring, and promotion? The result is The Bronx (IV), if not the most ferocious album that Los Angeles’ The Bronx have released to date, then certainly the most self-reflective. Thankfully, singer Matt Caughthran‘s throat-tearing screams remain intact on this release. There is no restrained breathing, no Zen of Screaming here. Only what sounds like Caughthran practically bleeding through the microphone in feral glee. Continue reading ‘Review: The Bronx (IV)’

During their January 19th performance in San Diego, CA, Of Mice And Men announced that, soon after their current tour is over, the band woud be hitting the road again starting April 20 in California, though this time in support of A Day To Remember.

Currently headlining their own tour, frontman Austin Carlie announced the plans during the middle of their performance. A fan captured the announcement at the show, which can be seen here. The band’s supporting acts for their current tour are a rotation of Woe, Is Me, Texas In July, Capture The Crown, and Volumes.

Keep checking in at OurStage for the official tour lineup and get stoked for what’s sure to be a drop d-licious tour.

More Like This:

• Of Mice & Men Re-release ‘The Flood’ With Four New Torrential Tracks
• A Day To Remember Stream “Violence (Enough Is Enough)”; Announce Tour Dates
• Q&A With A Day To Remember

Between the recent success of Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, and now Denver-based act, The Lumineers, folk music has been making some pretty big waves lately. And with reason – after all, there’s something undeniably catchy and perhaps even endearing about tracks like The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey.”

Performing last weekend on the Saturday Night Live stage at NBC’s famed studio 8H, The Lumineers performed “Ho Hey,” along with a new track called, “Stubborn Love.” As catchy as their previous hit (dare we say more so?), it’s just a matter of time before you’ll hear “Stubborn Love” circulating radio stations across the nation. You can check out both performances right here.

If you like The Lumineers check out OurStage artist Darlingside.

More like this:

• 55th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations
• Live From New York: Our Favorite SNL Musical Hosts

Just a month after revealing a slew of new tour dates, Anberlin has now announced that support acts for Tour de Vital will include Paper Route and All Get Out. This February and March, you’ll have plenty of chances to catch Anberlin promoting one of their best albums yet. Check out all the dates after the jump and don’t forget to enter our weekly #FreeTicketFriday giveaway to win a free pair of tickets to this or any other U.S. based show.

Continue reading ‘Anberlin Announce Paper Route And All Get Out As Tour Support’