Remember how excited you were when you took that last final exam back in December? The holidays were just around the corner, Starbucks still had their special holiday drinks, and you’d made endless plans with friends and family to spend a full month taking a breather from the chaos and stress of student life.

Well, those days are long gone, and before you know it you’ll be back in the classroom, dragging yourself to 8 a.m. classes with a cup of not-holiday-flavored coffee, and looking forward to the next break.

For now, here’s a little back to school playlist to get you in the new semester groove.

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One of the music industry’s largest and most highly anticipated events, South by Southwest, has just announced a third wave of bands who will be performing at the festival. For those not doing the math, that brings the list to just under a whopping 1,300 live acts set to take the stage in Austin, Texas this March. Newcomers to the lineup include Tegan and Sara, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Black Lips, and Vampire Weekend. You can check the full list of performing acts for this year’s festival right here.

If you like Tegan and Sara check out OurStage artist Vic and Gab.

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• Tegan And Sara Release Official Music Video For “Closer”
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All month long you’ve been bombarded with year-end lists ranking the best albums of the year, songs of the year and the like. Here at Vs., however, we decided to give you a more unique year-end list; the year’s biggest music beefs. Feuding musicians is nothing new to rock and roll, but the advent of the Internet and sites like Twitter give artists an easy platform to take shots at each other—and we get to watch it all happen in real time. So without further ado, the music world’s biggest beefs of 2011:

4. Bon Iver vs. The Avalanches

This one all started back in February, when The New York Times held an interview with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. There was an unpublished excerpt in the interview regarding the GRAMMYs, where Vernon called them “ridiculous” and “not important,” and also slammed any artist who was hoping to win a GRAMMY. But after Bon Iver was nominated for four GRAMMY awards, the unpublished excerpts leaked online. Electronic group The Avalanches took offense to these comments, especially since Vernon is appearing in ads for Bushmills whiskey. The band said via Twitter, “a musicians ‘art is compromised’ if he/she desires a grammy .but endor$ing a product with proven devastating health risks is ok? a product which kills 100k p/a in the US alone..man kids look up to you. #rememberwhenitwascoolNOTtosellout.” While the Avalanches do bring up some good points about the dangers of alcohol and how Vernon’s appearance in the ads might possibly affect the younger members of his fan base, their comments about selling out seem a bit over dramatic. With record sales dwindling it’s become common practice for indie artists to license their music for advertisements in order to make a living. Artists like The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend and countless others have done so in recent years while maintaining their artistic integrity. Our advice to the Avalanches? Quit trying to pick fights with other bands and finish your second album already! We’ve only been waiting eleven years….

Continue reading ‘Vs: 2011′s Biggest Beefs’

We hear cover songs all the time. Entire bands exist for the sole purpose of covering the work of another artist or group. Big name musicians perform the music of their fellow artists all the time to pay tribute to the ones who inspired them. And more recently, we’ve seen up-and-coming singers become famous from posting their cover songs on YouTube. Fourteen-year-old Greyson Chance, who has already released his debut album, got his big break from covering Lady Gaga‘s “Paparazzi” at a school event. OurStage’s duo Karmin has received over 40 million views on one of their captivating and unique hip hop covers. Just a couple of weeks ago, they performed at the iHeartRadio festival among artists such as Lady Gaga and Jay-Z. But with so many people recording and performing cover songs, we have to wonder “what makes the good ones stand out?” We’ve found some of our favorite from the Cover Bands Channel to show you!

Karmin

Take, for example, the talented a cappella group called Rockapella, who covered Vampire Weekend‘s hit “A Punk”. The group took a song that is upbeat, fast-paced and performed by a full band, and recreated it with just their voices. Their version is slowed down and focuses on the harmonies created by the members of the group. It sounds more soulful and catches your attention right from the start.

All aspiring musicians have covered songs at some point in their careers. Emulation and repetition are simple methods to improve your technique. But to adapt a famous song into your own style and succeed in creating a musically stimulating experience is a completely different game. With this in mind, we took a gander at the Covers Channel here at OurStage and hand picked the most original imitators for your listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy the fresh twists on these classic songs just as much as we did!

Bonerama

“When The Levee Breaks“ by Bonerama (original by Memphis Minnie and Joe McCoy and given international popularity by Led Zeppelin). This song was originally performed by a folk blues duo from the United States. So it’s only appropriate that this incarnation of the tune is centered around a New Orleans brass band.

“When The Saints Go Marching In” by Donna Lee Saxophone Quartet (originally recorded by Louis Armstrong). For this popular gospel hymn, in a style reminiscent to the golden Dixieland days, an all-saxophone arrangement fills all the traditional band’s roles. It even has a tasty sax solo to boot!

“Something“ by John McCracken (original by The Beatles). It’s amazing what a striking difference a small change can make. The addition of a slide guitar in this tune takes the song’s feel to a whole new place, and it’s a place we don’t mind being taken to.

“A-Punk“ by Rockapella (original by Vampire Weekend). As their name suggests, Rockapella have adapted the song for an all-vocal a capella performance. Keeping all the great hooks and slowing the tune down just enough to make you bounce, this unique cover will have you asking for more.

“Fight For Your Right (To Party) Blues“ by The Tangiers Blues Band (original by The Beastie Boys). Add grittiness of blues to this ironic party anthem? Yes please! Fuzzface, harmonica and shuffle fit perfectly with the devil-may-care attitude of the tune, and the performance is simply top notch.

“Complicated“ by Nikki Britt (original by Avril Lavigne). This high-school pop tune is surprisingly easy on the ears as a country song. Granted, the reach taken with this adaptation isn’t too far with the instrumentation, but the vocal delivery is not only good, but gives the lyrics a breath of credibility to that can only be attributed to the youthfulness of the voice.

“Tomorrow Never Knows“ by Tobias Gebb (original by The Beatles). “The Beatles, again?” you ask? Not only are they the most covered band on OurStage, there is also no such thing as “too much” Beatles. This already experimental tune retains its Indian qualities as the musicians explore the percussive side of the song in this jazz arrangement.

“Tears In Heaven” by Julius Francis (original by Eric Clapton). This modern take on Clapton’s classic definitely gives the song a new twist. Even though it lacks the rawness and emotion of the original, it gives it a new air with a poppier, technologically powered feel.

Have any tunes in particular that you care to share? Disagree with any of the picks? Want a particular theme to be Shuffled? Let us know by dropping a comment!

The Good

Ke$ha reveals the origin of her moniker

The dollar sign in place of an “s” is lame—we all know that. But guys, it isn’t Ke$ha’s fault! She used to spell her name like any other normal person named Kesha. But then, this thing happened … watch the Funny Or Die clip below to see where it all went wrong.

Beatles catalog is finally available on iTunes

The long and winding road that separated EMI Group, Ltd from Apple has come to an end, meaning Beatles fans can now download the entire canon on iTunes. So what’s the most downloaded track in the three days since the songs have been available? Depends on where you are in the world. If you’re here in the US, it’s “Here Comes the Sun,” “Let It Be” and “In My Life.” We are a sentimental lot, we are.

The Bad

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are engaged!

True story: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are getting married! But before you dust off your DVD of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica and crack open some champagne in celebration, you should know that they’re marrying other people this time. Nick announced his engagement to Vanessa Minnillo this week, and Jessica announced her betrothal to Eric Johnson a couple days later. AND THEN, Prince William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton. Why can’t Prince William let Jessica have her moment?!?

The Ugly

Nick Cave curses out smoke machine operator at Grinderman’s in NYC

Specifically, he said, “Could you stop pouring smoke out of that f—ing machine, please?” Both the smoke machine and the smoke machine operator then shrunk away to go die quietly in a corner.

Billy Corgan disses Pavement

Billy Corgan vacillates between being a beacon of lightness and a total sourpuss. Today on Twitter he channeled the latter, releasing a series of tweets bemoaning the fact that Pavement would open for Smashing Pumpkins in Brazil. “…They represent the death of the alternative dream, and we follow with the affirmation of life part,” he complained. Dude, you have a song called “Drown”—that’s hardly life-affirming.

Miscellany

• Clash biopic in the works
• Aaron Neville gets hitched
• Neil Young fire due to hybrid car
• Foo Fighters headline Isle of Wight Festival
• Patti Smith’s Just Kids memoir a finalist for National Book Award
• Eminem & Dr. Dre reunite for “I Need A Doctor”
• Susan Boyle tops Billboard chart
• Phoenix, Vampire Weekend and more donate songs to Gulf oil spill compilation
• Drake is GQ’s Man of the Year
• Adam Lambert Acoustic Live! drops Dec. 6
• Nikki Minaj releases “Pink Friday” next Tuesday
• Jay-Z debuts Decoded memoir

The Good

Ryan Adams to release two new albums

Ryan Adams

What’s better than one new Ryan Adam’s album? Two—duh! This week Adam’s posted a message on his Facebook page to announce he’ll start recording part one of a new solo album, what he dubs “West Coast Sessions.” Fans can expect something like the “evil twin” of Cold Roses, minus all the noodling. And if that doesn’t set you adrift on memory bliss, remember that there’s a double album with his backing band, the Cardinals, called III/IV that’s coming down the pipe, too. How d’ya like them roses?

The Bad

Big Star bassist passes away

Big Star

What a rough year for Big Star. First singer Alex Chilton dies of a sudden heart attack in March. Now, four months after playing a tribute show to Chilton at SXSW, bassist Andy Hummel has succumbed to cancer. Chilton, Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens formed the band in Memphis in the ‘70s to modest renown. But bands like R.E.M. and Paul Westerberg, who cited Big Star as an influence, garnered the band a cult following in the ‘90s. Hummel, who was a longtime employee of Lockheed Martin, quit the band in 1974 before recording their most influential record, Third/Sister Lovers.

Pink suffers fall on stage in Germany

In what definitely left a mark, Pink fell into a barricade minutes into her concert in Nuremberg Germany and was immediately rushed to the hospital. After reassuring fans she was OK with Twitter updates, the singer explained that she had not been clipped into her harness correctly. Upside: “I made that barricade my bitch,” she cheerfully tweeted (cheeweeted?).

The Ugly

Gaga warns fans about Westboro Baptist Church protest

Lady Gaga

After the fundamentalist, and—ok let’s face it—batshit crazy Westboro Baptist Church members (the same class acts who protested soldier’s funerals with the signs that read “God hates fags”) announced they would be in attendance outside of Lady Gaga’s concert in St. Louis, Gaga headed to her Twitter page to warn her little monsters. “Pay these hate criminals no mind. Do not respond to their provocation,” she advised. “Feel gratitude in your heart that you are not burdened or addicted to hate, as they are.” Only a handful of Westboro church members ended up showing up.

Score: Love, 1, Hate, 0.

Enrique Iglesias uses fan’s camera to snap pic down his pants

Ew. And gross. And why? And … how did it turn out?

Miscellany

• Taylor Swift announces new album title and drop date
• Liam Gallagher says new band is bigger than Oasis
• 7-year-old raps to “California Gurls”
• M.I.A. shoots parts of “XXO” video on her Flip Cam
• Vampire Weekend get sued
• M.I.A., Pavement, T.I. lead Virgin Mobile FreeFest
• Chris Isaak to replace Simon Cowell?
• Miley Cyrus versus Taylor Momsen—oh snap!

With even a brief introduction to Jennie and Richey Vicious of The Vicious Guns it becomes clear that these guys, in true Lady Gaga fashion, live and breath their art. They embody rock ‘n’ roll, have a flair for dramatics and even wear some pretty killer outfits. Although their personal relationship is slightly questionable – Jack and Meg White style – their talent and ability to rock is not. The Vicious Guns have collectively played with bands such as The Donnas, Vampire Weekend and Cheap Trick, and together showcased at SXSW this past March. Hailing from Toronto, this duo was hand-picked by Stephen Trask to portray the Angry Inch in his cult classic Hedwig & the Angry Inch for the musical’s 2009 Toronto run and garnered to rave reviews.

Their song “Newchain” was the first song I came across on OurStage, and it immediately caught my attention. The spacious guitars and Jennie Vicious’ voice are both reminiscent of ’90s garage rock similar to Six Pence None The Richer with an electronic twist. Their songs seem to span multiple decades, going from catchy ’90s pop to Madonna-esque ’80s dance pop with their song “Friends Aren’t Friends”. In “Migraine”  they go a little darker, showing their musical depth by layering and looping their vocals and creating a more ambient, chilled out sound.
The released their self-titled EP this past December, but have plans to release their first full-length album this summer. Check out their MySpace page for a full schedule of tour dates throughout June, July and August along with some very cool live videos. Take a listen to their songs on OurStage in the player below!

The Good

iamamiwhoami artist revealed?

iamamiwhoami

Maybe you’ve been following the enigmatic (and fairly disturbing) videos of mystery artist iamamiwhoami on YouTube. If not, do check them out. Most are one-minute vignettes set to alternately ambient and jarring electronic music, featuring a feral blonde woman with freakishly long eyelashes. First guess is Lady Gaga, naturally. Who else would wrap themselves in plastic to play the piano, or lick a tree? Well, looks like there may be another wildly eccentric pop performance artist out there. For the mystery reveal, click here. Check out the video here.

The Bad

Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” finally debuts

Lady Gaga's "Telephone"

(And by “bad” we mean Michael Jackson-style, you know, with dancing thugs, leather and snarls.)

The wait is over for the Lady Gaga and Beyoncé collaborative video for “Telephone.” For your patience, you get nine-plus minutes of women’s penitentiary sexy times, sandwich making, mass poisonings, multiple costume changes and good ol’ fashioned, Thelma and Louise-style, female camaraderie. (Sweet Beyoncé even swears!) Get an eyeful here… and lookout for cigarette sunglasses to become the next big thing.

Alex Chilton dies

Alex Chilton

The untimely deaths keep coming. This time it’s Alex Chilton, former front man of ’60s pop act the Box Tops and later, Big Star. Chilton died in New Orleans on Wednesday at the age of 59 from what appears to be a heart problem. If you’re unfamiliar with Chilton’s work, we suggest you go to your music source of choice and download “The Letter” by the Box Tops and “September Gurls” by Big Star. Another sad day for music.

The Ugly

Miley Cyrus says a bunch of dumb stuff in Teen Vogue

Miley Cyrus

Oh Miley. The soundbites from your latest interview are like potent little vitamins to fortify all your haters. When you’re not dissing the public at large by declaring you and your boyfriend’s superiority (“I think we’re both deeper than normal people, what they think and how they feel,”) then you’re contradicting yourself. Exhibit A: “The more I make music that doesn’t truly inspire me, the more I feel like I’m blending in with everyone else. So after this next album, I’m taking some time off.” Exhibit B: “I don’t really believe in breaks.” Once you figure it out, let us know. We’ll have to make do in the meantime with our shallow thoughts and feelings.

Miscellany

• Ludacris hits Number 1 on Billboard with “Battle of the Sexes”
• Did Britney Spears and boyfriend un-break up?
• Jessica Simpson debuts The Price of Beauty on VH1
• Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato reveal their (chaste) love
• Jay-Z and Jack White to record together
• Michel Gondry and Bjork team up for project
• David Byrne and St. Vincent to collaborate
• Nas and Damian Marley to release collaborative album
• Ted Leo wants to rule the world
• Daft Punk, Feist, Cat Power, Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear auction goods for Haiti relief

The Good

Madonna, others join “Hope for Haiti Now” concert

Madonna

Jesus Luz’s favorite cougar lady will join an endless roster of stars for the “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” which airs this Friday at 7 p.m. CT/ 8 p.m. ET. The event will be telecast from New York, Los Angeles and London, and features musical performances by Haitian artists Emeline Michel and Wyclef Jean as well as Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna. Or, to put it another way, every musician in the world.

For more information on how to get involved, call 877-99-HAITI, text “GIVE” to 50555 or mail Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 W. 5th St., Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

OurStage will be streaming the Hope For Haiti Now telethon live Friday, January 22 at 8 p.m. ET.

PS22 chorus does it again

PS22 Chorus

Sometimes it seems like the only news is bad news. If life starts getting you down, know that you can always turn to the kids at PS22 Elementary School on Staten Island to put a smile back on your face. Here they are singing Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.” Enjoy.

The Bad

Courtney gets maternal
You know you’re in trouble when your actions leave Courtney Love feeling like a mother. Forget worrying about her own spawn, Love is more bugged out about pop’s sloppy party girl, Ke$ha, who’s just a few years older than her own daughter. In a long series of tweets on her Twitter page, Love voiced her concern that Ke$ha was being “molded into something not her that will fail,” and that she wants “to save her.” Frances Bean, say it with us: Physician, heal thyself.

Killers announce hiatus

Killers

The Killers have announced they will go on indefinite hiatus after wrapping up their tour in Australia in February. Citing exhaustion after 6 years of steady rocking, the group will take some time to focus on other areas of life that we “normal” people take for granted: watching “Jersey Shore” marathons in our living room with no pants on.

The Ugly

John Mayer’s Rolling Stone interview

John Mayer

Listen to John Mayer as he spins a long and self-gratifying yarn about his near misses with Vegas strippers, how it broke his heart to dump dear old Jen (again) and his love for Rosie Palmer. Put it this way, when he’s not stroking his own ego, he’s stroking something else.

Miscellany

• Jay-Z, Muse, Gorillaz to headline Coachella
• Vampire Weekend snatches #1 Billboard spot from Ke$ha
• Timbaland and Katy Perry team up
• Nick Jonas and The Administration “Who I Am” video debut
• Franz Nicolay leaves Hold Steady
• Thom Yorke co-hosts Gilles Peterson’s radio show on BBC