When I was buying music from Wal-mart's equivalent of iTunes, I was looking for songs that were sought out and I came across "After Tonight" by Justin Nozuka. The name wasn't familiar to me. I listened to it and I had never heard of it before. Judging by his name, I was surprised to see an Asian artist gracing the music scene because to be honest, Asians just haven't made it in America (unfortunately?). Actually, I have a pretty good reason why Asians haven't made it big in the U.S. which I'll come to soon enough. Anyways, this is Justin Nozuka, the half-Japanese, half-American/Canadian singer-songwriter:

Who isn't in love with it?! It's bloody brilliant. I've been listening to it all day pretty much. Not really nonstop, but I'm pretty sure I've listened to it about 30 times. There's just something about it. The different moods of the songs, the imagery, the randomness. I just adore it!

No, no. She's not Japanese. According to her Myspace page, she's from Germany, so I'm assuming that's what she is; German. Anyways, I was listening to her Fox album that came out this year and I was you know, just chilling to it. That was when i thought about writing a blog post just for her seeing as I've created a blog solely for my musical interest. So here it is. Unfortunately, she doesn't have many music videos probably because she's new, but here's one:

He is so adorable. I just want to take him and hug him! Ahem...

So...his name is Josh Groban. He sings opera pop and he's really good at it! His voice resonates and I just ahh...speechless. In addition to his great talent, he has a great sense of humor! After watching his guest appearance on BBC's Nevermind the Buzzcocks, I've got to say, I've never been more in love with him. Okay, that's not true. I've loved him since his appearance on Ally McBeal when it was still on the air and when Calista Flockhart was actually famous...(now all she's famous for is being engaged with Han Solo).

Anywho, I found out that our fantastic Josh Groban did a cover for one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands, Linkin Park! Ah, I was so excited, I couldn't control myself. I would tell you that I paced around the room like a lunatic, but I didn't. I just kind of sat in my chair and listened in amazement, mouth wide open (but not really...). Here it is:

Rob Thomas is a really amazing guy. From making it big with his band, Matchbox 20, and even making it big going solo for a while. Like, dang, this man is amazing, yes?

So, it's been a while since I've listened to them. It's not because I didn't want to stop. I got tired of their music for some time because it was overplayed on the radio. At one point I said to myself, "I can't listen to this anymore!" I was kind of upset that I led myself to that point where I had to switch stations whenever they came on, but it really couldn't be helped.

Today, while I was eating lunch alone while my parents still lay in bed asleep, I watched PBS' Soundstage. As I was watching the band, the songs sounded so familiar, but I just could not remember the band. It was literally at the tip of my tongue. Frustrated, I Googled some lyrics and voila! Matchbox Twenty. I watched a good hour of the concert, and I believe that my likeness of them has returned. Hooray!

After watching an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks with guest, Dappy, I decided to Youtube his rap group, N-Dubz. I didn't think I would find anything I would like because Dappy seemed like a odd person, but what I found was this:

Although I didn't like the video (because the ending was eh), I loved the song. There was a lot of emotion in it. I later decided to Google them, and it turns out Dappy's father died last year which is why he dedicated this song to him. Gosh, such emotion. It's beautiful.

That's not the only good song either. If you liked that one, you should definitely check out their other songs. You might like them too!I don't understand why Dappy must wear his cap like that...maybe it's to make up for his shortness, but it kind of looks weird to me...

3 brothers and a close cousin. Put them together and what do you get? Kings of Leon. Isn't it nice? You don't see family bands often and this band is incredible. Over the years, I've heard of KOL, but I never really got around to listening to their music. I wasn't really attracted to their name. Kings of Leon sounded like a metal band in my opinion.

On the radio (which I listen to quite frequently), their newest single, "Sex on Fire" off their album, Only by the Night, was playing. The first time I heard it, I was indifferent to it, but after consecutive days of listening to it at around the same time, I've got to say, I've come to love it.

When I got home, I searched for their video on YouTube and was instantly drawn to it. I was curious, trying to read into the band's meaning for the song. There can be many interpretations, but I'll assume it's about the longing for heated passionate sex. :X

After the video finished, I saw their video for "Use Somebody" which is also on the album. It was amazing. Caleb's voice is so penetrating. I can't stop being drawn to it. In the second verse of the song when he says "I could use somebody", the "use" always gets me.

Ah...I'm in love.

HAHAHA I had fun coming up with the title of this post. I thought about it for about 10 seconds. Anyways, Paramore. I think they're an awesome up and coming band. The singer, Hayley Williams, can really sing. Like, really. There's no lip syncing or messing with mechanics to make her voice sound presentable because the girl can freakin' sing! Her voice is strong and she's one hell of a co-songwriter. Their album RIOT! is amazing. Great songs. Truly rock/punk rock/something rock. I should become more familiar with all the different genres...

My faves off the Riot! album are "Misery Business", Crushcrushcrush", "Hallelujah", "That's What You Get"

"The Scientist", "Clocks", "Yellow" are just a few songs that I adore from the British band, Coldplay. Although I've noticed that their albums tend to get old with me fast, I still think that they are fantastic. I would even agree with the radio DJ when he says that whenever their music comes on, ladies' panties literally melt. It's so true ahaha. Probably not mine, but I mean, some girls just melt listening to them, imagining Chris Martin serenading them on a fine evening.

Anyways, I get tired of their songs, but not their instrumentals. Over the past few years, I've become an addict of piano covers of Coldplay songs and other artists. Some times just listening to the piano without the lyrics just fits a mood or atmosphere so much better. It's softer and more tranquil.

A few days ago, I came across Coldplay's release of Viva La Vida Prospekt's March. It has all the songs off the original album with just a couple more songs, including a couple remixes. The song that caught my attention was "Postcards from Far Away". It is completely piano. No lyrics, no guitars, no drums. Simply piano. It is so beautiful and I can't stop listening to it. I really mean it. I'm listening to it right now, actually. I find myself at ease listening to it. With the sun shining in my room on and off and it being Sunday, this song completes my day so perfectly. I think it might bring up a classical phase in me soon. But then...maybe it already has.

So...it seems like the artists that I like at the moment are well...lesbians... for the most part. First was Sia (who is actually bi) and today, I made a discovery that this duo, Tegan and Sara, is a lesbian duo of twin sisters. I don't have anything against it. I just thought it was a coincidence that everything I'm really into musically comes from lesbian musicians. I guess my watching and reading about California's Proposition 8 has been an influence, but not really. Actually, not at all.

Anyways, sticking to music... Tegan and Sara are twins. Musical twins from Canada in fact. And very talented musical twins. I suppose it's safe to classify them as an indie band. They do venture into other genres like rock and occasionally what feels like pop, but I'll stick with indie to stay on the safe side.

I first heard of them when I was playing around on YouTube trying to find new music to chill to. I came across their "Back in Your Head" music video and was instantly hooked. They're very different which is why I was attracted to them.

Tegan and Sara's voices aren't too similar to one another, but it's still very hard to tell which one is singing the lead in the song. Usually, the one who writes the song sings the lead which helps narrow it down if you know which one of them was the lyrical genius behind the song.

I think they're very fresh. I like their music and how Tegan and Sara create harmonies and a mysterious feel to some of their songs like one's singing while on hovers slightly out of reach like a ghost. It is like you can't catch them or grab hold of them.

Check them out!