#TUNETUESDAY: January 14, 2013

Back to enjoying Tune Tuesday in all its glory! I don't think we could have a better song to end our hiatus and begin 2014.

1. Foster the People- 'Coming of Age'

Today’s first pick is an awesome time-lapse video for one of my favorite bands, Foster the People. This is their latest for ‘Coming of Age’ the first single from Supermodel, due out March 18^th.

I think this video is a perfect fit for the new song, the artwork on the side of the building is the cover for Foster the People’s second album (Supermodel). The words the lady in the artwork is spewing are the following poem:

I ate it all; plastic, diamonds and sugar-coated arsenic as we danced in honey and sea-salt sprinkled laxative. Coral blossomed portraits in Rembrandt light; cheekbones high and fashionable. Snap! goes the moment; a photograph is time travel, like the light of dead stars painting us with their warm, titanic blood. Parasitic kaleidoscopes and psychotropic glow worms stop me dead in my tracks. Aphids sucking the red off a rose, but for beauty I will gladly feed my life into the mouths of rainbows; their technicolor teeth cutting prisms and smiling benevolently on the pallid hue of the working class hero.

Okay, the poem is more than a little heavy. Way heavier than the song, thats for sure!

Well, I am being really honest here in saying that new FTP music made my Monday. Seeing the new Foster the People video, as conceptual it is, put a smile on my face. I LOVED Torches, their debut album and I cannot wait until March to hear all the new music FTP has to offer. I think it will be worth the wait if ‘Coming of Age’ is any indicator. I like that it is a simple song with the same feel as the Torches album, I can't wait to see what they release next! I have a feeling it will also be featured right here on your Tune Tuesday blog!

2. Lily Allen - 'Air Balloon' 

And, I think we all know how much I love Lily Allen so here is second lighter video for the day. Lily Allen's latest its 'Air Balloon', hopefully the two songs balance each other out for you! They are both on repeat on my iPod. 

I don't think I need to say much here. I think Lily needed to lighten up abit herself with a track like 'Air Balloon' after a very serious end to 2013 with 'Hard Out Here' and her cover of 'Somewhere Only We Know'. For my thoughts on 'Hard Out Here' click here. 

Yes, enjoy these two tracks. A great way to kick off 2014 with two Kate Bruce favourites!                                                                      

#TUNETUESDAY: November 19, 2013

Okay, today’s #TUNETUESDAY pick is a little baffling, it is my second favourite track from Kanye West’s album ‘Yeezus’ and is called ‘Bound 2’. I was super shocked at how much I liked this song the first time I heard it, scanning through the album on my drive into work. It was stuck in my head all day. Some of the lines in the track made me laugh out loud, I couldn’t get over how badly I wanted to get back in my car after work and put it on repeat.

Yesterday, Kanye premiered the video on Ellen and I am a little blown away by it for different reasons. One, the horses and majestic views that open the video are pretty cheesy… but beautiful so I don’t mind looking at them. Two, Kim K is gorgeous. Nothing more to say on that front, I think she has the most amazing body and clearly has no shame showing off her post baby curves as she rides on Kanye’s bike nearly naked through various backgrounds (and really why would she?).

I would not advise watching this video at your desk (like I am) you may just find yourself blushing a little (I did) and then showing your fellow co-workers and debating what it all means. I really hope this video does not have the ‘Jenny from the Block’ effect, I love Kim and Kanye together; regardless they are now bound together until the end of time in this video and baby North West.

Hot and confusing, just the way I like it…happy Tune Tuesday!

#TUNETUESDAY: NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Only one video this week, a fresh one released just hours ago from one of my favourite artists, Lily Allen.

Beware; this video contains explicit lyrics.

Okay, so I have always had an obsession with Lily Allen. The first time I heard ‘Smile’ my mother scowled and I raced home to listen to it again on our dial up internet, as slow as the speed of smell. I feel like I have grown up with Lily, she isn’t much older than I am and her latest track ‘Hard Out Here’ fits my mindset perfectly right now.

With all the Miley crap being spewed this fall it is nice to hear a song that directly opposes the over-sexualization of women in the music/entertainment industry. The video is racy, the perfect way for Lily to stage a huge comeback after spending some time building a family. I love the sarcasm, the wit and the smirk behind the lyrics in this song.

I understand this is a pop song, not a rock anthem like I usually try to find. I do believe this video is in the spirit of rock-and -roll though and will be the biggest video of the week. Regardless, I can promise you it will be my favourite video of the week and this is my blog so na-na-na-na-boo-boo.

I think we could have just summed this post up with an “I love Lily Allen”, nuff’ said.

"There is some twerking I see in the Lilly Allen Video"

#TuneTueday: October 22, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share a #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, lets make it a thing;)

Only one video this week, an artist I have been jamming to since Grade 9 when I first heard City of Lakes, it is the latest video release from Matt Mays!

Ain’t That the Truth- Matt Mays

This brand new video from Matt Mays premiered on Much Music yesterday and I just love it, this video is the rock and roll dream and the song is a perfect follow-up to Indio. Indio is the unofficial song to my summer, I am a big  Matt Mays fan. I have seen him live a few times now and every time I appreciate his music even more. This video is a party, an impressive non-stop ride where (if you are a fan like I am) you feel like your face could pop in the crowd at any given moment. This video will make you want to throw on a Matt Mays t-shirt and haul ass to the next town his tour takes him to shoot fireworks off and rock out.

Here is the link to check the video out http://www.muchmusic.com/music/playlist/cid/1025849/pid/63921/

You can also listen to it here on Soundcloud!

#TuneTuesday: October 15, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share a #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, lets make it a thing;)

Only one video this week, giving you plenty of time to make a little breakfast if you are finding it hard to squeeze in after this lovely dose of inspiration from Prince.

Breakfast Can Wait- Prince

I think everyone has had ‘breakfast can wait’ moments. Prince (who is one of my favourite artists of all time) takes this common semi-dirty thought and gets down to the thick of it in his new track. Seriously, breakfast … work… whatever else is on the docket can wait if Prince says so. I am not physically attracted to Prince in the slightest (seriously, no thanks), but he continues even in the advanced stages of his career to make us ladies... well you know;)

How to I feel about a teenager directing and starring in the vid for this song? Sure, it makes me a little uneasy. But, I was in my Prince listening prime around 18 and I still love him. This track is by far one of the best newer cuts from Prince that I have heard. I am a fan of old Prince music, but I can totally get on board with new music from Prince if it is as slick as this sassy track. I saw Prince live in Halifax back in 2011 and it was one of best shows I have ever seen in my life, I am happy that this new single is living up to my Prince experience.

#TuneTuesday: October 01, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be
hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, let’s make it a thing).

1.‘Shot at the Night’- The Killers

I love this new video from the Killers. I think it is a good representation of the wildly romantic side of Vegas that we girls dream about. Not the strippers, not the gambling, the no holds barred craziness that can take place when you let your guard down and have a wild time with the stranger you just met on the streets. I think this video is incredibly cute, almost like Cinderella in Vegas. I love how overly romantic Brandon Flowers is; he still makes me swoon years after my first (and only) high school boyfriend introduced me to ‘Hot Fuss’ when I was fifteen years old. I know this video is not everyone’s idea of a perfect night in Vegas, but for me it is damn close. This video takes you away with a contemporary fairy tale love story where anything can happen and I love it.

2. ‘Sirens’ –Pearl Jam

I must admit (I know this will be a shocker to some people I work with), I am not a huge Pearl Jam fan.  I really, really like their latest release ‘Sirens’ though. The video is well crafted; it artfully uses shadows and shots in and out of focus. I love the videos simplicity, it us not pretentious and is the perfect showcase of the emotion behind the words in the song. I hate when emotional songs are diminished by a music video that tries to do too much.  I am very happy that we will be adding ‘Sirens’ on Mountain FM, we have some pretty big Pearl Jam fans around the office so this was inevitable.

#TuneTuesday: September 17, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, lets make it a thing)

This week, unfortunately I am not raving about a Canadian video. Arcade Fire is still blowing my mind from last week’s post. This week we are meshing some pretty gritty Brit-rock from the Arctic Monkeys and a song that will make anyone with a heartbeat dance.

**Beware; this video contains some censored adult content.

1.    1. ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’ –Arctic Monkeys

Have you ever gone out for the night hoping to see one person only to find out they are staying in and not willing to give you the attention you think you deserve? Yup, that is what this song and video are about. Lead singer and lyricist Alex Turner’s voice is stunning, full of longing and messy desire. This video is not a new release (I think it came out in August), but the song is catching on right now with the release of ‘AM’ the Arctic Monkey’s latest album. The beginning of the video features the perfect musical preface the Arctic Monkey’s ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ and melts… it is the perfect 12am song turning into the 3am result song.

Seriously, buy this album. Watch these videos. Get into the Arctic Monkeys if you aren’t already.

2    2. ‘Lose Yourself to Dance’ – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams

Just dance. Do it. The video is cool, I loved that they teased it at the MTV VMA’s but is not really necessary. You can sit around watching a bunch of people or groove or you can just let your body respond naturally and dance.

#TuneTuesday: September 10, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, let’s make it a thing).

I am going to always try to pick one break out hit, a big band that everyone has heard from before and then another song I love from a Canadian band that I think deserves a shout out and attention for their incredible work. This week my selection covers both bases.

My choice for this week’s #TuneTuesday is a big one and yes I have just picked one video this week. I was going to throw in Miley Cyrus’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ for good measure, it is a pretty decent song but I just can’t be another share on that horrific video.

So, the only video I think you should trouble yourself with watching is Arcade Fire’s ‘Reflektor’. Okay, there are technically two videos; don't worry I have got you covered with both of them. Seriously, it is seven minutes and forty-one seconds, it is all you need this I know, not very original. I love the song; I heard it a few days ago when it leaked online, it is incredibly catchy and rumor has it the one and only David Bowie voice is in there around the 5 minute mark. I truly hope it is his voice, it sounds pretty similar (update: David Bowie confirmed he is featured on the track). The song is super Canadian, the main lyrics are in English but there are some French supporting vocals from the angelic voice of Régine Chassagne. You can definitely hear the influence from album producer and LCD Soundsystem front man James Murphy on the track too.

I’m not even going to pretend that I know what is going on in this music video. Seriously, it is pretty trippy. It continues the ‘9’ theme that Arcade Fire had been going with promoting the new album so far. Yesterday (September 9th), the ‘Reflektor’ video was released and there was a semi-secret surprise concert for 100 lucky fans dressed in formal attire or a costume in Montreal (it started at 9pm).

Back to the video, I would love to have the Reflektor man’s mirror suit. It is pretty cool. I may not be sure what it all means, but that is what I like about the video. Arcade Fire has not dumbed-down the pretentiousness for little ole me. The video is a weird combination of elements, reminders of Stephen King’s ‘Under the Dome’ and the black and white beauty of a war-time movie. Regardless, I am sure the next video will pick up where ‘Reflektor’ left off and Arcade Fire will continue to blow my mind (and I may start to understand the madness).

If you are not a fan of Arcade Fire's take on their own song you can make your own version of 'Reflektor' by clicking here for the second 'Reflektor' video. https://www.justareflektor.com/

I am really excited for Arcade Fire’s performances a little later this month on Saturday Night Live, they will be the musical act when Tina fey hosts on September 28th.

If you must have a partner for this epic video please take into consideration a song that is the perfect song to listen to after ‘Reflektor’. It is not new, but it is a great song and video. It is The Yeah Yeah Yeahs ‘Heads Will Roll’.

Here it is:

And, if you are in the mode to continue the eerie sounds listen to (and watch)  ‘Heads Will Roll’ by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

#TuneTuesday: August 27, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, lets make it a thing)

I am going to always try to pick one break out hit, a big band that everyone has heard from before and then another song I love from a Canadian band that I think deserves a shout out and attention for their incredible work. This week we have tunes form a band that hopes their song won’t go mainstream and may complain about playing it live if it does and another great collaboration from two amazing Maritimers.

1. MGMT- Your Life Is a Lie

This video really has it all. Seriously, I have watched it about a dozen times and all of the individual elements still are blowing my mind. I must say the talking dolphin, baby in the sky with a balloon and the trophy wife are my favourite parts. This video will mess with your mind a little bit; especially the old man eating a banana on beat towards the end, why is a simple banana is making him so happy? Most people in the video seem really happy that their life is a lie, maybe their lives are not lies and they are just seriously enjoying telling all of us that our lives are lies (light bulb moment). This is a pretty cool video (in my opinion), even though it is the type of video that makes you wonder what drugs the director was on when it was strung together. The song is pretty catchy too; I hummed it all day after my first viewing. Hopefully it only gets mildly popular so that MGMT can still enjoy it themselves… being mainstream is so not cool, right?

2. David Myles- How’d I Ever Think I Loved You

I have been waiting on this one; I wasn’t sure it really fits our rock format but I think it has stood the test of time and deserves a mention. Watch it for David Myles smooth dance moves alone. ‘How’d I Ever Think I Loved You’ is so catchy; David Myles and Classified make a great team. I saw them perform at an ECMA after party this spring and they are brilliant live too. This video will take you back to your first crush in grade school, it is so fun. David Myles reminds me of that substitute teacher you would have whenever your teacher was sick, the type of sub you would totally mess with (like switching instruments in band class) you know the type of sub that tries to teach a class instead of showing the assigned movie. His disguises through the video are priceless as well. Not only is this a great video, I think it is a great breakup song for those who have parted on bad terms. It is not sad and depressing, it is addictive to the ears and I am sure you will find yourself singing it later today!