Earthquake

I've always wanted to shoot a music video.

As a kid I would get super excited whenever one would come on the t.v. As I grew up, I discovered this fandangled thing called the internet. This discovery lead to another - An infinite supply of music videos. Sometimes they're the traditional "band on a roof/garage/street", sometimes they reenact the song, sometimes they just make you wonder what the band was thinking and others are flat out AWESOME!

Imagine my delight when the offer came my way to shoot a video for Anthem for Today. After dealing with the logistics of it, I accepted.

If you read Scott's blog, you likely know how the shoot went. Really, really well! A good crew helps with any production. This crew was fantastic.

It only took around 15 hours total to shoot and edit. Hard to believe in retrospect, but it's true!

So sit back, relax, grab the cat, some popcorn and enjoy!


Now... what to film next?

The Almost

Whenever I really love a band, I'm always scared of seeing them live. The thought of a group that brings me much joy being loose, boring or using tracks really does scare me. I'm not kidding.
The Almost is no exception. I really loved their album Monster Monster... could their live show be able to top the awesomeness they captured on the disk?

Yes. Yes it could.

I joined a buddy of mine at the 905 Venue in Whitby (Ajax/Oshawa... it's sorta confusing) on Sunday for the concert. Amazing venue for a youth group. It's in an old club so it's ideal for music, smoke machines and merch. Plus, that's where they do youth!

After a really good worship set and quick message, The Almost took the stage... wow, did they take the stage.

Unless I am mistaken, no tracks. I heard mistakes, which is very refreshing. However, they were few and far between.
Aaron Gillespie has one amazing voice. Going from singing to yelling to singing with ease. It makes for quite the dynamic... add in 3 guitars all doing different things.... well, you get the idea.

They covered instant classics like Monster Monster, Lonely Wheel and Hands as well as some stuff from their new (!) album Fear Inside Our Bones. After hearing the title track, I'm Down and Ghost, I'm more excited than ever for the April 9th release.

Afterward, got to grab a shirt and bumped into Aaron.

All in all, a really stellar night.

Anthem For Today CD Release

Tonight was a night that has been on my calendar for months. The cd release party for Anthem For Today!
It didn't disappoint. Loads of lights, loads of sounds and some great songs all round. Plus, FREE CAKE! It was a win win win. I could continue to say how great it was, but a picture is worth a thousand words. So I will let my over enthusiastic shutter finger do the talking.

 The crowd is gathering. The allure of free cake beckons... as do the tunes...

 Leah Mathies was the warm up, 16 with a stand out voice

Pip Lucas and the guys from Anthem For Today get things rocking

 With a healthy helping of guitar

 Some bass with the guitar for good measure

Pip sharing stories from the career of Anthem For Today

As promised the cake. With the guys faces on it too!

Most Anticipated 2012

While most of these albums don't have a name yet (or in most cases a release date) I'm still stoked!

5. Relient K - Untitled
I wont lie, I wasn't a huge fan of the stuff that I heard on Forget and Not Slow Down. Not as fun and goofy as the Relient K I know and love. Here's hoping that when this album comes out, that will change!

4. Gungor - Live
Since I discovered how awesome these guys are in 2010, they have released an album every year (yes, I'm pretty sure that is a coincidence... maybe not though...) This year it's going to be a live cd/dvd combo. I've actually already purchased this glorious worship compilation through Kickstarter. Now, to wait for a release date...

3. Anberlin - Untitled
Every since these guys left Tooth and Nail, they've gone from being all rock to more of an alt rock deal. I'm not complaining. Dark Is The Way Light Is The Place was stellar. Ballads, soaring rock tracks, twists, turns, all juggled in a very nice balance. Plus, this one will include guest appearances from random fans on vocals!

2. Owl City - OCTMS (I think???) 
Adam Young doesn't stop. The odds of him being a machine that just makes music day and night are pretty good at this point. After the catchy/summery/dreamy All Things Bright And Beautiful that came out last year, he has said this will be more of a dance album. BRING IT! (And I love Shooting Star... just saying)

1. House of Heroes - Cold Hard Want
By just saying "new House of Heroes" to me, you will cause me to as excited as a squirrel on Red Bull! Really weird analogy aside... There are very few rock bands that get the mix of deep and cleaver lyrics with insanely well planned out and executed music. House of Heroes is one of those bands! Proof of this can be found on the single Touch This Light (You can catch it on the Slam and 3SN) or the really hard to find Comfort Trap. It's awesome! Seriously, try to find it online. If you do, it will be worth the effort! Bring on July 10th!!!!

House of Heroes - Touch This Light

I love House of Heroes. I was ecstatic when I heard they would be at Air Raid 20. I was even more excited when the concert hit. To make the excitement reach a point where adjectives cease to work well, they did 6 (6!) new songs at the show. Since then, we have found out that the new cd will be called Cold Hard Want. Which is pretty much what I have for this cd (get it Cold Hard Want?.... I thought it was funny).
On top of that, we now have our first taste of the album, Touch This Light.
At first, I wasn't a huge fan... it sounded very aggressive for the guys. However after, 3 or 4 more listens, the song is really growing on me.
Great message, great beat and loud guitars. Bring on the album!