Artists Everyone Should Love: Tonight Alive

Back in 2008 sixteen year old Jenna McDougall joined forces with Whakaio Taahi, Cameron Adler and Jake Hardy. She was shortly followed by Matt Best and, finally, Tonight Alive were born. With 2 EP's - All Shapes & Disguises and Consider This - and a full length that features the legendary Mark Hoppus - What Are You So Scared Of? - the Australian pop-punkers are taking the world by storm.

Their music edges out of the boundaries of typical pop-punk with songs such as "Starlight" providing pure feel good sugary catchiness whilst "Amelia" takes on a darker tone that highlights their metal influences. They can do pop and they can do breakdowns all without sounding disjointed. Musically the guys play with perfection achieving light hearted bouncy pop to heavy instrumentals that works in perfect harmony with Jenna's vocals that can go from soft to angry and commanding in the space of one epic drumbeat courtesy of Matt. Their lyrics cover the trials and tribulations of growing up with songs about relationships, the loss of a friend and learning how to get out and live life.

Touring extensively over the years, they've earned their place in the scene and proved they have what it takes to make it big. Having just done a stint in the UK on the Kerrang tour, the Australian based band are in the midst of recording for their second full length before heading back out on tour, this time across America.

"Breakdown" their new single featuring Benji Madden is set for release on March 12th.

Why Am I Not One Of You? (Part II)

A month ago I wrote this post about how I realised how much I loved female vocals and I introduced you guys to some of my favourite women who I envy beyond belief. Now, I didn't want to make the list go on forever and ever and so I decided to do it in two parts. Without further ado, the rest of the women who make me ask why am I not you on a daily basis. (I still feel like i'm forgetting about people) 

If you don't know who this is then i'm not sure where you've been all your lives as Christina Aguilera is world famous with a world class voice. Starting out young with hits like Beautiful it was obvious she had a big career ahead of her and now she has several albums, has done some acting and is one of the coach's on the US version of The Voice. Whatever your opinion is of her as a person - and i'm sure there are a fair few people who dislike her - I don't think it would be fair to say she can't sing as her vocal range is incredible and every time I hear her sing I just can't work out how she does it. Oh, and she's completely gorgeous. 

Jenna McDougall of Australian pop-punk band Tonight Alive has the kind of voice that is flexible to the song she's singing. Across their EP's and their debut album What Are You So Scared Of? you hear her 'angry' voice which is low and gruff and commands your attention whilst simultaneously makes you want to kick someone in the face. As well as that she has a sweet pretty tone that I swear attracts Bambi. Either way the young Aussie band deserves all the attention they can get and with Jenna's adorability rating super high I don't think it's going to be a problem. 

Ladyhawke a.k.a Pip Brown is a genius. She plays multiple instruments, writes great music and has a smoky mysterious voice that feels as though you're under a cloud of laid back haze. 

Alisa Xayalith of the post-punk synth pop New Zealand band The Naked And Famous has a voice that compliments and contrasts fantastically with the male vocals of Thom Powers who also plays the guitars. Creating notes I didn't think existed Alisa grabs your attention and for all the right reasons.

 Lissie plays music that is considered folk and country but don't judge because it's angry and it rocks and so does she. 

Regina Spektor has a totally unique voice that sings along to her own lyrics that can be pretty hilarious.