Fresh Friday: Thrilling

The Fresh Friday portion of the CrossCurrent blog covers stunning musical acts that continue to make headlines and tour the world.

So this week's featured band, Empire of the Sun, doesn't exactly make radio music. Luckily for you it's SO MUCH BETTER. This Australian-native electronic duo is gaining fame in North America and even in Europe. Just go with me - it's like KISS for hipsters. It's so Generation Z (Wikipedia it) I feel like every sentence I write about the group should include a hashtag somewhere.

Do you have a smartphone? How many recording artists have an app worth downloading:

This isn't performance art like Lady Gaga or Circ de Sole, it's all about the music. The weird costumes, the make up, the over the top props doesn't really have some complicated message - it's just trendy (at least to me). I like the face-value vibe the performances give off. 

Empire of the Sun Quick Profile:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/empireofthesun

Twitter: @EmpireOfTheSun

Love it or hate it. Like I said before, Empire of the Sun is Generation Z's KISS:

While they haven't released an album since 2008, it's still widely played as it reaches more ears in North America. You probably haven't heard of this band - they don't have a record label here in the US - yet. Production on their second album has been in progress since 2010. Can't wait to hear (and see) more.

Fresh Friday: Never Trust A Happy Song

The Fresh Friday portion of the CrossCurrent blog covers stunning musical acts that continue to make headlines and tour the world.

It was probably about a month ago that I first heard rock group Grouplove on the radio. I only wish I would have heard of them sooner! In fact, the profile video I decided to include at the end of this blog was produced over a year ago.

Ok, so maybe this band isn't for everyone. But music is so personal, a form of expression that can be appreciated by all. In fact, it's hard to argue that this band isn't full of passion when they're jumping around on stage, singing their lungs out, and hyping the crowd. I don't think I've ever seen anyone play the tambourine in their hands and on the floor before now...

How awesome is this? Grouplove bringing down the house and dancing like maniacs on Letterman:

Grouplove's debut album, Never Trust A Happy Song, serves up twelve songs that truly rock. I'd recommended them to fans of Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, and Aerosmith. To me the album sounds like a crazy blend of the three bands with the addition of a female singer. It's just great fun, I'd love to blast this on the beach or on a road trip.

Grouplove Quick Profile:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/grouplovemusic

Twitter: @GROUPLOVE

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GROUPLOVE

A short history of Grouplove by ABCNews:

Grouplove will have three consecutive tour dates in Texas coming up this fall: October 11 at Houston's House of Blues, October 12 at Josabi's in Helotes, TX (San Antonio area), as well as October 13 Dallas' House of Blues

Upcoming: My MTV VMA Picks (1/3)

Today begins a new three-part series, Upcoming, that profiles the upcoming MTV VMAs from nominees to live performances to hosts. It will be divided over three weeks to include more info on the show as it's released. Look for the Upcoming section of CrossCurrent every Wednesday.

It's that time of year again when MTV hosts the trendiest award show of the year: the Video Music Awards. The almost-live show will air on MTV Thursday, September 6, 2012. Comedian Kevin Hart will host and announced performers include P!nk, One Direction, and Alicia Keys.  Below is a look at my favorites for the moon man awards, as well as probable winners. I'll embed live performances of the songs/groups nominated instead of official music videos since you've probably already seen the music vid. Let's go....

BEST POP VIDEO:

• My Pick: What Makes You Beautiful / One Direction - While it's probably not the best video in the whole category, it's the best song out of all of the choices and the one song that you can't get out of your head even if you really really really really try. 

• Probable Winner: Boyfriend / Justin Bieber - The dude's an award machine. And might I mention while Maroon 5 probably has a better music video, the VMA goes to the person with the most the most online votes. Case closed.

BEST ROCK VIDEO:

• My Pick / Probable Winner: Paradise / Coldplay - Ok so this music video is about an elephant. BUT it's highly original. And I really think Coldplay is the poplar favorite in this category. Maybe Jack White has a chance, but it would take a lot of active fan support.

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO:

• My Pick: I really don't like any of these music videos, so I definitely don't have pick for this category. 

No video post here due to explicit language in the songs nominated.

• Probable Winner: Paris / The Throne (Kanye West and Jay-Z) - this bar far is the most commercial song on the nominee list, so it will probably take the award. 

I'm really excited to see this year's show...Next Wednesday I'll cover three more voting categories, and tomorrow is going to be a REALLLLLLLY FUN blog post. See ya then!

Voting for the MTV VMA's is open now and can be found at the link: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2012/

Something New: Victoria's Outbreak Radio Station

Variety is a wonderful thing. It's always good to have options, different choices that suit the different moods you may have. Today is Sunday, so I'll discuss a new Christian radio station that plays a mixture of rock, pop, and rap music that has a message behind it. I was so excited to see Victoria get another radio station!

In case you've missed it, 89.3 FM now broadcasts NGEN radio, a ministry of KSBJ. KSBJ now broadcasts in Victoria on 96.9 FM. This is a welcome change especially since it offers an alternative to Christians who enjoy nontraditional Christian music but wish to worship while they listen to the radio. Keep in mind that if you get tired of NGEN or rather just want a more laid back listening experience, you can still tune to KSBJ whenever you'd like. 

If you aren't already familiar with the sound a mission of NGEN Radio, take a look below:

Kent Matthews may be a familiar name to those who listened to KSBJ before the creation of NGEN radio. He genuinely puts on a great morning show that is different from every other station you can tune into in the Crossroads. You'd just have to listen and judge for yourself, but to me it's nice to drive to work every morning and not have cussing, innuendo, and gossip swirling around. This station is very true to it's message - God's love for all generations. And it doesn't stop there - NGEN has great DJ's throughout the whole day. 

Check out a recap of all the ministry NGEN Radio has done since its creation just over one year ago:

NGEN Radio Quick Profile:

Official Website: www.ngenradio.com

Twitter: @NGENradio

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ngenradio

Local FM Tuning: 89.3

NGEN radio also has many ministry opportunities and live events around the Houston area and beyond. You can keep up to date with all the events they promote or produce at www.ngenradio.com/events . I personally attended Boomin' by the Bay on the Kemah Boardwalk last summer and can truly say they know how to put on an exhilarating and dynamic event.

Fresh Friday: Singer/Songwriter Obesssion

The Fresh Friday portion of the CrossCurrent blog covers stunning musical acts that continue to make headlines and tour the world.

From Michael Jackson to Smashing Pumpkins, The Civil Wars have you covered. This folk and country influenced singer/songwriter duo made up of John Paul White and Joy Williams is making waves in the music industry with their debut album, Barton Hollow. The album features fourteen songs with the two singers harmonizing beautifully together over mostly just guitar and piano. Even for people who are new to folk music or not a particular fan of country music, The Civil Wars have managed to make the music......well, cool. I would best describe it as easy listening.

Check out The Civil Wars covering Michael Jackson's hit, Billie Jean below:

Voices sound familiar yet? Maybe you recognize them from this years Grammys? Together the two performed a snipet of their song "Barton Hollow" before introducing country music star Taylor Swift. They were also featured with Swift on the soundtrack for the movie The Hunger Games earlier this year. The song, "Safe and Sound" was written by Swift, Williams, White and T-Bone. It was one of the more memorable tracks to the movie. The Civil Wars also won two Grammy awards this year for Best Country Duo/Group Performance of Barton Hollow, and Best Folk Album.

The Civil Wars perform an original song, Poison and Wine: 

Don't miss your opportunity to see The Civil Wars live - they will be performing on Sunday, October 14, 2012 in Austin, TX at Austin City Limits Festival in Zilker Park.