Daily Archives: April 27, 2011

Loco Moco by I.A. x Keak Da Sneak

Loco Moco by I.A. x Keak Da Sneak

Hawaiian flavors are spreading from the islands to the San Francisco Bay Area with rappers I.A. “The Kama’aina Classic” x Keak Da Sneak in their track “Loco Moco.” The video features Osna, Kutmaster Spaz, DJ E-Tech, Caniva, Dos, Krystilez, Image, Big Fish, Tracy Acio, Fiah Brand, R-Klass, DJ Jrama, Tony Black, Flip’t Out Eats, Jesse DeRamos, and Limited Addiction. Hawaiian hip hop pouring on that extra gravy and getting hyphy. The single is off I.A.’s “Beyond Paradise” album. You can download the song FREE here or support him by getting it on Loco Moco Album Version (feat. Keak Da Sneak) - Beyond Paradise.

Loco Moco by I.A. x Keak Da Sneak

Behind the scenes of Loco Moco by I.A. x Keak Da Sneak

If I Ain’t Got You by Sonia Rao on The Voice

If I Ain't Got You by Sonia Rao on The Voice

Singer Sonia Rao was among the contestants last night competing for a spot on The Voice. Growing up in New Jersey with first-generation immigrant parents, Sonia says that her parents have challenged her decision to pursue music every step of the way (sounds similar to other Asian parents.), a process that has helped her clarify and articulate why playing music is so important to her. Since childhood, Sonia searched for a way to express herself that “felt like enough”. From painting to dancing to acting out, nothing felt like a deep enough expression of her emotions until she wrote her first song in the spring of 2010. Sonia says, “Once I wrote that first song, I spent the rest of that year in San Francisco writing in my little multicolored room, drinking insane amounts of coffee, introducing my classical violin to the blues and country, and collaborating with as many musicians as I could.”

For the show, Sonia brought her parents along for support. They seemed pretty ecstatic. During the feedback, Cee Lo Green seemed very infatuated with her too. Yesterday, he tweeted out :

@SoniaRao #heyprettygirl keep on doing what you’re doing and look good doing it. This isn’t the end for you! #TheVoice

Unfortunately, she didn’t make the cut. Don’t worry though. Sonia is planning to release her first EP entitled “Calm Her” in July 2011. Look for it this summer.

If I Ain’t Got You by Sonia Rao on The Voice

More about Sonia Rao
Artist Sonia Rao combines her soulful voice with piano, singing her original songs. Some are haunting, some are joyful, some are gritty and raw, but all feature Sonia’s incredible voice and honest lyrics. Fans are struck by how deeply personal her songs are; in listening to her lyrics, one feels they are hearing her innermost thoughts and feelings. These intimate stories, combined with Sonia’s striking voice, draw listeners to her music.

After performing throughout San Francisco at such venues as Yoshi’s and the Hotel Utah, Sonia is now starting on the next page: releasing her debut EP and moving to Los Angeles. Sonia says she is looking forward to “the newness of an unfamiliar city and the new songs and ideas that will come out of the process” and to record and release her album this summer after an amazing fundraising effort in which supporters raised thousands of dollars to help her create her album.

As she sings about in the delightful track “Here, Now,” Sonia is grateful for all of the support in her life and feels incredibly lucky to be pursuing her passion. You can hear her music on Sonia Rao and find her performing in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Olivia Munn and her Tiger Mom on the Daily Show

Olivia Munn and her Tiger Mom on the Daily Show

On the Daily Show, Olivia Munn tackled the topic of parenting from Amy Chua’s book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom“. She interviews her own mother as they reminisce about chopstick hits and a head dent in the refrigerator through tiger mom parenting. After speaking with several experts, she concludes that Tiger Mothering is the best. Tiger Mom puts the fear into Olivia Munn and made her the success she is today.

Olivia Munn on Tiger Mothering on the Daily Show

Immortals Trailer

Immortals Trailer

One of the most anticipated movies of the fall is visionary director Tarsem Singh’s (The Cell, The Fall) new Greek mythology film Immortals. While the teaser trailer for the film won’t hit theaters until the release of Thor on May 6, 2011, it’s online now. Here’s more about the film:

Eons after the Gods won their mythic struggle against the Titans, a new evil threatens the land. Mad with power, King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) has declared war against humanity. Amassing a bloodthirsty army of soldiers disfigured by his own hand, Hyperion has scorched Greece in search of the legendary Epirus Bow, a weapon of unimaginable power forged in the heavens by Ares. Only he who possesses this bow can unleash the Titans, who have been imprisoned deep within the walls of Mount Tartaros since the dawn of time and thirst for revenge. In the king’s hands, the bow would rain destruction upon mankind and annihilate the Gods. But ancient law dictates the Gods must not intervene in man’s conflict. They remain powerless to stop Hyperion…until a peasant named Theseus (Henry Cavill) comes forth as their only hope. Secretly chosen by Zeus, Theseus must save his people from Hyperion and his hordes…

Actress Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) is in the film as Phaedra the Oracle, a priestess who joins Theseus on his quest. The film hits theaters on 11.11.11.

Immortals Trailer

Director Tarsem Singh Discusses ‘Immortals’ Teaser Trailer. He talks about his favorite shot in the trailer and his vision for the final cut of the film.

Thao & Mirah album

Thao & Mirah album

Thao and Mirah both often go by their first names only. That is mostly why they wanted to make a record together. Other reasons include: they are friends, they were finally in San Francisco at the same time, and both joyfully welcomed a short departure from their respective successful solo careers to collaborate on a project. (check out some songs from Thao : Bag of Hammers, Body, When We Swam, and Cool Yourself.) The two enlisted dear friend and colleague Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards, 4AD) as co-producer, guest musician (and for one song, guest writer) and the aptly titled album Thao and Mirah was recorded over 2 freewheeling weeks for record label Kill Rock Stars this past summer.

Thao and Mirah each wrote a new batch of beautiful songs which were jointly performed and produced by the three with some help from fine Bay Area friends. The album is a collection of songs from two distinctly different, highly respected songwriters, threaded and woven together with the creative energy and freedom of collaboration. Such freedom allowed for varied and rewarding levels of innovation, and a determination to keep the music-making as in-house as possible: both Thao and Mirah assume many of the instrumentation duties: from drums and bottles to slide guitar and knee caps. All songs maintain the writers’ shared gifts: profound emotional poignancy with lyrics and melodies to match and stay with you. Here’s the track listing:

01. Eleven
02. Folks
03. Little Cup
04. Rubies and Rocks
05. Teeth
06. Spaced Out Orbit
07. How Dare You
08. Sugar and Plastic
09. Likable Man
10. Hallelujah
11. Squareneck

You can get the album on Thao & Mirah - Mirah, Thao & Thao & Mirah or amazon. You can download the song Eleven for FREE on amazon or here.

Both Thao and Mirah work closely with Air Traffic Control- an organization dedicated to helping musicians become better social activists. They will team up with ATC to focus the release and touring efforts of Thao and Mirah toward supporting causes and organizations they love. The duo will work to support organizations which raise awareness and offer resources in response to physical, emotional and sexual abuse in the home. The pair look forward to working with local domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse prevention organizations in each city they visit on tour. Tour dates listed below.

Eleven from Thao & Mirah album

See Thao & Mirah on tour:
May 2011
1 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour – w/ Led to Sea
2 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho – w/ Led to Sea
3 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish – w/ Led to Sea
5 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ The Biltmore – w/ Led to Sea
6 – Bellingham, WA @ WWU – w/ The New Pornographers
7 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile – w/ Led to Sea
8 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom – w/ Led to Sea
9 – Olympia, WA @ Northern – w/ Led to Sea
June 2011
2 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center – w/ Led to Sea
3 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle – w/ Led to Sea
5 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Lee’s Palace – w/ Led to Sea
7 – Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears – w/ Led to Sea
8 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg – w/ Led to Sea
9 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church – w/ Led to Sea
10 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat – w/ Led to Sea
11 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
12 – Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
15 – St Louis, MO @ Off Broadway – w/ Led to Sea
18 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
19 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room – w/ Led to Sea
21 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah – w/ Led to Sea
23 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall – w/ Led to Sea

Chasing Phantoms by IAMMEDIC

Chasing Phantoms by IAMMEDIC

IAMMEDIC released the third track “Chasing Phantoms” from their upcoming album “I AM”. The electro rap track has an eerie feel as it delves into the struggles and torment of lost love. You can download the single FREE below:

Here’s a few more tracks from the upcoming album including Life’s Little Tragedy and Let’s Go.

Chasing Phantoms by IAMMEDIC

Lyrics to Chasing Phantoms by IAMMEDIC

I’ve lost my sheep
and now there’s no sleep
You’re counting beats
while my hearts’ lost at sea

I can’t sleep…
cuz i’m lost in a moment that we’ve placed under torment
Oh I can’t breathe…
as we chase after phantoms, i’ve been taken at the palm of your hands

Chewed up and spit out
I’m bones under the house
my ghost walks about
irritating like dirt in the mouth
She’s gone, threw up the deuces
she’s out, I’m feeling stupid
and she’ll come back this time
and i’ll stop living lies
but all the “maybe’s” and the “what if’s” drive me out my mind
I need a second chance
you know a quick rewind
I sit here my life severed
my head fell off the vine
I’m fading out of touch
I’m running out of time…

I can’t sleep…
cuz i’m lost in a moment that we’ve placed under torment
Oh I can’t breathe…
as we chase after phantoms, i’ve been taken at the palm of your hands…

as we chase after phantoms, i’ve been taken at the palm of your hands…

Let me Go
I’m caught up in the moment, someone take me from this torment
oh let me go
cuz i’ve been chasing phantoms and my death is now a pattern

I can’t sleep
can’t eat
can’t think
(I can’t be)
(There’s no breathe)
(no life)
(no death)
(No love, love, love)

As we chase after phantoms, i’ve been taken at the palm of your hands…

Let me go…

There’s no sleep…
There’s no sleep…