There’s still time to hit up the Festival at Quiet Waters Park Deerfield Beach, Florida!
Yearly Archives: 2013
Austin Mahone Review “Say You’re Just a Friend”
Austin Mahone: Say You’re Just A Friend
Reviewed By: Lexi Segal
From the streets of La Vernia, Texas, to becoming a huge YouTube star, the 16-year-old boy has begun his big break to stardom. His first single, Say You’re Just A Friend featuring FloRida, was released December 3rd, 2012. This new teen sensation is the one and only Austin Mahone.
Austin Mahone was just like any other child. He went to school, got good grades, and loved music. Alex, Austin’s best friend, started a YouTube channel together called “Shoot Us Down” where they uploaded videos of Austin’s covers. His first recordings were remakes of top songs. He covered all different artists, including Justin Bieber. In 2011 Austin covered Justin’s Mistletoe, with more views in a week than Bieber himself.
Say You’re Just A Friend, a catchy, rhythmic song that was perfect for music video entertaining. Austin described it as “an up-beat song that you can party to.” The music video is colorful, action packed, and has terrific choreography that makes you want to get up and dance. His body language and facial expressions convinces the viewer that he truly wants the beautiful girl to be more than “just a friend.” The true meaning of his hit song, explores an issue that all teen boys experience at one time or another. Austin wants one of his friends to be more than that but he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. The music video depicts how Austin will get the girl and wow her and his fans at the same time.
By far the best part about this video is Austin’s dancing skills. He showed, through his dance moves, that he is talented, not just another pretty face. Looking forward to listen to his upcoming album being released in the near future.
Some Tips for Writing a Great Review
How to Write a Review for a Film, Play or T.V. Show
Introduction
The first sentences of your review should introduce the reader to what you will be writing about–something about the subject matter, some unusual aspect of the film, video or music and a hint of your overall opinion. You should not explain anything in detail because that’s what the rest of your review will accomplish. But you should try to write an appealing first sentence which makes the reader curious and anxious to read more.
Example: Want to watch something really clever on television? Tune in “The Simpsons”. This “typical” family cartoon drama makes fun of everything–parents, kids, neighbors, school, politics and even religion. But it always mocks things in a witty way.
Content
In a few words, summarize what the material is about. But do it BRIEFLY. What’s more important are your comments, thoughts and observations, that is, your analysis. Was the story fascinating? boring? predictable? Confusing? Clever? Always back up your opinion with an example from the subject.
Example: The “Price is Right” is a television show where contestants guess what the retail price of some object; and, they are even given some choices. The more the contestant acts like an idiot, the more the audience (and maybe you) loves it because that way they can scream out all their price suggestions in a chaotic fashion. Sometimes the befuddled contestant takes their advice and the love it. I don’t. It’s brainless entertainment.
Favorite Scene, song, video
Pick your favorite scene, segment or moment and give a clear explanation what makes it so special. Was it the action and the unusual way it was designed? Was there a surprise? Was the dialogue intriguing? Did you like a particular aspect of the event? Consider photography, music, special effects and directing if they played a major role in creating a special moment.
Favorite Musician Actor, Actress (or Character)or Song:
Which actor or actress gave the best performance? Which character was most appealing? Try to explain with facts or observations what made them so special. What did the actor do that was so different? Use an example from the program. Remember, often the best actors are NOT the stars but characters who do something memorable.
Example: If I could be an actress, I would model myself after Gillian Anderson and her role as Scully in “The X-Files”. Unlike a lot of female stars on television, she constantly demonstrates intelligence, independence and even strength. She’s a tough gal who will face up to any ghoul, monster or creep, matching her macho partner, Mulder.
Conclusion
Try to write something in conclusion that is distinctive, new and satisfying to the reader and you. It should be something that ties your ideas together from a fresh approach. Avoid tacking on some routine sentences which add nothing. Example: “I really enjoyed this movie a lot. It was very exciting and a lot of fun. I sure would like to see it again.” BOR-R-R-ING!
See if you can end your piece with a sizzling line.
Examples of “sizzlers”:
“Everyone should have devoted friends as portrayed in “Friends”.
“You’d better have a good friend with you when you watch the predictable “Friends” t.v. show. That way, you will have somebody to talk to when things get dull.
Include a photo or illustration and be sure to sign your name.
Title:
The title should be something that cleverly and creatively attracts the reader’s attention. It can also give a hint of your opinion. If you set it up write, it can tie in cleverly with something in your last concluding paragraph.
Interview with Christian Jacobs Yo Gabba Gabba Co-Creator
Interview with Christian Jacobs
by Ben Pawliger
Last month, I had a phoned with Christian Jacobs, co-creator of the hit children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba. Christian spoke with me about his influences for the show, his journey, and the influence the show can hopefully have on children around the globe.
“It’s been crazy,” Mr. Jacobs said when asked about what it is like to raise both his kids and his newest child, Yo Gabba Gabba. The show Yo Gabba Gabba is about a DJ, DJ Lance Rock, who with his group of toy friends, go on adventures that incorporate life lessons such as sharing and eating your vegetables. Colorful characters such as Muno, the red cyclops, and Brobee, the little green monster, play, dance, and sing around, all incorporating a great deal of fun.
Yo Gabba Gabba has turned into an international phenomenon, and a pop-culture icon. “It’s pretty emotional” and “It’s truly special” is how Jacobs described the popularity of his creation. Jacobs stated that the creative characters came from his love of drawing and comical creativity, which can explain the colorfulness and extravagance of his characters. Yo Gabba Gabba is more than just a show for today’s infants, but a culture icon for many counter-cultural teenagers.
This is because of what Christian calls the “Psychedelic Vibe” that the show brings, as well as the songs sung by many popular artists, and the bright, eye-popping colors incorporated within the program. Along with his partner, Jacobs sought out to create a fun television program that can both entertain young children and teach today’s infant population life lessons. With the help of colorful characters, adventures, and catchy tunes, it can be said that Jacobs and Schultz have successfully reached their goal. “I’m really psyched about it..It’s really awesome.”
Yo Gabba Gabba Live plays Ft. Lauderdale on 3/23 and 3/24. For tickets
The Glass Child
Interview With The Glass Child
By: Kelsey Janser
Charlotte Eriksson, also known as The Glass Child, is a beautiful young woman overflowing with spirit and dedication to share her songs with the world. She was born in Sweden, but at the age of 18, took off to London to pursue her passion in music. The road she has traveled has been perilous and hectic, as the struggles she encountered clearly resonate from her powerful songs. The music she writes is the type that grabs you not only physically, but emotionally as well. I was fortunate enough to interview this musical inspiration and uncover more about her past experiences that have shaped her into the star I know she will one day become.
How and when did you get the name, The Glass Child? How does it represent you as an artist and also as a person?
When I was younger I had a hard time trusting people. I couldn’t figure out how to trust friends and let them get to know me and I always had a feeling that people were making fun of me. This made me very distant and people always said that it was as if I was living behind glass, like they could see me but never really reach me. I’ve always felt very strong in my head, when I find something I want I fight until I get there, but at the same time I’ve always been very easily broken by other people’s words and opinions. The first song I ever wrote was called ”The Glass Child” and it was about this, and it always reminds me of why I started to write music in the first place – to comfort myself and figure out my own place.
Who was your musical inspiration growing up?
I’ve always listened to bands like Counting Crows, Ben Harper, Brand New, Ani Difranco and Bright Eyes. Songwriters who can turn the most ordinary or ugly feeling into something beautiful by finding the right word to the right melody with the right voice. But I’m also very influenced by literature, philosophy, poetry and other art-forms like dancers.
How old were you when you started singing? Writing songs?
I kind of started to write music before I started to sing. I’ve always been writing stories and just writings, but when I discovered music and how it made me feel like I belonged I just used my voice as a way to express my words and writings. A bit later I got really serious about singing though and when I was 17 I decided that I wanted to build my life on music. That year I did vocal-practice for hours every day…
When and how did you discover music was your passion?
I was probably around 15 when I discovered music. I never took any lessons and my family was never into music, so when I discovered it all on my own it became this secret escape. It became my hiding-place, where I could go and just forget about everything. It took a long time until I showed anyone my songs but I knew right away that I wanted to spend my life creating that feeling that I got from listening to music.
How long does it take for you to write a song? What normally comes first, the lyrics or the melody?
It’s different for every single song really. There’s no formula or theory behind it and that’s the magical thing. It’s supposed to be like that because if you could ”explain” inspiration or creativity it would lose the magic. Sometimes I write the lyrics on the bus home and then I just sit down with a guitar and sing them when I come home. Other times I start with a drum-beat and build the whole music arrangement and then write the lyrics as the last element. When I’m finally in that creative higher space it takes like 5 or 10 min to actually write the song, but then the sound and how I want to sing it etc. is something I work and develop for a long time after.
What is a “normal” day like for you?
No day is the same really, which is why I love doing this. I have so many passions and things I want to learn and I’m trying to take time for it all. Now these last months I’ve spent all my time getting my album finished. It’s so much work and it takes so much time since it’s like my own heart and I want it to be exactly how I see and hear it in my head. Then after that I spent some weeks doing the promotion for the album. Since I’m completely independent I’m doing all the promotion and marketing myself, so it’s quite time-consuming, but I enjoy the whole marketing-process too and it’s an amazing feeling to have so much control over my career and music. I’m also writing something every single day, both music and other creative writings like prose, short-stories or poetry. It’s my way to keep my head clean, and I’m also spending a lot of time writing on my different book-ideas. I always have a plan and a list of what I need and want to do when I wake up in the morning, but during the day I always explore and find new things that lead me to new ideas, projects, songs or people so every day is like a new possibility to grow and learn which is why I love this.
What is your favorite song you’ve written?
I’d Like To Remain A Mystery. It’s just everything I am.
To learn more about The Glass Child, please visit the official site:
http://www.theGlassChildOfficial.com