New Age Music Collaborations

Hello Everyone! I have recently been thinking about how music is changing and evolving as I grow older through the years. I consider myself a Millennial, and it seems that the new young generation that the music is appealing to is Generation Z. In this thought, I cannot say that I do not enjoy the genres of music I am about to speak of, I just have noticed that change becoming more prevalent.

What I have noticed more recently is the different collaborations between genres of music.
It can be seen in country, rock, rap and even pop music. One that I noticed in particular is the country group Florida Georgia Line. They have done collaborations with rap star Nelly in their hit song "cruise", even Tim McGraw performed a duo with the rapper back in 2004.

Country music is not the only genre of music that is seeing this shift. Rap is also coming around to adding a touch of classic rock to their mixes. I have heard songs featuring Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin mixed in with today's hottest rap star's beats.

This change up can be a great thing to expand the minds of music lovers everywhere.  Not only does shows that you don't have to like just one type of music and that all genres are bias against other music, but it brings an expansion to the listener that there are other great artists out there that may not particularly a part of your personal choice but worth a listen too. You never know, you might just end up liking it.

785 Magazine

Hello everyone, I would like to inform you of yet another way to discover local music. This time it comes in the form of a magazine. 785 magazine in a local source of media that allows anyone around the Topeka are to get insider interviews of local artists and musicians, and the insight behind what motivates their gifts. Each magazine produced also includes a section that provides information on all of the bands and musicians coming to the Topeka area and were they will be performing.

I find this magazine to be a great addition to Topeka's almost non-existant art scene. Most people would think of Topeka as being boring and dull, and if asked would refer to Lawrence as the place to go if you want to expand your mind in this area. It is here people, you just have to look for it, which in my opinion is not good. We should be informed that there is more out there in your own town than what you think and it's easy to find.

785 mag also has a Twitter and encourages anyone who is has a story to tell or any insight on a new movement in the art scene to tweet them about it @seveneightfive. I strongly encourage anyone to do this or at least give them a follow. Lets help keep the artistic community alive in Topeka!

Spotify and Algorithms

I know I have been on a Spotify kick lately, but it's simply because I love it. It's better than Pandora, and it doesn't cost like iTunes. With all the use that I have been getting with my amazing music app, it got me thinking, is there an algorithm to the was Spotify shuffles your songs for you? I seem to always shuffle my music in a way that it makes me feel like I won the prize from the cracker jack box. You never know what you might get next. In these thoughts I have noticed that a large number of the same songs continue to play and then suddenly a random song that I have no idea of what it is or why it is on my playlist, suddenly begins to play.

Out of my own curiosity I Googled that exact question and came up with a blog written by a man named Lukas Polacek, who gave the breakdown much better than I could. For the answer to the huge question I know you are all dying to know, I have posted his blog below. I hope everyone enjoys! https://labs.spotify.com/2014/02/28/how-to-shuffle-songs/

Boobie Trap

Happy Friday! Today I want to inform you of another local spot in Topeka that offers live music. The Boobie Trap bar offers the performances of many local and upcoming bands. The genres vary from heavy metal to EDM, and the staff is always friendly! The bar itself is a little small. There is a small stage towards the front and not much dance room but the atmosphere makes up for it all. If you would prefer to sit outside and listen to the music through the speakers versus the smaller area inside, the patio would be best for you. Located at 1417 SW 6th Ave, it is just a ways past campus. I have also linked their website below for a full list of line ups for the rest of the month.http://www.boobietrapbar.com

Musically Inspired Halloween Costumes For 2014

My post today is a little out of the norm. Due to Halloween coming up, I have decided to post an article showing a few costumes that are inspired by the looks of Beyonce, Lorde, and Pharrell's red carpet get up. These are simple costumes for any college student on a budget. I am sure that you own a few things that are fashion forward and where does the media get these looks to push on to it's viewers? No one other than you. I have placed the link below from instyle.com which offers the looks. I hope you all enjoy and have a happy and safe halloween. http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20308640_20863221_30235424,00.html

EDM What?

This is for those of you who are into the Electronic Dance Movement scene, or better know as EDM. It seems to be slightly brushing over college campuses with the eighteen to twenty somethings and causing a stir. I am not one to say that I don't enjoy the music, I just however feel no need to listen to the sound of transformers juxtaposed with Iggy Azalea's "I'm So Fancy." Not my gig. Yes, I have been to a Basenectar concert and  I have seen Skrillex at Kanrocksas a few years back and I did indeed enjoy myself at the time.
I believe with my age, I  have come to the realization that I will never be able to put on a furry raccoon costume and dance around with a hula-hoop until my socks fall off. I just can't even folks.

Putting all my rants aside, I would like to share with you a little tool that I have recently stumbled upon that I actually found to be genius. The website electronicmidwest.com allows one to enter thier state and city for the most up to date shows and festivals. I personally find this to be a great tool. I have learned first hand that most shows are found through word of mouth and sometimes you just end up missing one. This allows anyone to stay up to date and in-tune with their favorite performers. I have posted the link below for anyone who is interested. www.electronicmidwest.com

From Shazam To Spotify

Fun fact of the day folks. There is now an option on the Shazam application that allows you to link the identified song to your Spotify. For those of you who are not familiar with Shazam, it is an application which allows the user to place their phone near any song or movie clip in hopes to identify it. I personally love this application and have used it for a few years now. It eliminates that need to sit and ponder who sings "that" song or what the title may be. Why I feel like it gets even better is the new option to link those found songs to your Spotify account, making it much easier to immediately add it to your playlists and listen in full.