BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:30:52 PDT

Happy Tuesday - also known as my favorite day of the week for new DVD releases as well as music releases. On this crisp Fall day, the new tunes I'm recommending are of the indie, alt-rock variety. Check out the albums and tracks I've picked out as being worthy of a download.

Rock the family tree: Tegan and Sara's Sainthood is harder rocking than their previous albums (this is their sixth), but the relationship-heavy lyrics haven't changed. It's a more updated sound for the twin-sister indie outfit; lyrically and vocally, they seem more mature and evolved. The fast pace of songs like "Hell" is an example of a new-ish sound, while "The Cure" is a little more traditional Tegan and Sara. Don't miss the impassioned "It Was Midnight."

Scruffy sounds sweet: Devendra Banhart's latest, What Will We Be, is a lo-fi collection of subtly sexy folk-rock tracks; I could listen to the funky "Baby" all day long (in fact, I kind of have). Banhart's music often sounds like it's from another era, particularly the '70s, and this album really solidifies that - cue the sweet, twangy "Angelika," which switches it up in the last minute with a '50s Latin flavor. As a San Franciscan, I was predisposed to love the song "16th and Valencia Roxy Music," and its upbeat tempo and chorus are perfect for getting ready for a night out.

Listen in on one more new release when you

read more. Howling at the radio: Cosmic Egg is the follow-up from Australian band Wolfmother. Their debut album made a huge splash in the rock world in 2005, garnering the band a Grammy, but it wasn't all good times; two of its original members left the band in Summer 2008. Despite the new lineup, the hard rock sound hasn't changed a bit; the title track and "White Feather" (my favorite) dive in with heavy guitar riffs and Andrew Stockdale's signature screeching vocals. It also has to be said: "New Moon Rising" has a very timely title (hey, it could have been on the soundtrack!).

Treasure Island Music Festival: Just as Awesome as Last Year

BuzzSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:30:55 PDT

Last year's Treasure Island Music Festival was such a great time that I couldn't wait for the 2008 edition. The early-bird tickets went on sale in April, and though that translated into five months of anticipation, I was delighted to find my expectations matched - if not exceeded.

The festival had an impressive and varied lineup of bands between the two stages, named Bridge (the bigger of the two) and Tunnel (the smaller). There was a little something for everyone, from electronic dance groups like Hot Chip, CSS, and Justice to relatively mainstream acts like Vampire Weekend and The Raconteurs. It wouldn't be a festival without some suitably indie bands, represented by Tokyo Police Club, Fleet Foxes, and Foals. For those not interested in checking out each and every show, there were many other diversions: a Ferris wheel, a haircutting booth, throwing down a blanket on the lawn, and a wide variety of (expensive) food and drinks - though it seemed like many people managed to smuggle in some contraband digestibles.

Everyone was bussed to the festival site from San Francisco on eco-friendly coaches, since Treasure Island has limited access. The whole process of boarding, traveling, and walking toward the grounds together fostered a communal feeling among the audience that I haven't experienced at many other concerts. It's a cool thing to be a part of, but that wasn't the only great thing about the weekend - to see my list of highs and lows, just

Link Time! 4/29

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:30:35 PDT

TV Squad wants to know why some people seem to hate Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
Cinematical wonders how you feel about it when famous people play themselves.
You Ain't No Picasso has the video of Prince covering Radiohead's "Creep" at Coachella.
The TV Addict has a chat with Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr.
PopSugar wonders whether you love or hate Scarlett Johansson's new video for "Falling Down."
Stereogum chats about Tegan and Sara's witty onstage banter, complete with video evidence.
Seat42f has an interview with Moonlight star Jason Dohring.
Speaking of Moonlight, Popwatch saw that show's shirtless opening scene last week and now wants to know about some of the other most gratuitous moments in TV history.
The MTV Movies Blog talks to Emile Hirsch about whether a Speed Racer sequel is inevitable.

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Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 10:30:00 PDT

If you could recast Pretty Woman with new actors, who would you pick?
This video for Tegan and Sara's "The Con" is pretty awesome.
Hey Heroes fans: There are so many characters this season! Which ones would you most like to focus on, and which could you do without?
Need some spooky movies to watch this weekend? Check out my Frightful Friday posts for some scary suggestions!
Here you go 24 fans: The first look at Day 7.
Have you always wanted to get into Belle and Sebastian but didn't know where to start? You're in luck! Check out my post on getting into Belle and Sebastian.
Dumbledore is gay. Discuss.
Big movie news this week: Ryan Gosling drops out of The Lovely Bones, replaced by Mark Wahlberg. Meanwhile, both Fanning sisters have joined Cameron Diaz in the film adaptation of My Sister's Keeper.
Finally: Log in, take a quiz, and enter my iPod Shuffle giveaway!

Music Video: Tegan and Sara, "The Con"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:45:05 PDT

While Canadian singer/songwriter sisters Tegan and Sara aren't on super heavy rotation in my music collection, I always enjoy their stuff when I hear it. Also, I just think they are super cool ladies and irresistibly adorable.

Two of their upbeat, poppy songs, "The First" from This Business of Art and "Where Does the Good Go?" from So Jealous, have permanent spots on my workout mix, and "The Con" might be on its way to joining them. This new video for the title track of their newest album is pretty dark and creepy, to go along with the tone of the song, which is also weirdly catchy. To check out "The Con" and let me know what you think

Tegan and Sara: Low-Maintenance Fashion Mullets

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:00:13 PDT

I've been meaning to write about Tegan & Sara for a while now, just because their haircuts are so different from most of the celebrity styles we see on the red carpet. Tegan and Sara Quin are identical twins, and they've been playing music together for ten years. Their songs are catchy, guitar-driven singalongs-really good girly stuff.

They've been rocking shortish hair for a couple of years now, but their current haircuts remind me of Joan Jett's early style. Tegan told WWD that it's all about convenience on tour:

"I want to be able to wake up 25 minutes before lobby call, get in the shower, blow-dry my hair, flat iron it, get dressed and pack my bag all in 25 minutes. And I can. I don't think that there is any reason to take hours to get ready."

The twins' fashion mullet isn't for everyone, but rocker girls can definitely pull this off. Your stylist should use a razor on your hair to thin out the bulk and add the little wispies, and you'll need a flat iron if your hair isn't naturally straight. Also, be sure to use conditioner, since razored hair is often more prone to splits, and it needs a little extra TLC!

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