::sigh::

Either way, I am jealous. I am jealous because I am at work. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have my own fun, i.e. searching the interwebs for amazing stuff. Like this. But that’s another blog post for another blog.

It was only a matter of time before my fangirl subconcious took over and before I knew it, I was on YouTube searching for new Marcus vids. I feel like we haven’t seen him in a while. I mean, besides for this awesomeness. But that was only enough Marcus to whet my fangirl appetite. I need more. And I mean that in the most non-creepy-even-though-I-co-write-a-blog-about-a-him way. And it was like the fangirl gods heard my prayers and sent me to this YouTube channel. Or…I just googled Marcus Foster and they were the first to pop up. Whatevs.

So, long story longer…stop taking retro looking photos with your iphone and put down your chai latte and watch some Marcus vids with me, yeah?

Both videos are from Marcus’ recent set at the Crossing Border Festival this past Novemeber (courtesy of tomvdlinden’s YT channel).

Now…have you seen this yet? A fan, by the username Pascaline Piot, handpainted and then animated a video to Marcus’ Kiss Is A Knife. HAND PAINTED people. I mean…that’s pretty stinkin’ rad if you ask me. Please to be checking it out.

And one final thing for you to enjoy this fine Saturday morning– a new fansite. Well, it’s new to me. I just stumbled upon it last night and sent it to Amber with a “DOOD. Have you seen this?” Her response? “Duh. Where have you been? It’s awesome.” Yeah…I fail. But we all knew that already. So, if you are amenable to doing the tumblr thing, go forth and investigate the goodness that is the Marcus Foster Appreciation Blog . Because there aren’t NEARLY enough Marcus Foster appreciation blogs out there. I am serious.

Amber’s Fave Live Performance

This may have been the hardest for me. One, I have not been to a bad Sam Bradley show yet, nor have I hated anything he has done on stage. And two, to pick just one song (and actually find a video for it) is the hardest thing ever. There are some songs I’ve liked, but couldn’t find videos for. And I can’t do video on my own. No way. The alcohol just does not allow me to hold a camera steady. Shocking, I know.

So when I talked to LiLi, I told her probably one of my fave shows was the last one I saw. Maybe cause it’s fresh on the mind or maybe because the album was just out and we got some new tunes. Who knows? LiLi can’t help cause she wasn’t there. (I know. We are still sad about that.)

The funny thing is… my fave song of the night was the last song Sam played, and the first song I ever heard by Sam. Maybe it’s cheesy and cliché , but this song still gets me. Every time. Even more so now because I think Sam plays it better then he did way back in the infant stages of my Sam love.

P.S. I’m pretty sure I can hear myself talking at the beginning, which always freaks me out especially when I have no idea who is recording. 

Yes, the talking is so annoying. It always is. But c’mon. Does this song not just hit you in the gut? Does it not leave you just wishing for more? I mean, as the last song of the night, I was just drained following it. I love the emotions I feel when I hear it.

Maybe that is just me. And that’s cool. But damn y’all, I don’t think I’ll ever get over this song or this performance. Sam sets a new bar for me each time he performs. It really does get better every time. Which is why I love Sam, even with all the shitty jokes.

LiLi’s Fave Song Live

You know it’s funny– Amber and I met through Sam’s music first. And then as time went on (and we started to talk about other things) we realized that we do in fact share the same brain. Most of the time. Usually, we finish each other sentences and thoughts and then laugh about how much we think alike. But despite our common bond of music, there is one divide in our relationship. One that parts us like the Red Sea…

Amber likes ballads while I like fast songs.

::gasp::

I know. It’s like we are the Capulets and the Montagues. And yet, despite our differences, she is still my non-sexual lesbian life partner.

I tell you this to show that while we both heart Sam like WHOA, we see him in two totally different ways. And our favorite live performances couldn’t be more opposite. While she is drawn to his ballads, as you can see above, I am more into his faster music. Like “Derek”. I remember clearly hearing it live for the first time, that very first time we ever saw Sam in concert at Poor Davids. The whole show has a special place in my heart for many reasons, so naturally, when Amber and I decided Day 3 was going to be “favorite song live” I knew immediately it had to be this song from that night.

For me, when I see an artist or band live for the first time, no matter how much I may love their album or single, I am always wary of their live performance. What if it doesn’t translate well on stage? What if without all the studio “help” it just isn’t the same?

I usually spend the first show completely still, absorbing it all, waiting until I am at home to process it all. Every once in a while though, I will be at a show and there will be a song or a moment from the artist where I am like, “YES” and then I am in it. I feel a connection to the music and the artist and once that is established I am a fan forever.

And, that my friends is what happened when I heard “Derek” that night back in August of 2009. That was the moment that I became a Sam fan. So, without further a do….please take a trip down memory lane with me. And love this song as much as I do.

Video Source

Sorry to get all Serious Sam around here today…but sometimes we just gotta show our other side. That despite all the jokes and shenanigans we really are fans of the music first and foremost. Without it we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t be posting/tweeting/telling our friends and family about Sam and The Men.

Can we all hug now?

Now, what about you? What’s your fave song to hear live?

And, like the completely normal fangirls we are, we synced our videos and watched the video together. And oh yes, we may or may not have chatted all of our reactions. And yes, I am going to post that chat below. Cause I rule like that!

Where we sync up our YouTube and discuss “important” details

Where we get “Serious Sam” and actually listen

Where Amber jumps the gun way too soon and we discuss buttcheeks

Where LiLi admits to making fun of Amber via Twitter and then we put it ALL out there

Where we decide Sam need an award, and better tags on his videos

Well, if you made it these far, wow. You must really love us and our random conversations! What do you think of the vid? Are you ready to go on ahead and “call it” like me, or do you need more time to dissect it? And what DO those tags mean?

P.S. Sam, since I know you are reading this, I will volunteer to kick your ass play you on Words with Friends. But no cheating and using those English spellings. That’s right! If you agree to write “color” and “gray” like that, we can do this!

Here’s all the latest, i.e. what I could dig up in 30 mins, on Mr. Foster:

from the blogosphere:

Music Rocks Our World- Marcus Foster at St. Pancras Old Church (brief mention)

The Independent- Marcus Foster at St. Pancras Old Church (review)

from twitterland:

fingers crossed for all those planning to go

GAH! i hadn't seen the actual CD yet....GORGEOUS!

from the Tube:

A few NEW songs from Marcus’ last performance at St. Pancras Old Church. All videos are from madaboutvampires youtube channel. She has loads more  so be sure to check them all out.

Nameless Path

Old Birch Tree

Rushes and Reeds

And now for a few covers that we found floating around the ol’ interwebs:

Any thoughts on the new songs? And what about that album/CD design– love or hate? Until next week….

presents…

Empyr

I was looking at Empyr when I realized they were signed to a major label. Which breaks our rule for posting here. But then I realized, that they are pretty major… in France. Things are looking to break pretty big for them soon, so we want to make sure you are ahead of the game!

A bit different sound then what we normally run with ’round here, Empyr’s tunes are cleverly crafted songs with dark undertones, cohesive production, strong rhythms and soaring vocals. They’ve even got a new album coming out next month, Unicorn, and, thanks to their U.S. management, we’ve gotten premission to post a FREE mp3 of their single, “It’s Gonna Be”.

Personally, I am really digging this tune! It’s a great jam for a Monday morning, fo sho!

01 It’s Gonna Be

(right click to download!)

And for those of you unable to download now, groove to the tune via this Youtube vid!

And if you want to rock out a little bit more, try this video on for size!

Of course, Empyr is all over the web, so be sure to check them out! P.S. If you can read French, you are gonna get to practice that skill quite a bit on these sites. If not, just look at the pictures and listen to the tunes, like I did!

But how, you ask? How could I top MAGICNESS?? 

Well, never you fear dear readers.  We have plenty o’ google alerts tricks up our sleeves!  For today’s show I give you Mark Kerrey from The Men the Sam Bradley Band singing solo!!

word, Mark.  WORD.

Mark performed recently at Frederico’s Poppy Cafe in Vancouver and luckily someone got a few songs of his on video:

Videos were found on RobbedMyHeart’s YouTube Channel.  Go check out her page as she has a ton of other vids from some other artists you might know.  I am not going to name names….but they might rhyme with Mam Schmadley, Farcus Moster and maybe even a couple of Slindsey’s singing too. 

Happy Humpday, y’all!

Now, leave some love for Mark, yeah?? And don’t forget to follow him on twitter.  And while you’re at it, do you follow us?? Er…please to be getting on that.

featuring

Jay Rodger

Photos from Jay Rodger’s Myspace

Okay. Confession. I first came across Jay here while looking at some recent Bobby Long videos. He has a pretty dang good cover of Crooked Sky that popped up in a search:

So naturally, I went looking for more of his works and I came across his myspace where he has a few original songs posted for a listen. I knew pretty quickly that I would like to feature him here on Mix Tape Monday.  Especially when I started reading his blog entries.  He made me laugh at his self-deprecating ways.

It’s sweet when I’m in the music, like really feeling the song I’m playing and the rest of the world gets lost around me. It’s a great feeling when the audience links to the song, and at the end when I open my eyes I can see people daydreaming all around the room….

Or maybe I’ve just bored them.

We’ll go with the first yeah?

Source

Um, yeah. He sounds like my kind of people. And others seem to agree that he is definitely someone to watch.

From Studio 49:

In amongst the theatres, tourists, students & building sites that currently reside in a small town known Stratford-upon-Avon there lies a single singer / song writer by the name ‘Jay Rodger’. Jay, taking influences from a range of musical greats brings it all together in a unique style of songs that can only be described as ‘Groovesum’. Think Bob Dylan meets Imogen Heap – sailing melodies that glide over delicate guitar playing, catchy hooks & an entrancing style of performance – Jay has it all.

All videos from dh130i’s youtube channel.

Want more?? You can find Jay on myspace, twitter and reverbnation.

And now it’s your turn to talk….what did you think of ol’ Jay here? Yay, nay? Let us know!

I mean, let’s get something straight here. We had a hella time in El Lay– obvi– but it’s been so long since we’ve had a glimpse of Marcus. Until yesterday that is…the day of my birth. Coincidence?! Pfft. I think not. That was totally Mr. Foster’s way of saying Happy Birthday. #Duh

Ooorrrr maybe he was just drunk and got twit-pic’d by a friend.

Either way, it made me want more. So naturally I fired up my luvah, I mean my laptop and began my quest. My Marcus Quest if you will. And you know what I found?? Some kick ace vids of Marcus when he was in Italy!! Check it:

Of course, I have to add my fave song, You, My Love:

Demons:

Movement:

All vids were found on nonokob’s channel. There are a bunch more posted so be sure to check it out!

::sigh:: all bettah now.

How bout you? Are you missing Marcus? What are you doing in his “absence” to make it all better??

Anyhoodle– Sam tweeted us a new video today. A cover of Ann Peebles, “I Can’t Stand the Rain”. In case you haven’t heard the OG version, I did a ton of research, i.e. typed it into YouTube search bar, and found it for you all to hear first:

Source

Holy Shy-za! I love her voice. So I was a little wary about clicking play on Sam’s version. What if it was all wrong? What if it ruined the o-ridge for me? So I got all Nervous Nellie but forged ahead and played it. And?? Like you all care what I think. But, in case you do…totes loved it. #Duh. I actually dug the acoustic accompanying it. And despite Sam’s not liking his “face control”– um– I like his facial expressions. Is that creepster to write? Probs.

Now, enough of my blabbering opinions. Check it out for yourself:

What do you think about the cover? You likey? Or not so much-y?  Does it make you miss Sam all the more? I know it does for this little fangirl.

PS– while you’re here on the world wide web, why not stop by our twitter and follow us? All the kids are doing it!

OH. More Marcus. Yep. That’s it.

Yesterday, Amber gave us a few videos to get our Saturday going quite nicely, and one of those was indeed Marcus. And Marcus on keyboard at that. ::sigh:: But I needed more. So, last night I was on a mission for more Marcus. A Marcus Mission if you will. Armed with a bottle of wine, my new lappie and episodes of Black Books in the background I began to peruse the ol’ interwebs for some Marcus.

And, as luck would have it, I stumbled across the best thing ever– a NEW song by Marcus! And– wait for it– he’s playing the keyboard again! Word.

This vid is from Marcus’ show at the Pigalle Club in London, this past Thursday. It was posted by Katie, aka MadAboutVampires, who always gets the goods since she lives in London.

Well? What do you think? I, um, well….kinda LOVE it. Srsly. But I would really love to know what you all think of the new song.

Now, be sure to check out Katie’s other vids while you are at it. She’s got a couple more from that show at the Pigalle and several others from previous shows of both Marcus and Bobby. You can find them all on her YouTube channel.

Alright. I feel like Mission Accomplished can be stamped on this one, no? See you guys tomorrow with another new artist for our Mix Tape Monday!