This week, Glee said farewell to Finn Hudson (played by the late Cory Monteith) in “The Quarterback”.
In this tearful tribute, the past and current members of the New Directions Glee Club came together for a special memorial in honour and remembrance of their dearly departed friend, and they expressed their immense feelings the best way they could – through song.
Songs from “The Quarterback” can be purchased through iTunes. All proceeds will go to Project Limelight, a performing arts program for the kids and youth of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and an organization very close to Cory’s heart.
Allison Iraheta has arrived (again), and this time around, she’s the lead singer of a band, Halo Circus!
After her run on American Idol Season 8 as the resident teen rocker and a year as a pop artist under the now defunct Jive Records, Allison took a break from the music scene. Back in January, she emerged from her hiatus to announce the formation of Halo Circus, who have recently signed with indie label Manimal Vinyl/Badland Recordings.
Their debut single, “Gone” is a dark and moody rock ballad, based on the struggles Allison faced after the end of the first era of her journey in the music industry. With great honesty, she writes about how she was lied to, used, taken for granted, and eventually, left for empty, and how, during the aftermath, she had lost sight of who she was. It took some time to realize that she wasn’t in the wrong, and once she accepted that, she came roaring back with a stronger sense of her identity, as well as a fire in her that cannot be extinguished. “Gone” is a raw and relateable song about toxic relationships with people who don’t have your best interests in mind. Its film noir-esque music video, which features the band during a jam session, gives spotlight to Allison’s passionate and vulnerable vocal delivery.
Halo Circus’ “Gone” EP is now available, and features four different versions of their debut song, including the original single, a Spanish version (“Yo Me Voy”), and two acoustic versions (the Nothing Left Versions).
That’s why I’m gone, don’t turn me on There’s nothing left in me, lost what’s underneath Finally done, over run, yeah, I’m gone It was you that was wrong, and from now on There’s no part of me that I can’t see I’m honestly done, over run, yeah, I’m gone
In 1964, The Beatles‘ first live television performance in the US on The Ed Sullivan Show sparked the explosion of Beatlemania, which had a monumental influence on how we listen to and interact with music. In our pop culture today, Glee uses songs to tell their stories of friendship, heartache, and what it’s like to be a young adult in the twenty-first century.
It makes perfect sense for these two musical phenomenons to one day come together, and now they finally have! For their two-week Season 5 premiere, Glee is dedicating two episodes (“Love Love Love” and “Tina in the Sky with Diamonds”) to a massive tribute of the Fab Four, dividing their expansive songbook by their early works (the British Invasion) and their experimental eras (where things got a little more introspective, socially-aware, political, and revolutionary in tone).
I love The Beatles. I love hearing new renditions of their songs from other musicians. And I love many of the Glee Cast’s covers. Therefore, I was VERY excited to hear this group of very talented singers perform some of the best songs (with some of the greatest lyrics and melodies) ever written and recorded. So, what did they sing and how did they do?
Elise Testone from American Idol Season 11’s talented Top 10, has just released her first single.
“I Will Not Break” is an emotional ballad about gathering up the inner strength to let go of someone you loved, even though it feels like your heart is under attack. She tries to remain steadfast, vowing that “I will not fall, I will stand tall through it all, just so you can see, the strongest parts of me”.
It is a beautifully delivered song – you can hear and feel the longing and heartache felt in this honest confessional. “I Will Not Break” aptly showcases Elise’s uniquely enchanting vocal stylings as well as her incredible songwriting, making it one of the strongest debut breakthroughs from an Idol finalist.
I will not break I will not bend But I can pretend that I’m not awake
Download Elise’s “I Will Not Break” (from her debut album In This Life) on iTunes now.
“Sun Up Sun Down” was written and recorded by Brooke White for the Hallmark Channel television-movie, Banner 4th of July.
Featuring guest vocals by co-star Christian Campbell, the folksy-Americana tune is reminiscent of last year’s smash hit, “Home” by Phillip Phillips, in how it echoes words of encouragement – this time with an added message to wake up, go outside, step into the new daylight, and live life to the fullest.
The Banner 4th of July soundtrack also includes another original from Brooke (the piano ballad “Fly Fly Fly”) along with two songs (“XYZ” and “Voices”) from Jack and White (her duo with Jack Matranga).
Sun up, sun down
We’re gonna paint this town Turn your blues into a shade of red Oh you gotta live your life like you mean it ‘Cause you ain’t seen nothing yet Yes we’re gonna turn this thing around Like a sun up, sun down
Listen to “Sun Up Sun Down,” along with “Fly Fly Fly,” “XYZ,” and “Voices,” from the Banner 4th of July soundtrack on Spotify.
Elizabeth Rosalyn 