The night I met Jason Lancaster of Go Radio

If you've been on my blog before, you must be aware of my love for Go Radio. I've been a fan ever since I heard their first demo. I added them on MySpace in 2008, made my first ever fanart for them, fangirled when they thrice commented on my MySpace. I was the 4th person to join their fansite when it finally opened, and even created a website about them for a university project.

So, yeah, when I learned about Go Radio coming to Australia in October, I had to get myself a ticket for that music festival (even though it was really, really expensive). Thankfully, they weren't the only bands I liked, playing that night... Yellowcard (:'D), All Time Low, Panic! At The Disco, and a few other well known bands were also there...

The venue was really small, packed and loud. I think we were the only non-Australians in the public. To tell the truth, I don't generally enjoy such overly crowded environments. I don't even enjoy going out to clubs... I'm more of a stay-in person but yeah, it was my only chance of seeing them live.

Anyway, the night didn't start that well. I got there late and missed GR's signing session. I had no idea they were even going to have one. I was VERY disappointed but I was still gonna see them play my favourite songs live... So, I got over my disappointment and tried to enjoy the night.

There were two stages, with two bands playing simultaneously... I got bumped into by the lead singer of I don't even know what band was playing, when he jumped into the crowd. First celebrity encounter, as my brother, who I went to the festival with, called it... I was kinda annoyed, but I guess that fans of that band would have died to be in my situation?

Anyway, I watched a few bands I didn't even know play... Time was flying really slowly when I suddenly noticed that the dashing Alex (from Go Radio) was standing in the crowd, a few metres from me. I couldn't believe my eyes and started doubting whether it was really him. I asked my brother if he could maybe confirm my doubts, but he didn't even know who I was talking about. So, I spent about five minutes just staring at the guy. Seriously.

Then, I decided to just ask him. I gave him a gentle tap on the back and asked him if he was Alex from Go Radio. When he nodded, I asked for a picture with him. He was kind enough to accept. And that's how I got my first picture of the night, which you can see below.

Alex and ME!

Then, later I got to see Steven (Go Radio) in the crowd. He's so, SO fine in person. But unfortunately, I had no one to take a picture for me (my brother was watching the band from the other stage), so yeah, I didn't get to take any picture with him. I also saw Ryan Key (Yellowcard) and Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low) a few seconds later... They both seemed really close. Loved their bromance that night... but yeah, no pictures with them either...

Finally, it was Go Radio's turn to be on stage. I was just in front of the stage. It was totally awesome. I was so close to them. Jason even smiled at me. OMG. I'm still a bit awed, just thinking of it. Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a total fangirl for Go Radio.

A few pictures:

Their set list for the night! yes, they even played Rolling in The Deep by Adele. It was awesome.

Jason Lancaster!

Jason Lancaster

Matt Burns and Steven in the background (that's unfortunately my only pic of Steven)

Alex and Jason (this pic should have been rotated, sorry)

Another pic of Matt

Jason, singing....

I can't even describe how awesome it was to be in that crowd. GR's so passionate, and the public was so into them. It was SO magical to finally be able to be part of that public, to cheer for them and to enjoy their energy, to sing along to their songs. Redemption In The Verse was one of their best songs, that night. By the end of the song, everyone was singing along to the 'la di la da'. It was SO very awesome.

Anyway, then, I got to see All Time Low, Yellowcard, Hellogoodbye, Story Of The Year, etc... Went to the ATL and YC signing sessions... More pictures:

Alex Gaskarth singing Jasey Rae!

My card signed by Yellowcard! lol

My bag signed by All Time Low

I should have brought a CD or a poster, but I hadn't realised I'd have the opportunity to make them sign something. Anyway, I still got to speak to the members of YC (I LOVE RYAN KEY, and just telling him thank you for signing my card and having him telling me thank you for coming was really AWESOME) and got hi-fived by Jack (All Time Low)... It was quite something. Hm, yeah, I don't have any pics of Yellowcard on stage, because I was filming them.

By the end, we went outside, with hopes to see Ryan Key and ask for a picture with him... But, instead of seeing Ryan Key, we saw Jason Lancaster, who was speaking to a fan. I waited for him to be done with the fan before considering asking him for a picture. I asked my brother to go and ask him. He refused, so I had to go and ask him myself. I was really nervous, but Jason was really sweet and accepted to have a picture with me (he had one arm around me, one hand on my shoulder omg), then I took one of him with my brother.

Jason Lancaster and ME!

I wasn't expecting how kind and down to earth he'd be. He thanked us and told us we were awesome for wanting to take a picture with him. I don't think he knows how much of an honour it actually was for us to meet him and to have a picture with him. I've admired him for so long. It was like a dream come true to have met him.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to tell him that. I was a bit too nervous and I'm sure I would have lost my ability to speak properly. My brother did tell him that he's the awesome one though, then we thanked him and left him with other fans.

Then, I got to see Alex Gaskarth, again. He was speaking to a fan, who hadn't been able to attend the festival, on the phone. That was so sweet of him. I waited for him to be done, then asked for a picture with him. He also accepted :)

it's a bit blurry but idc!

And yeah, I didn't stay to watch Panic! They were playing last (or second to last) and I had to go work in the morning. But... yeah, it was still one of the best nights of my life. I finally got to see two of my favourite bands ever.  The night would have been perfect had my sister been with us, though. Meeting Yellowcard and Go Radio by myself seems a bit unfair because she loves them as much as I do. Ah, I just hope one day we can both go to an AVA or a blink-182 concert together.

I'm so sorry but I love you

One of my first posts on this blog, back in 2007, was about the Korean band Dear Cloud. I wasn't really into Korean music at that time. I learned about that particular band because of their music video which featured Kim Jae Wook, a hot Korean actor from an awesome Korean drama I had just watched.

Anyway, I'm talking about this because I just realised that it took me four years to really get into K-pop. Not just songs from Kdramas or songs with hot Korean actors in their MVs. But what's really considered as mainstream K-pop...

So... I guess you're wondering how I finally got into K-pop? Well, it all started thanks to my co-worker, who literally played Wedding Dress by Taeyang on repeat one day...yes, the whole day, when we were at work. I guess I have to thank God it was an awesome song and not something like... I dunno... a trance or heavy metal song.

Anyway, Wedding Dress got stuck in my head (thanks to that part from Wagner's Bridal Chorus) and I had to check the video out when I got back home because my co-worker had claimed that the video was awesome. I was kinda skeptical because I had previously seen some Korean MVs which hadn't left me really impressed. Bien au contraire. (See: Share The One World by DBSK and Ring Ding Dong by SHINee to really get what I mean)

However, he was right about the video being awesome. See for yourself:

After watching the video, my first thought was that Taeyang's like a Korean Usher or a Korean son of Michael Jackson. He sings amazingly well but I was mostly impressed by his moves. That man's got SWAG.

Now, I don't know about you but I've got a real problem with Youtube. I always go there for a video and I end up spending HOURS watching related videos. That's what happened when I watched Wedding Dress. By the end of my Youtube trip, I knew about Taeyang being from BIG BANG... Leading me to learn about G-dragon, T.O.P, Daesung, the maknae Seungri, YG Entertainment and 2NE1. I saw numerous videos of Big Bang, from their MVs to different shows they were on and... well it was impossible not to fall for them their music.

BIG BANG: Seungri, Taeyang, TOP, G-Dragon and Daesung (from left to right)

Yes, Big Bang's a Korean boysband. They don't play instruments... I can't even understand what they're saying. But I love them.

A few reasons why:

1. TOP. That man is gorgeous. His intense stare could impregnate you or turn you gay if you're a guy. LOL. J/K. Truthfully, he's an incredible rapper. He's got an awesome deep voice. His voice isn't typical. He brings something special to their songs.
   
2. G-Dragon. That man is beyond charismatic. No wonder he's the leader. But what's more impressive is that he's only one year older than I am... yet he's the writer/composer of most of their songs. That's kinda inspiring. He also sings, raps and dances incredibly well. He's gifted and it shows in his compositions.
3. The bromance between the members. They seem to genuinely care for each other.
   
4. Their lyrics are quite meaningful. I particularly love Love Song. That song's so deep... Plus it's got a U2 feel to it.
5. Their MVs/live performances aren't the typical 'let's show our abs/let's act cute/let's be sexy' stuff I've come to expect from other Korean bands.
6. They're all individually talented. They've all released solo songs. And I've been totally blown away by their solo awesomeness. Daesung's voice is particularly hmmm... perfect? Seungri might be the youngest but he's got SO much talent. His songs are all terribly catchy. And I've already talked about Taeyang.
   

I've got many more reasons, but I don't want to seem too shallow and fangirlish with this post (I know it's probably too late for that >_<). So I'll end this post here. Just check them out - I've added the links to my fav songs below - if you wanna expand your musical horizons. They're really awesome.

Song suggestions:

• Tonight - BIG BANG
• Haru Haru - BIG BANG
• Lies - BIG BANG
• Love Song - BIG BANG
• What Can I Do - Seungri
• High High - GD&TOP <-- this song reminds me of Satisfaction by Benny Benassi
• I need a girl - Taeyang
• Heartbreaker - G-Dragon
• Baby Don't Cry -Daesung
• Baby Goodnight - GD&TOP
  

Landon Pigg

I've fallen for Landon Pigg's voice ever since I first heard the song Falling in Love At a Coffee Shop in that Diamonds are Forever ad back in late 2007. His Coffee Shop EP made me fall even harder. Can't Let Go and Great Companion, while already awesome on his album LP, were just terribly brilliant acoustically.

Landon Pigg is definitely a hugely talented artist, who writes and performs meaningful songs in that mellow voice of his. Many of them are actually bittersweet or even sad, expressing feelings of regret over a past love. Something Brief, The Boy Who Never, Can't Let Go and Great Companion are all examples of my previous statement.

It amazes me how he can actually put into words, emotions which are often so hard to describe. You definitely have to check out his new album The Boy Who Never. My favourite track on it would be the song of the same name.

I tried to write down the lyrics by ear, since I couldn't find them online... You can find them below (or on songmeanings.net). Yeps I posted them up on there too...

The strongest structures ever built
Are the ones that don't get built at all
And the kinds of bricks that don't get laid
Are the only kind that never fall

He told himself how not to lose
By never really trying to win
That's how the man in front of you became
The boy who never

I'm afraid of what might happen if
Together we build a wall
Cause the only kind of love that never gets built
Is the only kind of love that never falls
So I'll forfeit future tears of joy to save us both from pain
I could kiss you now but I'd only miss you more
When I walk away
When I walk away

I never let my heart speak through my lips
I never let my hands rest on your hips
I never said 'I love you'
But a heart never lies
I know you heard me say it when I said it with my eyes

So I'll forfeit future tears of joy to save us both from pain
I could kiss you now but I'd only miss you more

He told himself how not to lose
By never really trying to win
That's how the man in front of you became
The boy who never

The boy who never...

And do check out his acting debut in the movie Whip It. I haven't watched it yet but since it was directed by Drew Barrymore, I'm kinda expecting something nice. Plus he's got an underwater kiss scene in the movie, which I've heard was pretty hot! haha.

Go Radio vs Mayday Parade

Mayday Parade, for those who've been living under a rock, is a pop rock/pop punk band from Tallahassee, Florida. I first heard about them on the 'Punk Goes Acoustic 2' CD back in 2007. Three Cheers for Five Years was my song crush back then. I was literally obsessed by it. When I learned that they also had a normal, non-acoustic version, I definitely had to check it out. Got the EP, checked out the other songs, and ultimately fell in love with all the songs on Tales Told By Dead Friends (particularly One Man Drinking Games; that song could make me cry when I'm feeling emo XD)

They also released the renowned A Lesson in Romantics album later that year. It's still one of my all time favourites. The songs were lyrically perfect. Yet, the best had to be the delivery. They sang with such a raw passion. The emotion they conveyed was almost palpable. The dual vocals just blew me away.

Even later that year, while youtubing some videos, I found out that Jason Lancaster had left the band. Not really certain about the role he had in the band, I looked him up and soon realised that he was the deep voice on the songs. The one who sang the "And if you sing to me..." part on You Be The Anchor, the one who sang the "This will be the first time in a week..." part on Miserable At Best. The one whose parts I sang each time my sister and I had our Mayday Parade duets (she was generally Derek).

God was I heartbroken. I didn't have to mourn for long though, cause I soon found out that Jason had formed another band.


Go Radio, an Indie/pop/rock band from Tallahassee, Florida, United States, formed in 2007, after Jason Lancaster left Mayday Parade. It consists of (from left to right) Alex Reed, Steven Kopacz, Matt Burns and Jason Lancaster.

According to an interview with Alternative Press, when Jason left Mayday Parade, he was pretty much tired of music in general. However, with the support of his friends and other awesome persons surrounding him, he decided to come back into it.

Thanks to God.

It only took me one listen at I Miss You to fall for them. The raw emotions I loved in Mayday Parade were still there, the lyrics still as brilliant. Plus they had their demos up for free! That California Song and I Wish It Would Snow are still two of my favourite songs from them. (Moot point since I can't decide on any actual favourite. All their following songs are just that awesome.)

And the best was that they were not a Mayday Parade wannabe. They had their own sound. No dual vocals (they didn't need it!), more catchy tunes.

They were Go Radio, a totally different band with oh so talented artists. I started loving them as much as I loved Mayday Parade. Maybe even more.

I followed their career as an enthusiastic fan almost since the very beginning. Waited for their EP Welcome To Life with impatience and was rewarded by its awesomeness.

I hadn't forgotten my love for Mayday Parade though. Tales Told By Dead Friends and A Lesson In Romantics were still constantly playing on my media player. And I kept waiting for their new stuff with impatience.

Nevertheless, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed when I saw their music video for 'Miserable at Best' - released in early 2009. For one, they had cut THE best part (which was sung by Jason on the CD) out of the song and for two, they had made Jake lip-synch Jason's part.

Still, I started to get impatient for their new album when I saw Derek's acoustic video of 'I Swear This Time I Mean it' at that time still known as the 'Untitled Song'. My anticipation kind of died when they posted 'Anywhere But Here' and 'The Silence' before the release of their new album, though.

I knew that they were going to sound different, with Jason gone. And those songs definitely proved that. They sounded poppier, still good but a lot more generic. It started to mentally prepare myself to be completely disappointed by Anywhere But Here, their new album.

However, Anywhere But Here recently came out (October 6th 2009) and to my surprise, I was not completely disappointed. Sure, the new album is no way as good as ALIR or TTBDF, but it features some good songs.

Get Up is terribly catchy, I Swear This Time I Mean It could be considered the Miserable At Best of this album, and Still Breathing has something of the old Mayday. The lyrics are simplistic, but still good considering the fact that they've lost Jason's lyrical genius. They do sound a lot more poppier and generic, but I guess that had to be expected.

Anyway... I don't know if it was intentional or not on Go Radio's part, but they also released two new songs to be featured on their new 'FREAKING EPIC' EP (nah, that's not it's actual name) on that exact date.

And while I was expecting something awesome from them, they exceeded my expectations. Like totally. Fall Asleep First and Thanks For Nothing are so f-ing good that I actually had to use an expletive to convey such awesomeness. I've been playing those songs on repeat, and I just can't stop listening to them.

Anyway, to conclude that long post, I just wanted to say that my love for Mayday Parade is still intact. I'm not going to give up on them after Anywhere But Here. They're still great artists and I do expect a 'comeback of the year' after their imho second LP's 'sophomore slump'.

As for Go Radio, well, I believe that those guys are talented as hell and definitely criminally underrated at the moment. As I've said and will continue to say, GO RADIO IS THE NEXT BIG THING!!! And I sure hope that they're going to be heard on all radio stations very soon.

The Cab EP : Lady Luck Review

I've got to say that I'm a huge fan of The Cab. Alex DeLeon has one of the loveliest voices I've ever heard. He's even on my list of voices I'd marry if I could marry a voice (second to Jason Lancaster from Go Radio, ex-Mayday Parade).

I absolutely loved their first album, Whisper War. Seriously, Vegas Skies has been my alarm tone for months, and I'm still not tired of listening to the song. So, it's needless to say that I was impatiently waiting for the release of the new EP.

As soon as i saw that the whole thing was on PureVolume, I went there for a listen. However, I must admit that I was kinda disappointed. I don't know, maybe I was expecting too much??

Not that I'm saying that the EP is not good. It's just that it sounds overproduced.

Okay, let's just start from the beginning.

Take My Hand (remix) for instance. It features vocals from Cassadee Pope from Hey Monday (a great band btw). Well, though they both sing well, I prefer the original by far. Why? I don't like how they've synthesised Alex's voice in that version. I mean, why did they even do that? Alex DeLeon's voice was perfect on the original version!

I am Who I am and Diamonds are Forever are quite goods tracks though. They have the original The Cab sound which I LOVED!

I'll Run (strings) must be my biggest disappointment on this EP. I'll Run was my favourite song on Whisper War. With lyrics like "Girl you're three times the lady I'll ever have", I must admit that I just fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. Now with strings, I was definitely looking forward to something very heartfelt. But I didn't really feel any emotion in his voice. I know it's harsh but I thought that this version was rather dull.

I want to break free (Queen cover) is a really fun cover. First thing that came to my mind when I heard it was : "Aww so sweet".

Lights is the catchiest song on the EP. It was love at first sound. Seriously my favourite.

All in all, the EP is quite good. Just a little disappointed that the EP was much more heavy on the production front... Oh well...

Score: 3.5/5