Tag Archive for 'northern room'

OURSTAGE MUSIC THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A MOVIE SOUNDTRACK

Published by Rainy on June 17, 2009 in Editorial and Playlists. 0 Comments Tags: Etcetera Etcetera, Hightide Blues, Jean Claude Garner, Jeremy Dalmas, New City Lions, northern room, Sapience.

Film soundtracks are often the most memorable part of the whole movie experience. Music can evoke emotion, hint at what’s coming next or simply create an appropriate backdrop for a critical scene. On the flip side, it’s possible to watch a movie and question the music choices. Take Juno for example: the soundtrack is either totally brilliant or totally repetitive depending on whom you ask.

In the name of Pulp Fiction, I’ve hand-picked some diverse OurStage tracks that should be included on a movie soundtrack. I dare you to disagree.

“Getaway” by Jean Claude Garner:
This song definitely belongs in a buddy cop flick right as the boat chase ends and the credits roll. Just picture it: the good guys think they’ve finally won but one lone bad guy is speeding off into the sunset (in his boat, remember). Obviously there will be a sequel.

“Super Bad Vampire Eyes” by Etcetera Etcetera:
WARNING: This song will get stuck in your head. I think it should have been featured in Forgetting Sarah Marshall because it sounds like a song Peter (the main character) would write about Sarah and how seeing her was driving him crazy. He’d definitely work this track into the Dracula-themed rock opera he was writing.

“Never Too Soon” by New City Lions
No summer is complete without a feel-good-get-the-girl-find-yourself teen flick. This track will pump you up and make you forget your worries so it should definately play during the inevitable party scene, when boy and girl are ignoring the world around them.

Continue reading ‘OURSTAGE MUSIC THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A MOVIE SOUNDTRACK’

The Curse of the Grand Prize

Published by jayschneider on April 24, 2009 in Editorial. 3 Comments Tags: Alanis Morisette, bands breaking up, coldplay, Ingrid Michaelson, northern room, oddway, petrina foley, Regina Spektor, Ryan Ordway, Sublime, u2.

The coveted Grand Prize at OurStage is as illusive as it is dangerous. We were curious about what happened to previous Grand Prize winners, so We put on our “Where are they now?” caps and found an astonishing truth. The OurStage Grand Prize may be just as cursed as opening an umbrella indoors. Sure, there’s glamour, exposure, and of course that $5,000, but something the artists didn’t plan on was an end to their band. That’s right, we’ve found a few cases where an artist will rise to the top only to find that their days as a band are over. Don’t believe in black cats and broken mirrors? Check out these groups and their stories. Draw your own conclusions about the curse of the Grand Prize.

Inspired by Coldplay and U2 (among others), Northern Room has been a familiar face on OurStage. Building synth melodies, energetic drumming, and soaring vocals are just a few of the characteristics that afforded this band a grand prize win in July of 2008 with their song “Last Embrace“. They were even featured on our blog during the July competitions, showcasing an interview between OurStage’s Alyssa Jayne Hale and lead vocalist, AJ. Despite their large scale aspirations, just months after winning the grand prize, the band played a farewell show and called it quits. Thankfully, the band’s inspirational and uplifting music can still be heard on their OurStage profile. Check them out and pay your respects to a timeless grand prize winner from deep within the OurStage archives.

Dig even deeper into those archives and you’ll find Oddway, a female-fronted rock band from Boston. Their sound can be compared to artists ranging from Sublime to Alanis Morisette. The bluesy, soulful melodies of singer Petrina Foley pair so well with the skillful guitar playing of Ryan Ordway that they seemed destined for greatness. After winning the first ever grand prize at OurStage in March 2007, the band enjoyed a month or two more of success in the charts. Then they met their fatal end, the well-meshed sound was just not enough to prevent artistic conflicts of interest that lead to the breakup.

ryanordway Two well-accomplished OurStage artists have since risen from the ashes of Oddway. Singer/songwriter Ryan Ordway has recently enjoyed success in the charts; fronting his own solo act has given him the artistic control he needed to thrive as a musician. Additionally, lead singer Petrina Foley has also posted her own badges of honor in the singer/songwriter (female) channel. Her style brings back memories of Oddway with a slightly more indie sound, suggesting hints of Ingrid Michaelson or even Regina Spektor.

Of course, a curse is only what you make it. The truth is, these bands achieved the highest honor that OurStage has to offer, and their music supports the award. So maybe the Grand Prize isn’t cursed after all. Oddway produced some phenomenal solo artists and Northern Room’s lead singer is optimistic about future musical goals for the band members.

So go ahead, keep listening, because in the music industry, you make your own luck. Our artists will keep submitting their songs even if a few of them will be throwing salt over their shoulder or knocking on wood.

APRIL FOOLS BANDS: THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME

Published by brianw on March 30, 2009 in Artist Feature and Editorial. 1 Comment Tags: coldplay, jetty rae, Kilroy, led zeppelin, norah jones, northern room, panic at the disco, that was something.

April Fools Day is just around the corner, which means this is a great time to pay dues to the bands who sometimes fool us into thinking they are another. It’s no slight on their abilities – but sometimes a certain singer or melody can conjure images and thoughts of other bands, past concerts, or other fun memories. These four acts have definitely paid their dues to their predecessors or influences. Why four? Because it’s April- celebrate the spring!

Keep reading on for the list of bands that may fool you…

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Download of the Week: Northern Room

Published by mikesplain on March 27, 2009 in Download of the Week. 0 Comments Tags: coldplay, free music, northern room, u2.

This week we’re taking a flashback to our July 2008 grand prize winner Northern Room. This track, Last Embrace, is a hit you should surely grab. Since we last checked in with them in July, the band unfortunately parted ways; however, their music lives on! So here’s our tribute to some people who really know how to make some solid tunes. Maybe we’ll see them around again someday!