Dashboard Confessional

Chris Carrabba

As I have said before. I love concerts and I love live music. Most of the time it is better than what is on the CD. My first concert was Dashboard. I saw them in Orem, Utah at the Mckay Events Center. It was great. Chris came out before everyone was ready an played a couple of acoustic songs. After Brand New set the stage for Dashboard the night started! After seeing them live I immediately went home and researched the band. I found out about all the former bands that front man Chris Carraba was in. The band 'Further Seems Forever' made a mark on me and I went and got their CD. It was great. It was very similar to Dashboard, but with more of a rock feel to it.

I used to snowboarding to "a mark, a mission, a band, a scar" all the time!

A month or two ago I read that Dashboard was breaking up. This was a sad day for me and my friend who was with me. I am not sure though if it is true, or if it is just a rumor, but I do know that Chris is bringing back 'Further Seems Forever'! Knowing this made things better. Even if Dashboard breaks up I will be OK as long as Chris still writes music!

Holiday Parade

I have been listening to this band a lot recently. They have a great beat and the way that their piano and drums sound makes it hard for me to turn off. As I was searching the web I found out that they recently released a new album on iTunes. The album is called "Off Your Shoulders".

Holiday Parade has had 6 albums released since 2006 with their most recent being released yesterday. They have a pop, punk, acoustic feel to their music. If you like "Something Corporate" or groups like them, then you will most likely love Holiday Parade. I stumbled upon this group about 4 or 5 years ago while searching http://www.purevolume.com/ for good groups. I heard their music and fell in love.

If you are getting bored with your music or you are just looking for something new to rock out to, then Holiday Parade is a good choice to rejuvenate your musical energy.

Check them out at: http://www.purevolume.com/holidayparade/overview

http://holidayparaderock.com/

http://www.facebook.com/HolidayParade

He Is We

This band is currently my number one band. After seeing them live, I could not resist but to bump Allred down to second. Rachel and Trevor met at their old job and have been making music for only a couple of years now. I found this group one day while searching purevolume.com for new music. I could not resist Rachel's voice and immediately fell in love. They only had a few songs that I could download, so i searched for more and found it. Their new album "My Forever" is all about love and is AMAZING!!! My fiance, Bianca, and I are using two of their songs in our wedding video and one of them for our first dance. Their music made my summer!

Their music is a bit different than most, because Trevor is a Hard Rocker and Rachel is all about love! At first glance you would think they were married, because they are so cute together, but according to them they aren't. Rachel does has a promise ring though, so sorry guys.

When I got to talk to Trevor at their concert a few months ago, I found out that he is super down to earth and just wants to share their music with everyone! They are from Washington and I hope that they move to Utah soon and have concerts all the time. If I could I would follow them around or try to be in the band or at least the manager. They are great!!

Check these guys out at Heiswemusic.com!!

Allred

If you are from Utah and you like acoustic music, then you most likely have heard of Allred. John Allred moved here about 6 years ago and has spent hundreds and hundreds of hours at concerts here in Utah. Last weekend at iHappiPalooza, I saw Allred live for the twelfth time in a year and a half. I fell in love with his music at my old college in Price, Utah. John came and played an acoustic set and was very open with us about his life. It was great to hear his music and to get to know a little bit about why he writes what he does.

Allred now is seen playing more often with his full band, which brings on a totally different feel to his music. Although I prefer his acoustic sets the best and the looping and singing into the guitar, I cannot help but love the full band. Tanner rocks it on the drums every time, which leaves me feeling the beat for hours after.

If you love music like I do, then you will definetly want to check Allred out at Gurus in Provo Thursday the 24th and the 31st. He has been playing FREE acoustic sets there every Thursday this month and he is recording a song a night and emailing them to those who come. With around 600 recorded songs on his computer, a list of great covers, and songs from his albums he will never run out of songs to play.

Allred's passion in his music and his incredible voice is what makes me wanting more. He also is a really nice, down-to-earth guy. Go up and talk to him after the shows and he will remember who you are in no time. Allred has been in my top five favorite music groups since the first time I heard his music. I highly recommend seeing him live and getting his music. Go to allredmusic.com to order his new EP album or to buy some merch and see when his next show is!

Fictionist

Welcome to my new blog. I was at a concert tonight feeling the vibe, when I decided that I was going to start a music blog. So here it goes!!

I would like to start off by saying that I love music and that I love finding new music, even if the band has been around for awhile. A couple weeks ago I was flipping through the Utah Business magazine when i came across a familiar face, Stuart Maxfield! He is a member of the LDS faith, just like I am and he is actually in my bishopric. I read what it said about him and found out that he was in a band. I also found out that this band was quite popular.

After finding this article, I did what any normal person would do...stock him. Ok I didn't actually follow him around, but I added him and the band on Facebook. I looked them up on twitter. I found their website. I downloaded any and all songs that they offered and I found out that they were playing a free outdoor concert.

Tonight was that concert at Sammy's cafe. They were accompanied by a few other bands: Mindy Gladhill, The Neighbors, The Vibrant Sound and Allred (one of my favorite bands). I was there with my fiance Bianca and couldn't wait to see them live.

I must say that it was bliss. They were so great live! I have yet to go to a concert where the band was not good live, and so I was glad that this was not the first. Stuart was full of energy and rocked it up on the bass!

It also was cool that they were filming a music video and that the popo shut us down!

I guess from all of this I am saying...Fictionist is now on my top five, and I highly recommend them! Check their website fictionist.com!! Also vote for them to be on the cover of Rolling Stones Magazine!!

Check them out at www.fictionist.com

Also for pictures from iHappiPalooza check out: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=10150117139881144&id=516496143&aid=281638