In Remembrance: Have Heart
Right when it seemed that they might be making their big break, they decided to throw it all away – why?
While the usually focus of this article tends to be on bands most would consider “indie,” the fact stands that, for many of us, we listen to other genres as well. I am no exception to this idea; and it just so happens, that when I’m not listening to my usual grind, heart-pounding, balls-out hardcore music can often be heard coming from my headphones...
Posted by Andrew Scott on Dec 21, 2009 @ 9:00 am
Owen Pallett Drops Final Fantasy Name
Owen Pallett goes back to original name after trademark infringement charge.
Violinist Owen Pallett has been going by Final Fantasy for his past two solo records but for his next release Heartland, expected to be out in January, he's going back to Owen. Pallett took his name from the famous RPG video game series Final Fantasy in 2004 when he started playing violin and keyboards as a part of his solo career. In his letter to the press this morning Pallett said, "Although it was essentially a solo project, I named the band Final Fantasy, as the experience--and the tone of the material--was reminiscent of the hours and hours I had spent as an adolescent playing those epic JRPGs [Japanese Role Playing games]." It was really only a matter of time before Square/Enix slapped him with a trademark infringement. Instead of fighting the ruling Pallett volunatarily dropped the name. Pallett's reasoning behind the decision is pretty solid. "In the new year, my record Heartland is coming out, and it is my first to be released in many territories, including Japan. With this in mind, I feel it is in my own best interests to definitively distinguish my music from Square/Enix's games." His upcoming album Heartland will release under Owen Pallett on January 12th, 2010.
Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Dec 18, 2009 @ 11:00 am
Our Favorite Albums of 2009
Check out each writer's favorite albums of 2009.
We at HEAVE are big fans of giving everybody a voice, so this year we asked all of our HEAVE writers to give us their top three albums of the year. Screw something as limiting as a top ten list of 2009 – here is HEAVEmedia writer’s individual type three albums of the year...
Posted by Wes Soltis on Dec 18, 2009 @ 9:00 am
Holiday Helpings: Sufjan Stevens And The Worst Christmas Ever
Sufjan Stevens makes us hate Christmas for a couple of minutes.
I'm a sucker for traditional Christmas carols - give me a choral version of "Joy to the World" at any point in December, and I'll be happy. Hell, I'll even take "All I Want For Christmas Is You" sung by the one and only Mariah Carey. However, sometimes-diehard carol-lovers need to temper all that holiday enthusiasm with a song that's a little more honest. When I first heard "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!" by Sufjan Stevens, I was struck by the beautiful simplicity of the banjo/piano medley and the ethereal harmonies. And then I was extremely depressed after listening to the decidedly un-festive lyrics.
While the theme of this track is certainly melancholy, I find that this is one of my favorite songs to listen to during the season. Because let's be honest - beneath all of the joy and warmth that the holidays promise, those same holidays can also cause a ton of tension within families that don't normally find themselves spending loads of time together. With his trademark directness, Sufjan sums up those complicated issues with these lyrics: "silent night, holy night/silent night, nothing feels right."
Posted by Alyssa Vincent on Dec 17, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Snoop Dogg Steps Up His Promotional Game
We can’t think of a more likeable rapper, can you?
Snoops Dogg has been making his rounds! Seems like every talk show in existence has had its dose of the Doggfather as of late. From ‘The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” to chatting with Barbara Walters on “The View.” Not only has he been promoting his new album, but also his new position as creative director of Read On
Posted by Andrew Macnider on Dec 17, 2009 @ 8:00 am