Discover new music: LIGHTS

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Are you a fan of Owl City (aka Adam Young)?  If so, you will enjoy LIGHTS.  To put it another way, if Adam Young was reincarnated as a girl, he’d be LIGHTS.  Somehow, someway Young discovered LIGHTS, added her to his Spring Tour 2010 lineup, and she’s gained in popularity ever since.

Born Valerie Anne Poxleitner, LIGHTS legally changed her name to Lights Valerie Poxleitner and started her music career back in 2002.  She’s a 22-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter and has that same synth-pop vibe that Young so expressively gives off in his music.  She says her influences include Björk, Phil Collins, and ABBA.  She’s known to cover other artists like Coldplay, Architects, and Collins.

In 2008 she came out with her debut six-track EP called LIGHTS.  “Ice,” “Drive My Soul,” and “February Air” have music video counterparts, and they’re each embedded after the break.  One year later she released a second EP called Saviour.  It includes 4 tracks; two of them are remixes to the song “Saviour.”  That track also has a music video.  In 2009 she finally dropped her first album, The Listening.  The 16 track album contains mostly a combination of songs from the two EPs, plus a few new selections.  Later that year she dropped a third EP; The Ice Pack contains the album version plus six remixes of the song.

And that brings us to today.  Having met her musical soulmate in Adam Young while on tour with Owl City, what better way to celebrate their uniting than with a collaboration?  Yesterday her fourth EP found its way to iTunes; this version of Saviour includes the original track plus an Adam Young remix and a new music video to go along with it.  Listen to “Saviour (Adam Young remix)” below and check out the music video for it (and the others) after the break.

[audio: LIGHTS – Saviour (Adam Young Remix).mp3]

So, what do you think?  Does this world long for a female counterpart to Owl City?  I think it does.

Continue reading Discover new music: LIGHTS →

Music video: Aloe Blacc – “I Need A Dollar”

Music, Uncategorized, Video, , ,

Aloe Blacc just put out a music video for “I Need A Dollar,” the catchy tune I discovered watching the opening credits of HBO’s How To Make It In America.  This track is the first single off Blacc’s debut album Good Things, due out this summer.  The music video splits the screen in half; one side follows a hustler walking the city streets and the other features Blacc singing.  At 2:35 the video begins to play a part of his second single titled “Take Me Back.”  He’s got a great old-school soul sound, something that’s missing in mainstream music today.  I’m really looking forward to the album.

Music video: Blue Roses – Doubtful (in 3D, no glasses required)

Music, Technology, Video, ,

Here’s a music video that incorporates 3D effects, and you can enjoy it without wearing those pesky glasses.  LaughingSquid explains how it’s done: “Known as wiggle stereoscopy, the technique works by rapidly alternating between images shot from two cameras, slightly offset from one another.”  Though the effect is certainly visible, the jittery movements of the camera make for a rather unpleasant experience.  But it’s great to see artists taking fun creative risks!

[Via LaughingSquid; Gizmodo]

HP Slate surfaces again, this time showing off cameras, SD card slot & more

Technology, Video, , , ,

Over the weekend a tablet called iPad was released into the wild.  Taking a backseat to all the ruckus was HP, a company who knows a thing or two about the tablet game.  The HP Slate makes a brand new appearence in this video, boasting features that are noticably absent from the coveted iPad including dual cameras for Skype video chat, an SD card slot for expandable storage, and a USB port.  The Slate will run Windows 7 with a layer of HP’s TouchSmart UI laid on top.  Rumors are swirling that it’ll cost $529 and drop into customer’s hands this June, but I’ll make sure to report back when official word comes from HP.

[Via Engadget]

Apple sells over 300,000 iPads on launch day

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On Saturday, April 3 Apple sold over 300,000 iPads.  According to the official PR, these sales include “deliveries of pre-ordered iPads to customers, deliveries to channel partners [Best Buy/Apple Authorized Resellers], and sales at Apple Retail Stores.  In addition, iPad users downloaded over 1 millon apps from the App Store and over 250,000 eBooks from the iBookstore that day.  Impressive!  Steve Jobs had this today about launch day: “It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world—it’s going to be a game changer.  iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad.”  Keep in mind that the WiFi+3G iPad does not release until “late-April.”  This second launch will certainly rack up high sales figures, too.  Can’t you feel the magic in the air?

[Via Apple]

Today is iPad Day. Want one? Here is what you need to know.

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So the iPad is coming out today.  THE iPAD IS COMING OUT TODAY!  OK, calm down.  If you want one that badly, here’s what you need to know.

Where/when to buy it: (1) The iPad is available to purchase at all Apple Stores around the nation.  On launch day, Apple employees will cater to customers who preordered it first at 9AM, then start selling it to everyone else at 10AM.  Lines started forming a whole 24 hours before store opening.  But don’t worry; it’s been reported that most lines are not as deep as those found on iPhone launch day.  (2) The iPad will also be available to purchase at Besy Buy.  Word has it that the device will only be sold at Best Buys that contain the mini-Apple kiosks within them; fortunately that includes around 675 stores around the nation.  Stores will likely hand out tickets (redeemable until 3PM) at 9AM.  Your best bet is to go to an Apple Store first and save Best Buy as a backup plan.  The Apple Store will definitely receive more iPad units, and it’s been reported that Best Buy is only receiving 15 units of each model.  If queues begin, your chances of getting one are slim.  So, Apple Store first, then Best Buy.  (Apple Specialist Stores will also be getting in some iPads.  If you know if your local mall has one of these, call them up and inquire; it’s worth a shot.)

Don’t feel like going out tomorrow?: Well, that’s fine.  There is one other way to snag an iPad early in the game.  Head over to the Apple store online and order one.  The initial shipments have sold out, so if you order one today the expected ship date is April 12.  (Note that Best Buy does not offer the iPad online.)

And that’s about it.  If you’re going out to get one, good luck and have a magical day!  While you’re waiting, check out the full catelog of iPad apps, now available to view in iTunes!  I’ll be posting some of my favorites next week.

[Via Gizmodo]