Catharsis Playlist

(We're about to get personal)
I cannot be the only one that has those moments where I need to cry. I don't want to cry, but I NEED to cry. I discovered that at these said times, certain songs helps the process along. Not only does this playlist allow me to ball my freaking eyes out, there are also songs that help me kind of reflect on the better times in life and make me feel a little bit better. It my "Catharsis Playlist". I think everybody needs to have one! I suggest you pick songs that you have a connection to, whether it be a good or bad memory or even a person. It helps if you're familiar with the artist as well because it makes it more personal. Most importantly, make sure that you relate to it lyrical wise. That's the whole point to this playlist! It lets you relate to something for a little while and just let go and cry!
1) Untitled- Simple Plan
2) Hotel Ceiling- Rixton
3) Live Forever ft. Faydee- DJ James Yammouni (of The Janoskians)
4) Amnesia- 5 Seconds of Summer
5) 3000 Miles- Emblem3
6) Ghost- Hollywood Ending
7) You Will Not Be Forgotten- Keaton Stromberg (of Emblem3)
8) The Memory- Mayday Parade
9) Letting Go- Mayday Parade
10) Wasted- MKTO
11) Once in a Lifetime- One Direction
12) Infinity- One Direction
13) Broken Home- 5 Seconds of Summer
14) The Only Reason- 5 Seconds of Summer
15) Hello- Emblem3 cover

This has actually helped me out a lot. It's dumb, it's cheesy, it's a waste of time to put together a depressing playlist. It really does help though! Take it from a professional in the area of mental breakdowns! :) 

The Tide

The Tide is a band that most have not heard of. If you have, I guarantee it's because you are a dedicated fan of The Vamps. The Tide was formed by the british band in 2014. The Vamps announced a secret project in December of 2014 and they held auditions for guitarists and drummers to form a band. The band the put together was The Tide.
Austin Corini is the lead singer of the band. He also plays guitar. He's from Gilroy, California. Austin auditioned for The X-Factor in 2012. He sang an amazing cover of "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes. He didn't make it past boot camp on his own. They put him together with other boys to form the group, Playback. However, the group didn't make it past the judge's houses. This was the same year that Emblem3 was on The X-Factor, so Austin knows the boys. Drew Dirksen is the lead guitarist and contributes vocals. He is from Ohio, as is his band mate Nate Parker. Nate is the drummer. Levi is the bassist and the last piece to the puzzle. He is from southern California.
The band officially formed in 2015. They made their debut together on the internet on February 25, 2015. They posted a cover of 5 Seconds of Summers "She Looks So Perfect". I'm not a fan of covers from my favorite artists, but I actually really liked their version of the song. Since they actually caught my attention by doing my favorite song, I decided it was worth my while to check out who they were and to keep up with the newly formed band. I'm glad I did, because since their formation they have posted many other great covers on their youtube channel. They have also posted an acoustic version of one of their original songs, "Falling in Love Tonight". As of right now, the band sticks to covers, but they do perform originals live, like "What you Give" and "The Rest of Us". The band plans on releasing an EP or maybe even an album in 2016.
 Since their formation, they have been on tour with The Vamps. The accompanied them on their 2015 tour along with Before You Exit. They also played at 2015 Fanfest and the Big Ticket Summer Concert Series. They have performed next artists such as Union J and Luke Friend. The band is also planning on a 2016 tour. In order to release an EP and follow it up with a tour, it's best to have a record label, right? Well, The Vamps signed the band on to their own record label, EMI Universal. That was their big announcement/secret project in December of 2014. The Vamps also had them do a major cameo in their latest video for their single "Wake Up" along with Brooklyn Beckham.
So, what can you expect from The Tide? Their style and their influence is rather different, which I find interesting. They have a wide range in taste. Their musical style is pop. The band has even admitted to it. However, they also throw in the fact that their main influences are 5 Seconds of Summer and All Time Low. They want to become a similar band. Mayday Parade and Sleeping With Sirens are also have an influence on the band. Going in a totally opposite direction, the band looks up to singer/song writers like Ed Sheeran and even Shawn Mendes who is younger than the members in the band.

I adore this band as whole and love each of it's members. They are so down to earth. All four of them are absolutely adorable. The best part is that I can say that they are hot without feeling like a pedophile because they are all 17-18 years old! So, not only are they talented, kind, and entertaining, they are very nice to look at. Looks aren't that important though. What is, is the fact that these four boys are talented and dedicated to their music and to their fans. I love, love, love them! I can't wait to see what the future holds for them. They have the world at their finger tips! I'm going to love telling people that I knew them long before they were famous. 

SOUNDS GOOD FEELS GOOD

Sounds good. Feels better. The new 5SOS album is pure gold. Granted, I am a little bias because I am a huge fan of the group, but I am not the only one praising the work produced by these fine young lads and a few of their friends and idols. Many people admire the fact that, yes, the album is a little "soft" for being considered punk, but they are still able to channel that genre clearly in certain songs and with certain lyrics. While doing this, they also managed to gear all of their songs towards their audience lyrical wise. The band is well aware of the struggles that their fans go through and who is in their fan base age wise. They did a great job making the album appropriate for them while still making it enjoyable for those that don't exactly fit in to the group.
I'm not going to take a huge musical stance on the album. They showed off their instrumental talent by crushing guitar solos and mastering difficult, yet catchy riffs. Don't even get me started on the imperfectly perfect vocals provided by every member of the band. My judgement is a lot more based on the meaning behind it all. Every single song on that album has a meaning in it that is clear to find. The title of the album fits it very VERY well. You definitely feel something after listening to it. If you can't catch the overall meaning of it or the messages in the songs, then it's time to exit their fandom.
This album has a lot of meaning to the four Aussies. It's literally their life. You can hear the emotions they were feeling when they wrote the songs through the vocals. Every song tells a story of some kind. You just have to listen and find it. Some of them are more clear than others. "Broken Home" was a major shout out from drummer Ashton Irwin. Fans caught on to this immediately after the album was released and got the song title trending on Twitter. Invisible easily puts the focus on feeling like you don't belong and don't really matter to the world, but at the same time it delivers the message that you've got to stay positive. The longest song on the album "Outer Space/Carry On" is basically about the same thing, but it focuses more on the message of carrying on.
It's obvious to me that this album was also meant to start a movement within their fandom. They've got to start somewhere, right? They were able to rally their fans in to the New Broken Scene before the record was released. Then in the first single "She's Kinda Hot", they delivered the explanation for The New Broken Scene. "They say we're losers and we're alright with that. We are the leaders of the not coming backs." "Hey Everybody" is an uplifting song that screams at you to realize that you don't have to live your life the way people want you to. "Hey everybody, we don't have to live this way." My favorite? "Permanent Vacation". This is the first song that comes to my head when I think about this movement that the band is starting. Every verse in that song is a diss towards the way we live. The end verses Michael sings, "Congratulations, your imitations are taking over the radio stations. Corporations, calculations. We're the voice of the new generation." A bold statement for the band, but needless to say, a very true one. This song is the anthem for The New Broken Scene. (In my opinion anyways.)
Okay, this has gotten lengthy enough. Bottom line is that this album means a lot to me and the boys themselves. If you're in to the whole lyrical meaning things, you'll love this. If you like punk-pop, then you'll find something to love on here. More of the "She Looks So Perfect" type? No problem. You can probably find your new favorite song on here. Sounds Good Feels isn't the best album, but it's pretty damn amazing. They are progressing greatly as a band. I can't wait for their third album!

Personal Party Playlist

So, the past couple days I've been dying of nervousness. I went from Monday until tonight dealing with terrible anxiety. What was I so worked up about? I asked someone out. I got over everything that has happened to me the past couple of months and asked somebody I really liked out. I walked right in to his office and put all my cards out on the table. After recovering from his shock he asked if I wanted to go on a date. That was my whole reason for telling him I liked him in the first place, so I said yes. I panicked up until literally the very last minute. I pulled myself together at 4:44. We were meeting in our lobby at 4:45. In my opinion the date went well. When I got back to my room I felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders and I was SO happy and full of energy. I had nothing to do get that energy out, so I decided to do what most "normal" people would do. I threw my own personal dance party.

So, whenever you're feeling overwhelmingly happy and have no way to get out all of your pent up energy, or you want to gain some energy and happiness, start blaring these tracks and let loose. (Keep in mind, these aren't songs that you hear on the radio and my own personal playlist) 

1) I Feel Like Dancing- All Time Low 

2) Dangerous- Before You Exit

3) Not Your Birthday- Allstar Weekend

4)Talking About- Conor Maynard 

5) Best Song Every- One Direction

6) Teenage Kings- Emblem3

7) Tonight Tonight- Hot Chelle Rae

8) Groove- Jack and Jack

9) Party in the Penthouse- Jake Miller

10) Make Out- Rixton 

11) Wannabe- SpiceGirls 

12) Lightning in a Bottle- The SummerSet 

13) Check Yes Juliet- We The Kings 

14) I Can't Remember- 5 Seconds of Summer 

15) Can't Help- Parachute 

16) Go All Night- RadioDriveBy

17) Somebody That I Used to Know- Mayday Parade ft. Vic Fuentes 

18) Sarah Says- Hollywood Heartache 

19) Is It Just Me- Hinder 

20) Hallelujah!- Panic! At The Disco

The End of the World.... Tour Starring 5SOS

I am drowning in tears of emotion because my four young boys from Sydney Australia finished their first ever headlining world tour. I think I'm taking this harder than the end of their tours with One Direction. And that was the end of an era! It was two years of 5SOS and 1D. Now 5 Seconds of Summer are off on their own, headlining their own shows around the world. They went from filming in a bedroom with pink speakers, to playing gigs with 12 people, and ended up with a headlining world tour, playing to hundreds-sometimes thousands-of people every night.
If you don't know who 5SOS is, you're going to have to use this awesome thing called Google. I could go on forever over these boys. The basics I can handle. Despite their name, their are only 4 members. Luke Hemmings (guitar), Ashton Irwin (percussion), Calum Hood (bass), Michael Clifford (guitar). All four contribute vocals, but Luke is the front man. Ashton is the oldest at 21. The rest are 19. The band started out with just Luke, Calum, and Michael. Ashton joined shortly before their first gig. The band has released multiple EPs and two full length CDs. They have won plenty of awards in the short amount of time they've been in the spotlight. Most recently, they won MTVs Song of the Summer for the second year in a row. The first was because of their first single "She Looks So Perfect". This year the fuss was all about "She's Kinda Hot". The band has also started their own record company called "Hi or Hey Records". Also, they are punk-rock. Punk-pop is acceptable, but they are NOT a boy band.

As many people already know, they got a huge helping hand from One Direction when they were asked to open for them on their Take Me Home tour. They asked them to come back for parts of their Where We Are tour. So, yes, a good portion of their fan base are Directioners, but 5SOS still has a die-hard fandom that I'm proud to be a part of. The fans are what makes the band. The boys realize that. It's one of the reasons I love them so much. They know they owe everything to their fans and they give back everything they have. They are such down to earth amazing musicians. I honestly can't imagine my life without them in it. They have had a huge influence on me and the person that I am today. I have a lot to thank them for. They always tell their fans that they have a lot to thank us for, but really it's the least we could do.
I was lucky enough to attend one of their concerts for this tour, Rock Out With Your Socks Out. (Amazing name btw!) It was literally the best night of my life. The only time I have ever cried from joy was when my purchase went through for my tickets. The second time I cried because of happiness was when I saw the four of them walk out on to the stage in front of me. They put on the best show I have ever seen. They were bouncing all around, interacting with each other and the crowd, and they never missed a beat. They performed songs that haven't been released yet, their most popular ones, and for the ones that have been there since the beginning they played a few of their originals. They managed to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. The best part was that they didn't hold back and hide who they really are. They were on stage doing what they love and being their weird, funny, adorable selves. They have a special talent that not many people posses.
The best part is that they're using their talent to spread a message, to show support for people who are struggling. They are using their name and talent to raise their voices and shed some light on issues and people that get over-looked. Towards the end of the tour, they announced that they are releasing their second full length album "Sounds Good Feels Good". Along with that, they started a new age. The age of the New Broken Scene. It's something that their fans can get behind, support, and allows them to be themselves according to the band. How many people create something just so their fans feel like they belong to something important? Actually, to show them that they are a part of something important. So, not only was it the end of their first world tour (cue tears), it was the start of something new, exciting, and meaningful. I wish that these boys could've stayed my little secret, but I am overwhelmed with joy that they are making a name for themselves and doing something to make a difference. They deserve the world. They've come so far and learned so much, but we still don't know if it's hi or hey.