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Okkervil River is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. Okkervil River consist of Scott Brackett (Trumpet/ Keyboards), Brian Cassidy (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Mandolin), Travis Nelsen (Drums), Patrick Pestorius (Bass), Will Sheff (Vocals/Guitar), Justin Sherburn (New Member) and Lauren Gurgiolo (New Member). Former member, Jonathan Meiburg (Vocals, Keyboards, Accordion) left the band to pursue as a singer and songwriter in his new band, Shearwater. The band has garnered positive critical reception, especially noted are each song’s lyrics, intricate instrumentation, and thematic albums. Okkervil River play songs that are heart-felt and all songs written by them are actually beautiful poems that ought to be remembered for a long long time. Clever lyrics combined with music that are full of emotions and touch everyone’s heart upon listen. They are as big as the Amazon River.

The Stand Ins is such a matured album that even Adult and Elderly People will fall in love with it. It’s definitely a perfect album for my parents’ wedding anniversary. It has 3 tracks which are pure instrumentals.

“Stand Ins, One” is just 48 seconds long and is the intro to The Stand Ins. It started off slowly and gradually picked up and got louder. Accordian can be heard throughout this song and at times, it sounded creepy to me. Nonetheless, this track will get you ready and build up the tempo and excitement in you for the next track.

What i love about “Lost Coastlines” apart from the awesome lyrics is its music. Patrick Pestorius’ playing of bass gets my head nodding each time i listen to this track. Not only that, the mandolin and trumpet also created an atmosphere as if i’m watching a big group of orchestra performance. As Will sings, “But we find the maps he sent to us don’t mention lost coastlines…”. he knows that they are lost on the shoreline.. And when it comes to the end, it will not be long when you finally find yourself singing along with Okkervil River.. “La, la, la…”

The beginning of “Singer Songwriter” resembles “Ain’t No Easy Way” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club”, and it tells the story about a girl who has everything that she could ever ask for.. But due to this very same fact, she failed in everything she chose to do.. And nothing’s gonna change her world.. It’s also one of the loudest track on The Stand Ins where various guitar playings can be heard throughout this track. Beautiful country rock song where you can imagine a group of elderly people enjoying and dancing to this power-pop country rock track. Love it!

“Starry Stairs” should have been the last track on this album. It just has the quality to end an album. Will sings as if he is sad.. “If you don’t love me, i’m sorry”. It’s the most memorable moment on this track. As he goes on, he sings about how a girl that he loves, lied to him. He has no choice but to say goodbye.. All the Starry Stairs seem to be falling apart as he climbs.. Definitely a track to look out for on The Stand-Ins! Play this song if you found out that your girlfriend is lying to you or hiding something from you! Make her know that you’re saying goodbye..

Clocking in at over 6 minutes long is “Blue Tulip”. The longest song on this album. Blue Tulip, again sings about a girl who lies.. “Hats off to my distant hope, a little lie, a puff of smoke…”, sings Will, and as he sings, i feel the pain he’s in. I feel sorry for him. Such a sad song that it’s impossible to ignore this powerful ballad which sings the way to your heart. And it’s one of the reasons Okkervil River is famous for!

“Stand Ins, Two” is another instrumental. A slow guitar plucking and piano playing. As if Okkervil River is taking a brief break from this album.

As its title suggests, “Pop Lie” is about lies. A story about a man who lies in his pop songs. Thus, Pop Lie. Damn, Okkervil River is good at it! They write songs that’s so complicated until i have to listen countlessly to Pop Lie before i could figure out the real meaning behind this song. A man who has so many fans, from kids to adults, lies whenever he sings. Is this the real world out there? You be the judge. Anyway, it’s a guitar-power-packed song that is so radio friendly! Cheers to Okkervil River!

“On Tour with Zykos” is specially written for Okkervil River’s past member, Jonathan Meiburg. Will wishes him all the best on his future undertaking… “Roll your crew on down the road, to the next sold out show… ” I really love the piano playing of this song. I can feel the friendship shared between Okkervil River and Jonathan. And it reminds me of the friendship shared between Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon. Incredible farewell song to Jonathan!

“Calling and Not Calling My Ex” is a very radio-friendly track. At first listen, i already knew i would like this song. The beat and tempo of this song is just perfect that it’ll make you go on remembering this song, especially the beginning of this song. “God knows i’m feeling really stupid now, forever having said goodbye…” is the phrase that i always recall whenever i listen to this song. And another praise for the piano of this song. I just find it very appealing and infectious..

“Stand Ins, Three”, another instrumental. Violin can be heard throughout this track until it subsides where it jump to another track… More or less, it’s the prelude to the next song…

“Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 19793 is the track that closes The Stand Ins. Before ending The Stand Ins, Okkervil River managed to close this album on thematic and anthemic note. This song is a slow ballad that Will sings, “Pull down the shades, let’s kill the morning…”, as if he’s disappointed and despair in love. But like most closing song, it ended on a high note, high spirit, trumpet, guitar and drums all came in together to make this a memorable one. Okkervil River have done it again!

Rating: I’m speechless… I’m totally impressed with the lyrics written by Okkervil River. The have this ability to write songs with lyrics that are so cryptic that we have to think through the words in order to understand the real meaning behind those lyrics. Not only that, their music landscape and genre is so focused that they are becoming the pioneer in what they are doing. Beautiful and heart-felt songs all in The Stand Ins, i honestly give it 7.5 out of 10. Cheers!

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Lost Coastlines, Singer Songwriter, Starry Stairs, Calling and Not Calling My Ex, On Tour with Zykos.

Cheers!
Darren Tan
Avid Indie Music Fan

Darren Tan

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There are many different careers in music that you may be interested in pursuing. The fact of the matter is that the entertainment industry is always on the rise, and getting involved is something that a lot of people are interested in. But before you can start a career in music you need to know what is available. If you do not you may end up missing out on a career choice that is perfect for you.

The most obvious career in music is to be a singer or member of a band. Not only is this the most obvious choice, but it is also the most difficult to break into. When it comes down to it the music career is a very competitive one across the board. If you want to make it as a singer or with a band you are going to have to be very good, and also get a few breaks along the way. But with that being said, you should chase your dream until you reach your goals. It may be tough to break into this niche of the music industry, but every year people are successful. Hard work may mean that you are next in line.

Another great career in music is working for a record label. These are the companies that work directly with the musicians and bands in order to release songs, etc. With so many jobs available at record labels you should not have a hard time finding one that suits your needs. You can find jobs ranging from marketing assistants to the president of certain divisions. Expect to get in on the ground level, and then work your way up the ladder as you become more experienced.

As you can see, there are many careers in music that
The Music Cyrus Plays In His Car – Trailer Park Boys

you may be interested in. There is a lot of competition in this industry, bur if you take your time and know what you want you can work towards reaching all of your goals in the end. Get started today, and you will be well on your way to success in your chosen field of work.

Francois Botha

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There are singers who possess the talent to write songs, do great on live shows or through auditions, can sing in harmony with a band, and can create great singing without general music. But Scream singing sometimes looks like a noise to many people. The process of scream singing is a complicated one as it requires screaming in a proper manner, especially if you are dealing with a death metal singing.

It is important to know the right techniques to learn scream singing. It should be kept under consideration that screams singing can be achieved properly by practicing it regularly. You should experiment new things on your voice as this will help you to acknowledge your singing limits. Also, by adopting different warming up methods will enable you to find the one that suits your voice perfectly. Learn all the things about your voice as this is important for your success as a professional singer. The following guidelines will help you to become a professional singer in scream singing.

1) You should have patience to learn to scream singing properly. You cannot be a good scream singer overnight.

2) It would take a good length of time to perfect it. If you are being impatient and are screaming beyond your capability, it will be of no help to you. Rather, it would lead to serious vocal chord damage.

3) In scream singing, if you are trying to use all air immediately, it will result in hurting.

4) Remember that excess of everything is bad.

5) Get familiar with head resonance, if you are planning to learn scream singing.  

6) Learn to scream nasally that actually pictures the nasal sound that comes out of your nose. It makes a healthier option than to sing deeply by using your throat. 

A death metal singing will help you to learn scream sing in a proper manner. 

9) Always apply a good singing technique as it warms you up in a long way. 

10) Stop scream singing, if you feel any kind of vocal strain because it can hurt you seriously.  

11) Relax yourself. Avoid talking if your voice is strained. 

12) In case if you have to talk, avoid creating whispering sounds, that would double your problem. 

13) It will block your vocal chords and increase the chances of causing more damage to them. 

14) If it is really needed, talk in the normal usual way.

15) Stay hydrated to better learn to scream. Drink lots of water. 

16) Drinking cola before your performance will coat your throat by causing better reverberation.

17) Have diluted squash juice, in case if you don’t want plain water.

18) Staying hydrated, will improve your voice for scream singing and your health as well.

Therefore, these scream singing tips, will help you learn to scream properly. But remember, you should enjoy scream singing in a safe manner.
Vocal Techniques from Pop to Rock 1- The Rock House Method

Sharon Turner

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Learn about chord structures and progressions for your rock song in this free music video on how to write on a rock song. Expert: Cody Kimmel Contact: www.myspace.com/eliotfitzgerald Bio: Cody Kimmel wrote his first song in the sixth grade is now the lead singer and songwriter for the nationally known band Eliot Fitzgerald. Filmmaker: Cody Kimmel

Fronting their own band is a dream of every beginner singer. So how can you front a band and develop your own band’s own distinctive style of music and performance? How to at the same time developing your own individually unique singing style? How are you going to be distinguished and get noticed from those thousands of bands playing only cover versions of popular music and imitating their favourite bands and lead singers?

First thing to do is to view as many DVD performances of famous singers fronting their bands from the musical genre you have chosen as the forte of your band’s music. Examine how distinctive and different they are from each other. Notice each band playing with their own style and song delivery. Take note of everyone’s body language and what signals and vibes the famous bands and singers are sending out.

Let us take a look at some of these singers and bands. Take Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones for example. See how he pouts his lips and struts on stage cockily exuding sensual visuals and confident charisma at the same time. Those body language became his characteristics and singing charisma. In the advertisement world,it is called image branding.

If someone were to name you some popular singers, you will immediately associate a clear mental picture of that singer during a performance. That is how powerful your body language and distinctive branding can be. In otherwords, be different from the crowd by developing your own style of singing and performance.

Just try it. Close your eyes and when someone mentions to you these names, what do you see in your mental picture? Elvis Presley, Boy George, Bono of U2, Kate Bush, Cindy Lauper, Michael Jackson and even The Village People. Get the picture? (pun not intended, grin)

So, you must develop your own distinctive style of singing and stage performance to get noticed and create a brand for your band.

Learn from those excellent singers fronting their own bands. Learn from them how they keep time and rythym when they move on stage? Which action and movement during their performances that drew audience reactions? How do these singers whip their fans into a frenzy? What are the facial expressions at every stage of a song? How do they tell an emotional story from the lyrics of the songs that get people moved?

Learn and borrow some traits from these singers, and then develop them further with your own unique singing style blended in.

Once you have developed your personal distinctive singing style, the next step is to rehearse with your band. Your band must know what you want and this must be communicated before every rehearsal and reinforced. Things like when you want to bring the song into a climax, when to bring it down to tug at audience heartstrings, when to pause to create a dramatic impact…etc

Invest a little moeny in your band by buying some good music sheets so that the band can play together as a team with the same music sheets and scores.If you leave your band members to play by ear, all the band members will interpret the songs in their own way and you would have lost alot of time and energy to get the band to play tightly together.

Therefore you need to work closely with your band members since as a lead singer, you are probably the band leader as well. You then must insist that the band play the keys that you are comfortable to sing in, stick to the musical arrangements and follow the effects of the songs you want to portray.

Once this is done, rehearse until the band and you are inseparable components of the song, then you are there! You are now ready to front a good band as a lead singer, get recognized as a singer and band leader of distinction.

Chris Chew

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