Echosmith...Truly the "Cool Kids"

So many great bands throughout history have had guys as their lead singer. But you know what really makes a band great and even fiercer? Having a girl as the lead! I mean, just look at Paramore. And what's even better? A band of siblings. Both of these features combined into one is rare, but not impossible. This is where Echosmith comes in. Sydney, Noah, Graham and Jamie Sierota make up this band that has been around for a few years, but just recently broke through the radio airwaves.

They're "Cool Kids"

I first heard of Echosmith on a Friday morning at my internship at the radio station Q102. Two other interns and I were asked if we wanted to sit in on their studio performance because there were empty seats. Obviously, I said yes because I'm always up for a new band. To be honest? I was more than pleasantly surprised. Sydney, the lead girl, was so down to earth as she was interviewed about everything from her brothers being overprotective, to creepy old guys hitting on her after shows. I was also taken aback at their age. Graham, the drummer, is only 15, Sydney is 17, and the other two brothers are 18 and 21. The lyrics and melodies suit not only their age group, including me at 21, but also people way older. Their hit "Cool Kids" can really apply to any age who just wants to feel like they belong.

Slightly Obsessed...

The song that pulled me in completely during their studio session was "Bright" and if I had a boyfriend, this would be "our song" whether he liked it or not. 

"I think you and the moon and Neptune got it right, cause now I'm shining bright, and I get lost in your eyes...tonight..."

Since their performance, I've downloaded the full album, "Talking Dreams" and have listened to it endless times during my endless bus rides to work. Echosmith is relaxing with a slight edge, along with a touch of magic and wonder in their lyrics. Part of my job at the internship is to run the station's Twitter during certain hours, so when I can, I'll tweet about the band and "Cool Kids." And you know what? With each tweet comes more replies, favorites, and just all around excitement about the band. 

Echosmith is blowing up fast and all I can say is thank goodness there were extra seats in the studio that day. When they get even bigger, I can safely say I saw them perform in a room with only 20 other people. 

Jake Miller...Not Your Average Rap Star

I love all kinds of music, from the poppiest boy bands to the grungiest punk groups to the hip-shaking country kings. But the one genre that I've never been able to get into? Rap. Those quick featured parts in pop songs have always been alright, but as far as full-out rap artists, I've never been a fan. That's until one guy came out of nowhere, rapping about a message. Who, do you ask, is the one rapper to make it onto my iTunes list? Jake Miller.

Who Is He?

Jake Miller is a 21 year old from Florida who has been making music and fighting to achieve the dream for several years now. I first heard of him about a year ago when he followed me out of the blue on Twitter one day. Obviously, I thought he was a good looking guy, so I decided to check him out on YouTube and Spotify. I was hooked immediately, even though his songs were predominantly rap. 

He's Just Different...

So why was I hooked on him and no other rapper? His message. Yes, I'm guilty of tearing up several times during the song "What I Wouldn't Give." It's about how much he used to long for a career as a famous artist, dreaming about it every single night. One of the lines goes...

"I want it all cause I only got one life to live, and Imma get it cause there's nothing that I wouldn't give..." 

Another of my favorites called "Number One Rule" says...

"I got a dream, best believe that I'll pursue it, I swear I'll be the best to ever do it...cause I'll be number one someday, no I don't wanna be forgotten, I'll be at the top someday, number two's just not an option..."

I can relate to his songs so well. As a college student about to be in the "real world" in less than a year, and as a person who has dreamed about the ideal future and career every day for who knows how long, I take Jake's songs very personally and am truly inspired by them as I currently fight to make my dreams come true.

Watch Out Everyone!

Jake had one hit song a few months ago called "Collide," which had some radio airplay. But now he just released "First Flight Home," which is starting to play on the radio A LOT more than any other song of his. My prediction? This guy is gonna be huge. He already has a big fan following on social media, and when I met him at FYE in Philly a few months ago, the line of fans literally wrapped around the corner. Jake Miller IS going to be the next big thing, making rap a more universal genre as he talks about his longtime girlfriend, community issues, and of course, pursuing your dreams. 

One Direction...A Look Back

In honor of the Where We Are Tour coming to my hometown of Philly TOMORROW, I want to take a second to talk about One Direction. Not the biggest boy band on the planet who now sells perfume, makeup, and whatever else management can come up with, but rather these five down to earth weirdos who were thrown together by Simon Cowell and are living the dream.

Who are these guys, really?

Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson. Whether you like them and their music or not, these are household names. To me, 1D are not at all what the media and general public make them out to be. Zayn and Louis are not always getting high in public, and Harry is not a womanizer who goes from girl to girl. From endless interviews and appearances, they just seem NICE! I would take Niall home to mom for a homemade Italian dinner in a heartbeat. 

And the obsession begins...

I first fell in love with the band when I heard "What Makes You Beautiful" on the radio. But what made me a true (and slightly obsessed) fan was watching their video diaries on YouTube, which I highly suggest everyone watches below. I would stay up all hours of the night watching the five of them squeeze onto a tiny couch to answer fan questions, and never laughed so hard. They were all that I would talk about, much to the annoyance of my family and friends, and I thought that they were perfect. Being older and wiser, I know that they're human and make mistakes, but never have I felt so strongly about an artist before. 

Forever "My Boys"
Since their video diaries, One Direction has blown up to become worldwide stars. Their faces are on everything, they've had a movie in theaters, and have singing dolls of themselves (three guesses if I have those or not). People who used to make fun of them are jumping on the bandwagon. There's even rumors that they're signed for another few albums, and I can't begin to imagine what their career will be like if they stay this big. Those bandwagon fans only know "Story of My Life" and the stadium tours. True fans know the "boys from the stairs."

5 Seconds of Summer...NOT Another Boy Band

5 Seconds of Summer...a band that I have been obsessed with since last Winter. Before they were played on the radio, before they were performing on all of the biggest award shows, and before people started freaking out over how hot the lead singer is (and having to double check what the heck his name is). Ashton, Michael, Luke, and Calum are something that I haven't seen or heard in a while. They are four attractive guys from Australia with a punk edge and extremely catchy music. They are also hysterical and down to earth, if you've ever watched any of their Keek and Instagram videos.

I first heard of them when Louis Tomlinson of One Direction tweeted a link to their video, "Heartbreak Girl." I had to check them out, especially since they would be 1D's opening act. After the first few lines, I was hooked, and my love for the band had begun. I would watch their Keek videos on the SEPTA commute home from college, and play the same four songs on repeat on the subway to class every morning. And you know what? No one else knew who they were. All I heard was "OMG you're obsessed with these boy bands" and "ugh another one?" To be honest, I didn't mind because they were my little secret.



And then "She Looks So Perfect" started playing on the radio a few months ago and everything changed. Fans that had criticized them jumped on the band wagon because 5SOS was clearly the next big thing. Frustrating, right? Trying to share their talent with people a year ago, and no one would listen until they got a song on the radio. To be honest, I still don't think people get what 5 Seconds of Summer is all about.

These guys are NOT another boy band. They play their own instruments. They can be inappropriate at times (see Keek video). They idolize Green Day, and even covered "American Idiot." Yet, the majority of their fan-base is tween and teen girls because the guys' ages are 18-20. It sucks for the fans who are actually their age and older because 5SOS is seen as a band for younger fans. Personally, I think they should be on the same level as groups like All Time Low and Fall Out Boy. 5SOS wrote songs for their album with both of these bands, yet they are continuously compared to One Direction because they tour with them. Taylor Swift had Austin Mahone open on her tour. Are they similar artists? Nope!

The happiest day of my life would be to see a 5 Seconds of Summer t-shirt in a store like Hot Topic, right next to All Time Low and Panic! At the Disco. Yes, they are younger, but that doesn't mean they should automatically be considered a boy band. No, they aren't by any means as hardcore as Green Day, but they clearly have an edge to them with their skinny jeans and various facial piercings. I'm afraid that because they have managed to attract so many younger fans, management will try to make them into something they're not.

I fell in love with the 5 Seconds of Summer who smacks people with an angry banana, gets naked in livestreams and covers their private parts with hats, and tweets random Green Day lyrics on a weekly basis (much to the confusion of the younger crowd). I hope they stay a group of inappropriate weirdos as long as humanly possible.