Rock 'N' Roll Metro Map

This HAD to be posted because it kicks ass.

What If Rock Music Were A Subway Map? | Metal Injection.net

A little over a year ago, I posted a flow chart of heavy metal band names but I think this map is even more impressive...

Kaki King's "Falling Day"

My other post, which I should've posted yesterday.  Saw this Spin article with the song "Falling Day" in it, and I gave it a listen.  I love Kaki King.  She's amazing.  But I'm ashamed to say I only own two of her albums.  I definitely intend on getting the upcoming one, after hearing this song (and maybe in the meantime working on filling in the gaps between her discography and my library).

EXCLUSIVE SONG: New Music from Kaki King | Spin Magazine

She's earned accolades for scoring Sean Penn's film Into the Wild and was big-upped by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl as one of the world's elite guitarists, but now it seems Atlanta-born axe maven Kaki King simply wants to rock the %$&# out. Hear "Falling Day," the urgent first taste of her new album, Junior...

Rise, Rebel, Resist

I went to see Otep, last night, on the first date of their Rise Rebel Resist tour.  Excitedly, I told my (totally non-metal) coworker about it and we were looking up pictures of her and the wiki and so on.  I think now said coworker really digs Otep Shamaya (prob still won't dig her music, but at least what she does with her talents and fame, and the respect she's garnered in certain communities).  Anyway, in this search, we found a column she'd written for the MTV Headbanger's Blog, in 2008, discussing why she writes and why anyone should write or create music.  It was interesting, so I wanted to post it.

Might Makes Write: HBB Blog Columnist Otep Shamaya Musters Strength Through Song | MTV

In the first of a series of guest columns from Otep frontwoman Otep Shamaya, the singer and poet discusses how music and poetry allow her to confront her demons and evolve as a person and performer...

"If I could take one thing back I would write the perfect song for you"

And apparently Max Bemis, of Say Anything, IS.  If only I had $150 to blow... I would totally let Max try his hand at any number of random events in my life. :P

Say Anything - Max Bemis Song Shop | MerchDirect.com 

In an effort to minimize the gap between music listeners and performers, take up time on warped tour, and find some solution for the fact that anyone can download any of his gosh-darn albums for free, Max came up with a predictably crazy idea in a haze of sleeping medication...

A Brand New/P.O.S. Mashup

If you know me, you know Brand New is one of my favorite bands.  In my blog surfing, today, I found a mashup of "Sowing Season (Yeah)" by Brand New and "Optimist (We Are Not For Them)" by P.O.S.  It's really chill but it still works together really well.  I've never listened to P.O.S., but now I think I'll have to check them out.  This is really a good mashup, to me, because it really lets both songs shine (as opposed to a lot of what passes as mashups, which is really the vocals from one song laid over another song's music).  Between it being a good Brand New song and a creative mix, I'd definitely have to say this is a highlight of my day.

"Optimist (Yeah)" | hawkinsmashups.blogspot.com 

(Above is a link to the blog. I may have to check out some of his other posts and see other mashups of his.)

Flobots + Rise Against!

I love rap that has a lot of soul influence, so of course, I really dug the Flobots' release from last year.  Then, I love cross-genre collaborations.  Somehow, Flobots & Rise Against doesn't surprise me.  I feel like I knew of them working together or touring together or something before.  Not sure.  But I'm definitely going to have to remember to check this track out when I get home, tonight.

Flobots Rise Against Amazon MP3 | AbsolutePunk.net

A new Flobots song featuring Tim McIlrath of Rise Against...

Shinobi Ninja iPhone Game

I want to get an iPod Touch and play this game!  (Don't get me wrong, this isn't the sole or even majority reason for my wanting one.  But when I do eventually invest in one, I'm also going to look for this app.)

NY Rock/Rappers Shinobi Ninja Engage Fans With New GPS Enabled Mobile Game

NYC indie rock/rap group Shinobi Ninja, have launched their own music-focused gaming app for the iPhone. Part cartoon video game, part music video, and part music/video player, “Brooklyn to Babylon: Shinobi Ninja Attacks!” integrates digital music and video into a classic eight-bit video-game environment. Players get immersed in the band’s imagined cartoon world and are rewarded with free music, videos, and merchandise...

FF7 + Hip Hop!?

OMG I love this kind of stuff!  Mashups in any form (if done well) excite me to no end.  And THIS one, satisfies the nerd in me as well as the casual hip hop fan!

Final Fantasy VII and Hip-Hop is Surprisingly Catchy | PlayStationLifeStyle.net

Seeming to come out of nowhere, a group dubbed ‘Team Teamwork’ from over at BandCamp.com has created an album mashing together many favorite Final Fantasy VII tunes with rap lyrics and beats...