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I thought it was about time that I once again bring some kickass bands to everyone attention. If you have a minute definitely check them out. Okay no, I’m sorry. These bands deserve to have a minute made for them!

First on the list is a band that I randomly met when I sold an extra concert ticket to the vocalist, Mike. Mike Liorti on lead vocals and guitar, Emerson on drums, Mitch on guitar and Mike Zancai on bass and backup vocals make up Brampton Ontario’s, Rosedale. Not only are these four very talented guys, but they happen to be super nice. They agreed to a very spur of the moment interview. And it was so much fun! They love what they are doing with Rosedale and their dedication shows. I seem to remember walking by a band playing in the parking lot at Toronto Warped tour 08 thinking, shit these guys are good (Manda and I even danced the whole way into Warped!). I forgot to remember their name but after meeting them and talking to Mike, I leaned it was them!! They played at both Toronto and Montreal Warped Tour 08. They also got in a bad accident, flipping their van in the process…but that has in no way slowed them down. I have yet to see these guys live, but I honestly can’t wait. I highly recommend stopping by their MySpace.

Jens Myspace song pick for Rosedale: Abandon Ship.

Rosedale's MySpace

Sound Faction Interview with Rosedale

Jens sidenote: Emerson looks like Travis Barker! ...Just sayin!

I would like to introduce everyone to a band that was found on my first Pure Volume run. As soon as I heard them I was looking for a contact. They are The Downtown Fiction and they are from Fairfax, Virginia. We all love to find new music, who doesn’t? I checked out a few other bands on PV before I clicked on TDF, and those bands were good, but not really anything I could see myself getting into. I clicked on TDF and played the first song, “Living Proof.” I can’t remember who I was talking to (probably Manda) but before the song was over I know I told whoever I was talking, that I had just found a fantastic new band! I listened to the other songs and found myself dancing and looking for a contact. And I was lucky enough to get a chance to talk to the guys. They are super nice and only hope their music reaches as many people as it can. Check them out. Even if they aren’t your style, pass them on…maybe someone you know will love them! I know I do!

Jens Pure Volume / Myspace song pick for The Downtown Fiction: No Typical Thursday Night.

The Downtown Fiction's Purevolume

The Downtown Fiction's MySpace

Sound Faction interview with The Downtown Ficiton

This next band was another PV find for me. They came at just the right time too. I was in need of a good scream. They are from Detroit, Michigan and they are known as We Came As Romans. As everyone can tell, I love every genre, but I felt a tad disconnected with my ‘screamo’ roots lately. Nothing against the screamo bands I know and love, I just wanted more to add to my library. I found WCAR and instantly fell in love! Not only are their songs incredible, but the vocalist has the ability to capture you and hold you there until the end of the song, but then he will do it all again with the next one.

Jens Pure Volume/Myspace song pick for We Came As Romans: Shapes

We Came As Romans Pure Volume

We Came As Romans MySpace

The next band I actually found because of my previous band, We Came As Romans. You might have heard of them, you might not have. They are from Lexington, Kentucky and are known as Emarosa. Finding Emarosa was completely by chance, and I am so friggin happy it happened! I was on WCAR myspace, noticing the band looked rather young (Have you noticed how either the scene is getting younger, or I am getting so much older than I actually am?!) I went to one of their individual pages to maybe find an age. First thing I heard was this wonderfully captivating voice singing. I couldn’t figure out who it was because it was labeled under the record label and I could only see three words of the song title. But I HAD to find out who this band was! Good old Google!! I looked up the label, saw the album cover and was on my way to their myspace. Again, I think I was talking to Manda and another “Oh my gosh, great band!’ came out. I have been making (or encouraging, rather) people to listen to The Past Should Stay Dead, which was the song that sent me on this wild band chase! It’s been said that the lead vocalist has the best voice in the scene. And I can see why they would say that. I have heard some absolutely incredible voices before, but the way this man carries a note hurts my heart. In the best possible way of course! I am so stoked on seeing them later in January. (Ask Manda, pretty sure I was like, jumping for joy!) Thank you to We Came As Romans!

PS: Tid-bit of a fun fact for you Canadians out there like myself…lead Vocalist, Jonny Craig (yes that’s right, the dude with the captivatingly beautiful voice) is Canadian!! Huzzah!

Jens Pure Volume / Myspace song pick for Emarosa: Set It Off Like Napalm. And, The Past Should Stay Dead.

Emarosa's Pure Volume

Emarosa's MySpace

The next musician is not someone I found on Pure Volume or Myspace. He is not someone I randomly met and checked out his music. And he is not someone that was recommended to me. Yiruma is a South Korean, Classical pianist who I stumbled upon when I was in search of some, well Piano! I grew up playing the piano and I absolutely love it. I hold a very special place in my heart for the piano and for those who can play. I wish I had the talent to write a beautiful song like Yiruma. He has been playing piano since he was five and has released many albums in the last few years. When all you want to do is listen to simply beautiful music, Yiruma is your guy. His music will send shivers down your spine and a tiny jealousy tingle in your heart. But again, in the best way!

Jens Pure Volume/Myspace song pick for Yiruma: River Flows In You.

Yiruma's Pure Volume

Yiruma's MySpace

Up next is in fact another Pure Volume find! Huzzah for PV! They are from Vienna, Virginia and are known as My Favorite Highway. I was doing a PV search when I was talking to Manda on the phone, she picked the page number and then a number between one and fifteen for me and I landed on My Favorite Highway. Immediately I found them very catchy and I was definitely enjoying them, but I clicked on ‘Getaway Car.’ When it was over I found myself starting it over several times. The chorus is most definitely catchy and dancey and it sounds like a song I would fall apart to, but at the same time it’s a song I could totally listen to over and over and just dance-cry to it too! (Which is a total good thing! Everyone wants a song you can just dance-cry to!)

Dance-cry: when you rock out crying, but not feeling bad about crying because in the end the song always puts a giant smile on your face!

“You’ve got a buck forty five, left to keep you alive.”

Jens Pure Volume/Myspace song pick for My Favorite Highway: Getaway Car.

My Favorite Highway's Pure Volume

My Favorite Highway's MySpace

Sidenote: Not even kidding folks, as I wrote this, I also contacted the band (I am somewhat AWESOME at multitasking, but only sometimes!) and they are super sweethearts and agreed to an interview! When two groups of people rock, its bound to happen! I’m friggin excited!

My next artist is an artist I didn’t think anyone I know knew about until one night I was talking to Caity and she asked, “Have you ever heard of Kate Havnevik?” OH-EM-GEE moment RIGHT there my friends!! Both of us had a “You are the ONLY other person I know who knows who she is,” moment. And that is truly a shame. Kate Havnevik is a musician from Norway and she can write a song that will bring tears to your eyes (well, I cry sometimes!). I found Kate, oh man, I don’t even remember to be honest. It was very early 2007, I was living in Barrie and secretly in absolute love with a boy I saw nearly everyday. I am a huge Beatles fan. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is one of my favorite songs, and it holds one of my favorite lines, “The Girl with kaleidoscope eyes.” (I love kaleidoscopes) I loved that line so much, I wanted to be her!! Relevant how?! The first song I heard by Kate is called ‘Kaleidoscope.’ That is simply one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. And when I found it, it was the name that got my attention. “But through your kaleidoscope, I let go.” You cannot tell me that is not a beautiful lyric! I once thought Kaleidoscope was how I felt about that boy, but as the year went on I learned that it most definitely was not. Kate has had a few songs featured on the show Grey’s Anatomy. These songs include, ‘Kaleidoscope,’ ‘So Lo,’ and ‘Grace.’ So you might have heard her before if you watch that show. She is an incredible musician and she is someone everyone should know about.

Jens song pick for Kate Havnevik: Kaleidoscope. Or on Myspace: Unlike Me.

Kate Havnevik's Homepage

Kate Havnevik's MySpace

I would now like to turn you in the direction of a band from the United Kingdom called Elbow. I’m not going to lie, I heard for Elbow because of Stephanie Meyer. Yes, the author of ‘Twilight’ is the reason I know of this wonderful band. The First song I heard from Elbow was, “Forget myself.” I love this song beyond belief! I feel horrible because I don’t have that much to say about Elbow, all I can really say is that they are almost unlike anything I have ever heard, in a fantastic way! I instantly liked them and they have made their way onto my regular play list! Check them out. Seriously.

Also, their official website is really fun!! You can play the letters!

Jens Myspace song pick for Elbow: Grounds For Divorce.

Elbow's Homepage

Elbow's MySpace

And we are back to a Pure Volume find. Just like most PV searches, I was talking to Manda on AIM, exploring what PV had to offer, when I clicked on a band that I immediately sent to Manda with the words “ZOMG.GREAT!” following it! Who is this band you ask? Well they are Holiday Parade and they are from Atlanta, Georgia. I told Manda to listen to ‘Gone’ and she agreed with me that this band is most definitely worth a listen. Lately I have found myself listening to them over and over. Often when I’m working on my computer I will go to their PV just to have them playing instead of iTunes or something. Like Elbow, I feel horrible because all I can really say is that this band is phenomenal. I seriously hope they make their way to Canada!

Jens Pure Volume / Myspace song pick for Holiday Parade: Gone. Or, Crimson Red.

Holiday Parade's Pure Volume

Holiday Parade's MySpace

My last band is one that the ladies here at The Sound Faction absolutely adore. In fact we love them so much that we have mentioned them several times. And it is simply because they are legends… Suburban Legends. I have decided to put them on my list even though we have featured them before because this is a band that everyone should know about. They are still quite new to me, but I love Caity even more for introducing me to them! I wanted to give them a mention because not only are they phenomenal musicians, but also they are honestly six of the sweetest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The boys in SL gave us our first on-site interview and our first follow-up interview. They made us laugh, threw cds at us (complete jokes by the way!) they loved seeing a maple leaf on Canadian cigarettes, they enjoy our many flavors of chips, they will jump on a random couch and pose for a complete inside joke picture and they didn’t seem to mind when I called during their soundcheck! Not to mention these boys put on some pretty incredible live shows. Have you seen them yet?! Like for reals. Please go. Now!! They dance!!! Like, full on dance! Learn to dance with Vince, Brian and Luis (video here) this instructional video has us all in stitches.

So since they mean so much to the Sound Faction and since I’ve rambled on long enough I will leave you with the SF girls pick for Suburban Legends songs.

Jen: Infectious.
Caity: Do It For The Kids.
Manda: Bright Spring Morning.
Natty: Took My Breath Away.
Doctah J: So Fine.
All: Hey DJ.

Suburban Legends Homepage

Suburban Legends MySpace

Sound Faction Interview with Suburban Legends

Sound Faction Follow Up Interview with Suburban Legends

Suburban Legends as Sound Faction's Band of the Month

That concludes this edition. I hope you all take the time to check out these artists! They are most definitely worth a listen.

Do it. Before the roaches cut you up so good, you don’t even know they cut you up so good!