Ahh! We’re at the end of 2012 now and we are reminiscing, and for some of us - even tearing up at memories of an incredible year flown by. We are surrounded by lists x lists x lists of “the best of” and “favorite” things of yore.
Well we’re mixing it up a bit by presenting the “best of” mashups by Tunezy artists so without further adieu— here are our 5 fave mashups to close the year out with!
Bruno Mars and Frank Sinatra? Smooth and soulful - makes sense to us!
Aw Clara C, still sounds so good with minor slip-ups. Who said a violin and piano jam couldn’t be beat the original rap by B.O.B.?
WOW. Moulann you give us chills chills chills.
Hm ok. So Halo, Superbass and Your Body are meant to be one song, but were just separated at birth. Thank you Maggie for conjoining them all back together.
Sam Tsui and Megan Nicole, a tale of two mashed-up voices.
What’s your fave mashup?
Check out these artists on Tunezy’s marketplace and see the uhmazing products and experiences you can scoop up! 2013 — bring it!
Whether you’re planning a “Last Christmas” karaoke sing-off with your cousins after the big feast - OR - planning a snuggle with your loved ones on the couch while watching Mariah Carey dance around as Mrs. Claus (seriously though, no judgement) - it’s a big day today!
We wanted to bring you something uber special, but we thought that personal deliveries of figgy pudding, partridges in pear trees and chocolate-covered oranges are tooo overrated, don’t you think?? Rather - here are 5 festive holiday songs by Tunezy artists to impress your family and friends with during the day.
Tori Kelly and AJ Raphael present their soulful, perfectly harmonized version of the Wham! favourite, Rachel and Finn Glee-style.
Joseph Vincent tells us who’s dropping in to say hello with an upbeat, Jason Mraz-esque version of the classic song.
Aw yeah good ole Clara C gets us in the mooood for the holidays.
Um. So how jealous are you of Jayesslee’s Australian sunny Christmas backdrop??
Let’s close things out here with a jazzy, mellow melody from Gabe Bondoc and Kina Grannis!
What’s your fave holiday tune?
Remember to check these artists on Tunezy’s marketplace and see the uhmazing products and experiences you can scoop up! Happy Holidays!
Well, it’s been a big ol’ year this year. And before we get into the countdown phase, we just want to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours, from us.
We wouldn’t be where we are, and who we are without you. Listen to some cheesy, wonderful, festive music for us, will you?
Source: tunezy.com
![Every year, Billboard hosts a conference called FutureSound in San Francisco which aims to bridge the gap between the music and technology industries. I had the opportunity to pitch at the conference in front of a room full of artists, music industry members, investors, and techies. I was a delegate at the conference last year, so it was great to come back as an actual finalist and officially speak about Tunezy in a room full of big-deal people.
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We competed against four other finalists: GetMixxd, Playground.fm, Swarm.fm and Tixie. Every company brought many strengths to the table with strong teams, full of people ranging from former Apple engineers to Spotify hackathon winners. I am happy to announce that…Tunezy ended up placing first.
Besides a visit to the warm and sunny coast of California - this was a great win for the Tunezy team for a few reasons:
1.) It helped validate our productWe were up against fierce competition and we’re thrilled and honored that Billboard selected us as the future of music.
Everyone on our team has been living and breathing Tunezy 24/7, and to win this title helps prove we’re onto something.
2.) We met a ton of cool, like-minded people That is, people passionate about music, technology and start-ups. When cool people meet other cool people - you can’t go wrong. When these people share the energy and enthusiasm for an industry - anything is possible.
Thanks to Peter Watts of Swarm.fm, Mehul Trivedi of Playground.fm and Jeff Foster of Tixie.3.) Exposure, advice and a sounding boardThe Tunezy team wants to make this the best possible platform for musicians to earn money, and fans to score unique products and experiences.
In addition to the validation, we received a ton of feedback from industry execs, including:Ping Ho of Warner Music, Dave Kusek of Digital Cowboys, Ted Cohen of TAG Strategic, Brian Zisk of SFMusicTech and Larry Marcus of Walden VC.We’ll definitely be keeping in touch with everybody we met, and there will be some major Tunezy collaborations and partnerships in the near future. Musicians, fans - thanks for your never ending support and love for music, artist empowerment and our digital space. Cliche time - anything is possible and we’re ecstatic to you have on board with us as we work to revolutionize the music industry. 2013 is going to be better, faster and stronger - and we cannot wait to share it with you.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/a6112b515b94f92b34ea5efffff5aad2/tumblr_mf63g6Gjyn1roupd2o1_r1_1280.jpg)
Every year, Billboard hosts a conference called FutureSound in San Francisco which aims to bridge the gap between the music and technology industries. I had the opportunity to pitch at the conference in front of a room full of artists, music industry members, investors, and techies. I was a delegate at the conference last year, so it was great to come back as an actual finalist and officially speak about Tunezy in a room full of big-deal people.
![Some may label Alex Kelly’s sound as “pop” but don’t even think about fitting her in a box. Alex’s musical style is a mashup upon mashup of genres, as her “electro-rock” sound fuses perfectly with alternative dance beats and catchy pop overlays.
As a native New Yorker, she is daring, spunky and fearless, naturally showcased in her live performances. Having performed in exclusive New York City venues any emerging artist would be envious of, including Webster Hall, and The Bowery Electric, she has proven to be a magnetic performer, and risk-taker through her creative vision and sound.
This street-pop siren is currently on fire with her latest single Catalyst from her first full-length album, Orange Circle.Tunezy was able to catch up with Alex during the final leg of her East coast tour for a quick Q+A:
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Q: You spent the first 12 years of your life in Queens, New York. Is your musical style influenced by your New York upbringing?A: I’m sure it has in one way or another, but I’ve never said to myself, “I’m going to write a real New York-y kind of song.” I’ve always listened to a variety of music genres, and I’ve found inspiration in all of them. Q: What was your inspiration for the new single, ‘Catalyst’? A: Catalyst was inspired by a real life romance I once had. It was so amazing, I wrote about it in my journal. I guess I finally decided to turn those writings into a song. It’s one of my favorite songs on the record.
Q: Your album ‘Orange Circle’ is inspired from a book, ‘The Law of One’ which you are quite passionate about. Does reading tend to be a source of inspiration for your music? Yes, reading, amongst many other things, inspire me. I just finished a book called ‘Ascension’. I’m really into metaphysics.Q: Robby Takac, one of the founders of Goo Goo Dolls, personally selected you to be the lead singer of his group, Amungus. What challenges do you find in making music as a solo artist, rather than with a group?For starters, you have to do everything pretty much yourself! Thank god I have a small team of folks who really enjoy being involved in creative process behind my music. Being a solo artist is a bit tougher than being in a group, but the rewards are much greater. In the end, the trade-off is well worth it.Q: What have been some highlights on your current East coast tour?A: The tour has been a great experience. There’s this cool radio station that broadcasts out of a club called The Apartment in Providence. They were all so fun and I really enjoyed hanging out at the funky venue.
Some of the decor has been very amusing. When we were in Raleigh, this group of French tourists stopped in, and had me laughing really hard. We all took pictures and chilled which was pretty cool. The Dobbs show in Philadelphia was great too. The sound in that place was to die for!
Q: What can we look forward to in the future from you?A: There is always a ton of work to be done, and as soon as we finish one thing it’s usually right on to the next.
We have a few new music videos coming very soon. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some really talented people, so I cannot wait to share the finished projects with all my friends and fans.
Also, we are working on another tour for next year and of course, new music. You can always find out what I’m up to by visiting me online at alexkellymusic.com.
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Alex is currently on the final leg of her East coast tour, along with fellow New Yorkers, pILLOW tHEORY. Catch her in action at one of the venues here.
* * *Like Alex on FacebookTweet Alex on TwitterSubscribe to Alex on You Tube](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_melit4epOR1roupd2o1_r1_1280.jpg)
Some may label Alex Kelly’s sound as “pop” but don’t even think about fitting her in a box. Alex’s musical style is a mashup upon mashup of genres, as her “electro-rock” sound fuses perfectly with alternative dance beats and catchy pop overlays.
As a native New Yorker, she is daring, spunky and fearless, naturally showcased in her live performances. Having performed in exclusive New York City venues any emerging artist would be envious of, including Webster Hall, and The Bowery Electric, she has proven to be a magnetic performer, and risk-taker through her creative vision and sound.
This street-pop siren is currently on fire with her latest single Catalyst from her first full-length album, Orange Circle.
Tunezy was able to catch up with Alex during the final leg of her East coast tour for a quick Q+A:
Source: tunezy.com
![Moulann has been charming worldwide audiences since the release of her first album in 2003, which sold out after two prints, even with no publicity. After demand for a more global launch, she’s back with her sophomore album, Spirals and Mazes, filled with twelve original songs, sure to warm even the coldest of souls.Her natural ability to blend harmonious, original melodies with lyrical, modern elements speaks for itself. When Moulann sings, you can’t help but feel she is baring her heart and her deepest secrets with the audience. Moulann is a true emotive artist. Like a dancer on stage, Moulann dances on the piano with her stirring, expressive tone and eloquent movement. It’s easy to hear Moulann’s diverse range of influences in her music. Whether she’s performing a sultry, smoky cover of Lana Del Rey, a quirky mash-up of Britney Spears, or a smooth, calming original song, Moulann’s creations are authentic and memorable.Tunezy was lucky to chat with Moulann after her tour in Asia - here’s 5 quick questions with the seductive songwriter:
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Q: You’re an accomplished award winning pianist, and you also have your Masters in Music Composition. Explain your process in merging your classical background with modern styles.A: It’s not so much a “merging of styles” for me, but rather it’s something that’s become an innate part of how I experience and create music. A non-musical analogy to best describe this is of a chef trained in a particular “authentic” cuisine and yet, finds another style for inspiration. The chef uses the training and skills from the first style to apply to the new cuisine. They may add personal preferences of spice, texture and ingredients in order to create a “fusion cuisine” with unexpected flavor combinations. Hopefully this will result in a culinary masterpiece!These days, most musical artists draw from a variety of stylistic sources. I feel my classical background provided me with early exposure to precision, attention to detail, a sense of structure and a solid understanding of music theory, which are all (in my opinion) important and transferable skills to all musical styles.Q: You’ve performed all over the world! What are your favorite places you have performed in, and how different are the fans?A: The world is full of beautiful places and people, each with its own magic! Off the top of my head, my favorite places I’ve visited so far include: Taipei, Beijing, Bali, Hawaii, Paris, and Tofino.
On an artistic level, I feel most understood by European audiences. But, the sheer size and enthusiasm of Chinese audiences is enough to make anyone feel like a superstar.I find any place where I can speak the language is a great place to connect with people. The word “fan” makes me blush, but I am always glad when I find listeners and meet nice people.Q: Who are you listening to right now? A: Since I recently came back from China, I am listening to new discovered Mongolian and Tibetan music. Clara C is a beautiful vocalist and I am always in awe of multi-instrumentalists like Alex Goot! Q: Where do you draw inspiration from?A: I am inspired by love, nature and the wonders of life. I also draw inspiration from other people’s creations, experiences and stories.Q: What should we expect from you in the future?A: I will be taking requests for cover songs. In terms of original music, there’s a lot on the drawing board — stay tuned on Tunezy!Check out Moulann’s hypnotizing new album in our Marketplace. Tunezy is also offering a free download of Moulann’s original song, “Move On”!* * *Like Moulann on FacebookTweet Moulann on TwitterListen to Moulann hereDownload a free track here](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mefw7c0gYX1roupd2o1_1280.jpg)
Moulann has been charming worldwide audiences since the release of her first album in 2003, which sold out after two prints, even with no publicity. After demand for a more global launch, she’s back with her sophomore album, Spirals and Mazes, filled with twelve original songs, sure to warm even the coldest of souls.
Her natural ability to blend harmonious, original melodies with lyrical, modern elements speaks for itself. When Moulann sings, you can’t help but feel she is baring her heart and her deepest secrets with the audience. Moulann is a true emotive artist. Like a dancer on stage, Moulann dances on the piano with her stirring, expressive tone and eloquent movement.
It’s easy to hear Moulann’s diverse range of influences in her music. Whether she’s performing a sultry, smoky cover of Lana Del Rey, a quirky mash-up of Britney Spears, or a smooth, calming original song, Moulann’s creations are authentic and memorable.
Tunezy was lucky to chat with Moulann after her tour in Asia - here’s 5 quick questions with the seductive songwriter:
Source: tunezy.com
It’s the #STFUparty! Aka Sound, Tech, Fashion & U (see and hear what you want to see and hear). Tunezy’s so excited to share in the holidays with urbanebloc.com, and it’s going to be a good one. Poutine, cupcakes, fresh foods, lots of drinks, skin consultations, tailor measurements…and more.
- Toronto Standard & Burroughes Building (Media and Venue Sponsor): www.torontostandard.com, www.theburroughes.com
- Lomography: www.lomography.ca
- Kiehl’s: www.kiehls.ca
- ONE Coconut Water: twitter.com/onecoconutca
- BNotions: www.bnotions.ca
- Gelaskins: www.gelaskins.com
- Mindzai.com: www.mindzai.com
- Live Clean: www.live-clean.com
- Pure + Simple: www.pureandsimple.ca
- uber Cab: www.uber.com
- Herbal Tea Spa: www.herbalteaspa.com
- Mama Lo’s Cupcakes: www.facebook.com/mamaloscupcakes
- Psalms 91:1 Accessories: www.psalms911accessories.com
- MADE Clothing: www.madeclothing.ca
- Steam Whistle: www.steamwhistle.ca
See you soon, Toronto! Be sure to RSVP here: tnzy.co/STFUparty
![Late July Arrives For Winter
Nicole Simone, better known as Late July, is a bi-coastal multi-talented instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. Don’t let the name fool you though, this chic crooner released her debut EP in April 2010, and has not slowed down since. Keeping fans captivated with mesmerizing music videos and thought-provoking lyrics, Late July has since recorded three more digital albums. She is currently promoting songs off her 3rd album,”When The Curtain Falls”, and just recently launched her 4th album, full of original Christmas tunes called “Who Cares it’s Christmas.” Tunezy sat down for a quick Q+A with the beautiful blogging songstress.
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Q: What is the meaning behind “Late July”?
A: I was born in March and my favorite month is October, but I think the end of July is always a nice time of year for people. I wanted something that would remind people of good things.
Q: Where are you from?A: I was born in Toronto but moved to the US when I was one. I lived primarily in a seaside town called Del Mar just outside of San Diego. After that I moved just outside of Toronto, but I have since returned to living in the city.Q: Who are your inspirations?A: My inspirations… I think that changes all the time. Sometimes non-musical people inspire me, other times other artists do. Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone and Stephen Malkmus were my most prominent influences starting out. Q: What instruments do you play?A: I play what I feel like. I like to write on piano and guitar, but I also play drums and bass. Sometimes I’ll even play the Ukulele and I might like to play cello one day. As soon as I get my hands on a banjo I’ll learn that too. I can be a fast learner at times if you let me cut corners :)Q: What are your future plans?A: The future is confusing. My big plan is keep creating, writing, playing, and everything in between.Q: Who are your favourite artists?A: When I was a kid I loved the Beach Boys and I still do. Jeff Buckley was an obsession all through my teen years and I studied his career carefully. Tom Waits is one of my all time favorites. Also, I never get tired of Django Reinhardt & Stephen Grapelli, or Ella & Louis. In terms of more current stuff, Death Cab For Cutie and The National are my favorite bands, and I’ve had a huge girl crush on St. Vincent for years.Q: What do you think about the music scene in Toronto?A: The music scene in Toronto has a cool dynamic to it. Anyone can book a show in this town, and we have so many bands launch internationally from here, so it’s pretty rad. Q: What inspires your songwriting?A: Words. I’m a word-based songwriter. I’ll hear a phrase and that’ll spark a song. Good songwriting is like good copyrighting, you must get the right pitch. Q: Tell us about your dog.A: My dog is Charlie. He is an adopted rescue dog, of Jack Russell Shih Tzu mix. He inspired me to do a lot of work in animal welfare. He’s had a very interesting life, and he’s my best friend. We live in our own place together and he likes it when I sing to him. Q: Where do you like to hang out in Toronto?A: I never like to stay in one spot in Toronto. Sometimes I like to be in the Annex, other times I want to be near Shearwood Park. On a sunny afternoon you can often find me at Woodbine Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful places inToronto. I even shot my “Side Swept” music video here.
Q: How can the Toronto music community help you out?A: By listening to my music, and following the ongoing narrative on my blog latejuly.ca. Thanks to all my supporters!Intrigued by Miss Late July? Attend her virtual concert, or go “online caroling” with her via Tunezy! Get the details here.
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Like Late July on FacebookTweet Late July on TwitterSubscribe to Late July on YouTubeListen to Late July here](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdiwb4AAlY1roupd2o1_r10_1280.jpg)
Late July Arrives For Winter
Nicole Simone, better known as Late July, is a bi-coastal multi-talented instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. Don’t let the name fool you though, this chic crooner released her debut EP in April 2010, and has not slowed down since. Keeping fans captivated with mesmerizing music videos and thought-provoking lyrics, Late July has since recorded three more digital albums. She is currently promoting songs off her 3rd album,”When The Curtain Falls”, and just recently launched her 4th album, full of original Christmas tunes called “Who Cares it’s Christmas.” Tunezy sat down for a quick Q+A with the beautiful blogging songstress.
![Bleed Electric is Breaking Boundaries
Bleed Electric is the triple threat of triple threats. Hot off the release of their latest EP, fearlessly titled ‘This Is My Masterpiece’, all three members of the group, Chris “MUG5” Maguire, Silk, and Siege, are masters of producing, rapping and singing.Bleed Electric’s creative sound is an eruptive amalgamation of electro hip-hop, r&b and rock. No one would ever guess this group’s 4th studio EP was actually created two years ago, in 2010. In fact, that’s the exact cutting-edge style that Bleed Electric goes for, defining their own sound as “future fresh.”The group is currently continents apart, with founder MUG5 now in New York City, and Silk and Siege back in the UK. Yet, working in silos is not an option as the boys harness technology to cohesively progress a new genre of music. Meet Chris “MUG5” Maguire, of Bleed Electric.
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How did the band come into being and what is the inspiration for your music?
Bleed Electric started off as my side project. During my down days, I was working on tracks at my studio, Screamadelica Studios, in Cardiff Bay, Wales. Silk and Siege came to the studio to record their debut mixtape and I was blown away by their lyricism and mad skills. I think they recorded 12 rap songs in 4 hours! I was impressed and asked the guys to join almost instantly. We put all our ideas into the pot, and Bleed Electric as it is today, was officially formed. The inspiration for our music is musical freedom, skirting genres and always trying new sounds and technologies to progress forward. I also own and run the highly-respected musical opinion website AltSounds.com. Since 2004, I’ve been discovering new music to showcase to the world, which also inspires our music.Let’s talk about your first album, ‘The Butterfly Effect’ and the reaction of the fans to the obvious theme of realism in it.
‘The Butterfly Effect’ never fully completed. This first album was a wild and messed-up way for all of us to get to know each other quickly. We had songs that audibly depicted crime scenes, hostage situations, and even cop chases. It was a movie within an album.Chris “MUG5” Maguire, you direct most of the artwork and videos for Bleed Electric, as well as for other musicians. Does this enhance the way your fans experience your music?
For me, it is important to try and offer as much as possible to fans. One example of which was on our 3rd EP, “Let The Invasion Begin.” I did an individual piece of hi-res artwork for every song on the album. The art was all inspired by the music and I listened to each track on loop while creating each piece of art.We then gave each song and the associated artwork away for free on 6 different online publications. The cool thing was the artwork files were big enough to be printed as wide as 6 feet, so fans not only got our music, but free artwork that could be hung on walls or made into a canvas.Is your EP ‘This Is My Masterpiece’ really your ultimate piece?
The name itself actually inspired a strong visual within me. This past year I had been doing a lot of work with high-fashion brands in NYC, and one thing I learned is less is often more.‘This Is My Masterpiece’ as a title alone, inspired artwork before even starting the music. The idea was simple; my “masterpiece” would be nothing other than a canvas on a wall, with a light bulb on it. Some people would not consider that a masterpiece, while others might potentially pay millions for that piece of art. That was the point with the title, ‘This Is My Masterpiece’ wasn’t a statement about the music, it was about skirting around the theory of taste, art and simplicity.The song contained our most intricate beats, synthesizer work, deep lyrics, and it was the first song where we all just sang.Bleed Electric’s music spans over a variety of genres. What can your fans expect in the future?
We’ll be digging through the vaults and spending time going through old hard drives to put together an album in completing our current phase.In early 2013, we will release an album titled ‘Z-sides’ showcasing all the good tracks we have created since our existence, but have never seen the light of day.We have an archive of crazy songs, including “Revolution No.10” (an extension of The Beatles “Revolution No.9”), solo songs by Silk, covers of The Beastie Boys, and insane instrumentals that make me wonder what mental state we were in at the time [laughs]. Some tracks from ‘The Butterfly Effect’ will also make an appearance on this album.‘Z-sides’ will end phase 1 of Bleed Electric. Phase 2 will be the trans-atlantic version of the band, as I now live in New York City, while the boys still reside in the UK. That’s the beauty of modern technology nowadays; you don’t even need to be in the same room to make music together.
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Like Bleed Electric on FacebookTweet Bleed Electric on TwitterSubscribe to Bleed Electric on YouTubeListen to Bleed Electric here](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md8kprTfpS1roupd2o1_1280.jpg)
Bleed Electric is Breaking Boundaries
Bleed Electric is the triple threat of triple threats. Hot off the release of their latest EP, fearlessly titled ‘This Is My Masterpiece’, all three members of the group, Chris “MUG5” Maguire, Silk, and Siege, are masters of producing, rapping and singing.
Bleed Electric’s creative sound is an eruptive amalgamation of electro hip-hop, r&b and rock. No one would ever guess this group’s 4th studio EP was actually created two years ago, in 2010. In fact, that’s the exact cutting-edge style that Bleed Electric goes for, defining their own sound as “future fresh.”
The group is currently continents apart, with founder MUG5 now in New York City, and Silk and Siege back in the UK. Yet, working in silos is not an option as the boys harness technology to cohesively progress a new genre of music.
Meet Chris “MUG5” Maguire, of Bleed Electric.
CONGRATULATIONS are in order to everyone that participated in the Tunezy x Alex Goot Ultimate Fan Contest. We are absolutely floored at your participation - in the end, there is only one winner per zone (we’ll get in touch with you shortly to coordinate your prize, and my, do you all deserve it).
You tweeted, you Facebooked, you bought Notes - you really showed us (and Alex!) that you’re the ultimate fans.
Sooooo, without further adieu, here are the winners:
ZONE 1: NICK MUSULIN - 898 TICKETS
ZONE 2: ANETA SUCHARSKI - 763 TICKETS
ZONE 3: LAUREN MARUYA LI - 960 TICKETS
Zone 1 Runner Ups: Manuel M, Neeharika S
Zone 2 Runner Ups: Matt E, Yashee M
Zone 3 Runner Ups: Georgia M, Elijah D
Don’t worry second and third runner ups (each zone), we’ve got something for you too! Someone from the Tunezy.com team will get in touch with you to mail you a little something special from us, as we love our friends using the website, and look forward to keeping in touch (more contests? OH YES). Hey - we’re also new to all of this, so please leave us a comment and let us know what else you’d like to see from us, what we can do better, and what you’d love to win.
Cheers,
Source: tunezy.com
