Carla Bruni – talented singer, songwriter, supermodel and First Lady of France. Her latest french album has been a pleasure to listen to by far, with simple, relaxed accoustic guitar sounds, coupled with warm and sexy, yet soothing vocals. You can check her website and myspace out as well. Thanks for the intro, Cel! :)

Popular song from her album sung and played live:

Thanks to Brian’s friend, Ed, I’ve been listening to Cosmosquad for weeks straight. Made up of guitarist Jeff Kollman, bassist Christopher Maloney and drummer Shane Gaalaas, they’re definitely one of the best metal/rock instrumental bands out there.

Each member has a very distinct style that fuses together beautifully, producing an extremely tight combination of sounds. Maloney’s basslines are fucking sexy and creative, Gaalaas’s drumming both drives and sustains perfectly, and Kollman’s technique and talent are lethal. What I also like is that none of the sounds brought to the table are consumed by another, but are instead blended seamlessly with sufficient breathing space.

Great great song and my fav on the Acid Test album:

And another song because I enjoyed it so much:

A couple links for quick ref:
Cosmosquad’s website
Cosmosquad’s myspace

Kollman’s website
Kollman’s myspace

Maloney’s website
Maloney’s myspace

Gaalaas’s website
Gaalaas’s myspace

Brian recently introduced me to Daita (ex-guitarist of Siam Shade), and I must say it’s really goodstuff. The latest solo album (released a year ago) is packed with power and has been an enjoyable listen thus far. Check him out on his website and myspace.

Song sample from Fantasia:

Handroid:

Verse 1:
There’s something soft behind that guarded stare
A gentle spark that’s sleeping deep underneath
Cos when my gaze brushes across your path
I know you’re searching for truth in my eyes

Verse 2:
I see the secrets dancing on your lips
A burning passion that you desperately hide
There are pains that you’re trying to forget
Why don’t you trust me to kiss them away

Chorus:
Wanting so badly to let you know
I wish that you’re mine and that I am yours
Whoa oh oh
I’m hoping you’re smiling now somehow
Wherever you may be
Please know that I love you

Verse 3:
There’s something beautiful beneath those scars
I sense a heart that wants to feel and surrender
I’m not saying that you have to pretend
You are fine, but will you just let me love you

Bridge:
Something burns deep within
Waking me to a living dream that’s so real
I never want to slip back to silence
Or starve my soul of love

*Someone once asked if  I could perhaps write some lyrics for a song of his, but he never did use them, and I don’t think he ever will. I can’t think of another way to rearrange them, so up on the blog they go :)

A really awesome jrock band my friend Gilbert introduced to me..count me an instant fan..Absolutely love the sound for all their songs :)

Jack White (previously from The White Stripes) has joined up with Alison Mossheart (The Kills), Dean Fertita (QOTSA) & Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs) to form The Dead Weather. Their single, Hang You from the Heavens, is pretty sweet so far and their debut album, Horehound, should be out in June :)

Check it out here:

Definitely one of the best local guitarists I’ve heard to date..very much influenced by the likes of Extreme.  You can check his new website out below, which Brian did a really good job with!  His myspace page link is there as well.

Dylan’s new album, Together Through Life, will be released on the 28th this month..lookin’ forward to that!  :)  If you didn’t manage to download the 1 day only free song, you can still hear it here:

This Ukrainian pianist is SO GOOD it’s a must watch.  Every single vid of hers is beyond awesome, I’d murder just to watch her live >:)

To view original song by original band (Cyanide by Metallica): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FzrSb8JX_4&feature=related

Verse 1:
Suffocating in a grave of ice,
I can’t feel a thing.
You’re burning me alive,
It’s corroding more than skin.

Verse 2:
I’m cold iron to the core,
But even metal shells can bleed.
I’m only human, nothing more,
I’ll get on my knees and plead.

Chorus:
I’m drowning in a sea of need,
But I don’t think it’s from greed.
I have the right to be wrong,
And I’ll fail just as long -
As I’m only human, nothing more,
Human, and nothing more.

Verse 3:
Smothered in a veil of anger,
I’m dying just to scream.
Washed out in a swirl of pastel,
I’m crying in my dreams.

Verse 4:
(Like) A goddess flying mongst’ the stars,
Smile so hard I think I’ll crack.
Hearts can’t breathe inside the head,
Together we’re turning black.

(Chorus)

*About being so vulnerably human; feeling so many contradictory emotions at the same time.   Sorta have a tune for this one, will try my best to work the chords out and update again.