How to get over a (band) breakup

One day everything is great. Your speakers are on full blast, your dance moves have no limits and your voice is at its highest level singing along to the lyrics. You’ve got tickets to see your favorite band next week. The outfit has been picked, lyrics have been memorized, signs have been made. You’re overcome with joy and happiness and nothing will come in the way of your perfect day.

Until suddenly a tour is cancelled, a twitter account is deleted and the band falls silent. Your heart shatters and your world breaks. What. Is. Going On. Band break-ups are hard for everyone: the band itself, its label, management team, fans, venues, and even the media who have to work extra hours to give readers the latest breaking news.

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But alas, here are some tips to help get your through this tough time:

1. Don’t believe rumors.
Drug abuse, violent arguments and baby barriers: the media will publish any crazy but completely untrue facts to help satisfy fans. Unless it’s from a reputable source or heard on live TV (thanks Good Morning America) from the band member’s mouthes themselves, don’t trust anything you read on the internet. It’ll only make you more upset and confused.

2. Control your emotions.
Speaking of being upset and confused, you may be feeling a crazy mix of emotions that range from anger to sadness to even denial. It’s completely normal, but what you don’t want to do is start ripping off posters from your wall and throwing them into the fireplace to burn while you scream your hatred towards the group you once loved. While the band may not reveal all of the details to the press about the reasons behind their decision, remember that they’re humans just like you. They get into disagreements, they lose interest, they want to try something new and they’re millionaires who ride Mustangs. Just believe that they’re always thinking of their fans and doing what’s best.

3. Find a support (Facebook) group.
Your mom might think your crazy and your best friend may think you’re annoying. The thing is, they just don’t understand what you’re going through. That’s why it’s crucial and so helpful to find other superfans like yourself whether it’s on facebook, tumblr or twitter. These fans have been there since the first album, been to every tour and know everything and anything about the band mates. You can relate to them and bond over this shocking news.

4. Reminisce on the good times.
Instead of focusing on all the “never’s” like how you’ll never hear a new song and never attend another concert, take this time to think about all the great times you’ve had with the band. All the new friends you’ve made because of them, moments you’ve shared while listening to their songs, voices you’ve lost from screaming and concerts that gave you post-concert-depression. It’s been a wild ride, and it was bound to happen sooner or later, though of course later (like when you’re old and grey) would have been the better option. But hey, as those pictures with a vintage background that has nothing to do with the quote on tumblr say, “life doesn’t always go your way.”

5. It’s okay to find a rebound band, just not a replacement.
There’s no denying that music has always been the best tool to get you through the tough times. So don’t stop using it now. For some, listening to totally new bands and albums will help to put this sad band breakup news at the back of their mind, while others may prefer having an album listening marathon of the band that’s no more. It’s really up to you but there’s no need to completely disown them.

In conclusion all of the above are lies. You’ll. Never. Ever. Get. Over. The. Jonas. Brothers. Your. Fav. Band. Breaking. Up. Ever. So grab a tub of ice cream (preferably birthday cake flavored, have you not been to Cold Stone?), a box of tissues and all of your live tour DVDs and just mope around for a few days. It’s not the end of the world, just a great part of your life. Who knows, the band may even release four new songs just for you!

ripjonas

–@Naomi_ML

April 2013 Playlist

This is new monthly post that I thought would be nice to start up.
Call me weird or call me a genius, but I like to organize my playlists on iTunes by the month and year. I’m someone who tends to listen to the same couple of songs for a good while, and they usually tend to last a month. So last year I shifted from categorizing my playlists by genre, to monthly mixes that feature a variety of artists. And from now on, I’ll share it with you all. I hope that at least one song will please your ears, because I literally listen to everything so I should have a good variety! Not all songs are going to be brand new, or chart toppers, there will be some way back playbacks.

Now for April’s playlist:

I Want Crazy – Hunter Hayes

Alive – Krewella

Girls Love Beyonce – Drake

Man on the Moon – Phillip Phillips

Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Ft. Ray Dalton)

This Is What It Feels Like – Armin van Buuren (Ft. Trevor Guthrie)
Let me know if you enjoyed any of the songs, and what music is on your current playlist! Always love listening to new artists! :)
-Naomi

Swedish House Mafia One Last Tour

A sea of fans filled the Rogers Centre for Swedish House Mafia’s huge back-to-back farewell parties on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23. Making Toronto one of its few coveted stops for their fittingly named One Last Tour, the trio of DJ/producers put on a show that not only satisfied every electronic dance music (EDM) lover in the city, but left them craving for more.

Toronto came, raved, and loved as over 60, 000 neon-clad, glow stick-holding music lovers showed up to say good bye to the super group. After getting pumped up to tunes spun by fellow Swedish DJ Otto Knows, the group’s 10 p.m. curtain call arrived, revealing the three silhouettes of Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso. The band looked miniature on stage, standing behind their DJ booth, surrounded by larger than life speakers and video screens.

“We always ask [the question] are you ready, but we know Toronto that you’re ready.” Axwell yelled over deafening screams. “So we want you to ask us.” A very loud and clear “are you ready?” then echoed through the stadium, as Greyhound began to play.

Their lively instrumentals and bass heavy beats had everyone’s hands in the air as the crowd jumped to the contagious music. But what really contributed to the party atmosphere was the plethora of special effects and visuals that kept concertgoers entertained. The vibrant pyrotechnics, fireworks, billows of smoke and colourful laser lights, kept the party atmosphere going throughout the show.

The set list included recognizable Swedish House Mafia hits like AntidoteReloadCalling and Clash and their chart-topping songs like OneMiami 2 Ibiza and Don’t You Worry Child. The DJs also took turns playing their own song remixes, including Axwell’s In My Mind and Steve Angello’s Teasing Mr. Charlie during the two-hour show.

While it seemed as though the audience could’ve danced the whole night away, the show came to an end with a lengthy Save the World remix, as giant balloons dropped from the ceiling and streamers blew from the stage, resulting in an over-the-top send off worthy of the influential band.

Article written by Naomi Leanage, as seen on muchmusic.com.

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Shawn Desman “Alive” Movie Premiere

On February 1, I had the opportunity to attend the red carpet premiere for Shawn Desman’s movie Alive.

Scored with songs from his new record, Alive follows the ups and downs of a small town dancer who moves to the big city to pursue her dreams.

It was a short and sweet film, that had an inspirational theme, amazing dance scenes and of course a great soundtrack.

Read my full movie review on faze.ca here.

Check out the pictures I was able to capture on the red carpet:

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Shawn Desman and lead Kaitlyn Leeb.

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The cast.

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The cast with director RT! and producer Katrina.

You can catch the film airing on MuchMusic at 7pm on Tuesday, February 5 (the day Shawn’s studio album also comes out!)

Look out for my review of the film on faze.ca

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