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Our next stop is IRELAND!!!! It has to be one of my favourite countries right now because it's home to Damien Rice, The Script and Once. Some of these men have those ruggid good looks the Irish are famous for and some of them are clean-cut. Whatever your preference, I'm sure you'll LOVE at least one of them.
Damien RiceDecember 7, 1973HomepageMySpace9 Crimes MVFolk/Indie RockPlays the cello, guitar, piano, violin and drumsKnown for his charity workHis music appears in various movies and shows such as:Alias, Lost, House, Closer, Criminal minds, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy and Bones
The Script HomepageMySpaceThe Man Who can't Be Moved MVPop RockOpened for Paul McCartneySupported Take That and U2 Could be writing a song for Leona Lewis' 2nd album
OnceReleased 2007Part of 2007 Sundance Film Festival and Dublin Film FestivalStars Glen Hansard (The Frames)Soundtrack received a Grammy
Falling Slowly received an Academy AwardHansard and Irglová composed and performed all the songsSet in DublinOfficial SiteIMBDFalling Slowly MV
Our last stop on this musical tour...for now at least...will be Taiwan. I really wanted to find some Chinese artists but never really found any I liked. That all changed in Japanese class where I met my new friend. She's Taiwanese and got me into a whole bunch of dramas and music. very distracting seeing we were in class but...so worth it! :PYou might have trouble pronouncing their names and their songs properly but that doesn't take away from their creativity and magnetic energy. A lot of the following artists are all friends and have worked together at some point or another. They might look pretty and bubblegum pop-ish but that's not the case. You shouldn't find any of them annoying whether or not you like their music
~Fahrenheit
~Probably the most popular guy group in China and Taiwan right now
~5 members
~Mainly pop but its goes in and out of variations
~They're all actors
~Official Website
~Zhi Dui Ni You Gan Jue feat. Hebe MV 
~Jay Chou
~Piano, cello, guitar, drums
~R&B, ballad, pop
~Played a supporting role in "Curse of the Golden Flower"~Orange Jasmine MV
~S.H.E.
~Stands for Selena, Hebe and Ella
~Pop
~Often associated with Fahrenheit
~Actresses
~Official Webpage
~Zui Jin Hai Hao Ma MV
~Danson Tang
~Singer/actor/model
~Speaks English~Also associated with Fahrenheit
~Official Website
~Xin Ge MV
~Rainie Yang~Singer/actress/host~Pop~Official Website~Wolf MV
~JJ Lin~From Singapore~R&B/ballad~Speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien~Piano, drums, guitar~Official Website~Cao Cao MV
At the beginning of June my Youth group went to see Hillsong United live at the Molsen Amphitheater. I told myself that I would try my hardest to really get into the presence of God this time. I've only been to one of their concerts once before. Because it was so new to me I tried harder to take everything in than to go into His presence.The presence you feel is the most amazing and unexplainable sensation in the world. I was in complete awe AGAIN!!!! When you have that many people, singing, worshiping, raising their hands and crying for God, you can't help but go back for more. The thing I like the most is that the band doesn't even do anything amazing performance wise; they're there for the same reason as we are: to worship an AMAZING God.The passion they put into their music and the time I'm sure they put into their songs is all for us and for Him. I don't know about you but it helps bring me closer to Him, helps me talk to Him, brings up things that might not be on the forefront of my mind and puts words into my mouth; some of these songs are like the story of my life in a way. When I was reading the lyrics to some of the songs off the screen it felt like they were written just for me. That's what I like about Christian music, it so accurately tells us what's going on in our lives and how to fix it. It comforts us in the knowledge that God will always be there. They describe Him in such a way as to make us fall in love with Him with every song that we hear.For those of you who read this and are not Christian, I'm not trying to butter it up. This is actually how it is and how a lot of people feel. Of course, this is the best side of it; just because we follow Christ doesn't make us perfect. Keep that in mind. We face the same troubles as everyone else.That being said, here's the track list and links to Youtube vids. There are lyrics but nothing else. It's just the song although I know there are vids of some performances that I recommend you definitely check out.
Freedom is HereNo Reason to HideMore Than AnythingKing of All DaysDesert SongOh You BringTear Down the WallsSoonYou Hold Me NowArms Open WideYour Name HighYours Forever
Happy Canada Day all you Canadians!!!!!!! I hope you enjoy(ed) all the BBQs, fireworks, parties and the like. For all those who are working during the summer, hopefully you take advantage of the day off :PAs for the Americans, I want to wish them a happy 4th of July!!! It's funny, I can't say July 4th ever again because of this holiday :P I know you guys do it up good. Enjoy the holiday, eat lots and celebrate till you're too tired to move. That's what the fireworks are for!
Continuing with my Music Internationale series, our next stop is South Korea! I've found that all of their music, no matter what the style is always inventive and original; the artists ALWAYS stay true to themselves and try to come up with new ways to entertain their fans. So here's a list of artists I think you guys might like. There are so many so bare with me, I'll try and keep the list reasonable and let you guys explore for yourself.BTW This list will contain artists from EVERY kind of musical genre to accommodate everyone's musical tastes. 
~ClazziquaiThey're a Korean/Canadian band. They fall into the jazz/trance/electronica genre. If you're looking for something new you should definitely check 'em out!Clazziquai MySpace Clazziquai Homepage "Fill This Night" MV 
~Epik HighReally popular indie hip hop group (I'd say closer to rap) made up of 3 guys. They're kind of like the Black Eyed Peas of Korea in my opinion. Tablo, their front man, is always doing collabos with other artists. They're very talented.Epik High MySpace Epik High Homepage "Music is My Life" MV ~B
ig BangI'd consider them Hip Hop & R&B. Just like Epik High they're very popular in Korea. You'll see them trying different styles all the time. They sing, dance and rap so if you're looking for something a little less hardcore than rap you'll find it in them.Big Bang MySpace Big Bang Homepage Haru Haru MV
~Se7enOne of the 3 Korean artists that are trying to make a splash in the American music scene. I'd consider his style to be more hip hop than anything. He's known for his breakdancing skills and has been topping the charts ever since he's debuted. He's also a popular actor in Korea and signer in Japan.Se7en MySpace Se7en Homepage Live in Radio vid
~RainOne of the 3 Korean artists that are trying to make a splash in the American music scene. He's also an actor but his style is more R&B. His dancing is also pretty sick! He was in the Speed Racer movie and is planning on releasing an English album sometime next year. He currently owns his own record label in Korea.Rain MySpace Rain Homepage "I'm Coming" MV ~BoA
One of the 3 Korean artists that are trying to make a splash in the American music scene. She's currently released a full-length album in North America called Look Who's Talking. She's a model, singer and dancer and has been an entertainer since the age of 11 or 12! She's made it big in Korea, Japan and China. She's probably considered pop with hip hop influence.BoA MySpace BoA Homepage "Aggressive" Fanvid ~Nell
I've only recently found out about them but they are soooo unique just like Clazziquai. They've collaborated with many artists like Epik High. They'd be considered Indie Rock. I love them. If you're looking for something completely new and not mainstream then go for this band. The lead's voice is smooth and the lyrics are so honest and beautiful.Nell Homepage "It's Okay" MV~subtitles~ 
~Hyori
She's a pretty popular singer/ model in Korea. I'd classify her as pop but none of it is cheesy. She's a dancer and I've found does a lot ofpromotional music videos. If you don't know what I mean, look up her videos Anymotion and Anyclub.Hyori MySpace "U Go Girl" MV
~K-WillHe's an AMAZING singer. His voice will blow your mind. Check out his covers of Mariah Carey's songs on youtube and you'll be hooked. There's not a lot of info on him but if you find any it'd be great if you could let me know. He kind of sticks to the ballads but still has a couple of up beat osngs here and there."Love is on the Way" ~live~ "Love 119" MV
~DBSKOne of the biggest boy bands in Korea. And when I say boy bands I don't mean like Backstreet Boys. Asia has recreated that scene. They're hip hop/pop and they're popular all over Asia. I can't even describe it. They can dance, sing and act and they give a mean acapella performance.DBSK MySpace "Love in the Ice" ~live~ "Mirotic" MV
So...this is kinda late but I just want to congratulate Norway on winning the 2009 Eurovision song contest!!!!! They had a record number of points in the show's history! I must admit, it's a very catchy song and the performance was soooooo good!!!! If you don't know what Eurovision is go to their website.The following is a link to the winning song:Alexander Rybak-Fairytale
Tonight, Worth Dying For, a Christian band form Modesto, California, performed at my church's youth group. It was AMAZING!!!!! I will post a picture once I get my dad's camera back but if you want to see all of them you can check them out soon on facebook. I will post a link once that's done. But really, you guys HAVE to check out their album. It's their first but worth every penny you pay and I'm not just saying that. Seeing them live is such a privilege; they have such a presence and energy it just makes you want to try that much harder to connect with God. Click the link below to go to their Myspace page:Worth Dying For MySpaceYou know the drill, here you can find all the show info and band info you want and hear their awesome music! Enjoy!!!!
I just got back from a youth retreat with my church a couple hours ago. We went up to Joy Bible Camp in Bancroft, Ontario. It was an AMAZING weekend and God really moved in our lives, indescribable as usual. I thought I'd share some of the songs that our youth band played this weekend. I'm also going to post the notes from the sermons on my Midnight Murmurs blog. The theme this year was One Touch (One Touch form God can change your life forever). Till I See You-Hillsong UnitedThe greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And till I see you face to face
And grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you
With all I am I'll live to see your Kingdom come
And in my heart I pray you'd let your will be done
And till I see you face to face
And grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you
I will live to love you
I will live to bring you praise
I will live a child in awe of you
You are the voice that called the universe to be
You are the whisper my heart that speaks to me
And till I see you face to face
And grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you
You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy Lord
And with all I am my soul will bless your name
The Heart of Worship
When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring Something that's of worth That will bless Your heart I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You're looking into my heart I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus King of endless worth No one could express How much You deserve Though I'm weak and poor All I have is Yours Every single breath I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You're looking into my heart I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it And it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus[x2]
Reign in Us-StarfieldYou thought of us before the world began to breathe You knew our names before we came to be You saw the very day we fall away from you And how desperately we need to be redeemed Lord Jesus Come lead us We're desperate for your touch Oh great and mighty one With one desire we come That you would reign that you would reign in us We're offering up our lives A living sacrifice That you would reign that you would reign in us Spirit of the living God fall fresh again Come search our hearts and purify our lives We need your perfect love we need your discipline We're lost unless you guide us with your light Lord Jesus Come lead us We're desperate for your touch Oh great and mighty one With one desire we come That you would reign that you would reign in us We're offering up our lives A living sacrifice That you would reign that you would reign in us We cry out for your life to revive us cry out For your love to define us cry out For your mercy to keep us Blameless until you return Oh great and mighty one With one desire we come That you would reign that you would reign in us We're offering up our lives A living sacrifice That you would reign that you would reign in us [2 x] So reign please reign in us Come purify our hearts We need your touch Come cleanse us like a flood And set us out So the world may know you reign you reign in us [2 x]
Fire Fall Down-Hillsong UnitedCause I know... that you're alive You came to fix... my broken life And I'll sing... to glorify Your Holy Name... Jesus Christ You bought my life With the blood that you shed on the cross when you died For the sins of men and you let out a cry Crucified now alive... in me These hands are yours Teach them to serve as you please and I'll reach out Desperate to see all the greatness of God May my soul rest assured... in you I'll never be the same No I'll never be the same Cause I know... that you're alive You came to fix... my broken life And I'll sing... to glorify Your Holy Name... Jesus Christ You changed it all You broke down the wall when I spoke and confessed In you I am blessed Now I walk in the light In victorious sight... of you Your fire... fall down Your fire... fall down... on us we pray As we seek Your fire... fall down Your fire... fall down... on us we pray As we seek Your fire... fall down Your fire... fall down... on us we pray As we seek you Lord... Show me your heart Show me your way Show me your gloryLead Me To The Cross-Hillsong United
Savior I come Quiet my soul remember Redemptions hill Where Your blood was spilled For my ransom Everything I once held dear I count it all as lost Lead me to the cross Where Your love poured out Bring me to my knees Lord I lay me down Rid me of myself I belong to You Lead me, lead me to the cross You were as I Tempted and trialed You are Te word became flesh Bore my sin and death Now you're risen To your heart To your heart Lead me to your heart Lead me to your heart
For those of you not familiar with french the title says French Music. Here in Canada, I feel we don't appreciate or publisize french music as much as we should. In my french class right now, we're doing presentations on french-speaking music artists and 99% of them so far have only toured in Québec. There are only a couple of french channels on cable television and Much Music, the Canadian MTV, only shows French Kiss (french music videos) at 7am as far as I'm aware. I've also heard that the musical artsit don't get very much money at all. This shows mostly in their music videos. There are a lot of animation or "one set" videos.
All this aside, I've been realizing how good french music really is. There's something that sets it aside from music of other languages, and I'm not talking about the language. I'm not quite sure what it is. There's just this underlying (not sure if that's the right word) tone that corresponds to music of a different language.
When listening to music of a different language you have to be open-minded and patient. It's the same as discovering artists here. You aren't going to not listen to English music (or whatever your native tongue is) just because you can't find someone good. You just have to keep looking. One genre or artist doesn't define that country's music. Keeping that in mind I'll give you a head start and name some artists (most being Canadian) and some of their songs. If you liked this, keep checking this post again because I'll be updating them when I find someone new. Eventually, if the list gets too long I'll have to get rid of the song recommendation.
I thought it would be kinda cool if every so often I did a little blurb about music from a different country (chances are it would be about more recent music and not traditional). I know a lot of my friends aren't entirely open-minded about music from a different country, mostly because they can't understand it or, in our case, it takes too much effort to translate it in our minds (french). Personally, I think you should give all kinds of music a chance (if you don't already). It's just like the music we listen to here just in a different language. What surprised me the most is how different it is compared to American music even though it's the same genre. So basically, I'll do couple blurbs and mention some artists of different genres that you can check out. All I ask of you is to give this music a chance and give me some feedback. What kind of genre do you want to see more of, do you like the idea or not, is there a certain country you want me to cover etc. I'm mostly doing this for you guys, although it will give me a chance to explore and discover some awesome new music :P There are 4 countries, or languages, that I'll be covering first because I already know a decent amount about them and it requires no research on my part once so ever ( :P). These countries are: French (Canada & France), Japan, Korea and China.
