ISA has started a new performance video series called Secret Stage, and for the premiere episode they’ve invited AJ Rafael to hold an intimate little session where she sings “Emma Watson“. In case you don’t remember, the ode to the English actress is from his debut album Red Roses (from last Summer). AJ chose to perform at his old middle school, where his love for the arts first blossomed, driving him into the creative lane that we know him for now.
AJ Rafael hasn’t shown us new material in a while, so it was a welcome surprise to come across “Beautiful Escape”. It’s still a little bit of a work in progress but AJ was able to get it to at least demo-ready. Take a listen and let’s hope he sees this one through to completion of a studio version and we can compare it’s genesis to the final.
this is a song i’ve been working on, and i finally finished it during tonight’s disappointing Laker game. (LAL loses to OKC 103-100) so i took my sadness and recorded this while i felt vulnerable. haha. the transition to the bridge needs work, but other than that… i hope you enjoy my new song. it’s been a while!
Two can play at that game? What game? I dunno, I just wanted to introduce the concept of two. Deuce. Double. 1+1. Snake Eyes. Duets. Because that’s what we’ve rounded-up for you today. This is all about about two musical artists covering songs both new and old and giving you two subjects to see and hear. This would have been more appropriate for a “Twos”day…. OK, sorry about that. Enjoy!
Paul Kim x Jennifer Chung Cover “Take Care” by Drake x Rihanna
Jason Chen x Cathy Nguyen Cover “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
Melissa Polinar x Tim Halperin Cover “Not Over You” by Gavin Degraw
AJ Rafael x Nessa Rica Cover “Cry” by Mandy Moore
In July of last year, we shared with you a documentary that was in the works called Uploaded: The Asian American Movement. Now, all these months later, the film is complete and ready for it’s premiere at the Los Angeles Pan Asian Pacific Film Festival. You can now view the trailer, which gives us a look at all the interviews and the overlying focus of this film – a movement that is near and dear to our hearts at a-Tunes. Check out all the additional information after the break, and if you’re in LA, don’t miss the premiere on May 16th!
Why? Just ‘Cause.
Happy Friday the 13th! Today’s name of the game is medleys and mash-ups, where all the artists took two or more (sometimes many more) and blended them together to present a completely different creation all together. We have entries by Meesh, AJeezy, Tousher, the JRA, and Mr. Manongdo covering everything from Disney to Drake. Enjoy your end to the work week with these tunes!
Michelle Martinez Sings a Medley of Drake Songs
AJ Rafael x Toddrick Hall Perform a Medley of Disney Songs
Collaboration is the word of the day, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the following Youtube covers. From the large acapella offering by AJ Rafael & Friends to the more low-key duo of all the other tracks, each video features at least one of our artists in conjunction with some peers. Everything from Lauryn Hill to Trey Songz to Katy Perry is here, so if you have a few minutes to kill, enjoy!
AJ Rafael & Friends Remix “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (Acapella) by Lauryn Hill
Jeff Bernat x Jeremy Passion Cover “Gotta Go” by Trey Songz
Maribelle Anes x Brandon Evans Cover “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Kelly Clarkson x Jason Aldean
We have a bit of a truncated round-up today, with just 5 videos for your viewing. But it’s almost like getting two for the price of one with each clip, because today’s theme is a-Tunes artist covering a-Tunes artist, hence the “meta”-ness of the whole thing. It’s like the Inception of Youtube covers! We hope you’re enjoying your first couple days of April – but here’s an open call out to all our fans and artists alike: Let’s continue to support & show each other love by covering and pushing the songs of our fellow artists!
Eunice Kiss Covers Far East Movement‘s “Live My Life“
Royal Pirates Cover Ailee‘s “Heaven“
It’s early Thursday here on the East, but it seemed just as good a time as any for another round-up batch. Today’s common denominator is that all of these videos are performance clips. Now that does’t necessarily mean each of these was shot in front of an audience, although some were; rather it simply means there is no lip-sync involved. The audios are comprised of a single take, though some of the the video footage is via multi-camera set-ups. That being said, you have an assortment of performance stages ranging from a bedroom to a full-scale live audience. Just for good measure, we’ve thrown in a clip that blew us away from a Korean singing competition. Check it out at the end, you won’t regret it!
Ailee Covers “The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston
Clara C x Jayesslee Cover “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
Cathy Nguyen x DANakaDAN & Friends Cover “Unthinkable” by Alicia Keys
How about some old-school R&B styled music to close out your Friday evening? AJ Rafael joined forces with two Filipino American artists that reside in the Philippines, JayR & Kris Lawrence. They lend their voices to form a three silky three part harmony on a tune they call “You’re the One”. It makes me reminisce on the rhythm and blues tunes of yesteryear. I would love to hear this tracked in the studio!
When you put a bunch of talented artists in a room with instruments and a camera, the inevitable Youtube jam session is going to occur. That’s the binding theme among today’s round-up, with all the covers being mostly raw footage of artists and their friends (and sometimes family) singing their hearts out to their favorite songs of the moment. How’s an even dozen sound to you? It’s a lot? Well you better get started!
Jayesslee Cover “Secrets” by One Republic
Dia Frampton & Band Cover “The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)” by Flight of the Conchords
Andy Suzuki & The Method Cover “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon
Rooftop Pursuit Covers “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
