Blog Archives
Two Cents: GT’s Top 10 Performance Clips from 2011
OK. One week down in 2012, and 51 one left to go! We’re continuing our 2011 countdown series with a recap of my top 10 favorite performance clips from last year. The criteria for this list came down to a mixture factors, including the actual performance, the crowd response, production values, and sheer overall entertainment. The only other restriction was that the clip had to be released in the calendar year of 2011, even if the performance is from earlier. Lastly, click through till the end for a bonus pick that didn’t quite fit in my top 10 but shouldn’t be ignored.
Now, starting with my number 10 pick, we have…
10. April Chase – “All You Need to Say” (article)
Ever since first discovering April Chase a couple years ago, they quickly became one of my favorite Pop/Rock bands. The group encompasses radio friendly hooks with a great rock foundation, wrapped up with Carina Valdes’ sweet but gutsy vocals. The only thing the above clip that is missing, was an audience to appreciate the unplugged rendition of “All You Need to Say” from their EP, Still Breathing. It’s always a blessing when a rock group still sounds just as fun and engaging without the benefit of studio polish.
Two Cents: GT’s Top 10 MVs from 2011 (and 10 Honorable Mentions)
2011 was a banner year in the world of Asian-American music. We saw more releases than ever, more artists achieving more mainstream success, and more fans across more ethnic backgrounds recognizing the great music by our artists. But along with more of the good comes more of the bad – with there also being an influx in mediocre music, an increase in hate and bigotry (check Youtube comments) and even more pressure to try and stand out. That’s why I wanted to look back on the past year and choose what I consider to be my top 10 favorite music videos from 2011. Now this doesn’t mean that these are the MVs with the top production values (although this is often the case), but rather it’s a reflection of what I found to be the most well executed, balanced, and entertaining visuals. On the very last page we also have a list of 10 honorable mentions that I thought deserved to be recognized as well.
So without futher ado let’s jump straight into number 10…
10. IAMMEDIC – “Spaceship” (article)
Electronica-Pop group IAMMEDIC took the concept of their song “Spaceship” to the max by injecting a silly Star Trek inspired motif and alien abduction. The video is fun, looks great, and represents the high energy of the audio perfectly. Deep? Not so much, but fun and well executed? Very much so.
Directors/Cinematographers/ Dan Fisher and Ed Park
Produced by Joe Park and IAMMEDIC
Edited by Steve Arcenio
Visual Effects – Ed Park and Derrick Lee
3D Model by Daniel Harris
“Spaceship” Written and Produced by IAMMEDIC
Mixed by Enik Lin
Don’t Miss This Performance of ‘Home:Word’ Songs by Magnetic North, Taiyo Na, Vudoo Soul, Sam Kang, Alfa & More
These are honetly my favorite type of clips. Energetic, passionate, and infectious performances by artists that relish each other’s company as much as they do their art. Mag North & Taiyo have released the following clip of them on stage performing tracks from their Home:Word release. Vudoo, Sam Kang, and Alfa Garcia joined them, rounded out by the Home:Word House band – giving a great performance that I’m jealous for not being able to catch live back in April.
Magnetic North x Taiyo Na x Wong Fu Release the “Home:Word” MV
If you’ve been awaiting the long overdue reunion of Magnetic North & Wong Fu Productions, then you should be elated to hear that they have returned with a new music video for Mag North’s collaborative single with Taiyo Na, ”Home:Word”, their title track from their album also featuring Sam Kang. The song has a great message that hits home, and I’m sure a lot of you readers will be albe to relate too. Be sure to check out the commentary and behind the scenes information over at Wong Fu’s site too. Call me a sap but this is easily one of my favorite MVs of the year.
Like the mother and daughter, we all have those moments where we neglect our parents, too busy living our own life, we often forget that on the other side our parents are working hard and have struggled to give us as good a life as they can.
Like the son, pressures from school can be the biggest struggle for young people. While it’s important, sometimes stepping away to find that true peace keeps us going. Whether it’s in art and photography, making videos, singing, dancing, or even video games with friends.
Like the father, jobs and financial worries can bring us down. Especially in these tough times, when so much is uncertain, the greatest gift we have is knowing that there is one constant, family.
Magnetic North x Taiyo Na Release the Deluxe Edition of ‘Home:Word’
It may have been a year and a half since Mag North & Taiyo Na released their Home:Word collaborative album but that doesn’t mean it can’t be given a fresh coat of paint and made bigger than ever. They’ve gone ahead and remastered the songs plus added 5 more tracks to top out the tracklist at 15. The new and improved package has been dubbed the “Deluxe Edition” and is available stateside starting today. Check below for your options.
Magnetic North x Taiyo Na to Drop MV for “Home:Word” ft Sam Kang & Directed by Wong Fu
It’s been years since Wong Fu first started to produce official music videos for artists, but things seem to be coming back around full circle as they are linking up with Magnetic North once again for the “Home:Word” visual with Taiyo Na & Sam Kang. Mag North & Wong Fu previously linked up for “Drift Away” about half a decade ago, and both teams have only grown in their respective crafts so I can’t wait to see the final cut of the visual to the title track from last year’s album. Look for the video to drop December 7th
It’s the holiday season, and what better time to be reminded of what’s most important in our lives. Not our job, our finals, or material things…but family, home, peace.
We’re proud to be releasing our latest music video on December 7th. “Home: Word” by Magnetic North and Taiyo Na ft. Sam Kang. We shot it at the beginning of this month in New York City (or first time shooting there), and you may already know our history with Magnetic North, so this is a very special project to us. Not our typical boy/girl stories, but still just as meaningful and often unsaid.
Magnetic North x Taiyo Na Release the “Fukushima” MV
Frequent collaborators Magnetic North and Taiyo Na have just dropped the music video for “Fukushima”. It’s not your typical FMV fare but they opted to go the kinetic typography route to emphasize the importance of the song’s lyrics. On the anniversary of a tragic day, the trio speak to the various struggles and catastrophes that have occurred the world over.
Dedicated to the victims and families of 9/11 and the Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Crisis of 2011.
Dedicated to the victims of any tragedy compounded by not just natural forces but human error and deceit.
Dedicated to those who in the midst of this, find the love and courage necessary to get back up on their feet and rebuild.
Dedicated to love over evil.
Taiyo Na Sings Theme Song for “Stay With Me” Novel
As part of the promotions for the young adult novel, Stay With Me, by Paul Griffin, Taiyo Na was enlisted to cover the theme song originally sung by the author’s brother. Na is an artist of many different mics and this time around he’s dabbling with the acoustic ballad genre staying close to the original. Both the original and Taiyo Na versions are available via Bandcamp. Youtube version is available after the break too.
[Live Performance] Magnetic North x Taiyo Na – “Postcards” @ Holla For Japan
Here’s a great live clip of Mag North & Taiyo killing it on stage with their song “Postcards” off their Home:word album released last year. These MC’s perform with so much energy, and this particular segment was from their benefit show for the Japanese tsunami relief effort. I just wish East coast crowds would loosen up more, there were so stoic! Either way, I’m glad they shared this video, makes seeing them live rank higher on my to-do list.
[Music Video] Magnetic North x Taiyo Na x Jin – “I Got My”
The folks behind the Home:Word album, Magnetic North & Taiyo Na have finally put out the music video to their song “I Got My” featuring Jin. But I doubt you’re ready for what you’re about to see as the crew has dug deep and reached out to all their contacts, friends, affiliates, etc to be a part of this MV. There are cameos from the Blue Scholars, Denizen Kane, Conchita Campos, DFD, Christina Chung, FM, Thomas Apartment, James Ha, Vienna Teng, DanAKADan, El Gambina, Cynthia Lin, Dawen, Bambu, DJ Phatrick, Kiwi, Heather Park, Vudoo, Lyrics, Manifest, Alfa, AJ Rafael, Jay Legaspi and a whole lot more. Those are just some of the musicians, there are a ton of activists, media folk, dancers, artists, students, educators, and more who also had a role. This is easily one of the dopest concepts put to music and unifying MV’s I’ve seen all year. Great release.
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