#MusicMonday: Beating Hearts - Ellie Goulding

Ellie Gouldings spectacular voice brings alive this empowering track. One of four songs Ellie Goulding contributed to the Divergent soundtrack and  she proves time and time again that her voice is flawless. 

Divergent is released on DVD in the UK today. The first enstalment of the fabulous trilogy written by Veronica Roth. The story is set in a dystopian future where people are split into five factions. The story follows Tris a divergent (means she doesn't fit into any if the niches in particular) as she chooses her faction and we watch her handle situations thrown at her as he world descends into organised chaos. Definitely a series to keep up with, as the books are amazing.  Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet and Miles Teller

Ellie Goulding 

Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant 

Movie, Soundtrack 

Fragments...

On August 5th 1963 at 4.25am, Marilyn Monroe was found dead at her home in LA at age 36. Even now 52 years since her untimely end there have been many theories surrounding the circumstances of her death, and her life continues to be a source of inspiration for many films and shows. 

The fascination the world continues to have with Marilyn Monroe is not unjust, she is iconic, an unforgettable star who made 33 movies during a 15 year career and left a lasting legacy. 

Fragments is a beautiful collection of personal poems, intimate notes and letters by Marilyn Monroe gives a deep insight it some of Monroes inner turmoil, showing her deep struggle with her self and how little control she felt over the life she was living. 

A couple of extracts from Fragments: 

I can't stand human beings sometimes. 

I know they have their problems 

As I have mine - but I'm really too tired for it. 

Trying to understand, making allowances, seeing certain things 

That just weary me. 

For life 

It is rather a determination not to be overwhelmed 

For work 

The truth can only ever be recalled, not invented. 

#MusicMonday: if/Then a new musical

       

Today's #MusicMonday was brought to you by fate. My brothers friend has returned home after a trip to New York and had went to see If/Then (I can't contain my jealousy) and got my brother the if/Then playbill and programme so he handed me them to look at when he came in whilst I was watching Hercules which LaChanze is in ( Terpischore the muse of dance) as you can see fate. 

If/then is a brilliant new musical from the creators of the equally amazing Next to Normal; Tom Kitt, Michael Grief and BrianYorkey. The show also stars an array of great talent with Idina Menzel, LaChanze, James Snyder and Anthony Rapp. If this hasn't already made you think this is the set up for a great musical the storyline seals the deal. 

If/Then follows Idina Menzels character Elizabeth a New York native who has recently returned after 12 years away and she is working to rebuild her life in the city. A chance moment means that there are two choices that take her life in two totally different paths. To go with Lucas played by Anthony Rapp an old class mate who calls her Beth or to go with Kate a new neighbour who refers to her as Liz the show splits and both choices are played out. 

This is definitely a show if you have the chance to see you should. I shall be sitting here in Scotland forever envious that for the foreseeable future I won't get to see if/then on a Broadway stage. For the time being I shall sit listening to my cast recording that I thoroughly recommend you all get, the songs are catchy and inspirin, with very relatable lyrics for anyone all about life, love and starting over 

You can find if/Then

Twitter 

Website 

Amazon 

iTunes 

Vienna waits for you

Sometimes you need a reminder. That you need to slow down and actually take a minute to live your life. Having ambitions and doing what you can to achieve them is great. But you have your whole life, you may end up regretting a lot more. 

If your always looking forward you will forget to be in the now. 

Some sage advice from Billy Joel; 

"Slow down you crazy child

Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while

It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two

When will you realize... Vienna waits for you?" 

#MusicMonday: Patent Pending presents...

#MusicMonday again and this weeks choice is Patent Pending present Mario and the Brick Breakers: Greatest hits. This Ep was released last Tuesday and did amazingly in the UK charts hitting no7 in the pop charts and no16 overall, which is brilliant for the 6 song Ep that has a song entitled boom boom pass the mushroom.

The Ep opens on  Hey Mario a ingenious song off there Brighter album. The whole album follows suit and is pure brilliance, an incredible work and I urge you all to go and check out everything Patent Pending have done. This band has an unreal energy that is intensified when you see them live (which I have had the pleasure of three times now) but the energy is also incredibly evident in all of there recorded work. 

So stay tuned for what's to come from Mario and the brick breakers, including a thirty minute documentary and not one but five music videos. How many bands can you say have done that 

Check Patent Pending out online 

website 

Twitter 

YouTube

Let me fall... even if I hit the ground

It's hard to sit and watch people you care for take a tumble in life. We all do our best to support the people we love to make sure that they are doing ok so when the unexpected blow comes it can leave everyone in a bit of a funk. 

It's learning what to do next that defines us all. It's learning not to destroy yourself in the process that will help aid the recovery. You can not set yourself on fire to keep them warm. You can not lose so they can win. Life goes on, if your life encounters highs, celebrate them, embrace them. Don't downplay them. You're allowed to be happy. 

Your successes might be the kick start they need or they may need more time. nudge them in the right direction, let them find there feet again. Because they will find there feet again. The funk does not last forever though sometimes it feels like it might. Slowly and surely they discover what is the right choice for them to make and they will continue with life. Let them hit the ground as many times as they need to, do not try and cushion the blow, we discover our strength each time we are knocked down and are able to get back up. 

Sometimes you have to fall before you can fly. It is when you hit the ground that you really begin to find yourself and discover your strength. 

Music Monday: Salvation - Wakey!Wakey!

                         

It's been four years since wakey!wakey! released "Almost Everything I wish I'd said the last time I saw you..." And now the much anticipated fan backed (via pledge music) "Salvation" is here. 

The large break between albums means it is hard to tell what we should have expected with "Salvation" but Michael Grubbs has proven that his music is explosive as ever. 

The album opens with the upbeat "All it takes" a song that definitely encourages you to move along to the beat. You can hear the heart and soul pouring out of the music and lyrics throughout all 11 tracks. 

Highlights: 

- "Thru the night" a song that carries on from "light outside" sharing a positive message to keep on and that everything will be okay. 

- "waste away" I think this song is my favourite on the album. 

- "always and forever" this song has a great beat and even better lyrics definitely a great sing a long song. 

-  "Salvation" the title track really speaks for the album it's upbeat, positive and makes you want to move around. 

Getting to finally here the album makes me beyond excited to see Wakey!Wakey! (For the third time) when he plays the Oran Mor this October 

Check out wakeywakeymusic.com for more information on where to buy the album, tour information and a whole lot more.