Apple

Hi loves!

I really wanted to write up a brief review on the service at Apple.

Recently, my iPad 2, which I got this past Christmas from my daddy (thank you daddy!), had started acting very strange. After using it for a few minutes, especially when I opened safari, the iPad would start ‘ghost’ typing, and opening apps, and freezing. It was super frustrating!

I wiped my iPad, which really sucked because of all the photos I lost. However, after a short while of use, the random typing and app-opening and closing started up again. After that, my dad did some more research and found that going into the device’s settings and disabling one of the options (I think it was voice control) could solve the problem. I must say, I was pretty pissed that my dad didn’t try that option before erasing all of my info buuuuttttt, I was happy that this setting change made my iPad work!

…for a little over a week, that is.

Finally, I was so fed up, that I took the iPad to Apple. After a while of using the iPad in front of one of the Apple employees, the iPad decided to behave…I swear that thing must’ve been possessed!!

But the worker believed me, and understood that it took a while of use before the iPad would start acting up. So, regardless of me not having AppleCare, I was given a brand new IPad 2 to replace my faulty one, absolutely free of charge!!

In all of my experiences with Apple products, I’ve rarely had an issue, but on the occasion that there is an issue, Apple takes full responsibility and makes sure their customers are well taken care of!

Anyhow, I hope this wins over any Apple skeptics lol and I just had to share my excitement (:

-Alyjah

The Black Ghosts

Whenever a Black Ghosts song starts playing, I instantly have the urge to shop in an Urban Outfitters. If you’re a frequent Urban customer, then you’ll probably understand what I mean. 

The Black Ghosts are a bit punky, but mostly give off that cool-without-trying vibe that makes you wanna walk around with an  idgaf attitude, complimented by a pair of aviators. 

If you’re into The Strokes or even Two Door Cinema Club, The Black Ghosts are probably right up your alley! 

Sondre Lerche will charm his way into your heart, not only with his adorable face, but with his undeniably pleasant tunes. Sondre’s music has been featured in the ‘Dan in Real Life’ movie soundtrack, not to mention, he’s collaborated with the lovely Regina Spektor. 

Upon relaxing to a few Sondre Lerche songs, you’ll notice how heavily influenced his music is by jazz. The jazzy elements of these songs create an easy listening vibe, hard not to like!

Cara Salimando: Interview

Upon first meeting singer/songwriter Cara Salimando, her petite, fairy-like demeanor gave me the impression she was an introverted musician, dedicated solely to her art, rather than the glimmer and hype offered in the pop music industry. At the time of our meeting, Cara was signed to Universal/Motown, a major record label. I was introduced to Cara at the BMI winter party in 2010, by someone we have both had the pleasure to work with. Previous to meeting Miss Salimando, I was already a fan of her music, specifically her addicting single “Dust”. I was expecting to be starstruck, but graced with her timid charm, a tattoo and earrings that displayed our mutual love for anchors, and her warm smile, I was instantly at ease.  A year and a half later, following major career changes and life experiences for song inspriation, I decided to ask Cara for an interview, to which she kindly accepted!

(Me at far left, Cara second in from the right)

Alyjah: You recently left a major record label (Universal/Motown) for an independent label. What lead you to making that decision? Do you think moving to a new label has had a positive or negative effect on your success?

Cara: While this may appear to be what happened, it isn’t. I was signed to Universal/Motown when I was 17, so about three years ago now (I’m 20). I made a record, and unfortunately timing wasn’t on my side. Universal/Motown folded in May of 2011, before my record came out. A lot of smaller artists were dropped, other more established artists were transferred to other labels underneath the Universal umbrella. I was dropped. However, I was lucky enough to have signed an amazing publishing deal earlier in February of 2011 with Glassnote Music, one of the most successful independent labels right now. They had just started their publishing branch “Four Song Night”, and I was asked to come in and play a few of my original songs for them. I am signed to Glassnote/Four Song Night as a songwriter, not a recording artist. Right now, I am mostly working “independently”. Of course, I’m getting a lot of help. I still have my team, my manager, co manager, booking agent, business manager, with the addition of the Glassnote family pushing me in all that I do related to songwriting. I’d say the change has been more liberating. I feel more in control of the work I put out now, which is a good thing. 




Alyjah: Your music has brought you across the States, and even across oceans. What has been your favorite ‘vacation’ you’ve taken for a performance?

Cara: I loved going to Europe opening for 100 Monkeys. We had 3 days off in Paris and I really loved it there. Also, I’ve been doing some songwriting work in London for Glassnote, and I always look forward to going back.





Alyjah:  If I’m not mistaken, you toured with Ingrid Michaelson? What was that like? Did the experience contribute anything to your songwriting/performing?

Cara: Yes, in 2010 I opened for Ingrid Michaelson and Mat Kearney. It was my very first tour, and it was pretty indescribable. Up until that point, I hadn’t even considered the possibility of going on a tour, and all of a sudden I found myself on a tour bus. I was super spoiled, getting to go on a bus my first time out. I met amazing people on that tour, Ingrid’s band are all wonderful people and we’ve stayed friends. I found that I definitely work up to my full performing potential while I’m on a tour. All of that “practice while doing” was helpful. 





Alyjah: You obviously are buddy-buddy with the piano! For how long have you been playing? I took piano lessons about a thousand times, and always quit after a few weeks. I’ve never been someone particularly talented at patting my head while rubbing my belly, so piano is much too difficult. Do you find that piano came naturally to you? 

Cara: I’ve been playing piano since I was nine. I was never a “practicer”, I’m still not. I ran through a lot of teachers before I found the right one for me. I didn’t want to learn compositions (although now I do), I just wanted to learn how to write basic piano parts. When I was 13 I met my math, Gregg Zubowics. He is this crazy amazing rock guitar and piano player. He’s also one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever come across. He taught me everything I know. 

I guess the idea of playing piano came naturally to me. I always loved messing around on a piano. When I was little (maybe 6?) we had just seen the play “Cats” and I played “Memory” ‘s main melody line on the piano when I got home. My parents were “impressed”, although maybe they were just being nice. 



Alyjah: What other instruments do you play?

Cara: I play ukulele and I’m learning to play guitar, sort of. 





Alyjah: For me, a hefty portion of my songs are inspired by my relationship. Are you more of an “I love you soooo much” songwriter, or more of a “Screw you, you weren’t even that hot” type of writer?

Cara: I’m just really sentimental, and emotional, and I think I express that in most of my writing. I’ve never written a straight up “I love you” song, aside from “Even More” which is quite old at this point. I don’t think relationships are black and white like that. Mine haven’t been. Most of my songs are me reflecting on whatever specific occurred in a certain period of time, but I think I divvy up the blame for whatever went wrong (or right) pretty fairly. At least, I try to. In Bookmark I acknowledge that I was an idiot, although most of the song seems like I’m pointing my finger. I’m not. No one is 100 percent right or wrong in mostly anything. And I know that, now. So I’m not sure. I don’t know if I’m intentionally leaning one way or another, I try to express the full situation. 





Alyjah: You come off as someone who likes Zooey Deschanel. Am I right or wrong?

Cara: A few years ago you would have been more right than you are now. I like her as an actress in a few films, I think she’s super cute, but I think I’m over my honeymoon phase with her. 





Alyjah:  What would be your ideal career successes?

Cara: Write songs for other artists while maintaining a successful career of my own. Be able to pay my bills with my income from making music. Buy my parents a house, or something, to thank them for all the money they’ve invested in me over the course of my life.

Give Cara’s beautifully haunting song, “Bookmark” a listen:

Oh, what I’d give to…

hang out with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros! I mean, how cool are they!? 

Watching them perform, they all have the biggest smiles spread across their faces. Their music will surely make you feel like making daisy chains and slow dancing to music that’s not meant to be slow danced to. 

Here’s a live performance, and also a perfect example of how well Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros connects with their audience, making their music feel like a conversation with a close, long-time friend.

And how could I not mention the little piece of musical perfection, “Home”? A darling song, with lyrics I’m incorporating into one of my tattoos!

Try to tell me Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros aren’t the definition of feel-good music.