Música Monday: Us "No matter where you are"

Wow! Has everyone fully recovered from last night's Grammys?

Seriously, that was one of the most solid award shows I have seen -- and when it comes to music award show....I'm a total junkie!--

From Beyoncé's opening number, I knew the show was gonna be a banger!!!

I love how the producers always merged current artists with legends!

Robin Thicke and Chicago, Pharrell with Daft Punk and Stevie Wonder, Blake Shelton and Willie Nelson, Mackelmore and Madonna! I was just totally in awe....

All of the fusions were great too.

Kendrick Lamar with Imagine dragons gave an amazing performance... Like AMAZING.
Metallica (<3 a="" beautiful.="" concert="" dark="" gave="" grand="" just="" lang="" layer="" nbsp="" ne="" on="" out="" p="" piano="" pulled="" rich="" so="" song="" that="" the="" was="" which="" with="">
Pink can seriously do no wrong!  She gave a fantastic aerialist performance, THEN did some acro, THEN put on heels and a skirt all whilst singing LIVE??????

BA-NANAS

Oh and let's not forget my FAVORITE duet of the night. Carole King and Sara Bareilles singing whilst playing those beautiful grand pianos!!!

but I digress..


My choice for this Música Monday is a band that I personally discovered on Vine (follow me on Vine @boifromIpanema *wink wink*) known simply as "Us".  

 Husband and wife duo Michael Alvarado and Carissa Rae recently released their sophomore album "No matter where you are" in November of 2013 and I have not stopped listening to it since.

Its definitely a chill album with smooth vocals and R&B references.

Take a listen for yourself and let me know what you think :D

You can use the Spotify playlist below, and if you don't have Spotify, I'd definitely recommend you download it! It's free and you can stream millions of FULL ALBUMS!!!!

SO RAD!

May a little dose of music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,

Jeshua 

Música Monday: Alicia Keys Songs in A Minor

Happy Monday friends!

The weekend may be gone but there is still every reason to bump them jams.

This Monday, we are taking it back to the year 2000 baby!

This artist is seriously one of my favorites.
I was absolutely obsessed with her first three albums and I'm pretty sure I know every word to every song, and can sing the songs in sequence of the actual album.


This week's Música Monday is dedicated to Alicia Keys' Songs in A Minor

Forreals...This album was on repeat for like....uh...ever...and still.

Personally I haven't been a fan of Alicia's most recent albums. The vocals are strained and feel..well...disingenuous?  Or maybe I'm just too nostalgic for the vocals and stylings of the original Alicia I fell in love with.


But as far as Songs in A Minor goes...it is pure R&B/hip-hop/soul perfection.

Some of my favorite tracks include the poetic "Caged Bird" inspired by Maya Angelou's poem "I know why the caged bird sings."

A Prince cover, if done well, will always win me over. Alicia's version of "How come you don't call me" has that angsty, sexy, soul, that really brought Alicia into the spotlight.

"Jane Doe," "A woman's worth," "Never felt this way" and "Girlfriend" give a classic pop-R&B vibe and they are just really fun to sang... no not sing, SANG!!!! 

Writing this post really re-ignited my fire for this album and brought back a ton of good memories.

One can only hope that Alicia Key's will get back to her roots and gives this sound a new life!

Take a Listen for yourself!

May a little dose of music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,

Jeshua 

Música Monday (on Thursday) :Halloween playlist

Hello music lovers and Halloween lovers alike! You know what day it is??!

IT'S HALLOWEEN!...Also it's Thursday

also MÚSICA MONDAY... ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!

*Cue childrens laughter and zombie groans*

For today's edition of Música Monday (on Thursday) I've compiled a special playlist of some of my favorite halloween music! 

It's a little complilation of everything from "the Monster Mash," songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dracula, Hocus Pocus, the Nightmare Before Christmas and hours worth of awesome fun halloween music.

Play it to get in the spooky-mood or during your halloween party to enhance the ambiance!

Have a safe and super fun teeth rotting halloween!

May a little dose of music (and a touch of worms wart...for flavor) spook up your halloween!

Ttyl little darlings muahahahahahahahaha,

Jeshua

Música Monday: Mika "The Origin of Love"

Happy Monday you hard working, beautiful person you! You know what you deserve??

You deserve a dose of good new music to fill your earholes with!

 BECAUSE YOU'RE AWESOME! 

YOU GO GLENN COCO!!!!

This weeks Música Monday artist/album is Mika's "The Origin of Love"

The first time I had ever heard Mika was back in 2007!

MTV used small part of one of his songs ("Love today" from his first album "Life in Cartoon Motion") in one of their previews that would literally play at EVERY commercial break.

Once I found out who the artist was, I immediately went on YouTube and listened to all of Mika's music that was out at the time, then I bought the full album!

Mika has a pretty alternative sound which is why I wasn't surprised that he didn't blow up in the states.  

After the release of "Life in Cartoon Motion" I kind-of forgot about him and didn't even bother to think twice about his second album "The boy who knew too much" released in 2009.  

It wasn't until I listened to Ariana Grande's version of "Popular Song" featuring Mika  (originally written and recorded by Mika for "The Origin of Love" album) that I was reminded of how much I actually enjoyed Mika's voice and style.  

I gave his most recent album "The Origin of Love" a listen to, and boy was I stoked!!!!

This Album is so good. I literally laughed out loud to some tracks but in a good way. 

The cheeky "I only love you when I'm drunk" was the song that totally caught me off guard.  I hadn't read the title of the song because I was just listening to the album all the way through. Once the chorus hit, it totally caught me off guard and made me LOL 

The title track "Origin of Love" is a really fun, upbeat, melodic track that has a great feel as well as super interesting melodic vocals.  The song has a light piano centered sound that almost makes it a non-traditional dance song.  It's one of those songs that you dance in your underwear to whilst getting ready in the morning...or something. haha 

 or maybe that's just me.....

I really like Mika's version of "Popular Song."  It has a great message and although it is less pop-melody-esque, than the Ariana version, the message is a little more at the forefront and more matter-of-fact, than the more sensationalized Ariana grande version (which I still love regardless).  

The track "Heroes"also has a fantastic message about a soldier coming home after war. Very relevant to the world we are living in now.   

The moody-ballad "Underwater" has a great smooth piano riff with a really jagged, contrasting lyrical melody in the verses, that really builds in the chorus. 

Finally.... "Emily" or the alternate "Elle me Dit" is just so fun to listen to.

Take a Listen for yourself!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,

Jeshua

BFI Disney Diaries: Spooktacular

One thing people may (or may not) know about me is that I'm an avid-self-proclaimed Disney-holic annual passholder. 

Yeah that's right!

no cares given

Next to Christmas time, Fall is my FAVORITE time of year to visit the park. 

I mean...Space Mountian transformed into the spooky (and fast) Ghost Galaxy, a giant HalloweenTown-esque Mickey Jacko'lantern, The Nightmare Before Christmas themed rides and snacks, Dia de Los Muertos themed areas in Frontierland  AND trick or treating in the park???  How much better can it get?

ohhhhh I know, a spooky-fied firework show and parade!!!! DUH

Did I mention The Nightmare Before Christmas??  Well if you're a fan of the soundtrack, sip a pumpkin-spiced latte whilst eating pumpkin-spiced beignets in the French Quarter, where the soundtrack is playing on the reg.  

I suppose it's not all about the food yeah right.

There's just something about the way the air feels in fall that makes me so happy. Isn't is weird how each season has a different feeling in the air. Especially at night?

EEEEKkkkkk I LOVE fall in general, but Disney nights during fall give me something I seem to have been lacking all year long pumpkin-spiced beignets   

ttyl

Jeshua

Música Monday: Amy Winehouse "Frank"

ugh...It's already Monday again?!

well... let's get to it!

Happy Monday fellow life sojourners.

So as some of you know, Justin Beiber has decided to get in on the Música Monday bandwagon, and release a BRAND NEW SONG every week.

SOOOOOOO.........

we're definitely not going to talk about him.

HOWEVER  we ARE going to be talking about an artist that is very dear to my heart.

This week Música Monday selection is the album "Frank" by the untouchable and deeply missed Amy Winehouse. 

Amy Winehouse came in with earthquake like presence into the American Mainstream music scene in 2007 with her hit "Rehab"

Then she really established herself with the Album "Back to Black'" which received two Grammy's and tons of critical acclaim.

A lot of people know about that album, but not many people have heard Amy's first album "Frank".

"Frank" is different from "Back to Black" in that it's sound is less retro and slightly less produced.
However the writing and feel of the album is young and rebellious, with a generous helping of "achy-heart" syndrome.

Stand out tracks:

The moody "What is it about men" and "Take the box" give an insight to Amy's destructive and troubled side, including her issues with her relationships.

But the songs are so damn groovy....I can't help but to love them

"I heard Love is Blind" and "F**k me Pumps" show off Amy's cheeky side while "October Song" "(There is) No greater Love" and "In my Bed" give you the classic crooner-Amy-sound we have grown to know.

If you really want to hear something cool/supplemental, check out Amy's "Frank B-sides."
It's an entire album of demos and cut songs from the Frank album including some awesome covers and raw moments.


Take a listen for yourself!!

If you've never heard "Frank" I hope you enjoy it, and if you have heard it, hopefully it brings back some memories and sparks your nostalgia :D


May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua 

Música Monday: Nadav Hertzka

Happy Monday ye weary travelers.

Yes, despite our best efforts, Monday has once again snuck up on us to rear its tortuous head.

Luckily today is MÚSICA MONDAY!!!!
*cheers, confetti, party things and stuff*

This weeks selection is a bit different than that of previous weeks, but dang, variety is the spice of life amirite?

So before you go running for the hills, never to visit BFI again, just.....give it an opportunity!!!

ok....ready?

Today's Música Monday features Nadav Hertzka's "Tchaikovsky: Sonata, Op.80 & The Seasons"

Classical music??? noooooooo!

Yesss! Yes, my child

I found this album a while ago while searching up Tchaikovsky music and I haven't stopped listening to it since.
  
As a dancer anything by Tchaikovsky makes me happy, but Nadav Hertzka's versions on piano gave me goosebumps the first time I heard them.

Tchaikovsky's work is so powerful. Even it it's quiet stillness, it has an underlying energy. Which is why I think it is used in so many ballets and dance pieces.

 There is something about Nadav's versions (which are strictly piano versions) that just breathes a new life into these classics.

Now normally I would do a "noteworthy tracks" section but this week I really think that this is an album that should be experienced from start to finish.
If you are stressed out or stuck in traffic or on your lunchbreak, give Nadav a chance. Even if orchestral/classical music isn't normally your thing.
You may actually be surprised.
 
Take a listen for yourself!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua 

Música Monday: Ariana Grande

Monday blues got you down??!  I have the perfect remedy for that, y'all.

In these times when synthetic sounds and vocals rule the airwaves_ugh_a beacon of shining light has come forth to break the monotony that is po(o)p music.

This week's Música Monday is dedicated to the fantastic talent (and my baby mama) that is Ariana Grande.

The 20 year old singer from Florida made a splash onto the scene as Nickelodeon's Kat on the sitcom "Victorious". Now stepping out of the shadow of Victoria Justice and out on her own, with her first album "Yours Truly" this phenomenal talent is on her way top.  With vocals akin to the likes of early Mariah Carey and a style that harkens back to the pop R&B music of the early 90's  which is totes my fav, Ariana Grande is sure to be a lasting figure in the music industry.

Some standout tracks from Yours Truly are the opening track "Honeymoon Avenue" which gives me so many feels, because who doesn't love a good "let's get back together" song. 

"Lovin' It" features a sample of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" which has an amazing mid-tempo groove that gives me so much life

 AND CAN WE JUST TAKE A SECOND TO TALK ABOUT THOSE FREAKING AMAZING VOCALS??!!!!! (listen to "Almost is never enough")

"Daydreamin'" gives a good insight into Ariana's musical doo-wop-meets-90's-R&B aesthetic.

 I LOVVVE ME SOME ARIANA!!!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua

Música Monday: John Legend "Love in the Future"

Happy Monday friends!!

Yes I know, one doesn't usually associate Mondays with joy and or...uh...jubilation,  but everything is better with a little new music right??!!!

That's why every Monday will be Música Monday here on boifromipanema.com.
I will be sharing a different song, artist, or album for your listening pleasure!!

This is gonna be a serious catch all of musical genres, so hopefully there will be a little sabor for everyone.

Music from Bach to Beiber and everything in between!!!!



This week's selection is the new album by John Legend "Love in the Future" which is an album I'm sort of obsessed with at the moment.  

Some stand out tracks are "All of me" John Legend's ode to his wife Chrissy Teigan.

The track "Made to Love" has a cool Afro-industrial driving beat which I find completely infectious.

"Dreams" gives me so many feels it is almost unbearable!!!

And let us not forget the brilliant "Who do we think we are" which samples Jean Knight's "Mr.Big Stuff" and features rapper Rick Ross.

The entire album is totally solid, and totally worth a purchase 
IMHO..........

Take a listen for yourself!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua 

Summa-time Shenanigans Music Playlist

Well it is here...Officially.

 Summertime yay!

 Now,  Lord knows I would be lying if I said I was happy about all this heat and stuff

- because to be honest... unless I am at the beach, in a pool or in the air conditioning... I am not the most positive, happy person to be around-

bitch mode activate

However, I must admit that there is something about the summertime that always gives me a giddy feeling.

The warm sand under my feet, the palm trees blowing in the breeze, the family barbecues, the outdoor parties that go long into the night.  The beach bonfires, the surf sessions, the possibilities of a summer love.....

 (the booty shorts and bikini's amIright?)

Yes, there's something quite infectious about sommer here in California. It's resonance is palpable.... if resonance can be..uh...palpable.  

Whether you're chilling at the beach, river, pool or wherever you prefer (or imagine you are), there is nothing like some slick grooves to get you in the summer mood. 

Here's a little playlist of some of my favorite summer grooves.  I will most defiitely playing this playlist today at the beach! 

Hope you enjoy it!

OH yeah,

And PLEASE try to stay out of trouble ;P

get into ALL the summa-time shenanigans you possibly can!!!!! Do it!!!!!!!

Happy Saturday!

 Ttyl,

 Jeshua

Duets for a Year: Coffee House Sessions

So recently I have been trying to get back on my performing game.

After an injury and resulting surgery a while ago, I was forced to call it quits.
To be honest, insecurities and doubts really got to me during my rehab time and only recently have I really been back in the studio dancing and picking up my instruments and using my voice again.

And let me me tell you..

.ooh chil' it is rusty!!!! 

Nevertheless the answers to my prayers have come in the forms of my talented musical friends who are always pushing me to "Keep Pushing!" lol

you know who you are ;P

When my good friend Taylor Gordon asked me to accompany her in this performance, I couldn't be more excited!

This performance was an awesome opportunity to play my guitar in public (for the first time...oh LAWD I was so nervous but alas.. It went pretty well.

 Here is one of my favorite pieces that we performed that night, our version of  the Carrie Underwood song "So Small"

Smothered and Covered

So now that it's summer time, the nights are warm, inviting and just begging to be spent out on adventures. This cover happened after one such adventure

...at four in the morning...

when I was just getting home.

(sigh)

 Why I decided to sing at that unholy hour of the morning is beyond my comprehension...

alas...

My cover of John Legen'd Ordinary People :D

I am my hair : Musician Fabian Hernandez

Photo credit: Alma Garcia

Name: Fabian Hernandez

Age: 38

Location: Miami Beach, Fl

Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Model

Last month, while in Miami, I got a chance to meet with Colombian native and Sony ATV musician, Fabian Hernandez. 

Now when I saw his amazing hair, you KNOW I had to chat it up. I immediately knew he would be a great fit for my "I am my hair" series.

also...uh dreads á la Lenny Kravitz?.....How much cooler can you get?

amIright??

With his new single "Home" out later this month, the self described "folk/pop/a bit of everything" musician, sits down and gives a little insight into why he is his hair.

BoifromIpanema:  I'm so glad I got to finally meet you! Your hair is awesome man. Can you tell me a bit about what inspired your style?

Fabian Hernandez:  Just trying to be organic I guess. I had an afro for a while but it started dreading.

 I kept combing out but...[my hair] just kept on knotting.  I was telling a friend about it, when he said "seems like you are having control issues in your life, aren't ya? " And I was like "whattt????" because he was completely right.  My friend suggested I either cut it all off or let it be....and well, I decided on the latter. 

BFI: Did that experience help to ease you control issues after all?

FH:  Ease them yes, resolve them, no hahah

BFI: What's one thing you've always wanted to do with your hair, but never had the courage to do? 

FH:  Shave it all off. 

BFI:  I just had a birthday last week and the day before, I decided to do an emotional haircut.  I ended up shaving half of my head. Luckily my stylist refused to cut all of my hair off and I'm definitely thankful she did.  Have you ever done an emotional hair change like that?

FH:  DEFINITELY YES.  After a break up that was much needed I decided to cut off all of my hair.

BFI:  Was there any lesson learned from that incident?

FH:  Yes tons, I became a musician. hahaha

BFI:  Have you ever been teased about your hair as a child? 

FH:  Yes growing up with really a pain in the butt. I got teased a lot about the texture. So when I was older, I tried bad relaxers, I tried clipping my own hair. 

BFI:  So would you say that loving and embracing your hair was something you had to grow into?

FH:  Yes, I grew into loving it. 

BFI:  Alright, now let's talk about the music.  Your new single "Home" comes out later this month! That must be exciting? Can listeners expect something different from this music in comparison to the music you have released in the past?

FH: It is a bit different. I would say that my new stuff is more rock driven and has more of a Latin/Colombian feel to it. In saying that, I think it is a cohesive sound. I still am staying true to my style. It's just a bit of an evolution.

Well readers, there you have it!

To get all of the latest updates and to hear the new single "Home" make sure to follow Fabian on Twitter @FabianDH and on Instagram @FBNDH.

If you enjoy these "I am my hair" posts and would like to see more, leave me a comment letting me know. Or, you can tell me what you love or hate about your hair!

.....and now I leave you with a nice little Fabian Hernandez playlist.

Enjoy,

ttyl

  

BoifromIpanema's Summer-time Shenanigans

 So with summer quickly approaching, everyone is getting ready to hit the beaches.

 There's nothing like some good music to get the beach party and those summer-time shenanigans started.

 Here is a playlist of some of my favorite Latin artists and songs both past and present.
 Gonna definitely put this playlist on this weekend :D

What are some of your favorite beach/summer songs?

Happy summer y'all!

 

All opinions are my own.  Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Se Habla Música: 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards recap

¡¡¡¡¡VIVA LATINO!!!!   

This past Thursday the stars descended upon Miami for the annual Billboard Latin Music awards.  Now being the total music junkie that I am, I was super excited for this awesome music event! I have had my Billboard Latino CD blaring in my car for weeks in anticipation.

No cares given.  

It's amazing because, no matter the region or countries of origin, these kinds of awards bring together the biggest stars of Latin music onto one stage to celebrate the music that makes us who we are as a people!  

And I'm always down with that!

Not to mention the amazing live performances and touching tributes. If you missed it, here's a quick recap of the festivities and winners:

~Brazilian artist Michel Teló took home the award for Song of the year with his hit (and my personal favorite) "Ai Se Eu Te Pego".

~Also nominated for this award was Don Omar for his collab with Natty Natasha for the song "dutty love".

~Though not a winner for Song of the Year,  Don Omar had a major night scooping up a total of ten yes, that was TEN, Latin Billboard awards including Latin Rhythm Album of the Year and Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year.

~"Fast&Furious 6" co-stars Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesle made an appearance announcing Don Omar's Victory as Male Artist of the Year........ but can we just be honest and and talk about how Vin Diesel's speech was super weird and awkward??!  I mean, he seemed to be having some technical issues with the height of the microphone.  Luckily, Michelle Rodriguez looked so stunningly elegant and spoke so eloquently that I nearly forgot the uncomfortable two minutes leading up to that moment.  

~I guess you could say that the night's biggest winner was the late Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera who was killed in a tragic airplane accident in Mexico late last year.

~Jenni Rivera was awarded with six Latin Billboard awards and nominated for ten awards, including two nominations for Album of the Year and two for Mexican regional album of the year.

~The honors continued pouring in as many music stars and industry professionals payed a warm tribute to the life, music, and legacy of Jenni Rivera.

Other winners included Jennifer Lopez, Prince Royce, Maná, Shakira and many more.

For a full list or winners and nominees, check out the Billboard official website.

If you like this post, don't forget to share it and leave me a comment!  I'll be choosing one lucky reader to receive a $25 dollar Target gift card as well as a copy of the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Finalist CD filled with tons of great música to get any party going!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Cover Time: "Blue Jeans" by Lana Del Rey

The fav and I were hanging out on a hot summer night and decided to do a little cover. Hope you like it ::))

Cover Time!!!

"At Last" cover by Maya in the Moment and BoifromIpanema