Twit-Stalking

Since joining Twitter last summer I have become quite the “tweeter”. But lately I have turned into more of a Twitter-stalker, “twit-stalk”, if you will.  I find myself so invested and engrossed in (insert twitter name here)’s ramblings throughout the day that I feel the need to login to the site 17 times a day in addition to receiving tweets to my phone.  I just have to know what people are saying in 140 characters or less. For some reason it’s fascinating to me to know when someone is “stuck in traffic” or “trying on sunglasses, aviators rock”.
 
I even twit-stalk celebrities.  Spencer and Heidi tweet at each other and about the fabulous music career of Ms. Spencer Pratt.  Oprah name-drops in her tweets and throws in an inspirational message every now and then.  Ashton is still working on creating a Guiness work record for most followers. Perez dishes out the gossip and rants about Lady Gaga. Fascinating.
 
If anyone out there shares my twisted twit-stalking habit follow me: twitter.com/torreyyy.  I promise to keep you updated about how much I love the diet coke I’m drinking and keep you updated on the status of my tan lines. 

-Torrey

Twit-Stalking

Interesting news from the world of Facebook, Twitter and the FCC.

I read a story saying that Facebook has a value of $10 Billion dollars. That is crazy! The site we use everyday for putting off homework or just to stalk people we don't know (don't lie we all have done it) is worth $10 billion dollars!

In Twitter news, there has been rumors going around that the social networking site will try and create a TV show to go and find celebrities. Isn't that called stalking? Just think what the world would be if the paparazzi would follow celebs around by their twitter. That would be insane and really creepy to say the least. But, the biggest tweeter of them all, Ashton Kutcher, said that he would be against it and his better half Demi Moore would stop twittering as well.

In closing, I was watching TV the other day and they mentioned that due to a really old law the FCC has power to go into your house and search your belongings. The reason for that is due to the that fact that cell phones transmit radio waves. So, if you are transmitting radio waves it gives them the right to search your house and if you have anything illegal then say goodbye to it. I am in the process of finding a link for the FCC story. When I get it I will post it.

Let me know what you think.

-Will

Interesting news from the world of Facebook, Twitter and the FCC.

Third Eye Blind This Sunday!

Hey everybody! I'm Sonja, a new intern at 50e.
I'm blogging to brag about the Third Eye Blind concert that I'm going to this Sunday. Its at First Ave, just a couple blocks away from us, and my brother is taking me for my birthday. We're both pretty severe 3eb fans along with another intern here, Hannah, who's also going the concert.
If you like 3eb, you might want to check out other artists that sound like them. iTunes pairs Third Eye Blind with popular artists such as Jimmy Eat World, Matchbox 20, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Dashboard Confessional and semi-popular artists like Jack's Mannequin, New Radicals, Sister Hazel, Something Corporate, and Brand New. But they also link 3eb to rising artists that I'm about to check out. They've got Matt Nathanson, State Radio, The Spill Canvas, Del Amitri (remember them?), Can't Hang, and All Time Low.
I personally love The Spill Canvas by first listen, but check them all!

In other news, I always check iTunes' free download of the week (located on their homepage) and have frequently downloaded their stuff. This weeks its Vib Gyor, a band consisting of 5 brits who have collaborated with bands like Sigur Rós, Radiohead and The Cure. Their song is "Fallen" and its got a background like The Cure and vocals like Marc Roberge from OAR.
Enjoy!

-Sonja

P.S. Hannah will have a review of the 3eb show for you sometime next week!

Third Eye Blind This Sunday!

Concert Review: Fall Out Boy @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium (5/17/09)

I have loved Fall Out Boy since they were just starting to emerge in the Chicago Pop/Punk music scene. There are plenty of haters out there surrounding Fall Out Boy whether it is thinking they've sold out, they hate Pete Wentz, they think Patrick Stump sucks live, or that they just are not interested in their music in general. I am the kind of fan that could never start to dislike a band because of some ridiculous reason. All of these rumors were proved wrong by their show and actually made me love them even more. I had not seen Fall Out Boy Live since they toured with The Hush Sound, The Starting Line, and From First To Last so I was a very excited little lady. I was even lucky enough to be able to meet all of them at the Mall Of America at a meet and greet before the show, even if they were 45 minutes late. But when Patrick Stump told me he liked my anchor shirt it completely made up for those 45 wasted minutes.

Two of the opening bands are also a few of my favorites, Cobra Starship and All Time Low, so that made it even more exciting. Especially since those two bands I have seen live countless time in small club venues and have even been able to hang out with them after shows, it was cool seeing them being able to live out their dream and playing to huge crowds. And yet another thing to up the exciting and entertaining factor is that it was the last day of the tour. So everyone knows what that means, end of tour pranks. I got some good videos of the pranks, so I will share those here:

•Pete Wentz imitating Gabe from Cobra Starship


•Last song of the last date of the tour, enough said


•All Time Low gets pranked at the beginning of their set


Fall Out Boy's whole point and reason behind this tour was to raise awareness of corruption and secrets kept throughout our country's political system. They wanted to make it known to all the fans in attendance, from the little 13 year-olds who are attending their first concert to the original Fall Out Boy fans, that we are the generation that can change things. That if we all rally together, we have the ability to change the world ourselves. They wanted people to get more out of the show than just going and watching some guys dink around on their instruments, they wanted us to feel something and make us realize we are part of something big. I think this is a real cool idea because it creates a sense of community between all those kids you see at all the shows you attend around town.

When we were waiting for Fall Out Boy to come out on stage there were video clips playing showing things from warfare on the front lines, to corporate executives in meetings. Fall Out Boy came out dressed as executives complete with suits and wigs. And they even had security guards with them. Even if in our case four of the security guards were members of All Time Low and Cobra Starship and were only wearing their boxer briefs, end of tour shows are way fun. After a few songs they changed and became more like their rockstar selves and explained to us what that was all about. I thought that they played a really good mix of songs from Take This To Your Grave, From Under The Cork Tree, Infinity On High, and of course their most recent LP Folie A Deux.

This is a clip of Fall Out Boy's opening videos and first song of their set

-Hannah

Concert Review: Fall Out Boy @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium (5/17/09)

Tweeting a Buzz, “Rehab” Style

Hip-hop artist Eminem’s new album “Relapse” was released May 19th, but far before that there was a tweetabuzz going on at marketing headquarters.

In the hip-hop world, being away from the scene for five years is a near deal-breaker, so Eminem’s marketing team at Aftermath/Interscope Records had a unique challenge ahead of them: bringing back the dead. Using Twitter as a means to convey a story, something Eminem is very good at conveying musically, they were able to tell a tale in a series of disturbing and intriguing “tweets” that blurred the lines between real and fiction creating the type of viral buzz that is slated to carry the album to platinum status.

There were basically two types of tweets going on simultaneously. One type was directly related to the release of the album with its accompanying iPhone/iTouch game and interactive website. While the other revolved around a haunting thought or something that would link Eminem to a mental institution/rehab facility called Pompsomp Hills.

By using this method of anticipation via intrigue, this musician was able to pre-engage his fans to talk about the experience and ultimately push them to hurry out to buy the product; a recipe for success!

Eminem is not the first artist to use new media marketing in order to engage a fan-crazed rage as you can see in the case of the “Twilight” book series , but it does take an imaginative artist to realize the power of a story and how incredible this power is for sales. This type of characteristic campaigning proves that you don’t need to be extra talented in order to bring yesterday’s news out of the closet.

A compelling story and some clever marketing plotted out over a period of time will create a chattering frenzy; ultimately boosting a band or even a product like the Beanie Baby back, even if it was proven dead and gone.

-Jodi

Tweeting a Buzz, “Rehab” Style

Kevin's Top Songs (#7)

Howdy y’all,

Due to finals week I haven’t been able to deliver new music to you however, I did discover some pretty cool stuff. **WARNING** eclectic music mix ahead…

So apparently there is this huge competition in Europe called Eurovision… who knew! Well not this American and unfortunately so because the couple clips I watched were awesome! The song I put on there is the winner, Alexander Rybak from Norway, he wrote everything by himself.

Also in this post I am showcasing two young bands that I stumbled upon. They are from Kenosha, WI and have a lot of talent and passion for music, which is awesome to see! Check ‘em out on myspace. http://www.myspace.com/bainstation and http://www.myspace.com/ourownsyndrome

Then there’s the new Lady Gaga ft. Rihanna song (Silly Boy) which apparently isn’t either of them… anyone know the real truth? If it isn’t them then the people that created the song should considered a career in music cause they got something!

There’s also some dance / electronic stuff, along with some Canadian hip hop and to finish it off some hip hop infusion.

Happy Summer ya cool cats!

Later,
Kev

1. Alexander Rybak - "Fairytale"
2. Our Own Syndrome - "Pride Like Lions"
3. Our Own Syndrome - "The Fiasco"
4. Bain Station - "Act I"
5. Bain Station - "Relucesco"
6. Lady Gaga ft. Rihanna - "Silly Boy"
7. Hilltop Hoods - "Chase the Feeling"
8. A-Trak ft. Lupe Fiasco - "Mastered"
9. The Prodigy - "World's on Fire"
10. The Crystal Method - "Drown in the Now"
(Hint: Right click and "save as")

Kevin's Top Songs (#7)

Introducing the 50e Summer Interns – Round One

WILL


HANNAH


DEBBIE


EMILY


SAM


NICK


YOURS TRULY

Get ready for a crazy and fun summer! Peace out!

-Kevin S.

Introducing the 50e Summer Interns – Round One

Kevin's Top 5 (#6), Well I Went a Bit Overboard

I think this is a good mix of music! A couple of older songs, but some
of my favorites. I have recently had this thing for Hip-Hop infusion
bands like Lemond and The Streets, hope you like them and let me know
what you think. Also, let me know if you want something in a certain
genre I will see what I can dig up :D

1. N.A.S.A. - Whatchadoin?
2. Blink 182 / Jay-Z - What's my age again (Mash Up)
3. The Streets - On The Edge of a Cliff
4. Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers
5. Lemond - Sepia
6. Lemond - Current Affairs
7. 3OH!3 - Starstrukk
8. Michael Buble - Feeling Good
(Hint: Right click and 'Save As'...)

Good luck to the kids finishing school for the semester! See ya under
the sun.

-kevin

Kevin's Top 5 (#6), Well I Went a Bit Overboard