Taylor Swift Makes Her Feelings Very Clear

"We are never ever ever ever getting back together." -We get it, Taylor.

On Taylor Swift's frank new single, the verbosely titled "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," she (yet again) tells a boy off. Shocker.

Watch your back.

This is the most pop I've ever heard her. And I kind of like it. :)

Here's the lyric video, which is actually kinda cute in its own way:

A music video should be out soon, and I'll post it here.

Anyway, this song is from her upcoming album "Red," which is due on October 22nd. I'm not the biggest T-Swizzle fan, so I probably won't be buying it; but I thought I'd mention it, in case any of you guys were.

Anyway, have a great Friday! :D

-Jake

P.S.- Here's the official music video:

Kinda cute, kinda weird.

Nicki Minaj & House Guests Unveil New Music Video

"I'm Santa Claus to these hos without a reindeer." -Nicki Minaj, cutting down her competition through the medium of rap.

You not a believer?

Just a few days ago, Nicki Minaj released the music video for "I Am Your Leader." In it, she teams up with Rick Ross and Cam'ron (who are both featured in the song) to have a house party of sorts. Check it out below!

I like it. It's colorful, but still badass, which works pretty well for the song. There's not really a story; but Nicki's really entertaining to watch anyway, don't you think?

-Jakey

P.S.- It remains to be seen whether this song will be released as a single. As I've said before, I don't care for the song too much. That being said, I do appreciate the bravery of releasing a music video for a non-single track from a promotional standpoint: it's reminiscent of Beyoncé in her heyday. :)

Update: NM also recently made an appearance in this music video with Waka Flocka Flame, Tyga, and Flo Rida-

Bump 'n Grind

P.P.S.- Aaaaand this:

Do you think maybe they love strippers?

A Lukewarm Arabian Night

Last weekend, I went to southern Utah with fellow blogger Jonathan Revell of Rubber Duck Activist. One of the main goals of the trip was to see some plays, namely Les Misérables at the Cedar City Shakespeare festival and Hairspray at the Tuacahn amphitheater. Sadly, Les Mis was sold out and Hairspray just didn't fit our schedule. So we went to Aladdin at the Tuacahn instead.

A whole new world? I think I'll stay in mine, thanks.

I hate to say it, but we definitely saw the worst of those three plays. I will say that the singing and dancing were pretty good. However, there were many flaws that were hard to overlook.

Being a performer, I notice things that many would not. For instance, things that should have been seamless within this production often stood out in a bad way. Two examples of this are some carpets getting knocked over and a fire-based prop not lighting at the right time.

The acting was generally forgettable. In fact, the only memorable characters were the Sultan and Iago, in my opinion. The performance of the Sultan was gentle and kind with a touch of humor, much like the original movie. The actor portraying Iago seemed to be channeling his inner Nathan Lane, and while his character had been changed to a human for the stage adaptation of the film (which I found to be an odd choice at first), it actually worked.

The actor playing the Genie was totally the worst. Not only were his impressions bad, but there were far too many of them as well. He didn't seem to have an "off" button. He would go at such a rapid-fire pace with his pop culture references that the audience had to struggle to even understand what he was saying. It didn't seem to matter to him whether his contributions were relevant- he obviously just wanted the spotlight constantly. He could learn a thing or two from Robin Williams about balance. And I don't like how the director chose to make him the focal point of the finale, rather than Aladdin and Jasmine. Bad call, director.

Like I said, the singing was good for the most part. The actor playing Aladdin was an understudy and it occasionally showed in moments where he would forget certain words, sing wrong words, or the Jasmine actress would sing without him because he was apparently lost. These were my only qualms with this show's musicality. In fact, some of the singing was even great. Three new characters who served to replace Abu and Carpet (Raja was removed as well) had beautiful harmonies, despite being painfully schmaltzy, self-promotional, and just plain annoying. I don't remember their names, nor do I care to.

Also mentioned previously, the choreography and its execution was pretty well done. My only critique there is that there was too much walking around at times, rather than actual dancing. The dancers themselves, however, were very well trained and athletic, performing stunts, aerials, tilts, toe touches, and many other acrobatic feats.

The effects were a mixed bag, much like the rest of the show. The tiger's head cave (you know what I'm talking about) was really cool. It was a mix of water and lights that was the most visually stunning part of the show. I also enjoyed the occasional implementation of the surrounding desert landscape of the Tuacahn and it made me wish it would've been used more. For instance, rather than transform the gorgeous desert backdrop into the inside of the treasure cave, the production team chose to use 3D. Bad 3D, I might add. It seemed gimmicky and hastily put together.

As for the writing of the show...it was terrible. In fact, it was by far the worst aspect of the show. For a more in depth critique of the show's writing (from a legit writer, I might add) click here: Aladdin the musical: Highly contrived adventure

So my final verdict on this show is that it was...ok. But for something that is supposed to be Broadway-quality, that's not exactly high praise. Better luck next time, Tuacahn!

-Jake

Ketchup

Most people are less busy during the summer. For me, it was the opposite. I've been way busy with school, work, performing, etc. so I'm using this post to catch up on random stuff I've been wanting to say.

Gangstadorable

They Will Rock You

I had a rockin' good time at this movie! There were so many songs. A lot of them had to be consequentially put into medleys, but it actually worked out pretty well.

Join the revolution!

This movie had amazing dancing and cinematography. The acting and story line were a little lacking, but that's not what you go to a Step Up movie for. My favorite performance was the one with the fedoras. :)

"Billboard. I mean, I'm winnin, but I'm still bored." -Nicki Minaj being quite apropos.
Billboard Music Awards-

The biggest disappointment of the whole night was LMFAO winning best new artist. I mean, they're fun and everything, but...really? There were a lot of performances, which was pretty awesome. Some good, some...not so much. And it was hosted by actors from Modern Family! They were funny and charming as ever. :D

Other, less important award shows are as follows. MMA (in a strictly non mixed martial arts kind of way) aka Modern Music Awards, BET Awards, etc. For these award shows, I saw a picture of Katy Perry dressed as a giant butterfly and heard that there was a censorship fail, respectively, but I couldn't find them. Oh well.

Gleecap! I enjoyed the writing of the very end of the season the most and look forward to the next one. Also, I loved how they used non-single songs, such as Kelly Clarkson's "Cry" and Ke$ha's "Dinosaur."

Smash is a smash! I hate to say it, but I like it better than Glee (the comparison is obvious). It has more original music, better writing overall, and better acting. There were only a few moments from the season that I didn't like, so they're not even worth mentioning. Can't wait for the next season!

ABDC aka America's Best Dance Crew-
The best crew was eh. But I liked the return of the superstars theme. In case you didn't know what that is, it's where the crews dance to the songs of pop superstars. You should know by now that I'm always down for that kind of thing. haha
However, I must say that I was somewhat disappointed by the Rihanna episode. All the songs in it were from her most recent album, "Talk That Talk," which I have previously mentioned only has about two good songs. Said two songs ("We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been") were performed to, but the rest...eh. She has MUCH better songs! Oh well. Better luck next time, ABDC.

Perhaps the most appropriate, I watched these videos on my computer screen.

I Can Only Imagine -David Guetta featuring Chris Brown and Lil Wayne

Pretty sick. Which prompted me to watch:

He be rockin' them beats.

This documentary of the same name as his most recent album shed some light on the history of dance music and how David was involved with that. He worked long and hard to bring electronic music such as house, techno, trance, etc. into more mainstream forms of music such as pop and hip hop. The way he sees it (and I quite agree), everyone loves to dance, regardless of their style and background. Because of this, musical genres are now blended more than ever before through collaborations and I couldn't be more glad about it. Thanks Davey. :)

Duets~ I was disappointed by the winner. He was good, but my favorite didn't win. I auditioned for this show back in the day, but I don't think they even watched my video. Oh well, maybe next time. There was too much focus on the stars, rather than the "amateurs," whom the show was supposedly about. hmm...

SPICE GIRLS. They were awesome at the Olympics closing ceremony. In fact, they and One Direction were pretty much the only good parts. The rest was a hot mess. It made me want them to make new music! They are also coming out with a musical based on their songs called "Viva Forever," opening in December. Expect to hear more about that, music lovers.

Katy Kats: Claws Up!

From hairbrush to headliner.

This movie chronicled Katy Perry's rise to fame, her life in the past year, and her recent tour. Having watched it, I now feel like I know her better and respect her even more as an artist. It was pretty inspiring as well. It made me think, "Maybe I could be a pop star one day!" The 3D was nice, because it made you feel like you were actually at her concert (I had to miss it back in the day as I was driving back from Oregon). And I loved how well the songs fit Katy's life. <3

K. That's all. Sorry that was so random and rapid-fire. I just had to get that all out of my system before I exploded. lol

-Jake

Brandy and Chris Brown Put It Down

A few days ago, Brandy and Chris Brown came out with the music video for "Put It Down" in preparation for Brandy's upcoming album "Two Eleven." (not so sure about that title...) Brandy looks great; even in just the ads for it. Here it is:

Like I've said earlier, I don't like the song too much, but its video made me like it a little bit more. B Rocka and Breezy seem to have good chemistry and I like how colorful it is. My favorite part of the whole thing, however, is depicted below.

The return of the braids! :)

Need I say more?

-Jake

That's All Right

Hey sexy readers~

So remember that contest I was in a while ago to sing on a cool new show? I didn't win. :/ But it's ok.

The old me would've been crushed by something like this. I've gotten older though, and with that, I've learned that it's really never too late. For God's sake- I mean, I'm only 24 and opportunities with always be around.

That's why I felt fine about not auditioning for The Voice either. It was just too close to when school ended. But like Katy Perry once so eloquently put: "Maybe a reason why all the doors have closed, so you could open one that leads you to the perfect road."

I love life. I love YOU. Do you love me? ;)

-Jake

New Material from Ellie Goulding

That's right, Ellie Goulding has a new album coming out in October! It is to be titled "Halcyon" (yeah...I don't know either). The singer has recently released the album's first single, entitled "Anything Could Happen."

I whip my hair back and forth...

This song is like an acoustic song had a baby with a techno song, which is true to form for Ellie. I like the lyrics- they're very poetic. My only criticism is that they're a bit too repetitive, particularly the line "anything could happen."

Above is its official lyric video. All of the photos in it were submitted by fans via Instagram. I think this is a great way to involve fans.

So what do you think of this song? And are you excited for her album? Comment below!

-Jake

An Award? For Moi?

The ever sweet and hilarious Nikole at Stubborn Delight has nominated me for an award. This post is acting as my acceptance of such. Thanks Kolie!

I'd like to thank the academy...

To accept this fun award you must follow the rules below:
1)  Each person must list 11 things about themselves.
2)  Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you plus you MUST create 11 questions of  your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award, which brings me to rule 3.
3)  Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
4)  Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.
5)  Absolutely NO tag backs.
6)  Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers

Here we go!

11 Things About Me-
1. I'm half vegetarian. No red meat for me!
2. I hate math. :(
3. I'm secretly addicted to Downton Abbey.
4. I'm only 24, but I've lived in 4 different decades. (Think about it.)
5. I used to hate shopping, but now, I actually kinda like it.
6. The like the feel of long hair better, but I think I look better with short hair.
7. I don't believe in guilty pleasures. Just pleasures.
8. I'm getting my bachelors in December. (So excited!)
9. I believe in marriage equality.
10. I consider myself to be agnostic.
11. I've never tasted alcohol that I actually liked.

My Answers to Nikole's Questions-
1.What do you get addicted to more: books, movies, or tv shows? TV shows, cuz once I get hooked in, I feel like I have to follow them regularly.
2. What's your favorite animal? Dolphins! They're really smart and can do sweet tricks. :)
3. Would your prefer dinner and a movie, or something ca-razy for a date night? Depends on my mood, but is it cheating to say dinner and a movie, then clubbing? haha
4. What is your favorite restaurant? Lately, it's La Jolla Groves. Inventive AND delicious!
5. If you could get a random birthday present from anyone in the world, who would give it and what would it be? L.A. Reid giving me a record contract.
6. What can you NOT leave home without? My wallet, keys, and phone.
7. Where do you wished you lived? L.A. or New York. I'm leaning toward L.A. right now.
8. What do you do when you are just unbearably bored? Why...blog, of course! ;)
9. What's your favorite boy's name? Girl's? Boy: Aiden. Girl: Jade.
10. If you could afford anything in the world, what would you buy? A Hollywood studio.
11. What is your favorite color? Green, because it's vibrant and expressive.

Questions for My 11 Bloggers-
1. What is your favorite band?
2. Who is your favorite singer?
3. What is the first music video you ever remember seeing?
4. Do you sing?
5. What is your least favorite musical genre?
6. Do you play an instrument?
7. What is your favorite song?
8. If you could go to any concert in the world, what would it be?
9. If you could have one talent without putting forth any effort, what would it be?
10. Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
11. If you could trade lives with anyone in the world, who would it be?

The 11 Bloggers I'm Tagging-
1. Missy at Misfit Librarian
2. Jon at Rubber Duck Activist
3. Christina at Create With Christina
4. Joe at The Boy Next Door
5. Donna at Happy Valley Kellys
6. Bradley Stern at MuuMuse
7. Nyrie at Life's Little Blessings
8. Nyrie at Old Brazil
9. Trent at Pink Is the New Blog
10. Kate at Kate and Neil's Awesome Blog
11. Amy at Chris & Amy ...But Mostly Amy

That was fun. It's nice to do something different every once in a while. Have a rockin' day.

-Jake

Lady Gaga Announces New Album Title

Exciting news! Just yesterday, Lady Gaga announced the title of her next album: "Artpop." It is due out early next year.

Gaga, oh la la!

Stylized as "ARTPOP," this is the perfect album title for Gaga. It's like the inverse of Warhol-esque pop art: pop culture inspired by art, rather than the other way around. Besides, she's not just a pop star, she's a performance artist.

According to Gaga's manager, the album will feature "insane, great records." The singer herself stated that this album will encapsulate a "lack of maturity" or sense of responsibility, which I'm guessing means a carefree kind of vibe. No release date has been set yet, but I will definitely be posting updates about this upcoming album pretty frequently- Gaga is my favorite. :)

Are you as excited as I am??

-Jakey Gaga

Vote for Me!

I need your help! I entered a contest to sing on a TV show called Opening Act and I need votes to win. Would you be so kind as to click on the link below and vote for me?

Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Thanks a bundle. Oh, and today is my birthday. Best birthday present ever. ;)

-Jake

Bust a Move

That's right, folks! Another dance video. This time around, it's the tango.

I like the intrigue and mystery in this dance. Also, the movement and musicality of it is similar to that of the foxtrot, but it's lower and more...sensual. I only wish I had had a rose in my mouth. ;)

This will be my last video for a while. You see, this is the last video from my last dance class in college (Bittersweet, I know.). And as far as singing and stuff goes, while I can do that on my own, I'm saving up for a better camera.

But anyway, let's not dwell on that. For now, just enjoy the video. And have an awesome day.

<3
Jake-o

Matchbox 20: The Boys Are Back

"North"- The title of Matchbox 20's upcoming album, dropping on September 4th.

I've never been the biggest fan of Matchbox 20, but I kinda like their new single.

Mean Girls finish...?

As the above depicts, it's called "She's So Mean" and the title says it all as far as the lyrics go. It has a cool retro kind of feel, while still sounding fresh and original. My only qualm is that some of the words are pronounced weirdly by lead singer Rob Thomas, which was my biggest qualm with this band back in the 90's: it made them sound sort of like a Pearljam or Creed knockoff. :/

The music video, which was released a few days ago, can be seen below.

The concept of this video is pretty literal- she's...well...so mean. But I think it's cute in its own way. And it fits the song pretty well.

A lyric video, which is becoming an increasingly popular way to promote songs, was released earlier. It's practically a music video within itself! I quite like it.

See what I mean?

So what do y'all think? Do you dig this new track? Or should the guys of Matchbox have stayed put in the 90's?

-Jake

The Latest from Alanis

Alanis Morissette is back on the music scene and I'm pretty happy about it. I've been listening to her stuff since I was in kindergarten, literally. Talk about about school. ;)

So Called Chaos

Her forthcoming album "Havoc and Bright Lights" is due out in about 3 weeks. She's been promoting it pretty heavily. This includes performances, music videos, and two singles that compare and contrast in different ways.

Now enter the watchwoman.

The first of these is called "Guardian." Its sound is both hard rocking and lighthearted at the same time. Lyrically, I'm guessing that it was inspired by her experiences as a mother. Here is its music video:

This video is very symbolic and meaningful. I think the themes were represented quite well throughout. And I love her glittery guitar. :)

I can see clearly now.

The next single off the album, which came out just a few days ago, is called "Lens." Its sound is similar to that of the previous single, being driven by a mid-tempo rock feel. However, the lyrical concept is very different in that it speaks of falling out of love with someone. Have a listen below-

What do you think, reader of mine? Are you glad Alanis has returned? Lemme know!

-Jakis

Kiki? Oui Oui!

Ok...I just had to post this:

Me and my friends are kind of obsessed with it right now. Sure, it's silly, but it's such great fun!

Lock the doors tight.

I kinda dig the Scissor Sisters. I saw them open for Lady Gaga back in the day. Fronted by the fabulous Jake Shears and Ana Matronic (are those great names or what?), this band has become somewhat of a staple in the LGBT community, comparable to that of Gaga.

So do you love this video as much as I do?

-Jake Kelly (not Shears)

Bieber Fever

Bieber Feature!

First off, let me just say that I'm not the biggest belieber in the world. However, I think that Justin Bieber has a lot of talent and I like a lot of his music.

Not to be confused with the Backstreet Boys song of old...

JB came out with a short film-style music video for his latest single (depicted above), the dubstep jam "As Long as You Love Me" today. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

I think that, for the most part, this video is really good. It strikes a good balance between juvenile and mature in its subject matter and presentation, which is pretty perfect for 18 year old Biebs. Some of the imagery is particularly interesting, such as Bieber and his on screen beau writing on each others' arms with eyeliner, which could possibly be a nod to the usage of tattoos in other recent music videos. I could have done without Big Sean's appearance, however. His verse felt a little weak sauce to me. Also, I would've liked the story line to have been a little clearer. Certain questions were never answered and left ambiguous. For example: Why did the dad hate Justin so much? And did Justin get the girl in the end?

What do you think, dear reader?

-Jake