YouTube phenomenon Rebecca Black may be dominating the internet at the moment with her song, “Friday”, but the heavy usage of AutoTune lacks the depth and passion of acoustic music. This week’s Brahma Ballads focuses on toned down basic notes, chords, and simple, yet powerful lyrics.
Boyce Avenue
This acoustic rock band originally formed in 2004 in Sarasota, Florida by brothers Alejandro, Daniel, and Fabian Manzano. The name Boyce Avenue comes from the combination of the two streets the brothers lived on when they were younger. It wasn’t until 2007 that the Manzano brothers launched both cover and original songs on YouTube. A total of 250 million views have been counted since the creation of the “Boyce Avenue YouTube Channel”. While releasing the videos online, they continued to compose music for their 2008 debut album, All You’re Meant to Be. Before signing on to Universal Republic, Boyce Avenue solely produced their sophomore album, All We Have Left, on June 15, 2010. Their first single, “Every Breath” was released digitally. Since then, no new original material has been planned. However, as of September 2010, Boyce Avenue continued fan-requested covers like “Grenade”, and “Last Kiss” through collaboration with otherYouTube artists such as Kina Grannis, Alex Goot, and Megan + Liz.
Favorite Songs:
With or Without You (feat. Kina Grannis)
Iris
Every Breath
Marie Digby
American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist Marie Digby initially gained recognition for her acoustic cover of “Umbrella” in 2007. She is usually known for her simple musical covers of popular hits, many which include the following: Linkin Park, Rihanna, Maroon 5, Britney Spears, Incubus, Lady Gaga, and Nelly Furtado. Soon afterwards, Hollywood Records released a studio recording of her rendition of “Umbrella”, which had already garnered over 18 million views, to iTunes and radio stations. To this day, Digby has released three studio albums, including one Japanese cover album. These albums have spawned five singles overall. Marie has also starred in a 17-episode web series titled, Breathing Underwater, which matches the name of her third album.
Favorite Songs:
What I’ve Done
Rocketeer
Stupid For You (Original Song)
Alexi Murdoch
Born in London and raised in Scotland, Greece, and France, singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch has been compared to British musicians John Martyn and Nick Drake, as well as Cat Stevens and Gordon Lightfoot. Murdoch originally studied at Duke University before he moved to Los Angeles. From there he began playing his music on the local radio station, KLRW. Alexi first self-published an EP with four songs at independent record stores and the website CD Baby in 2002. As of today, the album has sold more than 50,000 copies-later being the website’s all-time selling record. Murdoch released Time Without Consequence, through his own label, Zero Summer, on June 6, 2006. He continuously rejected record deals offered by major labels due to his desire to possess creative control over his music. Sony BMG would eventually distribute Alexi’s music throughout the country; some of his albums peaked on the Billboard Hotseekers (#25), iTunes (#31), and Amazon (#53) charts. Time went on to be one of the decade’s most licensed albums, mainly due to frequent appearances in films and TV (The O.C, House, etc.). 2011 will be the official release for his reissue of his third album, Towards the Sun. Murdoch will also appear in Lincoln Center’s “American Songbook Series”.
Favorite Songs:
All My Days
Orange Sky
Breathe
