Benefit of Trailer-Watching: New Tunes

Trailers are great in the obvious sense that they give us information about what an upcoming movie is about. But what I love about watching movie trailers is that every once in a while, a trailer will showcase an amazing song that I’d never heard before. After I hear it, I immediately google “What song is in the ________ trailer?” and hope that someone else out there liked the song enough to post a link on Answer.com.

I’m a professional in procrastination and killing time, and have heard many new songs as a result of aimlessly watching hours of random movie trailers on YouTube. With that said, I’d like to share some of my favorite songs that I’ve discovered.

1. Film: Act of Valor, Song: “The Lightning Strike” by Snow Patrol (starts at 1:13)

 

2. Film: Life of Pi, Song: “Sæglópur” by Sigur Rós (00:06-00:45)

 

3. Film: Cloud Atlas, Song: “Outro” by M83 (starts at 3:16)

 

4. Film: Win Win, Song: “The Walls Are Coming Down” by Fanfarlo (starts at 1:45)

 

5. Film: Rachel Getting Married, Song: “Everyday” by Rogue Wave (starts at 00:50)

 

6. Film: Where the Wild Things Are, Song: “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire (starts at 00:26)

Listen Up: Lorde

I wasn’t planning on doing two “Listen Up” installments in a row, but I absolutely had to put the word out about Lorde when I heard her.

Lorde’s real name is Ella Yelich O’Connor. The Auckland, New Zealand native (I wonder if her and Ginny hang out?) was signed by Universal four years ago, and recently released her debut EP titled The Love Club. And it is INCREDIBLE. Seriously, each of the five songs is a masterpiece in its own way, which is something not every well-known artist can say.

At just 16, Lorde writes most of her own music. But don’t worry about the songs being some cheesy, Taylor Swift-esque pop tune about how a boy ruined her life. Lorde has her head squarely on her shoulders, and doesn’t put up with the whole “My boyfriend is gone, woe is me!” act. In an interview with New Zealand Listener (link below),  she said:

“Every song doesn’t have to be ‘I’m absolutely nothing without you, I’m holding onto your leg, don’t let me go!’ It’s tired.”

Listen to “Royals” and I guarantee you’ll be downloading Lorde’s entire EP right after. I look forward to what Lorde releases in the future. This girl is going places.

http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/music/lorde-moves-in-mysterious-ways/

Listen Up: Ginny Blackmore

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Ginny Blackmore left school at 16 to pursue a career in music (by the encouragement of her principal, surprisingly). She’s written songs for artists like Christina Aguilera and Adam Lambert, but has since started writing and recording her own music. Her single “Bones” can be heard on some radio stations (I first heard it on Sirius radio), but most of her work is still unknown.

Ginny looks like the lovechild of Florence Welch and Carly Rae Jepsen, and some of her songs have a style resembling that of Elle Goulding. But all of her songs are uniquely creative, and I’m so excited to have discovered this new artist.

I definitely recommend listening to “Bones,” and keep an ear out for more Ginny Blackmore to come!