A Side Note from Jaeger Wells

>> Happy Holidays, everyone! This time of year comes with reflection, resolution, and of course relaxation.  It seems like the perfect time to launch a new feature where artists get to discuss what's on their mind, so allow me to introduce you to Side Note. Houston-based singer / songwriter Jaeger Wells is kicking off this feature for us, and after touring to support his Fever Dream Anthology EP, he has a lot of great thoughts to share.

I am currently sitting in my apartment with the lights off, staring at the lights on the house across the street from me. It is a couple days before Christmas and I have been back from tour for about a week now. While most people really look forward to this time of year to see their families and loved ones, I have always found myself more excited about the impending new year. It is pretty incredible how fast 2015 has flown; as it seems just like yesterday I was sitting in my old apartment wondering if the year would beat back the things I’d like to forget from 2014. Over the last decade, I have tried to fully embrace the eery magic that the start of a new calendar year entails - where you almost feel like a snake shedding its skin (technically still the same, yet vastly different). It can be tough, and most people try to plan out what they want to accomplish with resolutions. Resolutions always have the best intentions but most of the time never turn into action. Personally they seem pretty constrictive - with all your focus being on those one or two things you resolve to do. Every new year provides not only another year of experience being a human on this world, but another year of unknown experiences and memories to be made. 

To all the readers of The Music Obsession - I challenge you to think of 2016 as a clean slate; where there is so much newness around that you want to take it all in. I want you to close your eyes and dive head first into the unknown of what 2016 will bring you. Don’t limit yourself to resolutions; because the things you experience and the choices you make from those will shape you into the person you will be over the year. I started 2015 with that mentality and it has helped me to have some of the best experiences in my life. So, in conclusion - I hope you take a deep breath embrace the newness of 2016 with arms wide open.    - Jaeger Wells

Get Connected:

Fever Dream Anthology on iTunes
facebook.com/jaegerwellsmusic

soundcloud.com/jaegerwells

instagram.com/jaegerwells

twitter.com/jaegerwells

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Let's Get Festive!

>> It's that time of year again, folks! While it doesn't exactly feel like Christmas time here in New York, we're only a few days out from the big holiday. In anticipation for the annual season of cheer, several artists have taken it upon themselves to release songs to fit the feeling of December. This is only a handful of the stellar holiday songs out there, so be sure to check these out and share your favorites - old and new!

ORIGINALS

>> Night Argent - "Cold (Carol of the Bells)"

A Message from Night Argent:

"We wanted to do something special as a thank you to all of you for such an amazing year! We've recorded our own unique take on one of the holiday classics. It's so easy to get wrapped up and swept away in the excitement of the holidays that we sometimes forget that winter is one of the most difficult and dangerous times for those of us without food, shelter, and warmth. You can help raise awareness and #FightTheCold by joining us in donating clothes, time, and/or your talents to your local homeless shelters and missions. Thank you for all of your love and support, we can't wait to see what the next year has in store!"

>> The Drama State - "It's Starting To Hurt A Lot Like Christmas"

A Message from The Drama State:

"I wrote this song around the time I spent my first Christmas alone out of a long-term relationship. I’ve never been a fan of Christmas or the holiday season in general. Winters in Indiana are usually pretty bad, so not only was it cold outside but it seemed like my whole life was infused with this stale, frigid kind of feeling. So I wrote this song in an attempt to release some of that." - Vocalist Ryan Diskey

>> Stellar Young - "No Presents But Your Presence"



COVERS

>> The Holidaze (Members of All Time Low, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, 5 Seconds of Summer, Goldfinger) - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

A Message from Alex Gaskarth:
Hello my loves! Around this time last year, me and some good friends thought it'd be fun to record a holiday jam for the world to hear. We lit a fire, made hot chocolate, and put our musical spin on a holiday classic, with producer genius, John Feldmann at the helm! We all knew we wanted to do something special with it to help people, so we decided to wait until this year to give everyone a listen! We've been working with Ryan Seacrest Foundation to raise money for an amazing cause, so we ask that in return for this track, you donate whatever you can spare to the foundation. Please follow the links and give whatever you can!

Big thanks to Ashton (5 Seconds of Summer), Joel (Good Charlotte), Pierre (Simple Plan), and John (Goldfinger) for collaborating on this with me! Holiday super groups are the best kind!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and thanks for listening! Hope you enjoy!

Xo
Alex

You can donate to The Ryan Seacrest Foundation here: http://ryanseacrestfoundation.org/make-a-donation


>> Sheppard - "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" Cover

>> Fable Cry - "Kidnap The Sandy Claws"

>> Enjoy these tunes and of course, let us know which are your holiday favorites! Happy Holidays, everyone. Thanks for another year of amazing support. Cheers to 2016! xoxo, Kate

Get Connected:
Let's Get Festive: A Playlist

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New Acts Announced for the So What?! Festival

>> Formerly known as South by So What?!, The So What?! Music Festival is returning to Grand Prairie, Texas for its 9th year on March 19th and 20th! Previously announced headliners include Underoath, New Found Glory, Bayside, and that's only the beginning. Dance Gavin Dance, Silverstein, Unwritten Law, Hail The Sun, Slaves, A Lot Like Birds, and even more have been added to an already thrilling line-up. 

>> The So What?! Music Festival takes place just a few hours away from Austin, Texas and clearly this line-up makes a trip worthwhile. See the list of acts performing below!

>> For more information, and for your chance to grab So What?! Tickets visit sowhatmusicfestival.com. Single day tickets are $50, weekend passes begin at $75, with VIP packages starting at $150.

- Jody Seidel and Kate Russell

Get Connected:
facebook.com/SoWhatMusicFestival
instagram.com/sowhatmusicfest
twitter.com/sowhatmusicfest
sowhatmusicfestival.com
#SOWHATMF

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