MUSIC MONDAY # 32: The Official City of Bones Soundtrack Playlist

Happy Music Monday Shadowhunters! The official City of Bones soundtrack has been announced, and  we have searched up and down Idris, and behind all of the glamour in order to bring some of these songs to you! Have a listen to the Official City of Bones soundtrack playlist below:


Seven Lions with Myon & Shane 54 featuring Tove Lo “Strangers” - This song has a very European club scene sound. I wonder if this will be played in Club Pandemonium, what are your theories? 




 He Is We featuring Owl City “All About Us” - "The room's hush hush, and now is our moment, Take it in, Feel it all, And hold it. Eyes on you, Eyes on me, We're doin' this right"  By The Angel, CLACE feels that give me goosebumps all over! This one of my favorite songs on the soundtrack! Listen to it over and over again and tell us what CLACE scene you are imagining!




 Jetta “Start A Riot” - "My heart aches, my heart aches, my heart aches, when I think of you when my heart ache, my heart ache my heart ache then I think of you, and we could, run away with me, run away with me, run away start a riot"  This song has The Mortal Instruments feels written all over it! Think of Jace Wayland, sing at the top of your lungs, and let us know your Mortal Instruments feels that this song gives you!




I hope you guys enjoyed rocking out to these great songs! There are twelve songs on the soundtrack so far with reports of more artists to join the Mortal Instruments soundtrack family. What songs do you hope to see on the album? What are your thoughts on the soundtrack so far?

MUSIC MONDAY #31: The Definitive Isabelle Lightwood playlist

It’s time for the Definitive Isabelle Lightwood playlist… I had the best time finding songs for her and talking to fans about what it is to BE Izzy. She is empowering, inspiring, bitchy, ballsy with brains and beauty to boot who has a sensitive side deep within… she is the kind of girl we ALL want to be. So, let’s take a look at some songs that we think of when we see Izzy:

We will also be doing the ultimate Shadowhunter playlist  soon, so if you want to give us a song suggestion, feel free to put it in the comments below.

Music Monday #29: Angels on The Moon by @ThrivingIvory

Another Monday has passed by, the quicker time flies, the merrier shadowhunters will be! The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie will be released in theaters soon, nearly 79 days to go! Since it is Monday again, here is another song for Music Monday.

In City of Bones, when Valentine revealed that Jace and Clary were brother and sister, that was the moment I thought, "wow another fictional couple that won't work out!" Of course I cried with sadness for Jace's vulnerability during that scene and cried with anger because Valentine ruined a relationship that is meant to be!

The song I chose that I believe would best fit this scene would be "Angels on the Moon" by Thriving Ivory. Listen to the song first and then I'll explain why.

This song would be perfect to capture how Clary and Jace felt when Valentine spilled the beans of their blood relation. Also, if we ever got to read this scene from Jace's point of view this is probably how Jace felt inside, we will never really know how Jace felt because he never shares his true emotions with anyone, well with the exception of Clary.

Don't tell me if I'm dying
'Cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me 'cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon

Tell me what you think of these music picks and let me know if you have any song choices for Music Monday in the comments below or via @TMI_Institute on Twitter.

Music Monday #28: A look at Republic Records and their artists

We are all very excited about the thought of a soundtrack for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. We know that Republic Records will be releasing the soundtrack. I thought it would be nice to go through a list of some of our fave Republic Records artists, and see what songs of theirs might fit on this soundtrack. If it's not exactly a song you can hear on the soundtrack, think of this as a listening sample for the type of artists that I think would be great for the album.

Now I have no clue who they'll pick to be in this soundtrack. It could be one or two of these bands or maybe none of them. I'm just solely taking a look at the artists on Republic Records and seeing what they have to offer. They have a ton of great artists. You can go here to see the complete list. Here are just a few:

Let's first take a look at a Jessie J remix of "Price Tag" featuring Rizzle Kicks. Follower @Irishliz2013 thought this was a "class tune" for TMI:



How about ever fandom's favorite songstress, Florence + The Machine in the video "Never Let Me Go" featuring our very own Jace, Jamie Campbell Bower:



We also have a TMI fan fave with Black Veil Brides. I've picked their song "In the End" for Music Monday before, so let's check out "Fallen Angels":



Here's one of my favorite new bands, Of Monsters and Men, doing "King and Lionheart". This band is on the charts for their song "Little Talks", I thought this one was a little more fitting for TMI:



Gotye's 2007 "Hearts a Mess" is not as well known as the 2011 hit "Somebody That I Used to Know", but the video is wicked and the music just reminds me of Valentine. Take a listen.



Alex Clare is probably best known in the U.S. for his song "Too Close", but I took a different approach and selected his cover of an Etta James track "Damn Your Eyes". It reminds me of Jace so much and how he is hesitant of Clary, or maybe of Simon getting his hopes too high with Clary... or maybe it's just Clary thinking of Jace. LOL... Just take a listen.



I'll give you a few more right in a row so you can get a feel for these acts:







What acts from this list do you like? Share your thoughts below!

Music Monday #27: Recording of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack begins and more

In case you missed it, Cassandra Clare gave us a peek of the orchestra recording the score for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. According to Cassie, recording of the TMI soundtrack has begun!

arnyvadaszok: Too cool! The whole huge orchestra and everything. Recording the score for Mortal Instruments: City of Bones at Abbey Road

For those of you too young to know the significance of Abbey Road studios, it's where all the most famous of musicians have recorded.  The Beatles recorded almost all their albums and singles there from 1962 to 1970. On top of that, so many incredible recent soundtracks have been recorded there like Les Miserables, The Hobbit, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, and the list goes on and on.

I don't normally start off my Music Monday posts with news, but this is the first bit of news we've gotten in a while on the soundtrack. We know the composer, Atli Orvarsson, replaced Gabriel Yared on the project.  He's worked with Harald Zwart on Karate Kid and on Iron Man as well. I'm curious to know what orchestra is performing. I know it's just a matter of time before we get those details. 

 

In other news, we got the unofficial soundtrack from Sam Cushion. Sam is known in several fandom circles for his incredible unofficial scores, including The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars. The first of his TMI works is The Mortal Instruments Music Project Part 1: Shadowhunter. His album boasts twenty tracks, including songs for Clary, Simon and Jace. You can pick it up on his site here and on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify tomorrow.

We want to give away some copies of Sam's soundtrack, but to do that, we need to get to 10,000 followers on Twitter! We have less than 50 to go, and then we will post the rafflecopter for this drawing.

In the meantime, take a listen to the first track called "The Mortal Instruments".

Also, we are going to be taking songs for the ultimate TMI character playlist. You can send your songs (make sure to put the title, artist and wwhich character it reminds you of and why) to themortalinstitute@gmail.com.

Music Monday #26: "Where Did the Angels Go" by Papa Roach

 

Even though this song deals more about personal demons, I thought that the song "Where Did the Angels Go" by Papa Roach would be a great song for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack.

  .  

I've seen this band two or three times, and they are a personal fave of my twelve-year-old daughter. They come to Arkansas two or three times a year, so this band has a soft spot in my heart. I'd like to say I have someone from the book when I hear this. I guess maybe Alec is the one I'd characterize in this song. He harbors such frustration and angst in the first book. He detests and distrusts Clary, is mad at Jace and is confused by his feelings. I honestly was so mad at him in the first book. I didn't like him much at all (sorry Kevin - I'm glad your character gets with Magnus and gets over himself.)

Anyway, speaking of Magnus.... I also found a brand new Papa Roach song that reminds me soooo much of Magnus Bane called "Leader of the Broken Hearts". Even though it doesn't exactly match up with COB, I thought I would add this so you Shadowhunters could take a listen. It speaks of risking everything and still surviving. I sort of think of what Magnus does in general to protect his wayward Shadowhunters. Take a listen.

Tell me what you think of these music picks and let me know if you have any song choices for Music Monday in the comments below or via @TMI_Institute on Twitter.

Music Monday #25: "Up In The Air" by 30 Seconds to Mars

I'm starting to compile songs for my character playlists, and I'm looking at songs that fit our central villain in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Valentine Morgenstern. As you can hear in this song as you listen along, you can see why I selected "Up in the Air" by 30 Seconds to Mars as my Music Monday song of the week.

Valentine Morgenstern, that egotistical maniac hell bent on destroying the Downworlders and eventually planning to create a new type of dark Shadowhunter, embodies a lot of elements of this song. As lead singer Jared Leto, that handsome devil he is, belts out pure emotion, I can hear Valentine thrashing around trying to "explain" the reasons of what

Let's take a look a few of the lyrics:

I've been up in the air
Out of my head
Stuck in a moment of emotion I destroyed
Is this the end I feel
Up in the air
F*cked up on life
All of the laws I've broken
Loves that I've sacrificed
Is this the end
I'll wrap my hands your neck so tight with love, love
A thousand times I've tempted fate
A thousand times I've played this game
A thousand times that I have said today, today, today

I think Valentine took the things he thought was important - his love for Jocelyn, his connection with Luke, his need to fix what he felt was a broken world - and twisted his beliefs down a dark, dangerous path. Was he ever truly a good person? One seems to think he probably was, but I guess we won't get true insight unless Cassie does a prequel with Jocelyn, Luke and Valentine (crosses fingers for such a treat).  

 I've been up in the air
Lost in the night
I wouldn't trade an eye for your lies
Your lust for my life
Is this the end?

 You were the love of my life
Darkness for light
This is the portrait of a tortured you and I
Is this the, is this the, is this the end
I'll wrap my hands around your neck so tight with love, love, love

Finally, I feel like Valentine could be saying that he realizes that his miguided hopes could all be dashed by the hands of one very clever Shadowhunter, Jace Wayland:

 I've been up in the air

Is this the end I feel?
Up in the air
Chasing a dream so real

What are your thoughts on this song by 30 Seconds to Mars? Could you hear this on the soundtrack to The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones? What other songs do you think of when you think about Valentine? What about the other characters? Weigh in below in the comments section or talk to me on Twitter at @TMI_Institute.

Music Monday #24: "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" by Fall Out Boy

I've been looking for a song that reminds me of one very sassy Isabelle Lightwood. I think I found it. This week's Music Monday is "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" by Fall Out Boy.

 

I don't know if it's the use of the flame thrower in the video or the fact that this song takes no prisoners, but it totally reminds me of Isabelle. Even though she is drop dead gorgeous, Izzy is also deadly. It's also a return for a broken up Fall Out Boy, and who doesn't rejoice in their return?

 

Got a song for Music Monday? Make sure to share it with us in the comments below or to @TMI_Institute on Twitter.

MUSIC MONDAY #23: The definitive Tessa Gray playlist

It's time to do our final playlist for The Infernal Devices characters. Today we share songs that fans think make up the ultimate Tessa Gray playlist. Tessa has hard choices to make in Clockwork Princess. Choices that will obviously be frustrating, heartbreaking and will most likely put fans into literary counseling for some time.

Tessa is the life blood of the series. She's the driving force that puts both Will and Jem in motion and is the one who might be the only one of the triangle to survive. My first pick is the Natalie Walker cover of the Counting Crows song "Colorblind". I love the song anyway, but with this amazing fanvid, it totally echoes my feelings of love for the series. At the end of this post, you'll see what I mean.

Here's another fanvid with an amazing track by Mumford & Sons:

Here's one more pick from me (for the moment):

@tmi_institute all I need- within temptation :) #ClockworkPrincess #InfernalDevices #shadowhunters

— em♡ (@lirryperks) March 5, 2013

@tmi_institute Poison and Wine by @thecivilwars the lyrics get me every time #ClockworkPrincess #InfernalDevices #shadowhunters

— Michaela (@KylaCarstairs) March 5, 2013

@tmi_institute Clarity by Zedd ft. Foxes

— mina santiago (@luckyjermz) March 5, 2013

The Bad in Each Other by Feist “@tmi_institute: QUESTION TIME: What songs remind you of Tessa Gray? Share your thoughts! #InfernalDevices

— Summer (@DarkRoomDevelop) March 5, 2013

@tmi_institute Rabbit Heart by Florence + The Machine

— PollyPutTheKettleOn (@DreamingofMagic) March 5, 2013

@tmi_institute State of Grace - Tay Swift

— TMI Australia (@TMI_TID_AU) March 5, 2013

@tmi_institute more than this, one direction. With the whole love triangle

— Morrisa Luddy (@momoherondale) March 5, 2013

@tmi_institute or the scientist - coldplay...

— Rebeca Gonzalez (@MaryBecka) March 5, 2013

 

@tmi_institute a reason to hope by Ron Pope.

— Siham(@Arrow_2206) March 5, 2013

 

@tmi_institute #InfernalDevices #TessaSong - PERFECT lyrics - Tessa/ Will/ Jem youtube.com/watch?v=nS_0e9…

— Helen Nicholls (@HelsJN) March 7, 2013

 

To say a final farewell, I thought I'd share this Dido track. I can see Tessa standing at a train station in London in 2007, waving fondly at the fanbase saying, "I'm ok. All is well. You will be okay." Take a listen and see if you agree.

 

Goodbye, Tessa... we adore you....

Music Monday #22: The definitive Jem Carstairs playlist

 

I have a really hard time picking songs that remind me of Jem Carstairs, my very favorite character in The Infernal Devices series. A lot of times it involves listening to a song that reminds me too much of him and then I worry that Cassie will kill him. I then have to go sob in a corner. It's really an ugly moment.

 

Nevertheless, I have picked a few songs and left it to the Shadowhunter fandom to help me get through this. I'll start with a song from the Broadway musical Wicked. I know this is sung by a girl, but the lyrics remind me so much of Jem and Tessa. I guess this is the song I choose if he doesn't survive this book. Grab your tissues.. .this song, like all the ones on this play list, is a tearjerker.

 

 

 

 

Submitted by @shannoncatori - Drowning by How to Destroy Angels

 

 

 

 Submitted by @shannoncatori

 

 

Claudia García‏@MaClauG_C

@TMI_Institute #ClockworkPrincess Hum... is it to crazy to answer "Brothers" from FMA? The violin version xD

 

@tmi_institute Hayley Westenra - Dark Waltz :) #ClockworkPrincess

— Jamie Lee Pilkington (@Wicked_Jamie) February 26, 2013

 

@tmi_instituteNot strong enough by Apocalyptica :-)

— Victoria Rose (@VRVictoriaRose) February 26, 2013

@tmi_institute A Thousand Years by Christina Perri and Before My Time by J Ralph Featuring Scarlette Johansson #ClockworkPrincess

— Bethany Ogilvie (@Frenchducki) February 26, 2013

@tmi_institute Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran. #ClockworkPrincess

— Shannon Michelle (@ArtemisFlight) February 26, 2013

@tmi_institute Prelude 12/21 by AFI #clockworkprincess

— parabatai• (@Eenkeli) February 26, 2013

@tmi_institute "Fix You" by Coldplay #CLOCKWORKPRINCESS #CLOCKWORKPRINCESS #CLOCKWORKPRINCESS #CLOCKWORKPRINCESS #CLOCKWORKPRINCESS

— Jzanelle Capacio (@iameminadesu) February 26, 2013

@tmi_institute Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran. I also think the song Firefly by Ed Sheeran suits him too.

— Isabelle Lightwood (@ShadowhunterIz) February 26, 2013 

My selection again near and dear to me and reminds me of Will and Jem:

MUSIC MONDAY #21: The definitive Will Herondale playlist

As you've probably been able to tell, one of my favorite things to do is look for songs that remind me of Cassandra Clare's books and characters. So, in thinking of the end of The Infernal Devices series, I thought it might be cool to go to fans and see what songs define their favorite characters.

Let's start the first of this series with William Herondale. He comes across as rude and arrogant, always utilising his quick wit and sarcasm. He is aware of his good looks and uses it to get his way. This is in fact a front that he uses to keep everyone at arms-length. He is actually caring and would risk his life for the people he loves. He is also self-sacrificing.

I'll kick this off with my pick with something a little lighter that reminds me of Will early on:

  And one more from me:     Submitted by Siham ‏@Arrow_2206:     Submitted by Lizzie‏@lizzie123x        Submitted by Ratna A. Utami‏@naa_ratnaaa      Submitted by Brian Sanders‏@Scottytewhottie        Submitted by aga‏@katnsseverdeen     Submitted by @FrequentlyNerdy         Submitted by @sarahbednash_       Submitted by @Devoramckinsey      Submitted by @luckyjermz       We start and end our playlist with my favorite singer/songwriter right now... Submitted by @lisao_ojames       Next week we will do the Jem Carstairs definitive playlist... stay tuned!!!

MUSIC MONDAY #20: "In the End" by Black Veil Brides

 

I wanted to get right to the video first, our 20th pick for Music Monday, which is "In the End" by Black Veil Brides. This song would be perfect for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. This song has become my anthem for Jace Wayland. It screams I kick ass, and I take names. That to me is Jace. He is badass to the core, but inside, he has worries. He has fears.

 

I think this song speaks volumes about facing fear in the face of death. Even if you don't know what you will face after and you don't know how you will go down in history (though we know Jace is the greatest Shadowhunter of his generation), you will face down whatever evils lay before you with a strength an determination that will chase those fears and doubts away.

 

Here's the lyrics so you can decide for yourself:

 

In The End as you fade into the night Woah oh

Who will tell the story of your life?
In The End

As my souls laid to rest

What is left of my body? Or am I just a shell?

And I have fought

And with flesh and blood

I commanded an Army

Through it all I have given my heart for a moment of glory (I gave it all)

In The End as you fade into the night

Woah oh oh

Who will tell the story of your life?

Woah oh oh

And who will remember your last goodbye?

WOAH OH

Cause its the end

And Im not afraid I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid, i'm not afraid to die

Born a saint

But with every sin I still want to be holy

I will live again

Who we are

Isn't how we live we are more than our bodies I

f I fall I will rise back up and relive my glory

In The End as you fade into the night

Woah oh oh

Who will tell the story of your life?

Woah oh oh

And who will remember your last goodbye?

WOAH OH

Cause its the end

And Im not afraid I'm not afraid to die

In The End as you fade into the night

Woah oh oh

Who will tell the story of your life

Woah oh oh

And who will remember your last goodbye

WOAH OH OH

Cause It's The End

And I'm not afraid I'm not afraid to die
Who will remember this last goodbye

Cause It's The End

And I'm not afraid I'm not afraid to die
Not Afraid

Not Afraid to die

Not Afraid

Not Afraid to die!

Do you have a song you'd like to see for Music Monday? Share your requests with us below or on Twitter to @TMI_Institute.

Music Monday #19: "Stay" by Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko

I've been hearing this song on the radio, and after last night's Grammy awards, I knew I was ready to make this song a Music Monday pick. The song, "Stay", by chart topping songstress Rihanna featuring  Louisiana-born singer/songwriter/producer Mikky Ekko, speaks of unsurety in those first stages of love and would be a perfect song for Jace and Clary.

 

Take a listen to Rihanna's performance on Saturday Night Live:

 

Even the very first lyrics to the song sounds like Clary thinking about Jace:

 

All along it was a fever
A cold with high-headed believers
I threw my hands in the air I said show me something
He said, if you dare come a little closer 

Round and around and around and around we go
Ohhh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know
 

 The chorus echoes Jace's first reactions to Clary when she comes to the Institute:

Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
 

The very next verses speak of Shadowhunters in general to me. They live a life that's not what most mundanes would consider healthy or good. This reminds me of how Clary reacted when hearing the news of the world which collided with her own:

It's not much of a life you're living
It's not just something you take, it's given
Round and around and around and around we go
Ohhh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know

Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay

Clary is missing pieces of her memory. There are pieces of her life that are gone, like a hole. She needs the Shadowhunters, those mysterious beings that just don't seem like to be real, to save her:

Ohhh the reason I hold on
Ohhh cause I need this hole gone
Funny all the broken ones but i'm the only one who needed saving
Cause when you never see the lights it's hard to know which one of us is caving

Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay, stay
I want you to stay, oh
 

I really want your feedback on this! Can you see the resemblance to this song with the upcoming movie The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones? Share your thoughts below or on Twitter at @TMI_Institute. If you have a song you'd like us to use for Music Monday, share it with me on Twitter.

 

Music Monday #18: "Now" by Paramore

There's a time and a place to die, but this ain't it...

 

The long awaited new album from rock darlings Paramore comes out April 9th, and their new single "Now" is a great anthem for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Music Monday, here we go!

 

 

   

Now we all know that Paramore split back in 2010. We've been waiting for a full length release since the Farro brothers departure. Their new self titled album feels like a freshman effort redux, which is exciting for fans like me. The trio of frontwoman Hayley Williams, lead guitarist Taylor York and bassist Jeremy Davis is thrilling fans with this new song "Now".

 

The song speaks of their fresh start as a "new" band, but for our purposes, let's take a look at the lyrics in terms of City of Bones:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first few lyrics - Feels like I'm waking from the dead and everyone's been waiting on me - reminds me of Clary when she "wakes up" and discovers that there's a hidden world before her eyes. She has been "asleep" in the reality of the Shadowhunters, a world so scary to her mother that she had Magnus Bane hide her memories from her.

 

Again, here's another lyric that's very much reminiscent of TMI:

Weren't we indestructible? Thought that we could brave it all.

 Never thought that what would take me out was hiding down below

 

See the similarities here? Clary felt like she lived a normal life...like there was nothing that could take her or her mom out. What she didn't realize was there was a sinister plot by Valentine to destroy a world she never knew. It was a "world below" of Shadowhunters and Downworlders waiting to topple everything she knew.

 

 

I also think about the Downworlders and the ever present fear that Valentine will find the Mortal Cup and create a Shadowhunter army to destroy them:

 

If there's a future, we want it now.

Don't try to take this from me. Don't try to take this from me. NOW.

 

There's also the scenes with Madame Dorethea where she reads Clary and Jace's future. We know it's tarot cards, but I still thought this line was appropriate for the moment:

 

Wish I could find a crystal ball ....

For the days I feel completely worthless.

You know I'd use it all for good,

I would not take it for granted.

Instead, I have some memories

For the days I don't feel anything.

At the least, they will remind me not to make the same mistake again.

 

So what do you think, Shadowhunters? Could this be something you would want to hear on the City of Bones soundtrack? We know that Paramore became megastars for their two songs in Twilight: "Decode" and "I Caught Myself". Not in any way do I want the music supervisor, whoever it ends up being, to pick a band like Paramore for that reason. I feel like the lyrics speak for themselves.

 

Give me your thoughts below on what you think about "Now" or talk to me on Twitter: @TMI_institute. You can also check out Paramore on Twitter: @Paramore, @yelyahwilliams (Hayley), @itstayloryall (Taylor), and @schzimmydeanie (Jeremy).

Music Monday #17: "Fix You" By Coldplay

This week's Music Monday came a little later in the day than normal (working on videos and other posts and doing real life Mundane things got in the way).

I was sitting at home checking out Cassie's post on the MTV Movie Brawl and the new Clockwork Princess snippet when I heard my daughter listening to "Fix You" by Coldplay.  I know we are all slightly bummed that we didn't pull off a win today, but being second to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is incredible! Look how big that first movie was and what a huge fandom the Tributes are. I think we should be seriously proud of having TMI right up there with Katniss Everdeen.

So, today I just want to send a sweet song to you guys. I love this song, and I also think it does fit with Jace and Clary, although it may fit more in City of Ashes more. Anyway, enjoy the video...it's from 2009 and just so happens to be live from Toronto!

Music Monday #16: "Better with You" by Kris Allen

This week I thought I'd bring it home with one of my favorite people. If you guys don't already know, I'm a big fan of American Idol Season 8 winner Kris Allen. If you don't know the back story on why he means so much to me, here's my post about how Kris' music got me through a really tough time in my life.

This week's Music Monday comes from Kris' album "Thank You Camellia". The video comes from my good friends, SnapCracklyPop, who takes amazing videos/photos and is another concert junkie like me. When I think about this song, it reminds me of not only Jace and Clary, but the friendship trio of Jace, Simon and Clary. I get in a funk picking slow songs or edgy rock songs. This time, I just want a great feel-good song. At the end of the day, the thing I love the most about TMI is about the relationships with Clary.

Take a listen:

 

Kris Allen is a product of Central Arkansas, which is also where I live. He had an early album, Brand New Shoes, before getting his big break on the Idol stage. Even though his brother, Daniel, tried out for Idol, it was Kris who got the golden ticket to Hollywood. Edging out Adam Lambert for the win, Kris embarked on a new road having success with hits on his self titled album like "Live Like We're Dying", "Alright With Me" and "The Truth".  He's done solo shows and toured with Maroon 5 (I went to the Memphis show), Keith Urban and Lifehouse. He's currently recuperating from a head-on car collision but has more shows at the end of this month.

 

You can check out Kris' music on YouTube as well as on his Facebook page. His official site krisallenofficial.com is currently under construction.

 

What do you think? Can you hear the love of Jace and Clary/Jace and Simon? Share your thoughts below or on Twitter.

 

 

Music Monday #15 - "(I Just Died) In Your Arms" by Lakyn Heperi (@Lakyn_Heperi)

This week's Music Monday comes from my Shadowhunter friend Laura (@lortabear), who told me to check out Aussie singer/songwriter Lakyn Heperi. The song she picked out for me was called "Better Than That" (take a listen because you'll love it). The problem is I could not for the life of me get the embed feature to work for the song. So, I had to figure out another option.

In the middle of struggling and cursing at the computer, I ran across the song I'd been longing to find. I'm a sucker for 80's covers by current artists in movie soundtracks. This one stopped me in my tracks. For those of you music fans who might remember Cutting Crew's "(I Just Died) in Your Arms", you'll know that it's a killer ballad with all the great elements of a good 80's tune. Lakyn did something very interesting with it. He stripped it down to just piano and strings (the world thanks you for dropping the synthesizer), slowed it a bit and added his gutwrenchingly beautiful vocals. This is my Music Monday song of the week!

Take a listen.

  A lot of times in movies and TV shows, the music supervisor finds a great cover from an indie artist and implements it because it's recognizable and much loved. For The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, I could see this used when Clary is laying on her bed trying to draw Jace. What do you think?

More on Lakyn:

Lakyn Heperi is a semi-pro skateboarder who transformed into a singer/songwriter after a broken ankle kept him off his board for 8 months. Lakyn started playing every day, not because he was aiming for anything in particular, but because it allowed him to express his frustration after the accident. He recorded his music in his bedroom and put it up online and is now a YouTube sensation with tens of thousands of followers.

With the fan momentum behind each clip growing exponentially (several now reaching 300,000+ views), producers working on a brand new TV production sat up and took notice. The show was The Voice. Mentored by Joel Madden (Seal wanted him too), Lakyn made it through to the semi-finals covering MGMT and Youth Group, suddenly thrown into a whirlwind of TV production, record labels, management and media requests. “Before ‘The Voice’ I’d only done about four gigs that year,” he admits. “I was a bit hesitant at first, but what I wanted to get out of it is exactly what I’ve been given – I had to learn to make the right decisions.”

To learn more about Lakyn, check out his website and follow him on Twitter at @Lakyn_Heperi.

Music Monday #14: "Props and Mayhem" by Pierce the Veil

Another big request I've had for Music Monday is the San Diego post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil. They've been around since 2006, but I've recently gotten into their music thanks to their connection with another Music Monday band, Sleeping With Sirens.

  The group was founded by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes after the disbandment of the group Before Today (formerly Early Times), which was formed out of the San Diego punk rock scene. Other members of the band include Tony Perry (lead guitar) and Jaime Preciado (bassist and backing vocals). Pierce the Veil has released three studio albums and has continuously been inducted into several worldwide tours since the release of their debut album, A Flair for the Dramatic in 2007. The band released their second full-length studio album, titled Selfish Machines in 2010. Their third and latest album, Collide with the Sky, was released on July 17, 2012, and is their first album under the major record label Fearless Records.

You can hear more of Pierce the Veil's music on their site: http://tumblr.piercetheveil.net/. Check them out on Twitter at @piercetheveil.

Music Monday #13: "Fight Inside" by Red

I love alternative rock music. As a teen of the 90's grunge scene, I always crave for songs with edge. Thanks for my friend @SRFloyd93 on Twitter, I found a new band I could totally hear on The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack. The name is Red (stylized as RED and R3D) an alternative rock band out of Nashville, Tennessee.

 

This particular song, "Fight Inside", is actually off their 2008 album Innocence and Instinct and is the Music Monday song of the week: 

 

The band's lineup consists of singer Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard. They are known for their Christian rock music which incorporates other sounds such as alternative rock, hard rock, heavy metal and post-grunge.

To date, Red has released three studio albums: End of Silence (2006), Innocence & Instinct (2009), and Until We Have Faces (2011). The first two albums earned the group Grammy Award Nominations for Best Rock Gospel Album while Until We Have Faces had a No. 2 debut on Billboard 200.

You can check their music out on their site http://redmusiconline.com/home and follow them on Twitter: @redmusiconline.

Music Monday #12: "I Feel It In My Bones" by The Killers

It's not Christmas to me without a new holiday song by The Killers (@thekillers on Twitter). They've been dishing out their unique brand of cheer for several years now. Their newest Christmas track is a twisted little tune as a letter to Santa from Killers frontman Brandon Flowers. It's totally something I could see Jace writing to Santa this Christmas:

 

What can I say about The Killers? They are my FAVORITE BAND ever. I do not exaggerate. I've been following them since Hot Fuss came out back in 2004. So, it's not a stretch that I'd add The Killers once, if not several times, to my Music Monday selections. Here's some fast facts about the band:

The Killers are an American rock band that was formed in 2001, by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards) and Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals). Mark Stoermer (bass, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion) would complete the current line-up of the band in 2002. The band originated in Las Vegas, Nevada. The name The Killers is derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song "Crystal".

The group has released four studio albums, Hot Fuss (2004), Sam's Town (2006), Day & Age (2008) and Battle Born (2012). They have also released one compilation album, Sawdust (2007) and one live album titled Live from the Royal Albert Hall (2009). To date, the band has sold over 6 million albums in the United States, over 5 million albums in the United Kingdom, and a total of 16 million worldwide to date.

You can check out all their music on http://www.thekillersmusic.com/home.

If you have a suggestion for Music Monday, be sure to tweet your picks to @TMI_Institute. Your song selection might be the next spotlighted on the site!