International Artists Who Have Made Chart History in the United States

Earlier this week, Korean Pop group BTS made headlines with their latest album, ‘Love Yourself: Tear.’ The album became the first by a K-pop band to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. That news was followed up with another record; being the first K-pop band to debut a single in the top 10 of the Hot 100 (Their single “Fake Love” debuted at number 10 on the chart).

International artists have always had a great impact on the musical landscape in the United States. Artists from the UK have been just as popular as / even more popular than their domestic counterparts. Latin music has come in and out of style periodically over the years. With K-pop quickly becoming a global phenomenon, the musical landscape looks to be changing once more.

Inspired by BTS’ chart reign, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at other international artists who have made chart waves in the United States. Here are just four artists who left their indelible marks on the charts and the U.S. music scene as a whole.

1.       Psy: BTS may have just broken multiple chart records, but they weren’t necessarily the first Korean artist to do so. Pop singer Psy released the hit “Gangnam Style” in 2012, becoming a viral sensation overnight. As everyone and their dog were watching the video, buying the song and learning the dance, the song rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first Korean singer to reach the top 10. As BTS’ “Fake Love” only reached number 10, “Gangnam Style” continues to be the highest-charting single by a Korean artist. The video also made history, becoming the most watched video on the YouTube platform for a good five years.

2.       Luis Fonsi: Last year, Latin music made a big comeback in mainstream music. This was mostly due to the popularity of Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi’s massive hit “Despacito.” The kind of popularity the song saw had not been matched by any other Spanish-language song since Los Del Rio’s 1996 smash “Macarena.” “Despacito” spent a record 16 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat shared only by Mariah Carey and Boys II Men’s 1995 single “One Sweet Day, not to mention more than a year at number one on the Latin Songs chart. The song’s video is also the most watched video ever on YouTube, having just surpassed five billion views.

3.       The Beatles: Where do you begin with The Beatles? Coming to the United States during the 1960s British Invasion, the Fab Four have set record after record, many of which have not been broken to this day. Ranked Billboard’s number one artist of all time, their long list of superlatives includes most number one albums, most consecutive number one albums, most cumulative weeks at number one and the only artist to hold the top two spots on both the Billboard 200 and the Hot 100. If you include the solo successes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the band’s impact becomes even greater.

4.       Drake: Canadian actor and rapper Drake has been a staple of the pop music / hip-hop scene for a little more than a decade. But over the last few years, his impact has soared. Drake’s 2017 album ‘More Life’ saw all 22 tracks chart on the Hot 100 at the same time, which gave him records for most singles on the chart at once, most songs to debut on the chart in one week and most entries on the chart in one week. He made more chart history this year when his single “Nice For What” debuted at number one on the Hot 100 chart, knocking out his previous single “God’s Plan,” which also debuted at number one, to become the only artist to knock his own number one debut out of number one with another number one debut (that’s a mouthful). If that’s not enough, he also holds the record for most number one singles on the rap, R&B/Hip-Hop and Rhythmic charts.

International artists have always been an influential part of the United States’ musical landscape. Artists from the UK, Latin America, Asia and even nearby in Canada all have had an impact on the melting pot that is US music. With BTS’ historic debut on the Billboard 200 chart, K-pop is positioning itself to become the next big, influential genre.

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Find music from some of these top-charting international acts and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. With thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres, there is something for almost every music lover. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. More titles are being added to our selection all the time, so you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Being Released in June 2018

June is almost here! That means that summer is right around the corner, bringing with it longer days and warmer weather. It also means the start of summer album release season, with a whole host of new albums coming out to get excited for.

From rock to hip-hop and everything in between, there are a lot of big albums being released in June. Kanye West is putting out his controversial new album. Christina Aguilera makes her return with a fearless new sound. There are highly-anticipated new albums from rock bands like Florence + the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Panic! at the Disco, Dave Matthews Band and Gorillaz, as well as Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda. We will also be seeing some new music from legends like Roger Daltrey, Buddy Guy and The English Beat.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of new albums coming out in the month of June. Here are 12 we can’t wait to get our hands on.

1.       Kanye West, ‘Love Everyone’: Kanye West has been everywhere lately. Aside from the controversial statements he’s been making, much of it is also due to the impending release of his eighth studio album, ‘Love Everyone.’ So far, West has released two singles from the album, “Lift Yourself” and “Ye Vs. the People,” which both received praise from critics and earned spots on the Billboard Hot 100. If the album can draw as much hype as his words, then this could be one of the most anticipated albums of the summer. (6/1)

2.       Roger Daltrey, ‘As Long as I Have You’: Roger Daltrey releases his first solo album in four years this June. ‘As Long as I Have You’ will feature originals as well as covers of songs The Who frontman found transformative in his life. Special guests include Mick Talbot, Sean Genockey and Pete Townshend, who plays guitar on more than half the album, making this the first time the Who bandmates have made new music together since 2006. (6/1)

3.       Sheppard, ‘Watching the Sky’: Following the success of their 2014 debut full-length, Australian family band Sheppard is hoping to keep up the momentum with their second album, ‘Watching the Sky,’ this June. The band has already released five high-energy indie-pop singles from the album, all of which have charted in the top 10 in Australia with “Coming Home” already reaching platinum status. (6/8)

4.       Dave Matthews Band, ‘Come Tomorrow’: It has been six years since Dave Matthews Band released ‘Away From The World’ in 2012. That changes next month when the band releases their ninth album, ‘Come Tomorrow.’ This will be their first album without longtime violinist Boyd Tinsley, who was fired from the band earlier this year. From the singles released so far, this sounds like it might be a quieter album than some of their previous work. (6/8)

5.       Buddy Guy, ‘The Blues Is Alive And Well’: Still going strong at 81, Buddy Guy releases his 17^th solo album, ‘The Blues Is Alive And Well,’ this June. The blues legend’s album features guest appearances from The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jaggar and Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and relative newcomer James Bay. (6/15)

6.       Christina Aguilera, ‘Liberation’: Christina Aguilera reinvents herself with every new album she releases and ‘Liberation’ is no exception. Going for a more personal vibe, Aguilera has said that the album is about freedom and letting herself be who she really is. While the album’s first single, “Acceleration,” is an okay track, second single “Fall in Line” is a bold, powerful tune that could easily help Aguilera get her music back into the spotlight. (6/15)

7.       Mike Shinoda, ‘Post Traumatic’: Since late last year, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has been releasing solo recordings and self-made music videos, many of which dealt with the pain of losing bandmate Chester Bennington. Over the last year though, the project has evolved into an entire album, ‘Post Traumatic,’ set to be released next month. In an interview with Variety, Shinoda says that while the album starts out dark and heavy, the rest of the album finds a way out of the darkness. (6/15)

8.       The English Beat Starring Dave Wakeling, ‘Here We Go Love’: Dave Wakeling is finally releasing an album with his line-up of The English Beat, 36 years after the last official English Beat album. The product of a successful PledgeMusic campaign, ‘Here We Go Love’ tries to find a balance between love songs and politics, as well as that perfect ska sound. Early reviews of the album have been positive. (6/15)

9.       Nine Inch Nails, ‘Bad Witch’: Though labeled as an album, Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Bad Witch,’ is the third and final installment of their recent EP trilogy. Being released nearly a year after their last EP, frontman Trent Reznor said that the band needed the time for the album to “reveal” itself to them. If lead single “God Break Down the Door” is any indication, the album will be filled with six artistic and well-planned out tracks. (6/22)

10.   Panic! At The Disco, ‘Pray For The Wicked’: Following the mainstream success of their 2016 album ‘Death of a Bachelor,’ Panic! At The Disco is back with a new album. Titled ‘Pray for the Wicked,’ the album, according to frontman Brendon Urie in NME, was written as a way to thank the fans for everything that has happened to him over the last two years. So far, the band has released two upbeat, sample-filled singles to promote the album that definitely give me “high, high hopes” for it. (6/22)

11.   Florence + The Machine, ‘High As Hope’: More than a year in the making, Florence + the Machine are gearing up to release their fourth studio album, ‘High As Hope,’ this June. Second single “Hunger” has been a massive hit on alternative radio already, which bodes well for the album. (6/29)

12.   Gorillaz, ‘The Now Now’: Gorillaz has announced that they will be releasing their sixth album next month. ‘The Now Now’ comes just one year after the release of ‘Humanz,’ the animated band’s first release in seven years. Though there aren’t many details yet, work on a new album was teased last year by animator / co-creator Jamie Hewlett who said that it will bring the band in a different direction. There was more teasing over the weekend, with posters appearing near London’s All Points East festival, as well as Instagram and Twitter posts from the Damon Albarn and Emma De Caunes. (6/29)

As June approaches, there are a lot of new albums coming out to get excited about. Check out some of our most anticipated releases above and let us know what albums you’re looking forward to in the coming month.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in a wide range of genres to choose from. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to discover something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (May 20-26, 2018)

Happy Memorial Day weekend! While you’re out honoring all the men and women who serve and protect our fair country and enjoying the beautiful spring weather, why not take some time to check out some of this week’s new songs and music videos.

As always, this week brought with it a slew of new songs and music videos to delight our senses. Will Smith made his return to music after nearly 13 years away. Christina Aguilera released a powerful video for her latest single. Pop punk bands Good Charlotte and Panic! At The Disco released new singles from their respective upcoming albums. We also got new songs and videos from the likes of Liam Gallagher, John Mayer, Goldfinger, Dave MatthewsBand, Punchline, Arkells and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again compiled a list of some of our favorite new songs and music videos. Here are eight that we think you need to add to your playlist this weekend.

1.       Nicky Jam feat. Will Smith and Era Istrefi, “Live It Up”: With the World Cup just weeks away, the event’s official song has been released. “Live It Up” is a reggae-influenced hip-hop jam with a thumping beat and exuberant horn section well-suited to pumping up a rowdy football crowd. Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi’s voices meld well together and Will Smith’s raps are as tight as ever. And as for this being Smith’s official return to music, it’s not a bad way to come back. (video)

2.       Arkells, “People’s Champ”: Written about frontman Max Kerman’s distaste for the U.S. President, “People’s Champ” finds that balance between politics and fun dance beats. Just like in the video, the song’s upbeat disco-tinged groove and indie-rock core warrant a massive dance party in your living room. (video)

3.       Good Charlotte, “Actual Pain”: This week, Good Charlotte announced details for their upcoming seventh album, ‘Generation Rx,’ along with the release of the album’s first single. “Actual Pain” delves into the feelings and pain generated by mental illness and opioid addiction. Its melody is appropriately heavy to support such gut-wrenching lyrics. The song reminds me a little of early single “Hold On,” except with the power and wisdom of 15 years more experience. (video)

4.       Avatar, “The King Welcomes You To Avatar Country”: “The King Welcomes You To Avatar Country” is a very strange song from a very strange band. For a band that looks like something out of your wildest nightmare, the music doesn’t seem to be. “Avatar Country” is a fairly melodic piece of metal that keeps pace and keeps your attention. (video)

5.       Panic! At The Disco, “High Hopes”: Following the radio success of single “Say Amen (Saturday Night),” Panic! At The Disco have released the second single from their upcoming album, ‘Pray For The Wicked.’ “High Hopes” doesn’t use as many samples as “Say Amen,” but it maintains the same kind of electronic-infused pop-punk direction the band seems to be going for this time around. The song’s cheery outlook comes from its inspiring lyrics, an upbeat vibe bolstered by horns and strings, and, of course, Brendon Urie’s impeccable vocals. (video)

6.       Punchline, “Friend From The Future”: “Friend From The Future” is an upbeat pop punk tune about staying in the present. Though the song keeps its message at the forefront, it doesn’t feel preachy, opting instead for the fun, positivity that the band is known for. (video)

7.       The Night Game, “American Nights”: Formerly the frontman of pop punk band Boys Like Girls, Martin Johnson is shifting gears with his new project, The Night Game. The band released the second single, “American Nights,” from their upcoming self-titled debut this week, and it is very unexpected. Taking cues from John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen, the song has an Americana rock vibe to it. Johnson’s deep voice (deeper than remembered) suits the track’s feel perfectly as he reminisces about hearing his favorite Americana songs on the radio. (video)

8.       Christina Aguilera, “Fall In Line”: I mentioned this song last week, but since then an official video has been released. The video for “Fall In Line” is almost as powerful as the song itself. It’s premise puts us in a world where ladies are locked away for being ladies, destined to do whatever their captors tell them to. Both Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato are bound away until Aguilera stands up for herself and fights her way out, saving Lovato and escaping. (video)

This week saw the release of a lot of great new songs and music videos. And with the three-day Memorial Day weekend here, now is the perfect time to catch up on them. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging this week.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in a variety of genres to satisfy most music fans. Located off Sunnyside Boulevard in Plainview, we have a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in stock to choose from. Can’t make it to the store? Shop online at vinylbay777.com to see what’s new. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Six Rock Operas Released in the Wake of ‘Tommy’

Today marks the 49^th anniversary of The Who’s seminal rock opera ‘Tommy.’ The album, about a boy who becomes deaf, blind and dumb after witnessing a traumatic event, would become one of the first and most well-known rock operas in music history.

It is not unheard of for a band to want to tell a story with their music. And in the nearly five decades following the release of ‘Tommy,’ there have been countless other bands who have released their own rock operas. In some instances, these works have garnered a lot of attention for their respective artist, either reviving their careers or launching them into the stratosphere.

Inspired by the album’s anniversary, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the rock operas to come out in the wake of ‘Tommy.’ From coming of age stories to farces about time travel and beyond, here are six that have had an impact on the musical landscape.

1.       The Who, ‘Quadrophenia’: I would be remiss if I didn’t mention The Who’s other rock opera. ‘Quadrophenia’ was released in 1973 and was the band’s first album written entirely by Pete Townshend. The story follows Jimmy, a mod fed up with his life as he comes to terms with the changing world around him. While it never saw the kind of success ‘Tommy’ did, many critics at the time felt it was a much better story and album, and is widely considered one of the band’s best albums to this day.

2.       Green Day, ‘American Idiot’: Released in 2004, ‘American Idiot’ reinvigorated Green Day’s career after previous album ‘Warning’ failed to maintain the band’s momentum. The story is pretty similar to that of ‘Quadrophenia,’ following punk “Jesus of Suburbia” as he tries to find himself. ‘American Idiot’ pairs social commentary with strong melodies and lyrics, transcending the band’s punk roots. Green Day released another rock opera, ‘21^st Century Breakdown,’ five years later, but it never gained the same kind of traction, and a handful of its songs became part of the ‘American Idiot’ Broadway production.

3.       My Chemical Romance, ‘The Black Parade’: Two years after Green Day released ‘American Idiot,’ My Chemical Romance decided to make their own rock opera (with the same producer, Rob Cavallo). ‘The Black Parade’ was a big album for the band, who had found success within the pop-punk/“emo” scene with their first two albums but had yet to hit mainstream notoriety. The story centered on a man dying of cancer looking back at his life and his experience in the afterlife. For a band that spent as much effort on theatrics as they did on music, a rock opera makes sense, as the band virtually became the Black Parade in its wake.

4.       Ludo, ‘Broken Bride’: A minor pop-punk band out of St. Louis, Ludo made a name for themselves in 2008 with the minor hit “Love Me Dead” from their major label debut, ‘You’re Aweful, I Love You.’ But before people discovered their fun, over the top style, the band put out a mini rock opera that was pretty well received (perhaps the reason for their discovery). ‘Broken Bride’ told the fantastical story of a man who travels through time to save his wife. Another band who doesn’t shy away from the dramatic, ‘Broken Bride’ is the perfect reflection of their storytelling prowess.

5.       Pink Floyd, ‘The Wall’: Besides ‘Tommy,’ ‘The Wall’ is probably the best known rock opera out of to come out of the 1970s. The story focuses on famed rock musician Pink and all the factors that led him to isolate himself from the outside world. Though originally paned, ‘The Wall’ became one of the band’s defining albums, even giving them their only number one hit with “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2).”

6.       Queensryche, ‘Operation: Mindcrime’: In 1988, Metal band Queensryche released ‘Operation: Mindcrime,’ their third album. The story follows protagonist Nikki, a reformed drug addict who becomes brainwashed into becoming a political assassin. Unlike the other albums on this list, ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ was recorded as if it were a stage production, with singer Pamela Moore singing the parts for Sister Mary and actor Anthony Valentine taking on the role of Dr. X, while frontman Geoff Tate played protagonist Nikki. The album went on to become the band’s first platinum-selling album and directly led to even bigger successes. ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ is also the only album on this list to warrant a sequel, which was released in 2006 and featured Ronnie James Dio taking over the role of Dr. X.

In the nearly five decades since The Who found success with their album ‘Tommy,’ many other artists have followed in their footsteps to create their own rock operas. From psychedelic to punk to metal, bands of all genres have been able to have success with the format. Such has proved to be an excellent way to push an artist’s boundaries and tell a story in new and exciting ways.

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Find groundbreaking rock operas from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in stock. Browse thousands of titles in a variety of genres in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. More titles are being added to our selection all the time, so you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Interview Magazine and its Pop Culture Influence

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a brief look at the influence and legacy of Andy Warhol’s famed magazine

Covers of "Interview Magazine - displayed in the Andy Warhol
Museum, Pittsburgh, PA. Found on Wikimedia Commons. Taken
by Becca923 on June 27, 2011.

On Monday, it was announced that legendary arts publication Interview Magazine would be ceasing operations. The move comes after months of legal issues, the most recent of which was a law suit brought on by former editorial director Fabien Baron who alleges that the magazine owes him $600,000 in back pay. Because of this, the publication has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and is liquidating their assets.

On the surface, it may seem like this is just another print publication closing down. A lot of magazines have been suffering in the last decade or so. NME announced the end of their print edition just a couple of months ago. The Pitchfork Review and Nylon shut down their print operations last year.

However, Interview Magazine is different. Launched in 1969 by artist and cultural pioneer Andy Warhol, the publication let artists from all mediums (musicians, actors…“celebrities” if you will) interview other artists, something that hadn’t been widely done before. Interviews were often rough and left unedited, which meant that these conversations were very candid. By putting together stars that might be fans of each other, interesting, often intimate questions and answers were given, employing a new perspective that former editor Ingrid Sischy told Publishers Weekly in 2004 said leads to “full[er] portraits of people.” One of their most recent interviews finds comedian and actor Seth Rogan interviewing rapper 21 Savage about everything from music and weed to flying planes and video games. This candid style led to the magazine being given the nickname “The Crystal Ball of Pop.”

Besides its groundbreaking interview style, Interview Magazine also turned heads with its artwork. Featuring photographs from top photographers, many of the magazine’s covers pushed boundaries. Over the last decade, photographs of Kate Moss, Claire Danes and Kanye West have drawn headlines for their risqué-ness or the light that they portray the artist in.

Over the years, Interview Magazine has had its issues, but has always bounced back. The magazine has re-launched twice: once in 1990 after it was sold to Brant Publications three years earlier following Andy Warhol’s passing, and again in 2008 under the editorial direction of Fabien Baron and former Factory member Glenn O’Brien after Peter Brant took full ownership of Brant Publications.  

Interview Magazine has continued to play an influential role in popular culture over it’s more than four decade tenure. In 2004, an extensive seven-part retrospective featuring many of the magazine’s most important interviews was released. The magazine helped boost the careers of writers, artists and photographers alike. Following Monday’s announcement, many celebrities that were inspired by the magazine or had the opportunity to be interviewed / interview others took the internet to lament its end, including musicians and bands like Wavves, Best Coast, Moby and more.

With its unique artistic and written style, Interview Magazine has managed to capture some of the most candid interviews ever published. Originally an extension of Andy Warhol’s iconic artistic empire, it’s groundbreaking celebrity on celebrity interviews and edgy artwork helped it remain relevant for more than 40 years. The magazine helped launch the careers of writers, musicians, actors, photographers and artists of all kinds. Despite their recent legal troubles, Interview magazine will be a piece of pop culture that will be sorely missed.

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Find music from some of Interview Magazine’s most iconic interview subjects and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles in a variety of genres to choose from. Browse through our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (May 13-19, 2018)

Happy weekend! With another work week in the books, it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy whatever time you have to yourself. What better way to do that than to catch up on all the new music you may have missed.

This week saw the release of a lot of great new songs and music videos. In pop, the Backstreet Boys released their first new song in five years while Christina Aguilera released yet another new song from her upcoming album. The Black Eyed Peas also released a politically charged new song and video. On the rock side, Nine Inch Nails returned with the first single from their upcoming album. Indie rockers Arctic Monkeys released a video for the latest single from their number one-selling new album. We also got some new jams from pop-punkers New Found Glory, Broadside, As It Is, Against the Current and Mayday Parade, as well as synth-pop band Years & Years and rock legends Cheap Trick and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been scouring the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are nine we think will be worth checking out.

1.       Nine Inch Nails, “God Break Down the Door”: The first single from their upcoming album, ‘Bad Witch,’ “God Break Down the Door” takes elements of industrial rock and new wave and puts them together into a layered sound that keeps you on your toes. At its base, there is the constant drone of the saxophone, weaving through every part of the song keeping time and pace. On top of that, the melody comes in with a very new-wave-y vibe, which is a bit softer than their usual sound, but at the same time feels very calculated. The melody is muted by the top layer of electronic buzzing that overpowers everything else at times, but in the end joins up with the saxophone to bring the song full circle. (video)

2.       Broadside, “Summer Stained”: “Summer Stained” is a heavy song to take in. The acoustic-led track talks about vulnerability and self-consciousness in social situations, a very relatable them for a lot of people. You can tell that this was written from the heart and sung from the soul because of the passion with which the lead singer emotes in it. This is the kind of song that you would sing at the top of your lungs as a form of catharsis. (video)

3.       New Found Glory, “Call Me Anti-Social”: From the deluxe edition of their latest album ‘Makes Me Sick,’ “Call Me Anti-Social” takes it back to the early 2000s pop-punk sound, but with a much more refined twist. The lyrics are filled with that teenage angst that defined a generation of high schoolers. Its melody is perhaps a little lighter than what New Found Glory is known for, but the band has also been showing a lot of more growth lately, so doesn’t sound too out of the box for them. (video)

4.       Mayday Parade, “Never Sure”: There is a lot going on in this song. The first part, with its fast pace and stiff, heavy guitars, trying to remain stoic in the face of an ending relationship. By its midpoint though, the mood changes and the pace noticeably slows, letting out more emotion, admitting that he’s not over the girl and that she will always have his heart. (video)

5.       Arctic Monkeys, “Four Out Of Five”: Starting out with a beautiful piano introduction, “Four Out Of Five” immediately takes a dark turn, with the beauty giving way to an uneasy, dissonant mix of piano and synth. The song ultimately lightens up slightly to become a bluesy cultural commentary led by fuzzy guitars. (video)

6.       Years & Years, “If You’re Over Me”: “If You’re Over Me” is a radio-ready pop song with a very catchy hook. While it is a break-up song, the tone is decidedly more defiant than sad, keeping it more upbeat and strangely empowering. (video)

7.       Backstreet Boys, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”: The Backstreet Boys are at it again. The band’s first single in five years, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” was released this week. To be honest, it didn’t really meet my expectations upon first listen, lacking the energy this kind of song needs. However, it does grow on you with multiple listens. It has a decent dance beat with a decent melody and lyrics that evoke the group’s late 90s style. (video)

8.       Dan + Shay, “Speechless”: The third single from country duo Dan + Shay’s upcoming self-titled third album, “Speechless” is another stunning, heartfelt love song that will make you swoon. Written about their seeing their wives on their wedding days (both Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney got married this year), you can hear and feel the joy in their voices. The video brings the swoon factor over the top, showing footage from each of their respective weddings. (video)

9.       Christina Aguilera feat. Demi Lovato, “Fall In Line”: No stranger to using her voice to empower women, Christina Aguilera does it again with “Fall In Line.” The most melodic of her new singles yet, the song is a bluesy, jazzy reminder that all women are unique and shouldn’t change who they are for anyone. Aguilera really shows the boldness and power of her voice here. And with just the guitar to back her up, the song becomes even more powerful. (video)

From rock to pop, a lot of great new songs and music videos were released over this week. Start your weekend off right by catching up on some of these new tracks. Check out some of our favorites above, and then let us know what new songs you’ve been digging from this past week.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Live Shows in New York This Weekend (May 18-20, 2018)

The New York music scene is one of the most vibrant in the country. With live shows happening every night of the week, it’s hard not to find something going on. And with the weekend just a few hours away, now is the perfect time to head out and take in a show.

This weekend does not disappoint, as there are plenty of shows happening around the New York area over the next few days, especially when it comes to rock. Andrew W.K. makes his way back to the stage after a short absence from music. For fans of hardcore, the original Misfits line-up will be playing a huge one-off show in New Jersey while Black N’ Blue Fest highlights the genre’s best right here in New York. In indie-rock, The Kills and Courtney Barnett will both be in town this weekend.

We here at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, love live music. That’s why we’ve once again compiled a list of this weekend’s hottest live shows in the New York area. Here are eight shows we think will be worth checking out.

1.       The Kills: House of Vans will be holding their monthly ‘Get On Board: A Celebration of Women’s Skateboarding’ events in Brooklyn and Chicago this weekend, which encourage girls to take up skating. Female-fronted indie-rockers The Kills, who released their latest album ‘Ash & Ice’ in 2016, will be playing at both events. Attendees will also get to enjoy a street market with female venders and an artwork installation by Robin Eisenberg. (Friday, House of Vans)

2.       Andrew W.K.: Andrew W.K. released his first album of new music in nine years, ‘You’re Not Alone,’ this past March. Currently on tour with his full band, the party-enthusiast and motivational speaker will be spreading his message of positivity and party hard ethos in New York this weekend. (Friday, Irving Plaza)

3.       Tony Bennett: Active as ever, crooner Tony Bennett is out there performing live. His signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was recently inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. Bennett makes his way to Long Island this weekend to remind you that the classics never go out of style. (Friday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury)

4.       Jackson Browne: More than four decades into his career, Jackson Browne is still at it, bringing his long list of hits to fans all over the world. The rocker released his latest album, ‘Standing in the Breach,’ in 2014. Browne wraps up a string of east coast tour dates in New York this weekend before heading towards the Midwest and west coast next month. (Friday, Beacon Theatre; Sunday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury)

5.       The Original Misfits: Back in 2016, Jerry Only, Glenn Danzig and Doyle took the stage as the Misfits for the first time since the early 1980s. Since then, the original line-up has gotten together for a couple of one-off shows. This weekend, the band will be playing a special show in their home state of New Jersey, their only show announced for 2018 so far. (Saturday, Prudential Center)

6.       Courtney Barnett: Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett releases her sophomore solo album, ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel,’ today. Barnett’s deadpan delivery and blunt lyrics have made her a rising star on the indie-rock scene. Catch her in Brooklyn this weekend with Palehound opening. (Saturday, Music Hall of Williamsburg)

7.       Black N’ Blue Bowl 2018: Annual hardcore festival Black N’ Blue Bowl takes place this weekend with two nights of punk and thrash that will leave you dazed for the rest of the week. Saturday’s line-up includes sets from Madball, Crown of Thornz, Slaine, Jesus Piece, Queensway, Grudgeholder and Jab. Sunday will see Judge, Incendiary, Razor Blade Hand Grenade, Combust, The Fight and Countime, as well as Agnostic Front celebrating the 35^th anniversary of their album ‘United Blood.’ (Saturday & Sunday, Brooklyn Bazaar)

8.       Festival of Disruption: Filmmaker David Lynch’s Festival of Disruption makes its way to New York for the first time ever this weekend, bringing together film, music, art, conversation and meditation. The festival, which raises money for the David Lynch Foundation (an organization that brings “meditation techniques to schools, survivors of domestic abuse, veterans and others in need of stress relief”),  is split in two parts, with mornings focusing on film and meditation while evenings are filled with top music artists. Saturday night features sets from Dean Hurley, Jon Hopkins, Animal Collective and Flying Lotus. Sunday night features sets from LCD Soundsystem’s Nancy Whang, Au Revoir Simone, Hudson Mohawke, Jim James, Angel Olsen and Rebekah Del Rio. (Saturday & Sunday, Brooklyn Steel)

The New York area is buzzing with amazing live music every night of the week, giving it one of the most vibrant music scenes in the country. Experience it for yourself this weekend by checking out one of the shows above or any of the smaller ones also taking place around the area.

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Live music and records go hand in hand. So before you head out to the venue this weekend, make sure to check out Vinyl Bay 777 to find music from your favorite live artists and more. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles in a variety of genres to satisfy most music lovers. Check out our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Sadness in Pop Music Vs. Popularity

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a brief look at a new study that compares music trends in song positivity

Sometimes trends don’t equal popularity.

A group of researchers at the University of California at Irvine recently published a study about trends in music popularity. Sampling 500,000 songs released between 1985 and 2015 in the UK, the study looked at what factors go into a song becoming popular and how that has changed over the last 30 years. One of their conclusions, albeit a very small one, is that popular songs have gradually lost their positivity.

In researching the different moods of songs, researchers found that over the last 30 years there has been a decline in happiness and positivity and a slight increase in sadness and negativity. This change was visible in the songwriting, in particular the acoustics of the song and its lyrical composition. Here, they cite a recent tendency among artists towards writing in the first person (a lot more use of the personal pronoun “I”) and the use of what they term more “anti-social” words (such as “kill”). The study correlates this finding with another study that found an increase in loneliness and social isolation culturally over the last couple of decades.

Previous studies have come up with a similar conclusion. Back in 2012, a study found that over the last 50 years, more songs were being written in a minor key. From the late 1960s to the late 2000s, the number of major key songs on the charts fell by nearly 50 percent. It also reported that there was an overall decrease in the average tempo of popular songs, dropping from an average of around 116 beats per minute in the 1960s to about 100 beats per minute in the 2000s. The study found this in major key songs as well, leading them to the conclusion that popular music was becoming “emotionally ambiguous.”

However, while the trend exists, it does not seem to have much effect on the popularity of a song. In actuality, the study found the opposite to be true. Positive music and songs that are more “danceable” are more popular than those that aren’t. Such could be a possible reason for the recent increase in the popularity of dance music and dance-based pop over rock, which the study found to have decreased in popularity.

Over the last three decades, research has found that music in general has grown “sadder.” Cultural shifts that impact lyrics and a shift towards minor keys and slower tempos have played a role in this change. While sadness is a growing trend though, it is not one that has equated to more popularity for songs. With the increased presence of upbeat dance music on the charts, people aren’t necessarily gravitating towards sad music. And although the study tries to predict what songs will become popular, trends don’t always equal popularity.

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Find music for whatever mood you’re in at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music lovers. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Music Venues in New York

It feels like venues in New York are closing down all the time. In the last year alone, Webster Hall and B.B. King Blues Club both shut their doors and there are countless smaller venues that met much the same fate. But for every venue that closes, another one opens, as we are also getting a lot of fascinating new places to catch bands this year.

Last week, news of a new Rooftop Concert Series at South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 was announced with a stunning line-up of artists kicking things off. This is just the latest in a handful of newly announced and opened venues popping up around the city, as well as Long Island.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the new venues that have opened up in New York this year, as well as ones that are slated to open soon. Here are nine set to become part of New York music history.

1.       The Rooftop at Pier 17: As stated above, a new concert venue is coming to the South Street Seaport this summer. Housed in the new building where the mall used to be, The Rooftop at Pier 17 is being booked by LiveNation and will be able to hold 2,400 (seated) to 3,400 (standing) patrons per show. Last week, Amy Schumer and Kings of Leon were announced as the venue’s inaugural performers, playing August 1 and August 2 & 3, respectively. The rest of their line-up was announced yesterday, which includes shows from Jon Batiste with The Dap-Kings (which is a free show to launch the venue on July 28), Bebe Rexha (8/9), Trever Noah (8/12), Dashboard Confessional and All Time Low (8/19), Michael McDonald (8/21), Hunter Hayes (8/24), Gladys Knight and The O’Jays (8/25), Ziggy Marley (7/7), deadmau5 (7/8) and more. Tickets for all of these shows go on sale Friday.

2.       Coney Island Baby: Originally Brownies then HiFi Bar, Coney Island Baby is the new East Village venue from D Generation’s Jesse Malin. The 200-capacity venue hosted its first shows earlier this month and has a fantastic line-up of bands coming up, including two sold-out shows from Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s side project The Longshot (5/22 & 5/23) and The Waldos, which features Walter Lure from Johnny Thunders’ Heartbreakers.

3.       Elsewhere: Opened this past November by former Glasslands owner PopGun, Elsewhere is a multi-purpose arts and performance space in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Its main hall holds about 675 patrons, while its smaller Zone One room holds about 200. A third, rooftop room will be opening this Memorial Day. The new spot holds 500 people and will serve as a space for art installations and film screenings, as well as musical performances. A full listing of summer rooftop parties has already been announced.

4.       Sony Hall: Located in the heart of Times Square in the iconic Paramount Hotel, Sony Hall opened in March with a free MGMT show. The 500 (seated) to 1,000 (standing)-capacity venue is owned by Blue Note Entertainment, who also own the Highline Ballroom and the former B.B. King Blues Club (many of that venue’s previously booked shows will now be held at Sony Hall) and uses Sony’s proprietary multi-dimensional audio technology in an effort to “deliver enhanced entertainment experiences to fans.” The venue also boasts an eclectic mix of artists and genres, a full slate of which can be found here.

5.       Opry City Stage: A slice of Nashville in the heart of New York City, Opry City Stage opened in December. The space has four floors and two stages to bring local and up-and-coming country artists to the big city. The second floor stage offers “a broad range of great country music talent to accompany guests’ drinks and meals,” as well as live streams of Grand Ole Opry performances, while the Studio at Opry Stage hosts staged events by country “hit-makers, emerging artists and songwriters.” There is even a series styled after the famed Bluebird Cafe, which spotlights new artists from around the country. Check out their schedule here.

6.       The Stone: Less of a new venue and more of a switch in location, The Stone was a jazz club in the East Village run by John Zorn where one could witness curated line-ups that would produce opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime performances. Zorn had to give up his space earlier this year, but has moved it into The New School’s Glass Box Performance venue, which will provide even more opportunities for even more amazing shows. Much of these shows are jazz, though Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore will be holding a residency this December.

7.       The Shed: Not just a venue, The Shed is a nonprofit arts space in Manhattan that will cater to all types of artists. According to their mission, the space will be the “first multi-arts center designed to commission, produce, and present all types of performing arts, visual arts, and popular culture.” It continues, “From hip hop to classical music, visual art to literature, film to theater and dance, with collaborations across these disciplines and others, we will bring together leading artists from all art forms under one roof.” The Shed won’t open until 2019, though there are a handful of pre-opening projects that will be going on right now.

8.       My Father’s Place: Originally open from 1971 until 1987, My Father’s Place was venue in Roslyn that hosted some of the era’s biggest bands before they were big, especially in the reggae and punk spheres. Now after 30 years, the venue has found a new home at the Roslyn Hotel. Beginning this June, the venue will pick up where it left off with shows from Buster Poindexter (6/29), Livingston Taylor (6/30), Brand X (7/6), Zebra (7/20), The Blasters (8/11), Howie Day (8/16), Peter Yarrow (12/9) and more.

9.       Stereo Garden: Stereo Garden opened in November at the site of The Emporium, which closed down last May. Now a 1,000-capacity venue with an updated audio, video and lighting system, as well as a restaurant and beer garden, it will feature mostly rock and country acts. Some of the upcoming shows include New Life Crisis (6/1), The Chris Robinson Brotherhood (7/27) and Neck Deep (9/21).  

Though it may be easy to dwell on the venues that have been shutting their doors, there are still many new ones opening up to take their place. Offering up an array of choices in terms of genre and size, these new venues prove that live music in New York is and will continue to be as strong as ever through the coming years.

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Find music from your favorite live artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a wide range of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (May 6 – 12, 2018)

A lot of new songs and music videos get released over the course of a week. But with busy schedules, it can be hard to keep up with everything as it comes out. The weekend is the perfect time to catch up with what you may have missed.

From rock and pop to R&B and country, a lot has been going on this week in music. Childish Gambino released a thought-provoking new single and video that has had everyone talking. A Great Big World, Bastille and John Mayer all made comebacks this week, while Christina Aguilera continued her return to music with a bold new single. We also got new singles from Lake Street Dive and Five Finger Death Punch.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite new songs and music videos that came out over the last week. Here are 10 that we think will be worth a listen / view.

1.       Lake Street Dive, “Good Kisser”: “Good Kisser” is a bluesy, soulful low-fi rock jam that will have you bobbing along to the tune. Frontwoman Rachael Price sings with power and strength, using her deep, passionate vocals to really dive into the melody. (video)

2.       A Great Big World, “Younger”: “Younger” is a pop song yearning for the simpler days of video games and singing songs in the rain. Known more for piano-driven indie tracks like ballad “Say Something” and “This Is the New Year,” “Younger” takes the duo in a different direction. The song has a more upbeat and pop-ier sound than their normal fare. However, the melody will leave you happy and as homesick for the good old days as they are. (video)

3.       Matthew West, “Becoming Me”: Just in time for Mother’s Day, Christian country artist Matthew West released the catchy “Becoming Me.” The song praises how moms make us who we are and why we should be thankful for them. West’s daughter joins in with her father towards the end, providing a child’s perspective on the track. (video)

4.       Christina Aguilera, “Twice”: Now this is the Christina Aguilera we all know and love. With “Twice,” she finally lets her powerful vocals shine. The song is a strong, piano-driven ballad that bares its soul and wears its heart on its sleeve. All you get is Auguilera, which is what the new album is supposed to be about. (video)

5.       Jeremy Zucker, “All The Kids Are Depressed”: Jeremy Zucker’s video for acoustic single “All The Kids Are Depressed” is a moving tribute to those struggling to fit in and feel happy in life. Featuring several detailed personal stories from Zucker’s friends and fans, as well as his own, the video effectively aims to let people know that they are not alone. And with the recent passings of Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchinson and Avicii, that message is very apt right now. (video)

6.       Bastille, “Quarter Past Midnight”: French pop-rock band Bastille is back with a brand new single. “Quarter Past Midnight” is a sincere, upbeat love song with movement and storytelling that will keep you invested until the end. The lyrics are so well written that you can really envision the characters running through the streets hand in hand in the moonlight. (video)

7.       John Mayer, “New Light”: “New Light” takes a different turn than what John Mayer has been releasing over the last few years. Instead of the heavy blues guitar he has become known for, “New Light” goes for a lighter sound and melody. He employs the use of synths for what could possibly be the first time in his career. The song comes out very sparkly and vaguely disco-like. (video)

8.       Childish Gambino, “This Is America”: One of the most talked about music videos of the week, Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” is packed with so much social commentary in both its lyrics and its video that there really is a lot to talk about. And the fact that he could put it in such a captivating framework with a stunning visual is a testament to his creativity. (video)

9.       Five Finger Death Punch, “Sham Pain”: The play-on-words title of this track gives a pretty accurate description of its content. It’s rapped verses tell of the band’s recent legal battle with their label as well as some of their disdain for the media, while the sung chorus feels light and hopeful like a bottle of “champagne.” The juxtaposition is carried into the video for the song as well, showing the band surrounded by blue skies and dancing while bad things keep happening to them. (video)

10.   Weathers, “Problems”: An upbeat, dance-able rock song, “Problems” draws you in right away with its in-your-face presence. The song is an equal mix of garage rock and rockabilly, which makes for a slightly aggressive sound, as well as a very fun listening experience. I would imagine these guys sound even better live. (video)

The weekend is a great time to catch up on all the new music you may have missed over the course of your busy week. Check out some of our favorites above and use them as a stepping stone towards music discovery.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to satisfy most music tastes. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to discover something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.