Tune Tuesday: Hidden Gems

 

 

Hey guys!

 

 

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get bored of hearing the same songs played over and over again on the radio. Fortunately, Spotify and YouTube enable me to discover artists and songs I wouldn't listen to otherwise. In this post, I will share some of my favourite songs that you might not have heard of.

 

 

1. Make Me A Robot - Tessa Violet

 

 

Tessa Violet, a.k.a. Meekakitty, is a YouTube singer from Ashland, Oregon. She started posting videos on YouTube back in 2007 and has shifted from comedy songs (such as Wizard Love) to vlogs to original songs about love and anxiety. Her song 'Make Me A Robot' was released in 2014 and features on her album 'Maybe Trapped Mostly Troubled'. Although it was released two years ago, I first heard this song during Tessa's live performance at Summer in the City this year. When I got home, I instantly found it on Spotify an added it to my saved songs. It's such a beautiful song and Tessa has a really unique voice.

 

 

2. Survive - Madilyn Bailey

 

 

Madilyn Bailey is another YouTube singer from the US. She released her EP 'Wiser' a month ago and it features some lovely tunes, one of which is called 'Survive'. Madilyn Bailey is super talented and this song just proves it. Her voice is so powerful.

 

 

3. Technically Single - Tayler Buono

 

 

Tayler Buono also uploads covers of popular songs on YouTube. Her single 'Technically Single' was released last month. I love this song - it's so catchy.

 

 

4. Lie A Little Better - Lucy Hale

 

 

You may be familiar with Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars (she plays Aria), but did you know that she is also a singer? Lucy's debut album 'Road Between' was released in 2014 and it features a range of country songs. 'Lie A Little Better' is one of my most favourite songs on this album. It's upbeat and enjoyable to listen to. I don't tend to listen to country music, but I do like Lucy Hale's songs.

 

 

 

What are some lesser-known songs that you would recommend? Leave your suggestions in the comments :)

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

Tune Tuesday: Summer Playlist 2016

Hey guys!

It's been soooo long since I last posted a Tune Tuesday post! But I've decided to FINALLY return to this feature and share my summer playlist! It's a bit late, considering it's almost the end of August, but oh well!

 

 

1. WILD - Troye Sivan and Alessia Cara

Troye Sivan is brilliant! I first discovered him at SitC two years ago when I heard Happy Little Pill.

2. Chasing Shadows - Matt DeFreitas

I heard Matt DeFreitas singing in the open mic room at SitC this year and I immediately went on Youtube to discover more of his covers! Chasing Shadows is an original song by Matt.

3. Heathens - Twenty One Pilots

I recently discovered Twenty One Pilots and I've had this song on repeat ever since!

4. Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots

Another song I love by Twenty One Pilots (and the first song I heard by them!).

5. Ride - Twenty One Pilots

Can you see a theme running through this playlist?! Btw, you have to check out Alex Aiono's cover - it's amazing!

6. Bury It - CHVRCHES and Hayley Williams

I literally love anything with Hayley Williams, and since CHVRCHES is great too, this is one of my favourite songs I've been listening to this summer.

7. Don't Let Me Down - The Chainsmokers and Daya

So I'm not that keen on the dance element to this song, but it is just so catchy and it's the perfect summer tune! Daya is amazing! And she's only 17!!!!! (I mean, she does look really young but still...)

8. This Is What You Came For - Calvin Harris and Rihanna

Does anyone else think that this doesn't really sound like Rihanna? I was surprised when I found out she was the singer! This is another song I've had on repeat all summer. 

9. Treat You Better - Shawn Mendes

Love this song!

10. Back to Church - Alyson Stoner

So catchy! Remember her from Cheaper by the Dozen and Camp Rock?!

11. Snow White - Christina Grimmie

You might remember that Christina Grimmie sadly passed away at her concert a few months ago. I was just starting to discover more of her original songs at the time (I'd previously been listening to her covers). Snow White is probably my favourite song by Christina Grimmie. I also love Shrug, Cliché and Anybody's You.

12. Send My Love (To Your New Lover) - Sam Tsui, Madilyn Bailey, Alex G and Kurt Hugo Schneider

This song was originally by Adele, but I have to be honest, I'm not that keen on it. However, the cover done by Sam Tsui, Madilyn Bailey, Alex G and Kurt Hugo Schneider is just incredible!

13. Wiser - Madilyn Bailey

Madilyn Bailey is one of my favourite Youtubers and her song Wiser features on her debut original songs album.

14. Into You - Ariana Grande

Another catchy song!

What songs would be on your Summer playlist? Let me know in the comments!

Hasta luego!

Serena

Tune Tuesday: Youtubers You Should Check Out Part 2

Hi guys!

Hope you all had a great bank holiday! I'm back with the second part to my Youtubers You Should Check Out post. As many singers and bands are being discovered through Youtube, I thought I would share some of my favourites, some of whom you may have heard of, others who are completely new.


1. Ollie Sloan

I recently discovered Ollie Sloan through Sweetly Shan's blog. He has a good voice.


2. MAX

I'd be surprised if you haven't heard of MAX - he has so many followers and it's clear why - he's amazing! I love his covers, as well as his original songs (Gibberish is so catchy!).


3. Alex G

Alex G is definitely one of my favourite Youtube singers. Her voice is amazing!


4. Tay Watts

5. Jasmine Thompson

 

Got this song on replay!

 

6. Alex Goot

7. Sam Tsui

 

 

Another famous one.

8. Ricky Dillon

 

I love this! So catchy!

What Youtube singers do you like? Have you heard any of the ones I've mentioned?

Hasta luego!


Serena

Throwback Thursday: Summer in the City

 

Hey guys!

 

 With Summer in the City coming up on the weekend, I though today would be the perfect opportunity to do a throwback to last year's event. Summer in the City is basically the largest Youtube event in the UK. It has been held in London every year since 2009, and it's a great way to meet your favourite Youtubers, generate more traffic to your own channel, and make new friends. I was fortunate to attend the amazing event last year, and I'll be returning this year as a volunteer. I can't wait to see some of my friends again and meet loads of new people (including Carrie Hope Fletcher and Elyar Fox!!!! I also hope to meet Hannah Witton, Hannah Trigwell and Ebony Day at some point during the weekend.).

  

Last year I was lucky enough to meet a whole bunch of Youtubers. As well as meeting a few I'd never even heard of before, I also met Dodie Clark (she's so lovely), Lucy, Lancifer (my friends and I went to dinner at Nando's the week after and he came along!!), Harrison Webb and Tessa Violet. I don't think Lancifer, Harrison or Tessa will be at SitC this year so I'm glad I met them last year!

 

 

Here are a few of my fave photos from the event last year:

 

 

I need to catch up with their videos!

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I didn't really take many photos last year...both my phone and camera were playing up. Hope that doesn't happen again this year!

 

 

 Have you gone to Summer in the City? Are you going this year? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

Tune Tuesday: Youtube Singers You Should Check Out

Hey guys!

If you're looking for some new singers / bands to listen to, why not check out these?


1. Alycia Marie

I love Alycia's covers, especially Lips Are Movin. The video is good too!


2. Ocean Avenue

Their acoustic cover of Where Are U Now is just amazing!


3. The Johnsons

Listen to The Johnsons' covers of Sugar and Rude.


4. Ebony Day

Ebony Day is brilliant! She's on of my favourite British Youtube singers! I hope I get to meet her at Summer in the City on the weekend - that would be amazing! Click here to listen to one of Ebony's original songs.


5. Landon Austin

I love his mashup of Ignition / Stronger / Post To Be.


6. Martha Jane

I came across Martha Jane's Youtube channel by chance, when a video she had posted came up on my newsfeed. I'm so glad I clicked on the link! Her version of Drag Me Down is fantastic! She's a lesser-known Youtuber, but I think she'll go far!


7. Alex Aiono

I discovered Alex on the Youtube show Royal Crush and decided to check out his channel. As well as being insanely good looking, Alex is also a great singer!

 

 

 

8. Daniela Andrade

 

 

Her voice is beautiful!

 

 

 

 

9. Runaground

 

 

That voice!

10. Kimmi Smiles

 

 

Best parody!

 

 

11. Nick Merico

 

 

 

Great singer!

 

 

12. Gardiner Sisters

 

Gardiner Sisters is a group of sisters who sing (a bit like Cimorelli, I guess). They're so talented and sound great live.


You should also listen to Musical Bethan and Emma Blackery. The Promise is such a beautiful song. Bri Heart and Hannah Trigwell are incredible too!



Hope you enjoyed this post and find some amazing new singers to listen to!


Hasta luego!

Serena

Tune Tuesday: My Favourite Covers Of 2015 (so far!)

 

Hey guys! 

 

 I've been listening to a lot of covers on Youtube recently and thought I thought I'd share my favourite ones!

 

 

1. Counting Stars - Hannah Trigwell (OneRepublic)

 

 

This is such a beautiful cover! Hannah is definitely one to look out for!

 

 

2. Bad Blood - Cimorelli & The Johnsons (Taylor Swift)

 

 

I'd never heard of The Johnsons before watching this video, but I quite like them. Not to mention they're cute too! You should check out The Johnsons' Youtube channel and covers of FourFiveSeconds and Sugar.

 

 

3. Bad Blood - Alex G & Laura Evelyn Cai (Taylor Swift)

 

 

Alex G is one of my favourite Youtubers. I just love her covers! She has an amazing voice! I'm not familiar with Laura but she's good too!

 

 

 

4. Want To Want Me - Cimorelli (Jason Derulo)

 

 

Yep, another cover by Cimorelli! I'm pretty much obsessed with Jason Derulo's Want To Want Me, and this cover does not help! How amazing are Lisa and Lauren's voices?!

 

 

5. Want To Want Me - Megan Davis & Kyle Nachtigal (Jason Derulo)

 

 

Just incredible!

 

 

6. Cheerleader - Landon Austin & Jon D (OMI)

 

 

The vid is...odd! But I love Landon and Jon's voices so I don't suppose that matters!

 

 

7. Love Me Like You Do - Tanner Patrick & Rajiv Dhall (Ellie Goulding)

 

 

Perfect!

 

 

8. Love Me Like You Do - Kait Weston & Katherine Hughes (Ellie Goulding)

 

 

Kait and Katherine deserve so much more recognition! This cover is great!

 

 

9. Better Have My Money - Kelly Clarkson (Rihanna)

 

 

I actually think Kelly Clarkson sings this song a lot better than Rihanna!

 

 

10. Elastic Heart - Ella Eyre (Sia)

 

 

Sia and Ella Eyre are both undoubtedly incredible singers, and Ella's cover of Elastic Heart just proves it!

 

 

11. I Want You To Know - MAX & Alyson Stoner (Selena Gomez)

 

 

Wow, Alyson has come along way since Cheaper By The Dozen! I've only recently found out that she sings too!

 

 

12. Sunburn - Caroline Marquard (Ed Sheeran)

 

 

I was actually searching for covers of Uptown Funk (as you do!) when I came across this. It was on the Youtube suggestions section so I thought I might as well give it a listen. I hadn't actually heard of Caroline Marquard, and I haven't listened to Ed Sheeran's original version of Sunburn yet, but Caroline has a lovely voice and it sounds like a good song.

 

 

13. Uptown Funk - Fifth Harmony, Jasmine V, Jacob Whitesides & Mahogany Fox (Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson)

 

 

I just love this! It's so fun! However, I do think that Ally was singing a bit too high at the beginning!

 

 

14. Take Me To Church - Sofia Karlberg (Hozier)

 

 

I'll be honest and say I'm not really a fan of Hozier. But it's undeniable that Sofia's is breathtaking!

 

 

15. Ignition / Do You...Mashup - Phoebe Ryan (R. Kelly / Miguel)

 

 

These two songs may not be from this year, but Phoebe's mashup / cover is by far one of the best covers on this list! I always find myself singing along!

 

 

16. Where Are U Now - Ocean Avenue (Skrillex & Diplo with Justin Bieber)

 

 

One word: Amazing! I like the unexpected bit at the end - you'll see what I mean if you give it a listen! :p

 

 

17. Flashlight - Megan Nicole (Jessie J)

 

 

Love the video (and the song, of course!). It's so original.

 

 

18. Flashlight - Bethany Mota (Jessie J)

 

 

In terms of vocals, I'd have to say I prefer Bethany Mota's cover of Flashlight. However, they're both amazing!

 

 

What are your favourite covers from this year?

 

 

 Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena