Editor’s Note: The following is written by KD at HerMixTape. A transplant resident of Las Vegas via Chicago, KD reviews the diverse musical scene that Sin City brings to her doorstep. In her free time, she keeps busy creating the perfect playlist and contributing to the TicketStumbler blog. Check out her website at hermixtape.com.

Nothing like enjoying the best meal I’ve ever tasted, walking in front of a two-hour line to enjoy drinks at one of the world’s most expensive nightclubs ever built and then collecting enough in winnings at the tables to be driven home in a limo at 6 am. How Vegas of me.

Song that matches the mood:
Waking Up In Vegas, Katie Perry

Editor’s Note: The following is written by KD at HerMixTape. A transplant resident of Las Vegas via Chicago, KD reviews the diverse musical scene that Sin City brings to her doorstep. In her free time, she keeps busy creating the perfect playlist and contributing to the TicketStumbler blog. Check out her website at hermixtape.blogspot.com.

Loving:
I’m headed back to the Windy City on Tuesday!!!

Loathing:
Men. Rubik’s Cubes are easier to solve.

Listening:
Reason Why, Rachel Yamagata

Editor’s Note: The following is written by KD at HerMixTape. A transplant resident of Las Vegas via Chicago, KD reviews the diverse musical scene that Sin City brings to her doorstep. In her free time, she keeps busy creating the perfect playlist and contributing to the TicketStumbler blog. Check out her website at hermixtape.blogspot.com.

One of my favorite parts of winter is cozying up in a bunch of blankets straight out of the dryer and throwing on a movie. And nothing makes a movie scene better than when it’s matched with the perfect song track. So here is Volume I of movie songs I love….

50 First Dates

Love Song, 311

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo Ole

A Lot Like Love

Brighter Than Sunshine, Aqualung

Breathe (2 A.M.), Anna Nalick

Trouble, Ray LaMontage

Because I Said So

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, KT Turnstall

Boondock Saints

The Blood of Cu Chulainn, Mychael and Jeff Dana

The Break-Up

Story of My Life, Social Distortion

Timebomb, Old 97’s

I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Moon River, Andy Williams

Catch and Release

Razor, Foo Fighters

What If You, Joshua Radin

City of Angels

Uninvited, Alanis Morissette

Cruel Intentions

Colorblind, Counting Crows

The Departed

Shipping Up to Boston, Dropkick Murphys

Empire Records

Til I Hear it From You, Gin Blossoms

The Devil Wears Prada

Suddenly I See, KT Turnstall

Sleep, Azure Ray

City of Blinding Lights, U2

Elizabeth Town

Learning to Fly, Tom Petty

Forrest Gump

San Francisco, Scott McKenzie

Let’s Get Together, The Youngbloods

Turn! Turn! Turn!, The Byrds

Volunteers, Jefferson Airplane

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Against the Wind, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

Respect, Aretha Franklin

Mrs. Robinson, Art Garfunkel

California Dreamin, The Mamas & The Papas

Joy to the World, Three Dog Night

Fortunate Son, CCR

Garden State

In the Waiting Line, Zero 7

Don’t Panic, Coldplay

Such Great Heights, Iron & Wine

The Groomsmen

Four Cheers, The Blue Jackets

I Hear You Knocking, The Blue Jackets

The Breakup Song, Greg Kihn

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Somebody Like You, Keith Urban

Jerry Maguire

Secret Garden, Bruce Springsteen

John Tucker Must Die

Instantly Gratified, People in Planes

Honestly, Cartel

Sunset Lover, Josh Kelley

The Last Kiss

Chocolate, Snow Patrol

Star Mile, Joshua Radin

Warning Sign, Coldplay

Hold You In My Arms, Ray LaMontage

El Salvador, Athlete

Reason Why, Rachel Yamagata

Lost Highway

The Perfect Drug, Nine Inch Nails

Love Actually

The Trouble With Love Is, Kelly Clarkson

Here With Me, Dido

Sunday Morning, Maroon 5

Turn Me On, Norah Jones

The Notebook

I’ll Be Seeing You, Billie Holiday

Ocean’s 12

The a la menthe, La Caution

P.S. I Love You

Same Mistake, James Blunt

Fairytale of New York, The Pogues

Pulp Fiction

Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Rock & Roll, Eric Hutchinson

You Are Mine, Mute Math

Rent

Seasons of Love, Rent

Walk the Line

Jackson, Joaquin Phoenix & Reese Witherspoon

Wayne’s World

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Editor’s Note: The following is written by ROSCO at ShowSanctuary. ShowSanctuary is two brothers’ take on the live music scene, providing the lowdown on the concerts to catch and undiscovered artists to follow. The brothers are devoted contributors to the TicketStumbler Blog.

He is musically inclined, to say the very least. Fin Greenall, or Fink, is more than a singer-songwriter. In recent days, he’s been all over the music scene – sometimes on stage and sometimes behind the curtain. Before his own tunes ever surfaced, he was already accomplished.

Starting out as a DJ on the techno/trip-hop circuit, Fink eventually landed a gig on London’s esteemed ‘Ninja Tunes’ record label. While there, building from his technical knowledge as a DJ, he began to diversify his talents. Soon, he distinguished himself as an inventive and conscientious lyricist/composer. So much, in fact, that he became highly demanded by bestselling artists. He’s now written and produced music for John Legend, Robert Belfour, Martin Taylor, and Amy Winehouse – just to name a few.

But, I’m getting off track. Fink’s achievements as a producer were something I learned only afterwards. He originally caught my attention because of his own voice/his own guitar/his own sound. After listening, it becomes evident that his songwriting abilities simply serve as an enhancement to an already impressive musical aptitude. His voice has that signature quality- the kind that is both aesthetically pleasing and distinctive enough to separate him from the crowd. His lyrics make you think (enough that it becomes evident he was hard at work devoloping his skills). And the accompanying instruments/arrangement? It’s masterful.

Listen to his tune “This Is The Thing” from his sophomore effort Distance and Time (2007). You may recognize it from the radio or TV (on Grey’s Anatomy). Afterwards, see if the rest of his songs measure up. If you’re like me, you’re next step will be purchasing an album.

TOUR DATES:

March 11, 2009 New York, 8:00PM
Special Guest at Carnegie Hall for ‘The Music of REM’

Editor’s Note: The following is written by KD at HerMixTape. A transplant resident of Las Vegas via Chicago, KD reviews the diverse musical scene that Sin City brings to her doorstep. In her free time, she keeps busy creating the perfect playlist and contributing to the TicketStumbler blog. Check out her website at HerMixTape.com.

If They Were Nice:

Editor’s Note: The following is written by KD at HerMixTape. A transplant resident of Las Vegas via Chicago, KD reviews the diverse musical scene that Sin City brings to her doorstep. In her free time, she keeps busy creating the perfect playlist and contributing to the TicketStumbler blog. Check out her website at hermixtape.blogspot.com.

Despite the recent epidemic of allowing Christmas music the four-to-six week “cold sore” lifespan, I don’t put my Christmas playlist on a healthy shuffle until mid-December.

Christmas Mix
To listen to this playlist via FavTape, click here.

Christmas Time is Here, Vince Guraldi Trio
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, John Mellencamp
Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt & Henri Rene
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Frank Sinatra
I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Bing Crosby
What Are You Doing New Years Eve, Nancy Wilson
Sleigh Ride, Ella Fitzgerald
O Tannenbaum, Vince Guraldi Trio
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch, Thurl Ravenscroft
All I Want for Christmas is You, Mariah Carey
Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, Elmo & Patsy
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Burl Ives
A Holly Jolly Christmas, Burl Ives
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee
Baby, It’s Cold Outside, Dean Martin
White Christmas, Bing Crosby
Pine Cones and Holly Berries, Hank o
Linus & Lucy, Vince Guraldi Trio
Let it Snow, The Ray Brown Trio

Editor’s Note: The following is written by KD at HerMixTape. A transplant resident of Las Vegas via Chicago, KD reviews the diverse musical scene that Sin City brings to her doorstep. In her free time, she keeps busy creating the perfect playlist and contributing to the TicketStumbler blog. Check out her website at hermixtape.blogspot.com.

Last Saturday, I headed up to my friend’s hometown of Logandale, Nevada to partake in some extreme, extracurricular activities. In short:
A) I was a passenger on a motorcycle reaching speeds of 135 mph on I-15. Ladies note: Do not wear mascara if you ever plan to do this.
B) We headed out on ATVs to cruise around the town’s famous Red Rock/Valley of Fire State Park, and I four-wheeled up the practically vertical and locally known ‘Easter Egg’ rock.
C) I came out with only a minor cut and a collection of bruises after driving down the side of a mesa wall in a pick-up truck. Next time, I will be sure to use my free hand to hold onto the Oh-Shit-Bar… instead of holding it out the window like I was a rollercoaster ride.

Just what I need: An expensive and potentially fatal hobby….

Off-Roading Play List:
To listen to this playlist via FavTape, click here.

Oh My God, Kaiser Chiefs
Burn This City, Cartel
Supermassive Black Hole, Muse
I Don’t Care, Fall Out Boy
Bodies, Drowning Pool
Allow Me to Introduce Myself… Mr. Right, The White Tie Affair
Fat Lip, Sum 41
Pioneer to the Falls, Interpol
Believe, The Bravery
Big Star, Mathclub
Army, Ben Folds Five
Dammit, Blink-182
When I Come Around, Green Day
Bossman, Lucky Boys Confusion
Ruby, Kaiser Chiefs
Hero/Heroine, Boys Like Girls
Diamond Hipster Boy, Washington Social Club
Tessie, Dropkick Murphys
Mr. Brightside, The Killers
Black Betty, Ram Jam
Muzzle, Smashing Pumpkins
Remember When, There for Tomorrow
I Won’t Be Back, New Atlantic
Tyrant, OneRepublic
Snow (Hey Oh), Red Hot Chili Peppers
Into Your Arms, The Maine
You’re Making it Come Alive, My Favorite Highway
Stop Me, Mark Ronson ft. Daniel Merriweather
The Quest, Bryn Christopher

Britney Spears 2009 North American Tour:
Britney Spears is making her highly anticipated return to the stage with THE CIRCUS STARRING BRITNEY SPEARS 2009 TOUR, The tour is her first one in five years as she’s been busy dating skeezy guys and making perpetual appearances in Us Weekly. Her tour follows right after the announcement of her sixth studio album, which shares the same name, Circus. Despite her absence from actually doing work, Britney has received loads of press & attention and her concert tickets are already a hot commodity. Her 2009 tour, which will feature the Pussycat Dolls as well as award-winning choreographer Wade Robson, will include 27 cities in North America and begins on March 3, 2009 in New Orleans. Spears will also appear in London’s O2 Arena on June 3 & 4, 2009.

Britney Spears 2009 North American Tour Dates

March 3: NEW ORLEANS, LA – NEW ORLEANS ARENA
March 5: ATLANTA, GA – PHILIPS ARENA
March 7: MIAMI, FL – AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
March 8: TAMPA, FL – ST PETE TIMES FORUM
March 11: UNIONDALE, NY – NASSAU COLISEUM
March 13: NEWARK, NJ – PRUDENTIAL CENTER
March 16: BOSTON, MA – TD BANKNORTH GARDEN
March 18: TORONTO, ONT. – AIR CANADA CENTRE
March 20: MONTREAL, QUE. – BELL CENTRE
March 24: WASHINGTON DC – VERIZON CENTER
March 26: UNCASVILLE, CT – MOHEGAN SUN
March 27: PITTSBURGH, PA – MELLON ARENA
March 30: HOUSTON, TX – TOYOTA CENTER
March 31: DALLAS, TX – AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER
April 2: KANSAS CITY, MO – SPRINT CENTER
April 3: MINNEAPOLIS, MN – TARGET CENTER
April 6: EDMONTON, ALB. – REXALL PLACE
April 8: VANCOUVER, BC – GM PLACE
April 9: TACOMA, WA – TACOMADOME
April 11: SACRAMENTO, CA – ARCO ARENA
April 12: SAN JOSE, CA – HP PAVILION
April 14: SALT LAKE CITY, UT – ENERGYSOLUTIONS ARENA
April 16: LOS ANGELES, CA – STAPLES CENTER
April 19: ANAHEIM, CA – HONDA CENTER
April 24: GLENDALE, AZ – JOBING.COM ARENA
April 25: LAS VEGAS, NV – MGM GRAND GARDEN
April 28: CHICAGO, IL – ALLSTATE ARENA

Britney Spears tickets are available at Ticketmaster and TicketStumbler.

By popular demand, here’s Miley’s latest.

She’s baaaaaaaaack. Britney Spears has decided to embrace her 27th birthday by announcing that she will be kicking off a new tour this coming March down in her home state of Louisiana – New Orleans to be exact. [Insert your own train wreck analogy here]

Projections for ticket sales are high due to the fact that Brittany hasn’t toured in over three years. Really? I wonder why? Even still, are brokers really expecting there to be a high demand for tickets? Seriously?

That’s basically all I have to say about that. Oh, and you’re a womanizer, womanizer, woman, woman, womanizer. Yeah, you heard me.