10 Songs to Add to All of Your Playlists!

If you’re like me you l-o-v-e love music with a capital “L”. And now that Spotify has been hand picking songs for our Discover Weekly playlists, it’s a great time to be a music lover! Discover Weekly is perfect for people like us, who love new music, but can’t find time in the day to browse through endless pages of artists and genres. Finding new music used to be one of my favorite hobbies, along with sports and video games, but once your playlists reach over 1,000 songs, it becomes more about “collecting” songs, rather than actually listening to them. So I decided to make a new playlist. A shorter playlist. A playlist that would always be appropriate, and would give me (and whoever might be listening) something to bob my head and tap my feet to. So without further ado, here is my list of essential songs that will turn your playlist into a wonderland of feel good rhythm!

1 Stolen Dance by Milky Chance

This song is probably on most, if not all of my playlists. I know, I know. Stolen Dance isn’t exactly a new song, but it has an undeniably catchy melody. Something that is highlighted by the talented Clemens Rehbein and his very unique voice. This is a song that will always be welcomed by the ears and that was my goal when creating this playlist. Sure, it’s not new and some might argue that this song is overplayed (impossible!), but that is why we have 9 other songs to choose from on our list. I think one of the reasons this song sits so well with everyone is because it’s the perfect balance between smooth and upbeat, something both young and old can dance to. This is the perfect song to add to your playlist if you’re looking that “sweet escape” from the clutter that is your playlist. Give in to the mellow vibes and let the melody take you away! Playlist worthy? I think yes!

 2 Annie by Neon Indian

Okay, so you wanted something new right? “Annie” debuted earlier this year, teasing Neon Indian’s newest album Vegas Intl. Night School. The album came out last month and “oh boy” it’s a whirlwind of fun! You could just make that album your playlist and call it a day (because they did a great job), but I’ve hand selected this song specifically because in my opinion, it’s the best song on the album. It also does the other songs on the album justice as far as sticking with the same unique sound and genre. Neon Indian is considered electronic music (shocking) and more popular with the younger crowd, but this song has balance. And balance is key when creating your playlist. Some people really really like electronic music, others don’t. If you put an electronic intensive song on your playlist, you risk losing the attention of those who aren’t interested. That’s why a song like “Annie” is perfect. Because not only is the melody entrancing, it appeals to those who like electronic music and those who like lyrics, without going overboard on either end. Yes, this makes it on the playlist.

3 The High Road by Broken Bells

 

Let me start by saying, I love Broken Bells. Definitely in my top 5 favorite artists, but I’ll try not to be bias when writing this (not!). You need Broken Bells on your playlists yesterday, okay? Great. This song is by far the group’s most popular song, and that’s why it’s on this list. I personally like their song “After the Disco”, but remember that this playlist isn’t just for me.  This playlist is for the people I’m listening with. I want people to hear a song they’re familiar with and then conversation can ensue from there. If I play another less popular song by Broken Bells, even if it is amazing, that is just my opinion and I don’t want to force my opinion on other people (even if it is right). Anyways (tangent over), this song is great! Did you listen to it? You’ve probably heard it before, if not, your friends definitely have. Over 26 million listeners on Spotify can’t be wrong, right?! Just add it to your playlist!

4 Blue Jeans (RAC Remix) by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is a pretty incredible artist. If you haven’t heard of her you should look up songs like “Born to Die”, “Radio”, “Young and Beautiful”, “Summertime Sadness” and the list goes on and on. The original version of “Blue Jeans” is great by itself, but this remix adds a key element to the song and in turn, our playlist! You can compare and contrast the two songs later, but if you’re reading this I’ll give you the gist of it. Lana Del Rey has an amazing voice, if you watch/listen to the video you can hear that for yourself. Traditionally, Lana’s voice is the highlight in her songs (as it should be!). There are beats and background music, but who cares?! Lana’s voice steals the show every time! This remix elevates the music (and adds some instruments) to keep up with Lana’s outstanding voice. The end result? Musical gold that deserves to be on your playlist!

5 Awkward by San Cisco

Okay… I might be breaking my rule about only “popular” songs being on this list, but what does “popular” even mean anyways (lol). This song is popular to me, so that counts, right? Well San Cisco isn’t exactly playing on the radio “Back to Back” (as Drake would say) like Justin Beiber and well Drake, but I don’t listen to the radio anyways! All I know is, when you put good rhythm and melody behind good vocals, you get good music. Exhibit A: Good Rhythm + Good Melody x Good Vocals = Good Music. See? This song keeps this playlist upbeat and fun. That’s the goal with this playlist. Songs you can listen to when you’re waking up, getting ready, working or while you’re just hanging out! The playlist doesn’t discriminate, neither should you! So you might have never heard of San Cisco before, but at least you can discover them before your friends do! Add it to the playlist!

6 The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Still with me? Fantastic! So I think this song breaks my rule once again about the songs on this list being “new” and “popular”. It’s new to me! Anyways, that was a dumb rule and I will not be bound by it any longer! The great thing about music is that it stays with us. Sometimes we like listening to older songs, whether it be for nostalgia or other reasons: good songs don’t go away. I found this song (like most of the others on this list) on my Discover Weekly Playlist on Spotify and I immediately added it to my “lounge around” playlist. Now, this is an older song, but that’s not what I heard. I heard a musician singing his heart out and I respect the hell out of that. Is that why I like this song so much? I don’t know, but there is something about it and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Go on, just add it to your playlist!

7 Prayer in C (Robin Schultz Remix) by Lilly Wood & The Prick

How about that build up?! This is another remix, and like previous one on this list, a talented vocalist (Lilly Wood) shines through and delivers a memorable performance. Nevertheless, there is a very specific melody playing in the background and that’s a huge part of this song’s appeal. The first time I heard this song, I could not get it out of my head and now that’s your problem! Choosing the right songs for your playlist should be effortless if you know the direction and the mood you’re going for. The great thing about this song (and the others on this list) is that it works well for a very wide range of situations. And remember the goal of this playlist is to always be playable and appropriate no matter who is listening! Not the easiest thing to do in today’s world, but that’s what the majority of people enjoy. And if you’re going to be the DJ for your friends during car rides or get togethers, you better cater to what they want! Add it to the playlist!

8 Colours (Captain Cuts Remix) by Grouplove

Grouplove is another hugely popular group and for good reason! With great beats and family friendly lyrics it’s hard to deny that Grouplove is a musical force to be reckoned with. This remix of their popular “Colours” was the background music at many of my friend’s hangouts during college so I felt a little obligated to include it. Say what you will, but this upbeat remix is perfect for this playlist. Remember, we’re creating a playlist that you can confidently stand behind when your new girlfriend/boyfriend asks what kind of music you’re listening to. Maybe that’s not the exact reason for this playlist, but to each their own. Something else to consider is when your group of friends select you as the DJ, what song will you play? Of course you want a song to mimic the mood. But what you really want is to put on a playlist full of songs that can’t possibly disappoint. This is one of those songs, so add it to your playlist! 

9 Daylight by Matt and Kim

You literally can not listen to this song in a bad mood. It’s impossible. Because even if you are in a bad mood, after the first 2 seconds of this song, you can’t help but smile. I can say that yes, this is a popular song (37 million plays on Spotify!) and you should be listening to it too! Alone, at home, with friends, with pets, with your neighbors?! I don’t know who you hang out with, but I do know that wherever you are, this song will always be great and ready for you to enjoy. That’s the point isn’t it? The reason I’m making this playlist is to be able to bring people together, friends and strangers alike. We all like music, right? So at least we have that in common. The trick is finding appropriate music for the situation. You’re almost done with the list, so you’re practically a pro at this point! Do your playlist a favor and add “Daylight” to it!

10 Dreaming by Pacific Dub

Last, and certainly not least “Dreaming” by Pacific Dub. This was my favorite song in high school about 100 years ago (more like 6 years ago), but I think the message is clear and perfect for this playlist. Remember that “sweet escape” I talked about earlier? Well this is it. We all have music in common and we’ve all dreamed about better days, but why wait?! You and your friends can listen to the music of your dreams today! You just have to construct the “perfect” playlist. Can you do it? I believe you can. And with this playlist to guide you, there are no limits to how great your playlist can become! Keep listening and share the love! Later y’all!

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3rd Republican Debate 2015: Who came in first? Who lost?

Last night the nation saw our top 10 Republican candidates duke it out for their party’s nomination. All I have to say is “Well, that was fun!”. If you’re like me you were probably exhausted after the first hour of watching the candidates tear into each other. To be fair, the moderators didn’t do a great job at keeping the questions focused on the real issues (tax policy, immigration, the economy etc.). Instead, it seemed like they just wanted to watch a blood bath! And that’s obviously an exaggeration, but never the less, the debate was more entertaining than it was informative. At least, that is my Democratic opinion. Yes, I do consider myself a liberal and if that keeps you from reading on, I do understand.

However, unlike many others, I do listen and pay attention to what the other side has to say about important issues. So let me be very clear: I’m not here to slam the Republican candidates. In fact it’s quite the opposite. One of my strengths is that I can form opinions for myself. Shocking, right? And that strength allows me to watch a debate (whether it’s Republican or Democratic) and remain neutral until I’ve heard everything that has to be said. It sounds simple enough, but politics has a way of blinding even the most open minded individuals. Before you question my sources, please understand that what follows is mainly my observations and opinions from last night’s debate. Enough chitchat! You’re here because you want to know the million dollar question: Who won the Republican Debate?

LOSERS

Like so many debates (and especially one of this size), there’s rarely one clear winner. And this debate is no different. However there is a line between the winners and losers of last nights debate and I’m going to do my best to draw that line for you. First we’ll talk about the losers.

JEB BUSH

I don’t think this is surprising to anyone, but I’ve been wrong before. Jeb’s poll numbers have been slowly deteriorating over the last two months (according to RealClearPolitics) and unfortunately it seems like it’s got the best of him. Early in the debate, Jeb confronted (or should I say attacked?) Rubio about missing votes due to his arduous campaigning. A point that Rubio turned around expertly and won the crowd (and myself) over. I’m sorry Jeb, but if attacking other candidates is your best strategy, maybe you shouldn’t be President.

CARLY FIORINA

I personally thought Carly won the last debate although she didn’t get much time to talk. Unfortunately, Ms. Fiorina was unable to keep that momentum and has stayed in the single digits in the polls. This debate was her opportunity to once again shine and stand out among the candidates, but she didn’t really get a chance. Due to the moderating, Carly was stuck trying to justify her past at Hewlett-Packard as opposed to talking about the future and the real issues! Who finds these moderators, seriously?! I was looking forward to hearing from Carly, but after the hole the moderators dug for her, she struggled to climb out.

MIKE HUCKABEE

I should say before I continue that I respect all of these candidates (something I’m sure I’ll mention later), but the fact is: There are way too many people running! That being said, Mike Huckabee hasn’t seen double digits in the polls since the beginning of his campaign (RealClearPolitics). I don’t form my opinions based solely on polls, but I do look at them to see who the American people are leaning towards. And while Huckabee has managed to make it on the stage once again, I admit that I wasn’t expecting much from his corner. He was able to talk about the significance of social security, which is great, but the moderators didn’t give him a chance to explain how exactly a Huckabee Presidency would be any different from the other candidates running. Once again the moderators win. That doesn’t seem right!

RAND PAUL

I honestly do like Rand Paul. I may not agree with his policies or his politics for that matter, but he seems to have the best intentions for this country and I respect that. Last night Paul got hardly any time to speak about his platform. Once again, this wasn’t his fault, but the moderators seemed to have their own agenda as far as the debate was concerned. At one point last night, Paul even recognized the fact that his attempt to follow up on another candidate’s comments was completely denied by the moderators. So much for the debate part of the debate! After some pushing and shoving he was able to get 30 seconds in about how his tax plan would essentially cut the payroll tax. It seemed pretty disrespectful to me that the moderators would treat any candidate like this. Unfortunately, I don’t think his time on screen did much to convince the American people that he is the man for the job.

NEUTRAL

While there are clear winners and losers in all debates, with a debate this size there are bound to be some candidates that don’t leave a clear positive or negative impact. In other debates that might be a bad thing, but in this one, it’s honestly the best case scenario for most of the candidates on the stage. Here are the candidates that neither won nor lost last night’s debate:

CHRIS CHRISTIE

Christie had a decent night, but once again, his message didn’t quite stand out from his competitors. He didn’t get much screen time, like many of his fellow candidates, but when he did speak, he spoke with conviction and passion. Don’t get me wrong, he improved immensely from his last appearance, but it just isn’t enough to get his struggling campaign off the ground. His “big” moment last night (one could argue) is when he criticized the moderators for bringing up Fantasy Football, when there are so many other pressing issues our country is facing. The crowd seemed to enjoy his viewpoint on the relevance of fantasy sports, but what about his stance on other issues. Unlike the majority of his party, Christie does believe in global warming and tackling it head on with a National Energy Plan. A commendable cause, but not one other candidate even mentions energy. Why isn’t this issue being talked about more?

BEN CARSON

This may be a shock to many of you, but I’m just being honest with myself and my observations. Carson looks like a nice enough guy (even if he has said some unorthodox things), and up until this point that has been working very well for him. VERY well. But the fact is, he isn’t a great debater and not a great public speaker either. That is my observation. When moderators pressed him on the issue of debt and how his tax policy fell short, he stumbled over his words and wasn’t straight forward with his answers. It doesn’t instill very much confidence in me (as a voter) that he really does have a solid tax plan. And that may be why he is once again 2nd in the polls.

JOHN KASICH

I think Kasich has potential. His track record speaks for itself: he cut taxes and created jobs as Governor of Ohio. The thing is, many of the people on the stage with him have cut taxes and created jobs at some point in their career so that doesn’t really set him apart. What sets him apart in my mind is the fact that Kasich  directly influenced the balancing of the federal budget. And while I or you may not agree on how that was accomplished, it is still quite a feat and something this country desperately needs. I think the problem with Kasich’s campaign is that he does dwell on his past accomplishments and (while they are impressive) the American people want to know what his specific plans are. 

WINNERS

TED CRUZ

Ted Cruz got a lot of screen time yesterday and that’s definitely a good thing for his campaign. It’s not exactly a close race, but at least he’s in the top 5. I won’t talk about his answers (because they’re similar if not the same across the board) so much as the way he delivers them. I consider Cruz to be a good public speaker, which is a plus for him, because when he talks I feel compelled to listen. That is a good quality for a president to have, regardless if you agree with what they are saying. According to Zingnal Labs, Ted Cruz was mentioned in over 100,000 tweets during the debate which is more than any of the other candidates can claim (including Donald Trump). Say what you will, but that is quite impressive by itself.

MARCO RUBIO

It seems as though Jeb Bush’s early attack was the best thing for Rubio. After pointing out the double standards placed on candidates by the media, Rubio made it clear that any attempt to hinder him wouldn’t be taken lightly. Later in the debate, moderators brought up his past again and asked if he was ready and able to oversee a $17 trillion economy. Rubio responded with the struggles he has overcome and confirmed that yes indeed he is capable and proceeded to outline his “family” tax plan. I like Rubio’s response because I think many people (myself included) can relate to him. We all have struggles and loans and yes, it’s a difficult time for the economy, but he worked hard and came out on top. It’s an inspirational story and if the next president is anything, inspirational should be one of his or her qualities.

DONALD TRUMP

We honestly didn’t hear much from Donald Trump last night compared to his previous appearances. And I don’t think this was by accident. Of course, everyone get’s their time to talk about their ideas, but we saw far less outbursts from the front runner than I think we expected. I think this strategy works for him because his name recognition is honestly enough at this point. And while his theatrics have proved effective (for whatever reason) I don’t think he or his campaign want to take any more risks.

Like I said in my opening, this debate was more entertaining than informational. I don’t blame or judge any of the candidates for doing what they think is right to win the nomination, but I encourage you as a voter to check out the websites of the candidates you’re leaning towards and educate yourself! Every 4 years someone says it and every 4 years it’s true: This is them most important election of our time…

I just want to reiterate that I’m not writing this to bash any of the Republican candidates. I have tremendous respect for these people who have stepped up and want to lead this country. We all know that being President is a difficult job and this is a difficult time in our country. I hope that whichever Republican recieves the nomination is well suited and ready for the potential responsibility to lead this country. Let me know what you think!

Watch the full debate HERE

 

Red Bull

Hey, I know it’s been a long while since I’ve posted anything, but I’m back! It’s been the busiest year for me, trying to graduate on time, but I prevailed and have much more time to spend finding cool videos for you all to enjoy. I really want to get back to my roots and post about things that I’m interested in: marketing and advertisements. So here I go..

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the Red Bull commercial that came out this year? I don’t even particularly like Red Bull, but at least when I see this commercial I don’t cringe… It’s entertaining, it’s exciting and it perfectly sums up what Red Bull is all about. The awesome thing is that, although this is a really cool advertisement with lots of brand recognition, there are only a few Ad Execution Techniques going on and I’ll tell you the prominent ones.

The Ad Execution Techniques are as follows: MUSIC, Physical Attractiveness and Slice of Life. If you watch the ad multiple times, you’ll be able to see all of these techniques in play. Music is the obvious one. As soon as the commercial starts, “Come Get It Bae” by Pharrell Williams begins playing and it instantly picks you up and gets your attention focused on the advertisement. Physical attractiveness is another technique being utilized. It’s subtle, but it definitely helps the scene with the woman surfer. Finally, slice of life. This is what Red Bull is selling. Of course they’re selling an energy drink, but they’re also selling a lifestyle. And this commercial does a great job of pinpointing they’re target market. Red Bull sponsors the risk takers, the thrill seekers and the go-getters. Overall, Red Bull does a great job of reaching they’re target, but also getting average Joe’s like me to take a second look at their product. Well done Red Bull.

RowdyHeads

I’m looking everywhere for inspiration for AKPsi’s next shirt. I think this is a good place to start… ROWDYHEADS were founded by Carlos Vazquez and Nick Terry, both former members of Alpha Kappa Psi at UTSA. I am very proud of that fact and as Vice President of Marketing I plan on taking advantage of this product and incorporating it into our brand.

Live Dangerously: Groceries

This meme pretty much sums up my life right now. In fact, I think this applies to most college students nowadays. I remember about a month ago, I went for a week without grocery shopping. My meals consisted of fast food, whatever my roommates would cook and leftovers from either of those two options  Once I caught myself in this routine I immediately pulled myself together. Eating unhealthy is bad for you and it’s one of the quickest ways to get sick and/or overweight. So I knew what I had to do.

The next day I made the inevitable trip to the grocery store. I’d say it was coincidence that I was starving at this point, but we know that’s not true. I neglected going to the store for a while, but it’s not my fault! Buying groceries can be a hassle sometimes, especially when you shop at the biggest HEB in Texas.

Anyways, I was very hungry on this trip. I’ve been told not to grocery shop on an empty stomach, but it’s not like I had a choice. The reason you shouldn’t buy food when you’re hungry is because you’ll end up spending more than you normally would.

And that’s why I think this meme is so funny, especially when applied to a college student. It makes it seem like you live your life by grocery visits, and you only visit the store when you’re completely out of food. That’s my mentality behind this particular meme. Plus, that face that Mike Myers makes is hilarious.

Boston Marathon Explosion

It’s a tragic day for America… On April 15th around 3 pm two explosions were detonated at the Boston Marathon, leaving two dead and over 20 injured. Initial reports are already coming out stating there was another bomb at the JFK library, but police forces are unsure if incidents are linked.  

More than 27,000 runners participated in this year’s Marathon, which takes places every year in Massachusetts. My prayers go out to Boston and the survivors of these tragic events. And of course, all the families affected by this horrible  tragedy.

Did You Know: Apple Inc. Macintosh

Jef Raskin holding Canon Cat

The Macintosh project began in the late 1970s with Jef Raskin, an Apple employee who envisioned an easy-to-use, low-cost computer for the average consumer. He wanted to name the computer after his favorite type of apple, the McIntosh.

However, the name “Mcintosh” was already in use by an audio equipment manufacturer.  Steve Jobs requested a release of the name so that Apple could use it, but was denied, forcing Apple to eventually buy the rights to use the name.