Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’, we are going to discuss Dylan Gardner, an INCREDIBLE singer/songwriter/producer, who is on his way to taking the music industry by storm! Dylan is from San Tan Valley, Arizona, and according to his website’s bio, “…has spent the last 10 years of his life obsessed with the art of songwriting…”. The bio also says that Dylan is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, and Pro-Tools producer (doesn’t this guy make you feel like you’ve wasted your life on Netflix…yeah me too). In 2013, he was signed to Big Deal Music Publishing, and recorded his debut album ‘Adventures in Real Time’, which was co-produced with John Dragonetti of the indie rock band ‘The Submarines’. So please read on to see why Dylan Gardner’s music is what you should be thankful for this year.
Dylan uploaded the first video (a cover of the entire second side of The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ album, with each song performed in 15 second intervals) on his YouTube channel on April 9th, 2014 (you can check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIfb4BuTL1A&list=UUBRDzAp5-vMtxPz3ZlE8J4g). I really enjoyed this cover because it was creative (I mean who else would think to cover an entire side of an album), and it really showed what an incredible musician he is. In this video we got to not only see Dylan sing, but also play numerous instruments such as: the piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and ukulele. The cover really flowed well, and felt like one big song of Beatles awesomeness. The next video we are going to discuss is Dylan’s cover of Vampire Weekend’s song ‘Diane Young’, which was uploaded on June 18th, 2014 (you can check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZrfTd_7p1s&list=UUBRDzAp5-vMtxPz3ZlE8J4g&index=6). This was a really cool cover because it kept the vibe of the original song, but also added a special energy that Dylan’s fans have come to love. Another thing that I really liked about this cover is that it was an acoustic cover that Dylan performed live in his bedroom. This felt really special, because it takes you back to when your favorite YouTube artists would make similar covers in their rooms. This cover definitely holds a nostalgic vibe because of this, which just adds another layer of cool to this video. Next up we have Dylan’s mash-up of alternative rock band Ben Folds Five songs, which was uploaded on June 25th, 2014 (you can check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EaUF95V2Hk&index=5&list=UUBRDzAp5-vMtxPz3ZlE8J4g). This is definitely one of my favorite covers that Dylan has done (even though that’s sort of hard to say because their all awesome). What makes this cover stand out a bit, is the fact that he performs a mash-up of snippets of Ben Folds Five songs, that start with different letters of the alphabet (by the end he’s covered songs that have titles ranging from A-Z). I just found this idea to be not only very creative and cool, but it also shows the type of meticulous dedication Dylan has in his work when it comes to his craft. I can’t imagine how long it took to find the songs, arrange them so they sound like one big song, learn to play the music on the piano, and then actually film it. This video should make us all really excited, because if Dylan puts this much hard work into a cover video, imagine how much hard work and creativity he puts into his own music! The last video that we are going to discuss is his ‘Let’s Get Started (through the Decades)’ video, which was uploaded on July 7th, 2014 (you can check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FL_6s6U0b4&list=UUBRDzAp5-vMtxPz3ZlE8J4g&index=4). I decided to add this as a bonus video on this blog post, because it was just too awesome to leave out. The video plays the first 1min 40sec of his debut single ‘Let’s Get Started’ (off of his debut album ‘Adventures In Real Time’, which we talk more about in the section below). The song is divided into 9 sections, and each section shows the sing performed in the style of a different decade of music, ranging from the 1930s-2014. I LOVE this idea so much I honestly can’t even tell you guys how much! I have never seen a video like this, and it’s definitely a really fun promo piece for the single, and shows that no matter what style of music it’s performed in, ‘Let’s Get Started’ is a great song. This video also cements the fact that Dylan is a very creative and talented musician, and makes me REALLY excited to see what he releases in the future.
The first song off of Dylan’s debut album that we’re gonna talk about is the lead single ‘Let Get Started’ (you can see the official music video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ZvVm2d5a8). I think that this was an excellent choice to kick off Dylan’s career, because the song is fun, upbeat, and incredibly infectious. It has a very indie rock vibe, and will definitely have you singing along and dancing. I am honestly so obsessed with this song that I have had it on repeat ever since I first heard it (I promise you’ll feel the same way once you hear it!). Honestly this song does everything a good lead single is suppose to do, it brings the audience in and leaves you excited to see what else is on the album. I definitely give this song 5 smiley faces (because smiley faces are more fun than stars). Next up we’re going to discuss another AMAZING song on this album called, ‘Heroes Tonight’. This song has a very Coldplay meets The Lumineers kind of feel, that I think will quickly become a fan favorite. The song has a very “young and free” vibe to it that makes it the perfect song to jam out to in the car, listen to while you’re working out, or have a hairbrush karaoke session to (release that inner rock star people of the Internet!). The final song that we’re going to talk about is the song ‘With a Kiss’. I really love the lyrics in this song, because they really show off Dylan’s talents as a storyteller. One of my fav lines has to be in the hook when he says, “Love’s just a life, we all start with a kiss”, this simple sentence perfectly sums up every love story we’ve ever heard, and is a really interesting take on the classic love song. Although I wish I could have reviewed all of the songs on this album (because they’re all awesome), I picked 3 that I felt really showed off Dylan abilities as a singer/songwriter & producer. I would definitely suggest that you all check out the entire album, because all of the songs will blow you away.
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’ installment, we will discuss a type of artist that we have never discussed before. Today I have the pleasure of introducing y’all to Anthony Ingruber, impressionist extraordinaire (everybody clap…keep clapping this guy is AMAZING)!!! I was first introduced to this amazing thespian when he followed me on Twitter, and I have to say that I am so excited that he did! This insanely talented guy is able to perfectly impersonate some of our favorite characters such as: Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Aviator’, Harrison Ford as Hans Solo in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in ‘Walk the Line’, Heath Ledger as The Joker in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, and numerous others. Anthony’s vocals are not only amazingly accurate, but he is also able to use his superb acting chops to completely embody the character. I definitely see this guy becoming a box office A-lister, so you should become familiar with him now, before you see him on your local silver screen.
Anthony was born on February 5th, 1990. His family moved around a lot when he was growing up, and lived in The Philippines, Canada, Australia, the Republic of Cyprus (an island in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea), and New Zealand. Anthony gained an interest in performing impressions at a very young age, and later furthered cultivated his love of performing by studying film at the ‘Wellington Performing Arts Centre’ (which is in New Zealand) and received a diploma in Screen Acting. Anthony was also previously employed at the WETA Workshop (which is an Academy Award winning special effects company in New Zealand). In 2009, Anthony was given the opportunity to work in the production department on the Academy Award winning movie Avatar as a Ground Technician. According to Anthony’s IMDB (Internet Movie Database), he is also a “gifted artist and illustrator” and fluent in Dutch and conversational in French (so he can act, create art, do incredible impressions, and is trilingual…wow don’t you feel so untalented…yeah me too). Anthony has also had numerous acting roles in various TV series and films such as Sensing Murder (mystery show in the ID Channel), Karaoke High (comedy music show in New Zealand), Reminiscence( a short film), Last Minute (a short film), Avalon High ( an awesome Disney Channel Movie that you can watch on Netflix!!!), Halo: Faith ( a short film), Eyes Open Nevermore ( a short film), and In the Name of God ( a short film). Along with his impressive acting career (which is even more extensive than this, and can be viewed in its’ entirety on Anthony’s website AnthonyIngruber.com | Your Online Resource for Actor Anthony Ingruber), Anthony also regularly updates his YouTube channel (again, you MUST watch this).
Now there is A LOT to say about Anthony’s YouTube Channel, so let’s get started. My favorite impression that he has done is his impression of Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Aviator’, because it is so perfectly done. You can certainly tell that Anthony worked very meticulously with this impression in order to get the tone and timing down perfectly (here’s the video The Aviator- leonardo dicaprio impression – YouTube). Another impression that Anthony performsthat I really enjoy is his impression of Harrison Ford as Hans Solo in Star Wars (and here’s the video…prepare to be amazed!!! Harrison Ford Impression – YouTube). Not only does Anthony sound like EXACTLY like Harrison Ford, but he even performs similar facial expressions and movements. Not only does this video demonstrate Anthony’s limitless talent as an impressionist, but is also a testament to his immense talent as an actor. Another video that Anthony has made that left me in amazement was his impression of Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in ‘Walk the Line’( walk the line – cash’s audition – YouTube). Not only is Anthony able to perfectly embody the complex character of Johnny Cash, but he is even able to sing like the famous country artist. This video further explains how limitless Anthony’s talent is, and leads me to conclude that this YouTube jewel will not stay a secret for much longer. The last video that I am going to discuss is Anthony’s impression of the late Heath Ledger as The Joker in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Now, I believe that most people agree that Heath Ledger’s performance in this film is considered to be legendary, even the late iconic movie critic Roger Ebert stated in his July 2008 review of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ that Heath’s performance in the film was “Key” to the film’s cinematic power. Personally, I believe that Anthony’s impression of one of Heath’s most dramatic scenes in the film echoes Heath’s talent, and will leave any viewer in awe. The Joker is certainly an interesting and complex character to play, and the way that Anthony is able to perfectly capture the pain, torment, and sarcasm of the character in a matter of a few minutes, is nothing short of amazing (check out the video, to get an idea of what I mean heath ledger’s joker – impression – YouTube.
I can definitely see a bright future for Anthony in film. I feel that his ability to perfectly change his vocal tone and accent according to his will is an invaluable commodity for an actor to have. This rare ability has made numerous comedies and actors into stars, and I truly believe that Anthony will be added to this list very soon. I highly suggest that everyone check out Anthony’s YouTube channel, and become familiar with the guy who will soon take over your local small and silver screen. The name Anthony Ingruber will definitely be inescapable in a few years, so if I were you, I would become familiar with him now.
Stay Connected with Anthony:
YouTube: Anthony Ingruber – YouTube
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnthonyIngruber
Facebook: Anthony Ingruber | Facebook
Website: AnthonyIngruber.com | Your Online Resource for Actor Anthony Ingruber
IMDB: Anthony Ingruber – IMDb
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’ blog, I want to introduce you to a phenomenal up and coming pop singer named Tyler Layne. I recently discovered Tyler on Twitter (I really owe you on Twitter!), and he really impressed me. At such a young age, Tyler already has the artistry, musicianship, and natural talent of a professional much older than him. I am really excited to share this artist’s music with you all, and I know that you will quickly become as obsessed with him as I am. I will warn you now, that once you hear Tyler Layne’s voice, you will definitely spend the majority of your time listening to his covers and original music. Ok so are you guys ready to be introduced to your latest musical addiction!?! Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Tyler Lane!!!
Tyler Layne was born in Portsmouth, VA and discovered his love of entertaining at the ripe old age of 4, when he began singing in his church’s choir. By the age of 5, Tyler was a soloist in his choir, and his love of music continued to flourish. Only two years later at the age of 7, Tyler began to astonish crowds at local festivals and community events. At the age of 8, Tyler began professional training in piano, voice, and acting. This training made the already naturally gifted entertainer an even stronger performer, which became a huge asset for Tyler when he became the youngest member of the group RD7, after impressing judges related to Radio Disney. As a part of this group, Tyler was given the opportunity to tour with numerous famous musical acts such as: Raven Symone, The Cheetah Girls, The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. After Tyler’s time as a part of RD7 was completed, Tyler founded other groups called Seven5Seven and Brooke and Tyler. The experience and public recognition that Tyler gained by participating in these groups led him to feel confident enough to continue his career as a solo artist.
On January 18th, 2012 Tyler posted his first YouTube video, which was a cover of Rihanna’s hit track ‘We Found Love’. Tyler had no idea that posting this video would snowball into the opportunity to share his music on a much larger scale. Tyler has continued to post videos of himself singing hit songs from popular artists such as: Katy Perry, Adele, One Direction, Hunter Hayes, Imagine Dragons, Bruno Mars, etc. As if Tyler’s vocal ability was not impressive enough, he has also used his YouTube platform as an opportunity to demonstrate his phenomenal guitar, piano, and songwriting skills. Tyler released his first original song on YouTube, on January 28th, 2012 entitled ‘Dear Julia’. This track is a piano driven ballad, which was certainly an early indicator of Tyler’s advance skills as a writer, which is an increasingly more important commodity for artists to have. Tyler made a music video to accompany this single, and was able to show his acting talent through the video’s emotionally charged lyrical content. Tyler’s next original song was a fun, high energy track which featured pop-rock band Everlife. The video contained numerous photos of Tyler’s performances throughout the years, and really showed just how seasoned the young entertainer was at that point. Tyler has released 3 additional original songs, which are entitled ‘Over the World’, ‘Ms. Perfect’, and his latest single ‘Boom Boom’ (all of these songs are currently available on ITunes, so I would suggest you go pick them up…after you read this blog of course! And for all of you remix lovers out there, ‘Boom Boom’ has been remixed, and it is AMAZING!!!!).
Tyler’s latest two singles (‘Ms. Perfect’ and ‘Boom Boom’), showed an evolution for him as an artist, due to the videos’ production quality, and the videos’ storylines. In ‘Ms. Perfect’, Tyler demonstrates that he can not only sing and act, but can also control a stage, and dance (seriously how can one person be so talented!). Although I love Tyler’s other music videos and his live covers, I feel that the Ms. Perfect video showed the audience his fun personality, which only makes you fall even more in love with his talent. My favorite video is definitely the ‘Boom Boom’ video, just because the song is amazing, and the video itself makes you want to get up and dance (seriously, how do I get invited to a Tyler Layne house party!?!). I can definitely see this song become a huge radio hit, and an infectious summer time song, that will have us dancing for years to come.
Since Tyler posted his first video in early 2012, the young entertainer’s talent as a musician, vocalist, songwriter, actor, and all around amazing entertainer has taken center stage. You can see Tyler’s growth through his videos, and it seems that he has nowhere to go but up. In the past few months, Tyler has had many phenomenal accomplishments, which include becoming a partner with YouTube super channel VEVO (also home to artists such as One Direction, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, John Legend, and just about any popular artist imaginable. This is also where you can find Tyler’s music video for ‘Boom Boom’). Other accomplishments that Tyler has had are his sponsorships with Peace Tea, Sodiem Clothing, and Giannini Guitars. However, arguably Tyler’s largest accomplishment to date is signing with the record label ‘Blow Me A Bubble Records’. In this day and age, the competition to secure a record deal is cut throat, so for an artist to sign a deal is a HUGE accomplishment. Make sure you catch Tyler on ‘the Fanatics tour’, which began on January 11th, 2014, and continues through July 26th (I believe that Tyler will be performing on all of the tour dates, but make sure you check the website here (the FANatics tour | Showcasing up and coming talent) to see if he is performing in your city…there are also A Lot of other amazing acts on the tour, so I highly suggest that you check it out!).
As for Tyler’s future, I definitely see this shinning light only getting brighter with time. Although Tyler’s original music has been primary pop, I can definitely see him crossing over into music that has a more soul vibe to it. I think that Tyler’s natural vocal talent is very unique, and his determination and persistence to constantly become better at his crafts will certainly set him apart from current mainstream radio artists. I see big things on the horizon for Tyler, and definitely think he will soon become a household name and eventually a worldwide phenomenon. With an entertainer like Tyler, there are no limitations, and I am very excited to see what amazing project this modern day Renaissance man produces next.
Do you want to stay connected with Tyler? Here’s how:
YouTube: Tyler Layne – YouTube
YouTube VEVO: TylerLayneVEVO
Twitter: TylerLayneMusic
Facebook: Tyler Layne Online
Website: tylerlayne