Pick of the Week--THE NEXT BIG THING: 5 Seconds of Summer

This Pick of the Week is a bit different from others because instead of telling you about an artist you should know about, I'm going to tell you about an artist that EVERYONE knows about. After coming across them back in 2012, I've been so excited to see how far they have come in just a few short years. If you haven't heard of these guys, you definitely will in 2014. This band has been slowly conquering the music world and are on the fast track to becoming the next big thing, that is, if they aren't already…

5 Seconds of Summer: (from left) Michael Clifford,
Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin

5 Seconds of Summer is a Sydney based pop/rock band composed of Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, and Calum Hood. 5SOS was officially formed back in 2011 with the addition of Irwin as the band's drummer. Before Ashton's entrance, Michael, Calum, and Luke posted covers of songs on Youtube such as "I Miss You" by Blink-182 and "Next To You" by Justin Bieber and Chris Brown. The covers continued as the three-piece band became a four-piece and posted their own renditions of artists like Wheatus and All Time Low.

In May of 2012, 5SOS posted an acoustic video for their original song, "Gotta Get Out." This song was later featured on their first EP: Unplugged. The release of their EP followed shortly after their first headlining tour hitting Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The band was then quickly back on the road touring Australia on their Twenty Twelve Tour. In December 2012, 5 Seconds of Summer released their debut studio EP, Somewhere New. The EP featured fan favorites like "Gotta Get Out" and "Out Of My Limit" as well as two additional tracks: "Unpredictable" and "Beside You."


2013 was a HUGE year for 5 Seconds of Summer with the release of their single, "Heartbreak Girl." This song was a quick hit among their rapidly growing fanbase. One Direction caught wind of this sudden 5SOS craze and reached out to the band offering them a spot as the opening act of their Take Me Home World Tour. This helped launch 5SOS even further into the professional music world and gained them even more fans who were beyond thrilled when the music video for their song "Try Hard" was released. Since last year, 5 Seconds of Summer has released their latest worldwide single, "She Looks So Perfect," as well as their brand new She Looks So Perfect EP. They've even launched their own independent record label, Hi Or Hey Records, in partnership with Capitol Records. With their latest single hitting #2 in the US charts, 5SOS are gearing up to be the next big thing especially with their announcement that they will once again be opening for One Direction later this year in the UK, Europe, and the US on 1D's Where We Are Tour.

5SOS has been hard at work touring all over the world and writing new songs that are bound to be hits. The band will be returning home to go on an Australian tour in May but will soon be back in the states on their first US headlining tour. You can check out the dates for these two tours here. There is so much in store for 5 Seconds of Summer in the coming months and I strongly encourage you to go see them if they come to a city near you. They are fantastic, naturally-talented performers who have nothing but a great time onstage. Check out their music on iTunes and see for yourself why they are the next big thing!

5SOS' latest single "She Looks So Perfect"!

Check out the band's video for their 2013 hit

"Heartbreak Girl":

Keep up with everything 5SOS!:

Twitter: 5 Seconds of Summer, Luke, Calum, Michael, Ashton

Youtube

Vevo

Facebook

Website

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THE NEXT BIG THING: 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER~AS TOLD BY MADS

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Pick of the Week--Artist You Should Know About: The Big Time

I know this Pick of the Week is a day late and I really have no excuse except for pure laziness. Eh, what are you gonna do? I thought a lot about who was going to be this week's Pick of the Week and it came to me during a time of immense physical pain. I'm talking about the gym. What did you think…? Basically I have a Youtube playlist literally titled "Don't Listen to the Pain." It has a bunch of my favorite music videos and acoustic vids that help me get through that whole ugly, sweaty mess. Long story short, I've been obsessing over a cover this past week and I figured the only people who make sense to be the Pick of the Week are the guys of The Big Time! Check them out…

The Big Time: (from left) Derek Mrdjenovich,
Brandon Porta, Dylan Auerbeck, Aaron Porta

If you happened to read my Freaks & Geeks Tour review, you'll remember that I mentioned a couple guys involved in 7 Minutes in Heaven's set. Derek Mrdjenovich and Aaron Porta are only 2/4 of The Big Time. Along with Dylan Auerbeck and Brandon Porta, The Big Time is a pop rock/alternative band from Altoona, Pennsylvania. These guys are crazy talented and strangely addicting might I add. A couple weeks ago, MKTO was my Pick of the Week and since I already can't get enough of "Classic," I was ecstatic when The Big Time covered the song….and they did a hell of a job. Derek's pop/rock voice was perfect for their version of the song and literally brought it back to life.

One thing I absolutely love about these guys is how real they are. They aren't trying to fool anyone into thinking they're above all of the other homegrown bands trying to make it big. They've even just recently started an Indiegogo campaign to fund the making of their new album. Their current goal is $5,000 *which is only about half of the cost it will take to actually make this album* but it's already clear to see that The Big Time without a doubt has a big time fanbase. They're already over halfway to reaching their goal. If you do decide to listen to anything I'm saying and check out this band, I highly encourage you to contribute to their campaign because the new album is bound to be amazing.

Speaking of albums, The Big Time has already released three albums since 2009 including their latest, Dreamers and Believers, released spring of last year. The band has been featured on The Gunz Show and the Pup Fresh Tour. They've also rocked the stage with artists like Breathe Carolina, Mayday Parade, and We Are The In Crowd *just to name a few*. Even as I'm typing this they are playing a show with none other than All Time Low! These guys have a big future ahead of them and I can't wait to see them in full hopefully later in the year promoting their new album. If you have the chance, check out The Big Time and head out to see them if there's a show near you. They are the greatest group of guys and I promise it will be a great time.

The Big Time's amazing cover of "Classic" feat. Timmy
Rasmussen of 7MIH:

Check out the band talking about their Indiegogo
campaign and how you can help out!

              

*Click here to check out The Big Time's campaign and contribute to the new album! You may get an awesome perk…just saying*

Don't miss out on anything The Big Time!:
Twitter: The Big Time, Aaron, Derek, Dylan, Brandon
Facebook
Youtube


ARTIST YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: THE BIG TIME~AS TOLD BY MADS
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