EMMA GUIDO

Freelance Music Journalist

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Sunshine - Radio Edit, a song by TIEKS, Dan Harkna on Spotify

Can’t get TIEKS out of my head!

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Wrabel’s new music video for “11 Blocks” is FINALLY here! Love the song and the video - can’t wait to see him live next month in Boston!

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Bank Account, a song by Jakubi on Spotify

Starting off my weekend strong - Can’t get enough of this new Jakubi track!

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I’m excited to announce that I will be spending my next four (five?) years at Northeastern University in Boston, MA! I am so excited to enter into their music industry program and learn from their experienced professors, explore the Boston music scene, and meet a whole new landscape of industry professionals. Go Huskies!!

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Emma Guido | cryptic rock, CrypticRock, Event Coverage, News

If you haven’t heard of Melanie Martinez left you must be living under a rock - finally got to see her live last month and she did not disappoint! If she’s already selling out Starland who knows where she’ll be at next US tour?

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FEATURED ARTIST: Jackie Paladino - Mind Equals Blown

Odd, racy, old school, dramatic – whatever you want to call Jackie Paladino, she doesn’t care. The Brooklyn based singer-songwriter knows the risks and rewards of her musical style and sees it as an exciting challenge to keep her on her feet. She admits, “Some of my stuff is a little bit uncomfortable to listen to – it pushes that line. My art comforts the uncomfortable and discomforts the comfortable”. In her latest EP release, the five tracks express themes of love, isolation, lust, heartbreak, and betrayal, with “Daddy’s Money” being the most controversial. Love it or hate it, “they are going to have a strong reaction”, which is exactly what Paladino hopes for. Beginning her musical journey as a theatre girl, her new found love to create her own music lead to new doors to be opened. “I was transitioning from the theatre girl who loved poetry to a songwriter”. Paladino began putting her poetry to music and quickly started songwriting. Though her original process of creation changed, she was able to dig deeper for strong emotions and come up with melodies on the spot: “I’ll just be walking down the street and a melody will hit me and that’s ...

Jackie Paladino is a captivating, sultry singer-songwriter from New York. Be sure to hop on the train now before she explodes!

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Ray LaMontagne: Ouroboros - Mind Equals Blown

“Anything you want to be you can be.” There is one thing about Ray LaMontagne that you can’t say about every artist you come across: he can do whatever he wants and owns it every single time. His latest effort, concept album Ouroboros, touches on newfound sounds by LaMontagne, while bringing back some of his best styles that reminisce the classics. The chilling flow of Ouroboros harbors his trademark ambience, brooding lyricism, and whispery soul, continuing his career with a full circle effect. The consistency and intended flow of Ouroboros encourages listeners to actively participate in music the old fashioned way: listening to the album from start to finish as each track bleeds into one another as one, long 40-minute song. LaMontagne revels in his appreciation of this old school type of music enthusiasm, splitting his album into two parts – each with a distinctive feeling that easily captures the best tones of Ray LaMontagne’s twangy, atmospheric, and rustic sound. Sunken piano notes drop into the first part of Ouroboros in “Homecoming”, epitomizing the iconic way LaMontagne introduces his albums as if they were movies. The comforting, mellow track of vivid lyricism and serenity lasts eight gorgeous minutes before plunging ...

Ray LaMonatagne is my new found indie obsession - started listening right around this release. Perfect timing! So stoked to see him in Brooklyn in June as well; look out for an article on that!

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Sia: This Is Acting - Mind Equals Blown

One of our most significant forces behind the pop music industry has risen from the shadows once again to showcase her underrated skill and talent. Sia’s revealing breakout of 1000 Forms of Fear marked a new chapter in her solo career, releasing all of her inner thoughts and demons out into the world. Now at it again, her latest effort This Is Acting packs the same punch, however, delivers a stronger, more confident message of empowerment and moving forward. As she stands in the spotlight as her own pop star, she finds new comfort and exploration of her style that turns heads towards her adaptability and persistence. source:okmagazine.com Though some of her previous pop hits like “Chandelier” and “Elastic Heart” come from her last album, it generally remained focused on Sia’s quirky, experimental style that she does best. One standout element of This Is Acting is her shifted focus on crafting a moveable, powerful, and radio-friendly sound that still comes from her heart. Sia has always managed to create these artistic pieces that sway mass audiences with meaning, and This Is Acting is no exception. Her bouncy rhythms in “Cheap Thrills” and explosive attitude in “Move Your Body” are essential for ...

Sorry for the silence for a while! I’ve been super caught up with the second half of senior year so I haven’t been writing that much. However, I couldn’t not take a crack at Sia’s latest gem - This Is Acting! Absolutely loved this album, so click above if you want to hear more!

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REVIEW: Melanie Martinez – ‘Cry Baby’

Artist: Melanie Martinez Album: Cry Baby Label: Atlantic Records Genre: Indie-Pop Your Halloween spooks are coming a bit early this year with a touch of addictive pop and powerful lyrics thanks to Melanie Martinez. The Voice’s third place winner proved that she’s first place material after her breakout hit single “Carousel” gave chills to the audience of American Horror Story, following it up with her exceptional Dollhouse EP. Now that her debut concept album Cry Baby is out, we take a journey with Martinez’s creepy alter ego as she battles her demons and obsessions. Before Cry Baby released, people were captivated by Martinez’s single “Dollhouse” and its penetrating music video; the two seemed to go hand in hand when telling its raw and revealing story of the demons of family life. The lyrics of “Mrs. Potato Head” hit home to most of today’s young generation and its beauty standards: “Don’t be dramatic it’s only some plastic / No one will love you if you’re unattractive." Even “Pity

A little late to post this, but am absolutely blown away by Melanie Martinez’s addictive pop power!! I think that she has actually peered into my soul before writing this album. I totally recommend her eerie ambience and crushing lyrics of reality to anyone looking for a spook or a dose of some intense truth. 

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Everyone go check out it first article on Bullett Media! I keep everyone updated on the today's trending musicians that you NEED to listen to !

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Books.

My favorite part of the summer so far is being able to read on my own time and choose the books I want to read. Currently tackling book one of the Game of Thrones series - and simultaneously watching the TV show. 

Maybe once I’m done with college applications this fall I can start some book reviews?

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Jonathan Tea: Coming Home

Check out my review of NJ native Jonathan Tea’s debut album Coming Home! I don’t usually cover his genre, but I’m always willing to support local talent in New Jersey - especially musicians who appreciate Union Square as much as I do. 

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Inside the Industry: Bobby Borg (Music Business Consultant, Author, and Musician)

After attending Berklee College of Music’s Music Business seminars in June, I was fortunate enough to learn from and eventually interview music business professor and consultant, Bobby Borg. If you have any interest in the music industry, I definitely recommend that you check out my interview with him - his knowledge from both the creative and business sides of the industry is admirable!

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It still seems foreign to me that I was sitting in my favorite band’s green room chatting with the drummer right before they hit the stage. Keep working your ass off, because sooner than you realize you will be getting opportunities you’ve been dreaming of.

I hope everyone enjoys my interview/article on Of Mice & Men - thanks to Tino for giving me so much of his time!

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Emma Guido | cryptic rock, CrypticRock, Music reviews, News, Reviews

Happy ten years to From Under The Cork Tree! Click on the link and read my thoughts as I take a look back at the beginning of Fall Out Boy’s success.

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Check out my review of what I think could be my favorite album of the year! Florence + The Machine absolutely amazed me everytime they create something. If you haven't listened to the new album yet, start with "Queen of Peace"!

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Check out my wonderful interview with the lovely girls of Joseph! By far one of my best interviews - met them in a quaint bookstore cafe in Soho NYC and went in depth about their start, writing songs, and what it means to love music (all while a children's book reading & the singing of Old McDonald played in a background). It was certainly a morning like no other.