Here at Catalyst, we have a lot to be thankful for this year. From our clients to our team to the many people who help make the whole operation run smoothly, the list could go on and on. But more than anything, we are all thankful for the music that helps us get through every day. So in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, we decided to compile a Spotify playlist filled with songs from our clients, the songs that they are most thankful for and the songs our team is most thankful for! We’ve even all included a little blurb about why the songs mean so much to us. Check it all out below, and let us know what songs you’re most thankful for this Thanksgiving season!
RIVALS
Bring Me The Horizon - “Avalanche”
30 Seconds To Mars - “This Is War”
We’re thankful for both these songs because they were such a huge influence to our writing style on Damned Soul. They’ve played such a large role not only in our personal lives but for our musical careers as well.
HOME ABOVE
Sum 41 - “The Hell Song”
I (Cameron) chose this song because this is the track that ignited my love for music, and without it I never would have went to a show or ever picked up a guitar.
Foo Fighters - “The Sky Is A Neighborhood”
I'm thankful for this track because in an ever changing world of music, Dave & The Foos continue to prove that rock n roll is still able to be better than ever.
VICIOUS.
Conditions - “When It Won't Save You”
Bayside - “They Looked Like Strong Hands”
Both of these bands always make it back to me in the hardest of times, forever thankful for them both.
MAGGIE SCHNEIDER
All Time Low - "Good Times"
I chose this track because it reminds me of all of the great memories I've made with my best friends.
Taylor Swift - "New Year's Day"
I chose this track because it is all about being in love and how some of the best moments in a relationship are the simplest. Swift paints this picture beautifully.
CARA LEIGH
Jimmy Eat World - “The World You Love”
This song highlights some of their intricate and emotional songwriting. Their album Futures is nostalgic for me, and I continue to love this track, even 13 years after it's release.
Moneen - “Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do”
I absolutely love Moneen. I find their songwriting and musicianship to be inspiring, and their live shows are so high energy and unforgettable. I picked this track because it gets me pumped, which is a similar feeling I have when there is a holiday like Thanksgiving!
THE WORLD OVER
Ryan’s Pick: Foxy Shazam - "Evil Thoughts"
That record as a whole always put me in a good mood, even though some of the lyrical themes are kind of dark. I just love their happy-go-lucky approach to music. But that song in particular really makes me think about life. How I've gotten to where I am and what to do next, past present and future.
Tiaday’s Pick: Now Now - “SGL”
When this song came out this year, I couldn’t get it out of my head and I am so thankful for Now, Now’s music. The composition of their songs are so simple and yet so complete. It resonates with me on a songwriting front, and I’ve referenced a lot of themes in the way that they write when it comes to writing with The World Over’s upcoming full length.
NIGHT ARGENT
Coldplay - “The Scientist”
John Legend - “Made to Love”
“The Scientist” is the song that inspired me to start songwriting. John Legend is one of the most talented performers I’ve ever seen live, and “Made to Love” is a song that I could listen to on repeat.
LAURA BREHM
Ellie Goulding - “Devotion”
I love the way acoustic guitar and Ellie's voice drives this track, but the EDM influence makes it even better. The mix of these styles is my favorite sound and the lyrics mean a lot to me in this one!
Imogen Heap - “Hide and Seek”
A rare song where just the vocals a cappella are enough. The vocoder she uses is absolutely beautiful, and it will never cease to inspire me.
DRMCTHR
Alanis Morissette - "Head Over Feet"
We picked this track as Alanis Morissette is one of our favorite musicians from the ‘90s and someone who has inspired us as songwriters. We love how this track is a juxtaposition to some of her other tracks from "Jagged Little Pill," and her vocal delivery makes you believe every word she sings.
The National - "I Need My Girl"
We're all very big fans of the National, and "I Need My Girl" is a song that hit us at the perfect time. It's a song that hits us right in our guts and the guitar playing in this song is phenomenal.
THE COMPLEX DIALECT
Earnie’s Pick: Kendrick Lamar - “DNA”
With “DNA” being the first full song on Kendrick's latest album, I really appreciated how it set the tone not only for the rest of the album, but for the year of 2017 for me. The aspect of calling out the nitty gritty both externally and internally is really inspiring.
Lola’s Pick: Lizzo - “Bother Me”
“Bother Me” is a two for one type of song. The first half has such a sense of attitude, but then gives way to the vocoder harmonies. It's tender and inquisitive; has a sense of longing.
BUTCH PARNELL
Ryan Adams - “Let It Ride”
Noel Gallagher - “Sunday Morning Call”
I chose these two songs because they are my two favorite songwriters. I learned to write songs by deconstructing Oasis songs, and Ryan Adams was the one that convinced me to pursue a career as a musician.
STEPH
The Dear Hunter - “Saved”
Millencolin - “Fingers Crossed”
I struggle with depression and a rare/lesser-known version of PTSD called C-PTSD. “Saved” is a song by The Dear Hunter that makes me feel like someone gets it, understands. The verses seem to describe what it’s like to struggle with PTSD, but also provide a positive outlook and a potential for being “saved.” Millencolin’s “Fingers Crossed” is also my feel-good, go-to track whenever I need a major pick-me-up. It’s poppy/lively vibe and positive lyrics can pull you out of any shitty mood. I’m always thankful for these two songs, especially when things get really hard.
LUCY
Busted - "On What You're On"
Yellowcard - "Awakening"
I have vivid memories of listening to both Busted and Yellowcard when I was younger, and they will always be bands who have not only played an influential role in my life, but have also brought about lifelong friendships. "On What You're On" is from Busted's latest album which is so different than the music they have been known for, but it still has you feeling good and wanting to dance. As for Yellowcard, the band has helped me get through some of the toughest times of my life, and "Awakening" is that song that really makes me feel alive. I could never be more appreciative to these bands for the music they've created.
JEN
The Starting Line - “Cheek to Cheek”
The Starting Line brings back such amazing memories and “Cheek to Cheek” will always be that favorite go-to jam song for me. If I could just add every TSL song I would!
The Academy Is… - “Down and Out”
I’ll never forget the first time seeing The Academy Is… at Warped Tour and feeling like life couldn’t get any better. Whenever I listen to Almost Here, it takes me back to being in that crowd surrounded by friends without a worry in the world.
JESSICA
Dawes - “All Your Favorite Bands”
I’ve always respected Dawes as a band and creative entity, but it wasn’t until I heard “All Your Favorite Bands” that something resonated with me. This song just makes me think of the happiest and saddest of times. It’s a farewell in the nicest way and it gets me every time I listen to it.
The Maine - “How Do You Feel?”
The Maine is my all time favorite band (other than The Beatles) so picking a song from them was a no brainer here. “How Do You Feel?” is from their latest album, Lovely Little Lonely, and it’s a song that has stuck with me since I heard the album for the first time. It asks questions that we may not often ask ourselves or those around us and really makes you reflect on the things in your life that are important.
The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week: DozerTX
San Angelo rockers DozerTX formed in 2014 when vocalist/guitarist Kevin Cale (formerly from Handguns) creatively combined vocalist/bassist Miles Mcmillan, guitarist Eli Kypfer and drummer Mark Jimenez into the thriving quartet it is today. It’s evident to say, since their initial performance, DozerTX has always had an electric chemistry with their listeners. In 2015, the band released their debut EP Self Sabotage and following the acclaimed response it received, the group toured extensively throughout Texas. However, it wasn’t until the band performed at So What?! Music Festival last year and collaborated with Austin based band Nominee that DozerTX gained significant traction. They pour their hearts out in their music in hopes that their listeners realize they are not alone. The band’s enthusiasm on and off the stage is exactly what makes them so magnetic and our pick for artist of the week.
DozerTX seek out conversations with their fans. They want to know if things are going good or if they’re going bad; and when it does go bad, the band hopes that fans will turn to their music. To DozerTX it’s the everyday experiences, especially the bad, that build strength. They believe you can always come back from the dark detrimental thoughts that consume you, and it’s okay to seek help when needed. The band’s sophomore EP, Centerpiece, is their most personal album yet and a great album to turn to for insight. Surrounding the difficulties faced with toxic relationships, Centerpiece was not only created to release the remnant burdens the band faced, but also further and relate to their listeners letting them know they are not alone.
"Never be afraid to put your happiness above someone else's, especially if you aren't happy with your life. Don't let someone you love abuse you physically, verbally, or mentally and think it's okay, stand up for yourself." - Miles Mcmillan, DozerTX
Already Heard coins the band with having "an emotional pop-punk sound that is certain to entice fans of The Story So Far and Basement." Between the alternating voices of Kevin and Miles, and the surging performance as a whole, DozerTX definitely know how to stand out and be heard. Fans can now stream the entire EP on Spotify and order the bands’ Bandcamp here.
The Catalyst Publicity Group Presents Artist of The Week: REBEKAH TODD
Few artists, and people for the matter, are capable of solely creating and pursuing success alone. Not many are able to endure obstacles and hardships by themselves, especially artists as they struggle to find their own voice. Rebekah Todd triumphantly exhibits what it takes, going against all odds, to persevere. It takes real, relentless passion to be able to keep stumbling and jumping over numerous hurdles yet still retain a tunnel vision focus. Todd’s drive perseverance are just a few of the reasons why we have chosen her as our artist of the week! She may still have room to grow as an artist, but the progress Todd has made up to this point shows just how far she has come.
As a young girl, Rebekah danced around her Benson, North Carolina home while her father flooded the house with music from bands like the Righteous Brothers and Pink Floyd. At age eleven, Todd’s father, who was also a musician, gifted her with a black acoustic Washburn guitar and taught her to play. It was during this high exposure to artists and creators that Rebekah connected to the sound of music and truly found an expressional outlet. As she grew into her soulful voice and musical style, the singer-songwriter pulled inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, citing passionate singer/songwriters like Lauryn Hill and Susan Tedeschi as artists that have shaped the music she writes and performs today.
Today, Rebekah Todd is an inspirational blues/soul artist who effortlessly sheds positivity and light to a world full of self doubt and apprehension. Since the release of her debut EP Forget Me Not in 2011, Todd has been actively working on new music and not taking any breaks. In 2014, she released her first full-length and within just 12 short months, Rebekah and her band The Odyssey played over 170 shows and won the 2016 On The Rise series for FloydFest. This year the compiled group is set to play FloydFest once again, except this time it’ll be on the mainstage alongside acts such as St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Shovels and Rope and Turkuaz.
The high spirited musicians’ success doesn’t stop there. Todd recently wrote and created a 10 track album, then implemented a Kickstarter campaign in support of the full-length, now known as Crooked Lines, and in just 45 days, the sophomore album raised over $30,000. The success of Crooked Lines has stimulated fans to realize, anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work.
"An ode to the bare bones of rock n' roll, [with] each of the sub-genres that built the huge umbrella of music is represented throughout [Crooked Lines], from gospel to blues to funk."
- Talk Nerdy With Us
Crooked Lines incorporates Rebekah’s inner realization of what she has to offer the world. One can actually feel the passion surging through Rebekah’s bones while her voice roars through the speakers. Expanding on the released album Rebekah states, “I'm very excited about the release of Crooked Lines. In this album, I really found my voice and began reaching to higher and bigger notes. It felt really uninhibited. I can't wait to see how my sound continues to grow for the next album!"
In less than a year, Rebekah Todd single handedly achieved multiple projects that would either take a single artist 2 years fulfill or take most artists a team of at least 10 to accomplish. For someone who books, writes, organizes, promotes and even designs their own web page, Rebekah Todd gracefully embodies the ideal one man show. Rebekah has devoted her life to writing and touring, no matter how taunting it may seem the passion and devotion she manifests through her actions and voice truly inspire others in pursuing their goals. With Crooked Lines out now, fans definitely don’t want to miss out on the soul hitting experience Todd provides. Head to RebekahTodd.com for more information, show dates, and more.
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