Online Frontlines: Youtube Stars
Happy Friday beauties! We're down to the last part of the Online Frontlines series and since today is music Friday, it only seems fitting to introduce you all to my favourite Youtube musicians. Many of these artists started off doing covers on Youtube of popular songs but have since gone to create their own music while still doing covers, sticking close to what launched them into stardom. So let's get started!
Pentatonix
Now, I didn't discover this group until last year (I don't even remember how) but I'm so glad I did. Pentatonix is an AMAZING a cappella group - that's right a cappella. Almost all of their covers are just their voices singing out everything from different instruments and melodies. They appeared on and won the singing competition The Sing-Off in 2011 which led to winning a recording contract with Sony. While working on their first album, they began recording and uploading covers of popular songs on Youtube which have received millions of views and furthered their fan base. I not only love that these guys are bringing a cappella singing mainstream but are finding new and innovative ways to cover popular songs.
This happens to be the first cover I heard of their's last year with Lindsey Stirling (who is an amazing violinist) and I've listened to this cover at least 100 times.
Max Schneider
Ok, now again because I have HORRIBLE memory I don't remember exactly which song led me to stumble upon Max but I do remember it had something to do with Kurt Schneider, this amazing music producer on Youtube who does amazing covers and directs videos with various Youtube artists. Any who, Max's voice is just, I don't even know. It's so raw, real and will make you buckle at your knees. It's so refreshing to hear someone with such a naturally alluring and amazing voice that's just so effortless. Oh and he's got a falsetto that'll make Mariah Carey run for the hills - he's awesome. And as you can tell by his pretty face, he's become more than just a singing sensation, appearing on multiple TV shows and is a model (he even modelled with Madonna - yes Madonna, for a Dolce and Gabbana ad) proving he's a jack of all trades. His first album is coming out this year but it's already showing signs of being a hit as the first single from the album Mugshot was used in the new Veronica Mars movie trailer (from 1:44-2:16) - how cool is that?
Damn his voice is dreamy. Plus how awesome is Kurt on piano? I love watching these guys collaborate on covers cause they just look like they're having so much fun like in this Blurred Lines cover.
Tyler Ward
Now the beautiful thing about Youtube is that it's a community. Every artist on Youtube has a shared appreciation for one another and come together time and time again to collaborate. This is how I discovered Tyler (basically anyone I've ever found on Youtube has been through another Youtuber - just a huge Youtube chain reaction which is awesome). I watched him cover of one of my favourite songs How To Save A Life with Max and I immediately fell in love with Tyler too. Again, there's just something so inexplicably enchanting about his voice and his approach to music. He has since been an opening act for various artists such as The Fray and released his first album Honestly in October and will now be heading on his own tour this spring.
So, he sang this cover in the middle of an airport while waiting for a flight using nothing but his guitar and iPhone mic - unbelievable.
Boyce Avenue
Now if you read my previous post about how I got into the music I'm into now, you'll know it was because of a boy, and that boy is the reason I found Boyce Avenue. The first cover I ever heard of theirs was 3 years ago and it was of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car (which is how I was introduced to the last Youtube star but I'll get to that in a moment). I remember being in high school and listening to this song over and over again as I'd walk home and being mesmerized by their cover. The emotion put into it and the simplicity of the cover brought a whole new life into the song making it sound as if it was their own. This group of brothers started posting covers and original songs on Youtube as early as 2007 and have since then collaborated with various other Youtube stars, released 2 original albums and recently 1 live album, been on multiple tours and have overall gained over 1 billion - yes BILLION - views on Youtube.
I love how raw and original the tone of his voice is and the fact that
all they need is a box, guitar and a mic.
Kina Grannis
Last but not least, we have to beautiful Kina Grannis. Like I mentioned earlier, I discovered Kina similar to the way I discovered Max and Tyler, through other Youtubers - specifically Boyce Avenue's Fast Car cover. And like I said, that cover was my world during high school and I was so enchanted by Kina's voice that I needed to hear more. I then listened to her song Valentine which was released the same year as Fast Car but months earlier. Her voice has such a unique tone to it and I appreciate that she doesn't have to belt songs to prove she's a great singer. Her simple and effortless approach to songs is a breathe of fresh air and she brings her own soft and calming effect to all her original and cover songs. She also began her Youtube career in 2007 but after winning a contest gaining her a record label she decided to leave it and become an independent artist. She has released multiple albums with her most popular being Stairwells and has another album coming out this May called Elements and her songs have made it on countless TV shows.
Check this beautiful song she sang with her high school sweetheart and new husband! She makes everything sound so beautiful.
There you have it! Hope you enjoyed my Online Frontlines series!
Who's your favourite Youtube star? Comment below and let me know!
Until next time, stay musical and stay fabulous! xoxo
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