Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 5 Beastie Boys Music Videos

Last week, I was saddened to learn about the passing of MCA AKA Adam Yauch, like many other grieving Beastie Boys fans. I’ve been listening to The Beastie Boys since I was 12 years old, even though they had been together longer than I have been alive. I had a poster from their “Hello Nasty” album in my bedroom all throughout high school, and I cannot imagine what my favorite music videos would be without them. I was sadden by this loss because MCA was a person to be admired, for his music, his charitable work, and his cinematic contributions. So here’s my MCA tribute, My Top 5 favorite Beastie Boys Music Videos that are all near and dear to my heart. 

5. Beastie Boys - “Sure Shot”

This video, like their most popular music video “Sabotage”, is from The Beastie Boy’s 1994 classic album “Ill Communication” and was directed by Spike Jonze as well. It’s the Beasties doing what they do best - rapping, and goofing off. The goofing off in this video includes swimming in pools, wearing snazzy suits, and displaying an array of wacky glasses.

4. Beastie Boys - “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)”

Kick it! This is the video that put the Beasties on the map, and serves as a general rule of thumb to never invite the Beastie Boys to your party if you want to keep the event low-key. 

3. Beastie Boys - “Intergalactic”

One of my favorite Beastie Boys albums is “Hello Nasty”, and this was my favorite music video from that album, which was directed by MCA himself. The concept was ambitious, creative, and executed to perfection. I love watching the Beastie Boys hold futuristic poses and rap around the city streets as people looked confused, or apathetic. But most of all, I love the old-school Godzilla-esque battle between the robot and the squid-man.

2. Beastie Boys - “Sabotage”

Their most famous and iconic music video, directed by Spike Jonze, is so much fun to watch, and is still as entertaining as it was when I first saw it. It’s a classic, and should be a standard on any Top 10 list for best music videos ever made.

1. Beastie Boys - “So What Cha Want”

My personal favorite Beastie Boys music video is So What Cha Want, which I always assumed was directed by Spike Jonze, but realized today it was directed by MCA himself! What I love about this music video is that the concept is simple and clean. It’s a concept that has been duplicated in endless skate videos and music videos, but never to the same effect. None of those other attempts have the charisma and the performance of this video, and the simple concept only highlights what great performers the Beastie Boys were, and what amazing chemistry they had together. Rest in Peace MCA.

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 5 Cinema-Inspired Songs

This is my ultimate Cinema-Inspired playlist, filled with songs that use filmmaking or movie magic-ness as inspiration for the lyrics. I created a cheesy film playlist when I started film school, and now the playlist has evolved and include some newer discoveries.

5. New Pornographers - “Twin Cinema”

This song is a definite filmmaking jam, and even though the New Pornographers have been around for a while, I’ve only recently starting getting into them. This song is the title track from their 2005 “Twin Cinema” album, and I really love the cover art for the album as well. “They’ve shown this on both screens” gets stuck in my head sometimes.

4. Eisley - “Like The Actors”

This song is from Eisley’s 2007 “Like The Actors” EP, and I really enjoy the Dupree sister’s harmonies in this song. If your not familiar with Eisley, you may have heard Sherri and Stacy Dupree singing backing vocals on Head Automatica’s “Dance Party on several Bright Eyes songs from the “Cassadaga” album, most notably on “Make a Plan to Love Me”, which is my personal favorite from the album. All of the Dupree sisters definitely have their share of pipes, but when they all sing together, they don’t even need instruments - their harmonies can create beautiful, lush music on their own, and that’s the main reason why I really enjoy listening to Eisley.

3. Culture Reject - “Inside the Cinema” 

This is another band I’ve recently starting getting into, and this is my favorite song from them so far. I’m also a big fan of songs with hand clapping because I like the option of clapping along, so of course this made the list. I really enjoyed the video as well, which mixes video projections with live action.

2. The Postal Service - “Clark Gable”

“Clark Gable” is the signature cinematic love song from The Postal Service’s now legendary album, “Give Up”. If you have never heard this song, just go ahead, and listen to the entire Postal Service album from beginning to end. Do yourself a favor, thank me later.

1. Minus The Bear - “Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo

Yes, this song is about the cinema! And not the pornographic kind. Minus the Bear always has super creative, non-related song titles. My favorite Minus the Bear song title? “Monkey!!! Knife!! Fight!!” Point is, this song still makes it to the top of my cinema-inspired playlist regardless of the title.

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 10 Coachella 2012 Songs

After sorting through multiple set-lists of all the songs that were played during Coachella 2012, this is my Top 10 playlist of songs I would have loved to have seen live! Luckily, I was able to catch lots of the bands I would’ve wanted to see on the YouTube livesteam including Pulp, The Rapture, The Black Keys, Radiohead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, St. Vincent, The Shins, At The Drive-In, and of course, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg complete with Tupac Hologram and all.

Click Here for Coachella Songs 10-6

5. Black Keys - “Tighten Up”

The Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach displayed some mad whistling skills during their hit song. I was so happy I was able to catch the livestream for this band’s set because they were amazing, I have to see them live! Check out the music video for Tighten Up if you haven’t seen it yet, because it’s fantastic!

4. At The Drive-In - “One-Armed Scissor”

I was super excited to check out the ATDI reunion, their break-up has caused their fans to split to either the Mars Volta side, or the Sparta side (I prefer the Mars Volta), so I was interested to how they would mesh back together after all these years. Their performance was a little rough around the edges, but all in all, it would’ve have been freakin incredible to see this song played live!

3. Radiohead - “Karma Police”

Yes, I have seen Radiohead live, and yes, I have seen them play this very song before, but can you really get enough? This song is a classic, and when I heard this album for the first time, it definitely change my perception of what a great album could be. Also, this music video is just as timeless as the song. Would definitely be in my Top 10 music videos list.

2. Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel) - “Two Headed Boy Pt. 2”

I totally missed out on the sold out Jeff Mangum show he’s playing in Los Angeles, so I really hope I get to see him live in the near future. For any of you guys who missed my “Shoestarr’s Top 5 Favorite Albums of All-Time” vlog, “Aeroplane Over the Sea” was one of them, and I cannot even imagine how great this show must’ve been. The set wasn’t included on the YouTube livesteam either, so I can only imagine. 

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Oasis) - “Don’t Look Back in Anger”

This song is one of my favorite songs of all-time, and I missed it during Noel Gallagher’s set during the livestream! Since the Oasis break-up, my last hope of hearing this song live is to attend a Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds show. That being said, I wouldn’t mind at all. I heard their self-titled debut album, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The band, just like Oasis, is great for anyone who loves The Beatles, or even Ryan Adams, and just wants some good old-fashioned rock and roll.

Also, if you guys haven’t seen “The Poser’s Guide to Coachella 2012”, you check it out below. Hope you guys enjoyed my Top 10 Coachella playlist as well as the video!

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 10 Coachella 2012 Songs

After sorting through multiple set-lists of all the songs that were played during Coachella 2012, this is my Top 10 playlist of songs I would have loved to have seen live! Luckily, I was able to catch lots of the bands I would’ve wanted to see on the YouTube livesteam including Pulp, The Rapture, The Black Keys, Radiohead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, St. Vincent, The Shins, At The Drive-In, and of course, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg complete with Tupac Hologram and all.

10. Dr. Dre (Feat. Eminem) - “Forgot About Dre”

I’m not even going to try and pretend like I don’t love this song, because I do! And I’ve secretly loved this song since it came out. Sure, Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice, and Tupac’s California Love would’ve been amazing to see live (and of course, the Tupac Hologram), but I’m all about this Dr. Dre and Eminem collaboration. Like a total poser.

9. The Shins - “Phantom Limb”

This was the first The Shins songs that I heard, and “Wincing The Night Away” was the first album that I heard from them, so this catchy pop jam definitely holds a special place in my heart.

8. St. Vincent - “Actor Out of Work”

St. Vincent is such an under-rated singer, I highly recommend checking her out if you’re into Feist, Mirah, or even Portishead. This is my favorite song from her’s, which I got to see during the livestream. I also really enjoy the music video as well.

7. The Rapture - “House of Jealous Lovers”

This song is just a blast of electro pop dance party. Definitely a party song, or a dance floor jam. Add it to any house party playlist! It’s such a fun song, MORE COWBELL please!

6. Pulp - “Common People”

One time, I naively referred to this song as “my favorite song from the 80’s”. It is in fact, from the 90’s, and definitely one of my favorite 90’s pop songs. Oh Pulp, you do 80’s post-punk so well, I thought you were from there when I first heard you. This song is an absolute must-hear, a great pop post-punk jam.

Stay Tuned Next Week for the Top 5 Songs in the Coachella Playlist.

UPDATE: Click Here for Coachella Songs 5-1

The Tributes - “The Arena”

Check out the song for the Music Video I produced that’s coming out TODAY! The Tributes is a Hunger Games Tribute Band featuring Meghan Camarena AKA Strawburry17, Joey Graceffa, and Luke Conard.

http://bit.ly/GDy6zj

The Tributes “The Arena” Music Video - Behind the Scene Stills

I produced a Music Video that is being released on Wednesday March 21st inspired by “The Hunger Games” starring Meghan Camarena aka Strawburry17 as Katniss, Luke Conard as Peeta, and Joey Graceffa as Cato. It was directed by Joe Nation, and also starring some other YouTubers such as Tessa Violet aka MeekaKitty, and Ingrid Nilsen aka MissGlamorrazzi. 

Below are some Behind the Scenes Stills! Enjoy!