Concert Review: Miss May I and Of Mice & Men in Munich, Germany

Hi hello how are you guys doing? Sorry as usual for not updating regularly, but the past week has been pure chaos and pure awesomeness. I didn't even get around to check out the pictures I took until this afternoon, so you're the first to see them. Anyway!! I went to see Of Mice & Men last week in Munich and let me tell you that was the craziest show I've ever attended. We arrived at the venue super early, so we had a lot of time to kill but it was worth it because I met Phil, Aaron and Tino before the show!

(Alan was running around as well but he was busy and Austin was nowhere to be seen.)

I was really excited to hear my favourite songs live, and to my absolute luck they played them all (O.G. Loko, Let Live, Would You Still Be There and Second & Sebring)! Seeing these guys live was absolutely incredible, what can I say. I've been waiting for this to happen forever, so I was just so happy when it finally happened! Even though the venue was small so there weren't that many people, the atmosphere was unbelievable. People just went completely nuts - I've never sweated this much during a show, I've never felt more alive. 

Miss May I supported the show, and if you haven't heard of them, I highly recommend you go and check them out, they were fantastic! The energy they brought with them was perfect to prepare the audience for what was about to come!

I was so nervous when it was finally time for Of Mice & Men to play, you can probably imagine. And suddenly they were just there and played the songs I've been living with for so long and up to this point none of their existence had felt real, you know what I mean? It took me a moment to process that it was really them so close to me, it was unbelievable.

Austin's presence was just crazy. One moment he looked so angry and aggressive, the next moment he looked at the audience and the biggest smile spread on his face. I honestly live for the moments when band members just show how happy they are to be able to do what they love so much. 

As usual, the show was over way too soon. I could have stayed in that tiny club for the rest of the night and have them play every single song they ever wrote, oh well. However, Tino, Phil and Aaron came outside after the show again to take pictures and just talk, it was fantastic. We spent almost an hour just chatting to Phil and Tino, and they were so excited when I showed them my tattoo! Tino even thanked me for getting it done I was like wait what I'm the one who has to thank you but he just laughed and went "this looks amazing". Aaron asked me if it hurt to get it done and when I said that it was alright actually, he told me that his tattoo hurt terribly, and his explanation was that "maybe I'm just a big baby". 

So yeah, this was definitely one of the best concerts I've attended so far; I took home a few bruises, a few new friends and the memory of super nice band members. If you ever get the chance to meet them, give them some love because they're the most positive, genuine people I've came across in a while! 

Songs that are very important: A Playlist

I feel like I've neglected this blog quite a lot lately, so I thought it's time for another playlist! This one is full of songs which are super duper important to me, I hope you enjoy it!

• All Time Low - Jasey Rae
• All Time Low - Time Bomb
• All Time Low - Backseat Serenade
• Bring Me The Horizon - Sleepwalking
• letlive. - Empty Elvis
• letlive. - Younger
• Of Mice & Men - Second & Sebring
• Of Mice & Men - The Great Hendowski
• Of Mice & Men - You're Not Alone
• Pierce The Veil - Hold On Till May
• Tonight Alive - Come Home
• We Are The In Crowd - Attention
• 30 Seconds To Mars - Alibi

This isn't the fanciest playlist you'll ever come across, but it'll do to share some special songs. Which songs are important for you? Share them with me in the comments!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - Sum Up, Resolutions, Best Of 2013

I don't know why, but I'm really hyper right now and this is my last blog post in 2013 and unlike usual, I have quite some stuff to say!

2013 was the craziest and most chaotic year ever, I can't believe it's already basically over. I can surely say that music came out of nowhere and completely turned my life around. Of course it's been in my life ever since but in 2013 I developed a whole new connection to bands and lyrics and fans. I started to look at music from a completely different point of view and music might or might not have become the centre of my life. I created this blog in February and 99 posts and quite some clicks later, I work for an online magazine, I get to interview bands and I couldn't be happier about the direction my life is heading in.
2013 might have been weird at most points, but it gave me a whole lot of amazing moments. I saw 30 bands live, I had interviews with 6 of them, I met All Time Low and I attended my first festival ever. Music, or the people behind it, taught (and still teaches) me a lot about life and the attitude you could (or should) have towards it and I think these people helped me a lot to become the person I am today. 

Before this gets too emotional, I came up with some resolutions I probably won't stick to anyway but it became a tradition for me to think of some resolutions, if I stick to them or not. 

• read 100 books (I'll have to think of ways to afford this but yaay books!!)
• worry less, act more (this has been one of my resolutions for the past few years but I think I get better at it every year so I can't forget about it
• don't procrastinate that much (I am really good at procrastinating, sometimes I even procrastinate things I actually want to do and it needs to stop)
• write more (and when by saying that I mean reviews and stories and just everything that comes to my mind. Writing has been a big deal for me for a few years now and I just enjoy it but I never find the time to sit down for a while and just collect ideas)
• be more open-minded when meeting new people instead of directly judging them (sometimes I do this thing where I judge people from the sound of their voice, so if somebody has a voice that sounds unpleasant in my ears, I don't even talk to them and that's bullshit and I know it and I'll work on it!!)

Let's talk about this again in 12 months and see how far I got with these. What are your resolutions, if you have any? And if you don't, why not? Leave everything that comes to your mind in the comments! 

Last but not least I collected a list of my personal Best Of songs in 2013, so basically this is a collection of the songs I discovered this year and still listen to.

1. All Time Low - Time Bomb
2. All Time Low - Backseat Serenade
3. All Time Low - Me Without You
4. A Day To Remember - I Remember
5. Asking Alexandria - White Line Fever
6. Bastille - Things We Lost In The Fire
7. Biffy Clyro - Bubbles
8. Bring Me The Horizon - Sleepwalking
9. Bring Me The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
10. Fall Out Boy - Young Volcanoes
11. Of Mice & Men - Second & Sebring
12. Paramore - Still Into You
13. Pierce The Veil - Hold On Till May
14. Tonight Alive - Come Home
15. Tonight Alive - Hell And Back
16. We Are The In Crowd - Exits And Entrances
17. We Are The In Crowd feat. Alex Gaskarth - Kiss Me Again
18. We Came As Romans - Fade Away
19. We Came As Romans - I Am Free
20. You Me At Six - No One Does It Better
21. 30 Seconds To Mars - Do Or Die

What are your best of songs in 2013? Leave your list in the comments, I'm always happy to receive recommendations of new music!

I wish you all a happy, successful new year, let's close this chapter and open a new one! 

Back To School - A Playlist

Hey guys, summer is almost over for all of us and many of you will go back to school for another year of useless knowledge, lessons in how to deal with bullshit and finding out that you really won't need maths in your later life. For those of you who can refer to this, I created a little playlist in order to make the first few days a little bit better. I hope it'll help and good luck, you'll do just fine!

30 Seconds To Mars - This Is War

The title speaks for itself I suppose.

Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care

Honestly - how many times a schoolday do you think "Good God, I don't care about why this author wrote the scene like this and not in another way.", or "I don't care about this, what do I have a calculator for?" or "I don't care whether you'll see your boyfriend tonight or not, shut the fuck up." ?

Bring Me The Horizon - Antivist

Middle fingers up, if you don't give a fuck! :-) 
Well, obviously you can't walk around school with your middle fingers up all the time, so just do it in your mind. 

Of Mice & Men - The Great Hendowski

This song offers some very inspirational and comforting lyrics, so if you can't bare with school or life in general anymore, listen to this one. 

We Are The In Crowd - Better Luck Next Time

In case you fuck up an exam: don't let it bother you too much, it happens even though you studied a lot or put some extra effort into it, it happens to all of us from time to time. You'll have better luck next time. 

All Time Low - Stay Awake

No, actually not. Make sure you get as much sleep as possible, sleep is important when you gotta fight a battle called school five days a week. 

Bullet For My Valentine - All These Things I Hate (revolve around me)

at least that's how it was for me when I went to school (at least around 90% of all the 9 years I spent at secondary school).

Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

I believe that school does this thing where it breaks and ruins your dreams. Maybe because they're "impossible to reach", maybe because they don't provide a safe job and a good career, maybe because people there don't understand the value of big dreams. Let me tell you something: if you're already on it, leave the boulevard of broken dreams right now. Don't take shit from anybody, this is your life, you can do whatever you wanna do with it. 

Coldplay - Don't Let It Break Your Heart

No matter what happens to you, don't let it break your heart. Everything will be okay in the end, I promise. 

Blink-182 - Easy Target

Don't be an easy target. I know it's easier said than done, but try to stand up for yourself, try to show the douchebags that you're somebody, too. 

Bring Me The Horizon feat. Josh Franceschi - Fuck

Oli says "Fuck" a lot, that should be enough reason. 

All Time Low - Heroes

Because no matter how you handle school, you're all heroes and I'm proud of you. 

Rise Against - Make It Stop

Bullying is shit. It fucks up young adults who already have enough crap to deal with, sometimes it even costs lives. So, if you ever see how somebody gets bullied, please grow some balls and help them, you'll make a change and maybe save a valuable life. 

Go To Hell For Heaven's Sake - A Playlist

I'm in the best mood today *raising my sarcasm sign*, so I felt like doing a nice little playlist for everybody who pisses me off and who pisses my readers off. Let's kick some asses!

Bring Me The Horizon - Go To Hell, For Heaven's Sake

The title speaks for itself, I suppose; I chose this video because a) I couldn't find the album version and b) I was there and it was awesome. 

Bring Me The Horizon - Antivist

Middle fingers up, if you don't give a fuck!! Also this song contains so many swear words to scream that you'll immediately feel better. 

Bullet For My Valentine - Leech

Hey, leech, no longer will you suck my blood, you can't keep away, you need another taste.

Hey, leech, you think that you are here to stay, you can't keep away, you need another taste.

Memphis May Fire - Generation: Hate

This one is for our whole generation, especially for those who are so brave and cyber bully others. 

Of Mice & Men - I'm A Monster

Austin (or whoever wrote this song), is better with words than I am, so I'm just gonna quote again: "For every backstabbing lie and the whispers, I'll shove this down your throat!"

I can only recommend to sing/scream/yell along. 

Of Mice & Men - Ben Threw

Gather around children, I'd like to tell you a story. In my last year at secondary school, I had one friend. We were close, it was great, I really liked her, I thought she'd like me, too. I was pretty unstable around the time of final exams, I made it through somehow when suddenly this girl stopped talking to me. I tried talking to her but she always ran away until I called her and asked what her problem was. The reply I got was the following: "You're so depressed, I can't do this anymore."
Well, you know, good thing that you never walked a single mile in my shoes, so of course to you, my time at school didn't seem as horrible as I experienced it. That's okay though, fuck you. :-) 

Paramore - Anklebiters

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Hayley comes to me, speaking words of wisdom: "Fall in love with yourself because someday you're gonna be the only one you've got."

It's sad enough that she's completely right with this. Sooner or later, everybody's gonna leave you, apparently that's how life works. 

Pierce The Veil feat. Kellin Quinn- King For A Day

So sick of playing, I don't want this anymore. The thought of you is no fucking fun, you want a martyr, I'll be one because enough's enough we're done!

Sleeping With Sirens - If You Can't Hang

It took me quite a long time to learn that you can't force people to stay. If they don't want to be your friend anymore, alright. If they want to go, let them go. In 99% of all cases you're better off without them and in a couple of years you'll look back and think "Thank God I got rid of that *insert whatever you like*"

Asking Alexandria - A Lesson Never Learned

Because no matter how many people I will meet in my life, I will always make the same mistakes and trust the wrong ones. 

Album Of The Week: Of Mice & Men - The Flood

The re-issue contains two CDs: four songs are on the first one and twelve songs on the second.

CD one starts with a completely instrumental song: The Calm. The title speaks for itself, the sound of the guitars really calms you down. This was the calm before the storm, which is coming now. Song number two, The Storm, definitely feels like a storm raging through your whole body. The guys always tell a story with their songs and I assume this one is Austin's way of dealing with his relationships. The more attention you pay to the song itself, the better you can feel his anger and how hurt he was.

The last song, The Depths, is pretty intense. It deals with the inner struggles you have when people constantly put you down and tell you that you're not good enough or that you'll never be good enough.

CD two kicks off with one of my favourite songs ever: O.G. Loko. At the same time it's one of the first songs I heard of Of Mice & Men so it will always be special for me. Whenever somebody asks me about this band, I refer to this song at first because it contains lyrics which perfectly describe my feelings for them: “Meet my dedication, inspiration. It may be smothering you but you know it's the truth.“
The next song I'd like to talk about is Let Live. Basically it deals with the difficulties of getting over somebody because letting go is never easy, especially not when the person was important to you. However, sometimes it's better to keep the memories, let go and let live again.

My Understandings is the song with the shortest lyrics but it's one of the most powerful songs on the whole record. There are only Shayley's clean vocals, so if you're not that much into screaming, give this song a try.
The song which left the biggest impression on me is The Great Hendowski. It tells the story of Austin meeting a man and the song as well as their conversation contain some quite inspirational phrases which definitely make me think, for example: “How can you smile with your lips wrapped around a loaded gun?“
The last song on the record is the one I listen to the most: When You Can't Sleep At Night. Again there's only Shay singing and let me tell you, it's the perfect lullaby. It's the perfect song for when you're upset and have trouble falling asleep. There's no screaming Austin, no screaming guitars, only Shay and some acoustic guitars.

Of Mice & Men plan on releasing a new album this year, let's be excited together!

Run Away, Baby - A Playlist

Most of the time I'm like the laziest person ever but all of a sudden I get the urge to look for my running shoes and go out for a run. If you need a soundtrack that can push you a little, here it is: 

Asking Alexandria - A Lesson Never Learned

I always start with this song, I don't even know why. Maybe because it sounds dramatic enough for the fact that I finally go on a run again or maybe because it's just a damn good song. 

Asking Alexandria - Breathless

Because obviously I'm on a good way to be breathless by the time this song is over. 

Bring Me The Horizon - It Never Ends

Usually when I go on a run, I'm angry because of something. And when I'm angry, I listen to Bring Me The Horizon. 

Of Mice & Men - O.G. Loko

More angry songs, yaay! 

Of Mice & Men - Ohioisonfire

Fun fact: that's the first song I ever heard of them and it's freakin' awesome.

Pierce The Veil feat. Kellin Quinn - King For A Day

King For A Day is the perfect song because it fits to so many occasions and it definitely fits to a run. 

Sleeping With Sirens - If You Can't Hang

There's no certain reason why it's on the list, I just like it a lot. 

Okay so I'd stop here because I'm not in shape at all, for those of you who actually are in shape, I have some more songs I find appropriate: 

Of Mice & Men - I'm A Monster

Memphis May Fire - Alive In The Lights

Memphis May Fire - Vices

Meet My Dedication, Inspiration - O Like Of Mice & Men

"You have many choices in life, don't make giving up one of them." - Austin Carlile

Today is one of those days where I'd like to punch myself in the face because I'm ready to drop everything, curl up in bed and give up. That's when Of Mice & Men join the game and kick my ass in the nicest way possible. I got into them around six months ago during a very dark time but they're the ones who bring a little light into the most horrible days and pick me up again. They're the ones who teach me that you have to keep going no matter what. They teach me that you can reach your dreams even though it's going to be hard. They're the ones who encourage me to reach for the stars because I don't deserve any less.
If I look up to anybody, it's definitely Austin Carlile. I only know pieces of his past and story, but what I know impresses me a lot. He's such a genuine, strong person and I'd do a lot to get the chance to talk to him for a little while. Until then I'll just continue reading the stories of people who already met him because it always warms my heart to see how Austin can give so much hope and strength to his fans who need it. I know I'll burst into tears if I'll ever meet him, no matter how hard I'll try not to. There are just so many emotions and feelings connected to Austin and the rest of the band - positive as well as negative. I remember all the horrible nights I had, how listening to Of Mice & Men seemed to be the only thing that calmed me down, how listening to them eased the pain a little. I don't exactly know what it is that makes their music so special to me but it makes me feel less sick, less lonely, less like a fucked up wreck. As soon as I press play, it's like Austin (well, and Shay kind of) talks to me and the louder I turn up the volume, the better I feel. 
Of Mice & Men are everything to me, I don't even know. They're the first thing I listen to after getting up in the morning and the last thing I listen to before I go to sleep. They're the ones who keep me sane on a daily basis, it's like they keep me from drowning in my own mind. It makes me so happy to see how they love doing what they do, it makes me happy when they meet all the fans who feel just like I do, it makes me happy to know that they're around.
Of Mice & Men saved my life and they save it every single day because I promised myself that I'll be around at least until I'll meet them and if it's the last thing I'll ever do. I'm so proud to carry them around with me forever because I owe them so much. 

Music is cheaper and sometimes more effective than therapy

Today I want to show you my playlist for moments when I have troubles coping with my mind, unfortunately today is one of those days, so let's go. 

Of Mice & Men - Second & Sebring

As you may know I got the lyrics of the chorus tattooed on my arm for several reasons. First of all to cover up some stuff I didn't want to see anymore but mostly because I'm so thankful to have this band in my life. Second & Sebring is probably the most special song I know, it's so powerful, emotional and contains a very important message. 

Of Mice & Men - The Great Hendowski

Read this book, you were meant to live

It all means so much to me

But note what's written in red

It says…

It speaks of hope, trust, and love,

The fear of never being good enough

We are all made the same

I know it's tough, but please don't give up

Don't speak that way, 'cause I won't allow you

You're too young to live this way

Just close your eyes and see

The true meaning

You're too young to live this way

Just look around and see

That life is beauty.

I don't think I have to say more, do I. 

All Time Low - Time Bomb

In my opinion this is the best song they wrote so far, I don't know what else I should say about it, it's just brilliant.

All Time Low - Under A Paper Moon

This is one of the songs that makes me feel like I'm floating around, like everything's gonna be okay after all. 

All Time Low - Remembering Sunday

Yeeeeah, I like torturing myself with songs like this one. Listen to the Straight To DVD version, it definitely kicks you in the guts, especially when Juliet Simms' part starts. I don't really know why I listen to this when I'm sad anyway but sometimes you just need to cry a little, right? (If you say this doesn't make you tear up, you're a liar or plain weird.)

Bring Me The Horizon - It Never Ends

Sometimes all you need is Oli screaming into your ears. The louder you turn up the volume, the faster the voices in your mind shut up. 

Bring Me The Horizon feat. Lights - Don't Go

Another song I sometimes cry over. Oli sounds so desperate and sad that I just wanna hug him and tell him that it'll be fine but then again this song contains lyrics I'd paint on the walls in my room or print on a shirt and wear it on bad days or even ink it on my body: "We all have our horrors and our demons to fight but how can I win when I'm paralyzed? They crawl up on my bed, wrap their fingers round my throat, is this what I get for the choices that I made?"Guess I don't have to mention how perfect Lights' voice is and how perfect it fits to the song. 

Pierce The Veil - Hell Above

Tony Perry is a damn fine guitarist, that's something you can't only tell from this song, but I love blocking out Vic and only concentrate on the guitars. That's a) really nice to get your mind off the stupid thoughts and b) awesome because as I said Tony is awesome. 

Pierce The Veil - Props & Mayhem

After King For A Day my favourite song on Collide With The Sky and definitely one of my favourite PTV songs in general. 

Pierce The Veil feat. Kellin Quinn - King For A Day

I'm so proud to be able to sing along to this freakin' song, it took me forever and my voice can't keep up with Kellin anyway but it's definitely fun. The person who decided to let Vic and Kellin sing together deserves an award and I really hope they'll do this again soon!

Pierce The Veil feat. Lindsey Stamey - Hold On Till May

Well, what can I say... huge thanks to Pierce The Veil for writing this song, I lost count of the times it helped me more than any other song, especially this part: "If I were you, I'd put that away. See you're just wasted and thinking bout the past again, darling you'll be okay."

Yes, I will be okay. It took me a while to realise that and sometimes I don't really believe it but yes. 

(No offense but I prefer the version with Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive: [x]

Sleeping With Sirens - Who Are You Now

Don’t wake me up if I’m sleeping this life away 

Tell me that I’ll never be good enough 

Sometimes it hurts to think it could really be that way 

It won’t be that way

I’m tired and I’m lost 

I don’t wanna be found 

I put my heart and my soul 

And strength in this now

So forgive me ‘cause I won’t forget that 

Yeah, this world has changed me 

So you know when you ask me

Who are you now? 

Did you say what you want? 

Don’t go back to the start 

I’m asking, who are you now? 

Did they break you apart? 

Won’t you fight back for what you want?

Sometimes you gotta fall before you fly 

We’re gonna work it out.

I'm considering "Sometimes you gotta fall before you fly" as my next tattoo, the rest of the lyrics isn't less accurate and sometimes it scares me how much lyrics fit to my situation. 

You Me At Six - Liquid Confidence

I don't even know what to say about this one, Josh is one of my favourite vocalists on the planet and this song is just pure brilliance and I know this sounds exaggerated but I love it more than coffee and just okay. 

You Me At Six - No One Does It Better

The song that made me fall in love with You Me At Six. There are days when I don't do anything else than listening to it and I don't seem to get tired of it, it's just good for my soul. 

Memphis May Fire - Legacy

Stop blending in and start speaking out! 

You'll never know what you can do if you don't try now. 

Lift up your eyes discouraged one. 

Keep moving forward 'til your battles have been won.

They say you were created to do great things, 

But words only come to life when you believe. 

Stop blending in. Start speaking out! 

Don't miss your opportunity.

You know, when you don't hear encouraging words like these from people around you, you stick to lyrics like the ones above. These are the things that keep me going, that keep me chasing my dreams (by the way you support this dream if you're reading this right now so thank you so much!!) and that help me focusing instead of giving up.

Looks like this is my longest blog post ever, it would be super awesome if you guys could leave a comment, throw your opinions at me and I'll bake cookies for you (no seriously, let me know if this playlist helped you or if you want me to do more playlists in the future, JUST FINALLY TALK TO ME OKAY THANKS!)