Jarrod Molnar: Keys and Blacktops

Nowadays, anyone can go on Youtube an upload a video of either pure talent or pure stupidity (you know who you are…). Jarrod Molnar (a.k.a. jmole59) is part of the “pure talent” group.
The Australian sixteen-year-old has been posting videos of his piano-playing for about nine months, and sounds as though he has been taking lessons for years. However, he has only been playing for about a year, and, much like another Planet Stereo artist (Greg Skalak), he plays by ear.
“I practice for a couple of hours (at least) every day, especially in the nighttime, when I just sit in my room and play all night,” says Molnar.
With a professional sound, it seems all those late-night practices are paying off. With 477 subscribers thus far, Molnar is reaching out all over the Internet, promoting his talent and his passion for music, as well as basketball, posting videos of his piano playing and basketball highlights.
“When I’m not playing piano, I’m usually playing basketball or weight-training,” he says. “[Basketball is] pretty much my life, other than piano. I plan to go to college in America and play basketball there.”
Along with being a driven person, Molnar was also surrounded by the piano, with his two best friends inspiring the passion for the keys that he now has. “My best friend Nick Bowser was such an inspiration for me. He was the first person I ever heard play a piano…it was just amazing. I knew I wanted to play [piano] when I heard him,” Molnar says. “My other best friend, Greg Skalak, inspired me even more. I’ve never seen anyone do what he does on the piano! They have both been huge inspirations for me.
“I started out watching piano tutorials on Youtube to get the feel of playing songs, and then I started to learn by ear. It was really hard to do at first, but as I kept on doing it, playing just seemed to become easier.”
In a sea of musicians who sludge about, covering songs miserably, Molnar seems to take a unique approach at playing songs people enjoy. “I just pick songs from all the artists I love. If I hear a nice song with piano in it, I immediately have to learn it,” he laughs.
After covering numerous songs as a solo-act, Molnar claims, “I’m working with a couple of people on Youtube at the moment, mostly singers; I’m going to be playing piano for them as they sing. That’s something I love doing.”
Along with collaborations, Molnar has an original in the works. “I have made up a couple of songs. I’ve been working on one in particular, and I plan on uploading it soon.”
Maybe one day viewers will also be able to see the artist branch out beyond the piano. “I’ve recently decided that I’m going to get back into playing the guitar. I played for four years, and took lessons, and then I stopped. I’m going to teach myself now, like how I do with piano,” he explains. “I don’t sing, but one day I hope to learn.”
If you’ve never seen his rendition of Adele’s “Turning Tables,” or Chris Brown’s “Open Road,” check them out below and maybe go subscribe to jmole59.
For updates and more music, please go to his Youtube channel and Facebook!

*NOTE: This article is from September 2011. Due to technical difficulties, more recent articles have been lost--don't worry, PS will be posting them all up again one by one! Stay tuned!

BRIGHT AND EARLY: GETTING THROUGH IT

[EDIT: Posted this a few days ago and have now deleted and added some links for you all!]
Bright And Early is a pop-punk five-piece from Philadelphia. The band is set to release their EP, “Bright And Early,” on the 18th. Planet Stereo managed to score listening rights to the EP over the weekend and we’re going to give you an exclusive review so you know what to expect from the four-track EP, “Getting Through It.”
The beginning of the EP starts off with “Stick By Me,” a melodic acoustic track, with solid vocals that convey an awesome amount of passion with every line.
In comparison, “Rule Of Three” is a bitter anthem with an upbeat rhythm, a complete paradox, if you will. With biting words of clarity and awareness, the song sinks into the ears skin and projects the energy with every note. The song, despite its tone, is clever and quick on its feet, keeping listeners on their toes.
“For What It’s Worth” is energetic, with a classic-feel behind the well-crafted lyrics, and sure to be a song that plays on numerous listening-devices on repeat. Though the track is pleading, it is a versatile track and could be considered a “break-up anthem,” a plea for understanding, or just the perfect song to keep you wide awake on those long drives. “For What It’s Worth” is definitely the most note-worthy track on the EP and a definite song to keep your ears open for.
“Selling Yourself Short” is bitter and questioning, but manages to avoid sucking the listener into a sad story; rather, the song is a fervent display of desperation with an buoyant tune to keep the vitality up.
The EP as a whole is fabulous, with passionate vocals and wonderful melodies. “Getting Through It” showcases Bright And Early’s musical talents in a subtle and creative way, with the band approaching the EP in a far less polished manner than many of their genre-mates. The EP is raw and undeniably potent, a quality many works seem to lack, be it due to the over-polished production of the industry or the false sincerity in each note. However, Bright And Early spark emotion and seem to play each note with a powerful sense of realness, making the EP personable. But before you turn your head and point up your nose, claiming you want “fun” music, the EP is catchy and a reminder of the initial purpose of a genre that seems to have lost its touch in the recent years.
Rawness delivered on “Getting Through It” is becoming increasingly difficult to find and is almost impossible to buy; thankfully, you can buy the EP on the 18th of this month. [EDIT: YOU CAN BUY IT RIGHT HERE!]
Bright And Early are also known for putting on an amazing live show, and you’re in luck, because they are currently on tour with Squid The Whale. Be sure to check the tour dates and go catch them live…after you download their EP, of course.

The Blue, The White, & The Red--Clashing Colours

by Lauren-Olivia "Liv" Simister

Clashing Colours is an Australian quartet, previously known as “Dear Lucy.” Currently comprised of Lorcan Waugh (vox/harmonica/piano), Tommy Sheehan (guitar/vox), Lane-Harry Muir (bass/guitar), Luke Poidevin-Martin (drums), Clashing Colours have become known for being talented, both musically and lyrically. With a vast discography, Clashing Colours have progressed from being your average unsigned band to articulate, dedicated musicians who are worthy of much respect.
On September 10th, Clashing Colours released their new EP, “The Blue, The White, & The Red.” The album, a fantastic showcase of the abilities of the members seems to fit right in with the band’s catalogue of previous albums (“All In The Name EP,” “Slow EP,” “Send My Love To The Morgue,” “The Definition of Heartbreak,” “Expression EP,” and “Find My Way EP”).
The album starts off with a familiar song to Dear Lucy/Clashing Colours fans, “Fathers,” which has been revamped, but is still a fan-favorite. Opening the album with this track could have been a risky choice, in that it could have made the album seem like a remix of some sort; however, Clashing Colours seemed to know what they were doing, as it caught the ears of many listeners (old and new). While “Fathers” is almost a plea for a date with a man’s daughter, as well as a request of understanding, the album moves beyond the teenage desperation of parental-comprehension to more mature themes as it progresses.
Track two is a sonnet-esque love-song called “The Daily Dose,” a short-and-sweet, melodious tune that manages to ease the listener into “The Blue, The White, & The Red.”
Generally, the new album has a more classic-rock sound to it than the other works. Take, for example, the song “Devil In Disguise,” with a title that can only be described as an Elvis reference, is a tongue-in-cheek, heart-break anthem. Another example would be “Find My Way,” which is rich in soulful guitar and soft vocals one would expect to find in their parent’s record collection, as if desperate to be savored.
“The Blue, The White, & The Red,” is an impressive album that seems to present many themes, as well as styles, but in a tasteful way.
As expected with both a dynamic and a well-seasoned group of artists, there is a live track. However, Clashing Colours presents a cover of the Cream song, “Sunshine of Your Love,” that really brings the album to a stunning close. The rendition is beautifully done, and well-executed.
You can stream the album for free on Clashing Colours’ Purevolume page, and you can purchase the album on iTunes and Amazon. If you purchase the album via iTunes, you will receive a bonus track called “Heaven Is Too Crowded.”
Also be sure to check out Clashing Colours’ on the Planet Stereo Artist page!