If you like Lana Del Rey then you"ll love...

Nicole Atkins.

Don't get me wrong, I totally dig Ms. Del Rey, I buzzed about her back in November (Get Familiar: Lana Del Rey) however with all this new hype around her debut album dropping this Tuesday, there's talk that she might disappoint. So I thought I'd recommend an equally, though in my opinion better artist for you to enjoy just in case Ms. Lana doesn't hold up.











Back in my CBS life (I was a page...yes, like Kenneth from 30 Rock) I had the pleasure of seeing Nicole live on Craig Ferguson...she was amazing! I was instantly a fan. She, like Lana, has a very spooky folk sound, reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra. However, unlike Lana, she's actually good live. Her debut album "Neptune City" which came out back in 2007, is classic. Give her a listen if you haven't already.

The anticipation is killing me...softly

This Spring will literally consume my whole life. With the return of two of my favorite shows Mad Men and Game of Thrones, I doubt I'll have time for anything other than "Sterling Cooper Draper Price" or "House of Stark" (PS. If you don't know those references, then I question our friendship)

#GetReady

Cover Story: Fassbender...Michael Fassbender

I'd Rather Go Blind...

Something told me it was over
When I saw you and her talkin'
Something deep down in my soul said, 'Cry, girl'
When I saw you and that girl walkin' around

Whoo, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy
Then to see you walk away from me, child, no

Whoo, so you see, I love you so much
That I don't wanna watch you leave me, baby
Most of all, I just don't, I just don't wanna be free, no

Whoo, whoo, I was just, I was just, I was just
Sittin here thinkin', of your kiss and your warm embrace, yeah
When the reflection in the glass that I held to my lips now, baby
Revealed the tears that was on my face, yeah

Whoo and baby, baby, I'd rather, I'd rather be blind, boy
Then to see you walk away, see you walk away from me, yeah
Whoo, baby, baby, baby, I'd rather be blind...

RIP Ms. Etta James

 (1938 - 2012)

Hidden Gems: UK Edition

I love when I dust off my music shelf and find CDs I haven't played in awhile. I forget how brilliant these two albums were. And both of these artist hail from across the pond.

Duffy "Rockferry"
In 2008 the music world was blessed with an Icon in the making, Ms. Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, who debuted her first album 19.  But also in that same year another Brit named Duffy debuted her first album "Rockferry" which she too was nominated for a "Best New Artist" Grammy. Unfortunately for her that award went to Ms. Adele BUT her album is just as brilliant!!

Daniel Merriweather "Love & War"
I first heard Daniel on a song he did with Mark Ronson called "Stop Me" after that, I was hooked. He has such a retro soul voice but with a dash of swag.

Cover Story: RED TAILS

Umm, hello! This cover of Ebony's February issue...speechless.

Whether you're excited about this movie or not, whether it's going to be good or not, you can't deny the fact that all these talented men (with the exception of Ne-Yo) look absolutely delicious on this cover. 

RED TAILS in theaters Jan 20th...I'm excited!

25 Movies You Need To See Before Oscar Night

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

1. The Artist
2. The Descendants
3. War Horse
4. The Help
5. Hugo
6. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
7. Moneyball
8. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
9. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
10. The Tree of Life
11. Beginners
12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
13. The Iron Lady
14. Rango
15. My Week With Mariyln
16. Shame
17. Albert Nobbs
18. The Ides of March
19. Kung Fu Panda
20. Bridesmaids
21. J. Edgar
22. We Need to talk About Kevin
23. Drive
24. Young Adult
25. Paradise Lost 3

Get Familiar: TV GIRL

Lo-fi bubblegum pop with a dash of hip beats...I dig it...you will too. Check out TV Girl

 

  Baby You Were There by TV Girl

 

  Benny and the Jetts by TV Girl

...my darkness is shining.

Truth. (by Alexander)

The truth is that I never shook my shadow
Every day it's trying to trick me into doing battle
Calling out 'faker' only get me rattled
Wanna pull me back behind the fence with the cattle
Building your lenses
Digging your trenches
Put me on the front line
Leave me with a dumb mind
With no defenses
But your defense is
If you can't stand to feel the pain then you are senseless

Since this,
I've grown up some
Different kinda figther
And when the darkness come, let it inside you
Your darkness is shining
My darkness is shining
Have faith in myself
Truth.

I've seen a million numbered doors on the horizon
Now which is the future you choosen before you gone dying
I'll tell you about a secret I've been undermining
Every little lie in this world comes from dividing
Say you're my lover
say you're my homie
Tilt my chin back, slit my troath
Take a bath in my blood, get to know me
All out of my secrets
All my enemies are turning into my teachers

Because 
Light's blinding
No way dividing
What's yours or mine when everything's shining
Your darkness is shining
My darkness is shining
Have faith in ourselves
Truth.

(Yeah)

Yes I'm only loving, only trying to only love
And yes, that's what I'm trying to is only loving

Yes I'm only loving, trying to only love
I swear to god I'm only trying to be loving

Yes I'm only lonely loving
And yes I'm only feeling only loving, only loving
Ya say it ain't loving, loving but my loving

I wanna only love til I'm only loving
I swear to god I'm only loving.
Trying to be loving, loving, loving, loving, loving, loving, love

Yes I'm only loving, yes I'm trying to only love
I swear to god I'm trying but I'm only loving
Ya say it ain't loving, loving, loving, loving, love my love

But I'm only loving, loving, loving 
The Truth.

Faceless Directors (A Special K Original)

My friend Karine aka Special K is a beast! Check out these awesome designs she made of some of the all time greats. 

Then of course you must check out her website: www.krop.com/karinegrigorian

I have Instagram now!!

Follow me @TheSpikeLeah

The Black Woodstock: WATTSTAX (1973)

Netflix it!!!!!!!!!

"A soulful expression of the living word..."

The Swaggest picture ever!

Entertainment 720 (RIP)

2012 Movie List: MAGIC MIKE

Although the trailer hasn't been released yet, I already know MAGIC MIKE, starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello and Matthew McConaughey is going on my "2012 Movie List"

I mean, shall we discuss this picture?