“On My Playlist” offers readers a way to discover new music that other people in their area are listening to. Each week will profile local Duluthians and highlight their top five favorite musical artists.
This week, On My Playlist features Kayla Collins, a Digital Art/Photography sophomore at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
“I listen to a pretty large variety of music,” said Collins. “When I study listen to upbeat music, when I want to bring it back more, I'll listen to slower stuff.”
Collins discovers most of her music through websites such as iTunes Radio and Pandora, as well as through word of mouth and social media.
Five of her top favorite musical artists are profiled here:
- A Day To Remember: A mix of metal, emo, and pop, A Day To Remember has earned themselves a unique genre called “pop mosh” by their loyal fans.“It's kind of like alternative rock,” said Collins. “I really like the lyrics, they just tell a really good story with their lyrics.”Their first full album, And Their Name Was Treason, was released in 2005 and the band has since gained a loyal following of fans.Related artists include: Silverstein, Escape the Fate, and Alesana.
- Wiz Khalifa: After his first hit single, "Black and Yellow," rapper Wiz Khalifa gained immediate popularity with his gangster rhymes and catchy beats. He rose to fame in only two years since that first single and has been compared to rap icons such as Lil Wayne and Snoop Dog.“I really like the beats and the sound of it,” said Collins. “He just has a really cool voice.”Related artists include: Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Drake.
- Keys N Krates: Adding their own club feel to the typical electronic music genre, Keys N Krates has gained popularity since their beginnings in 2008.“It's Trap, pretty much. Kind of like dubstep, really fast paced and upbeat,” said Collins.The group has performed at many music festivals including Lollapalooza, Electric Zoo, and TomorrowWorld. Their hard-hitting song, “Dum Dee Dum” scored number 17 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Digital songs chart.Related artists include: Diplo, Skrillex, RL Grime, and A-Trak.
- Lifehouse: Emerging in the early 2000's, Lifehouse originated by playing at church worship services, but hesitated to accept the label of a full-fledged christian band. Instead, they signed a contract with Dreamworks Records as an alternative rock trio.“I like that it's more slowed down, and it's just really relatable music.”With a pop/rock feel and throaty/grungy vocals, the band's debut album No Name Face exploded after it's release in 2000, however the band has not been able to match that success with any of their more recent albums.Related artists include: The Fray, Matchbox Twenty, and Third Eye Blind.
- Luke Bryan: Hailing from a small town in Georgia, singer/songwriter Luke Bryan uses his country upbringing to write and perform his twangy, heartfelt songs, reminiscent of country life.“I'm from a pretty small town so Country is something I have always liked and related to,” said Collins.Luke Bryan released his first album, entitled “I'll Stay Me” after receiving a record deal with Capitol Records in 2007. He has since become one of the most well-known names in the country music genre.Related artists include: Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Blake Shelton, and Dierks Bentley.