A Taste:

Muse, Led Zeppelin, Blondie, Black Eyed Peas

Tina Parol likes to rock.

She makes delightfully catchy pop with a serious dose of rock n’ roll swagger on her debut EP, Bite My Tongue. It’s that edge that makes Tina’s music so sharp and unique. Looking at her playlist though, the rock and roll leanings are not a surprise!

Tina’s got a real appreciation for classic rock and modern alt rock, and it shows on her iTunes. She shared her playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in this exclusive interview. Check it out below and get Bite My Tongue now!

1. Aerosmith

2. Led Zeppelin

3. Blondie

4. The Clash

5. The Police

I grew up on everything from Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin to Blondie and The Clash to the Police. I’m a big, big classic rock fan. That’s my shit.

6. Green Day

7. Garbage

8. Foo Fighters

My taste in rock spans all the way to Green Day, Garbage, Foo Fighters and all of that stuff. I definitely listen to a lot of rock, but I have a big love of reggae. I think that’s where my rhythmic edge comes into play. My music definitely has a big pop rock sound with a little reggae sprinkled on top—sometimes it’s just the way I pronounce something or a lyric. I try to incorporate that because it makes me happy.

9. Muse

I like the new Muse record a lot. I think they’re really cool.

10. Black Eyed Peas

I’ve been listening to a lot of Black Eyed Peas because they’re just so fun. It makes me feel very L.A. I’m so New York, and in New York, I listen to dark shit—back in my element. Will.i.am’s the shit though!

—Rick Florino
11.09.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

U2, Rihanna, Blondie

Boh Runga specializes in soulful and catchy pop. Her debut album, Right Here, perfectly balances sultry and saccharine. The New Zealand sonic temptress shared her playlist with ARTISTdirect.com for this exclusive feature. Check it out below and pick up Right Here now!

1. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z — “Umbrella”

This song with was on mega-high rotate for a VERY long time. I remember walking around with a friend in the supermarket, and we were singing it to ourselves. Two little girls pushing the shopping trolley for their mom joined in on the ”Ella, ella, ella…” Made us smile.

2. The Beach Boys — “That’s Not Me”

The singing on Pet Sounds is so very special that I truly believe everyone should have the album. The life of Brian Wilson is also one of those tragic stories of passion and genius and madness. It makes the music even more unique.

3. Blondie — “I’m Always Touched By Your Presence, Dear”

I think Deborah Harry is a one of those legendary figureheads for music in the early 80’s. She was talented, sexy and wore her smile and clothes like no one else. This song is off an early Blondie album called Plastic Letters. She’s one of my heroes.

4. Justice — “Let There Be Light” A friend said I should get Justice because they were like a hard Daft Punk. I did. They were. I like the abrasive sounds that drill into your brain but do so melodically. I hope to hear them play live one day. I hope I remember my earplugs.

5. U2 — “North and South Of The River”

I’ve never heard this song before! It was on a Best Of U2—The B Sides compilation that I put into my iTunes.

—Rick Florino
08.24.09