"The place where things collide."

Buddy Wakefield is currently a growing obsession of mine. A two time World Poetry Slam Champion who is featured on NPR, BBC, HBO's Def. Poetry Jam and is also signed to Strange Famous Records. Wakefield was born in Shreveport, LA, but mostly raised in Baytown, TX, and now claims Seattle, WA as home. Even though writing and spoken word has always been his true passion, he has had numerous odd jobs that had him traveling all around the world. Such as; a busker in Amsterdam, a lumberjack in Norway, a street vender in Spain, a team leader in Singapore, a re - delivery boy, a candy maker, a street sweeper, a bartender, a maid, a construction worker, manager of a CD store, a bull rider and a booking agent. Check out Connivence Stores via youtube video below to listen to a few of his words.

Another current favorite is Beirut. At the time of major popularity, Zach, the lead singer for this amazing orchestra band with a modern twist, was only twenty years old. Zach Condon's first show in New York was at the Knitting Factory in May of 2006, and sadly was a complete and utter disaster. The twenty year old pulled together three random musicians for his band, Beirut only a few short weeks before their performance. His ebay purchased ukulele did not stay in tune, he fumbled with his trumpet and flashed a dorky and embarrassed smile during the long breaks between the songs, his banter was self - conscious, and his voice shook.

That however, did not phase dear Zach, though the band seemed to be unripe and overwhelmed, on recordings Beirut's songs are found to be more lush, guided towards the gypsy and bohemian scene. A strange thing soon happened for Zach and his Balkan influenced band members. Even with the misstep of the first performance, the online community continued to embrace the singer and his record. Listeners wrote in assuring him of the potential. "I think I share music with a very specific group of people,"he says. " I play for those who want to hear something energetic and true and beautiful in music again. But perhaps people just like that I am 20 and fresh - faced. Maybe if I had a beard, they would have been harder on me."

Three months down the road, Beirut quickly grew to a ten member band, it would seem to defend its name. " One of the reasons I named the band after a city was the fact that it's seen a lot of conflict. It's not a political position. I worried about that from the beginning. But it was such a catchy name. I mean, if things go down that are truly horrible, I'll change it. But not now. It's still a good analogy for my music. I haven't been to Beirut, but I imagine it as this chic urban city surrounded by the ancient Muslim world. The place where things collide."

" There are three ways I see music used in the modern world, one is for thinkers: They approach it analytically. Then there are people who use music to get a raw attitude out. And then there are people who are simply looking for beauty, for the sentimentality that good music has." In recently shows, the crowds are rowdy, but controlled. Zach has stopped reading the blogs, though he still seems to know what they've been saying about him. " Here's a song that you all have been asking us to play." he said just before "Scenic World" was launched. " It might have taken us a while, but you know, we figured it out."

Beirut is proof that everyone can believe in you, but you really have to grow in order to find your true self. An amazing band that I highly suggest to young and old alike.

Check out the video below, it was recorded in their home, amazingly mind blowing!