Brought to you by Blackfire Research….On this day in 1940, legendary American folk singer and songwriter, Woody Guthrie, penned the lyrics to “This Land Is Your Land” in his room at the Hanover House Hotel in New York City. Since then, the song has been seen as America’s “Unofficial National Anthem” and was a major staple of the revival of folk music in the 1960s, covered by artists such as Bob Dylan, who, inspired by its political message, used it as a powerful protest song. The original lyrics to the song included a forgotten verse that was never released: “There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me. The sign was painted, said ‘Private Property.’ But on the backside, it didn’t say nothing. This land was made for you and me.”
Loving music is a requirement for working at Blackfire Research. As a wireless entertainment technology company, we’re listening to music all day while testing wireless speakers, surround sound systems, music streaming applications, and more. Although we specialize in perfecting wireless home entertainment, there’s plenty of excitement to experience outside the home. One of the best aspects about being located in San Francisco is the immense access to all the live concerts, shows, music festivals, and events that the Bay Area has to offer. And, believe me, there’s a lot. Here’s a list of some upcoming concerts near the City by the Bay we’re excited for this month.
On Friday, February 24, indie rock band and Oakland natives, Rogue Wave, best known for their 2007 song “Lake Michigan,” returns to the Bay Area to host a night full of ‘80’s jams for “Rogue Wave presents Cover Me: A Night of ’80s Classics.” They’ll be teaming with up-and-coming Australian indie band, MIDDLE KIDS, who will be making their San Francisco debut. The event is presented by Bay Area favorites Popscene and Noise Pop at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco. Click here for ticket information.
Also on February 24, Grammy-winning R&B singer and all around Diva, Chrisette Michele, will grace The Warfield stage in San Francisco as part of The Milestone Tour, in celebration of her fifth studio album, Milestone. For more information, click here.
February 25th marks the Bay Area return of legendary pop rock icon, Bonnie Raitt, whose career spans over four decades, and is most famous for her 1991 hit “Something to Talk About.” Not only is Raitt a nine time Grammy Award winner, she is also an outspoken political activist. She’ll be playing for one night only at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now for what is sure to be an explosive performance.
Heading into March, San Jose welcomes Rock and Roll icon, Bon Jovi, to the SAP Center as part of his “This House Is Not For Sale” U.S. tour. On March 1st, Bon Jovi fans will be treated to the band’s classic rock anthems, as well as new hits off their latest album. This will be the band’s first tour since 2013.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers take on The Oracle Arena in Oakland on March 12 as part of their World Tour in support of their latest album, “The Getaway.” With a thirty year career under their belt, the band has experienced an epic, Rock and Roll story filled with major musical successes, drug abuse, and fame. In 2012, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
California native and Kanye West protege, Big Sean hits the stage at The Nob Hill Masonic Center on March 23. Big Sean (Sean Anderson) was raised in Detroit and discovered by West on the radio, signing him to his label, GOOD MUSIC, in 2007. Big Sean is touring the U.S. as part of the release of his fourth studio album, “I Decided,” which features verses by big name artists like DJ Khaled, Drake, and Chris Brown. Get in on all the action here.
What concerts or events are you most excited for this month? Let us know in the comments below!
Neil Young is back with Peace Trail, a 10-track album that addresses our current political environment, with songs devoted to issues like the Flint water crisis, and the circulation of fake news on the Internet. This mainly stripped down album opens with the title track, “Peace Trail,” about the systematic mistreatment of Native Americans, and closes with “My New Robot,” an autotuned song about finding love, comfort and companionship in Amazon’s Alexa, voice-activated speaker. Featured Music Friday is brought to you by Blackfire Research.
Blackfire Research is proud to partner with leading smart phone and electronics manufacturer HTC, for their award winning, HTC One M9 smartphone. Blackfire Research technology is featured in the smartphone’s HTC Connect service, which allows users to “wirelessly stream music or video from HTC One M9 to speakers or TV by just swiping up the screen with 3 fingers.” (HTC.com)
With HTC Connect, you can stream media wirelessly from your phone to any Blackfire powered product, from leading brands such as the HARMAN KARDON™ Omni series of speakers. Once connected, the audio and music from the HTC smartphone is routed to these products, much like Bluetooth. However, unlike Bluetooth, Blackfire technology enables much longer range, improved resolution, superior sound quality, and multi room play.
Blackfire powered products can be used in various multi room or in-room configurations. They can also be grouped into various zones, selected for playback at will, and be shared by multiple phones. Therefore, the user can enjoy music from the HTC One to a HARMAN KARDON OMNI 20 Speaker in the kitchen and simultaneously send it to a HARMAN KARDON Adapt plugged into their stereo system – all playing simultaneously, in high quality, over the home Wi-Fi. Blackfire technology is compliant with any online music/media service applications on the HTC One M9, which allows HTC One users maximum flexibility in enjoying their music and makes the HTC One a powerful media platform.
