Playlist: HITS magazine

To celebrate the release of our first print issues, here's a playlist featuring all artists involved.

HITS x Berlin

We hosted our very first live gig in Berlin - and this is what it looked like.

Cover The HITS

Our latest video series - covers performed by our favourite acts, exclusively for us.

Video Interview: Scenic Route To Alaska

Melting away in front of Stuttgart's castle, we had a chat about touring, band names, Toy Story and a lot more.

Find us on YouTube!

Visit us on the 'tubes for interviews, exclusive performances and outtakes.

Artist overview of 2013


 Hey guys,

this is officially the last post of 2013. It's the 176th I wrote in that year and it's an overview of all artists I've featured and worked with this year.

I thought it would be quite nice to list all of them again so you can scroll through and check those out you missed. 

The list is in the order I featured the musicians. You can find the genres in brankets next to the artist/band and if you click their names you will be lead to the article (which includes songs and links) about them.

Best of 2013 on house in the sand


 Hey guys,

as I already mentioned in the last post I prepared a 2013 best of. 
I think since October or so I was desperately waiting to write such post. And today is the day! 

In 2013 I wrote 175 posts (including this one) for this site and it honestly amazes me that there are people who read them all. That's insane!

It was really hard to pick out a few favourites because behind each post there's a lot of time, thought and love. But I hope I did well picking some of the highlights - some are my personal ones and some got great feedback from you. 

Hope you enjoy this!
(To read the posts again simply click the picture of your choice and you'll be lead to the full article!)

2013's thank yous

 
Hey guys,

I love how at the end of each year everyone is getting quite a bit sentimental. I love that because I'm sentimental all year long and during this time I don't get weird looks for it.

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what to think of 2013. 
Personally it wasn't my favourite year because there were lots of downs and rather bad moments but the journalist-y side of my life was quite wonderful.

Being a journalism student and blogger is not the biggest thing in Germany. It seems like most of the people don't have a clue what blogging is and actually everyone who writes can call himself a journalist.

Spotlight On: Liam McClair

 

Hey guys,

Liam McClair, a 22 year old singer/songwriter from Manchester, England is one of those unsigned musicians you better keep an eye on.

The genre to put him in would either be folk or acoustic pop. But I think it's a nice mix of both elements.
With nothing but his guitar and voice he's able to hypnotize you by telling stories in some of the most melodical and dreamy ways you'll ever hear.

EP Review: "The Cruise Control EP" by The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco


Band: The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco
Title: The Cruise Control EP
Genre: Pop / Rock
Label:
independent
Release: 27th October 2013
hits rating: 8/10
___________________________________

Hey guys,

a little while ago the pop/rock band The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco from Essex, England contacted me and asked if I could feature them. 

After really short listen I was already conviced and began getting into their tunes.

Today is the day I review it for you. 

Tracklist:
1) Cruise Control
2) The Legend Of Josy & The Juke
3) List Song
4) Breakfast Of Kings

Interview: The Arkanes


Hey guys,
the long time readers of you are probably already familar with The Arkanes.
The rock band from Liverpool, England has been featured a few times now because I really think they're good.

I got to know them when they supported Jim Kroft on tour and so I actually discovered their strongest side first - the live performance. 
But a live performance would not work without good (and handmade) songs, so I would definitely recommend listening to 2014's newcomer band.

They might be an insider tip now but let 2014 pass and see what happens.

Get To Know: Aaron Childree


Hey guys,
 Aaron Childree came over to introduce himself to all of you wonderful house in the sand readers.

I personally think that the aspects he shares and delivers with his music are super inspiring and motivational.
Transporting love and hope through music - what could be better?
 

Get to know Aaron and his music now. 
 
Who are you?
My name is Aaron Childree. I'm a pop singer/songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. I sing and also play guitar and piano.

How would you describe your music?

EP Review: "Strange Shores" by Crash Island

 
Band: Crash Island
Title: Strange Shores
Genre: Indie Rock
Label: independent
Release: 23rd September 2013
hits rating: 9/10
___________________________________

Hey guys,

Crash Island is an indie rock band from London, with members from Spain, France, Wales and even South Africa.
The four piece band released their debut EP "Strange Shores", which I'm going to review today. 

So far Crash Island played gigs in France, Switzerland, of course the UK and in my home country, Germany.

Giveaway: and the winner is...


Hey guys,

you all know that I am always honest. And that's why I have to tell you that I actually hate todays post.
I have to announce the winner of the Jim Kroft Giveaway and it is so horrible to only let one of you win. 

For this giveaway I asked you to leave a comment telling me your favourite record(s).
And your feedback was just incredible - so many of you took time to actually write a blog post lenghty comment and honestly - that warmed my heart!
You all happen to be soooo passionate when it comes to music and I love that.

But there can only be one winner and it is:

The HITS Playlist: part 6


Hey guys,
we're already doing part 6 of the HITS Playlist. Isn't that crazy?

If you're not familar with the playlist yet - it consists of songs by artists that have been featured on this blog before.

I probably repeat myself in every blogpost but seriously - take some time to check out at least 3 of the artists. As there are a lot of genres mixed I think there should be something for you.
Due to that I also wrote the genre behind the artists. Maybe that helps. :)


EP Review: Dan meets Portland

 
Band: Dan meets Portland
Genre: Folk
Label: independent
Release: 2012
hits rating: 9/10
___________________________________

Hey guys,
I remember how I once did not like writing reviews. But things change and now I love it.
That's one of the reasons why I decided to review this EP by Dan meets Portland.

Another reason is that this music needs to be heard.

Dan meets Portland is a folk rock/pop band from Germany and Portugal. 
Members Dan Dietrich (vocals, guitar) and Julian Staehle (drums, percussions) are from Germany and Carlos Pereira (bass, vocals) is from Portugal. 

Album Review: "One More Cup Of Coffee" by Kosi


Artist: Kosi
Title: One More Cup Of Coffee
Genre: Blues, Jazz
Label:
unsigned
Release: September 2013
hits rating: 6/10
_____________________________________________

Hey guys,
review time again.

Kosi, a singer/songwriter based in New York City, US mailed me her album.
I'm really about this because it actually includes sounds I don't usually listen to - blues and jazz.
It's not that I don't like these genres, it's just that I don't get the chance to listen to them very often.

Photo Sunday: Fujifilm Instax Mini 8


Hey guys,
I guess it's not a secret anymore that I'm completely in love with polaroids.
I've had this addiction for so long .. I remember editing photos so they looked like polaroids but let me tell you - it's just not the same.
So getting a polaroid camera was the plan. And I got one at a flea market but the film was too old and didn't work anymore and I couldn't find a new one anywhere. One hell of a drama.

Giveaway: Jim Kroft album


Hey guys,
oh my applepie it's giveaway time! Again!

This time I'm giving away a copy of Jim Kroft's second album "The Hermit & The Hedonist".
It's my favourite album of the three Jim released so far and that's a good reason to share it with you, right?

Also it's Christmas soon. That might be a good reason too!

To enter the giveaway here's what I'd like you to do:

Spotlight On: Winter In Toronto


Hey guys,
 discovering new and great music is one of my favourite things to do.
Sharing my discoveries with you is another one. 

And that's why I'm doing a spotlight on today.

Winter In Toronto is an acoustic and folk duo from London, England.
The guys behind it are Cameron Pickard and Ellis Mizen.


Album Review: "Midnight Memories" by One Direction


Band: One Direction
Title: Midnight Memories
Genre: Pop
Label: Syco Music/Sony Music
Release: 25th November 2013
hits rating: 7/10
__________________________________________________

Hey guys,
well what can I say? Today is probably the day some of you are going to start disliking me for reviewing a very mainstream album.

But I got this CD in the mail and what is in the mail is going to be on the blog. (Unwritten hits rule!)
 
One Direction - pretty much one of the biggest bands right now - just released their third studio album called "Midnight Memories".
Starting out on the British XFactor as five individuals the boys got thrown together by Simon Cowell (or was it Nicole Scherzinger? We'll never know!) and so the band was born.

Giveaway Winner + I'm a DJ!


 Hey guys,
what a headline, right?

Ok so let's get you informed.

The SPS giveaway is ending today and I'd like to thank everyone who joined! I especially loved the instagram photos! Thanks! :)

But there can only be one winner and it is: