Friday, December 26, 2014

Karen Souza - Sunday Night Live




As Wicked Game continues to gain airplay, I thought I'd offer up this You Tube gem, posted last year. Enjoy.








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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Cocktail Nation 341 Best Of The Best Music 2014

Grab a smart cocktail, and relax with the sounds of the bachelor pad, from the bachelor pad....of Koop Kooper, in Sydney, Australia as he counts down to the end of the year with a collection of "Best of" podcasts. This week brings the best of the best music of 2014.

This week, we look at some of the best lounge and exotica releases of 2014, and as usual there have been so many to choose from. So join us for a look at the best Lounge and Exotica releases from the year, along with the interviews that went with them, plus a few thank you's to those who have supported the Cocktail Nation.

TRACKLIST:

Moonrays - interview Scott Mensching 
Moonrays - Transylvanain Boo Galoo
Lenny Sasaki - Bird Island
Stolen Idols - interview Drew Farmer 
Stolen Idols - Revenge Of The Pink Piranha 
James Spencer - Nightfall
Bobby Fox and Miranda Kerry - You're The Boss
Alika Lyman Group - Interview Alika Lyman
Alika Lyman Group - Swingtime in Honolulu
Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet - He Was The Cat
Left Arm of Buddha - interview Michael Mingus
The Left Arm Of Buddha - A Monkeys Affair
Anna Selah - Twisted
Perry Beekman - This Can't Be Love
Clouseaux - interview Jay Brooks 
Clouseaux - Search For A Vulcan
Larry Gelb- Love Walked In
Ding Dong Devils - Crab Nebula Cocktails







Friday, December 19, 2014

The Top Ten - week ending 12/19/2014


Well, Alex Cortiz continues told hold the number one spot this week with B Chill, as his Spanish flavoured Meurte de un Torero moves into the number three position.
Royksopp's Coup de Grace races up to the sixth pole position, as Molly Johnson slowly descends. 
The opening track from German artists, SINE's gorgeous new release (today, in fact), Ruhepol joins the chart at number nine, leapfrogging Metroverve as they hang in for another week at the number 10 position.
As usual, please click on the links and support these wonderful artists that collectively help create the This is Lounge sound.




Sunday, December 14, 2014

Cocktail Nation 340 Best of the Best Interviews 2014

Check out the first of Koop Kooper's "best of" from 2014 shows, as he closes out the year, and takes some time off for the holidays.


Well the year is almost drawing to a close so for the final two shows of 2014 we will focus on the best from the Cocktail Nation so I thought lets replay some of my favourites from the year ..we talk to James Spencer about his book about Julie London, James M Kraus about his blog about classic cars, Kathy Rudolph about her book on Paul Lynde, Jeff Chenault about his book on the Kahiki and Kari  Handler on her new project which was revealed this year about the Tiki educational unit called Poly Hai.

TRACKLIST:
Frank Sinatra -The Best Is Yet to Come
Bob Thompson - The Best Thing For You
Interview: James Spencer's Julie London book
Julie London - Black Coffee
Larry Gelb - Suddenly It’s Spring
Interview: James M Kraus's Website AutoUniversum
Laura Ainsworth - Necessary Evil
Nutty - Purple Panther
Interview: Kathy Rudolph's Paul Lynde book
Peggy Lee - Bewitched 
Aaron Diehl - Generation Y
Interview: Jeff Chenault's Kahiki book
Ixtahuele - Sumatra Mist
Interview: Kari Handler's Poly Hai
Ada Lee - A Night In Tunisia

www.cocktailnation.net

Saturday, December 13, 2014

The Top Ten - week ending 12/12/2014


Alex Cortiz and Irregular Expression remain ion the top two spots this week, as we see Molly Johnson slowly relinquishing her hold. 
Newcomer Karen Souza progresses nicely with her Chris Isaak cover, and Royksopp enters the charts with a chilled out track from their new release, The Inevitable End.



Thursday, December 11, 2014

Cocktail Nation 339 - Beach Bum Berry's New Bar

Apologies for posting this so late. (It was broadcast last Saturday, after all.) Today, in my part of the world, we are getting dumped with snow. So grab some ice and enjoy the martini sounds of the Cocktail Nation with your host, Koop Kooper.


There's nothing better than dreams come true and this week we talk to beach bum berry who has opened his first bar in New Orleans ....also on the show talking about publicity and how it's not always going to be good for you plus some of the best lounge and exotica from across the globe.

Tracklist:
Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet - He Was The Cat
Monica Zetterlund - Some Other Time
Waitiki 7 - Simiiau
Stan Getz - Penthouse Serenade
Alika Lyman Group - Lei Kukui
Beegie Adair - In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
James Spencer - It’s So Good to Want You Bad
Burt Kaempfert - Lonely Nightingale
The Vice Royals - The Girl In The Martini Glass
Chet Baker - Daybreak
Cocktail Inn - Wave
Tiki Lounge Crew - Chic To Chic
George Shearing - Mambo Inn
James Morrison - Le Bellclaire Blues




www.cocktailnation.net

Friday, December 5, 2014

The Top Ten - week ending 12/05/2014


Friday quickly arrives, and with it comes a revised Top Ten list.
Sneaking into the list for the first time is famed Argentinian jazz singer Karen Souza and her rendition of Chris Isaak's classic "Wicked Game", from her new release Essential II. Famed in the world of chill for her many laid back covers of alternative and pop hits, Karen's latest does not stray from that favourite formula.
It was only a matter of time before Alex Cortiz's jazz-tinged chill track made it to number one. I predict it will be destined to sit alongside "Phusion" and "Barfly"as one of his many signature tracks.
Well, we lost a couple and gained a couple and there was a little bit of movement up and down. The frequency of repeating makes an adjustment, as we continue to enjoy the jazz and chill blend of This is Lounge.


Monday, December 1, 2014

Cocktail Nation 338 Eurospy Charade

This week on the show it’s our monthly Euro Spy special..this week looking at the film Charade with my neighbour Kramer, some news on an old but new Bond villain coming our way, some swank advice on how to maintain a bachelor pad.

TRACKLIST:
Jason Paul Curtis- Brooklyn July 
Acca Daquiries -White Wedding 
Henry Mancini- Charade 
Nutty- Cinnamon Doll 
Oscar Peterson-Easy Does It 
Tiki Joe’s Ocean- Mai Tai Mambo 
Barry Adamson-The Big Bamboozle 
Howard Shore-Ed Wood Theme 
The Desmond Quartet -Take Five 
Don Ralke- Black Panther 
Janet Seidel -I Love Paris 
Martini Kings- Killer Joe 
Mambo Zombies-Capulito De Aleli 
Cocktail Inn-Summer Samba


Molly Johnson - Because of Billie

Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Top Ten - week ending 11/29/2014


Apologies for not keeping up with The Top ten last week. Lots of new music and tracks moving up and down and all over the place.
Molly Johnson remains steadfast in number one spot again this week with Body & Soul - a classic you just can't get enough of. Way to go, Molly.
Some new music entered the charts this week. Alex Cortiz's new release, New Works, Vol. 1, was just released and one track, B Chill, shot up the charts to number two. This was followed by two more new entries - Irregular Expression's Setsuko and Peter Pearson's Yesterday's Dreams. Both tracks were new postings to each artist's Soundcloud page. 
Ms. Johnson's other track, You've Changed, slips to number 5, and Jojo Effect (thanks to the recent increase in German listeners ) and the fun title track from their latest, Smarter, hangs in at number 6.
Chillout giants, Bliss, enter this week with a remix from their recent Greatest Hits release. Trust In Your Love enters the chart at number 7.
Finishing up in the bottom three, sees Bebo Best and Metroverve hanging in there at numbers eight and ten respectively, and Mr. Cortiz's other track from his new release, Meurte de in Torero joins us at number nine.
Also, joining the playlists this week are my selections of Christmas fare. Hopefully, my choices are to your taste. 
A shoutout to Guido of Guido's Lounge Cafe for his wonderful Christmas message. Listen carefully thought the day and night for that.
So, without further ado, enjoy this week's chart. (Sorry, no time to link them back.....maybe next time.)

1. Molly Johnson - Body and Soul
2. Alex Cortiz - B Chill
3. Irregular Expression - Setsuko
4. Peter Pearson - Yesterday’s Dreams
5. Molly Johnson - You’ve Changed
6. Jojo Effect - Smarter
7. Bliss - Trust In Your Love (Charles Webster Slo Mo Mix)
8. Bebo Best & Super Lounge Orchestra - Looking Out The Sea
9. Alex Cortiz - Muerte de un Torero
10 Metroverve - Cuori Infranti Short Sound



Monday, November 24, 2014

Cocktail Nation 337 Danny Heller


David Carbonara-Twenty Third Floor
Carol Fredette -The Best Thing For You
Julie London-Go Slow
Bert Kaemfert- Almost There
Beegie Adair- Strangers In The Night
James Morrison -Everytime We Say Goodbye
Octobop-Playboys theme
Dave Brubeck-Cable Car 
Ding Dong Devils- Crab Nebula Cocktails
Kate Ros-Jazz
HB Radke -Live Until I die
Paul Winter -Spell Of The Samba
Mike Bardash -And then What


Friday, November 21, 2014

Peter Pearson - Yesterday's Dreams

A big welcome, and thank you, to Peter for graciously allowing me permission to share his beautiful music from Soundcloud on This is Lounge. First up, is this beautiful piece, entitled Yesterday's Dreama. A bit of noir jazz, blended with a chill melody, it will put you in a weekend state of mind on Friday. Posted only earlier today/last night on Soundcloud, have a listen here AND enjoy it on the air on This is Lounge, a New Release addition.

   

Enjoy more Peter's music at his Soundcloud page, before I share it over the This is Lounge airwaves,

Thanks to Guido's Lounge Cafe for pointing me in Peter's direction.


Monday, November 17, 2014

Freshly Squeezed // 16 Nov 2014

Courtesy of Totally Radio, in Bristol, England please enjoy today's episode of Freshly Squeezed, with your host Nick Hollywood.

Vintage and Electro Swing, Blues, Remixes, Bootlegs and new releases. Includes the all-time greatest Latin Boogaloo tune re-released on Mr Bongo's 25 years double CD, Electro-Blues Vol 2 and some exclusive Bootleg business.



https://totallyradio.com/shows/freshly-squeezed/episodes/freshly-squeezed-16-nov-2014

Paul Hardcastle - Return of The Rainman

Peter White - Moonlight Montréal


A big "thank you" to Maria Teresa Lopez from the Midnight Jazz Lounge & Blues Cafe group in Facebook for sharing this.

Maria, if you are reading this, I substituted this version that was also on You Tube. Your version, with it's images of Japan was a head scratcher to me. What Japan has to do with Montréal, I don't know.

Since I have very fond memories of Montréal visits, this is a nice tune to jog the memory cells.

If you enjoy the song, order the 1990 CD, Reveillez-vous, direct from Peter here. Or for $10 more, get an autographed copy here.

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Saturday, November 15, 2014

Cocktail Nation 336 Acker Bilk


This week on the show we talk about the great clarinettist Acker Bilk who passed away. I have an old interview from the BBC to share with you on this. I've got some must see TV for you, I’ve got a great new book on Paul Newman plus the best lounge music from across the globe 


TRACKLIST:
George Shearing - September In The Rain
Anna Selah - Twisted
Acker Bilk - I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Bill Evans - Time Remembered
Alika Lyman - Group Pua Lilia
James Spencer - Pierette
Robert Hicks - Moonlight In Vermont
O Som Do Jazz - Secret Paradise
Milt Buckner - Turqoise 
Martini Kings - Zou Biscou Biscou
Lucas Vigor- Night Light Blues
Perry Beekman - Spring Is Here
Larry Gelb - Precipitation
Cy Coleman - LA Blues

The Top Ten - week ending 11/15/2014


We have a new Number One this week with Molly Johnson's 
wonderful rendition of a classic. Memories of Billie?

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Freshly Squeezed // 09 Nov 2014

Courtesy of Totally Radio, in Bristol, England please enjoy today's episode of Freshly Squeezed, with your host Nick Hollywood.

An extended first-play of the new Electro-Blues Vol 2 double CD compilation featuring classic juke-box Rhythm and Blues alongside Vintage Remixes and contemporary dance-floor Blues.Plus the new 25 years of Mr Bongo CD and a few more autumn releases…

https://totallyradio.com/shows/freshly-squeezed/episodes/freshly-squeezed-09-nov-2014#_

Your Donations Are Much Appreciated

Just a small humble thank you to those that have taken the time to click on that yellow Donate button in the right hand frame.

This is Lounge is a listener supported, a station that prides itself on be commercial free. There's nothing more "mood spoiling" than some intrusive commercial.

So, if you have been considering, please send a few shekels our way. It certainly helps with the bandwidth costs.

Cocktail Nation 335 Reel Wild Cinema


You might remember the old fanzines that you would find in record stores in the pre digital music days. Underground publications with practically every subject covered and almost any opinion represented. This week we speak to a man who had one of the most popular fanzines in the nineties and he has put them together into a marvellous book about b grade cinema and tv. Also on the show we talk about the death of Acker Bilk plus we reveal the secrets of Area 51.


TRACKLIST: 
Stolen Idols - Revenge Of The Pink Piranaha
Robert Drasnin Voodoo
Rene Raff -Mad About The Boy
Larry Gelb - While My Lady Sleeps
Jackie Gleason-From Russia With Love
Frank Sinatra-It was a very good year
Clouseaux Shot In The Dark
Spy Fi-So What’s Up 
Tiki Joe’s Ocean -Soul Of The Sea
Oscar Peterson The Strut
Bill Evans Time Remembered
Audrey Morris- Guess Who  I Saw Today
Nathan Haines -Cocktails


Friday, November 7, 2014

Michael Franks - Concert Cancellation

Press Release that was just issued from Michael, for all of you reading who might be at tenting his New Jersey show:

FROM THE OFFICE: Michael has to cancel his appearance at the NJ Performing Arts Center next Saturday, November 15, 2014

Unfortunately, he had to have some emergency oral surgery and has reacted badly to the medications. The date will be rescheduled for sometime next Spring and we look forward to seeing you then. As soon as we know the exact date, we will let you know. Our apologies for a situation beyond our control.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Cocktail Nation 334 Classic Comedy with George Carlin 11-01-2014

Back with some classic comedy this week and a more sedate George Carlin, out of 1965, on The Merv Griffin Show. News on a book by Sophia Loren, some new pictures have been released in color for the first time plus we talk about a new Pan Am project by friend of the Cocktail Nation.

TRACKLIST:
Metropole Orchestra - Magic Is The Moonlight Alika Lyman Group - Kauai Rose
# George Carlin Comedy
Frank Sinatra and Anotonio Carlos Jobim - Fly Me To The Moon
Vincent Guaraldi - Corcovado
Three Suns - Fever
# Sophia Loren book
Narco Lounge - Combo Seduction
John Coltrane - Blue Train
# History In Colour and gig guide
Bobby Fox - Let There be Love
Robert Davi - The Best Is Yet To Come
Hinda Hoffman - I Just Found Out About Love
Jimmy Vargas - Stacato
Morton Gould - Speak Low
# Next week show tease
Molly Ringwald - Exactly Like You


Friday, October 31, 2014

This is Lounge joins stationZilla

This is Lounge is ever-expanding in the cyberspace universe!

A big shoutout and thank you to those at stationZilla for accepting us into you family directory of "zillions" of stations.

If you're coming to This is Lounge from stationZilla, welcome. Enjoy this mix of jazz and chill. We like to think our programming is a little different from the rest.Very little House-inflected jazz, if any, and not so much chill as to put you to sleep. I like to think we are "just right", and I'm betting you, the audience, is as well.

If you haven't arrived here from stationZilla, and you would like to know more about them, click on the link below.

stationZilla.com

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Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Top Ten - week ending 10/31/2014


OK, here's something new. I've had a few emails about this, so I thought I would compile a list, and hopefully update it weekly. I'll see how busy I get. Meantime, here's this week's list, a day early, but what the heck.


Links are to iTunes, mainly. It could be the Canadian or American stores. If you are outside North America, try your favourite online or "bricks and mortar" record store (Virgin, HMV) to grab their music. Hopefully, I turned some of these artists on to new audiences.

Listen. Enjoy. Support.

Thanks for listening

Well, it's the end of the second month of broadcasting This is Lounge, and I want to give a big shoutout to everyone tuning in. My calls for listening have not fallen on deaf ears, and it appears that there are a lot of you out there that enjoys the nix of music here.

Thanks to you, our listening hours are up and we will remain on the air for a while longer.

Be sure to support the artists on This is Lounge. If it wasn't for them, this station wouldn't be here. Whether it be iTunes, Amazon, or Juno, they truly appreciate your support.

Oh, and one more thing, I seem to have a large following in Belgium! That's wonderful! It's also nice to include some Canadian artists in the playlists, and expose them to the far corners of the world. It makes me proud.

Spanish: Más que jazz .... algo más que frío
French: Plus qu'un simple jazz .... plus de tout simplement se détendre
Italian: Più che jazz .... più che freddo
Russian: Больше, чем просто джаз .... больше, чем просто холод
Portuguese: Mais do que apenas jazz .... mais do que apenas frio
Swedish: Mer än bara jazz .... mer än bara kyla
German: Mehr als nur jazz .... mehr als nur chill
Greek: Περισσότερο από ακριβώς τζαζ .... περισσότερο από ό, τι ακριβώς chill
English: More than just jazz.....more than just chill

Whatever the language, music is universal. Thank you for listening.

Monday, October 27, 2014

StreamingThe.net Now Streaming This is Lounge.

A big shoutout and thank you to StreamingThe.net for adding This is Lounge to their diverse directory of radio and TV stations.

According to their Facebook page, they've just upgrade to faster servers. Good news!

Please be sure and visit their site -> StreamingThe.net

Their link for This is Lounge is:
http://www.streamingthe.net/This-is-Lounge/p/43503

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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Freshly Squeezed - 26 October 2014



Pushing the buttons on the jukebox that no-one else dares to, 31 twisted pop classics get an airing in this Freshly Squeezed Halloween special. Includes the original 78 version of St James Infirmary, Nick Cave corrupting Kyle Minogue and some blue-grass AC/DC.

https://totallyradio.com/shows/freshly-squeezed/episodes/freshly-squeezed-26-oct-2014

Cocktail Nation 333 The Very Best of James Morrison


Please enjoy this week's show, courtesy of cocktail nation.podbean.com.

Well I am pleased to have a legend of the Australian Jazz scene join me on this show this week. We talk to James Morrison about his new best of album and it is spectacular.

We talk Dean Martin with some fun facts about the man and I have a movie to bring you that I think you will like. 

www.cocktailnation.net

Moonrays - Tarantuala
SG Sound - Man From Uncle
Jame Morrison-  Nice And Easy 
Stan Getz - The Look Of Love
Audrey Morris The End Of A Love Affair
Dean Martin- Just In Time
Barney Kessel -Something For Cat
Gold Dust Lounge- The Wednesday Night Song
Cocktail Inn - Brief And Breezy
Jane Seidel - Love For Sale
Julie London- Fly Me To The Moon
James Spencer- Nightfall


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Radio Shaker

Just announced! RadioShaker.com has added the This is Lounge stream to their directory of stations!

I believe they use the WMA plug-in. If you're on a Mac, you're advised to used Flip4Mac. Whichever you choose, they make internet radio listening fun.

They have a unique concept - Click on the cocktail shaker and the icons of a number of stations in the frame changes. Keep shaking till you find one you like. You can even drag an icon to a column of "favourites".

Sounds like fun. Hopefully, This is Lounge can pickup some new listeners through this interesting concepts.

Give it a try!

RadioShaker.com

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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

New Annie Lennox on This is Lounge

Today, Annie Lennox's new Island Records album, Nostalgia, was finally released in it's entirety on iTunes in North America. Fans in the UK have to wait until October 27. (Check Amazon in your country for more information.)

For the past month, fans have been treated to the teaser release of three tracks, one of which, Summertime, has been enjoying high rotation on This Is Lounge for it's listeners.

A labour of love, Nostalgia is just that - a nostalgic look at some of Annie's favourite songs. Like many artists that have done similar projects, she has chosen a melange of different genres, arranged in her own inimitable way.

Take for example, Summertime. Originally composed by George Gershwin in 1935, there has been a staggering 25,000 plus cover versions. Trying to set herself from the pack, so to speak, she strips down the arrangement to just the piano and cuts the tempo way back, revealing a touching, emotional, and powerful story.

Be sure to check out Annie's special website, devoted to album.

To hear more about Summertime and the rest of Nostalgia, check out the album trailer posted on Vevo.



iTunes

Amazon (Deluxe Version - includes a DVD featuring a live version of "I Put A Spell On You" and Annie talking about the album. Amazon is also selling vinyl copies.


Listen at work


This may seem like the most obvious thing in the world, if you're enjoying the station, but listening at work could possibly keep the station on the air. 

Basically, if I have the listeners, I have the station. So continue to tune us in - at work, at the coffee shop, or anywhere with a wi-fi signal on your phone or tablet.

If you are reading this on your phone or tablet, and you aren't listening, download the Radionomy App for iPhone or Android here: http://www.radionomy.com/en/static/mobile

If you don't like that one, download and try the TuneIn App: http://tunein.com/get-tunein/

Or, if you're at work, click on the mini player on the top right corner of this page to listen.

If you have any comments, please let me know. If you like the station, be sure to tell two friends, and so on, and so on.......

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

New Bebo Best & The Super Lounge Orchestra on This is Lounge


Well, it may have been released a few weeks ago, but I am finally getting around to adding some tracks from the Chin Chin release, Trip to Rio de Janeiro from Bebo Best & The Super Lounge Orchestra.

Once again, Bebo mines the South American samba and bossa nova groove, by way of Veneto, Italy.

Here at This is Lounge, three tracks were chosen to be added. This is a good thing since usually only two are added at a time. But majority ruled that a third track be included since there was just so many wonderful tracks to choose from.

First up is La Caleta, roughly translated from Spanish, it means The Cove. The intro sound of the Hammond organ over the samba beat leading into the piano solo, takes one straight to the beach in Rio. Punctuated with whistles and the Latin scatting, you know you're listening to the authentic South American sound.

Looking Out The Sea is a romantic slow samba, about a longing, a love, a romance.

Finally, the third pick for inclusion on the playlist, is Toca o Coracao. It grooves along at a medium samba beat, again accentuated by loungey keys and that scatting so much a part of the Brazilian sound.

Now I will never divulge which track was chosen as the third one. As you'll hear, they are all special.

So tune into the station to listen, and go to iTunes to buy.

iTunes

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Thursday, October 2, 2014

The lounge universe is expanding!




Yes, This is Lounge has progressed. Not satisfied with posting this display of videos, I decided to expand and create a This is Lounge internet radio station. It has proven to be an exciting, if not interesting adventure.

I am presently waiting to coordinate new graphics (icon?) to incorporate into a new website. In the meantime, this blog will have to serve that purpose.

I have a few plans for the website, so stay tuned.

You will have noticed the mini player in the top right corner of the blog. It is streaming the station 24/7, but I would prefer you use any number of other ways to access. I am in the process of adding the station to directories and listings - including iTunes - so keep an eye (and an ear) out for it.

In the meantime, it is up on:

This is the host, so this is a good starting point. Be sure click on the reviews. That is certainly appreciated.  By listening their rather than here on the blog, you are counted as a listener, which os really important when it comes to remaining on the air.


Both Radionomy and TuneIn also have iPhone and Android apps available in their respective App Stores. So be sure to add them to your phones. The station is always a pleasure to enjoy wherever there is free wi-fi available.

ATTENTION: Boutiques, bars, and businesses - This is Lounge is the perfect compliment to the in-store or "on-hold" music on your phone. Many service providers now offer unlimited gigs, making streaming radio a viable option.

So I hope you enjoy the music. If you have any questions or comments, the email address is thisislounge@gmail.com.