Leigh Belz

Last weekend, US audiences got a first taste of UK pop sensation Jessie J. The 22-year-old singer was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and performed her first single "Price Tag" (with B.o.B.) and "Mamma Knows Best." Like a hybrid of Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Christina Aguilera, Jessie is willing to show everyone what she's got.

Oh, Nanna. (That's her name!) Leigh Belz meets buzzy Danish electro-pop act Oh Land.

West-coast band Augustana are gearing up to release a new album on April 26th. The eponymous release follows up 2008's Can't Love, Can't Hurt. I caught the band playing a quick set last night at Rockwood Music Hall on New York's lower east side.

Next week, I'm heading west. (South by South)west. The music part of the annual Austin, Texas, festival (which has digital and film concentrations as well) is running this year from March 16 through the 20th. SXSW is important because it gives thousands of young acts the chance to be seen by those from all sides of the music industry and the media--in addition to the swarms of fans who attend every year to enjoy some new rock, pop, rap, and more. In previous years, I was introduced to Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, Rye Rye, The Antlers, VV Brown, Fitz & the Tantrums, The Lonely Forest, The Temper Trap, Dawes, Local Natives, and even, seriously, Katy Perry--she played to a room of about 100 in 2008--through SXSW.

International Women's Day has been observed on March 8 since 1911--making today the 100th annual celebration. So it only makes sense that today on Music Blogger, we post a playlist of songs from some of our very favorite female artists (or girl-fronted bands). Here's the mix we're listening to:

Teen Vogue favorite Willow Smith released the video for her second single, "21st Century Girl," this morning. The ten-year-old premiered the song last Tuesday with a performance on Oprah--the single officially dropped the next day.

TeenVogue.com talks to Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper about music, motivation, and tips for staying healthy year-round.

Are you a Facebook stalker? You're not alone. Leigh Belz reports on the thrill of the chase

Here at the music blog, we like to keep you in the loop. To that end, we've rounded up some of the top stories in the music media this week -- featuring artists Justin Bieber, Foo Fighters, The Cool Kids, Ke$ha and R.E.M.

Those who follow me on Twitter know that for the past week, I haven't been able to stop talking about 22-year-old singer Adele.Not only do I love her new album, 21, but I'm full-on obsessed with the song "Someone Like You"--specifically, her live performance of the song. (She does something a little different with the "Don't forget me, I beg/I remember you said . . ." part.) Is it the best song of 2011 so far? I think it just might be.

Two weeks ago, I smushed myself into the jam-packed Studio at Webster Hall -- a subterranean 300-person-capacity room -- to catch a special MTV taping of Brooklyn's The National. The five-man band, joined on the small stage by a handful of additional musicians, ripped through a set heavy with tracks from their excellent 2010 album, High Violet, as well as some fan favorites like "Abel" and "Squalor Victoria." This week, the band is MTV's PUSH artist of the week (which means you'll see clips of the 2-8 performance during the end-cap credits of shows like Jersey Shore.) But you can also watch certain songs directly on MTV.com.

Anyone who follows pop-rock band Stereo Skyline knows that the four members--Kevin Bard, Brian Maddox, Rob Michaelson, and Clayton Johnson--are definitely fun-loving guys. The band (which formed in 2006 and released debut album, Stuck on Repeat, last summer) are known for their spirited live shows and extremely tight relationship with their fans. Last year, the guys played more than 200 shows and they're getting ready to hit the road again this spring.

Today marks our final LaRouxsday Tuesday--where has the month gone?! I'm especially proud to note that our favorite daring electro-pop duo is fresh off a huge Grammy win. La Roux won the trophy for Best Electronic/Dance album at Sunday's ceremony.

Last night, the recording industry honored its own at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards, broadcast on CBS. Did you watch? I was glued to my couch from the red-carpet arrivals to the last note Arcade Fire played after winning album of the year for The Suburbs. (A bit of a surprise--I was thinking either Lady Antebellum or Gaga were likely to take home to the trophy.)

On February 15 (that's next Tuesday), Montreal's The Dears will release their latest album, Degeneration Street. To celebrate the release, we asked The Dears' stylish Natalia Yanchak to send us a video, and she promptly delivered the following--an amazing tour of her closet.

For the past two Tuesdays, we've been lucky enough to premiere an exclusive video from U.K. electro-pop band La Roux. Today, our exclusive "LaRouxsday Tuesday" video is also celebrating the Grammy-nominated act's release of Gold Edition--a digital compilation of new B-sides, remis (including "In For The Kill" featuring Kanye West) and acoustic versions of tracks from the pair's debut (available today via iTunes or Amazon).

Here at the Teen Vogue offices, we're definitely thinking spring. (Probably because we're working on our April and May issues and also because we've gotten a double helping of winter weather recently.)

UK electro-pop band La Roux recently wrapped up an eleven-city fall tour. And now, as a special treat for MusicBlogger readers, front-woman Elly Jackson sent us a short behind-the-scenes episode series taped during the Gold Tour. In today's video, the band travels to a chilly Atlanta and then heads up to the Northeast. Here's what Elly told us about this installation: "Amazing gigs in a freezing Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia... where we eat waaaay too many Philly cheese steaks."

Last week, Brooklyn singer Santigold announced that she's joined forces with iconic sneaker brand Vans to create the "Vans x Santigold Tosha Hi," a limited-edition shoe that will debut in stores on February 1.

As a special treat for fans, La Roux front woman Elly Jackson has exclusively sent us a short behind-the-scenes episode series taped during the Gold Tour. In today's video, the band on makes stops in historic Washington, D.C., at the Trocadero in Philadelphia, and at the Renaissance Hotel in Times Square rehearsing for a special stripped-down Vevo Go Show performance.

Last night, UK buzz band The Vaccines played a short, tight, 30-minute set at the Bowery Ballroom--the four-piece's first U.S. performance. (And a sold-out one, at that.) Around 10:30 P.M., after openers Young Buffalo and Oberhofer, the young quartet took the stage. Together for just over a year, the band combines the drone of Echo and the Bunnymen, the garage-y vibe of The Strokes, and the throwback melodies of Buddy Holly.

This morning, the producers of the 53rd Annual Grammy Award telecast announced the six artists confirmed to perform on this year's event: Arcade Fire, Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, and Katy Perry. The show will mark Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert's debut performance on the Grammy stage.

Last night, The Colbert Report ran a segment on the upcoming Grammy Awards. As a winner last year, the Stephen Colbert gets to vote in this years contest. After debating the merits of each of the Best New Artist nominees, he turns his attention to Best Alternative Music Album.After narrowing the field down to Vampire Weekend and The Black Keys, he invites each band to come forth and plead their case. But the two bands don't argue the merits of their artistry -- instead they compare commercial endorsements.

This weekend, Akron Ohio duo The Black Keys were the musical guests on Saturday Night Live. The pair, whose album Brothers was in my 'Top Five of 2010,' ripped through versions of "Howlin' For You" and "Tighten Up."