Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Friday, August 26
Sunday, August 21
Thursday, July 21
Notes on a Thursday--Summer Mix
It's so bizarre how quickly summer is vanishing into thin air--evaporating, rather like a puddle on a hot day (97 degrees right now, and rising!). I've done some of the things I've wanted to do, and some things I've missed out on, but no matter, no matter! Even though my mind is already churning with the excitement to come in autumn (moving to a new place, starting school again after a year away, autumn fashion (!!)) I still am jamming to my summer tunes. When the weather gets stifling hot I gravitate toward 60s/70s rock, while in winter is dominated by indie-rock and the transitional seasons get a very dreamy, contemplative feel to them.
This summer is all about:
The Doobie Brothers- Listen to the Music
Jackson Browne- The Road
Fleetwood Mac- Everywhere
The Civil Wars- My Father's Father
Bonnie Raitt- Give it Up or Let me Go
Simon & Garfunkel- Cecilia
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears- Booty City
Kings of Leon- Pyro
Echo & the Bunnyman- Lips like Sugar
Stevie Wonder- Superstition
Led Zeppelin- Gallows Pole
The Wailin' Jennys- Storm Comin'
Heart- Magic Man
Warpaint- Undertow
The Greencards- Su Prabhat
Stereogum x Team9- Riders Sleep Alone
Of course this seasonal listening thing isn't a hard and fast rule, but it does seem to follow that way. Does anyone else find their musical choices dictated by the season?
This summer is all about:
The Doobie Brothers- Listen to the Music
Jackson Browne- The Road
Fleetwood Mac- Everywhere
The Civil Wars- My Father's Father
Bonnie Raitt- Give it Up or Let me Go
Simon & Garfunkel- Cecilia
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears- Booty City
Kings of Leon- Pyro
Echo & the Bunnyman- Lips like Sugar
Stevie Wonder- Superstition
Led Zeppelin- Gallows Pole
The Wailin' Jennys- Storm Comin'
Heart- Magic Man
Warpaint- Undertow
The Greencards- Su Prabhat
Stereogum x Team9- Riders Sleep Alone
Of course this seasonal listening thing isn't a hard and fast rule, but it does seem to follow that way. Does anyone else find their musical choices dictated by the season?
Tuesday, June 28
Today Feels like
this.
my funding packet is in.
I've got 2 blueberry scones in my bag.
a good book.
ashtanga tonight.
and after a week of thinking "I'd really like to try a banh mi," what does my boss (a chef) make but banh mis? And gives me one to try?
I'm still doing the dance of deliciousness. I'd show a picture, but . . . I ate it too fast.
my funding packet is in.
I've got 2 blueberry scones in my bag.
a good book.
ashtanga tonight.
and after a week of thinking "I'd really like to try a banh mi," what does my boss (a chef) make but banh mis? And gives me one to try?
I'm still doing the dance of deliciousness. I'd show a picture, but . . . I ate it too fast.
Tuesday, June 14
Notes on a Tuesday
So, it's been quite a bit since I've posted anything substantially music-related. But this past few days was a barrage of concert-going, so . . . there you go.
This past Thursday I saw Mumford and Sons at Merriweather Post Pavilion. For those of you who don't live in the area, it was stinking hot that day. Like, a good bit over 100 degrees farenheit hot. I closed up shop at work as quickly as humanly possible, grabbing the shorts I'd stashed under my counter and running to the staff restroom to change (gingerly standing atop my shoes as I made the switch from jeans to shorts). I was wearing the thinnest tank top I could manage (it raised a few eyebrows, I won't lie) and power-walked the few blocks to my car.
I leapt inside, turned the music full-go, rolled down my windows, and cruised the open road to Columbia, Maryland, meeting up with my friend for some mexican food (shrimp enchiladaaaaas) before braving the parking lot.
We grabbed our $9.50 beer (it was a tall glass of Shock Top, so I can almost say it was worth it) and picked our spot on the lawn. Off slightly to the left, on the high ground. Spreading out the blanket we sipped our beers while sweat dripped down our backs, enjoying the commune-atmosphere that lawn seats always seem to promote. I checked my phone periodically to keep tabs on a friend who was supposed to meet us with her sisters.
And then the rains came. And we're talking biblical level rains. Thunder and huge cracks of lightening that would have been terrifying had the rain not felt so refreshing on my hot skin (and the back of my brain recognized that I was not the tallest person on this open field, and that the idiots with the umbrellas would probably get hit before me). That little field became our Woodstock, as we laughed and danced and hollered in defiance, rebelling against our natural instinct to seek shelter from the storm.
The opening bands, Matthew and the Atlas and the Low Anthem were both wonderful, and rather appropriate for the rainy weather. By the end of the opening sets the rain had stopped, and even more people (clearly waiting it out in the cars) appeared, packing it in as best we could. Of course, my phone was toast but so goes technology and rain, I suppose.
Mumford and Sons took the stage, the thrill on their faces evident. They said that Merriweather Post was the largest venue they'd played (until later that weekend at Bonnaroo, I suppose). Their smiles were boyish and huge, stretching across their faces in obvious delight as 20,000 people sung their lyrics back to them, lyrics that clearly struck a chord (forgive the pun) with each of us. They played every song we knew, and four new songs that we didn't that seemed to keep the best of Mumford and Sons that we know, evolving into something even better, with lyrics that hit home just right.
They saluted those of us that stayed through the storm and danced in the rain and hail, but honestly they made it worth it. Worth my phone dying and worth the massive traffic jam to leave and head home.* Because not only was it amazing music it was an amazing experience.
If I could post every song, I would, but for now, here's their amazingly kickass performance of "Dust Bowl Dance"
Then yesterday I saw the Decemberists, minus the amazing Jenny Conlee who is currently fighting off breast cancer (you can go on their website to buy Team Jenny t-shirts, with all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure). They were amazing, as per usual, playing the vast majority of The King is Dead with a few off of The Crane Wife and Picaresque. They did three songs from the Hazards of Love, which I was nervous about hearing without the full album/original ladies to back them, but it was still awesome. Sara Watkins, who is standing in as a fiddle for Conlee's accordian, seemed slightly hesitant (though I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to sing harmony and play fiddle simultaneously), but did well and seemed to mesh well with the Decemberists.
I can never get over how comfortable Colin Meloy seems onstage. If he's nervous he does a darn good job hiding it. He jokes and talks like he's just talking to a room of 10 people, never mind the hundreds behind us. And did some pretty epic guitar-picking/moshing/crowd-surfing during "Chimbley Sweep" (one of my new favorite Decemberists songs)
All in all, I've had a good couple of days, musically. Pretty blissed out about it all, honestly.
video sources: Eels121 and smallroundbluecell, respectively
*though, if they really felt the need to reimburse me my blackberry, I wouldn't be totally opposed.
This past Thursday I saw Mumford and Sons at Merriweather Post Pavilion. For those of you who don't live in the area, it was stinking hot that day. Like, a good bit over 100 degrees farenheit hot. I closed up shop at work as quickly as humanly possible, grabbing the shorts I'd stashed under my counter and running to the staff restroom to change (gingerly standing atop my shoes as I made the switch from jeans to shorts). I was wearing the thinnest tank top I could manage (it raised a few eyebrows, I won't lie) and power-walked the few blocks to my car.
I leapt inside, turned the music full-go, rolled down my windows, and cruised the open road to Columbia, Maryland, meeting up with my friend for some mexican food (shrimp enchiladaaaaas) before braving the parking lot.
We grabbed our $9.50 beer (it was a tall glass of Shock Top, so I can almost say it was worth it) and picked our spot on the lawn. Off slightly to the left, on the high ground. Spreading out the blanket we sipped our beers while sweat dripped down our backs, enjoying the commune-atmosphere that lawn seats always seem to promote. I checked my phone periodically to keep tabs on a friend who was supposed to meet us with her sisters.
And then the rains came. And we're talking biblical level rains. Thunder and huge cracks of lightening that would have been terrifying had the rain not felt so refreshing on my hot skin (and the back of my brain recognized that I was not the tallest person on this open field, and that the idiots with the umbrellas would probably get hit before me). That little field became our Woodstock, as we laughed and danced and hollered in defiance, rebelling against our natural instinct to seek shelter from the storm.
The opening bands, Matthew and the Atlas and the Low Anthem were both wonderful, and rather appropriate for the rainy weather. By the end of the opening sets the rain had stopped, and even more people (clearly waiting it out in the cars) appeared, packing it in as best we could. Of course, my phone was toast but so goes technology and rain, I suppose.
Mumford and Sons took the stage, the thrill on their faces evident. They said that Merriweather Post was the largest venue they'd played (until later that weekend at Bonnaroo, I suppose). Their smiles were boyish and huge, stretching across their faces in obvious delight as 20,000 people sung their lyrics back to them, lyrics that clearly struck a chord (forgive the pun) with each of us. They played every song we knew, and four new songs that we didn't that seemed to keep the best of Mumford and Sons that we know, evolving into something even better, with lyrics that hit home just right.
They saluted those of us that stayed through the storm and danced in the rain and hail, but honestly they made it worth it. Worth my phone dying and worth the massive traffic jam to leave and head home.* Because not only was it amazing music it was an amazing experience.
If I could post every song, I would, but for now, here's their amazingly kickass performance of "Dust Bowl Dance"
Then yesterday I saw the Decemberists, minus the amazing Jenny Conlee who is currently fighting off breast cancer (you can go on their website to buy Team Jenny t-shirts, with all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure). They were amazing, as per usual, playing the vast majority of The King is Dead with a few off of The Crane Wife and Picaresque. They did three songs from the Hazards of Love, which I was nervous about hearing without the full album/original ladies to back them, but it was still awesome. Sara Watkins, who is standing in as a fiddle for Conlee's accordian, seemed slightly hesitant (though I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to sing harmony and play fiddle simultaneously), but did well and seemed to mesh well with the Decemberists.
I can never get over how comfortable Colin Meloy seems onstage. If he's nervous he does a darn good job hiding it. He jokes and talks like he's just talking to a room of 10 people, never mind the hundreds behind us. And did some pretty epic guitar-picking/moshing/crowd-surfing during "Chimbley Sweep" (one of my new favorite Decemberists songs)
All in all, I've had a good couple of days, musically. Pretty blissed out about it all, honestly.
video sources: Eels121 and smallroundbluecell, respectively
*though, if they really felt the need to reimburse me my blackberry, I wouldn't be totally opposed.
Friday, June 3
Monday, May 23
Friday, May 6
Foxes, swift of foot
Ohmygod. New Fleet Foxes album. Helplessness Blues. So good. Just do it.
source: theslowmotionmusic
(Also: Dead Man's Bones . . . where the HELL have I been?!?!)
source: DeadMan'sBonesBand
source: theslowmotionmusic
(Also: Dead Man's Bones . . . where the HELL have I been?!?!)
source: DeadMan'sBonesBand
Wednesday, May 4
Morning Covers- Forever Young
source: imnotfamous
Brandi Carlile released an album on April 29, a live album. It is amazing, and Paste caught up with her an a pretty great interview that you can see here.
Tuesday, April 12
Morning Covers- Heart in a Cage
source: topher489
source: cozza84
I love mandolins (and honestly rather like Chris Thile/the Punch Brothers' version better)
Saturday, April 9
Thursday, February 24
Notes on a Thursday: G is for GAGA
So right now (RIGHT NOW!!) I'm probably on the metro headed for DC (at least I better be . . . .). But today will not be a day for museums. Today will not be a day for shopping, or gentle meandering. No no. Today is a day . . . . for Gaga.
That's right.
I am attending the Lady Gaga concert at the Verizon Center today (toDAY!). Granted, I'll be in the nosebleed section, and I do mean nosebleed. We'll be watching the jumbotron my friend. And while I will not be taping my chest, or wearing fishnet, or any other such nonsense (read: I'm too chicken/poor) I will be sporting some specTACULAR eye makeup that I may or may not post a picture of here, and singing my heart out.
And when I feel the flames of the pyrotechnics, so very very far away, I must admit it. I will raise my monster paws and do my monster dance. And it will be good, my friends. It will be good.
That's right.
I am attending the Lady Gaga concert at the Verizon Center today (toDAY!). Granted, I'll be in the nosebleed section, and I do mean nosebleed. We'll be watching the jumbotron my friend. And while I will not be taping my chest, or wearing fishnet, or any other such nonsense (read: I'm too chicken/poor) I will be sporting some specTACULAR eye makeup that I may or may not post a picture of here, and singing my heart out.
And when I feel the flames of the pyrotechnics, so very very far away, I must admit it. I will raise my monster paws and do my monster dance. And it will be good, my friends. It will be good.
Thursday, February 17
Notes on a Thursday
So, as I told you in the last Notes on a Thursday (that I posted on Friday), I bought tickets lickity-split for a concert last Friday at the Southern, in Charlottesville. Upon arrival, I discovered that The Civil Wars show was the first show the venue had EVER sold out in pre-order. Pretty impressive.
Now, I don't claim to be one of those people that's like "I've followed this band since they were in their girlfriend/boyfriend/mom's basement!" But usually I either see bands that nobody has EVER heard of and there are like six of us there, or it's a pretty established band (be it in the indie community or in the music world as a whole) and everyone is there and we all know the songs, etc.
The Civil Wars are right on the cusp. Their album JUST came out. And they are adorable, because they are just tickled pink about people knowing their lyrics, being able to identify songs in seconds, packing houses, etc. And they're playful and teasing (with each other and their audience) and it just creates this amazingly intimate experience. At the risk of sounding totally pretentious (and not meaning to), it really was just the loveliest concert experience ever.
It helps that they sounds just like their album (minus the strings, because it's just the two of them), and in the cavernous basement of the Southern they sounded especially eerie and Poe-like. I mentioned on my twitter feed (I can't say "tweeted." I can't do it.) that they did a wonderfully dark rendition of "You are My Sunshine." Luckily, someone caught it on camera, and here it is:
being adorable:
Afterward he said "yeah, I'm the one with the guitar" and she said "don't mess with the one with the guitar"
awesome.
I'd see them again in a heartbeat, I hope they never change (except to grow musically)
Now, I don't claim to be one of those people that's like "I've followed this band since they were in their girlfriend/boyfriend/mom's basement!" But usually I either see bands that nobody has EVER heard of and there are like six of us there, or it's a pretty established band (be it in the indie community or in the music world as a whole) and everyone is there and we all know the songs, etc.
The Civil Wars are right on the cusp. Their album JUST came out. And they are adorable, because they are just tickled pink about people knowing their lyrics, being able to identify songs in seconds, packing houses, etc. And they're playful and teasing (with each other and their audience) and it just creates this amazingly intimate experience. At the risk of sounding totally pretentious (and not meaning to), it really was just the loveliest concert experience ever.
It helps that they sounds just like their album (minus the strings, because it's just the two of them), and in the cavernous basement of the Southern they sounded especially eerie and Poe-like. I mentioned on my twitter feed (I can't say "tweeted." I can't do it.) that they did a wonderfully dark rendition of "You are My Sunshine." Luckily, someone caught it on camera, and here it is:
being adorable:
Afterward he said "yeah, I'm the one with the guitar" and she said "don't mess with the one with the guitar"
awesome.
I'd see them again in a heartbeat, I hope they never change (except to grow musically)
Monday, February 14
Je t'aime plus de tous les poissons dans la mer.
Historically speaking, it is unknown precisely which Christian martyr named Valentine inspired the holiday. I (and most of the historical/romantic community) believe the inspiration to be a Valentine from the 3rd century, a priest and physician who fell in love with his jailer's daughter and wrote her a letter before he died, signed "from your Valentine." I'm not sure if it's true, but pretty myths and stories are part of what makes history pretty awesome, so there you go.
Valentine's Day playlist, 2011
The Pierces: We are Stars
Florence and the Machine: Cosmic Love
She & Him: I was Made for You
Ben E. King: Stand by Me
Mumm-Ra: She's got you High
David Bowie: Soul Love
The Decemberists: Rise to Me
Grace Potter: Something that I Want
Bruce Springsteen: Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Feist: Limit to your Love
Stars: I Died so I could Haunt You
Nouvelle Vague: Dance With Me
Aretha Franklin: The House that Jack Built
Fleetwood Mac: Temporary One
Bonnie Raitt: Thing Called Love
Cass McCombs: Dreams-Come-True-Girl
Rilo Kiley: Breakin' UP
The Avett Brothers: I and Love and You
The Seeds: Can't Seem to Make you Mine
Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash: Long-Legged Guitar-Pickin' Man
The Civil Wars: To Whom it May Concern
 |
| all images via pinterest |
Friday, January 21
Thursday, December 9
Notes on a Thursday-Holiday Edition
Notes on a Thursday has been pretty sparse recently . . . there hasn't been much to say about the new albums that I've enjoyed that hasn't already been said (Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and just getting into the Avett Brothers more, etc), and my concert attendance has dropped to . . . none. But I have some concerts coming up in the new year that I'm pretty excited about, and hopefully will have alot to say about. Plus, the new Decemberists album and some other new albums are coming out soon, so it should be a nice fresh start! Anywho, here's my playlist for the holidays (predominantly Christmas, though some overall "winter-y" ones): I hope you like it!
Vince Guaraldi Trio: Christmas Time is Here
The Raveonettes: Christmas Song
Fleet Foxes: White Winter Hymnal
Priscilla Ahn: Silent Night
The Waitresses: Christmas Wrapping
Sufjan Stevens: Holy, Holy, Holy
Mumford & Sons: Winter Winds
The Weepies: All that I Want
Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters: White Christmas
Death Cab for Cutie: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
The Pretenders: 2000 Miles
Rogue Wave: Christmas
Jimmy Eat World: Last Christmas
John Lennon: Happy Christmas (War is Over)
The Bird and the Bees: Carol of the Bells
Ben Folds: Lonely Christmas Eve
Sufjan Stevens: That was the Worst Christmas Ever
Brandi Carlile: The Heartache can Wait
EDIT: and also, Kanye West's new album is the bomb diggity. Damn it.
Vince Guaraldi Trio: Christmas Time is Here
The Raveonettes: Christmas Song
Fleet Foxes: White Winter Hymnal
Priscilla Ahn: Silent Night
The Waitresses: Christmas Wrapping
Sufjan Stevens: Holy, Holy, Holy
Mumford & Sons: Winter Winds
The Weepies: All that I Want
Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters: White Christmas
Death Cab for Cutie: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
The Pretenders: 2000 Miles
Rogue Wave: Christmas
Jimmy Eat World: Last Christmas
John Lennon: Happy Christmas (War is Over)
The Bird and the Bees: Carol of the Bells
Ben Folds: Lonely Christmas Eve
Sufjan Stevens: That was the Worst Christmas Ever
Brandi Carlile: The Heartache can Wait
EDIT: and also, Kanye West's new album is the bomb diggity. Damn it.
Wednesday, December 1
Wednesday, November 24
Saturday, November 6
Tuesday, November 2
asleignaw;ioegan I'm so excited!!!
 |
| source: SF Weekly blogs |
New Decemberists album! Coming out January 11th!! Called The King is Dead!!! Free download of new single on their website!!! I speculate they will tour again soon!!! Gah!!
news source: Blogtown, the Portland Mercury
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)