Emmy the Great

It’s Saturday, hooray! I spent my day preparing platters and platters of ham and cheese skewers (a vegetarian’s dream) and many, many squares (actually a dream). And now to top off this great day, I have a great topic. We even share part of the same name. Any guesses? No? Kay then, ever heard of Emmy the Great (all Emmy’s truly are great). She’s a fantastic quirky, indie, singer-songwriter with just a tad bit of country thrown into the pot.

I first discovered her on last.fm and it was true love ever since. She’s not like anything else I’ve ever listened to, but maybe that’s what makes her so great, how unique she is. If you’re looking for an intro to her music I’d try checking out MIA, City Song, and Edward is Dedward (can you not love someone with song titles like that). She’s originally from Hong Kong, but now lives in London. The thing I really like about her though, is how likeable she is. She just seems like someone you want to be friends with. Like someone you want to go and have a latte with or go shopping with.

She also has this really great ability to make really depressing, and sad topics seem like light and easy songs. Much like in MIA, which I assumed to be about a car crash, but just sounds like a really sweet love song. It actually took me a really long time to realize it was about a car crash. She also talks about M.I.A. in the song which proves just how fantastic her taste is. Truly impressive. See for yourself though. Sit back, relax and enjoy a seemingly cute song with a really depressing undertone. Enjoy.

I really love this song. It’s really interesting, and her voice is really something else. The problem is, I can’t get past the hair in her mouth. I don’t know why the person taking the video didn’t do something about it though. So please, go and check out more of her stuff, I promise you won’t be disappointed. For now though this Emmy is off until next time. Hope you enjoy the rest of night.

I Love You

Alright, so it’s Monday and it’s been quite a long time since I last wrote. Plus, today is extra special because…are you ready for it? This is my 100th post!! WOO-HOO! And to celebrate this I’m going to do a 100 song Random Playlist Monday. I know, I’m pretty dedicated. So, without further ado, here it is (just a warning: I am about to completely embarrass and humiliate myself because I have a feeling some very weird things are about to come up, brace yourselves).

1. War of the Worlds – Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
2. The City is a Drag – Hawksley Workman
3. To The Dogs or Whoever – Josh Ritter
4. Neon – John Mayer (so far so good)
5. Joy to the World – Sufjan Stevens
6. Woods – Bon Iver
7. Depot Depot – Tom Waits
8. Fool – Neutral Milk Hotel
9. The Girl You Lost to Cocaine – Sia
10. Back Broke – Swell Season
11. Cape Canaveral – Connor Oberst
12. New Years – Ohbijou
13. At the Airport – Old Man Luedecke
14. Motion the Eleven – Cornershop
15. Extra Ordinary – Dave Mann Collective
16. Sixteen – Justin Trawick (Freaky, no!?)
17. Come Together – Across the Universe Soundtrack
18. Late Bloomer – Sarah Harmer
19. Never Going Back Again – Fleetwood Mac
20. An Open Door – Illinois
21. Dream About Flying – Alexis Murdoch
22. South Australia – The Pogues
23. Trouble – Ray LaMontagne
24. Here Goes Something – Nada Surf
25. Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer
26. To Go Home – M. Ward
27. Language is a Virus – Laurie Anderson
28. Doot Doot Plot – The Hidden Cameras
29. I Don’t Mind – The Cave Singers
30. Whole Lotta Losin’ – Monsters of Folk
31. Home – Wintersleep
32. Perfect – Danny Michel (It’s about time!)
33. Say Hey (I Love You)  – Michael Franti and Spearhead
34. Sula – Jeremy Fisher
35. Violins – Lagwagon
36. The Clearing in the Woods – Harry Nilsson (It’s getting strange now!)
37. Oviedo – Blind Pilot
38. Little Nancy – Fionn Regan
39. Junkie Song – The Be Good Tanyas
40. Jimmy Jazz – Clash (Good changeup there!)
41. Chelsea Dagger – Fratellis
42. Free Until They Cut Me Down – Iron and Wine
43. Low Day – Capra
44. Gypsy Boys Reprise – David Francey
45. I Am a Rich Man – Old Man Luedecke
46. Sammy – The One Night Band
47. The First Snow of the Year – Hawksley Workman
48. Run Devil Run – Jenny Lewis with the Watson T
49. On My Way – Ben Kweller
50. I’ve Just Seen a Face – Across the Universe (Go see this movie if you haven’t already, and if you have go watch it again I know I’m going to)
51. Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
52. A Matter of Minutes – Shawn Colvin
53. Black Wave-Bad Vibrations – Arcade Fire
54. We Go -   Thao
55. Story of My Life – Done With Dolls
56. Had Me a Girl – Tom Waits
57. Blake’s View – M. Ward
58. Salt Bean Fumble – The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (Great name for a song if not a little strange)
59. Close to Me – The Cure
60. With or Without You – U2
61. Why Didn’t You Call Me? – Macy Gray
62. To Your Love – Fiona Apple
63. Never Know – Jack Johnson
64. Sold – Dan Mangan (Going to see him next week: can’t wait)
65. Anti-social – Cuff the Duke
66. Satisfied – Bruce Peninsula
67. Cowgirl in the Sand – City and Color
68. No Sleep – Sam Roberts
69. Last Leaf – The Cake Sale
70. Basket – Dan Mangan
71. Happier – A Fine Frenzy
72. Hearts in the Park – Patrick Watson
73. Our Velocity – Maximo Park
74. Midnight Lullaby – Tom Waits (With 3 songs, Tom now dominates, but how could he not?)
75. House in Motion – Talking Heads
76. Hello Seattle – Owl City
77. Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend
78. Run (I’m a Natural Disaster) – Gnarls Barkley
79. Patience – Take That
80. Hours Last Stand – Elvis Perkins
81. (Past-due) – The Weakerthans
82. State of the Union – David Ford
83. Gomni – Ali Farka Toure
84. A Call to Arms – Beirut
85. The Saga – The Libertines
86. Shelter from the Storm – Bob Dylan
87. Sweet Baby James – James Taylor (some classic cheese, but we all love our cheese, well except for lactose intolerant people)
88. True – The Frames
89. The Dozens – Amelia Curran
90. 1234 – Feist
91. Champion Angel – Low Anthem
92. Try (just a little bit harder) – Janis Joplin
93. Sweet Hallelujah – Hawksley Workman
94. Quiet – Rachael Yamagata
95. All is Love – Karen O and the Kids (if you haven’t seen “Where the Wild Things Are”, go see it NOW)
96. Hannah – Freelance
97. Whales – Personal Stars
98. This Feeling — Danny Michel (just in time)
99. Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (a terrible song! Yet so very good)
100. Brainy – The National

So, that was quite the list. There were some really good things on there, and a few questionable ones. Now is the appropriate time to laugh at that list. I must admit I’m slightly embarrassed by it, especially the Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but oh well I guess. Of course, there was an extremely large amount of Danny, Tom and Hawksley, but there always is. Today though out of all those songs I’m going to go for Michael Franti, because we all need a music pick-me-up every once and a while, and a little reggae never hurt anyone.

I first discovered Michael Franti through his Obama Song. I was really into Obama and all he stood for (and still am) and the song just seemed really cool to me, it also proved to me that I can like hip-hop/rap/reggae music (other than Bob Marley). After the intial discovery I went in and found a few more of his songs. I especially fell in love with Say Hey (I Love You). Sure it’s a little cheesy, but it’s a damn good cheesiness. And there’s just some kind of appeal to Michael Franti, I’m not entirely sure what it is, but he has that “thing”. This song just always makes me especially happy, and it can give you a good outlook on the world, this is especially shown in the video. The video for Say Hey (I Love You) has just made it up pretty high on my list of top videos. It’s pretty fantastic and incredible cute, see for yourself.

I love this video, I especially love that it’s real people and his background looks real, not Hollywood perfect. I think that’s what makes the song not come across totally fake and cheesy. It has a certain real-ness to it not expressed in most things. I really love that the people look like real people of different sizes, cultures, and are allowed to show real emotions. It’s a pretty darn cute video, and I think it can even make all you cynics out there smile (it achieved that for me, and I’m about as cynical as it gets). So, please smile away for the rest night, and if you’re like me you’re going to watch this video about a million times more. For now though I’m out, thanks for putting up with me for this long, it’s greatly appreciated, and feel free to continue, that would also be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Feel free to get up and dance a bit to, it may actually be a requirement. Awkward dancing especially.

To The Dogs Or Whoever

Okay, so this Monday really sucks. Not only is it the very first day of the week, which never works out well, but I also happen to have a sucky cold. How much do colds suck! Your all snuffly and sneezy, and feel really crappy, but yet you’re not flat out sick. It really sucks, but maybe some good music will change things. Get ready for what I hope to be a pretty awesome Random Playlist!

1. The Temptaion of Adam – Josh Ritter
2. September Lily – Hawksley Workman (I’ve been in a very Hawksley mood lately, he’s perfect for fall)
3. The Second Cigarette – The Burning Hell
4. Hollerado Land – Hollerado (this a great new Indie boy band I’ve discovered)
5. Semi Suite – Tom Waits (you gotta’ love yourself some Tom, especially on a sick day)
6. The Ecstacy of Dancing Fleas – Penguin Cafe Orchestra (you also gotta’ love yourself some Penguin when your sick too, it’s also very good for studying)
7. That’s Amore – Dean Martin (enough said)
8. Poli High – Harry Nilsson (if you haven’t ever heard The Point, get on it, as a kid it was one of my favourite things to listen to, and still is)
9. He Drinks Gas – Donovan Woods
10. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (the perfect way to end a random playlist)

So, this was a pretty good playlist, if not a little strange. And after reviewing all possibilities I think Josh Ritter is perfect for today. Nothing fixes a cold better than a folky indie guy, in my not-so humble opinion anyway.

Once again, my dad discovered Josh Ritter, right after his CD The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter came out in 2007. After listenening to his CD’s, The Historical Conquest is for sure my favourite. I really love the Bob Dylan-esque country twang, but mixed in with a little more folk. He’s always really reminded me of Fionn Regan in that way. In The Historical Conquest of Josh Ritter, I find each song just gets better and better. I’m especially a fan of To The Dogs or Whoever, The Next To The Last Romantic, The Temptation Of Adam, and Still Beating. Below is the video for The Temptation Of Adam. It has a real old-timey feel, which makes sense because I find his music has this old country blues thing going on.

I think it’s a really interesting video, and his voice is really something else. His lyrics are really interesting to, if you actually listen to them. Not quite what you’d expect him to be singing about. Plus, after watching this video I started to see a bit of a resemblance to Horse Feathers, both in voice and looks. I hope you enjoy the video and the artist, he’s pretty awesome. And I’ll talk to you later, ’cause it’s nap time.

Girls Night Out

Okay, so today I thought we needed a little female power among all these boys. So today is all about 3 groups of women that to me really showcase Canadian music. All three were part of the gospel show, and all three were fantasic.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Basia Bulat, The Good Lovelies and Sarah Harmer, if not get on it (but finish the post first). These are women that have conquered the Canadian music scene and come out on top. They all have a bit of a folky vibe but with added flare, like soulful vocals or amazing harmonies not to mention fantastic lyrics. It’s kind of crazy to imagine a festival large enough to hold all of them but some how Hillside managed and I’m glad it did.

The first of these fantastic ladies I saw was Basia Bulat Saturday evening. And I’m afraid I didn’t catch a whole lot, but what I did was fantastic. When you see her live you realize, wow she actually has that voice, it’s not computer generated. Once you get over that shock, it’s just worship and awe the rest of the time. I was happy to catch Heart My Own, which she did a fantasic job of, of course. Check out her video here, for Snakes and Ladders and be even more blown away by those pipes, and she’s not to hard to look at either. I really the love the video with all the marching people. It’s pretty cool, wish I could have joined (in the bunny costume).

Next up was Sarah Harmer. Lovely Sarah Harmer. The guy standing behind me kept going on about how he would marry her in a minute and how sexy she was. Well I agree, but keep it to yourself. Although she really does have quite the stage presence. She was in a really bouncy mood that night was well so she made all her songs upbeat, and to my great joy, did a lot of her old stuff, including Basement Apartment and Almost. She also did the new song of hers I love called Captive. And than the next day she was the host for the gospel workshop. She did a fantasic job of that. It’s always a make or break situation and this year she deffientley made it. Congratualtions Sarah Harmer. For now though check out her video for Captive here. I’m really liking it right now, it has a pretty cool feel to it and Sarah Harmer is always fun to see.

And last on the agenda is The Good Lovelies, who really are lovely. I only saw them at the gospel workshop but that was enough to convince me. Due to boy cousins left alone un-attended with a fire I had to return early and missed The Good Lovelies show the night earlier. I was bummed that I missed out, but the gospel workshop really did make up for it. They kicked off the whole show with a rendition of Down In The River To Pray, which happened (and happens) to be one of my favourite songs. When I was little and it came on I used to make anyone in the room be quiet so I could hear it clearly. Well luckily for me everyone in the tent must have been physcic because everyone was silent. They did a fantastic job and I knew from then on in that I was going to like The Good Lovelies. They never disappointed. Every song was great and their harmonies were beautiful. They backed a song Horse Feathers did that gave everyone goose bumps including me (and I don’t get them very easily). To kick off your intro to The Good Lovelies here’s their song Lie Down.

It’s a pretty happy little video, deffintley defined by the word cute. But for now I must go “hunnker down, dear” enjoy the rest of your night and see you tomorrow for more Hillside post-Hillside music.

Eyes Full Of Horse Feathers

It’s Wednesday. Half way through my Hillside week and I have the perfect half-way through band. This is a band that like The Wooden Sky I knew I liked going in but left loving. They blew me away with the beautiful melodies and haunting voices. Horse Feathers combines a whole bunch of techniques to create a really beautiful sound. Some of these including cello, violin and Justin Ringles impossibly hauting and lovely voice. All three of these pieces not to mention the rest of the band are what make Horse Feathers a great live show and a great recording.

But a difficulty arose when I consulted the Hillside schedule to see who was playing and when. The insane schedulers of the Hillside scheduling department put Zeus and Horse Feathers on at the same time Sunday afternoon at 2:00. Now I don’t who did that, but I know I was mad about it. I just couldn’t decide who I would go see. In the end I decided Zeus (even though I’d already seen them twice, this was based purely on weather because Horse Feathers was on the main stage and that can be little risky). But than Sunday came around and it was a gorgeous day and I was back at base one. So I thought go see a few songs of Zeus (just to say I’d been there and than head off to the main stage for Horse Feathers). Well that was the perfect solution. I saw my favourtie Zeus song Kindergarten done, and than a whole lotta’ Horse Feathers.

That afternoon was gloriously sunny with a slight breeze so I sat on my mat and watched Horse Feathers lemonade in one hand, dumplings in the other (if you hadn’t already noticed this festival is mainly about food and the food you’re eating at certain performances, it’s quite an art to plan the perfect meal for the perfect show). People dozed around me sleepily swaying to the music and clapping along. Of course I was completely present for the whole show (no dozing here).

I was completely awed by the band and the music which made me wonder, how to do so many great bands come out of Portland, Oregon and why don’t I live there? I mean what’s so great about Portland, the Pacific ocean air must really get to all the people. Transforming them from fishermen (and women) to budding musicians creating soft indie, folk, country music. That’s certainly what Horse Feathers creates. At first I pinned them as a “country” band and than realized no, their far from that. More a folky, country band. Song titles like Curs In The Weeds don’t really help them from not being named a country band though.

So, if you’re looking for a Horse Feathers introduction I’d try checking out Eyes Full Of Rose and Curs In The Weeds first. And then just dive right in and download a CD. I’m really loving House With No Home right now but be sure to checkout their others to (oh and if you know where I can find a vinyl copy of it let me know, I missed them at the merch tent and couldn’t get it ).

For now though, check out the video for Curs In The Weeds. It’s a simple video and simply lovely song.

So enjoy the rest of your rainy Wednesday and check out more Horse Feathers, but for now have a goodnight until next time.

It’s Called Summer

Okay, so I thought today was a good day (or night) for my new favourite musicians. Kinda like my summer music list. I’m going list my favourite song by each band but be sure to check out all the songs of each one.

1. Juliette – Hollerado (this indie boy band to the max, but perfect for the pool)

2. Bulletproof – La Roux (not my usual, a little to electronic and well…female, but for some reason I really like it)

3. Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons (one of my favourite bands of the year, check ‘em out)

4. Kindergarten – Zeus (another one of my new favourite bands, also invited to the Sensitive Bearded Boys Festival “SBBF”, ‘course theirs are a little more hipper than say Bon Iver or Iron and Wine)

5. Babies Don’t Like Blue Anymore – Yukon Blonde (wasn’t sure about the band or song but it’s really growing on me)

6. Caught In The Crowd – Kate Miller-Heidke (for some reason I’m really loving this right now, kinda quirky, but super good. She’s classically trained as an opera singer, so it’s really interesting. This song is a bit of an eye-opener and a little cheesy, but I’m always up for a little cheese)

7. Your Island – Young Rival

8. This Feeling – Danny Michel (you must check out his newest CD Sunset Sea, it’s fantastic, I’ve had it on non-stop for weeks. Has a very Caribean feeling, yet still very Danny)

9. Golden Age – Jay Jay Pistolet (this guy is very quirky, but quite fantastic)

10. MIA – Emmy The Great (she’s really interesting, love her lyrics, especially in this song, although it’s actually very sad)

11. Bright Future – Bowerbirds

12. Airplanes – Local Natives (this is yet another really fantastic indie rock band, it’s also a really lovely song)

13. Dreamer – Jenn Grant (upbeat and happy, kinda reminds me of Sarah Harmer)

14. Captive – Sarah Harmer (this is from her new CD Oh Little Fire. I Think this song sounds a lot like Ingrid Michaelson’s The Way I Am. The whole CD’s really good in a happy go-lucky, Sarah Harmer way)

15. Not Your Parent’s Music – Hawksley Workman (I’m kinda bummed this is the music that’s making Hawksley popular it’s pretty generic and if it wasn’t him I’d think it was great, but if you’re lookin’ for some good ol’ Hawksley Workman, check out his older stuff)

16. Without A Doubt -Isbells (I’m not even going to say it, I think it’s pretty obvious what it is)

17. Floating In The Forth – Frightened Rabbit (indie boy band, but with a scottish twist, even better. For some reason this song just really gets me and I can’t help but love it)

18. Leftovers – Johnny Flynn (everyone’s favourite British boy)

19. John Had a Bell and a Whistle – Sunparlour Players (a very strange song, a little like Rock Plaza Central)

20. Crooked Legs – The Acorn (taking place as one of my new favourite bands, you have to check them out, you won’t be disappointed)

I just want to clarify, these bands aren’t all knew to me, some of it is just new music and some of them really are new to me this year.

So I have a video I’ve been wanting to share forever. This is video for The Acorns song Crooked Legs. I think it’s a great video and really clever.

I like the editing of this video, and of course the song. I just think it’s super clever, and although it doesn’t quite make sense with the song, some how it works. I like video’s that are a little more abstract, and this one certainly is that.

I and Love and You

Wednesday. Hump day. Not the beginning of the week and not the end. In my opinion Wednesday is a good day. And a good day calls for good music, so here it is. Considering my marathon post yesterday, I’m going to quiet it down tonight. Just a little Avett Brothers and than a little (or a lot) of bed.

The Avett Brothers. A pretty awesome band if you ask me. A little country, a little alt-country, a whole ‘lotta bluegrass, and just a pinch of folk, not to mention a large portion of talent. All of that combined gives you The Avett Brothers, consisting of well the brothers Scott and Seth, oh and some other people too. I can’t say I’ve listened to a ton of their music, but what I’ve listened to hasn’t disappointed, actually its had quite the opposite effect. At first I only knew their song Kick Drum Heart and what a good song it is, with its fantastic shouting and of course the kick drum, but a few days ago (during a thunderstorm of course) I was introduced to a new Avett Brothers song called I and Love and You, the title song of their latest CD. It’s a fantastic song (especially for a thunderstorm). At first I wasn’t crazy about it, but after quite a few listens it really grew on me. It went from whiny alt-country crap, to a really awesome and fun song (still with some alt-country minus the crap). I’m not sure whether Brooklyn is a person or the place, but either way its good.Imagine whatever you want with it, its good music for that.

To me The Avett Brothers is what would come out of the meeting of The Burning Hell and Rock Plaza Central. They’ve got a little bit of The Burning Hells crazy rhythm and beats and Rock Plaza Centrals vocals. Of course they’ve also got themselves to, which is a pretty good thing to have.

Below is the video for I and Love and You. Words cannot explain how much I love this song right now. Listen to it now, and than again and again. If you don’t get it the first few times keep trying I promise you at some point you will see the light, and hopefully a pretty freaking awesome song.

I wasn’t sure about this video at first but it’s really growing on me. There’s nothing much to it, but maybe that’s a good thing. I especially love the singing crowds at the end, apparently their audience is pretty passionate about their music to. I love that. Anyways enjoy the video and their song, and check out more. I’m slowly listening to more and really liking it as well. Especially check out Kick Drum Heart, but for now goodnight, and farewell until next time.

A Giggle Face Day

It’s really time for a post so here I am! I’ve been having a hard time coming up with topics so my dad suggested randomly pulling out a record and talking about it. Well I pulled out Train Your Bird To Talk. I’m not entirely sure if that will take up a whole post. It does include training lessons and stickers though. Which makes it even more fun and amusing. So instead I decided to create a list of the 10 random records I take out of my case. This will be especially fun because I haven’t really gone through the whole collection yet. This will give me a helping hand. And it will be amusing. So sit back, relax and get your giggle face on ’cause this I believe will be slightly amusing.

1. Train Your Bird To Talk – Annoying Female Automated Voice

2. Circles In The Stream – Bruce Cockburn (this one really is good. I saw him live and he was phenomanal)

3. Sounds From True Stories – David Byrne (below it says “music for activity freaks” there you go, I was confused but now I get it…)

4. Leon Redbone (now this is something I really do love, but who couldn’t with that deep and lovely voice, and songs like Polly Wolly Doodle which is of course is one of my favourites)

5. 54-40 (we just talked about this and I still love it. This one even includes I Go Blind)

6. A Jumpin’ Night In The Garden of Eden – The Klezmer Conservatory Band ( this my friends is a classic. I am so happy I came across this. You must check it out)

7. Oktoberfest im Hofbrauhaus – Holiday in Munich (enough said)

8. Dr. Demento Presents The Greatest Novelty Records Of All Time The 1980′s (I think this is also an “enough said” moment)

9. Night Vision – Bruce Cockburn (I guess it’s just that kind of day)

10. The B-52′s (this has a really “out of this world cover” and is deffientley a classic to finish off the playlist)

So that was amusing. I’m particulairly fond of Train Your Bird To Talk and Dr. Demento. Although The Klezmer Conservatory Band was really something else I didn’t even know I had. But I really loved the Bruce Cockburn so I think that’s a good topic for the day.

I know my moms always been a big fan of Bruce, and I can see why. He’s pretty awesome and he’s deffientley stood up against the test of time. He’s still uber popular and for good reason. Not only does he have an awesome voice, but his songs are great too. He’s a great song writer, writing one of my favourite lines ever. In Lovers In A Dangerous Time there’s a line “kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight” that my mom used to always say to me when things got bad. It’s the perfect line, for that and anything else. In grade 8 we had a project where we had tell the class our favourite quote, well I said mine was “kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight” by Bruce Cockburn, and all I got back was blank stares, only the teacher knew who he was. Slightly embarassing, but I thought it was just too bad for all those people who are missing out on great music. I think over the years the Barenaked Ladies have also contributed to Bruce’s popularity with that song, because there cover of it is known by many.

Of course Bruce has other great songs like Wondering Where The Lions Are, and The Coldest Night Of The Year. But I mean there’s tons. Seeing him live last year, made me realize how good he really is, and he’s awesome to see live. Really charismatic and fun, but still quiet and stern. I recommend if you ever get the chance, going and seeing him.

Here’s the video for Lovers In A Dangerous Time. It’s well pretty strange, and a little dated, but I never get tired of the 80′s track at the beginning of the song. Somehow even that doesn’t seem dated, although the video does.

What’s with the dancing people 1:50 and the masked people at 2:00, only slightly strange, and what does it have to do with the song. And whats with the smoke machine envoloping Bruce completely. It’s a strange and kinda disturbing video, but a super awesome song, so we’ll exuse the video. It’s kind of entertaining anyway.

Tickled in Johnny

Once again I have a new discovery, thanks once again to Last.fm. It’s a little on the folk/country side, but in a tasteful way, not in a “god’s great, beer’s good, people are crazy way”, thankfully. Anyone heard of Johnny Flynn, well me neither, until about a week ago and I’m not sure how I ever lived before it. He’s fantastic in a country/folk/indie/blues/rock way. He basically sounds like a British David Francey. What could be better? –  truthfully, not much.

I’m patricularily obsessed with his song Shore to Shore, there’s something about the lyrics, and the whole melody that really gets me. Almost a “throat catcher” as my mom would describe it. Other great songs to check out are Tickle Me Pink, Sally, and Leftovers. Trust me, when you first listen to it you won’t understand and you’ll be like “what was that littlethumbed, weird vegetarian girl talking about” (someone actually said that to me, well not the littlethumbed part but the weird vegetarian part, gotta love highschool), but give it a few more tries and my guess is you’ll love it as much as I do. I mean I feel like I shouldn’t, but well, I do. His voice is not at all what I usually go for, maybe it’s the fact that it reminds me of another musician I really like? I have no idea. I find it’s  best not to question the wonderful world of music, well the indie one, maybe the major, popular stuff (I mean, Brittney Spears and Lady Gaga, or 50 Cent and Lil’ Wayne, you can question that for sure).

Johnny Flynn is one of those musicians where I could actually listen to the whole CD, not just a few songs which is what’s been happening to me lately. His CD A larum, is especially fantastic. Every song on there is extremely listenable, I’ve already told you my favourites, but do check out the whole thing it’s pretty awesome. I’m sitting here listening to it and I’m in shock that I love it as much as I do. His voice really is magic, in a way like Tom Waits or Hawksley Workman, because I find they both have “magic” voices to. When I first heard him sing, I had such a clear picture of what he looked like and than actually saw and picture and was shocked. Not that he looked bad (not that at all , just that he wasn’t bearded, and weathered looking, rather spry and “slim and trim” like my grandma would say, and man can that guy pull off a plaid, lumberjack style shirt, I mean that there is a feet (no offense to any lumberjacks, I’m sure you do to).

I think it’s best I stop ranting about lumberjacks and get to the video. I couldn’t decide what to show, but I think I’m going to go for Leftovers, don’t forget to check out others. Once again this video is a little strange, but not as much so.

I’m still in shock about how much I love him, but hey music’s a funny thing, I already knew that. Hope you like it as much as I do, and remember to give it a chance — it may take awhile. Try starting with Shore to Shore, it’s a pretty gentle introduction into the world of Johnny Flynn.

My Brains Fried

Okay, so I had a pretty fantastic long weekend, how about all of you? I travelled to the city (where I’ve decided I belong), I did a little shopping, bought some new shoes, ate fantabulous food, visited friends, and than I came home. And home for me is a tiny rural town, with the population of about 1300. How might you ask have I survived here, well that’s a good question that I don’t have the answer to. My guess is that, even though I grew up in a small town, I’ve been brought up in a non-rural way. My family and I often travelled to the city and well my parents aren’t very country, they just settled here to build a cool, off-grid house and my house still managed to be pretty “urban”. It was also better when we actually lived in the good ol’ country, but living in the actual town is mega-depressing, since it has nothing going for it, not even a good restaurant, especially not for a vegetarian. I know that as soon as I can I’m getting out of here (and only coming back to visit my Bube ).

I’ve decided to post my Songs That Capture Your Hometown playlist, in my listography book.  So, below are the songs that basically capture my life here and the things that go on, it’s basically telling my life story through country music, which is something I thought I’d never do, because well I can’t say I’m a big fan of country

1. Fifteen – Taylor Swift (I also thought I’d mention that the area where I live has one of the highest teenage birth rates in Ontario)

2. Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band (this is really what people here live by)

3. People Are Crazy – Billy Currington (entirly depressing, but captures my hometown completely, these are the rules here. Gods great, beers good, people are crazy)

4. Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) – Big & Rich (this is what kids on my bus used to sing)

5. She’s Country – Jason Aldean (this she certainly isn’t, but most are)

6. Whiskey Lullaby – Brad Paisley

7. Kiss A Girl – Keith Urban

8. We Will Rock You – Queen (country, classic rock and rap are the staple music genres around here, although for the kids at my school mainly offensive rap and depressing country songs)

9. Lips of an Angel – Hinder (a school dance staple, maybe doesn’t capture the town, but makes me think of it)

10. Life Is A Highway – Tom Cochrane

11. Low – Flo Rida (another dance staple)

So, I think what I don’t like about most country music is how straight-forward it is. I like music that is more abstract, so you can interpurt what you want out of the song. Hopefully as a get older, I’ll start to appreciate  my hometown for more, and add some better songs. But for not, at this point in my life, this is my playlist (sorry I’m in a sentimental mood). On a lighter side, here’s a thing I thought I’d never say, introducing the (wait for it), ZAC BROWN BAND with Chicken Fried. If you already like this song, right on, for me, well not so much, but enjoy the song and playlist however you like.

WOW! That was a big step for me, but enjoy. The instrumental elements of this song are actually awesome.

P.S. Anyone a Glee fan out there, ’cause it’s fantastic this week! If not, watch it!