Are We Not Horses?

So it’s Monday, and a great one because it’s a PA day. But it’s even greater because it’s Random Playlist Monday.

1. Sleigh Ride – KT Tunstall (we’re starting off in a Christmasy way today, works for me )
2. Painting By Chagall – The Weepies
3. Black Bird – The Beatles
4. All The Way Down – Glen Hansard (this is quite the quiet playlist so far)
5. Mick’s Blessings – The Style Council
6. I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You – Tom Waits
7. Shout Bama Lama – The Detroit Cobras (quiets over, but that’s okay ’cause it’s a great song)
8. Rain – Hawksley Workman
9. Bongo Bong – Manu Chao
10. I am an Excellent Steal Horse – Rock Plaza Central

So, that may have been one of my favourite playlists so far. Even with the Christmas song. Of all these great songs I think I’m going to have to go for Rock Plaza Central. You know the saying. When in doubt go for the crazy shouty, indie rock band.

So before going any further I need to say – although I am a  huge fan now – I wasn’t always. All discovery credit goes to my dad. Although, even though I can’t quite believe it, I didn’t always appreciate the…specialness (?) of them. It is a bit of an aquired taste. Once you get past the initial phase and enter into the realm of their true greatness your world is opened up and there is so many more options. I think I really fell in love with them after I saw them at Hillside. The lead singer brought his daughter on stage, and it was love from there on in.

My dad discovered them after they released their first CD Are We Not Horses, a crazy mix of songs all related to..you guessed it, horses. I must say I’m not as well aquanted with their newer CD’s, especially their newest At The Moment of our Most Needing. If you’re looking for an intro to them I’d try checking out Anthem for the Already Defeated (love it’s name), and I am an Excellent Steel Horse. Below is the video for I am an Excellent Steel Horse in all it’s horsey glory.

I think it’s an interesting video, with a really simple idea. But somehow it works, maybe because the song isn’t simple. Either way it’s a great video and a fantastic song. For now though, I must be off, enjoy the rest of your rainy gloomy night.

Up Above

Okay I’ve been gone for a whole week. And I must say it’s been a pretty awful week. It started off with a bad bout of food poisoning and ended with the awful duty of putting my little dog down. Mixed in with that was a whole lotta’ family stuff. But I’m back and with force. I realize that I never wrapped up Hillside week (boy that feels like a long time ago) or did my double random playlist Monday, but oh well I guess. I’ve been debating how to make my come-back and I’ve decided to stick with the regular plan. Shane Koyczan. It’s now been exactly two weeks. But I think I can still remember the show. And it goes along perfectly with the mood I’m in now.

When you see Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long your whole life flips. If you listen to his stuff without seeing him, his music seems meaningful. But when you see him live you also see all his emotions. Exactly how he feels and you can tell he’s had a pretty awful life, but he’s made the best of it. I love that. I love how sincere he seems, and I love how honest he seems. I’ve never seen a crowd get that into a show before. Standing ovations, encores. A mile long line for signatures afterwards (which I stood in). And an obvious admiration for him and what he does. People who once scoffed at spoken word (*ahem* me) quickly had a new found respect for it. Instead of spouting tales of love and peace, he says it how it is. There’s no sugar coating, but he also adds enough clever bits to not make it the most depressing thing you’ve ever heard. That’s a talent. And on top of him being fantastic his band really rocks too. The women have incredible voices, making his stuff sound even better.

Today I thought I’d feature a video of him doing his song The Crickets Have Arthritis. This one really got me, and in a way seemed to fit the mood I’m in. There’s a line at the end about feathers that I didn’t understand at first. It took me three listens but finally I understood and the song seemed even more complete. So please listen, and look more into his stuff. For now though I’m exhausted and in desperate need for some sleep. It’s been quite a week.

Hope it touched you as much as it touched me. And please look up more of his stuff, it is so incredibly worth it. And if you ever get the chance to see him live do it, everybody should get a chance to. That’s all for now though, good night until tomorrow.

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.

Digging For Roots

Okay, so it’s Tuesday. Yesterday was pretty typical eyetunes music, so today I’m going to switch it up and go for something a little out of the box for me. This band I first saw in a workshop with Michou. Who, by the way, were great in the workshop but not so great on their own. The drummer was too loud and I think they were too nervous, but I’m still a fan. But let’s get back to the band at hand — Digging Roots. They won the Juno this year for best Aboriginal album of the year, as well they’ve been on tours for years with sold-out shows and I can see why. I hope they get more popular soon. They’re worth it, mainly because they’re strangely unique. There’s not much out there like Digging Roots.

I was a little put off by the woman, Kish, at first, especially seeing them live. But after a few songs I found her voice pretty impressive. The male lead, Kanatakta, also has a great voice. It’s got this real blues growl but also a higher sweeter note as well. I love how they combine blues with traditional aboriginal sounds. It’s a great combination. It goes to show how great Hillside really is. This is something I never would  have looked at twice, but am really liking. Their a perfect Hillside band, and I love how much they show their background in their music. It’s cool to see and not very typical, usually people try to hide their heritage not embrace it. It’s not completely my taste, but I think they need to be heard. They have far too much talent to waste.

So far I’ve only checked out a few songs by them. Spring To Come being the stand-out song in my opinion, but check both their CD’s — We Are, and Seeds. For now here’s the video for Spring To Come. Being a spring baby I really love both the song and video, I think it really showcases their talent.

After watching this video I fell completely in love with the rap part the woman does so I decided to look her up. Turns out she’s a pretty well known R&B singer named Kinnie Starr. I checked out more of her stuff and surprisingly really liked it, be sure to check it out as well.

Oh My God

So this is my first band post, post-Hillside. I thought I’d kick things off with one of my main Hillside highlights that I can’t stop thinking about. This was a show that I was kind of sort of excited for, but could of missed (I’d done that for a few other shows). Well within seconds of seeing The Wooden Sky my opinion completely changed. I fell madly in love with the band and everything about it. I sat there with my chai latte and margherita pizza (woodfired and so delicious. It was cool they had a portable woodfire oven), and was in complete bliss. I really don’t think it gets much better than that.

Their music can’t get much better either. It’s this great combo of indie-licious folk rock. It also has some sensitive singer-songwriter moments (and an invite to the SBB festival). Their live show was also amazing, mainly because the whole band is easy to watch, and pretty funny. But than they get into their music and turn completely serious. I almost melted when they did River Song One, as well as most people around me. It was one of those shows where I went in liking the band and left loving it (with a record in hand).If you ever get the chance to check them out live, do it. It’s not that their recorded stuff isn’t good (it’s freakin’ amazing) it’s just that when you see them live it opens up a whole new realm of The Wooden Sky.

I got their newest CD If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m going, but make sure to check out When Lost At Sea too. Both will completely blow you away in an awesome way. For starters (if you’re not ready to completely commit) check out Leave a Light On (this one really reminds me of Bright Eyes), River Song, When Lost At Sea, and Oh My God. For now though check out the video for their song When Lost At Sea, shockingly from their CD When Lost At Sea. It’s a pretty amazing song, and fun to actually see the band. I find his voice quite incredible and this song is a good show case of it. The Wooden Sky has some typical sounds and ideas. Once again you think well there’s another nerdy indie boy band but his voice makes the whole thing seem unique. It has a awesome country twang but also alot of folk vibes. Even if this isn’t your type of music I think you’ll be impressed (and want to thank Hillside for finding all these great up and coming bands. I hope these guys make it).

I hope you enjoyed the video and will check out more Wooden Sky it’s well worth the time. For now though goodnight until tomorrow with more Hillside music.

P.S. Canada really is the keeper of the indie music gems. That’s something that makes me proud to be Canadian. Not hockey, or maple syrup, our team spirit or the beaver, but our indie music scene.

P.P.S. random Monday playlist is on hold for a week. I’ll double it for next week. Sorry for the in-convience but really, get over it.

Rap Love on the Hill

So, it’s Sunday night, my hair is greasy, my teeth fuzzy, my clothes smelly, and my spirits high. Why? Because I’ve just come back from Hillside. One of the greatest cultural and musical experiences of my life. I’ve been thinking all weekend about what I’m going to say and how I’m going to sum it up. And than it came to me. This whole week is going to be my official Hillside week. Every day features a new band and experience. Not to mention, food and craft vendors. So get yourself ready for the Hillside experience of your lifetime, conviently located at your computer.

For now though here’s a quick recap.

Weather: we were only rained on slightly Saturday afternoon. Otherwise pretty darn good Hillside weather

My favourite shows: The Wooden Sky, Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long, Zeus, Flashlight Radio, and Horse Feathers

My favourite food vendors: The Flying Chestnut Kitchen (greatest taco of my life, it even made me like chili which I happen to hate, or hated), Studs’n'Spuds (some pretty delicious kettle chips and dip), and Meals that Heal (which happen to actually be really delicious). Oh and the Ethiopian place Laza Catering. Can’t forget them. Anyone who brings Ingera to well anywhere is my hero.

For tonight I thought I’d kick things off with a little rap. Yes rap. Never before seen on Eyetunes, but there’s a first time for everything. This guy completely blew me away, changing every opinion I ever had on rap. Instead of using his talent to be offensive and crude, he uses is to well, entertain. So congratulations Shad for introducing me, and probably a lot of other people to a new realm of rap. Below is his video for I Don’t Like To. Check out more stuff and see him live if you can. It got everybody on there feet dancing and singing.

I hope you enjoyed my burst of rap love. Which happens to be a great thing about Hillside. I never would of thought twice about him, but at a festival like Hillside where you can’t help but over hear, you get talked (or I guess musiced) into buying things you never would have (this is sometimes a down fall, but I don’t think that’s the situation in this case).

P.S. exuse all the spelling and grammar mistakes tonight. I’m uber tired and will fix things up in the morning. But for now goodnight until tomorrow when the Hillside festivities begin!

I Can’t Wait To Michou

So, my mom and I were searching around checking out more bands that are playing at Hillside. There were all the usual suspects, but than a huge surprise. It turns out I missed a great band when making my Hillside playlist. I completely looked over Michou, mainly because I thought it was just another sensitive women (maybe with a harp), but than I realized (well my mom realized), no they are this awesome, pop indie rock band. They’re this cute little band, that seems like a combination of early Hedley, Owl City, and Mumford & Sons. I’ve only heard two songs, Growing Younger and Eavesdropping, but they’re both fantastic. I’m excited to discover even more at their show.

They’re a small indie band from Windsor, Ontario but I can feel they’re going to get big. They have the standard pop sound, but incorporated with folk, and a hint of rock. It’s a combination that will be loved by a lot of people. They also have the right nerdy band boy look. On last.fm they’re tagged under “I shouldn’t like this but I do” and that’s kind of the way I feel too. This is the kind of music I usually reject but somehow this band makes it work.

That’s all I’m going to say of them for now, after Hillside I’m sure more will follow. Below is their video for Growing Younger — it seems like a baby version of Mumford & Sons The Cave but I like that. Oh, and the challenge is to decide what instrument each band member plays. My mom and I got it right, right away, see if you can.

P.S. the bass player is my favourite of course, that’s what I aspire to be like one day.

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite videos. It’s really raw and simple, but I still love it. That’s what makes it so great. They fall off their bikes and do funny hand movements, but that’s what makes it great. Oh, and the synchronized bike dancing is the best part. Enjoy, and see you after Hillside, or possibly see you there!

P.S. I’m really hoping the weather turns around, it’s not looking good right now.

Rain, Rain Please Stay

So, a good ol’ rainy day, where it just rains and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a good book, some tea and the perfect music. Well this is a mood I’m often in and have made many a Rainy Day playlist, but there not all great, so here’s another try of mine. The problem with the rainy day playlist is it’s hard to know what the perfect rainy day song is. I’m sitting at my aunts house curled up on the couch awaiting the rain and couldn’t be happier. These are songs that seem pretty good to me at this exact time on this exact rainy day, let me know your perfect rain song.

1. Ticket Taker – Low Anthem (my dad introduced me to this, and I really love it, GO DAD!)

2. Passion Play – William Fitzsimmons

3. City Song – Emmy The Great

4. Low Rising – The Swell Season

5. World Spins Madly On – Weepies (my favourite morning song, or grumpy, bad mood song totally captures the mood)

6. Road Regrets – Dan Mangan

7. All The Way Down – Glen Hansard

8. Song For Your – Alexi Murdoch (pretty little song for any mood)

9. Shore to Shore – Johnny Flynn (just a perfect song)

10. Bright Future – Bowerbirds

11. Insects – Brasstronaut (a creepy title for a pretty, rainy song. Don’t get turned off by the name like I did at first)

12. Safe and Sound – Hawksley Workman (the most perfect song EVER, for anything)

13. Song For The Road – David Ford

14. Eyes Full Of Rose – Horse Feathers

15. Julie Blue – Joe Purdy

16. Weighty Ghost – Wintersleep (another fantastic song that I’ll never get sick of)

17. Beautiful – Danny Michel (because it captures the mood perfectly and who doesn’t love Danny?)

18. Blue Skies – Noah and the Whale (the title may have blue in it but it’s “a song for anyone who can’t get out of bed”, perfect)

19. Dreamer – Jenn Grant

20. Skeletons (Acoustic Version) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (one of my favourite songs by them)

21. Drinking Games – Library Voices (saw them at Hillside, FANTASTIC)

22. In The Battle of Sun VS. Curtains, Sun Loses and We Sleep Until Noon – Woodpigeon (greatest song title ever and perfect for a rainy day)

22. Lay Me Down – The Frames

23. The Dress Looks Nice On You – Sufjan Stevens

24. Summer Day – Coconut Records (don’t let the name decieve you, it’s all about rain)

I’d say that’s pretty awesome for a rainy day, or any day for that matter. A day you need some good quiet music, which is a lot of days for me. Below is the video for Weighty Ghost, which I’ve been meaning to play for awhile so it’s perfect. This is one of my favourite video’s even though there’s nothing spectacular about it. Maybe it’s just the great song, or the sing-along chorus which I’m a HUGE sucker for. Either way, enjoy.

I hope that put you in the rainy, sleepy mood if you weren’t already.

Threadbare

Hey, so today is all about a new discovery that I’m really excited about. While listening to Last (of course), on the Mumford & Sons radio (which rocked my world) I came across Port O’Brien, which is fantastic. The song, I Woke Up Today came on and well it was love at first hear. Every song I listened to I liked more and more. I find there’s something really familiar about I Woke Up Today, in an awesome campfire Hillside way. Actually all there music has this beachy, Beach Boys kind of feel, with ALOT of Folk, and Indie thrown in the mix. What could be better. The song I Woke Up Today also goes in my nonsense lyrics playlist, which I will post…someday.

There CD All We Could Do Was Sing is probably my favourite although all of their CD’s are great. Check out the songs, I Woke Up Today, Threadbare, and Tree Bones, which are so far my favourites. I find they sound a lot like Bruce Peninsula (or vice versa), which is a Canadian band who I saw at Hillside (of course). Although if checking out Bruce Peninsula, try finding them love, there extremely great that way. But back to Port O’Brien.

Also try checking out there newest CD Threadbare, it’s a little more folky, singer-songwriter than the others (maybe that’s why it’s called Threadbare?). I think there’s something fantastic about them, not sure what though, maybe the kinda strange but interesting melodies, or the different voices, or the fact that they have great sing-along choruses, whatever it is, it’s love.

Below is there music video for I Woke Up Today, which I have to admit is a little strange, but I like strange .

Nope, not at all strange, sharks, little kids, men in speedos, can you say normal. NORMAL!

P.S. exciting news, I got my G1 today, everyone watch out.

P.P.S. I started to learn how to play The Beatles, Come Together on the bass, YEAH!