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.

Endearing Hats

Okay so another whole week has passed. What is my problem? You’d think in the summer I’d have more time to write but it’s been the exact opposite. Of course I may write more during school time just to avoid homework. But none-the-less I am here now and ready to report more on music. I think my exuse this week for missing so many days (because there is always an exuse) is that I was away on the “culinary adventure” with my mom and we were to busy stuffing our faces (to put it really nicely. I always hate when people say that, not quite sure why I did…) with the most delicious food to write about music or anything else. Basically we just ate, and ate. But of course only the finest of foods (and one or two mishaps). But I have returned, am back on a normal diet (well an all salad diet to compensate for the amount of well not salad I ate well away) and ready to write. Sadly not much musically happened well we were away. I did though come across quite a wonderful little gem while searching for a topic for the day. I was thinking Aidan Knight and on a search for his video’s I came across a duet of him and Dan Mangan which seemed far to perfect. You already know how much I love Dan Mangan (speaking of, he has one song with the line “there’s a place I sometimes like to dine” in his song The Indie Queens Are Waiting and well that place for me is Ithaca, New York where we just went for our eating marathon) and I’ve just recently discovered Aidan Knight so for 3:27 of this song I was in complete and utter music heaven. Dan Mangan also sometimes performs with Shance Koyczan. He makes many heavenly music moments for me. Thank you Dan Mangan.

But back to the song. Like I said I’d only just discovered Aidan Knight (on last.fm of course) and only had a few of his songs including Altar Boys, Fighting Against Your Lungs, and Sorrows. But the discovery of his song Jaspar was a great one indeed. He has a great indie, folk, singer-songwriter vibe (which is just what I like) but also an added…twang? He has this other “thing” to him that makes him even more special and not just “another one of eyetunes folky indie guys” (of course he doesn’t have a beard either so take that world). I’ll let you see for yourself though. Here’s the video for Jaspar. Enjoy and talk to you in 3:27.

I like that their in the wilderness (well there’s a road behind them but still) I’m thinking probably close to Jaspar due to the snow and mountainous humps behind them. Plus it looks pretty darn cold, Mr. Knight and Mr. Mangan’s hands must have been quite frozen. The cold puffs of air coming out of their mouths each time they sing also adds quite the effect. The things people do for good music and the right atmosphere and feel. They could have just stood infront one of those fake scenes you see at photography places. That’s how you know a hardcore musician. Their red hats are also quite indearing (I’m a sucker for a red toque, but aren’t we all?). Oh and the song lyrics are quite lovely as well, they have a bit of an old-timey folk song feel and I like that. But that’s all for me tonight. For some reason I seem to write best at night but by the end I get very incredibly sleepy and my spelling and grammar probably just dies completely (sorry about that). For now though enjoy the video check out the musicians you won’t be disappointed and I’ll see you tomorrow for Random Playlist Monday, HOORAY!

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.

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.