Wednesday, November 30, 2011

So Thankful



As November comes to a close I can truly say that I am thankful for everyone and everything that has gotten me here in my life today but I don't even think the word "thankful" is even enough. I feel so lucky in life with having a healthy family, wonderful job and friends. Blessed.

November Highlights

Turning 27 and feeling so <3'd by everyone
Thanksgiving with my older sister in Seattle, Washington
A.B. coming down from Canada to meet up in Seattle
Pacific Northwest's Ballet The Nutcracker
Buying myself the most amazing gift ever (check out my bucket list!)
Signing up for a course at UCLA! 
Signing up to volunteer at the boys and girls club 

gobble gobble day

27th bday brunch at 26 beaches

pretty seattle

This month was a month of action for me. I signed up for things that I had been wanting to do for ages - things out of my comfort zone. I have taken this month to reevaluate my life and do things for me, to better myself in the ways of school, travel and volunteering. This to me is what life is all about, learning and growing, and taking yourself out the comfort zone. The past few years I had been really comfortable with my life in LA that I didn't see the need for changes. That characteristic is not me at all. I don't even know how I got to be so set in my ways. So this year of being 27 will be all about change. One day at a time. Who knows where I will end up when I am 28. 

Put yourself out there, take risks.


oh make some big jumps, big jumps you afraid to break some bones
come on make some big jumps, big jumps life is your saulte
you hold your head up, your head up high like you think i do

Monday, November 21, 2011

Flash Back

Rediscovered this little beauty while watching re-runs of My So Called Life. Angela Chase, I oddly wanted to be her when I was younger. Those crush velvet dresses, plaid baggy shirts and doc martins, oh yes a style to envy. Oh and that, Jordan Catalano and all that teenage angst. I recommend watching it if you haven't' ever. It captures the mid 90's to the T.

Buffalo Tom//Last Night

Friday, November 18, 2011

Truth.

"GIVE more than is expected, LOVE more than seems wise, SERVE more than seems necessary, and HELP more than is asked."

Discovery - ARMS

ARMS was one-time side project transformed into a full band, ARMS synthesizes former Harlem Shakes guitarist Todd Goldstein’s years of bedroom experimentation and sharpens them into a single bright blade. Sonically adventurous and emotionally raw, ARMS’ full-band debut, Summer Skills, tells a fractured tale of love under supernatural circumstances. You will not be disappointed.    
    
 
My fav song is Heat & Hot Water. 

        

Thursday, November 17, 2011

TONIGHT.

Dawes, Blitzen Trapper, The Belle Brigade & Smoke Fairies
The Music Box on Hollywood Blvd.
11.17.11

.....and the last stop on their tour is Los Angeles. I'm sure it will be one hell of a show. Whooooop!


Listen/Love/Download a few tracks of the artists below:










the dawes are blurrrrr 
what a show, so wonderful. 

Oh and a pair of these too Santa


The designer, Magda Sayeg, of the 'stunna nitta" shades above started the craze of yarn bombing (yes, it started in ATX.) and has now moved to sunglasses. These are limited edition styles (pictured above) are available for $130. Also! As part of its partnership with the charity foundation OneSight, $30 from each pair will go to help support and restore clear vision for people in need. So technically you are really spending 100 and giving 30 to charity. Win - Win. Go get 'em!

Sunglasses Here.

Magda Sayeg


5.1.2
paris, my dears
 To the left is the Texas capitol yarn bombed, isn't it so pretty. These little yarn thangs are all over the city. This type of creativity is what makes Austin such a fabulous city.



In December her yarn bombin' will be displayed at the downtown Standard Hotel in Los Angeles. I'm definitely going.

Santa

I want these jcrew creations in my stocking. Take Note. (ahem mom/dad!)



I am one of those people that writes my schedule down.

Details Here

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Meet Alabama Shakes

Oh Good Lord.  They are simply ALL  soul. OK, maybe 1/3  rock  but this high school quartet have so much talent its kinda insane. Take a gander at the song below. You will be impressed.





it is embarrassing how many times i have played this song.


SXSW Artist Line-up Annoucement

Young The Giant

NoiseTrade is an awesome site of upandcoming (yes that is now one word) artists that share their music for the masses. You can technically download their music for free but you should 'give' a little to these artists. They are def hit and misses but there are some amazing downloads that I have gotten over the years. Check the out the site. Today they are featuring  Young The Giant  so naturally, I freaked out and downloaded it.


this will be a wondrous add to my running mix! y.e.s!


*Check out Lord Huron, The Joy Eternal, The Low Anthem, Civil Wars and the Mom + Pop Sampler 1

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Tree Ring

The Tree Ring

Wore it Deep

Haida

This song (Haida) is in the same vein as what most of this new record is being written about, which has a lot to do with just seeing ourselves as another piece of   nature and not really necessarily being superior. I think I get kind of a wrong perception living in a city of being in control and feeling like you can kind of decide what factors around you but I think it’s good to be in the  wilderness  here and there to remember that we’re pretty small things, you know, in the scheme of the whole earth.

San Diego Based Band.

Room 125. Lawrence High

"Starting in 2010, "The Classroom Sessions" has been an opportunity for Lawrence High School film/media students to meet professional artists and talk art (film, music, etc.), storytelling and creativity in a classroom setting. The "Classroom Sessions" are also an opportunity for students to get "hands-on" experience in live film making. The sessions are filmed and edited by the students of Room 125 Productions."

This high school is a college town in the heart of Lawrence.KS and home to the Jayhawks. I am not surprised that this opportunity for kids is coming out of 'larry' (as we like to call it). The town is very eclectic and music savvy. There are tons of amazing minds in that little area west of Kansas City. I did grow up in Austin which is also very much like Larry but never was exposed to something of this magnitude. The only thing we had to match this was something we called Dylan Day. Yes, we had a whole day were students sang and performed Bob Dylan songs in our auditorium. We could skip class/lunch (ahem if you had the 'cool teachers' ) if we wanted too and jam out the entire day. While that was cool and all, it doesn't compete with this. Check out their site. It is something very special and I fully support.

   Every High School in American should do this.


Interviewed:
The Head and the Heart
Bryan John Applyby
Drew Grow & the Pastor's Wives

...those are a few of them...


Sunday, November 13, 2011

DOM

DOM is up and coming. They are just plain  rad. Massachusetts based with some killer tunes. The trio that is DOM have released two eps aptly titled Sun Bronzed Greek Gods (2010) and Family of Love (2011). The lead singer, Dom,  actually has a sad story in that his mom just didn't like him and gave him up to foster care when he was 3 or so. So that upbringing has inspired some of his songs if you listen to the lyrics carefully.

Sound: Electro Punk.

Myspace Mix by DOM

anddd another pretty ditty.

Some Boys Feat Emma Hendry by DOM

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Empire of the Sun


Empire of the Sun. He is my favorite. Go see him!

<3 these friends.


j.r and i got vip passes for free. :)
j.d.!!



i want to be his backup dancer.


Mayer Hawthorne was the opening act. SO GREAT.

Los Angeles. Club Nokia. 


Friday, November 11, 2011

The Local Strangers

 The Local Strangers//The Fear of Losing

Remember what you know
Remember all the happy homes we built
Remember why we’re here
It’s nothing like a rolling stone gone still
And maybe you’re right
Maybe there aint nothin’ that happens for a reason
A reason
But I got plenty right here
We both got plenty right here


"The Local Strangers is a Seattle acoustic duo featuring Midwestern transplants Aubrey Zoli and Matt Hart. With soulful vocals and intricate harmonies, their poignant, honest, and relatable songwriting has distinguished them in the Americana/alt-country scene. They thrive on stage in an energetic display of passion for their music and create an unmistakable connection with every audience."
 

Free Music. You will want to download all 4 of their songs. All wonderful.

Happy 11.11.11

Bachelorette

Bachelorette//Blanket


synthesizing beats. melodic voices. i'm just going to say yes to all of that.

Last Night

We Were Promised Jetpacks
with Royal Bangs & Bear Hands
Music Box on Hollywood Blvd.
11.10.11

When a band's debut album is both impressive and hugely successful, it's not often that their sophomore effort makes it seem almost average in comparison. But In The Pit Of The Stomach We Were Promised Jetpacks grand, accomplished follow-up to 2009s These Four Walls is precisely this rare exception.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Wild Child

austin.tx local group.

"It’s a song that tells the story of a failing relationship from both sides (though it never sounds that heavy), the happily strummed guitar meshing perfectly with the uniquely wonderful voices of Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins as they interact throughout."

It’s a lovely tune for this gray LA day.
                                                                      
Wild Child//Pillow Talk





Pillow Talk by WildChildSounds

Noah Gundersen

Noah Gundersen
Who knew such beauty in melodies? 



 

Buy and support his album here.

Agnes Obel

There is something to be said about a female songstress paired with a piano. While I feel it is an acquired sound to love, I have always loved it. Agnes Obel has reminded me of that. She has only released one album so far which was last year titled "Philharmonics". She is Danish. She writes all her own lyrics, melodies and records and produces them all as well. Her sound is simple and childlike.Yet, some of it sounds emotionally haunted. The cello adds to the wonderful dimensions already laid out by her. The songs loop and s-w-i-r-l around you in a very majestic way. They shine.

 
this is spectacular







AGNES OBEL - Riverside by Pias France

Agnes Obel Free Download by agnesobel

Philharmonics by Agnes Obel by posy_

Agnes Obel - Avenue by OpdagNyMusik

DST

DaylightsSavingsTime.

I love and hate dislike it at the same time.

I love that I wake up before 6am now which allows me to go for a nice little run before work
I hate dislike that when I am leaving work the sun has already set
I love that in LA it marks the change of seasons
I hate dislike that it makes me go to bed early, and by early I mean 9pm
I love how it makes one special day have an extra hour




So I guess fall is officially here in Los Angeles. Changes. Embrace 'em.

V

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

GO KU!

yay for preseason being over!

 at least we have basketball. thank the lord all mighty.

Since Missouri decided to officially leave the Big 12 this might be the last time we play them in basketball for a long time. Will my Muck Fizzou shirt be a collectors item? What will happen to the Border Showdown? These are very valid questions. I guess time will tell....

Oh Ryan..

Lovin' me some Ryan Bingham right now...
....1/2 folk + 1/2 country = delectable. 


Every time I listen to him it takes me back to Texas. He did grow up there which probably why the vibe feels like home. The songs Sunrise & Bread/Water was produced by Marc Ford from the Black Crowes. It is from his first album Mescalito while Hallelujah is from Junky Star. His latest.
 Sunrise

Hallelujah

Bread&Water

I've been to California and North Carolina,
Hung with the hippies in Austin and the cowboys of Mexico.
I've laid up in Fort Worth with beautiful ladies,
Hitch hiked on down 281 and hit the rodeo in San Anton...

This is where I want to live...

...looks pretty cozy...


....and have this right next to it...

you are NEVER to old for a trampoline.



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

how am i just discovering this tune NOW?

listen friends. just listen. 

Lost Lander//Cold Feet


The director just used his iPhone, and shot an entire night's worth of what he saw on television, then cut it up to create "a commentary on the over-stimulation of being alive and in front of a computer/television/iPhone."

interesting. 

Lost Lander is a new music project founded by
Matt Sheehy and produced by Brent Knopf. They are both members of Ramona Falls. 

Oh Yes.

I want to rock these so baaaaad. They are gorge.

thanks for the envy beyonce.

Four4Four

Tokyo Police Club//Breakneck Speed
1.


Friends//I'm his girl.
2.
love love love and more love.

Gringo Star//All Y'all
3.
 
dirty rock from the dirty south. don't judge by the name.

Young Buffalo//Catipilah

4.
this Mississippi band is bursting.
yb website

Monday, November 7, 2011

Daily Dose of Music

Lemolo

I have been playing this duo's songs in my car for the past two weeks. Perfect for a drive down the PCH along the beautiful ocean or just drinking your morning coffee en route to work. Their music makes you feel like you are walking on clouds. The name of the band comes from the street of the singers childhood home. They are from Seattle which heavily inspires their music. Soothing.

Sound: Calming. Dream-like. Sensual melancholy.



Lemolo Website

singer//meaghan grandal

dummer//kendra cox

Truth.

"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
 

—Nick Hornby, Songbook

Sunday, November 6, 2011

and i miss your face like hell.

The Head and the Heart.
...and they have captured my heart and then some...




I saw them play at ACL recently and was so happy that I finally got a chance to hear them play live. At the moment they are currently more of a w.o.m. band so their play time was an early one on Sunday. They are another awesome band from Seattle with a hodgepodge group of talented people. They met each other by chance and collaborated to create something absolutely fantastic. This is my favorite album of 2011. Hands DOWN.


"The songs are a result from those first inspired months pick at the multicolored threads of leaving home, finding home, and through that process of deconstruction, finding yourself. These are songs about crossing rivers and roads to get to the one you love, about family far away, and the desire to chase Technicolor dreams down foreign horizons.When people hear these songs, or see the band live, the first thing they have to do is tell someone else."

....and so i share
Members:
Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion)
Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion)
Charity Rose (violin, vocals)
Chris Zasche (bass)
Kenny Kensley (piano)
Tyler Williams (drums)

 I can't stop listening to the videos below. They make my heart swell.


this rendition at doe bay is splendid.

location: lawrence high. yes in kansas. how cool is that? :)




Below are two other great songs who didn't make the album cute but are so worth a listen or two.
In the Summertime - The Head and the Heart by dianeleigh


Josh McBride - The Head and The Heart by Addicted To The Music




This is one relatable band. I hope to see them many a more times.

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Generationals

oh this is good, real good.

Formed in 'Nawlins by two best friends in 2008 they have released 3 albums thus far. The latest in March, titled Actor-Caster. The song ten-twenty-ten is one of my favorite tracks.

Check out to the "galloping grooves" below.


This is from their debut album called Con Law.


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Mates of State

check' em out
indie again, yes i know.

but let me caveat by saying...

that this DIY husband and wife team met in lawrence.ks

hello

lawrence is a wonderful place where there is wheat waved and boulevard beer flowing in abundance. a place dear to my little heart, another place i can call home and where i spent 4 wonderful years of my life. i am just going to surmise they are jayhawkers, besides you can't live in a college town like larry and not be one. it is just not p.o.s.s.i.b.l.e.

//music//

there are so many different 'textures' to their music and somehow they make it all so effortlessly fluid. lots of synthesizing, piano, steel drums, bass and who knows what else but it works. i'm telling you.

Mates-of-State-Mountaintops by Mickyking
Above is their latest and greatest.

Mates of State "My Only Offer" by Barsuk Records
These two are a favorite from their 2008 album. Re-Arrange Us.

Get Better [Re-Arrange Us, 2008] by matesofstate

The couple have two daughters and bring them on tour. Kori Garnder (the wife) even writes a blog about it all. Pretty Nifty. Read it right here.

currently on tour with the generationals. another great band.