Do You Believe in Angels or God?

It's been all over CNN, MSNBC, Huffington Post, MTV and the Daily Mail just to name a few.

  Ben Breedlove, passed away on Christmas Day.

He was an 18 year old Westlake High school student from Austin, Texas. Born with a heart condition and cheated death 3 times. Most recently a few weeks ago. His video blog below talks about his experience in 'heaven' from when his heart stopped and he was pronounced dead earlier this month. I hope this post doesn't offend anyone but this video makes it really hard to doubt a higher being.

To see someone so young but yet so full of courage and wisdom is such a gift. 

Part 1

Part 2

I do, too.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a very merry holiday season!

Santa? I know him!

oh yes, my fam at its best.

Can't wait to spend it in Austin with all my family and loves. It has been one wonderful year. 2012 is already lined up with exciting changes, a much anticipated trip to Australia and a few weddings to some fun destinations. 

Be Safe Y'all!

XOXO,

V.

The Sounds of OZ

Australian Amazingness.

Alpine // Villages

(Alpine Band.) very dreamy indie popish (Other Favorites)

"Who'd take my hand, who'd take my hand

         I wanna show you, something that you never seen"

The Grates // Sweet Dreams

  (GratesWebsite) fun, upbeat indie much like The Givers

"If it's a part of you.
If it's a part of me.
If my colour's blind in all?
wearin' in the sun.
I can't compete."

Architecture in Helenski // Contact High

rubbery analog synths with a drum kick and an 80's flare. Dig THIS.

Download Here! 

"Contact high
I'm done dreamin that we can fly
Am I guilty? Boy you decide
I've got nothing to hide"

 

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire came out with a concept of allowing viewers of their video Sprawl to be interactive. Pretty cool idea. Click here to 'interact.'

Can't Stop Listening

 Owl Eyes // Raiders

This might be one of my TOP songs of 2011. Very Florence & The Machine.

Tinpan Orange // Like Snow

 Sounds like Lykke Li, Oh Land & Kimbra. Right up my alley. Those Australians have some stellar artists.

Now who doesn't miss some psychedelic rock these days?

Well the hippie chick in me definitely does. I am obsessed with Damien Jurado. He is based out of Seattle, Washington and started playing in the mid 1990's. His sounds have changed through out the years as his vibe was " folk indie"  but his latest single Nothing is the News take a different turn, a turn in a very uncharted music sound for the 2000's. His upcoming album titled Maraqopa will be available in Feb 2012 and judging the album off of his latest single Nothing is the News it will be nothing short of Woodstock material.

Nothing is the News

(download the song here for free)

Sucker

Sheets

The Damien Jurado.

New Obsession: Mansions on the Moon

"Mansions on the Moon are like a lazer light show for your ears. They’re relaxed and cool, layered and distorted, and the vocals are completely hypnotizing. But even though much of their sound of dominated by electronic timbres, they’re just as comfortable singing a Kimya Dawson-style narrative over an acoustic guitar (“Tower of Gold”). Okay, so maybe the vocals are still bolstered by computerized production techniques, but it’s what give Mansions on the Moon a signature.

Mansions recruited Pharrell Williams to produce their upcoming Lightyears EP, and they’ve hit the road in support of the album. Fans can download tracks for free from their website up until the release date.

Lane Shaw, Ben Hazlegrove and Ted Wendler – the fellas of Mansions on the Moon - are bringing their synthesized, ethereal electronica to the masses."

You will hear their name a lot in 2012. I promise you that. 

Download the Paradise Falls presented by Diplo and DJ Benzi for a few songs by MotM here.

Holiday Cheer

There is no Holiday Cheer without a Ballet, at least in my book.

One more...

because it is so pretty...

Ed Harcourt // Haywired

"I know many different people who keep on falling in love, with the idea of love
Take your head out of the clouds, carefree vagabond, it comes to all of us"

4 for 4

Chase and Status Feat White Lies // Embrace

"This town's alright, But it's not enough,
I'm looking for a quick exit, Like a prisoner on the run"


Still Corners // The Twilight Hour

"Don't you think it's strange
To live without pain"


Lover Lover // Freebirds

"Freebirds fly away
They just don't stay"


The Hundreds in the Hands // Ghosts

"It's you, me
The Lonely Left In Motion and this
Our ghost town"

Enjoying Life While Running

This weekend was very rewarding. I ran the Venice Christmas 10k and it was my 3rd 10k. I ran it in 58 minutes. This is by far my personal best so this means my mile avg is around 9:30 which isn't TERRIBLE. I ran it with 3 other gf's (Dana, Libbs and Linds H.!) although we didn't end together it was great to know that we were all in it together.

Additionally, Kansas basketball beat the #2 ranked team Ohio State on Saturday which even sweetened the day!

Venice Christmas Run: 10k

Venice, CA

Time: 58:01

Mile avg: 9:35

 

I ran a 5k last month. Next to my house. It was so wonderful just to wake up and walk to the start line. Pan Pacific Park. Ran it solo. I really enjoyed running through my neighborhood, down 3rd street and having people cheer you on. Next 5k I will go for 28:30. Goals Goals and Goals.

Run For Her: 5k

Los Angeles, CA

Time: 29:03

Saturday's Mantra

Other Lives

Opening for Radiohead's latest tour.
Stillwater, OK
Very Melodic   and   Awesome

Tamer Animals by Other Lives

Girl Walk

Girl Walk // All Day: Chapter 1 from Girl Walk // All Day on Vimeo.

"Girl Walk // All Day" is a 75-minute video using Girl Talk's most recent mashup album All Day as its soundtrack. The film, made by the creative agency Wild Combination, follows three dancers through various New York City locations as they dance to every second of the album. (Girl Talk himself was not involved in the film.)

Tis the Season

 

It took me until yesterday to finally get into the Christmas spirit but I suppose it was because I had to finish writing my Christmas cards to everyone. Such an adult thing to do but as we get older it is a way to keep in touch now that everyone is so spread apart. I always love receiving things in the mail, I miss that from my childhood. Facebook msgs, txts, emails have taken over and it all seems so impersonal. All the Christmas cards I have gotten recently are just so lovely and creative. 

Also, Pandora's Indie Christmas station is not bad at all. 

Check it out lovelies!

Anyways, see you in two weeks Tejas - without the snow.

Goyte

So my lovely roomie miss m shared this song with me with Goyte featuring Kimbra. So Goyte is brand spanking new to my ear drums and I am kinda diggin' his quirkiness. I have loved Kimbra for a long time and one of my fav's is a song below. Enjoy.

because my next travel destination is inspiring me

Simple Desire // All Mankind

All Mankind Album Steam


Death Cloud // Cloud Control

Cloud Control Album Stream

Aussie Bands.