Music Mixes and Best Of Lists

New Music Tuesday 8/14/12

Posted on by Kristen

Looking for new tunes? Here are my listening suggestions for albums coming out this week:

The Dirty Guv’nahs –   Somewhere Between These Southern Skies

One of my favorite discoveries from Bonnaroo this year was The Dirty Guv’nahs.  I’ve been loving the single, 3000 Miles, and from what I’ve heard so far, the rest of the album delivers more of that southern rock sound I enjoy. This album is a must on my list.

 

Charlie Mars – Blackberry Rain

Listening to the first song off this album, I am captivated…

 

The Classic Crime – Phoenix

When browsing through the new releases for this week, The Classic Crime, jumped out at me. I haven’t heard from this Seattle rock band in a couple years, but I’ve been a fan for a while and I can’t wait to hear what they have been up to. I’m skimming through the podcasts they have up on bandcamp and hearing much potential in the tantalizing tidbits of music.

 

Yellowcard – Southern Air

This year there has been a bit of a resurgence of Yellowcard in my life. The band played a couple acoustic tunes at the Warped Tour kickoff party at Club Nokia and then I saw them again at Warped Tour where they played songs off Ocean Avenue and reminded me why I was in love with that album. Yellowcard still holds a place in my heart and I’m looking forward to hearing more of their signature brand of California punk-pop laced with electric violin (forever and always my favorite aspect of Yellowcard).

Here’s the lead-off track from Southern Air. I like it!

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

Watch This: Queen Caveat, The Neighbourhood, Belmont Lights

Posted on by Kristen

Some new videos came across my path today (despite the fact that my path was primarily    taking me up the Napali coast via boat). I’m really excited about these videos and these bands, so I wanted to share…

Enjoy!

Queen Caveat – “Bullet” 

I still think this is my favorite song off Queen Caveat’s EP, Slap on the Wrist. Queen Caveat shows at The Viper Room are always epic and this video does a great job at capturing some of that magic.

 

The Neighbourhood – “Female Robbery”

Ever since I heard this song a few weeks ago, I’ve been obsessed with The Neighbourhood. This video is awesome and certainly doesn’t help my little problem…

 

Belmont Lights– “Lights/Both of Us” (Ellie Goulding/Taylor Swift Cover)

Recent discovery, Belmont Lights, showcases their hometown of San Diego beautifully in this video they did for this cover song. I’m having a blast picking out all the San Diego locales… I’m really enjoying this band right now!

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

 

~ Kristen

 

 

Watch This! Jasmine Ash, Thomas Wynn & The Believers, The Dirty Guv’nahs

Posted on by Kristen

Here are some videos I’ve been enjoying this week:

Jasmine Ash– “Starlight” 

Jasmine Ash quickly won me over with her debut CD, Beneath The Noise. Her new video for “Starlight” exemplifies the fun and quirky Ash and her cute and catchy tunes. Come see the singer live at The Hotel Cafe August 1st.

 

Thomas Wynn & The Believers – “I Don’t Regret” 

Orlando-based Thomas Wynn has one of those instantly captivating voices. Then when Wynn and his band The Believers break it down in a song like “I Don’t Regret”, there are chills! I’m very much looking forward to Thomas Wynn & The Believers LA appearance at The Bootleg August 9th.

 

The Dirty Guv’nahs – “3000 Miles”

I became a fan of The Dirty Guv’nahs after seeing them for the first time at Bonnaroo this summer. I love the theme behind this video for their song “3000 Miles”, especially since it’s their live performance that really sold me on the band. Watching this video just makes me want to go to another show! Let’s hope the Knoxville, TN natives, can make it out to LA soon.

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 7/17/12 Featuring Milo Greene, Todd Carey, Alberta Cross

Posted on by Kristen

My favorite part about Tuesdays is the new music available for my ears. Here are some of the CDs I’m going to check out today. If you’re also in the market for some tunes, I’d suggest you do the same!

Milo Greene – Milo Greene 

It’s been about a year since LMN started talking about Milo Greene and the band have finally released their debut self-titled album. If you want to be swept away by the idyllic beauty of songs like “Silent Way,” do not hesitate to get this album (Amazon or Itunes). It’s a keeper!

 

Toddy Carey – The Duets Project 

Singer-songwriter, Todd Carey, has released an EP of his songs that he has transformed into duets with female artists like Amber Rubarth and Sarah Miles. Carey previews the EP, calling it “a stripped down revisiting of my catalog”. You can listen to the tracks here http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/10 and buy the album here.

 

Alberta Cross – Songs of Patience 

I’ve only heard one song so far, but I’m really looking forward to digesting the new album from Alberta Cross. Go to their website and download “Magnolia” for free! Then buy their album here.

 

Other CDs to check out today:

 

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Wedding Mix ’12- A Selection

Posted on by Kristen

I have a friend who is getting married at the end of this month so obviously, I am making her a lovely wedding/marriage themed mixed CD. In the process of combing through my music library to select the perfect songs, I’ve realized that many of the songs that one might classify as “love songs” aren’t really that at all. Well, there are a lot of songs about love, but I feel that they are mostly about love lost, a yearning for love, or what might more appropriately be labeled “lust” songs.

Another challenge is keeping the ratio of slow songs to more upbeat numbers reasonable. Ballads are great, but there can be rock songs about love and marriage, right? right??

Overall this has been a fun little exercise as it’s encouraged me to take a closer listen to some of my favorite songs. I thought I’d share some of my selections, so here are my top five cuts from my first wedding mix:

1)      “Mountains” – Biffy Clyro

I firmly believe this to be the most romantic song ever written. I think for full impact, one must read the book Only Revolutions which inspired the song and the album it is on. I selected the acoustic version for the mix

 

2)      “Nothing Without You” – Carney

I am also including the obvious “Think of You” but I wanted to rock the mix up a bit.

 

3)      “Car Door (Dancing In the Aisles)” – Joe Firstman

All the complexities of marriage boiled down to a single line: “I’ll open up your car door every time as long as you’ll reach over and unlock mine”

 

4)      “On Top Of The World” – Matthew Perryman Jones

the beauty of this song is paralyzing

 

5)      “May I Suggest” – Red Molly

an affirmative song that should be played every day, but might be particularly relevant on a day like your wedding day

 

I also have on deck, songs from Ed Sheeran, Ben Rector, NEEDTOBREATHE, A Fine Frenzy, Tony Lucca, and more!

However, suggestions are welcomed…

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s 5 Most Anticipated Acts of Bonnaroo 2012

Posted on by Kristen

  1. The Silent Comedy

Favored sons of San Diego have come a long way in the past year or so. To see their unique brand of ground-stomping, soul-stirring  folk rock at my favorite festival will be an unforgettable experience for sure,  one that I’m looking forward to more than any other at this year’s event.

Catch them Sunday 4pm at The Great Taste Lounge and again at 6:15 at The Sonic Stage.

 

2. Needtobreathe  

One of the best shows I’ve been to this year was Needtobreathe at Club Nokia. This band from South Carolina is absolutely perfect for the Bonnaroo audience. I can’t imagine anything but a tent-raising good time.

Catch them at Which Stage Friday at 2pm.

 

3. The Lonely Forest

I’ve been itching to see The Lonely Forest again since their record, Arrows, came out last year. This indie rock band from Anacortes, Washington puts on a great live show. I still regret missing them at SXSW two years ago…I will not let an opportunity to see The Lonely Forest pass me by again!

Catch them Thursday 5:30 at This Tent

 

 4. We Are Augustines 

I’m still buzzing off the We Are Augustines set at Coachella. These boys from Brooklyn made a great impression on me out in the desert. I’m sure they will cast a similar spell on the planes of Tenessee.

Catch them Saturday at The Great Taste Lounge at 10:40 and again on Sunday at the Sonic Stage at 2:15.

 

 5. St. Vincent

I love St. Vincent. Any chance I get to see Annie Clark perform, I will be front and center (well, as much front and center I can manage).

Catch them Friday 7:45 at That Tent

 

 

Other acts on my list to see:

 

See you at The ‘Roo!

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday Featuring Harper Blynn, Butterfly Boucher, Neon Trees, and William Beckett

Posted on by Kristen

Another Tuesday, more great new music for your ears. Here’s what we recommend:

Harper Blynn– Busy Hands 

Harper Blynn is a NYC-based band, but they have been spending a lot of time in LA this year…probably working on this record. Basically taking up residence at The Hotel Cafe, I had the pleasure of seeing the band play quite a few times. In addition, they played one of my top SXSW 2012 sets.  This LMN Band Love is offering their new CD, Busy Hands, for free on their website so no excuse really. Go get it!

 

Butterfly Boucher– Butterfly Boucher

One of my favorite Ten out of Tenn artists, Australian native, Butterfly Boucher has been on my playlist since I first heard her song “Life is Short” off her debut album Flutterby (2003). She did a show recently in LA at Room 5 and I got to hear some of the new songs off her newest, self-titled album. I’m sold!

Get the album here.

 

Neon Trees– Picture Show

Neon Trees is my newest addiction and I’m so happy to have a follow up to their debut album Habits (2010). According to singer Tyler Glenn, Picture Show was written “as if it were a soundtrack” and encourages people to “listen this album as a piece or choose the songs that fit your moment.” It’s available on Amazon for only $7.99 to boot!

 

William Beckett– Walk The Talk EP

A new day has dawned for singer of now defunct band The Academy Is… William Beckett. He is newly liberated and flowing with musical juices (so he says). Today marks the release of his first of three eps. If you want to catch up with Mr. Beckett, you can catch him on Stage It or on tour. The ep is just $4 and available from Amazon in mp3 form or in a physical form here.

 

Also coming out today:

  • Jason Mraz – Love is a Four Letter Wordi
  • Dar Williams – In the Time of Gods
  • Our Lady Peace – Curve
  • Eric Hutchinson – Moving Up Living Down

~ Kristen and Amanda