Strange Mercy

Kristen’s Top 5 Reasons To Attend Coachella 2012

Posted on by Kristen

Yesterday the Coachella line-up was announced. I want to go. Especially on Saturday. If you haven’t heard, Coachella is two weekends this year, April 13-15 and April 20-22 with the same lineup each weekend. For the entire list of performers, tickets, and other like information, go to the website.

I don’t know all the performers announced, but after a quick scan of the list, here are the ones that give me most reason to buy that ticket:

 

1. St. Vincent

I’ve been a St. Vincent fan for several years now, but last year I got the unexpected opportunity to see the explosive Annie Clark live and she vaulted to another level in my estimation. Strange Mercy is one of my favorite albums that came out in 2011 and I cannot WAIT to see her again.

 

2. The Big Pink

After recently reviewing the forthcoming album, Future This, I am very much looking forward to the return of The Big Pink to the States. With new offerings like the catchy fist pumping “Hit The Ground (Superman)”, I am more than ready to party it up in The Big Pink tent!

 

3. The Head and The Heart 

I’ve seen them at just about every major festival I’ve attended in the past year and they always put on one of the most enjoyable sets of the event. I expect The Head and The Heart at Coachella to be no different. They are the perfect festival band.

 

4. Laura Marling/We Are Augustines

Festivals are great for checking out all those bands that you’ve been enjoying but just haven’t gotten around to seeing live. Laura Marling and We Are Augustines are both at the top of that list for me. Thank you Coachella for giving me this opportunity to see them!

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5. Radiohead

umm…I believe this one is self-explanatory.

 

And 5 more for good measure:

  • The Shins – another one I’d love to see but just never have
  • Gotye– that song is just so damned catchy…must.see.live
  • Fitz and The Tantrums– they put on the best dance party in town and Coachella is all about the dance parties
  • Band of Skulls– their face-melting new record will be out by then. I’m always down for a good face-melting
  • Arctic Monkeys – so I can dance electro-pop like a robot from 1984!

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 9/13 featuring Ben Rector, Matthew Perryman Jones, Atomic Tom, Melissa Ferrick, etc.

Posted on by Kristen

A TON of new music released today that I’m curious about. But I certainly can’t buy them all so here are my top picks:

 

Ben Rector- Something Like This http://www.benrectormusic.com/

I’ve been talking a lot about Ben Rector lately…and with good reason! This singer-songwriter from Nashville writes songs that will both warm your heart and make you dance…I just can’t get them out of my head! His last CD, Into The Morning, makes frequent appearances on my music player and based on the new tunes I heard last month at Ben’s Hotel Cafe show, Something Like This will follow in its footsteps.

Buy it on amazon or itunes.

 

Matthew Perryman Jones – Until The Dawn Appears http://mpjmusic.com/

Another Ten Out of Tenn artist releases a CD! Until The Dawn Appears is actually a collection of the songs Matthew has played over the years that he still feels passionate about (he calls it a “retelling”). Personally, I can’t stop listening to this CD…especially the new version of “Save You”.  Matthew Perryman Jones has a hypnotizing voice that is both soothing and uplifting. With the addition of the piano and the strings, the beauty of this song is almost overwhelming. The rest of the record follows suit. A must have for you collection!

Get Until the Dawn Appears on Amazon or Itunes 

 


Atomic Tom – In Parallel  http://www.atomictom.com/

Atomic Tom blew me away at The Bootleg when I saw them at the beginning of the year. They have a new EP coming out today with a couple of new songs so adding it to my shopping cart is a no brainer. Sample the EP then if you haven’t already, be sure to get their full length album, The Moment.

“Red Light Warning Sign” is the band’s most recent single off The Moment but can also be found on the In Parallel EP.

Download the tunes on Amazon or Itunes 

 

 

Melissa Ferrick- Still Right Here http://www.melissaferrick.com/

So many CDs out today, I listened briefly to a song or two from each and Melissa Ferrick’s Still Right Here stuck out above the rest for me. I’ve always loved Melissa for her passion. It’s easy to connect to her songs and her spirit and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of these new tunes.

Here’s where you can buy the new CD on Itunes

 

Other CDs I’m sampling today:

New music! New music! YAY!
~ Kristen