How many times will it take.

NOTE: this blog post is a couple years old lol. Forgot to post it! Let's get into it shall we? Here are some tunes I have been really digging lately. Courtney Barnett - Pedestrian at Best This whole album is pretty great actually. This is one of the singles released so I have listened to it more. Shout out to my friend Jessica who introduced me to this artist a while back. I find music unexpected, and incredibly exciting for how mundane the lyrics can be. Years & Years - Eyes Shut

I am SO obsessed with this song. I have only heard a few of this bands songs, they don't have a full length album out, right? The lead singers voice is so smooth. I can decide if this song makes me happy or sad, either way it makes me feel good. St. Vincent - Bad Believer

St. Vincent is one of my favorite artists of all time. So when I heard about her new ep, Pieta (released for record store day), I was beyond excited. "Bad believer" is upbeat, but doesn't lose its edge. Probably the song I have been listening to the most over the past month (according to my last.fm account)

Cure for the common "snowed in and I need some tunes to help me make it through"

Hello all. Snow has hit the Pacific Northwest and caused an epidemic of people becoming overwhelmingly bored. Luckily the snow has began to melt and we can once again go back to our 9-5's and remember what it was like to hate our lives for a completely different reason. Also... here are some tunes that I like. The Promise - Swear and Shake

I don't remember where I first heard this song. It popped up on a playlist somehow as I was riding the train and I decided that I really enjoyed it. It's a song about unrequited love but somehow it lifts me up. The vocals are extremely heartfelt and powerful. I checked out the rest of their stuff after listening to this song (about 19 times) and I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

HUMPDAY

Never Look Back - Slow Club

Every time I listen to this glorious song I love it more. It starts out beautifully slow and gradually builds. It's one that I have to blast, I can't leave it at a whisper. I need those golden vocals and grinding guitar to be at maximum jam-session level. I never want this song to be over. Here are some other version I found on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwuRzR-Gfv4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuTUvtmyvfA Dissolve Me - Alt-j

So I was introduced to Alt-J by my brother, then all of the sudden they were everywhere! This band deserves their new found success. My favorite track of their's at the moment is Dissolve me. The gorgeously blended harmonies warm my belly. I also love the echo effect... I'm not sure what the technical music term for this is but it works really well in this song. Throw - D.Veloped

If you are a mash-up lover like me, then this next one is for you! This is a jam I love to get pumped up to. Perfect mix of rap, pop, and rock! (including some Blink-182 guitar riff) THROWS SOME CHEESE ON THAT BITCH

Wacky Wednesday / Mood Booster

Hey guys, It's humpday, it's also October, it's also almost over. With the winter months ahead some of us need a good "mood booster," in other words, Here are some songs that make me happy. A Better Son/Daughter - Rilo Kiley

So I have loved Rilo Kiley for a LONG time. I will admit I wasn't there in the beginning, I didn't start listening to them until More Adventurous (only because I wasn't cool enough) Thanks to spotify, I randomly came across the song A Better Son/Daughter. I cannot believe I have been missing out for some many years. Jenny belting out "And sometimes when you're on you're really fucking on" fills me with joy. The song has serious undertones but leaves you with the message of hope, that things will be ok even after all the shit. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

OK so I have always LIKED this song, but what made me LOVE this song was recently watching Pretty In Pink. If you haven't seen this movie, I will tell you, it's on netflix, so go watch it, now. I just love this part of the movie... may even be my favorite part. Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers

Another group I have loved for a long time but some how overlooked a gem of a song. Mass Romantic is upbeat and gets the juices flowing!

Nostalgia

Hello all! This week was my birthday, which often leads to some reflection on years past. When it comes to music, I love rediscovering old favorites. This time around I reminisced with the songs of 90's past. For me this was a pivotal time, the end of grade school and the beginning the mysterious beyond (weird Land Before Time Reference, but also Middle School) First, today was the day I remembered how much I love Hanson. Noticed this is not past-tense. They group, often put in the same category as 90's boy bands, is so much more than a "boy-band." For one thing, they ACTUALLY play instruments. I don't want to get to worked up so let me just get on with it. The song I chose is A Minute Without You, this song was my JAM when I was ten, and I STILL love it. It's just so fun, and up-lifting. It's kind of a sweet love song actually. And those SWEET SWEET harmonies!!!

Second, you may know Robyn now as a Pop/Dance dream, with her song Dancing On My Own playing in the show GIRLS, or seeing Taran Killam spoofing her video for Call Your Girlfriend,hilariously, on SNL. I knew her first as the R&B songstress, shouting at me to SHOW HER LOVE AND WHAt IT'S ALL ABOUT. Show Me Love was a from one of Robyn's first albums that my cousin had on tape. We would blast it and jump on her bed, as if we could understand the meaning lyrics perfectly.

I don't have a third 90's song, but I do have a fun song from the 60's. Sugartown by Nancy Sinatra! I don't know what it is but I can't get enough of this song! Also gotta love the cover by Zooey D in 500 days of summer. (CAN'T FIND A LINK..... GAH!)

Tuesdays "Obsessed" List. (aka bumbershoot withdrawals)

As mentioned in the title, this tuesday evening is all about obsession. Specifically, the tunes I have been jammin to the past week or so, the tunes I can really jam out to. Hold on to your socks, here they come... 1. Hearts Like Our - The Naked and Famous

For some reason I had this idea that this band was some sort of emo/whiny voice band. I have no clue what that's about. Anyway, by hearing this song on accident I discovered, I love their sound. This indie band from Auckland has a synthpop vibe that is right up my alley. This is one of those songs you blast while shaking your fists in an intense but passionate manner.... but maybe not while riding the train home from work. 2. Beta Love - Ra Ra Riot

I've loved Ra Ra Riot for awhile now. I know this album has been getting a lot of flack, but you know what... I don't care. I hadn't heard this new album a until a few weeks ago when a dear friend pressed play. It is a song that lifts spirits and gets people dancing. We saw them live at bumbershoot that weekend and they killed it. Vocals were spot on, and even sitting in stadium seat I just wanted to get up and dance. Later that night we pressed play one more time for an impromptu living room dance party... yepp we loved it that much. 3. Photobooth - Death Cab for Cutie

My favorite show of bumbershoot! It was great to see Death Cab playing the Transatlanticism album all the way through. They were great live, as always. After they finished playing the Transatlanticism set they played a few more favorites, including; 405, Crooked Teeth, Cath, and, of course, Photobooth. Photobooth is one of those songs I kind of forget about sometimes but every time I rediscover it, it's a mad love affair. Thanks and until next time!

It's been awhile/ sunday morning Jamz

I'm pretty sure it's been years actually. I realized I need this blog back in my life. I'm not sure why I stopped, laziness most likely. Maybe I'm having my quarter life crisis and i'm trying to go back to a simpler time. Really though I think I just miss talking about music. I don't have any agenda, i'm simply here to talk about music that I like and hopefully it will start a conversation.

Without further ado, here is my "Sunday Jamz" post.

Sundays are a good time to sit in bed with a cup of coffee and just browse the web for some jamz. Sometimes you go searching and sometimes it finds you. Today was one of those days where music found me. Looking through old blog posts of one of my favorites Megan Isobel of <a href="http://www.lipssofacto.com/2012/06/june.html#.Uiys1mQ_8hY">LipsoFacto</a>, I found a playlist she posted about a year ago. On the list was Grizzly Bear - Shift (alternate version) which I realized I had heard once before in the movie Blue Valentine but decided I needed to hear it again. After a google search I found that the song had been performed on one of my all time favorite music sites, <a href="http://en.blogotheque.net/2006/07/01/grizzly-bear-en/">Le Blogoteque</a>. I love pretty much anything Vincent Moon does, and this was no exception. They also performed an accapella version of Knife. It's heartwarming and makes me smile.

Here they are... my Sunday Jamz

AHHHH IT'S BEEN SO LONG!!!!

I really wanted to keep this up as much as possible, I was doing really well for awhile then I just kind of forgot about.... I sense a new years resolution.
Whirring- The Joy Formidable
Lately my new favorite band has been The Joy formidable, they have probably been around forever... sometimes I just don't find out about great bands for awhile. Anyway... I would recommend listening to all of their stuff but I specifically am enjoying Whirring. Mostly because it was of the first songs I heard by this band. I am trying to think of what they sound like, they remind me of someone specific. I really like the lead singer, she's female but she has the lower tone where it could be either male or female which I find interesting. The music has this sweet sadness to it like most indie rock, I'm not sure what it is but I felt really connected to this music. Travelling Woman - Bat for Lashes. I have had this album forever but I only listened to certain songs. I started listening to this whole album more and I am loving this song. A lot of people can't really get into her music I have noticed. Mostly males. I think she has such an interesting voice, it's clear and raspy at the same time. I also admire her because she is a visual artist as well as a musician. Her music videos are gorgeous.Skinny Love (Bon Iver cover) - Ingrid Michaelson
I love ingrid, I love bon iver (justin vernon), this cover is brilliant. I love how she slowed it down, it's a simple, one take version. Her voice is amazing and I love what she does with this song.

go home, I'm trying but I've been misled

Dirty Cartoons - Menomena : First of all, GO PORTLAND BANDS!!! WOOT!! I was pleasantly surprised by Menomenas new album. I have listened to them for awhile but this album is on another level from their previous work. This song, specifically, took my breath away the first time I heard it. I can't wait to see them live TOMORROW NIGHT!! :)
For Now - People Eating People : While at Bumbershoot last weekend a friend suggested we go the EMP Sky Church venue and People Eating People happened to be the band that fit into out schedule. It turned out that I fell in like with Nouela Johnston (Front woman of the group). She could go anywhere with her piano and knock your socks off. Her voice is powerful at times but can beautiful and light. Her piano skills are ridiculous. I chose this song because it's just her without a band and I think she does tremendously well without any extras. Also a local band (Seattle) so that's a bonus.
The Shore - Basia Bulat : I discovered this song while spending hours on end watching The Take Away Shows . I loved her song In The Night but hadn't realized she had come out with a new album. The shore is a sweet sounding, slower-paced song. It fits Bulat's voice well.

blissfully painful and insanity

Falling Over - The Pains of Being Pure at Heartgoing through my second phase of being obsessed with this band. The second time has been better so far. Kind of reminds me of Belle & Sebastian. Oh Mein Me - Dum Dum Girls
going to see them open for Beach House and Vampire Weekend. I think I am most excited to see them. I am really getting into the lo-fi sound, especially with female vocalists. Hang With Me (Acoustic) - RobynI love both versions of this song but this version really shows off this girls voice. Honestly I don't understand why she isn't more popular. This is what pop music should be about.

Just what I needed....

Gimme.

Side B is also out

Sasquatch

So yeah... it's been a couple weeks since Sasquatch but I am finally reading to blog about. Was super busy with finals but now I have plenty of free time to update.

Basically Sasquatch was one of the best weekends I've ever had. I can't wait to make it a yearly tradition. So many amazing performers, met some really cool people, and didn't shower the entire time haha.

I figured I would talk about my favorite performances and also so surprise performances that I was expecting to be good or just had no idea who they were before the festival.

I'm going to get this one out of the way.
#1 performance of the weekend was Broken Social Scene.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was overwhelmingly amazing.
Kevin Drews voice was so good live, they had a good range of old favorites and new songs from Forgiveness Rock Record, and it was the most amazing venue. (sorry didn't really get a good pic of them)


#2 for me The XX
I really fell in love with their album, playing it over and over on my computer, my ipod, and vinyl. Seeing them live was something I was really looking forward to and they did not disappoint. Romy and Olivers voices were spot on. The only reason they are number two is because simply because the don't have the history and experience of BSS. I think with time they could become one of my all time favorites.
#3 was The National. I want to move to Brooklyn and hang out with these guys. Setlist was pretty good but there were a couple songs missing for me. It was really cool to listen to them as the sun was setting and the view of The Gorge behind them. I will never get used to that view.

I can't really pick a number four, I loved Dirty Projectors, Miike Snow, Passion Pit, Mumford & Sons, She & Him, and Edward Sharpe all about the same. Dirty Projectors are very talented live, especially the combinations of the two female vocals really blew me away.

Some bands that surprised me were, MGMT, Mayer Hawthorne, and Band of Horses. I wasn't really expecting anything from MGMT but they were actually really great live, sound wise and also interacting with the audience. Ending with "Kids" was epic, it was just a ridiculous amount of people dancing and everyone was singing along. It was just a great sense of unity and one of my favorite moments over the weekend.

Can I go back now?

3 days!!!!!

ok so I was gonna do a post about Sasquatch but I think I will save that.
So last.fm may not be showing it because my ipod has not been scrobbling lately, but I have been OBSESSED with some really random songs lately. It comes from watching random youtube videos , waking up with random songs stuck in my head, and listening to songs on my old ipod. What's Up - 4 Non Blondes, this song is ridiculous... that's pretty much why I love it. Linda Perry's voice is just.... Hilarious but amazing at the same time. Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money, I just woke up the other day and this song was stuck in my head, the next night I went and saw Macgruber and the song was in the movie! Coincidence or not I still love this song. Another Night-Real McCoy, I HAVE to dance when I hear this song, partially because it was a regularly played song during jazzercise and partially because it's awesome.
Ok in real life... well in new music, I am pretty obsessed with
Blue Hawaii - Dream Electrixra, it's a pretty big buzzed band right now and i am definitely on board with it.

Cover me in water

I will have a new set of songs for you soon.... for now here is an awesome video of St. Vincent

I Never Had to Hold You By The Edges Like I Do Now

I Hate Seagulls - Kate Nash
Love at first sound <3 I have missed you so much Kate.
Rambling Man - Laura Marling
God this song is so beautiful. Marling's voice is kind of mis-mashed with her appearance to me, which I kind of like for some reason. I heard it first when she performed it for The Black Cab Sessions so it was a live version, but I like both versions. The whole album is great, looking forward to seeing her at Sasquatch.
A Token of Gratitude - The Radio Dept.

The Business of Sadness

Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms vs Bad Arms
love this band in general but this song...

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
new stuff. so since I have really been getting into them lately I was super-stoked and not at all disappointed.

Bachelorette - The National Grid
I have the live version of this, havent heard the original... but I loved it the first time I heard it... so I'm guessing she is pretty ok live.

my heart hangin' out

cleaned almost my entire apartment, it feels really weird now, kinda creepy almost. too clean!
here we go magic - tunnel vision
have had this one forever... just discovered its beautywave machines - carry me back to my home & the line both make me want to dance! into it fo sho!we all have hooks for hands - hold on, c'mon
yupp

Jeff Bridges (any song from Crazy Heart especially...) Brand New Angel
...so basically I want to marry this man.
Joanna Newsom - Soft as Chalk
so this album is amazing...just go now...go listen
Ellie Goulding - Wish I Stayed
just discovered her, so far so good.

sometimes I still need you.

so I decided I am going to Sasquatch instead of Coachella cause it is way cheaper and closer and less sketch haha.
pretty much all of the people I wanted to see will be at both except for Florence + the machine :(
basically it doesn't matter though cause I am most excited to see....

Oh sail me to the moon, before it's too late

Don't Kiss Me Goodbye - Ultra Orange & Emmanuelle
This is from The Diving Bell and The Butterfly Soundtrack, it fits the movie perfectly.
I love the whole soundtrack really. Valentine - Kina Grannis
Ok so yeah, valentines day, whatever, I just heard this song and I really like it.
it's cute and simple and sweet and endearing. Me and Jane Doe - Charlotte Gainsbourg
I can't believe how amazing she is. I first saw her in I'm Not There and I thought she was so great as an actor and it turns out that she's also an amazing musician! yay.