Stumbled across this bad motherfucker this morning and can’t stop listening. If you like harmonica, soul, r & b, and damn good music then Bad News Brown should be at the top of your list. To my knowledge this cat is one of the only people who utilize harmonica within beats and melodies and damn does it sound legit. His album and hit song Born 2 Sin is one of my favorite joints at the moment and hopefully it will be the same for you too. EnjoY.
Bad News Brown – Born 2 Sin
Photo Credit: Molly Ehlers
So recently I recorded a little single for the upcoming Temptation EP I have been working on. This song was a lot of fun to make and really challenged my abilities to create something cohesive and something that I could be proud of. Although the recording quality is quite poor I can at least blame it on the program I was using. Anyways, here it is, for you, the single, Sometimes.
Posted in Alternative, Electronic, Pop
Tagged Basha! Basha! Basha!, Single, Sometimes, Temptation EP
I have always had a love for a well done cover and this is nothing less than that. Honestly, I really don’t enjoy Sufjan Stevens or anything he has recorded to date but this cover The Good Nature did is amazing. The lyrics to the song are extremely captivating and the instrumental keeps it rolling. Give it a listen when you’re in a somber mood to get the full reaction. Enjoy.
The Good Nature – For the Windows in Paradise (Sufjan Stevens Cover)
Posted in Folk, Indie, Uncategorized
Tagged cover, For the windows in paradise, Sufjan Stevens, The Good Nature
I’m sorry for my mistakes
hurtful words and actions
and never sorry or regretful for any second
or special moment we shared
I realize now that you were my Summer
and with what I’ve learned from being with you
I know I’ll find my Autumn
James Vincent McMorrow – If I had a boat
Everyone has their bands who seem to produce music that have the ability to evoke every feeling we want to experience seemingly simultaneously. Recently I was thinking about who would be on my list to see live and after numerous video views and narrowing down I have found my three finalists: Miike Snow,City and Colour, and Bon Iver. Although, of course, I want to see so many others live I really feel like these 3 would make me feel things that other bands wouldn’t.
1. Miike Snow has been one of my favorite bands since their album dropped and has continued to not disappoint. I have heard (and seen) that their live performances are some of the best whether it just be in a studio or at a huge venue in a dance tent. The overall experience looks like it would be some of the most fun (and best music) that you would hear/see live. Although all of their songs have some sort of meaning to me, I still consider the fact that the live performance is seemingly incomparable to any other dance/electronic experience I have seen. This video was taken for Myspace Studios within the “Transmissions” tapings and was recorded at what looks to be a house that overlooks downtown LA. The sound quality is crazy good and after viewing their live shows via Youtube it is easy to see that the combination of quality and experience would absolutely be one of the best.
Miike Snow – Silvia
http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/100618031 (Sorry about the link, this video isn’t on Youtube yet)
2. City and Colour is a Canadian native who actually has a history with the “emo” band Alexisonfire but has created quite a different name for himself with his solo project, City and Colour. Dallas Green has in fact won a Juno award for the Best Canadian Singer-Songwriter as well his album going platinum in Canada finishing in the number 3 spot. When City and Colour comes on to my iTunes it is easy for me to stop whatever I am doing in the moment and just enjoy this dude who is much more talented than I (and many) could ever dream of being. The cadence within his vocals simply draws you in and the folk-y strumming keeps you listening for what is coming next. The emotional topics that Green covers within his 2008 Bring Me Your Love record are nothing short of heart-wrenching emotional experiences that leave you pondering and wanting more. This guy definitely knows that he is doing and it would be quite an experience to see all of these factors coming together on one stage.
City and Colour – Body in a Box
3. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I have quite an affinity for Bon Iver and their For Emma, Forever Ago album that released two years ago. Simply, this is the most REAL album I have ever experienced. I say experienced because this album was much more that a “listen” to me, this album was everything I was going through, emotionally, at the time. It was everything I wanted to say rolled into one 9 track album. I have easily experienced this album over 55 times and I cannot think of another record that evokes real pain, sorrow, triumph, and excavation more so than For Emma, Forever Ago does for me. Every time I listen it takes me back and shows me things that I had forgotten, taken for granted, enjoyed, hated, loved, and lost. I can easily say that I want to see Bon Iver more than any other band I have ever mentioned on this blog and I can guarantee it will stay that way until I am lucky enough to experience them live. I think this video says a lot about the emotion that goes into shows for Bon Iver, even if it is only a studio show, it still means something to them and I still get chills watching it- Maybe you will too.
Bon Iver – Flume
Honorable Mentions:
Kanye West
Sublime W/ Rome
Chromeo
John Mayer
J. Cole
Gang Starr (r.i.p. GURU)
The XX
Posted in Alternative, Electronic, Folk, Hip-Hop, Indie, Music, Pop, Rock
Tagged Body in a Box, Bon Iver, Bucket List, City and Colour, Flume, Live, Miike Snow, Myspace Transmissions, Silvia
Just got reacquainted with both of these songs. Completely different and yet somehow fits my mood perfectly at the moment. Nothing like some Arcade Fire and Baby Bash to end the night. Never thought these two artists would be in the same post…EVER. hahahaha, Get on my level.
The Arcade Fire – We Used To Wait
Baby Bash – Suga Suga
Posted in Alternative, Hip-Hop, Indie, Music, Uncategorized
Tagged Baby Bash, Suga Suga, The Arcade Fire, We Used To Wait
In the honor of Winter, cold nights, dry air, and breathing just so you can see your breath, I give you The National. I am sure I have blogged about these guys before but something inside of me wants to do it again. It’s feels euphoric to be back in Portland, OR for holiday break – going to my favorite view points, visiting neighborhoods and saying “someday I’m going to live here.” These are the things that make me love where I grew up and it’s so nice to be back somewhere that just gives you endless possibilities. The National came on my iPod last night as I was driving across the Ross Island Bridge and it just hit me in that moment – Winter is my favorite season, Portland is my favorite city, and The National is the perfect band to sit back and reflect on the things that mean the most to you. I hope that The National says something to you and makes you appreciate the things that make you who you are – the things that make you real. Sit back and think about who you are, where you want to be, and the little things that you seemingly don’t have time for anymore. The National can help. I promise.
The National – Mistaken For Strangers
The National – Green Gloves
The National – Slow Show
Posted in Alternative, Indie, Music
Tagged Green Gloves, Mistaken For Strangers, Portland, Slow Show, The National
This talented band hails from Baltimore where they have actually released 2 full length records as well as an EP since 2008. Currently they are set to release Civilian as their 2011 record and judging from their single it’s going to be a good one. This indie rock duo echos sounds similar to Feist, Cat Power and Florence and The Machine with the female lead vocal and rock ensembles behind them. Although today is the first time I have ever heard their stuff I would have to say it is extremely catchy has has a lot of potential. They seem to have the power to be very heavy with lyrics, however somewhat lighthearted with their instrumental. This could easily be put into my category of “break-up music” due to the lyrical nature of many of their songs. No emotion is spared in their ballads of love and loves lost and probably not the sort of music one would want to listen to on a bright sunny day, however if you’re feeling a little low or maybe just having a bad day – Boom, Wye Oak is a great option. As the rain continues to pour in Portland Wye Oak makes it seemingly easier to handle.
Wye Oak – Civilian
Wye Oak – I hope you die
Michael Rocks from The Cool Kids announced via twitter mere moments ago that The Cool Kids are set to release their LP this upcoming January! Wow, I never thought I would see the day but it has finally come. I remember looking into their upcoming LP a YEAR ago and them saying it was gonna drop in 2010 sometime. Better late than never I suppose. Anyways, keep your ears to the streets because if the LP is anything like The Bake Sale we are in for one hell of a treat. In the mean time check these cuts.
The Cool Kids – Black Mags
The Cool Kids – Flying Kytes
The Cool Kids – Mikey Rocks
Posted in Hip-Hop
Tagged Black Mags, Flying Kytes, Mikey Rocks, New, The Cool Kids, Twitter
Sick and haggard but at the same time trying to grind until my last final is over. T-minus 1-hour 30-minutes until I’m acing my test. All I have to say is today is a good day no matter what. Enjoy life, enjoy friends, lets fucking party.
Basha! Basha! Basha! 