greg-laswell

My mom is having surgery tomorrow (well for most of you reading this it will be today, Wednesday) on her shoulder, pretty routine especially for her since she has the muscle tissue of Gumby. Always the mom though, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine” she says. She is crazy but I love her so. Think happy, wonderful thoughts tomorrow please!

Greg Laswell soothes my soul tonight… He puts all anxiety at ease with his haunting vocals and delicious melodies. The first pick is short but ever so sweet and the second is just so uplifting I could not resist.

mp3:  Sweet Dream

mp3:  How The Day Sounds

Three Flights From Alto Nido 2008 (Vanguard Records)

volume

Image found here

I can sum up today’s day with one word, lame. Work, OBGYN appointment and traffic, no thank you. Tonight I just want to sit back, press play and turn the volume up…

mp3: Birds

Emilíana Torrini on myspace

Me And Armini 2008 (Rough Trade)

Music always brings a smile to my face. :-)

Also available on eMusic

sanders-bohlke

I have been listening to this song non-stop for the last few days, it is gorgeous. Sanders Bohlke is a wonderful indie folk infused singer-songwriter,  he has a new EP coming out soon and I am looking forward to it.

Check out his 2005 self -titled album! Purchase a copy here.

Link to purchase: eMusic or Amazon MP3

The Weight Of Us 2009 (Sanders Bohlke)

nina_simone

I think this song is one the most beautiful songs of all time. Nina Simone’s cover is so dramatic, she infuses so much emotion into each note as the piano melody sends chills down my spine. I play it over and over and yet I listen to it as if it was for the first time. You may have heard this song most recently in the trailer for Revolutionary Road, which if you have not had a chance to see I would recommend a viewing. At first I was not impressed because I didn’t really cry and this something very odd because I cry at most movies. Now, that I think back to it… I think I was more angry at the characters, which means they must have been doing something right…

mp3: Wild is the Wind

Wild is the Wind 1966 (Verve)

florence-and-the-machine

I am feeling much better… Finally. They did indeed make sure I did not have the Swine Flu as I had a lot of the same symptoms. I have never been in a hospital bed before but I am no stranger to hospital beds as I visited my dad daily. Hospitals are scary places for all and as I was laying there waiting I began thinking… You feel so helpless and vulnerable in your open back gown and thin cold sheet. You wait for results and answers only to be poked and proded to await for more answers. Alarms sound, monitors beep and you can hear strange mysterious noises coming from the walls… Then you wait some more. I was one of the lucky ones and for that I am quite thankful.

Came across Florence and the Machine, which is a UK based band headed by singer Florence Welch. Similar to fellow UK artist Kate Nash but I feel Welch shows entirely more promise then Nash ever has. Her debut full length will be released in July but a little EP teaser is available on eMusic. Enjoy!

mp3:  Hospital Beds (Cold War Kids Cover)

A Lot Of Love, A Lot Of Blood EP 2009 (I Am Sound)

Florence and the Machine on myspace

I think this album art is stunning

Spending most of this evening catching up, it has been a busy couple of weeks and I have been away from my keyboard most of the weekend… So tonight as I look back on what I have missed I am simply taking it all in while listening to the new album from The Veils, which has one of my favorite songs of 2009 on it. That’s right I said it!

mp3:  Sit Down By The Fire

The Veils on myspace

Sun Gangs 2009 (Rough Trade)

Also available on eMusic

p.s. You must head over to the Contrast Podcast and check out this weeks CP, The best music of 2009 (so far). You can hear another one of my favs and listen to all the wonderful selections which I am sure will please.

Quick post tonight but none the less important by any means. I took off early from work last night headed north to the El Rey theater in LA to see Alexi Murdoch… I had previously seen dearest Alexi at the Hotel Cafe, which was a solo acoustic performance and far more intimate. Last night he performed with a full band and it was quite interesting to experience both. However, I have tried for the last 24 hours to decide which I might prefer and I could not bring myself to make such a decision… Surprise, surprise. All I can say is, when I hear Alexi’s music whether it be on my headphones or live… There is so much beauty and grace to his music that I almost can’t even breathe… There is a lot to take in, so much to appreciate and enjoy.

We got an unexpected treat as well… I really didn’t think it could get any better but it did… Towards The Sun is a 7 song limited edition short album/long EP that I have been listening to non-stop since I exited the theater and got into my car. A possible sample soon to come but for now try to catch him live he is currently touring.

The Portland Cello Project opened for Alexi last night and I was quite pleased I caught them as this was their last show for this tour. They have a new album coming out in June.

mp3:  Gold (featuring Weinland)

Portland Cello Project 2008

Also availble on eMusic

p.s. This post was not that quick… ha

Tonight I am attending the OC Music Awards… Now I am not really one for events, I am too much of an introvert. But it is one of our clients so a bunch of us from work decided to get a table… I have never really explored the Orange County music scene all that much and I think this is because quite frankly I fear it may live up to the stereotypical radio bullshit that I just don’t care for…  I have somewhat disregarded the possibility of anything good coming from the OC music scene. Well I was wrong because behind all the fake generic music there are some real musicians making some honest, original music. The Yellow Red Sparks have caught my attention with their new EP,  Simply Put Me In Your Place. I have to say I am excited to have been introduced to this kooky band from Southern California, the EP is filled with beautiful acoustic melodies and gentle vocals that have really surprised me. Cheers!

mp3: Happiness Comes In A Box

Yellow Red Sparks on myspace

Simply Put Me In Your Place 2009

Available at Amazon

I love this album cover

Not a lot  to say this evening unfortunately… And I am not going to force it. So tonight I will sit back and press play…

mp3: Little Shadow (Acoustic)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs on myspace

It’s Blitz! 2009 (Interscope Records)

p.s. Their new album is pretty good, I got the digital version as it has some acoustic versions of some of the album tracks…

Honda FCX Clarity

mp3: just a dream

Great Northern on myspace

Trading Twilight for Daylight 2007 (Eenie Meenie Records)

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    Music found on this blog is for sampling only. If you like what you hear then support the artist. Buy their music, attend a show and spread the word. If you own the rights to any of the music featured here and you would like me to remove it contact me and I will remove the link immediately.

    Click the tag to listen, right click the song title to save. If you find that an mp3 is not playing chances are it has expired.

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