What I'm liking right now...

I'm liking our new parrots on the wall, that's for sure. Also, I'm starting something new. I'm going to try every week to post what I've liked from recent music releases. It's nothing scientific. I'm checking out the Pop/Rock new release list on allmusic.com, making myself a Spotify playlist, and listening. There's only me though, and I can't just listen to music all day, I also have to teach it and create it, so I won't make it through the whole list. Maybe you'll find something new you like too. Maybe you'll hate all of it. Maybe I'll learn something more about what I like. We'll see. It's just my opinion and it seems personal musical taste is like politics - everyone has their own opinion and boy can they have an opinion sometimes. If these aren't your cup of tea, then keep searching for someone who gets what you like. You'll find it.

Disclaimer: There may be inappropriate language or content in these songs. I'm not going to censor my list. Possibly because I only half listen to lyrics and half of the time I don't even hear them correctly. All right.

So here goes, some pickings from the last 3 weeks:

This is what I'm definitely excited about and most likely have listened to multiple times:

Cate le Bon, Mug Museum

The Fireworks, Runaround

Crystal Fighters, Cave Rave

Sweet Baboo, Motorhome Songs EP

Together Pangea, Snakedog: I can only find 2 songs but I'm hooked.

Armchair, song: Minute of Love

Circa Waves, song: Getaway - need to find more of their stuff. now.

Intrigued, but didn't hear the whole album/want to give it another listen:

Twinsmith, Honestly

Bear's Den, Agape: If you love that sound of Mumford & Dawes, then Hey! Ho! you might want to check this one out.

Blazo, Colors of Jazz 2: Can't decide on this. Might just keep it on the party list.

Fijuka, Fijuka: I don't know if I'm just super amiable when sewing, but really dug this while crafting this week.

The Grip Weeds, Inner Grooves: I think this will fit warm days in the backyard very nicely.

The Cannanes, Hit the Wall EP

Jessie Evans, Glittermine: Only got 2 tracks in but she has that Lordes sound to her.

Jeremy Irons & The Ratgang Malibus, Bloom: Classic sounding blues rock and a touch of early 90s at times. There are definitely some great moments on this album, but something doesn't quite work for me personally. Still, it'll be on my party list.

Distant Correspondent, Distant Correspondent

From Beneath Billows, Monolith

Bomber Jackets, The Lister: I just don't know yet. I'll keep you posted if I start listening nonstop.

Some heavier bands, if you like that kind of thing: I am absolutely terribly picky and have a weird taste for this sort of music. This list is made of those I find tolerable but I might not entirely dig everything they do or every part of their band. And I really never pay attention to content in this music. At all.

We are Legend, Rise of the Legend

81db, A Blind Man's Dream

Ascension, Far Beyond the Stars

Autopsy, Introducing Autopsy

Chastain, Surrender to No One

Cold Colours, Cold Colours

Beltez, Tod Part 1

Okay, so there are a lot of end of the alphabet and beginning of alphabet in here, but I'm just starting. I'll get a system going, it'll be progressing. I was trying not to just latch onto things I already like, Andrew Bird and Amanda Palmer for example, and now haven't enjoyed their recent releases even though normally I'd be all over that stuff by now.

Happy weekend and I hope you were blessed with the chance/ability to get that John Denver & the Muppets picture disc! (if only my car hadn't decided to be all crazy on me this week)

Road Trip!

All right, it's summer - the time of road trips galore! Here are a few things to throw on the speakers as you're going:

"Song 2" - Blur

Kelly Clarkson

Rushmore Soundtrack

Theatre is Evil Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra

Favorite Podcasts - I'm an NPR junkie so I will bring a few favorites of 99% Invisible, Freakonomics, and The Dinner Party Download.

The Who

Never Trust A Happy Song - Grouplove

Phil Collins

Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket

CCR

The Band

Well, the clouds are moving in and it's time to go mow. Happy Tuesday!

Sunday Afternoons

Sundays at the farm are one of my favorites. Every year it seems we are able to find some good bands to relax to - a good mix of music legends, and recent favorites. Here's a few of my favorite Sunday bands from Bonnaroo past for your Sunday enjoyment:

*Note: These are albums to fill your day instead of just an hour playlist or so. Also, sometimes musicians swear. Sorry.

Yonder Mountain String Band - self titled

Mavis Staples - "You Are Not Alone"

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - "Raising Sand"

Fruit Bats - "Ruminant Band"

Phoenix - "Alphabetical"

Orchestra Baobab - "A Night at Club Baobab"

Diversion: They Might Be Giants - "Here Comes Science," or "Lincoln"

Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone"

Ben Folds Five - self titled

Andrew Bird - "Armchair Aprocrypha"

 The Beach Boys - "Endless Summer"

Aimee Mann - "@#%&*! Smilers"

John Fogerty - "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again"

Explosions in the Sky - "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone"

Happy Sunday!

Days into Nights

Late nights are magic.

For someone who has to manage how much I've spent in the sun and hug the shade, nighttime is perfect for wandering freely from band to band and not keeping track of how long ago I applied sunscreen. But there's something else about a late night of music, and I don't know what it is. Magic just seems to happen. Here are a few of my favorite moments:

After Pearl Jam finished at our first year, we were exhausted and sweaty. (Plus my husband was recovering from some cold he'd picked up) we stretched out on the lawn with a plate of samosas and sweet potato fries to watch Sigur Ros. I first heard this band on a mix cd my best friend gave me for my 19th birthday, and was amazed by the sound. I could hardly believe I was watching them suddenly live on stage, sparkly atmosphere and a marching band? The perfect wind-down to a wonderful day.

Same year, we were at the epic My Morning Jacket show. As songs would build, the rain poured down and the wind blew hard; then ebbing as the song wound down. It felt like they controlled the weather. Eventually they had to take a break since electronics and water aren't very good friends. When they came back, Jim James wore a cape and they tore into a great James Brown cover. We ended up leaving a bit before the end, soaked to the bone and shivering, but warmed ourselves in our sleeping bags listening to the last song,"Home Sweet Home," as we fell asleep.

LCD Soundsystem made us dance our socks off a few years ago. As we dance-sprinted to the tent, we dodged and leapt over sleeping bodies. I wish that LCD would reform every year for a late night set.

Walking back to Public Enemy from the portapotties, I reached a point in the road where I could distinctly hear Phish and Public Enemy. The sound of the two bands briefly complemented each other for a minute, rhythm and tonality syncing just for a minute. Just the right moment and right time. Amazing.

The Flaming Lips played a double set of their own work and then played The Dark Side of the Moon. First, Wayne was in the hamster ball. Second they played Dark Side. Need I say more?

And finally, Alice Cooper's set last year. My great friend had been so excited and she made sure we found the perfect spot. There was a kid dressed up in a top hat and cane on their parent's shoulders the whole show. I had never seen Alice Cooper before. Such a stage show, and just amazed me from beginning to end.

So many different sounds. So much fun. And a lot of dancing. It's the magic of late nights.

Festival Friday is back!

All right, it's been a few weeks, but I'm back with another Festival Friday. To make up for it, tomorrow I'm starting a countdown to Bonnaroo with a new post each day. But today just a quick check - have you practiced your set-up?

For those who've never been to the farm, the entire set-up process might seem a little crazy. Cars park, people stream out of their cars, shade tents immediately start popping up and tents are staked. There are a few reasons for this mad rush:

- The sooner you're up, the sooner you can sit in the shade/get out of the rain or start exploring. 

- Sometimes space needs to be claimed before the 6 people next to you get their two 8-person tents up.

- The sooner you're up, the sooner you can sit in the shade/get out of the rain or start exploring.

To make this all a smoother process, here are a few tips:

- Try to keep everything you'll need for setup in an easily accessible spot, perhaps on the floor in the backseat. That way after your car is searched, your tent won't disappear into the abyss of your trunk. (Side note: Store bread/hot dog buns in something sturdy so that the car searchers don't have to worry about flattening it)

- Know your footprint. Go out and practice your setup. How much space do you really need? With a 10x10 pop-up shade tent, we'll nestle our tents about 1/3 of the way under to help save space. By knowing how we want our space set up, we can immediately get out of the car, unroll our tents, and then set up our shade tent knowing we have enough space.

- Be kind to your neighbors. We all want space, but you're going to be living next door to these folks for several days. If someone next to you got stuck with the tiniest plot of land with barely enough room for one tent, see if you and your neighbors can help shift over some space.

- Bring duct tape.

- Guylines in the night are the scariest thing at Bonnaroo. Find something to help identify them (unfortunately glow sticks aren't allowed, because those are the easiest solution): bright string, solar powered string lights, a flag, tie something to it, etc. Protect your tent, yourself and the person walking - let them know there is a taught rope about to trip them.

- Test your ideas for posting flags or balloons at home. I'm not complaining about the flags and balloons waving in the wind, I would never find my tent without these. ("Wait, why am I buy the unicorn, I need to find the clownfish!") However, a badly posted flagpole could result in an awkward introduction to your neighbors. ("Hi, I'm the guy with the clownfish. I'm sorry to tell you but it fell and now your hood has a big dent down the middle of it...")

- Did you find your duct tape yet? Good. Grab your rubber mallet and a flashlight too.

Things you could have to be the helpful neighbor: extra stakes, extra plasticware, scissors, small tool kit, jumper cables, cold beer (either as gift or trade for a warm one) and since you're camp will be up in no time - see if anyone needs a rubber mallet too.

All right, make sure to check my other Festival Friday posts to get some tips on what to bring, how to sort out all those conflicts and some favorite bands I've seen. And check back tomorrow as I count it down to getting back to the farm.

Remember - Protect your ears, skin, and hydrate! Happy Friday!