Running Music

What's this it's Monday and I'm chiming in? Is this an alternate universe? Another dimension? No, I'm just trying to start posting more often and various things. In the works I've been putting together a couple more weekly series - one regarding budget meal planning and another posting different ideas for piano lessons. But today, it's another music list. A list for RUNNING!

Crazy thing happened on my run this morning, I thought why not share what I hear in my head as I run? I'll save my classical running playlist for another day but today this is what I had in mind. Check out the Spotify playlist below, and while you're at it follow me on Spotify to find all my Friday Refrain lists and any random future playlists I might cobble together.  Happy Listening!

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music...

Well I've returned, and there were so many releases last week, sorry to have missed it. We'll do a little catch up. First, go grab a coffee and some cheesecake if you have it becuase that's what I'm going to do. Right back. Ah. Much better. Take a seat.

Last week Britney Spears, Florida Georgia Line, Barbra Streisand, and De La Soul all had albums out. (I told you it was a big week) Prophets of Rage (parts of Public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine with B-Real from Cypress Hill) released an ep, The Party's Over. Indie songstress Ingrid Michaelson is back wtih It Doesn't Have To Make Sense. Michael Sweet of Stryper released his own One Sided War. And don't forget to check out the latest Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Today it's a bit slimmer though. More manageable for a U.S. holiday weekend, the last weekend we can fully indulge in our favorite summer hits and still say we're celebrating [the demise of] summer. People are buzzing about Angel Olsen's My Woman. The Mekons have Existentialism. and I think that's about it for today. Like I said, holiday weekend

Two lists to bring you back to the glory of summer: 8/19 and 8/26

Memories of Summer References

Lisa Hannigan, At Swim - Just straight up girl with a guitar singer-songwriter which is refreshing.

Ball Park Music, Every Night The Same Dream - Might give my some thoughts of Wilco but don't hold me to that because I know that what Wilco sounds like is debatable.

Bayside, Vacancy - It's rock but it has that popular twinge to it.

Happy Diving, Electric Soul Unity

Carl Broemel, 4th of July

Ashleigh Smith, Sunkissed

Casey Donahew Band, All Night Party

Album Leaf, Between Waves

Delain, Moonbathers

Dead Gaze, Easy Travels

Milemarker, Overseas

Space Mountain, Big Sky

Zula, Grasshopper

Well that was kinda fun. I'm going to throw a bunch of tracks onto the Spotify playlist of other things I was digging this last week or found interesting enough to put on the playlist. And now I'm going to work on that playlist because we all know that this time i have is a ticking timebomb and at any moment I will be wisked away from my computer until who knows when. So just in case, Happy Listening and have a beautiful weekend! (stay hydrated too!)

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music...

Coffee coffee buzzbuzzbuzz coffeee coffeeee chocolate chocolate chocolate FRIDAY! MUSIC TIME! So I'm working on putting together a few other blog days of the week. I'd like to start posting some of my piano lesson ideas and I'm working on a weekly meal planner post. I used to do a lot more of my crafting and such, and I'd like to expand into that again because I have all the time in the world to do these things. Yep.

Today! Today's the day for people who are/were in other bands releasing their own things: My Morning Jacket's Carl Broemel has 4th of July, Alt-J's drummer Thom Sonny Green released High Anxiety, Quasi's Sam Coomes and his Bugger Me, and formerly in The Civil Wars, John Paul White presents us Beulah. Dolly Parton's 43rd(!) album, Pure & Simple, was inspired by two concerts last year. My Half Pints co-host has probably already listened and loved the new Lydia Loveless, Real album. I've been hearing good things about the singer-songwriter Chris Staples album, Golden Age. And watch for the debut country album from Drake White, Spark.

Sparkles sparkles everywhere It's the List!

A very stretched list of Star Wars reminders

(the first three are legit, and then I just  wanted to make a list, I can't believe there isn't a Luke or a Leia releasing something this week by the way)

Lando Chill, For Mark, Your Son

Fond Han, "New Alright" - just a single but it's good.

Vader, Iron Times

Blind Pilot, And Then Like Lions

Lakuta, Brothers & Sisters

Soolo, Tage Aus Licht

Albums or artists with an animal somewhere in there

Ruby the Rabbitfoot, Divorce Party  - This is way poppier than her last album but I'm diggiing it.

The Moles, Tonight's Music - There are some odd tracks on this but otherwise it's indie rock to a t.

Shoot, I already listed Blind Pilot (and then like LIONS)

Close Lobsters, Desires and Signs EP - these guys were together in the 80s and reunited again in 2012. You can hear it in the tight music with that bit of wisdom to the writing.

Cool Ghouls, Animal Races -

Horseback, Dead Ringers - 

Omar Rodriguez-López, Blind Worms Pious Swine - I feel that with his onslaught of albums we will be seeing, I'm going to end up making my own album with tracks from each release that I like.

Waterstrider, Nowhere Now - I like this indie rock band from California.

There are a few more bands on the Spotify playlist so make sure to check that out too. And as always, Happy Listening!

ps. I never posted my playlist for last week, so I updated that post with the list. You can also just follow bunkamade on spotify to see all my playlists. Okay, sneaking away now...

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music...

It's Friday! I think I should just announce everyday like that. "It's Monday!" "It's Tuesday!" Gives the day a little oomph. A little ta-da. Speaking of which I vacuumed the dining room this morning and I forgot to ta-da my chore... All right, down to the nuts and bolts, or maybe the quavers and rests of music. (I don't know why I chose quaver. I just did. It's such a cool word.)

Today, indie rockers Of Montreal released Innocence Reaches. Rapper Rae Sremmurd is back with SremmLife 2. It's time for the next in Omar Rodríguez-López's series of 2016 releases with Blind Worms Pious Swine. I like that title. Popular rockers Young The Giant give us Home of the Strange. JEFF the Brotherhood complete their trilogy begun by Heavy Days and We Are The Champions with Zone. And Minnesota rappers Atmosphere have Fishing Blues. And a personal favorite - Ruby the Rabbitfoot is finally back with a new album, Divorce Party. So I'm excited about that.

Like a tome drops The List of the week past.

All right last week was body references this week,

Words that make me think of travelling or vacation

Jem, Beachwood Canyon

Kevin Hays, North - Jazz pianist you can check out at his bandcamp page, which I suggest you do if you like jazz.

Jonah Tolchin, Thousand Mile Night - Singer-songwriter that you know would also be good for driving music...

Islander, Power Under Control

Jeremy & the Harlequins, Into the Night

Delroy Edwards, Hangin' At the Beach

David West, Peace or Love

Camera, Phantom of Liberty -

Brick, Faceless Strangers - Metal

Andrew Leahey & the Homestead, Skyline in Central Time

Keiko Matsui, Journey to the Heart - instrumental or jazz?

Kllo, Well Worn - it's not but for some reason, I'm thinking a little XX type pop style to this one.

Minden, Sweet Simple Things - first off, everyone is thinking of the amazing Harold Warp's Pioneer Village in Minden Nebraska right? Me too. Secondly, this band is not affiliated but they are upbeat fun pop - more indie pop than pop pop.

Russian Circles, Guidance - Instrumental rock that's a bit harder, edging on metal.

Trevor Sensor, Starved Nights of Saturday Stars - I think my closest reference would be Nathaniel Rateliff in the brashness of singing. Kinda bar/drinking playground of rock.

O'Connor Band, Coming Home - see how I put this one last? Pretty clever. Anyway, acoustic americana style country.

And there's my bouncing back and forth filling things in but not enough time to do it. So some of those you'll just have to check out on your own. Some are on the Spotify list for today, others aren't. Some bands I haven't mentioned are on the Spotify list today, others not. And I did not get through the entire list because it was a long one but today's releases are pretty light and I'm looking forward to maybe completely listening to the first 2 weeks of August's releases by next Friday. We'll see, won't we? And with that I bid you all adieu, Happy Listening!

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music...

Oh poor Frank Ocean fans. I checked at 7:00 am, no album. But oh my goodness the twitter feed regarding Frank Ocean is hilarious! He's definitely got some comedic fans. And if you are awaiting his album and want to commiserate - snapchat has filters for you (in select countries)! So read this and then go check that out. But don't worry, Oceanarians, I've got other music for you. Let's hit up what actually did come out today...

But first, fun fact: Everytime I see a song titled "Seeker" or with the word in it, I always listen to it to see if it's about Quidditch. One day it will work. One day.

Today I also have to extend an empathetic arm to Travi$ Scott fans as it seems he has disappeared from Twitter and there is no sign of the album he was supposed to release today. Yet. There are still 9 hours until the end of August 5th as I write this. American Idol fans no worries though, Nick Fradiani released Hurricane. I checked, it's there. Wye Oak released Tween physically. That sounds bad. Actual tactile release of the Wye Oak album out today. Christian rockers Skillet, hm should I say, unleashed Unleashed today. Minnesota favorite Haley Bonar is getting some good vibes out of Impossible Dream. Gov't Mule released their first demos as The Tel Star Sessions. And Dinosaur Jr. is back with Give A Glimpse of What Yer Not. 2 Chainz has a mixtape out: Daniel Son; Necklace Don. And there is an interesting soundtrack out by 65daysofstatic for an anticipated sci-fi game coming out called No Man's Sky.Banks released another single, "Gemini Feed," from her upcoming album.And that is the most news we've had in weeks. Seems that releases are starting to spill out as we head toward the insane fall releases. So buckle up everybody it's going to start getting crazy I think.

Get crazy with last week's list.

A week of body references

Omar Rodríguez-Lopéz, Corazones - one of his many albums slated for this year

For Everest, We Are At Home In This Body -

Two Steps on the Water, God Forbid Anyone Look Me In The Eye - for some reason I think this reminds of Justin Vernon related items. Maybe not Bon Iver per se, but projects that he's done or bands he's recorded

Thank You Scientist, Stranger Heads Prevail - it's almost jazz rock

Problem of Pain, Burn What MyHands Wrought - I believe this was very angst ridden screamy metal?

Ploy, iron Lungs EP - This electronica set went into my okay pile this week.

Gary Hoey, Dust & Bones - Either the guy is singing or his guitar is rock

Things I was digging last week

Viola Beach, Viola Beach - I know I mentioned this last week due to the sad circumstances surrounding it but it's good and unfortunate that this is the only release.

Rett Smith, Oscuro - There's something about this guitar focused rock album that is just kinda fun.

Mothers, Accessory Cloud/Easy As Possible 7" - Their album came out earlier this year and I believe I saw it on a few half year best-ofs - and it is good, it was even better to be reminded to go back and relisten to that after hearing these tracks.

Avers, Omega/Whatever - I dig this. And I have to forewarn, the track I put on the Spotify list has an f-word in it.

NAO, For All We Know - Another one I don't know if on paper it would be something into but it has a good groove.

Frankie Reyes, Boleros Valses y Mas - This is amazing. I could just listen to this all day.

Mendrugo, More Amor - A simple straight-forward acoustic album with gorgeous melodies.

2 8 1 4, Rain Temple - One of those albums that fit into my work mood and had to put in the like pile when I realized I had just listened to half the album.

Future Generations, Future Generations - still digging this indie rock album.

Ricardo Arjona, Apague la Luz y Escuche - Just a nice acoustic album again.

I've got a lot on the To-Listen list to decide on too this week. But that should be a good start. Hopefully I get my Spotify list up before too long but right now my garage sale itch is itching and I need to go see if the sale down the street still has a few items I was thinking about. I mean I'm pretty sure I'll get my Spotify list up before Frank Ocean or Travis Scott release their albums. Ha! Though I hope those come out soon, it's not fun waiting on something you've been looking forward to. The Frank Ocean fans on twitter have been pretty funny though.... Anyway, to the garage sale and Happy Listening!

Update on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 9:22PM by Becca Ruiz

Hey, I did it! Spotify playlist added before Frank Ocean and Travis Scott released their albums. However, my list is not nearly as difficult as putting together an album. I will not fool myself. Especially as I am a bit of an obsessive perfectionist in my own way as well.