Category Archives: Music

Music defines my world.

The Sunday Funday Playlist – January 29, 2012

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2012 is off to a tremendous start with lots of new music being released and/or announced.  This week’s Sunday Funday playlist features new stuff from some old favorites…and one track from a new band that is soon to be a favorite.  Happy Sunday!

1.  “Over It” – Son of a Bad Man
It’s no secret how much I adore this little Jacksonville band.  Their new album Here’s to the Falling In came out this week, and I’ve been completely obsessive about it.  This song has gotten a redonculous number of plays.  It’s upbeat and fun and I just love it.  Unfortunately, it’s not on SoundCloud, so you’ll have to go over to iTunes to play the sample.

2. “Set My Heart” – Sons & Lovers

See the Friday Awesomeness from this week for the story on this one.

3. “Heart of Me” – Green River Ordinance
Another one of my favorite little pop-rock bands has a new album coming out in a couple of weeks.  The GRO boys released the first single from their forthcoming album Under Fire for free download.  Again, not on SoundCloud, but you can go pick it up here.  It’s everything happy and wonderful I expect from these five sweethearts!

4. “Pretty Bones” – The Soldier Thread

New EP coming this week from one of my Austin favorites… My appetite for their music is insatiable.  Can’t wait for it to arrive in my mailbox!

5.  “Feather on the Clyde” – Passenger

There’s so much new music coming out in the next six weeks that I am over the moon.  One of the new albums I’m looking forward to most is All the Little Lights from Passenger (pre-order it here).  Christy turned me onto this Brit’s music a few years ago and I have been obsessive ever since.  This will be one of the tracks…Mike’s voice is just so gorgeous.  Puts my restless soul at ease right now.

Friday Awesomeness: Sons & Lovers “Set My Heart”

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In the “new bands that excite me” category, I was introduced to Sons & Lovers, a little UK upstart, by the ever-on-target Andy Knox over at musicforthosewholisten.  Information on Sons & Lovers is a little hard to find… they’ve got a Twitter and a Facebook, but no website to speak of.  Their Facebook seems to hint at the fact that they are in the studio… And you can bet I’m going to be waiting with bated breath for some more music from them!

Can’t get enough of this song right now – that guitar just gets in my head and I want to keep playing it over and over.  Go pick it up for free over at Neon Gold Beat Company.

More Sons & Lovers:  Facebook | Twitter

Justin Hopkins, Last Goodbye & The Voice

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I wrote awhile back about Justin Hopkins, a California singer-songwriter that I absolutely adore. Pick up his stuff here and here and here. Found out today that he auditioned for Season 2 of The Voice. Not sure what the outcome is/was, but it’s enough to make me watch the premiere on SuperBowl Sunday.

He posted this little video of him covering Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” … and I thought it was worth sharing on this Tuesday. My soul needs a little soothing, and Justin’s voice always does it for me.

More Justin Hopkins: Facebook | Twitter

The Sunday Funday Playlist – January 22, 2011

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First week in awhile I’ve had to really sit down and listen to some new music…of course, a lot of it is by some of my old favorites, but there’s a few new voices that have snuck in.

1. “Walking Shoes” – Red Wanting Blue

I am totally in love with Red Wanting Blue’s new album, The Vanishing Point.  It’s half love song to a person, half love song to being in a band.  This is my favorite of the latter songs, and possibly my favorite on the album, catchy as all get out.  And the first line is so awesome…”I am the blurred out background spot in that photo on your wall.”

2.  “Brother” – Matt Corby

Apparently, this fella won Australian Idol a few years ago or something…but I am digging his voice in a big way.  That throaty chorus gets to my bones.  Of course, you can’t buy anything here in the States.  So frustrating.  Luckily, this song was available for free download on a few websites.  Side note:  Passenger fans, Matt sang on Passenger’s latest release, Flight of the Crow.

3.  Foy Vance – Be the Song

When I was in Ireland, I had a conversation with Christy’s very hot podiatrist (don’t ask – long story) about Irish/local music and he told me I should check out Foy Vance.  I downloaded a few of his older albums and have been loving them.  Then, noticed he had recorded a Daytrotter session in Decemeber, and downloaded that, too.  The three-song session is AMAZING, and this might be my favorite.  Love, love, love.

4. “Tokyo” – Imagine Dragons

I bought Imagine Dragons It’s Time this past summer, but for the past couple of weeks, I’ve had it on repeat.  I just love this song…It’s so…FUN.  You MUST check out the video.  It will make you laugh, and want to dance around your living room.

5.  “We Take Care of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen

An unexpected surprise this week…Bruce releases a single and announces the much anticipated new album release date.  Not as much of a surprise, the song has a very “Born In the USA”-esque type theme to it.  A questioning, “What are we doing to help each other get through in hard times” kind of song.  “Where are the hearts that run over with mercy,” strikes me as the most poignant line. A challenge, almost, for people to reinvigorate the American spirit.  And damn, it sounds so good at top volume in the car!

SXSW Gets Bruce AND These Guys…

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When it was announced that Bruce Springsteen, the only man I’ve ever really loved, would be giving the keynote at SXSW, my cell phone and e-mail blew up with messages from friends asking if I was going to figure out how to be there.  And while that would be cool, what bums me out the most about not going to SXSW is missing all the great up and coming talent.  Like this uber talented band…

Vegas’s Imagine Dragons was all over my Best of 2011 list for good reasons.  Their 2011 EP, It’s Time, is absolutely delectable little bit of indie rock, laced with happy clappy rhythms, synthesizers, rhyming, and layered harmonies.  And song’s like this one, “Tokyo,” “Amsterdam,” and “America” will get stuck in your head, with unforgettable lyrics.  You have been warned.  You’re going to be hearing a lot about these kids.  If you are going to SXSW, don’t miss ’em.

More Imagine Dragons: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Purchase It’s Time on iTunes or Amazon