Category Archives: Music

Music defines my world.

What’s On Your Workout Playlist? Vol 2.

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A good running playlist (and the promise of a beer afterwards) will get me through any race happy! Virginia Beach Rock n' Roll Half-Marathon September 2008

We’re down to less than 12 weeks before the Savannah Rock n’ Roll Half-Marathon – time for the serious training to kick in. This will be my fifth half and while running and I will never be besties, I do get a huge sense of accomplishment out of it.

However, I would not be able to run a foot without my trusty little iPod Shuffle and my favorite Philips earbuds (which I fear may die before the half…dang fraying wires). Forget my carb count and food intake, how much water I’ve consumed, or how much sleep I got the night before – the key to my success on long runs is my running playlist. Unlike a lot of runners, I don’t craft my playlists around BPM; I more or less go with songs I love, things that inspire me, that bring back good memories (so that when I’m cursing the hill at mile 8, at least I’m doing it with a smile!).

I like to run to the same playlist so that I know where I should be…you know, when “Pumped Up Kicks” is on, I should be at roughly 3.5 miles. That kind of thing. But, as my training moves along and I figure out where I’m hitting walls and when I’m on cruise control, my playlist evolves to help give me the boosts that I need – or remind me to slow it down. There’s nothing better than hearing Moby’s, “Bodyrock” at mile 9 when I’m flagging and re-finding my groove!

So, as previously promised, I’m posting the updated & revised version of my playlist here. From the search stats on the blog, I’ve figured out that a LOT of people are looking for workout and running playlist songs, so I’m happy to share so that maybe one of you will find something new. I’ve linked every song to its iTunes, Amazon and/or Bandcamp page for quick and easy buying (after all that running, I know, it’s too much effort to have to track down these tunes!). There are even a handful that are available for free download – take advantage of these aritsts’ generosity and pick up some tunes for your running playlist!

Let me know if you have any great additions for me or if you find something new here that’s been a great addition to your playlist!

Happy running!

The Sunday Funday Playlist – August 14, 2011

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Quiet week for the JrzyGyrl.  Lots of work.  Makes for loads of listening time.

1.  Home – The Wealthy West

A side project of Brandon Kinder from The Rocketboys, another Austin, TX band, The Wealthy West is right up my singer-songwriter power alley.  Where The Rocketboys are full-band rock n’ roll with a little reminiscent of Coldplay, The Wealthy West is more toned down – really sparse arrangements (although not all acoustic – check out the organ on “Another Bad Idea”), contemplative lyrics and perfect little melodies.  Brandon’s voice is a bit chameleonesque – reminds me of Greg Laswell every once in awhile.  This little self-titled 5-song EP won my heart this week and got some serious action.  “Home” is my favorite track; seriously, how can you not love acoustic guitar, harmonica and banjo?

2.  Demons – Marcus Foster

Props for this one go to Music for Those Who Listen.  In the same post that gave me Ben Howard last week, he also turned me onto Marcus Foster, a soul-filled folky singer from the UK….think Brit version of Ray LaMontagne, minus the angsty depression.  Really loving his Tumble Down EP (despite the fact that I can’t buy it in the U.S. and am forced to listen to it on SoundCloud) especially this track, which has been the perfect accompaniment to my mood this week.

3. Anybody – The Soldier Thread

I was turned onto Austin, TX’s The Soldier Thread a few years ago by Stephen, who was a member of Alpha Rev’s management and promotions team at the time.  Lately, I’ve been a little obsessed with them, especially after seeing their acoustic act live a few months ago.  Patricia Lynn’s voice is pure freaking gold.  They put this song up for free download a few weeks back, and it has been getting lots of play – I love that this song, and their song “Matador” are serious empowerment songs. This week, “Anybody” shot to the top of my playlists. Not only did they put up a video of Patricia and Justin doing an acoustic version which is absolutely beautiful, but it also became my new favorite song to run to as it closed out my new running mix.  Download the song for free by clicking on the download arrow above or visiting their Facebook page.

4. When I Get My Wings – Will Hoge

With work ruling my life this week, I find myself desperately looking forward to my long beach weekend escape with seven of my closest friends in nineteen very long days.  Of course, the impetus behind the trip is a two-night stand at The Windjammer by none other than Mr. Will Hoge.  If you know me, my anticipation for his new record, Number Seven, is not at all surprising.  If you don’t know me…well, suffice it to say that Will is one of my Top Five artists of all time, and my absolute favorite artist to see live.  This will be the first single off the new album, and although you can only get it streaming right now, it has still gotten significant play from me.   Check out snippets off the new record at willhoge.com, listen to an interview that Alternative Addiction did with Will about the new record here, and read the story behind this song over at American Songwriter.

5. Take in the Sunlight – The Kin
My favorite Australian duo is back!  I feel so lucky to have seen these guys perform live on several occasions on The Rock Boat; there’s definitely a magic that siblings who perform together have that no one else can match, and these brothers are simply profound. Harmonically, they are sheer perfection together. The guys did a song for a documentary called “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” about a man’s quest to lose weight and create a healthier lifestyle; “Take in the Sunlight” is the “theme” for the documentary, and I gotta tell you, it is an inspiring song.  So much so that it made it to my running mix, even though it’s not really an uptempo song.  They released it as part of EP with a few older songs (“Diamonds,” “Waking Up Shining,” “One Thing”) Unfortunately, the track can’t be found anywhere on SoundCloud, so I can’t put in a clip.  However, someone was nice enough to record them singing it at the opening of the film…and it’s almost better because you can really get a feel for the incredible intensity The Kin has live.  Thanks to BigCityVegan for sharing the clip on YouTube.

Friday Awesomeness: The Soldier Thread’s “Anybody”

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I think my soul lives in Austin, TX sometimes.  This week’s Friday Awesomeness belongs to the fabulous Austin band The Soldier Thread.  I am not a huge fan of female vocals in general, but Patricia Lynn goes right up there with Grace Potter in my book.  Just love, love, love her voice (and her hair, but that’s a different story). This video of her and Justin performing their song “Anybody” acoustic just puts into perspective how incredible her talent is. The song is hella powerful to begin with, but slow it down and just have it hang out with a piano and it’s incredibly beautiful. Ho.ly.in.sane.bat.man.

Get the full band version of “Anybody” here (and pick up “Matador” while you’re at it).

More The Soldier Thread:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | iTunes | YouTube

Charlotte Tour Stop for The Well Reds!

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Very excited to tell you all that about-to-break Atlanta artist Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds are making a pit stop in Charlotte on Thursday, August 25th at my new 3rd favorite spot in town, Crown Station Pub. If you like serious piano and huge vocals with your rock n’ roll, this is a band that you simply must hear – and hearing it now in this micro-sized venue will be cooler than cool when these guys hit it big.

I first blogged about these guys back in March, and I gotta tell you, their EP has gotten heavy play over the past four months. Balcony TV Atlanta recently had two of the guys on to perform a little acoustic number, and it’s something magical when you can watch an artist perform and have the vocals sound as big and clean live as they do in recording. And the HARMONIES…so smooth! Talented little bunch, these Well Reds.

Check out this little promo video of their single, “Violet” (my favorite part, it should be no surprise, is the break that starts at 1:48 – CLAPPING!) then come on out to Crown Station in two weeks to catch ’em live!

P.S.  There’s a bunch of other videos on their YouTube page, so I highly recommend making a visit to see some of their acoustic stuff, too!

More of The Well Reds: Website | Facebook | Twitter | iTunes | YouTube

New Stuff from Margolnick

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Over the past year and a half or so, I’ve become an “in the wings” watcher of a local Charlotte band called Flagship – or more appropriately, the lead singer, Drake Margolnick.  He quietly put out a solo EP late last year…so quietly that I didn’t even know about it until January.  I picked it up immediately, and Taylorsville got some serious spinnage on the ol’ iPod.  I swear, I could listen to this kid sing all day – his voice is so unique.  It’s haunting and intense, and there’s something about it that reminds me of old school Cure/Robert Smith, but that’s not really an accurate comparison.  That’s the thing – he’s doing something really different than anything I’ve heard.  Love it.

Recently, Drake’s spent some time in the studio and yesterday, he posted a “sneak peak” video.  New album, coming soon, will be called “Silver & Gold.”  If this is any indication of what’s to come from Margolnick…well, color me happy.

More Margolnick:  Bandcamp | Facebook