Surprise!

Although all of the signs of fall are in the air, I REFUSE to let summer go without a fight. That’s why I’m thinking all the summer thoughts and putting out The 2018 Krissie Summer Mix Part II … because if I keep wearing flip flops and short sleeves, the warm weather and sunshine will stick around right?

So, anyway, here’s my little pre-Labor Day surprise. There’s so much great new music out right now. For my music friends, a lot of these will be familiar, but there might be a few new surprises.

  • Notes are here, if you’re into reading them (moved to Google Drive since so many folks had trouble with Dropbox last time).
  • If you’re an Apple Music person, you can listen here.

Enjoy the last fleeting days of summer, my loves. And as always, let me know your favorites!

 

 

 

 

 

The 2017 Summer Mix

unnamedHey guys, Happy 4th of July.

Although it’s a bit belated, the 2017 Summer Mix is FINALLY ready for your ears. Two hours of songs to make you laugh, cry, and feel alive.

Believe it or not, at one point, it was up to something like 42 songs, so I have done a LOT of editing (although the liner notes sure don’t make it seem that way…they are forever long).

Hope you’re doing all the summer things. It is the best season, after all, isn’t it?

New Year, New Mix

Hello, friends.

I know it’s been months since I’ve written. No excuses. I just haven’t felt like writing much lately. Work is kicking my butt and the last thing I want to do at night is come home and fire up the old computer. My company – where I have been for nearly 18 years – got sold and the merging of the two new companies isn’t the smoothest transition ever. It’s been stressful. And my Mom had to have some more treatment – cancer sucks, by the way – so I made a quick trip home to Jersey to be with her for awhile. (She’s doing okay…strongest person I know, my Mom.)

Honestly, you guys, I’ve been pretty blue. And tired.

But it’s not all gloom and doom. I haven’t been sitting around doing nothing. I closed out 2015 with a big milestone…seeing more than 100 live shows in a year (101, to be precise). Kind of a big deal for me – I’ve never done it before, and I’ve been keeping track of all the shows I’ve gone to since 2004. It was such a big deal that one of my sweet friends made me a trophy. I’m really proud of myself…I got outside of my box and saw a LOT of new music this year. Artists and bands I didn’t know. I found new loves. Oh, and Christopher Jak is BACK. Played a show in Charlotte. And is making a new record. So there’s that.

And of course, the Panthers are making history here in Charlotte. So that’s super exciting, especially for those of us who have cheered them on through a couple of really tough seasons.

In between all of this, I made the Winter Mix. But the notes, which are usually my favorite part, just weren’t coming easy to me. I guess the whole not feeling like writing thing has been sort of infecting all of my life. So I’ve been sitting on it for awhile. But it’s a new year, and I’m trying to get re-inspired about writing.

So here it is. The Winter Mix. Winter’s definitely not my favorite season, but I like this mix a lot. Hope you will, too.

Grab the notes and the label here.

Lots of love,

Krissie

What’s on Your Workout Playlist, Volume 4

My love-hate affair with working out is pretty well documented, and right now, I’m in a “hate but must do” phase.  I’ve been trying to get back to it in baby steps. Music is a must for me when trying to work up a sweat, so I spent some time over the weekend cultivating a new workout playlist. I have my old go-tos, of course, but I’m always looking for new music that gets my heart pumping – and from the search results I see on the ol’ web page stats, it seems like a lot of other folks are, too.

So, internet friends, I ask the question once more:  “What’s on your workout playlist?”

Some folks like hard, guitar-driven music while they work out, others like something with a good beat. Rap, rock, pop, dance – I’m a little all-over the place. Here’s what I’ve got so far on my latest workout playlist.

Follow this playlist on Spotify

Let me know what “new” song is a must have muscle-builder – leave a comment, shoot me an email, or hit me up on Twitter.

Earworm of the Week: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, “Firecracker”

I was torn this week. I have a couple of songs that have been on non-stop repeat, but I’m going with the one that makes me most happy it is almost the weekend.

Canadian Michael Bernard Fitzgerald – referred to often as just MBF – first caught my attention on The Sixty-One a few years back (Sidebar: oh, I miss The Sixty-One! I’m sure Jess and Brad will lament its demise with me.). His unique voice grabs you straight away, but it’s his humorous and effortless mix of singer-songwriter and hip-hoppy style that will keep you smiling.

His new album, YES, dropped this week and the crazy addictive, drum beat heavy “Firecracker” opens it up with a bang. It was actually released on a pre-album EP a few months back first, but in those few short months, MBF’s name has been popping up everywhere…even on my beloved Rock Boat, where he’ll be one of the performing acts this year. The new album is a guaranteed happy…check it out.

 

P.S. What I may love most about this fella is his social media consistency. Everywhere from Twitter to Facebook to his website, he’s ilovembf. If that isn’t worthy of a follow, I don’t know what is.

More Michael Bernard Fitzgerald: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Yes on iTunes | Yes on Amazon