Favorite Music Friday: Daughter

I've had this girl on my radar for some time now. I heard her perform on David Letterman last October and slowly fell in love with each song on her newest EP.

Elena Tonra is the voice behind the London-based Daughter. Elena was originally writing and performing solo with just her guitar, but she said that it got lonely and she felt that she needed more minds to get further with the project. Her beau, Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella joined her in 2010 and helped transform Elena's poetic lyrics and soft, sweet voice into the power and haunting sound that is Daughter.

Daughter is able to take Elena's voice to a second dimension. Elena's solo Demo EP is more on par with a sad, broken-hearted school girl. I could see her winning a High School talent show back in the day performing songs from that EP (take a listen to Your Kisses). And it makes sense, she was 19 when she released that demo. The addition of Igor and Remi really brought Elena's voice the attention it deserves. The addition of experimental keyboard layers that are just haunting, build ups and tempo changes really polishes her maturing voice.

What really sets Daughter apart from other indie pop bands is the lyrics. This girl is a little twisted. You can tell she has had a broken-heart or two. Her lyrics are so painful. In Youth, for example, a song about how most of us are broken-hearted and no longer in love, she says "And if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones. 'Cause most of our feelings, they are dead and they are gone. We're setting fire to our insides for fun." I love how blunt and honest she is. One of my favorite songs, Love, is a vindictive, almost passive-aggressive song to a former lover who left her for someone else. The song builds up slowly, with soft ghostly coos from Elena, that make way for the loud drumming into the chorus "Did she make your heart beat faster than I could? Did she give you what you hoped for? On nights so loveless, love, I hope it made you feel good Knowing how much I adored you." Her voice is so soft and fluttering and painful. It is a great mixture for those days where you are feeling self-loathing.

Daughter is releasing their first full-length album "If You Leave" on March 18th! Just today it was pre-released onto Spotify! I always worry that an artist will change or mature into a different (unpleasant) sound/direction each time a new album is released. It happens so often, but I can happily report that Daughter has consistently delivered. I have instantly fallen in love with the first single off the new album, Still. This is a pre-breakup song, things are spiraling out of control, but even with all the hate the two are together.

I hope you enjoy both Still and Youth and find a new favorite!
Have a great weekend!

Daughter - Still

Daughter - Youth

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Favorite Music Friday: Alt-j

I am late on the bandwagon. When I heard the name alt-j, I thought of Japanese J-Pop not indie rock and never gave them a thought. Last month, my friend and I started a collaborative playlist on Spotify since we both are obsessed with finding new music. She shared alt-j with me, and ever since I have been jamming out to them.

Alt-J is an English band formed in 2007, when all four members met at Leeds University. I can just imagine them in their dorm room playing around with Garage Band. Their unique sound is actually due to the fact that they had to keep the sound down in the dorms, so bass guitar and drums are kept at a minimum.

image via: stereogum.com

What's up with the name? Well apparently it is for the Mac OS keyboard shortcut to delta, ∆. The band members chose it because they felt they were going through a change, and delta is the symbol for change in the scholarly world. Bloggers and music reviewers have compared Alt-J to Radiohead mixed with Simon & Garfunkel. The melodies are mumbled out and soft, and a bit whiny. Can I decipher any of the lyrics? Barely, but it somehow works for them. I still find myself humming their tunes. The music is a bit spacey and chill, but each song packs on layer after layer until it erupts. Every song has a distinctive melody or a catchy rhythm.

This week's featured song is 'Dissolve Me.' It highlights their electronica, indie pop rhythms matched with soft, muttled lyrics. Halfway through the music fades away and the band begins to harmonize at an almost inaudible level. At this point, I felt myself almost itching for the release to happen, not in a bad way, but when you listen you know that the song is on the verge of exploding. And it does, still somewhat softly, but all that tension fades. These guys are masters at crafting out song structure.

The band won the 2012 Mecury Prize, which is a huge honor for best album from the UK and Ireland. The prize is so highly respected that it does set up a lot of pressure and expectations. Let's hope it doesn't get to their head and they keep on delivering.

Hope you find a new favorite. Happy Friday!

Favorite Music Friday: MS MR

I'm all screwed up on the days since I had Thursday off and am working the weekend. Apparently it is Friday, which means another new band to share!

MS MR (think Miss and Mr) is this week's Favorite Music Friday. I can't remember how I first heard about this band. I was pretty sure I heard their song 'Dark Doo Woop' on a television show, but I can't figure out which one. 

MS MR is a  New York duo made up of Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow. They are considered a Tumblr band. What does that mean? Similarly to youtube artists, MS MR utilized the internet (on Tumblr and Soundcloud) to get their fan base. Their videos and their tumblr are full of random stills and gifs that are mostly creepy, weird, or just random. Strangely enough they describe their genre as Tumblr Glitch Pop, Soul Fuzz, and Electroshock. I had no idea any of these were genres of music. So how would I describe them?I'd say they are chillpop. Lizzy is responsible for all the vocals and she has been compared to Lana Del Ray and Florence + the Machine on multiple blogs. I see the Lana since Lizzy always seems to have a bit of a dark, moodiness in her voice, but I don't get the Florence at all. I find her voice like a mix between MNDR and Katy B. Her voice is strong, moody, and somehow light on top of it all. They are touring with Bastille and Jessica Ware this summer in the UK and US. And I think if you're a fan of either of those bands, you'd like MS MR!

Just last week MS MR posted a preview on their tumblr of their upcoming full-length album 'Second Hand Rapture,' which will be out May 14th. I am very excited about the CD! Even the first song off of it surpassed my expectations. Today I'm featuring the song that got them on the map, 'Hurricane.' A breakup/love song. The lyrics are honest and relatable. Like:

I jumped the gun

so sure you'd split and run

ready for the worst

before the damage was done

Welcome to the inner workings of my mind

so dark and foul I can't disguise

I hope you enjoy! Happy weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: SBTRKT

I had such a hard time picking this week's Favorite Music Friday. The past two weeks I have been on new music overload! I have a good 5-10 bands I want to share with you! I decided to let my last.fm statistics make the decision by picking my most listened to artist this past week.

Another band that I discovered through Spotify Radio. SBTRKT is the musical project of UK producer/DJ, Aaron Jerome. Aaron wants people to focus on the physical music and not on him. He wants to subtract himself and let the listener take in just the music; which is why he also always wears a tribal mask when he performs live. 

image via: www.themusicninja.com

SBTRKT's music has been classified as electronic, dubstep, bass, R&B, and indie pop.What I love about his style is that it consistently has amazing beats, well done vocal loops, and sampling. Yet, somehow each song on his self-titled debut album is so unique! SBTRKT collaborated with many different artists that really help build the songs and their direction. Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon is featured, Jessica Ware, and Sampha. Little Dragon's track is darker, moody, and sexy. Whereas Jessica Ware's are more electronica/house infused, and Sampha's smooth voice is where the R&B undertones come in.

Since each song is really their own journey, I decided to sample two songs this week. The first is 'Wildfire' featuring Little Dragons. The video just emphasizes how dark and twisted this song is. I cannot stop listening to it. 

This second track called 'Never, Never' is actually the song I heard on Spotify Radio. I cannot get enough of Sampha's voice. Smooth, sweet, and painful. Add in the marimba beat, or whatever type of xylophone being used, and the song is near perfection. The song builds layer after layer without feeling too mixed. My favorite being at 2:46 where Sampha begins to cry out before the song just explodes.

Hope you enjoy! And TGIF, big time!

Favorite Music Friday: The Neighbourhood

Is there ever a time where you aren't really into a song the first time you hear it, then weeks or months later you somehow fall for it? I almost didn't believe I was listening to the same song or the same band, but I was! I know I can be super critical of music, so it helps if I hear it a few times. That initial snobbery does eventually wear off and I can give a new voice, beat, or genre a chance.

I heard The Neighbourhood's Female Robbery on Sirius XM one morning on my way to work months ago. I thought it was interesting, but not enough to freak out and instantly Shazam it. Fast forward months later where my Sirius trial is over and I'm back to Spotify, I see a cool looking album cover show up on my Spotify new music page and I took a listen. I recognized the song title immediately and I was dragged in, over and over and over.

The Neighbourhood is a band from Southern California formed in August 2011. Just a year and half later they have a debut EP out, a record contract, and an upcoming full length. They are getting all kinds of well deserved buzz. I'm sure they are about to explode. The band is fronted by Jesse Rutherford (just 21 years old!) who says he is influenced by hip hop and pop and really into moody monochromatic imagery. The Guardian states that their music is "like Foster the People with some of the tumblr sensibility of Lana Del Rey if she was a boy in low-slung jeans..." Somehow this description is spot on.. Jesse's voice has a bit of an Adam Levine cute hipster boy whine to it, but his voice is completely likable. Every croon and oooh and woooh makes you just imagine the skinny jeans and Toms on a sexy tatted boy. Look up a picture of the fella, that is exactly what you get! Maybe not my type, but still exactly what I pictured!

(Image found at: http://www.justinbettman.com/)

Enjoy their most played (on last.fm) song, "Sweater Weather." With most songs I will be obsessed with the chorus, but this also has the sexiest verses. "Put my finger on your tongue / Cos you love the taste yeah." Umm yeah. Cough. That's hot. Broody, in love hipsters. I tell ya.

Hope you find a new favorite!

P.S. If you aren't a fan of the Mes Joies FB page, The Neighbourhood had the most popular song on Hypem.com this week, with their cover of Justin Timberlake's Cry Me A River!

Favorite Music Friday: Meg Myers

Sometimes there is a song or artist that is just meant to hit your ears at that precise moment. Well that happened when I turned on Spotify Radio one night. One of the first songs that came on was Monster by Meg Myers.

Meg Myers, originally from Tennessee, moved to LA 5 years ago to pursue her music career. Her music is painfully raw and personal. Her newly released EP titled "Daughter In The Choir," features heartbreak that makes you feel the hatred and anger running in your own blood. I would explain her music style as a modern day angry Fiona Apple. Aka amazing!? Meg is still waiting tables in LA and feels a little overwhelmed by the attention her EP is getting. The attention is well deserved and I hope big things are in her future.

The lyrics for Monster, her first single, make you want to rip your own skin off. I hope you all enjoy and find a new favorite!

Favorite Music Friday: Beatriz Luengo

Summer is officially here in DC. The new season brought in temperatures above 100F. All I want to do is run off to a pool and drink frozen margaritas as if they were water. In all actuality, I spent most of the day working and then walking around the city with a broken flip flop... Now that I am home I can enjoy the AC, put my feet up, and enjoy some summer music. This week's Favorite Music Friday pick is a perfect summer beach song.

Beatriz Luengo is a Spanish actress turned musician. Well her early career was performing on TV and in Spanish musicals, but she became famous starring in Spanish soap operas. Apparently the most famous one is Un Paso Adelante, a adolescent program about a performing arts school. The tv show had a spin off music group called UPA Dance. The music is not my type at all, and the music videos are quite interested. I don't see how this show was for adolescents. In one video one of the dancers is dry humping one of the guys in the group! But she released her debut solo album in 2005. It wasn't until her third album, Bela y Sus Moskitas Muertas that she became known in the United States.

I really only know one song of hers. But I can't get enough of it. I don't really speak Spanish, but I pretend to shout out the lyrics to Como Tu No Hay 2. It is an adorable little love song telling her man that she needs nobody but him because there is no one like him. The song has topped charts all over the world and the video has won a few awards. I hope you like it as much as I do! I smile every time Beatriz smiles! Especially when she comes out in her wardrobe change at 2:13. Now I want pink tights.

If you want to skip the music video intro, skip to 0:55 for the start of the song.

Enjoy and happy weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Katy Perry

A long day means this post will be short and sweet.

Don't hate me. Sometimes I love me a good super pop song.
I never listen to the radio, but when I turned on my rental car this song came on. I was tired and spent from my day of traveling and this song was everything I needed at the moment. It's got a great beat, catchy lyrics and a great chorus. I have to say Katy Perry's recent heartbreak and divorce from Russell Brand has made for some great music. I'm quite partial to 'Part of Me.' All of these are great songs to blast in the car or in your ipod buds.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Devlin

While cooling down after a long run this week my favorite new rapper came on my iPod. It was then that I realized that his CD is one of my most listened to albums of all time. Which is why Devlin is this week's Favorite Music Friday pick.

If you are familiar with Tinie Tempah, Dizzee Rascal, Roll Deep, or Professor Green, you may also like Devlin. Devlin is an English rapper that is has been part of the Grime music movement since he was 17. Grime is an underground, British hip hop that mixes together different rhythms and sounds from all sorts of genres (dancehall, hip hop, garage, punk). Unlike American rappers, these guys have a unique Jamaican/Caribbean influence. Devlin received worldwide attention in 2008 when Kanye West posted a video of he and another rapper freestyling.

I only heard about Devlin after he released his first solo album Bud, Sweat, and Beers. I randomly decided to check out his album one night when I was bored. I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. I really like the way that he raps. He doesnt rap super fast and he has a distinct rhythm. Plus, almost every song has a featured artist that brings a unique prospective to his beats. Devlin collaborated with many female, pop singers that soften the music and add fun choruses to sing along with. His first single and also this week's pick 'Brainwashed' features Jodie Connor who I already knew from hearing her songs play at work. And I adore the girl because she has the coolest collection of eyeglasses. Devlin's music is youthful and fun.

I bet many people who know rap hate him, but as a former teeny bopper who rebelled by listening to Linkin Park...this is my kind of jam.

Happy Friday and enjoy!

Favorite Music Friday: Katy B

Oops, life caught up with me and this a good 12 hours late!

This week I want to feature a song that has been stuck in my head. Anytime it comes on at work I start singing even if I'm working with customers. I'm not the best singer, so for me to subject others to my voice means I'm hooked.

Katy B is a British singer-songwriter that has a very unique sound. Katy is from South London and a graduate of a famous british performing arts school that churned out Amy Winehouse, Adele, Imogen Heap, Leona Lewis, and many, many more. Katy's style is a mixture of funk, r&n, dubstep, pop, and more. Every track on her album has a little different flare. But in some way it all fits together into one sound. She's said that she really never had a vision for the album, she just loves singing and it just came together with the producers. And to top it off she has a very soft sweet voice that softens the rough edges of the beats.

The funny thing is I originally didn't like this singer at all. She confused me. In her video for her second single 'Lights On' she's wearing clunky gold earrings, a baggy sweater (a wife beater in another scene), and awkwardly dancing. She seemed to be trying too hard to be urban and hip. I never wanted to admit that I liked the song since the video turned me off so badly!

It was this week's Favorite Music Friday pick that got me excited about her. The song 'Broken Record' is a cute little love song that shows that Katy can put together club music and her soft, light voice. My absolute favorite part is the interlude (2:14). There is a slow build up to that point in the song that fades out with the repetition of the line like a broken record. Other songs on the album that I am digging are 'Movement' and 'Easy Please Me.'

Just shows it doesn't hurt to give an artist a second chance. I hope you enjoy Katy B! And I apologize for the late posting! Happy weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Kimbra

This is the first Favorite Music Friday I am completely unprepared for!! I blame all of my friends who showed me an amazing night! We all went out for dinner and drinks at my favorite restaurant to celebrate my graduation! I've had such a stressful semester a few margaritas is all it takes.

So this week. No commentary. No background. Just music...

Okay I can't help myself. I hope you all recognize the name. Kimbra who is featured on the awesome Gotye song 'Somebody That I Used To Know' is brilliant on her own.  I really hope that her fame with Gotye gets her the recognition that she deserves!

Enjoy and happy weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Those Dancing Days

I grew up on boy bands. Backstreet Boys, Nsync, 98 degrees, HANSON <3, LFO, O-Town, and more. There were a lot of girl bands, but aside from the Spice Girls none that were as popular as the boys. Fast forward to current day and boy bands are back, but what about the girls? I've got you covered.

Those Dancing Days is an all-girl band from Stockholm, Sweden. They formed back in 2005 while many of the girls were still in high school. As you can imagine their music is more youthful. Apparently they are considered tweepop, a genre I never heard of, that is a type of indie pop that is a revolt into childhood. Linnea Jönsson has one of those crooning voices that I love. It is dreamy, sweet, and wispy. It pairs well with synth rhythms, electric guitar, and heavy percussions. The lyrics are all so catchy and fun. You feel the vulnerability of your youth all over again.

I had such a hard time picking a song that I decided to pick two. Both from their most recent 2011 sophomore release of Daydreams & Nightmares. The first is 'Keep Me In Your Pocket,' an up-beat, fun love song that is laced with cute lyrics such as 'Even your friend who looks like James Dean get's pale when you're around.' It exemplifies what Those Dancing Days is all about. I chose a live performance even though it's not a perfect recording because they are so vibrant on stage!

The second is my absolute favorite song from them, 'One Day Forever.' The whiney, softness of her voice paired with Orlando Weeks' harmonies is just heavenly. It is another love song, but with a bit more pack from the instruemntation in the chorus. I absolutely adore every second of this song. I sing along with every word and tighten up when I hear the POW entrance of all the instruments. I have goosebumps right now.

Unfortunately these girls are currently on a hiatus. They decided to part ways so that some of the girls could go back to school, others take jobs, and also explore new musical endeavors. I truly hope they do eventually come back!

Happy Friday! 

Favorite Music Friday: New Radicals

How is already Friday? I still can't believe it is May so maybe I just need to accept that time does not stand still! I am officially home! It is so great to be home, but I don't feel like I can relax until I find out how I did on my finals and if I passed my graduation exam! Hopefully soon since graduation is in less than two weeks. Graduation means dress shopping! Today I came home with my graduation dress! After spending countless hours avoiding schoolwork looking for a dress, it took me 20mins in H&M! I'll just say it is white, lace, and has a peplum skirt. Im in love. 

Graduation may mean that I am moving forward to a new part of my life, but while in the changing rooms of H&M I had a blast from the past. New Radical's 'Mother We Just Can't Get Enough' came on. I heard this song for the first time in A Walk To Remember. Yes, the movie with Shane West and Mandy Moore. I was the BIGGEST fan ever. I waited for 6 hours to meet Mandy Moore (she left when I was maybe 20 feet from her!) and I was voted 'Most Likely To Marry Shane West' in 8th grade, so you see what I mean. The soundtrack was such an amazing blend of artists, including the New Radicals. 

New Radicals was an American band active in the late 90s formed by Greg Alexander. There was no other permanent members other than he; band members would only help out for a few songs and move on. Sadly they have only one album Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too. They broke up in 1999 after Alexander said that the life on the road and promoting music was just not for him. In that one year their first single 'You Get What You Give' became a crazy hit! If you hear it you'll have an ahh now I remember monent. All I can say about their sound is its 90's pop rock, sitting on the beach or road trip kind of music. It is fun and seems to always bring up my spirits. It's too bad that they broke up.

This week's pick is a very cute love song. It has such an upbeat, get up and dance quality to it. I love when singers belt it out. This band is considered a one hit wonder, but I think 'Mother, We Just Can't Get Enough' is a hit all on its own!

I hope you enjoy this oldie! Happy weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Foxes

Two weeks in a row Gossip Girl featured this week's Favorite Music Friday pick. And not just short 30 second clips, but the whole song (or at least the majority)! Even if it had been a teensy clip my ears would have perked up.

Louisa Rose Allen, aka Foxes, is a very new talent. So new I could barely find any information about her! But partly because half of my google searches were about cute, little foxes. Louisa hails from Southampton, England but moved to London the minute she turned 18. She attempted to study music, but dropped out once she realized that school was not for her. The now 22 year old is about to release her first EP on Neon Gold who brought you Ellie Goulding, Passion Pit, Gotye, and more. So it looks like she is doing just fine without a formal education.

I would describe her sound as doe-eyed electropop. Is that a genre? You can tell that she feels every word she belts out. While she croons in her sweet, angelic, yet strong voice there is waves of bass that flatter every note. The touches of the synth add a brightness and fun edge. She may be young, but her music is beyond her years. I think this girl has an amazing career ahead of her.

And would you believe she only had her first live gig as Foxes last November? With the help of Gossip Girl she will be playing gigs all over America soon. Until then, enjoy her music video for the song 'Home.' A song that really showcases both her whispy, angelic voice and the power of the bass. This song has been on repeat over and over in my house this week. Her Warrior EP releases July 1st, but you can listen to the songs at SoundCloud.

Enjoy and happy weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Greg Laswell

One of my favorite singer's new CD was released this week!! Oh Greg Laswell, I have missed you!

My ears first heard the sweet bliss that is Greg Laswell when I was watching an overly emotional episode of Grey's Anatomy. I watched the first two seasons of Grey's Anatomy within a 48-hour marathon during my freshmen year of college. By the season finale, which was emotional on its own, I was crying as if a family member had died. Grey's Anatomy still gets me. It tugs at me in all the right ways. I can't watch it with anybody or I feel foolish that I'm in the corner sniffling. 

I don't remember what episode the first Greg Laswell song was on, but I can imagine hearing that voice made the episode even more of a sob fest. Greg Laswell is a singer song-writer from San Diego who released his first solo work after he parted ways with his band. The CD Good Movie received many local awards and landed him a record deal. His sophomore album Through Toledo was written after his divorce from his first wife (as of 2011 he is married to Ingrid Michaelson). All the songs came from the sudden pain and heartbreak that he felt when he was hit with the news. It features one of my favorite songs 'Sing, Theresa Says.' Although I have to say my FAVORITE album is Three Flights from Alto Nido, there isn't a song I could not listen to for hours on repeat. He says that all of his songs are pretty much autobiographical, and sometimes he shoots himself in the foot for a song. 

Greg Laswell has a very laid-back and subdued voice. Think scruffy, soft harmonies muddled with his deep, sweet voice. He has songs that will make you want to drown yourself in your own sorrows, others that make you want to move forward and up, and some that make you want to bask in the sunlight. 

Landline is 5th album released this week. It does not disappoint. What is great is that so many amazing artsits are featured. Sia, Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Redux, and Elizabeth Ziman. I haven't heard of the last two, but the songs are great. You can definitely tell that his music is happier, but what I love is that he hasn't lost his sound. Some musicians whose music is defined by their emotions completely change styles in a heartbeat (cough Sia cough) and they lose me. I guess I don't like such drastic change with my music and Landline does not disappoint.

The first single is 'Come Back Down' featuring Sara Bareilles and it is already one of my all-time favorites. Sara and Greg really compliment each other so well. The lyrics are humbling. We all need to come back down to earth and stop dragging and wallowing. We are alive! Such an amazing song. I hope you love it as much as I do! Plus a mega bonus, if you like the song it is currently iTunes' free single of the week! Download it for free here.

He is going to be on tour all summer. I've yet to see him live, but I'm hoping to get some of my friends together to see him when he comes to DC.

Enjoy the music and your friday! I know I will! I'll either be passed out or having a few too many drinks. By 6pm Friday I will have submitted and presented my graduate thesis!!! JOY!

Favorite Music Friday: Baz Luhrmann

With only two weeks remaining in my academic career, I am feeling a roller coaster of emotions. I go from stressed to scared to happy to nervous all within a span of an hour. I don't think I'll be able to truly realize my accomplishment until I turn in my last final. I'm getting closer and closer, but I've still got a TON of work to do. Therefore, this week's post will be sweet and short...

This speech was originally written by Mary Schmich as a newspaper column in the Chicago Tribune in 1997. She described the essay as the commencement speech she would give if she was asked to give one. Baz Luhrmann, the director of Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and the upcoming The Great Gatsby, used the essay in its entirety for his album Something for Everybody. The spoken word essay, narrated by Lee Perry, is remixed with a song sang by Quindon Tarver from the movie Romeo + Juliet (it's the song during the amazing wedding scene!).

I can't even explain how inspirational this speech is to me. It reminds me of what is important in life, to stop stressing over the silly things, and to take a step back and realize my life is my own. Listen to the entire thing. You will feel your spirit pick up and feel an inner calmness and level headedness come upon you. Trust me.

Take care and happy friday!

Favorite Music Friday: City And Colour

A couple weeks ago in the Game of Tag post my reply to the best concert ever was a City and Colour concert I went to a few years ago. This is what I said about the concert:

I think my favorite was City & Colour at the Lakeshore Theater in Chicago, IL on 1/22/09. I came down from Milwaukee, WI on a bus by myself to go to the concert. I rushed to the concert venue but ended up being at the back of a long line waiting to get in. Lucky for me, since I decided to go alone, there was 1 seat left in the front row. And to my surprise, although it was way off-center, Dallas Green set up his chair right in front of my seat!! It was one of the most powerful concert I've ever been to. Everything was just perfect. I could hardly hold back tears I was so excited and moved. And to make things better after the show I got to meet Dallas!!! He signed all of my CDs, took pictures with me, answered all my silly fan questions, and remembered seeing me during the show sniffling.

So this week I will be bringing to you the ever so lovely City And Colour. City And Colour is a side project of Alexisonfire former singer' Dallas Green (get it, dallas: city, green: color). If you are unfamiliar with Alexisonfire, they are a hardcore band. I got into the hardcore/screamo genres after dating someone for a few years who played drum/bass in several hardcore bands. Once it gets into your blood it doesn't leave. Now don't worry, City And Colour is Dallas' soft side.

Dallas has said that he deals with life by writing songs. He feels happier getting out his thoughts and feelings on paper. Between tours with Alexisonfire, Dallas put together a demo of the songs that he wrote recording only with an acoustic guitar. All I can say about the first album is that it is haunting in every possible way. His voice is emotional, raw, tender, and smooth. I can't even really describe his voice other than creamy, smooth and true to him. His first CD Sometimes is an emotional one for me. The songs themselves are weighed down with raw emotion from Dallas, but the CD also served me as a break-up album. I now generally listen to the album when Im feeling mellow, spacey, or sad. The concert that I referred to was the first time I got to hear most of the songs from that album live. It was heart wrenching and amazing all at the same time. I could not stop smiling, but every so often he'd hit a note that would be so familiar to my pain and Id start silently sobbing. The people sitting next to me probably thought I was crazy. In his sophomore album, Bring Me Your Love he added a folky twang. But it was still true to him and clean. Unfortunately I ended up not getting into his third album, Little Hell. It seemed a bit too worked for his style. Some songs that I initially loved live I can't get into because of how they were reworked. His voice is all I need.

The song I want to share with you is actually an Alexisonfire song that he covered. You immediately feel the pain and weight of the words he is singing. I never listened carefully to the lyrics of the original version. I knew all the lyrics when I was singing along, but never really listened if that makes sense. But with Dallas' version, you hear and feel every word. I hope you enjoy this live version of Boiled Frogs!

Favorite Music Friday: Alex Clare

This week has been a trying one. Technically as I write this I am only half way through. I am 5 weeks away from graduating from graduate school and have probably 60-70% of my grades for all of my classes incomplete. Meaning these next 5 weeks are going to be the most insane, stressful weeks.

As most of you know, I had planned on running a half marathon at the end of April. What do you mean past tense? Well because of the amount of school work I have, I don't have time to train, nor can fathom spending an entire weekend out of town. Therefore, I will not be running the race I have been looking forward to for months. However upset I am, I know physically and mentally I could have run it and done well. I will find another race to run early this fall (there is no way im running a summer race, I overheat enough as it is). I'll definitely run shorter races in between, but until I finish my last final ever, running is sadly on the back burner. It is my favorite destressor, but I literally have no time. I'm even thinking about only working twice a week since I have so many assignments to complete.

Okay enough anxiety ridden boring crap. I've got a lot of things to look forward to, including spending my summer being a young, single female in the city. I cannot wait until I can go out with my friends and spend the night dancing away or sipping on ice cold beer at happy hour. This week's Favorite Music pick makes my dream of summer feel so much closer....

Every so often I go onto iTunes and browse through the top 100 songs. I don't ever listen to the radio, so unless a friend recommends a band, I'm clueless to new music/bands. I heard Alex Clare's Too Close on the top 100 and freaked out. Lucky for me his debut album launched in the US the same week. I of course got it immediately.

Alex Clare is a 25 year old British singer-songwriter from London. Other than being an adorable ginger (yes I have a thing for red heads), he is extremely talented. Alex grew up listening to his father's jazz band and has been influenced by The Fugees, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway. He was unhappy with the music his friends and siblings were listening to and found that the jazz, blues, and soul he grew up on were a comfort. He realized his passion for music playing in bands with friends, but felt he needed some security and decided to become a chef. He ended up hating his job and started to play open mic nights often. He landed a very small songwriting deal that allowed him to live on a boat and write songs. A few of those songs got into the hands of Island Records and two weeks later he was signed.

His drum n' bass, soul style got the attention of Diplo & Switch (two of my favorite DJs/producers) who then worked with Alex on his first album. They brought together his crooning, rough, soulful voice with the bass lines of dubstep and catchy chords that make a hit.

The song that I am featuring "Up All Night" is one of the songs that was created during one of Alex's first sessions with Diplo and Switch. The song scream teen spirit. With lines like 'watchin my youth slip away surely is a crime' and 'sun is up while I'm walkin' home but my heads up in the clouds.' The beat and the lyrics just make me want to get up and dance! It reminds me that I am alive. Definitely a song that I can appreciate when my life feels weighed down and so stressful.

You can listen to the entire album for free here on this page with the SoundCloud app. My other favorites are Too Close, Treading Water, Hummingbird, and Tight Rope.


(Note: If you are reading from a feed reader, you'll have to visit the actual post to be able to view the SoundCloud app)

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Taylor Swift

Oh Taylor Swift. I never thought I'd ever consider Taylor Swift as a favorite music pick... But her song Safe & Sound from the movie The Hunger Games changed that. I went to see The Hunger Games last friday at midnight with a group of friends. I only got 3 hours of sleep that night, but it was well worth it. The movie followed the book well, although they did cut out a lot of little important details. I found the movie entertaining, but only because I was invested in the series and knew the plot. It had very little built up tension that most action movies have. Every problem that was encountered was resolved in a few minutes. Whereas the book you felt the tension, the pain, the game etc.

Anyways, enough about the movie. When the credits rolled this song came on. My friend told me he was in love with this song and now Taylor Swift. I was like ughh another Taylor Swift song, but as I listened I mentioned it was sort of nice and sounded more like something The Civil Wars would put out. Well, it so happens that they are featured on the track! Now it all makes sense. So really I do not love Taylor Swift, but I love Joy Williams and John Paul White (The Civil Wars).

The song is much softer and heavier than any Taylor Swift song I have heard. It feels much darker and sad. But it is so unbelievably beautiful. Take a look at the official video. It makes me excited to think that as Taylor Swift grows, she may come out with more music like this.

Enjoy Safe & Sound and have a great weekend!

Favorite Music Friday: Nelly Furtado

Forgot about her? I bet you are now wondering what Nelly Furtado is up to. I know I am. Nelly Furtado has been one of my favorite artists. I still remember the first time I heard 'I'm Like a Bird.' I was watching Nickelodeon on my 11 inch TV/VCR combo after school one day (I'm pretty sure As Told By Ginger) and the video came on between programs. I stopped what I was doing and got up and started dancing. Whoa, Nelly! was so fresh and new. There was nobody out at the time with her style or voice. But, as we know Nelly decided to go mainstream and away from that uniqueness with her third album Loose. I felt betrayed because she fell into the pit of pop/hip hop. But from the looks of her wiki page, she has a new CD in the works that will bring us back to her roots!

Her lesser known sophomore album, Folklore, will always be one of my favorite albums ever. Ever. I would listen to this CD on repeat for hours. Nelly embraced her Portuguese heritage and was influenced by her parent's immigration to Canada. The CD has more whimsy and fuses worldbeats with folk and pop. I love the diversity of the tracks. There are some great upbeat songs that just make you want to dance, songs that make you feel like you are floating, and other sweet, slightly sad ballads.

My favorites on the cd are: Força, Childhood Dreams, Explode, and Try. I want to share with you all of them, but after long deliberation I decided to share Childhood Dreams. Childhood dreams is the song that makes me feel like I am floating. It has such whimsy and a lightness. The song is about the existence of that one person that was meant for her. The lyrics are so sweet and you can feel the love that she has experienced.

I cannot wait for her next CD to be released. But until then...

Lyrics:
I can't believe you need me
I never thought I would be needed for anything
I can't believe my shoulders would carry such important weight
As your head and your tears
I can't believe you chose me, in all my fragility, me
It hurts so much when i love you, it makes me cry 
Every time

You, you are, oh you are
The little boy made for me in the stars
In the stars, that's why I can't let you go
The little boy made for me in the stars
That's why I love you more the further I go
And before this existence you were always there
Waiting for me
You are, you are the realest thing I know
Hands down
The realest thing I know

I am not used to being carried
Or being able to carry a pretty song
I have been bruised by my many trails
Sometimes my skin's so thick it's frail
I just need to be ignored 'til I wake up to the beauty that is yours
And it all comes to life so, so suddenly
This is a place so deep, the water's so deep I hesitate, cause
All the energy it takes to feel this power
I tend to run, I tend to hide, 'til I find you and I know I got you
I know, I know, I know

You're the little boy made for me in the stars
In the stars, that's why I can't let you go
The little boy made for me in the stars
That's why I love you more the further I go
And before this existence you were always here
Inside of me
You are, you are the realest thing I know
Hands down...the realest thing I know

I'm sliding on the rainbows of my childhood dreams
I'm sliding on the rainbows of my childhood dreams

When you carry me, when you carry me, when you carry me
It's so happy

I'm sliding on the rainbows of my childhood dreams
I'm sliding on the rainbows of my childhood dreams