And... Cue Music

Sorry, but I've been catching up on this season's So You Think You Can Dance and that's what Nigel says during all the try-outs. Speaking of SYTYCD, are you watching? If not, you should! WOW. I. Love. That. Show. And this season seems to be promising so far!

Onto the music.... Here is a new compilation - and a pretty fantastic one, if I do say so myself! I found new music from parousing VH1 Top 20, Odd Girl Out, Passionista's blog, Song of the Day blog, and from being a concert-going-groupie. I hope you enjoy this half as much as I know I will!!!

Since this is a music-related post, I'm going to do a quick review of concerts I've been to or will be going to this month....

The Head & The Heart opened for Iron & Wine. Can I just tell you -- they are both AMAZING! I already adored Iron & Wine, but Sam & his band exceeded expectations. Sam's voice is like buttah and I could have watched his drummer all night long! But as much as I loved Iron & Wine, I think I liked The Head & The Heart even more. Trust me, that shocks me more than it could ever shock you. Words just simply cannot explain and recorded music does NOT do justice to this band! Their voices, their musical skills, and their energy just filled up the entire venue. The crowd went wild for them. If you ever get the chance to see them live, take it!!!

I have loved and adored Brett Dennen's chill musical style and genius lyrics for years, and I just didn't think I could like him any more than I already did. Boy was I wrong! He was such a fun entertainer, an absolute joy to watch! He made the audience feel the lyrics. He is adorably humble, yet ridiculously talented. It was so much fun to see him!

The next concert coming up is Natasha Bedingfield. Although I appreciated her voice, I didn't really consider her music my style -- UNTIL the fateful day when I watched an acoustic concert on TV, something similar to VH1 Unplugged. Oh me oh my, she is a beautiful performer. Here's a little sneak peek at what I plan to see at her Less is More tour performance....

(p.s. I just love this song ~ it reminds me of Oby!)

The other concert we've got this month is Civil Wars. Usually I go to concerts with my friend Melissa, but Oby actually wanted to go with me to this one - he loves their music! Which is a good thing because I really, really wanted to see them and their concert falls on our 5-year anniversary!!! You have to check out these videos..... Their connection, harmony and unique dance between folk-rock and indie-pop is just my style! Oh I cannot wait! Also, I LOVE the venue where they're going to perform - it's going to amazing :)

In other entertainment news, have you seen the trailer for the new show that's coming out starring Zooey Deschanel? Holy bananas, I have watched this a couple dozen times and laugh hysterically each time! She is one of my absolute favorite people - I love her music, her acting, her quirky style.... I cannot wait for this show to start! Check it out and set your DVR!

This Week's Music in Review

Before I get to the playlist, I have to do a quick review of the live concert I went to last week: Joe Purdy, opened by The Milk Carton Kids.... SO fun! SO incredible! My friend and I were literally FRONT and CENTER. I felt like a total groupie, but well, I guess I sort of am a groupie! Joe Purdy and Milk Carton Kids played together for several songs and it was a total Mumford and Sons vibe -- they rocked (watch this video if you want a taste)! Joe played the song I wanted him to play (Can't Get it Right Today), but didn't play the song Melissa wanted him to play. Well, when he came back for the encore, we were close enough that Melissa literally just asked him to play her song and he said, "Okay." We. Seriously. Flipped! This version of the song doesn't even begin to compare to the song in person. The lyrics as they relate to my friend and so many of the ridiculously hard things she's been through..... sheesh, you guys, we were in tears. It was amazing! He sang right to her, then afterward held his guitar out toward her, as if pointing and saying 'That was for you.' Sigh, it was one of those moments where I had to pinch myself! I was kicking myself that my phone battery was dead so I couldn't record the video. Sniff, well this will have to do....

Some of the stunning lyrics:

you wish things were different
the hand you were given
just don't seem fair
yah you playin' with what you given
and you're doing fine
ya but you try not to think about it
most of the time
you just do what you have to
to make sure you get through
yah but sometimes it hurts

yah well you're still so young
but you feel so old
it's just the things you been through
that are making you cold

listen i can't fight your demons
cause i'd have to fight you
cause there so far inside you
and i just cant seem to get through
it ain't none of my business
it ain't none of my place
yah but i still had to try

oh now i think i've lost you
can't reach you no more
cause you're high as i kite
and i'm down here on the floor
yah i'm begging you to come back
now you cant even hear that
you just floated away

Okay, so now to this week's playlist. Most new-to-me artists were found through Brite Revolution (love - check it out!) and miscellaneous TV show soundtracks, friend recommendations, etc, etc. I hope you enjoy it!

I've also uploaded some actual mp3's that you can listen to for free HERE. Check out my previous playlists and favorite tunes as well!

Concert this week: William Fitzsimmons! SQUEAL!!!!!

Ear Candy

I needed a new playlist to listen to at work this week. Feel free to partake of the ear candy as well!

Soul-Stirring

I'm extra excited about this playlist. Every song has either a unique and interesting sound, catchy tune, genius lyrics and/or is just plain fabulous in every way! This playlist makes me SO happy in every way. I hope you listen to every single one -- and please share any new tunes or artists you're liking as well!

I think my favorite new artist is Civil Twilight. Those guys are going places! Think Coldplay meets Ray Lamontagne! Squeal! You should check them out. I'm also super obsessed with Mumford & Sons lately -- their lyrics reach down into my soul and stir it up like crazy. Okay, now I'm starting to sound insane. Hmmmm, maybe I am!?!? ;)

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! I'll be celebrating in a very special way. Join in if you want to! Details here. :)

Impossible as it May Seem....

Tonight was another dance class for Miss Chloe.
Her recital is coming up and we are so excited!

How can I possibly explain how special it is for
Chloe -- MY Chloe -- to be a dancer?
I've tried to find the words,
but the best I can do is this set of pictures
from tonight's class
put to the music and lyrics of Mindy Gledhill's
Whole Wide World.

I'm gonna walk a hundred miles
I'm gonna whistle all the while
If that's what it takes to make me smile
I'm gonna walk a hundred miles

I'm gonna run right up this hill
Summer sky or winter chill
If I gotta take a break I will
But I'm gonna run right up this hill

I wanna hold the whole wide world
Right here in my open hands
Maybe I'm just a little girl
A little girl with great big plans

I'm gonna go and take a chance
I'm gonna learn to ballet dance


Learn a little something 'bout romance
I'm gonna go and take a chance

I'm gonna live a crazy dream

Impossible as it may seem
Doesn't matter what the future brings
I'm gonna live a crazy dream


I wanna hold the whole wide world
Right here in my open hands
Maybe I'm just a little girl
A little girl with great big plans

You tell me, "don't try it"

I'm warning you that I won't buy it
All failure is fleeting
I trust it always has its meaning

I wanna hold the whole wide world
Right here in my open hands
Maybe I'm just a little girl
A little girl with great big plans

True, Chloe isn't normal....
She's extraordinary!!!
And an extraordinary girl wants nothing less
than an extraordinary life
filled with dancing, laughter, love,
and indescribable joy.
Take a peek at that last picture again.
I think she's got all those things already
and I will do everything within my power
to ensure that she has those things
every single day of her life.

Thank you to Mindy Gledhill, yet again,
for giving a song that speaks to me so profoundly.
First All About Your Heart, then Anchor, and now this.

Oh, how I love Mindy!
And I just cannot keep it to myself
one second longer that

***

(drumroll please)

***

she has agreed to
be our headliner
at a benefit concert for
the playground!!!!

Seriously, I didn't think I could adore Mindy any more,
but I was so wrong.
She took the time to find out about our cause,
then not only agreed to help us out,
but has offered advice, assistance, inspiration and encouragement!
I adore her and so look forward to working
with her throughout this process.
The concert won't be for quite awhile,
but I just had to share my excitement!
(I'll share details as soon as I have them!)

Soko & Other Goodies

I instantly fell in love with this video made for Kate Spade, then almost simultaneously fell in love with the artist singing in the video, Soko. She's an artist who uses the ukulele and piano in most of her songs and has a dreamy, whimsical voice.... So my style! Enjoy :)



Here is another Soko song I love.



And here are some more songs to snack on this week. I already knew most of these artists, but the songs are new-to-me goodies.





My favorite songs from the playlist are
Lark by Josh Ritter and
Come Fly Away by Jeremy Fisher

~~~

Other exciting news in music for me this week....
Joshua Radin is coming to town
with Laura Jansen & The Cary Brothers
and we're going!
I can't wait for these and other good songs by these fab artists....

Joshua Radin:






Cary Brothers ft. Laura Jansen


What songs are you loving this week?

Because Every Party Needs a Soundtrack

So I know that everyone who stops by this blog knows I'm a music fanatic. Well I follow quite a few music blogs and music sites checking out new releases and new-to-me artists. Every week I usually create a playlist with new tunes that I "try on," for awhile to see if I like them or not. I've decided to start sharing my weekly playlist with you all because, well, quite frankly, I'm awesome.




Thank you to my new favorite blogger, Passionista, for introducing me to most of the above-referenced tunes and/or artists. If our music taste says much about who we really are, then I'm pretty sure she and I are soul sistahs. Saturday night/Sunday morning, Chloe did not sleep at all. I think the poor little sweetheart was having tummy issues. But she loves listening to music with her mama, so I took the opportunity to dive into Passionista's blog from the beginning (4-ish years of music goodness), and just reveled in her music taste and how it is freakishly similar to mine. Long live the mixtape!

Cheers to fab music, Chloe sleeping through the night, a great week for everyone, and heck world peace too.

Want more music? Go here. Happy Monday :)