Tuesday Tune: Tobias Froberg

Today I'm loving the fine tunes of Sweden's Tobias Froberg. I really enjoy his generally chill music that still moves. Recommended listen: For Elisabeth Wherever You Are.

Things I Love Today: Coldplay Vinyl Box Set

Is there anyone who loves me enough to get me this?And this? (so I can play them)

Things I Love Today: Musicovery

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to discover new music. I'm a big fan of pandora, but I've made a recent discovery that is cool in a different way. It's called Musicovery. Unlike pandora, where you discover new music based on bands or songs you recommend to it, Musicovery allows you to listen to music based on mood and genre, year and style. Just another way to make discovering new music easy.

Music I'm Lovin' Today: Joseph Arthur

What do you do when your iPod dies?

Plug directly into your computer while it charges and go to kcrw.com of course.

What do you do when you realize that your work computer doesn't have real player (necessary in order to stream their fabulous radio)?

You go to their most recently featured artist and hit up their webpage hoping they have some music there.

And that's just what I did. I had heard of Joseph Arthur, but hadn't really given him a listen until today. My ears are very happy.

The Sadness

I have no idea how it happened. I have had it on my concert calendar for months. I was more prepared for this show than any I attended this summer. I have had at least one of his albums on constant rotation, and after I got over my skepticism about the price, I finally decided that yes, Ryan Adams would be one concert I would attend in while in Europe. So you can imagine my dismay when I went to buy tickets for the show and found that it actually happened two weeks ago. Don't worry, Ryan. Maybe I'll catch you in America some time.

-Ryan Adams-

Things I Love Today: CD Release Announcements

Yes. It's true. Damien Rice is releasing a new album on November 6th. I cannot begin to express my adoration for this man's music and passion. When I saw him twice this summer in New York he played several new tracks I was unfamiliar with. I can't wait to have them on my very own CD. Yes! I'm shaking with anticipation.

Band I Love Today: Elbow

I've had the music for a while now, but I've just started listening more intently. Elbow is Manchester's latest and easily among the greatest. I love this band for their expression in lyrics and tonalities. The music is exemplified by melodies that sneak up on your heartache when you least expect it. Though critics claim that lead singer Guy Garvey has a Chris Martin-esque quality, I would argue that it's more like Peter Gabriel. Actually, I think he sounds exactly like Peter Gabriel.

Anyway, if you haven't checked them out. Do so now.

Song I Love Today: Into the Dark

Ben Lee is an adorable Australian singer songwriter with a voice to match. His 2005 release, Awake is the New Sleep really puts this 26 year-old on the map. His happy, friendly tracks in this album leave you not only smiling, but feeling like you know the kid, and if you're anything like me.... like you want to date him. But it looks like Claire Danes snagged him first. Check out his myspace or his official homepage to listen to a few tracks. It will be well worth your time.

Feelin' Better
Since I surrendered
You can't Climb
'Till you're ready to fall
You're not a land mine
You're not a gold mine
No you're not mine at all

Do You Brush Your Teeth Before You Kiss?

On Saturday I came extremely close to having a devastating night without Damien Rice. I was lucky enough to have Kellen to go with at the last minute and we had a fabulous time. We took the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) out to Jones Beach Theatre and watched two of the most passionate performers I've ever seen. The only disappointment was that Damien didn't sing Cannonball or Blower's Daughter or Lonelily... but he did sing quite a few songs that I was unfamiliar with and fell in love with at first listen. His lyrics are so passionately heartbreaking. I think there's a little part of each of us that can relate completely. The venue was amazing. The water surrounds the entire stage and then the stadium comes out onto the land. It's a pretty sweet setup.

Fiona was a nut. She flailed her arms and legs like Elaine from Seinfeld and sat/laid on the stage during different parts of the performance filled with emotion. After the concert we went to Tom's Restaurant - of Seinfeld - and got some grub. I got home around 3:30. I'm still a little tired.


-Damien Rice-

Fifth of July

Here are the rest of my photos from the fabulous Fourth of July.
John. Me.
Me, John, Megan.Megan. Lady Liberty.Seth, the MacDaddy. Get it? Haha.
Me being blue. Is the Fourth even the Fourth without one of those red, white, and blue popcicles? I didn't think so.Jared, Seth, Me groovin' to Belle and Sebastian.Belle and Sebastian.Friends at the Concert.Jason.
John.Stilts.Sunset.
Fireworks.
Donuts. Dunkin' Donuts.
Going home with some tunes and Chris.


-Eddie From Ohio-

Is It Any Wonder?

Today had some significant highlights. And none of them involved the subway elevator operator's soul music sing-along session. Shocking - I know. They involved a little British band called Keane. And me. Keane+me=very happy version of me. Keane came to Borders in Colombus Circle today, just a few blocks from work and since I already had VIP access (and because I love their music) I had to go. Since it was mostly to promote their new album (which is totally growing on me, by the way) they played a short set of four songs: Nothing In My Way, Crystal Ball, Is It Any Wonder?, and they indulged us all with Somewhere Only We Know from Hopes and Fears. As if hearing a great band at lunch weren't enough, I got to meet them and they signed my CD. I'm getting quite the (smallish) collection of signed CD's. It's quite exciting. I asked Richard (the drummer) about the song Bedshaped and was a little let down by his superficial answer, "It's a song about getting old." Yeah, I know that. I've noticed that as a theme through several Keane songs... a fear of aging. Is there a word for that? If not, I think we should invent one.

-Keane-

Careful Where You Stand

Today I stumbled onto some interesting information on myspace. We'll just leave it at that. Can I just say I'm happy that I'm a blogger and not a myspacer? Honestly. But it did make me think about what we are all willing to put out there for the wide world to "stumble" upon... for however encrypted it may seem. Oh well, nothing too sketchy on my part, so no regrets.

I love the song that this blog is titled after. Coldplay can be so incredibly pacifying. I think "Careful Where You Stand" reveals that facet of their style in perfect lucidity. Chris Martin's voice couldn't be more crystal.

Something I've realized about myself: "we'll see" has become my latest motto. Does that say directionless or what?

-Coldplay-

Euphoria

Musical Discovery of the Day: Bart Davenport. Bossa Nova meets British Folk meets 70's Rock. Does it get any better?

Too bad he's not coming to Portland or New York anytime soon.

I love pandora.

-Bart Davenport-

Gone For Good

The following is a list of artists I would have loved to have seen, but missed, at the Sasquatch Music Festival:





Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals











The Flaming Lips







The Shins








Iron & Wine









Sufjan Stevens







Gomez









Architecture In Helsinki










Matt Costa










Korby Lenker





And that was just on Saturday! Even as I post, I kick myself for what I missed...


-The Shins-

On the Transmigration of Souls

Contrary to popular belief, the most fascinating thing about the Oregon Symphony tonight was not Mozart's Requiem. It was John Adams' stirring September 11th tribute, On the Transmigration of Souls. It was a haunting work, and if you really paid attention you could recall some of the things you felt as you watched the news on that tragic day.

-John Adams-

Virginia Moon

I'm back in Virginia. I got here two days ago and I can see that my time here is going to be way too short. I've mostly been running errands so far -- tying up loose little ends and getting things done before I venture away from this place forever.

About twenty minutes after I landed on Tuesday, Mimsi and I headed to Jammin' Java for a great little show. As the candlelight flickered from our front row table, I sat and absorbed the genius of Landon Pigg, Ki Theory and Lucas Reynolds. I came to see Lucas (of Blue Merle) but came away with huge apreciation for Landon's sound. I especially connected with some of his lyrics; perhaps some of his titles will be enough to say why: "Sailed On," and "Can't Let Go" among my favorites.

Last night was a graduation/birthday celebration at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Wow - that honestly has got to be the best steak I've ever had. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to spend $200 on dinner for three people.

I just got my haircut. I really needed a haircut and it is always such trauma to actually get to the salon and get it done. I don't know why I feel such an attachment to my locks... perhaps it is only a reflection of the over-attachment I feel for a lot of things.

Today is shopping day. My wardrobe needs a little spicing up for New York. Leesburg Outlets, here I come!

-Foo Fighters-

Amado Mio

Wow. What a night! Months ago, I was thrilled to find out that Pink Martini was coming to Park City and Jenny and I got some tickets. It was an incredible evening to say the least. If you haven't heard of the 12-piece Portland band, I would highly recommend them to anyone with the slightest taste for good music. I love how Thomas (the pianist) describes their music. "We’re kind of like musical archaeologists, bringing melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is modern. It’s like an urban musical travelogue…and I think as citizens of the world and in a sense as musical ambassadors for the United States, we must always strive to study the languages, customs, and histories of other countries. We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad, in Europe, in Turkey, in Lebanon and therefore have the opportunity to demonstrate that Americans are indeed serious about engaging in a dialogue with the rest of the world.” All I can say is that I'm counting down to the release of album number three.

-Pink Martini-