Music Monday: 2011 in Review

One thing I have really enjoyed over the past year has been 'discovering' new music. The internet is overflowing with fresh sound and talent, and it's exciting to come across something wonderful that you've never heard before. Almost as fun is sharing my discoveries with others. I've usually done this through word-of-mouth, Facebook and (less effectively) Twitter. I've blogged a few of them, but it occurred to me recently that it would be fun to blog my favorite music discoveries (new to me, anyway) of 2011 all in one post. So, here we go. . .

** Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars top my list of favorites that I first heard in 2011. I bought the whole album, and have been listening to it all year. Not tired of it yet. Second favorite track is Falling.


** Heart's A Mess by Gotye

This is definitely at the top of my list- Gotye's most recent album "Making Mirrors" is one of only four full albums I purchased in 2011. Again, I've been listening to it incessantly and I'm not tired of it yet! I'm excited to hear the single Somebody That I Used to Know is now getting some airplay on a local radio station.


** White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes. . . I just love this song, and the video. It's another one that has stuck with me reliably. Interestingly, nothing else by Fleet Foxes has grabbed my imagination quite like this one has.


** You Will Love This Song by Amber Rubarth

This is fabulous and charming. Check out her other project, too- the band Paper Raincoat- here's Sympathetic Vibrations


** Black Rock by The Infamous Stringdusters

This is an older video, and the band continues to evolve in new and exciting directions. It remains one of my favorite videos of theirs however, and it was key to me becoming enamored of their music last year. I have seen them play live several times now, and it is RIDICULOUS. Ridiculously, astonishingly good. Full disclosure: Billy is producing their next album. . . but I can honestly tell you my appreciation for this band stands entirely on its own. They definitely belong here in my top list.

** Mango Tree by Angus and Julia Stone

I simply adore this song, and a few others of theirs, as well. Check out Hold On, too- just stunning.


** I Don't Know by Lisa Hannigan

This is delightful, and I also love the live version performed at Dick Mac's Pub. Check out her other videos, too- she makes me happy.

** Bouncing Stones by Spoonbill

Very, very cool. I love the groove and the video, too. Also check out Feather Leather:


** Closer To Love by Mat Kearney

This is another full album that I bought, and have thoroughly enjoyed.

For the 10th, here's just a random selection of some other favs:

* I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds
* Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
* Gravity by Sara Bareilles
* Loving Strangers by Russian Red
* A Little Bit of Everything by Dawes

What did I forget? What great music did you discover last year?

"Press Pause Play": A Brief Review

I just finished watching "Press Pause Play", a documentary on the current revolution in the music and film industries (with a little bit about print publishing and art thrown in). I can't say I think it's a particularly good documentary. It looks and sounds good, but it's terrible at communicating any cohesive *point*. . . other than that the industry is changing and nobody has any clue where the hell it will end up.

Still it's interesting and I already want to watch it again to revisit some of the viewpoints and quotes expressed here and there in the film. I am left with the impression that there are some very valuable things said, if I can just weed them out of the rest of the movie. I want to think further on some of the ideas. I'm glad I watched it, and I recommend it to anyone invested in the music or film industry right now. Maybe you'll be inspired to do this better. :)

PressPausePlay from House of Radon on Vimeo.

Music Monday: The Civil Wars

I'm a little late for Monday, since it's now very early Tuesday morning. But I need to share this music with you. So here is a Music Monday post on Tuesday.

"Poison & Wine" by The Civil Wars


This song tears me apart and I love everything about it. Check out their other stuff, too. It's really pretty stunning.

Great website: http://thecivilwars.com/

Music Monday: Pogo

Billy introduced me to this artist, who creates wonderful electronic music from samples, often gleaned from popular movies. He edits videos to go along with the music, combining the source of the samples with imagery to set the perfect mood. My favorite songs are created from "real life" samples, like this one of his mother's garden:

"Gardyn" by Pogo


Or this one from his travels in Johannesburg:
"Joburg Jam" by Pogo


And here is one of his movie remixes, from the Pixar movie "Up":
"UPular" by Pogo


Look him up on youtube to see more videos; there are lots of great movie remixes (including "The Lord of the Rings"!). Also, check him out at http://www.pogomix.net/ to read more about him, about his World Remix Project, and to purchase some of his tracks.

Music Monday: Marina and the Diamonds

I'm a little obsessed with this song right now. Fresh in pop music, and I LOVE it!

Marina and the Diamonds with "I Am Not A Robot"

Music Monday: Fleet Foxes

This song was introduced to me by a couple of the Dads in our awesome homeschool group. I love the tune, and the video is brilliance.

"White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes

100 Days

I'm not trying to be maudlin, here- mostly I have not posted in some time because we have been so very busy. Also, it's hard to get back into the swing of posting when I have been out of the habit for so long. However I could not let this anniversary pass without sharing this song. Yesterday was 100 days since Nora died. I thought of this song, a favorite of mine. Beautiful, and eminently appropriate.

"100 Days" by King Konga

Find more artists like King Konga at Myspace Music

Music Monday: Johnny Mathis

In honor of Grandma, here is a favorite song of hers: "Eres Tu", which was performed so beautifully at the memorial service by Queenie. This version is performed by Johnny Mathis, with Carlos Calderon on piano.

Music Monday: John Williams (guitarist)

John Williams performs Bach's Prelude From Lute Suite 4 in E Major on classical guitar.

Just gorgeous.

Music Monday: Michael Franti & Spearhead

I just love this. I love you! Beautiful, happy faces. Dance a little. Feel good.

Music Monday: The Republic of Loose

The other day I noticed Littleman was humming a tune. The tune was familiar, but maddening. . . I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I knew it was a song I knew, but not one I listened to frequently. Finally, I got it! It's "The Steady Song" by an Irish group called Republic of Loose. Littleman has heard it on a mix CD of up-and-coming indie Irish bands that Billy passed on to me. The song is ridiculously catchy, hilarious and terribly inappropriate. At least he wasn't singing the words! :)

(The video cracks me up- takes me back to the earliest days of MTV.)

Music Monday: Nickel Creek

In honor of Danny at the Burton 4-H Center of Tybee Island:



Nickel Creek performing their version of the classic tune "The Fox".

Want more? Try this one too.

Music Monday: That 1 Guy

Several of you have heard me mention That 1 Guy, especially over on Facebook and in my Twitter stream. Billy worked with That 1 Guy on his latest album Packs A Wallop. (The video is Mustaches from his previous album The Moon is Disgusting, since none of the new songs are on YouTube yet.) Billy and I went to see him play live in Atlanta last Friday, and it was amazing!! I can't recall a live gig where I've ever had so much fun. Mike (That 1 Guy) is a true performer and a great person, and he puts on a phenomenal live show. The energy in the room was fantastic. I danced for two hours- it was FUN.

Check him out- to learn more about his amazing instrument The Magic Pipe (which he invented), check out the Packs A Wallop EPK. And if you ever get a chance to see him live, GO! It's like nothing you've ever seen before.

Music Monday: Katherine Wheatley

Here's a new Music Monday video for you- someone posted this on Facebook (thanks, Luci!) and I really like it! The video is lovely and very fun, too. It's "Water Moves Me" by Katherine Wheatley, a Canadian singer-songwriter. I'd never heard of her before checking this out. Enjoy!

Music Monday: The Poozies

Driving home from my Gramy's on Friday evening, I was thrilled to catch The Thistle and Shamrock on public radio. This song came on, and I'm besotted.
It's "Another Train" by The Poozies. (Sorry the videography ain't so hot. It's the only video of this song I could find.) Just listen. Beautiful.



Another Train

The beginning is now.
It will always be.
You say you lost your chance,
then fate brought you defeat.
But that means nothing.
You look so sad,
You've been listening to those
who say you missed your chance.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard
another train.

You may feel you're done,
but there's no such thing.
Although you're standing on your own,
your own breath is king.
The beginning is now,
don't turn around.
For regrets about mistakes-
they will only drain you.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard.

We crawl in the dark, sometimes
we think too much.
We fill our heads with the craziest things,
that only break our hearts.
And I know you've seen
what the earth can do,
When it's dragging down another load,
Of worrisome fools.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard.

I know it's hard,
when you feel confused.
You can crown yourself with fear,
'til you feel you cannot move.
You're building worlds,
that don't exist-
imagination plays
the worst tricks.

There's another train,
there always is.
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard.

There's another train,
there always is,
Maybe the next one is yours,
get up and climb aboard
another train.

Lyrics and tune: Pete Morton

Billy takes the Vistoso Bosses Camping!

Some of you may remember the video I posted recently by the Vistoso Bosses. (If not, check it out!) Billy has been working in the studio with the girls, and we LOVE them.

Not long ago they started asking Billy to take them camping. Billy didn't think they were serious, because they'd had NO experience hiking or camping ever, and in fact were pretty scared of all things wilderness. However they kept bugging him, so finally he consented. Later he jokingly told their manager about the upcoming trip, and the manager thought the idea had big potential- he decided to ask the record label if they wanted to send a film crew and turn the whole event into a youtube video.

Long story short, they did. So suddenly Billy and I were charged with putting the trip together for everyone, sending out instructions and packing lists, borrowing as much gear as possible, and helping the girls buy whatever they needed that we couldn't loan them. It was a lot of work but finally everyone was packed up and driving out to Sam Knob, NC.

The cast:
- Billy Hume (my sweetie, producer for the Vistoso Bosses & fearless leader)
- Littleman & The Pirate (2 very young seasoned veterans)
- my brother (designated sherpa, fire-tender and babysitter)
- The Vistoso Bosses (the stars)
- Marv & Cash (writers who work with Billy and sometimes the Vistoso Bosses) <-- note: Cash had been on only one camping trip ever, a few weeks earlier with Billy and our boys. Marv was a complete wilderness newbie.
- 4-man film crew (or rather, a 3-man + 1 lovely lady film crew)

Here's the video result! It comes in two parts. Enjoy!

Part one:


Part two:


Feel free to go to youtube and comment, and pass these on to anyone you think might like them! :)

Vistoso Bosses!

This is pretty cool- here's a brand new video from the Vistoso Bosses, a young group here in Atlanta that Billy's done a lot of work with. We LOVE these girls- they are talented, fun, hard working AND really sweet. They have a style and a great message that's all their own. I think they did a super job with the video- know anyone who would enjoy their music? Pass it on!


(Update: check out the Vistoso Bosses on a Wilderness Adventure!!)

Live Your Dream

It hit me today: how easy it is to have a dream, but to allow yourself to be so distracted that you no longer hold that image, that dream in your mind's eye. It's one thing to have to attend to daily matters- that's going to happen. Sometimes we also have to set our own concerns aside for awhile if friends or family need our help. But the trick is to do these things without losing sight of our dream.

My experience has been that dreams are attainable. There are some tricks to attaining them however, and the most important trick is the dream itself. To have an attainable dream, you need a clear idea of the whole picture, uncluttered by things you only think you want. Dreams need detail. Don't be afraid to imagine in HD. It's OK if there are a few nuts and bolts that you aren't sure of, but overall you need to have a clear image to work with.

Once you have the detail, look carefully at your dream. Figure out what parts are most important to you- what are you really wishing for, deep down? What parts of your dream are the yearnings of your soul, and what parts are fluff or simply a means to an end? For instance, a lot of people dream of winning the lottery. I ask, what's the point? Often it's because they yearn for the sense of security that they imagine would come from having a great deal of money. I understand this, definitely. But what is the true dream here? The money? Or the feeling? Perhaps someone wishes to win the lottery so that they can travel. Well then, the travel experiences are the dream, not the money. To help your dream come to reality, you need a clear idea of what it is you REALLY want, and why you want it. Always examine your dreams in this way. Even something that seems silly on the surface can reveal something important about yourself, and allow you to understand what things might make you happier.

Once you have a nice, clearheaded picture of your true desire, complete with details and stripped of red herrings, you need to hold onto that image. Think about your dream. Tape a picture on the fridge, if that will help you remember. Read things relevant to your dream. If you've narrowed your image down to what's really important to you, then you're likely to want to read and think about it anyway. Let yourself imagine it. Pretend you're writing a story about a character who attains this dream. (Or go ahead and write one!) Whatever you want to do that keeps the idea percolating in your mind. Revise your dream as you understand it better, but don't lose sight of what's really important to you- your soul's desire.

These simple sounding steps are, in a way, the hardest steps to attaining your goal. Know what you REALLY want. (That one's very tough.) Allow yourself to dream in detail. (Don't think this part is frivolous.) And hold that dream in your mind. Don't lose sight of it. Don't forget about it.

Then comes the last step, really: LIVE your dream. Yes I'm over-simplifying things a bit. But it really isn't that complicated in concept. It might seem impossible, it might seem like the "wrong time", you might not have all your ducks in a row. You might not have enough money. But if you know what you REALLY, REALLY want, then just go get it. The rest will fall into place. I'm not saying it will be easy to do. But do it anyway. My experience is, that you'll start to find things just work out when you're headed in the right direction. Just don't lose the dream.

* * *

Synchronicity is merely a sign that you are tuning to the right frequency.

* * *

While I was writing this post, someone sent me a link to this song. Don't be put off by the fact that it's Miley Cyrus. (LOL!) I like it a lot. And it seemed so relevant to my musings, I got goosebumps.


Live your dream, my friends. Live your dream.

Dedication

A song for someone(s) I love.


We're proud of who you are.

A Random Interlude