I've been so busy lately, between last weekend's craft fair and working, that what I've found is I really need good background music to my life. I need music that can provide that background noise without taking my focus away from what I'm doing. You know, I always love to sing along with music, but sometimes I just need to do my own thing. This playlist is all about that--play it while you work, read, cook, etc. Save the singalong songs for the car.
P.S. Muriel Anderson is phenomenal--she plays the harp guitar and composes her own music. I first heard her at a local concert in Charlotte. If you like this playlist, you should definitely listen to more of her stuff!
So if you've been reading this blog awhile/follow along with my playlists, you know I go through music phases, like periods of time where I'm obsessed with a certain kind of music. Sometimes...they're a little bit weird. Remember the Spanish rap phase? What about the Elvis phase? Anyone remember the electro-swing phase (that was fun)?
So yes, in case you're totally dense and haven't figured it out, I've got a new one: rockabilly. When I first stumbled upon a rockabilly playlist on 8tracks, I immediately thought of this SNL spoof commercial. So yeah, it's a little bit of a weird genre to be into. But in case you don't really know what rockabilly is, it's basically rock and roll meets country (or 'hillbilly'). Or just think of it as Elvis and Johnny Cash's love child.
Think I'm weird yet? (Rhetorical question.) Go give it a listen.
Lately all of the music I've been listening to has been one and the same. 60s/70s folk rock all over. I've been working quite a bit lately and this sort of music is my soundtrack--thankfully my employees haven't complained about the old music too much!
Since I haven't mentioned it in awhile, I'll recap: in the summers I live in something that can best be described as an "intentional community", sort of like a commune but it's for Christians, not hippies. We don't have communal gardens or anything (though I'd be totally game if anyone wanted to start one). But we've all grown up spending summers together, going to church together, going to the beach together, having barbecue in the park, going on canoe trips, and participating in other programs. So the town is small, we only have a church, small post office and an ice cream shop--my baby. We're only open late at night so after closing, when we clean, we listen to music and mop the night away.
It's official: Breaking Bad has made me love Spanish rap. How weird is that?! I'm all for finding new genres of music (remember my post about celtic rock, electro-swing and gregorian chants?!) but I never expected to find a new genre in a TV show about meth. I mean, duh, I realize it's not a "new" genre, but I just discovered it, so it's new to me. This music kind of makes me want to cook up some meth. (I kid, I kid.)
Also, when I used Music Map to find some similar music, somehow Trampled By Turtles (one of my favorite bluegrass groups), Bassnectar and Nicki Minaj came up as similar to Spanish rap...
So which is better: Breaking Bad or Spanish rap? Wrong, both.
Hi friends! I hope you've had a lovely week so far and are ready to ace the rest of your week! I just wanted to say a little thank you for everyone who has been so supportive over the last few weeks as I've been dealing with my whole choosing-a-college situation. Though it hasn't been a super fun situation to be in, it really made me happy to see some of y'all really reach out and say nice things to me. Go you!
Today, I've got a little playlist to help you relax through the rest of your week. Also, I'm sort of in one of those icky music ruts, so if you have any recommendations, send 'em my way, please and thank you!
The worst thing happened to me the other day. Like, the worst possible thing EVER. So remember how I said my computer just up and died on me last Thursday, only to go all Lazarus + come back the next day? And of course, I was pumped! I still had all my designs, all my schoolwork, all my blog notes. But you know what I lost? MY ITUNES LIBRARY. (Sorry, but caps lock was definitely necessary right there.) I know. I might actually be dying, thankyouverymuch.
So I tried to reinstall it but I'm a little bit computer-impaired + I still haven't figured it out. Sigh. But I refuse to believe that I won't get my music back. That'd just be too much to handle.
Anywayyys, here are a few songs that I've been listening to lately, though I confess I'm still very much in my Elvis phase. These songs are just chill + non-distracting kind of songs that would be great for laying outside in a hammock (unless you live in the north, #suckstosuck) or reading.
Today, we're talking about sexual selection (yay). So you've all heard of natural selection right? It's a mechanism of evolution where only the strongest animals (or insects or plants or whatever) survive to mate + have babies + their strength gets passed on. Sexual selection is one kind of natural selection. Sexual selection means that an organism is more likely to survive because of some characteristic that makes it more likely to find a mate. This is why male frigatebirds have that huge icky red pouch under their beaks (hey...the ladies like it) and male peacocks have all their fancy plumage. Somehow, those features help those males out-seduce the other males, meaning they get to have sexy-time and have more red-pouched/plumed babies.
However, I think it's kind of funny what great lengths even animals will go to in order to have sex. With some animals, especially birds, the elaborate features they have to attract a mate can also attract predators, which obviously aren't too helpful in getting the animal to survive.
Hi all! First off, I apologize for being a little absent around these parts the last few weeks. It's kind of odd to me how so many articles of "blog rules" say that you should never apologize for posting less than usual. And obviously rules are meant to be broken, but I really disagree with that. Obviously, no one needs to apologize with blogging if they don't feel they need to, but I feel like I do.
As a blogger, I feel like my readers expect certain things from me. You expect a quality post, hopefully one that's interesting or useful. You expect me to answer your emails and comments. And if you're a regular reader, you've learned to plan on 3-4 posts a week. And I haven't been doing that successfully. I don't owe you anything, but I want to build a little relationship with each and every one of you, so in the spirit of community, I want to come out and say that I'm sorry.
I've been doing lots of planning + mind maps + designing + I'm oh-so-excited about all the lovely-rad things I have planned for us in the coming weeks. So stick around! :)
Today, I'm doing something that I haven't really done much recently (except at Christmas!): share a playlist! With my music tastes, I really go through phases. I'll have a couple weeks where I can't bear to listen to anything but acoustic or a few weeks where it's all 80s rock or opera or 20s swing or (fill in the blank).
Lately, it's Elvis. Believe it or not, it all started at my internship last week. (Prepare yourselves, I'm about to nerd out.) I've been working with an environmental department of my county government that deals with the health of streams, rivers and lakes in my area. One day, I was with two guys installing a surveillance camera at a local creek that would basically enable us to watch the stream for flood conditions (overflowing).
While we were doing that, there were a bunch of guys that would walk by and hang in the streets, just loitering. One guy even asked us if he could see the footage because a car had been stolen there the day before. And so I just casually made some comment about how much I love hanging out in the ghetto. In response to this, one of my coworkers, a big, burly fisherman type of guy responds with a falsetto "in the ghettoooo", just like the background singers in Elvis's song "In the Ghetto". So of course, I had the song stuck in my head the rest of the day, and now I'm on an Elvis kick.
Long story to say, I'm obsessed with Elvis at the moment. Listen away, lovelies.
Anyone else fangirl over Elvis like I do? What have you been listening to lately?
Merry Christmas! (If you're a non-Christmas celebrator, sorry. Just skip this whole post.) I hope your day has been merry + bright so far!
Okay, so this isn't really a real post, I just wanted to share one of my all-time favorite playlists (oh look! I'm the genius who made it) for Christmas. Enjoy!
Hi friends! Happy Sunday! Here in Michigan, the air is crisp and cool and I spent the morning baking apple pie...how about that? After such a stressful few weeks, this weekend has been just what I need!
If you're new around here, weekends like this are something that I call "shots of happy". You know, those things that just make you smile for no reason! For me, this playlist is one of those. It's mostly 80s (but not all, I know) and lots of fun. I hope you like it!
So if you hang out around these parts, you know I'm all about owning my quirks (and you owning yours!), whether that includes my obsession with dinosaurs or tendency to sing really loud in the car!
One of said quirks is that I listen to weird music. But like good weird! When it comes to music, don't restrict yourself to a genre. Don't say, "I like rap!" or "I like pop" when there's so much more you probably haven't given a chance yet! So today for example, I'm gonna give you three kinds of music and I challenge you to give them a try. They sounded weird to me at first too, but there's beauty in trying something new!
Example one. Celtic rock. Wanted to feel classy and badass and dramatic all at the same time? This is for you. And I don't drink, but these sure would make a heck of a drinking song. Bagpipes can be awesome, man. Especially with those electric guitars. (More here.)
Example two. Electro-swing. Stick with me guys, just try them once! This is 1920s style swing, remixed with some techno. I don't like techno, but I love this kind of music. Start off easy with a cover of Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" and go on from there. The first two both have rad, retro videos too.
Example three, the weirdest of them all: Gregorian chants. So maybe this isn't music, but it's so relaxing to listen to, especially after a long stressful day. Like all of the above, give it a chance!
Gregorian Chants How about that! Very La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc, right?
So what did you think? Weird/worthless or weird/wonderful? Do you have any weird music likes? If you like things like this (or I do post "normal" music too), head over to my blog! You can see more playlists here, here and here. And be sure to know you're coming from here--leave your blog and I'll check you out!
I just made this mix about a week ago for tidying up my room and I am loving it! This (for the most part) is my favorite 80s ish music. Let me tell you, I am a sucker for anything Billy Joel. The first song I learned on the piano that I still remember was "Piano Man" and I still play it once in a while. Later on, I learned "Vienna". Both great songs and they hold a lot of memories.
Also, listen to the lyrics on "You Can Call Me Al"--slightly silly but still deep.
Do you have any songs that specifically hold memories for you? What are you listening to this week? Give me some music recommendations!
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye. Not done with this one, so that might be cheating but it's great so far!
Yesterday was a super busy day! I got up early to have a little modeling shoot with my friend Sophie. And by modeling shoot, I mean I paid her to take pictures of me for my senior portraits. But hey, it's fun to have it all about you for a little! I can't wait to show you some of the pictures she took!
After that, I hung out at the beach with friends and then went to the annual barbecue in our town. It's so old-school--like five hundred people in our town (which is about half of the whole town) all brought folding tables and chairs to the park where the caterers had set up their grills and we all hung out and ate good food. It was a great time!
What did you do this weekend? Also, one of my goals for this week's Weekly Wishes was to learn something new. Where do you learn new stuff? Or tell me something interesting!
Wow this mix is super random. I've been listening to this mix everywhere, though. At the beach, laying on a towel, reading a good book. At work as we clean up at the end of the night. On my somewhat sporadic runs. Anyways, have yourself a little listen. If you ever have recommendations, I'd love to hear 'em.
Okay, it might be weird, but I have playlists for reading. I don't know about you but when I'm reading, I want everyone in the whole entire world to seriously-shut-up-right-now-because-I'm-concentrating. Unfortunately, the whole entire world doesn't really do what I tell them to. Frustrating, I know. So the next best option is to put headphones in and play some music to block out their unnecessary noise.
And because I know that some of you share my lack of ability to control the world, I'm sharing my favorites with you.
P.S. I'm also linking up with Sweet Green Tangerine for The Book Chat. P.P.S. Don't forget about my ad sale! Let's conquer the blog-world together. P.P.P.S. And my giveaway! Adventure themed :)
Do you listen to music while you read? Do loud people annoy you too when you read???
(Maybe I'm overreacting about the loud people...but probably not)
This week: I worked, scooping lots of ice cream ♥ Played lots of games with friends ♥ swam & laid out on the beach ♥ ran my longest run in awhile (4.5 mi) ♥
♥Shannon at The Feminist Mystique has a series on different women (and some men) and their choices to change, keep, or hypenate their last names upon getting married.
Lately, I've been really interested in branching out my music tastes. Nothing crazy, I still haven't found much straight rap or screamo that I can stand, but I've been feeling a lot of jazz/swing/bluegrass/country. All of which I'm mostly a stranger too, so recommendations are always welcome!
And out of those new listens, I've gotten into the whole Celtic-punk feel particularly of bands like Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys. So if you're new to them, be sure to give them a solid listen.
To get you through whatever you're going through. It grows on you, just trust me on this one.
Siobhan//The Tossers Heroes From Our Past//The Dropkick Murphys Follow Me Up To Carlow (2007 Version)//The Young Dubliners If I Ever Leave This World Alive (Live)//Flogging Molly The Drunken Sailor//Schooner Fare Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced//The Dropkick Murphys The Paddy Set//Seven Nations Old Black Rum//Great Big Sea Laura//Flogging Molly I'm A Rover//Great Big Sea The Times, They Are A-Changin'//Flogging Molly Float (live)//Flogging Molly Go Home Girl//Gaelic Storm Loaded Gun//Flatfoot 56 The Lightning Storm//Flogging Molly The SchoonerLake Set//Gaelic Storm The Mermaid//Great Big Sea
Here in Southwest Michigan, it's been a rainy couple of days. As I went for a run in the rain a few days ago, I admired the forest around the roads where I live. Even though I was listening to rock for my run, it made me feel like this:
Quelqu'un M'a Dit//Carla Bruni Go On//Elephant Revival Take Me Somewhere Nice//Mogwai Love Song #1//White Buffalo You Ain't Alone//Alabama Shakes Bruises//Chairlift I'll Drown//Soley Old Friends//Simon & Garfunkel Where is My Love//Cat Power It's Only Fear// Alexi Murdoch I Won't Give Up//Jason Mraz Fresh Pair of Eyes//Brooke Waggoner Chanson Triste//Carla Bruni Cheers Darlin'//Damien Rice
So unfortunately, I am not a morning person, as much as I'd like to be. I'm also not a night person. I just like my sleep. Ideally, I'd sleep from ten till ten in the morning. However, getting up that late tends to mean I don't get really going until eleven or so, and then half my day is gone. That's why I made my weekly wish this week to try setting a morning routine. I didn't do so hot this morning, as I got up at about 9:35 when I realized I had work at 10. Such is life. Anyways, I made a little playlist to motivate me to wake up and run in the morning. Listen to it in this order; it starts slow and will get you up and at 'em. Warning though--it is way eclectic. Incubus to Yo-Yo Ma to Led Zeppelin to Needtobreathe. But I think it's awesome! Listen on 8tracks.
Aqueous Transmission//Incubus
C'est Ma Terre//Christopher Mae
Rise to the Sun (Live on KEXP)//Alabama Shakes
Separate Ways (One for the Road)//The River and the Road
123 Stop//The Postelles
Girl Named Tennessee//Needtobreathe
Movin' Right Along//Alkaline Trio
Hope the Good Things Never End//Northcote
This Too Shall Pass//OK Go
Houses of the Holy//Led Zeppelin
Attaboy//Yo Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile
The Southern Wild//Eliza & the Bear
Don't Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)//The Noisettes
Dolores//The Mavericks
Lemon Parade//Tonic
So we'll see if a good playlist is enough to get me going in the morning! Tune in tomorrow for a new collection of things that are Catching My Eye.
