The Paper Kites - Featherstone

Once

If you don't like this movie, we probably can't be friends.

[If you've never seen it, look up music from "Once (Music from the Motion Picture)"...and then you'll probably want to watch the movie]

Sarah DeGroat - Old Moscow

Jay mixed this project, and it is so good.  So so good.

Sarah is a student at A&M.  She did this project with Jay's good friends Matthew and Lizi Bailey, and when they sent it over to mix, he kind of freaked out.

You can listen to all 5 songs on her website.

Old Moscow:


Heartbeat:


[She reminds me quite a bit of Rosie Thomas]

Balmorhea

Jay just finished up audio for another SerialBox session. If you like instrumental music (Album Leaf, Explosions in the Sky...), you'll like Balmorhea.

I love bands that jump around and play a bunch of instruments - makes them very interesting to watch:

The Sing Off

There are very few TV shows that Jay and I actually agree on and watch together. This is not one of them.

I don't watch "American Idol" or "X Factor" or "The Voice," but I do like "The Sing Off." I feel like part of it might be that I like who judges, particularly Ben Folds. But it has some really talented performers, too. Jay would let me show him my 1 or 2 favorite performances from each episode, and it was usually this group - they were my fave and ended up winning. This totally appeals to my pop-loving self (I listen to top 40 on the way to work every morning...).

This first song is my least favorite song off Florence & The Machine's last album, but this version is amazing:
 

And this one is just impressively clever how they mix the 2 songs:

They also did a Katy Perry song, and we all know how much we love Katy Perry at this house...but it wasn't one of their best.

And apparently the beatboxer is multi-talented (and studied music at Yale):

I mean - don't you kind of feel like you should learn how to beatbox now?!  I told Jay he would probably be good at it being a drummer and all, but he declined.

SerialBox: Andrew Belle

This guy is really really good (engineered and mixed by Jay):

  The video is cool, too:

Quicksand River

Jay has been playing some shows with his friend Brent Nettles, who just released his first album called "Quicksand River." Jay said it's one of the most enjoyable times he's had playing music live.

You should listen to Brent's music (you can download here). Jay's favorites are "Where We Will Go" and "Me and All My Friends" and I think mine is "A Dollar Bill":

90s Flashback: The Rest of It

In my quest to relive awesome music of the 90s, I realized that much of it is better to forget (MMM Bop or Tubthumpers anyone?) But here are some more of the good ones that we should remember together:

Matchbox 20 - "Hang" (1996):


Third Eye Blind - "Motorcycle Drive By" (which I already mentioned here...but I love it!...and this guy's pictures are hilarious with the words) and "God of Wine" (1997):




Oasis - "Champagne Supernova" (1995):

90s Flashback: Lisa Loeb

Remember Lisa Loeb?!? I guarantee you every girl between the ages of maybe 27 and 37 could still sing you every word to "Stay" off of her album "Tails" that came out in 1995 (that was 16 years ago!!).

I'm pretty sure I could sing most words to most songs off that album [update: actually not true - apparently I skipped quite a few that I didn't really like because I didn't even recognize a few], but these were my favorites:

Do You Sleep?:


Snow Day:


It's Over:

90s Flashback: Fiona Apple

Remember Fiona Apple? According to Wikipedia she's still out there making music, but she's kind of been off the radar since her first album called "Tidal." She was 19 when this record came out! This is the same record that has "Criminal" and "Shadowboxer," but these are my favorites:

Never is a Promise:


Pale September:


They sound sad, but they remind me of happiness and good weather.

Unfinished Project Month - Update

So an update on unfinished projects...I'm still painting kitchen cabinets. Two down, three to go. I now remember why I never finished this 2 years ago.

Today while painting, I listened to Shiny Toy Guns, who Jay and I saw open years ago for Mute Math. They had some radio songs, but I decided today I really like this less-listened-to song:



And this is Jay's favorite off this album:


And this was in a Lincoln commercial:

The Damnwells

I've said it before, but I love hearing all the projects Jay works on. Here is an amazing SerialBox session that was released not too long ago that Jay mixed. Go to the SerialBox site to read an interview and hear audio from 4 other songs.

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

A few months ago, Bon Iver released a new album that we just bought called Bon Iver, Bon Iver. It's a good one.

Towers:


Though to me it's not as memorable as his first album that came out in 2008. One of our faves - I listened to it so much I should be embarrassed. Something about this song makes you feel like you should just cry:


This guy is hipster gold because not only is his music kind of this weird, indie thing, but he recorded his first album one winter in his father's cabin in Wisconsin after he left North Carolina to recuperate from his band breaking up and relationship ending. He said: "I left North Carolina and went up there because I didn't know where else to go and I knew that I wanted to be alone and I knew that I wanted to be where it was cold." Gold.

R&B Wednesday

Listening To: Elliott Smith

Jay recently bought an Elliott Smith song, and I'd forgotten how much I loved listening to his moody, sad music in undergrad late at night while working in the studio building models. He committed suicide in 2003, which seems fitting for his very somber and melancholy music.

This has always been my favorite:

Now I'm in a Folksy Mood

Ahhhh...people being in love:


This song has one of my all-time favorite song lyrics: "I'd rather be working for a paycheck than waiting to win the lottery..."

6 Years of music

I haven't posted anything in a long long time. Linz (wife) is much better than me at being current.

My sister Leanne told me the other day that one of her friends enjoyed reading the new music that Linz and I listen to and post about. Lindsay said that it was only because SHE blogged about it. I agreed but added that she typically hears the music from me and THEN blogs about it. I'm just giving her a hard time. Lindsay has great taste in music. We love everything from Cinematic Orchestra to Katy Perry. I really enjoy good pop music. Leanne says she feels bad because she listens to Justin Bieber and Katy Perry. Little does she know.... hahaha.

I have been making music and playing music for six years. It's interesting to look back on what I thought was such a difficult time and realize it was all very necessary. It would be easy to look on a lot of missed opportunities as bad luck or misfortune and let some of those things overshadow the good days, great songs, great gigs, and great people. I'm very thankful for all the good.

Everyone has to learn and grow some where right? Well... at least the people who are attempting to go, do, and be better all around seem to. I think a lot of the music scene has to do with not necessarily who you know but who you are. Is he or she a good hang or do people get quiet/make a face when that person is mentioned. It's easy to know very quickly.

As a Jesus follower and a "Bible" believer - I feel like it's very true that "no one is good, not one" - basically - everybody has flaws and is capable of being a complete ass/shit/whatever you call terrible people. But truly - I really have met some great people, and I have recently decided that I'm done trying to impress the people who "I'm supposed to impress or befriend so that..." - mainly because I've missed out on a lot of good things because I was too wrapped up in an idea of a person or a gig, or a project, or a band etc. etc. etc. Plus - we all know where the pity parties lead to.... no friends, no calls, no work. I've been there and it's not a fun place to be.

In the last two years I've produced or co-produced four EP's consisting of:
Neal Mabry
Hooray For Love
Tommy Lynch
Tim Qualls
A New Band - currently with no name that is really kick ass - I'm in this band. More to come later about this.

Each project was completely different. Different songs, players, places, seasons, and people all together.

Producing music is one of my favorite things to do. It's tricky and difficult, but the rewards can be great. Some times you can give a song or a record new direction by writing something new for it - shoving it really hard out of it's comfort zone or slightly nudging it in a different direction. Some times it's taxing and some times it's effortless. The best way to be good at something is to find someone who does it well and copy them. I'm serious. You want to know the difference between a good producer and a great producer? Look for the guy everyone talks about being such a great person. You can be great at your craft, but if you suck - nobody really cares about you. If you are a great hang- then the sky is the limit.

Andy Hunt is a producer in Nashville. He is also a very well known engineer and songwriter. I got connected with Andy through my friend Ryan Booth who interned for another producer that Andy used to share a space with in Nashville (Mitch Dane). I've worked with Andy on a few things - mainly utilizing his skills to mix some of my projects. Working on a record in Nashville with him for about three days was enough to solidify my thoughts about producing and how I would approach working on my own projects. I couldn't believe how encouraging and positive this guy was. So even keel and joyful. I felt like he was genuinely glad to see his friends and thankful he got to make music. There is definitely a nitty gritty technical detailed side to producing and music, but watching Andy work inspired me. Anyways - like I said - I feel very lucky to have had the opportunities I've had. Besides - how many bands do you absolutely love that you have NO idea as to the names of ANY of the guys who are either in the band, produced the music, or worked as engineers? I would say it's more than %90. Probably closer to %99 if you are like me.

All that says is that most of the people who work in music, who are very talented, and are really great will probably never ever be famous.

The reality is that there are thousands of people in the music biz that are extremely talented in different areas of music that we will never know about. From musicians to producers to songwriters. I think the question for people like myself is "Am I ok with not ever being famous?" I think I can say for certain that yes - I am, but I'll never say I wouldn't want that. Who wouldn't?

Anyways - enough rambling. Here is a list of music (I've) been listening to for the last few years.

Thad Cockrell - To Be Loved- Favorite record of 2010 - Linz will blog about him soon and my recent experience.
Paper Route - Absence - Favorite record of 2009

I recently started listening to the Beatles. So many songs to check out. If you aren't a beatles fan - don't beat yourself up or be afraid to say you haven't really listened to them - people can get over themselves. it's OK. If you want to start with the Beatles try listening to Revolver. I think that's a good one to start with. (quick thought - if you tell someone you haven't ever listened to beatles and they give you a condescending look or say something snide = don't fear they are probably terrible... - on the other hand - if they are really nice and say - oh man check out ______________ yadda yadda yadda = be happy. they are cool)

Landon Pigg - The Boy Who Never - Great record!!
Black Dub
The Civil Wars
Jonsi - Go live
Jonsi and Alex - Riceboy sleeps
K.S. Rhoads - Dead Language
Helios
Adele - 21
The Alternate Routes - Good and reckless and true
Ben Folds - Way To Normal
The Cinematic Orchestra

Coldplay - Viva la vida - if you have only listened to the title track - shame on you - listen to the rest of the record!! AMAZING

Death Cab - narrow stairs
Florence and The Machine - (I discovered them and told Linz BTW)

The Gabe Dixon Band - been listening to them for a long time, but they came out with a self titled record and it was really good

Glen Hansard

I own every Harry Connick Jr. Record - you should too - if you like that sort of genre

BTW I listen to the Vince Guaraldi Trio - Charlie Brown Xmas - ALL YEAR LONG

Huey Lewis and The News - one band I remember my dad listening to on road trips growing up

Miles Davis - kind of blue - if you don't like jazz - buy this record
Jonsi - Go
Katy Perry
Michael Buble
Muse
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble, Til the Sun Turns black
Ryan Adams - Love is Hell Pt. I and II
Sarah Bareilles - either of her records
Sean Carey - All we Grow
Bon Iver
Sheryl Crow - 100 Miles From memphis
Van Morrison
U2

Hopefully I'll be posting more regularly

J

Favorite Sing-Along Song

I posted about sing-along songs once before, but this is my all time favorite (look how much fun they're having!):


(Here's the album version, which is awesome and has the all-popular xylophone going for it, but as you can tell from the live version, it really is meant to sing along to). I love love love Rilo Kiley. Perhaps you recognize the lead singer and guitar player?


[Jenny Lewis as Shelly Long's daughter in Troop Beverly Hills...she also sang back-up for The Postal Service]


[Blake Sennett as the bully in Boy Meets World]

Speaking of Ben Folds...

Our friend BF covered a Ke$ha song called Sleazy, which I'd never heard so I previewed it in iTunes...this version is way better:



I love how he takes ridiculous, trashy songs and turns it into something brilliant and trashy. [Note: Here we can excuse the trashiness because it's to raise funds for Japan...]

And while we are on the subject of awesome trashy covers, if you've never heard his cover of "Bitches Ain't Shit" you should probably listen to it. It's a Dr. Dre song he covered back in the day, and I've never heard such horrible horrible lyrics sang so beautifully. Seriously, just look up the lyrics...I would post them here but I'm too embarrassed.

8in8

This is one of the most insane and coolest things I've ever heard of...

A few night ago, Ben Folds, who is just one of our favorites, teamed up with 3 other folks (lead singer of OK Go, songwriter Amanda Palmer and her author husband) to write and record 8 songs in 8 hours - 4 pm to midnight, west coast time. Neil Gairman (the author) tweeted throughout, taking suggestions for lyrics, album name, etc, and they live video-streamed the whole thing. They released the songs here the following morning, and then performed them live at Boston's Berklee College of Music that night.

And though they only got to 6 songs, and they're kind of weird, I'm still blown away by the concept.