Music Monday: Oh Canada

If you know me very well, then you know I have an affection for all things Canadian. Their accent, music, and Candice Olsen are enough to make want to visit. But after watching the Olympics this past weekend and learning even more about our friendly neighbor to the north, I feel a trip to Canada in our near future.

There are so many artists from Canada that I love so I thought I would feature some on Music Monday in honor of the Vancouver Olympics going on right now (so excited!).

Sarah Mclachlan - She was my first Canadian love. Her album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, which was released in 1993, is still one of my all time favorite albums.

Fiest - Most recognize this artist from the iPod Nano commercial that featured the song, 1,2,3,4 off of her latest album, The Reminder. But it's her sophomore album, Let It Die, that grabbed my attention. I love the song Mushaboom about the village with the same name in Novia Scotia and the simple life of raising a family and tending to the home.

Leonard Cohen - K.D. Lang, another great Canadian talent, performed his song Hallelujah during the Vancouver opening ceremony. But my first exposure to Cohen was through his album Ten New Songs, and I have been hooked ever since.

Great Lake Swimmers - They had me at Ongiara. It's a little bit Canadian folk and a little bluegrass. Perfection.

The Be Good Tanyas - Their albums Chinatown and Hello Love are in heavy rotation at our house. I wish they would put another album out so I could have a chance to see them in concert. Again, another blend of Canadian folk and Southern bluegrass, which seems to be my favorite combo right now.

Thank you, Canada! I hope to visit your beautiful country very very soon.

Music Monday: Citizen Cope

Markus and I are going to see this band play Saturday night at The National. His music is a blend of reggae, hip hop, blues, and southern beatnik. Very nice music to listen to, especially on a warm, sunny day.

Enjoy!

Music Monday: The Human Thing

I love The Be Good Tanyas. If you look at their web site, it describes them as groovy, bluesy, bluegrass women. Perfect description. This song is one of my favorites to dance to. It's off of their last album, Hello Love. I wish they would make another album and go on tour. I would be there in a heartbeat.

The video is made from thousands of drawings by an artist out of New Mexico named Kate Brown. I can't imagine how much time it took but the finished product is amazing!



Get up and dance, I dare ya!

Manic Music Monday

This song pretty much sums up the last few weeks around our house. Ahhh, the 80's :o)

I've fallen behind

Last week was a bit rough. It started with the weekend and continued through the week. First I had a paper that was due Tuesday. I am a bit of a what you would call a procrastinator and didn't start working on my paper until Sunday. ALL DAY SUNDAY. But it was rainy and cold and I didn't mind staying in my pjs snuggled on the couch with a book (for my paper) and my laptop. Markus was there too, it was actually kind of nice to not have anywhere to be and use my brain for something other than work. I pretty much worked on the paper non-stop up until I turned it in on Tuesday at 2:22 p.m. 2 1/2 hours before it was due! And I called myself a procrastinator?!?

I went to class that night, turned in my paper, gave my presentation and felt relieved it was over. And then my relief turned into a slight fever and a sore throat. Which turned in to being sick the rest of the week and not getting out of bed until Saturday. No fun. Especially because Markus was gone most of this time and I was home alone. I did however catch up on my sleep and all the programs recorded in my DVR. I have watched enough tv to last me until Christmas.

So, while I get caught up on life, I leave you with this video for Music Monday.

Enjoy :o)

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

Music Monday (on Tuesday) for my husband: Tarja Turunen

There is this Finnish band called Nightwish that gets played a lot around our house. And there is a singer named Tarja that used to be in the band Nightwish, that often gets brought up in our house. Tarja is no longer in the band and has branched out on her own. Something about irreconcilable differences blah blah blah. Which is a shame because her lead singing was the only way I could tolerate listening to Finnish power metal.

Anyway, I always post music that I like but today I would like to post something that is very dear to Markus' heart, Tarja. She has an amazing operatic soprano voice that is paired with symphonic power metal.

Are you confused yet? I am. So let's just listen to her voice and you can understand what I mean.

Introducing Tarja:

Music Monday: Halloween Edition

Can you tell that I am a little excited about fall and Halloween? So this morning I thought I would share a song that always puts a smile on my face. It's a fun song to dance to as well, if you are so inclined. Enjoy :)

Music Monday: The Beatles

We had a double date this weekend with one of our favorite couples, Suzi and Steve. And after dinner we went back to their house and played The Beatles Rock Band. Ever since I have had this song stuck in my head. My mother would sing this as a lullaby to me when I was a little girl, among many other Beatles songs so it has always had a different meaning to me than what I'm sure they originally intended. And since videos weren't really around when this song was recorded, this is the best I could do.

Happy Monday!

Music Monday: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

I'm not sure how I feel about artists overlapping in genres. Not many actors have been successful crossing over into the music world and vice versa. But I have to admit, the duo of Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson intrigued me. I saw Pete Yorn this summer and fell in love with his charismatic voice. And, Scarlett Johansson is one of my favorite actresses. Here is the track, Relator, off of their album Break Up. Starbucks is selling the album if you are interested in listening to more of this sexy duo.

What do you think? Does Ms. Johansson have what it takes to sing or should she stick to the big screen?

Music Monday: She & Him

There is a rumor that Zooey Deschanel wed Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard this weekend. I love both. So in honor of this perfect harmony, I bring you Zooey's band, She & Him. This is off their debut album, Volume One.

Enjoy!

Music Monday: Weeds

I blogged a few weeks ago about how the Showtime series, Weeds, wasn't all I was hoping for in the 5th season. But it has redeemed itself. We caught up with episodes 8 & 9 last week and the Botwin family is back in full swing. One of the best things about the series (besides Mary-Louise Parker) is the music. It's quirky, fun, and fits perfectly to what is happening in each episode. I think there are 3 soundtracks that have been released but you can also download music not found on the soundtrack on iTunes.

Something I am missing this season is the Malvina Reynolds song titled "Little Boxes" that was used as the first three seasons opening credit. Malvina's recording was used for season 1 and then to switch it up in seasons 2 & 3 they had the song covered by various artists. My favorite is still Malvina's but if you like this, check out the other covers. Artists who covered the song include Elvis Costello, Regina Spektor, and Jenny Lewis! The song was written in 1962 and holds true more than ever in today's ticky tacky society. Nothing against the 'burbs, I'm just saying :o)

Music Monday: Pete Yorn

I didn't know much about Pete Yorn until my friend Susan recommended his music. We have similar taste and have been swapping names of bands all summer. She was my go-to girl when I needed a partner to see Jenny Lewis a few weeks ago. And, we are headed down to Norfolk this week to see Pete live at the NORVA. Susan is helping me stick to fulfilling some of my summer to do's I blogged about recently. I forgot to put concerts on the published list but that is definitely one thing I need to take advantage of this summer. So many good people coming our way.

I can't wait to see him in concert!

Music Monday: Tori is Touring

I am a HUGE fan of Tori Amos. I've been listening to her since high school but have never seen her live. She is on tour this summer but I have conflicts on all the dates she will be on the East Coast. Some of my favorite Tori albums are her live ones so I'm really bummed I'm going to miss her again.

But, if you are a Tori fan and would like to check her out live, go here for her tour dates. You can tell me all about it so I can hate you. Just kidding, I won't hate, I'll just be really jealous.

Here is one of Tori songs from my favorite album, Little Earthquakes. I would listen to this song over and over trying to figure out what the lyrics meant. Like most Tori lyrics, you never really know what she is talking about. I think that is why I like her so much. That and she plays paino like nobody's business. And her voice. Love her voice.

Music Monday: Jenny Lewis

Jenny Lewis is coming to The National Friday, July 3rd. She is in the LA based Indie Rock band, Rilo Kiley but has 2 solo albums that rock. If you are local, check her out. If you are not, check out her album Acid Tongue. I love it. She is a little bit indie rock, a little bit alternative country. The songs range so much that you get a bit of everything wrapped up in her sweet voice. Here is a taste of her style but it's so eclectic that this doesn't do it justice.

Black Sand

Music Monday: Relax

It's Monday, another work week. I'm in the office alone. I love being in the office alone, especially in the mornings. It gives me time to drink my coffee and wake up. I'm not much for talking first thing in the morning, I like to listen to music. This morning I decided to listen to one of my favorite Sarah McLachlen songs. It's all instrumental and the first time I heard it I was driving through the WV mountains alone on a sunny fall day. Perfection. I always saw myself walking down the aisle to this song as the sun was setting on a beach somewhere. But it didn't exactly happen that way. Now it almost sounds like a lullaby. Maybe one day I can rock my babies asleep to it. That would be nice. Enjoy.

Just Another Music Monday

Sometimes you just need a song to get you going in the morning. This morning was one of those times. I love The Be Good Tanyas. Their music is always uplifting, even if the words are a little depressing. It works best if you listen to it LOUD in your car with the windows down and the sun shining bright.

Hope your week is off to a good start. I'm happy the sun is shining and it finally feels like summer round these parts!