Summer Music: Get Downloading!

Clearly, I have not been very good at maintaining a blog since starting graduate school, but I recently discovered (and rediscovered) a couple bands that I really need to share with you. Most of these finds have been through NoiseTrade, which has been my primary source of new music discoveries in the last few years.

1. Jordan Ruiz
(FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD HERE)
If you are remotely interested in bands like Bon Iver, Iron and Wine, or Josh Garrels, then you should DEFINITELY check out Jordan Ruiz. His music is beautiful, smooth, and calming without being boring - which in my opinion, is difficult to achieve. His new album, The Mountain, is a wonderful soundtrack to life: road trips, studying, reading a book, or just relaxing with friends. I highly encourage you download it today.

Be sure to check out his first album, Sundial Heart, which is available for free download as well!

2. Nickel Creek
(band website)
Sadly, this album is not free, but that's probably because it's selling like hotcakes without any extra publicity. Nickel Creek is an amazing Grammy-winning folk band that took a seven-year hiatus and finally came back into the scene in April. Their newest album, A Dotted Line, is upbeat, whimsical, and ironic all at once. Check out two of my favorite songs on this album below. And, go buy A Dotted Line!

3. Twin Forks
(FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD HERE)
Remember Dashboard Confessional? Of course you do. 

Well, the former lead singer of Dashboard Confessional has started a new band called Twin Forks. It has a folky, newgrass flare which is intertwined with a voice that will flood you with memories of breakups and power ballads (or maybe that's just me...). It took me a few listens to get used to, but I like it now, and I think it makes great summer driving music. Go ahead, download! It's free, what do you have to lose?

I hope you enjoy my music suggestions! Until next time, blogosphere.

H

Local Natives Concert

Here's a video from the Local Natives concert last night! The song is "You and I" from their newest album, Hummingbird.

Breathe It In

Here's a song written by my good friend, Robyn. Performed by the band Breathing Colors.

Tunes for Spring

As you can probably tell by my dwindling posts, school and work this semester have not given me much time or mental capacity to blog. But, I did want to send a little something your way in celebration of spring and the approach of summer! Here's a pretty cover of "Wrecking Ball" by Sarah Blackwood (from the band Walk Off the Earth) and friends. I believe you can still download this version for free here.

And...here's one more for the road! I have a crush on John Legend's voice, and you all know how I feel about Lindsey Stirling. :) Enjoy.

My Mild Obsession: Lily & Madeleine on NPR

I Am Mountain

It has been a ridiculously long time since I posted on here! Clearly, my school brain does not have much room for fun writing. Sadly, fun reading has gone out the door as well. I suppose it should be just another motivator for finishing school as soon as possible. Fortunately, I am not yet at that point where I ask myself, "Why did I CHOOSE to go back to school?!" However, I have a feeling that sentiment might appear in the next couple months. :)

In a quick summary, school is good, work is good, and overall, life is good too! I was able to go home for Christmas, which was really nice, and now I'm just suffering through the bitter Midwestern cold. I don't think I need to expand on that.

Here's a song I want to share, called "I am Mountain" by the band Gungor. Enjoy!

Love,

H

Get this song for FREE here.

The Civil War[s]

If by some strange chance, you haven't heard of The Civil Wars, consider this your introduction. Maybe if you used to (or still do) listen to CCM, you are familiar with Joy Williams who represents half this band, but if you want to hear something with that same sound, this band is not for you.

In case you don't know, this pair has been feuding and the two haven't spoken in over a year...yet, they were still able to record this new album (oh, the wonders of technology). Anyway, if you're not familiar with The Civil Wars, you should go look up their first album, "Barton Hollow," because it's amazing. They were not fighting at that time, and their vocal chemistry is pretty awesome. I haven't listened to their new album in entirety yet, but what I've heard so far can be summed up by this review on iTunes: 

"...run through with riveting tension, enigmatic beauty, and smoldering emotion." 

Sounds like the perfect soundtrack for this transition to the dark, cold winter that approaches us. :)

Enjoy.
H

New Music Friday: Track 5

What?! She's posting again? That's three days in a row! 

You're welcome.

Can you tell I'm taking a break from all social media except blogging? It's an experiment in humility. You see, I was looking back on my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds for the last...while, and I realized that almost everything I post is some form of bragging. Which is lame. I now try to ask myself the question: "Does anyone care?" before posting something on the internet. We'll see how long that lasts. Like most people, I really love myself. But for now, I am not signing in to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I hid the apps on my phone and removed the links from my bookmarks in attempt to remind myself of this, and I hope that will help stop me when the urge to post strikes. You may just find that my blog is blowing up, but I figure this is a lot more intentional than the other forms of social media. If you are visiting my blog, you must at least like me a little. ;)

With that said, here is my song of the day! It's by Andrew Belle, although it's somewhat reminiscent of early Coldplay (aka the best Coldplay). He just (or will soon) released a new album, and this is the single, "Pieces." A mi me gusta.

Download this song for free!

Ciao.

H

New Music Friday: Track 4

I have some new jams for you. I just discovered this artist recently by downloading his free music on NoiseTrade (which I am promoting for the thousandth time...). It looks like his EP is still free, so you should definitely go check him out! His name is James Bay and he's from the UK. He has a beautiful, earthy voice that makes me feel all gooey inside. ;) Do I really need to say more?

Happy Friday!
H

Back to the River

I know I've featured this band on my blog before, but I really think they deserve another post. Here is an actual music video of Lily & Madeleine featuring their song, "Back to the River." I love so many things about this song and video, not the least of which is the fact that it's filmed in Indianapolis and rural Indiana -- two places I know well. :) It makes me feel nostalgic for college. I figure any fellow alumni will feel the same.

Enjoy!

H

New Music Friday: Track 3

This song sounds like summer. Hopefully, I will get to experience that sometime soon. *Sigh*

Have a great weekend, everyone. :)

H

PS: Anyone else think this band kind of sounds like DC Talk?

Keep your eyes wide open...for Gotye.

Okay, I realize I might just be very late to the party here, but does everyone already know about Gotye? I mean ASIDE from Somebody That I Used To Know? To be honest, I completely wrote him off as a one-hit-wonder with that single, but I have recently listened to his other music and it is awesome! I was shocked. It's a pretty unique sound, and occasionally I feel like I'm listening to a modern version of The Police. I don't know about you, but I like The Police, so I consider that to be a positive thing. :)

His music videos are quite artistic and entertaining, so I highly suggest checking them out. Also, if you're not too stingy and actually still buy music, I would encourage you to pick up his album Making Mirrors. It's definitely worth the purchase. Highlights from that album are the songs: Easy Way Out, Eyes Wide Open, and Save Me.

Have a great weekend.
H

My Summer Playlist

It's finally warm outside and I daresay we can call this spring or better yet, "pre-summer." In honor of this wonderful news, I am posting my preliminary Summer 2013 Playlist*. Get ready to roll down your windows, turn up the jams and car dance! Feel free to share with others as you please. :)

*NOTE: Not all of these songs are from 2013, but they are all awesome (or at least fun). 

Radioactive by Lindsey Stirling & Pentatonix (Cover)

Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men

Eyes Wide Open by Gotye

Little Numbers by BOY
Hey Mama by Mat Kearney
Below My Feet by Mumford & Sons
Cottonfield by The Vespers
1901 by Phoenix
5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale
All Alone by Fun.
Loveless by Said the Whale

And now for the part of the playlist for which you will judge me.

Can't Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton

Thank You by MKTO
That Power by will.i.am ft. Justin Bieber
Mirrors by Justin Timberlake

22 by Taylor Swift
Here's To Never Growing Up by Avril Lavigne


-H

Mind. Blown.

Oh. My.
Violin + Dubstep + Beatboxing.
I need more of this in my life.
Go look up Lindsey Stirling. Then look up Pentatonix.

I am in love.

I don't know what you're doing, but I know who you are.

Since blogging takes energy and I don't seem to have any right now, I will instead share this video by one of my very favorite artists: JJ Heller. This woman knows how to write about real life. Grief, pain, joy, love, guilt, anxiety - she pretty much covers it all. Whenever I am struggling and can't find the words to express my feelings, I can always find a JJ Heller song that says it perfectly. Her vulnerability and transparency is inspiring. What I wouldn't give to sit down and have a cup of coffee with her...

On a side note, please don't conclude from me posting this video that I am depressed right now. I'm actually doing pretty well. I just stumbled upon this video today, remembered how much I LOVE this song, and decided it needed to be shared. Maybe it will speak to one of you!

Love,
H

See Me "Rap"

An addendum to the post below.

For your viewing pleasure...

Sweet, Sweet Sound

New band alert!

The band is called Lily & Madeleine, and it's comprised of two teenage sisters (15 and 18, respectively) from Indianapolis. I just discovered them a couple hours ago, thanks to a newsletter from Asthmatic Kitty Records (label of Sufjan Stevens). I am in musical love. They posted their first YouTube video 3 months ago, and it already has over 250,000 hits. And that's about all I can tell you!

Check them out for yourself. :)

H

New Music Friday: Track 2

In honor of it being Friday, here is some music for your enjoyment. Don't roll your eyes just because you see Taylor Swift in the title - this is a great song even if you have a T. Swift bias.

Also, I need to hear this today. I am completely exhausted. I seriously feel like I could sleep for days. That's life for ya.

Later, folks.

H

New Music Friday

I just found a new band (founded in 2009, so I guess they're not technically "new") and felt like sharing this video with you. I don't really have much else to say, except HAPPY FRIDAY!

The band is The Head and the Heart and the song is "Lost In My Mind."

Lawdy: The Vespers

As previously mentioned, I've gotten into the band The Vespers lately. They released this video a few months ago, and I wasn't sure at first how I felt about it. Now, after listening a few times, I've decided I really like the song and it is worth sharing.

Enjoy.