The Glass Dragonfly » Music

*Do any of you watch Grey’s Anatomy? Starr and Sunny drove my interest in the show as they were often here watching it together and they welcomed my presence. If they didn’t watch it together, they were always on the phone with each other immediately after each episode. It was fun to see them so animated and interested. *sigh* Anyway, Starr and I just finished watching last night’s season finale. Seriously intense! Whoa. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

*Last year I bought a basil plant and kept it in my kitchen. Starr and I have used it regularly, snipping and eating…yum. Fresh basil rocks!! The plant was starting to get seriously spindly, so a month ago I bought another plant thinking to replace the old one. I killed it within a week. I don’t know what I did. Over-water? Under-water? Look at it the wrong way??? Spoiled as we have been with the fresh basil and not willing to give it up, I purchased new plants this week and am trying again. Wish them luck in my care. They will need it.

*Just over a week from now my baby will be turning 21 years old. I keep looking at her wondering if I can lock her up somewhere and when exactly did this happen?? I miss my cuddly little sweetie but am really proud of the young woman she has become. I will probably bore you with a lengthier post on this subject next week.

*I haven’t had any mp3s by this band to share, but this song has been high on my playlist for months. I have a live version (via Laundro Matinee) that is slightly different than the one below and which I love more, but I saw this the other day and fell in love with the backdrop. What an amazing location!

“Fangela” – Here We Go Magic

Here We Go Magic-MySpace

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sunday Mix

Kelly — Sun, 16 May 2010 07:09:21 +0000

mp3: “The Darkest Side” – The Middle East
“…and it’s the darkest side of my heart that dies when you come to me…”
It took a couple listens for this song to grow on me. It’s funny, most of the songs I run into are “nexted” within seconds. I don’t give them another chance, but some, including several that I’ve posted here in the past catch me just enough to garner another listen or two. I don’t know what the formula is, but I am often (but not always!!) quite glad that I made that choice.
The Recordings of The Middle East
The Middle East-MySpace

mp3: “40 Day Dream” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
This one is a little easier. It kind of swings over a couple styles in a way that I enjoy, one minute I am here, the next I am somewhere else…but I really think that it is the laughter, the claps/stomps and the “ooh aahs” that make me want to hear this one again and again. Yeah.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros-MySpace

mp3: “Factory” – Band of Horses
Ahh, Band of Horses…love them. As for this song, I really love the moments between the verses. And…I’m “wondering only what did you do today.”
Infinite Arms
Band of Horses-MySpace

mp3: “Flagship” – Jump into the Gospel
Darn it, I just like it. I find myself singing along and it makes me want to move. It will be good for housekeeping…loud and energetic!
Songs available (for free!) at their website: Jump Into the Gospel
Jump into the Gospel-MySpace

mp3: “Off the Ground” – Citizen Cope
Starr had a big love for Citizen Cope a few years ago and his song “Sideways”. This song feels a little bigger, but still has that Citizen Cope vibe that feels instantly familiar and somehow right.
The Rainwater LP
Citizen Cope-MySpace

Becoming an Adult

Kelly — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:11:44 +0000

Starr has declared that this is the summer that she will become an adult. I didn’t say anything, but listened to her musings.

She figures that she needs to become an adult before graduating from college. Before embarking on her career path and then possibly going to graduate school. Not to mention having a family.

How do you become an adult? According to Starr, you look at each decision that you make and consider “what would be the adult choice here?” before making a decision. From clothing purchases–will this outfit be appropriate for work?, to decorations–is this an item that I might want in my future home?, financial decisions and personal choices.

She figures that after a few months, the adult thing will have kicked in and she will be well on her way to an awesome future.

I know that we were just chatting and that she was just looking forward to graduating and getting her life on track, but it made me smile. I don’t remember ever having those thoughts.

Just as soon as I said that I didn’t have an mp3 for The Tallest Man on Earth, I run across one! So I thought I would share it today:

mp3: “Burden of Tomorrow” – The Tallest Man on Earth
Wild Hunt
The Tallest Man on Earth-MySpace

Tallest Man on Earth

Kelly — Tue, 11 May 2010 06:18:29 +0000

Swedish native, Kristian Matsson, a.k.a. The Tallest Man on Earth: I will be the first to admit that his voice immediately stepped all over my nerves. But then I couldn’t stop listening. It seeped into cracks I didn’t know existed.

I don’t have any mp3s to share, but I found these videos. I am in love with the first one, the song, the music store, the owner of the shop. All of it combines into something pretty amazing. I have watched it more times than I care to admit.

Tallest Man on Earth – The Gardener – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

One catch: after soundcheck the day before, Tallest Man’s guitars were locked inside the NYC music venue, Town Hall, where he’d be playing later that night with Bon Iver. Solution: we’d have to shoot somewhere with a decent supply of guitars that he might borrow. A fan of music of all kinds, Jeff, the awesome, museum-quality proprietor of the legendary Music Inn on West 4th Street in Greenwich Village was happy to oblige.

This second video is longer and has three songs including the one above, but I like it very much…and have just stumbled onto NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. Why didn’t anyone tell me that this kind of awesomeness was going on??

Tallest Man on Earth NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

I Won’t be Found, The Gardener, Pistol Dreams

A Monday Mix

Kelly — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:21:51 +0000

mp3: “What’s it in For?” – Avi Buffalo
One of the many songs in my playlist that I just like. It feels right.
Avi Buffalo Will be released April 27, 2010
Avi Buffalo-MySpace

mp3: “Crutch & Cane” – Peter Wolf Crier
I think I may have a “theme” going for the day. Toe tapping, male lead…
Inter-Be Will be released May 25, 2010
Peter Wolf Crier-MySpace

mp3: “Us vs. Them” – Common Prayer
…a bit homey and familiar…
I can’t find a place to buy their album…check out their Official Website for track listings and another song to listen to!
Common Prayer-MySpace

mp3: “Every Little Bit Hurts” – Title Tracks
…echoing things that I’ve been feeling lately…
It Was Easy
Title Tracks-MySpace

mp3: “You’re Already Gone” – The Dig
…or maybe I’m just imagining things…
Electric Toys Will be released June 8, 2010
The Dig-MySpace

A Saturday Mix

Kelly — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:39:44 +0000

mp3: “Blood” – The Middle East
I can’t really hear the lyrics well enough to understand them, but I am drawn to the mood of this song. The melancholy and then bells and light. It caught me in the first few seconds and then I was pleasantly surprised with the end.
Album: Recordings of The Middle East
The Middle East-MySpace

mp3: “Heart to Tell” – The Love Language
I love the turn this takes at about 33 seconds in (I can often tell where a song is headed, but I didn’t see this coming), I appreciate the retro sound…and the smiles it left me with. Is it a break up/troubled relationship song?
Album: I can’t find one…possibly Libraries?…maybe it’s not released yet.
Here is a link to their label: Merge Records: The Love Language
The Love Language-MySpace

mp3: “Brother” – Color of Clouds
I fell in love with this one right away. It’s soft and slightly swingy, though sad.
Album (or EP in this case): The Look
Color of Clouds-MySpace

mp3: “I Was Denied” – Thee Oh Sees
Another song with a retro sound (so many lately!). A banger. It’s loud and bit rough, but like it? I do!
Thee Oh Sees-MySpace

Also:

I can’t link to these songs, but check out this Daytrotter session with Josh Ritter (check it out when you have some time to listen, it’s good):

Josh Ritter: Daytrotter Session recorded April 12, 2010

Bonus mp3: “Kathleen” – Josh Ritter
Album: Hello Starling

A Wednesday Mix

Kelly — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:05:55 +0000

mp3: “Ice Age” – Ten Centuries
New to me this week, but I’m liking what I hear!
Album: White Pines
Ten Centuries-MySpace

mp3: “Loxtep” – Annuals
Give it a minute and then maybe another listen. I’ve really enjoyed Annuals in the past, I like this too…very much. Speaking of the past, I still have a special fondness for “Sore” , it gets me right here *points to heart*.
Album: Sweet Sister
Annuals-MySpace

mp3: “Symphonies” – Dan Black
I like it, but I liked it a little better when it was HYPNTZ and I like it even more with Kid Cudi (<—links to respective videos).
Album: UN
Dan Black-MySpace

mp3: “The Way We Get By” – Spoon
Not new, but there are so many memories attached to this song (I love that about music!), when I heard it the other day, I felt the need to share.
Album: Kill the Moonlight
Spoon-MySpace

Pick up a free (and legal!!) mp3 of one of my newest favorite songs ”In Spain” by Vadoinmessico here at RCRD LBL! Here is the video that turned me on to it and them:

“In Spain” – Vadoinmessico
A Tiny SXSW Concert via NPR

Vadoinmessico Website
Vadoinmessico-MySpace