Currently listening to:

Today's tune recommendation: Electric Wire Hustle

February 23, 2011

Starting with letter B

When I finished the songs beginning with B on my ipod I felt like I was off to a good start. Here are a few things I realized from letter B songs:

Out of 272 songs - I declare Styx the winner for most songs starting with B (6 total) and of course had many songs called BABY (13 total).  I didn't feel the urge to skip or struggle to listen to most of the songs along the way which was nice. Breathe Me by Sia was easily the top song since I have it loaded 3 times from various versions & listened to all without skippin. (remember I can only skip if it's a duplicate)
Another funny thing that happened was that I found myself waiting for Burnin Down the House by Talking Heads....i guess that was one B song that I knew would be coming at some point towards the end.

Bs and Styx:
Babe
Best of Times
Best Thing
Blue Collar Man
Boat on The River
Borrowed Time

Some hidden gems that I had forgotten about: 
Broken Toy by Keane
Brown Sugar by ZZ Top
Boo by Pinback
Blasting Through the City by Thievery Corporation
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Back In The Day by Missy Elliott Featuring Jay-Z

Most Random:
Banter (live) by Flight of the Conchords

The song that started the entire challenge:
B.Y.O.B. by System of a Down

Favorite song in B:
Breathe Me by Sia

February 16, 2011

THE CHALLENGE

Ok, so a few months ago I wanted to play a song on my ipod and I usually can go to the artist to find what I want....but this time I couldn't think of the artist so I looked it up by song. This got me to thinking and I started listening to the songs that played after this which were not on the same album or artist.
I decided to challenge myself to listen to all the songs on my ipod straight thru without skipping. (unless it is a duplicate) The songs are in complete alphabetical order so it is one random song after another usually.  I ended up starting with the letter B and will go all the way thru until I get back to B. 
I started around November 17th so it's been 3 months and I'm slowly working my way thru the letters - currently on D (like I said SLOWLY). I've already discovered some hidden gems, forgotten tunes and some "why is this on my ipod?" music so I'm looking forward to other profound info about the tunes I listen to or have downloaded on the ipod.

Along the way, I will report on each letter so stay tuned to all the stats/recommendations/etc from the letter B songs! It's actually pretty interesting....at least it is to me & that's what matters, right?!  

Also coming up, I'm gonna talk about some recent shows & artists. LOVIN the live shows these days! You will note that I may plug some upcoming shows that I will be attending b/c I hope you will attend them as well or at least send someone to represent  (if you know what's good for ya-HA).

I'm leaving this post a lil short n sweet but come back b/c there is fun stuff on the way, promise :)

February 7, 2011

I've been TILTed!

I recently had the privilege of checking out an upcoming album by a local artist here in Nashville. I've never done any type of review or anything but I'm all about supporting the local talent so here we go...




Brett Ryan Stewart has a new album, Tilt, set to be released on February 28th, 2011 and I believe it is worth checking out. His style/genre is described as an "indie/pop sound peppered with a southern influence." (i would agree)
For me, this album was fun to explore & made for good energy... I found his writing to be very relatable & honest. I know he co-wrote some of the songs on the album so whatever chemistry they have, works! The following are some songs that stood out to me and what I liked about each:


I listened to the album a few times, paying attention to the lyrics first and then melody later- 
Sunshine - I feel like we are all asking the questions in this song lately since winter won't seem to let up around here.... so you may hear me hummin this tune until I see some SUN!
The Bend - This song pretty much sums up what i've needed to say & do in a few of my past relationships (which is why sometimes i wish it wasn't cheesy to just play a song for someone when you feel like you can't express how you feel) I love the melody of this as well.
Godless - This one is a lil' rougher around the edges but that's why I like it. It hits more on a rock level than some of the other songs.


Next, I wanted to have Brett speak for himself so I asked him a few random questions and here is what he had to say:


1. If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be & why?


    "I've never been one for giant stadium concerts, so where some might say Red Rocks....I would probably opt for a more quaint setting like Royal Albert Hall. Not that I would turn down an invite to Red Rocks."


2. Which grabs you first when hearing a new song - lyrics or melody?


     "Being a sucker for melody, I'd have to say that's the first. BUT a great melody has to be backed up by substance in the words and most importantly, conviction & sincerity in the delivery. It doesn't have to be pretty to grab you. That's what I love about Bukowski. His writing is so gritty and usually vulgar but ya know what, it's real. I'll buy any story if it's honest."


3. What's something you love about making music & something you hate?


     "I love the process and especially the sharing part. Sometimes both can be grueling but then sometimes you'll get into that zone. Time fades away and you lose yourself in the magic of it all. You're no longer the 'creator' per se, but a vehicle for something greater than yourself. That's the payoff."
"What do I hate about it? Well often times that, whatever it is, that's using you as a vehicle won't let you alone long enough to function like a normal human being. Your sleep will be interrupted, you'll miss your exit on the interstate or you'll just be flat out anti-social in the most inconvenient of times (like spacing out in the middle of an interview, for instance)."


4. How does your new album differ from what you may have done in the past?


     "Without a doubt this album is more, for lack of a better word, uplifting. In the past I'd written from a place of tremendous angst. Not to say that this record lacks angst, but this time rather than having you drown in it, it becomes the fuel which propels you to a higher place. At least, that's my hope."


He added: "Now. All eccentricities aside, this is also the first record I've made in a while that I didn't record in my home studio. We worked at TrueTone with David Henry and it made all the difference having his expertise on the board. It's also my first truly collaborative effort since my last rock band. Between my collaborator Chris Tench, producer Tres Sasser, as well as some co-writes with Tami Hinesh, Will Webb and my friend Ketti Viohl, this has been such an exciting process! We all had such a great time and I think that comes through in the record."


So find out for yourself by taking a listen to Tilt and for more news, tunes, etc. check out his website here.


I want to thank Brett for letting me have an early listen to his new album and for contributing to the blog! I enjoyed this new music venture :)


Catch ya next week....



February 2, 2011

CONCERT WISH LIST

Well, for a while now I've been wanting to write or 'blog' about music but never got around to actually doing it.  Many people I know have some kind of blog/twitter/website/come check out what my life is like- type of connection with the world so I thought I would give it a shot.  I have multiple reasons for starting this but mostly, I would love this to be another way to discover new music & find out what people are listening to & why.  Also I'm happy to give free plugs, reviews, shout outs, etc for friends that are trying to make a name in the music biz. (or any other kind of career) 

SO that being said - please give feedback, discussions and comments on the music you dig, discover or 'dirty dance' to.....

To begin:  I was thinking about a conversation I had with a couple of friends a while back-- A friend asked, "Who would you want to see in concert living or dead?" (or something close to that)  Of course, i rattled off the first few artists/bands that I could think of off the top of my head but quickly after I said the names, i realized that I would need to revise that list.



A week or so later, I went back and listened to the music I most love-- Following is the revised list for artists (living or dead) I would want to see in concert that I have not previously seen:

TOP 10 CONCERT WISHES:
(random order)

1. U2     (which i will be able to check off the list on July 2nd!)

2. Journey      (I would have to take my sis-n-law, Virginia, on this one)

3. Radiohead!!

4. Pink Floyd

5. Elbow

6. Bob Marley

7. Peter Gabriel

8. Michael Jackson

9. Nirvana

10. Beyonce

It's not a question that I can easily answer off the top of my head. I would of course be able to add many to this list & probably change it up depending on my mood. These just happen to be some artists that I think would be amazing to experience in person.

Now, what artist/band -living or dead -  would u love to see in concert?? 

Stay tuned for a NEW album review, projects and recent shows I've seen......

CHEERS~
Cristy