Music Monday: Katie Herzig

Years ago, I used to post custom playlists created on Grooveshark (a streaming music website that has since been shutdown...along with all the custom playlists I and millions of others had created =/ which means all those posts have broken links now). Since then, I've been using Spotify to stream, create playlists, and even discover new musicians.

My newest favorite discovery is Katie Herzig. I'm not a big fan of listening to songs or albums over and over, but I've been enjoying hers so much that I have been doing just that.

Find her whole discography --> here.



My favorite albums of hers are The Waking Sleep and Apple Tree.

Here's a little fun to get you movin'. Happy Monday!!

Media Monday: Valerie June

This rad lady came through Wichita a few weeks ago. I really wish I had checked out her music before hand, because it was off my radar and I missed her show. A friend of mine played her music for me just days later and I loved it instantly. I'm still kicking myself for missing the show, but totally diggin' the new tunes.




Bring It On Home To Me

Rollin' and Tumblin'

My Daddy Was A Gamblin' Man
It Takes A Worried Man
You Are My Sunshine

If You Love And Let Go

The Drifter

This World Is Not My Home

Hey



Love that twang. And doesn't she have the most awesome curly dreads?!

Media Monday - Brush Bash

A friend of mine I hadn't seen in quite some time, invited me to a free event of live painting and music. Free. Art. Live music. I'm in! I didn't bother to read the details or check out the bands ahead of time, which brought on a few fun surprises.

My friend was actually one of the artists doing the live painting. He knew I would want to jump in so he brought these cute mini-canvas and paint sets. Another artist friend of mine came with me and we were immediately excited and began painting too. Bonus for her, she now has a super cool activity for guests at her engagement party next week. I love that idea!

They were about 2x2" and had little mini easels too.

When the artists were done painting, one of them was picked to paint a mural and was given a $1000 check. Man! I wish I had heard about this event sooner.

It gets even better. Brody Buster Band and Deadman Flats were the two bands lined up. Brody Buster Band was up first. At this point, my friends had left. And although I didn't mind enjoying the evening by myself, I started calling out to my friends who I knew would be digging the bluesy sound and sweet sweet harmonica.

The name Deadman Flats sounded familiar, but I wasn't sure if I had ever seen them before. Well, I was in love before they even finished the sound check! Half of the first band joined them, including the harmonica. And although they were good without it, honestly, the harmonica put them over the top. The lyrics had me laughing out loud. I could not sit still. And before I knew it, I was singing along to songs I was hearing for the first time. All my bluegrass lovin' friends would have been eating that shit up! I wish they had been able to experience it with me.

(photo source: Anna Blankenship)  deadmanflats.com

I did my best to guess at the song titles, so I could hopefully share a playlist here. Hank O., the bassist for both bands, was patient enough to go through my jumbled mess of a list and help make sense of it. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any streaming music. He did, however, mention they are on itunes if you are into that.

Here's a little taste. 


While we were chatting, the owner of Lucky's and Kirby's (2 bars in town) came over and swapped info with him. Looks like my friends are going to get a second chance to hear them after all! Deadman Flats rock! Keep an eye out for them this fall at Lucky's.

Music Monday - Jenny Wood

A few years ago, I spotted this gorgeous dready girl in the audience at a Culamity Cubes show. (This is a picture from that night, though I didn't take it. Some friend of a friend later posted it along with some pics of me and my friends dancing.)

Those two factors, 1. she is gorgeous and 2. had dreads, made it impossible for me not to steal peaks at her all night.

Then maybe a year ago I stumbled upon some photos/videos by Wichita Sessions that featured her singing.

Though her dreads were gone, I recognized her immediately as the dready girl from the Cubes show.

Here is a tiny ready-made play list I found and some videos.

Free music player widget at ReverbNation.com

Last weekend, I got to see her perform live and she was amazing. Wild, sexy, gorgeous, and very talented. Again, I could not take my eyes off of her. Yeah, I totally have a girl crush.

Media Monday - Vampire Weekend

Supposedly, this band is receiving fame via TV commercials, but I don't watch TV. Thank goodness for friends (who do, haha) to turn me on to good music. I'm diggin' this band. It's one of those you can listen to over and over and it just gets better. That's pretty rare in my book.

The first song is the one you might recognize.

Media Monday - Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy

I've seen these guys twice since I've been back in Kansas. They ROCK!





the mandolin is my favorite part




They played with another band I love called Elephant Revival, who I happened to feature on Media Monday a couple years ago.

Media Monday - Social D

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with some local artists at the Outdoor Arts and Crafts Show. One lady in particular, took me under her wing and I am so grateful she did. She is such a hoot!
At one point, we were talking about music. Now keep in mind, she is 78 years old and quite ornery. She tells me her favorite kind of music is punk rock. haha. Yeah, right! "Yeah, Social Distortion is my all time favorite band." The fact that she even knew who Social Distortion was, was proof enough that she was serious.

In honor of my newest friend.


Although I did choose some of the more mellow songs, there might be some F bombs sprinkled in there.

Media Monday - close to you

A friend shared this video on fb and I think it's a wonderful cover. It's usually hard for me to like a cover that is done differently than the original especially when I like the original, but this one is an exception.

If you like Late Night Alumni's original music and are in the Salt Lake City area this week, they have their very first live show (after 8 years of making music together) this Thursday the 12th.

Media Monday - short anima film

I was playing catch up on my blog reading today, saw this precious little video and want to share it with you.


Streamschool (Patakiskola) from Péter Vácz on Vimeo.

Media Monday - firework

I was driving in the car the other day, on my way to get a 'crash interview' and this song came on. I'm sure most of you have heard it, as had I. But it just really hit me at that moment. It stirred some emotional fire within me.

Maybe it'll do the same for you.
Jessie B.

Media Monday - Halloween Playlist

Happy Halloween everyone! I put together a special playlist of old school, classic, and spooky movie themed music. Set it in the background while you hand out candy and even play "guess what movie or tv series this one came from".

Media Monday - the Weepies

The Weepies are a new discovery for me. One of their albums is called 'Happiness' and that about sums it up for me. Happiness.

Media Monday - Givers

I'm not sure who mentioned this band, but thank you. I'm enjoying their up beat tunes.
Happy Monday, yall.

jessie b

the Givers

Media Monday - Nicola Conte

I recently discovered Nicola Conte, an "Italian DJ, producer, guitarist, and bandleader, known initially for introducing an innovative style of acid jazz that incorporates bossa nova themes, melodies drawn from Italian film scores of the 1960s, easy listening themes, and ethnic Indian music." (quoted from Wikipedia).

In my words, it's a nice relaxing yet upbeat listen while easing into your Sunday morning. I know it's Monday, but it feels like a Sunday. :)


Happy Memorial Day!

jess

Media Monday - movies

It was cold and snowy this weekend, so besides finishing my book, we fit in quite a few movies.

The Princess and the Frog = Magical! Disney's still got it. Floating down the swamp reminded me of the Jungle Book (1967), one of my childhood favorites.

Easy A = The girl in this film has the best-est parents ever! They were hilarious and down to earth. The story kept my attention... so much that I forgot all about the freshly baked cookies cooling on the stove. Now that's captivating. :)

How to Train Your Dragon = I thought this one would be boring, but I enjoyed it. The boys relationship with the dragon was sweet. Plus, it indulged my fascination for flying.

and Bunny and the Bull = British film. The plot was so-so, but the artistic way it was shot and the props/stage created made it worth watching.


I'll sign off with this little bit of magic.

Media Monday - books

No music playlist today. Just a little book talk. I have been looking for a good book to read so I searched some of my favorite blogs to see what you guys recommend. I also asked my librarian mom her opinion. I decided on "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls and am enjoying it so far.


I also ordered three business books (did you know you can order used books from Borders? how awesome!), so I have been reading quite a bit lately. Oh yeah, and my sister just surprised me with a book in the mail last week too. It's the third book in the series following "Wicked" and "Son of a Witch". Wicked was great, but I could not get through Son of a Witch. Has anyone read all 3? Is the 3rd one better than the 2nd? I'm wondering if I can get cliff notes to the second one so I can just move past it onto the 3rd one. :)

I love music and book suggestions!

Tomorrow's Tuesday Travel's post will be on the spontaneous trip to Reno we took a few days ago.

And I have some fun and exciting art related news coming too!! Yay for good news!

hugs from Tahoe!
jess

Media Monday - Tristan Prettyman

Last week, when I was making the playlist of G Love's songs, I came across a duet he did and really liked the girl's voice. That girl was Tristan Prettyman. She intrigued me enough to search for her other songs and that's how this little sampling came about.

Media Monday - G Love & Special Sauce + Belle Brigade

It's been awhile since I've seen any live music, but Saturday night, we headed out to get our fix. The show opened with a band called the Belle Brigade. The two main singers are brother and sister, but they have a full band with guitars, drums, keys, and a little tambourine. I really liked their harmonizing.







G. Love & Special Sauce were the headliners and the dance floor filled up with dancers... including me :)




And this is off their new CD.

Media Monday

I am looking for some "get up and move" music to snowboard to. As an example, I love the Beastie Boys. I can not help but get up and move when I hear 'Brass Monkey'.


If you have some favorite songs or albums that you like to dance to, ride to, exercise to, or that just move you to be fearless and take action.... please share. I want to fill up my mp3 player with music that moves me.

Media Monday - Haircut 100