November 15, 2012

Sounds of Sweet November

We are all individual and come into our own at different points in our lives. For some it happens early; others spend their lifetime waiting to feel comfortable in their own skin. For me it happened at sixteen, when I removed myself from this country, stepped out on my own, and started to see the world around me.

I had always listened to music, appreciated it, claimed to love it, but my love for it was not as deep as I had thought. It was in being removed from all I knew, in a foreign land, that I honed in on detail, and started delving deep into the songs I’d always claimed to love.

I had been a fan of Damien Rice, but I didn’t realize why until I was in a foreign country under a huge wooden handled umbrella. His voice can awaken your soul, but is also capable of pulling you into a deep sleep. His words are the kind that you feel, that attack your soul with all their might.

What he as an artist is able to feed us fulfills the soul and the different compartments it consists of. He somehow is able to attack the entire soul, instead of just a fraction of it, and I think that is what sets him apart.

When November 1 hit this year, I got into work a bit early, made myself a cup of peach ginger tea, got settled into my desk, and turned on Damien Rice. He always seems fitting this time of year when it’s cold, and the wind feels like it’s going right through you. But November is also about being thankful.

In listening to Damien Rice, I’m allowed to be thankful for who I was when I discovered his music, and who I have been through all of the years that I’ve let him create sound in my life.

So, if you do anything this month, be thankful for you, and the things that have gotten you right to where you are.

Tell me, what are those things?

Filed Under: Read & Play Tagged With: , 2 Comments
September 21, 2012

The Perception of What You Hear

image by StoicDesign – click for info

It’s always interesting how people perceive things within themselves, as well as things outside themselves. You see a tree, and I see the roots deeply implanted in the ground, stretched beneath the earth, pushing out in all directions. I see the large trunk that I know is rough to touch, and can feel it without my hand ever meeting its surface. I see the branches that scatter aimlessly in all directions hovering above, the leaves that live and those that fall – consequences of time, age, or simply just the way of things. I take in the smell that brings about a sense of calm, that reminds me of being raw, at peace. Silence, the wind, and the desire to be perpetually in that moment.

You see, lately I keep having experiences where I feel like my perception of what is happening is far different from other people’s. And that’s perfectly alright. For some reason, instead of doing my reflecting when the new year arrives, I always start to look deeper at things come fall.

Perhaps it’s the leaves changing, or the sense of routine that comes back to me once fall hits, but it always gets me to slow down a bit, observe more, and just really take it all in.

I’m always creating music lists come fall, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite songs that I always seem to bring back into my life around this time of year. Listen to one, or a few, or even them all.

Ben Harper – Walk Away
Erich Hutchinson – All Over Now
John Legend – Ordinary People
Bell X1 – The Apple of my Eye
Kate Walsh – Tonight
Mindy Smith – One Moment
Patrick Park – Life is a Song
Ron Pope – Seven English Girls
Matt Nathanson – Still
The Civil Wars – Poison and Wine
Laura Marling – Ghosts
Ben Lee – We’re All in This Together
Ron Pope – Headlights on the Highway
Laura Jansen – Use Somebody
Ben Kweller – Thirteen
Caitlin Rose – Things Change

And perhaps you’ll like a song off this list, and someone else won’t. But that’s the beauty of it – we all perceive things so differently. And instead of being concerned about my perceptions being “off “lately, I’ve started to embrace how I see things differently from others – because that’s something I get to own, and that’s a pretty exciting thing.

Own your perceptions, enjoy them, celebrate them, and value that they may be tremendously different than the perceptions of everyone you know.

Filed Under: Read & Play Tagged With: , , 1 Comment
August 17, 2012

Music Review: Underwater

I swear that every time I feel like perhaps I’m starting to figure this life thing out, life laughs and proves to me otherwise. Life has been tugging at me lately, pleading with me to realize and understand how fleeting it is, and how we have no idea when our time to leave will come. We would drive ourselves crazy if we worried each day as we left the house, that it might be our last. However, I’m starting to think that something needs to change, shift, balance.

Let me ask you this, do you have things you have left unsaid to people in your life? Things you need closure around? How would you feel if something happened to them and you never had the chance? Yet instead you get to live, knowing that they never knew that you forgave them, that you were okay, that in the grand scheme of things whatever it was really didn’t matter.

I know people have done things to you that are unforgivable. But tell me, what does holding on to that really do for you?

What do you really gain? And if you left this world today, would you be content with how you left things?

Joshua Radin, is someone I’ve been a fan of for a very long time. I’m the type of person that has go to music for the different seasons, but I let his voice fill up my whole year. His music calms me in the summer, slows me down in the fall, and warms me up in winter. If you’re bursting with energy, or in the fetal position crying, his voice will meet you where you’re at.

His new album came out July 31, and I’ve had it on repeat ever since. His first song is called, “Tomorrow is gonna be better,” and although it might be, tomorrow is a hope, not a promise. It is just one more thing reminding me lately to say the things I need to, find the closure I’ve been chasing after, and really reflect on the person I am, and how that matches with the person I want to be.

Joshua Radin is one of those people that sings and causes your mind to wander to various places, to think and ponder. I tend to go through phases where I can’t get enough of his music and where it takes me, and other times where I’m terrified to let his songs play in fear of where they’ll make me wander.

So I urge you to give him a listen, see where he takes you. And do me a favor and live today, not as though it’s your last, like we’re constantly told.

Think about how you might live today differently if it was the last day you could talk to anyone who has ever touched your life.

How would it be different then?

Filed Under: Read & Play Tagged With: , , 2 Comments
July 6, 2012

Lazy Summer Magic

"guitar girl" by Jane Heller - click for info

Ahh. The dog days of summer have arrived.

Here in Wisconsin, like much of the US, we are experiencing record-setting high temperatures and have just come from a June with the lowest recorded rainfall since 1895. When I started thinking about July’s post, I realized I wanted to bring my other great love to the Scoutie Girl community: music.

I have the lucky honor of co-hosting a weekly radio show on my community-run station, and thought it would be a blast to put together a short playlist for all of you out there. And don’t worry: if you’re in the southern hemisphere, in the throes of winter, this should help lift your spirits. Got Spotify? You can listen to the complete playlist here!

Lazy Summer Magic: Tunes for Hot Days & Cool Nights

Jungle Drum – Emiliana Torrini: Me and Armini
The driving beat of this song, combined with sing-along vocals, makes this perfect for a road trip or a day at the beach. Be warned: it will be in your head (and have you smiling) for days.

There And Back Again – Toshi Reagon: There And Back Again
A little mellow, but ever the magic from Toshi Reagon. A song about persevering, important to remember when we’re stuck inside working when it seems everyone else gets to play outside!

Take It Off – Ke$ha: Animal
I must admit: I’m not a huge Ke$ha fan. But this song is perfect for the Friday nights of summer, when it’s time to let all the cares go and just have fun.

I Love Rock N’ Roll – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts: Greatest Hits [Disc 1]
Who doesn’t love rock n’ roll when it is sung by Joan Jett? Windows down, cruising the open road… You know what I mean.

The Cult of Dionysus – The Orion Experience: Cosmicandy
A friend introduced me to The Orion Experience, and their electric-pop sound has kept me going through summer, winter, and many late nights of writing. Let their excitement infect you.

All The Lovers – Kylie Minogue: Aphrodite
Pure dance music fun. Kylie Minogue (of 1980s pop fame) is now the queen of the dance club scene, and this just proves she can still bust a move. And probably get you to bust one, too.

Awake My Soul – Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More
I credit my friend Tor for introducing me to Mumford & Sons. Even though the group was already very famous, it was this song that made me listen twice to their lyrics and instrumentation. I can’t imagine making a playlist without this song.

Sing it Loud – k.d. lang & The Siss Boom Bang: Sing it Loud
This song is my anthem to being strong and proud in your own skin. When I heard k. d. lang perform it live this past May, I wrapped my heart up in it and haven’t let it go. Sing it LOUD.

I Feel The Earth Move – Carole King: The Essential Carole King [Disc 1]
Yes. Need I say more?

Sing Along (Feat. Dave Matthews) – Blue Man Group: The Complex
Blue Man Group has always fascinated me, with their wild live shows and their face paint. But this song is about more than just crazy, zany antics; it’s about coming together and sharing music. Something made for summer nights.

Matches To Paper Dolls – Dessa: A Badly Broken Code
I wouldn’t have, on first listen, called Dessa a “hip-hop” artist – but I’m learning that the genre comes in many forms. This song blows my mind and wrenches my heart every time I listen. A true writer’s musician, she continues to amaze.

Get Your Bike – God-Des & She: Three
Hailing from Wisconsin, this duo brings hard-hitting lyrics and real issues to their audiences. But sometimes, even bad-ass singers want to have fun. That’s what this song is all about: having fun.

I Was Made for Sunny Days – The Weepies: Be My Thrill
Often thought of as “kids’ musicians,” The Weepies have a broad message, and their music is great for enjoying a good book, background sound at a barbeque, or in the car while running errands. It will make you laugh, smile, and cry. This song might do all three.

I Just Found Out About Love – Sally De Broux: The Way Love Can Be
A brilliant jazz vocalist Sally de Broux takes jazz standards and re-invents them for the atypical jazz listener. Perfect for a dinner party or a backyard fire, jazz has never sounded so good.

Escape Artist – Zoe Keating: Into the Trees
Listen to this song while flying high in a tire swing. Or going down a really tall slide. This is both adventure and excitement, with the thrill of all possibility.

Beauty in the World – Macy Gray: Beauty in the World
Try to not dance to this Macy Gray song. I dare you. Just try…

Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell: Dreamland
Joni Mitchell is perhaps my favorite singer and songwriter. This one, about saving the environment and enjoying the beauty, is a great reminder for all the joy we can share in summer.

Share The Moon – Indigo Girls: Beauty Queen Sister
From their latest release, this is the song that will forever remind me of the best first date: gazing up at a clear night sky, flooded with stars, in the middle of farmland in south-central Wisconsin. Listen to this with the one you love and share all the memories that keep you together.

A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left – Andrew Bird: The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Andrew Bird does with stringed instruments what I can only dream to do as a writer. If you’ve never heard his music, check him out. And sit back in awe.

Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine: Lungs
No one wants to think about the end of summer, but it eventually does arrive. Let Florence + the Machine remind you of all the great memories you made this year with this driving beat and chorus just begging to be sung out loud.

Happy summer listening!

until next time,
Sara B

Filed Under: Read & Play Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
June 27, 2012

music review: love is a four letter word

If I wasn’t already convinced before, Jason Mraz’s new album has convinced me that the man is surely an old soul. Every single song is filled with so much heart, and the words strike a chord that only genuine feelings can evoke. And, oh, how some of his words make me swoon.

Throughout the years I’ve had various friends who will know the entire melody to a song, but somehow don’t know a single word that the song consists of.

In my mind, listening to music without paying attention to the words is unthinkable.

Music, for me, is something that I feel, that resonates through me, and that I can relate to. It is what I cling to when I need uplifting, what makes me ridiculously giddy on days where I’m feeling on top of the world, and is something I can always rely on to remind me that I’m human.

I feel like every single song on Mraz’s new album serves to remind all of us of what’s important in this life: the people in our lives and our interactions with them. It sounds simple, really. Yet, he does it in such a way that makes it so that you can’t help but smile to yourself as you listen, because you’ve been there, or felt that; you know.

The mixture of slow and fast paced songs is balanced so that regardless of the mood you’re in, there is surely something on the album that is fitting. I do, however, find myself listening to a couple of songs a bit more than the others, so I’ll let you in on what I consider to be the gems of this album.

To start, his song ”Living in the Moment” has this upbeat catchy tune coupled with words that just make you thrilled to be living. Here is my favorite verse from the song:

“I’m letting myself off the hook for things I’ve done
I let my past go past
And now I’m having more fun
I’m letting go of the thoughts
That do not make me strong
And I believe this way can be the same for everyone.”

Now, the next song that I’m stuck on makes me smile every single time I give it a listen because it really is so very swoon worthy. It’s called “The Woman That I Love,” and this verse pulls on my heart strings every time:

“No, I don’t mean to change you
You’ve got it under control
You wake up each day different
Another reason for me to keep holdin’ on
I’m not attached to any way you’re showing up
I’m just gonna love you like the woman I love”

Whether this is the type of music you typically listen to or not, I urge you to give it a listen. I’m constantly surprising myself with new music discoveries that I never would have fathomed liking.

I think if you listen to this album with an open mind, you’ll be pleasantly surprised where it takes you.

So here’s to happy listening.

Take out those head phones, place them in your ears, and allow yourself to feel the words. Every. Single. One.

Filed Under: Read & Play Tagged With: , , , , , , 1 Comment