I’ve got to keep this short because I’m heading out on a week’s vacation early in the morning. While I’m gone, enjoy this mix of what I was listening to in February!
Or stream here.
1. Fanfarlo – Deconstruction
2. The Twilight Sad – Don’t Look At Me
3. The Lumineers – Slow It Down (Daytrotter)
So hooked on this song.
4. Pickwick – Hacienda Motel
5. Josh Ritter – Darlin’
6. Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound – Little Red Wagon
This one makes me smile every time I hear it.
7. Craig Finn – Balcony
I love the juxtaposition of putting someone’s stuff out in your driveway, but still caring enough to put a sandwich in their suitcase. It’s sentiments like this that make Finn one of my favorite songwriters.
8. Great Lake Swimmers – Moving Pictures Silent Films
My favorite Great Lake Swimmers song.
9. Al James – Cloudy Shoes (Damien Jurado cover)
I was tempted to include another song off of Maraqopa, but then this cover came along.
10. Sharon Van Etten – Serpents
11. Mount Moriah – Lament
12. Robyn – Call Your Girlfriend
I apologize for the fact that this song will now be stuck in your head forever. Go watch this. And then this.
13. Shearwater – You As You Were
Animal Joy is a beautiful album that you really should own.
14. The Shivers – More
15. St. Paul de Vence – Go
16. Hey Marseilles – True Love Will Find You In The End (Daniel Johnston cover)
I’ve got to keep this short because I’m heading out on a week’s vacation early in the morning. While I’m gone, enjoy this mix of what I was listening to in February!
Or stream here.
1. Fanfarlo – Deconstruction
2. The Twilight Sad – Don’t Look At Me
3. The Lumineers – Slow It Down (Daytrotter)
So hooked on this song.
4. Pickwick – Hacienda Motel
5. Josh Ritter – Darlin’
6. Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound – Little Red Wagon
This one makes me smile every time I hear it.
7. Craig Finn – Balcony
I love the juxtaposition of putting someone’s stuff out in your driveway, but still caring enough to put a sandwich in their suitcase. It’s sentiments like this that make Finn one of my favorite songwriters.
8. Great Lake Swimmers – Moving Pictures Silent Films
My favorite Great Lake Swimmers song.
9. Al James – Cloudy Shoes (Damien Jurado cover)
I was tempted to include another song off of Maraqopa, but then this cover came along.
10. Sharon Van Etten – Serpents
11. Mount Moriah – Lament
12. Robyn – Call Your Girlfriend
I apologize for the fact that this song will now be stuck in your head forever. Go watch this. And then this.
13. Shearwater – You As You Were
Animal Joy is a beautiful album that you really should own.
14. The Shivers – More
15. St. Paul de Vence – Go
16. Hey Marseilles – True Love Will Find You In The End (Daniel Johnston cover)
I first heard about Pickwick from my friend Matt, back in July. They soundtracked the extremely early morning hours of a road trip up the coast to San Francisco that month, and their set at the Doe Bay Music Festival in August was one of the highlights of the entire festival. I had been anticipating this show for over a month, and showed up still dripping from a scuba diving class. Despite being exhausted, I danced along with an incredibly enthusiastic crowd – I don’t think they could have asked for a better reception on their tour-opening show.
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Check out my photos (and short review) of Craig Finn and Mount Moriah at the Casbah over at Owl and Bear.
On a blustery Sunday back in March 2011, my friend Kelly and I took a day trip out to Pioneertown. We ate lunch at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, we walked around, we spoke to some locals, and I took some photos. Well, a lot of photos. Some portraits, but mostly details. The texture in that desert town is amazing, and the juxtaposition between old, modern, and Hollywood is fascinating.
Full photoset here.
I’ve decided to keep these mixes going on a monthly basis again in the new year, because it’s been pretty amazing to look back at events in 2011 and have a relevant soundtrack at my fingertips. January’s mix is a tribute to travel via plane and car, to snow one week and warmth the next, to unexpected delays and fortunate trip extensions.
Or stream here.
1. Adam Arcuragi – Oh I See
I had LASIK this month. I didn’t make the connection between that fact and this song title until I was typing up this post. So there’s that. Also, the album that this song opens is bursting so full of joy that I fell in love upon first listen.
2. Bryan John Appleby – Backseat
From Doe Bay Music Fest to the Tin Can Alehouse, Bryan John Appleby knows how to command a crowd. It was a struggle to pick which song I wanted to use on this month’s mix, but with the theme of cars and road trips, this one seemed most appropriate.
3. The Decemberists – January Hymn
I have to admit, I didn’t give last year’s The King Is Dead much heed. Yes, there was “This Is Why We Fight,” and “June Hymn,” the latter being the song I originally meant to put on this mix. But listening to that song led to this song, and the line, “When I could see her breath lead/Where she was going to” stuck with me.
4. Noah Gundersen – Caroline
Noah and his sister Abby played a fantastic version of this song at possibly one of the most gorgeous house shows I have ever attended, one Friday evening early in the month in Seattle. The wealth of talent in that city continues to astound me.
5. The Long Winters – Carparts
I fully meant to put “The Commander Thinks Aloud” on this mix, but I have sunk a decent amount of money into car parts (battery, both wiper fluid nozzles, tires, brakelight) this month so this song seemed more appropriate.
6. Motopony – Wait For Me
That last verse, you guys.
7. The Hold Steady – Citrus
I still get goosebumps on my arms when I listen to this song.
8. Deep Sea Diver – New Caves
From a delightful EP that I picked up after their opening slot for Bryan John Appleby. I’m anxiously awaiting the full length that is due out in a few weeks.
9. Damien Jurado – Museum of Flight
Maraqopa is absolutely beautiful. The vulnerability with which Damien sings “I’m so broke/And foolishly in love” breaks my heart every time.
10. Ryan Adams – Dirty Rain
The latest Ryan Adams release is still getting a lot of spins around here.
11. John Meeks and Joanie Mendenhall – Sometimes Love
I love the way that John and Joanie’s voices fit together on these tracks from their recent EP.
12. The Local Strangers – Devil and a Stiff Drink
Have I mentioned that I love the folks in this band fiercely? It’s an amazing treat to watch a song like this go from a single guitar riff to a full-band explosion.
13. Kathleen Edwards – Change the Sheets
This whole album has tapped into a vein of instant nostalgia in me. I can’t explain it, but I like it.
14. Sleeping at Last – January White
“The past will be the past/But the future is brighter than any flashback.” Words to live by.
15. Alabama Shakes – I Found You
This band is ferocious live. Go and see them if you have a chance, and pick up their full-length when it comes out in April.
16. The Henry Clay People – Working Part Time
This is still my favorite HCP song.
17. Nada Surf – Waiting for Something
For the frustrating days.
18. Allen Stone – Satisfaction
You’ll want to see his show at the Soda Bar on March 21st. Trust me on that.
I’ve decided to keep these mixes going on a monthly basis again in the new year, because it’s been pretty amazing to look back at events in 2011 and have a relevant soundtrack at my fingertips. January’s mix is a tribute to travel via plane and car, to snow one week and warmth the next, to unexpected delays and fortunate trip extensions.
Or stream here.
1. Adam Arcuragi – Oh I See
I had LASIK this month. I didn’t make the connection between that fact and this song title until I was typing up this post. So there’s that. Also, the album that this song opens is bursting so full of joy that I fell in love upon first listen.
2. Bryan John Appleby – Backseat
From Doe Bay Music Fest to the Tin Can Alehouse, Bryan John Appleby knows how to command a crowd. It was a struggle to pick which song I wanted to use on this month’s mix, but with the theme of cars and road trips, this one seemed most appropriate.
3. The Decemberists – January Hymn
I have to admit, I didn’t give last year’s The King Is Dead much heed. Yes, there was “This Is Why We Fight,” and “June Hymn,” the latter being the song I originally meant to put on this mix. But listening to that song led to this song, and the line, “When I could see her breath lead/Where she was going to” stuck with me.
4. Noah Gundersen – Caroline
Noah and his sister Abby played a fantastic version of this song at possibly one of the most gorgeous house shows I have ever attended, one Friday evening early in the month in Seattle. The wealth of talent in that city continues to astound me.
5. The Long Winters – Carparts
I fully meant to put “The Commander Thinks Aloud” on this mix, but I have sunk a decent amount of money into car parts (battery, both wiper fluid nozzles, tires, brakelight) this month so this song seemed more appropriate.
6. Motopony – Wait For Me
That last verse, you guys.
7. The Hold Steady – Citrus
I still get goosebumps on my arms when I listen to this song.
8. Deep Sea Diver – New Caves
From a delightful EP that I picked up after their opening slot for Bryan John Appleby. I’m anxiously awaiting the full length that is due out in a few weeks.
9. Damien Jurado – Museum of Flight
Maraqopa is absolutely beautiful. The vulnerability with which Damien sings “I’m so broke/And foolishly in love” breaks my heart every time.
10. Ryan Adams – Dirty Rain
The latest Ryan Adams release is still getting a lot of spins around here.
11. John Meeks and Joanie Mendenhall – Sometimes Love
I love the way that John and Joanie’s voices fit together on these tracks from their recent EP.
12. The Local Strangers – Devil and a Stiff Drink
Have I mentioned that I love the folks in this band fiercely? It’s an amazing treat to watch a song like this go from a single guitar riff to a full-band explosion.
13. Kathleen Edwards – Change the Sheets
This whole album has tapped into a vein of instant nostalgia in me. I can’t explain it, but I like it.
14. Sleeping at Last – January White
“The past will be the past/But the future is brighter than any flashback.” Words to live by.
15. Alabama Shakes – I Found You
This band is ferocious live. Go and see them if you have a chance, and pick up their full-length when it comes out in April.
16. The Henry Clay People – Working Part Time
This is still my favorite HCP song.
17. Nada Surf – Waiting for Something
For the frustrating days.
18. Allen Stone – Satisfaction
You’ll want to see his show at the Soda Bar on March 21st. Trust me on that.
Thursday night, after a quick band practice and a longer-than-planned power nap, I headed down to the Tin Can Alehouse. I arrived during Deep Sea Diver‘s set, and as such didn’t snag any photos of them. But I did pick up their EP and am really looking forward to the full length album that is coming in a few weeks.
Bryan John Appleby had the middle slot, and was the main draw for me. I saw him at Doe Bay Music Fest and fell in love.
He played a few songs off of the gorgeous Fire On The Vine, then claimed that “The Words of the Revelator” was his last song. Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver joined the band for backing vocals, and shivers ran down my spine during the lyrics “you, you will not dig a hole in me/you will not chop down my tree/or hold me under the water.” As the band cleared off the stage afterwards, an audience member asked for one more song, and I specified, “Honey Jars, please.” He obliged, with a solo version that held the entire crowd breathless and silent.
John Meeks (with Joanie Mendenhall) closed out the night, and I was remiss in not getting any photos of their set either. Next time, friends!
I hope everyone had a great end to 2011 and a fantastic time ringing in 2012. Here are the tracks I was listening to at the close of the year. Also, in lieu of posting any sort of “Best of 2011” lists, I’m in the process of uploading all of my monthly mixes to 8 Tracks. Check them out, and as always, if you like the songs, please support the artists by buying their albums.
DOWNLOAD DECEMBER MIXTAPE HERE
1. Wye Oak – Holy Holy
Wye Oak put out one of my favorite albums this year. I missed seeing them at the Casbah in February, but finally got to rectify that mistake by seeing them open for The National. It still floors me that only two people can produce this much glorious sound.
2. Neutral Milk Hotel – Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
I bought the entire Neutral Milk Hotel discography on vinyl as a Christmas present to myself this year, and then spent an entire Saturday listening to every song. Like most people, I’m most familiar with In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, but this song off of On Avery Island captured my attention with the lyric, “I just want to dance in your tangles/To give me some reason to move.”
3. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Travel Song
This song is off their debut album Broom, an album I feel deeply in love with a few years ago.
4. Archers of Loaf – Chumming the Ocean
I’ve posted a LOT of Archers of Loaf songs over the past year, huh? This is one that Eric played during the encore of a Crooked Fingers set, and is one of the more haunting piano tunes I’ve ever heard.
5. Low – Death of a Salesman
Recently featured on a friend’s mixtape for Set & Drift.
6. Ha Ha Tonka – The Humorist
After reading about Ha Ha Tonka for years on HearYa, I finally got the chance to see them live when they opened for Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at the Soda Bar. It was the last show of their tour together, and it was amazing to see the two bands so enthusiastic about each other after playing so many shows together. Also, the joint band’s (Ha Ha Boris Yeltsin?) cover of “Champagne Supernova” that closed out the evening was one of my favorite concert moments of the year.
7. Beulah – You’re Only King Once
I’ve been meaning to check out this band for a long time. Something in this song tugs on Silver Jews heartstrings, and that is just fine by me.
8. Dinosaur Jr – Freak Scene
An oldie but goodie. It was such a treat to see them play Bug in its entirety earlier this month, even if I had to stand further away from the stage than I normally prefer in order to get a balanced sound. Also, Lou Barlow is incredibly entertaining to watch on bass.
9. The Local Strangers – Partner in Crime
I love the folks in this band fiercely. And I love that certain parts of this song make me smile just as much as being around those folks.
10. Superchunk – Pulled Muscle
On a recent trip to Lou’s Records, I remembered a previous resolution to collect the entire Superchunk discography. This resulted in a purchase of 1999’s Come Pick Me Up. A few days later I was listening to the album on my way home from work, and the line “The heart is a muscle/I pull it constantly,” jumped out at me. I then proceeded to loop the track at least 6 more times. I believe this is called falling in love.
11. Frightened Rabbit – Cheap Gold
As far as I’m concerned, everything that Frightened Rabbit releases is gold. This Christmas track is no exception.
12. Big Sur – I’m Not Leaving
I saw this exceptional Seattle band open for good friends The Local Strangers (who are also responsible for introducing me to most of the Pacific Northwest music featured on these mixes). I have not been able to get this song out of my head ever since, and cannot wait until they release more music.
13. The National – Lucky You (Daytrotter session)
I know I included the original version of this song on a previous mix this year, but the Daytrotter/Virginia EP version with piano takes the original up an extra heart-rending notch. Also, having seen The National play over 10 times in the past few years, it was a special moment to finally see them play this song at the gorgeous Neptune Theater in Seattle.
14. Shenandoah Davis – Oh Way Oh (Daytrotter session)
Shenandoah Davis doesn’t sound like anyone else I’ve ever heard. It was quite a treat to get to see her at her homecoming show in Seattle at the beginning of December.
15. Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (The Lost Sessions Vol 1)
My “problem” with music in the past few years is that there is SO MUCH that is SO GOOD. It’s easy for one great album to be eclipsed by the next in the course of a year, and for year-end lists to be biased towards more recently released material. I’m glad Lykke Li sent out a download link to her Lost Sessions EP a few weeks ago, thereby reminding me that she put out one heck of an album earlier this year.
16. Local Natives – Who Knows Who Cares
“Is my life about to change?/Who knows, who cares.” I think the Local Natives just outlined the best approach to dealing with anxiety and uncertainty. It’s one I’ve spent a lot of 2011 working on.
17. These United States – What Do You Want With My Heart? (Fuel/Friends Chapel Session)
Sometimes the simplest questions are the hardest ones to ask, which makes me really glad that Jessie decided to write a song about it.
18. Bill Callahan – Riding For The Feeling
This song was included in a friend’s “Songs of the Year” playlist, and he is so so right. I need to do some catching up with Bill Callahan in the new year.
19. Matt Pond PA – Brooklyn Stars
After a year filled with loss and learning and love, there is no better way to start the New Year than with the last line of this song: “I’m not gone yet/I want more of everything.” Indeed.
In addition to shooting The National, Wye Oak, and Local Natives at the Neptune Theater on my trip to Seattle earlier this month, I had the distinct pleasure of attending The Local Strangers‘ tour homecoming show at the Columbia City Theater.
Big Sur opened the evening, and after hearing Jake sing around a bonfire at Doe Bay, I was excited to see their set. I mean, throw pedal steel into almost any song and I can pretty much guarantee that I will love it.
Shenandoah Davis had also just returned from a four-month stint on tour, including a show at the Park Gallery in San Diego which I regrettably missed somehow.
Hannalee had started the night with a set inside The Bourbon Bar, and played a second set from the balcony. Speaking of which, how gorgeous are the venues in Seattle? Old theaters are the best.
Finally, dear friends The Local Strangers closed out the night. Having heard many of their songs in various stripped-down forms over the past few months, it was great to hear new and old songs backed by the full band. I’m really looking forward to their full-length record in 2012…
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It’s been a busy past month – one in which I have constantly felt inundated with great new music and plenty of new memories and feelings on which to pin that music. Here are just a few of the tunes that are soundtracking these exciting times.
1. Crooked Fingers – Typhoon
I am in love with pretty much everything Eric Bachmann is involved with, and I remain impressed that the singer of Archers of Loaf can turn around and put out music in a completely different genre, and do it so well.
2. Campfire OK – Complimenting Parts
“I know, I know/I’m not prepared/I can’t risk/to not be cared for by you.” This. Yes. Also, go watch this video now.
3. Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives – Do You Feel It
I’d been meaning to see this band live a few times, but it never worked out. Finally I saw them open for Wild Flag, and they absolutely stunned me.
4. Arms – Dog Days
My friend David Greenwald started the Mercury Music Digital Record Club last month and introduced me to this band.
5. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – There She Goes, My Beautiful World
Randomly put on Abattoir Blues while editing photos one day, and got stuck on this song.
6. Wild Flag – Romance
I want to be Carrie Brownstein. I should start practicing my high kicks now.
7. Peter Wolf Crier – Beach
One of the many bands featured in the amazing lineup for Sezio’s Four Day Weekend. I was vaguely familiar with them thanks to a mixtape made by Susie, and was really glad to see them live.
8. So Many Wizards – Inner City
Another Four Day Weekend band, these guys were completely new to me and I couldn’t leave without buying their CD.
9. Cataldo – Black and Milds (Daytrotter session)
I was introduced to Cataldo via Heather at Doe Bay (specifically, the song “Don’t Lose That Feeling,” featured on my September mixtape). Love this song off their Daytrotter session.
10. Alabama Shakes – Hold On
This one comes courtesy of Adam, in reply to an email I sent him exclaiming about how there has been SO MUCH good music coming out recently.
11. Kris Orlowski – Warsaw
Kris sent me a kazoo with his EP. I love it.
12. The Radio Dept. – You Stopped Making Sense
The final band of Sezio’s Four Day Weekend. Saw a few songs of theirs at Coachella, but I felt lucky to be able to see them again and in such an intimate setting.
13. Little Deadman – Used to Feel So Good
They opened for Crooked Fingers and Strand of Oaks on Thanksgiving weekend, and held their own in a stacked lineup.
14. Dirty Gold – California Sunrise
I missed the night they played the Four Day Weekend, but haven’t been able to get this song out of my head lately.
15. Superchunk – Skip Steps 1 & 3
I’ve been working on collecting Superchunk’s discography ever since seeing them at Matador at 21 last year.
16. Coeur de Pirate – Wicked Games (The Weeknd cover)
I spent a lot of time listening to The Weeknd back in May, and this cover sends chills up my spine.
17. Lemolo – On Again, Off Again (Live @ KEXP)
I have nothing but love for Lemolo, and I’m glad KEXP feels the same.
18. Joel P West – St. Helens
Joel – both solo and accompanied by The Tree Ring – makes the most beautiful music coming out of San Diego these days.
19. Strand of Oaks – Sterling
Strand of Oaks opened for Joe Pug back in May, but I missed his entire set while listening to Joe tell stories of tour and trace their route on the map that covers the table of the back booth at the Casbah. I’m glad I caught their set this time around, as the live songs helped me connect with their records.
It’s been a busy past month – one in which I have constantly felt inundated with great new music and plenty of new memories and feelings on which to pin that music. Here are just a few of the tunes that are soundtracking these exciting times.
1. Crooked Fingers – Typhoon
I am in love with pretty much everything Eric Bachmann is involved with, and I remain impressed that the singer of Archers of Loaf can turn around and put out music in a completely different genre, and do it so well.
2. Campfire OK – Complimenting Parts
“I know, I know/I’m not prepared/I can’t risk/to not be cared for by you.” This. Yes. Also, go watch this video now.
3. Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives – Do You Feel It
I’d been meaning to see this band live a few times, but it never worked out. Finally I saw them open for Wild Flag, and they absolutely stunned me.
4. Arms – Dog Days
My friend David Greenwald started the Mercury Music Digital Record Club last month and introduced me to this band.
5. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – There She Goes, My Beautiful World
Randomly put on Abattoir Blues while editing photos one day, and got stuck on this song.
6. Wild Flag – Romance
I want to be Carrie Brownstein. I should start practicing my high kicks now.
7. Peter Wolf Crier – Beach
One of the many bands featured in the amazing lineup for Sezio’s Four Day Weekend. I was vaguely familiar with them thanks to a mixtape made by Susie, and was really glad to see them live.
8. So Many Wizards – Inner City
Another Four Day Weekend band, these guys were completely new to me and I couldn’t leave without buying their CD.
9. Cataldo – Black and Milds (Daytrotter session)
I was introduced to Cataldo via Heather at Doe Bay (specifically, the song “Don’t Lose That Feeling,” featured on my September mixtape). Love this song off their Daytrotter session.
10. Alabama Shakes – Hold On
This one comes courtesy of Adam, in reply to an email I sent him exclaiming about how there has been SO MUCH good music coming out recently.
11. Kris Orlowski – Warsaw
Kris sent me a kazoo with his EP. I love it.
12. The Radio Dept. – You Stopped Making Sense
The final band of Sezio’s Four Day Weekend. Saw a few songs of theirs at Coachella, but I felt lucky to be able to see them again and in such an intimate setting.
13. Little Deadman – Used to Feel So Good
They opened for Crooked Fingers and Strand of Oaks on Thanksgiving weekend, and held their own in a stacked lineup.
14. Dirty Gold – California Sunrise
I missed the night they played the Four Day Weekend, but haven’t been able to get this song out of my head lately.
15. Superchunk – Skip Steps 1 & 3
I’ve been working on collecting Superchunk’s discography ever since seeing them at Matador at 21 last year.
16. Coeur de Pirate – Wicked Games (The Weeknd cover)
I spent a lot of time listening to The Weeknd back in May, and this cover sends chills up my spine.
17. Lemolo – On Again, Off Again (Live @ KEXP)
I have nothing but love for Lemolo, and I’m glad KEXP feels the same.
18. Joel P West – St. Helens
Joel – both solo and accompanied by The Tree Ring – makes the most beautiful music coming out of San Diego these days.
19. Strand of Oaks – Sterling
Strand of Oaks opened for Joe Pug back in May, but I missed his entire set while listening to Joe tell stories of tour and trace their route on the map that covers the table of the back booth at the Casbah. I’m glad I caught their set this time around, as the live songs helped me connect with their records.
A female super-group if there ever was one, Wild Flag kicked ass and left me with a bit of a girl-crush on every one of the ladies gracing (or high-kicking across) the stage. Pardon my indulgence – I took far too many photos that night and absolutely cannot pick favorites.
Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives opened the show. While it might have seemed like an odd musical pairing at first, it quickly became obvious that the common thread between the two bands was their ability to make my jaw drop. So glad I finally got the chance to see them live.
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This one goes nicely with the recent rainy autumnal weather in San Diego. It’s a mix made for snuggling, whether with someone else, or just wrapped up in a blanket with a good book and a mug of steaming hot chocolate (perhaps spiked with some Baileys?).
1. The Lumineers – Ho Hey (Daytrotter session)
Several friends that have seen their live show have highly recommended this band, but due to their lack of a proper album, I had to wait until their Daytrotter session to give them a listen. And now I cannot wait to see them live.
2. Noah Gunderson – Honest Songs
If you like this song, go watch this video. Trust me.
3. Okkervil River – The Velocity of Saul at the Time of His Conversion
I was recently tasked with making an Okkervil River mixtape for a friend, as an introduction to a band that I love. In doing so, I rediscovered this song, which has been on repeat ever since.
4. Ryan Adams – Lucky Now
I had the good fortune to see Mr. Adams play at the Balboa Theater this past month, and I can honestly say, he has some of the best stage banter and one of the best live voices that I have heard in a long time.
5. Typhoon – Common Sentiment (Daytrotter session)
This song never fails to make me smile.
6. Fitz and the Tantrums – Breakin’ the Chains of Love
Fitz has played in San Diego a lot, and I somehow always manage to miss them – which of course includes their show with The Head and the Heart on November 30th. Curse words.
7. Allen Stone – Say So
And here’s a song that will get stuck in your head, in the best of ways.
8. Dum Dum Girls – Bedroom Eyes
I miss Grand Ole Party, but this helps.
9. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country
Dug this one up directly in response to the following duet.
10. Frightened Rabbit – Fuck This Place
I am pretty much guaranteed to love anything that Frightened Rabbit puts out, and this duet with Tracyanne Campbell (of Camera Obscura) is no exception.
11. The Dresden Dolls – Delilah
I shot Amanda Palmer’s solo show at the Birch North Park Theater a few days back, and during her set, she took this request from the crowd. She pulled Tom from The Jane Austen Argument out on stage to sing the backup vocals, and holy wow.
12. Ray LaMontagne – Can I Stay
A cute boy may have sung this to me, and it may have been my version of kryptonite. Sigh.
13. Tyler Lyle – Things Are Better
I’ve been seeing Tyler’s stuff pop up on friend’s mixtapes, with good reason. It’s about time I got in on the fun.
14. Cuckoo Chaos – Healthy Ghost
I’ve been feeling a bit out of touch with San Diego’s local music scene lately, but I saw these guys a month or two ago and they are better than ever. Note to self – get out to more local shows.
15. Stephen Malkmus – Tigers
I’ve always enjoyed Malkmus’ guitar riffs and lackadaisical vocal delivery, and it was good to see him playing with a band he obviously likes – as opposed to the Pavement meltdown I witnessed at Matador’s 21st anniversary last year.
16. Ty Segall – Where Your Head Goes
They opened the show for Stephen Malkmus, and while I didn’t catch their entire set, I liked what I heard.
17. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Critical Drain
Still one of my favorite albums of last year, I got reacquainted with it while driving through Sedona earlier this month.
Spent a few days in Seattle at the end of September/beginning of October. I didn’t take too many photos, but I did manage to snap this one on a rainy evening. Have I mentioned how much I like rainy evenings?