Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

While purchasing a much needed dark roast coffee the other day at Starbucks, I saw that Edward Sharpe and co. just released a new album titled, Here. Did some solid listening, and WOW! This album is amazing. After seeing them live, I knew this group wasn't destined for the one hit album curse, however, I was not expecting their second album to outshine their last.  Songs like "I don't wanna pray", "Here", and "Dear Believer" have all had me swaying in my kitchen and envisioning myself dancing at the beach, if that day will ever happen. While I'm waiting for sunshine and beach weather, I'll be listening to Here ... daydreaming.

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On cloud Sasquatch...

The dream became reality last week, as we pulled into the Sasquatch commune at the Gorge Ampitheatre in George, Washington. Four blissful days dancing in the sun, meeting new friends, smashing heads with old ones, and enjoying some pretty special music amidst canyons and valleys. It was an incredible weekend! I thought my heart was stolen by Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee, but Sasquatch Music Fest held it's own against it's southern counterpart. The jaw dropping backdrop had not only festival-goers happy but on several occasions artists with stop their shows, speechless, taking in the beautiful scenery.

 Highlights of my trip and in no particular order:

1) Alabama Shakes were everything I had hoped for and more.
2) Ben Howard put on the most perfect set for a sunny day. He played for an hour, with all of his tracks off of the Every Kingdom album and had me wanting more! He'll be playing in Vancouver on October 3rd at the Commodore, and you can bet that I'll be there.
3) Charles Bradley: Holy shit! I didn't realize that I would be swaying the sunshine to this god of soul. Perfect music for a festival. JUST PERFECT!
4) James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem played a set in a tent late Sunday night, and it was so epic. We found ourselves in a straight greek circle dance, laughing and having the best time.
5) Bon Iver: Had people sobbing during the final set on Sunday night. Pretty special moment.
6) Girl Talk: As expected had the entire field dancing as hard as physically possible. Although Girl Talk neglects to play original music, he knows how to get a crowd dancing and I truly respect that. So much fun!!
7) Deer Tick: OBVIOUSLY! They played tribute to Adam "MCA" Yauch from the Beastie Boys and played their version of "Fight For your Right", it was amazing.
8) GroupLove: Just purchased their album. They put on a great California inspired show on Monday afternoon!
9) Jack White: Because we all know the kinds of shows he puts on. This guy is just a classic and will be playing music and inspiring people for years to come.
10) Beirut: Their trumpets and ukuleles were just too cute for words and just had me standing there with the biggest smile on my face!

These are just some of the amazing moments from my trip. My addiction to music festivals becomes more and more intense every year. Such great people, music, and good vibes. PEACE!

Sasquatch 2012 is coming

Sasquatch 2012 is on the horizon and I am buzzing with excitement. To think that in less than a week I will be in my element, among music fanatics, trees, sunshine, and some of my favourite bands.:) Sasquatch Music Festival takes place at the Gorge Amphitheatre near the Columbia River in George, Washington. A perfect 5 hour road trip with three great friends. It is also a nine time winner of Best Outdoor Music Festival by Pollstar. As a Bonnaroo girl tried and true, we will see how Sasquatch measures up. Here is a preview of the artists I am most excited to see:

Deer Tick: No surprise there. My small, innocent obsession from Providence Rhode Island will be partaking in the event, and ofcourse, they are number one on my list. Can't wait to jump around in the open field to all of my favourite tracks, and witness John's outlandish stage antics, ie) wearing a sundress at Coachella, and rolling around on the stage.

Alabama Shakes: They're album Boys & Girls has been blasting daily in my apartment for weeks now. They're lead singer Brittany Howard has a kickass soulful voice that I can't wait to hear live.

BEN HOWARD: I just, just, just realized that he's playing Sasquatch!! His latest album, Every Kingdom, is insane. I'm so excited I may blow up before I see him.

Kurt Vile: I love love love his album, Smoke Ring for my Halo, and love love love his long hair. 

SantiGold: I've seen her at Bonnaroo live, and her shows are sure to make the whole crowd on their feet dancing like mad people. The energy she shares is AMAZEBALLS!

The Shins: I first fell in love with this band when I purchased the soundtrack to Garden State (one of the best soundtracks I have EVER heard), hello "NEW SLANG". Their music just makes me so happy and will be perfect at a festival to sway to in the sunshine!


Gary Clark Jr.: Holy shit this guy is going to rock our socks off. Such an amazing voice with the craziest guitar skills. He's got a sound reminiscent of Black Keys, but has been around longer.

 


More top artists:
Feist, Jack White, Beck, Bon Iver, Beirut, Silverspun Pickups, Metric, Sheepdogs, M.Ward, Little Dragon, Girl Talk (because I know the dance party is going to be insane for that. I saw them at Squamish Live Festival last summer and it was such a good time), Explosions in the Sky (put on an awesome show at Bonnaroo last year), Of Monsters and Men.

Okay, I should probably stop myself, but you get the hint. I'm about to have an epic weekend at Sasquatch :) Stay Tuned....

Santi is GOLD

I just purchased the new Santigold album, Master of My Make-Believe, and it's killer! Santi has taken that same new wave, post-punk, reggae vibe and has proven that she ain't no one hit wonder. After falling in love with her first single L.E.S. artists, off of her debut album Santogold in the summer of 2008, I bought her album. It's one of those albums you can hear front to back and love every single tune.She really knows how to create something unique, and by touching so many genres of music she can resonate with such a wide audience. And after seeing her live show at Bonnaroo, I was hooked. The girl can get a crowd dancing!! Her first single, Disperate Youth, is one of those epic summer anthems, and she has also hooked up with some awesome artists for this album like Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Feels like this album will be on heavy rotation this summer... i can just picture sunshine, waves, and dancing when I close my eyes. And lucky me, she's playing at Sasquatch Music Fest this year, which is ... less than 3 weeks away :)

The Wolves

I recently heard about Ben Howard, an English singer-songwriter, from an old friend back home in Winnipeg and have fallen in love. His music brings me back to a cherished time in my life, in my early 20s, frolicking around with my friends in the prairie summers. Loving his entire album, Every Kingdom, right now. Check out this live performance he did of his track, Wolves.

Y La Bamba

On Sunday night, I whisked my two lovely parents to The Lumineers show at the Media Club on Cambie Street. They were on their way back from Hawaii and I thought I'd give them a little dose of my personal hot spots in Vancouver. I've said it many times, and i'll say it once again, the Media Club is a killer venue to see shows. Small, intimate, and always filled with up and coming artists. The Lumineers, as expected, were awesome! They played all the hits, and had the entire crowd stomping their feet and chanting along to songs like "Ho Hey" and "Dead Sea". I realize now how heavily influenced they are by Bob Dylan, after they played several covers including "Subterranean Homesick Blues", and my personal favourite "Girl from North Country".


The surprise of the evening was one of the opening bands, Portland's own, Y La Bamba. As they were setting up, their female lead singer, Luz Elena Mendoza, immediatly grabbed the attention of onlookers with her interesting spread of tattoos, thin appearance, and funky hair. But as her mouth opened up for the first time, and a gorgeous vibrato escaped from her throat, we knew we were in for a good show. Y La Bamba has latin flair, but also encompasses a lot of twisted folk rock roots, with their most upbeat songs coming from their spanish influence. The sound is unique and their show offered up something I haven't seen in awhile. I picked up their latest album, Court the Storm, which will be on heavy rotation this week.


Here is the second track off their album, Bendito:

Today is World Water Day

As someone who is fortunate enough to have a view of the Pacific Ocean from my window, and live amidst a temperate rain forest, water is something I often take for granted. Billions of people in the world currently live deprived of water and food, and it is said by 2050 our world will have yet another 2 billion people to feed. We often don't realize is that what we consume on a daily basis heavily weighs on how much water supply we waste. Climate change, an increased demand on sources, and degraded water and land resources are also all contributing to our world's loss of water supply.

Lissie recently participated in a documentary for Teva Shoes' new 'A Pair For A Foot' campaign, where she talks about living next to the Mississippi River growing up, and sings a beautiful ballad she wrote from her first album. Please watch, and to find out more about World Water Day, visit unwater.org

Words to Live By

Five Simple Rules to Happiness

1) Free your heart from hatred
2) Free your mind from worries
3) Live Simply
4) Give More
5) Expect Less

Heartless Bastards

The first time I heard of the Heartless Bastards I was doing pre-artist screening of the lineup for Bonnaroo 2009. Led by singer Erika Wennerstrom, the "Bastards" are comprised of four garage inspired rockers from Cincinnati, Ohio. Erika's voice got me instantly, she has this amazing Cher-like (ha she'd probably kill me if she ever read that) low voice, which sounds amazing with the rock and roll sound of the band. She's what being a lead female singer in a rock band should sound like, making the sound all her own.

I purchased their album, The Mountain, a few years back and loved it! The title track was definetly a favourite (i'm a sucker for a good slide guitar), along with Witchee Poo, and Early in the Morning. After signing with Partisan Records in November 2011, and now to release their first album, Arrow, with the label in February. This will be their fourth album. The first single, Parted Ways, was released last month off the album and I dig. Listen up :) I also included the song "Mountain". Enjoy.

Humans

The Humans are a local band who have made a splash in the indie electro scene across Canada and are quickly making their way down into the US. Comprised of two creative cats, Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq, the two have proved they can have a party started in 2 seconds flat. I went to see their show at the BIltmore Cabaret on Friday night (January 27th) and they had the house packed with sweaty bodies bouncing to their soulful electro-pop jams until the wee hours of the morning. Their album Avec Mes Mecs has seven pop tracks and are set to release another album in the next year. I predict big things happening for this duo and it just makes me smile from ear to ear to see two people use their creative juices to combine their talents and make such an interesting mish mash of sounds and rhythms. Two thumbs up :)

Kurt Vile

I had heard about Philadelphia's Kurt Vile months and months ago while flipping through a SPIN magazine. "Complex and Rich" the article said about his sound. And with his long dark hair, mysterious grunge appearance and folk-rock background you would think I would have jumped at the chance to review his music for myself... but I didn't. Until yesterday. Wow! Kurt Vile, I am a huge fan. After previewing his track "Baby's Arms" I was sold on the whole album, Smoke for the Halo, and not only bought it on iTunes but also a vinyl copy off of Amazon. His voice kind of reminds me of a mixture of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, and Kurt Cobain, and the sound is a sly combination of haunting fingerpicking licks, to catchy and strange yet endearing folk melodies. His tour is on my radar.

Songs I love: Baby's Arms and Peeping Tomboy

New Delta Spirit

Really stoked on the new Delta Spirit album being released on March 13, 2012. They filmed a super adorable promo video with somebody's Grandpa listening to their first single, California, from the album. Just watch as he enjoys the track, closes his eyes, and pounds back his refreshing brewski. Love it!



On a side note, the concert gods are with me. Yesterday, I had posted the White Buffalo video I took at his show at the Media Club on my Facebook wall, commenting on how I wanted to be back in that very moment. And this morning I arose to the sound of Songkick on my iPHone alerting me that The White Buffalo will be returning to the Media Club on February 13th. What a great way to start the day. So happy.

The Shivers

I was first introduced to the band, The Shivers, when John McCauley did a cover of L.I.E for The Voice Project. BEAUTIFUL rendition, and worth checking out. The Shivers offer a lot of soul and something unique I just can't put into words. I just downloaded their most recent album, More, and it's one of those albums that will be keeping on steady rotation. Here is their latest video for the song, Kisses. Enjoy while kissing your love.... :)

The Shivers - Kisses [Official Music Video] from Keith Zarriello on Vimeo.