No reviews today, but I felt the urge to blog none-the-less.
I've been listening to a lot more country music than usual. That's not to say I don't usually listen to country-I actually listen to quite a bit. My nights tend to hold a large variety of music. Lately, though, I've been all country, all the time. It might have something to do with my lack of foot-stomping concerts. Either way, here's a list of my most played songs recently.
Tortured, Tangled Hearts, Truth No. 2, and White Trash Wedding- Dixie Chicks
These are all so rowdy and fun. I love a good fiddle and banjo!
Simple Life-Carolyn Dawn Johnson
This has been a favorite song of mine for quite awhile. I just love it.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love- Dwight Yoakam
One of my mom's favorite songs, it's recently become one of mine, too. It's so danceable! (See: That Gap commercial circa 2003)
Johnny & June-Heidi Newfield
Who doesn't want a love like Johnny & June's?
Getaway Car-The Jenkins
This song is old and pretty much their only hit, that I know of. But I love it. It's so tragic and sweet.
Rhythm of the Rain-The Judds
I can't describe my love for this song properly. I've known it practically all my life and nothing beats rockin' along to it and pretending I can sing.
American Honey-Lady Antebellum
I know half the girls in America probably say the same thing, but I don't care: This is my song.
Nothin' Better to Do-LeAnn Rimes
If I had a fluffy white skirt, I'd wear it and swish around while dancing to this song.
New Strings, Airstream Song, The House That Built Me-Miranda Lambert
Interesting Fact: I don't think there is a sing song Miranda Lambert has done that I haven't loved with all my heart. These are just my three favorites.
Runaway-Love & Theft
If I had to pick a song that currently describes my life, this would be pretty close to perfect.
Trials & Troubles-Old Crow Medicine Show
This song makes me long for a beat-up pickup truck so I can hang my feet out the bed and pretend to play guitar.
The Entire Sugarland Catalog
I love Sugarland. Fin.
Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow-Roseanne Cash
Johnny Cash was right, this song fits her voice perfect. I adore it more than I ever imagined I would.
So, there you have it. That's been my playlist for the last week or so. A few things were missing, but I think that's the basics. As you can see, though, my list is made up of mostly female singers. My only explanation for this is that it's easier for me to sing along with girls. But, I also think the music industry in general is female heavy, so I think that also explains it.
Know of something that's not on my list, but should be? Share it. Please.
Audiophiles' Red-headed Step-child
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Four Boys, Four Weeks, Four Shows pt. 2
Mumford & Sons (and The Middle East) Live
When I left you in Columbus, I was still hungover. This time, I wanted to take time to let the dust settle before I reviewed my last two shows. After the amazing show in Columbus, I headed home to Cincinnati and went to work on Sunday. All the while, I contemplated my options. The show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago was completely sold out and had been for weeks. I was told, though, that I might be able to get on the venue's list. As of Monday morning, I wasn't on any lists. I was desperate, though, so I struck out anyway.
I scooped up my best friend from a Chicago suburb and we fought the traffic into town. I think we may have illegally parked in a hospital's parking garage, but no tickets were found, so I feel okay about it. We got there early and still weren't on the list, but I was only slightly concerned. The good news about having my best friend with me was that she is the least shy person I know. If anyone could get us into that concert, it would be her. Or so I thought.
As it turned out, after an hour or so of asking absolutely everyone if they had an extra ticket, I got us into the show using my own wits and charm. I'll never tell you how. It's top secret. But I will say this-I didn't go through the same door as everyone else. That aside, I can also say that several people who still didn't have tickets twenty minutes before the show managed to find us inside, excited they'd got in. Note to All: Get there early, lie about where you're from, and buy food. I'm sure you'll get in with the rest of them.
The venue itself was less than impressive. Honestly, I feel bad saying so. I've heard they recently did an overhaul that may have included getting the place air conditioned. The stage was tiny and cramped, especially for The (seven-member) Middle East, who like to romp and traipse around on stage. Also disconcerting was the waitresses wandering through the crowd during the show taking drink orders. At one point I looked from one side of the stage to the other and found the flat side of a tray in my face, completely blocking my view. Plus, the crowd was just a bunch of drunk people who were barely attentive during The Middle East. That alone made Chicago my least favorite show.
In pure M&S fashion, the boys still hammered it out. They'd had the day before off and had went sailing and they used those experiences to butter up the crowd with compliments on the city. After the aforementioned sucking up period, they played an awesome set that, sound and heart-wise, was perfect. One of the best things to see at the previous concerts was when front man, Marcus Mumford, plays drums for the rousing, "Dust Bowl Dance." At the very end, he gets up and dashes around from behind the drum set. Back at the mic, he picks up his guitar, strums out a few last chords and softly sings the last few lines of the song. Due to the confines of the stage, he was unable to do that. The crowd, made up almost entirely of first-timers, had no idea what they were missing. They roared with approval. But I knew, and I think the band was disappointed, too. With the close-quarters, it lacked the same energy. Personally, Chicago will be memorable because of my entrance into the show and the company I kept. As a concert-goer, though, this was far from my favorite show.
Next up was supposed to be Bonnaroo. I feel like I've talked this one into the ground and I don't want AudioDaughter to become a place of negativity. I'll say only this: I was tired and delirious. I didn't quite make it. AudioDaughter doesn't believe in regrets, but if she did-Missing Bonnaroo would still be quite low on the list.
Instead, the day after Bonnaroo, I met back up with my new concert buddies, and my favorite band in the very tiny town of Bloomington, Indiana. Here's what I knew of Bloomington before I left: That's where Mumford and Sons was playing on Monday night. Oh, fine. I'd also been told that IU was there and that, apparently, IU was considered a "public ivey." I'm still only vaguely certain of what that means. Here's what I've found out since: Bloomington is pretty much BFE, but it's still awesome.
The gig in Bloomington was at a little place called The Blue Bird. Even Marcus commented on the inside's resemblance to a barn. It was a cool, dark hole with low ceilings, a low stage, and a great crowd. It's no wonder that John Cougar Mellencamp frequented the place back in the day (or so I was told by an IU Alum just a couple days ago). The whole thing felt like a hoedown, and the energy that was lacking in Chicago came back three-fold to the band and the crowd. With my two friends from Columbus and Cleveland, and two new friends we met that day in line, we lined the stage, pulled out our cameras and had a blast.
Here's one surprising fact about the band you may not know just by listening to the CD: They all play a lot of instruments very well. At any given show, you can find Ben Lovett (usually seen on the keyboard) tickling the plastic ivories, playing accordion or, so we found out in Indiana, hammering on the drums. (Usually in the new song, "Whispers in the Dark.") Marcus, who you'll most often see singing and playing guitar all while alternating kick tambo and kick drum, also gets some decent licks on the drumset for "Lover of the Light" and "Dust Bowl Dance." Winston (Country), I'm pretty sure, can play anything. I've seen him with a guitar, a mandolin, a dobro and a banjo. He plays all of them insanely well and all while showing off his sweet dance moves. Ted, who usually sticks to the upright bass, can also play a regular bass (duh) and drums (We saw him play for "Thistle and Weeds"). I also happen to know he's dabbled with the Ukulele and guitar. They're amazingly talented lads and I'm thrilled to say I've seen them four times.
I'm also certain that I'll see them many, many more times.
When I left you in Columbus, I was still hungover. This time, I wanted to take time to let the dust settle before I reviewed my last two shows. After the amazing show in Columbus, I headed home to Cincinnati and went to work on Sunday. All the while, I contemplated my options. The show at Lincoln Hall in Chicago was completely sold out and had been for weeks. I was told, though, that I might be able to get on the venue's list. As of Monday morning, I wasn't on any lists. I was desperate, though, so I struck out anyway.
I scooped up my best friend from a Chicago suburb and we fought the traffic into town. I think we may have illegally parked in a hospital's parking garage, but no tickets were found, so I feel okay about it. We got there early and still weren't on the list, but I was only slightly concerned. The good news about having my best friend with me was that she is the least shy person I know. If anyone could get us into that concert, it would be her. Or so I thought.
As it turned out, after an hour or so of asking absolutely everyone if they had an extra ticket, I got us into the show using my own wits and charm. I'll never tell you how. It's top secret. But I will say this-I didn't go through the same door as everyone else. That aside, I can also say that several people who still didn't have tickets twenty minutes before the show managed to find us inside, excited they'd got in. Note to All: Get there early, lie about where you're from, and buy food. I'm sure you'll get in with the rest of them.
The venue itself was less than impressive. Honestly, I feel bad saying so. I've heard they recently did an overhaul that may have included getting the place air conditioned. The stage was tiny and cramped, especially for The (seven-member) Middle East, who like to romp and traipse around on stage. Also disconcerting was the waitresses wandering through the crowd during the show taking drink orders. At one point I looked from one side of the stage to the other and found the flat side of a tray in my face, completely blocking my view. Plus, the crowd was just a bunch of drunk people who were barely attentive during The Middle East. That alone made Chicago my least favorite show.
In pure M&S fashion, the boys still hammered it out. They'd had the day before off and had went sailing and they used those experiences to butter up the crowd with compliments on the city. After the aforementioned sucking up period, they played an awesome set that, sound and heart-wise, was perfect. One of the best things to see at the previous concerts was when front man, Marcus Mumford, plays drums for the rousing, "Dust Bowl Dance." At the very end, he gets up and dashes around from behind the drum set. Back at the mic, he picks up his guitar, strums out a few last chords and softly sings the last few lines of the song. Due to the confines of the stage, he was unable to do that. The crowd, made up almost entirely of first-timers, had no idea what they were missing. They roared with approval. But I knew, and I think the band was disappointed, too. With the close-quarters, it lacked the same energy. Personally, Chicago will be memorable because of my entrance into the show and the company I kept. As a concert-goer, though, this was far from my favorite show.
Next up was supposed to be Bonnaroo. I feel like I've talked this one into the ground and I don't want AudioDaughter to become a place of negativity. I'll say only this: I was tired and delirious. I didn't quite make it. AudioDaughter doesn't believe in regrets, but if she did-Missing Bonnaroo would still be quite low on the list.
Instead, the day after Bonnaroo, I met back up with my new concert buddies, and my favorite band in the very tiny town of Bloomington, Indiana. Here's what I knew of Bloomington before I left: That's where Mumford and Sons was playing on Monday night. Oh, fine. I'd also been told that IU was there and that, apparently, IU was considered a "public ivey." I'm still only vaguely certain of what that means. Here's what I've found out since: Bloomington is pretty much BFE, but it's still awesome.
The gig in Bloomington was at a little place called The Blue Bird. Even Marcus commented on the inside's resemblance to a barn. It was a cool, dark hole with low ceilings, a low stage, and a great crowd. It's no wonder that John Cougar Mellencamp frequented the place back in the day (or so I was told by an IU Alum just a couple days ago). The whole thing felt like a hoedown, and the energy that was lacking in Chicago came back three-fold to the band and the crowd. With my two friends from Columbus and Cleveland, and two new friends we met that day in line, we lined the stage, pulled out our cameras and had a blast.
Here's one surprising fact about the band you may not know just by listening to the CD: They all play a lot of instruments very well. At any given show, you can find Ben Lovett (usually seen on the keyboard) tickling the plastic ivories, playing accordion or, so we found out in Indiana, hammering on the drums. (Usually in the new song, "Whispers in the Dark.") Marcus, who you'll most often see singing and playing guitar all while alternating kick tambo and kick drum, also gets some decent licks on the drumset for "Lover of the Light" and "Dust Bowl Dance." Winston (Country), I'm pretty sure, can play anything. I've seen him with a guitar, a mandolin, a dobro and a banjo. He plays all of them insanely well and all while showing off his sweet dance moves. Ted, who usually sticks to the upright bass, can also play a regular bass (duh) and drums (We saw him play for "Thistle and Weeds"). I also happen to know he's dabbled with the Ukulele and guitar. They're amazingly talented lads and I'm thrilled to say I've seen them four times.
I'm also certain that I'll see them many, many more times.
Be Still, My Country Heart
(And, yes, I have purposefully skipped over Bonnaroo)
Sometimes it feels like with each Tuesday comes a new "up-and-coming" female vocalist. There's always the next Patsy Cline, the next Janis Joplin, the next Edie Brickell (That may just be wishful thinking on my part). I cringe to think that two, three or four decades from now, someone might be called "the next Miley Cyrus." It's not that all the females out there are irritating, and I certainly don't find new music or young musicians to not be worthy of my time. It's just that there's so damn many, I can't keep up! Most of the time, they just get lost in the shuffle for me. I'd say it takes something amazing for me to take notice, but in this case, it took absolutely nothing. It took me glancing to my left, as I shelved an old Phoenix CD and noticing that we had eight copies of an album from some girl I'd never heard of before.
And then it took a second glance at the cover. With it's picture of a girl in a dark cotton dress with lace, sepia wash and that ...thing in her hand, it reminded me of those pictures you get at the state fair. The kind where you get dressed up in old clothes, sit on a bar and point pistols at each other. I always wanted to do one of those-Perhaps I was just jealous and wanted to hate the album.
Except I couldn't-Because she's the next big thing on my playlist.
Her voice is this astonishing throwback to the women of the past with the strength and power of the women now. NPR described her as "Sweet" and "Smooth" but I think she's the opposite. There's something fierce, nervy and wild about her voice. It's dirty in the best of ways. Her music, in my opinion, may be too country to ever make it big in the new American country scene and probably the same for pop, too. She's got the sort of sound, though, that I think fits nice and snug into the current folk scene in London. That scene, of course, is still earning tons of hype in the states...just not to the same effect, it seems.
Still. I think Audra Mae is one girl worth a serious listen. Here are my top three tunes off her album:
The Happiest Lamb- This song seems the most mainstream to me. It's got the sort of beats deserving of a hand out a rolled down window. It's sassy and easy to relate to for even the most sheltered of souls. Who hasn't realized they're a sheep after the same shepard?
Millionaire- This song is like a new version of 'Coal Miner's Daughter.' "Barbie dolls and lemonade, we sold it all and all we made was gone so fast" reminds me exactly of when Loretta Lynn sang about selling the hog to get shoes for winter. Life is rough, of course. But Audra Mae begs the question that Ms. Lynn's pride always gave way to: "Who wants to be a millionaire?" It's soft, aching and earnest but still slightly hopeful. She'll be okay without all that money, and she knows it.
Bandida- I could just be partial to songs about war (okay, I am), but I love this song. First, I should state the obvious: I love the guitar. It's softness offsets her battle cries so perfectly I want to weep. Second, oh, yes-There are battle cries. Then there are these amazing lines, "What would I do to find you? I'll cloak my face and hide. I'll veil myself in black and steel and battle at your side." Tell me you can't picture it-Tell me you don't see one rough, enraged girl and tell me you can't feel her desperate love. Tell me. I won't believe you. (Here's a really short snippet-I hope!)
Here's a link, though, for a live performance of a fourth song called "The River." This is actually the first song I noticed once I put her disk into the player. When it was over for the first time, I immediately played it again.
That's all for now. As always, investigate her, buy the album, and definitely share your thoughts.
-AD
Sometimes it feels like with each Tuesday comes a new "up-and-coming" female vocalist. There's always the next Patsy Cline, the next Janis Joplin, the next Edie Brickell (That may just be wishful thinking on my part). I cringe to think that two, three or four decades from now, someone might be called "the next Miley Cyrus." It's not that all the females out there are irritating, and I certainly don't find new music or young musicians to not be worthy of my time. It's just that there's so damn many, I can't keep up! Most of the time, they just get lost in the shuffle for me. I'd say it takes something amazing for me to take notice, but in this case, it took absolutely nothing. It took me glancing to my left, as I shelved an old Phoenix CD and noticing that we had eight copies of an album from some girl I'd never heard of before.
And then it took a second glance at the cover. With it's picture of a girl in a dark cotton dress with lace, sepia wash and that ...thing in her hand, it reminded me of those pictures you get at the state fair. The kind where you get dressed up in old clothes, sit on a bar and point pistols at each other. I always wanted to do one of those-Perhaps I was just jealous and wanted to hate the album.
Except I couldn't-Because she's the next big thing on my playlist.
Her voice is this astonishing throwback to the women of the past with the strength and power of the women now. NPR described her as "Sweet" and "Smooth" but I think she's the opposite. There's something fierce, nervy and wild about her voice. It's dirty in the best of ways. Her music, in my opinion, may be too country to ever make it big in the new American country scene and probably the same for pop, too. She's got the sort of sound, though, that I think fits nice and snug into the current folk scene in London. That scene, of course, is still earning tons of hype in the states...just not to the same effect, it seems.
Still. I think Audra Mae is one girl worth a serious listen. Here are my top three tunes off her album:
The Happiest Lamb- This song seems the most mainstream to me. It's got the sort of beats deserving of a hand out a rolled down window. It's sassy and easy to relate to for even the most sheltered of souls. Who hasn't realized they're a sheep after the same shepard?
Millionaire- This song is like a new version of 'Coal Miner's Daughter.' "Barbie dolls and lemonade, we sold it all and all we made was gone so fast" reminds me exactly of when Loretta Lynn sang about selling the hog to get shoes for winter. Life is rough, of course. But Audra Mae begs the question that Ms. Lynn's pride always gave way to: "Who wants to be a millionaire?" It's soft, aching and earnest but still slightly hopeful. She'll be okay without all that money, and she knows it.
Bandida- I could just be partial to songs about war (okay, I am), but I love this song. First, I should state the obvious: I love the guitar. It's softness offsets her battle cries so perfectly I want to weep. Second, oh, yes-There are battle cries. Then there are these amazing lines, "What would I do to find you? I'll cloak my face and hide. I'll veil myself in black and steel and battle at your side." Tell me you can't picture it-Tell me you don't see one rough, enraged girl and tell me you can't feel her desperate love. Tell me. I won't believe you. (Here's a really short snippet-I hope!)
Here's a link, though, for a live performance of a fourth song called "The River." This is actually the first song I noticed once I put her disk into the player. When it was over for the first time, I immediately played it again.
That's all for now. As always, investigate her, buy the album, and definitely share your thoughts.
-AD
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Bonnaroo! Woohoo!
As some of you may or may not know, a week from today AudioDaughter will be at Bonnaroo. It's pretty flippin' exciting. There have been tons (three) pleas to hear the AD schedule and today, while recovering from a fierce stomach bug, it's time to share. One thing is for sure: Between the schedule and the heat, AD is bound to come back a few pounds lighter. No Time for Food: Must...See...Everything. As always, if you think there's something that's been looked over that's a must-see, share your thoughts.
Thursday:
1:45-3:30- Corey Haim Rules!-The Lost Boys (Cinema Tent)
4:15-5pm- The Postelles (That Tent)*
5:30-6:30- Diane Birch (That Tent)*
7pm-8pm- Local Natives (That Tent)
8:45-9:45- NeedToBreath (Other Tent)
10pm-11pm- Temper Trap (That Tent)
...or 10:30-11:30- Mayer Hawthorne (This Tent)
11:30-12:45- The xx (That Tent)
...or 11:45-1am- Lotus (Other Tent)
Friday:
1pm-2pm- Conan OBrien (Comedy Theatre, Cinema Tent, Lunar Stage)
...or 1pm-2pm- Tokyo Police Club (Other Tent)
1:45-3- Carolina Chocolate Drops (That Tent)
2:30-3:30- Edward Sharpe... (Other Tent)
4pm-5:30- Danien Marley & Nas (What Stage)
5pm-6:15- She & Him (This Tent)
...and 5:30-7pm- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (That Tent)*
7:15-7:45- Lotus (Sonic Stage)
7:30-8:30- Steve Martin... (That Tent)
...and 7:30-9- Les Claypool (Other Tent)
9:30-11:30- Kings of Leon (What Stage)*
12am-1:30- The Black Keys (That Tent)*
2am-2:45- Kid Cudi (That Tent)
2:30-4am- LCD Soundsystem (This Tent)
Saturday:
(1:30-3:15- World Cup (Lunar Stage)...I'll have to make a couple appearances)
12:45-1:15-The Postelles (Sonic Stage)
1-2:30- Conan OBrien (Comedy Theater)
1:45-2:45- Brandi Carlile (That Tent)
2:30-4pm- Norah Jones (Which Stage)
5pm-6:15- Mumford & Sons (That Tent)*
6:40-7:30- The Middle East (Troo Music Lounge)*
7pm-8:30- Weezer (Which Stage)
7:50-8:50- The Decemberists Movie (Cinema)
8:30-10:30- Stevie Wonder (What Stage)
11:30-1:30- Jay-Z (What Stage)
12:30-2:30- Footloose (Cinema)
2:15-3:45- Deadmau5 (This Tent)
Sunday:
(1:30-3:15- World Cup (Lunar Stage))
12-1pm- Ingrid Michaelson (Other Tent)
12:30-1:30- Japandroids (This Tent)
3pm-4pm- Blues Traveler (Other Tent)*
4:30-5:45- They Might Be Giants (Other Tent)
5pm-6:15- Dropkick Murphys (This Tent)*
6:30-8pm- Zac Brown Band (What Stage)
...and 6:30-8pm- Miranda Lambert (That Tent)
7:15-8:45- Phoenix (Which Stage)
9pm-11:30- Dave Matthews Band (What Stage)*
*Will NOT be leaving early to catch the next show
The worst part is going to come on Sunday when AD has to figure out how to see the Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert & Phoenix all at almost the same time.
Well, there's the list. More to come. Until then, here's the rest of the line-up
Thursday:
1:45-3:30- Corey Haim Rules!-The Lost Boys (Cinema Tent)
4:15-5pm- The Postelles (That Tent)*
5:30-6:30- Diane Birch (That Tent)*
7pm-8pm- Local Natives (That Tent)
8:45-9:45- NeedToBreath (Other Tent)
10pm-11pm- Temper Trap (That Tent)
...or 10:30-11:30- Mayer Hawthorne (This Tent)
11:30-12:45- The xx (That Tent)
...or 11:45-1am- Lotus (Other Tent)
Friday:
1pm-2pm- Conan OBrien (Comedy Theatre, Cinema Tent, Lunar Stage)
...or 1pm-2pm- Tokyo Police Club (Other Tent)
1:45-3- Carolina Chocolate Drops (That Tent)
2:30-3:30- Edward Sharpe... (Other Tent)
4pm-5:30- Danien Marley & Nas (What Stage)
5pm-6:15- She & Him (This Tent)
...and 5:30-7pm- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (That Tent)*
7:15-7:45- Lotus (Sonic Stage)
7:30-8:30- Steve Martin... (That Tent)
...and 7:30-9- Les Claypool (Other Tent)
9:30-11:30- Kings of Leon (What Stage)*
12am-1:30- The Black Keys (That Tent)*
2am-2:45- Kid Cudi (That Tent)
2:30-4am- LCD Soundsystem (This Tent)
Saturday:
(1:30-3:15- World Cup (Lunar Stage)...I'll have to make a couple appearances)
12:45-1:15-The Postelles (Sonic Stage)
1-2:30- Conan OBrien (Comedy Theater)
1:45-2:45- Brandi Carlile (That Tent)
2:30-4pm- Norah Jones (Which Stage)
5pm-6:15- Mumford & Sons (That Tent)*
6:40-7:30- The Middle East (Troo Music Lounge)*
7pm-8:30- Weezer (Which Stage)
7:50-8:50- The Decemberists Movie (Cinema)
8:30-10:30- Stevie Wonder (What Stage)
11:30-1:30- Jay-Z (What Stage)
12:30-2:30- Footloose (Cinema)
2:15-3:45- Deadmau5 (This Tent)
Sunday:
(1:30-3:15- World Cup (Lunar Stage))
12-1pm- Ingrid Michaelson (Other Tent)
12:30-1:30- Japandroids (This Tent)
3pm-4pm- Blues Traveler (Other Tent)*
4:30-5:45- They Might Be Giants (Other Tent)
5pm-6:15- Dropkick Murphys (This Tent)*
6:30-8pm- Zac Brown Band (What Stage)
...and 6:30-8pm- Miranda Lambert (That Tent)
7:15-8:45- Phoenix (Which Stage)
9pm-11:30- Dave Matthews Band (What Stage)*
*Will NOT be leaving early to catch the next show
The worst part is going to come on Sunday when AD has to figure out how to see the Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert & Phoenix all at almost the same time.
Well, there's the list. More to come. Until then, here's the rest of the line-up
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