Let's Change The Song

Via: This Is Not Porn

Man oh man, I'm glad I don't own a TV. The news is about as depressing as it gets these days.
I really shouldn't say things like that because I have it sooo good compared to so many right now.
The other night I was babysitting Travis at my parents house. He had gotten out of bed and so I let him cuddle with me on the couch. Wanting to see what has been going on, I decided to watch the 11pm news as Travis fell back to sleep. After only a few minutes I started crying. Here I sit with a sweet baby boy in my arms, an entire life before him, and all that is on the news is death & destruction and the possibility of more war.  I was incredibly overwhelmed and felt absolutely helpless. Needless to say it's been hard to come back from that... I'm just trying to be grateful for what I have and make the most of my actions.
In addition to that we had a time change, lots of rain, St. Patty's Day and more rain. I'm ready for some sun and a better mood. I have the day off tomorrow so this evening I'm determined to start improving it.
Tomorrow will consist of getting new shoes, a haircut, and investigating the cost of 4 new tires. I got my tax refund so new tires it is.

And now to the music...

The big news is that SXSW was last week. Overhyped but still fun. Maybe I'll go someday. Anyhoo, Dawes did a gig for Rolling Stone where they announced the name of their new album. It's called "Nothing Is Wrong" I haven't seen a track listing yet but I'm 90% sure I've heard almost all the songs live because I love them that much ;) I was surprised to hear that "Million Dollar Bill" will be on the new album. Speaking of Middle Brother, their show here in SF is right around the corner! I'm going to spend that afternoon in the city. I planned a little picnic at Alamo Square for before the show. I think Ashley is going to come with. To bad more people don't want to come because I think it's going to be a ton of fun. I get all excited and then remember Blake Mills will be there too!! Hello gentlemen...

Photo by Doug Seymour

A little over a week ago I discovered this band from Seattle that I'm now seeing everywhere. They are called The Head and The Heart. They have such a sweet but raw sound that I quickly was hooked on. Lucky me they are playing in SF next month too. I'm going to try and go but we'll see.

Here is my list of shows coming up... join me, won't you?!

Middle Brother @ The Independent - Sun. April 3
Young The Giant @ Slims - Fri. April 22
The Head and The Heart @ Bottom of the Hill - Wed. April 27
The Boxer Rebellion @ Slims - Fri. April 29
Nathaniel Rateliff @ Bottom of the Hill - Sat. April 30
Other Lives @ Cafe Du Nord - Tues. May 24
Brett Dennen with Dawes @ The Fox Theater - Sat. June 25

A Day Of My Own

I wish I knew someone who loves music like I do.

I've really been enjoying the new Middle Brother album. I'm super excited for the show on April 3rd (Looks like quite the party if you watch below). There has been so much press for the release. It's been cool to see mostly because it has all been so positive but also that the guys are getting recognized. It seems like more press than I've seen for any one of these bands (maybe not Delta Spirit, but close). Congrats though, it's a pretty special album.

It sure does make me ache for a new Dawes album though...
The Fling's Daytrotter session went up today!!!
How cool is this?! The Railroad Revival Tour

Today has been a pretty productive day off. I finally got some books from the library. Without TV I've been trying to read more, so I finally took some time to find a couple of interesting books to get me started. If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears. After the library I went to Pier 1 and got some new dishes for my place. They were expensive, although I've never bought dishes before. Anyways, I love them. They are fun enough but not crazy over the top.

After a trip to Target and dumping my life savings into my gas tank, Ashley brought lunch to my house. The weather was nice so it was fun to have doors & windows open while we ate and Travis played on the porch.
Work has been picking up finally. It's so hard to be there with nothing to do when I have a million little things waiting for me at home. Plus, the day just drags by.
Unfortunately I don't have much more to update on. So, enjoy this clip!

Blake Mills and Jesca Hoop perform "Murder of Birds," at the Fretboard Journal from fretboardjournal on Vimeo.

Just Keep Swimming

The last two weeks have been hectic to say the least. There has been a birthday, 100 degree weather, overtime at work, painting, house hunting, babysitting, and a 3-day weekend. It's doesn't sound so bad but believe me it's been crazy. Work has been the hardest. With a manager gone, and then back, and gone again, a lot of weight has fallen on my shoulders and I'm not sure I like it. It's great having the responsibility of closing the store but the lack of planning & help has made things very difficult and unfortunately I will pay for that tomorrow.
Sorry to start off that way but I'm really feeling it right now, so that's what came out first.

Dillon had his birthday at Driven Raceway in Rohnert Park. I went with my mom to help her with the boys. The place is ok but the glow-in-the-dark golf is kind of a joke. $6 a person for the same thing over and over. The whole place is pretty over priced in my opinion but I think all places like that are...I'm just more aware of it now. He had a lot of fun and gets to have a second birthday weekend with his mom so all is good. I can't believe he is 11 now.
I've been scouting Craigslist just about everyday. There isn't a whole lot out there that I really like but I think I need to not be so picky. (So hard for me!) I looked at two places and want to look at more I'm just working so much that it makes it hard. The 3-day weekend was nice though. Dillon has his party Sat. then I helped Crystal paint her room Sun. Mon. was a big chore day, boring I know but I just needed to chill out and catch up on some stuff at home.
Some awesome news today...I passed my Notary test! Now all I have to do is get finger printed for my background check.  That is going to take a while but I know I'll pass that. Well, there was that one time...no I'm kidding. This whole process takes forever but it's a nifty skill I can add to the resume. That sounded pretty corny. Moving on.
I pretty excited about the music coming to town this fall! There is always a slew of shows I would love, love to go to but I have to be picky most of the time. I'm lucky that bands I like play small clubs and have cheap tickets but I'm seeing that change for some of them. Some shows I can't miss are:
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival  Oct 1, 2, & 3- I want to go to this free show every year but don't for some reason. This is the 10 year anniversary and I have the weekend off so we shall see.
Jack Johnson Oct 5 @ the Greek Theatre - This will be quite the family affair.
Matt Costa Oct 15 @ Slims - He's Back!
Dawes Nov 20 @ The Independent - The have a great opener too...The Romany Rye
and rumor has it Delta Spirit Dec.7 @ The Fillmore - Holy Crap!
(If someone knows how to post mp3s on a blog without a ton of crap to do and download, I would be forever grateful if you shared that with me!)
Goodnight everyone! Wish me good luck for tomorrow, I'm gonna need it. One day off on Sunday then another full week. Here is an awesome little duet between Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes that was originally done by Chet Atkins and Dolly Parton. Enjoy

I Really Should Be Doing Other Things....

...but I'm addicted to music. No seriously, I think I may have a problem!
Here are some great odds & ends to keep you entertained.

The hesitation and subtleties are what make this song so brilliant in my book

I can't say enough about how excited I am for this new record

Really enjoying these guys this last week.

I need to see these guys live again, and I new their album when it comes out

I need to add at least one chick to the mix. Amazing voice

I could sit here and do this all night but I need to pack for camping this weekend.
Until next time ;)

Coming To An End

I have the whole house to myself right now. It's great but so weird. Unfortunately I'm feeling sick so I can't really live it up.
How was your Christmas? The week before Christmas was awful for me (hence my lack of posts) but things picked up and Christmas was a success. My aunt an uncle came and it was Travis' first Christmas. He seemed a little overwhelmed by all the chaos of flying wrapping paper and the intense excitement of getting a much wanted item. My uncle got my family a 42in HD flat screen TV. I never wanted one really bad but now that we have one it's so great! I got simple things like sheets, pj's, dvd's but it was fun to help mom set up her new ipod touch we got her. It makes me want an iphone so bad! Some sad new though, my last day at Macy's was the day after x-mas if you can believe it. We are still employed until Jan. 22 but we have no hours, unless we get called in, and then we go in and do an "exit interview." I would rather not be let go on my birthday but, whatever, some things are just the way they are. (I'm still super excited for my birthday!)
Some amazing news: Delta Spirit announced the release of their sophomore album "History From Below" and they will be coming to SF on March 8th!!! Who's going with me?!
I see all these top 10 lists for the decade or for 09 and for the first time I'm going to participate. I think I was slacking this year on new music but out of what I did get, here is at least my Top 5 albums of 2009:

5.) Dawes "North Hills" -I was introduced to this band earlier this year and was impressed by their live show. It's not a cd I would just play anytime but there is so much underlying talent packed onto this disc it had to be included!

4.) Silversun Pickups "Swoon" -You can't love these guys on one listen because there are too many layers. They are a little harder than I usually go for but sooo talented and I really grew to love all the sounds this album had to offer.

3.) Paramore "Brand New Eyes" -I have to admit I haven't given this one the attention I gave to RIOT because I don't think it's as strong but it's really close. It's nice to hear them slow down for a few songs on this one. And again Haley's vocals are flippin' amazing!

2.) MuteMath "Armistice" -This album wouldn't come out soon enough for me and when it did I was all over it. It has a much different sound from their first album but that isn't a bad thing. I was lucky enough to even see them live, true performers.

1.) White Rabbits "It's Frightning" -Easily my best discovery of the year! Found them shortly after their sophomore album came out and quickly fell in love. Saw them twice (really nice guys), and still can't get enough!

*Honorable Mention: All-American Rejects "When The World Falls Down" -It took me a couple of listens to really enjoy this album but then "Gives You Hell" got crazy overplayed. There are still some really great moments on here.
*Looking forward to:
New Delta Spirit, Local Natives first release, some things I missed from 09 ;)

Have a happy new year!