What I'm Listening To: Spring 2015

Here are the songs I'm listening to when I don't have The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt theme song stuck in my head. Music is always important to me, but as we head into summer, it's especially important to cultivate the perfect 'top-down, highway- cruising' music. Even if the reality is... walking 30 blocks to work at 8:30am when there's 95% humidity and it's 80 degrees. 

'KIDS IN LOVE' - THE MOWGLI'S

My love for them is well-documented on this site, and I feel no different about their new album. It's filled with a myriad of songs, ranging from the slow and soulful to the fast-pasted alternative-pop tunes that they're so good at creating. Seriously, go listen to the album, whether you buy it on iTunes or listen to it on Spotify, press play and go bask out in the sun for a few hours. One of my favorites is the title track that comes towards the end, Kids in Love. Where some bands get overwhelmed juggling four or five "men" (read: boy bands), The Mowgli's manage to balance not one, not two, not three or four or five band members, but seven, six male and one female.  And man, that one female, Katie, has some serious kick-ass pipes on her.

For a through -- official -- breakdown the bandmates and some insights into the songs off the album, go check out their About page on their site. 

Tracks I'm loving: Kids in Love, Whatever Forever, What's Going On

PEANUT BUTTER JELLY - GALANTIS

Don't ask me why I love this song so much. You just have to listen to it for yourself to find out (and thank Spotify for their New Music Tuesday playlist). This is the best morning wake-up song, it's a great "it's 5pm, you've got to get through one more hour of work" pep-up on, basically it is the mood enhancer of Spring. Plus, any song that names itself after the most American sandwich automatically is a (delicious) plus in my book, just try not to think of the innuendo it stands for ("spread it like peanut butter jelly, do it like I owe you some money"? C'mon, that's not exactly the Da Vinci code.)

PLAY WITH FIRE - VANCE JOY

Give me a fruity drink in a fancy glass with a paper umbrella, put me poolside and play this song all afternoon. Or, one of the three will do. The ukulele's opening strings pretty much set the tone for the song, and by the time it gets to the bridge, with the crescendoing drums and such, is very reminiscent of Sufjan Steven's prime era. Plus, you've got to love the story told in the video.

What music are you guys listening to this spring?

On my: Spotify (and some updates)

I am trying something totally new here - shocker. I came up with a better way to organize my recommendations, and work on my graphic design at the same time. Thus, "on my" series begun. These will be about once a week and will range from Spotify, to Bookshelf, to Plate. When it comes to clothes and fashion though, (and because I'm a stickler for continuity and 'In my' closet wouldn't work) I'll still do Currently Coveting. 

Anyways. There has been a lot of good music circulating around town lately and I fell it's my duty to spread the songs I've been loving.

1) Song: All About that Bass, By: Meghan Trainor

I have been jamming to this song for the past two weeks and see no reason to slow down anytime soon. Her body-positive message and hypnotic beat is a much more preferable song of the summer for me than say, oh, something like "Fancy."

Looking now, I added this song to my Spotify merely 12 days ago (as well as followed Meghan on Twitter) and it had been really exciting for me, just sitting on the sidelines, to see this song become more and more popular. It truly is a wonderful track and this totally deserves all of the praise it has been receiving.

The song has been slowly climbing the Billboard charts and now has over 3 million views on YouTube. I watched it when it had 1.3 million. Less than two weeks ago. The pastel color palette the video has is such a nice contrast to some other videos that are out there right now. 

I'm totally rooting for this song - and Meghan - for the rest of the summer and beyond. She's already been on the Today show and more radio stations are playing "All About that Bass" daily. It's hard not to pick up on her cheerful, amazing attitude and outlook on life. 

2) Album: YES!, By: Jason Mraz

My adoration for Jason Mraz has spanned many moons - well, many albums. With his latest, Yes!, which debuted this week, he is back in top form. After teaming up with the women of Raining Jane, I can say that they're participation in this largely acoustic album simply elevates his lyrics and musical talents to a new level.

After 2012's Love is a Four Letter Word effort, I have to say, I wasn't crazy about the majority of the songs. They diverted from his traditional way of laid-back acoustics and soulful lyrics. They were a bit more experimental and harder to digest, if that makes sense.

Not so with YES! Every song really is enjoyable and this reaffirms the fact that Mr. A-Z is one of my favorite artists. He has been for a very long time - way back, before Spotify and I was burning "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" on CD's to share his music, and the love for it, with friends. 

#spreadYES, everyone.

Songs to check out: Hello You Beautiful Thing, Everywhere, You Can Rely on Me, Shine

3) Album: The Good Wife Score, By: David Buckley

Do you watch The Good Wife? You should. I don't care who has told you otherwise, The Good Wife is meant to be enjoyed by all who appreciate it. The score is perfect to listen to during work. It not only serves as background music in the show, it supports the scenes and with the string and wind instruments and elevates the episodes to new levels of greatness. 

Songs to check out: The Good Wife (Theme), Alicia Keeps Her Cool, J'Accuse 

New Music (to me) Monday: Feedback Revival

I think I'm noticing a trend about things that motivate me enough to write: the books I read, the music I listen to and the clothes I wear all make me passionate enough to actually write about them. I suppose that's why I have this outlet.

Let me preface this with saying I have been very obsessed with Nashville lately. Admittedly, Once Upon a Time actor Colin O'Donoghue and the kickstarted film, The Dust Storm, are to thank/blame. Colin started mentioning Feedback Revival on Twitter. A lot. And I, always one on the hunt for great music (still very much obsessed with The Mowgli's and Lake Street Dive), eagerly checked them out. 

And thus, an obsession began. 

They might be a Nashville band, but they're not banjo-pluckin', plaid-wearing, Nashville-stereotyped men. These guys are rock and roll through and through and fantastic musicians regardless of genre label. Lately I've been going exclusively for the alternative/easy-listening music and not this head-banging type of music. Alas, the heart wants what the heart wants. (Am I the only one who head-bangs to this music? I can't be the only one who listens to Delta and throws her entire body into the rhythmic thump of those opening chords.)

Feedback Revival is comprised of four men. There's lead singer Dan Fenton, bassist Alex Horton, drummer Taylor Powell, and guitar master, Nathan Mcfarland. Each bring their own to the table and in a song like Soul Feet, the beat opens on drums but once those guitar chords and vocals come in, damn, it's some amazing music with different parts that just work so well together.

I bet these guys are incredible live... which brings me to a brief interlude about the band to explain this inexplicable obsession with Nashville. Turns out I think I really love Nashville. Just not the 'honky-tonky' aspects of it, but the real effervescent parts with the rock and roll with just a bit of a twang. It seems a lot like New York City, but, dare I say, better in a way? 

As it turns out, these guys had their own KickStarter going, looking for donations to be able to tour Europe. I've been on a bit of a KickStarter kick recently (post on that soon) and was very eager to donate. Looking at the reward levels however, I realized that I already have access to most of the music they were offering downloads for (Spotify premium!) and I wasn't about to spend $100 for some upper-level rewards (sorry guys - girl's gotta eat.) I did eventually donate though and even though it wasn't much, I'm so happy to say I contributed to help them.

They'll be touring Europe in October and November, but man do I hope they decide to do a northeast tour of the U.S. soon. But, if they won't go to me, I'll go to them (Nashville.)

Songs to check out: 

• Delta
• Tennessee Rose
• Soul Feet
• Jesse James
• Ballad of Loretta

I was going to write about both Feedback Revival and Startisan in one post, but that would get a little crowded so be on the lookout for a Startisan-only post sometime in the next week.

(Photo credit: Feedback Revival Facebook page) 

New Music (to me) Saturday: The Mowgli's

This may be a misleading title, because technically The Mowgli's, 'Waiting for the Dawn' was released last year, but they're new to me, so maybe the band will be new to you too.

I am seriously digging this band this week. Their music, alternative and easy-listening, just soothes the soul. That's the best way I can put it. This isn't exactly studying music, because you're going to want to get up and just jam to some of these numbers, but they are the perfect music to listen to just about any other time.

"San Francisco" makes me want to dance around like a fool, especially when they hit those harmonies about a minute in, but then you're instantly snappin' your fingers together and singing along. The band is huge - seven members! - but man, does it pay off big time.

I implore you to listen to their album, embedded below. Notice how, even after their most popular song "San Francisco" (4 million+ plays on Spotify), every song is a friggin' knock-out. 'Slowly, Slowly' has this moment at around 2:45 where all the vocals build and they hit that crescendo at 3:10 and you're off to the races with them.

And I could go on, evaluating every song like this but instead I'll leave you with the following recommendations:

• San Francisco
• Slowly, Slowly
• Emily
• Say It, Just Say It 
• Leave It Up To Me - (Try not singing along to the 'woah-oh's on this track. Impossible!) 

Also, I may or may not just kinda walk around town singing "Hi, Hey There, Hello" to myself. Folksy and happy - my kinda song.

Sadly it doesn't look like I'll be getting to see them live anytime soon, their tour doesn't take them through Pennsylvania or Maryland. But seriously guys - when are we gonna get some new music? I've already got 'Waiting for the Dawn' memorized.

What music gets you moving?

Everyone has their preference when it comes to exercise music. Some people only listen to Top 40 pop, others prefer hip-hop, rock, or even Broadway (don't knock it till you tired it - listen to a sample of American Idiot's broadway recording to really get your heart beating.)

Me? I prefer something to the match the rhythm of my running steps, but also something that consumes me and takes my mind of the mundane running. At school, and because it's been hardly 10 degrees outside, I hit the treadmill for 20 minutes with my playlist. At home, where it is now a brisk 40 degrees, I can do three miles within my neighborhood, easy - but it takes a particular type of music to get me going.

So, because I'm a little nosey and fairly curious, I'm wondering: what music do you run to? And because this is a two-way street, I'm offering a complete look into my Spotify playlist at the bottom of this post. As you can see, it's kind of a smorgasbord.

This playlist will eventually fall into disuse. I'll get tired of the songs, I'll begin exercising to newer/different music and in a few months, I will make a new workout playlist. The circle of life.

What do you like to work out to? I'm always looking for suggestions!