BLOGSCHU

Music Monday

Good news, Spotify is now open to everyone! No invite necessary. I know I sound like a broken record but I truly believe that Spotify will transform the way you discover, share and listen to music. Give it a try! 

Here are a few things that I found interesting in the music world since I last posted: 

• Nirvana's Nevermind commemorates its 20th anniversary with a re-release this week.
• In case that doesn't make you feel old, Spin Doctor's Pocket Full of Kryptonite turned twenty as well.
• REM decided to call it quits.
• Radiohead performed on SNL and announced a 2012 tour.
• Guns N' Roses is supposedly hitting the road next month.
• My friend Phil turned me onto this track from an upcoming album that has a haunting music video.

Here are my picks for this week's GunBun Music Monday 2011 Spotify playlist:

"If I Had A Gun..." - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
This track is the first US single from Noel Gallagher's latest band. I just hope that Noel isn't singing about his brother with whom he is known to have a complicated relationship, of Shakespearean proportions. 

"Knots" - Lisa Hannigan
You might be familiar with Lisa's voice if you have listened to Damien Rice as she was a member of his band prior to going solo. The video for Knots is a fantastic visualization of the artist's take on the song.

"Still Life" - The Horrors
This UK band's third album has been very well received since its release earlier this summer.

"Closest I Get" - Katie Herzig
Herzig recently received the Sammy Cahn Award from the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Foundation for this song's lyrics and if you listen closely, you'll hear why. This track is from her recently released debut solo album.  

"Midnight City" - M83
This track is from M83's forthcoming double album. I hope it's as good as their last album, Saturdays = Youth. 

Don't forget to "subscribe" to the playlist in Spotify in order to have the songs updated automatically each week. 

Cheers, Lisa 

Harvest 2011: Gewurz in the Cellar

It's week two of harvest, and all the Gewurztraminer has now been picked.  GB Associate Winemaker Anne Dempsey shows us the grapes in the freezer and fermenting away in tank. What songs would you sing to them? 

Music Monday on a Tuesday

 
A breast cancer survivor participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

I am a bit late in this post because I am recovering from a 39.6 mile walk over the weekend to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It was an emotionally and physically challenging weekend but I learned a lot about hope, determination and the sheer will to persevere no matter what.

I walked in memory of those friends and family members who have been lost to various types of cancer and in honor of those who have given everything to survive. They are all an inspiration to me every day.

During the tough times (mile 20 on the first day and mile 3 on the second day!) I listened to music on my iPhone via Spotify to keep me motivated. I cannot say it enough: Spotify = genius. If you'd like an invite, you can email me directly to request one. Here are some of the tunes that were my favorites while I walked - they comprise this week's GunBun Music Monday 2011 selections:

"Real Slow" - Megafaun
From the recently released album by this North Carolina "psych-folk" band.

"Maracas" - Mates of State
This group has been together for over fourteen years and their albums just get better and better. This new one is no exception. I have listened to it in its entirety a few times now.

"Vomit" - Girls
I'm not loving the title of this tune but wow, does it deliver. Their new album is also fantastic from beginning to end.  

"Its Real" - Real Estate
First single from their upcoming album due out October 18th.

"Junk Of The Heart (Happy)" - The Kooks
From the newly released album by this indie-pop British group. 

"Without Me" - Eminem
This bonus song goes out to my dear friend Jenny who kept me company this weekend as we walked through the neighborhoods and communities surrounding Santa Barbara, California. I could not have made it without her! We talked music while we walked and she was not familiar with early Eminem so I introduced her to a few of my favorites.

Cheers, Lisa

Let the Games Begin!

Monday, September 12, 2011 -

The 154th harvest at Gundlach Bundschu's Estate Vineyard started early this morning with the first block of gewurztraminer! In keeping with our very long tradition, the winery staff gathered around the first bins of fruit with an early morning toast to the start of the new vintage in the cellar. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, tasting room manager Marina Mayer will check in with the vineyard and winemaking team to provide you with their updates and insights on the harvest via this little video blog. Stay tuned!

Summer Favorites

Summer - Manhattan Beach, California

Sorry that my Music Monday posts have been somewhat lacking as of late. Much like a corporation readying itself for a new fiscal cycle, I have been gearing up for the start of a new school year for my kids. And now that we have all settled into our new schedules, I can carve out more time for listening to and writing about music.

In the vein of "there is nothing new under the sun" or "imitation is the best form of flattery" I have been inspired by one of my favorite bloggers to share with you some of my "favorites" from the summer that is now drawing to an end.  

My summer kicked off to a great start with this rainy, wonderful music festival.

I devoured this book, and this one, and this one.

I sent this to my kids at summer camp.

I listened over and over again to this album and this album.

I became completely addicted to this woman's twitter feed.

I made this kale salad again and again.

I listened to this podcast every time I walked my dog.

I ordered this coffee.

I finally got caught up on this show thanks to this.

I visited this website every day.

I had to use this to turn off the internet when I really wanted to get work done.

I became obsessed with this new way to keep track of what I find on the internet.

I enjoyed this GunBun wine.

I bought this poster to keep me inspired.

I bought these sticky notes to keep me organized.

I started getting this emailed to me each week.

I made my kids do this.

I fantasized about finding my dream job.

I wanted to buy this but it sold out immediately.

I became addicted to this iPad app.

I cooked a lot from this cookbook.

I completely changed the way that I listen to music.

I realized how important it is to cherish each and every day.

Moving into the autumn, I hope that you'll continue to enjoy my Gun Bun Music Monday picks. If I tend to write a bit less about the bands or tracks, it is only because I am seriously trying to do this. 

Each week I pick five songs to share but this week there are ten tracks because I couldn't help myself. You can listen to the playlist on Spotify here. If you would like an invitation to Spotify, you can email me directly. Rumors abound that Facebook will be launching a music service with Spotify later this month that will allow you to listen to our playlist directly through Facebook. We'll know more on September 22nd.

Here are this week's picks:

"Four Days Straight" - Scattered Trees
This album came out in April but I just recently tuned into it via Spotify.

"How Come You Never Go There" - Feist
From upcoming album due out October 4th. 

"I Might" - Wilco
From upcoming album due out September 27th.

"Winter Beats" - I Break Horses
From this Swedish duo's recently released album.

"Blood Pressure" - Mute Math
From upcoming album due out October 4th. 

"Better Man - Mexico City 12/10/05" - Pearl Jam
In honor of their upcoming documentary, directed by Cameron Crowe.

"Lucky Now" - Ryan Adams
From upcoming album due out October 11th.

"The Funeral" - Band of Horses
In honor of the fact that last week I saw them in concert here in LA and Jeff Bundschu saw them in Napa and they blew our minds.

"As Bright As Your Night Light" - Nerves Junior
From their recently released debut album.

"Tin Man" - Future Islands
The latest album from another great Baltimore band. 

Cheers, Lisa