We are offically in the middle of harvest and GB Lead Associate Winemaker Anne Dempsey shows us what they are up to in the cellar.
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We are offically in the middle of harvest and GB Lead Associate Winemaker Anne Dempsey shows us what they are up to in the cellar.
Posted by Marina Mayer at 03:31 PM in 2011 Harvest | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Autumn Cardinal Silkscreen Print by strawberryluna
We're fully entrenched in autumn: post-season baseball (GO CARDS!), Halloween candy in the stores (alongside Christmas trimmings), and crisp days & changing leaves (although not so much here in Southern Cali). Actually, our usually idyllic weather here in LA has been pretty icky recently - we've been shrouded in cold fog for the past week. I know, I know, you're all playing tiny violins for me. But as much as I miss the sunshine, I like how the misty, chilly days remind me of past autumns in the more seasonal cities in which I've lived. Autumn on the east coast is downright breathtaking. It's a cozy time of year, and the calm before the storm of the holidays. I hope that you're enjoying it.
Before I launch into my playlist selections, here are some links to interesting music items that I came across this week:
Here are my picks for this week's Music Monday. You can access the playlist via Spotify here: GunBun Music Monday 2011
"Shake Me Down" - Cage The Elephant
I've had this song in my "possible" playlist for quite some time. Perhaps you know this band from the song "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" released in 2009 off their self-titled debut album. Their newish album, Thank You Happy Birthday, was released in January of this year and it's been very well received.
"Stranger" - Katie Costello
My friend Jen sent me an email last week telling me to watch this video of an artist that she had hired to play at a backyard party here in LA a few years ago. I was swept away by her beautiful voice and was pleased to see that her latest album is on Spotify. She also has a fun and quirky website.
"Shadow" - Gringo Star
Gringo Star...ha ha, get it? I caught a listen to this track on NPR's All Songs Considered Fall Music Preview show. It's the first release from this Atlanta-based band's latest album, Count Yer Lucky Stars, which is due out this week.
"Keep You" - Class Actress
This Brooklyn electronic pop group performed this past weekend at CMJ. I like their sound. This track is from their first full-length album, Rapprocher, which was released last week.
"Decide" - Caveman
Here is yet another band from Brooklyn. I found Caveman through the "Bands We Like" section of the Oh My Rockness email that I get each week. If you live in NYC, LA or Chicago, I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter. It lists great live shows coming up in those areas along with band recommendations and a fabulous radio podcast.
Bonus Song: "Stoplight Roses" - Nick Lowe
I had to throw this bonus song in after listening to Nick Lowe's recent interview on Fresh Air. Lowe is a 62-year old English singer-songwriter and music producer who is best known for his song "Cruel To Be Kind" which was released in the late 70's. The interview with Terry Gross is refreshingly honest and insightful and I highly recommend it. This track is from his 13th studio album - he recently opened for Wilco on their latest tour.
Cheers, Lisa
Posted by Lisa Mecham at 08:25 AM in Music Mondays | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tip of the cap to my hometown team, the St. Louis Cardinals, for winning the National League Championship Series last night. I hope they pummel the Texans in the World Series. GO CARDS!
Here are some tidbits that I came across this past week coalescing around my interests in music, technology and all things creative:
Here are my picks for this week's Music Monday. You can access the playlist via Spotify here: GunBun Music Monday 2011
"Video Games" - Lana Del Rey
I posted the video for this song a few weeks ago. It's been viewed by over 2.5 million people so it's safe to say she has a hit on her hands. I find both the music and the visuals haunting. Lana is garnering a lot of buzz, and not all of it is positive. Some think she's getting all of the attention because of her "sexpot" looks vs. real talent. You can watch her tv debut to decide for yourself.
"Days Are Forgotten" - Kasabian
A tarzan-like yell kicks off the hot new track from this perennial English rock band.
"The Sea" - Exitmusic
This husband and wife duo is opening on the road for one of my favorite bands, Phantogram. And after listening I can see why - they both share the same ethereal, electronic goodness. Fun fact: In addition to singing for Exitmusic, Aleska Palladino can be seen playing the character of Angela Darmody on HBO's Boardwalk Empire.
"Free" - Graffiti6
There's something about a love song - it strikes a cord in all of us. Even if you aren't "in love" at this very moment, you probably have been at some point in your life. A song like this one brings out those universal feelings with lines like, "It's hard to breath, when you're not near. But I can't lie here beside you, beside you, cuz' you steal my soul when you leave."
"Gold" - Delay Trees
I'm not sure what "Delay Trees" means, maybe it's lost in translation and it actually makes sense in the native language of this Finnish pop band. I came across this as a "Song of the Day" on NPR and I really enjoyed it. In fact, their entire album is worth a listen: Delay Trees.
"Boodbuzz Ohio" - Oh Land covering the National
An extra bonus song for you this week comes courtesy of SXSW darling Oh Land covering one of my favorite songs by The National. This song is not in the Spotify catalog but you can download it here and once it's on your computer, it will play in the playlist. Here's the original on Spotify: The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio. Who can't relate to the line, "I owe money, to the money, to the money I owe."?
Cheers, Lisa
Posted by Lisa Mecham at 11:26 AM in Music Mondays | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted by Jim Bundschu at 04:31 PM in Jim's Tales from Rhinefarm | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
This is a picture of the birthday cake that my siblings and I gave to my dad for his 60th birthday. He has been an Apple disciple since the beginning and consequently, so have I. I can't remember a time in my life that didn't have some type of Apple product in it and I know that's true for most of you as well. That's why we all shared a collective sadness over the passing of Steve Jobs last week.
I have read a lot of the coverage on Steve Jobs' life and legacy and here are some of my favorite pieces:
And this quote from his Stanford University Commencement address in 2005:
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
I hope that his spirit will live on in Apple and in all of us.
Here are my picks for this week's Music Monday (with a few extras thrown in since I couldn't post last week because I was sick with a horrible virus that came home with my daughter from school).
Access the playlist via Spotify here: GunBun Music Monday 2011
"Afternoon" - Youth Lagoon
It's hard to believe that all of this sound comes from just one person - Trevor Powers, a 22-year old from Boise, Idaho who records as Youth Lagoon.
"Not Over You" - Gavin DeGraw
This song has a bit more "pop" to it than music that I'm usually drawn to but I like Gavin DeGraw. Or maybe I just feel bad for him because he recently endured an unprovoked severe beating on the street in NYC. I've actually been a fan of his since his debut album, Chariot.
"Cruel" - St. Vincent
St. Vincent's new album Strange Mercy was getting big buzz in the music blogosphere but when I listened to it, I originally felt sort of "meh" about it. Then I heard her perform live last week on our local radio station KCRW and it all changed for me. She is fabulous.
"Now That I'm Real (How Does It Feel?) - Chad Valley
I can't remember how I came across this track and there isn't a lot of info out there about the artist except that he's from the UK and his real name is Hugo Manuel and when he's not making electro-pop with the group Jonquil, he's doing it on his own as Chad Valley.
"Bitter Heart" - Mason Jennings
I had never heard of Mason Jennings before coming across his latest album on Spotify but it turns out he's been making albums for almost fifteen years. His songs are simple but catchy.
"Ta Da" - Spank Rock
In the recent issue of Rolling Stone I noticed that the album Everything Is Boring and Everyone Is a Fucking Liar was big on the college radio station list. Intrigued by the album title, I checked it out and I really liked their sound. There are some other great tracks on the album including collaborations with Crystal Castles and Santigold.
"To Build A Home" - The Cinematic Orchestra
When I first listened to this track, I was taken with its sweeping, building melody and beautiful lyrics. And I was haunted by the song for some reason, I kept seeing flashes of images while I listened to it. A few days later it hit me; I had first heard it when I saw the movie Another Earth at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The movie blew me away then and now the song brings me back to that feeling every time I listen to it.
"Stay Gone" - Tyler Ramsey
Mad props to Tyler Ramsey. I love this guy, he is an incredibly talented guitarist, songwriter and singer. I am used to hearing him play with Band of Horses but he has also released a few albums on his own. The Valley Wind is his latest solo effort and the entire album is worth a listen.
"Legend In My Own Mind" - The Stepkids
This group hails from Bridgeport, Connecticut and all three of the band members have toured individually with artists such as 50 Cent, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys. Their self titled debut album, The Stepkids, is a funky, groovy trip in a time machine.
"All Day" - Girl Talk
This track is NOT available on Spotify but you can download it for free here. It is, without a doubt, the most creative 71 minutes of music you'll hear in a long time. You should also watch the trailer for the video that is being created (with funds from Kickstarter) to accompany this genius mix. I'm telling you, the next time you have a party, all you have to do it cue it up and hit play.
Until next week -Cheers, Lisa
Posted by Lisa Mecham at 02:51 PM in Music Mondays | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Jeff catches up with winemaker Keith Emerson as he received fruit from the oldest block of pinot noir on the property - the vines are older than Keith!
This fruit is destined to be made into our limited Heritage Selection Pinot Noir, available exclusively to members of our ROJo and CORCer lists.
New this year, the Heritage pinot grapes ferment in French oak puncheons. Check it out!
Posted by SonoJeff at 03:11 PM in 2011 Harvest | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Brooklynguy's Wine and Food Blog
Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog
Good Grape: A Wine Blog Manifesto (and check out my interview)