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:
- Do you ever watch a tv show and wonder, "What's that song? Tunefind will help you figure it out.
- Arcade Fire + Neil Young covered "Helpless" as part of the annual concert to benefit Bridge School. The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition is released today.
- 20-year-old female rapper Azealia Banks killed it at last week's CMJ Music Marathon in NYC. Classically trained at the Fame-like La Guardia High School of Performing Arts in NY, Banks has been garnering attention since she started releasing music at the ripe old age of 17. You can listen to a teaser, "212," from her upcoming debut album. Caution: explicit lyrics!
- Here's a college course that I would not have slept through.
- The new Coldplay album is being released today.
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
