You Can Catch Me If You Try
Jul 21, 2010 Artists
Jamie Nichole
You can definitely tell from the first note that comes out of Jamie Nichole’s mouth that she was influenced by Jewel. Not necessarily a bad thing. It would be if she was forcing it, but I don’t think she is. I think she really just sounds a lot like her, probably due to years of playing and playing and playing again jewel cd’s. It happens. But I mean, who doesn’t love Jewel? And her voice may not be that unique, but her songs are. I think her next cd will be the one to hear, and I really love Catch Me. Oh, and P.S. I found her through MojoStockIndy, which is an festival I went to last weekend where I also saw Midwest Hype whom I love. I also love that one of her influences is Patty Griffin who I’ve been meaning to talk about. Why did I only discover her a couple months ago? Where has she been all my life? She has probably influenced most of the female singers I love and for some reason I’ve never heard about her. If you haven’t heard her either you need to check her out because she is ridiculously talented.
Tags: Folk, Funk, Jamie Nichole, Jazz, Midwest Hype, MojoStockIndy, Patty Griffin
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh..It’s Magic.
Mar 25, 2010 Artists
So that’s why Jayson keeps bugging me about the Verizon droid phone!!! Mozella’s song Magic is the song on the commercial for the droid phone. I’m sure you’ll recognize it when you hear it. But her other songs are just as magical. Haha magical. No but seriously, I really like her stuff. She could definitely rock out doing more Hip Hop or R&B stuff because she’s got that sort of tone to her voice, maybe not the looks, but I like her pop stuff just as well. She almost sounds like Lenka, just not as out there. And I love that while she was trying to get signed she worked decorating cakes. How freaking fun would that be. So yeah she’s obviously gifted in the arts area. Anyways, I had heard her song Manhattan it seems like a year or so ago and loved it also. So check out her stuff if you’re in the mood to listen to some laid back girl music. Perfect rainy day music.
Heaven Stands
Feb 10, 2010 Artists
I had a really emotionally bad day yesterday. I don’t want to get into all the pitiful details, but to summarize, I went in for my first dress fitting for my bridal gown and it didn’t go as planned. I just didn’t look the way I wanted. Not even close. This all happened in the morning and still at 5:00 I was in depression so my wonderful fiance took me out for a fancy dinner at Steak n’ Shake. We get in the car and this song by JJ Heller was on the radio station KLove. It really put things into perspective for me. So read these lyrics and listen on. Hopefully it will strike a chord with you too. I’m sure you have bigger problems than a bridal gown not fitting right.
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn’t there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when…
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave…
I never leave Your hands
Taylor Swift Kicks Music Butt!!
Feb 1, 2010 Artists
Taylor Swift
I realize I may sound extremely girly by saying this, but I feel it appropriate after The Grammy’s last night where Taylor Swift won the most honored award: Album of The Year. It is true Taylor Swift doesn’t sing the best live. Not many people do. And let’s face it, she is 18 or 19, just starting her career and singing in front of millions of people. I would be just a smidge nervous too. It is also true, that she is young and therefore her lyrics have that same naive feel to them. But does that somehow make them less extraordinary? I think that is exactly why she is reaching so many girls, young ladies and even women. I remember what it was like to be a teenage girl. All the boy drama and insecurities. Taylor writes about things that I wish I had been brave enough to write or talk about at that age or even now. And she writes about all the most important feelings and experiences that teenage girls go through. Yes, mostly involving boys and the first feelings of love. I love putting in her cd and for just 30 minutes or so feeling like an unfazed kid again. At the ridiculous age of 14, she was writing hit songs for other artists and she got the guts to decide she wanted that life for herself. Who does that? Any of it? Remarkable. She decided what she wanted and went after it and I think she is darn talented. I’m not sure what I mean when I say this, but her songs have this limitless feel to them. You can tell that she is a girl that has the whole world in the tiny palm of her hand. She hasn’t really experienced the normalcy of this life, because she never even thought it possible. Normalcy that is. She’s always been a big dreamer and it’s paid off. I think she’ll be around for years to come. And I can’t wait to see her grow through her music. It will be amazing and fun to watch.
Tags: Taylor Swift
It’s raining men. Hallelujah!
Jan 21, 2010 Artists
I guess I’ve been on a male music kick lately which is pretty unusual for me. One that I absolutely love is City and Colour. I found him last year and didn’t blog about him I guess because he’s not really that “new.” But he’s really too good not to mention. Dallas Green, a.k.a City of Colour, is the breakout solo artist from the popular Canadian band Alexisonfire. The thing I love about him most is his warm and honest sound. Everytime I listen to him I want to grab a cup of coffee and just sit and reflect.
City and Colour
Ok, male #2. Drum roll please…….Greg Laswell. This super awesome guy is much more mainstream sounding. He reminds me of Mat Kearney. He is a songwriter from L.A. and believe me, he is a great one. His songs are written very well and very “cinematic” if you will. You probably have heard his songs on tv dramas or movies. This guy knows what he’s doing and he sounds great doing it! I love his rendition of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
Greg Laswell
And finally, males #3. I found The Perishers when their melodic music popped up on my Pandora list. Why should you love them?
1. Their music was played on Veronica Mars.
2. Their song Sway. It’s epic.
3. Their drummer Thomas Hedlund plays with Phoenix. Enough said.
The Perishers
Tags: City and Colour, Greg Laswell, Phoenix, The Perishers
Top Artists that Made an Impact on Me in 2009
Jan 4, 2010 Artists
So you’ve probably noticed I haven’t written a post in a while. I’ve been a bad girl. I could give you a hundred excuses as to why, but really I just got lazy. So in going along with New Year’s resolutions, I vow to be “not so lazy” with my blog this year. 
Another New Year’s custom I’ve noticed is the task of labeling things the “Top of ____ in 2009.” But instead of saying what I think are the top artists of 2009, I want to list the top artists that made an impact on me in 2009. Whether they had an album released this past year or not, if somehow I discovered them this past year and they were meaningful to me, they are listed below…
1. Rosi Golan (of course) – Not only did her music make the biggest impact on me this year, but so did her stop at my house for a concert. It was one of my favorite experiences this past year. Besides getting engaged of course. 
2. The Weepies – I cannot tell you how much I love these 2 amazing people. My appreciation for music has grown so much just by listening to the beautiful sounds they make.
3. Taylor Swift – Ok, so every website has named her the #1 artist of the year and she was very close to mine as well. I admire her so much. Her talent is way beyond her years. I am afraid that she might be one of those super imaginative people who will still be writing teenage love songs when she’s 30. But let’s be honest, I’ll still be listening.
4. Lollapalooza- Ok this obviously is an event not an artist, but I’m including it anyways. Because it was hands down amazing as were the artists I got to see (White Lies, Manchester Orchestra, Ben Folds, Depeche Mode, Kings of Leon and #5 on this list) and I will be back for many years to come.
5. Bon Iver – Seriously? Could he be or sound any prettier? I think not.
6. Ingrid Michaelson – How have I missed her these past years? Not a fan of her radio hits, but love EVERYTHING else. Especially her new ablum that was released this year.
7. Katy Perry – What would last year have been with out her? I went to Vegas last year on a wedding and all they played out there was her song Waking up in Vegas. I am still not sick of it. That’s pretty impressive!
8. William Fitzsimmons – I like that although William is very much so an artist that thrives on his bad experiences, his beats have a twinge of hope in them. So I don’t listen to him only when I’m depressed.
9. Cobra Starship – I love the power this band has to make you get up and dance. Sometimes, there is nothing more important.
10. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – I started my new year last year with the discovery of this band. The excitement of finding a smaller unheard of band and sharing it with my friends is what lead me to start this blog.
Here’s to 2010 and being better at blogging!
Tags: Bon Iver, Cobra Starship, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Ingrid Michaelson, Katy Perry, Lollapalooza 2009, Rosi Golan, Taylor Swift, The Weepies, William Fitzsimmons
Brooklyn, Brooklyn Take Me In
Oct 30, 2009 Artists
I think I am probably the last person to hear this song, but man it is good. So of course the song, I and love and you, was on One Tree Hill this past week and it amazes me how important music is to a show or movie. It can completely change an episode and this was the last song played that brought the whole episode to a major climax and it made me a little teary eyed. Anyways, enough embarassing myself. Who created this masterpiece you may ask? The Avett Brothers created this wonder along with many others. The have an honest, raw sound to their music, which if I’m being honest, I usually contribute to sucking. They sound like they are just sitting in their back yard by the pond playing away. I don’t really know if they have a pond or not but wherever this sound comes from it really works for them and I think they are going to gain a lot of fans from it. So check em out…If you like them, they’ll be at The Murat in Indy in February.
The Avett Brothers
Tags: One Tree Hill, Rock, Soul, The Avett Brothers
Rosi introduces me to Wakey! Wakey!
Oct 23, 2009 Artists
Rosi Golan
Jake Phillips
Rosi, Me, Jess
Jpax, Rosi, Me
Rosi & Me
Rosi Golan
A friend of mine recently got married, and her mom was telling me how she thought her daughter would be sad when it was all over. All the planning would be done, all the money spent, all the fun had and it would be over just like that. I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I’d heard, until the day after Rosi Golan (and her sidekick Jake Phillips) played at my house. I was sooo unbelievably sad because the party was over, she was gone, and it was just quiet. It leaves you with this sadness knowing that one of the best nights of your life is now behind you. But I’ve moved on, hoping maybe she will come back around again and maybe with her good friend Wakey! Wakey!, Mike Grubbs. She was telling me, when she was at my freakin house, that he is a singer/songwriter that is going to play a bartender role on One Tree Hill. That alone made my day, so of course I checked him out. Him and his piano playing are amazing, so please listen to him. His songs speak of such brokeness. I don’t know what is up with the name “Wakey! Wakey!” because it doesn’t fit this sensitive music, but apparently he is pretty funny so hence the funny name?? I don’t know why, but I don’t care. I’ll call him whatever he wants to be called, as long as he keeps singing to me.
Wakey! Wakey!
Tags: Amanda loves, Indie, Rosi Golan, Wakey Wakey
If you want me to
Oct 15, 2009 Artists
I’ve had a bad year financially, which I think most people can probably identify with. The state of the economy coupled with a horrendous amount of costly fixes to my one and only car have left me angry and without hope. But every single time I get depressed I always remember that not only could it be worse, and I know people who’ve got it worse, but it has been worse. I didn’t have the best childhood. It was the kind of dysfunctional you see on Lifetime movies. But by the amazing grace of God, I came out of it unscathed. And that can only happen by the hands of God. I’m very lucky to have my life as it is now.
Ok so you may be thinking what the heck does this have to do with music since that’s kind of the theme of this blog. While I was going through my teenage troubles, I listened to this one song religiously. It’s called If you want me to, by Ginny Owens. It reminds me that if we knew and could understand life and all it’s hardships, God wouldn’t be God. We just need to trust in him, because he will never steer us in the wrong direction. Anyways, take a look at these lyrics and listen to the song. If you are going through a rough patch maybe it will help you like it helped me.
Underneath this beating heart
Oct 9, 2009 Artists
Rosi Golan
I’ve written about Rosi Golan before, but she is so good I think she deserves another post. And another and another. You get my point. There is something very soothing and uplifting about Rosi’s music. This album of hers is one you can play no matter what type of music you might be in the mood for. When I saw her at Radio Radio back in July I fell in love. Not many people are that good live and she is hands down the best. Most of her songs are about love and all the impatient, tiring , confusing and hopeful emotions that come with it. If I may bravely say so, there have been so many acoustic folk chics coming out of the wood work these past couple years that it’s hard to really care to listen to anymore. But that is not the case with Rosi. Her very intimate debut album just came out and I’m dieing for the next one.
In about a week, Rosi will be at my house performing a house concert for me and my friends which is still too much to take in. I promise to take lots of video so look forward to more Rosi posts. In fact, here’s a video below with a new song of hers she recently performed in MD. It sounds like she’s got more good stuff on the way. Yay for talented people who are brave enough to share themselves with us!
Tags: Folk, Indie, Rosi Golan
