My Lover's Name is Music

Ooh La La Lollapalooza 2011

Amanda Davis — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:23:10 +0000

This year I made my second trip to Lollapalooza and per usual it failed to disappoint. Thinking back to 2 years ago at Lolla I remember one band that stood out to me as the best of the day. It was raining all day and everyone was muddy, disgusted from all day porta potty use - but very happy because all of us music lovers were together listening to beautiful sounds. With the rain we all sang along to the tunes of Bon Iver. You’ve heard this before so I won’t go into too much detail except to say that I had another magical moment this year. It’s that moment that you hear a song for the first time and you immediately know it, like know it. That probably doesn’t make sense but I think the best songs are ones that you hear for the first time and immediately respond to. You have no doubt when you buy their cd that it is going to be amazing and that’s what happened with Young the Giant. I could hear their music from far away and walking up towards their stage I just had this surge of happiness inside. They are EVERY bit as good live as their cd which really is saying something – It’s not just their production company that makes them good -they really are that good. Their music is fun, definitely west coast, and may I say that Sameer is ridiculously cute? Two more things for brownie points: 1) They are touring right now with Incubus 2) In March they headlined the Billboard Showcase at South by Southwest. Just another reason to go to Austin this year!

Other AMAZING Lolla bands:

Two Door Cinema Club

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – I talked mostly about Young the Giant but they were my second favorite of the day

Bright Eyes

White Lies

Foster the People

Wye Oak - WO had some electrical problems her first time at Lolla but man was she cute. Like her a lot.

Jayson Manship, I’d be a basket case without you

Amanda Davis — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:08:20 +0000

In two short days, Jayson and I will celebrate one year of marriage. Without hesitation I can say it has been the best year of my life. I am married to not just the best man but the best person I’ve ever known. Almost 5 years ago I walked into a sales meeting at Hansen and Horn and met the most intelligent, confident, honest and selfless person God has ever created.

Mr. Manship, for the first time on my blog, I’m going to give you my interpretation of a song…
Basket Case by Sara Bareilles:

I think this song is about fear. Fear makes you stay in place. Fear of doing or not doing something to lose love. Jayson, I stayed in fear for 21 years before I met you. And then it all went away the moment we met. For the first time in my life I knew I could love and it would be okay. Thank you for not making me have to be a basket case anymore. Here’s to many, many more years of bliss!

6-19-10

I Dream of the Parlours

Amanda Davis — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:07:57 +0000

Last night I found the perfect excuse for watching a ridiculous amount of TV – the Parlours. My husband and I were watching the season finale of a show called The Chicago Code, which if you don’t watch you need to get on it, and then it happened. We heard the Parlours and they changed my life. Seriously, I mean I don’t even like Chicago that much and now I’m itching to go. You will know what I am referring to when you listen to their song “I Dream of Chicago.”

Such a sweet, enchanting and inspiring sound I could listen to all day. A little pop, a little folk, a little more indie – the perfect combination. And I love that they are so harmonious that they can sound like a duo one minute and then a band the next.

When you listen to them, life will be better. I promise you. They are playing with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in a couple months if that tells you anything. If they keep this up, they could climb the ranks in the Amanda-meter with the likes of The Weepies. It could happen. I can’t wait to hear them more.

I dream of Chicago. I dream about you. I dream I could go and say all the things that I never said to you.

Parlours

Summertime and the living is easy

Amanda Davis — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:19:42 +0000

Generationals

The weather is warming up and I’m in need of some good summertime music, cue the Generationals. I don’t know why but they make me want to put on some roller skates and roll down to the nearest ice cream shop, all the while being all “gussied up” wearing a poodle skirt of course. It could just be me but I swear that’s what I picture doing while listening to When they fight, they fight. I am kind of in love with this band. I’m trying to tone down my crazy love in case it might be premature, but definitely take a listen for yourself.

Red Cortez

So when you your latest album is produced by Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams and Ray LaMontagne you know it can’t be bad, right? Well to be honest I’m not “stop everything your doing” impressed with Red Cortez (except for All the Difference – good song), but they just released their first album so I’m going to give them some time to marinate. Let’s marinate together. Let me know what you think – Potential? Maybe the Generationals are just soo good I’m having trouble caring about them. Could be.

So & So

Now I’ve only heard snip-its of So & So, but I have liked them on Facebook so that’s a big step for just hearing snip-its. I’m not sure I like their new marketing and polished look, but their sound is great. Very calming, folksy and romantic. Great summertime music folks!

That’s all I got for now. I’m out.

Um Sia, do you have marbles in your mouth?

Amanda Davis — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:52:59 +0000

If you’ve ever read the lyrics of Sia’s music you know that she’s had a somewhat disturbed life. Seriously, just look at the picture below to see what I mean. And yes at some points she sounds like she’s mumbling. But dang it I still like her. She has this super sad and ery sound to her music, with urgency and passion that makes you kinda want to give her a hug as fast as possible so she doesn’t do something stupid. Every time, I repeat, every time she sings I feel like I’m hearing the song the very first time she thought it up. Check out some live tunes from her and let me know what you think…

I’m in here Live by Sia

2011 Grammy’s were Redonkulous

Amanda Davis — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:23:23 +0000

Perhaps it was just me, but the Grammy’s were pretty darn awesome this year. Besides Taylor Swift not being there of course. Arcade Fire won album of the year?? Their performance was both weird and awesome at the same time. Best new artist was not Bieber, but Esperanza Spalding?? Where did this awesome gal even come from? These Grammy organizers really know what’s up. But BY FAR the best performance of the night was from Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers. I felt like I was seeing them at a local bar. Loved the stage set up. If you missed it, check it out…

2011 Grammy Performance: Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers

A front row seat to the breaking of my heart

Amanda Davis — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:48:18 +0000

I’ve been listening to Chris August’s new cd No Far Away all week long and there is a song that I swear speaks of my childhood. I’ve been reading this book lately called The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce. I’ve been reading it in the hopes that I could identify the broken pieces inside and put them back together. I’ve always been the person who avoids looking inside cause I’m too scared what I might find. Chris’s song 7X70 is about the mess that parents sometimes create for their children and how he overcame that. All I remember when I was younger was being lonely and confused and not liking myself. Until I discovered God’s love, I thought little of myself and my future. Only God can put our broken pieces together. We are human. We all make mistakes, parents and children alike, and the only way we can get over the past is to be understanding and forgiving of that humanity. And after we realize this, we need to grab God’s strength and move on.

My Soul Now to Stand

Amanda Davis — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:13:42 +0000

In light of the new year, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own new year’s resolution. I don’t know that I’ve really ever made one, but a lot has happened this past year and even more recently that has made me want to change things this year.

Yesterday, our church service was all about reconnecting with God. And wouldn’t you know, they played this song that met me right where I was at: Joel Houston’s The Stand. Ever increasingly throughout my life, I’ve had one stumbling block: myself. I am often crippled by one loud voice telling me I’m a failure. That the past is an indicator of the future. But this isn’t the voice I should be listening to. God makes all things new!

This year, I’m going to get to know my God better.

This year, I’m going to become a better wife.

This year, I’m going to become the me that I’m supposed to be.

Fear is a crumbling thing. It’s this exact thing that stops us from becoming the people God intended us to be. I refuse to listen to it.

So how am I going to succeed at my new years resolution? By listening to God. By changing the way I think. Probably one of the hardest things to do, but I’m determined. Because I don’t want to live anymore of my life hurting myself.

Here’s to the future…..

I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned

In awe, of the one who gave it all

I’ll stand, my soul Lord to you surrendered

All I am is Yours

Pomplamoose

Amanda Davis — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:29:51 +0000

No, I didn’t just make up a big word. Have you heard the Hyundai “Jingle Bell” commercial this season? I was in love with the song and then thought to myself, “why have I not looked them up?” So many small indie artists are getting noticed via tv it seems these days.Their name is Pomplamoose. A girl and a dude. Much like She and Him, but more retro feeling. That’s all I got. Check em out! They’re pretty fun.

A Time for Everything

Amanda Davis — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:45:43 +0000

I realize this post has absolutely nothing to do with music, but I just felt like writing this morning. I went to lunch with some coworkers yesterday who all hate their jobs. Pretty typical. Been there, done that. In addition to working at our company during the day, they all are going back to school or starting side businesses. When I told them I just go home and relax every night, they looked at me like I was crazy. Apparently, I wasn’t doing enough with my life. Using my keen perception skills, I realized my coworkers are among many who are desperately trying to “make something of themselves.” And believe me, there is nothing wrong with that. I think it’s good to constantly try and grow yourself. For instance, right now I have been focused on growing spiritually. But sometimes I just think we go about it in ways that only end up hurting ourselves, like when we are really doing it to prove something to someone else or impress them.

Let me tell you something world….

Sometimes it’s okay to just be you. You were perfectly and wonderfully made. We all need periods to search ourselves and periods of relaxation. I’ve done the whole “work and go to school 24/7.” I’ve been the person who was constantly busy to try and prove to herself and everyone else that she was more. Well, I proved it. And I’m sure sometime in the future I’ll be going back to school and/or possibly working another job. But I won’t be doing it to prove anything to anyone else. I’ll be doing it for my own fulfillment. Right now I’m in a new season of life: rest. I think we should take these opportunities when we can. Life is too short to live it for what someone else wants your life to be. You have to do what will make you happy. I was reading last night and happened to come across this verse. Take a look. Maybe it will help you like it helped me. Oh and if you want to listen to some good music to go along with this verse, check out Brandon Heath.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

2A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

3A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.

4A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.

5A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

6A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.

7A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.

8A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.