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
Good Winter
Aug 18, 2009 Artists
A mean hacker deleted my site last week so I am back with a new look! No one can stop Mr. Domino (Playstation reference)! Anyways, you may see some minor site changes within the next couple days, but I hope this will be the last of changes for a while. Soooo back to Lollapalozza bands. Today, we salute Bon Iver. It was funny observing the crowd for Bon Iver versus the other bands at Lollapalooza. Everyone just shut up and focused when they got on stage. People were getting pissed at others for obstructing their views with umbrellas and talking too loud. All the overly dramatic people were annoying, don’t get me wrong, but I found it amazing that everyone wanted to experience Bon Iver in peace and quiet. It was a nice break from all the rock bands we heard that day. The lead, Justin Vernon, has a nice high range and soft voice and the beautiful harmonies between him and his band members pull at your heart. He gives emotion in all the right places of every song and he makes me want to find the good in life. There was one point during his performance where everyone just starting singing along with him. It really is a beautiful thing hearing thousands of people join together at the same time for the same purpose: loving music. Please download his cd. Bon Iver deserves all the praise in the world. Much love to my good friend Aaron for introducing me to his music.
Bon Iver
Bon Iver – For Emma (A Cappella)
Tags: Amanda loves, Bon Iver, Folk, Indie, Lollapalooza 2009
The Edwin McCain
Aug 12, 2009 Artists
I first heard Edwin McCain during the Dawson’s Creek years. Back when I’ll Be was THE SONG played on the radio. I immediately fell in love with his gushy ballads along with every other teenage girl in America. My blog is actually named after the lyrics in his song “Far From Over.” But over the years I’ve grown to appreciate him for more than that. It is true that many of his songs are very “lovey-dovey” but not all of them. However, all of them ARE inspired, fun, soulful, catchy and just plain amazing. He is, by far, my favorite musician. None of his music is the same and over the years he has only gotten better. And I have to give his band credit because without the plus 5 he wouldn’t be so amazing.
Before you start ridiculing me like everyone else has all my life for liking him, I have to ask if you have really listened to any of his music. Besides his handful of radio hits. I’m pretty sure you haven’t so if you get the chance, I highly suggest you get out to The Vogue tomorrow night. He puts on a very high energy rock & soul show and never disappoints. I know, without a doubt, I wouldn’t be who I am today without his musical influence. Just give him a chance because you might secretly realize you like lovey-dovey rock music too.
Edwin McCain – Gramercy Park Hotel Live 2008 at Bogart’s
If you want to try him out, and you should, I suggest the Misguided Roses, Far From Over or Lost in America albums.
Tags: Amanda loves, Edwin McCain, Pop, Rock, Soul
Eden was a Garden
Aug 4, 2009 Artists
I was listening to this song and I felt this urgency to be sitting on a porch swing in South Carolina drinking sweet tea. Or maybe aspire to be a hippie? Roman Candle has this southern earthy rock feel to them that I LOVE! Skip has such experienced vocals and smart lyrics you just know he’s been making music since he was born. I really think that because the band members are family you hear a connection that other bands can’t possess. I feel at peace listening to them.
Roman Candle is a band that I found by following isoundcom on Twitter and even though I’ve only been on Twitter for a couple weeks now, I must say I don’t know if I could find a band more intricate, down to earth and hopeful. This isn’t their first cd so I’m kind of sad I haven’t found them earlier. After listening to Oh Tall Tree in the Ear to death, I’m going to dig up some of their earlier stuff to see what it sounds like. I’m sure it is just as good. Take a listen for yourself.
http://www.myspace.com/romancandle
Tags: Amanda loves, Indie, Pop, Rock, Roman Candle
Hard to Know
Jul 8, 2009 Artists
When I was a sophomore in college, my friend handed me Mindy Smith’s debut album One Moment More. Instantly, I fell in love with her soft voice, folk harmonies and spiritual lyrics. Her music has a way of getting to the heart of things and it really affected me emotionally. That is why I got really excited when I recently found out she has her fourth album coming out August 11th, Stupid Love. To be honest, her other 2 records didn’t grab me as much as her first. Still, she is definitely someone you want to hear and not just because of the pretty sounds she makes, but because her music can change how you live your life. If you truly embrace it.
“Hard to Know”
Well, you should’ve heard the way
I’ve been talking to myself
Treating her like common trash
On the side of the road
And you should’ve seen the ride
I was taking straight to hell
Handing my soul
To the likes of the devil
Sometimes it’s hard to know
That you need to be saved
‘Til you hit the bottom
And rattle that cage
Sometimes you just gotta keep
Digging awy
Until you break through
To the light of day
I really didn’t care
‘Cause I was trying to hurt myself
A sticky situation
I’m still trying to work it out
And I didn’t want to know
That I was the one to blame
Pointing my finger
Tryin’ to push all the blame away
Sometimes it’s hard to know
That you need to be saved
‘Til you hit the bottom
And rattle that cage
Sometimes you just gotta keep
Digging awy
Until you break through
To the light of day
I don’t wanna die this way
I don’t wanna die this way
I don’t wanna die this way
I know Jesus is alive
And He’s saving me everyday
It just took a little while
To figure out I had to pray
Sometimes it’s hard to know
That you need to be saved
‘Til you hit the bottom
And rattle that cage
Sometimes you just gotta keep
Praying away
Until you break through
To the light of day
The light of day
The light of day
Tags: Amanda loves, Folk, Indie, Mindy Smith
I Don’t Wanna Wait
Jul 6, 2009 Artists
A couple months ago I was searching the online music directory from the tv show One Tree Hill.
http://www.cwtv.com/music/one-tree-hill
I know, a little juvenile, but that show has amazing music. Anyways, I found what I now claim is the most mythical music I have ever heard . Her name is Rosi Golan, born in Israel, and her voice and music can put you into a dream-like state. I listen to a lot of music that sounds the same, but Rosi has a unique sound and style with words that are so simple and real. If you have the honor of seeing her live, she will leave you mesmerized. Listen to her ENTIRE cd and I promise you you will get a much more than $10 in return. My personal favorites are:
> The Drifter & The Gypsy
> Come Around
> Think of Me
> Hazy with William Fitzsimmons
> Been a Long Day
Ok, I think that’s enough favorites. 
Tags: Acoustic, Amanda loves, CW, Folk, Indie, One Tree Hill, Pop, Rosi Golan
