I Dream of the Parlours
May 24, 2011 Artists
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
Tags: Amanda loves, Folk, Indie, Parlours, Pop, The Chicago Code
Um Sia, do you have marbles in your mouth?
Mar 29, 2011 Artists
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…
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.
I Quit! I Quit! I Quit!
Sep 24, 2009 Artists
Ok, so I’ve got this music application I listen to all the time that plays new music. There is this one song that I am not ashamed to say I love the most. It’s called “I Quit, I Quit, I Quit” by The Click Five. I’m assuming if it hasn’t hit radios yet it will soon, so get ready to hear this song non-stop every time you turn yours on. It is super catchy and fun. The kind of song you sing to the mirror in the morning with a hairbrush, i mean microphone?? I mean, wait, no one does that. Plus, the guys are super cute so..here’s my vote for the next teen girl frenzy.
The Click Five- I Quit, I Quit, I Quit
Click Five
Tags: Pop, The Click Five
Let Loose the Horses
Sep 16, 2009 Artists
I can’t remember how I found this group…Twitter, IHeartRadio, random Googling or MySpacing…Not sure. So sorry I can’t give someone credit for helping me find The Rescues. This group is sooooooo talented. A four person group with Kyler England, Rob Giles, Gabriel Mann and Adrianne Gonzalez. All talented solo artists and song writers, but together is where it’s at. Their strong voices and multi-part harmonies are just killer and their songs are both emotional and catchy. Two thumbs up for that! Gabriel Mann’s vocals, especially in Can’t Stand the Rain, are my favorite though. Anyways, check ‘em out. If you think you’ve heard them before, it’s probably from Grey’s Anatomy.
The Rescues
Tags: Grey's Anatomy, Indie, Pop, Rock, The Rescues
If You Can’t Look Up, Just Keep On Spinning
Sep 11, 2009 Artists
Elizabeth & The Catapult
So I found some good tunes and happiness has arrived in the form of a trio band. I think it is a great talent when an artist or artists can bring you into their life experience with an album or even song. I don’t mean the music ”takes you back” I mean it takes you into their world. Elizabeth & The Catapult has the unique capability of making you feel like you are right there with them. In their song Rainiest Day of Summer I swear I can smell the dampness of Manhattan. Crazy stuff. Their lyrics aren’t just expressing an emotion or relationship, but a season and city with humor and insight. It is funny how without knowing she is from New York, you can just tell by listening. The songs scream big city. I think it’s because of that fusion of whimsical lyrics and lounge/piano jazz/electro percussion/pop/rock sounds. Their major-label debut is going to be a big success with their layer upon layer of goodness. Especially with songs like Momma’s Boy and Taller Children. No doubt because of a little help from veteran producer Mike Mogis. I’m interested too see if this impressively arranged cd holds up live. And I am crossing my fingers as I say this because if they can recreate these sounds live, I don’t know what can stop them. Many thanks to IHeartRadio for their amazing new list of new artists where I found this band among others. And many many thanks to Radio Radio for having Elizabeth & The Catapult on their calendar in just a couple weeks. Radio Radio, you had me at Rosi Golan. Look for an event posting soon!
Tags: Electro Percussion, Lounge, Piano Jazz, Pop, Rock
Unsigned Bands at Leeds Music Festival
So Leeds Music Festival is going on as we speak in the UK. I am so jealous. White Lies, a UK band I saw at Lollapalooza who rocked it, along with a bunch of other well known and unsigned bands are going to be playing there this weekend. I haven’t gotten to listen too much to the bands playing at Leeds since I just found out about this maybe an hour ago, but what I’ve heard so far I like. Take a listen!
Leeds Music Festival
Enjoy the afternoon! If you want to go to a music festival in Indy this Saturday full of unsigned and local artists check out Knollfest. And thank you to http://www.theunsignedguide.com/ for introducing me to these bands!
Chicks Rock!
Aug 21, 2009 Artists
I’m sure if you like to watch independent films, tv dramas or romantic comedies you have heard of Ingrid Michaelson, Imogean Heap and/or Colbie Caillat. Well, all three of them have new albums coming out next week on August 24th/25th. Ingrid Michaelson has been releasing a new song everyday on all of her websites up until the release next week of Everybody. So you should check it out. Very good stuff. Very very. Imogen Heap, as always, puts out music you won’t hear anywhere else. And Colbie Caillat fulfills my pop needs with her pretty little voice and catchy tunes.
If you like these artists, I have suggestions for you…
Meiko - Meiko is very real and cute and romantic. She looked very innocent, upon first glance but not so much. She doesn’t mind cussing to get her point across more fervently and her songs are about life situations, funny or not. Although, when she cusses she does so very sweetly.
Lenka- Her branding scheme looks like a little kid’s attempt at “artwork” and it works for her because her music is a little like that. It is very naive, but imaginative and funny and I love it. Very Regina-Spektor sounding.
Ashley Brooke Toussant- I met someone at Lollapalooza who told me about Ashley and I was surprisingly impressed. Her music is very relaxing and umm french. Even though she’s not. Or so she says.
April Smith and The Great Picture Show - April opened up Lollapalooza this year. If you like the circus April is your gal. Very vampy and gives off a warm vintage feel.
Sia - She might have a crazy life, as shown through her lyrics, but I love her. Her smoky voice combined with a wide variety of moods and vocal stylings she expresses in, Some People Have Real Problems, make life that much tolerable.
Tags: April Smith, Ashley Brooke Toussant, Colbie Caillat, Folk, Imogean Heap, Indie, Ingrid Michaelson, Lenka, Meiko, Melodramatic, Pop, Rock, Sia
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
Somebody’s got a case of the blog vomits
So tomorrow I head north. I’m Chicago bound in seek of great music and a great time. Hopefully no shananigans will be involved, but I can’t make any promises. Maybe I just don’t want to. Next week I should have much more music for you to listen to after going to Lollapalooza. For months I’ve been listening to the bagillion bands that are going to be there this weekend and I can’t tell you how excited I am. If you can make it to Chicago this weekend, you most definitely should. In the mean time, there are a couple of artists that haven’t made it to the top of my “blog priority list” lately so I lay them before you now. This is a bit of what I like to call blog-vommiting-of-the-mouth so I apologize. And I apologize to them for not getting my full devoted attention, but by no means does it mean they aren’t fantastic.
Lights – My brother actually introduced me to her music. She is a Canadian chic who makes “intergalactic-electro music.” It’s pretty cool unique stuff. Not for everyone though. http://www.iamlights.com/
Alexi Murdoch – Most of the music from the movie Away We Go is from Alexi. Very Iron and Wine. Chill music and oh so delightful. http://www.aleximurdoch.com/index_site.html
Musikanto – I found him through Joe Pug on Myspace and was seriously impressed. His stuff is darn good, like the song Flowers and Stinging Bees. But he doesn’t seem to be marketed very well. Someone needs to get a hold of him. http://www.musikantomusic.com/
Betsy Roo- I found her through Kate York on Twitter. She writes music for a lot of people, including Mindy Smith whom I love and adore. http://www.myspace.com/betsyroomusic
Ok, enough blog vomiting. I promise next week to write full blown blogs about the amazing bands I am about to partake in. They are just a night’s sleep away.
Tags: Alexi Murdoch, Betsy Roo, Indie, Joe Pug, Lights, Lollapalooza 2009, Mindy Smith, Musikanto, Pop, Rock
