Challenge #27
5 Jul
-Find new (interesting, inspiring) music and listen to it everyday for a week (and sing along)-
This week’s challenge is to find new (interesting, inspiring) music and listen to it everyday for a week (and sing along). That’s a mouthful. I don’t remember the last time I bought a new CD (well, okay, that’s out of date) or purchased a full album on iTunes, looked up the lyrics and sang along with the whole thing. I used to do that, and I used to love it. In my not-so-awesome days, I did this with Nsync and Britney Spears. In my trying to be cool to impress Dan days, I did this with Jack Johnson, the Eels and Oasis. In in-between times I did this with Alanis Morisette and every Jewel album that exists. As a result, I love all of those albums just because I know them. They are like old friends. But, I haven’t done that in a really long time because I’m busy (?) or something… too much headwork and not enough soulwork. So, I’m searching for some good music to befriend and this week I’ll spend time with it as I write my exams. Hopefully it will balance things out. I put a plea on facebook for help searching, but I’ll take it here too. Suggestions?
Who’s with me?!
Anouk – For Bitter or Worse
Augustana – Boston
Bird York – In the Deep
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Fault Line
Brandi Carlile – Again Today / Hiding My Heart (It’s a combo of two songs so it’s like 9 minutes long. Hiding My Heart is what I really like so you’ll have to skip to it)
Butterfly Boucher – Bitter Song
Damien Rice – 9 Crimes
Dido – Here With Me
Duffy – Syrup and Honey
Emiliana Torrini – Jungle Drum
Enya – Dreams are More Precious
Eric Hutchinson – Ok, It’s Alright with Me
Erik Hassle – Hurtful
Erin Mccarley – Love, Save the Empty
A Fine Frenzy – What I Wouldn’t Do
Florence and the Machine – Addicted to Love
The Fratellis – Everybody Knows you Cried Last Night
The Fray – Heaven Forbid
Imogen Heap – Speeding Cars
Ingrid Michaelson – The Way I Am
Israel Kamakawiwoole – Over the Rainbow
James Morrison – This Boy
Jem – They
Josh Ritter – Change of Time
Joy Williams – Speaking a Dead Language
Katie Herzig – Forevermore
Mat Kearney – Undeniable
Matt White – Love
McFly – The Way You Make Me Feel
Mirah – The Garden
Needtobreathe – More Time
Never Shout Never – Happy
Nicole Atkins – The Way it Is
O-Town – These Are the Days
P!nk – I Don’t Believe You
Pearl Jam – Just Breathe
Peter Gabriel – The Book of Love
Poco – Keep on Trying
Ray LaMontagne – Hold You In My Arms
Regina Spektor – Samson
Rilo Kiley – 15
Robyn – With Every Heartbeat
Sandi Thom – I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)
Sarah McLachlan – Answer
The Script – Breakeven
Taken By Trees – Only Yesterday
Unkle Bob – Swans
Yael Naim – New Soul
Ok, so that’s a lot. haha I love finding random artists so here are the ones I really like. I don’t know if it’s exactly what you’re looking for but I figured it couldn’t hurt to name some good (kinda unknown) songs… Hope you like them!
Holy crap, thanks! I’ll have to spend some time with the list. Sounds good though!!
So I’m a huge fan of Brandi Carlile (from Tacoma! yay Pac-NW!) and also The Fray and Rilo Kiley, so definitely second those from Megan.
Would also add Meiko (her self-titled album is fun, particularly Boys with Girlfriends). Lately have been really digging Stars, Your Ex-Lover is Dead and Take me to the Riot are amazing tracks, but their new album The Five Ghosts is also fantastic. Kate Nash is a little hit or miss, but she’s growing on me. For fun boppy music, definitely check out her track Do-Wah-Doo. Stacey Kent is a fun singer-songwriter who sings in French (for when you want to feel extra-chic and dream of Paris). We’re doing a Janis Joplin movie so I’ve been listening to a lot of her music – Ball and Chain, Summertime, Piece of My Heart, Mercedes Benz and the funniest song (she only sings back-up on it), Caterpillar. (Actual line from Caterpillar song: ‘I’m a caterpillar falling for your love.’)
Boys Like Girls is fun pop-punk, The Zac Brown Band is a great blues/country band; Regina Spektor is fast becoming one of my favorites, and finally if you want to relive the old ‘Nsync and Britney days, I have become a convert to Taylor Swift – not so much her singing, but find her song-writing to be fantastic. And since I can’t sing, feels like I can at least sing along and not be too embarrassed.
I am also a huge fan of covers. Anya Marina’s ‘Whatever you Like’ makes me laugh, Ben Lee’s ‘Kids’ is haunting. Also have to give a nod to MGMT’s version, am sure you know it – only good track of theirs imho.
And all of this was typed while The Bachelorette was playing. Old habits die hard.
Thanks, Tracey! You are the best! I feel like I’ll have a whole summer of music to enjoy… just as soon as these exams are done! Miss you (and I definitely am still dreaming of Paris!)!