That's it...I'm moving to London

Because apparently that is where my musical taste lies. I have images of me bar hopping to hear local talent and djs spinning my favorite jams (I only got a taste of this when I studied there in law school so me want more). We know the major ones (Brand New Heavies, Adele, Amy Whinehouse etc). In fact it's so popular wikapedia has a section on this called British Soul. Anywho here are my favorite UK artist at the moment, whose coming with me?

Sam Smith- Yes, I know all red heads don't necessarily have soul, but between him and Ed Sheeran, I mights dye my hair. Here is the song I loves. And I shall get married to this song...maybe.
Stay With Me- http://youtu.be/pB-5XG-DbAA
Here's the song you've heard on the radio that might make you familiar with him.
La La La- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O1_3zBUKM8

Emelie Sand- Nothing she sings sucks to me. Loved her since I heard her sing in the London Olympics (Wonder- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kASjW_aPbQ). I can't say which one I love the most so lets pick one you might know.
Next to Me- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwdjQmc_N8

Ed Sheeran- his previous album was a bit folksy which I am fine with but I kinda like the soul of this new one. Sing- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scHS8YaYoRA

Jetta- I am just learning about her. Great voice. And my new hair crush (like seriously love the hair). Feels Like Coming Home- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xnq0Wez4To

Ellie Golding- You know her hit, Burn- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGyEd0aKWZE. But my favorite is Lights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NKUpo_xKyQ

John Newman- great song for me to workout to. Love Me Again- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfihYWRWRTQ

Just a few that I like.

So not Top 40

Inspired by deep honey's blog post I decided to do a list of my own of songs that I really like (not just out this year) that you just don't hear on your top 40 radios. Hey, alternative, neo soul and so forth need love too!

1. K-OS- He's one of those rap artist/singers that you've heard in the background of commercials and tv shows/movies but didn't know who it was. Some of my favs from him are Crabbuckit, Sunday Morning, Man I Used to Be
2. Lykki Li- It's hard to describe her music, it can be random. Sometimes Pop, RnBish. Some of my favorites are,  I Follow Rivers, Little Bit (with Drake), Get Some
3. The Heavy- How You Like Me Now- You have heard this song everywhere except the radio. Why? This song is awesome! Feel like doing a James Brown dance to this...but I won't.
4. Santigold- This girl right chere, she is crazy and by crazy I mean good. Alternative pop artist. Love it! My favs- L.e.s Artistes,  Lights Out, Go
5. Goldfrapp- Best way to describe her- alternative, pop, dance and another artist you hear in commercials- favs-O0h La La, Strict Machine
6. Frou Frou- cool breezy, alternative/adult contemporary type- my favs- Breathe In, Let Go
7. Noisettes- Rock/Pop, usually upbeat and fast- Favs- Don't Upset the Rhythm, Sister Rosetta
8. Ray Lamontange- Soulful/Folk, old school- Best Thing and Trouble
9. VV Brown- Pop/RnB sound with a little retro to it. Favs- Shark in the Water, L.O.V.E
10. ZZ Ward- RnB/Pop- Put the Gun Down, Till the Casket Drops

I think I have a pattern in that I am appreciating foreign artist more (especially British and the old school/retro sound). I think I am rebelling against the factory sound coming out of America lately. Radio, artists and record companies are too afraid to take chances. I was excited to finally hear Fitz and the Tantrums out now (although my fav is Moneygrabber) get some attention, maybe a change will happen. Till then, main radio- ZZZ

Songs for the furloughed

So in more tales from a furloughed gal as I have been on my exercise everyday (well at least six times a week) till we get back to work (and then I will still exercise...just not as much) I listen to a lot of music as I go jogging/walking. This lead to me think of some songs that really spoke to me about the situation I found myself in. Here are some from my own music collection that spoke to me. I'm sure there are many ones you can think of but here is something to start ya off:

• Aloe Blacc- I Need a Dollar- Because if they don't end this foolishness soon I'm sure many of us will be.

 

 

• Michael Jackson- Smooth Criminal- Because that's how I feel about our Congress right now.
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• Common- The People- Because despite this all we will make it out and to remind Congress that they need to remember us
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• Jay Z, Rhianna, Kanye West- Run This Town- just feels militant and protesty
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• Fugees- Ready or Not- Because I want to find these Congressman and make them...pay me! darnit
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That's just five for now but I have more, stay tuned. But please share your furlough playlist if you have one!

Random Music That Won't Leave My Head

Yep, another music entry. Can't help it, I'm a writer and music inspires me profoundly. These are my most recent downloads that get me to creating, exercising, day dreaming or dancing around my room like I'm on So You Think You Can Dance.

Lykke Li- Follow Rivers- This artist was played a few times on So You Think You Can Dance and although I didn't see the movie Columbiana, the song for it kept getting in my head every time I saw the commercial and I don't mind at all! I also like her song Little Bit which the rapper Drake has also used in one of his songs.

The Black Kids-  I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance- So this group is not all black in case you were wondering, just the brother and sister. I love this song because it has an 80s vibe that I adore. When I hear it I want to dance around my room doing the Carlton Dance from the Fresh Prince in Bel air. And they are from my family's hometown of Jacksonville, Florida!

Chonique Sneed- Pop Drop and Roll- I heard this song on So You Think You Can Dance. Maybe it was the all girl routine that got me to like it but I rushed to down load it and when I hear it, it gets me shaking.

Otis Redding- Try A Little Tenderness- Yes, this song is as old as Moses but it's just great. So great that Jay-Z and Kanye made a remix of it. But that's not what got me to like it. Nope. It was the classic Pretty in Pink movie in which the character of Ducky (played by Jon Cryer whom I loved at the time simply for this role) lip sang this song to Molly Ringwold's character when she was feeling down. When I hear this song, it is this scene that I remember. For that reason that is the video I choose to put up.

Any songs, old or new, that just won't leave your head?

Music I Catch In Commercials

May 5, 2011

As a writer music always inspires me as I've posted before. I get scenes in my head for my novels just by hearing a song or it puts me in a mellow mood to focus on my writing.

Here are a few songs I've caught in commercials that I really like out right now.

Rock Mafia (The Big Bang) (heard in Mob Wives intro)

Aloe Blacc- (I Need Dollars) (heard in Boost Mobile Commercials)

Florence and The Machines  (heard in the Water for Elephants movie promo)

Any commerical/TV show songs that you like? Look out for an all time favorites posting!

Songs that put me in a writing frame of mind...

If you're the creative type then you know the power of music. It invites emotion and creativity. It can give us energy (if I hear Prodigy's Breathe when I'm driving, I have to be careful my foot doesn't go to0 far down on the gas pedal) or wind us down (if you've ever heard the acid jazz remix of Nina Simone's Feeling Good, that is the perfect summer evening chilling with a mojita song)



Therefore, it's no surprise that music can put me in the best writing frame of mind. I tend to go for slow songs that put me in pensive mood. Nothing I can dance to really, just reflect. Here are some of favorites and why...

1) Sia- Breathe Me and I'm In Here
Sia has a very soothing voice and the instramentals are haunting

Breathe Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSH7fblcGWM

I'm In Here



2) Adele
I love this gal. She is only like 21 yet her voice sounds like she's been around a while. It was hard narrowing it down but I'll go for a song off of her first album.



3)Amel Larrieux
I've been loving her voice since she was in Groove Theory (I was going to audition with her song Tell Me for honor's choir but chose The Wiz Home instead).
This song is so mellow but if you haven't heard of her, I encourage you to check out her other songs as well.



4)Zero 7- Destiny

I love the relaxing theme of Zero 7 songs. This is one of my favorites...



5)Nikka Costa- Push and Pull
I got her first album years ago and loved it. This is one of my favorites but her album is full of upbeat songs as well. Like A Feather is probably her most noticable one but if you've ever seen the Johnny Depp movie, Blow, then you know this song as well...



I have so many more songs, I'll share some more another time but I hope you enjoy the songs above as much as I still do!