Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Refreshing people. Refreshing inspiration.

I was reminded earlier today how important it is for me to be surrounded by art minded people. It's the little things in life that encourage creativity, and supportive individuals in life that can be so encouraging when trying something new. You know who you are. Merci. Faire l'amour. Faire de l'art.



More to come soon.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Thoughts on Heather Nova

A friend in high school introduced me to Heather Nova. If you've never heard of her, you should check her out. She's fantastic when the mood strikes. I wouldn't go so far as to say that she's an acquired taste, because even if her music isn't your cup of tea, most individuals who have a healthy respect for vocalists and musicians should be able to respect her vocal range combined with her ability to play an instrument at the same time. I realize that there are thousands of people who can do just that, but number one, this is coming from someone who failed piano class in college because I can't read music and I'm too picture oriented to save my life, and two, I firmly believe that she never got the credit that she deserves as an artist. She would easily be in the Top 40 if people knew about her. But, in truth, I think that makes me love her even more in those moments where I just want some chick rock. I don't believe that she's making music because she wants to be famous, but because it's in her blood. That's what it's all about at the end of the day.

A very brief background, in tid-bit-list form...
-Acoustic with an edge, but still with deeper, more intense instruments like the upright bass, cello and the violin.
-Heather Nova grew up mostly on a boat. Did you? No.... Anyone who does not grow up on a boat that is moving around consistently at the very least does not earn cool points.
-***"At it's most ferocious Heather's style could be described as a combination of Patti Smith and Kate Bush, capable of swooping from great heights into moments of great delicacy."***

Listen here for what I still believe to be the best cover ever of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game". Listen here for what is possibly the best angry chick song you've heard since "Precious" by Tori Amos. (This is the live version. I must admit, I'm accustomed to the album version, so this is an adjustment for me, but nonetheless, the most climactic version I could find in a free website.) And for those who prefer a more mainstream song, check out this.

No judging, by the way. This is coming from the chick who just bought Sigur Ros, The Smiths, The Arcade Fire and The Shins... on vynil... bitch...

Enjoy. :)

***from www.heathernova.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A Note to DannyPants

It's so funny.... Just earlier tonight I was talking to some people about how I haven't written a blog entry in months. And then this happens. Enjoy this note that I just wrote to my best friend, and look for more to come soon as I figure out how the hell to make this happen.


"DannyPants,

I just put on Sigur Ros on Pandora to fall asleep to. Just as I was about to pass out, a song by a band called Hammock came on called "I Can Almost See you". I was suddenly wide awake. I needed to hear more from this band. Now. I hopped on youtube and looked them up. This video was the first one that popped up and now I am sitting in my room in tears because it is so beautiful. I'm literally a crying, snotty, hot mess right now. You have to watch this. This is EXACTLY what I have had buried in the back of my mind for the last four years with where I want to go with my artwork. I think this is the next step, Dan. We were just talking about this last week. After the last show in the fall, I need to take a step in a whole new direction or else things are going to start to become pretty redundant pretty quickly. I just had to share this with you. I knew you'd get it since we've been talking about this for so long. I feel really good about this. This is gonna be good.

Love you,
Dani"

*video is copyrighted by hammockmusic.com*