Weekend Melody

I'm currently obsessed with this awesome music video featuring the stylings of Japanese band World Order. It's got me in a perfect mood for a fun weekend!

Headed to the NC

I'm escaping the cold for the weekend, flying down to North Carolina for a baby shower (for my soon to be neice!). Hello 55 and sunny.

In the mean time, check out this adorable and creative YouTube pick. Laura Veirs held a music video contest for her song "Don't Lose Yourself", and this was one of the entries. It's so well done, you won't believe it wasn't professionally made. Judging by the comments, they didn't win the contest, but I'm still enjoying the video (and song) on repeat...

Lazy Sunday: List Style

Play List

Mute Math - Electrify
Florence and the Machine - You've Got the Love
Snow Patrol - Just Say Yes
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

Lunch List

Waffles
Fresh Blackberries
Maple Syrup
Tempeh Strips

To Do List

Groceries
Laundry
This Project
Snuggle
Smile

A Melodramatic Retelling of my XM Experience

When I received my new car (it's one of these little numbers in sunshine yellow thanks to cash for clunkers) I also received a free three month subscription to XM Satellite Radio. Initially, I scoffed at the frivolity of the audio amenity. Why would you pay for something that's already available for free? To me it was the equivalent of buying a book you'd only ever read once from the bookstore when you could've had the same experience with a library version (exceptions, of course, for cookbooks, photography books, travel guides, and the like). I was resolved that I would listen to the XM to make use of the free subscription but that would be it - I would become a devout NPR and loaned-book-on-cd listener after that.

But I quickly became the kind of patron every XM exec hopes for. I developed an affinity for two channels that made my commutes to work and to and from the city bearable... nay, enjoyable. My morning wasn't complete until I'd heard the latest Chris Moyle's show on BBC Radio 1, providing my daily dose of British intonation and pop. My evenings weren't the same unless Derek and Romeine of OutQ were along for the ride. I programmed a few other strictly music stations into my control panel to provide a change of tempo when necessary, but I had no need to veer much from my core selections.

Despite my growing dependency on XM, I was resolute in my decision to not spend money on such an unnecessary luxury. When fliers proclaiming "subscribe now and save" filled the mailbox, I tossed them to the recycling bin without so much as scanning the byline. I had no use for another expense. I can be incredibly stubborn when I've made a decision that something is not worthy of my credit card number. And so it went until yesterday.

I had driven to work enjoying BBC Radio 1 as usual, laughing here and there along the way, so unknowing. When lunchtime hit I plopped into the driver's seat to hit up Target for a quick errand and immediately sensed something was wrong. The screen that usually displays what show you are listening to so cruelly stated: Unauthorized Channel. While there was sound it was only the continuous loop of XM channel ads. My time had come. I took a deep breath. The normal radio couldn't be so bad. What were those radio stations I used to listen to? The static of each FM I tuned to was overwhelming, my ears had developed a refined palate and only crystal clear radio would do. I tuned back to XM just to listen to the advertisements. At least there was no feedback to offend my ear drums.

That evening I sped home, fingers crossed as I gripped the wheel in hopes that my payment for a subscription would process fast enough for me to listen to Coffee Klatch on my drive to Boston later that night. I was in luck, and my reactivation occurred immediately after forking over a fair chunk of my hard earned cash... and it was so worth it.

This Is It

Photo via The Source

I went to see This Is It tonight, the film that captures the rehearsals and behind the scenes footage from Michael Jackson's never-realized tour, and I am really happy I did. I don't consider myself much of a Jackson fan but I had heard such good reviews that I wanted to see the film on the big screen before I lost the chance. If you are debating whether or not to spend the money to see This Is It in the theater, I say cough up the dough... you will not get the same experience watching it in your living room. It was really fun to hear so many of Michael's songs in one go, and made me remember how much great music he gave to the world. Seeing the level of work and vision that goes into creating a music tour like this one is amazing, and it gave me a new appreciation for Michael as an artist. The close of the movie brought a sadness knowing that all this work and energy was without the grand pay-off, but I still left ready to break into dance, feeling uplifted by the message of Michael's music. There isn't much time left to see it so be sure to check out your local theater times before it's too late!

Artist Spotlight: Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor is a Soviet-born musician whose songs beautifully combine the unexpected. A classical pianist by trade, she's not afraid to switch to an electric keyboard, electric guitar, or play a chair as a drum when the mood is right. Her powerful voice and raw lyrics, however, are what really set her apart from the pack.

I was lucky enough to see Regina at the House of Blues in Boston last night, and it was a fantastic show! She also happens to be tremendously cute...

Artist Spotlight: Carbon Leaf

I saw Carbon Leaf perform at Red Rocks last night before Film on the Rocks started (we saw The Princess Bride - so fun) and was really impressed by their live set. Carbon Leaf is a Virginia band that combines a little bit of celtic country bluegrass with a folksy old rock sound. Yes, I realize that sounds like a very eclectic (okay, weird) mishmash of music styles, but the 5-man group pulls it off. The result? Many a catchy melody that will have you rocking in your seat and ready for a beer. 

The song "Life Less Ordinary" is likely the band's most well-known hit which frequented the radio waves in early 2005. I never cared much for the single so I didn't search for more of their work, but last night was a pleasant surprise. You can learn more about the band on their website here and if you like what you discover I'd definitely look into seeing them live. Last night's performance was an opening act for an outdoor movie - the crowd was largely young families - but the band still put on a great performance and had plenty of people dancing on their feet. 

I was hoping to post videos of my favorite songs from last night, but unfortunately the sound quality of the videos I found on YouTube are not up to Apartment 303 standards. So instead I've posted two songs below to whet your appetite (just click once on the large round play button to hear the songs without getting linked to another page) though I highly recommend going to the Carbon Leaf Community Page where you can listen to 10 different songs. My favorites are One Prairie Outpost, Lake of Silver Belles, and Another Man's Woman. 

The Boxer - Carbon Leaf

What About Everything? - Carbon Leaf