Things I Think Are Cool » Music

Packing, Irony & Gold Rings

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:38:09 +0000

I am packing up my apartment. I just started the process. It will probably take me more than a month. Not because I have so many things, but because I’ll do a little bit at a time. Better than putting it off until the last minute. I have way too much going on. Another trip to New York, a ski trip to Whistler, some parties, etc. I don’t want to deal with the stress of last minuteness.

Going through the contents of drawers and cabinets is making me a little sad. Stirring up memories. Reminding me of people, events and feelings I’d forgotten. When I moved to Vermont I came with nothing. I left everything but my dog and some of my clothes behind in New York. At that point I didn’t care a hoot about possessions. I cared about freedom. Possessions have very little to do with happiness (I hope you realize). But, as luck would have it, in the pursuit of building up my life again I found a really fabulous apartment and decided to buy myself some stuff to put in it. And now I am going through much of what’s accumulated and throwing bits and pieces of it away…

While sorting through matchboxes, Star Wars bobbleheads, business cards and random keys, I started missing music (I’ve found tons of great new music over the last few months). So I opened my computer’s iTunes and somehow a random song started playing. A sad song. A song I’d never heard before. Turns out it’s from a group of songs I was gifted a few months ago but had never listened to. I’d named the playlist “Irony”. Intrigued, I’ve kept listening. The music has a strange, leaden-soap-bubble weight attached to it (not good) with hints of starry nights and dark purple ponies (good good)… And irony. Can’t forget that.

This is a photo I took of the only jewelry I wear (sometimes). Two rings. Thin gold chains. Normally I can’t stand jewelry because it feels constricting. But these are delicate and weightless. You can find them at www.catbirdnyc.com.

School of Seven Bells

admin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:33:03 +0000

Another work day… I’m looking for another vocation, but in the meantime practical me is keeping my day job. At this point I don’t need to hold down a meaningless 9-5 job, but, at the same time, I’m not sure what else I want to do. For me, work has always been about paying the bills and meeting some goals I set when I was younger and the interesting options never paid near enough to do this. Anyway… Not a bad position to be in, but I’m eager to move on to the next thing… Restless.

Last night I went to Club Metronome to see School of Seven Bells, a Brooklyn band headed by two sisters. I’ve listened to them before, have some of their songs and like them, though they’re not exactly my style. They sound a bit like Enya. But they put on a good show and there was hardly anyone there, which, always makes a concert more intimate. Plus, I needed to see/hear some live music. It’s been way too long. It’s a little silly, I know, but during their first song (and probably biggest hit) “Half Asleep”, I felt like there was an invisible thread tied to my sternum slowly lifting me toward the sky. Ie. a little bit of elation and euphoria – surprising but nice. The rest of the concert my feet stayed on the floor, but it felt great to be there.

More to say and a few songs to post, but need to head to the office, so will do it later…

Winter, Music & the Promise of Spring

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:30:01 +0000

Wow. It’s been forever since I last posted here. It’s been a long, hard winter, baby. Dark. Cold. Boring. I don’t remember having such a lackluster winter in a long time.

But spring is springing. Clocks have been set ahead an hour. The temperatures were downright balmy over the last two weeks. Slowly taciturn, little Vermonters are creeping out of their dens, exposing their pasty white skin to the daylight. Things are looking up.

One thing that’s been making a huge difference for me is that I’ve started seeking out and downloading new music again. Familiar music makes me feel braindead and depressed. When I listen to new music I can feel my brain expanding and growing new cells. New music works to elevate my mood and makes me feel smarter. Odd? I don’t know. But it really works for me.

Have started my own music station on Blip FM. Am loving it. Check it out here. So many great new songs.

Le Corps Mince de Françoise (pictured left) is one of the bands I’ve been listening to. They hail from Helsinki in Finland and have a clean, off-beat sound like orange snow.

Phoenix – 1901

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:52:35 +0000

I want to escape. I feel the need for self expression. Maybe I shouldn’t accept this job offer and should move to Paris and start my own band, wear holey cashmere sweaters, ratty jeans and only wash my hair 2xs a week. I want a croissant. And a cigarette (and I don’t smoke).

I had a 20 pound weight on my head. And then I thought about this song and watched the video for the first time and the world suddenly seems brighter. It reminds me (just a little) that there are always options and possibilities outside of this one-pony college town.

At this point it’s probably cliche to like Phoenix, but it’s one of the only bands whose music is like drinking water; it never gets old. There is always something to capture my imagination. And it’s as comfortable as my favorite pair of jeans and cashmere sweater combined. Throw in a plaid flannel scarf to the mix and viola…

Strokes Cover

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:20:22 +0000


Ok. So I kind of unofficially said it was chick cover song season. So, here’s another one. Adele singing The Strokes’ “Last Night”. It’s a good cover. But I love love love the original. I love The Strokes. Enjoy.


Adele – Last Night (The Strokes’ cover)


The Strokes – Last Night

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:41:16 +0000


Tis the season for cover songs sung by chicks… Even though I feel like this song has been redone way too many times, am really enjoying Lykke Li’s cover of of the Shirelles’ “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Go to her new Website to see the video and to sign up for a free download of the song.


Lykke Li – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (Shirelles’ cover)

5 Things I Like About “10 Things I Hate About You”

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:54:00 +0000


Blast from the past. Five things I like about “10 Things I Hate About You”: Letters To Cleo – I didn’t know about this band until I saw the movie in 1999. Check out 3 of their songs below, 2 are cover songs they performed in the movie and one is from later on. All are great. Heath Ledger – Although Heath Ledger had been in Australian films before 10 Things came out, I think it was his first US film. For me, it was his best US role, except maybe for “Brokeback Mountain” which I still need to see. Anyway, never much liked him afterward, but thought he was charming and well cast in 10 Things. The father – the paranoid, overprotective OB-GYN father in 10 Things has some priceless lines such as, “Kissing isn’t what keeps me up to my elbows in placenta all day long.” Movie based on Shakespeare – 10 Things was loosely based on “Taming of the Shrew” and came out around the same time as “Clueless” (1995), “She’s All That” (1999), “Cruel Intentions” (1999) and other above average teen films also based on classic literature. Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Have loved this boy ever since he was in that rather terrible television comedy with John Lithgow…”3rd Rock from the Sun.”


Letters To Cleo – I Want You to Want Me (Cheap Trick cover)


Letters To Cleo – Cruel to Be Kind (Nick Lowe cover)


Letters To Cleo – Demon Rock

Whatever You Like

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:28:24 +0000


I’ve heard T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” at least 50 times and never really thought too much about it one way or the other. But I was hooked on Anya Marina’s cover of the song at first listen. “Patron on ice…” sounds so much nicer coming from her. I love covers.

Anya Marina – Whatever You Like (T.I. cover)

Hayden – Home By Saturday

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:30:43 +0000


Hayden. Canadian. Another song to play again. (The moose is a perk).


Hayden – Home By Saturday

Shining Light

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:49:21 +0000


Ash’s “Shining Light” is not a new song. But it’s feeling new to me and I’ve been playing the hell out of it. “Shining Light” came out in 2001 on the band’s “Free All Angels” album. Whatever you do, don’t watch the video. Or do, but I think it takes away from the song (a lot). Good tune, though.


Ash – Shining Light