These English brothers know where it's at! Masterfully blending soulful vocals, an indie beat, background vocal distortion, and then working it all towards a unique and magnificently classy 'drop', they create something wholly unheard and desperately needed! So fresh! I've been listening to 'Latch', and all of Disclosure's stuff ever since Garrett Ewing introduced me to their funky sounds! So great to be going into a new school year with fantastic tunes! Enjoy! I know you all are going to latch onto this one!
If you want to see a WAY cooler music video than the original, chronicling Garrett's ascent of the John Muir Trail up Mt. Whitney, check out this sick video of his trip below! 'Latch' is the perfect soundtrack to what looks like an epic journey! Must watch!
Oh boy, it IS love!!!!!!!! In a few short hours it will be Meghan's birthday and I just don't even know how to express all my love! She's made the last year of my life the most magical to date, and every adventure we've gone on, experience we've shared, and memory we've made has been incredible! Thank you for every moment Meghan, and I can't wait for all that is yet to come in the future! :)
Of the 355 songs with 'love' in the title (and yes, I listened to at least a snippet from most of those while I was choosing what song to put up), this song by Hellogoodbye seemed one of the most fitting, uplifting, and exuberant! The big finale at 3:29 just makes me feel so good and expresses the pure breathlessness and wonder of being in love!
So basically, go listen to this song, be lovefull, smile, romp, run, jump, prance, sing, belt out at the top of your lungs how wonderful it is to be alive, and stop thinking, "oh, is it love?". Oh, it IS love!
The beginning seconds to this song are just way too addictive! You really should listen to the Spotify or iTunes version to really get the full studio-quality version, because this YouTube video really doesn't do it justice! Really well done song, I'm amazed it's not bigger with the stunning background acoustics...Enjoy!
I really don't know how they do it! Two Door Cinema Club just are an unstoppable freight car of solid, amazingly danceable indie gold! Exactly a month from today, on September 27th, their new EP, coincidentally entitled 'Changing Of The Seasons', is set to release, and I couldn't be more stoked out of my mind!!!!! Having seen these UK gods twice live, they're the real deal: exuberant, talented, and outrageously entertaining!
Enjoy this as-usual INCREDIBLE music video from TDCC which revolves around an interview of them going to the dogs and them being cool, collected, and rocking it, per-usual! Enjoy!
One of my favorite comedians, Demetri Martin does some of the coolest and most random stuff that you just can't help but laugh at! This track, off his CD 'These Are Jokes' is a heartwarming story either told by his actual grandmother or by him doing a funny grandmother voice (I'm not sure which, it's very unclear because he is known to bring her on his show sometimes) about a little boy named Johnny who shrinks! It's very matter of fact and there's no punch-line per say, but this song (or spoken grandmotherly words with slight instrumentation behind) is just fantastic!
The deliver of Demetri's Grandma/Demetri pretending to be his Grandma is spot on! Little gems of this track like her/him saying, "His name was a-Johnny!", or when Johnny says, "I'm Johnny! Don't do it!", just crack me up! If you haven't watched 'Important Things With Demetri Martin', you really need to! Each episode he focuses on a different important thing...like chairs! Some random user on YouTube has made a splendid little animation with marker drawings of all of Johnny's adventures "no drinking milk, no eating meat" and it's beautiful and simple! I hope you all enjoy this, but totally understand if a lot of you are like, "Hmmm...Miles, this is NOT funny. You've got a weird sense of humor." Enjoy this story of Johnny! :)
Dreamy doesn't even begin to describe this songs chill-factor! Groovy, vibey, wavey, subway...oh wait, not that last one! Amazing backbeats to some of the most soothing, soft female vocals ever! The subtle but incredible little beeps and boops that come in at 1:26 are so tasteful and not over the top, but just help MAKE the song!
It really goes through a lot of splendid incarnations throughout the song, instead of staying static like many chillstep songs tend to do. Telépopmusik knows how to set the perfect mood, draw you in, and capture your ears and soul! Truly gorgeous! Enjoy!
I haven't done any Hip-Hop in a while, and this really is barely recognizable as hip-hop anymore anyway. Blackbird Blackbird (whom I've had the honor to see live!) deliver a super chilled out remix of A$AP's 'Fashion Killa' that has great warped bells, clicks, and faders going on in the background of A$AP's relaxed flow. Certainly not my favorite lyrics by any means, but the beat draws me in, and I find A$AP Rocky fairly tolerable compared to lots of rappers. The intro all the way to the 50 second mark is way too dope! All in all a laid back track to float you through the weekend! Also, it's Soundcloud tags include 'Indie Dance' and 'Happy Trap', so you know it'll be good! Enjoy!
242 songs and nearly 1,000 miles later, I've made it to California! Once again, there were AT LEAST 242 songs that I was stoked about and want to share, but I'm going to stick to one for the sake of both of our sanities.
The backbeat of 'Punching In A Dream' is just too catchy! I was just starting to drive over the Sierra's, was tired and bored of my 'Slow Bliss' playlist when lo' and behold I was jolted out of my (probably unsafe) reverie by the pulsing, energetic, brilliant The Naked And Famous! I'm sure my fellow motorists were appropriately in awe of the dance moves that ensued over the next three minutes and forty-three seconds! Indulge yourselves in this fantastic song, and beware of the slightly nightmarish music video that could have you punching in a dream. Enjoy!
Over 500 miles and exactly 150 songs into my trip back to California, I've listened to way too much great stuff today and would be writing this post deep into the night (exactly what I shouldn't be doing before another full day of driving) so I decided to go with something relaxing to get me to sleep. Also, the interview voices in the last 30 seconds of the song are so awesome! I don't know what it is about it, but his, "I think I'll just be loveful, be kind, be good" line is just the perfect end to a song! Very cool watery intro that bubbles and rambles ever more magnificently before bursting outward at the 1:30 mark to build even further to the voices at the end. A nice track to end the beginning of a new year! Enjoy!
I couldn't have asked for a more incredible summer. Gracious friends have welcomed me into their homes, marvelous mountains have welcomed me into their vast untamed reaches, and unreal experiences have fallen into my lap from veritably every direction!
You never really realize how blessed you are in the moment until it has passed. Only after being away for school for a year and returning to Jackson have I realized how truly unique and awe-inspiring this place really is. The people, the outdoors, the very air seems tinged with a magical sense that this place is special, that the friendships forged here are forever, and that the memories made here in these mountains, swimming in these lakes, and reveling in all this beauty will last a lifetime.
I won't lie to myself and say that I'm not saddened to be leaving Jackson once more, but nor will I delude myself into thinking this is the only magical place for me! California houses new and exciting adventures, new and old friends, and entire new worlds to discover. Jackson shall always be entwined firmly in my heartstrings, but the rest of the world awaits and just as one brilliant shining star in the sky can be marvelled at, enamored with, and studied for centuries without fully knowing all its secrets, you can't let that one star block out the whole wide and wonder-filled sky. Moving on and calling many places home is natural, and I couldn't be more excited for all that is to come! And hey, That's The Way Of The World!
Earth, Wind & Fire deliver exactly what I need for my 2 days of driving back to California ahead. This is a classic everyone should know and keep close to their hearts. :) Love you all and enjoy! Thank you to everyone who has made this summer magical, and to everyone who will continue that magic in the months to come!
"You will find peace of mind when you look way down in your heart and soul!"
Sorry 'bout me absence friends, I was ût' and a-boot on a houseboat adventure since Wednesday and am just now getting back in the groove of non-idyllic worry-free boat life. One thing that does rekindle carefree times and lovely moments is the soft, soothing mingling of voices of Lily & Madeleine. These still teenage (one's still in high school!) girls have such great vocals, and are like a gentle massage for your ears and soul. Enjoy!
'In The Middle' is their most popular song thus far, and is simple, beautiful and lilting. Enjoy!
I'm digging going back again and again to ' Back To The River'! So slow and perfect! :)
'Tired' is short, sweet, and ready to be listened to right here!
Also, and perhaps most wonderfully, NoiseTrade is giving out their entire album for free! This is a MUST DOWNLOAD! Enjoy! Download here and sign up for their newsletter!
Let's all just take a minute out of our busy, hectic lives to appreciate and marvel at William Fitzsimmons' amazing beard. Ahhh. Some things carry an innate magic, eh?
Don't let me rush you, feel free to revel in beard exultation a little longer! If you are prepared to move forward, you'll find that William Fitzsimmons has more to him than mere facial hair! His sweet voice weaves stories and images atop an awesome female vocalists, "duh, duh, da, duh, duh, duh duh"! Pink Ganter gives this bald-bearded-badass a remix that adds some bounce, but remains wholly beautiful! The harmonies in this song, especially near the end are just spectacular! Enjoy!
For some reason I googled 'Peanut Butter Beard' after writing this, and this came up. There's not even any peanut butter...
This post wouldn't have been possible without the integral help of a random stranger biking past in a bicycle tunnel while singing this song three weeks ago, and even more importantly, without Meghan's keen musical memory and knowledge for figuring out what he was singing from a second or two snippet!
Although the video is slightly confusing (since it belongs within a twelve part Edward Sharpe music-video series, the likes of which I'm sure is wildly entertaining) it is well worth a watch, and even a BETTER use of time to listen to! A slow intro bursts into life at 1:07, and the song has a wonderful mix of equal parts big-crowd-singing-and-clapping-along, and at the same time an intimate sitting-around-the-campfire-loving-life musical experience! The chorus and handclaps just feel so right. Wonderful song! Enjoy and let me know if you watch the whole video series! I'd be interested to know all the cool hippy shenanigans they get into!
Lines like, "I know I'm sleeping because this dream's too amazing" make the song! Enjoy!
I feel like I've been putting up some quality music lately, and I thought I'd change all that right now ;)
No, no, I joke, this is a fantastic bootleg by the ever-creative and ever-possessed-of-antlers The Jane Doze, it's just rare for me to post someone like Miley Cyrus. And let's ALL admit right now that this song is our guilty pleasure and that it's wayyyyy too catchy.
The Jane Doze trap this song out and improve upon Miley's rebellious departure from her Disney years. The song builds epically to 1:22, then adds a whole new degree of build until 1:34, then really drops into some funky trap which I don't love but, hey, trap isn't for everyone. The rest of the song makes the trappy (not crappy, trappy!) bits bearable! The second builds synth work is too cool! Enjoy!
I'm a broken record, but honestly, if a record had to break, I'd want it stuck on this song.
Firstly, massive, firework-accompanied props to Passenger for going from a street artist busking for money to being named one of the breakout stars of the summer and having his single from OVER A YEAR AGO suddenly blow up and receive upwards of 77 million youtube views! Hell yah that's auspicious! 77! (I love sevens if you weren't aware). Anyway, Passenger delivers on this hopeful but heartbreaking song! Opening chords and Michael Rosenberg's breathtaking voice lull you into tranquility and beauty, then at the 52 second mark the song becomes something accessible enough even for the radio, but still folky and wonderful enough to stay pure! You can just TELL Michael's a great guy. He gives off such an honest and positive vibe, and his remarkable musical ability is none too shabby!
For something truly emotional and evocative, 3:38 until the closing wisps of his voice are incredible. Support Passenger's new album on iTunes here or,
This song is just king of perfect. Dallas Greens' voice captures you wholeheartedly from the first line about a murder of crows, and the wonderful lilt of his voice continues unabated throughout the song. Those last 20 seconds are hauntingly awesome. Gorgeous stuff! Add a little City And Colour to your friday! Enjoy!
My perpetually incredible father just got a teaching job today and I thought I'd celebrate...old school.
Now both my father and sister are going to be straight teaching da youth and making kids' days! How cool is that!? Inordinately cool!
Bass Physics creates a soulful and relaxing jam here that just feels like the perfect blend of funky fresh and laid-back. The fade at 1:54 is super dope, and the non-obtrusive hip hop throughout fits right in. Enjoy and download below!
Refer to the picture above once you start doing double takes in the video...
Ok, so this song was already fantastic and everything, and you're expecting some nice folky footage of Mumford walking dusty trails and playing amazing live shows for the music video, right? And that's what you get...at least at first. Then there's that moment when you realize what you thought was the band is really...wait for it, it's just tooooo good!...Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, Will Forte & Ed Helms!!!!!!
This is like the best SNL Digital Short ever made, with great music and still just as funny! I just want to watch it again and again watching all the crazy stuff each of these great comedians is doing in each scene! After some deep, deep emotional bits, things burst forth at 3:40, and what ensues is pure joy. I was cracking up. MAJOR props to Mumford & Sons for being willing to poke a little fun at themselves and make this beyond stellar video! New favorite for sure!!!!! Enjoy!
Their facial expressions are too priceless. When Ed Helms is just punching the piano trying to play it...I lost it. Such a wonderful, fun, lighthearted romp!
When Dido and Matisyahu join forces, what happens? Something beautiful: that's for sure! Seamlessly integrating five different songs into one mega-mix, ScottScottScott doesn't meddle so thickly with the songs as to change them, but rather melds the songs to create something you're amazed wasn't the original! You know you love Matisyahu's 'One Day', so you're going to be blown away by this! It's one of the best mashups I've ever heard! Enjoy!
I think Wikipedia probably describes the hype around Bastille (led by frontman Dan Smith) most accurately:
"Dan Smith is amazing and his hair has attracted many female fans across the globe".
Wikipedia can't lie! You may remember Bastille for my massive post about his 2 breathtaking mixtapes back in December (which can be found right here), but since then Bastille has BLOWN UP!
The beyond-catchy single 'Pompeii' reached #2 on the UK charts and is about to reach #1 in your ears! Enjoy Dan's incredible voice, the cinematic chanting throughout, and his hair! Shout out to Meghan for showing me this song! Creepy eye warning!
If you're in the mood for the incredible, this live acoustic version at the British Museum is beyond brilliant! His voice is so powerful, and the body drumming and harmonies are epic. Also, the museum has sick acoustics! So worth a watch!!!!!!!!!!
I was sitting here in my pajamas (Note: you never outgrow wearing pajamas, they are forever.) thinking of what to post, when I suddenly remembered how much I had adored hopping about and dancing to The Lighthouse and the Whaler that morning while eating breakfast (Note #2: Nothing improves your coordination and balance more than eating cereal while dancing)! I checked the blog, expecting that I'd posted them at least once before and lo and behold: my other Lighthouse and the Whaler post was exactly a year ago to the day! I think it's a sign from the holy triad--if triads had four parts--of whale bands (Lighthouse and the Whaler, Said the Whale, Noah and the Whale, Freelance Whales)!
These guys just have such a great vibe, a wonderfully indie sensibility, and of course, the ever-a-great-sign of having 'whale' in their name! 'White Days' is too perfect with gorgeous lyrics that float so effortlessly into your ears atop twinkling bells and a driving beat. Handclap along and get lost in that voice!
Not quite sure why this song isn't blowing up your radio...it's way too perfect. After only a few seconds, there's no going back. Enjoy!
Goodbye's never get easier, and are made all the more difficult after only a brief but wonderful reunion. Meghan, thank you so much for venturing out to Jackson for a second time this summer and for pretending that you were coming back for me instead of the killer views! Even though you were only here for a few days, we packed in the fun and this week has been one of the highlights of the summer! I can't wait to see you again before school starts! I love you!
Paul Tiernan was like, "Yo, I should write a sad, slow song about goodbye's that fits Miles's situation," and that's just what he did. Poignant and sweet, this tender song was featured in the movie Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist, which wasn't quite as amazing as it sounds, but was still pretty cool. Enjoy and maybe this will make your next goodbye a little easier! Keep listening all you ear endowed bipedals!
Good ol' I-never-like-your-original-songs-but-love-remixes-of-you Lana Del Rey did have a catchy song on her hands with 'Young & Beautiful' which she created for The Great Gatsby movie. Kaskade takes all that pop potential and the fantastic chorus and turns it into pulsing yet often-slow-and-pretty gold with his remix. This song screams summer, nostalgia, and dancing. Enjoy!!!!!!!!
