King Charles: Mississippi Isabel (Your New Favorite Song)

King Charles is the kind of monarch we can all get behind. Charles plays the guitar, piano, and cello, is a classically trained singer and performed in his school's choir. He began writing songs when he was 17, and in 2009, he won the International Songwriting Competition in Nashville by unanimous vote, He's got wild hair, a crazy mustache, regal carrying, lyrics that make you bow down in reverence, and the unbridled energy of Queen Elizabeth II (if she had Usain Bolt's spring in her step and Jim Carrey's pizazz). I'm madly in love with his music, and can't thank Meghan enough for showing me them! 'Mississippi Isabel' is made of aural ivory and pearl, and may be the most addictive song I've heard in recent history. I want to ride around on my bicycle to this forever! Enjoy! Coolest King on a bicycle ever! 

If 'Mississippi Isabel' is the catchiest song, than 'Love Lust' is the best and most beautiful. "Whether a guitar in my hand or a gun in my hand, I'd give it all up for your hand in my hand". This guys is going to be huge!

He also tours and plays with Mumford and Sons if that will make you appreciate him! 

Pete Seeger: Where Have All The Flowers Gone? (Tribute To Pete Seeger)

Pete Seeger, a prominent singer of protest music in support of international disarmament, civil rights, counterculture and environmental causes, an amazing songwriter, and in the words of my father, "The champion saint of singing", passed away two days ago at the full and well lived age of 94. 

From playing with Bruce Springsteen at Obama's inauguration, being blacklisted and appearing before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the Red Scare, to popularizing songs such as 'We Shall Overcome' which became the anthem for the entire Civil Rights Movement, Seeger was never one to sit idly by, and his songwriting, political activism, and deep goodness continue to toll throughout the land from California to the New York island; from the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.  

His song 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' is a gorgeous tune that has gone down as one of the great political songs of history. Poignant and a reminder not just of the sadness of war, but of our destruction of the environment as well. 

A truly amazing song of hope, perseverance, 'We Shall Overcome' is lovely. If you skip ahead to 2:30, Seeger speaks eloquently about how the lyric "we are not afraid" came into being, and how the young people taught the whole world a lesson. Beautiful. Seeger certainly overcame much, and helped millions overcome even more. Rest In Peace Pete, you'll be missed.

Stwo: Syrup (Pancakestep...Music that turns you into syrup with it's lovely vibe)

STWO (pronounced 'stew', as in what Samwise Gamgee is always trying to make) is a producer from France who is 20...just like me...gosh that's scary. With musical genres ranging from 'Sensual' to simply a $ symbol (he also releases 'trippy' and 'noserious' music), STWO is a talented fellow with a great vibe! His songs are laid back, innovative, and I'm still decoding his rich SoundCloud. This song 'Syrup' has me adddddddicted, and there's something so mesmerizing that makes me feel like I AM golden syrup cascading off a pancake waterfall...Enjoy! 

For something even smoother, try pouring this aural syrup all over your eardrums.


Super dope, great lyrics, same chill syrup-thoughts-inducing vibe!

Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams & Stevie Wonder: Get Lucky (Making The Grammy's Dance)

I envy anyone who actually had time to watch the whole Grammy's, they looked like a good time! Luckily social media condensed everything for me and showed me the highlights...or should I say the one absolute indisputable highlight: Daft Punk performing live for one of the first times since 2009, alongside not just Pharrell Williams, not just Nile Rodgers, but alongside these legends AND with Stevie Wonder!!!!!!!!!! 'Get Lucky' has seriously never been groovier and more danceable! Blending in 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger', Stevie's amazing 'Another Star' and then delivering such funky happiness that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Beyonce, and every single other member of the audience got up and danced all night, hoping to get lucky. This song and the interplay between the crowd and Daft Punk is what music is all about! Enjoy, and be sure to check out the other great performances by Paul and Ringo, Lorde, an epic new collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons, and Macklemore's inspiring 'Same Love'. Also, how cool is it that Macklemore totally acknowledges that Kendrick's 'Good Kid M.A.A.D. City' should have won rap album of the year instead of 'The Heist'! Anyway, enjoy this epic dance fest! 

Also be sure to check out the lovely original Stevie song 'Another Star'. It's joyous! 

Tritonal: Electric Glow feat. Skyler Stonestreet (EDM)

Gorgeous female vocals, uplifting synths, a great beat, and enough dance-itude to get you moving. Perfect friday fuel, so throw this on your (non-hipster) party playlists! Glow on my friends. 

Funeral Suits: All Those Friendly People

With a cheery name like Funeral Suits, you were probably expecting a music video filled with sunshine and lollipops, but alas, there's more creepy bleeding-pig chase scenes than joy here. Luckily the song is super cool though! Introduced to me by none other than soccer sensation Jasper Kirsten, this song is quite unique and has really cool lyrics and delivery, and is a whole weird, somewhat uncomfortable experience when combined with the music video. I'm loving the song though! Enjoy (and don't go too far down the rabbit hole, these guys music videos are messed up and I've seen too much). Happy Thursday! 

If you're sucked in by what you just saw, here's the much more disturbing sequel 'Hands Down' filled with more Katana's, arrows flying, and a group of pig-masked children attacking...If you really want to disturb yourself, 'Health', right here has some pleasant scenes of a child trying chasing people with a knife. These videos are scaring me. 

Hey! This one's actually pretty cool (and much less violent!) 'We Only Attack Ourselves' follows a automaton man in post apocalyptic world looking forlorn and hipster while purple fabric billows in the wind. Check it out here. 

And finally, a more cheery remix of 'All Those Friendly People', so that this isn't all downer stuff and instead in downloadable stuff! Download link on YouTube. Enjoy! 

Telekinesis: Tokyo

I'm exhausted, so I'll keep this brief, but 'TOKYO!!!!!!!!!!!!" Meghan's infinite fine music taste has dug up this gem of a band with one hell of a superpower. Every song called 'Tokyo' that I've heard in my life is wonderful (Wombat's anyone?). Thank you Meghan! You've moved my musical taste with your mind, almost...psychokinetically, one might say. Enjoy some lovely upbeat sounds and have a pleasant tuesday!!! 

Tokyo Police Club: Argentina (Parts I, II, III)

So...this is my absolute favorite song right now. 

I LOVE when bands have really long songs, and 'Argentina' gorgeously reaches the almost ten minute mark! I can't even tell you how unbearable it's going to be waiting until March 25th for their new album "Forcefield". The track goes through--you guessed it--three amazing movements, alternating between triumphant and raucous rock to slow and painfully beautiful croons. The accompanying lyric video is simple and elegant, and highlights how brilliant every single lyric is. I swear to you, if you give this song a chance and soldier through to committing to sit down and listen to it, you won't be disappointed! Preorder "Forcefield" here!

If you really can't do it and have more of a three minute attention span, their other single 'Hot Tonight' is lively and upbeat and awesome as well (and available to download when you preorder)! Enjoy!

Zedd: Stay The Night (Acoustic iTunes Session)

I've shared this song with all of you before, but not like this. The original version is a dance friendly, addictive, and incredible number that has been one of the biggest earworms this past year for me. This acoustic version of Zedd's masterpiece though...it reaches new emotional levels and is stripped down to the bare essentials, revealing a song impossible not to love. Hayley Williams voice is cradled even more perfectly by Zedd's piano work than by his electronics, and this version adds so much to the original, I simply had to buy both incarnations! 

The music video, chronicling Zedd's 34 city solo tour is truly beautiful, and the lightshow and insanity (all lovingly captured in black and white and slow motion) makes me so jealous of all the Coachella-goers who get to see him! Thank you for this acoustic version Zedd, you can rest assured it'll stay stuck in my head for more than just the night. 

Foster The People: Coming Of Age

After an amazing Leiout weekend of beach ultimate frisbee, I'd say it's time to return in triumphant form with none other than the 2014 Coachella almost-headliners Foster The People! 

The first single off their upcoming (March 18th) 'Supermodel' album is as filled with just as many sunny guitars and peppy choruses as ever and has me stoked for the rest! Accompanied by a super-snazzy time-lapse video of some epic large scale graffiti, this video and song promise good things in the future, and good tunes for the present! Enjoy! 

Paul McCartney: Little Willow

I most likely will not be posting again until Sunday or perhaps even Monday night because of the whirlwind of activity (traveling, visiting old and new friends, and hucking mad frisbees at the Santa Monica Leiout Beach Frisbee tournament) before school begins.

I woke up today just craving The Beatles and proceeded to burn over 100 songs from my dads complete Beatles discography onto my computer so that I could once more sing along like crazy to the songs that I was raised on. Searching for something a little more lullaby-like (because lets face it, I'll be sleep deprived the next few nights, and then there's the whole school thing directly following) I remembered how very beautiful and touching Paul McCartney's 'Little Willow' was. I already knew that it was a gorgeous song that brought up emotions for me, but after seeing Paul's lovely music video (crying) and learning that 'Little Willow' was written for the children of Ringo Starr's first wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett, who had recently died of cancer, the song took on a whole deeper meaning for me. The elements may beat and thrash against all of us little willows, but we can only bend with the trials and winds of each day, and stay resilient until the dawn.

Life, as it happens

Nobody warns you

Willow, hold on tight

Sleep, little willow

Peace gonna follow

Time will heal your wounds

Thank you Paul. Sleep well music-loving willows: may this song guide your dreams and brighten your day! 

Vampire Weekend: Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro)

While trying unsuccessfully to tune in after the fact to KROQ radio to hear the 4:20 PM release of Younglbood Hawke's new song 'Pressure' (I still haven't heard it, but those who did loved it!) I saw a scrolling banner ad about a new Vampire Weekend song reworking the neo-classical "Con te Partirò," made famous by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. This obviously meant a great deal to me since I'm soooo cultured, and hold neo-classical tenors close to my heart....

I have never heard of the song before in my life. 

Anyway, I checked it out, and what should I find, but one of the coolest Vampire Weekend songs to date! Exchanging the huge orchestra of the original for a reggae beat, Ezra's voice shines like crazy. It's a real testament to Vampire Weekend when I'm completely captivated by a song without a single word in English. These guys are way too cool. The switch up at 2:35 is sweet, and so Vampire. Enjoy! 

The link above is from a random SoundCloud user, as the track is currently Private only to the music label of the upcoming 'Sweetheart' album featuring a variety of artists. Here's the link to the private track in case the above SoundCloud is taken down: https://soundcloud.com/fantasylabelgroup/time-to-say-goodbye-con-te/s-EIWx4

Also, this is just fantastic. 

The Colourist: We Won't Go Home (Indie Gold)

Yes, yes (a reference to one of their songs, called 'yes, yes') here I am posting about The Colourist again...you really don't need to rub it in any more that I didn't see them at Coachella when I had the chance: it's a very sensitive subject! I didn't know about them yet, ok! 

Well, now that that little outburst is out of the way. The Colourist are awesome. Catchy, lovely contrast of male/female vocals, and a sound that you can get lost in. The biggest shame about them is their lack of released material! I've been hooked on 'We Won't Go Home' for the last few weeks, and it just won't get out of my head! The hook is so damn sing-alongable! Seven seconds in and you can color me impressed! The call and response early in the song is amazing, and the second that they start chanting about how they are disinclined to acquiesce to the request of their return home...I love it. Enjoy and buy the whole Lido EP here pronto! 

With more close-ups than a hipsters instagram feed, the music video for 'Little Games' is an indie wet dream of good tunes, good angles, and melancholy. Enjoy! 

Hardwell feat. Matthew Koma: Dare You (EDM Anthem)

Mindless EDM Monday anyone?! I guess when you're sitting pretty as the official #1 DJ in the world, you can keep things same old same old and people will love it.

And don't get me wrong: I love it! What Hardwell lacks in innovation in 'Dare You' he makes up for with pure irresistible consistency and production. Matthew Koma's voice is wonderfully nestled amidst uplifting synths, and the second drop/prolonged build at 2:38 really makes you feel like you're flying. Enjoy and become stoked to see Hardwell live with his ending concert footage!...I dare you!

For the amazing remix hungry and the free music ravenous, there's nothing better than Hardwell's reworking of his own song 'Apollo'. 

Anne and Pete Sibley: This Silver Ring (Bluegrass House Concert!)

Not only are Anne and Pete Sibley a fantastic duet whose every song is filled with soaring voices and transcendent harmonies, but they're a fantastic duet whose every song is filled with soaring voices and transcendent harmonies who played, this very night, in my living room! 

There's really nothing like two amazing musicians serenading you and your family in the living room with a christmas tree in the background and good vibes in the air. I got to hear Anne's soaring voice fill all of Henry Lane with its soothing melodies, whilst Pete's banjo urged the very rafters to strum along with him through the new songs they played for us! The intimacy and closeness of seeing them play for us was matched only by the intimacy and passion passing between Pete and Anne as they stared deeply at each other, seeking and finding the inspirations behind their poignant love songs. 

In short, if you've never had an impromptu concert in your living room by the famed and esteemed Winners of the 2009 Great American Duet Sing-Off on 'A Prairie Home Companion', you're doing something wrong! 

Enjoy just one of the Sibley's incredibly rich discography, entitled 'This Silver Ring'. This song truly highlights how Anne's resonant voice can spread warmth throughout any space, and how their harmonies "are warm, tight and soulful" (Nashville Public Radio), and are so "sweetly-locked that [they] snuggle right up next to each other" (Brian Eyster, Planet Bluegrass). If you don't have the bluegrass bug after this, get your ears checked! 

"If I swore that I'd always love you, could we have this for a long long time?" 

The Sibley's will do you one better, you can have their song for the long, longest time with their enormously generous free download of 'Long Long Love' on their website here! Just scroll down and right click, save as on the free download! Be sure to check this soulful duet out more on their website http://www.anneandpetesibley.com/

To peruse and purchase their music here: http://www.anneandpetesibley.com/music.php

Or on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/anne-pete-sibley/id136838192

And finally on independent music store CD Baby here: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AnnePeteSibley

Happy Listening! 

Wake Owl: Wild Country

After all the tomfoolery of New Years and the holidays, I think it's time to ease back into some peaceful and lovely slow bliss. Wake Owl are nothing if not lovely to listen to. With a really peaceful but still quite lively and passionate sound, their just pleasant to listen to. Their upcoming album has been described as 

 harvesting playful experimentation and raw emotion in perfect harmony

and I can't say it much better than that. Enjoy and prepare yourself for Wake Owl turning heads in the future! 

Get it? Turning heads...owls...I need to go to sleep. 

'

HOLY GOD DAMN MOTHER OF MERCY BETSY MERGATROITE. 

Noah Hyde, the amazing remixer who brought us a remix of Purity Ring's 'Obedear' (One of the coolest songs of all time, hands down, remind yourself here) has remixed Wake Owl! It's amazing, it's free, it's awesome. Enjoy!

Dzeko & Torres: 2013 In 10 Minutes (EDM Mashups of the Year)

2013 was a huge year for Electronic Dance Music. From Diplo to Skrillex, and Axwell to EDM beats in every pop song, EDM was everywhere. Looking back on the year, there were some tracks that really stood out and defined the genre and the direction the music is taking. Thanks to the rapidly growing DJ duo of Dzeko & Torres, we have many of those songs (46 in fact), condensed into their annual year recap in 10 minutes. It's a wild ride that reminds you of all the great songs from this year and gets you excited for what's to come. I personally enjoy from 7:00 on the most. Enjoy! 

If you're more of a pop person, but want something fresh, DJ Earworm releases a 'United States Of Pop' each year, and this one is a real gem! It's improved tenfold by watching the video: it's awesome to see the progression of music videos, and Earworm does a great job of video splicing and song splicing! Mashing together 25 of the biggest songs this year, it's an impressive overview of the year, and highlights Lorde, which is always good! Enjoy!

Three Seconds A Day: A Movie Of My Life! (Music By Smallpools: Over And Over)

A month and a half ago, a friend told me about the awesome idea of chronicling a few seconds of my life each and every day, and compiling them together into a living record of my existence. Since then I've learned to more fully appreciate the precious moments, and to try and find the remarkable on even the most drab of days. Filming, editing, exploring, and splicing together this adventure has been incredible fun, and I hope to continue making these into the future! I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my average (three second) day! 

Choosing the right song to be the backbeat and living pulse of my last few months was exceedingly difficult, and I listened to hundreds of tracks before settling on 'Over and Over'. It captures the breathless excitement of life, tinged with the knowledge that it is fleeting so we have to make every second last. When I was nearly done with the video I got to see Smallpools live, headlining for one of their first times ever, and before they played this song, frontman Sean Scanlon said that the song was supposed to capture the feeling of having a day that is humdrum and dull, and suddenly, out of the blue, having one of the best nights of your life. With a little spontaneity, heart, and positivity, you can make every night one to live 'Over and Over'! 

I can't thank enough all the friends, family, and extraordinary places that populate the confines of this little movie, and I can't even begin to imagine all the fantastical places and people that will fill the coming months! Thank you all, and happy New Years! Let's all make 2014 a year worthy of wanting to live over and over.