Caroline Smith and The Good Night Sleeps :: Closing the Doors
For those of you who enjoy good female vocal leads and instrumentals that make you wanna dance with someone, this is your group. I have been hearing Caroline Smith and The Good Night Sleeps on 89.3 The Current for quite sometime now, but I always confused them with the musical stylings of Ingrid Michaelson. However, this morning, I was paying attention and learned the real name of the group who has been signing a song I can't get out of my head as of late. I also learned that they're based in Minneapolis - which means I am so going to see them when they're next in town :)
Thus begins our summer music circuit. I hope you all enjoy this new group as much as I do!
i honestly can't believe we haven't posted about MGMT yet. i searched our archives and did not find anything, although, i could have sworn that we had...but i am going to write about them this week regardless. the past week has been a little busy for me and i've had a couple of REALLY crazy days thrown in the mix of things...between losing my cell phone on the 42 bus in DC, to paying witness to a protest against the church of scientology, to street dancers so good it was illegal, to random free advice playing banjo guys...i've had a lot going on!
i am choosing MGMT's song Kids because when i was finally reunited w/a replacement phone, i decided to add some new ring tones to make the phone feel a little bit more like my own, rather than a replacement. i did some searching around online and when i saw that MGMT had songs to download for ring tones, i was ECSTATIC!!! although they have many jammin tunes, i picked Kids because it just makes me feel so dammed happy. i figured, i should have a ring tone that makes me feel as happy as this song makes me, and, well friends, there you have it....today's blog.
these dudes are some seriously sexy beasts...i mean, just look at them!
they used to be called 'the management' but are now going by MGMT. their latest album is titled Oracular Spectacular and really, the entire thing is pretty amazing...but this particular song will get you chair dancing the entire way from the Huntington Metro on the Yellow line to Dupont Circle on the Red line if you're not careful (i know this b/c i had it on repeat on my way to work this morning!) :D
i hope y'all enjoy it and i makes you jam out or rock out, to whichever you are choosing to wield today!
the end. love, meggo.
Kids :: MGMT
You were a child Crawling on your knees toward it Making momma so proud, But your voice is too loud
We like to watch you laughing, You pick the insects off plants No time to think of consequences
Control yourself Take only what you need from it A family of trees wanted To be haunted
Control yourself Take only what you need from it A family of trees wanted To be haunted
The water is warm But it’s sending me shivers A baby is born Crying out for attention
The memories fade Like looking through a fogged mirror Decision to decisions are made And not bought, But I thought this wouldn’t hurt a lot. I guess not
VIDEO this particular video is not the official video for the song, nor are the two people "singing" in the video MGMT, but i think the video was really well done and deserves to be seen. so, enjoy!
BONUS!!! so, if y'all have a spare minute, you should check out THIS website and explore the stylings of a band called Paper Swan (they also told me they go by the name Fountain Jumpers, but i feel they may have been pulling my chain)...anyway, i asked them to play me a song this past saturday in dupont circle and they kindly obliged me, but under the stipulation that i take pictures...so i did. anyway, check them out!
sorry for the late post y'all. work at both of my jobs has been crazy, and so has applying for jobs in minnesota! let's cross our fingers though because all this hectic havoc is driving me nuts!
ok, back to the music...
i am not really sure when i first came across the group Justice, but i last remember hearing them on 89.3 The Current recently and they've been on my jams playlist ever since. and then i was at a house party this past weekend, when my ipod started playing the song...i'm thinking it was one of those free songs of the week downloads from itunes from a while back, but either way, i was very pleased!
Justice is a French electro pop/dance group and their totally jammin. they have some sort of weird cross fetish, that i haven't been able to completely determine if it has any sort of spiritual/religious significance or not, but i really could care less...because, as i've already iterated, Justice is JAMMIN!
i highly recommend checking them out, and then dancing around wherever you may be...and yes, that includes chair dancing...
the end. love, meggo.
here is a little sample of me and my friend vincent jammin out at the house party we attended last weekend...probably to Justice!
D.A.N.C.E. :: Justice
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) Catching all the lights Just easy as A.B.C. That’s how you make it right!
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) Catching all the lights Just easy as A.B.C. That’s how you make it right!
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Do the dance, Do the dance!
The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, You’re always there for music and me. Do the dance, The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, You’re always there for music and me.
Do the D.A.N.C.E., 1, 2, 3, 4 Fight! Stick to the B.E.A.T., Get ready to ignite
You were such a P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) Catching all the lights Just easy as A.B.C. That’s how you make it right!
The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, Do the dance. You’re always there for music and me. Do the dance, Do the dance. The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, Do the dance. You’re always there for music and me.
Under the spotlight, Neither black no white, It does not matter, Do the dance, Do the dance!
As strong as you might, Working day and night, Whatever happens, Do the dance, Do the dance!
Under the spotlight, Neither black no white, It does not matter, Do the dance, Do the dance!
As strong as you might, Working day and night, What at all happens, Do the dance, Do the dance!
The way you move is a mystery, Do the dance, You’re always there for music and me.
today's blog is about how awesome 89.3 The Current is. i recently became a contributing member to the minnesota public radio station and i am so glad i did! they really do play some quality music, and a lot of it is stuff you wouldn't hear on just any radio station. they also have their own radio feed on itunes, so you can listen to them anytime, anywhere (provided you're near a computer w/internetaccess).
anyway, today's song is by Mates of State. this husband and wife duo started making music in 1997 and they've been rockin it ever since. what sets this group apart from other musical acts is their primary use of drums and organ, as opposed to most bands, that utilize guitar, bass, etc... anyway, they are fun and catchy and i hope you all enjoy them :) the end. love, meggo.
Better Now :: Mates of State Forget your politics for a while Let the color schemes arrive
Come on board, it's a curious site Absorbing sound that's never been right Never ahead of, never behind it Occasionally guarded, just keeps us surrounded It's luck
Everything's gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better
I propose a less serious boat Don't mistake for a party of jokes You are never ahead of, never behind us Floating in circles, there's more to remind them of less
Everything's gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better
Forget your politics for a while Let the color schemes arrive
BONUS SONG! also...if you haven't listened to Andrew Bird, you maybe should do that too...we will probably blog about him another time, but until then, enjoy this song!
So last week I was an RA for the Diversity Center Summer Seminars at Luther. Throughout the week the kids introduced me to a lot of new music, some good, some horrible. What really stood out to me was the band El Guincho. They sound kinda like Animal Collective in Spanish on ecstasy at Carnival. Nonetheless, while I have no idea what they're singing about, they make excellent summer music. I played then for some of the six year old boys that I was looking after last week and we had a lot of fun rocking out and dancing around the house. This particular song is called Costa Paraiso.
happy july 1 everyone! man, i don't know about you, but this summer is going by sorta fast...the first of the month totally creeped up on me! anyway, back to the music...
i came across James when i was at work a couple of weeks ago and listening to pandora.com. this group is from england and has been around for quite some time (since 1981), but they are new to me. this particular song is off their 2001 album, pleased to meet you.
again...following the trend of the season, i feel like this particular song is fitting for summer. when i listened to it the first time, i immediately wished i was just chillin outside in a hammock, with a rum & coke in hand...just laying in the sun. that's what i wish i were doing right now actually...that would be nice...i also felt a similarity between James and Lykke Li, who we have blogged about a while back...these two musical acts fit well together...
anyway, this band has been together a long time, however, after this album was released, the lead singer, Tim Booth, quit the band....but then he got back together with them and is currently working on a new album w/the group!
hope y'all enjoy the song. the end. love, meggo
(cool thing about this picture: it is a composite of all the band members faces! neat, huh?)
Fine :: James
I’m a boomerang In the outback Keep your throwing arm steady So I get home I’m a vampire bat Out in shanghai Haven’t eaten in four days I’ve ordered in a chinese takeaway
I show more than I hide I care more than I cry I’m a phonograph baby My wires are live And I’m in crisscross
Fine. I feel fine.
I’m a fortune cookie Full of cheap advice I’m a suicide rookie Blowing last call
Show more than I hide Care more than I can cry I’m a phonograph baby My wires are live And I’m in crisscross
Fine. I feel fine.
BONUS:
Dance, Dance, Dance :: Lykke Li
Having troubles telling how I feel But I can dance, dance and dance Couldn't possibly tell you how I mean But I can dance, dance, dance So when I trip on my feet Look at the beat The words are, written in the sand When I'm shaking my hips Look for the swing The words are, written in the air Dance I was a dancer all along Dance, dance, dance Words can never make up for what you do Easy conversations, there's no such thing No I'm shy, shy, shy My hips they lie 'cause in reality I'm shy, shy, shy But when I trip on my feet Look at the ground The words are, written in the dust When I'm shaking my hips Look for the swing The words are written in the air Dance I was a dancer all along Dance, dance, dance Words can never make up for what you do Dance, dance, dance
i also went to the Rock The Garden Concert this past weekend, with a few other bloggers...and it freakin ROCKED!!! besides Cloud Cult, as mentionedmultipletimeson this blog, there were three other bands...but i will be focusing on The NewPornographers! rumor has it that lead female vocalist, Neko Case, was not at the show - but both myself and guest blogger, Krista, could have sworn she was...however, we were not lucky enough to be standing in front of the stage during The New Pornographer's set - we were stuck in the Chipotle line for the first half of it, and were thus confined to the grassy knoll area located to the side of the stage, where we scarfed down our burritos and Summit beer! mayhaps one of you readers (or Brenda or Kim) could let us know if she really was there...
anyway...back to the music. i've only been exposed to very few New Pornographers songs, specifically from Brenda on this blog, but i am sure glad i got to see them live! they are totally jammin and it was really hard to sit still during their performance...even though i was already sitting...i had to resort to 'chair dancing' much to Krista's demise - but even she found it hard to sit still.
this particular song that i want to share w/y'all is from their 2003 album Electric Version and is titled The Laws Have Changed. going along with the theme i've been goin with for a while now, this song is a great summer tune. it's hard not to want to move your body to, and i can only imagine what it would feel like to go on a road trip and have this song come on - it would most likely involve girlish screams, chair dancing, and immediate releasing of happy endorphins :) what i like a lot about this song are the vocals by Neko Case (or whoever it was that was singing on stage w/them this weekend...) - the sort of call and response feel to it, the driving drum beat, an organ lick, a catchy tune, and of course, the lyrics aren't too shabby either.
hopefully, y'all will enjoy this tune as much as i did - and if you ever get a chance, you should totally check out The New Pornographers at a concert near you!
the end. love, meggo. :)
The Laws Have Changed :: The New Pornographers
It was crime at the time but the laws, we changed 'em, Though the hero for hire's forever the same one Introducing for the first time, Pharaoh on the microphone Sing all hail, what'll be revealed today when we peer into the great unknown, From the line to the throne?
Awakened to cheers after years on the faultline, We are shocked to be here in the face of the meantime Pharaoh, all your methods have taught me is to separate my blood from bone It will all fail, feeling what I feel today, when we peer into the great unknown, From the line to the throne
Form a line through here, form a line to the throne Form a line through here, form a line to the throne Form a line through here, form a line to the throne Form a line through here, form a line to the throne
Alone in the chain, it remains to be seen how, How well you can play when the pawn takes a queen now Introducing for the first time, Pharaoh on the microphone Sing all hail, what will be revealed today when we peer into the great unknown, From the line to the throne? Sing all hail, what will be revealed today when we peer into the great unknown, From the line to the throne?
Form a line through here, form a line to the throne Form a line through here, form a line to the throne Form a line through here, form a line to the throne Form a line through here, form a line to the throne
It was crime at the time but the laws have changed, yeah It was crime at the time but the laws have changed, yeah
BONUS SONG!!!! they totally played this at the close of their set and it totally jammin!
happy tuesday everyone!!! i'd like to continue onto my happy summer music theme of a couple of weeks ago...and with the theme of jammin! i came across this lovely rock group from LA called Ima Robot. i first heard this particular song of theirs on pandora.com - an online radio 'do-it-yourself' station (which if you haven't checked it out, you totally should!). i had created a 'Cloud Cult' radio station and Ima Robot popped up after a couple of days of groovin. i found myself bouncin around in my office chair while i was putting together a media hit list and organizing some invoices.
Anyway...
Ima Robot put out their first full length album in 2003 - but have been makin sweet sweet music since the late 90s. They've also toured with some rockin bands like Hot Hot Heat, and The Sounds (two groups we need to blog about soon!!!) which must have been super fun.
this particular tune comes from their second album Monument to the Masses, which was released in 2006. what is fun about this particular group is that their really diverse in terms of style - and they're funny. you can't go wrong with people that can make fun music that can also make you laugh and feel giddy and silly and....summery :)
so, enough with my talkin! get to jammin. hope y'all enjoy Ima Robot as much as i have been! the end. love, meggo.
(video disclaimer: i tried my hardest to find a video/audio version of this song that was from the band, but after trying various audio/visual websites, this was the best thing i could come up with! so, hopefully this person's fun-times pictures will accompany the song in an exciting way!)
The Beat :: Ima Robot Julie’s clocking out at the station hurry up and get your pay a two day vacation Friday, Saturday down in the basement shower up in the sink throw on some lipstick and look pretty in pink
short skirts in the cold to the club oh the night is waiting getting closer you feel it shaking on the dance floor
this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to here’s to the kids that get it off we work all week to sweat it off
this is the beat we beat the pressure throwing away the world with pleasure we’re working hard to burn it off so dj won't you turn it up
beat beat, beat beat beat beat, beat beat
julie's doing shots at the counter thinking 'bout his great escape from his stupid job telemarketing but he never can shake the weight a little tap on the shoulder the prettiest girl in pink "Oh no, I can’t dance," he told her as she dragged him from his drink
freeze frame in the heat she moved oh and it’s close to shaking so close but the crowd is breaking on the dance floor
this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to here’s to the kids that get it off we work all week to sweat it off
this is the beat to beat the pressure throwing away the world with pleasure we’re working hard to burn it off so dj won’t you turn it up
and we can be for city boys and summer girls who dream just like the kids with chinese rocks and beating hearts thank you boys
make some noise make some noise
this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat that we get high to this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to this is the beat, the beat we fight to this is the beat we live and die to here's to the kids that get it off we work all week to sweat it off this is the beat to beat the pressure throwing away the world with pleasure we're working hard to burn it off so dj won't you turn it off
BONUS SONG!!! (just for fun!) Hello I Love You :: Ima Robot
My post is a day late with apologies. I was busy yesterday introducing my Ohio friends to the hootenannny. Tonight, however, my roommate and I are heading to a Chris Pureka concert. Chris Pureka is a independent singer-songwriter who was opening for Dar Williams on tour last fall, where I first saw her perform live. Most of her songs are all pretty mellow and melancholy - good for a rainy days or contemplative cooking alone in your apartment. However, this song, "Porch Songs" is relatively upbeat for Chris. For me, the song evokes memories of times very close to my heart such as impromptu sing-alongs in the apartment in Water St. in Decorah, sharing a room with Meghan during my sophomore year of college, family road trips when my brother and I were small, swimming in the Upper Iowa River with Krissy and running around barefoot afterward, sitting on Joanie's front porch with her in D.C. drinking tea like old men and countless summer nights in Michigan singing my campers to sleep from outside their cabin doors.
In the end, I think all music is about these moments, in some form or another.
"Porch Songs" Chris Pureka
We sang porch songs like we were rock stars We drank cheap beer and tried to make it last Then it was back in the car The coast to the cornfields Maybe we were just looking for something else to call ourselves
Rest stop coffee, yeah postcards back home Back seat scenes of strange towns Keep driving on, driving on In the middle of the night, we took a wrong turn Ended up on a mountain in the pine trees and the moonlit earth
Oh the scattered light, a photograph in mind Of a summer day, squinting at the sun It's a warm stone, that I carry along You know I, you know that I I've been saving quarters, for the toll roads We can pack the car tonight, we can leave town tomorrow Put me on a porch swing out in Portland Put me on an F train, roll me back into Brooklyn Well we closed the bars, like we were cowboys And then we wrote our names in the dirt by the side of the road And October came and the winter drew near With the cold fingers digging in under the ribs But we were campfire girls and we were kicking up the leaves And we returned to our jobs with our clothes smelling of wood-smoke
Oh the scattered light, a photograph in mind Of a summer day, squinting at the sun It's a warm stone, that I carry along You know I, you know that I I've been saving quarters, for the toll roads We can pack the car tonight, we can leave town tomorrow Put me on a porch swing out in Portland Put me on an F train, roll me back into Brooklyn
We sang porch songs like we were rock stars We drank cheap beer and tried to make it last
Happy Friday folks. Today I turned in my application to continue studying Swahili in Tanzania this summer. I am wildly excited about the chance to return to East Africa - thrilled in a way that makes me feel tingly all over. It feels like falling in love. In honor of this exciting (and financially stressful...) moment in life, I'd like to offer the following song, which, in my opinion anyway, is a beautiful rendition of the Tanzanian national anthem. The video that I'm posting of the song is just a guy, Lukazi Sambatree, and his acoustic guitar. If you go to Lukazi's website, www.sambatree.com, you can listen to the (much better) recorded version of the song. I would also highly recommend listening to the other song he has posted on his website, called "Blessing and a Curse." It has a really cool sound and is pretty catchy - and it's in English. (There are some background vocals on "Blessing and a Curse" that are in Swahili - "Sikiliza moyo yako" - "Listen to your heart.") So, head to the website!!!
Anyway, I've been listening to this version of the Tanzanian anthem non-stop for about a week and I haven't gotten tired of it yet. It's a beautiful song to begin with, and his guitar arrangement is lovely.
Below are the lyrics to the Tanzanian national anthem (and English translation). Enjoy.
Mungu ibariki Afrika Wabariki viongozi wake Hekima, umoja na amani Hizi ni ngao zetu Afrika na watu wake
Ibariki Afrika Ibariki Afrika Tubariki watoto wa Afrika Watoto wa Afrika
Mungu ibariki Tanzania Dumisha uhuru na umoja Wake na waume na watoto Mungu ibariki Tanzania na watu wake
Ibariki Tanzania Ibariki Tanzania Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania Watoto wa Tanzania
God bless Africa Bless her leaders Wisdom, unity and peace Are our shield Africa and her people
Bless Africa Bless Africa Bless us, the children of Africa The children of Africa
God bless Tanzania Grant us freedom and unity Women, men and children God bless Tanzania and her people
Bless Tanzania Bless Tanzania Bless us, the children of Tanzania The children of Tanzania
Mungu mbariki, rafiki zangu (God bless you, my friends).
Caroline Smith and The Good Night Sleeps :: Closing the Doors
