Let’s Talk About: BOY and First Aid Kit

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These two duos are some that I am very excited to talk about. Both of the duos are not well known, and one of my favorite things to do is expose people to new music. One of my second favorite things to do is learn about new music from others. I discovered First Aid Kit long before I discovered BOY, yet I adore them both equally. I have already posted one of BOY’s music videos and I will post one by First Aid Kit soon.

First Aid Kit is a folk duo made up of two Swedish sisters. Their chilling harmonies and mixes between slow and fast tempos are extremely compelling.  Their most well known song is Emmylou, the catchy and upbeat tune about searching for a love like Johhny and June or Emmylou and Graham. This song, along with other favorites such as The Lion’s Roar and King of the World, are all found on their second album, The Lion’s Roar. I actually discovered their second album before their first when Emmylou was free on iTunes (yaaay iTunes)! Their debut album The Big Black & The Blue contains danceable tunes such as I Met Up with the King, as well as melancholy and feelful (not a word I know but you have to listen to the song to understand) songs such as In the Morning. If you like folk, if you like sisterly harmonies so strong and powerful that they’re sometimes terribly amazing (also didn’t make sense, I know people- music is hard to explain) and if you like good music, then listen to First Aid Kit.

BOY on the other hand, angles to be much more pop than First Aid Kit, but also put forward an Indie vibe. The duo is comprised of Swiss singer, Valeska Steiner and German bassist, Sonja Glass. Their music is incredibly catchy and light, and sometimes, that’s just what one needs. Their debut album Mutual Friends is incredible with fun songs like Little Numbers and songs like Drive Darling, a true representation of Valeska’s vocal talent. The duo also release an acoustic version of Mutual Friends  which led to me being way too excited. Nothing is better than a good old acoustic album. Unfortunately, I just missed BOY when they came to my town last year (womp) but hopefully this year a new opportunity will present itself, because there is no doubt I would go to their concert in a heartbeat. 

Let’s Talk About: Johnny Cash

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Johnny Cash, where to begin? My great obsession with Johnny Cash really began after watching Walk The Line, the movie based on his life. Prior to that time I was a big fan of his music, but after seeing the movie, I became more interested in his life with June and began listening to his duets with her, some of which are now my favorites (Jackson, It Ain’t Me Babe). 

When thinking about the music from that time period, such as Bob Dylan and Johnny, a bit of a striking fact is that, if we’re being honest, they weren’t the best singers, they weren’t the best musicians, they were just guys who were able to come into the spotlight. Yet, when one thinks about the things they didn’t have, the attributes artists like Johnny Cash did have become more clear. He had charm, he had a cool factor and he had a mysteriously intriguing persona. 

I often listen to the Live At Folsom Prison record in my room and find Johnny’s raspy and hard hitting voice quite soothing. I can’t help but sing along with the worst impression of a deep manly Johnny Cash voice that I am able to create. I think that because his music has the ability to make people sing and dance along, still to this day, is why people flocked to him when he was in the music scene. His music was catchy and he was cool and sometimes that’s all you need. Kudos to you Mr. Cash. 

Let’s Talk About: Lorde

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I am so thrilled Lorde has gained recognition over the past two years. She is such a refreshing artist and a true representation of where music should take us over the next few years. I absolutely adore her work and think her lyrics are truly phenomenal. When I listen to her songs, I actually hear the words; the meaning behind them is palpable. There are still times when I’m listening to my iPod in my car, to a song by Lorde that I have heard a million times, and enthusiastically yell at the stereo because a lyrical line just blows my mind. I’m sure this provides entertainment and/or fear to other drivers that I’m having a conversation with my car, hopefully the first one. An example of this is from her song The Love Club (I will post a video). I’m sitting pretty on the throne, there’s nothing more I want, except to be alone.  To me, that sentence speaks volumes. The fact that she is able to convey so much in so few words is reflective of her talent and her debut album Pure Heroine does not disappoint. My personal favorite tracks are Ribs and Buzzcut Season (also check out Bravado from her EP). 

Lorde is young enough to appeal to the younger generations, yet an old soul who speaks to many generations ahead of her time. Maybe she can appear a little strange, but so do I and everyone else from time to time. That’s part of the many personalities in this thing called life. I can’t find anything bad to say about the New Zealand native, I can only look forward to the many amazing things I know she will produce in the near future. 

Let’s Talk About: HAIM

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HAIM is the newest sensation. If you’ve heard of them, you’re probably captivated, like me. If you haven’t heard of them, you will soon. California sisters Este, Danielle and Alana are the most talented sister group since Heart. I am absolutely in love with the rhythmic songs these girls have put into the universe. 

Watching youtube videos and live performances, the talent that these girls have is striking. Este plays a bass like no one is watching while Danielle’s fingers dance up and down the frets of her Gibson SG with an equal balance of grace and fervor. Alana puts her heart and soul into the keys and percussion. With Danielle’s velvet like vocals accompanied by beautiful harmonies and occasional leads from Este and Alana, it is hard to comprehend such an extreme amount of talent. 

If you can’t tell, HAIM is one of my favorite bands at the moment. Their debut album Days Are Gone is a mix of songs which seem like they stem from several different genres. When listening to Go Slow and Let Me Go, I often find myself laying on the floor and staring at the ceiling absorbing each note. Yet on songs like Days Are Gone and Don’t Save Me, I can’t help but dance around the room and shake my head like an insane person (typically scaring my friends).

Aside from their musical talent, the genuine relationship and banter between the girls is one that can only be found between sisters. It is entirely refreshing and satisfying to see an up and coming band with such potential, talent and most importantly, a genuine bond (that sounded much less cheesy in my head). 

Definitely check them out! I’ve previously posted The Wire music video, go find it!!

Some of My Favorite Music

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Current: HAIM, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Brandi Carlile, Brooke Fraser

Older: Johnny Cash, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac 

 

I plan to post mainly about music so I suppose you could say this is a disclaimer. 

 

Some Things I’m Looking Forward To

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So, this is my very first post and my very first blog and, if we’re being honest, I really have little to no idea what I’m doing. I also assume very few people will see this first post. I think it is a good start to discuss a few things I’m looking forward to this year. First, with the recent announcement of the Coachella 2014 Lineup, I am absolutely thrilled about an upcoming busy year of concerts. Two artists/bands I am particularly interested in right now are Lorde and HAIM. I think Lorde’s first album Pure Heroine which followed the release of her EP is absolutely phenomenal. In my eyes, she is a lyrical genius. HAIM’s debut album Days Are Gone  is also incredible. The three sisters are very musically talented and it is obvious they have been playing together for along time. I am thrilled that I will be getting to see both of them perform live this year along with attending two other music festivals (although not Coachella :[ ). 

I am also looking forward at the many movie adaptations of books that are coming out this year. Although the movies are typically never as good as the books, the recent release of the Hunger Games Catching Fire has slightly damaged that idea for me. I especially cannot wait for The Maze Runner, Divergent and Serena. Also, we must not forget the ending of American Horror Story: Coven which is taking place within the next few months (so good).

Finally, I am excited to see the performance of the newest Saturday Night Live player, Sasheer Zamata. The show has been viewed as slowly dying over the past few years, but I think the addition of the many featured players this season has hindered that prediction. I also think the strength of returning cast members Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong in incessantly increasing.

If you can’t tell, I’m a bit of a nerd, a huge fan of all things movies, tv, books and music and looking forward to the new year.