Girl Power (with edge of course!)

New Regina Spektor

This is definitely a new director for the Tori Amos doppelganger and I love it!

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/28/listen-regina-spektor-all-the-rowboats.html

Estelle & Janelle Monae (Typically I think of Estelle as the opposite of whatever turns to gold) but I actually like this empowered girl anthem
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/28/listen-estelle-do-my-thing-feat-janelle-monae.html;send=false

The anti Good Girl anthem compliments of Marina & the Diamonds. Still like it!
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/28/listen-marina-the-diamonds-homewrecker.html

All Things Arctic Monkeys

So let me start off by  before I saw the Arctic Monkey's live at Lollapalooza last year I wasn't really a fan. After the set I thought they were pretty good. (high energy, crowd pleasing basic rock n roll)

When I listened to this song (When the Sun Goes Down-- link below) it stuck with me. lyrics, concept, arrangement everything.. i thought if the white stripes vocals mixed with the Black Keys arrangements and they had a music baby it would be this band.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUatH8zI6Qc

pretty soon I became obssessed with the whole album ''Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not.''. They are actually releasing a new album soon.

You can preview their new track here:

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/27/listen-arctic-monkeys-r-u-mine.html

I've only heard it once.. and I half love it half hate it. I don't know why.. (Video is completely pointless warning you now)


and are touring with.... You guessed it. the Black Keys...I LOVE being right! In our fair Chicago March 19th at the United Center.. Of course I"m going!

Nylon Good Listener Playlist

this is a great well rounded playlist.

A little bit of bluegrass, a little ravey electronica, a little bit of hip hop

check it out..

My favorite track on this is Daughter-Youth


http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=7646

lolla wishlist & rant on scheduling

Today I was given the best and worst music news and I have mixed emotions ;/

Best: Jack White playing on SNL March 3rd.
Fiona Apple coming to Lincoln Hall 3/19
Santigold & Sleigh Bells are opening for RHCPs(--but not the Chicago show:/)


Worst: Lindsay Lohan is  hosting Jack's episode
Can't go to Fiona b/c it's the same night as the Black Keys/Arctic Monkeys :( (fiona only tours like once every 10 years people!)

Flo & the Machine added 8 new dates but NOT chicago:*(

Sleigh Bell's performance on SNL was amazing! They did not 1 but 2 songs:) Watch here:
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/20/watch-sleigh-bells-visit-saturday-night-live.html


So whether my list is real or far-fetched. I'm putting it out there for Lolla no particular order

RHCP
Blood Orange
Blouse
Electric Guest
Jack White
Santigold
Sleigh Bells
Flo & the Machine
Fiona Apple
Lana Del Ray
Atlas Genius
Gotye
Allen Stone
Alabama Shakes
The Big Pink
(Drake)--not a fan but he'll be there probably Nicki Minaj too
The Civil Wars
The Kooks
Porcelain Raft
Will add more as time goes on.

A Valentines Day Playlist for myself.

As Valentine's Day approaches as a single person again this year. I'm actually not sad. I'm taking an opportunity to make a playlist for the future.

(If John Cusack were holding a boombox over his head what would I want to hear?).. (literally. John Cusack will be fine, if not Lenny, or Joseph Gordon Leavitt, or the newly reportedly single Johnny Depp... will settle for any hard core music fan obviously!

If I made this last year(feel free to use this for your current list for any of your gentleman that are still hopeless romantics who need ideas for playlists)

it would include Ben Harper,Bruno Mars,Lenny Kravitz,  Andrew Belle, More Ben Harper,Friendly Fires, John Mayer, Ray Lamontagne, Ra Ra Riot, Raphael Saadiq, David Gray, Jack's Mannequin, Joshua Radin, Lykke Li City & Colour,Pearl Jam Foo Fighters

But this year I aspire to look forward both musically and personally.

So here's my list:

(Ed Sheeran, Jack White, anything produced by or including Danger Mouse, I have to keep Lenny Kravitz, his message IS love!, Porcelain Raft, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robin Thicke, Allen Stone, Ryan Adams-''Lucky'', Van Morrison, Gavin Degraw, Bruno Mars, Cee-Lo, Say Hi to Your Mom, Sleigh Bells, The Kooks: ''Rosie'' (any covers of songs that have been in a John Hughes movie) like Nada Surf ''If You Leave''....

and anything from the Voice contestant Chris Cauley who made my heart melt both by his general attractiveness and cover of ''Grenade'' I would love to find his twin! (or a mix of him + Adam Levine)

http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/chris-cauleys-grenade/1384802

New Music!--ADDED SLEIGH BELLS FULL STREAM ALBUM

First Listen of Sleigh Bells new album before release date 2/21 here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/arts/music/the-indie-band-sleigh-bells-new-album-reign-of-terror.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all
(look to the left hand column and press play on any of the tracks)

New Music from the Ting Tings (I thought they dissappeared off the face of the earth,--they haven't released an album in 4 years and have been touring in Europe ever since. but I'm glad they're back!)
This new track is very funk/reggae inspired with the signature vocal you'd expect.

check it out!
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/8/listen-the-ting-tings-soul-killing.html



I think Tennis' new album is perfect Tuesday Music.

part Cults and Edie Brickell sounding vocals,  it's easy breezy :)

Listen to the full stream album for free here: http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/7/listen-tennis-young-old-full-album-stream.html

Coldplay's new song ''Charlie Brown'' is great, exactly like the title, it picks you up when you're feeling down (womp womp)-- as far as the video is concerned i'm over the neon glowstick motif

http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/2/3/watch-coldplay-charlie-brown-official-video.html

Season 2 of the Voice started Monday night and I am already declaring my favorite after part two of the blind auditions! Jamar-- a tall tattooed former bad boy now a reformed softy at heart and the song he chooses to sing? a very atypical song for his look. The White Stripes ''Seven Nation Army''!!! I'm in love!

watch his audition here: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/jamar-rogers-seven-nation-army/1383575

Good luck Jamar!!! xoxo

New Jack White + Porcelain Raft video

Get Excited!
For the first time the incomprable musical geniuis Jack White will be releasing a solo album in late April!

Here the first song here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD12wH9En6s



new video for Porcelain Raft http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2012/1/25/watch-porcelain-raft-unless-you-speak-from-your-heart-offici.html


The bands asthetic reminds of Broken Bells electronic sound + video is in black & white, kind of silly and abstract. That's what I like about it!

Lenny Kravitz LIVE!

Pictures to follow, (they turned out pretty cool because I got a shot of him moving all over the place, not just standing stationary at the mic) but I finally got to see one of my favorite Rock Gods live... Lenny Kravitz!

The man is damn near 50 years old and he is talented, sexy and defines rock and roll. Leather vest, chains, tattoos, trademark sunglasses Extremely grateful to his fans, humble, everything I thought he would be.

Playlist (not necessarily in order :/
Always on the Run
American Woman
Mr. Cab Driver
Rock Star City Life
Believe
Black & White America
Stand
Stand by My Woman
It Aint Over Till It's Over
Rock and Roll is Dead
Fly Away
Are You Gonna Go My Way
Push
Let Love Rule

Lenny walked the whole theater and sang in the crowd, shook hands smiled and talked back to his fans in the front row. Waved at every single section of the theater and we all sang along.  He had cute little anoedotes, how happy he was to be back the US. 

During ''Black & White America" a home movie of Lenny's childhood played in the background, pictures of Lenny from childhood to teenager,(a star in the making) pictures of his parents (the late Roxie Roker of the Jeffersons & movie/tv producer Sy Kravitz)

His band was incredible (same guitarist from his early days (Craig Ross) white guy with massive 'fro, saxofonist, trombone player, drummer from Chicago. Welcome to Chicago, Home of the Blues!

He looked like he was having so much fun and didn't want to leave.  15mins were called and he kept saying "We're not done playing yet''

Great encore of Let Love Rule, that seemed to last forever (definitely a good thing) There was not a single person in the crowd that wasn't participating singing each word "Leettt'' "Looooove'' ''Ruuule''

This show was well worth the wait. Soon after the concert Lenny posted on his facebook status ''Chicago, you Lifted Me.'' Thank you. Love Lenny.

Chicago Loves you too LK!