Greg Laswell

I need to admit something in order to properly introduce this, here goes, and feel free to judge away.... I like to tell myself normal people watch tv with their feet up, relaxed on a couch with a notepad and pen in their hand so they can frantically jot down any glimpse of lyric they want to hear the whole song to - new or old. That way, I would be completely normal, as there are a million notes to self scattered throughout my desk,apartment and life in general with just parts of lyrics I hear, not just via tv, but throughout the day that I want to follow up on. Clearly, normal human behavior. I dont think I've come to terms with exactly how normal I am, because if I'm with someone when my ears perk up to a song, I'll revert to my phone and write myself emails to mask this normalcy. Needles to say, my inbox is currently clogged, and I have happy butterflies thinking about it. Nothing is more exciting to me than reviewing my notes to self.

So, I was watching the audition episodes of SYTYCD (Canada version) this week, and like the completely normal person I am, I wrote down all the songs I wanted to look up/add to certain playlists. There were 12, fyi. One in particular was a cover of This Woman's Work, not because I liked it better/less than the Maxwell or Kate Bush versions, but simply because its such a beautiful song and I hadnt heard this version before ....After a brief youtube search, enter Greg Laswell. Be prepared to want to take a long drive on a warm night, with a clear sky and the windows open on a country road when you hear his voice. (another favorite passtime of mine. Imagine the paper/email lyrics that come out of such activity! the wealth!!!) Also very reminscent of something you'd hear on Grey's Anatomy, probably because his songs have been. See how normal people are also good detectives?

Let your ears breath this in:

Of Monsters and Men

The inspiration for my day: Of Monsters and Men. The first tune I heard from this Icelandic band, Little Talks, is very reminiscent of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero's Home. I think its safe to say that since the father/daughter rendition of Home, its nestled into the softest parts of our hearts....so, what better way to intro this band than with that comparison:



The more I listen to their acoustic folky tunes, the deeper I fall. Their lyrics are charming, and thematically stay true to their genre, as most of their songs seem to tell a story. What's not to love love love?





Check out more on their myspace, as we all patiently await their debut album (which they're currently in the studio recording): http://www.myspace.com/ofmonstersandmenmusic

We Are Hunted

So, I'm about to share my secret...We are Hunted. This site is my bible for music discovery. If you haven't checked it out you must - its a rotating live chart that streams the coolest tunes right now. Here are my current top two newbies from this a.m.:


The Five One - Closing Time

Nothing like bringing something old out from the back of the closet (or bottom of the itunes bin) shining it up, giving it an accent and adding some beats. Try this on for size, weekend....




Dominent Legs - Young at Love and Life

My theme that will be getting me through today. Download it free here

Neon Hitch

I saw Neon this past fall when she opened for a friend's tour and its safe to say I'm hitched. (Bad pun, I realize, but give me a break I haven't even rolled out of bed yet) Her catchy electro beats are a great addition to any playlist.

If her music isnt enough to sell you, how's this for badass - she grew up in a band of travelling street performers, ran away to India at age 16, hopped over to NYC and landed straight into the music scene, singing behind Ke$ha and Rivers Cuomo. (could there be any two people more opposite spectrum?) and now has a pet unicorn. Okay, so I made up the last part and really just want that for myself, but can you blame a girl?

Stay tuned for this one to explode, folks.

Dog is Dead

Oh hey Two Door Cinema Club, meet Dog is Dead. This three man (electrical) band from the UK came into my life in the closing scene of the season finale my obsessions, Skins, and are instantly addictive. They've toured opening for the likes of Local Natives, Mumford & Sons and OK Go, but these cats only have an EP under their belts.

The gig videos of them boast for a sweaty mess of a live show, and will be one I keep my eyes open for when they hop across the pond.

Lets be honest, who doesnt love a little saxophone and glockenspiel action? Its so electric, indeed.

Kimbra

Kimbra showed up on my twitter feed today and has quickly moved to my ipod. Not everyone gets to move that quickly because lets be honest, a girl needs to have standards, but theres also exceptions to every rule and this Melbourne native is one of them. Although her lyrics are enough to scare most people into a run, it just happens to be a super catchy tune that I will be listening to while heading quickly, but light-heartedly, in no particular direction.

Jessie J

I’ve been following this UK native for the past couple of months after a friend's recommendation. She’s quietly been stirring up some serious shit in the music industry, co-writing that little known top 40 hit ‘Party In the USA’, among others for small, upcoming artists like Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys & Christina Aguilera, all at the ripe age of 22. She has a killer stack of back videos on Youtube that show off the purity of her voice, but her first released single was all about the grit. ‘Do It Like A Dude’ was released in the UK in November, which was originally penned for Rihanna. Its all about a new age, masculine form of girl power (if that makes sense?), complete with a ‘take no shit’ attitude and, the real cherry here: jeweled lips.

Her most recent release is ‘Price Tag’ ft. B.O.B. It tips a bit more towards her sweeter side, while keeping that Jessie J edge. I love how she even has flashes of the Do It Like A Dude video to tie it all together. The lyrics touch on (what I think) she’s about: just doing whats you and the rest will come. She intro’d it to the world acoustically on Jools Holland, video below.

Hey Gaga, I think your ears must be burning about now because your heels are starting to heat up. Dare we even predict that we all might be saying “move over” pretty soon?

Watch for her album in April in NA.

Eliza Doolittle

So, its been awhile, but I decided to start posting again after today’s little kick of inspiration. Our incredible music team here at work has started this uplifting little diddy where labels bring in their upcoming artists to perform right smack in the middle of our desk area. Not only is it an amazing way for their artists to be won over by our staff, but it is such a great afternoon pick-me-up. Seriously, who wouldn’t be completely and utterly obsessed with a mid-afternoon acoustic music break?

Today Miss Eliza Doolittle stopped by for a 3 song set. This super flirty 23 year old Brit was chalk full of playfulness and expression that even left the girls crushing. She has an incredibly captivating voice that is amplified by her opposing nonchalant demeanor. It just seemed to flow out of her, completely carefree, just like she was walking down the street whistling a tune to herself (literally at times). Lets not forget her guitarist, Charleston, who has to be the cutest thing ever as he showed up in pin shirt and red bow tie.

Check her out acoustically below and prepare to fall in pop-love.