All We Know Is Falling

There are a lot of things in life, that make us tick. Music is the constant tick-tock that I hear in my head. As of late, I can't hear anything ticking.

 I see my record player sitting in my living room, covered with dust. The records on the shelves perfectly preserved in plastic, untouched. CD's stacked and scratched unable to be played even if I wanted to. A computer filled with years of music, that has lost all power to start.

I've lost the passion for the HUNT. The ever ending quest to discover the latest and greatest. Instead I find myself distracted, my head clouded with the sounds of mediocre pop music. It haunts me in my day to day, as it blares through the speakers at work. I am always asking, could this really be it? Have my musical tastes fizzled out and faded away. Is it a curse of my surroundings, in combination with my lack of passion for the chase?

Maybe.


Today I found myself searching...falling back on my laurels if you will.
Tonight, I am gonna open up that record player...pull some records off the shelves, and remember how I fell in love this "hobby" in the first place. The places, the people, the music...if only I could relive all those "perfect" moments all over again. Maybe the playlist is a little embarrassing, but nostalgia always is...

"I fear I might break, I fear can't take it. Tonight I'll lie awake, feeling empty."

Grow up, and blow away.

Like every angst filled teen, I longed for the day that I could finally get a tattoo. It was something that I was definitely NOT supposed to do. In good teenage FASHION, I just had to do it (you know exactly what I am talking about). It was sure to be my stamp that I was a "rebel without a cause", a real big middle finger to the "man"(my parents, of course). Not something too big, but not too small...indiscrete enough so my Mom wouldn't see it, this train of eternal age of teenage wisdom could only lead to a "TRAMP STAMP".  It seemed so genius in the moment, a music note.

I am sure we all have a phrase that our parents never let us live down. The day that my Mother found that treble clef in the small of my back is that day for me. I can remember it vividly. In fact, it almost seems like yesterday. She was furious and asked me WHAT WAS ON MY BACK, and I screamed with rebellion..."MUSIC IS MY LIFE MOM!" In my 18 year old mind, it was...and in my 26 year old mind it still is. I just don't know that at my current age, I would get a tattoo to "symbolize" my musical rebellion.

As the years have progressed from 18 to 26, a lot of things about me have changed. My love for music, is one passion that has resonated in me through out time. Though I have had my romances with certain genre's here and there, one band has always stood out for me--METRIC.


Emily Haines, and not to sound the slightest bit crazy, has the voice of an ANGEL. Yep, I said it. I first heard of Metric, from the girls I worked with at my first MAC counter. At the time I would have never admitted my obsession with Haines, as I was far too "hardcore" for my own good. Old World Underground--got me hooked. It was from that moment on that my secret obsession with Haines began. Old World Underground would find itself on my constant rotation until 2005, when Live It Up and then their debut album re-release Grow up, and Blow Away in 2007.

In 2009, I finally got to see Emily face to face. Fantasies had just been released a couple months before, and I had noticed a distinct change in the musical direction of my favorite band. She was standing on the stage covered in silver sequins, strobe lights bouncing back and forth off the dress, singing my favorite song DEAD DISCO. Even though Fantasies didn't hold the tiniest candle to the passion I felt for OLD WORLD UNDERGROUND, I realized that standing before me was my favorite band, and all of the sudden I fell in love with Fantasies. That concert, will always be one of my favorite memories. The energy, and the passion she exudes makes me love the band even more. Haines will always be my favorite singer, and Metric is STILL my favorite band, and guess what? MUSIC IS STILL MY LIFE.

Sidenote...if you haven't listened to Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton, you should do that NOW.

One Day, We're gonna live in Paris...I PROMISE, I'M ON IT.

Just when I think I am having a bad day...something totally random and unexpected starts blaring through the speakers of my computer. It sends me right back to the moment I first heard it--Covered in plaid, feeling as if the floor was moving beneath my feet, completely entranced my every energetic moment in the song-even though it was pouring rain outside, I had this strong instinct to "Jump in the Pool".

When I bought the Friendly Fires album in the weeks to follow, I don't think I took it out of my car for months. I would turn it on before I went to work, as I was getting ready for my nights out, when I was aimlessly driving around in my car trying to find "the meaning of life".



I think I have always loved music as much as I do, for the soundtrack it creates for your life. Songs bring me back to specific moments, and the feelings that I felt in them. They are my own nostalgia, and all it takes is the first few seconds to remember a world that I have forgotten.

I am finding a harmony in the intense electronic beats again, meaning behind the words..."you and me in the photobooth..." and I still just want to "Jump in the Pool.."

Jump In the Pool by namiks

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHTS!

I've decided to be a little more diligent with this blog, as listening to music is like second nature for me, and I love sharing that world with people. SO...Saturday's I will do a Saturday Night Playlist of all my favorite music from the week. SO EXCITED, to share this first one with you!

1. "Midnight City" M83
2. "Video Games" Lana Del Rey
3. "Empty Bottles" I Break Horses
4. "It Ain't Gonna Save Me" Jay Reatard
5. "Black and White" The Generationals
6. "Holy Diver" Dio
7. "When the Water Gave Me" Florence and the Machine
8. "Future Starts Slow" The Kills
9. "Do You Wanna Touch Me" Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
10. "Lollipop" Lil Wayne

Listen to most of the tracks here: http://www.last.fm/user/motorheadwithme/library/playlists/59ygx_s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y_nights

Happy Saturday, and Happy Listening!

Midnight City...this city is my church.

The hypnotic chanting of "Midnight City", the first single off M83's album fourth coming double album Hurry Up We're Dreaming (10/18) , will no doubt send you into a trance. It's just a taste of what is to come on this mesmerizing release.

You can download the entire album in MP3 form, at ilovem83.com

As Gonzalez has said about the album, “I think it is a reflection of my 30 years of being a human being. It’s a compilation of all my previous music together. It’s a retrospective of myself.”

Midnight City by M83

The Joy Formidable

The other night, bored out of my mind...I YET AGAIN found myself randomly downloading music off i-tunes. Frantically trying to find something that would, dare I say, catch my attention. From one click to another, I randomly stumbled upon-The Joy Formidable. As the 30 second sample of single "Whirring" methodically dove through the speakers, I decided I had to hear more. The song had a child like happiness that tagged along, with the precisely scripted lyrics that followed the melody.
I naturally, after hearing the entirety of "Whirring", decided I could not go on with out here the whole album. Yes, this album did come out in January, and maybe I am a little late, but it never can be too late to recognize something great. The Joy Formidable's debut album Big Roar, is yelling for your attention. Don't ignore it.

Bon Iver-Calgary

"Calgary" is the first single of Bon Iver's self-titled Sophomore LP.  Andre Durand and Dan Huiting directed (Justin Vernon co-wrote)  the beautifully haunting high-concept clip for Bon Iver's first single "Calgary".

When talking to Pitchfork recently, lead singer Justin Vernon said the song is one of the materials on the album that he is proud of lyrically. "I really like the opening line: 'Don't you cherish me to sleep.' There's that whole thing that happens in relationships-- you can love someone but, as soon as they stop loving you so unconditionally that they stop being themselves, it can be so dangerous." 


There might be a "fire going out" in the hearts of the two people in this video, but not in the heart of the man who created it. 

LISTEN TO: THEE OH SEES

One of my favorite bands from San Francisco, graces us with a new album, but this time they seem to be short a few members...mainly the entire band.. Thee Oh Sees, Castlemania out now on IN THE RED records. Pitchfork Music summed it up best..."Even at his most reflective, Dwyer's songwriting retains a sinister, "Sesame Street"-on-LSD sensibility-- simple melodies and creepy lyrics, frequently delivered in a whacked-out monster-voice." 

Thee Oh Sees have spent the last decade showcasing lead singer John Dwyer's sensitive side, and have quickly evolved to one of the hardest working bands in garage-rock. Their music is nothing short of epic, and their live shows are in the same category. But on Castlemania, Dwyer takes a stab at the whole thing on his own. The band is on hiatus until the fall, and are scheduled to release another full-length later this year. 

It's like listening to John Dwyer on an old Califone record player with a slowed down turn table. He's out on his own, minus the big guns of his band, but it's refreshing and prolific to hear him on his own, for now. 

LISTEN TO I NEED SEED

Little Shop of Horrors-Chris Habana

Take your conventional crosses, skulls, and gender iconography hand them to Chris Habana and be taken to the world of unconventional jewelry. He is sure to grab your attention with his edgy designs, that are more than wearable. His designs have been worn by various celebrities and musicians, but as he said in a recent interview with ZINK magazine they are "fit for girls, boys and everyone in between."

His current S/S collection is a force to be reckoned with. "He creates magic with his resurrection of gothic iconography." The collection is entitled Mon Amour, Mon Ennemi, a repersentation of Habana's paradoxical style. Thorny gold roses tempered by pearls are a central theme, while crosses and cage-rings make yet another appearance. The collection is not only tragic, but romantic. It definitely feels like love lost, imprisoned and caged in a disturbing dark room for all eternity.

As Chris Habana says about his personal aesthetic..."Dark. Serious. Kidding." He has become well known for not taking things too seriously, but SERIOUSLY check this designer out, and I'm not kidding.

CHRIS HABANA SS11

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Yes, wear Black, and No, You don't have to feel GOTH.

Working for MAC cosmetics since I was 19 I have accumulated quite the collection of black clothing. In fact, some of my favorite pieces happen to be black. It seems from about mid-September to the start of Spring that I have no qualms about wearing my favorite omniscient color. As soon as the leaves start to reappear on the trees, and flowers begin to bloom in gardens on my street I begin to feel a little out of place in my attire.

This summer, I have decided to not let my gothic threads go to waste. Instead I feel empowered to tie in black, with all my favorite S/S trends.
Here are my BLACK MUST HAVES:

1.) BCBG BLACK MAXI- Perfect for work. Very in TREND for the summer. I like mine with a stripped cropped shirt, or any shirt that has a little color and is a little bit baggier.

2.) CK JUMPSUIT- I love this! There is so much you could do with this piece. Give it some color with some bright colored necklaces, and my favorite Jeffery Campbell leopard flat, from Nordstrom.

3.) ESSENTIAL BLACK LEATHER JACKET- No matter the season, a black leather jacket is always going to be a sexy outwear option.

4.) DEEP V- V neck's are one of my favorite shirts to wear in the summer. I LOVE this black one. It's perfect with a pair of leggings, or pair with a pair of cut off denim also from urban outfitters.

5.) Cropped Denim- Cropped denim is always a must, give it a little bit of color with this cute button up from Bloomingdales.


Black is always sleek, it makes you feel thinner...so why not incorporate in your summer wardrobe?

Let's go find an ocean, cause I think we need a swim

On Tuesday June 7th, two albums I have been waiting on pins and needles for will be showing there must anticipated faces! Cults self titled full length, and my most highly anticipated album of 2011 Arabia Mountain from the Black Lips.

Arabia Mountain, the latest and greatest from the socially rebellious, garage rocking, vomiting on stage ensemble Black Lips, finds the band remastering their craft with assistance from an unlikely choice in producer Mark Ronson. Ronson best known for his work with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, clearly helped the Black Lips restore there roots, and get back to the basics of what the group is about.  Even though you have to wait til June 7th to get your hands on the album, you can listen to it on Grooveshark, now! Hopefully, after a good solid listen you will agree, the BLACK LIPS ARE BACK, and this ain't know two hundred million thousand, or whatever that garbage was called.

Arabia Mountain, real "Modern Art".

STUNNIN LIKE MY...

If you know me on a personal level at all, you know that I possess a small obsession with a certain rapper that goes by the name of, Lil Wayne. When I hear his voice blaring through speakers, I can't even begin to describe the phenomenon that takes place...(unless you have witnessed it yourself). Basically, I can feel Weezy coursing through my veins. It's like he's physically present, and most times I can hardly contain myself.

Now that I have let you in on my little secret, you can imagine how I felt as I was midway through doing a winged liner on a customer, and I heard "Stunnin like my daddy" repeat three times over through the speakers at work. It's like the ground below me jolted, the room spun for a moment, and than everything paused. I snapped out of my trance, as I heard the sweet voice of Ellie Goulding..."Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit me with lightening...".  I had to know more. Who was this, what was this? Was I dreaming, for months it seemed we had been plagued with unidentifiable "indie" music, and now this?! I tried to act cool, quickly finished the winged liner and ran over to the cupboard that hosted our playnetwork system.

"Basic Physics-Starry Eyed" scrolled across the screen...

Nightlife in the Northwoods, is the must hear mixtape from Basic Physics. Basic Physics is the creation of Madison, WI DJ/ Producer Alex Syse, and Minneapolis, Minnesota's DJ, Eric Mitchell. Founded in 2010, they have brought a fresh new face to the DJ/Mashup game.


Alex provided some insight into the mixtape. "Nightlife in the Northwoods is a compilation of 15 Basic Physics mashups. When we went to the drawing board to create this mixtape, the first thing we laid down was that this was going to be about quality. We are not a mashup group that releases tracks just for the name behind it. We wanted to produce a mixtape that kept the listener into it 100% of the way, that flows from start to finish. Eric and myself have so many influences, including the production quality of Xaphoon Jones, the addicting sound of Wolfgang Gartner or Afrojack, the brilliance of Daft Punk, and the creativity of artists like Pretty Lights, Ellie Goulding, and Lupe Fiasco. Having the ability to make a mashup is one thing, but making it memorable and something worth listening to is our main goal. What started as a passion for music has become something that we are pursuing. We are going to continue to produce mashups, but we also plan on diving into other projects including an original EP and producing for various artists. This mixtape is something that we hope will elevate our ability to achieve the things we want to do and the music we want to produce."


Starry Eyed E.T. (Katy Perry // Ellie Goulding // Lil Wayne) by Basic Physics


Visit BASIC PHYSICS FACEBOOK TO DOWNLOAD "NIGHTLIFE IN THE NORTHWOODS"

MUST HAVE: TURBAN SCARF

One of my #1 "MUST HAVES" for summer is a turban style tied scarf. It's been seen on Mary Kate Olsen, and highly recommended in Rachel Zoe's own fashion blog. You can use any random old scarf you have laying around to create this simple look. (I even used a sash of an old bridesmaid dress of mine) It can be a simple head band as seen on Mary Kate below, or a full head wrap. EITHER WAY, don't be caught this summer without knowing how to do this fashion MUST. I found the video below very helpful as well.

Do Whatever You Want, ALL THE TIME

Ponytails most recent endeavor, says everything in the title of the record..."Do Whatever You Want All the Time." With full bodied passion behind every unrecognizable muffled lyric, to the methodic rhythm that plays behind them, this album is nothing short of fantastic. I first listened to a track off the album on Pitchfork, and have to say I wasn't all too impressed. I had heard there music in years before, and for me the track just wasn't clicking. On a whim, I decided to listen to the album from the top, and as "Easy-Peasy" muffled through the speakers, I realized I had been sorely mistaken. It's the perfect entry point into the album. She slowly whispers in your ear, and makes her way straight to the epicenter of your brain, allowing you to take a step into her world. The record continues on like this, starting off slow and methodic, and than rushing you to the finish line. It is necessary to listen to the album from start to finish, to really begin to see the beauty behind. In the spirit of the album, do whatever you want all the time, but make sure to start a beautiful summer day with this album.

 Ponytail 'Easy Peasy' by GOLDSTARPR
Purchase Album here:

TY REX

What could be better than one of my favorite singers, Ty Segall covering T-REX exclusively for Record Store Day yesterday? I am gonna lean towards nothing!! Ty releases "Ty Rex" exclusively for Record Store Day April 16th, and will be available for full distribution on the Monday April 25th. Ty covers 6 songs, including SLIDER...can't wait for this release, hope some of you catched it yesterday!
Ty Segall: "Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart" (T. Rex Cover) by alteredzones

visit www.goner-records.com on April 25th to get your copy!

FIGURE 8's and a Needle in the Hay

Smith performing in Los Angeles, February 2003.

I can still vividly remember the strums of the guitar as Richie exited the scene into the bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror as he shaved off his beard, head, and as he whispered "I'm gonna kill myself tomorrow"....I was sixteen the first time I saw the Royal Tenenbaums, and the first time I heard the depressing vocals of Elliott Smith. I felt this instant connection with each stroke of the guitar, each whisper of the lyrics. I felt this gravitation toward Smith, and this melodic expression of my own depression. Depression and thoughts of suicide were no news to me, as I had been transported to the depressing skies of Portland only a few short months before I heard the enchanting tones of Smiths music. For me, it is where it all began. Smith's lyrics, cascaded through every corner of my mind, and spoke to the very depths of my tortured teenage soul.

Elliott Smith, and Portland is where music really began for me. I had always had an interest in the popular, but didn't really understand what "great" music was. It was moving to Portland, and finding this depressive identity that began to open up the doors musically for me.

As ten years have passed, I still find myself having such a deep connection with Smith's songs. He has seen me through years of darkness, tragic breakups, nights in bars, between the bars. Each song relates to the songs of my heart, the very essence of my soul.

Even though the rain, and the dark skies of Portland, soundtracked my the depressive tones of Smith's voice made me a recluse in my early twenties, I am thankful for the journey of discovery it bestowed upon me. It opened up the doors to a vast universe, I never knew existed.

A Modern Day Brenda Lee

Madeline Follin at first sounds child like and demure, but gets some real passion behind her lyrics at the chorus of the song. The band has all the qualities of a 60's pop group, with a much heavier weight on there shoulders. Maybe the impending doom of SAID armageddon in 2012? YA RIGHT. Either way pop was a lot easier and happy go lucky in the 60's, and CULTS somehow finds that in these darker days.

Cults - You Know What I Mean by cultscultscults
[from Cults' debut full-length; out in May on In the Name Of/Columbia]

GOTTA HAVE IT! SEASONS HOT HUES.

Last fall when I first feasted my eyes on the stammering selections of S/S 11 runway fashions, my heart seemed to palpitate as I could not stand the thought of wearing scarves and jackets, instead I was ready for maxi skirts and dresses, rompers, high waisted wide leg denim, and artful tailoring. There seemed to be a battle of vintage and eye catching, and soft and subdued for this seasons fashions. S/S 11 will definitely be a battle between vibrant and relaxed.

S/S 11 takes a glamorous spin, glamorous hues in everything bright and nude. 

First things first, there was COLOR everywhere...one color not to go with out this season...

TANGERINE....whether it's heels, a pair of Marc Jacobs high waisted shorts, or a perfect tangerine lipstick S/S 11 is screaming for this HUE! As a makeup artist I recommend a number of lipsticks to create this MUST HAVE look: Lady Danger by MAC, So Chaud by MAC, Red Square Velvet Lip Pencil by NARS, and Happy Days Velvet Gloss Pencil by NARS.

MARC JACOBS S/S 11

Lady Danger Lipstick MAC Cosmetics

Everything IS bright this SEASON!

Bleach out the bold  hues, and everything becomes white. It seemed every single show had at least something white. Give your white a 70's twist like at Salvatore Ferragamo, and you'll be right on point. 

Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 11

Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 11

S/S 11

I chose this Cheap Monday top in white! A definite MUST HAVE this season. Cheap Monday clothing can be found at Urban Outfitters!!

A DOE EYED GIRL

For as long as I can remember, I've been obsessed with 2 things...Fashion and Music. I frantically am always scouring the pages of every fashion magazine trying to forcast what just may be the "next big thing". On any given day, I am listening attentively to bands I have never heard of before, deciding wether they have the potential to be in the category of "great".

I will use this page as my outlet, a tool to describe what I think, and know is great.

PAY ATTENTION, AND START READING!