Loufest Day 2 Bands

Here are the bands I want to see at Loufest Day 2:

Walk the Moon



Local Natives




Alabama Shakes




Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros



The Killers

Loufest Day 1 Bands

Here are the bands I'd like to see at Loufest Day 1:

Ra Ra Riot:

Fitz & the Tantrums:

Jim James:

Wilco:

About Time

Looks like a cute movie....

"About Time"
In limited theaters Friday, November 1, 2013.

Ben Howard

Currently listening to: Ben Howard

An American in Paris

I was a little late in getting around to watching this, but I finally watched the musical, An American in Paris this past weekend. My favorite musical is Singin' in the Rain, largely because of Gene Kelly and his great dancing, so it is no surprise that I also loved An American in Paris. Those golden years of musicals-1940s and 1950s were truly something special. I can't believe how talented these people were-so many triple threats with the singing, dancing, and acting.

My friends and I had intentions of playing board games and playing this movie in the background but within 5 minutes we were sucked into the movie (1 out of 3 had already seen it) and we didn't play a game until the movie was over.

I'm happy that it is Muny season and I get to see a musical live every week. This week is South Pacific, next week is Les Miserables, then Mary Poppins, and last West Side Story. Very excited for that last stretch of shows!

Besides seeing musicals every week, I'm also in the mood to rent more classic musicals. What are your favorites?

 

Fitz and the Tantrums

I've been thinking about going to the St. Louis music festival, Loufest, this year. I went in 2010 (inaugural year) and also caught one band in 2011. It is definitely on a much smaller scale than other music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Coachella, but it's a cool 2 day fest in our gorgeous, urban park-Forest Park. There is no camping at this fest and you can come and go as you please. The headliners this year are The Killers and Wilco.

I've been trying to look up music by other bands as well to get a feel of how many bands I would like to see perform. One of the bands in the lineup is Fitz and the Tantrums.

I've heard Fitz and the Tantrums on the radio and have liked a few of their songs but I thought I should look up some of their live performances. I've definitely been impressed at what I've heard so far.  They seem like a really fun band with great energy.

Here is "6AM" live on KCRW:

Summer Shows

I am loving the great dance shows on TV during the summer. So You Think You Can Dance premiered a couple weeks ago (a long time favorite) and Breaking Pointe will return for a second season on July 22 ( a new favorite).

I'm looking forward to the top 20 on So You Think You Can Dance because that is when the show really gets good!

One of my favorite performances on So You Think You Can Dance last year (always so many good dances!):

Much Ado About Nothing

I'm in a Shakespeare mood after going to the Shakespeare Festival last week, so this new adaptation has my interest.
I'm really digging the black and white cinematography.

Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Joss Whedon

Aunt Martha "Steal Back"

Everyday I listen to Spotify while I'm working. I usually pick music that is a bit on the mellow side so it is not too distracting for me while I work. Today I set up the Spotify radio to a Cataldo station (love Cataldo) and this song popped up. Thought it was pretty:

Aunt Martha "Steal Back"



Side note: I love Spotify and I'm hoping when I figure out my new budget this month I can still manage the $10 per month premium membership!

Kishi Bashi

Current music fave: Kishi Bashi

I was lucky enough to be able to see Kishi Bashi when he was in St. Louis a couple weeks ago. The venue was small and my friends and I were at a perfect spot by the stage. I was blown away by the performance! I had been listening to his music for a couple months before the show and had high expectations, but the show definitely exceeded my expectations!

Currently he only has one album out, but I will be eagerly waiting for some new songs. :-)

Jessica Pratt

I recently stumbled upon the music of San Francisco based singer, Jessica Pratt. Her voice seems to be of a different decade, 60s or 70s perhaps?  Beautiful and haunting. Definitely worth a listen.
Her album just came out November 6.

This is the first track on the album: Night Faces

Jackson Browne

For my dad's birthday this year, I bought him tickets to see Jackson Browne. Growing up I remember listening to Jackson Browne albums and he has always been a favorite of ours. The show is on November 2 and I'm already looking forward to it!

Here is some old concert footage from 1977:

Liberal Arts

I'm hoping this movie will be up for DVD rental soon. Josh Radnor and Elizabeth Olsen? Yes please.




via Refinery 29

Edie Brickell

Growing up, my family was always listening to music. We listened to my parent's albums from the 70s and early 80s, cds from the 90s, and of course listened to modern music on the radio. My mom and I would always sing in the kitchen, using wooden spoons as our microphones. Some of my favorite childhood memories are the family parties we would have every Friday night. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors would come over and we would play cards (usually Rummy), listen to music (usually a little on the loud side), and eat dinner together. Greatest of all was the laughter we shared.

One of the cds that got a lot of rotation in our kitchen was Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians-"Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars." I happened to hear an Edie Brickell song somewhere the day, and memories of those Friday nights came flooding through my mind. Funny how music can take you back to another place.

This album was one of my absolute favorites from childhood, a little quirky, and alternative, and very 1990s. This album actually came out in 1988, but I know we played it at our house for many years after that. Probably through the early 90s.

I downloaded this album from itunes last week, and I remembered the words to every song. I guess that proves how much I listened to it! I love Edie's music, and it has been fun revisiting it again. Sometimes we get so caught up in the newest artists, we forget about some of the music/bands we used to love.

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, "Little Miss S"

Romeo & Juliet

St. Louis Ballet will be performing Romeo & Juliet this summer. I would love to see this performance! I've been watching video clips on youtube of this ballet and it is so beautiful.

One of my favorite performances I've come across?
Alessandra Ferri & Wayne Eagling with London's Royal Ballet in 1984:



Photo, Xiomara Reyes and Herman Cornejo in Romeo and Juliet, via ballet magazine

Ryan Adams

I received Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker album (vinyl!) for Christmas, and I've fallen in love. Such a good album!





One of my faves: My Winding Wheel

Eydie Gorme

Getting acquainted with the terrific voice of Eydie Gorme. She has quite the talent!

New Laura Marling

One of my faves, Laura Marling, has a new album out: "I Speak Because I Can." I love Laura's voice and am looking forward to listening to this album. It sounds like this album has a little bit of a darker edge, and I sense a little more confidence.Digging the brunette hair too!
Here is a song, "Rambling Man," from her new album:

Real Estate

I've been listening to the band, Real Estate, lately, and I'm really liking their sound. They have been described as a psychedelic surf pop band, and I have to say their mellow, lo-fi music is sounding great for a summer playlist. Perfect for driving.

A youtube user put together this cool video. It is home video of New Jersey during the Great Depression set to Real Estate's "Suburban Dogs."

The Temper Trap

I've been listening to the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack quite a bit lately and I can't get enough of The Temper Trap's song: Sweet Disposition.