Here comes {the BOOM circuits}

Haters gonna hate but you gotta stay with me through this one.  I want you to read on but for some of you, you're going to have to stick out this next sentence like you're ripping a bandaid off, k?

The soundtracks have made the whole Twilight phenomenon worth it.

Ok, there I said it - but STAY WITH ME!  As a die hard music fan, the soundtracks have been like getting a mixtape from that friend that seems to have the best taste in music and always has the best music playing in their car at all times.  Listening to each soundtrack for the first time was like Christmas morning when it's snowing outside and you get everything you asked for that year...A little over dramatic, but you get the picture.  I have discovered a lot of amazing artists because of these soundtracks so, therefore, I am grateful.

This last soundtrack was equally impressive as the last four, if not better.  When I get a new album, I like to listen to the whole thing continuously in order at least twice if not more.  {Mini soap box moment//Artists and producers take great pangs to put the songs on their album in an order that they believe will be the most beneficial to their listener.  I would even go so far to say they've lost sleep over it.  I know I would.//end of mini soap box moment.}  One song on the Breaking Dawn Part II soundtrack really stuck out to me and I instantly fell in love with it:  "Everything and Nothing" by The Boom Circuits.

The lyrics speak of a relationship with a girl that is now gone and the writer is being haunted by the memories he has with her {why does this girl live in my dreams}.  The song as a whole is both stimulating yet heavy with longing. A conflicting desire to have what was but be rid of it at the same time {I can't have her, save me from her} is a continual theme throughout.  Talk about pulling on your heart strings.

So, of course, I had to check out the rest of The Boom Circuits music and I can report I wasn't disappointed. For sure.  I've described their sound as a little like Band of Horses but more "pop-infused."  If you're a fan of The Postal Service and Death Cab For Cutie sound/the lead singer's voice, then you'll like this band.  For sure.  Fo'shiz. Yeah.

Check out the song below {video using official NASA footage for any Howard Wolowitz's out there, hehe} or they've got a few posted on their Spacebook, errr, I mean, Facebook page.

Calli

P.S. Anyone catch the P.O.D. reference in the title {who are apparently still touring}?
P.S.S. Yes, I have read all of the Twilight books...and seen all of the movies.

Listening to
Time and Space EP
by The Boom Circuits

Woo-Hoo College + {Bootstraps}

I love my friends.  Friends from my college years hold an extra special place in my heart.  We had some good, bad, and ugly times but we also had some pretty amazing ones too.  {Most of us} have  graduated, gotten married, had babies, moved to a different state or country, decided to go back for more torture, er I mean, schooling to get a Master's Degree or even a Ph. D. {smarty pants}.  So, when I get to see some of those friends, especially a lot of them in one setting, I get really giddy and nostalgic.  This past weekend, I went to one of my college friend's stateside wedding reception and got to see quite a few people I haven't seen since graduation.  Talk about good medicine for the heart.  Love you guys, so glad I got to see each one of you!

The band I'm posting about today was actually recommended by one of my good college friends/old roommate/birthday buddy, Stephanie.  She ran off to a different state after college that has beautiful snow-capped mountains and breathtaking, picturesque landscape in pursuit of a Master's degree.  Stephanie has such an eye for detail and so much creativity and talent that I know she'll do amazing at whatever she does in life.

The past year with the incorporation of Spotify into my music-listening life, Steph and I have periodically sent each other suggestions we thought the other one would like.  Steph really hit one out of the park when she suggested I listen to Bootstraps.  The lead singer's voice has a Ray LaMontagne sound that's easy on the ears.  The overall sound of their self-titled debut album has a very nostalgic feel that's perfect for anything from a lazy afternoon to chill music playing in the background for a gathering with friends, college friends at that.  The lyrics in each song reinforce the sentimentality like the Fortyfive {see video below} and in my favorite song on the album, Sleeping Giant:

i don’t wanna fight it and left our love a sleeping giant...
some old girl weighs on ya mind heavy as the web of lies,
that some old kid has always told left ages since we spoke,
like boney branches overgrown hack out the limbs,
with roots below but you and i undivided
don’t leave ya love, a sleeping giant 

So, indulge yourself in the nostalgic sounds of Bootstraps during this holiday season filled with family and friends.  Hugs some necks and allow yourself to relive a few of those good times with the people you hold most dear.

Calli

Listening to
Bootstraps
by Bootstraps

Artist Spotlight: {Emily Hearn}

One of my favorite things to do on my lunch break is read.  While I read, I like to listen to music and typically use the Spotify app on my phone by starting a "radio station" based on a particular artist.  As I posted a few weeks ago, I'm currently obsessed with Penny and Sparrow so I've been using them a lot as my radio station "muse."  As a result, I've found a ton of amazing artists that I will be posting about in weeks to come. 

One of those artists stood out and I fell in love with their music almost immediately: Emily Hearn.  Now, she might resonate more so with girls but, guys don't be afraid to embrace it, she's just so good!  Emily does some great covers you can find on her Youtube page like Zac Brown Band's "Colder Weather" and Foo Fighters' "Best of You" {that one is my favorite}.  Her talent shines through each of her songs in her voice and lyrics.  Emily Hearn's music reminds me a tiny bit like Sara Bareilles but they are more similar in how their voices are both very strong and beautiful.

Search for Emily Hearn's music on Spotify or go to noisetrade.com to download a few of her songs for free.  Below is a live performance of one of my favorite songs on her Red Balloon album, "New Orleans," which I think it's proof enough of how talented she is.  Enjoy!

Calli

Listening to

Red Balloon 

by Emily Hearn

I {heart} music.

NEEDTOBREATHE | Brady Theater, Tulsa | March 2012

I love music.  I love singing, playing the piano, listening to music, finding new artists, and going to concerts.  Writing music and lyrics is something pretty foreign to me - they're not something that come naturally to me.  So, my respect for singer/songwriters and artists in general is extremely high.  And when I find a band that I really enjoy listening to I want to turn around and share with everyone I come in contact with.  This is where my blog comes in to play.  I have been extremely sporadic over the last two years in my posting and the subjects have varied but the one thing I try to do in each of my posts is say what I'm listening to.

After some thought, I've decided to diligently work on posting each week a new artist or two that I've discovered so I can "share the wealth."  If you have someone you'd like for me to listen to, just comment on a post and I will gladly take a listen.  Disclaimer: I will post the bands and artists that I like and/or appreciate - I'm not getting paid to do this so, I can do what I want. :)

I hope you enjoy listening to my finds and that it widens your music spectrum.

Calli

P.S. Check back in about 30 minutes for a post. Get excited.

Listening to
NORDO
by Air Traffic Controller