Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

If you enjoyed the Kimbra video from last week I think you'll enjoy this video as well. Continuing on my Aussie kick here is Gotye (pronounced 'gore-ti-yeah') featuring Kimbra. I can't seem to stop watching this video. Its so mesmerizing.



Gotye just released his new album titled Making Mirrors. Make sure to check it out!

Andrew Belle Concert Review at The Mint

This post is about a week and a half late but better late then never right? I've been wanting to start reviewing shows on this blog since I go to so many and what better way to start reviewing then with a show that provoked my post on concert etiquette (see previous post).

Andrew Belle is one of my favorite new artists out of Nashville and I have been eager to see him live ever since I got sick and missed the Ten Out Of Tenn show in Hollywood. I bought tickets right away for his show at The Mint and I'll preface with saying that he did not disappoint. The venue however did. This was my first time at The Mint and I'm not sure I'll ever go back. I don't think I've ever been so irritated at a concert before and I'm a pretty easy going person.

Schuyler Fisk opened accompanied by Ryan Lerman on guitar. Schuyler is also the daughter of Sissy Spacek, who was in attendance, and an actress herself (Any fans of The Baby Sitter's Club?). It was our first experience with her music and we were all really impressed. Unfortunately the sound guy was having some issues with levels and feed back. Its a lesson all musicians have had to learn, you are only as good as your sound guy. Despite the technical issues Schuyler and company were really refreshing. My favorite songs from her set were, What If I Leave, You Hung The Moon, and a cover of You Belong To Me that was absolutely fantastic.

Next up was the headliner of the night Andrew Belle. He played solo on acoustic guitar and played all my favorites. It would have been a perfect set except the fact that the whole crew of people who came for Schuyler were off to the side talking loudly during Andrew's set. Imagine like 15-20 people trying to talk over the music. That accompanied with two very tall girls working their way right before the start of the show through the crowd only to stop front and center video taping the whole set just put me on edge. Andrew handled it all well and the crowd there for Andrew tried to shush the talking people the best we could but they were totally oblivious.

Andrew Belle was great interacting with the crowd sharing funny stories and even allowing two girls who politely asked to come sit on stage for one of his songs. Even without a full band behind him his performance had depth and emotion and captivated all those who were there to see him. After the show I waited for quite a while to go up and meet him. Being that he is tall and pretty easy on the eyes the girls at the show swarmed up to meet him and take pictures. I hate being considered one of those girls so I waited my turn until they had all gone. I'm a music industry professional after all not a groupie. Yet for some reason when I finally got up to talk to him I freaked out! I got really nervous and shaky. I work at a major record label and deal with big acts all the time and I never get nervous. What was wrong with me?? Maybe it was that the band playing at that point was so loud that all the things I had to say to him became too difficult with the noise. Sometimes my old nerves hit me out of no where. In any case I left feeling like an idiot. Sorry Andrew, I'm normally more composed. Thanks for putting on a great show despite the obnoxious L.A. crowd. Comeback again soon!

Kimbra - Plain Gold Ring (Nina Simone Cover) video

Ever since my roommate showed me this video of Australian artist Kimbra covering a Nina Simone track I have not been able to stop watching it. The vocal loops she creates are so fabulous. I think big things are coming for Kimbra and she is going to blow up any second. Her new album comes out in Australia only on August 30th (lame). Hopefully her U.S. release will follow shortly! Enjoy!

Concert Etiquette by Mary

After attending a concert at The Mint in Los Angeles I feel the need to write out a list of concert etiquette because apparently most people aren't aware of how to behave at a show. Los Angeles... for shame...


#1 Being Tall at a Standing Show - If you are more then 5'10" with or without heels its definitely not OK to push your way through the crowd acting like you are just trying to get to bathroom only to stop front row center to watch the show. You have now blocked everyone who have been standing there for the last hour and your giant heads will be in everyone's picture.

#2 Flash Photography - Is it necessary to blind the artist with your red eye flash while they are tuning their guitar in the dark?? Eventually the lights will go on and you can take photos till your hearts content without a flash.

#3 Talking - When the artist starts playing it doesn't mean continue talking but louder so you can be heard over the music. Why did you pay for a concert ticket only to talk through the whole thing?? Take it outside chatty Cathy and have some respect for the artist.

#4 Participation - I don't know what it is about people in Los Angeles who think they are too cool to act like they are enjoying a concert. Everyone stands there with arms crossed with this attitude like, "What you got for me? Play some music and see if you can impress me." Try clapping, dancing, swaying or even just a head bob. I promise that you'll have more fun and the artist will appreciate people participating and enjoying the music.

#5 Videotaping - If you want to videotape your favorite song during the show so you can watch it back later to relive the moment I get that. Carry on. However, if you are going to video every song with your arm up in the air while you are standing in the front row you suck. Your arm is in all my pictures...

On a recent trip to Ireland I learned the proper way to participate at concert. Let's watch and learn a lesson from the Irish shall we? Look how much fun they are having. Maybe its the fact that they all have a pint in hand...

Boy & Bear

There is something about Australians I just love. Maybe its the accent, maybe its their cheeky laid back humor and attitude. Or maybe its in my blood since my dad is Australian. In any case I am loving some great artists from down under like Angus & Julia Stone and Ellen Kibble both featured here. Now I'm all about Boy & Bear. After hearing their song Mexican Mavis I couldn't wait for the whole album to be released in the U.S. As of Tuesday it is!! Take a listen to their first two songs and you can stream their album on Spotify and buy it on iTunes.

Members: Dave Hosking - Killian Gavin - Tim Hart - Jake Tarasenko - Jon Hart


Boy & Bear Website
Buy the album on iTunes here
Download Mexican Mavis single here
Stream new album on Spotify here

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

Last year was the first year I heard about the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Fransisco's Golden Gate Park. Sadly it was a little too last minute and I couldn't find any hotels to stay at that weren't already fully booked and wouldn't have weird stains on the bed spread...

This year I've planned ahead and will be making the drive up to San Fransisco with three friends with accomodations already lined up. So far this years line up DOES NOT disappoint. Check out these medleys of who is confirmed so far and see if you can guess the artists. #3 has my favorite selection. See if you can guess why ;)

For more info on this FREE festival click here. 

HSB 2011 Sneak-Peak Medley Round 1 by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

HSB 2011 Sneak-Peak Medley Round 2 by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

HSB 2011 Sneak-Peek Medley Round 3 by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Sneak-Peek Medley Round 4 by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass


The Civil Wars AND The Punch Brothers?!!! Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot!

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Just loving this Fleet Foxes song. The message of this song is hitting me right where my heart is right now.  Enjoy!

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

I was raised up believing I was somehow unique
Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, unique in each way you can see
And now after some thinking, I'd say I'd rather be
A functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me

But I don't, I don't know what that will be
I'll get back to you someday soon you will see

What's my name, what's my station, oh, just tell me what I should do
I don't need to be kind to the armies of night that would do such injustice to you
Or bow down and be grateful and say "sure, take all that you see"
To the men who move only in dimly-lit halls and determine my future for me

And I don't, I don't know who to believe
I'll get back to you someday soon you will see

If I know only one thing, it's that everything that I see
Of the world outside is so inconceivable often I barely can speak
Yeah I'm tongue-tied and dizzy and I can't keep it to myself
What good is it to sing helplessness blues, why should I wait for anyone else?

And I know, I know you will keep me on the shelf
I'll come back to you someday soon myself

If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm raw
If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm sore
And you would wait tables and soon run the store

Gold hair in the sunlight, my light in the dawn
If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm sore
If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm sore
Someday I'll be like the man on the screen