Video - Charlie Hardin: Oh Holy Night

Nashville artist Charlie Hardin who is a friend and familiar face on Mary's Musicology has made a little Christmas video of one of my absolute favorite, give me chills, I could sing it every day songs O Holy Night. Give it a watch! You may remember his Kickstarter campaign for his new album which is looking to release this spring!

Christmas Playlist 2012!!

Merry Christmas! I hope this finds all of you enjoying this season and not overwhelmed with holiday prep.

For this year's playlist I had the intention of getting it done early before the Christmas rush was in full force. Yet, as I sat down to do it in my apartment void of decoration or Christmas tree I realized that I had no inspiration and no desire to listen to Christmas music yet. When I was a kid I could not wait for the day after thanksgiving so I could start playing Christmas music. Now as I'm getting older I don't feel that rush even though Christmas preparation seems to be happening earlier and earlier each year. So now that I have a few Christmas parties under my belt, a beautiful Christmas tree and mandatory viewing of Love Actually and White Christmas I'm finally ready to share my Christmas music picks this year.

I pray this Christmas you find yourself with those you love. So grab some cocoa (add some brandy...), a blanket and spend some time snuggled up with someone special just enjoying the moment (and this super awesome playlist). I think I'll grab the electric blanket... and the brandy... ;) Blessings to you all!

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For playlists of Christmas past click 2010, 2011.

The Ultimate Bearhug

If you are as big a fan of The Civil Wars as I am you've heard the story of how they met. Joy and John Paul were randomly paired together at a songwriting session for another artist and magic happened when they started working together and the rest of the story resulted in music that makes my heart sing. Finding that music magic is something that most artists hope to find in some way or another. Recently hearing the story of Los Angeles duo The Ultimate Bearhug its an all too familiar story. Doll Knight and Barrett Johnson met, chatted, decided they should write together and that music magic happen and they just knew they were meant to work together. After a year of writing their debut album Just South of Los Angeles was released. This album has been the soundtrack of last week as I've been going through a major career transition so its already found a special place in my heart and I think you will all love it too! Stream their album on Spotify and if you like it too join me at their show this Thursday, October 25th at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

 



 This week I was also given the opportunity to ask them a few questions and find a little more about Doll and Barrett. I'm going to honest and admit I'm a little jealous Doll was able to go to a Ricky Martin show at 11... wait, I mean not at all jealous...

1. How old were you both when you realized you wanted to do music for a living? 
Doll : 6 yrs. old
Barrett: When I was in grade school and first heard Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone."

2. Who are the artists/bands that inspire your music? 
We're inspired by a lot of older music, particularly jazz and folk. Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, Bob Dyland, Simon and Garfunkel, and Joni Mitchell, and thousands more. There are definitely modern musicians that inspire us as well, such as Rufus Wainwright, Fiona Apple, Richard Swift, Jolie Holland, the list is seemingly endless.

3. What was the first live concert you ever went to? 
Doll: Ricky Martin 11yrs. old, on his "Shake your Bon Bon" tour
Barrett: One of the earliest concerts I went to was Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters.

4. What is your favorite venue to play at? 
So far, we like Hotel Cafe because of the audience that is usually there to listen. Dream venue... Hollywood Bowl :)

5. What is your favorite song on this album and why? 
Doll: They're all special to me for such different reasons. In terms of writing them, Foolish Things was a very fun one to write and for that reason it always reminds me of that really fun night when we wrote such a silly song.
Barrett: Either Foolish Things or Just South of Los Angeles. Foolish Things was a lot of fun and Just South of Los Angeles' lyrics mean a lot to me.

Website & Free Album Download

Spotify: The Ultimate Bearhug – Just South of Los Angeles 

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ZZ Ward

Let me start with saying that I hate being at a desk all day. It drives me a bit crazy. So when I hear a song that makes me want to dance there is little I can do to stop the urge to get out of my chair and bust my moves. Whatever, girls gotta dance!

ZZ Ward is one of those artist that makes music you just can't help but enjoy. Her first EP was released last May and her full length album hits the streets October 16th. Enjoy some great music from ZZ Ward that will get you doing the shoulder dance at your desk.

She'll be at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on October 18th. Catch her there or at your local U.S. city! Website

Facebook

Tour Schedule

Photo Credit: The Chamber Group

Muse - Madness (New Video)

Have you all seen the new Madness video from Muse? What do you think? Apparently they are the 4th or 5th most popular band online based off of the number of fans on their various media sites! Congrats Muse!  Enjoy!
 

Ane Brun

Recently I discovered Norwegian singer Ane Brun while listen to Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW. Ane Brun however is not new to music. She has released 8 albums and runs her own record label. Her recent album It All Starts With One was just released in the U.S. a few weeks ago. On it you can find guest appearances by two of my current favorites Jose Gonzales and First Aid Kit. As a result of her recent album a series of short films were made to go along with a few of the tracks. They are weird, creepy and wonderful all at once. It says something great to me when one person's art inspires another. Enjoy!


 

Music Videos On Repeat

Its Monday... I dropped my peanut butter and jelly toast on the floor... Its going to be one of those weeks but these videos make me feel better.

I love the dancing in this video
Lucy Schwartz "Graveyard"


Lianne La Havas "Is Your Love Big Enough?"

Just saw this band for the first time opening for Ben Howard. Love the harmonies!
Bahamas "Lost In The Light"


 The Paper Kites "Featherstone"