Music Monday: AA Bondy

First off I'm feeling a bit boobish because I haven't done a music post in a while. Its really cause nothing has captured my attention fully as of late. I think I might be going though another music shift where I listen to everything and anything and nothing seems to satisfy the void. But not today!

On this windy sunday I'm completely wrapped up in the musical-ness of A.A. Bondy. I first heard of him when we were at a local show and they fellow performing was ranting on about this artist and was like...go look him up, its good stuff. My thought process was, I like this guys music I bet I like the music that he likes. Seems logical right? At first listen I'll be honest with you, I wasn't blown away. It seemed kinda sappy and sad. (Rainy day kinda tunes) I didn't listen too much and just passed it off until the song How Will You Meet Your End popped up on my spotify one weekend. I was instantly wrapped up in the rhythmic loveliness and that alarming screeching guitar. So I figured I need to give this one another listen. After listening (this time with open ears) I complied this little playlist. I love his little rock folk guitar riffs and sweetly haunting voice. All of this wrapped together in poetic thoughtful lyrics that'll keep you guessing what they actually mean. I'd love to see this guy live, I bet hes loads of fun doused in cuteness. I still have to look up more about him and his albums. But for now I'll just swoon over this playlist. 

Phew! Enough ranting. Listen listen! What do you think?

Hope you all have a good week!

-Remi

"And the roses die and bloom, and I'm dreaming in my room.

That you and I fell into the sky, and went dancing on the moon."

Music Monday: Tinpan Orange

    Ahoy! On this fine March Monday I'm listening to Tinpan Orange. I first heard these guys after listening to a interview with Cat Empire. The lead singer to Tinpan Orange is married to Harry Angus of Cat Empire. The first song of theirs I heard was Lonely People. From the start I knew this was going to be a band that I obsessed over. This song alone is haunting and beautiful. Starts out slow and builds into this overwhelming amount of relatable emotion. After looking up more of their songs I found that most of them are quite happy and upbeat lil'tunes. The lead vocals are raspy, elegant and unique enough for me to keep listening. Their songs are all layered nicely. Which makes it fun to listen to over and over, trying to find something new each time. In the end I'm quite fond of this Aussie group and just wish it was easier (and cheaper) to get my paws on some of their albums! Yet another reason I can add to my "reasons to runway to Australia" list.

"I won't show it, 'cause a fool I will seem. So I'll sit on my hands, and swim in my dreams."

Have a wondrous week!
-Remi

Music Monday: We Were Evergreen

Ahoy! Today I'm listening to We Were Evergreen! I'm super excited to share this band with you today! I'm a recent fan of these lovelies. I didn't discover them until flipping through some take-away shows on youtube. After obsessing over there videos for a little bit I had to look up more. I automatically fell in love with the song Penguins and Moonboots. You all know how much of a sucker I am for a good ukulele! These guys know how to take simple idea and make it into something complex that wraps you up in loving arms. Its fun, poppy and slightly electronic. These fellas know how to layer instruments so beautifully. They are quite unique in the way that they are French, but don't sing in French. Which I'm kinda glad, because learning to speak/understand french I've always failed! But I'm sure I'd still have a appreciation for there tunes. Needless to say I'm looking forward to hearing more from these guys!

"Weird dreams, trampolines, girls playing bass guitars. 

I like falling asleep in the back of other people's cars."

Hope you have a happy week!
-Remi

Music Monday: Valentines Playlist

Hello! It's Monday yet again and it seems like we are on our way into the short month of February! The awkward Valentines holiday is quickly approaching so it only felt necessary to do a themed playlist this Monday. Now I'm not a huge fan of Valentines. It always causes more issues then anything else. I could ramble on about how silly I think it is but I'll save you the lecture. As I sat down to make a playlist I couldn't decide what kinda love songs I wanted to compile. I mean, it's obvious that a valentines playlist would be love themed, right? I couldn't decide it I wanted mushy love songs or anti-love songs. So I decided to do both. Well, I didn't decide it just kinda happend.

Playlist number one: Happy songs that are kinda about love!

I wanted to do an upbeat dance you pants off kinda love playlist. I think I was fairly successful. Hopefully these songs are unique and not on your average Valentines playlist.

Playlist number two: Songs about how messy love is. 

Now these aren't your average anti-love songs. They are more like love songs with sad endings. Songs about how complicated and messed up love can be. Let's face it, love is a tricky thing to survive.

"People say they love a lot of things, but they really don't. It's just a word that's been overused." 

-Bob Dylan

Have a lovely week filled with lots of mushy Valentine-ness!
-Remi

Music Monday: Alt-J

I feel a bit guilty because I've been neglecting our poor little bright side blog. BUT on the up note I've been keeping consistant with a peachy keen day blog! Which I'm very proud of. I'm torn because I like the personality of my new blog but I've lots of time spent with bright side blog as well. The only thing that keeps me coming back is Music Monday. Mostly because I  make the playlists anyways and it encourages me to be constantly looking for new music to share. Maybe one day I'll change Music monday over on to my other blog or maybe Zoei will take it over. But until then seems like this blog is just going to fill up with only monday posts.Which isn't a completely bad thing! Maybe we should just drop the monday and just make it music. Hm, so many options!

Phew! Anyways lets get to some tunes! This week I'm listening to Alt-J. I'll be honest when I first heard these guys I was unimpressed to say the least. It wasn't until the Triple J hottest 100 that I found the song Breezeblocks (coming in at #3). From the first 10 seconds of this song I was automatically hooked. Like I always tend to do I had to look up more from them. I wasn't completly blown away from the songs that they had to offer. But as I was clicking and meandering through differnt songs of theres, I came to the conclusion that I needed to listen to the whole album start to finish in the order that they intended it to be listened too. After doing so, it seemed like it all made more sense. The interludes are perfectly place they have a good balance of electronic and rock with a hinge of singer song writer-ness. This guys voice is so unique and holds on to your attention the whole time. I'll admit some of there songs are a wafty miss, but over all its pretty good. Obviously I felt like it was worthy of a Monday.

I hope monday is good to all you lovelies!
-Remi

Music Monday: Typhoon

Phew! This year is getting kicked off with an interesting start! Not necessarily a bad start, but an interesting one to say the least. I am sorry to say that I haven't been posting on here as much as I would like too. Mostly because I've been working on my other lil' blog project A Peachy Keen Day. Which is going swimmingly!

Anyways, its Monday and I'm here to share with you Typhoon. I've to thank this new discovery to the songza app on my phone. It's my favorite to listen to as I'm getting dressed in the morning and the other morning a lovely song called Claws pt. 2 popped up and I needed to look more of these guys up. When I first started listening it all felt really local. I mean that in a sense that I feel like I can go and see a similar band play at a little venue in Utah. That kind of haunting lyrics and mediocre vocals that are so adorable you want to listen more. But then upon a second listen and compiling a little playlist and shuffling though there discography. I found that they are way most complex then I first thought. They build a song very nicely and have this complex swelling of emotion that gets translated though a lot of there songs. For me these are heartfelt, mind swallowing tunes that make me want to hug someone and let myself be taken by the poetic sincerity of it all. Ok, ok I'm done rambling!

Enough talking, more listening. Gobble it up my lovelies, you'll thank me later.
-Remi

"I've been trying to make myself better, so I can fare the are foul weather.

I write a song like a prison letter, I write a song maybe to make me feel better."

Music Monday: Moody Songs

Hello lovelies! It’s the first Monday of the year! I’m just now realizing this and if I had noticed that earlier I probably would have made a different playlist, but oh well! Today I give you a playlist of sad songs. Well, not sad songs but songs that make me overly emotional. Do you have songs like that? Where for some reason even on the best of days, that song comes on and you’re just a mess? Maybe it’s just the girly part of me or the part of me that gets way too invested in music. Even though this playlist is a bit emotional it’s got some great gems on it. All these artists are ones that I love. It seems like it’s a bit of a mish mash, but I think they fit oddly well together.

I wish you all a successful week! Hope you enjoy this mellow playlist.

-Remi

Music Monday: Best of 2012

I know by now you're probably sick of hearing all the "best of" playlists. But I wanted to share my two cents and also share some of my favorites of 2012. Now, don't worry I'll keep it short and won't ramble one too much. Man, there were so many good albums released this year. Probably too many that I can't even remember them all! But I think that it is a unanimous decisions the The Lumineers have taken the top spot in the bright-side girls hearts. That album has become a must have staple in our car. But don't forget about The Avett Brothers, Norah Jones (long time favorite of mine.), Bahamas, Joshua James, Matt and Kim, Alabama Shakes, Fiona Apple and Lisa Mitchell. Whoa, there are just too many. Not including all the amazing singles and eps that have been released! Needless to say it was an amazing year for music!

Zoei and I also got the chance to see a ton of great bands this year! Everything from Matt and Kim to the Avett Brothers we really got spoiled this fall! I think its fair to say that live music is the best. Old or new releases it all sounds amazing when you see it in a crowed place with strangers. We've already got tickets to see Augustana and Thao and the Get Down Stay Down early 2013, so I'm super stoked for the new year! So many awesome bands are making there way to good ol'utah!

Phew, so here is a mini playlist of my favorites of 2012. I couldn't find all the songs that I wanted to include. So click HERE to listen to an amazing Lisa Mitchell songs and click THERE to hear an awesome Joshua James song. I've also probably left TONS off of my lil list, but eh it is what it is!

Cheers to a great year in music!
-Remi

Music Monday: Shovels and Rope

Hello my lovlies! Can  you believe it's December already! Time is just going by crazy fast. On the bright side Christmas is a coming! It's official you can listen to Christmas music and NOT get dirty/ strange looks from people! By now you're probably thinking, YAY music monday has gone Christmas ..well you're wrong. Today I'm in love with SHOVELS AND ROPE! (Don't worry there are plenty of Mondays in December!) Shovels and Rope are two lovlies named Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst. They are quite the nifty duo if I do say so myself. I'm not quite sure how to describe there sound. For me personally it has way more of a country-ish sound then I normally go for. But they've got a few singer-song writer tunes as well as a bit of a rock-ish pop sound. You should probably just listen to the mini playlist i've complied for you and tell me what you think! Regardless of the label I try to put on there sound one thing is clear, these guys can write a fun/sappy tune. They've got songs laced with poetic/story telling lyrics and the occasional foot stopmin' hand clappin'. Which are all good things!

I've to warn you, Box Car is my favorite song of theirs and it will get stuck in your head. In a good way of course, until you can't help but sing it out loud. Which can sometimes be awkward, unless people around you know what song has possessed your mind at the moment. SO, if you like there tunes,  you should share them so then you can sing them out loud and only seem semi crazy.

"If they ever come to ask about me, tell 'em that you knew me and you kinda liked me. I ain't afraid to go it on my own, you can make a run and make it all alone. You'll be alright." 

Happy Monday!
-Remi

Music Monday: Various Cruelites

Hey there! I hope all of you lovelies enjoyed your holiday weekend! I know I sure did. It was full of laziness and new tunes! One of my newest favorites is Various Cruelties. Ok, now I must admit that I first heard this band on a commercial. I can't remember what it was advertising but the song was If It Wasn't For You. It was just so catchy and lovely and I fell in love with the guys higher voice and the kinda sweet rock and roll-ish pop sound they had. Once I listened to the full song the lyrics were so sweet. (which was interesting for having such a harsh sounding name) But after falling in love with that song I needed to find more of there tunes. Needless to say it only took me once tracking through there album to realize its a must have. I mean, sure there are a couple of tracks that are lacking, but as a whole its very nicely done. I feel I've yet to discover the awesomeness that is Various Cruelties, but a bit more poking around on the interweb I'm sure I'll just find more reasons to love these guys.

"If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I'd do. I've got nothing to prove, I've got nothing to lose."

Hope you enjoy this little playlist! Good luck on this fine Monday! (Mondays after a holiday are always the roughest, hang in there cookie!)

-Remi

Music Monday: Local Natives

Hey! It's Monday..again! This Monday I'm in love with Local Natives! I've been a fan of them since there first album release Gorilla Mannor. They have such a fun and complex indie sound that I just love. They've got poetic, witty lyrics that make there songs easy to listen too over and over again. Which is always a plus! They just released a single called, Breakers. I can't wait for them to release a whole album which is expected to come out early 2013. The song Breakers has there same catchy guitar riffs, but more sophisticated. They have stuck to there same layered goodness and complex building percussion section. I'm excited to see where there new album goes. I've a feeling its going to be similar but better. If that makes any sense. Anyways, I love there sound. Here's a little playlist of my favorite songs of theres. Hope theres at least one song on here that you love! 

"Breathing out, hoping to breath in. I know nothing's wrong but I'm not convinced."

Have a successful week!

-Remi

Music Monday: Camera Obscura

   Hello! It's a snowy monday this fine November day! This monday I'm listening too Camera Obscura. I love these guys. They have his lovely retro sound to them and sweet cynical lyrics. They have released quite a few ablums, which I have barely begun to dig into. But by far my favorite album is My Maudin Career. For me there sound fits the cold weather appropriately, with the idea that sunny days aren't really that far away. Here is little playlist of my favorite songs. I just want to be lazy and cuddle up with some tea and soak in these lovely tunes! 

"I love how your eye close whenever you kiss me, 

and when I'm away from you I love how you miss me." 

-Remi

Music Monday: Matt & Kim

Hello friends! This past Thursday I got the chance to see one of the greatest duos ever.. MATT AND KIM! I think this has to be one of the funnest concerts that I've been too. They just had to so much energy! I mean, what are you to expect from these two. All there songs are high energy songs! But I love how much they interacted with the crowd. It gets so boring when an artist takes the stage and just plays the albums straight though, it doesn't make it a unique experience at all. But these two were the exact opposite! Of course I was stoked that they played all of my favorite songs! And man, that Kim is not someone you want to mess with. Her energy and aggressiveness was enough to plow down anyone! Which is so awesome to see a strong..I mean strong independent women like that. Needless to say, she's the last person I would ever pick a fight with. In the end these guys have released 4 amazing albums. All are worth a good listen too. they've got some happy, dance-able tunes intertwined with meaningful catchy lyrics. All rolled into a neat little uniqueness package!

"Sometimes truth sounds just like lies." 

Have a successful week!

-Remi

Music Monday: Random Playlist vol. 2

Now every once in a while I just can't really decide what artist to feature on Music Monday. So today my indecisiveness got the best of me and I just decided to do a random playlist. I was going to do Camera Obscurea for today's featured band, but upon listening to there vast discography. It just didn't fit the feeling of October for some reason. So I've decided to save that for a cold November Monday. I think it would suit the mood better. Also it did cross my mind to do a Halloween flavored playlist. But that just seemed too cliche. Plus I'm not too keen on most of the classic Halloween songs, mostly cause I've been hearing them all month every where you go.

So instead I give you a random playlist of songs that I'm particularly fond of lately. I hope you enjoy this semi-cohesive group of songs. Hopefully you'll start to like these songs as much as I do!

Have a spooky week!

-Remi

Music Monday: Blind Pilot

       Howdy! This week I'm starting it off right with some tunes from Blind Pilot! Now I must admit this is another great band that I've shrugged off until recently. A little while ago I stumbled upon a whole live set that they had done and after listening to that I was sold. There first album was released in 2009 and they've had another one since in 2011. Both are equally fantastic and I'll probably end up buying at some point. Just to have ( yes, I'm one of those that still likes to buy the hard copy of cds.) I just love the feel these guys have. At first I was a little put off by the pop-ness of it. But upon a second listen I realized that just because it's happy and fun doesn't necessarily make it pop. They've got some nice, poetic lyrics and some percussion that just makes it so complete. The rhythm in there songs is what makes it so listenable and is what makes you want to listen to it again. (at least for me.) This kinda sound just feels like Autumn to me for some reason. But the happy kinda autumn. Like lets go a play in the leafs and maybe dance a bit and drink hot coco afterwards. Ok, maybe that's a bit extreme, but still. Good feeling tunes.

"I didn't know I'm not in control
I didn't know I'm not invincible".

-Remi

Music Monday: Thao Nguyen

     Hello you. It's the beginning of the week. That means its time for some tunes to kick start this week! Today I give you Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Now, I've been a big fan of hers for a long time. Shes got those albums that you listen too over and over.Then forget about  until a couple months later and you remember why you listened to it over and over. Well this weekend I'm falling in love all over again with her album We Brave Bee Stings and All. Shes just got a unique style. But not so unique that it's hard to appreciate. If that makes any sense. Most of her songs are a bit upbeat, but with somber lyrics. Which is kinda why I love her. Heavy messages being said with a bright tune. It's the contradicting-ness of it all that makes her songs so lovely. She's also collaborated with one of my favorite artists Mirah. They released an album in 2011 that is pretty killer. Although for me it doesn't have the get down stay down feel to it. It's different  but a good different. It was produced by Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards. Which I mean come on, that's just awesome! If you like Mirah and you dig this playlist then I highly suggest you by the collaboration album! Now thinking about it the Tune-Yards and Mirah should really get there own Monday. Well, in due time. There will always be another Monday. 

Hope you have a successful week!

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Daughter

Hello! It's Monday! This fall-ish Monday I'm cuddling up to the somber tunes of Daughter. Now, I don't know much about this lovely lady. But I put her song Landfill on a fall mix tape that I did recently I was surprised that it was one of Zoei's favorite tracks on the mix. (Mostly cause its not really Zoei's style) So I decided I should probably look up more of there tunes. Over all I really enjoy the sound they have. Its kinda of a somber, soft sound that builds on its self. The lyrics are really powerful. Which I love. This is a perfect band to put on in the fall. You can curl up in bed with a cup of tea and let the sickly sweet sadness sweep over you. Hope you enjoy this mini playlist.

Have a lovely week.

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Givers

Hello lovelies! This Monday we're listening to the GIVERS! I love the happy sound these guys have! It's almost like these guys have to be eating some cynical sparkly cupcakes to come up with these tunes. Their sound is dreamy, punchy and they've got some awesome little guitar riffs. As well as amazing percussion all though out there songs. All topped off with witty lyrics! They remind me a bit of Grouplove, but not to the extent that Grouplove songs are getting stuck in my head. Which is a good thing! Now I must admit these guys aren't really all that unique and you see a bunch of these kinda bands all over the indie pop music scene. And yes, their songs probably have been on some commercials and in TV shows. But in the end I really like this indie pop group! It's happy and fun! I'm probably going to go out and buy there album and dance my face off when I'm feeling sad. If that's not a Music Monday worthy band then I don't know what is. Anyways, check 'em out!

"I'll give you all my gush

You make me feel, you make me blush. "

Happy Monday!

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Middle Brother

Howdy! This Monday I'm drooling over MIDDLE BROTHER! Now, I haven't started listening to these guys until these past couple weeks and man they are amazing. They've been around since 2010 and have only released one album so far. When I was first looking up there music and tracking through there album it all felt really familiar. But in a new refreshing way. I didn't realize why until I was looking up more about the band. Middle Brother is made up of John McCauley of Deer Tick, Taylor Goldsmith of the Dawes and Matt Velasquez of Delta Spirit. Such an amazing mash up! I adore all three of these bands so it's no surprise that I'm totally smitten over Middle Brother. Although, I always love when bands work together and create these awesome sub albums. Monsters of Folk is one that I really enjoy! But Middle Brother by far takes the cake in my book. They've got a fun, country-ish, folk, indie sound. Lately this kind of sound has been capturing my attention. I'm not sure if its because of the new Avett Brothers album or my obsession with The Lumineers and Trampled by Turtles. But its a style that I've becoming particularly keen too. Anyways enjoy this mini playlist! If you like what you hear make sure you snatch up there album! 

But I'm daydreaming about you,  I know that it's wrong

That I'm daydreaming about you. Yes, I've been daydreamin' for so long.

Cheers!

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Ukulele Songs!

I've always been a huge fan of the ukulele. It just has such a nice fun sound to it and its super easy to learn how to play. But don't let that make you think that its just a toy, cause its way more then that. So this Monday I've made you a ukulele mix! I think by now everyone in my family has there own ukulele. They come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes that all have different sounds. I just love them all! I've been trying to teach myself new songs this weekend. Thanks to ukulele hut,  I've now learned 2 new songs! Which I will probably only ever sing to Zoei, but hey at least I know how to play them right?! 

Now, there are lots of ukulele songs out there and these are just my favorites. I love when my favorite artists have ukulele songs! I wish Zee Avi would do a whole album just ukulele songs! She has a bunch of really cool covers on you tube, but a whole album would just be awesome. I think the ukulele is getting more popular for artists to use. Or maybe I'm just now paying attention. Who knows, I do know that I love it! So take a lesson from Amanda Palmer and go out, get a ukulele and bang out some tunes! Its fun and pretty easy, promise! 

Have a happy week! 

-Mint~Tea