Wild Child

So the other day I'm wasting time on the interweb as usual and listening to spotify when THIS song started playing. After the first two seconds of listening to them I realized that A) I needed to learn how to play this song on the ukulele and B) I need to hear more from these two lovelies. I discovered that this band was called WILD CHILD. After some googleing I found THIS and taught myself how to play pillow talk and fell in love with the heart wrenching duet. (Although, yes it is a duet so when I sing and play it sounds kinda off, cause its supposed to be a duet, but oh well its still fun to play!) As far as I could tell they only have one album out. So I've made you a lil'playlist that is really just my favorites of theres. After tracking though there stuff they started to remind me more and more of Charity Children Berlin, but more sophisticated. Which can be a bad thing, but in this case I love that they remind me of a band that I like immensely. I'm loving this ladies voice. Its sounds so effortlessly unique and delightful. Her voice is superb in the song Bridges Burning. Over all I like these guys singer songwriter, folky feel. They have a very complete sound that is just fun. But upon second listen they have kinda sad, deep lyrics. These kinda sneaky bands are my favorite! Ones that can write a intense meaningful song, but make you feel good and ok about it.

ALSO, I found this video they made to promote there tour with SHAKY GRAVES! I'd probably scream if I got to go see them together! These guys just seem like they are having a hell of a time. I bet they put on a killer show!

 

"Feel my heart is aching, wish I could stop breaking. Spend all day just thinking for you." 

What do you think about Wild Child?? If you couldn't tell, I'm pretty much in love. But I do wish they had a more creative band name, just saying.

-Remi

Good Old War

While tracking though a couple playlists on 8tracks. I came across Good Old War! Two different songs were on two different playlists and I fell in love with both of them! So I figured I needed to listen to them more. I automatically was in love with there folky, alternative country sound. PLUS their songs have some of the most adorable, heart felt lyrics I've ever heard. I love his sweet, nasally voice! The way they layer their voices is really interesting. Its awesome how simple there songs are and they've got some nifty little riffs though out their songs. I can't believe that it took me this long to discover theses guys!

Hope you like this mini-playlist! Look these guys up! They are definitely added to my list of people that I need to see live.

-Remi

Festive Hair!

It's that time of year! Time for family gatherings and awkward parties to attend. This year I'm going to attempt to be extra festive with fancy hair! I saw THIS post to do a chignon hairstyle. (yeah, I had to look that up, but doesn't it look pretty!) Seems pretty simple. I also found THIS video on how to do a zipper braid with a bun. Which I have tired a few times and am realizing that its gonna take some practice before I can get it down. And that this girly must have some really buff arms, cause man mine were aching after 2 seconds! I also want to tackle THESE finger wave curls. I wouldn't mind doing my hair like that everyday. Well, that is if I have the time and aren't feeling too lazy.

Go out and do some fancy hair for New Years Eve!
-Remi

Tis The Season!

      I can't believe Christmas is almost here! Where did the time go! It seemed like I was so ambitious at the beginning of the month, now I'm just trying to finish one project! On the bright side I have successfully sent out all my christmas cards and am done with the shopping! (Well almost there is always more stuff to buy!)  So many things still that need to be done! I haven't even begun to start wrapping any of the gifts I bought. Zoei and I are doing personalized mugs for our family (which I found HERE!) and we haven't even started on those yet! Plus we plan on making some sweet treats also, because lets be realistic Christmas isn't Christmas with out plates full of unhealthy things! I think this year we're going to try to make peanut butter truffles, caramel shortbread cookies and almond roca! Thanks to Zoei's new found obsession with Pintrest, she's been finding all kinds of recipes. Who knows what will actually get done. Like I said we were a bit overly ambitious. But we're still going to give it a shot! Wish us luck!

I've also found some christmas tunes to enjoy whilst tackling the long to do list I've got in head of me! I love 8tracks, this is one of my favorite holiday playlists I've been listening too. Also, you can download  a free christmas album from the lovlies at Velour!! I love this because its local, its free, it's live AND Isaac Russell singing sister winter. Need I say more.

-Remi

Indie Christmas Carols from mykal on 8tracks Radio.

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: 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

New sidebar buttons!

In the midst of all the Halloween-ness. I've found some time to try and update the look of the blog a little bit. I've been meaning to redo the buttons for quite sometime. Now you can clickty click and go to the Bright-side Etsy shop, see all the music Mondays  check out some photos and projects we've blogged about! I think that they've turned out well. But now I feel like I should redo the banner and make it match the buttons. That's my next project.

I did these a little different then I've done other things like this. I drew them all out first and then scanned them in and edited them in illustrator. When normally I just open up illustrator and go for it. But computers haven't ever been a strong point of mine. So doing it this way was much more efficient.

Photo by: Jake Buntjer

On a random side note one of my favorite artist JOSHUA JAMES is releasing a new album that comes out next week Tuesday! But better then that you can hear the entire thing online before it's released! Plus there's such a good interview with him about the new album. So far my favorite song is Surrender, but I'm probably going to obsess over this album for a little bit so that is subject to change. On top of ALL that you can download his other album Build Me This for FREE! How amazing is that?! Such an amazing artist and an amazing album! He's just a damn good song writer. Check it out. You'll love him!

-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

Parlor Hawk Kickstarter

     Parlor Hawk has to be one of mine and Zoei's favorite bands. They are now trying to make a second album! You can check out there KICK STARTER and help these fellers out on there quest for releasing an album with out a label. Zoei did a lovely music Monday post about them a while back. Ever since she did that post we've both just fallen even more in love with that first album. For some reason it's the perfect fall music. That first album just really sunk into mine and Zoei's souls that one fall. I don't think there is any other album that carries so many memories like this one does. So if there second album is anything like the first, I really want to get my hands on it.

   Luckily for kick starter I can take part in helping them reach there goal. I have backed a lot of projects, but I haven't seen any one as proactive as these guys. I love when they send out messages and follow ups. You can tell that they really care about this project. Which  makes me want to help them even more. So, check them out! If you love what you hear, help them continue on making music and sharing it with the world! Donate what you can! Spread the word about these lovelies!

-Remi

Music Monday: I'm From Barcelona

Hello lovelies! The only reason why I somewhat survive Mondays is because of good tunes. Let's face it good tunes can chase away any funkiness that the day may hold. So toady I'm glad to share with you the chipper sounds of I'm From Barcelona. The first thing I noticed about these guys is how full and complete their sound is but still has a sense of youth and fun to it. After looking up more about the band I realized that its because they've got a lot of members! Talk about a FULL band, something like over 20 members. That's what makes them so fantastic. Elaborate sounds and unique instruments, blending together to create a nice solid sound. Their songs are punchy, fun and just have a good feel to them. I bet these Swedish lovelies are killer to see live! Definitely adding them to my list of must see bands!

"Feeling like a tape recorder.
Stuck between rewind and forward." 

Hope your week is successful with a hint of mystery. 

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Tennis

Aloha! Such a lovely Monday! Today I give you some tunes from the band Tennis! Now, I've come across these guys before and always kinda shrugged them off and didn't see anything to special in them. But then this weekend the song Marathon kept popping up on random playlists I was listening too. I realized that its an amazing song and I had to look up more of there stuff. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found and also disappointed in myself for not realizing the awesomeness earlier. Better late then never, right? Tennis is a lovely husband and wife duo, which is just cool. They've got this smooth, retro, indie sound that is very unique. At first they seem like upbeat snazzy tunes not to be taken to seriously. But then you listen to the lyrics and their songs gain some weight and heaviness to them that make them a good indie band and not a pop tune to be brushed off lightly. Plus how unique is that ladies voice. I could probably do with less ooh ooohs. They seem to be sprinkled in almost every song.Tennis has a specific sound that is easily identifiable, which I enjoy when bands can create a sound that sticks out and is unique to them. Anyways enough rambling, listen to the playlist (or at least the first song, its really neat.)  Hope you all have a successful Monday and if not there is always tomorrow! 

"In the woods somethings glowing, a burning light has started growing. It feels like change is upon us at last. Consuming us fast, change is upon us."

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Charity Children Berlin

Hello Monday! This week I give you Charity Children Berlin. If these little tunes don't brighten your moody Monday then I'm not sure what will. When I first stumbled upon these guys and immediately fell in love with the catchy ukulele and sweet lyrics. There songs are so simply wonderful and her strange voice is so unique. Listening to there music I always get a sense  that I can write songs too! Which in reality is oddly difficult. But there simplify is so appealing and seems do-able. Which in turn makes you feel like you can do it too! Oh I just love em'. On top of it all they are one of the cutest couples! (We all know Jenny and Johnny take first place in my book for worlds cutest couple, but they aren't too far behind.) Just reading about them in interviews such as THIS. You really just fall in love with these two. Starting off as street musicians and working there way up. You gotta give them some respect for that. I'd probably be way too overly excited if I was wondering around Berlin and came across these two singing in the street. But wouldn't that just be so awesome! Ok, well just being in Berlin and wondering around would be neato, but cool tunes on top of that! Hell yes!

 Any ways, listen and enjoy! Make this Monday a happy one! 

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Gregory Alan Isakov

Happy Monday! For this music Monday I give a new find of mine Gregory Alan Isakov. Now, I try to always been finding and discovering music. Most of the time I write about band and artist on Monday that I've been keen too for a while. But with this one I seriously discovered him this morning. Thanks to my lovely mom and her obsession with Pandora radio. So, I haven't had time to really listen and dissect all of his discography or learn much about him. After looking up a few of his songs I was sold. He's got these melancholy, sickly sweet tunes. At first listen I was afraid that all his stuff was too slow and similar. Then I came across song like Tin Can Roses and 5 O'clock Shadow that are like upbeat nifty lil' tunes. But the real gems that this guy offers are his slowly building, lyrically heartfelt songs. Which he has not shortage of, from what I've heard so far. I love lyrics that can have multiple meanings and let the listener kinda decide what they want it to mean to them. (Yes, I know you can to this with all music. But his songs make it simpler for some reason.) Anyways, I was taken today by this guy and wanted to share the new found sweetness of Gregory Alan Isakov. Hope you enjoy these soft, easy going tunes on this fine August Monday. 

"So I'll send you my words. From the corners of my room.

And though I write them by the light of day.

Please read them by the light of the moon." 

Let's be conquers of the world! Well, at least for today.

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Twilight Concert Series Playlist

Hello! This Monday I made you a playlist! Now, if you live in Utah and love music you've probably heard of the Twilight Concert Series. These concerts use to be free, but this year they have started charging 5$ a ticket. They've been having these concerts for as long as I can remember. Mom and Dad use to take us to them back when they were free. I'm not sure how they do it but they get some awesome bands to play. This year we've seen Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket and Joshua James play. I mean paying only 5$ to see these big bands is not bad at all. Although the venue is lacking greatly in some aspects, especially sound quality. Which isn't a good thing when you're going there to listen to some music. But they do have good food vendors, art booths and it is outdoors AND it's only 5$. I guess you get what you pay for. In a couple weeks we're going to see Iron and Wine and possibly M.Ward. We did have hopes to see Passion Pitt but sadly they canceled their tour for the rest of the summer. Any ways long story short. Utah is actually a cool place to see some awesome bands for cheap. You can always find some music somewhere. 

This playlist are my favorite songs from Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket and Iron and Wine. All three of these bands have released awesome albums. Sadly I couldn't fit all of the awesomeness on to one playlist, so I've left off a lot of greatness that can be found in these bands discography. If you don't know these bands, look them up! 

Happy Monday!

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Keaton Henson

Hello. Today on music Monday I give you KEATON HENSON. Now you might start the playlist and think, man these songs are kinda sad. Well, yes they are a bit weepy BUT man his voice and haunting lyrics are so appealing and intriguing. This guy is something fantastic. Simple, somber and delightful little tunes. For me his songs feel like fall. (yes, I know its summer.) But I can't help but dream of sweaters, scarfs and mittens. Oh, how I've missed mittens. His songs blanket you like heavy fall weather and damp leaves. Which is kinda what I want in the middle of hot summer and warm breezes. Something heartfelt, tragic, romantic and smart. He just writes some clever, meaningful lyrics. My favorite song of his is About Sophie. I feel like everyone has a Sophie in there life. The lyrics to this song are just sickly sweet. The entire album is a good one. I highly suggest snatching it up. It'll come in handy when fall actually does come and you can put it on repeat with your Damien Rice albums. 

" Does his love make your head spin?"

Happy Monday lovelies. 

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: Random Playlist

Hello there. It's Monday, yet again as expected. Lately I've been spending way too much time by myself listening to way too much music, letting all of my antisocial behaviors get increasingly worse. BUT the recent return of my Gold Canary and a new found friend has gotten me out of my destructive slump. So today I give you a very unique playlist that I think you'll like. 

Do you ever get talking with someone and its like your music tastes are so similar but so different? I love, love when this happens. There is something really powerful about sharing music interests with someone. I'm so awkward about making conversation with people, but get me talking about music and I can go off for hours. I love messages that are, "I thought you would like this song." messages. Discovering new music is best when its through a friend because then you can totally talk and rant to them about it. Especially when the song is one you know really well. Something I know all the words to and have listened to it a million times. I usually end up replying with an over reaction like "I love you, lets move to the forest. Grab your records."  I just get so incredibly excited when somebody can just pin point the kind of music I enjoy. Zoei does it all the time and says, this song sounds like you. Music rests in my heart and my soul and to have friends and family that can intertwine with that is just one of the most amazing things in the world. Music is best when shared with friends. 

 Phew, enough ranting. This playlist is complied of songs from friends that said "Hey Remi would like this song."  Most of these songs I haven't heard until they were suggested. And of course some are artists that were suggested  I know and  love and listen to all the time and was just amazed that they would choose that song for me and know me that well to pick a song that I already love. (If that makes any sense.) This playlist has a soft acoustic theme to it, I just felt like all these fit together well. Most of these artists I need to look more into and some of them deserve their own Monday. Luckily I've got many more Mondays ahead of me. 

-Mint~Tea

Music Monday: You Won't

Hello. This lovely Monday we're listening to YOU WON'T. It's kinda a silly band name if you ask me, only because it's kinda hard to remember for some reason, or maybe that just me. Any ways, I found these lovely lads after I downloaded THIS mix tape over on the I'm fuel, you are friends music blog. Now the song I first head was Who Knew. In the beginning I was kinda impartial to it, it was good but didn't really stick. But then I found that I kept coming back to it so decided to look up and see if they had any other tunes. I was pleasantly surprised with the whole album (Skeptic Goodbye). Its rare that I can sit through an entire album of just one artist with out going next. They have a nice variety of punchy songs like Dance Moves and Fat and Happy. But as expected they've got a lovely acoustic sound with some dainty piano that is fantastic. Man, this guys voice is just unique and so much fun! It makes his squeaks and quirks in his voice work really well for him and there style. On top of that some super sweet, meaningful lyrics that just fit like a perfect music puzzle being digested by your ears. Any who, I like them and I think you will too. Well at least give it a listen, can't hurt now can it! 

" If I was a hundred and three, I would share all my boring stories, with you. But you caught me too soon, now. Darling what can I do, now." 

-Mint~Tea