Monday Music Recs

Happy Monday Friends!! I don't know how regular this will be, but I was listening to some awesome music last night and decided this would be sometime fun to share. I have loved and enjoyed music for as long as I can remember. When I was very young, like 7, my best friend at the time and I would go skiing up in Winter Park every Saturday. On the drive up we would listen to our Amy Grant tape on our walkman over and over again. We belted Baby, Baby from the top of our lungs and from that day forward I found my love for music in Pat Benetar, dancing in the kitchen with my mom and my aunt Dana, Ace of Base, Real McCoy, and alas, Hanson.

I was a few weeks shy of 14 when I went to my very first REAL concert (I say real because I'd been to local free shows in the summer in the town I grew up in). Real meant watching my mom dial ticketmaster over and over until finally reaching a rep to purchase four tickets to see Hanson at Red Rocks, the most incredible place to see a show. It's an amphitheater tucked into the foothills and surrounded by huge rocks, making the sound flawless. From way up, you can see all of Denver lit up. Beautiful.

Since then, I have managed to attended over 100 concerts ranging from NSYNC to The Fray to Death Cab for Cutie, Jacks Mannequin, Dave Matthews Band, Michelle Branch, Snow Patrol, Hillary Duff, Gavin Degraw, Maroon 5, and of course, more Hanson shows. The best concert I've ever been to was most recently to see Jacks Mannequin. The venue was small and intimate, allowing for a close, special show while dancing around with people who knew Jacks as Something Corporate way back in the day. It was euphoric. The worst show was Dropkick Murphy's. The band was fine, but it was the first show I'd ever been to with true moshing and not to mention I had a raging sinus infection. It was one of mine and B's first dates and he LOVES Dropkick.

Anyway, there's you're little history of my love of music. I grew up loving it. Even still, my parents go to Wilco and Gillian Welch shows. I don't get to go as often as I used to. Ticket prices are crazy expensive and well, I have a family now. It's different.

This week I want to share Bon Iver with you. I've mentioned before how much I love their Skinny Love song. Thanks to Pinterest, that is how I discovered this band! Birdy, a youtube sensation, covered that song and made a beautiful video. I had find more music. Thanks to Spotify, it was no problem. Their music is melodic and has a ballad-like quality. It's not something you want to listen to if you're in the mood to dance, however, if you're in the mood to take a bath (like I was last night) and listen to something relaxing with deep lyrics, Bon Iver is perfect. Every song is special and by far, Skinny Love remains my fav. I'd love to see a show of theirs. I cannot imagine them playing anything bigger than the Gothic, a venue in Denver. Yes, Red Rocks would be too much for their intimate music. Go check them out.

wordless wednesday: rockstar

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 24

>

Let's try this again.

Day 24: iTunes on Shuffle, First 10 Songs

1. Almost Lover--A Fine Frenzy

My very close friend Ashley first introduced this lovely lady to me 2 years ago. The song Near to You is my most favorite and I used those words "near to you" in my wedding vows.

2. Crooked Teeth--Death Cab for Cutie

I saw Death Cab at Red Rocks a few years back with Bestie and we had a ball. The show was incredible and if you are ever in Colorado you MUST see a show at Red Rocks. I DARE you to find me a better venue for a concert.

3. Only Alive--Jars of Clay

I love this love song. Jars, I believe, wrote this as a love song to Jesus, but I think the words work perfectly as a love song to your lover. I listened to this often while B and I were dating. I prayed over and over that he was "The One" and the more I heard this song the more I feel in love with him.

4. Blood, Sex, & Booze--Green Day

Silly song.

5. Tell All Your Friends--Taking Back Sunday

Another silly song. It's one of B's so I am not that fond of it.

6. Very Loud--Shout Out Louds

If you happen to enjoy music that is NOT on the radio, then this band is for you. I found them a good 5-6 years ago and they are a-mazing!! Know of Arcade Fire?? Kind of like them.

7. Swagger Like Us--TI, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, & Jay-Z

I LOVE this song!! We found a TI CD in a parking lot one day and then the song was on Slumdog Millionaire and that was it. I cannot help but sing along and dance, if I can, every time I hear it.

8. Hot Cookin--G Love and the Special Sauce

You can never go wrong with some G Sauce. MMMmm good.

9. No Body Drinks Alone--Keith Urban

This man, oh this man! I love his voice and this song is so depressing, but ahhh his voice!! My friend Chelsea recently saw him this summer at the Greeley Stampede and said he was amazing. I don't doubt that one bit!

10. Hundred--The Fray

One of the most piano solos on the entire album. Isaac Slade has the same gripe on me musically as Keith Urban and Taylor Hanson do. My little musical soul just melts with the sound of their voice. They lyrics are amazing.

11. Faust Arp--Radiohead

When my player when to Radiohead, I HAD to include it in the list. I love me some Radiohead. Whenever I feel motivated enough to go for a run, their music is perfect for keeping pace. Oh and for a long, mountain drive.