Merry Christmas!!

Well, its official... I am not doing a Christmas playlist this year. I'm back in Los Angeles from London and my days have been filled with visiting friends and family. I'll be even more honest and share that I don't even have a Christmas tree this year! Budget does not allow it but Christmas is more then decorations and presents. My Christmas is spending time with the people I love and the best gift I've gotten so far is my sweet little baby cousin who was born healthy and happy two days ago. However in light of my Christmas playlist I'm sharing a few Christmas videos I've loved that came out this month. Enjoy!

Dan Croll - Home

It has been a long time since I posted last. There's been a lot going on in my life the last few months. In August I quit my job working in the music industry in Los Angeles and moved to London to attend a worship leader academy. I've always been a worship leader but on the side of my other jobs. I was tired of sitting at a desk all day and was ready to focus on the music I feel called to sing, play and write myself.

While I'm here in London for the next year I'll be on the look out for new artist emerging from the UK. I have posted on Dan Croll before but I just love this new video he's released for his song Home especially the shots around London and the trains I now take every day!! The parts with his Grams are precious to boot! Plus you can vote for the video to air on MTV this week here!

 

The Paper Kites - St Clarity (Video)

Australian band The Paper Kites released last month a beautiful video for their song St Clarity. Something about it provides a peace when you watch. Enough said, just enjoy.

Ivan & Alyosha - "Be Your Man" Music Video

We all know Seattle has a big music scene and was especially popular during the 90s with grunge music. Legend has it record executives were dropping label contracts out of planes over Seattle to any band with plaid shirts and long hair. Ivan & Alyosha on the other hand shows the lighter and happier side of Seattle. This folk rock band has been a favorite of mine since they were giving away their EP for free on Noisetrade.com. They now have a new LP and a new music video for "Be Your Man." This would be my favorite track of Ivan & Alyosha if they didn't sing about California and its many wildfires in their song "Everything Is Burning." I've lived through wildfires raging through my back yard yet I love this state so very much so how could I not love the lyrics, "Why is it every time I come to California its on fire? This is where we should fall in love. There's something in the water."

This new video is so charming and I can't get enough of the bored cheerleaders. Enjoy!

Lorde - Royals (Video)

Since I mentioned New Zealander Lorde in yesterday's post I figured I should probably post up some of her music. Nothing like hearing a 16 year old make crazy amazing music to make you feel really awesome about where you are at in your life at nearly 30... Enjoy, she'll be taking over the world soon.

Dan Croll - Compliment Your Soul (Video)

The new music that is coming out of the UK and Australia is blowing me away these days. Don't even get me started on 16 year old Lorde from New Zealand. Time to step it up America! Here's another UK artist that is in heavy rotation in my music library. Enjoy 22 year old Dan Croll's video for Compliment Your Soul.

 

Matt Corby - Resolution (video)

Just couldn't wait to share this one with you all. A friend posted this video today by Matt Corby and I have to admit that I am swooning for this Australian who sounds like a cross between James Vincent McMorrow and Allen Stone. I'm in love... (Pull it together Mary...)

Matt Corby Website

Photo credit - Caught the Light Photography

Space Oddity Music Video

Are you ready for the best music video of the year? You may be thinking, "Oh is this a new Beyonce video??" NO. Does Beyonce film her videos IN SPACE? Don't think so (Still love you though B). However Commander Chris Hadfield and his surprisingly angelic voice do. Now please enjoy Space Oddity and some pretty epic views of earth.

Its been a while...

Hi friends and fellow music lovers! I realize its been a very long time since I've posted anything and that makes me sad. Life has been busy with a new job and lots of side projects but I wanted to share some new favorites with you all. Hope to be regularly posting soon! Enjoy!

Night Beds "Ramona" (Live at Ocean Way Studios)
 Hurray For The Riff Raff "Look Out Mama" Waverly Sessions
 Little Green Cars "My Love Took Me Down To The River (To Silence Me)"
 Mystery Skulls "The Future"

Penny and Sparrow - Full Feature and Interview!

A few weeks ago my friend Courtney tweeted her new favorite band and mentioned me knowing I would love them. Well the girl knows me well because her discovery, Penny and Sparrow, pretty much made my week. Melodies and harmonies to swoon for, lyrics that hit home and a new album named after Corie Ten Boom whose story inspired me as a kid to stand up for what was right and true. Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke, former roommates out of Austin, TX have  just released their first album this month and were kind enough to answer a few question so we can learn more about them and their music. Make sure to stream my favorite track from the album as well as both of theirs while you read. I guarantee you'll enjoy and want to be friends with them and go for some Chipotle when you're done. Make sure to go buy their album and support the band!
Mary: When did each of you first start playing music? 
Kyle: Started playing drums when I was about 12, and picked up guitar in college.
Andy: Started singing in the car seat next to mom (she drove a green ford tauras) and I still don't really play guitar...but I started faking it around age 14...seriously I'm no good...

M: What was the first live concert you ever went to? 
K: My first concert was a 98 degrees concert and I don't care what kind of judgement I get for saying it because it was fantastic.
A: I saw Paula Cole open up for Matchbox 20....yup, I sure did...I saw the freaking Dawson's Creek theme song live and in person....("I don't wanna wait, til our lives will be ov-ahh")

M: What is your favorite song on this album and why? 
K: It changes all the time.... we played "A woman caught" last night at a show and its so emotional and hard to not get caught up in, so it's currently at the top of the list.
A: still "Duet" for me...I love that it sounds dark, sexy, ominous, and romantic...I'm proud of us for that one...

M: Are either of your families musical at all? If so, how was music present in your lives as you grew up? 
K: I don't think I have ever heard anybody in my family sing and didn't grow up with an instrument in the house. My dad loves music though, he is the one who got me to fall in love with classic rock.
A: My Mom sings better than me without question...none of us ever played instruments in the house, but we sang all the time...with dad it was classic rock/country (Eagles, Foreigner, Bad Co., Hank Will Sr., etc.) with my mom it was pop, 80's/90's country, & broadway (literally Reba all the way to 10th anniversary Les Miz)

M: When did you both decide you wanted to pursue a career in music? Has it always been your dreams or did you ever want to do something else? 
K: I've always loved music, but never really considered pursuing it as a career until recently. We both still have day jobs, and I think they represent the other half of what we love. Pursuing music is definitely a dream for me though!
A: Check out Kyle's answer...it's perfect....only thing I'll add is that for the longest time I think we both let insecurity and questions about whether or not we were "good enough" keep us from really seeing if music could be our job....I think we might be done with letting fear make decisions for us...

M: What does music do for you personally? For example, is writing a form of therapy for you? 
K: The easiest way to put it I guess is that it produces joy. It's always so inspiring. Writing is definitely a form of therapy, but is equally a form of community. Andy and I get a chance to hang out, talk and laugh, and write songs together, and it's always incredible time even if the song we write is a bust.
A: It's a knee jerk reaction to joy or inspiration....if I have a really badass day, or if I read/watch/see/hear some book/comic/article/song that blows me away....I immediately want to make stuff....usually the stuff I wanna make Is Music...so in that way, music is a daily thing...

M: When are you inspired to write music? Can you write at any time or do events in your life spark your creativity? 
K: A little of both -- sometimes its out of the blue and an idea pops in my head, but lots of the time its after watching an awesome movie, reading a great book, or listening to music that I'm fired up to write.
A: well crap, I kinda answered this one in the last question....see above...hahaha

M: What do you do if you ever feel a creative block or experience discouragement in your career? 
K: Luckily, writing with a good friend means you have another guy that gets to either encourage you through it or you can just drop the song you're working on and start with one of his.
A: I get hung up on a lyric I like a lot...and sometimes I'm crazy reluctant to erase it and start over...that keeps me stuck for sure....and it's frustrating... But like Kyle said, having each other is a great weapon against repetition and being stagnant...

M: Do you both enjoy performing live? Do you get nervous or stage fright? If so, how do you get past it? 
K: Totally - still learning how to do it well though. I haven't had stage fright in a while, but I know that as soon as a bigger show comes up it'll be there again. Usually once you start the show it goes away pretty quickly.
A: Yes. Always yes. I won't be nervous by song two...but straight outta the gate, I'm scared every time...I think I just need to remember that I don't suck...once I remember that, I'm pretty ok for the rest of the show...

M: What is the hardest thing about pursuing a music career? 
K: Booking venues - its a tough nut to crack. Other than that, it's been such a joy. Getting to write and play music with good friends is the best thing ever.
A: Hmmm....today I think it's knowing what to do next...sort of like asking yourself, "Ok, am I writing enough? Am I calling the right people?" "Have I prayed about any of this?"....I wanna spend my time in ways that aren't stupid...and I dont always know how to do that...I usually Call Kyle when I think my time Management sucks...

M: How do your friends and family support you in your music? 
K: Our friends and family encourage us like crazy - just constant affirmation that we don't suck, which has really helped push us along. Our friends and family are pretty much the ones that funded the album as well, which was a huge blessing. We did a kickstarter campaign, and the majority of the funds came from our friends.
A: We literally have a family/friend army...and if we don't ever play for anyone but them....I would keep writing music...I love them so much and don't deserve one single member of this crazy huge support group...

M: What activity, place, person, etc. brings you joy? 
K: My wife, my family (shout-out my little niece and nephew), playing or watching soccer, CrossFit, Lake Austin, Estes Park, Bananagrams.
A: My wife, my family, Crossfit, broadway, and reading comic books pretty much everyday...chips & verde salsa also........one more: Chipotle, oh how I love chipotle...

M: When you both were roommates which one of you didn't do your dishes? (There's always one...) 
K: Oh it was for sure both of us. We lived in a 4 bedroom house with like 10 guys so it was just constantly disgusting and awesome.
A: Kyle's being sweet....(typical Jahnke) I was messy as hell.... I didn't do dishes because I ate dollar menu items all day erryday...

M: Any plans for a tour? 
K: Absolutely...
A: Absolutely...

Thanks Kyle and Andy for sharing and looking forward to your tour!

Enjoy a few videos from Penny and Sparrow!

Penny and Sparrow Website

Facebook

Bandcamp

Twitter

Rai Thistlethwayte - Come Together (The Beatles Cover)

Its been a while since I've shared any new music with you all and I have a ton in the reserves but in the mean time here is a great video from Aussie Rai Thistlethwayte covering Come Together by The Beatles. If you are a huge Beatles fan then you'll probably either love this or hate it. Also 10 point to whoever can figure out how to pronounce Rai's last name... or his first name for that mater...