Music to My Ears

I had the pleasure of interviewing Eric Slick, drummer for Dr. Dog. 

His chill demeanor and honest answers make for a good read. 

You can check out the interview here. 

Have a wonderful day. 

Home

Let's continue the schmoopyness of living with the one you love, shall we?

Makes my heart happy!

In fact, I'd gladly display any of the artwork below, inspired by this song from the quirky Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

{1, 2, 3, 4}

Alabama Arkansas I do love my Ma and Pa

Not the way that I do love you

Holy moly, me oh my, your the apple of my eye

Girl I've never loved one like you

Man o Man your my best friend I scream it to the nothingness

there ain't nothing that I need...

Home, let me come home

Home is whenever I'm with you

Home, yes I am home

Home is wherever I'm with you

Music to My Ears

Eric and I attended an awesome concert this weekend to see John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives.

You can check out my review for Birmingham Box Set here.

*image via. 

Music to My Ears

I recently interviewed our good friend Carlos Pino for Birmingham Box Set.  

We chatted over chips and salsa about his life as a full-time musician in Birmingham.  It's an encouraging read for anyone seeking a career in a challenging industry. 

You can check it out here. 

{Photo by Thomas Diasio}

Have a lovely day.

Music to My Ears

A few weeks ago, I spoke with Justin Townes Earle about his upcoming show here in Birmingham.  As you know, he is one of my favorites.

You can read the interview here.

{Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins}

Stay tuned this week for posts on recent decor finds, beach trips and pops (of the sicle and tart variety). 

In Print

We love Tennessee.

I recently wrote an article for Birmingham Magazine detailing a road trip through this beautiful state.  

It's published in the July issue and you may view it here. 

*image via Poppy and Pinecone

Fun for a Girl or a Boy

Last Monday, Eric and I took off work to enjoy my birthday.  After eating dinner at Chuy's, we stopped by Urban Outfitters to check out their sale rack. Apparently, no one told them it was my birthday because I didn't find a single thing.  Eric, however, found a sweater, a vinyl record and this:

It's a Stylophone Retro Pocket Synthesizer (although whose pocket it will fit in, I'm not sure).  Originally produced in the late 60's as a toy, the stylophone eventually found it's way into recording studios as an instrument of sorts.  It's seen such use in recent years by The Raconteurs and The Greenhornes. 

History aside, this guy is fun.  

And if you know a guy, chances are he'll have fun with it, too.  We found it on sale for $9.99 at UO.  You can also purchase one for $18.99 on Amazon. 

Below are a few other items making a resurgence:

Instant cameras (available here; image via).

Nesting dolls (available here).

Snail Mail (available anywhere, image via).

I need to work on that last one... 

Happy Monday!

Music to My Ears

I have a couple of exciting announcements to share with you this week!

First up: I  recently joined the writers of the music blog Birmingham Box Set. It is an extension of Birmingham Magazine and includes concert reviews, music news and interviews.  As you know, I love going to concerts with my hubby.  He and I are proving to be a great team in coming up with good questions - I certainly couldn't do it without him.  

Saturday afternoon, I talked with Jack Oblivian, a Memphis-based garage rock musician.  He was friendly, humble and pretty funny too.    

{photo via Chicago Reader}

My first interview is up on the blog today.  

You can check it out here.

Music to My Ears

Last night, I was introduced to The Head and The Heart by way of Dr. Dog.  Eric and I had a chill evening taking in vocal harmonies, percussive beats and oscillating cassette tapes.  It was different and fun, to say the least!

This group is made up of five guys and one girl and includes guitar, bass, drums, keys, violin and a trio of beautiful voices.  Below is an acoustic, snap fingers version of Honey Come Home - my absolute favorite song of the night. It's sad, sincere, sweet, touching. Do yourself a favor and listen all the way to the end.

Honey  Come Home - The Head and The Heart (self-titled)

What do you think?  Please do tell.

Music to My Ears

During our New Years trip to Nashville, we visited Grimey's and Third Man Records to drop a few dollars on new music.  I found The Ettes on vinyl and Eric purchased two cd's of my new favorite band: The Greenhornes.

 

The Greenhornes - 4 Stars

You may remember two of these guys from The Raconteurs, where they joined forces with Jack White to create two hip and rocking albums.  We saw them in concert at the Ryman a few years ago and I smiled the entire time (this may have something to do with the fact that Jack White was wearing a gold jacket and pants with proportionally correct bone placement painted on the front and back, which totally cracked me up).  

 

Garage rock mixed with "oooh's" and "aah's", a droning keyboard or twangy guitar make for an endearing sound that draws me in each time Eric hits play.  I'm washing dishes or reading a magazine and can't keep myself from saying, "I really like these guys!" over and over.  Good thing we are going to see them in Chattanooga in April where they will follow an amazing opening band, Hacienda. Below is a video of one of my favorite songs from their latest album. It's acoustic and different than most of their songs, but a lovely way to introduce you to them.  

 

Get Me Out of Here - by The Greenhornes, 4 Stars

I must admit, however, I am currently addicted to one of their older albums, Dual Mono.  Be sure to check it out for yourself as I couldn't find any good quality videos to share with you.  Two of the songs feature the lovely and peculiar voice of Holly Golightly and all of the songs are my favorite.

Happy Thursday!

Gift Guide 3: Your techy brother who makes the tiniest sailboats out of paper and talks your head off at lunch

A case for his ipod touch that epitomizes class and reminds you of his blog, $18

An eco-friendly travel mug for his newest obsession, $8

Christmas tree in a can, because it's funny and cheerful, $11

A flexible tripod so he can take his amazing pictures anywhere, $40

An origami bank that reminds you of his paper folding skills, $13

An Apple keyboard turned clock to keep time in style, $39

A cookbook to satisfy any bacon cravings, $20

Gift Guide 2: Your sister with a killer voice who can bust a dance move like no other and bakes cookies on a whim

A hidden tote for a last minute grocery run, $22

Fingerless gloves so she can play her guitar outside with friends, $32

A pretty apron to inspire more baking, $32

A Holga 35 mm camera for taking old school pictures, $48

A Grace Potter & The Nocturnals CD, because this girl wails and looks good while doing it, $10

A slouchy beanie to go with her long wavy hair, $20

Slang flash cards to crack her up and because you know she will use them, $13

Fabric Flags

This weekend marked the 2 year anniversary of our church.  We celebrated with a fall festival including fire pits, a chili cook-off and delicious desserts.  

That morning, our pastor began a two-part sermon from the book of Esther on seizing your destiny.  Listen here.  If you're local to Birmingham, come visit. You're sure to meet new, cool people and walk away challenged to grow closer to our great God.

{photo by David Jacks}

A few months back, my mom, sisters and I made the fabric flags above for my sister's graduation party.  I will not lie.  We looked like an assembly line factory abusing all kinds of labor laws.  They turned out cute-as-pie and I was so excited to see them used again!

The guitarist and friend above, Carlos, played one of my favorite songs ever: Bron-yr-Aur (not to be confused with Bron-y-Aur Stomp, which also happens to be amazing).

Have a lovely day!

Love for Etsy

In honor of the upcoming holiday, today's post features three musical greats in all of their ghoulish glory.  

The prints are linocut designs (hand carved on wood and then hand printed on heavy card stock) by Straw Castle.  The designer, Derrick, is my husband's cousin who also made the Lift Up Nashville poster.  A cool, creative guy.  

What are your Halloween plans?  Got a good costume in the works? 

He Reigns

Listen to an inspiring message and a powerful song.

Urban Outfitter Finds

Ooh, I am digging these finds at Urban Outfitters. Enjoy!

{Rug, Media Stand}

This rug makes me smile. There's something about being married to your best friend that makes an apartment feel like home.

We recently learned that laying our records flat and stacking them on top of each other in a drawer is a big mistake. I'm searching for a creative way to store and display our musical gems. Any ideas?

Music to My Ears

Last week, Eric and I saw Hacienda open for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at WorkPlay. Grace has long legs and a killer voice and is definitely worth checking out. But don't be fooled. We were there for Hacienda.

Hacienda - Big Red & Barbacoa

Hacienda is made up of three brothers and their cousin from San Antonio. Their sound is 50's-inspired rock and roll with a Texas twist. Below is a video of one of my favorites. Enjoy!

She's Got a Hold on Me - Hacienda, Big Red & Barbacoa

We first saw these guys when they played alongside Dan Auerbach as four of The Fast Five in Nashville (smoky stage and bandanna face mask included).

The second time around, they did not disappoint. Eric says their tone is amazing and I say their vocal harmonies are perfectly blended. On stage, they feel the music as they move, picking up their legs and grooving with the sounds. Dante (the guitarist) says they've tried to hold still when they play, but then they think too much and it doesn't come out right.

We stood right up front and got a chance to meet Dante before the show. That led to he and Eric talking gear afterwards and eventually him hanging out with us for almost the entirety of Grace Potter's set. He's an incredibly nice guy and a pleasure to talk to. We can't wait for them to visit the SE again!

Tell me, what do you think of this album? Will you go see them in concert? Please do!

Music to My Ears

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

Today's music post features the perfectly blended duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Eric and I were so lucky to see them in concert in Chattanooga a few years ago. Alison's voice sent chills down my spine and Plant moved with a confident ease reminiscent of his Led Zeppelin days (I should know, I've seen tons of concert footage. Do you know my husband?). Their first album,Raising Sand, won five Grammys, including Album of the Year. I want to introduce them to you now, because word is that we will be hearing from these two again soon. Below is a video of one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Gone Gone Gone - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Raising Sand

Eric and I love this album so much that our guitarist played Your Long Journey as my dad walked me down the aisle and our (almost!) brother-in-law included Stick With Me Baby in our wedding video.

Please tell me, what do you think of this album? Wouldn't they make such a cute couple?

Music to My Ears

On recent trips to Atlanta and Nashville, Eric and I hit up the local record stores to build our vinyl collection. Eric found The Black Keys and some Mississippi blues. I found my two new favorite albums.

Norah Jones - The Fall

This is a Norah Jones album even your boyfriend or husband will love. It's more upbeat than her past work, with guitars and drums in addition to her usual piano. Her smooth sultry voice accompanies the playfulness of the lyrics to make for a very enjoyable album. This past weekend, we popped the vinyl into our record player and sat on the porch swing, listening to this album through the screen door. Below is a video of one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Chasing Pirates - by Norah Jones, The Fall

Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies

I first heard Justin Townes Earle when he opened for Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five at a concert in Nashville. His quirky clothes, lanky body and twangy voice struck a chord and had me hooked. I was lucky to come across his CD at a record shop in Atlanta and it's been playing in mine or Eric's car ever since. He is a southern gentlemen with a touch of brass. I love the timing of his lyrics and the simplicity of his music. Below is a video of one of my favorites. Enjoy!

What I Mean to You - Justin Townes Earl, Midnight at the Movies

What music are you listening to lately? Do you ever listen to your music on vinyl records? It's so fun!