Run With the Hunted

Good Listener: Road Trip NOLA

2013-01-11T07:25:00.001-06:00

I'm writing this post from my mobile device (a first) as I make the 9 hour drive to NOLA for my birthday. So excited! I wanted to give you guys a sample of what I'm jamming to (or trying to keep awake for) at 6AM this morning.

1. "Keep You" - Wild Belle

2. "All That We See" - The Black Ryder

3. "Madder Red" - Yeasayer

4. "L.E.S. Artistes" - Santigold

Good Listener IX

2012-11-06T11:30:00.000-06:00

1. The Antlers - "Drift Dive"
Love this band, and so should you.

2. Feist - "Graveyard"
Sick video in which the band is filmed from afar in high-contrast black and white.

3. Delta Spirit - "Bushwick Blues"

4. Bat for Lashes - "Lilies"
One of the most anticipated albums of the year finally arrived this past month - Bat for Lashes' The Haunted Man. I love some of Khan's previous work, but I'm not so sure about this album yet... i'll keep listening, though. Also, unfortunately the link embedded in the title will only take you to a 30 second preview of "Lilies", but it was my favorite song on the album. You can, however, check out Stereogum for a full preview of 6 different tracks.

Good Listener (VIII)

2012-10-25T14:32:00.000-05:00

1. "Ah Mary" - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Before she was featured on a record with Kenny Chesney, Grace Potter was actually being a bad-A as the lead singer of this band. This is one song I sing in my car at the top of my lungs and always (unfortunately) crack on that high note...

P.S. The link embedded in the title will take you to a live performance at the Tonight Show

2. "Eyes on Fire" - Blue Foundation
So, since the final Twilight movie is coming out soon, I thought I'd share my favorite song from the series (granted, I have not seen the third or fourth film).

3. "Sweet Jane" - Cowboy Junkies
I love this version of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane"... it's just so sexy... and I felt like sharing it with you.

4. "Whatever You Like" - Anya Marina
As not the biggest proponent of rap music, I really enjoy this cover of T.I.'s hit, "Whatever You Like." She definitely does him one better.

Good Listener (VII)

2012-10-09T11:36:00.002-05:00

A compilation of slow, melancholy songs for those of you feeling as dreary as me about the onset of winter. (I have a lot more where this came from... lemme know if you are interested, and I'll make another similar post.)

1. "Low is a Height" - Great Northern

2. "Love More" - Sharon Van Etten

3. "Get on the Road" - Tired Pony
I love Snow Patrol and am not ashamed to admit it. So when I heard lead singer Gary Lightbody was putting together a sort of Music Supergroup with Richard Colburn (Belle & Sebastian), Iain Archer, Jacknife Lee, Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey and Troy Stewart, I had to take a listen.
BONUS: This song features 'my girl' Zooey Deschanel.

4. "Swan Song" - A Fine Frenzy
Best video I could find. Apologies.

Good Listener (VI)

2012-09-20T17:04:00.000-05:00

1. Brandi Carlile - "Hard Way Home"
This song is off of her new album, Bear Creek. She's got one of my top five female voices of all time - there's something haunting and ragged about it. I'm still amazed that the only song I've ever heard on the radio down here is "The Story." She's so awesome. Needless to say, I have all of her albums, and while this album isn't my favorite, it's got some good tracks--- case and point: "Hard Way Home." As Brandi explains in the video (from the link embedded in the title, not the video below) , it's definitely got a country vibe to it, but hey, I'm from Texas - country is in my blood.

2. Rival Sons - "Young Love"
Since Rival Sons has just come out with a new album, I thought I'd share one of their songs with you. While this is definitely not the most popular song by this rock and roll band, it's my personal favorite. I'd never heard of Rival Sons until I met my boyfriend, and now I can't go a day with him without hearing one of their tracks. Fortunately, I really like 'em. In this track the lead singer, Jay Buchanan (see his solo body of work, Buchanan), has a different sound... you know, in my awesome musical opinion... and it just really works for my ears.

3. The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"
Heard this on a television show recently. Just wait until the chorus... just puts a smile on my face no matter what mood i'm in.

4. Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"
Serioulsy good. Seriously. I shouldn't have to explain. Plus, I know you've heard it on the radio already.

Good Listener (V)

2012-08-02T07:59:00.000-05:00

1. Fleet Foxes - "Mykonos"
Great song.

2. The Middle East - "Blood"
Love this song. It's been on quite a few soundtracks recently, and it's got a neat little video.

3. Lia Ices - "Love is Won"
There's just something about her voice. Also check out "Little Marriage" if you like.

4. Alex Clare - "Too Close"
Despite the fact that I hate Internet Explorer, they did pick out a cool song for their iE9 commercial.

Good Listener (IV)

2012-07-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

1. Horse Feathers - "Curs in the Weeds"
If Iron & Wine turned folk, this is what it would sound like. I love this song, with all of the wonderful string instruments and the great lyric (rightly used for the title of the album) "It's like marrow without bone/ to live in house with no home." Unfortunately, I envisioned a different video, so I recommend closing your eyes and just listening to the beautiful music.

2. Phantogram - "Mouthful of Diamonds"

Just listen. Period.

3. Yoshida Brothers - "Overland Blues" & "Kodo"

The first video is a song called "Overland Blues." It sounds super cool- asian/blues. The second video is the remix version of "Kodo" (awesome), but I included a third video (of "Kodo") that you have to check out because it shows them playing their instruments. It's amazing to watch.

Rustic/Luxe

2012-07-19T12:34:00.000-05:00

So my parents are currently building a house, and my mom was asking me what kind of decorating style she should go with. The house is out in the middle of the country- a fact that was stearing her toward a completely rustic design aesthetic. I'm not too keen on the idea of going all out rustic. It seems so dated and usually pretty dark. However, some rustic elements are great, so I told her about this new rustic/luxe design concept that i'm completely obsessed with. It incorporates elements like reclaimed wood floors/walls/doors/etc, chandeliers (made from antlers/twigs/etc), and animal wall mounts (real or not). I'm not sure if she's going to go for it, but I thought i'd share a few images with you, and you can tell me what you think.

It's all about the color/distressing of those wood floors. Love 'em.

I love the fireplace and the wood stack. Not to mention the wood beams.

Cowhide rug? Duh.

Some cool bedrooms.

Twigs, real antlers, or fake antlers for a chandelier. Awesomeness.

Good Listener (III)

2012-07-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

1. Ben Harper - "Welcome to the Cruel World"
I used to be really, really cynical, and maybe I am drawn to this song because it takes me back to that place. I just have to remind myself to take the lyrics with a grain of salt.

2.The Head and the Heart - "Down in the Valley"
I feel dumb for not knowing who The Head and the Heart was until about a month ago, but even I have faults. Don't be like I was... check 'em out now. Now.

3. The Joy Formidable - "Whirring"
This one's over a year old, but you should listen to it if you haven't ever heard of it. I'm such a big proponent of female-fronted rock groups (just imagine how I feel about all-girl groups), and The Joy Formidable's Ritzy Bryan is one of the reasons for it. Anyway, this is just the raddest song.

Good Listener (II)

2012-07-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

Are you a good listener? Here's what's up this week:

1. Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Our Hearts are Wrong"
Thanks to my friend and fellow music-junkie, Faith, I was introduced to this gem. I believe I had it on repeat in my car for about two days straight. Jessica's heart-heavy, country folk style, which is paired oh-so-nicely with swells of atmospheric guitar, is just what the doctor ordered.

2. Givers - "Ceiling of Plankton"
This song is a fighter. Despite it having, hands down, one of the dumbest music videos I've ever seen, I just can't hate it. In fact, I love it. A lot. The lyrics are sweet and thoughtful, and if it doesn't put you in a good mood, well, I think you're a lost cause.

3. Nero - "Promises"
Definitely not trying to offend all of the Skrillex groupies out there, but the original version of this Nero song is much, much better than the over-synthesized one you've probably heard. Anyway, I got it free on iTunes a while back, and I just recently heard it on an HP commercial. Looks like I'm not the only one who thought it had potential.

4. Greg Laswell - "Nicely Played"
You might think me too bold for saying this, but I believe Greg Laswell is my all-time favorite artist. You may not know it, but I can guarantee that you've heard his stuff before (unless you live under a rock that doesn't have a television). Although popular in TV shows and movies, his songs have yet to hit popular radio stations - at least around these parts. His new album, Landline, is amazing, and "Nicely Played" is one of my favorite jams off of it. (But don't stop there. Seriously, don't.)

Book Clutches

2012-07-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

My name is Valerie, and I am a book-a-holic.

It's safe to say that I have a decidedly unhealthy relationship with books. I can't get within 50 feet of a Barnes and Noble for fear of depleting my already waning checking account. I have so many books, there's no way I will ever be able to read them all before I die - and that's even if I outlive Methusela. So, it's no suprise that I would get overly obsessed with these book clutches that have been carried by the likes of Natalie Portman, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Michelle Williams, and the list goes on.

Unfortunately, Olympia Le-Tan's versions will run you a whopping $1500, and the cheaper ASOS version is currently sold out. But never fear, I found a DIY solution (courtesy of Runway DIY) that won't break my bank and will keep me on an unhealthy, but much desired, book high (at least until the next time I walk by a book store).
XOXO

UPDATE 1: Whilst shopping around the historic Granbury square, I found some really great old books that would be perfect for my new book clutch project. I'm hesitant to cut out the pages though because they're so beautiful. They've survived this long, and a big part of me wants to just put them on the shelf. But i'm determined to have a book clutch, so I'll post more photos when I complete the project.

UPDATE 2: And I have a book-clutch. Really didn't take a lot of work, except for cutting out the pages. (I highly recommend the most wicked X-acto knife you can find. I got one for paper, and it only cuts about five pages at a time!)

Good Listener (I)

2012-07-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

Since my biggest passion is, without a doubt, music, I want to dedicate most Monday's to songs/artists I am currently obsessing about. While I do enjoy a lot of "popular" music, most of what I listen to has never been, nor likely will ever be, aired on the radio. But, I figured if I get enough people liking what I like, maybe, just maybe, it will end up on some obscure station you can only pick up in Austin. So, here are three songs (with links) that you should be listening to if you know what's good for you:

1. The Echo Friendly - "Same Mistakes"
I heard this song on an episode of HBO's Girls (great show with great music), and I can't stop listening to it. The lyrics are, I think, really easy for most people to relate to (you know, unless you are Jesus).

2. Cat Power - "Naked If I Want To"
I absolutely love Cat Power, and this cover of the Moby Grape song epitomizes all of the reasons why. Her voice is seductive and alluring, and even though I heard this song quite a while ago, it still makes every one of my playlists. I hear it and can't keep from busting out in song (I'll go ahead and apologize to those of you who may happen to pull up next to me at a red light).

3. The Cinematic Orchestra - "To Build a Home"
This song is slow and somewhat depressing, but I swear it is really good! I love the piano and the melancholy sound of lead singer Patrick Watson's voice (if you like, you should check out some of his music as a solo artist, too).

XOXO