Marit Larsen - If a Song Could Get Me You

This was my song of the summer and is now becoming a big hit over here. The young Norwegian, Marit Larsen, write and sings her own songs. Self-described as "a pop artist without boundries". "If a song could get me you" is a great cutesy, happy go lucky, kind of song. In my opinion, I think it has great potential to be an ipod commercial song. 

Jonathan Richman--I Was Dancing In the Lesbian Bar

Jonathan Richman live is maybe the most fun you can have seeing live music. He dances ridiculously. He tells amazing stories. And his songs celebrate the simple pleasures of life. He's a Boston legend, playing music since the 1970's. He was in There's Something About Mary. (That didn't really work for him. I don't think Jonathan is meant to be popular or mainstream.) This is a clip of him on Cohnan in 1992 and it makes me laugh outloud!

Holiday Playlist...for the lonely

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. While you are all out shopping and getting ready for the next big holiday maybe you would like a playlist. I thought I would make a playlist out of all Christmas/Winter songs I could find on my computer. The ones that came up are all a bit on the sad side. But they are good songs nonetheless just don't expect them to get you into the Christmas spirit. I will give you a video of the first song just because I love this song and Dustin Kensrue has some other pretty good songs too worth checking out.

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Dustin Kensrue
2. Things we don't need anymore - Jenny Owen Youngs
3. All I want - The Weepies
4. Rudy - The Be Good Tanyas
5. The Heartache can wait - Brandi Carlile
6. Come in from the cold - Marc Broussard
7. The Hat - Ingrid Michaelson
8. Fallen Snow - Au Revoir Simone
9. Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles & Nina Simone
10. Robin in the snow - Sonya Kitchell
11. Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
12. Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat
13. A Christmas to Remember - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
14. Telluride - Tim McGraw
15. Walking in the Air - George Winston
16. Walking in the air with lyrics (from one of my favorite christmas movies, The Snowman)

Ryan Montbleau Band - 75 and Sunny

A truly fantastic song from the Ryan Montbleau Band. These guys are coming to the Paradise in Boston on December 5th. I picked this just for the lyrics:


"I’d had a bad night.  I mean a night so bad, I thought I was king of the world. And I drank ‘til daylight.  I mean I never stopped once until my hands finally fell.  And I fought my daytime self with a mighty dose of, “Hey, look at night time me!”  And I never do win that battle, but I fight it over and over and over and over, it seems.

And I saw an old man smiling on a park bench feeding the pigeons.  And my head was spinning, and as my young body ached I wished for an old man’s vision.  And I watched the way he moved--slow, serene and lucky to be alive.  And I thought to myself, “I’m never gonna make it that far with too many more nights like last night.” This band is really fun and for a different kind of beat from them check out "The Boat Song" and "Already There".

Diane Birch - Rise Up

Like my fellow JW, I too fall in love with songs based on their lyrics. After seeing Sara Bareilles in concert twice, I've also been on a "girl playing piano and singing" kick. Diane Birch is a new singer-songwriter that I can't wait to watch grow. This song, "Rise Up" pretty much sums up the past few years of my life. For those of you who don't know me that well, basically I have semi-strict parents who think I'm a raging liberal with an "extremely independent mind." I can laugh about this now, but it used to really bother me before. The chorus is the best...

"But if it's happiness you want, that's what you'll get
You gotta rise up little sister, turn on the light
Wise up to the stories you've been told
'Cause love don't come in black and white"

Jessica - This is such a great way to keep each other updated on music....why didn't you think of this sooner?! It's so much fun!

Stephanie Heinzmann - No One (can ever change my mind)

Since I am giving you pop-esque songs today here is one you have not heard on the radio, although it is a big radio hit over here. This is a Swiss-German teenager rocking out with a a jazzy-blues kind of style. She has a good voice and I really like most of her songs. Plus she is individual and keeps her german punk style and is still capable of singing with two piercings in her lip. Love those silly Swiss-Germans. (that just means she is Swiss but from the german speaking side not dual nationalities)

Embedding is disabled so here is the link.

Her other song I really like titled "My Man is a Mean Man" is here for your viewing pleasure: 

Train - Hey, Soul Sister

Why do I love this song so much? It is not on the radio here in Europe, so for all I know it could be insanely overplayed on the radio in the states. If that is the case I am truly sorry. But just in case you haven't gotten enough of it here it is again. Can you remember back to some 11 years ago when their first album came out with "Meet Virginia" and later when "Drops of Jupiter" came out in 2001? I can, I played those songs non-stop for months. I have to say that no matter what I always like their singles at least until they get overplayed by the radio. Hope you all are still able to enjoy this one.  

Brooke Waggoner - Hush If You Must

I found Brooke Waggoner two years ago on the SXSW website where it list all the bands that are lined up and usually gives you a sample or two of their songs. This is a tremendously dangerous website if you have a downloading music addiction and take A.D.D. meds. If I look at this sight it is inevitable that I will stay up all night downloading hundreds of songs.

Anyways, back to the artist...this song is from her EP called "Fresh Pair of Eyes". But in the meantime she has released two full length albums that show a wide range of musical skills. But I have not gotten a good chance to listen to them quite yet because I have been too busy loving "Hush if you Must" and "So-So". I was really torn between these two songs because so-so mentions wanting hot cocoa in colorado but I picked Hush if you must because her piano playing rocks, especially at the end. Maybe soon there will be more posts about her newer songs. 

Fred Eaglesmith--Time To Get A Gun

A Canadian artist who is SO great live. He's socially aware and tells hysterical stories to get his point across. (Like how so many Republicans are Catholic and believe in a virgin birth, but the idea, not whether it is happening just the IDEA, of global warming is ridiculous.) His songs range from unrequitted love to one questioning "when exactly did we become White Trash" to the loss of the agricultural industry. This is classic Fred, Time To Get A Gun. My sister laughs everytime she hears the chorus "Time to get a gun/That's what I've been thinking/I could afford one/If I did just a little less drinking" and always comments, "yea, we want a drunk guy with a gun. . .HA!" Everytime. But if you want to see a great live show, check him out. Highly entertaining! (His fans are called FredHeads)

Matt & Kim - Daylight

I love this song. Give it some time to catch because even if you aren't into this type of music the beat becomes addicting. It is a great headphones song, I love hearing this walking around the city. It somehow makes me walk faster, stand taller, and I think I even bounce a little. I love how songs can do that. I even spent an afternoon learning how to play this on the piano, thats how catchy it is. I just learned via their website that Daylight was used for a Bacardi Mojito Commercial so maybe you have already heard this song. I am going to see them on December 1st in Lausanne and I am really excited and will update you on how they are in concert. Their music video is great and you can't help but wonder how he got himself stuck in a freezer while playing the keyboard. Keep an eye on these guys, I think there will be more to come.

Delta Spirit--People C'Mon

Gabbie put "Ode to Sunshine" on a mix she made me last year. I also really like "People, Turn Around". I think they toured with Matt Costa not too long ago. I promised my next post would be more upbeat (music, maybe not the lyrics). If you do like them, also check out Dr. Dog.

Faded Paper Figures - North by North

Ok time for a different direction....In reality, I want to give you the song called "Geneva's Gone". However, I like it less than their other songs, it just happens to be incredibly relevant since I will be leaving here in less than a month. Faded Paper Figures resemble The Postal Service with their electronic beats. This one I think is one of the catchiest and I believe it was on this years season of Grey's Anatomy. 

Wilco - Jesus etc.

It may be an oldie (when I was in high school) but it is my favorite Wilco song of all time. But something about it makes me sway side to side as I sing along in my head and it works like a big musical hug, that sounds stupid but I don't know how else to describe the song. It is a comfort song and it can do the same thing for me that a big bowl of homemade cheddar cheese mashed potatoes can. In fact I will even give you my comfort song playlist in the next post later today. Not only is the picking of violin strings that make this song great but the lyrics, for me at least, are beautiful. In case you haven't noticed, I am a sucker for lyrics. Recently this song has been covered by Norah Jones and there is another version with the collaboration of Andrew Bird who is one of my other favorites. I would give you both but the quality is kind of lame so check out the clips on itunes, you will appreciate it much more. Here is the Norah jones version and the original.

tall buildings shake

voices escape singing sad sad songs

tuned to chords strung down your cheeks

bitter melodies turning your orbit around

Brandi Carlisle--The Heartache Can Wait

I'm piggy-backing Jessica's last post. As I told her, this is going to cost me about $365 a year. But I was wrong. As I went to buy Winter Song, I checked out the whole album and also purchased the Brandi Carlisle song. It's beautiful, I love the cello. I promise my next song will be more upbeat. (I do love a good ballad, though.)

Sara Bareilles/Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

The days are getting shorter, darker, grayer, the weather is slowly changing you can feel winter coming closer and closer. Things are just becoming dismal. There must be a song to fit the mood. Alas, fret not, I have found one for you. Whoever decided to put Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson in the same studio was a genius. This song is nothing but beautiful. It is simple while still managing to incorporate both of their styles. The official music video is fantastic and incredibly cute but I can not embed it so here is the link. In the meantime you can listen to it here: In other news Ingrid Michaelson has a newly released CD, called Everybody. It is good but becoming more mainstream with heavy pop influences. It is fun to listen to nonetheless. Her first single from the album is "Maybe" which is being played on the radio already. I also like Soldier and Everybody. However if you listen to her old album "Girls and Boys" you would barely be able to tell that this is the same Ingrid Michaelson. If you are looking for more songs like Overboard, The Way I Am, or Breakable you will not find them on this new album. But at least there is this Winter Song to remind you of what Ingrid once sounded like.

I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You

I'm starting to work on the Valentine's Day CD. This song will be on the 2010 version. The link is to Hootie's version (and you can say all you want about Hootie and The Blowfish as a band, and I'll probably go along with you, but Darius Rucker does have an amazing voice.) I've also heard a beautiful version by Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs, technically). The original is Tom Waits, and it's one of my favorites. I love his raspy voice singing ballads. "Picture In A Frame" is a great song, and Pete Francis covered it when he played at GDA. "San Diego Seranade" rounds our my top 3. "Warm Beer, Cold Women", "Time", "Jersey Girl" are worth listening to as well.

The Avett Brothers--Laundry Room

This is a little technologically advanced for me. But let me try. . .


The Avett Brothers have a new album out called I And Love And You. I bought it this weekend. This is my favorite song on this album, Laundry Room. 
Thanks for setting this up, Jessica!! And for always sharing your music finds! ~Boulais

Passenger - Night Vision Binoculars

Today's song was very easy to pick. I recently came across this poppy catchy song and have been enjoying it more and more since I have my own stalker situation unfolding. Today when I was followed across town by a creepy stalker (it was a video worthy bike chase really, especially since he went flying into traffic after i cut him off on a busy road) this is the song that I thought to play first.  With lyrics as creepy and awesome as this how can you not like it?

I'm the boy that's calling your house.
I'm the boy that's freaking you out.
With my thermal flask of tea.
Up there in your neighbor's tree.

I'm the boy that's crossing borders.
I'm the boy with social disorders.
I'm the boy with restraining orders.
I'm the boy, yeah.

Cuz I just wanna walk you home.
I just wanna walk you home.
And I know that's it not right to creep.
But I just wanna watch you sleep alone.

They also have normal non-creepy songs with a totally different, slower, sound. I really like this band and you can download two of their songs off their new album for free on their myspace page.

Nizlopi - Girls

If you have been anywhere around my ipod and me in the past year than you have heard this song. I am in love and felt like posting twice today just to share this song with you and because I wanted to watch the awesome animated video that goes with it too. "Girls" is from Nizlopi's first album called "Half these songs are about you" and was one of those songs that I latched onto which is evident because he makes an appearance on at least half of my itunes playlist from last year. I also love how his cute British accent comes through in his songs. He is also equipped with some great lyrics.

I'm smothered in

Memories, and you are too

What is given back

We can't unglue

All this sticks to me

Some days sweet like honey

Some days tart like marmite

Sticks to your heart

Sweet doll

Straight to your heart

Gotta love and forgive

Or you can't breathe

Nizlopi's myspace page says that he is on sabatical until January 2010 so I am starting to get excited to see what new stuff he has got. Some of my other favorites include: Extraordinary, Helen, JCB song, and Wash Away. Absolutely worth checking out if you are in the mood for some good raw music. You can tell that he is just beginning but that he has lots of potential plus he is a cute Brit, so you can't go wrong. Enjoy!

Laura Marling - Ghosts

I have no idea how I came across this song from UK singer/songwriter, Laura Marling, but I am happy that I did. I love the lyrics and when the tempo picks up you can't help but sing along "Lover, please, do not fall to your knees, it's not like I believe in everlasting love." I don't mind having this one stuck in my head all day.



If you like this I also suggest checking out "Cross Your Fingers", "New Romantic", and "You're No God". On her website she explains how she came to design a "story box" instead of just a normal cd because she said 'I want people to love music,' she says, 'I want people to treasure it, not just my songs, but treasure music.'

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

The first song had to be my current "song of the moment". I play it at least once every day. I can imagine them being amazing in concert. So check out their website because they are currently touring and hitting up places like North Hampton, NYC, Telluride, and Canada. All over really. You especially have to love the break where the singer admits to falling "deep deeply in love". Makes me smile every time. Enjoy.

Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

You can tell just by their youtube profile write up that they are a different and unique kind of band with lots of creativity. I am almost as in love with their "about me" section as their actual song. This should be reason enough to listen to their song:

"Though his father had figured him deaf for his unresponsiveness to sounds, he in fact had the universally unique condition of being deaf from hearing too much or, more correctly put, too well. In plain words, he heard EVERYTHING AT ONCE. At first it proved rather painful like a wretched whining winding all hours, but very soon those who whisper visited young Edward and revealed to him the Tricks and Truths, the Ways and Plays, the Chords and Dischords of the Universe.
He did not need to eat but the color of the sun, which was F#, and moved his bones to grow. His arms and legs and fingers and toes grew til the tower of boxes collapsed and he laughed. He moved thru the door which was C over B# and ran thru the village hearing ALL of its music! The workers and children and painters of buildings and dogs barking madly and trees bristling softly and OH!!"

Where to begin?

There are too many new songs that I come across to keep track of anymore. It makes me sad that I rarely have the time to share them with friends especially because everyone is so far away now. Furthermore, I work too hard at finding new music to not share it with someone. So this blog is the best way I could think of to keep everyone updated with wonderful, fantastic, and eclectic music.

The "collaborative" part of this is that my most music savvy friends, all with different tastes in music, are able to post their new music finds whenever they come across something that tickles their fancy, in addition to my daily updates. On top of all this using the comments section is highly encouraged.

There is never enough music to share and never a shortage of new artists to come across. There is just something about finding that perfect song of the moment that can make your day, your week, even your month. I have found, maintained, or even rekindled unlikely friendships based solely on our shared love of music and that is what I love the most about it. Music has the power to transcend every sort of barrier.

Enjoy the discoveries.