Dawes - Love is all I am

I am suffering from the flu. The folkiness was soothing. Just listen to it. Then listen to bedside manner.

It was a dark and stormy night...and One EskimO played on shuffle

If you are like me and have to spend the night checking your flooding basement thanks to record amounts of rain, maybe you would like a new song to listen to while you have five spare minutes to do something other than mopping up cold dirty basement water. I am quite certain it will stay dark and stormy for the rest of the night which only adds to the fact that I am convinced my basement is the perfect setting for a scary movie to occur.  

My music was on shuffle when this song with its eerie violins sent my irrational fear of my basement through the roof. But when in a well lit area I really enjoy this song and it compliments stormy weather. Check out One EskimO's myspace page for more including their big hit Kandi.

Jónsi - Go Do

There is not a lot to say about this song, because it speaks for itself. The video is enchanting and haunting and above all it is thoughtful and a thought provoking piece of art. I have been transfixed by it all morning. People who like Sigur Ros, Feist, Iron & Wine, Jem to name a few should appreciate this song. His full length album will be released April 6th, the music world is all abuzz about this. You can learn more about this Icelandic artist on his website http://jonsi.com/ . And for today only you can get Go Do for free from the DownPlayer (told you I loved that place). He also has a great song on the "How to Train your Dragon" soundtrack called Sticks & Stone. I can not embed the youtube video, but in case there are issues with the player below (scroll down until you see the Go Do video) here is the link for the video. Enjoy, and don't forget to download it today!

Aloe Blacc - I need a dollar

Today is a great day on one of my favorite websites. http://www.thedownplayer.com/ gives you 10 free downloads monday through friday. Generally, I already have one or two of the songs and then I download about four of the other songs. Its great to wake up in the morning wondering what songs will be for free that day. I have really enjoyed discovering music via The Downplayer. I think you will too. Today they have one of my favorite Mumford & Sons songs, a good Sleeping at Last Song, Drake, Kid Cudi, Grizzly Bears, Vampire Weekend, Madeline Peyroux....just go look at the site and you can see for yourself. If you don't like anything, tomorrow there will be more!

Today I came across this song by Aloe Blacc on the downplayer and I really liked the beat and it reminded me of Billy Paul's "Let the Dollars Circulate". He has a good voice too.

Little & Ashley - Stole My Heart with Free Download

This is the song of the weekend. The Kindle ads have been using some great songs, this is one of them. The "little" is actually Annie Little that Jackie posted about way back when. This song is really catchy, I hope you like it. You can listen to more on their myspace. Happy Weekend.

You can download "Stole My Heart" for FREE. It is worth it to dl the amazon downloader, they give away lots of songs for free and it is fully compatible with itunes and wmp.

Phantogram--Mouthful of Diamonds

It's new to me, and hopefully new to others. As a fan of The Iron Horse on facebook, sometimes they send out links for upcoming shows. Phantogram was highlighted as one of their favorite finds at SXSW this year. Here's the song they posted. It's a little different than a usual Boulais post, but I like it.

I kid you not...

The first song I heard when I turned 24...well after the concert I was at....my ipod's happy birthday message was this song, yeah thats right, this is on my ipod. I don't know whether to be sad or motivated by this. I would totally frolic in the autumn mist in a land called han-a-lee, in case you were wondering.

Honeyhoney - Little Toy Gun

      This is a band that met and formed in L.A., he was a music composer for T.V. and she was an actress. They clicked and started writing songs together. Keifer Sutherland liked them and signed them to a label, Ironworks, that he co-owns. They made an EP called Loose Boots, then they toured with Lifehouse (also on Ironworks), and then they released a full length album, First Rodeo, that came out in March of this year. They were also just at SXSW.
       What I really like about their music is it is a little jazzy-pop ("Slow Brains"), a little country, a little bit of twang ("Not for long"), and some songs, like "Bouncing ball", are just plain and simple with some great lyrics. While her voice lacks the depth that would really grab your attention, you almost don't realize because the songs are a lot of fun, plus she can play the fiddle. It is really a great album, one of those that you can listen to all the way through without getting music ADD. It brings to mind wide open spaces and cowboy boots stomping on a dusty barn floor without being a country album. I recommend everything, there is not one song I dislike, they even do a good cover of The Smashing Pumpkins' 1979. They have an April residency at the Hotel Cafe in L.A. which is just one of the signs that this will be a band to keep your eye on, they have mainstream appeal and I think they have potential to do really well. Listen on myspace. Check out their live performance of Not For Long to get a taste of their other side.

Let me tell you about a band called Cowboy Mouth.

1. BEST LIVE SHOW EVER. If you get a chance go, don't forget red spoons and your best mardi gras beads.

2. You might remember their 90's hit "Jane Says", you might have been duped into thinking they they were a one hit wonder, well it just so happens they love performing and now do over 200 shows each year (for the past 15 years)! I think they are very very well known in their home state of Louisiana.

3. Most importantly the lead singer is also the drummer. He must lose over 2 gallons of water weight each show from sweating like a mad man and around 20 pairs of drum sticks. true story.

4. I can't even listen to their music on cd because it can never compare to their live shows. Seriously, I just won't do it.

5. They have an INTENSE cult following. As we were sipping our beers across the street from the Bluebird theater before the show fans were commenting each other on their mardi gras beads, and handing out red spoons. Some of these fans flew all the way from florida, georgia, and texas just to see them in Colorado because it is a smaller venue than where they usually play. Crazy.

It is amazing. Here are some photos from a show of theirs January 2nd, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. and maybe if you are lucky I will figure out how to upload the videos.

I will be back later with more on how kick ass this band is. Otherwise check out the websites posted below. http://www.cowboymouth.com/ and their myspace page http://www.myspace.com/cowboymouth

Everybody Loves Jill--Cowboy Mouth

Rob made us CD's when he picked us all up from the airport from our Honduras trip. He couldn't find a song with Chrissy in it, but this was the song for Jill. Not sure how he found it, but it's cute. There's a BareNaked Ladies type feel. When they say "Red Spoons", the audience throws red spoons on the stage. I haven't looked into other songs.

Marina and the Diamonds - Obsessions

Seeing how I over-use the word "obsession" x infinity, this song seemed fitting. I first heard "I am not a robot" by Marina and the Diamonds, thanks to Blalock's Indie/Rock Playlist (BIRP) and then quickly downloaded everything else I could find. Yeah BIRP is a dude that post 100+ indie songs for free download every month. But don't leave him for me, he throws a ton of wacky stuff in there, granted that wacky stuff magically becomes cool a year later, but who has time to sift through his newest 100 downloads? I am still sifting through last months, it can be a hassle, trust me. I will do the heavy work for you, so don't bother yourself with that. By heavy work, I mean I will post them a year later when they become cool songs. Weird how that works. Anyways...

There was a time I was specifically searching for this song, and I just found it, thank you. Marina and the Diamonds professes on her Myspace page, "I am Marina and you are the Diamonds". I just love love love that. And thats all it took folks. I am obsessed? yup probably. Hope you love the newest obsession. Other Recommended Listens: Hollywood, I am a Robot, and Mowgli's Road

Freelance Whales - Generator 1st Floor

The Parisian, Alexandre Debain, who invented the harmonium in 1842 (what the hell is a harmonium?) probably never imagined the portable version being played in New York subways by an indie busker band, Freelance Whales. While the harmonium is not totally obscure--it was used in various Beatles songs, by Jeff Buckley, and Sigur Rós--it does seem like a strange part of a five person band. The harmonium adds the "je ne sais quoi" appeal to the Freelance Whales' music, but this is not to say it stands out per-se, their music is layered and balanced between their  guitar, banjo, harmonium, glockenspiel, bass, and drums.  They slowly built up a New York following, playing at house parties, street corners and subways, that has allowed them to go from being eclectic buskers to performing at SXSW for the first time this past week. Other reviews of Freelance Whales' have claimed that this a band for people who like Sufjan Stevens, Ra Ra Riot, and even Postal Service. But I think it is charming music that seems to fit into this new trend of instruments galore like Hey Marseilles, Horse Feathers, and Beirut. I love what these bands are doing and while some bands try and make it work, it is a difficult task, and many fade into obscurity or take a different route, but I believe we will be seeing more of this in the future from the Freelance Whales. Get a free download of Generator 1st floor from these kind people.

Listen to more on myspace. I suggest Hannah, Generator 2nd floor, and Ghosting.  Don't forget to watch the harmonium in action in the video of them playing at SXSW last week for NPR.

Free Download of Theives by She & Him

I hope you all are excited for the new and much anticipated She & Him album coming out tomorrow, titled Volume 2. Here is a free download* of Theives from Volume 2. (Mac Users press ctrl and click on link, select download link.) Listen to all their goodies on their myspace.

She & Him "Thieves" Download or click the link to play.
This song also is featured as the lyrics of the week on American Songwriter.
Why do you look like that? It’s not all that bad
I’ll see you sometime, sometimes lonely isn’t sad
And I know, and you know too
That love like ours is terrible news

*This is for your sampling pleasure only, I have no rights to distribute this music, if you like it support the band and buy their album, they make beautiful music. If you are the artists and wish for me to remove this link you can contact me on this page. Thanks.

Anna Ternheim - What Have I Done?

This is my newest obsession. I just recently came across this up and coming Swede thanks to the amazing world of twitter and one very cool Swiss band, Choo Choo the Band(Thanks!). 

The first few measures in you will notice (a possible soundboard trick) the wood temple blocks being played, I absolutely love this. It sounds great turned up loud enough so you can feel the bass line and soak it in while the violins build up suspense. If right now I had to make a movie, a commercial, a soundtrack to my life, whatever...this orchestral tune would be the theme song. Yeah, its that good.  And then you get to the lyrics and Anna Ternheim's  haunting voice that legit gives me chills. 

I hope you feel the way I do
I hope you give yourself up too
I'm damned to feel the way I do
What have I done
to fall so hard
for you


It is just a stunning song, give it a few listens and you will see what I mean. If you were to build a playlist around it you could add Joshua Radin's Fear you won't fall for the parallel, yet more optimistic lyrics and Damien Rice's Volcano because he should really collaborate with Anna Ternheim, they would be great together. I have blabbered on for way too long, listen to more of her stuff on myspace and if you know whats good for you, listen to this song right this instant!

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD from The Daylights

This song has a little bit of something for everyone. A little electro in the beginning, catchy pop chorus, good string accompaniment, glockenspiel (gotta love the glockenspiel), a toe tapping tune for everyone. Sounds a little like Carolina Liar stripped down, I mean that in the very best way possible. The download is for their song "Rogue Machine" and is on the home page of their website, get it here: http://www.thedaylights.com/.

you can listen to more on their myspace page.

here is a video of the free download, Rouge Machine

Rogue Machine (Don't Say That You Want Me) from The Daylights on Vimeo.

Dawn Landes - Young Folks

I know Young Folks is so 2008, but the bluegrass cover by Dawn Landes and friends is a whole different story. There have been lots of covers of this song done in the past few years, its just so darn catchy, but this one really brings something different to the table. Using the typical bluegrass instruments, bass, fiddle, banjo, and a harmonica it sounds like a whole different song. Plus her helper-outers in this song are just so darned cute, in that Young @ Heart kind of way.

Don't let my affinity for Young Folks stop you from listening to Dawn's other stuff. She has a great folky voice and a great collection of songs from the catchy Straight Lines reminiscing about childhood, to the folk-rock rodeo song Young Girl. She is currently touring with Nada Surf, which seems random, but I like that. You can listen to more on her myspace page. Enjoy!

Solas - Coconut dog/Morning dew

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope everyone is enjoying their green beer and everything else fantastic that is associated with today. I am excited for my cabbage and beef and more irish music. I heard this band play the song "A Girl in the War" on an independent radio station this week and I recognized the lyrics but couldn't place the artist, it turned out to be the second time this month that I couldn't put my finger on a Josh Ritter song. What is happening to me? Solas does an amazingly beautiful cover of his song, and I can't stop listening to it. But along the St. Patrick's day theme they do have lots of celtic songs and they are a well established Celtic band that has been playing for over a decade. Their newest album, released a month ago, is really great and you can listen to lots of it on their myspace page, including the Josh Ritter cover. Also check out their band website http://www.solasmusic.com/ . For a great view of some seriously skilled musicians playing a really fun song watch this video!

"Laurel?! We're Getting Married!" Playlist

One of my oldest and dearest friends and fellow blogger, Jackie, got engaged on the now monumental day of March 12th and I couldn’t control my excitement for her, for them, and for their future. This is my first really good friend to be engaged and I was blown away by how happy her happiness made me, I’m kind of ecstatic and emotional right now so I turned to my music. I have been compiling some lists for friends and engagements/weddings/marriage type things for a while now so this seems like the appropriate time to share the short indie version of this list.In real life I would include a lot more of the obvious songs, but this way it keeps it short and interesting. Enjoy!

This is one of the weirder things I will ever admit to on this site: I have to start it off with one of the five Bruce Springsteen songs I like, mainly because of the Jerry Maguire quotes in it. I have listened to this so many times (mostly in high school) that I subconsciously try to make friends with people named Laurel so that I can one day say (with a perfect Rene Zellweger voice), “Laurel?! We’re getting married!” (2:16 mark) I just love the way she sounds for some reason. I quote this line at the most inappropriate times and no one ever gets the reference, I am awkward like that. So whenever I hear about engagements I automatically think of people saying "Laurel?! We're getting married!" to their sisters. No idea what I am talking about? Watch this video about 50 times and maybe, just maybe, you'll get it...I just really needed to share that. k. thanks.

Jessica's Indie(ish) Congratulations Mixtape...with commentary*

*Guys you have been warned, this is probably a mix that is more for the ladies' taste in music. Sorry.

1. Joshua Radin - Today Ellen Degeneres picked this as her wedding song and it doesn't get much better than this. listen here

2. Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers - Diamond every time my friend Megan hears this she says she wants it to be played at her wedding, good choice. listen here

3. Tristan Prettyman - Simple as it should be in case you are separated by physical distance from the one you love. listen here

4. Ben Taylor - Nothing I can do This song makes you want to be in love, even if your heart is made of stone. listen here.

5. Sleeping At Last - Umbrellas Because everyone needs to be told "you were meant for amazing things" beautiful lyrics. listen here

6. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - Hung the Moon I must have listened to this song 10 times before I realized it mentioned a white dress, but I listened to it 10 times because it is just that good, also great simple lyrics. Listen here (you will have to click on the player to get to the song) This is my new favorite song.

7. Brett Dennen - She's Mine this is adorable and I know Jackie will love this one. Listen Here.

8. Ray LaMontagne - You are the Best Thing this song will play at my hypothetical wedding ergo it should play at yours, totally logical. Listen Here. 

9. Sia - Not a Day too Soon sometimes you need perfect timing to make love work. This is also totally a bedroom song in a Sade kind of way Listen Here.

10. Teitur ft. Nolwenn Leroy - One and Only involuntary sighs occur when you listen to this song. Listen here

11. Nicki Bluhm - Danny's Song a decent cover, I just love this song though. Listen here. (this is a link to the original)

12. The Beatles - When I'm Sixty Four of all the Beatles' songs I could have picked I don't know why I settled on this one, just deal with it. Listen here.

13. The Wind Whistles - Ballad of a Jailbreak Wedding because it is the best story of wedding day drama and you just need something silly after all of that emotion! Listen here. Download for FREE their entire awesome and fantastic album here. Best free album download I have ever come across. 


And with that, Congratulations! I am so happy for the both of you times a million!

Huge 20 song itunes free download from American Songwriter

    This free music download is kinda ridiculous and it made me absurdly happy. Since when does itunes just give away 20 awesome songs for free? This sampler is filled with lots of treasures, and a few you should recognize. Find out which ones you like when you download here. This download is very much recommended by me. You can only download if you use the U.S. itunes, sorry Suisse. 
     Before you get all worried about this download, it is through the itunes store so it is legal and virus free, and if you are one of those who worries about downloading songs you have never heard before, take a chill pill, its called the delete button. Thank the kind people at American Songwriter for gifting this to us. 
     Here is a brief review of a handful of artist from the sampler. We have mentioned Lissie before and it turns out she is getting rave reviews at SXSW right now. The Spoon song is from their new album which everyone is all abuzz about, like Vampire Weekend, I am choosing to ignore that for now. The new Yeasayer album, Odd Blood, is incredible and I am obsessed with it. They are a very cool alternative experimental rock band. Beach House is making waves too but Norway is not a good one to assert your judgement. A.A. Bondy, Matthew Perryman Jones, Charlie Mars, and Corb Lund have been on my list of people to write about just obviously not at the top or I would have gotten to them by now but their songs on this sampler are fantastic and they are very likable bands if you are looking for the indie folk/rock, typical singer/songwriter thing. I have snubbed Matt Morris before but this song almost changed my mind (his tweets were so obnoxious and overly self-promoting that I had to unfollow him). The Ray Wylie Hubbard song is a great americana jam, (pay attention to the lyrics) which just goes to show you the variety of artists this sampler covers, it kind of sums up my itunes library in 20 songs. So basically what I am trying to say is; download this, discover some new music, and enjoy yourself, you just got 20 songs for free!

• Yeasayer - O.N.E.
• Allison Moorer - Crows
• Beach House - Norway
• The Avett Brothers - Laundry Room
• The Duke & The King - Union Street
• Spoon - Written In Reverse
• Lissie - Little Lovin
• Corb Lund - Devil’s Best Dress
• Ray Wylie Hubbard - Drunken Poet’s Dream
• Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - Something Somewhere Sometime
• Matt Morris - The Un-American
• A.A. Bondy - I Can See The Pines Are Dancing
• Bahamas - Southern Drawl
• Charlie Mars - Meet Me By the Backdoor
• Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ - The Hardest Part
• Matthew Perryman Jones - Feels Like Letting Go
• Owen Pallet - Lewis Takes Action
• Joe Pug - Messenger
• Lightspeed - Champion Marlene
• Jeff the Brotherhood - Bone Jam

Vampire Weekend - Giving Up the Gun

So, this should have been posted forever ago but with all the excitement surrounding Vampire Weekend's second album I kind of blocked it out. But I finally took some time to listen to the album, Contra, and it does not disappoint. It is different from their first album which seemed to have been a success that surprised even the band as their hits like Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa and A-punk even made it onto mainstream radio. For their sophomore album they were prepared and kept the same fun loving attitude but pumped it up a little bit with faster guitars, more synth beats, and electro-pop studio tricks.  I am constantly baffled by how much "White Sky" sounds like a Paul Simon song and I think that is part of their appeal, taking the old classic style and adding some spice for the indie-pop-rock era that is ever so popular these days. "Holiday" is also a lot of fun and perfect for a Summer 2010 soundtrack. Overall the album is good, not a standout in my book, but good enough that I'll keep coming back to it. As much as "Giving up the Gun" is heavy on the synthesizers, I am drawn to it, must be that darned glockenspiel which I fear has now replaced my hand-clapping obsession. The lyrics resonate well too.

And though its been a long time
You’re right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes
Now you’re giving up the gun
I see you shining your way
Go on go on go on

Freebie: You can get their song Horchata for free here. It is a worthy download, if you like their other stuff.

Oh, I almost forgot...this video is a total riot with cameos made by the most unlikely people: Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lil' Jon and RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan. A definite must watch, enjoy!

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD

Ok, maybe I lied a little bit. Here is a song from the nike website again. This one is from Matt Wertz whose song 5:19 you may recognize, its one of my favorites. I saw him play a few weeks ago with five for fighting and his new EP is good if you are in the mood for boy with a guitar kind of pop music. This download is for "Sing My Lonesome" and its worth making the effort to click this link and get the song. Now you just saved 99 cents. Happy Friday!

A Long Weekend...

I am music-ed out right now. I have been coming across new people every second of every day and it is just overwhelming, plus I am supposed to be finding a job here people. I really want to do a good job reviewing the two concerts of the week. They were both great shows and I had a lot of fun. I feel like everything I am writing is just crap so I am taking a long weekend so that I can actually produce something worth reading. In the meantime, amuse yourself with this picture from the show last night,

and also with the song from this honda commercial. I can't find any other videos of it but it is by Ellem and it is the title track of her cd "Inside still beats."

Allison Weiss - I'm Ready

I am about to go see three awesome chicks rock it at Great Scott in Allston and I have been excited about this concert all day. So in the great following of twitter musicians there was a brief chance that I would have won 2 tickets, I had a 1 in 6 chance and obviously I didn't win. I never win.

Anyways, this is the Spring Break Forever 2010 tour including Bess Rogers, Allison Weiss, and a long time favorite Jenny Owen Youngs. I really like all three of them...a lot. The twittering about this tour has been fantastic and I got totally hooked. This is just the beginning of their tour but it sounds like they have been having tons of fun. I can't stop listening to this song tonight. "I'm ready, Are you ready?"

Hey Marseilles - Rio

I am working on my first concert review of Hey Marseilles this morning. I will be back with pictures and a proper review but for now check out this awesome Seattle band. I had the greatest time at their show last night, they have a great sound which comes from playing a vast array of instruments, viola and accordion included. The lyrics are equally as stunning as their varied musical abilities. I really can't say enough good things about this band. So for now amuse yourself with their song "Rio", their closing song at last night's concert.

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD

Today I present you a free download from Cults "Go Outside". The free download comes from here. It is highly recommended, it literally motivated me to go get that scary waitressing job I have been avoiding by sitting on my couch all morning reading blogs (and avoiding writing on my very own blog). Now I am dressed and ready to meekly ask for a job for which I have no qualifying experience. This song is a great little gem of retro-indie-pop magic, great soundtrack to your day kind of stuff. If you want to preview it, here it is. "I really wanna go out, I really wanna go outside I'm psyched to see the day." (I think thats what she says)

New Apple ipad commercial song

The song is by a Danish band, The Blue Van, and the song is "There Goes My Love". As of this morning the videos on youtube for this song have only been viewed a few hundred times. It will be interesting to see those numbers jump drastically over the next few weeks as the new Apple ipad commercial gets more and more air time. Ipod commercials have been known to have great catchy songs in the past. Now you can decide for yourself if this song fits into the ranks with past ipod commercial songs such as: Yael Naim's "New Soul", Ceasar's Palace "Jerk it out", Feist's 1234, and my personal favorite "Bruises" by Chairlift.

Lady Danville - Cars

This is a "SixtyOne" find. They have an EP out and that is about it. This song is really catchy, maybe a little boy band-ish for some, but it is a fun song to bop around to. I do like their sound and they have talent so maybe there will be more to look forward to from them in the future.  They are also playing at SXSW so maybe they will get noticed. You can listen to more here on their myspace page.

Phoenix - 1901

This is the song from the Cadillac commercial and I love it. Finally had the time to remember to find it, so here it is! I'm not sure if he's saying "fallin', fallin', fallin'", but I like to think he's saying "ballin', ballin', ballin'". It makes it a little more fun. : )

Matt Hires--Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song

I've had a busy week at work and Pandora has been playing in the background as I've been elbow deep in admission folders. I haven't actually listened to many of the songs. They have been more of background noise for me. But this one just caught my attention. I guess this was on Cougartown recently. But I'm not going to hold it against the song.

Lucy Schwartz - Gravity

So we have mentioned her before but I have to say Lucy Schwartz really has something going on. At first I thought she was similar to Lenka and would have that one song that everyone loved and then kind of nothing, or would blend into the crowd of similar singer/songwriter chicks. I am quickly realizing I was wrong about that assumption. Her EP is so much fun to listen to and has a good variety of songs, I really like all of them especially "Those Days" and "Help Me! Help Me!". But my favorite song is still "I don't know a thing" I have been listening to it for months and I just don't get sick of it. I hope she continues to create, and grow, and will be able to fulfill our need for a songwriter/singer who is capable of encapsulating our 20-somethings anxiety issues (or just issues we can all relate to) in cute little packages tied with a ribbon that we call songs.

So this is the other gravity song you should know about. She just posted it on twitter and I couldn't resist posting it after seeing that she was ballsy enough to do interpretive dance for her video. I took a movement improv class in college that was embarrassing and awkward as hell but Lucy looks wonderful in this video and it works really well.

Robert Francis - Mescaline

So I must admit this comes from another music blog, musicvsmisery, I like it a lot you should check it out. Quite often me and this other blog come across people and cd releases at similar times so we have some very parallel posts, which always amuses me greatly. Music vs. Misery has a good eclectic mix of songs and this was just one of those that popped out at me. I don't know anything about Robert Francis so you can find out more about him on his website and watch a short little video of him here. I also really like Junebug, its really fantastic and has a Kings of Leon thing going on. I am definately going to find more music by Robert Francis, because I am loving these two songs, his lyrics are very poetic. It is hard to come across modern poet musicians like this nowadays. "You’re a love disaster, your heart beats faster, when it’s with mine. You’re a likely story, morning glory on the vine."

Local Natives - Airplane

Give this one a few listens and you will be hooked, I am at least. It is a great one to turn up in the car on long drives. It has a great catchy chorus ("I love it all so much, I call, I want you back") like so many of their songs do. They really came into the indie spotlight after performing at last year's SXSW and since they have been compared to Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes, and Vampire Weekend. I like a lot of their songs and a good line up of them can be found on their myspace page. They are in the middle of a big tour and will be on the East coast in May, so don't forget to check out their dates. Enjoy!

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD

I come across a lot of random options for free downloads on a regular basis. So I am going to try my best to throw them your way in the future. If you follow us on twitter, we always retweet free music or the arrival of new albums when we see them pop up. So you can follow us that way too.

For today here is a free download from Nike. One of my favorites Anya Marina's "All the same to me". Nike brings you new music every tuesday so don't forget to check back.

Jessie Baylin - Leave Your Mark

In case you were missing the singer/songwriter, chick with a guitar, and interesting vocals (I know its been a whole week, maybe longer?) here is a good one to check out. She does a lot of writing with other well known people. She is currently living and working in Nashville and interesting fact, she is married to Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill. Her most recent tour was as an opening act for Marc Broussard. I am obsessed with this song. Very mellow and sweet.  Skip to the one min mark if you don't want the interview.

Dead Man's Bones - Pa Pa Power

When I make mixes I just really like to put Pa Pa Power after a Ra Ra Riot song. It would be awesome if Ra Ra Riot sang this, but they don't. I had other plans for this morning's song, but I just couldn't resist doing this instead. I like how the lyrics sound like they should be empowering but they are sung monotone, its a great dichotomy. Don't forget to check out their other fantastic song, "My Body is a Zombie for You" which is sung with a full choir. Here is their myspace page.

Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell?

Happy March! As usual I was pained by Monday morning posting anxiety mainly because I was desperately trying to find a song that summed up the ridiculous weeekend's events. So I was looking for a song about awkward high school gatherings at an open bar. Or one about falling down some stairs and almost knocking my tooth out and waking up covered in bruises. Now this might surprise you, but there just weren't any songs like that out there. I tried to find a good cover of "Easy like Sunday Morning" and had no luck, or I almost posted Slaid Cleaves's song, Drinkin' Days (where he claims his drinking days are over) but that has nothing to do with my predicament. And lastly, I really wanted to post Jenny Owen Youngs' "F*** was I" because "wtf was I thinking?" was a comment I made out loud to myself a few times on Sunday morning. But instead I just put my songs on shuffle and clicked through about 20 times until I got to this one here. Ra Ra Riot is an awesome band name for starters and I really like their eclectic style and their use of string instruments. I also like "Each Year" and "Oh, La".