Some of my friends call me the walking jukebox. It's true, I have a musical mind, and between playing and listening to music, I manage to fit the rest of my too-busy life in. But what am I supposed to do with all this music knowledge? I'm not going to work at a record store or radio station as I'm being directed down another path, but music is still one of the largest components to my life. So I'm putting my skills of seeking out, evaluating, and mentally mapping out new music to work. Don't hold me to this promise, but every week, I'm going to try my best to post and link a descriptive list of music I've been finding. If you're reading this blog, it is my sincere hope that you'll find something you might like!
Rachael Yamagata
With the mystery and charm of the girl next door, Rachael's velvety alto voice is a fresh break from your standard diva, and very comparable to Chan Marshall (Cat Power) or Fiona Apple. Musically, she hails from funk roots; latterly her styling has taken a turn towards the alternative singer-songwriter/piano vibe.
A Fine Frenzy
Alison Sudol, in my opinion, pours her very soul into her music. She's also an incredibly stunning 22-year old redhead, which is an incontrovertible fact. Growing up in a literature and arts-geared household, her music reflects a deep understanding of true art - as does her stunning wardrobe, which draws on deep, vibrant greens, blues, oranges, pinks and creams which really accentuate her overall aesthetic.
For starters, I would recommend song "You Picked Me" off the album "One Cell In The Sea". Her live DVD showcases her true talent as both lead vocalist and lead instrumentalist - expertly at both. Her barefoot, expressionate playing sends shivers down my spine - although the cool October evening breeze through my window is partially to blame.
Flobots
What do you get when you combine a classically trained violinist, a jazz trumpeter, a bass, a guitar, a drum kit, and two rappers passionate about social justice and bringing redemption to America's international reputation through national initiatives? The Flobots fit the bill - a performance hip-hop sextet who cover everything from the logistical clusterf*ck of the New Orleans governmental response program to U.S.-sanctioned topplings of elected South and Central American heads of state resistant to U.S. foreign policy. Watch their video "Rise" here.
