"Dude, your mom has the best playlist!" – Wellesley College Student
October 31, 2017
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
I posted two video versions of this song because you just have to hear Ella’s voice live … amazing. Ella Henderson is a singer/songwriter from England who appeared on X-Factor in the UK in 2012. This song was her first single and it was co-written and produced by one of my very favorites … Ryan Tedder. Does that man ever sleep?
Anyway … I just had my first trick or treaters. Watch out for ghosts tonight!
October 30, 2014
It’s Throwback Thursday! Today’s #tbt song is a favorite of mine from Alexi Murdoch’s first full-length album, Time Without Consequence, released in 2006 on his own label.
I discovered Alexi Murdoch while living in London, England. What a find! I instantly fell in love with his music. This song is truly a gift from an incredibly talented musician and songwriter. I think it is difficult to find someone writing music like he does today. To me it feels like a deeply emotional conversation that I have been invited into.
I am a huge fan, but I have found him to be a bit elusive. Alexi Murdoch does not tour much, but when he does tour, his shows instantly sell out. He has quite a following and was listed as a “Top Ten Artists to Watch” by Rolling Stone after the release of his debut album in 2006. After a long wait, he released his second album, Towards the Sun, in 2011 to strong reviews. He has a personal love and connection with his artistry and music and has never signed with a major music label, even though he has had offers. He decided to stay an independent artist to maintain control of his music. In an interview with CNN Headline News in December 2003, he said:
“I really don’t want people involved in the creative process while I’m recording, who really don’t have anything to do with music, whose interest, by necessity, is just pure economics,” Murdoch says. “There is going to be something [at stake] other than just the integrity of the music.”
Alexi Murdoch is a Scottish musician who was raised in Greece until he was 10 years old at which time his family moved back to the UK and settled in Scotland. He attended Duke University in North Carolina and also lived for some time in California. His songs have received placements in dozens of films and television shows and it is likely you have heard one of his songs on one of those shows. I hope you enjoy listening to this song. I can’t recommend his music strongly enough and if you haven’t listened to him before, check out his albums, I particularly love Time Without Consequence. I love all of his music and there are so many good songs to recommend, but definitely a few to start with include: “All My Days,” “Blue Mind,” and “Song For You.”
“My salvation lies in your love.”
September 25, 2014
Just a quick note tonight with a song by one of my favorite new artists – James Bay. I have posted a song by him before (“Need The Sun to Break” back on February 3, 2014 where I give more background on the artist) and love his music. This is an incredible song and James Bay makes amazing music. I love a guy with nothing but his guitar and a voice that expresses vulnerability, depth, and passion. I could listen to this song over and over again … which, to be truthful, I often do. It has become one of my favorite songs.
The song is from his new EP, Let It Go, which was released this summer. This is his third EP and I can only imagine the hype when he releases his first full length album.
James Bay is a young British singer-songwriter from Hitchin, UK who is one of the most awesome acoustic performers I have heard. The lyrics to his songs are honest, emotional, and introspective and the music is incredibly smooth. His performances are raw and unforgettable. He is currently on tour and if you are lucky enough to score a ticket (he is touring with Hozier and the tickets are selling fast!), it would be quite a performance. Just watch this incredible performance below and see if he does not become one of your favorite new artists, too!
Can I also just say, I LOVE his hats – he wears them even better than Pharrell.
September 8, 2014
Well, I have survived my first few days of being an empty nester … an empty nester much too early! 🙂
Last week I dropped my son off at his new high school – a golf academy in South Carolina. I never thought that I would ever send one of my children away from home to a boarding school for high school, but here I am. It was a very quick decision and my emotions have been all over the place the last several weeks. I am sure if you look at the last few songs I have posted, you will be able to tell where my head has been. I really, really like my kids and I love to be with them, so how did I let one leave home at 16 for college and one leave at 15 for boarding school? What am I thinking?
I got home Thursday night and I woke up Friday and told myself that I had the day to be sad. So I listened to all the songs that would let me wallow in my sadness. Just to give you a quick idea of the emotional pit I was digging, the songs included: “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift, “Poems, Prayers and Promises” by John Denver, and “When I’m With You” by Ben Rector. That last one by Ben Rector has been on repeat for the last four days! If you don’t think music can impact your emotions, I challenge you to listen to those songs. A friend of mine told me on Friday, “…I think you are going to have to give yourself more than one day to be sad!” Obviously she is right, but I am certainly trying not to be actively sad.
I am happy to report that my son is very happy and the school seems to be a great fit for him. That makes me happy! I am very proud of him and the decision that he has made. I just know that I really miss him and the house sure seems empty without him here. I thought I would have him home with me for two more years, and just like that he is gone.
I love this song by Saint Raymond and I have been waiting for a day to post it. Saint Raymond is the stage name for Callum Burrows, a very young (only 19!) and talented, British singer-songwriter. Burrows is from Nottingham in the UK. He released his debut EP, Escapade, in early 2013 on Gabrielle Aplin’s (another of my favorite young British artists) Never Fade Records label; two more EPs followed in early 2014. I think we will be hearing much more from Saint Raymond – he has a fabulous sound with great harmonies, cool beats, and interesting lyrics. He is another new artist that has a sound reminiscent of the 80s. Even more exciting, he will be supporting one of my very favorites, Ed Sheeran, on his UK, Ireland, and European arena tour this fall. If there is something that will rocket Saint Raymond onto every playlist, that would be it! I know that you will like his sound.
I have to tell you that the video is the reason that I am posting this song today. It kind of feels like my life right now. Once you watch it, I am sure you will understand. Sometimes I don’t know if I am making the right decision, but when it comes down to it … I have to make a decision and jump. My kids have lived a life full of adventure, change, and challenge and they have risen to all of it. They have a very strong sense of self and embrace life to the fullest. So, how do you say “no” when they are ready for something that maybe I wasn’t ready for … the answer for me was ‘You Don’t.’ My heart is heavy right now, but what a ride as they chase their dreams and I dive in after them as we all enter the next new adventure.
May 20, 2014
A few weeks ago, I was able to see Tyrone Wells in concert at City Winery in NYC and, at the same time, was introduced to a new artist. Opening for Tyrone Wells that night was a young, impressive performer named Nick Howard.
Nick Howard is a singer-songwriter from England who currently lives in NYC. He was actually the winner of the German television show called The Voice of Germany in 2012 and is very popular in that area of the world. Nick has an incredibly engaging personality and was a pleasure to watch live on stage with just his guitar. He was charming, playful, self-deprecating, and very talented. I am posting my favorite song from his performance that night. I love this song with the catchy tune and playful sound. I think it will be a hit! The single was released in November 2013 and he has a new album, called Living in Stereo, coming out later this month. I am looking forward to checking out the new album.
A new song by a new discovery for me on this #MusicMonday. Have a great week!
