Play it Forward

Good evening, Folliers!
For someone who LOVES to write, I haven't been doing much of that on here lately.  I plan to make more of an effort from this day forward (just like me to make mid-year resolutions).  I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to Twitter.  If I could just cut my Twitter time in half, I would have so much more time to blog.  BUT I do have to thank Twitter because if I wouldn't have been scrolling through the tweets of the 283 people, businesses, etc. that I follow, I wouldn't have won tickets to see the Gin Blossoms tomorrow night!  I also want to thank www.vita.mn because they were giving the tickets away and I won them by simply tweeting "tickets, please!"  If only everything in life could be that easy. 

I'm hoping to have a good seat so I can snap a few pics and post them on here for my 2 folliers to enjoy.  Also, they're playing at the Dakota Jazz Club (Minneapolis) and I've never been there and have always wanted to go (doubly excited).

Since we're on the subject of music, I feel the need to share the songs from my mixCD of the summer, which I cleverly titled "June 2010".  The songs (purchased off iTunes) have been on constant rotation through out the summer.  I found myself wondering if years from now, when I hear one of the songs from this mixCD, if I will think of the summer of 2010 the way I think about the summer of '93 when I hear Hey Jealousy from the Gin Blossoms.  I love that music has that power (even bad music), to pull you back to certain moments in your life (even the bad ones). 

So here's the list of songs I've been listening to a lot this summer (besides Atmosphere) and I feel you should get to know these bands (if you don't already).  I owe 89.3 The Current a HUGE thank you as well because if it wasn't for listening to that station every day, I'm not sure I would have been introduced to such amazing music.  Note: not all songs are new, as in released this year, but they are ALL good and that's what matters.

1. Free Energy by Free Energy - no this is not a misprint, the name of the song and the name of the band are one in the same.  This song reminds me of youth.  Pure and simple.  Best line:  "and I'm so disconnected, I'm never going to check back in". 

2. American Slang by the Gaslight Anthem - this band has been around for years but I hadn't heard of them until The Current started playing this song.  I was hooked.  I like some of their other songs too but THIS one is my favorite.  Also, I love Brian Fallon's voice.

3. Kick Drum Heart by the Avett Brothers - ahhhhh the Avett Brothers.  I don't think I've ever heard a song from them I don't like but this one made the cut for this mixCD. 

4. Crystalised by the XX - you know those songs you like, you can't explain why, you just do?  Well that's how I feel about this song.  Favorite line: "I'll forgive and forget, before I'm paralyzed".

5. Don't Haunt this Place by the Rural Alberta Advantage - another song about a break up, you ask?  yes and it's a good one.  I like quite a few of their songs but again, this one made the cut. 

6. Set me Free by The Heavy - you've probably heard their song How You Like Me Now on that Kia commercial but this song is better.

7. Running with the Wolves by Cloud Cult - what can I say, I'm a sucker for MN bands.  AND they make great music.  Favorite line: "I need to feel something different for just a little while".

8. The Ends by Halloween, Alaska - Since they're a Minneapolis band, I'm hoping this means I'll be seeing them play live in the near future.  Best line: "No matter what today pretends, no matter how you see the means, these are the ends".

9. Low Rising by the Swell Season - See previous post Better than Swell

10. The Cave by Mumford and Sons - this band just blows me away.  First song I ever heard by them was Little Lion Man and I fell in love.

11. These Tears Ain't Mine by Roma Di Luna - another Minneapolis group!  Supportin' local music y'all.  I missed the chance to see them perform last week and I'm still kicking myself. 

12. Setback by the Constellations - I REALLY like this band.  Their beats, their lyrics.

13. Shadow People by Dr Dog - Never heard of this band until I heard this song.  Check under music tab for further details.

That's it, Folliers.  Good night and happy listening....