Finished the batch of photos I took from my time in the country last week with my company. I also did a maternity session with a co-worker while we were out there. Lots of fun. Here are just a few that I liked best...
Lately I feel like I've been falling into one artistic crisis after another. 'Crisis' is probably too dramatic of a word, but I'm constantly battling myself when it comes to my photography. The most crippling thing in the world (for me at least) is the trap of comparing your own work with everyone else's. I keep finding myself here and I keep having to crawl back out again. But I also know that it's the battles that will produce growth. Wouldn't it be lovely to get to a point where the trials and battles are a thing of joy?
Anyway... it's Sunday and I'm sleepy. I can hear two people snoring, one to my left and one to my right. I wish I was the third (I'm not positive I snore, but obviously it runs in my family), but I've been having trouble turning off my brain lately. There always seems to be something to do or think about or talk about.
If you follow my blog at all you know that I was pretty pumped about Record Store Day last Saturday. I went through the list of albums that were being released exclusively and highlighted all the ones I wanted a few days before and I was PUMPED. I went back and forth about driving up to Austin or staying more locally. Austin obviously would have had more to offer, but i felt like part of the day (at least for myself) was supporting/checking out a local independent record store. So my friend and I got up early, picked up our fave Sbux beverage and drove over to Lone Star Music in Gruene, Texas. Saturday was a beautifully perfect day in South Texas... it really doesn't get any better.
The store didn't end up having any of the albums I'd been super excited about, but I did make some cool finds. The album I had wanted the most was a vinyl copy of The Civil Wars' cover of Billie Jean. I didn't get it, but I did get the CD they released, 'Live at Amoeba'. Which is just wonderful. I saw them live a few months ago and this CD brought all of that back in a lovely way.
This year they pressed the Empire Records Soundtrack to vinyl as an exclusive release. I debated on whether to buy it or not. The movie is so great, one of my favorites. I'm pretty sure when it released in 1995 everyone thought it was complete trash, but among my friends and I it's iconic. I also love 90's music, so I caved and had to purchase it... it's all fancy and numbered on the back. [: I talked to the woman working the store and she told me that the Nickel Creek albums were actually leftover from last year. I was stoked because they were only $9.99 a piece. I talked about them briefly in the post I wrote last week for my friend Jessica's blog, but Nickel Creek was such a huge influence on me when I was 13 or 14. I couldn't bare leaving the albums sitting on the shelf. The Dharohar Project, Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons album was also a leftover, I don't know if I squealed out-loud, but I was feeling pretty giddy on the inside over this one. The album is just so cool... such a neat blend of music. The last thing I picked up was 'Long Live the King' EP by The Decemberists. This was just a no-brainer for me. The Decemberists are so good.
That's my Record Store Day wrap up. It was a good day... my friend and I even ate cupcakes later that afternoon. It really was just a wonderful day.
This post is a little different than my usual tunes-day post, but I wanted to share my purchases from last Saturday. Did you hit up a record store on Saturday? Find anything awesome? Please share!
Below are a few albums that I'm pretty excited about today:
I'm probably close to losing your attention so I won't go into detail with each album, but I will say that the Sarah Jaffe album is really good and worth listening to. My first listen through I hated it... I wanted Suburban Nature by Sarah Jaffe all over again! This album is different than anything I've heard her do before. Which is why initially I was like, ewwww! Where's the acoustic guitar?! I'm hooked now... I'm a super fan.
Last Thursday I got my T3i back all shiny and new. This weekend I took it out both Friday and Saturday and I even finished off a roll of film with my K2 on Friday. Lots o' pictures!
I've used Walgreens to develop my film for a while now. I've found that they are better than CVS or Wal-Mart or any places like them. This time however did not turn out well. Apparently my roll got sort of jammed in the machine and it made scratches and imperfections on the film and almost all of the pictures have some sort of damage to them. A few more than others, but they all have what look like water spots. That was a bummer, so after a bit of complaining and whatnot they gave me my money back, a free roll of film, and they said they'll process the roll for free. A few that have minimal damage are still 'post-able'. [:
This has me even more curious about developing my own film and I'm going to start researching how I can put together an inexpensive darkroom. If anyone has any tips or websites to help me out with this let me know! Or if you know of a good photo lab in San Antonio that I can take my film to that would be awesome.
Here is some of my family:
Bonus Nephew
Grandmother
Sister
Dad
I shot the next few photos below on some property in Fischer, Texas that my company did some work on a few years ago. Every year they go out for Friday Fun Day; fishing, fourwheeling, and eating. It was a lot of fun and the property was beautiful. I'll be posting more photos I shot with my T3i in the next few days.
Double Exposure
Double Exposure
Double Exposure
Double Exposure
My
friend Heather and I spent our Saturday morning in Gruene checking out
music for Record Store Day (more on that later) and we also walked
through my favorite antique store. We had a great day hanging out and
being goofy
This week I would encourage you to indulge your ears in two things:
First: Andrew Bird
My sisters and I spent our Saturday afternoon/night watching Coachella Live on Youtube and we happened to catch Andrew Bird's set; I love this man! His most recent album is "Break It Yourself" and its really lovely. It's such a happy record, it's perfect for Spring time. His style is very unique and I love how he blends so many different genres of music into one. He's been around for a while, so he doesn't really fall into the category of 'new music', but I'd never taken the time to listen to his albums so he's new to me. He's the type of musician that is just a joy to watch play... my sisters and I really loved his set at Coachella on Saturday.
here we go mistaking clouds for mountains.
Second:
Tallhart
"Bloodlines" by Tallhart actually released last week, I don't really know what happened with that. Slacking off on my part I suppose. [;
I saw these guys last year in San Antonio while they were on tour with Eisley. I knew they were going to be good because my big sis had seen them when they went through Lubbock a couple days before I would be seeing them. She had told me how good they were and they didn't disappoint. They had great energy during the show and connected with the audience well. Matt Segallos is lead vocals for the band and his voice is one of my new favorites. I feel like all the guys had great chemistry and they seemed like a really nice group of fellas.
"Bloodlines" is actually a 6 track EP; my favorites are 'Brooklyn Is Burning' and 'Drunk Kids'. About a month or so ago they signed onto Max Bemis' record label Rory Records which is Bemis' new imprint label under Equal Vision. I love the EP, but it's really just got me stoked for a full length LP, especially if it will be created with the help of Mr. Bemis.
I also put together a new mix on Spotify over the weekend: untitled mix: April 2012. I don't make mix cds as often as I used to and it makes me sad. I remember when my best friend moved away for her first year of college and we would send each other mix cds constantly... it was the best thing! This is second best, not as personal but it does the job. I do appreciate Spotify because it's just another way to find and share music with people.
I took this photo in Sundance Records a couple years ago.
(that might be Jessica's arm.)
My very lovely friend Jessica is doing something very cool on her blog this week. She's counting down the days to Record Store Day, Saturday April 21st, by having guest posts written by her friends and lovers of music. Jessica very kindly asked me to write for today's post and I was very honored to do so. Check that out: here. Yesterday's post was a great kick off to the week so make sure to read that as well. If you are not familiar with Record Store Day click the link and you can get more info as well as find a record store near you that is participating in the day; support your local record store!
happy tunes-day, ladies and gents!
Xx christine
p.s. what are YOU listening to today? Do you have plans to go to your local record store on Saturday?
Afterthought addition at 1 o'clock pm: this is just too good not to post.
and understand the throne. cause if He didn't pay what He had paid I'd undeniably become erased
Last week something lovely happened to me. Instagram rolled out for Andriod! I've been taking so many pictures and I'm in love with this app. I've been green with envy for months over it; so glad i can join all my iPhone friends now. [:
Here's just a few photos I've taken over the last week and if you have Instagram find me! My username is 'cotechristine'.
A Minor Bird by Sucré Single: 'When We Were Young'
If I ever were to fall in love Sucré is exactly what I hope it would sound like. Stacy King, Darren King and Jeremy Larson are Sucré and these three combined have created something that definitely lives up to their name. The single released a little over a month ago and I did include it in a past tuesday-post. So regular readers may feel like this is a repeat, I'll try to make it fresh. [; The single, 'When We Were Young', blew me away a month ago and I'm still listening to it on repeat. Since then 'Hiding Out' was released as a free download and today the album is finally here! Yesterday HelloGiggles featured the entire album on their site: here. Why you'd be reluctant to buy the album I don't know, but if you are, listen to it there and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear your thoughts. I've been waiting on this album for so long i feel like i'm a bit biased. (I'm not the best critic if you haven't noticed already. I LOVE MUSIC!)
The album starts off with 'Hiding Out' which I will say is not my favorite track, but it does set the perfect tone for the rest of the album. The entire album could probably be a movie soundtrack. 'Chemical Reaction' is the track that has made the biggest impression on me. The layers of instruments and the movement of the song is great. "No Return" belongs in an Audrey Hepburn flick; i pictured a walk through the streets of Paris. The album is dreamy, bright and so romantic. There's so much imagery in every song... my mind has been blooming with inspiration and ideas since yesterday when I first listened through it entirely. The album is very cohesive and strong; the 'dreamyness' in no way makes it shallow. Jeremy Larson is an incredible musician and 'A Minor Bird' is evidence of that. I know I've used the word 'layer' to describe it which might not be the correct terminology. I use that word to better describe the amount of instruments that will flood your ears during each track and it's done in such a complimentary way. Stacy King's voice is an instrument unto it's own; rising and falling in perfect unison with each instrument. Her voice is just so smooth. Darren King is best on 'Troubled Waters' and 'Say Something' giving you just a peak into what this guy is capable of on the drums (If you don't know his band MuteMath, look them up on Youtube and you'll see what I mean).
Obviously I'm already in love with this album and I hope you will be too. I think this will end up being one of the best albums of the year; it's what dreams are made out of; sweet, uninterrupted, fairytale dreams.
Some Nights by Fun.
Single: 'We Are Young'
I think everyone knows who Fun. is by now. Over the last couple months 'We Are Young' grew wings and took off. I hear it at least twice during the radio show i listen to every morning; it's just such a feel good song. Who doesn't want to be young and crazy? Then add in a little Janelle Monáe and this song will make you feel like you can conquer the world.
Last week one of my friends tweeted, "Finally realized why We Are Young reminds me of The Format." (@lindsmott). We chatted back and forth and she mentioned she hadn't listened to the rest of 'Some Nights' and I told her i'd include it in next weeks tunes-day post for her. This is all for you Lindsey! [: First i'm going to go back up a couple years. Nate Ruess is the lead singer of Fun., and before his Fun. days (unintentional double meaning because i'm willing to bet he's having a pretty good time with how well this album is doing) he was the lead singer of The Format with Same Means, Mike Schey, Mark Buzard, and Don Raymond to complete the group; they were together roughly from 2001 till early 2008. The Format is a band I was very attached to and when they announced the end in 2008 i was crushed; that one took a while to get over. 'Interventions & Lullabies' (2003) is one of those albums so ingrained in my memories and emotions that it will never get old. Memories don't get boring or repetitive, if anything they get better with time. That's how i feel about their albums; about this band. They gave me words and melodies to moments in my life i wouldn't otherwise have known how to describe or reflect on. (I get really dramatic about music sometimes.) I know i'm not the only one that holds this band so dear. I know quite a few people that feel attached to them in a very similar way; they are one of the greats in the alternative/non-radio music world. If you have the time to go back a few years check out their albums. Even thought they are no longer a band it really would be worth your time.
That was longer than it probably should be, oh well. 'Some Nights' is a good album, it's fun (ha), upbeat and honest. I've talked to a couple friends about it since it came out in February and one of the only complaints i've heard is over the amount of synthesizer and autotune used throughout the album. I agree and disagree with the opinion that these two things make the album less than it could be without them. 'Some Nights' was preceded by a very 70's driven album, Aim and Ignite (2010) was layered with various instruments and lost of harmonies; very little sounded processed. I think for some it's hard to swallow the difference in the albums; i can hear the screams, "SELL OUT!" For me this just boils down to personal preference and it does not reflect on the quality of the album so much. A couple things that did carry over from the first album is the energy and drama as well as the use of so many different instruments. Both albums are wonderfully big and cinematic. 'Some Nights' kicks off with an intro to the title track, 'Some Nights - Intro'. When i first heard it i thought that they must have been listening to Queen when writing it. The title track is my favorite on the album, it has such a catchy beat and energy i practically scream the song as i'm driving down the road; i can usually feel the drums in my toes. [: It's my favorite 'pump-you-up' song right now. 'Carry On' and 'All Alone' are two of my other favorites.
'Stars' is my favorite track lyrically. It's nearly 7:00 minutes long and it probably has the most autotune out of all the tracks. If you hate autotune then you probably won't like this one very much. There's a prominent string set that plays through most of the song and combined with the autotune it gives the song a very dreamy quality that i'm in love with. Ruess references the previous album during the song; which i thought was cool, but it makes sense considering the rest of the song is so reflective. He sings about someone that he obviously no longer has and whether this someone is fictional or not i don't know. He conveys the sense of sadness over the loss very well vocally and lyrically. "This growing old is getting old, I often find myself here thinking about the birds, the boats, and past loves that flew away or started sinking." This song is a good closer to the album. There is a bit of language, I don't know if I have any young readers, but just an fyi. [; As a whole it's a solid album definitely worth listening to.
Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes
Single: 'Hold On'
I found these guys last night; really. [: This video came through my news feed on Facebook last night and it just gives me one more reason to love social networking; specifically in the area of sharing music. I have a feeling this band would have presented themselves to me eventually because this song is great and it's not going to remain 'unknown' for long. They've already had a bit of late night show exposure and they've racked up quite a few views with the video below; as they should cause this song is worth a lot of listening. I've already pressed repeat 4 times. Check out the video, I promise you won't regret it. The debut album, 'Boys & Girls' actually came out last Tuesday (sometimes a girl's just late to the party, ya know?) and it's $7.99 on iTunes. Now i'm going to put this album on, sit on my back porch, smoke a cigar and reminisce 'bout the good ol' days.
Top 40 Obsession:
'Young, Wild & Free' by Wiz Khalifa - Can't stop jamming this song!
What are you listening to today? Anything come out today you're stoked about? Let me know!
Last night I was up way too late going through all the video I shot while on my trip to Tennessee. I'm really excited about putting everything together in a fun video. One of the reasons I upgraded my camera was for the HD video capabilities... I love movement and films and I'm excited to step into that world just a bit. I don't have very much knowledge (technical knowledge anyway...), but so far i've had fun with it anyway.
I still have so many clips to go through before I can put everything together, but I pulled this one of my baby sister out of the bunch. The song is by Sucré called, Hiding Out. I had the song on repeat last night so to me it just seemed to fit the video nicely.
I have tomorrow off from my office day job and i'm so excited for a bit of rest. My big sis is coming home and I plan on doing a lot of hanging about, drinking starbucks and maybe some shopping.
Of Monsters and Men are a six member band from Iceland. A few months ago i came across them and fell in love with their EP 'Into the Woods'. I was pretty bummed to find out that their album, 'My Head Is an Animal' was already released overseas, but i would have to wait another couple months. Well today is the day! [: They've already received a lot of attention in their native land; climbing to the top of the charts with, "Little Talks". It's this same track that has brought them over to the states garnering the same kind of attention and praise. They released, 'Into the Woods' in Decemeber and since then have taken off even playing SXSW this year. What initially drew me into these songs, and what kept the EP on repeat for weeks, was Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir's vocals on the track, 'Love Love Love'. It's a fairly simple song, but she delivers it so beautifully and full of emotion. "cause you love, love, love when you know I can't love."
My favorite track on 'Animals' is "Dirty Paws". Mostly due to how well Nanna's voice blends with Monster's other vocalist Ragnar þórhallsson. The song also delivers some gang vocals (group vocals?) resembling an Edward Sharpe anthem. "Dirty Paws" hit me the hardest, but throughout the entire album Nanna and Ragnar go back and forth complimenting each other vocally; at some points it seems they've created an entirely new voice. I love the energy of this album, the songwriting; it's a solid album and i feel like if i try and talk about it anymore i'll stop making sense. [: I think you get the point the album is good and you should check it out. NPR is streaming the album and i'm sure it'll hit spotify pretty fast. Here's the video for 'Little Talks'...
Family by Noah Gundersen
1. David
2. Fire
3. Nashville
4. San Antonio Fading
5. Honest Songs
6. Garden
7. Family
Noah Gundersen is a new find for me; like last week new. [: I was browsing through spotify and it was the cover art that first caught my attention. I always secretly hope that when an artist or band have good cover art or photography that they will be really good. There's something about the whole package ya know? I was super super glad that whoever chose this photo for the cover of his EP 'Family' chose it because it's what made me stop and listen; so thankful i did. 'Family' came out in August of 2011 and it starts off with 'David' and I was ready to hear it again even before it finished. Throughout the EP I heard elements of Andy Hull, Ryan Adams and even a little David Gray, especially on the second track, 'Fire'. His sister Abby lends her violin and harmonies on a couple tracks adding a very pretty element to mostly guitar driven tracks. On Noah's bandcamp site there's a couple paragraphs about the EP and his desire to "pay homage to the people who have shaped his life." "Family comes in many forms," says Noah. "It lives with us, for better and for worse. It shapes us. Thats what this album is about." He succeeds in delivering an EP with a strong sense of nostalgia; it left me wanting the rest of the story. I've enjoyed listening to the stories he tells on 'Family' and i'm excited about hearing more soon.
I'll leave you with this video of Noah singing with his siblings.
I'm hoping these posts have made sense... as i'm sure you've already noticed i'm not the best writer, i'm just really good at listening to music. I'm hoping that the stuff i take in from all this music will traslate well into words for you to read.
Anyway... what are you listening to today? Please share!
