mind your music: kate nash

First, I must say this - I hate pop music. No judgment upon those who listen to it, but the bright bouncy sound and repetitive vapid lyrics overwhelm me with a wash of sickly sweet. And I must escape it. That being said, I have to now admit ... I cannot quit listening to Kate Nash.

Paris


Who Is She: Forget Katy Perry. Cast aside images of Natasha Beddingfield. This is Kate Nash. And she's nothing like them. Irish born and London bred, Kate is a precocious 23 whose girlish grit is catchy and shockingly smart. She's a bullet - centered gob stopper and her own brand of glittery kitsch. Her English accent bleeds through every song and I love it.

Favorite Song: From the clever beats of "Skeleton Song" to the cheeky "I've Got A Secret", both her albums are a treat. And the shatteringly blunt and beautiful slam poem that opens "Mansion Song" never ceases to give me goosebumps. Her irreverance isn't flakey and her feminine wit doesn't feel like fluff. It's a fine line, and she lights it on fire.




Pumpkin Soup



Makes Me Think Of/Feels Like: 1960s bee hives and knee socks, Topshop, and everything English.

Illustrations by the brilliant Nikki Farquharson (a graduate of my future university!).

Kate Nash made me a believer in pop music ... and strangely enough, proud to put on some eyeliner and be a real girl. It's pretty awesome.

- Jenna

mind your music: DM Stith

About two months ago, I had the privilege of seeing Sufjan Stevens live in a beautiful old theatre. Anticipation was humming and there was overjoyed applause as a spotlight came on in the center of the stage. The audience was caught off guard when in the drench of light was not Sufjan Stevens - but a small, fair haired man alone with his guitar. People began to mutter and I wondered how on earth one lone person could open for so judgmental and impatient a crowd.

And then he began to sing.

Morning Glory Cloud

Who Is He: Upstate New Yorker David Stith was born musical, with a pianist mother, choir director father, and opera singing sisters. His harmonies and lyrics recently caught the attention of Sufjan Stevens who signed him to Asthmatic Kitty Records as well as made him a member of his band for the Age of Adz tour. However I must admit, DM Stith's looping vocal tracks and moss covered melodies is what stole my heart that night I saw him play.

Favorite Song: He has several EPs, but his full length album Heavy Ghosts has so many haunting tracks it's hard to pick just one. Stith is part Simon & Garfunkel, part Sleepy Hollow, and all earthy eerie-ness (is that even a word?). He's a gust of cold winter and northern lights over the soul.

Thanksgiving Moon

Makes Me Think Of/Feel Like: Nick Drake, colonial ghost stories, lights dancing through wet window panes, and musty letters hidden away from you and me.

The ethereal Janelle Dry, the Incredible Tree Project by Eibatova Karina (please view), and the glorious Lissy Elle


It's rare to find a voice so very unique. Drink it in like a warm cider - you'll love it I'm sure.
- Jenna



*Jenna is back after a brief hiatus from writing the ever-loved "Mind Your Music" posts. She is my ever inspiration for all things awesome. Be sure to check out her previous posts here.*

mind your music: florance and the machine

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm not always the most proactive when it comes to new music (very uncool, I know). I can hear a name floating around, download the CD, and still not actually listen to it for a while simply because it doesn't strike me at the time. Gems sit right under my nose for weeks and then one random day I'm in love.

And recently, it's Florence and the Machine.

Dog Days Are Over

Who Are They: Haven't heard of them? It's okay because the British bombshell is hitting Stateside fast and furious. Topping the charts in the UK since last summer, singer Florence Welch began the band almost as a solo project, but the fresh sound exploded and a tour demanded a (now) more consistent full band. Her voice and music is something familiar yet inspired in a combination of blues/rock/folk that's infectious.

Favorite Song: Currently I'm preferring the more ruckus songs on the album, however the slower ones have a delicacy that I'm sure will quickly become just as listened to. Florence and the Machine makes you want to be that girl - the one whose ease and sexiness is dressed down in messy hair, holey jeans, and the open road. It's like the warm smell of pipe smoke and a dark, earthy laugh. That kind of desert goddess blazing in a sunset.

Kiss With A Fist

Makes Me Think Of/Feel Like: Beautiful and broken heroines, autumn winds, breezy cool glances, and the hippie chic glamour of Project Runway Winner Gretchen Jones (who, by the way, did deserve to win)

Photography to see: Sofia Ajram and Janelle Dry

Do not deprive yourself of the awesome that is Florence and the Machine ... because one music procrastinator is bad enough.

- Jenna

mind your music: anathallo

It's September officially, and when the nights gets a little colder and there is a wistful sigh among the trees ... i find myself listening to Anathallo.

Dokkoise House (With Face Covered)

Who Are They: The Michigan ensemble plays almost every instrument know to man. Their music is a study in contrast - dark and playful - spritely and haunting. Listening to them causes me to be overwhelmed with everything from my own childhood to those strange far away places from fairy tales. All a little dark, all little hopeful. It's truly unique.

They are also one of my most favorite live shows ever.

Favorite Songs: Both "Floating World" and "Canopy Glow" are gorgeous. i really think of their albums as whole pieces instead of individual songs. The words are poetry and the music philosophical in a way that demands to be listened to in one setting.

The Angry Neighbor

Makes Me Think Of/ Feels Like: Chinese fairy tales, forgotten memories, snow in the evenings, lost friendships, and open souls.

Beautiful and surreal photography by Brooke Shaden,Michael Bailey-Gates , and Lissy Elle

Anathallo will make your fall magic. I promise.

- Jenna

mind your music: first aid kit

September is quickly approaching, as does everything that comes with it. i'm very excited about it. And i think First Aid Kit will make it come that much faster.

In The Morning

 Who Are They: The Stockholm sisters create magic. Even more amazing is Johanna and Klara's lyrics which are far more beautiful and tragic than their 16 and 19 years of age. The music is as wistful as it is golden ... and their voices together are simply haunting.

Favorite Song: Their debut album The Big Black & The Blue is glorious ... every single song. I'm especially partial to "Waltz for Richard" , "Sailor Song", and "I Met Up With a King"

Waltz for Richard

Reminds Me Of/ Feels Like: Baroque wallpaper, fall school romances, and ship sails full of wind

( Photography by Annette Pehrsson. Please view her haunting, enchanting stream. )

So let the leaves fall around you and soak in the looming autumn with the Swedish sisters of folk.

- Jenna

mind your music: lollapalooza 2010

This week, i just wanted to share some photos with you. i finally summoned up the courage to smuggle my D90 past security on the the third day thanks to a false bottom i made in my bag. i don't generally take photos of the artists themselves, but there's so much else to see ...

Empty Room - Arcade Fire

I'm posting more "artsy" photos of my dual trip to Chicago and Baltimore on my Flickr.

I'll give you a rundown of some the music as well:
The Black Keys were just plain sexy
Lady GaGa was disturbing
Gogol Bordello was fantastically danceable
Stars made me feel in love
Wolfmother made me feel hardcore
And Arcade Fire made me overwhelmed with the glory of what it means to be alive, for all of us.

It was simply wonderful.

- Jenna

mind your music: the black keys

It's finally here! i am ditching my sad little office job and road tripping 8 whole hours to the gorgeous city of Chicago .... and going see a few bands of course! And one of the best is definitely going to be The Black Keys 

Tighten Up

Who Are They: The band is made up of two skinny white guys that somehow manage to raise up Son House and Leadbelly from the grave (or at least give a 21st century reincarnation). The Ohio natives give the blues rock infusion a tangible oh-so-fabulous bite that is soulful and catchy.

 

Favorite Songs: A lot of their albums were recorded in basements and the raw quality definitely makes every song that much better. i love the new album (Brothers) for its' perfection; i love the old albums for the pure grit.

Howlin' For You

 

Great Men Who Take Photos: Thomas Vanderzaag and Tony Katai i'm sure to share photos from Lollapalooza when i get back. It's a great way to end the summer. - Jenna

mind your music: chiddy bang

Can i first say how excited i am about to see Chiddy Bang? Cause i'm EXCITED! i would type in all capitals but i feel like that would be rude. Regardless ... i'm still really excited!

Hey London

Who Are They : The East coast has done it again, this time producing the Philly college drop outs known as Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and Noah Beresin. Part indie music, part hip hop, and all awesome. They've hit it big rather quickly, and are coming out with their first studio album next month. And all before either of them are 21.

Favorite Song : Chiddy Bang has put out two "mixtapes" that sample from everything and everyone. MGMT, Sufjan Stevens, Passion Pit, and Marry Poppins to name a few. Generally, i never listen to anything even hinting of hip hop or rap, but this infusion is fresh and addictive.

Breakfast

i love the illustrated covers!

Makes Me Think Of / Feels Like : Baltimore, my boyfriend's bright red high tops, and hot, hot summertime.

Gorgeous design by J Three Concepts, Francoise Nielly, and Tarikmikou Two more weeks! i'm kind of giddy. - Jenna

mind your music: stars

Okay, so you are going to have endure my Lollpalooza 2010 countdown for the next few weeks because i'm just that excited! There are many that i am looking forward to and one of them is the Canadian glory known as Stars.

Who Are They: It's one of Stacie and my favorites, and reminds me strongly of college and traveling abroad. Stars has a delicious twinkling night romance to it that is poigniant, bright, and mysterious. They are poppy but not annoying, and one of my first picks when introducing some one to the beginnings of alternative/indie music.

Favorite Song: All of Stars songs are somehow connected with a very distinct memory to me so it's hard to choose. I've loved all of their albums but i think my favorite is "Set Yourself on Fire" (especially the song below). Their new album "The Five Ghosts" is out right now and simply wonderful.

Your Ex-Lover Is Dead

Reminds Me Of/Sounds Like: snowy winter nights, childhood, and riding on the London Underground

Sources: Simon Crubellier and Richard Nabarro

i can't end without saying one, how incredible they are live and two, forcing you to endure this story:

i first saw Stars live on complete accident when I was studying abroad and spending the weekend in Belfast, Ireland. They were playing in a local pub. If seeing Stars with 100 Irish college students singing every word out loud with all their heart wasn't enough, i got the crazy idea to scribble a note to the band. Holding back all apprehension of looking/feeling like a complete idiot, i explained that my boyfriend and i had been (and were going to be) apart for 6 months while i was overseas. He was going to see them later on in Baltimore, Maryland that fall. i named the club even though i didn't know the date, and asked them to please tell him i loved and missed him. They kept the note for almost 2 1/2 months and to the utter surprise of my boyfriend (and myself!), told the story and dedicated the song below to us at the Baltimore show ... which is actually one of our favorites. And even if it seems incredibly sappy, i think it says something about what kind of band they are. To me, it's makes them one of the best.

My Favourite Book

- Jenna