One of my favorite parts of summer is jogging outdoors.You truly are the master of your own element while on a run and it’s a great way to shed some of those barbecue beer calories.However, in order to have a successful run, I have to have a good playlist on, and these are the songs that keep me going:
For my runs, the key to everything is the song that I start out with, and usually, it’s always Angel and Airwaves.I remember hearing this song on the radio as I was leaving from high school after taking my last final, so I’ve always associated it with summer.It’s a great song with a catchy riff and the perfect tempo to establish a pace for your run. The message is all about starting something new and going on a journey, sort of like the feeling you get whenever you start a run.
"Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)" - Elton John
Elton John is one of the greatest musicians that the world has ever seen and this song is a testament to that fact.It’s an upbeat song that never lets you slow down for a second.Whenever you need to get back on your pace or get things going a little faster, this is the song to be playing.
There’s a reason why this guy’s called the Boss.Although this is not my favorite Springsteen tune, this pure, high-speed American rock song is the perfect song to accompany a summer run.Its message of just letting go and seeing what happens is the perfect mindset to have while jogging.
I love The Get Up Kids, so naturally I have a few Reggie and the Full Effect songs on my playlist.This song is so simple with an insanely catchy beat and the backing synthesizer provides a nice background to the guitar riffs.The song is also wicked fast and it’s a necessity when you’re going for an endurance run and need a little help to get back on speed.
At the end of my runs, I always like to end with a sprint. But by that time, I’m usually pretty tired and need something to amp me up.This song is always my standby because it gets you going from the very first 10 seconds.The repetitive chant built in with a building bass and synthesizer line is the perfect way to channel that last bit of energy to make it back to the finish line.
During this past week's installment of ACRN's Best Gosh Darn News Show hosted by Chris Dobstaff, Scott Smith and myself, Scott posed the question of what six bands Chris and I would have headline a festival (reuniting bands included). No holograms allowed since they are dumb. In fact, there may be a Disco Demolition-type public destruction of all hologram technology at my festival.
B. B. King and Buddy Guy: Is having two artists as a headliner a way to cheat the six band max? Absolutely. But I don't care. I just wanna see B. B. And Buddy jam together before it is too late. I've already seen Buddy, so B. B. would do just fine on his own. But the two bluesmen on the same stage would be phenomenal.
Rage Against the Machine: Rage has been performing sporadically over the past couple years, so this is a possibility that I'm definitely willing to entertain. They would be required to play, at the very least, one new track because we all know they have some.
They'll begin with this:
Violent Femmes: This would be a tough reuniting, since singer Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Ritchie clearly have some issues to work out. But hey, it's not like they're Creedence. And the Pixies have reunited multiple times.
Soundgarden/Temple of the Dog/Pearl Jam:Soundgarden is back and Pearl Jam really has never left. So this is what is going to happen: Soundgarden is going to play a set. Then Eddie, Stone, Jeff and Mike will reunite with Chris and Matt (that's right, I'm on a first name basis) on stage for some Temple of the Dog songs. Then Chris will leave and Pearl Jam will play. It'll be a re-enactment of the formation of Pearl Jam. Also, Matt Cameron, who drums for all three, might die from exhaustion.
Watch the Throne: Need I say more than Kanye West and Jay-Z? One stipulation: they can not perform “Lift Off.” Although Beyonce will be allowed on stage for visual appeal.
(Apparently Kanye has decided skirts are in)
Metallica: My brother has seen 'Tallica play and I haven't. That will be fixed. Lou Reed is not allowed within a 100-mile radius of the festival to prevent any Lulu temptations. Also, no St. Anger.
If
you've been keeping up with ACRN.com this weekend (or
me as a person), you know that the 8th Annual Nelsonville Music Festival happened this weekend.
This is the third year I've gone and I firmly believe it's been the best of
the three.
The
best thing about a mid-sized festival like Nelsonville is that among the big
artists is a slew of smaller bands that most people would never have heard of
otherwise. A festival announcer said it was the best place to discover your new
favorite band, and it is. So, for my first exec rec, I figured I'd give you
cool readers the best of what NMF 2012 had to offer.
1. Those Darlins
I
just love these girls. I first saw them at 2010's Nelsonville Music Festival and I was instantly a fan. I saw them again at The Union back in the fall. But
I can never get enough of them, so I was excited as all get out when I saw they
were back again at this year's NMF. Their mix of riot grrrl and Southern rock
is an original mix that is saucy, sexy and satisfying. Nikki and
Jessi Darlin really know what they're doing.
In
addition to the punk and Southern influences, Those Darlins' latest release, 2011's
Screws Get Loose, added a sort of Spektor-esque element. Check out video
for their single "Be Your Bro" below. This song mixes up gender
roles, and who doesn't love that? And the video gives you a glimpse of their
sexiness and live performance, which is what ya really want.
See these ladies live if you have the chance. They give any male band a
run for their money as far as putting the cock back in rock, and they probably
surpass any pop starlet in sex appeal. Meee-ow!
2. "Old Oak Tree" - Southeast Engine
If
you're reading an ACRN blog, chances are you are familiar with Southeast Engine. And as follows, if you know Southeast Engine, you love them already.
Because I'm slightly obsessed, I've caught these guys (in different forms)
three times in the last month, and they've been playing this track a lot. It's
from an upcoming EP and it's a great extension on their sand from Canary. Here's
a video of out local heroes playing the track at South by Southwest. Hear these
harmonies for yourself. You won't regret it.
And
that chorus? Every time I hear it, those "diddle-a-dee's" get stuck in
my head in the best way possible. So damn catchy!
These
Columbus rockers opened up the Saturday at Nelsonville for me, and boy howdy,
did they win me over. They were recently named one of the "10 Ohio Bands You Should Listen to Now" by Paste, and I can see why. Their brand of alt-country is performed well. Think Wilco, perhaps.
Anyways,
I firmly agree with Paste because these guys are some of the best that Ohio has
to offer. Since they live in the C-Bus, I assume they play 'round those parts
all the time, and I've caught them in Athens once. So, seriously, before they
blow up, check 'em out. And start here, with their song "Midwest
Girl." I chose this one because, well, I am a Midwest girl. And, of
course, the song is great.
4.
Shivering Timbers
Not
a lot of things make me proud to be from the Akron area. In my opinion, it's
just not the most exciting city. What I DO love about Akron, however, is the
wonderful music that sometimes comes out of my nearest hometown city. Of
course, we have The Black Keys. But, as I discovered this weekend, we also have the Dan Auerbach-approved (and produced) Shivering Timbers.
When
they performed at Nelsonville, the band just featured a stand-up bass, guitar
and drums, but that was more than enough. They ranged from slow songs with rich
harmonies to more boot-stompin' up-tempo numbers. I guess the theme of this
post is "see these bands live like I did," but do it. If nothing
else, they feel like they're on the rise. And don't you wanna say you saw
someone before they hit it big?
Check
out the end of their Nelsonville performance here. And if you look real
close and believe in yourself, you can see my boyfriend and me leaving the
field at the end of the video. Bonus!
5.
Hope For Agoldensummer
If I were in a band, I think it would be exactly
like Hope For Agoldensummer. These sisters have the best stage presence (mostly due to their quirky personalities) which was highly enjoyable. For example: their
set included a song they wrote for a free Baby Ruth at a corn maze, full of
ridiculous puns. So, yeah, Hope For Agoldensummer are right up my alley.
More
importantly, though, they have beautiful harmonies that are a charm to listen
to. Their cover of Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody?" showcases both
their vocal abilities and their quirky personalities. And, yes, it includes a
rap. Don't mind my obsession.
These guys won my award for the most interesting set of Nelsonville
this weekend. They're a punk rock marching band, if you can believe such a
thing exists. And holy crap, were they fun. They were loud, they were rude and
they were on point. And not on point in the way of high school marching band,
where you had to be perfectly in line. They were just mad talented. Their live
sets ain't your grandma's classical music concert, let me tell you that.
If
you ever get a chance to see them at a festival like Nelsonville, do it. They
sound weird, and maybe they are, but it's a weird that works. It's rude, it's
loud and it's marching band. Plus, their cheerleaders might be some of the most
badass chicks I've ever seen.
7. "Bein' Green"- Andrew Bird
I
knew Andrew Bird was immensely talented when I saw his headlining set Saturday
night, but that was kind of all I knew about him. His performance was full of
smooth violin playing, strong vocals and whistling. Yeah, apparently Andrew
Bird is a world-class whistler. I didn't know that.
Since
I can appreciate Mr. Bird, but am not necessarily a fan, my favorite part of his
set was his cover of this Kermit classic. It comes off the album that
accompanied the recent Jason Segel-penned Muppets movie. This track perfectly
captures the sadness and emotion of the song, and of course, it features that
wonderful whistlin' and fancy fiddlin'.
8.
Shovels & Rope
As I mentioned, Nelsonville is the perfect place to
discover a new favorite band. And for many at this year's festival, that new
favorite band was Shovels & Rope. They had a twang and a big personality,
which won over pretty much everyone who saw them, including myself.
Comprised
of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, Shovels & Rope have one album full of
backyard string instruments, tambourines and their controlled, strained voices.
Will they be the next big thing in alt-country? It's hard to say, but they
definitely could be. Check out their rockin' song "Gasoline" and
judge their dirty, down home sound for yourself.
9.
"When I Was A Mockingbird" - Matt Bauer
I interviewed Mr. Bauer
for our website last week, and first off, he's a lovely fellow. Secondly, he's
immensely talented. His soothing voice mixed with gorgeous guitar and banjo
instrumentation makes for some haunting, yet beautiful melodies. In
preparations for my interview, I listened to Matt Bauer a bit, but then I
couldn't stop...
My personal
favorite track of his was this one, off of his latest album The Jessamine
County Book Of The Living. Just listen to that banjo! Listen to that
whisper. Is it hyperbolic to say it's perfect?
Unfortunately,
he didn't play this song when I was lucky enough to catch him at the No-Fi
Cabin, but his set was a perfect way to wind down for an hour. And if you ever
get the chance to catch this guy, do so.
10. A Wasteland Companion -M. Ward
Because
I am a fangirl, my favorite performance of the weekend was the closer, M. Ward.
I gotta give it up for the guy, he puts on one of the better live shows I've
ever seen. A lot of his energy came from the tracks he performed off his latest
record, A Wasteland Companion, which is why I have to recommend it for
ya.
Though
much of the album is typical M. Ward fare, he picks it up at several points. A
highlight for sure is "Me And My Shadow," which Ward performed about
halfway through his Nelsonville set. It's probably his most rocking song to
date, and will get your body grooving. In general, check out his latest album,
but here's that sampling for ya.
For this Exec Recs blog, I really don't have an overriding theme that links all of my recommendations, so it's going to be a smorgasbord of all kinds of musical greatness for you to enjoy. Grab your silverware, tuck that napkin into your shirt collar and get ready to dive in. 1. Lobsterfest 2012 How could I book a music festival and not recommend that everyone be in attendance? Lobsterfest is an annual music festival put on by ACRN at the end of each and every spring quarter, and this year, we'll be carrying on that tradition with over 20 great bands across three days! With so many bands, it's impossible to give a sample of each and every artist appearing at the festival, but enjoy these two clips of this year's co-headliners, Pujol from Nashville, TN and Xray Eyeballs from Brooklyn, NY.
For the full Lobsterfest lineup, visit the Facebook event at: http://www.facebook.com/events/281329951958403/ 2. Pariso I ran across Pariso where I discover 99% of the new music I listen to nowadays -- Bandcamp. I've found a whole mess of great hardcore bands browsing around there and Pariso is a recent find that I really like. They remind me a lot of another one of my favorite bands Norma Jean, and they could especially be compared to Norma Jean on their O' God, the Aftermath album. They've got a real simple style with few frills and it definitely works well for them.
3. Chiodos
Chiodos wasn't just my favorite band when I was in high school;
it was more of an obsession. I saw them live with some of my friends when they
were on tour with From First to Last, Every Time I Die and Atreyu, among
others. Eventually, both the drummer Derrick Frost and their frontman
Craig Owens were removed from the band, which was quite a big deal for me. They
just announced that they have made up and gotten back together and I'm beyond thrilled
to hear the news. I definitely recommend their album Bone Palace Ballet,
which in my opinion is a post-hardcore masterpiece.
4. Regina Spektor Singing in Russian Regina Spektor is one of my favorite artists, and of course I knew she was born in Russia and came to the United States with her family when she was young. I grabbed up her 7" Record Store Day release, "Regina Spektor Sings Two Bulat Okudzhava Songs In Russian" and it's incredible. You'll see for yourself in the clip.
5. Child Bite This band is nothing but awesome. The music is great, their live show is great, their new 10" "Monomania" is great -- they're just great. If you get a chance to see them, DO IT because you won't regret it. Shawn Knight and company stopped through Athens earlier this year for an ACRN show and played a killer set. Spending a little time with them was loads of fun. Shawn also makes some of the best screen printed artwork I've ever seen, so check out his website full of great screen prints.
Comrades, Rock Lobsters and intrepid Googlers, welcome to my first ever Exec Rec posting. As Matt Wesley’s former protégé, I now make it possible for you to hear ACRN.com in all of its glory. Now, here’s some cool nonsense:
1. The Blues Begins. Mondays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. General Manager Ben Haager and myself kick off the ACRN DJ week with a radio show dedicated to the blues. Here’s some shameless plugs for it: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr.
2. I was lucky enough to come across this gem back in high school. This girl looks like she’s about 15, but I assure you she has killer pipes and guitar-picking prowess. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a blues-infused Michael Jackson cover. Thank me later.
3. The Lonesome Crowded West - Modest Mouse. If you’ve been listening to the ACRN airwaves over the past few weeks you’ve probably heard this album (possibly in its entirety) a few times. That’s because it’s my go-to whenever I’m fixing technical difficulties. Sorry, Belle and Sebastian (our old “we’re fixing the station” hold music), but it was time for a change.
4. I’m Not There. This innovative film from back in 2009 portrayed my main man (Bob Dylan) as six different characters that all embody a different aspect of his legendary personality. This clip is really cool in particular because it gives you a good glimpse of the film as a whole. As a side note, the actor portraying Bob as the poetic and wry narrator incarnation in this scene is named Ben Whishaw and he has also portrayed the poet John Keats, whom I recommend as well.
1. Count Your Lucky Stars Records might be my favorite current record label. Scratch that. It is. They recently signed Ann Arbor, MI-based emo/math outfit Brave Bird and released their 2010 EP Ready Or Not for free digital download. RIYL: This Town Needs Guns, Brand New and anything else that rocks. The first track, "Scared Enough", might be my favorite. It's a cathartic experience to say the least.
2. The dude on campus who sells Buddhist books (or whatever practice they are) stopped me yesterday and asked for "help," which means that he wanted me to buy his books. "No thanks," I said. I thought to myself how weird it was that he phrased it as "help." Because buying books doesn't really help him. I mean, it can help him, but I don't know how it can help him. This musing is going nowhere. I was listening to John K. Samson's "Grace General" which appears on his latest release Provincial. Weird album for spring, but can there be a more brilliant singer/songwriter? I don't think so. And if we disagree, go listen to Left and Leaving. As I left Buddha Man, he mumbled, "You didn't look like the type that would help." Yeah, probably not.
3. The past couple days have been a mix of good and bad for the LGBTQ community. Against Me!'s lead singer, formerly as Tom Gabel, revealed to the nation his decision to begin life as a woman. Obama and Biden have come out in support of equal rights for gays and North Carolina voted for the abolishment of gay marriage as well as civil unions. Regardless of how you stand on the issue, I think we can all agree that a human is a human and that hate-speech is unacceptable. Rise Against's lead singer Tim McIlrath recently wrote an essay on language and homophobia in the music community for Alternative Press. And even though they're now branded as a radio-rock band, I have to say, McIlrath is a pretty smart guy. They released a music video for "Make It Stop (September's Children)" a while back that echoes his essay's call to drop words like "gay" and "fag" from our language. It's by no means my favorite song by Rise Against, but it is a powerful video.
4. I love Nervous Energies' sessions. I love Title Fight. As a wise Twitter celebrity by the name of @JADEDPUNKHULK said, "HULK JUST THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH MORE AWESOME TITLE FIGHT BE ONCE THEY GET OVER PUBERTY." I mean, yeah, that's kind of true. The more important point is that they're a.) young, b.) talented and c.) destined for greatness. They're like Lifetime's younger brother. Back to business. Nervous Energies is like the Daytrotter of emo/punk/pop-punk/math-rock music. Lifetime's singer/guitarist Jamie Rhoden played a couple songs acoustic for the session a few days ago. Check out this stripped-down version of "Shed."
5. I'll leave Right Away, Great Captain!'s newly released single to be covered by our Editorial Director Hannah Cook. She loves that dude. Instead, I'm going to plug my favorite Lobsterfest band and, in a way, unofficially announce that they will be playing Lobsterfest. If you're unaware, Lobsterfest is ACRN's annual music festival. Word has just gotten back to me that indie-punk act Reading Group from Louisville, KY has officially been booked for the festival. Check out the video for "Holy Kisser." There's a lot to love about the song. It's catchy. It's cute. It's fun. It's all around a good time even though it kind of makes people want to have a flashing light-induced seizure. Nonetheless, I can honestly say that I'm really excited to see Jamie Prott and company here in Athens for Lobsterfest. We should all get a drink together.
Check out the other main headliners, too! Pujol and Xray Eyeballs. They are both extremely accomplished and extremely awesome. I say we all grab a drink.
I love Spotify. No chance of downloading viruses. No limited number of skips. All you have to deal with is a couple of ads and you’re good to go. I’ve made dozens of playlists, but these are the album playlists that make up the majority of my listening time.
1. Attack on Memory - Cloud Nothings
I had never heard of Cloud Nothings until this album began to show up in ACRN’s rotation. I instantly fell in love with this album not only because it was made by a couple of Clevelanders, but also because every song on the album is so diverse and could easily stand on its own as a great single. Literally every style of rock is explored in this album and I would say it encompasses the definitive college rock sound without overwhelming newcomers with too much experimentation. It is a must-listen.
2. Seasons In Verse - My Heart to Joy
I began getting into emo in high school and picked it back up in college. I’m not talking about that emo with the Mickey-Mouse-voice vocalist you hear for a year before the band vanishes without a trace; I’m talking about pure emotion surrounded by the raw sounds that hark back to the glory days of punk rock. This album encompasses both elements perfectly. The lyrics are so simple, yet the vocals and musicianship are filled with so much power that you can find at least one song to relate to even if you have no idea what the song actually means. It's the perfect album to come back home to after a long day at the office.
3. Dive - Tycho
Techno and synthesizers have always held a special place in my heart. When I first heard this album, I thought it was good, but I thought it was a one-hit-wonder kind of a deal.
Big mistake.
Not every person will like Dive because of its ambient sound, but if you’re looking for a trip into the wonders of rhythm, sounds and beats, it's something you need to listen to at least once in your life. Each arrangement is unique and Tycho takes you on a catchy ride that encompasses the laid-back side of techno. If California had a soundtrack, this would be it.
4. Cherish the Light Years - Cold Cave
If you took the '80s synthesizer sound, added a touch of gloomy undertones and threw in a little eccentric personality, then you just created one of the greatest alternative electronic acts in the modern world.
When I first heard "Confetti" from this album, I was obsessed. I listened to it three or four times in a row and then annoyed my roommate by playing it three more times that night. As I kept playing Cherish the Light Years, I began to move away from the single and discovered a great electronic sound that emulates the best sounds and styles of the '80s while cutting away all the crap and cheesiness of the decade.
If you’re looking for a nice technological sound without constantly pulsating bass and lyrics that consist of more than repetitions of three word phrases, then this is the album for you.
5. El Ten Eleven - El Ten Eleven
The name of the game here is musicianship, and these guys are masters.
Lyrics aren’t always needed to create emotion. Rather, one just needs guitars, bass, a drum set and a good sense of how to arrange the clashing sounds together to create a mood.
El Ten Eleven's self-titled is the kind of album that builds up to a dynamic sound with the melodic tuning and simple chords of a guitar, a smooth bass line and a simple drum rhythm that never overpowers.
Each instrument is given equal treatment and what results is a collection of beautiful arrangements that explore every human emotion without uttering a single word.
Exec Recs is a blog to which all 13 members of the ACRN Executive Board collaboratively contribute.
Here, you can find each of the ACRN Execs’ music-related recommendations at the moment.
Sometimes it’s silly, sometimes serious, sometimes throwback, sometimes brand spankin’ new. Exec Recs is all about musical musings and miscellany we currently dig – and think you should check out, too!
