Carolyn's Recs: Guilty Pleasures I Don't Feel Guilty About

By: Carolyn Menyes, Traffic Director

I’ve always taken issue with the phrase “guilty pleasure.” If I like something, why should I be ashamed? I shouldn’t be. However, since I tend to identify myself within the indie rock genre, there are outliers that I really enjoy and that may surprise people. So, it’s time to let my embarrassing flag fly and make a list of the stuff I love that may not be deemed “cool” by the indie kids.

1. Katy Perry

I love this chick, straight up. I find Katy Perry’s music to be genuinely fun pop, and there’s nothing better to rock out to when I want to pep up my mood. Her movie, Katy Perry: Part of Me, was the only feature film I saw last summer, and the blend of live performances, documentary footage and colors made for a fun-filled experience. And the song “Wide Awake” was a heartfelt effort that perfectly summed up the breakup experience for not only Perry, but for millions of fans worldwide. And check out the video, it’s a real piece of art.

2. 30 Seconds to Mars

I saw 30STM my sophomore year of college, half as a joke to see Jordan Catalano sing and half as an excuse to see a good friend of mine at Kent State. What started off as something to get kicks turned into a genuine love for me. 30 Seconds to Mars and their music has really helped me through some tough times in my personal life in the last few years, and everyone needs a band that can help them feel from time to time. So, while they may not be conventionally cool, I’m proud to consider myself a fan.

3. "Want U Back" by Cher Lloyd

UHH! I definitely recognize this song is bad--it’s bratty, it’s got an annoying little vocal and it’s got that weird helicopter thing at the end. However, I think this song is catchy as all get out, and I’m a sucker for a killer hook (which this song definitely has). While many may lament the immature reaction the scorned Lloyd feels in this song, I think every old girlfriend has felt this. “Want U Back” is relatable, whether or not you want to admit it. Plus, this song really annoys my significant other, and I think that’s just funny.

4. "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber

Hate on this little dude all you want, but I think the Biebz is a genuine talent. He fulfills that void in teenage girls’ hearts that Aaron Carter left all those years ago. As he’s gotten older, he’s molded himself into a more mature pop star, and has been quite successful at it. Swaggy.

5. My Little Pony songs

This one may be the most conventionally embarrassing. However, every Saturday morning in the winter, Lord knows I looked forward to watching MLP and seeing what new songs Daniel Ingram had in store. There’s nothing else to say… these songs are catchy, innocent and cute. Just listen to “Winter Wrap Up” and tell me it’s not stuck in your head. This season’s “Babs Seed” was another musical highlight. Plus, look how cute these little fillies are! Adorbz.

And there goes my indie cred, if I ever even had any to begin with.

Carolyn's Recs: Best of the Fest

By: Carolyn Menyes, Traffic Director

If you've been keeping up with ACRN.com this weekend (or me as a person), you know that the 8^th 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!

3. Old Hundred

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.

6. Mucca Pazza



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.