Friday, December 25, 2020

Christmas Series #5: Stephen Day


Ahh...this feels right. Was just listening to this, and thought I needed to make sure I shared it on this here blog. 

This guy's discography is fantastic, so get on it. He's possibly a mix of Ben Rector, Gavin DeGraw, and more? This guy is so great... Please, just agree with me and move on.

Christmas is here. So this one just hits so. It really does, in every sense of the way that sentence ended. This song has been in my "Best of Christmas" genre ever since I heard it four years ago. 

It has these lyrics that make me smile just toomuch (re: ill-fitting sweaters). And feel toomuch, too (I'll let you decide which ones those are). 

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Christmas Series #4: Maggie Chapman

 


Well, it's about time I put some more diversity on here right?! Been too long. I love female vocalists/musicians, so...apologies for not being more inclusive during this Christmas season.. But, excuses excuses. Get to the good stuff! 

This is a treat here. Maybe got that Nashville country/singer-songwriter/sad/happy sound. She lives in Nashville (as far as I know), so maybe that encourages her sound, but it really works. I mean she's beautiful in every way, so what's not to like?!

On to Christmas. The first song I heard was this masterpiece, "Could've Been Summer," and so of course I started following her. The next year I heard "Make It Rain, Dear" and I thought, "Perfect, if I only I wasn't so single." 

But enough about those personal touches. "Could've Been Summer" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, for a number of reasons. Go give her a listen! 

Merry Christmas!!!!

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Christmas Series #3: William Fitzsimmons

 

I wish I didn't worry toomuch about word counts and so on because this man...what can be said in a short post about a guy that encouraged me with his art to consider a career in counseling?

 If that doesn't hype you up to listen to some sad/amazing songs...I'm not sure what will. 

Definitely of the mellow genre, Fitzsimmons writes incredibly raw. He's so good I put him in my top three artists of all time. So give him a listen, quick. 

His Christmas EP is a mix of covers and originals that you need to put in your earholes. Also quick. My favorite song from the EP is "Will Christmas Come for Me (O Child of God)" and I hope it brings you as much joy as it brings me every year I open it back up. 

As a dear friend said, "I love how musically it is with minimal instrumentation..." I'm telling you and so is my friend, listen to him. He won't ever disappoint and his newest album comes out in the new year. 2021 does have a lot of pressure on it, but this will certainly help alleviate the pressure. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Christmas Series #2: Ivan & Alyosha

 Somewhat of a throwback...re-uploading this with fixed links, and of course...it's CHRISTMAS TIME.

 
                                                      They are just smooth!                                        via

I'm sure you've heard of that now-famous group The Avett Brothers? Well, let me introduce you to something that's similar but with a little more of an indie twist! These guys know how to play some serious tunes with their folksy-indie-rocky sounds. Hailing from Seattle, they've released new music and you better get ahold of it!

They are absolute pro's at what they do and I find it unimaginable that they don't have a bigger following. 
They have quite a neat sound as noted already and it includes some amazing harmonies to great folk-rock guitars and drum beats. The vocalist is very prominent and can be heard easily over the instruments, but all in a way that smooths over nicely.

Enough with the chit-chat. It's time for Christmas. Their first Christmas song I found from I&A was this beauty, "Being Home for Christmas" and I had to track it down on Amazon... Now it's released to the masses, so go snag it and enjoy it.  

The lyrics while personal to the band (I imagine), seem to connect with me. Especially this year. There is going to be a stark difference this year, and I intend to be grateful for the memories I've had and the opportunity to make new ones in the future. 

I really hope you can go support this great group of indie goodness. They know what they're trying to play and they play it impeccably.

Merry Christmas!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Christmas Series #1: Andrew Belle

It's that "time of year again" and...this year, I wanted to share how much I love Christmas music. Please follow this blog closely as you never know what's gonna' show up on Tuesdays, Sundays, Fridays, Thursdays, Mondays, and other days too. Or don't. 

This is Andrew Belle

This guy..well, honestly.. I don't wanna' say toomuch about him. Just go check him out. 

Very much a singer/songwriter kinda' guy, but...what a voice. What a TALENT(s). He rules. This is the first song I heard from him, "In My Veins," but...it's Christmas. It's time to reveal one of my top FIVE Christmas songs of all time. 

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song that seems like everybody has done. I have about 14 versions in my library. You know what though? This is the only one you need.

He adds another layer of meaning to this song. He adds melancholy, yes, but..it's deeper. It seems to be riddled with hope, even if this year has been so tough for so many. Notice the slight/massive lyric change towards the end and tell me that doesn't inspire. 

UPDATE: He now has three total Christmas songs. Including two originals... "Whatever Happened to Christmas" is brand new, and this one from four years ago, "Back for Christmas..."SO good.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Heard of Brady Alan? Tell Your Friends and Your Mom!

This guy. Oh, what can you say? When you're proud to call him a friend, and he's just dropped a full-length album? 

Not convincing yet? Let me try again. This guy. He records, mixes, produces, and writes all of his own material. Sometimes even in that order!! Well, maybe not exactly. But still shreds on multi-different-instrumentations. He just knows how to do shtuff

Let's see here. Some of his songs might cause you to think of John Mayer (a major influence to Brady), or a different singer-songwriter that's in that vast (confusing) category. While other genius work might encourage you to think of bands like Two Door Cinema Club or Vampire Weekend. And maybe Electropop, and bedroom pop too? Or just simply, "Pop," whatever that is today. 

Honestly, if you're trying to categorize this man and put him in a box, pick someone else to hit play on. He's got funny songs, fun songs, cool songs, chill songs, quiet acoustic songs, loud electric songs, happy songs, and (my favorite) sad songs. 

Brady Alan you say? Yes, I say. Go give this dude a listen. He lives in Nashville with a host of people, but sure stands out (and shines) among 'em. His newest work is my favorite, and you can hear the effort and passion in it. Have fun, and keep listening!

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Are You Down Like Silver?

Back at it. Please, people, join in me supporting some more tunes that need to be heard by the masses!  


Found this duo a long time ago, and... I can't believe I haven't told this blog or hardly anyone about them! Have you heard of Peter Bradley Adams? What about Caitlin Canty? Well, if you have then you'll know you'll like these two. And if you haven't, join me. The water's fine.

This is one of those chill duos, that you can listen to anywhere. Maybe to wind down at the end of the day, or maybe when going on a long night drive. 

Maybe a little of that Novel Ideas sound, or Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors (Nashville country?), but his more chilled library. I can't get enough of them and hope you can't either. 

Good news? They released a new song earlier this wild year, so give it a listen! "Against the Night" quite honestly nails their sound pretty well, but seek out all their music, it's worth it.