Stephen Kellogg: Such A Way

Stephen Kellogg (and the sk6ers):

Been awhile but Stephen Kellogg is amazing. Love rediscovering great music. Funny, his song "anthem of discovery" is also amazing but this song just gets me every time... it's beautiful lyrics and the show he puts on is pure love.

Such a Way

The girls in California, they all look the same to me

The way they take for granted living by the sea

They can be your best friends if you don't expect too much
The girls in California, well they all believe in love

I met this girl named Liz in a bar just south of here
She moved to New York City so that she could disappear
I told her she was beautiful and she thanked me for the words
I will never understand just how he got through to her

She moves in such a way
That people fall in love with her every single day
I can't say I'm immune, though I've been trying to find you
And I know she's out there somewhere today

The woman down the street from me, she's got this daughter 20 years
With a Sunkist smile that the winter won't go near
Her hips could shake a mountain and her lips could start a fire
And just like Nabokov, all these men walk by and as they do, they conspire

She moves in such a way
That people fall in love with her every single day
I can't say I'm immune, though I've been trying to cut through
All this lust and all this love in me

Then there's this girl from Greenwich, she stopped me in my tracks
She tells me when I'm wrong and she always makes me laugh
And of all the pretty women that I see everyday
She's the only who moves in such a way

She moves in such a way
That I still fall in love with her every single day
I can't say I'm immune, though I've been trying to show you
That you could have my heart, you could take my heart today
Darlin' you could have my heart, you could just take my heart away
Then she comes and she lifts me up every single day

Big Surrender

Big Surrender: Debut CD (Big Surrender)

So I just came back from California - was great to spend a few weeks visiting friends and interviewing for some jobs/residencies during my break from school/rotations.  I met this band (Big Surrender) through a friend of mine... so I went to their shows while I was out west.  I originally met Ryan (from Big Surrender) when he was in Waking Ashland, and this is his new band which was formed in Lawrence, Kansas.  Here are lyrics to a few of their songs, of which I will have to find some videos for your enjoyment soon.  Their CD is out right now on iTunes and they're also touring so you should try to catch them if they come to a city near you.    They are quite lovely and as such put on a lovely show :) 

Falling Over
Almost told you how I drove to see you,
But had to turn away, For fear of losing you
Against my choosing

I buckled in the wake
To take some time away
And be good to myself

So make it easy on me, 'Cause my arms are weak
From lifting you up from the depths of the sea

I'm falling, over and over
Falling, over and over the edge
Just to lift you up again

Called from far away
But overwhelmed by what you wanted me to say
So when you're missing him, remember how this all began

You faked it from the start
To tear this world apart
Regret the day I tried

So make it easy on me, 'Cause my arms are weak
From lifting you up from the depths of the sea

I'm falling, over and over
Falling, over and over the edge
Just to lift you up

Again, you want to fall in love like it's easy
But the push, the pull, will leave you all alone.

So be good to me, my arms are weak
From lifting you up from the depths of the sea

I'm falling, over and over
Falling, over and over
Falling, over and over
Falling, over and over the edge

Just to lift you up, 
Again.

My Love
I found no record of the path you took
And at the turning point, began to look back
I stuck it out for as long as I could
And waited longer than anyone should

And oh, my love, make it easy to let go
And oh, my love make it easy

You kept me waiting for a reason to stay
When subtle comforts were the easier way out

And oh, my love, make it easy to let go
And oh, my love, make it easy
And oh, my love, make it easy to let go
And oh, my love, make it easy

We were singin’ the same song
But forgot the words and had to hum along
Now you’re long gone but comin’ on strong

And oh, my love, make it easy to let go
And oh, my love make it easy
And oh, my love, make it easy to let go
And oh, my love make it easy

Sherwood: Gentleman of Promise

Sherwood

They are only one of the coolest bands I've discovered since living in Boston.  A fortuitous twist of fate a few years back landed me at a show about an hour away from Boston, slightly dive-y but a great night of music nonetheless.  They have a brilliant live show and really beautifully made albums.  Especially because I appreciate beautiful album artwork (!) What a genuinely great first album and rocking second one-both albums boasting tight instrumentals, harmonies, lyrics, catchy synth hooks, all of the above.  I can't wait to see what's ahead for this great band, based out of San Luis Obispo, CA.  They make me happy!  This song, "Gentleman of Promise" is one of my favourites from their first album. Go. Get. It. 

(sorry, no video today)

Gentleman of Promise

I've written letters to you on whitest paper,
But they all return to me a pale brown,
And I've tried to stand up to it,
But it all seemed kinda useless,
So I'm writing you this letter from the ground,

And if you see a gentleman of promise,
Stealing looks at you from there across the room,
And if your tired heart, it dances from exchanging second glances,
Don't hesitate to steal your glances too,

And I wanted to wait till the sun won't appear,
Making flowers and placing them over our ears,
But you are what you are, and I'm not very far along,

But something tells me there will come a time,
Tired of that back and forth affair that we've been through,
Thinking more than once it may be time for something new,
Suddenly you'll see him standing there across the room,
Staring at you,

And I wanted to wait till the sun won't appear,
Making flowers and placing them over our ears,
But you are what you are, and I'm not very far along,
And I'm not very far along,

And if your tired heart, it dances,
From exchanging second glances,
Please don't hesitate to put this letter down

Sugarcult: She's The Blade

Sugarcult

Originally one of my sister's favourite bands, Sugarcult's songs are infectiously rock-y and catchy.  They remind me of the All-American Rejects crossed with AFI and Green Day but with a bit less fanfare and teenybopper fawning overall.  Awesomely and shamelessly hook-laden guitar-rocking songs for the win.  Of course they are based in California (who isn't?) and they've become a common sight on the Warped Tour over the years.  This song was one of my original faves off their album "Palm Trees and Power Lines" and  I must say it was on my heavy rotation list at the IV room of the hospital I used to work at.  Good times in the hood, haha.

She's the Blade

Don't you make a move tonight, You can only stagger
Once shes got you in her sight, You're the one shes after

Shes the blade and you're just paper
You're afraid cause shes got closer
You're back-steppin and she's back-stabbing everything in your life

She stole everything your heart desired, Now you want it back
She stole everything your heart desired, Now you want it back

One by one you count the fights, Doesn't even matter
That shes got you by surprise, Misery's your master

Shes the blade and you're just paper
You're afraid cause shes got closer
Your back-steppin and shes out wrecking everything in your life

She stole everything your heart desired, Now you want it back
She stole everything your heart desired, Now you want it back

She stole everything, She controlled everything
She stole everything, She controlled everything

Shes the blade
Shes the blade
Shes the blade and you're the paper
Shes the blade and you're just...

Shes the blade and you're just paper
You're afraid cause shes got you closer

She stole everything your heart desired, Now you want it back
She stole everything your heart desired, Now you want it back

She stole everything, She controlled everything
She stole everything, And controlled everything

Epik High: Butterfly Effect

Epik High (aka Tablo, Mithra Jin, DJ Tukutz)

Dudes, Epik High is maybe one of my all time faves.  OK, so most (almost all) of their songs are exclusively sung/rapped in Korean but they are still awesome.  Their instrumentals/beats/rhymes are pretty unique and infectious either way.  

PS, the lead who goes by the name of "Tablo" went to Stanford and majored in english lit before apparently realizing that K-pop was the way to go -haha!   I joke, but while he was in Cali he really did grow his roots in the underground hip-hop clubs and make a serious name for himself before heading back overseas with Epik High.   Enjoy this lead track from their most recent release (titled Lovescream).   

The Butterfly Effect

All causes and all effects.
No college shit necessary to acknowledge it.
Some call it love and some call it sex. opposites.
Call it what you want, but with one touch and you’re gone, so call in sick.
Human politics, from whispered hushes and distant crushes.
Mental fits breakin’ pencil tips and inkin’ brushes.
Simple rushes.
God creates man, and this is the devil’s finishing touches.
From dukes to duchesses and kings to queens.
From dust to dust, this is the sinful theme.
The scene for crack fiends and gun-packin’ teens
High on vaccines, magazines and saccharine.
From dukes to duchesses and kings to queens.
From dust to dust, this is the sinful theme.
The scene for crack fiends and gun-packin’ teens
High on vaccines, magazines and saccharine.
Lovescream.

Jamie Cullum: Next Year, Baby

Jamie Cullum

I love Jamie, he's simply amazing and such a versatile artist.  Live show is a must; at a great show a few years back at the classic Orpheum, he covered jazz classics like "The Wind Cries Mary" among other songs... such as "Golddigger" and "One Thing".   This is one of my favourite songs from him - I believe it happens to be a Cullum original (he covers jazz standards frequently), although I have a feeling many of his other songs (covers or not) will find their way onto this blog at some point in time...  

Next Year, Baby
Next Year, Things are gonna change,
Gonna drink less beer, And start all over again
Gonna pull up my socks, Gonna clean my shower
Not gonna live by the clock, But get up at a decent hour

Gonna read more books
Gonna keep up with the news
Gonna learn how to cook
And spend less money on shoes

Pay my bills on time
File my mail away, everyday
Only drink the finest wine
And call my Gran every Sunday

Resolutions, Well Baby they come and go
Will I do any of these things?  The answer's probably no
But if there's one thing, I must do,
Despite my greatest fears
I'm gonna say to you
How I've felt all of these years

Next Year, Next Year, Next Year
I gonna tell you, how I feel
Well, resolutions, Baby they come and go
Will I do any of these things?  The answer's probably no
But if there's one thing, I must do,
Despite my greatest fears
I'm gonna say to you
How I've felt all of these years

Next Year, Next Year, Next Year

Aqualung aka Matt Hales: Brighter Than Sunshine

Aqualung (aka Matt Hales solo)

I love Aqualung - mellow and beautiful music with soaring melodies.  What can I say, I am a sucker for pianos and gorgeous boys, accent and all...  If you have a chance to see his stage show live definitely do it - he's on an intimate solo tour right now and it's probably one of the best shows I've been to.  Piano + this boy = music heaven.
So I can't embed this video since it's "official" from the Aqualung peeps, so you'll have to make do with a link to the youtube video

"Brighter Than Sunshine"
I never understood before, I never knew what love was for
My heart was broke, my head was sore
What a feeling

Tied up in ancient history, I didn't believe in destiny
I look up you're standing next to me
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, i don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine
And it's brighter than sunshine

I never saw it happening, I'd given up and given in
I just couldn't take the hurt again
What a feeling

I didn't have the strength to fight, Suddenly you seemed so right
Me and you
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun, sun, shine.

Love will remain a mystery
But give me your hand and you will see
Your heart is keeping time with me

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

I got a feeling in my soul ... [repeat chorus to end]