What Wolves Would Do

Brother Andy, Frown Pow'r and The See

A few weeks back, I got to see a night of great Arkansas punk-rock at Smoke & Barrel, which I blogged about here, complete with a link for a free compilation CD for you to download. To end that night, the fantastic up-and-coming Little Rock band, Magic Hassle, rocked the stage. Playing lead guitar with Magic Hassle that night was the See's, Eric Morris. Let's just say I was wowed by his talent that night, so when I heard the See were coming to Fayetteville this past weekend, I was stoked.

Last Saturday night, Magic Hassle were supposed to come back up to Fayetteville, but had to cancel last minute. No matter because we still got to hear great music from other Little Rock bands, Brother Andy, Frown Pow'r and the See. Click 'em to visit their MySpace page.

Brother Andy, who was just Andy, a mic and his guitar, sat his flannel-shirted gritty self on the edge of the stage and stayed there for his entire set. There's just something pure about a man, a guitar and his voice singin' at ya.

Frown Pow'r was up next. With an upbeat, almost 1950's rock-and-roll sound at times, they brought the crowd in and the house down. Big energy and sound, that Frown Pow'r. Check them out, too. Oh, and congrats to their drummer, whom they announced that night was just accepted to Harvard. Kudos, man!

And then, the See closed us down for the night. It was worth the wait to get to hear them live. They sounded coherent, if that makes sense, with each band member absolutely rocking their instrument of choice. Yet, when they played together, they seemed, well, seamless. Have a listen to their song "Selling Gold" below. The sound quality isn't the best, but have a listen anyway.

This band has big talent and great sound. I predict that you all will hear a lot about and from the See in the future. Be looking for them and go see them live if you have the chance. I know for those of you who don't live in Arkansas, that's sort of a hurdle, so, go check their MySpace, linked above, and buy their CD. Trust me on this one. And, happy Music Monday.

Chunk of Change Goodness; Passion Pit

This is from Passion Pit's album, Chunk of Change. The whole album, six songs, is incredible. Dig "Better Things" here. Happy, happy Music Monday, all.



And also from that record, have yourself a listen to "I've Got Your Number".



And to close this post down, "Live to Tell the Tale".

Neko Case - Magpie to the Morning

Lisa Hannigan

This is Lisa Hannigan's album Sea Sew. Take a listen to this sweet song, "Lille". I just put together a play list and burned a CD for a friend who is on bed-rest due to a complication in her pregnancy, and this is on it. Thought y'all'd like to know about it too. Just for the record, I would really like a sweater with this dice patch conglomeration somewhere on it.

A Hibernation of Sorts

Hey kids. Well, I'll say this -- Music Monday has been a good time for me this summer. I hope a few of you learned something, heard something or were inspired to do something cool because of it. And, Music Monday won't be gone forever and ever. I figure there will be something that strikes me that is too good to keep to myself and so I'll be back. However, just like a bear looking around for the perfect place to sleep a while, I think I might be doing the same.

Until next time, I'll share about a blog that I like to try to read with all of you so you can go get some inspiration and love from someone who knows more than I do. Heather Browne's blog, "I Am Fuel, You Are Friends" always has great information about artists old and new, great links to check out and even free downloads from time-to-time. She knows what's up and I'm not going to lie, sometimes, I wish I had her life. Go check it.

What a summer, eh? There is just this huge part of me that would love to time-warp back to June. June was great. Know what I mean? I mean, I have no idea where July and August went. Good grief. Anyway, come back by every now and then to see if anything fresh and new makes its way here? I'd love it. Thanks to the Faithfuls. You were great and I'll miss ya. Out for now.

Homegrown Goodness and I Ain't Talkin' Tomatoes: The Good Fear

I got to see the Fayetteville-based band, The Good Fear, rock it live a few weeks back. They are a crowd-drawing favorite around here and it's easy to see why. Spilling out onto floor the night I saw them, because the venue stage was a squeeze to fit this six-man band, in my opinion, just made the show all the better. It felt like I was packing into someone's garage back in high school to hear something good with good friends. My only complaint about their performance that night is that is was just too short.

"Dear Daniel" drew us all in for the "nah, nah, nah's" and just about half-way through at the three minute-mark, the fellas really start to rockin'. Fans just seemed to know "The Way You Were" was coming and when it was time to clap along, you bet that crowd knew what to do. If you have a chance, roll out for a live show. You'll be glad you did.

The original band started back in 2004 with Zach Holland (vocals, guitar, piano), Jason Rich (lap steel) and Tim Campbell (Drums). Holland said at one point during the band's beginning, they actually had five other members. Those members have since left and Todd Gill (vocals, guitar), Bryan Brown (bass) and Dustin Bartholomew (piano, guitar, backing vocals) joined up in 2006. Holland said of their new record, Dirty Lowdown Adventure, "... [they] got all of the old members to contribute to the new record though, so it's kind of like we have ten or twelve members."

Before this six came to be, many of the guys were touring with other bands such as, White Whale, Matt Suggs, Lucero, All American Rejects, New Amsterdams and Skirt. Holland said, "We decided that we weren't cut out for the road life, so we thought we'd make a fun little home-town band." And, we're so glad they did.

Best way to get to know The Good Fear? Ask about 'em:

Q: Describe your sound ...
A: I usually evade this question by saying we play melodic rock 'n roll. We have been called "southern rock," and I'm beginning to warm up to that description. At first I didn't like it because it implies Skynard or Allman Brothers ... good bands, but not bands we resemble much. I think people call us southern rock because we have a lap steel player, but it seems like people are opening up to the idea that southern rock can grow outside of its traditional boundaries. If we can borrow the grime and ghosts of southern rock and take it in our own direction, then we will gladly wear that moniker.

Q: Who are some of TGF's major influences when it comes to music?
A: Holland said, "We are all over the board. We have six members now and we don't all agree on music. The records always come out a little schizophrenic because of this. I used to worry about not having a uniform "sound" for people to latch on to, but we are what we are: a clash of lovers of indie rock, country music, classic rock, folk, dance and pop. Instead of trying to convince somebody to conform to what the other one wants, we just allow the different tastes to collide and see what happens. One band that we all agreed about liking was the Zombies. We were all into the Zombies when we formed the band, and I think it influenced us some. To try to name a few others: Procol Harum, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Spoon, Wilco, Paul Simon. Pixies rule!

Q: What are some of TGF's favorite venues to play?
A: We still miss JR's, but Smoke & Barrel has done a good job of filling that void. That is our favorite place now. It's small and the people are in your face which is always better than playing a large room.

Q: What's your dream venue to play and where is it?
A: The Bowery Ballroom (NYC) is fun.

Q: What's TGF's favorite song to perform?
A: A song called "Heroes/Outsiders" from our first record. We close every show with it. Its one of those songs that everybody knows is coming, but it still leaves me completely exhausted after a show. I like to feel exhausted after a show. You feel like you did something. That song has a nice, intense energy that builds and releases throughout the song.

Q: What do you all do when you're not playing music together?
A: Eat a pizza.

Q: What's the last CD or download you purchased? Was it worth it/satisfied?
A: Not sure if I've ever downloaded an album. Last music I bought was a Bob Marley record, one of those old, non Tuff-Gong releases that seem like they were probably illegal but it has some great old songs. Last CD I bought was at a show. The Blue Hit, they were called ... really good folk band.

Q: Who does most of TGF songwriting, or is it a collaborative effort?
A: We have three principle songwriters: me, Jason, and Todd. Jason and Todd will write a song at home and bring it in virtually finished, and the rest of the band will dig into it and might completely change or it might come out pretty close to the original version. The rhythm section may go in the opposite direction of what was expected. Tim and Bryan work well together and they make efforts to do something interesting when the song allows. The best thing you can see happen in a songwriting session is to see the drummer and the bass player communicating with each other.

I (Holland) do most of the singing, so I have kind of adapted my approach to where I try not to have too much written ahead of time. I will have a part or two and let the band shape the rest. I write a lot of melodies on the spot. Sometimes Dustin will have a chord progression or part on the piano, and come into practice playing it. If the band catches on to it really quickly then I will just start making up melodies and shouting or mumbling words. About 10% of those become songs. We do a lot of joking around with improvised songs. Our practices often devolve into an attempt to play every genre we can name.

Q: If it was your last meal on earth (like you're on death row or somethin') and you could pick anything as your last meal, what would it be?
A: We'd eat a pizza.

The guys were nice enough to include a free MP3 of "Tools of Trade" for you all. Blogger, however, hates me and won't link it. If You'd like me to send it to you via email, I will kindly do just that. Contact me at wheresmymindmilton@gmail.com and I'll send it right on over. Special thanks to The Good Fear for making this an interactive Music Monday. Now go love on them and check 'em out.

The Pixies

I couldn't let this lil' Monday Music project of mine go without paying homage to the most shaping and influential band in my life to date. There are several bands that I love and attribute the way they played their music and wrote their songs to have shaped me. The foremost of all those bands that shaped me, for me, is the Pixies.

Thinking back, the reason they shaped me the way they did has a lot to do with timing, I believe. I first heard them in 1993. I was 14, maybe 15. Their chart-topping album Doolittle had been released four years before and I remember being so drawn to "Here Comes Your Man" the first time I heard it. In the flood of many lyrics I heard back then in that critical period in my life, I feel like the Pixies were instrumental in helping me to blindly smash my way out of adolescence.

Funny story (not then, but now, for sure): I, at a tender yet, not so tender 15-years-old, was blaring some Doolittle in my room one night and I guess my mother walked past my closed door and heard the tumultuous lyrics to "Monkey Gone to Heaven". So "concerned" she opened my door with haste and demanded I "turn that off" and "what is this song talking about" ... "did I really KNOW what that song was saying?" Next thing I know, my dad was knocking on the door. He was not quite the reactor that she is. His knock was always deliberate, without exasperation and I was worried he'd take it all away.

I opened the door. He calmly says, "Your mother tells me that this music you're listening to needs a listen to." He asks me to play "that song in question" for him. I turned around and walked as slowly as I could back to my jam-box and cued up screeching Frank Black, abrasively singin' about the after-life. During the one part I knew she'd come through that door about, I spoke up and tried to talk over it explaining what I thought the song meant. Obviously, I knew more than I was letting on.

When the song was over, he and I had a talk about music. I knew he was giving me slack. He didn't take my CD away nor had he ever taken any music away. Looking back now, he handled it perfectly. I think deep down we both knew we saw eye-to-eye about this topic of music.

I will say, I tried hard to think about what the Pixies lyrics were about from then on. The disturbed and even sometimes violent imagery in their songs did capture that period of my life pretty darn well. Looking back, I believe I allowed Pixies lyrics to speak for me at times. It was a new thing for me, to know music or prose and have it be able to be my voice. And that is why this band shaped me so. Few bands or songs have been able to genuinely speak for me to that depth since, like the Pixies did for me then.

If you listen to this band, realize that what you're listening to, this surf rock/punk style, was, in my opinion, as innovative and pioneering to modern alternative/indie rock in the late 80's/90's as the Beatles were to rock-n-roll in the 60's. I know, I know. That's a strong statement to compare someone to the Beatles, but a true one, I believe, only in the case of the Pixies. Radiohead, Nirvana, Beck, even Bono were said to all have been influenced by the Pixies sound and shake-your-head-because-I-gotta-hear-that-again songwriting of Frank Black.

I really would like to see the Pixies in concert, however, I'm totally disappointed as a fan. They are doing a 2009 Doolittle reunion tour. Of course only the biggest of cities get them. So greedy! Middle America gets the shaft once again. Another shaft? The Pixies recently released "The Pixies: Minotaur" Deluxe & Limited Edition box sets. That's great, you say? Well, the Deluxe Edition is $175.00 and the Limited (fully-packed and practically silver-lined) Edition Minotaur is a whopping $495.00. So, right now I can't imagine ever seeing them live or buying Minotaur Deluxe or Limited ANYTIME soon. I'm sure it's worth it, but c'mon guys!

This music is not for everyone. If I heard the Pixies for the first time today, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't attach or identify with them now quite like I did 15 + years ago. However, I do believe that this band that only put out five records in like five years, did more for music than most bands have or ever will do. Period.

So, do yourselves a favor and try to appreciate some genius. Check a few (or all) of these out:

"Where is My Mind" Look at all familiar to this little bloggity blog title?
"Here Comes Your Man"
"Hey"
"Gigantic"
"Wave of Mutilation"

Happy Music Monday all. Hope You're well. Check back next week too. I'm trying to get myself a little Q&A interview with a local band I'm a fan of. We'll see how things shake down. Out for now.

Homegrown Goodness and I Ain't Talkin' Tomatoes

There are some things in this life you just don't keep to yourself, especially if others can be moved by it. Of the highest on life's short list of things you don't keep to yourself to me? ... music. It's made for and meant to be heard. Know what I'm sayin'? So, for all y'all who aren't privileged enough to be from or live in Arkansas, I'm here today to love on y'all and give you a taste of some of our homegrown goodness when it comes to music.

The band I'd love to introduce you to today (if you haven't already heard them or read about them in this brief shout out in a previous post of mine) is Little Rock's Boondogs. Jason Weinheimer and Indy Grotto first met in college in the mid-90's and I'd venture to say that when they played their first show together all those years ago, they had no idea of the years of music to come. Just like many bands, successes and what were thought to be either failures or strokes of incredibly bad luck, couldn't keep the great sound they have from coming out. Little Rock's Max Recordings produced Boondogs' latest album, Take Shelter. Go check Max Recordings and their other talented bands out too while you're checkin'. And also, you can follow Max Recordings here on Twitter.

The steel guitar goodness, toe-tapping tempo and laid back bending of notes is captured in this YouTube video of Boondogs' "Things You'll Regret" here. To read a short bio about the Boondogs and for a list of their records and MP3's, click here. I hope to see them play here in a few weeks in Little Rock. Maybe I'll even see some of you there?

On Our Time Here, Our Legacy and Our Sunshine

This is not a typical Music Monday post. I'll admit that I've been a little scared to write this post. I think in my mind, I knew it could be a combination of two or three posts and it means a lot to me and so I procrastinated. Here I am though. If you keep reading, know that while writing this, my brain has been split between laundry, dishes, beans and cornbread for dinner and two crazy boys as I wrote this. It's not the most cohesive thing I've ever written, but, hang with me. And also, I reserve the right to edit it later when I have time, like I just did right now.

First off, let me say that nothing has been more humbling to me in my life than the following: grieving and parenting. I've written here before a little bit about my life, a little bit about my story. However, to catch the rest of you up, my Dad died ten years ago when I was a young woman of 20. Dad was 54. I had been overseas for the year and made it home 17 hours before he died. Even though the septic state I found him in was shocking to me in every way, he was still alive and I got to be there when he breathed his last breath.

I am told by many that knew him well and that know me that I'm like him. They also tell me that I favor his side of the family in looks and that I look like my grandmother, his mother. Just in recent years, looking back though, I see that our dispositions, passions and interests are very similar too. Both my parents like to read, like music and like people. Dad loved those things. So do I.

Being the mother of two and watching my oldest son grow into the constantly curious and beloved boy he is, I've been thinking lately about how I am impacting and shaping him for life, specifically when it comes to music since this is a Music Monday. It's no secret that I love it. I love hearing it, seeing it, and even occasionally making it. It was a priority in our house growing up. Dad would often pick a record perfect for his mood from his collection and play it for us, sometimes dancing my Mom around the room, even when she acted like she didn't like it. He took pride in cleaning his records, playing his records and telling the stories behind them. Those stories are some of my favorite memories of him.

I started thinking about all the major influences in my life, when it comes to music. The first and foremost influence was Dad. He taught me how to play "Green Onions" on the piano when I was maybe five. I had already been playing piano for a year by then. In the car, he would crunch his ice with his teeth and rap his right hand on the console between us to the beat, but especially to those songs that really got to him. I used to sit there and watch him feel it.

Dad really liked rock-and-roll. He was an even bigger Beatles fan than I am. He loved jazz and soul like Ray Charles and Dave Bruebeck. He was white, no doubt about it, but he had the soul of a brother deep down inside him. I think that's where I get it too.

Mom is a country girl through and through. When she drives up here for a visit, her car stereo is usually playing some country radio station. She likes old hymns, she likes Hank Williams and she likes Johnny Cash. She also likes the newer "pop" country. That's where I stop being able to hang with her. Dad couldn't handle the twang like she can. Folk, yes. Twang, no. I get that love of a simple folk song from her, I believe.

My sister is eleven years older than I am. She was a child of the 70's. That makes her an 80's teenage connoisseur of rock music. I get my knowledge and love of Billy Joel, the Police, the Carpenters, Tina Turner and Jane Fonda workouts, from her. Her high school boyfriend, Bob, worked at the record shop in the mall. He drove a Firebird and smoked Marlboro Reds. I always thought Bob was cool. My mom, did not.

And then, there's my brother. He got that same soul from Dad. He likes his music to thump and thump so loud you can feel it in your chest. I believe I was exposed to rap and hip-hop mostly from him. 2LiveCrew, NWA, RunDMC, Beastie Boys and Wu Tang Clan are all things I never would have heard, had it not been for him. While he likes his beat, he also is really well-rounded in liking old stuff, indie stuff and just good music in general. And, thank goodness for that. P.S. He totally wore a Starter jacket in junior high.

To keep with the family theme here, there are my two cousins, Amy and David. Amy was born in '74, my brother, Michael '76, David '77 and me '78. That made us all one year apart in school. Since I was the youngest of all of us, that gave me the perfect place to watch and listen when it came not only to music, but also when it came to life. They didn't mean to teach me through their successes and failures, but they did. I'm grateful.

We had a rare closeness for cousins. I've said this here before, but they were as close to me as brothers and sisters might be, can be, could be. Amy was the oldest of us younger four. When I was about 14, she gave me a tape with Willie Nelson, Bob Marley and some others that I can't remember now. "Whiskey River" had never taken my mind before Amy told me it could and later would. Life's journey took her down a punk rock road and toward the boys that like to skateboard. And, she married the best one alive. The rest of us kind of followed that way in some way or another. That too, the punk rock scene, shaped me and the music I listened to.

I remember David going through a phase of liking classic rock. I rode to Central High summer school with him every morning that one summer he went through that phase. We seriously rocked some Led Zeppelin in his maroon-colored CJ-7. It would play so loud, I couldn't even hear myself think. I just sat there in the passenger seat listening, trying to teach myself how to properly inhale a cigarette.

So, to bring this all back around to grieving and parenting - music. In Estonia, as I grieved the news of my Aunt Angie's advanced breast cancer diagnosis, the passing of friends Wade and Katy, and the news that I'd be coming home early from an experience I wasn't quite ready to leave - music. After the phone call, scrambling to get me packed through the night and on a plane the next day with a DiscMan full of new batteries, I switched planes in Copenhagen - more music. I got off that plane in Little Rock and was taken straight to the hospital and although jet-lagging, it was morning to me. I got all the courage I could to go into that ICU room and sit in the quiet with my unresponsive father. There was so much I was dying to tell him.

So, I did just that. Sitting bedside, holding his hand, I told him about my year. In between asking him to stay, I'd rest my forehead on his knuckles and then beg for him to stay. A nurse had come in and encouraged me to talk to him because they say that your brain is the last organ to go. I was convinced he could hear me. I am convinced that he heard me.

At one point I delicately pulled myself up toward him so as not to disturb all the tubes, and tenderly kissed his forehead. Please wake up I begged and prayed. I wanted to put my face right next to his and keep it there, but I was afraid of hurting him somehow so I didn't. So, I sat back down in my chair in disbelief that this was happening. In the early hours of the morning, I sat close by his bed and sang to him a thing that he would sometimes say to me whether as a goodbye or signing off in an email. I sang to him, "You Are My Sunshine."

If you click that link, it takes you to Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan's duet of this classic. That picture of the record above is a gloriously old two-sided Johnny Cash record. It was my dad's.

It's hard to write this. I hope that Y'all would understand and get from this how precious this life is. I had 20 years with that man who called me his Sunshine. That's not near long enough, but in those years under his wing, he left a distinct mark on me, a stamp of a very real thing that was born out of what he was passionate about, his love of music. I can't complete this post without adding that his love of music spilled out into his faith. He served as a volunteer worship coordinator at his church until the very end. This picture is of him at church, serving, and was given to me by my cousin, Amy, in this frame she found.


Words don't do justice to how grateful I am for the legacy that was left for me through my father's life. While too short, I was certainly molded and blessed by it and was shown the importance of how precious life is. Thanks, Dad. Love and miss you. To pieces.

The Samples and a Rant about MTV

You know, I kinda feel sorry for the bands of the 1990's. Can you imagine if the technology that exists today had been around then? I was looking for some YouTube of the band, the Samples, for today's post and hard a hard time finding stuff. And, what I did find is pretty poor quality. There are SO many incredible 90's bands that just because they never went "mainstream" or didn't have the opportunity to be heard like bands today, were pushed to the side. The Samples are one of them. I don't think the Samples EVER made it on MTV. Ever.

Speaking of MTV. What the heck? When did MTV become so drenched in reality show filth and to me, a guide on to how to look, act and sound IDENTICAL to those around you? Kids, like what you like. Don't like what you don't like. Think for yourselves. What moves you? What touches your soul when it comes to music? Not sure or don't know what that is for you? Then find THAT out and be genuine about it.

Back in my day, I remember MTV showing actual music videos too. I can't remember the last time I saw a music video on MTV. Oh wait, yes I do. Thomas, my first-born was a baby and in the middle of the night when he'd wake up to eat, I'd feed him in bed and watch music videos without sound. Why without sound? Because that TV didn't have any. I would read the closed-captions on the music videos and sit there in silence, feeding my child. I never knew exactly what Gwen Stefani's song "Bananas" was saying until those late-night feedings. Why did we have that TV, you might be thinking? To read the news, weather and music videos in closed-captions in bed, of course.

Anyway, enough of that and onto the Samples. So, this band started in Boulder, CO, a LONG time ago, but now call Vermont home. They've had band members come and go through the years, but, Sean Kelly has remained the Samples front-man the entire time. I've always thought he looked a bit like Kurt Cobain. Anyway, I was having breakfast with a young friend, Kaitlin, in her early twenties recently and she was telling me about how much she had enjoyed hearing about Gillian Welch via this blog. So, that inspired me to give highlight here to more great music that kids of the 2000's may not be privy to, but need to know about to be well-rounded, none-the-less.

"Did You Ever Look So Nice" is one of my all-time favorite Samples songs. It was written around fifteen years ago. When I listen to it now, yep ... still good. The quality of this video is mediocre, it cuts the song off too (seeing this song live could last 10 glorious minutes) and the rigmarole I went through to get it here ... well, let's just say I love y'all. Oh, and be warned. These fans are dancers. Anyway, that YouTube video is meant to get you interested, so go listen to their MySpace (one of the links up there) and then, go to iTunes and buy one of their records. YES, the whole record. That's also what we did in my day. We bought the WHOLE dang thing.

Another thing: Sean Kelly plays private acoustic shows now. It's his life-blood. The band broke apart in the last few years and this is the way he makes his living. So, click that Sean Kelly name up there, buy some tickets to a show, buy a CD and maybe even a t-shirt if you like them. Don't go to Forever 21 just one time and you can help a brother and an incredible band out. I still rock my old-school Colorado license plate Samples tee with pride. LOVE the Samples. Hope you do too. Out for now.

It's a New Kind of Radio - Stations That Play Only Music You Like & Also; Panda Bear

We had weather here in Fayetteville this past weekend that one would honestly never expect in Arkansas in July. The mornings were almost cool, the days, even high with sun, 70's and low 80's. And, the most important part of what made this weather delightful: Almost NO humidity. To go along with this weather, this little gift from above, my Mom came for a visit. She came up Friday morning, so that meant I got to take a whole half-day to myself. In fact, practically the whole weekend was shaping up the same way.

Later than I'd expected, by the time she got here, I was starving, but I didn't eat, because I was waiting to go to Smiling Jack's, a local sandwich shop that has delicious food that's mostly organic and locally grown. They float huge orange slices in a clear glass cooler of ice water. Glasses are stacked next to it and you serve yourself. On your plate with your ordered sandwich? A slice of fresh pineapple and a pickled okra. They have free Wi-Fi, eclectic locals and most importantly, great music.

After ordering, I sat down at a table that was once an old door. On one side of this table are chairs. I sat on the other side, in the old church pew-looking bench next to an outlet and a plant with a spider in it. I pulled all my gadgets out and waited for my computer to boot up and my food to be delivered. While doing that, I hear an old favorite band from the 90's - Neutral Milk Hotel. The next band, Arcade Fire. Oh, this is going to be some good time, I think to myself.

The waiter, who also fixed my sandwich, brings my plate and I recognize him from the American Princes show last month. Most of the lunch crowd is gone by now. That waiter goes into a closet right beside me and the music cranks. I have to admit, I was trying to listen to a pod-cast while I ate, to maximize my time. I kept having to pull out my earphones because THE MUSIC was so stinkin' good. When the Pixie's "Where is My Mind" came on, I'd had it. How could they play so many of my favorites? How did they know? It was getting creepy now for me and for them because I was singing out loud.

Knowing the clock was ticking and I would have to get back for the second part of that Friday night, I forced myself to finish the pod-cast, which was also good, just in a different way. Maybe five minutes from the end of the pod-cast, "Wave of Mutilation" comes on. It's unmistakable to me, the first 30 seconds of this song. It's almost like I time-warped back to 1995 as I listen to it. This song, too, is by the Pixies and on an old tape of mine from high school I'd just found a couple weeks back. The slow version was the one playing. It's incredible. It's from Christian Slater's 1990's movie Pump Up the Volume.

I can't stand it any longer. I go to the front and ask the waitress, "Is this Pandora?" She said, "Yeah, it is. I saw you singing along. Pretty great, huh?" Busted! Caught me jammin'. Anyway, I said, "Yeah, it's incredible. Some of my favorite bands ever. What station is this?" "Panda Bear," she said. "Want me to turn it up?"

After that, I had to get outside. It was just too pretty not to. They have a patio that's awesome, but it was full and I didn't want to unintentionally eavesdrop. I wanted my mind to stay where it was. I dropped off my backpack in my car and walked to the Rose Garden that sits beside the Walton Arts Center. I find another bench. Sun shining down, earphones in, I listen to the Indie Elevator music I told y'all about last week and I write the first few of eleven pages I would write that weekend.

So, this is the place where I tell y'all about some music on some Mondays. And, today, I'm telling you about Panda Bear on Pandora. Check it out. Enjoy. Let me know what you think. Out for now.

Indie Elevator

Have you ever been in a place, not like physically, like in a state, where you desperately needed music, but not music that made you pour over each poetic line in the deepest of thoughts and feelings? In this place, have you ever found you can't listen to your trusted favorites either, because you'll sing along in your head and subconsciously rock out without meaning to. Classical won't do it because of the sometimes urgent rise and fall that takes you by surprise when you don't want it to. I have been in this place many times over the years whether studying in college, writing, reading, walking through the Tallinn streets, driving, just whatever, but I just really put my finger on what genre this place needs: Indie elevator music.

When you're feeling this way, you need a beat, but not the Beastie Boys. You have things to think about or something to read and the clock is ticking away at you. You need information to sink in. Things need to get processed. You need to get somewhere. Still with me?

Well, I think I can help if this is what you need. I first heard the band Ratatat on a local radio station, KXUA, oh, probably two years ago. I never caught the name of the Ratatat song, but, the beat was spectacular, the hook totally had me rapping my thumb on my console and after the song was over, I realized that I had just really enjoyed that. It was effortless too.

This weekend, I was around the house cleaning and I used my new friends, 3GS and Pandora, to help along my efforts. Now, Beastie Boys or Tribe Called Quest are usually great for this activity, however, with the impressionable little ears I had around, not. I tuned up some Ratatat on Pandora. What followed was just what I needed. Good, chill music with steady beat to keep me on task.

I have a sample of what I'm calling "Indie elevator" for ya. Here is Explosions in the Sky playing "First Breath After Coma" and after hearing it this weekend, I stopped, ran to the iPhone dock to see what it was and then to my desk to write it down. The first two minutes of the video begin with friends walking in the snow and the steady sound of heartbeat and high notes that keep you and make you wonder what they are. At 2:28, it lifts beautifully, coming all out to paint a hopeful place, a place you want to be.

As I watched this video, I wanted to play that table game with that grandfather. I wanted to paint that canvas and thumb through records and play guitar with my friends at a local music shop. I notice how the girl in the video playing guitar occasionally rests her pinky finger on the body of the guitar she plays almost like one might keep a finger on a page as a bookmark and I notice this because, I do that too, sometimes.

It reminds me of the days when all we had were cd's and stereos. On a school night before bed, you'd put just the right cd on, one that takes you out of your day's teenage angst and deposits you into your bed for rest and dreams, big dreams at that. I remember waiting for the hidden track you know is at the end of the cd, like on the thirteenth song, or something. Somewhere between listening and waiting for the instrumental hidden track, your mind allows disconnect, then sleep.

This music won't necessarily put you to sleep, but the way it made me feel, relaxed and pleased, is why I like to call it Indie elevator music.

Ironically, while writing this post, I received an email alerting me that someone had something to say on my Facebook wall. I went to check it and saw on my Home page, that a friend had posted a link to the exact band I was writing about. So, I thought I'd share the love here too. Here is a link to Amazon.com's offer to buy Explosions in the Sky's record, How Strange, Innocence for $1.99.

And if you're with me here with this need for some Indie elevator every now and again, here is a list of some bands you should go check out:

Ratatat
Explosions in the Sky
RJD2 (Their song, " A Beautiful Mine" is the theme song for the tv show, Mad Men and is retro/jazzy cool)
Kinobe
El Ten Eleven
Longwave
Matt Chamberlain

Music Monday, "Orphan Girl"

I first heard Gillian Welch waaay back when in my freshman year of college, the year I was piddling around and learning to play the guitar. One of the first "real" songs I learned to play on the guitar was "Orphan Girl." I loved that song then, but it's funny how a song can take on a whole new meaning and new depth to you personally as you live life. This happened to me yesterday, too, in the car on the three hour ride home from the lake.

My two boys had full bellies, were quietly looking out their windows at the lush greenery and I saw signs of heavy eyes. To encourage that slip into slumber, I scanned my iPod and remembered that the Garden State movie soundtrack was chill. A couple songs in, wonderful, quiet sleep. If you have that soundtrack, I encourage you to give her another listen. But ... THIS Music Monday post is about "Orphan Girl" so without further ado, here is a killer live performance of Gillian Welch's "Orphan Girl" with the incredibly talented David Rawlings at ACL Fest 2008. I saw them play together at George's back in 2001 here in Fayetteville and that simple show, at which I saw my then Psychology professor, remains one of my most favorite shows I've ever seen. I hope y'all enjoy it.

Orphan Girl

I am an orphan on God's highway
But I'll share my troubles if you go my way
I have no mother no father
No sister no brother
I am an orphan girl

I have had friendships pure and golden
But the ties of kinship I have not known them
I know no mother no father
No sister no brother
I am an orphan girl

But when He calls me I will be able
To meet my family at God's table
I'll meet my mother my father
My sister my brother
No more an orphan girl

Blessed Savior make me willing
And walk beside me until I'm with them
Be my mother my father
My sister my brother
I am an orphan girl
I am an orphan girl

Not Music Monday, But ...

... It is new release Tuesday.

While it's not Music Monday on Vaught Thoughts, I have a delightful exception to bring to you on this Summer Tuesday. Wilco's new album, "Wilco (the album)" drops today. Check here for a link to check them out. I'm downloading it to my 3GS as I type. As soon as it's done, I'll be checking it out with you. Also, if you're not familiar with the incredible band, Wilco, and would like a listen, go to their MySpace page here.

Also newly released:

Bjork - Voltaic
Moby - Wait for Me
Wu-Tang - Chamber Music
Levon Helm - Electric Dirt
Paul Simon - Questions for the Angels (single)
& for you 90's fans, Alice In Chains - A Looking In View (single)

Music Monday

Welcome! I'm so glad you all are here with me to kick off Music Mondays on Vaught Thoughts. So, I want to be up front and say that it will be a goal of mine to drop some tunes on some Mondays. Right here. Yes, this very place. However, don't hold me to EVERY Monday. Last week we had soccer camp. Today, we start swim lessons. And, when swim lessons are over, we venture into the world of reading with a program just for four-year-olds. Whew! And, in between all that, we are heading to the lake for a long weekend. A mini-vaca, if you will.

All that to say, I'll be here when I can. I hope you enjoy what makes its way here.

So, reading some other blogs about music, I stumbled upon this link to a compilation of some bands that I already knew I loved and was so excited to check the other bands out and download it for FREE! The album title, SUBPOP Cybersex Digital Sampler, is completely benign and has nothing to do with naughtiness. Trust me. And, also ... when you click the link, don't be worried at the very 1990's web design or that Paris Hilton bookends the header. I think they were just being cheeky when they put it all together.

Without further ado, here's the link and a list of the bands and songs on it:

1. Vetiver – Strictly Rule
2. Handsome Furs – I’m Confused
3. Mark Sultan – Hold On
4. Red Red Meat – Gauze
5. Obits – Pine On
6. The Vaselines – Son of a Gun
7. Fleet Foxes – Mykonos
8. Iron and Wine – Belated Promise Ring
9. Tiny Vipers - Dreamer
10. Zak Sally – Why We Hide
11. Fruit Bats – My Unusual Friend
12. Pissed Jeans – False Jesii Part 2
13. Grand Archives – Silver Among the Gold
14. Flight of the Conchords – Hurt Feelings
    

Hope you kids enjoy. And, let me know what you think! I love comments. They're good for my self-esteem. Out for now. I almost forgot! Here's a link to their MySpace page as well.