Talking about Mumford & Sons this morning reminded me of how much I loved this song I heard the other day. The Lumineers have that same bluegrassy-country-rock feel like Mumford and The Avett Brothers while having their own distinct style for that genre. Def wanna hear more from these guys.

The Fate of the Turtle

In a very hot country, far away to the east, was a beautiful little lake where two wild ducks made their home, and passed their days swimming and playing in its clear waters. They had it all to themselves, except for a turtle, who was many years older than they were, and had come there before them, and, luckily, instead of taking a dislike to the turtle, as so often happens when you have only one person to speak to, they became great friends, and spent most of the day in each other’s company.
All went on smoothly and happily till one summer, ‘when the rains failed and the sun shone so fiercely that every morning there was a little less water in the lake and a little more mud on the bank. The water-lilies around the edge began to droop, and the palms to hang their heads, and the ducks’ favourite swimming place, where they could dive the deepest, to grow shallower and shallower. At length there came a morning when the ducks looked at each other uneasily, and before nightfall they had whispered that if at the end of two days rain had not come, they must fly away and seek a new home, for if they stayed in their old one, which they loved so much, they would certainly die of thirst.

Earnestly they watched the sky for many hours before they tucked their heads under their wings and fell asleep from sheer weariness, but not the tiniest cloud was to be seen covering the stars that shone so big and brilliant, and hung so low in the heavens that you felt as if you could touch them. So, when the morning broke, they made up their minds that they must go and tell the turtle of their plans, and bid him farewell.

They found him comfortably curled up on a pile of dead rushes, more than half asleep, for he was old, and could not venture out in the heat as he once used.

‘Ah ! here you are,’ he cried; ‘I began to wonder if I was ever going to see you again, for, somehow, though the lake has grown smaller, I seem to have grown weaker, and it is lonely spending all day and night by oneself !’

‘Oh ! my friend,’ answered the elder of the two ducks, ‘if you have suffered we have suffered also. Besides, I have something to tell you, that I fear will cause you greater pain still. If we do not wish to die of thirst we must leave this place at once, and seek another where the sun’s rays do not come. My heart bleeds to say this, for there is nothing — nothing else in the world — which would have induced us to separate from you.’

The turtle was so astonished as well as so distressed at the duck’s speech that for a moment he could find no words to reply. But when he had forced back his tears, he said in a shaky voice:

‘How can you think that I am able to live without you, when for so long you have been my only friends ? If you leave me, death will speedily put an end to my grief.’

‘Our sorrow is as great as yours,’ answered the other duck, ‘but what can we do ? And remember that if we are not here to drink the water, there will be the more for you ! If it had not been for this terrible misfortune, be sure that nothing would have parted us from one whom we love so dearly.’

‘My friends,’ replied the turtle, ‘water is as necessary to me as to you, and if death stares in your faces, it stares in mine also. But in the name of all the years we have passed together, do not, I beseech you, leave me to perish here alone ! Wherever you may go take me with you !’

There was a pause. The ducks felt wretched at the thought of abandoning their old comrade, yet, at the same time, how could they grant his prayer ? It seemed quite impossible, and at length one of them spoke:

‘Oh, how can I find words to refuse ?’ cried he, ‘yet how can we do what you ask ? Consider that, like yours, our bodies are heavy and our feet small. Therefore, how could we walk with you over mountains and deserts, till we reached a land where the sun’s rays no longer burn ? Why, before the day was out we should all three be dead of fatigue and hunger ! No, our only hope lies in our wings — and, alas ! you cannot fly !’

‘No, I cannot fly, of course,’ answered the turtle, with a sigh. ‘But you are so clever, and have seen so much of the world – surely you can think of some plan ?’ And he fixed his eyes eagerly on them. Now, when the ducks saw how ardently the turtle wished to accompany them their hearts were touched, and making a sign to their friend that they wished to be alone they swam out into the lake to consult together. Though he could not hear what they said, the turtle could watch, and the half-hour that their talk lasted felt to him like a hundred years. At length he beheld them returning side by side, and so great was his anxiety to know his fate he almost died from excitement before they reached him.

‘We hope we have found a plan that may do for you,’ said the big duck gravely, ‘but we must warn you that it is not without great danger, especially if you are not careful to follow our directions.’

‘How is it possible that I should not follow your directions when my life and happiness are at stake ?’ asked the turtle joyfully. ‘Tell me what they are, and I will promise to obey them gratefully.’

‘Well, then,’ answered the duck, ‘whilst we are carrying you through the air, in the manner that we have fixed upon, you must remain as quiet as if you were dead. However high above the earth you may find yourself, you must not feel afraid, nor move your feet nor open your mouth. No matter what you see or hear, it is absolutely needful for you to be perfectly still, or I cannot answer for the consequences.’

‘I will he absolutely obedient,’ answered the turtle, ‘not only on this occasion but during all my life; and once more I promise faithfully not to move head or foot, to fear nothing, and never to speak a word during the whole journey.’

This being settled, the ducks swam about till they found, floating in the lake, a good stout stick. This they tied to their necks with some of the tough water-lily roots, and returned as quickly as they could to the turtle.

‘Now,’ said the elder duck, pushing the stick gently towards his friend, ‘take this stick firmly in your mouth, and do not let it go till we have set you down on earth again.’

The turtle did as he was told, and the ducks in their turn seized the stick by the two ends, spread their wings and mounted swiftly into the air, the turtle hanging between them.

For a while all went well. They swept across valleys, over great mountains, above ruined cities, but no lake was to be seen anywhere. Still, the turtle had faith in his friends, and bravely hung on to the stick.

At length they saw in the distance a small village, and very soon they were passing over the roofs of the houses. The people were so astonished at the strange sight, that they all — men, women and children — ran out to see it, and cried to each other:

‘Look ! look ! behold a miracle ! Two ducks supporting a turtle ! Was ever such a thing known before !’ Indeed, so great was the surprise that men left their ploughing and women their weaving in order to add their voices to their friends’.

The ducks flew steadily on, heeding nothing of the commotion below; but not so the turtle. At first he kept silence, as he had been bidden to do, but at length the clamour below proved too much for him, and he began to think that everyone was envying him the power of travelling through the air. In an evil moment he forgot the promises he had made so solemnly, and opened his mouth to reply, but, before he could utter a word, he was rushing so swiftly through the air that he quickly became unconscious, and in this state was dashed to pieces against the side of a house. Then the ducks let fall after him the stick that had held up their friend, and which was of no further use. Sadly they looked at each other arid shook their heads.

‘We feared it would end so,’ said they, ‘yet, perhaps, he was right after all. Certainly this death was better than the one which awaited him.’

[From Les Contes et Fables Indiennes. Par M. Galland, 1724.]

Well hello there summer. October 1st and Indian Summer rolls into the bay area right on schedule. It was so nice and warm all day and night yesterday. Had the windows open all night. God I love living here.

It’s an Indian Summer and everybody feels good.

Stop being a wuss.
Man up.
Have faith in yourself.
In your heart you must trust.

Your life is yours to mold. What are you gonna make out of it?

I pretty much love Nelly Furtado. And especially her hit Say It Right. So when Bloc Party (another fav band) decided to cover it… I kinda lost it. It’s as dancey/fun as the original but it’s sure alright with me.

Was talkin to my friend Matt this morning about Beth Orton (who I absolutely adore). And I realized that this song I’m currently in love with is kinda like a young Beth. Julia Dales does her own band folky rock songs which incorporate beats. But unlike Beth who relies on other band members to play the beats or add them during production, Julia beat boxes!

She beat boxes and loops them and plays guitar and sings over it. And she’s a teenager who does this shit in her bedroom. Can’t wait to hear more from her till then, here’s Julia performing <i>’Her Angry Song’</li> live in her bedroom.

There’s really nothing like hearing your child’s heartbeat pounding away while your wife is holding your hand and looking at you lovingly. #musicToMyEars

“Is that The Beatles???” I thought as  I stumbled up the stairs to the bathroom. It was very very early morning and I was still in a drunken daze from the night before. But I swore I heard The Beatles. “Weird,” I thought as I went back to bed.

The next morning after I finally woke up, I found out it wasn’t a dream. But that Cole, my eight year old nephew, plays the Sgt. Pepper album almost every night as he goes to bed. All night.

“What’s your favorite song?” I asked him while packing up my things. He sat there and thought about it for a minute. Then got up and put on this song. I didn’t know it so I laid back on his bed, closed my eyes and listened. It was sad and quiet. Nothing like Cole at all. So I don’t know if it’s really his favorite song or if he played it cause we were leaving in a few hours. Neither would surprise me but I couldn’t help but think how perfect it was for that moment.

Then he shot me with a nerf gun and ran out.

I am the One who killed the Sun named Moon.
- Casshern

Everyone and everything is interconnected in this universe.
Stay pure of heart and you will see the signs.
Follow the signs and you will uncover you destiny.
- Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Wallpaper is just killing it lately. Maybe they always have? I’m new to their awesome. But anyway, like I was saying, Wallpaper is just killing it lately. Song after song. They just keep gettin better. Take this Adele cover, it’s pretty great and of course Ricky has to do it his own way (thankfully!) and breathes new life into an overplayed song.

What has How To Dress Well done for you lately? Well how about this amazingly tender cover of Janet’s Again?

My wife posted this other day on FB: “Words of wisdom from a cowboy on Chopped: a man is only as strong as the woman who holds him.”

Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks baby for all your help lately. I couldn’t do it without you.

Just haven’t felt like myself lately. Been missing my mojo. Ash Grunwald is def helpin me get it back.

Exactly a week ago I was standing at the Twin Peaks stage at the Outside Lands festival waiting for Wallpaper to come on. I had no clue who they were but their bio said they were beaty and dancey so I def wanted to check them out. And man oh man was I glad I did.

They were so much fun. Kinda sound like a mashup of Major Lazer and old school Beastie Boys. Basically fun dance music with Ricky Reed rapping about hanging with your bros, girls, partying, getting fucked up… ya know all the fun stuff.

This really isn’t the best song ever but it’s super fun and was exactly what I needed to hear early on the first day of the festival.

One of the main things I love about Chiddy Bang (besides the killer tracks) is that they keep it old school; One MC and one DJ like all the greats from the early days and golden era of hip-hop. Eric B & Rakim, Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Gang Starr, Rob Base & DJ Easy Rock. Both share the limelight on each song. Chiddy spitting some fun lyrics and Xaphoon lacing some crazy beats and remixes. None of this jumping from one producer to another to manufacture a ‘sound’ like most hip-hop acts do nowadays.

Just two dudes making quality music and who always got each other’s back. What more do you need?

This remix is so subtle that you may not even notice Shigeto incorporating some simple, unobtrusive beats into this already gentle song.

Feel like the whole world has been passing me by lately. Been so stuck in my own lil world that I slipped and didn’t see all the crazy cool things and opportunities that came my way.

If you’re ever feeling down, Kelis & Cee-lo are sure to brighten up your day with this lovely lil ditty.

I really can not stand The Smashing Pumpkins. There was a time I loved them. Gish and Siamese Dreams were amazing albums. But after seeing them live on the Siamese tour, I lost all respect for Billy Corgan. He just whined and whined about everything during the show. Then I saw them a few months later at Lollapalooza and again with the whining. I actually left that stage I was so annoyed. After that I couldn’t really listen to their music anymore.

Then they released 1979 and I hate to admit it, but I absolutely adore this song. But it always left me with a bad rotting pumpkin taste in my mouth. This cover by RAC however, is like a fresh bottle of mouthwash to rinse all that nastiness away.

I love David Byrne. Ok I really love Talking Heads but he is the main talking head and he is beyond awesome. His music isn’t always the best but it is almost always interesting. Esp when he teams up with other artists like his last record with Brian Eno or any of the other countless collaborations he has done. He is always doing something new & different and trying to take you to a new place through music.

His latest effort with St. Vincent is just such a song. It’s a bit odd at first. The horns and disjointed beats don’t seem to work at first but by the time St. Vincent comes in for her verse, it’ll put you in such a groove that you can’t believe you ever doubted it.

Hrm…. a song about cocaine by Destroyer… mashed up with Raekwon (the Chef)….. ya that’s friggin genius. Throw in a couple other clan members & friends like Ghostface Killah, Killa Sin, Chip Banks & Polite and this shit is like crack.

Careful, one hit and you’ll be hooked.

It took me a while to get into the Killers. That damn ‘boyfriend who looks like a girlfriend I had in February’ song totally turned me off from them. But luckily DV kept pushing some songs on me and I eventually started to love some of their music. (Still hate that other song though.)

The new Killers album comes out soon and I’m actually kinda excited about it if the rest of it is anything like their first single Runaway. It sounds a lot like some of the older songs I really like (When We Were Young, Read My Mind) but with some killer 80′s guitar rock riffs. And the lyrics are pretty great too.

I heard like 20 seconds of this song and I had to have it. Was kinda surprised that it was a Ray Lamontagne song. Thought he was more an acoustic folksy singer but he’s pushing some serious soul on this track. Gonna have to check out more of his stuff if he can sing like this.

Chiddy Bang played a couple songs Live at Daryl’s House and it was pretty great. Chiddy and Xaphoon playing their songs with Daryl Hall and his whole band and also doing some Hall & Oates classics. I loved the entire set but especially loved this new track from the upcoming Chiddy Bang album, Breakfast.

Be open minded. Be open to new people and their ideas. Be open to new experiences.

Be open.

Terry Urban and Okay Player put together this Amy Winhouse & Nas mashup album for the first anniversary of her passing. Go grab Me & Mr. Jones album now. It’s pretty great.

I always assumed the Japandroids were a Japanese noise band like The Boredoms but I was way off. (That’s what I get for judging a band by their name.) Instead, they are an intense, driving, punk influenced, rock band. And this song has been hitting me especially hard since I first heard it last week.

Really Del? You think differently than other mcs? I never would have guessed. ;)

Del is soo fucking out there but then again, that’s what I love about him.

I love this kinda shit. Questlove released a free breakbeat over at Okay Player. And then Pigeons & Planes (one of my favorite mp3 blogs) had a contest to remix it.

There were some great submissions but I wasn’t a huge fan of the winner. Not that it wasnt good but I just absolutely love the runner up. Dom McLennon’s remix layers The Cults Go Outside over Questlove’s beat and then he raps a couple verses about having fun outside.

It just oozes fun & summer.

I’m not a Beatles fan. I’m a heathen, I know. But somehow or other I ended up watching a George Harrison documentary late last night. All 3 and half hours of it. I get sucked into rock docs pretty easily.

It honestly wasn’t that great of a documentary even though Scorsese directed it. It jumped around a lot for some reason. Anyway, it did have some great interviews and rare footage. But over all I was just kinda amazed by how much George changed over the years. And I kept using Shazam to find out what song was playing. Almost every time it was a song by George and not a Beatles one.

So I guess I’m a George Harrison fan just not a Beatles fan. Does that make less of heathen?

I think this is quite possibly the saddest song ever. But also one of the most beautiful.

And I can never get enough of it.

Beth/Rest is one of my fav songs off Bon Iver’s last album. This stripped down version with just a piano is so soft & fragile, you just wanna curl up with it and sleep.

I was really surprised by how much Fun. is influenced/sounds like Queen. Lots of nice simple piano, Nate Ruess’s singing is sometimes a lot like Freddie’s, the music is fun and anthemic, and lots of songs about making it through. It’s somewhat cheesy and poppy at points but I would expect nothing less.

This is the first non cover song by Lissie I’ve heard and it’s pretty wonderful.

I don’t remember downloading this song or why I would have in the first place but it just came on this morning and it’s incredibly beautiful and sad. I think I just listened to it like 10x in a row. It’s been a pretty crappy day so the somber mood of the song kinda matches my mood.

So I looked up the song and here’s what Mike Hadreas of Perfume Genius has to say about the song: “It’s a song for a man whose lover has died. He remembers a time, before his partner took sick, where everything felt safe and endless. He asks to be taken next, so they can be together again.”

I guess my day isn’t so bad in comparison.

I went back to Pittsburgh recently for a reunion. It was pretty great to see all these friends I hadn’t seen in ages. All of us hanging out again after 15 years like it was yesterday. It was amazing.

That last summer in Pittsburgh together was pretty magical. Done with school, got a job, some old friends still around, lots of new ones, bbq’s, Yuengling, caps, gin, Mad Mex, playing Humble Abode in a hot stuffy house. And through out it all DMB’s Beneath These Crowded Streets was almost always on.

I don’t listen to Dave Matthews all that much anymore but I had this version of Crush on my playlist during the reunion. And it was great to hear it after so many years. And like my friends, it’s still pretty awesome. Changed a bit here and there but only for the better.

I really only downloaded this song cause of the title ‘I am the Lion King’ cause you know I love the movie. This song however, has nothing to do with Simba. But the ticklish guitar and groove will get ya moving as if it was Hakuna Matata.

I’m not a fan of grits but rice… mmmm rice. Now that’s a completely different story. Think we ate that for at least one meal every day for most of my childhood. Now I could survive on just a diet of juicy beats from chef RZA.

This song hits home a bit too much. I’m pretty great at procrastinating and promising myself that I’ll do it later. But I’m trying to change. Slowly but surely.

You can grow ideas in the garden of your mind.
It’s good to be curious about many things.
You can think about things and make believe.
All you have to do is think and they’ll grow.

A song with Mr. Rogers singing about using your brain and thinking and being creative… ya that’s pretty genius. Even with the auto-tune.

I totally thought Pearl Jam were covering Willie cause I heard his version first. Just assumed it was an older song. The lyrics and how Eddie sings it makes it seem more like a country song than a Pearl Jam song. One that Willie would have wrote too.

Last Sunday’s episode of Game of Thrones was one I have been waiting for for a while. Lots of action, wildfire, The Hound, and of course the rise & fall of the Half Man.

And as the episode ended, this song started playing and it just gave me chills. It was perfect. So perfect I couldn’t believe it. Then Chachee told me it was The National singing ‘The Lannister Song’ (which is actually used many times in the series). Lyrics from an actual Lannister hymn in GoT. So so perfect.

We don’t need no water let that mother fucker burn
Burn mother fucker burn.

It’s really not that hard to show some appreciation. Even just a simple ‘thank you’ will go a long way. Just amazes me that people don’t realize that and take so much for granted.

Oh I think you knew very well MCA. And I hope you found what you were looking for.

These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
And all the times I had the chance to

I haven’t completely made up my mind about Azad Right just yet. Some of his songs are pretty great but most just kinda bug me. His flow & lyrics just don’t sit right with me sometimes. But his production is always pretty tight. Esp with a Portishead track as your hook.

I woke up the other day singing this Whitney song. No idea where it came from but it stuck with me the whole day. Then found this Evan Dando cover which I knew I’d love.

stop stop stop makin me live like this

this song man… damn.

Because You Can’t You Won’t And You Don’t Stop
MCA Come And Rock The Sure Shot

#restInBeats

I saw some show on Hulu where it showed the making of this song. It was kind of a train wreck watching Pretty Lights work with these old school country guys. They just didn’t get it and wouldn’t change their ways or adapt. Just kinda stuck in their ways. Pulling in LeAnn Rimes to redo the vocals was kinda genius and the song turned out pretty amazing in the end.

This song has been gettin me through lately.

When you reach the bottom line
The only thing to do is climb
Pick yourself up off the floor
Don’t know what you’re waiting for

I love when the right song just happens to come along at just the right time.

just gotta keep focusing on the good side no matter how small it may seem.

I always did hate St. Patrick’s day.

Baby hold onto me. Whatever will be will be. The future is our to see, when you hold on to me.

So baby hold on.

It’s amazing how much more I can get done in a few hours in the middle of the night versus during the day.

Lana has been getting a lot of press lately. Good & bad. People seem to either love or hate her. Or don’t know her at all. I didn’t think I knew any of her songs but apparently I do. Been listening to this cover for a while now and didn’t realize it was her song. So I just listened to her original and well… ya this cover is way better.

Saw Willie Nelson last night and it was a pretty amazing show. The guy loves what he does and everyone loves Willie. He makes some of the sweetest music out there. So mashing him up with other songs is prob gonna piss a lot of people off. But I just love this and had to bring it back into rotation.

This song has always been one of my fav rainy day songs. And since it’s been raining all week and it is Pi day, it’s kinda perfect for today.

I’m not good without my baby either Bruce. 5 more days to go.

I’m tired of waiting.

It’s really kinda awesome that a good friend’s nickname comes from a minor character in an unfamous but awesome 80′s movie. And we still call him Wendell to this day.

Just needed to reup on some friends, family and sunshine.

Let it shine.

Been in a funk lately. Kinda lost and unmotivated. Need something to guide my way.

Ok ya. The Rich Kids are def someone I’m gonna have to get to know.

Drive was a pretty fantastic movie. It’s soundtrack was amazing too. All the synthesizers kinda set the perfect mood for the movie. But no hip hop music in a movie about bank robberies and driving in LA???

The Hood Internet remedy that situation by mashing up Kavinsky with Wale. It wouldn’t really work for the movie, but it sure works for me.

Don’t really know anything about these guys. (I always kinda tried to avoid the rich kids.) But if the rest of their music is as fun/laid back as this, we may have to become friends. I want them at my next party.

This is one of the songs that lead to me diving head first into old school soul/r&b earlier this month. I was randomly reading some mp3 blog about J.Dilla and how he’d hunt for records non stop. I mean *all* the time. He’d look all over for a sound he had in his head or something new. All to find one small 1 or 2 second clip in a record which he’d sample and add beats to. And that would then turn into the foundation of a new hip hop track.

Ya I started reading about all that and was completely enthralled by his process and then started listening to a bunch of his work. (Work that I never truly appreciated before). And then started reading about other producers like Dre, Pete Rock, Prince Paul, RZA. And then just started looking for all the tracks they used too. And ended up finding so much goodness.

I love following a vein a music like this and finding a whole new treasure.

I could be dead wrong, but do yourself a favor and grab Wait What’s awesome mashup album Notorious XX.

Good things come to those who wait.

A fun dancey remix is sure to turn any clown’s frown upside down.

Sounds like rehab was pretty good for this mashup. I was already a big fan of The Elgins’ soulful classic, but mashing it up with Amy Winehouse’s Rebhab gives this ballad some new life.

That feeling of finding a new song that just stops you in your tracks. The voice, music, or lyrics just grab all your attention because it’s so wonderful or just reminds you of something/one.

Or hearing a song you haven’t heard in ages and all the memories come flooding back in.

Or a song about how all that feels. Music is just amazing isn’t it?

I like Drake but I’m not a huge Drake fan. But I do love when he’s remixed with a song I already love. Like this Wait What mashup of a mashup is pretty much amazing.

This is a damn fine New Order cover. The music is spot on with their own feel to it. The singing sounds odd cause it’s not Barney’s voice, but you get used to it quick and actually sounds pretty great.

I didn’t have internet for like 5 days. The first thing I did once I got it back was buy SBTRKT tickets. The album has been my late night sound track for a while, so I’m pretty siked to see the live. Esp since hearing this live track. I thought it would be more djs with singers but sounds like they’re using an actual band. Should be amazing.

The last time I saw him was a few months before the accident.
I went there specifically to talk to him. To confront him.
Still so angry after all these years. So many questions.
I wanted to scream at him. To yell.
But when I saw him, I just couldn’t.

He looked so old. Older than I thought possible.
But his eyes were still cold. Distant.
Further away than ever before.
He was sad. Broken. Alone.

The years weighed in on me then too.
I felt sorry for him. And my anger
It just withered away.
Replaced with remorse, regret, and guilt.
They were always there but now…

But I couldn’t tell him any of that.
And he wouldn’t tell me anything of course.
So we sat there. In silence. Like always.

And now forever.

This was the first song to come on today. Amazing.

stop fucking with my lady. you know who you are.

Just heard this song for the first time while watching the Collector’s Edition of Almost Famous the other night. (The original is one of my favs but the Collector’s version is 10x more amazing) It hasn’t really left my brain since.

Was all over the Caribbean for the last week or so. Lots of amazing people & food. But surprisingly, I didn’t hear a lot of reggae. There was some, but not really as much as I expected.

But I did hear this song not once, but twice in Key West. I love love love Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock” and was shocked to find out it heavily sampled Ini Kamoze. The rest of his album is pretty great too.

My vacation was pretty damn amazing. And it was very much needed. But near the end, I just couldn’t wait to come home.

Been listening to Amy Winehouse a lot lately. I think I’m gonna have to do an her painting soon.

This song more than any other I think, changed music for me completely. It opened up a whole new branch of music I never knew existed back then. I was completely blown away the first time I heard it. The lyrics were great, catchy and dug into my angsty, sad, teenage heart. And the music was even better. So hearing this early demo version is just like heaven.

The original was already so damn catchy, but this remix tops that. The Dream’s chorus/hook is replaced by Mayer Hawthorne’s version which goes along fantastically with the rest of the remix’s old school soulful style. Not very gangsta but damn I love this.

Childish Gambino seems to be all over the place lately. I’m not a huge fan yet but this mashup with Chiddy Bang’s “Mind Your Manners” instrumental is a pretty great way to get me listening.

Oh man. The new Black Keys is pretty fantastic. This is the first song I listened to off the album and I think it’s my fav. Love the fuzzy guitar all over this album. It’ll keep any lonely boy nice and warm this winter.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich has been killing me his covers.

I kinda had enough of this song and it’s earworm of a whistle. But of course RAC breathes new life into it.

DV sent me this song late last week. I listened to it a lot over the weekend. It’s been stuck in my head ever since. Tues, I see they’re playing at the Independent. Wed, Anita, outta nowhere, says She’s going to this show and that I should go too. Today, tix are purchased.

God, I love when that kinda shit happens. One of my fav things about the bay area. Find out about a band and they’re sure to be playing here soon.

When you got so much to say… It’s called Gratitude!

Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.

I finally won the war on Halloween candy. But now it’s all gone :(

Winter is coming.