Kate Havnevik
“Kaleidoscope”
I’ve been very “downtempo” lately. Long hours at work probably have something to do with it.
I received a very nice email from a Alex O. which inspired me to find something tonight.
I’ve been listening to a love of Kate Havnevik, Imogen heap, (and frou frou of course) lately. I’ve also been listening to Gnarles Barkley and some rapper named Flo rida - his stuff is just hilarious, and he makes use of interesting rhythmic phrasing.
Anyway, the opening of this song, “kaleidoscope” reminds me of opening scenes of dramas, or closing credits. It’s somber and beautifully arranged. I hope this helps be break the ice on another year of posting music.
Please enjoy. Thank you all for the encouraging emails.
Cat Power
“The Greatest”
Well, I wouldn’t call her the greatest. That might be reserved for Mohammed Ali, but she is great.
I first learned of Cat power through television commercials. After that, I went musical-spelunking for her works. She’s got some great tunes.
This one has bits of “Moon River” in it. Can you pick it out?
Hem
“The part where you let go”
Like the indigo girls, the harmonies in this song are actually lower than the melody. I absolutely love the result. If I were to classify this group, I’d say it’s nickel creek meets Indigo girls. It’s a bit more complex than just that though. You’ll find many more instruments in HEM’s arsenal. If you listen to “Half acre” you’ll hear a bassoon, an oboe, piano, xylophone, clarinets, and strings.
If a sense of musical folk is your thing, you’ll really dig this music.
Chris Hawkes
“Falling Into Doubt”
This song played on MTV tonight. Chris is a great Texas (yay!) artist. I love his chord progressions. If you’ve ever listened to old school seven mary three, you’ll notice a lot of resemblance in the sort of dissonant chord patterns, and similarly how they resolve. It’s great music. I also have a thing for falsetto lately. This guy will be making a splash in the coming days, you can be sure.
Jason Reeves
“Photographs & Memories”
If you didn’t know, Jason Reeves helped Colbie Caillat cowrite most of the songs on her new CD “CoCo”. If you are a fan of this site, you might remember I posted a song by Colbie already, before the CD was released. This was not well-received by the RIAA, but thankfully Colbie’s online marketing agency saw fit to give me clearance to post the music afterward.
Enjoy This song by Jason. He’s pretty good on the guitar and a good singer on his own.
Matt Nathanson
“Bulletproof Weeks”
Matt finally gets posted here with this amazing guitar/piano/vocal combo. This is no cheap radio song, but I’m sure I’ll be singing it (or at least humming). It’s a great, wonderful song about fixating on the wonderful times summer gave us, only to realize they’re now gone, and being sadly nostalgic.
Ahh, summer love. :) Enjoy, and thank Matt Nathanson by buying his new CD.
Ross Copperman
“They’ll Never Know”
I’m willing to bet this is an awesome CD, but I haven’t had a chance to hear it. I only ran across this one song by Ross. If this song is indicative of his work, then he’s an amazing writer. It reminds me of three artists/groups: Radiohead (old school), coldplay, and Eisley. Enjoy this one. More music coming very soon.
David Ryan Harris
“For You”
I recently went to the John Mayer concert in Dallas. It was pretty amazing. Aside from seeing Mayer play, I also got to watch/listen to David Ryan Harris perform before the concert. He was on a stage just inside the Smirnoff center, and he was pretty amazing. He tours with Mayer quite a bit, apparently. This song, “For You” is off his CD he’s currently selling at John Mayer concerts. If you go to a Mayer concert try to go early, listen to David and pick up his CD, “The Bittersweet”. This song “For You” is track #1 on that CD. He’ll also sign it for you, if you buy it there. Support this guy’s music - buy his CD. I’d like to see him with his own tour one day.
Loquat
“Internal Crash”
Loquat is based out of San Francisco. They’re named after a fruit? I wonder if it’s citrusy. This song is one of few by Loquat that I like. I feel like I’m walking toward a desert wasteland where no music exists. If you know of excellent music I haven’t posted, please let me know. I need it like a wanderer needs an oasis of water.
Imogen Heap
“Just For Now”
I obtained a copy of “Just for Now” performed live by Imogen Heap. This recording from studio 11 (103.1 FM). Many of you don’t know this, but Imogen’s music is the reason I started this site. If you like the music I post here, and have been touched by any of it, you have her to thank.
Here is the video to this live recording.