birthday cake all over your face

Last night, a few friends and I headed downtown to see Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and The Walkmen in concert. And it was amazing.

It was a hot ticket since it was the only time that these three acts would be performing together anywhere in the country. How lucky for Phoenix that it was here! {please forgive the fuzzy photos}

I have to say, though, I saw Bon Iver two years ago when they were still relatively unknown and promoting their debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, which was truly an experience. And although this time wasn't nearly as intimate, it was no less spectacular, and in some ways moreso with the the bigger spread of band members and flashing lights. Check out The New Times' review of the show - there's some good videos and you'll better understand this post's title.

~from 2009~

I'm currently obsessed with Justin Vernon's cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me." It never fails to give me the chills in a wonderful way.

mad world

Oh, Banana Republic. You make me swoon. Just check out these looks from the "Mad Men" capsule collection!

And for those of you who thought this post was going to be about the song "Mad World," here's my favorite rendition by Gary Jules {you may know it from Donnie Darko}.

lovesong

The Cure's "Lovesong" is one of my all-time favorite songs, and thanks to Adele, I've fallen in love with it all over again. As most of my friends can attest, if I'm obsessed with a song, I'll play ad nauseum.

This song is no exception.

so this is christmas

I like to celebrate one holiday at a time, so now that we've successfully feted Thanksgiving, it's time to formally ring in Christmas time!

Retailers and radio stations are playing the sounds of the season, and I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you. 

One of my other all-time favorites is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland. The best video I found on YouTube had the embedding function disabled, but you can check it out here.

pure bliss

I'm a big fan of folky singer/songwriters; mellow artists whose music helps me to relax. I'm usually always on the go, so I'm grateful for a moment to take a breath. I can close my eyes and just concentrate on the guitar, a voice or a melody, and everything else just fades away.

Here are a few of my favorites. 

re: Stacks by Bon Iver

An amazing artist to experience live. I saw him at Mesa Arts Center {awesome venue and I highly recommend seeing a show there}, in the 4th or 5th row and it was pure perfection.

Did you catch my favorite line? Your love will be safe with me...

I'd Rather Be With You by Joshua Radin

I also saw Joshua Radin live - for free at an outdoor concert - and he, too, was amazing. And dreamy. I mean, look at his hair! And he plays the guitar and sings? Swoon.

Falling Slowly by Swell Season

I love the Swell Season. If they sound familiar, they won an Academy Award for their movie "Once." One part Dublin's The Frames and one part Czech pianist/vocalist, Swell Season has some truly epic, haunting songs. I had a hard time choosing just one to share with you, but I suggest you also check out Leave - it's raw, emotional and heart-wrenching, but absolutely gorgeous.

I had the chance to see them in concert, too - another great show at Mesa Arts Center - earlier this year. Sadly, they've since stopped performing together.

P.S. KEXP in Seattle is awesome. You should check it out.