You already know this blog is a fervent proponent of singer/songwriters and in particular the lovely Lissie.
The wonderful music blog, The Music Slut, just posted on a newly released video for “Cuckoo,” one of Lissie’s more playful songs of her forthcoming album, “Catching a Tiger.” Check it out below and tell me what you think!
Courtesy of DiptNYC, I was alerted to the fact that Kanye West did a little stop-over at Facebook HQ. He debuted some new raps and material solely A Capella. The rhymes are kinda dope and make me pretty damn excited for what he’s got coming out on “Good Ass Job” (if that continues to be the name of his forthcoming album). What’s more interesting is how charming and friendly ‘Ye seems. Not to mention, he’s dressed to the nines in what, other than as of late, used to be typical Mr. West fashion. He looks great, sounds great, and it seems like he’s got his head in the right place again.
My favorite stanza of the new material is as follows:
“Kill the hypocrisy, this is an aristocracy. I’m Socrates, but my skin more chocolatey. Whats up with Hov?? That’s old news. I’m in a speedboat, in my boat shoes.”
Drake who??
First video is the new material, follow by “Mama’s Boyfriend” and “Chain Heavy.”
With the help of Twitter and MusicWeek’s Weekly playlist, I’ve been browsing for some new musical inspiration. I’d like to share some sweet videos that I came across today in my interweb travels. They span the genres and are a slight insight into how expansive my musical tastes can be.
Let’s start with Matt Morris’s cover of The Beatles “Help.” Since WordPress doesn’t allow me to embed just anything, I’ll show you the original recording from Youtube. If you click the above link, it will take you to Justin Timberlake’s website, where the song has been set to a wonderfully beautiful video. If you haven’t checked out Matt Morris yet, please do so ASAP. He has a helluva voice and his new album is pretty solid.
Next up is KT Tunstall with “(Still A) Weirdo” live in Glasgow. You probably remember her songs like “Blackhorse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See.” What was always most impressive about KT was her use of looping in her live shows. This video showcases not only her impressive voice, but also her looping skills a la Howie Day. I’m actually excited for her new album, “Tiger Suit.”
I’m going to give Lissie some love next because she showed up on MusicWeek’s playlist. I’ve already said everything I can say about her. I’ll just let you enjoy another song from her album, “Catching a Tiger.” Oh and she’s being supported by the ridiculously talented and host of the best music show ever, Jools Holland.
Lastly, I want to show you a couple of videos from Kano, a London-based rapper. I want you to watch the first video, “Upside” feat Michelle Breeze, mostly for reasons of cinematography. I watched the video more than I listened to the song. The similarities between this and all the Guy Ritchie films, specifically Snatch and Rock N Rolla are startling. I loved how it was shot.
This second and final video, well, I just want you to end this post on a booty-shakin’ high note. Turn your computer speakers up and get freaky at your desk. Check out “Get Wild” feat. Aidonia and Wiley.
If you need some music to chill you out as you push through the day, Lost In Trees’ “All Alone In An Empty House” will certainly fill that void for you. Currently, the album is streaming in full on NPR’s “All Songs Considered” until it officially releases on August 10th.
The album is a mash-up of David Gray-like vocals (sang by songwriter Ari Picker) and strong orchestral arrangements. In fact, there are two movements in the album that are strictly strings-only. I have to admit that those two pieces are probably my favorite. They allow the album to be more of a story, flowing from scene to scene. It’s certainly orchestral folk at it’s finest. The perfect balance between the two genres creates a potent mixture of emotion and passion within the songs.
It’s quite nice to see orchestral music slowly gaining a foothold within the public eye (just check out what my good friend Walt Ribeiro is doing over at For Orchestra). Let me know what you think of the album. I think it’s perfect for this wonderfully sunny, but not too hot, day. Sit back, take a deep breath, and open your ears to the wonderful sounds of Lost In Trees’ “All Alone In An Empty House.”
(Click on the picture for the Stream)
Thanks to the awesome response I’ve received from my collaboration w/ N’East Style and Alex Grant on Date Night, I’ve decided to extend the playlist/mix-tape madness. From here on out, there will be a new series on “The History of My World”: Mix-tape Mondays! (So original, I know)
So, every monday I will be posting either an original, collaborative (if all goes according to plan), or third-party mix-tape that I’ve deemed groove-worthy. Today’s mix-tape comes from a good friend of mine and a great connoisseur of all things music, Jo Vos of VosFactory.com. Please stop by her blog and check it out. Besides having more mix-tape awesomeness, Jo puts together a great hodge podge of music information – tour dates, up and coming artists, videos, and more. You’d be remiss not to check it out.
Though her ass-kickery in the music biz is top-notch, Miss Vos’ talents abound. She is also a live stage stylist, brand consultant, and a newly established member of The Muse Box team. Needless to say, I’m glad to have her on my side. Look for more awesomeness from her at least once a month, right here on “The History of My World.”
Check out her amazing mix-tape tracklist below and click on the picture to be re-directed to the download site.
If you’d like to contact Jo regarding her services, hit her up here – vosfactory@gmail.com
So, liven up your Monday courtesy of “Vos Factory” and “The History of My World” and enjoy the tunes!
“Supreme Beings” Tracklisting
FADER (THE KNOCKS REMIX FEAT. SAMUEL) – THE TEMPER TRAP
PUMPED UP KICKS – FOSTER THE PEOPLE
HIGH ON YOUR LOVE – KINGS GO FORTH
EAGER FOR YOUR LOVE – TRISTEN
GOLD FOR THE PRICE OF SILVER – EROT VS. KINGS OF CONVENIENCE
BRIDES SONG – YUKON BLONDE
QUEEN DRUM (GRAHAM LESSARD REMIX) – YOUNG GALAXY
DOUBT – DELPHIC
DAVID – THE RADIO DEPT.
WHEN I GROW UP (D. LISSVIK OF STUDIO REMIX) – FEVER RAY
EASY (FABIAN REMIX) – DRAGONETTE
SO THIS IS GOODBYE (PINK GANTER REMIX) – WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS
JONA VARK – GYPSY & THE CAT
MISSING YOU (FEAT. AD-APT) – LOUIS LA ROCHE
SWIMMING – FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE
BUT YOU’RE SUCH A CHERRY – FIRES OF ROME
HOME (RAC MIX) – EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS
EVERYWHERE I GO – LISSIE
I DON’T KNOW WHAT I CAN SAVE YOU FROM (ROYKSOPP REMIX) – KINGS OF CONVENIENCE
STRUNG OUT OVER YOU – WILLIAM BELL & MAVIS STAPLES
If you ask my mom what pair of shoes I’ve wanted more than anything in the last year so, she’ll tell you it’s a pair brown lace-ups. I have been looking far and wide for the perfect pair. The one that speaks to me, whispers in my ear when I hold them up to my eyes, “Buy me, Gabe.” Alas, I had not found that pair until this past Saturday. I was in Nordstrom’s with my family visiting my sister (an intern who’s killing it in this summer), when I passed through the men’s shoe section. My eyes immediately focused in like a heat-seeking missile on these walnut brown cap-toe, perfed lace-ups. The detail was incredible and it was exactly what I was looking for. A brown that was versatile enough to wear with light and dark pants (chinos and jeans alike), yet also formal enough that I could wear them to events no problem. I looked inside the shoe and held my breath as I checked the price. $200, on sale. I let out a sigh and moved on. While an amazing shoe, it was currently too rich for my skinny wallet.
Enter my wonderful father. He looked at me and said, “I can tell you want them. If you’re serious, I’ll get them for you.” (He later said my eyes lit up like it was Christmas when I saw the shoes)
I looked at him in disbelief. I wasn’t sure if he had heard I said they were $200. I was beside myself and told him that we should take a walk first around the mall and we’ll see how I feel (mostly because I couldn’t believe what I was getting offered!). Long story short – you better believe I got those shoes.
I had to size down a half-size from what I normally wear (9.5 -> 9), but let me tell you – these fit like a glove. When I tried them on, I took two steps in them and said, “Ok. I’m good. Let’s get ‘em.” To which the salesperson replied, “Easiest sale I’ve made all day.” And it was an easy choice on my behalf. These leather upper/oak leather soled shoes are stiff as a board when you first try them on. But of course the beauty of said stiffness is that when you beat these shoes into the ground (as I intend to), the end result is feeling like you have a nicely shaped leather glove on your foot. I wore them yesterday to Brunch with my family and I’m wearing them today at work. I can already feel the sole adjusting the balls of my feet. That’s quality folks.
My favorite detail of these “Made in the U.S.A.” shoes isn’t the remarkable perfed detailing or amazing quality of the leather. It’s the custom stacked leather heel that creates a slight gradient of browns. I was absolutely infatuated with this minute, but just as important, detailing.
And the absolute best thing about these? They will certainly last a lifetime (As the man, the myth, the legend Eli Getson pointed out). Allen Edmonds will re-craft any shoe they make, a testament to how well they’re made in the first place. So for a measly $30 bucks every few years, I will essentially have a brand new pair of Allen Edmonds. In a time of economic uncertainty (still), I consider these a most worthwhile investment.
Peek my brand-new, right-out-the-box picture on my tumblr.
All in all, it’s been a great shoe week.
Check out pt. 1 of my shoe reporting: Cole Haan Claremont Saddles.
So, in case my title may be misleading Allen Edmonds and Cole Haan are not creating anything together. Rather, This is my first fashion-y post on what has been an otherwise Music & Life blog. I hope I don’t eff things up. I’m sure the lovely Sara, over at Pairdiem.com, will set me straight on any misnomers of the shoe variety. Let’s get right to it shall we??
Over the last week or so, I’ve been lucky enough to obtain two pairs of shoes I’ve been absolutely lusting over. The first of which are the Cole Haan Claremont Saddle shoes.
I’ve been eyeing a pair of saddle shoes for quite some time now. Something about them makes me feel refined and timeless. Not to mention, the era of the movie-musical and Gene Kelly was always a favorite of mine. So, when I saw them on sale at Colehaan.com for $100 I had to pull the trigger. They arrived on a day when nothing had gone right for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better surprise when I got home from work.
When I put these saddles on, I’m not going to lie, I did a quick little heel click when no one was looking. The shoes make you want to go off and sing in the rain! As for fit, they couldn’t be better. The white nubuck upper is a bit stiff, but works itself out after a wear or two. And the red brick sole absolutely makes the shoe. I refused to buy any other saddle shoe because of it. The combination of the white nubuck/navy upper and the red brick sole makes these shoes a must-have (I’m even thinking of putting red laces on these for Labor Day, but that may be pushing it).
Cole Haan also has these available with Nike Air technology in the heel, but for those who don’t have the extra 50 bones to spend, the Claremonts still have a nice padded sole. I even remarked that it feels like I have a bubble under my feet when I walk. Here’s a few more pictures of the saddles that I took when they arrived. For those wondering what to pair them with, they go well with just about anything – chinos, jeans, shorts if you feel so inclined. I received the most compliments when I paired them with my newly-acquired Reds from UO. Check out the kit on my tumblr. They’re already getting scuffed up, but I’m just going to tell people it’s because I’ve been ballroom dancing with Audrey Hepburn.
Next up: Allen Edmonds
I stumbled upon this site thanks to a Paste Magazine “Awesome of the Day” posting. Music Philosophy is a cool little site by a bloke from the UK. He takes famous lines from some of the best songs and bands ever and visually represents them in a very post-moderny type way. It’s updated weekly and according to him, these pictures look great as an iPhone wallpaper. Below you’ll see some of my favorites. Enjoy!
If you don’t know who Bruno Mars is yet, you probably will soon. He’s already had a couple collabos, most notable of which (in my opinion) is the one with Travis McCoy on “Billionaire.” Frankly, I think the song wouldn’t be anything special were it not for Mars’s awesome hook. Check out the video below:
Well, Bruno has finally come out with his debut single “Just The Way You Are.” It’s pretty much what you’d expect of pop these days, certainly not breaking any molds. It’s a bit more electronically driven than I would have liked for him. I was expecting more of a Jason Mraz approach to his voice and music, but then again I’m sure Elektra’s just trying to make their money ASAP. As has been evident with all the Live Nation news, the artist product life cycle is in months now versus years. Acts are expected to break sooner rather than later. Development has certainly fallen by the wayside. I digress, however. See below for the video containing the new single and let me know your thoughts in the comments. For a debut, it’s nothing special, nothing mind-blowing, but I like it and it’s catchy. His vocal talent is undeniable, so I’m excited to hear what else he’s got in store. After the single, check out his video w/ Cee-lo, B.O.B “The Other Side.”
I just can’t stop watching this. It’s a dirty remix featuring Rick Ross, TI, and Nikki Minaj. I mean it’s rap’s current hard hitters (arguably) and the beat is undeniable.
Diddy and his girls get it done. Check it out and enjoy.
