Music Monday | Space Oddity from Space!

This is an amazing cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" as filmed from the International Space Station by commander Chris Hadfield.  This was Hadfield's final video from the Space Station, as he heads home tomorrow.

And BONUS, this was the first music video ever filmed in outerspace! Very cool!

Music Mondays | Steve Martin + Edie Brickell

This weekend, I went to a lovely going away shindig for my friend Amanda who is making the big jump from KC to Portland.  I will miss her tons, but can't wait to visit!!

During the festivities, we had a fun little discussion about new music.  Y'all, I had NO idea Steve Martin just put out an album in collaboration with Edie Brickell!  You know... Edie Brickell of "What I Am" fame?? Here's a nice clip of her on Letterman in 1988 to refresh your memory:

Well, this new album entitled Love Has Come For You has Steve Martin showing off his banjo skills with Edie killing it on the vocals.  It's such a great little bluegrass treat from two great talents. And now, in an effort to bring this story full circle, here's a recent Letterman performance of "When You Get To Asheville" of the new album:

Music Mondays | New JT...Finally.

It's about freaking time!  I've been waiting for a new album from Justin Timberlake for QUITE a while. Remember when Sexy Back used to be your jaaaaaaaaaam?  Yeah, me too.  Barely.  But hot damn, those were good days.

Thank the good Lord he just released a new single featuring Jay-Z called Suit & Tie.  The intro is a little weird, so give it thirty seconds.  JT definitely hits his groove.  Now, where's the full album? I've been patient enough.

Music Mondays | Sufjan Stevens + Christmas!

Ok, y'all... I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet.  But Sufjan Stevens recently came out with a new Christmas album called Silver & Gold, and it's full of classics!  But with a Sufjan twist, of course.

Here's a little sample:

Music Mondays | Local Natives New Album!

One of my fave bands from 2010 - Local Natives - is finally returning with a new album!  And the new single that's getting released tomorrow is so chill and ethereal, just like I like it.  Listen to the single "Breakers" streaming below.

And mark your calendars for the release of their new full length album Hummingbird on January 29th, 2013.  Can you believe 2013 is so close that people are already announcing release dates for it??

New Gary Clark Jr. Album!

I can't contain my excitement about the new Gary Clark Jr. album Blak and Blu.  It's scheduled for release on October 22nd, so keep an eye out!

Here's the track listing:

01. Ain’t Messin ‘Round
02. When My Train Pulls In
03. Blak and Blu
04. Bright Lights
05. Travis County
06. The Life
07. Glitter Ain’t Gold (Jumpin’ For Nothin’)
08. Numb
09. Please Come Home
10. Things Are Changin’
11. Third Stone From The Sun / If You Love Me Like You Say
12. You Saved Me
13. Next Door Neighbor Blues

Here's the video of my favorite song off his most recent Bright Lights EP:

Currently Listening to... Ha Ha Tonka

So, Garrett and I are headed on a road trip to Austin soon.  I'm currently listening to Ha Ha Tonka, and I think this will make the perfect traveling music.  Check out 'Usual Suspects' from their album Death of Decade below...

I'm also excited to see these guys play at The Record Bar in November here in lovely KCMO! Who's coming with me?

Music Mondays | Butch Walker and The Black Widows

I know nothing about this band, but the video for their song "Synthesizers" is awesome - it includes Matthew McConaughey in his famous Dazed & Confused attire. There's also a faux-Snookie and wannabe-LMFAO. Needless to say, this music video made my morning. Hope it cures your case of the Mondays!

Music Mondays | The Milk Carton Kids

I decided to check out The Milk Carton Kids when I noticed them as the opener for Old Crow Medicine Show and The Lumineers at Summer Stage in Central Park.  I found their 2011 album entitled Prologue and have thoroughly enjoyed it!  The Milk Carton Kids include members Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, and their harmonies are so soothing and heart-warming.


Here's a Tiny Desk Concert the guys did for NPR recently...

Music Mondays (one day late) | Dirty Projectors

Today, the new Dirty Projectors album was released.  The album is entitled Swing Lo Magellan, and it. is. wonderful.  If you enjoyed 2009's Bitte Orca, you will find this album well worth the wait!  Here's the video for the single 'Gun Has No Trigger.'  Enjoy the weird loveliness!

Music Mondays | Vacationer

This past Saturday, I went to see Tennis at Record Bar.  To my pleasant surprise, I really enjoyed the opening band Vacationer.  Openers are often hit or miss - and this band is a hit in my book! 

  Trip by Vacationer

 Oh, and by the way, Tennis is spectacular live!  If you ever have a chance to see them, don't miss out.

Music Mondays | Big Easy Express

My friend Meagan just sent me the trailer for Big Easy Express, and boy, does it look good!  Not only does it include three great bluegrass-y bands - Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and Old Crow Medicine Show - it was filmed during their Railroad Revival Tour where they traveled by train to each city from San Fran to New Orleans.

This tour also came through Kansas City this past summer, so it makes me extra excited!  The film will be released at SXSW Film Festival this March in Austin, and I'll be hoping for a wider release very soon after that!

Enjoy!

Big Easy Express Official Trailer from S2BN Films on Vimeo.

Music Mondays | Best of 2011

I've seen some great 2011 new music recaps online so far this month.  Here are some of the highlights and faves from each!  So, basically... this is a recaps of recaps. Awesome, right?

Paste Magazine's Best New Bands of 2011

The Lumineers

Flowers in Your Hair

The Belle Brigade

My Old Home (Demo)

Of Monsters and Men

Little Talks

Seryn

Of Ded Moroz

Rhapsody's Top 25 Indie Albums of 2011

TV On The Radio - Nine Types of Light

Wolf Like Me

Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

Posters

The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient

Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2011

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Youth Knows No Pain

Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo

Jesus Fever

Real Estate - Days

It's Real

Music Mondays | Ben Howard

Last week, I got a great music recommendation from my friend Kristin that I would love to share!  His name is Ben Howard, and his album Every Kingdom is rather addictive.  For me, he falls somewhere in between Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes.  Howard uses quick tempo-ed lyrics against soft acoustic riffs to create a very calming, yet interesting, sound.

Here's the official video for the lead song on this album, "Old Pine"..

Music Mondays | The Head and The Heart

Heard this group for the first time last week, and I really enjoy their melodic sound.  The Head and The Heart, despite what might be a semi-corny band name, have put out a really enjoyable album with bits of piano and bluegrass thrown in.  It's become a quick favorite!

Check out 'Lost in My Mind' from their self-titled debut album below...

  The Head and the Heart - Lost In My Mind by subpop

Music Mondays | Mayer Hawthorne

I discovered Mayer Hawthorne a week or two ago.  Maybe I'm a little behind the curve on this one, but his albums are a blast!  I thoroughly enjoy his brand new album How Do You Do, as well as his 2009 album A Strange Arrangement.

He's a nice mix of soul without being to serious in his lyrics.  His music will take you back, just like this video:

A Long Time - Mayer Hawthorne from MayerHawthorne on Vimeo.

Warby Parker + Paste

Two of my favorite brands are getting together for an event in Brooklyn.  Annnd you should go.

Gah!  I need to find a wormhole between KC and BK. Pronto. Also, if you've never heard of Warby Parker or Paste Magazine, you should get on that.

Music Mondays | Lana Del Rey

Now that I've made the transition out of the music industry, I still need to keep myself engaged and up-to-speed on new music.  Hence... "Music Mondays."  A totally cliche name, but whatever. It gets the point across.  I've done plenty of music posts here, and now it's time for consistency.

First up, Lana Del Rey.  I can't get away from friend recommendations and blog reviews about her current singles.  Looks like she's had a somewhat perfect storm of buzz and opportunity.  Here's her new video for her song 'Blue Jeans' - and rumor is there should be a whole album of this chick by January!

Also, here is the video for 'Video Games' that first got me hooked:

Shufflin'

Ok, now I really can't get this silly song out of my head...

Happy Birthday, Freddie!

Love today's Google Doodle!  If you press play, it comes alive with the song "Don't Stop." What a wonderful tribute to the Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury!

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of my favorite karaoke songs to do with friends.  What's your favorite Queen song??