Recommended Listening
With our buddy Apollo waking up early and shitting sunshine until nine pm or so, the hours of my summer that aren't spent ranching six-year-olds are often given to spinning bicycle wheels across the Himalayan-proportional hills of the emerald city. But what's a ride without the phat beats to propel it? Thus, the word on the street. Er, the songs on the street. If it's a street that I'm riding on at the time.
Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Self-Titled - The most badass acoustic guitar duo I've ever heard. Makes me feel like I'm riding a bicycle through downtown Mexico City at full speed, 60 years ago. And to top it off, they do Stairway To Heaven on their last album, acoustic, latin-style, and it rocks out just as hard as the original. Listen in the afternoon
Justice, (Cross) - "Do the D.A.N.C.E., one two three four fight, stick to the B.E.A.T., get ready to ignite." In other words, turn your bike ride into a club hop. Listen at Noon or Midnight.
Fleet Foxes, Self-Titled + Sun Giant EP - Here cometh the hype, yes, but the guys of Fleet Foxes have the chops to follow through. AND they're local (represent!). With harmonies as well tuned as any CSN(& sometimes Y) or beach boys, and a lead singer who sounds like Jim James (of my morning jacket) kid brother, the music comes off like pooled sunshine. Listen in the morning.
Laura Marling, Alas I cannot Swim - Joni Mitchell + a dash of Andrew Bird. Diary-like lyrics give the listener something good to chew on, especially for the romantic. Listen in the early evening.
Orchestra Makassy, Legends of East Africa - This is the sort of music that makes it hard not to move at least a little bit while you listen to it. Good African rhythms out of Tanzania, with horns that make the music sound Caribbean at times. Warm, uplifting, summery. Listen while you cook for a potluck.
Tallboys, Rubber Dolly - Bluegrass? Irreverent, finger-picking, belligerent Seattle bluegrass? Fuck yeah. Listen with whiskey.
Drop me a comment if you'd like to do a summer mix swap! I'm good for rendezvous most afternoons, preferably roundabouts The Ave.
[edit: that last sentence makes me sound like a drug dealer. An indiscreet, livejournaling drug dealer]
Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Self-Titled - The most badass acoustic guitar duo I've ever heard. Makes me feel like I'm riding a bicycle through downtown Mexico City at full speed, 60 years ago. And to top it off, they do Stairway To Heaven on their last album, acoustic, latin-style, and it rocks out just as hard as the original. Listen in the afternoon
Justice, (Cross) - "Do the D.A.N.C.E., one two three four fight, stick to the B.E.A.T., get ready to ignite." In other words, turn your bike ride into a club hop. Listen at Noon or Midnight.
Fleet Foxes, Self-Titled + Sun Giant EP - Here cometh the hype, yes, but the guys of Fleet Foxes have the chops to follow through. AND they're local (represent!). With harmonies as well tuned as any CSN(& sometimes Y) or beach boys, and a lead singer who sounds like Jim James (of my morning jacket) kid brother, the music comes off like pooled sunshine. Listen in the morning.
Laura Marling, Alas I cannot Swim - Joni Mitchell + a dash of Andrew Bird. Diary-like lyrics give the listener something good to chew on, especially for the romantic. Listen in the early evening.
Orchestra Makassy, Legends of East Africa - This is the sort of music that makes it hard not to move at least a little bit while you listen to it. Good African rhythms out of Tanzania, with horns that make the music sound Caribbean at times. Warm, uplifting, summery. Listen while you cook for a potluck.
Tallboys, Rubber Dolly - Bluegrass? Irreverent, finger-picking, belligerent Seattle bluegrass? Fuck yeah. Listen with whiskey.
Drop me a comment if you'd like to do a summer mix swap! I'm good for rendezvous most afternoons, preferably roundabouts The Ave.
[edit: that last sentence makes me sound like a drug dealer. An indiscreet, livejournaling drug dealer]