{frolic!}

sharon van etten

Loving the NPR Song of the Day, 'Much More Than That' by Sharon Van Etten. She reminds me of Joni Mitchell.

willow ships

  

I have a new blog crush. Willow Ships is written by another Chelsea but this Chelsea takes dreamy photos and sings in a lovely, lovely  band called Teacups. The band doesn't just have a pretty name, the music is good. Listen to 'Mon Petit Poisson Avec Beats.'

Via All The Mountains via Makool Loves You.

music pick: girls

My dear friend Rhea introduced me to Girls a few months ago and I am head over heels in love with them. Check out their MySpace and also the single, 'Solitude' on NPR. You are going to love them!

the swell season take 2!

The adorable Marketa + Glen have a new album coming out in October! Check out the sneak preview on NPR!

the pains of being pure at heart

I was in desperate need of some new, upbeat music and then I came across The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I love their classic, energetic sound. 

rachael yamagata

Rachael Yamagata has been a long-time favorite. I am just getting to know her new album, Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart. Loving it so far. Her music is perfect for the days when you feel like crawling back under the covers and hiding from the world!  She's so beautiful too. I love her style.

over the hill

This video from the charming British band, Alessi's Ark is super duper clever and has adorable styling.

Via Emma Cassi.

papercuts with port o'brien

 

Two yummy bands are on tour together right now. Papercuts and Port O'Brien are playing the west coast until the end of the month. I've never seen either one in concert but love listening to their tunes.

camera obscura concert

I almost didn't make it to see my favorite band in concert yesterday! I had the date wrong, then there was a nasty storm with tornado warnings, and when I finally did arrive, I forgot the tickets! But once I got there, everything was perfect (I landed early, left my friends behind in the back and stood in the front row, like the ultimate geeky fan!). The highlight for me was Books Written for Girls. Performed live, it is absolutely stunning.

Prior to the concert, I did lots of reading about the band. All of the members seem incredibly humble, sort of in denial about their talent and quite unwilling to toot their own horn. Although Camera Obscura has been around for over a decade, it was only in the last few months that some of the members were able to quit their day jobs!  And, Traceyanne (lead singer) has only recently overcome her horrible stage fright.

The latest album, My Maudlin Career, is a collection of songs Traceyanne wrote during an awful break up. She puts it all out there and doesn't deny that it's based on her personal life, like so often musicians do. In this little documentary,  Camera Obscura's music is described as "both melancholy and blissful." I think that's exactly why I like it! 

P.S. Excuse the ramblings but I find behind-the scenes stories of artists, etc.. to be incredibly inspiring and for some reason I felt like sharing these little tidbits! If Camera Obscura pops into your town, be sure to catch a show!

bowerbirds

 

I am quite liking the music of Bowerbirds from North Carolina. I've heard they are even better live and am super curious to catch a show. They are currently on tour until the end of the summer.

Photos by Derek Anderson + Alissa Anderson.