Cover Lover Mix

I was raised by a man who despised covers. So, I was a little biased myself, until I came to the conclusion that not all covers are bad. The artists who do them are paying tribute to a song they like by trying to make it their own. They aren't stealing them out of laziness or spite. Well, probably not most of them. Anyway, these are some of my favorite covers.

1. Hurt - Johnny Cash (much grittier. always gives me chills at the end)
2. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (his acoustic version makes it much sadder sounding than the original)
3. Imagine - A Perfect Circle (they made this hopeful little song sound...a little bleak, but in a good way?)
4. Jolene - The White Stripes (nothing special, but I just like it)
5. Naive - Lily Allen (I just love me some Lily...)
6. Starstrukk - Marina & the Diamonds (turns it into a somber, beautiful ballad?)
7. Down with the Sickness - Richard Cheese (from Dawn of the Dead fame...just a little priceless)
8. Black Hole Sun - Paul Anka (the whole Rock Swings album is totes fab)
9. Hot In Herre - Jenny Owen Youngs (basically one of my favorite things of ever)
10. Beat It - Fall Out Boy (love)
11. Another Brick In The Wall - Korn (better than you expect it to be)
12. Working Class Hero - Ozzy (also notable are the Marylin Manson and Cyndi Lauper covers)
13. I Put A Spell On You - She & Him (crazy good)
14. Human Hands - Sondre Lerche (it's just so much easier to understand what Sondre is saying than Costello. also more...whimsical?)
15. My Hero - Paramore (d'awww)
16. Smooth Criminal - 2cellos (instrumental!)
17. Paranoid Android - Weezer (just love Weezer. but they also did a good job on this one)
18. You Really Got a Hold On Me - She & Him (pretty gorgeous. can't get enough)
19. Creep - Amanda Palmer (ukulele!)
20. Just Like A Woman - Jeff Buckley (powerful)


and this is pretty fun...if you love Amanda Fucking Palmer...

Songspiration?

I'm pretty sure I'm singing in this year's Humboldt Idol at Downtown Sounds on July 5th. I say "pretty sure" because I'm not quite sure what to sing. By which I mean, of course, literally every song I sing well has suddenly fled my brain. Are there songs I sing well? Are they appropriate for a mock singing competition? What exactly do people sing at these things? I have watched maybe one episode of American Idol...I get the premise, but yeah.

I think I'm just making this harder than it needs to be (that's what she said), it is just a Chamber of Commerce event. But still. I will have some fierce competition with my Errrrique and his cousin singing as well. They sing like little angels.

So, if anyone can give me any song ideas...that would be greaaaaat. Just, ya know, not crappy songs.

Sugar Rush

I'm in a pretty great mood right now. Maybe it's because I just got done watching 3 seasons of The Guild with Tyler, and also consumed way too much sugar (Coke). I am super sad this is probably the last season. But anyway, Tyler's into this MMO, Neverwinter, and got me really psyched to try it...then I get home and can't download it b/c my computer tells me there's a virus in the download. Fail. Whatever, I'll figure it out later. Not gonna bring me down.

I worked out yesterday, so I feel like sitting on my ass and drawing is a valid option for today. I have been seriously slacking in the artsy department lately, but I feel it's been balanced out by the devotion I've shown in attending music events.

LAZERfest was pretty great; got trashed, got a sunburn, almost got smushed to death, made out with a guy from my high school days randomly, went home, passed out. Good day. Then Sunday I went to Byron's in Pomeroy, Ia to watch The Sundogs. Mostly Dan Lodden just decided to kidnap me out there, but it was a good time. Byron is super nice and his bar is actually a pretty rad atmosphere. Live music most Sundays, so I might try to make it out there again at some point.

Memorial Weekend I might try to make it out to that thing at the Meadow, and then June 1st there's that thing at the Ballroom. Not to overwhelm everyone with specificity, or anything. But I'm pumped. Last year, nearly all my plans to do things fell through for various reasons, so I'm just trying to make the most out of this one.

And not cry myself to sleep every night from missing my BFFF who will be in New York all summer interning and just being generally awesome. Away from me. But don't cry for me Argentina, I've decided this summer is going to be rad.

Although, that could just be the sugar talking.

Sleepless Saturday

Saturday was a long freaking day. I worked Friday overnight, so just stayed up all day since the way everything was scheduled would make sleeping an impossibility. I did accomplish a decent amount, however, so I guess all's well that ends well.

First, Kari and I got our hair cut, then had some Lomitas(yum!). Then we trekked to Algona and got some pretty sweet tattoos from Jesse Willison. So glad he's already super good. Also, so sorry we took ten freaking years. Don't know how that happened. Pretty sure he hates me now for all the tiny fucking lines.

palm sized.

Then, next door at the Afterlife was Battle of the Bands, where I got super trashed trying to battle my severe sleepiness. These bands were the highlight of the night for me:

Twenty 2 Salute is always a good time (if you know what I mean *winkwink*) (I mean they are good with their hands) (on guitars and such) (this is so much dirtier than if I had just said nothing) but I was also glad I caught Smoothwood because I've been into classic punk sounds recently. I think we got back to town around 2ish? I was mostly off my face at that point. So of course I went to an afterparty to annoy people. At least I saw Clinty there, love him. Think I got home at 5am or so. Halfway through a slice of pizza, I finally passed out.

Anyway, I think being out and about was good for me as I haven't really socialized in a long while. Mostly I've just been too lazy. Think I'm returning to lazy because now I'm just at this point where I should do dishes and laundry, but won't. All I've done the past two days is work and watch Hemlock Grove. And my back hurts. And it feels like someone shot me in the arm. I mean, I paid someone to basically stab me in the arm a bunch of times, but still. Why you hurt so much, little heart?

Also, my hair is purple...but more on that later.

Lazerfest 2013 Mix

It appears that I am finally going to Lazerfest this year. For the first time. WTF? I know. I've just never really felt like it/had to work every other time. This year, my Cathy's BFF, Katie, is coming to town for it, so I'm really excited. For Katie. Not so much for the musical line-up (I've not been as into rock as I used to be)...but, that's what this mix is for. To get me pumped. I guess.

I'm not buying an Affliction shirt, though.

1. Man in the Box- Alice In Chains (Cha! Sha-wing!)
2. Last Resort - Papa Roach (I know this one!)
3. Glycerine - Bush (never been a huge fan, but mmm...Gavin Rossdale...)
4. You're Going Down - Sick Puppies (I do like them a bit)
5. Heaven Nor Hell - Volbeat (his voice annoys me for some reason, but they aren't bad)
6. Vilify - Device (is that the guy from Disturbed?)(yes. yes it is)
7. I Get Off - Halestorm (forgot I liked them)
8. Bones - Young Guns (never heard b4...but I kinda like it) (breaking benjamin-esque)
9. Two Weeks - All That Remains (possibly the only song of theirs I know)
10. The Final Episode - Asking Alexandria (asking who? oh, screamo)
11. In Due Time - Killswitch Engage (I've heard of them...more screamo)
12. War of Change - TFK (what does this remind me of? Linkin Park?)(Christian rock Canadians)
13. Oh You Petty Failures - Blood N Stuff (okay)
14. Fatal - Fatal Addiction (Winner of Battle of the Bands for opening band)

Beer Me, I'm Irish Mix

To honor St. Patrick's Day...obviously, a bunch of drinking songs. I'll probably hear "Red Solo Cup" eight million times at the bar tonight, but I'd rather hear these...

1. Beer Is Good - PsychoStick (so good)
2. Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced - Dropkick Murphys (So kiss me, I'm shitfaced, I'm soaked, I'm soiled and brown)
3. Beer - Reel Big Fish
4. Drink - They Might Be Giants (let's drink! drink! This town is so great!)
5. Streams of Whiskey - The Pogues
6. Alcohol - Barenaked Ladies
7. Another Irish Drinking Song - Da Vinci's Notebook
8. Too Drunk To Fuck - Dead Kennedys
9. Fuck You, I'm Drunk - Bondo (and I'm going to be drunk 'til the next time I'm drunk!)
10. Beer, Beer, Beer - Flogging Molly
11. Who Spilt My Beer? - The Adicts
12. Beercan - Beck
13. Tubthumping - Chumbawumba (pissing the night away...)
14. Hooray For Beer - Bowling For Soup
15. Cigarettes & Alcohol - Oasis
16. Pretty Fucked Up - Faster Pussycat (she used to be pretty, but now she's just pretty fucked up)
17. Have A Drink On Me - AC/DC
18. Wasted - Black Flag
19. Alcohol - Gogol Bordello (a love ballad...to alcohol)

Shake Your Can-Can Mix

Cuz you can can!

Okay, so this one's a little hokey, but it's my dance mix. I can't dance, but I can-can try. When I'm alone in my house. Or drunk. Or super happy. Whatever, you get the (awkward) picture. So pop a bottle of wine or 5 and watch some Saturday Night Fever and/or Honey for danceperation and then break it out for my mix. I've added some helpful suggestions.

1. Good Feeling - Flo Rida (feel free to use wildly gesticulating "rap hands" during the rapping parts)
2. Gangnam Style - PSY (because I'm alive, and Gangnam is TEH SHIT) (obviously you do the Gangnam dance as well as you can...or can't)
3. Don't Trust Me - 3OH!3 (do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips!)
4. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 (idk, move like Jagger? I just do a lot of pelvic thrusts and lasso moves. Meow)
5. When I Grow Up - The Pussycat Dolls (a lot of...sexy...stomping and fist pumping. hair flipping, etc...)
6. California Gurls - Katy Perry (hopping from foot to foot. Put your hands up when representin' West Coast)
7. Evacuate the Dance Floor - Cascada (dance like magic...idk how else to describe the moves I use)
8. Gasolina - Daddy Yankee (pretend to be a sexy Latina who likes people shout-rapping at her)
9. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira (try to belly dance like Shakira...fail...keep trying anyway)
10. Untouched - The Veronicas (shimmy shoulders, shake head from side to side, bite lower lip)
11. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga (creepy t-rex, spin around alot)
12. Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO (pelvic thrusts while pointing to your junk. wiggle wiggle wiggle, yeah)
13. I Don't Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters (DISCO!)
14. Blah Blah Blah - Kesha ft. 3OH!3 (the Drunk Bitch, spill your drink, run to the bathroom, puke, pass out in bathroom)

Aaaaaand if you happen to have a cage or a geode cave...try the lycanthropy dance? There's a She-Wolf in your closet, let it out so it can breathe. Seriously, it's suffocating in there from all that poly-rayon.

Or if you have a partner...try some Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell".

Sploosh!

Two very attractive men (one with an accent) in suits singing and dancing. Basically a wet dream. I'll leave you on that note.

X-Mas Mix

I'm not sure why, but this year, I'm hating Xmas music. I've never been especially keen on the holiday, but I've never been all that bothered by the music. Yes, it's the same every year, but whatever. But this year, my ears are in revolt. So here's some Xmas music I've decided I don't hate because it's not the average radio fare. Some of the songs are anti-Xmas, and some are awesome covers. Oh, and I'm not adding links because that takes way too long and I'm lazy. Look them up yourself.

1. Christmas Celebration - Weezer
2. I Will Be Hating You For Christmas - Everclear
3. Fairytale of New York - Florence Welch and Billy Bragg
4. Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World (cover of the Wham! song)
5. Please Come Home For Christmas - Fiona Apple (Think she only did this at a concert, but love her voice)
6. I Won't Be Home For Christmas - Blink 182 (sorry Fiona)
7. Yule Shoot Your Eye Out - Fall Out Boy
8. Christmas Sucks Song - Arrogant Worms
9. Elf's Lament - Barenaked Ladies with Michael Buble (Green Christmas, the Grinch song, is also entertaining)
10. Don't Shoot Me Santa - The Killers (hahaha, seriously, watch the video)(I Feel It In My Bones is also good)
11. The Anti-Christmas Carol - Joss Stone
12. Santa Baby - Everclear
13. The Christmas Waltz - She&Him (from 'A Very She&Him Christmas' the hipster xmas album of choice)
14. Xmas Cake - Rilo Kiley (very depressing, but beautiful, as all Rilo Kiley songs are)
15. Meri Kuri - Weezer

And here's a bonus vid of Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing a New Years Eve song.

Paloma Negra - Chavela Vargas

In keeping with the theme of angry womens this week (I guess) I decided to share one of my personal favorites, Paloma Negra. This song was featured in Frida, one of my all time favorite movies based on one of my all time favorite artists and just generally badass lady. The voice of this song, Chavela Vargas, is an equally awesome woman closely associated with Frida Kahlo who (R.I.P.) passed away this past August. Sad day, but lady was 93...so ya know, it's not like it was unexpected. In any case, she leaves a great legacy with that heartbreaking, powerful voice.

 I had to look up what it actually meant because I don't speak Spanish. You probably don't either, so here's an iffy translation I found somewhere:

I'm tired of crying for nothing
I don't know if I should curse you or pray for you
I'm afraid to look for you and to find you
Where my friends assure me that you go

There are moments when I would prefer to split
and finally pull out the nails of my torment
but my eyes die without the sight of your eyes
and my glowing love continues to await you

You have taken for yourself the party (good times)

Black dove, Black dove, where, where do you go?
Don't play with my honor
if your caresses must be mine, and no one else's

and although I love you like crazy don't return
Black dove you are the bars of a punishment (jail?)
I want to be free to live my life with whom I want

God give me strength, I'm dying from searching for her

and you have taken for yourself the parties (good times)

Source(s):

http://www.filmtracks.com/comments/title…

Dicks Be Gone!

Normally I'm not as much of a feminist/feminazi, but I have a friend who has been blowing up my phone ranting about her stupid husband and I'm feeling like some inspirational chick music might make things better. Hold onto your balls boys, this is my Chicks Not Dicks Mix.

1. Stronger - Kelly Clarkson (b/c it's mandatory to add KC to any femme based music compilation)
2. Single Ladies - Beyonce (my guuuurl Beyonce be fierce)
3. Part of Me - Katy Perry (love me some Katy)
4. Blow Me - Pink (she's pretty much always angry about something)
5. You Outta Know - Alanis Morissette (the goddess of 90's chick rage)
6. Smile - Lilly Allen (the music video is priceless, I don't care what you think)
7. Bad Reputation - Joan Jett  (she inspires badassery)
8. Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence (I had to)
9. Because I'm Awesome - The Dollyrots (I don't need you cuz I'm neat-o and I beat you cuz I'm awesome!)
10. Just A Girl - No Doubt (Gwen Stefani is hot...js)
11. Ignorance - Paramore (it felt right to add)
12. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (or the Cake version if you prefer, I almost always do)
13. Think - Aretha Franklin (also mandatory to add Aretha to any femme based music mix)

I feel like I probably left some gems out, but I am le tired, so fuck it.