Music - What I'm Listening To

Friday Jam Session Vol. 19

I love music. My taste is very diverse — continually being shaped by an unique combination of people, places and experiences. I never try to pawn myself off as someone who “knows music,” because I have too much respect for those who do. I did dance and took piano lessons growing up, but trust me, you do NOT want to hear me sing. But music is a topic that I never tire of and I love swapping recommendations. Please join in and share your own picks! View past posts HERE.
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Friday Jam Session

1.Favorite New(ish) Album
1989 (Cover Album) – Ryan Adams


The internet about had a heart attack last week when T-Swift herself started promoting the release of Ryan Adams’ full cover album of 1989. I’ve listened to the guy a few times before and I like his sound, but with the craze this cover album started, I found myself just as anxious to hear it.

It’s weird and wonderful all at once, and I think regardless if you are a Taylor Swift fan or not, I’d say that is a testament to her writing. Most of the upbeat songs were slowed down and the slow ones sound more haunting. I was somewhat surprised that my favorites were the exact opposite from my favorites on the original album. His cover of “Style” above was probably my overall pick followed closely by “This Love.” I also really enjoyed “All You Had to Do Was Stay” “Bad Blood” and “Clean.”

2.Favorite New (new-to-me) Artist/Band
Hideaway – Daya
Listen HERE

If you had told me the first few time I heard this song that this girl is only 16, I wouldn’t have believed. Her voice definitely sounds more mature. This is her first single off of her upcoming debut album. I actually haven’t had a chance to really check out any of her other music, but I fear it might be that I just like this particular song. We’ll have to see.

3.Jam I Have on Repeat
T-Shirt – Thomas Rhett


 I kept telling myself that I was going to wait to feature Thomas Rhett again until his full new album came out today. But I CAN’T stopping putting this song on repeat. It’s becoming unhealthy. That said, don’t be surprised when I feature the album next weekend…

4.Favorite Collaboration, Cover, Remix or Mashup
XO – John Mayer
Listen HERE

I love Queen Bey, but I definitely like John Mayer’s version better.

5.Favorite Spotify List
“All Out 90’s” by Spotify

My early childhood was pretty awesome.

6.#SoulMusic I’m Obsessing Over
Burning House – Cam
Listen HERE

This song has such a sad and haunting, but beautiful sound. It actually reminds me a bit of the Dixie Chicks.

7.”Oldie, But a Goodie” I Heard This Week
Holiday in the Sun – Weezer
Listen HERE

So this is where I admit that the straight-to-video Mary-Kate and Ashley movie “Holiday in the Sun” is one of my most watched movies… EVER. Yepp, I am from the Olsen twins generation and for some reason my friend Kari and I were obsessed with that movie. This song always reminds me of our friendship, and of course, how ridiculous that movie is.

8.Current Beat That Makes Me Want to Dance…in the Car…Jamming With the Windows Down
Tear in My Heart – Twenty One Pilots


I’m warning you, this band is weird, and what’s even stranger is how oddly addictive their music is. When they opened for a Imagine Dragons concert I went to a few years ago, that’s all took for me to become a fan. Sure they’re weird but they’re talented and have an energy that is contagious. I’m loving this song off of their new album, but my favorite will always be “Holding Onto You.”

9.Taking Me Down Memory Lane
Vogue – Madonna
 

This week is another trip down memory lane to my dance days. This was the competition performance song the first year I was a competitive team in 5th grade and after dozens of routines since then, this is the one that I still remember the most of.

10.Work, Work it Out
Move Along – All-American Rejects

Ahh the band of my high school days, I miss you guys. This song still gets played at least once every run I go on.

11.Making Me Want to Fall in Love
Fire and The Flood – Vance Joy
 

You know, if I’m just going to feature Vance Joy every single week anyway, maybe he should just get his own category?

Seriously though, this song… swoon.

12.Guilty Listen of the Week
Same Old Love – Selena Gomez
Listen HERE

Don’t know about the rest of the song, but I’m a sucker for a catchy and quirky chorus.

13.Song That I Originally Loved, But Is Now Overplayed
Jason Derulo

This week I’m talking about an artist, not a song. I really liked Jason Derulo when he first came out when I was in college. The song above was probably one of the most played songs on my iPod for a few months straight. I even saw him in concert when he came to K-State. But lately I just find myself annoyed by his music. Sure a lot of it is catchy, and he’s obviously talented, but it just seems all the same and too much. And don’t get me started on his #bromance with Florida Georgia Line…. Just no. I need a break from his music.

14.Popular Song That Is Making My Ears Bleed
Tulips – Christopher
Listen HERE

I have so many mean comments, but lets just talk about what’s really bothering me…Christopher?? Man, have a single stage name is supposed to be cool like Beyoncé, Lorde, Bono, Madonna or heck even Kanye. But Christopher? I just don’t get it.

15.Country Pick of the Week
Before You Drive Me Crazy – Wes Mack

Really loving this song from another new country kid on the block that look’s like the Weasley’s had yet another son that we didn’t know about. The music video is a bit overdramatic but its a solid debut song.

BONUS: My Voice Picks, Week 1

I missed The Voice last season because of my move to DC. By the time I was settled in I was just too behind to even attempt to catch up. I am glad to see that they have Gwen back instead Christina, she’s by far my favorite female coach they’ve had. I’m currently still trying to decide if I am going to stay committed. Let’s be honest, the main reason I watch is for the banter between Adam and Blake. And why do they show SO MANY of the no-turn performances? I felt like that was most of what Tuesday night’s show featured. With that said these are few that really stood out to me during the first week of blind auditions. Seems like a lot of country right now, which is my favorite genre, but I’m hoping and assuming that will eventually balance out. These were my top 5 favorite performances from Week 1. There were a few others who could see myself potentially liking more later on but this is my picks for this week.

Angel Eyes – Barrett Baber


Chandelier – Jordan Smith


Typical – Evan McKeel


Let Her Cry – James Dupré

We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Ellie Lawrence

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So, what have you been listening to this week?

(Linkup images)

Linking up with these blogs today!

Here, Here, Here and HERE.

Cheers!

So There's That Series

So There’s That: Vol. 1

{Sort of like  a “Friday Five” except it’s probably not Friday and I gave up on the idea of a catchy alliteration. This is my# postgradlife.}

1. Fish Tacos
20130622_190655
Domestication, one step at a time…
I used corn tortillas, lettuce, cheese, chipotle dressing and cod skin less fish steaks with a bit of lemon pepper and chili powder.
They were delicious.

2. Concert

The roommate and I ventured to Starlight Theatre in KC last Friday to see Imagine Dragons, Twenty One Pilots, Capital Cities, Family of the Year and Churchill. Check out my preview post from last week’s Friday Jam Session.

3. Summer Sips and Dips

Our whole apartment was in town last weekend so of course we had to plan a little shindig. We provided the chips, fruit and veggies, and guests brought their favorite dip and drink to share. These pictures were from early on in the evening but there were about 14 of us, which was the perfect size! Great to catch up mid-summer with everyone!

4. Hunger Games memes
This site will make your day.
The Hunger Games
These are some of my favorites

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5. And going back to that concert…

Imagine Dragons were absolutely amazing. They have such a refreshing take on what it means to be artists and making art in the form of music. But as great as the main act was, they already had me won over before. Twenty One Pilots, however, were very new to me and stole the show in that regard. They are weird, crazy weird. But then my roommate finds this awesome Elvis cover….what?  Mind blown. So good.

Yah, so there’s that.

Music - What I'm Listening To

Friday Jam Session: Uncharted Territory

It’s Friday!

After getting through the craziness known as graduation, new job, etc. I realized how much I had started to enjoy this Friday Jam Session bit. So regardless if it’s just my roommate and sister who read my recommendations (and who already know them) I’ve decided that’s completely OK.

So today I’m venturing into uncharted territories. My roommate and I are headed up to KC for an Imagine Dragons concert at Starlight Theatre (insert happy dance here.) They have been one my newest obsessions over the past year, so obviously I’m pretty stinkin’ excited. One problem though. With the exception of a few concerts on campus and at my county fair back home, I have never been to a non-country concert. It’s not like I never wanted to before but I’ve just never been plugged into keeping track of whose playing where like I am with country music. I’m sure that I am over thinking this a tad bit too much but I’m a little anxious about how overwhelming this experience is going to be. Better leave your boots at home this time Amanda.

Today’s music doesn’t need much of an introduction. The bands that are opening for Imagine Dragons are ones that I have just starting listening to in the weeks leading up to the concert. But I am now well-informed and ready to go thanks to the beauty of Spotify. I think it’s pretty cool that there is such a variety of sound and am pretty sure that I am not going to be disappointed.

Here’s a few favorites that I’m looking forward to tonight!

Demons by Imagine Dragons
Most new bands win us over with a chart topping hit single. And while It’s Time did it for Imagine Dragons, that’s not why I love these guys. I love them because their entire album, Night Visions won me over, and that is a rare occasion. I think their sound is original and  the lead vocals go on the “I could listen to endlessly” list. Demons is my personal favorite, but I also recommend checking out Radioactive, On Top of the World, My Fault, and this version of It’s Time.

Holding On To You by Twenty One Pilots
Next to the main set, I am most excited for this band. This song has been stuck in my head since I first heard it two weeks ago and has been on repeat. And the music video…its crazy weird…and I absolutely love it. Also check out Guns For Hands andAddicted With a Pen.

Lock Your Heart Down by Churchill
Also listen to Gone Too Long and Change

Safe and Sound by Capital Cities

Hero by Family of the Year
Also checkout Stairs