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If you're in the Chicago area and you don't have plans for this Sunday night...now you do! And I'm not interested in hearing any lame excuses. Desperate Housewives is not acceptable!
Fly Phoenix is a band I accidentally stumbled upon a couple of weekends ago at Amp Rock Lounge. I didn't know what to expect when I saw these young, attractive 20-somethings setting up their equipment. They played some tunes, I bobbed my head. But what really caught my attention was this beautiful little riff the guitarist busted out in between songs. In traditional Jazzy fashion, I had to dance over to him and introduce myself and let him know I was feeling the grooves. And just like that, they made an instant fan.
I stalked their website and discovered they had an upcoming show at The Shrine and downloaded some of their tracks. I was impressed.
These gentlemen met each other while getting their education on at Columbia College, and today they're creating a funky blend of rock and soul. And although their studio recordings sound amazing, this is an act you have to see live to fully understand. And for the ladies out there...they're not too bad on the eyes ;)
If you have yet to catch a live set at The Shrine, you are missing out. See that stage above? Tell me you wouldn't want to see these guys tear it up on that stage.
So check out the tracks below, and join me this Sunday night at one of Chicago's up-and-coming music venues.Fly Phoenix - Not Ready For LoveFly Phoenix - EdenFly Phoenix - A Beautiful Moment-
The song changed, and so did my mood.
I didn't intend for this to be a continuation of yesterday's post, but I think it fits. As I was driving this morning, I listened to these two tracks. And I felt this weight released off my shoulders. No more obstacles, and no more objections. They don't exist to me.
This particular variation of "classical" music is a bit harsher and more aggressive than yesterday's A Silver Mt. Zion, but it's just as powerful and emotionally charging. It's amazing how feelings of sadness later transform into anger and aggression. I guess it's part of our growth, and if you can't grow from pain, then you're not healing properly, right?
Those feelings of despair and weakness I was feeling yesterday became anger and antipathy with this first track today ("Autorock") and then finally strength and release with the second track ("Friend of the Night").
As these songs play in my "movie," a quote comes to mind that I feel expresses this message perfectly: "When you come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step off into the darkness, faith is believing one of two things will happen: Either there will be something for you to stand on or you will learn to fly."
I think I'll learn to fly...Mogwai - Auto RockMogwai - Friend of the Night-
I heard A Silver Mt. Zion for the first time on my favorite blog Motel de Moka a few days ago. And I don't think I've ever been so overcome with emotion after listening to a song. It's probably a culmination of different things, but the song "Blown-Out Joy from Heaven's Mercied Hole" definitely put my mind in a place that no song ever has before. My mind is flooding with all sorts of thoughts, none of them very happy. But that happens sometimes, right?
If these three songs below made the soundtrack for the way I feel right now, this is what my movie would be like. It's been a cold and lonely winter, and something is absolutely missing. I imagine myself walking through the busy streets of Chicago, avoiding all eye contact. I stumble, and no one even blinks an eye. I go about my day, uttering not one word to anybody. Bottling up emotions. And no matter what I try, I feel trapped. Like I'm sinking, further and further. A downward spiral of anguish.
I know none of this sounds appealing, but I still urge you to give these tracks a listen. They are all on A Silver Mt. Zion's first album, the only one that I really like from start to finish. Your soundtrack may be different, but I know for sure that they'll get you thinking.
Classical music can be so haunting, especially those strings. I hope you're not too disturbed by the apocalyptic sounds. Me? I think I have a new favorite "genre."A Silver Mt. Zion - Blown-Out Joy from Heaven's Mercied HoleA Silver Mt. Zion - Stumble Then Rise on Some Awkward MorningA Silver Mt. Zion - Sit in the Middle of Three Galloping Dogs(FYI: If the songs don't start playing right away, just wait a minute or two. I'm having issues with 4shared.com, and the tracks take a while to start up.)-
"All the crazy sh*t I did tonight. Those will be the best memories. I just wanna let it go for the night. That would be the best therapy for me."
Folks, it has been one rough week for this chica. Friday is and, as long as I have a 9-to-5 gig, will probably always be my favorite day of the week. This is the night where I let loose and do exactly what I want to do. It's the kickoff to 50 hours of freedom!
So I normally try to stay away from tracks like this one. David Guetta really does nothing for me, BUT I'll give him props. He knows how to get the party started. And you throw KiD CuDi into the mix. Gaaangsta!
Have fun, be safe and make some memories this weekend, pals!David Guetta - Memories (feat. KiD CuDi)-
Certain songs bring people who are otherwise polar opposites together. There are some songs out there that have the power to define an element of a generation. It's a bizarre phenomenon.
I can't think of anyone in my generation who has never heard "Your Woman" by White Town. And I definitely can't think of anyone who dislikes the song. No matter what your musical taste, it's just a catchy tune. It's got that hook, and those lyrics that speak to 1990s youth suffering from unrequited teenage love.
So I recently heard there was a remix of this track floating around. I downloaded it, and it was definitely lacking. I won't even waste internet space on that one. But then I got my hands on this edit, and although it doesn't capture the same emotions as the original, it is still quite catchy. Wiley - Never Be Your Woman (Herve Re-Work)And because I think this is a track that needs to be in everyone's music library, here is the original...White Town - Your Woman-
Beer bongs. Mike's Hard Lemonade. Card games. Joints, blunts and bongs. Spin the bottle. Walking: to the park, to 7-Eleven, to school. Ditching class. Busting each others' balls. Break dancing. Borrowing our parents' cars, and using Febreze to disguise the scent of cigarette smoke. Video games. Making out. Lots of making out. Amateur DJs. Dirty dancing in the basement.
These are the memories that flood my brain when I listen to these hip-hop tracks. I can't help but think of my adolescence. The trouble we got ourselves into, and all the fun that was had. I can picture it clearly. I see my friends and I melting into the couch, chugging away and laughing hysterically.
I don't know if it's a Chicago thing or if it's a generational. I guess it really doesn't matter. I wish I could recreate this vibe. Now, more than a decade later, we've all grown up. We don't need to party in our parents' basements anymore.
I would love to own my own bar. And in this bar, I'd play jams like these. All the patrons would be free spirits and accepting. We would dance, play games and light incense. And no matter how old we got, we would laugh like high school kids for hours straight.
Puff puff pass, friends...Digable Planets - Dog ItBlack Sheep - The Choice Is YoursA Tribe Called Quest - Clap Your Hands-
