"That Wasn't Me," Brandi Carlile

On a Roots N' Blues high and can't stop listening to Brandi Carlile. I didn't know this song before I saw her in concert a few months ago, and so glad I did. Quickly becoming one of my favorites.

She prefaced it by saying, "This is a song about who you are when you are not who you want to be."

Preach

Not A One - The Young Wild

This song is so good.

And not on Spotify, which is a damn shame.

Forever Young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young

Looking Back: Roots N Blues 2014

Just came across this video recap of 2014 Roots N Blues in Columbia, Mo. Last year's festival blew me away, and I can't wait for 2015. I'm curious to see what musicians they book this year, since last year they drew big names like Avett Brothers, Amos Lee, Trampled By Turtles and Lake Street Dive. I can only imagine that this year will be even better.

Early bird tickets – $89 for a 3-day pass – are available now.

"Mother & Father," Broods

I don’t want to wake up lonely
I don’t want to just be fine 
I don't want to keep on hoping 
Forget what I have in mind

Better in Time

On the TODAY show, they said that listening to sad songs actually makes us feel better. Like someone empathisizes with us and we're not alone.

Heard this little gem on the way to work this morning. The line "It's gonna hurt when it heals too" gets me every.damn.time.

High Hope

Roots N' Blues N' BBQ 2014

This past weekend, I went to Roots N' Blues for the first time in years and was just totally floored with how awesome the festival was.

Not that I didn't expect that. I just hadn't been to it since it moved down to Stephens Lake. And in that time, had been to my fair share of outdoor festivals to compare. Plus, Avett Brothers was headlining and you know how I feel about Avett.

But still. There were the typical things – awesome food vendors, clean bathrooms (the cleanest I've ever been in), beer + koozie discount special, plenty of shaded areas, chair and aisle lines that festival goers actually respected – but more than that...

It felt local.

There were art installations by local creatives. Someone with the festival came on before each musical act to make announcements and thank the community members who made the weekend possible. Everyone was super friendly. You got the feeling that people would have come out for the festival regardless of who was playing.

And so when you add that with beer, biscuits, amazing weather and great music... it sort of makes for a perfect weekend.

Already counting down til next year. (I just wish someone would make them a better website.)

Amnesia

Those days when you hear a song that so accurately describes your life that it kind of freaks you out. Hearing this one – exactly a year later – really hit home.


I remember the day you told me you were leaving 
I remember the make-up running down your face 
And the dreams you left behind you didn't need them 
Like every single wish we ever made 

I wish that I could wake up with amnesia 
And forget about the stupid little things 
Like the way it felt to fall asleep next to you 
And the memories I never can escape

The pictures that you sent me they're still living in my phone 
I'll admit I like to see them, I'll admit I feel alone 
And all my friends keep asking why I'm not around 

It hurts to know you're happy, yeah, it hurts that you've moved on 
It's hard to hear your name when I haven't seen you in so long 

It's like we never happened, was it just a lie? 
If what we had was real, how could you be fine? 

'Cause I'm not fine at all

Habits

LouFest 2014

For the last year, I've been fretting over not being able to go to LouFest 2014 because of a wedding in Columbia. Though I adore the brides, I have been to LouFest every year and it has become one of my very favorite weekends in St. Louis. 

So today, when I saw the line-up for Sunday featuring some of my most-anticipated acts (Pretty Little Empire, Portugal The Man, Trombone Shorty, Grouplove, Matt & Kim) I just decided to go for it and buy a single-day ticket. What the hell. It's just money, right?

That, and an early-morning, hungover drive back to St. Louis to stand outside in the heat at a festival all day. Totally rational decision. 

Thinking About Tomorrow

So your home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter
...
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow.
- Ray Lamontagne, "Beg, Steal Or Borrow"

image via

Through My Prayers

Such a beautiful song. Such a beautiful sentiment. One I've been struck with too often than I'd like to admit lately.

Sounds Like Somewhere

Someday, I'll find the right words 
I will belong or I will wander 
Somewhere, Over the mountain 
Under the great sky I'll be all right 

Someday I'll find the right words 
And i'll bloom where I was planted long ago 
Until then, I'll be waiting 
Hoping, to one day let go

It's been one of those weeks (or months).

Like Rock & Roll and Radio

On a Ray Lamontagne high after the concert last night. I've been listening to his new album, Supernova, non-stop the last couple of weeks, but today I'm revisting old favorites. Finding whole new meaning/depth in some of the stuff from God WillingAnd the Creek Don't Rise. 

Jams, Lately

Appropiately, this Spotify list is called "Lately." I'm still living in the stoneage of AM/FM radio presets, so these are the songs I stop for, turn up and jam out to, or Shazam while I'm driving (I know it's not safe, but I'm guilty).

"Cross My Mind," Twin Forks

Current jam. See more of what I'm listening to lately on Spotify.

Bruce, All Day

Because The Mindy Project finale. 

Morning Song

Hurt so bad 

More than I expected that it would 

Worse than that

It seems to be lasting just a little 

Longer than it should 

This song was blasted on repeat in my headphones as I drove through West Virginia a few weeks ago.
Appropriate that the video premiered today, based on feelings yesterday/today.

Red Rocks countdown: 128 days.