Usually, when I'm blogging it's pouring down rain, but today we are having a weather event: it is snowing in October. Now, depending on where you live, this may not be a big deal (here's looking at you, Nova Scotia!) but for the east coast of the U.S., this is pretty unusual.
Fittingly enough, She & Him released their much anticipated Christmas album, "A Very She & Him Christmas" this past Monday.
I dropped everything I was doing to download it, and I listened to it all day. In fact, I am listening to it now as this wonderful snowfall is occurring. Zooey & M. Ward, you make my life beautiful.
I could honestly just listen to this, watch the Polar Express, drink hot chocolate/ good coffee, and snuggle right now. My life would be complete.
Happy Early Holidays from KSG!
Stay warm!
--L.V.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Live from Philadelphia... An Horse
Hey there fellow music lovers & concert attendees! It has been an obscenely long time since I've posted last, for which I do apologize.
Last weekend I had the ultimate pleasure of seeing An Horse perform at the North Star bar in Philly. The duo always put on a great show. I even got to shake hands and introduce myself to Harrison Hudson, who you might recall from KC & DC's last tour with Manchester Orchestra .
I think the crowning moment though was when I was at An Horse's merch table. Damon was running it, and I got a chance to talk to him, and tell him that I saw them perform at Lollapalooza over the summer, and that I thought their show that night was fantastic. I tried really hard not to fangirl. I may or may not have succeeded. However, if Kate was out there, I probably would've fangirled, haha.
Check out some of the pictures from that night:
Thanks for reading!
--L.V.
Last weekend I had the ultimate pleasure of seeing An Horse perform at the North Star bar in Philly. The duo always put on a great show. I even got to shake hands and introduce myself to Harrison Hudson, who you might recall from KC & DC's last tour with Manchester Orchestra .
I think the crowning moment though was when I was at An Horse's merch table. Damon was running it, and I got a chance to talk to him, and tell him that I saw them perform at Lollapalooza over the summer, and that I thought their show that night was fantastic. I tried really hard not to fangirl. I may or may not have succeeded. However, if Kate was out there, I probably would've fangirled, haha.
Check out some of the pictures from that night:
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| Outside the North Star |
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| Damon Cox setting up for An Horse's set. |
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| Kate Cooper tuning her guitar. |
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| KC & DC |
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| Kate Cooper |
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| An Horse |
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| There was a mustache painted on the wall just above one of the drum sets. I am definitely returning to the North Star to see another show. |
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| Bye, Philly. I'll see you again soon! |
--L.V.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
P.E.M.F.G. (Please Excuse My Fan-Girling)
Yesterday was my last day at school before fall break. I'm pretty confident that I did really well on my algebra II quiz (haters gonna hate; yes: I am STILL taking algebra. Anyone who says that stuff goes away after high school definitely lied.)
So instead of "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" when working through the order of operations, I'd like you to "Please Excuse My Fan-Girling" as you listen to Elizaveta, who I'm pretty sure is going fill your life with joy (unlike math, which usually only fills my life with despair.)
Have a listen:
IS THIS NOT THE MOST MAGICAL SONG THAT HAS EVER GRACED YOUR AUDITORY NERVE ENDINGS?! (Please excuse my fan-girling. So sorry for that outburst. You were warned. Scientific facts may or may not be correct. Over it.)
Seriously, she should musically narrate my life. I could easily see this being played in the background as I walk from the coffee shop back to campus. Magic.
Born in New York City, raised in Russia, and now building her career in the United States out of raw talent and sheer bliss for artistic expression, Elizaveta is turning heads in the music industry. She studied flower alchemy and minored in music while in university, and studied opera when she came to the States (hence those absolutely incredible, jaw-dropping operatic notes in her songs.)
Of her music, Elizaveta notes on her blog, "I seek to sing in a manner which would create within your chest a safe, magical, truthful place of power beyond the slow burn of stars."
She used the word "magical." Several lines up, I used the term "magical", all before I even knew she had a blog, or used the word "magical". I would say mission 100% accomplished.
For more music, magic, and information on Elizaveta, check out her blog here .
Thank you for excusing my fan-girling.
Carry on.
--L.N.V.
So instead of "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" when working through the order of operations, I'd like you to "Please Excuse My Fan-Girling" as you listen to Elizaveta, who I'm pretty sure is going fill your life with joy (unlike math, which usually only fills my life with despair.)
Have a listen:
IS THIS NOT THE MOST MAGICAL SONG THAT HAS EVER GRACED YOUR AUDITORY NERVE ENDINGS?! (Please excuse my fan-girling. So sorry for that outburst. You were warned. Scientific facts may or may not be correct. Over it.)
Seriously, she should musically narrate my life. I could easily see this being played in the background as I walk from the coffee shop back to campus. Magic.
Born in New York City, raised in Russia, and now building her career in the United States out of raw talent and sheer bliss for artistic expression, Elizaveta is turning heads in the music industry. She studied flower alchemy and minored in music while in university, and studied opera when she came to the States (hence those absolutely incredible, jaw-dropping operatic notes in her songs.)
Of her music, Elizaveta notes on her blog, "I seek to sing in a manner which would create within your chest a safe, magical, truthful place of power beyond the slow burn of stars."
She used the word "magical." Several lines up, I used the term "magical", all before I even knew she had a blog, or used the word "magical". I would say mission 100% accomplished.
For more music, magic, and information on Elizaveta, check out her blog here .
Thank you for excusing my fan-girling.
Carry on.
--L.N.V.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Piano Knows Something I Don't Know
If I had to choose a favorite instrument among the many that please my ear, I would have to go with piano. I find it has the most soothing of sounds, with silvery, tinkling high notes, or rich, melodious low ones. Piano can be sassy, jazzy, declarative, or the deepest of melancholy. It can be bubbly, high-spirited, and enchanting. I love its versatility, and I think that's why it appeals so much to me. Its sound is only limited by the player's imagination; as though the monochromatic keys issue a dare with the press of each note: "be adventurous, be creative; paint with the invisible words that say so much."
When I type, I like to listen to piano. That way, I can pretend that those soulful notes emanating from my iTunes are my creation. Reality reveals, however, that I will always love piano music from afar because regrettably, I lack the skill and dexterity required to produce even a string of sequential harmonious notes. *Sigh....*
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| A lovely piano that belongs to a friend of mine. |
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Do Some Good: Sevenly
It appears my Shakespeare class is good for more than just discussing plays and character foils. Yesterday, a fellow classmate had received a package in the mail & was showing it off to another person in the class. The class only has twelve people in it, so it's hard not to overhear. I asked her about the package when she mentioned it had to do with a charity.
As it turns out, the package contained an awesome t-shirt, and that tee came from Sevenly, a company whose mission is to generate awareness and capital for some of the biggest global causes.
Similar to Yellow Bird Project, Sevenly prints graphics submitted by passionate individuals who strive to improve the lives of humanity. How is Sevenly different? They team up with 52 charities in one year, and have a new t-shirt campaign each week. From planting 3 trees and 4 edible crops for families in Haiti, to providing one day of medical care and food for girls rescued from the sex trade, the profits from the sale of each shirt are contributed to providing significant aid to individuals and families in desperate need.
One thing remains the same: you get a sweet shirt & contribute to making this world we share a better place.
To learn more about Sevenly, read their mission statement, or view their current campaign, check out their website: http://sevenly.org/
Whether it's buying a shirt, or volunteering in your own back yard, you can impact the lives of those in need.
Do Some Good out there!
-- L.V.
As it turns out, the package contained an awesome t-shirt, and that tee came from Sevenly, a company whose mission is to generate awareness and capital for some of the biggest global causes.
Similar to Yellow Bird Project, Sevenly prints graphics submitted by passionate individuals who strive to improve the lives of humanity. How is Sevenly different? They team up with 52 charities in one year, and have a new t-shirt campaign each week. From planting 3 trees and 4 edible crops for families in Haiti, to providing one day of medical care and food for girls rescued from the sex trade, the profits from the sale of each shirt are contributed to providing significant aid to individuals and families in desperate need.
One thing remains the same: you get a sweet shirt & contribute to making this world we share a better place.
To learn more about Sevenly, read their mission statement, or view their current campaign, check out their website: http://sevenly.org/
Whether it's buying a shirt, or volunteering in your own back yard, you can impact the lives of those in need.
Do Some Good out there!
-- L.V.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Live from Folklore Coffee & Co...
There is the most adorable little cafe in the center of the town where I go to school. My hipster heart squees with joy each time I go there (which was four times last week, but hey, who's counting?) At any rate, it is called Folklore, and while having menu items named for storybook characters and being a unique establishment, the atmosphere is nothing short of magical.
This past weekend, Folklore had live music performances from several talented and entertaining gentlemen: Talain Rayne, Mark Rose, Jon Walker (formerly of Panic! At the Disco) and Lucas Carpenter.
Rayne, whose sound is similar to that of The Fray, writes melodious, heartrending songs. His piano playing abilities are only surpassed by his wonderful voice. Have a listen:
I think my dreams would come true if he played piano by my bed as I fell asleep. *sigh.*
I was pulled out of my music-and-pumpkin-spice-latte stupor when Rayne introduced his song, "16". As Rayne told it, he used to work as a kid's summer camp counselor. He and another counselor had taken the kids out to a lake on the camp grounds. While swimming and playing with the kids, his co-worked went to reach into the water to pull on the arm of one of the kids she had been playing with. In actuality, she pulled up the body of a sixteen-year-old girl who had recently been murdered. The teen's body had rocks tied to her arms and legs.
Rayne wrote the song in the girl's memory, raising such questions as "who would she be if she had lived?" This song literally struck such a chord with me, and I knew I had to share it with you. Take nothing for granted; this life is so short, and can be taken in an instant.
Next up, we heard from Mark Rose. Another mellow music writer who should play songs by my bed. I especially like his inspirational track, "How Strong We Are." Scratch that, Mark. You should play beside me as I take a quiz in my Shakespeare class this Wednesday.
The much awaited Jon Walker performed then. His songs were distinctly his own, particularly the song he wrote about his beard.
Last, but certainly not least, in the night's line-up was the most comical, Lucas Carpenter. Carpenter had fantastic stage presence, and the audience gathered in the warm, dimly lit coffee shop did not experience a dearth of laughter while he played his set.
Great music, great food, and great friends combined to make one of the best evenings I've had thus far in my college career. Folklore Coffee & Co, you know the way to my music (and tea/occasionally coffee loving) heart!
I'll keep you updated on any future live music events at my favorite coffee shop!
--L.V.
This past weekend, Folklore had live music performances from several talented and entertaining gentlemen: Talain Rayne, Mark Rose, Jon Walker (formerly of Panic! At the Disco) and Lucas Carpenter.
Rayne, whose sound is similar to that of The Fray, writes melodious, heartrending songs. His piano playing abilities are only surpassed by his wonderful voice. Have a listen:
I think my dreams would come true if he played piano by my bed as I fell asleep. *sigh.*
I was pulled out of my music-and-pumpkin-spice-latte stupor when Rayne introduced his song, "16". As Rayne told it, he used to work as a kid's summer camp counselor. He and another counselor had taken the kids out to a lake on the camp grounds. While swimming and playing with the kids, his co-worked went to reach into the water to pull on the arm of one of the kids she had been playing with. In actuality, she pulled up the body of a sixteen-year-old girl who had recently been murdered. The teen's body had rocks tied to her arms and legs.
Rayne wrote the song in the girl's memory, raising such questions as "who would she be if she had lived?" This song literally struck such a chord with me, and I knew I had to share it with you. Take nothing for granted; this life is so short, and can be taken in an instant.
Next up, we heard from Mark Rose. Another mellow music writer who should play songs by my bed. I especially like his inspirational track, "How Strong We Are." Scratch that, Mark. You should play beside me as I take a quiz in my Shakespeare class this Wednesday.
The much awaited Jon Walker performed then. His songs were distinctly his own, particularly the song he wrote about his beard.
Last, but certainly not least, in the night's line-up was the most comical, Lucas Carpenter. Carpenter had fantastic stage presence, and the audience gathered in the warm, dimly lit coffee shop did not experience a dearth of laughter while he played his set.
Great music, great food, and great friends combined to make one of the best evenings I've had thus far in my college career. Folklore Coffee & Co, you know the way to my music (and tea/occasionally coffee loving) heart!
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| Inside Folklore! |
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| Talain Rayne performing. |
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| Talain Rayne. |
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| Jon Walker. |
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| Jon Walker. |
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| Mark Rose. |
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| A guy wearing TOMS. I love TOMS shoes, and I just thought this was a neat picture. |
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| Lucas Carpenter. |
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| Lucas Carpenter. |
I'll keep you updated on any future live music events at my favorite coffee shop!
--L.V.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Do Some Good: Yellow Bird Project
I don't know about you, but I love helping people. I love that feel-good sensation you get by just being a compassionate human being.
Casey and Matt of Yellow Bird Project feel that way too. YBP is a Montreal-based nonprofit that creates one-of-a-kind t-shirt designs that support a variety of charities chosen by an incredible mix of indie rock musicians, including Andrew Bird, Of Montreal, Beach House, Wolfmother, and many more. The bands design the shirt graphic, Yellow Bird Project prints it, you buy it 'cause you love the band (and support their cause!) and BOOM! you feel like a great person, rep' your favorite band, and help others in need, all in one. Look at you go, you super hero, you.
For more information on Yellow Bird Project, the charities, the bands, and of course, the glorious catalog of merch, check out their website by clicking the link below.
Thanks for reading, and Do Some Good out there!
-- L.V.
Casey and Matt of Yellow Bird Project feel that way too. YBP is a Montreal-based nonprofit that creates one-of-a-kind t-shirt designs that support a variety of charities chosen by an incredible mix of indie rock musicians, including Andrew Bird, Of Montreal, Beach House, Wolfmother, and many more. The bands design the shirt graphic, Yellow Bird Project prints it, you buy it 'cause you love the band (and support their cause!) and BOOM! you feel like a great person, rep' your favorite band, and help others in need, all in one. Look at you go, you super hero, you.
For more information on Yellow Bird Project, the charities, the bands, and of course, the glorious catalog of merch, check out their website by clicking the link below.
Thanks for reading, and Do Some Good out there!
-- L.V.
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