Scat

The neon beckoned us down the long alley and
into an elevator that took us down to heaven.

  This weekend, a dear friend of mine came to visit and we decided to stay up past our bedtimes, but we didn't want to be the oldest people in the room.  Just our luck, we stumbled upon the coolest place I've been to in AGES.  I'd heard about Scat Lounge in downtown Fort Worth, and was curious to see if it lived up to it's image.  After all, it has a tough act to follow.  In high school, my fellow band buddies and I would sneak our way into a tiny jazz club in Dallas called the 6051 Club on Forrest Lane, because it made us feel like grown-ups but mostly because the music was so fantastic.  I don't remember the names of any of the musicians we saw, but there were many.  Scat reminds me of this place.  The clientele is low key, great music is the focus and the drinks are de-lish.  My friend, Lynne, and I spent the night gabbing, and trying to nail a good shot of Joel Cross, the performer that night.  You can see her shots here and here.  I think I learned something that night, dirty martini's and all.  I need to stay up past my bedtime more often.

Villagers



Another trip to The Granada last night did not disappoint.  What drew us there this time was Ra Ra Riot, who were fantastic!  But the big revelation for me was the opener, the Villagers, who is the remarkably gifted Conor O'Brien from Dublin.  So much talent compressed into such a compact frame, he was mesmerizing from the moment he walked out.

I thought I had never heard of them before until they performed “Becoming a Jackal” which is the title track on their debut cd.    I may have only heard this song once (I cannot for the life of me figure out where – probably KXT 91.7 – my public radio station) and I had most of the lyrics memorized – to my astonishment!  I think that’s what happens when I hear great writing – it gets burned onto my brain and I replay it as background music to my dreams while I’m sleeping.  Does this happen to you?  This has not happened to me in a long time.  Take a listen:

In case you haven't hear enough, here's a really good World Cafe Interview.  Could this be where I heard them?  Here's their official website where you can find links to their Facebook and MySpace pages or buy cds or tshirts.  Conor does all the artwork, btw.  LOVE that.  You can also download the album on iTunes.  But I bought a CD because I wanted to have the words.  Oh, the beautiful words.  The cd as a whole is a cohesive collection of slighty dark, deeply passionate, beautifully spun personal glimpses into a human experience.  And, lookie:  they even signed it for me!

If you still want more, here's a Tiny Desk Concert from NPR.   Happy Listening.

Keep Dreaming !!

Gosh, I have never been so proud of my husband! As you may already know, he has illustrated his first children's book! Written by his friend, Jake Brittain, this little book has a very powerful message for kids ages 2 to 12. It even comes with a cd of accompanying music recorded by Jake himself. Kids can look at the book and follow along with the lyrics of the song – in three fun versions! We keep our cd in the car and play it while we’re out running errands. We like it and our seven year old loves it, too! 

The message of the book is about how our dreams can become realities. In essence, Scott and Jake hope to give children the inspiration to begin to have dreams of their own and to nurture their dreams. Just think of what wonderful things could happen if children receive this message early in life – to remember their dreams. Isn’t that how wonderful things happen?

What dreams do you have for yourself? Your family? Have any dreams you’ve had come to fruition?

The message is strong and the music is fun to listen to, but the kicker is that for EVERY book sold, one book will be given to a child in need.  Their first donation of books will go to The Boys and Girls Club!  One for One.

To purchase the book, learn more about Scott and Jake, and find out where they will be talking about their wonderful book, go to http://www.newdreamstudio.com/.
 
And have a fabulous weekend!!!

Making Space

Hipstamatic

New York - yes.  San Franciso - yes.  But Dallas?  Thank you - thank you - thank you to whoever booked Coco Rosie at the Granada.  Not an ounce of predictability, so creative, fantastic sound and the best audience (thank you glow-stick guy).  There aren't many artists who can open up a space in my head like these two.  I see them as two people who are so authentically who they are, what we see is quite magical and cannot be replicated.  They reassure me as an artist to just keep going, even it it doesn't look like what everybody else is doing.

I've posted videos of them before, but just in case you missed them, here's another:

Their official website is here.  If you happen to be in Austin tonight.  Get your hiney to Emo's.  And bring a glow-stick or two.

One of their openers was Sleep Whale, from Denton, Texas.  FAN. TAS. TIC.  Here's a little taste:

Their blog is here. Their MySpace page is here where you can listen to what they do.   You can also find them on iTunes.  I won't be able to get them on my iPod fast enough!

Taken a Break

I'll be away from the internet for a bit.  Time to recharge my batteries.  Here's a little something till I get back....



Now where'd I put that miniskirt.....  ;)

Music for Outside

River Legacy Park

One of my friends from high school posted this to his facebook page this week and I find myself going back to it over and over again. I just love this guy. And when I close my eyes and listen to this, each time I have a different little video going on in my head.



Some music just makes me want to run out outside and play.

Flickr Inspiration

Some of my favorite Flickr photographs from this week.  Go here to explore all these amazing photographers.

This mosaic goes good with blackbird.

I Love a Man With a Sense of Humor!

This came on after True Blood last night and made me laugh! Love it!

Old Time Music Love

Last night my cutie and I snuck away to Dallas to The Granada to see the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  They were so fantastic I can't stop humming and dancing barefoot in the grass.  Here's a peek.



And another:



And another:



And if you can't get enough, here's their website.

Can you tell I'm in love?  Some music just hits me to the bone.  It takes me back to the Summers of my childhood spent in the Tennessee countryside catching fireflies, chasing grasshoppers and making mazes in the tall grass with my brother and sister.  And the long walk to the mailbox with my great aunt.  LOVE it.

Restless

O
Been feeling like getting on a plane and going somewhere. Maybe I have spring fever or something. Found this the other night. It is delicious in every way. My little escape.



Anita O'Day = Amazing. This is from Jazz on a Summer's Day.
Bye!

Weekend All Stars

Go here to find out who all the wonderful photographers are.

Can't wait to see these guys tonight at The Granada Theater in Dallas!!!!



If you can't see the video, go here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rQzq-LnlVE

Learn more about the amazing Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars here.

News about my new shop next week.

Happy Weekend!!!

Something Beautiful

If you can't see this, go here.

After I saw this (thank you, Brandy), I couldn't get this song out of my head!!

(If you can't see this, you better go here.)

Midwinter Dreaming

Stumbled upon this today and had to share it.

(If you can't see it, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az3SHeMHC6c)

It's Yo La Tengo.

Gosh, I can't wait till Summer.

Print available in my shop.

Simple Pleasure

This shadow only appears on the window over my kitchen sink at a certain time every day. I just love it so much and am so happy when I happen to see it. A simple little thing that makes me happy.

Here's another:



If you can't see this, go here. Happy Weekend.