On My Playlist: Casey Shea

Lately, I've been obsessively playing Casey Shea's album, In Search of Seas.  An album I downloaded for free (not stealing, promotion via website), has now become a mainstay of my music delight.

This American singer/songwriter who is a huge presence in the live music scene here in New York, sounds like Matthew Perryman Jones, Paolo Nutini, and The Beatles got thrown into a blender and out came a Casey Shea smoothie.  Or in otherwords, he sounds exactly like the type of music you would hear on an episode of One Tree Hill.

Songs like "Elephant," "Wave of Walls," and "Good Man," give the album a mellow vibe, perfect for when I'm trying to get some writing done.  But Shea rounds out the album with "Pretty Good Shape," and "Oh Nancy!" which just make you want to get up and dance.

With a consistent billing at the Rockwood Music Hall in the next couple months, I cannot wait to get an opportunity to check him out live.  Might you join me?

For More Info on tour dates, his blog, or to download some of his songs for FREE, check out his website here:

http://caseysheamusic.com

Style Inspiration: The Runaways

Yesterday, I decided to take in a solo movie, so I hiked to the Lower East Side to see The Runaways.  And while I wish I would've saved the money (Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are just not convincing), the one thing I took away from the film was a revamped love of 70s style.  

Sequins, jumpsuits, platforms, and a little bit of Bowie, everything glam and rocker that I cannot get enough of.  However, since I can't show up at my corporate financial firm wearing sequin platform boots (I wish), I'm going to need to find ways to sample their style without going over the top.  


First stop- Invest in some patterned neutral colored shirts.  Paired with black pants or a black pencil skirt I think I could almost get away with it.  


Second stop- As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, it's time for me to bring back the silk scarf trend.  Back to eBay hunting it is for me.  


And then maybe, just maybe I can invest in some super tall platform boots/sandals and sneak them in on a casual Friday.  Hey, I work in the back of the office, am already known for the sheer amount of color I wear, why not mix it up and throw in some height too?  Maybe they'll never notice :)

Best Album Ever (Right Now): Sunset Rubdown's Dragonslayer

I don't know why I try to write music reviews.  I can't ever describe the genre of a band (outside of iTunes generic alternative, hip-hop, etc., labels), I'm completely misinformed about what is going on in mainstream music, and in the grand scheme of things, my music knowledge is miniscule.

But I know what I like, so I'll write about that.

As I've mentioned before, I'm obsessed with Spencer Krug, and more importantly, his band Sunset Rubdown.  I've been listening to them for years, have seen them in concert a handful of times, and have introduced nearly all of my friends* to them.  But for some reason, I did not have the album, Dragonslayer, until a couple months ago.  I know, what kind of fan am I?

I heard it at my favorite bar (The Black Rabbit) where my favorite bartender (Kent) was playing it, and I knew all the words, but knew I didn't have it.  So I went home and downloaded it, legally.  I'm sure my roommate and friends would attest to this, but it has not left my speakers since that day.

Lately, it's been my album I listen to when I'm cooking, when I'm writing (it may or may not be on right now), when I'm walking, and when I'm drinking.  By far their best album yet, Dragonslayer, still embodies the experimental sounds that Spencer Krug is known for.  Combine those with amazing beautiful and touching lyrics, and the instrumental technique, and the album becomes highly addictive.

There is not a single track I do not like.  Since downloading this album, I have begun checking the Sunset Rubdown website obsessively, waiting until they announce new concert dates.

In fact, I'm not sure I can even relate to anyone who hasn't listened to this album (there goes my Gemini over exaggeration), but in all seriousness, go, go get this album, spend the $7 or whatever it was on iTunes, and keep it on repeat until you know all the words.

I promise you won't be disappointed.

*All the worthy friends

Hipster Must-See: The Cove

This will probably be the hardest post to write while attempting to not be an angry, irrational mess while doing so.  Tonight, after having it on Netflix for weeks and building myself up emotionally, I finally had the guts to watch The Cove.  I've been interested in oceanic conservation and preservation since my late university years, and as I grow older and more knowledgeable, I have only become more interested and active.

First of all, I think that everyone, everywhere, should watch this movie.  I know that it's difficult to see these images, and I know that many people are far too busy taking care of their families to spend the time watching it, but if millions of people can watch American Idol every night, then I would like to see the millions spend one of those nights watching The Cove.  The plethora of information on health, ocean economics, culture, and animals is astounding, as is the lengths that not only will conservations go through to prevent such an atrocity, but also the lengths that the Japanese will go through to continue the hunt.

To be honest, a lot of the movie was a review for me.  I had seen previews for The Cove months ago, but never managed to catch it in theaters.  I have read books on whaling, have spoken with a fisheries expert from the UN about the Japanese fishing policies, and even know a founder of Greenpeace, needless to say, this is something I'm passionate about.  But what I find terribly shocking is the fact that other people are not knowledgeable about this practice, including larger Japanese populations.

The Cove won the Best Documentary Oscar on Sunday night.  Since their win, I have seen three separate articles on oceans and fisheries.  Could this be the push we need to finally make a change?  Being such a skeptic, I often feel so resolutely hopeless and helpless that it devastates me entirely.  Having watched this film, I am left inspired and slightly more hopeful.  Knowing that there are people out there who care, who make change happen, and who speak as advocates for those who can't, leaves me wanting to do more, be involved, and as the ever so popular Gandhi quote goes "Be the change I want to see in the world."

Maybe you will too.

My First Big 2010 Purchase

As I've mentioned before, I don't really care for shopping.  I'd much rather spend my Saturday reading a book then fighting through throngs of people in Soho.  However, sometimes when the mood strikes, you just have to run with it.

Yesterday I deviated from the plan.  The original plan to make a list of purchases I actually needed, and avoid spending money frivolously.  A friend of mine, noticed me looking at the John Fluevog website on Friday and fell in love with some of the shoes.  Being quite familiar with Fluevog, I am always encouraging of biting the bullet and spending a few hundred dollars, and since he had the money to spend, I thought it would be a good idea to take him down to the store on Mulberry and Prince.

And then I walked in and had to see these:

The Mini Zaza's in purple and orange.*  I had known they were going to come out, and I had been trying to avoid the store for this very reason.  The minute I saw them, they were already mine.  Having owned four pairs of Fluevogs already, I am well aware that they are stylish, sturdy, and most importantly, comfortable.  I can walk up and down the streets of this city and back and have no problems.  A rarity for heels.  

Fluevog's aren't cheap, but if you want a shoe that gets looks, you can wear like crazy, an are investment pieces, then these are the shoes you want to go for.  You can order them online, here.  Or if you want to get the best possible Fluevog shopping experience possible, I suggest hitting up one of their stores.  The salespeople are beyond knowledgeable, super helpful, and not the pushy annoying staff that you get at other stores.  If you live in New York, ask for Anton, he's probably the best Fluevog salesperson out there.  The store here is located on Prince and Mulberry, and it's worth dodging the hoards of models and tourists in Soho to check it out.  Here's a couple more pictures for proof and nostalgia :)

My new favorite Fluevogs.  The purple and orange are just obnoxious enough for me to want to own.  If only they were purple and gold, they could be my Viking's shoes.  Are you listening John Fluevog?

* Thank you to two of my favorite people in the world, Anton and Paige for spoiling me on my birthday and allowing me to afford these.  

Currently Idolizing: Ann-Margret

When I was a kid, my favorite movie was Newsies.  To this day I can still sing all the songs, recite all the words, and even do some of the dance moves.  It's a bit ridiculous, but hey, I was six.  Newsies was coincidently my first introduction to the amazing Ann-Margret, and I never thought much of it.  It wasn't until my recent years, more importantly, my first viewing of Tommy, that I realized that Ann-Margret might actually be important.

Maybe it's the red hair, or the fact that Elvis sent her flowers to every single stage show she ever performed in until he died, either way Ann-Margret has something.  From the 60s-now, she still gets cast as a sexpot.  To me, it's like she's the Swedish Sophia Loren.  Completely classy, sexy, talented, and timeless.

Ann-Margret, it may have taken me a while to catch up, but I salute you.

Currently Idolizing: Janelle Monae

I generally refuse to idolize anyone.  I feel like most of the celebrities in our modern culture are kinda vapid and boring (and addictive), and the other half are sort of flash in the pan and then they do something stupid and I give up all hope.  With Janelle Monae, that is not the case.

I first heard about Janelle Monae sometime last year after P. Diddy made some comment along the lines of "Janelle Monae is the most important artist of the decade" (I could be making this up, but I thought I read that at the time).  Well, if P. Diddy thinks she's super important, I have to listen to her and disagree.

Only, I didn't disagree.

Janelle Monae is awesome.  She started out working with Big Boi, is classically trained in musical theater, has opened for No Doubt, and is signed to Bad Boy Records.  And you thought that was impressive? How about the fact that she has probably the coolest conceptual album since The Grey Album.  Monae's concept album is divided into four parts (or suites) and it is based on Blade Runner and Fritz Lang's Metropolis.  Yeah...I'm gonna let that sink in.

Now pick your jaw up off the floor, and continue reading.

Her music is danceable, fun, and completely addictive.  I've had the first suite, Metropolis: The Chase Suite on my iPod for about a year, and although I've listened to it a million times, I listen to it every morning to get me pumped for work.  The second suite is dropping on May 18, entitled The ArchAndroid.  Her first two singles from the album are available for purchase, or to just check out on her website.

If you haven't check her out yet, I suggest you go do so immediately.  It's not every day a girl from Kansas City makes an album based on two of the greatest and most influential science fiction films ever.