Lollapalooza the 5th

Well... this has been long overdue. I finally got around to making a compilation of clips I took throughout the week of travels for Lollapalooza. Since it was our 5th Lolla, I knew I had to make it special. So, here is this 12 minute video encompassing literally every part of our journey. The best week of the year gone too quickly.

*Disclaimer: Stories told in this film may be fictional. Do not believe everything you hear.*

Stolen Dance

It has been way too long since I posted and even longer since Emily posted. Life has gotten in our way.  And up until about 3 hours ago, I was hardly thinking about new music and new albums dropping because of the crazy start to high school and QU. But, I'm back.

I've already started to compile my list for the end of the year and the year's best albums (by months). But recently, I've been listening to Milky Chance and Glass Animals. Both very interesting sounds, but pretty awesome. Stolen Dance is the most popular and Gooey is now on 104.1... 104.1 really is the best radio station out there if I have to listen to the radio. Aside from Mandatory Marley at 4:20 which I really hate, they play awesome music.

Anyway, give Milky and Glass Animals a chance...

Another post coming at you in less than 15 minutes.... A Lolla V update that never happened.

WHIF: Vance Joy

I'm sorry it's been so long since our last post. I've been busy hibernating. But, ever since I changed my life and bought Pandora One, I haven't stopped using it. Recently, Vampire Weekend Radio is what's playing and Vance Joy kept coming up. Riptide is the first song I heard and it's so catchy and quick. I love it. But then, I discovered he'd be at lollapalooza!!! And he might be the underdog of the weekend. I'm so excited. I just bought his little EP because I like to support artists.

He also has a song called Snaggletooth which makes me laugh hehe.

96 days until the best weekend of the year. #lollav

xoxox
96 year old grandma Jeana

the demons in your head always have the best intent

Yes! It's finally here. A second single from Cathedrals. A few months back, I had heard Unbound and posted it on here. Now, they have a second single called Harlem.

Here's a link to a page with the track via soundcloud: Harlem - Cathedrals

I'm really excited for them to produce an album and fingers crossed... show up at Lollapalooza?

That is all. Enjoy your Monday.

Black out days I don't recognize you anymore

Well, after an accidental drunken Valentine's Day weekend adventure consisting of wawa, strawberry moscato, and fireball shots (who am I?!), I woke up yesterday in CT and magically my iTunes was filled with the new Phantogram album Voices.

This is their 2nd full studio album and to be honest, I wasn't always a fan. I had listened to them a bit in college and I knew Mouthful of Diamonds and When I'm Small, but I wasn't really sold. Now, being 25 and depressed.... I have a much better appreciation for them.

A couple of weeks ago, I had heard Fall in Love on Radio 104.1 and told Emily about it. She hadn't heard of it, but had heard of Bill Murray, another single off their album. Well, that was everything I needed it to be at the time. It was there to calm me in the toughest of times.

Anyway, about their new album. There's 11 songs on the album and I'd say 9 of them are solid... giving this album a B- overall. It is rare to find albums where I enjoy every single song and Phantogram was so close to delivering. Their lyrics are definitely amazing this time around though.

If you haven't, you should at least give it a chance. My least favorite songs are the 2 songs where the guy is singing on them: I Don't Blame You and Never Going Home. I absolutely love the beats of both of those songs, but his voice just doesn't do it for me.

Here's the track listing:
1. Nothing But Trouble
2. Black Out Days
3. Fall In Love
4. Never Going Home
5. The Day You Died
6. Howling At the Moon
7. Bad Dreams
8. Bill Murray
9. I Don't Blame You
10. Celebrating Nothing
11. My Only Friend

So far, my favorites are Fall In Love, Black Out Days, The Day You Died, and Bill Murray.

Happy listening and here's to surviving another day...

Jeana

Give me a reason to stay alive
I've got the feeling we're gonna die
I hide behind my eyes and lies and broken mirrors
And every day I say this time around my vision's getting clearer
- Celebrating Nothing

Broken Hearts

I am enjoying my first of hopefully many February break!  Three days into my break and I heard Ingrid Michaelson's new song Girls Chase Boys and damn I love it a lot.

Well time to go to the spa and meditate the social work stress away.  

#emily

Skiier's High

So, as most of our followers know, Emily and I went night skiing last night. A spur of the moment decision (somewhat). I woke up Saturday morning around 7am and I thought to myself "I should get in the car and drive to Mount Snow..." well that didn't happen. I went back to sleep, but I was talking to Emily about it around 1 pm and 30 minutes later she was in her car going to get snow pants and to my house. We went to Ski Sundown which is where the MHS Ski Club goes every Wednesday (about 50 minutes from Manchester in New Hartford). We had the greatest experience. Here's a look back on our journey...

That sunset is real and it was at 9:30 pm last night. Crazy. Literally, last night was the best 4 hours in a while. It was so relaxing and I forgot how much I love to ski. Next time (in 2 weeks) we are going to try snowboarding... finally!! I have this weird feeling that snowboarding is my hidden talent. And Emily will then tackle her true hidden talent of moguls. Here's a video of Emily tearing up the slopes.

Of course, music was involved. We were wishing Alt-j was with us and we also listened to Timber about 12 times on both the drive up and back.

I also had this song stuck in my head that I'm mildly obsessed with. It's called High You Are by What So Not but it's a remix obviously.

I am so sad last night is over, but looking forward to the next few weeks where we can night ski all the damn time. New Saturday night activity. Join us or hate us.

Keep shredding my gnarly folk,
Ski Bunny Jeana

Neglected

I know I am the worst blog parent I feel like I have been neglecting my children.  As a mandated reporter I would report myself but I am asking you all very kindly to not report me.  Anyways back to the music.  Currently I'm crushing very hard on a few bands one being Phantogram which Jeana captured so well in the previous blog post.  But the other day I downloaded the Broken Bells album After the Disco and I will tell you I am crushing on them real hard.  I have a previous history with the band I use to be so in love with the song The High Road.  Serious classic.

Broken Bells The High Road

Anyways here are a few of my favorite songs from their new album After the Disco.

Holding on For Life

After the Disco

I hope this brings some brightness to this blog! Also double crossing my fingers that they are at LOLLAPALOOZA!

Peace and Love

Emily almost MSW

Pre-Order Thursday

Just pre-ordered Voices by Phantogram, expected out February 18th. I must say, in the past 6 months, I've really supported artists by actually buying their albums. I guess that's what happens when you become a real adult and have money to spend on luxuries such as music. I'm really excited for this album because I've been in a really dark place for the past 6 days (aka all of February). This month just clearly isn't my month, but I'm sure that music will get me through this difficult time.

I know Emily really likes Bill Murray for its' depression like ways, but I can't find a good video on YouTube, so Fall in Love is their current single and a classic Phantogram song. Sounds just like their previous album, which I enjoy. Fingers crossed they're at Lollapalooza so I can slice my wrists to their songs.

xoxo
Dark Place Jeana

Lost in Trance

Well, the last few days have been really rough and thankfully we had Monday and today off due to snow. I've been going in at the gym as of late, actually running on the treadmill which is different for me, but Disclosure Pandora has been the way to go. I've been debating spending the $36 on Pandora One to get rid of commercials. I feel like I listen enough between the gym and work, but I'm not sold yet. Whilst listening to Pandora, I came across a song called Sleepless by Flume. Now, usually Disclosure type songs are weird to me, but this reminds me of Phantogram and that's always a good sign if I need to slip into a trance.

Happy trancing friends.

Slow it down...

Some words of wisdom to live by... "Slow it down." Too often I'll find myself running around frantically trying to get things done and give enough attention to my friends equally. Then, The Lumineers remind me to just take a breath and relax for a second. Whilst working today, Slow it down (live) came on my pandora and it instantly calmed me down. Grading midterms stress me out and this definitely was the stress reliever of the day. So, as I continue to grade my failing Algebra 2 midterms, I will listen to The Lumineers album on repeat to remind myself that this midterm means very little and to slow it down.

xoxo
SOJ (Stressed out Jeana)

Home - is where I want to be

I have come to the realization that I like covers of song better than the original (with the exception of ∆ obviously).  This week I have discovered a magical cover of Talking Heads song This Must Be The Place.  The Lumineers covered it and I seriously can't stop listening to it.  I then magically discovered that many other bands that I love so much have covered this song as well.  Believe me I tried very hard to like the original but I just could not find a way to fall in love with it.  Go ahead hate me what do I care.  Anyways here are the various covers that I found of this song that I love so much.  The Lumineers cover is number one in my eyes FYI.

MGMT Cover

Arcade Fire Cover

I'm sorry if you don't agree with me.  To be honest I could care less.  Hate me all you want.

Hated,

Emily

#WCW

I've been having a really awesome week (minus yesterday due to some fresh students, one that wasn't even mine, that had to be thrown out of class and almost punched... by me). Sometimes I wonder how I deal with high school students on a daily basis. I'm clearly on something. But aside from one bad day and the fact that it's only Wednesday, I've been enjoying my week. I feel like I'm finally getting back to myself, gym included.

Since it is Wednesday, I figured I'd publish a post about my #WCW Ellie Goulding. Everyone knows I have an obsession with her. She's so great... probably because she has a British accent. I'll love just about anyone with an accent, myself included since my students tell me everyday I say things weird (orange). She recently came out with a new single, Goodness Gracious. Her new stuff is kinda eh to me, but her old stuff and some of her covers are amazing. Figured I'd share Emily's favorite song, Your Song.

Also, a picture of her from the most recent Marie Claire.. like what?! She's so beautiful.

Okay.. I'll stop being gay now.

Adios amigos,

Jeana

Is there anything I could do just to get some attention from you?

Second blog post of the year... and it's only January 3rd. This seems promising.

I think this discovery might be a WHIF (we heard it first) because Woodkid isn't really that big in the U.S. He's top notch in France oui oui. So instead of planning because I knew we'd have a snow day, I stalked Woodkid for about 3 hours last night. Yoanne, his real name, is 30 years old, from France, and quite possibly the most interesting person ever. He has directed music videos for Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Lana just to name a few. His album The Golden Age, which means a time of purity basically where humans live peacefully and die peacefully.. like what?! This man is in the wrong time period, as am I. I bought his album last night and transported myself to the baroque era. His music is classified as baroque pop and neofolk. All things I learned in Music 130 freshmen year with Davis, Leach, and Dawber. The funniest 8am with a man named Tony. Anyway, since cabin fever has set it, I thought people should have some good music to listen to. I've been listening to this one song on his album for about 2 hours this morning: I Love You. His music videos are always pretty interesting. The first is I Love You, the second Iron, and the third Run Boy Run. Just watch the videos, they're so cool.

Stay warm my 3 followers xoxo
Jeana

The Best of 2013... in 2014

I too am sorry for the hiatus from blogging. It seems being a full-time teacher and a professor is time consuming. Who would've known? But I just had this great idea and just finished researching instead of planning for school or cleaning my room... Highlights of the year 2013 by album release date and a select single from said album! 2013 saw some amazing albums within the year and some new obsessions started to form.

January
January was sort of a slow start, but it saw the second album from Local Natives. Now, I haven't been the biggest advocate of Local Natives, but after listening to their first album 100 times, they started to grow on me a lot. Their second album is decent, but I haven't given it a focused listen.
Breakers - Local Natives

February
February brought the debut album of a group called Atlas Genius. Everyone is familiar with the song Trojans since it became pretty popular. Interesting fact: Trojans was the first song Atlas Genius finished whilst recording the album. Their other single was If So which is also a good one. I feel as if this group hasn't quite gotten the recognition they deserve... Maybe in 2014 they will.
Trojans - Atlas Genius

March
March was not too big of a month. It saw the release of an album from Woodkid, who I recently became obsessed with his song Ghost Lights on an Absolut Vodka commercial oddly enough. The commercial had a Shazam symbol to get a free download, so I did. Great life choice. Just researched his album and Ghost Lights wasn't even a single. Hopefully, it will be soon.
Ghost Lights - Woodkid

April
I know that Phoenix came out with their album Bankrupt!, but honestly what will ever be better than Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The name alone was proof that it would be an amazing album. So, April lets me focus on The Neighbourhood, who Emily and I saw at Lolla this past August and they were hilarious. The lead singer was beautiful <3. Anyway, their debut album I Love You was somewhat life changing. I just gave the album to my roommate to listen and she texted me over break saying "The Neighbourhood album is amazing!!! Thank you!!!" I just like to inspire people through music... and math. Although the classic single Sweater Weather is one of my favorites, I'm going to let you listen to another angst filled song that hits home with me. And just so we're clear, the second I saw the title of this song (W.D.Y.W.F.M.) even before hearing the song, I knew exactly what it stood for: What do you want from me? Ask Emily. I texted her about it.
W.D.Y.W.F.M. - The Neighbourhood

May
Might be the best month of the entire year... Vampire Weekend's Modern Vampires of the City, their third studio album. Now, before this year, I was always a Vampire Weekend fan, but I didn't know how serious my love was for them until we saw Ezra live at Lolla with Emily and Davis. Emily might kill me for this, but it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Notice I said one of the best, because Emily would kill me if I didn't say December 13th was the best concert of my life (private show with Alt-j ∆) They were so energetic and I somehow knew every word to all of their songs. I didn't even know I knew the words until they just poured out of me. Nothing will ever top hearing One and screaming "Jake's got a jew face" with my very best friends or the fact that they closed out with Walcott, my #1 VW song for sure because they reference my home, the garden state and Cape Cod, which I love more than anything. I got side tracked because the focus is their NEW album, which brought amazing singles to the table, including one of my favorites Step because they sing about wisdom teeth and it makes me giggle. I also had mine out in August (refer to previous post...). Okay, too long of a synopsis but this entire album/band was amazing.
Step - Vampire Weekend

June
June was one of the greatest months ever maybe... saw Alt-J for the first time, finished my first year of teaching, and Capital Cities finally debuted their first album. I had heard Safe and Sound somewhere a long time ago and when I heard they were coming out with an album, I couldn't wait. Well... it was definitely worth the wait. I've blogged about this album before, but this basically fueled my cross country road trip with my brothers this summer. We listened to this album completely (skipping Farrah Fawcett Hair feat. Andre 3000) several times considering we drove for almost 4 days straight. There are so many amazing songs on this album, but my favorite has to be Kangaroo Court. Ahh that was such a hard decision. Honorable mentions are definitely Chatreuse, Origami, and of course Safe and Sound. Looking forward to them being at Lolla 14 ::fingers crossed::
Kangaroo Court - Capital Cities

July
July, August and December are kind of slow months for album releases apparently... the only one I could find was Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and while I like them... not enough to write an entire paragraph on them. Moving onto August...

August
...and September. This month saw releases from Franz Ferdinand and The Civil Wars. Again, a fan of both, but not enough to write. Moving onto September...

September
September saw our friend Andrew and company of MGMT producing a new album, but I'd really like to talk about Chvrches. Shoutout to one follower Dawber for introducing me to Chvrches. I know he's a bigger fan than I am, but I've started to come around to them. I just bought their album The Bones of What You Believe and my favorite song is easily Recover. I like that they play Chvrches on one of my current teenage guilty pleasures: Awkward. (the only show on MTV I watch)
Recover - Chvrches

October
October was a long awaited month... the release of a second album from The Head and the Heart, the reason for my existence. The band responsible for my tattoo. Let's Be Still was released on October 15th and you know I bought that instantly. This album was much more eclectic as it went through seasons if you can understand that. Literally, they have songs called Springtime and Summertime. My favorite song on this album was absolutely Another Story. It was written right around the time of the Newtown shootings which are near to me considering I work in the Nutmeg State. If you really listen to the words, they're beautiful. I could listen to Another Story for the rest of my life if I had to on repeat, kind of like when Marshall gets the Proclaimer's I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) stuck in the Fiero and he has to listen to it on every road trip him and Ted go on. Mostly to Chitown <3 Anyway, if you haven't bought or illegally downloaded this album, you should because they are an amazing band who are oddly enough always on late night talk shows performing...
Another Story - The Head and the Heart

November
November saw Alt-J produce a Summer album full of remixes, but I'd rather focus on the Catching Fire soundtrack since it is an actual album, not just remixes (Sorry Emily). I was so excited for Catching Fire to be released and then I didn't even see it until last week. I'm the worst and also have no friends or time, but anyway, this soundtrack is up there on list of soundtracks. This soundtrack saw songs from artists such as: Coldplay, Of Monsters and Men, Imagine Dragons, Ellie Goulding, Santogold, The Lumineers, and of course the infamous Sia. She always kills me with her songs. This song, Elastic Heart, featured Diplo and The Weeknd and it perfectly embodies The Hunger Games. It's like an anthem (as all her songs are).
Elastic Heart - Sia (feat. Diplo and The Weeknd)

December
So, as I said, December wasn't that great, but I came through on 9 of the 12 months out of 2013. That's a solid 75%. 2013 saw some amazing music come out and I really can't wait for 2014. Some of the artists releasing albums are: Phantogram, Sia, Adele (?), and hopefully The Black Keys. I would also hope Of Monsters and Men would be soon too because it's been a long time since they released an album.

Well, enjoy this reminiscing post of 2013... It's time to say goodbye to 2013 and hello to new music. 161 days until Lollapalooza 2014 <3

It's a new year and as Lana says, "Honey, I'm on fire, I feel it everywhere. Nothing scares me anymore."

xxoo
Jeana

My NEW YEARS resolution is to become better at writing posts! (The time I met alt- j ∆)

I'm sorry I have been away for so long.  This past grad school semester really murdered me.  I mean it literally did I ended up being diagnosed with a painful illness called shingles where I could not wear pants or underwear (sorry TMI) for about two weeks!  Since that is in the past and I have made a full recovery I promise my 4 blog followers that 2014 I will be a better blogger and a better me.  I guess I think that I should let all my blog followers know the highlight of 2013 for me.

About a week after being diagnosed with shingles the most magical thing happened to Jeana and I.  I jedi mind tricked XM and sirius radio to give me tickets to an intimate alt j concert for only 75 guests. I literally applied to every contest that they had to win these tickets.  I made my mom not leave the house for 3 days and used up so much of my families phone internet plan constantly refreshing my emails.  I even went as far as calling XM and threatening to cancel my moms XM subscription if I did not win.  Luckily one Wednesday afternoon while I was in the middle of a group at my internship I saw I had a missed call and I knew right away I won tickets.  I quickly dismissed my group ran outside and stood on the scary streets of Harlem to call this number back.  After speaking to a few people I was connected to the promotions department where I went on about how I have traveled the nation and seen them 4 times and have been front row every time,  she informed me that they did not call me and that I had not actually won.  I started to hysterically cry on the streets of the Harlem. But the girl told me to calm down because she had great news she was giving me tickets even though I did not win which made me cry even harder!  It was also Jeans birthday so I win for the best birthday gift ever.

Jeana and were basically sitting on the stage at the show we felt alt-j spit and sweat.  And we made so much eye contact.  It was so magical.

 I met the love of my life Joe.  P.S. We should be together too!  I obviously cried.

And we met Thom and spoke to him for like ever!

We met Gus Unger Hamiliton but the picture won't work for me.  Jeana has it so if anyone needs proof just ask and we can upload it.  

This was the most magical night ever and nothing will every top this.  This night proves that is you are passionate and persistent you can get what you want.  I always get what I want.  It makes me sad that I don't know when the next time I see them we be.  

What was the highlight of your 2013?

2014 Emily