#WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday 2/20/13

Here's what I'm listening to this week:

• Fiction Family - Up Against The Wall - A great live version of this.  FF is made up of the frontman from Switchfoot and the guitarist from Nickel Creek. Lots of talent coming together! 
• Spacehog - In the Meantime - I feel like I heard this during a '90s hour or something  recently.  Hey, 1994, heyyyyyy.
• The Wombats - Jump Into the Fog
• Mayer Hawthorne - Finally Falling - I was in Sports Authority when I heard this song.  Not the place I imagined that would have this song on a playlist, but gosh darn it, I was glad to hear it.   
• PS - Dearest Mayer Hawthorne, I need to see you perform live. XOXO, J.
• The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather - This is from my friend Amy's Pick of the Week over on Radio 92.9.  I don't have to tell any of you fellow New Englanders that it's definitely sweater season in these parts, and the '60s-'70s beach rock vibe is big now, so I'm diggin' this one.  Good pick, Amy!

So, #WhatchaListeningTo? 

In Concert: The Lumineers (Or, "Monday Is the New Friday")

Thanks to my lovely friend Amy, I had a last-minute surprise - a ticket to see The Lumineers at the House of Blues!  Last night, Monday, February 4, we hung out at the Lansdowne Pub while she and Radio 92.9 were giving away tickets to the show, albums by the band, chances to win ski passes and even a Jeep.

Step right up!

There was a group of 4 who won tickets through the station, and the 6 of us spent the whole evening enjoying drinks, interesting-looking treats at the Foundation Room (PS. I want to live there) and of course - good tunes.

Anyone thirsty?

Passion Fruit Mousse. You fancy, huh?

Pat won the tickets, and was celebrating his birthday all weekend (Happy Birthday!) and brought along his best buds Mike, Seth and Suzanne.

We watched the opener from the Foundation Room while having some drinks and food. We lost count of how many people were actually on stage for Y La Bamba but who cares?  They sounded pretty cool.  The band is from Portland, Oregon and describes themselves as "eclectic indie folk pop."  This song, "Juniper," has a great call-and-response and I love how their voices harmonize.

"Juniper"

The crowd was in love with The Lumineers from the moment the lights came up.  Looking around, every fan around us was singing along - when the band performed their second single, "Stubborn Love", Y La Bamba joined them on stage.  I loved hearing "Ain't Nobody's Problem" - I love the build-up.

This moment was pretty great, when members of The Lumineers came out into the middle of the crowd and performed the hit "Ho Hey":

What did I learn that evening?
1. "Monday is the New Friday." - Mike
2. If you order Vodka and Red Bull shots at the House of Blues, they come as actual drinks, not shots.  Bottoms up!
3. The Lumineers has a HUGE following in Boston - it was a sold-out crowd!  I certainly recommend checking this band out when they're in your neck of the woods next.  You won't be disappointed.

#WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday 1/30/13

Here's what I'm listening to this week - 

• Imagine Dragons - Radioactive - a nice juxtaposition to "It's Time"; it shows what else this band is capable of giving listeners.  I'm certainly pickin' up what they're puttin' down.
• Wilco - Dawned On Me - "I've been lost/ I've been found/ I've been taken/ by the sound/ My own worries/ and voices in my head..."
• Brett Dennen - Closer To You - I love when artists put out these raw, real videos and allow the natural sound of the location where they're shooting the video to come through.
• Travis - Selfish Jean - I like the comedian Demetri Martin.  I like this song.  Demetri Martin is in the video. It's all coming together.
• Milo Greene - 1957 - I love the story behind the band name just as much as I am loving getting to know this band's music. They made a short film to accompany their album.  Dreamy, cinematic, indie pop... who do you think they sound like?

 

So, #WhatchaListeningTo?

#WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday 1/23/13

Here's what I'm listening to this week:

• A Silent Film - Harbour Lights - They're pretty great live, as I featured a few weeks ago. 
• Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop - Dance. 
• Bonus - "Same Love", the first track from this NPR Tiny Desk Concert/All Songs Considered segment - not the safest for tiny ears, but my boyfriend suggested I check it out, and I'm glad I did.  Check it, yo.
• Keane - Sovereign Light Cafe - something from Keane I haven't heard before.
• Alpha Rev - Sing Loud  - a beautiful, driving beat and a sweet song.  I'd love to see Alpha Rev someday.
• Capital Cities - Safe and Sound - I'm hearing a touch of City and Colour here, anyone else?

So, #WhatchaListeningTo? 

#WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday 12/26/12

Here's what I've been listening to this week:

• Civil Twilight - River - "Take a little dive into the river baby/ I don't mind..."
• Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats - This version of this beautiful song game up on the Gomez channel on Pandora. The original by The Knife reminds me a lot of something from Grimes.
• Local Natives - Wide Eyes - the video, on first viewing, makes me think that it's about finally coming to terms with and facing your fears, but reading other listeners' takes on it makes me go back and re-listen and watch.
• Mumford & Sons - Lover of the Light - "But I'd be yours if you'd be mine..."
• Eels - I Like Birds - a cute little ditty that I heard while watching The Big Year.

So, #WhatchaListeningTo?

In Studio - Churchill

I had the opportunity recently to head over to Radio 92.9 in Boston to enjoy an in-studio performance with the band Churchill.  It was my first time in the Boch Studio 92.9 and it was definitely a cool experience being up-close-and-personal with a band that I'm just getting into - "Change" has been a huge hit for the band, and it was great to hear that and others live.

Bethany

Tim and Mike

Amy Brooks interviewed the band, touching on many subjects from interesting questions on their bios from their band website to the name of the band.  Anyone for a tall, delicious glass of Tyler's favorite beverage, Purplesaurus Rex?

Hi, 1980s.

How did the band come to pick "Churchill", anyways?  They had "a list of names" - literally, a "piece of paper with terrible names and [Churchill] was the least terrible," one of the guys laughed.

The band played three songs, starting with the hit "Change."  The story behind it is that they were "terrified of signing a record deal," and the "idea that people would want to change [them]."  It was also mentioned that "doing what you believe is right in all things" when others may be trying to change you was an idea behind the song, as well.  

Amy Brooks Interviewing Churchill in the Boch Studio 92.9 

Bands that the members of Churchill find inspiring, have seen lately or just simply listen to on their free time include The Killers, The Punch Brothers and Fleetwood Mac.

Tyler

Me with Churchill in the Boch Studio 92.9

 Advice for other bands? "Do as much as you can on your own... and have fun!"

Churchill with Mattu in the Boch Studio 92.9

                                     

Do your ears a favor and click over to the Boch Studio 92.9 page to listen to "Change," "Betrayed" and "Ark in a Flood."  After you do that, let me know what you think!  Don't forget to check out Churchill on Facebook and Twitter to see what they're up to next.

#WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday 12/19/12

Here's what I'm listening to this week:

• Radical Something - Be Easy (Acoustic) - this came up on Spotify on my Churchill Radio Station, and I fell in love with the light groove and the surprise rap.  
• Churchill - Ark in a Flood - I heard this live in the Radio 92.9 Boch Studio - "You fill my heart like an empty cup and it overflows into/ All of my body and lifts me up like an ark in a flood..."
• Tyrone Wells - Running Around In My Dreams - A sweet song.  Can't fault a girl for liking this sweet one! 
• The Roots - How I Got Over - The Roots. Period.
• Stars - Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It - Amazing live band, and I need to check out this album!

 

So, #WhatchaListeningTo?