Happy Friday, friends! Starting today, I will be dropping a playlist every month. Some months, there may be a theme to the playlist; other times, it might just be an amalgamation of what I've been loving recently. This is the latter. So, give it a listen and see what I'm dancing in my room to.
x
Casey
PS: Let me know in the comments what you've been listening to lately!
Wednesday morning, as I took the ten minute walk from my apartment to the UK classroom building, I received a text from my brother. It was a link to rising Australia musician, Alex Lahey's debut EP, B-Grade University. As it were, I already had my headphones out, so I went ahead and pressed play on the first track. Halfway through "Ivy League," my phone started to ring with a call from my brother. He told me to listen to that very song, "It's my life," he said. And, listening to lyrics like, "If I was an Ivy League / Kind of girl / Do you think that they would give me more / Shifts at work" and "I went to B-Grade university / And got myself an arts degree" certainly hit close to home for him, a music performance major and me, a writing major. We haven't graduate yet, but with our lines of study, we're certainly scared for that day.
The remainder of the EP covers a series of other emotions and existential woes felt by most 20-somethings. The tracks, "Let's Go Out," "Wes Anderson," "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me," and "L-L-L-Leave Me Alone" reflect over a series of topics from going out and getting drunk to rejection to confusion and self-deprecation. While that all may sound a bit somber, all of Lahey's tracks are upbeat and fast-paced, with lyrics that, while covering one of the most confusing times of one's life, are humorous.
"Let's Go Out" describes that uncontrollable, college-kid urge to go out and have a good time. And with it's catchy chorus and constant beat, it could easily be the soundtrack to any night out. "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me," is the most uplifting track about being rejected that I've ever heard. "L-L-L-Leave Me Alone" is about telling your ex to just get out of your life already. My personal favorite is "Wes Anderson," which utilizes soft, washy guitar riffs to create a luminescent pop sound- a perfect match for its lyrical musings about young love.
Lahey's songs left me smiling. It was nice hearing a musician that understood all of the ups and downs that are part of being 20 years old and slumping it away at college.
B-Grade University is on Spotify or you check out more from Alex Lahey at http://alexlahey.com.au/
I give you my first ever VNYL order. I'm about a month late opening the damn thing because I've been away at college, but today I finally tore open that pink package and saw what was inside.
For those that do not know, VNYL is a monthly subscription box that delivers your choice of either one or three records to your doorstep. The box ships to the US for free, and the UK, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Australia, France, and Canada at an additional cost. Your records are chosen by a curator specifically for you based on your profile, social media sites, other digital audio services profiles (such as Spotify), and your choice of #VIBE for the month.
Each month a selection of #VIBEs is presented for you to choose from. These vibes allow the curator to know what type of music your interested in receiving.
I chose #GAMENIGHT as my #VIBE. My curator, Jessie wrote:
"Hey Casey, Welcome to VNYL! I'm stoked to share records with you. I know you're a big fan of alt-rock, so I got you! I included the amazing Foo Fighters - who doesn't love Dave Grohl? I also stalked your Spotify and now know you dig The Walkmen, so I added them to your #gamenight package. Woo hoo! Now go put your records on! Enjoy, Jessie"
Heaven - The Walkmen
Jessie's stalking paid off. I don't listen to The Walkmen as much as I did back in 2012, when this album was released, but perhaps now I can get back into their music. I was certainly excited to see this album in my package. I am honestly confused how I didn't own it already! Good call!
Rescue Team - The Shakers
Not something I would have picked for myself, but that's what made receiving this album so exciting! I had actually heard a bit of this record sometime last year, after a friend had recommended it, but didn't quite get into it. This gave me a chance to give it another try, and honestly, I'm so glad I did. The Shakers aren't what I usually like, but I have fallen in love! Thanks, Jessie!
Saint Cecilia EP - Foo Fighters
As Jessie said, who doesn't love Dave Grohl? Oddly enough, Foo Fighters are my least favorite of all his projects, yet I love them nonetheless. I was ecstatic to see find this EP in my #gamenight package. Keep the Dave Grohl magic coming!
Verdict: VNYL is a fun and fairly inexpensive way to experiment with your music taste. I defintely suggest giving it a try.
Oh, if you are interesting in VNYL, let me know either through email or social media! I can send you an invite code that will give you $10 in credit for the site and give me $10, too! A win-win :)
x
Casey
PS: Catch a glimpse of each of my new records below!
Hello everyone! If any of you are lovers of vinyl, you are probably aware of a very special annual sale called, Record Store Day. If you haven't heard of this magical day, here's what Wikipedia has to say about it,
Last year was my first time attending Record Store Day (I'm new to the vinyl world, sorry!). I had been able to snatch up a copy of the Hedwig and the Angry Inch OBC on pink vinyl and A red, heart-shaped 7" from Father John Misty.
"Record Store Day is an annual event, founded in 2007, held on the third Saturday of April each year to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store. The day brings together fans, artists, and thousands of independent record stores across the world. A number of records are pressed specifically for Record Store Day, and are only distributed to shops participating in the event."
This year, I my haul doubled, and I am so very excited by all that I got. First, my absolute favorite band, Walk the Moon, released a double disk vinyl of their recently recorded live show at The Greek in Los Angeles, California. The album is titled, You Are Not Alone, which was taken from a lyric in their popular song, "Portugal." The live recording featured every moment of the show, from the songs to the cute banter from the band members. In addition, the album came in a gorgeous sleeve, featuring a photos of the band and a sea of color. Second, I bought Twenty One Pilots' limited edition 7", Disquaire Day (that's Record Store Day in French). Like the Walk the Moon album, this 7" was also recorded live; however, it contained only two songs (sort of ). Side A is a medley of some the band's older songs, while Side B is one of their current popular songs, "Doubt." Twenty One Pilots is known for not often revisiting their old material, so it was wonderful to hear them playing some of those songs again. In addition, I bought David Bowie 1966, which features some of Bowie's singles from that year. Bowie's company released a series of albums for today, but I decided on this one because it featured some of his lesser known music. My final purchase, which I had grabbed at the last minute before checking out, is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens picture disk. Both sides of this 7" features an amazing shot from the get away scene on Jakku from the film. Side A is the "March of the Resistance," and Side B is "Rey's Theme." I was delighted to hear both of these songs because they were two of my favorites from the film's score.
Did you buy anything for Record Store Day? Or do you have a vinyl collection that you're proud of? Let me know what records you're currently loving in the comments.
x
Casey
Rock goddess, Juliette Lewis has returned with her first track since her 2009 album, Terra Incognita. The new funky, pop-fueled track, "Hello Hero" is packed with popping beats and anthemic lyrics. Lewis is looking for a hero, and she's singing it out like the true queen that she is. I love the new song, and I am so very glad that instead of dipping her feet back into the musical waters, she is diving right back in. While Juliette Lewis might be in search for her own hero, I have to look know further than because I have already found mine in her and her music. Welcome back, hard lovin' woman.
