Wednesday, July 24, 2013

ACL 2013 Schedule Release!!

Today is a big day for ACL-festival-goers; the official schedule for both weekends was released! I'm pretty excited because while there are some conflicts (always unavoidable), so many of these bands have played ACL in the recent past that it makes it a little bit easier to choose. 

My problem is with the bands playing at 11:15 a.m. that I really want to see. It is almost impossible to make it to their shows unless you don't have any alcohol at the festival and have the energy of a cheetah, or you get your fair share of caffeine. So it looks like I will be missing Wild Nothing, Parquet Courts, and Bear Mountain for sure. 


Looking at the Friday schedule really makes me want to take that whole day off of work! But that's probably not an option....I'm looking forward mostly to Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, their song "Holy Roller" is pretty great, Smith Westerns, and maybe Local Natives (saw them in 2011). In the fight over Wild Belle vs. Vampire Weekend, I would have to go with Wild Belle because I saw Vampire Weekend a few years ago and also I'm already sick of their new album being overplayed. There's also Arctic Monkeys whom I have never seen live but I'm still a little more pumped for Wild Belle.

Purity Ring vs. Kaskade?? The winner is Purity Ring. I'm sorry, but I'm not missing Purity Ring playing "Fireshrine" for another "cool lights show." 

Then I will be ending the night with MUSE. They have come to ACL year after year and I have missed them every time and have regretted it almost every time. I won't make that mistake again. I hear they put on one hell of a show.


This brings us to Saturday, bright and early right??? Getting there to see Parquet Courts at 11:15, right? Hear them play "Stoned and Starving," right??? Wrong. I know myself, and sleep is more important. I will probably miss MONA at 12:15 as well, but I will be kicking myself if I miss Autre Ne Veut!!! I am obsessed with their album "Anxiety" and they have a new one on the way! 

Next door to Autre Ne Veut is HAIM playing at 2. I am STOKED for this awesome girl band! I've been playing "Falling" on repeat pretty much and I would love to hear them play their cover of the Strokes song "I'll Try Anything Once". It's amazing. Then back over to the Honda stage is Junip. This is going to be show you can't miss! I'm really excited to see them. 


Emily and I with Portugal. The Man

I saw Portugal. The Man last year at Free Press Summer Fest (even got to meet some of the band members after) and it was a good show! I'm definitely down to see this one again!

Grimes vs. The Joy Formidable?? GRIMES all the way!!! She looks like she's about 12 but she is very talented! Can't skip out on that one! After that I have two conflicts: Passion Pit vs. Wilco and The Cure vs. Kings of Leon. 


I saw Passion Pit back in 2010 and they were really good but I heard that they were really messed up and blew their set at ACL the previous year.... might need to see Wilco instead? I'm willing to let my friends decided where to go on that. And The Cure?? I love The Cure! How could I skip this show??? I will tell you why. Stevie Wonder. Trying to see Stevie Wonder two years ago was the most ridiculous experience. I could not get anywhere near listening distance with all the people staked out in their lawn chairs. So, Kings of Leon might be the winner. I still have never seen this band, and I do still love their older albums! We shall see.

Sunday Funday. Bear Mountain at 11:15? Meh, probably not. Foxygen at noon? Oh heck yes! I will not let myself miss this band! Seriously. The Mowgli's at 1 is a good filler to Dawes at 2. Then I will probably hit up some Grouplove after Dawes at 3 (luckily all of these are right next to each other). 

In the dilemma of Franz Ferdinand vs. Divine Fits, Divine Fits wins it every time! I am loving this collaboration!! And, Britt Daniel of Spoon is from Austin! C'mon, gotta support! 

via The National Facebook


Next, drum-roll please, THE NATIONAL AT 5:30!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!! This is whom I am the most excited to see. I will do every thing possible to make it to this show. Sorry Toro y Moi, but I am going to have to miss your show again.

After The National's amazingness is Tame Impala whom I will probably check out over Phosphorescent. Not that I don't love Phosphorescent, but I love every song by Tame Impala. 



Last but not least, Atoms for Peace or Phoenix?? PHOENIX. Still haven't made it to a Phoenix show and I will make it to this one and catch the end of Atoms for Peace (or probably go home, let's be real). 





So that's it! I hope my personal schedule has pumped you up for ACL Twenty-Thirteen! I will say, I was a little disappointed with the lineup at first, but I think every day has a lot of great bands to offer! 

See you there!



Friday, July 19, 2013

Summer Soundtrack (as of July 2013)

There have been a lot of great songs released during the summer months and so I'm taking the time to give you my summer playlist. There are a few songs that aren't quite as new (i.e. James Taylor's "Mexico") but! you have to mix in some oldies too sometimes! ;)

I chose a lot of these because I have been hearing them over and over again on the radio; therefore, they now remind me of summer. Others, like "14th of July" are just a given. So, grab your swimsuit and shades, don't forget your sunscreen, and put on this playlist for the ultimate soundtrack to your summer outings!

  1. John Mayer - "Paper Doll"
  2. St. Lucia - "Elevate"
  3. Haim - "Don't Save Me"
  4. Beck - "I Won't Be Long"
  5. Palma Violets - "We Found Love"
  6. Pure Bathing Culture - "Pendulum"
  7. CHVRCHES - "Gun"
  8. James Taylor - "Mexico"
  9. Washed Out - "It All Feels Right"
  10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - "If You Didn't See Me [Then You Weren't On The Dancefloor]"
  11. Stars - "Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It"
  12. Terraplane Sun - "Get Me Golden"
  13. Mona - "Goons (Baby, I Need It All)"
  14. Alpine - "Gasoline"
  15. Small Black - "Sophie"
  16. Cayucas - "East Coast Girl"
  17. Phoenix - "Trying To Be Cool"
  18. Daft Punk - "Get Lucky"
  19. Shout Out Louds - "14th of July"
  20. The National - "Sea of Love"
  21. Man Man - "Head On"
  22. Houses - "Soak It Up"
  23. Delorean - "Spirit"
  24. Beach House - "Lazuli"


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

St. Lucia "Elevate"

Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm so happy to hear that St. Lucia has released their single "Elevate" for their upcoming album "When the Night" that is set to release on October 8th! I guess I have been a little out of the loop because this was the first I had heard of their upcoming album!

Check out the song on Spotify or SoundCloud.




I first saw this band back in March during SXSW here in Austin and they did not disappoint!


St. Lucia at Hype Hotel during SXSW 2013

 Check out their other songs on Spotify. "Closer Than This" is probably my favorite but all are great songs, especially for summer!

I'm so excited!!! Be on the lookout for the album in October!



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Pure Bathing Culture

I just wanted to get in a quick post about a new band everyone should be paying attention to -- Pure Bathing Culture.


I first heard their song "Pendulum" on Sirius XMU (you can listen here on Soundcloud) but unfortunately I can't listen to it on Spotify. So I checked out their singles that are available and I am liking this new band!



Of the singles available, I think "Lucky One" is my favorite but all are worthy of your music-listening-time. Their sound is smooth and mellow, like Wild Nothing or Beach House.



I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. I can't wait for their album "Moon Tides" release on August 20th!