Augustana CD ~ Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt

Happy to be back in the states for a couple weeks and tonight I’m feeling so grateful for the abundance and availability (well, compared to where I’m currently living in Sweden) of decent live music here.

Last night we headed out to set our eyes and ears on the San Diego based, Augustana. I’m sure you’ve heard their song, Boston which sold a million digital copies and was featured on the TV show One Tree Hill or the catchy tune, Stars and Boulevards – both songs from their first album, All the Stars and Boulevards. I adore their sporty heartfelt style – kind of a mix between Keane, Train, and The Fray. Dan Layus’ voice is amazing and his soulful breathy vocals sound even more fabulous in person. And being extremely easy on the eyes certainly doesn’t hurt either.

The girls and I had a blast hanging out together but unfortunately didn’t snap any pix worthy of posting. Here are two versions of Augustana’s new single, Sweet and Low, to whet your appetite. Trust me, you’ll be humming this one in no time.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2D07wrBNMk

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMUJiOveDGg

Augustana’s second CD, Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt just hit the stores on April 29th. For $9.90, it’s seriously worth the dough.

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Colbie Caillat ~ Magic

Colbie Calliat is the super cute 22 year old blondie singer-songwriter from California who broke records with her song, Bubbly – it’s been viewed more than 17 million times on youtube and upwards of 20 million on myspace.

Her CD, Coco, has been making the rounds in my iPod since last year and it continues to grow on me a little more every time I hear it.

It’s feel good music. Here’s her song, Magic.

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More Brett Dennen – Ain’t No Reason Video

Official Brett Dennen Ain’t No Reason video.

And again on Jimmy Kimmel Live a few weeks back.

I can’t get enough.

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I’m a junkie. High on Brett Dennen.

Ok, I realize I might be a little obsessive by nature. Even my friends would agree, once I like something I really like it. I’m just loyal and dedicated like that. That’s how I roll.

My current addiction is Brett Dennen.

Yeah, I heard him a couple years ago too but couldn’t really decide how much I liked him – I mean, was I willing to commit, get off my wallet, and fork over the $12.99 for his new CD? Well, after about a year pondering it and getting more & more attached to the 3 songs I did own by this musical master, I decided yes; Brett’s definitely worth it. I immediately – and happily – purchased just about everything by Dennen I could get my grubby paws on and have been playing him non-stop for a few weeks months. (wow – the time has flown by)

Brett Dennen is the passionate, confident, and captivating freckled face 28 year old Californian whom I currently adore. This goofy red haired, sometimes headband wearing, guitar carrying, singer songwriter’s music is brilliant, honest, and completely mesmerizing to me.

Rolling Stone names Brett Dennen as one of the top 10 artists to watch in 2008. (for the full article click here)

They offer this illustration on Brett’s “sound”.

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Dear Rockers. Paying musicians back, five bucks at a time.

Ever burned a copy of a friends CD? Maybe a song or two or even the whole stinking thing? It’s called music piracy and loads of people do it everyday.

Music piracy is any form of unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of music including downloading, file sharing, and CD-burning.

So? Wanna make nice nice?

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Boys. Boys. Boys.

I’m telling you, I adore boys who can sing. At this very moment my iPod is heavily weighted towards acoustic male singers.

My latest obsession (easy now – there’s no stalking involved) is Eric Hutchinson.

Originally from the east coast, this twenty something performer has been called one of the most talented singer-songwriters that Boston has to offer and made the top 10 best album sellers on iTunes in September of 2007 (without a label!).

I had downloaded Hutchinson’s latest album, Sounds Like This, back in September and played it incessantly for 2 weeks. I knew I was pushing it when Fattie groaned in his cute accent, “Really? Again? Maybe we could hear something else tonight?”.

So, I’ve been patient for a couple months, laying low, mixing in other artists, but now it’s time to rekindle the love for this CD….His voice is spectacular.

 

Here’s a snippet of an editorial review:

‘You haven’t listened to Eric Hutchinson yet? Oh, you must not be a fan of intelligent pop music. Or is it that you hate hearing new music that is modern yet schooled in the prime of pop music’s yesteryears? For the last 3 years Eric Hutchinson has been cultivating his own brand of acoustic green-eyed soul. Now it is time for you to hear it. Notice the painstakingly placed lyrics, brimming with sarcasm and wit. Turn your attention to his carefully crafted, yet effortless melodies. He sings! He plays guitar! AND piano! He may very well be the next Stevie Wonder! …but probably not. ‘

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Breathe In Breathe Out

This isn’t exactly new news, but maybe it’s news to some of you.

A little over a month ago I downloaded, Breathe In Breathe Out by Mat Kearney….I already had most of Kearney’s music – but he wrote this song recently for the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Mingled among other amazing artists, this song is available on the Grey’s Anatomy Soundtrack Volume 3 and has been added this fall to Kearney’s re-issued, Nothing Left to Lose CD. Both CDs are highly recommended and available via iTunes.

I’m not sure I love the video but I do love the song.
(plus he’s an Oregon boy – so you gotta heart that).

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