We could sit here and listen to the crickets…
…or I could hand you one of the earpods from my iPod. Want to know what I’m listening to right now? Sure you do.
I made a mix for my friend Emily the other day. She was complaining of being stuck in a musical rut and wanted to be introduced to some new music. The resulting CD pleased me so much that I listened to the playlist myself all weekend. I think you can probably find most of it on iTunes.
Staring at the Sun — TV on the Radio
Alley Flowers — Jolie Holland
Multitude of Casualties — The Hold Steady
Poor Little Rich Boy — Regina Spektor
December 1999 — Jolie Holland
Back to Gray — The Thermals
Lifter Puller vs. the End of the Evening — Lifter Puller
Combat Baby — Metric
New Girl — The Long Winters
Stevie Nix — The Hold Steady
Needle in the Hay — Elliott Smith
Oedipus — Regina Spektor
Resolution — The White Hassle
Dearly Departed — Devotchka
Ode to Divorce — Regina Spektor
Sangre de Stephanie — Lifter Puller
Consequence of Sound — Regina Spektor
Damn Shame — Jolie Holland
Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ — The Velvet Underground
And there you have it. Some recent obsessions and a few older favorites. No matter who I’m listening to at the moment, I always return to The Velvet Underground, and I always try to sneak them on to whatever mix I’m making.
(Yes, Lou Reed, I’ve have my sideline flings–some of them spanning years–with Nick Cave, with Perry Farrell, with Craig Finn. And back in 2001 when I and all my friends got laid off and I ignored you and wallowed in Bright Eyes. And then there was that long cold winter spent mourning for Elliott Smith… But never forget, Lou, that I love you most of all, you grumpy old thing.)
So what are you listening to this summer? What are your new discoveries? What are your old favorites? I’m ready for something new.
PS: Yay, John! You have seen his Knitty pattern, yes?
Thanks for the distraction — er, list! (“Combat Baby” is my favourite Metric song, with one of my favourite ever opening set of lines — I love the jaded concept of “caffeine-free faux-punk fatigue.”)
Posted by: alison
Aside from the oldie-but-goodie Tom Waits, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and Prince – Eleni Mandell. All her albums are marvelous, but if you’re starting out with her, I recommend Thrill.
Has your puppy recovered from the tooth cleaning?
Posted by: amandamonkey
My husband and I have been completely stressed out this summer. We went to see Dressy Bessy. The only other people at the show our age were chaperoning their teenagers. Don’t care–they have to be one of the most charismatic bands I’ve ever seen. Fun, fun, fun.
Posted by: Mary
I’m so glad you like Regina Spektor so much! I just love her music. Other music that’s floating my boat these days: Ida, Iron and Wine, Rufus Wainwright, Josh Ritter, Giant Sand (always), and the new Susan Cowsill record.
And yes, I always return to the Velvets too.
Posted by: regina
Thanks for the distraction — er, list! (“Combat Baby” is my favourite Metric song, with one of my favourite ever opening set of lines — I love the jaded concept of “caffeine-free faux-punk fatigue.”)
Posted by: alison
Aside from the oldie-but-goodie Tom Waits, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and Prince – Eleni Mandell. All her albums are marvelous, but if you’re starting out with her, I recommend Thrill.
Has your puppy recovered from the tooth cleaning?
Posted by: amandamonkey
My husband and I have been completely stressed out this summer. We went to see Dressy Bessy. The only other people at the show our age were chaperoning their teenagers. Don’t care–they have to be one of the most charismatic bands I’ve ever seen. Fun, fun, fun.
Posted by: Mary
I’m so glad you like Regina Spektor so much! I just love her music. Other music that’s floating my boat these days: Ida, Iron and Wine, Rufus Wainwright, Josh Ritter, Giant Sand (always), and the new Susan Cowsill record.
And yes, I always return to the Velvets too.
Posted by: regina
new discoveries –
everyone else’s old favorite the new pornographers
tibi lubin
aloha
futureheads
the radio dept.
old favorites –
karate
field mice
bedhead
Posted by: karen
Sorry for the double post, but I forgot a huge one: AC Newman (of the New Pornographers) recently made a solo record which is just ridiculously great. Again, apologies, but you must hear this. Really.
Posted by: regina
Ooo..TV on the Radio. Yum. Discovered them last summer. I’ve probably played “Ambulance” from taht same album about 473 times. Love.
Posted by: Michelle
I love your blog! I came here for the knitting,but was initially distracted by your dogs! Why? Coz my furbaby is also an Iggy!!! She was rescued 11 years ago,and she just turned 13. She doesn’t know she’s an ole lady! LOL!!
Posted by: Khebhin
wow, um..that john guy? really cool.
Posted by: k.
It’s just appalling how few of those singers I’ve heard of! I’m so clueless where music was concerned–I spent my most formative music years (i.e., High School)–in the 1980s–listening to the Beatles and Mozart. Quite a combination, I know, but it didn’t do much for current music recognition skills!
Posted by: Deb
I’ve heard of almost no one on that list, probably because I’m 38 and have been hiding under a rock or something while all my possessions, my kid, and I got moved and adjusted over the past few years…
Except Lou Reed, who is just THE coolest. The fact that he is with Laurie Anderson just confirms it. By the way, they’re doing a benefit concert at Joe’s Pub in NYC this August, I think…you should go. 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
new discoveries –
everyone else’s old favorite the new pornographers
tibi lubin
aloha
futureheads
the radio dept.
old favorites –
karate
field mice
bedhead
Posted by: karen
Sorry for the double post, but I forgot a huge one: AC Newman (of the New Pornographers) recently made a solo record which is just ridiculously great. Again, apologies, but you must hear this. Really.
Posted by: regina
Ooo..TV on the Radio. Yum. Discovered them last summer. I’ve probably played “Ambulance” from taht same album about 473 times. Love.
Posted by: Michelle
I love your blog! I came here for the knitting,but was initially distracted by your dogs! Why? Coz my furbaby is also an Iggy!!! She was rescued 11 years ago,and she just turned 13. She doesn’t know she’s an ole lady! LOL!!
Posted by: Khebhin
wow, um..that john guy? really cool.
Posted by: k.
It’s just appalling how few of those singers I’ve heard of! I’m so clueless where music was concerned–I spent my most formative music years (i.e., High School)–in the 1980s–listening to the Beatles and Mozart. Quite a combination, I know, but it didn’t do much for current music recognition skills!
Posted by: Deb
I’ve heard of almost no one on that list, probably because I’m 38 and have been hiding under a rock or something while all my possessions, my kid, and I got moved and adjusted over the past few years…
Except Lou Reed, who is just THE coolest. The fact that he is with Laurie Anderson just confirms it. By the way, they’re doing a benefit concert at Joe’s Pub in NYC this August, I think…you should go. 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
Cool music! I’m from Spain and I’ve never heard none of these groups, so thanks I think it’s a great music for knitting 😉
Un abrazo
Posted by: Lia
Cool music! I’m from Spain and I’ve never heard none of these groups, so thanks I think it’s a great music for knitting 😉
Un abrazo
Posted by: Lia