Music Monday: Laura Veirs

I have just one name for all of you this week: Laura Veirs.

I've had her song, "July Flame" on repeat for practically the entire month of June.

Haven't heard it? What? Well, lets have a listen!

I think it's safe to say we all have the chorus of, "Can I call you mine" gently echoing off the walls of our brains at this point, yes? Sigh. So good.

Laura Veirs has seven albums with "July Flame" being the most current. It was released in January of 2010.

Check out her website www.lauraveirs.com for more information.

You can also follow her on Twitter: @LauraVeirs

Have a lovely rest of the week, and I'll catch up with you on Friday for a feel good tune!

Be safe, take care and much love from me to you!

XoXo

You're Just A Bee Charmer, Idgie Threadgoode

So, I realize I'm late to the whole, "Fried Green Tomatoes" story.

A whole 23 years late (if we're going by the publish date of the book...)

But, I suppose my life motto, "better late than never" can totally apply here. Right?

Last week I watched the movie for the very first time, and, just last night I finished reading the book before bed. I'm going to be completely honest, I can't get the character of Idgie out of my brain. She's taken up residency there, but I don't mind it one bit.

What I love about the character of Idgie is her, "do your thing and don't care if they like it," attitude. (Wait, why does that sound so familiar? Oh RIGHT, Tina Fey has that same view on life! Coincidence that I adore Tina Fey and now Idgie Threadgoode? I'd say more than likely not.)

Idgie is the kind of human I aspire to be. She is fiercely loyal to those whom she holds close to her heart. She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right and she'll throw caution to the wind to make sure those she loves are protected. But, Idgie isn't perfect. Perhaps she drinks more than Ruth would like her to and maybe her fearlessness to stand up for what she believes in gets her into trouble with others due to a mouth that will say some impolite things, and maybe, just maybe she comes off as rough and tough and doesn't seem to have a care in the world. But, we know better.

Throughout the book we catch these glimpses of Idgie where her rough and tough image just melt away. It's in those moments her true character shines like a ray from the sun. In those moments (no matter how brief) you can't help but smile to yourself and feel like you're in on the secret.

Here are some stills from the movie that bring that sort of smile to my face

Idgie: The Bee Charmer

A surprise party for Ruth. (She was surprised!)

Food fight and getting the local authorities involved.

Having a drink with the guys after Ruth's delivery of Buddy Jr.

Comforting Buddy Jr. (Aka "Stump.")

Looking on after Stump's funeral for his arm. "So long you old pal!"

I dare you to find a more caring, loving and strong willed character. Seriously.

El fin.

Feel Good Friday: Double Shot

Happy Friday!

As you can see, both Calvin and Hobbes are getting their groove on, and for good reason- it's Feel Good Friday!

Today I've got two tunes for you!

The first is, "Turn It Gold," by Hesta Prynn! (It's been a while since I've written about Miss Hesta Prynn. I missed her. And a fan of hers/my blog gave me the suggestion and I thought it was perfect, so, here it is!)

Hesta Prynn's "Turn It Gold," Perfect to get your dancing groove on to. Grab a hairbrush, let your hair down and dance like no one is watching!

And the second tune for today is by Dispatch. It's called, "The General." (I had to do a little plug for these guys because my sister and I are going to see them tonight. Eeeek! So. Stoked.)

This song is really moving and hopefully you'll enjoy this one as well!

That's it for today folks!

I'll catch you on Monday!

If you have any suggestions feel free to put them here, or contact me via @mrolla on Twitter.

Have a radical weekend!

Be safe, take care and much love from me to YOU!

XoXo

Music Monday: The Belle Game!

(Photo from The Belle Game's official Twitter)

Happy Monday!

Since I featured ROCOCODE last week, (which has both Tegan & Sara's bass and drum players) I thought I would show some love for Tegan & Sara's former drum player, Rob Chursinoff!

He's in a band which is this week's featured music: The Belle Game!

According to The Belle Game's Twitter (which you can follow them here) the music they make is: Layers of harmonies, percussion, sing-a-long-melodies and group vocals.

So, what are we waiting for, am I right?! Let's have a listen, shall we?!

"Shoulders & Turns"

"Tiny Fires"

And here's one last tune from The Green Couch Sessions!

So, they blew your mind, right?!

If you liked what you heard you should definitely check out their website: www.thebellegame.com

Or, if you can't get enough of them you should also go to their Myspace page and then "like" them on Facebook.

That's it for today everybody!

Check back Friday for a Feel Good Tune!

Have a lovely week, catch you on the flip-side!

Be safe, take care and much love!

XoXo

Feel Good Friday: You Gotta Be

Happy Feel Good Friday Friends!

Let's just dive right into today's feel good tune, shall we?

It's "You Gotta Be" by Des'ree. This absolutely fantastical song hit the charts in the great year of 1994. I was merely a child when I first heard "You Gotta Be," on the radio, but, even as a young adult now, this song is still relevant and stands the test of time due to it's super positive message.

Lets go back in time to 1994 and groove to "You Gotta Be" like it's the first time this song has ever graced our ear drums (and if it IS your first time hearing this tune, I hope it's as magical for you as it was the first time I heard it!)

Happy weekend!

Remember to be safe, take care and I'm sending much love from me to you!

Xoxo

Music Monday: Rococode

(Editor's Apology: I am profoundly sorry for the late Music Monday post folks. The only thing I can say to excuse myself is that the past two weeks have been insanely crazy/busy (and also awesome) and my internet life has suffered from it. I hope you all may someday forgive me. Until then, perhaps the artist I feature today will aid in persuading you to!)

This week's featured artist is Rococode!

Photo from ROCOCODE.COM

(From left to right they are: Andrew Braun, Laura Smith, Shaun Huberts & Johnny Andrews.)

For any Tegan & Sara fans, the two guys on the right probably look uber familiar. And, that, my good friends would be because Shaun & Johnny tour with the sisters Quin as part of their live band!

Rococode's website describes themselves as: An unfamiliar band made up of familiar faces. They strive to create music that is equal parts arty, accessible, sexy, sweet, badass, bent and beautiful.

Right, so, on to the music!

Here's a couple of soundbites, enjoy!

"Dreams" from their debut album, "Guns, Sex & Glory" (which is supposed to see the light of day sometime this year.)

and, "Weapon"

For more information on this awesome band, check out their website www.rococode.com

or you can also follow them on Twitter: @ROCOCODE

That's it for today!

(And, I'm about to start tomorrow's Feel Good Friday post, so don't you worry, that happy go lucky tune will be posted bright and early tomorrow! Mark my word!)

Be safe, take care and much love!

XoXo

Feel Good Friday: A Song For Love

Happy Feel Good Friday, Friends!

(I love alliteration... so what? Sue me! Wait, on second thought, pretty please don't do that!)

Today's feel good tune is brought to you by a band that got their start in Boston, MA! (Holler!)

They're called Extreme. (You may know their big hit, "More Than Words,") but today's tune is called "A Song For Love."

It's pretty cheesy, but, I love it all the same. Though, admittedly, I think it's cheesiness is part of what makes it so truly awesome!

(Side note- this song was my JAM in high school. I really truly madly deeply loved this song.

Heck, I still love it.)

Hope you enjoy!

Right? Cheesy, but, in like the sweetest most adorable way.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be safe, take care, and much love!

XoXo

Music Monday: Hunter Valentine

Happy Monday!

You know that place between dreaming and awake? I was in that place this morning attempting to write this post because THAT'S how excited I was about today's featured artist!

The three lovely ladies you see in the photo above make up the band known as Hunter Valentine. From left to right they are: Adrienne Lloyd (bassist), Kiyomi McCloskey (lead guitarist and vocals), and Laura Petracca (drums).

They formed in 2004 and their discography includes: Hunter Valentine EP (2005), The Impatient Romantic (2007), and their latest album Lessons From The Late Night (2010).

Hunter Valentine's sound has been called "Alternative Rock," but, when I hear it, it sounds just like pure rock to me. Some seriously good rock, I might add.

(I've said this before and I'll say it again, I might be biased, but I love me a band full of women who rock!)

Okay, okay, I'll stop gushing about Hunter Valentine and how rad they are so you can hear for yourself!

Here are a few songs for you to taste!

"Typical" off of "The Impatient Romantic"

"Staten Island Dream Tour" off of "The Impatient Romantic"

"The Stalker" off of "Lessons From The Late Night"

So, if you liked what you heard, you should check out their website, www.huntervalentine.com!

(They're on tour NOW so, check out when they're traveling to a city near you!)

These rockin' ladies are also on Twitter: @HunterValentine

Ok folks! That's it for today!

Have a lovely week and I'll catch you on the flip-side for a feel good tune on Friday!

Till then,

Be safe, take care and much love from me to YOU!

XoXo

Feel Good Friday: A Little Love Letter To YOU

Dear Friends,

This Feel Good Friday is sort of like my little love letter to all of you. The other day this blog hit 3000+ views, which is just wonderfully insane! Due to the overwhelming gratitude I feel because you all read it and share it with others, I decided I wanted/needed to give something back to you in return.

Today's Feel Good Tune is "Count On Me," by Bruno Mars. I just bought his album (finally) last week, and when I heard this song I just knew it would be perfect for all of you!

Here's a music video that someone made to go with it that warmed my little heart!

Enjoy this long distance dedication from me to all of YOU!

Happy Friday!

Be safe, take care and much love!

XoXo