Holly Miranda - Ex-Factor

It must be said that the original version of Ex Factor from Lauryn Hill cannot be outdone; however, Holly Miranda does a damn fine job trying. Check out the Black Cab Session.

And…”Waves” from Holly Miranda. Stunning.

Two Door Cinema Club: Something Good Can Work (Acoustic)

I love Two Door Cinema Club’s Something Good Can Work. This acoustic version is particularly good. I heart Irish accents in a big way. The debut album, Tourist History, is out now.

Plants and Animals - Game Show

This Plants and Animals track is gorgeous. Check out their acoustic performance for East Village Radio.

…so good, so easy…

Weekend Vintage: Concert Ready

Going to “rock shows” is my personal vice. I spend way too much money on them, but it is money well spent because they make me endlessly happy. Tonight I will be attending the elusive, solo Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) show at the Vic in Chicago. YAY!!!

One bonus of going to concerts is that it is a bit like a costume party. You can pull out your most outrageous ensemble and be completely appropriate. In my day to day life, my wardrobe is pretty much nerd-chic (I love cardigans. LOVE them.) My concert persona is much cooler. She rocks scandalous boots, skinny jeans that cut off circulation and a smug attitude that will not be rivaled (which is key if you want to blend in with the unhappy, but uber-cool, hipsters.) In actuality, I’m not very cool at all, but I do like to play dress up.

Here are some vintage lovelies with a little boho flair - totally appropriate for tonight’s show.

Vintage Beige Mini Dress from PrettyRaccoon

Vintage Turquoise Bohemian Earrings from misovintage

Vintage Brown Leather Clutch from smellyshoesvintage

Opera Length Locket from HeavenAwaits

Vintage Oxfords from MereTrifles

Klaxons - “Golden Skans” and “No Diggity”

Ok - I know I am way behind the curve on this one. I have to admit that I’ve never “gotten into” the Klaxons because frankly, I don’t like the name of their band. I’m so superficial. This morning I came across their cover of “No Diggity” (a la Blackstreet) which won them major points with me - enough to trump their failure of a band name. Anyway, I came across this little jam while diggin’ the YouTube scene and I kinda like it. You can check out No Diggity below.

Guess what I have tickets for??

YES. YES. YES. Finally going to see my boyfriend, Jeff Tweedy, put on a solo show at the Vic in Chi-town! Two nights of whitty banter and acoustics straight from heaven…finally. Can I put in my request for The Ruling Class and Theologians now?

Consider this a heads-up, because these shows are not advertised - anywhere. They are coming up quickly, too - March 12 and March 13. Be there or be square!

Fugitive - Acoustic David Gray

What a gentleman. I adore David Gray. I prefer his older music - but no matter what, he has such a genuine, shining style that you have to appreciate it. I also love that this acoustic version of Fugitive is better than the super-polished studio version.

When will you realize my friend? Lord in the end, now you can’t take it with. Gotta live.
If only for a second, I see it twinkling in your eye. Gotta try.

New Iron & Wine

The falsetto on Sam Beam is absolutely heart-breaking. Sounds fantastic, just wish I was there! (Fingerprints/Long Beach, CA) Enjoy.

video via mwillie70

The new release, Around the Well, came out May 19th on Sub Pop. It is a 2 disc LP of rare gems sure to touch your inner sad bastard.

sunday morning music

There are sometimes those voices filled with certain tones and inflections that just get you—maybe in a way that you can’t quite understand but you like it…and you always search for that feeling again; this song has some of those moments for me. It is not new. It is beautiful.