Now Playing: The Lone Bellow

When I first heard of the band The Lone Bellow back in January I was intrigued because they were described as a Brooklyn Country band.  Country music. In Brooklyn. Really? I couldn't help the initial picture in my head of twanging music, big hair and cowboy boots.

So I had to find out more and as I always do, I jumped onto Spotify and was immediately charmed by the song, "Green Eyes And A Heart of Gold". Who wouldn't relate to the lyrics, "You're broke in New York City, the F train takes us home...", especially if you happen to live off the F train as I do. Soon afterwards I found myself humming the addictive and catchy, "You Don't Love Me Like You Used To".

While I am fan of folk and bluegrass music, I have a hard time calling myself a country music fan. But if this is country music, perhaps I am changing my mind because I am a fan of The Lone Bellow.  Perhaps because the band members, lead singer/songwriter Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist, and singer Kanene Pipkin, are Southern transplants who live in Brooklyn. I can relate to the soul searching, the growing pains, the words of betrayal, tragedy and in the darkness hope.

I encourage you to check them out, there is not a song on their debut album that I don't like. If you like what you hear you can see them live with Ivan & Alyosha at Santos Party House on April 18, 2013. I've got my tickets!

Valentine's Day Mix: You've Got Friends

Valentine's Day is traditionally speaking a celebration of love (and sometimes referred to as Singles Awareness Day), but what about our sometimes more meaningful and lasting relationships with our friends?



It is with much excitement that I share my latest mixtape created in partnership with DJ Major Taylor.  This mix is a celebration of the people who are always there for us - FRIENDS!  Happy early Valentine's Day, and I hope you enjoy!

 

Now Playing: Branches

One of my favorite albums that I've heard this year is "Thou Art the Dream" by the California based band, Branches. Amazingly it is the first full length album put out by the friends turned bandmates who spent their first year together making friends, playing shows and recording songs. Out of this time came 2 EPs and the above-mentioned full length album "Thou Art the Dream".

It is one of those few albums where it is difficult to pick out my favorite song because it changes on the mood that I am feeling that day. These are songs that evoke emotions as they explore the ideas of "doubt, faith, loneliness, love, and above all, hope for life as it was meant to be". And I feel the jubilee in some of the songs, the sadness in others but always it is always hopeful. Rocking Chairs was the track that originally won me over but Helicopter, Letters, To the Desert, Planes, Sun and Moon and In Your Eyes have all spoken to me depending on the day and my mood. Check out the album, I promise if you love well layered instrumentals (including  ukulele, trombone, trumpet, violin, toy organ, and other fun noises) and rocking out to folk music, you won't be disappointed. Check out the entire album on Spotify and snag the song Helicopter free here.

End of Summer Mixtape: A Sunset Story

Artwork by Austin Eustice

For the end of summer, I recorded a collection of my favorite disco songs - some old, some new.  As I put them together I thought about my favorite summer nights and how some were long enough to become summer mornings.

This mix is a perfect reflection of how I've been feeling lately.  I've been doing a lot of day dreaming and reflecting, especially as I approach my one year anniversary in Chicago.

My year hasn't been without adversities and challenges, but in the grand scheme I couldn't be happier.  My closet is full of beautiful florals, cosmic prints, and statement heels, and I'm now DJing every weekend!  My residencies include Paris Club and The Bedford, and I had a few in-stores at Topshop on Michigan Ave.

Tracklist 
1. Gorillaz, Empire Ants (Miami Horror Remix) 
2. Kutcorners, Summer Song 
3. Patrice Rushen, Never Gonna GIve You Up (Shield Your Eyes Rework) 
4. Giorgio Moroder, I Wanna Rock You 
5. Escort, Caméleon Chameleon (Club Remix) 
6. Only Children, Down Fever 
7. Mtume, So You Wanna Be A Star (Kid Color Edit) 
8. Moon Boots, Sugar 
9. ColeCo, Ricky Smiley 
10. Perseus, Seychelles 
11. Mitzi, Morning Light (Softwar Remix) 
12. Idris Muhammad, Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Noel Marc Deep Disco Remix) 
13. Tensnake, Coma Cat 
14. Flight Facilities, Foreign Language feat Jess (Beni Remix) 
15. Eli Escobar feat. Nomi Ruiz, Desire 
16. Laid Back, White Horse 
17. Neighborhood Romeo, Laura Winslow 
18. Metro Area, Miura 
19. Anna Lunoe & Touch Sensitive, Real Talk 
20. Pharao Black Magic feat. Ghostape, Hermes 
21. Chilly Gonzales, Knight Moves 
22. Misun, My Time (Cousin Cole Remix)

From my Instagram @djlanilove

Now that it's started to cool down, I've been biking and mopeding around town.  Yes, moped.  I recently bought a moped with the help of my good friend Mikey.  I'm living out my urbanite dreams!

Photos by Flow Johnson

Now Listening: The Oh Hello's

Artist: The Oh Hello's
Recommended If You Like: Of Monsters & Men, The Head & the Heart, Blind Pilot, Mumford & Sons

It's been a while since I shared what's on my playlist and considering how much I've loved listening to the brother/sister duo of Tyler and Maggie Heath, who make up The Oh Hello's this post is long overdue.

The siblings hail from San Marco, Texas and cite influences ranging from Mumford & Sons and The Civil Wars to Los Campesinos! and The Pogues.  Their self titled debut EP was inspired by Irish folk songs in both sound and message.  While there are only 4 tracks on the EP, each song is a veritable powerhouse of winning lyrics, great harmonies, catchy melodies, hopeful honesty make for a sound that touches you deep inside and wraps you up like a cozy blanket.  The songs evoke all sorts of complex emotions from the solemness of a memory to moments of jubilee.

The original song that captured my heart was the ever so catchy Hello My Old Heart.  The track Lay Me Down will have you wanting clap along, while Trees will take you from feeling nostalgic to making you want to suddenly jump up in joy.  Cold is the Night is a beautiful track that incorporates a hopeful whistling in sharp contrast to sweet soft melodies that are tinged with sadness - somehow it all works together perfectly.

You can hear the rest of the songs on the band's bandcamp site where the entire EP is pay what you like.

Scoop NYC Gold Coast Anniversary

Last week, I had the pleasure of DJing the 1 year anniversary for Scoop NYC's Gold Coast store.  Scoop NYC was one of the first designer boutiques I ever shopped at, so I was very excited to part of the festivities.  Clothes and music, it was my double rainbow.

DJing the event, I had my hands busy, but fortunately, James Rand was kind enough to stop by and snap some photos.  You can check out more photos on his blog at jamesrand.com.

The event was coincidentally the night before my birthday, so it was a nice way to kick off the birthday weekend.  Thank you to everyone who came by!

Fellow Chicago fashion blogger Homes & Heels and our friend Amrita

Equipment neon silk blouse (available at Scoop!), Tripp NYC black & white jeans, SEE eyeglasses, old CC Skye necklace, old Issa Kamara sandals

And in case you missed Scoop's email blast, you can find my picks in stores or online.  Bright colors, prints... you know how I do.

And yes, my playlist includes "Call Me Maybe".

Now Playing: Kishi Bashi

A little over a month ago I randomly stumbled upon Kishi Bashi on Spotify. Kishi Bashi is actually the pseudonym for Seattle born singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter K Ishibashi.  You might have heard Ishibashi before on tour with of Montreal or as a part of NYC based band Jupiter One (of which he is a founding member).

I was instantly grabbed by the richness of his voice, the focus on violin as the key instrument throughout the album and his ability to construct layers of sound using different techniques (plucking and traditionally playing) and with using his own voice (singing, beat boxing).  Since the album is a bit of an experimental project there is great variety of sound.  My favorite track Manchester is a slow but uplifting track. Conversations at the End of the World is somber but beautiful in a painful kind of way.  Bright Whites is a happy little track that makes me smile.  Quite of a few of these tracks are now a part of my regular rotation.

Earlier this month I saw Kishi Bashi perform at Webster Hall - he was the opening act for of Montreal, but I couldn't help but wish that he becomes the main event soon because a scant 4 songs weren't nearly enough to satiate my appetite.  His debut album 151a just debuted on April 10, 2012 and the digital download is available online for just $8.

Winter Mixtape: Warmth of Love

Artwork by Austin Eustice

I made this mixtape a few weeks ago inspired by my first months in Chicago. I included songs that have been on heavy rotation on my iPod as well as songs that capture how I feel about Chicago - a little nervous, but above all, jazzed and freaking excited. A lot of girly and dorky bedroom dancing happened in the production of this mixtape.



The people of Chicago are amazingly welcoming. There are nice people in New York too; there's a camaraderie that happens because almost everyone is a transplant.  But in Chicago it feels more basic than that. It's not about a need for friends, but rather a way of life.  The other thing that differentiates Chicago from New York is its modesty.  This windy city is full of quietly amazing talent and secrets.

Though mild this year, Chicago winters are long and cold. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But the wonderful people of this city have kept my spirits high and made me fall in love. I feel so lucky to be here, and I'm so thankful for the new friends in my life.

Photos by Corey Lillard with Owen Black

Chicago is doing me good.  Rebuilding my life has helped me figure out how to make time for myself and my passions.  I've been fortunate enough to meet some incredible DJs who have inspired me to step up my game.  Two DJs in particular have been especially helpful and influential - DJ Major Taylor and Carlos Capcom.  They're each so talented, so talented that if I were to one day be half as great I'd be completely satisfied.

Since moving here, I've entered a couple DJ contests.  One for was for a chance to DJ at New York Fashion Week.  I didn't win that one, but I did make it into the Top 3.  The other one I just entered yesterday for a chance to DJ at SXSW.  I made an hour podcast for PodOmatic, and there will be two rounds.  Win or lose, I'm excited just to be challenging myself and sharing music I love.

  

Photos from my Instagram

Tracklist

- CSS, Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above (Spank Rock remix) 
- Body Language, Falling Out
- Chromeo, When the Night Falls (Sammy "Saxy" Bananas remix)
- Cassius, The Sound of Violence (Aeroplane remix)
- The Magician feat. Jeppe, I Don't Know What to Do (Plastic Planes remix)
- ABBA, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (Stas Twee dirty edit)
- Madonna, Hung Up (Diplo bootleg remix)
- Katy B, Lights On (Gigamesh remix)
- Lisa Lisa, If I Take You Home
- Evelyn "Champagne" King, Love Come Down
- The Rapture, How Deep is Your Love? (Emperor Machine remix)
- Breakbot feat. Ruckazoid, Fantasy (Jacques Renault remix)
- Beni, It's a Bubble
- Cajmere, Percolator
- Nicola Roberts, Beat of My Drum
- Sneaky Sound System, Big (Oliver remix)
- Munk, Down in LA
- Lovebirds feat. Stee Downes, Want You in My Soul
- The Drums, Best Friend (Olympic mix)
- Frank Ocean, Thinking About You (Phi Uni Moombahton remix)

Go: KEXP Radio Live

With CMJ coming up this week the city is flooded with hundreds of music showcases but those badges to attend don’t come cheap and start at $149!  But thanks to the lovely folks at Seattle Based KEXP Radio you can check out live recording sessions for free if you can escape the office during the day.  From October 19-21 there will be sets throughout the day in the lobby of the Ace Hotel from some great rising stars in music.  October 19th in particular features Zola Jesus and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

Maniac from CYHSY on Vimeo.

If you can’t make it out during the day DJs will be spinning every night until the early morning.  Full Schedule & deets here.