[Winter lovin'.]

This is really happening.

Can't. Even. Handle. It.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Bombay Bicycle Club & Alt-J.]

Been a while. Now that summer's over, I think I'll start this baby back up again. Here's some Bombay Bicycle Club and Alt-J. Go on, just try to listen to "Shuffle" without tapping your foot or bobbing your head. Just in case that song leaves you feeling a little too upbeat, I next present "Something Good." According to The Guardian, it's about "the death of a matador as an analogy for the slow mending of a broken heart through fun distractions." Womp womp.

Saw BBC this summer with roomie Rachel, who introduced me to this band. These guys were there too:

[Moddison, by Milo Greene.]

Greetings. Resisted posting this up for Two Tunes Tuesday, since I've already posted Milo Greene twice there before, but can't resist on this lovely (super stressful-wanting to rip my hair out at work-hence this mental health blogging music break) Wednesday. Milo Greene has been a favorite for the last year, and recently they've been releasing music videos for the songs off their new album. In order, each video forms a part of a short film, "Moddison," which, so far at least, tells the story of a man enchanted by a lovely stranger, who suddenly disappears. 

I love a million things about these videos -- in true Milo Greene fashion, they're eloquent, poignant, haunting, nostalgic, understated... But one of my favorite things about these films is that they're filmed at Shaver Lake in California, where I went boating with friends and family every summer of my childhood. I know, guys, shocking -- she's spent time outdoors!! (Shout out to my Family Campers!)

Anyway, if you have the time, I totally recommend watching these lovely thingies. Or at least the first, which is probably my favorite. And I'd love to know if you like (not so much if you dislike, don't break my heart like that). Also, Milo Greene is currently on tour, and coming to this neck of the woods in late October. Let's go!!

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Mumford & Shearwater.]

New Mumford! New Mumford! New Mumford!
Kind of reminds me of Coldplay's "Kingdom Come".

And then let's have some Shearwater.

Meanwhile, I'm sickie in bed for the evening, apparently having swallowed ten flaming knives last night, or so it feels in my throat. Simultaneously developed what appears to be a case of mini hives all over my arms. Various opinions offered (from no medical professionals, of course): sun allergy, chlorine allergy, perfume allergy, grass allergy. Really, who knows from whence my baby bumpies have materialized, but if any of those suggestions are correct, I'm not ever meant to venture outdoors or get wet. Both things I generally try to avoid, so fine by me.

You like?

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Summer loves.]

The Milo Greene album fiiiinally came out today. Obvi I purchased at midnight and have been listening ever since. My fave from this album will always be "1957", particularly the acoustic version I posted long long ago, but "Don't You Give Up On Me" is a new favorite as well. Perfect mellow summer jam that will be filling my ears for a while. Another summer song I'm loving is "California Feeling" by A B & the Sea. Twinge of melancholy in this one...both of them, for that matter...just how I seem to like my songs, I guess. 

Guys. Can I just say that I miss California? A lot? I've been on the east coast since I was an 18 year old kid, and I love, love, love it, but I am DYING to get myself back to L.A. as soon as possible. Who knows what the next few months or year will bring, but I am definitely on the lookout for opportunities that will get me back to my world over there. Cross your fingers for me please! #operationbringmilanhome

[Two Tunes Tuesday: These fading beats.]

The coworker in the office next to mine is probably so sick of hearing these songs....

The first is "Love Love Love" by Of Monsters and Men. I love the uncomfortable, pregnant pause in the middle -- fill it with all the things you know I meant to say, okay blue eyed guy?

 And then there's "Youth" by Foxes. Not for everyone, but definitely for me.

[Life of a 24 year old, rapped.]

Guys.
I was wrong. (weird)

Turns out there IS a song about being 24.
And it. is. PERFECT.

Switch the pronouns and you basically have my life.

Ok, not a perfect fit, for some obvious reasons, like I'm not into yoga, and it would be a bloody Christmas miracle if I got into work 10 minutes early. And a few other reasons. But generally, yes. YES!! Watch now, please.

Mel, maybe watch this before Buddy does.

Found by Davey. Thanks guy. :)

So? Amiright, fellow and former 24 year olds?!

Also, still accepting original songs. K thanks.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Good morning.]

Good evening. Here's "Good Morning (Pink Ganter Remix)" by William Fitzsimmons and "Girls Like You" by The Naked and Famous. My brain is a little frazzled from the last week of birthday celebrating (first Michelle, then Domineau, then me me meee), but these songs have been filling my ears nonstop. Semi-related: Celebrating my last days of being 23, I also very cheesily listened to Jimmy Eat World's "23" about a million times this weekend. (I salute the poor soul who was forced to blare it on repeat in his car on our date night.) It's a good song on its own, but it also kind of fit my year a little too perfectly. Que dramatic, no? Anyway, have searched in vain for a similarly fitting song about being 24, but such a tune seems not to exist. Can someone write me one? K thanks. In the meantime, have declared "Good Morning" to be my anthem for this year. Sweet, simple, and happy...just what any little girl's 24th* year should be. :) Love to you all from this 24 2/365 year old.

*technically, 25th. i can do math.


hd! [happy birthday.] ll

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Give me sleep.]

Does anyone really care about my commentary? I think not. 

So, here:

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Techno & Country.]

Calvin Harris' "Feel So Close" and Jake Owen's "Alone With You" aren't exactly complementary, thematically or aurally...yet here they are in all their glory, two songs that have been filling my ears lately. Everyone can relate to at least one of them, right? The first is the closest I get to techno (i.e. not very), the second is pretty standard country fare. I know I'm from L.A., but country is probably the genre I love and listen to the most. I blame my myriad of nannies from bizarre places like Utah or Idaho or Colorado. I was brainwashed, I tell you! Brainwashed!

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Cults & Awolnation.]

These have been filling my ears for the last couple of beautiful DC days. First one by way of Perez (not ashamed), second thanks to Trev. Enjoy!

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Wye Oak & Morrissey.]

These two.

 

[Photo a Day: Something you're listening to.]

And now, for the most anticlimactic final photo of this February Photo a Day challenge...tadaaa!

Thus concludes the #febphotoaday challenge.
I suppose I'll have to start blogging about real things again.
See all of the pics here, if you're stalkerishly inclined.
Was it good for you?

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Stay.]

These songs. Love them both. 

The first is from Taylor Berrett's new EP (congrats, Taylor! everyone go buy it immediately. you'll thank me.) and is a better version of Drake's "Take Care." Normally would prefer to post up a new artist's original song rather than a cover, but this is just so, so good, and, like, relevant or something...so I couldn't resist. All that really means is that you need to check out his EP to hear his very legit original stuff.

The second is by Girls and is just...perfect. I listened to it 18 times in a row last night without even realizing. Also, the time is currently 1234. The little things.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Lovies.]

My favorite holiday, so a couple favorite lovie songs.

The first is a live cover of "Feels So Right," performed by country god Tim McGraw at his July 2010 concert in Bristow, VA. And then "Home," set to some recent iPhone footage.

I may post up a million more lovie songs and/or V-Day things today.

Girl can't help it. I love.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Midnight.]

some songs about midnight

this is gimmicky, a little

but i love them both

and listen constantly

and i like the lyrics

(but then i only ever love songs when i like the lyrics)

you probably know these
i hope, at least the second
oh - and
you are not to read into these
as always

.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Fallen Empires.]

Snow Patrol's latest album, Fallen Empires, came out last Tuesday. I suppose you can make fun of me for liking them, but I'm not sure why you would because they're kind of really good. I once chilled with them back in the days when I had a life and met lots of musicians, and they were really nice and charmed me with their cute accents, so I've loved them all the more since then. The basic jists of each song, in snippets of their lyrics, are: "You've been up all night, and the night before...and your friends keep calling, worried sick...don't keel over now." and "Just some simple kindness...This is all I ever wanted from life." and "Your words have never left me. They're the prayer that I say every day."

Hm. Songs sound really stupid when you extract their lyrics. Maybe I'll condense it even more in my own words: "Get a hold of yourself girl," and "I just want a nice little life, and babies," and "Come back I love you." 

...even more stupid. 

So maybe just listen. On youtube, because the blasted videos won't play on my bloggy blog. Sorry.

Also, unrelated, but always relevant, some Kobe love for everyone:

That is all.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Lost and found to be with you.]

Two songs, one new, one old. One just shared by a friend today (thanks Wendy!), one an all time Milan favorite that I've loved for years and have had on repeat for the last couple of weeks. "Lost and Found" is sweet and sad and pretty...you know, my fave...and isn't completely irrelevant (hence the friend recommendation, I suppose...). Meanwhile, "To Be With You" just never gets old, even when I'm listening to it for the 13th time in a row. Agreed? Agreed.

***

This is kind of a lazy Two Tunes Tuesday, but I'm basically dead. I went to bed at 6 a.m. this morning after spending hours editing a certain mister's business school application essays, only to lose some key edits in a freak 4 a.m. computer crash. Luckily, I was able to remember them all and work them back in...just in time for a 5 a.m. computer crash! Cobbled the essay back together again...and then I crashed, finally, at 6 a.m. to the sounds of my early rising roommates getting ready for the day. Two hours later, woke up and dragged my body to work. Worked on more of the essays throughout the day and tonight. I'm pretty sure I can now say that I've applied to business school too...will make it easier when I actually do apply for myself (next year maybe?!?) 

Brain.DEAD.

[On a Wednesday afternoon...]

source

What a thing to do.

What a thing to choose.

But no, in some way, I'm there with you.

Up against the wall, on a Wednesday afternoon.

Just keep following the heartlines on your hand.

Just keep following the heartlines on your hand.

Keep it up, I know you can.

Just keep following the heartlines on your hand.

Just discovered "Heartlines" by Florence + the Machine. So beautiful. Love. On repeat.

[Two Tunes Tuesday: Sisters!!]

The Sexisters are back with a vengeance! Over the holiday, unbeknownst to me, Kelly (slash Ayrten--she's currently having an identity crisis) and Mathis recorded this little Jack Johnson cover of "Angel", dedicated to me. Appropriate. I have the best little sisters...aren't they adorbs? And doesn't Kell Bell have the prettiest voice? Yes. (I may have cried when I listened for the first time. And the second.)

And THEN...**drumroll**...I present to you my internet debut, accompanying Kelly to Sara Bareilles' "Breathe Again", an, um, upbeat, happy little ditty. Try not to laugh too hard at my mediocre piano performance, k? Focus on the pretty little sister next to me. [Note: Welp. Hours later, I've realized that when I uploaded the videos to YouTube, her face was basically cut out. Sorry, Kel. Seems like something I'd do on purpose, but I promise I didn't. This time. mwahaha] And then...scroll down. If you dare.

The blooper reel! Basically we think we're hilarious...these are all of our failed attempts at recording the above video. Watch for my jazz hands, a creepy Kelly, and Mom getting mad at me for no reason. Literally.