Song of the Day – Joss Stone

So, we go from yesterday’s song of the day, by Ben Harper, who I can’t wait to see at this year’s Bluesfest, to today’s song of the day, by a lovely, looooovely artist who I had the pleasure of being third from the front row to see at last years Bluesfest in April AND fourth from the front to see at Mares Vivas music festival in Portugal in July.

She is absolutely awesome live. Far beyond anything I even expected. So, today’s song of the day comes from my favourite festival artist from last year (yeah, bugger it, she even pips Dave Matthews Band. I mean, they didn’t play for me in Portugal, did they??). Joss Stone. The song is ‘Right to be Wrong’. Because we all have a right to be wrong, sometimes.

And, also, because she’s lovely.

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Song of the Day – Ben Harper

For those who have followed this little blog for some time, you would know I went to Bluesfest in Byron Bay last year. And that it was a dream of mine since being a kid. Well I finally went and it was amazing. So when a friend suggested she would like to go this year for her first time, and wanted me to tag along, of course, I said yes. Actually, I think I said “YEEEEESSSSS!!!”

It didn’t hurt my decision-making process that Ben Harper is one of my favourite musicians ever. And within that group, he is one of the few I am yet to see live. And he is playing at Bluesfest this year.

So, today’s song, in anticipation of Bluesfest on Easter weekend in April, which I cannot wait for, is ‘With My Own Two Hands’ by Ben Harper.

Song of the Day – Fat Freddy’s Drop

Now we head to New Zealand! I don’t know why. Snow, hobbits, and underappreciated seven-piece funk machines?

The latter of which brings us to Fat Freddy’s Drop. I saw them at a festival here about five years ago and they were fantastic. They were one of two (musical) reasons I went to the festival, and they did not disappoint. The other was Blue King Brown, but they’ll be here another day.

Today you get ‘Boondigga’ by Fat Freddy’s Drop.

Song of the Day – ‘Talk Is Cheap’, Chet Faker

So, yesterday was Australia Day, for those playing outside Australia. As such, I felt it right to use an Australian artist for song of the day today.

Coincidentally, on Australia Day each year, Triple J, a national radio station, holds the ‘Hottest 100’ from midday onwards, which is voted on the couple of months prior by everyone anywhere. So we tend to have that playing over the top of our Australia Day BBQ’s with our mates.

The #1 song this year was by an Australian artist. So you get the winner today. ‘Talk Is Cheap’ by Chet Faker.

Song of the Day – The Commodores: ‘Easy’

I gave new meaning to the term ‘lazy Sunday’ today. After working a few nights in a row and having 3-4 hours sleep a day, followed by going to the pub then The Kooks concert last night and rocking in the city, I slept for a whopping 18 hours today. Yep, lazy Sunday iundeed.

As a result, the song of the day is late. But also, it is an easy song.

For today, a live performance of ‘Easy’ by The Commodores at the 1978 AMAs.

 

The Kooks – the wrap-up

G’day folks! Yesterday, the song of the day was ‘She Moves In Her Own Way’ by The Kooks, since last night was to be their concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne.

Well, they performed that song and pretty much all my favourites of theirs. It was off the hook. Second best gig I’ve seen at the Music Bowl. (To be fair, I saw Dave Matthews Band there, so, top that, bands of the world).

Catfish and the Bottlemen opened, followed by The Griswolds. Both were good sets, but, they felt like openers. And then came the big guns.

The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard – courtesy of tonedeaf.com.au

The Kooks rocked harder than even I had expected and the crowd ate it up, totally losing their heads at a lot of the older songs as well as the many songs played from their latest album, Listen, which came out last September.

The gig was awesome, and I’m still listening to them today. Here is one of their newer songs, which absolutely went OFF!

Song of the Day – The Kooks

My hands are partially tied today. You’re getting a song by The Kooks.

Why? Well, because I am seeing them live tonight at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl here in Melbourne! And I’m excited!!

I have been a fan of the British rock band since their first album in 2006, and have all four of them. I think they’re awesome. I have a lot of good memories attached to many of the songs over those years. The song I have decided to go with for today is off their very first album, Inside In/Inside Out. It is called, ‘She Moves In Her Own Way’.

Song of the Day – Gil Scott-Heron

G’day folks! I am hereby challenging myself to get on here and post one song a day. I figure it will at least get me onto WordPress and by that, I will find something else to post about each day as well. I’m using music as a gateway to posting all the things. Because, well, music is my biggest motivator.

Today’s song of the day is ‘When You Are Who You Are’ by Gil Scott-Heron released in 1971.

It’s a favourite of mine, not only because its sound is fantastic, or because Gil deserves so much more recognition than he receives, but because the idea of it really resonates with me. Just be who you are, because that is when we are all at our most beautiful.

I endeavour each day to be just who I am. And Gil is here to remind me it’s for the better. Thanks, Gil!

Not my circus, not my monkeys

Welcome back folks! Or, welcome back, me? Either way, hello again. If you remember me, I love you. If you don’t, I understand. I haven’t posted in the longest time. But, it is a new year and with it brings a new me. That’s what happens, right? The switching of calendars has this odd effect of bringing you a new lease on life that is unachievable throughout the rest of the year?

Bollocks.

This isn’t the trade window (you’re welcome, sports fans). We can change anything, anytime. And I choose to change my blogging habits, for one. I swear, it’s a complete coincidence that this comes in the first month of the new year.

The second ‘change’ is not a completely sudden change, but one that I have progressed towards over the last couple of years. My new years resolution when I started this blog two years ago was to become more selfish. It was necessary for me, and now this year my new motto comes from a Polish proverb.

Nie moj cyrk, nie moje malpy.

Translated to: ‘Not my circus, not my monkeys.’

I had potential stress at work the other day. But then I remembered: not my circus, not my monkeys.

And it is handy beyond just the working life. Now my life belongs solely to me.

So, what shall I do with my OWN life? Well, I have decided to quit my job and sell most of my things (my music collection will remain forever mine) and head around the world, working as I go. Yep, I’m going on an epic adventure! And, indefinitely. Whatever may happen, shall happen. I have no ties, expectations, or plans. Just the world and me. I may return in tatters begging for my old job in six weeks, or six decades, I just don’t know, and that’s part of the beauty of it. But for now, I shall endeavour to return to the blogging life, for I really miss it, and even moreso, the community.

So, buckle in, get ready for some love and laughter and plenty of me, and if all goes well, a seriously daunting adventure worth strapping in for.

P.S. Looking forward to catching up with you all now I’m back!