NYE at MSG is Soon!

Celebrate Life

Today is a big day for me at work. I'm throwing a "Thank You" brunch for all of my volunteers to thank them for making my job so awesome. But really they are the best, and it got me to thinking last night about people who volunteer. They say giving to others is the best thing you can do for yourself...and well these people have that lesson down. 

So what I take from these volunteers of all ages is that you need to live and celebrate your life. You have to be thankful to be here, and you have to give back when you can. Follow those rules and I see everyday how you can be happy well into your 70s....

This also reminded me of a video I saw a few days ago that has stuck with me. 

It was of a holocaust survivor and his kids and grandkids literally dancing at Auschwitz. At first you may look at it funny but if you look closer you see the real message of this video. Celebrating life. Celebrating surviving it all. Dancing for all those who can't anymore. Dancing because you are free. 

So amazing. So go. Today be free. What are you waiting for?

Rolling In The Deep - Adele

I love Adele.

She is dope. I mean really dope. 

Her first album went huge in the US and UK charts, with hits like "Hometown Glory", "Make You Feel My Love" and the ever popular "Chasing Pavements". Her new album titled 21 is set to hit stores soon and she is now on the talk show circuit promoting this gem. And what a gem it is. 

This girl brings the soul. Big time. And I love this first single because it takes the soul to a whole new level. It has kind of a bluegrass feel to it. But you can still feel her shine through. Can't wait for this album!

Check out the neat video for this song which shows a lot of behind the scenes footage of Adele's studio time.

17 Days Till Christmas...

In remembrance of John Lennon who passed away 30 years ago today I will play one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time. I can only imagine if someone wasn't so selfish and took this great man down the impact he would have had on the world. I mean look at what he did in the little time he had here... just incredible.

He will always be remembered by the young and old. Always. 

"Happy Xmas....War is Over"

Ipad Christmas

Although I prefer real instruments.... this is pretty neat.

30 Years Later.... Still As Important As Ever

Richmond Fail : Rudolph Balloon Parade Tragedy

Last night I was watching the news when something familiar came across.... a Christmas parade. In Richmond. Only it was the nation laughing at us... why? Because we had an epic Rudolph fail. 

Epic. 

Watch.

Boo

Jets Lost. I'm in no mood today.

Be back tomorrow. 

Damnit Jets. 

Lawn Boy

Yet another reason to love Phish....

Mr. Page McConnell. 

Phish - Alpine Valley 2010 DVD - "Lawn Boy" from Phish on Vimeo.

The Most Random "Let It Be" Ever

Shout out to my little brother for sending me this video link last night.

Its been almost 24 hours and I still don't understand. 

Its the most random group of celebrities singing "Let It Be" in promotion for a Norwegian talk show? Really? Yes really!

I Love Richmond

There are many reasons I have chosen to live my life in Richmond Va. A big part is the arts. Everywhere you turn you see a band, an artist, someone trying to bring their work to life. Its really inspiring.

Friday night when I was downtown at the Holiday Illumination my friend Beth and I were walking down some side streets when we stumbled upon a pretty kick ass marching band. After watching them for a little, everyone left but the drums. I'm really glad I had my camera on me.

Welcome to Richmond.

Richmond Downtown Surprise from Katie DeMaio on Vimeo.

Grace Potter... Know This Name!

Holy Crap.

That was all that I could say last night after I watched the following performance. A few months ago I was turned onto Grace Potter and the Nocturnals from a friend of mine and I knew that one day I would talk about them again.... that day has come. 

Last night, I found myself watching VH1's Salute to the Troops because lets face it, who doesn't like the troops? And while there were some pretty great performances there was three things that I took away from the evening. Katy Perry pretty much looks good in anything (she wore like six outfits), Rapper Nikki Minaj looks like a Simpsons character and finally Grace Potter is my new hero.

Talk about Rock and Roll, first she comes out and plays an amazing version of her song "Paris", and then invites members of the band Heart on stage to perform one of my favorites "Crazy on You". If you were not a fan of hers before today... you will be. 

I really don't have much else to say about this video but....if I was a rock star I hope I would be as cool as this chick. 

First her song "Paris". 

Divas |Divas Photos |Divas Video |Celebrity News

And if you weren't impressed yet.... Check out "Crazy on You"

Divas |Divas Photos |Divas Video |Celebrity News

Imagine

Check out Herbie Hancock's "Imagine" Project...

I don't have words to describe it.... its pretty perfect.

Just close your eyes and listen.

Completely True

22 Days Until Christmas

Here is a brand new Christmas tune by the Killers. All proceeds of this song go to a really good cause so you have to give them credit for that.... that and Brendon Flowers looks pretty darn good in a suit. Happy Holidays!

Grand Illumination Tonight!

Tonight Richmond is kicking off the holiday season in style with the 26th annual Grand Illumination! Thats right the entire city will bit lit up tonight... can't wait!


Check out the video below from last years event!

On The Road

"What is the feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? It's the too huge world vaulting us, and it's goodbye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies."

- Jack Kerouac, On The Road

Started reading this book again last night for the 45th time. Never gets old. 

The Head and the Heart

"Mama once told me 

You're already home where you feel love"

Super Sweet

What would you do if your girlfriend/boyfriend moved halfway across the country for graduate school?

You obviously would be clever enough to do this right?

23 Days Until Christmas

Christmas is easily my favorite holiday. I love it. Love it. LOOOOOOVE IT. 

I don't know why I love it all that much but for some reason its the one time out of the year where everything is beautiful to me. I love buying presents for my family and friends. I love to walk down the street and see everyones decorations. I love to see little kids with that sparkle in their eye when Santa rounds the corner at the end of a Christmas parade. I have had my fair share of amazing Christmas Eve's and Day. I mean I spent one Eve at the Plaza in NYC, across the street from FAO Schwartz. That was amazing. There was one time when I got a bike, that I thought was a definite highlight of my life. Or the time when my brother came flying down the stairs and popped his blow up He-Man tiger on impact. 

Christmas to me will always be a wonderful holiday. 

This year will be no different, except it will. It will be my first Christmas officially in my new home of Richmond, Va. Thats right for the first time in 10 years I am not driving back to NJ for the holiday, opting to spend it down here in my apartment with friends and the city. I'm actually way more excited then I ever thought I could be. I mean how many times do you really get the opportunity to start a new tradition. To figure it out on your own. And if I know anything about myself... I will make the best of it. 

To all my family that I will be missing, I will of course miss taking the picture at the top of the stairs. Or traveling in the snow usually to one of my Aunts houses to eat pasta and open presents. I will miss you. But its time to start a new.... I'll be back next year I promise.

So for the next 23 days, one post will be dedicated to my "Christmas Playlist". Because this year it will finally be MINE! HA.

Here it goes... enjoy!

Badass

Princess Beatrice playing the harmonium at Osbourne, Winter 1881.

Always Need It

Been loving these images lately... makes me super happy. 

Concert Posters

Project Time!

For Christmas I'm going to be asking my brothers to put in a little bit of effort and get me some concert posters. Why? Because I have a dream of having them all framed in my new apartment. I have been collecting show posters for years and well its time for me to step up my game. Posters like the one above are just absolutely beautiful. It can remind you of a show, or a tour, or a album. I just think they are great pieces of art!

I will keep you updated on the progress of said project.

Chicago Anyone?

I've had this feeling lately that I want to get up and start somewhere new. I mean don't get me wrong I love Richmond and am extremely happy here. I just have been fighting the itch to end my lease, pack my bags and move to Chicago. Yup Chicago. 

Any takers? 

Radio City Music Hall

A very long time ago I went to a concert at Radio City that completely changed my life. Dave and Tim (two of my all time favorites) took to the stage to play a ridiculous show. It was a show filled with old DMB songs, new TR tracks and well just a whole ton of great music. 

I always thought Dave was at his best sitting simply behind a guitar with Tim. He doesn't try and play up to Tim's talent and he just lets his voice carry him through. Meanwhile Tim is there playing a mean accompanying guitar to Dave's fantastic lyrics. 

This is completely true in the next tune. I think it could be my favorite that they play. It just matches them perfectly... and well here is the live performance from that night. 

Still gives me chills

Can't Get Enough

This line on GLEE last night made me fall off my couch. 

Yay Christina Perri

A few months back while watching a TV show I saw an artist perform an amazing song and knew from that moment that this girl was going to hit it big. I even wrote about it that day - Click Here. I knew that she was a virtual unknown before landing a gig that night so I thought it would be kind of neat to see how fast it would take for her to blow up. 

Well.... it didn't take long at all. 

Today I found her brand new music video for the song that I absolutely adore "Jar of Hearts" and guess what... it has over 2.2 million views! So happy for this girl.

It makes you just say "yay finally a girl in the game with some talent!"

Meet Jonsi.

If you have yet to hear of this man Jonsi, I would suggest you go and do your research immediately. He is nothing short of amazing (and will be in Richmond this weekend!). He is known for his use of a cello bow on a guitar and his falsetto voice.... oh and he is also blind in his right eye.

Check out the trailer below for the documentary Jonsi - Go Quiet. The documentary as quoted by the director is a simple and easy concept. 

"its new year's day in reykjavik, and Jonsi awakens to a trashed house in the wake of his party, he avoids cleaning up and instead procrastinates by playing songs that reflect the night before, the bittersweetness of new year, and the melancholy of a year gone by".

He plays his entire new album acoustically through the documentary..... I love this stuff!

'go quiet' trailer: sinking friendships from Jónsi on Vimeo.

I'm Coming Home....

Well P.Diddy (if thats even his name anymore) has done it again. He has tricked me into thinking that I like his new song because of the hook. Damn you. 

I get it. You can direct some really good videos. They look like magic, they are always well done. You have an ear for hooks, and know exactly where to put them. So yes, I have had this song stuck in my head for days... due to two lines. The rap part is terrible. But hey, its P. Diddy... I'm sure it will be a hit somewhere...

Brand New Day