Take Notice.

8 Year Olds Cover Metallica

This could be the cutest thing I have seen all week! Check out the group of 8 year olds rocking out to Enter Sandman by Metallica. 

Especially love the girl on the bass! Keep it up kids!

Don't Look Back

Listening to "She & Him" never gets old. Ever. Here is another video from their last album. And yes I am probably listening to them more due to Zooey's new hit show "New Girl" on fox. Love it all. 

"Don't look back all you'll ever get is the dust from the steps before

I don't have to see you every day, but I just want to know you're there"

She & Him - Don't Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Promise.

What To Do When You're Feeling Blue

I've been spending a lot of time over at the website HelloGiggles and that is where I found this next article. It made me laugh so hard out loud that I felt the need to repost it here. Again, not my ideas... theirs. But its too great (not to mention true) not to have here.

"What To Do When You're Feeling Blue"

If you're feeling blue, don't hesitate to use my ten go-to, never fail soothing techniques. I like to call it therapy for the bourgeoisie (emotional college girls).

1. Go to your local thrift store, buy a "Bill Cosby" sweater two sizes too big for a dollar or two. Wear said sweater with some shorts and tights, and look super hip while also feeling super skinny in your giant sweater.

2. Do as Michelle did in Romy and Michelles High School Reunion and stick your tongue out at young children.

3. Drink a Four Loko. The yellow kind, not the blue kind, you classless mother.

4. Go a step further and treat yourself to a box of wine... you deserve it.

5. If you're single go to your local book store, coffee shop, Whole Foods, whatever and stare at attractive boys/men. If you have a significant other, make them reenact the, "drink your milkshake" scene from There Will Be Blood. This will either make you laugh or put you in a worse mood. This technique is tricky for sure. 

6. Watch a Molly Ringwald/John Hughes flick... duh! Do I really need to tell you these things?

7. Eat anything Italian. Carbohydrates are your friend.

8. Watch an entire Real Housewives marathon, preferably OC or NJ. That show will easily knock a few hours out of your day.

9. Sing along to Bikini Kill, really, really loudly, in your underwear.

10. Whatever you do, do not, I reapeat, do not, go on Facebook, Twitter or peep your high school yearbook.

(Thanks for the tips Kristina Tuason!)

Menzel & Michelle... What a Pair!

Dear Glee.... Thank you. 

You have managed to bring together two of my favorite Broadway singers and make them perform songs together. Everytime Idina Menzel (from Rent and Wicked) visits the Glee set you know its going to be magical. Last week was no let down. Idina came back to play Lea Michelle's mom and helped her perform "Somewhere".

Nothing short of amazing. 

Please just make her a regular character so I can get one of these performances each week.... Ready to have some goosebumps?

Boyz II Men Celebrate 20 Years!

Its official. I'm old. 

Here is a tribute to a band that I used to LOVE back in the day. And by back in the day... yes I'm talking about elementary school. It was my second concert (first was beach boys with my dad), we went for Tara's birthday party. I remember vividly standing on the back of the lawn at PNC Arts Center swaying with about 10 tiny girls singing songs at the top of our lungs. Oh good times....

And now the band is celebrating its 20 year anniversary in the business. Again, I feel old. 

Here is my jam. Enjoy it! 

Pink Floyd Animal Cover

Check this out! An inflatable pig flies above Battersea Power Station in a recreation of Pink Floyd's animal cover. Taken on September 26th, in London England. 

(Album Cover)

(Recreation) 

New Florence + The Machine!

I love Florence + The Machine. Easily one of my favorite artists to emerge from last year. Now she is back with new music and I'm just loving it. Something about her soaring voices puts her in leagues above everyone else. She sings about real life; she sings with passion; best is she doesn't care if you like her or not. She will not conform to what you think she should sound, or what you think she should wear. Really looking forward to her new album.

Check out some of these badass lyrics from her new song...

"Shake It Out"

Regrets collect like old friends

Here to relive your darkest moments

I can see no way, I can see how way

And all the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants his pound of flesh

But I like to keep some things to myself

I like to keep my issues strong

Its always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool and I've been blind

I can never leave the past behind

I can see no way, I can see no way

I'm always dragging that horse around

And its hard to dance with a devil on your back

So shake him off

And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't

So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road

And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope

It's a shot in the dark and right at my throat

Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me

Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me

Lady Is A Tramp

I'm not really surprised that this pairing worked! Check out the legendary Tony Bennet with the Lady of the moment... Lady Gaga. They do a fantastic rendition of one of my all time favorite songs... "The Lady is a Tramp"

You can say what you want about Gaga but man can she belt!

New Death Cab for Cutie

New Music from Death Cab for Cutie. Love it. 

"Stay Young, Go Dancing"

Life is sweet in the belly of the beast

In the belly of the beast

And with her song in your heart, it can never bring you down

It can never bring you down

Lost in a maze of a thousand rainy days

Of a thousand rainy days

But when I heard her voice, oh it led me to the end

Yes it led me to the end

Cause when she sings I hear a symphony

And I'm swallowed in sound as it echoes through me

I'm renewed, oh how I feel alive and through autumn's advancing 

We'll stay young, go dancing

As the music plays

Feel our bodies sway

When we move as one

We stay young

(go dancing)

DMB Wedding Dance

Two weeks ago I traveled up to Nantucket to see my brother marry his long time girlfriend. It was a beautiful ceremony that looked liked it belonged in the pages of Vogue. 

Everything was great, was so happy for both of them!

I was nervous about the song they were going to pick for their first dance (I honestly was just hoping for anything but John Mayer haha) I was pleasantly surprised when they came out to one of my favorite Dave Matthews songs. 

Good choice guys.

New Obsession

Lisa Hannigan, you are killing me right now. I don't know why or how but your smooth gentle voice is soothing my ever hectic life at the moment.

Spent a good portion of my day on the couch yesterday listening to her two albums over and over again.

It's official. I'm obsessed. 

Arrested Development Is Back!

Thats right you read that headline correct. Arrested Development is not only coming back as a movie... but... wait for it.... its also coming back for one more full tv season!!!

Rejoice!!

Easily the best scripted comedy ever. Ever. Don't really have much else to say except... THANK GOD!

Happy Monday!

Lets Hear It For The Girls

So happy that two of my favorite ladies are back with new videos for their latest singles. Not much to say here about these two but they are the top of my list for female singers who don't try to be anyone other then who they are. Talented.

Sing it ladies....

First here is Kelly Clarkson killing it on "Mr. Know It All"

and next is Sara Bareilles with a super fun video for "Gonna Get Over You"

Truth.

My girl Adele... with a great cover of Bonnie Raitt "I Can't Make You Love Me"

Lisa Hannigan

Last night while I was slowly falling asleep on my couch a sound awoke me. It was the sound of a voice that I had heard before, but what was it?

I awoke to see Lisa Hannigan performing on Jay Leno. I looked at the screen again, listened to the voice and recognized it. That used to be Damien Rice's girl. (If you dont' know what I'm talking about shame on you and go listen to the song "9 crimes") 

Instantly I sat up and started to take in what I was seeing. I've been waiting for this girl to emerge again and well I"m stoked that I was awake to see it. 

Take a look at the video below, then take yourself over to youtube and familiarize yourself with her and her work. I can't get enough...

...and like that my entire day has been made happy with the sound of a song...

I Will Be Back!

To my one reader (Hi Dad!) I promise I will return. Things have been well a little busy this month. I have never taken this long of a break, but how often does your brother get married and your work throw the biggest event of the year all in one week.

I know excuses... excuses. 

I promise I have a lot to say.... so I will be back. Could be tonight... could be next week. 

Guess you are just going to have to come back and visit. 

Music + Fashion

This week is the ever so famous New York Fashion Week and many musicians are making themselves and their styles known by stepping out at many prestigious fashion shows. Check them out:

Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend talking to designer Jeremie Rozan 

Ne-Yo performing at Fashion Night Out 

Sean Lennon and designer Waris Ahluwalia

Nicki Minaj with a pink pretzel tied around her neck.... nice.

LeAnn Rimes steps out with a great accessory... her smoking hot husband

Michael Stipe from R.E.M.

Even Drake got into the action at the Versace show

Phish Plays Benefit Tonight

Just another reason why my band is better than yours. 

Tonight they are expecting thousands of phans to show up to Essex Junction, VT for a Phish benefit concert with proceeds going to the Vermont natives who were affected by the floods over the last few weeks. 

As many know Phish originated up near Burlington, and many of them have houses still in the area. After wrapping up their summer tour last week, many thought that would be the last time we would hear from them until New Years but many (especially the phans up north) were pleasantly suprised to hear of this quickly put together show. The tickets sold for $75 and other packages including parking passes, and access to a Vt beer tent are going for $250. A great way for the band to show their appreciation to the state that gave them their start. 

I have a few friends who will be in attendance tonight. I know I will be listening on my couch. Either way, should be a fun show for a worthy cause. 

Here is a little tweezer to tie you over until tonight

Phish - 9/3/11 "Tweezer" from Phish on Vimeo.

New Jay-Z and Kanye West

Sorry for the delay in getting back here. I spent the weekend up in NJ watching the Jets literally steal a game away from the Cowboys. Great game, wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't there to see it. 

Promise I have a lot to say so here it goes...

These two are killing it right now. Here is their newly released video for "In Paris" off the new album. 

Glad after years of talking about it they finally released the album, I like this cut much better than the first one Otis. 

Jay-Z & Kanye West-Niggas In Paris (Unofficial Music Video) from Joseph Maruca on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday to Me!

"And in the end its not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"

-A. Lincoln

Its quite fitting that I start this post with a quote from Lincoln. I did drive out to Springfield this year to visit the land of his birth, but it also fits for the kind of life that I'm attempting to lead right now. 

I don't pretend to be anything that I'm not. I'm a happy simple kid (can I still hold on to kid for one more year until I'm 30?... thanks) I get pleasure out of the little things, a nice day, a great concert, dollar taco nights, this blog. I like how easily I can laugh, and I like that I have people in my life that keep me laughing way more than crying. I love my job with all my heart, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I found it.

Today is my 29th birthday. To some it may be the beginning of the end... the start of the last year of my 20s. But really... what do I have to complain about? Here are just some of the things I've been lucky to do in the last year. 

I cheered my brother on at the NYC Marathon 

Was a glow-bot for Halloween in Atlantic City

I fried a turkey at the Jets game for Thanksgiving

 

3 Night Phish run in NYC for New Years

Had some great friends come to visit

Made it to yet another AFC Championship game (this year we are coming back with a win)

Saw a lot of concerts....again. 

Moved to downtown Richmond

Did I mention how great my friends are?

Road trip with my mom from Chicago - Springfield 

Loved my job

Bring it 30! 

I look forward to doing more in the year ahead. Thanks to everyone who has called/texted/emailed or saw my name pop up on the corner of your facebook and gave me a shout out on my wall. I appreciate you too. 

Favorite Phish Lyrics

I know what you are thinking. Phish lyrics? Really Katie, don't they sing about "taking care of your shoes". 

Yes, yes they do. But they also have a way of crafting some gems as well. Take a look at some of my favorites....

All of These Dreams:

"If you go there, and after you do. All of these dreams would be yours to pursue

The rest of your life devoid of a care, if you keep your eyes open, you may find yourself there"

Strange Design:

"Tripping in this strange design, none is yours and far less mine

Hold the wheel, read the sign, keep the tires off the line

Just relax your doing fine, swimming in this real thing I call life

Can I bring a few companions on this ride"

The Curtain:

"As he saw his life run away from him

Thousands ran along, chanting words from a psalm: "Please me have no regrets"

Rift:

"Silence contagious in moments like these; Consumed me and strengthened my will to appease

The passion that sparked me one terrible night, had shocked and persuaded my soul to ignite"

Roggae:

"If life were easy and no so fast, I wouldn't think about the past. 

I can't forget to turn the earth, so both sides get their share of darkness and of light"

My three favorites. (At least right now... these change daily)

Down with Disease 

"Waiting for the time when I can finally say; that this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

But when I think it's time to leave it all behind. I try to find a way to but there's nothing I can say to make it stop"

Wading in the Velvet Sea:

"I took a moment from my day and wrapped it up in things you say

Mailed it off to your address, you'll get it pretty soon...unless

The packaging begins to break and all the points I tried to make

Are tossed with thoughts into a bing, time leaks out my life leaks in

You won't find moments in a box, and someone else will set your clocks

I took a moment from my day and wrapped it up in things you say

And mailed it off to you...."

And my favorite. I think always will be.

The Meatstick (I know...but trust me)

"Long before this scene concludes, the end I'm seeking still eludes

My every effort to apply, my will to moments passing by

But everytime we say goodbye, there's a pain I can't identify

That reveals to me the hidden door, that leads to several moments more"

Oh Phish... I love you so. 

What Are You Doing Tonight?

Whatever it is I got you beat!

Sorry but I do. 

I will be going to the theatres to see two of the best in the game, get down. Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton Play the Blues is a one night only theatre event. 

I know you are jealous!

Bravo Rolling Stone

My man is on the front of Rolling Stone this week. Go get it. Now!

Dear Phish. I Miss You.

This weekend Phish had an epic three night run in Colorado. 

I can't even sum into words how well they played, what songs they busted out, did I mention they played an entire night with songs that only started with the letter "S" in memory of a crew member who died. 

Its hard for me to put into words how much I miss this band (yes I know its been what two months since my last show.... thats about six weeks too long). 

Here are some of the quotes I'm reading from reviews:

"Phish slammed the door on their greatest 3 night stand of the year last night, again crushing two sets of highlight ridden music for their Denver audience" - Mr. Miner

"The three nights at Dick's (sporting arena) - featuring a band working at their absolute peak- will still be lingering in our tape decks and craniums when they storm the next stage" -HeyReverb

"While we usually point you in the direction of certain songs/jams to hear in this recap, just listen to it all - especially the second set - as Phish put one hell of an exclamation point on this tour. Let's hope a New Year'r run is in the works..." - LiveMusic Blog

The rumors are that the NYE run will be in either NYC or Miami. I personally am hoping for Miami, for I could use some sun in December :)

I will spend the entire rest of the day listening to said shows. 

Happy 65th Birthday Freddie!

Yesterday, September 4th, would have been Freddie Mercury's 65th Birthday. 

I don't know about you, but it pains me that I never got to see this man live. There is certainly nobody else on the planet that can even compare to his voice, his presence and his attitude. 

One of a kind, for sure. 

We miss you! 

Here are two videos, both tributes, one made by a fan one that was the google homepage. Do yourself a favor and watch them both. 

RHCP Are Back!

Above is the new video for the first single in five years dropped by one of my favorites... The Red Hot Chill Peppers. Its filmed on a roof in Venice. And while frontman Anthony Kiedis is rocking a pretty terrible mustache I'll still take it! 

Welcome back boys!

What A Wonderful World....

This morning I took my brother back to the airport. He had landed here Monday diverted from Vegas; unable to make it back to NJ due to the hurrican). We hung out, had three great days, then today he left. As I pulled away I turned on my radio and this song came across my radio. 

And all I could think of was.... yup it is a wonderful world. 

~Hope everyone is having as good week~