Music Monday:

Fresh off the release of her sixth album, The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert crafts a two-disc collection of stories about picking up the pieces of our broken hearts & finding a way to somehow making them feel whole again. Tin Man resonates deep from experience. Broken hearts remind us, once again, just how human we are.

Check out the rest of Miranda's latest album, The Weight of These Wings.

Favourite Songs of 2015

#59: Multi-Love – Unknown Mortal Orchestra [Multi-Love]

#58: Puzzles – Unknown Mortal Orchestra [Multi-Love]

#57: Borders – M.I.A. [Borders - Single]

#56: The Woods (Ghosts Remix) – Hollow Coves [The Woods (Ghosts Remix - Single]

#55: Let Me Down Easy – Sheppard [Bombs Away]

#54: 6PM In New York – Drake [If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late]

#53: Can’t Keep Checking My Phone – Unknown Mortal Orchestra [Multi-Love]

#52: Them Changes – Thundercat [The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam]

#51: Return To The Moon (Political Song for Didi Bloome to Sing, with Crescendo) – EL VY

#50: Yes I’m Changing – Tame Impala [Currents]

#49: Can’t Get Enough of Myself (feat. B.C) – Santigold [Can’t Get Enough of Myself - Single]

#48: Outta My Mind – The Arcs [Yours, Dreamily,]

#47: Summer Breaking (feat. Kevin Parker) – Mark Ronson [Uptown Special]

#46: Breathe In. Breathe Out – Hilary Duff [Breathe In. Breathe Out.]

#45: Leaving LA – Tobias Jesso Jr. [Goon]

#44: Breathing Underwater – Hiatus Kaiyote [Choose Your Weapon]

#43: Sunshine on My Back – The National [Sunshine on My Back - Single]

#42: Hot Scary Summer – Villagers [Darling Arithmetic]

#41: Hollywood – Tobias Jesso Jr. [Goon]

#40: Bored In The USA – Father John Misty [I Love You, Honeybear]

#39: Put a Flower in Your Pocket – The Arcs [Yours, Dreamily,]

#38: Moony Eyed Walrus – Cayucas [Dancing at the Blue Lagoon]

#37: Philomena – The Decemberists [What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World]

#36: Lick My Lips – Katharine McPhee [Hysteria]

#35: High By The Beach – Lana Del Rey [Honeymoon]

#34: Northern Highway – Martin Courtney [Many Moons]

#33: Makeshift Love – Good Charlotte [Makeshift Love - Single]

#32: Definition of Love – Shay-Jean [Definition of Love - Single]

#31: Huarache Lights – Hot Chip [Why Make Sense?]

#30: The Things I Regret – Brandi Carlile [The Firewatcher’s Daughter]

#29: Lisa Sawyer – Leon Bridges [Coming Home]

#28: Leaving Los Feliz (feat. Kevin Parker) – Mark Ronson [Uptown Special]

#27: Beatnik Walking – Richard Thompson [Still]

#26: Mystery – Boxed In [Boxed In]

#25: Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins) – Father John Misty [I Love You, Honeybear]

#24: Make Up Your Mind – Florence + The Machine [How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful]

#23: Only One – Katharine McPhee [Hysteria]

#22: Blackstar – David Bowie [Blackstar - Single]

#21: Black Sun – Death Cab for Cutie [Kintsugi]

#20: Orca – Until The Ribbon Breaks [A Lesson Unlearnt]

#19: Cold Stares (feat.Chance The Rapper) – Nosaj Thing [Fated]

#18: The Party Line – Belle & Sebastian [Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance]

#17: Bad Place For A Good Time – Kate Tempest [Bad Place For A Good Time - Single]

#16: Scarecrows – Luke Bryan [Kill the Lights]

#15: Big Decisions – My Morning Jacket [The Waterfall]

#14: Pedestrian At Best – Courtney Barnett [Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit]

#13: Little Ballerina (feat. Rufus Wainwright) – Emile Haynie [We Fall]

#12: Energy – Drake [If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late]

#11: Don’t Wanna Fight – Alabama Shakes [Sound & Color]

#10: Dark Night – Hot Chip [Why Make Sense?]

#9: Shadow on the Wall – Ruby Amanfu [Standing Still]

#8: Stranger Than Fiction – Katharine McPhee [Hysteria]

#7: What Kind Of Man – Florence + The Machine [How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful]

#6: What You Don’t Do – Lianne La Havas [Blood]

#5: Hard Time – Seinabo Sey [For Madeleine - EP]

#4: California Nights – Best Coast [California Nights]

#3: Let It Go – James Bay [Chaos And The Calm]

#2: Fool for a Pretty Face – Genya Ravan [Fool for a Pretty Face - Single]

#1: Loud Places – Jamie XX (feat. Romy) [In Colour]

Listen here: Favourites of 2015

Summer Night Opera

summer, summer
nights of sweetness
sweat & soul
‘tis you I long after
& adore

yr a song
i relish to remember
a sound that soothes
my thoughts, calms
my angst, stirs
my soul with peace
& passion

setting sun
& rising moon
you bring a feeling far better
than this one I’m feeling now
kiss me & sing me
softly to sleep

summer, summer
nights sweltering & sticky
crickets chirping a cheery melody
the winds whisper over
in hushed harmony
the trash cans
beat a rhythm
rolling down sidewalks
& streets
neighbouring canines
howl out the bridge
& in the faint distance
a bike’s idle motor
hums a bass line
awaiting the signal for go
to glow

& here on the grassy knoll
lightly & quietly
i lie
staring up at a star-lit sky
even as droplets of water begin trickling
down into my eyes
& melting into my skin

summer, summer
the opus of love
the opera of summer nights

ATP Playlist: Walking

Footin’ It – George Benson
These Streets We Walk – Kabanjak
Keep On Walking – Passenger
Summertime – Ray Barretto
My Two Feet – Old 97′s
Due Destini – Tiromancino
Forever After Days [Demo] – The National
Lazerburn – Jesse Woods
Hearts A Mess – Gotye
Beatnik Walking – Richard Thompson

Listen to the full playlist: ATP Walk

Jazz

This is the genre that never ends
The soul it soothes & always mends
Some people started playing it
On saxes & trombones
And they continued singing it
In low & steady tones

This is the genre that never ends
The mind it schools & always bends
No one can tell me ever
That they’ve never heard a line
That didn’t make them jump & jive
Or sing & dance sublime

This is the genre that never ends
It needs no reasons, no reiterative rhymes
Ubiquitously, it loves to hang around
Befriend you or make love to you
But never leave you drowned

This is the genre that never ends…

Playbook For A Childfree Life

i can barely take care of myself by Jen Kirkman is more than just a hilarious series of stories about a young woman’s life being center stage in the limelight of critique and ridicule about her personal decision of not wanting to bring a child on board her already frenzied train to the free-spirited, strangely cool island of Quirksville. Instead, it’s also kind of like a how-to, didactic playbook manifesto for navigating through a life filled with inconsiderate prejudices from persuasive cavilers.

“Most people who don’t want kids also don’t want to be cornered by strangers at parties who launch an informal investigation into our psyches and backgrounds and decision-making capabilities.” - Jen Kirkman.

“It’s time for the bullying from breeders to stop.” - Jen Kirkman.

Between the pages, Kirkman repeatedly reassures and explains how she does not dislike or, dare I say, hate children or the people that want to have them or even her friends, for that matter, that have or want to have them. She points out that, obviously, ones friendships and interests’ do change a little from how you spend your time and money when you have a child, but it should not change your attitude of respect and common decency towards others!

As you grow up, you begin to realize that the peer pressure in high school wasn’t actually all that bad after all.

“This is the real reason lots of people end up changing their minds and having kids. They don’t want to lose their friends. It’s just like drugs. Peer pressure eventually gets to everyone.” - Jen Kirkman.

However, baby, a child, another human being with a heart should not, under any circumstances, give parents the right to become some kind of rude, elite force; an army of ‘spawnists’ who can’t seem to respect others’ personal choices to not want to multiply their genes. I know how to multiply my jeans just fine, thank you.

“Childfree by choice is the new gay. We’re the new disenfranchised group. People think we’re irresponsible, immoral sluts and that our lifestyle is up for debate.” - Jen Kirkman.

True. Babies and children can be cute little blessings (most of the time). But this doesn’t mean that everyone on earth is cut from the same bib cloth. (no pun intended…well, maybe just a little) Not everyone is cut out or even wants to handle that kind of responsibility of caring for another tiny human being’s every desire and demand. Not everyone follows the same generic recipe for life. Some people find it much more fun to concoct their own original recipe.

“It also takes a lot of strength and dedication to carve out a life that doesn’t seem normal to anyone else.” - Jen Kirkman.

For some of us, it’s hard enough making it on our own; surviving the best we can to make sure we alone get the proper amount of food, sleep, exercise, respect and love to and from others, showering and staying potty-trained. How then should we be expected to be responsible for a little ankle-biter when some of us are already daunted by the task of being responsible for just ourselves?

For more information about Jen Kirkman, go to her website at jenkirkman.com or follow her on twitter: @JenKirkman & instagram @JenKirkman. Everything you need and could ever want to know can be found there. If it’s not there, then you were not meant to know about it…yet.

i can barely take care of myself is available in hardcover, paperback, electronic copy and audiobook (which is read by Jen herself).

Download & listen to her podcast “I Seem Fun: The Diary of Jen Kirkman Podcast” on Itunes, Soundcloud & Libsyn

Sticky Summer Sweat & Sandy Toes Playlist

When your skin is tan & sweaty and your feet are bare & sandy, sit back in your chair, feel the breeze and let the sun soak in while you listen to some sweet summertime tunes!

High On Sunshine – Commodores
The Mosquito – The Doors
A Summer Thing – Cayucas
Open Toes – Katharine McPhee
Summerscent – Kids These Days
The Sound Of Sunshine – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
Rockaway Beach – Ramones
Is This Love – Bob Marley & The Wailers
The Only Place – Best Coast
All Summer Long – Kid Rock
(You Want To) Make A Memory – Bon Jovi
California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) – Katy Perry
Summer of ‘69 – Bryan Adams
Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
Summertime – Kenny Chesney
'Til Summer Comes Around – Keith Urban
Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks
Hot Fun in the Summertime – Sly Stone
Dancing at the Blue Lagoon – Cayucas
Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter – Nina Simone
The Girl They Call The Cool Breeze – Albert Hammond
Summer’s Skin – Death Cab for Cutie
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters
I’ve Got Sand In My Shoes – The Drifters
Sandy Toes – Linda Perhacs
Castles Made of Sand – Jimi Hendrix
Summer Breeze – Seals and Crofts
Surf’s Up – The Beach Boys
Summer Day – The Gary McFarland Legacy Ensemble
Breathing Underwater – Hiatus Kaiyote
Sunshine on My Back – The National
Summer Noon – Tweedy
The First Day In August – Carole King
Hot Scary Summer – Villagers
90 Mile Beach – Wolf Alice
Summer Breaking – Mark Ronson & Kevin Parker

Listen to the full playlist here: Sticky Summer Sweat & Sandy Toes

Favourite Songs Of 2014

Looking Too Closely – Fink
Stronger Than That – Bahamas
Half Mine – Bahamas
Little Record Girl – Bahamas
Would You Fight For My Love? – Jack White
Entitlement – Jack White
Alone In My Home – Jack White
Hey Now – London Grammar
Stay Awake – London Grammar
Nightcall – London Grammar
If You Wait – London Grammar
Flickers – London Grammar
Hey Mr. Grey – Bob Mould
Scream (Funk My Life Up) – Paolo Nutini
Let Me Down Easy – Paolo Nutini
Looking For Something – Paolo Nutini
Find A New Way – Tune-Yards
Water Fountain – Tune-Yards
Real Thing – Tune-Yards
No Fun Alone – Mali Music
Airwaves – Ray LaMontagne
Ojai – Ray LaMontagne
James Dean – Jr. Jr.
Stay With Me – Sam Smith
I’m Not The Only One – Sam Smith
Restart – Sam Smith
Latch (Acoustic) – Sam Smith
Hunger Of The Pine – Alt-J
Bloodflood pt. II – Alt-J
Side 3, Pt. 1: The Lost Art of Conversation – Pink Floyd
Side 3, Pt. 2: On Noodle Street – Pink Floyd
Side 3, Pt. 3: Night Light – Pink Floyd
Side 3, Pt. 4: Allons-y (1) – Pink Floyd
Side 3, Pt. 5: Autumn ‘68 – Pink Floyd
Side 3, Pt. 6: Allons-y (2) – Pink Floyd
Side 3, Pt. 7: Talkin’ Hawkin’ – Pink Floyd
Side 4, Pt. 4: Louder Than Words – Pink Floyd
Flares – The Script
Yours to Shake – Greylag
J'ai fréquenté la beauté – Jean-Louis Murat
Earth Is The Loneliest Planet – Morrissey
Wedding Day – Courtney Love
You Know My Name – Courtney Love
Everybody Loves The Sunshine – Takuya Kuroda & Jose Jdivmes
You Know Where to Find Me – Imogen Heap
Almost Like the Blues – Leonard Cohen
Slow – Leonard Cohen
My Silver Lining – First Aid Kit
Shattered & Hollow – First Aid Kit
Take Me To Church – Hozier
To Be Alone – Hozier
Awake – Tycho
Ultraviolence (Deluxe) [Entire Album] – Lana Del Rey
Are You OK? – Stars
This Is The Last Time – Stars
No One Is Lost – Stars
1989 (Deluxe) [Entire Album] – Taylor Swift
Wrapped Up In Books – Belle & Sebastian
Crazy Lucky – Better Than Ezra
Undeniable – Better Than Ezra
Morning Phase [Entire Album] – Beck
God Only Knows – She & Him
CLOUDS – Prince
BREAKDOWN – Prince
THE GOLD STANDARD – Prince
U KNOW – Prince
WAY BACK HOME – Prince
TIME – Prince
FALLINLOVE2NITE – Prince & Zooey Deschanel
Fragile and Dear – Yellowcard
Carpe Diem (Demo) – Green Day
New York (Live at the Forum) – The Boxer Rebellion
Silver Line – Lykke Li
Love Me Like I’m Not Made Of Stone – Lykke Li
Sleeping Alone – Lykke Li
What You Wanted – How To Dress Well
They Want My Soul – Spoon
Tesla – Flying Lotus
Put Your Number In My Phone – Ariel Pink
The Sticks – The Budos Band
Everything Is Wrong – Interpol
Wicked Games – The Hotdamns

"Christmas Time Is Here" Playlist

Sidewalks dressed with lights, pines & bows. Smiles widen. Cheeks & noses glow red from the cold. Snow lays like a blanket of fleece. Hearts are numb as we mingle amongst each other through cities & streets. We hear the sounds of the season surround us all like a warm scarf of love notes. Notes to thaw our frozen hearts.

Highway To Hell - ACDC
White Christmas - The Drifters
New York In Wintertime - Kara DioGuardi & Jason Reeves
Christmas In New York - The Pointer Sisters
I Heard Santa On The Radio - Hilary Duff & Christina Milian
The Lights And Buzz - Jack's Mannequin
Broke On Christmas Again - The Mansfields
River - Joni Mitchell
Bye Bye Baby - Bay City Rollers
Stille Nacht - Mannheim Steamroller
Brooklyn Sleigh Ride - The Red Elephant
Jingle Bells - Katharine McPhee
Xmas in New York - The Rosebuds
Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter
Silver Bells - Katharine McPhee
Silent Night - Taylor Swift
Christmas Must Be Tonight - Bahamas
Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight) - Ramones
Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan
A Mad Russian's Christmas - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Merry Christmas Baby - Four Tops
Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
Please Come Home For Christmas - Christina Perri
Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton
Here With Me - Dido
Rock And Roll Christmas - George Thorogood And The Destroyers
Santa, You Owe Me - Antigone Rising
All Alone On Christmas - Darlene Love
Jump (For My Love) - The Pointer Sisters
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Katharine McPhee
Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C & C Music Factory
Better Days - The Goo Goo Dolls
Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues
Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy) - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Jesus Ahatonnia (The Huron Carol) - Bruce Cockburn
White Christmas - Otis Redding
City Of Silver Dreams - Sugarland
Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy - Christmas at the Devil's House
Glorious - Melissa Etheridge
The Christmas Waltz - She & Him
Love Is All Around - The Troggs
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Christina Perri
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
God Only Knows - She & Him

Listen to the full playlists here: Christmastime Is Here & New York's Sparkling Snowflakes

Joyeux Noël!