Halfway through August – my favorite season is around the corner (but don’t mind me, you hot summer lovers still have my vote of summer being one of the top 4 seasons, but fall is my all-time favorite).
And no, I’m not wishing summer to be over by any means – I’m very glad the kids don’t start school until September, instead of this week or next like they would have in Pennsylvania, because we still have a lot of summer activities to enjoy before then!
On that note, just be forewarned I’m going to be sketchy for the next 6 weeks or so – I’m still going to be here, and I’ll still be posting on my blog, but you probably noticed I’ve been quite lax this summer on replying to comments and/or paying regular visits to your blogs vs. the “now you see me, now you don’t” mode as of late.
For the next 3 weeks both the kids and the hubby are off, and the hubby is off an additional 3 weeks after that – which means you unfortunately won’t be getting my undivided attention since it’ll be divided in mega interruptus mode. But since time flies faster these days, it’ll seem like no time at all, right?
Plus maybe spending a little less time in front of my screen will actually be a good thing, and I’ll finally get all those boxes from our move fully unpacked. I’m really getting tired of seeing those stacks, and I really want to move forward with an epic Housewarming Party well before Christmas, you know?
Since it’s Monday, that means music – everyone likes music, right? It’s a freebie week, so let’s get on with the fun! Let’s start off with a group who says this song is “like a jolt of adrenaline. It’s rough round the edges, it’s raw, it’s aggressive, but it’s got a spirituality about it. It feels like church but in a modern way.”
They fully intended to include this song on their latest album, but they didn’t get the chorus done in time, so they released it as a single after the fact instead. It took about a year to finally finish that chorus – and the wait was worth it.
Give a listen to (and I guarantee you’ll be dancing in your seat to the beat) OneRepublic with “Love Runs Out”:
Next up is a new (to me) country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Calgary, Alberta. Her music incorporates elements of rock, blues and pop within the country genre. Rolling Stone, Billboard and Guitar World have praised her big league potential proclaiming her as one of the top new artists to watch in 2014.
She started playing the piano at six, but then discovered her father’s collection of guitars scattered throughout the house, and switched instruments at eight. She started writing songs at 10 years old, and was ‘discovered’ at 15 years old. She co-wrote most of the 11 songs on her first album, released in 2006.
She is an accomplished lead guitarist whose style has been influenced by John Mayer, Keith Urban, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Buddy Guy, Randy Bachman, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. Her Grand Ole Opry debut was on April 15, 2014, and she’s made several appearances since then.
She was selected by one of my favorite groups, The Band Perry, to open for their “We Are Pioneers World Tour” which included 50 dates throughout Europe and North America during 2013 and 2014. Lucky girl.
Here’s the gorgeous and talented Lindsay Ell with “Shut Me Up”:
Next up is a giant of a DJ artist (literally – the dude is 6 feet 9 inches tall!) who attempts to reach new heights on this particular track. Get it? It premiered back in February on Bud Light’s “Cool Twist” Super Bowl commercial, so it may sound familiar to some of you.
The song was originally recorded by LA based singer/songwriter Wrabel as a tender piano ballad, but this artist liked it so much he revamped it for an uptempo dance single with Wrabel doing the vocals.
Get up and dance with Afrojack (featuring Wrabel) with “Ten Feet Tall”:
Last, but certainly not least, is a song that is featured on the soundtrack of the romantic comedy-drama movie “The Fault in Our Stars”. This particular song plays during an uplifting moment in the film, and the artist has said that while the song itself is very euphoric and enthusiastic about romance, it’s about wanting to fall in love, but there’s this hint of sadness in that.
This particular artist got her start at the age of 14, when she began recording her debut album with a loan from her parents, who were very supportive of her following her dreams. In early 2008, she began posting songs from the album, along with other demos, on her official MySpace.
She caught the attention of a guy who was running numerous illegal warehouse raves in London, which ultimately became her first true gigs. Her supportive parents even attended some of those raves to see her perform.
This particular song was penned for her first debut album, but didn’t make the cut. They actually offered it to Hilary Duff to record, which made this artist very excited to possibly be working on a Hilary Duff album, but it was not to be, since the feedback was the song wasn’t “cool enough for Hilary”. Since Hilary declined the offer, this artist decided to use this song as her contribution to the movie instead.
I bet she’s glad she did, since the single was released commercially in December 2013 and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming both her first charting single and first Top 10 hit as a lead artist.
Without further ado, here’s Charli XCX with “Boom Clap”:
The beat goes on and on and on and on and… Boom clap! Have a great Monday!
Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:
I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohorts, Callie from JAmericanSpice, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and Becca of Everyday Life.
Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!
I said this before Stacy but I have to mention it again, you have such a wonderful style of writing a blog – giving us all a little background on the singer and their story before introducing us to them. It’s a pleasure to come here each week. These artists were all new to me but I was impressed (if not a little jealous) over the youth. beauty and talent of both Charli XCX and Lindsay Ell, wow. And I gotta get me some glow sticks after watching Afrojack. And OneRepublic’s video was so dramatic and exciting to watch. What a treat. Great job as always and you got us movin’ for sure this Monday.
Hope you enjoy your family time now that everyone will be at home and these last fast moving days of summer!
Haupi Justice would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Freebie!
You weren’t kiddin’ about that first song. Love that beat! The next couple songs are new to me too, but I always love your taste in music I’m going to add these to my list for sure. The last girl is new to me, but she reminds me a bit of someone, but I just can’t put my finger on it. What ever happen to my country girl! You gettin’ jazzy on us!?! hehehe If they ain’t up dancin’ by now girlfriend they never will be. hahahaha Have a rockin’ week! YOU’VE ROCKED THE HOUSE!
XmasDolly would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves Me
Good choices I only knew the first one, I like coming here because I get to listen to new to me music 😉
Have a tanfastic week ahead 😉
stevebethere would like you to read ..Music Monday – Retro 74
Your first and last tunes, I know very well and definitely had me dancing. Now, I’m lovin’ the in-between tunes ~ all new to me and totally diggin’ them! Wrabel is a giant in my opinion. You gotta remember, I stand all of 5’2″ so I’m like a shrimp next to someone like that. lol Have a tunetastic week, Stacy!
Cathy Kennedy would like you to read ..Crazy
Our kids start back next week on Monday. I think I’m good with it because it means they are done by the end of May. I like having the extra time at the beginning of summer when I’m all ready for warm weather and fun. By the end Of August, I’m just over the heat and running out of ideas for fun.
VandyJ would like you to read ..Ups and Downs and MMMM
Love your tunes for today! You are so lucky to have the kids still home until the normal school start time of September. My son heads back to college next week. It’s his last free week and he ends up catching a cold. I, myself, wish summer was over. At least we are having some nice cooler weather for today. We actually had the marine layer of Los Angeles creep over the mountains into the desert this morning. Probably the reason why we are having some cooler weather.
Have a great day!
Danielle Royalegacy would like you to read ..Australian Tea Tree Oil – So Versitile – Skin Treatment – Aromatherapy – Natural Household Cleaner – Review
I am doing okay with August , but yes fall and Spring are my very favorite seasons 🙂 But we love them because of the other seasons right 🙂
I know what you mean about divided attention. Enjoy the time with family. Time takes away soo much.
Thanks for the tunes! Rocking as always.
JamericanSpice would like you to read ..Putting Up Resistance Because He Knows My Name – 4Ms #Music
We started school today and three words– I.am.tired.
Enjoy your family time! And wonderful choices today!
All new, all great!
Rorybore would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves Me: Stay Summer!
Love the song boom clap it’s a very catchy tune and anything with One Republic is always a dance party.
becca would like you to read ..Local Swap Reveal #Fun #Food