Brant's July 2016 Playlist

How is it July already???  People are making Independence Day plans and I haven't even broken in my new jorts.  At least this month's playlist is ready for liftoff.  We've got several artists that have appeared on previous playlists, and lots of folk-rock and mid-tempo tunes to go with the summer breezes.  Enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  East Coast Girl (Butch Walker) - Rock veteran channels Bruce Springsteen in his latest offering.

2.  Mama, I Don't Believe (the Avett Brothers) - Carolina band may have trouble believing, but they certainly have no trouble putting together a great song.

3.  Do I Ever Cross Your Mind (Trio - Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt) - First release from the upcoming 'Trio' box set, which will include both Trio albums and 20 previously unreleased songs (like this one!).   Divine.  Talk about your Holy Trinity!!!

4.  I Need You Tonight (James Morrison) - Motown-flavored soul from across the pond.

5.  Middle (DJ Snake feat. Bipolar Sunshine) - I NEVER would have guessed that this laid-back EDM tune was by the "Turn Down for What" guy!  Live and learn.

6.  Get Up (R3hab and Ciara) - Dutch DJ teams up with American singer for some feel good club beats.

7.  Another Go (Drowners) - Jangly guitars and melancholy vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of 80s alt rock.

8.  Stone Cold (Demi Lovato) - Another musical surprise for my ears!  I was sure this was Joss Stone when I first heard it on the radio.  Powerful blues performance from former child star and current activist.

9.  Make Up My Mind (First Com) - Okay, maybe "Music I Thought Was Someone Else" should have been the theme for this month's playlist.  This song closed out the Season Two finale of 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' and I would have bet the farm that it was Patsy Cline.  Wrong again.  But it was created to sound like Patsy.  Best I can tell, this is a song produced by a group that does soundtracks for TV and movies.  Not available on Spotify, but you can hear it HERE.

10.  pink skies (LANY) - Warm and soothing electronica with dreamy vocals.

11.  I Want You (After 7) - Vintage R&B act returns with this tasty slow jam!

12.  Taste the Feeling (Avicii feat. Conrad Sewell) - We've had both Avicii and Conrad Sewell on previous playlists, so what a treat to see them team up to do a track together!

13.  Wish I Knew You (the Revivalists) - 70s influenced blues-rock from New Orleans band.

14.  Someday (Colvin and Earle) - Jill turned me on to this!  I'd forgotten about Shawn Colvin until I saw this posted on Facebook.  Colvin had covered this Steve Earle song on her 1994 album Cover Girl, so it only makes sense that on this collaboration album they would perform the song as a duet!

15.  Heaven (Nouvelle Vague) - Another cover song by an artist I'd forgotten.  French band Nouvelle Vague was one of my fave projects when they first started doing bossa nova versions of New Wave songs back in 2004!  They slipped off my radar until I saw this while browsing online - a great Psychedelic Furs tune remade a la Nouvelle Vague.  Look for a Nouvelle Vague anniversary album to come out this year!

16.  Alright (Pony Pony Run Run) - More danceable delights from France, although this tune is arguably more disco than bossa nova!
 
17.  Back in the USA (Linda Ronstadt) - I always like to include a patriotic song for July's playlists, and since we already had Linda Ronstadt on board for the Trio song (#3) it seemed fitting to choose her version of Chuck Berry's "Back in the USA".  The album photo of her on roller skates wearing her satin jacket and short-shorts is probably one of my favorite pics of all time.  #Classic

So that's July!  Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July, and we'll see you in August!

Brant's June 2016 Playlist

Photo credit Fire Island Sun

It's June - which means that summer is about to be in full swing!  For me, that means lots of concerts and driving around with the windows down (d@mn, I miss my old convertible!).  So with those two things in mind,  I've put together this month's playlist!  It's chock full of bands I've already seen, would like to see, or can at least enjoy by playing as loudly as possible on the ol' car stereo.  Hope you like.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Gone Are the Days (HONNE) - British Electronic-Soul band get us started with this upbeat ditty, as warm as a summer breeze and slightly reminiscent of Bruce Hornsby.

2.  Life Itself (Glass Animals) - I saw this a few times on social media, so had to check it out for myself.  Kinda tribal, kinda funky, lotsa fun!

3.  Need Somebody (Sizzy Rocket) - Young pop star has already collaborated with Scissor Sisters' Babydaddy and seems destined for great things!

4.  Say You Do (Sigala featuring Imani and DJ Fresh) - Percussion-heavy tune just feels like summer to me.  Must be the steel drums!

5.  A Million Miles Away (Beach Slang) - I love when a new band pays tribute to a song I used to love but had somehow slipped off my radar!  This cover of the Plimsouls' classic is perfect for blasting on the car stereo...or on your home stereo...or just turn the volume up on your earbuds!  Whichever way, play it loud!

6.   White Flag (Joseph) - Trio of sisters from Portland combine their considerable pipes to yield some powerful and angelic harmonies.

7.  Weekend's Long (Ziggy Marley) - It wouldn't be a summer playlist without some reggae!  Luckily Bob and Rita's son (nicknamed for the Bowie character!) just put out a new album.

8.  The Eye (Brandi Carlile) - I just saw her live for the first time over the weekend!  If you haven't seen her, I HIGHLY recommend it.  This song especially blew me away - harmonies so tight, I haven't heard the like since seeing Crosby, Stills, and Nash back in the 80s.

9.  Best Love (Yuna) - We had her on my May 2014 playlist, and now she's back with some smooth, jazzy soul!  Perfect for a Sunday morning.

10.  Make Me Like You (Gwen Stefani) - Gwen is back and she's as catchy as ever!  Too much fun not to include.

11.  Fiction (Kygo feat. Tom Odell) - I put his remix of Benjamin Francis Leftwich's "Shine" on last month's list, so was super curious when I saw Kygo had released an entire album of material.  This Norwegian DJ is definitely someone I'll be keeping an eye on!

12.  To the Road (Matrimony) - Another band I've seen recently!  Love their Buckingham/Nicks vibe.  This is from 2014, and the band has been on hiatus - but here's hoping they can get together for some new tunes!

13.    River (Bishop Briggs) - Fiery performance from artist formerly known as Bishop (which got her into legal trouble with a band going by the same name).  Legal troubles don't seem to have softened her edge!

14.  I Am a Nightmare (Brand New) - I have a couple of people whose pages I turn to when I need to find new material for playlists.  This one is from my friend Holden, whom I do not know well but I do know that he has great taste in music!  Adrenaline-charged alt rock from NYC band.  Thanks, Holden!

15.  What Is Love (Kristin Kontrol) - The Dum Dum Girls were more of a garage-rock band, so this dreamy 80s style ballad feels like a change of style for singer Dee Dee - but still a great tune!

16.  Kiss Me Goodbye (ABC) - Sometimes a change of style can be nice, but sometimes doing what you do best is the way to go!  34 years after the release of their seminal album "The Lexicon of Love", ABC is back with the sequel.  Filled with lush instrumentation and Martin Fry's sophisticated vocals - it feels like no time has passed at all!  Kiss them hello.

17.  Go the Distance (White Buffalo) - Singer/songwriter Jake Smith closes us out with this humorous take on no-frills love!  The comedy and folk stylings remind me of vintage John Prine.

So that's June!  Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day, and I'll catch you next month!