Brant's September 2016 Playlist

I could totally rock this look for my birthday

The beginning of September is always crazy for me, with Labor Day and my birthday coming back-to-back, so I wanted to go ahead and get this month's playlist posted.  Last month had a predominantly blues/rock feel, so this month I highlighted more electronic and dance tunes.  Hope you enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Telepathy (Christina Aguilera feat. Nile Rodgers) - Nile Rodgers has said that one of his biggest regrets is that he never got to work with Donna Summer.  I think he and Xtina managed to conjure the Queen of Disco in this delicious number from the "Get Down" soundtrack!  Hopefully Spotify will have this soon.  You can catch it here.

2.  Colours (Roosevelt) - The mirror ball keeps spinning with this groovy selection from German singer/songwriter/producer!

3.  Halcyon Birds (Broken Back) - So it turns out, the guy from Broken Back really had a broken back!  He seems to have recovered, but used his period of incapacitation to make music.  This lighthearted electro-folk tune is from his first EP - aptly titled "Dear Misfortune, Mother of Joy".

4.  Lost on You (LP) - Songwriter Laura Pergolizzi, who has written for Cher, Rihanna, and Xtina and been featured on "Orange Is the New Black",  recorded this under her stage name (LP).   I thought it might be Gwen Stefani when I heard it.

5.  It Was Always So Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman (Moe Bandy) - I put Peter Wolf's cover of this tune on last month's playlist, but after hearing the original I HAD to include it this month!  Classic country at its best.

6.  Drive (Myzica feat. Ezra Carey) - Speaking of covers, my friend Gary turned me on to this nicely done cover of the Cars' 1984 ballad.

7.  Lake Arrowhead (Nora En Pure) - Whatever happened to instrumentals???  They were never super popular but they were around:  fun tracks like "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer and "The Hustle" by Van McCoy.  I say it's time to bring instrumentals back, and this tune is my recommendation for the cause. Breezy, beautiful piano-driven tune from Swiss artist.

8.  Land Ho! (Lovebugs) - More good stuff from Switzerland!  Upbeat, nautical themed alt-pop to launch your party!

9.  Vaporize (Amos Lee) - Bluesy folk from former schoolteacher!

10.  The Falls (Whitney) - Illinois band is serving early-70s Seals and Crofts/Chicago vibes, and I'm absolutely digging it!

11.  Heaven (Lydia Loveless) - The latest from Columbus, OH artist reminds me of Maria McKee's old band, Lone Justice.  Great indie country!

12.  My Toy (Breakbot) - Their song "Baby I'm Yours" (which Bruno Mars has been accused of plagiarizing for his hit "Treasure") is one of my all-time faves.  Now the French act is back with more delicious disco!

13.  Guilty (Lady Wray) - Some old-school soul from Virginia-born singer/songwriter.

14.  Would You Love Me (Raging Fyah) - I've been renewing my taste in reggae lately, and this Jamaican band is one I've been enjoying during these last days of summer.

15.  Brother, What Happened?  (Muddy Magnolias) - Toe tappin' rock from Nashville duo.

16.  Never Enough (the Hunna) - Indie band from England brings the intensity on this selection from their debut album.

17.  80s Mercedes (Maren Morris) - Singalong country from Nashville chanteuse.  I wonder if this is the same 80s Mercedes that Pebbles was singing about?

18.  Higher (Carly Rae Jepsen) - I'm terrified CRJ will be remembered as a one-hit wonder for "Call Me Maybe", which is a real shame because she's been consistently putting out some great music!  This is from her newest B-Side album, and it's still better than a lot of A-sides by other artists that are getting airplay.  I'll be civil and not name names, but let's see some #JusticeForCarly  

So that's September!  I've got a birthday and 3-day weekend to prepare for, so just gonna say "Ciao" and I'll see ya next month!  

Brant's August 2016 Playlist

This is the closest I've come to Tweeting in months (and he lets me use more than 140 characters)!

Another month, another playlist.  I don't think there's a real theme to this month's list - maybe Repeat Offenders?  I think most of the artists on this month's list have made appearances on previous playlists throughout the years (and we also have quite a few covers).  But good music is good music, and it's nice that these artists have kept the quality tunes comin'.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Go! (M83 feat. Mai Lan) - Cinematic electronica with a rock edge, from French band.

2.  Thinking of U (Abra) - Angelic vocals lead us into a slinky R&B jam with a slightly Asian vibe.  It kinda reminds me of "Sukiyaki" by Taste of Honey.   Wonder if she knows there is a Pokémon with the same name?

3.  Trouble (Cage the Elephant) - The latest from this American rock group is produced by the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach (as if you couldn't tell - his stamp is ALL over this).

4.  Cod'ine (Janis Joplin) - I just discovered this tune!!!  It's from a 1965 audition tape Janis made when she was trying out for Big Brother and the Holding Company.  Janis' take on a Buffy Sainte Marie tune.

5.  Midnight Rider (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) - Another great cover by another great lady!  Sharon tackles the Allmans, and infuses them with a heavy dose of Memphis soul.

6.  Don't You Know (Kungs feat. Jamie N Commons) - Very much in the spirit of Avicii's "Wake Me Up", French producer Kungs teams up with British singer Jamie N Commons for some bluesy dance fusion.

7.  Operator /DJ Koze's Disco Edit/ (Lapsley) - German DJ adds more cowbell to Lapsley's melancholy vocals and Manhattan Transfer samples, and the results are simply magnificent.

 8.  Don't You Give Up on Me (Lissie) - Toe-tappin' pop that is slightly reminiscent of Paula Cole during her prime.

9.  Dreaming (Imelda May) - Why don't more artists use ukuleles?   A delightful cover of Blondie's hit.

10.  Brazil /Aquarela Do Brasil/ (Leslie Odom Jr) - "Hamilton" guy and Tony Award winner takes us from colonial US to the faraway shores of Brazil!

11.  It Was Always So Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman (Peter Wolf) - Former J. Geils lead singer indulges his country side with this cover of Moe Bandy's 1975 classic.

12.  Love Is a Burden (Jamestown Revival) - Bluesy rock from Texas duo.

13. Give Me Your Love (Sigala feat. Nile Rodgers and John Newman) - I think I've had each of these guys on various playlists, so what a treat to find them collaborating on this delicious booty-shaker!

14.  Intention (Kiiara) - Icy vocals over trippy electronic beats.

15.  Red Flag (The Moth and the Flame) - Percussion heavy New Wave tune from West Coast band.

16.  Who's Gonna Take the Garbage Out (John Prine and Iris DeMent) - The duo who gave us the classic "In Spite of Ourselves" returns and it appears the honeymoon is over!

17.  More and More (Fleur East) - Peppy pop from the UK that leans heavily on an 80's R&B vibe.  Not on Spotify, unfortunately, but you can hear it on YouTube.

So that's August!  I guess I'm off to enjoy what's left of the summer!  Hope everyone is doing well, and I'll see ya next month.