Brant's American Horror Story: Coven Predictions

 

 

 

Only 2 weeks til the Season Finale of American Horror Story: Coven! Here's my predictions for what will happen:

1. In an special episode starring Melissa Joan Hart, we learn that Sabrina the Teenage Witch may hold the key to who becomes the new leader of the coven.

2. Cordelia is cast out of the coven but finds a lucrative career doing "Scissor Safety" infomercials.

3. Myrtle takes her theremin on the road and finds much success in the Indie music scene with her new band Fertile Myrtle and the Hurdles.

4. Marie Laveau gets her own spinoff show, "Hexter", in which she plays a voodoo witch who only targets other voodoo witches to kill and offer to Papa Legba.

5. Queenie and Madame LaLaurie are forced to spend eternity together working the Super Sweet 16 party circuit. In a macabre scavenger hunt, young socialites search for pieces of Madame LaLaurie and the first debutante to completely re-assemble her gets a Bugatti.

6. Zoe and Kyle marry, but she eventually leaves him for someone who's a little bit more together.

7. Fiona kills the other witches and remains coven leader. Preferring R&B over classic rock, she also kills Stevie Nicks and the final scene shows Fiona at the piano with HER favorite singer. The episode is entitled "Diana Ross and the Supreme".

 

 

Brant's January 2014 Playlist

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  It's great to be back!  I love Christmas music during the holidays, but gotta say it's nice to get back to the regular stuff!  Here's this month's batch!  To listen on Spotify click HERE.

1.  Ordinary Love (U2) - U2's glorious tribute to Nelson Mandela, from the soundtrack to the biography film about him.

2.  Modern Jesus (Portugal. The Man) - The latest from the band that's neither a man nor from Portugal!!!

3.  New Year's Resolution (Camera Obscura) - Seemed appropriate given the timing.  More cool vocal stylings from the Scottish band.  Now to work on my own resolutions...

4.  Let Her Go (Jasmine Thompson) - It feels a little soon for this song to be covered, but Jasmine's vocals are so angelic I don't even care!  To hear the original, check out my November 2012 playlist.

5.  Sonnentanz/Sun Don't Shine (Klangkarussell featuring Will Heard) - One of those groovy little songs I heard on the internet and was happy to see was available in the US.  Apparently this is a huge hit in Europe.

6.  Red Eyes (The War on Drugs) - Kind of sounds like the love child of Bruce Springsteen and Joe Jackson!

7.  I Blame You (Ledisi) - Grammy nominated R&B singer is back and I know I am rejoicing (you should too)!!!

8.  Canary Island (Houndstooth) - This totally sounds like a band I would've dug back in college.  Spooky female vocals over stoner guitars.  Definitely in that Edie Brickell/early 10,000 Maniacs territory.

9.  Dangerous (Big Data) - ÜberCool electronic rock from New York band.

10.  Center Stage (Capital Cities) - Just saw these guys last month during their tour with Fitz and the Tantrums!  Great show if you ever get the chance to see them live.  This song stuck in my head for weeks afterwards!

11.  Time Will Tell (Blood Orange) - Solo project of Dev Hynes, a songwriter/producer who has worked with Florence & the Machine and Solange Knowles.  After hearing this, I'm convinced he has some Ready for the World cassettes stashed away in his closet!

12.  Panic Cord (Gabrielle Aplin) - Another act with angelic voice, who is popular in the UK and now her material is becoming available in the US!  One of her other songs, "Please Don't Say You Love Me", is on my April 2013 playlist.

13.  Never Give In (Will Hoge) - Some yummy Southern rock from Nashville.

14.  Turn It Around (Lucius) - Luscious (lucius?!) 60s girl-group stylings from New York band.

15.  Somebody Loves You (Betty Who) - I was almost done with January's list, but wanted to include an exuberant pop song.  After much searching, I stumbled upon this!  Found it on one of the myriad Best of 2013 lists that always pop up this time of year.

16.  Frontline /Cahill Mix/ (Shaun Baker) - I think this is a few years old, but wanted to end with a good party/club song.

17.  Top of the Pops 2013 (Audiomaniac) - It's always good to take a moment to appreciate the year that's been.  I looked at several mashups for 2013, and ended up choosing the same DJ as last year.  Well played, Audiomaniac.  Well played.  Free download HERE.

So that's the first list of the New Year!  Hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve celebration.  Looking forward to whatever 2014 brings!  See you in February!

2013 - The Year in Pics

Another year is coming to a close.  Got to say, 2013 has been a pretty good one.  Hope you enjoy this year's photo collection, set to "Top of the Pops 2013" by Audiomaniac.



HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Brant's Christmas 2013 Playlist

You'd think with all the hours I recently spent on the sofa digesting holiday food, that I'd be on time with this year's Christmas playlist, but I guess turkey is not a very motivating meat!  And I was catching up with friends over the Thanksgiving weekend.  But now my eyes are on the prize, or at least on the gifts under the tree.  Merry Christmas, folks, and enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  This Christmas (Mary J. Blige) - R&B legend covers an R&B legend.  MJB gives Donny Hathaway's 1970 classic all the props it deserves.  What better way to start our holiday playlist?

2.  Marshmallow World (Dean Martin) - Another Christmas Classic sung by a musical icon.  Impossible to listen to and not smile.

3.  Santa Baby (The Sugar Thieves) - This is one song I thought I'd NEVER put on another Christmas playlist - after hearing Madonna's version along with numerous other covers a million times over.  Happily, this one was quirky enough to pique my interest!

4.  Dig That Crazy Santa Claus (Oscar McLollie and His Honey Jumpers) - Here's one you may not have heard before!  Found this on a collection of Doo Wop holiday songs.  This version was recorded in 1954.

5.  I Won't Decorate Your Christmas Tree (Loretta Lynn) - Jill had "To Heck with Old Santa Claus" on one of her previous holiday lists, so I looked at some other Loretta Lynn holiday tunes.  This one feels very true to her "I'm not putting up with men's bullsh*t" philosophy.  I love her.

6.  Donde Esta Santa Claus (Guster) - Augie Rios' holiday hit, which I put on last year's playlist, gets an update from the boys in Boston band Guster.

7.  Everybody's Waiting for the Man with the Bag (Brian Setzer Orchestra) - One of my favorite Christmas tunes, sung by the former Stray Cat!

8.  One More Sleep (Leona Lewis) - The British Mariah Carey (in my head, at least!) serves up some holiday goodness, similar to MC's "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

9.  Christmas Ain't Christmas, New Year's Ain't New Year's (the O'Jays) - Some songs just seem to keep crossing my path, and I assume there must be a reason for that.  I found this 45rpm single while browsing through an antique store over the weekend.  The next day, Pandora played it TWICE!  So here it is. 

10.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Frank Sinatra) - Irving Berlin's holiday anthem gets the Rat Pack treatment. 

11.  Mele Kalikimaka (the Puppini Sisters) - I love the Andrews Sisters, and apparently so do the Puppinis.  Here they give a pretty spot-on rendition of the ladies' Hawaiian holiday greeting.

12.  I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day (Wizzard) - When I think Christmas, my mind doesn't necessarily think Glam Rock - but maybe it should!  To my knowledge, it was never a hit in the US, but was just listed as one of the Top 10 Christmas Songs in the UK.  Lead singer Roy Wood went on to found ELO ("Don't Bring Me Down", "Evil Woman").

13.  Santa Claus Is Back in Town (Elvis Presley) - The Elvis I remember from my early childhood was the chubby, cheesy guy in the sequined jump suit, so it's always a bit of a shock to hear him in the early days and realize how awesome he was.  Great blues performance here!

14.  Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You' (Darlene Love) - Lead singer from the Crystals tackles a Billy Squier tune, and makes it her own.  Not as fabulous as "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)", which I've put on previous lists, but still a fun seasonal song.

15.  There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (the Carpenters) - Another familiar favorite that goes down as easy as hot chocolate.  Never get tired of this one.

16.  Santa's Gonna Come in a Stagecoach (Buck Owens with Susan Raye) - Sometimes my search for rare Christmas songs leads me to strange places.  Seems like if Santa's sled could fly, he wouldn't need to worry about the lack of snow - but who am I to question a host of "Hee Haw"?

17.  Back to December (Taylor Swift) - Merry Christmas, Gary!!!  Not a Christmas song, but it does reference December and the drama that usually accompanies the holidays.

18.  Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives) - This will forever be sung by the Snowman Narrator from "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" in my head!  Hearing it immediately brings back my childhood.

19.  Gaudete (Erasure) - EDM act from the 1980's parties like it's 1599!  Andy Bell and Vince Clarke sing the Medieval Christmas Carol (meaning "rejoice") on their newest album of holiday tunes.

20.  Snowbird (Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem) - I know nothing about this band except I stumbled across this while browsing versions of the Anne Murray signature tune.  Kinda liked their fresh take on it, though.

21.  What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (the Head and the Heart) - This is another one of my personal favorite holiday songs, but I've never heard it sung without the Big Band treatment (strings, horns, etc).  Here, the Seattle band gives it an Americana flavor.  Me likey. 




So that's our final playlist of 2013!  Hope everyone has had a great year, and that the upcoming holidays are good to you.  Best wishes, always!  I'll see ya in 2014 (God willing)!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Brant's November 2013 Playlist

You know, I started to apologize for being late - but upon looking at previous posts for November I realized I have been late with this particular playlist for the last three years.  So instead I'll congratulate myself for being consistent!  I guess prepping for Halloween and putting together a list of new music is too much to ask this time of year.  Enjoy!  To listen on Spotify click HERE.

1.  King of Everything (Boy George) - The Boy is baaaaaack!  Got to say I was really excited about this comeback album.  The Boy has had some turbulent times since Culture Club dissolved in 1986, and you can really hear it in his voice.  The gruff weariness works though on this wistful first single.  Welcome back, BG!

2.  Shake (the Head and the Heart) - A warm, delicious confection that sounds like a Wilco song over the Beatles' "Ob La Di".

3.  Dirty Boulevard (Lou Reed) - We lost him last month, and as much as I adore Velvet Underground I wanted to use a Lou Reed song that may be unfamiliar to fans.  This is from his 1989 album "New York".  I love the way this man tells a story.  Kind of like an updated "Walk on the Wild Side" about NYC life in the 80s, versus the 70s.

4.  Hanging on the Telephone (the Nerves) - Jill had the Flowers Forever version of this song on her October playlist, and upon researching them I was surprised to learn Blondie was not the first to record "Hanging on the Telephone".  This is the original version the Nerves recorded in 1976!

5.  Over Your Shoulder (Chromeo) - Smooth funk with a message about realistic body images and being comfortable in one's own skin???  Yes, please!

6.  Diamond Girl (Dustin Tavella feat. Fingazz) - Philly singer/songwriter gets your toes tappin' with some shimmering dance pop.

7.  Annabel (Goldfrapp) - More than any artist I know, Alison Goldfrapp continues to challenge and surprise me.  After the 80s-influenced synth-pop of Head First, Goldfrapp returns with a dark, cinematic album of ballads.  I'm still struggling with its iciness, but the songs are growing on me.  This is a dismal little ditty about a poor transgender fellow whose true self, Annabel, only comes to life when he's sleeping.  Not exactly the best choice for your next party mix.

8.  Open Ended Life (the Avett Brothers) - I'm ashamed to admit this is the first time I've put the Avetts on one of my playlists.  These guys are from right outside of Charlotte, NC.  My bad.  They really are talented and put on a great live show.  Check them out!!!

9.  Trails of Senselessness (Capsula) - This band is not from my home state, nor my home continent.  They are from Argentina but they rock it out as well as any North American band.  ¡Muy bueno!

10.  Brighter (Cass McCombs feat. Karen Black) - I knew Karen Black could fly a 747 (see Airport 1975) but I DID NOT KNOW she could sing!  The late actress provided the vocals for the Californian's song shortly before her death last August.  I'd love to know the story of how these two got together.

11.  American Girl (Bonnie McKee) -  Songwriter for Britney Spears ("Ooh La La") and Katy Perry ("Roar") strikes out on her own with more sunny pop.  Really strong vocals - I wonder why she's been content to let others sing her music up to this point.

12.  Be Good to Me (Tyka Nelson) - I vaguely remembered Prince having a sister and that she had recorded an album back in the 1980's, but that was about it.  Then I stumbled upon an awesome blog dedicated to failed pop stars.  Isle Of Failed Pop Stars is dedicated to all the out-of-print efforts of failed musical acts.  This was the first gem I discovered there (free download!).  Tyka actually has a decent voice and I liked the CD.  I guess she suffered from the inevitable comparisons to her brother.  Glad to have had the chance to finally hear her music.  Needless to say, I'll be back to the Isle to discover more Failed Pop Stars!

13.  Say That (Leela James feat. Anthony Hamilton) - Eric turned me on to Ms. Leela and I will be forever grateful.  I love me some old school soul and Ms. Leela serves it up hot.

14.  Lighthouse (Diane Birch) - Another artist who surprises me.  He debut album was full of warm, seventies stylings.  On her latest CD she's moved into a more Euro vibe.  Here she sounds like the lost child of Kate Bush, with maybe a bit of Bastille thrown in for good measure.  Love it.

15.  Standing Still (Roman Lob) - German singer sounds a little bit like the Fray.  I'm sure this will turn up on a TV or movie soundtrack somewhere.

16.  We Own the Night (the Wanted) - "Walks Like Rihanna" boys get back to their Irish roots on this old-school style anthem. 

So that's November!  I guess that means my next job will be putting together another holiday playlist for next month!  Hope everyone had a great Halloween, and has a great Thanksgiving!!!  See you in December!

Brant's October 2013 Playlist

There's a distinct chill in the air.  The kind that makes you reach for extra covers at night.  So that's exactly what I did for this month's playlist!  In addition to some fresh new jams, I dug up some fun and interesting cover songs!  Enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.


1.  Zombie Jamboree (Harry Belafonte and His Orchestra) - No October playlist would be complete without a Halloween song!  This was one I came across while searching Halloween playlists!

2.  Thunder Clatter (Wild Cub) - Fun South African rhythms that would have fit nicely on Paul Simon's "Graceland".

3.  Going Back to New York (Party Supplies) - Dark, brooding club jam from DJ Justin Nealis.

4.  Somebody to Love (Berlin) - Terri Nunn is back and sounding as good as ever with the first of our cover songs.  Here she turns Jefferson Airplane's classic rock song into a slammin' dance anthem!

5.  Little Games (the Colourist) - Sunny pop from California Indie band.

6.  Sailing (*NSYNC) - The second of our featured cover tunes.  For people who like boy bands but wish they performed more Yacht Rock!

7.  Working Woman Blues (Valerie June) - Stunning Appalachian folk music.  First time I heard it I would have sworn it was something from the first part of the 20th Century, but the album was just released this year and the songs were written by Valerie June and Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys)!

8.  Get Happy/Happy Days (Pink Martini with Rufus Wainwright) - Cover Song #3.  Pink Martini wisely recruited Rufus Wainwright for this fun duet that calls to mind Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand's legendary medley.  Rufus is clearly a Judy Garland fan.  In 2007 he recreated and released a concert album in honor of Judy's 4-time Grammy winning "Live at Carnegie Hall" recording.

9.  Can't Raise a Man (K. Michelle) - Love and Hip Hop star channels Mary J. Blige and tells it like it is on this single from her long-delayed debut album.

10.  The Throw (Jagwar Ma) - Funky psychedelic rock from Australian band.

11.  Friday Nights (French Horn Rebellion and Viceroy) - Bouncy EDM from Brooklyn band, with a lead singer who bears a striking vocal resemblance to Barry Manilow!

12.  Go All the Way (the Killers) - Cover #4.  This was on the soundtrack to "Dark Shadows" but mysteriously did not show up on the album!  My friend Jeff tracked it down and presented it to me on my birthday!  Great version of the Raspberries 1972 hit.

13.  Nothing More Whole Than a Broken Heart (the Shondes) - Awesome garage rock from New York City band.  Reminds me of other female-fronted bands like Gossip and Romeo Void.

14.  One Night (Matthew Koma) - Perky 80's-influenced pop from Carly Rae Jepsen's boyfriend!

15.  Hunger (Rhye) - Easy funk vibe with androgynous vocals that sound like a tasty blend of Sade and Boy George.

16.  Alone (Trampled by Turtles) - Gotta admit, they had me with the band name - but I was pleasantly surprised to find I totes dig their bluegrass/indie-folk sound!

17.  Stairway to Heaven (Heart) - Cover #5.  Widely regarded as one of the greatest Rock songs of all-time, Heart bravely covered it at the Kennedy Center during a tribute to Led Zeppelin!  I'd say these ladies knocked it out of the ball park.  Turn on your lava lamp and prepare to get goosebumps...

18.  Ragtime (Neko Case) - Female singer-songwriter returns with a new album!  This seemed like a great way to end the month as she sings about winter and snow.  Love the horn section that kicks in midway through the song!

So that's October!  Hope everyone has a great time trick-or-treating!  See you next month!

Brant's September 2013 Playlist

Where did the summer go?!?!  I can't believe Labor Day is here already.  Well, here's this month's music in case you're looking for some new tunes over the holiday weekend.  Enjoy.  To listen on Spotify click HERE.

1.  All I Know (Washed Out) - Kinda feels like listening to 70s FM radio on while on drugs.  I love the cheesy "Dream Weaver" synthesized flourishes throughout (first one is at 1:22).

2.  I've Got Your Number (She & Him) - I had them on my Christmas 2011 playlist, and they return to help us wrap up our summer.  Loving the 1960s surfer vibes.

3.  I Wish I Knew (Doris) - Jill had Doris on last month's playlist and I was immediately taken with her groovy sound.  This is from her 1970 album which has been re-released on CD and has been called (from Wikipedia) one of the "forty essential funk albums" in music history!  Not bad for a white girl from Sweden.

4.  Bedbugs (the Limousines) - I love this band!!!  More delicious, bouncy New Wave stylings from the band that gave us "Love Is a Dog From Hell".

5.  Another Girl Another Planet (the Only Ones) - Last month I noted that "Video Killed the Radio Star" was a song I didn't realize was a cover tune when it became popular.  Same story this month with this song.  I had only heard the Blink 182 version.  The Only Ones originally cut this in 1978.  This is why I love digging through the bins at the used CD stores.  I find all kinds of stuff out by doing that.

6.  Wrote a Song for Everyone (John Fogerty with Miranda Lambert) - Rock legend revisits some of his classic hits on his latest album, with some friends along for the ride.  Loved this duet with the most excellent Miranda Lambert.

7.  I'm Not Okay (Trent Dabbs) - TV show "Drop Dead Diva" played the Jill Andrews version of this song, which she co-wrote with Dabbs.  Jill's version hasn't been released yet, but the Dabbs version is also really nice. 

8.  The Greatest (Cher + Lady Gaga) - Cher is gonna be super pissed I put this on here, but oh well.  Leaked duet from their upcoming albums.  Jordan turned me on to this.  I'm sure if you Google it, you'll be able to find it out there.

9.  Dance Apocalyptic (Janelle Monae) - Capitalizing on her exposure after singing "We Are Young" with Fun, Monae returns with this catchy pop ditty.

10.  Pumpin' Blood (NoNoNo) - More upbeat pop, complete with whistling chorus!

11.  Crickets (Drop City Yacht Club) - I had my doubts when Spotify suggested this to me - it looked like hard core hip-hop (which doesn't really appeal to me personally).  But I have to give Spotify credit!  Love it.

12.  Hurricane (MS MR) - Spooky chill with sharp female vocals.  Vaguely reminds me of classic Portishead.

13.  California (Miranda Lambert) - Just caught her on her most recent tour in Charlotte, and again was blown away.  I love this woman and how real her music feels.  Was going through her catalogue and found this B-side, which seems a little different than her current material but still appealed to me.

14.  Tools of the Trade (Charlie Worsham with Marty Stuart and Vince Gill) - Newbie jams with some of the old school Country greats!

15.  On Blue Mountain (Foxygen) - I bet these guys are awesome in concert.  More than anyone I know, they seem to really capture that late 1960s psychedelic sound. The tempo speeds up and slows down, but either way - you find yourself enjoying the ride.

16.  No Stranger (Small Black) - Minimalist EDM with haunting vocals.

17.  Best Song Ever (One Direction) - September is birthday month, so I'm gonna indulge myself for these last two songs.  I love me some boy bands, and these guys deliver with this rapturous slice of pop heaven.

18.  Right Back Where We Started From (Maxine Nightingale) - I started thinking, what is my "best song ever" and this one popped into my head.  It ALWAYS puts me in a good mood, and I never get tired of it.  What more can you ask for???


So that's September!  Hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!!!  Start thinking about your Halloween costumes - October is right around the corner.

See you next month!