05-04-12

Shazam + Abracadabra

Blindsided, gutted, and numb. All of it. The Beastie Boys have been a part of my life for just about as long as I can remember. Adrock, MCA, and Mike D were common names amongst all of my friends and their music always a safe bet when no one could agree on a station. As a trio they seemed unstoppable, always progressing their style of rhyme instead of growing stagnant and fading away. And now after today, and the much too early death of Adam Yauch (aka MCA) at age 47 from cancer, they’ll be no more. This isn’t one of those cases where someone can just jump in and fill his empty spot in the group. They were too much like brothers for that. Too connected, too in sync.

I have so many great memories associated with the Beasties. The long summer afternoons spent in my friend Rachael’s tiny bedroom with our friends Holly and Beth, dividing up the lyrics and singing over and over again. (I was Mike D, Rachael Adrock, Holly MCA, and Beth the DJs.) The concert I went to in Cleveland the night before I left for my freshman year of college. And another I went to four years later with friends from a new chapter of life. I think there was a solid decade where you could walk into my bedroom and find one of their posters on the wall. They were a major part of my life as I was figuring out who I was, not only musically but fundamentally.

So I guess what I came to say is thanks, Adam. You, your beliefs, and your causes won’t be soon forgotten. Rest in peace.

01-10-12

Matt + Kate

PHOTO: Kate Miss

Of course Kate Miss of For Me, For You can sing. It just makes sense. She and her brother, Matt, joined musical forces to record an album of covers this past holiday season. And lucky us, it’s available for download. I promise you’ll love it.

12-14-11

Listen: Last Christmas

I’ve been listening to holiday songs, some more in the spirit than others, for the past few days. Hoping to get into the spirit and get past the usual stress and anxiety this time of year leaves seeping from my pores. And you know what? I think it’s working. You won’t find sugary sweet carols here, but then again I’m not really that kind of girl. Check out my Last Christmas mix right here if you need a little kick.

11-18-11

Drinkify

Input the music you’re listening to into Drinkfy’s site and they’ll suggest a matching libation to match the mood. (Most of mine said a cold PBR… wonder what that says about my musical tastes?)

11-14-11

Turntable Kitchen

I’m all kinds of in love with the notion behind Turntable Kitchen. Music! Cooking! Vinyl! Recipes!

San Francisco couple Kasey and Matthew started connecting good and music on their site with hand-selected recipes and musical pairing, and recently they began offering up a Pairings Box. It’s a curated food and music discovery experience delivered to your door, you can either order by the month or subscribe. Fab concept, no? My favorite part is that the music shows up on vinyl. Maybe, just maybe, this is the perfect gift for the foodie/music lover in your life.

PS: Don’t miss their backlog of stellar mixtapes!

11-08-11

Wild Youth by Daughter

Obsessed with the lyrics of this song, she’s so good.

09-22-11

Mix: The Whole World Is Sleeping

COVER PHOTO: Anastasia Cazabon

Listen to the mix right here!

08-16-11

Mixtape: The Times We Had

ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: Yuji Hamada

Click here to listen to the mix.

08-15-11

A Lyric a Day

I’m finding tons of inspiration on the pages of A Lyric a Day. Even though there aren’t really any new additions being made to the site – it was a 2010 project – there are plenty within the archives. There’s something to be said about creativity in repetition, always a great exercise in design.

07-14-11

The Illuminated Mixtapes

Adam Parks is the creator and illustrator behind The Illuminated Mixtapes, a series he streams for all of our listening pleasures. (via swissmiss)