When I spent three months roaming around Australia in twenty ten, I made a number of insightful discoveries. I learnt that Australia is South Africa's cheeky and more trendy cousin, that you really can get away with calling stranger 'mate,' that Aussies are in fact coffee snobs, and that the country is a hub of creative brilliance. One of my most loved discoveries made in my three-month trip, was surprisingly not Max Brenner's white chocolate chai's, but actually Triple J radio.
Every year during the 'Australia Day' weekend, this alternative radio station launches their Hottest 100, a poll of the most loved songs amongst its listeners. This countdown of trending tunes has become an annual Aussie tradition and is usually accompanied by a barbie and an obligatory beverage.
I am yet to actually experience an Australia Day in all it's summer warmth and barbecuing glory, but it's one the bucket list and should be ticked off in the not too distant future. Until then, I'll just be experiencing the good vibes via Triple J. 

I've been listening to the Hottest 100 of 2012 all week on Spotify and it's one heck of a playlist.
My favorite song at the moment is 'Feel The Love' by Rudimental, but you can check out the full playlist on Triple J's website by clicking here

You've got to love this week's atmospheric synth track by British Colombian producer Jamieson. Love this song off the EP 'Four More Years,' and the rest of his stuff is also pretty great. Have a yourself a listen. Happy Tunesday. 

This song is definite 'stick-in-your-head' material. Happy Tunesday from Young the Giant. 

Enjoy another electro-styled Tunesday with M83's "Kim and Jessie"

This week's tune is yet another toe-tapper by the Sydney electropop band 'Van She,' and although it's a remix, it hardly detracts from the greatness of the original. While I was on Youtube trying to get the embed code for this music video, I read the following comment:
"I spent 5 nights in Sydney (mistakenly should have been more) this past November and was introduced to the club scene and the music that goes along with it. I used to think California was an interesting and loving place, however fortunately I was wrong. Australia's vibes are levels upon levels more loving, ecstatic, and hip. I found there's something interesting about the artists from Sydney. They don't feel the need to follow dance music trends from around the world. They create their own."
I loved this comment because it rings with truth. I spent some time in Sydney in 2010 and was blown away by the culture, music, fashion and every level of creative expression that those Aussies are exuding. This track is super vibey and I don't doubt that you'll love it. Check out some of Van She's 
other stuff, it's all pretty great.

Tunesday: Lykke Li

The weather across the country today, is cold, gloomy and even snowy in some areas. Today's tune

goes hand in hand with any melancholy mood likely to be induced by the weather conditions. 

This is one of my all time favourites, and is one of the sexiest, yet most beautiful songs I've ever heard. So sit back in that arm chair with your cuppa tea and bathe today's Tunesday goodness. 

Ps: Two of my friends who's music taste I will personally vouch for, have started a blog called 'The Weekly Stew' where they weekly share their current favourite tracks that are worth a listen and even an iTunes purchase. Check out their blog here. 

Durban Events: Gangs @ Wavehouse

Two Saturdays ago, my friends and I watched our mates' band 'Gangs of Ballet' play an epic gig at the Durban Wavehouse, and here are some stills from the fisheye lens of Richard Tarr. 

Gangs are a Durban band that have risen to popularity in the South African music scene very quickly, and with their catchy Rock 'n Roll vibes, they've won the nation over. I'd love to actually do an interview with the guys soon, so watch this space for more Gangs of Ballet hype. 

I'm excited for Gangs as they'll be opening for Switchfoot next week in Joburg and it's all set to be the gig of their lives. Such an honor to know them and have seen them do so well in such a short space of time. I will even claim the fact that I was at their debut gig at Unit 11 last year. What a jam, and a truly talented bunch of blokes. 

If you'd like to hear their music, check them out on Soundcloud or follow them on Twitter (@GangsOfBallet)

If this song doesn't get your head rolling, and your toes-a-tapping, then I don't know what will? God bless electro, and a happy Tunesday to you!

I don't even need to write a caption telling you how flippin' fantastic this song is, because I think it's more than capable of speaking for itself. Happy Tunesday. Enjoy. 

SongLovin'

If your day isn't bright enough already, this dreamy tune by The Paper Kites ought to do the trick.

Phoenix Cover Perfection

I have a confession to make. I have listened to this cover of Phoenix's song 1901 sung by the beautiful 'birdy' about 50 or more times, and I make no exaggeration. It's my favorite song as of late, and the more I listen, the more I love it. Enjoy.

Ear Candy

Just doing my good deed for the day and sharing some of the delightful music I've been listening to lately. It will make your day, this I do not doubt. 

The Great Escape - Patrick Watson

The Places We Call Home - Lanterns on the Lake

A New Me - Wind and Willow

Farther Along - Josh Garrels

I'm Gona Be (500 miles) cover - Blake Stratton

Candles - Daughter

All My Days - Alexi Murdoch

Ashes and Wine - A Fine Frenzy

Pink Moon - Nick Drake

I Can't Make You Love Me - Bon Iver

Bedouin Dress - Fleet Foxes

September Grass - James Taylor

To Whom It May Concern - The Civil Wars

Olsen Olsen - Sigur Ros

The Woods - Sea of Bees

Angels in the Snow - Sam Duckworth

Night Owls - Dry The River

White Owl - Josh Garrels

Indian Summer - Riceboy Sleeps

With The King - United Pursuit

You Are Sweet - Sisterbrother

Christmas music for the indie heart

This Christmas I would be nowhere without "A Very She & Him Christmas," an album by the M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel duo. The only thing better than Zooey Deschanel, is Zooey Deschanel singing Christmas songs. It melts my heart. If you haven't already, buy this album by clicking here

{All images from the She & Him website}

Fall Playlist

The Head and the Heart

This morning I tweeted about needing a pick-me-up, so an indie-music-scavenger of a friend linked me to the most beautiful song by a band called The Head and the Heart, and pick me up it did. Their music is just a big dose of wonderful. Full stop.

I love their melodic sound and their use of the violin (I have a very soft spot for that instrument).

This Seattle folk-rock band has just scored a high ranking in my list of music I adore.

Visit their band page here or download their music from iTunes by clicking here.

My favourite song of theirs is 'Down in the Valley'.

Watch it here if your day is also in need of a pick-me-up.

{click on images for source}

Meg's Mixtape

I made my lovely friend Megan a kick-ass mix tape last week and I thought I'd share it with t he world wide web.

Mushaboom

One of my favourite songs. It always has the ability to make my mind wander off to a distant snow-covered land full of cottages, fireplaces and wildflowers.

Mushaboom

by Feist

Helping the kids out of their coats 

But wait the babies haven't been born oh

Unpacking the bags and setting up 

And planting lilacs and buttercups oh

But in the meantime we've got it hard 

Second floor living without a yard 

It may be years until the day 

My dreams will match up with my pay 

Old dirt road,

knee deep snow

Watching the fire as we grow 

(mushaboom, mushaboom)

I got a man to stick it out

And make a home from a rented house oh

And we'll collect the moments one by one

I guess that's how the future's done oh

How many acres, how much light

Tucked in the woods and out of sight

Talk to the neighbours and tip my cap

On a little road barely on the map

Old dirt road, 

knee deep snow 

Watching the fire as we grow,

(mushaboom, mushaboom) 

Old dirt road rambling rose

(mushaboom, mushaboom)

Watching the fire as we grow 

(mushaboom, mushaboom)

Well I'm Sold

{Images - We Heart It}

Where words fail, music speaks

This is a post dedicated to the bands and duos I am loving lately; their songs have been on constant replay on my iPod and their quirky lyrics have inspired a post on my blog.
Music colours my life with the brightest hues.

Belle and Sebastian

"You are too young to put all your hopes into just one envelope" - Belle and Sebastian

"The World was at her feet and she was looking down" - Belle and Sebastian

"Colour my life with the chaos of trouble" - Belle and Sebastian

Angus and Julia Stone:

"I spilled the ink across the page trying to spell your name

So I fold it up and i flick it out

Paper Aeroplane"

"I know our love did rust away

But through that window came a better day

So don't close the blinds

Cause you're my light"

 

"He offered me the universe

But inside my heart there's a picture of a girl."

"The pretty colours on that summer dress, babe

You're all the things that fall from the sky

The sun, the rain, the moon, the light, babe

So come on down to this earthly being

And I'll hold you close when you're in need, babe"

Noah and the Whale
 

"Last night, I had a dream

We were inseparably entwined

Like a piece of rope made out of two pieces of vine

Held together, holding each other

With no one else in mind

Like two atoms in a molecule

Inseparably combined"

"And if love is just a game

Then how come it's no fun?

If love is just a game

How come I've never won?

I guess maybe it's possible I might be playing it wrong

And that's why every time I roll the dice

I always come undone"

 

"We're just

Two Bodies with just one Heart"

"Oh I feel the bond

Oh between your heart and mine

And it's the bond that won't break

With the displacement of time."

The Smiths

 

"If a double decker bus crashes into us

To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die."

"Nature is a language. Can't you read?" 



Two Door Cinema Club

"An opportunity

You can't afford to waste

So have the lines in your head first

For heaven's sake."

 

 "Difference in opinion was never an issue

Collect all your questions

Because this time we've all night."

 

Let's run away and drink milkshakes all day...'

There is a Cape Town based singer named Matthew Mole, that plays the most beautiful Folk/Indie tunes that my ears have heard in a long time. For me, his music is the melodic equivalent of Prozac, it just makes me so very happy. Whenever I put his CD on, it always gets my head bopping and my toes tapping. A huge thumbs up to amazing local talent.
Rumor has it that Matthew will be doing a gig at Unit 11 on Thursday the 24th of Feb. Guess who is going to be in the front row singing along? ME!


Below are the lyrics to one of my favourite songs from the Matthew Mole album:

Roses are red

And your eyes are blue

And you know that I don't

Have the slightest of clues

But let's run away

And drink milkshakes all day

And I'll sing you this song

From my heart

From the start


You'll close your eyes
And I'll close mine too
When sharing a pillow is something we do
And I'll take your hand
And we'll both understand
Goodnight

Love is made of helpless butterflies

Let's fall in to the moments they provide
I'm unfolding my heart for you


I only wish that you'd think of me too
When the days we'll grow old
'Cause I'll still think of you
And there's so much to say
And though I'm kind of shy
I'll sing you this song
From my heart

Love is made of helpless butterflies

Let's fall in to the moments they provide

I'm unfolding my heart for you

And I fear that you'll never really hear

This song I wrote for you

So I'll leave my heart upon my sleeve

And I'll hope you feel it too

Love is made of helpless butterflies

All the more to look into your eyes

Music Monday

With it being the first Monday of the year and all, I thought I'd start it off with a bang and make myself a killer playlist, and here she is...

1. Italo - Anathallo
2. Eyes on Fire - Blue Foundation
3. Tonight - Lykke Li
4. The Beach Theme Song - Moby
5. Trouble - Coldplay
6. Better - Regina Spektor
7. Butterflies - Sheryl Crowe ft. Sting
8. Destiny - Zero 7
9. Always Foerver - Donna Lewis
10. Zombie - The Cranberries