Noteworthy Artist: Kina Grannis

I collect new music in the way some women collect shoes. I have specific categories, special artists, and beloved songs. While I remain OCD in my compulsion to remain hyper-organized and clutter free, I'm a bona fide hoarder when it comes to my songs and vinyl records. I frequently go on Spotify binges to discover new tracks to tuck away into my increasingly growing stash. Ask me if I feel like I have a problem. Go ahead...ask. I know I do.

I recently came across the lovely singer-song writer Kina Grannis, and I just loved her right away. She has this breathy style of music that isn't overladen with the electronic beats and synthesized sounds of today's ridiculously vapid pop music. Emotionally meaningful and easy to listen to, her vocals are reminiscent of Ingrid Michaelson (another favorite of mine). And if I've said it once, I'll say it again and again and again: singers who write their own music will always have a superior edge in my opinion. There is a great mental and emotional collaboration that occurs when they sing their own music, because they're basically singing out their own diary. In addition to the incredible vulnerability this lends a song, who can interpret a song better than the actual writer? Great examples of this are Sam Smith, Adele, The Beatles and so many others.

Some of my current favorite Kina songs are "The Fire," "Write It in the Sky," "Oh, Father," and her cover of "Chandelier." Never heard her music? Catch it here, and have an amazing Sunday!

XOXO

Camie

Spotlight on Album: Walk the Moon

Every once in a while, I stumble across an album or band that I fall a little bit in love with, and on a recent road trip adventure, I had such an experience. When you have a lot of hours to drive, it means you have a LOT of hours for someone to play DJ, and fortunately I had a good one. After recommending the band Walk the Moon, we listened through their eponymous album Walk the Moon from start to finish, with several repeated tracks. The result: love at first playback.

This fabulous Indie group released Walk the Moon very recently after their self-released album I Want! I Want! It's an album for those who still want to have adventures, fall in love, and be a little bit carefree. It's the kind of music that you'll find in the OC at beach parties, played by NYC hipsters in great dive spots, or during late night drives to no where in particular. The artsy, pop-rock sound is catchy and engaging, all at once. Not surprisingly, several singles have been featured on shows like Vampire Diaries and other similar teen/college dramas.

The song that won me over---madly--- is without a doubt "Anna Sun." It's all the things that sum up young love despite the odds or because of the odds and it's all a grand adventure. I also loved "Iscariot," "Tight Rope," "Fixin" and "Jenny." If you've never heard this band, give their album a listen to and discover their great tunes!