Can't stop listening to: Haim

When I first heard the song above I thought it was like a mix of TuneYards and Gloria Estefan and the Miami Soundmachine. I dug it. It's catchy but soft around the edges. You don't have to go too far out on a limb to like it. But the rest of the album is classic indie with more of an 80 soft rock-ness that really mixes well. I'm humming this second song a lot these days.

Listening to: Cat Power

Friends and I are going to see Cat Power at Turner Hall tonight. I'm pretty excited. Not only have I been wanting to see her for a while, but I'll be joined by my two friends with small babies at home. I sometimes complain that I have no time, but I really wouldn't have any time if I had kids at home. Even if we make time, it still gets hard to meet out - 'I have a test this week', 'the littlest is sick', 'everyone's tired', 'sorry, already busy that night'. There's a natural falling off the face of the earth after having a baby so when the babies are old enough to be without mom for a few hours - the excitement gets quadrupled and then magnified by ten. Dinner AND a concert? It's like Christmas. Welcome back gals!

Can't stop listening to: Wild Nothing

I've been listening to these smooth beats the last few days. Wild Nothing has been making a buzz on the indie music scene and with their new album coming out later this month, you'll probably be hearing more of them. You can download their new song, Paradise, that came out yesterday - here. Enjoy!

Listening to: The Head and the Heart

"Down In The Valley" ranks high on my list of best road trip songs. Not only is it about traveling, but the rhythm builds and barrels on like an anthem for a lonely wanderer.

AND....did you notice TURNER HALL BALLROOM in the music video?? There are some clips from set up, soundcheck, and bits from their show this past spring. Don't you just love the burnt out wooden beauty of Turner Hall - it's a great music venue so I'm not surprised this band filmed there. I'm a big fan.

I even had my wedding at Turner Hall.

Listening to: Lulu and the Lampshades

Thanks to Anthropologie and my Shazam app, I discovered this lovely song from Lulu and the Lampshades called "Cold Water". You can listen to the whole song and more from the artist at Grooveshark. It's going to the top of my spring playlist. This is some seriously happy music, my friends. Dance music, in fact. So if you see me obnoxiously driving down KK, singing/clapping/air drumming, that's probably what's going on.

Can't stop listening to: Hospitality

Hospitality - "Friends Of Friends" from stereogum on Vimeo.

The new Hospitality album as been on nonstop loop at our house. And "Friends of Friends" is my husband's favorite new jam. The undeniably catchy single is also accompanied by an equally charming video. Even Maeby Funke shows up for the acting fun. This is one of the best videos I have seen in a long time. Watching the story line of this break up a la long-distance can only be summed up with "LA is my now". Ha! So check it. I think you'll like it.

Can't stop Listening to: Kathleen Edwards

This song has been a regular on my "I-Pass Lane Soundtrack" when I drive to Chicago. Her voice is quite addictive.

Kathleen's voice further supports my theory that flowing red hair and killer pipes are genetically linked - Neko Case, Florence Welch, Tori Amos - someone needs to do a thesis on this.

Her new full-length album comes out next year, but her two singles produced by her boyfriend, Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon, are out now. They make some pretty lovely music together. Through that collaboration, both professional and personal, I feel like Kathleen's voice really blossomed on this album. Or maybe the music supports her so much better. Either way, it sounds great.

Her upcoming tour is kicking off here in Milwaukee at Turner Hall on January 24th. The pre-sale starts today at 12pm.

Listening to: "Polish Girl" by Neon Indian

Can't Stop Listening to: Representin' Memphis

Oh, hello again! We're in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the long holiday weekend. Today, we even took a side trip to Toledo. Boy, did I like Toledo. There's a museum about glass made entirely of glass! Crazy. Are you guys traveling for the weekend? Wherever you are, I hope you enjoy the nice long warm weekend.

Can't Stop Listening to: Middle Brother - "Portland"

This song has been playing on loop in my car because it's just that dang good. Give it a listen and then you should probably download it - because it's awesome and because this video doesn't do the song justice, but it's all there was. Has anyone seen Middle Brother live? If so, tell me how it was! This album would make for a great summer road trip soundtrack, right?. Speaking of roadtrips, I'm off to campus in Chicago for the day after a quick stop at Starbucks and tank fill up. See you tomorrow!

Can't stop listening to: Dismemberment Plan

I'm having a great weekend in DC (I hope Milwaukee is just as nice) and last night I heard someone playing the Dismemberment Plan at the Capitol Hill bar I was at. I know! D-Plan! I remember seeing DC-based Dismemberment Plan at the Globe on North Ave. and buying their album at Atomic Records. Such a great band. They've recently reunited and I haven't seen them yet, but I hear there's work going on to book them in Milwaukee. Fingers crossed!

Can't stop listening to: Acrylics

This song by the band Acrylics ain't too shabby. I'm trying to get into some of their other songs, but I'm a little distracted by the girl's Pat Benatar look and sound. Either way, throw in a random lapsteel, good lead vocals with an 80's vibe and I'm pretty much sold.

Can't stop listening to: Best Coast

This song has been playing in my head all day (not necessarily a bad thing). Best Coast is getting a lot of good PR, so keep them on your radar. If you haven't already heard the new album, you can stream it here for a listen.

Heading out to Chill On the Hill tomorrow night to Humboldt park to see Decibully and Juniper Tar. It's gonna be a fun one!

Can't stop listening to: Sarah Jaffe

I'm loving this laid back summery album from Sarah Jaffe called 'Suburban Nature'. NPR featured the above song for their Song of the Day. I'd say it's pretty nice stuff for an afternoon of backyard suntanning or lounging around the house.

Can't stop listening to: The National

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.

The new album from the The National came out today. "Bloodbuzz" is the standout track on the High Violent album, but I also really like "lemonworld". I have to laugh at how awkward and anxious Matt looks in the video above because that's how he really is in real life: anxious and awkward. He's a incredibly nice guy, though. When we saw them play in Seattle a few years ago, he sang half of the show on the edge off stage with his back turned to the audience. His stage fright has gotten a lot better since. At their Pabst show last July, he came out into the audience walking on top of the theater rows and stood perched in the mdidle crowd. They will be coming again to Milwaukee this summer. Mark your calendars for August 4th.

P.S. Thanks to Muzzle of Bees for pointing out the Milwaukee Brewers shirt in this video (mark 1:40)

Can't stop listening to: Joanna Newsom

Check out the song Good Intentions Paving Company HERE from Joanna Newsom's new album Have One On Me. This album seems like a work of growth. Her voice is more relaxed, but still unique. Her harp is able to relax a little, too, on this album as it shares the stage with a few more instruments for a more blended sound.

Joanna is coming to Milwaukee Friday, April 2nd at the Pabst Theater. Yay!