Forever Nightswimming

“This Time Tomorrow” - The Kinks

A tune fitting for this “embracing the moment” kind of attitude I’m trying to maintain, while facing the exciting uncertainty of my future.

“Starry Eyed” - Ellie Goulding

Check this girl.  I can’t get enough.

“Midnight Surprise” - Lightspeed Champion

I don’t know about ya’ll but I am in the midst of a wonderful week.  There’s nothing in particular responsible for making it so “wonderful”, nothing happening to distinguish it from weeks that have recently passed.  Everything just feels good.

And keeping my chipper mood company has been a British man of many talents, referred to within the musical world as Lightspeed Champion. He released a new album this week titled Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You. and my ears have most certainly enjoyed meeting his enchanting sound.  The harmonies found in a number of his songs give off a Bright Eyes-esque feel, which may not be surprising seeing as the multi-talented Mike Mogis (producer for the Saddle Creek label and member of Bright Eyes) produced his first album, Falling of the Lavender Bridge.  ”Marlene” was the first single released off Lightspeed Champion’s newest album.  While it is catchy, I must say “There’s Nothing Underwater” comes in as my top pick. When those strings prance in at the chorus I am sold.

I’ve included an edit of his song “Midnight Surprise” from his first album released in 2007.  Go back to the beginnings, fall in love, and let it grow.

Sidenote:  The fact that pictures of Amy Winehouse appeared in the image search results for Lightspeed Champion may or may not have further contributed to my love and acceptance of this exceptional fellow.

“Crazy Amazing” - V V Brown

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it only seems fair to blog praises about an artist who is most certainly in love or at least really loves singing about it.  I was recently talking to a friend of mine about the power of music in terms of revelation.  For me, it’s fascinating how an album can serve as a window into the emotional experiences of an artist at a particular point in time.  Artist going through a rough break-up? Boom - you get songs that either mope about it, deal out a major “F” you, or act oblivious.  ”Oh…we broke up?  Totally already forgot we were even together.  My bad.”

Or maybe, as is the case with V V Brown, the artist is completely wrapped up in love thus leading a majority of their songs to deal with rainbows, unicorns, and all that is sweet.  Brown does manage to squeeze a few so-over-this-bullshit songs into her love-filled repertoire with “Leave!” and “Game Over” sporting lyrics like “And I don’t give a damn, my heart made me drunk but my mind is sober.”  For the most part though, Brown is holding onto her man and pretty darn happy about it and I can’t really complain.  She owns her sugary ditties, with a style that mixes modern indie vibes, soul, and a 50’s sock hop into one pleasant little package.

On a day like today, whether you’re macking-it-up with a significant other or eating an entire box of chocolates you bought for yourself from the drugstore down the street, celebrate love and bring a little V V into your life.  Tomorrow those sweeties can burn in hell while all that Valentine’s candy goes on sale.

If someone were to ask me what my favorite album of all time would be, I’d be unable to choose one.  Favorite artist?  No clue.  Top genre?  No way.

However, ask me to choose one song and I’ll answer without hesitation.  ”Nightswimming” by R.E.M. is my song.  It’s like when you go out clubbing and Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” starts to play.  A girl will squeal as she grabs her girlfriend to join her on the dance floor shouting, “Girl, this is my SONG!”  If they played “Nightswimming” out at the clubs, I would totally be that girl.

Whenever I hear the piano introduction I am immediately transported to another point in time.  It’s not a specific memory.  It’s just a feeling.  I am taken away from the responsibilities and worries currently occupying my mind.  I feel younger.  I mean, I’m not really that old as it is but therein lies the problem at the moment.  As an early twentysomething you’re young but not young enough to count on others to constantly take care of you.  In fact, you’re old enough to begin that adult kind of life.  You’re kind of stuck in the middle.  Well, maybe I’m just stuck in the middle.

Either way, “Nightswimming” puts me in a place of certainty.  And although this kind of certainty delivered by the song is bittersweet, considering it will only last for about 4 minutes and 18 seconds (unless I put it on repeat), it’s comforting.  Time keeps on changing, life keeps on changing, but this song and the innocence it delivers stays the same.

And that is why I will be forever nightswimming.  Oh yeah, the blog title has come full-circle.  Is that the right phrase?  Whatever.

“Heart of my Own” - Basia Bulat

When I watched this lass perform two years ago on the stage of the High Noon Saloon, I was sold.  Maybe it was the way she reminded me of a Canadian version of my younger sister or the effects of a sort of secondhand alcoholic intoxication.  I was 19 at the time and distinctly remember proclaiming that fact to the man checking IDs at the door.  Cool?  No.  Helpful and efficient? Always.  Attempts at humor aside, what I think the universal sticking factor with 

Basia Bulat seems to be is the genuine sincerity found in her distinct moments of vibrato and swelling phrases.

She controls her voice and one can actually pinpoint a person sustaining the music as opposed to the other way around.  Heart of my Own is Bulat’s most recent album and so far, I can find no disappointments to gripe about.  While a majority of her songs best accompany those meaningfully gentle moments in your life, she seems to really hit her high points on songs like “Go On”, “Gold Rush”, “Heart of my Own”, and “Walk You Down” where her voice builds into instances of soul-lifting intensity.  Soul-lifting intensity? Who says that?

In an effort to be the least pretentious music blogger around, let me just say that if wholeheartedly pure folk is your cup of tea then this brew will keep your tummy nice and warm.  My efforts towards non-pretentiousness may indeed lead me down the path of cheese and moderate creepiness.  Onward I say!