Feyoncé

One of my best friends is getting married in only 1 month, and this past weekend we celebrated her Bachelorette Party in LAS VEGAS! I was so excited I had to make a playlist to get us in the mood to celebrate with My Girls and inspire some booty-shakin'. This is only actually a piece of the playlist I made for her weekend festivities, but I have picked out my favorites to share with you. (You can find the full playlist here on Spotify.)

Playlist

Feyoncé

Highlights

- Track 1/ Jumpin', Jumpin' byt Destiny's Child
The perfect anthem for a Girl's Night- "Ladies leave your man at home..." You can't go wrong turnin' up to a Beyoncé throwback. 

- Track 8/ Danza Kuduro by Don Omar feat. Lucenzo

I believe the best dance songs are by Britney or Latin singers... I might be a little biased, but you can't deny how catchy this track is. It's the perfect song to get our groove on in any setting!

- Track 17/ Wobble by V.I.C.

We ask every DJ at every club or bar we go to to play this song, and then we get everybody nearby to dance! It's fun, infectious, and also happens to be our signature dance.

Thanks for listening (bachelorette-style)!

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January Playlist Therapy

Where did January go?! Oh well, here's what I'm still listening to since my brain thinks it cant possibly be February yet....

Playlist

January Playlist Therapy 

Highlights

- Track 2/ Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding

This song happens to be on the soundtrack for Fifty Shades of Grey...but more importantly Ellie is back! That is- back to the sound of her first album "Lights", which is when I fell in love with her music. 

- Track 5/ Got It by Marian Hill

All you need is some synth brass, sick beats, and a sultry female falsetto and you've "Got It". I don't know where this duo came from, but this is definitely my new favorite jam!

- Track 9/ The Business of Emotion by Big Data feat. White Sea

Their follow up to "Dangerous": this next single by Big Data is just as catchy. Its the kind of 'jump on your bed-flip your hair around-can't help but feel good' song.

Thanks for listening (literally)!

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15 in 2015

To ring in the new year, I have decided to celebrate by looking back on some of the music that has meant the most to me over the years. Here's one song per year that I probably had on repeat for each of the last 15 years: (No regrets, but I would like to add that I was 11 years old in the year 2000.)

Playlist

15 in 2015

Highlights

- 2000/ Amazed by Lonestar

This was the most passionate song to my hopeless romantic pre-teen heart, and I wasn't even that into country music...yet.

- 2001/ All You Wanted by Michelle Branch

My copy of The Spirit Room is completely worn out, and this song was one of the first couple of songs I had learned and sung in public (with my brother on guitar of course!)

- 2002/ You and I Both by Jason Mraz

I have been in love with Jason Mraz and his voice since the beginning, and my discovery of his music marks the start of my adoration for singer-songwriters. 

- 2003/ One More Sad Song by The All-American Rejects

This one takes me back to bus rides and my first love: I'm not sure if he liked All American Rejects' first album or if it was just an excuse to sit next to me on the bus and share headphones.

- 2004/ Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson

And when my first love ended, Kelly Clarkson had the perfect break-up song for me to belt at the top of my lungs. The lyrics weren't really true for my situation, but it was nice to know that Kelly had my back.

- 2005/ These Words by Natasha Bedingfield

This album came out while I was on my first trip to Tennessee: to visit my dad's side of the family and H.S. friends who had moved. It makes me think of driving around on Knoxville roads where all the trees were overtaken by Kudzu.

- 2006/ Samson by Regina Spektor

I'm pretty sure I discovered Regina Spektor while listening to NPR in the car with my dad. She didn't sing this song, but I was hooked! This is one of my all-time favorite singers, singing one of my all-time favorite love songs.

- 2007/ Irreplaceable by Beyonce

She was promoting powerful women even back in 2007, and I loved it then, and still love this song now. But it has come to mean more because I associate it with one of my favorite friendships.

- 2008/ Between the Lines by Sara Bareilles

Probably one of the most underrated Sara Bareilles song, and definitely a good representation of a girl navigating relationships and discovering herself. That's what college was for, right?

- 2009/ Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

Ok Ok, I know this song is associated with 500 Days of Summer. I'm not THAT obsessed with the movie, but this song is the perfect drive up the coast, hair in the wind, Perks of Being a Wallflower "infinite" moment kind of song.

- 2010/ Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars

If my love life that year was manifested into a pitter-patter guitar and beautifully haunting harmonies, this would be it. This is the song I wish I had written.

- 2011/ Hold it Against Me by Britney Spears

My whirlwind of a senior year in college: Pauls, Bang!, and this album.

- 2012/ Mercy.1 by Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, & T-Pain

I had to get a little street cred if I was gonna work with teens... also I just love the dancehall samples. This is my get down in the club song.

- 2013/ Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves

Cheeky and honest (as good country music should be), the message in her lyrics continues to be my motto into the new year!

- 2014/ Love Me Harder by Ariana Grande & The Weeknd

With my favorite song of the year, I have been playing Ariana Grande's most recent album on repeat since it came out in August. I'm reluctant to say it, but I think the Weeknd really makes this track.

Thanks for listening (formerly)!

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End of 2014 Playlist Therapy

To ring in the end of the year, I knew I had to do at least one more playlist of my personal picks. I've been falling down on the job, and seemed to have missed November all together! So aside from all of the holiday music I've been listening to during these last two months, here are some songs I've rockin' out to lately:

Playlist

End of 2014 Playlist Therapy

Highlights

- Track 1/ Blank Space by Tyler Ward

I might be the only person who didn't think Taylor Swift was singing about Starbucks, but even I can't deny how (like Starbucks) addicting this song is. Unfortunately Taylor decided to remove her music from Spotify, which means we are left with many awesome covers of her new album! This is a more mellow, acoustic version and he has such a nice voice. The only downside is that he chose to leave out the bridge, which happens to be my favorite lyric from the song: "Boys only want love if it's torture..." 

And just in case you haven't gotten your fix of Taylor Swift covers, please check out this awesome mash up of Blank Space//Style by Louisa Wendorff: http://youtu.be/7m3o5LuFKxg

- Track 8/ Every Breaking Wave (from Acoustic Sessions) by U2

Although hugely unappreciated by my generation, Bono is probably one of the best vocalists around and he is still killin' it! This acoustic version is better than the original and is a perfect example of his singing chops. This version lets his voice shine and is more intimate and emotional than the fully jnstrumentated version.

- Track 14/ Don't Go Home Without Me by Lights

I don't know where I found Lights, but it was probably around the time I became obsessed with Ellie Goulding as well. She's got hip beats and charming melodies and I was excited to find that she has a new album out. I've included my two favorite songs from her new album on this playlist.

Thanks for listening (literally)!

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A Merry Modern xMas

I've already created a vintage playlist of classic Christmas carols, which you can find here. I grew up listening to those versions of favorite holiday songs, and every year my family pulls out the old records when we get together to decorate the tree. My favorites are Nat King Cole's Christmas Album and Willie Nelson's Pretty Paper. That being said, I have always been a little skeptical when it came to modern versions of my favorite christmas songs. I am picky, and have picked out my favorites just in case you needed MORE holiday music!

Playlist

A Merry Modern xMas

Highlights

- Track 1/ Baby It's Cold Outside by She & Him

One of my favorite holiday movies is Elf, and I love the way Zooey Deschanel sings it in the movie and in this updated rendition with M. Ward. Although this song is a little questionable to my feminist ears, I love the fact that she is singing the traditionally devious man's part while her She & Him counterpart sings the coy female part. Also I wish I could whistle like her. You go, Zooey! 

- Track 8/ It Snowed by Meaghan Smith

Here's a new song that sounds like it could be a jazz standard, and Meaghan Smith sings it sweetly with an easy swing. As a native Los Angeleno, I love songs and movies about snowy settings (White Christmas!) and will always regard snowfall as magical and exciting. 

- Track 10/ Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Sam Smith

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, and in my honest opinion, I don't think anything can top Judy Garland's original version in Meet Me in St. Louis. So when it comes to versions of this song, I am very particular and critical. I love Sam Smith's version for it's simplicity: he's added his own style and vocal runs, but it is just his voice and light piano accompaniment. Can you tell I'm obsessed with this song? I've also included Johnnyswim's version, which is a more upbeat and light-hearted alternative. 

Thanks for listening (merrily)!

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Home for the Holidays

I've teamed up again with Shana Mattheis of Roots Revival Co.! The latest one is Home for the Holidays and in the spirit of the upcoming Christmas holiday, this playlist features favorite holiday classics that are sure to warm your heart better than eggnog! You can find it on Her Blog or if you follow me on Spotify.

Stay tuned for more playlists this month!

What I'm Thankful for This Thanksgiving

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving, and all the wonderful things in our life: including family and (sometimes silly) traditions. In my house, my brother and sister don't come home anymore, but we still take out George and Martha. These personified decorative squashes have become metaphorical stand-in's for my siblings, who now cook their own thanksgiving dinners in their respective parts of the world. This year in addition to the usual family dinner festivities, I'm celebrating with my work family (since psych hospitals never close...). I am thankful for my multiple families: work, friends, and biological family and I am extremely lucky to have such wonderful people in my life! Here's an extra special shout out to those that have supported me through the years- YOU!

I had Roots Revival Co. in mind when making this playlist, and it includes some of the things I am most thankful for! I know what they say about apple pie, but what's more American than country music and turkey on Thanksgiving?!

Playlist

What I'm Thankful For

Highlights

- Track 2/ You've Got a Friend by Carole King

Although this song alludes to appreciating my family of choice, I actually associate it with my mother. I grew up cleaning the house on sunday afternoons singing along to Carole King's Tapestry. I Feel the Earth Move would come on and we would stomp and clean along. I've used You've Got a Friend for many a music therapy session, and I've always loved the bridge. Such a lovely example of how good of a songwriter Carole King is. 

- Track 6/ The House that Built Me by Miranda Lambert

Oh my gosh I love this song- it's beautiful, simple, and emotional. The House that Built Me perfectly captures that desire to return to your past: you can return to the physical place, but it doesn't ever feel quite the same and there's a sort of discomfort that you don't really fit in the same way you used to. Honestly, Miranda Lambert isn't usually my favorite, but she did a fantastic job with this song. 

- Track 15/ My Own Kind of Life by Katie Herzig

Quirky and bubbling, this song by Katie Herzig represents the pride I have in living independently as a young adult. Welp, almost- I might still drive a car my parents own, but I like to think I'm plodding forward into creating a life for myself!

Thanks for listening (thankfully)!

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