music

Secret Stages – Birmingham

May 4, 2015 · 2 Comments

If you’ve lived in Birmingham for the last four years and are a music lover, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard of Secret Stages. Secret Stages is a two-day music festival that takes place in downtown Birmingham.

All of the venues are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to enjoy different acts and the restaurants and attractions surrounding the stages. Somewhere around 60 bands come to perform — and there is music for everyone’s tastes. Bands come from far and near to take part in this event.

Secret Stages has been releasing sneak peeks of musical acts on their website here.

This song is by far my favorite that they’ve announced so far. It has a very Texas country/Americana sound to it. The lead singers voice is mesmerizing and raspy. The band hails from Little Rock, AR, and their latest album Something to See was released in January of this year. To take a listen to the rest of their album, go to their website. And take a quick listen below.

Secret Stages takes place this year July 31st and August 1st. VIP passes are $50 ($75 at gate), and weekend passes are $25 ($35 at the gate). Make sure to let the secret out!!

Steel City Jug Slammers

February 3, 2015 · 5 Comments

Last year when we were invited to spend the day at Breakin Bread, we got to listen to a jug band while we enjoyed all of our food. While I briefly mentioned them, they definitely deserve more than just a mention.

It’s a younger group of guys playing some traditional instruments, but there are some hand made ones thrown in. They play Delta Blues and jug music.

Check their website for next dates they’ll be in the Ham.

All of these images are my own, and you can clearly tell who I was crushing on. Dark haired tall guys do it to me every time.

Seriously, though, check them out and listen to some local Birmingham music.

Best Songs of 2014

December 19, 2014 · 1 Comment

Today I’m linking up with Helene for 2014 Best Songs.

On Monday, I talked about how much I love music and how much it can pull me out of any rut that I’m in. So this link-up was right up my alley. Even if I am a day late. Just as an FYI, these are in no particular order, as I love them all equally. And I know some of the albums came out in 2013, but if I heard the song and loved it in 2014, it hit the list.

10. Hozier // Take Me to Church — I’m sure most of everyone has heard this song. I’m obsessed with it, and any man that can rock a bun, well, power to you. Plus he looks like Citizen Cope, and well, yeah. That voice. Yes please.

9. Mr. Probz // Waves — Every time I hear this song it puts me in an instant good mood. And any song that can do that definitely deserves to be on a best of list.

8. Bastille // Pompeii — I love them all around, but this song, yeah. Good stuff.

7. Wild Cub // Thunder Clatter — I put them on my Monday “put me in a better mood” song list as well. I just LOVE this song. As soon as it comes on, can’t help but sing along to it.

6. Moon Taxi // Morocco — I love how they’ve become well known-this year. An awesome little band from Nashville that was able to sell out Iron City here in Birmingham. They’re fantastic.

5. Sam Smith // Stay with Me — For so many reasons. Because he doesn’t look like anyone thought he would, because the words in his song are truth. Because, damn, the dude can sing.

4. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros // Home — Another song that just makes me instantly happy when I hear it.

3. Black Keys // Fever — I’ve loved them ever since they came out, and wouldn’t you know they would put out another amazing album with a super catchy song?

2. twenty-one pilots // Holding Onto You — A little rappy with a little alternative, plus a familiar little hook that you may have heard?

1. Vampire Weekend // Unbelievers — Another just because it’s awesome. I remember the first time I heard it was in ATL on the way to a Braves game with Brett. The second I came home, I downloaded the whole album. The whole thing is amazing, but this one stands out for sure.

Songs I’m Loving

December 15, 2014 · 2 Comments

This weekend has been horrible, awful. First of all, the Packers looked like shit. I can’t handle.

And I’ve pretty much been working all weekend with a broken down truck. I wish I could tell you how sick I am of dealing with work on a weekend. I don’t mind my job, and I don’t mind doing a little after-hours work, but when it starts to interrupt my quality of life, I start to get pissed. I give them 40+ hours during the week, and deal with all the drivers who don’t treat me very well.

Anyway, so I usually turn to music when I’ve had these kind of weekends, and here are a few that I’m really loving right now.

Kansas City – The New Basement Tapes

Coal War – Joshua James

Thunder Clatter – Wild Cub

How You Sleep at Night – John Butler Trio

Turnpike Troubadours – Workplay

March 28, 2014 · Leave a Comment

We made it to Friday! Thank goodness!

This week has been long and weird. I’m really glad that it’s over.

Wednesday night we went to see Turnpike Troubadours at Workplay here in Birmingham. Workplay is definitely one of my favorite venues here. Especially when the act plays on the smaller stage. The opportunity to get close to the band goes way up there, and before you know it, you’re right up on them.

These guys play Texas country (from Oklahoma), and this was their first time in Alabama. I think we treated them right; the people that did end up going to the show knew all the words as did we. Sometimes the people of Birmingham do surprise even me! I was positive that we were the only people in this entire state that had heard of them!

If you’re looking for something fun and country to listen to, definitely check these guys out.

Plus it was an awesome excuse to wear my cowboy boots.