Happy Birthday M.J.

If you haven't heard..

Today would have been Michael Jackson's 55th birthday.  Here in Atlanta, my favorite radio station (103.3 FM) paid tribute to the King of Pop practically all day.

I couldn't get enough.

I am going to keep it short and sweet today, and leave you with some wise words from the man himself (and one of my favorite songs):

Music To My Ears

In preparation for Music Midtown, (!!!!!!!!) I have compiled quite the playlist comprising of all of the artists who will be performing.  I hadn't heard of this ZZ Ward character before, so I was super excited when I discovered how much I like her music.  She's got a quality to her voice that's reminiscent of Adele, but I was more impressed by the diversity of her music.   If you have a chance, and love a powerful female singer as much as I do. . . definitely check out Til The Casket Drops.  I can't get enough.

When I listened to Cryin' Wolf, I couldn't have been more excited to hear Kendrick Lamar on the track, too.  Here's to hoping he makes it out on stage with her at the show!

 (He's performing, too!!! Can you tell I'm excited?)

Anais Mitchell - Making The List

Maybe it's because I feel like an old soul sometimes and I've pinned that on her, too.  It's like she has this vintage style with mannerisms of a little girl.  She has this raspy whisper that crescendos into an elegantly soft but powerful tone to in her voice.  I've done nothing but try to learn the lyrics as quick as possible so I can sing along.

Speakers in Code

Off of her album Young Man In America, my favorites (must I pick just a few...) include "Coming Down" because I love a good piano ballad.  Not only that, there's an incredible male/female duet thrown in there.  I really love this performance of the song sans piano that I found, though.  She is a beast at guitar, as is the fellow singing with her.  I believe it is Jefferson Hamer who shares the spotlight on her latest album, which I have yet to hear, Child Ballads.

My mother would love "Winderland" as much as I do, for it's tribal flutes and spiritual harmonies.  I really started enjoying the folk aspects of her music and then I heard this song and tumbled head over heels.  The video I linked is acoustic, so if you can go find the album version I strongly advise it.

Drowned In Sound

Losing myself deeper into research, I discovered this YouTube video of Mitchell performing "Tailor" with music producer Michael Chorney.  It's absolutely lovely.  I'm infatuated with her messy hair and red cowboy boots.

Needless to say, she ranks right up there with Regina Spektor, Tori Amos and Kate Nash for me.  The types of female artists who write their own songs and sing out of tune when it's warranted.  Here's to wishing I'd played guitar and tried out singing for a career.  There's always tomorrow..

Mama always told me to share...

Because, like I said in my last post, I'm obsessed with artist Lora Zombie.  I have now found another archive on her tumblr to sift through.  I haven't found a single painting I wouldn't put on my wall.  She has some wild blue hair, too, which I love.  I especially like the paintings that look like childish self portraits; little girl with blue hair..

 adorable.

I also have to share this artist I knocked into courtesy of someone I follow on Google+.  I couldn't help but click on the video for one Anais Mitchell's song 'Young Man In America': 

1. because that name, Anais, I've never heard it before and I love it

2. because she's quite adorable, too.  

Lucky I did.  I have a lot of catching up to do on this sweet voice.  According to her site's discography, her first album was released in 2004.  She's not perfect and that's why I like it so much.  I like my music a little raw.  Her voice is unbelievable, though, so I cannot wait to listen to the five full-length albums. There's one EP in there, too.  

Sounds like a road trip soundtrack to me!!

From another new obsession: A Well Traveled Woman Tumblr