unruly things

let me take a break from the regular fashion and style blogging to share with you one of my favorite obsessions – last.fm.
I first discovered last.fm from the recommendation of dlb two summers ago and couldn’t be more happy with that discovery. last.fm, a social music community, is a place to listen and love music. with a free account you can create a music profile, see charts and stats for your musical taste, create widgets for your blog or other web pages, listen to personal radio stations based on the music you love, and discover new music, people and events. that’s not enough, you say? well, for $3 a month you can become a subscriber, which enables you to create playlists, listen to your “loved tracks”, and other special priorities.
this week last.fm unvieled a new version of their site. it’s quicker and much more organized. if you don’t yet have an account, sign up and starting listening. you’ll be happy, I’m sure.

I went to see Beirut last night at the Crystal Ballroom.  and it was fanfreakingtabulous.  I always knew that they would be great live but even I was blown away at how great they really were.  I danced and moved my body to the beat and sang along with the crowd to every single song. 
what amazes me most about this band is front man, Zach Congdon, who is a mere 22 years old and created all of this, the band, while writing songs and dreaming up plans in his bedroom.  he has such stage presence and his voice is spot on.  they came back for two encores and encouraged the crowd to sing and dance.
if you haven’t had a chance to listen to Beirut yet, please do.  and if you have and you’re lucky enough to see them in concert, it’s sure to be a treat.  just remember to bring your dancing shoes.
{image from pitchfork}

so, I didn’t even watch American Idol this season.  not one minute of it.  but tonight when I opened up iTunes, the thing across the top blared American Idol top 2 so I decided to listen to a few of their songs.  I was immediately taken by David Cook.  just as Bo Bice swooned me with his rocker vibe and incredible renditions of Whipping Post and In a Dream a few years back, David got me with that raspy voice and his versions of Music of the Night {absolutely best musical EVER} and Billie Jean, only like my favorite song ever in the most amazing arrangement.

I love Lykke Li, and in my head, each time I listen to her, I thank Jess for introducing me to this Swedish wonder. her new video for I’m Good, I’m Gone is a bit odd, but I love those light orbs hanging from the ceiling and I love to watch her dance.
check it out.
{via gorilla vs bear}

Radiohead announced the remaining dates for their North American tour today. and guess who’s opening for them?? Grizzly Bear! I couldn’t be more excited. ticket go on sale April 12.

update: Grizzly Bear will only be opening for them August 3-15. Liars will fill in the rest of the tour. bummer. I like Grizzly Bear, but I’m still psyched for Radiohead one way or the other.

{via pollstar}

this sounds like fun. Radiohead has broken down it’s new single, Nude, to be remixed by anyone who wants to! currently, you can buy the separate components of the song {bass, voice, guitar, strings/FX and drums} on iTunes and remix your own version of the song. if I knew a little more about Garage Band, maybe I’d give it a try. but somehow I can see this becoming a big consuming project that only leaves me further behind on my work than I would’ve been if I’d just stuck to watching Lost. besides, it sounds like there’s already a winner.
{via dead air space}

Tiffany reminded me how much I love Sia. I first fell in love with Sia when she sang for Zero 7 on their debut album, Simple Things. if you know me, you know that Zero 7 is quite possibly my favorite band and sometimes I believe that Sia is the reason that I love them so much. she has such natural talent. her voice is so amazing. I still have yet to see her live, and she’s been to Portland twice since I’ve lived here. hopefully one day… and hopefully she’ll sing that song that got me hooked, Destiny. she’s fantastic.
{from sia music}

do you have a memory from your childhood or your past that brings good tears to your heart? tears of aching happiness that swell your heart with passionate memories? my heart aches at the sound of a piano.
I began playing the piano when I was five years old. my mom played too, she thought that it would be good for me to learn to play an instrument. I played my heart out for thirteen years. I played solos, duets, concertos, hymns, and even wrote some of my own songs too. I studied mostly classical piano. I fell in love with Debussy, twisted my fingers learning Brahms, and wanted to learn every Chopin waltz written.
every year, I competed in a local and state level for piano. each year I played in the solo competition, but I also competed in hymn playing and concertos. when I turned 18, I received the most prestigious reward for my hard effort, and by far, my biggest accomplishment yet. achieving a superior rating was difficult. receiving a superior rating consecutive years in a row was even harder. I received my most rewarding trophy for twelve years consecutive superior ratings in piano solo on the night of my senior recital, my last piano recital before graduating highschool. {this was also the night that I played Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms while crying my eyes out}

this week, Ali has been tributing Amelie, which I must admit, I’ve never seen. I’ve found it to be quite intriguing following her posts, but today, I was breathless. this song, has so much passion. so much feeling. I can not wait to place my fingers on keys of the piano and teach myself to play this song. again my heart aches.

now, I said that my heart aches at the sound of the piano. and it does. not because hearing the piano makes me sad but because not having a piano leaves me heartsick. not being able to play and remembering less and less each day fills me with sorrow. but it’s not a total sob story. I’ve got plans of buying a piano sometime this year or next. a keyboard. to save space and give me that therapeutic ability to sit down and play.

if you are new to classical music, or would like some suggestions of some gorgeous works, here are some of my favorites:
Chopin Nocturne in E flat major
Debussy Suite Bergamasque Prelude
Brahms Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2 – especially the part after 2:30.
Grieg Concerto part 1
Schubert Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4 – one of my absolute favorite songs. ever.

{sorry for the long, wordy post. it gave me a chance to listen and share some of my absolute favorite music.}