[Read the idea behind this blog HERE]

The elimination of most of my music and pretty much any TV has been an interesting change to my morning. Luckily, my hangover from Saturday night kept me in bed for most of the day, and thus helped it go by a little faster. I made it through my Love Diet playlist about two and a half times before I decided silence might be a nice alternative to my new favorite 17 love-free songs.

I cleaned my apartment to an extent that left every surface not only sparkling clean but also disinfected. I did my nails, and even a bit of reading. No serenading, love notes or tokens of affection to speak of. And I am cool with that; maybe I am just on a residual high from yesterday.

It is the night I think that makes things hard. The evenings and/or nights are where I usually sit down on the couch and mindlessly get absorbed into TV for a while or watch a movie; obviously falling victim to the ideas of well paid writers who make a living off romantic suckers like me. Not tonight, I read the newspaper — a very unromantic newspaper — cover to cover. I just might turn into the most aware person I know. Read More »

Part of the brilliant thing about music is its ability to transport you anywhere; the past, future, your ex-boyfriend’s bed, graduation, drunken evenings in Cabo… Whatever. Just like scents, when certain songs climb into your ears they take you on a journey.

I’d like to make that journey a little more literal and give you some of my favorite city-specific tunes. Start packing the suitcase, this gypsy’s taking you with her!

1. Is It Safe- Matt Pond PA [let’s go swimming in Philly]

2. Pachuca Sunrise- Minus the Bear

3. This Place is a Prison- The Postal Service [watch water “cascade down Puget Sound”]

4. Lubbock or Leave It- Dixie Chicks [take a trip back to Texas]

5. Lights- Journey [see the lights shine in San Fran]

6. Boston- Augustana

7. 8 Mile- Eminem [takes you to his hometown of Detroit]

8. La Cienega Just Smiled- Ryan Adams [takes you on a drive in Los Angeles] Read More »

Ah, Portland, Oregon: Land of the chronically hip and effortlessly cool. If you haven’t heard the buzz about Portland and its fab music scene over the last couple of years…well…then…I just don’t know where you’ve been.

Nonetheless, despite the hype, the town is home to many a talented underground band and I’m here to give some of them shout outs. Open up your myspace windows and check out this music!

“No Sh*t” ESKIMO AND SONS
“Sex by the unit” GENTRY
“Trouble from the start” DAY OF LIONS
“Demonic with horns” BOY EATS DRUM MACHINE
“Shadows” AUTOPILOT IS FOR LOVERS
“Priests of Shiloh” PORCHES
“Hey Boy” THE BLOWS
“Dragonfly Pie” STEPHEN MALKMUS
“Weightless” FLOATER
“Jumpers” SLEATER-KINNEY

Enjoy!!!

Okay so it’s finals week, and that = lots and lots of papers, lots of tests, and, of course, the perfect time for a major attack of Writer’s Block! (scary music) We’ve all been there– staring at a blank screen at 3:20am, wishing you were anywhere but here, surfing the web for flights to Romania and cool jobs that don’t require a college diploma. Here are a few more practical solutions:

1. Step Away from the Computer! Do something non-computer related (and non-TV related for best results) for 15-30 minutes– take a short walk, read a magazine, doodle a bit. Then go back to your paper.

2. Trying using paper and pen for awhile: I usually write my topic or thesis at the top of the page to get me started.

3. Switch up your playlist. My writing music ranges from Apocalyptica to Pink and MC Solaar to Röyksopp.

4. Change your font color and text style to something fun: it sounds crazy, I know, but just try it — it helps.

5. Call it a night. Seriously. Even if it means you have to get up at 5am the next morning to finish it, a few hours of sleep will drastically improve your writing ability.

[Got any other ways to battle writer’s block?? Let us know!]

You want nothing more than to slap your boss. And then to quit your job. You want to spit in your professor’s face. You want to tell your parents you’re joining the circus to make money for crack…JUST TO PISS THEM OFF. Today is the day you tell your best friend that those jeans DO make her ass look big because HER ASS IS BIG. You want to list off all of your exes to your guy who have been better in bed. That’s right. This is what I refer to as a “SCREW EVERYONE” day.

And they should never be spent without a soundtrack. So me and my Ipod went and made a playlist for these days.

“Spent on Rainy Days” BRIGHT EYES (Indie)
“Blueprint” FUGAZI (Punk)
“Gravity” DRESDEN DOLLS (Rock)
“Today is the day” MOROS EROS (Indie/Experimental)
“The Egg” SHINER (Indie/Alternative)
“The Other” ISIS (Experimental/Metal)
“The Never Aftermath” THE END (Metal/Ambient)
“In The Belly Of A Shark” GALLOWS (Punk/Rock)
“Complete and utter confusion” FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES (Experimental/Rock)
“Set fire to the face on fire” THE BLOOD BROTHERS (Other/Punk)

So instead of taking your Screw Everyone day out on the people around you…why not just put on these songs and let out your angst the old fashioned way? You know…like a 14-year-old who just slammed her bedroom door in her mom’s face. And then locked the door. And then wrote “Screw EVERYONE” in her blog.

Maybe there isn’t a whole lot of cool music that comes to your mind when you think of the state of Colorado. Well, that’s all about to change. Open your Myspace up and get ready to check out some of Colorado’s best acts that are still making their way up from the underground.

“I wish daft punk was playing” THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974
“Make you move” THE TITLE WAVE
“Open sea” INPUT
“Are you with me” VAUX
“Because we are” THE AUTUMN FILM
“The minimalist demo” TRAITORS TO THE QUEEN
“Simple Magic” MICHAEL COLE
“Hold my hands up” MY BODY SINGS ELECTRIC
“Math Equation” MATT AND ISOM
“Complete and utter confusion” FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES

Enjoy!

This is the second of two graduation playlists.

Graduation should be a fun, carefree, and altogether joyous affair. It’s an intimidating transition, so sadness is inevitable, and wallowing for awhile is not only acceptable but encouraged. So if you’re graduating soon, take a listen to the mopey mix first.

After you’re through with the crying, sad slide shows, and memory books, it’s time to get to happy. Break out the boombox, call up the ladies and break out the booze. You made it! It’s time to celebrate…with song.

1. Good Morning - Kanye West
This is the lead-off track on Kanye’s latest disc for a reason. It’s smooth, soulful and perfect for lounging in the sun during finals week.

2. I Gotta Move - Ben Kweller
Leaving town? Here’s one song that makes it sound just as exciting as it actually is.

3. I’m Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star - The Boy Least Likely To
This is a great little ditty about a band starting out. It’s amazing how similar college is to going on tour.

4. Wild Night - Van Morrison
Some of your favorite memories of the last four years probably center around some wild nights. (And in case you’re curious, this version is a lot better than the John Mellencamp one.) Read More »

The three weeks before I graduated from undergrad I was miserable. I was sad, and already dreading the day all my friends would leave our previously un-penetrated bubble of binge drinking, late nights, traveling, naps and academia.

I’m in grad school now but I realized the crummy days are coming back again. My fifth year friends are rounding the victory lap and getting ready to leave school. I’m excited for them to scatter across the country, but sad to see them go. I decided my sentiment was best expressed in two playlists; one for those dark, depressing days and one for the hopeful, bright ones.

We’ll start with the sad one. Sometimes the best way to get over a hurdle is to have a good cry. This should make you do just that.

1. Freshman - Verve Pipe
Achingly sad when I was a freshman in high school, still pretty tear-inducing now that I know what they’re talking about.

2. Forever Young - Alphaville
This song is most known for the 8 billion TV prom scenes its used in. Don’t hold that against it. If you want to hold those haircuts against them, be my guest.

3. Tear - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Best lyric? “Say it now because you never know.” It sounds so much easier when Anthony Kiedis is advising you. Read More »