Five For Friday: Songs To Make Dinner By

I enjoy cooking dinner while listening to music like this. A good way to wind down after busy work day.

Rediscover: Little Tybee

Just as the island of Little Tybee is larger than it's more popular sister island, Little Tybee is bigger than their name implies. There are so many little things going on; the details... the nuances. Their music just makes you feel good. Perfect for cruising around the beach on a bike while the salt-water wind kisses your skin and the ocean waves sing a never-ending song to the wide, blue sky.

Learn more about Little Tybee here.

Discover: The Stone Foxes

How can you go wrong with some good blues/rock? You can't... especially when it incorporates Edgar Allan Poe.

Learn more about The Stone Foxes here.

Five For Friday: Decompress

It may sound weird, but listening to music like this helps me decompress if I've had a rough day... Doubly so if I could listen to it while floating around weightless underwater.

Rediscover: Norma Jean

Because sometimes you need some Metal in your life... I remember going to see these guys  a handful of times a loooooonnnngggg time ago when I was right out of high school and they were still called Luti-Kriss.

Discover: Bhi Bhiman

Simple and effortlessly soulful, Bhi Bhiman is a good one to add to your folk/blues playlist. This ain't your mama's Sri Lankan-American folk singer... wait... what?

Just listen and learn more about Bhi Bhiman here.

Five For Friday: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead

That isn't the case for these artists. Check out these posthumous tunes and don't wait to die to do something awesome.

Rediscover: Kate Rusby

I first discovered Kate Rusby while perusing the music section at Barnes & Noble. The cover of her album "The Girl Who Couldn't Fly" (which, come to find out, was created by Ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon) was intriguing so I picked it up, sampled it and instantly fell in love with it. Her voice, lyrics and instrumentations weave into a wonderful, dreamy lullaby... If you enjoy British folk music as I do, I think you'll love it too.
Find out more about Kate Rusby here. 

Discover: Bear Cub

Bear Cub is fun, folky, rock/pop reminiscent of The Avett Brothers and the likes. I just now came across them so I really don't know much about them except that I like what I've heard so far. I hope you do too.

You can find out more about Bear Cub here.

Five For Friday: 8 Bit

If you've ever played the original NES or the likes, you've heard 8 bit music... But it's not just for video games. Oh no... There is an entire culture of 8 bit (or chiptune) artists out there still rocking these tiny tunes (not to be mistaken with Tiny Toons). I tried it once (using LSDJ) but didn't get too far. Being able to make music on my Game Boy Color is pretty fascinating. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime soon... Until then, enjoy these chiptunes!

Rediscover: Buddy Miller

Buddy Miller is probably one of the best known musicians you've never heard of. Consistently playing with the likes of Levon Helm, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris and Shawn Colvin as well as producing albums for The Wood Brothers and The Devil Makes Three, this guy knows his stuff... He's one of those musicians where it's hard to tell where the music ends and he begins.

I was fortunate enough to get to see him and his wife, Julie, perform at the Variety Playhouse about 10 or 11 years ago and I'd have to say it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. It was also the first concert I ever went to where everyone sat down the entire time. Such a departure from the rock concerts I was used to going to, it was stripped down, unadulterated, honest, pure musical perfection. If I ever get the chance, I'll go see them again. And if you get the chance to see them/him, do it.

Discover: Beats Antique

I can't remember how I came across these guys, but I'm glad I did. Mix World music with Electronic music and toss in a belly dancer for good measure and you've got Beats Antique. Seems like it would be an interesting performance; especially since their most recent album and tour take you through all the steps of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey. I love when artists create a cohesive album that tells a single story... Find out more about Beats Antique at their website.

Five For Friday: Short

If you don't have time to listen to these songs, then you're too busy.

Rediscover: Gogol Bordello

Gypsy punk... Need I say more? Not really. These guys are crazy and awesome. Find out more at their website.