Five For Friday: Non-Ethnocentricity

This week's playlist is filled with amazing music from all sorts of places that aren't America! I'm drawn to music from other cultures for many reasons; one being that I don't understand the language so the vocals become another instrument helping to create the emotion of the song. Also, I love seeing what instruments they incorporate that we tend to ignore (mostly). Very rarely do you come across an American band that writes music to be played on music boxes while using both an accordion and synths in the same song. Or maybe you'd like a little musical saw with your wind-up toys and plastic whistles? Well, today is your lucky day! Also, today my wife and I have been married for 11 years! That really has nothing to do with this playlist, but it's pretty amazing nonetheless and I'm thankful every day for an amazing wife who don't abhor my bizarre musical tastes. I love you, Jen! :)

Have a great weekend and go broaden your horizons!

Five For Friday: Polaroid

This week's playlist is dedicated to the memory of Polaroid film. I watched the documentary "Time Zero: The Last Year of Polaroid Film", promptly went out and bought some Fuji FP-100C for my Mamiya and plan on shooting some (if not all) of it this weekend. Also, there are a ton of songs about Polaroid so it was kind of hard to narrow it down to 5 songs.

Have a fantastic weekend and take some pictures!

Five For Friday: Niece

I'm super excited that my niece is visiting us this weekend, so in honor of her visit, this week's playlist is all about nieces! If you have a niece, give them a hug.

Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday: Elephant

I hope you have a huge weekend! Huge like an elephant! (also, who knew there were so many songs about elephants? I didn't.)

Five For Friday: Beach Time!

Finally!!!! It's warming up enough to go to the beach and get out in the water! That's where you'll find me as often as I can get out there... I hope you make plans to get out and enjoy the outdoors this weekend, be it the beach, mountains or your local park.

Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday (x2): BIG

It's another week of cranking out another big order at work so this week's playlist features twice as many songs about big things! I hope you have big plans for this fantastic weekend. Have a good one!

Five For Friday: Movie Songs

This week's playlist consists of songs from movies that I own... Not necessarily my favorite movies, but I do like them. If there are any good movies in the theaters, perhaps you should go see one this weekend! Have an amazing weekend whatever you do!

Five For Friday: Bones

This week's playlist is about bones because without them it would be really difficult to make music... Or maybe we'd find different ways to make music! Either way, bones are amazing. Go use your bones to do something fun and amazing this weekend. Have a good one!

Five For Friday: February

It's the end of the shortest month of the year. Here's to warmer weather and weekends at the beach! Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday: Caffeine

This week's playlist is dedicated to my new job. Have a great weekend and drink more coffee than you think should!

Five For Friday: Opposites

They say that opposites attract. I'm not sure that that's always true, but the songs in this playlist seems to work well together. Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday: The 5 Ws

This week's playlist is dedicated to the 5 Ws of journalism:

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

Have a great weekend and ask a lot of questions!

Five For Friday: Beards of Music

This week's playlist is dedicated to all the musical beards out there.

Have a good weekend!

Five For Friday: Feel Good Friday

It's Friday!!! That's enough reason for it to be a great day! Here's an extra-long playlist to kick off your weekend! Have a great day!

Five For Friday: Turn Around

“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.” ― C.S. Lewis

If you've gotten off course, turn around. It's okay.

Have a good weekend!

Five For Friday: Be

Be calm.

Be still.

Be patient.

Be strong.

Be set free.

Have a great weekend.

Five For Friday: New Year

Well, we've made it to 2015! We might not all be driving around in flying cars or wearing sci-fi-influenced clothing, but maybe we will be! Who knows where this year will lead us... No matter where you find yourself, I hope that this year will be better than the last (even if last year was amazing for you)!

Happy New Year!

Five For Friday: Winter

Congratulations! You've successfully made it to the first weekend of Winter. Let this week's playlist help you settle in to Winter. Make your favorite warm beverage, sit a little closer to the fireplace (if you have one) and make the best of the long, dark nights. Have a great weekend!

Five For Friday: If I Were A Jellyfish

If I were a jellyfish, I'm pretty sure I would listen to these songs as I floated along in the magical ocean.

Five For Friday: 24HR Records

I've always been fascinated by working within constraints. That's one reason I enjoy poetry. There are set rules and you have to create something compelling from the limited supply of words/stanzas etc., but within those same constraints you are free to do absolutely anything you want. It makes you think about what you're saying and how to say it differently and compellingly. You often find yourself making connections you never would have if you had no rules to adhere to. 24HR Records is based on similar, very tight constraints.

Within a 24 hour period, they bring together artists that have never worked together, put them in a studio and have them create a three song album. The results are pretty fantastic (though I think they rely a little too much on reverb-heavy vocals)! Do yourself a favor and check out their website after you listen to this week's playlist.

Have a great weekend!