Sofar Sounds Dallas - An Evening of Awesome Music!

About a week and a half ago I had the opportunity to attend one of the most unique musical experiences I have ever had.  As many of you know, I love music - and lately have especially enjoyed listening to and getting to know the stories behind many unsigned and/or up and coming artists.  

Sofar Sounds or Songs from a Room is a movement which began in 2009.  It brings music lovers together in an intimate setting, often a secret living room location.  The artists are able to play to a group of people who are there truly to listen to and appreciate the music.  Check out their website for more information.  The Sofar Sounds movement has gone global with shows happening worldwide.  

You can also log onto the Live Stream to view previous shows.

The first Dallas Sofar Sounds event took place on September 10th and included the following musical artists:

The Beaten Sea
http://www.thebeatensea.com
https://www.facebook.com/thebeatensea

Lonesome Ghost

                                             http://lonesomeghost.bandcamp.com/

                                              https://www.facebook.com/LonesomeGhost

                                                                  Soviet Music
                                             http://sovietmusic.bandcamp.com/
                                             https://www.facebook.com/sovietsounds

                                                                Phoenix Hart

                                              http://www.phoenixhart.com

                                           https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixHartOfficial

                                                                Wiretree

                                                http://www.wiretreemusic.com

                                             https://www.facebook.com/wiretree

Lonesome Ghost

A small portion of the crowd... yes, we sat on the floor - and enjoyed the music!

Phoenix Hart

Wire Tree

Wire Tree

Sorry my pictures are so bad - that's what I get for using the camera on my phone.  I hope you will check out the bands listed above, and even check to see if there is a Sofar Sounds event happening in a city near you.  

Sam Bradley in Dallas - Zuni

I think most of  you know, I am a huge fan of live music - specifically guitar, acoustic - folksy, rock, soul, alternative, country-ish (no top 20 stuff please), indie - singer/songwriters.....

I had the opportunity to see one of my top favorites - Sam Bradley Friday night in Dallas at the House of Blues!  Sam played with guitarist, John Notto - these guys put on a great show; although I was a little bummed because I am height challenged, and this is one of those venues where you need to be at least 6 feet tall in order to see the stage.  My friend and I got sandwiched in the middle of the crowd, and we both started getting claustrophobic, so we crawled out and wound up on the side of the room - right behind a speaker - ah, but oh well - such is life.  Sam opened for Brooke Fraser - I would have preferred to see Sam perform the whole show - but.....still.... ah well, what could I do.  Except ask the guy in front of me if I could sit on his shoulders, but.....that wasssna gonna happen - errmmmm.   He is such a talented musician/singer and a gentleman to boot - he obliged me with a photo - along with each and every one of his fans.

I'm not a music critic by any stretch, but I know what I like - and I love Sam's music - check out his new EP, titled Zuni - you can find more info here.  You can also visit his MySpace page and have a listen to several of his songs -

I'm so happy to have been able to see him perform again!  It's great to see people in their element and following their dreams - it's very inspirational - it's all good - wishing him the best of luck!

This song - Sea Blue - is one of my favorites - please watch - I think you'll really like it!

I'm off to visit my sewing machine.  I've got some projects to get completed before another Trunk Show on Thursday and..... a new collection of songs to listen to!  (oh... and the kiddies are entertaining themselves by destroying my kitchen with playdoh..... it's all good :)

The Left to Lie Tour - Bobby Long in Dallas

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of being an attendee at a house concert featuring up and comer - Bobby Long. Since I don't consider myself a critic of music - I'm quoting several sources here to give you an idea of his type of music.

"Grit and grace intermingle as London based singer/ songwriter Bobby Long embarks on his 2010 world tour and entrances with his powerful guitar and raw vocals inspired by folk, blues, and old school country artists like Bob Dylan, Howlin' Wolf, and Hank Williams."

Bobby is currently on his "Left to Lie" Tour, traveling across the U.S. promoting his music and new album.

Bobby played the house concert in the afternoon, then headed over to Poor David's Pub that evening to play his evening show. It was amazing - if you love raw, gritty sounds - little bit of soul, lots of guitar, lovely English accent, original music, then take a listen! He's really one of my favorites at the moment.

(I know - Bobby Long t-shirt at the Bobby Long concert?? I couldn't resist :) Bobby actually said that they only made 150 of this particular style and asked me where I had gotten it. Gee - guess I've got a collector's addition! Yeah Me.)

This is Bobby's manager, Phil (who's the dorky gal standing there with him??) - such a really nice guy. Both Phil and Bobby are so dedicated to their dream in the music industry. Being somewhat of a "crafty" person, I find it very inspiring to see people following their dreams and making a go of it.

You can find out more about Bobby from these sites:

Bobby Long MySpace

Bobby Long Online

Bobby Long

Shack of Soul

Beauty in Blogging

Can it be? I've won an award?! It is Academy Award week.....hmmm

.....well, it's not a little gold guy, but hey! I'm still honored!

Bellies to Babies presented this award to me....lovely blog I must say......check it out for some really beautiful photos.

Here are the rules of the award:

1. Thank and link the person who gave you this award.

2. Pass this award on to 5 blogs that you think are fantastic.
3. Contact blogs and let them know they've won.
4. State 7 interesting things about yourself.

So....5 blogs that I think are fantastic... Blogs that I may or may not have a little blog crush on.....Blogs that I think are well deserving......Blogs that are beautiful creations which have sprung forth from the minds of the some of the most creative, ambitious, did I say beautiful? humans beings ARE....

"drum roll please, and the Award goes to......."

Shoe Closet Life

Lavender and Limes

The Creative Crate

Stop Staring and Start Sewing

Funky Finds

And now 7 interesting things about myself. Well, I don't know how interesting they are, but here goes.

1. I worked at Walt Disney World during college in the Magic Kingdom at the Mad Hatter shop, sewing name on the back of Mouse Ears.

2. I worked in Yellowstone National Park during and after college at Roosevelt Lodge, riding horses, driving draft horse teams, drinking beer, and hanging out with my future husband!

3. I spent a semester of college living and studying in Dundee, Scotland

4. I love to bake (cookies), read books (Twlight - duh!), go to the movies (anything but horror), and listen to music (all kinds - right now in sort of a folksy, alternative mood)

5. I can wiggle my ears

6. Might like to move to California and be a Yoga instructor to the stars one day...."aaaoooommm...."

7. ummmmm.......I am really struggling here to think of something....

I'd love to be able to play the guitar and sing (with a voice that doesn't curl peoples' toes)

Music that Inspires Me

Creative energy flows so much better for me when I have good music playing in the background. After watching the Grammys last night, I was reminded how music can just transport you and make you feel a certain way, put you in a certain mood - which is important when you are creating! Music is such an important part of my life, I just feel strange when I don't have something playing (that is, unless the little munchkins are running through the house hootin and hollerin! Then, silence is golden!)

It just depends on my mood - sometimes I love to have Norah Jones singing something soothing in the background, sometimes it's something funky like Black Eyed Peas, lots of times it's Bobby Long, Marcus Foster, or Sam Bradley. Today, I'm listening to the Ballas Hough Band (as in Mark Ballas and Derek Hough from Dancing with the Stars). Check them out! I had the privilege of seeing them perform live last year when they were in Dallas. I get such a kick out of seeing people express their creative energy through live music. To me it seems like a very vulnerable place to be. Which is inspiring, because if you want to make something from your own hands, then you have to be brave enough to put it out there for others to see. (Unless it's just crap and you shove it in the back of your closet - like the sweater I tried to "teach" myself to knit with! A slightly askew, boat neck lovely. Trust me, it won't see the light of day anytime soon!)

What do you like to listen to when you are in your zone, bringing to life your one of a kind creations?

Let's take it out with a little Black Eyed Peas!

Coming Down from the High

I had an awesome girls weekend and am slowly coming down from the excitement - back to reality! Good reality, just different reality. You all know by now that I'm a huge Twilight fan, and unless you live in a dark cave on a different planet - you've heard about the New Moon release! Aw! I was able to see it twice- once on Friday and then again on Saturday. So much fun - and shared with a dear friend that totally "gets it" - which makes the experience that much more fun.We also took a little road trip east to Dallas in order to see Sam Bradley & the Men perform at The Loft. Sam contributed to the Twilight soundtrack and I was able to see him perform back in July. Such a heart felt performer - he loves his music, loves performing, and so do his fans. If you like, raw, unpretentious music, you'll love his.

I'm realizing that I look extremely short, and a bit like Pocahontis with my fringy boots....or maybe I'm reminding myself of a short, Scottish woman wearing a kilt (it's not a kilt trust me, thought the ruffly skirt was a thumbs up..o well, win some, you lose some).... in this picture.... o well.

Well, since this isn't really a blog about music; although it is my blog,

and I love this music but...- guess I'd better fill you in on what I've been up to with Whoopsie Daisies! Answer is....not a lot of sewing, but a fair amount of posting on Etsy. I've managed to get all of my Tooth Fairy Pillows listed and will be working to get more coffee cozies listed shortly. Are you ready for Black Friday? Get your keyboards warmed up and ready! I know lots of Etsy sellers will be offering free shipping on Friday - count me in too - all purchases on Friday will receive free standard shipping - Whoop! Contain the excitement people.

My family is getting ready to shove off to the beach for a few days over the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm trying to squeeze in what Whoopsie stuff I can in between my other responsibilities.