I need sunshine
In the last month I have made a concerted effort to seek out new music, and I've set aside a thirty minute time period every day to go searching online for artists I haven't yet heard. I used to do this for hours every day when my life wasn't filled with other priorities, and when I lived in LA I often attended three or four live shows a week. That was also a time when I had an hour commute to work every day and I could concentrate on nothing but the music on the stereo and the endless line of cars in front of me. My longest rides in the car now are the ten minute ones to the hardware store, and it's hard to hear the music when Screams-A-Lot is demanding that I turn around and hand her the book she just threw at the back of my head.
My favorite place to find new music is my husband's hobby project, 3hive, and if I'm not careful I can lose an entire day of my life looking through the pop section alone. I've noticed a difference in my mood since I started searching for new music, a new lilt in my step that keeps rhythm with the melody in my head. It's been so long since I've made music this much a priority in my life that I'd forgotten what it was like to lie in bed awake at night with line after line of lyrics running through my brain like the words on a teleprompter.
Last week I downloaded a few MP3's from the newest Wolf Parade release, in particular the song "I'll Believe in Anything," and I haven't been able to listen to anything else since. That's a nasty habit of mine, I find something I like and then I beat the thing to death, whether it be food or a television show or a website and in that instance I just sit at my laptop and hit refresh, refresh, refresh. In the last couple of months I have forced Jon to sit through probably 75 episodes of "CSI" which is for the most part a pretty crappy show because hello? That computer program they just used to determine which brand of shampoo was used to wash the hair follicle retrieved from the corpse? IT DOESN'T EXIST. And I'm sorry, but I'd be mortified if a man that hot was inspecting my naked dead body. But I cannot stop watching it much like I can't stop swinging at my head with a meat cleaver.
The Wolf Parade song I have on endless repeat has become the official soundtrack to the changing of the seasons, to the end of what has seemed like the longest winter of my life. It hasn't been a particularly bad winter, we've just been stuck inside with a toddler and a limited number of toys, and while I'm not yet willing to let her create art on the walls or the imported rug on the living room floor, there have been enough snow storms this season that we once passed the time covering every inch of flesh on our faces with a blue marker. I didn't take a picture because I knew that someone would send me an email to tell me that there is lead or some other deadly substance in markers and how could I claim to love my child while displaying such flagrant disregard for her safety. How? It's easy, you just pop the top off the marker and start coloring her forehead.
Over the weekend Spring finally arrived in Utah, and I played the Wolf Parade song whenever I got a chance as loud as the volume on the stereo would go. We took long walks around the neighborhood and I had the lyrics to that song in my head the entire time, lyrics like the title to yesterday's daily photo. When I hear this song I feel like the colors in these photos:
And I can't stop thinking about the early months of my relationship with Jon, months that were hectic and raw and so full of hope and panic that every day seemed like it would collapse in on itself. I love that almost five years into my relationship with him I can hear a few notes and feel what it was like between us during the first few hours we ever spent together. And that is what this whole rambling entry was for, to say I am so happy I have brought music back into my life.
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- Office remodel, episode two: http://bit.ly/dmqDas
- Leta, after saving her money for six months to buy a toy and purchasing it this afternoon: "Today is the best day of my entire life."
- Happy Eighth Anniversary to my soul mate, @blurb. And they said it wouldn't last. We're laughing all the way to our therapist!
Becky said:
Beautiful photos. Happy spring!
04.11.06 - 10:09 AM / 1jaime said:
i recently found out that all three of the guys on whom i've hard hardcore, world-ending crushes on since college are majorly into wolf parade. i don't know what this means. they, otherwise, have almost no overlap in musical taste. it frightens me, a little.
04.11.06 - 10:10 AM / 2RS said:
Heather, have you checked out Pandora dot com--the music genome project? It's worth a look; they have some good suggestions and you can "build your own station" based on music you already like. Very cool.
04.11.06 - 10:10 AM / 3Angela said:
It is wonderful that you sound so happy.
I have been with my husband for almost 19 years (only married for 4.5 of them), and a whiff of the cologne he wore in high school still gives me butterflies.
04.11.06 - 10:13 AM / 4tsans said:
oh, i do that with songs, too. the one i've been listening to on repeat lately? it's stellastarr*'s "damn this foolish heart." i dare you to get it out of your head once you've heard it three times. my 4 year old sings the chorus ("i'm gonna go insane") and it makes people stare at me in public places. used to that, though!
i like the wolf parade song, too. another new favorite: the 88's "all cause of you."
04.11.06 - 10:14 AM / 5latchkeymom said:
The first signs of Spring AND new music that you love - instant serotonin increase!
04.11.06 - 10:14 AM / 6Amanda Paige said:
What a lovely description of the birth of your relationship with Jon. You are the queen of words, Heather.
04.11.06 - 10:16 AM / 7Joana said:
I'm so glad for you! We've had spring over here for almost a month now, and it would have been sooner if it weren't for the rain. Guess we need that too.
Enjoy!
*
04.11.06 - 10:16 AM / 8Sandra said:
The photos are absolutely beautiful. But it's very disappointing to be denied the blue marker photos! You could have said it was a historical re-enactment, like Mel Gibson and the lads in "Braveheart."
04.11.06 - 10:17 AM / 9brandy said:
Thats how I felt when I got my ipod, I was taken back to the freedom of mixed tapes and not having to listen to others talk whilst on the subway. I used to be a music snob and then one day I wasnt, it was very odd.
Sadly I have yet to see a blossoming tree in my neck of the woods.
Wolf Parade are amazing!
04.11.06 - 10:17 AM / 10poisondarts said:
ahhh... wolf parade. 'this heart's on fire' has been my mantra for months now.
and i've got tickets to see them tomorrow night in dc!
rock.
you should check out "clap your hands say yeah!" if you haven't already.
04.11.06 - 10:17 AM / 11Brad Martin said:
Odd coincidence but I am spending most of the day at work making my Spring mix CD. I say most of the day because I had to go to lunch and the bathroom. Here's the list in case you or anyone else is interested:
Built to Spill - In the Morning
Beirut - Postcards to Italy
The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (lies)
The Flaming Lips - Have It Your Way
Neutral Milk Hotel - The Fool
Pelican City - Track 6
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
The Go! Team - Ladyflash
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Satan Said Dance
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts
The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday
The Polyphonic Spree - Hold Me Now
Neil Diamond - Hell Yeah
Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay
04.11.06 - 10:17 AM / 12Mack'sMom said:
Thank you for explaining yesterday's photo title. I had to read it a couple times b/c I thought I wasn't reading it right. Now that I know it's a song lyric, it doesn't need to make sense!!!
I'm on a bubble of Spring Happiness...no need for the background music. I have spent more time outside the last three days than I have the entire winter!
Minnesota winter are usually pretty harsh, and actually this winter was extremely mild...but I have the same reaction to Spring! "THANK YOU GOD!"
Now my pasty flesh needs to start experimenting with the sun, and the layers need to start peeling off. The biggest bonus is getting my 2 year old outside to run off all of her energy!!
04.11.06 - 10:18 AM / 13fred said:
i love seeking out new music.. if ony just to be able to say.. "I knew them when..."
04.11.06 - 10:19 AM / 14kate said:
Hey Heather... I'm not sure if you've heard him yet, but I think Rocky Votolato is particularly dreamy. The first track on "Makers" has an extremely high "repeat until you end up hating it" factor.
04.11.06 - 10:22 AM / 15Star Shine said:
Heather, I'm so happy you're happy! Music is so powerful, and I love the way it can transport you to a different time a place or make you feel a feeling you haven't felt for years. Enjoy!
04.11.06 - 10:22 AM / 16Melissa said:
I do the same exact thing with music. I have a 45 minute commute on the NYC subway, so that gives me time to listen to whatever I want over and over and over. I've also been on a CSI kick for about 2 years, as we have limited cable service. That means we get TBS and Spike TV, along with the network channels, and Spike shows back to back CSI reruns every single night and no, I don't really get sick of them. Warrick Brown is hot.
04.11.06 - 10:23 AM / 17Nessacole said:
Long-time reader and hardly commented
But....
I absolutely insist you listen to:
Corinne Bailey Rae
Spring will spring, blossom will blossom and all the babies in the world will sleep through...
Honest...
Thank you for your truly wonderful blog - as a mother of two, you make me feel sane
(hee heee what a responsibility!)
04.11.06 - 10:23 AM / 18Erika said:
My husband ALWAYS rants about the crap they do on CSI and like shows, back when he was blogging he even wrote a post about it. It makes watching TV with him oh so enjoyable, I tell you. Glad to hear you've got the beat back in your life. I agree it makes everything better.
04.11.06 - 10:24 AM / 19Maiken said:
Someone beat me to telling you about Pandora.com so I will simply add my suggestion to visit this site. I have found so many new artists and songs that I would never have been exposed to otherwise. Also, you can add songs to you own favorites list to remind you of myriad of songs you will find.
04.11.06 - 10:27 AM / 20Mack'sMom said:
CSI comment: How about how they ALWAYS have to use their mini flash lights, even when their in a room with light!!
04.11.06 - 10:27 AM / 21nightpost said:
I recently worked on a show that went behind the scenes at CSI. They have quite a few technical advisors to make sure that they are as true to life as possible. The equipment - as far as I can remember - is all real, but in many cases is way too expensive for most forensic departments to even consider buying. (So that shampoo program probably does exist). All this is just to say that you are sooo justified in watching as much CSI as you want.
04.11.06 - 10:28 AM / 22ProudMary said:
totally off topic, but it hit me yesterday...when Leta says "juice," does it come out "dooce?"
04.11.06 - 10:28 AM / 23starchitect said:
I'm always amazed at what a strong effect getting back in the loop, musically, can have...I always start to feel a little detached and stale when I don't hear anything fun and new for a while.
We went to see Art Brut on Sunday night and the opening band, these German guys named 'The Robocop Kraus' were so fun and great!
Like a ton of 80s bands mixed together who then covered Minor Threat songs in German. Or something. Anyways, check em out if you're so inclined!
04.11.06 - 10:30 AM / 24Manda said:
I know what you mean about associating certain songs with seasons. I can only listen to Jack Johnson in the summer and my Garden State soundtrack in the fall. You might like the new band The Sounds. They aren’t very springy but it’s pretty good stuff. PS there is a guy who looks just like DORJ! at my college.
04.11.06 - 10:30 AM / 25Papa Urchin said:
You know its funny because of you I recently decided to set aside my bias towards east coast indie and download some Death Cab for Cutie. I also finally picked up some O.A.R. It has been really good to get away from my incessant Kiss XM and 20 on 20 affliction. (don't ask, we all have our secret shames) Finding my old indie ways of listening to hours and hours of bad music to find one gem has been really rewarding. Best of all, my four month old loves DCFC.
04.11.06 - 10:32 AM / 26Mack'sMom said:
I don't know which version of CSI you watch, but my husband and I watch the one that takes place in Las Vegas.
Right now I'm having trouble with the younger guy, Nick. His hair used to be short and messy- cute. Now it's grown out and it looks like a wig! Now he looks creppy! He had a mustache for awhile too...and that was REALLY distrubing!
04.11.06 - 10:33 AM / 27Jon Z. said:
Music has always been my biggest refuge, and its ability to keep me from completely losing my mind has never been more pronounced than during the rearing of two small children.
My almost-three-year-old son seems to be quite the music fanatic now, as well. My wife insists on playing him those annoying children's CDs, but when he gets in my car, he says, "Daddy, play some rock and roll!" He has even learned to ask specifically for Van Halen. Nice.
04.11.06 - 10:33 AM / 28lottie said:
I'm eking a little warmth from your photos. london is in winter's grip still - grey and miserable and cold... spring and music, what a wicked reawakening.
04.11.06 - 10:34 AM / 29jaime said:
oh crap, just realized the two 'on's in my first comment. now i seem all grammatically moronic. i'm not - i swear!
and happy spring. i *just* got an ipod, and, liberated from my cd player and small travel case of discs, i'm rediscovering all this music i've let fall by the wayside - since i also latch onto one thing for a while, and then totally forget it exists. rediscovering guster at the moment. mmm, hand drums.
04.11.06 - 10:34 AM / 30