Friday, December 30, 2011

For The Night Has Been Unkind

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and/or holiday season!


I'm pretty sure no one actually reads this, but for some reason I find these blog posts to be very cathartic and so tonight, I write for me!  I'm hoping, however, that somehow by the end of this I will find a way to make it relevant to the women in music theme of my blog...stick around to find out if I can! ;)


Has anyone else started to hate the holidays?  They are supposed to be a happy time full of love and laughter, but I always end up feeling that despite those things I feel emptiness.  I try to focus on my blessings and all the wonderful people in my life, but it just isn't the same anymore.  As a little girl, Christmas was the most exciting day of the year.  It was so magical.  I wish I could bring that magic back.  I wish I could get excited about putting up the  tree and wrapping the presents...instead of it all feeling like a chore.  In some ways, I think the fact that it ISN'T the same anymore causes my sadness...


This Christmas was one of the best I have ever experienced with my family, but it also marked the end of childhood traditions and the beginning of something entirely new.  I won't go into details, but things are pretty rough right now and tonight I'm really wishing I had someone to be there for me through all of these changes.


So, I wanted to find a song that could both lyrically and sonically capture my feelings tonight.  Here we go: "Answer" by the beautiful and talented Sarah McLachlan.


I will be the answer
At the end of the line
I will be there for you
While you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty
I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance
If you can't look down

If it takes my whole life
I won't break, I won't bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
You'll still be burning so bright

Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind
Take me to a
Place so holy
That I can wash this from my mind
The memory of choosing not to fight

If it takes my whole life
I won't break, I won't bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
'Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all burned out
You'll still be burning so bright

Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind




I chose this song because, well to be honest, I searched my iTunes and it was one of the first songs I saw haha...but truthfully, the melodic line, tone, and lyrics of this song are so in line with how I'm feeling tonight.  I like it, because, even though it's a love song, it sounds kind of sad. All I can say, is I would give anything for someone to "cast me gently into morning, for the night has been unkind."  I know we are supposed to be positive all of the time and focus on the future outcome, but I honestly think that is just crap.  Change sucks.  And it sucks right NOW. Truthfully, I don't care how happy I will be about it a year from now.  That being said, I'm not saying change is bad...it's just tough.  And boy, wouldn't it be nice if we had someone to hold our hand through it all?  If you're lucky enough to have that someone, don't let go!

In the meantime, any takers? ;)

XOXO,
Kristin

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Record Collecting for Girls by Courtney E. Smith


I was wandering around Book People and found this book recommended by a staff member in the music section.  Given that I collect vinyls, I figured this would be the perfect Christmas break read!  So far, I'm LOVING it.  Check out a few excerpts below!

"So, I've always empathized with women who want to play in a band, and I'm doubly impressed by ladies who manage to pull together an all-girl band.  It sounds simple, but practically speaking, it means finding a group of women who've braved the music-store guys who end to think any female who wanders in is looking for a clarinet or is just someone's girlfriend, women who possess the drive and wherewithal to pursue the very unglamorous lifestyle of a touring musician, women who have a passion for music that is so all-consuming that they want to make it their life in spite of having very few female role models for inspiration.  Oh, and then once they form a band, they all have to get along.  And they'll have to confound the expectations of their male road crew, who will assume they can't play."

CAN I GET AN AMEN?!  I can't tell you how many times I've had to nearly throw something at Guitar Center employees to get them to notice me. 

"Girl bands have gone quiet for the time being, but I keep hoping for a new set of idols who will convince the next generation of girls to buck the stereotypes and pick drums over the clarinet."

Any takers on the whole female band thing?  I'm down! :)

XOXO,
Kristin

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Don't Mess With Texas (or ANY, for that matter) Women!

Since this blog is titled "Hell on Heels" I figured I should write a post on women kicking men to the curb in, well, hells!  Gentlemen, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. It's a simple fact of life that you're going to have to accept at some point.  No matter how sweet our disposition, we are all capable of keying your car if you break our hearts...or worse. So you wanna avoid our wrath? It's quite simple really. Don't break our hearts! Here is a selection of some of my favorite country ladies putting their extremely well-manicured feet down and showing these men who's boss...you go girls!


"Before He Cheats" - Carrie Underwood



"Kerosene" - Miranda Lambert


"When God Fearin' Women Get The Blues" - Martina McBride


"Best Days of Your Life" - Kellie Pickler


"White Liar" - Miranda Lambert


"Picture to Burn" - Taylor Swift


XOXO,
Kristin

Monday, December 12, 2011

Rain, Please Go Away!

Austin City Limits 2011 proved to be a hot, humid rainy experience...shocking, I know! This year I only went on Saturday, primarily to see Stevie Wonder, but also partially because I don't find the whole "music festival" experience all that appealing.  Believe me, as an aspiring artist I desperately WANT to, but I'd just much rather be on stage performing for hundreds or thousands than in the tightly-packed crowds watching.  Sure, music festivals sound great in theory, but I've always found they are not nearly so rosy and perfect in the execution.  Somehow, I always end up getting sick...and it's so hot in Austin, Texas come September that I usually feel so gross and tired I end up wanting to just go home and shower instead of staking out a prime spot to see my favorite band.  That being said, without fail, each year I buy a ticket anyway and march on down to Zilker Park!  This year, despite the rain and the heat and inevitably sticky feeling all over my body, I had an awesome experience that almost made it all worth it.



 I was incredibly excited to see Allison Krauss and Union Station, but her performance far exceeded my expectations!  She just always puts a smile on my face!  Her music is lively and soulful and her voice nothing short of angelic.  But it's not just that...there is something about her music that is soothing to me.  

When I was in school at the College of William and Mary, I was going through some of the roughest times of my life.  Far from home and trapped in what seemed like an endless cycle of pain, I loved to take drives around the beautiful countryside and just listen to her music.  It always brought a stillness to my heart.  Because of this, I knew that seeing her live for the first time in my new home of Austin, Texas, after coming so far (literally) from where I had been, the show would be special to me regardless.  

Allison's music has an organic quality about it.  I don't listen to a ton of folk music and am usually not the type to want to listen to songs about hoeing the crops or dancing at the hoe down, but let me tell you, this woman makes you wish you were born in a Louisiana swamp stomping at a community hoe-down...at least that's what her music does to me ;).  It always makes me crave simplicity and feel a deep connection to those around me on a humanity level.

So...I was standing there dancing like a fool to one of her tunes, when it began to rain.  What is it about rain that makes us feel so blissful and melancholy all at the same time?  Knowing a great majority of her songs like the back of my hand, I thought to myself "I hope they play 'Rain Please Go Away!'"  And sure enough they did!  Getting to see a band adapt to a live situation like that and move around the order of their songs to sing about something that was actually happening was so much fun!  I've posted a couple of videos I took below so please enjoy!  And if you don't listen to the Krauss now...you definitely should!


"Rain, Please Go Away"




Also, as a side note, I thought her outfit was adorable!  She always looks so stunning and this was no different with her beautiful pink dress and flowy hair.  Verryy conducive to playing ACL.



"Baby, Now That I've Found You"



Music connects us all and brings so much to our lives.  Don't forget its beautiful power!


XOXO,
Kristin

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Story We Should All Be Telling

This little lady is quite remarkable.  If you like her style you should definitely check out her other stuff, but from my listening so far this is my favorite song by miles.  Make sure you get to the 0:55 second mark before shutting it down...it's worth it, I promise!  Enjoy!

"The Story" - Brandi Carlile


XOXO, 
Kristin

Friday, December 9, 2011

Sahara Smith is most DEFINITELY "The Real Thing!"

Today's post comes from one of my favorite local Austin musicians, Sahara Smith.  This up-and-coming singer-songwriter has an ethereal, enchanting voice that is sure to draw you in right away.  If you like Alison Krauss' voice you are guaranteed to like this lovely lady!

Very rarely do opening acts intrigue me, but when I attended a Los Lonely Boys concert a little over a year ago, and this girl came out on stage, I was blown away.  I think the thing that drew me in the most was that her drummer had percussive instruments attached all over his body so that when he moved his arms and legs percussion was created...and that was just in addition to the drum he was playing.  So cool!  Check out three of my favorite songs below!

"The Real Thing"


"Thousand Secrets"


"Are You Lonely"


I hope you enjoyed getting acquainted with yet another leading lady!

XOXO,
Kristin

Baby, Show Me How You Burlesque!

I know, I know! I post ENTIRELY too much about Christina...but I can't help it!  She's so utterly fabulous!  If you haven't seen her movie, Burlesque, you definitely need to check it out!  The first video here is the song that kicks off the movie.  I'm mostly fond of this, because this is what I do when no one is around...and even sometimes when someone is ;) Enjoy "Something's Got a Hold on Me."


The second video I have for you the scene in the movie in which Christina's character gets her first big break singing "Tough Lover." 


For some reason, the movie seemed to get bad reviews, but I thought it was pretty wonderful myself!  What do those critics know anyway? Whether or not you see the movie be sure to check out "Bound to You" and "Show Me How You Burlesque."

I guarantee that by the end of this movie you'll be wanting to don sexy stockings and lingerie like the ladies shaking what their mommas have them in the film...just don't shake it TOO hard...you might sprain something. ;)

XOXO,
Kristin