This album, On A Clear Night, by Missy Higgins was released a year ago. I came across this song while listening to Pandora today and remembered the video. I went out and bought a hat like the one she’s wearing. It didn’t really do anything for me, I wore it maybe twice.

Released February 19th, here’s one off Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago. Alone for months in a cave in Wisconsin, Justin Vernon wrote and recorded the ten tracks that make up this debut album. I’ve been listening to mellow stuff all day long; Ray LaMontagne, Grayson Capps, Jack Johnson, James Morrison, Mason Jennings, a little DMB. Anyway, this prompted me to post a relaxing tune.

This is a band from Sweeden and that is frontman Rasmus Kellerman. This album, The Loyal, shows some electronica influences which gives off a bit of an empyreal feel. I would also suggest listening to “Sell Out” from their first album Is My Head Still On?

Konk, releasing April 14th, is the second album by English rock band, The Kooks. I saw them on Late Night Connan O’Brian last month performing this new single, “Always Where I Need To Be.”

The Counting Crows are back on the map with their new March 25th release, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings. Saturday night represents loneliness. Loneliness that accompanies a night of enjoyment and companionship. Accordingly, Sunday morning is the hung-over regret and realization.

Illuminate is the sophomore album by indie rock band, Lydia. This track is the first single. The album, released March 18th, can be found on itunes. I plan on seeing them in concert April 13th at the Meridain here in Houston. 8pm if you want to check it out.

Picture and mp3 courtesy of musicaddiction, as found on Hype Machine.

Directed by Julie Taymore, this is a musical about the late 1960s set exclusively to Beatles music. If you haven’t seen the movie yet go rent it.

As long as I’m talking about bands I missed, I have to include this one. This is the song I heard them playing from outside waiting in line to get in.

Here’s someone I wanted to see at SXSW but I missed her. Anyone familiar with the show One Tree Hill? It does a great job promoting new music. Right now they have Kate playing Mia, a young new talent signed to another characters new independent music lable.

So, you’ll never guess what I did the very next day after SXSW. Oh yes, I went to a concert. Miranda Lambert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I know what you’re thinking, but yes, I do like pop country. Besides, Miranda can rock. She does more head banging than anyone I’ve ever seen in concert. I’ve seen her three times and there is one thing she always does. She will throw her hot pick electric guitar aggressively across the stage. Obviously to someone who is there to catch it, but still, it’s cool. The first time I saw her she had a big tattoo down the inside of her forearm that you could see when she played. Similar to the one Keith Urban has. The second time I saw her it was gone. She faked it. It was a stencil or something. This time she brought Blake Shelton on-stage to do their duet together. He said, “are you talkin’ or am I doin’ the introduction?” She replied, “Well, I was just gonna say he’s pretty cute ain’t he girls?” When the song ended she introduced him as her boyfriend and gave him a big smooch on-stage. Awww.