all the while you been steppin' out, somebody been easin' in:

A weekend that's become one of my favorite weekends of the year is the one that's now just passed - Newport Folk Festival. It's truly three days (for the first time this year) of truly wonderful talent performing in one of the most beautiful locations, in my personal opinion, of our fine country that brings people together from all around the world - including artists from all around the world. Most notably, this is a weekend full of history, most well-known being the year Dylan went electric, and the history still continues to this day with so much on-site collaboration and special moments (for instance: The Lumineers performing songs in the middle of the crowd or The Lone Bellow breaking out an all around impromptu performance of Edwin McCain's "I'll Be" with a full crowd singalong). It's just a truly magical setting.

Today's playlist is, yes, Newport themed. Sadly not everyone I love made it onto today's list (Frank Turner is so, so good), and sadly I didn't get to see all of the acts on the list either, but that's what future tour dates/Newport years are for, one can hope!

Til next year, Newport...

07.29.13 - Mixtape Monday

Brandy Alexander - Feist
Our Town - Iris DeMent
History of My Life - Blake Mills
Dimes for Nickels - J.D. McPherson
Steppin' Out - Old Crow Medicine Show
Super 8 - Jason Isbell
Something Biblical - Andrew Bird
Harlem River Blues - Justin Townes Earle
I Will Be Back One Day - Lord Huron
Dance of Love - Deer Tick
You Don't Love Me Like You Used To - The Lone Bellow
Nowhere, Massachusetts - Black Prairie

The Night Replaced the Day - Spirit Family Reunion
The Way You Laugh - Dawes
Another Country - Tift Merritt

I only need a tank of gas, babe, I'm going for a ride:

My friend Alicia and I took a break from the real world and treated ourselves to a long weekend out of Boston's regular hustle and bustle (especially nice to be away from Yankees/Red Sox madness, ha!). We got into the mountains and spent time bein' roaddogs for the lovely folks of Redleg Husky. We spent a lot of time relaxing and watching them perform; there's nothing better than front porch jams, well, except for maybe donut shop jams (ate a donut with fruit loops on it!).

We're heading our way to the airport now, and I am grateful for the help of Alicia and Redleg Husky (Misa & Tim are THE best) to piece together today's (extra long) travel themed playlist!

Oh, yeah, can't not mention the adorable pup that also helped out - meet Lucy (short for Lucille, but I still say it's short for Lulabelle).

07.22.13 - Mixtape Monday

Another Travelin' Song - Bright Eyes

No Particular Place To Go - Chuck Berry

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road - Lucinda Williams

The Wanderer - Dion & The Belmonts

The Traveling Song - The Avett Brothers

Truckin' - Grateful Dead

The Way I Feel - Mary Chapin Carpenter

Ramblin' Man - The Allman Brothers Band

Southbound - Doc Watson

Go Places - The New Pornographers

These Old Shoes - Deer Tick

Map Of The World - Monsters Of Folk

Route 66 - John Mayer

Drivin' On 9 - The Breeders

Ramblin Fever - Merle Haggard

i've got my life in a suitcase, i'm ready to run, run, run away:

Had to share some of my favorite tracks from a band I happen to consider one of my favorites; it's a different type of Mixtape Monday that we're trying out here. Copeland may no longer exist, but overall they've been a band that I've loved every album from and felt as though grew stronger and stronger as time goes on, despite the fact that some albums may have taken a bit longer to come around to. Maybe you'll find yourself hooked quickly! Even though you're unable to find new songs from Copeland, there have been a few new projects floating around with members of the previously discussed band whom are also worth checking out.

07.15.13 - Mixtape Monday - Copeland

The Day I Lost My Voice (The Suitcase Song)
I'm A Sucker For A Kind Word
There Cannot Be A Close Second
Don't Slow Down
You Have My Attention
By My Side
Take Care
Pin Your Wings
Strange And Unprepared
Coffee

Art direction for this album by: Invisble Creature, Inc.
Photography for this album by: Jeff Carver.

but I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough:

There's something to familiarity, to staples in your life. Whether it be a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich with vanilla ice cream or that hoodie you can't seem to let yourself get rid of. It's something to fall back on (the best thing!), and it's a good feeling to know you can always turn to these things when you need them. Now, I'm not saying that new and exciting isn't as great (c'mon, a first date or a new song from your favorite band - can't beat the thrill and anticipation that you'll find there), but when the going gets tough you take comfort in knowing that there's something there to help you get through - like a map or a compass, there's a constant in your life.

So, that's this week - a mixtape of classics for you to find comfort in, or for you to get to know if maybe you weren't raised on these tracks.

07.08.13 - Mixtape Monday

Cherry Bomb - The Runaways

Piece Of My Heart - Janis Joplin

Sugar Magnolia - Grateful Dead

The Weight - The Band

Whipping Post - The Allman Brothers Band

Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

Empty Arms - Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble

Fire - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

And It Stoned Me - Van Morrison

Can't Explain - The Who

How COOL were band names 'back in the day'? (SO COOL.)

(On a side note, this mixtape goes out to a friend of mine who follows along week after week "putting up" with my indie rock and my electronic pop and my acoustic folk, etc, etc patiently waiting for a mix that suits his interests will appear. Glad that I can introduce him to new music and share things he digs too.)

somewhere between single life and sympathy:

Happy July, everyone! Can't believe we're already into the seventh month of the year, the days really seem to be flying by. To kick off the mixtapes for this month, a friend of the blog has so kindly shared with us a well crafted list of songs that he's been listening to over the past couple of months. Hopefully you remember yellowbirddd from his previous interview and have listened to his music, if you haven't yet you can find his music here. Be sure to also check out his latest music video for "Eternal Vacations."

07.01.13 - Mixtape Monday

This River Is Wild - The Killers

Change The Sheets - Kathleen Edwards

Half Light - Young Statues

Well Whiskey - Bright Eyes

Anti-Pioneer - Feist

Midnight: Carroll Street - Into It. Over It.

Your Nervous Heart - Rhett Miller

Plane Vs Tank Vs Subarine - Tigers Jaw

Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms

Mr. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan

Thanks again, yellowbirddd!

Photo credit: Adam Siegel.