Artist of the Week: Sugarland

Ohhhhh Sugarland. Where do I even begin?

Well at the beginning, I guess. Sugarland was originally brought together in 2002 by Kristen Hall and Kristian Bush who hired on Jennifer Nettles for their lead vocals. In 2006 Kristen Hall left the band (which later resulted in some draaamaaaa and a lawsuit), which left Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush as a duet. The two of them co-write the majority of their songs and saw a lot of success in the 2000s

We haven't had much new music from them in recent years because in 2012 they went on hiatus after Jennifer had her son. They've both released some solo stuff since (but I still think they did better work when they were a team... sigh).

The First: Baby Girl

I'm just going to go ahead and say it: I think this is my favourite Sugarland song. I could probably say that about every Sugarland song, but I think this one is just the tiniest smidge higher than the others. We're only talking a fraction of a millimetre (on an imaginary scale), but I think it's still enough that it's noticeable. This was Sugarland's first single and Kristen Hall is on the track and in the music video since she was still a part of the band at this point.


The Second: Settlin'

Looking for some motivation to make a change? This is the song for you. I promise that there's some good stuff in there if you ignore Jennifer's Shania-Twain-circa-2004-esque dance moves (I'm thinking Party for Two) and listen to the lyrics instead.


The Third and Final: It Happens

I like to think that Sugarland has a sense of humour and that it sometimes comes out in their music (see Stuck Like Glue, for another example). This song is one of those times when I can't help but think that I would probably enjoy myself if someone twisted my arm and told me that I had to hang out with them for an afternoon. (But seriously guys... when are we hanging out?)

Finally, as a sort of bonus, I want to tell you about Trailer Hitch which was Kristian's debut solo number and I think it's a great demonstration of proving that (even though I think they sound better together) they both have the promise of a solo career.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

My Top Ten Loud-Car-Singing Songs

I spend a decent amount of time in my car and would argue that that's really where my best vocal performances occur. In fact, the best ones usually happen at around 8:30am when I'm driving to work and trying to get myself super pumped for the day. I also feel that this practice doubles as a public service to other drivers who get to see me rockin' out without restraint and thereby have a slightly brighter day because of it. You're welcome, fellow commuters.

Here are my favourite songs to sing loudly along with while I'm driving:

1. Here Comes the Thunder by Tim Hicks

I really can't express to you just. how. excited. I get whenever this song starts playing on the radio. My hand immediately shoots to the volume dial and the music takes over. This one arguably turns into something more akin to screaming than singing. Tim's Hell Raisin' Good Time is a good substitute, if you need one (the vid's weird though).

2. Kerosene by Miranda Lambert

Because who doesn't love a good revenge-filled cowgirl kiss-off?


3. Friday Night by Eric Paslay

Bonus points for singing this on a Friday, post-work.


4. Young and Beautiful by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood's powerful voice really just invites you to duet with her in the car.


5. Natural Disaster by Zac Brown Band

You can hear more about my thoughts on this gem here.


6. Want To by Sugarland

This song reminds me of my lovely high school friend Melissa and our adventures driving around our small hometown.


7. Drink In My Hand by Eric Church

Even though I love my job, I can't help but sing this anthem real loud when it comes on.


8. Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

Because let's get real, once a commercial break comes on the radio I'm switching to the CD player and TSwift is in there 70% of the time. Haters gonna hate.


9. Catch All the Fish by Brad Paisley

I explain my tactic with this song in great detail here.


10. Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under by Shania Twain

Shout out to by good friend Lawrence, because this is the only country song he knows (but at least he loves it) so we sing it together sometimes.


Thanks for listening,
Karla

Say hello to these annoyingly talented people

Last night, my friend Tiffany told me that she likes it when there is some sort of theme to my CMFs and so that’s kind of what I’m doing this week. I say “kind of” because the ‘theme’ of this week’s selections is in highlighting the artists who contributed to the BEAUTY that is…

The First: Life In A Northern Town by Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen 

Okay. My goodness. I love this performance. Definitely in my top 3. Part of me is disappointed that they never recorded this for real, and the other part of me knows that I’ve listened to it so many times that it just wouldn’t sound as good without the screams and the inflections and all of what happened on stage that night. So for this week’s selections I would like to highlight the outrageously talented Little Big Town and Sugarland because CMF has not yet done them justice…

The Second: Sober by Little Big Town

Oh these wonderful human beings. They are just so technically gifted with those vocals that they really do blow my mind. Those harmonies. Oh my. I recently got tickets for their concert in Vancouver (it’s actually in Abbotsford, but we’re trying to downplay the long drive after work to get there) in November. I’m already trying hard to mentally prepare. Sober is probably my favourite song of theirs because it just hits my heart real hard. I hope you enjoy it too. (Also they play at Red Rocks in this video which I just think is the world’s coolest venue and I hope to see a concert there one day).

The Third and Final: Want To by Sugarland

Pretty sure this song was my first introduction to Sugarland. The summer after our first year of university one of my friends from high school and I took to driving around our little hometown for hours late in the evening because why not. We loved this song and would listen to it on repeat for hours while entertaining each other with stories from our year apart (we had gone to different schools). So when I hear this song I just think of my friend Melissa and I BELTING out the lyrics on the quiet road up to Quest University or down the highway and getting lost in the conversation. We would also always stop at Tim Hortons for French Vanillas, even after swearing that we weren’t going to. Thank you for listening to that story from my very wild youth. Great song, great memories.

Sadly for Jake I’ve run out of formal selections for this week. I will share an oldie Keepin’ It Country because I haven’t yet decided if I’m a fan of his current single, Real Life.

PS If you are like me and can’t get over this collaboration, I’ll do you a favour and leave this nugget of gold here. Song starts at 2:45. You can thank me later.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Find me and the CMF playlist on Spotify @karcarr8.