Cool music, bro.

No, I'm not talking to my brothers. (Neither of my brothers receive CMF - apparently "they're too cool for it" or something?). I'm talking to you!

Do you find it weird that I've spontaneously adopted the term "bro" as a slang form of addressing you? Maybe, but that's what I was feeling when I looked at this week's selections. And I say: you do what feels right to you.

I also spilled red wine down my shirt prior to writing this, however, so I may not be the most reliable source for life advice. The choice is yours.


The First: Love Would Be Enough by Dean Brody

Shout out to my friend Mike who boldly declared last week that this is his favourite Dean Brody song and reminded me of it's existence. I've since not been able to get it out of my head, so of course it's found a home here. I love how fun this song is and how I can't help but bop along to it whenever it comes on.
Concerning music video moment: 2:10


The Second: From The Ground Up by Dan + Shay

So, I found this video to be... not terrible (please hold your gasps, they're super distracting). In fact, I actually found the storyline to be rather cute but not in a you're-taking-the-attention-away-from-the-music kind of way (*cough* FGL *cough*).
My only question for you is: have you ever seen hair as tall as theirs outside of Danny Zuko and the Tbirds in Grease? This is a serious question.


The Third and Final: Snapback by Old Dominion

You all already know how much I love them and that I've already declared my interest in marrying literally any of them (Valentine's Day dreams, amirite?) and so I, for one, am shocked that I've held out so long before sharing yet another one of their songs. Now, some of you will complain and tell me that there's nothing country about this song. You're entitled to your opinion and I would respond that although this song may not be, they as a group are. I would also say: did you misunderstand me when I said Valentine's Day dreams?

However you're spending your weekend, I hope it's a love-filled one! <3

Thanks for listening!
Karla

The weekend is just around the corner!

And that means it's time to celebrate! So we're just going to jump right in, a la Dallas Smith/Zac Brown Band. Okay? Cool.

The First: Wild At Heart by Gloriana

Man, oh man. Here's a good one if you're looking for a song to enjoy on repeat this weekend. This is old school Gloriana. You know, back when Gloriana was still four people. But then Kimball left. And apparently, as of last month, so did Reinhart. #awkotaco #whatwilltheboysdo?

This song takes me back to the summer of 2010 and getting up to ridiculous antics with one of my best friends, Claire. I think we thought we were approximately as cool as Miley Cyrus thought she was being in Party In The USA, which coincidentally was our other anthem of that summer. Don't be jealous. 

Hands down best part of this song? The frosted tips. (I think somebody was exchanging styling tips with Lance Bass... #awkotacotimestwo)


The Second: American Love Story by LANco

Slowing it down for just a little bit with this one. But between the twang and the way they switch up the rhythms in this song, I think it's well worth the slow down. Plus it's kind of a cute little story.

Please don't ask me what LANco stands for/means because I don't know.


The Third and Final: Red Fire Night by Green River Ordinance

A few weeks ago a friend suggested I take a listen to this song and ohmygoodness THOSE HARMONIES. Into them for surrre.

I will say, however, that a small part of my heart hurts every time I'm reminded that the bonfires of my childhood are no longer a thing that I am able to enjoy. As much as I totally get why it's important, I still greatly dislike the bonfire bans in Vancouver and Victoria. All I want is to sit on a log with my friends while I toast a marshmallow or two over an open flame. But instead I have to settle for roasting marshmallows on my stove and my friends think that's weird so they never join me.


I hope you all have a wonderful Family Day long weekend, if you happen to live in BC where the provincial government has decided that it was 2 cool 4 school to conform to most of the rest of the country on this holiday. Anyways, please enjoy some time with whoever you consider your famjam!

But remember: no bonfires, k? (Or at least not without extending the invite...)

Thanks for listening!
Karla

What are Shakira and Clay Aiken up to nowadays, anyway?

I've been sitting here for approximately an hour trying to think of a charming and enticing introduction that captivates your attention away from the rest of your end-of-week inbox and lures you into the mysterious and dangerous - yet inevitable - rabbit hole that is country music + the Youtube autoplay function that causes spiteful outrage from your officemates (because they're so jealous, obvi) and transforms you into a new and enlightened human being... but I clearly couldn't think of anything except for this nonsensical run-on sentence.


The First: Dance With Ya by Drew Baldridge

I can't decide. Is this a Taylor Swift music video or has Michael Buble decided to country up his sound? If I'm being honest, I don't care because I like this dude's song. It would be a great one to play when getting ready to go out on a Saturday night or something. You know, if my perfect Saturday night didn't involve a bottle of wine and the Gilmore Girls. I know.

Okay, can we be serious for a minute though? Do we think he wasn't interesting enough to watch on his own and so they maybe tried to bring in Shakira as his dance coach? Possibly? There's just so much awkward hip shaking. Which I suppose is probably better than my approach to dancing which is to flail my arms around in response to literally not knowing what to do with them. Zero to 60. That's me.


The Second: Jesus and Jones by Trace Adkins

First off, I'm excited that there's a new Trace Adkins song out. Secondly, I enjoy the sway to this song. Thirdly, the juxtaposition between the Vegas scenes and the sitting-on-a-dock-on-the-lake scenes make no sense to me. Am I watching two different music videos? Weren't there more seamless ways for you to portray those lyrics, Trace? Fourthly (< is that a word? I'm leaving it as is either way...), here is a largely inexplicable Trace Adkins shout out to my friend Kali because I know she'll enjoy it.


The Third and Final: Swingin' by Clay Aiken Adam Sanders

I think Adam Sanders is on the edge of being big. He's like a toddler who has crawling down pat and always wins the crawling races (is this a thing that parents do with their children? Please let me know... I'm supposed to babysit for some friends in a few weeks...) and has recently been practicing teetering on both legs. He's on the verge of being able to take some big-boy steps along with some of country music's current faves; he's just perfecting his balance. Exhibit B. Exhibit C is me telling you to be on the lookout for Thunder which is his newest single and even though it was released like two months ago is still not linkable via the Youtube... #Sadfaceemoji.


Enjoy your weekend, lovelies! I have no plans other than celebrating friendships tonight and, of course, my usual Gilly Girl catch up tomorrow (see above). And I'm super excited about all of it.


Thanks for listening!
Karla

I Am My Own Downfall

I was really excited to share that this post (surprisingly) featured all new artists! But then I was reminded that I featured Maren Morris a little over a month ago and realized that I am the cause of my own downfall. Does that sound super dramatic? If it does, then you clearly have never met me in person. Dramatic is my neutral. (I blame my friend Lawrence, who has a really charming habit of turning all incidents equal to burnt toast into forest fires).


The First: Little Bit Of You by Chase Bryant

So... I'm not entirely convinced that I haven't shared this song in the past, but I combed through the archives and couldn't find it? So I think we're safe? Apologies if this does turn out to be a repeat; I'm only human (spoiler alert, I know). Enjoyyyy!


The Second: My Church by Maren Morris

I think I just love the soulful beat of this song. It's great to sing along to, of course while driving (as you know by know I do oh-so-often). I linked a live version, because you know how much I love it.


The Third and Final: Hypnotizing by Hayden Panettiere in Nashville

Back when I regularly watched Nashville (I don't know what happens around the end of season 2...), I heard this song and fell in love with it. This week when I was searching for music to feature I stumbled back across it and figured, why not?! What I really loved about this song is that it's upbeat and also how the end of each stanza goes in a direction that you don't really expect. Like, the way that she falls into "but those sweet blue eyes" is just so wonderful. I need someone to teach me how to play this on the guitar ASAP.


I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend (< note the intentional alliteration. You're welcome.) I'm spending mine catching up on a few weeks worth of sleep. #soexcited

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Guess who's back, back again???

Well hello, Friends!!

It's been a couple weeks since we've chatted and my goodness have I missed you! I spent Christmas morning with two pretty adorable tiny humans who were way too excited about Santa's visit, New Year's day waking up unnecessarily early to "be productive on the first day of 2016" (what a fool), and then an unplanned break last week as I was slightly busy helping out with a little gem called the SLC.

A delayed thank you for your patience. I understand that these last few weeks must have been extraordinarily difficult without me/country music updates.


The First: You Look Like I Need A Drink by Justin Moore

If you don't listen to the lyrics, this song is a fun one.


The Second: Lovin' You Is Fun by Easton Corbin

Is this a new song? No.
Do I care? Also no.
I like it and it's fun and isn't that really how it's supposed to be? Yes.
Glad we had this chat.


The Third and Final: Country Ain't Never Been Pretty by Cam

Back with another one from No-Last-Name-Cam. This song is a really fun one to play when you're getting ready in the morning. Something about the irony of curling my hair while singing these lyrics just really starts my day off in a fun, rebellious(?) way.

Please wish me luck as I now head off to camp with 80+ student leaders and some pretty sweet colleagues for the weekend. January is an interesting month to be an extroverted introvert.

Thanks for listening!
Karla