A Jazzier Friday

I've pretty much just been listening to Maren Morris all week, so today's selections are definitely on the blues-y/jazzier side of the country spectrum as a result. But who doesn't like a blues-y soundtrack to rock them into the weekend?? (If you put your hand up in response to that question, please put it down. I can't see you. This is the internet.)


The First: Make You Feel My Love covered by Maisy Stella

It's undeniable that this girl has got a pretty incredible and unique voice. This sweet rendition is made even sweeter with her dad accompanying her on the guitar. I'll admit, her raw talent makes me super jealous. But knowing that she's literally half my age (I looked her up and learned we share a birthday, you see) and has already had the experiences she's had is even more sobering. Thankfully I've got this song to calm my nerves.


The Second: Waiting On You by Lindsay Ell

I'm into this. Like, I could probably listen to it on repeat for a solid two to three days before I would start getting tired of it, which I feel is a significant amount of time to listen to the same song over and over and over and over again. A note about the music video: do not be ashamed if you watch it to the end and are frustrated that she didn't remove the painters tape. It frustrated me a lot. I re-watched it twice to see if I had missed something and then became very annoyed when I learned that I missed nothing. She just. didn't. remove. it.


The Third and Final: Company You Keep by Maren Morris

Since I've been listening to her non-stop I figured I better share something. I think this song is a great reminder of what's is really important - it's not what you do but rather the people you do it with. I've also really been loving Rich lately, though there is some mildly NSFW language so I figured I'd link it instead, out of respect for you and your officemates. 😉


And so ends another week. My long weekend was just splendid! Lots of beach time, pool time, friend time, and out-of-town-visitor time to really stretch out the weekend. More than that, it was just the right balance of having stuff to do and relaxing in preparation for what has turned out to be a very full first week in my new job. Looking forward to another weekend of summertime activities as of 5pm this evening! Hoping your calendars look the same.

Finally, a shout out to my sweet parents who were married 30 years ago today. Happy anniversary to the people who made me who I am today (minus the love for country music... because no one knows where that came from). Love you!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Delightfully Charming

After two years and two months, I said (a temporary) goodbye to all my sweet colleagues in the Faculty yesterday and I still don't know how I feel about it. The only thing I do know is that I'm going to miss seeing them everyday and working in an environment where it's commonplace for people to have super specific and endearing passions for things like soil and cheese cultures and flamingos and bees. It's simply been an amazing work family to have had the privilege of being a part of.

The First: Motel Flamingo by Madeline Merlo

I'll be honest, when that sun comes out and this song comes on there is little else I need to be happy. Maybe a drink and a beach chair. But that's pretty much it. I mean, I wouldn't turn down a kitten if you're offering. But other than that, I swear I'm set. And yes, I do find her references to burritos and Doritos delightfully charming.


The Second: Five More Minutes by Scotty McCreery

When I think back to summer nights as a kid, I can't help but remember all the times I'd yell for five more minutes. Like when my brother and I would play badminton at night and try to attract bats by hitting the birdie as high as we could. Or when my friend Kendra and I would spend hours laying on my driveway because the asphalt was still warm from the summer sun (we probably looked ridiculous) looking for shooting stars and deciphering constellations. Or when my mum would come by my room to tell me it was time to turn off the lights and I would desperately ask for more time to finish the chapter I was reading (and would inevitably keep on reading by moonlight even after the lights were turned off).


The Third and Final: Fix A Drink by Chris Janson

This video is kind of bordering on being too country for me, which is probably why I passed it up a few weeks ago. But then, as the story always goes, I started to hear it more and more and goodness gracious is it catchy. And so here we are, with me letting Chris Janson and all his famous country music friends have the pleasure of singing you into the long weekend.


Happy Canada Day Long Weekend - hope you have exciting, sun-filled, and patriotic plans lined up! Mine has quickly gone from a light to heavily packed (with fun things and people) weekend. Enjoy yourself, whatever you're up to!


Thanks for listening!
Karla

Beyonce's Twins

So I gather that Beyonce gave birth to her twin children earlier this week. I hear it's a big deal for literally millions of people who have never met her. In the midst of this current pop culture event, the ever-faithful People of the Internet have been coming up with several amusing posts about it which I've definitely had a few laughs over. Ah, the internet. I hope it never ceases to be the weird and funny place it is.

Speaking of weird and funny... let's move onto CMF shall we? 😉


The First: Sway by Danielle Bradbery

This was playing the other night as I was standing in the living room brushing my teeth, as one does (I like to meander while brushing), and I very quickly realized I was slowly swaying along. And I just thought that was really nifty. Now, I don't think there's a word for this but hear me out... I feel like this song is like an onamonapia but if instead of the word mimicking the sound, the word mimics the action. Catch my drift? Long story/English lesson short: I just appreciate that this song is titled Sway and legit makes you sway. Swag.


The Second: Heartache On The Dance Floor by Jon Pardi

I still remember when I first heard Jon Pardi's quirky southern twang and becoming really confused by how much I loved it. Well, friends, nothing has changed. I still love the weirdness of it and he keeps making music so that means you're going to continue to hear from him and that's just the way things are for now.


The Third and Final: California by Tim McGraw ft. Big & Rich

I thought about finishing off this week's picks with a really sweet release from Dallas Smith but that'll just have to wait for another week in the interest of keeping this subtle, office-friendly dance party going with Mr. McGraw, Mr. Rich and Big Kenny. As you may have guessed, I really like the Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Sunset Boulevard wordplay. And the beat. I obviously also love the beat (this is car dance party-approved too, in case you were wondering).


Welp. This time next week I'll have wrapped things up at work in order to move into a new position and I can't quite decide how I feel about it. Bittersweet is probably the closest real person word for it, though it's not a perfect fit. Can we make Sadnostalgicnervousexcited a word? Because I really just feel like that's a better descriptor for my current state of being. Regardless of what it's called, let's all just cross our fingers that I get around to actually packing up my office before then! Eek.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

So you're a rocket scientist?

So I'm sick. Again. Who knows why but after five days of being teased with a tickle in my throat and a lingering cough, it finally took hold and turned into something a little harder to ignore. All this to say, forgive me in advance for a shorter than usual CMF this week - the cold meds are wearing off and my bed is calling.

The First: Life's About To Get Good by Shania Twain

WELL HELLO SHANIA!! She's back, folks! Now, is this a little more electronic-y than I wish it was? Perhaps. But am I really going to complain about new music from this goddess of Canadian country? Heck no. Looking forward to the new album!


The Second: Holding The Other by Lauren Alaina

So apparently Lauren is in a movie which from the trailer just looks like the 2017 version of Crossroads... regardless, there's no denying that she's got a great voice and so I'm happy to have a new song to listen to as a result of this movie.


The Third and Final: Boy by Lee Brice

I feel like it's been ages since we've heard something new from Lee Brice and I figured this one would be a nice share right before Father's Day this weekend.


And on that note, Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! A special shout out to mine who really is the most generous, selfless, and hilarious (don't tell him I said that last part though) man I know.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Zero to Hero

Welllll hi. There's no real story here other than I recently re-watched on old Disney favourite - Hercules - and haven't been able to get this song out of my head. My hope is that you all click that link and get it stuck in your head too.

Sharing is caring.

And now onto the country music...

The First: Crazy About You by The Road Hammers

Nice to hear something a little more lovey dovey from these guys. Do you remember your first crush? Mine was this blonde boy named Daniel who was approximately two feet shorter than me and my only memory of ever being brave enough to talk to him was over a game of mini golf that I caused us to lose during a field trip to the PNE. Needless to say, he never brought me a dandelion bouquet.


The Second: A Long and Happy Life by Delta Rae

Allow me to introduce you to Delta Rae. They're like an older and waaay more hipster version of the original Gloriana (remember them?)... at least they are to me. The only real difference is that Delta Rae has way more members and are also unfortunately bad lip-syncers. Regardless, I wish them a much better fate than Gloriana - mostly because I'm really diggin' this song and want to hear what else they come up with.


The Third and Final: Somebody To Love by Kacey Musgraves

This lady. We haven't heard from her in a while and although this isn't a new song, it popped up on a shuffle the other day and I was reminded of how much I love the messages in her music. Apologies to those of you who thought that maybe this was a cover of a Queen song. It's not. But it's still good in its own right.

After a bit of a whirlwind week, I'm looking forward to a slightly more calm weekend. More calm with the exception of the laser tag I'll be playing on Sunday - I play to win when it comes to laser-related zero stake wars.

Thanks for listening!
Karla