Breaking My Own Rules

Look! I did it! We did it! A CMF is actually happening this week and we've all made it to Friday. Congratulations to all of us.

But mostly congratulations to me.


The First: For The First Time by Darius Rucker

YASSS Hootie! It's live. It's on top of a tower. It's so good you'll start shoulder dancing and head bobbing and foot stomping by the one minute mark at the latest. This is a great end of summer Friday night dancing barefoot in your living room while wearing workout clothes even though you already know you're defs not going to be working out that day (ha!) because you've already cracked open a bottle of wine kind of song. You know? I know you know. 


The Second: Hallelujah covered by Brett Young

Ugh. You know. I've said it before and I'll say it again: It's really unfair that this guy has all that talent and also has that face. This happens to be one of my favourite songs to sing and my friends and I love it so much that we refer to it as one of our "standards" during our Sunday night jam sessions. I like Brett's slow and steady take on it but unfortunately he does come in second place to my all-time favourite cover of this song. Not even Brett Young can quite measure up to the experience that is J Star Valentine.


The Third and Final: Sixteen by Thomas Rhett

So, shout out to Thomas Rhett because his new album is good. Like, really, really good. I was this close to not featuring this song today because he already got his fill of the spotlight last Friday but... I just had this song stuck in my head all day and so I'm breaking my own rules and sharing him twice in a row (which never happens unless your name is Zac Brown SO YOU BETTER BE PAYING ATTENTION, THOMAS).


So what are you up to this weekend? Soaking in the last few beach days of summer? Going on an adventure? Hanging out with friends? Tell me all about it! I need to live vicariously through all of you instead of working which is what I'll be up to. But then I think I'm going to go hang out by a pool afterwards so that's something.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Summer Storms and Soggy Bottoms

Happy August!!

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend! As much as I would have liked to spend all of mine out on the beach, I only visited it for a few short periods on account of the very smokey and not-so-great-for-your-lungs air quality we're currently experiencing in the city. Instead I read a lot, rapped along to Hamilton, spent time catching up with friends, and avoided talking to strangers at social gatherings. So other than not spending time at the beach, all par for the course really.

On a bit of a programming note, we're heading into the busy season at work and as much as I'd like to say that you'll still see a CMF in your inbox every Friday morning... that just may not happen based on how tired and/or musically exposed I am in the coming weeks. I'm aiming to stay on track, but as you've probably already noticed you may not receive a weekly CMF every Friday through mid-September, depending on how things roll out. In the meantime, feel free to throw on the CMF playlist on Spotify if you really need your fix!


The First: When It Rains It Pours by Luke Combs

I avoided this song for a while because I assumed from the title that it would be slow and broody and I wasn't really interested in that. But as is often the case when I make assumptions, I was wrong! This song is a fun one so give it a listen.


The Second: Unforgettable by Thomas Rhett

In. To. Ittttt! Even if I have I no idea was a "mango-rita" is. From what I've gathered via interviews he's done, Mr. Rhett wrote this song about meeting his wife and the start of their relationship. The beat and the story and all of it makes me real happy. And just like that title would suggest, the song is fairly unforgettable and hasn't really left my brain since it was released. Thanks, dude.


The Third and Final: Soggy Botton Summer by Dean Brody ft. Alan Doyle

I remember the good ole days of soggy bottom summers as a kid. We used to spend all day at the lake and although there weren't tube-able rivers in our town, we would sometimes go tubing whenever we were on vacation. Great times and both activities that would often leave your swimsuit bottoms a little soggy because they always took a bit longer to dry. As an adult I don't really experience soggy bottoms because I've matured, you see. And as a mature adult I know that going into any body of water that you can't see the bottom of isn't the best idea because sea monsters.
On another note, you may have noticed that Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea fame lends his one-of-a-kind pipes to the bridge of this song. Much like you would expect from a Bieber song that spontaneously features a rapper de jour partway through. But, like, way better of course. And even more Canadian.

It's looking like rain and maybe even some thunderstorms this weekend in Vancouver! My excitement for this is two-fold. First, we desperado need rain to clear up those wildfires and all the resulting smoke. Two, I love a good thunderstorm. Like, a lot. Especially in the summer when it's still warm enough to have your windows and doors open so that you can listen to the loud rain and thunder with a glass of wine, a good book, and a candle or two. That's the life. I'm going to be so happy if that's what my Sunday ends up looking like.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Spectrum of Twang

Imma be honest. I've mostly just been listening to Slow Hands by Niall Horan all week. Yes, that's right. A song by one of the One Direction-ers. I'm judging me too. But I'm judging me while I have solo dance parties in my living room and in my car and at my desk at work. And those dance parties seem to be overriding the self-judgment so it's all good.

The First: Good Directions by Billy Currington

This came on the radio the other night and I hadn't heard it in years. I forgot how delightful the story in this song is - made only more charming by Billy's heavy twang. For the record: don't ask me what turnip greens are. I don't know and I didn't take the time to google it. Please share with the class if you do.


The Second: Singles You Up by Jordan Davis

This song is a little silly (is "singles you up" even a term?? I don't know.) but it's catchy and we all know I'm a sucker for catchy songs. I'm also a sucker for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Just, like, in case you're new here and wanted to get me a treat.


The Third and Final: In The Blood by John Mayer

CONTROVERSY. Is this country music? Or is this just John Mayer being his kinda folksy John Mayer-y self?? Please discuss.
JRfm deemed this country and if we're all being real here I've been waiting years for an excuse to sneak some jaymay into CMF so I'll take this as a sign to do so. (Even though this really isn't country music if you ask me... shhh...)


I'm going on an outdoor adventure tomorrow that I'm hoping includes ice cream and fireworks at some point. There's only so many sunny summer weekends left and we gotta make the most of them before the winter descends again. And to me, making the most of them means getting ice cream and watching fireworks.
Anyways. See you in August.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

I'm sorry if you missed me last week.

I know you probably forgot it was even Friday without a CMF in your inbox. I may have started working on last week's CMF real late at night and within a few minutes closed my laptop and felt guilty about it but went to bed anyway. And then I had a nightmare about being robbed and also having a giant crocodile stalk me so don't worry, I clearly paid the price for my choice.

The First: Homemade by Cold Creek County

There's twang. There's talk about hometowns and football games. There are front porch scenes. There's good lookin' men who can sing and play instruments and charm horses (not all at once, mind you... but still). If that's not enough encouragement to hit play, I don't know what is. Though I gotta say, those oddly powerful and unexpected fist pumps are a bit of an odd choice, boys.


The Second: Slow Ride by American Young

Well isn't this just lovely and swoon-worthy?


The Third and Final: Road Trippin' by Dan + Shay

I'm calling this one the soundtrack for my weekend! Definitely on the pop-y side of country but I feel that's just the summertime landscape of this genre. All the pop-y stuff shines during the summer months. If I'm being honest though, I'm always pretty content with any Dan + Shay song that includes a little bit of their fast-paced rap-esque (is it even considered rap? Can someone cooler than me please confirm??) signature style.

First off, a very happy birthday to my friend Tiff! Thanks again for forcing me to be friends with you many years ago. You were right, it needed to happen. I know that now. I hope you have an amazing time celebrating!

While I don't get to spend all of my weekend celebrating Tiff, I do get to spend it relaxing with an equally awesome friend I don't get to see as often and I'm really looking forward to catching up and slowing down over the next few days in her company.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

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