On repeat.

Here's the current state of things over in my apartment: In the last two hours I've made not one but two cups of tea and forgotten about both of them, causing them to over-steep and get all bitter and gross. I've sorta been trying to pack, write emails, put together CMF, and make a simple cup of tea simultaneously which is really the root of the problem. I threw out the first cup, but I'm forcing myself to drink the second one. Partially because it feels like a waste if I don't but mostly because it seems like an appropriate punishment.

All that to say: unlike my tea-steeping mistakes, this week's songs have been welcome repeat offenders in my apartment lately.


The First: Asking For A Friend by Devin Dawson

I was so torn between two Devin Dawson songs this week. I heard this one first though and it kind of makes me melt so it ultimately won out. But the other song is a groove-worthy winner too so I'm sneaking it in here anyways - it's called I Don't Care Who Sees and it's very good.


The Second: Hide The Wine by Carly Pearce

You already know that my love for these kind of country/blues-y numbers has consistently been on the rise since the summer and I just felt the need to remind you that it's still a thing. I blame my parents for taking me watch to jazz band concerts when I was younger, and also Michael Buble and Maren Morris for my obsession. Oh and by "blame" I really mean "thank".


The Third and Final: Bittersweet Company by Kip Moore

Kip just gets cooler and raspier with every song he puts out, doesn't he? Like, his sound has genuinely changed and matured from his days of hanging out in a truck in a farmer's field, don't you think? Am I only asking leading questions so that you agree with me? Yes. The answer to all of the above is yes.


On a different but important note... my heart breaks over the consistent events of senseless harm happening in this world - most recently in Las Vegas. It's really hard to consider the good that humans can do for one another when we're constantly hearing about those who choose to hurt instead of love. But I suppose these are the times when it's most important to keep love and goodness close to our hearts. If you're celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving - or if you aren't - my hope is that the weekend offers you moments to pause and remember the boundless good that there still is in this world, to give thanks for all that you have and perhaps think of how you can support those who aren't as fortunate, and finally, to hug your loved ones close.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Hello from the other side (of September)

Well hellllooooo!

It's been a minute. How've you been? Cool, cool.

After a busy stretch at work and some much needed R&R time last week it appears that nearly a month has passed since CMF has done the rounds. I swear it was August and then I blinked and all of a sudden October was just around the corner in all it's orange, pumpkin spice glory. Anyone bought their pumpkins and candy corn yet?? Haha ha, I'm just kidding*... Speaking of inappropriately timed holiday accoutrements, please let me know if you find the snack-size individually wrapped Reese's cups anywhere - my annual hunt has started. 

*Okay actually I'm not. I bought both edible and decorative pumpkins last week.

The First: I'll Name The Dogs by Blake Shelton

He👏 is👏 back👏 !! It was a rough stretch there with all his bitter somber contributions to the world of country. I'm accepting this song as his second wind of greatness. And *spoiler alert* his second wind is adorable. Not only is the song really sweet but somehow so is the music video (thank goodness). All in all, well done sir.


The Second: Slow Dance In A Parking Lot by Jordan Davis

Mr. Davis is quickly stealing my heart, y'all. This song kind of just makes you want to fall in love, doesn't it? That's 50% why I enjoy it. The other 50% is definitely because it reminds me of old school Tswift. You can spin me around by a Walmart sign any night, Jordan. Here's another gem from him if you're so inclined.


The Third and Not-so-Final: It's Working by James Barker Band

You know what's working? James Barker Band, that's what. It's catchy song after catchy song from these delightful Canadian boys. I attribute the catchy-ness of their songs to the strong beat. Anything that's clap-along-able is wonderful and deserves being played on repeat for hours if you ask me.


The Bonus: Hometown Kids by The Reklaws

You get a bonus song today because a) I've got too many songs to share and b) I feel bad for being a little MIA. Don't say I never give you anything.

I've been on the white picket fence (was that appropriately small town or what??) about this song for a while because it's pretty pop-y but I ultimately like it so here ya go. It also has a distinctly summery sound and I've been told that some people could still use one final desperate grasp at summertime. And finally I'm sharing it because Mr. Dimples there charmed me into it.

I have nothing planned this weekend and I truly could not be happier about it. Maybe I'll even get a jump start on next week's post so that it's not another month of static over here. Who knows??

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner (She'll Fall Asleep)

Live video footage of me being super excited about stuff at work and then immediately falling asleep when I get home.

The First: Whiskey's Fine by Adam Doleac

Was listening to a mix of new music at work earlier this week and this song hit me like a rock. I can't really tell you why so I'll just go with I think it's beautiful and catchy. Adam's not only a new name around here, but also an emerging artist on the country scene and, based on what I've heard so far, I think this is just the beginning.


The Second: Guilty Flowers by Ward Thomas

They're either super hipster or they're just twins from Britain. Or maybe they're both. Either way, I'm a fan. Plus we need more ladies on here just like the world needs more country music lovers. And also once they covered that one Bieber song I love and that's fun, right?


The Third and Final: Not Everything's About You by Old Dominion

My faves. Though I wasn't the biggest fan of their last release (sorry boys, but both the song and the music video seemed well-intentioned but generally off the mark to me), this one is another story.
Not to mention the bonus treat of that a capella harmonizing that they gifted us at the beginning of this video. Dear Old Dominion, I've said it before and I'll say it again: I will marry any of you as long as you promise to sing to me on the regs.

Since by brain could barely focus on choosing three songs this week, perhaps we'll skip all this cordial chit chat at the end here and just let me sleep. Have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

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