Getting back into the groove.

It's been hard getting back into the groove of normal life. What is normal life even? I guess what I mean is, I haven't felt settled enough to do any painting, or that type of thing. I've been doing random projects around the house, and a little bike riding. It's been good, but I really need to get back to work. Next week...I'm shooting for next week! :)

Tomorrow I'm going to Philadelphia with my cousin to see Haim!!

Extremely. Excited.

Currently listening to . . .

That falsetto though! So dreamy. Broken Bells.




Oh boy oh boy. Mike Mains & The Branches. Got their album early from pledging with the kickstarter.
You will definitely want this when it comes out.




I discovered these two while Spotify surfing. Instant love! MS MR.

Currently listening to. . .

Kye Kye's brand new album Fantasize! Ok so it's not out yet to the public, but I did their kickstarter and got it early. It's pure magic to your ears.


Haim! I found this group through the Relevant Magazine's top 10 of 2013. It was an instant girl crush...with all three of them! I couldn't help but post this SNL performance, mostly because of Este's "bass face." Best ever!


Minor Alps. In December I read "When I Grow Up: A Memoir" by Juliana Hatfield. I loved her in high school and was inthralled reading this book. In the process I found out she just came out with a new project with Matthew Caws of Nada Surf called Minor Alps. I'm loving it!


What have you been listening to lately? Let me know. I'm always on the search for new tunes!

Current music obsessions.

Monday at DC9

Last night we went to DC9 to see a few amazing bands. Mike Mains and the Rocketboys are old favorites. LOVE! If you're looking for some new music, definitely check them out.

Mike Mains and the Branches

Dinner and a Suit

The Rocketboys

Further Seems Forever - Baltimore, MD

Sunday we went to see Further Seems Forever at the OttoBar in Baltimore, MD. The date was originally last year, but it happened to fall right during Hurricane Sandy. Obviously they had to cancel several dates. Bummer. So at last the day was here!

This band has been around since 1998, and has been through three singers. This is sort of a reunion for them, reassembling with their original singer Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional). I've loved this band through every singer; all of them were fantastic in their own way. I gotta admit, it was fun seeing them with Chris after following Dashboard through the years as well.

((Kevin & Dustin with their mancrush))

Theme of 2013 perhaps?

I love Donora!

I love Casey's style.

I love their joyous outlook!

Enjoy!

My weekend in photos & music

Well, this is it.

As a lot of you have heard, my time with Bare Branches is coming to a close. As I sit here and try to type out my feelings...I don't know where to start. My time with this band has been sweet. We had some wonderful times, and just like any other band of brothers and sisters, had some hard times. I will always cherish the adventures we had.

I know, I know...you're all asking WHY? Well, I can't give a real answer. Sometimes in life, God leads you in different directions. Sometimes, he opens and closes doors...and we're not sure why. All I know is, making the decision to leave the band was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but I know it was the right one. I don't know what God has in store, but he has a plan and only time will tell.
Thank you so much to all my friends and family that continually support me, and my brothers and sister within Bare Branches. I love you all SO much!

Donora! They make me so incredibly happy. Last Friday was their CD release show at the Rex Theater.

It has been over a year since I saw them last, so I was extremely excited. If their music doesn't make you smile and want to dance, I don't know what does! 

Here's their latest music video...I can't get this song out of my head! 

Here's my other favorite videos of theirs. SO CUTE!

Death Cab For Cutie!

Over the weekend I got to see Death Cab For Cutie at Stage AE! This was the first time they had been to Pittsburgh in over five years, so it was pretty darn exciting. I had never seen them before, so it was one of those long awaited concerts for me.  

Photo Credit: Hugh Twyman

I didn't get to take any real pictures, because all I brought was my phone. I did end up getting some video though! They actually played "Some Boys" which was not on the anticipated set list! WOOHOO!

I think that is my favorite song off the new album.

They were ...amazing. 

The night of this show, the new Batman movie was being filmed in Heinz Field, along with a sold out Pirates game at PNC Park. Stage AE is sandwiched in between these two stadiums pretty much. Pittsburgh was NUTS that night! Needless to say, I did a foursquare checkin to "Gotham Stadium" because I COULD! Buahha!

current music obsessions

Hands. I can't get enough.

My Epic. This new album is acoustic. Just brilliant. 

Death Cab. My favorite song from the new album.

Don't Wake Aislin. Ok, I promise I'm not pluggin this just because I did the art work from it

 Ever since I got the album, I can't stop listening to it. Love every song on this EP. 

Update...

For the first time in over two years, I am commission free!! What a great feeling! I am SO VERY thankful for all the requests I've had recently. I appreciate you all so much, and treasure these opportunities in my heart. In saying that, I am very excited to take the next few months work on some new...completely random paintings! I'm also gearing up for fall craft fairs and Christmas. I'm having a blast ordering tons of supplies. I'm going to be a busy girl in August, and I can't wait. 

On a completely separate note, here is a video I found yesterday of my band playing at Cornerstone!

Video courtsey of One21Music.

Bare Branches Cornerstone 2011 from The ONE21 Music on Vimeo.

Cornerstone 2011!

I don't have a super huge amount of Cornerstone pictures like usual, because my memory card filled up. I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with it. It didn't hold even half of the amount that it normally does. Oh well. Here's a few memories. . .

One of the highlights of the week for me, was delivering the paintings to Don't Wake Aislin. I almost cried! 

Dan Smith of Listener.

We got to perform on Gallery Stage again. The power was out and we almost didn't get to play! Thankfully it came back on, minutes before we were to go on. 

We sang a little back up for Sean Michel's old time gospel sing.
Amazingly fun time. This dude was on American Idol! :D

and... one of the most amazing moments ever at cornerstone. Listener's 1000th show celebration!

Momma Linda's Pig Roast

Another amazing part of our tour/Cornerstone experience, was Momma Linda's Pig Roast. Momma Linda is a lovely lady that cares for bands. Every year, she has this pig roast the day before cornerstone, and the bands get to play. During the festival Momma Linda has her own tent where she provides food for bands. She's a blessing to us al!

The pre-Cornerstone party was magical.

The Homeless Gospel Choir

If I remember correctly, the house was built in the 1840's and used to be called Lilly Hotel.

Abraham Lincoln used to stay there on a regular basis before he was president! So cool!  

Nathan Stiteler

Family Photo!!

Momma Linda. We love you!

There's a possibility that the pig roast won't happen next year, due to unforeseen circumstances. If you feel so inclined, say a prayer for Momma Linda. If it's the Lord's will, she will be able to do it again!

❤❤❤

Tour.

As I try to write this, I realize I'm probably way too tired to properly do so. The last week and half was so amazing...and so tiring. I honestly don't know where to start. I'm not the best writer, so trying to interpret my experience into words seems so overwhelming. So, as usual I'll opt for the photo journal.

...more to come.