So here we are. . . the last category of faves for 2009 and I have to tell you, it’s a tough one. Tough because I am suprised and inspired almost every day by the talent of new and veteran artists alike. And I’m sure there are lots of us out there that could only wish for that kind of musical creativity and flair. And perhaps if you’re like me, find awesome satisfaction out of jamming on a tambourine (or Guitar Hero/Rock Band!), just to feel an eensie weensie bit of what that must feel like. Eensie and weensie are the operative words here. But anyway, I digress!

My point is, music had such an impact on 2009 around here, I want to put some of my faves on a brönette vol. 2 mixtape for you all.  So just e-mail shelby {at} bronette.net with your lovely address and I’ll hook you up. Come on now, don’t be shy. . . it’s my way of spreading the music love and saying THANK YOU for stopping by this year. It’ll be fun, I promise!

Just to give you an idea, here are some artists that might be included (I’m still reserving the right to change my mind!). . .

Regina Spektor

Couer de Pirate

La Roux

AA Bondy

Mayer Hawthorne

. . . and more! So get that e-mail draft started and send me a note. You’ll be so happy you did! Three cheers for fantastic music in 2009!

“This Christmas” sung by Gladys Knight & the Pips on That Special Time of Year from 1980 is by far my favorite holiday tune. Originally recorded by Donny Hathaway in 1970, “This Christmas” has been sung by many. . . Christina Aguilera, Elliott Yamin, Macy Gray, Peabo Bryson, Chicago, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Patti LaBelle, Chris Brown, N*SYNC, Harry Connick Jr, Destiny’s Child, Ashanti, Menudo, Usher, Boyz II Men and Aretha Franklin - just to name a few. Ha ha. I wonder if Donny Hathaway had any idea how popular this song would become. I still prefer Gladys’ version, what about you?

Listen here:  This Christmas by Gladys Knight & the Pips

Iron and Wine’s version of New Order’s “Love Vigilantes” is amazing, end of story. I love his earthy, simplistic approach to a song chalk full of deep feelings and heartfelt emotion. Get your copy here. . .

Be still my heart. She & Him are releasing their sophomore album on March 23, 2010. Entitled Volume Two, I am dead serious when I say I hope there are a hundred, a thousand more volumes after this. Their vintage, country vibe is stunning and timeless, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the new volume of Zooey Deschanel’s songs (the She), produced by the talented Mr. M Ward (the Him).

Here’s a peek at the track list, which includes eleven originals by Zooey and two covers, ”Ridin’ In My Car” by NRBQ and Skeeter Davis’ ”Gonna Get Along Without You Now”. . .

She & Him: Volume Two Track list:

01 Thieves
02 In The Sun
03 Don’t Look Back
04 Ridin’ In My Car
05 Lingering Still
06 Me And You
07 Gonna Get Along With You Now
08 Home
09 I’m Gonna Make It Better
10 Sing
11 Over It Over Again
12 Brand New Shoes
13 If You Can’t Sleep

Let yet another countdown begin!! Meanwhile, I can’t resist re-posting a couple favorite She & Him songs of mine. . . here’s hoping March 23rd’s arrival is a speedy one!

With the holidays at our fingertips, I’ve been quite happy to chill out making cookies or sock bunnies to A Fine Frenzy’s holiday EP Oh Blue Christmas. It’s pretty, inspiring, fun, and warm all at the same time. And, most of all, it fit perfectly with the new dusting of snow that fell today past my window at work.

If I could’ve played their little ditty “Blue Christmas” on repeat today I would have, but alas, I had co-workers to be mindful of. . . so now in the comfy space of my living room I’m gonna do just that. “Blue Christmas” on repeat with a little sprinkle of my ultimate favorite “Winter Song” sung by Sara Barielles and Ingrid Michaelson on last year’s Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs. And yes, I will be making cookies at the same time. Yum yum.

And of course. . . I couldn’t write this without posting my favorite video of all time too for “Winter Song“. . . it gets me every time.

Check out Vampire Weekend’s newest single “Cousins”. It’s fresh and funky with a backbeat I can’t help but love. I also can’t help but love the massive bell ringing in the video at the end. . . me and my cousins, and you and your cousins. . . oh oh oh. If you like the track as much as I do, you can download the single now or wait until December 15th to get the 7″. Their forthcoming album Contra is set to drop January 12th. . . let the countdown begin!

Hot of the presses yesterday, check out Monsters of Folk’s new video for “Say Please” below. . . it features a very old timey setting with roller skating pioneers on the frontier (in the middle of a war?). I don’t quite get it, but I like that and admittedly really like how it all came together.

In more MOF news, their video contest “Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)” is in full swing. Sponsored by Apple/Quicktime and Death + Taxes Magazine, Monsters of Folk are inviting fans to make their very own video creation for “Dear God.” The winning video will be posted on the Monsters of Folk website, with the winner receiving $5000, a Gibson guitar signed by the band, and a copy of the new Final Cut Studio software. Jeepers, that’s a lot!

But if you don’t win, there’s still some cool goods to go around. . . the five runners-up will get a signed vinyl album for their efforts. Cool! For more info on being a part of the contest, click here! You could go down in indie folk rock history!!

Happy Friday and happy weekend! Just a quick one this morning. . . here’s an awesome song by an awesome band to get your weekend started off right. Enjoy!

Doves

Swedish R & B songstress Asha Ali’s latest single “Hurricane” is absolutely fabulous, no way around it. And thanks to Brent for sending it my way. . . I’m loving it and loving discovering more of her tunes. Check her out below and on the web here. Hooray for Scandinavian music that gets you moving on a Monday morning. No one should have a case of the Mondays now! 

So. . . I know there are a lot of you out there that love singing karaoke to itty bitty, teeny tiny pieces. I may still be too shy for that much singing exposure (eegads!), but I do love to cheer you all on! That being said, when I saw this iKaraoke accessory for iPods (doesn’t work with iPhones, sorry!), I thought I must share because there are so many that would have to have it. Or at least have to put it on their holiday wish list!

For $60 bucks, the sleek iKaraoke mic plugs right into your iPod and has a super long audio cable for your stereo, so your performance will sound amazing, er, well. . . maybe amazing. It also boasts a feature that allows you to dim vocals or get rid of them completely if going solo is your bag. And there’s a Tuneprompter which creates karaoke videos for any of your favorite music in your library! I’m not a karaoke lover, but I’m excited about this!

A ton of my favorite movie moments this year came by way of “500 Days of Summer” – a quirky look at love and all of the thorns that often come along with it. And thanks to the stellar soundtrack (thanks HJ!), the film’s story and characters are brought to life in a most fabulous way.

As the movie begins, you know almost immediately you’re hearing Regina Spektor tickling the ivories, and between Feist, Wolfmother and the Smiths, this soundtrack is a truly lovely accent to the film all the way to the end.

Even the Hall & Oates addition, “You Make My Dreams” provides and excellent movie moment. . . and one of my absolute favorite scenes as Tom (who loves Summer) is on his way to work. You can watch the clip below, but to get a real sense of what’s going on, it’s probably best to watch the film in its entirety.

All I can say is laughter and smiling are inevitable, and as soon as that song comes on no matter where I am, I will start laughing again, no question. Having a theme song and back-up dancers on your way to work would be pretty entertaining, you have to admit. Right down to that little cartoon birdie on Tom’s shoulder at the end. . . I want that too!

But as the narrator says in the film’s trailer below. . . this is a story of boy meets girl, but it is not a love story. But I still love the movie!

By Nora G.

Heroes for Zeros!

My good friends from Norway, the up and coming supercool rockstar band Heroes & Zeros, were passing through Copenhagen the other day after a very successful show in Dortmund, Germany. After playing for some 8000 German fans, I met up with them for a beer (actually a gin and tonic for me) and had fun catching up, with a little added bragging about my Guitar Hero skills. And then I realized that Heroes & Zeros would be a perfect match for my favourite past time activity!

One listen and it’s no surprise that Heroes & Zeros’ career is growing fast and furiously, and unlike many other bands they’ve been able to make a name for themselves in the highly competitive Norwegian rock music scene. They’ve even opened for Smashing Pumpkins, and this young band has already released four stellar albums.

Their amazing talent and überfabulous personalities result in songs that get your feet tapping and moving. Hopefully in the near future, Heroes & Zeros will come to a city near you , so you can be one of the crazy front-row fans screaming and headbanging too. But in the mean time, take a minute and buy their CD’s here, you won’t regret it!

Wishing you a spooktacular Halloween tomorrow night! Here’s a little monster inspired mash from your friends here at brönette (along with Madge and Lance Bass?!)!!

The new video for Marina and the Diamonds ditty “Mowgli’s Road” looks simple upon first glance, but nothing about the fabulous Marina is ever simple. She’s intriguing, talented and I love her outlook on life. . . sparkle ’til your hearts content! Her unique approach and lovely, confident vocals are a welcome change in a sea of often overplayed, run of the mill popstars. AND of course, I love her funny looking arms and legs in the video. Anyone who can rock that look gets my vote!

You may have already been listening to Mayer Hawthorne’s debut single “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” off his debut album Strange Arrangement which dropped beginning of September. Upon first listen you may have thought it was an oldie, but in fact it’s brand new music with a fresh, retro sound. I dig his throwback style complete with thick rimmed glasses, vinyl records and cardigans. . . and I think you might too. Check out a few of his tracks below, and then get your copy here!