Spin Madly On

Feeling Festive With Frank

I came across this version of "Misletoe and Holly" by Frank Sinatra on The Hype Machine and was instantly put in the holiday spirit.

Hope you like - listen and prepare to feel festive. 

-K.

 

 

 

 

Mistletoe And Holly - Kaskade Mix by kirstenj  

under construction, excuse the mess

Just thought I'd throw this out there-my blog has been severely neglected lately and the little attention I've been paying it has consisted of trial runs with new widgets, etc.. excuse the mess.

Truth is, my new job calls for me to look at a LOT of blogs and I realized how lame mine is in comparison. And, that it has yet to become what I originally planned on making it (this is soon to change).

In the meantime, I'll just be playing around with some new things for SMO, like adding mixpod and soundcloud below. I decided the first upload had to be Janelle Monae's "Tightrope" because I recently bought her new album and haven't stopped listening to it. I highly recommend it.

When I get a chance to streamline the blog and get it up to par,  I hope you'll notice. And if you spent time reading this little blurb, WOW I appreciate it. Rage on. 

 

Janelle Monae, Tightrope

Tightrope, Janelle Monae by kirstenj 

 

LISTEN UP: playlist, Nov. 7

Music Playlist at MixPod.com 

(500) Days of Weezy

Yes, the title is in reference to the film, (500) Days of Summer. I've seen it more times than I'd like to admit–and if not for the humorous  love story  or  Joseph Gordon Levitt's break-out Hall and Oates dance number, for the killer soundtrack. The first time I saw the movie was the first time I heard Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition". Now I listen to that song at least once a day. 

If you like the movie, Lil Wayne or both here's a free remix album of the soundtrack created by My Sick Uncle. Clearly doesn't beat the originals but still a fun listen. 

Follow this link for the the full mixtape:  http://www.500daysofweezy.com/

 

 

 

Upcoming shows in Chicago

Last weekend I saw a Lee Dewyze show in Arlington Heights. While I'm a huge fan of his (HUGE), Lee with a guitar singing slower renditions of already slow songs wasn't exactly a thrill. These upcoming shows however are sure to be slightly more entertaining/up beat/fun. If I could see all of the following shows I would consider myself extremely lucky. With time and money constraints, my concert schedule fantasy remains just that–but I'll catch a few.

Here are some of the bands playing in Chicago next month:

Oct 2: Broken Social Scene @ The Riv

Oct 3: Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Logan Square

Oct 5: Ra Ra Riot @ Metro

Oct 7: Stars @ The Vic

Oct 7: Atmosphere @ Congress

Oct 7: B52's @ House of Blues

Oct 8: Citizen Cope @ The Vic

Oct 8: Michael Franti and Spearhead @ The Riv

Oct 9: Citizen Cope @ The Vic

Oct 10: OK Go @ House of Blues

Oct 11: Miike Snow @ The Riv

Oct. 12: Temper Trap @ Metro

Oct. 14: The New Pornographers @ The Vic 

Oct. 15: Rusko @ Metro

Oct 19: Band of Horses @ The Riv

Oct. 20: Ingrid Michaelson @ The Vic

Oct. 22: Deadmau5  w/ N.E.R.D @ Congress 

Oct. 23: Deadmau5 w/ Booka Shade @ Congress 

Oct 23: The Script @ The Riv

October 25: LCD Soundsystem @ Aragon 

Oct. 27: Sleigh Bells @ Metro

Oct 30: Bassnectar @ The Riv

Oct. 31: L.M.F.A.O @ Congress

Oct 31: Mumford and Sons @ The Riv

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Kings of Leon, Radioactive

It's Kings of Leon and it's new; therefore it deserves to be the song of the week. "Radioactive" is the first single off the upcoming album "Come Around Sundown"–out October 19. What do you think of the gospel sound? 

"Where's the lisztomania at?" FREE mixtape from NYLON

My favorite mag, NYLON, constantly offers freebies on their site. The latest? A mixtape created by DJ 'wait what' and indieshuffle.com. 

The digital album called "this is real life" includes mash-ups with artists like phoenix, LCD soundsystem, drake, miike snow, etc... 

If you're in the giving mood, there is a pay-as-you-want system which gives your donation to 826 Valencia, a youth writing organization. If you're like me and don't have the extra $ to donate, just write $0 when asked what you're offering and you'll still get the song! (once our pockets are heavier, we'll get em' back).

I highly recommend getting on this. There's nothing to lose and great mixes to be gained.

Here's the link:  http://waitwhat.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-real-life

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Bonobo, Kong

 

 

I can't say I'll post something everyday, but I will post a Song of the Week every Wednesday. This week, Bonobo's "Kong". It's an easy listen, it's different, and it's worthy of your attention. "Kong" is on the album "Black Sands" which was released in late March of this year.

Simon Green, who goes by his stage name Bonobo, is a British DJ. You might have heard his music on shows like House and Californication. "Kong" does sound like it would come in at the credits of Californication doesn't it? Right after Hank Moody screwed up for the uptenth time.

The song is also perfect for a covert bank robbery scene in a George Clooney film. Since you're probably not planning on robbing any banks in the near future, you can use it as a go-to jam on rainy days. 

The first post- many more to come

Welcome everyone to my new blog, Spin Madly On. 

My name is Kirsten and I'm a recent graduate of The University of Kansas (Rock Chalk to all my fellow Jayhawks). While in Lawrence, I studied journalism and received my degree with an emphasis in news and information. 

I'm currently living in the Chicagoland area while I search for my big break into the industry. In college, I worked as a student life reporter for the University Daily Kansan and while I enjoyed covering daily news, I'm mostly interested in magazine journalism and feature writing. 

Indie, classic rock, electro, even some hip hop, (but never country–sorry Garth Brooks fans) I listen to and love it all. And as a young journalist I try to keep up on current events. I'll be using this blog to post my opinions on everything from new songs (as I write this I'm jamming to Yolanda Be Cool's "We no speak Americano!") to what's happening around the world. Please feel free to comment on any post. I'd love to hear from you. Whether you agree or disagree with what I have to say, let's keep the conversation going. 

Thanks for reading. I hope you find Spin Madly On entertaining, fun to read and informative.

-K.