Hanging With Joy and John Paul

So, the Civil Wars concert.

We all know it's been a long time coming, so expectations were high. But the night started out right with margaritas with my housemates and then, when I was waiting outside the Jefferson Theater for Hope so we could go in, a random woman was trying to get rid of two extra tickets and I was able to score them for two of my other housemates, Margaret and Allie. Nothing like spreading a little Civil Wars cheer to those I live with, right?

And, y'all, they did not disappoint. Obviously their music is beautiful, and it was just as beautiful and impressive live. Not to mention the chemistry between Joy and John Paul -- they just interacted so well with each other, and you could tell they were enjoying being up there. Joy was smiling for about 80% of the time. And they were funny when they talked. And I was with a good group of people who appreciated them just as much as I did -- all of us were having a good time. And, (maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but...) for their encore, they did a cover of "Billie Jean." I don't even like Michael Jackson, but this version? Maybe you just have to see it for yourselves:

All in all, if you ever have the chance to see the Civil Wars live, do it. Their harmonies, their amazing talent in general, the way they play with the music that is already so wonderful in a way that makes it even more stunning, their personalities....just go see them. (And bonus points if you get to see them in a venue decked out in Christmas lights.)

[image source]

Barton Hollow

This is one of those songs that seeps right down to the depths of my ribcage and into my soul. It is just so haunting and intricate and sad, and I re-fell in love with it this week when The Civil Wars' album, Barton Hollow, came out. I bought it on iTunes (and that is not something I usually do. Apart from Flags, I cannot even tell you the last song I bought…), and y'all, no wonder it's been holding on to #1 album spot on iTunes* – it is exquisite. AND their song "Barton Hollow" is the free download this week...GET IT.

(But can we talk for a second about how this is Joy Williams? Did anyone else listen to her back in her Christian pop days? Um, pick me. She was one of my faves when I was twelve. I remember having her album By Surprise sent out to me in Ethiopia. Then Danielle Hale and I listened to it. on repeat.)

Also, guess what? THEY ARE COMING TO CHARLOTTESVILLE. 

And guess what else? 

...It's the same night as Joshua Radin.

Which I already bought tickets for. 

Y'all, this is a dilemma if I ever heard one. BUT I am coming up with a plan to Do It All, because The Civil Wars are having an in-store performance before their show that night. Anyone up for concert-hopping?

I suppose there could be much worse things than too many good music options on one night...

* ...at least in the 48 hours since it's been out. Ha.

Almost! FInally! (Hopefully?)

Do you guys remember how I didn't see the Civil Wars back in February? And then I got all excited because they were coming back to Cville? And how I bought my tickets for it back in like August?

What I didn't tell you was that they canceled the show the week before it happened, because Joy had laryngitis. There were tears and general disappointment, and they rescheduled the show for December 7th and we were all like that is so far away.

Not anymore though -- it's only a week away now! I'm so looking forward to finally using that ticket that's been stashed in my desk for three months now. It will be the perfect way to celebrate classes being done and finals being about to start (wait, what?). And I am so looking forward to telling all y'all how wonderful it was afterwards. (I mean, just look at how happy they look in the above video...)

And as an added bonus, the free iTunes download of the week is a Civil Wars Christmas song!!! Get it. Now.

Miles and Miles in My Bare Feet

Remember this dilemma? And how when I finally I decided I might want to go The Civil Wars instead they were sold out? (Which was okay because Joshua Radin was still wonderful...)

Well, all is right with the world now because The Civil Wars are coming back to Cville!!! I am already excited for October 22. Especially because I already have plans to go with the lovely Kate.

Things to look forward to... :]

Scarlett & Gunnar

I watched Nashville online this past week, and I just am in love with the songs that Scarlett and Gunnar sing. They are so beautiful. Listen:

And I was sitting there thinking about how hauntingly beautiful they are, and so very Civil Wars-esque (RIP?), only to realize that the first song is originally by the Civil Wars. Of course. It's on their Live EP which you can download fo' free here.

Do you watch Nashville? Or, if not, what's your favorite show right now?

P.S. I am so glad that Lennon & Maisy are on the show! They are so talented.

Sick Sick Sick

I have been horizontal all day, drinking fluids and dozing and trying not to throw up anymore. So to distract you from the fact that I have nothing exciting to say to you today, I'm going to leave you with this lovely song. Taylor Swift + The Civil Wars? For The Hunger Games movie? Let's just say that I am quite proud of Taylor right now.

P.S. How was everyone's Christmas??

Friday Five

Five Randoms

1. I sincerely love this umbrella. And by sincerely love, I mean I want it.

[via: Pinterest]

(I already have one of those see-through umbrellas. I asked for one for Christmas the year before last, and I think my mom must have thought I was joking because I didn't get it. So I bought myself one when I saw them half-off at Target last summer. But this? It's like 87 gazillion times better than that!)

2. Still obsessed with Avett Brothers "Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise." I mean, these lyrics:

When nothing is owed, deserved or expected

And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected

If you're loved by someone you're never rejeted

Decide what to be and go be it

Also on my playlist: "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars, "You and Me" by Elizabeth and the Catapults, "Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes, "Poison & Wine"by the Civil Wars (yes, still), "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, "Skinny Genes" by Eliza Doolittle...

3. Barcelona:

[Source: EF - Live The Language - Barcelona from Niklas Johansson, FSF on Vimeo.]

4. I just had a s'more made of the biggest marshmallow in the world (after the biggest dinner in the world at my second cousin's house!). This inspired me to look up all the nifty things I know all those creative, bloggy people must do with s'mores. 

Here's some awesome things I found:

• S'mores Latte
• S'more wedding favors (and pretzel sticks, too!) (I should probably show this to my sister...)
• S'more cookie ...or cupcakes ...or brownies ...or cheesecake bars (omg, dying)

So glad I explored all of that. WHO KNEW.

5. I love all things chalkboard, especially when it's a little bit unexpected:

[all images found on Pinterest]

(I'm a little disappointed because I just learned we aren't allowed to paint our house next year, so all my dreams of painting a chalkboard on the wall are now dashed.)

WHEW. I don't think I'll have anything to tell y'all for the next week, because this basically used up all I got. I guess I'll just have to work on having some adventures... :]

Have a fabulous weekend!

Joshua In Concert

The Joshua Radin concert was last night. And although I was kind of feeling twinges of sadness that I wasn't at the Civil Wars (which was just around the corner, and sold out a week ago), it was still wonderful. Josh (yes, we're on that level now) was fantastic in person and he shared a lot of the background stories to his songs which I liked and, in some cases, means I will never be able to listen to some songs the same way again (two words: baby-making music). But really, he was good, the venue was charming, and we even enjoyed his openers -- Andrew Allen and Anya Marina (neither of whom we'd heard of before) (Anya took a while to grow on me, but then she did a singer/songwriter-style cover of T.I.'s "Whatever You Like"...yeah. It was entertaining.)

Anyway, I went to the concert with my friend Taylor, and before we went we were having dinner at Taylor's house with a group of people and talking to our friend Arthur (who, sidenote, is Asian.) Taylor had just told Arthur that we were about to leave for the concert, which sent him on a which basically went like this: "Why do white people always just want to listen to emo white guys playing the guitar? I'm serious -- whenever white girls post a video it's always some emo guy with a guitar, even if it's worship music. What are you even supposed to do at that type of concert? Just stand there?"

I kind of died laughing a little, and told him I was sure that had to be on stuffwhitepeoplelike.com...and sure enough: 

#67 Standing Still at Concerts.

HILAR. (But seriously. Even though Josh was good at all, I kind of spent the last few songs wanting him to be done, because when you've been standing in the same spot on a gently-sloped floor holding your coat for three hours...it's tiring.)

[image source]

Shimmies & Fist Pumps

Y'all, something amazing happened the week before last: I won a giveaway on one of my favorite blogs, Today's Letters! If you've never checked this blog out before, do so NOW. Tim and Emily Loerke are one of the most inspirational, fun-loving couples I (don't actually) know, and therefore I like to stalk them on the reg. I mean, just look at them:

Precious, right? Em writes daily letters to her husband/everything, which are a) wonderful, b) clever, c) hilarious, or d) all of the above. Added bonus: I don't even feel like that much of a creeper for stalking their lives so much because she used to be my housemate Madeline's Bible study leader!

Anyway. One day, she asked all the college students who read her blog to answer a few questions. So I did, and my name was one of the ones chosen to win a mix CD of her fave jams!! [insert major excitement about winning, new music, and getting something in the mail HERE.]

I tested out the CD this past weekend, while sitting in a coffee shop across from Margaret, drinking bottomless coffee and a eating a pumpkin muffin and reading articles about things like “Pleasure, Pain, and the Power of Being Thin: Female Sexuality in Young Adult Literature," and it was the perfect accompaniment. 

Here's a sampling of my faves for you to enjoy too:

(Bonus points for for having some of my already-faves on the CD, such as Timshel by Mumford & Sons, Laundry Room by Avett Brothers, and Poison & Wine by Civil Wars).


Thanks so much, Em, for making me want to shimmy across the floor and throw some fist pumps and leg kicks!

Fa La La La La

Currently: At that awkward place where I've reached a good stopping point in my studying, but I'm unsure if I should go home or try and keep working or eat dinner or what. Gahhhh.

Currently Listening To: my Ben Rector Pandora station. It's the best, really.

 

Just a lil something pretty and Christmasy. It's really all I can offer you right now. Sorry.

P.S. Check back tomorrow to hear about the Civil Wars!

P.S Again: My housemate Kathleen wanted all of y'all to see this stellar example of a latte (she texted this picture to me and said "I feel like you might want to put this Shen Joe latte on your blog. It looks and was THAT good." I said that I didn't know how to get it on my computer, so if she could I would. And she did. What a woman). Shout out to Shenandoah Joe's for this artisitc wonder. Also, raise your hand if you want coffee now.. (aka me. I'm raising my hand.)

 

[First image from Lola Nova, via Snippet and Ink]