Music On Monday: Paddling Out

It’s officially summer and I can tell you for sure because I am running hard and running often and enjoying it. In the winter I run for the sake of like…cardiovascular health and some alone time with Ira Glass. In the summer I run for fun and tan lines that make me feel athletic.

My girl Nell knows I am always looking for more music that will keep me running a little longer, so last week she suggested this little gem. ‘Paddling Out’ is a fun bit of indie pop by Miike Snow. This band is from Sweden which gives them street cred in terms of fun-ness, because you know how every time you go to Sweden you end up in some basement bar really drunk having a super deep conversation over house music with a woman in red lipstick? It’s crazy.

Today was the first official day of my twelve-week-long-to-protect-my-injury-prone-hips-half-marathon-training and it started with a steep incline and ended with a thunderstorm chasing me and my sister home. Four miles of perfection.

Music On Monday: Some Nights (yes, it’s Tuesday again…)

Everyone is probably sick of fun.’s ‘We Are Young,’ anthem of people who can still get drunk and not face the consequences at 6am with your offspring shouting in your face. But I personally am hooked on their song ‘Some Nights.’ For two reasons.

1. I’m doing another half-marathon bitches. September 1st. It’s happening. Training officially starts June 10 (first day of training: rest) but more on that later. As I ramp up my running distances I need music to accompany those moments when podcasts aren’t cutting it, and ‘Some Nights’ is hot in the rotation. SO MUCH DRUMMING. And yell-singing. Perfect.

2. Is it just me, or is this song about the sleep patterns of babies? I sound old and crabby as I write this, but frankly 19 consecutive months of shifting between exhaustion/regular tiredness has me wondering…

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck  (teething, jet lag, sleep regression what does that even mean!?)

Some nights, I call it a draw (slept until 6:30am)

 

Music On Monday: My Body

My running habit has fallen off track a bit lately. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, all the progress I made since earnestly getting back into running over the winter in Japan seemed to melt away under the weight of jet lag and busy days and lack of…something.

Today, after several attempts, I was able to break my slump. I promise a full post on how I accomplished this later, but part of the process involved shuffling up my playlists and adding some new music. I remembered that my friend Caitlin published her workout playlist here a while back, so I went there for inspiration.

Young the Giant’s ‘My Body’ was just what I needed. In the same way the the Zolas fill my need for beards and hoodies, Young the Giant satisfy the stubble and second-hand blazers quota. The beat is perfect for the pace of a gratifying run and the lyrics were made for slump busting.

My body tells me no,
But I won’t quit
Cuz I want more

Music On Monday: Marlaina Kamikaze

I am always, always, always looking for music for my runs that is also in the alternative/folk genre and doesn’t use auto-tune. The Zolas popped up in iTunes as a suggestion (oh iTunes, you know me so well) and I was immediately drawn to their sound. I love the strength of the lead singer’s vocals, I love the plethora of instruments I heard on their albums, I love the creativity of the lyrics. Also, as a rule I love any band that includes at least one beard and two hoodies. Check and check. Once I had purchased a few of their songs I hit up their website and found they are, wait for it, CANADIAN. What is my deal!? Musically inclined Canadian men with facial hair are like my Achille’s heel!

This video is a fun one-take version of a song that is now in heavy rotation in the daily playlist of my life. I love videos like this because you can truly see the talent of the musicians and I feel like I get a small glimpse in to how much fun they have making music. But if I’m honest, once they really started jamming on the hotel bed I immediately thought: ’I hope the people in the next room don’t have a sleeping baby.’ Oh. My. God. I am old and lame. Never invite me to a party at your house, I’ll be passing out coasters.

P.S. A fellow runner, music lover and blogger has been inspired my M.O.M. posts (I’m so flattered!) and has started his own on-going series ‘Sounds, Suds and Cinema’…the first installment does not disappoint, check it out here!

M.O.M. Past:

Sarah Harmer

Timbaland ft. The Hives

Rene and Jeremy

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Brendan Benson

The White Stripes

Janelle Monae

They Might Be Giants

Powderfinger

The Frames

Great Lake Swimmers

The Who

Andrew Bird

Cold War Kids

Michael Buble ft. Shania Twain

Butterfly Boucher

Hey Rosetta!/Said the Whale

Tracy Chapman

White Rabbits

Jack Johnson

Nerina Pallot

Lauryn Hill

Propogandhi

AKB48

Music on Monday: Percussion Gun

I’ve been running more lately. And hard. The kind of run where at the end you fist-pump and yell out TAKE THAT MOTHER-TRUCKERS! My neighbors probably don’t like it but they’re certainly not going to approach the crazy foreigner and ask me to stop.

When I get to like the 42 minute 17 second mark of my run, I start to feel like dying. It’s a brief, roughly 3 minute sputter that, if I can get through, leads to a very, very strong finish. Which is where ‘Percussion Gun’ comes in.

Firstly, don’t you love when a lead singer plays an instrument other than the guitar? Me too. Secondly, if this song doesn’t make you want to sprint and/or jump-kick, you need to be examined because you are dead inside.

M.O.M. Past:

Sarah Harmer

Timbaland ft. The Hives

Rene and Jeremy

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Brendan Benson

The White Stripes

Janelle Monae

They Might Be Giants

Powderfinger

The Frames

Great Lake Swimmers

The Who

Andrew Bird

Cold War Kids

Michael Buble ft. Shania Twain

Butterfly Boucher

Hey Rosetta!/Said the Whale

Tracy Chapman

Music On Monday: Baba O’Riley a.k.a. Teenage Wasteland

By request from my best friend back in Michigan, I’ve selected a song that she can use to please all comers of all ages in her spin class. Despite having a 7+ month old and a full-time job, she teaches spinning at a time that most, myself included, would consider the middle of the night. Such motivation!

As soon as she asked, I wrote down ‘Teenage Wasteland.’ Then I told my husband about her request and before I could explain that I already had the problem solved he said ‘Teenage Wasteland.’ Same wavelength everybody! Aren’t we cute?

I initially added this to my master running playlist over 5 years ago when my sister was training for a half-marathon and recommended this classic for training on hills. It’s seriously a motivational jackpot. The initial build-up, the incredible vocals, the liberal use of synthesizer. Enjoy.

M.O.M. Past:

Sarah Harmer

Timbaland ft. The Hives

Rene and Jeremy

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Brendan Benson

The White Stripes

Janelle Monae

They Might Be Giants

Powderfinger

The Frames

Great Lake Swimmers

Music on Monday: Tightrope (Wondamix)

When listening to this song you should picture me dancing badly but madly around my kitchen, most likely in a bathrobe, possibly with a sippy cup of wine. Go ahead, get that image set. Got it? Ok then.

I’m always a sucker for music that can make me move while making me think. I love Janelle Monae’s 60s soul, her pop accessibility, her creativity and her committment to that tuxedo. She’s different and true to herself in a really quirky way that still leaves room for her actual, true, amazing talent to shine through. Like a Lady Gaga type of intensity about creativity, but without all the costumes. Also, she is a super serious sci-fi nerd (me too me too me too!) who believes in and advocates for time travel. In fact, her alter ego Cindi Mayweather from the year 2719 is an android. HOW COOL IS THAT!?

M.o.M. Past:

Sarah Harmer

Timbaland ft. The Hives

Rene and Jeremy

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Brendan Benson

The White Stripes

Music on Monday: Icky Thump

I love the White Stripes. I love the rock feeling and the hard edge and how they are so obviously having while making music. I love to RUN RUN RUN as hard as I possible can to their music. And I’ve found that when we blast any White Stripes in the car the baby bobs her head in time to the thumping of the drums. Oh my stars I love that child.

‘Icky Thump’ became a favorite as soon as the album of the same name was released. After I figured out what ‘Icky Thump’ meant I was more in love with this song than ever. Still working on integrating the phrase into my daily vocab though. A little tricky but possibly a good replacement for son of a youknowwhat or motherefffffers as I try to clean up my language for the sake of my impressionable child. Hopefully she’s impressionabe enough to pick up on these lyrics:

White Americans, what?
Nothing better to do?
Why don’t you kick yourself out
You’re an immigrant too?

Who’s using who?
What should we do?
Well, you can’t be a pimp
And a prostitue too.

Ahhhhh commentary on immigration policy in song with a rousing round of ‘Lalalalalalalalala.’ I’m in love.

If I were going to be in a band, it would either be a total bluegrass gang of beards and peasants skirts, or it would be the White Stripes. And it almost seems possible, because as untouchable as Jack White’s guitar can seem at times to a mere non-musically inclined mortal like myself, something about the simplicity of Meg White’s drums makes you think you just might be able to do that. Oh but wait a second you aren’t even nearly cool enough. Nevermind. Drum on Meg White.

M.o.M. Past:

Sarah Harmer

Timbaland ft. The Hives

Rene and Jeremy

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Brendan Benson

Music On Monday: Throw It On Me

If you have a hard time picturing an iPod that contains about a million Sarah Harmer songs also containing this Timbaland number, then you don’t know me very well. While the credit leads with Timbaland and ‘features’ the Hives, one listen lets you know who really carries this song. Hint: not Timbaland, never spelled Timberland.

I’m a big fan of the Hives and the energy their music gives me, but the addition of some ALWAYS SO DAMN CATCHY HOW DOES HE DO THAT Timbaland effects and this thing is gold for any run or workout that needs a boost. As we must do with some music, I urge you not to delve too deeply into the details and ask yourself ‘why would Lane recommend a song which uses ”titties” in the lyrics?’ Sometimes we just need the beat, and a strongly worded letter to Timbaland can absolve you of any feminist guilt you might be feeling after you air-drum your way through this song. Also, I do like shaking my ass. There, I said it.

Bottom line: if you’re trying to get up a hill/over a hump/to the finish line of something involving sweat and burn, this song needs to be on your playlist.