New Artist: Terraplane Sun

Helloooo everybody!

My apologies for not posting for a whole eight days (gasp!!!), this week I found myself unexpectedly -- but wonderfully -- BUSY! Hope everyone had a fun week, and more importantly a fun weekend!

This past Friday, I got to explore the highly interesting place that is Venice Beach for the first time! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can definitely say that Venice, also (apparently) known as the weed capital of California, definitely has everything: bongs, sunglasses, self-proclaimed "green doctors," street performers, homeless people, talented artists, muscle men, food galore, and people from literally every culture and country imaginable.  I must have heard 8 different accents and/or languages while I was there, so cool! Not to mention, I got to witness the filming of a surfing movie called Ride, starring Luke Wilson and Helen Hunt! (Yes, of course I had to have the classic 15 minutes of being starstruck.  No, unfortunately I did not get a picture with Luke. :( )

Anyway, being in Venice on Friday reminded me of a band I saw perform at a brewery this past January in San Luis Obispo, where I go to school.  The band, Terraplane Sun, opened for Shwayze during his tour along the California coast this year, and I had the unbelievable privilege to actually meet and talk with the guitarist and lead singer! Terraplane Sun originated from Venice Beach, and in my opinion, their unique and mellow sound perfectly reflects the relaxed, beachy vibe, the "California Cool," that exudes out of Southern California.

One of TS's catchiest tracks, "Get Me Golden," particularly captures the vision of taking a stroll down the boardwalk wearing hipster shades and basking in the California sunshine; it's a happy-go-lucky sort of song that puts the listener's mind at ease and creates a carefree attitude.  Frontman Ben Rothbard radiates hipster-cool, and his unique vocals are something you won't forget easily!

Terraplane Sun has become one of my favorite bands, and they are especially fun to listen to right now during summertime, or any time you're yearnin' for some Cali sunshine and the big blue Pacific.  I hope you check them out and enjoy what you find!

Get Me Golden: Demo Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv23cxus3Hs
                            New Version/Official Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRnbfqx1ZWo

Terraplane Sun: https://www.facebook.com/terraplanesun

Happy Sunday!

<3 Syd

Check Out This Artist: Portugal. The Man

Hey y'alllll!

Yes, I am in fact posting to this blog at 8:45 on a Saturday night... No comment, I'm on vaca in beautiful Newport Beach!

Anyhoo, I just wanted to share with you real quick about a band I have loved for quite a few years now: Portugal. The Man.  They've been around for a little while, but their 7th and most recent album, Evil Friends, was just released this past June.  PTM has a funky but laid back sound, they're definitely the epitome of alternative rock.  Their songs are easy to listen to, and their lyrics are wholly original and fresh.  I highly suggest you check them out, especially if that's the kind of vibe you look for in music!

Evil Friends is fantastic, I'm newly addicted and thus listening to it on repeat.... But don't hesitate to check out their older releases! My personal favorite album is The Satanic Satanist; really great stuff on there.



Happy listening, and here's to hoping you're out having a crazy Saturday night instead of reading my blog! ;)






https://play.spotify.com/artist/4kI8Ie27vjvonwaB2ePh8T

<3 Syd

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

Guess who's officially seeing Two Door Cinema Club this October in Oakland?!???!!! ME!!! And I'm only a teeeeeeeny bit excited, if you couldn't tell!!!

Two Door Cinema Club is a phenomenal band, and one of my absolute favorites! If you've never listened to any of their music or if you want to hear more of their stuff, look 'em up! They rock, AND I hear they're fantastic live!

Can't wait for the concert!

https://play.spotify.com/artist/536BYVgOnRky0xjsPT96zl ---> Two Door Cinema Club on Spotify

<3 Syd

Blessed

Today I am feeling especially grateful, for no specific reason.  I sat outside in the sun today while house sitting for my cousins, peacefully reading a book while the dog entertained himself in the yard, and I felt perfectly content and completely blessed to just be alive and able to enjoy this beautiful place we live in.

Yes, it sounds very cheesy, but I just thought I'd share with you my moment of simple appreciation and bliss today.  And for some reason I cannot explain, Ode to LRC by Band of Horses remained stuck in my head all day after listening to it this morning while walking the dog.  I never really listened to the lyrics before, but they are truly exquisite, thoughtful, and beautiful; I think they are a good reminder to us of what is important in life.

So don't sweat the small stuff, and when you start to feel exasperated or overwhelmed in your life, take a deep breath and truly take in all the positive things that surround you, and how privileged and blessed you are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nP88E2pMk8



<3 Syd

Ordinary People - John Legend Cover by ME! :)

Finally able to record a new cover! Hope you guys like it, pleaseeeee subscribe and share with everyone you can! :)

Motivation

So about two months ago I had a lapse of judgement and decided to sign up for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco this October.  I've always been a mediocre runner: cross country and track my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and after that, running was pretty much the only way I knew how to exercise... It's still the only way I know how to exercise.  I am NOT an athlete.

Anyhoo. I was really sick for the better part of January through June until I had my tonsils and adenoids surgically removed, so now I'm finally healthy and able to actually do physical activity! Yay!! (BOOO.) I've been trying to run every day, and push myself to go a little farther and a little faster each time.  So far my progress is laughable, but hey it's more than a lot of people are doing.

But the best part about training, actually about running in general, in my opinion, is the music you listen to while you do it! And for a music-obsessed person like me, having the absolute perfect running playlist is CRUCIAL.  Some of my faves include Can't Hold Us - Macklemore, Heart Skips A Beat - Olly Murs, and a wholeeee lotta Two Door Cinema Club because they're the tits.  But my new obsession is Pompeii by Bastille: If you haven't checked them out yet, get on it!!! Especially this song because basically when you listen to it, you can do ANYTHING. Literally. It's the king of motivational songs.


GET MOTIVATED!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avikdfBO9rw

(PS, there's also an acoustic version... So hot!)


<3 Syd

US Open-Inspired Song of the Day

My friend Raychel and I at the US Open today! :)

It's that time of year again: the US Open of Surfing is here, wooo! For those of you who don't know, the Open always takes place in Huntington Beach, CA and I am beyond blessed to live a mere 15 minutes from this beautiful blue coast! (I don't care what anyone says, Orange County RULES.)

There's really not a whole lot to do at the US Open, unless you absolutely live for waiting in a line for an hour and a half just to get a cheap hat for FREE! Oh yeah, I guess you could watch the actual surf competition too. Anyway, the beach is, and always has been, my favorite place to be, so a lot of the music I listen to, especially in summertime, is inspired by the beach!

Sooo today's song of the day is "Never Let You Go" by Third Eye Blind.  It's a throwback for sure, but a classic nonetheless.  Great song for driving to the beach, lounging by the pool, or shreddin' the gnar (don't worry, I don't know what that means either).  Hope this song inspires you to find your blissful, sunny beach, wherever you may be this summer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kiHBFwGsUE

<3 Syd