Cecada to Play New FreeTulsa! Music Fest

amanda — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:43:28 +0000

There is no question that Tulsa is known for its overly talented musicians and indie infested venues that brand its culture. You can’t walk down the streets of the Blue Dome or Brady Districts on a Friday night with out encountering the sound of someone crooning a guitar.

Tulsa is home to many independent music festivals that help showcase their precious talent and many local musicians are thankful for the respect. One band reaping the festival glory is Tulsa’s own Cecada, who is planning to appear at the first FreeTulsa! festival July 30 & 31.

These down-home Tulsa natives define the term “organic” with their pure deep south tunes that you can imagine the band of six perched on logs belting out their minstrel songs to a deserted forest. On their latest EP “Fog of Midnight” Cecada offers a line-up of instrumentally dynamic anthems, which classify them as a bluegrass version of Modest Mouse with the twang of a banjo displaced in the background. For a superfan of independent music this is one act you won’t want to miss.

There is not a more perfect ending to a blistering month than Tulsans coming together for a weekend of pure love for local music. For more information about FreeTulsa! and the rest of the band line-up be sure to visit their website at http://freetulsafestival.weebly.com.

Always Resignation and Acceptance

amanda — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:30:03 +0000

“Always prudence, duty and honor. Where is your heart?” A beautiful quote from Austen’s Sense and Sensibility conveys a character’s distress of being bound by her silence and social class. Obviously times have changed where we are no longer defined by what the status of a woman should be, but are the lines really that blurred? We are still silenced, but it’s now just frowned upon or mistaken as submissiveness. We are not entirely devoid of strong, boisterous women among our society my mind is lead to those who are meek on the outside shouting their indignation from the inside. This isn’t a women’s empowerment blog or a “woe is me” type of message I am simply expressing my opinion on this specific quote I love so much. I was talking with a friend recently on the different duties men and women play in relationships and I was enlightened on the fact that what she was saying is so true. Men are programmed to fix things, make it better in simple easy steps. A black and white outcome. Must be right or wrong. Women on the other hand take time, exhaust all their efforts before a problem is fixed. We are also much stronger, not in the physical sense, but emotionally we are programmed to handle much strife with honor and duty. Our men are there to be the reason and truth in the relationship, where we bring forth compassion and heart. You can not have one with out the other. Men give us the chance to be passionate, emotional, and completely unrealistic at times. Give us a voice. After all of this, show us ardent romance. Be creative, ingenuity not money is the pathway to our heart. Make us feel wanted, accepted, and most of all pursued. Passion should never die in a relationship. Of course these insipid thoughts are coming from a feminist romantic, so I could be wrong. At any rate this is what makes my heart beat faster…romance.

Hello May Day!

amanda — Sun, 23 May 2010 15:55:02 +0000

Caution: This blog contains events that may sadden any music enthusiast, so proceed with caution. As of Friday morning the news broke out that there will be no Dfest this year, due to the economic downfall. I find this to be a very counterproductive move because this music festival helps support local businesses and musicians, so why throw in the towel? Obviously this is sheerly my opinion, but I feel like there is more to this decision that the organizers don’t want to admit. For whatever reason I am still disappointed that I won’t be spending a sultry July weekend walking the streets of the Blue Dome listening to eclectic musicians. It’s time to wave goodbye it’s been a nice eight-year stretch, but everything must come to an end.

After I got over my sulking the hubs and I decided to venture out to the Cherry Street Market Saturday morning. I loved the culture of it all with the local vendors hocking their homegrown/homemade merchandise, I loved it! We walked up and down the street tasting samples and looking at all the goodies. The hubs got me a bundle of wildflowers and we walked away with the best salsa I’ve ever had along with tasty spinach feta bread. Yum! There will be many Saturdays at the Market.

I almost forgot to report back with my experience at the Blue Dome Arts Fest. Well it certainly met my expectations and will be going again next year. There were so many avant-garde artists with fun and fresh art work that I was surprisingly impressed. Oh I can’t forget to mention the atmosphere! It was so low-key and mellow that it had that hippie vibe about it, so all in all it was an eventful time. I’m enjoying my time, so I’m sure there will be many fun nights to come. Until then enjoy the beautiful Sunday.

She was a girl living in the city

amanda — Fri, 14 May 2010 23:20:30 +0000

I kept my promise, I am writing from my spacious newly painted living room with my girl Xena snoring sweetly in the background. Unpacked, settled in, and finally finding time to write. My heart is full at the moment and it’s only fair that I would be listening to Paramore’s “My Heart” as I’m writing this first blog in my new space. My feelings on this change have two sides; one side is uncontrollably happy starting a brand new stage where I can be free, but of course the second side is cheapening the happiness. I am in a place where I can snag all the people I know and place them in one hand, not a good thing when you are prone to the “blues” as I am. Here comes a very high school moment, but I’m scared of making new friends. How can I find friends like mine back home that put up with my erratic, crazy moments of insanity that no one else will understand or find humor in. That is why I’m devising a sort of mission to branch out and experience Tulsa called ‘Save My Sanity’ where I will go to the perfect places in town reporting back my venture to my beautiful blogmates. I’m thinking my first mission will be to pay respect to the arts with the Brady Arts Festival, the Blue Dome Arts Festival, and Mayfest. Wait in anticipation because you wont want to miss my life experience. Peace to you my wondrous readers and be blessed this weekend.

To much for a title…

amanda — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:15:44 +0000

*deep breath* AHHH, ok now I can begin. How can you explain how you feel after the moment you thought would never come…came? I feel like sometimes I’m too old for these sentimental flash backs or that maybe my dreaminess should cease. I can’t figure out why I’m delaying the packing process so long and it’s not just because the art of packing is so DREADFUL!! Everytime I have ever packed up and left a place I feel this way, you could say I’m a compulsive sentimentalist. The first time leaving the parents going out to make my mark on the world…delayed. Staggering around the small apartment at UMCH in the Quah searching for mental photographs…delayed. Looking around our classy two bedroom, the roomie and I hugging it out over load music with sadness on our faces…delayed. So you see I’m at that point once again. UGH, I can’t seem to snap out of this realm of thinking. While packing I came across some letters, sample writings and some other stuff from the good ‘ol days I enjoy reminiscing. Since packing is obviously an issue for me I am recruiting help! So the girls and I are having a packing party, so lets hope this kicks up my mood. The next time I write let’s hope its from my fully unpacked living room in Tulsa, but one can’t be too sure. Until then live and love.

Adjustments

amanda — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:23:16 +0000

First day of Spring and it’s snowing! Usually a natural beauty, but not welcome here when my heart is anticipating warmth. With the weather dreary the husband and I have stuck our claim on our designated sides of the bed and agreed to have a marathon of classic movies. There isn’t anything better than a relaxing weekend of no responsibility, even though I should be packing…I’m not.

The girls and I had our usual “Ladies Poker Night” where of course I didn’t win, but slowly getting better. Ah, it was a nice little trip down memory lane with playlists that consisted of Blindside, Emery, Anberlin and of course Subseven. It was nice to let everything stop for a second and fall back into being 18 again front row at a concert screaming out the lyrics. Oh life! I had me a little breakdown with all this change ahead, but no matter how much fear and hesitation I have about it all I still feel it’s the right decision. So to our friends, don’t be tearful or upset about us leaving because you know you will be missed. It will make visiting home that much sweeter!! Chin up my dear friends.

Such and Such

amanda — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:58:42 +0000

Originally a music blog, but now a personal tribute. Didn’t have much to comment on musicwise, but I’m sure that will all change since we are approaching the “festival season” until then though you will just have to endure my random thoughts. New things are taking up space in my life and will soon prove themselves to me, or so I hope. Ugh in the middle of packing up the apartment and ready to move on down to T-town (that’s Tulsa for you non-Oklahomans). Oh and forgive the rhyme completely unintentional. So I’m trying to hold in my excitement and act unaffected about it all, but honestly I can’t wait to break away from my comfort zone. I’m needing an intense change right now and I don’t mean a “chop off all your hair and dye it purple” type of change, so naturally moving came to mind. Now the bigger challenge will be how in the world I can find a job in 1 month. So any ideas of jobs in the Tulsa, OK area that would want to hire a poetic dreamer? Leave comments with your answers I much appreciate it!

The sister and I saw the handsome John Mayer in concert last weekend and of course he was looking snazzy in his leather as usual. The more interesting entertainment though was Mr Michael Franti and the Spearhead band, they took my like for them to LOVE! Go to the Picture/Concert page and you can see why. Alright my blogy readers time to get back to it, but leave me some inspiration so that I might press on!

Sherree Chamberlain – The Wasp In the Room

amanda — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:29:53 +0000

I first came across this indie/folk quartet at a rally to help support the Invisible Children campaign a few years ago. They were just an underground band that no one knew except their few faithful followers, but after my one chance encounter with the sweet sounds of Sherree I was hooked. In a packed parking lot scattered with tents and sleeping bags I watched this 5 foot blonde belt out complex lyrics to a catchy melody and knew she had talent. I spent a lot of my time listening to the only four songs they had on their Myspace until they finally released a full length album this summer. I know the folk genre doesn’t appeal to many people, but what I think most people will get out of the songs is the heaviness of her voice that is different than folk artists like Patty Griffin or Rosie Thomas. When I’m in a deep melancholy mood I plug in my earphones and loose myself in the poetic lyrics. Sometimes I can feel the brokenness behind her voice and relate to each emotion. I think that is what makes a good songwriter. You have to feel the music to be able to treasure it and that’s how I experience music.

Thanks for reading my heavy blog I appreciate you taking the time. Until next time…

Flyleaf – Memento Mori

amanda — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:07:02 +0000

Hello blogging world I am writing once again about one of my favorite bands. This weeks blog is dedicated to the band Flyleaf and their new release of Memento Mori their latest album since 2005. All Flyleaf fans out there know how monumental this release is since they haven’t produced anything in a very long time and we have been waiting with silent anticipation ever since. After hearing all 20 tracks on this album I was left utterly speechless and wanting more because Lacey’s shrill voice drives through you like a dagger. I remember my first Flyleaf concert in the middle of the Tulsa State Fair standing on an orange plastic chair just to get a better view of this HUGE voice coming from this tiny girl. There hasn’t been anyone that I know of yet that can hush a boisterous crowd just by her voice alone. This band is labeled under a Christian Rock genre, which allows them to sing with such power and conviction where most bands fall short. Besides their enormous amount of faith they also hit your soul hard with honest questions. Songs like Fully Alive and All Around Me made them famous with 16-year-old straightedge kids everywhere, but it isn’t until this album where they can break through the label they created and get to the heart of everyone. If you haven’t sat down to take a listen to this band yet I suggest you grab yourself a hot mug of tea and let the music move you. Until next time…

Paramore – Brand New Eyes

amanda — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:40 +0000

Well fellow readers here is a fateful attempt at my first blog post and I have to say this might be my favorite of all because I will be throwing my two scents in about the new CD by Paramore called Brand New Eyes. A little back story here, I have been in love with this band for years I’m what you would call a Superfan. There hasn’t been a mood of mine that Haley’s savvy voice hasn’t been able to change, so with that intro here goes my review.

The band Paramore has been through a lot of changes in their career and this has helped them to develop lyrics that penetrate the heart. Now I am still saying that their best CD of all is All We Know Is Falling, but after listening to the passion behind this one I almost changed my mind. Haley Williams sings defiantly about love lost and bitter sweet endings and she captivates her audience with such power. During each track the band lets you get lost in the deep meaning of life and how unfair it truly is, but there is also a reassurance that safety is boring and risking is living. The hard melody makes it easy to jump around and rock out to every song screaming the words with every fist thrust. I know because I’m the girl sitting on the front row doing the same. I strongly suggest you walk/run/skate/drive to your nearest music store and pick up yourself a copy, oh and don’t forget to buy the one with the bonus tracks because it’s not acceptable to settle for less.