Thankful New Year's Post that's Pretty Sappy.

I'm going to apologize in advance if this post is super duper lame and sentimental but I can't help myself sometimes, you know? I've never been a huge fan of New Years, it's an overrated holiday where people get obliterated and can't remember their nights, but I'm having a hard time not having feelings towards this past year. 2013 was without a doubt the best year I've ever had. I got writing gig after writing gig, I met the greatest people of life, and made some of the best friends of anyone in all of the land. I'm scared for this new year because I can't imagine a better year, but maybe, just maybe it's possible that things can get even better. I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and all the people who read my ridiculous shit and appreciate it. I am thankful for being opened up even more to a music / writing community here in NYC, and although I've spent most of my life here, this is the first year I've really, genuinely felt at home in this insane city. And that's extremely hard for me because I've lived really cool places and I move around a lot because I'm never content. But I am now. I love what I do, I love my amazing friends, I love this crazy city, and I am so eternally grateful for all the opportunity I've been given this past year. Not to mention 2013 is in a VERY TIGHT run with the best year for music, IMO. God Bless my life, God Bless my family, God Bless my friends, God Bless my heart, and most importantly, God Bless Music.

And here is an amazing song that I forgot to put in my Top 10 of 2k13

Jenny Mayhem - TV Waltz

I'm not typically down for press releases if I don't already know the artist, but in this case, yes yes yes and more yes! Plucky guitar sounds and sweet vocals, very similar to the likes to Agnes Obel, and the remixes are so on point, I couldn't help but put this up to share with everyone.

The original track for “TV Waltz” was recorded with guitarist Tom Juhas at The Orange Lounge, Toronto. The stripped-down, atmospheric folk song is reminiscent of Jenny’s previous “Alice in Wonderland” from her 2011 EP.

“’TV Waltz” started with the idea of watching stories on a screen for so long that they start to creep into real life. Like with a good book, the people on TV start to feel like friends who comfort you, distract you, shape what you want. But it’s also about the power of the people who write those stories”

Jenny enlisted the support of Swiss artist Draaiwinti and Canadian producer O S L O to create two indie electronic remixes for this release. The remixes are a surprising departure from the original folk track. Jenny’s latest release is “TV Waltz” – a folk acoustic single including remixes by Draaiwinti and O S L O. She continues to write, record and collaborate with artists in Toronto and in the online community."

Yolanda Be Cool - All That She Wants (feat. SYF & Fritz Helder)

First and foremost, anything and everything having to do with Ace of Base is an automatic excellent in my book. Second and also foremost, any cover of an Ace of Base done by Yolanda Be Cool and the boys from Azari & III is a going to be a guaranteed banger. This track is unreal, the weirdness of SYF and the vibes of YBC is enough to get anyone out of a poor mood and remember why music is the single handed coolest thing in the entire world. This song was begging to be remixed and remastered into a dark and rather illicit setting, and this is JUST THAT. Go take a break from work, put this track on your ipod and quickly rob a bank or something.

Blackedout - Champagne

There are some songs that have that special kind of airy synth that makes you want to stay in bed forever dreaming of the most beautiful scenarios and thinking of every happy thought imaginable. This is one of those songs. "Champagne" by Blackedout is a trip down positive vibe lane, a downtempo masterpiece with enlightened synths and spacey vocals. Download available.
 Keep your eyes and ears out, my friends, Blackedout will release an EP in early 2014. Yay!

Top 10 of 2013

I'm probably missing like 140 songs, but as I would doing this list this morning, these are the ten that came into my head right away. I'll probably do another list or seven before the end of the year because I don't want to leave out any good songs because I know my opinion is soooo important to everyone. Anyway, these are my top ten tracks in a little organized playlist. Enjoy.