Name dropping, music-popping, federal holiday-ing fine time

We all like music. Okay, there are some people that say they don't. But even then, everyone at least has one song that makes them bop around a bit.

These days I rely on Phoenix radio and live shows to fill that need. Three out of my five pre-set car stations are Spanish-language music, the other two are NPR and a mainstream rap station. The live shows vary thanks to a lively local scene (...thank god, right? Phoenix had to have at least one thing going for it).

Before living in various Central American countries and the Southwest I lived near Boston, MA. Being a 'college city' with proximity to NYC plenty of bands tour through that area, so as a youth I was able to go to a fair amount of shows. Since we all thought we were Lester Bangs my friends and I were all functionally obsessed with music magazines, music blogs, music websites, and record stores. We were friends with local musicians and all had songs picked out that we would cover, if given the chance (mine was 'Supply and Demand' by The Hives...I was a teen during the Swedish Invasion, okay??). Too bad we played the trumpet, flute, and violin amongst us. Okay, one of my friends also played guitar and we were all too overextended to start a band so we settled for a bureau of music critics instead.

As such, we all cultivated our own distinct tastes. The bands we chose to populate our carefully-crafted mix cds needed to have something they brought to the table, be it nostalgia, coolness, or up-and-coming status. Even though the days of taping good record reviews of the new Moby album on my bedroom wall have passed I still explore music with a collector's perspective that was cultivated all those years ago. Then as now, it is and was important to have a bit of an edge in terms of musical tastes.

That is, when naming a short list of bands you like in response to the question 'What do you listen to?', say two that people will know and three you think they won't. If they know all five then either you will become instant friends or they will think they are more cool than you. The point of the two known-three unknown is not to be snobby. It is, instead, to give people an in to other bands that may spark their interest. One of the bands they don't know might be their favorite band ever and all it took was a simple mention. Word of mouth is powerful, and it is how I found out about some playlist giants like The Who, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Daft Punk, Dinosaur Jr, Kanye West...the list could continue indefinitely.

You may be reading this and scoffing, like, 'Oh come on Mackenzie, everyone knows about insert famous band here'. But think about it for a second more and you will realize that simply doesn't make sense. Like the alphabet or basic mathematics, we have to learn about music exploration from somewhere.

In the spirit of this, here is a list of my top 5 bands-that-might-be-your-new-favorite. In no particular order...

1. Azure Ray.
Haunting is probably a word that EVERYONE EVER has used to describe this band. From Conor Oberst's Saddle Creek label this duo of singing ladies are still making music together. The lyrics weave around the subtle strings to suggestively populate active imaginations with images of red wine, torn lace, and wild ponies in the rain. Fabulous.

2. Dan Deacon.
Known for his kick-ass live shows this DIY king creates mellifluous electronic phrases that scream lollipops into your ears. Each album increases in technological prowess and depth of significance. In the end we are all came out of the same primordial stew, and last time I checked Mr. Deacon freely mixed albums while performing live---possibly to illustrate this exact point.

3. Sunorus.
This Phoenix band of young-at-heart rascals breaks the mold if only because, unlike other bands (::cough::Phish::cough::) with talented players, the more instruments they add the better they sound. Throw a genre at these people and you will be pleased with what comes out of their music machine. Notable tracks are an Ella Fitzgerald cover, 'When I Get Low I Get High', and an aptly titled instrumental, 'Zombie Maker'.

4. Hop Along.
This is like two recommendations in one. Hop Along used to be one woman, then called Hopalong Queen Ansleis. The centerpiece of this music was her innate ability for such melodies that would make you stop conversation and feel especially pleased to possess a sense of hearing. Yes, she is that good. Now she has added two dudes and some scratchy rock guitar. I dig it, way to evolve. Philly-based and about to play some tour dates along the East coast, so get with 'em.

5. Goldenboy.
Distancing themselves---or possibly just organically developing---from the previously oft-cited connection to the late and great Elliot Smith this foursome plays a perfect example of 'indie-rock'. The meshing of each instrument's part fits together ivory puzzle ball-style. Pair this with thoughtful lyrics and you get a sound that is solid with frills in all the right places.

Click on the links and give these fine folks a listen. It only takes a few minutes and you can only learn a little bit more about yourself and the world around you. There is basically no risk involved, and how often does an offer like that come around?

So, what kind of music do YOU like?

Happy Labor Day!

Marriage Tips and Such

First off the block, there seems to be a whole bunch of marriages and engagements going on recently. Good job, you have found what we are all searching for. Or you are pretending to! Proud of you.

Wow, Mackenzie. That is really mean. These twenty-somethings are all certain that they have found partners that they want to be with for the rest of their lives and you are just being cruel by insinuating they are getting married because they have are tired of continuing to look. Come on, stop being cynical and just be happy for once.

Hmm Self, maybe you're right. I mean, maybe someday my brain will reach that developed state that all my engaged and married friends have obviously attained and I too will be able to both see the future and feel comfortable spending thousands of dollars in one night that doesn't involve lascivious sexcapades and mountains of cocaine. A woman can dream, huh?

Here are some links in celebration of marriage! Give those a click, then I'll give you an explanation so you don't think I'm a horrible little girl.

Because he wanted to marry her until she cheated! 
Because alcohol hurts your complexion!
Because Dan Savage is worth your time!

Rae and Peter

My parents have been married for more than 25 years. Congrats to them, frankly. The pair came to visit me a few months ago and it was heartwarming to see that love can grow over time as opposed to just persisting. I have often asked my parents what the keystone to a healthy union is but had never until now thought to summarize the main points. So if you don't want to be Facebook messaging me about your upcoming divorce read these guidelines and start living by them.

1. Be honest about who you are. 
When my dad met my mom they were in the dining commons at Boston University. Apparently there was a fish entree that was so delicious my mom got up from the table multiple times to get second and third helpings. Even though it took them months to go out on a second date (haha! I'm not kidding) it really seems like she had set the bar low for herself by accident by looking like a binge eater, and this helped her in the long run. By the second time my parents went on a date they were at an event with dancing and she got so drunk she fell down and then accused my dad of throwing her to the ground. Anywho, be yourself and then when your eventual mate finds out that you are actually a moderate person they will be relieved. That means when you are rarely 'calling dinosaurs' into the porcelain throne or get over-excited at a breakfast buffet they will just remember the good times of when you first met.

In other words, be authentic. My mother is moderate, but she wasn't so concerned about conveying the correct message to a man that she held back from having fun and living in the moment. Along with being moderate she is also an expert of having in-the-moment fun, something that undoubtedly continues to fan the flames of love in their relationship.

2. Don't expect too much from each other. 
My father is a man who talks to many people during his day. He listens to colleagues and answers student questions and occasionally confers with journalists. However, when he gets  home he is not one to 'hang out' with anyone expect those he is legally bound to. Even then it is dicey. My mother is totally content with this. She is not one to push him to create a circle of superficial neighborhood friends because she knows that it would just be taking away from his time to pet the cat and shout out the answers to Jeopardy. Because of this acceptance they have come to have an innate sense of what the other one wants and is feeling. They make it look so easy but I know that it has taken years to perfect. (I can already hear my dad saying 'Now Kenz, I am social! I attend conferences all over the place, there are the guys I watch hockey with on Wednesdays...')

3. Exercise the power to forgive. 
This will not only increase a married couple's chances of success, but a human's chances. Another lifelong work that my parents have perfected. Because when you pool the concrete---assets---and the nebulous---emotions---sometimes the actions of your partner will leave you feeling unbelievably hurt. Somehow I am sensing that Jimmy Buffet helps with getting over bumps in the road because there was an awful lot of that racket going on. Or maybe they're just Parrot Heads.

4. Encourage each other
Since I have known them my father has transitioned from driving into Boston every day to a combination of bicycle and bus ride. My mother has gone from counselor to Census Enumerator to 2nd grade teacher to ESL Instructor and everything in between. My father has climbed two of the biggest peaks in the world and my mother has visited and learned about nearly every noteworthy spot in the UK, London being her specialty. When you encourage each other magical things can happen. Together my parents have been to four continents (and both have visited Africa, separately) and made lasting connections with amazing people. Their lives are colored with varied experiences and as a result they are kind and giving. Travel is not the solution for everyone, but for them it works. Which leads to the last point.

5. Like to do the same things at the same time, as well as separately. 
Both my parents like to travel. They also enjoy the outdoors. But they are totally comfortable doing these activities independently. This sense of autonomy is vital to maintaining self-confidence, something that is most certainly important when following guidelines 1 through 4.

You know, after reading through these I feel a lot more hopeful for all those starry-eyed youngsters mentioned earlier! Maybe lifelong love is possible. Maybe, just maybe we can all find it....

As always, feel free to leave your comments. Going to Vegas this weekend so there should be a whole lot more to discuss upon returning to the Valley of the Sun!

P.S. here is a picture of my parents, being adorable.

Awww