For Amy

The young rich and famous have notoriously made many a front page news column for lude behavior or drug-fueled mishaps. When the world lost Amy Winehouse this weekend, however, they didn't just lose a famous addict; they lost a troubled human being who happened to possess one of the most soulful, promising, and passionate voices of her generation and beyond. Society is so quick to remind us that Winehouse was on a self-destructive path, but what I truly wish they would emphasize more than her troubled life was the legacy she has left behind. Many may copy her bee-hive hair-do, but I dare anyone to listen to her live taping of Valerie or Love Is A Losing Game without standing in awe of the raw talent we unfortunately lost too soon. There are one too many auto-tuned, sexed-up-without-explanation, blow-up-doll-looking pop stars out there and too few artists with soul. I can't explain my connection with Winehouse, all I know is her music was powerful and touched me in a way few artists have. She was haunted by personal demons and, perhaps in some lights, brave enough to release them through song. I sincerely wish she could have pulled herself out of some of her habits but choose to honor her artistic legacy as a woman who sung with unbelievable strength and probably loved just as fiercely. A notoriously shy public figure, I only wish Winehouse is at peace somehow and can see how much her fans appreciated her talent and will continue to remember her amazing voice.

xx this one's for you, wino

I Won't Keep You

Previous St. Paul resident and Mason Jennings tour-mate Haley Bonar is no stranger to local accolades, but with her recent move to Portland and her latest release, Golder, Haley may be on her way to nationally-renowned musical success. The strongest single off of Golder is easily the delicately nostalgic Silver Zephyrs. Bonar's careful lyrical arrangements and soulful vocal balance create a track of unparalleled beauty and ease.

Tried hard to leave the earth, but the strings pulled too hard
If you want to find escape, there's a place in your back yard
Lying flat upon our backs, watching silver zephyrs pass
The sky is auburn, the night is sleeping in the past...
I won't keep you
Trash piles on the curb, what do you love now that there's no me?
Go and make your pretty world, it doesn't take a telescope to see
I won't keep you

[North]-West Coast Folk

Seattle Indie-Rockers The Cave Singers caught my ear with their uniquely orchestrated folk-jam Swim Club. Released on their third LP No Witch, Swim Club is the perfect sampling of what TCS are all about, and every other track comes highly recommended.



Another Seattle folk band, The Head and the Heart, are relatively new to the independent music scene but have already garnered serious accolades for their Avett-Brothers-esque accessibility and easy-going harmonies. Their latest self-titled album is the perfect summer soundtrack to get lost in. Some immediate standouts are Lost in my Mind, Cats & Dogs, and Coeur D'Alene.

Luck

A fan of The Owls since 2005, I've seldom since come across simpler, more poignant vocals paired with such minimalist yet complex lyrics. I heard this on a rainy day and have been obsessed with it whatever the weather ever since.

Stone Rollin'

Obviously.

Happy Weekend

Rubies & Rocks

Equal parts Regina Spektor and Tegan & Sara, Mirah & Thao are the hottest musical marriage of the year. Capable of taking indie-rock to new heights with slow-building rhythmic melodies and unique emotional nuances most artists can only envy, these are two badass ladies. Their debut album, "Thao & Mirah" was released last week and I can't think of a more promising debut. Two immediate standouts were "Rubies & Rocks" and "Little Cup".

Rubies and Rocks
With a booming brass section and bold lyricism to boot, it's hard to resist M&T's eclectic charm.

i never wanted to stop, stop, stop
just wanted to roll, roll, roll
you kept it hot, hot, hot
you knew how to hold me
but that would not hold

Little Cup
An impressively delicate but carefully arranged moment of love lost, presented with slow-building orchestration and a beautiful beat.

i chose the strangest little cup
to drink you from and stir you up
you were beautiful it's true
and all i ever wanted was
to be good to you

Two Against One

Latest release from Danger Mouse, featuring Jack White.

make no mistake i don't do anything for free
i keep my enemies closer than my mirror ever gets to me
and if you think that there is shelter in this attitude
wait til you feel the warmth of my gratitude
i get the feeling that it's two against one
i'm already fighting me, so what's another one?
the mirror is a trigger and your mouth's a gun
lucky for me i'm not the only one