Music Monday – Eric Clapp 4.0

11 Songs You Need On Your iPod… Right Now!

July 2, 2012 by Eric 2 Comments

If there’s one thing I can’t get enough of in this world (other than new books) it’s new music. If there were a music edition of the television show Hoarders, I’d be on it. I have just shy of 15,000 songs rocking my iTunes library. I love it. I can’t get enough of it.

And today… I want to share some of it with you.

So here are the 10 songs you need on your iPod — right now! [The links all go to the iTunes store]

1) Josh Ritter – The Temptation of Adam

2) Ra Ra Riot – Can You Tell

3) Jens Lekman – It Was a Strange Time in My Life

4) Dry the River – Weights & Measures

5) The Weepies – I Was Made For Sunny Days

6) Peter & the Wolf – Safe Travels

7) Clem Snide – Faithfully

8) Rocky Votolato – White Daisy Passing

9) Deadmau5 – Ghosts n Stuff

10) Imogen Heap – Goodnight and Go

11) Beach House – Myth

There you go.

Now it’s your turn! I always love new music. What are your must-haves for the summer?

Cheers,
Eric

Filed Under: Apple, Music, Music Monday, Spotify

Music Monday: What I’ve Been Listening To

May 14, 2012 by Eric Leave a Comment

So I have gotten away from the Music Monday bits, but I’m bringing it back with a whole mess of new music. I’ve been listening to all kinds of new stuff and wanted to share some of it with you. I’m always in the mood for some new music so you should share what you’ve been listening to as well. I’d love to hear it.

That being said, here are the 5 songs I’ve been listening to non-stop over the last few weeks.

1) “I Hurt Too” by Katie Herzig

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2) “My Sweet Dream” by Greg Laswell

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3) “Volkswagen” by Griffin House

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4) “Teenage Dream” by The Rescues

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5) “Start A War” by The National

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So there you have it. I hope this gave you a few new songs or at least revitalized some old ones you hadn’t heard in awhile. What have you been listening to in the past week? Be sure to drop a comment so I can get some new music too! Next week will be Music Monday: The Graduation Edition in honor of my graduation from seminary this weekend!

Until then…

Cheers,
Eric

Filed Under: Greg Laswell, Griffin House, Katie Herzig, Music Monday, The National, The Rescues

Music Monday: Concert Bucket List Edition

March 19, 2012 by Eric 6 Comments

So last Thursday, Megan and I trekked all the way over to the West Valley of Phoenix to see Radiohead in concert. It was, in short, awesome. This is a band that has been at the top of my “have to see in concert” bucket list for a good, long while. It was worth it.

But now that I’ve seen them, it leaves a pretty big vacancy at the top of the concert bucket list. So today’s Music Monday is about some contenders to replace them. AND… I want to hear your bucket list! Who are the musicians/bands you want to see in the concert the very most, but haven’t yet? Here’s my 5:

1. U2

2. The Killers

3. Mumford & Sons

4. The Flaming Lips

5. Ray LaMontagne

So what’s on your list? Who are the bands you want to see in concert? Let me know in the comment section.

Cheers,
Eric

Filed Under: Music Monday

Music Monday: Cities Sampler Edition

January 9, 2012 by Eric Leave a Comment

Happy Music Monday! I have to say it’s a favorite day of mine when I get to share music I’ve been listening to and loving lately with everyone else. Last week, my friend Adam sent me a copy of the Cities Sampler from my favorite radio station in the whole, entire world — Cities 97 in Minneapolis. Each year, the radio station has a number of different musicians come through for interviews/studio performances in their Studio C. Almost always they are stripped down, acoustic versions of some of the best songs of the year.

The cool thing about the Cities Sampler is that there are not very many of them made. Only about 30,000 copies exist and usually sell out the morning they are released. All of the proceeds from the sales of the CD go to help a variety of charities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. So it’s great music for a great cause!

The CD hasn’t left my car since I got it. I’ve been listening to it through and through. Some of the versions on the disc have risen to the top few that keep getting played and re-played over and over so I wanted to share them with you. I could literally throw all 20 songs from the disc on here as highlights, but I won’t. Here are my 3 favorites from the disc. Check them out!

“Poison & Wine” by The Civil Wars

“Animal” by Neon Trees

“Someone Like You” by Adele

BONUS: So this song wasn’t on this sampler, but it’s from a previous Studio C performance. This is Colbie Caillat doing an acoustic mashup. The words that she sings are a song I got pretty tired of, the guitar part is from a song I will never get tired of. Check it out!

Any impressions from these songs? If you own Cities Samplers, what are some of your favorite songs from either this one or past versions?

Cheers,
Eric

Filed Under: Cities 97, Music Monday, The Civil Wars

Music Monday: The Fray Edition

January 2, 2012 by Eric 2 Comments

The Fray have a new single out and a new album due a little bit later this year. The first single is called “Heartbeat”. And I think it’s worth taking a look at the lyrics in a little bit more depth. First off — check out the song right here (with the lyrics posted below).

We’re on an open bed truck on the highway
The rain is coming down and we’re on the run
Think I can feel the breath in your body
We gotta keep on running ’til we see the sun

Oh you got a fire and it’s burning in the rain
Thought that it went out, but it’s burning just the same
And you don’t look back, not for anything
‘Cause if you love someone, you love them all the same
If you love someone, you love them all the same

Oh, I feel your heartbeat
And you’re coming around, coming around, coming around
If you can love somebody, love them all the same
You gotta love somebody, love them all the same
Singing, oh, I feel your heartbeat

I’m trying to put it all back together.
I’ve got a story and I’m trying to tell it right.
I got the kerosene and a desire.
I’m trying to start a flame in the heart of the night

Ooh, ooh
I know the memories are rushing into mind
I wanna kiss your scars tonight, baby
‘Cause you gotta try
You gotta let me in
Let me in

When Isaac, the lead singer, was given the chance to tell the story behind the song, he talked about his experiences on a trip to Rwanda. When he was there, he met a woman who was an eyewitness to so much of the genocide and tragedy that happened there. During their conversation, at a particularly intense part of the conversation, she grabbed his hands and in that time, he couldn’t tell whose heartbeat he was feeling in his hands.

Yes, it’s a little cheesy. But it also speaks loudly to the power of relationships and storytelling. These are some of the things that are most important in life. Enjoy this song and story. It’s a great one.

Cheers,
Eric

Bonus: Also, I’ve been listening to a ton of John Mayer in the last week. Particularly this song. Enjoy.