Finding beautiful music

Sometimes you come across a musician that so completely blows you away that the only thing you can think of is: Why on earth haven't I heard this before?

Today I had such a moment during the stretching part of my gym class. Midway through the song I was so focused on trying to memorize the lyrics (for looking it up once I got home) that I couldn't pay attention to a single thing of what the instructor was saying.

The musician is Michael Kiwanuka. His voice is one of the best things I've heard in a long while, it's so rich and soulful. 

Anyways, his album came out in March last year and after having rolled through it I'm blown away. I really don't know what cave I've been living in for the past year since I've managed to miss this until now. So, if you've heard of him before, awesome! If not, well, here you go, listen and enjoy.

Breathtaking!

xx

E

motivation

1200 words to be put on paper today to wrap up my project

and then it's London tomorrow..

there's no easier way to get motivated

xx

eva

examstudying once again

exam mode is on for the next days and I'm very glad I stumbled upon this

study music just doesn't get any better

Folow the Sun by Xavier Rudd

There's no way one can be stressed with Xavier Rudd's tunes in the ears

xx

eva

trams

tram ¹ 

n.

1. Chiefly British

      a. A streetcar.

            b. A streetcar line.

 2. A cable car, especially one suspended from an overhead cable.

 3. A four-wheeled, open, box-shaped wagon or iron car run    on tracks in a coal mine.

tr.v. trammed, tram·ming, trams

To move or convey in a tram.

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One of the things I really love about Gothenburg is the trams

I like trams, a lot. 

for me they sort of work as a constant little reminder of the fact that I'm abroad.. 

maybe it's weird but they bring about a bit of excitement and foreignness  

trams coupled with the ipod in my ears and sun shining through the windows is a mix that rarely goes wrong

xx

eva

autumn days

autumn has definitely arrived as it is starting to get really cold

but it's all good thanks to awesome winter jackets and massive furry gloves 

Gothenburg is just so charming in the autumn colors

my fascination with the architecture here is more than enough material for another very long blog post 

gotta take my camera out on the next sunny day and capture more of the city's amazing buildings

how is it possible not to love this?

-----

on another note,

this one's on repeat these days..

fritz kalkbrenner- right in the dark

genius stuff!

midterm's up

midterm's up which seems so weird as I feel like I just got here..

anyways, I don't feel like studying but I've got a huge carrot at the end of the stick..

OFF TO BELGIUM IN 4 DAYS!

but until then it's gonna be the books, energy drinks and Veronica Maggio

 

swedish and italian combined in one song= luv!

it's 2 am 

I've had too much red bull for the night

sunny friday

today was the perfect day, not a cloud in the sky

so it didn't take us long to run out to the park after class

and take advantage of the sun and its warmth

before they leave us for the winter

somehow I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy the springtime over here

-

on another note

keep your eyes and ears out for this lady

lana del rey

dear god that voice is just exceptional

home

headed home for a few days of vacation

and some quality time with family and friends

the summer weather is finally back after being lost for the entire month of July

can't say that I dislike it

by the way..

Shook's remix of Fallulah- I Lay My Head

is brilliant 

(and suits the weather)

chiddy bang

heatwave

yes please!

i
want
summer

my singing stars

Peter Simone

this guy has definitely become a favorite, his songs are fantastic.

I´ve been hooked on them for weeks now and don't seem to get 
tired of them at all,

now that's some talent 

This side alone

Leave Hollywood

Awake and dream

this video just proves my point

and the best thing is..

you can download his songs (legally and guilt free) from his website

can't wait to hear more

long overdue

school/project/work overload these days

just so I keep expressing my love for Foster the People

-Helena Beat-

good stuff


ps. 
dear snow,
 I like you and all,
 but it feels weird hearing people talk about spring break while all I do when I go outside is trying not to fall flat on my face on the slippery ice..
you can get moving now,
 see you next winter.

not so lazy Sunday..

this song's amazing.. 
Foster The People- Pumped Up Kicks

the beat itself is beautiful but the song really first grabbed me once I shifted my attention to the lyrics..


Robert’s got a quick hand.
He’ll look around the room, he won’t tell you his plan.
He’s got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he’s a cowboy kid.
Yeah he found a six shooter gun.
In his dads closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don’t even know what.
But he’s coming for you, yeah he’s coming for you.


“All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun…”
“All the other kids with the pumped up kicks,
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet.”
“All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun…”
“All the other kids with the pumped up kicks,
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet.”


it's spooky but I guess that's what makes me love it


anyways..


got a long week ahead so it's back to planning and scheduling,
if you get to spend your Sunday doing nothing, enjoy it.

iron & wine's new album kiss each other clean is dropping next week

and it includes my new favorite song

walking far from home

beautiful

that man's a genius

------------------

anywho..

the weather these past days has got me wanting spring again..

the snow isn't particularly fun when your only black boots leak and the salty snow 

leaves a permanent mark on your new leather oxfords.

But something tells me spring will get here early this year..

I can't wait for light sweaters and blazers, sunglasses, shorts

and a complete absence of freezing fingers

hello 2011

2010..

..turned out to be pretty amazing

I met some fantastic new friends

I managed to travel as much as I wanted

I was reunited with my lovely family and friends at home

I found a great apartment in downtown Reykjavík, an apartment that happens to be the first place I have lived at in that wonderful city which truly feels like a proper home

I managed to finish my BA studies, even turned in the thesis three weeks before the deadline

2011..

will be something special..

I've started my MPA studies

I've got a both fun and demanding volunteer position with a lot of responsibilities through AIESEC

and I've got a new part time job

and I'm already planning my next trip abroad

but somehow this incredibly busy schedule doesn't frighten me at all.. 

 in fact it's just exciting (at least for now)

if I survived my ridiculously insane final semester at SU then this one shouldn't be a problem at all

the key is just to enjoy as much as possible of it as spending life with a frown is just no way to live.

For me music is a big part of it all.. 

I'm pretty sure music is the one element I could never live without..

 I  seriously wouldn't mind that much if it would rain non-stop for the rest of my life, 

or even if there were no TV or movies. 

But a world without music? 

now that's something completely different.

this one's amazing

love it!

eva

getting ready for finals

two weeks until finals..

every semester I just automatically happen to listen to one or two tracks on repeat during almost the entire finals preparation process..

songs that make me relax and focus more clearly

i'm pretty sure I've found this semester's song

..it's already on repeat

ahhh

:)

SAKARIS

there's nothing better than stumbling upon some new music on Sunday afternoons..


the find of the day:


SAKARIS

SAKARIS produces electro pop dance goodies from the Faroe Islands that seem to be capable of curing any Sunday hangovers

at least they're doing very well with mine

SAKARIS- In a Box

SAKARIS- Waves

love it!

xx

eva

puzzle

just so I keep using this blog to promote Icelandic music..

if you're in the mood for music that will make you feel all warm and happy

 and, even though it's just for a moment, 

make you forget all the little worries of your life

then you really should pay some attention to Amiina..

these kids have collaborated a lot with Sigur Rós through out the years 

they for example performed the strings on both ( ) and Takk

so bottom line:

if you like Sigur Rós I can promise you won't be disappointed with Amiina 

last September they released Puzzle, their second full length studio album 

and it's just brilliant

they will be giving a short performance in Eymundsson, Skólavörðustíg
today at 17:00
which means I'm just about to put my warmest coat on and
head out to the freezing cold weather to catch a couple of songs

you can buy their new album here!

xx

eva

f i n a l l y

one paper draft to be turned in today..

then I've promised myself just a little bit of relaxation before spending the whole weekend at the university

enjoy your weekend!

xx

eva

Alpanon by Hjaltalín

Last summer I was privileged enough to see one of Hjaltalín's three performances together with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra

the show turned out to be absolutely hypnotizing

the minute they started playing I disappeared into my own little world of music, happiness, relaxation and goosebumps..

tons and tons of goosebumps

anyhow..

Hjaltalín just announced that they're releasing a live cd/dvd in November from their collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra

this makes me very happy

if there's anything I want for Christmas it's this dvd

(and I'm pretty sure I've never before wished for a dvd for Christmas)

for those of you who are non- Icelandic readers and aren't familiar with these kids..

(and those Icelanders who have somehow magically been living underground for the past years and don't know Hjaltalín)

just look them up on youtube:)

you won't regret it.

and my all time favorite, Stay by You

amazing vocals

amazing use of instruments

amazing talent

you can buy their stuff here

xx

eva