Oooh, so fancy!

 

Also, this:

An entire summers’ worth of blog in 476 words.

It’s been a while, I know. Summer happened, I guess, and it was a crazy one!  In a good way, of course. Lots of friends, food, and booze… that’s what summers are for, right?

I started baking again, too, which is pretty effin’ sweet (wow, no pun intended). Check some of this shit out:

Lemon cupcakes with orange zest frosting!

Strawberry kiwi cupcakes!

"Fairy Food" cupcakes (ya know, instead of Angel Food.)

Ok, and probably because these were the bottoms.

Also, I got a mixer, so now I can make cheesecake!

Aaaand these delightful little cheesecake cups! (Can you tell I'm excited for Halloween, already!?)

These Easter cupcakes are my fave, though. It was a total bonus that they were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

We also started having actual, real-deal, grown up dinner parties. That doesn’t mean that we all don’t just get drunk and eat food, but hey, it’s a dinner party. These have lead me to believe that I really need a dish washer. Stat. Also, how did that happen? Remember when you’re younger? You don’t need food. In fact, food inhibits your buzz, so you stay as far away from it as possible. Also, you’re poor. I don’t know when we started having food at parties, but I like it.

I was also just recently is a super kickass wedding. It was seriously what all weddings should be: 10 minute ceremony, then 4 hours to get shitfaced and dance with your friends. Plus, my dress was awesome. When you think of bridesmaids’ dresses, you think of the long history of making them as hideous as possible, as to not detract from the bride on her big day. Well this awesome bride seriously just picked a color and told us to find a dress. So, note that ladies. Don’t put your bridesmaids in your grandmother’s curtains or anything overly poufy. That doesn’t look good on anyone.

It’s almost Halloween time, again, too! YAAAY! This year, me and The Husband will be the Queen of Hearts and the Knave of Hearts. (Hopefully. The Husband really, REALLY likes to wait until the last minute to get his costume together. I think he enjoys doing it to watch me go insane.)

I’ve also been getting my ASS KICKED at work for the past couple of months. I’ve been considering filing a work comp claim for massive facial contusions, for repeatedly slamming my face off of my desk. The bruises are starting to heal, so maybe I’ll let it go…this time.

There’s lots more blogging to come, though, folks. I swear. Don’t worry, it’s almost winter in Pittsburgh… I won’t have anything else to do but get drunk and talk to you. So, stay tuned for all sorts of awesome stuff, like a bunch of new debut albums, a few new albums, a book or two, and whatever else comes my way.

Hope you all had an awesome summer!

How Am I Supposed To Be An Internet Genius Now, Huh!?

Oh man. So, the company I work for has restricted internet access. I’m not gonna get all into it, seeing how Big Brother is watching us and all that, but how am I supposed to prank people with Rebecca Black or Rick Astley songs, now? How am I going to survive without Nyan Cat? What about the trolling!? What will I ever do without the trolling!? I’ll never find out how magnets work or how to save my horse. A life without Hipster Cat isn’t worth living. I still find myself yelling “Y U NO [insert action here] at my cat, but it’s just not the same. How am I going to watch videos of mama cats hugging kittens? Or incredibly gay narrators talking about wildlife? Now, I’ll never be an internet genius. Thanks, alot!

I’ll tell you one thing for sure, the amount of office pranks will significantly increase. We’re really going to have to find ways to entertain ourselves, now. Problem?

Anyway, so now I’m going to have to get used to doing this from home. Really, though, I didn’t get any work time back. I went in early all the time so I could get in there and read my email and check my social networking sites and, well, blog…but (most of) that was done before my day actually started. Except for my lunch break, being a complete internet junkie. On the plus side, I get to sleep in for another half an hour!

Because of this, I did manage to finally “decorate” our office of almost a year of being in the new apartment. I’ll have to post some pics soon, because it’s pretty effin’ rad. So, at least now, I have a usable work space. You will really to be able to tell the extent of my Pittsburgh Penguins addiction. It’s a sickness.

Ahhh, here it is.

I have a ton on new fodder, too, which is awesome! Patrick Wensink‘s back with a new book, there’s another Metal Monday in the works with another Pittsburgh band, River Runs Scarlet, I just got like, 6 CDs (Ben Harper – Give Til It’s Gone, Owl City – All Things Bright and Beautiful, Death Cab For Cutie – Codes and Keys, She Wants Revenge – Valleyheart, Moby – Destroyed, and Flogging Molly – Speed of Darkness. I’ve also had Explosions In The Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care and Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues for a while, but just haven’t got around to actually listening to them. Superultramegalame.

Well, here’s to hoping I survive a world without Facebook. I’ll miss you, internet! For old times, sake, though, let’s have a little fun.

“Nyan Cat”

“Crazy, Nasty Ass, Honey Badger”

One to Watch Out For: TJ Evans

So, you may not know her name yet, but chances are you know someone she’s related to. From the press release:

“Her musical heritage includes great uncle Peter Bocage, one of the great trumpeters of New Orleans history,  and piano giant Eddie Bo. TJ’s grandmother was an opening act for Ray Charles, and her mother spent years touring as a vocalist with George Clinton’s Brides of Funkenstein.

With the release of her latest singles on May 31, Evans continues in that long family tradition. Recording “Paradiso” with her uncle Cordell “Boogie” Mosson of Parliament Funkadelic, TJ showcases her unique, soulful sound. She also recruited legendary MC Grandmaster Jay to collaborate for “Shakey Ground.” These two tracks hint at great things to come from an artist coming into her own.”

The granddaughter of funk has sprinted out of the gate with a ferocity unparalleled. One of her first two singles, “On Shakey Ground” is already making waves, in addition to “Paradiso”.

Evans began playing at the tender age of 14, but took some time away to pursue music journalism and photography, snapping pictures of bands like George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Amuse, Remember Paris, and Every Avenue.

Influenced by everyone from Patty Labelle to Pantera, the girl’s got soul. While quietly reserved on a regular basis, her gritty vocals, raw guitar and deep grooves tell you everything that you need to know.

Check out the video below of Evans with with “Uncle Boogie” and George Clinton at BB King’s Blues Club in NYC and definitely keep an eye out for this one. She’s a firecracker! You can keep tabs on all the latest news on her Myspace, Facebook, or Twitter.

New, Spiffy Things!

1. Hooray for being married to a graphic designer.

2. You can now like That Girl With A Blog on Facebook! WEEEE!

Of course…the code is being a little bitch. Go here to check it out, or find it over on the right. See that little sidebar over there? Yeah.

Also, I love Adele. Happy Monday everyone!

“Rolling In The Deep”

Israel Cannan – Walk

At the tender age of 18, Israel Cannan did what the rest of us wanted to do at that age…he got in a van with a friend and just…went. He spent a little under three months touring Australia, the US, and London, presenting his “music to the people in a new and organic way…in the streets”. 21,484Kms, 124 towns and cities, and 88 sunsets later, he was ready to start the process of creating his own, full-length album, Walk. And when I say creating, I really mean creating. He did all of the instrumentation, writing, production, and recording. From his press release:

Some might call it a rite of passage or coming of age. Whatever it was, it was a musician’s inspirational and personal journey that saw him cross a continent…

In 2010, singer/songwriter Israel Cannan left his home on the East Coast of New South Wales to travel around Australia, creating, inspiring and promoting as he went.

Completing his debut album “Walk” on which he wrote, engineered and played all the instruments, Israel strapped his guitar to his back and set off in an old van with a friend by his side to film the experience and share his journey with the world.

Driving through every state in Australia and visiting some of the most remote places on Earth, Cannan spent months playing for locals and handing out free singles from the album to people on street corners all over the country.

Israel said of his journey: “I have never wanted to wait around for some elusive big break that may or may not come. There is a whole world of people out there that will connect with what I do, I just have to find them…”

What ensued was an amazing journey, both physically and personally for Israel as his album “Walk” was given birth to in the hearts and minds of the people he met.

All in all, it’s a pretty good album. Laid back in that surf-y Jack Johnson way, but with better vocals. Imagine if Eddie Vedder didn’t suck…that’s kinda what this guy reminds me of. I wouldn’t go as far to compare him to a new-age Bob Dylan, but with a few more years and stories under his belt, I think he could be. He’s already working on it on “One Fine Day”. In an industry of record company manufactured musicians, there’s still quite a few kids out there making and promoting their own music, and that’s awesome. For once, somebody’s not waiting for that “big break”, but making it themselves.

I have to say that “Set Me Free” is my fave track of the album so far. Check it out…

“Set Me Free”

You can check out the latest news on Cannan on his site, Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter, and check out all the videos from the tour on his YouTube. B!

Sunday Lane – Bring Me Sunshine

If there’s anything in the world that I need during these Pittsburgh winters, it’s a little bit of sunshine. Apparently the girl to bring it on is Sunday Lane. From her press release:

Sunday Lane is not your typical singer/songwriter who left Middle America for the City of Angels. A classically trained pianist, she writes articulate lyrics about social injustices in our society, young love, and growing up. Her soulful approach to songwriting expresses the depth of her musicianship.

“I am most in my element when my hands are on the keys,” says the 20-year-old Tulsa native. After receiving tons of critical acclaim in her home state, Sunday Lane decided to pursue the only career path that made sense… music. She is currently attending the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Sunday has been playing some of the most sought after venues in Los Angeles and winning over new fans nationwide.

Her debut EP, Bring Me Sunshine, displays her ability to write relatable songs with idiosyncratic phrases. With a new music video for her song “Won’t Go Back Down” and her EP available on iTunes, sunshine is definitely in Sunday Lane’s future.

Apparently, her first big hit, “Won’t Go Back Down” is making some serious waves, and I can see why, but “Lack of Color” is the one that catches my ear every time. I’ve had the EP on repeat for a coupled of days now and I’ve gotta say that it’s my fave thus far. Also awesome is “Reckless One”, with an opening piano line that could easily be mistaken for early Tori Amos. She’s got that sweet, yet gravelly voice of perfection and she’s utter confidence on the keys. You might as well just start memorizing the lyrics now, because I’m sure the radio stations are going to be playing her to death soon enough. Check her out for yourself!

“Won’t Go Back Down”

You know what? I really, actually enjoy this album. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. She gets an A. An A for you Sunday Lane! Good job!

You can find out more about Sunday on her Myspace, Facebook, site, or Twitter.

Red Hot Rebellion

Okay, these guys are hilarious. Like, Dethlehem hilarious. Self described as “the soundtrack to a bar fight”, the trio from Dayton, OH rock right the fuck on. They’re “feverishly” working on their first album, but in the meantime, they’ve released Two Pretty Fuckin’ Good Songs for your listening pleasure. From their Facebook:

RED HOT REBELLION was formed in the bowels of The Gem City (Dayton Ohio) with a singular goal: to rebel against the watered-down excuse for Rock of the status quo. Our music is loud, fast, and furious — perhaps a throw-back to a simpler time when Rock was fun and full of energy. Where music is more important than fashion. Where intensity is more exciting than whining about break ups and heartache. Where a Les Paul and a Marshall half-stack can rattle your bones and shake your blood. Call it Garage, call it Blues-Punk, call it Roots Rock, call it the Greatest Power Trio in the Mid West…whatever you want…

…and that pretty well sums it up. Red Hot Rebellion wants to play rock and roll, drink beers, and bang chicks, and they’re not afraid to tell you about it. Kinda like the Supersuckers. They’ve got the “Oh” in those “Whoa Ohs” and they’ll definitely kick you into gear (especially when there’s 8″ of snow outside, like there is in Pittsburgh right now). Check ‘em out!

“For the Benefit of Evil” and “Built to Rock” downloads. Fo’ FREE!

“For the Benefit of Evil” Video

San Cisco – “Golden Revolver”

This band is ADORABLE. San Cisco (formerly King George), a charming, new Aussie band is fresh off the presses and getting their name out there hardcore. The recent high-school graduates (god, I feel old!) have been playing, touring, releasing their first EP, Golden Revolver, and generally doing things that new bands do.

From their press release:

San Cisco are the latest indie act to emerge from Fremantle in sunny Western Australia. On the weekends they go skateboarding, play Nintendo 64 and make a bit of indie pop on the side. Scarlett bangs the drums, Nick plays bass and Jordi & Josh are the guys that play the guitars, write the songs and sing them.

San Cisco have spent the last year graduating high school, performing at some festivals and playing round town pretty much every weekend. But don’t let their youth fool you. They have also produced their first EP called Golden Revolver, which has just hit and already found a home on Triple J and community radio around Australia. Confident with stage presence & strong with vocals San Cisco continue to impress even the hardest indie critics with their brand of upbeat summer pop.

Produced by Matthew Chequer (Little Birdy) & Steven Schram (Little Red, Cat Empire, Little Birdy), the EP is an eclectic mix of indie pop with folk undertones, slashes of synth and influences ranging from Bright Eyes to Vampire Weekend.

San Cisco performed at last years One Movement Festival which lead to an invitation to appear at the 2011 Great Escape in the UK. They also received their first airplay on London’s influential taste making station, XFM.

In honor of summer being just around the corner, check out their single “Golden Revolver”, a peppy, upbeat, sunny tune that I simply adore. You can also check out more of their stuff over on their Myspace or Facebook. Enjoy!

“Golden Revolver”

Moving: A Drama

http://theoriginalgirlwithablog.blogspot.com/2010/07/moving-drama.html