Staff Infection: Best of 2010 SXSW Revisted

As I was going through my top bands of the year, I was reminded why I fell in love with these bands and records all over again. Many of them became obsessive listening experiences to the upteenth degree. As we approach SXSW 2011, I'm reminded of bands like Frightened Rabbit, Fanfarlo, Midlake and Local Natives who blew me away at SXSW 2010. I do realize that Fanfarlo's record was released in 2009but it was new to me in 2010 so it made the list. And as a little side note, our very own Michael J. Epstein, from Michael J. Epstein Memorial Libary shot the Frightened Rabbit SXSW live video you'll see below.

I'm always a bit surprised to find I gravitate toward a very distinct sound, great pop melody, full sound, an underlying strength behind the song. It's no different this year.

So without further adieu, these are the ones that made the list in all their obsess filled glory.

Local Natives, Gorilla Manor


Naked Hearts, Mass Hysteria (Mass Hysteria free mp3)

Midlake, The Courage of Others


Ra Ra Riot, The Orchard (Live on KEXP)


Sara Radle, Four


Sufjan Stevens, All Delighted People EP (Live at the Music Hall in Williamsburg NY)


Yeasayer, Odd Blood


Frightened Rabbit, The Winter of Mixed Drinks (Live at SXSW 2010)


Fanfarlo, Reservoir



Each Monday a different Green Light Go staff member will let you in on what songs have infected their ears for the week, while giving you the opportunity to share in the experience yourself.


This week: Janelle Rogers, Green Light Go Owner and Publicist Extraordinaire Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: New Office, New Music

The GLG offices are officially located in a new office, so it only seemed appropriate to inaugurate the new location with new music. Thanks to Belle & Sebastian and Sufjan Steven for lending a hand in this department. Now if only they could have lent a hand last week when I went through the desk set up disaster. If anyone has creative ideas to cover three unnecessary drill holes in the top of the desk, my ears are wide open.

Sufjan Stevens, “I Walked” from The Age of Adz
Belle & Sebastian, “Write About Love” from Write About Love
Freelance Whales, “Enzymes” from Green Label Sound Series


Each Monday a different Green Light Go staff member will let you in on what songs have infected their ears for the week, while giving you the opportunity to share in the experience yourself.

This week: Janelle Rogers, Green Light Go Owner and Publicist Extraordinaire Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: Under the Tuscan Sun

I'm one week away from a dream trip to Italy with my gal pal Sabrina. Have I watched Under the Tuscan Sun and dreamed of owning a villa of my own? Guilty. In order to take a dream trip though, a little sacrifice comes into play with the pre-vacation week schedule. These are just a few songs that have helped get me through the long days that often go into the night.

Of Montreal, “Coquet Coquette” from False Priest
Ra Ra Riot, “Too Dramatic” from The Orchard
Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs “Beg Steal and Borrow” from God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise
Sufjan Stevens, All Delighted People EP (courtesy of Gorilla vs Bear)

Each Monday a different Green Light Go staff member will let you in on what songs have infected their ears for the week, while giving you the opportunity to share in the experience yourself.

This week: Janelle Rogers, Green Light Go Owner and Publicist Extraordinaire Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: Radiohead: Real and Imagined Soundtracks

I hope I'm not the only one who's ever experienced this. You're walking, running, biking or driving down the street listening to some music. A song comes on that transports you into the movie that is your life. There's a reason we make this connection. Soundtrack Coordinators work hard to use music to evoke a mood. When we see the movie, the action on screen is inextricably tied to the music we hear. Here's some songs that have provided that extra emotional oomph to some of my favorite real (and imagined) movie soundtracks.

Radiohead, "Black Star" from The Bends, and a super-emo mixed tape from my past.

Feist, "Mushaboom" from (500) Days of Summer Soundtrack



Thomas Newman, "Dead Already" from The American Beauty Soundtrack

"This whole soundtrack got me through my first stint in college. I listened to it over and over while I did my homework or wrote papers.Thanks for that Magna Cum Laude, Tom."

Sufjan Stevens, "Chicago" from Little Miss Sunshine Motion Picture Soundtrack (and about a million "indie" movie trailers)

Frou Frou (featuring Imogen Heap) , "Let Go" from Garden State Soundtrack

Jack Lawrence , "Beyond the Sea" (performed in movie by Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz) from A Life Less Ordinary Motion Picture Soundtrack

"A note that the McGregor/Diaz duet doesn't actually exist on any soundtrack (and believe me, I've looked), so for full enjoyment, rent this lesser known work of Academy Award winner Danny Boyle."

Jace Everett, "Bad Things" from True Blood Original TV Soundtrack

The Shins, "New Slang" from Garden State Motion Picture Soundtrack

Prodigy, "Firestarter" from The Fat of the Land (and the inside of my head)

Each Monday a different Green Light Go staff member will let you in on what songs have infected their ears for the week, while giving you the opportunity to share in the experience yourself.

This week: Kelly Bennett, Green Light Go Publicity Assistant
Click Here to Read More..