May Long Soundtrack

Last year, I created a 20-song playlist for every long weekend throughout the summer and into the fall. I received some amazing feedback and I was inspired to continue the tradition into 2013. [You can find last year's soundtracks here].

Whatever fills your long weekend - be it yard work, patio relaxation, or travel - I hope these beats keep your head bopping and help you enjoy it. Cheers. 

1. That's What's Up - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
2. All 'Cause of You - The 88
3. Camera Talk - Local Natives
4. The First Single (You Know Me) - The Format
5. Money Grabber - Fitz + The Tantrums
6. How You Like Me Now - The Heavy
7. Two Weeks - Grizzley Bear
8. Black Sheep - Gin Wigmore
9. Entertainment - Phoenix
10. Get Lucky - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams
11. Paddling Out - Mike Snow
12. The Start of Something - Voxtrot
13. Always Like This - Bombay Bicycle Club
14. Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding
15. Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
16. I Will Always Love You - Tidewater
17. Don't Leave Me - Regina Spektor
18. We Come Running - Youngblood Hawke
19. Merry Happy - Kate Nash
20. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke (feat TI & Pharrell)

Happy Weekending, Party People. 

Our Wedding: the soundtrack

Since our wedding, we’ve had an overwhelming number of emails, texts, and face-to-face requests for the songs used throughout the day. Music is a huge part of our lives and is nearly always playing in one or more rooms in our home so we spent quite a bit of time compiling the tracks played during our ceremony and reception. I’ve compiled our selections below. Enjoy!

Ceremony | processional, signing of the registry, recessional

Music played on acoustic guitar by Mike Labelle

Free by Zac Brown Band

In Your Atmosphere by John Mayer

Reception | entrance and slideshow soundtracks, first dances

Music played by DJ Super Dave

Beggin, Modcon | wedding party entrance

Mrs. Robinson, Simon & Garfunkle | B & C entrance

Our friend Sarah created a beautiful slideshow full of many memories. She arranged the photos to follow Ben growing up, me growing up, and our adventures together.

On Top of the World, Imagine Dragons | photos of B

Tongue Tied, Grouplove | photos of C

Home, Phillip Phillips | photos of B & C

Sweet Disposition, The Temper Trap | photos of B & C

Turning Page, Sleeping at Last | first dance

My Girl, The Temptations | father-daughter dance

A Mother’s Song, T Carter | mother-son dance

This is How we do it, Montel Jordan/ Wild Ones, Flo Rida (mash-up) | wedding party/ first party song

Ho Hey, The Lumineers | second to last song

Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones | last song of the night

 

Our wedding reception was one huge dance party complete with dance (& sing) offs and some pretty impressive dance moves. Thank you to every single person who was a part of it and a huge thank you to DJ Super Dave who kept the dance floor FULL the entire night. 

What music did you use/ are you planning on using for your wedding? 

(All photos are by Adrian Photography). 

Thanksgiving at the Cabin

The air is crisper, the days are shorter, and I have an incessant desire to bake and consume comfort foods. Welcome, fall!

Even though I’m having a hard time believing it’s already October, I am so excited to be celebrating Thanksgiving at the cabin this weekend. Crafting, hiking, singing, pumpkin beer taste-testing, and some sparkler-waving whilst dancing-in-the-moonlight are on the agenda but I’m most excited to spend time with my family.  

I'm powering down to enjoy an unplugged weekend at the cabin so I wishing you a happy weekend and thank you for your patience while I transition back into blogging. Big love, friends.

To celebrate the last 2012 visit to the cabin, I put together a funky folky mix for your listening pleasures. Enjoy!

1. Let Her Go – Passenger
2. Trek – Spencer & Antfood
3. Flight of the Crow – Passenger (feat. Josh Pyke, Lior, Katie Noonan, Boy & Bear, and Jess Chalker)
4. A Summer Song – Conner Youngblood
5. I Wanna Go – Summer Heart
6. Sabali – Amadou & Mariam
7. Breakneck Speed – Tokyo Police Club
8. Wild Blood – Lovedrug
9. Submarines – The Lumineers
10. Love is All – The Tallest Man on Earth
11. White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
12. Hold On – Alabama Shakes
13. The Great Escape – Patrick Watson
14. Sing to the Mountain – Elephant Revival
15. Down in the Valley – The Head & The Heart
16. Whiskey – Trampled by Turtles
17. Old Pine – Ben Howard
18. Dirty Paws – Of Monsters and Men
19. Holland, 1945 – Canoe
20. We Don't Eat – James Vincent McMorrow

Looking for more? Check out these playlists... 

Give 'em something to dance to...

Stat holiday or not, our made-up-long-weekend girls getaway requires a dancing / sing-along soundtrack. Here are twenty tracks that we'll be playing while gallivanting through the California desert. Watch out, Palm Springs!

Enjoy!

1. Primadonna Girl - Marina and The Diamonds
2. Going to California - Led Zeppelin
3. Diet Mountain Dew - Lana Del Rey
4. Spectrum (Say My Name) Calvin Harris Remix - Florence + the Machine
5. Mama Do the Hump - Rizzle Kicks
6. Turntable - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
7. Feel the Love - Rudimental Feat John Newman
8. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) - Pink
9. Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones
10. Titanium - David Guetta & Sia
11. Free - Graffiti6
12. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates
13. Princess of China - Coldplay & Rihanna
14. Wild Ones - FloRida feat Sia
15. Go Outside - Cults
16. Hot Summer Night - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
17. Tiny Dancer - Elton John
18. Jenny Don't Be Hasty - Paolo Nutini
19. Nightcall - Kavinsky Feat Lovefoxxx
20. One Thing - One Direction (don't judge - they are adorable)

Keep it spinning... find more playlists here. 

August long, go!

This long weekend's playlist - some old, some new - should help you soak up the gorgeous sunny weather we're slated to have, province-wide. I plan on enjoying a few of these patio favourites at the cabin this weekend. Check back next week; I'll be featuring a brilliant party idea and a few wedding updates!

Until then, enjoy!

1. Long Time Ago - Current Swell
2. Any Day Now - Jon and Roy
3. Robots - Dan Mangen
4. Still - Great Lake Swimmers
5. King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men
6. Janglin - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
7. White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
8. Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine
9. There Goes the Fear - Doves
10. Nightcall - Kavinsky & Lovefoxx
11. Oh! Sweet Nuthin' - The Velvet Underground
12. Dance, Dance, Dance - Lykke Li
13. Mind Eraser - The Black Keys
14. Pyro - Kings of Leon
15. For the Summer - Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs
16. Sleeping Ute - Grizzly Bear
17. Airplanes - Local Natives
18. Take Care - Beach House
19. She's So Mean - Matchbox Twenty
20. Backseat Lovers - The Last Royals

If you enjoyed this compilation, make sure you check out the May long & Canada day mixes. 

July long, let's go!

Considering the extensive number of song posts made in the last several years, by now you may have identified that I'm quite fond of music. As a fun summer feature I've decided to create a playlist for each long weekend between Victoria day and Labour day. If you're looking for a few new tracks for your weekend soundtrack, feast your ears on the following. I hope you enjoy your long weekend. Happy Canada day to my fellow Canucks!

Enjoy!

1. Undercover Martyn - Two Door Cinema Club
2. Video Games - Lana Del Rey
3. The A Team (Acoustic) - Ed Sheeran
4. Tongue Tied - Grouplove
5. Michael Bernard Fitzgerald - Follow
6. Queen of California - John Mayer
7. Skinny Love (Cover) - Birdy
8. Man on Fire - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
9. Take a Walk - Passion Pit
10. Wagon Wheel (Cover) - Mumford & Sons
11. Home - Phillip Phillips
12. It's Time - Imagine Dragons
13. Wishes and Stars - Harper Simon
14. White Nights - Oh Land
15. Love & Loss - The Honey Trees
16. Money Grabber - Fitz & The Tantrums
17. Stubborn Love - The Lumineers
18. Rivers and Roads - The Head and The Heart
19. The Lion the Beast the Beat - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
20. Down By the Water - The Decemberists

Like what you hear? Check out the May long weekend playlist.

Looking for a little red-and-white beverage inspiration? Check out last year's Canada Day Sangria recipes.

The Lumineers, Ho Hey

Hurray. The weekend is here! The last seven days was a blur: I celebrated a birthday, enjoyed the company of some amazing friends and a couple of crazy dogs in wine country BC, completed a wedding project, started a couple of new projects, caught up with an old friend, and - at one point - slept for 27 hours straight. Needless to say, I'm well rested and full of love and happiness. When my sweet friend Angie sent me the link to this music video this morning, it was the icing on the birthday cake.

Thanks for an amazing week, friends. Enjoy your weekend!

May long, let's go!

Alas - the long weekend is here! While Bauer and I hit the road for wine country to meet friends (& Ben!) we'll be jamming out to one awesome playlist. May long weekend is the inaugural barbequing/ camping/ road tripping/ beaching weekend of the year so I thought I'd share my favourite tunes in the event your weekend soundtrack needs a couple new tracks.

Enjoy!

1. Never Go Back - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
2. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
3. Trojans - Atlas Genius
4. Eyes Wide Open - Gotye
5. Old Pine - Ben Howard 
6. Weighty Ghost - Wintersleep
7. The Funeral - Band of Horses
8. Colours - Grouplove
9. Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National 
10. Shake Me Down - Cage the Elephant
11. Back Down South - Kings of Leon
12. Truth - Alexander
13. Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
14. The Lion's Roar - First Aid Kit 
15. Primadonna - Marina and The Diamonds
16. Stare Into the Sun - Graffiti6 
17. Helena Beat - Foster the People
18. 40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
19. Oceans & Streams - The Black Keys
20. Shuffle - Bombay Bicycle Club

Graffiti6, Free

In the event your week needs a punch of energy, have a listen to this catchy track by the adorable Graffiti6.  I promise it will make you want to dance around your house/ office/ block like a Viagra commercial.  I can't get this beat out of my head.

Enjoy...



(Graffiti6 on iTunes).

Happy Weekend.

Why do short weeks always feel like long weeks?

Nonetheless, happy weekending, everyone. What are you up to this beautiful spring weekend? I'm hoping to spend as much time outside as possible: hiking, gardening, dog-parking, and BBQ-ing are on the agenda. Add a Saturday shift at work and formal ball (for real) and that's my weekend.

In the event you need a new song to get through the weekend, check out the first single off the forthcoming Grace Potter & The Nocturnals album: Never Go Back. (The single is available on iTunes now; the album, The Lion the Beast the Beat will be released June 12).





(Video courtesy of Rolling Stone).

Jayme Dee, Somebody That I Used to Know (cover of Gotye/Kimbra)

I'm in love with all things Jayme Dee; her voice is one part gritty, two parts sweetness, altogether beautiful. Oh, and she's featured on The Hunger Games soundtrack which means she's my kind of people.

This Gotye/Kimbra number has been on replay in our house for a few weeks so I was excited to hear Jayme's stripped down version. Visit her Youtube stream for some awesome covers and her new original pieces.

Happy Sunday.


(video courtesy of Jayme Dee's Youtube channel).

Safe & Sound - Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars

I have been waiting for this video since the single was released weeks ago, not to mention the fact that I am in the process of making sure every person I meet listens to the Civil Wars (see: this post).

The adorable duo are recent Grammy winners (x 2!) and well on their way to becoming a household name; the fact that they are being endorsed by the likes of Adele and, now, Ms. Swift can only help garner well deserved recognition.

This video is so beautifully shot and I've never heard Taylor Swift perform a song better than this one.

PS: Are you as excited about the Hunger Games as I am (psst, it comes out March 23)?



(Video courtesy of Taylor Swift's VEVO Channel).

The Paper Kites, Featherstone + Bloom

I'm in the process of hammering out my 2012 goals and assessing what each one means to me and how it will affect my day-to-day happenings. This has proven itself a task that is more difficult than originally thought. While I prepare the infamous post (that I hope to have finished for tomorrow), I'd like to share a band that I've been enjoying for the last couple of months. I'm rather smitten with these adorable Australians and their sweet, smooth, voices and airy melodies. I play this EP on repeat. Every day. Enjoy.

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

If these two were any cuter, it'd be illegal.

This fun little ditty was uploaded by Hello Giggles today, just in time for New Years Eve. So, the question of the hour: what are you doing new years eve?




(Song performed by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Hello Giggles).

Holiday Soundtrack: Contemporary Christmas

I am one of those people who has Christmas music playing awkwardly relatively early in what is considered the appropriate "Christmas season" and I am often asked what my favourite Christmas albums are.

With so many Christmas albums out there, it's easy to become overwhelmed; I'll also be the first to admit that there are many-a-version of the classics that you should avoid [cue shopping mall PA music]. With that being said, I wanted to share a few of the albums on my holiday soundtrack. I play these contemporary gems on repeat between late November and New Years Eve. If you're looking to beef up your playlist I suggest you start here.

In no particular order...


A Very She & Him Christmas: How excited I was when I heard one of my favourite duos was coming out with a Christmas album; how happy I am to say I wasn't disappointed. This album is smokey, vintage, and altogether dreamy. Best served with a cocktail or tree trimming party.
(Available on iTunes & Amazon).



Songs For Christmas - Sufjan Stevens: This beauty was recommended to me last year by a blogger friend (thanks, Diana)! The album is 42 songs deep and perfect for playing as background music while you clean the house or drive between Kamloops & Vancouver. At least I enjoy it for those things...
(Available on iTunes & Amazon).



Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs: I love this compilation of amazing female voices, especially the title track by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson and the closing medley of "Auld Lang Syne." Per-fec-tion.
(Available on iTunes & Amazon).



It Snowed - Meaghan Smith: Another new addition to my playlist, Meaghan Smith's album is very sweet. She's Canadian & adorable; you can't help but smile and bob your head to "It Snowed" and "Silver Bells."
(Available on iTunes & Amazon).



The O.C. Mix 3 Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah: This has to be my favourite contemporary album because there are so many awesome songs and if I started listing them I would list the whole soundtrack. Bonus: it's a great album to dance around to & the kiddos love it.
(Available on iTunes & Amazon).



Christmas - Michael Bublé: I'm including this album for two reasons: (1) my bridesmaid Angela would probably refuse to stand up for me at my wedding if I didn't and (2) it's a great traditional Christmas album. All jokes aside, I love the fact that his version of "Jingle Bells" (featuring the Puppini Sisters) sounds like something straight out of the past & that he and Shania Twain make a sweet Canadian duet on "White Christmas."
(Available on iTunes & Amazon).



There we have it: my favourite contemporary Christmas albums. Stay tuned for my favourite classics which will pop up on the blog next week.

What are your favourite Christmas albums, contemporary or classic?



(All images are courtesy of the artists' homepages and have been linked to within the post).

The Civil Wars

At some point tonight I stumbled upon this post and then played this song and then this song and then this song. And then I bought the album.

And now I'm smitten.

These two are a younger, sexier, edgier version of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and I'm picking up what they're putting down. Raw vocals, simple acoustics, and harmonies that give me goosebumps.

The Civil Wars: meet your newest fan.






(Discovered via sho & tell).

For the Love of Long Weekends...

The day has come. Little Star and I are en route to Vancouver to be serenaded by Ray LaMontagne. To prep for the magic that is to come tonight, I'm playing this song on repeat. One of his oldest; one of my favourites. This one's for you, Matty...

Also, I must confess that I have been an an unorganized blogger as of late; I have no scheduled posts while B and I are away in Oregon. le sigh. In the event you want to follow the chaotic chaos that is my life, why don't you follow me on twitter or like me on facebook. What the hell, I'm on Instagram, too! (@courtneystarheim)

September is full of amazing things. Just.You.Wait.

Happy Friday, friends.

Lissie, Everywhere I Go.

I am a huge fan of Lissie's voice; it is so raw and honest. (Visit her site to hear more of her work).

Take a few moments to enjoy this beautiful song on your morning. Happy Wednesday.


(Video courtesy of Watch Listen Tell).

Stevie Nicks, Wild Heart

This version of this song may be my most favourite ever.

Happy Weekending!

The Sheepdogs, I Don't Know

I love this Canadian band. Their sound is perfect for a sunny afternoon on the patio and their future looks pretty bright, too. After winning the Choose the Cover contest, they will grace the cover of next month's Rolling Stone magazine (which hits newsstands on Friday).

The group calls Saskatoon home yet their audience has grown, internationally. They have also received a deal with Atlantic Records which indicates more awesomeness is yet to come. They already have a chill rockstar swagger, don't you think?

What album or song is getting extra play this summer on your patio?



(Video courtesy of NBC via Global).