Just a little something to keep everyone going:

Jim Sturgess

Heartless

Alway be my Baby

See you all on the flipside.x

Like Crazy

A long long while ago, I got this movie from a friend, thinking it was the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love (You know the one with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone??), turns out- it wasn't. I watched the movie anyway and immediately fell in love with the movie and watched it weekly. Literally. No jokes. Then over December my laptop crashed and my IT person could retrieve every song, photo and movie I had- except LIKE CRAZY. Heart broken.

I never knew exactly WHY I loved it so much, (like with most things in my life) I just DID. And also, that the movie is kind of indie and not well known helped, I am not a movie person. Anyway the soundtrack is really GOOD. Watch the trailer if you haven't seen this film. It's a must. At least once.

A quick round up on the plot: two quirky students fall head over heals in love. One is an exchange student from the UK, Anna (Felicity Jones) has to return home after graduating, but decides to spend the summer with her boyfriend, Jacob (Anton Yelchin), violating her visa. They then enter a long-distance relationship with it's many ups and downs. The movie follows how they grow apart and back together and apart again. Beautiful. Also, Jennifer Lawrence makes an appearance as Sam, Jacob's girlfriend while they're not together. If you're not convinced yet. Well...

Another thing I LOVE/ HATE is an open ending. On the one hand I really want to know what happens, but on the other hand, I love not knowing. Every time, I watched I had a different ending to Jacob and Anna's journey. And I will NEVER know which one.

Closing scene.

Anyway, I really like the soundtrack, not because I know every song, but because it's beautiful and I hardly knew any of it. I've been wanting to buy/ download the album for such a long time, but I could never find a complete track list or something that listed everything, including the six second piano between scenes. And finally I can give YOU the name of the composer of the greatest soft, romantic sounds.

Dustin o'Halloran is the soul responsible for the music. Youtube every single thing he has ever composed/ played on his piano. You can thank me later.

The music selection while they dance on their bed is also amazing. The songs include:
Goddamn Electric Bill - Pull the lever [There is another song by G.E.B that I simply cannot find a video or similar for, but give it a go on their Soundcloud profile Less Evil ]
Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel [ This is such a special song to me. I've known it for quite some time, and was introduced to them by a fellow Blogger.The very same person who inspired me to start my own blog. But more on that on another day.]
The Tallest Man On Earth - Wild Hunt [You know my feelings about Mr Kristian Matsson <3]

Meanwhile, here are some of the other sounds you will hear.
Beach House - Norway
Figurine - IMpossible [This is probably one of my all time favorite songs. No, really. I would fast forward the movie to this scene, so that I could listen to it. Yeah.]
Crazy, Love Vol II - Paul Simon [Don't even get me started, I mean WHO doesn't love some Paul Simon? also, how about a Travel machine. please.]
The Mary Onettes - Century  [ Sorry for the poor quality]
Stars - Dead Hearts [They are everywhere, so hopefully you've heard about them]
M83 - Guess I'm floating

Hope you have plenty of new music (artists) to explore! [and if you're writing exams- Good luck!]

a Weekend away in Onrus...

So a couple of weeks ago (during our Easter break), I went to Onrus with a couple of couples.

We drove through early-ish on the Saturday and immediately popped some sparkling wine, as one does, in celebration of work opportunities and our future success. 

Passing the booze.

The Man in celebration!

We then played a couple of games, had some Peter Falke Cab 2009, had a braai and a lekker time. 

the beautiful Susann and Brigitte

CHEESE Curls

Me: "KOBUS!!"

"Daar is 'n klippie in my klippies en Cola?"

This is pretty much what I love about weekends away.
 (Also, I think it's ridiculously awesome 
that I get along with my primary school friends' girlfriends!)

No comment.

Yes, we are. 

Absolutely CAN NOT wait for our next weekend away/ trip  to somewhere with all the amazing people in my life! 
Love all of you!!
xx

MACKLEMOAAARREEE

I cannot get enough of the Macklemore / Ryan Lewis duo. The do absolutely everything so right. Now as you can tell by all the other music featured here on a Last Request- Macklemore clearly does not fit in. I know this. And I cannot explain why I like LOVE them so much, I just do. [It also might have to do with the fact that I have the BIGGEST crush, like ever, on Ryan Lewis...]

I mean- LOOK at his FACE!

I am going to make a bold statement and say- They are my ABSOLUTE favorite band of 2013. I am by all accounts obsessed with their songs.

Just listen to one of their collaboration wit Ray Dalton  - I mean how CRAZY is this [Can't Hold Us] video?! [any other musical-being who would have tried to pull this style off, would have failed miserably. Yet, their depiction of a camel in the city and and the barber on the beach and the desert and the ship...it's just so cool, you know!]

Also, I don't dance. Not when I'm sober anyway. But if you play Thrift Shop or And We Danced I will most definetly put my drink down and give you a show ons the stage of Nu'bar or Tollies or some nasty place similar to that.

Hello? Is there anyone out there?!

Hello friendly readers,

Yes! I am ALIVE!!

Alive and Well! Just as Dorky as always.

I have to apologize for being such an absent blogger over the past couple of weeks!! I have been drowning in my academic and social calender and I've simply become oh so lazy when it comes to attending the needs of a Last Request. BUT it's all about to change. 

I've decided to change the topics of this blog a bit- and personalize the posts I write. A diary of sorts. Now, I promise to not get all soppy and emotional on here, but purely to use this blog as platform to write about my everyday experiences (with the bonus that this blog cannot get lost and one day in the far future I''l be able to come back here and have a good ol' laugh about my early twenties).

Here is an AMAZING video of the lovebirds Kristian Matsson and wife Amanda Bergman singing together, also known as The Tallest Man on Earth and Idiot Wind, respectively. As you might know by now, I am OBSESSED with these two [I've blogged about them Here, here and here]. In my eyes they can do no wrong- everything from their actual performance to their clothing to the way they interact with each other. Watch the video HERE!! (I love the bit in the end where she sings alone. Magnificent)

Also, give a listen to these: Little Brother, Pistol Dreams and Thousand Ways

New Favourite Artist Feature #5

Moving House

AGMP & Rob

I have been reading a lot about this new duo on Twitter. a Lot. And I finally had the opportunity to listen to their EP. although, scattered all over the internets. But worth it. If you want to know more about their collaboration and how they came to be, have a look on their sites [Facebook @movinghouse and their Official Site

They sound quite similar to Ashtary Electric (AGMP's band) [ especially their HIT; When Sex becomes a Sport] and also, aKING. I have no idea why, but they do. and this is my blog. Make with it what you want. I still like these sounds.

Here's their music video Tongue in Cheeck.

If you liked this, you can give them a listen on bangersandnash

                                                                     texxandthecity

                                                                     garycool

                                                                     dontparty

                                                                    

Awesome Find

This needs NO WORDS. Just know, Mumford & Sons and Ben Howard. Together on one stage. Jealousy doesn't even begin. Also brought to my attention by dear Sarah.

Awesomeness (Click Here)

Your Eyes & Ears #13

Ben Howard.

Discovere a little Cover Ben Howard did a while back. This man knows how to do a cover.

Figure 8

Breath your smoke into my lungs. In the back of a car with you, I stare into the sun.

Ellie Goulding.

The Original.

Figure 8

Wye Oak.

XX Merge [includes 3songs. Milk & Honey. Take it in. Talking about Money]

Mumford & Sons.

I Will Wait

New Favourite Artist Feature #4

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

One night while I was out dancing with le friends in Aandklas (the dancing doesn't happen that often, which just goes to show how special this find is), we grooved along to a dirty number with lyrics about poppin' tags and only having $20. After a bit of a search, I discovered Macklemore. And did I love them! As you'd know, this is not my style, at all. But there's just something about these guys. Maybe it's because they're Fly?

Thrift Shop
Tiny Desk Concert
Same Love
[I cannot express how much LOVE I have for this song. I know the lyrics by heart and sing   (and cry) along every single time]

When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay
'Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight
I told my mom tears rushing down my face
She's like "Ben you've loved girls since before pre-k tripping, "
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she?
Bunch of stereotypes all in my head.
I remember doing the math like, "Yeah, I'm good at little league"
A preconceived idea of what it all meant
For those that liked the same sex
Had the characteristics
The right wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don't know

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to (x2)
My love (x3)
She keeps me warm (x4)

If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man, that's gay" gets dropped on the daily
We become so numb to what we're saying
A culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
Live on and be yourself
When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service those words aren't anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that's not important
No freedom till we're equal, damn right I support it
(I don't know)

Chorus

We press play, don't press pause
Progress, march on
With the veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
Till the day that my uncles can be united by law
When kids are walking 'round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are
And a certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law is gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever God you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love
About time that we raised up



New Favourite Artist Feature #3

Passenger.

Mike Rosenberg

Over the weekend a long lost friend from Indonesia sent me the title of this band. After one night grooving with a bunch of local musicians, we shared a love for talented musos. Since her departure in early 2011 we kept contact by posting youtube videos on our Facebook walls and commenting our appreciation for it. We also share a love for BEN HOWARD.

Give it a listen and share the love. They (He) remind me a bit of Mumford and Ben Howard wrapped in one.

Keep on Walking
All the Little Lights
Let Her Go 

Ben Howard Updated

Ben Howard is releasing a NEW EP in December, HOLLAR!!

oh Hello :)

Earlier this week his team released his next single along with a little music video (VERY nice effects) - I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. Also, it's being released in vinyl, could you die. Imagine listening to BH on Vinyl, I would die. Look at Esmerelda [I wonder who this "Esmerelda"  is...mmmm]

Oh, maybe you were free before my blackened wind covered you. 
I took the sing, from your song. 
I made a bed, where you don't belong. 

Your Eyes & Ears #12

This weekend I've been listening to some stuff I've forgotten about. Here it is...

 

Band Of Horses:

One of my favorite BOH songs No one's gonna Love you, if you like their style, also give Is there a Ghost & the Funeral [and the dubstep version of course] a go.

Angus & Julia Stone:

Here they are performing Big Jet Plane [LOVE] Just a Boy & Private Lawns on KCRW. They did a cover of You are the one that I want. These two are also solo artists, both doing their own thing Angus [Broken Brights & Bird on the Buffalo] and Julia [it's all ok & Let's forget all the things we Say]

Matt Walters:

Oh hello! How could I forget about this? Never again! All I know & I would die for you. Amazeballs.

Pasanger:

Let her go [Very nice]

 

Your Eyes & Ears #11

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero's 

I want the whole damn world, to come and dance with me!

 a new album out and their new songs are so much fun! Listen to Man on Fire and also probably one of my new FAVORITE songs Every part of You - which leads me to...

Damn Son...

Aaron Embry

He joined in as the vocalist with the Magnetic Zero's, but is also a musician in his very own right- and a DAMN GOOD one at that! Listen to him sing Moon of the daylit Sky & No Go & Your heart and Mine and feel your knees CRUMBLE in awe of this voice.

Good luck for the week.

x

For Your Eyes & Ears #10

Most of these artists and their videos/ songs are relatively new to me, but I'm really enjoying the stuff that I've heard - hence I'm sharing it with you (yes, you!)

Josh Record  

listen to the War & For your Love [there is something very interesting about his 'high-pitched' sound that really get's me] & Thief

Gabrielle Aplin

Don't know much about her- quite frankly I've never even heard about her, just randomly stumbled upon her on Youtube.com She reminds me of Ellie Goulding. Her sound is clean, girly goodness. Give Home a listen.

Speaking of Ellie Goulding, have you heard her latest single? No? Well here it is- Anything could happen I love this 

Baby I'll give you everything you need,

I'll give you everything you need, oh

I'll give you everything you need

But I don't think I need you  

     

Love the Baby Pink hair

Joshua Radin just has some "feel good" sound to it [similar to that of Jack Johnson]- listen to I Miss You - "hope you dig it"

New Favorite Artist Feature #2

Keaton Henson. 

I literally have no words. This guy has no Wikipedia page and there is very little information about him on the internets, he reminds me quite a bit of Bon Iver –not only musically, but also their "discomfort of strangers". He explained his stage fright in an interview "I've always struggled with live music, both as a spectator and performer...I used to enjoy going to live shows, but felt a strange jealousy. No part of me wanted to share the music with which I had such a profound relationship with a room full of (often drunk and chatty) strangers."

You don’t have to know much about either of their (personal) lives to know they are good musicians. And he is pure perfection. Also, I find him strangely attractive.

I think it's his elusiveness.

Mr Henson has the most amazing (emotional) control of his voice, AND he's only 24!! Just give these a listen and you’ll know what I’m talking about:  Lying to you & You don't know how Lucky you are & F.R.I.E.N.D.S  & Not that you'd even Notice [unfortunately there's no video for these, but at least you can listen to it] & Flesh & Bone & Small Hands [this is one of the most beautiful videos I've seen in a very long time.] 

New Favorite Artist Feature #1

BEN HOWARD

Man of the hour- Ben Howard

My latest obsession, Ben Howard - he is an amazing British singer-songwriter and I simply cannot get enough of him. I've tried figuring out exactly what makes my facial muscles go into full on circus mode- it's all of it! He is sexy [especially his expressions whilst performing/ singing something emotional], the lyrics are great, the melody's are charming and India Bourne (lady vocalist) just wraps the bow around the Ben Howard package.

The Beautiful India Bourne

Here are some of my favorites...

He did a cover of Call me Maybe - WAY better than the original. [while on this topic - check out this cover by Enter Shikari. It's Brilliant, Oi!!]

Only Love & the Wolves and Depth over Distance 

Lyrics to the Wolves are...just...

Falling from high places, falling through lost spaces,

Now that we're lonely, now that there's nowhere to go.
Watching from both sides, these clock towers burning up,
I lost my time here, i lost my patience with it all.

We lost faith, in the arms of love.

Where you been hiding lately, where you been hiding from the news?
Because we've been fighting lately, we've been fighting with the wolves.
With the wolves.
Red tongues and hands.

Your Eyes & Ears #9

This is exactly why I love music.

Don't Mistake & One More Night (Cover)

*I know I have been quite over the past couple of months, things have been VERY crazy on my side. Promise to try and share more.xx

Eyes & Forks

Recently I got sent the link to new Nora Jones song, I was kind of sceptical, as the last time I had really listened to her, was when I was in Grade7 (2003) and also the sender is a Ginger haired person. But it turned out to be a really cool song and the lyrics are oh so catchy. So here it is Miriam.

This also reminded me of Florence & the Machine's Girl with one eye (which I like better, but only because I love Florry).

I will be away on a 10day trip to the Theewaterskloofdam, teaching 25 16year olds how to sail. Yes, I would very much appreciate all your postive vibes. [Random Blogging will continue after]

Your Eyes & Ears #8

I am absolutely loving KONGOS at the moment. Especially their latest single ESCAPE.
Have a look and listen here.

Also recently watched Country Strong and heard this song, I fell in love and have been listening to it every.single. day since. It is beautiful and makes me feel like a school girl with the possibility of a new love interest. Give in to Me by Garrett Hedlund & Leighton Meester (not a fan of her, I watch some of her clips for a giggle every now and then)

And PHILLIP PHILLIPS. I love this man so much. (this is the second post he features) I LOVE his single, called HOME. And also watch the bit where he WON American Idol and cried. 'Cause crying men are beatiful. I just cried again while watching this AND THIS We've Got Tonight. How SEXY?!

x

The Very Wicked

a While back, I told you  the very sad news about Pretty Blue Guns taking a 'break'. But there is some good news in all this sadness!

Andre Leo (Vocalist for the Guns) & Lucas Swart (Drummer for the guns) has teamed up with Calvin Syderfin, Dominque Thaysen and Dirk van Tonder and started a new project, The Very Wicked.

These guys are doing it right, they are active on social media sites and spreading their gospel around town, have a look at their Website (where you can also download their EP), Facebook and they are also on Twitter etc.

In this week The Very Wicked released their first Music Video, have a look at that here. I really enjoyed this video, the visuals are great and I dig their sound. Simple as that.