Just thought, I spend a lot of time making these playlists for myself of new music that I like. So thought I’d post the one I just finished at the end of May.

First of all, though, have to totally give a shout out to Dave Cusick - he has a radio show on KPSU in Portland called the Post-Modern Rock Show. He also podcasts the show - and I listen to it pretty regularly. Awhile ago I sent him an email about Stoney, one new band I discovered and really liked. And on the June 9 show he not only played a Stoney song but even mentioned my blog and gave out the URL on the air!! So anyone who reads this blog, go check out his show sometime if you have a chance! :)

So now, on to the playlist:

Jailbird - Stoney
Yr Mangled Heart - The Gossip - Standing In the Way of Control
Nobody’s Fault but Mine - Nina Simone - The Very Best of Nina Simone: Sugar in My Bowl (1967-1972)
Use Me - Bill Withers - The Best of Bill Withers: Lean on Me (Remastered)
Mighty Whispers - The All Mighty Whispers - Love Revolution
The Things We Say - Bellaparker - The Things We Say
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Equestrian - Model/Actress
Piano Man - Ghostland Observatory
Mantra - The Lovetones - Meditations
Face This World - Glenna Bell - Face This World
The Inkwell - Blue Scholars - Blue Scholars
Replace Us - Bryan Free - Lust
I Want You to Fall - Memphis Radio Kings - IV
American Jesus - Alpha Rev (Recorded Live at KUT)
Starting Over - Audio Adrenaline - Until My Heart Caves In

First of all, I’m a little excited about Bryan Free. He’s very new but his new CD “Lust” has a few songs that I really like (after listening on CDBaby). “Replace Us” isn’t my favorite song but it was the only one I could get without buying the whole CD which I can’t afford this summer since I’m poor. My favorite song on the CD is “Distance” - check it out on CDBaby!!

My second absolutely must-mention is Ghostland Observatory. I first heard this duo do a live show podcast with KEXP while they were in New York. Kind of an electronic club mix type band. They are insane and the KEXP DJ’s haven’t stopped talking about them yet. If you have a chance to see them live then whatever you do DON’T PASS THIS UP!!!

Blue Scholars are another great example of the Seattle hip-hop that I love. In fact the Blue Scholars is the same MC (Sabzi) as Common Market - who I have on an older mix I made.

The Gossip is an amazing punk/soul band from Portland; if you haven’t heard of them then you need to check them out. In some ways I think they remind me a little of the White Stripes sound but with a bit more soul. Glenna Bell is a new country singer with a great voice; think I saw her in “Unsigned Music” magazine and really liked the track so included it too.

Stoney is my other favorite on this mix - they are an awesome four-piece from Sheffield in the UK. I first heard their song Ghost on another podcast (maybe 75 minutes?) and instantly fell in love. Now if you listen to british music you’ve already heard of Gnarls Barkley since this song (Crazy) was a chart-topper for awhile over there. Then to round out my British selection I also have some great music from the All Might Whispers. I’d actually heard them initially awhile ago but finally put it in a mix.

Then we have the Lovetones. Although they are in Europe right now touring, they’re actually an Australian band. I love their sound - it kindof has that oldies flavor to it yet is totally fresh.

Then back to the US for Model/Actress (an L.A. rock band), Bellaparker (an Austin rock band who I think I first heard on Cincinatti-based WOXY), the Memphis Radio Kings (actually from Seattle - I heard them on KEXP), and Alpha Rev (VERY SKILLED rock band with musicians from Austin and New York - assembled by Casey McPherson, the former lead singer of Endochine). Every single one of these bands is worth checking out.

Somehow Audio Adrenaline snuck in there. Guess that’s the blast from my CCM past. Heard this song on the Wheaton station… I don’t listen to the Wheaton station that much but I really liked this song for some reason. Guess I can relate to it.

And finally… if you don’t know Nina Simone (blues) or Bill Withers (Soul) then google them now please. Do all of society a favor and become educated on this staple of American music history.