need to breathe - turn up the volume

Needtobreathe is one of my favorite bands of all time, and I'm not exaggerating. I've known them for only a few months, thanks to Katherine McClellan blaring them as we drove through the mountains of Utah. You should meet them, too.

Listen to their stuff. Tell me it doesn't get stuck in your head.

Click below, turn up the volume, dance around. I've included some pretty awesome lyrics from "slumber."

Slumber
Something Beautiful
Drive All Night

Tongues are violent, personal and focused
Tough to beat with your steady mind
But hearts are stronger after brokenS
o wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
All these victims stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby open up your eyes
Take from vandals all you want now
Please don't trade it in for life
Replace your feeble with the fable

C'mon sing like we used to
And dance like you want to
C'mon darlin' open your eyes
C'mon sing like we used to
C'mon dance like we want to
C'mon darlin' open up your eyes.

hearts on fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d21OZAkedoQ

This is the acoustic version of a song I recently heard on Houston's 103.7 (you should listen to it daily if you don't already) and i loved it for several reasons: a) band is British b) lyrics are strange c) that's pretty much it.

In the spirit of sharing music with the blogging world, here's a few other things i can't stop listening to.

Kyle Park. All of his music is streaming at his website, kylepark.com

A Fine Frenzy. All of their music is on their website too, i loved to blast it when the children weren't in the classroom and i needed motivation to get work done.
http://www.afinefrenzy.com/ electric twist, blow away.

Etta James recently popped up on my pandora to sing "At Last." Here's beyonce's version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_AhWeFcOU&feature=related

And, quite possibly best for last. Foster the People. Houdini. On repeat, I recommend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04TXoFI6CSM

Happy Listening!

lunden mcgill's music is back

My good friend Lunden McGill released a “trailer” of his new song today. I don’t know what that means, but it’s cool and you should watch it. Also, you should check him out on itunes. Specifically “Walk Away” and “These Corners.” And you should maybe, oh, I don’t know…BUY the album. Itunes. Lunden McGill.

A few things I’d like to say before I send you to the youtube video.

A) When you watch the video, you'll notice he drives too close to the steering wheel. Because he drives like a woman. Seriously, I’ve riden shotgun with him, and he comes to a complete stop at stop signs and stuff. Who does that? Not me.

B) His songs get better with each new release. I remember blasting his songs through my headphones while in Europa in March 2009, and you should definitely visit itunes.

C) I love music. I love friends that act like they are family. Therefore I love Lunden’s music and I love (and also hate) that he thinks he can call my mom Aunt Cathy and eat cereal out of our pantry like it belongs to him.

D) Music is such a gift and can stir our hearts like nothing else. I’m proud of Lunden sharing that gift with the world, and hope you’ll listen to his tunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv9sc9KanMM

Thanks for being my friend, thanks for listening to Lunden, thanks for doing what you do.

A lot of love, Courtney

rebecca roubion

Sarah’s sweet friend Shannon took excellent care of us over the weekend (in nashville april 30.)

When she went to dinner with other people in town and we attempted to power nap after the half marathon, we had the chance to listen to one of the girls that Shannon lives with... Her name is Rebecca Roubion, and you should remember. that. name. Girl can rock the piano. She writes all of her own stuff, is totally legit talented, and quite humble. And, she let me borrow a splash of hairspray before we went out –my soulmate.

On a serious note, it was moving, inspiring, incredible to hear her bust out soulful tunes on the piano. No audio machine to tweak out the bad spots. No accompaniment from guitar or drums. No microphones. Just an old house, an old piano, and a talented, giving heart. I felt like many of her songs were radio-quality, ready to be released right there. I can’t wait to see where this girl ends up, and if she decides not to go “corporate” and sign with a label, who cares. I have her first CD. She let me borrow her tambourine for five hot seconds, and I quickly was reminded how easy these musician people make everything look. (Sarah and Nancye's incessant laughter was not because I am, ahem, talented. More like...funny to watch make a fool of oneself...)

Anyways, it’s not about me. Tonight. Tonight is Rebecca Roubion. Get it while it’s hot, people.

http://rebeccaroubion.com/

Her new three songs are not on her website yet, but they will be. Enjoy the photos…oh, and I learned how to play the piano. Yes, you can do that in about three minutes, duh. I mentioned I was talented, no?

“I let my hair go everywhere
People stop and stare but I don’t give a care
They can let be
because I like to be free
I’m just a-swaying to the beat of my heart
It’s a mighty fine place to start
Ain’t a-wastin my time pretendin
Come with me and life could be splendid
I like to be free”
Rebecca Roubion

a thousand miles to go

This songs makes me want to jump around, to bounce on my toes while singing it. It makes me want to live my life differently and reminds me of the purpose here. It gives me hope that I've got a long way to go, but I've made it this far. I have much to learn, but learned much already. Not sure where the next miles are taking me, but I'm ready to find out. I know its love that got me here and love that will keep me going.

apparently this song is hard to find via the world wide web. ignore the background text on this video. happy dancing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzAK6irjKlU

Thousand Miles, Caedmon's Call I have stolen, Lord, let me give I have left Your house a fugitive I have wandered in my own way Squandered everything You gave But my dying heart You saved and let me live I have cursed the air and clenched my fists I have hungered for Your righteousness I have tried to walk the line I drew between Your heart and mine But You forgive me every time the mark is missed So take my broken offering and make it whole And set my feet upon the road that leads me home Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal Even though I've got a thousand miles to go I have sought Your grace in my defense I have plundered Your magnificence Until my journey is complete I pray the Lord my soul to keep That I might sow what I have reaped From Your great love As I struggle for Your hand You use me in ways I can't understand You take this sinful man and renew me Working through me

i have no musical talents. except my ears.

there's a girl named laura colby, she lives in seattle now and we haven't spoken in, literally...years. but she taught me a few really important things while we were friends in dc. one, i loved how periodically she wrote down the songs she had recently repeatedly been listening to. i loved stealing her great songs. (kings of leon, anyone?) so here's what's been on repeat on my ipod lately, blasting out of my car, out of our apartment, and getting me through my long runs. (which, with 9 school days remaining to that half marathon, are not happening enough.) i'll share only a few so as not to overwhelm you: sweet disposition. from 5o0 days of summer. i want to blast it with the windows down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C8e7nNLZNs the guy that says goodbye to you. found it via pandora. loooooving it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oG1IfQx9Oc oh tonight. by josh abbott. it will be neat when i have someone to sing this to, instead of the emptiness of my house while i'm in the shower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99M6HyGzeic lovelight. claire lynch. found it while making my kids listen to a bluegrass station online at school. my inner city nigerian and hispanic children love bluegrass. check it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GTBl_6JH1U ps you should click on this video just to see the korean subtitles... save the best video for last. and a great song, too, but the video...american flags and twinkle lights. tell me, what else do you need? saw them live less than a month ago. jealous? drew holcomb & the neighbors, ladies and gentlemen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RnGqjSWNEk