Kopecky Family Band & The Mowgli’s

A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure to see two really great bands, Kopecky Family Band and The Mowgli’s. I heard a song by Kopecky Family Band on Birmingham Mountain Radio about a month ago that I really liked and they just happened to be in Birmingham the next weekend when I was visiting but I had to work and was super bummed. My love for them continued to grow and I have been listening to them non-stop the past few weeks. I randomly decided to look at their tour dates to see if they would be anywhere around Birmingham/Auburn over the rest of their tour and I was so excited when I saw that they were going to be in Atlanta just a few days after I looked. I asked my friend Anna, who will go to any concert with me, if she would want to go and she said yes. Kopecky Family Band was opening for the Mowgli’s, who I also have heard on Birmingham Mountain Radio (my all-time favorite radio station, ever. Give it a listen.) and like a few of their songs. I listened to Kopecky Family Band the week leading up and listened to the Mowgli’s just a little the day of (and I wish I listened to them more beforehand!) to get excited for the concert.

The concert was at The Loft in Atlanta and its a somewhat small but really nice venue! Kopecky Family Band was just setting up when we got there and they were setting their own stuff up, which I thought was really cool. I was in awe when they started playing. They are the kind of band that is even better live. They were so interactive with the crowd, almost every band member played multiple instruments throughout the set and they were so creative! For example, Kelsey Kopecky, from whom the band got their name, used a thick chain and tossed it around to make a cool sound. I also loved how they play completely real music, whistle and clap in their music. They also use a cello and trombone in some of their songs and I was slowing dying inside because of how amazing they are. Kelsey and Gabe’s voices together are so perfect together and they know exactly how to put on an amazing show. If I could see them over, and over, and over again I would. I’ve never seen a group who is more passionate about their music than the Kopecky Family Band and I’m not kidding when I say that. They seemed to want to be absolutely nowhere else than right there on that stage. I knew almost all of the songs they played but I was pleasantly surprised when they began a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk. It was different than the original but so amazing. I really have never seen a band live with such musicality.

The Mowgli’s were also great. They had so much energy on stage and all I wanted to do was get up there on the stage and party with them, because their performance was basically one big party. They also all played multiple instruments and I loved it when they all sung together. Eight voices at one time makes for an awesome sound.

I highly recommend checking both bands out. They are both refreshing up and coming bands that are a good change from todays’ pop music scene.

Now I’m counting down the days until I can see them both again.

The Mowgli’s are pictured at the top and Kopecky Family Band at the bottom.

 

Dear John Mayer,

You are ridiculous. And by that, I mean ridiculously amazing. I am infatuated with you and have been ever since the day I heard “Your Body Is A Wonderland” on the radio in 2002. That song will forever be my favorite song. You will forever be my favorite artist. You were my first celebrity crush. You make me swoon with songs like “Come Back to Bed”, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”. “Dreaming with a Broken Heart”, and “In Your Atmopshere” (to name just a few). Of course “Your Body is a Wonderland” makes me swoon, but we won’t go there. I’ve never disliked a song of yours. I’ve never not LOVED an album of yours. I listent your music all. the. time. Literally. I don’t go through the day without hearing a song of yours at least once. You are a phenomenal guitar player. And vocalist. and writer. You’re the whole package. Of course, your looks are a part of your appeal (trying to be modest here, but it’s not really working) and I love how to you say what’s on your mind without worrying about how people and the media will criticize you. I may not agree with everything you’ve said in the past, but I respect you for saying it and not giving a damn who hears it. I think it makes you the realest in your industry.

Seeing you in concert was one of the greatest nights of my life. I saw you play in Birmingham for the Heartbreak Warfare tour and I never thought a concert could be so amazing. Hearing “In Your Atmosphere” live literally completed my life. And that is not a joke.

As I’m typing, I’m listening to a live album of yours and your voice is mesmerizing. Even your speaking voice.

I really hope you get better soon, because I cried when your Born and Raised tour was canceled and I’ll cry when you’re 100% better and can tour again. I’m counting down the days.

Love,

a huge (hopefully not creepy…?) fan

 

“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s ok though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation.. so when I meet someone who’s an 8-color type.. I’m like, “hey girl, magenta!” and she’s like, “oh, you mean purple!” and she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, “no – I want magenta!” -John Mayer

Watch this and you’ll probably agree with me.

 

Favorite songs right now

“Merry Happy” by Kate Nash

Favorite lyric: “Dancing at discos, eating cheese on toast, yeah you make me merry make me very very happy.”

“Price of Nothing Charming” by Tyler Hilton

Favorite lyric: “and in the dark she’s taking shots at my heart. She’s got it to an art and this is how I fall apart.”

“That Wasn’t Me” by Brandi Carlile

Favorite lyric: “When you’re lost you will toss every lucky coin you’ll ever trust”

“Honey Come Home” by Elenowen

Favorite lyric:

“Let our walls crash to the ground
Let our greed and pride fall down
Lets take a hand, run straight through the door
Invite love in to be our floor”

“Stars” by Fun.

Favorite lyric: “I feel like I had it all back before I lost it all. Now I just wait for you to talk to me but you won’t even look at me, baby.”

Check. them. out.

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

I saw Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors at Workplay the other night. They are amazing! They are big into Young Life so pretty much every YL person loves them. It’s just a known fact. Drew & Ellie (they’re married) are just way too cute for words. I was blown away by their live performance. There is honestly nothing better, in this world than watching a great song performed live, right in front of your face. It makes me filled with joy.

Here is a picture of Drew & Ellie. I literally want to be her. She is too dang cute.

The band who opened for them is now my new obsession! Elenowen, is also a husband and wife duo from Nashville, and they are awesome! I fell in love. Their songs are awesome. They told a story about how they love Friday Night Lights and that made me love them even more, because if someone loves a show I do, we are automatically best friends.

She is gorgeous and I swear to you, he is on my top 10 list of hotties, EVER! He looked like a mixture of Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Gosling. I’m not kidding. They were both so nice!

All around, great night. I just love music.

Tyler Hilton

I found out that Tyler Hilton (you might know him as Chris Keller from One True Hill or you might just know him as the perfect man he is) was playing at a small little venue in my town this week and freaked out. I love him and was really confused as to 1) why I didn’t know why he was going to be here because I’m usually pretty up to date on that stuff and 2) why he was playing at this teeny, and I mean TEENY venue, because he is pretty well known. Anyways, it just so happened that I had to work that night. And not register or server as usual, but of course the first time I get scheduled on salads, I have a concert to go to. The problem with being on salads is, you can’t find anyone to work for you because there is technically one night shift salad girl right now, compared to being on register where you can get anyone to cover for you. So, I take the shift and try to get done as fast as I can. I finished closing about 15 minutes after we closed and I wish I could have videoed myself trying to get there because I was running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. I knew Tyler as going to be on at about 9:30 and I made it after the first song. My friends had reserved our seats and we were smack-dad in the middle, front row. it was totally awesome. He is absolutely beautiful in person. I think what I liked most about him is how comfortable he was and how funny he is! He said this, and I agreed, that it felt like we were all just hanging out, not at a concert that we paid for.

I pretty much fan-girled over every single one of his songs. He did a cover of “Video Game” by Lana Del Ray and it was B-E-A-utiful. I didn’t like that song until he played it. The awesome thing at intimate shows like that is getting to meet the artist! He wasn’t taking pictures with people for some reason, I wouldn’t want to every single night on tour either, but he was signing things and having normal conversations with us. I thought that not taking a picture with him made it more real, like talking to a real live person. Which, obviously, every celebrity is but it doesn’t feel like that when the meet and greets are so structured and hectic.

Funny story: I was SO desperate to get to the concert that I said “Screw it!” and went in my works clothes. While I’m waiting my turn to talk to Tyler, his touring partner, Dion, made conversation about Newks. They ate there last time they were in Birmingham and loved it. It made for a good conversation. :)

 

Hey Jesus

Want to know what I’m doing right now and what I’m supposed to be doing? Writing a paper on Hamlet is one of those things. Listening to The Avett Brothers while writing a pointless blog post is the other. I’ll let you guess which one goes where.

Anyways, tonight was a fantastic night. I got to see Tyler Hilton in concert tonight and HOTDAMN is he amazing. His voice is just perfectly perfect. His guitar playing skills are RIDIC and he is HILARIOUS.

I’ve realized that its 12:05 AM and I’m REALLY going to regret this tomorrow so I’m actually going to attempt to write my paper now. I’ll write about the concert tomorrow for whoever’s reading.

The Man Who Sold The World

I have a fascination with Kurt Cobain. I seriously am reading a biography about him. I don’t understand why I’m so interested in him, though. I’m not even a huge fan of Nirvana because I really don’t like his voice that much. I’ve just been sitting here reading about him, looking at pictures of him, and kind of pining over him for the past hour. It really depresses me how troubled he was. I never knew about all of the problems he had. And now that I think about it, I met a guy at a concert a few years ago who really looked like him…

That totally looks like him, right? Or am I crazy? This picture isn’t too good but he definitely looked like Kurt Cobain.

Oh, and on the topic of Nirvana… Dave Grohl was looking mighty fine at the Grammy’s.

The Dirty Guv’nahs

This Saturday, I went to The Dirty Guv’nahs concert with some of my favorite people ever. First off, I got to hang out with some girls that I haven’t in a while which was FUN. Secondly, the Guvs were AHHMAZING. Sometimes there is nothing better than a small concert at a neat venue/bar with a bunch of dedicated fans.

Also, I can’t even handle how hot the leader singer is (he tweeted me.. yes. I love my life).

Here are some pictures from the festivities…

Anna :)))))

Me, Cathrine, Abigail and Mivi

excited for the guvs!!!

 

and last but not least…

James. too hot.

 

 

 

 

 

I Can’t Make You Love Me/Nick of Time

Please, please watch this. I cried. I don’t think I could love Justin Vernon, and Bon Iver, more than I already do.

Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz

It’s weird how a song can make you recall so many specific memories. As I’m listening to Gone by The Black Crowes (Amorica, which might be my favorite album by them) I can remember exact feelings from 9th grade. When I close my eyes, I am fifteen-year old Brianna. But only for a minute.

I could feel pissed off, happy, sad, what have you, but when a memory-triggering song plays, I am engulfed in the feelings that come with that particular song. Ninth grade was such a great year. I became obsessed with the Black Crowes that year and I basically assosiate all of freshman year with them. Listening to the Black Crowes reminds me of halcyon days, how perfect I thought freshman year was, of my friends that I am no longer close with, of the simplicity of my life then, of the then senior I was infatuated with, and so many more things. When the memories swarm me, I am so happy. Once I realize what I’m feeling are three and some FOUR year old memories, it depresses me. But getting that reminder of those better days inspires me to make the best of today. And it reminds me that I need to listen to the Crowes more.

It’s crazy how music can affect me.