Soundtrack to my Life

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato

[melissssaaahh]

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I told you about all those fears,

and away they did run;

you sure must be strong, when you feel

like an ocean being warmed by the sun.

[hypsterblog]

10 years ago The Shins’ “New Slang” changed our lives. We’ve got the Garden State Soundtrack and things are about to get real nostalgic: http://bit.ly/1oubvs5 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Atlas Genius

I first heard Atlas Genius at my friends apartment last year. She was just casually playing music and I couldn’t help but stop and ask what song was playing. I went home to look up Atlas Genius and loved even more of their songs. I first heard “Trojans” which is by far my favorite song of theirs. They are an alternative rock band that formed in South Australia in 2009. They only have one album released, “When It Was Now” in 2013. I highly recommend checking them out, even though they are much smaller and not very recognized. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a South African born, Brooklyn raised musician. His real name is Jean-Philip Grobler but goes by his stage name, St. Lucia. I first heard St. Lucia on Jimmy Kimmel Live two years ago. I loved the upbeat sounds that resembled 80′s pop. He released his first album “When the Night” in 2013. He has become increasingly popular since he first debuted. He became more recognized when he went on tour with Two Door Cinema Club in 2013. His main influences on his music comes from Phil Collins and Fleetwood Mac. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is a Canadian, indie rock band. They formed in 2001 and released their first album in 2004. I first heard Arcade Fire in high school when I was driving around in my friends car. I heard the song “Funeral” and really liked it and like how unique it was. They have released four albums with their most recent being “Reflektor” in 2013. This album is by far my favorite. I remember seeing their performance last year on Saturday Night Live and falling even more in love with them based on their stage presence and performance. The band’s two lead singers are married. They play so many different types of instruments and even the band members switch around playing different instruments for different songs. 

[dreadomyheart]

So much love in one photo

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Gabe Dixon Band

I first heard the Gabe Dixon Band when my sister played them for me in high school. It wasn’t my usual type of music but I really liked it. They are much softer than most of the music I usually like. I was fortunate enough to get to see them in concert this summer while I lived in Nashville. He seemed like such a genuine guy, and unbelievably talented.  He took the time to meet everyone after the concert and just hang out. They are a three piece, piano driven rock band. They remind me a lot of Ben Folds Five. The band formed in 1998 at the University of Miami. They have released six albums, with their most recent being released in 2013. my favorite album of theirs is self titles “Gabe Dixon Band.” My favorite song is “Five More Hours.”

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Alabama Shakes 

I first heard Alabama Shakes when I watched the movie “Silver Linings Playbook.” I instantly fell in love with their soulful upbeat sounds. I was mostly surprised to find out the lead singer was a girl, she has a very deep voice. Alabama Shakes are an American rock band that formed in Alabama in 2009. They have two albums released, one was just currently released in the last month. In the last couple years they have become really popular, making appearances on Saturday Night Live, and headlining tours. I would describe their sound as soulful, progressive rock.

[gothkeigs]

Wide Eyes // Local Natives

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Cloud Control

I first heard this band when I was hanging out at The Black Orange in downtown Conway. I was with my boyfriend grabbing some tea, and while we were waiting for the tea to be ready we were concentrated on the amazing background noise. We used shazaam to identify the song. The name of the song was called “The smoke, the feeling”. We listened to that song at least ten more times that day. It was one of those songs that you just have an instant connection with. Cloud Control is an Australian alternative rock band. The signed a record deal in 2013, and this is their first released album. They remind me a lot of my favorite band, Local Natives, and they even toured with them a few year back. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Nada Surf

Nada Surf is a 4 member, American band that formed in New York in the 1990′s. They have released 7 albums, my favorite is “The Weight is a Gift” and it’s definitely one of my favorite albums of all time. Their music could be described as alternative or indie rock. They are one of the few bands that I haven’t seen in person, and I’d really love to. They have gone on a few hiatus’ but are currently recording a new album. They first became big over in Europe and slowly started reaching over to the United States. Related artists to Nada Surf would be Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, and Weezer. 

[vampire-weekend]

A Paper Punk / MIA vs Vampire Weekend

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires is an English electronic, indie pop, and dance band. They’ve released two albums so far; Friendly Fires in 2008 and Pala in 2011. I love listening to their music when I’m in a big group of people because it’s super uplifting and just makes you want to dance. There’s three band members who met when they were 12. I was lucky enough to see them at Lollapalooza in 2011. They were amazing! They were fairly early in the day because they are a pretty small band, but I convinced my friends to come with me to watch them play and they instantly fell in love. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Milky Chance

Milky Chance is a German folk duo that began in 2012. Their song “Stolen Dance” is on every radio station, everywhere. My favorite song of theirs is “Flashed Junk Mind”. Their sound is a mix of reggae and electronic, which sounds like a really strange combination but their vocals tie it all together to make a very unique and intriguing sound. The duo met in elementary school and stayed in touch ever since. They recorded their album in their home made studio. They are a very new band but they are definitely up and coming. They are making their way around the summer music festivals this summer. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

The White Stripes

The White Stripes consists of married couple Jack and Meg White. They're an American rock duo that formed in 1997, in Detroit. Since 1997, they have released six albums. They have had songs featured in many movies and tv shows. Their song "Fell in Love with a Girl" was featured on an apple commercial. After 2008 when the group went on a hiatus Jack White created many different bands such as The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, and he even did some solo work. I got to see Jack White perform this summer at Forecastle Music Festival, and it was definitely one of the best concerts I've ever seen in my life. He has amazing stage presence and he played songs from all of his bands and his solo work. The White Stripes music style is a mix of blues, garage band, and early punk. They have found a lot of inspiration from bands such as The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band that formed in 2002. Since then they have released five albums, and their newest one is called "AM".  They have been nominated for multiple awards, even three Grammy's. They are unlike the other bands that I've posted before because those bands were much more chill and relaxed, where Arctic Monkeys are much rougher and definitely defined as rock. My favorite album of theirs has to be "Favourite Worst Nightmare" which was released in 2007. I got to see them perform live at  Lollapalooza in 2011 and they were absolutely amazing. They had everyone so engaged and excited. I would relate Arctic Monkeys to bands such as The Killers and Cage the Elephant, so if you like those bands you should definitely check out the Arctic Monkeys. 

[allisonmurphy15-blog]

Spoon 

Spoon is an American rock band that began in 1993. I first heard them in middle school and was instantly hooked. Many of their songs have been featured in tv shows and movies. I believe I first heard them while watching a show and looked them up and fell in love. They've released a total of eight albums, their most recent is "They Want my Soul". My favorite album is "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga". They are one of my favorite bands to drive to. Their music is super relaxing but upbeat at the same time. I finally got to see them live for the first time this summer at the music festival, Forecastle. They were even better than I had imagined. Their stage presence was amazing and their vocals were even better live.