Coffee Music

Being a blogger is fun. But it's a hobby, not a full-time job. It's not like being a college student or a business woman; it neither pays nor causes stress. So why is it that when I'm writing up my next post in a coffee shop or a cafe, and I look over the top of my laptop and catch eyes with a business woman or a college student, I feel like I'm one of them?

What is it about coffee shops and cafes that bring out the inner cool in people who work there? Is it because an expresso next to our notebook signifies your determination NOT to pass out until your report is perfect? Is it because you're surrounded by chattering pairs and it's cool to imagine they're looking at you and thinking, "Wow, who's that cool dude with the laptop? Bet he's got a great work ethic…I want to meet him!" 

At first, getting a coffee meant getting the coffee and leaving. Now, it means bringing my "office" and enough money for the next five hours (don't think all that time is devoted to blogging--I do have other tasks). Still not sure whether that has helped or hurt my work ethic. But that's not even the point.

The POINT was that I now have a playlist for when I enter a cafe or a coffee place because dammit, THAT'S WHAT I DO: tae situations and find songs to enhance the scenery. 

I wanted to share some of them with you all, and find out what your personal playlists are, if you have any. Do you feel like playing more uptempo songs to go with the high of your americano? Maybe more melodic ballads as you sip your chai tea lattes? How about a soothing romantic mid-tempo jam as you relax with your salted caramel mocha?

(i go to cafes too much.)
But here are a few songs that are included in my cappuccino world. There's an autumn-y feel due to the changing weather, and as you can see, I couldn't' narrow it down to a single-digit numbered list. Forgive. :)

Homework- Big Deal

Eyes Without A Face-Billy Idol

Past Paradise-Eric Roberson

Trust Me-The Fray

Storm (Pocketknife's TuBa 303 Remix)-Jose Gonzalez

Beautifully Undone-Lindy

Be The One-Melanie C

Too Easy-ONe Republic

Ghost STory-Sting

Caramel-Suzanna Vega

From the Morning-Nick Drake

Remember The Love-Adriana Evans

You Don't Know My Name-Alicia Keys

Lovely Day-Bill Withers

Where You Wanna Be-Brandy

Where I Wanna Be-Donell Jones

Truth Is-Fantasia

Lo Mein-Georgia Anne Muldrow

Now you tell me: what's your coffee playlist?

-CDM

A Piece Of Picoult

One of my favorite authors of the modern world is Jodi Picoult.

If this face, which you'd find in the jacket of her books or the back of her paper covers, doesn't ring a bell, I'll let you in on a personal journey to finding Jodi.

I first knew of her when I was twelve years old, when I found, "My Sister's Keeper."

For those of you who saw the movie, you'll know the basic idea; A family of five faces turmoil when the youngest child, Anna, who was created solely to save her leukemic sister's life, sues for medical emancipation from both her parents, who fight back. What the sole-moviegoers won't know is how much more emotionally riveting the book is.

Since then, I've fallen in love with more and more of her novels. My recent favorite is "Sing You Home."

It's about a musical therapist who falls in love with another woman and wants to use the embryo's from her failed marriage to start a new family. But he ex-husband, who signed over his rights to the embryos but fell into a deep religious faith post-divorce, fights to gain custody of children he doesn't want to keep them from growing in a family he doesn't believe in. What follows is an enticing dramatic case punctuated by original songs (you'll have to look that up) to add to the element of music.

Jodi's style of writing gives us an insight into everyone's perspective; the protagonist's, the antagonist's, the sidekick's, the skeptic's, and everyone in the between. Whether we agree with the perspective or not, we are given a chance to understand the motives of each character. Her writing is a cross between prose and poetry, which has always been my favorite form of writing. It's why I love Toni Morrison so much.

A Picoult novel is the toast to my afternoon tea, the companion in bed on a Lazy Sunday, and the flame under my arms as the weather starts to cool down. You won't regret picking up any of her books:

Yes, I posted close to all of the books she has out. You should see them all! Lol.

And here is the link to the author's website: http://jodipicoult.com

Now go check it out, dang it!

-CDM

The Last Sip of Summer

Ah, the end of another summer. 

Yes, I know, it's been  a long time, but Art Batter is off its summer hiatus, and what better way to get back to business than a recap of my personal favorite discoveries over the last season? Most of these are new and recent shows or artists for all of us, but some of these have been around long before summer. Either way, I hope you enjoy. :)

            Top 5 Artists Of The Summer

1. Frank Ocean: I had first come to know about him through the song "She" by Tyler the Creator, and hadn't thought much of him since. Even with " ," I didn't see much of the talent he would soon come to show us. We all know his sparse but meaningful single, "Thinking About You," but listen to his entire new album and you'll appreciate his skill. His songwriting techniques, In my opinion, are brilliant, as is his within-range croons throughout each song. Here are the three songs that I have been bumping the most of his.
2. J*DaVeY: They are no novice to the game; this duo from LA has been around since 2008, taking over the "Black Hipster" culture with their blend of Electronic, RnB, Hip Hop, and Punk Rock. I can't get over how infectiously catchy and groovy their music is. The lead singer, Jack Davey's voice, is a sultry cooing that compliments the production of Brook D'Leau, and the result is demonstrated below.
3. Rapsody: There is nothing like a good MC, and for those who want more females at the forefront of the genre, there is nothing like a good female MC. And I have found  a female MC that has made it to my Top 5 MC's overall. She is simple 20 years old, and has already been putting out music since 2008. An NC native under 9th Wonder's wing, this lady's flow is so fly I nearly had a heart attack. Don't believe me? Check below.


4. Kendrick Lamar: I'm anticipating his next album like my birthday; "good kid, m.A.A.d city" is set for release on October 22nd, 2012, and after hearing his earlier works, from OD to Section.80, October 22nd can't come fast enough. This is a Compton-based MC whose slight accent and quick witty verses over various forms of hip-hop beat-gold draw you in like lint to a vacuum cleaner. At this moment, I'm bumping three of his older jams until the heavenly day when his album comes out.
5. Azealia Banks: Her music errs on the side of pop-dance, which is actually great for me because I need more upbeat exercise songs to lift weights to! She's a 21 year old chick hailing from New York Cit-ay, and refers to herself and the Young Rapunzel. I have to warn you, she's not for kids under a certain age, so if you have kids who like her, make them buy the clean version. The bottom songs are my personal favorites of hers, and before I forget, focus on the cool tone of her voice over the hard beats. That's some real stuff. :)

        Top 5 Show/Movies Of The Summer

1. Beasts Of The Southern Wild: This is not your normal feel-good summer flick. This is an indie, authentic, emotionally-charged, realistic portrayal of a group of people living in what is called the Bathtub, and risky swamp area to live; recently a storm warning has gone out and the authorities are begging for them to leave. Some of them do, but most of them stay steadfast where they are, including a man and his daughter, Hushpuppy. what follows after the storm is something I'm not capable of putting into words. True story--I nearly cried.
2. The Newsroom: Another masterpiece from the writer of "The Social Network." This is a series about a news anchor, Republican Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) who recently changed the way he broadcasts the news. With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Mackenzie (Emily Mortimer) and the dedicated staff of journalists for News Night (his show), Will McAvoy transforms himself from the neutral good guy who doesn't say anything wrong to the hard-hitting fact-digger who denounces what he believes is wrong and reports what he wants the audience to know if they want to be informed. Using real life events from the recent years, Aaron Sorkin (creator) orchestrates an HBO series unlike anything I've ever seen. Why, oh why did this first Season have to be only 10 episodes?
3. The Dark Knight Rises: The release of this movie was overshadowed by the horrific shootings at Aurora, and when I think of the circumstances surrounding the shooting, it reminds me why certain people should be evaluated before being able to buy a gun, but that's a noter topic for another time. THis movie was the perfect ending to the morbidly brilliant trilogy of Batman. The billionaire behind the mask (Christian Bale) has retired that mask with flourish--being blamed for the death of Harvey Dent. And yet the warnings of the sly robber Elena (Anne Hathaway) leads him to discover the return of that dark league he had once been a part of in the first movie, and a threat to permanently destroy Gotham using a dangerous weapon--Gotham's inhabitants. Overall, if you did not see this movie, you are really missing out. Buy the DVD or get it on Demand/Netflix, turn off the lights, turn UP the volume, and eat popcorn. It's worth it.
4. Melissa Harris Perry: I have always loved Rachel Maddow. She's a witty, intelligent woman who cracks down on and demolishes her opponents arguments, all with a smile. I love her more now because she helped give a weekend show on MSNBC to Melissa Harris-Perry, an equally beautiful and intelligent woman who is a Professor, a mother, a wife, and an African-American willing to talk about the African American community and how race still affects our country politically. Everytime she appears on TV, with her brown twists and high-pitched giggles, my morning is made just a little bit brighter. She is an ideal role model to all young girls, including girls of color, and for that she makes the Top 5.
5. Unsung: TVONE, in my opinion, is a haven for some great TV shows that once were, but are no longer. I've seen so many hilarious reruns of some classic shows, from Good Times to Living Single, that I'm almost sure these aren't really reruns, but actual new episodes. This series, which is not a rerun or new, has been the highlight for me of the entire channel. It is an hour long special chronicling the lives of stars from the past whose careers took a mysterious turn for the worst; the episode as an in-depth look at why. I've seen so many of them; Tammi Terrell, The Sylvers, Heatwave, Kool Moe Dee, Angela Winbush; the list goes on and on. And I think if you're a 20th Centuy Music buff, these episode are ESPECIALLY for you.

Welcome back, Fall Season! Let's party!!1

-CDM