For her.

Sonnet 51 

Thus can my love excuse the slow offence

Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed:

From where thou art why should I haste me thence?

Till I return, of posting is no need. 

O, what excuse will my poor beast then find,

When swift extremity can seem but slow?

Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind;

In winged speed no motion shall I know:

Then can no horse with my desire keep pace;

Therefore desire of perfect'st love being made; 

Shall neigh--no dull flesh--in his fiery race;

But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade;

Since from thee going on he went wilful-slow,

Towards thee I'll run, and give him leave to go. 

William Shakespeare

Spring music: 2015

Here's a collection of songs, artists and albums I have shared to a friend's music share email thread, which are unabridged excerpts from my emails and in follow-up to an earlier post from March, 1, 2015:

August 28

Okay, I finally had to pull away from the new Weeknd album, but hot damn is that some good shitttt.  

Thankfully, there's another great album from half of the Black Keys.  Dan Auerbach's band, The Arc, just released "Yours, Dreamily," and it's very, very good so far (and different enough from the Black Keys stuff that he could really take this in a good direction): 

http://www.npr.org/2015/08/26/434119857/first-listen-the-arcs-yours-dreamily

August 25
The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness (full album)

August 21
I see your Drake and Flo, and I raise you The Weeknd + Lana Del Rey:

http://www.hillydilly.com/2015/08/the-weeknd-prisoner-ft-lana-del-rey/

August 18
That's some great recon, Matt.  Nice work, and thanks for sharing.  He's got a great voice.

Speaking of great voices, as I've shared before, I've been getting a lot of new music into my daily listening, and I've been so very impressed with this song by Meg Mac: Roll Up Your Sleeves.  Man, her voice is just so pure and joyful. 

August 13

New Nathaniel Rateliff album just up now on NPR's First Listen:

http://www.npr.org/2015/08/12/430367065/first-listen-nathaniel-rateliff-nathaniel-rateliff-the-night-sweats

Best song, IMO, is S.O.B.

Sold out show in DC come November at RnR Hotel (tix on resale for $100!!). BOOOO. 

August 12
Nice! Love the YG for sure.

Any Youth Lagoon fans out there?  He's putting out a new album soon, and he's also coming to 9:30 Club on Nov 1. Here's a good song from that forthcoming album:

Highway Patrol Stun Gun

A few others I've been enjoying recently:

Selah Sue - Together feat. Childish Gambino

Viceroy - Back at the Start (feat. K Flay)

August 4

Yo Sarah - that DJ Ayes Cold is smooth AF.

Some dope new tracks I've discovered on this weekly Spotify playlist (30 great songs, updated with a new set of 30 every Monday morning):

The Knocks - Dancing With Myself (AMAAAAAAAAAZING SONG)

The Roots - Tomorrow

Thames - How I Want Ya

MisterWives - Our Own House

July 22

Dope track, Matt.  Thanks for sharing.

Here's a newer track by an artist I wasn't familiar with, but will guaranteed put some pep in yo step: Years & Years - Shine

July 9
There's a new Ratatat album out, Magnifique, and NPR did a First Listen:

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/08/420581193/first-listen-ratatat-magnifique

prettttttttttttttttttttttttttttttty damn good.

June 26

This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a Mother F**ker by Maroon 5

June 25
The Game - "100 (Feat. Drake)"

June 22
After an incredibly long wait, Leon Bridges is releasing his album tomorrow (coming to DC at 930 Club in October, too!):

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/14/413461576/first-listen-leon-bridges-coming-home#playlist

June 18

Miguel put six songs (some new, some previously released) from his new album, WILDHEART (June 29) up on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/officialmiguel/playlist/7o9OW7GWfcP3XX0AS4qCLv

June 17
Raury is back with a new song: Devil's Whisper

June 3

Epicfresh new album by Donnie Trumpet and Chance The Rapper:  SURF. Additional details and featured artists here: http://hypetrak.com/2015/05/donnie-trumpet-the-social-experiments-surf-is-out-free-on-itunes/

May 27

how about the new single by The Weeknd "The Hills" oh my goodness no he dint:

http://open.spotify.com/track/2HNcNd5RPZ7DSRNbIl6JsP
he will be at Sweetlife. hopefully he plays that shiiiiiiiiiiit. 

May 27

Damn that Raury would be SICK to see live.  I'll be camping out in the 'Doah this weekend, but I know a few friends who are pumped to attend SweetLife on Sunday.

A$AP Rocky dropped his new album this week.  After a first listen, I am really enjoying “Wild for the Night.” 

A few other great singles out right now are “Hood Go Crazy” by Tech N9ne, and one of my favorite songs right now is “This Could Be Us” by Rae Sremmund

May 20

Song of the summer right here: Fetty Wap - Trap Queen

May 19

Been outta the game for minute, but back in it today with the new Shamir album drop:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3AH5uKRSJRdahN9ut2XE9D

Available on Spotify and elsewhere.  Great first listen and quite different. Been getting reviewed a lot lately (NY Mag, New Yorker, etc). 

LMK what you think.

May 4

New Miguel feat. Wale:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-7nzDmC9fY

April 30

FINALLY: one of my favorite singer/songwriters and a real crooner, Leon Bridges, has released another song (his fourth): River. It's the latest release from his debut album, Coming Home. 

April 29

really digging the new Alabama Shakes album, Sound & Color (on Spotify).  Title song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faG8RiaANek

April 15

Check the new Kanye before it's pulled:

Mitus Touch

April 8

The new Lord Huron album dropped:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3yoNZlqerJnsnMN5EDwwBS

April 2

Favorite song off that new Wale album gotta be The Bloom (AG3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl44WSmh1iM

Anyone else been listening / have a favorite?  The Jerry Seinfeld narration is priceless.

April 1

That new Wale album dropped last night.  Two good songs:

The Pessimist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upliEvVc-GM

The Middle Finger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wstvfj5Tzmc

Also, loads of Jerry Seinfield making jokes throughout the album.  Check out the whole album on Spotify.

March 31

SICK FUCKING BRACKET. pardon my french, but god damn.

I've been geeking out and the worst match up is Gorgeous vs. New Slaves.

Thanks, Chris.  You made my week.

March 27

happy birthday to one of our own, Cristina Nigro. you are straight marvelous, and i, for one, am excited to celebrate you today! 

those other six days of the week? well, the beautiful soul band Ephemerals already took care of summing them up:

Six Days a Week - Ephemerals

March 26

Rihanna - "Bitch Better Have My Money"

March 24

it's like being in the room when Quentin Tarantino queues the music and yells "ACTION!"

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rdiy9IzATQ

March 23

I'm completely blown away by Gilligan Moss - Hemlock.  Something a little different that should get your feet tapping and heads bobbing.  Enjoy.

March 18

That Little Daylight is dope, James.  Kudos brother.

Here is a beautiful Kendrick song that was, unfortunately, not included on the new album:  Untitled.

And a new artist to toss in the mix ... was tipped off from my cousin in NYC after seeing him open for Kindness (the duo is coming to U Street Music Hall tomorrow night).  This is likely Pell's top track: Eleven:11 but others are good.  Check him out.

DC Travel Tips

After living in DC for four years, I've been meaning to post some travel tips, but I have not been able to sit down and compile until now. Alas, here is a list (though not exhaustive) of places in DC that I have come to love:

BARS, COFFEE SHOPS, BEER GARDENS/BREWERIES

- La Colombe (best neighborhood coffee shop, in my opinion)
- Lost & Found (best neighborhood bar, in my opinion)
- Ivy & Coney (great dive bar)
- A&D Neighborhood Bar (good spot, never too crowded)
- Dacha (beer garden)
- Garden District (beer garden)
- Wunder Garten (beer garden)
- Right and Proper (brewery with awesome food, a few blocks away, but worth the walk)
- Compass Coffee (great ambiance w/WiFi)
- Dolci Gelato (good for gelato fix)
- Blue Jacket Brewery (awesome brewery on DC Waterfront)
- The Royal (awesome new spot)
- Boundary Stone (another favorite brew pub)

RESTAURANTS

- Seasonal Pantry ($$$$ best restaurant in DC I still haven't tried, chef Dan O'Brien is friend)

- Rogue 24 ($$$$ chef RJ Cooper is James Beard Foundation award winner)

- Blue Duck Tavern ($$$ highly rated, long time champ in the dining scene)

- Table ($$$ best all around, very seasonal)

- Corduroy ($$$ fancier dining, date spot, but not pretentious, well-priced and respected chef) 

- Le Diplomate ($$$ superb french)

- Sequoia ($$$ all around good spot)

- Oyamel ($$ fancy mexican, great tacos)

- Red Hen ($$ great seasonal, hip spot)

- Tabard Inn ($$ must-do brunch, but all meals good)

- Little Serow ($$$ superb Thai food)

- Provisions ($$ good small plates/meat selection)

- Tico ($$ awesome ceviche and fish entrees)

- Thai Crossing ($$ most authentic Thai)

- St. Arnolds, Granville Moores, and Brasserie Beck ($$$ Belgian spots, superb mussels/beer)

- Toki Underground ($ ramen, way out there though)

- El Camino ($ next door to Boundary Stone, great spot)

- Busboys and Poets ($ easy brunch, great environment, decent Bloodys

- El Rey ($ strictly for tacos and cheap beer)

NEIGHBORHOODS

- Shaw

- Bloomingdale

- Logan Circle

- DuPont Circle

- U Street NW

- Adams Morgan

- Yards Park (DC Waterfront)

- M Street, Georgetown

- H Street NE
- Capitol Hill
- Eastern Market
- Barracks Row

MUSEUMS

- Hirshhorn Museum (modern and contemporary art--my favorite museum in DC)

- National Gallery of Art (classic in West Building, modern in East Building, and amazing gift shop connecting both)

- American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery (one of the best stops for art and presidential history in DC)

- Air and Space Museum (fun if interested)

- National Museum of Natural History (great museum, superb artifacts/exhibits)

- American History Museum (great source of all things USA both historical and recent)

- National Mall: Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, MLK, and U.S. Capitol (self guided tours are best)

- War Memorials: Vietnam, Korean, WWII, Disabled American Veterans (newest)

- Ford's Theatre and Lincoln Museum (very new museum, all about Lincoln's assassination)

- National Building Museum (BEST GIFT SHOP IN DC)

- National Zoo (PANDA BABIES)

A good start to music in 2015.

A collection of the songs and music I have shared in a friend's music thread, La Musica de Campeones III, since the start of 2015 (unabridged from emails):

Monday, Jan. 5

Love that motto for 2015, Matt.  Good song, too.
Here is Milky Chance's Unknown Song feat. Paulina Esienberg.   Catchy and fun, and here are two more: Stolen Dance and Babe I'm Yours. Stolen Dance sounds familiar - perhaps previously shared? Nevertheless - not to be confused with Whilk & Misky. 

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Here is Australia by Conner Youngblood (for all you Bon Iver fans).  
Can we JUST get another Bon Iver album? 

Thursday, Jan. 22

Yo, that Mamacita bumps. So gangsta. Thanks Sarah!

Speaking of gangstas, Lil Weezy dropped a new album. 

Haven't listened to it yet - any good songs?

Also, am in an Usher kinda mindset lately:

You Got It Bad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3IWTfcks4k

Confessions Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sy19X0xxrM

Nice & Slow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIpQ4AZSAf8

U Remind Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxau9B3jOHM

Saturday, Jan. 24

New FRANK OCEAN:

http://www.hillydilly.com/2015/01/frank-ocean-you-are-luhh/

Countdown til his new album drops.

Monday, Jan. 26

I'm pretty sure Theophilus London has been shared, but not sure if anything from his newest album, VIBES (released Oct. 27, 2014).  Here is a superb song: "Can't Stop feat. Kanye West" 

He'll be in DC Feb 15 at U Street Music Hall.

Thursday, Jan. 29

This song is soo damnnn smooooth:  "Things Are Changing" by Gary Clark, Jr.

Thursday, Jan. 29

Some of that brand new shit (for your dance parties, Tina Nigro):

Meek Mill - B Boy ft. Big Sean and ASAP Ferg

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Rihanna and Kanye went straight country on "FourFiveSeconds" (with licks by Sir Paul McCartney): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt0g4dWxEBo

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Yo yo yo, that new Chris Brown and Tyga in "AYO" (with special guest appearance and a fellow Hoosier, MR. MIKE EPPS):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKCrSN9oXgQ

Wednesday, Feb. 4

For those having Alt-J withdrawals, here is Alt-J's front-man (guitarist and vocalist) Joe Newman on Portico's new song, "101."

Basically sounds like an Alt-J song, but of course, you can take it or leave it.

Thursday, Feb. 5

"All Day" by Yeezy

Friday, Feb. 6

Alright, enough Yeezy until he releases his Adidas...

Here's a little different sounding track to my typ shares:

Madeon - You're On ft. Kyan (Gramatik Remix)

Saturday, Feb. 7

Happy Saturday. 

I'm adding a second friend, Ms. Kat, to La Musica de Campeones III.

Her very brief background: 

Kat resides in BK but has roots in the 303. 

She's wise beyond her ears, I mean years.

And her eclectic taste in music is bar none. 

Please join me in giving Kat and her future music shares with the group a warm welcome.

Kat - thanks for that last song share, which will work well to set the stage for your entrance:

From the guys who brought you ILYSB, here is LANY's newest track, "Bad, Bad, Bad."

Enjoy.

Monday, Feb. 9

Kendrick Lamar's new song, The Blacker The Berry: http://youtu.be/6AhXSoKa8xw 

He won big for "i" last night.  way to go, K.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Thanks, Matt.  It's all thanks to Twitter I stay on top of the new drops.

Another new one (big ups to Dags for turning me onto Passion Pit back in the day) - here is Madeon's new song "Pay No Mind ft. Passion Pit." And it's fucking lovely.  Their new album, Kindred, drops in April this year.  Definitely doing their 930 Club show again.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Passion Pit have two new songs out (released Feb 16 and Feb 17):

Where the Sky Hangs: http://youtu.be/SDuwmU1a1kY

Lifted Up (1985): http://youtu.be/YeINWQDg7zg

Friday, Feb. 20

TGIF.

This remix is blowing my mind:

Notorious BIG - Old Thing Back feat. JA RULE and Ralph Tresvant (Matoma Remix)

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Damn these Matoma remixes are pulling my heart strings:

Ice Cube & The Notorious B.I.G. - Hello vs. Party & Bullshit (Matoma Remix)

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Not a fan of the new Drake.  Seems disjointed, and to me, Drake raps too much through his nasal passage.  Drake should sing more and be a featured artist.  Like Akon, Chris Brown, et al.  I'll give it to him, though, he gets people singing his songs, cause they catchy, but I swear to God that fool is a zero on the Gangstr Scale.  Oh, he's Canadian?  Explains way too much IMO.

On that Drake tip, here is song from a rarely-shared-but-very-talented rap artist for you all this evening:

Nick Minaj - Only (FEAT Drizzy, Weezy and Chris Breezy) 

Love the new Big Sean, tho. Especially that Ye verse at the end.  

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Also - leading RapGenius contributor had this to say about "Only" in his review of Nicki Minaj's Pink Project album:

"Only is a disgusting romp that sounds like the ultimate break up party smash, with Drake and Wayne explaining their various carnal thoughts about Nicki and what they'd do to her when she is no longer spoken for." via http://www.bensbigblog.com.au/ via http://genius.com/Theonlydjorkaeff

Love that analysis.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

TGIF, Kat.  Birds of a feather.

After geekin out for over an hour and pouring over rap lyrics on Genius.com to Kanye's "All Day," and a splattering of other songs, I came across this beautiful gem to get your Friday night tipped in the right direction:

ROC BOYS - Jay Z featuring a voice cameo from Kanye, which as you'll hear comes through as "we in the house," and is a saying derived from the notion of lighter skinned slaves being allowed in the house. A lyric from ALL DAY reminded me of this fact.

Typical Friday.  Party.

Sunday, Mar. 1

So many good songs discovered from the weekend (in no specific order):

I Luv U by demo taped - from Soundcloud's summary: "Effervescent electronic soul enhanced by soft vocals to emulate the feeling of love"

White Iverson by Post Malone - what seems like effortless music with a hypnotic hook

Home feat. Dev Hynes / Blood Orange by Heems - witty lyrics with deconstructed beats

Big League Chew by Action Bronson - those rhymes are unstoppable, not to mention that late 90s rap rhythm (like a mellow P Diddy beat)

Lisa Sawyer by Leon Bridges - the swoon, Leon, giving ole Frank a run for his money (different genres, but still)

Pressure by Milk and Bone - reminds me of a silkier, sultrier, slower Feist

Enjoy.

The year, 2014, in music.

I am a member of two music share email groups.  One I founded (Music Share Wednesday), and one that I was invited to join (La Música de Campeones III). Since their beginnings, my knowledge of new -- and good -- music, artists, bands, genres, and uses of instruments and vocals has brilliantly expanded.

As a small humblebrag, I put together a recap of the year's music on my own terms: 

How I heard music throughout 2014.  
The trends I observed.  
Reflection on mostly a personal level.  
Artists and musicians that heightened my excitement and interests. Some things to look out for in 2015.
Things like that.

Granted, it could use more work, be fleshed out, and with an hour or so of additional research, it could be worthy of publication, but I think the recap is unique in its rawest form and without corrections to the context:

It was a great year of Music Share Wednesday. Thanks to you all for sharing great tracks, albums, and concert ideas throughout the year.  

Without a doubt, 2014 was dominated by major releases by some of the most talented women in the industry (read: Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Lana Del Rey, Iggy Azalea, FKA Twigs, Sharon Jones, and Ariana Grande to name a few), but let us not forget 2014 also consisted of a new album by Pharrell Williams (as well as the near global takeover with "Happy"), a new single from Kendrick Lamar ("i" - likely receiving more controversy than radio play), the long awaited sophomore album by Alt-J, the first D’Angelo album in 15 years, and the beautiful amazingness that is Hozier.

My top song for 2014?  Well, that's tough, so I have to preface my choice by saying that I've been listening the most to lyrically-driven songs in the last 12 months (read: Asgeir, The Weeknd, London Grammar, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and This Is All Yours by Alt-J), so l have to go with one I discovered earlier this year:

Jack Garratt - Worry:  https://soundcloud.com/jackgarratt/worry-1. This song was also on the NoonPacific Best in the Universe playlist, so it's getting some traction!

Looking ahead in 2015, I'm mostly excited about some new projects/albums by a number of artists - especially Frank Ocean and Miguel, hopefully Kendrick Lamar, and honestly, Modest Mouse (more on that album drop and first single here: "Lampshades on Fire").  Something about the familiarity of the Modest Mouse sound and the time in my early 20s when they blew up recalls memories I don't mind revisiting to new songs/sounds in 2015.  Another to look forward is The Harpoons.

ALSO – Washington, DC native Nick Hakim (listen to “The Light” or “Cold” or “I Don’t Know” or “Sleep”) is coming to U Street Music Hall on Saturday, January 24.  Tickets are $15 (a STEAL, I bought two): http://www.ticketfly.com/event/745823-nick-hakim-washington/. Nick Hakim’s bio here: http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/discovery-nick-hakim#_
Anyone have a top album release in 2015 (along with their top 2014 song/album)?

Have a good New Year’s Eve and a happy New Year everyone!

Trevor 

So there you have it;
And with that, I wish you all a healthy and happy 2015.
So much to look forward to.
Live your life.