My March Madness

Welcome to my March Madness! The madness for me is not basketball but rather deciding to give up alcohol for Lent the year. The overwhelming question I get is 'Why, are you crazy?' But yes, I've heard everything.

From 'Are you serious?' to 'That's the one thing you're not supposed to give up' to 'Wow, that's awesome' to 'More power to you' to 'You'll last a week'!

The reality was after a couple back to back Sunday Fundays, I decided a needed a break and so did my liver. Also throw in a couple weekday starts with a bad hangover and the idea of slitting my wrists looking like the means to the end, Ash Wednesday happened to fall right on the calendar at the perfect time. Yes folks, I did it for Jesus!

Actually not being super religious, I'm using this time as a time of penance and fasting for my own spiritual being. Not entirely a devotion to God, but more a devotion to myself and to prove to myself I can do it. Also, ask pretty much anyone who knows me, and they'll tell you that I'm a man of my word. So when I say I'm going to do something, I do it. So my dear friend alcohol, I'll see ya on Easter.

My first test was this weekend for one my best friend's birthday, and surprisingly it went well! There was only a few minor setbacks like the server not even bringing my Diet Coke when I ordered it but coincidentally remembering my friend's Vodka drink, and a case of the stink eye when I turned down a shot. I know right, who turns down free shots? Other than than that, my alternating between Diet Coke and Red Bull kept me right on track with my fellow drinkers and few even noticed.

So who says you need alcohol to have fun? Me....any other day but these 40 days:)

Here's your madness playlist for the week!


Monday - "Fight for You" - Morgan Page - I featured this DJ in a playlist a few weeks ago. This is another song off his "Believe" album...no, not Cher's "Believe" album. I'm digging this album!





Tuesday - "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" - Alicia Keys - I'm not the biggest Alicia Keys fan. Don't get me wrong, I think she is an amazing voice and talent. Sometimes her songs are a little slow and bland for me, but this one I do love! This is off her latest album "The Element of Freedom".





Wednesday - "When I'm Small" - Phantogram - An American rock duo hailing from NY, these Jr. high school friends formed a band in 2007. They've played with Yeasayer before which I have featured in this blog. Hooping loops, synth pop, dance beat and haunting lead vocals from Sarah Barthel, you can't go wrong with this single.




Thursday - "Scars" - Allison Iraheta - Ok, if you watch Idol, you saw this song on the results show this week. Reminiscent of a P!nk song, this is a rather slow song but I do like it. Although she is slightly awkward during interviews, she does have a great voice.





Friday - "Pyramid" - Charice - You've likely seen this young 17yr old singer on Ellen or Oprah who rose to fame on youtube. This is her fist single off her international debut slated for later this year. From the Philippines, this singer made her debut on the Filipino version of Idol but only took third place. I have her feeling her voice will take her much further in the US!





Saturday - "Fall Hard" - Shout Out Louds - This song reminds me of the indie band Owl City but the Swedish version. Off their "Work" album released this month, this is a fun catchy ditty. For Passion Pitt fans, they did a great "Summertime Radio Remix" version of this song but its a tad slower. Check it out!




Sunday - "Never Forget You" - The Noisettes - So this is the perfect theme song for me this week. Don't you love how I someone can find perfect songs for every theme?

What you’re drinkin’
Rum or whiskey
Now don’t you have a…
Double with me

ACTUALLY...Yes, puhleeeze I will take a double Vodka on Easter...thaaaaanks!

This song reminds me of you!

Do you know why I love music so much? Every song can remind me of something. A feeling, a person, an experience, a time in your life whether it be good, bad or in between.

For me, U2's "Beautiful Day" represents a sad yet excited time when I left NM for the first time and moved to Denver. The Cranberries "Zombie" and "Ode To My Family" were the songs I blasted on my way to college in my little red Toyota Tercel. Hole's "Violet" triggers an extremely lonely, dark time in my life that I was able to overcome.

I'm sure you've heard a song pop on the radio and it immediately evokes emotion...whether it be a chuckle, smile, tear or a feeling you'd rather forget. Music triggers something in the brain and heart.

So this week, I dedicate my blog to my favorite band Nickelback and their song "How You Remind Me". HA! I hope you know I'm kidding. Nickelback, seriously? If you read my blog, I hope you know my favorite band is actually Limp Bizkit. HAHAH, actually I was inspired by my first song this week by Annie. I hope you like it.

So I thought I'd dedicated this blog to my friends and the songs that remind me of you. Whether it be a song or an artist, I will always think of you guys when I hear these songs. This is for you my friends and a few of the songs that remind me of you!

Blanche a.ka. Danielle - Blue Da Ba Dee -Eiffel 65
Katrina - Bush/Goo Goo/No Doubt...our first concert together and pretty much any STP, Pearl Jam, DMB or Live song remind me of all those other unforgettable ones
Kelly - the "Go" soundtrack on my back porch
Regina - "Music" by Madonna
Crystal - "She-Wolf" hahahaha , "Bootylicious" or any Prince song
Snarisa/Hoochina a.k.a. Carisa & Christina - "Jessie's Girl"
My sis - "Feliz Navidad" hahahha
Ems - "Cool" by Gwen Stefani and "Who's that Girl" by Robyn oh and Scissor Sisters
Jessie - Ppppoker Face..not the piano version;)
Matt - "Underneath" by Alanis Morrisette..the remix of course
Seth - "Since You Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
David - it pains me to mention her in my blog, but Mariah Carey
Sarah - Gwen Stefani...and our 'suburbs experience'
Paul - any song from "Flavors of Entanglement" by Alanis and new song below
Erin - "Gimme More", "Piece of You", etc. - by the one and only B. Spears!~!
Lesbros (new VB team) - "Bad Romance" - by who else ?!GAGA !



Be sure to let me know, if a song reminds you of me or feel free to share any moments in my comments section.


Monday - "Song Remind me of You" - Annie - For obvious reason, this song is my favorite this week. The second single from her "Don't Stop" CD. I featured her first single a few weeks past.




Tuesday - "Is there a Ghost" - Band of Horses - This song made me think of my friend Paul from his hilarious stories tells about his ghost in his apartment. Paul, this song is for you! Let's go to Lolla this summer! I heard about Band of Horses from a friend who went to Lolla last summer and have been obsessing lately. This is off their amazing "Cease to Begin" album. Check it out!




Wednesday - "Terrified" - Katharine McPhee feat. Jason Reeves - OK, I'm going to bust out a ballad for you. As you know, I love Idol. If you are watching Idol this year, you heard this song from contestant Didi Benami who sang this song written by Kara DiGuardi. This is off Katharine's recently released second album "Unbroken". I did have McFever but this album is slightly a snoozefest besides this song. I included both versions.










Thursday - "He Keeps Me Alive" - Sally Shapiro - This is my second favorite song of the week. It just makes me smile and happy. A Swedish singer, this is off her "Disco Romance" album. I will try to find more of her!




Friday - "I Got You" - Leona Lewis - If you are keeping track, this is the first artist to make it my playlist 3 times. This is her second single off "Echo". "Friends, I got you and you can run to me!" I love it!




Saturday - "Halfway Gone" - Lifehouse - Remember "Hanging by Moment"? OMG, I used to love that song! I used to blast it in my car back in NM doing a total horrendous sing along version, thankfully with the widows rolled up. Well, this is the lead single off their new "Smoke & Mirrors" album due in March.




Sunday - "Song for No One" - Miike Snow - And then sometimes songs remind of us or nothing or no one! Hahhahha





Have a great week my friends!

An Olympic size playlist

Is everyone watching the Olympics? I hope so. They certainly are inspiring. My dream as a kid was to run in the Olympics in the 100 and 200 m. dash. Carl Lewis was my role model as a young tyke. I still remember those games of '88 when he ran away with the gold medal and broke the world record.

Circumstances prevented me from chasing that dream so I always tear up a bit at the Olympics when someone is able to breakthrough and capture the gold.

I do sometimes have regrets about not chasing my dream but I still have smaller goals that I accomplish daily, weekly and yearly. Music is always my right hand man in those goals. So keep dreaming, keep listening and keep loving music!

Monday - "Strange Condition" - Morgan Page - If you think this song sounds familiar, you are correct. This is a cover of the original Pete Yorn version. Page is a DJ from LA who is releasing his new album "Believe" later this month.



Tuesday - "Boys & Girls" -Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette - So I have dabbled in a lot of Euro pop for you guys and this one sticks in that genre but is actually French. An electronic DJ in France, Solveig hosts a radio show and released this fun track last year.




Wednesday - "My Turn" - Basement Jaxx feat. Lightspeed Champion - So remember last week when I told you I used to obsess about their album "Rooty"? Well it's starting again, this is a great track of their album "Scars." So many more to come!



Thursday - "Black & Gold" - Sam Sparro - This song was actually featured in two terrible movies last year "Obsessed" with Beyonce and "Fame". I didn't see the latter but heard it wasn't very good and I suffered through half of the 'Beyonce and the chick from Heroes version' of "Fatal Attraction" on DVD.



Friday - "Boys & Girls" - Pixie Lott - I featured this UK import a few playlists ago. This is another one of my favorites! Make your state-side debut already Pixie!



Saturday - "Animal" - Miike Snow - No, that is not a misspelling, they have two 'i's" in their name if you have having trouble finding the song. Formed in 2007, this is a Swedish band that includes the two producers Bloodshy & Avant who are responsible for 'Toxic" by Britney Spears.



Sunday - "Paradise Circus" - Massive Attack feat. Hope Sandoval - Do you miss Mazzy Star? I sure do! Hope Sandoval a.k.a Mazzy Star makes an appearance on the new Massive Attack album called Hegioland due this month. Definitely a trippy slow jam for a lazy Sunday!

So you think you wanna dance?

So this week's playlist is about dance music. I know, isn't it always?

Yes, this week is going to be HOT, not temperature wise and not because of Valentine's day but because these songs may remind you of one the timeless saying of my favorite pop culture icons, "That's hot," by Paris not France;)

Short and sweet, I'm really excited about these songs, so I hope you enjoy kiddies.

Monday - "Acapella" - Kelis - You may have forgotten the "Milkshake" girl, but no fear the bitch is back! OMG and it's hotter than ever. Keep my word, this is going to be one of the hottest tracks of 2010! Your welcome! Produced by David Guetta, you know the rest of the album is going to pure dance this spring.




Tuesday - "Naturally" - Selena Gomez and the Scene - I know, I know not another Disney princess turned pop star. One Miley is enough! This song is off their debut album "Kiss and Tell" released last fall and shamelessly I love it.



Wednesday - "Raindrops" - Basement Jaxx - 'Where's your head at'? I know it's been a long time since the amazing "Rooty" album I listened to religiously back in 01. Well, they released another amazing album "Scars" last fall. Stay tuned for many more hot tracks from them this year.




Thursday - "History" - Vassy - Ok, this song sounds slightly like a familiar Mary J. Blige track, but that was one of the hottest tracks ever! So she sounds like a spawn of Mary J and Anastasia. This Australian songstresses has had songs features on Greys, Ugly Betty, and several movies. She is currently working on an album due this summer with producers for Lady Gaga and Madonna and I expect this song to explode especially in clubs kinda like Ke$ha but not quite as annoying.




Friday - "It's Over" - DJ Scott Mann feat. Amuka - Amuka has been been featured on a lot of dance hits from DJ's. You may remember her "Appreciate Me" song from Peter Rauhofer featured on the Queer as Folk soundtrack several years back. Her voice, just like Macy Grays, is great for dance club remixes.




Saturday - "Shark in the Water" - V.V. Brown - This song was free on I-tunes. Being the thrifty nickel I am, I swooped it right up. VV hails from the UK; I think I have a thing for UK artists as you can tell from this blog. This song has been growing on me all week. It has a retro-pop feel. Is a shark in the water the same thing as the elephant in the room? I dunno...deep thoughts.



Sunday - "Feel your love" - Kim Sozzi - So not sure if I believe this one, but supposedly this song just overtook Gaga's "Pokerface" as the most played Billboard dance single of 2009. I have not really heard of her till now, but this song is off her "Just One Day" album released in July of 2009.

So that does it, dance your bums off!