Music Monday.

Music is and always has been a huge part of my life. I woke my parents up most mornings by singing in my crib, I rifled through and liastened to much of my dad's extensive CD collection of rock and blues all throughout my childhood (my dad even played msuic loudly in the front roomto serve as an alarm clock for my sister and I in grade school), and I began playing violin at the age of 7. I always loved classical music, even as a youngster (and now of course that's my specialty), but I have always loved pretty much any and all type of music. If it has a good beat, a catchy hook, beautiful lyrics, or it's fun to dance to, I'm all for it (yes, even mainstream pop).

I love relatively unknown bands and top 40; I love classical and I love rap and hip-hop; I love country and I also love blues and rock. Honestly, there's not a whole lot I don't like, and even if I think I'm not going to like something, I listen to it first before making an opinion of it - so yes, I can still appreciate seemingly mindless pop music as some sort of tribute to the art of music :)

That being said, I had the idea to make Mondays on my blog a day to share with you the music that is inspiring me at the moment, whether that be one single song or a whole CD. I know, my title is really clever, but I'm ok with simplciity :)

So without further ado, my first "Music Monday"!

This week is dedicated toooooo.....

Bluegrass.

Whether it's bluegrass a la Alison Krauss and Union Station or music played with bluegrass instruments, I'm in love. There's just something about what's been called the "high and lonesome sound" that just gets me. I also realllly dig the banjo and mandolin.

While I was baking treats for the Easter dinner potluck that was at my house last night, I decided to open spotify and listen to The Civil Wars, Chris Thile (from Nickel Creek), the Punch Brothers (fronted by Chris Thile), and Mumford and Sons. While not all of these groups are strictly bluegrass, they are definitely influenced by bluegrass and folk.

My absolute favorite is definitely Nickel Creek, whose first albums were very "bluegrass-y" (is that a word? haha), but their third album Why Should the Fire Die? was definitely a melding of traditional bluegrass tracks with more pop tracks played with bluegrass instruments and influenced by bluegrass. So. Good. Chris Thile was the frontman for the most part, and has come out wiht 5 of his own albums. Nickel Creek as a group was very inventive, and Chris Thile is as well - more like genius, really. He's a great songwriter and plays a wicked mandolin solo.

The Civil Wars are newer to the music world and to me (I heard them first perform at the Grammys), but they are a group I am excited to hear more of - I listened to their CD Barton Hollow in its entirety, and I really enjoyed it. They are definitely a mix of mainstream country, bluegrass, and folk, and I love all three. And I absolutely love their voices.

I know people have been on the Mumford train for awhile, but I was a little slower to get on- I just didn't know much about them til last Spring. Their frontman has such a distinct voice, and their style appeals to so many different people and genres of music - whether it's rock, folk, bluegrass, or alternative. Whatever they're doing, it's great. Sigh No More is such a delicious treat for the ear and you will find yourself listening to it on repeat.

And though I didn't listen to it yesterday, a must-listen for you folks is the Dixie Chicks' third album, Home. After 2 pop-country CDs, they went in a completely different direction for their third album by going all out acoustic. At first it wasn't my favorite because it wasn't what I was used to coming from them, but since I've had it for a while and have listened to it more and more (and my musical tastes change now and then), it's become my favorite of their 4 albums. Which says a lot, because I freaking love the Dixie Chicks. Now those are some freakin' talented women. I'm still sad they aren't together anymore.... *Moment of silence*

So there ya have it, the music that's on my mind at the moment. Go on Spotify or iTunes or youtube or wherever and listen to these people! I guarantee you will like at least some of the songs. Do it, I dare you.

My picks:

Chris Thile - "On Ice" from his album Deceiver

The Civil Wars - "20 Years" and "Barton Hollow"  from their album Barton Hollow

The entire Mumford album Sigh no More

Dixie Chicks - Home, but definitely listen to Long Time Gone, Tortured, Tangled Hearts, and Traveling Soldier. But really listen to the whole thing because it is SO GOOD.

Nickel Creek - "When You Come Back Down"  and "Sweet Afton" from their self-titled album; "Beauty and the Mess: from This Side; "Jealous of the Moon", "Can't Complain", and "Helena" from Why Should the Fire Die? Honestly, any and all of their songs are good, but that's just my opinion, haha.

Go forth and listen! And stay posted for pictures of yesterday's Easter potluck :)