listening to | Twin Forks

When Erik and I first moved to Orlando, we were walking around "downtown" looking for things to do. (I say "downtown" because it's just 1 street and I'm not sure if that constitutes a "downtown" area.) Everything was closed because it was a Monday night, but we did see a sign for a show happening the next night for a band called Twin Forks. We looked them up and found out it was the smokin' hot singer from Dashboard Confessional's new project! We were so stoked and decided to head down the next night. We ate tacos, then stood in line where we got free tickets, a great show, and new music to fall in love with.

I love performing and I absolutely love watching people perform. Chris Carrabba is doing exactly what he was born to do every night when he walks onto a stage. He knows how to engage a crowd, drown everything else out, and perform to his hearts desire. Along with his incredible vocal talent, he has a heart that goes beyond it. He loves what he does and you can completely tell. He is dedicated to his music and no matter what stage of life he is in, he writes what he feels that he should and I love that. I love screaming my lungs out to old Dashboard but I also love dancing to Twin Forks. The people he hand selects to be in his band too, are amazing. His cousin is his drummer and he was so good, the singer's and banjo players have been amazing, the bass player is incredible. Every detail of what Twin Forks does is thought out and done with so much passion! We have been so lucky, too - both times we have seen them, it has been in Orlando which is his hometown! Hometown shows are always my favorite because they are just so stoked to be back and play where it's familiar. The Social, the venue we have seen them at both times, is the first venue Chris Carrabba ever sold out in his career too, which is so cool!

Along with putting on a great show, he brings some amazing acts out with him. I can't wait to tell you guys about Matrimony and Corey James Bost, two of the artists I've fallen in love with since seeing them with Twin Forks. Please give Twin Forks a listen and let us know what you think! I hope you love dancing to it as much as I do! 

Vicky

listening to | James Blake

I might be a little late to the game with this one but holy James Blake. I first heard his song "Retrograde" play during the new show on HBO called The Leftovers, which is also amazing by the way! After hearing the song, I immediately bought his album "Overgrown" that came out in 2013, and listened to it straight through while traveling last week. There are some amazing tracks on the album but what really pulls me in are his vocals. It's insane that the deep, rich, soul wrecking sound can come from someone so innocent looking. The title track on the album and "Retrograde" shows off his incredible musicianship so well. The whole album is produced so that you're really able to hear the pure emotion and talent.

One of my favorite tracks is "Take a Fall For Me". You may not guess this, but along with heavy music, I also LOVE rap music. James Blake reached out to RZA, a producer and rapper and a leader of the Wu Tang Clan to create this song and it is incredible. The lyrics and the way they married the two styles of music together is flawless. I have come to learn more about James, his life, his style, and his music through reading/watching various interviews. He has this attitude about him that exudes confidence and he certainly doesn't care what anyone else thinks about what he is doing with his music. He is passionate about what he loves and I hope he continues to create the music that he feels he should. There's so much talent coming from such a young guy. 

V

listening to | a new series

Music, for the both of us, has always been at the core of our being. Sara was a dancer so she was surrounded by music. I played piano for 9 years. We are so thankful for all of the opportunities music has given us throughout life.

For me, music has taken me a million different places that it's hard to even put into words. Whether a choir I was in took me to Europe, my first date with my husband was at an Underøath concert, or it just made me feel better after a rough day - it has always been the biggest part of my life. I love thinking back on different seasons in my life and what songs really impacted me at that time. When I was 18 and decided to move to Florida for the first time, it was "You are a Tourist" by Death Cab that made my final decision for me. When I was faced with a hard decision about a job I was working, it was "Give Me Faith" by Elevation Worship. I love what music does to me and to a million other people in the world - it brings hope and strength. I am so thankful for this creative outlet that it's given me, Sara, our husbands and all the amazingly talented people out there.

Underoath in St. Pete, Oct. 20, 2011.

With that: we are excited to announce a brand new series of what we're listening to. Sara and I are rock n' roll chicks at heart, but we love to keep our minds open to all different genres and we cannot wait to share with you! We will introduce different bands, talk about why we love them, and occasionally review shows we go to!

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

― Berthold Auerbach