Prancersize and John Mayer

I'm sure you have already seen or at least heard about Prancersize by now, and whether you think it's hilarious or horrifying, it's like a car wreck, you can not look away! Today John Mayer uploaded a video for his song "Paper Doll", and it's pretty Prancetastic! Here you go. ;P

Midweek Music P.16: Eisley "Currents"

Yep, Eisley again! I can't help it. This is serious ear candy and the anticipation of the album release on May 28th is killer. Funny story, last night I had a dream that I was hanging out with Stacy King and her daughter (with husband, Mutemath drummer Darren King) Scarlett. Stacy was running around trying to get chores and little tasks done and I was playing with Scarlett who was a little bit distressed. I finally got her to smile and she was cutting six teeth. I'm weird, I have weird dreams. I attribute this one to seeing them on Instagram all the time, and to the fact that my wisdom teeth coming in have been bugging me just a leetle bit. Anyways, there's your trivia for today. 

Midweek Music P.15: Eisley, Currents, "Drink The Water"

I've been a huge Eisley fan since I first came across them. Sadly that was only a year ago, I was late to the party. They have a new album coming out May 28th and this is a little preview put out by Nylon Magazine. I'm so dying over how pretty it is. Stacy is a real life siren...And the whole lot of them seem too cool to be real. Anyways, have a listen. :)

Drum Roll Please...

Here is our first little, fun, semi' instructional video. I'm sure there will be more in the future as we had a lot of fun doing it, and still have a lot to learn. I'm so proud of my hubby for some of the awesome shots he got filming, pretty hip editing, and sweet music choice. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

A Chemex Brew Guide from Photography by David L Clark on Vimeo.

MaeLiveFree is 1!!! And Midweek Music P.14 City Bear ft. Molly Clark "Nell"

A year ago today I published my first post here at MaeLiveFree. I was off to a rocky start and didn't have any idea what direction this blog would go, and to be quite honest I still have a million different ideas for things I'd like to post about here. More on that later... It was slow going at first, as in my parents, sisters, and grandparents were probably the only ones reading, but now I have some followers outside of that and I think you're all awesome!

I've decided that I would really like to focus on green and frugal living here on MaeLiveFree. I think that it's broad and encompassing enough for me to still blog about the things that I already do, and to inspire some new dialogue. Green and sustainable living are becoming increasingly important to me as I get older and see the consequences of my choices and the choices of the rest of our planets inhabitants. Since I already made my goal for this year to be greener, I've been working at it and have picked up on a few things that I'm excited to write more about later.

For now, thank you so much to everyone who has made MaeLiveFree a part of your life in the past year!

Here is a little bit of Midweek Music to dance in your ear drums:

February Birthdays #2, The Hubs

Today a really special guy turned 25. That's right it's my hubby, a quarter of a century old. Since we're planning something big for our anniversary this year and we got his camera already we aren't doing anything special today. I took it upon myself to mess around in Garage Band instead of cleaning the apartment (which he would REALLY love) to sing him a birthday song. It's really dorky, and nothing special, but I'm going to share it anyways because it's 100% me. Extreme nerdiness, totally off task, and well whatever...

Midweek Music P.13: Sucre "Place to Be"

At some random point I stopped posting music every week, because well, I just wasn't feeling it. But now I'm missing it! I like sharing, and music is one of my very favorite things. It has become a new experience for me again since we got a record player. Listening to an album I'd heard at least 30 times digitally, on vinyl the first time was, don't cringe: an eargasmic. Newer readers, or non-family readers might not be up to speed on how much I love music. It's a lot. I grew up with a musician dad, musician uncles, exposed to a wide variety of tunes, and I can honestly say, I would not be the person I am now if not for the music in my life.

Our vinyl collection is barely existant at the moment, but we have a long list of hopefuls to add as we can afford. My next pick is The Cure's Disintegration, for sure, but Sucre's first Album is high on my list as well. In fact, I need to get it before they put out another. I know that Stacy, Darren, and Jeremy have been recording, and today I found this gem! I'm in love. Stacy has always been an incredible lyricist, something I don't credit a lot of female artists with, and after having a baby she's finding more depths. I just love it, and I hope you do to. A plus, the videos they do are always dreamy. :)

Midweek Music P.12: City Bear FATE OF SOUND

If you come here often you've heard of City Bear. I've posted about his music here, and here. This is the solo music project of my amazingly talented uncle. For me, and many others, there has been a lot of anticipation for his first studio recorded album due out soon. I'll definitely keep you posted on when to check it out. Until then, here is his newest piece of work, shot by his friend, the talented Ashes Wednesday. 

Music, On Monday...Because I Couldn't Wait

I couldn't contain myself when I found this, I had to share! First of all because I really love Lana Del Rey. She's unique and simply gorgeous. Secondly because this video sooooo reminds me of Twin Peaks, and who can't use a bit of Twin Peaks nostalgia? And thirdly, because I love H&M, and this fall she's partnered with them for a gorgeous Lana worthy line that I advise you check out. 

H&M Fall Collection

Midweek Music P.11: The Shins "Simple Song"

Upon my first listen to the Shins back in 2010 I liked them, but I came to love them when one day while I was pregnant and driving somewhere blasting them, Lorelei, in utero, danced the most fierce little dance to almost the entire Chutes Too Narrow album. Since that day their music has held sentimental attachment for me. Today I give you "Simple Song" because I love the song, and the music video is highly entertaining. 

Enjoy!

Midweek Music P.10: Ben Gibbard "Teardrop Windows"

If you didn't read last week's gush over Death Cab for Cutie, you may not see the redundancy in this weeks music... Benjamin Gibbard is Death Cab's frontman and ex-husband of Zooey Deschanel. His solo album, Former Lives, drops October 16th and I am super excited to hear 10 years worth of unrecorded, unheard, genius music. So today, the first preview from that album "Teardrop Windows". Love the references to Seattle. :)

Teardrop Windows by Gibbstack

Midweek Music P.9: Death Cab Overload

Last night I laid uncomfortably in bed trying to shut off my brain and go to sleep.

As a teenager I had many nights like that. It was a given that if I listened to Death Cab for Cutie I would fall asleep. I heard my first of Death Cab in '04 when my uncle (City Bear) of much better musical taste than myself gave me a burnt copy of The Photo Album. That CD was played to death, on repeat while I slept, in the car with my dad, when I needed to dance around numbly and thoughtlessly,  and while I struggled to make myself do homework instead of just disappearing into the complex lyrics and simple yet deliriously good melodies. When Plans came out in '05 it was the number one thing on my Christmas wishlist, and when I got it I gobbled it up like The Photo Album before it. The songs and lyrics made their way into school projects, relationships, and who I would become as an adult. Narrow Stairs was then released in the Spring of '08 right around when I graduated high school. I bought it for myself as a graduation gift, and would have loved to have skipped the graduation to stay home listening to it. "I Will Posses Your Heart" played on my myspace profile when I met my husband online in '09. One of the things that instantly grabbed my attention about him was that he like Death Cab too. "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" played on his myspace page, and we played it during our wedding ceremony as well.

Every new album seemed to coincide with my life at the time. Every song struck me, and related to something that I was going through.

Back to last night...In my inability to sleep, I grabbed my iPod (the 2008 version of the nano, with the rounded square design and the ability to view videos!) and put it on Plans. I thought it would put me to sleep and it didn't. I couldn't not listen carefully to the songs that once meant so much to me, without reminiscing on what they meant to me, and what I was going through. So I took the trip down memory lane. Some good memories and some bad. Sometimes wishing that I had let what the songs made me feel when I first heard them take more of an affect on the choices I made and how I lived.

I think everyone with a love of music has a band, album, or period of music that they feel shaped them in some way. As I've always been very affected by music, I have to say that Death Cab is and always will be that band that played a big part in my life.

Since the Cure has been a huge part of my musical life as well, here is Death Cab's cover of "Lovesong".

Listen or download Love Song [The Cure cover] for free on Prostopleer

Midweek Music P.9: "Blessed Soul" Merriment

The DuPree family has seriously got the most fabulous gene pool ever. The kids are all incredibly talented and beautiful, and they seem to be very well rounded and down to earth. Christie is a "Blessed Soul" indeed. Her voice has a beautiful similarity to all of her sister's, like they were all put into a melting pot and out came Christie. The lyrics and video are simply charming. I hope the middle of this week finds all of you well, and that you enjoy this as much as I do. :)

Midweek Music P.8: "Nell" City Bear

If you've visited the blog before you may have heard about City Bear already. City Bear is the solo/collaborative music project of my uncle, Drew, who was previously the lead singer/songwriter for the band Church for Sinners. His music has a dark, folky vibe, and he compares himself to artists like Elliot Smith and Matt Pryor. I was really hoping that his first studio album would be out now, but it will be better for not being rushed. I'll be posting more about it as its release date becomes known. The song I'm posting on here today is special. "Nell" is a bittersweet goodbye sort of song, that he dedicated to his aunt (my great aunt) who passed a little over a year ago. It's also the song I recorded some harmonies for on the album. This is the demo version, just Drew and his guitar. Hope you enjoy it!

Midweek Music P.7: "To Be With You" The Honey Trees

I don't know what I love the most about these two. They're pretty, their music is pretty, their videos are pretty, and it makes me want to dance around in a pretty dress. I don't know how well I can convey the "pretty" with such an overused word. Anyways, I hope you're all staying cool. I feel like I'm being cooked trying to clean in here at all today (no AC, what the heck Washington?). Enjoy the pretty. :)

Midweek Music P.6: "Light Up" Sucré

How sad for me that I haven't blogged in over a week AND forgot to post Midweek Music this week! It's been an off week for me. More on that later. This week I want to share my favorite song from Sucré's debut album. I've been on the Sucré bandwagon since the release of their first video back in February. Stacy King's vocals may prove to be the most enchanting I've ever heard, and don't even get me started on the swirling strings, twinkling piano, and chunky beats on some of the songs. The entire album is audio candy. Enjoy this soft, sweet, romantic tune. I kind of love the light and softness of the video too.

Midweek Music P.5: St. Vincent/Tom Waits

Yesterday morning as I was getting breakfast ready David was playing this video of Annie Clark covering Tom Waits. The first time I heard/saw St. Vincent was over on the Skunkboy Blog, and I was so intrigued by the eccentricity, beauty, genius, talent, and creativity that is Annie Clark. Serious girl crush material. Oh, and we have the same last name. Cool by not so significant association? I wish. The fact that she covered Tom Waits almost has my little head exploding into particles of sparkly, happy dust. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Midweek Music P.4: "Nothing Like You and I" The Persihers

David and I have known and loved eachother for 3 years as of the 10th so I've been entertaining romantic, sentimental thoughts lately. The song I chose today is such a good embodiment of those thoughts. :)



I also fancy this quote by Hemingway that I found on the interwebs today. It is so US.

“We ate well and cheaply and drank well and cheaply and slept well and warm together and loved each other.”

Midweek Music P.3: "Caterpillar" The Cure

Having a musician dad and growing up in the 90's exposed me to a lot of music that I adore and associate with my favorite memories as a kid. I may be a little bit of a weirdo, but I always loved the idea of dedicating this song to my future little girl. Robert Smith is hardly someone most would associate with a song they'd dedicate to their daughter, but here I am confessing it. I think it's kind of a cute little theme song for a sweet little lady, my Lorelei.

flicka flicka flicka

here you are

cata cata cata

caterpillar girl

flowing in

and filling up my hopeless heart

oh never never go

And here's the video, albeit a tad bit strange and poor quality, I like it. Enjoy!

The Cure - The Caterpillar - Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

Midweek Music P.2: Lennon & Maisy Stella

My hubby found these adorable, amazingly talented gals on reddit today, and I know this video is about to go viral, so I'm putting it on here asap! The beauty of these sisters singing sugary sweet music together makes me doubt my decision to keep Lorelei an only child. For me it spurred, in the terms of many other ladies "baby cravings" or "made my uterus hurt". Too much goodness for one day. Enjoy the Stella sisters.