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Deer Tick is an American rock band from Providence, Rhode Island led by guitarist and singer-songwriter John McCauley. The band began as McCauley’s solo project in December 2004. Within a few years he had acquired a strong following through constant touring in parts of the Atlantic Northeast and self-released CD-Rs (I copied that straight from Wikipedia

I recently heard them play a live set on KEXP (Seattle Radio Station, that we stream online) that blew my mind! I picked up their newest album, Born on Flag Day, last week.  This album has some great southern undertones and if I had to label it, I would say Folk Grunge. Recommend it for the summer time.  You can hear their music HERE . So awesome!!

cool sky on the drive home

I photographed this church on two separate days of our trip across Montana.  Once on the first day we arrived, see older post HERE and another on our second to last day of the trip.  Truly amazing, such a vast landscape.

Today’s Music Monday features a band my Dad likes, and as it was Father’s Day yesterday, I feel it appropriate to show some love.  A little while back I showed a slideshow for some friends, Megan and Alex of some cute photos we took of them.  On the slideshow was a song by the Postal Service.  My dad heard the song and has talked about it ever since.  The Postal Service is an electronic indie rock band made up of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel).  

The band’s name was chosen due to the way in which they produced its songs. Tamborello wrote and performed instrumental tracks and then sent the tracks to Gibbard, who edited the songs as he saw fit (adding his vocals along the way), sending them back to Tamborello via the United States Postal Service, hence the name The Postal Service. The music features fun electronic beats and smooth vocals.  The band has put out one album, Give Up in 2003.  In 2004 the united states postal service sent a cease and desist letter, citing its trademark on the phrase “postal service”.  They worked out an agreement that allows the USPS to sell the albums on their site.  

There has been rumors of a follow up album, but both Gibbard and Tamborello are busy with their own music.  Gibbard stated in 2008 that it is unlikely they will release another album this decade.  

This is definitely fun music and can be listened to pretty much anytime of the day, especially while driving at night with the windows down. You can check them out at their site, here, and you can buy their album, Give Up, HERE.  Dad, yours it on it’s way.  Happy Father’s Day.  Thanks for being AWESOME!!

Last year I participated in something that was totally new to me. Photographing kids.  I was so scared and nervous..I know right, sounds silly.  Well turns out, I had a lot of fun and came back for more.  The organization Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.  They hold these really fun photo shoots at camps and hospitals around the country.  This week we were at Victory Junction Gang Camp here in NC.  This is such a rewarding project! It makes me step out of myself and just have fun.  I can’t wait until next year!!  I have posted a few of the many photos below.  Please take a look, and if you have time visit Flashes of Hope and Victory Junction Gang Camp’s and see what you can do to help out these awesome folks!  

This week has been a super busy week.  I have not purchased any new music, but I have been listening to Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak.  Great album from Mr. West released in 2008.  RoboCop, Heartless, Love Lockdown are the top 3 tracks off the album.  Good driving music.  You can buy it HERE

These old train tracks were used to take Phosphate off of the island in the 1930’s

I cam across this cool video by the White Rabbits. Really simple set, just circular movement around the band it you have a dynamic video.  Pretty simple..  Enjoy

White Rabbits “Percussion Gun” Music Video from White Rabbits on Vimeo.

Storm on Gasparilla Island

This week I have been in Florida without internet connection so I have been doing some updates from the iPhone. There are some awesome shots from the trip coming soon! While in Florida I have been listening to an album i picked up last year by Lykke Li called Youth Novels. She is a is a Swedish indie rock singer, her full name is Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson (Lykke Li for short)  Youth Novels is a fun album with smooth vocals and some catchy beats.  This is her first full length album and is rumored to be working on a 2nd.  I recommend this album for a night time drive, or sitting around the office doing some desk work.  Will definitely get your toe tapping.  My favorites on the album are Dance, Dance, Dance and Little Bit.  Check her out Here and buy her music Here.

Saw this scary hallway last night here in boca grande. If you look close at the far corner Jack Nicholson is carrying an axe.

Shot some awesome landscape this morning on the south end of Gasparilla Island. I attached a shot of the camera hard at work

We are on Gasparilla Island in Boca Grande, FL this week for the awesome wedding of Elizabeth and Matt with Steve Exum. I do not have an Internet connection, so I will be working off the iPhone this week. Here are a couple photos taken from the phone while scouting the island this morning and last night when we arrived.

This past week I downloaded the new Grizzly Bear album and have listened to it at least 6 times all the way through.  They could be categorized as a experimental electronic/folk rock sound.  The band employs traditional and electronic instruments, ranging from a recorder to a laptop, and all four members contribute vocals.   I recommend them for a late afternoon drive or early morning chill music.  Jessica and I like to play them in the morning while drinking coffee.  The newest album, Veckatimest,  is just awesome!  The second track on the album, Two Weeks, is quickly becoming one of my favorites from the band.  Please check them out, and you can buy their music HERE.