Hayley Wells

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Shimmering beats for cold weather.

It’s about that time of year— Lykke Li, Youth Knows No Pain, Acoustic.

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

fuckyeahbobdylan:

Bob Dylan ft. Emmylou Harris - Oh Sister

My favorite kind of wintertime tune. And while I love the associated music, this weather can certainly take a hike.

Call your girlfriend.

I mean, at the very least, call.

A capella Call Your Girlfriend and cup game percussion? Nice.

herestothehalcyon:

Cigarettes & Wine - Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

UNF.  One of my Isbell favs

via: rainysolitude:

Where is Gethsemane Street?

twentyfourbit:

Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell: “Love in the First Degree”

“At the end of this song, we should both get a free toolbox,” Ryan Adams joked the other night in San Francisco as he and tour opener Jason Isbell’s cover of 1981 Alabama hit “Love in the First Degree” strayed from a faithful rendition into tongue-in-cheek territory toward the coda. Their take does justice to both Adams’ humorous and heartfelt sides quite well, but the biggest highlight for me is simply hearing their voices harmonize after months of watching the pair’s bromance blossom on Twitter (Isbell also joined Adams for “Come Pick Me Up” and a Whiskeytown song). Thanks to this clip, you can stream decent audio of their duet above.

Related: Bon Iver also knows his way around an early-’80s country tune.

justintownesearle:

A little thing with Justin from Last Call with Carson Daly.

Carson Daly is tool incarnate, but I like to hear Justin talk.

God, I love Willy Mason. 

So great to see this new collaboration with Lianna La Havas. Read more here.

Lana del Rey has some serious French tip nails.

Pretty enough to be a model, and yet became a Youtube sensation with two pretty cool songs and videos. Check it out.

“Blue Jeans” has a kind of Chris Isaak “Wicked Games” vibe to it if you ask me.

Also, shout out to The Band’s Last Waltz with that clip of the guy at the beginning.

Hat tip to Marcus’s Facebook feed. Here’s her website.

Choose Life over the other stuff. Get out of your head. Live. Dress up. Eat. Touch people. Help out. Give up. Love people. Give your best away. There’s more. What’s the problem? Relax. You’re going to die. Throw a party. Eat off my plate. Sing to me. Meet me in the bedroom. Get a massage. Give one. Let your amazement out into the room. Pry open the box you hide your joy in. Be a poem.

Oh Land - Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National cover)

There’s no normal life, Wyatt, it’s just life. Get on with it.

Doc Holliday (via somucholderthen

It’s about time I watch this again. 

My nephew is a crazy daredevil.

Tearing up suburban streets with his riding style.

staceyjoy:

“Laundry Room” - The Avett Brothers (SXSW Session)

It will be a cold day in hell before I stop loving these talented dickheads. There’s some piano and some violin and some twangy bullshit and a ton of decent memories wrapped up in everything they do.

But I can’t keep no secrets
I wish that you would always stay

Ahhh, good morning.

Don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
John Steinbeck, in a letter to his son Thom. Read it. It’s good for you.

wildthicket:

This Is My Proof by Duane Michals, 1974
“This Photograph is my proof. There was that afternoon, when things were still good between us, and she embraced me, and we were so happy. It did happen. She did love me. Look see for yourself!”

indigofree:

Bon Iver covers I Can’t Make You Love Me/Nick of Time.

Justin Vernon covers my favorite Bonnie Raitt song. And it hurts.

Is this the cause of James Dillon’s agitated state of mind? Yes, I think so. Some strong pressure is certainly at work. What is more, it appears to me that this is a critical time for him, a lesser climacteric—a time that will settle him in that particular course that he will never leave again, but will persevere in for the rest of his life. It has often seemed to me that towards this period (in which we all three lie, more or less) men strike out their permanent characters; or have those characters struck into them. Merriment, roaring high spirits before this: then some chance concatenation, or some hidden predilection (or rather inherent bias) working through, and the man is in the road he cannot leave but must go on, making it deeper and deeper (a groove, or channel), until he is lost in his mere character—persona—no longer human, but an accretion of qualities belonging to this character.

Patrick O’Brian’s Master and Commander.

Brought back to my attention by a friend who added this: “I’m going to do everything I can to avoid this, because I often feel like I’ve stopped evolving and am descending into a caricature of myself.”

Word. 

I hope when people ask what you’re going to do with your English and/or creative writing degree you’ll say: Continue my bookish examination of the contradictions and complexities of human motivation and desire; or maybe just: Carry it with me, as I do everything that matters. And then smile very serenely until they say oh.

lieslieslies:

Some days I fear I will never meet you. Some days I fear that you will never exist and that time, shhh, long ago, was the last chance. But other days I break apart completely thinking about your skin and if you’d smile with your eyes or with your entire face.

I just wanted to tell you some things incase, well, incase it doesn’t happen. Incase you never meet me or incase I forget to tell you these things later on, when I’m even more tired.

First of all, do not be afraid of love. Do, however, be afraid of men with two first names. Remember that elegance, etiquette, and general ‘being-a-lady-ness’ is ridiculously important. So is sticking your tongue out, hanging from jungle-gyms, drinking whisky, and knowing how to creatively curse. The balance is key.

If someone is ever rude to you on the bus or in line at the bank, first try to imagine what other horrible things may have happened to that person earlier in the day. I was never good at this. But you will be. You will be courageous and kind. You will not berate a 60 year old man in a Citgo. 

Some days you will have arrived at your wit’s end and the amount of rudeness a stranger is exuding may exceed normal levels. This is when you can, and should, berate a 60 year old man in a Citgo. Cherish these moments, these few moments in which flying off the handle is completely satisfying and justified. They happen less than we’d all like to believe.

When it comes to dating: no one on planet Earth is ever ‘too busy’ to spend time with you unless they do not care for you. This is a fact. Don’t let people use this excuse and do not use it yourself, if you can help it. It is not easy.

There is nothing wrong with not going to college. There is nothing immoral about sex or marijuana. God does not exist but you should still have faith in humanity. As hard as that can be sometimes.

Tattoos are fine as long as they compliment your beautiful skin, not mar it.

Do you know how many people had to survive this world for you to be here? If one person in the generations upon generations upon generations of our lineage before us had a heartattack or got struck by a car then BAM: non-existence. Never forget that. And remember that the asshole taking up two parking spots exists in the same coincidence of life. It is up to you to decide whether or not that is beautiful or horrifying. Hopefully you’ll decide that it is both.

Do not take shit from anyone but especially do not take shit from your mother, men who cherish only a fraction of you, and your girlfriends. 

Take everyone’s advice critically. My mistakes will not be your mistakes. You may have better ideas, better ways of making it through the day. Keep the good, discard the bad, and be careful with what you tell others.

No one looks like Anna Karina. Be wary of girls who obsess over Edie Sedgwick. 

Be brave with your love and do not exclude the possibility of sleeping with someone based off of their political affiliation. Do not sleep with with bigots, racists, homophobes, or artless people. 

Never exclude the midwest. It is a gem that most people will never know.

You know nothing and neither do I and that will never change and that will always be comforting. Care for yourself, care for others, and care for mystery. No one wants all the answers.

Order girly drinks at the bar when you’re young and when they taste good. But always have a strong drink order for dire times. 

So here’s to meeting you, and here’s to you moving the ball down the field. Do not forget about sunlight and the way bedrooms smell. TV will not rot your brain. Being alive is half the battle. Milk is delicious. I love you.

I did my best for you, son. I gave you all I had. More than anything I wanted to pass on to you the one heritage of the men of our family, a certain quality of spirit, a gaiety, a sense of duty, a nobility worn lightly, a sweetness, a gentleness with women—the only good things the South ever had and the only things that really matter in this life. Ah well. How did it happen that none of this ever meant anything to you?
(via frenchwelcome) Walker Percy, The Moviegoer. Of course.

Audio

  • Oh Land - Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National cover)
    1350 plays
  • staceyjoy: “Laundry Room” - The Avett Brothers (SXSW Session) It will be a cold day in hell before I stop loving these talented dickheads. There’s some piano and some violin and some twangy bullshit and a ton of decent memories wrapped up in everything they do. But I can’t keep no secretsI wish that you would always stay Ahhh, good morning.
    50 plays

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Online Content Developer; Student
Writing and Editing | Birmingham, Alabama Area, US

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Maeve's super-fun, foot-tapping, cubicle-dancing summer playlist

This is my super-fun, foot-tapping, cubicle-dancing summer playlist. these are also the songs that i blast with my aviators on over my prescription glasses (hot, i know) and windows rolled down (a necessity for me since my air conditioning is busted). so, enjoy friends and here are a few notes on a few tracks: 



track 1: this trio is blowing up. you probably know ‘pumped up kicks’. great song, but i’m way more into ‘helena beat’.

track 3: i listen to this song at least once a day. damn you, atlas genius, for getting your trojan in my head (had to do it).

track 4: oh. em. gee. she’s back.

track 7: i vividly remember listening to this album for the first time 2 summers ago when i lived in a yurt… in idaho. oh, the glory days.

track 9: make sure you check out the sound of arrows music video for the single “magic”. get ready to smile uncontrollably. i promise. here: http://bit.ly/mLkqKh

Caption: “We’re on vacation, soo relaxed right now.”

Finally, please, please tell me your summer tracks. i love nothing more than finding new music to dance to in my cubicle.

Feel Good Friday, Ryan S.

“Here is a nice mix of music for a feel good Friday. There are some songs that most will be familiar with and some that you may not be to familiar with, but I hope that they all put you in as good a mood as I get while listening to them. Not much else to say as the music pretty much speaks for itself.”

Submit a playlist! If you’re a super stalker, you can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook.  If you like this site, we are always hungry for playlists!

March 1, 2011: A Playlist From Michael.

This playlist starts slow but gets real wacky by the end. Not exactly a wake up playlist, but maybe a post-breakfast need to get going. Or maybe even a pre-pre-game to get you in the mood to start lazering keystone ice.

1) Prior to being turned into a Kanye West beat this song really allows you to get absorbed into your speakers

2+3) Just a lyrical touch

4) If you don’t get the urge to clap, I assume you are a paraplegic

7,8) No words, just move

9,10,11,12) You should actually have a smile on your face walking into work, or you should be eating gallons of booze … Either/or.

My name is Michael from New York. I am a grad student. I am currently in a very shitty living situation and I find escape in my headphones. I am a white Biz Markie with a cuter smile. I am a male Fiona Apple. I am zach galifianakis’ long lost cousin. I might be another Baldwin brother. I am a human version of 12” inch Subway Meatball Marinara sandwich. I don’t feel like dancin’ when the old joanna plays, my heart could take a chance but my two feet can’t find a way.

www.lagulchamania.tumblr.com

Submit a playlist! If you’re a super stalker, you can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook.  If you like this site, we are always hungry for playlists!

January 21st, 2011 -- Orange Feline President Andrew Jackson, With the Help of White House Aid Sara Carter

Oh, hello. I didn’t see you there. I’m Andrew Jackson, orange feline president extraordinaire. A little bit about me: I am the seventh president of the United States, I was adopted from the Seattle Persian Rescue and my nickname is “Old Hickory.” I have been known to leave small poops around the White House and my inauguration was no exception. You should have seen the state of the Oval Office on January 21st. I give frequent addresses, usually demanding more food and water for myself and my single constituent, a common barn cat named Molly. Like all democratic-republicans, I treasure state’s rights and, since I am from the south, I love me some Dolly Parton.


This playlist is one I like to listen to when I am giving myself a bath, chasing Molly or just lying around. I’m a big fan of Nina Simone and Radiohead, and I think the combination of the two is sublime. I hope you enjoy my music, and vote for me in ‘37! Van Buren is a twat.

Submit a playlist! If you’re a super stalker, you can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook.  If you like this site, we are always hungry for playlists!

January 14th, Nick Lerangis (Part 2): A Sonnet & A Playlist "Sunny Music For Dark Days"

It’s dark when I wake up; I hit the snooze                                                                     too many times each morning. 

                                            Yes, I eat
way too much pizza, and drink bottled booze
to Himalayan excess.  
                                This repeats
each week right through the winter, while I wrest
or, really, try to wrest, control of ME
from withered hands of boredom.  
                                               I confess
to list’ning idly in my room to trees
that, leafless, windblown, scratch my windowpanes.  
Some music, yes, that’s it, with sun and breeze
built in, like Lennon & McCartney’s “Penny Lane.”
    That song we all know makes us think of summer
    So check this out, I know winter’s a bummer.

Submit a playlist! If you’re a super stalker, you can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook.  If you like this site, we are always hungry for playlists!

January 8th, Maeve Whalen-Wuest

Sup from Denver, Colorado. My name is Maeve. Don’t even worry about the last name. I struggle with it, too. Mmmkay, enough with the awkward foreplay, let’s jump to it. Here’s a snapshot of my musical style, or whatever: I am pretty much a musical whore. I love anything and everything. Some more than others, obviously, but it is actually an impressive feat to aurally anger me, so, congratulations Los Lonely Boys.

I digress.

I decided to be a cheeseball and pick a cliché theme for my first ever playlist. Since it’s the first month of the year of double ones, I chose a playlist consisting of somma my favorite track ones. Gross, I know. But enjoy. Also, I take no responsibility if a track is not, in fact, a track one. Turns out the internet can lie sometimes. And, for shameless self promotion purposes, feel free to check out my social media self @maeveww, where I pathetically wait for Michael Cera to find/fall in love with me and/or Sophia Coppola/Thomas Mars to realize that I should be their personal assistant/nanny/cook/driver… Seriously, though, I am a great best friend. 

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

Jan 1, 2011 Olivia Watkins (Part 2) and Katie Morton

Katie Morton and Olivia Watkins have been living in San Francisco for… a while. Katie recently returned from a stint in Africa doing a fellowship for Kiva.org, a non-profit focusing on microfinance in the developing world. While in Africa, she found time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and rode around in matatus (Kenyan minibuses used for public transportation), where they play this song constantly. Katie lives in the Lower Haight and is working on turning her bedroom into a forest — please let us know if you have any foliage you’d like to donate to this cause.

You may recognize Olivia from her first playlist for The Playlist Project. She is still working at Twitter and still living in the Mission, though in a new apartment that is sadly without roof access, and has recently developed (as of last night) a penchant for sequined hats.

A note about the songs on our playlist: We attempted to have the tone of the playlist be optimistic, but also realistic. 2010 for us was a pretty crazy year, but we’re hoping that these jams send us and whoever else listens to them into 2011 ready to make exciting things happen and maybe find some stability while we’re all at it.

Enjoy, and feel free to holler at either of us via the interwebs with your thoughts — we can be found on Twitter @olivia and @kdrechselm and via other media if you do some additional sleuthing.

(Katie)

(Olivia)

(Playlist)

A Wrap Up, A Thank You, and Looking forward to 2011

It’s hard for me to describe just how much this project meant to me this year, especially between March and May. I had just lost my job, was questioning my ability to do anything interesting online and then this site came together. This site helped to restore my confidence, and is a constant reminder that the world was full of interesting and creative people who make building, discussing, (and yes, even selling) stuff on the internet fascinating.  I appreciate every single person who visited the Playlist Project in 2010, all 9,764 of you. 

Mostly, I really want to thank all of you that shared your lives and submitted playlists this year. I know that the site dropped off quite a bit once I began working full time, and when Hayley went back to school full time, but I’m still extremely proud of what you all helped to build. 

More than anything, this site is an incredible resource for good music. Most “Best of 2010” only include albums or songs released in 2010, but the Best of 2010 list from the Playlist Project is made up of the songs and artists that mattered to people in 2010, regardless of when they were first released. 

Out of the 660 Songs, these were the Top 3 Artists most frequently selected by playlist contributors —

A special thank you to these 5 contributors who drove the most traffic to their individual playlists —

Beyond these “Top 5”, I really want to thank each and every one of you for sharing your lives on this site. 

Without Futher ado, a “Best of 2010 Playlist”. I selected a song from each individual playlist (all 49). Enjoy, and look back on the wonderful site you helped to create and sustain this year. Let’s do it bigger in 2011. 

— Danny

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

Joesph Leritz, Part 2 -- October 15th 2010

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

You may remember an earlier post by our young friend Joesph (http://theplaylistproject.tumblr.com/post/606990934/josephleritz)

In his own words: 

Howdy everyone.  Well i submitted a playlist a while ago and thought it was time for another.  Last time I posted I was in high school. Now I am in college, I have matured so much…..




I was driving home from college the past weekend, which is about a 2 hour drive, and needed some music to listen to. I decided to whip out some oldies. The whole trip from college to my house, then my house to college, I jammed out to some classic blues and R&B. I t was one of the most enjoyable drives of my life. I know that this is not a very interesting story for a playlist but….. I still hope that everyone will enjoy this playlist. Not only is it good for driving, it is also great for blasting it in your kitchen while cooking dinner and just enjoying life while the sun sets on a nice evening. I hope everyone enjoys it.

(This is Otis Redding and not Joe.)

Thanks for the update Joe!

Overhead Music, The Weekend of September 24th-26th

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

Every Friday, there is a deluge of weekend themed playlists. I’m looking to change that. Here’s a look back at my weekend, and the songs that went with it. After you read this post, if you’re feeling bold, I’d love for you to submit one of your own. 

Friday September 24th

After work, I headed to Oktoberfest in Lakeview. I bought the Groupon, which was 20$ for 3 beers, a brat, and the $5 entrance fee. The outdoor festival was packed with revelers. While I was disappointed by the lack of German costumes, I was impressed by the range of the cover band, effortlessly shifting between the Zack Brown Brand, Tears for Fears, and U2. 

Saturday September 25th —

Gap is struggling to make a buck. Based on the huge success of their Groupon earlier in the Month, there was a special flash sale (announced on their FB page) for 50% on  Gap denim from 12-3 PM in store on Saturday . 

Obviously, after stopping at Peet’s coffee (where they were playing some Vivaldi), I headed over to Gap to pick up their top of the line “Selvedge” denim for $50 (regularly $100). 

At Gap, they were playing some Neon Trees, Local Natives, Freelance Whales, and Miike Snow. 

After a break, I met up with some friends at Happy Village

The outdoor beer garden is incredible. 

We then headed back to the apartment where I softly played Hoodie Allen, Two Door Cinema Club, Bruno Mars, Atmosphere, and E-Dubble. 

Sunday September 26th —

Brunch at the Southern, with my Girlfriend and her parents for her birthday. Loved the alt country/southern rock that floated around the place while we ate our delicious meal. Definitely heard some Loretta Lynn and Ryan Adams. 

What music floated through your life this weekend? I’d love to know. The full playlist is below, it follows the order of the weekend.

Early Fall Music Sampler, Inspired by the September Issue of GQ

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

As I ease into Fall I seek out songs with a little more substance. Summer is fun and fleeting, Fall is a bit more introspective and sincere (for me at least). 

2010 summer anthems, your moment has passed, you have joined the likes of Smashmouth in the confines of drunken sing alongs. I’m looking at you, “California Gurls”. 

Here are a few songs to get you excited about Fall. You know that longing look you give your sweaters after 8 days of oppressive summer heat? I’m looking at these musical nuggets with the same kind of longing. 

Many of these songs appeared in the “Playlist” of GQ’s September issue, and were selected by Will Welch . 

Enjoy. 

Glennie Ferniany, July 27th 2010

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

This is the playlist I’ve been listening to all year to make it through my rather tedious work-day. I’m a 24 yr old marketing assistant in the city of brothery love and mostly do data entry and billing for our office. Most of the songs do double duty on my “Walking to Work” playlist as well, and i think some of the early morning exultation carries over.

Makin' Moves -- Chris Schroeder, July 26, 2010

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

This is a random mix of songs that get me going, make me happy and remind of good times. Some of these songs kick my ass at the gym, some make me appreciate all that I have, and some inspire me to live life with a zest for originality and discovery. I’m guilty of favoring beats/sounds over lyrics so if any of these songs say anything awful or depress you, I promise that wasn’t my intent - and quit being such a pussy.

Chris says, “I’m 25, I work for a PR agency, I’m a West Coast kid living in Chicago and giving it a whirl. My music tastes go across the board and, probably like most people on this blog, I think I find music before everybody else.” Find him on tumblr and on twitter.

Chillin' -- Ryan Stolze, July 21, 2010

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!  If you like this site, please contribute!

(Thanks Ryan!)

This is a great play list to sit back and enjoy a couple drinks after a long hard week at work and to get you ready for the weekend. A nice mix of old school and new school. So sit back, turn it up and enjoy the beats. 



Playlist Inspired By Music From the July Issue of Nylon Guys

I’m half ashamed to admit that I enjoy Nylon Guys. The July issue featured some pretty interesting artists, and I put together a little sampler of songs from the artists they featured.

I’m a huge fan of Tokyo Police Club’s new album, and I’m excited to get to know some of these other bands better.

So. Who do you like?

15 Songs From DJ Dangermouse's Essential Summer Playlist

DJ Dangermouse of Grey Album and Gorrilaz fame gave Vulture magazine his 100 essential songs for summer. He has impeccable taste. These are 15 selections from artists A-M. I will go through N-Z tomorrow.  Enjoy!

Find the full playlist here.

Hayley Wells, June 13 2010

Danny has been putting in some 9-5 work,  Nick got really, really sick (seriously), and I went AWOL on vacation… and TPP has taken a back seat. I mean, it’s summertime—who doesn’t get distracted from their projects? Arguably, our tagline should now be, A Playlist and A Story… whenever we can get around to it. Plus, readers and friends, we need submissions. Drop what you’re doing, make a playlist and get internet famous.

Here are a few of the other distractions I’m up against during this cool Chicago summertime:

  • Daily horoscopes that keep telling me crap like this: “You need to make a decision that will have a significant impact on the direction of your life, so take your time before choosing your path.”
  • A long list of amazing summer shows and festivals in this great city
  • An AC leak threatening to flood my kitchen
  • Over 1,000 backed up items in my Google Reader
  • Summer TV programming, not least of which is the return of True Blood, which I will be watching in the media room of my friend Tekilo’s building. (You think I can afford HBO?)

My favorite TV shows all feature excellent music selection, and True Blood features a lot of songs that are in my favorite rock’n’roll sub-genre: swamp rock. Here are some songs that I think could find their way onto the soundtrack this season, and the show would be made all the better. In anticipation of tonight’s new episode, get your short-jorts on, practice your accent, and laissez les bon temps rouler.

Hayley would really, really like to volunteer on the Gulf Coast. If you have the means to allow her to do this, contact her. Meanwhile, she’ll be summertiming in Chicago and documenting it here.

For Fans of Souther Rap, Top 40, and Turtablism

Submit a playlist! You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook! If you haven’t noticed, we’ve been running a little low on playlists lately, so if you like this site, please contribute!

Happy Friday. Here’s a playlist that will absolutely get your weekend started right. However you feel about the South, you have to admit some fantastic music comes out of there. Enjoy. 

This playlist comes from this site. You can also download the entire playlist there. 

Elisabeth Hofmann, June 1st 2010

Submit a playlist! The goal is to have a new playlist and story everyday. You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!

I guess I really am a Southern girl at heart, because I can’t stand cold weather. I have to be where it’s warm. After years of complaining about the D.C. humidity, I practically jumped for joy when we got a little bit of moisture in the air at my college in rural Ohio this spring – it felt so familiar, not to mention absolutely wonderful after the brutal winter we’d slogged through.

Now, in between frantic sessions of trying desperately to get hired somewhere in the district for the summer, I sit on my back porch with a book I’ve never read and soak up as much of the deliciously sticky and slow-moving atmosphere as I can – maybe hoping to make myself so sick of summer that I really won’t mind the chill when I move to New York.My backyard is overgrown with greenery (lots of poison ivy, so we never did much exploring) and tall, tall trees that stretch up to make a vividly verdant canopy above my head, filtering buttery sunlight through as the afternoon wears on.

And these afternoons remind me very specifically and viscerally of the first afternoon of senior week, as we thought it, when I and one of my best friends sat outside his apartment to finish our last assignment of college – a play, thank god – and we emailed it in as our friends came and went around us; my friend Emily upstairs was cleaning out her closet so I picked out a new dress, went home to sell my electric guitar to a good home with another good friend, came back with a six-pack of Magic Hat and returned to my Adirondak chair to enjoy the sun (it was too fleeting) and just-rained-last-night steaminess to the air, surrounded by best friends sketching, playing Civilization on laptops, selling the owl lamp, flitting about, and me in the middle of everything making a playlist – a hilariously perfect college afternoon.

This is the soundtrack to these afternoons – sweet and slow, heavy with possibilities.

Elisabeth (pictured, in shadow, with Emily and the infamous owl lamp) just graduated from Kenyon College and is spending the summer gathering the fortitude to move to New York and pursue a career as a playwright (Lord help her) in the big bad city. She has a baby Tumblr here, named for three of her favorite things in the universe.


Free Energy, May 28th 2010

Free Energy is a band from Illadelphia that is making some great music. This playlist is taken from one of my new favorite websites, Lost At E-Minor, and their side project, “My Secret Playlist”, where a new band uploads 8 of their favorite songs of the moment and explains why. See the full post of the playlist from Free Energy, and the description, at My Secret Playlist.

Submit a playlist! The goal is to have a new playlist and story everyday. You can also follow The Playlist Project on Twitter and Facebook!

Audio

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