Hayley Wells

Posts

Think of every town you've lived in,

Half Acre by Hem on Grooveshark

Every place you’ve laid your head, and what is it that you remember?

Images of a foggy Christmas, so far.

Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) by Duke Ellington on Grooveshark

None of the family is in town yet, so here’s what Christmas has look liked so far. Lots of fog, a few gifts exchanged and already in use, and a little dog-sitting. Nephews in the near future!

Birmingham by Shovels and Rope on Grooveshark

themattsmith:

l3fan-o-rama:

luckyshirt:

Miley Cyrus - Jolene

Hold up.

Miley Cyrus can… sing…?

nice. bit of a railroaded-chugging version, but quite good.

I’ve said this a couple times- Miley Cyrus is going to make an album in about 5 years that’s going to blow us all away.

Also, this:

Who knew?

I knew there was a reason I did this.

Here’s what I was listening to roundabouts this time last year. Time warp!

It’s time again for only the best Christmas tunes.

Nutcracker via Duke. A-okay.

Just try to tell me that this song is not written about me.

Free Energy, I love you. And putting my name in a song is a straight shot to a permanent place in my heart.

Also, go ahead and release that new album. I’ve been waiting!

gatsbylives:

americandrink:

Because Poe was found on the day of an election, it was suggested as early as 1872 that he was the victim of cooping. This was a ballot-box-stuffing scam in which victims were shanghaied, drugged, and used as a pawn to vote for a political party at multiple locations. Cooping had become the standard explanation for Poe’s death in most of his biographies for several decades, though his status in Baltimore may have made him too recognizable for this scam to have worked. More recently, analysis suggesting that Poe’s death resulted from rabies has been presented.

Edgar Allen Poe was found in the streets, babbling incoherently and wearing clothes that weren’t his. Several times before he died, he cried out the name “Reynolds” though nobody knows to whom he was calling.

It’s no surprise that the cause of his mysterious death is attributed to politics or rabies.

Oh Poe, you poor bastard.

The most interesting election-related post I have seen all day.

Wave the American flag.

The RNC and DNC have me feeling patriotic, but in a way that I don’t think either of them intended.

Dance My Pain Away - Wye Oak covering Rod Lee

I have now posted this song to all of my social media platforms. Because everyone should listen to it.

Farewell, Summer.

Boys of Summer by Don Henley on Grooveshark

Was it, then, possible to keep a man without the carnal bond? She was beginning to think so. To be beloved, yet not to give herself: to be, at one and the same time, both femme fatale and amazon, irreproachable wife and adored mistress— a beautiful dream, perhaps, but entirely divorced from life as it is.
Andre Maurois, Lelia: The Life of George Sand.
Once in a blue room.

Life today is full of contrast.

A small silence came between us, as precise as a picture hanging on the wall.

I’ll write the word blue in green and when I ask you what color it is, the proper response is turquoise.

Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll.

A great social success is a pretty girl who plays her cards as carefully as if she were plain.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (via simko)

I am, as before, a sucker for cup-game percussion.

thedailywhat:

Kickass Kids of the Day: Craving a midweek pick-me-up? Perhaps in the form of a mini-hipster rendition of Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend”?

Twelve- and 8-year-old sisters Lennon and Maisy — and their butter containers — have you covered. You’re welcome.

[death+taxes]

The saddest day.

So long, Tim Riggins. I will never forget you.

pacify-eris:

Wild as vulture’s cry. —Æschylus

Wild as the winds that tear the curled red leaf in the air. —Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Wild as Winter. —Beaumont and Fletcher

As wild as game in July. —Dion Boucicault

Wild as one whom demons seize. —Charlotte Brontë

Wild and capricious as the wind and wave. —James Cawthorn

Wilde as chased deere. —Thomas Churchyard

A landscape rose More wild and waste and desolate than where The white bear, drifting on a field of ice, Howls to her sundered cubs with piteous rage And savage agony. —Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Wild as the lightning. —Aubrey De Vere

Wild as dreams. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wild as a sea-breeze. —Nathaniel Hawthorne

Wild as if creation’s ruins Were heaped in one immeasurable chain Of barren mountains, beaten by the storms Of everlasting winter. —James A. Hillhouse

Wild as a fiend. —Sigmund Krasinski

Wild and woful, like the cloud rack of a tempest. —Henry W. Longfellow

Wild as an unbroken horse. —Maria Lowell

Wild as the heart of a bird. —Edwin Markham

Wild as flowers upon a river’s brink. —George Edgar Montgomery

Wild as young bulls. —William Shakespeare

Wild … as regret. —Marie Van Vorst 

Audio

  • I knew there was a reason I did this. Here’s what I was listening to roundabouts this time last year. Time warp!
    0 plays
  • It’s time again for only the best Christmas tunes. Nutcracker via Duke. A-okay.
    0 plays
  • Now, this is a Sam Cooke cover I can get behind. This Adam Arcuragi fellow is doing it right with “Bring It On Home To Me.” Recorded in a chapel and available for download over at FuelFriends. Also, please revisit these excellent covers of Sam Cooke tunes.
    20 plays
  • Oh Land - Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National cover)
    1580 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.
    71 plays
  • staceyjoy: “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” - G. Love w/ The Avett Brothers Not only have I been obsessed with this song lately, but everything fares well with a tiny Avett upgrade.
    7460 plays
  • Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People Room cleanin’ tunes.
    20 plays
  • Explanations - Selah Sue On repeat.
    50 plays
  • nightswimming: Ellie Goulding - “Heartbeats” (The Knife/José Gonzales cover) I don’t think I’ve ever heard a cover of this song that I didn’t really like.
    7678 plays
  • thatkindofwoman: robbyzworld: Lykke Li | Love Out of Lust I can see myself loving this album.
    3037 plays
  • samsonite22: BREAKING NEWS! NEW EZRA FURMAN & THE HARPOONS ALBUM THIS APRIL 5TH! *panting* I need my inhaler. It’s gonna be called Mysterious Power. I’m probably gonna see him April 3rd in Nashvegas. Oh. Yeah. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. I miss living in Chicago because he played there all the time. However, if he plays Bottletree, I’ll die of happiness.
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  • irunfrombears: One More Night In Brooklyn by Justin Townes Earle Off the excellent new album, Harlem River Blues.
    80 plays
  • Justin Townes Earle tomorrow at WorkPlay. In anticipation, here’s the first JTE song I ever heard— “Halfway to Jackson.” Thanks, Ken, for fueling my obsession.
    30 plays
  • JJ Grey & Mofro - The Sweetest Thing Off their new release, Georgia Warhorse. WorkPlay in October. Yeah yeah yeah yeah.
    10 plays
  • reydee: MonsterKanye West & Jay-Z feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon IverWatch The Throne I guess this is what Yeezy meant when he said that “Nicki Minaj is the scariest artist in the game… She has the potential to be the #2 rapper of all time… next to Eminem — nobody’s gonna be bigger than Em…“ Upcoming post: A tribute to my love of Nicki Minaj.
    0 plays
  • Louisiana 1927 - Justin Townes Earle He does ‘em justice.
    21 plays
  • Something Good Coming - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Get it, Tommy.
    70 plays
  • wishlovehope: Kick Drum Heart (Acoustic) - The Avett Brothers This is the beautiful, beautiful version of Kick Drum Heart that’s in Crackerfarm’s videos of the Avetts’ European tour. I love it.
    220 plays
  • monkeyknifefight: Dylan LeBlanc - If The Creek Don’t Rise Yes. According to HearYa, his dad was a Muscle Shoals session musician. You can hear it.
    320 plays
  • I’ve been pulling thread, doing all kinds of evil. I know you hate me, baby, but don’t break the needle. “The quartet delivers a sound like Jerry Lee Lewis fronting a 70′s glam rock band.” Oh you know I’m gonna like that. J. Roddy Walston and The Business doing “Don’t Break the Needle.”
    20 plays

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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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