SYP Says

SYP Leaving Ashland, Oregon

After three years, the time has come for me to leave Ashland, Oregon. For those of you who have been tracking my time away from NYC and remember when I first came upon these shores (...er, mountains) and why I decided to make the move out West, you know this has been quite a journey! I have loved it here and especially the beauty of the area, but for a variety of reasons, I've decided to leave my job at Musician's Friend and move to LA to take a new job I'm really excited about. 

I've got some final musings about the big move and what I'll miss, but will save those for future posts.

Hope you'll stick with me once I become a SoCal girl. I think LA will end up feeling just as foreign to this New Yorker in some ways as Ashland did when I first arrived (and, in many ways, still does!). I'm really psyched about it though and going back to a city makes me happy. Plus, I'll be just a half hour to the beach and, probably more importantly, will have a 5-minute commute. Not too many people in LA can claim that!

Anyway, this note is just to thank you for your support and to let you know that after this week, I'll be in LA. I've decided to change my blog name to Displaced New Yorker living in the Southland. What do you think?

*** Update as of 4/20: Sorry for the hiatus. The moving, unpacking, etc. took longer than expected and then I was in NYC for a week. I'm back now and will begin regular posting later this week! Cheers, SYP

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 3/23: My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille by Beirut

"My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille" by Beirut

The trademark horns and accordion are missing from this song, but the wistfulness still speaks to me. This tune is from the double-disc EP from Beirut (aka Zach Condon) entitled March of the Zapotec and Real People Holland. It's very interesting--latin-inspired funeral march music on disc one and electronica on disc two.

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 3/16: Anonanimal by Andrew Bird

"Anonanimal" by Andrew Bird 

This song from Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast, totally captivates me--and not just because I'm a violinist and I love the way the instrument is incorporated here. It has a wonderful, layered quality and lots of tempo changes. Beautiful, complex song.

Here's Andrew Bird performing "Anonanimal" at the Guthrie Theater. Don't miss him if you get a chance to see him live--he's on tour now.

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 3/9: Train Song by Ben Gibbard and Feist

"Train Song" by Ben Gibbard and Feist

There are several songs I like from Dark Was the Night, the latest (and 20th!) compilation from HIV/AIDS awareness charity, The Red Hot Organization, but this spare cover duet of Vashti Bunyan's "Train Song" really sticks with me. 

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 3/2: Can't Hardly Wait by Justin Townes Earle

"Can't Hardly Wait" by Justin Townes Earle

Little late in posting this--sorry! 

Son of legendary singer/songwriter, Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle has quite a pedigree, but he's got an easy folk sound all his own. Earle turns the popular song by The Replacements into a great big sky road song. Great cover.