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Childhood Nursery Rhymes

When I was a child we spent countless summer days reciting nursery rhymes and playing games with lyrics that we didn't know where they came from or their true meanings. It's funny when you do things or watch things that you did as a child but as an adult, it seems to give you a different perspective completely. (like your favorite Disney movie, i don't know if any of you have gone back and watched one of those but you probably should. They have a whole different meaning now!) I've done a little bit of reach to discover what seems to be the meaning of some childhood favorites:

Ring Around the Rosie

Ring around the rosie

A pocket full of poise

Ashes, ashes

We all fall down 

This song is thought to be derived from the black pledge era. It supposedly refers to the rose red rings that would appear on ones skin, how people would carry flowers in their pockets to keep away the stench of death that surrounded them, the ashes that would fall from the sky due to the vast amount of bodies that were being burned in the streets and finally falling down, meaning the dead people falling down around you. (or as one site stated falling to hell)

There is also a site that states this meaning is all made up and in fact the song has no actual meaning at all.

Sources: here, here and here

Rock-A-Bye Baby (Husha-Bye Baby)

Rock-a-bye baby in the tree tops

When the wind blows the cradle will rock

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall

And down will come baby, cradle and all

This song was a bit harder to track down a meaning. They all pretty much stated that it came from the way Native Americans would rock their babies in the tree branches.  No where could I find why they would fall out though, I am going to speculate that being that a bough is the main branch of the tree. As the baby grew it would eventually be too heavy to rock in the tree so it would break and they would fall out. 

Sources: here, here

London Bridges

London bridges is falling down,

Falling down, falling down,

London bridge is falling down,

My fair lady

This song was very easy to find the meaning of, it of course has to do with the London bridge, apparently over the years the bridge has been destroyed and built back up again with a stronger substance. The whole song goes through all of the different substance used to build the bridge back up.

Sources: here

Thats just a few of the many crazy nursery rhymes out there, are there any others that you have come across to have weird or interesting backgrounds?

William Beckett: Moving from Band to Solo

If you have been around the Indy music seane then you've heard of The Academy Is... , and if you've been following William Beckett from his way younger days, then you've even heard of Remember Maine. If you haven't, well I suggest you get with the program old man! (yes, that was a bad attempt at referencing star trek: deep space nine) Sadly both of these bands are no more, but they had many many followers in their high points. I personally went to every Texas show The Academy Is... put on (even drove to Ohio once to see a show with them and Cobra Starship), and was heart broken but excited when William released the news on his blog that they were heading in separate directions. For me The Academy Is... was much more than just a band, I know that many of you that are fans of them feel the same way. Their music spoke to us in a way that only a song can do.


All of the members of TAI are indeed moving on to being come awesome at new projects and endeavors. 


Adam Siska has joined up with Say Anything who just release an album (review at a later date)
Andy Mrotek has started his own project (The Animal Upstairs) which you can listen to here (review to come later)
Mike Carden has . . . well honestly, i'm unsure of what he is up to, but i'm sure it will be something musically genus :)
Michael Guy Chislett has recently done work with the band NO. 

*Now onto William Beckett*

I was very excited for his transition to a Solo career! My best memory of an Academy Is... concert is after one of his shows in Austin, TX my friends and I chatted with him regarding my favorite song Down and Out. Personally the lyrics of that song speak to me regarding my childhood battles. (I have met many fans that have taken to this song, but speaking to him about it made my day!)


One of my favorite thing about many talented artists is their ability to move from one project to another without noticing a hitch in their giddy-up. To me this shows that their real love is in making music and not just wanting to be a "celebrity." I also love how diverse artists can be with their many talents (such as Jack White). William has a "Shy Guy" personality, if you have ever met him in person you probably have noticed this. He is very down to earth, meaning he is easy to walk up and talk to. There are many artists that when they were small time they would take the time to say hi to as many fans as possible, but when they make it big they are all of a sudden to good to talk with fans anymore. Yes I realize that they become busier with fame but even at meet and greets they become stuck up. William however has never been this kind of artist, he has always kept his down to earth demeanor. 


I also think that he is one of the best song writers, defiantly in my top 5. (Just made you curious who else is in there huh? That is for another time of course) From what i've heard of his new work, he does not disappoint. You can pre-order his new album here, with many awesome bundles. Also don't forget to be a member of his Society here! And finally he will be going on tour next month so you can see if there is a date near you here. 


OHHHH I almost forgot!! If you haven't been able to watch StageIt, here is link where you can catch what this girl uploaded. :)) If you know of any other links feel free to put them in the comments <3 






CD Covers incase you are interested in buying anything from any of the bands mentioned:

Music Seeping Out of the Walls

Have you ever thought of designing your living room, bedroom, kitchen, well heck your whole house? I know I have lol So in my vast internet shopping searches I have found many of items that would look awesome in anyones house.

First of all I found this website, that has seriously awesome music related furniture. If you don't find something you need in your house here then you probably shouldn't be reading this website!

Living Room Ideas:

How about this floor mat for the front entrance?

Tape Deck Playing Cards

Wall Clock or this Clock

Record Costers 

Vinyl Key Holder

Cassette Tape Table Lamp

Wall Silhouettes

Cassette Tape Throw Pillow

Cassette Tape Light

Coffee Table

Kitchen Ideas:

Vinyl Cupcake Holder

Fruit Bowl

Jewelry and Accessories Ideas:

Vinyl Necklace

Vinyl Cuff

Vinyl Earrings

Album Purse

Vinyl Earring Holder

Cassette Tape Flask

Pet Ideas:

Cassette Tape Cat Nip

Can't wait to own a house that's for sure, if you are now intrigued to look at more music related items to add to your life search etsy.com, I used key words, vinyl, music, lyrics, cassette. Also google images is awesome, I searched music furniture. If you find anything of awesomeness quality I would love to see it. :)

CD Storage

I was shopping at Office Depot and ran across these beauties:

Right now I just use the average CD binder (holds 200) but it is way over stuffed, and I have been meaning to buy another one but really dislike the binders, they always end up falling apart when used to frequently. I am going to reorganize my CD collection into a file box instead. Dang genius idea! The CD's that I still have in cases are taking up a shelve that looks awkward in the house, so this will also get rid of those too.

Where are all your CD stored? Or have you gotten rid of your CD's all together? Don't say you've gotten rid of them! I don't buy music online, only in the CD format. ;)

SXSW is HERE!!

It's finally here, one of the two best times to be in Austin, TX. (The other one being ACL) Unfortunately I will not be able to attend this year, but the band list does not disappoint. Obviously if you are just now discovering that SXSW exists there is little chance of you getting a badge to get into any of the major events. But there are tons of free events around Austin through out the week that you should try and check out.

Auditorium Shores will be putting on its nightly free shows Thursday - Saturday, this year they consist of The Shins, Counting Crows, and The Cult. Be advised that you should get there really early because they have a cap on how many people they allow inside. Last year the crowd that was left standing outside pushed the fence over and there was plenty of people hurt.

Other shows that are of interest:

Last year I saw Blameshift when they were in Austin at SXSW, defiantly a band you don't want to miss! The lead singer Jenny has an amazing voice, and their lyrics are pretty legit. I have been following their happenings all year and I wish I could see them again. Their schedule is this:

-Tonight (Tues) at Blue Moon Rock n' Blues (422 East 6th Street) at 10:15 pm
-Thursday on the Texas Rock Outdoor Stage (7th and Neches) at 2:00 pm
-Saturday at Betsy's Bar (301 West 6th Street) at 9:40 pm


Jack White is going to be at The Stage on Sixth on March 16th at 11:45pm.
B.o.B is going to be at La Zona Rosa on March 15th at 12:15am
Bruce Springsteen is having a surprise show on Thursday for SXSW badge holders that entered the drawing and won tickets.
Tenacious D, 50 Cent, Jay Z, and Insane Clown Posse have also been noted as to be making an appearance. 


Here is a blog that has a good amount of side events during SXSW that aren't always tied into the main promoters. 


If anyone goes to any shows this week I would love to see pictures or know how it was :) Have fun & be safe!


Here are some albums from the bands talked about above, support CD sales!:

 

 

New Women in Music

Recently bought two female artists cds after hearing each of their songs on the radio, it made me think about how I have never singled out female artists and created a top 5.

The first cd that I purchased was Adele, there has been a good amount of hype surrounding this singer and for a good reason too. Her voice is absolutely amazing, and the lyrics to her songs aren't far behind. Normally when there is too much hype around someone I don't understand it. But seriously, this girl is good. My favorite songs are Take It All, and Rolling In The Deep.

The second cd that I purchased was Lana Del Rey, we were seriously were driving to dinner tonight and listening to the radio when "Video Games" came on and it was instant love. There is something bluesy about her voice that makes you want to hear more. On top of that the lyrics are simply perfect, I am still working on listening to the cd but the song "Video Games" defiantly tells a story. I love artists who have something to say and this girl is amazing. The cd was an exclusive from Target and came with a bonus song, plus lyrics for $9.99. Totally worth checking out!

Here's the album art in case you want to pick one up: