I'm a Mom that took her kids to see They Might Be Giants

OK, my husband took them too! They Might Be Giants is a band that has been around a long time. One of my friends even said "I went and saw them like 20 years ago!" When their fans started getting older and having kids, they started making albums full of kids songs. I'm pretty sure if you have kids, or nieces and nephews (or even grandchildren) you've heard a few of their songs. (One of the most famous is the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song). They came to SLC last year, and I was a bit peeved they didn't have a kids show, or perform at an all ages venue. So I don't know if they heard I was mad (ha, ha, ha) or they realized they have a TON of kid fans too but this time they performed twice while they were here! I don't think our kids knew what to expect from a rock concert, so I don't think they were too excited. We waited for 30 minutes until we got into the venue (Murray Theater) and for 35-40 minutes more after we got in. As we waited they showed the DVD from their new album Here Comes Science, and that was pretty cool. It kept the kids entertained, and made me want to go buy the CD/DVD. Once they started to play, it was awesome! Colin loved being able to watch them play, and when they started playing the electric drums (those are so cool) he realized we weren't lying when we told him they would have some unusual instruments. They Might Be Giants played a few songs for the adults (Particle Man) but most of them were all about the kids. They shot confetti through the air a few times, and Lilly was disappointed it didn't reach her the first time. The second time she was asleep! Yes! She fell asleep during a concert. Seth had her up on his shoulders, and she fell asleep. Luckily even after he went into the lobby, he was still able to hear the music. I just can't believe she missed a lot of the show. Oh well! I'll be able to tell her all about it when she grows up. Even though the tickets were a little expensive, if They Might Be Giants comes to town again and plays a kids show, I am SO THERE!

I'm bummed.

Tonight is the night The Black Keys play downtown at the Gallivan Plaza. Wanted to take the train to see them live, but the kids are being horrible! They need either a) sleep b) attitude adjustments or d)both! Not going to make it to see them. Hope they come next year!

I'm looking forward to some summer concerts too.

WOW! I just took a look at the Gallivan Center's Twilight Concert Series line up and I'm excited!!! I don't' know how many concerts I'll be able to attend...you know, kids and all...but I am hoping we can drag them down for a few. (TRAX goes right to the Gallivan Plaza!!!) Here are a few of the ones I want to try to attend: July 9th: Bon Iver and Jenny Lewis (Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame..whoo hoo!) July 16th: The Black Keys (do you remember me talking about them? You can listen to some of their stuff over to the right...I think they are a little down the play list) July 30th: Sonic Youth: SONIC YOUTH! I think they have been here a few times, but that would be a great concert. So that is only 3 of them...I don't know much about some of the other artists that are going to be here, but hopefully I'll be able to make it to at least one concert. ANOTHER Summer Concert I am excited about is this year's Regeneration Tour! I have my tickets and I'm dragging my husband, and we are going with a few friends. Well, at least 4 other friends and quite possibly even more than that. It will be an unusual* Wednesday night out, and it will be a great time! (*Unusual since we rarely go out on a weeknight) So, take the time to see a concert this summer. The Twilight Concert Series is free...with a "food alley" and you can bring your own picnic too...they even have a Lunch Bunch Concert Series...bring a lunch and eat on the plaza listen to some tunes, and let the kids run through the fountain, totally GOOD TIMES! AND I promised my review of the Strawberry Cake from yesterday. It was yummy! The top was the best part with the raw sugar sprinkled on top. Just a couple of tips....I used salted butter instead of unsalted and omitted the salt in the recipe, it worked out fine! AND don't press the strawberries into the batter to much, or they will sink. My middle strawberries sunk, and it didn't look at pretty as it should have. We topped ours with cool whip, but vanilla bean ice cream would be way better! Maybe next time!

I'm a Mom that is crazy busy, taking time out to post some music shit.

OK... so it really isn't "shit" unless you don't like the music I am going to talk about. I haven't heard anything new recently, well, not any new bands/artists, but some "old" bands have some new music. I keep hearing about how great the new Depeche Mode song "Wrong" is. But I haven't had a chance to really listen to it. (Although I am sure it is great...it's DM) Franz Ferdinand has a new CD. I think I like all of their stuff, just as I do the music by The Killers, but I really like the song "No You Girls" (thanks James!) Last.fm doesn't have the full track on the website, but I am sure you can find it somewhere else (I use last.fm because it is user friendly. I don't have to be a computer nerd to understand how to listen to a song) Coconut Records has a new single....."Microphone" is good. It is pretty catchy, and I started singing it after hearing the chorus one time (that is one thing that helps me decide if it is a good song, if I can sing it, BUT it is not the only thing that makes a song good). That is all I can think of that is new right now. I know the rest of you might have some music insight too (I saw something on FB about a new NIN single???)....let me know if I missed anything great!

I'm a Mom just getting around to a music post.

OK, so I didn't deliver on the "The Black Keys" review last week, and I'm only going to kinda deliver this week. As you Mom's know....it is hard to find time to really listen to music, uninterrupted, and with a critics ear, so I haven't had a chance to get to know The Black Keys on a more intimate basis. When I first heard them (don't remember which song it was) I thought "The White Stripes have a new song" then I looked at the satellite radio and it wasn't The White Stripes. Last.fm says they are similar to The White Stripes & The Raconteurs, so I wasn't too far off base. I'm still not sure if I like them, or if I think they are just ripping off Jack White. Maybe listen a little more, and see what you think. I'll try to find some time to listen more and really decide what I think.

I'm cleaning up my music collection.

During the grueling music research process (and I do mean grueling...do you know how hard it is to listen to music and choose what bands I like), I realized a lot of my music in my iTunes folder were either a) not there anymore b) not accessible anymore or c) kids music. (OK so that last one I realized when I did a Facebook meme...most of the music on shuffle was my kids music!) So I am in the midst of deleting music and adding it back on, and procuring some new stuff, and some old stuff. Sorry I don't have a great music post this week.....I thought it was more important to clean up and out my iPod to make room for my research. If you are dying for some different music, just look to the right and maybe listen to The Black Keys. I'm not sure what I think about them yet, so I'll so some more research and get back to you!(Maybe in next weeks post!)

I'm the Mom of a 6 year old that wants to be a rock star.

(I started this post yesterday, but didn't have time to finish and post it yesterday...so it's late...so sue me!) Since today is Colin's 6th Birthday, and today is "Turntable Thursday" I thought I ought to let Colin share some of his favorite music. For the last few months Colin has rocked the air guitar, and for the last few weeks he has been singing up a storm. Not all of it makes sense, not all of it is on key, but he has been having fun with it, so I let him keep it up. Here are some of his favorite songs to "sing": Anything from Chicken Little. More specifically the BNL song "One Little Slip". "Route 66" from the Cars Soundtrack. Although he doesn't get the word correctly then gets mad when I try to sing it the right way, and if I try to tell him that song has been around a long time, he doesn't believe me. "Buzz Buzz" by Laurie Berkner (his favorite singer) "Contact" by Citizen Cope (finally! Some grown-up music) "Bandages" by Hot Hot Heat (more grown-up music!) AND last but not least: "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot" by Colin Behunin. It's his favorite made up song. Now that I have a 6 year old...possibly we will start listening to a wider variety of music, but most likely even though he knows who The Tings Tings and The Killers are, he'll still just have his own tastes.

I'm a forgetful Mom too.

I keep forgetting how much I LOVE Kate Nash. I also keep forgetting I have her CD in the CD Player of the car Seth now drives. I drove his car yesterday evening, and I listened to Kate Nash Made Of Bricks, almost all the way through. I know one of my first music posts was about Kate Nash and last year's BAFTA awards, but since it has been about a year, I thought I would revisit Kate and her awesomeness. I put a few of my favorite songs on my last.fm playlist. My favorite, favorite song, Dickhead, is one that everyone could possibly play for at least one person in their lives at any given moment. That is why I love it! (Disclaimer-if you are under 18, or don't like songs with questionable lyrics, choose another Kate Nash song to listen to -K-?) That is all for today class...next week- Duffy? Adele? Santogold? Hmmm....just wait and see!

I'm a Mom telling you to listen to....

A Fine Frenzy. Just listen to "Lifesize" over on the right....check out last.fm or Groove Shark (thanks Shannon!) to hear some of their tunes. I like them (love the lead singer's hair) and I thought I would share them with you....although some of you might already know them (Nicole). AND.....last weeks "contest" didn't go so well.....only one person emailed me for the video I made (Katie) but she got it wrong on the first guess, then googled to listen to another song. One other person didn't ask for the video, found She & Him on the Internet, guessed who it was, didn't comment, then googled to make sure she was right! (Holly) So...what do I do, not give a prize? Send one to everyone that commented, even if they didn't leave an answer (Shannon)? Give me your thoughts...the ones about A Fine Frenzy AND about the prize from last week.

I'm starting to get into music again too.

Done with Christmas music, loving my new Killers CD, but still want to find some new music to listen to. My go to man for music (Seth) told me I needed to listen to a fairly new duo called "She & Him". My go to music web site (last.fm) didn't have any songs from them, but once I found the profile on them, I knew I had to have their CD "Volume One". I made a simple video with just the album art and one of their songs. I tried to upload it, but it didn't work, so if you want to watch the video and take a guess at who "She" is, let me know and I will email it to you (there might be a prize for the first correct un-Googled answer, please be honest!).

I'm a Mom that likes rare Christmas Music too.

Ever have the urge to check out something other than the mainstream Christmas Music? I've been listening to the SiriusXM satelite station Holly, and even though they have a wide variety of Christmas Music, they tend to play some of the same music over and over again. One of my family's favorite Christmas Albums is Christmas With Johnny Cash. Ever since Seth found it a few years ago we listen to it on Christmas morning as we open our gifts. We all know Johnny Cash is awesome, so why not listen to his Christmas Album too? There are a few songs over on the right from last.fm. Try some rare Christmas music this season, shake it up a bit!

I like some Christmas music too.

Since it is the first Thursday of the month of December, I feel it necessary to talk a bit about Christmas music. As all of us in Utah know, there are 2 local radio stations that play Christmas music 24 hours a day throughout November AND December. Two months of Christmas music. I tend to wonder how many times each song is played during that time period.....they play the "good" music and leave the "bad" out of the play lists....so it has to be a fairly high number. I like Christmas music....but I think that would drive me crazy! I have a hard enough time listening to my normal radio station when they play a Christmas song, an Alternative Christmas song every hour, 1/2 hour and 15 minutes (I think they play the songs more often the closer it gets to Christmas). I know everyone has their fave Christmas songs, so let's hear it! Tell me which ones you like AND which ones you can't stand. I personally like to listen to The Messiah a couple of times during the season, but I really like the A Very Special Christmas CD's. Not every song on every CD is awesome, but it is really nice to still listen to my fave artists sing the songs of the season. I've listened to a few of my all time faves on last.fm (are you surprised?) so you can hear some of them from the play list at the right! Can't wait to hear your faves!

I'm a Twilight Fan too!

So the Twilight movie is in theaters in....well check out the countdown clock at the right. In the spirit of the great weekend that is ahead for all you Twilight Fans, I have chosen a band that is not part of the Twilight movie but goes along with the whole Supernatural Theme: Vampire Weekend! Since for most of you it is a Vampire Weekend, being as you are planning on seeing the movie multiple times, why not take a break from the movie soundtrack without taking a break from the "Vampireness" of the weekend? (OK, that was cheesy) I've heard these guys a few times on the Alternative Sirius radio station. I even heard them hosting the Alt. Nation Top 20 (I think it was 20) Countdown when they had a song in the Top 10. They seemed to be pretty modest about their new found fame. I can listen to them. They don't make me want to change the channel when they come on. last.fm only has a sample of one song, so I can't make an informed decision. Check some of their songs out on their website music link: Vampire Weekend. (If you listen to them there, just know it isn't censored. So listen without the kids in the room!) Enjoy your "Vampire Weekend!"

I'm a Cure Fan too!

But I didn't always used to be. Well, I liked their most popular songs during Jr. High and High School, but I didn't start really listening to specific albums until I married Seth. Come to think of it, Seth should be the one writing these music posts....he's the one that tells me about the cool music I listen to....I wonder if I could get him to do that for me...hmmmm. Anyway....The Cure has a new album. I didn't know this until I listened to Parker's show on Tuesday while he and Dallan were reviewing it. (God I am so out of the loop sometimes!) I like listening to The Cure....in fact two of my ring tones on my cell phone are from The Cure (Lullaby and Just Like Heaven). They invoke a bit of 80's/90's nostalgia, as well as some great 00's concert nostalgia. *sigh* From what I heard of the new album...I like it, but other people beg to differ. Each song is fairly reminiscent of another Cure song, but that is OK with me. Other's listening to the review weren't as impressed. I guess you have to be a Cure Fan to appreciate 4:13 Dream. I will most likely buy the album on iTunes, just so I have it as part of my music collection, but that is just me!

I'm finally continuing my mixtape of life.

So as you all know I was in Las Vegas for a great weekend of friends and fun! This week's songs are two from that weekend. I couldn't come up with a third...since there were really only two songs we heard all weekend. 7-Shake It-Metro Station: We saw these guys in concert on Saturday evening. It was kinda weird to see 12 year old girls screaming over a band, knowing that if I would have seen NKOTB when I was young, I would have been one of those girls. 8-Space Oddity- David Bowie: This is the first song on a CD that Nicole played over and over in the car. The CD is what she will walk down the catwalk to in the 2008 Hair Wars competition at the Hard Rock at the end of this month. Not only did we listen to it over and over again.....BUT we all had it in our heads the entire weekend! On more than one occasion Beth or Nicole would serenade us with the correct lyrics, or the incorrect lryics, or even the dirty ones (or was that just in my head?)

I'm struggling with my music choices!

I know I promised a new set of songs that depict my short life...but I am struggling to come up with something that A) isn't too cheesy B) My husband would be OK with me sharing* or C) a song that actually means something to me, and I didn't just throw on there to make the list complete. So here is a little confession: Last night I imported a few of the CD's Seth made for me onto iTunes so I could sync them to my iPod (do I sound like I know what I am doing or what!?). Because they are homemade, the song names don't automatically import along with the music. I had to go through about 40 songs and name them and the artist so they would be organized on my iPod. I had a hard time remembering the names of most of the artists! Like Beck, and the Thompson Twins, and even Led Zepplin! I suck! There were a few obscure artists like Elastica (I totally got that one) and Chantal Kreviazuk (didn't get that one) but these songs were one CD's I have had for years! I would have thought I could have named more of them without the help of the Internet (google and last.fm rocked for that purpose though!) So my confession is that even though music is a huge part of my life, I am horrible at remembering names of songs, and who sings them. The worst part, I am pretty good with names of people and details in everyday life....why can't that trickle on over to my music knowledge? So hopefully next week I will be able to remember the names and artists of songs that aren't cheesy and that mean something to me. Maybe this weekend full of Rocktober fun will bring some new ones to light! *To be fair, I haven't asked Seth if I can share any of the songs I want to put on here....I just haven't gotten around to it....he may or may not say it is OK..so stay tuned!

I'm a Mom taking a break from her life "Mixtape"

I'm having trouble choosing the next three songs on my life's mixtape. There are so many good songs out there to choose from. So I am putting my "series" on hold for at least a week to make sure I choose the right songs to share. On to new music! Kings of Leon have been popping up everywhere (Letterman, Sirius Radio stations, SNL) and I am not quite sure what I think of them. I might just have to buy their album and see...I listened to the song Crawl on last.fm (get a snippet over on the right) and I think they are a band I could go see in person. BUT there was another one I heard on Sirius Radio (there wasn't a name) and I think I could just listen on my iPod. I guess I am just undecided.....let me know if you have heard of them, and what you think, if I break down and buy the album, I'll give more feedback later!

I'm thinking about my "life's Mixtape" still too.

For those of you just tuning in take a look at this post here. I am continuing my "life's mixtape" series (oooh, I sound professional here) with just a few random songs that either remind me of specific times in my life, or a number of years (IE. High School). 4- The Gambler: Kenny Rogers- Well, I guess any song on his Greatest Hits (1980) album . My parents had/have the cassette tape and I grew up listening to it so much that I know every word to every song...I can sing along without breaking a sweat. So, this song (and the album) represents my childhood. 5-I think We're Alone Now: Tiffany This was the first cassette tape I owned! I think I still have it packed away somewhere. I got good grades in 6th grade or was it 7th, and my Mom bought it for me as a reward. I loved Tiffany, mostly because she has red hair....my red-headed role models were few and far between as I was growing up. 6- Everything I Do-:Bryan Adams- OK, don't laugh...the movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves came out when I was in 9th grade. During my 9th grade year (now don't laugh at this either) I was in a group of actors that was chosen to compete in the Utah High School Shakespeare Competition. We had rehearsal for weeks on end, before school, and after school and we all became close friends (or as close as you can in the 9th grade, you remember those Jr. High insecurities....but I digress). We chose a song that was meant to represent our friendship, something that would make us think of our time spent together, and that was it. So that song represents that time in my life. (As a side note, I am not even friends with any of those people anymore, one guy even went so far as to tell my Dad some lies about me, after high school was over, I mean WTF!) I know that so far none of the songs on my "mixtape" have been life changing, or have had the utmost of meaning, but stay tuned....I have three more to share with you next week!

I'm sharing the music of my life

Music is a big part of my life. Actually, a big part of the Behunin Family's life. Not only is music on in the car when we drive, it isn't the usual SLC radio stations. We are either listening to satellite radio, or an iPod. For the next few weeks, I am going to be using an idea from another blogger. Clever Girl Goes Blog, Tia, did a post about a week ago that gave us the "Mixtape" from the soundtrack that is her life. I think it is a great idea...but there are sooo many songs that remind me of sooo many things, I am a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing just 10-12 songs. (I should just copy Katie, and do a Top 10 song list made up of songs taken from another Top 100 song list. That would be so much easier.) I'm going to give you my soundtrack three songs at a time. Doing so will give me time to think, and to give you more perfect song titles. Here I go: I'm starting with the songs that remind me of the top 3 people in my life: Seth, Colin and Lillian. 1. Spend a Lifetime: Jamiroquai- This is the song that goes through my head when I think about Seth. Not only was it on a mixed tape he made me when we were dating, but it was on the video of pictures that was made to be played at our wedding reception. 2. Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) :Dixie Chicks- The CD Home came out the year I was pregnant with Colin. It is my favorite Dixie Chicks CD to date, and Godspeed was the "lullaby" I memorized to sing to my unborn child. The lyrics fit any little boy very well, and even though I don't sing it anymore, Seth was kind enough to put it on the CD he made for Colin when we found out he was a boy. 3. Upside Down: Jack Johnson- The movie Curious George was popular when I found out I was pregnant with Lillian. While this song was playing on the radio (for the umpteenth time) Lilly would "dance" around as if she really enjoyed it, making my stomach do flip flops. I vowed to get the CD for her....still haven't done it, but at least we have the DVD to make up for that. So that is the start of the "Mixed Tape" of my life. I'll try to come up with three more for next week...if I can't do it....just bear with me!

I'm glad my satellite radio is working again!

For the last little bit, by satellite radio has been skipping, and I haven't been able to listen to it. At first I thought it was interference from the fire near Draper, then I thought it was the way Seth installed the antenna. Then it got reset and it is back to normal (except for the Punk channel...it is now AC/DC all the time for a Limited Time, but it doesn't say how long it will be like that! I miss my Ramones!) Anyway.....I was listening to BBC Radio 1 yesterday and they had Katy Perry (of I Kissed a Girl Fame) in studio for an interview and live performance. I listened for a little bit, it was interesting to hear what was going on while she is in England, then she did an acoustical version of I Kissed a Girl. Her voice is awesome! It was rich and deep and just awesome! I loved the in studio version of that song, and I would like to hear more of just her singing.

Since we live here in the US, we can't get the online version of her Radio 1 visit, but listen to her on last.fm (http://www.last.fm/music/Katy+Perry).

Let me know what you think...and Kim, I know you already love her, I'll have Katie call you so you can listen to your phone just ring!