Kelsey Social

The unavoidable toe tapping and head bobbing. The bass riffs pulsating in your chest. The sing alongs, the encores, the combined energy from a crowd.

Is this what makes live music so great? I really don’t know, but I’m addicted. My last show was Tame Impala in June and I’ve been hoping to see something good since I arrived in Spain at the beginning of August.

Although Madrid is known to not have much of a music scene, it gets some good musicians passing through on their European tours. Last night, I was lucky enough to catch Local Natives at Joy Eslava.

The venue is small and was pretty perfect for a mellow show like this one. My two friends and I decided to avoid throwing elbows, so we went up a tier and scored a spot front and center.

I saw these guys in 2010 at Bonnaroo, but I wasn't too familiar with them at the time. Now, with the release of their album Hummingbird earlier this year, I've been listening quite a bit. But of course seeing the band live is definitely better than listening through my computer speakers as I fold laundry.

Three of the five guys share vocals as well as switch responsibilities on stage between guitars, percussions and keyboard. It's a fun show to watch and bassist Andy Hamm has pretty entertaining dance moves.

They ended the show with a Fleet Fox-y (according to my friend Alanna) acoustic version of "Who Knows Who Cares" before returning for the encore with "Sun Hands" - their most up-beat sing-along, perfect to end all shows as a crowd pleaser.

And as if Local Natives didn't provide enough live music for the night, I stopped by my friend Michael's flat for a few post-show glasses of wine.

He's in the works of putting together an acoustic musical group with a couple friends. We were lucky enough to be treated to a small, private show on the terrace.

No comments

Saint Rich

Ten days into November and I have yet to post this month's playlist. There's some great new music out right now and I have been listening to quite an eclectic mix, so it was hard to put together a playlist with songs that complimented one another.

I recently discovered that my fellow pick-up soccer addict, Alanna, has an amazing taste in music and she has turned me on to some good bands like Delicate Steve (Steve Marion) and his side project Saint Rich.

So this mix includes the soulful sounds of Saint Rich and also some garage band blues from White Denim's new album, Corsicana Lemonade. I also can't get enough of Allah-Las with their reverb-ridden psychedelic surf rock similar to the sounds of Brian Jonestown Massacre. Oh, and I cannot not mention Wild Belle - a little bit of jazz with some elements of disco and a smoky soulful voice. Simply amazing.

Listen to this mix when you feel the need to chill out with some slightly upbeat music. And if you like it, also check out August's Psychedelic Summer Mixtape.

Do you like the music? Check out previous playlists, too! October, September, August

No comments

"Change will lead to insight more often than insight will lead to change." - Dr. Milton Erickson

Humans are creatures of routine. Routines are good. They make us feel comfortable and content. They help us to stay organized and have plans. I believe in routines and have found that I am happier when I am consistently busy, but it's also good to shake things up.

Every change I have made in my life has taught me something about myself. Whether it has been a change of setting, work, exercise, or diet. Change is challenging and powerful but can also be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding thing.

I'm still adapting to the challenges of living in Spain, but even here I'm looking to incorporate some new changes into my daily routine. One change I have been thinking about is the idea of creating more. This came about after painting with watercolors with my 5-year-old English student. So I have been playing around with the concept of "fake" calligraphy, and instead of creating today's quote photo on the computer, I hand wrote it in my Moleskin in between teaching classes.

So, what will you try to change?

Click here for more WORDS ON WEDNESDAY

No comments

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world." - Mary Anne Radmacher

In 2009, I travelled alone to study in New Zealand. It was my first official trip outside of The United States (a cruise to the Bahamas doesn't count) and it very much changed the way I look at the world.

I saw life in a different perspective and watched the sunset over the Pacific, the snow fall during the summer, and the moon shine with different stars. Well, the same stars from a different view. And I saw all of this 8,622 miles away from home.

Since then, I have now seen the moon shine from four different places I've called home on four different continents. And each time I see it, I see it a little differently and I also see a little difference in myself.

-- This picture was taken during my second week in Spain when I traveled north of Barcelona to visit an old friend. We watched the sun set and the moon shine over the Banyoles Lake.

Click here for more WORDS ON WEDNESDAY

No comments

This past weekend, I joined 10,000 Madrileños (and fellow wannabe Madrileños) for the first ever Holi Run in Spain.

Just like the Color Run in The States, the Holi Run is a 5K run/walk which features a different color station full of powdered paint at the end of each kilometer.

I had expected to do much more running than walking, but everyone's main focus is on the paint rather than speed -- which is more fun anyway!

By the end, we had multicolored hair, teeth, tongues, clothes and shoes. I wore my iPhone in my armband to take some pictures and video and I still can't get the orange powder out of the cracks.

Overall, it was a great time. I got a little exercise, made some new friends, and picked up tips for the next Color/Holi Run: