On the Sunny Road

So, I have had an interesting last couple of weeks (if interested see foreign heart blog). Interesting is a good word, because I can't say that it's been bad. I can't begin to list the good things, so I'm going to start small.

I have recently found two artists that keep making their way onto playlists and as background music for my very, very strange days.

The first, Emiliana Torrini, grew up in Iceland. Of course, in many circles this already makes her an expert at life and beauty. She grew up in the wild and let loose her voice singing in opera school. As her musical tastes expanded, so did her skill. Her style is refreshingly un-American. In no way do I say this to be un-patriotic. Rather, I say this to welcome a 'new song' that has merit outside of the broken records and well-worn grooves of Western music.

Her new CD, Fisherman's Woman, is about loss. It's almost hard to feel all the emotions it brings, while at the same time trying to figure out her heart in between the lyrics. I have really only listened to two of the songs - Sunny Road and Today Has Been Okay. But, as always, I couldn't keep my wonder away.

She says about the album, "Fisherman's Woman is a letter I wrote to a person that I lost at that time. I coped by thinking I was with a fisherman. They can go on sea for months like my friend's dad. Her mum saw him twice a year maybe for a fortnight at a time. It was a little bit like Alice in Wonderland. The falling into a hole, the madness of it all."

The description is enough for me. I like the way you think, Emiliana. I like the way you think.
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The other artist is Molly Jenson. I sort of happened upon this one, but what fun its been! She seems to be what I love about "indie" ... and she's for real. She's doing her thing in San Diego, playing at coffee shops and wherever she can get a gig.

I watched a video of Molly before she played in the early morning hours at a radio station and I decided, "Self, this Molly girl seems like a good conversation." The next thing I knew, I ordered two CD's and befriended Ms. Jenson, especially after I saw that her dear mom wrote her bio. Her music belongs on road trip CDs... it's the kind friends sing out loud to each other ... it's the sort I might theme a gift around.

It's a good kind, this Molly is. a good kind.

Seattle - who could ever sleep?

It's not all rain. And I would question anyone suggesting sleeping past 8 am in this beautiful city!

Here are just a few pictures of my trip to the sleepless city:)