B-Side Guys’ June 2018 TOTD Playlist

Spotify Playlist

We are going to keep updating this playlist every day, so follow it now and check back frequently to see new music throughout the whole month. We will be adding 3-5 new song each day all month long!

Mid-day Music Blast: Erik Mutzke “Friends Again”

Stressful day at work so far? Let the smooth voice of Erik Mutzke carry you to the end of the workday. Erik has a voice that is truly all his own, but sounds like an old friend, warm and inviting.

Dropping in new pieces like the harmonies and the piano keep the song from growing stagnant, and keeps the listener engaged for the whole song.

erik

Every season has it’s choices
and we all make our decisions,
and life flies by with unimportant moments

You were beautiful and honest
I’ll remember you that way
I’d like to try and be your friend again someday. 

These lyrics are from different parts of the song. They’re just the ones that really got me, so I figured I’d share them. This song rings true for almost 100% of the people on this planet. We’ve all had that relationship where decision after decision has been made to get you to a point where things have ended, but looking back you realize just how unimportant the decisions truly were that you let define that relationship. Then you remember that person as only their best qualities, and think about what it would be like to be friends again with them. I’ll tell you this, not as a cynic, but as a friend: The quickest way to remember why things went wrong is to open that door up again. Some things should live in your mind as what you thought they were. Like Space Jam. Seriously. Don’t watch it again. You will be disappointed.

Track of the Day: Room Six Eleven – “Bad Times”

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are today, but it’s almost 8 PM here in Providence and the weather is superb. I was bouncing around on which track to post today and this song just fits the mood of this beautiful scene I have in front of me. What I guess I’m saying is this song is sitting on the front porch at sunset, with a beer in hand and my dog to my right.

The beautiful horns in this song, the 70s feel that sounds like it could’ve been created in Muscle Shoals, Alabama right after Aretha Franklin’s recording session was done; there’s really so much to like about this song. Pro-Tip: Listen to the horn solo starting at 1:40 5 times in a row before moving on.

“Bad times, hard times,

all I do is sing.

Bad times, hard times,

tell me what you think.”

I think we can all use a little bit more of that attitude. So here I am after a stressful day, relaxing, and singing along. Tell me what you think. (yeah, I’m that smooth).

Prefer Spotify? Click here.

And don’t forget to check out our playlists here.

Want even more Room Six Eleven? Check out this YouTube teaser for the whole EP.

-Caleb

Video of the Day: Kensington Road // White Noise

 

Good afternoon guys! Are you feeling the Tuesday after a long weekend blues? I have just the cure! Check out this video and tell me what you think about it. I love the black and white aesthetic, which definitely fits the title and the vibe of the song. I particularly like when the girl first notices the second version of herself in the room, and also the mirror scenes.

There seems to be some sort of moral pondering going on with both of the characters in this hotel room. And then we have the singer overlooking the whole thing and singing AT both characters. My assessment is there is potentially cheating happening, and the two cheaters are feeling the weight of the guilt of the person being cheated on? Or maybe not that at all, let us know what you think in the comments below. And go check out more from Kensington Road right here. 

 

-Caleb

 

Mid Day Music Blast: Aaron B. Thompson – “Middle of My Own Nowhere”

 

It’s Sunday Funday guys! And most of you don’t even have work tomorrow. Grab a drink, eat some brunch, recover from yesterday, and listen to this excellent song by Aaron B Thompson.

His SoundCloud page describes his new EP as: “Brand new music from Aaron B Thompson the “Dark” EP carries powerful messages of hope, the sting of regret, the welcome of change and the pain of love. The songs embody the Xennial mind set borrowing sounds from the 80s and 90s juxtaposed by modern vocals. The lyrics hold the weight and depth of reflection, set against catchy melodies and pop arrangements.”

 

I feel that emanating through the nostalgic lyricism that seem to both suggest a feeling of the difficulty and necessity of moving on and always moving forward. Go listen to the nice interlude around 2:45 and the ending one around 3:45 and tell me you didn’t just become a fan.

 

Find more from him on Spotify here. 

And as always, follow our playlists here. 

 

Video of the Day: Sophia Danai “Come Thru”

If I only had one word to describe Sophia Danai’s voice, it would be the word “raw.” She has a very powerful voice, but it’s the emotive rasp that really sold me on her. The cadence and timing of her words is exceptional as well. She is what you would get if Billie Holiday was brought to 2018 and fell in love with blues riffs.

Danai says that the lyrics and the passion behind this song come from a very personal place. The words may be repetitive, but they carry so much power with them. Her message is simple, but has so much weight to it, “Even though it can be terrifying, it’s such a release to claim your space and stand your ground. That is one of the most difficult things in life for me, and that is what this song is about.”

If you are looking for raw emotion, we’ve got it for you with this track.

Mid-Day Music Blast: Of The Valley – “Italy”

 

My girlfriend and I were lucky enough to see the National last night at Boston Calling, and I think we’ve found their heir apparent here with Of The Valley. The second verse really stands out to me as a gut punch:

“I wrote your letter on my face

To remind myself you are near

‘Open me in Italy’ I couldn’t, I had my own life to feed

Now I’m moving forward and it feels like you’re moving forward too

The way I move- is it touching you

The way that I move- is it still touching you”

 

I feel like anyone who has been through a rough break up can empathize with those lyrics. The ambivalent nature of moving on, getting better, growing up, but those random moments of thinking back and wondering who that person you used to love might be now, whether they ever think about you, whether your initial impact still has a lasting one. Anyway, just a really great song, go check them out.

You can find them on Spotify here. 

And as always, they will be added to our next playlist, which you can find here.

 

Morning Commute: Where Do You Hide Your Love

 

Good morning out there guys! Check out this track on your ride in this morning to get your day started off right! This track has some great throwback vibes that make you want to tap your hands on the roof of your car all the way to work. This is also a classic example of one of my favorite types of songs, which is a song that sounds very upbeat, but lyrically has some depth and introspection.

 

“Oh and I don’t even know if I cross your mind, you left me in the cold but it’s burning like candles
So slow

Now, where’d you hide your love is it somewhere, oh tell me did you throw it out your hearts window
I wanna know”

 

If you aren’t paying attention, you almost don’t realize that this is a song about heartbreak, because of how upbeat the music and intonation are.

Prefer Spotify? Click here. 

 

Let us know what you think, and keep a lookout at the end of the month for our monthly Spotify playlist that compiles all the songs we share over the course of a given month.

Have a great Friday!

-Caleb

 

Daily Video Feature: Yung Heazy – Cuz You’re My Girl

 

 

Does anyone else get reminded of The Truman Show by this video? That heartbreaking scene where he is trying to piece together the face of the woman he loved but gotten taken away form him? I don’t think this song is meant to be sad; it’s a really beautiful love song or ode.

 

From his Youtube channel, Yung Heazy describes it as follows: “I decided months later the day before Valentine’s Day that I would take a crack at recording it and present it to her as a gift. I wrote a lot of this song on the spot, the guitar solo was one take, a lot of the lyrics were improvised… Maybe people connect with it because of that? I didn’t have any ambitions for this, I just wanted to make something true and honest to share between two people. I think the recording is very loose but that’s what I like about it, it’s not perfect, not to be taken too seriously, I don’t know.”

 

I think he’s pretty spot on, I connect with the looseness and improvisation. I connect with that because of how genuine it feels. I think his last thought about making something true is exactly what I think good art is about. What’s that quote about art telling lies to tell a deeper truth? The best art certainly does, and Yung Heazy is making some great art.

 

Want more Yung Heazy? Check them out on Spotify.