I don’t know if there are “stages” that one must plow through – similar to those of grief, or potty training – before a blogger gets comfortable with their “voice.”  I suspect that may be the case, because I’m all over the place lately.  I’m circling like a cat trying to get comfortable in a basket that’s plenty big enough, but very oddly shaped.  (And it doesn’t have a nice fluffy liner yet, either.)

I love music – that’s not a revelation.  But, as admitted on the DJ page (or somewhere around here), that moniker was taken with tongue placed very firmly in cheek, and under the influence of Single Malt Scotch – I’m no more Music Savvy than the next Mom…I just didn’t want to see my unique tastes and personality become engulfed in “Kid Stuff”.  And, I wanted buddies to hang out with while I fought for myself in a sea of Raffi and Laurie Berkner.  But – there are other facets to my personality, too.  And not all of them need a soundtrack.

As you know, I have other blogs:

Chasing Liam is mainly for family and close friends, and is where all the “Mommy Sap” runs freely from me.  I love that kid so much it hurts, think he’s the best thing since sliced bread and twisted pretzels.  (Y’know – like every one of us feel about our kids.  Nothing new or noteworthy there.)

Vacuity is the place where I’d hoped the seeds of my randomness could take hold – no rules, no theme, no nothing.  (Get it?  Vacuity.  Gah, I crack myself up!) But I find myself not posting there much because I feel like I’m neglecting the other two.

And of course…there’s Music Savvy Mom.  Being the ex-analyst that I am, I came up with a formula for this one.  And, it worked!  I had GREAT growth in the first six months – it really floored me.  I was all psyched and set to make this my “brand”.  I tweeted, I Facebooked.  I was lucky enough to get some kick ass bloggers and buddies to send in great shuffles – and STILL do.  But, inexplicably…I found myself not wanting to post them after a while.  Why, you ask?

Because I got lost in the shuffle.

My formula worked SO well that once again there was less and less of “me”.  I’d introduce a great blogger, then make the playlist and copy & paste their song notes. While I’ve made some GREAT friends that way – it honestly didn’t take much creativity on my part.  And, as my darling husband pointed out once, it didn’t provide me much of a chance to WRITE.  And, I can write.  I’ve never let you see any of it…but I can.  And I want to.

I’ve never really done anything with Music Savvy Mom as a “brand” per se.  I’ve never monetized this blog.  Haven’t made a penny from it directly.  What seems to have happened is that a little community has been built, with regulars popping by to share their love of music.  That’s AWESOME – that’s exactly what I wanted!  But, it can’t grow with only one person making playlists and picking music.  That’s what was so magical about the Guest DJ Shuffle; other genres were represented.  More of that is needed.

So, I’ve asked a handful of bloggy buddies to become “Regular Contributors”.  We were going to start an entirely new site, but I think I’m ready to “share my baby”  instead.  I’ll still be here, of course, and I’ll always be “THE OG” Music Savvy Mom, yo.  But, you’ll have rotating posts from some wonderful writers with different styles and a broad range of musical tastes.  You’ll also have Guest DJ Shuffles again, so we can all keep discovering new blogs and new music.

Bottom line:  I had an awesome idea, but it’s too big for one person to pull off successfully.  MUSIC is too big for that.

Now,  we have a great core group of folks contributing, and you’ll meet them soon.  I’d also like to hear from any other “regulars” who’d like to pitch in with the random post or playlist – there’s PLENTY of room to share.  (And you don’t have to be a Mom.  Or a female, for that matter.  Human would be nice, but not required.) Just email me: ri (at) musicsavvymom (dot) com .  The more the merrier!

And finally…I hope that when I find that perfect, comfy basket for myself – whether it’s at Vacuity or a brand new blog – that you’ll come hang with me there, too.   I’d love ideas for new blog names – lay them on me!  (Because seriously – www.riolaughlin.com is not so easy to spell.)

Stand by for some reworking and construction around here to make room for the new staff, and enjoy this little bit of “Random Ri” today.  These two songs juxstaposed together just crack me up.

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Awwww, yeah.

We can SO say “we knew him when…and he shuffled for us!”

Congrats to SILVERSUN PICKUPS (and of course our buddy, drummer Chris Guanlao!) for their Grammy Nomination earlier tonight for Best New Artists!! Hot friggin’ DAMN, y’all!

Per the LA Times Blog of a couple hours ago:

Biggest surprise: Silver Lake’s Silversun Pickups earned a best new artist nod for their sophomore effort, “Swoon.” Released on local indie Dangerbird Records, the album was a breakthrough for the act, having debuted in the top 10.

MSM buddy  Ash TOTALLY called this one…so I’m just going to re-post her comments and Chris’s Shuffle of TOTAL Win from October 8, 2009 again for your enjoyment. I’ll just be sitting here…grinning.
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Yep – this post is being hijacked by my buddy Ash of Behind the Lens and 3 Hearts Media…and Shuffle Monger Extrodinaire! Seriously – I’m having cards made up. That is her official title. Remember the Jonathan Tyler shuffle? Yep – that was Ash.

Swing by and show her sites some love, y’all, and follow her on Twitter. You just NEVER KNOW what she’ll come up with next…

Take it away, Ash! xoxo

Ri

Let’s chat for a minute about Silversun Pickups….

Ri and I are seeing them in Norfolk on Sunday. She promises a review. I am bad at those, and would definitely be bad at this one, since I essentially lose every single one of my senses over this band.

So we’re Tag Teaming. I’ll let her enjoy the stereotypical ‘afterglow cigarette’, she’ll let me have the ‘foreplay’…

Silversun Pickups, or SSPU, is a four piece band out of Los Angeles. If you don’t know them now, you will. And you should. Ri will give you all the down and dirty details later, but for a teaser…I’ll just say that their music is like a heartbeat for me. And speaking of beat…I have a bit of a “talent crush” on their drummer.

Christopher Guanlao is one BAMF percussionist. He has this one abnormally highly placed cymbal – it’s like 3 feet above his head…well, the boy works that drum kit like it’s his own show. I have a ring, I kid you not, that is completely flat on the bottom from drumming on my steering wheel along with Well Thought Out Twinkles. (Yeah, thanks for that, Chris…I liked that ring!)

When, at my most recent adventure to see SSPU in Johnson City, TN, Chris agreed to shuffle his iPod for Music Savvy Mom, I am not sure even the scariest of clowns (I am terrified of clowns) could have taken the stupid smile off of my face.

And then I saw the playlist itself! I hope you guys enjoy it.

Thanks Chris. We will see you Sunday!!

Yeah, THANKS CHRIS! Will they let me smuggle in some Homemade Italian Cookies for you? ‘Cause, Dude. This shuffle rocks. ~Ri

1. Portishead – Glory Box – Roseland NYC Live
2. Neil Young – Old Man – Harvest
3. The Black Keys – Psychotic Girl – Attack & Release
4. Macy Gray – I Try – On How Life Is
5. Cat Power – Wille – The Greatest
6. Spoon – Fitted Shirt – Girls Can Tell
7. The Cure – 10:15 Saturday Night – Staring at the Sea
8. Frank Sinatra – Someone to Watch Over Me – Classic Sinatra
9. Velocity Girl – Lisa Librarian – Copacetic
10. The Smiths – William it was Really Nothing – Louder Than Bombs

Buy the music you love. Support the artists…and Chris.

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It’s been almost four months, y’all. Four Music-Filled Months of Frivolity and Fun since the “launch” of Music Savvy Mom on July 6, 2009.

Sheese, where DOES the time go?

In this month of November, with Thanksgiving looming like an axe above a turkey’s gobbler, I thought I’d get a jump on expressing my gratitude…

Y’know, initially, I was hoping that this lil’ venture would develop into a Network of sorts, with lots of incestuous back and forth posting, commenting and general snarkity between new buds…and, in some regards, it really has! You can probably tell from the tight-knit group of “regulars” you routinely see commenting here that we’ve nurtured a definite sense of community, and for these shameless, intrepid few crazies I am eternally thankful!

I am equally thankful for you loyal and steadfast lurkers, though it pains me deeply not to “know” you so that I may lavish unseemly amounts of gushy love upon you. (Come to think of it…that may be the very reason you just lurk. Hmmm. Okay – how about a casual fist bump and a nod for you lot?)

The convoluted point being this: I am MOST grateful for and thankful to the bravest of the brave: The Shufflers! Those who have thrown caution and anonymity to the wind, have thrown wide the gates of their musical fortresses and shared with us the tunes to which they groove. Seriously…

<…cue Paul Anka…>

…take some time to reminisce with me about our past Guest DJs, and please make today

“Music Savvy Mom Share the Love Day”.

Below are the “badges” from most of the bloggers who have Shuffled – these badges link directly to their sites.  Go…visit. Drop a comment to mention how much you liked their mix. (Missed their mix? Wanna see/hear it again? Type the blog name in the search box under the header ^^ up there, and their post will come up.)

If your badge is missing, or you don’t have one, holler – we’ll fix that ASAP!  And if you haven’t sent a shuffle yet…whatcha waiting for?

Memories are awesome.  Let’s make more.

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So, I’m in a funk, y’all.

(Hey, it happens. ‘Tis all part of the charm that is “Ri”…)

I have Shuffles here on my cork board, waiting…I have a concert review I need to write…I have a three year old boy who desperately needs to get out of the house and run…and here I sit, still in my jammies with embarrassingly little to show for the six and a half hours I’ve been awake today.

pfffffttt.

Alright, I’m going to move my derriere off this chair and out to the park. Maybe Liam and I will have a Picnic Lunch, and  hopefully the sunshine and brisk air will give me a good attitude ass kicking. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with the VERY FIRST SHUFFLE here at MSM, from WAAAYYY back in July, starring yours truly. (The “Mom” side of The MSM…)

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TODAY’S GUEST DJ:

Ri from Chasing Liam and Vacuity.
Okay, she has other blogs, too…y’know, like this one… but we don’t want you to think she has a ‘problem’. Ahem.

“…I dig music.” [/Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond in Almost Famous]

I’d been in a “New Music Rut” for a long time until recently. I’d tell you why, but ruts are rarely interesting. I’ve experienced a new awakening, and it’s like pouring water on parched Earth…all sorts of dormant seeds are sprouting again.

Thanks to some incredibly intelligent, fabulously witty, devastatingly gorgeous yet appropriately humble *snerk* buddies, I’ve been exposed to some wonderful new artists. Spurred by their enthusiasm, I’ve gone looking and discovered some great ones on my own as well. It’s like a new music love-fest, and I’m Heidi Fleiss.

Without further ado, I’ll give you the run down on my “Shuffle”. Comments are welcome and encouraged. I’ll have awards for ‘Most Creative Use of Flattering Superlatives’. First prize for that is a set of Henkel steak knives, or maybe a loaf of Wonder Bread. Depends on how the Economy does next week.

Gabriel and the Vagabond: Foy Vance
Loved it from the first ten notes. When I heard Foy’s accent (he’s from Northern Ireland), I melted. When I really listened to the lyrics, I was humbled. By the end of this one, I’m normally singing at the top of my lungs. Feels good.

Making Pies: Patty Griffin
I secretly love tjay for many reasons, including introducing me to this one – right up my musical alley. Well, one of them. This one just gets under my skin, and the lyrics are real to me, y’know? Not sad, though it probably should be. Makes me want to call my Aunts.

Where I Lead Me: Townes Van Zandt
This would probably be a good time to mention that I consider Townes to be my “husband in Heaven”. Ever since I discovered him and his music (thanks to my wonderful “actual husband” – smooches, Baby!), I just GOT him, y’know? A tortured genius, brilliant guitarist, achingly beautiful lyricist. Yep, Townes Van Zandt kicks all kinds of ass. This is one of my favorites. Liam likes to dance around the living room to it.

The Wrote and The Writ: Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit
Found this one on my own. Some music blog, maybe? I dunno, but I’m a sucker for intelligent and snarky lyrics, and Johnny provides them. Makes you think – I love it. I love a good banjo, too. He’s a Brit…lots of them are creeping into my music collection, come to think of it…

Moment of the Year: The Doubtful Guest
Credit goes to Hannah, my bouncy, beautiful buddy from Wales who lives in London. She’s the official “High Chancellor of New Music”, though she’s been neglecting her duties of late. (I suspect a dude is responsible.) She sent me an edict to go and seek out “Way of Not” by these guys (also British), and I obeyed. I loved that, and dug further. This song may be my favorite of the Shuffle. Lots of stuff going on. I’m bopping to it now as I type. If my hair were still long enough for a ponytail, it’d be swingin’ like a metronome.

Gypsy Woman – Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights
Need some good, ass-kickin’ Rock with a side of Texas hell-yeah? JT&NL’s got it. Thanks to this heads up actually goes to THE Jason Castro, though I have to credit my buddy Ash for delving further into this group and helping me to settle in as a fantard. Quite a few friends have checked out shows (they’re on tour right now. With Kid Rock and Lynrd Skynrd. Seriously.)

She Painted Pictures: Liam Frost and the Slowdown Family
Chalk another one up to Hannah. This is from their 2006 album, “Show Me How the Spectres Dance”, and if I remember correctly, was her theme song that summer. I love it – reminds me of college, for some reason. Not available on iTunes here in the US…I had to buy it and download directly from the record label. Definitely worth the pounds! (How many things can you say THAT about? heh.)

Sleepwalking: Jay Nash
Not sure how Jay snuck into my radar. I’m thinking it was Elizabeth (aka McLovin) first, though…I think they’re having an affair or something. (kidding. I think.) He’s currently touring with Justin Nozuka, and by all accounts is a sweetie who is easy on the eyes who happens to put on an awesome show and play his heart out. Works for me! This whole album is for the win. I’m digging.

So, there you have it. If you like these songs, support the artists and buy them. Now, let’s see yours! Just the songs and artists will work if you’re pressed for time…I’ll look ‘em up.

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