Jared and the Mill

Wondering sixth street in the middle of the day during spring break was a cool experience. From hardcore metal to soft piano music, I am pretty sure I heard it all. One band that stood out to me was Jared and the Mill. They weren't playing in a bar or venue, this 5 guy band set up on the street with guitars, base, and I think I remember a banjo or a mandolin. I listened to probably about 5 songs and immediately fell in love with their lyrics and their sound. All of their songs vary in pace and mood and it's awesome. One lyric that has carried with me is from the song "Breathe me in": "I'm sure I have a purpose but my mind has drawn a blank" or something along those lines. I think I remember it mainly because it is so applicable and relatable. Which goes back to your point that we like music we can relate to. Some other lines that I liked were "My friends and I make fun of things that we don't understand" (also from Breathe Me in), "I thought the road less traveled was the one that paid the least" and "I preach to those who hate my tongue." I thought those were all very interesting and thought provoking lyrics and I really like that about Jared and the Mill.

Anyway, these guys are awesome. I'm pretty sure if you heard them you would be like yes, Kendall would definitely like this. Just because they are kind of similar to the Avett Brothers and other bands I listen to. I was not expecting to find a band that just set up randomly for free that I would like so much as to listen to them weeks after I saw them live. And I think tha

Im sure I have a purpose but my mind has drawn a blan
it's a shame to think youd give me another single day
My friends and I make fun of things that we dont' understand



i thought the road less traveled was the one that paid the least
the winds are at my back and the sails don't seem to give slack let the birds fly north bc the time wont ever last and the winds are at my back

behind me lies a lie

Given more than what you got can get you killed

Preaching to those who hate my tongue, I'm a man that's brave and youn

Elvis Costello

I actually genuinely enjoyed Elvis Costello, and I wasn't expecting to at all. I think that this was one of the few albums that I liked every song! I really like the sound and tone of his voice. The vibe I get from his voice is a really laid back, chill one and I think that's a really cool sound. I also really like the depth of his band and vocals.

SXSW

I've never fully experience SxSW but I think I'm going to get a pretty good taste of it this year. I don't have a badge but I have discovered some pretty cool stuff going on. I'll go to Bob Schneider and the Mowgli's for sure at the W Hotel (hosted by KGSR), also the Woodie Awards where Childish Gambino, Bleachers, and Vic Mensa will be playing along with others. Sofie and I are really going to try to make it to Tyler the Creator Tuesday night and I am so excited for him. We went to his concert last year and it was a really cool experience. He is not only a good rapper he is an entertainer. I personally am a fan of his music just because I think it takes a hard look at his lyrics to understand what he is trying to get across. First glance, the songs sound really dumb and silly. Yonkers starts off as "I'm a fuckin walkin paradox/no I'm not" and continues to say stuff like "green paper, gold teeth and pregnant gold retrievers, all I want. Fuck money, diamonds and bitches don't need em" So basically every lyric in this song contradicts the next one and it's awesome. Basically (this might be too deep idk) but I think this song is an argument between his head versus his heart, himself versus his mind, etc. So this blog turned into a Tyler blog oops..

Chance the Rapper

"they murder kids here/Why you think they don't talk about it?/They deserted us here/Where the fuck is Matt Lauer at?/Somebody get Katie Couric in here/Probably scared of all the refugees, look like we had a fuckin' hurricane here/They'll be shooting whether it's dark or not, I mean the days is pretty dark a lot/Down here, it's easier to find a gun than it is to find a fucking parking spot/No love for the opposition, specifically a cop position/Cause they've never been in our position."
(Chance the Rapper's Paranoia) 

I think this is one of his most powerful songs lyric wise. It has a message and I think that is the purpose of music, to send a message or stand up for what you believe in. And I think that is what Chance does in this song: heightening awareness for the violent "community" that was unfortunately his home. I love the "where the fuck is Matt Lauer at?" This is basically like murder happens all the time here that it tends to get overlooked and is considered normal. 
Also, later on in the song it adds "Everybody dies in the summer, so pray to God for a little more Spring." I feel like that line hits his listeners in a different way; It's almost like he's trying to make the shooter feel better in a way? Saying that it's a norm. 

I really like that he tells a story in his rap, I think that is what makes rap worthwhile. I also really like Nostalgia from his 10 Day mixtape, I think it's a very different song for him and brings out his childhood. I feel like people don't give him or Kendrick Lamar enough credit. Their most popular songs are the songs about dumb stuff like drugs and girls (which is fine but doesn't completely capture them as artists and people judge them solely off of songs like Kendrick's Swimming Pools or Chance's Juice)