Music Mondays - Marie Digby

Happy Monday!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Today I would like to introduce one of the best new (to me) artist I have come to love: Marie Digby!!! Like the best of us, She is from New York City and born TODAY so Drop by @MarieDigby on Twitter to send her your wishes!! For all you ppl living under a rock and away from You tube here is a gorgeous picture of her in a regular hat since I can't find a cute animal hat pic. :(

Courtesy of mykiru.ph

I discovered her on Pandora.com when her song Miss Invisible came on. That's when I fell in LOVE with her voice. Obviously my next step is to look at ALL her stuff on Youtube. Her covers are REALLY good. But her Original music is EVEN better. Here is an adorable video of her in Say it Again.

Other than her numerous musical talents (piano playing, guitar playing, beautiful voice) she also has a wonderful personality that makes her SOO easy to love. She loves sushi, halloween, snakes, Edward scissor hands and Resses Pieces... That's EVERYTHING I love. XD Other than liking Green more than blue she is definitely someone you should keep a look out for!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE!!!! You are STUNNING! I can't wait for anything you make!!

Let me know what you think of Marie in the comments! 

<3 Nibs n Ink

Music Mondays: Ben l'Oncle Soul

A man in a bow tie makes me weak in the knees.  That being said, if Ben l'Oncle Soul picked me up in a dirty pick-up truck a la "Elle Me Dit" for our wedding, I would probably marry him.  And by probably, I mean definitely.  (That video actually reminds me way too much of Paolo Nutini's "Candy," but I digress.) 


Ben l'Oncle Soul is an amazing soul/motown singer from France who has the most kick ass back up singers/dancers/superheroes ever.  I first heard about them when one of my friends sent me his video for "Petite Seour" and as someone who went through an extreme '50s phase in high school, I was sold. 

Seriously, guys.  Look at that bow tie and tell me you don't love him.  He does such an incredible job of bringing that '50s sound to today's generation without making it boring.  


In addition to his own original music, he also does covers of modern songs that sound nothing like the original songs.  And I have to say, for the most part, I like his versions better.  At the top of my list are the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" and Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Other side."  (I honestly hate the original versions of both of those songs but can't stop listening to Ben's.) 

The highlight of my 2011 summer was him performing at Central Park's Summer Stage for free.  (One of the many reasons I love living in New York..) He performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" better than anyone I've ever heard.  There's no good video from that day, but here's a clip of him killing it in France.     


Listen & let us know what you think!


-Beetle, xx. 

Music Mondays: James Morrison

Currently on repeat on my iPod is James Morrison's new album, The Awakening.  (note:  let's remember that I am a serial repeat-er, as I have probably mentioned.  I can listen to the same song on repeat for over 24 hours without getting tired of it.  It drives everyone insane, but I'm only trying to spread the joy of good music to everyone around me.  Clearly you should be grateful.  Clearly.)


Basically, James Morrison is cute, British, and apparently sounds like Cee Lo Green to everyone except me.  I honestly still don't hear it, but it is entirely possible I have dog hearing, so there's that.  

courtesy of Flickr user Aurora's album

He's got this slow, smooth, raspy voice that is perfect for Sunday afternoon when you're lazing about reading Mindy Kaling's book (as I was doing.  It is SO GOOD.  If you haven't read it yet, do it.  Right now.  Stop reading this. Go.)   


My favorite song from his new album is "I Won't Let You Go" and I have so graciously posted the video below.  I do have to say the video is extremely bizarre, makes no sense, and features a girl laying on the road by herself with a bunch of people staring at her.  I don't understand this.  Who is this girl and why is she laying on the road in lingerie?  Is she trying to reenact scenes from The Notebook without Ryan Gosling?  While I continue to muse on this and avoid doing work, please enjoy his wonderful voice and scruffy face:

Another one of my favorite's from his previous album is "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You."  Eh, voi la -- 

For a sampler of his new album, just click here!  Hopefully he'll put you in a zen mood amidst work stress.  (I know, stress relief at work is a trending theme of mine.  Welcome to the world of shit post-college job.  I try to find any small thing that puts me in a better mood.  This includes mini fruit tarts and Hello Giggles posts.)


What do you think of James Morrison?  Let us know in the comments!


Happy Monday!
-Beetle, xx.  

Music Mondays: Chambao

Hola mis amores!  


To honor my triumphant return from the land of tapas, cheap alcohol, and fanta de limon (which they do not produce in the United States for some ungodly reason), I have decided to feature Chambao in this week's Music Monday!

courtesy of Flickr user teclasorg

They're this flamenco-y, hippy band from Málaga in the Andalusia region of Spain and they're amazing.  If you're feeling particularly Spanish or stressed out, put them on and just imagine that you're walking the streets of Madrid or eating chocolate con churros without a care in the world.  


A lot of their songs are about nature, love, being free (told you they were a bit hippy) and honestly, after a crappy day at work, they're exactly what I need.  When I listen to them, I imagine myself living on a villa decorated with small white lights at night and drinking Spanish coffee (which is infinitely better than the sludge I drink here).  


Ok, enough of my bizarro fantasies.  Here's my favorite song of there's.  It's called "Mi Primo Juan" ("My Cousin Juan") and it's basically about someone with cancer.  It's pretty depressing, considering the lead singer, La Mari, has also battled breast cancer, but the music is gorgeous.  

Apologies for the random naked lady, but I wanted the studio version and that's it! 


For two more of my favorite Chambao songs, where they collaborated with other artists, read more after the jump!