{On Repeat}....Bal-Musette

I was listening to a podcast of Fresh Air the other day and heard some of the most whimsical music: Bal-Musette. It's a style of French music that predominantly features the accordion (I had always thought of polkas when it comes to accordions) and from turn of the twentieth century. Musettes were played in dance halls in France and are inspired from Italian, Bohemian, and Auvergnat cultures.

Fun fact for coffee lovers, bal-musette dance was also known as java.

I never would have guessed, but I'm finding bal-musette to be the perfect early-winter music. It's fun, upbeat, a little romantic in a goofy way, and feels very exotic. Listening to it is like a mini vacation––everything seems sparklier and more special.

I suggest listening to: The Paris Musette, Guy Visuer, and Accordeon Melancolique

Image: lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1892), via MoMA

{On Repeat}...Caroline Smith

My friend recently introduced me to a Minnesota-native artist, Caroline Smith. I'm hooked and it feels like the perfect playlist for autumn right now. What I like about her music is its adaptability. It's simultaneously romantic, melancholic, spunky––it fits every mood.

Her voice is delicately strong; her music sounds like those cool girls who are quietly confident. Listen to her album Half About Being a Woman here.

If I must choose, my favorite tracks are: "The One Thing," "Child of Moving On," and "Buy Me Something," all of which are infectious.

Photo by Reginald P.

Currently Listening to: G I R L

On this grey, rainy day in Minneapolis, I'm listening to Pharrell Williams' new album, G I R L. It is bright, funky, and is already on my spring/summer playlist. It is definitely reminiscent of Justin Timberlake's first installment of the 20/20 Experience, which makes sense: JT is featured on "Brand New," the second song of the album.

Favorite tracks:

Brand New
It Girl
Lost Queen

Everyone has probably already seen or heard "Happy," so let me convince you that the entire album is just as exuberant. Some are saying it's "conceptual feminist," in which it might be a response to the backlash he got for partnering with Robin Thicke on "Blurred Lines."

What mystery....

Anyway, when I fall in love with an artist, I like to do a lot of research. Do you? If so, check out this interview with Pharrell and GQ for an interesting read and then this article about the making of G I R L!

P.S. I know Pharrell is, like, 40 years old, but he reminds me of an adorable six year old.

Photo via

JT + JAY Z

A "brief" review of the Legends of the Summer concert at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL:

The two performers appropriately named their brief summer tour, as the performance was nothing short of spectacular. Working hard to please the audience, the duo opened with "Holy Grail," which allowed Justin to kick off the concert with that beautifully haunting and melancholiac verse. Jay Z busted out lacking any inhibitions, pumping up the crowd for the rest of the concert.

The opening song was obviously appreciated after an hour wait, as the real show began at 9:20 instead of 8:00. However, approximately 140 minutes of perpetual music was an impressive trade-off. Never a lapse in energy, Jay Z and Justin effortlessly passed the torch, moving from song to song with beautifully mastered transitions. The variety of music was also refreshing.

Obviously, Jay Z has a more limited repertoire of style, but his selection of songs was thoroughly enjoyable, performing an enthusiastic "99 Problems," "Empire State of Mind," and "Jigga What, Jigga Who". Additionally, Justin played a ripping guitar accompaniment to "99 Problems" that solidified is music-legend, jack-of-all-trades status.

Moreover, Justin pulled out all the stops, playing piano, showing off his dance moves, and sining everything from "Mirrors" to "Señorita" to "Cry Me a River," and of course, "Sexy Back," which pleased everyone.

I, for one, really loved "New York, New York," a song that some locals with a chip on their shoulder didn't appreciate. Equally beautiful was their encore tribute to Trayvon Martin, "Forever Young." Justin's performance was breath-takingly honest, sincere, and beautiful. Clear, light, but strong, and almost angelic, the tribute was lovely. The most impressive part of the concert was their ability to be front and center, but also act as back up. Both are incredibly famous musicians, and sublimely talented; how very telling and refreshing that two musicians of that high caliber are willing to be the back up to the other. Something very rare, and very brilliant to see.

Ending the show in unison, "We are. The legends of the summer!" could not have been more apt for Jay Z and J.T.

Photo via Rolling Stones

Upcoming Hiatus

Tomorrow, we will be leaving for Chicago to enjoy the Legends of Summer concert at Soldier Field! I am hopelessly excited to see Justin Timberlake and Jay Z live, as they are pretty much mythic figures in the music industry right now. (How jammin' are their new songs "Holy Grail" and "Take Back the Night," right?) I nabbed a leak of their set list, which I'm hoping is pretty accurate for Monday night, because it's an out-of-this-world selection of their very best songs! 

During our vacation, I will not be posting as regularly, but you can stay updated with all things Chicago via my Twitter and Instagram (@sarahcarlsonetc) accounts! Enjoy this beautiful weekend! 

Photos by Abby from our last trip to Chicago.

The Sound of Summer

Today is the last day of instruction for me, with a week of finals to follow! Needless to say, I'm dreaming of summer and craving a sunny heat wave. In the spirit of lemonade, hammocks, and sundresses, I've started making my first summer playlist. After all, every good party requires a soundtrack, and summer is just one long, leisurely party. You play music on road trips, as you have a barbecue, sing songs on bike rides. Often times, I hear a song from a previous playlist (I have many for many occasions–some random like an entire playlist for a fun weekend) and think of memories from that summer, or week years ago. Every time I hear this song, it takes me back to spring/summer of high school. So this summer. . .

I've got lots of bubbly tunes to compliment the (hopefully) blissful weather, featuring She & Him, Zee Avi, Mika, and Feist. All classics.

What do you have on your summer playlist? Does your taste in music change with the season? Mine certainly does. 

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram