They shipped Missy!  

You don't understand.  I placed this order on July 18th.  They told me she was in stock.  SO NOT TRUE.  Then they were like, oh August 20th, we'll have her.  Then they were like, oh, she's out of stock now.  20 days and we should have her.  But they shipped.  I just checked my email and they shipped yesterday!

And now she's coming.  The most awesome and brilliant lyricist EVER!  On a Clear Night is oh so very different from The Sound of White but it is NO LESS awesome!  And finally I will have a copy of my very very own.  OH MY GOD!  So fucking happy!  *dances in office chair*

Since I love supporting indie artists (in music and film) I thought I'd take this opportunity to present a few people to you. (Especially since I'm listening to them this morning.)

Check out Colbie Caillat. She's an amazing singer/songwriter from CA. Voice like honey I tell you. Nice, easy sound. Makes me think of the beach. Smooth. Mostly happy songs, all real.

Check out Sara Bareilles. A personal favorite of mine. She's quite the accomplished pianist who writes very catchy songs. With a deep, rich voice, this girl is hard to resist. Gravity is an amazing song.

Secondhand Serenade...just go check him out...NOW. Seriously, amazing singer/songwriter who writes beautiful songs.

If you like jazz, even a little bit, you must listen to Madeleine Peyroux. She sounds JUST like Billie Holiday. Really. Just like. Vocally anyway. The music is soft, wafting jazzy soul.

I'm not a huge folk/bluegrass fan so if I'm recommending a folk/bluegrass band, this should tell you something. Give The Wailin' Jennys a try. They have a very unique sound. Three Canadian chicks who do all of their own music. Yes, some of it is quite traditional but it's gorgeous none the less.

One final artist for you. She's not indie by any stretch of the imagination but she doesn't really get played here much and music this good deserves to be heard. Missy Higgins is simply lovely. Amazing lyricist. Australian, which is part of why she doesn't get carried here as much. All For Believing...just an incredible song. Give her a try.


Just a couple of films that profoundly affected me:

Paradise Now takes a look at Palestinian suicide bombers through the eyes of two men who would have themselves counted among their ranks. It's their story but it's the story of a nation in conflict as well. It doesn't proport to express the views of all or even many. It's just an honest, unflinching look at the lives of two men and one woman affected by the war that's be raging between Israel and Palestine for years. It was nominated for Best Foreign Film of the Year in 2006 at the Oscars and won numerous other awards at film festivals all over the world.

Dirty Pretty Things tells the story of two illegal immigrants living in London. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Audrey Tautou give breathtaking performances in a film that takes a look at what life is like for illegal immigrants just trying to survive in a country that is not their own. It is not so much a commentary on policy as one on human beings and how we treat and deal with those around us. It is, at its heart, a story of the resilience of the human spirit and the courage we can find in ourselves.