THE CITIFIED

I’m not sure when it was that I realized that music moves my soul.

Perhaps it was earlier this week, when, at my usual hang out spot on The Hype Machine, I stumbled upon the loveliest beat.

It offers everything that my other favorites have- darling vocals, a happy beat, and that irresistible French flavor. For a listen to my fav (for this week at least) I invite you to click here.

Oh, and as always, dance if moved to. I did.

Best friend and ME-wigs, masks, beads-FAT TUESDAY!

My OCD-self finally let go this year and said goodbye to school and work for a week as I jet-setted to New Orleans for the festivities of Mardi Gras. It had been a few years since my cajun-self had been to the grand carnival, but I chose the perfect year to return.

I brought seven of my closest friends this time around and we watched the parades from the heart of the city on St. Charles Ave. with the craziest of people and most outrageous costumes.

The Saints’ super bowl win caused an influx of people this year. A friend who rides in one of the parades said he had not seen the crowd this large in all 15 years he’s been in the Krewe of Bacchus, one of the most-attended parades of the week. You could tell that the Saints had lifted the spirits of not only the people involved in the parades, but the onlookers who came from around the country, as the WHO DAT song played every 20 minutes from restaurants, cars and floats.

A highlight of the trip was obviously seeing Drew Brees as King of Bacchus, and the next night was Reggie Bush, King of Orpheus, with Coach Sean Payton by his side-the Super Bowl Trophy held up by players and friends in the float. They were all signing things and throwing them off of their floats (my roommate caught a football signed by Reggie)! It’s an understatement to say the people went wild (myself included). The ecstatic feeling was not as much the star-struckness of it all, more of the happiness for everyone and the excitement of a returning of a state.

Ball signed by Reggie Bush-caught from a float

It may not sound so exciting to say that you spent your days in huge crowds of people, drinking and catching beads, but there was so much more to it. Seeing what all goes into the parades is unbelievable- learning about the histories of them, the societies that the people belong to in the city, watching enormous floats that are intricately decorated, trading the paraphernalia that you catch from the floats-it’s more than a parade, it’s the world’s happiest carnival for babies, teens and adults alike. And the food cannot be forgotten of course-the almighty KING CAKE!!! This is the best pastry that ever happened to me.

Decorations made out of beads

FLOAT

Families start their tailgating around nine in the morning and sit their kids up on ladders to catch beads as they eat and drink and socialize with friends and strangers. Crock pots of jambalaya, chile and gumbo, muffulettas, booze and king cakes – traditional southern food for a traditionally southern day.

I can’t possibly describe the enjoyment of Mardi Gras, but I would encourage all to engage in the experience at least once in your life- whether you like to party or not.

To read about the different colors of Mardi Gras, the beads, the doubloons, the floats, the history, King Cakes and more visit http://www.mardigrasday.com/mardigrasinfo.php it’s a good procrastination site!

Even the very best of us need facelifts. Websites included. So while Citified is getting a few CC’s of liquid youth, please pardon our appearance. Merci.

Their biggest hit has been remixed a dozen and ten times by all the big hitters. That same hit has accompanied commercials, mix tapes around the globe, and my top play list. The band? Phoenix.

I’ve been a fan for the past several years and as of last week, was finally able to see them perform live 20 minutes a way from my house in Tempe, Arizona. (Most recently, watch them win a Grammy alongside all of you. Hooray.)

My prediction as to why this band’s got it going on? They’ve got incredible chemistry and it’s that chemistry that creates the catchiest riffs, most-attractive lyrics and a whole slew of simplistic, great beats.

For more of the good stuff click here.

I’m starting the New Year off right for 2010 and having a large serving of homemade black-eyed peas, cabbage and corn bread. Traditions like this come from my southern-upbringing (born in the wonderful city of New Orleans).

There are many theories on where this tradition started from, so you can go ahead and look those up yourself, but all theories agree that black-eyed peas are for luck (or health if you ask Momma Gansar), cabbage for money and corn bread for love.

As I enter the new year, not with resolutions, but with what I see as more of goals that must happen, I have faith that this meal with help in the successes to come.

So go ahead and cook up your house with stinky cabbage, delicious corn bread and soft black-eyed peas so your family can start the year off the right way with luck and prosperity!

It’s something sweet that enhances the good in your life and somehow allows you to forget any bad. It’s the charming rhymes and eclectic drum bops that have you craving more of the catchy, it’s- The Generationals.

I stumbled upon this indie pop band a few months back after listening to my usual ‘popular’ list on The Hype Machine and fell in love with the memorable lyrics of ‘When They Fight, They Fight.’ Immediately after I listened to it I was doing dance moves on the bedroom floor and hoping that there would be more people around at the time so others would be able to celebrate my lucky musical find.

I feel sure when I say that whether you’re ringing in the New Year, getting over an old lover or celebrating a new season (in a few more months), Con Law by The Generationals should surely be your album of choice because, simply put, it’s happy stuff that’s infectious, in a non-germy way.

Yes, it’s THAT good. If you didn’t already get Con Law when it was released in July of 2009, go purchase it now. For those of you with a holiday iTunes card, you have no excuse.

And be sure to let me know if you can’t help jumping and clapping. I’d be curious to know.

www.myspace.com/miniaturetigers

When I met up with Miniature Tiger’s band member, Rick Schaier, near a Scottsdale, Arizona Starbucks the day before he was to set out to grace fans on the band’s most recent tour, I did not realize the fun we would have. In between sipping down on hazelnut steamers and caramel macchiatos I found myself trying to contain the incessant laughter over the pithy jokes and witty one-liners that Schaier effortlessly dropped into the conversation.

In response to what life has been like during tours, Schaier emphasized the long haul of some of the bands routes.

‘It’s pretty extreme,’ Schaier said. ‘I’m not gonna lie. I mean one time we drove from Arizona to New Jersey without stopping and it was like 45 hours… straight.’

When asked about his favorite tour destination, Schaier said that Portland was best and New York City would be a close second. He said that his Portland experience was simply a short-lived trip of the best time.

‘It was just really wonderful there, he said. ‘We stayed at a cool friends house, they made us nice food and I don’t know, the atmosphere was just good.’

Photo Credit: Joseph Fuda www.myspace.com/miniaturetigers

As for future goals, Schaier said that he hopes to take a quick break after the current tour and he hopes to get started on the next album soon.

Lastly, Schaier gave me the scoop on the bands he is currently listening to the most.

‘A lot of Frank Sinatra right now, he just really puts me in a very nostalgic mood,’ said Schaier. ‘I really love the Beach Boys, I listen to them pretty frequently and then Of Montreal, there always on the mix pretty hard on my iPod. Those are probably my three favs right now but I’m looking for a new band… It’s been awhile since I’ve really, really gotten like super obsessed with a band. I think its time.’

In between chatting about all things tour and music, it became apparent to me that Rick Schaier isn’t just going places because of his talent and future aspirations, but because he’s got to be one of the most laid back, legit musicians to grace the U.S. tour map. When not kidding around with his English accent or describing why it is that he’s attracted to vintage T-shirts, he’s laughing and explaining in depth about things like learning from his friends, spending time with his cat and enjoying the company of his ‘parentals.’

In a nutshell, Rick Schaier really is as cool as his name and with an orange cardigan as cheerful as his disposition it’s no wonder why it was absolutely refreshing to interview him about all things Mini T’s.

Alright I know it’s getting cold out and frozen yogurt (froyo) might be the last thing on your mind, but all I have to say is Yogurtland.

I have tried all of the froyo joints around (hence this post is coming out very un-timely) and Yogurtland is far and beyond-the best. Not only are they the cheapest (at .30 cents per ounce) but they have the best selections in yogurt AND toppings.

This is the only frozen yogurt shop I have found with Taro (my personal favorite) and Green Tea flavors and right now they are featuring Peppermint and Eggnog flavors- which of course I have tried and LOVED. Not too sweet, and you can balance tastes out with the toppings (cereals, candy bars, fresh fruit, carmel, chocolate- you think of it, they have it).

This new fad in fro-yo has to be the next-best thing in great treats! You can mix and match yogurts and take it to go for later if you please! Sweets, tarts, non-sugar options: you just can’t go wrong. And, while you enjoy your delicious creation you get to sit in a hip joint with bright colors and extreme-modern decoration.

The best part- you can’t feel too guilty about eating it because not only is it a good source of calcium, but it’s low in calories, sugar and a great source of many probiotics. Each of the yogurts contains around four billion live cultures to promote good health!

So treat your taste buds and your body to a wonderful delight!

As I sit here freezing in my flannel/sweatshirt wardrobe combo, I realize that Phoenix has entered its brief but exciting cold season (believe it or not all Arizonans bust out the scarves when it hits 70). In addition to weather changes, the semester draws to an end and before I can think finals for six classes I’m already daydreaming about the next big break- Thanksgiving.  It seems this year I’m looking forward to it, not because of the buttered potatoes or fluffy deviled eggs or even the whipped cream on top of the pumpkin pie, but because I get to relax, watch Christmas movies and spend time with family and friends. (Ok, perhaps the potatoes and pie do contribute to my excitement a tad.)

In any case, with the spirit of Thanksgiving and love for my closest peeps (and food) I give you the britson ‘thanks’ tape.

Enjoy.

Plainsong The Cure

God Knows (You Gotta Give to Get) El Perro del Mar

Eyes As Candles Passion Pit

Feel the Love Cut Copy

The Sweetest Thing Camera Obscura

Ooh La The Kooks

These Days St. Vincent

Let Your Love Grow Tall Passion Pit

Dreams Cranberries

The Melody of a Fallen Tree Windsor for the Derby

The great thing about social media junkies is that no two are alike. Some were born fashionistas, others, cause-based publicists. Many, professional basketball players, before we all converged in an intangibly addicting twittersphere. 

It’s hard to believe, but even I was something before simply a four-syllable Twitter handle. Yes, before JetSetBrunette. Before a PR major and before a published writer, I was first a student of history.  

Low and behold, a history-centric tribute. 

I leave you with an autumn appropriate tribute to the troops of WW2, those 150,000 + strong who stormed the shores of Normandy in 1944. Chanson D’Automne by Paul Verlaine. According to several historical texts, one of which is “Bodyguardy of lies” by Anthony Cave Brown, it was the “second line of Verlaine’s couplet” which, when broadcast by allies using the BBC radio, let opposition forces know “that D-Day was to occur within 48-hours” (Brown, 561).

Les sanglots longs 

Des violons
De l’ Automne
Bercent mon coeur
D’une langueur monotone…

Tout suffocant
Et blême,quand
Sonne l’heure,
Je me souviens
Des jours anciens
Et je pleure,

Et je m’en vais
Au vent mauvais
Qui m’emporte
Deçà, delà,
Pareil à la feuille morte