What are You Listening To?

 Hi Miya & Elisabeth,

I'm having my girlfriend's parents over for brunch and need some good music to play that a) is not offensive, and b) isn't something that you'd find playing in an elevator. Any thoughts?

xo,
D.

Hi D.,

I can't speak for Elisabeth, but here's some music I'm way into right now that also happens to be appropriate. After giving Elisabeth's daughter a CD with a song that drops the F-bomb multiple times for her first birthday, I got pretty good at screening music real quickly.
If your girlfriend's parents are/were into Kate Wolf (was that just a California thing?), consider Laura Gibson. She is an amazing Portland-based folk singer.

Do your girlfriend's parents always ask you what the kids are listening to these days, but then talk about how they miss melodic music? The cure for this, dear D., is The Avett Brothers. I would say that the closest genre is Folk-Rock(?), and they're a rocking good time.

My fail-safe, go-to, could-listen-to-it-all-day-every-day music is old-school soul. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Solomon Burke (who just recently passed--it's a huge loss for the world) have all been in heavy rotation over here. Colin Meloy (he of The Decemberists) singing Sam Cooke is always one of my go-tos. And frankly, I feel like if your girlfriend's parents can't get down with Otis, then you might want to reconsider inviting them over.

Have fun at brunch (it's my favorite meal!); I'll be posting a killer brunch recipe on Thursday if you're feeling like you'd like some [home]fries to go with that shake (ba-dum-bum! I'll be here all week!).

xo,
ME*

p.s. If you, dear readers, have a question you'd like us to tackle, drop us a line at youplusmestyling{at}gmail{dot}com.

Comments

[Pretty Mommy]

I would definitely be very suspect of anyone who doesn't like Otis :) and I had the chance to see Solomon Burke a while back (pretty cool - he performed from his THRONE) Whipping up some Mexichocolate pudding right now...yum!!

[miya]

ooh, seeing solomon burke would have been divine. how much do you love that pudding? elisabeth and i are dying to try a version without the chili powder but with the simple syrup infused with chai. mmm...