Pick Of The Week: Patti Smith "Banga"

I've listened to this album about eight times in a row now. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just being nostalgic, or 'old', or clinging to the past. But it's just a damn fine release from one of the greatest artists of all time. Unlike many of her peers, she remains interesting and vibrant even 30+ years into her career. Perhaps its partly because she sings about things that are older than rock itself - spirituality, children, historical events. Her style is completely unique and inimitable, she is truly the high priestess of rock. Long may she rule. Patti Smith - Banga: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Adanowsky Soundtracks The Big C's Trip To Puerto Rico

You might be surprised to go to Adanowsky's twitter page and find out he has 90K followers, more than most artists that I've featured in The Big C! Yet it would not be surprising if you'd never heard of him, as he is just becoming known to U.S. audiences. I would tell you more about him, but his website is all in Spanish, so you're on your own there. All I know is his ballad "Dime Cuando" (translates to "Tell Me When") was perfect for the somber moment when Cathy is feeling lonely and wandering the streets of Puerto Rico. And I love his enitre album, so go ahead and invest if you're feeling it. Adanowsky - "Dime Cuando": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Thieving Irons and Simone Felice

Two easy recommends this week, both from artists I've been following for some time. Nate Martinez has always been the secret weapon super-guitarist of Pela, as well as touring with The National and Alexi Murdoch. When Pela broke up, he found his solo voice as Thieving Irons (definitely the silver lining to losing Pela). His voice is comforting like a warm blanket, the production is epic without being overwhelming and both lyrics and musical arrangements are first class. You can put this album on repeat for hours and not get bored. Thieving Irons - Behold, This Dreamer: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

I'm going to caution you against reading Simone Felice's bio because it will likely make you feel a) lazy (he's been in four band projects counting this solo effort, was a major player on five albums plus numerous other album assists, and has five published writing credits including a novel) and/or b) dismayed to learn of his personal tragedies and medical mishaps. So let me sum it up for you: member of The Felice Brothers as well as The Duke and The King, uber-talented songwriter with the chops and style to back it up, first solo release, joing Mumford & Sons on tour right now, don't miss it.

Simone Felice - Simone Felice: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Sigur Rós and Now, Now

I could just skip over this new release because a) you should already know about Sigur Rós, and b) the album is not significantly different than any of their other releases. But it's a truly wonderful listening experience and it feels like the right time for a gorgeous, dreamy, escapist album. Stuck at work on a summer afternoon? Put this album in your headphones and the afternoon will fly by. Feeling some road rage while stuck in traffic? This one will calm you down, Valtari is a blissful state of mind that can be achieved anywhere, even on a congested highway. Sigur Rós - Valtari: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site ($5 right now at Amazon. Seriously.)

Although I hope most readers have heard of Sigur Rós, I have no such delusions about recommendation #2, the album Threads by Minneapolis trio Now, Now. Two girls on guitar (one also the vocalist), and a guy drummer already makes them unique. If you need a big name to convince you, they were signed by Chris Walla (guitarist for Death Cab For Cutie) to his label Trans Record. I love their breathy vocals and smart lyrics over quirky music that doesn't sound like everything else out there. They appear to be on tour right now, try to catch them.

Now, Now - Threads: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

The Big C 308 - We Rock Like Girls Don't

A quick shout out to the girl duo We Rock Like Girls Don't - their song "Hip To You" was featured in the opening scene of The Big C Episode 308 as Cathy drives recklessly on a winding mountain road with Dave & Maxine who are pregnant with a baby that Cathy plans to adopt. Well, as with most things Cathy, it doesn't end too well. It makes me slightly sad how angry Cathy is this season, but it brightens me up to be able to put all this good punky girl rock into The Big C! We Rock Like Girls Don't - "Hip To You": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Big C Music for Season 3 (2012), Episodes 1-7

Have I mentioned how busy April was? The Big C Season 3 started airing April 8, right in the middle of pilot season and while we were completing post on season finales for Castle and The Big C, and I haven't even posted about all the great music we've used in the show. I'll catch you up on Episodes 1-7 here.

Episode 1, "Thin Ice", first aired April 8, 2012

Heard at the very beginning and the very end of the episode, this version of Bowie's "Changes" might not be quite as stellar as the original, but the slower tempo worked very well with the scene of Cathy underwater in the pool at the end of the episode. Shawn Mullins - "Changes": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Episode 2, "What's Your Story", first aired April 15, 2012

I adore this band Making Friendz (a side project from Tami Hart of Men) and was so happy to use their song as a backdrop for the tattoo parlour when Cathy gets her big C tattoo! Making Friendz - "Yr Shadow": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Episode 3, "Bundle Of Joy", first aired April 22, 2012

At the top of the show, we wanted some punky girl music and I was pleased to offer up a real Minneapolis band (where our show was set). I adored this band in the 90's when they had their brush with fame. Zuzu’s Petals - "Do Not": Amazon :: iTunes

Then we had a killer live performance from a legitimately Christian band (we try to keep it authentic on The Big C!) at the church that Jessie attends. These guys are phenomenal. The Wrecking - "View From The Top": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Lastly, we needed a 70's groove for Susan Sarandon's character, Joy, to dance to and get her followers moving. This song was a particular favorite of Jenny Bicks, the executive producer, so it was great to be able to get it! Peaches & Herb - "Shake Your Groove Thing": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Episode 4, "Family Matters", first aired April 29, 2012

I'll try to refrain from commenting on Jessie's bizarre logic about what makes a virgin in this episode, but I do love this song that we chose to have playing in the car when she and Adam are making out. If you like Band Of Horses, or any other moody indie bands, you'll dig Thieving Irons. Thieving Irons - "Below The Avenues": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Episode 6, "Life Rights", first aired May 13, 2012

Another Christian band heard while Jessie and Adam are entertaining themselves in a bedroom at Sean's house ... These Hearts - "Romans 15": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

And another of my favorite female artists, Ida Maria, had the perfect song for the scene where Cathy takes out her frustrations on the wall of the soon-to-be nursery. Ida Maria - "Oh My God": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Episode 7, "How Bazaar", First aired May 20, 2012

This Los Angeles band is so far a leisurely studio side project of Ferraby Lionheart with producer/musician Dan Long. No release plans yet, sorry! The song had the perfect amount of angst to show Cathy's anger when she finds out the truth about Dave and Maxine. The Left Hands - "Run With A Knife": Ferraby Lionheart Site

Picks Of The Week: Admiral Fallow and Lightships

It's bold to start your album with the sound of a someone agitating a speaker cord, then lead into a six minute down-tempo duet. But I guess when you have that adorable Scottish accent, you can get away with it. The second song picks up tempo quite a bit, and might remind you of their countrymen Frightened Rabbit ("Swim, until you can't see land ...). I don't think you'll be disappointed if you stick with the album - epic indie rock along the lines of early Snow Patrol. I'm completely hooked. Admiral Fallow - Tree Bursts In Snow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

It's honestly a coincidence that my second pick this week is also from Scotland. Gerard Love is the vocalist, songwriter, and bass player for my long time faves Teenage Fanclub. He's made a gorgeous album under the name Lightships, inviting some of his favorite players from other bands and taking a slightly more freewheeling approach to the music, while still exhibiting his gifts for melody and arrangement. This album is so inviting that I was very nearly distracted from finishing this post while listening to it! So proceed with caution, but if you want to leave planet Earth for awhile, this is for you.

Lightships - Electric Cables: Amazon :: iTunes :: Teenage Fanclub Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Beach House and The Wave Pictures

Welcome back to me! I've been missing from this blog for one month. I worked on two super awesome pilots, both of which you will likely see on NBC in early 2013, and two incredible season finales for Castle and The Big C. Always lots of pressure for great music in those season finales! Then I did take a couple weeks to decompress. Now I'm back, and promise you 'two-fers' for the next four weeks to make up for my absence and because I have so much good music stockpiled here to tell you about! Beach House just released their fourth album, titled "Bloom". This band from Baltimore has been bubbling under for some time, by which I mean that very few people knew about them for the last few albums, but those people told enough friends, who told their friends and now suddenly everybody is a fan for this new album. That's just how it works sometimes. It's a very worthy album for their breakout - slightly darker than their first few (you know I like that.) Beautiful, dreamy, lush, but still indie and interesting. And as a bonus, you can get it on Amazon right now for only $5! I mean, just skip the morning latte and get this album instead, it will last far longer.

Beach House - Bloom: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

For my second pick, I've been pretty intrigued with this album by The Wave Pictures for the last few weeks. It's a melange of many influences that I love, all mashed together into a fun and intriguing new sound. On any given track you might think "Belle & Sebastian", or "early Elvis Costello", "Art Brut", "Vampire Weekend" or even "Marc Almond from Soft Cell". I don't mind obvious influences when they are so varied and plentiful! The Wave Pictures write angular, clever, upbeat songs about strange characters living dark lives, and it's just refreshing and a whole lot of fun.

The Wave Pictures - Long Black Cars: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: The 88 & Avalanche City

Super quick double recommend this week to make up for last week - April is a very busy time in TV land! Now in case you haven't noticed, I'm fond of albums. Singles & EPs I have no love for. They're at best too short to get an idea what a band is all about and at worst just an early release of something you're going to get later on an album anyway, and rarely worth it. So these two releases already had a hurdle to overcome with me but I've had to make exceptions to my album-only policy! First off, a band I've loved forever, The 88, has made a new EP that took my breath away even considering my high expectations of them. It takes an incredible amount of determination, perseverance, and talent to just stay together and survive as a band for 10 years in LA, let alone stay at the top of their creative game and do it without major label assistance. A standing ovation please for The 88! This EP has five solid tunes on it, I am particularly fond of "Do You Love Me" which has been known to be played on repeat in this house several times in a row.

The 88 - Actors EP: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Secondly, I came across a video so charming (and I generally have little use for music videos) and a song so sweet that I was immediately hooked. Dave Baxter is the 'epicentre' (according to his website) of Avalanche City out of New Zealand. The debut album is available as an import, but a four song EP just came out in the U.S. digitally and I'm sure the album won't be far behind. So, so, so, so GOOD! It's impossible to feel sad while listening to this song or watching the video so keep it handy for those times when you feel blue.

Avalanche City - Love Love Love EP: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site (Watch the video here!)

Pick Of The Week: The Shins "Port Of Morrow"

Dear James Mercer, you really are a terrible boyfriend. You've spent five years away from the Shins, philandering openly with Dangermouse on the Broken Bells project, which although lovely didn't quite utilize your songwriting talents, did it? And now you bring us a new album and I suppose you'd like to be back in our affections as though nothing had changed. Well, we'll just see about that. Listen #1: We admit "For A Fool" is properly apologetic. And it is nice to hear your voice again. But we'll remain strong. Five years away, after all! Perhaps one more listen just to make sure. Listen #2: "It's Only Life" is very comforting. How is this album lush, yet also stripped down? Inventive yet classic. And oh, how we've missed your clever lyrics! We must get a grip! We're just being nostalgic. One more time, we'll keep our heads straight this time. Listen #3: We're melted. All is forgiven. Welcome back. The Shins - Port Of Morrow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Delta Spirit

Yes, this recommend is a few days behind schedule. But I did not receive this album until today so it all worked out for the best! I'm already a big Delta Spirit fan, so I'm not sure why it was not on my doorstep the day of release, but I'm just happy I have it now. This will be in constant rotation as I'm now an even bigger fan - they flesh out their strengths of classic, timeless rock on this new release. And while I am truly sorry that lead singer Matt Vasquez has apparently been suffering some heartbreak I must say it makes for some stellar new songs. His voice is unmistakable and his unaffected delivery very compelling - the production (by Chris Coady, who has worked with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio, Beach House and the Smith Westerns) is excellent, lots of cool layering and breakdowns. Plus, they have a very sharp website and all kinds of free downloads on there, so do visit. If you like a good live show, they're crossing the United States on a three month tour right now, go see it! Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: She Keeps Bees "Dig On"

I liked this record when it came out last year but as time has passed I have become slightly obsessed with it so it's definitely due for a mention. Just imagine if The Black Keys were fronted by a woman, or if Cat Power became a power rocker. You'd like that, right? It's only $9 on Amazon, what are you waiting for? She Keeps Bees - Dig On: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Yellow Ostrich

Singer-guitarist Alex Schaaf takes his work into expanded territory on Yellow Ostrich's second album, Strange Land. His first album was a bedroom project but now with a complete band there's new instrumentation and a much bigger sound that comes from touring everywhere in the last year. Its still quirky, lovable, dynamic, fresh-sounding, and well worth a listen and a 'buy'. But you probably knew that from looking at the artwork! Yellow Ostrich - Strange Land: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Internet Talk Radio Interview

Who knew there was an internet radio show devoted to Castle, and more specifically, the lovely Stana Katic? Well there is, and as Castle's music supervisor, the show hosts Pam and Sheryl deemed me worthy of an interview. They were totally cool and we had a fun time talking about Castle, music, music supervising, and the process of how music makes it onto a TV show. You can listen to the archive here: Stana Talk Radio / Tricia Halloran interview.

Pick Of The Week: "New Multitudes" by Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames

You had me at "Jay Farrar" ... but feel free to throw in two of my other favorite songwriters of all time, Will Johnson from Centro-matic and Anders Parker from Varnaline. And just in case anyone still needs convincing, toss in Yim Yames aka Jim James from My Morning Jacket, because then this record is an absolute LOCK for pick of the week and there's really no point considering any other albums! Really you could give these four guys the phone book and get a pretty good album out of it, but instead they took inspiration from the unpublished notebooks of another stellar writer, Woody Guthrie. There's no lack of info out on the web about how this fascinating project came together, just search on "new multitudes" and have at it ... but get the record first so you can listen to it while you read up on it! Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames - New Multitudes: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Lambchop "Mr. M"

Lambchop is an odd band, they'll be the first to tell you. And its not for everyone. There's not space on this blog to properly explain their quirky sound and outsider path to success but you can read all about it on AllMusic.com. They rarely (never?) misstep, so all their releases are recommended but the latest is particularly poignant as it is dedicated to Vic Chesnutt, a good friend and collaborator of  Lambchop mastermind Kurt Wagner. It deals with love and loss in a typically gorgeous Lambchop way, it's almost meditative to listen to it on headphones. Except for all the cursing. Nonetheless, if you're not already on board the Lambchop train, its a good time to take a ride! Lambchop - Mr. M: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Heartless Bastards

There's no lack of buzz on this release and well deserved. I love Erika Wennerstrom's vocals, her songwriting, her emotion, the production (by Jim Eno of Spoon), the way the record builds from a whisper to a wail, and I don't know why there is a buffalo on the artwork but I love that too. Anybody else hear a little Led Zeppelin in there? If more women found their way into rock in this gender-free way instead of in the more common girly way, there would be more records like this. And that would be a good thing. Heartless Bastards - Arrow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Valentine's Day Playlist

The romantic and sexy editors over at the new Reign magazine asked me to come up with ten songs to make you swoon on Valentine's Day, it's a varied list from Billie Holiday to Wilco to James Vincent McMorrow, here you go! Ten Songs To Make You Swoon

Pick Of The Week: Dr. Dog

We love Dr. Dog! Each of their last several albums has reached a little bit in a new direction, their songwriting craft is in peak form, they're loose and fun without being sloppy or lame. They love their pop melodies and harmonies just as much as their raw vibe and fuzzy guitars, and it all blends beautifully. Recommended if you want a modern version of The Beatles, Dylan, The Band or any of the classic greats. Dr. Dog - Be The Void: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Louis Armstrong Sighted On Castle

Even though I'm die-hard indie rock girl, 40s and 50s jazz is a secret passion of mine so working on this episode was quite a thrill! It was fun (and nerve-wracking) to try to find the right Louis Armstrong recording that matched the era as well as the band members we would have on-stage. Kudos to the Castle writers, who envisioned how beautifully "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" would work throughout three scenes and ultimately bring Castle the answer to the mystery. And a big thank you to Connie Boylan at ABC who worked tirelessly to cast the Louis Armstrong look-alike as well as period-perfect band members. Louis Armstrong - I Can't Give You Anything But Love: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

In order to have Tamala Jones (the actress that plays Lanie) sing "Comes Love" during the episode, we pre-recorded the track at a studio in the Valley. She was charming and funny! I think she was a little nervous but once she loosened up, man, she was channelling Billie Holiday and it was awesome! I'm not sure if ABC will make that track available to Castle fans, but meanwhile I'm recommending the Billie Holiday version if you like the song -- but Joni Mitchell does a great version too!

Billie Holiday - Comes Love: Amazon :: iTunes