Typhoon - White Lighter

I've been hearing the name of the band Typhoon for a little while (SXSW, NPR, KEXP, etc.) but I've never really given them a chance. 

Over the last 2 days, I've listened to their new album White Lighter 4 or 5 times and I've become pretty enthralled. Once again, a band that initially comes off a little rough on the ears, but slowly becomes an obsession the more you listen (The National, Alt-j, etc.). Kind of like IPAs on the pallet.

Young Fathers


Artificial Light


Morton's Fork/Possible Deaths


Dreams of Cannibalism

The National - Trouble Will Find Me

While living the life of a blogging slacker over the past few months, my 2013 album of the year (so far) was released and I never had a chance to share it. Apparently, their show at Red Rocks earlier this week was magical; I was unfortunately spending my evening at parent/teacher conferences. 

Here's a handful of my favorite songs from The National's new(ish) album Trouble Will Find Me.

Back on Blogger

After an unsuccessful stint on Tumblr, a couple of people convinced me to bring AudioPizza back to Blogger. We'll see how it turns out this second time.

Shovels & Rope - Birmingham

Jan Pehchan Ho

Ever since this Heineken commercial came out, I've been trying to find the original version of the song. 

Tonight, success!! Here's the original from what looks to be an epic Bollywood film, Suspense Thriller Gumnaam.

Here's Mohammed Rafi with "Jan Pehchan Ho"

on Spotify Special EFX – Jaan Pehechaan Ho - Mohammed Rafi
But the video makes it all worth it:

RIP Levon Helm

On my way home from work on Thursday, I found myself rocking out in the car to The Band's "Up On Cripple Creek." At the time, I didn't think much of hearing the song, until I got home and discovered why I was hearing the song. The voice and backbone of that song and the band (The Band) itself had passed just a few hours earlier.

Although I prefer Levon to his days with The Band, I have the utmost respect for the work the man did in recent years. In 2008, his album Dirt Farmer won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album.       

In 2008 I head a live session of Levon and his friends at Levon's barn/studio on the World Cafe. The session is great (and posted below) and the whole scene seemed surreal.   
A live session from Levon's studio in Woodstock, NY in 2008


After hearing the above session and interview of Levon, I came to the realization that the music industry needs more Levon Helms. He was one of the great ones and we were lucky to have him. RIP Dirt Farmer.

I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"He just grinned and shook my hand, "no" was all he said. 

Trampled By Turtles "Alone"

Here's the new video from Trampled By Turtles, Alone. Get your Duluth on! 
Trampled By Turtles – Alone

Go see the Lumineers

As we ascended the narrow canyon roads of the mighty Poudre River a couple weeks ago on our way up to see The Lumineers, our friend Micah made an optimistic prediction that this Lumineers show would be full of stomping, singing, happy people. He was spot on. By the end of the show, my feet were sore from stomping and I haven't smiled that much at a show since the last time I saw Josh Ritter. I know the quality is pretty poor, but hopefully my iPhone clip of Ho, Hey gives you a taste of what the show was like:     

But the highlight of the show came during the encore when the band pulled an piano out into the middle of the crowd and played 3 songs without audio equipment. It was just us and them, it felt like we were at a house party and our good friends pulled out their instruments to play us a couple of songs. It was one of the great moments in my concert-going life. 
The Lumineers are quickly blowing up and opportunities to see them at smaller, intiment venues is quickly dwindling. If you have a chance to see these guys soon, I would definitely take that opportunity.    
Tour Dates
Since my video is pretty bad, I decided to provide you with something a little better. Here's a live version of "Stubborn Love"  The Lumineers – Stubborn Love 

Happy Opening Day!

Today I thought I'd throw out (no pun intended) a couple songs to celebrate the start of the 2012 MLB season.  


Here's Macklemore with a tribute to the Seattle Mariners' 1995 run through the playoffs and late radio announcer Dave Nihaus. Despite the fact that I am not really a Mariners fan, something about this song brings a lot of joy to me. Maybe because it's not about the Yankees, Red Sox, or Cubs. I like this song so much that I'm going to go ahead and put in both the official video plus a live version from KEXP in Seattle.    
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – My Oh My on Spotify. 

1995 the division series, Edgars up to bat, bottom of the 11th inning got the whole town listening,swung on and belted the words that started, Joey Cora rounds third, here comes Griffey the throw to the plate’s not in time, my oh my the Mariners win it. Yes, fire works they lit up ceiling in the king dome. We had just made history.

There's no way I'm going to leave this post without a shout-out to my boys in purple, the Colorado Rockies. Here's Fort Collins hip-hop artist Black Prez remixing Wiz Khalifia,   Colorado stylie. Plus he gives a shout-out to both his and my alma mater. 

Vinyl Pizza - Jim Croce "I Got a Name"

When I first started the Audio Pizza Blog, I wanted to showcase good music from multiple genres and eras. Thus far, I've succeeded in the multiple genres aspect, but I have failed in the multiple eras. Recognizing the music that has come before. music that influences everything we hear today, is very important to me. My large vinyl collection and turntable will affirm this claim. So when I do showcase a song or artist from the past, I'll be titling it Vinyl Pizza (or sometimes maybe Cassette Pizza). 


Here's Jim Croce from 1973 with I Got a Name.
Jim Croce – I Got A Name     

In need of a First Aid Kit

I've been wanting to write a post about the band First Aid Kit for a while now and I figured now would be a good time as ever as I recover from my second collarbone surgery in as many months. Unfortunately, I have one arm in a sling and typing is a pain, so this is going to be short and sweet.

First Aid Kit is a cool, folky, sister duet hailing from Sweden. I was really impressed with this band, and then even more so when I discovered their ages; 23 and 19 respectively. The girls gained a little popularity in the U.S. after releasing this cover of Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. 

I discovered them after hearing their Fever Ray cover of When I Grow Up.

First Aid Kit – When I Grow Up

But the Söderberg sisters are more than just covers, and their new album is quite enjoyable. Let's start with the title track, The Lion's Roar. 
First Aid Kit – The Lion's Roar

Next up, Emmylou.
First Aid Kit – Emmylou

I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June 

And you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny too. 
No, I’m not asking much of you 
Just sing little darling, sing with me.


Finally, King of the World, featuring Connor Oberst. Heck yes! 
First Aid Kit – King of the World

Calling, Calling, Calling Me Home

I know it's on the radio, and I know it's very "Florencey," but damn, I can't help but turn up and rock out to Lights by Ellie Goulding. 
Ellie Goulding – Lights on Spotify.  

When You Were Mine

Here's a beautiful cover of Prince's When You Were Mine performed by duet John Heart Jackie. They're kind of like Portland's version of The Civil Wars.
Listen to it, download it for free, and spread the word on this band. They're doing some really cool stuff. 

Ho Hey!

I just bought my tickets for the April 6th Lumineers show at Mishawaka Amphitheater in Bellvue, CO and I'm super-psyched!! This will be my first time seeing this band but from what I've heard, I'm in for quite a treat. Here's the new official video for the song Ho Hey. The quality is much better than the live living room video I posted a few months ago. Also, their album drops April 3rd, get on it!

"I don't know where I belong, 

I don't know where I went wrong,

But I can write a song!"     

Audio Pizza Playlists Goes Live!

A couple of months ago, my amazing sister (who has been the biggest Audio Pizza advocate I could have ever asked for), started building a Spotify playlist of the songs featured on this blog. That playlist can by accessed by searching AudioPizza on Spotify and I will do my best to keep it updated. I've also create a Grooveshark playlist because it allowed me to create a widget to add to this blog. Sweet! Check it out over on the right------->. Also, here's a direct link to the Grooveshark Playlist. I wanted you to be able to just put on the music from Audio Pizza and let it roll. Enjoy!


And since I'm not really down to walk away from a blogpost without posting some sort of music, here's the new video from Of Monsters and Men, Little Talks. I posted a live version of this song a few weeks ago, but I thought I'd post the official video because it's absolutely visually stunning (and Icelandic creepy). 

Party Rock Charleston

I had to post this, just because I think it's hilarious and I am way impressed how easily the Shuffle converts over to the Charleston (all you need is a little Sepia).

The moment a lead singer realizes they've made it...

I was perusing reddit/r/music a couple days ago when I came across the title of:
0:16 the moment a lead singer realizes they've made it.
The video that resulted from my inquisitive click and the warm feeling it left in my heart and reminded me of how much and why I love live music. Pay close attention to Marcus Mumford right around the 16 second mark of this song. For my fellow Redditors out there, you know this resulted in an upvote. 

Audio Pizza Revamped

Over the past couple of weeks I've been contemplating a change to the Audio Pizza Blog. My reasoning behind this is based on the fact that nearly everyday I have a song, video, or artist I want to showcase on the blog. The problem lies in the fact that although I want to post these musical slices,  I don't always have the time or desire to complete write ups of these pieces. I felt kind of weird and a little lazy posting music without discussing it here on Blogger. So I looked at switching the blog over to Tumblr, a blogging platform that encourages, quicker, briefer blog posts. But, I have enjoyed my longer posts and I hope you've enjoyed reading them while listening to the music I picked. Therefore, I am going to remain on this site, but I am going to change up my posting habits a bit.
I'm still planning on writing my longer posts when time or content allows. But I also want to post items that I just merely want to share. Some of these posts may have a short write up, or may have no write up at all. 
With that being said, I'll leave you with a little Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward of She & Him, without saying really anything about it. Enjoy!  
She & Him – Thieves

This Heart Was Made For You - Valentine's Day Pizza

After finishing a lovely pasta and vino Valentine's evening dinner with my wonderful wife, I'm once again a temporary widower to science as my wife heads off to a BSL-3 lab to work on some deadly pathogen for a couple hours. While I wait for her return, I thought I'd post a small playlist love songs (and not so much love) playlist to take you through the evening.      

Josh Ritter - The Curse Josh Ritter – The Curse

Old 97's  - Question Old 97's – Question

Mason Jennings - Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor Mason Jennings – Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor

The Avett Brothers - The Ballad of Love and Hate The Avett Brothers – The Ballad Of Love And Hate

The Beatles - Here, There, and Everywhere

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You Band of Horses – No One's Gonna Love You (possibly a break-up song, but we'll go with it).

The Mitguards – Ridin' With The One I Love

And a couple of Anti-Valentine's Day Songs for those who aren't as into the holiday as others are.

The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight The Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight

Kathleen Edwards - House Full of Empty Rooms Kathleen Edwards – House Full Of Empty Rooms

Room 125 Productions

Room 125 Productions is the pseudonym of the film/media department of Lawrence High School in Lawrence, KS. Although Mr. Kuhr and students of Room 125 seem to do an immense amount of really cool film and music projects, I'm totally enthralled by their Classroom Sessions. Mr. Kuhr brings in independent musicians to be interviewed an filmed by the students of Room 125 Productions. The teacher and the music fan in me are both overwhelmed by the opportunity provided to both the students and to the artists themselves. Great work Mr Kuhr, keep it up! I'll be sure to post my student interviews and music footage once I get my own version of this going at my school. 


I've selected some of my favorite sessions below, but here's a link to the entire set of the Classroom Sessions.
The Head and The Heart - Rivers and Roads

Damien Jurado - Rachel & Cali

The Civil Wars - I've Got This Friend

Bryan John Appleby - The Words of the Revelator

Kimbra, a Soulful Kiwi

When I first heard the soulful/indie voice of Hamilton, New Zealand's Kimbra, it was where most people (at least here in the States) were introduced to her, amazingly complementing Gotye's magical (and possibly catchiest song ever) Somebody That I Used To Know. 




If you haven't heard this one yet, take a listen: Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know

Although I'm really digging what Gotye is doing, I was more intrigued by the young woman singing next to him (and no it wasn't because she was nakedin the video, that was just part of it).

Kimbra is hard to classify, Spotify calls he a "soulful vocalist with a bend towards jazzy R&B and indie-rock influenced dance music."Phew! Biut I agree. I couldn't decide if she reminded me of Robyn, Feist, Lily Allen, or Duffy. However you classify her, she's good. And I think she has the potential to get huge, especially as the aforementioned Gotye song blows up.

Here's a selection of Kimbra songs to get you started.

Kimbra – Settle Down

Cameo Lover

Good Intent

and finally, Two Way Street (Live)'