Awesome Music As Featured On NBC's Camp!

I was delighted to work with Liz Heldens (Mercy, Deception) on Camp this summer although it meant I didn't really get a summer vacation! But I did get to watch a lot of summer fun, which is almost as good as going away. Also, I was able to put a lot of my favorite bands into these ten episodes, man, we crammed a lot of music in here! I made a Camp Spotify playlist as best I could although quite a few of the songs are not on Spotify. So here is the official official list of what was in the first nine episodes of Camp. I'll update with the tenth episode next week.  Any questions, find me on twitter ...

CIT Overnight

While the CITs enjoy a camp ritual, Robbie has a wild day off.

A Summer Thing

Cayucas

Anything You Want

Jars Of Stars

Argonauts

The Little Ones

Start Somewhere

Dry Spells

Best Thing Yet

Switzerland

Another Love

Dave Calandra

Time And Place

Last Dinosaurs

Down River

The Temper Trap

Really Great World

Fixers

Harvest Moon

Mack's father starts a prank war with Camp Ridgefield; Kip lays it on the line for Marina.

Best Day Of Your Life

Katie Herzig

All That I Needed

Fremont

All Sense Of Time

David Wax

The Wedding

Heartbreak hits Camp Little Otter hard when Raffi and Todd decide to get married.

Best There Is

Stray Palace

Don't Stop Dancin

Kaskade

Locked Out Of Heaven

Bruno Mars

Take A Walk

Passion Pit

Stubborn Love

The Lumineers

Parent's Weekend

The CITs' parents descend, bringing a whole lotta drama to Camp Little Otter.

Every Little Thing

Valley Lodge

Spark

Fitz and The Tantrums

My Heart

Whitley

Heat Wave

As temps climb sky-high, life around Camp Little Otter heats up big time!

House On Fire

Fitz & The Tantrums

Love Natural

Crystal Fighters

Drop Down

Designer Drugs

Hello

The Potbelleez

Don't You Know

Homy

Something Is Not Right With Me

Cold War Kids

Sunshine  Ft. Adeaze

Alphrisk The Apostle

Valentine's Day In July

Camp Little Otter celebrates the spirit of love with a carnival for charity.

Stubborn Love

The Lumineers

Miracle Mile

Cold War Kids

East Coast Girl

Cayucas

Fresh Til My Death Feat. Mareko

Devolo

Lost In Time

Whitley

Food Fight!

Be Your Own Pet

Weekend

Last Dinosaurs

Song Of Birds

Races

Riptide

Vance Joy

Back Of My Mind

Aaradhna

Finally Free

Grifter

Stars

The Weight & Hurry

The Mixer

Little Otter hosts the annual mixer with Camp Ridgefield - hijinks ensue!

Put a Light On

Generationals

Everything's Cool

The Androids

Gotta Crush (instrumental)

Cocktail Slippers

Cayucos

Cayucas

Do My Thing

Estelle

O.P.P.

Naughty By Nature

World Of Beauty

Fixers

Where The Kids Are

Blondfire

It's Alright

Brotha D

High School Lover

Cayucas

Capture The Flag

Mack's ex returns to Little Otter, wreaking havoc during an epic game of Capture the Flag. 

Heaven

The Walkmen

Hold Me Up

Nazca Lines

Lorena Bobbit

Aaradhna

Chandeliers

Summer Fiction

Tuxedos

Cold War Kids

Credit Cards

The Falcon

Alive

Empire Of The Sun

The Same Tattoos

Fences

Pilot

Mack Granger struggles to keep Little Otter Family Camp afloat as her campers arrive for another unforgettable summer.

Out Of My League

Fitz & The Tantrums

Brighter Day

Sam Gray

Two Weeks

Grizzly Bear

Do Your Thing

Sweet Lorraine

Unbelievers

Vampire Weekend

We Run The Night

Havana Brown

Juvenile Thrills

The Launderettes

Tales and Truths

Black Apples

Say Yeah

Eastern Edges

Lightning Tent

Wildlife

We wrapped the season on a sobering note when we heard the sad news that the camp that Liz and her family attend each summer, Camp Berkeley Tuolomne, was wiped out in the Rim Fire that devastated a lot of California parkland including large parts of Yosemite. Thankfully nobody was hurt as there was time to evacuate but its upsetting news for all the families that made a lot of memories there.

Castle

Music Supervisor for critically acclaimed sleeper hit from Andrew Marlowe (The Astronaut's Wife) and Rob Bowman (The X-Files). Have featured a wide selection of up and coming indie pop artists (Golden State, Voluntary Butler Scheme, Lindsey Ray), critically acclaimed contemporary artistss (Amos Lee, The Frames, Band Of Skulls) as well as mainstream artists (Pearl Jam and Billy Idol). Commissioned three custom rock songs written for specific storyline. (2009-current)

Big C 2013 Playlist On Spotify

I am really pleased with the music I placed in "The Big C: hereafter" as we closed out this wonderful series. Most especially William Elliott Whitmore, who I wrote about here, and who deserves so many more fans than he has. And also the divine Bob Mould, I love getting a Minneapolis artist into this Minneapolis-based show! Well, and Admiral Fallow, one of my new favorite bands of the last couple years. Okay, well all of them, really! Always one to take advantage of new technology, I've thrown up a Spotify playlist, just click on this link The Big C 2013 Spotify Playlist and it should appear! It only shows the first five tracks, be sure to select the tiny 'See more tracks' button to get the full list. I would love a facebook 'like' or a Spotify 'follow' once you get there. I'll set up Spotify playlists for my other series soon, promise. Meanwhile, please support these wonderful artists, buy some music, concert tickets, t-shirts!

The Good Wife

Consulting Music Supervisor for Golden Globe and Emmy-winning television series starring Julianna Margulies. (2012-2013)

The Big C

Music Supervisor for Golden Globe nominated television series developed by Sony for Showtime, starring Golden Globe winner Laura Linney and Oliver Platt. 2010 season highlights included Sia, Ingrid Michaelson, Delta Spirit, Sharon Van Etten and many excellent emerging artists. (2010-2013)

Camp

Music Supervisor for summer television series from Friday Night Lights co-EP Liz Heldens. Featured a very contemporary soundtrack including Top 40 and super indie acts. (2013)

Deception

Music Supervisor for new television series from Friday Night Lights co-EP Liz Heldens. Featuring M.I.A., Charlotte Gainsbourg, Cat Power. (2012-2013)

Holy Shemp! Making Real Music for TV Bands on Castle

Andrew Marlowe, the top dog and creator of Castle, sent me the script with a brief note: "Call me." I could see why - the (brilliant) script centered around a band and the murder of their lead guitar player. In Castle tradition, we would need to make everything as authentic as possible, that meant creating songs that ABC could own that sounded like real songs, coaching actors to mime instruments convincingly to the songs and personify musician-ness, plus it all had to be done weeks ahead of time, for the shoot day instead of just within the editing bay. In short, there's really nothing that creates more work for music supervisors than bands on-screen ... but nothing more fun either! I tapped Simon Petty, one of my favorite songwriters of all time (see: Minibar: Road Movies for just one example) who turned around the killer song that closes the episode, "Back Out On The Road Again", in an extremely short amount of time. Per the script, the song had to sound like a new direction for "Holy Shemp", the TV band, as well as feature bass prominently to go with the storyline, and additionally needed to allow for backing vocals that "Esposito" would chime in for the final scene. After delivering on all counts on the songwriting front, he teamed up with Los Angeles via New Zealand producer/songwriter Greg Johnson to record the song in Greg's Santa Monica studio and delivered it just in time to get final approvals and take to the set for the shoot! Simon accompanied me on shoot day to coach the musicians and we had fun being mini-TV moguls for the day. (Which really meant we tried to stay out of the way and do exactly what the director wanted at all times.)

The other song in the episode, "Lies", is rehearsed by the band when Castle and Beckett confront the lead singer, and it has a story all its own. This episode was written by Castle co-producer Rob Hanning. His son Noah is an extremely talented guitar player and while Rob was working on the episode he heard Noah composing a song that he quite liked ... you guessed it, Rob added some lyrics and that song ended up becoming "Lies" - a team effort!

So I think you can tell, a good time was had by all ... after 11pm west coast time, there will be links below for a (24 hour) free download of "Back Out On The Road Again" and a behind-the-scenes-interview with Jon Huertas (Esposito) in the recording studio with Simon & Greg! Meanwhile you can use the links below to follow this story to some good songs!

Free download of closing song "Back Out On The Road Again"

Simon Petty official site (for his latest project Solomon's Seal)

Greg Johnson official site

Behind The Scenes with Jon Huertas ("Esposito"), Simon, and Greg

Minibar - Road Movies (one of my top albums of all time but don't stop there get all the Minibar albums)

Eight Quick Picks: DB+St.V, Grizzly Bear, Two Gallants, Field Report, Cat Power and more

Hi, I'm back from a maternity break - doubled the size of the family by adding twins! I still found plenty of time to listen to new music, mostly while feeding them. They're the most musically up-to-date newborns around! Here's eight quick picks on recent new releases to make up for my absence, go on, spend that back-to-school money at the record store!

David Byrne & St. Vincent - Love This Giant: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Wacky young songstress teams up with elder statesman of wackiness. Beautiful music ensues.

Field Report - Field Report: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Field Report - Is part of Bon Iver. Done.

Two Gallants - The Bloom and The Blight: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Until further notice you can assume this band and anyone thats part of this band is always on my 'must have' list.

Grizzly Bear - Shields: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Two words: Grizzly. Bear. You already love it.

Ryan Lerman - Pinstripes, The Sky: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Yummy singer-songwriter with intriguing production. Probably the first artist to cover Adele and Elliott Smith on the same album.

Rhett Miller - The Dreamer: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Totally unfair that he is utterly talented and utterly handsome.

Hungry Ghost - Hungry Ghost: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Former members of Unwound make a new sound that is a melange of Led Zeppelin, X, White Stripes, and Sleater-Kinney.

Cat Power - Sun: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Phenomenal return from an indie favorite.

Pick Of The Week: The Dig "Midnight Flowers"

This is The Dig's second album and if I would have blogged more in 2010, their debut would have received a recommend as well. The album is flawlessly produced and every song has some interesting texture to it, I love that. But I don't love it if the songwriting is not there to back it up, and The Dig does not disappoint in that category either. I'm going to say that they're like a mellower Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with a male vocalist. See if I'm right. The Dig - Midnight Flowers: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

PS congratulations to me, as of the end of June we are halfway through the year and I have so far kept my New Years Resolution of posting a recommended album every week - you can count 'em, there are 26 recommendations posted!

Pick Of The Week: Everest

I think if a song can start off sounding like a Johnny Marr riff, segue into a grungy power pop Strokes vibe and then wind up sounding like the Doors, thats a great song. Such is "Rapture", the first track off Everest's new album Ownerless. And many more treats await you after that track. Most reviews of this record call them an 'alt-country' band but I think they owe a bigger debt to classic rockers like Neil Young. But if you don't care for awesome guitar lines, killer drums, great songwriting and heartfelt vocals, just keep moving. Everest - Ownerless: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Glen Hansard solo album

Spectacular Irish band The Frames, heart-stopping duo The Swell Season, and the hugely affecting movie Once have exactly one thing in common - Glen Hansard. He has an almost supernatural gift for live performance that is solidly backed up by first-rate songwriting credentials. A lot of Irishmen, Bono included, think Glen and his band The Frames are the best thing out of Ireland, since, you guessed it, U2. I think they might be the best thing out of any country since U2. This is Glen's first solo album, and it plays like a lost Van Morrison classic in tone and production but the songs are pure Glen - a storyteller on a quest to solve the ever-elusive mystery of true love. Lovers and seekers alike, this one is for you. Glen Hansard - Rhythm And Repose: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

"Birds Fly Away" Closes The Big C Season Finale

Ah, another season concluded on The Big C. It went so fast, right? I was told fairly early on that the season would conclude with Cathy diving/escaping into the ocean, so I had some time to find the perfect song. I love this piece by Theresa Andersson, she always has unique and interesting arrangements on her music. This comes from her 2009 album "Hummingbird, Go!" but she also has an album that just came out this year, "Street Parade" so give that one a listen as well. She's very, very talented. Theresa Andersson - "Birds Fly Away": Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

This Big C episode is titled "Fly Away" and originally aired on June 17, 2012.

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